Inutenshi: Heyo peoples! First I'd like to start off with a quick explanation about the goddess thing. In my fic, each nation has a set of three gods or goddesses. The Fire Nation and Air Nomads have Gods and the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes have Goddesses. They don't have the ability to keep that balance between the elements like the Avatar does. They watch over the people of their respective nations. They can't interfere with the war because it is not their duty. Other than that, they supply the Avatar with a Spirit Guide and prevent what is called a 'Crossing'. A Crossing is when two benders from two different nations have a child. Since the Avatar is the only one allowed more than one element, the childbecomes a threat to all the nations and the Avatar Cycle. That is why the Water Goddesses are watching Zuko and Katara. They don't want to let them cross the elements.

Katara: Not cool!

Zuko: I know!

Inutenshi: Well don't you worry. You too don't even like each other like that...Right?

Katara: Um...Zuko just start the chapter.

Inutenshi: Hey!

Zuko: On to the story!

Chapter 6: Shopping and Music

Zuko's ship would be reaching Kasasagi Port by noon, giving Katara and Iroh plenty of time to fix up a suitable outfit. They'd taken the see-through sleeves of her red pajamas and sewed them onto the arm holes of the training vest. The training and pajama pants were the same shade of red and were made from the same silky material, so they attached the flaring legs of the pajamas to the slightly baggy thighs of the training pants.

"And it is done!" Iroh declared, proudly. "What do you think?"

"Fantastic." Katara replied with a smile and disappeared into the bathroom to change.

It felt wonderful to get that huge shirt off her shoulders and into something less heavy. Exiting the bathroom, she stretched out and tested the fit.

"It fits perfectly. How do I look, Uncle Iroh?"

"Wonderful, my dear." The old man said with a smile. "What do you think Prince Zuko?"

Zuko didn't hear. He had his nose buried in the maps laid out before him.

"Prince Zuko!" Iroh shouted.

"Hmm? Oh yes. Very nice." He said without even looking up.

Iroh merely shook his head. Katara on the other hand wasn't going to stand for that. She stomped up to the prince and slammed her hands on the table.

"You know, that was rude!" She scowled.

Zuko returned her angry stare.

"What? I gave you my answer, didn't I?"

"You didn't even look! How can you give a polite answer when you don't even look at the person in question?"

"I didn't think it was such a big deal."

"It's not!"

"Then why are you making it?"

"It's not about how big of a deal it was, but about how you're too arrogant to give a polite comment on someone's work!"

Zuko stood and slammed a fist into the table, nearly breaking it. Katara staggered back.

"Look, you attention-starved wench! I was feeling generous enough to let you come out of my room for today on the terms that were laid down when you first came aboard. Go back on our little understanding and you'll regret it until the end of your days!"

They stared each other down, Zuko's eye burning into her fearful ones. It was unlike her to back down from a fight, but with stakes as high as the prince had set, she had no choose but to avert her gaze to the floor.

"I apologize." She said softly and returned to her seat across from Iroh, keeping her eyes glued to the steel floor.

Zuko watched her until she sat back down, before taking his seat and resuming his map studies. No one really spoke, except for simple reports from the helmsman. Iroh was looking sympathetically at the waterbender then switched to his deeply concentrating nephew, thinking of a way to air out the argument.

There it was.

"Prince Zuko?" The old man called.

"Hmm?" Zuko replied, keeping his eyes and mind on his maps.

"Might I escort Miss Katara around the ship before we reach Kasasagi? My old bones could use the exercise and my ears would like a good conversation." He said, winking towards Katara as she gave him a confused expression.

"Um, sure. Go on."

Iroh would've done a victory dance, but he didn't want to throw out his back or give Zuko a chance to think about his choice. The two quickly exited the room, leaving the clueless prince with his maps and a helmsman who was trying his hardest not to laugh.

Aang didn't want to admit it, but he was lost. He'd returned to Sokka, only to be shunned from the rest of the group with some advice to 'straighten out his act, then come back'. He was getting by just fine. He didn't need to hunt. He was a vegetarian! He didn't need meat and hunting wasn't his specialty anyways.

Though his belly was filled, he still longed for something more. His friend was still out there, lost in an unforgiving world riddled with wild animals and super charged firebenders…and it was all his fault. He didn't do his job right and now his beloved Katara was probably out there hungry, suffering, and alone.

Perhaps she was dead…No! He wouldn't think about that. He'd find her. And this time, he wouldn't let her go.

Katara let out a scream before bursting into a fit of laughter as the Komodo Rhino, devoid of its gear, licked her face. Iroh had taken her down into the stable and loading dock as an end to the tour. He smiled. Apparently it was a good choice.

"They're not as mean as the Fire Nation makes them out to be." She said, stroking the beast's head.

"Yes. They are actually very gentle, like the Avatar's bison." Iroh's smile disappeared. "But just the same, if trained right, they can be deadly fighters. This is Kairi, the one Prince Zuko rides. He doesn't abuse her, but he will get agitated and yell."

The old man thought back to Zuko's first time riding this particular rhino and couldn't resist a chuckle.

"Sometimes the soldiers believe that his highness has lost his mind for speaking to animals. Most don't think that animals are a people all their own." Iroh stroked the rhino's side.

"My dear, you seem to be putting on some weigh. Does your master spoil you too much?"

Katara laughed at the old general. Then she thought,

"Zuko is probably more social with animals than he'll ever be with humans. Me especially. Although…he may be a stubborn, single minded, royal pain in the ass, he really does seem to have lightened up. He's probably just getting anxious, because he thinks I'll bring Aang to him. Now there's something with a lesser chance of working than a snow flake trying to extinguish an inferno."

Kairi looked up from the girl before her and spotted someone crossing the stables. She raised her head as high as she could and let out a gentle bellow. Katara petted the side of the rhino's neck and turned towards the direction she was looking. Zuko was in front of his uncle in a flash, not even noticing her.

"Very funny, uncle." He growled.

"Why sweet, loving nephew whom I cherish with all my heart and soul, what ever do you mean?" The old man stifled a chuckle.

"You knew that whenever I get involved in my work, I'll say yes to almost anything."

"I didn't realize you were so in depth with your maps Prince Zuko."

Katara hid her face in the rhino's neck to keep from laughing. Zuko looked up from his uncle and moved to the other side of his rhino. The girl couldn't help but smile.

"Are you enjoying your little visit down here?" He sneered.

She nodded frantically, burying her face further into the prince's beast and laughed. Kairi turned her head towards Katara, her nose horn brushing her master's legs. He stroked her nose gently.

"I want you two at the loading hatch. We'll be docking soon." He ordered and walked off.

Katara sighed heavily and went to follow him, but was tugged back. Looking behind her she saw that Kairi had grabbed her pant leg. The rhino gave a mourning bellow and tugged more at the material. Iroh and Zuko looked back at the little scene. Iroh smiled and Zuko watched in fascination as the waterbender pulled her pants free and knelt before the rhino.

"Sorry sweety, but I have to go now." She said soothingly, stroking the side of Kairi's face. "If you master lets me, I'll come back later okay?"

Kairi roared quietly and gave Katara one more lick of her rough damp tongue. The girl laughed and wiped the slime from her face then rejoined the two firebenders.

"Well that was interesting." Zuko said half mindedly

"What's interesting?" She asked skeptically.

"Hmm?" He looked at the girl by his side. "Oh. It's just that Kairi doesn't take kindly to strangers. I'm surprised you didn't scare her. She would've trampled you."

"Yeah. You'd just love that." Katara scoffed and walked ahead.

Zuko stopped and glared at her back. She felt his eyes burning into her and knew she should've kept her mouth shut.

"Hey!" He yelled, causing her to turn. "I was saying that as a compliment! You don't have to get so bitchy at me if you can't tell the difference between a compliment and an insult!"

"I wasn't being bitchy!" She snapped. "I was telling the truth!"

Zuko yelled in frustration, startling many of the rhinos and soldiers.

"How many times am I going to have to say it? I could kill you right here right now, but I'm not going to! Do you want to die that bad!"

"Why would you care if I did!"

"Errgh! You're so infuriating!"

"Well, if I'm so infuriating why don't you just get rid of me!" Katara spread her arms out, leaving herself vulnerable. "Here I am! Take your best shot!"

She'd only meant that as a bluff, but when he raised a flaming hand, she began cursing her rebellious attitude. Her determined facade wavered, but only slightly as he came increasingly closer.

"Nice job Katara. Look what you got yourself into this time. Why can't you just be quiet and not be such a smart ass?" Here comes the giant boot and SQUISH!

She still hadn't moved, even when the flame was less than a foot from her face. Zuko watched the beads of sweat rolling down her face and the struggle of fear, stubbornness, and determination in her eyes. His uncle looked like he'd desperately wanted to speak out, but he wouldn't. He was wise enough not to.

It was a rather amusingly familiar scene.

Four years ago – Fire Nation Palace

Fourteen year old Zuko sat on his knees before his father, his head bowed and tears flowing. He was begging and pleading for mercy, but they fell on deaf ears. The dark shadow of his father was slowly creeping closer to him. Surrounding them were many of his people, important people that had been called to witness this event. The Fire Lord ordered his son to stand and fight. Zuko refused.

His father stood over him now, his towering shadow casting over him as he looked tearfully into the face of the man he'd looked up to and one day hoped to be.

"You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher."

An agonized cry ripped itself from the depths of his soul as the burning fist collided with the left side of his face. For what seemed like an eternity, he lay there, clutching a hand over the wound, blood leaking through his fingers. He heard the audience pour out of the room and felt the old calloused, comforting hand of his uncle resting on his shoulder.

That's what he got for disrespecting someone clearly more powerful than himself.

Present

The flames in Zuko's hand were dangerously close to her and it took all Katara had not to back away. When he drew back his fist, she closed her eyes and wished for it to be quick. She flinched as he cried out and an intense heat passed right by her. And then there was nothing.

With one eye open, she saw just how close the Fire Nation prince had come to knocking her head right off. His smoking fist sat stiffly just above her left shoulder. Opening both eyes, she turned back and saw the scorch mark just above the open loading hatch.

"I actually thought he was going to kill me…" She thought, watching his arm withdraw.

Placing both hands on her still outstretched arms, Zuko pushed them down to her sides and stepped close enough to lean and whisper into her ear.

"I'm seriously asking you not to push your luck. I don't want to give you back to your brother as a handful of ashes." His hand came up to her neck and caressed it lightly, making her shiver. "You know how easily I can Katara."

By the time he pulled away, Katara was close to collapsing from the heat radiating off of him.

"While we're in town, I want no trouble from you. No screaming, no running, no trying to escape." He said firmly.

Katara's mind was slightly hazy, but she still nodded.

"Good girl. Come on uncle." He ordered, walking off with the two behind him.

If the port wasn't amazing enough, the city they were visiting about half a mile away was awe striking. It was nearly as big as Omashu and looked like it had just been built.

"It was just recently rebuilt." Iroh laughed, seeing the wonder in the girl's eyes.

Katara snapped out of her reverie and gave Iroh a questioning look.

"Rebuilt? Why?"

Zuko stepped in.

"Two years ago, the dam holding the back the canal was destroyed by a rebel group. The water destroyed the whole village. Surprisingly there were only two casualties."

"Why does that sound so familiar?" Katara asked herself.

"Well what are we waiting for?" Iroh asked cheerfully. "Let's see what we can find!"

The old man took Katara's hand and led her into the market. Zuko shook his head and reluctantly followed after.

The first thing to catch Katara's eye was a pair of fans. Both were made of red material with small gold embroidered dragons, a black frame, and golden, belled, tassels. They didn't cost much and she really wished she hand some money with her. The merchant running the stand recognized her predicament and offered to give them to her if she showed him how well she could perform with them.

Katara was reluctant at first, insisting that she wasn't very good, but was eventually talked into it. The merchant called for the crowd to step aside. Zuko watched curiously from spot outside the tea shop his uncle was in as the crowd spaced out into a circle with Katara in the middle. He was about to approach her when the bells of the fans she held jingled and she began dancing.

The series of spins, bows, bends, and the fluid like movement of her body had the crowd, and himself, mesmerized.

"Prince Zuko. I've found the best bargain on tea yet!" He said happily before having a hand slapped over his mouth.

The loose ends of her clothes fluttered like fire against her body as it moved like a wave pulled by the current. Her eyes were half open and glassed over as if she was in a trance. Katara's dance ended with her kneeling on the ground, one fan resting half open on her hip, and the other covering the bottom half of her face. There was a short silence that quickly erupted into a burst of claps, cheers, and catcalls.

The merchant agreed that the performance was sufficient and sent her off with the fans in hand.

"Did you see me Uncle Iroh?" She asked excitedly, running towards Iroh and Zuko.

The old general smiled.

"Yes I did my dear. You were dazzling." He looked at his captivated nephew. "What do you think Prince Zuko?"

Zuko staggered with his works for a moment before choking out.

"V-very good. Maybe you could perform for the crew on Music Night." What am I saying?

Katara's eyes widened at the statement.

"A fine suggestion my boy!" Iroh patted Zuko's back. "Now let's get back to shopping."

"Here you brats! Stop!" Angry voice called.

Down the market's aisle ran two small children. Both had brown hair, green eyes, and were dressed in rags, with a furious man wielding a butcher's knife behind them. The little boy held a loaf of bread in his arms while the girl carried a few apples in her skirt.

Katara and Iroh watched the scene, not even noticing that Zuko had disappeared. One of the apples fell from the makeshift pouch and the girl turned back to grab it, but as she bent to pick it up, the angry shop keeper caught up to her. He raised his knife and brought it down, intending to cut her hand off.

His hand was stopped half way by Zuko's powerful grip around his wrist.

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Raising a blade to a child. How pitiful."

He shoved the man back and tossed him a few coins for the stolen items. Without another word, the man gathered the money and slinked off back to his shop. Zuko made sure he was completely out of sight before turning back to the two children at his feet and crouched down before them.

"Getting into trouble as usual?" He asked with a smile.

"Prince Zuko!" They cried happily, launching themselves at him and knocking him over with a double hug. Zuko laughed and patted their heads.

"Ah. So Toya and Sakura haven't found a home yet, I see." Iroh stated,

"You and Prince Zuko know them?" Katara asked, not taking her eyes off the children.

"Yes. They lived here with their parents two years ago, before the village was wiped out. Those two casualties my nephew mentioned were their mother and father."

"That's horrible." Katara whispered.

"Indeed. When Prince Zuko first found them, they were sick and starving in the back alley of the tea shop. He felt sympathetic towards them, so he treated them, gave them something to fill their bellies, stayed with them for a few days, and gave them his word that he'd come back to visit."

"Wow…That's so…not…Zuko-like."

Iroh laughed at the girl's use of words.

"The prince is indeed a complicated young man. So much stress has been put upon him since he turned eleven. I would highly advise that you not press his buttons like you have been or the results could be catastrophic for you."

Katara nodded, still watching the mood swinging prince talk with the two children. The pair looked up and bolted towards Iroh.

"Uncle!" They hugged him around his waist and the old man laughed heartily.

"It's nice to see you two again. Not misbehaving too much are you?" He asked.

"We try to be good uncle." Toya said innocently.

His sister was standing before Katara. She looked her over, circling around her with innocent eyes like she was inspecting a toy.

"Who are you? Are you a friend of Prince Zuko?" She asked.

Katara didn't know how to answer.

"Well, I'm more of a guest on his ship. My name is Katara." She held out her hand.

"I'm Sakura." The little girl smiled and took her hand. "That's my twin brother Toya."

Toya said hello and gave a small wave. Zuko came up behind them and put a hand on each of their heads.

"Alright. What say you two to a picnic?" He asked.

"Like the ones we had the last time you came?" Sakura gave him a happy, expecting look then squealed happily when he nodded.

"Alright then. Prince Zuko, you go with the children to get the food." Iroh turned to Katara. "Miss Katara and I have a few things to find."

"Hmmm? Oh yeah! I almost forgot." She said, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Alright uncle. We'll meet outside the city when we're finished. Just don't get yourselves lost." Zuko warned and left.

In her head, Katara was laughing hysterically. Her get lost? He had two little children who were apparently full of energy. She was with a staggering old man with an obsession for calming tea. He had a bigger chance of getting lost than she did.

It had only been half an hour and already Iroh had gotten them lost. Well, at least she had some casual clothing. Now after sending a few instruments and other interesting trinkets back to the ship, Iroh had insisted on getting her a dress or a nice kimono at the very least.

"How about this one?" Iroh asked, holding up a green kimono.

"Um…Greens not really my color." She said politely.

"Hmm…How about this?" He held up a light purple one and laughed at her attempt to hide her disgusted expression.

He continued roaming through the store until he heard Katara's gasp. In her hands she held a satin blue kimono that was midnight at the bottom then rose to sky blue at the top with a light blue robe underneath. It was just a foot short of ankle length, embroidered with light blue waves along the bottom half, and was held closed with a turquoise obi.

"It's gorgeous…" She said wistfully.

"Yes. It would differently bring out your eyes." said Iroh, eyeing the garment. "And this would definitely accent your skin color."

Turning to the old man beside her, she saw the kimono he held. The very bottom of the outer layer was as black as coal, rising up into a dark red, to bright red, bright orange, then back to dark red at the top. The sleeves stretched down to the black bottom where a small gold dragon glowed, matching the one floating on the black obi. The second layer was plain blood red, its sleeves unseen underneath the overpowering ones outside them.

Katara was speechless as she reached out and ran her fingertips along the silky material.

"I thought you'd look wonderful in this, especially if you decided to dance tonight."

She simply smiled and nodded. Iroh took this as an agreement and grin ear to ear.

"Perfect! I also found a hair peace to go with it." He said, producing a golden bun clip with four belled pins protruding from it.

Katara 'tsk'ed and hugged the old man.

"Iroh you could hide the universe in those sleeves." She said, sticking her head in one of the large sleeves. "Hey! I found a family of lemurs!"

Iroh chuckled at this and took the items to the shop keeper.

"Oh please uncle. You don't have to." She pleaded.

"No. I insist. A fine young woman deserves a nice dress."

Katara smiled.

"You have no idea how sweet you are."

Zuko's patience was wearing thin. They'd been waiting for nearly half an hour. Toya and Sakura were growing hungry, as was he, but he knew that if they started before the rest of their party arrived, his uncle would give him another unwanted lecture.

"Hey look! There they are!" Toya cheered excitedly as Katara and Iroh approached.

"Sorry we're so late." Katara apologized. "Mr. 'Know-this-city-like-the-back-of-his-hand' got us lost."

"Alas my memory and infinite wisdom fades." Iroh said in despair.

The prince chuckled at his uncle and they all took their seats.

"Well now that we're here, let's eat."

The twins cheered excitedly and were about the search through the medley of foods when Iroh spoke up again.

"Ah ah ah! First, we must say grace." He said. "Katara? Would you do the honors?"

"Um…I guess so." She said wearily, putting herself in her prayer position, eyes closed, both hands cupped with the fingered gently spread, and one wrist laying over the other.

Zuko's eyes were also closed, the fingers of both hands locked together with his thumbs and index finger extended. Iroh was the same. The children were bowed close to the ground, in the Earth Kingdom prayer, hands extended above them, resting against the grass.

"May the Gods and Goddesses bless this meal, provide us with strength, and watch over our wellbeing as the war continues. May they guide our friends and families through the ages and never misguide us. Let us have faith in them always."

"Faith." They mumbled and began their lunch.

Iroh began pulling jokes from his mostly tea obsessed mind, earning small giggles from Katara, exasperated groans from the prince, and confused comments from the children. He also told stories of when he was in that war. Zuko interrupted a few times to tell the next line. He'd heard this story multiple times as a child. Sakura looked up from slurping her noodles and saw Zuko's troops setting up camp.

"Prince Zuko, will you be staying long?" She asked.

"Yeah. That storm two days ago put a lot of pressure on the engines when we tried to keep from capsizing. The repairs will take at least a day. We have to keep the ship in tip top shape."

There was a moment of silence.

"Prince Zuko?" Toya spoke up. "Why does there have to be a war?"

The three older members of the picnic paused then Zuko began explaining.

"When the Avatar disappeared one hundred years, the world became lost. Its people didn't have anyone to lead them and keep the balance. The Fire Nation believed they had the power and leading capabilities to take over that ask. The other nations weren't going to stand for it and in order to make them understand, Fire Lord Souten used a mystical comet's power to strike a first blow, thus starting the war."

Katara couldn't hold back a scoff. Prince Zuko glared.

"Do you have something to add Miss Katara?" He asked sardonically.

"Oh. Nothing really." She replied calmly. "Just that the real reason this war was started was because the power hungry Fire Nation took advantage of the other nations while they were in distress."

Both firebenders flinched.

"Take that back." growled Zuko, leaning forward.

Katara did the same until their noses nearly touch.

"I don't take back what's the truth."

Zuko was preparing to slap her right across that pretty little face, but Iroh wasn't going to have any of that.

"Listen children." He spoke out. "Many people have different views about this war. Most don't agree with one another. Until you are old enough to understand, it is best that you don't get involved in political debates over it." Iroh looked at the two teens. "And I expect you two to be more mature about the matter."

Katara sagged back into her seat and apologized. Zuko scoffed and set to finishing his food.

"Ahem. So my little scouts," Iroh said, addressing the twins. "How is the rebel business in these parts?"

Toya sipped up the remainder of his peach juice and started counting on his fingers.

"You haven't been here in nearly a year. Since then four soldiers have been killed, three were sent to the healer. Three rebels were executed and two have been locked up for interrogation for the past month."

Iroh patted his head.

"Good work my boy. Oh. I nearly forgot." He said, grabbing two packages from his right sleeve. Katara smiled knowingly. "Miss Katara assisted me in picking these out for you two."

They quickly tore threw the brown paper and gasped in wonder. Sakura stood and held up the brown dress and green robe cover to herself, twirling giddily. Toya laughed boyishly and looked over the brown yukata, green hakama and vest that matched his sister's outfit.

"You like them?" Katara asked.

"It's wonderful!" Sakura cried. "Can you help me get it on?"

"Later tonight after we bathe. That way you can run around and play today without getting it dirty." She promised. "Besides, I'm going to perform for Music Night so it will make it easier for us both."

The little girl stared wide eyed.

"You are!"

Katara nodded.

"Do you know the 'Beauty Song'? If so, could you sing and dance to it for me?"

"I know it and I promise you I will."

Sakura squealed in excitement and hugged her. Zuko watched with sheer amusement. It surprised him that Katara had taken his advice about Music Night seriously, and yet he found himself eager to see what she had in store.

The birds were sitting calmly in the trees only to be disturbed by a pair of feet attaching to their branch. A hook on the end of a long pole served to keep the intruder balanced as he kept visual over the two females in the river below. The waterbender and the orphan girl laughed and splashed playfully at each other, unaware of the predator in the trees. Its eyes were trained on the older girl.

He knew her. No matter how many years had passed, even when she was old, grey, and wrinkled, he'd always recognize her face. She'd grown over the passed two years, her beauty increased with her age, though from his perch, he did not see the light bruises and scars that marred her tan skin.

A bird call whistled by his ever alert ears and giving the girl one last look, he leapt from the branch, swinging from tree to tree by his hooked swords.

"You look gorgeous Miss Katara." giggled Sakura as she finished one of the small braids she made Katara's hair and pulled a portion into bun near the top of her head.

"Thank you." Katara smiled back at the child. "You look quite adorable yourself."

Sakura giggled once more. She grabbed the hair piece, devoid of its belled pins and clipped it shut around the bun. Then she took the four pins and stuck them in their proper places through the bun.

"Miss Katara? Are you read-" Iroh paused halfway into the tent. "Oh my…"

Katara looked nervously at the old man.

"What's wrong?" She asked then looked at her reflection.

"Nothing my dear." He said, taking her hands and pulling her to her feet. "It's just that since the queen passed, I have not a seen a more beautiful being." He patted her hands as she smiled and blushed.

"Come now. The soldiers are eager to see your performance."

He and Sakura left to go take their seats and to let Katara pull herself together. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her fans, one in each hand. Using one to part the tent's opening, she put on an impassive face and walked out into the circle of troops and a few civilians that had come to watch. There was a bonfire in the center of the circle with four basins of water placed around it. The musician were Zuko's own soldiers: eight pipa (lute) players, one playing an Erhu (two-stringed violin), and one with a pair of hand bells and beads.

Murmurs and gasps reached her ears, but she refused to look up, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground where two buckets of water had been placed. Kneeling slightly, she dipped the fans into the buckets and waited until Iroh gave the signal. Sure enough, with a clap of his hands, the bells and beads jangled once then twice more. The pipas starting soon after and she stood straight. Two soldiers took the buckets, making way for her as she advanced further into the circle as the Erhu joined in.

She held one dripping fan out pointing towards the fire. The fist of her left hand rested against the crook of her outstretched right arm and held the second fan tightly. With a flick of her wrists, both fans opened and droplets of water flicked from them. But rather than fall and stain the ground, they stayed floating along the fans as she took two steps back and drew the left one over her head, then the right.

Her body rocked and pulled to the melodic sounds of the pipa as she began singing.

"An extraordinary beauty in the North...
The most beautiful being of the world
From her first glance the city bows before her
From her second glance the empire falls into ruins
But there aren't such an empire or a city
what we can laud more than this beauty."

Zuko was in a daze. Her loose yet controlled movements made his mind swirl much like the silky sleeves of the fiery dress she wore. Any thought of the Avatar, his father, the war, negative thoughts he'd had about her…everything was dashed from his mind as she captured him with her beautiful trance. This scene made her little dance in the market look like beginner's work.

The verse floated off her lips as her waterbending took the basin water and soaked the bottom of the dress. The remaining water doused the coals, splitting the fire into two and allowing her to twirl between the halves before they could rejoin. Once the fire was whole again, she was on her knees, bent backwards, one fan resting on her chest and the other above the ground at Zuko's feet.

Their eyes stayed locked through the silence and into the applause, glistening ice against a glowing sunset. Katara pushed herself up right and back onto her feet. She took modest bows before disappearing back into her tent to change.

"Now what do you think of that Prince Zuko?" Iroh laughed as the band began playing very lively music and people began dancing.

The awestruck prince didn't have the voice to reply. He merely nodded slightly before standing. He slipped passed the dancing crowd and into the tent where Katara was just brushing out her hair. Her kimono was folded neatly off to the side and she had already changed back into the clothes of his she'd altered. She apparently didn't realize who was in the tent with her, but she knew someone was there.

"Let me guess." She said with a giggle. "Never before in my many days have I seen a more spectacular performance."

Zuko smirked. She thought he was Iroh.

"Exactly." He said softly.

Katara stiffened. That was definitely NOT Iroh's voice. She turned from her kneeling position and her eyes nearly fell from their sockets.

"P-prince Zuko!" She was deeply embarrassed. "I-I apologize. I thought you were-"

"No need for apologies." He interrupted. You apologize too much. "Either way, you read my mind. That was indeed a stunning performance."

Katara's cheeks flamed.

"Th-thank you."

The twins peeked through the doorway.

"Come on Katara!" Toya called.

"Yeah! Come dance with us!" Sakura added.

"Alright. I'll be right there!" She called back, setting the brush aside.

Quickly standing and brushing off her clothing, she headed towards the opening the children had disappeared through.

"Excuse me." She whispered, moving passed him.

Just as she reached to pull the tent curtain back, Zuko caught it and held open for her.

"Allow me." He said charmingly.

Her blush increased and she mumbled another 'thank you' before slipping out of the tent. Zuko stood in the door way, watching her dance among the crowd with the children. Shaking his head, he thought to himself,

"Zuko…What have you gotten yourself into now?"

Inutenshi: Well, I hope that turned out ok. I used that song from the movie 'House of the Flying Daggers'. Very good movie. Go see it.

Katara: It made me cry.

Zuko: It made my sleeve a tissue. (shudders)

Katara: Oh come on! Don't tell me you didn't think it was sad.

Zuko: I guess it was. I'm just trying not to spoil it for the readers who might wanna go see it.

Katara: .'''''

Next Chapter: Past Friend and a Nightmare