Chapter 7

Let's see what happens shall we? Hopefully it's something interesting. Who knows? I don't yet, I haven't written it. Here we go…

Rated T I guess? I don't know. There isn't any sexy time.

As much as Katara asked, San Fan insisted she was fine living in her home alone. It wasn't until Zuko met with her and asked her to be the colony ambassador that she agreed to stay at the palace. He had told her all of the other ambassadors will be staying here so she should too. The colony ambassador had a condition though, she wanted to continue to work at the hospital. The Fire Lord had agreed and promised more resources for her.

Two weeks of working at the hospital had passed when Haru arrived.

"Haru!" Katara hugged him. "How are your parents?"

"They are doing well. They are proud of me for representing the Earth Kingdom," He turned to Zuko. "And I am honored you would think of me." He bowed. The Fire Lord returned the gesture.

"I am grateful you accepted. Let me introduce our colony ambassador, San Fan." Zuko spoke more formally than Katara expected. Maybe he was feeling a little threatened by Haru, she wondered.
"I look forward to working with you and getting to know you," Haru bowed as did San Fan.

"Sadly I had stepped out of a meeting to greet you and I have to go back," Zuko said. "I will see you all at dinner".

"I'll show you to your room so you can get settled" Katara lead the way to the guest wing where San Fan was also staying. Katara wanted them closer but Zuko insisted they made too much noise and that he wanted his privacy. Zuko had filled all the advisor roles which meant he had more frequent meetings, but also was able to delegate work so his day's ended earlier. It gave them plenty of time to-

"How long have you been here Katara?" Haru asked, breaking her from her thoughts.

"About three weeks. I came back with Zuko from Ba Sing Se." He turned to San Fan.

"How about you?"

"Well I moved to the city over a year ago. I came to the palace this week," She looked at Katara. "After much persuading," She added.

"Yeah, well Katara can be pretty persuasive"

"I don't think I was the one who convinced her. I'm pretty sure it was Zuko that did the persuading."

"Are you guys finally together?" Haru asked casually. Katara blushed.

"What? How did you know?"

"At the western air temple it was pretty obvious. Teo, The Duke, and I all took bets on if you would get together and when." He laughed scratching the back of his neck as he admitted this. "I'll take that as a yes the. I guess I owe Teo some money."

"Wait, wait, wait," San Fan had stopped walking. She seemed shocked. "You're dating the Fire Lord?" Katara nodded. "The two of you are together? How did I not know?"

"We don't go around advertising it,"

"I beg to differ," Haru interjected. Katara rolled her eyes at him.

"You've spent too much time with Teo."

I guess I just thought water and fire wouldn't go together," San Fan seemed to be thinking out loud. "I have mixed parents, I should know better than to make that assumption."

"What are you?" Haru asked as they all started walking again.

"My dad was fire nation and my mom is earth kingdom"

"Are you a bender?"

"No my dad was but I didn't inherit it." Katara realized how much she missed having friends around all the time. She missed the conversation and laughter that inevitably came with it.

"This is your room Haru," She stopped in front of the door. "San Fan is down the hall," Katara pointed, "Zuko and I are in the wing on the other side of the courtyard." Haru nodded. "If you get lost you can always ask a servant for directions." Haru entered his room so the two girls turned to go to the courtyard.

"How come you never call him Fire Lord or Fire Lord Zuko?" San Fan asked.

"Oh, I never really thought about it. I guess I just see him as Zuko. I think I've always called him Zuko."

"How did you guys meet? You haven't told me".

"He tried to kill us," Katara answered casually. Her friend was clearly confused.

"Wow, you have one crazy story Katara. Everything about you is so interesting, you've been to so many places and done so many things." Yeah, not all of them were fun. All of a sudden she was standing there again watching Aang fall in the catacombs of Ba Sing Se. His heart had stopped, he was gone. But the spirit water saved him. Then she was standing watching the Agni Kai during the comet. Watching Zuko convulse on the ground from the lightning still coursing through his body. She heard Azula's laugh-

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, sorry," Katara said. "I just got lost in thought."

"Lady Katara," A servant called her from down the hall. She truly hated that they all called her that.

"Yes?"

"This came for you" He held up a blue scroll.

"Wonderful, thank you!" She took it and unrolled it as quickly as she could, eager to know Yagoda's response. San Fan was standing next to her clearly also excited.

Katara - The council has agreed to send an ambassador to the fire nation. His name is Paotuq. He is a warrior and is the chief's cousin's son. He will leave at first light. -Yagoda

"Of course they wouldn't send a girl. They are so impossible." Yagoda didn't need to say it, Katara just knew.

"Why wouldn't they?"

"They have stuck to old rules and customs," She was annoyed.

"At least they said yes and someone is coming," San Fan put a hand on Katara's shoulder.

"You're right. Hopefully he turns out to be great." Katara wasn't going to hold her breath though. San Fan grabbed Katara's hand with both of hers.

"It's only midday and we have the day off. What do you want to do? Let's do something fun! I think we could both use a little fun," Her friend was right. She needed to do something normal and fun.

"You know my favorite top did get destroyed a few weeks ago..." Katara smiled.

"Then we should go get you a new one!"

"You should get a new outfit too, fire nation red would look so good on you! It's much better than the dull red-brown you have now."

"Um, that's ok I don't need anything new," She was hesitant. Money! Katara should have thought about that.

"Come on, my treat, a thank-you-for-helping-us outfit. Besides you can't go into a meeting with the Fire Lord without dressing up." San Fan's mood completely changed.

"You're right!"

"We might get people to move and start farming if we offer an incentive," Zuko said once again wishing the room had even just one window.

"What could we offer while staying in budget?" Zujan asked.

"We could offer plots of land for free and make sure there are good schools," Zuko turned to his military advisor, Liu. "What do you think of this? Would this be enough to intrigue soldiers?"

"Hmm, if they have a family I believe it could. A quality education and guaranteed work would seem pretty good if you've only ever been a soldier and have no trade."

"Families are good, they mean there will be a community. Zujan, have you found out what parts of the land can be farmed?" The Fire Lord asked.

"Yes we have found a few sizable areas that have rich soil." He pulled out a map and pointed to some circled areas.

"Figure out how to divide up the land so the farmers could make a profit, build a school for each region, and get people out there to help teach how to farm. We should be able to fit that in the budget. If we can I would also like to make the land tax free for a year."

"Yes my Lord," Zujan replied.

"Do you think it is possible?" Zuko asked.

"It might be a challenge but I believe we can make it happen." He was relieved to hear this. That might mean one less thing to deal with.

"Liu how is the search going to palace guards?"

"We are at 50% Fire Lord. We have some more interviews lined up as well." Liu reported.

"Look into soldiers that are now out of a job that have returned to the city."

"Yes Fire Lord," Over the past two weeks Zuko had gotten a communications advisor and a trade advisor. Tu-La was the communications advisor, though the council didn't seem to like having a female around she was very accomplished. And the trade advisor was Shao.

"Tu-La, start getting things ready to promote the farming program. And Shao, see what would be the most profitable good that will grow in our soil. That is all for now," Zuko instructed, eager for his last meeting to end. They all bowed and left the room. Agni, he was going to be as grey as uncle within a year.

Zuko headed for dinner, ready to relax. He walked into the dinning room and everyone was sitting at the table.

"Fire Lord, sir, we just sat down," San Fan said trying to let him know he hadn't missed anything. She was a sweet girl, had all the kindness in the world, but seemed fearful. Then again she grew up with fire nation soldiers parading in her town. Her father wasn't allowed to stay with them because no one was supposed to know she was his daughter. If you broke any rule or even looked at a soldier strange there must have been consequences.

"San Fan, as I've told you, call me Zuko. If there is company you can use my title but you are a peer of mine and we are becoming friends. It's weird when you call me Fire Lord," He said, taking his seat next to Katara.

"I'll try," She answered.

"You know, it's ok to break some rules occasionally," Zuko said.

"Not all rules are practical or reasonable," Haru added. "Especially the ones you grew up with from the fire nation." He looked at Zuko "No offense,"

"None taken," He replied, putting his hands up. San Fan looked as though she didn't know what to do.

"You have strong opinions and ideals," Katara said, "You just keep them to yourself. Sharing them is ok. Pursuing what you believe is admirable, not bad."

"I suppose," The girl spoke quietly letting her black hair fall to cover her face. Katara came to her rescue.

"A scroll came from the northern water tribe. They have sent an ambassador who should be getting here in the next few weeks."

"Then our work will truly start," Haru was about to take a huge bite of hippo cow.

"I'll have to find a head of international relations before then…"

"Enough work talk," Katara interjected. "San Fan and I went shopping today for some new clothes," Then San Fan asked Haru if there were any new earth kingdom trends, Haru said he didn't know. After that Zuko lost interest in the conversation. He was pleasantly surprised that his mind didn't drift towards work but instead to the water bender sitting to his right. He thought about her strong legs wrapped around him while he thrust back and forth inside her. Suddenly he needed her. If no one else had been there he would take Katara on the table. He didn't care what the servants thought or saw.

"Umm Katara, I need to talk to you about imports we can get from the southern water tribe to try and help rebuild their trade and economy. There are some papers Zujan gave me in my office, if you wouldn't mind coming to look at them." He said standing, hoping Katara understood and the other two didn't.

"Oh, um ok, can it wait?" She hadn't gotten it.

"No, ah its, it can't" Zuko scratched the back of his head. She usually isn't this clueless.

"Alright then," She said as she stood. When Zuko and Katara were just about out of the room he heard Haru.

"I guarantee you there aren't any trade plans," San Fan giggled, probably out of embarrassment.

"Zuko, what is this about?" Katara seemed confused.

"I need you Katara, I want you. I couldn't wait," A huge grin spread across her face as he said this. As soon as they got to his room he turned and pinned her up against the back of the door. Her lips were soft and welcoming.

"Clink" They both froze. Then three hooded men came in through the window from the roof. One started throwing knives, which Katara expertly deflected with ice. The other two were fire benders who focused their attacks on Zuko. He was preparing himself for a fight when they all just left. They ran back out the window and onto the roof.

"Katara are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. That was… strange. Why would they just leave like that?" He shrugged.

"I don't know." They both looked around the room.

"Zuko, look!" Katara pointed to a note that was pinned to the wall with a knife. He walked over, pulled the knife from the wall, a very nice expensive wall, and unrolled the paper. His eyes widened and panic spread through his body. He could feel the wave of adrenaline.

We have your uncle in Ba Sing Se. Choose wisely. Long live Fire Lord Ozai.

Something did happen. I know what you're thinking "Wow, crazy, is there going to be a plot?" Apparently yes, yes there is. I know what else you're thinking "Iroh is a boss. There is no way he got captured." It's been over a month since the comet and Iroh likes his food. I'm assuming he's put some weight back on. Also we all have our weaknesses.

New goal: post twice a week.

Thank you everyone for reading! Follow, favorite, review, all that.