If Katara and Zuko hadn't been so absorbed in each other, they wouldn't have noticed another presence nearby.

Azula was watching. She noticed how attached her brother was to the water tribe wench. She had also overheard the girl's interesting story. Who knew that that the girl would actually be backed by the Southern Water tribe and the Earth Kingdom? This could certainly play out to Azula's advantage if she acted quickly and carefully.

Perhaps it was time to involve some old friends.

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Katara decided that she had spent enough time away from her brother and it was time to get to know him. While her parents were out she invited Sokka to have lunch with Toph and Aang. She would've invited Zuko, but he had been stuck in trade meetings all afternoon. She was surprised by how well Toph and Sokka got along. They were clearly cut from the same cloth, as evidence by their back and forth banter.

Katara noticed immediately that Toph sat very closely to Aang on the green suede couch in the front room, and Aang seemed to be debating on whether or not to put his arm around the blind earthbender. Sokka and Katara sat across from them, trying to not laugh at the awkwardness of the young couple.

"So, Sokka, have you traveled anywhere recently?" Katara asked.

Sokka's face lit up. "Actually, I travel to Kyoshi island a lot. I was there right before I came here."

"Oh really, why so often?" she asked with genuine interest. Katara would be lying if she didn't say she wasn't at least a little bit jealous of her brother's freedoms and travels.

Sokka blushed and looked away. "Actually, my fiancee lives there."

Katara gaped open mouthed. She certainly hadn't expected that. Of course, he was older than her, so it made sense that he would be getting engaged already. "What's her name? Tell me about her."

He looked at Katara with avid interest. "You really want to know?"

"Of course, I mean she's going to be my sister, so I'm sure I'll love her!"

"Oh shut up sugar queen and just tell us snoozles!" Toph said impatiently. "The suspense is killing me!"

"Snoozles?" Sokka asked surprised. "Why snoozles."

"Don't question it, I call it as I see it. Err, Earthsee it."

A look of recognition crossed Sokka's face as he remembered Toph's Earthbending gifts. "Well," he started, "her name is Suki. She's a Kyoshi Warrior. Kyoshi island isn't that far from the Southern Tribe and I met her during a trade negotiations." He looked off into the distance, remembering the time she'd taught him to fight. Suki was impressive, and he was lucky to have a girl like that.

Katara looked at Sokka with a huge smile on her face. She was so happy for her brother and she couldn't wait to meet Suki.

"So Katara," Toph said innocently, "When are you going to tell your brother about Sparky?"

"Whose sparky?" Sokka asked.

"He's a friend of mine," Katara blushed and looked down. "He's the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. He's been really kind to spend some time with me while I've been here. You met him this morning actually!" Katara saw the recognition dawn on Sokka's face. Uh Oh.

Toph had to Earthbend Sokka back into his seat after her tripped over himself rushing to the door to chase down the 'unworthy hormonal teenage boy who was trying to get with his baby sister.'

Katara wondered if finding her family was actually worth it.

But it didn't matter, in the end she was proud to see her family getting along. Her worlds were finally coming together.

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Iroh smiled at his nephew across the table. He had seen the look the Prince had given the Waterbender girl that morning. He had actually never seen this look on his nephew's face before, but he imagined it was similar to the look he used to give his wife, Mei Ling.

Word had gotten around to a few people, courtesy of Lao Bei Fong, about the girl's family. Iroh sympathized for the girl. It must've been hard for her to grow up always wondering where she came from.

"Now of course, we need these regulations approved by our esteemed Fire Lord Iroh." Iroh was snapped from his thoughts by the words said by Long Feng, and advisor to one of the Earth Kings. He had been involved in some scandal in Ba Sing Se, but had escaped unscathed and moved into another city.

Iroh sighed as he snapped out of his daydream and gave his opinion on the trade. He was backed up by his advisor, Jeong Jeong, a very knowledgeable man, and a trusted member of the white lotus. Iroh trusted any member of the order to have his back.

"Ah, I see, and the fire nation would truly benefit from the exchange. But what's in it for the Earth Kingdom?" Long Feng asked seedily.

Iroh knew this type of man. One who was jaded by his past and unwilling to let anything go. He perceived everything as a slight, and was most likely power hungry and selfish. I'll have to keep my eye on him, Iroh thought to himself.

Zuko, on the other hand, was bored out of his mind. The only things that kept him from falling asleep was the thought of the meeting ending and going to see Katara.

Azula was taking meticulous mental notes of everyone in the room. Picking and choosing her allies, decided who would benefit her the best. If nothing else, she was a calculating and shrewd princess.

The time is drawing near, she thought. Everything is coming together. Poor poor Zuzu, he has no idea what kind of Hell he is about to live in.

A/N So, short chapter, but I promise I already have the ending planned. The end is in sight, but I felt like this was the perfect little set up for the final chapters. S/0 to Dee3742 and Radiant Celestial Aura for their wonderful reviews!