Under a Sapphire Sky

Chapter Eleven

By: Refe

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Air bender. They belong to their respective creators, owners, licensees.


Katara stood ankle deep in water; her white underclothes sticking to her body as she paused with a towel around her shoulders. Blue eyes crinkled, confused, as she looked at the tall female 'werewolf' that had arrived. When Azula had mentioned a guide, she had envisioned an upright, anthromorphic creature with snarling jaws and sharp teeth. Instead, a pale young woman with thick black hair amassed in a bun had melted from the forest in front of them.

Her clothes were a deep green, accented with yellow. The dyes to make those colors were expensive, meaning Toph Bei Fong was from a wealthy… tribe, was it? The lycan was sniffing the area around her; blank sea foam green eyes looked vaguely forward.

"…when did what happen?" Katara snapped back into attention as she wrapped the towel the rest of the way around her body and gave the new comer a questioning look.

"When did what happen?" She glanced over at Jet, in hopes of getting an explanation, only to notice his furrowed eyebrows and similarly confused gaze staring at Toph.

"Angry boy… I didn't know he found a mate." Jet's eyes went wide as Katara tilted her head, bewildered.

"I'm sorry," Katara began cautiously. "I'm afraid I don't understand-"

"A mate?" Azula's haughty laugh cut in before Katara could finish her sentence. The water bender looked back to the bank where the female fire bender was standing with her arms crossed. "Toph, my dear, you're mistaken. Zuko hasn't found a mate."

"Zuko?" Katara's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Toph turned around, directing her blank gaze at Azula as she walked back onto the dry part of the bank. "Listen, princess, I think I would know…" She trailed off as her bare feet dug into the earth. Her eyes narrowed and she lifted her head up proudly. She could almost feel the silencing energy coming from the vampire.

Azula's lips curled into a little smirk. "Zuko's been around her often. You know he has a strong blood scent. It must've mingled with the human girl's," Azula purred coolly. "It's a mistake most would make."

Toph narrowed her eyes, but nodded. "I get it," she replied sharply. "Well, then… are you all ready to head to Gaoling? My tribe is planning a meal to welcome you, so we have to arrive by sundown."

"Understood," Azula nodded. She glanced over at Jet and sent him a warning glare. The non-bending hunter gave her a questioning look in response. "Dry off and then head down stream where the other two are washing laundry. Once you've escorted Katara there, go and find that idiot brother of mine and tell him Toph has arrived." Azula ordered.

Jet nodded his head silently. He watched as Azula led the lycanthrope away and disappeared around the bend. Toph's words had stunned him. Zuko. Mate. Katara. Those three words didn't seem to come together in his mind. Katara had been marked as mate, yes, but by Zuko? It was impossible. He had saved her a few times, but throughout their trip, Zuko had always maintained a good distance from her. They hadn't even spoken for the last two days. It was as if Zuko hated Katara. To Jet's understanding, the reactions would've been the exact opposite. Still…a lycanthrope's sense of smell was rarely wrong.

"Angry boy… found a mate…" She had smelled Zuko on Katara. Jet narrowed his eyebrows as he looked down at the clear water lapping at his feet. How could she possibly smell Zuko on the human when Zuko hadn't come near her? It had been Jet who slept dutifully by her side and Jet who sat behind her on the mongoose dragon. It had been him who had just lifted her up and tossed her into the water!

If anything, his scent should've been the one that had rubbed off on her.

"Jet," He snapped his head around. Katara was wading onto the shore, running the towel through her hair as she glanced over at him. "Have you never seen a lycanthrope, either?" she asked, unsurely. She had figured that if Azula had met one, so had he.

For a moment, the hunter struggled to gather his thoughts. He lifted his head and ran a hand through his wet hair. A wide grin was on his face as he took a towel and began to rub it over his hair. "Toph? I've met her before," he told her. "Did you notice that she was blind?"

The young woman lifted her head up. She recalled the way Toph would look straight ahead while talking and the blank look in her eyes. Her eyebrows furrowed once more. "But I saw her walk through the forest. She didn't hit anything!" she insisted. Jet grinned.

"Toph is an earth bender," he informed her. "Her eyes may not work, but her earth bending does. That's how she sees."

Katara's eyes widened. She didn't even think that was possible. "Is that a lycanthrope ability?" she asked. Jet shook his head. He dried off his upper body and then reached for his shirt that had been carelessly thrown over a large rock.

"It's a technique she developed with her earth bending," he explained. "If she were human, she still would've been able to do it, so long as she's an earth bender. Aang has been trying to learn the technique, too, but doesn't really have time to learn."

"I see…" Katara sat down on the dry bank and moved the towel down her legs. She paused as she looked up at the vampire who was putting his pants on. "Jet…" she began hesitantly. "What's a mate?"

His heart stopped. He stood frozen in place; his pants hanging over his hips as his fingers prepared to tie them in place. Silently, he had hoped that she wouldn't ask him that question. It was something he wasn't completely knowledgeable on, aside from what the others had told him. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he quickly tied the drawstring of his pants and reached for his belt.

"It's kind of difficult for me to explain," Jet began. "I'm not a psychic vampire like the others, so I never paid attention to that sort of thing."

"Well… do you have any idea?" Katara asked. She bended the water out of her wet underclothes before reaching for her discarded blue and white tunic.

"I was told that a mate only occurs with psychic vampires. Those like Aang, Azula, and Zuko. They don't need any blood or material substance to live. They feed off of energy given by conscious thought," Jet explained. "Mates aren't chosen; they're brought together by fate. It is when a psychic vampire turns a human. If it was to happen and they were not meant to be together, the human would become like me… a blood vampire."

Katara's movements slowed as she tied her belt around her waist. "What if they were meant to be together?" she asked quietly.

"Then the human would be turned into a psychic vampire and they would be mates," Jet answered. He shoved his boots on and looked over at the fully dressed young woman across from him. "Ready?"

"All set," Katara nodded. She grabbed her towel and walked beside her companion. "What if you don't want to be mates? Does it have to happen?"

"It's supposed to," Jet shrugged. "They told me that if a psychic vampire tries to reject the bond or if the bond doesn't go through, they start to age."

Katara jerked her head back, something in the back of her mind going off. She had heard something about aging before. "But vampires are immortal…"

"They won't die," Jet assured her. "But they'll age… their body will grow old and wrinkled; like a mortal human's. I don't know what happens to the human counterpart, though."

A small part of her felt disappointed. Her fingers wrung the towel in her hands as they walked. "Do you know how to tell if you're someone's mate?" Katara asked, her eyes downcast.

Jet glanced down at her and then turned his eyes forward; his lips set in a tight line. "I don't know how humans can tell… but vampires can tell if they taste your blood."

"They can?" Katara's voice was suddenly high and laced with interest. "How?"

"To everyone but the vampire to whom a human is mated with, the human's blood tastes bitter," Jet explained. They rounded another bend and heard splashing from the enclave coming up. "To the vampire mate, the human blood is sweet."

Katara's eyebrows furrowed as she looked down. "Sweet…"

"And once the vampire makes contact with your blood," another voice said suddenly. "They will know… and somewhere inside your human mind, you will know, too."

"Azula," Jet lifted his hand to his heart, as if to keep it from flying out in surprise, and shot her an annoyed glare. "I didn't even hear you!"

The fire bender sneered. "Well, that just tells us what kind of hunter you are, aren't you Jet?" she smirked. She jumped down from the tree branch she was perched on and landed gracefully beside Katara. "I can take her the rest of the way. You go find Zuzu."

Jet rolled his eyes and tossed Azula his towel. The clan daughter scowled as she caught it and held it out in front of her. "Fine, but have Aang wash that for me."

"Do I look like your servant?" Azula hissed. She lifted up her hand and a spark of blue fluttered over her fingertips. "Now, go. We're expected in Gaoling by nightfall," The spark enlarged into a glowing blue flame. Beside her, Katara could feel the heat radiating against her cheeks from the fire. "Or do you need more persuasion?"

"I'm going…" Jet sighed. He looked over at Katara as he paused before heading into the forest. "Want to come?"

"She can't," Azula answered before Katara could even move. "She'll be arriving in a lycanthrope dominated city and needs to understand what is to be expected."

Jet sighed and threw Katara a fleeting smile before disappearing into the darkness of the forest. The young woman twisted her towel in her hands before looking over at the red clad fire bender.

"What should I expect?" she asked, almost hesitantly. Azula smirked.

"Food," Azula purred as she smirked and turned around. "A lot of food," She led Katara back downstream. "Lycanthropes don't drink blood… at least not any more. It's considered unsightly. However, in order to gather enough energy for their body, they need to eat. Thus, they consume a large amount of food per meal; much more than humans would."

"Will they be turning into an animal form?" Katara asked. Admittedly, she was somewhat curious. They arrived at the inlet where Toph could be seen sitting on a large rock; her bare feet dangling in the water as Aang air bended the clothes dry. Haru was sitting on the shore, scrubbing a piece of red clothing furiously against a washboard.

Azula shrugged. "Probably not. Most lycanthropes stay in their human form. They do, however, have excellent senses of smell, as Toph demonstrated earlier."

Katara stopped in her tracks. Blue eyes fixed themselves on Azula as she took the towel from Katara's hand and tossed it into the pile of laundry behind Haru. "Azula… about that…" she began. The dark haired fire bender looked over her shoulder, a small, knowing smirk on her face. "What did she mean by Zuko's mate?"

"That Zuko found a mate, obviously." Azula mused, almost teasingly.

The human bit her lower lip nervously and took a step forward. "But was she referring to me?"

A surge of triumph swelled within Azula as she slyly turned her head away. "Smart girl," Azula murmured under her breath. She turned back around. "Yes, she was. She must've smelled his scent around you."

Katara shook her head. "But I haven't been near Zuko in days-"

"It might be lingering," Azula cut her off as she walked forward. She lifted a finger and gently traced the side of Katara's face, a predatory smirk on her own. "Zuko's blood scent is strong… all he needs is a moment with you and his scent will linger on your skin for days."

"A moment…" Katara's eyes widened. For a second, she forgot that Azula was standing in front of her. Instead, her face flushed at the memory of Zuko's hardened body pressed against her own as the sweet taste of desserts lingered between their lips. That had been more than just a moment.

Azula smirked victoriously as she watched Katara's face flush. Her brother had stormed from the inn all those nights ago. She assumed something must've happened. "So if you receive any comments from lycanthropes, just ignore them," She gently tapped Katara on the nose as she leaned forward and whispered in the human's ear. "If you really were Zuko's mate, you would know."

Katara felt her heart pound in her chest. "How?" Katara looked up as Azula pulled back. "How would I know? Jet said that a human wouldn't know."

"A human would know," Azula assured her smugly. "Because every thought, every dream, would have him in it."

"Azula!" Aang's voice called from where he was folding clothes. The fire bender smirked as Katara's face twisted with embarrassment and horror at the implications of the vampiress' words.

"By the way, if you can, do help Haru and Aang with the laundry," Azula purred once more. "I'm sure your water bending can help speed up the process greatly." With one last look at Katara's lost expression, Azula turned around and walked towards the others.

The water bender could barely hear the sound of Haru's washing or Toph's laughter a few paces from her as Azula's words echoed in her head. Every thought… every dream… Her heart beat violently beneath her breast as visions and images of her dreams and thoughts fought their way to her consciousness. Thoughts always lead back to someone, but her dreams… her dreams were worse.

They weren't the innocent musings she had when she was awake. Even when she tried to forget them when she woke or dismiss them as irrelevant, she never could. When she closed her eyes and her conscious mind slept, a more primitive, raw state of thought invaded her senses.

That was when she could see him. Touch him and hear the sound of his raspy voice in her ear. She could taste his skin and smell his scent as clearly as if he were laying over her, feeling her with all his senses in a euphoric daze. And there was blood.

Always blood. "Katara…" On his lips… Across his body. "Katara…" Hot, sweet blood. "Katara…" And it felt good. "Katara!"

"Yes!" Her mouth opened as a she looked up. Aang and Haru were looking at her, their eyes filled with concern as she stood rooted in her place. She could still feel the heat emanating from her burning cheeks. For a moment, she wondered if they could see right through her. Perhaps even read her thoughts. Katara shook her head. They were vampires, not mind readers. Silently, she forced herself to calm down as she stood up straight and offered them a weak smile. "Yes?"

"Can you help us with the laundry?" Aang asked, raising an eyebrow in question. Katara nodded vigorously and took a step forward.

"Sure, what do you need me to do? Bend some water?"

"Can you grab some more soap from my mongoose dragon?" Aang asked as he looked down at the pile of clothing with a frown. "We need a little more."

"S… sure!" Katara stuttered nervously as she stepped back. "I'll be right back." She quickly turned around and ran towards the site where they had left the animals eagarly. She sped up her run as she tried to focus on the task rather than Azula's lingering words.

It was as if the female fire bender had known exactly what she was thinking. Katara took a deep breath. It was impossible. Azula couldn't possibly know what her dreams were and whom they were with. She probably knew that because she's a psychic vampire and needs to know how to identify her mate. Katara reasoned. That was completely logic and valid.

She emerged into the clearing where the animals were grazing lazily beneath the shadows of the trees. Katara quickly identified Aang's mongoose dragon and made her way towards it. Silently, she repeated 'soap' over and over. Partly to remember and partly to ignore the nagging images of a male vampire seductively licking blood from her lip.

She carefully undid the top of the bag hanging off the side of the animal. Surely, Azula was only stating a point. It was normal to have constant thoughts of someone you lov… admired, she corrected herself. Zuko was dignified and strong and a good leader. A beautiful specimen of a vampire. Katara shivered at the image of the clan heir and shook her head to shake off the thought. Focus… He was also the one who saved her; it was perfectly natural for her to have thoughts about him. Dreams, even.

It wasn't as if she felt anything more for him. After he had kissed her that night and reminded her, humiliatingly, of his fiancée back in the Fire Nation, the only other feeling other than admiration was contempt. He had led her on. He had started it. He was merely using her as a replacement for someone else.

Her fingers gripped the small wooden box of soap within the bag. Even if Toph had been right about the wretched mate issue, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. Clearly, Zuko had chosen to reject her. She pulled the box out, placed it carefully on the saddle, and furiously began to tie the bag closed. However, since Zuko wasn't aging, as Jet had said, they couldn't possibly have been meant to be.

"That's fine with me…" Katara hissed under her breath. She snatched the box off the saddle and turned around.

"What's fine with you?" The box of soap instantly fell from her hands and the male standing behind her easily caught it. Golden eyes narrowed as he lifted the box in front of her face, keeping their gazes locked as he stood in front of her; just a breath away. "Careful."

The sound of his voice made her heart clench. He had humiliated her. Kissed her lips with his and then refused to even look, let alone speak to her, for two days. She should've been angry when they made contact, but now that he was in front of her, half naked and dripping with sweat from what had been a rigorous fire bending exercise, all she could do was stand there stupidly.

Azula and Jet had neglected to inform her that she would physically want him, as well. If it were true… her mind added. She felt a twinge of disappointment and lowered her eyes.

Zuko loomed above her. Azula had caught him half way to the river. He was going to bathe and rinse off hours worth of sweat and grime, when his sister and the blind earth bender intercepted him. The two females were talking in low voices and stopped as soon as they sensed him. Azula had requested he get some soap, as Aang and Haru would run out soon, and then ordered Jet to go and help them finish the laundry so they could leave for the city. Zuko wasn't in the mood to argue with his sister and headed towards the animals with a hardened expression on his face.

As soon as he caught the sweet scent of Katara, he cursed his sister. Hadn't they spoken about this already? Did she not understand that he had duties to their clan and a fiancée back in the Fire Nation? What was she doing creating these damned meetings between him and a human he couldn't have?

He watched as her eyes lowered to avoid his gaze. The hardened look on his face weakened slightly. He lowered the box of soap between them. Wordlessly, his hand reached forward to take hers and place the box within it. As soon as his fingertips brushed the back of her hand, he felt her jerk it away. Zuko's hand froze.

"Nothing," Her voice was quiet and strained. Swallowing the lump in her throat and keeping her eyes turned away from him, Katara reached up and pulled the box from his hand; carefully avoiding touching him. She stepped around his body and clutched the box against her. "Aang and Haru are waiting for this…" She trailed off.

Zuko stood in his place, his hands still where they had been before she slipped away from him. He heard her footsteps rushing away quickly and growing fainter as the distance between them grew. Silently, he lowered his arms. Strong hands clenched into fists as his sides as he gritted his teeth.

What was the use of cursing his sister when he was the one that approached Katara? He had done so willing; not stopping his body at all as it instinctively moved to close the gap between the two of them. He had been careful, he acknowledged, to remain silent and swift as he crept up behind her; momentarily inhaling the sweet scent that wrapped around her blue clad body while she was preoccupied.

It was only when she turned around and met his gaze head on that his senses returned. The shock of blue eyes cut through him with ease… and all he wanted to do was hold her.

"Zuko!" His head snapped up as he heard Jet's voice calling him. He looked over his shoulder and gave Jet an annoyed look.

"What is it now?" the fire bender growled as he walked away from Aang's mongoose dragon and towards his rhino to gather some clean clothes.

"Nothing, I thought you were going to take a bath?" Jet asked as he casually walked over. In his arms was a set of folded laundry; ready to be packed into one of the many bags that were slung over the animals' backs.

"I am; I just need a change of clothes." Zuko stated.

Jet nodded and set the armload of clothes on top of Aang's ride. "I saw Katara rushing towards the river a second ago," he began calmly. He looked up and studied Zuko's back for any reaction to his words. The psychic vampire smoothly remained unperturbed as he sorted through his bag for a shirt. Jet looked back at the washed laundry. "She looked kind of flushed."

"I knew bathing in a cold river wouldn't be good for humans…" Zuko grumbled under his breath. "Damn, Azula."

Jet paused beside one of the animals. He took a deep breath and turned to face Zuko just as the other hunter turned around, holding a towel and some clean clothes in his arms. "Zuko-" he began, seriously.

The clan heir looked up at met Jet's gaze with cold golden orbs. "I already told you," Zuko stated. "She is not mine."

Jet lowered his eyes. He felt the small gust of wind whip past him as Zuko swept past. He gritted his teeth and tightened his fists. "Damn it, Zuko…" Jet whispered in a low voice as he released the tension his hands. "You better pray that you're not lying."


The estate was sprawling and filled with members of Toph's tribe. All wore green; servants wore pale colored clothing. As they walked through the heavy wooden gates of the Bei Fong estate, the guards that stood to the sides bowed as Toph entered, addressing her as 'young mistress Toph', despite the female lycan's insistence they just call her by her name.

Katara walked beside Jet, looking around the estate with wonder. "It's huge…"

"It's a den," Jet explained. "The Bei Fongs are in a lycanthrope class that raises young and an oversees medical provisions amongst the tribes."

"Even Toph?" Katara asked.

"Me? A nurturer?" Toph scoffed from where she walked at the front of the group. "No way, sweetness. My family may be one thing, but I'm another."

"Toph is a guard," Aang said as he looked over his shoulder and smiled. "She's also an intermediary between the vampire hunting guilds and the tribes."

"It took a century to get my parents to finally accept it," Toph shrugged off handedly. "But the point is that they did. Anyway, this hall is where your rooms will be. I'll have the servants lead you here once dinner is over."

"Is there anything for me?" Aang piped happily behind her.

"Father had some sweets baked for you guys, don't worry," Toph said. Aang grinned from ear to ear. They followed the lycanthrope down the maze of halls until they arrived at a large hall over looking the gardens. The doors were opened as a flurry of noises could be heard inside. As they stopped at the doorway, Toph lifted her hands up to draw attention to her. The dozen or so lycans within the hall quieted down as they turned and acknowledged Toph with subtle bows of their head. "The hunting party lead by Zuko of the Fire Nation has arrived."

Katara craned her head into the hall as Zuko and Azula stepped forward to begin with the formal reception of their party. The siblings stood tall and proud; bowing their heads to whom Katara suspected were elders of Toph's tribe. Jet and Aang followed behind the two, greeting tribe members respectfully.

Awkwardly, Katara stood to the side with Haru, unsure of what to do. "Azula said to just stand here and wait for them to call us in," Haru whispered. "Then we'll be seated."

"Did she say it was always this formal?" Katara whispered back. Haru nodded.

"The Bei Fongs are a powerful tribe and the four of them are from powerful clans. She said it's only natural that such formalities are used when they are welcomed as guests," Haru reported dutifully. "Don't worry, though. Aang said that it'd get more relaxed as we eat."

"Oh, okay…" Katara nodded. She watched as Jet and Aang finished greeting Toph's family before Azula turned to them. She gave them a nod of her head and the two humans entered the hall. Across its expanse, Zuko was speaking to a tall, black haired man and woman.

"They're Toph's parents," Aang said as he reached the two of them. "He wants to see if there is any news from the guilds that might have been sent through the tribe."

"They'll get around to giving us news after the meal," Azula added as she ushered them to their seats. "The tribe elders will speak to Zuko later tonight, as he is the leader of the hunting party. He'll inform us of anything new later."

"Have a seat," Toph said as she took her seat beside Aang, just beside where her father would sit. "Enjoy the meal."

From her seat, Katara looked up as all around her, tribesman began to take their seats. Across from her, Zuko took his seat calmly. He didn't bother looking up at her as he sat up straight and waited for his meal. Silently, Katara lowered her eyes. A large bowl was placed in front of her, as was placed in front of everyone else except for the Fire Nation siblings and Aang.

Lifting up the porcelain spoon she had been provided with, she brought the hot broth to her lips. Along the table, voices could be heard talking as the tribesmen ate. Azula spoke to Haru across from her while Zuko maintained a conversation with Toph's father. It seemed like an eternity before Katara had even finished half of her bowl and gave up.

She vaguely recalled smiling weakly as a lycanthrope beside Jet told her that he hoped she was not yet full, as the main meals were about to come. Meals? As the last of the soup bowls were taken away, a row of servants paraded through the doors, all holding trays of carefully prepared dishes. Plate after plate was placed in front of them and she couldn't help but stare wide eyed at the massive bowls of rice each lycan was presented with.

A servant gave her and Haru smaller bowls. She assumed they had already been informed at they were human and could only eat so much. As Lao Bei Fong instructed everyone to begin eating the fantastic meal before them, Katara could only think about where she would start first.

When she finally decided on a piece of chicken-pig, she noticed something else. While everyone else was still talking and eating, Aang, Azula, and Zuko were sitting silently in their seats. Their eyes were closed and, had it not been for their stiff postures, she would've thought they had fallen asleep.

"They're feeding," Jet explained when he noticed her looking from one psychic vampire to the next. "Energy, remember?"

Jet reached over and placed a piece of meat on to Katara's plate as she nodded. "Of course… I remember," She lifted up her chopsticks and began to eat quickly. No one else, except Haru, seemed to even notice the three vampires locked in a trance like state 'feeding'. By the time she reached for a piece of broiled fish, she noticed they were talking again; their eyes opened as if nothing had ever happened. Katara made a note to ask Aang about feeding once she had the chance.

As the hours lagged on, Katara realized that the massive amounts of food that had once been spread out before them had been devoured. Originally, she had no idea what to make of Azula's warning about lycanthropes and food, however, now she understood clearly. Had she not been informed, it would've been a shock to see someone put away several forest hens in one sitting.

At the head of the table, Toph's father motioned for a servant to come by. He whispered something in the servant's ear before the servant nodded and quickly scrambled away.

"We have had quite a few guests lately," Lao began as he looked at the bodies seated around the table. "I suspect it is because of the Dai Li."

Katara's head perked up. She immediately wanted to know how the leader of a lycanthrope tribe found out about the vampire rogues and opened her mouth to speak. Jet's hand quickly closed over hers and gave her a gentle tug. She glanced over at him and saw him give her a small shake of his head; his reassuring look telling her that she would find out without asking.

Her mouth closed and turned back to the lycan. "Has the guild sent you a message regarding the Dai Li?" Zuko asked.

Lao shook his head. "It came from a more unlikely source."

"Warrior women from Kiyoshi arrived a week or so ago," Toph told them. Zuko's eyes widened slightly at the surprise.

"From Kiyoshi Island?" Aang asked, unable to contain his surprise.

"Do you know of any other?" Toph retorted. "They had a rather strange story, too, and asked us to relay it over to the guilds and clans."

"Several months ago, a few vampires were found on Kiyoshi Island," Lao explained as he leaned forward. "They had intended to turn some of the islanders, but were caught by the warriors. Apparently, the Dai Li sent them as an experiment of sorts. However, they did not expect to be apprehended and stopped by our cousins there."

"There are lycanthropes on Kiyoshi Island?" Haru sank back in his seat as he realized he had spoken out loud. Silently, Katara thanked him for voicing her question.

"Zuko, didn't you tell the humans anything?" Toph grumbled as she sat up straight in her chair. She turned her head in the direction Haru's voice had come from. " Kiyoshi Island doesn't have any vampires or lycanthropes, but it's the only place where there are were-cats; our cousins."

Were-cats!? Katara's eyes widened. She had never dreamed that there were were-cats and suddenly wondered what else was there in this world.

"Kiyoshi, the island's founder and the House of Kiyoshi's mistress, has sent a troupe of her finest out of the island in order to curb the Dai Li's intentions," Lao explained. "She believes that the experiment had to do with vampire turning and blood lust, from what the captured vampires had told them."

"What happened to those vampires?" Zuko asked in a stern voice.

"Executed," Lao explained. "You know that the House of Kiyoshi reigns over the island. Their laws have been approved by the Conclave eons ago, therefore no vampire governing body needed to be notified of the execution."

"I am aware," Zuko stated. "I just wished to know if they are still available for interrogation."

"They got all they could out of them," Toph assured him. "The report the girls were carrying has been sent to General Iroh. His response to us and to you arrived early this morning."

The servant that Lao had spoken to earlier arrived carrying a heavy metal box in his hands. From under the heavy sleeves of his clothes, the head of the lycan tribe produced a key and unlocked the box. He lifted the lid open and pulled out a sealed scroll.

"It is addressed to Young Master Zuko."

"Thank you," Zuko bowed his head as he humbly accepted the scroll in his hands. "May I ask what your scroll's message was?"

"It was a request for aid and cooperation from the guilds," Lao explained. "The Dai Li have attacked numerous villages within the area, leaving dozens of vampires without guidance. There are not enough Dark Mothers or nurseries in the area to care for them all."

"Then the tribes will be resuming the role of Den Mothers?" Azula concluded. Lao nodded.

"I've sent several groups around the area to begin looking for any stray vampires that might have been turned from a recent attack," Toph told them from across the table. "Tribes all over the Earth Kingdom are being notified as we speak. If we can get to them before they break down and fall into blood lust, many lives, both vampire and human, will be saved."

"What of vampires in blood lust?" Zuko asked. "They will need to be hunted immediately."

"Hunters in the area have also been notified and sent to follow the trackers I've ordered out," Toph assured him. "They will be properly executed at the hand of another vampire unless they attack a lycanthrope."

"Understood," Zuko nodded. He ran his finger along the seal that kept the scroll raveled. Silently, he pulled on the parchment and read through the passage quickly. He head nodded in a sign of satisfaction. "It is an open mission."

Aang looked surprised. It had been a while since the hunting guild ordered an open mission; allow all hunters in a particular area to hunt the same prey. "Over what region?"

"The entire Earth Kingdom," Zuko trailed off, his face twisted into a scowl. "Reports have been coming in from hunters all over the continent about a sudden surge in newly turned, rogue vampires."

"What about us?" Azula asked. He handed her the scroll and she read through it. Her eyes narrowed as she scanned over the details and the official orders of the guild. Red lips curled into a pleased smirk as she lowered the scroll and looked across the table. "It seems that our stay here will be a short rest, then."

"We have a mission?" Jet asked, almost eagerly. Azula smirked and tossed him the scroll.

"Search and destroy, my favorite," Azula grinned. "All vampire members of the Dai Li are to be hunted down and executed immediately. Best of all, look who our main target is."

"Long Feng." Jet and Aang murmured simultaneously as they read the mission notice.

"Long Feng!?" Haru and Katara nearly shot up from their seats as they heard the name uttered.

"I take it you've heard of him," Toph grinned. "He's been causing quite a bit of trouble for the humans as well. Are your groups fighting against him or something?"

"Yes… well…" Katara trailed off. Her body slumped down against her seat. "We were, anyway." Across from her, Haru's face expressed the same amount of pain as silence drifted between the two.

"Funny," Toph mused as she leaned forward. "That human Suki was with had the same reaction when we mentioned the name."

Katara's head shot up once more. "Human?"

"Suki was here?" Azula raised an eyebrow. "I should've known when you said Kiyoshi sent her finest. How is the little were-kitten?"

"I see your rivalry with the Kiyoshi heiress has not yet subsided," Lao chuckled to himself. "Suki is leading the group this time."

"Wait," Katara stood up half way from her chair, her hands planting themselves firmly on the edge of the table. "You said a human was with her," Desperation laced her voice as she held her breath. "Can you tell me anything about them? A name? How they looked?"

Down the table, Toph's eyebrows shot up. She snapped her fingers. "I knew it… I knew I smelled your human scent somewhere before," the lycan exclaimed. "You're Sokka's sister!"

In a split second, it was as if a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Sokka was alive. Sokka was alive and he had made it that far. Katara's hands flew to cover her gaping mouth as tears rimmed her eyes. Sokka was alive…

"Katara!" Jet's arms shot out and grabbed her as her legs gave way beneath her. From his seat, Zuko was standing, preparing to catch her only to freeze in his position as Jet reached out and caught the young woman in his arms. "Katara!"

"He's alive!" A trembling voice managed to say as Jet carefully put Katara back in her seat. "Oh, spirits… he's alive!" Hot tears slid down her cheeks as she closed her eyes tightly and grasped her hands over her heart. The relief was so sudden and strong, as if she had just been swept away by a massive wave.

"Congratulations, Katara!" Aang smiled widely. "I knew your brother would be alright!"

"He mentioned a sister while he was here," Toph continued. Her smile slowly fell and she sunk back into her seat. A serious look graced her face as she frowned. "Do you know that he thinks you're-?"

"Toph," Zuko's sharp voice cut her off before she had a chance to finish her sentence. "Later…" His voice was low and Toph was barely able to pick it up. However, his tone was unmistakable.

Understandingly, she nodded. Several seats down, Katara was struggling to compose herself after hearing the news. She had been praying that he had survived; that all they had to do was meet up. Despite her hopes, she had braced herself for the worst. How could she not, after all that she had witnessed in the last few days?

She felt Jet's hand on her back; gently rubbing circles in an attempt to calm her. She lifted her damp eyes and gave a wide smile to the others. Haru smiled back, despite the sadness in his own eyes at the knowledge that he would never be reunited with his family, at least on that plane of existence. Feeling the pain radiating from the man beside her, Azula's pale hand slipped over his thigh and gave him a reassuring squeeze; unseen by the others at the table.

His warm hand slid over hers silently and squeezed back a thank you. He looked up at his friend across the table and gave her a small, genuine smile. "Congratulations, Katara." He told her softly. Katara bit her lower lip and nodded. She mouthed 'thank you' to him as Azula stood up.

"Come, you must be tired," Azula said. "You should go to bed."

"Wait," Katara said as the vampiress rounded the table. "I'd like to ask more questions about my brother, if possible."

"After you rest," Azula insisted. "Just take joy in the fact that your brother is alive and well."

"And that you'll be reunited with him soon." Aang added cheerfully as he stood up from his seat. He bowed his head in gratitude to the lycanthropes before slipped out of his seat. On the other side of Katara, Jet was standing up; his arm gently placed around Katara's shoulders as he helped her up.

"I just want to make sure he's fine," Katara insisted as she was ushered up. She looked past Aang's shoulder at the blind lycan. "He is fine, isn't he?"

"Perfectly," Toph smirked. "Suki made sure of that." She added smugly. Across from her, Zuko raised an eyebrow, but didn't say a word.

"You can ask more questions tomorrow," Jet promised her as he led her around the chair. "You should rest now. Besides, humans are not supposed to nocturnal."

"Haru," Azula said as Jet escorted Katara past her. "Bring the scroll. Master Bei Fong," She bowed her head respectfully. "Thank you for your assistance and hospitality."

The lycanthrope at the head of the table bowed his head. "Thank you for your gratitude, young mistress Azula. A servant will take you to your rooms."

"What about Zuko?" Haru asked as he held the scroll against him and followed the group out of the hall.

"He needs to speak to the tribe," Azula assured him. "He will inform us of anything of importance later on."

Katara looked over her shoulder as they stepped outside of the dining hall. Zuko had stood up, as Toph and her father did. As he bowed to the remaining seated members of the tribe, he lifted his head up and caught her eyes in his for just a moment. They lingered there and she felt her blood heat up. Slowly, his eyes closed and turned his head away. Katara whirled her head around and held in the sharp gasp that threatened to escape.

"Katara?" Jet's concerned voice asked above her and she looked up. His arm was still around her, keeping her close to him as they walked.

"I'm fine," she said, smiling widely as her eyes crinkled up. She tilted her head forward. "I'm fine."

His hand gently squeezed her arm as they followed a servant down the winding halls. They were led back to the hall Toph had pointed out on their way in. The group split apart. Haru in one room, Aang in another, Jet in one across the hall.

"This is your room." the servant gave Katara a gentle smile and the young woman nodded. The door was held open and she walked through the threshold. Her eyes widened at the spacious size of the room.

"The party and I will be resting," Katara heard Azula's voice behind her, speaking to the servant. "Please see to it that he is informed which rooms we are in, as well as which one is his own."

"Yes, young mistress."

"Thank you," With a bow of Azula's head, the servant was dismissed. The vampiress raised her hand and carefully plucked the flame shaped pin from her perfectly kept hair. A quick shake of her head loosened the bun, sending strands of black hair around her head and over her shoulders. "I admit," she began as she examined the shining piece of metal in her hand. "I am pleased that your brother is alive."

Katara looked startled at Azula's words. She turned around and looked at the female vampire standing in the hall. "You are?"

"No one wants to see a person they spend their days around depressed," Azula told her coldly. Golden eyes flickered over Katara's body. "Even when you smile, we can feel the sadness around you. It was… rather annoying."

The waterbender looked stunned. A second later, a frown graced her face. Darkened eyes looked back at Azula. "I am sorry if my emotions were irritating you," Katara retorted in a low voice. "I did not know if my brother was alive or dead. I would think that I would have the right to feel that way."

Azula lifted her chin proudly. "No one can control your emotions," she replied sharply. "But that doesn't mean that no one can feel them from you, either," Azula's hand rose and gracefully brushed back her thick, black bangs. "And to be fair, had it been my brother been missing; his status unknown," Azula let out a low breath and glanced back at Katara. "A hundred years of controlling my composure might not have done any good."

Golden eyes slid away smoothly before Katara's wide-eyed reaction could be read. Without another word, the female fire bender walked away, leaving Katara standing just beyond the doorway of her room. The blue-eyed brunette stood silently where she was, mulling over Azula's words. Cold and calloused as they sounded, they were calculated; meant to say that she understood how Katara felt, and most of all, that she cared about her brother. Azula was no cold-hearted monster to those she deemed worthy. Quietly, Katara raised her hand and closed the heavy wooden door.

She turned around and looked over her room. Several paper lanterns were around the room; illuminating it just enough so she could see. On their way to Gaoling, she had been informed that lycanthropes could also see in the dark. Considering the lanterns that decorated her room, it was obvious that they knew she and Haru were humans. She looked towards a closet built into the wall. A small bag of things she had accumulated on their travel had been placed there.

A small knock on her door was heard and she turned around once more. Her heart leapt to her throat as she stared at the wooden door, her mind racing with possibilities. As the second knock sounded, she shook her head to snap herself out of the trance. "I'm coming!" She quickly made her way across the stone floor and opened the door. A tall figure stood in the hall, smiling and holding up a towel. "Jet…"

An unexpected feeling of disappointment gnawed at her stomach as the brown haired hunter grinned; a playful glint in his eyes. "I thought I'd point out the bath house in the next building over," Jet told her. "I was heading there for a nice soak and I thought you might want to join me," A small smirk tugged at his lips at the sight of Katara's brown cheeks heating up. Wide blue eyes blinked as her mouth opened, releasing no sound as she struggled to find anything coherent to answer. A chuckle escaped his lips. "There are separate sections for males and females, Katara."

A rush of hot air came out of her mouth as she slumped back, her hands going over her stomach as she lowered her eyes sheepishly. "I'm sorry… I just… when I heard you say it…" she stammered. She looked up at him and frowned. "That was not funny."

"Perhaps to you," Jet grinned. He extended his hand with the towel in and gave her a swooping bow. "May I escort you there?"

A heavy sigh came from Katara's lips as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine, but no more jokes. I'm still a little shaken."

"Of course," Jet nodded. "It has been a long, eventful day." Katara nodded in agreement and took the towel from his hand.

"Lead the way." Jet smiled and ushered her down the hall.

"I'm going to take a bit of a long soak," he informed her. "Vampires are nocturnal so despite having stayed awake most of today, I don't feel the need for sleep yet."

"I can make it back on my own," Katara assured him as they exited the long hall and made their way across a sprawling rock garden. "It doesn't seem too far."

Jet nodded as he walked along side her. He stopped in front of one of the doors. "This is your stop. I'll be in the next area over if you need anything or get lost. Just call for a servant to get me." Katara nodded and entered the bathhouse.

A servant greeted her as soon as she walked through the door and helped her prepare for the steaming outdoor baths just beyond the building. A large fence of bamboo was carefully placed around the area. Katara stood on the stone footpath and clenched the towel wrapped around her body.

She had imaged a bathhouse like the one in the village; a simple wooden building with a tub that was heated by fire. Not a miniature hot springs. As she sank into the heated water, she wondered just how wealthy Toph's family was to afford such luxuries in their own home. She waded out into the deeper part of the steaming pool and found herself a small enclave to sit in. As she submerged herself neck deep in the water, she leaned back against the warm stone and stared up at the dark sky above her.

The hazy steam hindered her view, but she could still make out the glittering stars in the distance. So much had happened that day. Her heart swelled.

Sokka was alive. Best of all, according to Toph, he was well; not harmed or injured. While her main concern was whether or not he was alive, she had only come to realize other worries after she had been informed of his visit. Was he hurt? What had happened to him? Did he remember what happened? What about the children?

Katara's eyes widened. She had been so focused on her brother's well being that forgot to ask about the children. Her hands dug into the towel that ended over her lap. They must've been fine. After all, if Sokka was alive, the children must've been, too. The though reassured her. She released a heavy breath and leaned back against the stone. She would ask Toph some other time. For now, she should allow herself to relax, knowing that somewhere, Sokka was alive and well.

All she had to do was reunite with him.

Her body froze. And then what? What would happen once she was reunited with Sokka? It was only a matter of time until she found her brother. Once she found him, she would stay with him. After all, they were family. The only family the other had. If she stayed with Sokka, she would have to leave the group. A warm hand rose and lifted over her chest. Then why does it hurt when I think about leaving?

She drew her legs to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. Her eyes stared blankly ahead of her as her mind tried to sort out her thoughts. Something was different with this situation. She had lived a life where she had seen many people come and go around her. She had been with groups of other mercenaries longer than she had been traveling with the vampires, and yet she had never felt an empty, sinking feeling when they parted was as she did when she thought about leaving the hunters' group.

"We will find your brother…" His deep voice whispered in her mind; reminding her of a promise. One that would be coming true sooner than she thought, to her joy, confusion, and regret. Katara closed her eyes tightly. "Perhaps if we never met… you wouldn't be here… caught up in something you should never have been a part of."

Katara opened her eyes and saw her vision blur. Had he truly regretted bringing her? Meeting her? Saving her life? After all, he was busy. His team was busy and they had a mission. He had a fiancée. He had a life. None of which involved her, but when she thought about never seeing him again, her heart twisted painfully in her chest.

She shook her head. This… infatuation with Zuko… she insisted. "It has to end, Katara…" she whispered to herself. It has to end because it will end. When it does, you don't want to spend the rest of your mortal, human life thinking about a vampire whose time with you is only a second of his immortal one. In the end, you won't mean anything to him…

Blue eyes shut closed once more. She buried her face in her arms as she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Why did parting with him hurt so much? As she curled up in the water, a small part of her mind wondered: would it have been different if I were his mate?

Moments passed and Katara remained seated in the hot water. The tips of her fingers and the bottoms of her toes had long since wrinkled under the water, but it wasn't until the servant came out to check on her did Katara realize just how long she had remained soaking. The hot air above the water was getting to her head and, tiredly, she forced herself to stand. Her legs shook beneath her and she held her arms out to steady herself.

As her figure melted from the steam, the servant rushed into the water and helped her on to the dry stone walkway, all the while chastising her for staying out there too long. Katara merely assured her that she was a water bender and was right at home in the water, even if she was a bit dizzy. Regardless, the servant insisted on drying Katara off and then wrapping her in a clean, warm robe herself. In her fatigue, after being awake for so long and the surprising revelations that had been revealed to her since she woke, the water bender allowed her to.

"I will call for another servant to take you to your room." The bathhouse servant told her. Katara shook her head.

"I can make it on my own," she insisted. Before the servant could argue, Katara stumbled out of the baths. She hadn't made it three steps before a hand landed on her shoulder. She gasped as she whirled around. "Jet!"

"Katara," he chuckled as he lowered the towel from his hair to around his neck. He, too, was dressed in a robe. "You stayed in there longer than I thought you would."

"I… I just was tired," Katara told him. "A lot has happened recently."

Jet nodded understandingly. "Come on, I'll walk you to your room," he told her. Katara nodded, thankful he didn't answer any questions. She bended the water out of her hair as she walked along side of him. "I'm glad that your brother is all right. You'll see him again soon."

"I know," Katara nodded. "I'm so happy just knowing that he's alive," She paused and looked up at him. "And I can't thank you all enough for bringing me with you. If you hadn't let me come, I never would've found out about Sokka."

Jet chuckled and shook his head. "I'm not the one to thank. Zuko was the one who let you come along."

At the sound of his name, Katara felt her heart begin to race. She turned her head away quickly so Jet wouldn't see her face redden. The sudden movement finally got to her. Her arms shot out; reaching for anything to hold her steady as her legs began to give way.

"Jet…" she gasped as she felt her legs falter.

"Katara?" His eyes widened as his arms shot down. They wrapped around her smaller body and quickly pulled her against him. "Katara, are you all right?"

"I'm fine…" Katara said as she raised her free hand to her suddenly throbbing head. "I must've been in the water a little too long…"

Jet's face was twisted in worry as he nodded. He looked down at her, studying her flushed face as her body molded against his. "I cannot stop you from feeling anything for the human girl," he could hear Zuko's voice echoing in his mind. "But if I ever hear you talking about turning her again, I will cut you out of this team, do you understand me?"

Carefully, Jet adjusted Katara beside him. He steadied her with his arms as he stood close. "I know you're happy to know your brother is alive… and that you can't wait to see him again," Jet admitted as Katara looked up at him, concerned. "But I wish you could stay with us longer."

Katara's eyes narrowed with uncertainty. "Jet?" Her lips opened slightly. "Jet, what are you talking about?"

"She is not mine."

The non-bending hunter gazed down at Katara intently. He had asked his life long friend whether or not the human meant anything to him. Anything at all. As a mate, as a lover, as someone he felt anything for. After it all, Zuko's cold words had been the answer he received.

"Jet?" Katara whispered. He could feel her breath against his skin and for the first time in his life, he wasn't sure what to say. It was something he couldn't explain in words. He didn't know how else to tell her. His hands held onto her shoulders firmly as he lowered his head. Her heart quickened against him. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Katara knew what was going to happen…and couldn't bring herself to move. As she saw his eyes slowly close, she closed her own and for a moment; forgot about everything else.

A pair of rough, warm lips pressed over hers.

Across the garden, a pale hand dug into the towel at his side. It burst into flames before it was tossed into the rock garden placed between him and the two against each other in the darkness. Turning on his heel, he swept back into the hall.

"Brother?" Azula's question was ignored as Zuko flew past her. Confused, the dark haired female walked out into the outer hall, where her brother had come from. Golden eyes widened as she caught the movement of body bodies conjoined across the garden. She gritted her teeth as her eyes turned into narrow, furious slits. "Fools…" she hissed into the night air. "All of them."


A.N. – Something is missing here…I can't figure out what. Anyway, behold the Jetara:waiting for hate mail: If you have questions feel free to ask me! Just keep in mind that some answers will be answered as the story progresses! Thank you LotF for betaing! Thank you, everyone, for reading! (Still a test fic!)