A/N. Today, the Headmaster meeting… And tomorrow, we'll be in for a party…

I don't own Avatar the last airbender

Katara was standing on the beach the following afternoon, feeling the waves against the sand. She and the others had decided it was better not to bend their elements in heavily populated areas, because of the risk of being seen. But that didn't mean that she couldn't at least feel the push and pull of the ocean in front of her.

Tui and La, it was too long since she had really done some waterbending just for fun. These last few weeks, it had been healing and fighting… But to just do it to amuse herself, that had been… Well, ages. Probably before losing Appa… Yeah, that was it. When Aang and her had trained that one time, and it had escalated into a water fight. She remembered the laughing and the screaming. It had felt immature and wonderful. When would she feel like that again?

Not in the near future, that, she could tell… Aang was at the school, something he clearly liked to do. It had been difficult to accept for her, because it meant leaving him alone for long periods of time, something she wasn't used to anymore because of his coma. Katara knew perfectly well that he was capable of taking care of himself, but sometimes… He was just reckless…

Normal people would have gone to that school, and then, they would have run, as fast as possible… But the airbender had been smart and had quickly convinced Sokka to agree that they needed… information.

The waterbender knew what Aang was doing. Information was not his top priority. No, she had seen the hurt in his eyes when they had walked into town yesterday morning. He was trying to see if there was something left of the people he had known and loved before the iceberg… And the hurt had still been there, in his eyes, when he came back yesterday evening. It had not been easy for him, to hear about how the Fire Nation had changed. Katara had looked into the history book he had been given. She rather suspected he himself had not, because if he had… Spirits, he would hate that.

Normal history books would have started long before, but this one… It had started at the first year of Sozin's reign. It had been marked as the First Dragon Year…. To other nations, his reign had begun… Fifty-eight years before the genocide. Before what he had done to the Air Nomad.

And that was something else… the book had spoken about how the Fire Nation defended themselves against the armies of the Air Nation. How could they defend against something that hadn't existed? It was clear that the Fire Nation had constructed an elaborate lie around the things that had happened this last century… But they would show them the truth. After the war, when the Fire Nation would be defeated. She would show them the horrors. For her tribe… And for Aang.

"Hey…" a dejected voice came from behind her. Katara turned her head slightly, and saw said airbender stand behind her.

"Hey, you're early!" And he was… It was just the beginning of the afternoon.

"Yes… I may have been sent home by the headmaster…" Aang spoke softly, looking at the ocean.

"Why?" This was not good. If someone with the least bit of authority would begin to look at them and realize that they weren't Fire Nationals… That could end very, very, badly.

"Wel,, this guy, Hide, attacked me and I kind of just evaded everything… But he fell, and the headmaster saw it. He is the guy's uncle… So, now, he wants to meet… my parents." Aang rubbed his neck, as he did whenever he felt embarrassed.

"But… How are you going to do that?" Katara asked, realizing something. She had never considered Aang's parents. Of course, he had them, everyone did, he had not just popped out of thin air. But she had always seen Gyatso as the kind of father figure. She had never thought to ask him about his mother or father…

"Well… That is where you come in, I think…" His voice sounded small… very small.

"How?" Katara tried to sound nice, understanding. It probably came out very thinly, because she saw how Aang cringed at the question.

"Well… We are getting pretty good at disguises… So, maybe you and Sokka… Can disguise yourself as my parents?"

Oh Spirits no! That was a terrible idea! Of course she wouldn't be able to pull that off! Disguising themselves as Fire Nation youth was easy! But this was a whole other kind of tricky! They didn't look even near old enough to be Aang's parents! And, more importantly, they didn't look like him! Like, at all!

"What is this I hear about disguising ourselves?" Sokka's voice called from beside her. Her brother walked up with Toph, who was grinning wickedly. Spirits, why?

"Some guy picked a fight with Aang, and the headmaster wants to see his parents." She answered, sighing. Of course, they had to find a way. If no one showed up, the headmaster would know something was afoot, and would put some effort in finding about more about "Kuzon".

"Shit! Why did you have to fight someone?" Her brother muttered, clearly irritated. And she could understand the feeling.

"I was just talking to On Ji about dancing, and the guy attacked me! I did nothing wrong!" Aang objected, as if it was a normal thing to do.

But Katara felt… something. Something she wasn't used to. Something that made her remember Kyoshi Island. Or that time, just before entering the Cave of the Two Lovers, when the girl travelling with the nomads had clearly flirted with the airbender.

Jealousy.

Katara bit her tongue, so not to say anything that could be… damaging. But from the corner of her eye, she saw Toph trying very hard not to laugh. The waterbender exhaled quietly, trying to think logically. Of course, there was nothing at all to be jealous about. Aang had been very clear with her on Roku's Island… And the way he had looked at her just the day before, when showing them her disguise… Well, it hadn't left too much to the imagination. She knew perfectly well what he had been thinking about. And she would lie if she said that his new clothes didn't compliment him. Rather well…

"So, you need your parents to meet this headmaster? Well, I may have an idea. I can probably try and look older, with a fake beard or something… But otherwise, in the case of your mother, we are kind of screwed. Toph is clearly not old enough, and Katara isn't either and does not have the right complexion. So, the best thing is to say your mother died and that your dad married again to someone half his age." Her brother spoke rapidly, and the waterbender was surprised at how quickly he had come up with this plan.

"That could work… But even if you look older, how are we going to make sure he doesn't look further than absolutely necessary?" Katara sighed. One misstep, and they would be screwed.

"I don't know… but we'll have to think of something. When do you need to be there, Aang?" her brother turned to the airbender.

"Around three. At the end of the school day." The airbender sighed.

Well, they had to get to work then. Katara quickly went back to the cave, to find something less youthful to wear. As much as she enjoyed her disguise, the waterbender guessed it wasn't something married Fire Nation women would often wear. As she was searching through the other clothes that they had taken from the laundry line, Toph come up to her.

"You realize that even a blind person would see through anything Sokka is going to throw at him, don't you?" The earthbender smiled.

"Yes, as much as he is an intelligent guy… He will not be able to act the part of a responsible father." Katara worried. Her brother loved extravagant disguises. In the case of the ship and the fact that the tribe took over the role of the crew, which had worked splendidly…. But she guessed that Sokka alone would be a disaster.

"So, your disguise has better be something really good, to keep people's eyes of Meathead." Toph suggested. And she was right.

Katara held a rather large dark red dress in her hands. It couldn't remotely fit her. But it was the right kind of thing to make her look a bit older than she actually was. She looked to the pile of clothes in front of her, and then to the dress again…

It was crazy.

But it might work…

"Here, hold this please." Katara bend down, grabbed the clothes and pushed them in Toph's arms. Then, she pulled the red dress over her head. As she had guessed, it was really too large for her. But she would fix that. There was a belt in the pile, that she took. Katara bound it not around her waist, but rather her hips.

"What in the Spirit's name are you doing Sweetness?" Toph sounded amused.

"Making myself pregnant." That was her idea. People would take care of a pregnant woman, even in this nation she supposed. And if her 'condition' would keep the headmaster focused on her instead of Sokka… That might just be enough.

"I believe you'll need Twinkletoes for that darling…" Toph shook her head. Katara ignored it. Now was not the time for teasing or stupid jokes. She pulled the front of the dress a bit forward, and began stuffing the clothes that Toph was holding down to her stomach. The waterbender had seen enough pregnant women to know what it was supposed to look like. After a while, she thought her belly looked big enough for at least an eight-month pregnancy.

Then she grabbed the smaller pieces of cloth. Katara had been cutting some of the clothes that didn't fit them at all, as to make cloth for fixing and repairing the clothes that did fit. Stuffing them down inside the top she was still wearing underneath the dress, she made her breasts look bigger. It would have to do. It was not perfect, but at least it looked like she would be able to pass off like she was pregnant.

"Well, I may not look like a mother, but a future one will have to do." Katara muttered. It was ridiculous. If someone touched her belly, she would be discovered. But if no one touched her, it would work. And she guessed the headmaster would not even know what a pregnant woman would really look like. Hopefully.

"Well, time to test my disguise…" She said, as she pulled her hair back in a bun. It would not be flattering, but it would maybe give her another, more severe look. And in the water tribe, married women would never wear their hair down, as she had been doing since arriving in the Fire Nation.

Followed by Toph, she walked back to where Aang and Sokka had been trying to figure out how to make her brother look older. As she moved, the waterbender tried to imitate the kind of waddle of pregnant women. Spirits, it was bad. How could anyone move with so much belly in front of them?

"Maybe like this?" She heard Aang mutter. In his hand, the airbender was holding the pair of scissors she had used that day for the clothes.

"You are sure this a Fire Nation style?" Her brother grumbled unhappily. He had his back to her and could not see her. But Aang could. Katara saw how he looked over her brother's shoulder and spotted her. The red blush that appeared on his face made her think. If he was blushing, her disguise wasn't working.

"Y-yeah… I'm sure." The airbender dropped the scissors and stood up, keeping his eyes on her. Sokka turned around, and Katara couldn't help but let out a snort. On his face, they had glued a rather bushy looking beard, with the moustache pointed, as well as the beard. It looked ridiculous on her brother, but it did hide most of his face.

"You are one to laugh! Are you serious?" Her brother gestured to her, and from the corner of her eye, the waterbender saw that Aang hadn't looked away, or had changed his expression.

"Hey, at least I don't have a beard of Appa's fur on my face! How did you actually dye it brown?" She was a bit offended. Her disguise may not be the best one, but at least there had been an effort! A beard didn't make you older!

"Some things are better left unsaid…" Aang spoke suddenly. Katara saw how he was looking away from her, and how his ears were fire red.

"At least we look the part. Now, we should hope the office is a dark gloomy place! It that case we have a chance!" Sokka admitted defeat. It was nearing three, so they'd better be off.

"Bye, bye, weirdest people in the world!" Toph waved as she stood next to Appa, holding Momo in her arms, with the biggest grin on her face. Yeah, she had some luck! At least she wouldn't have to parade around with her brother acting as her much older husband, and… whatever Aang was… as her stepson. Spirits, if someone asked them to explain it, they would come across as the weirdest family in existence. And that was saying something…

"Explain to me what exactly happened." Sokka grumbled as they crossed the square. At least, they didn't attract attention. That meant that at first glance, they looked… normal. As normal as possible, at least.

"Well, there were lessons this morning, like history, music classes… Oh, they still have music!" Aang began to explain, sounding quite happy about that little fact.

"But not like they used to… I kind of moved around a bit while playing the tsungi-horn! But the teacher didn't like that. After, another student asked me about it. I said I could teach her, as the Fire Nation used to have to best dance parties… But as soon as I spoke about movements, this Hide guy began to fight with me…"

And again, Katara bit her tongue, trying not to feel jealous. There was nothing. But that Hide had thought that Aang meant a different kind of movements…

Had this On Ji girl thought the same?

They arrived in front of the school, as they heard a gong sounding from within.

"Ah, end of the day! We are precisely on time!" Aang opened the small door in the gates, and Sokka stepped inside, suddenly changing his walk. Where before, he had just walked normally, now, he was exaggerating. Chest puffed forward, shoulders back and chin up. It looked rather dumb. But maybe that was the point…

"Can I help you… Mother?" Aang asked, extending his hand towards her. Cringing at that, she took his hand. Spirits, this was rather awkward. If she had never heard those words leave his words, directed at her, it would have been too soon.

"Thanks… Son…" She took his hand. It looked better if she was helped, she knew. But if Sokka had just thought two seconds, he would have known he should have done this. Not Aang… Spirits this was so awkward.

Aang pointed them to a series of buildings that apparently were the offices. The first one looked the most important, and Sokka knocked, three times, hard. The person that opened was a thin, older man, with whiskers, a small moustache and a goatee. He smiled, but Katara felt it was not a nice to meet you smile. This was a man that loved punishing. A man who hated his students. Good, he would be less likely to probe into their story, concentrating on punishing… Kuzon.

"Enter." The man stepped away, and sat down behind a rather ornate desk. On the wall behind him hung a portrait of a man with a golden crown fixed in his hair… The same man as the statue in the yard…

Ozai.

This was the first time Katara actually saw a picture of the Fire Lord. He looked a lot like Zuko, minus the scar, of course. But the same mean, lean face was staring down at her. They sat down on three chairs. Chairs that looked a lot less comfortable than the leather chair behind the desk where the Headmaster sat.

"Thank you for coming, Mister and Mistress…" He spoke the words quietly, looking at them over the tops of his fingers. At least, the office was rather dark, so no chance he would really look at them.

"Wang Fire!"

Spirits… That was a bad name. But she would have to run with it.

"And Sapphire Fire. Nice to meet you." She tried her best to imitate the accent that Sokka had used, and she found it sounded rather well! She nodded to the headmaster, who smiled thinly at her. Well, her disguise was working so far. Sokka sat, with his arms crossed, looking at Aang. The airbender had luckily not sat straight, otherwise it would have been as clear as day that she was taller than his "father".

"Your son has been enrolled here for two days, and has already caused problems."

Problems? Not problem?

"He has argued with the history teacher, with ridiculous notions about the Air Nation. He has also disrupted the music class, thinking he knew better than our teacher. And finally! He roughed up my best pupil!"

"Goodness… That doesn't sound like my stepson." She spoke softly. Sokka had been right, it may be better for her to be the stepmother, and not the real mother. That would never have worked. But it sounded so weird to call Aang that. As soon as this was over, the better!

"Well, if he acts up one more time, I'll have to send him to reform school, as the rules say. Meaning, he'll get an early draft to the army. And not the good regiments." The threat was quite clear. Rein in your son, or he'll die the first day he sets foot on a battlefield.

"Are we clear?"

"Don't worry Headmaster! I'll straighten this boy out, something fierce!" Sokka smiled at the old man, who smiled back. Then, her brother turned to Aang.

"Listen here young man! As soon as we get home, you are gonna get the punishment of a lifetime!" Spit even reached her face. Spirits, hopefully, Sokka would never be like that with his real children. But she knew her brother. Katara had seen the slight twinkle in his eyes. This amused him to no end, acting and doing everything in his power to make Aang as uncomfortable as possible.

"That is what I like to hear." The older man stood up and offered her his hand. Trying not to shudder, she took it, looking at him gratefully.

"A woman in your condition should stay at home Mistress. It is not good to walk around like this." His voice actually sounded… caring? Concerned?

"Just imagine you have an accident! Our homeland would be robbed of yet another war hero!"

Ah… no concern. Only the prospect of a new mind to form into a good little soldier. That concerned this man, nothing else. The headmaster led them to the door, and at last, they stood outside, the door closing behind them.

"Spirits that was close." Aang whispered as they came to the gates.

"Not yet." Sokka spoke quietly, through gritted teeth. And indeed, they were not yet clear of any Fire Nationals that could hear them. If just one heard them speaking… Their cover would be blown. They walked past the gates, on to the pathway that led down into the town.

"Oh hey Kuzon! Headmaster wasn't too mean I hope?" A girl's voice called out from beside the gates. The girl in question had been sitting on the ground next to it, but now scrambled up quickly. And for some reason, Katara couldn't help but think she had been waiting there.

"Hey On Ji… No, it was alright!" Aang answered. Oh… So this was the famous On Ji… joy.

"Hello" THe girl bowed politely to her and her brother, probably thinking, as did the Headmaster, that they were Aang's parents.

"The boy has no time for other people! He has a trashing to get to!" Sokka spoke, rather irritated, and grabbed Aang's arm, pulling him away from the girl. As they walked away, or in Katara's case, waddled, she threw a look over her shoulder and saw how the girl stood at the gates, clearly gazing at Aang. And if Katara's eyes weren't playing tricks on her… She saw a blush.

Well, that was just perfect.

As they walked through the town, Katara could hear her brother muttering angrily at Aang. If she hadn't known better, it did indeed look like a father scolding his son. Well, if there were people watching, at least they would appear normal. But Katara couldn't help but think that the angry whispers sounded a bit too real. Well, she would have to ask her brother about that later.

But at that moment, she was thinking about something else… That the girl, On Ji, was clearly having a crush on Aang, or Kuzon as she knew him. And Katara knew perfectly well that there was nothing to be afraid of… But just… Had Aang not seen it? Everyone with eyes could see it that. And that Hide guy had probably also seen it. And had not liked it one bit.

They arrived at the cave, and Sokka sat down, angrily telling Toph what had happened. At the meantime, Katara pulled the dress off, feeling the clothes she had stuffed down inside fall at her feet. She turned around, pulling the small pieces out of the top of her disguise.

"Katara?" Aang's voice spoke softly beside her.

"Yeah?"

"Sorry for today… I won't ask that again… It was awkward. Too awkward for us." At least, he acknowledged that.

"Yeah, if we could refrain from calling each other mother and son… That would be nice." It would be more than nice!

"Indeed. Tomorrow will be my last day. Not to arouse too much suspicion. But maybe… I have an idea to make these students' lives a little more… entertaining." Aang smiled at her, while she looked at him, with an eyebrow raised.

"What?" She asked. Katara knew it would be reckless, seeing the twinkle in his eyes.

"A secret dance party!"

Spirits. He had really lost it.

"Aang…"

"No, hear me out! These people don't know what a party is. And besides… I promised to take you to the musicians. They are not there anymore. So, I will take them to you!" he interrupted her, passionately.

Even if she knew that it would be irresponsible… Those words made her resistance crumble. A little. And those words surprised her. Aang had never been direct like that. He had always danced around these subjects. She remembered that he had asked her to see the northern lights that time at the North Pole… She had not tried to think anything about it at that moment, but she had seen the disappointment in his eyes when Sokka and Yue had tagged along. As if his friendly invitation had been ruined by some more friends joining them…

So now, she understood. He asked directly to make sure there would be no doubt.

"And we came here to life a little. How could you do that without dancing and singing and being a little careless? Please Katara… for me?"

That made her resistance crumble wholly. It would not be easy to convince her brother. But they should try.

"Alright… Let's wait until dinner." She suggested.

"Alright! It is my turn today, but we'll not eat for some hours at least! I'll go do my… homework." Aang suggested, and she saw how his ears turned slightly pink.

"Homework?" Katara laughed. He would not be at that school after tomorrow… Why should he do homework?

"Yeah!" And he raced off.

Spirits, he could be a little bit dorky sometimes…

Answers :

Jjsmith103 : Exactly, Toph is trying to make them get together, instead of hanging in this in between there has been since Ba Sing Se! And she is getting tired of it I believe lol! And I believe that indeed, Katara did not hate it, and I never made her hate it, but Aang has his doubts, and would very much love to make it up to her. So, homework!

Gabriela N. Gonzalez : Poor Aang, well, I believe that it could be very beneficial for him in this case ! And a jealous Katara had already peeked up in this chapter… it could get worse in the next!

Rak : Yeah, as in every war, both people suffer, not only the losing side. And I really wanted to show that, and it will be a theme in this part of the story… As will some other things lol! And Smooth Aang made his first appearance. Next chapter he will be on fire!