Zuko walked into his room, sweaty from hard training. He had been proclaimed a Master Firebender a year ago, but he still trained.

He jumped when a voice spoke up.

"Hello, Zuzu."

"Don't call me that!" It dawned on him. "Azula! What are you doing here?"

"Why, didn't you know? I was released after two years in prison.," Azula growled. "Two years that were all your fault!" she thought to herself.

"Of course I knew it," Zuko said. Azula was sprawled in one of his chairs. "But did you have to sneak into my room?"

Azula stretched casually. Zuko looked annoyed. "GET OUT OF MY ROOM!" he yelled. Azula grinned. She could still annoy the heck out of her dear older brother.

"That's no way to welcome your sister back from prison," she said as she flounced back out. Zuko collasped back into the chair that she had just vacated. She had been here a week, yet Zuko hadn't seen her. It was just like her to wait and pop up where she was least expected.

It was what Azula did.

He stormed into his bathroom. There was a large bath tub sunk into the tiled floor. It was filled with water. Zuko stripped off his sweaty clothes before sliding into the water he heated himself. He sighed in comfort as he slid down into the bubbles. He relaxed for a few minutes as steam rose from the water and carressed his face before scrubbing the sweat off of his muscles. He ducked his head under the water. He kept cutting his hair so it was short. He scrubbed his hair. Finished, he climbed out of the water and toweled the water off. He dressed in his clothes for formal occasions. There was a banquet tonight to honor Princess Katara, who was scheduled to arrive soon. Zuko shuddered.

A page dashed in. He quickly bowed before Zuko.

"Prince Zuko, Princess Katara's ship has been spotted on the horizon."

Zuko nodded. "I'm on my way."

He went to the stables. Uncle was already there, getting into his carriage. For the occasion, they were using the seldom-taken royal carriages. They rode in the Fire Lord's personal carriage as a gesture of welcome for Katara. Zuko and Iroh rode alone in the carriage on the way to the docks.

"Zuko, I know that you are upset about marrying Princess Katara."

Zuko did not reply.

"I want you to at least be civil to her. Maybe she'll do the same."

Still no response. Zuko stared out the window.

"Zuko, I hate to say this, but think about your own parents. My brother did not love your mother, and she did not love him back. They had a terrible relationship."

Zuko thought back to his childhood. He remembered the bruises that kept Ursa in her room, faking illness. He thought about when she kissed him goodnight with puffy lips, or when she tucked him in with shaking hands.

"Please. Try to be kind to her."

The carriage came to a halt.

"I will," Zuko whispered.

They got out of the carriage and stepped out onto the docks. The ship was docking, and they went to wait.

Katara stood on the deck of the ship. The Fire Nation was getting closer. She saw an ornate carriage pull up and two people came out. She shuddered. She wanted to be anyplace but here. She found herself thinking longingly of home. Gran Gran understood her more than anyone else. Sokka was furious that Katara was being married to "the Angry Jerk". Her father had truly been sorry that he had to marry Katara off. Katara found herself thinking of Aang. Aang had come to visit the day before Katara left. Aang had deflated when Katara told him that she was getting married.

Katara was distracted when the boat docked. She sighed as she went to go get her carpetbag from her room. Her chaperone, a widow on her way to visit her sister, accompanied her down the gangplank. Katara walked up to Iroh and Zuko. They both bowed before her.

Iroh rose first. "Good afternoon, Princess Katara." Katara said "Thank you," very quietly. Zuko cleared his throat. "I trust you had a good trip?"

"It was as good as could be, considering where I was going," Katara snapped. Zuko's jaw tightened. Iroh looked at the glaring Katara, then to the glaring Zuko. "Shall we go?" Iroh said.

They all climbed into Iroh's carriage. The servants began to bring Katara's things on deck. The several smaller carriages following Iroh's were loaded with Katara's things, and took off, slowly.