Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 59 of Sparks Ignite! I hope you guys enjoyed that last chapter! A little fluff in this dark time in the story is always good! This chapter also gives some quiet moments when everything is chaos in our story. So, enjoy! As always, I do not own avatar or its characters. Onto the story!

Fate and Destiny are a funny thing. They are so permanent, but yet can be changed by the smallest thing. It can cause the moon and the sun to collide. Or the most opposite Sparks to Ignite.

Chapter 59: The Admiral

Katara didn't know how long she watched where the shore line once was. It was like if she stared long enough, the boat would start going backwards and the shore would come back into view. But every time she considered telling the captain to turn around, she thought back on her conversation with Ursa.

"So you're saying… me leaving would be a good thing?" Katara asked the older women, still confused by the whole concept.

Ursa held onto her hands, comforting her like her own mother would, "I don't expect it to be easy for either of you… But right now the advisors are countering every single move Zuko makes… They're waiting for him to strike back and they're prepared to strike back ten times harder"

"Which is dangerous for him and the entire kingdom…" Katara added. Ursa nodded at this, "Precisely…" she agreed, "Which is why you leaving will be exactly what they don't expect… They expect you to stay and fight… But if you leave…"

"They'll think we have given up… that I'm out of the picture…" the water bender finished again, finally figuring out the puzzle pieces in her head.

"Precisely…"

Ursa was right when she said that this wouldn't be easy. The water bender was already missing the fire bender's warm presence, especially after the goodbye they had just experienced. It took everything in her not to turn the ship around.

But she couldn't argue that it was the right move to make. They had to think three steps ahead of the advisors, when they were thinking the same. They had to plan for every scenario and every reaction to those scenarios. It was entirely exhausting.

She heard footsteps behind her, and at another time, if she heard those footsteps on a fire nation ship, she'd turn around to attack. But now, she didn't even bother to turn.

"Master Katara, it is an honor to have you aboard our ship. I am Admiral Jee and if there is anything I can do to make your trip more comfortable, please let me know" he spoke behind her.

Katara turned to look at him, "Jee… You sailed with Zuko on his search for the Avatar…"

It seemed like so very long ago. She could hardly believe that it actually happened. When she looked at the Fire Lord now, she saw nothing of the banished prince that chased the Avatar in hopes of regaining his honor, not even his scar remained.

Over the years, a new person was born and the old Zuko, full of hatred and rage, was washed away. She never thought about it much, never one to dwell on the past. But it was strange to think of where they had begun.

The man nodded slightly, "Yes we did… I trust in the Fire Lord greatly, we have worked together for a long time… I could even consider us a sort of friends…" Jee slightly reasoned with himself.

Katara smiled back at him, "I know he would consider you the same… He speaks very highly of you…" she told him. Jee offered her a smile back, "As I do of him miss"

The waterbender shook her head, "We can skip the formalities… They're not really my thing… You can just call me Katara…"

"Very well then… Katara…" Jee spoke, the casualness foreign on his tongue.

"So how did you come to follow a spoiled prince across the world?" Katara joked, leaning against the railing. Jee chuckled and came to stand next to her, "Well I fought with Iroh in the siege of Ba Sing Se… I was there when his son had passed…"

They both were silent for a few moment. Katara knew little of Lu Ten's passing, but she enough to feel both the sorrow of the man in front of her, and Iroh losing his own son.

"We drew a bond after that… And when Iroh chose to go with him, I chose to do the same…" Jee continued, remembering back on the old days. He chuckled himself, thinking about it, "Although I wasn't always his biggest fan…"

Katara raised an eyebrow, "Really? Couldn't imagine that…" she spoke sarcastically. They both laughed slightly before the older man continued, "I know you saw the worst of Zuko in trying to catch the Avatar… But you never saw how he was on the ship. He was constantly enraged and had no respect for anybody but himself, and sometimes his Uncle…"

Jee thought for a moment, himself remembering how far the Fire Lord had come, "One day Iroh advised the prince to turn around for an oncoming storm… But the prince refused, saying the safety of the crew didn't matter to him…"

Katara's eyes widened at this, but Jee continued, "We but heads after that… understandably… But Iroh explained the tale of Zuko's scar to us… and why he was banished… Everything had been taken away from him…"

Katara thought how strange it was, knowing Zuko now, and knowing this was who he once was. He was so different, and much more bitter towards the world. But in a way, he had every right to be. Everything was taken from him. Jee was entirely right about that.

"But during the storm, he saved one of our crew members… And risked his life to do so… We reached an understanding after that…" Jee told her, "And we've grown close ever since"

Katara smiled, "That's an amazing story…"

Jee smiled slightly, looking out at the water, "You certainly changed him Katara…"

Katara looked at him then shook her head, "It wasn't just me… It was him too…" she told him. But Jee countered her, "Yes but he wouldn't have made the first step if it wasn't for you…"

She looked out at the sea and blushed to herself. A part of her knew that he was right, but she was also too humble to admit that to herself. As much as she may have played a part, Zuko was the one who chose to make himself better. She couldn't force him to do that.

As she stared out into the water, a bird flew into view. She narrowed her eyes, trying to get a closer look, when she recognized it as Sokka's bird.

The bird landed on the railing and held out the letter to Katara. She took it and gave him a treat from her pocket.

"I shall leave you then" Jee told her, "If you need anything, you know where to find me"

They both smiled at each other before Jee walked back into the cabin. Katara opened up the letter and saw Sokka's familiar handwriting. She couldn't but smile at the scratch etched across the page. He never was one for good penmanship.

Katara,

I'm glad you decided to come home for a little while. (I was secretly hoping you would)

We'll be anxiously awaiting your arrival. I tried to convince Dad to allow you a few quiet moments at home, but he's decided he wants to have a family meeting as soon as you return. (I apologize in advance)

I can't wait for you to see the new additions to the South Pole. The Mechanist helped us construct this super cool invention! It will help us stay in touch with the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation! I know it seem crazy, but once you set up this tower thing, through this box you can hear people talk! From across the world! I think he called it a red-ee-oo?

But it's so cool! He's come up with so many cool inventions since the war has been over. I can't wait for you to see!

Suki can barely contain her excitement about you coming. She's excited to talk to you about woman stuff. I think I'll pass, I already know more then I need to know.

Tell that Fire Nation ship to hurry up! We all can't wait until you get here little sis!

Sokka

Katara smiled down at the letter and clutched it to her chest. She let out a breath and looked out at the sea. She wasn't sure what was going to come out of going home, but she knew her entire life is going to change.

Ta-Daaa! I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! I know it seemed a bit fillery, but I wanted Katara to get to know Jee and to set up the south pole a bit more. So I hope you guys enjoyed! Until next time!