AN: OK. There are a few things I need to say; it was pointed out quite a few chapters back that Ba Sing Se was under the control of the Fire Nation when the series last left it… ah, they took it back somewhere along the line :D. Yes, it has been a month since the story started and this chapter is what was happening while Zuko was escaping from the prison which is why its kind of a part II of the previous chapter.

And the rest of the Gaang is continuing with Aang's training. I haven't decided who exactly will be picking up his firebending training, and am open to suggestions!

I want to give a hearty THANKYOU to all my reviewers! And a stern scolding to anyone who did NOT review! scowl

I have the first Chapter of Chace's Story (Dissension) written up, and the second on its way. I will probably post it between this chapter and the next of Corollary, hopefully next week sometime!

Chapter Seven- While a War Rages

"No, you can't stay; right where you fell, the hardest part is forgiving yourself. But let's take a walk into today, and don't let your past get in the way."

History, Matthew West

Katara wiped the sweat from her forehead, frowning at the seemingly never ending expanse of road in front of her.

Ba Sing Se hadn't seemed this far on the map… or riding on Appa. For a moment a glimmer of regret forced its way into her mind. Perhaps if she had stayed with the Gaang she wouldn't be trudging through this godforsaken place.
The few trees along the side of the road offered little relief from the sun, their scrawny branches lacking profusely in leaves offering next to no shade.

What this place lacks in water and shade, it makes up with searing heat and blinding sunshine!

Katara squinted across the Earth Kingdom plains. What she needed was an ostrich horse to ride. Perhaps she could pinch one of a nearby farm.

Yeah, Right. She thought wirily. Knowing her luck lately she would be caught and end up in prison… maybe she could bunk with Zuko.

Ha! Wouldn't that be a laugh?

Hey Zuko! I came to see you and maybe rescue you, but instead I ended up in here with you 'cos I couldn't suck it up and walk! Her mind taunted her with sarcasm.

She could just see his grateful expression now.

Katara shook the scenario from her mind. Better reach Ba Sing Se soon… She could just see herself going mad on the road to Ba Sing Se… Speaking of which, that would make a great song for those travelling hippies they met a while back…

Uh oh.

She had never been truly on her own for such a long time before and it was slowly taking its toll on her.

"Do you need a ride, miss?" Katara glanced up, startled out of her reverie by a young man riding up on his ostrich horse. She stopped, meeting his blue gaze as he smiled kindly at her.

"Depends who you are and where you are going…" She said, sounding more defensive than she meant to as she took in his handsome smile and dark, chiselled features.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

He could come to like this girl… a lot. It was not often he came across another water tribe lady with such a…brazen… approach.

For a fleeting moment he wondered how it was that the both of them, each so obviously water tribe, were travelling along the same main road to Ba Sing Se. And why she was alone… maybe she would want to travel with him for a while.

Yeah, and maybe I'll marry her. He thought ruefully, noting the betrothal necklace around her neck. Not likely.

He looked down at her, noticing her bright blue eyes, dark mocha skin and long chocolate hair.

There was something in her eyes that drew to her, told him to take a chance. He saw sorrow, longing and exhaustion. But behind all that there was strength, and a determination rarely seen in water tribe women. And a familiarity he couldn't place.

He extended his hand in greeting. "Novik."

She shook his hand. "Katara."

He let the name roll around in his mind. "Nice to meet you, Katara."

"Where are you headed?"

"Ba Sing Se, then on to the Northern water tribe." He flashed her a grin.

Katara nodded her head once. "Sure, I'll come to Ba Sing Se."

Novik pulled her up her behind him and kicked his ostrich into a trot.

"Ever been to Ba Sing Se before?" Novik asked as they rode.

"Yes. I lived there for a while."

Novik was surprised by this answer. "Why did you leave? Most think its heaven."

He felt Katara shrug behind him. "We were kicked out when Azula took over."

"Azula?" He questioned.

She nodded. "The Fire Nation Princess. We fought her, but were over powered."

On a first name basis with the Fire Nation Princess, huh. Strange… wait…!

"We?"

"Yes, my brother, Toph Bei Fong, and Aang… the Avatar. We fought Azula and Zuko and their Dai li, and they won. We left."

"The Avatar?!" Novik was beginning to feel overwhelmed. Here he had been searching for some adventure, and Katara had bet him to it many times over… and she was most probably younger than him!

Hang on... He quickly put the pieces together; Katara, Avatar, Fighting Fire Nation, Water tribe… He got it.

"You wouldn't happen to be the young girl, who challenged Pakku to learn waterbending a while back, would you?" he asked, everything suddenly making sense.

Katara chuckled. "I'm not that young. But yes, that was me."

"Huh. Imagine that, what are the odds?"

She shrugged.

"So why are you headed to Ba Sing Se?" He asked.

She stilled behind him and for a moment he worried he had…offended her? He had at least touched a soft spot.

"I… am visiting… ah, family." She answered at last.

Ok, Novik, Change subjects…

"You're betrothed?" he questioned, slightly more than mildly interested.

"Yes, though unofficially. Are you?"

Novik shook his head. "No" he answered ruefully.

"Why not?" Katara asked in surprise. "I thought the Northern Water tribe was pretty strict with their marriage customs?"

He nodded, knowing what she was probably thinking. "It is. I was betrothed, but she was killed during the invasion a year ago."

"I'm sorry." Katara felt terrible. But Novik just shrugged.

"You couldn't have known. Plus I had only met her once before so it wasn't too hard when she died." He felt a bit cold when he told Katara this, but it was the truth. He hadn't known the girl long enough to feel any connection to her; she was just another casualty in the invasion.

Besides, it was almost a blessing. He didn't want a meek water tribe wife from an arranged marriage. He craved a challenge, someone who would love him, and now that his betrothed was no longer living, he had the freedom to fulfil his dreams.

Evidently not with Katara, which was a bit of a bummer, but perhaps, with her contacts she would be able to help him find his partner.

He had admired her spunk almost a year back when she had challenged Pakku, and he was enjoying her conversation now. He was amazed at the things she had done since she had left… it didn't get much more impressive than fighting the two Fire Nation heirs! Apart from duelling with the Fire Lord himself.

Which she would probably do aswell…

Damn, his life was boring!

Katara sank to her knees in disbelief. She could hardly believe what lay before her. The Ba Sing Se prison infirmary was crushed. Rubble lay strew around the site. Broken and crushed bodies would be seen poking from the debris, the arms and legs barely recognisable in their mangled state. No one was being allowed near the wreckage… or the prison. Katara's heart had turned cold the moment she had heard rumours that Zuko was inside the infirmary.

A list of casualties had yet to be posted.

Well, at least I know I came to the right place…She though dryly, the notion barely comforting to her.

Novik stood behind Katara, unsure exactly what he should do. He would give a lot of things just to have a glimmer of what would be appropriate. They hadn't said much on the way here, the remainder of the journey had only taken a day for them on the ostrich horse as opposed to the 2 it would have taken Katara to walk it.

He thought it strange that she had wanted to come straight to the prison rather than someone's house, or even an inn… She had mentioned she had family in Ba Sing Se, so why did she want to come here? Novik felt that if he was serious about getting to know Katara better, he was going to have a lot to process from her life so far.

In his peripheral vision Novik noticed a guard posting the list of casualties on the notice board. Placing his hand on Katara's shoulder, squeezing gently, he leant down to her ear. "Come on. They just posted the list."

Katara silently stood and turned, giving him a wan smile. Together they turned to read the notice.

The collapse of the Ba Sing Se prison infirmary 2 days ago has been attributed to the rogue group of earthbender's, Ecko.
It had since been confirmed that all inside the prison infirmary (total four prisoners, 5 prison personnel) have perished. The body count revealed 12 head, some unidentifiable.
The names of the Prison Personnel are as follows:
-Fez (Earth Kingdom, guard)
-Kel (Earth Kingdom, guard)
-Jay (Water Tribe, healer)
-Cosa (Earth Kingdom, Nurse)
-Giche (Earth Kingdom, healer)
The names of the Prisoners are as follows:
-Cheg (Earth Kingdom, rebel leader)
-Lu Be (Earth Kingdom, rebel activist)
-Kun (Earth Kingdom, rebel activist)
-Prince Zuko (Fire Nation, prince)

The prison supervisor, Warden Ho-min, offers his condolences to all families involved.

Novik finished reading the notice, silently wondering which name Katara had been hoping not to see on the list. He glanced sideways, stilling at the sight of her. Tears were flowing freely down her face; she was not even bothering to try and contain them.

His 'oh no' sounded more like a groan as he turned to her and pulled her into a hug. She melted into his embrace, clinging to his robe as he held her tight. She didn't make a sound in her grief, the silence somehow more heart breaking than anything else. He just stood there holding Katara until her tears died down and she moved to disengage herself from his embrace, wiping her eyes.

"I'm Sorry…" She choked out, blinking away more tears.

Novik shook his head. "Katara, its ok." He said reassuringly, gently gripping her upper arms. She nodded meekly.

He let go and looked around for the nearest inn, one hand lingering on her elbow. "Come on. We'll find somewhere to stay for the night and tomorrow you can think about what you want to do."

As he got practical, Katara felt some of her previous strength find its way back. She smiled gratefully at him and Novik couldn't help but smile back, quite relieved to see her mood picking up, even a little.

"Here."

Katara took the hot cup of tea Novik was offering her. They had found a nice little inn with a suite to stay the night. It only contained a small kitchen and barely enough room to move in the dining area, but it had two bedrooms, each with a basic bathroom.

She stared bleakly at the tea as she swirled it around with her hand, unsure of where to go now. Katara had shed the brunt of her tears yesterday into Novik's shirt and again last night into her pillow. This morning, despite the cheery sunshine flooding the living area, Katara felt drained. Who knew crying could take so much energy?

She had set off to Ba Sing Se in hope of just seeing Zuko. Her heart had ached for her love, and the hope of seeing him had kept her motivated from the time she left the Western Air Temple to when she had seen the Ba Sing Se prison infirmary…destroyed.

So what now? She felt she couldn't yet face the Gaang. For the most part, she had always seen her brother as the one to be comforting her, telling her it will be ok. But this time he was the primary cause of the mess, and on the surface she blamed him for Zuko's death. When she pictured her brother now, all she could see was him standing there, over the dead woman, accusing Zuko of sending her. And she could say nothing to defend him either, because while Zuko didn't confirm it, he didn't deny it either. To say Katara was slightly jealous at the way he grieved the other girl wouldn't be too far from truth. Maybe, she actually hadn't said anything to defend him because she felt jealous, and maybe, just maybe Katara had thought that a little trip to the prison would be a fitting way to hurt Zuko for caring so much about someone else.

Katara felt ill. It wasn't only Sokka's fault that Zuko had died… it was also hers! How could this happen? How could she just stand by and let her brother ruin Zuko's chance of being the best Fire Lord in history?

The Fire Nation.

Her throat constricted as the reality and consequences of Zuko's death came crashing down on her. It wasn't just about her. She wasn't the only one who would suffer from his death. There was now an entire nation left without a suitable heir to the throne! And while she had been moping around in the safe city of Ba Sing Se, a war raged around them. A one hundred year old war that wasn't going to stop itself!

But the prospect of going back to the Gaang was still an uninviting one. Katara was going to need a lot of time to heal before she would be able to look at her brother and be able to forgive him… if she ever could. In the meantime, she had Novik.

Wait… didn't he say he was going to the Northern Water tribe?

Yes, that could work. She would move forward in her life, as she did when her mother died, when Aang was shot down in the Crystal Catacombs, like Sokka had done when he lost Yue. Just like everybody before her who had lost someone dear to them. It wasn't her time to die yet, and she was going to make the most of her time on the earth.

"You are headed to the Northern Water tribe, right?" She quietly asked Novik, meeting his gaze with determination in her eyes.

He nodded in confirmation. Katara inhaled.

"I'm coming with you."

AN: Sorry its not my longest chapter and not the most exciting, but its not too bad…

Um, I spent a lot of time pouring over episodes, Wikipedia and quizzing my sisters on how Katara would react to the news of Zuko's death. And while I, myself, would probably have a mental breakdown (And nearly did when I decided to 'kill' him…lol), we all concluded that Katara would be strong. She shed a few tears when Aang died in COD, but as soon as she could she healed him. According to Sokka, she became the mother figure of the household, keeping the family together when her mother died. So from these accounts I decided that she wouldn't be the one wailing her heart out for weeks on end, but the one who put others (innocent victims in the war) needs before hers and set about ending the war.

However, I did feel she would not be able to forgive Sokka, or maybe even herself as she is pretty damn good at holding a grudge in the series.

So I hope I got her character right, let me know if you think she would be different, as its only halfway through the story and there is heaps of time to correct myself… There aren't many things worse than a seriously OoC boo boo :D

Katara is really hard for me to write --

So next chapter I think will be Zuko in the Tribe, learning more about it and all the rest. Depending on how much stuff the Tribe and the Northern Water tribe chucks at Zuko and Katara, I will do half a chapter on each setting.

So R 'n' R!!