A/N: Hi again everybody! Thanks so much for reading my story! Reviews are greatly appreciated! (hint, hint)

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar or the characters which makes me sad. I hate disclaimers!

000

Chapter Six: Stranger In Her Own Home

The next morning Katara felt much better, physically. Emotionally she was drained and confused. Katara lay on her bed, looking up at the ceiling while the morning sun poured in through the sheer red curtains. This must have been my room… she thought, glancing at her surroundings. The room was nice. The curtains were red, laced with gold. There was a beautiful rug on the floor with an intricate pattern of golden and red fire. There were a few things hanging on the wall; a coat of arms, a black tapestry with the red Fire Nation insignia on it, a painting of a dragon. In one corner of the dimly lit room was a wooden dresser. Next to the dresser was a mirror. Against the wall, there was a desk a desk and chair. Lying across the chair was a deep red sleeveless shirt, trimmed with gold and a pair of matching pants.

The room is nice… thought Katara, But very plain… There's nothing to indicate someone actually lives here. Why didn't she have her own clothes? Did she really only own ONE dress? There was nothing. "I feel like a stranger in my own home..." she sighed. And that boy from her dream… She didn't even want to think about that.

Sighing, Katara got out of bed. She felt better, but her muscles were still sore. Slowly, she pulled up the deep red silky blanket and sheets and tucked in the corners. Once the bed was made, she walked over to chair and eyed the outfit, scrutinizing it. She shrugged. What choice did she have?

While slowly undressing herself, Katara's thoughts wandered to Zuko. He certainly is an odd one… thought Katara. And that scar… I wonder how he got it. Katara threw the dirty, torn dress on her bed and started putting on the clothes Zuko had provided for her. The pants were long and dragged on the floor. The shirt was tight across the chest and gapped around her arms. She really wished the shirt wasn't sleeveless…

Katara turned her attention to the mirror by the dresser. She almost laughed when she saw herself. She was in a sorry state. She looked ridiculous in those clothes. Did Zuko really expect her to walk around like that? She did like the way the deep red looked against her skin though…

Her hair was an absolute disaster. It was damp and sticking up in places. The long, frizzy knotted rope that was once a neat braid hung in tatters about her shoulders. Her face was covered in small cuts and scrapes, but they looked as if they'd been tended to. She had dark circles under her eyes.

Disgusted, Katara turned away and scavenged the room for a brush. To her dismay, she did not find one. "Are you telling me I don't even own a stupid brush!" she cried out in frustration to no one in particular. She was on this fancy ship with a prince and he was so stingy he couldn't even provide a brush? Then it occurred to Katara she should have brought one when she started this journey. "And why am I the only darn woman on board?" she added angrily. That was really bothering her… Katara couldn't remember anything about her life, but she was beginning to think she didn't enjoy it very much.

Then, a sharp knock on her door brought her back from her thoughts. "Uh, come in…" she called weakly. She really didn't want anyone to see her like this…

The door opened slowly and Prince Zuko appeared in the doorway. He stopped when he saw her and couldn't resist smiling.

Katara glared at him. "Yeah, laugh it up Zuko! You think you could get me some clothes that actually fit?" she said acidly, crossing her arms.

Zuko just shrugged. "Those are the smallest clothes on the ship."

"How do you know?"

"Because they're mine and I'm the youngest man on board. Besides, those are a little too small for me."

Katara stared at him, wide-eyed. "They're yours?"

"W-Well, yes," Zuko stammered. What was she giving him that look for? "I figured they'd fit the best."

"Why don't I have any of my own? I don't seem to own anything. Not even a brush!"

Crap… thought Zuko. How was he going to explain that one? "Well… You joined the crew only about a month ago, so you haven't been here that long."

Katara gave him a skeptical look. "And I didn't bring anything? This is my room, right?"

"Yes, this is your room." Well, it was now anyway… "And, you weren't allowed to bring anything. No one is. When you join, you're given everything you'll need. Clothes, and all that."

Katara gave him an angry look. "Then why wasn't I given anything!"

"Well, you're a woman, so we couldn't exactly give you the standard uniforms or anything."

Katara sighed. She was getting the impression the Fire Nation hated women. "Ok, whatever. But I am going to get clothes and things I need, right?"

"Uh, of course," Said Zuko quickly. He made a mental note to get one of he guards to take her shopping. "If you want, I can get you a brush now."

Katara looked up. "Really? I'd really appreciate that."

"Sure." Replied Zuko and left Katara's room.

000

Katara set her brush down and looked at herself in the mirror. The brush had actually been one of Zuko's, but Katara didn't need to know that. Zuko, however, was slightly disappointed to give it up. She eyed herself carefully. At least she looked reasonably presentable now. She hadn't had enough patience or energy to fix her hair into a bun and braid, so her long, wavy, brunet hair hung loosely around her shoulders. She had cleaned her face up a bit too, though she still looked funny in Zuko's clothes. Now she was hungry.

Zuko hadn't offered her anything and she was getting impatient. Katara decided she looked presentable enough to venture out of her room. Her door opened to a long, dimly lit metal hallway. "Lovely." Muttered Katara. She really didn't know where she was going, but she figured it she wandered aimlessly enough, she'd find someone to direct her to the mess hall.

The corridor had many hallways she could have turned into, but she decided it was best just to keep going straight, lest she get lost. Katara felt a little awkward about leaving her room. She felt lie she was going to be yelled at or something. Why though? She asked herself, This is my home. Why wouldn't I be allowed to leave my room? But, she still felt slightly uneasy.

The gloomy hallway eventually led to an open deck. Katara squinted in the bright sunlight. She looked around the deck and saw an old, heavy man sitting at a table playing some sort of game. Cautiously, Katara approached the old man. "Um, excuse me." She said politely.

The old man looked up from his game. He seemed slightly surprised to see Katara. He looked at her for a moment then said amiably, "Well, hello dear! How are you feeling?"

Katara shrugged. "I've definitely been better. Or, at least, I think I have."

The man chuckled and smiled. "You have been, trust me."

Katara smiled too. "I'm sorry. I feel like such a fool, but what is your name? I don't remember anyone. She said shyly.

"Oh, don't feel bad! It's perfectly understandable." Especially considering she had never met him before. "My name is Iroh. I am Zuko's uncle."

Katara had to stop herself from laughing. "You are Zuko's uncle?" she asked incredulously.

"Yes. Why? Does that surprise you?"

Katara blushed a bit. "Well, it's just that you seem very kind and calm... And Zuko seems very… hot-headed and short-tempered."

Iroh chuckled. "Well, that's my nephew. Don't let him fool you though; he really is a good person."

Katara nodded thoughtfully, pushing a lock of heir behind her ear. "Um, could you tell me where the mess hall is? I'm starving and I pretty much have no idea where I'm going."

Iroh though for a moment. "If you go back down the corridor you just came from, make the first left you see. That will lead you to the navigating room, where I believe Zuko is. He will get you something to eat. And if he gives you any trouble, tell him I told him to."

Katara smiled. "Thank you, very much, Sir." She said, bowing.

"Please, call me Iroh. And, can I interest you in some tea before you leave?"

Katara nodded. 'Please." She said, taking the cup he held out to her. Katara took a sip. "Mmm… Ginseng is my favorite."

Iroh beamed. When Katara had finished her tea she set the cup down and went off. She smiled and waved. "Thank you!" she called.

"Nice girl." Said Iroh thoughtfully. He shook his head. He still couldn't get over seeing that girl in Fire Nation clothes…