He had done this a million times before yet this time, he couldn't quite silence the thundering of his heart beneath his black clothes. Silently, he prayed that the sound of his heart drumming against his ribcage wouldn't betray him this time. The warm, still night fell all around him, smelling of stars and earthy grass. During his exile, he had grown to appreciate these silent nights but he couldn't help the stray thoughts of home that came floating back to him on the occasional breeze. He pulled on the well-worn and familiar blue mask just as he had done a hundred times over, only this time he wasn't planning on running stealthily into the towns.

I'll be back soon, Uncle. He whispered.

Uncle Iroh snorted loudly in his sleep and rolled over.

He took this as a reply and ran quietly through the bushes and out into the night.

The first time he had donned the mask and the dark clothes was like a baptism of sorts for the exile prince. He was no longer Fire Nation Prince Zuko, nor was he the lowly refugee Lee traveling away from his demons and his troubled past life, but instead he became the physical manifestation of a legend; a living spirit who chose to haunt those around him. During the days, when he and his Uncle wandered around towns in search of food and a few copper coins here and there, he heard the townspeople whisper fearfully and excitedly about the Blue Spirit. He had been there last night, they said. I saw him with my own eyes! Others said. But only Zuko knew the truth, which he guarded loyally. But he could barely suppress a smug smile when he heard the fear and awe dripping from their voices.

This time, he left his swords back at the campsite. He wouldn't need them. He skillfully dodged trees and bushes without disturbing a single branch.

I know they're around here somewhere. He thought to himself.

And he pressed forward into the night, searching and searching.

Zuko peered behind a large tree and was greeted by the loud snores of the Avatar's Earthbender, and the Waterbender's oafish brother. Aang lay curled up in the saddle of his large, white bison with Momo fast asleep on his stomach while the Watertribe oaf lay in a puddle of his own spit, clearly not bothered by it at all. The Earthbender, Toph lay under a tent of earth, her dirt-crusted feet sticking out from the opening. From his hiding place, Zuko searched around their camp until he found what he was looking for.

Next to the dying embers of their campfire, he found her. She slept peacefully on her side, with her long brown locks fanned out all around her. Her choker gleamed in the dying firelight, and on her face she wore a look of peace and utter contentment. Behind the mask, Zuko closed his eyes reverently at the sight of the earth-bound angel who lay before him. His heart began to race and thunder once more.

They first met at the South Pole, when Zuko had come to take the Avatar away. Then, he didn't think much of her since she was merely a peasant who was just trying to get in his way. Before he and his Uncle were deemed traitors, that had crossed paths many times and he was surprised at her fervor and her fighting ability. Except for his sister, he had never encountered such a strong-willed and fierce girl before. Especially one who could fight him without backing down. And ever since then, he couldn't get that stupid peasant girl off of his mind. Those large blue eyes haunted his dreams, and during his early morning meditations, her soft voice echoed in his ears. He wanted all those things for himself.

He had to have her, right then and there.

Zuko tiptoed silently to the spot where she lay, not quite sure of himself or what he would do next. But he just knew that he had to get closer somehow. The moon seemed to direct her gentle glow right on the body of the sleeping girl, softly illuminating the rise of her cheekbones, the curve of her lips. Thick, dark lashes fanned out onto her cheeks. A few stray locks of her curled gently towards her face, caressing it as a lover would. In a way Zuko would probably never be able to. He studied Katara's face, noted the smoothness and beauty of her dark skin. He inwardly mocked the Fire Nation women who felt that pale skin was more becoming, because at this moment, her dark tone made her seem regal and otherworldly. He watched the gentle rise and fall of her breast as he breathed, and he admired her long slender fingers.

He kneeled before her sleeping form as he would a shrine. But the more he lingered, the more temptation grew deep inside of him taking command of his thoughts. A riot of thoughts assaulted him and his heart continued to leap and bound inside his chest. He didn't want to have to leave her side already, but as he looked up to tne sky he saw the night slowly start to retreat and lighten to a deep blue. Morning would come soon and his Uncle would soon wake.

The threat of the breaking dawn weighing heavily upon him, Zuko knew that he had to leave now. Their destinies would resume in the morning; the Avatar and his friends would continue on in their journey and Zuko and his Uncle would have to continue on towards Ba Sing Se. Uncle had said something about finding work, but Zuko had balked at the idea of doing any sort of manual labor. He wasn't a peasant, he was royalty. But at this point, he decided, it wouldn't matter anymore. But before he straightened up to leave, he gathered all his resolve and slowly reached his hand out to touch Katara's cheek. Zuko held his breath and prayed for his heart to still, just for one second. What if she woke up? What if Aang, or Toph, or that oaf woke up to see him touching her? And he didn't even bother to bring his swords!

He was rewarded with the soft feel of her skin underneath his fingertips, and his heart seemed to explode with happiness and delight. Behind his blue mask, he couldn't help but smile as he gently ran his fingers down her cheek. Azula could've appeared out of nowhere and ended his life then and there, but he wouldn't care.

But at that moment, Katara stirred from her sleep.

Oh no, this is it... Zuko began to panic.

The sleeping goddess snapped open her eyes quickly, but no one was there. She heard the rustle and snap of leaves and twigs and the snores of her comrades.

"I must've been dreaming", she ruminated aloud.

But she could've sworn that she felt something..or someone touch her face.

Nothing, it was nothing Katara. You're just being paranoid.

And on that note, she flopped back down to pick up where she left off.

Zuko dashed madly from their campsite in a desperate attempt to return before Uncle awoke. He cursed himself for his reckless actions. What was he thinking? He could've gotten caught and then what would he have done?

He ripped off the mask as he came upon his campsite, weary from his late-night foray into the forest but still wearing the remnants of a smile as he thought about the sleeping Waterbender.

Zuko stopped dead in his tracks. His mask clattered to the ground and he stood, rooted to the spot.

Uncle Iroh was awake, and smiling jovially as he sat next to a small fire with two steaming cups of tea sitting in front of him.

Zuko's eyes widened and he couldn't suppress the blush that was beginning to creep up from his neck.

"Nephew! How nice of you to join me for some tea. Perhaps you can fill me in on your little adventure?" his Uncle trilled, handing his stunned nephew a cup of green tea.