A/N So, all the crap I've been dealing with the last few months kinda came to a head recently. The day before I uploaded chapter 58 my grandmother suffered a widowmaker heart attack. I posted the last chapter while I waited on my brothers to meet up with me so we could drive together to see her. We were able to spend some time with her that weekend and she passed away the following Tuesday. The two weeks after that were busy and stressful and depressing and I just didn't feel up to writing. I have finally had the time and desire to write again so here you go, finally, another chapter. I would apologize for the long wait but I mean, my grandma died. I do know what it feels like to get into a story and have the author suddenly fall off the face of the earth so I will apologize for that. I am optimistic about my ability to write again but, considering life has rather enjoyed calling my bluff every time I do that I'll settle for, "I'm trying." Hope you enjoy, please review!

Special shout to CeCeHigganbotham I saw your review a few hours after my grandmothers funeral mass as I was getting ready to drive home. It couldn't have come at a better time, thank you so much for your kind and supportive words. I am so glad you are enjoying this so much. I don't usually do this but I just wanted you to know you made me smile on a really bad day. 3 3

Chapter 59

They planned to spend at least a week in Omashu while they waited for all of their allies to gather before they planned their advance. Two days after meeting Ursa again, Hakoda and the rest of the Water tribe warriors arrived in the city. Katara was thankful to see her father again, the wonder at how they had all made the journey without seeing so much as a fire emblazoned flag once again on her mind. She worried about the soft spoken serving girl that had once helped them and Katara pledged that she would see her properly honored, if she survived.

Dinner that night was a boisterous, family affair. Both her and Zuko's family, Toph and King Bumi all sat around a low table in a small dining hall. As they ate, Kya was passed around and between greedy grandparents and Hakoda regaled Ursa with tales of life on the frozen tundra. Sokka interjected from time to time, detailing to Azula and Toph, who each sat beside him, his first time "ice" dodging. Katara, for the moment, not holding a squirming baby reclined against her husband and watched the scene before her with an aching heart. Having their whole family together, it was painfully clear who was missing and how close they were to possibly losing more of them. Katara missed her mother, and she missed Aang. Blinking back the tears that threatened, she prayed the spirits would see them all through the coming battles.

Zuko, not blind to his wife's distress, kissed her temple and spoke into her ear; his warm breath tickling her neck.

"What's wrong Katara?"

A wistful sigh escaped her lips as she tried to put her thoughts into words. Swiping her hand across her eyes, Katara looked up at her husband with a sad smile.

"I miss my mom. Watching your mother play with Kya these past two days, watching her sit here tonight with my family, it keeps reminding me what I'm missing. She should be here Zuko and it hurts me that she isn't." Katara relaxed back against his chest and sighed as he held her tighter. "I miss Aang too. Sometimes I wonder where we'd be if he had succeeded against your father. Not having to worry about Kya's future at least."

Zuko was quiet a moment before he responded. When he did, his voice was a soft flutter against her neck.

"I'm sorry she isn't here too Katara, I wish I could change that for you." He paused a moment to kiss the top of her head and think. "Do you think she would have liked me as much as my mother seems to like you?"

Katara laughed softly at that.

"I was so young when she died that I sometimes think I don't remember her properly, or that I really didn't know her at all. Dad loves you though, so I think she would have too."

She could feel him smile as his lips brushed his brow before he spoke again.

"I try not to think about where we'd be if Aang hadn't died. There's no sense in thinking about what could have been, it only makes it hurt worse. Though, if things had gone that way, we would still always worry about Kya. Instead of growing up to be the Avatar, she would be the future Fire Lord and that has its own set of problems."

Conceding his point, Katara twisted around to kiss him before sitting up to finish her dinner. From across the table, Hakoda smiled at her and Katara knew from the sheen in his eyes that his thoughts matched her own. They would always miss those they had lost, she only prayed the Spirits would protect their remaining family in the weeks to come.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Sokka knew that Suki was in the city. Toph had told him the Kyoshi warriors had arrived the day before but he wasn't in any hurry to see his ex. It wasn't that he was anticipating an ugly confrontation. They had ended things fairly amicably when they had last been in Omashu together. He just didn't feel the lovesick urge to find her and spend all of his time with her the way he did at the start of their relationship. Suki would be at the meeting later that night with everyone else, there was no need to seek her out now. It helped that he had other things to occupy his time. Or rather, other people.

Seeing Azula with her mother the last several days was a revelation that answered his questions about her dramatic change of personality. Ursa was an affectionate and open mother and the effect her attention had on her daughter was undeniable. It was easy to see how more than a year of this, as well as a few painful revelations about Ozi would have had a profound effect on Azula. When Ursa would speak to her and gently brush her hair back, a genuine smile would spread across the princess's face that would make Sokka's heart ache for his own mother.

The pair of them, along with Toph, had spent most of their free time together wandering around the city. Sokka found he rather liked Azula's awkward, sarcastic sense of humor. Convincing her that a ride in the city's famous stone tracks was the perfect way to blow off some steam felt like a priceless victory. The begrudgingly happy screams as they flew down the steep tracks lit up something in Sokka he hadn't known he was missing.

It was at the end of one of these rides that the trio found themselves face to face with a confused looking Suki. Azula was clinging onto Sokka for dear life as the stone cart came to an abrupt stop, Toph was holding her side as she laughed at her friends. Sokka was the first to spot Suki, his own laugh fading as he worked to pry Azula's fingers from his tunic. He cleared his throat and stood from the cart, helping the other two out before leaping down from the platform to greet her.

Suki's eyes were wide as she spoke.

"Is that Princess Azula? I had heard that she was here. I guess I just figured she'd be locked up somewhere. Instead I find her clinging to you and being laughed at by Toph like they're old friends. What… What is going on here?" She was glaring at Azula where she stood behind Sokka now.

"Hello Suki, I heard you managed to find the rest of your warriors. Since the Fire Nation's most secure prison couldn't even hold you, it's no surprise the rest of your friends escaped too."

Sokka thought he was beginning to understand the princess and knew this to be an attempt at a compliment, to Suki though it was only a reminder of how much she hated the other girl.

"That's rich, considering you were the reason we were locked up to begin with. What are you doing here anyway? I was so disappointed to hear Zuko hadn't killed you the moment you set foot in Ba Sing Se, I never would have thought I'd find you being treated like a friend by people that have so much cause to hate you."

Sokka needed to redirect Suki before this became a fight, he glared down at Toph who was being unhelpfully silent.

"Suki, I thought we'd see you at the meeting later. Dad said your warriors were spending the afternoon sparring with our Water Tribe men. Why are you all the way down here?"

Suki looked irritated at having her questions ignored but she thankfully seemed willing to put them aside for a moment.

"It's nice to see you too Sokka, I was looking for you actually. I thought you might like a spar. Only, it's taken me so long to find you that we don't have time. The meeting will start soon, we should be getting back." She gave Azula one last scathing glare before spinning on her heel and stalking back up towards the palace.

Beside him, Toph shook her head and stomped after her.

"Earthbender remember? Get back here Suki and we can all ride up in a cart. It will take way less time."

Her response was a curt, 'No thank you' as she continued on out of sight.

As Sokka tried to decide what he should say to his friend the next time he saw her, Azula spoke up.

"Well, that certainly went better than I thought it would. I am surprised she didn't attack me. It's not as if I haven't ever given her reason to."

With his arms crossed tensely across his chest, Sokka gave Azula what might pass for an encouraging look.

"I'll talk to her. She doesn't have to be your friend, but we need to be able to work together."

Toph was smirking darkly as they walked back to the stone cart.

"Just wait until she sees you at the meeting."

Sokka did his best to ignore the twinge of worry that was suddenly twisting his gut. It would be fine.

oOoOoOo

"When we set foot in the Fire Nation, we need to present a united front behind Prince Zuko. My brother will try to spread fear in the capital of invading armies coming to destroy the proud Fire Nation. We must set those lies to rest the moment we arrive. Everything, from the colors we wear to the words we speak must give the correct impression of a military coup, not a foriegn invasion. Prince Zuko's plan to sweep the islands, gathering the angry Fire Nation troops to us will be instrumental in the final battle for the Capital."

Zuko listened attentively where he sat between his uncle and Katara. They would be leaving soon, sailing to the easternmost island in two days. On Iroh's other side, Azula sat stoically beside their mother, her face a false mask of calm. He knew, even though she would die before admitting it, that she was worried about facing their father again. Before the comet, Azula had lived to please Ozai, now she would face him as a traitor. Zuko could only guess at how he would react. Watching her face for some sign of what she was thinking, he prayed to Agni she wouldn't betray them at the last. No matter what had happened in the last month, Zuko still withheld trust. They would be facing Ozai after all, who knew how she would react when faced with him again.

As he scanned the faces of the others gathered around the room, he was taken aback by the pure fury coming from Suki. If looks could kill, Azula would be so much ash on the floor, the glare the Kyoshi warrior had for his sister was unwavering, but not surprising. Sokka had warned him before the meeting about Suki's anger where Azula was concerned. Truthfully, Zuko thought she had every right to feel that way. Azula had wronged many in her quest to dominate the world at their father's command and when this was all over she would have to make amends. For now though, they had little time for infighting, no matter how justified. There was a war to win first.

Realizing he had been lost to his thoughts and missed most of what his uncle had said, Zuko shook his head and turned to the man that now had the floor. Sokka was serious for once, though he appeared confused.

"I'm sorry to interrupt General, but you mentioned our clothes. What difference does that make? Obviously I, along with the rest of the Water Tribe warriors will wear our traditional battle costume."

Iroh nodded in acknowledgement of his point and took a moment to carefully phrase his response.

"This is not the same kind of battle that you fought the last time you attempted to take the Capital on the day of the eclipse. This is not an invasionary force come to topple a monarchy and defeat the nation. We are trying to save the people of the Fire Nation from a tyrant by replacing him with his son, thereby ending the war for everyone. The image we present will be important. While we needn't all wear the same uniform, if the people see the fearsome blue wolves of the Southern tribe inundate their shores they will believe my brother's propaganda and rebuff our efforts."

With a small frown, Sokka nodded before asking the obvious next question.

"So what do you suggest? Surely we don't have time to have new uniforms made for everyone."

Beside him, Iroh smiled. Zuko knew his uncle was right, but their invasion was days away, he shared his brother-in-laws question.

"I have been pondering this problem for longer than this week. When we were still in Ba Sing Se, I sent word with one of the runners King Bumi sent with instructions." He paused and gestured to a servant standing near King Bumi. At Iroh's signal, he nodded and ducked from the room. "When my nephew married your sister, master Katara, I was inspired by the masterful bead work on her gown. The sun and moon, bound into one sidgel. Two nations, two elements, united in a common cause. While our three nations are and will remain separate, we have come together to vanquish a common foe. This coup will be the first moment of a future of peace and cooperation."

It was then that the servant returned, five more servants trailing behind him. They each carried what looked like bolts of red fabric. When the first man reached Iroh, his uncle took the fabric from the servant and shook it out, holding it up for everyone to see.

The deep red fabric was a wide sash, embroidered in gold was the same moon and sun that Katara had worn when they married. King Bumi was holding up another sash, his bore a golden flame and earth symbol linked together. Iroh passed the sash to Katara and held up his hands for silence.

"These will be worn by the soldiers of the respective nations. A sign that the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom recognize our efforts and will support the reign of Fire Lord Zuko and the end to 100 years of war."

His uncle's words were met with resounding approval. Zuko met his uncle's eyes and they shared a hopeful smile before the meeting moved on to finalize other plans.