And so I return!

Another update, and the next one is on the way… I'm on a roll:)

I do love reviews, so feel free to leave positive comments, constructive criticism, Zutara gushing… It's all good.

Thanks go to JonathanByers11, for being a great Beta!

See y'all later…

It was early the next morning when Katara decided she wanted to visit Lakkin. The thought crossed her worried mind before she went to bed, and she'd lost sleep trying to decide. She was up, bathed and dressed before the sunrise, and so it came as a bit of a shock to find Toph standing outside her doors when Katara opened them.

"'Morning, Sugar Queen," Toph said, pushing herself off the wall she had been leaning on, "You sure took your time getting ready."

"Toph," Katara sputtered, "What are you doing? It's early- I thought everyone would still be asleep."

"Well, it's hard to sleep when all I can feel is your restlessness. You kept me up all night. I figured you had something on your mind."

Katara pulled the younger woman into her room and nudged her towards a floor cushion.

Settling down next to Toph, Katara explained "I want to go see Lakkin."

Toph only raised an eyebrow.

"Is that supposed to surprise me?" she asked, crossing her arms.

Katara blinked. "Well, it seems like everyone is trying to assure me that everything is okay, and taken care of, and that I never need to see Lakkin again. I guess I resent it. I'd rather face him myself and ask him my questions, instead of listening to other people's explanations."

Toph shrugged, "Makes sense to me. Want to go now?"

"That's what I was planning when I ran into you."

Katara stood up, as did Toph and the two made their way out the door.

In the hallway, Katara placed a hand on Toph's shoulder, "Please don't tell anyone that I've done this. I don't think Sokka would like it at all."

Toph snorted, "Do you really think I'm going to let you go talk to that freak by yourself? You must be joking."

Toph grabbed Katara's arm and started dragging her through the empty hallway.

Protesting - quietly, she didn't want to wake anyone up- Katara finally struggled free of Toph's grip, and they walked side by side to the guard's wing of the palace, where the holding cells were located.

After being nodded through by a guard, they walked through the silent hallway of the wing, then Toph gave Katara a shove towards a thick wooden door, with guards on each side of it.

"We're coming to see Lakkin." Toph stated in her most imperious voice.

The guard on the left shifted and said, "We're under orders to keep him locked up tight, miss. I don't think it's a good idea for you two ladies to see him. He's not... stable."

Toph walked right up to the man and said to his nose, "Listen, buddy, we're two of the people who took down this lunatic. I think it'd be okay for us to go in. I'm Toph Beifong and this is Master Katara of the Southern Tribe. I think we can handle him."

The guards straightened visibly at their names, and the other guard opened the door, and said into the dark room, "You have visitors."

Toph entered first, and Katara followed, accepting a torch from one guard. She held it high as she walked into the room, shivering a little as the door shut behind them.

"Knock when you want to leave." The guards voice was muffled through the door.

There were no windows in the room. Half of it was occupied by a rough table and two chairs, and the other was behind thick iron bars.

Lakkin was sitting cross-legged in the center of the cell, watching Katara with a serene expression.

"Hello, darling."

Toph settled herself in a chair and tilted her head as Katara walked up to the bars of the cell. Lakkin's hand were encased in metal bindings, and his arms and legs tethered by chains. Despite this, he looked quite at ease, a smile on his lips, his brows raised.

The fact that he still looked handsome sent splinters of disgust down Katara's spine.

"It's so lovely to see you, Katara," Lakkin drawled, his voice smooth, "I was wondering when you would come down to visit me. It's been rather boring down here in the dark."

Katara stepped closer to the bars, her hands behind her back to hide their trembling; it wasn't that she was actually afraid of him hurting her now - not with him behind bars and the necklace gone- but she couldn't deny the fear he raised in her.

And he knew it.

"I came to-" Katara paused and drew a breath, squaring her shoulders, "I came to ask what your people have planned next-"

Lakkin gave a loud laugh. "You think you're the only one who's asked me that? Darling, I've had the pleasure of not only the Fire Lord's company here, last night, but a constant stream of over-qualified soldiers and captains coming in to ask me the very same question. If you really wanted to chat, I'm sure we can think of something much more pleasant."

Katara stared down at the man, who grinned back up at her.

"if you really wanted to make things interesting, you could come in here. I've been rather lonely these past few nights, with nothing to keep me warm but my sweet memories of our time together."

Katara struggled to keep a calm face. "It seems you and I have very different memories, Lakkin. I recall you choking me nearly to death on more occasions than I can count, you kidnapping me, threatening my people-"

"Yes," Lakkin burst out, standing up with a sudden clang of his chains, "But think of all the fun we had. I'm much more interesting than Zuko is."

Katara wasn't sure how Zuko had come into the conversation, and she narrowed her eyes as Lakkin walked over to the bar, and leaned his head down until it was level with Katara's.

"I'm a more fascinating find, Katara, you don't know what I'll do next," Lakkin's voice took on a smoother quality, and even though her skin was crawling, she couldn't make herself move back from the bars, "The Fire Lord is boring. He's stuck as the head of a Nation, while I'm freedom, Katara. I could leave here and disappear- we could leave here and disappear. You told me how your responsibilities weighed you down. With me, you could leave all that."

She shuddered.

Lakkin lowered his voice, "Katara, I still want you. I still want to be with you. You're a good influence on me. Let me out. Let's go away, and start over."

Toph stood up abruptly, scraping her chair against the floor with a harsh noise.

Katara started, as the earthbender stated "I think we should leave this lunatic to his ravings, Katara."

"Katara," Lakkin murmured, his lips almost touching the bars as he looked down at her, "think about it. We could be whatever we wanted-"

Katara took a step back, and stared at the man who had been the root of her problems for so long. She looked past his lean, handsome, familiar face, past the sincere eyes and remembered the sleepless nights and hopeless days. It took all her strength to refrain from bloodbending him into a new shape.

"Lakkin, I only ever wanted to be free of you. I don't think you're worth my time, and I hope you rot in the dark for the rest of your days." Katara turned on her heel and marched out of the door, following Toph.

She stopped only to grab the torch from the wall, and then she twisted to whisper "And I hope they're short." She shut the door.

"Well," Toph said, starting to walk down the hall, "That accomplished nothing."

Katara nodded to the guards before hurrying after Toph.

"Just that Lakkin's a complete-" Katara sputtered, floundering for the right word.

"Bastard" supplied Toph.

Katara nodded vigorously as they left the guards wing, and made their way back towards the west wing. It was still early enough that the only person they passed was a maid, carrying a stack of folded linen.

Toph left Katara outside her door, after giving her a soft punch on the shoulder. "I'll see you later, Sugar Queen."

Katara nodded, and watched as Toph casually sauntered down the hall and back into her rooms. The younger woman had obviously decided that their encounter with Lakkin wrapped up her business with Katara.

She looked at her closed door a moment, then sighed. Katara really didn't want to go back into her rooms; there was nothing to do there but lounge around doing nothing. Even if she was going to do nothing, she wanted to go somewhere. Katara was restless after seeing Lakkin, but not up for a visit to the bending courtyard- the fight with Lakkin was still fresh in her mind.

Leaning by her door, she considered going to the library (but she wasn't in the mood for reading), or searching out something to eat (but she really wasn't too hungry), or maybe even going for a walk in the outer gardens (but they seemed a little too far away?).

Finally, Katara pushed herself off the wall and set a course for the garden in the Royal Family's wing; she figured some fresh air and quiet would be better than simply staring at walls.

As she walked, Katara hummed, trying not to dwell on her... visit to Lakkin, but no amount of mindless tunes could keep her from thinking back on the encounter.

He had been so calm. It was as if the recent events held no importance for him. And when he asked her to run away with him-

Katara snorted. How could he possibly think that she would willingly subjugate herself to him once again?! After everything he had done?!

Katara rounded the last corner, and briskly walked into the garden, heading straight for the willow by the herself in the grass, by the roots of the willow, Katara leaned back against the tree, and closed her eyes.

She had to admit- of only to herself- that there had been a moment, when she was down in the holding cells, when she had been caught up by Lakkin's words. Katara was pretty sure Toph had noted it as well, which was why she had ushered them out of the room.

She fought back the rise of bile in her mouth as she recollected how sincere Lakkin had seemed, how he had held her gaze and told her he wanted to begin again. He looked just as he had when they first met, before any of his darkness seeped through his perfect facade. And strangely enough, Katara found herself a little wistful for that time- for the simplicity it represented.

Shaking her head, Katara cracked open her eyelids and looked up to the sky, peeking through the long leaves of the willow. The sun must've risen awhile ago, as the sky was that pale blue it favoured in the morning, no trace of the sunrise colours left. A few clouds hurried across the expanse, drifting in and out of her line of sight.

Katara must have drifted off for a moment, because the next thing she knew, a warm hand was on her shoulder and she was rapidly blinking the sleep from her eyes.

"I almost walked right by you" Zuko said, crouching down next to her on the grass, "But it's lucky I didn't, because I was actually looking for you."

Shifting against the tree, she reached up to rub her eyes. "Good morning, Zuko."

Zuko grinned, and leaned over to lightly brush her forehead with his lips. Katara gave him a small smile, and resisted the urge to touch the spot to see if it was as warm as it felt.

"You're supposed to ask why I was looking for you."

"Why were you looking for me?"

Zuko's face took on a serious cast, "I've just received word that a ship from the Western Tribe docked in port this morning. The chief, Asilak, is on board, and he is requesting an audience with me this morning. He should be arriving shortly and I'm going to receive him in a smaller sitting room."

Katara stared at Zuko. Asilak was here? And Zuko was going to-

"You can't!" she blurted out, "You can't meet with Asilak. And in a private room, Zuko!? What if he tries to kill you? He could be planning something worse than what Lakkin attempted."

"I won't be alone with him; I'm bringing two guards with me," Zuko shrugged, then caught Katara's eye, "And I was hoping you would come meet him too?"

Katara froze, her hands stilling in her lap, her face expressionless. "Why?" she finally croaked out.

"Because you're one of the representatives from a Water Tribe, you're a Waterbending Master, and it's his son that you were engaged to. I think you'd be a good person to have with me. If anything goes south, I know you'll be handy in a fight, and if Asilak is reasonable and willing to listen, your story will matter the most."

She sat for a moment, and Zuko remained still as well, crouched near her. Then, slowly, Katara nodded, and Zuko's shoulders slumped with relief. The Fire Lord stood up and offered a hand down to Katara, who took it and allowed herself to be pulled to her feet.

She brushed her dress off absentmindedly, and then murmured "I'm not really dressed for a political meeting."

Zuko's gaze traveled up and down her length, eyeing her simple blue linen dress, and plain slippers.
"You look lovely," he asserted, placing her arm on his as they exited the garden, "And besides, I don't look all that put together either."

He really didn't. Zuko had on a pair of long, dark pants, a red tunic and an overrobe. They were loose, in muted colours, and with no extra embroidery or finishings. It looked like something a person might wear for a comfortable evening at home.

"Well," Katara suggested as they walked through the sunny hall, "Perhaps we might impress Asilak with our casualty, and lack of concern for conventions."

"Or he might think we are complete slobs, and declare war on the Fire Nation for lack of neatness."

They talked with light tones, bantering as they made their way towards the smaller, private rooms near the north end of the palace, but there was an air of tenseness to their speech, an awareness of what they were about to face.

Zuko led them around one more corner, and there was the room they were headed for, a pair of guards standing outside the door.

Giving Katara's arm a light squeeze, Zuko released her and walked up to the guards, who gave him deep bows.

"The Western Tribe chief is already in the room, Fire Lord."

"Thank you, Lio. Did anyone accompany him?"

"No, sir. He left three men in the outer gardens, with a few of our own men."

Zuko raised a brow, and glanced back at Katara. She was as surprised as Zuko looked. The fact that Asilak came alone was either an extremely good sign or the exact opposite.

"Well then," Zuko said, tugging on his overrobe, "I think I'll let you two men stay out by the door. Master Katara and I will talk to Asilak alone. If you hear anything, come in immediately."

Both men nodded curtly, and Katara walked up to Zuko's side as he opened the door and they stepped in together.

Asilak was seated in one of the low couches in the room, but he rose to his feet as Katara and Zuko entered.

"Good morning, Fire Lord Zuko," he said, executing a perfect bow, "I thank you for allowing me into your home."

Lakkin bore a close resemblance to his father; Asilak had the same lean face, deep set eyes and pleasing mouth as his son, if only a bit worn and weathered by age. Even his hair resembled Lakkin's, tied back in a wolf-tail, graying by the temples.

Asilak's gaze moved from Zuko and onto Katara. He stared at her neck a moment, his eyes widening, and she was suddenly very self-conscious of the faint scar that remained there.

The Western Tribe's chief then sighed, and sat back down on a couch with a weary air, rubbing his forehead.

Following Zuko's lead, Katara sat down on a separate chair, watching Asilak warily; he didn't look like he was about to attack them, but then again, he was Lakkin's father.

Zuko cleared his throat quietly and opened his mouth as if to speak, but Asilak beat him to it.

"I must first apologize profusely," the older man said, his voice even and soft, "I had no idea that Lakkin was planning to attack you and the conference. When he left home, I was under the impression that he was coming here more for the time he could spend with his fiancé than for the conference itself."

Zuko leaned forward, "You had no prior knowledge of the attack? Nothing that indicated your son would disrupt a peaceful gathering of the nations and threaten myself and my friends?"

Katara shifted at Zuko's tone; he was calm, but there was an underlying steel to his words, and a suppressed anger.

"No, Fire Lord" Asilak didn't seem bothered by Zuko's tone, "My son never had much love for the Fire Nation, but he hadn't ever expressed a desire to attack it to me."

After a moment, Zuko nodded, and leaned back while Asilak continued.

"Secondly, I wish to assure you that I am satisfied with how our tribe has been treated after the war. From what I understood from my sources, the men that followed my son are extremists. The Western Tribe has no desire to go to war- we've always tried to remain as far from it as possible."

Zuko interrupted him here, "How am I to believe that your tribe is against war when a large group of very determined men attacked my home three days ago? How can you be sure that those were the only extremists among your people?"

Asilak smoothed a hands along his sleeve.

"There may be more people of my tribe who have no love for the Fire Nation, I am confident that we can discourage any further attacks. I would suggest we make an example of Lakkin and his men."

Katara blinked and then burst out "But he's your son! Why would you..."

She trailed off as Asilak focused his attention on her.

"Yes, he is my son, Master Katara. He was also your finacé. Does that make what he has done any less terrible?"

"No, it doesn't" she countered, "But what kind of an example are you going to make of him?"

"The Avatar is still here, no?"

Zuko nodded.

"If his power has not been exaggerated, he has the ability to take away a person's bending. I will ask him to do this to Lakkin; if there is anything that could temper my son's ability to harm others, it would be that."

Katara rather thought that taking Lakkin's bending away would serve only to anger the man, and incite more problems.

Zuko voiced her thoughts, "Won't that only create more problems? Lakkin won't have his bending- which I think is a fitting punishment- but he'll be even more dangerous with that loss to fuel his anger."

Asilak shrugged, "After the Avatar takes away Lakkin's bending, I will bring him back to the Western Tribe. He will remain under constant scrutiny for the rest of his will never be allowed to leave our islands, and he and his men will be marked as traitors and pariahs among our people."

"And what if they try to escape, or attack another nation again?" Katara demanded.

"They will die. I will make this clear to them."

She blinked, and then glanced over to see Zuko looking equally taken aback.

"I can see I've shocked you," Asilak said, folding his hands together, "But in order for my tribe to continue to exist in this world, we must be prepared to sacrifice for peace."

Zuko stared at Asilak for a very long moment, then he nodded. "I believe you are sincere, Chief Asilak. I appreciate that you came here yourself, and I hope that this recent...incident will have no negative effect on the relations between our nations in the future."

Asilak nodded, and said "Thank you for your willingness to see me, Fire Lord Zuko."

Zuko stood and Katara did as well, but Asilak held up a hand.

"If I may," he said, addressing Katara, "Would you mind if I spoke to you alone?"

Zuko stiffened by her side, and reached out to touch Katara's shoulder, but she stepped to the up at Zuko, she murmured, "It's fine, Zuko."

Zuko frowned slightly, but nodded, and headed out of the room.

"I'll be waiting outside," he said before he closed the door.

Katara turned back to Asilak, curious.

She hadn't expected this meeting to go so smoothly. She'd anticipated some form of confrontation, accusation and anger from the chief of the Western Tribe, not the acquiescence he'd displayed. And Katara hadn't really had to do anything, which was why she was still in the room with Asilak; she wanted to do something.

Keeping her eye on Asilak, Katara sat back down in her chair and waited. After only a few seconds of silence, Asilak cleared his throat and leaned forward in his seat.

"I can see why Lakkin was so fascinated with you, Master Katara; you are quite beautiful."

Katara raised an eyebrow, and stated "Thank you, but I don't think Lakkin courted me simply for my looks."

If Asilak was fazed by Katara's frigid tone, he showed no sign of it. The older man smiled.

"I've also heard that you are a superb waterbender, a caring woman and a loyal friend of the Avatar. Along with many other fine traits that I'm sure you posses, I must admit, you are just the sort of young lady I hoped to call my daughter-in-law. I was looking forward to the wedding ceremony that was to be held this summer."

"You may have been, but I was dreading it, sir. Your son, once we were engaged, became a completely different person then the man I thought I knew. The only reason I remained his fiancé was due to his threats."

Katara resisted the urge to cross her arms over her chest as she stared at Lakkin's father. Asilak did not protest his son's innocence, but she had trouble believing that a father could listen to his son being disparaged, and not object in the slightest.

"May I ask what became of your betrothal necklace?" Asilak was eying her neck again, and this time, Katara did reach up to touch the scar around her neck. It was only slightly rougher than the skin of her neck, and she knew it wasn't obvious unless someone was looking for it.

"Fire Lord Zuko helped me remove it."

"How?"

"He burnt it off my neck."

Asilak blanched, and then a look of understanding crossed his face. "You must trust the Fire Lord very much, in order to allow him to do that."

Katara shrugged, "It was my only option, at the time."

The man stood up suddenly, causing Katara to start, but he only began to pace along the plush carpet.
"Tell me, Katara, was the necklace a grey pendant on a white ribbon?"

Katara nodded. The image of that necklace was branded into her mind; she doubted whether she would ever forget what it looked like- what it felt like.

"I see. I suspected..."

Asilak stopped his pacing, and then dropped to a knee in front of Katara.

Katara jumped back in her seat, unable to help her surprise as Asilak took her hands in his larger ones.

"I owe you a great apology, Katara. I knew that the relic was missing, but I refused to believe that my son would use it."

"Relic?" Katara asked, a little uneasy with the sincere stare the older man was giving her.

"The betrothal necklace. It was not Lakkin's to give, and we had hoped it would never harm another person again."

"What do you mean?" she demanded, pulling her hands back from Asilak's hold.

"That necklace has been passed down for generations in my family. It's history is long, and unhappy."

"You mean that it has been used on other people? Other people were... hurt by it?"

Asilak sighed, "Yes, but it was the people behind the necklace that did the harm, not the necklace itself, as is the case with all weapons."

The chief, moving wearily, righted himself, and sat next to Katara on the couch. "Our family has possessed the necklace for generations, and some of my ancestors decided to use for their own purposes, despite the warning that came with it."

"Warning?"

"More of a cautionary myth. I've never been sure that it was a truth, but it seemed to explain the strange necklace and its abilities well enough."

Katara shifted in her seat, and looked at Asilak.

"This is the origin tale of the necklace - we call it Kaman's Bane- and it is the first story we have of it, but not the last, and not the most tragic either."

Katara nodded, folded her hands in her lap and Asilak began to speak.