Before you all read this, I'd like to say thanks to all of you who have been sticking with me. I know I leave you hanging and make you wait a long time, but I'm really trying to make a good story and to do that, I need some time. I really do try to update at least every other day, sometimes maybe every day, but it's getting a little harder with Chirstmas just around the corner.

About the story, sorry about not giving you what you want, but I assure you, you will get it in the next few chapters. This chapter is a little boring, but with every story, there are boring parts. This is just a seam -- the fabric is coming! This part is important just like the rest of everything. And to all of you who've been begging for the rating to go up, it will come. (I'll warn you before the chapter starts) Now, just to keep you all sitting still fora little, here's chapter 16...

"Nephew."

Iroh stood silently for a little, not receiving a response from Zuko. He was in his room, facing the other direction. He was facing the window, sitting with his legs crossed and his eyes closed. When his uncle spoke, he didn't even flinch.

So, when he didn't respond, Iroh spoke again. "Zuko!" he said this time. "Have you gone deaf, my boy?"

"No, uncle, I'm choosing to ignore you," he replied.

The older man sighed, hands together under his sleeves like usual. "Fine, don't talk, just listen," he replied. "The entire kingdom is talking about your abrupt healing."

"I am aware."

"Good. The entire kingdom includes your father and your sister. I saw how angry she was when she saw it had disappeared," he said. "I do not suggest speaking to her for a few days."

"I wasn't planning on it."

"Your father heard that the princess healed it," he went on, ignoring what he said. "Did she?"

"Do I have to answer?"

"Well, considering all the rumors going around, it would be nice to confirm them. Last night it was there, you go to bed and the next morning it's gone. Now, what happened?"

For a moment he didn't answer. "She...used her water bending powers," he stated. "In was almost in an instant it was gone."

"Water bending to heal wounds?" he asked. "Very interesting. Only a few can do that. It's amazing that she did it that quickly. Your father was impressed."

That made him crack an eye open. "Impressed?"

"Yes. Why, he now has a very powerful daughter-in-law," he stated. "Even if she is not of the fire nation. And now, the water nation lands are in his hands. He is very pleased."

He snorted a laugh. "Figures."

"But, all this talk about your new bride has brought me to another subject. Why are you here instead of spending time with her?"

"She wanted to be alone. Who am I to disobey her wishes?"

A grin cracked on the older man's face. "A bit tired from last night?"

Zuko whipped around to look at him. "Uncle!"

"Alright, alright," he replied, holding his hands up in defense. "You don't have to say anything. But, just so you know, the maids who change the bedding the room you two share are very ... talkative?"

His nephew's brow narrowed, as he headed for the door. "Word amongst the servants gets around fast, you know," Iroh said simply, before leaving the room.

The prince thought for a moment, not realizing what he was getting at, but then his eyes widened and he groaned. Leaning forward, he put his head in his hands, rubbing his temples. "How do I get myself into these things?" he mumbled.

Nira walked into the room to her charge's suite with a few things in hand and a slight hum in her voice. She closed the door behind her and stopped short, gasping at what she saw. "Princess, what are you doing?" she asked, putting a hand on her cheek.

Katara lifted a stack of wedding gifts off the floor. In her hands, it reached higher than her head, but it didn't look like she was having trouble lifting it. She blinked, looking over to her friend. "I'm moving some of these things into my closet," she said. "I thought I should."

The servant put her things down and rushed over, taking the stack from her. "I'm sorry, your highness, but I should be doing this," she said, making her sit down. "A princess should be sitting while her servants do the work for her. Let me do this, it's my job."

She tried to protest, but by the time she sat down and thought about it, Nira had left the room into her bedroom. Katara sighed, her friend coming back. "I really don't mind," she said. "I like doing work. I like to get up and stretch my feet. Really, I'm not used to all this waiting on hand and foot."

Nira sighed, eyes looking sad. She bit her lip and looked to the floor, wringing her hands together. "I know...but you see if someone would see you doing that, they might not think I'm doing my job. And I really like serving you, princess."

Katara blinked. "Oh," she said. "Well, if that's why, then go ahead."

She looked up with a smile. "Thank you, your highness," she said, bowing. "What else do you need done?"

The princess thought a minute, then pulled up a cushion next to her. "Sit down for me, the gifts can wait," she stated.

Nira came over obediently and took a seat next to her. "Now what?"

"Answer me this question," she said. "Have you ever liked someone?"

She blinked, not entirely understanding her. "Huh?"

Katara sighed. "I mean, have you ever felt anything ...for a boy?"

"Oh...!" she replied, then smiled and clasped her hands together. "A few times, yes."

To this, she smiled also. "Good. What exactly did it feel like when you were around them?" she asked. "And weird feelings?"

"Well," she said, looking up in thought. "I always wanted to be nice to them. And, usually I'd help them with something or try to spend time with them. Usually after a while I found out they were worse than I thought they were, so I stopped doing that, but when before that, there were some weird feelings," she said, making a little bit of a face.

"Like what?"

"Well, I got nervous around them, you know? Like you're about to do something really scary, but all you're doing is being in the same room as them for not even a minute," she explained. But then she looked up. "Why are you asking?"

Katara, who had been staring off into space thinking, looked up abruptly. "Hm? Oh, never mind," she stated. "It's nothing." She stood up and looked outside. "It's a little after noon, right?"

Nira raised an eyebrow. "Yes..."

"Can I look around the palace? I still don't know where everything is."

She stood. "I don't see why not. As long as I'm with you, I don't think anyone can protest."

Katara smiled. "Good, then let's go."