CW: Some blood and beginning of labor (it's happening folks!)

Author Note: Thank you everyone for the reviews and follows!

— By way of royal messenger hawk —

Chief Bato,

The Fire Nation Capital has sustained heavy damages and casualties from the most recent attack that occurred last night. It was reported that some of the soldierslost their ability to bend after confrontation with the forces. However, accounts from the soldiers stated the assailants used some sort of Chi blocking maneuver. We are unsure if the effects are permanent or temporary.

Due to this crisis, my correspondence will be slow for the following days and possibly weeks, as the nation works towards recovery. To my knowledge the latest shipments of building materials and food goods were sent out the day before the attack. So you can expect little delay. However, as you can imagine, any trade negotiations or other diplomatic needs will be on hold for the time being.

In other news, the Fire Nation chapter of the Equalists have been largely open to the proposals put forth. The new structures that I have suggested, often take inspiration from the South Tribe's systems and many of the members are interested in learning more about our culture. If you are open to it, I suggested a few select members of their leadership visit the South Pole when it is safe. I will defer to your judgement on this, but I believe it would be a great opportunity to strengthen our relations with the Fire Nation.

Additionally, to your questions about the Northern Tribe's suspicion of the Equalists. I find that our sister tribe is incorrect in their assertion Fire Lord Zuko is provoking the attacks. I have attended the majority of the meetings with the Fire Nation Chapter and the leader, Asayo, is committed to gaining equal rights for non-benders. They have no interests in needless violence. In addition, the Fire Lord is interested in helping ease that inequality. However, the local chapters of the Equalizers in the Earth Kingdom and North Tribe prove to be more radical. They seem to be acting as a separate entity.

We questioned the prisoner (who still has not given his name) before the attack and he stated he wanted to "eliminate all benders" but suggested not through means of violence alone. I am unclear what that threat is currently, but it is a threat nonetheless. One related point that has been on my mind, I know the Tribes are expecting the reincarnation of the Avatar in the North Tribes. However, my gut tells me the Southern Tribes needs to be prepared for a potential attack.

On a more personal matter, I regret to inform you that Grand Lotus Iroh was murdered by the Equalizers. I know he was a friend to both you and my father.

You faithful diplomat,

Katara

— End Message—

Katara tied her letter to her messenger hawk and she stared at her desk. Her body was numb and heavy. After finding Iroh's body, she was only able to get one hour of a dream plagued nap. The nightmare repeated over and over. She stood in the South Pole. Aang to her left pointing to an infant swaddled in a blue blanket. This is the child, protect her. Then the dream turned violent. More bloodshed. More screams.

The waterbender sighed and stood up. Pushing through her fatigue, she padded over to her bathroom and went through the motions of cleaning herself. As she washed her arms and hands the water in the basin tinted pink - remnants of the patients she both saved and didn't. After wiping a hand over her face, the waterbender looked in the mirror. There she was met with someone she didn't completely recognize

Angular cheeks and dark circles were hallmarks of the person before her. Her blue eyes, that had once been wide with optimism, now seemed narrowed. Sharper. This is what her mother looked like before she was killed. Was her mom ever as tired as she was now? Her eyes trailed to her throat. There sat her mother's altered necklace and for once in her life it felt too heavy. It was a burden she couldn't bear. The band with Aang's prayer beads felt like it was choking her. With trembling hands she undid the clasp letting the necklace fall in her hand.

Katara let out a sigh and left it on the counter. She then moved to her wardrobe to peel off her sweat laden tunic. There were no meetings this afternoon so she choose a loose fitting, red gown. It didn't hide her pregnancy, but she no longer cared. Everyone in the palace would know by now.

With that, she let the room.

—

The world slowed as Katara entered Zuko's study. She hadn't bothered to knock and instead slipped quietly into the dimly room. There he sat at his desk hair loose and his face buried in his hands. His blood stained robes laid in the middle of the floor along with his swords. The light of the room wavered methodically. Katara realized the candles that lit the space rose and fell with the firebender's breath. Every few breaths the flames would stutter then resume the rhythmic rise and fall.

The waterbender's chest ached for him. She truly knew what he was going through. The loss of one so dear as Iroh was a heavy blow to everyone - especially Zuko. Silently she walked over to him joining him on his side of the desk. As she lowered herself down, the flames of the candles went out, plunging the room in an eerie half darkness. He looked up at her with red ringed eyes.

"What am I going to tell Kiyi?" He whispered turning his face so she couldn't see his grief. "She loved him like a grandfather."

Katara placed a hand on Zuko's back and traced circles with her palm. "You tell her the truth. The best you can."

Zuko inhaled and took Katara's free hand. It was so apparent he was attempting to be strong. But alas, a stiff posture and deep breathing can't guard one against the ocean of grief. His voice was ragged and broke as he asked, "How… how did you do it? How did you handle the death of your family?"

"To be honest, I just kept living. I had too." Katara said placing her free hand on her swollen stomach. Her thoughts of the last months ran through her mind. Laughing with Ursa, playing with Kiyi - smiling with Zuko, "And I have you. And your mom and Kiyi. I leaned on the family I still had."

Zuko's head turned to look the waterbender at the the omission of family. His golden eyes glassy.

Katara embraced him, drawing him into her until his head was buried in her shoulder. After a moment, his shoulders slumped. A lump rose in her throat as hot tears began to dampen the collar of her robe. She had never seen Zuko cry. Not when they fought his sister. Not when he confronted his father. Not even happy tears when they found his mother. He was so concernedly quiet - only his torso shook in small spasms. A few tears escaped the waterbender's eyes. We've lost so much. She buried her face into his hair. "I'm so sorry Zuko. I'm so sorry." She murmured her own chest now heaved with grief.

They held each other until Katara's crying devolved into hiccups and Zuko's shoulder's stilled. The firebender pulled back with an apologetic look on his face.

"Don't you dare apologize." Katara joked trying to lighten the mood. A small smile appeared on his face and he wiped a lone tear off of the waterbender's cheek with his thumb.

"I love you." he said in a soft voice. It was the first time he had said it since she recovered two months ago.

Blood rushed to Katara's cheeks and her heart fluttered. Her hand instinctually went to her now bare throat. There was no guilt for what she felt. "I love you too."

Even though his eye were still glassy and grief still hung heavily in the air, a huge smile broke across their faces. However, the moment was short lived as a loud crash happened in the hallway - followed by an unmistakable scream from Ursa.

—

Katara trailed behind Zuko. Who had rushed out of the study stopping only to grab his swords. In the hallway, she was met with Ursa clutching Kiyi to her chest as a man dressed in a dark green mask, form fitting tunic, and pants wielding a black, metal tube with what appeared was lighting at the end - stood in front of them. It was the same uniform worn by the assailants at Aang's funeral.

With a clatter, Zuko discarded his swords on the marble floor and bent a calculated arch of fire at the man. The attacker moved frighteningly quick as he dodged the firebender's continual barrage of attacks. Katara cursed herself for not bringing the waterskin from her room. As the man looked at her his eyes flicking down her torso. He licked his lips at the slight of her pregnant stomach.

"Ah, the mother of the Air Nation." He said ducking under another of Zuko's attacks moving closer to the waterbender.

Knew she couldn't get away fast enough, so she crouched taking a defensive stance and began pulling water from the air. However, before the assailant made his way to her, Zuko stepped in between her and the attacker.

"Get away from her." The firebender growled moving to bend another arch of fire. The man laughed and caught Zuko's forearm, then shocked him with the lighting end of the stick. Katara's vision narrowed as the Fire Lord dropped to his knees at the shock and the man quickly hit specific Chi points.

"NO!" Roared the waterbender. I will not loose another person. And despite her promise to herself years ago, but she felt the blood rushing through the attacker's veins. It wasn't a full moon and it was barely dark outside, but with tremendous force she slammed him against the nearest wall. The repressed rage boiling over. He let out a small cry as his limbs twitch in unnatural positions. Sweat pooled on her forehead from the effort. Her knees wobbled, but she pushed through. I am going to make him pay.

She forced him on his knees and seized the blood around his heart - stopping the flow.

"Katara," Zuko said picking himself off the ground.

She squeezed harder. Her vision going red.

"Katara, let him go." He said, placing a firm hand, yet shockingly cold, hand on her shoulder. "He's passed out from the pain."

She released her grip and the all too familiar feeling of warm liquid dripped down her inner thigh and down her chin. She looked around the scene. The man laid unresponsive on the ground, Kiyi and Ursa cowered wide-eyed in the corner, and guards were running towards them - yet all she could hear was the ringing in her ears. A high pitched whine that crescendoed.

She turned to look at Zuko. His mouth was moving as he touched her chin - his fingers cold - but she couldn't make out what he said. Why is he cold? His eyes widen with fear as he withdrew his hand from her chin. They were red with blood. Her blood.

A sharp cramp went through her abdomen, and Katara clasped her arms around herself. Doubling over in pain she saw some blood but mostly clear liquid surrounding her feet. The child is coming. She took a breath. The ringing in her ears began to subside.

"Take me to my room and fill the tub." She calmly but quietly said to Zuko his face pinched in worry. "The baby coming early."

His face flushed, and he snake a supportive arm around her waist. Ursa ran up beside Katara mirroring Zuko's movements - helping her walk down the hallway. The guards passed them carrying the still unconscious assailant. His hands now bound.

"Kiyi, sweetheart," Ursa said, looking at the young girl trailing them. Her eyes now wide with curiosity. "Please go get a doctor."

"No, not yet." Katara commanded. She didn't want anyone there but the people she loved. I can do this myself - I am going to be the mother of the Air Nation.

"Okay, but I will go get them if things go wrong. Kiyi, please go to your room. I'll be there in a few minutes." The small girl nodded and ran down the hallway once they made it to Katara's room. Zuko rushed to the bathroom and began filling the tub. You can do this.

"Ursa please help me take off these clothes." She asked not caring who saw her. At this moment she was following her instincts. She had delivered countless children in the years after the war. The easiest births were the one's where the mother followed what was comfortable for them. The older woman nodded bending down to roll off her leggings.

The room was cool on her exposed skin as Katara now stood in only her bindings. She stared pacing slow circles around the room. It's what her body wanted, and eased the waves of labor pains. She could tell it was going to be a little while before she needed to start actively pushing.

"I'm going to go make you a tea that will help with the pain. I'll be back in a few minutes." Ursa said exiting the room.

The waterbender continued to walk around. It hit her, as she stopped at her desk, that she hadn't prepared anything for this child. No clothes. No crib. No toys. She hadn't even thought about where she would raise them. She had the wedding chest Gran Gran had given her with a few baby things, but that was in the South Pole. The last months had been spent completely wrapped up in politics. She hadn't even thought of a name. Her breath hitched and some panic set in. I have no idea what I'm doing.

At that moment, a labor pain hit and Zuko exited the bathroom holding a wet cloth. Katara bent over holding onto her wooden desk for support. The firebender rushed forward and the waterbender grabbed his forearm.

"The water's ready if you need it." He said, pulling her upright. She leaned her head against his chest.

"No, it's not time yet."

Zuko gently placed his surprisingly cold fingers under her chin and tilted her head up. He then gently began to wipe cool cloth over her face. Cleaning the trail of blood from her nose bleed. Once he was done, she leaned her head back into his chest. Another labor pain jolted through her. We're getting closer.

"I'm not ready." Katara said in a small voice. "I don't even know where I'm going to raise this child."

Zuko stroked her hair. "Here, you can raise the baby here."