Just for clarification, I would like to mention the ages of the kids. Izumi: 8. Bumi 7. Kya 4. We're getting closer to the reveal. Please read and review. Reviews are my addiction. :D


Chapter 13

If Bumi's arms held her any tighter, Katara was certain she would choke. Yet, she did not have the heart to tell her son to loosen his grip. He had lost his father. He knew death was final. He had seen it, understood the gravity of it. For him, the thought that he almost lost his mother, was terrifying to say the least. The boy clung to her, sobbing into her neck.

Kya sat next to her with a bewildered look on her face. Katara had tried to get her to talk but the girl remained silent, lost in thoughts. Katara wished she could reach out to her. If only to understand what was going on in her mind and to guide her through a situation that was obviously far too complex for her to understand, but the girl had shut everyone out. She sat cross legged, her hand on Katara's thigh, her eyes following Zuko who was pacing.

To say that he was angry would be an understatement. A muscle danced in his jaw and tufts of smoke curled out of his nose every time he exhaled. He paced back and forth, back and forth, incessantly. Earlier, he had scooped Izumi up in his arms and had repeatedly told her that he was proud of her, reinforcing Katara's belief that he was a good father. After that, he had checked on Katara, making sure she was unharmed, to the point where she wanted to swat him away for fussing. Once he was assured, however, he had then taken to pacing and was now wearing the floor ragged.

Sokka and Hakoda had taken turns in asking how she was, multiple times. Suki, Toph and Ty Lee had mercifully taken a step back after a single query, each, about her wellbeing. Gran Gran, who was not feeling well after the long journey, was resting and had not been informed about the assassination attempt. Iroh and Izumi stood some way off, the former chewing his lip, while the latter looked at the floor. Azula leaned against the wall in the corner, allowing shadows to engulf her.

Katara herself was numb. After she had gotten up from the floor, she had spotted an arrow lying on the ground where she had been mere moments before. It was Izumi's quick thinking that had averted her death. The assassin, having realized that he had been seen, had fled with a couple of guards in pursuit.

"How?" Zuko's voice was like a shrapnel through the thick and heavy silence, that up until now, was only punctuated by Bumi's sobs. "How did the assassin get in?"

"I have started an enquiry," Iroh said, "Mizu is heading it."

"I want answers by the afternoon, or someone is facing my wrath," Zuko said through gritted teeth. "No one attacks my friends and family inside my house and get away with it. I thought I'd already made that abundantly clear."

A chill ran down Katara's spine as she remembered what had happened to the assassin that had killed Mai. That man had been left in a solitary prison, without light and sound, with food pushed in via a small slot in a door. The man had not been touched, not harmed, but left completely alone and away from sunlight. Being a firebender, being kept away from sun had driven him stark raving mad and had killed himself by biting his own tongue. It was a tale that had attained legendary proportions.

Ozai's son, the one carrying the blood of a warmonger, had not tortured the man like his father would. But the punishment had been far more severe than anyone had anticipated from Zuko, the Fire Lord that had ended the hundred-year-war. The verdict about the act had been divided. Some thought it had been excessive while others said that he had done right by not killing the man.

Katara herself understood his actions. While not brutal, it was a satisfying revenge and she could not begrudge him that. But she did realize Zuko was unforgiving and merciless when it came to people who hurt those that he held dear.

"Dad," Izumi's voice halted Zuko's pacing and he turned to look at her, "I don't understand something."

"What?"

"She's from Water Tribe, isn't it? Then why do the Water Tribe men want her dead?"

Zuko exchanged a look with Katara, as though asking a silent permission. She nodded.

"I think we should leave them alone," Iroh said, waving his hands to usher the others out.

Sokka looked at Katara, evidently displeased at having to leave the room but complying, nevertheless. Once everyone left, Zuko took a seat on the bed where the others were already seated and beckoned Izumi over. The girl walked to them and settled on one corner of the bed, looking like she was ready to bolt. Bumi extracted himself from Katara, wiped his tears and looked at Zuko.

"Is it true?" Bumi asked looking between the two of them. "Uncle Sokka was telling me that the assassin was most likely from the Northern Water Tribe because they have been trying to kill mom?"

The adults looked at each other and reached a silent agreement. Katara sighed and motioned for Zuko to answer.

"I guess we both owe you three an explanation," Zuko said, running a hand over Kya's head. "Things have changed, drastically. You three… you can ask us anything you want. We will answer to the best of our abilities."

"Really?" Izumi said, disbelief clear on her face.

"Yes," Katara said. "We will. But before we do that, Izumi, I want to thank you. You saved me. I know you don't like me. Or the situation that we are in. But you still saved me, thanks again."

Izumi waved a hand, "It had nothing to do with you. I still don't consider you my mom. It's just that… I would have done that no matter who was in your place."

Zuko opened his mouth to say something but Katara overrode him, "That just speaks to how big your heart is. It's an admirable quality."

Izumi blinked, opened and closed her mouth several times, trying to figure out what to say. From the corner of her eyes, she could see Zuko struggling to keep a straight face. Katara cleared her throat, and said, "So… now coming to your questions. Bumi, you wanted to know if the Northern Water Tribe wants me dead. The answer is, yes. They do."

"But why?" Izumi asked, "You're from Water Tribe."

Zuko sighed, "You know, sometimes… a person does something that others don't like. And that can, at times, make people very angry."

"Angry enough to kill?" Bumi asked.

"Yes," Zuko said.

"But… what did you do?" Izumi asked.

"I became the best Waterbender of our generation."

Bumi and Izumi shared an incredulous look, before he said, "Why is that a problem?"

Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a moment to carefully arrange his words, "Because, she is a girl. Some people think that women are not as good as men. That's why they want her dead. Because they cannot accept that a woman is better than them in Waterbending."

Bumi's face scrunched in confusion, while Izumi pinched her lower lip, thoughtfully. Then she said, "Why did you both marry all of a sudden? Do you… love her or something?"

"No, no, no. Nothing of that sort," Katara explained, aware that her voice sounded a little squeaky. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Zuko give her a strange look, but mercifully, he stayed quiet. When she did not offer any further clarifications, he leaned forward to fill in the void.

"It was the only way I could save her," Zuko explained, holding Izumi's hands. "I did the same thing you did, Izumi. I saved someone's life. In this case, a dear friend's life."

"So… Sokka Uncle was telling the truth?" Bumi said, "You really did save mom there. I thought he was being… dramatic."

"No, he wasn't," Katara explained, rubbing Bumi's back, "You remember how they took me away?"

"Yes, I do."

"They took me to a prison," she explained, making sure to meet the eyes of all three children. "They had a trial. They decided they were going to kill me. Zuko found a loophole in the laws. This marriage was the only way he could get me out of there."

"So that's why Uncle told me to thank you!" Bumi said, cocking his head to the side and looking at Zuko.

"Your uncle is a wise man," Zuko said, "Words I never thought I'd say."

Despite herself, Katara snorted. The snort then turned into a giggle, which became a full-blown laughter, with tears streaming down her face. Bumi gaped, unsure of what to say. He lifted a hand towards her but Zuko stopped him, shaking his head. Katara was almost breathless by the time she was done laughing. She wiped her tears, gasping for breath.

"Mom?" Bumi asked slowly, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Katara said, sniggering, wiping her tears.

"Why are you laughing?" Izumi was looking at her like she'd lost her mind.

"It's just shock," Zuko said. "Someone just tried to kill her. People react to shock differently. It happens."

"Really?" Bumi muttered, scratching his cheeks. "It's strange."

"Strange?" Katara asked, her mirth dying down. "Why is it strange?"

"I mean… you don't exactly laugh, mom."

"Excuse me?" Zuko's head whipped sharply to Bumi. "What do you mean by that?"

"Umm… just that mom doesn't laugh. Smile, maybe giggle or snort, but laugh? I have never seen her laugh."

Katara's heart thudded loudly in her ears as she realized how her children viewed her. Something twisted in her stomach and she wished to wipe out the pain and sorrow she saw on her son's face. Lost in her own pain and misery, she had not understood that her children were watching. How had she missed something so big? So damning?

"Never?" Zuko asked, his face contorted into a picture of incredulity.

"Never," Bumi reaffirmed.

His golden gaze seemed to look straight into her soul as he considered his words. After a long moment, he said, "Well, then we know what to do, don't we, Bumi?"

The boy looked at Zuko and raised an eyebrow, "Huh? What?"

"We have to make your mom laugh more," he answered. Something passed between the two at that instant. If Katara was to name a point where their relationship changed, it was then. At that moment. This was her family now. For her, this was enough. A place where people could talk to each other. Yes, it had taken a somewhat severe event to get all of them together in one room, but she was glad that they were at least talking. Yes, Bumi had said 'thank you' to Zuko the day before but that had been on Sokka's urging. She still was not entirely sold on Izumi's reasoning for helping her, especially given her reluctance to even be seen in the same room as Katara earlier.

"Can I ask something?" Kya's little voice cut through her musings.

"Of course, sweetheart," Katara said, pulling the little girl on her lap and hugged her. "I'm sure you have questions too."

Kya tugged on her mother's collar. Her brows were pulled together, while her lower lip jutted out. "Where is dad?"

"Oh!" Katara said. A hand flew to her mouth and her face crumpled. At a complete loss for words, she looked at each occupant in the room.

Bumi cleared his throat, "Kya… dad… He's dead."

"I know! But for how long? When is he coming back?"

"Dead people don't come back, Kya," Bumi answered shortly, before anyone else could. "Dad isn't coming back."

"No!" She said, shooting out of Katara's lap. "I want dad! I want my dad."

Sensing trouble, Izumi raised her hands and in a placating voice said, "I know what you're feeling –"

"NO!" Kya screamed, her eyes wide and her head shaking. She jumped off the bed and began to tremble, "No. No. I want dad. I want dad."

Katara and Zuko exchanged a horrified look as the child began to stomp her feet, pull at her hair and scream, "I want dad. I want dad. I want dad."

Zuko slid off the bed, knelt down in front of Kya, and opened his arms. She gave a sob and flew into his embrace. He held her to his chest and said, "There, there my child. Your dad may be gone, but I'm here for you. I'm not trying to replace your dad, but awesome children like you can have two dads. I'm your second dad. And I promise you, as long as I'm there, you and your brother will never be alone."


When Zuko entered the Fire Lady's chamber later that evening, Katara was standing by the window, just like she had done the previous day. Had it only been a day since they got married in the Fire Nation? It seemed like ages. The long day told on his body as he made his way to the window. On the bed, he could see the silhouettes of Bumi and Kya, both fast asleep. Dressed in a blue sleeveless gown, her black hair cascading down, she looked ready to join them soon.

"They wouldn't leave you, I see?" Zuko said, leaning against the window ledge and crossing his arms.

"More like I wouldn't leave them," she answered with a sheepish smile. "I was scared."

"Understandably so. After Mai, I had Izumi sleeping in my room for almost two years."

"Speaking of, what do you think really prompted Izumi's change in behavior?"

Zuko blew out a puff of air and said, "She really would not have let you or anyone else fall prey to an assassin, if she can help it. She lost her mom that way."

Katara nodded, "Yes, that I can understand. But she was talking to me before I was attacked. I was looking for Azula's chamber and I got completely lost. She found me and was leading me there when it happened."

"Hmm. Did she now?" Zuko rubbed his chin thoughtfully, trying to figure out what could have brought on this change. "I honestly don't know. I'll see if I can figure it out."

When silence descended between them, Zuko wondered how to broach the one topic that was on his mind. How could he ask, did Aang ever hurt you, without coming across as a complete and total jerk? How does one ask that question to a friend? What was the best way of saying that he doubted that her dead husband was an asshole? Zuko wasn't good with words in the best of days. How was he going to say something so damning?

"I heard the assassin was caught?" Katara asked, bringing his thoughts to an abrupt halt.

"Yes, he was," Zuko answered, glad to have something else to talk about. "Our suspicions were right. He was from the Northern Water Tribe. Mizu was interrogating him."

"Was? Is the man dead?"

Zuko chuckled, "No. He's fine. He is a skilled Waterbender. He came in through the sewers. But damn, he spilled everything. Mizu didn't even have to touch him. He simply held a fistful of fire near him and the man began to talk. Turns out he's scared of fire."

Katara gaped, "They sent an assassin who is scared of fire… into Fire Nation? Is Hahn an idiot?"

"I'm going to assume that was a rhetorical question," Zuko stretched, his muscles aching with the move. "That, or he simply does not care if the assassin blabs. The Northern Water Tribe has made no secret that you are their enemy number one. Everyone and their aunts know about the tribunal. So, I guess he thinks there is no point in stealth and secrecy."

"But… I'm now the Fire Lady," Katara said, mirroring his pose to face him. "Doesn't that mean that they are not only declaring animosity with the Fire Nation, they are also dishonoring the judgement of their own tribunal?"

Zuko shrugged, "This is Hahn we are talking about. He is not really politically savvy. Do you know what he did at an International Summit once?"

"Do tell."

"It was a few years ago. King Bumi died and his successor, Anga was attending the summit. Granted it was the first time that man was attending, but he was still the King of Omashu. I was chatting with him and Kuei when Hahn sauntered over. Now, keep in mind, in the summit everyone is officially introduced. So, there was no chance he did not know who Anga was. But he comes over and actually said, 'and who the heck are you?'"

"Oh no!" Katara groaned. "Aang hated the guy. Would rant on and on about how he was impossible to talk to."

"Yes," Zuko nodded, realizing that he probably had an opening to talk about what he truly wanted to. "Aang had a particularly difficult time with him. Once he even lost his temper with Hahn and stormed out. Very unlike Aang, don't you think?"

"Not particularly. Aang ran away from situations he did not want to face. Remember what he did before Sozin's comet?"

"He was twelve then," Zuko said, studying Katara carefully. "Don't tell me that continued as an adult."

The speed at which Katara's expression changed, it was as though a door was slammed shut. When she spoke, it was as though she was weighing every word, "He was a very different adult than he was as a child."

Was this it? Could he, maybe get her to talk? Inadvertently, Zuko's fingers tightened around his arms. "Different how?"

Katara looked out of the window, her body taut and her expression carefully guarded. After what seemed like ages, she said, "Doesn't matter anymore, does it?"

Knowing a missed chance when he saw one, Zuko resolved to keep trying. He would not rest till he got his answers. He straightened, about to wish her a good night and leave for his chamber, when something caught his eyes. "You're wearing the necklace I gave you."

It looked as though she pulled herself to the present with a lot of effort. "Sorry, what?"

"Necklace. You're wearing the one I gave you."

Her hand went to the base of her throat and she smiled, "Of course. I mean… I'm supposed to."

"I… I thought you'd be wearing your mother's necklace."

"Oh, I am, see," saying so, she turned her left arm. The necklace that once had come to him by some strange fortune, was now tied on her arm like an armband. He knew what her mother's necklace meant to her. For her to put his necklace there was an honor he had not expected. He was flattered, to say the least. But then, something occurred to him and he turned to look at her other arm. It was bare. He looked down at her wrists, and only his mother's bracelet adorned her wrist. Aang's necklace was nowhere to be seen.