A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for all you that continue to read this story. It makes me feel happy that my interest in this pairing isn't totally crazy. :) Thank you all!

Chapter 26:

"Zuko, we need to talk." Ursa barged into his study room and was greeted with two pairs of eyes. One gold the other blue.

The younger man stood from his seat, "As you can see mother, I was in the middle of explaining something very important to Chieftain Hakoda."

The woman glanced over to the tribesman, "Pardon me, Chieftain Hakoda but I must speak with my son."

Hakoda stood as well, "I do not believe we got off on the right foot, Lady Ursa, but I'm not sure I'd want to after the foul things you said about my daughter. Humiliating her in front of a large crowd of people."

Zuko gave his mother a look that implied he was sided with the Chieftain. Of course, everyone thought so highly of the water princess. Every man was lined up in defense of the child. Father and brother. Lover, ex-lover, and admirer. Even a tea lover that adored the girl. Katara was virtually impossible to get to with so many keeping guard of her. How could a woman like Ursa possibly get close enough to inflict wounds on the girl. Take out her shield one man at a time.

Bowing her head low, Ursa displayed a remorseful expression. "Forgive me, I had spoke out of anger."

"Of what?" Hakoda folded his arms on her chest.

"I had learned of her relation to my former husband. Though we have separated for many years, I never once stopped loving him. So I couldn't fight the jealousy that consumed me when I saw how beautiful she was and that she had stolen his heart." Ursa rose her head back up with a single tear in her eye. "Forgive me."

While her display was quite notable and her words held nothing but truth in them, her sincerity of apology was faulty. Zuko loved his mother. Even now with all the blackness he's come to realize was in her heart all along but he was not moved by her in this moment. She could fool the world but not him. He had enough practice from dealing with Ozai and Azula in how to tell when someone was honest or sincere.

Hakoda on the other end was less reluctant to believe her. He understood still being in love with a former spouse, though his was long gone, he could relate. If Kya were still alive but with another man, how would he not want to lash out? And though it was his daughter that was the 'other' woman in this case, he understood Ursa's reasoning. However; he wouldn't allow the mistreatment of his child whether or not there was a valid reason.

"You are forgiven." The tribesman said flatly. "But do not cross my daughter again."

Ursa smiled appreciatively, "Thank you, Chieftain."

Zuko narrowed his eyes at his mother. He didn't trust her. Not at all. "Now, mother, I'll speak with you when we are done discussing a grave matter."

The woman nodded and bowed her head. "As you wish my son." She left out of the room quietly.

The Chieftain of the South turned around to face the young Fire Lord. "As you were saying, Lord Zuko."

"Yes," clearing his throat. "Back to what I was saying, I think this is the best way to go about removing the two issues at hand."

"Killing two birds with one stone." Hakoda nodded as he thought over the plan.

The two men had been discussing in great detail of how to address the issue of his father and rebels. Zuko had been thinking over all the decisions he made in the last two months. While they were absurd and utterly insane, the way they had settled together would actually work to his and the entire nation's benefit. As well as maintain peace and even develop a stronger one. This would in return gain the Southern Water Tribe level of respect in the world. Chieftain Hakoda was also on board with the idea.

The plan was that during the Summer's End Festival Zuko would host a ball in honor of his 'beloved' fiancee. A way to dispel any notion that the feud between his mother and the princess had affected his feelings for her. It would be seen as a way of him choosing Katara over his own mother. Which would make the girl a huge target for anyone that wanted to destroy him. Having already been targeted, there was no doubt the rebels wouldn't back down from trying to capture her. Her value would be raised. The ball would be public and held in the grand garden at sundown. A perfect opportunity for rebels to strike. This part was why Zuko needed to consult Hakoda first, Katara would be bait.

The second part would be tricky. Zuko theorized from how he's observed his father's obvious obsession with the waterbender, that he would also be very protective of her. Especially, last night when she went missing. Not to mention how he was always only a foot behind her whenever they left her chambers. It was clear the man would not allow any harm to befall her. So when the rebels arrive to take her, it was safe to say Ozai would attack and most likely in the process have to reveal himself. Once everyone was aware of who he was, both rebels and other attendees would see that he was defending Katara, his supposed enemy. It would be a public display of the changed man he was and if anyone approached him, Katara would defend him. If anyone accused her of betrayal, Zuko would step in and if that didn't work, Hakoda could back them. Hopefully this would be enough to convince the people to stand down. Of course, even with this there would be issues with the other nations but with Hakoda's help they could smooth things over.

Hiding Ozai was no longer a choice. Eventually someone would discover him and they'd be forced to tell the truth which would tear everything apart. With this, at least it would be easier for to regain the people's trust. Plus, it would end the rebellion, strength peace that even Ozai was willing to conform to, and raise the Water Tribe's standing in the world when everyone hears that the Princess of the South had tamed the former tyrant. It was a solid plan.

"But what if Ozai turns? What if he joins the rebels and takes Katara with him?" Hakoda questioned. It had dawned on him that Ozai wasn't entirely trustworthy. The man may not be a threat now but who's to say he wouldn't be as soon as the opportunity came.

Zuko grinned slightly. "Then it'll make things easier. We take him out and no one has to know anything other than he was attempting to reclaim the throne. We'd have less to clean up."

"You seem to be taking that all too well." The Chieftain was a bit concerned for the young man. He knew Zuko a bad past with his father and all. But he assumed they made up and even before that, didn't he break his father out just to live his life? So why was the possibility of killing him take so lightly?

The young Lord dropped his grin and his closed his eyes in a sigh, "I do not believe he would betray her. If he really loves her, he won't do anything he knows she wouldn't approve of. I don't trust him but I trust his feelings for her. So there won't be a need for the latter."

…

Katara was lying on her stomach, face down into pillow, sodding as quietly as she could. Not long after a few kind exchanged words with Aang, she left the garden and hurried back to her room, running fast to lose Ozai long enough to be alone for a while. She didn't want to cry in front of him. It would make her feel weak. No doubt he heard the conversation. Perhaps he'd think she was pathetic for being upset. He wouldn't understand either way. Family and togetherness was a huge thing for the Water Tribe. They were even more important to the south since family was all that kept you alive during harsh times. And now, she had just claimed that she no longer belonged to them. Her people and her family. Disowned them, though not intentionally, she did so nonetheless and caused her brother to lash out as he did. This was her fault. All her fault.

"There you are." The last voice she needed to hear. "You ran quite fast for someone who's body is still sore. Tell me, what ails you, waterbender."

Afraid to face him, Katara got up with her back turned to him and her pillow glued to her face. "Nothing."

Ozai rolled his eyes and leaned against the threshold of her bedroom. "I heard."

"Everyone hears." Katara mumbled to herself.

"What was that, waterbender?" He walked over to her and stood in front of her bed. "I can't hear you with that pillow in your face."

The girl tensed when she felt the pillow in her face being tugged away. She instantly became defensive and yanked the pillow back but knowing him, he wasn't going to let go. Katara yanked a little harder and rolled onto her side so she could get leverage but Ozai climbed onto the bed and completely jerked it out of her hands. As soon as the pillow was gone, the girl scrambled up to take it back but he tossed the pillow off the side of the bed, grabbing her right as she was about to go for it. She fought against him telling him to let go and making threats. She hit him a few times and he had to grab her wrist and pin them behind her back.

Giving up, the waterbender dropped her head and rested it against his chest. "Leave me alone, Ozai. Leave."

"And why would I do that?" He asked knowing full well why but rather her say it than him.

Katara didn't verbally respond, she only shook her head and sobbed a little. Ozai took his free hand and rose it to the girl's cheek, lifting it so that she was looking at him. She cast her eyes away from him. He saw tears in them and her face was contorted as if she wanted to breakdown. It was the first time he had seen her like this. Like some helplessly defeat girl that was falling apart. He didn't like it. He didn't like seeing her this way. Especially, not due to some idiot brother of hers.

"Please, just leave me al-"

"Alright." He said cutting her off. "I'll leave." Ozai let go of her and got off the bed. He immediately left the room, not turning around to see that she was crying even more after his departure. It was clear, she didn't actually want him to go but he needed to take of something. Or someone.

…

"Aang, shut up! You don't get it!" Sokka yelled.

The monk balled and fist and scrunched his face up, he knew Katara was stubborn but Sokka could be so much worse at times. All he tried to tell the tribesman was that he shouldn't have gone off on his sister. It was obviously something going on and she wasn't able to flat out say it. Aang really felt with all his heart that she hold on to something that affected her so greatly that she couldn't simply return to the Southern Tribe carrying it or even wear her mother's necklace because of it. Maybe she was ashamed. But of what? Oh spirits, he slapped a hand over his mouth, could she be pregnant?

"I can't believe she'd just say that and with a straight face! What the hell is wrong with her?!" Sokka ranted.

"Sokka-"

"I mean really, why would she want to stay here?!"

"Sokka, I think-"

"Is Zuko really that great that she'd choose him over her own?!"

"SOKKA! I've been trying to s-"

The young monk was cut off again but not by his furious friend but rather blue flames. His eyes widened. Only two people he knew had blue flames. And one of them just so happened to be on the loose. Sokka hadn't turned around to notice but just as Aang was going to shout, his world black and he collapsed to the floor.

As the monk went down, he knocked over a vase with him and it alerted the young tribesman. Sokka whipped around and was greeted by blue flames. He instantly backed away. Blue flames only meant one thing and it wasn't good. Reaching for his boomerang that he soon realized was not on his person, he heard a sickening laugh erupt from behind the indigo fire, seeing a figure approach it. It wasn't Aang. Not only because he didn't laugh like that but because he was unconscious on the floor. A sudden fear rippled through Sokka. If Aang could be taken out and so quickly, that didn't make his chances of winning against this foe any higher.

A tall man with midnight black hair and blazing gold eyes came up to the fire, ceasing his laughter. "Prince Sokka of the Water Tribe, it is an honor to finally meet you, formally."

Sokka backed away. "What are you doing here, Ozai!" He hissed. "Aren't you supposed to be after that bastard son of yours?!"

Another laugh conjured from Ozai, "Not at all. My son is no longer my issue but you are."

The flames grew intensely. Ozai wasn't planning on scorching the boy but he didn't need to know that. All he needed to know was that he should be very fearful of his life because then he'll understand that this was as serious as it looked.

"Me?" Sokka was confused. "What do you want with me?" The younger man fell backwards but immediately got up and backed himself to a wall.

As the blue flames increased so heavily the room's temperature started to rise, Ozai parted the flames, just enough to step through and reveal himself. He held a stoic expression but his eyes were callous.

"You've upset a certain waterbender that I've become fond of." He twirled a blue flame in his hand and it took the form of the person he was referring to.

"Katara?!" the young man's eyes widened in bewilderment but then something struck him even harder. How was he bending? Didn't Aang remove his abilities?!

Noticing the boy had caught on that he was bending, Ozai smirked. "Yes, you should thank your sister for granting me my bending back. She's quite talented, I must say."

"What?! No!" Sokka growled. "She wouldn't do that! Not ever! And what do you mean you're fond of her?! Have you been creeping in on her all this time?!

How simple minded was this boy? Like seriously. Either he or Katara was adopted because no way they could be related with him this stupid. "Actually, I'm quite close with your sister. You could say we're lovers."

"Liar!"

"Not." Ozai stepped closer and with each step, a flame licked at his feet. "She is my lover and you've managed to wound her deeply. I don't appreciate morons causing what's mines grief." The man was deadpan on handling the foolish boy glaring wrongfully at him.

Sokka lunged at the man with his fist. He couldn't believe the nerve of this man. Claiming Katara and he were lovers! How sick was this bastard! Katara would never commit such a betrayal! She'd never restore his bending! And even if she would, how would she have the power to do that?! Only the Avatar was capable of that. But that didn't matter, not now, Sokka was going teach this lunatic a lesson.

However; as soon as the tribesman got close enough with his fist, Ozai dodged him and delivered a heavy blow to the boy's gut. The hit knocked the breath out of the young tribesman. Sokka fell back and hit the ground. The man surrounded them both with blue flames to make sure he didn't escape. He crouched in front of the boy and smirked.

"Fortunately for you, I didn't come here to fight." Ozai pulled the practically limp boy up and dusted him off, "I just came to gather you."

Sokka spit to the side and glared at him. "Like hell."

Ozai shook his head and laughed, "As stubborn as your sister." He then took his hand and chopped the boy in his pressure point just as he had done the Avatar. As the boy went out, Ozai threw him over his shoulders and turned to the flames. With a quick snap of his fingers the flames all disappeared and he made his way to the secret entrance he used to get into the room, carrying the unexpectedly heavy tribesman with him. What the hell does this toothpick eat?

Moments after Ozai left with the boy, Aang awoke and luckily, he was disoriented and didn't seem to remember blue flames. All he knew was he was on the floor and the back of his neck hurt. He rubbed the area and groaned.

"Did Sokka knock me out?" He asked himself.

…

What was he doing?! Confronting the boy like that and even mentioning his relationship with the boy's sister. Luckily, the young tribesman was either too stupid or just too trusting of his sister to believe it. Oh but he would believe it soon. Ozai was obviously taking him to the girl and that left her plan in ruin.

Ursa slipped back into the hallway, she needed to think of another plan. But what? The goal was to take out Katara's shield. Zuko, Iroh, Ozai, the Avatar, her brother and father. Iroh and Zuko were going to be the hardest to manipulate. Iroh was simply too perceptive and Zuko was already showing his distrust of her. As for Ozai, he was the end goal, she needed Katara out before she could have him. The Avatar and Water Tribe royalty were her best bet. But with Prince compromised, that only left the Avatar and Chieftain. Ursa believed the boy Avatar would be her easiest catch but she'd need the Chieftain on her side first.

Speaking of the man, she had just turned a corner and ran into him. How opportune, she grinned.

"Oh Chieftain Hakoda." Ursa said feigning surprise.

Hakoda barely noticed her until he heard his name. "Uh, Lady Ursa."

The woman swayed seductively over to him but kept it to a minimum, he didn't strike her as the foolish type. He'd see right through her. "You must have just finished your meeting with my son."

"Yes, he's free now if you still need to talk to him." he replied.

A small little chuckle and she flicked her wrist, "Oh, no. I was actually coming to see if I could speak with you."

The Chieftain coughed and looked at the woman strangely. "Me?"

"Yes, you. I don't believe we've had the chance to sit down and chat." She batted her eyes a bit and grinned. There were less hostile and blunt ways to take down a shield. Sometimes all one needed was a bit of charisma and a gentle approach. That was her specialty. All she had to do was win this tribal trash's heart and advance to the others. Katara would be helpless and Ursa could have her husband back then their son. She inwardly smirked. She wasn't kidding when she said she'd come for her family. No at all.

…

A/N: Hoped you liked this chapter. Especially my Ozai and Sokka scene XD. Thank you for reading and please review.