Katara finished the letter and began to pack things that she would need. She grabbed her fighting suit, her belt, which had many things like daggers, knifes, poison, and 2 swords. She grabbed an extra ribbon for her hair. On top of the dresser she left her mother's necklace. For this mission she would have to leave it. The only jewelry she took was the engagement ring he gave her.

She walked carefully out the hidden passage, the door closed behind her and she walked until she was in the castle. She walked into one of the rooms and drifted off to sleep, she would leave the next morning.

"Uncle, I'm going to try and recruit new soldiers. I need some for my extra errands, also to catch the avatar. Even though I trust my crew to the fullest, they are getting old and dumber. No offense Uncle"

"None taken nephew. But do you really believe that I am dumb?"

"Uncle I wasn't referring to you! God never mind." Zuko walked out to the deck.

"Captain Ji dock the ship to the nearst vilage, we need supplies." Zuko said staring out to the ocean then walking towards his bedroom. He laid on his bed and drifted off to a not so pleasant sleep. Ever since his was banished it was rare for him to get a good night sleep. The whole banishment would repeat in his dreams. Sometimes they would shift to him losing someone….he loved. But he never could actually see the woman's face.

"Nephew raise and shine" Iroh said sip his tea.

"Damn, I can never get enough sleep. Uncle why are you always happy, there is nothing happy about this world!"

"That's what you think." Iroh said leaving his nephew to wonder what he meant. 'and he said I was slow.'

'you shouldn't think that way' Iroh shook is nasty thought away and got went to go do his chores……play Pai Sho.

Katara awoke the next morning and changed her blue dress to a regular peasant one. She wanted to blend in with the people, without having them recognize that she's the Princess of the Earth kingdom.

It was around 9 in the morning when Katara started to walk towards the fire nation ship.

'There's only one way to kill this Prince. I have to join the damn fire nation! Katara…hum….what should be my new name?' 'It can't be anything related to Katara, because then he will find out. Oh and girl you need to change that hair, paint your nails, put some make up on. That's about it. So now march your butt to a store and get what you need. Oh and get black nail polish and red lipstick and eye shadow, and black eyeliner.'… 'Will you shut up, I know what I have to do!' 'NO You don't' Her inner voice taunted her for sometime until she got the things that the voice was demanding to have.

'Happy now?' 'Yes I am, now run along and put it on.'

Katara ended up buying a red and black outfit. The type most bounty hunters used. It mainly had black. She couldn't stand the color red on her. One, it wasn't really her color, two she hated to look like fire nation. But in this case she had to.

"Um… Aang! Come quick." Toph yelled.

"What is it?" Aang said knowing that when Toph said 'Aang' it meant either she was furious or that it was really important.

"Read…" Toph said handing him Katara's letter.

"What is it? Why did you yell Toph? You woke me up." Sokka said with a pout.

"Shut up Sokka my sister left. But I don't know how. She's not an earth bender. The entrances are blocked." Toph said in a worried tone.

"Toph, she doesn't want to be found. She left on her own. But your right how could she have left, there's no way." Aang said as he finished reading the letter. He handed to Sokka, who started to read it.

"Twinkle toes we best go. She said that you need to master your elements. Now lets eat and go." Toph said in a happier tone. She knew that Katara was an assassin, and if her dad need her that meant it was something big. Her job was to help Twinkle toes.

"Toph are you ok, because you were worried 5 seconds ago." Sokka asked.

"I'm fine, I'm starving anyone want something to eat?" Toph cooked up a meal and served it to everyone.

"Gosh Toph this is really good."

"Thanks Sokka…"

"Guys its time to go, we leave in 5 minutes." Suki said. She was informed about what had happened in the morning. She told Aang to drop her off on Kyoshi island. She hated the cold weather and missed her family.

Appa landed in front of the water fall and everyone got on him. They took off towards their destination, Kyoshi island.

She walked towards the ship looking nothing like Katara. 'Oh snap, what's my name?'

' Kara…no….Kita…no….Lorene…maybe…Tara…eww no…. oh I know Jia Li. (A/N the name means good and beautiful)

Katara walked towards the ship and for her luck saw that the spoiled Prince was recruiting. 'If I'm given a dirty job or if they are sexist some one is going to get hurt.'

Katara looked to see if anyone was in line but there was only a few people. She didn't want to be the only one there so she waited awhile until she saw the line starting to grow. She really didn't know why she just didn't seduce him and then kill him… 'Why don't I just do that?...oh wait because I'm not a whore.'

She saw the Prince step down and a mob of screaming girl came running. Katara got in line with the rest of the men. She saw a dozen soldiers come and protect the Prince from the mob of girls trying to touch him.

"They haven't seen a guy like that come here in months." Said a teenage boy from behind her, "oh sorry the name's Shen."

"nice to meet you I'm Jia Li." Katara said.

"Wow what a beautiful name, it fits you perfect. Why did you decide to join the fire nation army?"

"Because some guys are sexist, if I'm on board I'll show them that I can do the same thing guys can." Katara said then thought 'wow I actually came up with a good reason.'

"Oh, well I joined to get away from my father, he is so strict, he is on my ass 24/7..." hey changed the subject as a light flashed into his eyes. " Your engaged?" Shen said looking at the ring on Katara's finger.

"Oh…yes, but he isn't from here."

Katara saw Zuko coming closer and closer until he stopped right in front of her.

"Why are you here? You're a woman, what good are you here? Oh don't tell me you're a whore." Katara couldn't contain herself and slapped him very hard leaving a red hand print on his face. Iroh who was sipping tea choked and then started chuckling behind him.

"Zuko is that the way your mother taught you to treat ladies, because I most certainly did not teach you that."

"Name..." Zuko said dropping the subject. His right cheek was killing him. 'that girl can hit hard.' he thought.

"Jia Li…" Katara was starting to get use to her new name. But she wasn't sure if she was going to be able to pull it off.

"where are you from?"

'Shit…I didn't decide on that.'

"I'm not from here. I'm from the hills, I was home schooled, then my parents died and I became a traveler, also a bounty hunter." Katara was lying through her teeth like a mad woman.

But Zuko believed every word she said. 'I thought he was smarter.' Katara thought

"Jia Li, follow my uncle he will show you your room." Katara slightly bowed her head and walked with Iroh through many doors and hallways.

'Grandchildren, this is the moment I have been waiting for…' Iroh thought to him self and only a small unnoticeable smiled appeared on his lips.

"Well Lady Jia Li, I believe that it would be wrong if you slept in the same room as the men, so I will escort you to a guest bedroom. I hope my nephew doesn't mind. But if he tells you anything tell him to go to hell…I'm kidding, tell him to come and talk to me."

"Ok, but if he gets on my nerves I will tell him off." Katara thought to herself and seeing that he was a nice man, she decided that it wouldn't hurt if she told him the part of her being a water bender and such, but she wasn't going to tell him the part of her mission.

"Um… Sir…"Katara got cut off.

"Call me Uncle, Iroh, or Uncle Iroh. Continue."

They arrived to her new room and Katara quickly shut the door behind him. "Iroh I must tell someone or I'm going to go mad. See I'm a water bender, but I don't know how I'm going to practice if I'm suppose to be a simple peasant."

"Oh…wow you looked like a fire bender to me." Iroh chuckled "But I think that if I told my nephew he wouldn't mind."

"I don't have any where else to go, but I am a traveler, I wish to be out on sea. I believe that is would be an interesting experience. But I will follow orders. I don't want to be here doing nothing, for I was recruited as a soldier." Katara said with seriousness in her voice.

"Ok, if you practice with my nephew I will make sure that you don't get thrown over board."

"Thank you." Katara hugged the old man and walked to her pack and started to unpack.

"If you need anything, my nephew's room is across from you and I'm 2 doors down." Iroh had placed her there to see if his nephew would take interest in her. Iroh grinned at his cleverness.

"Ok Suki here's your stop." Aang said

"Thanks guys…"

Toph had jumped down and could "see" what Suki was about to do. " Hey Suki isn't that your family?"

Suki got distracted and Sokka's lips never met hers. "Yes that is, well bye guys have a nice trip." Suki said running towards her family.

Appa flew up in to the air, again traveling towards the north pole.

"Thanks a lot Toph!" Sokka pouted "Because of you Suki didn't kiss me."

"Aw are you going to cry now?" For some reason Toph was acting strange now. She had only been with Aang to try and get Sokka jealous but that wasn't working. She was furious when she felt them kissing. She was even angrier when she heard them giggling and playing around in their tent. 'Do I like Sokka…oh my I do'

Aang soon after fell to sleep and it was only Toph and Sokka awake. She sat next to him on Appa's head.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that you and her were busy. Remember I can't see" Toph pointed to her eyes and giggled.

"It's ok Toph, I kind of forget that." Sokka hugged Toph in a play full manner. Sokka looked down and saw Toph 'looking' up.

"Hey Sokka do you think Aang will be ready by the time…." Toph mumbled the last part because Sokka leaned towards her and kissed her on the lips. Toph put her arms around his neck and felt his tongue on her lips. She opened her mouth and the kiss was deepened.

Sokka pulled away first "I can't … Suki is my girlfriend. I can't"

"It's ok Sokka… I understand." Toph slowly got up and crawled towards her spot. She laid on her back and face the sky.

'What is going on with me?' Sokka thought to himself 'do I like Toph that way. But she goes with Aang, right?'

Sokka was getting tired and told Appa to keep going until he got tired.

Sokka saw that Aang was dead asleep, and he was a heavy sleeper. But Toph was wide awake.

"Hey Toph mind if I sleep next to you?" Sokka asked trying to break the silence between them.

"No of course not" Toph just wanted to feel his body warmth around her again.

"Sokka…"

"Yeah…"

"Can I touch your face?"

"Um…I guess so." Sokka didn't know why she wanted to touch his face but it couldn't hurt so he just said yes.

Sokka guided Toph's hands to his face and then let her do as she pleased.

Toph felt every curve of his face and an image was appearing to her when she was done she had a clear picture of what Sokka looked like.

"You're handsome." Was all Toph said, she got comfortable and drifted off to sleep.

Toph's 2 words were enough to echo in Sokka's head. 'I think I like Toph' Sokka also got comfortable and fell to a dreamless sleep.

"Hey you what the fuck are you doing in a guest bed room?"

"Talk to your uncle!"

"Don't you yell at me, peasant."

"Your face is getting ready to meet my hand again!"

"Do you dare put your filthy hands on me!"

"You're such a spoiled asshole. I don't see why your uncle is so kind to and ass like you!"

"Get to work peasant before I kick you off my ship!"

"Um ….you mean your uncle's ship!"

"What do you know you stupid filthy uneducated whore!" Katara got so angry that waves were crashing onto the ship hard and nasty. A window was open and she used that to command her element.

She through dagger after dagger at him, she hit once or twice with water whips.

"So you're a water witch?"

"No shit Sherlock, thanks for the news Captin obvious." Katara couldn't take it anymore, he kept on turning her attacks to steam. She caught him off guard and put a dagger to his throat. She hand him in a lock that he would get hurt on way or another.

"Look you spoiled asshole, You are to respect me and call me by my name. Jia Li, now apologize or have either A, have a broken arm or B a slit throat. You choose"

"Think you can out smart me." He spun her around and had now her own dagger at her throat.

"No…" Katara lifted her leg and hit him in his groin. He fell to the ground and dropped the dagger.

"You bitch! If I can't reproduce heir to the throne I'm going to kick your ass!"

"Aww, are you going to cry, plus I don't think you have ever been with a woman in the same bed, I doubt in the same room."

Katara walked away and began to train. After a few months ever thing was running smoothly. She was getting and stronger. She had learned new moves and she always added a little of her own, water. When she did a move she always tried to command her element. She had failed many times, but with practice she had managed.

New Years Eve on the Ship

"Nephew, today is music night are you going to join us? Lady Jia Li will most likely be there." Iroh said trying to convince him to go.

"Uncle, I don't know why you keep insisting, you know that I hate music night. And the only reason She's here is because of you, other wise I would have thrown her over board a long time ago!"

"Aww, come on nephew, you can try and get on good terms with her, she makes a delicious apple pie, your favorite. I kindly asked her to make some. She made a huge batch." Iroh gave up, it was hopeless talking to him. Iroh just wanted him to see Jia Li's (Katara) new dress.

Iroh walked out the room towards Katara's bed room.

"Lady Jia Li? May I come in?"

"Yes you may." Iroh walked in and saw she wasn't ready. "What do you need?"

"Why aren't you dress yet? The party will begin in any minute."

"I don't know I don't think I'm going to attend."

"Oh come on, you would be the only solider not to attend other than… Prince Zuko" Iroh muttered the last part. But Katara still heard him.

"Fine I'll be up in a few."

"Great, see you then."

Iroh walked to the deck, the party had already begun.

Katara got out of her room still in her uniform. She knocked twice on Prince Zuko's door and waited.

"Who The hell is it?" Zuko spat.

"May I come in its Jia Li."

"Go away! Go to the stupid party."

"May I come in…..please" Katara didn't know what the heck she was doing but it was worth a try. He always seemed miserable.

"I'm not going to music night, and no you can't come in."

"Very well then…Have a good night, Prince Zuko." Katara walked to her room and slipped into her kimono. It was black all over, with outlines of bright red and blue. It was the most beautiful dress she had every owned. She picked up her hair only leaving the front strands down. She put on her light make up and her blue and red ear rings and her blue diamond ring.

She walk up to the deck and saw Iroh grin from ear to ear. She blushed lightly but then sat down.

"It's good to have you here…you look beautiful." Iroh said. 'man if only my nephew were here his jaw would probably drop.'

"Thank you" Katara got comfortable but then Iroh had an idea.

"Lady Jia LI, would you like to sing for us?" Iroh asked.

"No thank you, you wouldn't want to hear a song from me"

"Sure we would" a crew member said from the crowd(which was actually pretty big.)

"Ok fine, I will sing"

Katara sang the most beautiful song. Her voice echoed all the way to Zuko's room.

'wow she can sing….what the hell, Zuko she's part of your crew, it would be very wrong if you liked her, she'll just get in the way of your plan.'

'God, do you always have to ruin anything?'

Zuko shook his head clearing his thoughts. He stepped towards his closet and grabbed his best clothing, the attire he's uncle had bought him.

It was all black and only had a red handkerchief.

Zuko walked down the quiet halls until he reach the opening to the deck. He opened the door and the first thing he saw was Katara.

She was getting bored; she got up not noticing Zuko was finally there, she walked up to the ending point of ship, past the cellar door in the middle of the ship.

As she leaned on the railing a warm breeze came and she inhaled it, she wished she was with Sokka and Aang. But she had an assignment that had to be finished. All of a sudden she heard … "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…"

She just turned back around facing the ocean, the moon looked beautiful reflecting on the water. The crew soon stop sing happy birthday and all went back to normal.

She heard footsteps walking towards her.

He notices her look at the moon and the at the water.

"Beautiful night isn't it?" He was trying to make a conversation, his uncle kept insisting. He knew that the only way to shut him up was to do as he asked.

"Yes, why did you come?" Katara turned around to find an amazed Zuko.

"Huh? Come again.." Zuko tuned out the last question, Katara was so beautiful, that his mind shut down on him.

Katara blushed before repeating her question "Why aren't you with your uncle partying with your crew? Oh, and happy birthday,"

"Thank you, I don't want to go because I despise parties."

"Same here, I would rather be in my room."…katara moved her gaze to the ground... "Plotting your death" Katara whispered so low Zuko only saw her mouth move.

"Pardon, what was the last part?"

"Nothing I have to go…" Katara just wanted to get out of there, she always had a funny feeling when she was around him.

Katara look at him then at his scar. She bended the water around her hand like a glove. She caught Zuko off guard when she placed her hand on his scared eye.

She healed it then said… " A present from me to you…Happy Birthday Prince Zuko." She stood on leaned up and gave him a feather like kiss on his cheek and walked towards her room. He reached up and touched the cheek she had kissed. She stop in the hall way, she thought she heard some one, she shrugged and kept on walking. Before she knew it Zuko grabbed her wrist and spinned her around so she could face him.

"What did you do? Why did you touch my s…scared eye?" Zuko asked confused.

"Come follow me, I'll show you." Katara walked him to her room where she had a mirror against the wall. "Look for your self…just don't break my mirror." Katara smiled.

"No I haven't seen my face since my banishment. I don't want to see my scar." Katara knew he was stubborn. She gave him a little push and was satisfied with her present when se heard him gasp.

"H-h-how did you do that." Zuko ran his fingers along his eye that use to be scared. The skin was no long rough and bumpy, now it was smooth like his other eye.

"I'm a healer. Some water benders are healers. Only the gifted ones." Katara smiled and then said "Um…do you mind, I have to change and sleep, I'm still a solider with lots of chores." Katara giggled at her statement.

"Thank you…for healing me" Zuko leaned down and held her head in his hands, then he gave her a kiss on the forehead and left towards his chambers.

"Welcome….sleep well." She shut the door behind her and changed into her sleeping wear.

She placed her jewelry where it belonged, and she hung her dress, she flopped onto her bed and drifted off into a weird dream.

DREAM

"Katara do you love me?" Haru asked taking Katara's hand into his.

"Haru, I'm sorry…my heart belongs to another." Katara said slipping her hand out of Haru's.

The scene suddenly changed and she was in front of a water fall.

"I love you with all my heart." Katara heard herself say, and to her amazement she saw who she was telling it to.

"Katara will you marry me?" Zuko Asked.

"I……

END OF DREAM

Katara woke up sweating. ' what the hell was that…ew I hate fire nation. Especially that spoiled brat of a Prince.'

It was still dawn outside, but Katara wasn't ired anymore. She changed into her black solider suit, that only she wore, Iroh said that the armor was too heavy and that they didn't have any in her size.

She looked at the moon and figure that according to the moon it was probably 4 in the morning.

She went to the deck and began to practice. She did all her fighting skills, and exercised. She had made her own moves and loved that she was a unique water bender.

She tired and stopped. She walked toward the railing and sat down letting her legs dangle down the ships edge.

"Can't sleep…" Zuko asked as he came on deck, he had watched her practice, but then decided it was rude to watch without her knowing he was there.

"Yea, in a sense..." Katara said still look out to sea.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I awoke from a weird dream and I wasn't tired anymore so I came up here to practice." She said.

"Oh…have you seen the avatar lately…because I haven't seen his bison."

"No…Why do you want the avatar so bad, he is just a boy trying to do his job."

"I need him to restore my honor…" Katara cut him off… "Is that way you had that scar? Who gave it to you?"

"It's a long story I wish not to remember…but it haunts me almost every night in my dreams." Zuko told Katara about his banishment, and how his father had given him the scar.

"You wanna know something?"

"What is it?"

"Your father never took your honor you have always had it, in here" Katara placed her hand on his heart. "Zuko, you saved a lot of people, meaning you have morals, you know how to feel, and you know what's right from wrong. The only reason you are chasing the avatar is because your father probably wanted you out of the nation. Zuko, Don't you think he would have let you into the palace, with or without the avatar?"

Zuko was thinking over what she had just told him. He never had thought of that.

Zuko stood up and walked towards his room… "get to work peasant…Watch for the avatar…tell me when you have spot him! Is that clear?"

"Zuko..." Katara was cut off

"Jia Li you're a solider and as a solider you are to show respect to your superiors!"

"What ever…" Katara stormed off, all Zuko heard was her muttering something about him being and "ignorant spoiled brat, that he didn't understand."