A/N: Okay, here's the second chapter revised! Wooh! I'm afraid it's not a very exciting chapter but a necessary one.

Katara tried to block out the rising sun, pulling the blanket over her head. When that wasn't enough, she piled the pillow onto her face. It worked, but she was running out of fresh air. With a pitiful sigh she batted the plump pillow aside and stared at the underside of her blanket. Maybe comforter was a better word, since it was a fancy blanket. Everything in the palace was either ornate, plush, stuffy, or all of the above in some way and she was growing tired of it.

Hauling herself up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed in one swift motion made her feel dizzy with the rush of blood. She took a moment to orient herself and note that it was festival day. She always looked forward to getting back with her friends, but it definitely wasn't like their war days. Waking up alone in a bed that was so cushy it could eat her was vastly different from waking up on one of Appa's legs or on the ground, surrounded by her friends.

Katara squinted at the window and judged it to be midmorning. With a defeated groan she flopped back onto the bed, letting herself sink gently while she closed her eyes.

I'm rarely up before noon here, she thought remorsefully. If she were back home, she would've been up hours ago. The celebration didn't start until the evening so it was excusable for her to sleep until the sun was high. Why was she up so early? She tried to remember...ah, it had been a dream about Aang. Her chest tightened instantly, but it was with uneasiness instead of affection. Was he in danger? What was he doing now?

The least he could do was send a messenger hawk or something. I hope he'll be here tonight. She knew it wasn't likely, but there was always a chance he could take a break from being the world's savior.

Her eyes popped open as she worked up the determination to face the day. No time to be worrying about Aang, if he comes he comes. And if not...she bit her lip uncertainly. She would cross that bridge when she came to it. The cracked door interrupted her thoughts and a maid's head popped in tentatively.

"Oh good, I thought I heard you stirring. It's strange for you to be up so early but..." The young woman snapped her mouth shut, cheeks flushing in embarrassment. She bustled in with a tray of breakfast and kept her eyes down. Once her task was done she tried to escape quickly, but Katara had other plans.

"Hey, um, could you help me with something?" The waterbender asked hesitantly. The poor serving woman was obviously mortified to still be there, but she stopped all the same. "I know this is silly, but I'd like your opinion on what to wear today. There's a lot of costume changes and..." She motioned with her hands, as if there was no other way to explain the routine of the day.

The woman brightened and was glad to redeem herself. She scurried over to the grandiose armoire and flung it open, her gusto impressing Katara thoroughly. Inside was an immense collection of fine clothing that she had never bothered to look through.

"Now, you will obviously want to wear something blue in honor of your home, and definitely something silk, but nothing too heavy because I heard it will be a warm day and..." The woman jabbered on while Katara stifled a yawn. It was way to early to be getting into something like this. The rambling woman was already creating various outfits for different parts of the day, and the bender nodded gratefully at what was laid before her. The beginning of the celebration saw her in something more casual and she would end the night in full fancy regalia.

She fingered the front of the long, sleeveless tunic she now wore and wished it had been something closer to her native garb. The gray blue shift with its long sleeves helped, but it wasn't right to her. Light silks had no use in the rugged South, but these people didn't care if her clothes were authentic. Katara allowed herself to think on the crowd of people that would be at the celebration, unwilling to parade herself around for their pleasure. She tied the white sash around her waist and was finished.

Katara had to politely yet forcefully tell the woman that no, she didn't want her to braid her hair for her. She had been doing it for as long as she could remember and she had two capable hands. Finally conceding to have her hair at least brushed by the maid, Katara winced at having her tangled hair pulled. The woman kept talking as she braided her own hair and she was half listening until a particular name caught her attention.

"Excuse me?"

"I said, I should tell the Fire Lord you're ready for the festivities," the attendant explained, startled at being interrupted. "I'm sure your friends have arrived by now." Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing Aang again after what seemed likes ages and a different kind of excitement at seeing Sokka, Suki, and Toph.

"Yeah, okay, I'll just go find him," she replied vaguely, tying off the end of her braid. She was trying to imagine their reunion. Toph would be gruff and outspoke, Sokka annoying as ever, Suki her quirky self, and Aang...cheerful as always. Katara thanked the maid and was out the door before the other woman could say two words, her breakfast untouched.

She strolled down the corridor, glad to be free of the constant stream of babble, but was very hungry. The task of outfit choosing had to have taken at least an hour, and all that patient listening in between another hour, so who knew what time it actually was. Her stomach didn't care what the hour was, so long as it was fed and soon. She reminded her stomach that the day would be full of feasting and there would be plenty of food later. It wouldn't hurt to skip breakfast.

Katara rounded a corner and nearly smacked her head on a guard's breastplate.

"Ah, just the man I need. Can you direct me to the ever charming Fire Lord?" She asked pleasantly. The guard was already apologizing profusely for the near run in, and he was glad to lead her to a minor conference room. Apparently the work of a country leader was never finished. When she asked what the meeting had been about, the guard grumbled something about "angry cabbage merchants."

She poked her head around the man's broad shoulders when he opened the door, and there sat Zuko at the end of a long table. He looked every bit the Fire Lord, even in his casual tunic. It was the way he held himself, truly. Currently she could see that he was staring very intensely at a document on the table and she wondered briefly if he could set it on fire just by glaring at it.

With this intrusion of his privacy, Zuko was about to give the guard a harsh reprimand but he clicked his mouth shut when he saw Katara. The guard introduced her presence formally, bowed, and left them alone. She flinched visibly at his hard gaze and he was quick to look down again. Embarrassment overwhelmed him that she had seen him looking so fiercely at her, even if it had been unintentional. He cleared his throat awkwardly, not sure of how to save face in this instance.

"If you're busy, I can find someone else to pester," She muttered abashedly, already turning to leave. She had dealt with many a frustrated Zuko before, and it wasn't very appealing to deal with him now.

"No, no...I need a distraction anyway," he said quickly, shoving the papers and folders away for emphasis. She still looked hesitant and he tried his best at a reassuring smile. If her laugh was any indication, he probably looked more like he was in pain.

"So, are the others here yet?" She tried to keep her voice casual as she crossed the room to him, running her fingers over the table as she went.

"Sokka and Suki are, and Toph send word ahead that she's on her way, but I haven't heart from Aang. I'm sorry," he offered, guessing that it might be a touchy subject after her reaction last night. He didn't want to pry, but he guessed something was going down between the two. Besides, it wasn't like the Fire Lord was well versed in relationships. His uncle could give good advice about anything and Zuko longed for such knowledge. The silence drifted between them indefinitely when she didn't reply and he felt the pressure to fill the air with his words.

"If you're having trouble with Aang, maybe Uncle can give you some advice...?" Zuko guessed, hesitant to even brush the topic. Hopefully he wouldn't have to get involved and he definitely didn't want to be forced in to taking sides.

"We're not having trouble, there's nothing wrong! Everything's just FINE." Katara's relaxed posture changed quickly, her anger burning her up like paper in a flame. Was it that obvious that something was going sour between her and Aang? So bad that even Zuko could see it all over her face? She wasn't about to confirm his thoughts though her reaction as good as gave her away. Her eyes flashed, hard as ice and daring him to try to defend himself so she could rip him apart.

He put his hands up quickly though, physically signaling that he meant no harm. And was surrendering.

Smart boy.

But then he had to open his mouth.

Stupid boy.

"Look Katara, I didn't mean to-" He tried to apologize as he stood, but it only provoked her further.

She was absolutely seething now, fists clenched tight at her side. Who did he think he was, trying to put his nose in her business? It had nothing to do with him at all! She reached for her bending water but it was absent, so she dug her nails into her palms.

She would not hit him.

She would not hit the Fire Lord.

She had to be calm, he was only trying to help.

Katara took a shaky breath.

"Why don't you mind your own business, Zuko," she replied, trying to keep her voice even. "It's not like you have any significant other to speak of-no fantastic love life to warrant giving advice." As soon as the words left her moth she regretted them. But she was stubborn and proud so even as she felt the pang of sadness at the hurt in his eyes, she held her tongue.

"I think you should leave. Sokka would be happy to see you again."

Katara let the guilt wash over her when she had left the room. She leaned her back on the closed door, calling herself all sorts of horrible names before attempting to seek out her brother and his fiancé.

It took a couple of guards and a maid to find the pair, but it was finally accomplished. By this time the shame of her harsh words to her friend had subsided and she was able to enjoy the reunion fully.