A fireball slams into the city wall, knocking several men off the battlement. Aang leaps onto Appa and they zoom towards the Fire Nation ship headed their way. Katara bends falling chunks of ice off of people. One fireball and already there are wounded. One man landed badly and now has a sprained ankle. She kneels down and heals him quickly before moving onto the next one. Two more fireballs fly overhead. One crashes into the canal but the other melts a house. Children run screaming away from it. The next one she and four other benders are ready for. "Put it into the canal!" She roars, taking charge since Pakku isn't here to. An old bender who doesn't want to take orders from a woman opens his mouth to retort but the fireball is already headed towards them. She reaches up with the water and they all follow suit to drag the flaming ball into the water.

. . .

Arnook stands in front of the warriors who signed up for the mission. "Men, you'll be infiltrating the Fire Nation Navy. That means you'll all need one of these uniforms." A haughty young man walks in wearing something that resembles a navy uniform. The helmet is outdated and the shoulder spikes are well, spikes. Sokka snorts, the man looks absolutely ridiculous.

"What's your problem?" The man sneers.

Sokka continues laughing, "Fire Navy uniforms don't look like that."

"Of course they do! These are from real Fire Nation soldiers numbskull!"

"When," Sokka retorts, "A hundred years ago?"

Chief Arnook replies instead of the young man, "Eighty-five actually."

Sokka smacks his head with his palm, "The new uniforms are more streamlined, they don't wear shoulder spikes anymore." He flicks the spike and it bounces.

"Such bold talk for a new recruit," The obnoxious guy leans forward threateningly, "How do we know we can trust him?"

"Sokka is from our sister tribe, he came here with the Avatar. He is a capable warrior and I value his input." Sokka has to resist the urge to stick out his tongue. "Now, all uniform issues aside, our first objective is to identify their commanding officer."

"His name's Zhao, big side burns, even bigger temper."

Arnook is shocked but grateful for Sokka's knowledge. "Sokka, I want you to tell everything you know to Hahn, he is leading the mission. Hanh, show Sokka your respect, I expect nothing less from my future son-in-law."

Sokka freezes. This overbearing, rude, greasy-haired jerk is the man Yue never talks about! "Princess Yue is marrying you?"

"Yeah," Hahn shrugs, "What of it?"

"Nothing, just congratulations." He really wants to punch the bastard but no, he'll behave. Yue would want him to, besides she's made her choice. What's the use of fighting now? "Okay, so we need to get onto Zhao's ship?"

"Duh, weren't you just listening?"

Sokka glares at Hahn. He doesn't want to bring it up, he doesn't know how bad the outcome will be but the Water Tribe is facing extinction, he has to do this. "Someone go get my sister. She'll be able to help the most."

. . .

Katara stands by a table with large rolls of blank paper and ink on it. Arnook and Hahn are fuming and most of the men look uncomfortable. Sokka stands beside her protectively. "I'm not listening to what a woman has to say about this! What could she possibly know of war Chief Arnook?"

"Excuse me?" Katara demands, hands on her hips.

"You heard me, women have no place here."

"I have to agree with Hahn on this," Arnook states.

"No, my sister is - "

"I've got this Sokka." She gets right in Hahn's face. "I am the only one here with a working knowledge of Fire Nation ships, if you want to go out there, get lost in the twists and turns of the ship, and end up missing all of the action and not do your job, possibly becoming responsible for the extermination of our culture, go right ahead," she hisses. Hahn swallows hard but doesn't say anything. "Good. Now shut up and listen to me." She takes a brush and begins to draw a rough blue print of Zuko's ship. "This isn't the exact ship you'll be on, Zhao's is much larger but I'd imagine the layouts are the same. There's a small hatch around here where you can get onboard. Because of your uh uniforms - if that's really what you want to call them," she mutters, "You'll want to move quickly. The main stairs are in the center of the ship and lead from the brig to the navigation room at the top. If those are blocked there's other sets forward and aft though those don't go up all the way. Zhao most likely will be in there and you can take him out." She pauses before continuing, deciding it's worth it to say. "If you happen to run across a young man with a large scar over his left eye or an old, short, fat man with grey hair don't attack! They hate Zhao as much as you do and it's possible that they'll help."

Hahn scoffs, "Why would they help us? They're Fire Nation, they're all scum."

"I don't actually care what you think of them. You need my help, this is part of it. Zhao fucked them over, they might help you."

"Well then, maybe we don't want your help! Besides, what could you possibly know?"

"More than you, that's obvious! I've fought the Fire Nation before, have you?" Hahn looks down. "Exactly, now does everyone understand how to get to the navigation room?" They all nod mutely and Sokka smiles proudly, that's his little sister. "Good. If you get the chance, change out of those ridiculous outfits."

The warriors walk off, Hahn looking especially sour. Chief Arnook stops Katara as she turns to leave. "How do you know all of this? How do you know their ships so well?" He has an idea, but no, this little girl couldn't have survived on a Fire Nation ship.

She looks at him, steel in her eyes and stance. "I don't think it matters how I know, just that I do."

. . .

Iroh looks over the banister at the melting wall of the Northern Water Tribe, his heart heavy. It was never supposed to be like this. At least his men are doing their jobs. Ten ships have reported mechanical failures in the engine rooms, Asoko's doing most likely. It seems as though he's telling everyone that served under Zuko about what's going on since fifteen more ships have had 'unexplainable malfunctions' of their catapults and pitch containers. Jee's men are all scrambling around the ship, showing up late or doing things in the wrong order. A surprising number of soldiers have also suddenly come down with what appears to be the flu and can't get out of bed. Still though, it's not enough to stop Zhao. Not even the Avatar taking out a dozen ships stops Zhao. Iroh sighs, "It's almost twilight, Admiral. I suggest you fall back. A lot of our men are sick and can't fight and our machines are breaking. Add to that water benders draw their power from the moon and we don't stand a chance against them."

Zhao scoffs. "I won't give up as easily as you do General Iroh. I already have a plan to take care of the moon situation."

"Our men can't fight though."

"We don't need them to fight, all they need to do is be fodder while we do the real work." A nearby soldier overhears and blanches. It doesn't take long before the whole ship knows. "For now though, we'll wait till daybreak."

. . .

Hahn struts around the room, his embarrassment forgotten. "You know Sokka, I've courted a lot of girls but Yue's the finest, plus she comes with the most perks."

"Perks! What the hell does that mean?"

Hahn shrugs, "Yue's nice and all but the points I'll get with the chief are even better."

"Yue's wasted on a self-absorbed weasel like you!" Sokka shouts.

"What do you care? You're just a simpleton from the South Pole. You couldn't possibly understand the political complexities of our lives." He sneers, "I've seen you following her around. Just remember she's mine."

"You're a soulless jerk!" Sokka lunges and lands a punch on Hahn before Chief Arnook walks in. He tears the two apart quickly while Sokka shouts, "Screw you Hahn, screw you!"

"That's enough Sokka, you're off the mission!" Arnook roars.

Hahn wipes blood from his mouth and stands, tugging his armor back into place. "All right men, let's go take down this Admiral Jo." All the soldiers except Sokka walk out, some casting him empathetic looks.

"It's Admiral Zhao, dumbass," Sokka mutters and Chief Arnook gives him a look.

"What was that about?"

"Chief Arnook, that guy cannot marry Yue! He's rude, mean, and he thinks Yue is just a thing to get him where he wants to go!"

Arnook sighs, "There's a war going on. I don't have time to deal with this right now." Honestly though he doesn't like Hahn anymore than Sokka does but it's far too late for him to do anything about it. "I took you off the mission for a reason."

"Why so I could scrub the barracks?"

"No, I need you to guard my daughter."

. . .

Zuko stumbles across a pack of turtle seals near the city, barking at him as he comes near. As he gets closer they waddle away, slipping into a large hole in the ice. More and more slide into the water but none come up. Ten seconds, thirty seconds, a minute, two minutes, no turtle seals resurface. The walls around the city are thick and patrolled even as the occasional fireball flies overhead. This is his best chance. They have to be coming up for air somewhere. He crouches beside the hole, bracing himself. "I can do this, I can do this." He takes one last deep breath before plunging into the freezing depths.

. . .

Yue opens a small ornate door. "This is the most spiritual place in the entire North Pole, do you think it will really help?"

Aang and Katara gasp in surprise. The usual ice of the Northern Water Tribe is replaced with lush green foliage and blooming flowers twisting around a torii arch built behind a shallow pool. Two elegant koi fish circle each other in the dark water. "This is beautiful Yue."

"Yeah, it really is. It's the best place to try and get to the Spirit World."

Aang nods and bounds over the small bridge to the pond and rubs his hands over the grass there. "I never thought I'd miss grass so much."

"How is it so warm here?" Katara pulls her parka over her head and sighs happily.

Yue laughs lightly, "It's the center of all the spiritual energy in our land."

"Yeah," Aang stares at the fish "You're right it really is spiritual here." Without further ado, he crosses his legs and closes his eyes. Yue and Katara exchange glances, hoping it works before Aang's arrows begin to glow and they breathe a sigh of relief.

"Is he okay?"

"He's just crossing into the Spirit World. He'll be fine as long as we don't move his body, that's his way to get back to the physical world."

"Perhaps we should get some help?"

"No," Katara sits down, getting ready for a long wait, "I'm his friend. I'm perfectly capable of protecting him."

"Okay. Do you need my help with anything?"

"No, but thanks anyway."

. . .

Zuko slams into an ice wall at the top of a reservoir. No! It can't end like this! He doesn't have enough breath left to make it back to where the turtle seals are. His fists slam against the ice but it doesn't crack. Again he hits it to no avail. He has enough energy left to heat up his hands and slowly the ice melts. His oxygen is running out! Just in time a hole opens up and he crawls through, panting. He's inside some kind of tunnel but it's inside the city. Now he just has to find the Avatar.

. . .

Sokka approaches Yue cautiously. "Hey?"

"Hello, Sokka."

"Um,"

"What do you want? Haven't you done enough?"

"I'm sorry. Chief Arnook wants me to guard you while the city is under siege."

She looks at him sadly. "Well then, bodyguard, where to now?"

"Let's go back to the palace," He suggests. She follows and they end up sitting awkwardly together in one of the many window ledges.

. . .

"Katara?" His voice is raspy from the cold and he's still trying to regulate his internal fire.

She turns around and gasps. His steps falter, her eyes are dancing with a thousand emotions. "Zuko! Why are you here?"

"Did you get my letter?"

"How are you here?"

"I found well, made a tunnel," He clears his throat. "I'm glad you're here."

"Why are you here, Zuko?" She hesitates, unsure of whether to attack or not.

"You got my letter? It should have come here."

"Yes, but there was no way to send you a reply. Did you really go to the Western Air Temple?"

He nods, "So what now? Is the Avatar coming with me? Did he agree?"

"Well," She rubs the back of her head, "I actually didn't tell him."

"What?"

"There was no way to reach you and he had enough on his plate without worrying about that too."

"You still should have told him!"

"No! How could I know we could trust you?"

Zuko groans, "You just - ugh!"

She raises an eyebrow, "Exactly. So now what? You gonna try and capture Aang or wait until he comes back from the Spirit World and talk to him?"

"Hmpf," He plops down onto the ground.

"Good choice," Katara sits between them, keeping an eye on both the prince and the Avatar. She picks at the grass, "Zuko?"

"Yeah?"

She changes her question at the last moment, "How's your back?"

"It's fine."

Another strained pause. "So, how'd you get in here?"

Zuko snorts, "Like I said, I made a tunnel."

"No, really."

"I got a boat from one of Zhao's ships and then swam the rest of the way."

Katara shivers without thinking about it, "You swam! You must be freezing!" Her hands jump to his covered arms and for the first time ever he's not burning hot. She calls healing water to her hands and runs over him quickly, checking for anything out of the ordinary. There are a few minor cuts but there's no way she knows to raise his internal temperature.

He eventually grabs her wrist, "I'm fine."

"You're still cold."

"It's still night. Once the sun rises I'll be okay. You rise with the moon, I rise with the sun just give me some time."

This time the silence isn't so awkward. "Are you really here to help this time?"

His jaw clenches, "Yeah. I need to restore my nation's honor. Everything we've been taught, everything they told me since I was little was a lie. There was no Air Nomad Army, there was just Fire Nation. They weren't trying to destroy us, we just wiped them out for the hell of it." His head sinks into his hands and Katara touches his arm lightly.

"You're doing the right thing."

"I hope so." He shakes his head, trying to forcibly change his train of thought. "Did you find your brother and the Avatar alright?"

The water bender laughs, "Yeah I did, thanks for the map by the way." Zuko shrugs and mumbles something about not mentioning it. Her voice grows serious and she falters over her words, "Why did you let me go?"

He looks at her, her wide hopeful serious eyes, and remembers the countless nights they'd stay up talking and arguing and remembers how bad her nightmares are and how because of her his crew trusted and maybe even began to like him. His mouth opens to reply, to say anything but a gust of air knocks him flat. He jumps to his feet, fire at the ready.

"What is he doing here!" Aang screeches.

. . .

The palace shakes, Yue looks around shocked. "What was that?"

"I don't know!" Sokka scrambles to his feet.

Yue blanches, "I think it was from the Spirit Oasis!" Without even waiting for Sokka she's off, racing towards it.

Sokka runs after her, "What's the Spirit Oasis?"

"It's where I left Aang and Katara," She calls over her shoulder and Sokka speeds up considerably. They sprint through the halls and deeper into the palace. Yue reaches for the door but Sokka yanks it open first. Yue inhales sharply, "There was no one else here when I left them."

Now however three people stand in the garden. Aang has his staff pointed angrily at Zuko who is raising his hands trying to be peaceful even though he's poised to fight. Katara stands in between the two, water whips at the ready. Sokka sees the prince and lunges, roaring incoherently. The punches he landed on Hahn earlier are nothing compared to this. Zuko dodges and flips him over his shoulder but Sokka grabs hold of Zuko's clothes and drags him down. Sokka punches him right in the nose, then the cheek, the next punch lands on a wrist and Zuko swings his arm up to elbow Sokka in the face. Zuko twists is legs to get Sokka off but Sokka's knee lands squarely between his legs. Zuko yelps. Water wraps around Sokka and drags him off. Katara's other hand is busy keeping Aang restrained. "Enough! You are all behaving like children!" Katara shouts above everyone else.

"He shouldn't be here, he's just going to try and capture me again!"

"No he's not!"

"Well he might try to take you away from me!"

"Shut up Aang. Yue, keep my brother back. I'm going to let both of you go and I don't want any bad behavior!" Aang's nostrils flare and he pouts. Yue holds Sokka's shoulders as he glares daggers at the prince still on the ground, trying to keep some shred of dignity though it's mostly gone from the groaning and being curled up in fetal position. He's barely managing to uncurl as Katara kneels down beside him. "Here, let me help." Zuko stiffens but struggles into an upright position. Her hand lays on his bruised cheek, not the scarred one, and he relaxes slightly under her touch. It's much easier than it was before, she's gotten so much better and quickly he's healed. "Did he get you anywhere else?"

"Nope," Zuko chokes out.

Katara looks him over but shrugs before rounding on her brother, her hands on her hips. "What the hell was that about?"

"That jerk kidnaps you then has the audacity to show his smug ass face here!"

"Yeah," Aang pipes up, "Why are you trusting him! We need to just kick his butt!"

"No! No one is kicking anyone's butt!"

Zuko begins to say something as he gets to his feet but Sokka cuts him off, "Katara, why is he here?"

"He's going to help us. You read that letter, I trust him."

"But I don't,"

"What was even in that letter?"

"It doesn't matter, Aang. It's not happening." Sokka snaps.

"I never said it was, but what if it worked?" Katara interjects.

Zuko interrupts. "Uh, hi. I know you all hate me, with good reason too, but this time it isn't a ploy. I swear! I-" he gulps, "I may have been mistaken in chasing after you guys but I swear, I'm one of the good guys now! Help the Avatar and all that."

They all just stare at him, even Katara looks a bit like he's grown a second head. As much as she trusts him she'd never expected to hear him say it quite like that. Aang looks like he smells something rotten. Yue, with her hands still on Sokka's shoulders, looks lost. Sokka grits his teeth and locks eyes with his baby sister. "Can we trust him?" She nods and Sokka trusts her. He may not trust the fire bender, but he trusts his little sister. "Fine," he huffs. "I'll trust you for now, don't give me another reason not to." Sokka removes Yue's hands from his shoulders, holding for perhaps a moment too long.

"What!" Aang shouts, "How can you just be okay with him? He's evil, and mean, and he took Katara away from us. Do you not remember that? Do you remember-"

"Katara's the one that has the most right to hate him but she trusts him. I'll trust her. Besides, she says he took care of her on the ship, that's enough for me." Aang looks from Katara to Sokka, blatantly ignoring Zuko, hoping to find a crack in one of their decisions. Finding none he slumps and mumbles angrily.

"So, welcome to the Northern Water Tribe, may I ask who you are?" Yue, always courteous, questions.

. . .

The morning dawns bright and chilly. Great rocks stand at the ready but few are firing. Overnight a large chunk of the ships have started having 'engine troubles' and soldiers are coming down with the 'flu'. Zhao is fuming but still trying to attack. All working ships have sailed to the front and are slinging fireballs at the great outer wall. Iroh stands by the railing outside the navigation room, looking out at the Northern Water Tribe smiling slightly to himself. His tea is warm and from what Jee says someone overheard Zhao's comment yesterday about the troops just being fodder, needless to say they aren't happy about that and most of the engine troubles have stemmed from that. Everyone knows that the full moon is tonight and no one really wants to fight water benders at that time of the month. Zhao bursts through the door to join Iroh and the old general's smile falters.

"These men are all buffoons! Only eleven of my hundred ships is fully functional!"

"Calm down Admiral Zhao, I'm sure it will all work out for the best."

"Yes it will, I'm going to destroy the moon spirit!" Zhao grins and stares over the water hatefully. This is his ticket to fame but the idiots on the other ships are screwing everything up. The door opens behind him, he pays it no notice but Iroh's eyebrows shoot into his hairline. A very odd soldier stands dressed in an old Navy uniform, complete with shoulder spikes that were old even during Iroh's time steps forward. "Admiral Cho!" Zhao finally turns around as the soldier removes his helmet and tosses it aside. Water tribe blue eyes stand out, "It's time to meet your fate!" The boy lunges at Zhao with a spear but Zhao easily tosses him over the railing. He lands with a dull crack on the deck below them and doesn't move.

"How did he get on board? I'll need to go reprimand the security here!" Zhao moves to go inside but another soldier - his face covered - comes outside and bows. "What do you want?" Zhao snaps. The soldier mumbles something. "What?" Zhao moves closer, "If you have something to say, say it." The soldier coughs to clear his throat and another man opens the door, Zhao looks up at the newcomer. The first soldier lunges and before the admiral can react a dagger is buried in Zhao's neck. His eyes bug out and his hands fly to the knife still in his throat. He yanks it out but blood bubbles up and spurts onto Iroh and the nearby soldier. "Help me," Zhao chokes, blood washing down into his lungs. He tries to stop the bleeding but after another gasp he collapses. Zhao continues to try to breath but instead is suffocating on his own blood, it pools around him, it's so hard to move, he can't breath. His vision is going blurry. He'll kill that bastard that did this to him! The last thing he hears is Iroh, "Interesting. Make sure he's dead then dump him overboard. I am going to go get the fleet to pull back. Also, I'm sure there are more would-be assassins on board, bring them to the the deck after Zhao has been disposed off. Get the Water Tribe boy's body looking presentable please."

. . .

Shouts of joy can be heard throughout the city. Someone comes up to Princess Yue, grinning, "The Fire Nation has stopped! We did it!" They run off before anyone can ask anything. The group is heading out to the main wall, Zuko is keeping his head down and is now clad in a blue parka, the hood pulled low. Yue finally spots her father and he waves her over excitedly. "They've stopped firing and they're pulling back, Hahn must have done it!"

"That's fantastic, Father!" Everyone breathes a sigh of relief, they're safe. Someone beside large mounted binoculars starts shouting and they follow Chief Arnook over to him.

"There's someone coming, they look like our men, they're in a Fire Nation boat though. What do we do, Sir?" Arnook grabs the binoculars to see. Sure enough Water Tribe soldiers stand waving on a boat headed in their direction.

"Let them come."

Soon the ship docks and the men disembark. People crowd around them. "What happened?" The chief questions.

"You won't believe it, Sir."

Aang zooms forward, "How did you guys do it!"

The soldier shrugs, "You won't believe what happened."

"Where's Hahn?"

The man's shoulders droop, "He didn't make it."

Chief Arnook frowns, but inside he's a more than a little thankful. The future of his tribe is now safe from an entirely different kind of threat too. Yue tries to look sad, but she's just relieved. Sokka doesn't even try. "Okay, so how'd you do it then? Did Hahn kill Zhao or what?"

"Hahn tried to kill him but it didn't work. There was a mutiny and the commander was killed! An old, fat man with grey hair - just like how the girl described - talked to us. He wanted us to tell you that things are going to be different now. He let us go as a good faith gesture, to show you he means well." Katara discreetly nudges Zuko, smiling at him. "He also had a weird request. He said his nephew should already be here and if he is, the old guy'd like to talk with him. He said to give him some kind of signal that he could bring a small ship over if it was okay."

"What does he mean his nephew?" Arnook asks but Sokka, Aang, and Yue are all already looking at Zuko.

"Um," For the first time the chief notices that there's another person with the Avatar's group.

"Yes?"

"He means me." Zuko pulls his hood back to reveal his scar and the golden eyes. Gasps ripple through the crowd and various water benders pull their element to them as warriors reach for knives and mothers clutch their children a little closer. Zuko swallows nervously.

"What is the meaning of this!"

"I came to join the Avatar."

"Why would we believe you?" Arnook spits. "Guards!"

"It's the truth." He sighs, he'd better start talking fast. Guards are already coming. "I'm Prince Zuko, my uncle, some of my crew, and myself went to the Western Air Temple after Katara raised some doubts in me about what I'd been taught. We went there and didn't find any army or weapons except Fire Nation stuff and I realized that everything I'd been taught was a lie! I saw the destruction we caused. I want to end that and so does my Uncle."

Arnook looks the boy over as he holds his breath and Katara's feeling out for the water around her, just in case. The guards reach for him but Arnook cuts them off, "Stand down. Boy, your uncle returned our men to us unharmed except for one. We will let you stay in the city if the Avatar will vouch for you." Aang wants so badly to say no, to say throw him out into the snow but Katara - the new sometimes scary Katara who screams in her sleep- would hate him for that and so he nods. "Okay, you may stay. But," Arnook's eyes narrow, "If anything bad happens you'll be thrown in the darkest cell we have before we kill you. In the mean time you'll be guarded."

Zuko nods in understanding, not enjoying the brutal lesson in humility. "And my Uncle?"

Arnook looks at someone still on the wall, "Go blow the horn. We will meet this boy's uncle here to discuss peace. If a large ship comes, destroy it. Everyone else, get this place looking nice, let the Fire Nation be intimidated by us!" There are murmurs of disagreement but everyone sets to work cleaning up rubble. Water benders recreate walls and decorations. Aang goes off to pout. Sokka stays glued to Yue's side as she walks around checking to make sure everyone is okay and to hear what they have to say. Katara stays beside an awkward Zuko, standing beside the canal getting glares cast his way. "Come on, let's go somewhere else to wait for him." She takes him by the elbow and begins to steer him towards the palace when someone stops them.

"He's not supposed to go anywhere without a guard." Katara whirls around and Zuko freezes, entirely unsure of himself here in the north. His jaw drops.

"Ming! I was wondering if you were alright."

Ming grins and looks the prince over, "So?"

"You're Fire Nation!"

Ming easily bends a stream of water and laughs at his expression. "Nope but my dad was. Anyhow, I volunteered to guard you. I'm guessing he's why you wanted to learn how to heal scars, huh?" Katara blushes bright red and stares at her feet. Zuko turns away, ashamed of his face. A horn blasts suddenly through the air, within seconds a flame rises from the lead ship. Both sides simply hope they understand each other. "So kids, where to?"

"I'm not a kid," Zuko retorts.

"Okay, okay. Where are we going anyway?"

Katara's stomach growls in response, "How about breakfast?" Zuko licks his lips, he hadn't even realized how hungry he was until she said that. They walk quickly towards the palace, intent on getting food before coming back down to meet Iroh. Katara stops and points things out to him here and there, the carvings around a waterfall, the swoop of an arc, the way the sun glints off a piece of ice. Zuko nods at all of them though he's composing escape plans in his head just in case.

The palace leaves him momentarily speechless. "It's all ice?"

"Yeah."

"That's terrifying."

Katara nudges him, "Just don't get angry in here and you're good." She giggles. "I actually broke some of the vases earlier when I had a fight with the chief and Master Pakku."

"What'd they do to deserve that?" They're in front of a large cooking pot and they ladle spoonfuls of soup into bowls.

"They wouldn't let me learn to fight because I'm a girl. I fixed that problem though." They find somewhere away from the angry glances to sit.

"You're joking."

"Nope." Katara digs in, immensely enjoying the taste. She's tired, she's hungry, and this is perfect.

Zuko doesn't seem to think so. After the first few swallows that ease his grumbling stomach he starts to actually taste his food. The meat is too chewy, the soup is watery and he really doesn't want to know why it's that funny shade of green. He looks up to see the older woman Ming with the Fire Nation eyes watching him, her eyebrow quirked and a smirk on her face. "How's the food, highness?"

Zuko forces a smile, "Fantastic." Another blast from the horn saves him from trying to choke it down. Quickly they scurry down to the outer wall to watch General Iroh make his way into the Northern Water Tribe. He's guided through the locks the same way Appa was until his small grey boat comes to a forced halt in front of Chief Arnook. The soldiers that had come home from Zhao's ship stand behind their chief. Iroh looks up at the man and three other men step out of the cabin. Jee is among them though there are two captains that are unfamiliar to Zuko.

"It's an honor to be in your great city. I'm General Iroh, this is Captain Xi, Captain To-Sho, and Lieutenant Jee."

"I'm Chief Arnook. If your previous actions are any indictor then perhaps this meeting will go well."

"I sincerely - Nephew!" Iroh catches sight of Zuko and all thoughts of formalities are out the window. The old man scrambles out of the boat and pulls his nephew into a hug. The surrounding warriors grip their weapons tightly at the quick action but Arnook doesn't give the order, instead he just watches as tears roll down Iroh's face. "Oh Nephew I'm so glad you're okay! I was worried sick, are you hurt? Have you seen Miss Katara and the Avatar yet? Did you remember your Breath of Fire? How about your hood, I forgot to tell you to keep it up and cover your ears."

"I'm fine, Uncle! Really!" Zuko is deeply embarrassed but stays in the hug a moment longer. Uncle eventually pulls back to examine his face, checking to make sure his ears are intact. Arnook watches the interaction curiously, this is the first time he's even heard of the Fire Nation being anything less than cruel and somehow it's a little harder to despise the old man after watching him fret over the boy.

Jee, Xi, and To-Sho are all looking around at the beautiful architecture, trying to look anywhere except at the intimate scene in front of them. They're doing their best to smile and look like nice people but Jee still has Zhao's blood under his nails and the two captains are praying they get out of this alive. They're all sick of the war though and so they're willing to give this a try. Arnook eventually clears his throat and Iroh realizes there are more people around thank just him and his nephew. He laughs, "Forgive me Chief Arnook, I was just so happy to see my nephew."

"It's understandable. However, the question of why he's here if you're intent on peace is valid."

Iroh shrugs, "Zhao wasn't intent on peace and Prince Zuko needed to get to the Avatar." Arnook raises an eyebrow. "We're here to try to usher in a new age of understanding. My brother, Fire Lord Ozai isn't aware of what's being done today and we do it without his support, but I feel that many soldiers will follow once a path has been opened up for them. We are all tired of the war and we wish it to be done."

"Then we are on the same page."

"Yes, I hope so. While I know true peace is a long way off, perhaps for now we can simply agree not to kill each other and not to have our troops kill each other."

Arnook mulls it over for a moment, "My men will not attack unless yours do so first."

"Mine will not attack at all."

"Good." Arnook turns away from Iroh and towards the throngs of people waiting, "Yesterday we stood on the edge of war, a war we have tried so hard to stay out of. Today we are safe from it! Today the fight for peace begins!" The crowd roars and smiles abound. "We will have a feast to commemorate this day. I will ask the general to bring back a handful of troops to marvel at the glory of our city I ask that you be kind to them. We will welcome them and make sure they spread the tales of our generosity and kindness to their fellows. We have been safe from the Great War behind our walls and as of today we hope to be safe from it entirely." There's cheering. Arnook knows he's rushing things but his troops were returned mostly unharmed and he knows how long they would last if the Fire Nation decided to end them once and for all. He has to hope for better things, he has too, and there are enough benders and fighters here to overwhelm any small force if necessary, especially with the full moon coming up this evening. However, he hopes it won't be necessary.

Iroh and the two captains - Jee returned to bring back five willing men - are led directly up to the palace under a heavy 'escort'. The city of ice leaves them in wonder, and many benders smirk openly at the awe on their faces. No one throws anything at them, that's good though many women usher their children inside before they come by. Zuko doesn't leave Iroh's side and Katara doesn't leave Zuko's. Of course that means Sokka, Aang, and even Princess Yue are accompanying the Fire Nation men too.

Once they're in the palace Yue excuses herself and Sokka follows, he is her bodyguard after all. Aang is shooting Zuko dirty looks and while he knows he should stay and play the part of the Avatar, playing with Momo in the snow seems like such a better idea so he's off to do that grumbling about stupid fire benders the whole time. They're ushered into the main hall and offered water to drink at the end of one of the tables.

Iroh eventually pops his eyes back into his head and looks to Katara. "It's so good to see you! I trust your journey here was good, hopefully?"

She smiles warmly, "Yes, General Iroh -"

"Uncle, I told you to call me Uncle!"

Katara laughs lightly, "Okay, Uncle then, my trip was splendid."

"Good, good!"

"Tell Lian thank you for the jerky. I think he may have even made it a little less spicy for me." The pretense of no, Katara was never on a Fire Nation ship long out the window.

"He did," Zuko comments and Katara grins.

"I knew it. But what happened with Admiral Zhao, Zuko hasn't said anything about it yet."

"He blew up our ship."

"What!" Katara screeches and even the guards look at the old man, shocked that someone of the Fire Nation would do that to their own.

Iroh shrugs it off. "He shanghaied all of our men first and we happened to get off before it happened. Zuko hid out on Zhao's ship until we got here."

"Are you two okay?"

"We're fine. Zhao however not so much. He's pompous and one of his men overheard his plan to use them as simply bodies. Needless to say it didn't take long for our dear admiral to end up at the bottom of the sea." Iroh isn't bothered by it in the slightest. Zuko and Katara's eyes widen in surprise though.

On of the captains, To-Sho, comments, "It's about time someone got him."

Captain Xi nods, "You know he had my niece sent to the front lines in the Earth Kingdom after I disagreed with him about how funding should be used and then he got me demoted on top of that. I'm glad someone finally stopped him." All of the guards listen in horror to the atrocities Zhao committed, thankful that someone took care of him before he invaded their homes. "It's men like him who kept this war going."

"So you are really against the war too?" Katara asks.

Xi laughs tiredly. "Young lady, I have a family and all I want is to go back to them and live out the end of my days in peace and quiet." He sighs, "Once this is over I'm heading back to my wife and we're going to the colonies to have that farm we've always dreamed about."

"Yeah, If Ozai doesn't have my head I'm retiring to Ember Island after this."

The captains and the general fall into silence, thinking about what comes after this. Katara looks at Zuko who's staring at the men in surprise. "I wasn't expecting this," he mutters. "I didn't know anyone else felt like this."

She smiles slightly, tears in her eyes, "I didn't know any of your people felt like this."

. . .

For once Yue is doing something for herself. Her entire life she's been living for her people, her position, her father. Right now she's living for herself. It's both of their first real kisses, kisses that are more than slight pecks or hurried guilty lip locks. They're back in his room, no one would think to look for her there and she's against the wall. Both wear thick parkas but that's not important now. One hand is pulling his head closer, the other is wrapped around Sokka's shoulders. His hands cup her neck and waist, pulling her as close to him as possible. Their lips crash together, clumsy, awkward, and absolutely perfect. Her lips open slightly, her tongue darting against his mouth. He opens in response but pauses, "Is this okay?"

"Sokka, please don't ask me that." She pulls him back to her and the kissing resumes. Their tongues find each other and all thoughts disappear. Eventually, he pulls back, their foreheads resting against each other.

"I love you," he pants.

"I love you too," she sighs.

"Come with us."

"You know I can't." Yue caresses his face, breathing him in before pulling him against her mouth again.