Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs purely to Mike and Bryan. This is just my vain attempt to live past the series finale.

Chapter 20: The Aftermath

Summary: As the daughter of the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe, Katara must and will do whatever it takes to keep her people and her nation safe, even leaving it in order to become a servant in the home of the Fire Nation's Royal Family for infiltration. Instead of the war and destruction she expected, she finds beauty, life, and love, shown to her by the Fire Nation Prince himself.

Last Time…

Toph smirked and Sokka raised an eyebrow before nodding appreciatively. "Listen to him, Katara," he instructed. "Toph and I need to head back soon. Just check in with me once in a while so I know you're ok." He reached his arms out and Katara obligingly walked into her brother's embrace.

"You guys take care of each other. Be careful with your budget. Make sure Aang still practices his Waterbending. He still fumbles transforming water's physical states sometimes. Make sure Dad knows I still love him."

Sokka nodded, tightening his hold around her. "We'll be fine." He met Zuko's eyes. "Take care of my baby sister."

"With my life."

Letting go of Katara, Sokka stood in front of Zuko so that they were eye to eye. "Don't hurt her anymore."

"I'll turn myself over to Azula if I do."

Sokka ventured an encouraging smile at the Firebender. Zuko flinched when Sokka slapped him on the back heartily. Then, he noticed how Sokka held out his right hand. Watching him uncertainly, Zuko held out his own hand and Sokka grasped his forearm. Zuko mimicked the gesture and Sokka's expression turned to one of approval.

He and Toph left the apartment and Katara and Zuko watched them hurry in the darkness from their window.

"What was that?"

Katara smiled at him gently, her eyes bright. "A Water Tribe greeting. It's meant to display your respect and trust for one another. Usually men who fight together greet each other that way. It's reserved for your comrades, good friends, and brothers."

Toriq groaned and his body tensed. Hakoda watched him with renewed interest, sitting up straighter from his perch. This was the first time the injured Waterbender had moved since Sokka and the others managed to rescue him the day before. It had been a difficult decision for Hakoda to let his son and two young friends go off on their own but he had a duty to his men to tend to them as well. He sighed and looked back at the prone figure in front of him.

Toriq's skin was a grotesque marbling of red, black, and purple, his body the canvas for the Fire Nation Princess' latest work of art. His heart felt heavy in his chest and Hakoda settled back against his chair when Toriq stilled once more.

There was only one other Waterbender aside from Toriq who learned how to heal and he had yet to regain his bending ability after their encounter with that strange girl who practiced chi blocking as Sokka and Toph informed him. Hakoda was less than pleased to hear where they had discovered this information.

He was beside himself when he found out what the two had done behind his back. Hakoda tried to focus on his disappointment in Sokka, but now more than ever, he could only concentrate on his own guilt.

"My own pride is preventing Toriq from being healed," he grumbled to himself.

"Not just yours, Hakoda."

Hakoda lifted his head and saw Bato entering the infirmary, the stony expression on his face similar to his own.

"How are the others?"

"Nothing more than some burns and cuts. They'll be fine. Or so they tell me." Bato considered his next words. "The Waterbenders are shaken up. They still haven't regained their connection to water. They're frightened."

Nodding sagely, Hakoda sighed. "Their ability is a part of who they are. It's as if they've gone blind or lost a limb."

"Chugiak is particularly frustrated. He wants to be able to heal Toriq as soon as possible."

"I remember his assessment when Toriq was brought in."

Broken bones were evident by the disjointed way his fingers curled, the wheezy rasp of his breath caused by fractured ribs, the startling white bone that had torn through tan skin on his lower right leg. His right eye was swollen shut, the bone of his socket appearing to have collapsed in. His arms were terribly burnt, the skin raw and angry with blisters— defensive wounds to protect his torso from the flames. Toriq had a myriad of superficial cuts though there was a particularly nasty puncture wound in his side that they'd sutured as best they could. They couldn't guess what internal damage had been done.

"Toriq is strong. He will make it until Chugiak can heal him." Bato paused, watching his best friend warily. "Unless… she comes back to heal him."

"From what Sokka told me, if she was smart, she would've left the city already with the prince."

Bato frowned. "Katara would have left knowing how serious Toriq's condition is?" He had known Katara since her birth. Such a decision would have been out of character.

"Sokka most likely told her to steer clear."

"That makes more sense." Bato looked over their fallen comrade. "Still, if there's a chance she hasn't yet left the city…"

Hakoda's eyes screwed shut, his fists clamped at his sides. "The other men, especially the ones from the North, wouldn't understand. I won't watch her get hurt again."

"So you think casting her aside didn't hurt her?"

"My daughter chose a Fire Nation boy over her family!" Hakoda's brow furrowed as he glared at the floor. "After everything… after her mother…"

"That's what this is about."

"What what's about?"

Bato placed a firm but gentle hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Prince Zuko isn't responsible for Kya's death, Hakoda. You know that one person can't be held responsible for the actions of someone else. Look at what Sokka's told us from when he was in the Fire Nation. The prince suffered at the hands of his own father."

"I know," Hakoda grit out, his shoulders tense. "I know, but last night, seeing her with him. Protect him."

"Maybe your pride is at fault then. Did you expect her to remain with you for the rest of her life?"

"Of course not! I want her happy."

"And your disowning of her? That was done for her happiness?"

Hakoda glared at Bato before he hung his head. "How else was I supposed to protect her? If she came back with us… The other men saw… word would have gotten out. I don't want others' anger being taken out on her and her being caught in the middle, just for following her heart. Because we don't understand. At least now… she doesn't have to choose."

The weary chief appealed to his best friend. "I have always trusted my children's decisions, even if I didn't agree with them. I know I raised them well. I'm not pleased at all that she likes him. But if she does, she has good reason to. And I know that he cares for her. Otherwise, I wouldn't have let him take her. We're not like our Northern brothers. We don't dictate our daughters' lives as if they were our dolls."

"Your anger at Sokka. It wasn't for going to her, was it? If he and Toph were followed..."

"Then Katara would be in danger. She still might be." Hakoda glanced at Toriq again. "I need to know what they got out of Toriq. What does the princess know about my daughter?"

A rush of incoming footsteps brought Hakoda to his feet. Chugiak's chest heaved as he slowed in front of him.

"It's back!" he gasped. "I need to work on Toriq's injuries before they worsen even more."

Hakoda moved away from Toriq's cot to allow him room. "When will he regain consciousness?"

Chugiak summoned water and gloved his hands, the appendages beginning to glow with the telltale blue light. He hovered over Toriq's head, his frown deepening as he carefully delved through the pathways of the body, using a gentle touch to probe his injuries.

"He's received significant head trauma. I have to control the swelling. It will take a while before he wakes."

"Do what you have to, Chugiak. But first, tell me, I've heard that during the healing process, the healer can catch glimpses of what caused the injury."

"Yes, Chief Hakoda. Although, we have been trained to ignore the compulsion to see. Oftentimes, it can distract the healer from his or her duty."

"See what you can gather while healing him. Toriq was not tortured without reason. See if he revealed any information while under duress Of course, his safety takes prevalance."

"Send word when you've finished. Don't overtax yourself, either, Chugiak. You've been injured as well. As much as you can."

Hakoda and Bato strode out of the infirmary with grim expressions.

"What are your orders, Hakoda?"

"As much as I'd like to go after the princess and her friends, we can't waste time. We have to help the Earth King prep for our attack. The comet arrives in less than three months. The Fire Lord has to be defeated by then."

Katara nervously fiddled with a fraying edge of the blanket she sat on top of. She was perched on the edge of the bed, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she and Zuko discussed their next step. Zuko sat astride one of the chairs, his forearms resting on the back of the chair. His expression warred between patience and frustration.

His golden eyes tightened. "Agni I'm so stupid!"

"Zuko, stop acting like that. What are you talking about?"

"I sent my men back to the Fire Nation. They told my father the Avatar was alive. My father sent her after Aang." A hand reached up to tug at the cropped dark hair still growing in. "I'm the reason why your friends, your family got hurt."

Lifting his eyes to stare at her with horror, beseeching her to understand. "You could have gotten hurt," he rasped, his voice thick.

"This isn't your fault, Zuko," she assured him, her tone soft and understanding.

"Don't lie to me." Zuko glared at her and stood up abruptly and began pacing the length of the cramped apartment.

Katara watched him with an icy stare. When he met her gaze, he froze to the spot, pinned by the ferocity behind her bright blue eyes. "You couldn't have predicted what would have happened. You're not perfect, Zuko. What would you like me to do? Blame you?"

"Yes!" He hesitated. "No."

Hopping off of the bed, Katara took his face in her hands. "Why? Why do you want me to hate you so much when I can't?"

"Because it's what I deserve."

Zuko's eyes widened when Katara's palm connected with his cheek and he stared at her, his jaw slack. The slap didn't hurt, nor did he think it was meant to. But it did shock him and Katara softened her hand against his face, lightly stroking the part of his cheek that was red from her hit. She frowned and water flew from her water skin to her hand. Zuko shook his head and leaned away from her.

"But—"

"It doesn't hurt." He took her wrists in his hand and looked pointedly at her water skin. Katara sighed but obliged. "Besides, I needed that."

"Hence why I did it," Katara muttered, still frowning at the red mark on his skin. "I think your anger issues are leaking over to me."

With an uncharacteristic snort, Zuko rolled his eyes. "Hardly."

"Maybe it works the same way girls sync up after living together."

Looking down at her with a put out expression, Zuko stepped away from her and deadpanned, "I think it takes longer than living together for a week before things… 'sync up'."

Katara smiled at him for humoring her before sobering and sitting on the edge of the bed again, swinging her legs. "Which brings us back to our previous discussion. What's our next step?"

"What do you want?"

Katara blinked at him. "Me?"

Zuko nodded and Katara frowned in confusion. "I guess I don't know. I never really thought about it."

"Because no one's ever asked you."

Katara inclined her head slowly in agreement. Pulling a lock of hair back behind her ear, she looked out the window apprehensively.

"I don't know. The past few months, everything's been about getting to Ba Sing Se. 'Ba Sing Se is safe'," she mocked her brother's voice. "And before that, it was looking for Aang's Earthbending teacher. And before that…"

"I was hunting the Avatar," Zuko finished. He shook his head and clenched his fists at his side.

"You've apologized," she reminded him.

"It's not enough."

"Why won't you forgive yourself, Zuko?"

Zuko stared back at her. "You chose me and I didn't choose you the first time. I don't know if I can forgive that. Agni knows why I expect you to do that."

Regarding him carefully, Katara said slowly, "If I told you I wanted to go back to my family— just to check on Toriq— and that I'd come back right after…"

"I don't like it."

"I didn't expect you to."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

Zuko sighed and knelt down in front of her. He rubbed his palms on the outside of her calves and looked up at her, his eyes boring into hers with the color and intensity of two suns. "If that's how I can get your trust back, then okay. I know that I'm stubborn, hot headed, arrogant, and a selfish man. And it's difficult to get me to change." His hands momentarily tightened on her legs. "I want to change for you, Katara. Part of me thinks I already have. And I don't see myself turning back."

Reaching out to stroke his hair, Katara half-smiled at him. "Silly," she said affectionately. Zuko raised an eyebrow at her and she continued, "I forgave you a long time ago. I think I was ready to forgive you the moment you took my brother's arm."

A shy smile appeared on the Firebender's lips. He rose, his hands sliding up to her knees before settling on either side of her. Katara blushed and looked up at him uncertainly. Zuko continued to lean in and Katara felt her heart begin to race. She watched him, her blue eyes large and her hands fisted in her lap. His eyes closed and Katara felt her own follow suit. She opened them when he felt his lips brush against her temple. Just a slight pressure against her hairline, his lips warm and fleeting.

His eyes were still closed but he managed to rest his forehead against hers. "Thank you," he whispered.

They breathed together in peaceful silence before Zuko straightened up. Katara blinked her eyes open, suddenly missing the closeness. He smiled at her but the expression turned wistful.

"When are you going to visit Toriq?"

Katara frowned. "I shouldn't. Sokka's right. They're all so angry at me."

"I'd protect you."

"I'd never put either of you in danger. Especially because of me." Katara hopped off of the bed and walked past Zuko, hugging her arms to herself. "Besides, if I went back, I'd have to renounce you and I won't do that."

"You want to stay with me?"

Katara smiled at the change in his questioning. It was different opposed to his usual 'Do you want to go back?'

"What have I been doing the past week? Zuko, this is my own decision. I chose everything. I chose to stay at the palace when Sokka returned to the Southern Water Tribe following your Agni Kai. I chose to go back to your side after I first found Aang. And I'm choosing again to be with you. I don't want to go back."

She ran her hands down from his shoulders to the front of his chest. Katara smoothed down his shirt and raised her eyes up at him shyly. "I want to move forward with you," she murmured.

Zuko cocked his head at her in a silent question but placed his hands on her hips lightly, pulling her closer to him. Katara settled into the warmth of his hands and sighed contently. Her fingers began to idly draw circles on his chest as she spoke and Zuko couldn't help but give her a crooked smile, finding the habit endearing.

"The Water Tribe is centered on the community. Your family and friends. Your tribe. They are your heart. It's a wolf pack mentality. My father's best friend, Bato, was once injured. It was in the best interests of both Bato and the rest of the men if they separated. Bato was being cared for by local villagers and would catch up to them later. He told me how much it hurt him. There's a pain that comes from that separation. I felt that pain when your ship sailed away from the South Pole. And I felt it every day until I realized that you were the Blue Spirit. You make the pain go away, Zuko. You're my heart."

"Katara…" Zuko said her name reverently and Katara shivered at the way her name was caressed by Zuko's distinct husky baritone.

"Is it enough for you? Am I enough?" Zuko's face contorted in concern. "I know how much you love your family and your people. Don't you want that?"

"Maybe in a perfect world… not that I know what that's like."

"We can have that world. I can give it to you. I'm not perfect, but…" Zuko's voice faltered and he played with her hair, entangling his fingers in the chestnut waves. "I'm pretty determined."

Katara laughed and Zuko felt the joy throughout her whole body. Zuko smiled with her and pulled her in closer, her laughter slowly peeling away to a soft sigh.

"So where do we go from here?"

Zuko shrugged. "We take Toph's advice. Go back to the Fire Nation."

Nodding in agreement, Katara asked, "How do you feel about going home?"

"I think I already found my way back home," he confided. "I'm home if you're with me."

Tears filled Katara's eyes and she wrapped her arms around his torso, her face burying into his chest. She inhaled his scent deeply. Zuko rested his chin on the crown of her head and did the same, immersing himself in the fresh, soft scent of her. Katara leaned back, her eyes strangely guarded. Frowning at her, Zuko didn't have time to think when she lifted herself up onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips against his tenderly. He gazed into her eyes and observed the blue disappear behind her eyelids, framed by her thick lashes, fluttering as she kept her eyes closed.

The kiss was not like either of them expected. It wasn't explosive and demanding, a result of unresolved feelings pent up over months. It was smooth and exploratory, a slow burning fire that ebbed and wove its way through their bodies, spreading its heat.

Zuko reached a hand up to cup her cheek as he closed his eyes. He could feel the quick thrum of her pulse underneath his fingertips and deepened the kiss as he moved his lips over hers. Katara mewled softly as his breath skimmed over her lips and she pressed herself more tightly to him. Zuko felt the fabric of his shirt pull against him as Katara fisted it in her grip. He released her lips, immediately angling his head to nuzzle the skin on her neck below her ear, nipping lightly. Katara tilted his head to allow him more access and gasped quietly.

Taking advantage of her reaction, Zuko returned his attention to her lips and bit lightly on her bottom lip, causing Katara to make the same sound. In reply, Zuko groaned quietly, his other hand coming up to hold her face completely. He tilted her head back further and nipped on her lip again. Katara's lips parted and he tasted her, his tongue coaxing hers out. His lips smiled against hers as he gave her long, languorous kisses before they finally broke apart with a gasp.

Katara felt his blood surge and blushed, taking care to avoid pressing into him so as not to cause either of them embarrassment. Zuko groaned and dropped his head in the crook of her neck, breathing heavily. Katara gave a breathless laugh before uncurling her fingers from their vice grip on his shirt.

"So when should we head out?" she quipped, squealing and giggling when Zuko playfully nipped at her skin in lighthearted censure.

He raised his head, his breathing controlled and Katara chalked it up to his Firebending training. "We can leave as early as tomorrow. I just need to collect my final payments tomorrow from the merchants."

Katara began to comment but was interrupted by a yawn. Zuko unceremoniously lifted her up and sat her down on the edge of the bed. She scowled at him.

"Oh for Spirits' sake, Zuko!"

"Sleep," he ordered.

"If we're leaving tomorrow, I need to pack and—"

Zuko silenced her with a quick peck on the lips, pulling away with a sly grin. "That's useful," he remarked, earning him another scowl. He shook his head. "I'll take care of it."

Katara nodded and considered him, "Do you believe that people can be meant to be?"

"I thought you didn't believe in fate."

Katara met his gaze, her cerulean eyes lit with mischief. Her lips twitched upwards in a wry smile. "I don't, but I believe in destiny."

Zuko rolled his eyes at her. "I don't see the difference."

"Fate is what I'm meant to do and I can't get out of it. Destiny is who I'm meant to be and that's due to my discretion. For example, maybe I was fated to discover Aang but it was my destiny to be his Waterbending teacher and friend."

She took his hand in hers, staring at their intertwined fingers. "It might have been fated for us to meet, but I like to think that we were destined to stay together."

He frowned at her in confusion, trying to understand what she was trying to say.

Katara sighed. "Forget about fate and just hold me."

Zuko chuckled as he obliged her, sliding in behind her on the bed, an arm wrapped around her waist. He nuzzled her neck, savoring the contours of her body pressed against him. "But what about packing?"

"Save it for tomorrow," she grumbled.

Zuko extinguished the fireplace, plunging them into darkness. He sighed happily, wishing he had done this earlier. And not just because the bed was much more comfortable than his usual spot on the floor.

Azula narrowed her amber eyes as she rode the mongoose lizard through the farmlands, carefully looking over each farmer and farmhand while they worked the land. Several merchants haggled and negotiated prices to sell the produce. It was easy enough to sneak into Ba Sing Se. Azula let out an uncharacteristic snort at the "Impenetrable City".

Disguised as circus performers, they were granted access. It was no secret the Earth King had a strange attachment to his pet bear. The idea that he might want entertainment for the animal was completely plausible. Ty Lee led the way, with Azula and Mai convincing (and overqualified) in their roles as a firestarter and knife juggler. After all, who would suspect three young teenagers, girls at that, to be the most dangerous people let into the city?

Once Zuko's men had sent word of the Avatar's existence and Zuko's course for Ba Sing Se, her father dispatched her immediately.

"Your fool of a brother can't be trusted to handle a situation as delicate as this. He probably doesn't even have the strength to finish the Avatar."

"Don't worry, Father. I'll make sure the Avatar returns to his status as a myth and a folktale of the senile."

The two Firebenders' lips curved into humorless smirks. Then, Fire Lord Ozai's lips pressed into an impassive line.

"Go, Azula."

Azula bowed quickly and turned on her heel, ready to give the order to ready her travel things. And she had to send for Mai and Ty Lee. Agni forbid she be forced to do this with a group of insipid men without half of a brain between them.

"Azula."

The princess turned and bowed in front of her father. "Yes, Father?"

"Don't you think it's strange that Prince Zuko sought to chase after the Avatar on his own, without aid from his men?" Ozai's lips curled into a sneer. "Unless of course you count your Uncle Iroh as adequate assistance."

"Of course I don't. He's old and the eccentric buffoon has grown soft since Lu Ten died. And Zu-zu never had the presence of mind to admit that he's weak. But I have to admit that his behavior is strange, even for him."

"Then perhaps Prince Zuko has yet another reason to explain his… strange behavior."

Azula arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow, her face calm as she waited for what her father had to say. The Fire Lord extinguished the wall of fire in order to reveal his face. Ozai glared down where Azula kowtowed before him.

"Find him. Bring him back."

Azula stiffened. "Bring him back?" she asked tightly, her voice wavering slightly. She was enjoying her time as the only heir to the throne.

"Think of it more as an afterthought. Getting rid of the Avatar is your first priority." Ozai settled back onto the dais, his long slender fingers draped unassumingly over the armrests.

"Understood."

"Don't disappoint me, Azula." Ozai's cold voice drifted after her as she walked out of the throne room.

The Fire Nation Princess cast a furtive glance around her. Ty Lee and Mai rode on their own mongoose lizards. She nodded at them and then gestured back towards the inner wall. Mai merely gave her own slight dip of the head before riding back while Ty Lee waved enthusiastically. Azula pursed her lips and held her hand out in front of her and brought five small flames to life on her fingertips. Her golden eyes narrowed and she threw her arm out, the five blue flames flying from her fingers to land in three separate fields.

Blue quickly faded into orange as the flames spread, spurred by the Earth Kingdom's dry heat. The light danced on Azula's face as she watched, her face frowning in thought.

The glowing crystal of the catacomb city cast an otherwordly green tint to them. Mai sat leisurely on a rocky outcropping of crystals, her hands idly twirling a stiletto blade as she watched what unfolded with thinly veiled disinterest.

Ty Lee looked worriedly between their captive and Azula. Her grey eyes darted nervously around the cavern. She stared at the unconscious young man pinned against the rock wall by several of Mai's shuriken. His wrists were also shackled above his head. The acrobat frowned looking at the blood dripping from them.

Meekly, she asked "Azula?"

Azula scoffed and turned her glare to Ty Lee. "What is it now, Ty Lee? Honestly, you've been nothing a but a nuisance tonight."

"I took away his Waterbending and he's paralyzed. Could I just stand watch at the cave entrance?"

"For Agni's sake, no one will find us. I doubt anyone even remembers this hideous civilization existed in the first place. But if you're feeling squeamish, fine. Leave."

Ty Lee wasted no time in hurrying away from the large space, ducking through a small tunnel. Mai watched her go and sighed before rising to her feet.

"He's waking up again," she droned. "Are you sure Ty Lee's chi blocking still holds?"

Casting her a sidelong glance, Azula rolled her eyes. "Of course I'm certain." Azula grinned, watching Toriq slowly come back to consciousness. "Besides, even if he tried to his use Waterbending, he can't move."

Toriq moaned lowly, fresh tears springing to his eyes as the pain registered.

"Please," he rasped. "What do you want?"

"Well isn't that obvious?" Azula's eyes narrowed into slits. "I want the Avatar." Her expression relaxed into an easy smile.

"I won't tell you where he is!" Toriq wheezed and coughed harshly. His chest expanded strangely at the action.

Holding her hand, Azula waited for Mai to place the miniature sai into her palm before slowly running the pad of her finger along the plane of the blade.

"I know where the Avatar is," Azula sneered. "Any imbecile could figure that out. My brother did. He isn't exactly hiding, is he? He thinks he's safe here. But I realized something last night."

Her golden eyes pierced through Toriq. "Where oh where could the Avatar's little Waterbending teacher be?"

Mai frowned and Azula laughed without humor. "Oh didn't I tell you Mai? Zu-zu's little bitch is a Waterbender and a spy from the Southern Water Tribe. Father was, is— I should say— livid that Zuko was unaware that his play thing was a dirty peasant with a very dangerous vendetta."

"And of course, there are the rumors swirling around the Earth Kingdom about the Avatar's little crush on her." Dryly, Azula crowed, "How precious."

"So imagine my surprise when she wasn't there a few hours ago when we ambushed you and your pathetic tribesmen, nearly capturing her pupil in the process."

Toriq eyed her warily, his vision showing him two Azulas as his head throbbed.

"But I did notice two sets of additional footprints. And one leading away from the alley. Now who else could that be? Did the little tramp get scared? Or maybe a lover's spat with the Avatar?"

"Don't talk about Katara that way!"

Azula's red lips quirked upwards slightly. "Oh don't tell me that she got you to fall for her, too." Mock pouting at him, she turned to Mai, commenting, "She has a ship in every port, doesn't she?"

"Katara isn't that type of woman. She's just been seduced by that damn Fire Nation prince!"

"Ah, so my brother did make it to Ba Sing Se. And I'm guessing that it wasn't quite the clandestine meeting he was expecting in that alley. And now he's run off with the little Waterbending whore." Azula smirked and quickly masked her expression when she turned to Mai with wide eyes. "I'm sorry, Mai."

Mai's tawny eyes glared at Azula from underneath the thick dark fringe of her bangs. "I'm going to go wait outside with Ty Lee," she said tersely. "Have fun playing, Azula."

Quick to forget about her retreating friend, Azula missed the dark look thrown her way, deadly and threatening as the daggers that usually flew from Mai's slender fingers.

"The Avatar's Waterbending teacher has run off with disgraced Fire Nation prince. Well this is certainly interesting. Father won't be happy about it, obviously. The bloodline will be impure if the slut gets pregnant."

Toriq struggled against the shackles, immediately crying out in pain as the motion reopened his wounds and Azula threw a weak fireball at him, the flames licking his skin before dying out, leaving the brown skin blistered and raw. She wrinkled her nose at the scent of burning flesh.

"I don't think you're of much use to me anymore. Pity." Azula balanced the grip of the sai. "For you."

Breathing heavily, Toriq sagged against his restraints, closing his eyes in resignation. Azula pulled her arm back and launched the sai, aimed for Toriq's chest. There was a faint sound of a shriek and two thuds. Toriq heard the clang of metal connecting and saw a blur of white and blue deflect the sai and a burst of wind ruffled his tattered clothes and hair. He heard the rumble of moving stone before Sokka's face swam into view.

"Toriq! Don't worry, buddy we'll get you out of here. We'll get you safe."

"Ka… Ka…"

"Yeah, sure," Sokka mumbled, busying himself with undoing the shackles, pulling out a small knife from his belt.

"'Tara. Not safe."

"I don't like her being with Zuko anymore than you do, but she'll be safe."

Toriq could have sworn he shook his head vehemently, but realistically, he knew it probably looked to be nothing more than a pathetic sag of his head.

"She knows," he hissed. "Katara… leave… now."

Toriq's eyes rolled back and closed and he slumped forward when Sokka finally removed him from the shackles. Sokka caught him and slung a weary arm around his neck, grunting as he took all of Toriq's weight. He called back, "Toph! Aang! Let's go!"

Aang swiveled his head towards him to get a quick glance of the Water Tribe warriors before nodding. Raising his staff, he turned and swung his staff down as he finished circling. The action conjured a huge gust of wind that blew Azula off of her feet though she twisted in the air so she would land on her feet. Toph took the opportunity to cause the earth below Azula to ripple so that she was caught off balance once more as she touched the ground again.

Toph spread her arms out and gathered small boulders before bringing in her arms, her elbows pressed against her ribcage. The stone sheathed Azula, holding her against the side of the cave.

"Alright Sokka we heard you! Let's move Twinkletoes!"

Azula felt her upper lip curl and bared her teeth at the memory. The flames continued to devour the yet to be harvested crops and the farmers scrambled in a panic. This was going to bring out the Avatar or the Waterbender, perhaps both, and by extension, her brother. All three in one place. And once more, she'd have executed her duties perfectly.

"Are you ready?"

Katara hesitated, staring at the expanse of emptiness before them.

At her silence, Zuko chuckled lightly. "Katara, if you're having any doubts, then maybe we shouldn't go through with it."

She looked up at Zuko and examined the determined set of his mouth, his golden eyes like two drops of honey against his pale skin as they looked out over the horizon. Timidly, Katara brushed her arm against his, her fingers interlacing with his. Zuko looked down at their hands and then met her gaze questioningly.

"I'm ready. As long as you're here."

His eyes wide, Zuko shook his head at her. "I don't understand how you can have so much faith in me."

"I told you, Zuko. You're the most hopeful person I know."

Zuko scoffed. "Me?" he asked skeptically. "I thought I was grumpy, angry, irritable, fun-sapping Zuko."

"Oh you are," Katara grinned. "But you still manage to have faith in the good things in the world even when you've had such horrible experiences." Her tone softened. "If that's not hopeful, then I don't know what is."

A slanted smile growing on his face, Zuko nodded. "As long as you're sure. It's a pretty dangerous plan."

Considering him, Katara gave a pointed look at her hand clutched in his. "I'll take a chance on you. Call it blind faith."

"I wouldn't call it blind faith. We have each other."

"Two hopeless fools wandering through."

"Hey! I thought I was the most hopeful person you knew."

Katara giggled. "Maybe not hopeless then. Clueless."

Zuko tilted his head in thought. "You might be right in that," he allowed. "But I do know one thing."

"Hm?"

"I was made to do this with you."

Katara's gaze softened and with a blush dusting her cheeks, she reached up to kiss him softly. The tender moment, however, was ruined by the sudden clamor by the entrance of the wall. The couple ran towards the chaos, grasping each other's hands tightly as a small crowd pushed past them to run away. They stared wide eyed at the inferno growing amongst the fields of Ba Sing Se's agrarian sector.

"We have to help!"

Katara stepped forward but Zuko held her back. He looked between her and the fire before sighing and nodding. Together, they ran into the blaze.

Edited April 2019