A/N: Okay… I'm so sorry it took me so long to update! And, I'm going on vacation from July 30th to August 6th, so there won't be any updates for a while... That's why I made this one extra long! Apologies, once again.

Disclaimer; I don't Avatar, the characters, or the show, but I do own a really cool pair of glow-in-the-dark monkey socks!

Chapter Seven: Shopping Spree

Katara made her way through the gloomy hallway. Just as Iroh had said, it led straight to a room where Katara could see men bent over a map. Quietly, she entered the room. Zuko wasn't there.

"Um, excuse me…" said Katara. All at once, the men looked up with an even more startled expression than Iroh had said. They just stared at her. Katara once again got that uneasy feeling that she had been caught doing something she shouldn't be doing. Why are they all staring at me like that? She thought nervously.

"Um, hi…" she said, "Have any of you seen Zuko around? Iroh told me he would be in here, but I guess not. So, I'll just…uh, leave…" She started backing towards the door.

"Wait," one said suddenly, "Prince Zuko was just in here. I believe he left to check on you."

"Well he's a little late." Katara said irritably, "I could have used some food! I haven't had anything to eat in who knows how long…"

The men exchanged glances. "Are you hungry? I can get you something." said the same man. Katara's face brightened.

"Please! I'm starving."

The man nudged one of the others and he got up and walked off towards the kitchen. Katara stood there in awkward silence. She was beginning to think starving would have been better than this.

"Please, sit down." The man gestured towards the guard's empty seat. Katara obediently sat down in the chair.

"Um, I'm sorry sir, but who are you? I don't remember anyone." She asked sheepishly.

He was momentarily taken off guard. He kept on forgetting what Zuko had told him. It was just so hard to believe… "My name is Lieutenant Ji."

Katara waited for him to introduce her to the other soldiers, but when he didn't, she figured the soldiers weren't called by name. The lieutenant opened his mouth to say something, but Katara never found out what he was going to say because at that moment Zuko burst into the room and shouted, "That insolent troublemaker! Where has she gone!" He looked livid. Mostly because he was afraid one of the guards would say something that contradicted what Katara now knew of her identity.

Katara raised her hand. "The insolent troublemaker is here."

Zuko turned and looked at Katara and his face started to burn. "Oh. Well, why did you leave your room!" he attempted to mask his embarrassment with anger.

"Because you left me to starve! And who cares if I leave my room? This is my ship too, isn't it?"

Lieutenant Ji smirked and said, in a wave of boldness, "Yes, Prince Zuko, this is her home." He barely hid the mockery in his voice.

"I just don't want you getting into trouble…" he mumbled. Then, the guard who had been sent to get Katara's food returned with zaru soba (AN: For those of you unfamiliar with Japanese food, that's cold soba noodles with a soya- based dipping sauce, a very simple meal). He set the bowl down in front of Katara and didn't seem to mind having his seat taken. He would have been annoyed if somebody else had taken it, but he was happy to give up his seat for a lady.

It was a very basic meal, but she didn't mind. She didn't know it, but she was used to eating simple dishes with Aang and Sokka and even at home. Katara eagerly picked up her chopsticks and started eating hungrily, but still politely and with decorum. She noticed the guards watching her. They seemed fascinated by the way she ate. "Can I help you?" she asked them.

Zuko gave a "hmph" and said, "They think it's fascinating to watch someone eat with manners."

Under the security of their masks, the guards shot Zuko dirty looks. He was right though.

After Katara finished eating, she thanked the men and got up to speak to Zuko. "So, what did you need?"

Zuko eyed Katara's clothes, particularly the shirt which fit too snugly across her chest, and said, "We're going to be docking soon. To get supplies. You can go with a guard to buy clothes…and whatever else you need."

Katara sighed with relief. "Great! I can finally change out of these things…"

000

Zuko walked down the ramp of his ship, followed by Katara, and about fifteen soldiers. Iroh sat at a small table, drinking tea on deck. "Where are you going, nephew?"

"To get supplies. The girl is going to buy some clothes." Zuko replied without turning around.

"I have a name you know," Katara said irritably, "You should use it."

Zuko turned around and gave her an annoyed look. "Fine, Katara is going to get some clothes."

Iroh raised his eyebrows. "You're taking her shopping?"

"No!" Zuko replied impatiently, "One of the guards will take her to buy her things."

Iroh stood up and stretched his arms over his head. "You know, Prince Zuko, I'm sure you need all the men you can get to carry the supplies, and I really have been wanting to get off this ship, so-"

"No." Zuko cut him off. "You're not going out there and buying everything in sight like you did at the Port of Skall."

Iroh put on an innocent face. "Really, Prince Zuko, I just want to help dear Katara shop."

"Why don't you let him come, Zuko?" Katara asked. Zuko glared at her.

"Fine, you can come," he said to his uncle, "But, I'm coming with you to watch you. Lieutenant Ji will accompany the guards to buy the supplies."

"Excellent! Just allow me to grab a few things…." He ran off to his room.

Zuko smirked at Katara. "You're going to be sorry he came."

Katara shook her head at Zuko. "He's just an old man."

Zuko smiled. "But you have never seen that old man shop before."

000

Katara was sorry Iroh had come along. But, then again, she did find it all sort of comical.

Zuko, Katara and Iroh made their way through the bustling market place. There were people from all different nations running everywhere, hurrying to get to some unknown destination. It was loud; everyone's voice blended together with the calls from vendors, and the strange sounds of exotic animals. It all awed Katara, but what awed her most was Iroh's reaction. He was running from stand to stand, gaping and "ooo"ing and "aww"ing at everything. He was like a small child in a candy store.

"Prince Zuko, Prince Zuko!" Iroh called as he bounced happily in front of a stall.

Zuko slapped his forehead and said wearily, "Uncle, have you forgotten why we are here? We are only getting the gir-"Katara gave him a look. "We're only getting Katara clothes." Iroh was ignoring him.

Katara giggled and said, "Its okay. There's a shop right over there," she pointed to a shop a few stalls down, "I'll be in there. I'll come get you when I'm ready to pay."

Zuko gave an exaggerated groan. "You're leaving me alone with him?"

Katara smiled. "I won't be long."

Katara walked away from the two men. She passed a couple of stands, and then stopped at a stall that had an amazing display of katanas. She admired the gleaming swords. One in particular drew her attention. Its hilt was deep blue and had a symbol engraved on it; a blue circle filled with sweeping lines like waves and curls. She reached her hand out to touch it….

"Hey, are you gonna buy that?" demanded the owner. He was a gritty, scary looking man. Katara quickly pulled her hand away and shook her head. "Why don't you move along, then?" he growled. She was more than happy to oblige.

Katara entered the clothing shop, wondering what had made her try to touch that katana. It was a stupid thing to do, she scolded herself. Her attention was drawn to the array of beautiful kimonos. They had every color imaginable: deep and bright blues, dark reds, every shade of green…

Katara eyed them and wondered which one she should choose. She picked up a beautiful kimono that was a deep shade of red at the bottom, and gradually changed to a light golden color towards the top. It had sakuras embroidered on the front and sleeves. The obi was a golden cream color and had an intricate dragon embroidered on it. It was so beautiful, but bound to be expensive…. Well, why couldn't she have one nice outfit?

Katara made her way around the store, picking up several items; an outfit almost identical to her old one, except it was deep red, a pair of black pants and a sleeveless dark green top that actually fit for training, and she couldn't resist getting a deep blue night shirt and pants with the crescent moon and waves on them, among other things. She also picked up a few necessities such a comb and a pair of shoes. She gave her clothes to the lady running the store and asked her to hold her purchases for her while she went to fetch Zuko.

Zuko, relieved that they were leaving, happily paid for Katara's clothes. Iroh joined them a few minutes later, his arm overflowing with his purchases that Zuko did not pay for quite as happily.

000

Back on the ship the guards and Lieutenant Ji had finished their shopping long before Zuko, Iroh and Katara.

Iroh was anxious to see what Katara had gotten. Zuko was also very curious to see, but he wasn't quite as obvious about it. Katara happily obliged, after all they had paid for it all… She showed the tow men hr clothes and Iroh nodded approvingly.

"They are very nice," he said, "You will look even more beautiful in them." Katara turned her head away and blushed slightly.

Zuko thought the clothes were very nice too, but he couldn't help wondering why she had bought the blue outfit… he quickly shook the thought off though, telling himself that she had also bought a green shirt. It didn't mean anything.

When Iroh saw the gorgeous kimono, he insisted she try it on.

"No, that's okay…" Katara said. She felt awkward.

"No, you must show us how beautiful you look in it!' Iroh insisted, pushing her into her room and shutting the door.

Inside, Katara sighed in defeat and put the kimono on. "It really stinks being the only woman on board…" she thought. "They don't treat me like another crew member… Making me play dress up..." she grumbled. But, she was really happy to put the kimono on. He had been dying to see how it looked. Once she was done, she opened the door a fracture and peeked out. Iroh opened the door all the way, however, and pulled her out.

Katara stumbled, and then regained her balance. She felt very uncomfortable just standing there so the two fire benders could see her. Iroh clapped his hands in delight. "Stunning! Simply stunning!" he exclaimed. "You look absolutely beautiful!"

Katara smiled and blushed. "Thank you…" she murmured.

Zuko remained silent. He couldn't find the words to tell her how beautiful he thought she was. It also unnerved him how good she looked in red. Her tan complexion went so well with the fiery colors. She looked elegant and refined, yet full of energy. Her beauty silenced him.

"Don't you think she's gorgeous, Prince Zuko?"

"Huh?" he replied. Of course he did, but he couldn't form the words to tell her that. He didn't say anything.

Iroh just shook his head. "Don't pay any attention to him, Katara. You are a vision of beauty."

Katara just smiled and shrugged. "Well, I'd better change out of this." She said.

"Of course, dear," Iroh said, "We'll see you for dinner in about fifteen minutes?"

Katara smiled and nodded and Iroh walked off. She was just about to go back into her room, when Zuko shocked her by grabbing her wrist. Her heart started pounding.

He looked straight into her eyes and in his most earnest voice said, "You really are breathtaking." he said, dropped her wrist and walked away, leaving Katara with her heart slamming against her chest, and her mind reeling.