Sorry this chapter's so short... I didn't really notice it was until I saw the word count. :-/

Anyway, I disclaim all that usual Avatar stuff. Also, this chapter's dedicated to both Atalla and Dallas W. for being the most frequent reviewer, and for living in Dallas:-D Ok whatever...

Zuko and Iroh stood awkwardly on the deck as the twenty or so men laughed and talked amongst each other after Kristen left. Ran away is more appropriate. They looked pretty impressed and pleased about something.

"Uncle, do you know what's going on?" Iroh grinned.

"No, but I shall find out." And he headed toward the men, entering into their conversation with ease and was pretty soon laughing hard as he walked back to join his nephew.

"It appears our guest can dance very well, but is also just as shy about it. She ran away when she spotted her audience!" Here the old man broke into laughter again.

"She is weak."

Iroh looked solemnly at his nephew. "Being embarrassed does not mean someone is weak. I'm sure she has strengths we do not know of, and being embarrassed is a sign of humility."

"Maybe too much." Zuko grumbled. Iroh sighed resignedly.

"Shall we begin your training for today?" The prince nodded and they cleared an area on deck for the next few hours.

Several days had passed since I'd first arrived in this strange world. I tried to avoid the deck, and didn't go above to dance anymore. I guess I kind of shrunk into a little shell after that incident. To pass the time, I spent it drawing pictures, reading, and listening to music in my room.

Zuko seemed to believe my story of not knowing what the Avatar was, so Iroh was kind enough to explain the whole thing. Apparently, there's this guy who can control all the elements of fire, water, earth, and air. Normally only people from those specific nations can control their own element so this Avatar's special. Also, he disappeared for a hundred years and Zuko's dad sent him to find him. I think his dad's just messed up, sending his son on a seemingly impossible mission especially after Zuko did the right thing. Seriously. He's demented. Or just plain evil, which is most likely true.

But that also didn't mean I agreed with Zuko's way of going about getting his honor back after that Agni Kai thing. I think he should just leave the Avatar to master the elements, make sure no one else gets him first, and then once he's mastered them go home to kick his dad's evil butt off the throne. But then, that's my opinion. Of course, there's the fact that the Avatar's really just a twelve-year-old kid! He's as old as my cousin for cryin' out loud!

The sad thing for me was that Christmas was only a few days away. And suddenly, the song "I'll Be Home For Christmas" meant a lot to me… But I tried to keep it from getting to me and kept up my drawing, reading, and stretching in the confines of my room.

However… one can only be self-contained for so long and I had a sudden urge to go outside that could not be sated. Iroh had finally given me some of their weird Fire Nation clothes but I hadn't worn them yet. I decided to wear them today, and maybe I'd get less attention. The only problem with them was I didn't know exactly how to wear them, and they didn't fit right. Or it could have been because I wasn't wearing it right. I know I had the pants right, they looked ok; it was just the top part, or the tunic, that was… awkward.

I'll ask Iroh; I mean his room is… three down on the left was it? I can't remember: it was a while ago.

I did my standard double-check before I walked out of my room and counted the doors to Iroh's.

"One… two… three. Ah here we go." I knocked politely on the door and fidgeted with the tunic. "Um, Iroh? I'm not sure if I have these weird clothes of y'all's on right. They look-" the door opened and I turned to see Zuko, of all people, standing in Iroh's doorway. "-weird… Uh, isn't this Iroh's room?" my face was getting hot. I'm blushing.

"No. This is my room. Unc- Iroh's is on the other side of the hallway. But he isn't there; he's playing a game on deck." He glanced down at the oddly arranged tunic and smirked disdainfully. I saw where he was looking and crossed my arms across my chest.

"What! I've never worn one of these before." I claimed defensively. I blushed too.

"You've got it crossing on the wrong side, and your knot's all wrong. I can fix it… that is, if…" He blushed. Oh my word. Well, I'm definitely not going up on deck looking like this.

"Sure." I muttered. I let my arms down to my sides and tried to look like I was learning something, and not watching a guy undress me, as Zuko untied the sash at my waist.

A guy's undressing me in the hallway. God, now is the perfect time for no one to see anything. PLEASE.

"Ok, and… " He pointed "cross the left side over to the right. Like that. Turn around?" I was so glad he let me mess with the tunic; I would have died if he touched me. So when he asked me to turn around I obliged, glad to hide my face, which felt like it was glowing. Of course when he slid his arms around my waist to tie the sash correctly I almost expected the hallway to light up my face felt so flushed.

I turned around, my head bowed slightly so my face was covered by my straight hair and he couldn't see my mortified face.

"Thanks." I said as loudly as I could manage, which was about a whisper. Then I turned and walked off down the hall to go on deck.