"Momo, if you don't give me that leechi nut, you will face the wrath of my boomerang!"

"…"

"Sokka, you really should stop pestering him." Aang suggested to his food deprived friend. He shook his head slowly and chuckled at Sokka's insaneness.

"Fine, but then we better find something to eat. And soon." Sokka stood up from his crouching position and stretched out his legs.

They were wondering around in the forests looking for something to do, and in Sokka's case, eat. After the Combustion Man had nearly destroyed the Air Temple, they decided to find something better to do than just sit around and train. Toph had been busy shaping the metal in her hands. Katara was fiddling with a lock of hair, braiding and re-braiding, while Zuko was lingering away from the group, observing them all.

Give me one reason. Katara's voice lingered in Zuko's mind and he couldn't help but gawk at how she appeared to stand taller than him the other night. I won't give anyone a reason to not trust me, I promise. He made a silent oath and went back to looking down at his feet. Which, of course, reminded him of Toph's burnt ones.

Zuko glanced up at Toph and felt a pang of guilt. He remembered hearing that her feet were her eyes, which was weird. But, she used vibrations or something.

"Hey Sparky, it's okay, you know, about my feet. In case you were wondering." The little earthbender said nonchalantly. Zuko's eyes squinted in confusion, maybe she's a mind reader, he thought, it certainly wouldn't surprise me one bit.

"Hey, guys," Katara turned towards the group, "do you hear, I don't know, music?" Her lips twitched before forming a smile.

Aang lifted up his chin and his gray eyes brightened noticeably. "It is! There must be a town nearby!" he exclaimed.

"Food!" Sokka placed a hand on his stomach and started running.

"Uhm, Sokka? It's coming from over here." Katara pointed a finger to the east of where Sokka was running.

"Oh, right." Zuko smirked at the "warrior's" instincts.

It was a small town, but lively at that. There was a festival of some sort, and the streets were crowded with people.

Sokka grinned sheepishly at the flying lemur, "Momo, looks like we'll be eatin' good tonight." The lemur tilted its head conspicuously at the boy. The two stalked off into the direction of a cabbage stand.

Aang picked up his staff and looked over at Katara, "I'm gonna go find out where we're at. Meet up with me later?" He walked off before she had a chance to answer.

Toph grabbed Katara's hand and spoke, "Hey, Sugar Queen, help me find some good grub." Katara merely laughed and led her in the trail of Sokka. Thus, leaving Zuko alone, again.

(AN: if you're wondering where Appa is, he's at the Air Temple. They didn't abandon the place, they just went exploring. I didn't forget about him!)

Zuko breathed in warily, and began to search for somewhere to hide out. He discovered a dark alley and just as he was about to walk in, a hand latched onto his arm.

He growled and swiped at the fingers that were clutching the fabric of his shirt. "GET roff ophf meph.." The end of his plea was muffled as a hand latched over his lips. Furious, he felt fire surge through his veins when a voice stopped him.

"Zuko. We've been waiting for you."

"One dragon's heart, please."

Katara searched inside of her knapsack for a copper piece, when the merchant reached out to stop her. She looked up, and gave him a strange look.

"I would never let Miss Katara pay for something at my stand." He smiled and handed her the small fruit.

"What? Oh, come on!" Sokka threw his hands up in exasperation. "He made me pay for my meal!"

Katara ignored her brother and went back to the merchant. "How do you know my name?" she asked, bewildered.

"I would recognize those eyes anywhere." He proceeded to help the customer behind her, but Katara was still extremely confused.

"Wh-h-how do you know me?" She handed the dragon's heart to Toph who took a hearty bite out of it.

"Go to the middle of the square, it will be explained to you then."

"Where are you taking me?" Zuko attempted to scream, but his words were still incomprehensible. No answer. The person just continued to shove him forward. Suddenly, the grip on his arms was gone and he was free to move. With precision, he whirled around to grab whoever had had him captured. But it was no longer some mysterious person. It was Katara.

Shit.

"What are you doing?" she scoffed, anger radiating in her voice. "Don't touch me!" she swiped off Zuko's hands and stepped back quickly, scrambling into a fighting stance.

"No! I mean–I thought you were..." He stuttered lamely; he didn't want the girl to have another reason to hate him. Katara pointed a finger in his face and opened her mouth to speak when a voice interrupted them from having a rather heated discussion.

"Happy Zutara Day!"

A/N: zomg. revision rocks my socks. this chapter isn't a whole lot different. ah, oh well. the next one'll get better.