Author's Note: Hi All! It's been a long ten years since I've published a fic, so I apologize for my rusty writing. I've been caught up in university writing dry papers on Music History and the whatnot. Hopefully, with more practice, I'll get back in the swing of it. Also, I plan on updating this story every Saturday around 5 PM CT.

This story mainly focuses on ATLA character. However, I do play with some ideas from Legend of Korra. Specifically, the ideas that the Equalists were more effective and organized earlier in the timeline.

Thanks for reading! :)

Chapter 1

Katara wiped the remnants of vomit and tears from her chin. The acidity in her mouth and the burn in her eyes was a reminder that sadness and morning sickness felt the same regardless of where she was located.

The early morning sun began to cut through the tinted window of her bed chambers. The light illuminated the dark red tapestries of the walls and bed. It also made the spots of stomach bile that stained her blue dress hard to ignore. A sigh escaped her lips as she stripped down to her rudimentary bindings. She would have to ask some of the palace staff to quickly launder the dress since it was the last clean one she had, and she wanted to look presentable for the funeral.

Katara went over to her well worn travel bag to retrieve a reasonably clean tunic, when a soft knock sounded from the door. She quickly made herself presentable and caught a glimpse of her face in the mirror. She looked fine other than the dark bags under her eyes.

She opened the black, polished door and froze for a moment - surprised to see Ursa holding a tray with a jade color teapot and two cups. Despite the early hour, the Fire Lord's mother looked regal as always. Her sleek black hair perfectly styled.

"I apologize for the intrusion. I heard you from the hallway, and I thought some tea might calm your stomach." The older woman said with a gentle tone and a sad smile.

Katara nodded and stepped aside.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you." The waterbender stated rubbing the back of her neck, "I didn't realize I was so loud.

"You didn't. I rise early anyways." Ursa said as she carefully placed the tea tray on a low, black table with a tiny clink. Then began filling the tea cups. She signaled for Katara to sit down next to her with her graceful pale hand. The waterbending master was too tired to protest her kindness and took a seat.

Katara didn't know what to say, so she sipped her tea in silence. The drink tasted unfamiliar, but was mellow in favor. The warmth comforted her for a small moment.

Ursa sipped at her tea as well, then asked "How long have you known?"

A light pain stung Katara's chest. She hadn't told anyone of her condition and it was too early for her to be showing. It was a secret she wanted to hold for herself. Especially after everything that happened over the last week. The pain grew stronger as her mind flashed to a few days ago when she had received the news that changed her entire reality while on a diplomatic mission to the Northern Tribe. Her vision blurred slightly, but she pushed everything she was feeling down. Now was not the time for theatrics.

"You've had nausea the last two mornings you've been here. I've heard it." Ursa said, placing a warm hand on the waterbender's back. The tears in Katara's eyes threatened to flow over. "I thought maybe the first morning was out of grief. However, I put two and two together today. I had terrible morning sickness with Zuko."

"It only just started." Katara whispered looking down at her hands grasping the now empty, jade colored cup.

Ursa poured her more tea. "It must be very early in her pregnancy then. That can be one of the toughest times."

Katara tried to response, but the soreness in her throat made it impossible. So she just took another sip of the warm tea.

The room brightened as more sun poured in, and Ursa let the two sit in quiet for a moment. The only sounds were soft slurping.

"Do you have anyone to talk to about this to?" Ursa asked. The motherliness of her voice made the question feel unobtrusive. Katara thought for a moment. She still had her father and brother. Her friends and mentors. However, none of them were a maternal figure. Then her mind wondered to her mother and Gran Gran - the latter had only passed away last year.

Katara shook her head, and with that, the tightness in her chest constricted so hard that the tears began to overflow. She attempted to hide the crying in her sleeve, but her entire body was racked with sobs. Ursa took the waterbender into her arms without hesitation and rubbed her back. Katara hadn't been hugged since she had received the news. She didn't want the pity. She thought she could power through it alone, but this motherly touch sent her over the edge - allowing her to feel the grief she had repressed. Katara cried into Ursa's shoulder for what felt like a small eternity.

Ursa soothingly stroked Katara's soft, brown hair and murmured affirmations into her ear. She did this until Katara's heavy sobs lightened and the waterbender pulled away.

"I'm sorry," Katara said as she saw the dark stain she created on the elegant silk of Ursa's robe.

"No apologies needed," Ursa said, lightly wiping the remaining tears on Katara's cheek. She then handed the waterbender a silk handkerchief from her pocket. Katara took it, and cleaned her face with the smooth fabric. She felt noticeably lighter. Her chest less tight.

"Thank you," Katara started, laying the now wet fabric on the table. "I didn't realize I needed that." She was unsure of what 'that' was, but definitely didn't want to leave the motherly presence of Ursa.

"It is incredibly hard to handle a pregnancy alone."

"I hadn't told him yet. I didn't tell Aang before, you know…" Katara said, the truth pouring from her. "I had a feeling I was pregnant the last time I saw him, and he was head to the Earth Kingdom. However, I wanted to make sure before I got anyone excited."

Ursa nodded. Her hand returned to Katara's back.

"And it's so hard," Katara continued looking down at her lap. Her hands clasped together - her knuckles white. "There's this expectation that I have to be the mother of the air nation. And what if, this child isn't that? Or worse, what if this child is an airbender, and now has no mentor? No father?"

Katara's chest further lightened. The burden of the wordless thought now out in the open. Shared with another mother. The waterbender looked up at Ursa's kind topaz eyes. They looked like they had seen so much.

The older woman then took Katara's hands in her own. "You don't have to do this alone and those are all mountains we will climb when the day comes. And when the challenges present itself, I am here."

A small warmth filled Katara's chest, and for the first time in a week, she smiled.

—

After breakfast, Katara found herself lost in the palace looking for Zuko's study. There were so many things to discuss with the Fire Lord and the small caravan of Northern Tribe delegates that had followed her on this brief stop to the Fire Nation. The priorities were the funeral arrangements for Aang and transportation down to the southern air temple. However, with the death of the avatar, the political climate tensed dramatically.

The waterbender continued to wander around the palace. The warm humidity stuck to her skin and caused her to sweat in the heavy clothing she wore. Katara cursed herself for not being better prepared for travel. She had gotten comfortable with the diplomatic trips to the Northern Tribe and had started packing lighter and lighter over the years. Her and her escorts (when she wasn't with Aang) getting more acquainted with quick sailing between the Poles.

Katara began looking for a servant, but suddenly saw Zuko step into the hallway. The Fire Lord didn't see she as she approached. He had his eyes closed and leaned against the hard, red wall. The dark bags under his eyes mirrored her's.

"It's been awhile Fire Lord." Katara said as she drew closer to him. Even in her sadness, a small smile broke across her face seeing her closest friend.

It had been a little more than a year since they had seen each other. Although, they had exchanged regular letters in each other's absence.

"Katara," he quietly said, opening his eyes. The waterbender then gave Zuko a brief, awkward hug. Then drew away. The firebender continued, "I'm sorry I couldn't see you yesterday. The Earth Kingdom's diplomats have been relentless since the… news."

"It figures. I imagine all questions about the colonies and trade?" Katara responded with a roll of her eyes. Aang wasn't even in the ground yet, and they were already jumping on the Harmony Restoration project.

"Politics never truly end. Even with the murder of an Avatar." Zuko sighed. Then after a moment his face redden. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"It's fine. It's what happened." Katara said. She knew Zuko meant no harm, but her demeanor became stonier - knowing she would soon have to face a torrent of questions from all corners of the globe. Most of the questions she had no answers to.

Zuko broke the awkward moment of silence, "I suppose we should go in."

Katara nodded and followed Zuko into his study. As soon as the door opened, she was hit was a wall of raised voices and pounding on the table. The room itself was packed with people in all shades of clothing in various states of crouching, sitting, and standing. Some familiar faces and some new, were situated around the room. The cacophony of argument continued until one of the Northern Tribe delegates that followed her here, realized that her and the Fire Lord entered the study.

"Master Katara," they said reverently, touching their hand over their heart. Others from all nations followed suit. There were a few mumbles of 'our condolences' and 'sorry for your loss' that could be heard from the group of people.

In her younger years, she wouldn't have been able to hide her emotions. However, over the past 10 years as a diplomat, she was able to don the mask of neutrality she learned to perfect in the most difficult of situations. She must be a turtle duck. Calm on the surface and constantly moving under the water.

"Esteemed delegates of all nations," Katara began. Her voice confident and sure. "I appreciate everyone gathering here on such short notice, and I am sure, everyone is eager to share some information with their respective leaders in there home nations."

Eyes of all shades and colors stared at her. Expectant. Wanting answers.

Katara continued, as she walked to behind Zuko's desk. It was a bold move, but she knew her friend wouldn't mind. Anyways, it felt better to put some space between her and the crowd. "I don't have the all the answers you crave. However, I do have a message from the group responsible for the Avatar's death."

A murmur began around the room. But before she could falter, she caught Zuko's gold eyes. The familiarity steadied her and she raised her voice to be heard.

"They wrote 'We believe the Avatar is not the bringer of balance, but the force of oppression. We will no longer stand for the status quo. We will rise up."

The murmur grew louder and the room felt like it was growing hotter. Questions of, "Who are they?" "What do they want?" echoed around the room.

"I don't know." Katara admitted. "But I do believe it is imperative to show strong unity during this time. Especially until the next Avatar is identified."

"And how do we do that, when we don't even know who our enemy is?" An earth delegate asked. Their tone shrill and grating.

"Agreed!" One of the northern tribe diplomatics yelled.

The room then broke back into chaos. Katara was at a loss. She had assumed now was a time for unity. That it wouldn't be up for debate, but without the figurehead of the Avatar, it appeared much of the world's leadership was worried about protecting themselves.

Zuko surprised Katara as he joined her on the other side of the desk and slammed his hand on the hard wood. The slam quieted the room and some of the people visibly jumped.

"I agree with Master Katara. Now is the time for come together." The Fire Lord said with a low tone. Warmth spread through Katara's chest at the support of her friend. "And we can show that at Avatar Aang's funeral."

A few of the delegated silently nodded, but none of them spoke.

"Master Katara, would you like to share the details?"

"Thank you Fire Lord," the waterbending master said, commanding the floor again. "Because this death was sudden, Aang left no last wishes. However, I believe the best course of action is to hold the ceremony in his birth place. Not only is it symbolic, but the Southern Air Temple is neutral territory. Only the Air Acolytes, which come from all nations, inhabit the temple."

There were some nods of agreement from around the room. Yet, there were some faces with knitted eyebrows and dour expressions. Regardless of the dissent, no one questioned Katara's place as the widow of Aang.

"We will hold the ceremony in two weeks time. This will give the appropriate parties time to make the journey." Katara added, then promptly left the room. She could feel her facade slipping and didn't want any of these people to see her crack. As she opened the door, the study erupted into conversation.

Katara hurried down the hall and outside to the inner courtyard. Once in the warm sunlight and fresh air, she took a few steadying breaths. She took a seat on a gray, stone bench by the pond. The stone was warmed from the sun which strangely soothed her. She began bending the still water. The forms comforted her and the ache in her chest began to ease.

"Katara," A familiar voice said from behind the bender. She let the water fall back into the pond and turned around. Zuko stood a few feet away, his eyes squinting against the noon sun. "I'm sorry for what happened in there."

Katara turned back around to look at the water. "I expected it. Besides it wasn't your fault."

Zuko sat next to her and said nothing. Each sitting in a much more comfortable silence than before. The presence of a friend caused Katara's shoulders to relax slightly.

"Uncle said that the White Lotus has almost all the funeral arrangements finished." The firebender said as he watch baby turtle duck swim by.

"They didn't have to do all that work." Katara said feeling a tinge of guilt. Since she had gotten the news, Iroh, who had been near the site of Aang's murder, had jumped into action. Taking care of many of the uncomfortable details of the funeral arrangements.

"Uncle wouldn't have taken no for an answer. Anyways, it's tradition."

Katara nodded, "Will he be at the Southern Air Temple?"

"Of course, and I'm sure he's ready to stuff you with tea and food. He swears it's the best way to alleviate grief." Zuko said pretending to be annoyed.

And in the sadness, they both laughed.