Author's Note: I know I already have a story going, but this idea won't leave me. I hope you enjoy. Also, if you follow my other story, I'm nearly done with the next chapter so please be patient with me. Thank you. Review to let me know if you like this so far.

...Breathe in…

"You're nothing but a disgrace to this family."

...Breathe out…

"I don't know why you even bother, Zuzu. You always fail."

...Breathe in…

"You're a quitter and a loser."

...Breath out…

The flame of the candles in front of him flicker brightly. He can feel the flames lick his face and instantly he wants to reel back; memories of a burning hand covering his eye haunt his thoughts..

...Breathe in…

The flames dance higher and higher and Zuko can feel the energy rush through his veins; looking for a way to escape.

...Breathe out…

"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher!"

...Breathe in...

The energy reaches the tips of his fingers and Zuko stills his body.

Opening his eyes while continuing his breathing, Zuko concentrates solely on the large flame in front of him. The candle wax drips dangerously low towards the wooden table, but his amber eyes stay focused.

For a brief moment in time, he swears he sees the flame flicker to his will, nearly distinguishing by itself, but then the door to his room crashes open and his concentration is broken.

"Seriously?" His cousin's voice teases lightly with mirth. "You skipped the water tribe negotiations because you're...meditating."

Lu Ten doesn't wait to be invited into Zuko's antechamber as he strides purposefully over to the plush lounge chair.

Zuko eyes the crowned prince warily. If it were anyone else that bound into his room then they probably would have had a firewall thrown at their head. The servants know not to interrupt when Zuko is busy.

"You're still trying to firebend without actually, ya know, firebending. It's pointless."

"If King Bumi can earthbend with his face then I don't see why I can't firebend the same way," Zuko retorts back easily. He doesn't really have time for his cousin's antics.

Lu Ten grabs a red apple from the fruit bowl that's never empty and crunches into it loudly. One would think, just by watching the nineteen year old that he wasn't next in line to be the Fire Lord with the way he shows his manners.

"I know something you don't know," Lu Ten teases around a mouthful of food. He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. "And believe me, you're gonna want to know."

Zuko stands up and as he passes by Lu Ten, he swats his cousin's feet off of the lower table in front of the plush chair. Seriously, doesn't his cousin know any manners?

When he doesn't elaborate, Zuko quirks his good eye brow. "Well, are you going to tell me or will I have to find Uncle to fill me in?"

"Agni, you're no fun." When Zuko still doesn't comment the way Lu Ten wants him to, he sighs, "In a month's time, we will have a permanent house guest staying with us. In fact, there was even talk of putting her in the room across from yours and mine."

Zuko passes by his floor length mirror and catches the red, angry scar in his reflection. Quickly looking away, he tries to relax his face so he doesn't look so menacingly when Lu Ten is around. But he can't help it. The way Lu Ten is acting. The information his cousin just relayed. It's all getting to him and he can feel his temperament diminishing by the second.

"Her?" Zuko probs in what he hopes is a casual tone.

Maybe he should have been at this meeting that his Uncle invited him too, but meditating and staying out of peoples' way seemed like a better idea. He was in no mood to encounter his father that day after what happened at the last meeting between them.

"Yeah," Lu Ten grins, "Her. Geez baby cousin, you should have been there."

He's trying to keep the scowl from his face, but Zuko can't help it as he snaps, "I'm a year younger than you. An adult by all Fire Nation's standards. I'm not your baby cousin." Smoke stems out of his nose and Zuko tries to control his anger, but he's been cooping himself up too much lately and the effects are starting to wear on him.

"I see meditating really helps your anger," Lu Ten says dryly; not letting Zuko's sour mood apparently wreck his fun. "Princess Katara, of the Water Tribe, will be joining us at the end of this month for an indefinite amount of time. Lady Ursa has personally volunteered to step in as her mentor when she arrives since she'll be staying alone."

So many thoughts stab Zuko's mind, but he doesn't ask them all.

Who is Princess Katara? Her name sounds familiar…

Why is she staying with them of all people?

Isn't his family dysfunctional enough?

Why aren't her parents coming?

Why would mother be her pseudo guardian?

Aren't the Water Tribe people consisted of barbarians like father says?

"Obviously from your scowl," Lu Ten continues sarcastically, "You remember Princess Katara clearly."

"Am I supposed to know who she is or what she looks like?"

The crown prince chuckles and grabs another apple from the bowl of fruit. He casually tosses it up into the air and catches it effortlessly.

"I know it was two years ago, Zuko, but come on! Surely you must remember her. She was this high," Lu Ten holds his hand up so it's at Zuko's shoulder's level, "innocent, blue round eyes, curves starting to form in all the right places. Not to mention her wicked mouth that could put anyone in their place. We met her when we traveled down south and you really don't remember?"

"Two years ago," Zuko's mind flashes to white walls of the infirmary; being left alone with only the servants behind to take care of him, and the left side of his face burning brightly. "I didn't go with you two years ago."

"Sure you did! That was when-"

Zuko's fingers absently trace the outline of his scar. "That was when my Father…"

Lu Ten shuts up instantly as he understands what Zuko isn't saying.

"Oh."

"Yeah…"

"Well," the awkward tone is gone and in its place Lu Ten is his typical, cheerful self. "You'll get to know her now. Since she's staying with us for an undetermined amount of time. Maybe if you come out of your room to socialize every once in a while you'll find that you actually won't mind her company. I know I certainly don't mind the waterbender's company."

"How old is she?" Zuko asks dryly. He doesn't need some snotty, bratty waterbender running around his home.

Lu Ten sniffs. "Old enough. Sixteen; turning seventeen this year. But you know, if you ever want to share then I might be open to that…"

Heat coats Zuko's face and his right side flares up to a dramatic shade of red. Lu Ten chuckles at his cousin's discomfort which just further angers Zuko even more. He's pretty sure Lu Ten is joking to just get a rise out of him, but with his good natured cousin, Zuko can never quite tell sometimes.

"You said the same thing when I was courting Mai. And my answer is still the same; no."

"Fine," Lu Ten says childishly. "I guess I'll have Princess Katara all to myself."

"You do that." Zuko snorts, "Can you even call a girl a princess if she just jumps into your bed the first chance she gets? It sounds more like a harlot."

"Harlot...concubine...princess...they all eventually want one thing," he says smugly, while twisting his arm around Zuko's shoulders. "And I just happen to have what they want."

Zuko shrugs out of Lu Ten's hold and shakes his head to clear his thoughts. Who would want to be with him anyways now that he has a scar the size of practically half his face, is a hot headed firebender who has to work twice as hard as his baby sister, and is third in line for the crown?

Zuko's pretty sure that if his father had his way he wouldn't even be a contestant for the crown and Azula would take his place.

Hell, if Fire Lord Iroh wasn't still living, Zuko's sure his father would have banished him away to some remote island years ago to fend for himself.

No sane female would be dumb enough to look twice in his direction and this thought infuriates Zuko even more.

He doesn't need some girl living across from him for an indisputable amount of time, staring at his scar, and being a constant reminder that eventually he will have no one because all nobles are fickle creatures that only care about titles, money, and looks.

"If you're done talking, we're late for training now," Zuko points out.

"Agni," Lu Ten jokes but follows after Zuko anyways. As they're exiting, Lu Ten says "Maybe if you'd get laid already you wouldn't have such a permanent scowl on your face and you'd be able to enjoy life a little more."

Zuko quickens his pace to get away from the two guards who are post outside of his chambers. Sure enough, glancing quickly behind himself at the two guards, Zuko is sure that they heard Lu Ten's advice.

He's going to kill his cousin at practice.

Katara's grip on the handrail of the ship does not lessen as they dock. Seas of red and gold come into focus as she looks down upon the large port. There must be close to hundreds of people scattered around, doing some type of manual labor job as the sun beats down.

Even after she changed into one of the three dresses she owns that are Fire Nation handmade, she can feel the moisture surface on her skin due to the high noon sun. The heat is relentless and she knows it's only going to become worse since it's only the beginning of summer.

"Princess Katara," Tilla's voice calls as she gives a curtsy towards her lady. "I've been instructed by Chieftess Kya to finish your hair before you disembark."

It is highly unusual for the Water Triibe to ever call upon servants or need servants in any way. Their tribe's unspoken philosophy of everyone having a role to follow and do in order to survive the harsh winters diminishes the needs for servants. If someone does not pull their own weight in the South then the whole tribe suffers in some way. People learn their places pretty quickly.

But Chief Hakoda and Chieftess Kya had insisted that Tilla accompany their daughter on her voyage to the Fire Nation. The elderly woman is close to the age of what Katara's Gran Gran would have been if she were still around and she was known as the woman in their village who helped nurse children when they were young.

"There's no need to curtsy, Tilla," she says sweetly. "You've known me since day one. I should be the one bowing to you."

Tilla's face looks aghast at such an idea. "Princess," she admonishes, "As much as I have encouraged your free tongue before when we were home, I need to remind you that in the Fire Nation they have different rules and customs. It is not proper for you to ever bow to me. Now come, child, let me add one more thing to your hair."

Instead of being upset at the way she was just scolded, Katara smiles sadly. She tries to keep the tears at bay. "I'm going to miss you, Tilla."

Katara can't stop the hiccup of tears and the emotion in her voice.

Tilla frowns at the young girl of sixteen. Although Katara was at marrying age for the Watertribe, she can still picture Princess Katara as a small five year old girl learning how to bend for the first time.

"Hush now," Tilla speaks through her feelings as well. Putting on a brave face, she leads Katara through the ship the Fire Nation sent for her, and leads Katara to the room she had been staying in. "We don't need you getting all red eyed before meeting the Royal Family."

Sitting herself down in front of the vanity with the three mirrors, Katara allows Tilla to finish her hair. Katara tries to keep an open mind as she studies herself in the mirror, but the woman looking back at her is hardly recognizable.

Instead of wearing her Watertribe dress and classic Watertribe hairdo, Tilla and her mother worked tirelessly on combining Watertribe tradition with a few Fire Nation Noble hair customs as well. Katara knows it's probably for the best since she is going to be a guest of the Royal Family and by changing her hair to more of their style, it shows she's willing to try to make a bad situation not so bad anymore.

But then they had informed her that apparently noble women did not wear leggings because of the heat, nor training tunics, and her mother had presented her with a sheer, lace floor length dress that hugs her waist, has little to no back, and flows smoothly around her legs.

When Kya presented the dress to Katara, saying that Lady Ursa had sent her three similar dresses in this fashion for her to wear due to the heat, Katara thought she was joking. Apparently, when she arrives at the palace even more dresses will be available to her as well.

"It's see through at the top," Katara had pointed out when Kya held it up with a hopeful smile.

"It's not. Only the sleeves are."

The dress shows more skin than Katara is used too, but then again, in the South and North if a woman showed skin, it would result in frostbite most of the time.

Tilla delicately places the thin, silver and sapphire gem headband in her hair, making sure not to disturb the pins holding the rest of her hair in place. There are two braids on both sides of her head, being pulled back to the base of her neck. Tilla had then scooped up her long hair and twisted and turned her braids until she had created a perfect, circular bun at the base of her neck.

Her hair style, along with the silhouette of her dress, shows off her delicate shoulders and tan neck.

"There," Tilla smiles through the mirror, "Now you're ready, Princess."

Katara stands up and looks at herself one last time; not believing this was really happening.

The periwinkle blue is cold and soft against her naked skin. The expensive material cuts down into a v-shape over her chest, and binds around her high waist before flowing down her smooth legs. The solid material has straps that are about two inches thick on her shoulders before a sheer, see through material covers her shoulders and upper arms. Her mother said it's supposed to be alluring without giving too much away.

But Katara already knows that she's never worn something this low cut before, however, her cleavage is modestly covered still. But her back is bare in an even deeper v-shape. It's safe to say that this dress is vastly different from her tunic, leggings, wool dress, knee high boots, and thick parka.

"Katara?" Kya's voice carries through the hall before she's standing in front of her daughter. A gracious smile settles on her mother's face and for some reason it makes Katara blush when Kya meets her eyes. "You look beautiful. It's probably a good thing your father isn't here. I don't think he'd appreciate it if anymore boys tried to betroth you."

Katara giggles even though she knows her mother is right. Ever since she turned sixteen six months prior, she has had many suitors ask her father for her hand in marriage.

"I'm glad you're here though," Katara finally says as Kya takes her arm and they start walking towards the deck of the ship again. "I know you weren't planning on coming."

"Sokka can handle the Kyoshi Warriors for a few weeks before I reach him. He didn't need me to tag along for the resigning of the Harmony Treaty."

Katara snorts, unlike a princess, "I'm pretty sure he just wanted to go alone so he could spend time with Suki."

Kya pats Katara's hand. "I don't think you're wrong."

When they emerge upon deck again, Katara notices there are more people on board than they originally departed with from the North. Her trunks and belongings are being carried down by men in Fire Nation uniforms.

"Chieftess Kya, Princess Katara," a man in his late forties addresses before bowing lowly, "My name is Lieutenant Jee. I'm here to escort you down."

He offers his arm to Katara's mother and she graciously slips out of her daughter's hold and into Jee's.

"Escort us down? You mean to the port?"

"Yes, Princess."

Katara looks over the side of the ship and sees that it's really only a small distance. Nothing worthwhile to send a Lieutenant when she and her mom are perfectly capable of walking themselves.

Scanning the crowds of people that are running about working, she lightly touches her neck in reassurance that everything will somehow work out, but she gasps when her fingers don't find the pendant.

Jee and her mother stop short.

"Is everything okay, Katara?" Kya asks.

"My necklace. I left it back in my room. I'll be right back. Go on without me." When Kya looks unsure, Katara smiles. She knows she can manage to walk off the ship by herself. She's from the South. She practically grew up sailing around ice blocks. "I will be right behind you. I promise."

"Lady Ursa and Fire Lord Iroh gave me explicit directions to escort you both down-"

"Lieutenant Jee, I will reassure my dear friend that it was my daughter who persisted that we go on without her," Kya smiles and Katara knows that Jee will do anything her mom says.

She wastes no time in turning around and rushing back to the room that was her own for the last three weeks. She goes straight towards the vanity, where she knows she took it off the night before and finds her necklace. Her Gran Gran had given it to her before she passed away the year before.

Back when Katara's life wasn't in danger.

Back when Katara still lived in the South.

Back before a group of rebels that consisted of Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, and even some waterbenders tried to infiltrate the North and kill her.

She doesn't exactly know why they want to kill her and that thought unsettles her because she might be biased but she thought she was a pretty likable person.

Katara has always tried to help those less fortunate than her, she's always pulled her own weight in the tribe and when she had traveled in the past she always made sure to be on her best behavior. After the attack at the North, where she was visiting with her family at the time, it became clear to her that even though she always tried to be her best self, there would always be people out in the world who didn't like her for some reason. It was a hard thing to handle that there were people out there so organized that they fought to end her life.

Which is how she found herself sailing to the Fire Nation about to spend time at the Palace with the Fire Lord and his extended family.

When the North fell under attack Fire Lord Iroh and his most prestigious men were also visiting for a trades negotiation. It was after the attack that he and her father and mother came to an agreement that it would be safer for Katara to stay in the Fire Nation under false pretenses.

Her parents didn't want to believe it at first but since the North was the second attempt on her life, they felt like they were running out of options. Katara felt like she was running out of options as well. She couldn't very well keep putting her family and friends in danger wherever she went. She would never forgive herself if someone else got hurt when it was she that the rebels were after.

Clasping the necklace around her slim neck, Katara steadies herself and makes her way once again to the top of the ship.

It was time to descend and see who awaited her.

Zuko stands stoically as he waits with Lu Ten, Fire Lord Iroh, his mother, Azula and about twenty elite soldiers as Lieutenant Jee leaves to escort Princess Katara from the ship.

He was briefed a week ago on part of the reason why Princess Katara would be staying with them. There had been an outbreak of a rebel army over the last year. They had begun targeting royal families across the Earth, and over the last six months, especially, they have paid extra attention to Princess Katara of the Watertribe.

He had heard how his Uncle and Jee were up North when a siege began, and it was after that when Fire Lord Iroh came home declaring that a new agreement was signed between the Watertribe and Fire Nation; one that insured peace amongst the two nations as long as Princess Katara would and could be kept safe.

"You must be excited to see your old friend, Lady Ursa?" Iroh asked Zuko's mother as they stood in a line; just waiting for the welcoming.

"Yes, Fire Lord," Ursa admits. "It's been nearly two years since we've seen each other, but we have kept in touch through letters. And I know she won't be able to stay for long, but whatever few moments we have will be worth it."

"What's taking so long?" Azula cocks an eyebrow impatiently. "She's from the Watertribe. They aren't exactly known for riches. She can't have that many things to carry."

"Azula!" Ursa admonishes. "Princess Katara is a guest and as long as she's with us she'll-"

"She'll be treated with respect," Azula cuts his mother off and twists her mouth into a cruel smirk. "I know. You've said that several times already."

"You listen here, young lady," Ursa turns towards Azula and Zuko smirks at his sister when his mother isn't looking. He knows it's childish, but for once in his life, it's Azula that is getting scolded and not him. Azula narrows her eyes on him before lifting her chin defiantly. "Princess Katara has gone through enough over the last several months that she does not need you taunting her when she arrives. You will be civil. You will be respectful. You will be nice if it's the last thing you do. Understand?"

It's only when Prince Ozai, Zuko's father isn't around, that his mother feels like she can truly speak up towards his sister. Ozai has been known to praise Azula; never punish.

"Aunt," Lu Ten nods towards the vessel and Zuko sees Lieutenant Jee guiding a woman that looks to be about his mother's age down from the ship. She's wearing dark blue outlined in a type of white fur.

The Cheiftess stops in front of Fire Lord Iroh first and he watches as his uncle bows to her. Zuko nearly chokes on air as he watches his uncle greet someone like that. It makes Zuko question just how well his uncle actually knows the Watertribe.

"Fire Lord Iroh," Kya speaks, "My husband sends his gratitude and apologizes for not being able to be here himself. As you can imagine, it's been a hard few months."

Iroh smiles kindly. "No apologies necessary. I am merely doing what you two would do for my family if the roles were reversed."

There's a million questions that Zuko still has.

What is so special about Katara that people want her killed?

Were they really just taking her in because Chief Hakoda and Kya were Iroh and Ursa's friends?

Where was Katara?

Kya steps in front of Ursa and Zuko watches as his mother greets Kya with a warm hug. It's rare to see her smiling so much and a bitter feeling settles throughout his body as he knows why she doesn't get to smile like that anymore back in the Palace. Zuko is willing to bet his life that if his father actually cared enough to come down to the docks with them, then his mother would not be so relaxed as she is now.

"Even when you're tired you still look wonderful," Ursa murmurs quietly.

Kya laughs and Zuko realizes this is the first time in eighteen years that he's ever seen his mother interact with one of her friends.

"It's been a long six months, but…"

"But?"

"I shouldn't really say. Not here, at least."

Ursa nods in understanding. "Of course. If you have time for tea before leaving I would love it if you'd come back to the Palace with us. Maybe it would ease your mind seeing where Princess Katara will be staying?"

"Any other time I would, but the next ship to leave for the Earth Kingdom is within this hour. I must make that ship."

"I understand."

Zuko notices how agitated Azula is getting off to the side. If he were honest with himself, he also was becoming slightly annoyed that they were waiting on this girl in sweltering heat. Usually, it didn't bother him much, but that was when he was back in the Palace and had shade, food, and water.

Now, he's out in the open for civilians to openly stare and gawk at him: the boy with the hand shaped burn on his face.

"Where is she?" He hisses to Lu Ten by his side.

Lu Ten turns to him with a smirk. "Impatient little cousin? I'd be careful if I were you, Zuko. You're starting to look like Azula when she throws a temper tantrum."

Zuko's lips snarl and he's ready to retort when the air is sucked out of his lungs. For the briefest of moments he feels like he can't breathe and he's vaguely aware that Lu Ten is saying something to him, but he can't hear either.

Descending the plank of wood is one of the most beautiful girls he's ever seen. The sun reflects off of her brunette hair as a few strands flutter around her face from the wind, her eyes are the brightest blue he's ever seen and when she glances over to their group he notices how round and innocent they look. Her skin seems to glow under the haze of the sun and Zuko lets his mind wander as he thinks to himself: I wonder if her whole body is naturally caramel color?

She walks with confidence and greets his uncle with the customary bow. The wind blows around her and he notices that the dress around her legs flutter from the slit gracing the side of her dress. He's able to see the smooth, tan skin of her thigh and it's as if he can't swallow. He's thirsty and dry and hot and if she asked him for anything in that moment then Zuko would not deny her.

"Princess Katara," Uncle Iroh speaks cheerfully; as if she's here on vacation. However, Zuko knows that when other nobles ask about the waterbender, and eventually they will when they notice her in the palace, that is her cover story. There is no need to alert anyone outside of the royal family that there is a rebel force who is dangerous just yet. It would only cause chaos. "Allow me to get you reacquainted with my family again. You may remember Lady Ursa from when we visited two years ago."

"Of course," Katara smiles at his mother and now Zuko's heart stops. "I cannot thank you enough for taking me in under such difficult circumstances. I will forever be thankful."

Great, he's suffocating and having a heart attack and she hasn't even looked at him yet.

"The situation may not be ideal, but I promise that we will keep you safe, dear."

"Next is Lu Ten. My son. I believe you two might have met as well."

Zuko watches with a stone face as Lu Ten doesn't bow, but rather, he takes Katara's hand and presses a kiss to the back of it. Flaming white, hot rage boils in the pit of Zuko's stomach as Lu Ten smiles charmingly at Katara while a light blush coats her dusky cheeks.

Of course she would be affected by his cousin. Every female young and old was. And who was Zuko to compete? If Lu Ten set his eyes on Katara then why would she ever willingly choose to spend her time with him; a scarred prince who was third in line for the crown and angry most of the time.

"Oh," she squeaks in surprise. "Hello again."

"The pleasure is all mine, princess."

"Oh please," Azula snorts to his side.

His mother cuts in before his sister can say anything else on the matter.

"And Katara, I don't believe you had the chance to meet my two children before. Here is Azula. She's your age and I'm sure you two will get along just fine."

"You're the waterbender that has everyone in a tizzy around here?" Azula crosses her arms defensively. "I don't see why."

"Azula."

If Katara is surprised she doesn't show it and Zuko finds that he's a little impressed that she doesn't allow Azula to get to her. If Azula spoke to him that way he would already have fire in the palms of his hands ready to fire.

"I don't understand either," Katara agrees with a small, unsure smile.

Zuko sucks in a breath as he watches her top teeth suck in her bottom lip and nibble. Agni, he would give an arm and a leg to be her bottom lip in that moment.

It unnerves him for a second that this girl, who he's never heard of before, can undo him like this and cause all coherent thoughts to vanish from him.

It's unsettling and makes him feel unease with himself.

He hates this feeling, he decides, as Katara stands in front of him now.

"And this is my eldest, Prince Zuko."

He doesn't take her hand like Lu Ten. He doesn't smile at her like Uncle Iroh. He doesn't embrace her like mother did.

Zuko stands there, unmoving, with his typical scowl on his face.

Eyes narrowed slightly, he looks her up and down to try to figure out why this female makes the air so much harder to breathe and a pounding in his stomach ensues.

Katara looks up at him under long eyelashes and he watches in satisfaction as she takes in a small gasp of air the moment she sees his scar. But she doesn't stare at it like most. Instead, blue orbs lock onto him and he takes a sick satisfaction in knowing that he seems to be making her just as uncomfortable as she makes him.

"H-hello," she rasps out, probably more huskier than she intended and that makes the right side of his mouth tilt up sardonically.

Good.

She should be unnerved.

He might not know her backstory. He may not know if she's a good person or not. And he doesn't care. What he cares about is how he's reacting to her and it's not good. He needs to rein in his emotions before she catches him off guard again.

Zuko decides right then and there that he does not care about Katara from the Watertribe.

Lu Ten obviously wants to pursue her and Zuko is more than happy to not give a damn.

What do you think? Obviously I changed their ages and I especially changed the age gap between Lu Ten and Zuko. Like it says in the summary, this is an alternate universe with no avatar.