A/N: I know you guys are waiting for Sokka's point of view, but I had to do Zula first because she introduces this foreign thing called a 'plot'. You wouldn't know what that is, would you?

Maybe—Zula

Her brother had changed, and Zula wasn't for sure how she felt about that.

It wasn't an obvious change, at least, not at first. His hair was still tied back in his topknot, his eyes, still golden like flame, and scar, that awful thing she hated and loved at the same time, was ever still present on his face. No, what was different about her brother wasn't clear. It was more in the way he moved, with more confidence that Zula was use to. There was also something…unfamiliar on her brother's face---a smile. Zuko never smiled, and here he was, a shy grin plastered on his face as if it dared never to go away.

Time to fix that.

"Hello, brother."

The shy grin faded almost instantly.

"What are you doing here?" He spat, a familiar scowl returning to his face.

Zula smiled. "You mean I can't stop by and say hello to my dear brother?" She laughed coldly as Zuko's scowl deepened.

"What do you want, Zula?"

She laughed. "To speak with Uncle, actually."

Zuko raised his eyebrow suspiciously. "Uncle's not here at the moment. What do you want with him?"

"Really?" She smiled coolly. "Then do you mind telling me where he is, exactly?"

"I won't let you take him away from me, Zula." Zuko growled at her, fire flaring out of his hands.

Two could play at that game. "Oh, but brother, you are so far out of the picture it's almost funny how important you think you are." Two identical flames flared from her own hands as she casually played with her brother's mind.

"Then what do you need on my ship, Zula?" He yelled, holding his arms out in a sparing position, ready to fight her.

"Why," She laughed. "To find Uncle, of course. I thought he was traveling with you. Or did he get sick of you like Father did?" She taunted.

"Shut up." He threw a fireball at her head, which she more than easily dodged.

"Come on, now, brother. Just tell me where Uncle is and I'll leave you be." She batted her eyelashes playfully, enjoying this moment all too much.

"He's in town." Zuko scowled. "I'll go with you."

XXX

So this was the object of Zuko's affection, the center of his change.

A girl.

A pretty girl, too, if you ignored her obvious water-tribe heritage.

Interesting…she had always sort of assumed her brother was gay, in a not-so-obvious sort of way.

Of course, he didn't just come out and say that this waterbender was his latest fancy, his crush…But Zula could tell by the way his breath became so short, his hands suddenly sweaty, the way he would not raise his eyes to meet the girl's, and the smallest hint of red on his face.

"You!" He screeched shortly after composing himself. "What are you doing here?"

The girl jumped, and looked around, almost excitedly, then her eyes landed on Zuko and she seemed just all the more happier. But it only lasted a second before she noticed Zula behind him. The waterbender's eyes narrowed and raised her nose pointedly, glaring, not at Zuko, but at Zula.

…Perhaps her brother's feelings were not as one-sided as Zula had thought.

"I could ask you the same thing." She stared angrily. "Not a real romantic spot for a date, is it?"

Date? What the—

Oh, she didn't!

"I'm not his date! I'm his sister!" Time to get that straightened out.

The waterbender blinked. "You have a sister?" She asked curiously.

"So?" Zuko replied calmly. "You have a brother."

Zula rolled her eyes. "Wonderful! Here, why don't you two duke it out while I step outside with Uncle for a bit?"

Uncle looked startled for a moment, as if he had forgotten it was his niece and nephew in front of him. "But they just brought me some of my favorite tea—"

"Now, Uncle!" Zula screeched, dragging the older man out by his hand.

Zuko stared at Katara for a brief moment; watching as she held her arms out, ready to fight. He stopped her. "I don't think it would be wise for us to fight in a crowded teahouse."

She dropped her stance carefully. "I guess not."

He smiled at her, almost seductively. "Don't worry---I'll just have to beat you another time, then."

She returned his smile equally. "We'll just see about that, then, won't we?"

Zula felt sick at her stomach.

"He likes her!" She whispered to Uncle as she waited for her brother to get done flirting so they could go back to the ship.

Uncle rolled his eyes. "Obviously."

Zula looked at the old man curiously. "Does she like him…like that?"

Uncle nodded. "Very much so."

Zula frowned. She was going to be oh-so-very-sick soon. Her brother with a love life…it was a scary, scary thought.

XXX

:end:

A/N: Sorry it took so long to write, I kinda got writer's block about half-way though it (which is embarrassing because it's not long at all.) So sorry. Anyway, on to write Sokka's chapter! Can't wait!

This was going to be up yesterday, but for some reason wouldn't let me upload it! I tried several times, but it wouldn't let me!

So here it is now.

Jak