Blood Benders

Chapter 28,

Uninvited Guests

Katara stared across the room full of well-dressed people. The single women had gathered in one corner, the bachelors in another. Couples were dancing in the center. All of the really important people were in a darker corner, lit by flames given by fire benders.

Something didn't feel right about the entire party to Katara. She couldn't place it, but something felt off. She wanted to pin it on her hatred of aristocracy. But that wasn't it. Perhaps the servants and their lack of humanity? Not it. Her eyes made contact with the prince- surprising the both of them. They had been looking, but weren't expecting to find one another. He smiled at her, and motioned for her to come. She shook her head no.

"Ah, look at him! He's so cute!" a shrill voice squealed.

"The prince? Isn't he dreamy? He's looking this way." another said.

Katara felt her head was going to explode. If she had to listen to these girls much longer... and suddenly they were squealing louder than ever. Katara jumped at the hand that was suddenly in her face.

"You made me walk all this way. Don't tell me you won't dance."

She looked up at the prince. He was grinning down at her. She took one look back at all of the too-lacy girls and all of their jealous, angry faces before standing. She sighed, as if it was a great effort.

"I suppose one dance wouldn't hurt." She brushed off her dress, and the prince took to rolling his eyes.

He led her out just as a new song began. She watched her feet, not wanting to shame Ty Lee. Who knew what would happen if Ty Lee saw Katara mess up? It was a thought that sent the other bad feeling far, far out of her mind.

"You know, if you didn't want to dance..." The prince said quietly in her ear.

"You know I was teasing. I'm glad you came over. Those girls were driving me crazy." She laughed and he laughed with her. A quick glance to her left told her the girls had heard.

"Well, really, if it was so bad. Also... I should mention.. my dad wants to talk to you." He said the last bit so quickly, Katara wasn't sure if she heard right. But when she looked at his face, she saw his hesitation. He didn't understand his father's interest in her. Frankly, neither did she. But she wasn't as disturbed by it.

"Can we finish the dance?"

"Of course. Another, if you want. He said it was up to you."

"I do not think it wise to keep the leader of a country at war waiting unnecessarily." She said, sounding more like a scholar than Katara.

"Indeed." He said, matching her important tone.

They shared another giggle and finished their dance, purposefully ending near the royal section of the court room.

Sokka looked down from above. It all seemed normal, aside from this feeling of dread. He knew there was someone in here, but he couldn't find them. They weren't getting in from up in the rafters. And he was certain Toph and Aang could handle any ground threat. There wasn't much to worry about.

He heard a familiar laugh that drew his gaze to the middle of the floor. Red fabric was spinning, dark and light skin balanced. The man was important. Sokka could tell from the hair-do. And, in the man's arms... his sister. Her smile warmed his heart. He hadn't seen her smile like that since... maybe before their mom died.

But he whisked her off to a place Sokka couldn't see. The boomerang master was content to wait. She would be here. And now he knew it.

"To be honest, sir, I'm glad you called me over here. I was this close to exploding on those giggling... young women." Katara cleared her throat. The Fire Lord laughed politely. Zuko was as tense as bow string, but she could feel him easing ever so slightly.

"You are quite the specimen. There is so much I would love to hear." His tone suggested he already had some questions in mind.

"Anything, of course." Katara said speculatively. Who knew she had been occupying the thoughts of the Fire Lord?

"What are your long-term intentions with my son?"

And all the tension (plus some) came back into the prince's posture. Katara pondered the question and all potential meanings.

"Father!" Zuko objected before she could finish her thoughts.

"No, no. It's a serious question." Katara tried to calm him, "I suppose... one day I'm going to have to leave." the water bender continued. She took a sip out of the cup the prince had handed her.

"Leave?" The Fire Lord repeated.

"Well, if the Prince marries, it would be awkward for me to continue imposing. And, maybe, my family will come for me. Or I could make moves to find them." She explained. Katara saw the prince look away out of the corner of her eye. She had never said anything like this. Not anything that sounded so well thought out.

"A shame I suppose." The Fire Lord seemed a bit off put.

"Yes. I shall very much miss this place and the people in it." She replied with a shrug.

"My son tells me you've taken an interest in swordsmanship."

Katara sat up straight and turned her head, ignoring the Fire Lord. Her hands began circling, and the liquid was drawn out of their glasses. The prince tried to see where she was looking.

"Is your staff aware?" She asked.

"They are. There is nothing to worry about." The Fire Lord answered her.

Zuko looked back and forth between the two of them, trying to understand.

"They tried to get to you today? On the sacred day of the Sun? And your birthday. Despicable." Katara said.

"Assassin?" Zuko whispered.

"A very, very poor one." The Fire Lord said.

There was a commotion as Katara tried to stand. She bumped into one of the servants. All of the dishes clattered to the floor, spilling on both herself and the white-clad servant. She quickly sputtered apologies. The liquid she had been holding also soaked into the floor.

"Great, by the Moon I'm such a klutz. I'm really sorry! I'll clean this up."

The servant, who was not allowed to speak, began trying to help her. She could hear many shrill laughs from across the way, but she tried not to look up. She didn't want them to see how red her face was. It probably matched the now-ruined dress. (Ty Lee was going to have a cow-pig)

The hands were flurried around hers, and she only caught a glimpse of the pale skin. But it was all she needed. She grabbed the hand, and flipped back the white fabric. She replaced it just as quickly, if not numbly. She looked back at the servant, and tried to move again.

"I'm really sorry. I'll... come help you fix this. I can probably get that out of-"

"Look how she stumbles to make things right!" Carried from across the room. And like someone died, the room fell silent.

"Yes, you're right. I'm apologizing. I'm not nearly important enough to act like certain snobs." Katara growled. The liquid she had dropped, which had fallen to the floor, was quickly strained back up. With a little work, the stain came off of her dress.

"Certain snobs have no need to apologize, since they do not knock into servants so bluntly." The girl retorted.

Katara stared at the girl, disbelief painting her features. Was the girl really that stupid? Could she not already see that Katara was a water bender? Did she not think the whole attack through? That couldn't be it. Closer inspection of the girl revealed nothing. No country markings, no visible signs. No obvious loyalties, or nationalities. Katara couldn't decide if bending was the answer.

"I forgive them, regardless. If we're quite done acting like barbarians, yelling across the room." Katara said. She felt a hand on her shoulder, but she did not turn to look at Zuko. She could handle herself fine, and he needed to know that.

"Hn. Interesting word choice. As you don't belong here." The girl's words were meant as a sneer, but Katara only smiled.

"Right again. I belong in the kitchen, cleaning a mess I made. Adieu, ma'am. May the Moon keep you." With that, the blue-eyed girl walked off, following the servant who had long since departed. As soon as she opened the door, several people converged on the prince.

There was a scream, and people were once again breathless. Katara held a man with an ice. The man had a weapon raised, now stuck in place. Zuko was nowhere to be seen behind the entourage of guards. Katara spotted him, fallen from being shoved. He looked at her and blinked. She smiled.

"You may have caught me, but not us. Won a battle but not the war. Your castle, built on pillars of sand, will come crumbling soon enough. You cannot catch us all, and we will succeed." The assailant howled. His voice was scratchy and hoarse, gaving his message a very eerie ring.

"Who is we?" Katara asked, since the guards seemed more concerned with helping the prince back up.

"The League. The Blood Benders. Those who oppose the Fire Nation. We are endless. And soon the Painted Lady will come, and she will end-"

Katara jerked up the ice to cover his mouth. He struggled, but the guards finally turned back around. They went to carry him off. There was a grateful sigh of relief.

Katara fought her way back to the prince. He held her hand as she checked him over. He seemed calm and at ease, and more concerned about her. They managed to hug for a few brief moments, before people could see. They pulled away with a promise to meet later, when all of the craziness was over. He kissed her knuckles, and nodded his thanks.

Katara turned around with a gulp. It had been too close.

But, for now, the kitchen was calling her name.


A/N: The "pillars of sand" line I heard in some song. I have real issues about crediting people. I think I'm just a walking lawsuit. I believe its name was "When I ruled the World" not sure by who... really sorry to all those fans...and yeah. That band, if they're reading. (Very highly unlikely...)