Author's Note:

Hey ya'll! Been a while! I wanted to make sure I had this story finished before I started posting again. To any of my old readers, thanks for hanging around! Hope you guys enjoy!

Story:~~~~~

Katara was officially furious with Iroh. Not only was he forcing her to attend a party she had no energy for, but he'd made her dress up in this stupid dress. Normally, she'd love to wear it; silky blue material that made her feel like a princess, but right now, as a prisoner, it only seemed to mock her. She wasn't even strong enough to bend the water surrounding her as she stood on deck, soldiers and ship workers coming from all directions to thank her.

Music was playing from somewhere, a few people dancing and others singing to an obviously familiar Fire Nation melody. Katara really wanted to go back to bed. She was starting to feel homesick now as well. This whole thing was making her miserable, though she put on a good show to make sure Iroh wasn't offended. Occasionally she'd be hit by a fit of coughing, but she did her best to hold them back, hating the worried looks it gave anyone talking with her at the moment.

As she finally was given a break from accepting people's thanks, Katara walked around the edge of the ship, watching the dark waters below. The half-moon lit up the surface of the water, making it seem so foreign to her. She could almost hear it whispering, traitor, traitor, traitor as she moved through a party thrown by water's enemies in honor of her. When she couldn't bear to look at it any longer, she turned to the dancers. They had brash movements, befitting the Fire Nation. As she watched their faces, Katara realized a lot of the people looked happier than she'd ever seen them, but at the same time, strangely uneasy.

"Miss Katara?"

Katara swallowed a sigh and turned to accept another thanks for all she'd done. Instead, she was greeted by a familiar soldier, the one who'd convinced her to attend this celebration.

"So, how are you liking your first Fire Nation holiday?" he asked her as he handed her a cup of water, another one for himself already in his hand.

"I forget, what actual holiday are we celebrating?"

The soldier chuckled. "I suppose Prince Zuko told you. That's no fun."

"That was a sneaky trick to use on someone. Especially when that someone is exhausted and not thinking clearly."

"Have to use your advantages somehow," he retorted, grinning at her.

Katara rolled her eyes but couldn't keep her own smile from her face.

"I'm so sorry, but I don't even know your name," Katara realized.

"I'd be shocked if you did know the name of a lowly soldier like me. Rizen, at your service, ma'am," he said, sweeping her a very flourished bow, making Katara laugh.

"Well Rizen, since you're at my service, I don't suppose you could find a diplomatic way to get out of here that wouldn't offend Iroh?"

Rizen gave her a long sigh. "Unfortunately, not only is that impossible, but I'm afraid it's something I don't want to do." He smiled at her. "But I can get you some food! Anything you'd like?"

"What is there to eat at a party like this?"

"The kitchen holds no expense for fake holidays. We have a variety of dumplings, Komodo sausages, fruit tarts, hot cakes, mangos, your basic Fire nation cuisine."

"Dumplings. Lots of dumplings," she told him, smiling as he saluted and took off. Once he was out of sight, she turned herself back over the rail, getting out the coughs she'd been holding back.

She turned back to watching the party as she finished, her gaze briefly passing over Prince Zuko, who was standing in the shadows, arms crossed, a scowl no doubt on his face. She was distracted from watching him as another soldier came up, gave her a bow and politely thanked her. Katara smiled and nodded her head to him, accepted his thanks and bowed back to him as he left.

"With a bow like that, how could anyone ever think you're water tribe?"

Katara turned to see Rizen behind her, a huge plate of food and two large cups filled with something that wasn't water balanced in his arms.

"Ok, that was fast," she said.

Rizen winked. "I have my ways," he told her before leaning in and whispering, "always be friends with the cook."

Katara laughed again. "I think that's the smartest advice anyone's ever given me. But I'm pretty sure that's not water," she told him as she pointed to the glasses in his grip.

Rizen blanched. "I know. But you'll forgive me once you try this, I promise!"

Katara looked at it skeptically. "What is it?"

"I can't divulge all my secrets! We've only just met!"

Holding out one of the glasses to her, Katara took it cautiously and sniffed it. It smelled spicy. Looking up at him in disbelief, Katara recognized someone standing behind Rizen nearby.

"Aika!" she called, waving her friend over.

Aika nodded to the person she'd been with before heading over.

"Hey Katara, how are you enjoying yourself?"

"It's been alright. Hey, Aika. Can you tell me what this is? Rizen's trying to trick me into drinking it."

"Don't tell her! It'll ruin the surprise!"

Aika looked at the drink and grinned. "It's nothing to worry about. It's just spiced nectar. Rizen is addicted to the stuff and thinks everyone should be too, even though it's disgusting. If he won't leave you alone, I find the best way to get him to back off is by dumping it on him."

"Hey!"

Someone called Aika's name and she said her goodbyes before taking off. Katara turned to Rizen as she left, smirking.

"Addicted, huh?"

Rizen rolled his eyes. "Just try it, please."

Katara smiled before bringing it to her mouth and taking a sip. Flavor and spice immediately filled her mouth, nose, and throat and she choked.

"That's terrible," she coughed, laughing.

"No, it isn't! It's amazing!"

"Can I have water now?"

Rizen grumbled and took her cup from her, downing it and his own before setting the plate down and vanishing again. He came back a moment later, a glass with water in his hands this time. Katara thanked him as she took it and began to drink.

"You seem pretty young for a guard," Katara mentioned as she stole a dumpling off his plate.

"Yeah," he replied, nodding. "I got picked up by the Prince a few years ago after my village had been destroyed by earth kingdom revolutionaries. I was the only survivor. Lost everything. Don't know what I would've done if the Prince hadn't showed up and offered to take me aboard and train me."

Katara placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry Rizen, I had no idea."

"Hey, hey don't worry about it!" Rizen smiled and bounced on his heels. "It wasn't your fault. I was lucky. Prince Zuko didn't even know I could firebend then, and he still took me on, so I'm a very lucky guy he didn't just abandon me. So, I decided to become a guard for him to thank him."

"He really did that?"

Rizen nodded. Katara turned to look at where Zuko was sulking, trying to find a picture of a prince who would do something like that for a boy who'd just lost everything. For a moment, Katara realized how similar Rizen's backstory was to another boy she had known, and yet Rizen had been able to move on from his tragedy, not letting it define him unlike Jet.

"So how are you at dancing?" Rizen asked, pulling Katara out of her thoughts.

"Huh?" she asked, turning to look at him. As she did, she noticed the once full plate was now empty. "Wow you eat fast."

Rizen grinned sheepishly. "I really hope you weren't that hungry, but if you are, I can go get more!"

Katara laughed. "I'm not hungry. And it wouldn't be safe for me to eat too much right now as it is. But thanks."

"Then do you want to dance?"

"What?"

"Do you, Katara, want to dance with me? You know, it's that thing, where two people do weird spins and steps to keep from getting bored."

"I don't know, I'm still pretty weak."

"We'll go slow then. C'mon!"

Before Katara could get in another protest, Rizen had grabbed her water glass, setting it down before reaching for her hand to pull her into the middle of the deck. A song was just starting, and Rizen placed his hand at her waist and began to slowly lead her around. After a while of making sure she was alright, they got to chatting again, and Katara realized how nice it was to just talk with someone again. Every time Katara paused, Rizen would stop them, holding her up until the fit had passed. After the song ended, Rizen was called off to go take care of something with the food, leaving Katara with another flourished bow and a grin.

Katara smiled as he took off. She watched him run to the door that led below, and as he did, he passed and saluted a lone figure still hiding in the shadows.

Stepping to the edge of the ship, Katara made her way towards Zuko. Reaching a hand over the railing, she managed to pull up a trickle of water that she cupped around her hand. Once she was within range, she flicked the water at Zuko, smiling as he startled.

"Well you seem to be enjoying yourself," he grumbled as he brushed off the water.

"I feel awful right now. When can I go back to bed?"

"What was Rizen talking with you about?"

"Why?" Katara asked, surprised.

Zuko just looked at her with a scowl on his face.

"We were just talking. Is there anything bad about that? I told him I was tired, and he offered to get me some water."

"You danced with him."

"And what's wrong with doing that?"

Zuko snapped his head to the side and glared out across the water. Katara huffed and leaned against the railing, arms crossed, watching everyone, stifling another cough.

"Why do so many people look upset?" Katara eventually asked.

Zuko turned back around, matching her gaze.

"They're not upset. They're just uncomfortable," he told her.

Katara hid a smile as she realized his gruffness had practically disappeared.

"Why would they be uncomfortable?" she asked.

"Because dancing isn't really something the Fire Nation does anymore."

"Really?" Katara asked, shocked. "Why not? What's wrong with dancing?"

"Don't know," Zuko shrugged. "It's just something that happened a long time ago."

"So why are people dancing now?"

Zuko's mouth quirked and he pointed a hand towards a large figure, making his way through the crowd, stopping people at different times and pushing them towards the dance floor.

"Uncle believes the best warriors are also the best dancers. He's made everyone aboard this ship learn."

Katara laughed. "Even you?"

Zuko scowled again, making Katara laugh harder. Suddenly, a look of pure dread appeared on Zuko's face, setting Katara instantly into an adrenaline rush as her fighting instinct kicked in.

"What is it? What's going on?" she asked, twisting around to see what he was seeing.

"Uncle's coming this way," Zuko declared.

Katara paused, confused. Zuko grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him as he explained.

"He's going to try and make us dance. Quick, I'll meet you at the food tables in five minutes. Whatever you do, don't let him catch up to you."

Katara blinked before Zuko gave her a push away from him and took off himself. A grin grew on her face as she saw Iroh trying to slink his way towards her. Carefully, she too began to edge her way around the ship. The second she was far enough into the shadows, she bolted, smiling like mad as she ran to a hiding place behind some chains coiled on the deck. She watched the party for a moment, eyes on the lookout for any sign of Iroh. When she spotted him at the other side of the ship, near the musicians, she ducked out of her hiding spot and tried, as inconspicuous as possible, to make her way to her meeting place with Zuko.

He'd beaten her there, and of course he was smirking because of it. Katara tried to glare at him but she couldn't hold it at all and soon had to laugh instead, prompting a smile from Zuko.

"That felt good," she finally said, leaning her back against the railing.

Zuko nodded, copying her as he leaned back.

"Do you need to go back inside and get some rest? You said you were tired, right?"

"No, I'll be fine. I promised to do this, so I will."

"If you throw up again, or pass out, so help me…"

Katara tossed her head back and laughed. She couldn't help it. Even though she was confused, and tired, at that moment, she was feeling so good having a conversation with Zuko that didn't involve shouting that she decided to just let all her frustrated thoughts be forgotten for a moment.

At that moment, the music stopped, causing both Zuko and Katara to look over in worry, which quickly turned to dread when they saw Iroh standing on a platform, looking directly at them, about to announce something. As one, they slowly began backing away, but bumped into something.

"Sorry," Rizen grinned, arms filled with food. "Did I miss anything?"

"It is time for our official host to dance with the guest of honor," Iroh's voice suddenly boomed.

Katara froze and Zuko swore under his breath. Out of reflex, just as she used to when Sokka would curse, she flicked his hand. They looked at each other in surprise, and then suddenly they were both being pushed forward by Rizen.

"Oh, this is going to be fantastic! Give us a show, you two!" Rizen whispered excitedly before calling out to the crowd, "I found them! They were hiding by the food, having a heart to heart moment!"

Katara's mouth dropped open and Zuko looked like he was about to strangle Rizen. Luckily for Rizen, they'd reached the dance floor, to which he pushed both of them away from him, sending them off with a salute and a wink. The people around applauded and Iroh got the music going again. Zuko, looking resigned, held his hand out to her. She shrugged and took it, allowing him to lead her to the middle of the dance floor.

Slow music filled her ears and Zuko's hand went to her waist. She swallowed nervously and lifted hers to his shoulder.

"I don't know how to dance," she hissed at him.

"Follow my lead. Just act like it's a bending form. You'll get the hang of it," he assured her.

Nodding, Katara took a step with him. Then another. Then Zuko was guiding her across the deck, moving quickly, and smoothly. Katara felt herself begin to adjust and soon, she was spinning in his arms, feeling free for the first time in a while. It felt exactly like when she was in a bending battle, training with Aang or in one of her many fights with Zuko.

Zuko danced exactly like a fire would, in Katara's mind. Sharp turns, heavy stomps, while Katara flowed like water in his arms. She finally felt brave enough to look up at her partner, and found him gazing at her, his gold eyes softer than she'd ever seen. It made her breath catch in her throat, and she nearly stumbled. Zuko tightened his grip and held her up, and soon they were soaring together again. Much too quickly, the dance was over, leaving Katara breathless as she curtsied to Zuko's bow.

They stood there together, watching each other, ignorant of the applause going on around them. Zuko leaned forwards slightly, Katara felt her eyes begin to close.

"You two were incredible!"

Rizen practically tackled both of them in a hug. Katara shook herself out of her daze, thanked Zuko and Rizen, before quickly making an escape. She dashed away, down into the ship, dodging calls made at her. She found herself eventually back in Zuko's room, where she slammed the door behind her, breathing heavily.

A smile began to grow on her face as she lifted her hand towards her mouth.

"Well that was something, alright," she whispered.