Hey there, guys

So this is my second published fanfiction (I deleted the first one), so be kind! Constructive criticism is welcome.

Reminder that I don't own anything or any of these characters.

Now, about the story. It'll be a slow burn, and if you're expecting smut, this isn't the one for you. Although, I intend on putting some make out scenes (or other things implied). I don't follow everything exactly the way they made it on the show, so let me know if you have any questions.

Basically everyone is a little (a lot) afraid of the Fire Nation, so they do what Ozai asks and never defy him. Although, there my be some rebel action to come...

I know this chapter is a bit short, but it was more of an introduction to the world I'll be presenting and a few characters than anything else. I think the others will be longer.

Updates will probably come two days a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. Except for the first chapter which I posted on a Thursday.

Hope you enjoy!

Three more days. Three more days of normalcy and her old routine. Three more days of preparation. Three more days with her family. Three more days until she was shipped off to the foreign Fire Nation.

Katara was trying to be optimistic about the whole ordeal. Sure, it wasn't as if she'd had a choice on whether to participate or not. Or that she was going with a good impression of the prince. Or that she knew anything about that red, hot, big place with pale people and- well, she had to look on the bright side. It could be a good political advantage. The Fire Nation was the most powerful after all, so she was sure to come across important people. Being the chief's daughter and closest thing to a princess in the southern water tribe, Katara might even have an headstart. She was an important figure here at home, so maybe getting to know the nicknacks of diplomacy and such firsthand would be a good thing, especially if that'd give her an upper hand on beating Sokka for the position of chief, as unfair as it may be for him.

But still. She wasn't familiar with anything but her big block of ice. The only times she had contact with the outside world were when their sister tribe made their annual visit or when they went to the north themselves. Besides that, she had made one or two trips to the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation when little, but never again with all the tension going around. It's not as if she remembers. And an air nomad? She had only read about them. Almost no one from outside had a chance to visit the Air Temples, or even less meet one of their citizens. Once in a while a representative would visit to speak with her dad and Katara got a glimpse of green silk or red robes. Point being, different was scary, and this was all definitely different, and as much as she hated to admit it, Katara was terrified.

"Katara, come on." She heard her brother say, startling her. Usually, if he interrupted her training, which meant interrupting her thoughts, she'd wip him across the head with her bending. But these were different circumstances and she could hear the edge in his voice. It sounded like he had been trying to get her attention for a while now. "What is it?" She said a little half heartedly turning around to look at Sokka. It was becoming increasingly frustrating how he seemed to look at her with dead and pitiful eyes since they got the confirmation of her need to go away. Sure, they had been expecting this their entire lives, but getting the scroll made things official. Since then, everyone looked at her with a longing expression, as if she was already far gone. Katara didn't really get it. It's not as if she'd win or even be there too long, and she could take care of herself. All she wanted was for everyone to act as if nothing was happening so she could enjoy her normal life till the last minute. But of course she wouldn't act cross with them for worrying. "Dad called for a meeting, he wants us there." He didn't seem to know what it was about, so Katara just fell in pace with him and they went together to the conference cabin.

"Drop the long face, children. You'll like what we have to say." Bato said as they walked in. That lifted their spirits a bit and Katara could hear Sokka's gears turning trying to figure out what the news was. They took their seats next to Hakoda, who started speaking right away. "Let's just get to the point. We are all frustrated with the situation, and we know that if there was a choice, we wouldn't let her go. But as it's out of our hands, why not make the best of it? You two might not remember-" he said to Sokka and Katara "-but when you were little, one of our waterbenders, Hama, went to the Fire Nation on a mission. It was only intel gathering, but she never returned. At the time most thought she was our last waterbender as Kya had just discovered Katara's powers." He took a deep breath. It was always tough talking about their mother. Kya had vanished in one of the Fire Nation's visits twelve years ago without saying goodbye. To this day it was a mystery. "We believe the Fire Nation had thought Hama was our last waterbender and kidnapped her on her visit. However, a few years later they must've heard rumors about another one and saying it was a protocol visit all those years ago. Now we're almost sure they were looking for you, Katara. Waterbenders are they're biggest threat, and we know Ozai doesn't want any hazard. So the theory is, Kya pretended to be the last waterbender so she'd be taken instead of Katara." He looked at his daughter with a sad look, trying to show that it wasn't her fault. Both of them and Sokka had tears in their eyes. Katara knew it wasn't her fault, but at the same time, she couldn't get the feeling of guilt out of her stomach. "But the good news is, Katara is going to the Fire Nation in three days. We should use this opportunity to investigate what really happened to the both of them." Now he looked at Katara and Sokka, this time with happy tears on his face. "They might still be alive. Your mother could be alive!".

The rest of the evening had a much happier feeling to it. They discussed strategies and Katara was ecstatic knowing she'd actually be contributing to her tribe and doing something of purpose out there instead of just getting pampered and sitting around. And most important of all, if she had truly been the reason her mother was taken away, she might be the one to bring her back and make things right!

She did notice some things, though. Her father and the rest clearly steered away from mentioning what Hama's mission had been, or if it had been completed, or why Kya was the only one who knew that the Fire Nation officials weren't on a protocol mission but actually looking for a waterbender. But Katara was smarter than to ask. And surely, if it was important, she'd figure it out. After all, she was going to be investigating.

This all put a new light on the situation. Now she didn't feel like a prize, like an object being used and exploited for the good of the people's entertainment. Not even her people. Now she had a mission, and a secret from the Fire Nation.