As Katara stood in front of a stand, she looked over the many different things that were there. It was the carpenter's shop, but this was the vending stand. There were small, little things, like toys and whistles, fans and jewelry. But, what caught her eye about the shop was the one thing that it sold – wooden flowers.

They were all different colors and roses. The petals were thin shavings of wood, carved just right to look like a real flower. When she picked one up, she noticed its weight was heavy, but she also noticed how beautiful it was. A wooden rose. It would never die, never wilt and would always remain beautiful. That thought made her smile.

"Do you want one?" Nira asked, standing next to her patiently.

Katara nodded silently. Zuko stood next to her as well, but on the other side. He faced the other way though, looking at the crowd more than the merchandise. "I like this one," she said, picking up a blue one.

She smiled at it, seeing that it was scented with perfume as she held it to her nose slightly. Nira was about to through the bag she brought that held money, but Zuko simply handed Katara a copper piece. She blinked and accepted it, though he didn't look at her. "What's this for?" she asked, paying for it with the piece.

Zuko shrugged. "Nothing really." He looked over to her and saw her expression. "I'll go see where Uncle went," he said, going into the shop next to the stand.

Nira giggled and Katara gave her a look. "What was that for?" she asked, brow wrinkled.

"He bought you a flower," she replied with a grin. "Sure it's wood, but it's still gotta mean something."

"Like what?"

She shrugged. "I don't know; guess."

Katara rolled her eyes. "What am I gonna do with you?" She stopped when her eye was caught by something else.

On the stand was a whistle. Actually, there were a few, but this one was different. She picked it up carefully and looked at it. It was a dragon, but there was something different about it. The carvings were more intricate; not only that, it was painted beautifully. It reminded her too much of Aang that she thought she might cry. How long had it been since she'd seen he and Sokka?

"Princess?" Nira asked, seeing her expression. "Are you alright?"

She looked up with surprise, not realizing she has zoned off. "Oh, yes, I'm fine. I want to get this also," she said, holding the whistle up. "My, uh, friend collects them. I want to give him this one the next time I see him."

Her servant blinked. "Alright," she said. "If that's what you want."

Nira payed the man behind the stand just as Iroh and Zuko came out of the shop next door. Behind them two other men carried a large parcel that was covered so that is was impossible to figure out what it was.

"What is that?" Katara asked curiously.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough," Iroh said cheerfully.

"He wouldn't tell me either," Zuko commented, crossing his arms again.

"I can't," his uncle replied. "It is a wedding gift. It would ruin the surprise. Besides, no one else told you what their wedding gifts are."

"Wedding gifts?" they both asked.

"You can't expect none," he replied. "It's a wedding. Everyone knows you bring a gift for the bride and groom when you attend a wedding. What, did you not know?"

Katara chuckled. "Not really," she said. "I didn't think of it."

He nodded, then turned to the two men. "Take it to the palace, say it's to be sent to the princess's room," he stated. "The servants there should know what to do with it."

They both nodded and headed towards the palace. Then Iroh turned back to Katara. "And this is only our first stop. Wait until you see the blacksmith's," he said, heading off in a direction.

Nira followed him and Katara looked over to Zuko. He rolled his eyes before she just took his wrist and dragged him away. He blinked with surprise as she dragged him. "What are you doing?"

"Making you walk," she replied. "Seeing as you can't on your own."

He came up beside her and took made her release him. "Yes I can," he retorted.

"Alright, then go ahead," she said.

Again, he sighed before walking. She only followed with a sigh.

By the time they made it back to the palace later that day, Nira was carrying quite a few packages. They weren't that big, but they were enough.

"You know, there are probably a few gifts for you, princess," Iroh said, walking through the hallways. "Everyone probably sent them to the bride, but they are for both you and Zuko. You might want to see what they are."

She nodded. "Alright," she said. "I'll go see them. Nira, go ahead to the room."

Her servant nodded, bowed to them all before walking away. Iroh smiled. "I must go discuss a few things with my brother. You two run along," he said, heading off in the other direction.

Zuko started to walk and Katara followed. She caught up to him and gave him a look. "That scar of yours," she said, looking at it carefully. "Have you ever tried anything to get rid of it?"

He looked at her with a little bit of surprise, but answered the question. "Yes," he replied. "Nothing seems to have worked. I think I'm cursed with it. It is my punishment, anyway."

"Why...do you have it?" she asked, almost hesitantly.

"I'll tell you later, at another time," he replied. They reached her room and she opened the door, stopping when she saw what was inside. In the front room of her suite, there were many parcels in numerous places, all stacked on top of each other.

Nira looked at the open door from behind the one stack. She laughed nervously. "There were here when I arrived," she stated. "The ones you bought today are in your closet."

"Thank you, Nira," Katara replied, walking around some of the stacks. "What are in all of these things?"

"My theory?" Zuko asked. "Things for you."

"Could you specify?" she asked, going over to a particular pile next to the table where she had tea and sat down. She picked up one as he came over.

"Silks, jewelry, you name it," he replied. "They're probably all to welcome you, but put them in my name to sound formal."

"Alright," she replied, opening the one. "It's a...gold necklace."

The necklace was gold braided to make a chain. The pendant was intertwined in it and there was a circular ruby. It must have been expensive, seeing how beautiful and heavy it was.

"Told you," her fiance stated.

Katara rolled her eyes. "Nira," she said.

The girl came over. "Yes?"

"Where's the one that Lord Iroh sent?" she asked. "I want to see what's inside."

"Oh, that one's in your bedroom," she said. "There was no more room and it was the last one that arrived. Everyone picked the time when you were out to deliver the gifts."

Katara got up and went into her room, sliding open the door. She looked around and saw the square parcel in the corner. When she got over, she took off the coverings and gasped with a mix of shock and terror. "Uh...is this a hint?"

"What?" Nira asked, coming into the room. She saw the gift and gasped as well, covering her mouth. "I guess so."

"What did my uncle get?" Zuko asked, coming into the room as well. He saw it and his eyes widened. "Uncle...!"