Book Four: Air

Sera Stoff

Summary: S4 The Gaang has settled into calm post-war life, Katara hasn't. Deep in the Earth Kingdom Zuko and Katara search for Lady Ursa. What they find may change the world, for better of for worse...

Disclaimer: Sadly no profit is made by this story. ATLA is the property of VIACOM and Nickelodeon. I am so thankful to Mike, Bryan, and the whole team for creating such a wonderful series from which I get an unhealthy amount of joy.

Post Original Series/Pre Korra


Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

-Sun Tzu


Looking back Sokka knew the trouble started the day the letter arrived. Not that he could have done about the events that transpired, but still, it was all the letter's fault…

Sokka quickly reviewed the spoils he had bought throughout the long day of shopping with Aang. Amongst Sokka's favorite pieces were a well balanced long sword (it would never replace his Space Sword, but it was a start), a dagger, some flat, rounded greenish-blue gem stones and a carving set. He looked over at Aang who had bought nothing more than a bunch of blue and orange flowers for Katara. How someone could buy so little and be so happy was beyond him. Perhaps it was part of Aang's monkish training?

Sokka was honestly happy for the kid. Aang was perfect for Katara. Katara loved to be motherly, so it would figure that she'd end up with a younger guy. And Aang was safe, Sokka knew his little sister would never hurt so long as she was with him. Plus Aang was completely dependent on Katara. Thinking back on it, he couldn't remember a single person Katara had ever been truly depended on.

The Jasmine Dragon's guest house, where Sokka and the Gaang were currently living, was a good sized building just off to the right of the Jasmine Dragon. It was made of simple white marble and matched all of the other buildings of Ba Sing Se's first tier; the only difference was the heavy presence of gold. It made the guest house, which was oh so obviously an Earth Kingdom building, hint Fire Nation origins. Inside the rooms had been set up to resemble their respective owner's nation as closely as possible.

"Hold on just a second, Aang," before going inside Sokka decided to check the mailbox, it was almost always full of a healthy mix of fan mail, hate mail, and Suki and Katara's various scroll subscriptions, as well as invitations to various peace summits and parties. As per usual he pulled out an astronomical amount of letters, scrolls and packages and attempted to carry them, along with his numerous shopping bags, into the house. "Feel free to help me out buddy," he told Aang. Aang either didn't hear, or didn't want to hear Sokka as he continued walking up into the house.

Realizing he had little choice, Sokka began to scramble wildly up the short stairs, across the lanai, and into the entryway, slamming himself into the door three times by way of knocking.

"Somebody let me in," He yelled. "Please," he added in a tiny voice.

"Sokka?" came Katara's voice as the door came open. Katara stared in shock at the mountain of mail and bagged curios that was her brother. Finally she took the mail that was weighing him down. "Sokka, how many times do I have to tell you: you cannot carry that much of, of, of… anything," she said in a scolding and somewhat joking voice.

"Yeah, yeah, we all know you would have complained about how lazy I was if I didn't get the mail," he joked back beginning to unpack his shopping bags. Katara quickly grabbed a letter of the top of the pile and retreated to her room, completely ignoring Sokka and all the curios he was attempting to show her.


Katara had been sitting in the second floor of the Jasmine Dragon guest house. Sokka had long since finished his painting and various groups had gone off to do their own things. Aang and Sokka were off shopping for 'Well earned prizes'. Mai had gone to meet Ty Lee and Suki somewhere; which left Katara alone. Zuko was there to, but he was busy at the Jasmine Dragon, something about talking with his uncle.

After cleaning the house top to bottom, including reorganizing Toph pigsty of a room and dusting behind everything, Katara had been left to her own ponderings. She had tried washing laundry and doing dishes to occupy her mind, but all the chores managed to do was occupy her hands. She soon found her mind wandering aimlessly. Katara was agonizing over her kiss with Aang. She knew there was only about two years difference in their age; he was twelve, almost thirteen, and she was fourteen, almost fifteen... And Aang loved her, and she loved him… Didn't she? The problem was she did love him. She had thought of him as a best friend for a long time. They had been penguin sledding, bent clouds, freed prisoners; together they could do almost anything. But deep down she had no clue what her feelings for Aang really were. She had thought that maybe a kiss would change that, but she knew now she was wrong. Thus, her mind had been going in pointless circles for over an hour, never really coming to any conclusion.

When Sokka had knocked on the door she welcomed the distraction. Aang was already in the house wearing his trademark goofy grin as he handed Katara some flowers.

"Thanks Aang," she said, kissing his forehead out of habit.

"Hay Katara, I have to go smooth some relations in the Southern Earth Kingdom, you know Avatar stuff," he said with a wink, "so you'll be okay for a month, right? It won't be long. Hey! Maybe I'll get it all wrapped up and come home early!" Aang smiled and did an airbending assisted summersault.

"Don't worry about it, Aang, just don't get hurt okay," she said tapping his shoulder in a sisterly fashion, causing a light blush to appear across Aang's cheeks. Three loud knocks were heard and Katara could only assume Sokka was smashing his head against the door.

"Hey Katara I…" Aang began.

"Not right now, Aang," she said with a wave of her hand, "in a second."

She then went to open the door for Sokka. Katara had spotted the note on top of the pile, it was addressed solely to her, written in Zuko's handwriting. Curiosity filled her as she thought about what possible reason Zuko could have for writing. It must have been urgent, considering he couldn't walk the hundred meteres between his room at the Dragon and the guest house, to simply tell her in person.

Katara ran to her room with the letter, not even bothering to finish the conversation with her brother. She quickly passed out of the small kitchen area, walked down the hall past Toph's room on the right, the bathroom and Aang's room on the left. At the end of the hall was a flight of stairs. Before she could take her first step Mai stormed past her, shoving her roughly out of her way in a manor so out of character it took Katara a moment to process.

"Mai, what is it," Katara asked distressed. It took a lot to get this kind of emotional response from Mai. Mai barely even smiled when she was around Zuko! She followed Mai into her room to see what was wrong.

"Nothing," Mai wiped away a few stray tears. "I don't want pity, least of all from you," her tone was icy, her generally monotonous voice cracking on the last word. "I'm going back to the Fire Nation to be with my family and get a few things sorted out." Mai started to carefully fold everything, neatly placing it into a small bag of her possessions.

It had been hard for Katara to accept Mai into the group, not as hard as Zuko, because after all the times she had tried to kill them when it came time Mai had done the right thing. Seeing Mai so torn down made Katara's maternal side bleed for the gloomy girl.

"At least let me help you pack," Katara offered.

"Thank you Katara," Mai said, instantly she returned to her usual stoic self. An awkward silence spread between the girls, but neither of them dared speak. When they finally finished packing, Ty Lee and Katara bade Mai farewell outside the Jasmine Dragon.

"I'll miss you Ty Lee, come a visit me soon," she said her usual bored tone, hugging Ty lee tightly. The she turned to Katara, from the look on her face she could have killed the waterbender then and there. "Take care of Zuko," she ordered then stepped quickly into the carriage, and rode off. Mai was just packing up and getting away from them all as fast as she could... Katara knew immediately that something was wrong and it was something big.

Katara was shocked by Mai's words. Take care of Zuko? What was that supposed to mean? Katara's mind suddenly wandered back to the note that now rested in a pocket of the green kimono she wore. She quickly ran back inside only to be intercepted by her father before reaching the stairs. I will never read this letter; I'm going to die wondering what it said, she though dryly.

"Katara," Hakoda said, placing a hand on her shoulder to keep her from moving. "Are you going to the Earth King's Peace Banquet?"

Katara had received an invitation to the banquet a week ago, but the event's date had somehow managed to slip her mind. She had decided that she didn't want a repeat of the last banquet, so she would stay home and have a nice, quiet evening.

"No," she answered, "I was just gonna bask in my newfound freedom. Sokka will probably want me to cook dinner anyway…"

"Alright, I'm going with Chief Arnook and his nephew, feel free to join us," he said.

Yeah dad, nothing more fun than sucking up a bunch of sexist pigs! "Thanks, but I think I'll pass," she said, plastering a smile onto her face.

Without a word Katara raced down the hall and scaled the stairs in record time, which ended directly at the door to the room she shared with Suki (and had shared with Mai). Once inside, Katara shut the door behind herself and sat down at the desk. She quickly broke the wax seal on the letter. The small piece of wax, imprinted with Zuko's own personal seal fell away in one piece, bouncing to the floor where she ignored its presence. She swiftly unrolled the scroll then began reading.

I would rather have said this in person, but my schedule is a living nightmare. Mai is leaving for the Fire Nation and that means I have no one to accompany me to the Earth King's celebratory peace banquet. I would be honoured if you would accompany me. Maybe that would smooth things over between the Fire Nation and Water Tribes. Chief Arnook especially, seems dead set against a peaceful compromise. If you decide to come, meet me at the Jasmine Dragon at sunset.

P.S. Wear something Bosco-proof.

Zuko

Well, she didn't want to go to a banquet but if could help smooth some ruffled feathers, who was she to say no? Plus, Zuko had no one to go with. All she needed was something to wear…


Katara had been looking in shop windows for hours, trying (and failing) to find any kimono that could represent her nation, or at least was near the right color. Shop after shop was filled with many beautiful kimonos, but they were all green. Every shade of green you could imagine could be found in the Earth Kingdom dress shops, yet not a single drop of blue! Katara happened across several shops which contained Fire Nations kimonos, the last little reminders of the Fire Nation's presence in Ba Sing Se.

The sun was dropping, lower and lower into the sky. Katara was beginning to think that compromising for a nice green kimono would be a fine idea. She began to walk back home disheartened, deciding she would wear her dress from when she and Toph snuck into Bosco's birthday party.

She passed shops and restaurants of various types. Most the shops were closing up as sundown approached, however the restaurants were just beginning to re-open for the dinner hours. She briefly eyed various windows, hoping to find something that would match her kimono.

Katara spotted a particularly dusty window up ahead, curiosity overtaking her she decided to see what was inside. She dusted of a portion of the window with her sleeve, clearing a section of the glass just big enough that she could look through. The dust remained caked onto the inside of the window which made seeing the objects in the shop nearly impossible. She could vaguely see dust covered trinkets of unending sizes and shapes, varying from clocks to unnamable what's-its and whose-it's galore. Finally she caught a flash of dimmed yet familiar color. Blue! It was blue! Katara ran inside the store without a second thought. Bells jangled on the door announcing her presence. As soon as the tinkling of the bells faded an eerie silence descended upon the shop.

Katara made her way to the back, the place where she had first spied the edge of a blue piece of fabric. What she saw was even better than what she could have possibly hoped for. It was traditional kimono cut, but it tapered inward just slightly at the waist and she knew it would lie perfectly. It was made of a light blue silk that shone iridescent purples and darker blues when the fabric turned or folded. It was trimmed in a deep purple which complemented the shine perfectly. Someone had hand embroidered swirls of blue silk threads, managing to pick up every tone of blue the fabric had to offer. On the back of the kimono a red sun rose up out of the ocean, the whole dress reminded Katara of the ocean at sunrise. The sleeves were tight to just above the elbow, where they had been trimmed and finished, but an open bell sleeve had been added in matching fabric. The entire dress was beautiful, and she knew immediately that this was what she had to wear tonight.

"I doubt you can afford it," said the harsh voice of an elderly man behind her. Startled, Katara quickly turned around to see a man sweeping the floor morosely. Upon seeing Katara's face the man paled, making a hasty bow. "Lady Katara, forgive me, I mistook you for a common peasant."

Katara's lips turned down in a frown. "Yeah, I've gotten that one before," she said testily.

"Please, take the dress, free of charge," He backpedaled hastily.

"No, no I couldn't," she insisted, "I can pay you tomorrow, though."

"Of course, my Lady," he said formally.

"It's just Katara," she insisted, beginning to pick up the dress.

"No, no, let me get it," he insisted, setting down the broom. The old man pulled the dress off the mannequin and carefully folded it, then placed it in a box for Katara. He walked behind the counter, pulling out a bag to put the dress in.

"Did you ever find that bison of yours," the man asked, handing her the bag.

"Umm… Yeah," she answered. "Yeah, we found him. Actually he found us. Good bye, thank you," she said exiting. "I'm sorry I don't remember you," she added.

Just before the door closed, in a voice she could barely hear above the jangling bells, Katara heard the man mutter, "nobody remembers Old Sweepy."


Katara looked in the mirror, marveling at the wonders Suki could do with conventional makeup.

"Stop looking away, I need to finish lining you left eye," Suki said. She grabbed Katara's head and once again, moving it back to center, and titling it up just slightly, then began drawing a line beneath the Waterbender's eye again. Suki pulled back, chewing her lower lip, then smiled, "There we go, all done!"

Katara stared speechlessly into the mirror, lifting her hand up to the reflection of that perfect girl.

"Well," Suki asked excitedly, "what do you think?" Suki was clearly excited by what she had achieved with Katara's makeup.

A little bit of the Kyoshi Warrior's heart broke as she observed Katara. Suki had always known she a tad on the normal side when it came to looks… And Sokka always told her she was beautiful… But if this is what Katara looked like, how much more beautiful could Yue have been? Never had Suki felt more plain than staring at Katara's reflection, super imposing white hair over the dark brown.

"She's beautiful," Katara whispered, completely wide-eyed.

"You are, honey, now go get your..."

"Ew, do I smell makeup?" came Toph's loud voice. "Goin' somewhere, Sweetness," the blind Earthbender asked in a knowing voice. "Hot date?"

"Umm… Well, see," Katara began.

"Hey guys," Aang greeted enthusiastically.

"Twinkletoes, this is the girl's bathroom," Toph said pointedly.

"Yeah I just came to say goodbye to Katara, I've got to go make some peace… you know Avatar stuff. I'm leaving pretty early tomorrow so I thought I'd say…" Aang's eyes widened as they found her, he blushed brightly "wow."

Katara's hair was pulled up in the traditional formal style of the Water Tribe royals, the way Yue's had been the first time they had met her. Suki had added an eye shadow that matched her dress's many shades perfectly… her dress! She still needed to put it on!

"Katara's got a gig tonight," Toph explained to Aang.

"Hey Suki can you go get my…" Katara began.

"What's going on here," Sokka's voice boomed as he looked into the now incredibly crowded girl's bathroom.

"Um? Well…" Katara realized how bad it sounded that she was going off to party with the Fire Lord the same day that her boyfriend was leaving town, but couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Sugar Queen's going to some peace summit mumbo jumbo party with Sparky," Toph said bluntly, "oh and Needles left town today."

Sokka and Aang's expression both went blank and turned quickly to Katara. Aang expression looked angry and jealous, Sokka's clearly stated that he had just gone into 'Over-Protective Big Brother' mode.

"Aang, it's just a party, I'll be back tonight and see you off in the morning, don't worry," Katara assured the Avatar, placing a hand on his shoulder in a motherly gesture. Sokka on the other hand was not so easily swayed.

"My baby sister is not going anywhere with that much makeup on," Sokka said, crossing his arms into a fatherly posture.

"She looks great, and I worked really hard on her makeup," Suki said.

"What? No way," Sokka flailed his arms in distress. Suki gave him a look that said 'She's going, so deal'.

Finally he conceded, "… But you had better be home before midnight, and I swear if Zuko lays a hand on you!" Sokka raised his hand in what was no doubt a failed attempt at a fear invoking gesture.

"Please, Sokka, you know Zuko doesn't think of me that way," Katara said walking out the door.


When Katara got to the Jasmine Dragon she waited a few minutes out front, when Zuko still didn't show up she walked inside. She walked past the main room into the kitchen where she knew she would find him, stopping when she heard hushed voices.

"… By myself," she heard Zuko whisper.

"Nephew, I would be happy to accompany you," Iroh answered back.

"No, I'll be faster on my own. If I can find her…" Katara inched closer so she could hear, "If she's still alive…"

"Of course, I still think you should take someone. Why not take Katara, she as skilled a Waterbender as you are a Firebender? And she can move just as quickly!"

"I can't put her at risk!"

Katara doubted anything Zuko could do would put her at risk. She could just see them through the screen door. Zuko and his uncle were standing in the room of the kitchen used for preparing tea, just one of the kitchen's multiple rooms. "The Earth Kingdom does not trust you, Zuko. If they find you sneaking around they will be suspicious…" Iroh continued talking but Katara heard none of it. Where was Zuko going? Who was he looking for? And why didn't he want to take anyone with him? Unconsciously Katara had moved into the doorway, earning two shocked looks from Zuko and Iroh.

"Ummm…" Katara fumble for words to explain her presence. "I'm sorry I'm late, Sokka didn't want to let me out the door," the ending came out more of a question than an explanation.

"What did you hear," Zuko asked bluntly.

"Nothing, I just…" Katara searched frantically for words.

"In situations like these it is best to tell the truth," Iroh said wisely.

"Alright," she hung her head. "I didn't hear much, honest," Katara raised her hands, "except that Zuko's planning on sneaking through the Earth Kingdom in search of someone."

"Is that all?" Zuko questioned her.

"That's all, I promise. I wasn't skulking around your private life," Katara said. "Where are you going anyway," she asked, curiosity getting the best of her.

"I'm looking for someone," Zuko said, looking away.

Katara mentally went through a list of people he could possibly be looking for, Aang was somewhere nearby perfectly safe where he was supposed to be, Ozai was in Fire Nation prison not harming anyone, and Azula was safely locked away in an asylum where she was being treated for severe megalomania, paranoia and delusions. There wasn't anyone he could possibly be looking for.

"It's none of your concern Katara, come let's go," Zuko ordered in a voice strikingly similar to Ozai's. Orders of course had the opposite effect on Katara.

"It is my concern Zuko," Katara countered, "you're part of our group and the Fire Lord."

"This is more important," Zuko stated.

"How do you think Aang would feel if you didn't come back?" Katara's voice escalated with her temper, "or your uncle, or your entire Nation?" Her anger ebbed away slightly. "Or m… Mai, what about Mai? Who are you even looking for, that's so important?"

"My mother…" He kept his gaze trained to the floor. "Now come on, we're already late. Goodbye Uncle," He called as he pulled Katara out the door. Iroh just sighed and shook his head.

As soon as they were out the door Katara pulled her arm out of Zuko's grasp, "Let go of me and tell me what's going on!"

"It's none of you concern, Katara," he repeated.

"Wrong," she stated, "I'm the one who fixes the problems in this group, and I'm the one who keeps us together." She put a hand on his shoulder, "If something's wrong, tell me how I can help." She searched his golden eyes for some answers, but found nothing.


It was a short carriage ride from the Dragon to Ba Sing Se's royal palace. Katara and Zuko were welcomed at the door.

"Fire Lord Zuko" the doorman said. He wore unremarkable green robes and ported a ridiculously large plumed hat atop his head. "…And Princess Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, welcome," Zuko's lips turned up into a smirk at the use of Katara's full title, she barely resisted the urge to slap him. "The party has already progressed to the ballroom," doorman said, motioning down the right hallway.

"You know, this means we missed dinner," Katara said, "and I'm starving."

Zuko rolled his eyes, "sometimes you're exactly like you brother." They continued the rest of the way silence. The pair walked quickly through the halls, following the sound of the music, until they reached the open double doors to the room that was currently occupied by various members of the world's aristocracy. Zuko walked over to the announcer and gave the man their names, then quickly walked back to her side. Leaning down he whispered, "Just smile and pretend to enjoy whatever mind-numbing conversation you get pulled into."

"Fire Lord Zuko of the Fire Nation, accompanied by Princess Katara of the Southern Water Tribe," the man announced. Katara froze as every gaze in the room turned to see that late comers. Zuko's hand on her back gently guided her forward. She quickly began to concentrate on not tripping on her dress.

Out of the corner of her eye Katara spotted her father across the room. He had been talking with Chief Arnook as well as master Pakku and a non-descript Water Tribe boy Katara couldn't recall ever meeting. Her father's gaze swept the room, quickly spotting her. Hakoda's eyes zeroed in on Zuko's hand at her waist.

Katara's palm connected with her face, she was never going to here the end of this. Stupid Zuko, this is all his fault. I could have spent a quiet evening at home… Okay, maybe not so quiet with Toph and Sokka, but still… Her father said something to Arnook, and then the group quickly came to stand before them.

"Hi Dad," she said, smiling.

"Katara, you told me you wouldn't be attending this event," he father smiled tightly. "Yet here you are… With the Fire Lord," he added pointedly through his teeth.

"It was a last minute thing," she answered back. "Zu… um, the Fire Lord's escort couldn't make it."

Hakoda's posture relaxed ever so slightly. Slowly an awkward silence settled on the group.

"Katara," Chief Arnook cleared his throat, "meet my nephew, Aleut, the last living heir the the Northern Water Tribe's thrown." Arnook gestured the unexceptional boy Katara had seen earlier.

"Nice to meet you," she smiled kindly, wishing she could escape the group she was currently stuck in. "This is Zuko, the new Fire Lord. He traveled with us and helped us defeat Ozai."

"Yeah," Zuko said holding the back of his neck in an embarrassed posture. "I'll… go get us some drinks," Zuko shifted uncomfortably under her father's harsh gaze, "be right back." Katara's eyes followed Zuko across the room, hoping he would get her some food as well. She hadn't even noticed the awkward silence that fell, once again, upon the group.

"So… Pakku tells me you are quite an accomplished bender," Aleut began.

"Uhuh," Katara was not at all paying attention to the boy in front of her.

"Perhaps you would be willing to demonstrate you bending, and your concentration," Pakku said in a stern voice, catching Katara's attention.

"Um, I don't see why not," she replied uncertainly.

"Why not what," Zuko asked, suddenly right behind her with two glasses of whatever drink the party was giving.

"Ah," Katara cried out, surprised by his sudden appearance. "Why do you always have to do that," she asked, smacking him hard on the shoulder. She took her glass and quickly drained it of its contents, drawing strange looked from those watching her. Katara's face scrunched up as the alcohol hit her system.

"Katara, I really don't think you should be drinking that so fast," Zuko warned.

"Why not," she asked indignantly.

"Because it's first grade sake, highly alcoholic," he said in a low tone, praying her father wouldn't overhear, "Fire Nation import."

"Oh, so you're trying to get me drunk," her voiced rose just slightly.

"No! That not it at all," he raised his hands up beside him. "I'd have nothing to gain from getting you drunk," this time Zuko made sure Hakoda could hear him, just in case the chief had heard Katara's prior statement.

"What are you trying to say," she threatened warningly.

"I'm trying to… that's not what I meant, I mean…" he tried to grasp for words, "Ugh! I can never win with you."

She planted her finger on the center of his chest, "got that right Sparky."

"Ahem," came Master Pakku's voice, drawing her attention back to her fellow Water Tribesmen.

"Sparky?" Her father's alarmed voice asked.


"So what's the theme for this thing anyway," Katara asked when they were finally left alone.

"Just 'End of the War' basically," Zuko answered.

"Okay, that explains the ballads about peace," she said. "But what's with all the songs about us?"

"Us," Zuko asked, alarmed.

"Yeah, about Team Avatar," she said smiling, "even the Five Seven Five Society is here, reciting about Sokka."

"I guess that's what happens to all war heroes," he said uncertainly.

"Please gather round as we tell the Great Tales of war," said a vaguely familiar Earth Kingdom storyteller. "The war began one-hundred years ago…"

"This had better not be as bad as the play," Zuko whispered into Katara's ear, causing her to giggle.

"… Now we have come to the story of Oma and Shu," said the story teller.

"Oh I love this one," Katara said, pulling Zuko's sleeve excitedly.

"You know this story…"

"Shhhh," she said, hitting him hard on the shoulder, "I'm trying to listen…"


Wow, it only took me about three months to finally sit down and crank this out, you can be somewhat assured that the next chapters will be released in a more timely manner. For my full author's note visit: http : / serastoff. blogspot. com/ 2010/ 07/ it-only-took-me-what-three-months. html (only without the spaces! ;D)

Don't forget to review, I love reviews, I really want to know what you think about my story! Any suggestions? Cameos you want? Catch my references? ;P

-Sera