Summary: Fire Nation!Katara AU After being kidnapped as a young child by the fire nation, Katara is raised by Prince Ozai and Princess Ursa as Princess Katara of the Fire Nation. Katara/?

ARC 2, CHAPTER SEVEN

The days went by slowly with Katara stuck in bed and before she knew, a few weeks had passed and she was allowed to walk around the palace freely once more. That didn't stop Eiji, Zuko and Azula from following her around, which infuriated Katara. It wasn't like she needed much help, though. Most days she found herself in the palace library, trying to understand the words her grandparents said to her. It wasn't long till she found Ilah's personal diary hidden amongst scrolls about other nations.

Katara devoted her time understanding Ilah and her life, her thinking. Her diary began when Ilah was very young, around 14 or 15, when she was engaged to (the then) Prince Azulon. She was close to her father, as her mother had died when Ilah was born. It was obvious as Katara continued reading that Ilah and Azulon were in love even when they were young.

The current page Katara was on was a few months after Azulon and Ilah were married, the day that they found out that she was pregnant.

"On this day, I found out that I was pregnant. I'm 18 years old and I'm pregnant. I don't know whether to be terrified or ecstatic. Firelord Sozin is pleased that I am with child. I know he hopes to be able to hold his grandchild before he dies, but sometimes I wonder if he also wishes to be with the deceased Firelady Una. Azulon spoke to me about his mother today. Lady Una was a beautiful woman and a kind mother. He says that his parents were not originally in love but soon fell in love after he was born. I'm thankful he's speaking to me about personal things as I find him more and more enchanting the longer we are married. When I told him that he was to be a father, I thought he was going to cry! He was pleased and I asked him which gender he would prefer. In his words, "While a boy was be wonderful, I long for a little girl to spoil and adore. Whatever gender we have, they will be loved". It warms my heart. I believe he'll be a wonderful father, but being a mother strikes fear in my heart. I have never had a mother figure in my life so I wonder if I can be a good mother. Azulon and I have names picked out already. His father wished for us to name the child Iroh, if it was a boy, after Firelord Sozin's grandfather. Azulon wanted to name the child after my mother if it was a girl, little Yruna. That is all for today, I'm sure I'll have more to say tomorrow.

Love, Ilah"

Most entries ended with a cute little heart by Ilah's name and her handwriting was curved and beautiful. Katara enjoyed reading her diary, and she wondered if she could find more diaries of her ancestors.

"Princess Katara," Katara turned away my Ilah's diary, quickly covering it to look at a servant. She rose an eyebrow as the servant bowed low. "Your father wishes to see you." She nodded and waved the servant away.

As the servant disappeared, Katara quickly hid the diary amongst boring political topics and began her walk through the palace towards the throne room where her father spent most of his time. She kept her eyes up, cold and daring for anyone to look at her, and quickly made it there.

Slipping into the room, she strode in front of Ozai and dropped down to her knees in a bow. "My lord," She said formally.

"Enough with the formalities, my sweet," Ozai chuckled, his face obstructed by the high flames. "I'm sorry to pull you away from the library, but I need a favor."

"Of course, father." Katara said, standing to her feet. "How may I serve you?"

"Your uncle has returned today," Ozai announced. "His son is dead and unfortunately he is in a deep mourning. I wish for you to keep an eye on him. Our relationship may be strained, but contrary to the belief I do love my elder brother and I do not wish to see him in such pain."

"I understand," Katara nodded. "I'll keep an eye on him." Ozai nodded thoughtfully. She could feel his eyes on her but she couldn't see them and it unnerved her greatly. There was a reason she never met Grandfather in his throne room. He preferred face-to-faces.

"Good." Ozai said, he lifted his hand and the flames rose high. "You are dismissed, daughter." Katara bowed once more and hurried out of the throne room. She stopped her rushing once she was a fair way from the throne room and stopped in front of a grotesque statue of a creature.

"Where would Uncle be right now?" Katara wondered quietly. It was like a lightbulb went off in her head. She knew where Uncle would be at this very moment. She headed for one of the smaller gardens, perfect for a tea time. Sure enough, he was there, sipping tea and looking distantly into space.

"Uncle, may I sit?" Katara said as she approached him. The man waved his hand and she took a seat across from herself, pouring herself a cup of jasmine tea. She sipped it and studied her uncle carefully.

Her skin was paler than usual, no flush in his cheeks and there was a glaze in his eyes. His robes were disheveled, wrinkled and his hair was falling out of his neat and orderly bun. He wore all black, still in mourning for his only son, and his hair had gained several grey streaks.

"I'm glad you're home, Uncle," Katara said quietly. "You should not be alone at a dark time like this."

"I am glad to be welcomed with open arms," Iroh said. His voice was gravelly, the result of crying for hours Katara presumed. "I was expecting a less willing party."

"We're happy that you arrived here, safe from harm," Katara said softly. "We've been worried for you."

"I know," Iroh said, his eyes straying from the pond to connect with hers. "I'm so sorry, Katara." Katara tilted her head, confusion in her eyes. "I should have been here with you when you were attacked. This is the second time since you become our family that you were hurt greatly. I promise, niece, I will not allow a third."

"It wasn't your fault, Uncle, or anyone else's." Katara said firmly. "It was Esoh Tan's mistake to try to harm me."

"Yet, I should have been there." Iroh said sadly. "At least, by your bedside to comfort you while you healed. I lost my son, but I will not lose my niece as well." Katara bowed her head, sighing deeply. "I wish to accompany you to the prisons. I know you are eager to continue the interrogations and I'm sure your father will allow you to go if I am with you."

"But what about the war, Uncle?" Katara asked, in confusion.

"I am no longer a general, Katara." Iroh said gravely. "I have been stripped of that honor. Will you allow me to accompany you?"

"Yes," Katara said after a beat. "I would enjoy that very much, Uncle."

"Sokka, my boy!" Sokka jumped into his father's arms, letting the strong arms embrace him tightly. Hadoka smiled into Sokka's hair, relaxing as his men began filling up the dining hall, chattering with their Northern allies.

Hadoka's eyes flicked over to his wife. She was as pretty as the day he married, her dark hair in the usual loose bun and light blue eyes softly gleaming at Hadoka. He released his son and they took their place at the table.

"We're glad to have you, Hadoka." Arnook said kindly.

"It's good to see you too," Hadoka said. "I'm proud of my son."

"As you should be," Kya said calmly. His eyes softened at her as the dinner began with heavy cheers from the men in the room. Hadoka gladly took some of the watertribe delicacies, glad to be eating something other than day old seal jerky.

Sokka chattered on at his side, clearly happy to have his father back, even for a few days, but Hadoka was sad to see Kya not paying any attention to him, preferring to speak to Arnook's wife about something or another. He wondered if he had to wait till later that night to even say a word to her.

He did, it turned out. It wasn't long after Sokka went to bed that he found Kya standing on her balcony, staring over the great city.

"It's a bit bigger than our tribe." Hadoka said, approaching her carefully.

"Our tribe was once like this, Hadoka." Kya said softly. "Long before our time."

"That's true." Hadoka said. "I've missed you, Kya. So much." He reached out to touch her, stroke her long hair or simply feel her warm skin against his but she stopped him with a hand in the air. "Kya?"

"I'm so sorry, Hadoka." She whispered quietly.

"Please, no, Kya." Hadoka said, shaking his head as a terrible thought entered his mind. "W-What's his name?"

"Tarkik." Kya said softly. "He's a healer. We've fallen in love, Hadoka. I am so sorry, but I cannot love you anymore." Hadoka felt his whole world swallowing up on him. "Please don't take this out on Sokka. He doesn't know."

"I would never harm my son!" Hadoka snarled. Anger seeped through him. "What? You want a divorce?"

"I do." Kya said, keeping her eyes straight. "Don't make this more difficult than it has to be."

"I love you, Kya." Hadoka said, a plead in his voice.

"And I can't love you anymore, Hadoka." Kya said softly. "Please."

Hadoka heaved a heavy sigh, feeling tears bubble up. He wiped them away, anger flicking in his eyes. "Ok. Ok." Hadoka said. "We'll get a divorce before I leave again." Kya tilted her head. "Goodbye, Kya."

"Goodbye, Hadoka." Kya whispered.

And that is the end of that chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed it and sorry for the long wait. As always, if you have any questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them.