yes, I know that you haven't seen Sokka or Aang for a while, but you will see them soon, I can assure you. they won't be in this chapter, but they will be in chapter 7, promise...

Katara sat in her room later that day. It was hours past dark, but she couldn't sleep. She was too warm. The ship, the room, the fire nation people were all too warm. She was used to the cold, with fair summers and freezing winters. It was the opposite here. Sighing, she decided she's have to get used to it.

She was looking through the jewelry box Iroh had given her when someone knocked on the door. "Come in," she said, placing it on the table next to the cot.

The door opened, Iroh walking in. He smiled as he approached and bowed slightly like usual. "Good Evening, Princess," he said.

"Hello," she said. "Did you need something?"

"Not really," he replied. "But, I would like to tell you of what you shall expect tomorrow."

She blinked with a wrinkled brow. "I don't understand."

He sighed and pulled up a chair, taking a seat. "The Fire Nation is very strict. I am accepted there because of my title. If it wasn't, I'd be thrown out if they heard more than two sentences come out of my mouth."

"Oh," she said. "Well, what is going to happen?"

"When we arrive, there will be a few generals and the princess there."

"Princess?"

He blinked. "Why yes. My nephew's sister, in fact."

She looked away. "So that's what he meant," she mumbled.

"Hum?"

"Oh, nothing," she replied innocently, waving her hands up in defense. "Then what will happen?"

"A proper lady in the court that is a guest, such as yourself, should always keep her gaze down. She shouldn't look anyone in the eye and she is always courteous," he explained.

"My advice is to look at the floor and say 'an honor', to whoever you're introduced to," he whispered with a grin. "Bow to anyone that is important or of higher rank – who shall be everyone there. Zuko will help with the most part."

"Um..." She bit her lip. "Okay."

"And whatever you do, don't speak unless spoken to. When you want to say something, try to say it in your head. That way, you've said it, but you won't disrespect or offend anyone."

"Alright. That seems a little..."

"Confusing?"

"No, no," she said, shaking her head. She looked up at him. "It seems a little bit easy. If that's really all I have to do, it shouldn't be a problem."

"The queen is deceased, so it is why she won't be present. And my brother hardly every makes a public appearance, so don't wonder where they are."

She nodded her head. "Of course. I'll try all that."

Iroh smiled and stood. "I shall have your clothes lain out for tomorrow," he said, taking another bow. "Good night, princess," he stated, then went out the door.

That next morning, Katara stood on the deck of the boat, waiting for Zuko. They had already docked and she was really wondering where the prince and his uncle were. That day she wore blue again, like all of the clothing she received. Though, it was a dark blue this time, with silver threads and it had less layers to it. It was nicer with the warm weather.

She looked over the boat and saw the Fire lands. They were so...cold. But how could they? the temperature was steaming. The streets were all lined with nice vending stands, the houses were all neat and in order. There wasn't one leave out of line, everything was perfect.

With the perfectness, left a deep cold feeling. The people all walked without stopping to talk to people. Children weren't playing, didn't even have toys; they just walked with or behind their parents obediently. It was just an empty city, not filled with joy or sadness. It looked absolutely pitiful.

"Not very nice, is it?" asked a voice. She looked up to see Zuko standing next to her. She didn't even hear him approach. Slowly, she nodded, but didn't say anything. "I never liked it much either," he said. "The palace should be more appealing to the eye."

"Why are they all just...living?"

He raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "War does that. They know they are on the hated side. Plus, anything they say might get places, and they could get arrested."

"Why?"

"They question their leader, they are punished," he replied, looking forward again. "Ignorant, isn't it?"

"You...don't agree with your father do you?"

He shook his head. "If it were up to me, our nation wouldn't be a dictatorship. I'd have democracy."

Katara blinked, her eyes widening. "Really," she said. It was more of a question than a statement. "Was that why...?"

She didn't finish and he nodded. "You should know this," he said. "Seeing as we'll be married. As soon as my father steps down and allows me to rule, I will change things. I do not want war. I don't want rule over the entire country. I don't want to be hated by the people I rule."

"But, I'm sure..."

"Look at them," he said. "Cowering in fear that their family members will be gone tomorrow, children not even playing, fathers and sons shipped off to fight involuntarily. The others fight because their defending themselves, fighting to protect their families, to stand for their country, while homes and lives are destroyed. Pure chaos. Not the way I'd have things at all."

"I understand," she replied.

They were quiet for a moment, before she saw a few carriages making their way towards the boat. "They are here," he said quietly. "Here, give me your hands."

She blinked when he took them in curiosity. His hands started to glow with fire and he clasped the chains on her hands. The chains disappeared, becoming two identical bracelets with red jewels on them. She looked up with wide eyes.

"The magic is activated by fire," he explained. "Here, wear this," he said, sliding a ring on her left ring finger. "It will make it look more official to servants and villagers."

The ring was silver, with a large ruby in the small band. It was in the shape of a rectangle, but it wasn't too long. It was very pretty too and she noticed how expensive it was.

She blinked. "I won't run away, you know," she said, not looking him in the eye. "I agree to do this. I'm going along with it. I'll do everything I'm told, just as long as Aang is left alone."

"With wedding preparations, my father will be too detracted to think about the Avatar," he said.

What surprised her was when he squeezed her hand lightly, then let go. She just looked up to him with shock, not saying anything.

She followed Iroh down the ramp to the docks. Her arm was linked with the prince's making it look formal enough that they were engaged. Waiting for them were four generals, and a young woman.

Her black hair was pulled up delicately, framing her face to make her look attractive enough. She had the same eyes as her brother, yellow and piercing. She was shorter than Zuko by a few inches, her form rather small. She would have been pretty, if she didn't look like had something very disliking on her mind.

Her eyebrows went up at her brother's approach, though not with shock. It looked more like she was faking it, but Katara couldn't tell.

"Uncle," she greeted Iroh with a nod. Her voice was cold, holding back the rath she contained. "Wonderful to have you back."

Iroh nodded accordingly. "Of course, Princess Azula."

So that's what her name was; Katara never found out. After a hello to her uncle, Azula turned her gaze to her older brother, disgust automatically forming. "Brother."

"Sister," he replied, giving her the same glare.

Katara could feel the tension between them by just standing there. She didn't even have to see the looks they were giving each other. It was apparent that they had a mutual loathing for each other, the question was, why?

It was then that Iroh turned to her and smiled in her direction. "Oh yes, Niece, this is Princess Katara," he introduced, as Zuko lead her forward. "She will soon be an addition to our family."

Like instructed, she kept her gaze down. She bowed politely, then stood up slowly, not uttering a word. "Charmed," Zula stated.

Katara couldn't help it, but she looked up to her sister-in-law to be. Zula absolutely hated her. She could tell by the way she looked at her. Just the look in her eyes and the sneer in her voice justified it all. She only looked up for a second, before looking down.

She nodded. "It's an honor to meet who will be my new sister," she said politely.

"Of course," was the reply. Loath dripped in her words.

Suddenly, Katara felt afraid. She didn't feel safe with this young woman and she just knew that she should have.

"It's an pleasure to meet the one who will marry my brother. It's so kind of you."

Zula made it sound like she was doing a favor. Maybe she knew about the fact that she was kid-napped and bribed into doing this. Then again, how would she? Only the crew, Zuko, Iroh and herself knew that and they were all keeping quiet about it.

It was then the fire princess turned to her other family. "We are expected at the palace. We should hurry," she stated, turning to the carriages.

Katara looked up to Zuko and he nodded, leading her to a carriage separate from his sister.