Thank you: L, La Spiritz, Bel29, Astra Across the Stars, sophiecambellbower, Just a Girl Who Likes to Read, and Aetzfeder!

La Spiritz: Glad to see you back! You've returned just on one of the few uphills left of this story :)

Katara walked around in a half-daze the rest of the time Zuko was gone. She was gaining her strength back, slowly, slower than she would like. Maybe her body was just rebelling from taking one too many beatings here and was refusing to do what it was supposed to.

Still, she felt like it may be something else. She couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible had happened, or was going to happen, while Zuko was gone. What, she couldn't say.

One thing she did know, however, was that she had to tell Zuko about their reincarnations. It wasn't fair to him anymore and trying to get answers on her own had nearly killed her. He deserved a straight answer, lest he tried something stupid like she had. She knew she shared this trait in Zuko...unrelenting drive when they wanted something.

This would force the moment to a crisis; she knew. It would change everything, whether or not he believed her.

For this reason, and after her conversation with Yue, Katara made a promise to herself. She has considered that Yue was idealistic and a romantic and reading into cues that weren't there. She had asked if maybe Zuko had made some vague gestures and Yue had taken it as gospel. She considered that perhaps Zuko was lying to Yue. But even if all of this conversation was false, it gave her a reminder she sorely needed...even with all of her own troubles, the competition and those that demanded a Fire Lady bride were still present and Zuko had to abide by this.

She would figure out what she wanted to do by the end of this moon. She would either say yes or ask to leave...but she could not continue on as she had been. It was not fair to anyone; to herself, to Zuko, to the contestants, heck to the Fire Nation...She must make a move.

She supposed that if she were still between a rock and a hard place by the end of the moon...well, that would be it. Some part of her ached for home and she told herself it wouldn't be all bad leaving. She would see her family, she would bring back so much knowledge, she would likely bring Sokka home with her...and maybe, once she finished licking her wounds and once she had news of the Royal Wedding, she'd go and try to find Aang and help him.

Or she'd be sure. Or, her heart would not allow her to leave, and she would talk herself out of the riddles she'd caged her heart in. She had thirty sleepless nights to consider it all, she told herself.

Yes, a moon.

One more moon and things would be chosen.

XXX

When Zuko returned, he took a date with every contestant left, spread out over the entire day, beginning with breakfast and ending with late desserts. Katara was not slated until the last slot, and whether this was intentional, a slight, or a coincidence she couldn't be sure. All she knew is that by the time she was slated to meet with him, her entire stomach was flip-flopping between considering all the different paths that this night could take. Zuko would believe her; he wouldn't. He'd be mad if she didn't tell, he'd be fine. He'd grant her a month to deliberate more; he'd demand an answer tonight. He'd be pleased to see her; he would be sending her home.

She knocked on the Tea Room door hesitantly.

"It's open, Kat, just walk in," Zuko said with a laugh, and at least one thing was answered. Someone was not that friendly moments before telling you to pack your bags.

"It was a good trip, then?" Katara guessed.

"Awful, truly awful," Zuko corrected. He was grabbing a dessert cart from a side door and had lit a fire under the teapot. "But do you really want to hear about that?"

"Of course!" Katara insisted, sitting on the floor pillow, reaching for what looked like mousse, "Zuko, you can talk to me about anything. Even the most boring details."

"This won't be boring," he huffed. "First...I've made a choice."

Katara felt her heart shirvel, "Oh?"

"There are a couple of girls that shouldn't be here, even if we are…" He paused, and Katara wanted to jump in and explain her timeline, but he continued on. "...in half a moon, I'll be sending Besu, On Ji, and Ratana home," he said. "Father wants cuts. I didn't want to do it tonight...there's a trip in a few days, I'll take them there, and then...yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Do they know?"

"Spirits, of course not. I mean, I want them to enjoy this last trip! I just...wanted to be open with you," he said, reaching for a lemon bar.

"Oh. Yes, those girls make sense." She inhaled. "Who is your first choice...I mean, besides me?" She hoped he wouldn't laugh and say 'you're not first', but he of course wasn't so cruel, even if it were not true.

"Yue has truly raised herself as a contender. Her father wanted to hear me say it, and I guess I did, but it doesn't have to mean anything. And well, did you know that they don't kiss before engagements? It makes it easy for me to do so very little because physical affection often indicates...I mean, I guess holding her hand means something. It does, but it's not a promise. Do you know what I mean?" Zuko groaned but Katara gave him a blank stare back. "She's up there. Or, well, I guess it's pretty close between her...and Suki...and Mai. I've never actually been that good at making big choices, you know?"

"If your father wants cuts, why not pare it down to the top five? With Nadhari since, as we know, she has to stay," Katara asked with a shudder, "Though weapons can be produced by someone other than her dad, right? And isn't it a bit childish to refuse to make them for the Royal Palace if you don't pick his daughter? Just saying."

Zuko sent a withering look.

"Because I don't want Nadhari thinking she's made it that far, yuck," Zuko made a face, "No, no, this is fine. There haven't been cuts in a while. This is fine," he repeated. "I also like Alcina and Cilla's company; I'd be sorry to have them gone before things are more...final."

Katara looked into her teacup and sipped it loudly.

Stop being a coward and tell him, Katara! Tell him that you've decided...you've decided that you'll decide in a moon. Oh, even that sounds foolish...

"Oh!" Zuko jumped up. "I, well, I got you a gift!" he said before Katara could broach the subject of what she really wanted to tell him. It had seemed so pressing when she was half-dead, but now? Now, her tongue tied itself up, and her lips stayed closed, even though she wanted to speak of it.

"Oh, uhm, thanks," Katara said, glad for a brief moment of pause before she for sure had to tell him she was The Painted Lady and he was the Blue Spirit...literally.

"Here." Zuko dropped a small box in her lap, and for some reason, his face was as red as the rest of his scar. "I...it is...you know that...er...yeah, no, just open it." He seemed ready to say something else but backtracked.

Katara opened it up. Inside was a bracelet; nothing too ostentatious, but it was still very expensive, and it looked old. It was made from a collection of rocks, beaded with a fine thread. The rocks were shiny and smoothed, as though by water. Not only was Katara honored by such a thoughtful, interesting gift, but the more she stared at it, the more it seemed familiar in a sense.

"It's from your birth-town," Zuko said, his voice higher pitched than usual, "And what I mean by that is-"

Katara understood. She remembered, as a child as the Painted Lady, fishing these magma-created onyx slabs from the water, smoothed by decades of the sea washing over them. She remembered peering into the window of the jeweler's office, as he rounded and beaded these bracelets. She remembered that she'd been saving for one before she was killed.

"When did you find out?" she asked, her voice choked. She felt faint, as though she was going to pass out. This was not how it was supposed to go.

"So you do know," was all Zuko said. Was he surprised? Disappointed? Happy? It was impossible to tell.

"How…"

"I sent Atsushi to procure this. The town itself is far too poor for such baubles, but I knew somewhere in the upper ring, there had to be some jewelry store with antique Jang Hui stones...and I was right." Zuko breathed in, all at once. "I guess I thought it would be an opener. You know I'm awful at talking, and, um, explaining, but I guess I can just skip this little speech I had in my mind, because well, you seem to...yeah." Zuko plopped back down beside her. Katara was really curious to know how he'd been about to explain it. It wasn't the time for that now.

"How?" Katara asked again, lip quivering. It hadn't been so long between the Spirit Pool and currently.

"We took an unintended trip to the Spirit World. Toph nearly died...I did not. There were some questions." Zuko's face was dark, his shoulders slouched. "We lost Shoji there. I'm not sure if we'll ever get him back, Katara."

"Oh!" Katara covered her mouth, trying not to cry. "Zuko, spirits...not Shoji."

"I know he was like a little brother to you, I'm so sorry," Zuko said, his eyes wet with tears he wiped away. "I didn't want to leave him, but Aang made that choice. But I knew...my mother, the Dark Water Spirit, she told me two nights ago." He inhaled hard. "Your turn. When?"

"At Jang Hui. That's when." Katara spoke carefully. Zuko studied her.

"Agni, that was moons ago."

"And how could I tell you?" Katara asked, standing. "How could I explain it, when I myself was so unsure of it! You didn't believe in any of that, be truthful. You would have called me crazy."

"Not if it was coming from you," Zuko insisted.

"Really?" Katara asked, staring him down. Zuko paused for a moment, wincing.

"Okay, I would have called you crazy. I won't lie. I'm still hurt. But…" He rubbed his chin. "That's what you were trying to tell me, at the North Pole. Is that why you nearly killed yourself?"

"That wasn't part of the plan," Katara said, as though that wasn't clear. "I just wanted answers. Illumination on the subject has been few and far between," she said. Zuko gave a rickety laugh, eating the last bit of his lemon bar.

"Tell me about it."

They sat in silence for a moment, each drinking their tea, daring quick glances at each other.

"So...uhm...I guess we're soulmates," Zuko said with brightness, but it was a tad forced.

"Reincarnation of soulmates," Katara muttered under her breath. Zuko tilted his head.

"Is there a difference?"

"I think so," Katara said. "I'm not sure if it makes it easier. Is it for you?" she questioned. Zuko leaned forward, kissing her softly. His lips tasted of bitter lemon but were coated in sugar. She leaned into it, too much, just as he pulled away. He caught her before she fell, his hands brushing her cheekbones.

"Katara, I've never wavered. I don't think this changes anything."

"It might for me. I just...it's a lot to be dumped on you." Katara pulled away, much to his disappointment, drawing her arms to protect her heart. "I don't like being told what I should or should do."

Zuko laughed, "Yeah, that's true."

"It's not funny. Seriously; I'm not sure I'm happy with the implications," she tried to explain.

"I'm serious. Honest," Zuko said, but his smile kept reappearing, "I doubt you were coming here to propose, so it doesn't matter, huh? It hasn't actually changed a whole ton. I'm confident. I'm not afraid, for once, of all of it." He shrugged. "I've always...liked the idea of reincarnation, on some level, even if I wasn't sure I could believe it. I don't know if my past has to affect my future."

"So you're not having the memory clashes, then?" Katara guessed. At Zuko's confused face, she knew he wasn't there yet, not hearing whispers or knowledge pooling out without her consent.

"I'm going to make a choice soon. One moon."

She watched Zuko's chest rise, glee and excitement bubbling, and she didn't have the heart to warn him that it might be a no. She couldn't.

He kissed her. He pulled her to him and kissed her hard, as though he was trying to suck her soul out through her lips. Katara, whose heart always burned for him and whose heart still skipped a beat at his awkward smiles, didn't think she could deny him this. She tried, though, but Zuko shushed her in between quick kisses to her lips.

"I know it's not a yes, not yet, but please, Katara..." He trailed a hand down her side and she shuddered at the touch, his warm fingers resting on the skin that had been exposed as her blouse hiked up, detached from her skirt.

"Please what?" She asked, daring to be girlish or even seductive for a second, but curious just the same.

Zuko gave a burst of air which finished in a laugh, "I don't know..." He said, and she could tell he was shivering, just slightly. She reminded herself she had more experience with this sort than he did, "But we're alone...you're the last on my list- and by the way, that wasn't planned so perhaps I might believe in fate just a bit more- so we have all the time in the world." He said, nipping at her lip.

"No interruptions?" Katara raised an eyebrow. Zuko snorted but grinned. Sure, some of those hadn't been people (cats jumping on garbage, the moon...) but it sure seemed like something out there didn't want them getting down and dirty.

"None," He promised, "My father thinks I'm cutting girls tonight. So he won't bother. Girls crying? He'd rather be on the other side of the palace." Zuko teased, "So can we just...I want to..." He looked at Katara. She tried to memorize the flecks of brown in his golden eyes, the way the light from the lamp made them shine, and how perfect he looked right then.

"I want to just see," He finally articulated, though it wasn't much of an explanation, "What it's like. Some of it."

"Not...all?" She got the feeling she knew what he was referring to.

"No, I wouldn't want it on a couch in this room. But, er, I..." He gulped.

Katara leaned up to kiss him. She didn't want to make him feel more unsure. She lifted his palms and brought them to place her top was tied at the side. He unraveled the first knot, then paused.

"I wouldn't be putting your hands anywhere I wouldn't want them," Katara assured him. She eased Zuko back into a gentle kiss, her own fingers starting to unclasp the buttons of his outercoats. Zuko unwrapped her top in record time, shoving the piece of fabric off the couch. She'd pushed his first layer off his shoulders. At his hesitation, she caught his eyes.

"We don't have to go farther," She said, "If you don't-,"

"You think I don't?" Zuko asked, "I'm just trying to savor this. Uncharted territory," He said with a smile. Katara nudged his ribs.

"Nerd," She murmured lovingly.

His next kiss was not hesitant or unsure. She was so caught up in how heavy this one was that she almost didn't realize that his fingers were making quick work of her top bindings until only one layer remained. He did seem to stop there, but the strips were thin enough that when he put his hands over the top of her breasts or when he flicked his finger across, she felt everything.

She bucked her hips into his and they both moaned in unison.

Zuko tangled his arms in his own shirt, frantic to get it off and press his skin to hers. She felt the heat warming her as she grasped onto him and he pushed against her figure, eyes fluttering closed.

"Sorry it's not-," He began, but Katara shook her head.

"No, don't...that friction," She held onto him tighter, rearranged her skirts so that his body was as close to hers as they could get, even with layers of clothes on their bottom, "It feels good." She said, voice husky. It had been so long, but she hadn't expected how it would feel with someone she...well, someone like Zuko.

His kisses were tied to the way he was moving, jolting and frantic, but waves lapping over each other in pleasure. It was everything good and nothing bad. Katara held him tighter against him, her own legs locking into his, telling herself to just allow the feeling and not worry about anything else. As it was, the way they were colliding soon was so intense it was hard to think of little else. When Zuko shuddered into her lips, gasping out the names of the gods, Katara wanted to tease and remind him that it was her body beneath his, but she found release a moment later anyway.

Then, they basked in that afterglow. Zuko brushed her flyaway hair from her face, kissing her forehead, "It's going to feel amazing when I actually..." He grinned, "I mean, I hope with you." Before Katara could respond, he got up, leaning and stretching, "Agni, I need food."

"Me too," Katara said, "You're usually hungry after something like that. At least I always have been," She said.

"Oh, well good thing we have all these desserts at our disposal," Zuko said, taking a dole of whipped cream on his finger and dotting it playfully on her nose. As he leaned to grab a plate for Katara, she saw a hint of what might be that mysterious tattoo of his down on his waist, but couldn't see more than the top. She was about to ask about it, but Zuko asked what she wanted to eat.

Then, he paused. From his face, it seemed he was going to change the feeling of the topic.

"If you're leaning toward a yes, that might come as a surprise to some."

"Huh?" Katara tilted her head. All tattoo questions vanished.

"You're not well-liked currently, sure," Zuko waved a hand, "But Zhi made a comment to me that well, you didn't seem as serious about it anymore. Other girls would die for this chance, but you...she might not see what I know, but it's worth considering her words."

"I'm serious about it!" Katara said, offended, "I'm so serious that she...she...what does she know!"

Zuko moved a strand of hair behind her ear. "There's my girl," he said warmly. "Ignore it. It doesn't matter, huh? Now, seriously, you gotta try this caramel, Kat. And we'll worry about righting your hair in a bit."

XX

If someone were to know about Katara's end-of-the-moon plan and ask her which she was leaning, she would confidently say she was exactly in the middle. She wanted time to explore every aspect and not be pulled one way or another prematurely. Why rush it when she had a moon? She was committed to the timeline now that Zuko knew, but it would keep her honest.

There were, however, some housekeeping sorts of things to try to deal with, if she were going to say yes. So, Katara spent the next day attempting to accomplish those.

She firstly met with Ru, early in the morning, to see how her article was coming. They worked to refine it until it was nearly perfect. Ru promised to have it out with the half-moon's issue, and it would be on the front page. He was waiting for some nice things said about her from her tribe and people she'd come in contact with.

Second, she went around and tried to make nice with some of the politicians and attendants that didn't like her. She needed a few on her side if she were Fire Lady. At the end of the day, she wasn't confident she changed any of their minds, but she was determined. She had time to get a few to warm back up to her.

Third, she wrote to her father. She'd never come with the intention of marrying Zuko, not from the start, so this might be a surprise to her father entirely. She often confided in him when she was feeling confused, and confused was she ever. She laid it all out (well, not the reincarnation — she wasn't ready for that truth yet) and asked her father for clarity and guidance. It would take a week for the letter to get to the South Pole, a few days for him to properly mull and write back, and a week to arrive...it would come anywhere from a week and a half to two weeks from now, giving her the perfect amount of time to internalize her father's advice and make a decision.

Lastly, she went on a hunt for Zhi.

She found her with On Ji, going over what looked like textbook work together. Katara politely waited until she was done. Once she dismissed On Ji, she looked at Katara as though shocked.

"Princess, I'm glad you're alright! I heard about your fall into the canals."

The word going around was Katara had fallen and nearly drowned in the North. She knew many were wondering how a waterbender could have possibly nearly drowned, but hey, Katara hadn't started that rumor.

"Yes, uhm, it was quite the event," Katara said. "Lady Zhi, I was wondering, if you were free of course, if I might bother you for some private decorum lessons?" she asked, face red to be even asking. Her pride had nearly stopped her, but she had forged ahead.

"Decorum lessons? I'm not sure I...Princess?" Zhi squinted at her.

"A few times a week, I guess. I just...well...I feel like I should know the Fire Nation royalty ways. I'm behind compared to most."

Zhi gasped. "Is there to be a Royal Wedding soon, my dear? Has Prince Zuko hinted something to you?"

"No," Katara lied, "But I know he has affection for me. I just wanted to be proactive."

Zhi stared and for a moment, Katara thought she'd offended Zhi somehow. But then Zhi broke into a smile and hugged Katara, "Oh! How wonderful! I'm glad you understand the importance. I would be honored, Princess Katara. When would you like to begin?" she asked, face bright with pride.

"Err, now?"

Zhi went over to her shelf and began pulling books out. The information seemed momentous; the amount of text she was putting into a pile couldn't possibly be learned in a month, but Katara was willing to try. "Grand! I'll call for some tea. This will take the rest of the day, Princess." She waited, as though expecting Katara to find some excuse to slip away. Instead, Katara pushed down her grimace and smiled.

"Lovely, I'm excited to begin."

XXX

For the next three days, Katara's nose was in a book. If she wasn't with Zhi, she was reading on her own, ignoring everyone else. That was fine...not many wanted to talk with her anyway. She would take breaks to socialize with Suki, and once Yue, but otherwise, everyone left her alone.

Katara's mind was full. She was knee-deep in complicated Fire Nation history, figuring out what order to use 12 different sized forks at a formal dinner, learning the color language of flowers, practicing calligraphy, and trying to recite Fire Nation poems by heart. She had five books going at once and found herself murmuring the proper hierarchy of titles and greetings as she fell asleep.

Katara's interest in decorum spurned something in Zhi. After the arena fights, she'd been maudlin and absent from the Ladies Room unless someone sought her out actively. She had almost pushed aside her duty other than what was strictly required, but maybe an unlikely candidate like Katara asking for help had reminded her why she was there.

The remaining contestants were pulled together for a group meeting, something that hadn't happened in what felt like years.

Zhi started by handing everyone a piece of parchment and an inkpot. She asked the waiting girls what was something they were passionate about. Katara paused and scribbled answers like her family, bending, justice, fairness, and leadership.

"The reason I ask is that the Fire Lady is typically in charge of a committee of some kind, something that benefits the Fire Nation. Fire Lady Ursa reinvigorated the Visual Arts in our country, specifically focusing on plays. Of course, she's done far more, but many applaud her love for creativity and how she's brought it back to an elite and honored pastime."

"Are we supposed to come up with something like that?" On Ji's eyes were wide. "That's a lot!"

"A theory, my dear, not all the specifics. Fire Lord Ozai has already approved this brainstorm session, and you will present your ideas to him at the end of the quarter-moon. Just your ideas, how it would run, and so on. Nothing is being produced, but it may give the Fire Lord, the Prince, and the rest of the Sages an idea of what you may bring to our nation."

Alcina gulped, and On Ji looked ready to faint. A few of the girls, such as Suki and Yue, looked like they already had ideas swimming. Nadhari rolled her eyes, sinking into her chair as she scratched little drawings onto her scroll.

For Katara, she felt like there were too many ideas. Some of these girls were blind to the issues beneath their own slipper-clad feet. They had never grown up like Katara had and it was hard to know what you didn't already know. Her brain was a tidal wave of ideas, all splashing and fighting to be superior. She was confident she could win this if there was something to be won. She had seen the errors of the Fire Nation and was committed to fixing it, but what would she choose?

XXX

In the upcoming days, the Fire Nation libraries saw more use than they likely had in years. The girls were all committed to putting on a well-thought-out idea, even Nadhari, despite her grumping at the announcement. She seemed earnest and studious whenever Katara saw her, like everyone else. Girls like Suki had written notes by the pound, carting entire bags of scrolls with them everywhere. Everyone was rising to meet the expectations of the others, and at the very least, Katara hoped everyone's presentation would be stellar. Zhi twittered around like a happy morning-dove, occasionally giving a helpful hint, but mostly just observing the way the girls pushed themselves into this task. Perhaps, Katara thought, this itself was a test.

Zuko knew a bit about the project and told the girls though he would love to hear everyone's ideas, he didn't have time to proof all of them, so he'd just have to wait until Friday. Katara wondered who had tried to show him theirs early?

After that first day, Katara had written all her ideas down, from the smallest to the biggest.

Some would not create waves. Some would make the Sages smile and the Fire Nation people say, 'oh, look how Fire Nation she has become.'

And while those were surely tempting, she could not in good faith choose one of those. No, if she were going to be their leader within a month, they needed to know what kind of Fire Lady she would be. She was the kind that would create fires, not put them out, but it would be for the greater good. She was a controlled burn, smoking out the bad so the good could grow. She had no intention to mislead anyone, to show herself as less extreme now and switch later. If she were to do this, she would be doing it right. Or, at least, what Katara considered to be right.

On the day of the presentations, Katara recited her speech to herself over and over. She didn't want to seem unsure or flub any part of it, nor did she want to seem like she didn't know what she was proposing.

Katara opened her wardrobe to dress (a new handmaid was promised within the next moon) and dug through her closet for the one item she'd never worn but knew existed: a bright red traditional Fire Nation dress. She wanted to appeal to their histories as much as possible, try to show everyone that she was doing this for them, for their people too.

Everyone here deserved better than how life was. Zuko, Ursa, Azula, Iroh, Lu Ten, spirits even Ozai, deserved so much better. Just because they had lived in this way didn't mean they always had to.

And Katara was determined to show them this.

When Katara entered the Royal Show Room, she noticed how packed the room was. The entire Royal Family was there, of course, plus the Fire Sages. Besides these people, which Katara expected, there was a whole swarm of reporters along with many dignitaries and politicians. Ru waved to Katara, giving her a 'thumbs up' and grinning widely.

The last seat open was next to Nadhari, but even that sourpuss couldn't bother Katara today. She was so excited to show her idea, to make people understand.

She noticed Nadhari staring her down.

"What?" Katara asked irritably.

"Nothing, I…" Nadhari tilted her head, shrugging. "Red actually suits you."

Katara narrowed her eyes, unsure if she was being truthful, a liar, or if this was some psychological head game.

Zhi came to quietly talk with everyone and explain; they had eight minutes to speak and three minutes for questions from the crowd. The most favored choice from the Sages would receive a suite when they traveled to their next destination, wherever that may be. It would go in the order they were sitting; On Ji first and Katara last. Katara smiled politely...she didn't want to be the best due to prizes, but because she felt like on some level, they needed change.

The presentations were all...something. Good or bad, Katara had thoughts on everything.

On Ji's was one of the worst. She said that the Equalists should be outlawed to keep the Fire Nation safe. Which, well, they already were?

Alcina and Yue both had ideas about connections between tribal areas and small cities; a pen-pal service by Alcina's idea and an exchange program from Yue. Suki pushed for more equal learning for girls and boys. Cilla prompted an early self-defense class for kids under the age of ten. Ratana's was a clean water initiative, something Katara wanted to clap for, but recalled how nasty Ratana had been towards Toph. Besu's was to start a cooking class for those that didn't have upper-ring provisions, or how to eat healthy with what you had. Mai's was surprisingly one of the most well-rehearsed, aside from Suki's. She backed up her proposal with scrolls of research and she was able to easily answer all of the questions that came at her, whereas On Ji had sort of floundered in that part. Mai's program was to better strengthen the orphan and adoption programs in the Fire Nation Capital, citing that so many upper-class citizens were desperate for a child and so many lower-class citizens could not afford or were not in the right mind to care for one. Katara thought her passion was true but misplaced. Shouldn't they help those in need instead of taking children away? Still, the amount backing up her presentation was enough to nearly have Katara on board.

When it was Nadhari's turn, she stood and called for better teaching on weapons. She cited that the Fire Nation was producing new, dangerous weapons with such fast-paced accuracy for the non-benders that the deaths that had been caused by the accidental discharge or otherwise were staggering. It was an interesting take, as Katara thought she recalled that Nadhari's father was a main producer of weapons, but perhaps she knew it from a first-hand account. It was a different side to her, one that did genuinely care about making things better. Even Zuko looked surprised.

When it was Katara's turn, she stood, trying not to play with her hands too much. She looked out over the crowd, and at Zuko's encouraging smile, she raised her chin to speak.

"Hello. Today I come to speak to you all not as a Water Tribe Woman, separated and different, but as someone who has found a home in the Fire Nation for the past year. I am coming to you as someone who was once an outsider but has found family, companionship, friendship, and strong values that I would be remiss to ignore. Believe me when I say this; I love the Fire Nation and I want a good life for everyone in it," Katara said in a confident voice, the truth making her words glow. "And for the most part, that's true. The Fire Nation Capital strives to take care of its citizens; look at all the outreach programs that are being proposed to the people within these walls," Katara said, looking back at her fellow women and smiling wide. "But you have taken us outside these walls. We have visited so many vibrant, beautiful places with so many interesting people. And the truth of the matter is that outside the Capitol - no, even outside the Fire Nation - people are suffering. People are dying from starvation, people are giving up their livelihood to the military passing through, people are barely holding on. I don't have books to prove it, but I have my own eyes. Don't believe me? Prince Zuko has seen it...these girls have seen it...there are places that need our help. And we should help."

Katara smiled and saw Zuko give her a worried look from the crowd. Most were interested to hear what she had to say; a divisive plot was better than a boring one, that was for sure.

"I propose a tax raise to Fire Nation citizens on a sliding scale based on income to help organize better support and provisions for the colonies that are suffering. I also propose an unpaid, volunteer-appointed position to assure that the majority of these coins spent actually make it into the hands of the suffering people, instead of those who seek financial gain or power."

There were a few gasps from the room. A few horrified mutterings. Zuko was trying not to smile. Ru had slapped his forehead; oops, she probably should have warned him her idea might be unpopular.

"This is a joke-" one of the dignitaries hissed, but was shushed by Zuko.

"She still has a few more minutes," he said firmly.

"The Fire Nation has certainly helped with so much good, that is true. The trade borders are open and flowing. People are easily able to cross from one land to another. But your people, the people you promised to protect once you took them under your wing, are in need of your help. Something I can quote from books is that a majority of spending by the upper-class households is used on non-necessities; fancy houses, libraries, interesting pets...I have the records with me," Katara said, trying not to let the furious expressions take her down. "And I also have records showing that nearly all the coin of those that would be considered lower-class is spent only on necessities. It would create a better-unified nation for everyone to close that gap the best we can."

Katara went through her spending and accounting reports carefully, outlining how she would best divide up the money between healing costs, food, education, and other needs. She talked about how if there were volunteers, it would deter those that would try to be placed there out of greed or manipulate the situation. She discussed how there needed to be checks and balances to always assure it was in the best interest of the people.

When she finished, she felt good about her presentation, though she knew that didn't mean it was well-received.

"That is my proposal, so, er...questions?"

That sent the group into a tizzy. The guards had to come to calm people down as it seemed everyone was shouting over each other. It was a lot of 'my money? Is she crazy?' Zuko was trying to put out fires, but as soon as he'd soothed one, another person came up to him yelling. When Katara looked back, it seemed everyone was staring at her like she was insane, even Suki was shaking her head, as though to say Katara should have known better.

All of Katara's answers to very angry questions seemed to fall on weak ears. These were the people she aimed to take money away from...why would they want to reason with her? Even with the best of answers, she received scoffs and dirty looks from the crowd, until Zuko weakly directed her to sit back down.

Afterward, the journalists were allowed to interview the candidates and ask more direct questions for their articles. Only Ru came and talked to Katara, and told her he'd focus on the cold hard facts she'd presented as those couldn't be argued, but other than him...everyone kept a wide berth.

Katara was fine with that. Ozai came gliding over, cold fury on his face.

"Did you enjoy that? Do you mean to alienate everyone, Princess?" he asked.

"Did I enjoy proposing an idea that could actually help people? Of course," Katara said back to him in a clipped tone. "These people are too tied to their emotions." Or, she thought, their money.

"These people could have your head if they so wanted. Bankrupting the rich is hardly a solution," Ozai scoffed.

"Not bankrupt," Katara replied, "A small tax in comparison to what they frivolously spend."

"Few, if any, will ever see it that way, so perhaps it is fortunate this will never come to pass," he said with a twisted smile. "I would consider packing your things, Princess. I cannot imagine you staying long after this."

"Is that a direct order, sir?" Katara asked, folding her hands.

"An observation," Ozai said without missing a beat, "That perhaps even my son could not save your spot once everyone hears how you plan to mangle our nation."

Katara tried not to let Ozai's words, his threat, bother her. Zuko only had a chance to briefly congratulate her, but she couldn't tell how he was responding to it, other than they didn't hate her idea.

She was sitting, enjoying the finger cakes and none too upset that she wasn't swarmed by journalists when a shadow passed over her face. She looked up to see Mai.

"Hi?" she asked uncertainly.

"It's a good plan," Mai said simply. Katara blinked, very confused. Mai sat next to her for a moment, nodding. "It's a good, honorable plan, Princess."

"But you think I should have held my tongue," Katara guessed.

"No, not at all," Mai said, shocking her. "We colonized and ravaged and destroyed to gain the Earth Kingdom and the Northern Water Tribe. It's arrogant and immature of us to leave them to rot after we've used what we wish of their resources. I wish I had the courage to say something so bold too."

"Courage? Mai you're terrifying," Katara choked out a laugh, "I don't think anyone would be upset with you if you said it."

"Perhaps, but I wasn't the one who did. You said it. You do truly have ideas to make life better for everyone, not merely a select few," Mai praised. "Don't let Fire Lord Ozai sway you differently. And...if Zuko does choose you…" She paused for a few seconds. "Fight to get this one through. And come to me. I will help you to change the minds of a few key politicians. I know how to speak their language, get them to agree."

"Oh, yeah, thanks," Katara said, a bit taken aback.

"I think we could be great allies for the future of the Fire Nation," Mai said, brushing her robes and standing, "However this plays out."

Katara was about to add something else, but a guard broke into the room, waving Ozai over frantically. Everyone realized that this was big news and tried to swarm to press their ears to the doors to hear what was being said. The guards pushed swaths of people back, but Katara saw Besu, like the little bandit she was, slip the notice of everyone and slide past the door that Ozai closed.

Zhi gathered the girls, announcing that the interviews were over, and pulling them into the next room. Katara grabbed Zuko's arm in the fray, pulling him too, knowing he would have a chance to hear it from Besu faster than his father, who would no doubt twist whatever this news was the way he wanted it to be seen.

Besu returned not long later. She was white as a sheet and shaking.

"What is it?" Nadhari asked, "What's going on?"

Besu sniffled, trying not to cry, but her lip shook with sorrow, with a sense of resignation to a situation. "Zhao has found where the Avatar is hiding. He's attacked!"