It was a warm night as Katara gazed at the magnificent view from her balcony in the Western Air Temple. She was thinking, thinking of the times before she got involved in all of this. Funny, ever since her and Sokka joined Aang on his quest, she had never had time to just sit and think quietly.

"Katara?" said a voice

She smiled as he watched him approach her and plant a soft kiss on her lips.

"Sokka wants us to go down and meet him in the main hall." he said, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck.

"Ugghh do we have to?" she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

She loved just being close to Zuko like this. It was so hard to believe that she had hated him all this time. They had lost so much time together and they might not even have much longer to be together if Aang fails to defeat the Fire Lord in combat.

"Yeah we have to. He said it's really important." Zuko said apologetically. He smirked and held out a hand, "Come on, lets get going before he hunts us down."


As Katara and Zuko arrived, they noticed that Toph, Aang, and Suki were all gathered around Sokka.

"Well its about time you two!" Sokka said irritably. "Now that you're finally here, can you please take a seat?"

Zuko grinned as he and Katara took a seat on the edge of the fountain.

"Leave them alone Sokka! Let Sparky and Sweetness enjoy their lovey-dovey time together." said Toph

Aang looked down at Toph's comment. Even though he accepted Katara and Zuko's relationship, it was still hard for him to face.

"Okay, now that you're all here and accounted for," Sokka said with a particularly mean glare at Zuko and Katara who just laughed. "We need to think about the second invasion plan."

"Sokka, do we have to? I just got here" Suki said with a disappointed glance at Sokka.

"Yes we do! Aang has already advanced greatly through his fire bending lessons with Zuko more than any of us have expected. What we need to do now is start planning! We have no idea whatsoever how we're going to get from the main gates to the royal palace, and I don't think the Fire Lord's gonna say 'O sure Mr. Avatar sir, come right in.'" Sokka ended dramatically. "What we need is an army."

"And where do you propose we get an army from?" Toph said. "The Waterbenders are still recovering and the Earth Kingdom is basically worthless until King Crazy decides its time to attack."

"Well I haven't exactly thought of that yet, but-"

"What about the Water Kingdom?" asked Zuko. "The Fire Nation hasn't attacked them in a long time. It's perfect. The city is invincible, my uncle broke through the Aquatic Gates and took over the city but was defeated because he said an army of benders rose from the surface of the water."

"Wow" said Toph.

"It's perfect! We can go to them and the water queen will give us a huge army to invade with." Sokka said excitedly.

"I don't know if this is such a good idea," said Katara.

"What's the matter Katara?" Sokka said rather confused. "I thought you've always wanted to go to the big city?"

"That was before we got involved in the war Sokka!" yelled Katara. "Before mom died." she whispered under her breath.

Upon hearing this, Zuko moved to her side and placed his hand in hers.

"Well we have to do something," said Suki. "You don't expect the firebenders to just let us march right up to the palace and fight the Fire Lord do you?"

"I don't know about this…What do you think Aang?" she said hesitantly.

Aang rose from his sitting position and stood in front of all of them.

"We don't have a choice Katara. If we hope to defeat the Fire Lord we need help. I'm sure the water queen will provide us with an army to invade the Fire Nation."

Katara looked down sadly as tears began to flow from her eyes. Noticing this Zuko removed his hand from hers and draped it around her shoulder.

"Katara what's wrong?" he asked so softly that only she could hear him.

"I don't know Zuko." she said burying her face into his shoulder. "I'm scared, we're safe here and Aang is beginning to pick up on firebending thanks to you. Do we really have to leave?"

"We have to Katara," Toph spoke up, "Aang is starting to master all the elements yes, but he can't do it on his own. He needs help and the Water Nation is the only one to get it from right now."

"I know but-"

"Katara," Aang began, "You don't have to go if you don't want to. You can stay with your Dad, Haru, Teo, Chit Tsang, Momo, and The Duke."

"And get left behind not knowing if my friends, brother, and my boyfriend are alive or dead? You've got to be joking. I'll have to go."

"Way to go Sweetness!" said Toph happily.

"You're the bravest girl I've ever known," Zuko said as he was kissing her on the forehead.

"Then it's settled than, we're going to the Water Kingdom." Sokka said proudly.

And as Sokka said this, Katara felt a horrible feeling at the pit of her stomach. She knew that they were heading into great danger.

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