A/N. I'm back ! I learned during my vacation that Blossoms of Spring was nominated for the Annual Kataang Writer's Awards, for which I'm super grateful!

I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender.

As Katara pulled on the crimson clothes she had used in the Fire Nation, she smiled. It felt weird, smiling after what happened the days before… Azula's attack, then the fight she had with Aang about her independence… and finally after everything that happened with Yon Rha. What she felt most guilty about was that she had bloodbend again. And even though the airbender had managed to talk her out of believing she was a monster, a small part of her still feared that it was the case.

If faced with her mother's murderer was enough to make her go over the edge, into bloodbending territory, something she didn't want to do, what if… What if this war didn't end the way they hoped? What if Aang was killed? Would she become like Hama? Bound to revenge against a people who had done nothing wrong, who were as much victim of the regime as she had been?

Yes.

Yes, Katara knew that. She knew that if something happened to Aang, she would become something no one would be proud of.

Least of all she herself. But it was a real possibility.

Shaking off these notions, she thought back to this morning. The airbender had been already awake, and had suggested that maybe, just maybe, they could go to the town, if there was one. And, in her dazed state of mind just after waking up, she had agreed. And she still agreed that it would be good, maybe even great, to have change of scenery. These last few weeks had been filled with tremendous heartache, first losing the invasion, then the temple… And after that, her own path of revenge that had ended just yesterday.

It would be good to have at least one night of fun before returning to the shit life they were leading at this moment.

As Aang and Zuko had been training this morning, the others had occupied themselves with tidying the house slightly. It was still a dump, with missing furniture, plants growing in corners of the rooms, but it felt… more liveable. During lunch, the firebender had grumbled they could do anything in the house, as long as they didn't enter that one room. The room in front of hers.

When the prince and the airbender had gone back after lunch to train once more, Katara had taken Sokka to her room and told him the whole story. She didn't leave anything out, telling her brother about the ship, the bloodbending, then the search for Yon Rha. She told Sokka about her feelings, about how she had felt when she at last had tried to kill their mother's murderer. And why she had chosen to spare him.

Not because of forgiveness. Not because she felt he deserved a second chance. No. Because his life was a much better punishment than his death. His misery was deserved.

And Sokka had agreed, but they had agreed that after the war, if they won… They would make sure his crimes would be published, so that he would have to live with the knowledge that what he had done would be despised. That he would be remembered as a war criminal, not as a war hero.

Katara sighed, trying to shake off the feeling of gloom. It was in the past. Her mother would agree. Her death was in the past, and even though it hurt so much… Katara couldn't change that. Because, even if they were a group of the most capable benders and fighters of their age… Even they had to admit that death couldn't be avoided.

So why not life a little?

So, she smiled. Yes, why not? Opening the door of her bedroom, Katara walked out into the dark corridor. Even if it was a warm day, here, inside the house, it felt cool and refreshing. Descending the staircase, the waterbender stepped into the common room. She had told the others of Aang's plan, and even after a bit of grumbling from her brother, he had agreed to come. It had been the airbender's task to convince Zuko, for he would probably the most difficult to persuade.

"Ah, the Give Twinkletoes a constant boner outfit?" A voice came from her left. Turning, she saw Toph picking something from between her teeth as she lay on a low sofa. The blind girl had already changed and was also wearing the disguise she had used during their hiding in the island.

"You look good too Toph." Katara rolled her eyes, but her lips turned up seeing the grin from the earthbender. Even though she hated the girl's constant sexual jokes… She had chosen a long time ago to ignore it.

"Yeah, yeah, wait until you see Suki. You are going to have a laugh." The earthbender waved her away, and Katara chose to go look for the Kyoshi Warrior. Why would she laugh? Suki had said she would try to find some clothes that would make her pass as Fire Nation, but that wouldn't be that difficult, would it? They were literally in a villa filled to the brim with stuff…

Looking out of a window, she saw that Aang and Zuko were ending their training. The airbender was pulling his tunic on, and Katara could see their lips moving. So… Aang was probably trying to convince the prince of their plan at this very moment. Katara turned towards the sliding door and stepped outside into the covered gallery around the yard. Sitting on the low wall was Suki. She had probably been watching the training.

Katara smiled once more, seeing the outfit the Kyoshi Warrior had chosen. The clothes were of a rather rich silk, with gold thread in them. Clothes that looked suspiciously like the ones Zuko were wearing.

"Oh, hey! I watched this the last hour." Suki turned, waving to the two young men, "Aang is getting rather good."

Katara smiled as she sat down next to the older girl, looking at the two who were quietly talking to each other.

"Yeah, I think so too. Maybe… Just maybe there is a chance." The waterbender nodded, "Plundered Azula's closet?" It had to be the princess's clothes, for no one would wear such rich clothing without being nobility.

"She stole my uniform. I only think it fair I use some of her clothes… As payment." Suki muttered, and Katara didn't miss the slightly dark tone. Her own eyes wandered to the thin with lines on the Kyoshi Warrior's arms… Where she had probably been tortured. They hadn't talked about it, but the waterbender hoped that Suki would confide in someone about it. If not her, then Sokka.

"True." Katara agreed softly, seeing how the prince moved his arms up in an exasperated gesture.

"Aang has been trying to convince him to come. Zuko isn't against some relaxation… He just doesn't like the fact we want to go to the town." Suki explained, probably having followed her gaze.

"If he doesn't want to come, that's alright." Katara sighed. Sure, she had forgiven Zuko for his past transgressions, but that didn't mean he was immediately her favourite person in the world. So, if he didn't want to come with them, it didn't affect her more than that.

"Zuko is afraid someone will see Aang's tattoos." The Kyoshi Warrior smiled, "But he says he can hide them."

That readiness to hide his tattoos surprised Katara, just slightly. Every time during their travels that the airbender had to hide them, he had grumbled and protested, but now he wanted to do so. Perhaps it was because their time was running out, and he wanted to enjoy these last few calm days?

The two young men turned to them and walked towards them. Katara smiled as she met Aang's silver-grey eyes. Those eyes, which were full of understanding, were also slightly apprehensive. And she could understand that. After the outburst of anger and resentment from a few days ago, and then what happened yesterday, the feelings between them were slightly raw.

"… Last time I was here, I was nearly thrown off the island!" Katara heard the firebender sigh as they approached.

"When was that?" Aang's voice answered.

"Eh… A month ago?" Zuko admitted. So, he had been here not long before the Day of Black Sun. Katara was surprised, as the house was in a state of disrepair that didn't go back to just a month. No, that was at least several years old.

"And did anyone recognize you?" The airbender laughed. The waterbender rolled her eyes. She suddenly realized that the carefree spirit of Aang was trying to make a comeback. She hadn't seen it for a time… Not since the Black Sun at least.

No, that wasn't true. He had been carefree… That night in the temple.

"No, but that isn't the point! This island is filled with nobles. And rich people. These people know each other, do you understand me? And those who are here without being known are guests from people who are known! Last time, we came here as guests of my aunts." The prince waved his hands around.

"Aunts?" Katara asked confused. Zuko turned his head to her, with an annoyed expression.

"Not really. They are the much older sisters of my uncle's wife. But that is not the point! We can't go." Those last words were spoken directly at the airbender.

"Well, we can try. The worst-case scenario, we can suggest we are their guests, no?" Aang suggested, and Katara saw the small flicker of annoyance in Zuko's eyes disappear.

"That… That could work. They are probably in Caldara at this moment… And they normally spent the winters here… But they are known to lend their beach cabin to younger people of the nobility, distant cousins and so on…" The rest of the sentence was drowned in a low grumbling.

"Excellent!" Aang smiled from ear to ear, looking at her. Katara couldn't help but move her lips upward. This felt so good… A moment of rest between the constant worry…

"But ignore most people, alright? The town isn't big! If anyone asks, you are guests of Li and Lo, of the Sei'Naka clan." Zuko sighed, before turning to the door and leaving them. As Katara watched Aang, she saw the small frown in his face.

"What is it?" She asked. If he was doubting his plan now…

"I know that family." He answered, still frowning, "I just… I just don't know how." The airbender shook his head, before the smile returned to his face.

"I'm going to change, then we can leave! Is everyone ready?"

"Sokka was changing, into something he called his Wang Fire disguise…" Suki answered the airbender, rolling her eyes.

Katara couldn't help but snorted a laugh out. Tui and La, if her brother was really going as Wang Fire, they were screwed. She would personally rip that stupid beard off if he had the audacity of putting it on.

Aang laughed too, and then turned to the stables. Katara felt her own laugh die in her throat. He had said he was going to change… But he was walking to the stables, to where Appa was staying. Were his bags still there? He had slept in her room, he had! She had woken up with him, sitting in the chair next to the bed!

Had he slept with her in the bedroom? Thinking about it… Nothing had suggested it. His bags weren't in the room, and her brother had referred to the room as your room. Not your and Aang's room.

"Suki… Where did Aang sleep last night?" She asked, her eyes still trained on the airbender, who had just opened the barn door and whose tunic was now rippling with a soft breeze send by Appa. She heard the laugh coming from the airbender, before the door closed once more.

"In there… Why?" The Kyoshi Warrior answered hesitantly. Katara bit her lip, trying to work out what that meant. Had Aang been afraid of her reaction from yesterday evening? No, the airbender had never shied away from listening to her, he had always been there to listen to her. No… This was his way of being respectful. He had not wanted to sleep in the same room because their fight had been too recent, and it had just mended the day before.

He was afraid of coming on too strong. So, Aang had probably chosen to stay with Appa out of respect for her feelings. Smiling, she shook her head.

"Nothing… It is alright." She answered.

"Alright… You know… Ehm… Sokka told me that you two have been together for a while now…" Suki suddenly sounded slightly shy, making Katara raise her eyebrows. She had never seen the girl as shy. No, the fighter had always been rather direct and brutally honest.

"Yeah…" She answered tentatively, not quite sure where this was going.

"Well… I may need to borrow some tea… in the coming days." Suki answered. Suddenly, Katara understood.

"Oh! Yeah! Sure!" She answered, trying not to be disgusted. This was, after all, her brother they were talking about. And sure, she had hated Sokka for being weird when he learned that she and Aang had been… Well, doing it. But this was dif… No. No, it wasn't different.

"Thanks… Sorry for asking. But you are the only one around here with it…" The Kyoshi Warrior explained, smiling awkwardly.

Katara could understand. The few times Aang and she had done something, she had always kind of… assumed nothing would happen. And it hadn't! She had only taken the tea once, on the island before the invasion, but that was the only time. So, she still had a little stockpile.

"It's alright. I don't mind." Katara answered, a small smile to Suki. She and Toph were the only one who had not asked what happened. Toph because she probably didn't care, or because she knew that if something had happened, she would have told her. Suki had not asked, Katara suspected, because she cared very much and didn't want to invade her privacy. Something the waterbender could appreciate.

Without a further word, Suki stood up and went inside, following Zuko into the villa. Katara stayed on the low wall of the gallery, starring at the courtyard. Most of the floor was scorched, and the great golden dragon mosaic on the ground looked more like a grey dragon from all the ash. Firebending training…

It was still kind of terrifying, seeing Aang use that bending art. She had grown used to the small flames, to the campfire lightning with the flick of a finger… But the great fireballs soaring from his fists… No, still not. She was still terrified of the fact that Aang was capable of that. But that was also in the past. It had to be. If she still considered it evil was because it was one of the only weapons, their enemies had over them against which most people didn't have a defensive form.

Katara heard the door of the stables scrape against the stones on which the villa was built, and, looking up, saw the airbender step outside. She felt a slight tightening in her stomach, as she smiled seeing him like this. She loved his Air Nomad attire, for it was so Aang. But Tui and La, his Fire Nation disguise gave him… She couldn't explain it. It gave him a mature look, with the vest that made the wearer's back straighten perfectly, and the high collar made sure his chin pointed upwards, without a doubt it was made to make people look more intimidating.

But it made Aang look older… And she liked it.

The only downside of the whole disguise was the fact that he didn't have any hair to hide the blue arrow tattoo… But suddenly, she saw the small bundle in his hand. Squinting at it, she realized he had a hat… Where had he found that?

"Ready!" Aang grinned at her, waving the thing at her.

"What is that?" She asked, frowning. It had to be the most ridiculous hat in existence if it was to hide his tattoo.

"Traditional Fire Nation fishing hat! Just lying around in the barn!" He answered and put it on. Katara couldn't help it but laughed aloud. It was exactly like the one Dock wore in Jang Hui. And it made Aang look absurd. Where mere moments ago, Katara had found him dashing and attractive, he had managed to pull off all that aura and made himself a joke.

And she laughed aloud, not to mock him, but out of pure relief that they were still able to do ludicrous things!

"You look incredible." She stated, hoping the sarcasm got through into her voice.

"I thought so too!" Aang smiled thinly, clearly going along with this sarcastic conversation.

"You must wear that more often." She pointed her chin towards the hat, and suddenly, Katara could see a gleam of mischief in the silver eyes.

"Oh… I was planning on it. But only in… our bedroom?" The last two words came out hesitantly, the sarcasm and mischief suddenly gone. And Katara saw the silent question.

It is still our bedroom, isn't it?

She smiled at him, knowing he tried to ask it without explicitly going back to their fight, or even the conversation they had had on the dock just the night before.

"If you take that into our bedroom, I'll throw you out." The waterbender took his hand, softly pressing the long pale fingers, in a gesture to show him everything was alright.

"Please shut up. The oogies are getting really high." A new voice spoke from behind them, and Katara turned her head around to see the doors open wide, with Sokka, Toph, Suki and Zuko standing there. Rolling her eyes at her brother, she kissed Aang's cheek quickly and turned to the others.

"Ready?" She asked, ignoring the fact that everybody had heard them… Well, talking about something private. Looking at the group in front of her, she saw, to her relief, that Sokka had opted not to wear the false beard. Zuko however, hadn't changed, or done anything to hide the big scar on his face.

"Ehm… Zuko… Your…" She began, but he cut her off.

"Most people don't know I have it. My face is always without it on official portraits, and here on Ember Island, putting search posters up is forbidden, because it is meant as a safe heaven for the wealthy. Meaning that here, I can probably go unnoticed. As for Aang… I give him an hour before he is recognized." The firebender grumbled, looking at the hat that was on the airbender's head.

"I think it makes me look dignified." Aang grinned, and Katara tried to hide a smile, but failed miserably. As she heard Toph and Sokka gag at the display, Zuko didn't sound amused.

"Make sure you put it back. It is my Uncle's fishing hat." The prince sighed, before walking towards one of the corners of the courtyard. As Katara followed the movement with her eyes, she saw that in one of the walls, a small door was situated. She hadn't seen it before, but now she began to follow Zuko towards it. Behind her, she could hear the others also moving.

"So, a little history lesson from my favourite Sifu Hotman?" Aang's voice sounded just behind her.

"What of?" Zuko called irritated.

"This place! I haven't been here before!"

Katara smiled. That was the Air Nomad like she knew him. Always curious, always willing to learn about new things.

"Why, it is a resort. Nothing special!" The prince answered as he lifted the locking bar of the door; opened it. Standing behind the firebender, Katara could see it led to a small pathway outside the compound.

"But it was a smuggler's hideout in my time!" Aang answered. That kind of surprised Katara, for she hadn't expected Sozin, who had been Fire Lord during Aang's youth a century ago, to tolerate smugglers.

"It was, but they were in pay of my great-grandfather. They only attacked foreign ships." Zuko explained. The waterbender looked up into the sky, seeing that the sun was just barely starting it descends, even though it was near evening. Seriously, summer days in this country were horrible.

"Then, after the foreign ships disappeared."

Were hunted down you mean, Katara had to bite her tongue to refrain herself.

"My grandfather ordered the destruction of their base. He was the first to build a villa here. The clans, not wanting to be left out, did the same, and so, Ember Island grew. The end."

Well, that was not really helpful. Katara knew Aang had hoped for stories about the pirates, or a history lesson about the island. All they had got were dry facts.

She fell slightly back, to come and walk beside the airbender. They didn't say anything, but she quickly took his hand in her own, to show him that nothing had changed… And that they were alright. As they marched down the path, Toph walked past them in a rather quickened pace, and began to talk lowly to Zuko, who just grunted from time to time.

Casting a look behind her, Katara could see why the blind girl had chosen to flee the scene. Spirits that was awkward… It was clear to her that Suki was trying to make Sokka take her hand, just as she and Aang were doing, but her brother was apparently being rather cautious, preferring to talk, while waving his hands around, rather deliberately. Katara couldn't hear what he was saying, but it was painful to watch. As she turned her head back to look in front of her, she heard a small chuckle coming from her right.

"Spirits, don't tell me we were that obvious…" Aang whispered, and Katara raised her eyebrows, smiling softly.

"We were. I suppose it takes time… I remember something about rather dying than kissing me…" She murmured back, shaking her head.

"I would call that an attempt at flirting to be honest. But let me tell you… Kissing you is so much better than dying." She felt his breath against her ear, and couldn't help but smile.

"They would need help… Wouldn't they?" She suggested, pointing her head behind them.

"Spirits yes! It would give me the perfect opportunity to get back at…" She gave him a look, "To help my best friend, of course." Aang finished, and Katara smiled, nodding.

"You know she asked for my tea? I suspect she is planning something." The waterbender said.

"Really? I hope so, for his sake… It doesn't look like it, but he wanted to be less awkward than… That." Aang cringed, and, looking back as quickly as possible, Katara saw her brother point at everything with one hand, while holding the hand that would be within Suki reach stubbornly inside his pocket. Spirits…

They were nearing a bend in the path, and Zuko suddenly turned around.

"Well, you wanted this. If it explodes horribly in all our faces… Let it be known I was against it."

Katara frowned, for she could hear… music. And laughing. And… Everything she thought was forbidden in the Fire Nation. Their travels had shown her that the government had tried to stomp out every little spark of self-determination, of freedom and liberty… But hearing the sounds, she realized that those laws only had been imposed on the poor, on the less well connected… on the people, not on the nobles.

Casting a side ways look to the airbender, her heart cracked. Aang's eyes were filled with hope and longing. Of course… This was the Fire Nation as he had known it… And he was given an opportunity to see it once more. Something from his past that wasn't snatched away in the blink of an eye…

And even if it was a false way of celebration, even if the sounds coming from the town had been created by oppressing the masses of people… She could see why Aang was hopeful. If one group in the Fire Nation hadn't forgotten their roots… it was possible to preserve it. And the people of the Fire Nation who had been oppressed were capable of feeling free again… Their party at the school had proven that… And now, they were somewhere where the traditions weren't completely gone. Even if they were marred by imperialism.

They turned the around the rock around which the pathway bent, and Katara was startled by the lights. Even though the sun was still shining, the unwalled town at further down the pathway was filled with lights. Even from their distance, she could see the lampions. She could hear the loud noise, laughing and cheering. She could smell the scent of food being cooked, being roasted… And she could see that the two streets, forming a cross and meeting around a marketplace, were filled to the brim with people. Who were cheering, singing and… dancing?

All the things Aang had said the Fire Nation had been known for…

Biting her lower lip, she hesitated. These people… Those were the people who had made the Fire Nation what it was today. Those were the people who had forbidden people from living their life free and happy… And those same people dared to do all what they forbid their people.

But at the same time, Katara knew that these people had been as brainwashed as all the others. They just thought it was their birthright. They didn't know any better. And if Zuko was to be believed, the "season" was in full swing. Having no idea what that meant, she decided… it wouldn't kill to at least try and find out.

Answers:

Kalaong: The writers confirmed that they based the Fire Nation on that side of the conflict, yes! I chose not to include some darker chapters I had planned about the horrors of war, because I thought it would be too horrible. I'm planning the sequel to this story, and I'm torn between some ideas I have because of that.

Alyssa : I was writing that and knew it would make some people laugh, so thank you!