i gotta get this story finished before school starts!!


Chapter 12 - A Princess of Water

Katara and GranGran were laughing together in their private suite at the Grand Palace. The room was decorated with crystals and water droplets, and there were curtains and blankets made of white and blue silk.

Katara has never seen anything so glamorous in her life, but she was more happy with being with her lost grandmother as they recall their lost memories by looking into the old portraits GranGran kept.

"I remember them now," Katara said, gazing at the family portrait. "I miss them..."

In the picture, her deceased family smiled back at her. She recognize her father, Hadoka, and her mother, Kya. Along with her brother Sokka. Her cousins, uncles, and aunts all cluster around them.

"At the time, they didn't want to move to the North. They were happy in the South." GranGran explained. "Not now that we've found each other."

"Hmmm..."

"Oh, look here." GranGran pulled out another water painting. "They drawing you made. Remember?"

Katara laughed.

"I waterbended this picture, right?" Katara recalled. "I got so frustrated that it didn't look good that I splashed at the teacher."

"Ah, your laughter hasn't changed. Just like your father." GranGran pulled Katara's hand towards a pedestal where a box sat on top.

GranGran opened the elegant box and held a graceful tiara made of water and ice stones. Katara gasped at it's shine and beauty. GranGran placed the tiara gently on Katara's head.

"But you have the beauty of your mother...Katariana. A Princess of Water." GranGran said.

Katara faced herself in the mirror, shocked to see herself suddenly become a beautiful princess...

The seamstress and Aunt Wu clapped as Katara wore her ceremonial dress for the ball tonight. Katara was spinning around, gazing down at the dress of her dreams. A silver and blue dress like the ocean and the moon, and accessories to match.

While Katara was busy downstairs, Zuko and The Empress were meeting at her private office. A sack full of gold coins sat on her desk, and Zuko didn't even move to reach for it, nor look at it.

"Ten million gold pieces. As promised with my graditude." The Empress said, nodding her head in appreciation.

But Zuko didn't budge.

"I accept the thank you...but I don't want to money." Zuko said, still staring at his shoes.

"What do you want then?"

"...nothing you can give." He said and bowed. He turned around to head for the door but the Empress stopped him.

"Young man, where did you find that music box?" She asked and walked towards him. "You were the boy who saved us...you sacrificed yourself for our safety, you brought her back to me...yet you earn no reward?"

"Not anymore." Zuko said, this time staring straight into the blue eyes.

"Why the change of mind?

"More a change of heart."

"Even from a Firebender like you?"

Zuko blinked.

"...I'm sorry...I must go." He said, and bowed one last time.

The Empress was about to stop him again, but let him go and smiled. She realized he really wasn't like other Firebenders. He has a good heart and she knows his is filled with love...

Zuko was walking down the staircase when he felt someone was blocking his way.

"Hello, Zuko." Katara glared at him.

"Hello," he replied back.

"Did you collect your reward?" She asked, bitterly. He just walked past her.

"My business is complete-"

"Young man," the seamstress spoke, "you will bow and address the Princess as, Your Highness."

"No," Katara said, embarrassed. "That's not-"

"Please!" Zuko said, and bowed. "Your Highness...I'm glad you found what you're looking for."

Katara just glared at him.

"Yes, I'm glad you did too." She said, bitterly again.

"Well...goodbye," Zuko said, almost sad and longing. "Your Highness..."

Zuko didn't even looked back as he walked away from Katara. When he was gone, Katara suddenly felt lonely...

"Goodbye," she whispered.


Iroh and Momo were also getting ready for the ceremonial ball in their private suite. Iroh was busy pinned more and more medals to his coat while Momo was stuffing himself with all the leech nuts he wants.

Iroh was humming 'Four Seasons' when he notices Zuko's reflection in the mirror.

"Well...if you're ever in the Earth Kingdom, look me up." Zuko said, smirking as always.

But Iroh wasn't falling for it.

"You're making a mistake." Iroh said, but Zuko just chuckled.

"Trust me...this is the one thing I'm doing right." Zuko said, walking towards Momo.

For the first time, Momo licked Zuko's hand.

"See ya, you crazy monkey." Zuko teased. "I can't stay here, I don't belong here."

Iroh sighed.

"You don't know that." Iroh said. "I'm a firebender, and a banished man also. Why are you making this difficult on yourself?"

"Uncle, she's a princess!" Zuko yelled. "And I'm...ugh, she never fall for a guy like me. And now...she has a nation to run. She's better off without a banished thief like me."

"Zuko-"

"Please, Uncle...let me do this." Zuko pleaded.

Finally, Uncle nodded and watched his only nephew, and partner in crime, walk out the door. Momo screeched and called for him, but Zuko never looked back...


The night finally came. The honored guest arrived and the ballroom was filled with laughter and people were dancing to the drums. Waterbenders bend colorful water across the ceiling and over the audiences heads. It was a marvelous night, and Katara was nervously standing behind the curtains with her GranGran.

Katara felt guilty after her last encounter with Zuko, so she peaked behind the curtains, hoping he would come.

"He's not there." GranGran said.

"Oh, I know he-" Katara stopped herself, blushing. "Who's not there, GranGran?" Katara asked, trying to cover herself

"An honest man...who found a music box." GranGran said, smiling. But Katara was rolling her eyes at this.

"Oh, I'm sure he's just spending his reward as fast as he can." Katara said, harshly.

GranGran just shook her head.

"Look at them dance." GranGran pointed out. "You were born in this world of glamor, fame, and titles. Royalty. But...I wonder, dear, is this what you really want?"

Katara stared at her only family relative.

"Of course it is." She said, but she could only hear words spilling out of her mouth. "I've found out who I am...I've found you. It's all I've ever...wanted."

"Yes, dear. You will always have me." GranGran reached up and hugged Katara. "My Princess...he didn't take the money."

"What?" Katara gasped, completely shocked. GranGran smiled again.

"It brings me tears of joy to know you're alive, and seeing the beautiful woman you've become." GranGran said, kissing Katara on her forehead.

Katara was still shocked about the news. GranGran was about to enter into the ballroom before she spoke.

"Whatever you choose...we will always have each other." GranGran said.

"GranGran, why didn't you tell me-" Katara said, turning around.

But GranGran already disappeared through the other side of the curtains. Katara followed, but suddenly stopped herself. She stared at the bright room filled with people. She looked down at her beautiful dress, and then she slowly walked back into the dark.

"What am I doing?" Katara said to herself.

Momo suddenly flew next to her and squawked, as if he's asking her what's wrong.

"Oh, Momo. It's just...when I present myself in front of the Water Tribe, I behaved the people expect me to be. I was the perfect princess...but I wasn't me." Katara whispered, feeling tears coming.

Suddenly, Momo leaped and screeched as he flew out the door towards the Palace gardens.

"Momo?" Katara called, and started chasing him.

She didn't noticed, she was falling for trap...


i stop here. so, you notice that the Empress changed to GranGran. that just shows how katara remembers.

heehee, did anyone noticed the lines katara said are similar to what zuko said in the tv show? well, it was just one line. but who cares.

also, for those who hasn't seen the anastasia movie. there was t a part when she looks at herself in the mirror with the tiara and it changes to a different scene. i wanted that to happen the same thing in this story, for those who didn't catch that. just to let you know.

tell me what ya think.