"Zuko?" The servant knocked as she opened the door and didn't see the young prince anywhere. She sighed as he probably escaped. The box in her hands was present. The box that belonged to the FireLady.

She walked over as she slid the box under his bed, and turned around as she left. The prince waited as he heard the door closed and quickly walked over to his bed. He knew if she had seen him— she would want to stay, and he couldn't let that happen. He didn't want to show an expression of what he was about to read. It scared him that this box in his hands held information that his uncle had been hiding.

He looked out the window as it was whole new day. Zhilan probably thought it was best to wait til the next morning instead of overwhelming him with everything that had already occurred.

He was doubting whether he should actually open them. What if there's something that he didn't need to know. But, at the same time he couldn't just ignore it. Maybe his questions could be answered. Why she was banned? Why did his father tell him that she left on her own will?

His arm extended as he brushed back his hair almost frustrated of his thoughts. He has to see what was inside. The prince took a deep breath as he opened them and revealed a lot of scrolls. He was hesitant to open them, but knew he would have to eventually. He grabbed the first one as he removed the ribbon and unscrolled the thin paper. He bit his lip as he began to read them.

They all started off with a date. These scrolls is her journal or even a diary. The prince shook his head as he felt wrong to read his mother's writing. The first few ones were about how unhappy she was with the FireLord. It even got to her past life before she met the FireLord.

She was inlove with someone else, but she couldn't pursue it. Instead she got with a cruel man who wanted nothing but a child to rule and continue his ethics and beliefs. Zuko bit his lip as he knew he was that child. Things didn't work out the FireLord's way, because Zuko knew deep down he didn't believe in his words or ethics.

He continued reading as he found one scroll that was interesting, it was about Avatar Roku. He raised his eyebrows confused on why he was mentioned throughout the scrolls.

But, it seems that the avatar was best friends with Sozin, his great-great-grandfather. The two grew up together with Roku being an avatar and Sozin the FireLord. Everything was perfect, but Sozin had plans about controlling other nations. And, that was what caused their friendship to break.

His mother wrote an entry explaining exactly why she believed she was chosen for Ozai. She wrote that Ozai's father had the same determination to conquer the world, and believed if he married his son to the Avatar's granddaughter their power will grow.

She began to realize it as she got older, she would remember the times she would play with Zhilan and be observed from Azulon himself.

"Wait Avatar Roku is my great-grandfather?" Zuko questioned himself as he drop the scroll from his hands. It all made sense why his uncle switched sides. He always confide with his sister-in-law and knew about these scrolls. He knew that if Zuko got to read them that he too would change sides of this war.

But how can it be? He possibly couldn't be related to the past Avatar. It just seem unrealistic.

Before Zuko could continue reading he heard a tap on his window. Scared he put the scrolls back into the box before sliding it under the bed.

He stood up as he opened the window, but did not see anything. Confused he simply shrugged as he turned around, "Wait," He heard a feminine voice.

He stopped in his tracks as he heard that familiar voice. He stayed still unsure whether he should turn around to look at her.

Katara noticed as she pulled herself up and entered his room. She took off her hood revealing her long wavy hair, "Zuko, we need to talk," She stated.

"About?"

She was taken back by the coldness of his tone, but she couldn't blame him for hating her if anything she also hates herself for what she caused, "We really need your help,"

Zuko shut his eyes as he got angry from her response— his hands were formed into a fist, "Is that all you came for? For my help?" He asked as he turned around and looked at the waterbender. His eyes looked directly at the necklace that he gave her— she was still wearing it. Despite everything, she had it on and it didn't seem like she plan to take it off. "You are the girl that traveled with the Avatar," He stated looking down at her outfit, "I recognized those clothing but never got a good look at your face neither Sokka," He had blurry memories of their silhouettes but he felt stupid not realizing sooner.

Katara glanced away from him as she took off the coat fully, "Aang didn't want our faces to be shown— we believed the discreet we were would of protected us,"

"Especially when you guys finally came into the FireNation," He chuckled darkly.

Katara bit her lip, "Zuko, I want you to come with me," She mumbled as she looked away from his glance.

He sighed as he looked away from her, "Well, I don't know how I can help you," He stated clearly.

"Aang needs a Firebending teacher,"

He raised an eyebrow, "And he's okay with that? Because last time I recalled I chased him around the world trying to capture him," He smirked remembering the old times of him going after the kid.

Katara looked at him odd as she never seen him act different almost like how Suki described him the first day of the Selection, "It doesn't matter what Aang thinks, he knows what's more important," She defended the kid as she crossed her arms.

Zuko took a few steps closer towards the waterbender, "And, how can you be sure that I won't be a traitor, and hand over the avatar to the FireLord,"

The waterbender bit her lip as she remained still her eyes staring directly at his golden ones, "Because I know there's good in you, there was never evil in your blood,"

Zuko groaned as he turned around completely ignoring her as he knelt down and pulled the box from earlier. Confused, she walked closer to him as she saw him open it. Then it hit her, it was the box that Azula was going after, "I'll help you guys finish this war, but once everything is done for we go our separate ways," Zuko stated as he placed the box in a pillowcase.

Katara slowly nodded her head, "Deal," She whispered as she placed her hood on, "We should leave now, it took me a day to arrive back here, and there's a chance that the others had gone further," She explained.

"Let me change," He insisted as he grabbed different clothes, and his black cape making his way to his bathroom.

Katara, on the other hand, stayed behind as she looked around the room. She has been here before many times that it brought memories into her mind. She closed her eyes remembering the first time she accidentally slept here. There was also the time where they would sit on his couch and just talk. She missed those times if she had to be honest with herself.

"Okay, lets go," Zuko stayed as he came out of the bathroom. He had his cape on hiding his red colored clothing that he chose to wear.

Katara nodded as she followed right behind him.

"I think this will be a decent shelter for the night," Katara stated as she looked at the hidden area in the forest, "It's not a full moon, so no one will see us," She explained.

It was silent as Katara laid down next to a tree, her eyes looked up as she simply didn't know what to do or say. Everything was awkward now that she's been exposed. She closed her eyes in hopes of her falling asleep but she knew damn well it will be a struggle. She sighed as she sat up, and turned to see the prince sitting far from her as he too was looking up at the sky.

She got up as she couldn't take it anymore with a single motion she placed her hood on as she was going to head back to the village.

"Where are you going?"

"Just for a stroll," Katara mumbled quietly as she looked away hoping to not make eye contact, "I will be back," She reassured as he sighed.

He slowly got up, "I don't think that's a good idea," He started with his hands crossed against his chest, "It would be suspicious if someone spotted you roaming around,"

"It's late I doubt anyone is awake," She responded as she continued ignoring his calls. She just needed to calm herself down. She didn't think it was going to be this hard to explain. Toph would most definitely be disappointed if she was there with them. 

She walked as she heard the sounds of crickets. It was rather peaceful which made her at ease. She slowly crossed her arms as she felt the breeze push against her. Her eyes looked up at the sky, "Mom, I don't know what to do," Katara admitted as her eyes grew watery.

The waterbender was confused and clearly upset about the whole thing. This would be the first time she ever tried to talk to her mother. It was something her Gran Gran told her to do when she ever felt lonely or needed comfort, but as stubborn as she is she didn't want to be weak.

A single tear drop escaped from her eyes as soon more slid rapidly across her dark complexion. In a single motion she broke down onto her knees. Her hands covered her eyes as she refused to let anyone see her tears.

What would her mother do if she was in her place? Knowing her, she would of started by telling the truth. Something Katara never did. It was stupid of her to fall inlove in the middle of the war, but she knew she can't change her feelings. The human mentality doesn't work like that— one must feel pain, joy and sadness. Her tears continued to slid down her cheek more and will continue knowing that she was releasing a lot more hidden emotions inside her body.

From a distance, the prince had followed her incase of any trouble. He saw her break down and was unsettled from the scene. He wanted to go hug her and comfort her so bad, but what if she needs to be alone?

What if she gets mad at the fact he was following her? But he still cared deeply for her. After his hesitation, he walked towards her and bent down to her level, he stared at her as she was too occupied on her own tears and sound that she didn't hear the prince.

In a single moment, he wrapped his arms around her.

Katara was startled but recognized the Prince's scent. She removed her hands but refused to look up at him, "Katara you are never going to be alone," He whispered as he tried to comfort her at his best ability.

He couldn't stay mad at her. He still loves her no matter the circumstances. He closed his eyes as he remained quiet. The prince had nothing to say to her or what to say to her in general. He looked around before he whispered directly towards her ear.

"Kat, let's head back before someone spots us,"

Katara remained quiet as she separated from his grip and stood up. Her arms were crossed as a sudden breeze hit her making her shiver for a bit. The prince noticed as he continued to follow behind her not wanting to invade her space.

They soon returned as he sat down his stuff, "Have you eaten anything?" He questioned as she shook her head.

"I'm not really hungry," She assured him as he rolled his eyes and looked inside his bag. He managed to swipe food from the kitchen before they headed out. The prince extended his arm out waiting for her to grab it, "No, it's fine, you can eat it," She insisted.

The prince sighed, "I have plenty for myself just grab it," He ordered as she extended her arm to grab it. His eyes looked at her necklace. If she still has it it on, she must actually feel something towards him. Katara quickly noticed as she grabbed the food. Her lips sadden as she tried to take off the necklace , "No, you can keep it, it's yours to begin with,"

"Zuko, do you want to talk about it?" She questioned wanting to make the tension disappear. He sat down quietly as he waited for her to continue.

She took a deep breath as she sat down next to him, "It started out that way in the beginning. I joined so I could figure something out to overthrow the FireLord. When I joined I didn't consider your feelings because I didn't think I had a chance— look at me, I'm obviously from the WaterTribe and we usually don't get along with one another. I honestly thought you were going to send me home, but I'm glad you didn't because I slowly got to know you and these feelings grew," Katara explained as the prince listened intently to her words, "I was planning to have you join me— I knew you didn't like this war,"

The prince sighed, "You could of told me. I probably would of gotten mad, but I would have gotten over it," He mumbled.

"I know, I did try to a couple times, but I was scared of losing you Zuko," Katara admitted as the prince turned away, "I know that I made it worse, and that I ended this beautiful relationship that we had. I'm sorry," She apologized as her eyes began to water.

"Katara, I just need some time to think this through, but just know that you didn't ruin anything," He gave her a half-smile before he turned around, "You should get some sleep, I'll watch," He insisted as he turned around. He wanted to forgive her but he just needed time to think about everything.

Katara remained quiet as she didn't want to argue with him. She laid down to her spot but instead of looking at the sky, she closed her eyes wanting to sleep and forget about the whole thing that happened.

Zuko looked up at the sky wondering what he should do. He couldn't get mad at her because he knew that he probably would of done the same. He didn't know how she got his attention so quick, ever since he saw her— he just knew. Lately he had thoughts in his mind about the future, he pictured a girl and a baby boy in her arms. That they will be at the garden having a picnic with his uncle there to play with his grandchildren.

Have a family that he desired so much, and he realized he wasn't going to let that be thrown away. Katara's feeling for him are real, and that's the only thing that matters. But, he did have a way to make sure of her feelings.