Zuko placed the teapot back down. "Back to Ba Sing Se?"

Iroh chuckled. "Yes. Back to Ba Sing Se." They were sitting in the small breakfast room, sharing a pot of jasmine tea. The morning sun shone through the large windows, bathing the small room with bright yellow sunshine.

"Are you sure? You are not a burden here, Uncle," said Zuko. How had he not realized how long his Uncle had been at the palace? He'd been here since before Zuko left for the South Pole. It'd been so long Zuko had almost forgotten he didn't live here. It would be strange to not have him close anymore.

"I think I have helped as much as I can, Zuko. I am not needed anymore." Maybe his uncle was right. The drought, which had burdened the country for so long, had passed in the last few months since he'd returned with Katara from the South Pole. The country was in an upturn. He understood his uncle's desire to return to his tea shop.

"I wouldn't want to keep you here longer than is necessary, Uncle," Zuko said with a smile.

Suddenly, the small doors of the room opened loudly, and Katara was standing in the doorway, her blue eyes wide. Iroh and Zuko turned to look at her in surprise. She was wearing her usual navy dress and her hair was down and looped on each side of her face. She smarted herself and pulled a small smile on her face.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. Please excuse me," she said with a bow. She turned to leave and close the doors behind her but Zuko stood up.

"Katara. Please stay." She turned and looked at him warily. He could tell she wanted to talk with him about something.

"I wish I could stay long, but I have to get to the school soon," she said, walking towards them.

"That is okay," said Iroh happily, pouring her a cup of tea as she knelt at the low table. "Your company is always appreciated."

Katara smiled modestly, picking up her cup to sip the tea. Conversation passed easily between the three of them for a few minutes. Zuko was always amazed when he saw Katara and his Uncle together. They were so comfortable around each other; he would've thought they'd known each other a lot longer than they did. Every time Zuko glanced at her, he could tell Katara's brain was racing. Whatever she wanted to talk to him about, she must've felt she couldn't in front of Iroh.

They talked for a long while after finishing their tea before Zuko moved to stand. "Unfortunately, I must leave for a meeting."

Katara started to stand as well. "Yes, I should probably leave as well."

Zuko turned to his Uncle. "I will arrange passage for you on the next ship leaving for the Earth Kingdom."

Iroh nodded his head in gratitude. "Thank you, Zuko."

"You're leaving?" asked Katara, her face scrunching in confusion.

"Yes," said Iroh as he stood. "I have been away from my shop too long. It is time I returned."

"I'll be sad to see you go," she said with a smile.

"And I'll be sad to go," he replied with a laugh.

The three of them made their way out of the small breakfast room, down the hall and into the main area of the palace. Iroh bowed politely and left them alone. Zuko immediately turned to Katara. Sometimes when he looked at her, something struck him differently, and right now was one of those times. The sun had darkened her skin and lightened her hair, which he found was a very pretty mix. Her deep blue eyes were shining brightly in the sunlight that flooded the palace.

"What?" she said with a smile.

Zuko shook his head, not having realized how long he'd been staring. "Sorry. Nothing. But what is on your mind? I could tell something was bothering you."

Katara nodded, her face turning serious. "Do you have to get to a meeting?"

"It can wait." Really, it couldn't. But Zuko had no desire to go to it.

"I was wondering some more about your mother."

Zuko felt his eyebrows knit. Why would she want to know more about that? He'd already told her what had happened. At least everything he knew. It'd been a few days now since the banquet. Had this been on her mind since he'd shared that with her?

"I already explained everything I know. I wish I could tell you more, but…" Part of Zuko wanted her to drop this. Thinking about how his mother left him still made him a little mad. Even if it had been to save his life. Why couldn't she have taken him with her? Or figured out some other way? Zuko cleared his thoughts. He'd moved passed this.

After the war, he'd gone to the prison cells to ask Ozai more about his mom, but Ozai had just laughed at him. In the three years since, Zuko had slowly come to terms with the matter, but it'd been hard. Even if his mom had been banished, surely she would have returned at the end of the war, knowing things were safe now. But she hadn't. Which either meant she was dead, or truly hadn't loved her children. Both were sad prospects, and Zuko had slowly realized he didn't have any desire to find out which was true.

Since becoming Fire Lord, Zuko lived cherishing the good memories he did have of her and accepting the fact that she'd left him to grow up under Ozai's hand. Maybe it really was to save his life, or maybe that was a lie Ozai told him. Either way, the matter wasn't of any concern to him now. He'd moved on. Why was Katara bringing up old issues like this?

She shook her head earnestly. "Other things. What did she look like?"

That was an odd question. "Ummm, I don't know. Exactly what you'd think I suppose."

"Do you have a picture?"

Zuko nodded and took her hand to lead her to his room. They walked briskly through the hallways, Katara following close behind him. When they arrived at the area with all of the royal bedchambers, Zuko wrenched open the heavy door of the largest room. He walked to his desk and pulled out the old picture of his mother. The last time he'd pulled it out had been the day of his coronation. He handed it to Katara, who examined it closely.

"In the last few days, when I've been to heal Azula, I've seen flashes of this woman. For a while, I just thought it was Azula. That she was seeing herself or something."

Zuko understood. That was another one of the cruel ironies of the universe. Azula looked extremely similar to Ursa. And even with his scar, Zuko saw more traces of Ozai in his features every time he looked in the mirror.

"But no. It's your mother," Katara continued, her voice filled with wonder. "I think whatever problems are in her mind are tied to her. That's the root of her illness."

"I could've told you that," said Zuko, sounding more impatient than he meant to. "Azula had a terrible relationship with our mother." A pang of sorrow for Azula flashed through him again. Katara was studying the picture again. He could tell her mind was working hard. "How are things going with Azula?" he asked after a moment.

Zuko's work had prevented him from accompanying Katara most mornings to Azula's healing sessions, and he felt bad now that he hadn't asked her about it in a while. When they met in the evenings, they were always busy doing…other things. Not that Azula never crossed his mind. He spent a lot of time during the day worrying about her.

Katara looked up at his question. "They've been better in the last few days." She placed the picture down on his desk, leaning it up so he would be able to see it while he worked. "She'll have times when she can talk with me now."

"Really? Does she know who you are?" he asked incredulously. If the old Azula recognized Katara, she would waste no time in trying to kill her. But she was actually talking to Katara? And not trying to hurt her?

"It's hard to tell. But she thanks me every time we finish. I think she knows I'm helping her." He could sense a little bit of sadness in Katara's voice. "That's not to say that she doesn't have moments. Sometimes she'll still slip into a haze where she doesn't seem to be seeing anything around her. Just things in her mind." She paused for a moment and bit her lip. Her eyebrows were scrunched and Zuko knew she was trying to connect dots. "When I heal her, sometimes I get a glimpse into her mind. And it's always your mother. I wonder if there's a way…I could…" Katara started to walk, her voice trailing off and her arms folding across her chest. She shook her head as if shaking away a thought.

Zuko walked close to her and wrapped his arms around her. Katara looked up at him, her own folded arms trapped between them. She seemed confused at his gesture, but after a quick moment she rested her head on his chest and relaxed. They stood there for a moment. If Azula was doing as well as Katara said she was, should he go visit her? Or would now be the wrong time to do that? Would she recognize him?

"It sounds like you're helping her a lot," he said simply. "Really. I mean, it's only been about a month now and she's already talking normally again. That's amazing, Katara."

"Well, sometimes she can talk normally," she corrected. "Things are still pretty rough for the most part."

Zuko smiled. "Can you ever just take the compliment?" he teased. Katara laughed and buried her face in his chest.

"Sorry."

After another moment, Katara moved and Zuko expected her to break away, but all she did was shift her head to look at his desk. He knew she was looking at the picture of Ursa. Her breezy, salty smell overwhelmed him, and he smiled again.

"Did you ever meet your mom's family?"

Zuko thought back, trying to remember. "Only once that I can remember. I don't think they ever came after she left." His mother hadn't come from a noble family and had only been arranged for his father because her grandfather was Avatar Roku. So, her family never came to the palace much. Katara broke away from him so she could look him in the eye better.

"Was it just her parents?"

Zuko shook his head. "No. I know she had a sister. Only her parents came to visit though."

Katara's eyes were wide again now, her brain working fast. "But she definitely did have a sister? You're sure?" Her voice was hurried and…hopeful?

Zuko nodded. His mother had mentioned her a couple times. Only when she was talking about her past though. Never what her sister had been doing at that time. Looking back, it was strange that Ursa had never had her sister visit the palace, since Zuko remembered her always talking about her sister fondly.

Katara placed a quick kiss on his lips and then backed away quickly. She was almost running towards the door. What was wrong with her? He couldn't read her expression. Was there a little bit of excitement there? "I have to get to the school. And you need to get to your meeting," she reminded him, now standing in the doorway. "But I'll see you this evening." Katara flashed a bright smile and vanished.

. . .

The heavy royal robes slipped off Zuko's shoulders and he changed into more comfortable clothes. He ached from sitting in the same attitude for so long behind the flames in the throne room. He was also annoyed he'd missed dinner again. Especially when his Uncle was leaving so soon.

Shaking his hair out and tossing his crown on his bed, Zuko headed to the small sitting room. This was easily his favorite part of the day. He could almost feel himself relax in anticipation of spending time with Katara. How had he survived three and a half years of Fire Lord duties without her?

He turned and approached the small sitting room. To his surprise, he could hear talking coming from inside. The door was open and there was a patch of light on the hallway floor. Confused, he approached slowly. It was rare for her to be here before him. And no one else ever usually came. Who was with her?

"…sure this is a good idea?" said a female voice Zuko recognized. He couldn't remember how though.

"Yes. I know it doesn't seem like telling him would help, but I think it will. Besides, he has the right to know."

What were they talking about? Zuko entered the room and Katara stood. "Zuko. You're here," she said. She looked exactly like she did this morning, if not a little more tired. Then another woman stood. It was Katara's friend who worked at the palace and had helped him pick out a banquet dress for Katara. The middle-aged woman with the kind eyes and gray streaks through her dark black hair. Yzona? Was that it? He cursed himself for not remembering. She bowed low when Zuko walked in.

Zuko nodded awkwardly in return, feeling very informal in the clothes he was wearing and with his hair down. He looked at Katara, trying to ask with his eyes why this woman was here. Katara, realizing this was probably stranger than she'd thought it would be, came and grabbed his arm, leading him to Yzona. He noticed Yzona seemed just as uncomfortable as he did.

Katara took a shaky breath. Zuko turned to watch her. She seemed nervous. "Zuko, this is my friend Yzona." Neither of them said anything for a moment, waiting for Katara to continue. "Umm…well. Her older sister…was your mother."

Zuko stared at Katara. What? His brain was not processing her words correctly. He noticed Yzona shift uncomfortably. "What?" he said after a moment, intelligent speech having left him.

"Yzona is Ursa's sister. Your aunt," Katara said again, her voice still timid.

He turned to look at Yzona now. "Is this true?" he asked, keeping all emotion out of his voice until he knew what to think of the information.

The woman nodded. "Yes. It is true." She looked away from him. Zuko remembered back to the first time he met her and the feeling he'd had that she was somehow familiar.

"Uhh…well…" he said after a moment. For some reason he started to feel angry. He kept it at bay though. Just like he'd learned to over the years. "How is this possible?"

"After your mother left our home to marry your father, she got a job for me at the palace too."

"Why?" His voice was still devoid of any emotion.

The woman looked to Katara quickly. Katara nodded in encouragement and she continued. "In case something happened to her. She knew Ozai might try to get rid of her somehow, and she wanted someone here for you and your sister." Zuko closed his eyes and took a breath. This was not how he'd been expecting this evening to go.

"How long have you been here?"

The woman smiled for the first time. "Since you were about six," she said kindly.

"So, you'd been here for a while before she left? Why did you not stop her?" Some of his anger was starting to creep into his voice now. He barely registered Katara's cool hand slipping into his. His mind was racing.

Yzona shook her head, her eyes sad now. "There are things you still don't know. She had no choice." Zuko's eyes narrowed and he watched her closely. She seemed to get more nervous under his hard gaze. "Your grandfather had ordered your father to kill you as punishment for asking for the throne." Zuko had heard this from his father on the day of the eclipse, but he'd always doubted it to some degree, knowing his father wasn't one to tell the truth. "To spare your life, your mother gave a poison to your father that he could use to kill Azulon. So he could become the Fire Lord."

Your mother did vicious, treasonous things that night. Zuko's eyes widened. His father hadn't been lying. His mother hadn't left because she didn't love Zuko, she left because she did, and it was the only way. She really had been banished.

"But…but…then where were you after that? All those years? Ozai treated me terribly. Both of us terribly," he said, remembering Azula. "And you did nothing! If my mother knew something might happen to her, and she left you here to watch over us, where were you when something actually did happen?! Where were you when I got burned? I grew up thinking my mother had abandoned me!" Katara had moved her hand to Zuko's upper arm now in an attempt to calm him, but all his attention was on the woman. Her resemblance to Ursa was undeniable to him now. This was too much information.

Yzona's face was sad. Her voice broke. "Please. I was there. I was always there. It was impossible for me to reveal myself to you. I couldn't risk being discovered and forced to leave. I'd promised Ursa I would stay no matter what. She didn't abandon you." She paused, close to crying now. "I wish I could've stopped what your father did to you, but I couldn't. I didn't even know until after it had already happened." She looked down. "I'm so sorry."

Zuko's eyes had been narrowed, but he softened at her tears and looked down. He didn't have anything to say. Yzona spoke again after another moment. "I helped your uncle though," she said softly. Zuko looked up again. "Those years for him after Ba Sing Se were hard. He was grieving for his son and coming to terms with his defeat. It was hard for him. He shut himself away. Those were the years he came to understand that what the Fire Nation was doing was wrong. I don't know how, but he became a different man." She sat on the couch, looking at the fire. "After your Agni Kai, I gave him the idea of going with you. Helped him see that you needed each other. He'd lost his son and you'd lost your mother. And your father too in a way."

Zuko moved to sit on the couch opposite her, intrigued by her words but trying to appear indifferent on the ouside. His anger had dissipated for the most part. He remembered those years after his mother left and before he left with his Uncle. She was right. Iroh hadn't been around much. She continued without looking at him. "He blamed himself for Ozai's rise to power and by extension what happened to you. He didn't think he could help you. But I convinced him to go with you."

Zuko had never considered this before. There really had been no reason for Iroh to accompany him on his pointless journey. Especially in his old age. But he had. Even though at that time they'd had no real bond or special relationship like they did now.

"Did he know who you were?"

Yzona nodded. "He was quick to figure it out."

"Why have neither of you ever explained this all to me?" he asked, sounding more hurt than he meant to.

"We didn't see a need to after all of these years. We thought it would just cause more pain." Yzona's voice was even again and she looked to Katara. "Until Lady Katara figured out who I was that is."

Zuko turned to look at Katara for the first time since the conversation had started. She was sitting in a chair and watching them both intently. She blushed in embarrassment at Yzona's words. He considered what she had said. On some level, it made sense that they hadn't told him. But it also still hurt.

The fire in the fireplace crackled for a while. A million thoughts were racing through Zuko's head. He was trying to fit the past he remembered into this new mold. This added a whole different perspective to the events of his life and it was strange. One question was still burning in the back of his mind. But he was afraid to ask it. Based on the way Yzona had spoken of Ursa, he knew the answer.

"Where is my mother now?"

Yzona looked right into his eyes. The resemblance between her and Ursa was scary now. "She died," she said sadly. The quiet words filled the small room.

Zuko looked away from her, feeling a sting behind his eyes. No. He'd already guessed that was the case. Nothing had changed. This shouldn't bother him. Maybe it was the new knowledge that his mother hadn't abandoned him after all that made it worse. She'd left a piece of herself behind. And that piece was sitting right in front of him.

What would he be like if his Uncle hadn't accompanied him on his quest to hunt down Aang? He wouldn't be the person he is today. He owed this woman a lot.

Part of him burned to ask how she'd died. Where'd she'd gone. What'd she'd done all those years. But he held back. Knowing wouldn't help anything. Instead he just nodded, still willing the stinging behind his eyes to stop.

Reading the situation, Yzona stood and bowed to Zuko again. Zuko didn't make eye contact. If he looked at her face he knew some sort of dam would break inside of him. Yzona shifted forward and then paused, almost like she wanted to reach out to comfort him and then thought the better of it. With a glance at Katara, she left the room.

When she was gone, Zuko let his face fall to his hands, pressing his eyes into the palms of his hands. His mother hadn't left him. His mother had saved him. Her last words to him were true. She loved him. She'd left to save him.

But she was gone. Dead. He would never be able to talk to her again. The pain was like a knife in the side. He slipped off the couch, falling hard to his knees and slumping. His palms were still pressed to his face.

That's when he felt it. Two familiar, soft hands on his shoulders, and then on his back. He hadn't even heard her walk over. At her touch he let his tears fall. Katara knelt too and pulled him closer. Zuko placed his hands on her back, burying his face into her. He fisted the clothes at her back angrily. Katara just held him there, a hand moving to the back of his head. Zuko shook with angry cries but Katara's embrace was steady and calming. Just like always. She always put him at ease.

Because who else could possibly understand but her? They'd both lost their mothers. Both Ursa and Kya had sacrificed themselves to save one of their children. Neither him or Katara would be here without the actions of their mothers. Just like the scars they shared on their stomachs, this was a wound that marked them both permanently. It was a scar they shared that couldn't be seen.

. . .

"Have you asked the Fire Lord about this?"

Katara hesitated. Because no. She hadn't. Zuko had understandably had a hard time last evening after Yzona left. They'd stayed in the room for a while. Not talking, but just being together. Katara knew all Zuko needed was someone to be there, and she was happy to be that person for him.

When she woke up this morning, she hadn't wanted to the first thing she said to Zuko to be asking permission for her to do what she was about to do. Besides, she was certain it would work. Or something would work at least.

"No," she said simply. Her and her friend continued down the dark staircase Katara had become familiar with in the last weeks. "But only because I don't want to bother him with it. Not right now. I know you can help her, Yzona. I'm not sure how yet. But I think once you're there I'll know."

Yzona slowed her pace until she was stopped. Katara stopped too and looked behind her to watch her friend. "I'm not sure about this, Miss Katara. I didn't even know Princess Azula was here."

"Please, Yzona. Believe it or not, you helped Zuko a lot last night. I think you can do the same for Azula. She's very sick. They both need you more than they realize."

Yzona still looked unsure, but she started her way down the stairs again, following Katara. Katara led her down the dark underground hallway to the room where she knew the guards would have brought Azula for her regular morning healing session.

When they approached the room, Katara motioned for Yzona to wait outside. She walked into the familiar small, dark room. The guards were standing at attention off to one side. Azula was on the bed and Katara noticed that today, they hadn't tied her down. She seemed pretty normal actually. That must mean it was a good day. In fact, upon closer inspection, Azula looked really well rested. She must've slept well last night too. She sat up to look at Katara when she walked in.

"How are you?" Katara asked, moving over to the bowl of water that was sitting on a nearby table.

"I'm doing alright," said Azula lazily, lying back down. Katara smiled.

"I'm glad," she replied, gloving her hands with water and moving to stand behind Azula. She gently placed her hands on Azula's temples, and Azula shivered on the sensation, her eyes slipping closed. Katara worked deeply. She could feel all the blood vessels in Azula's brain, each one filled with warm flowing liquid. But she could also all feel the fear. All the tension that was in her mind. All the confusion. That's what she worked on. The tangled knot of fear. She pushed and pulled. Willing the knot to untangle.

That's when it happened. Katara saw it. It flashed in her mind like it was her own memory. The woman she now knew was Ursa, standing and smiling, only to be shattered by something and disappear. It was as if it had been a reflection of her in a mirror. Azula immediately sat forward, sucking in a huge breath.

"What is it?" asked Katara.

"I'm sorry. I just…it was just…" she stammered, still sucking in deep breaths. Slowly she calmed. "I'm sorry," she said, starting to lay back down.

"Azula, wait." Katara put her hand on her arm. "Was that your mother?" She already knew that it was, but she was hoping Azula would open up more about why her mother was tormenting her mind.

Azula eyed her. "You saw that?"

Katara nodded hesitantly.

Azula's face was hard. She looked away, moving to get off the bed. "I don't think I want you messing around in my mind anymore. I don't see the point."

"Azula, wait. I'm trying to help you. Zuko is too."

"Ahh yes, Zuzu," Azula drawled. A guard sniggered. "I suppose that's why he's graciously left me down here to rot." Silence followed her words.

"Please understand." Katara was desperate now. Azula was standing and looking at Katara, her arms folded across her chest. Katara could tell the guards were ready to grab her if anything happened. "You and I both know there's nothing more I can do for you unless you come to terms with whatever happened with your mother. Until you find closure, those images and hallucinations are just going to keep tormenting you. Forever. You'll never be free of them."

Azula's hardened expression softened and Katara thought she saw tears starting to pool in her eyes. Azula looked away hastily. A feeling of pity overwhelmed Katara. The crown princess of the Fire Nation was imprisoned below the palace, her clothes raggedy and hair unkempt.

Azula was crying now, but she was angry too. "What would you know about our family?!" she yelled through a sob. "You know nothing! You understand NOTHING." The yells echoed.

"You're right," said Katara softly after a moment. "I don't know what happened between you and your mother. Or you and your father. But your brother loves you. He wants to help you."

"STOP! Zuko has never loved me! He's scared of me. Just my mother." Another loud sob escaped her throat. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving wet, visible trails in her dirty skin. The tremor in her hands had returned. "I'm a monster." She spat out the last word

Katara's heart sank. She closed her eyes, letting her head fall in defeat. This was not how this was supposed to go. She wracked her brain, trying to think of a way to pull this back on track so she could bring Yzona in.

Suddenly, she heard Azula suck in a breath in surprise. Katara whipped her head up to see why. Azula was turned around, and behind her, Katara could see Yzona had walked in and placed her hand on Azula's back. Katara took a couple steps forward, her heart pounding. Azula could hurt Yzona very easily right now.

Azula just stared at her with her mouth and eyes wide. Fear was evident on every feature of her face. To Katara's surprise, Yzona looked completely calm, if not a little sad.

"She never thought you were a monster." Her words were quiet. It felt as if every person in the room was holding their breath. "She loved you…so much." Yzona's voice was almost pleading.

Azula was just staring at her, completely frozen in shock. Katara noticed even her hands had stilled. Her voice was even quieter when she spoke. Katara barely heard it. "Mom…?"

Yzona shook her head but didn't explain. To Katara's surprise, she wrapped her arms around Azula, who froze at the touch. Katara sucked in a breath and took another step forward expecting Azula to respond negatively. But after a moment, Azula melted in her aunt's arms. She didn't hug back, but she didn't push away either. She was still sobbing.

Katara relaxed. She wondered when the last time anyone had hugged Azula was. Or if she ever had been. Suddenly, Azula backed away.

"No. You're not real." She put her hands on the side of her head and closed her eyes. Her head shook earnestly. "You're not real."

It was Katara's turn to help her. She placed a hand on Azula's back, her other coming up to pull one of Azula's hands away from her head. "Here. Lie down," she said gently. Azula didn't relax though. She clamped her hands tighter. "Azula. It's okay," Katara tried again. Azula's head shook again. After another moment, she finally relaxed and Katara led her back to the bed. When Azula was settled, Katara brought her healing hands back to her temples. As she worked, Azula's sobs gradually quieted. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep.

Katara nodded to the guards to have Azula taken back to her cell. Then she looked to Yzona and walked over to her, leading them both out of the small, dark room.

"Thank you Yzona. I think that really helped her." She could tell Yzona was bothered by what had just happened. It also didn't look like she believed Katara's words.

"I wasn't expecting her to be that bad," her friend said sadly.

Katara nodded. "She's definitely not in great shape. But believe it or not, she's come a long way. And I think we made good progress today. If you come with me for the next few days, I think she could truly be on the path to full recovery."

Yzona looked wary at that prospect. "I want to help her. Really. But—"

Katara put her arm on the woman to stop her. "I will tell Zuko that I brought you to see her. I'll explain everything. You don't have to worry about him."

Yzona looked relieved at this. They both began heading back upstairs. "Do you really think the princess will ever fully recover?"

"I do," said Katara simply. "I think she's had a hard past, and she's made a lot of mistakes," she continued. Her hand instinctively went to the scar on her stomach, covered by her dark blue tunic. "But she's not too far gone. I think we can bring her back."

Yzona nodded. "I feel she hasn't been shown much love in her life." Katara nodded, realizing this was true. Both her and Zuko had suffered heavily because of the choices and mistakes of their parents. She remembered how scared she'd been when she thought of Azula after the whole ordeal. The thought of her had made Katara shudder. But now she was determined to help her. To heal her.

"That's why I think you can help her, Yzona. She's never felt that love from a parent before. But I think you can give it to her."

Yzona nodded. "I think so too," she said with a smile. They'd reached the bright hallway at the top of the stairs. With a bow, they parted ways.

. . .

"You want to what?" said Zuko, before blasting another stream of fire towards Katara. She ducked skillfully and whipped water at his legs to trip him. He moved easily, blasting away her water with a quick flame from his hand. They paused their spar for a moment so she could explain. The hot, late afternoon heat bore down on them.

"I think moving her up to a room would help her a lot. You know. We could get her cleaned up a little."

Zuko stood up straight. He was breathing heavy, a shiny layer of sweat covering his chest and shoulders. With his shirt off, his star shaped scar was visible. It was significantly more healed and aged than her own was, but other than that, it matched hers her almost exactly. His hair was up in a top knot, but he'd taken his crown out. Katara let her eyes linger on him as he walked towards her, admiring the way the muscles on his middle flexed when he moved.

Zuko caught her staring and smirked. Katara blushed heavily and shook her head, smiling too. She looked back at his face, focusing on the matter at hand. "Keeping her in a prison cell is not doing her any favors."

He stood still for a moment, and Katara could tell he was considering her suggestion. He took a deep breath and walked towards a bench. "I don't know, Katara." He moved her blue dress aside and sat down, his elbows resting on his knees. A memory of a younger him sitting like this after training with Aang flashed into her mind. Katara felt herself smile. She was happy they'd found time to train together today. It was the first time they'd been able to since Katara had come to the Fire Nation, which had been nearly three months ago now.

"Every time I finish healing her for the day, I feel like all my work is undone the moment she goes back to her cell. It's not good for her to be alone all day. She needs other people."

"You think she's ready for that though? I mean…" Katara watched him. She could tell he was torn between wanting to help his sister and wanting to make sure everyone in the palace was safe. "I just don't want to bring her back until she's ready."

Katara understood what he was trying to say. He didn't want to bring her back until he was sure she wouldn't hurt anyone. And he didn't want to bring her back if she still wasn't fully healed to avoid the councilors and noblemen gossiping and whispering about her. In other words, he didn't want her back until she was ready.

"I understand," Katara replied. She pulled the water that had fallen onto the ground up and around her, spinning it in the air before leading it back into the fountain. When she turned around, Zuko was watching her with mild fascination. She took a deep breath and sat next to him on the stone bench. Her hands fell behind her and she leaned back. "I kind of have something to confess."

Zuko looked back at her in worry. He didn't say anything, waiting for her to continue. Katara looked away from his face. "I brought Yzona with me to see Azula this morning." She froze, waiting for him to get angry. Since the whole ordeal with Azula, it had been an unspoken rule between them to not tell anyone about Azula. Iroh knew the story, but Zuko hadn't told his council or anyone else. Zuko looked away from her.

"What happened?" he asked. Katara couldn't read his voice. She'd half expected him to get angry and ask why she'd thought that was a good idea.

"Umm, well it actually went well," she started. "Mostly. She was having a good day. Talking with me and everything. Then I asked her a question and she got a little angry." Zuko turned to look at her again, his eyes wide. "Don't worry nothing happened. I shouldn't have pressed. When Yzona walked in, Azula mistook her for your mother. But it was okay. When Yzona was there, she was calmer than she'd ever been with me." Until she freaked out again, Katara added internally.

She saw Zuko take a deep breath before standing back up. "If you really think it'll help her, we can move her," he said calmly. "I trust you."

For some reason hearing him say that made Katara more nervous. For a split second she doubted herself. This was a good idea, right? She nodded and stood up too, taking his hands into hers. "This is going to help her. I know it," she said, trying to convince herself again too.

Zuko nodded. "I think she should still have guards with her all the time, though."

"That makes sense," Katara said. She felt Zuko drop one of her hands and touch her middle. His thumb traced the edge of her scar. She noticed his face was scrunched in worry as he stared at it. Katara brought her hand to his face, urging him to look her in the eye. "Hey, don't worry about me."

"I'm always going to worry about you," he said, the smallest trace of a sad smile on his lips. Her heart melted, and she reached to kiss him. The smallest part of her screamed that she shouldn't. That someone could see. But since the banquet, she'd been at least a little better at worrying less about that. Those kinds of thoughts still nagged her occasionally though.

When they broke apart, Katara smiled. "I can handle myself."

Zuko laughed. "Don't worry. I know."

"Pretty sure I can still whoop you too," she teased.

Zuko raised his eyebrows. "Still? I don't know if I remember you ever 'whooping' me before," he said with a light voice and small smile.

"Do you not remember the fountain incident?"

Zuko let out a laugh. "Oh, I remember the fountain incident. But for a completely different reason."

"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, Fire Lord." Katara feigned ignorance, but it was hard to hold back her smile. The memory of their first kiss in that fountain made her heart flutter.

Zuko shook his head and chuckled as he leaned to kiss her again. Katara closed her eyes, smiling against his lips. She felt his hands slip to her waist and she started to deepen their kiss. Without warning his fingers pinched her sides and she cried out in laughter and pain, moving to try and push away from him.

She cursed the fact that he knew how ticklish she was. "Got you," he said with a laugh, finally letting up. Katara took a moment to catch her breath before facing him again. She was smiling. "Here we still have a little time before dinner. Show me some of the moves you show your students," he said, grabbing her hand and walking to where'd they'd been sparring.

They practiced together for a little while longer, Katara spending most of it teaching Zuko. She was honestly surprised at how engaged he was. Maybe it was just because she was used to the younger, less attentive students at the firebending academy. She desperately wanted to ask him how he was feeling about everything from last night with his mom and with Yzona. But knowing him, he probably didn't want to talk about how he was feeling about it all. At least this soon. So, she kept her curiosity and worry to herself. For now.

After another hour or so, they finished and walked to grab their clothes. Katara was in the process of slipping her blue dress on when she heard the voice of a servant who neither of them realized had approached behind them.

"Fire Lord Zuko, a letter just arrived from Avatar Aang."

She heard Zuko's slight sigh of annoyance at the interruption as she finished tying the knot in the front of her clothes. "Thank you. I'll be in directly to receive it." The man bowed low and hurried away.

"What could Aang be writing for?" asked Katara.

Zuko shrugged, indicating he hadn't been expecting the letter. Katara watched him slip his crown back on. "I don't know. Has he been in Ba Sing Se this whole time? Teaching airbending at Toph's school?"

"I think he has," she replied as they started their way around to the front of the palace for dinner in the small dining room. It was one of Iroh's last before he left. "As far as I know."

They walked through the large, open front doors and into the main foyer. A different servant greeted Zuko and presented a plate with a sealed letter on it. Zuko thanked him before grabbing it. The servant then turned to Katara. "A letter arrived for you too, miss. From the South Pole"

Katara looked at the man and nodded. She'd been expecting this letter. The servant reached behind him and pulled out another rolled piece of paper. It looked a lot less formal than the one addressed to Zuko, but she was excited anyways. She thanked him and he left them alone. She looked over to Zuko, but he was engrossed in his letter from Aang.

She unrolled the piece of parchment, recognizing her brother's untidy lettering immediately. The last letter she'd received from him had been nearly two months ago, on the morning of the day she'd first gone with Zuko to visit Azula. She smiled when she thought of what he'd shared with her in that last letter before reading the one in her hands.

Katara,

I did it! It's official, we are engaged! I can't believe how lucky I am. Thank you so much for your advice. I don't think I've ever been this happy. We picked a date but then decided to move it closer. We just don't want to wait too long. If everything works out, we are hoping to have a ceremony in the South Pole in two weeks. I know this is late notice, considering how long a trip it is from the Fire Nation, but we really want you here. And Zuko and Mai too of course, if they can make it. I've heard from Aang and Toph already and they've said they can come. I think Aang is hoping since we'll all be together, we can discuss how all the bending stuff has been going. Hope things have been well for ya sis.

Love,

Sokka

A/N Whew! I do not know how this chapter got so long lol. I know some absolute CRAZY stuff happened in this chapter, so I REALLY want to know what you guys think. To those of you who hate me for killing off Ursa, I'm sorry. It broke my heart too. I just felt it was another way to closer connect Katara and Zuko. Plus, I wasn't feeling the whole 'going on a journey to find her' thing. Even though I love reading other fics like that. As for adding Yzona, I just thought her character was the perfect way to bring closure to both Zuko and Azula when it came to their childhoods. At least eventually. But please. I'm dying to know what you all think. I know this story has gotten so long lol. But I swear (for real this time), it's coming to a sweet end soon :) As always, thanks for reading and please review!