PROLOGUE

Katara awoke to crying in the middle of the night and quietly got out of bed so not to wake Zuko up. Poor Mizumi probably had another nightmare. This would be the fourth night in a row that their sweet daughter had a crying fit. Katara knew this was not normal, for Mizumi was 16 years old and far past having childish dreams. As Katara rounded the corner to Mizumi's room, she heard a crash and something she knew to be the sound of silent struggling.

Katara broke into a run and came face to face with a very large figure of what seemed to be a man. Instantly she attacked the stranger in the week points Tai Lee had taught her, it was her only defense since she left her flask on the night table in her and Zuko's room. Once the figure was out the way, she bolted to her daughter and held Mizumi tightly then screamed "ZUKO!!"

"ZUKO!!" immediately Zuko sat up in bed and through off his covers. That was Katara's voice! Something must be wrong. Zuko grabbed the flask of water and ran to where his wife was yelling for him. He turned the corner and was knocked off his feet onto his back. He then saw a large figure of a man running the opposite direction. "ZUKO?! GUARDS?! SOMEBODY STOP THAT MAN!!"

Once the Fire Lord heard Katara say this he jumped to his feet and shot a fire blast at the man. The figure was so large that he had trouble turning the corner and got hit in the back by the blast. The man tumbled forward and lay still on the hard metal floor. Zuko then proceeded toward the man and held him down with his, fist ready to fire, if he tried to get up and leave.

The firebender heard steps behind him and did not release the man from his hold, but turned his head to see his wife and daughter standing together side by side behind him. Katara had her hand on Mizumi's shoulder.

Zuko then herd the man stir and turned his head to the man who was trying to stand, but Zuko held him tight with his fist and said to him "Why did you attack my daughter?!" The man did not speak. "ANSWER ME!!" boomed Zuko anger filling his face and his fist. The hot flame of his hand licked the man's back and the figure yelped in pain.

At that point there were guards surrounding them. Zuko was so angry he had not noticed there arrival. The man shrieked with pain and Zuko removed the fire from his fist.

……………………………

Zuko was still holding the man that had attacked their daughter and Katara wondered if she should heal the man, but moved the thought out of her mind at once. When the Fire Lord had arrived to her call she saw him drop her flask of water and run after the man.

The waterbender had picked it up then searched Mizumi for possible placeless where the man might have hurt her. She appeared okay at first glance in the darkness. "Take him and make sure you get the info out of him." Her husband spoke with such authority she really saw the Fire Lord and not her Zuko. Katara took Mizumi's hand and guided them to the firebender.

"What did he do to you two?" asked Zuko as they walked up to him. Katara was pulled into her husband's embrace and did not struggle, but welcomed the comfort openly.

Mizumi let go of Katara's hand and said simply "Nothing."

Katara and Zuko looked at each other and Katara said "What do you mean 'nothing' I saw him in your room!" As she said 'him' she gestured to the now limp with pain, body of the intruder. "I also heard struggling in your room! How can that be 'nothing'?"

"I don't know. When he came into my room I was scared and started to cry. But then he came at me and chased me around my room he said to me 'come with me and we won't hurt you or your family' then the man fell and I saw mom run into my room I was so scared daddy." As Mizumi spoke she started to cry then Katara and Zuko opened their arms to her and she ran into the comfort they created for her.

"Now, now there, there Mizumi, everything will be alright no one can hurt us. We are surrounded by guards and your father and I are master water and firebenders you put us into the same room and the sparks start flying. Not to mention the fact that Aang, Toph and their son are but a messenger hawk away."

At her mother's words the Fire Lady saw Mizumi relax and then Zuko spoke up "Your mother is right honey, we can always handle anything. I mean Aang, Toph, Sokka, your mother and I fought my father and defeated him. I think we can handle anything that they throw at us. And on that note I think we should go to bed now." As he said this he looked Katara and she yawned.

"Mommy, daddy can I sleep with you for the rest of the night?"

Mizumi spoke so quietly Katara had hardly heard her when Zuko said "Of course you can. I can sleep on the couch."