After a rather cold shower, which was what his uncle advised him to do, Zuko left his dressing room in search for food. On his way he saw one of his newer servants rushing behind him with what looked to be a very large bottle Water Crow polish. The smell was terrible.
"Where are you taking that vile polish?" asked the prince, raising his sleeve to cover his nose.
"Lady Katara of the Water Tribe wanted her betroval necklace cleaned before the celebration tomorrow." The servant answered meekly, he was a very short man, thick, especially around the middle. He obviously wasn't made for running, he was already heavily breathing and slowing his pace.
Zuko remembered her mother's betroval necklace that Katara wore, he hadn't noticed it when he saw her before. He was already accustomed to seeing her with it that it doesn't even faze him. She probably will never stop wearing it. But Water Tribe necklaces were made of Ivory...
"You'll ruin the make of it if you use that polish. Water Crow stains Ivory." he said, not looking back at the huffing little man, ready to turn the corner into the kitchen.
"Oh. But aren't Earth Kingdom betroval necklaces made of Onyx?"
Zuko stopped midstep.
"Her necklace is made of Ivory. It is white and held by blue satin ribbons. It has the Water Insignia carved on the face of it with Katara's father and mother's name carved on the back..." Zuko said.
"Am I mistaken?" he raised his voice.
"Um, Your Highness. The betroval necklace I saw her wearing was made of Onyx, black like stone...and the ribbons were green...with the Earth Kingdom Symbol." said the little man, a little frightened now.
"What name was on the back?" Zuko shut his eyes as steam rose from his clenched fists.
"Lady Katara of the Water Tribe." he replied.
"And the other?"
"Sir Jet of–" before he could finish, all the oil lamps in the Main Hall burst into dying embers.
Flashback
"The stars have made us a beautiful night." she said as she laid her head on Zuko's bare chest.
"It's the night that makes it beautiful," he replied dryly, "The stars are always out, always there. But when all light is gone and all sound ceases, we can more easily notice them."
"You're leaving for your father's funeral tomorrow?" she asked, draping her arms around his waist as if he'd fall from her if she didn't hold him to her.
"Early morning, after the cremation is my Uncle's Inauguration." he replied. She began to tear.
"I will miss you, never doubt that, Katara."
"I might never see you again..." she whispered.
"You will. When the time is right, I'll see you. Until then, I'll write to you, I'll think of you. I'll vow myself to only you if you promise to do the same. Promise me, Katara. Promise me your self; your whole self entirely."
"I promise, Zuko."
End Flashback
"Servant." he said, coming back from his thoughts.
"Yes, Your Highness?" he answered timidly, still recovering from Zuko's sudden burst of anger.
"Send word to Lady Katara."
"Of what?"
"Tell her I'd like to meet with her in the Sparring Garden. I haven't been in training for a while and I'd like to–– practice."