"Lord Iroh has invited you to go into the village with him," Nira informed Katara as she dressed her that morning.

She was just in her undergarments and Nira was fastening them from behind. It was a rather uncomfortable to wear, since it squeezed her waist to make it smaller. But, it did help with her posture and she did feel more glamorous in it.

Covering her bare shoulders with her hands to keep warm, she looked over. "Really? I get to go into the village?"

"Yes," she replied. "Your wedding is tomorrow and since all of the plans are arranged, you have some free time. What better way then to explore the city?"

She nodded as she slipped into a layer of her dress, holding her arms out as Nira placed the sleeves on them. "Will you come?" she asked, as it was fastened around the waist.

"Of course, princess," she said, collecting another layer. "If that is what you wish. I will carry things for you."

"Carry?"

"Why yes. Lord Iroh likes to walk instead of using the carriage. I didn't think you'd mind. No offence, you don't seem like the weak type," she said with a small smile, fastening a skirt layer around her waist.

"Oh no, I don't mind. Won't the people be a little surprised?"

"I guess so. But they should get used to you sooner or later," she replied.

"Wait a moment," she said, turning around. "I mean with my dress. Do you think you could just put another upper layer and then a tie around the waist?"

"So simple?" Nira asked. "I suppose so. I don't see why you can't. You can wear whatever you wish, really."

"Then, could you do my hair a certain way?" she asked eagerly. "I can show you how. It's very simple. I used to do it every day when I traveled..."

"You traveled?" she asked with a little surprise. "Why, that sounds exciting. Who did you travel with? Anyone?"

She looked away with a little blush. "Well, with my brother," she said. "And my other friend. That was it. It was before I knew who I was."

Nira nodded. "Oh," she stated. "That sounds nice. It was your half brother, right?"

"Yes, Sokka. We share the same mother."

"You must miss him," she replied. "Unless you don't get along..."

"No, we get along. Well, we did, before I came here. I don't think he likes me getting married. He's a little...overprotective, if that's understandable."

Nira laughed and retrieved another layer and a sash. "Why wouldn't it? My brother glares at another who looks at me wrong." She came over and helped with the final layer. "It's instinct, I guess."

Katara nodded, arms raised as she tied the sash. "How many siblings do you have?" she asked, brow wrinkled.

"Well, I'm the second oldest and I have three younger siblings, so four," she replied. "Yhao – he serves the prince– then there's Dona, Fia and Yataro. Yhao is seventeen, Dona is twelve and Fia and Yataro are eight. They're twins and annoying sometimes. Why do you want to know?"

"Well, you just seem like an older sister, the way you act. I wanted to make sure," she replied, going over to the vanity and sitting down. "I don't have any younger siblings; I am the younger sibling."

Again, she laughed and came over to brush her hair. "Well, that's not always a bad thing. Younger siblings are spoiled more."

"Really?"

"You should see the twins when they don't get their way. It's so annoying that my mother just gives them what they want to shut them up. I tell her that they'll turn into brats, but she said that was the way she raised me."

Katara nodded. "So, what is in town?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, just a few shops. There's a few stands with food, a black smith, the seamstress, carpenter, all sorts of things. Actually, the main road is much more pleasing than the rest of the town. Just wait until we get there."

"Uncle, why are you dragging me along?" Zuko asked with crossed arms.

They stood near the main entrance, waiting for the princess to arrive. Iroh looked up to his nephew with a raised eyebrow. "You two need to spend some quality time with each other. You're getting married tomorrow and all that you've done together is fight," he explained. "No offence, but that's not something you do with your fiancee."

"I know that, it was her suggestion," he replied, rolling his eyes. "I still don't know why I have to come with you. You know I hate going shopping with you."

"Yes I do. But that doesn't mean that I care right now," was the reply.

"Uncle!"

There came a chuckle and they looked up. Katara walked into the room in a rather simple dress. It was the same as a peasant would wear, only the skirt was longer and dragged on the floor. Her hair was even put up like normal. It was in a braid, with a cylinder bun at the top. On both sides of her face, there was a small ponytail that came around her head, under her ears and fastened in the bun. Her servant followed obediently.

"You don't have to force him, Lord Iroh," she said. "If he doesn't want to come, don't make him." She secretly winked at the older man, with a smirk. "If he wishes to stay in the palace alone and not do the simple request his uncle asked, then let him."

She looked up to her fiance and he gave her a look with a raised eyebrow. He sighed and rolled his eyes again. "Alright. I'll come."

"Wonderful," Iroh stated. "You can help Nira here carry packages." He ignored the glare he was given and offered Katara his arm. "Princess?"

Again, she smiled. "Why, thank you."

When they arrived to the main road, Katara just stopped and looked around quietly. It was nicer than the other roads, she could tell. There were less guards hanging around and there was at least some activity. Women with children walked around running errands and doing chores. Shop owners sat behind stands and greeted everyday customers with smiles. Children ran around playing games – mostly those still under ten.

It was peaceful, a regular village. Maybe the fire nation wasn't too bad, they just thought differently. The nation wasn't to blame, but its leader. She looked over to Zuko, standing next to her. Maybe he was right.

"Ah, the carpenter's shop," Iroh stated. "I ordered something the other day and I must pick it up. Do you mind waiting here a little bit?"

She shook her head, even though Zuko didn't say anything. He just stood there with crossed arms and looked off to the side with annoyance. She elbowed him in the side. "Don't look so excited," she mumbled with a smirk.

He looked at her. "I don't exactly want to be here. No one said I had to be happy about it," he replied.

"You're never happy," she replied. "You never even smile – unless it's an evil one and you get your way."

"Should I?"

She snorted a laugh. "I'd make you seem a little nicer," she stated, crossing her own arms. "But you are doing a good thing, coming with your uncle. It's not as if he asks much of you."

He looked almost surprised. "Was that a complement?"

"Don't push it," she replied. "What's so bad about this place anyway? It's nice. There's no walls – at least around us."

Katara paused when she felt a tug on her skirt. She blinked and looked down carefully and saw a small girl at her feet. She had red on, like usual and wore her shorter hair up in pigtails right on the top of her head. She carried a doll in her one arm and sucked her thumb with her other hand. She had the biggest brown eyes Katara had ever seen that looked up at her with such curiousness that she wanted to melt.

She bent down to her level, Zuko and Nira watching her patiently. "Hello, there," she said. "What's your name?"

"Ariko," she mumbled, even with her thumb in her mouth. "Awe yoo the prwincess?"

If possible, Katara smile wider than before. "Yes. My name's Katara," she said.

The girl smiled. "I like you, you're prwetty," she said, taking her thumb out of her mouth.

"Why thank you," she replied. But then she noticed something. "Where's your mama? Shouldn't she be with you?"

"My Gran-Gran is over there," she said, pointing.

Both she and Zuko looked over to where she pointed, behind them. An older woman was standing nearby with a little surprise. She looked like she'd misplaced her granddaughter, only to find her with the prince and princess and her expression said it all.

Katara laughed. She brought the girl to her and gave her a little hug, kissing her cheek. "Next time, don't run away from her, okay? It looks like she missed you," she said, whispering in her ear.

Ariko giggled and gave her a hug this time. "Alwight," she said.

She let go and Katara led her to her grandmother. "Go ahead."

She nodded and ran over to the older woman as Katara stood up. Katara only nodded to the older woman with a smile as Ariko tugged on her skirt. "Gran-Gran! Did you see? That was the prwincess!"

"Why did you do that?" Zuko asked curiously, looking at her with confusion.

"'That' what?" she asked, looking over to him. "Be nice to that little girl? How could I not? She was adorable. I love children." She looked back over to the pair, who were walking away. "Besides, she reminds me of someone."

"Who?" he asked, looking her up and down differently.

She sighed. "Someone I knew a long time ago. I don't know if I'll ever see her again though."