A/N: Sorry if the start of this chapter is too abrupt. I'm writing this story strait through, and I don't like to repeat myself too much.
As always - I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender (The Legend of Aang). I only write about it to make myself happy.
Most of the inhabitants of the village stared at him wide-eyed, others bowed low to the ground. The people of his nation where not used to having dignitaries such as the Water Tribe Ambassador, much less their own Fire Lord, walk their streets.
Zuko's questioning was garnering little to no helpful information. No one seemed to know how the disease started. It seemed to effect the whole village simultaneously, regardless of who or where.
He tried to comfort those he could, but had to admit this was out of his field of expertise. He knew whatever small hope he could give these people was never going to be sufficient.
It saddened him to see his people struggling. The economy after the war was dismal at best. Starvation, theft, rioting, all had hit a peak after the war. In the years after he had gained the crown, he'd worked hard to give his people a stable footing in the world again. A footing that didn't have them standing on the backs of others.
He desperately wanted to save people as easily as he had when he was the Blue Spirit. He knew that kind of 'cut-and-run' tactic wouldn't work in the political world. He sighed. Acting that quickly and decisively, without thought of collateral damage, was in his past; buried in memories as deep as lake waters.
****
It was well after noon when he reached the other side of the village. At this end the houses made way to vast crop fields. He saw many different types of food plants in various stages of growth.
"They grow all their own food in those fields."
Katara's voice, suddenly at his side, gave the Fire Lord a start. He glanced at her. She still wasn't looking at him. 'Is she still mad at me?' he pondered.
"They would normally be filled with people this time of day, if everyone wasn't sick." Her eyes never left the plants as she spoke.
She looked tired. Not as worn out as yesterday, he thankfully noted. "Could it be a food item that's effecting them?" He turned his gaze to stare at the fields with her. He narrowed his eyes as if willing the plants to tell him something.
She cocked her head to the side. "None of these plants are out of the ordinary varieties of food producing crops."
"The soil then?"
She nodded. "Possibly."
He looked around. "Is there anyone not sick in this village?"
"There's a family up on that ridge over there." She pointed to their right.
Zuko looked in the direction she'd pointed. He could barely make out a clump of buildings rising over the village.
She crossed her arms. "I haven't been able to talk to them yet."
"Why not?" He thought it was strange that she'd let a potential lead pass by her.
Her expression turned hard. "They refuse. I asked if anyone was sick, and they told me to mind my own business."
Zuko set his jaw and grabbed hold of Katara's wrist. "Come on. They're about to get two visitors whether we're welcome or not!"
****
They trudged up the hill and came upon a beautiful stone and wood structure. Zuko pulled Katara through the main gate and up to the impressive front door. Only then did he release her wrist and drape her arm over his, in a more proper manner.
He motioned one of his guards to knock.
At the rap, a slot on the door slid to reveal a pair of worn and wrinkled eyes. "Who is it?" came a raspy old voice. "What do you want?"
Zuko nodded to the guard who then stepped where the old man could get a better look at him. "This is your Fire Lord Zuko and the Water Tribe Ambassador, Princess Katara!"
Katara winced, she hated that title. The Southern Water Tribe had risen to a state of glory that now rivaled their Sister Tribe in the north. It was true that she, being the daughter of the Chief, would have the title of 'Princess', but it didn't mean she had to like it. She always insisted that if she had to be addressed formally, she preferred 'Lady'.
The guard leaned a little closer to the door and lowered his voice. "You'd better let them in if you know what's good for you."
The servant behind the door glanced over the guards shoulder at the very stern-faced Monarch and the unhappy Waterbending Master. Seconds later they heard the bolt unlatch and saw the door slide open.
"Wise choice." The guard said smiling.
The worried looking old man motioned them into a very comfortable sitting room. "Wait here and I'll let my Master know he has guests." he turned and disappeared down a hallway.
Zuko instructed his guards to wait outside.
A few minutes later a finely dressed couple entered with the servant following. The man had a very dower expression, and the woman seemed to be trying to hide her face behind a fan she was fluttering.
The Master of the house motioned Zuko and Katara to sit. "Welcome to my home." Pleasant words, but his tone was far from inviting.
The couple sat and Katara took a seat across from them. Zuko was too angry to sit pleasantly, so stood next to Katara.
"What affords us this rare honor as to have two such distinguished guests in my home."
Everything the man said sounded like an insult to Zuko. The Fire Lord narrowed his eyes. "I assume you've heard about the sickness in the village?" he saw the woman flush and fan herself faster. "Has anyone in this household fallen ill." Zuko did nothing to hide the anger in his voice.
The couple glanced at each other, but said nothing.
Their apathy and uncooperative behavior was really starting to grate on Zuko's nerves. It'd been a long day of feeling unproductive, so he could feel his blood pressure rising to the point of explosion.
Katara leaned forward. "We know you are worried about your fellow villagers, and we want to assure you we're close to finding a resolution. We only wish to inquire if you yourselves require our assistance." Her voice virtually dripped honey as she spoke.
Zuko looked at her sharply. 'How can she be nice to these... these people!'
Katara was unfazed by the monarch's glower, instead she gave everyone her best and most winning smile.
The effect on the couple was clear. They immediately started to relax. The wife even ventured a small smile in return.
"We know your time must be precious so we won't take up too much more." Katara brushed a hand subtly against Zuko's leg as he was about to say something.
The man across from her sat up a little straiter, lifting his chin. "It's no imposition. We always have time for royalty."
Katara nodded her head in a gracious thank you.
The man continued, "In answer to your question, no one within these walls is ill."
Katara smiled at him. "I'm so glad to hear that." She stood to leave. "We should be going soon."
Zuko watched her in a state of shock. He wasn't sure what was going on but he was willing to follow Katara's lead.
She walked a step to the door. "Oh, by the way, I noticed your beautiful garden when we came in. I was wondering if I could beg a tour before we leave."
At this the woman broke into a big grin. "Of course Princess. It would be my pleasure."
Katara followed the woman out into the slackening afternoon sun. Zuko followed mutely.
As they went through the garden the woman expounded on the origin and name of every exotic plant. Zuko had to admit the variety was amazing. It even rivaled the palace gardens, only in smaller size. They had plants from all over the world. The party came around a corner and were met with a field of white flowers. Each delicate petal swaying lightly on thin stalks.
Katara bent down to look more closely at the white flowers with red-flame centers. She stood without touching them. Zuko's eyes went wide when he saw the plants and was about to say something when Katara cut him off again. "You have a beautiful place here. And your garden is so grand. Do you grow your own food here as well?"
The wife lifted her chin a little. "We grow only a little, the rest of the food we bring in from all over the world. Our tastes are too diverse to be supported by a common garden."
Katara smiled. "Of course. Well, we should be on our way now." She turned towards the front gate. The rest of the royal party had no choice but to follow.
The couple bid them farewell. As soon as the gates closed and they'd gone partway down the hill Zuko looked at Katara in disbelief. "Wow."
She glanced at him as they continued walking. "I know! I've never seen that many poisonous White Jade plants before. There must've been hundreds. They're rare in the Earth Kingdom, but they obviously like this volcanic Fire Nation soil."
Zuko stopped and put a hand on her arm. "No. I mean you. You were amazing, a true diplomat."
Katara blinked at him in surprise. "They didn't seem to be responding to the direct approach." She shrugged. "I've always heard you could catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
Zuko shook his head. "I was about to tear that guy's arms off or declare war on his family. I don't know how you kept your cool."
She looked at him for a few seconds with an unreadable expression. "I've had practice dealing with difficult people." She said the words calmly and without guile, then turned and continued walking down the hill.
Zuko's body went cold. He sighed and followed after her.
A/N: I left it as implied that the bodyguards went everywhere with Zuko and Katara. I hope that wasn't too vague. Please let me know if it was, and I'll make more mention of them.
