Hey everyone! It is the end of the week but I still made it. As promised here is chapter 3. Oh, and thank you for the reviews I look forward to reading them every time. As an appreciation gift to all my readers I wanted to attach a link of this amazing picture of Zuko, but it isn't working. If anyone knows how to do this correctly please msg me.

Sitting, pacing, standing, pacing. Suki watched as Zuko repeated the routine. The young prince was quite nervous and he had the right to be. Today Zuko was meeting his fiancé for the first time.

"Ugh, where is Uncle?"

"I'm sure wherever he is it's for a good reason." The young Kyoshi Warrior tried to comfort him, but honestly she had been wondering the same thing. No matter how many girls she placed around the Fire Lord he still found opportunities to escape.

A knock came from the door causing Zuko to stop his pacing.

"Prince Zuko the carriages are ready for departure."

"Thank you, I'll be right there."

Suki waited till the sounds of the guards footsteps were no more before starting up the conversation again.

"Zuko, there is no need to be nervous. I'm sure she is just as anxious as you. For you, at least this is your home, but for her this is a foreign land."

Zuko glanced into the mirror at his scarred face placing his fingers at its edge. That's true, but will she except me? Zuko sighed and turned to grab his things.

"You're right; I guess we should get going. I don't want to be late."

"Are you two ready yet? Suki gave Ty Lee a look after the girl entered the room without knocking. "Oops sorry; I did it again. I'm sorry Zu, I mean, I'm sorry Prince Zuko."

"No worries, I was on my way out anyway."

Zuko entered one of the many carriages lined up in front of the palace. It was his uncle's idea to make a big deal of the greeting, but Iroh wasn't even there to fulfill his plan.

"Are all of these carriages and things still necessary?"

Zuko stuck his head out to ask his female guards as they made there way to the docs.

"It is what Fire Lord Iroh wanted. Even if the Fire Lord isn't here we must fallow through."

That wasn't what Zuko wanted to hear. The extravagance of it all was like a big parade, humiliating.

"Besides Prince Zuko this is extra amazing." Ty Lee added with outstretched arms of enthusiasm. "If I was coming off a ship to see all of this I would feel really special."

Despite Ty Lee's zeal Zuko still felt five wagons of gifts and two lines of palace servants all aliened by twenty Kyoshi Warriors was a bit too much. He remembered Ty Lee encouraging Uncle Iroh to include fire works but that was where Zuko drew the line.

"Prince Zuko, we're here."

Zuko pulled back the curtain at Suki's announcement. With just a small slit to peak he could see the rising sun gleaming off the edge of the vessels. His eyes searched the crew as they began to unload.

"I don't see her."

"Maybe you should step outside then, Prince Zuko."

Zuko did as Suki suggested and stood in front of his vehicle for five minutes before he began to feel uneasy.

Did she even come? Zuko wondered. The water tribe girl had the right to refuse his offer. Though it would cause shame for her tribe it wouldn't be that disgraceful. Refusing the hand of the prince whose people had tormented the world for a hundred years is understanding.

"Hey, isn't that the Fire Lord?"

Suki and Zuko followed Ty Lee's finger to a short man in Earth Kingdom entire. The old man was happily conversing with the lieutenant of the ship while sipping on his morning tea.

"Uncle?" Zuko shouted getting his attention.

"Oh Zuko. I see you've made it just in time."

Prince Zuko couldn't believe it. The missing Fire Lord wasn't missing at all but had gone to the South Pole.

"Is this where you've been the entire time?" Zuko had made his way to Iroh with Suki and Ty Lee not too far behind.

"Well, not the entire time. Ha ha, that would be impossible. We only just arrived a few minutes ago."

"You know what I mean. The entire palace has been looking for you. You are the Fire Lord now. You can't just vanish on a whim anymore."

"I am not a child Price Zuko, I know my duties. By the way, speaking of duties I have met your future bride. She is a very lovely girl, but," he pulled Zuko in closely so that he could whisper the rest, "she is a little rough around the edges. You must promise me that no matter what you will control that temper."

Zuko razed his brow, "I thought my temper wasn't as bad anymore, Uncle? Even you said I had improved." He whispered back.

"Yes, but she is very," Iroh paused looking for the right words for his nephew to understand, "She may require a little more patience then what you've mustard."

Iroh stepped away to greet Suki and Ty Lee allowing his words to sink into his nephew. Zuko was as curious as before now and began to wonder where this girl was.

#

Katara had barley slept. She was so anxious that when she did finally fall asleep she woke before the sun had begun to rise.

Looking around at the things that reminded her of home Katara couldn't believe that this would be the last she would be so close to it. As soon as she stepped out the door she would be in their world.

Katara sat at the edge of her bed knowing she would have to move, but her body wouldn't budge.

"Alright, I can do this." This is for the betterment of the world, Katara thought.

"Ma'am. The crew has unpacked and you ride to the palace has been waiting outside since we docked."

"Okay, I'll be down." Katara called out to the man on the other side of the door.

She forced her self from the comfort of her bed then from the comfort of the room. With one last glance she took in what Bo had done for her and reflected on the memories of her childhood.

"Goodbye dad and Sokka." Katara grazed the tips of her fingers over her mother's necklace. That and the cloths on her back were all she had now of home.

#

"Ah, Katara."

Zuko looked to his uncle then up at the figure that stood at the top of the ramp. The sun was behind Katara making it hard to view her face, but from what Zuko could make out he could tell she was very beautiful.

Katara searched for the familiar voice that had called her name and spotted Bo standing by two beautiful young women. A young man in fine clothing stood with them but she could only see the right side of his face.

He must be an important figure in the fire nation. She thought. It never crossed her mind that a royal prince would actually come to the docs to welcome her. It was known that the royal family was snobbish and looked down on people like her.

"Bo," Katara smiled and waved to her friend. She hadn't expected him to still be around.

Zuko and the girls looked to the Fire Lord in question. "Bo," they inquired in unison.

Iroh quickly razed his finger to his lips, "Shh, just play along."

Zuko sighed and shook his head wondering what character his uncle was portraying.

Katara walked over to the small group whilst looking at the many wagons of priceless items and the rows of servants and warriors. "Bo was all of this on the other ships?"

"No, but do you like it? It is a welcome party for you from Prince Zuko. It may be a little much, but he insisted on it." Iroh leaned in towards Katara but spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "He really wanted to impress you. The prince was so excited to meet you that he came here."

"Un-cle," Zuko mumbled in frustration. Once again the old man was embarrassing him.

Katara was shocked; the prince had actually come to welcome her at the shipping docs in front of his people.

"Where is he?" She looked around for a moment, but not for long. Bo stepped aside revealing the young man who stood with him.

"He's right here. Katara, this is Price Zuko of the Fire Nation."

Zuko tuned to fully face her and bowed his head to give a Fire Nation bow. "It is nice to finally meet you Katara. I hope our union will be a success in starting the healing between all of the nations."

Zuko raised his head and Katara was taken aback by what she saw. Scarring from a bad burn covered majority of the left side of his face, including his ear.

"I am honored to share in this opportunity with you," she recovered from the delayed reply.

I wonder what happened to him, Katara wanted to ask, but knew it wasn't the right time.

"Good, now that everyone is here you should get going. You have a palace to settle into."

"Where will you be going Bo?"

The question caught Iroh off guard. He had planed to give them time to get back then enter the palace though the back door. "I was just going for a stroll to stretch my old legs."

"Why don't you come with us? We should have enough room in that large carriage. That is," she added remembering that she was a guess in a foreign land, "if Prince Zuko doesn't mind.

Iroh looked to his nephew with pleading eyes knowing already what the answer would be.

"No, I don't mind. He is practically like family to me."

Iroh gave his nephew an unpleasing look before returning to Katara with a beaming smile. "Wonderful, I will just get my things."

Zuko was happy that his uncle would be traveling with them. On the way back the ride was mostly quiet, but Zuko knew it would have been worse if his uncle wasn't there.

Katara was fascinated with what she saw. The city was large, much larger then the small tribe of tents she grew up with. That's because the Fire Nation had a hundred years to build itself without risk of being destroyed. Katara shook her head. She had promised herself that once she stepped off the vessel she would try to give these people a chance. Yet, it was so hard when these same people took her great tribe and diminished it to a handful of people while they grew and became strong.

"Is there something wrong?"

Katara looked to the Prince who's eye's were filled with concern.

"I'm fine; I just had an unwanted thought."

Zuko nodded and allowed the ride too become silent once more. Iroh didn't like the awkwardness. The young girl spent most of the time peering through the curtain while Zuko spent the time looking at the wall and steeling glances at Katara. If he wanted to say something to her he should. Sigh, why is such opportunity wasted on the youth?

"You must be hungry. It is early; you probably haven't had breakfast yet."

"No, the crew had an early breakfast today."

"Oh."

Katara glanced at Zuko. The disappointment was obvious on his face. Try again, Katara's inner self told her.

"But, I didn't really eat much so I am still a little hungry."

"Really, that's perfect. I mean, it would be an honor to have my chefs cook for you."

Now that's more like it. Iroh smiled to himself. "Katara, I hope you like Fire Nation food. It can pack a real punch."

The cart came to a stop and Ty Lee opened the door for everyone.

"This is..."

Zuko looked over at Katara's reaction from seeing his home. Her eyes had widened and her lips parted in amazement. "Welcome to your new home Katara. This is the Fire Nation's Royal Palace, my home."

Katara couldn't believe how imposing the palace was. "Who all lives here?" She asked after finally entering the space.

"The Fire Lord sleeps in the third wing while the servant's and the successor to the throne are in the others."

That's all? Katara asked herself. So mostly it is a palace of guards and servants.

"Price Zuko, why don't you have Suki or Ty Lee show Katara to her room and prepare her for breakfast."

"That's a great idea Unc, um, Bo. Ty Lee, would you take Katara to her room."

"Love to, this way Katara."

Katara followed the spunky girl down a few hallways before reaching the door to her room. This place is a huge maze. She couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.

"Here it is your room." Ty Lee pushed the door open to a large space decorated in red, burgundy, and gold. Sheer fabric hung from her canopy that was covered with silk pillows. There were also sheer curtains that were like doors to her balcony.

"If you'd like to sit at the powder table I can send someone in to get started on you." Ty Lee gestured to the area in the corner of the room.

"Thank you, but I can freshen up myself."

"But you will need knew cloths. You can't sit at the royal table dressed like that."

Katara looked down at the blue clothing that clashed with the blood red that surrounded her.

"Fine," She gave in without a fight.

#

Zuko took his seat at the family table. No one had arrived yet. It was quiet as he looked at the empty chairs his family once sat in. His mother still banished, father now dead, and his sister in a asylum. His family was so fragmented, but he still had Iroh and now maybe Katara.

"Prince Zuko, a note from the Fire Lord."

Zuko turned to the approaching guard and took the folded paper.

I will not be able to join you for breakfast today. I have things that need my attention, but this is a good thing. It will give the two of you alone time to get to know each other. Nephew, I wish you well and good luck.

Zuko tucked the note away before sitting down again. He hadn't prepared himself for this, but then again his uncle could be right, his absence may help in the end.

"Just remain calm. Act like you're talking to an old friend." Zuko mumbled as he thought of things to say when Katara arrived.

"Prince Zuko," Ty Lee called out.

"Is she here?" He jumped from his chair forgetting his cool persona.

"Well she is, but a different she."

A pale woman with fierce eyes stepped from around the corner causing Zuko's chest to tighten.

"Hello ZuZu. Who knew you would be so thrilled to see me."

Author's Note:

Did you enjoy that, I did. I am excited about writhing the Azula/Katara interaction. P.S. I will still try to post once a week, but as midterms approach I am not sure how consistent I will be. Do not worry, I will not drop this story. No matter what I will not stop till the last page says The End.