Disclaimer: Neither of us own alot. That disclaimer included ATLA and its characters. (Err.... Izzi still owns a hell of a lot more stuff to her name than heflo though. heflo owns nothing but the gold ring on her finger.) No! Stop that thinking! It's not a wedding ring. Though technically....Psh. Alright. So maybe it is a wedding ring. But heflo isn't married. (And the other meger items in her belongings includes: a pet turtle that can out stare anyone in a staring contest, an awesome espresso maker, a crappy scanner, am evil cell phone that loves everyone but heflo, hand me down clothing, third generation furniture from family, a recycled sketch book, a gazillion-and-one hair ties, a bottemless-pit messanger bag, the lint in her favorite worn out jeans, ect....)

I loved the season three finale. But I hated, absolutely hated how some things ended. Now, since I'm now magnificently disappointed and pissed off to no end, I'm going to edit and retell the ending the way I want. And no I don't own Avatar the Last Air Bender—I'm just going to have a hell of a time writing in the process. I'm not in the mood at all to be told otherwise, so either enjoy or don't read my recreation, okay? Every word written is my way of saying I won't let it end just yet, so until the words stop coming to me or I'm begged to just close off, the story will continue in a revised fashion. ~heflo

And since I was too disappointed in the third season (I mean, I gave up after the whole Maiko boat kissing scenes in the first couple episodes) I never really got around to the finale. But my dad taunted me and flipped it on while I was in my room (and he knows that I can hear everything that goes on in the living room perfectly) and I concluded that the Maiko fans had a blast and something about Zuko becoming the Fire Lord... blah. Pooey. I'm just the editor, what do I care? -izzi


Seven years later…

Katara was an unmarried woman of the Water Tribes. She, like the majority of women of her tribe, was curvy and blue eyed. She wore dark blue—light blue wasn't easy to come by in the central earth kingdom. She was an inch or so above average height, and her brother was now well above her. Speaking of which, she stopped at his shoulder. He was on eye level with their father. Her hair was long and kept in her own unique fashion—loopies, bun, the rest free and unbound. Exactly in the way at the end of the war. Just add a tiny braid interweaving though the curtain of her silky tresses, and that was how twenty-two year old Master Katara looked.

It had been a long day for her, but finally, she and her friend were alone at the dinner table. She'd grown up. The only thing was her hair style. That, Toph insisted on of all things. There wasn't a trace of any childlike qualities left in twenty year old Toph Bei Fong. Her skin was smooth and flawless, her sightless eyes more defined in shape. She wore whatever she pleased, and no one dared mention that she could be wearing better, more expensive things—because quite frankly, it would go in one ear and out the next or they'd find their face almost kissing the ground at her feet.

She was only a few inches shorter than the water bender, but not nearly as filled out and small and delicate in appearance. They'd had a good argument over that one. A very long, interesting conversation that didn't actually end for four hilarious hours. What the pros and cons of a full figure verses a non-fully fledge figured could be like. Like the saying went—you'll always want what you cannot have.

"Aang sent a letter for us," The blind beauty stated.

"Really? Have you opened it yet?" she set down her chops ticks, licking the sticky sauce from her lips.

She and Toph ate alone, free from Toph's parents. It wasn't that they didn't want to dine with the older Bei Fong's, it was just that they couldn't—the blind earth bender's parents were at their summer home, leaving the two to do whatever they pleased. Neither parent had minded Katara; they tolerated their daughter's friend. And other than the occasional (more often than you think) disagreement, Toph's parent left both Toph and Katara out of their picture—it was like they were only small inconveniences and weren't important enough to be seen other than at the dinner table. Toph's guess was that they couldn't tolerate the superior works of their daughter anymore and had called the vacation on early. Besides the servants and the guards, they were alone for the time being.

"Not much of a point if I did that. So here," A sealed scroll was handed across the table to Katara, and Toph demanded in one word what she wanted. "Read."

She set it down and shook her head.

"Not until you tell me what exactly is bothering you."

"Katara, nothing's wrong"

"And that was what just gave you away."

The two females sat in silence for a few moments, and then simultaneously broke out in grins.

The water bender and her younger counter part were best friends. Or as far as best friends went on good days. They acted more like sisters. They got on each other's nerves easily and yelled at one another when something happened.

"That's sad. You know me too well. Sweetness, I think it's time you took a vacation." A sugary dumpling popped into her mouth and she chewed, not once pausing. "Think it's time you went home for once?"

"Toph, this is my home. And it has been for five years."

"Really? Seems like it was only yesterday we got back here."

"It does, doesn't it?"

No exaggerations there.

The week after the war ended. Absolute chaos broke out. It wasn't disastrous chaos, like war brought. There was now a new definition in the dictionary listed under the word chaos.

Mass celebration.

For months, Aang and them—Sokka included—had traveled across the globe, finding that word spread faster than they did on Appa. It had been a frenzy of festivals, happiness everywhere, joyous celebration, abrupt parties and cheer. And everyone wanted Aang to be there to celebrate the end of the century long war. In fact, he hadn't stopped traveling since the war ended. Even with Ozai and Azula hidden in undisclosed separate prisons, peace treaties, amendments, truces, new laws, and new leaders were needed.

The Gaang had officially separated six years ago. Katara and Sokka had returned to their home in the Southern Tribe and the others returned to their nations. To their astonishment, it was being rebuilt to its former glory before the war. Not quiet done, she and her new grandfather had continued to help rebuild. With the help of the team of newly relocated water benders, they doubled and tripled it—now it rivaled the sheer elegance and size of the Northern Tribe. And though it lacked the natural walls of the cliffs, they made up for it with obstacles of ice, cannels and interchanging waterfalls.

And ice burgs. Never forget the ice burgs.

It had been exhausting work for all of them. And a new friendship was found between the water benders. In Katara's opinion, her home was too big. At least for just one person. Her grandfather and father had announced she was old enough to live alone. Abet, it was down the road from everyone. It could easily house four or five comfortably, but it was just her in her grand house. Her brother had one of his own too, and the last she'd seen him was when she waved goodbye in Kyoshi.

And six months after they, she and the men of her tribe, had officially arrived back, she left.

With the company of her brother, she had first visited Suki (and actually learned how good of a friend Ty Lee and the other Kyoshi warriors were) for a week in Kyoshi. And then she went north—ending up in Haru's village for a month. Sokka insisted on staying back in Kyoshi, having her promise to be safe and to let no one touch her. Anything resembling or appearing to be male especially.

He trusted her—and would have no say in it anyway, with her being able to freeze his sorry self to any flat surface possible—and let her go.

She'd gone up a little further and showed up on the Bei Fong's estate with a pack on her shoulder and a smile on her face. The guards almost hadn't let her through, but had changed their minds when she convinced them otherwise. Actually, she'd yelled for Toph and threatened to freeze them to each other if they didn't let her through to see her friend—and had even given them a detailed description of what Toph would do to them if they didn't let her in. It had worked too.

Though it had originally been for leisurely purposes, it had ended up to be a longer stay.

Katara had a house a little ways down the road.

At age twenty, Toph was next in line for the Bei Fong inheritance. For her stunt from the previous years, her parents had almost disowned her. But as of last year, she was officially forgiven. It had taken that long to learn the works of her family's business and trades.

It had also taken that long for Katara to establish her own way of trade.

"You do realize Suki's pregnant, don't you?"

Ahh. So that was what was bothering Toph. "Yeah, it's odd, but.. Sokka.. as a…dad? I knew it was coming, but it's still a shock. I'll be an aunt in a few months. Better start learning how to crochet baby boots."

It wasn't until the week before her older brother had married did she become aware of Toph's liking for him. Toph didn't know that she knew, so for the time being, the waterbender was safe. Heaven forbid if anyone else discover Toph Bei Fong had a soft spot for a water tribe warrior.

And in ten years, Toph's parents expected Toph to be married and have children. That was laughable. Katara had simply raised an eye brow at that one. If she seriously doubted she was getting married any time soon, then there was no way Toph was tying the knot soon either.

And the earth bender's words exactly being: "I won't settle down until you do Sugar Queen. It won't be right—you're older. You deserve to be married off first. Sokka's married—shouldn't you consider looking around at least?"

And Katara's response: "When I'm ready. Besides, it's not like my life depends on it."

Toph's reply: "And one day you'll wake up one morning, and you'll realize—You're forty nine and you still haven't even had you're first date. Your twenty-six cats will be sleeping in your room and then you'll begin to wonder what happened to your twenty-seventh cat. Your box of a home will be falling down, you'll slowly lose all you hair, bending abilities, and you will only have three good teeth. None of this will happen if you marry, you know… Does that scare you into looking?"

Katara was biting the corner of her lips, trying hard not to burst out laughing, as she replied, "Not really."

"Well?" Toph frowned.

"Alright, alright, I'm getting to it."

She finished the last bite of her soup and reached for the scroll, Toph's impatience hanging heavily in the air. Unrolling it, Katara sighed. Aang wrote to them rarely, because normally he would visit them himself every few months. It had been nine months since the pair had seen the Avatar—a bad sign, seeing as no letter had come since then.

"Dear Toph and Katara, I hope you two have been well. Over here in the fire nation, the weather is much to be desired. But thanks to Teo, the palace is having its very own 'air conditioner' installed. Odd name—but I have to say so myself. It's a miracle that will be in every home one day after our time…"

The letter went on (and on—it was a really long piece of paper with tiny handwriting), mostly of funny things or updates that had them a bit relieved, and until the last few paragraphs they were relaxed and at ease. No longer though.

"….I wrote this because it might be a while until I see you two again. Meditating, I saw that I needed to reunite with my people's ways. I've gone too long since returning to one of the temples. And Toph, I'm happy for your gains with the last year's profits, but don't spend it on anything I wouldn't …"

They smiled. Aang would spend money on anything. He said it was just a compulsive habit, but really, sometimes he over did it. The only person they knew who could top him was Iroh. Old man was now limited on his shopping trips, because Zuko had thrown a tantrum when Iroh almost traded the entire treasury with a pointless collection of stamps. That had been six years ago—the last time she had seen the Fire Lord. She was somber at that. He'd lost his wife four years ago, when she and his child had died in child birth. From what Aang said of the fire bender, it had changed him, and he rarely smiled. So little did Aang see emotion from the Fire Lord, that it was severely worrying what had become of their friend.

And that worried her. Of course, everyone had grown up, but how badly had he changed? She knew Mai's death was a partial factor, but....

...was her old friend gone? Was he that drastically different?

"… I have one favor to ask of you, Katara, so please don't let this go undone. By the time you two get this, it should be a few days after I leave. It is a lot to ask, but I need you to take my place in the Fire Nation while I'm gone. It will be a while, but it can't be avoided. I sent a letter to Iroh, so he knows of what's happening. He'll meet you at port and will update you the rest of the way, so I have only one warning. Do not under any circumstance let Zuko know you're there to keep an eye on him. If he asks you are there on vacation and needed to get away from the earth kingdom. Or you're there to keep Iroh company while Zuko goes off and does his Fire Lord duties. And if you can, try to cheer Zuko up. I haven't seen him smile since I got here last autumn. Take my quarters, I don't mind…"

When she finished reading, she and Toph were contemplating in their own thoughts. A servant came in and whisked away their empty plates, asking if either on would like a glass of wine.

"No thanks, Kioung." Toph softly broke their silence. Katara sighed and asked for her choice of drink. It was a mild one, but she liked the flavor more than anything. And it'd a while since she last had a glass—it wouldn't hurt a thing if she had a little glass. He nodded and disappeared, leaving the water bender shaking her head in disbelief.

"Are you going to? Take his place, I mean."

Katara stood up, stretching her arms above her shoulders.

"Do I really have a choice? Aang asked me… so I'll go."

Eye brows shooting up high, Toph smirked. "Ahhh… I get it now. You're not just going because Aang asked you, because you feel bad. Right?"

"I don't feel bad, Toph, I'm going because he asked me." And she was sorta scared something was seriously wrong with the firebender that had once traveled with the group. He hadn't smiled in eight months? Oh, La, that wasn't normal. Compared to what Aang had wrote the last time of Zuko, this was bad.

And no one wanted to know what happened after bad. With Zuko's over all power... she knew what could be consequence if he'd lost it. The waterbender really didn't want to think about the steps that would most indefinately involve her and her bloodbending if he ever lost control.

"Whatever you say, Sweetness. You and me are the only ones that know other than Twinkle Toes that you shot Aang down. And you conscience is acting up, so you're trying to atone—"

"No!"

"Is to." The earthbender snorted. "Katara, I'm a bit disappointed in you. Aren't you even concerned about Zuko at all? The anniversary of Mai's death is coming up—"

"Don't put words in my mouth, Toph, it's not like that. I am concerned about Zuko, but it's not my place to intrude unless I'm invited."

Her shoulders fell. She could have saved both of them. But she had been asleep when the Fire Lady had passed on; there would have been no way she could have reached the mother or baby in time even by Appa if he'd been available. By the time she and Toph had heard the news, the funeral had been held and it was too late to go over and give their condolences.

Toph was silent, her unseeing eyes looking towards Katara. It was almost as if Toph could see something inside her soul that not even the waterbender was sure of. Her thin eyebrows arched downward and she sat back, arms crossed. "I'm not going to go with you."

"Oh?"

"Like you said, I wasn't invited. You were. Tell Iroh I miss him and his tea, alright? And actually try to get Hot Head to smile. Actually, I think I'll need to write Sokka about this. Where's a servant when you need one?" She grumbled, placing a tentive hand on the ground to 'see'.

"Why?" Katara frowned as she rolled the letter up.

"Because," the earthebender stated it as if it obvious. "I'll make a bet. Sokka will lose, and it's going to brighten my day to know that the universe doesn't like him. Do you think ten gold pieces is enough? Maybe fifteen or thirty will do…"

Katara groaned. Only Toph would gamble like that. Over her. With her brother of all people.

"What should I bring?" She asked finally, planning already for the trip.

Toph shrugged. "I dunno. Pack light. Just buy some new clothes over there. Katara, you can't ever go wrong with red."

Katara rolled her eyes and suppressed a grin.

"You're absolutely right, Toph. Red is wonderful."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" she blinked. "The word red isn't even in my vocabulary, Sugar Queen."

---------------------------------------------

She sat on the deck, sharing a cup of tea with Iroh. They had met in a sea side port four days walk from her friend's home town. Despite having really sore feet once she reached the Earth Kingdom port, she was relived to spy the aging general. From there, they'd boarded a ship headed for the Fire Nation capitol. It was to be a surprise for the Fire Lord when they suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Unfortunately, the only ship that could take them was a slow going trading ship. It was a fairly cheap fare, but Katara inwardly wished to get off as soon as possible. She only had Iroh to talk to, and the crew was eyeing her in a way she hated. Like she was a possible meal for a starved dog.

It had been an uneventful week, if not extremely awkward at time, but in a few hours time, they should be seeing the Fire Nation lands on the horizon.

"It's a shame I had to leave my tea shop, but if it's to travel with such a beauty… I'd do it any day of the week in an instant!"

"Iroh—"

"Uncle," he corrected, smiling.

"Uncle, for the fifth time today," Katara lightly scolded, "stop changing the subject."

He'd aged well since the last time she'd seen him. The only difference then and now being his hair was shockingly white instead of a dull gray. Since the war ended, he'd returned to Ba Sing Se to reclaim his tea shop. It flourished and people from all over came. She was lucky to have him as a friend, or otherwise, he'd be charging her fares for his wonderful tea.

She and he had gotten up to date with each other, and it seemed Iroh did the majority of the talking. Zuko was... different, Iroh had warned her. That she didn't doubt. Everyone had changed and would change as the time passed. He'd frowned at that, saying though that was true, she should be prepared for whatever she saw. And what she didn't see.

As the sun started to set, they docked. She and Iroh said their goodbyes to the captain and hurried into town. They had dinner at a local inn, but didn't spend the night. It wasn't for a while that they actually reached the palace. Two days later actually. Like every else, the capital had only grown. And she had almost gotten run over by bicycles passing. It seemed the city never slept.

"Uncle, I don't need any clothes."

"Certainly, my dear! Let's just go in this one last shop before we head out to see my nephew."

It was after that shop that she promised never to shop with the man again. The seamstresses recognized Iroh immediately, and had taken one look at her and smiled. That should have been her first warning to leave. The older woman had measured her, taken the orders from Iroh for soon-to-be-articles-of-clothing, and had several articles loaded, which were headed for the palace even as she walked out of the shop. Iroh then told her to go ahead—he wanted to chat with some old friends. Which was perfectly fine by her.

She didn't so much as give her surroundings a second glance. She knew it just as well as anyone. Hell, she'd lived her for almost two months; she knew exactly what the palace looked like inside and out. Even with the rebuilding and remodeling, the layout was almost the same. She found exactly what she was looking for. Two earth kingdom women in the kitchens, talking without a care in the world as to who might be listening.

"I tell you, Ning, it's a shock how many guys look at you when you were your hair down. You should do it more often."

"Li Lan, why do keep bringing that up? You know as well as I do that it looks better pulled back. And why would guys look at me if I left it down? Would it really matter why I should go out of my way to please them?

"Honestly, I still think you should leave it down more often."

"If you say that one more time—"

"I agree with Li Lan, Ning. You look beautiful with your hair down."

The two whirled around, gaping at the stranger. Eyebrows furrowed in confusion, they froze, and the three just stared at each other. The two wore their hair in the normal style of the Fire Nation, their clothes clean, though pleasantly worn. One's eyes were brown and the other had shockingly green orbs. Her former friends. She recognized them. But...

...they didn't seem to recognize her. At all.

Had she really changed that much? They were grown up now, but they hadn't changed much. A little taller, hair a little longer, more filled out, a bit more mature… She hadn't seen them since before the finale battle. And they had aged well in the last few years.

Katara waited, but she shook her head as they lowered their gaze. It was the outer robe she wore. Surprisingly, it was gotten even softer with age. With it being of the royal house, it was out of respect that they redirect their gazes. It was Zuko's robe. The one he given her the night she had escaped with Iroh. They recognized that though, if not her.

But they obviously had a different set of thoughts in their minds. They thought she was a concubine. Which...she was pretty sure Zuko had rided the palce of. He'd sent them hom with money and pardoned graces. They'd been forced into their line of work, so they'd lost no honor.

Why she still had the soft robe, she wouldn't be able to tell anyone. Other than that she loved it. It was so soft, and she couldn't find anything like it to replace it.

Oh, hell. So what if people wondered why she wore it? They should ask, for La's sake, before assuming.

"Do you remember me?" She ventured, stiffening uneasily at the sudden direction her thoughts had turned.

"Of course not, ma'am. I've never met you before." Ning cleared her throat.

Katara smiled and tried again. She opened her mouth and sang softly. More people walked in then and recognized her, not by her appearance, but by her voice. The song was the same one she'd sang the day they'd been forced to clean the former prince's bath room. Seven years ago. Her voice was stronger now, and was even more soothing than then. She, as well as her voice, had grown into a beautiful thing.

Their eyes popped open and she stopped as arms were thrown around her, and they fell in a heap.

"Ow!"

"K-kaya?"

"Where have you been?"

"Damn, that hurt."

"You're so beautiful!"

"Holy fuck, you've—"

"Your clothes!"

"But, Kaya, why do you have—?"

She gave them a watery smile. For an explanation, she raised her hands and drew the stew from the pot, and weaved it in the air before setting it back in the cast iron container.

She paused as realization dawned on them. Li Lan put her hands over her mouth and sat down abruptly on the ground, the others stared wide eyed up at her with disbelief.

"You're name isn't Kaya, is it?"

"No… it's not." She hated the title, but it explained much more than if she were to start from the very begining. Once people connected it to the famous stories, she didn't need to explain a whole lot more. If that was worth anything, they should at least know the tale of the finale battle and whom by which it was fought. "My name is Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. Master to Avatar Aang, pupil to Master Pakku…"

The night passed as the groups of five woman spent it locked up in their former room. By the time morning came, they were fast asleep where ever they had settled. She had fallen asleep on the floor, her head resting against the wall. The blue eyed woman had visited with them late into the night and had caught up with everything.

It was like she'd never left.

She was woken by an imperial guard. Shocked, she'd yelped and jerked back. That was followed by her head hitting someone else's and them rolling over and nudging into someone else. Soon, they were all awake. As she helplessly looked up, she realized they should have been awake hours ago. She and the other were going to be in so much trouble, and their chores weren't going to get themselves done. If she hurried, she could make it in time to have lunch.

When she glanced down at her attire, she found not pale red but dark blue, and she realized she already forgotten why she was here. She was twenty-two, not the fifteen year old that had once been here in secret. Silly her.

She made herself presentable swiftly, breaking her own record. Apologizing to the four befuddled women, she told them she'd be back, and she'd dashed out to find the Fire Lord's uncle.

When she found him, he was pacing outside the throne room. He grabbed her shoulder and nodded his head.

"Sleep well?"

No.

She nodded and looked towards the giant doors.

"It will be fine. Are you ready?"

She had taken one look into the partial closed door and she quietly stopped walking, backing out of sight to the throne room. She shook her head, frowning at her skittishness. Why should she be unsure of seeing Zuko again? Yeah, it been a few years since she had seen him face to face, but it wasn't like they'd left on bad terms. Putting a small smile on her face, she walked in unannounced.

She didn't say anything as she sat down next to Iroh. In fact, she didn't even look up to the throne—she looked straight forward and silently waited.

The proper thing to do when facing the Fire Lord in his throne room—

Damn Joo Dee! With amusement, she realized that those lessons they'd taught her had somehow sunken in. She wasn't bound by threats anymore. She wasn't here in disguise. She was free. There was no longer a reason to think so otherwise. She didn't have to bow to him, she wasn't his subject. The war was seven years over. She wasn't inferior to him, because she could hold her own in a fight. She was just a good as him. Not lesser, not above. They were friends, and she wouldn't think otherwise.

She didn't feel like that though. She felt like their friendship had faded. But... of course it had! It must have since they hadn't kept in contact whatsoever. That...and her worries about his having some level of depression. And having bottled up everything. Again.

"I see you have brought a friend, uncle."

Katara almost gasped. La, she'd forgotten his voice! It was still raspy, but it was older, if that made since. It sounded almost… seductive.

"It seems Miss Katara insisted, Fire Lord Zuko."

The flames parted and she got a better look at him, and almost wished she hadn't. He was... different. Older. More handsome. But he wasn't smiling. His features were fiercly blank. He wasn't a boy anymore, and she would have rather her memories of his smiles than his current passiveness. It didn't suite him. At all. In fact, it saddened her when she remembered why she was here. She was here to make sure Zuko was alright. To try to cheer him up without him knowing it. That and to try to maintain that after they weeded him out of his emotionless state. No telling what true depression would do to him.

Their - she, Aang, and Iroh's - hopes were that he hadn't hit that low yet.

And she and Iroh would try their hardest, even if he kicked them out of his palace. She'd just come back again. Now that she was here, she was determined to fulfill her given task. Even if it was simple, she'd stay until she completed her duty.

"What brings you here, Katara?" Zuko asked her, meeting her gaze. It was a cold amber that her blue eyes met, and it made her inwardly sigh. He looked…frozen. His features, and the air around him seemed cold.

Something really had changed him.

And now that she was close enough to feel the air around him…

Oh, La.. This was bad. It was going to be harder than she thought. It wasn't cold. To her, it was...

...overpowering. His aura still had that pull she'd been worried about back when she was fifteen. The same one she'd worried about since she'd known she'd be seeing him face to face. Calm down, she ordered herself. "Iroh actually. He asked that I accompany him."

A few minutes passed and they departed from the massive room. Iroh gave her a curious glance as she stepped in time with the two men, to the old man's left. Yes, she was putting distance inbetween her and Zuko. So what?

They reached another room, and her eyes widened in surprised confusion. This was a room she'd never seen.

It was the Fire Lord's private study, she was soon told. It had been built soon after she'd been here. Shelves rivaling Won Shi Tong's library filled the room. She approached one with delight, oblivious to the golden eyes following her as she withdrew a tome. She listened somewhat as the Fire Lord and his uncle spoke on the other side of the room, her attention on the illustration of the pages. She started reading, white noise drifting to her seat in the plush red chair far into the library. An hour went by and she'd read a considerable amount, the words blurred steadily as her eyes drooped.

"Aang left a few days ago…"

"Really? Where'd he go this time?

"Temple… East… took Appa and his winged lemur… refused provisions… only accepted a custard tart…"

"…somewhat a coincidence…It's a…ship …tea…took Miss Katara shopping…I see…It wasn't much I believe…"

"…Meetings…"

"Tea shop….

"…Nobles…"

"…Sungi Horn…"

"No."

"…dinner…"

Hushed whispers. A sharp protest. Soothing words. Quiet chuckles. Soft mutterings. The voices became nothing but background noise, and she couldn't gather enough concentration to focus on the rest of the conversation. She hadn't slept but a few hours last night, maybe two or three. Though she had enjoyed her time with her friends, she would enjoy it more if she took a quick nap…

Yawning, she set the leather bound book aside and curled up into the chair, neither fire benders noticing as she drifted asleep.

-------------------------

Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose, letting his gaze wander. His eyes landed on the large red chair of his study. It was a comfortable chair, he knew. His chair. The one the sleeping woman resided in currently.

Sleeping?

When had that happened?

Iroh took his leave then, mumbling about lunch. Zuko stood there for a few minutes, just gazing at the waterbender. She had grown up. She was… astonishing. There really wasn't any other way to put it. She was… well, perfectly endowed. Her skin was smooth, thick eyelashes, full, parted lips, no makeup—at least that's what he thought. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders, tumbling in soft brown waves. He reached out a touched her cheek, not realizing he gotten so close. He studied her, imprinting her features to memory.

He noticed the book that she had been reading and chuckled. It was a collection of myths from long ago. Far before the time of even his great-grandfather's great-grandfather.

It was strange seeing her here in his home. She was so relaxed, not a care in the world. He almost frowned at what looked like an uncomfortable position. He slid an arm underneath her, and the other around her and lifted her up, carrying her out of the room.

-----------------

A week later…

She'd seen the capitol and its offerings, but she didn't think she'd ever tire of it. Her and her friends had caught up with each other, and had laughed and teased the entire time. The five of them had even gotten to go have fun. (They'd taken time off, though she insisted they didn't have to.) They'd gossiped, they'd played tricks on each other, and even started some arguments that would stick in their memorys for all time.

There was nothing like friends. Speaking of friends...

Katara still hadn't found Lee though. She'd looked everywhere for him, but she couldn't find him. But she hadn't asked Zuko for help either. Even though he probably could have helped out with locating the gaurd, she'd kept that to herself. She'd taken that matter into her own hands and serched for him among documents and paperwork, and updates in reports. His name wasn't anywhere to be seen. There was no file or recordings of any man named Lee among the inner guards since thirteen years before she was even born. And that man had died almost two months after he'd started. It was like the man she'd known had never existed.

But she knew he had. He'd been as real as she was. She hadn't dreamed him up, either. At least... no. Lee had been real. He hadn't just been a figament of her imagination. It was suspicious, though. Major pieces of a puzzle were being kept from her, so she had to leave solving it until later.

Now that she was older, an ache settled deeply at the loss. He'd been her first real love, when she thought about it. Sure, she'd had a crush on Jet, but she'd never had feeling for him like she had Lee. And with Aang, there was nothing really there. Sure, she loved him—but like a brother.

Now that Lee was unreachable, she wished more than ever she could have seen his face, or at least healed his raw throat. Or something. Now all she had of him were fuzzy memeries.

In the last week, during her time, whenshe was alone, she'd stay in Zuko's study. It was more times than not, unfortunatly. She could stay in there for months and still not be able to finish all the reading material off. So she read. Everything that pleased her. Except for the reports. The Fire Lord had said she should stay away from them if she liked staying in his study. That was off limits. Alright. That was just fine by her. (Though that didn't mean she couldn't look at archives. Zuko hadn't said anything about that...)

Zuko, seeing as he had work to do, ands meeting filling his schedule, couldn't see much of either his uncle or her. They had their share of sarcasm and tea during his breaks, despite of that. Iroh at some point just decided to leave the two alone at most meals. And the night before, she the Fire Lord had battled—with cards.

He needed many more strategies if he was going to beat her. Poor man—out of the thirty seven different games they'd played late into the night, he'd won only three…

She hadn't managed to crack a single expression from him. Well, maybe a unwavering frozen glare and a bored look aimed her way—but that didn't count in her favor! Not even a smirk. And it was seriously worrying her beyond anything in the last five years. No wonder Aang had spoken so heavily about it. The only change she'd really seen was seen he sneezed.

That had been yesterday.

When she became semi aware again, she rolled over, burying her face into warmth. She sighed, and snuggled closer. Her hand touched the warmth, and her fingers culred into it, and for a few mintutes, she had almost drifted off back into sleep.

Then she realized the warmth was breathing. She opened her eyes and found a sleeping Fire Lord just inches away. Before conscious thought entered her stunned mind, she jerked back and—

Oomph!

—fell promptly on her back in a painful heap. She bit her lip, kinks starting to knot uncomfortably as she hissed in pain. She whispered a favored curse of Sokka's and took her time letting the throbbing subside before moving. Oh, La, it was worse than that time when she slept on the musty floor in the western air temple. She'd heal the bruising, but the ache would still be there. Somehow, she could heal herself, just not to the extent she could others. That brought an image in mind. Wound...others....

She suddenly thought of the scar on Zuko's torso.

So...she looked over to Zuko and found a miracle.

He was smiling.

But before that really registered—in fact, she didn't realize it at all—other things got in the way.

What the hell? Hadn't she fallen asleep in Zuko's study with the cards strewn out everywhere? She forgot her mission, a new situation entering her mind, taking over.

She shivered, her teeth clattering. She looked around, and saw a small vent in the ceiling. It was freezing! And she was cold, damnit! Whose idea was it to turn the air conditioner all the way?

But... wait. Just wait. Something was wrong. Looking back, chills raced down her skin. Why was she in the same bed as him? Why couldn't she remember getting here? Why… was it so hard to think? And why she so drowsy?

She raised an eyebrow, wrapping her arms around herself and his amusement grew. Shaking her head, she muttered, "It's only funny until someone gets hurt then—"

"—it's freaking hilarious."

She frowned.

He smirked.

"I'm glad you find this funny, Zuko, because I don't."

She stood to her feet and looked around. Where was she? Priceless antiques… lovely furniture… Everywhere things were associated or matching to deep red… Large bay windows…

She was clueless. She'd never seen this room. It was beautiful, though, and very big.

Then she realized what had happened. Grin tugging at her lips, she smugly smiled to herself as she turned around again to hide it. She'd done it. He'd finally done what she'd come to the fire nation for. And it had only taken… um… how many days had she been here again?

A cold draft rivaling the South Pole's gust blew from a vent and goose bumps broke out on her uncovered arms. She almost dove back under the covers, but she looked down and found she was wearing only one thing—her underwear.

Huh?

She was too cold to flush with embarrassment about her state of undress. So she shivered. She ran a hand though her hair and the back of her fingers touched her neck lightly, an old habit formed from worrying and fretting beginning at age thirteen.

She found it bare.

Her necklace was gone.

Blue eyes widening, she looked around, searching for her beloved necklace. As the panic dimmed a bit as she willed herself to calm down, she realized the bracelet Toph had given her for her birthday was nowhere to be seen either. But it wasn't her lack of clothing that had her wide eyed in that moment. It was the firebender's lack of clothing she was more absorbed with. Oh, my… Agni. The rushing of blood to her face was instant, and her embarrassment lasting. So much for not being able to blush.

Katara, you've seen him shirtless many times before, she reminded herself. Just… not lately.

Panicky, she frantically searched the room with her eye again.

"What's going on?" he asked sleepily, golden eyes intense as he watched her. He yawned and stretched out, slowly awakening. Her gaze flickered back over him and she tore it away, walking up to the closed windows. She threw them open and frowned. Bars. Thick, pretty iron confidents. And it over looked the ocean, high, high off the ground. She touched one, finding it smooth and ice cold. The metal was even designed in swirls, like....tendrils of vines.

Seriously, where was she?

"Zuko, how long did I sleep?"

He didn't say anything for a minute. Sleep forgotten, he sat up and looked around, devoid of any emotion. "Where are we?"

"Oh, geez, I could have asked you that one, Zuko." She snapped.

Slipping out from beneath the covers, he calmly approached the window and looked over her shoulder. She didn't see his fantastic body, and she certainly didn't like it. The mouth watering body wasn't calling her attention, and she clearly wasn't entertaining dirty things.

Yeah, and Toph wasn't blind.

Anxiously, she tried the door. It opened and revealed other rooms just as luxurious as the bedroom. She tried every door and found that all but the ones that should be leading outside in working order. The exits wouldn't budge. She kicked it, and came away with a certainly bruised foot. Zuko followed her, checking other things she had overlooked. At the front and side door exits, he tried to ram them down, but nothing happened—except a dazed, venomous glare aimed to the door from narrowed golden slits. He shot red hot fire at it in a continuous stream, but again, nothing happened. The flames licked the metal door harmlessly.

She didn't know where she was. The exits were locked and impenetrable, the temperature was less than desirable. The windows were barred with pretty, but in working order, confining metal with less than a hand's width apart; vents that not even Momo could squeeze through. The bathroom was without an escapable magic window or door…

With a frustrated growl, he punched the wall. She watched helplessly as he did his own search of the house until he dissapered from sight. She went around another time, finally pushing open the slightly cracked door, taking note of the confinements.

It was a house.

One of the grandest she'd ever seen—it rivaled the fire nation's palace. Hell, it was prettier than the royal wing. In the kitchen, she found supplies and tools. In the bathroom, she found soaps and towels. And a working toilet. She twisted the knobs in the bathroom, and later the kitchen, finding running water.

In the largest room in the house, she found a book shelf—only six books being the pitiful offering. The bedroom had the plush bed that was raised off the ground, and carved, matching bedside tables…

It looked like the house was prepared with everything a person could need: candles, food, soaps, perfume, eating utensils, a comb, linens, pillows, a small Pai Sho table, three bottles of wine, cards, paper and writing tools…

But what was the hand cuffs for? Or the feather boa?

She searched the house again, turning up with the same conclusion.

Zuko sat down on the enormous bed, and held her gaze as she met up with him again. "Have you found an exit?"

"No. Did you?"

"Nothing."

Half an hour passed, a silence fell over them as they searched throughout the house, again, all but the shifting of objects and the rustle of moment quiet.

"It's weird though."

"What is?"

She glanced up from her crouch, lifting the bed covers.

Nope.

No trap door.

Nothing but solid wooden floor boards.

Darn.

He ran a hand through his unbound hair, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. An odd startled expression flashed over his face as she picked up an obviously pricy table piece and weighed it in her hand. Katara missed it. She turned the object over, inspecting it and kneeled down to the low table to inspect for dust.

That hadn't been what he'd though though—usually when a woman gets that kind of murderous expression, add a good projectile in her reach—he'd thought she was going to hurl it at his head.

"It's like a twisted joke. Like a perfect home for two. Somehow, we got in, but we—"

"—can't get out." She finished for him, a strange chill—not caused by the wacky air conditioner—running down her spine. Zuko hadn't seemed fazed at the chill in the house. Firebender, obviously. Shuddering, she rubbed her hands together.

He paused and sat up straighter, seeing her shiver. He cocked his head and silently motioned for her to come over. She took a step forward and was for once certain of one thing.

He was in this with her. Whatever this was.

He took her hands in his own and warmed them. He leaned over and blew on their hands. A heated breath made her relax. It was helping. She sighed, welcoming the gesture. The she looked down at them and realized how similar this was to an incident several years ago.

Very similar.

Almost precisely like back then.

This was just plain uncanny.

"Did you find anything that wasn't here?"

He stood up, but rubbed her hands before letting go. Katara was grateful. She could feel her hands again. Yay! Not. What she wanted was to understand how to turn the sensation she was too ashamed to admit but couldn't deny. She wanted to understand why she was frustrated at that, and why she was experiancing it in the first place.

"A ticket out of here. That…" She opened the closet, cocking her head in confusion. "And…" she frowned. "There doesn't seem to be any other closet than this one."

There were two things hanging in the small closet, and she acknowledged them. She suddenly paled, her eyes darkening.

"What?"

"These are the clothes Iroh had me try on."

"Huh?"

She shivered, whether from the coincidence or from the vents, she didn't know. The water bender frantically threw them on the bed. Wheeling back around, she tripped on the potted plant, just catching herself in time. She spread the clothing out, noting that there were two colors.

Blue and red. A sheer, decadent night gown and a simple, revealing outfit.

She yanked open the drawers, finding underwear for both male and female .The only other article of clothing in the house was in the bathroom, neatly folded atop of the counter. Black trousers. They would fit Zuko perfectly…

Katara and Zuko cursed in unison.

They were trapped.

It would either be heaven, or it could be hell.

But she didn't know that and neither did he. For the moment, in their minds, they were stuck here forever. With only one another as company. It was sobering. In that one instant, everything runs through one's mind, you see. Thoughts will either get diluted or increased tenfold. Emotions would become jumbled or clearer. Words would be exchanged or withheld.

But in either way she looked at it, she'd still be trapped inside a beautiful prison with the Firelord for La knew how long.


This wasn't how I planned for this to continue, but what the hell! I need something inspiring…so…

Damnit! Review. I like reviews. Need I say that I give one shots in honor of all the people who break the one hundredth review? (I'll be working on the first gift story for ADITM when time allows.) You know you want to review. You know you want to. Take the bait. Take it!
~heflo

Ahaha, what a silly butt, right? Actually, don't take the bait above. Instead, what we really want is advertisements. Banners, fan art, hell, deviantart journals will work. Send us an email with a link to your advertisement and you'll be seeing your name on our stories soon ;) How's that for motivation? Or have a friend review our stories and mention your name. Whatever works. Now, I must go start on a glorified slab of meat for dinner. Happy hunting!
~izzy

A while after izzi faithfully edits....

NO! Don't listen to her! *crickets*......um.... crap. Sorry. Let me start that over. What my dear friend is trying to say is: how about both? Well, not really. She's probably going to roll her eyes once she sees this. (I still like the reviews. ) If you like what you've read, tell us. (That mean review, you silly people.) If you didn't like something, go ahead and tell us. (Review, review, review!) And if you want me to update faster.... you get the idea? (That means review already!) .heflo.

P.S. Yeah, I know, we don't make sense to ourselves, either. But... you got to love us anyway, right? :D