Chapter 4 Life in the Fire Nation Palace

I was starting to get use to living in the Fire Nation with Zuko. I would walk around the palace and help with some of the meals even though the servants didn't want to let me, but after a few weeks I had finally convinced them that I wanted to make some of the meals special for their Firelord. Other days I would entertain the fire nation children with my waterbending, They always enjoyed my shows, each time asking for me to make different animals and items with my Ice bending.

During one of my many shows I had a feeling like I was being watched, and not in a good way. I looked down an ally and thought I had seen a glimpse of Azula, Zuko's crazy sister. I shook my head thinking that the heat was playing tricks with my mind. I asked Ziri to escort me back to the palace, ending my show early and apologizing. "Sorry everyone I have a very important meeting with the Firelord." I waved and headed back to the palace.

Once inside the palace I went to look for Zuko, I wanted to let him know what I had experienced. I looked through the entire Palace and couldn't find him. So I asked one of the servants. "Where is Lord Zuko?" She looked at me surprised, then bowed and responded "he is in a meeting" Her expression was of shock to think I wouldn't have been told. I thanked her and went to wait for him in the garden, using my bending to water the flowers and plants in an attempt to calm my nerves.

About an hour later Zuko arrived, he looked stressed. I walked over and kissed him gently. "What's wrong honey?'' I asked him as we sat next to the pond. He looked at me, pulling me closer. "I have some good news and bad news." I listened to him nodding.

"I have news as well, though I think it was just the heat messing with my head" I said trying to smile to cheer him up. He looked at me. "What happened Katara?" he asked me softly.

I looked at him then spoke softly, "while I was entertaining the children in town. I thought I saw….Azula" I paused before saying her name. His eyes widened at my remark, clearly in shock. "Zuko what is it?" He looked around the garden making sure we were alone. He turned back to me.

"Azula broke out of the boiling Rock." He said so seriously it was as if he was his old self for a moment. I gasped as a shiver ran down my spine.I looked at him. "So what's the good news" I asked trying to get his mind off of his sister. Knowing that he would have every guard tracking Azula.

"The Fire sages have heard rumors about where my Mother might be living." He said softly "I wanna get Aang and the gang together and go looking for her." He looked at me. "Especially if Azula has also heard the news and is tracking our mother down. I want you to come with me. Can you send a letter to Sokka and Suki?'' he asked I nodded.

"Do you really think I'm gonna let you go on a mission without me?" I looked him in the eyes. He smiled softly as one of the maids announced dinner was ready. "I'll send a messenger hawk to them after dinner and I'll ask them to pick up Toph too, we might need her metal bending." Zuko nodded as we walked hand in hand to the dining room.

As promised as soon as we had finished eating, we retired to our room and I began writing a letter to Suki, Sokka and Aang. Not sure if they would help or not but, I also wrote that Azula had escaped and knew that would at least catch their attention. I sighed, it had been well over 5 months since Zuko's coronation that I had seen or even heard from my friends and brother. Last I knew Sokka had moved to Kyoshi with Suki and Toph had an earth and metal bending school in Ba Sing Se.

"What if they think we are joking and don't come.." I looked at Zuko seeing his scar from where Azula had struck him with a lightning strike, I looked down knowing it was because of my presence that day he even had a brush with death. sensing my uneasiness Zuko walked over and gently wrapped his arms around me. He thought for a while then smirks. "How badly would the gang want to see your wedding?" he asked, I shrugged and thought. "Well, I know Sokka wouldn't wanna miss the opportunity to see my wedding day." I replied as Zuko took the brush and a new piece of paper and wrote an invitation to a wedding knowing it would bring the gang together. We sent the letters to our friends and my brother, not knowing if they would accept the truth once they arrived. All we could do is hope and pray to the spirits that they would understand that something important was going on.

I walked out onto the balcony with Zuko standing behind me, I looked up at the full moon enjoying the power that I drew from it. I was on edge, Azula was loose and running around crazy and hell bent on revenge, Zuko's mom was alive and for the time being hopefully safe. I closed my eyes trying to calm my breathing and my emotions. Zuko tried to help calm me down then with a smile in his voice he suggested, "Katara, Do you need to have a good sparring match? I would be more than happy to arrange one." I turned and nodded slightly, he knew when I was upset like this I needed to spar, get my frustrations out kissing my forehead he nodded, "I'll call for Ziri. Unless,..." I looked at him raising an eyebrow. "Unless?" I questioned him softly already knowing what he would say but, wanting to hear him say it anyway, "unless you want to spar against me Love, like old times." he chuckled.

"I'd like that" I smirked and kissed him before changing into my old Water Tribe clothes and grabbing my water pouches. "I just hope you realize, It's a full moon so don't hold back" I giggled following him to the training area