Tatiana woke in the morning by the sound of someone knocking on her door. She got up stiffly, wincing at the pain in her knees and moved away from the door too open it timidly. Several guards were outside holding an enormous tub slopping with water, and straining under the weight.

A guard that was not holding the tub quickly opened the door wide enough for the tub, and the other guards supporting the tub filed in after him. They set it on a large metal spot beside the dresser. Tatiana had never paid it much attention before then until two of the fire benders began to weld the four short legs too the metal, another put towels beside the tub and two strange looking bottles.

The fire bender who had opened the door looked at the tub and then turned too her, "The Prince wishes you to bathe and then come too the observation deck." Tatiana stared at him and then at the tub. The fire bender shifted and produced a package out of the inside of his armor. "He also told me to give these to you," he said and held it out for her to take.

Tatiana took it with cold hands and watched them leave, the last one shut the door behind him. She turned to stare at the steaming tub. The legs that held it in place too the metal still glowed faintly. Tatiana walked over too the tub and peered in, it was almost filled to the top with clear swishing water that steamed. She looked over her shoulder at the door.

She still didn't like the fact that someone could still walk in on her. She looked around for a chair, there was one against the wall a little ways away from the bed. Tatiana set the package on the bed and walked over and drug the chair too the door. She propped it against the door knob and set it firmly. It wouldn't keep out anyone that was determined to get in her room, but at least she would be able to know if someone was trying to get in.

The water steamed welcoming vapors and Tatiana smiled as she walked over to it and slipped out of her clothes and into the water.

She yelped as the hot water stung her skin, then lay back and relaxed as the water washed away the last few days of grime and sweat. Water splashed on her burn, at first it stung and then she sunk lower in the water and sighed as it soothed the burn.

Tatiana reached over the edge of the tub and grabbed one of the bottles and examined it. A clear dark green liquid moved syrup like in the container. She unscrewed the top and sniffed, she coughed and thrust it away from her nose. It smelled like sweet herbs mixed with fruit. She looked at the door again and dunked her head under water. She came up and let the water run freely down her face. Tatiana wiped the hair out of her face and squeezed some of the shampoo into her hand and washed her hair out.

After opening the other bottle she realized that it was another quite better smelling shampoo, she shrugged and rewashed her hair. It made her hair surprisingly soft, she looked at the bottle. 'Imperial Store' read the label on the glass. She giggled and dropped it in the tub. Imagine me, she thought as she searched for the bottle in the sudsy water, washing my hair with the most expensive hair tonics that I have never hoped to afford. She giggled again as she found it and realized that the bottle had emptied into the water.

Tatiana stepped out of the tub and wrapped a fluffy red and black towel around her and attempted to dry her hair. After she had dried, Tatiana remembered the package that she had set on the bed. She grabbed it and sat cross legged on the bed. She ripped into the thin paper and let it drop from her hand onto her lap. She picked it up and grasped the fine material of a beautiful dress.


Zuko stood leaning on the rails and staring out too sea, it had been hard getting his uncle to part with one of his collectables. A gentle wind blew his hair a little as he looked up into the cloudless sky, a familiar smell made him turn around. The girl was standing behind him, she was wearing a beautiful dark purple dress with long wide sleeves that hung almost too her fingertips, the skirts of the dress barely drug the deck behind her. Her hair hung half way down her back and the top was tied back, although strands still escaped from the tie to blow in her face. A black sash was tied around her waist and swayed behind her, the neckline was cut modestly at least two inches from the knoll in her neck. Not bad, he thought to himself as he observed her.

Tatiana stood as defiantly as she could while the Fire Prince observed her. She held back the urge to shiver as his cool yellow eyes took in her appearance. Amazing how he can still scare me even when he isn't screaming, she thought and lifted her chin a little.

"What is your name?" he asked. Tatiana was taken slightly aback at his sudden question. He folded his arms as he continued to stare at her.

"Tatiana," she said feeling a blush creep into her cheeks at his staring. He smiled, he didn't look nice even when he smiled. She almost cringed. She was still scared of the Fire Prince.

"That's pretty," he said still leaning against the railing. Tatiana lowered her eyes and then looked back at him.

"You wanted me to come?" she asked faltering slightly. Laughter danced in his eyes and he smiled again.

"Join me for lunch," he said and walked past her, obviously wishing for her to follow him. Tatiana gritted her teeth and followed him towards a door. He opened it for her and she walked past him quickly and then paused to allow him time to close the door and lead the way again. He took the lead again and she followed him the rest of the way up the stairs.

"Prince Zuko," Iroh said as the door opened and his nephew came in. Tatiana stopped at the door, and it was almost closed on her. Yes, I forgot I am in the presence of a Prince. Ha ha, I must be getting better at flirting, she almost laughed until Zuko turned around and opened the door for her again. She felt her face almost fall as she was expected to come up to the room with him.

"Ah, Tatiana. I hope you are enjoying the dress," said a short man with a tea cup in his hands.

"Hello," she said as a chair was pulled out for her. Tatiana looked at it and then sat. What is with the special treatment all of a sudden? she thought as Zuko sat down beside her. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name… sir," she said. Iroh laughed.

"Please, Iroh will do," he said. Tatiana nodded and nearly jumped as a plate with a large orange fish was set in front of her. She caught Zuko laughing at her. Tatiana felt a blush seep into her face and picked at the fish with her fork. Iroh cleared his throat.

Fine uncle, I see she is uncomfortable, Zuko thought as he shot his uncle an 'I know, I'm on it' look. He shifted and faced Tatiana.

"Your Highness! The scouts are back!" shouted a voice down the stairs before the door burst open and a fire bender came in with his helmet off and tucked under his arm. Sweat came down the short ends of his spiky black hair. Tatiana recognized his voice as the soldier who had told Zuko that the Avatar had been spotted. Zuko gritted his teeth and snapped his head toward the fire bender.

"What do they have to say?" he asked, and once again his voice was almost cruel. The soldier pushed the hair out of his face.

"A band of fire nation deserters has been reported, they have inhabited our old camp site," he said. For a minute Tatiana thought that Zuko was about to blow up, his face contorted with rage and he stood up and walked down the stairs.

"Put on your helmet!" he roared at the soldier. The soldier nodded and slipped his helmet over his head hiding his features from Tatiana. Tatiana froze as she tried to remember when they had camped last. Zuko ordered them to leave the camp alone… near the village! Tatiana felt her eyes widen and she jumped out of her chair and ran after Zuko down the stairs.

(Yes, the next few chapters shall be more eventful, and will have Aang, Sokka and, Katara in them. Two chapters today… I must be getting better at this… or worse… that is why you review!-crouching bunny.)