A/N: A new chapter! A new chapter! Everyone loves a new chapter! Yes I'm still doing set up Sticks tongue out like a little kid. Although this is a Zuko x Katara fic the story doesn't revolve around the Zutara! Romance is second for a reason! Ok there will be a lot of ZxK but later not now. Besides it would be a pretty bogus title without the harem now wouldn't it? Read on!

P.S I fixed it so that now you can give anonymous reviews. Thanks Nightfall2525 for pointing out that I had it disabled. Doh!

You're LEAVING ME?

"Are we sure about this?" Sokka asked ringing his fingers.

"I don't know what else to do Sokka but if you can think of something better in the next few minutes I'm all ears." After saving Katara they had traveled day and night for two days before coming across a small, almost unnoticeable fishing village next to a huge peaceful lake. Luckily the people were incredibly friendly even before they found out Aang was the Avatar and had offered them shelter for as long as they wanted. Now after a week of imposing on that hospitality they were loading up Appa to leave and bracing themselves for the coming dispute after they told Katara what they planned to tell her.

"Umm, Katara?" They had decided Aang was going to tell her because as Sokka said, 'You're her cute little friend she could never hurt or stay mad at, I'm just her brother.'

"Yes Aang?" Katara answered cheerfully pulling on straps to make sure nothing fell during the flight. She seemed to have recovered completely from the trauma of just over a week ago, or more likely just pushed it far from her mind. She finished tightening the straps before turning to face Aang. "What is it?"

"Katara, Sokka and I have been talking and we think that… it would be better if… we think you should stay here where it is safe." Aang squeezed his eyes shut and braced himself; not knowing how Katara would react but almost certain it would be with at the very least anger, if not violence.

"I was wondering when you were going to tell me." Aang opened his eyes and looked at her in shock, watching her sad face as she leaned against Appa stroking the bison's thick fur. Aang was sure he looked like a fish as he stood struggling to find words around his shock and admittedly, relief. "Don't look so surprised Aang, you and Sokka are by no means subtle and I knew for sure the second I saw only enough food to last Sokka and one other person to the next safe village. I scared you guys, and if I go with you I'm sure to be captured at least a few more times before summer's end and… even though you are the Avatar I'm in more danger because of…" She didn't need to say it; they both knew what she was talking about.

"Katara I'm so sorry you can't come but if something were to happen to you I don't know what I'd do." Aang said walking toward her and squeezing her in a hug.

"It's ok Aang, I understand; as much as I don't like it, I do." Katara told him squeezing him back just as hard. When they released each other Katara's face falsely brightened and she started to look around. "Now where is that brother of mine? He better not think he's getting away without saying goodbye." That was when Sokka decided it was time to come out from behind Appa.

"So-you're not mad?" He really was terrified, they were standing beside a lake and she had yet to blow, which -knowing his sister- was only a matter of time.

"I never said that." Sokka visibly flinched. "But I'm trying to take the mature path here and be understanding. Plus it helps your argument that I'm terrified too." Katara's already fake smile was faltering severely.

"Katara." Sokka stepped closer to her, hand outstretched.

"Its ok Sokka, come here and give me a hug. It's getting late in the day and you guys should get moving if you want to get anywhere before nightfall." Sokka wasted no time in scooping his little sister up in the biggest hug he'd given her in a long time.

"We will come back for you little Kat." Katara pushed herself away and tried to hide the tears the old much-hated nickname rose up in her.

"Sure you will grumpy penguin. After Aang has defeated Lord Ozai and the rest of the water tribes and the earth kingdom have all the fire bender renegade groups squished so far under their thumb that there is no way a fire nation citizen -let alone a firebender- can get within 100 miles of me." Sokka laughed a little at her accuracy of when he thought it would be safe and her old retort for being called little Kat.

"Just don't die before all that happens 'kay?" Sokka kissed Katara's forehead and started to climb up Appa.

"Be safe Katara." Aang hesitated a second before giving Katara a peck on the cheek and then running and air blasting his way onto Appa's head as fast as he could, though sadly that wasn't fast enough to hide his bright red blush from Katara.

"See you guy's!" Katara waved a small smile on her lips and light blush painted across her cheeks. Once they were out of sight Katara made her way back to the village.

"What happened mistress Katara? Did they leave you behind?" A little girl holding her ball and obviously heading home for supper asked, coming up to Katara. Why can no one seem to take anyone else's word for what I say? It feels like the whole dang village has come to ask me. "Yes they did Ping-ping but-"

"I KNEW IT! BOYS ARE SOOOOOOO STUPID!"

"Now, now they did what they thought was best." Defended Katara though part of her was agreeing fully.

"Exactly! They did what they though was best but it was soooooo wrong!" Finally having enough Katara straitened her back and her voice grew firm.

"You know what I think?"

"What?"

"I think that you should hurry home before some soooo stupid boys that happen to be your older brothers come to find you only to hear you talking about them like this." Ping-ping paled considerably and ran off toward the other end of the village as fast as she could forgetting to even say goodbye. Thank Shasa! A moment to myself. Slowly Katara continued to the house of the sweet young woman who had agreed to take her in, in exchange for a little help now and then.

"Welcome back Katara!" Yukari smiled one of her glowing smiles and waved the spoon she was holding in greeting, her other hand resting on her swollen belly as her tightly braided brown hair swished like a rope down her back. It was hard to stay sad in the same room as such a glowing person.

"Hello Yukari, hello baby." Katara smiled, lightly touching Yukari stomach. "So what's for supper?"

"I'm planning to stuff us full of fish in the form of fish gumbo today." Yukari answered then looked at her belly and poked it with the spoon. "Your father is late. Why don't you come out so we can scold him together?" Katara laughed; from what Yukari had told her the baby was nearing a week late and Yukari was tired of being 'Some big fat girl with hurting feet'.

"You go sit down Yukari and I'll take care of serving." Katara grabbed Yukari's hands and lead her to a seat at the low table. Shushing all the woman's worried questions.

"But-are you sure?"

"Yes, sit you look like you are ready to pop!" Katara heard her mumbling something about half wishing she would pop while reaching for the needed dishes.

Dinner went though with happy conversation regardless of Yukari's husband still having yet to come home. "Oh that dolt probably stayed out to get the late night catch." Yukari said absentmindedly rubbing her stomach while Katara washed the dishes. "Thank you Katara."

"It's no problem. You never had to do dishes for my brother, in comparison this is a piece of cake." Katara smiled over her shoulder.

"No Thank you for being so cheerful and helpful even though I know you must be in a lot of pain right now." Katara began to dry and put everything away, her eyebrows knotted in thought.

"No the burn is fine thanks to those salves your town medic gave me." Yukari slowly tried to stand and Katara rushed over to help her. When Yukari was standing she wrapped her arms around Katara in a comforting hug.

"Don't rely too much on that mask you're wearing, you never know when it'll break." Yukari then pulled away and started to waddle toward the only other room in the tiny house. "It's getting late and I'm going to bed, especially since knowing this little ostrich I need any extra sleep I can get." Stopping in the doorway she looked over her shoulder at Katara. "If you ever need to talk I'll be here."

When Yukari was gone Katara sat in the room restlessly trying to find something to do. I know! I'll take a walk and practice my bending. I should be tired then in an hour or so. The already chill air was growing more so with every passing minute as night fell making Katara pull on the beautiful coat she had been given in the North Pole. It was still too warm for her parka.

When she stepped outside no one else was out as the fishermen were already home or would be back later and children were being settled for bed. Walking along the frozen mud next to the lake Katara was oblivious to the world which made it all the easier as two arms wrapped around her, one to cover her mouth and the other to pin her arms to her sides stoppingher from bending herself free.