Author's Note: This is a shorter one again, but still fun. Just two stories and weeks left and then I'm done. Despite all my hesitations, my mind is already racing to come up with a next idea. I have some, it's just a matter of fitting them in to my personal works.

I've had a generally good response, I still welcome reviews, and I hope you enjoy.

I laughed rereading it because I put in a "same, same but different" line for Katara. its a personal little Easter egg since I wrote this while I was in Cambodia and the phrase is everywhere. Of course, I doubt any one else cares. Fond memories for me though. :)

"Save The Cabbages" (Bound) – July 18th Thursday

Katara licked a thumb and smoothed one of Iroh's unruly eyebrows. He smooshed his eyebrows together into a frown, as if that would keep her from messing with his appearance. His amber eyes – identical to his father's – glared out from underneath.

She knit her own eyebrows to counter, "Give me that look one more time and I won't let you leave my side at the party tonight."

"Mom," he protested, but her look silenced him. Comically, the ten year old raised his eyebrows, trying to contrast his initial frown.

She combed her fingers through his hair and pulled it back into a small tie. "Remember: don't let Bumi drag you into one of his harebrained schemes. Don't leave your sisters out; if they want to play, let them."

"I know, I know," he groaned.

She ignored him and continued. "Be sure to be at the dining hall in time for dinner. Listen to what the adults tell you. And don't tease Lin. She's as strong as her mother and she will kick your butt someday. And please, no fire bending. Please."

"You never give this speech to the twins," he grumbled. He ran his hand through his hair to loosen it some.

"Ursa and Kya don't need the speech because they haven't blown up anything at the past reunions," she tugged his vest more tightly around him and spun him towards the door.

"I told you the supply closet was an accident."

"And the cabbage cart?"

"Bumi's idea." Iroh averted his gaze as he blamed his friend. The air bender was as notorious for mischief as his namesake had been. Katara chuckled to herself as they made their way down the lower hallway.

The metal ship groaned as it settled into place at the dock. Movement already had begun on the decks above.

A head of curly brown hair poked out of one of the doors in front of them. "Are we there yet?"

Another head appeared below her. "I think we are, Ky."

The girls were identical in every way but their eyes. Kya's were blue with a ring of gold around one of her pupils. Ursa's were the reverse – golden eyes with a ring of blue. Their brown curls they inherited from their mom. Their pale skin came from their father, the Fire Lord.

"We are. Hurry up, girls! I'm sure Lin is anxious to see you!"

A door slammed behind Katara and Iroh as the girls caught up to them, already dressed in formal Fire Nation attire. Kya clung to a little doll Ty Lee had made her, while Ursa buried her face behind a book. Katara snatched the book away, "Ursa, please try to socialize. Lin would love to play with you."

"I don't want to play with Lin. She's a spoiled brat."

"You're acting like Aunt Azula," Kya said. She petted her doll's hair and flashed her eyes at Ursa.

Ursa gasped and whirled at her twin. Kya widened her eyes in innocence. Ursa crossed her arms.

"Fine. But only if I get my book back after dinner. I was just getting to the good part."

Katara consented. If she were being honest, she understood their perspective on the Team Avatar reunions. It was easy for her to get excited about seeing her old friends, but the kids only saw each other one week out of each year. They were bored far more easily.

She felt a hand at the small of her back and turned. Zuko kissed her gently on the cheek as he emerged from an adjoining hall. "Ready to see the old group again?"

"Dad!" Iroh exclaimed. Zuko ruffled his hair, messing Katara's work up even more. She huffed to herself.

"Dad! Bumi and I are gonna work on some new fire versus air techniques. We've been sending messenger hawks for weeks."

"Ran and Shaw save the cabbage carts," Zuko muttered to his wife. "Be careful, Iroh. But show him how it's done."

"You look handsome," Katara whispered.

"You look lovely," Zuko replied.

"Why does Kya get to keep her doll?" Ursa complained.

"Because she isn't so distracted by it." She gave Ursa a little shove from behind. "Better hurry! I think I hear the doors opening."

The kids paused for a second, listening. Then Iroh's face exploded into excitement. "I hear it too!" In a sudden rush, he bounded down the hallway toward the gangplank. His sisters followed suit as quickly as their smaller legs could carry them.

"Such energy," Zuko sighed, letting his arm wrap around her waist. "How do you do it?"

"Be a mother you mean?"

"Put up with them."

"It's the same thing, just different." She winked at him, her tone playful, "I work miracles."

"Must be," he swung her to face him. "You know, I'm so lucky to have a wife as caring as you."

"Guess we both got lucky," she said, quietly. Age was beginning to show on their faces. They were rulers. They were parents. They were adults. And though they both kept a slow pace, unable to match the children's speed, their hearts bounded just as quickly.