Katara was tired in a way she'd never been before. Her whole body was heavy and it was an effort to not just collapse in a corner of the airship and sleep for a week. She forced herself to keep her eyes open anyway. She wanted to remember every moment of this day. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice Zuko approaching until he sat down. It was the closest they'd willingly been since their disastrous dance attempt. "How do you feel?" She'd had her mother's murderer at her mercy and she'd chosen to walk away. She wasn't really sure why she'd done so and it was a strange feeling. Katara tried to come up with an answer that would explain the swirling emotions going through her but came up empty.
"I don't know," she answered honestly. Zuko nodded.
"I was surprised when you walked away, after everything that happened,"
"I was too honestly,"
"Why did you?" Zuko said keeping his bright eyes focused on her face. He wasn't looking with a judging expression like Aang or Suki or even Sokka would he was just looking at her. Just curious.
"I wanted to do it. I wanted to take out all my anger at him, but I couldn't," Katara began feeling flashes of the emotions that had filled her as she'd held Yon Rha with her blood bending.
"That was really brave of you Katara,"
"It was bravery. I don't know if it's because I'm too weak to do it or because I'm strong enough not to," she tried to explain about her decision to let him go, avoiding Zuko's piercing gold eyes.
"I don't think it was weakness," Zuko said. He said it so sincerely that Katara felt just a little bit better.
"Don't get me wrong I still hate that man with a passion and I will never, ever, forgive him for what he did but I don't want to be like him." She didn't feel like she had to explain her choices, but something in the way Zuko had unquestioningly helped her today made her want him to understand her decision. " He's just so pathetic and wretched. I don't want to be like that."
"I can understand that," Zuko agreed, looking away as if lost in his own memories. "So, tell me about that new bending you did back there. I've never seen anything like it," Katara grimaced. She'd known sooner or later Zuko would ask about the blood bending.
"It's called blood bending, a water tribe woman living in the Fire Nation taught it to me years ago," if Zuko was shocked at a water bending hiding in his country he hid it well so she continued. "I didn't want to learn it but she threatened my friends. I swore to never use it again. But I was so caught up in wanting to hurt that man that I didn't even stop to think about what I was doing. Does that make me a monster?" The question slipped out before she could stop it. It had been in the back of her mind all the way from the village. She had used the one thing she'd sworn to never use and she'd enjoyed the power it gave her, had enjoyed how scared Yon Rha had been of her. Zuko shook his head.
"No, blood bending might be bad but that doesn't make you a bad person. He was your worst enemy and still you only used it to subdue him. Not to mention you had him totally at your mercy and yet you didn't hurt him at all. If anything I think stopping yourself from doing bad things, especially when you really want to, makes you a good person," Katara wished she had Toph's abilities to detect liars but she had a gut feeling Zuko was being honest with. It was a weight off her shoulders that he just accepted her as she was, even after seeing the awful things she had been willing to do.
"Why were you banished Zuko?" She was starting to see a person other than the sullen angry prince she'd once known, but she had to know what he could have done for his own father to banish him and it seemed Zuko was in a talkative mood.
"It's a long story," he looked away but made no move to leave so she pressed on.
"We've got hours before we're back in the capital"
"I guess we do." He looked at her again, how had she never noticed how dazzling his eyes were. Something in her own expression must have convinced him because he sighed and pulled his legs in to get more comfortable. "I was thirteen. I begged uncle Iroh to let me in to a war council meeting. At first it was exactly as you'd expect and I was in awe," his face was unreadable and Katara held her breath unsure how she wanted this story to go. "Then a general suggested a plan, a plan that would have us use the latest army recruits as a red herring. They would have been sacrificed to lure the Earth Kingdom army out and then the real Fire Nation army would swoop in when the Earth Kingdom armies were distracted." Katara gasped as Zuko spoke of the cruel plan. Zuko didn't look at her, lost in his memories. "I was the only one in the meeting to speak up against the plan." Katara was shocked. Zuko has spoken against the plan? At only thirteen in a meeting he wasn't even supposed to be attending? She didn't know what to think. "This was a great disrespect and I was challenged to an Agni Kai - a fire bending battle. I knew that I was right so I accepted but when I got there it was not the general who I had to fight but my own father." Katara gasped again but Zuko didn't pause, "He felt I had disrespected him and needed to be punished. I begged him to spare me, I pleaded for his forgiveness but he only grew more angry that I would not fight. So he gave me this mark."
"Your own father!" She asked, unable to keep her shock and disgust at the cruelty of Zuko's father to herself anymore.
"My relationship with my father was already rocky. I was a disappointment to him although I didn't realise it at the time. The embarrassment of my outburst in the meeting was too much, and then I refused to fight him. He saw it as an opportunity to get rid of me."
"Get rid of you?" Zuko just nodded.
"He burnt me and then banished me. The only hope I had of ever returning, of ever finding my honour, was to locate the Avatar and deliver him to my father."
"That's why you were so desperate to capture Aang?" It all made sense now. Zuko's desperation and anger from all those years ago. Why he had been so unrelenting in his pursuit.
"Yes. When it turned out the avatar was still actually alive I finally had hope of returning home. Of regaining my father's love." A part of Katara's heart broke for the young boy Zuko had been. Finally offered the chance of love only if he met ridiculously high demands and hurt another person. "But it was a lie." Zuko's voice was harder now. Katara looked at him unsure what he meant.
"He couldn't kill me outright but he gave me a task that he thought impossible. He sent me on a hunt for a person who had vanished 100 years ago. I couldn't see the truth at the time but the hope he gave me was almost worse than if he had just killed me, or at least kicked me out of the country for good." Katara was shocked at the truth of what an awful man Ozai had been; even to his own family. She felt sorry for the younger Zuko growing up in the shadow of such a man.
"I'm sorry for what happened in Ba Sing Se, the crystal caves." Zuko blurted out before she'd had a chance to say anything. To try and express her remorse and understanding of what he'd been going through. "You gave me a chance but I still chose to betray you. I couldn't see the truth about my father yet. I thought it was the only chance at being happy."
"Zuko," was all Katara could manage. What should she say to the man she had thought of as her enemy for so long who was now bearing his deepest wounds to her. What Zuko had done was awful, but clearly it had been a result of a terrible childhood and a worse father.
"Thank you for doing this for me Zuko," she said
"It's nothing really," he shrugged.
"It's not though," she insisted. It would have taken him considerable time and effort to find out who had been in charge of the raid and track down where he was now. And Zuko did it for her, without her asking just because he wanted to help her. He'd gone out of his way even after she had treated him so horribly the past few days. "How can you help me Zuko? After how I've treated you, why are you still being nice to me?"
"Because, well I've been there Katara. You saw first hand who I was when I was at my worst. I was consumed by anger and the idea that causing harm to others would somehow help me get back home." He finally dropped his gaze, his long fringe falling forward to cover his face anguish clear in the set of his mouth. "If it wasn't for uncle Iroh helping me see the truth and move past that anger I wouldn't be the same." He looked much younger suddenly. And it hit Katara just how small and vulnerable Zuko was, how he'd always been, and how much he regretted the person he used to be. "I better get back to the control panel. We'll be getting close to the main island by now." Suddenly Katara wished she'd had the courage to say something more.
Zuko dropped her off almost directly above her house. Flying low over the large mansions he'd lowered a ladder and helped her down to a roof. Rebuking her offers to help him get the airship back in the hanger and insisting she must be tired and that he'd be fine. Katara suspected he had grown tired of her company. She didn't blame him. After pouring out his heart and probably the worst memories he had and she'd barely said anything to him. More to the point she'd spent days saying awful things to him. She'd let her grief and anger over the past cloud her judgements for so long. As she ran lightly across rooftops and climbed back onto her balcony she realised it was not just Zuko that she owed a serious apology too. Right on queue a spark flashed and a candle was lit to reveal Aang. Katara was surprised, it was the first time she'd seen Aang fire bend willingly since he'd burnt her years ago. He was not alone. Sokka, Suki and Toph were all sitting next to him on the large floor cushions looking a mix of relieved, tired and angry. Aang was the first to move. "Katara, I'm glad you're alright!" He hugged her and it was such a relief after the way she had left last night.
"You are alright, right?" Sokka asked, not moving but doing his concerned big brother face at her. She smiled at him and he nodded.
"I'm alright," she agreed.
"Thank the spirits," Suki exclaimed, rising and embracing Katara next. "We were so worried about you,"
"I told them you'd be able to take care of yourself," Toph bragged from the floor. Katara noticed her lips were red and puffy, as if she'd been chewing at them nervously, but decided not to say anything.
"I'm sorry to have worried you all. Again," Sokka scoffed.
"Worried, us? Please," Katara resisted the urge to roll her eyes while she was trying to apologise.
"I'm sorry for the way I acted last night, for the way I've been acting since we got her really. I was letting myself take my emotions out on you all and that wasn't fair. Can you forgive me?" She looked around the group of friends. Her second family really.
"Of course we can," Aang said his usual grin back in place. Suki squeezed her hand and nodded,
"We were just concerned about you Katara,"
"We'll forgive you." Sokka began, "If you make it up to us,"
"Yeah sugar queen. Make it up to us by getting some breakfast in here. I'm starving!" There was a loud chorus of agreement from the others at Toph's suggestion and Katara had to admit she wouldn't mind some food either. She hadn't eaten since Zuko had silently handed her a bag of nuts and dried fruits on the way back several hours ago. Laughing Katara pulled a heavy cord near the door. Quickly a servant, one of the many provided by the palace, arrived. She felt awkward making demands so early in the morning but the staff were already awake and they were there to help her she reminded herself. She still made sure to thank them all profusely when they returned with plates and plates of delicious food. When the gang had eaten their full and Katara was longing for her soft bed Aang spoke up once more. "So Katara, what exactly happened while you were gone?"
"Yeah, tell us the details of your field trip with Zuko," Toph demanded with a large belch. Katara took a deep breath and told them everything. How she'd spoken with Zuko about her mother, the day she'd died. How they'd found the man, Yon Rha, she saw Sokka in the corner mouth the name to himself as if to remember it too. How they'd trapped him and Katara had been about to hurt him when at the very last moment she changed her mind and they'd walked away.
"I'm proud of you Katara," Aang beamed. "You did the right thing. Forgiveness is the first step you have to take to begin healing." Katara shook her head, Aang didn't understand.
"But I didn't forgive him. I'll never forgive him," Aang's face dropped but she saw understanding in Soka's expressions. "But I am ready to forgive Zuko," Katara declared. Everyone's jaw dropped.
"What? Why?" Aang stuttered. Katara placed a hand on his shoulder. She'd known Aang would be shocked at her decision. "We talked on the way back here. He told me a lot, about his dad, his banishment, even what happened in the crystal caves. And I decided that all the bad that he's done is in the past. I see now he's trying to be a good person."
"I'm so glad to hear it Katara!" Suki sighed embracing her once more. "We were all so worried with the way you were acting,"
"Yeah Katara, you were getting a little crazy there. Even for you," Sokka teased making sure to stay out of her reach as he joked. Toph laughed loudly but Aang remained quiet, his good humour gone again.
"So does this mean the wedding is cancelled?" Suki asked,
"You won't still be going through with it now you know Zuko's not evil? Right Katara" Aang was quick to ask, wringing his hands.
"Oh," was all Katara could manage. She hadn't thought that far ahead yet. "I don't know really," she finally said.
"Well you better decide soon little sis," Sokka said.
"Yes," agreed Suki. "Very soon, you have just a few hours before you're scheduled to have tea with Azula and the other ladies of the court."
"Azula?" Katara pulled a face. What she really wanted was a nice long sleep and not to sit through a formal tea with the slightly unhinged princess. "Well I guess I better go still, I haven't officially turned down the engagement,"
"No offence Katara but you better have a bath before you go. You smell a bit rough even for me!" Toph said, wiggling her bare and slightly dirty toes in Katara's direction. The group erupted into laughter once more. Well all except Aang but Katara wasn't to know this. Resigned to her fate at least for the morning Katara shooed her friends from her room promising to take a very thorough bath. Sokka was the last to leave and before he could Katara grabbed his elbow and pulled him back into the room.
"Oof!" Sokka exclaimed as he was jerked backwards. "Jeez Katara. What was that for?"
"I just wanted to apologise to you Sokka,"
"You've already apologised Katara,"
"I know but I need to ask you especially to forgive me. I said some really awful things about you last night and I am so sorry." Sokka pulled her into a tight hug and it was all Katara could do to embrace him back tears stinging her eyes.
"I loved mum. I know it and I know you know it. You were hurt and dealing with your guilt and grief. I'm sorry I didn't see how much you were struggling before now. But thanks for apologising anyway."
"You're a really good big brother you know Sokka," Katara said, pulling back from the hug.
"Trust me," he said his signature grin back in place. "I know how great I am," she punched his arm half heartedly and wiped a stray tear. Suki snuck back down the corridor to avoid getting caught listening to the private moment. A large smile on her face.
Several hours later the three female members of Team Avatar walked up the many stairs to the palace, all dressed in their finest clothes. Katara wore an elaborate Hanbok, the large skirts once again heavy with embellishments. This time her skirts were hand sewn with thousands of tiny sapphires and diamonds forming swirls that from a distance made her look as if she was surrounded by crashing waves. It was Katara's favourite outfit thus far and it had taken two full weeks for herself and the water tribe women to attach all the jewels.
Suki had initially tried to argue she was not suitable enough to attend such an event but had eventually relented when Katara had refused to take no for an answer. She wore a borrowed amethyst coloured hanfu from Katara's extensive collection. The outfit was one of her simplest and the clean lines emphasised Suki's height and delicate bone structure. Katara had refused to leave without the older girl also allowing her to place decorative hair pins. It had been worth the struggle to see Sokka's jaw hit the floor as soon as Suki had emerged from her room. Katara secretly thought that they would soon be planning their own wedding soon enough but she kept that thought to herself.
Toph had brought her own rich lady clothes as she called them but grumbled excessively as she changed into did look beautiful though and Katara made sure to tell her young friend so. She was aware it was somewhat of a sore spot for had insisted the small earth bender wear shoes despite her many protests. When Katara and Suki's backs were turned Toph discretely kicked the soles of the shoes out so she could see.
"Thank you both for coming with me today," Katara smiled warmly at her friends. It was a relief to know she would not be alone with Azula and the other ladies of the court. It would be an understatement to say that she was nervous. It would be the first time she had really interacted with the princess since the war and Azula was not exactly the friendliest person in the world. Katara suspected that the other ladies in attendance this morning would also be less than welcoming. Squaring her shoulders and sharing another reassuring smile with her friends they ascended the final steps and were swiftly led through the labyrinth of the palace to the formal gardens. This particular event was apparently a bridal shower in her honour and the palace had set up a large silk tent in the open space in the centre of the garden. The side's were rolled up to provide a clear view of the stunning plants cultivated to perfection and at the far end there was even a small pond. The women who filled the tent were equally elaborate and almost as colourful. There was a sea of bright dresses and intricate jewellery. As their small group entered the bright chatter that had been filling the space died down and Katara became excruciatingly aware of how many people were now looking at her. The ladies of the Fire Nation Court parted before her offering only small bows in deference to her. While Katara was not a naturally shy person she felt overwhelmed as was unsure what to do next.
"Kat!" a distinctive voice called through the crowd. Sure enough there was Azula cutting a direct path through the crowd towards her as servers and ladies alike scrambled to get out of her way. Katara was not necessarily happy to see the princess but at least her arrival gave Katara an action to take rather than the floundering as she'd been doing previously. Azula really was stunning. Tall and slender as always she'd traded her usual outfit for a long tunic made of exquisite red silk sewn with thousands of tiny gold dragons depicted chasing each other across the outfit. Katara felt foolish in her large skirts but refused to let the princess see her uncomfortable.
"Azula," she greeted as the other girl finally stood before her flanked, as always, by her friends and cronies Mai and Ty Lee. Azula smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
"Really Kat, so informal already? You should really address me Princess Azula, we aren't sisters just yet," Katara flushed at her misstep and noticed several of the ladies closest to them now muttering amongst each other.
"I'm so sorry Princess Azula," she said, doing her best not to let her embarrassment come through. "I've been so busy preparing for the wedding I must have forgotten my manners."
"Well I can understand that, planning a wedding is always difficult, or so I've heard. It must be extra difficult for you having to adjust to all the Fire Nation customs and traditions. I'm sure your village back in the South Pole has nothing that really compares does it?" Azula smirked and Katara's blood boiled. She began to take a step forward to confront Azula when Toph and Suki both discreetly grabbed a hold of her skirts to stop her doing so. If Katara had been in her right mind she would have noticed the small quirk of Azula's lips that showed her disappointment that her insult hadn't got the reaction she'd intended.
"Well actually Azula," Toph said, stressing her use of the princesses' name only. "The Southern Water Tribe has many complex customs of their own. I'm sure you've dedicated plenty of time to learning them to integrate with your new family right?" Azula turned on Toph, her smile crocodile sharp.
"Why, of course I have,"
"But Azula?" Ty Lee asked from her position flanking the princess. "You haven't learnt anything. All you've done for months is make fun of…"
"Shut it Ty Lee," Azula snapped aggressively at her Lee stepped back immediately bowing and apologising. Turning back to Katara Azula's smile was tight. "Why don't I introduce you to a few of the other ladies of the court?" she offered
"I'd be honoured," Katara said, bowing slightly enjoying the rare moment of Azula being flustered. Her pleasure quickly dissipated with each new introduction. Each of the women Katara met was elegant and beautiful but not involved in the actual running of the Fire Nation. Sure their husbands were distinguished nobles, important politicians or influential businessmen but the women themselves were not involved in any form of decision making. Furthermore, none seemed interested in taking a more active role dismissing Katara's suggestions for more active roles they could play, even just in their local communities. It was excruciating for Katara to listen politely as these women talked endlessly about their men. She wanted to scream with frustration. She hadn't chosen to leave her home, her family, her friends to sit in the gardens and gossip. Just as Katara was seriously about to lose her cool in front of all of these people and lecture them about how privileged they are, Azula suggested a game.
"A game?" Toph asked with suspicion clear on her small face.
"Why, It is a party after all," Azula drawled. The women all crowded around eager to be seen participating in the princesses' idea but none came close enough to risk being picked to partake. Katara rolled her eyes, it was a bit pathetic for a whole group of grown women to be so afraid of just one girl so she stepped forward
"I'll play Princess Azula," she said, ensuring to use the correct title but with as much sarcasm as she could summon. Azula smiled her crocodile smile once more, pleased with this outcome. She made a grand show of looking around the gardens thinking what silly game she'd suggest to humiliate Katara. Her eyes lit up when she saw the pond. Strolling over to a nearby table laden with intricate displays of all types of desserts she instead picked up a large orange. Tossing the fruit in the air she laughed,
"This was one of Mai's favourite childhood games. Right Mai?" She didn't bother waiting for a response from her friend but Katara turned to look at Mai as she was dragged across the lawn. Mai's face was as impassive and blank as ever but she failed to follow Azula to the water's edge, even as the other court ladies funneled after the Princess and her prey. Azula pulled Katara along until they got to the edge of the pond where she pulled her around to face the crowd. Katara gulped, beginning to question her dismissal of the group's fear of the tiny princess.
"Just what kind of game is this?" Suki demanded, but was ignored. Katara saw her reach for her fans and only find the silk of her robes. She gulped and Azula smirked once more. Katara pushed her growing fear down and squared her shoulders. She was a master water bender she could handle whatever little trick Azula was planning.
"Now Kat, you just stand there and balance this orange on your head, okay? Even you can do that?" Katara forced a smile,
"No problem,"
"Great! I'll try and knock it off," Azula turned and took a few steps back. Katara knew what was coming but didn't know how to stop it. Would it be acceptable to water bend at the Princess of the Fire Nation? Surely Zuko and Uncle Iroh would understand. They knew what Azula was capable of? She placed the orange with shaky hands and heard the tell tale sizzle of Azula drawing lightning. She closed her eyes and reached for the nearby water ready to bend it at a moment's notice. But before the lightning came there was strange noise and a splash. Katara opened her eyes to see the orange floating away with a small blade buried deep in the centre. She turned to the group expecting to see Suki holding more of the small weapons but the other girl looked just as shocked. Azula was furious and let out a bellow whirling around to stare down the group. Mai stood in the back looking disinterested and bored as normal but she was missing one of her hair pins. Suki laughed putting two and two together and Azula turned on her,
"And what's so funny?" She demanded
"Oh nothing," Suki tried to deflect but Azula was having none of it advancing slowly.
"If you have something to say then say it you hillbilly wanna be warrior," Suki's smile dropped. Toph stepped forward in front of her unarmed friend and took a defensive stance.
"Back off Azula, we aren't afraid of you," she called out.
"You should be," Azula responded, her signature blue flame sparking along her hands.
"Don't hurt them!" Katara cried hampered by her large skirts. Azula turned on her then shrugging
"If you insist Kat," and threw a fire blast right at her. Katara blocked the attack with a water shield but the fire rapidly heated the water and a few splashes caught her arms. She cried out in pain. Before she could respond Ty Lee was in front of her and with a few swift jabs had completely blocked Katara's chi and her bending was useless. Toph sent a wave of rocks under the acrobat's feet forcing her to cartwheel away. Toph and Suki were beside her in seconds.
"Are you alright?" Toph asked, keeping up her defensive stance to guard the others while Suki rushed over and pulled Katara to her feet. Katara was in a lot of pain and was unable to heal herself with her bending, but she wasn't badly hurt.
"I'm okay," she tried to reassure herself and her friends.
"You won't be for long," Anula snarled, already pulling more lighting towards herself.
"THAT IS QUITE ENOUGH!" a voice boomed out from across the gardens. Everyone turned to see the Fire Lord himself storming across the lawns. It was quite a sight. Katara was so used to seeing Iroh as a gentle, friendly man that it was somehow more off putting to see him so furious. It was a stark reminder that despite his behaviour nowadays he had at one time been The Dragon of the West. As he reached the group many of the women fell to their knees bowing before him offering apologies. He ignored them all until he came to Kataara and Azula. "What exactly is going on here?" he demanded. Katara knew she was in the right in this situation but something about his tone made her want to explain herself to him. Azula apparently felt differently. Broken from her angry rampage by Iroh's appearance she was back to her usual cold, sarcastic self. 'Nothing uncle, we were just playing a game,"
"A game Azula?"
"It is a party uncle," she said. Repeating her earlier excuse.
"Azula shot lightning at Katara's head!" Suki shouted staring daggers at the princess. Azula was unperturbed, examining her nails without a care in the world. Iroh deflated seemingly unable to hold on to his anger for so long.
"Azula, you would seek to cause harm to Katara, your own sister?"
"She is not my sister," the furry written on Azula's face almost made Katara recoil but the princess managed to reign herself in. "Besisds," she said, as she tossed her hair nonchalauntly, "our dear Kat should be aware of exactly the type of family she's marrying into." Without waiting to be dismissed she jerked her head at Ty Lee and Mai and the three girls left the gardens without another word. Watching Mai's retreating figure Katara was confused at the other girls actions and concerned for what Azula would do to her. Uncle Iroh sighed deeply and rubbed his temples vigorously. It was only when Katara let out a small whimper of pain that he came back to his senses.
"My dear," he said, reaching for her other arm and helping Suki to support her weight. "Are you quite alright?"
"She got hit by Azula's blue flames," Suki said, anger still clear in her voice.
"And Ty Lee did her Chi blocking voodoo so she can't even use her bending to heal herself," Toph said looking menacingly in the direction the acrobat had left.
"I'm fine guys," Katara tried to protest, aware of the other noble ladies still watching her every action. She tried to push away from Suki and Iroh only to realise that her ankle was sore and swollen and she was unable to put much weight on it. Suki caught her as she stumbled. Iroh also noticed the many eyes on them and was quick to dismiss the courtiers with a large grin and promises of less drama at the next event. His joke got a few laughs but many of the women departed with frowns and Katara knew she would once again be the talk of the Fire Nation gossip mill for days to come. As the last of the guests finally made their way back inside the palace Iroh's smile fell once again.
"My deepest apologies Katara," He said, taking her free hand. "I did not suspect Azula was capable of such brazen violence," he sighed once more.
"I am honestly not surprised she tried something like this," Suki said.
"Azula's always been crazy," Toph agreed with a dismissive snort. Katara said nothing. She wanted to be angry at Azula. Had every right to be. But her conversation with Zuko from just a few hours played again in her mind. She thought of the way Ozai had treated Zuko and suspected Azula had fared little better. Only receiving praise from her father when she excelled at her bending. Not to mention it must have been hard for her to see her own brother burnt and banished in front of her. With Zuko and her uncle gone, her mother dead it was no surprise Azula became fixated on Ozai. He was her only family. It didn't excuse the many awful things she'd done but Katara was a little less hesitant to agree with the others that she was outright crazy. As they stood in the empty gardens Katara once again failed to hide a wince of pain, although not all of it was physical. Iroh was quick to notice though.
"Please accompany me to my office," he offered. "It is not far and you can rest there until recovered enough to regain your healing." Katara saw no better options without her bending and so readily agreed.
The Fire Lord's study was not as grandiose as Katara had been expecting. Sure it was larger than her family's whole igloo back in the South Pole and she was sure the rugs on the floor would be worth a small fortune alone, the room had a nice feel to it. In one corner there was a sitting desk piled high with papers but it seemed in some semblance of order. Iroh led the three girls to the opposite side of the room to a set of delicate looking cushions. Iroh gracefully sat in once closest to the window and Suki helped Katara down before sitting down as well. Toph plopped down across three pillows, making herself at home. Iroh seemed content to sit and not say anything and neither did the two earth kingdom girls. The silence stretched between them all for what felt like an age to Katara. She imagined as if the others were waiting for her to say something, anything, but her thoughts were so confused that she had no idea how to start. Toph eventually reached her silent breaking point saying "Well Katara if that's going to be your sister-in-law, it might be a good thing you're cancelling the wedding!" Katara's eyes flew to Iroh who's expression hadn't changed.
"Toph!" Suki hissed swatting at her friend as inconspicuously as she could manage.
"Well, I um," Katara stumbled trying to find the words to backtrack on what Toph had just blurted out. She hadn't made up her mind and she was not ready to break the news to the Fire Lord yet. To her surprise Iroh smiled,
"Lady Beifong, would you do an old man a favour and find your way to the kitchens for some food and a nice pot of tea. All this excitement has given me quite the appetite," Toph grinned. She'd always had a soft spot for the Firelord since their accidental encounter on the road years ago.
"Sure thing gramps, I'll rustle something up," she assured, making her way out of the room. When they had first met, Katara may have worried about sending Toph off alone in such a fashion but she knew now that the earth bending prodigy was more than capable of looking after herself. Suki turned to face Iroh head on offering a small bow.
"My apologies Fire Lord Iroh, what Toph meant …" she began but Iroh raised a hand.
"Captain Suki of the Kyoshi warriors. It is an honour to meet you. I have heard great things about your legendary group," the praise was genuine Katara was sure and Suki flushed heavily bowing again.
"Thank you Fire Lord, I…"
"You are just the person we need," Iroh continued. "Katara is injured and powerless for the moment. I would ask that you return to your accommodation to retrieve her father to come and collect her. It must be someone trustworthy to not arouse suspicion from the other tribesmen and women. We do not want to panic them or cause any unnecessary worry," Suki nodded sagely.
"Of course," she rose and turned to Katara. "Don't worry, I will return with Chief Hakkoda as swiftly as I can manage," she offered a final bow to Iroh and was gone in the blink of an eye. Just like that Katara was alone with the Fire Lord. Katara was impressed at how simply and swiftly he had convinced her friends to leave her, but she could not bring herself to be worried. Despite Iroh's show of aggression earlier she trusted that he was not the sort of person to harm her in such an underhanded way.
"I apologise for dispersing your friends," Iroh said as if voicing Katara's own thoughts. "I thought it best we be alone so as to talk openly with one another." Katara nodded, "Despite the circumstances, I am glad to have a moment to speak with you. I met Zuko early this morning sneaking back to his rooms across the palace roof. At first I was amused to finally catch my nephew doing typical young people activities" a smile played across his lips, "alas he was his usual serious self and looked as if he'd been up to something as the blue spirit,"
"Zuko is the blue spirit?" Katara knew this wasn't the most pressing issue but the revelation was a shock.
"Indeed," Iroh confirmed looking less than pleased by this fact. "But that is a story for another day. My nephew was reluctant to say exactly what he had been up to during the night but he did mention that while you and he were on better terms now he mentioned that I should expect word from you that the wedding would not be going ahead," Katara flushed. She was not surprised Zuko was aware enough to know that she'd been reconsidering their impending wedding knowing the truth of his changed character.
"I uh,"
"I ask that you would speak honestly with me of your concerns Katara," Iroh continued. "If there is anything I can do to ease your mind please tell me, I will not mind one way or the other," the sincerity in his offer to help broke down Katara's last wall and she let it all out. Her suspicions of Zuko, her anger at him and how she'd agreed mostly out of a fool hardy plan to prove him evil and then all that had happened just yesterday. "So it seems a simple choice my dear, you have accepted Zuko's changed behaviour as truth and so do not have to stay to prove him evil, and yet you did not call off the wedding first thing this morning. In fact you came here to the palace for a wedding celebration," Katara nodded. S
he knew it didn't make much sense, but free from the overpowering fury she'd felt for Zuko and the Fire Nation royals she could once again see this marriage for the opportunity it was. So she spoke to Iroh of the awful things she'd seen at the hospital, and all she'd experienced when she and her friends had travelled through the Fire Nation all those years ago. How seeing that the fire nation treated its own people gave her a desperation to help. She even spoke of the helplessness she had felt at her return home and the way her family had tried to return to the way things had been before and how disconnected it had made her feel. When she was finished talking she was surprised to find her cheeks wet with tears. Iroh listened patiently to it all and when she was finally done he took her hands gently in his own. He emitted a gentle warmth, soft but steady and it was calming to Katara's frazzled nerves. When her breathing evened he finally spoke
"I am sorry you have been dealing with such emotional distress my dear. I must take some of the blame, it was foolish of me to not realise the past between yourself and Prince Zuko was so painful,"
"It was painful for a while, but I've also come to realise I was causing harm to myself and to other people by not accepting that Zuko is trying to be genuinely good now,"
"I am proud of how far Zuko has come. I wish I could say the same for his sister. My niece has always been troubled, even from a young age," Katara remained silent. Before yesterday she would have agreed readily but now she was hesitant to agree so easily. "But that is a thought for another day, now it is time to make a decision about your marriage." Katara for once thought honestly on the reality of marrying Prince Zuko. She no longer hated him but she certainly didn't love him. Would that matter? Plenty of marriages were happy despite not being a love match. Would her friends support her if she decided to go ahead with it?
"Uncle, can you tell me what it is like to have an arranged marriage?" Iroh looked thoughtful for a moment before he began
"My marriage was not so difficult compared to what you face. I had known Mira since childhood and it was decided early on that we would be married. We had always got along well enough but we were not in love. We both agreed to the match and so were married. The life of a royal couple, especially for the Crown Prince and Princess is one where a marriage can mean going long periods without interacting. For instance it is common to keep separate bedrooms," Katara blushed but Iroh thankfully didn't dwell on the subject. "I was lucky that Mira wanted to be by my side as a wife if not a lover and we soon developed a genuine friendship and I mourned her loss greatly when she passed giving birth to Lu Ten,"
"What if I want more than friendship with my husband?"
"If that is truly the case then maybe the wedding should be cancelled. But if I may say it is important to remember that while a tree falls with a huge noise a seed grows in silence," Katara was still trying to puzzle out his meaning when a soft knock at the door announced the arrival of Suki and her dad. Hakkoda took one look at the scene in front of him and took the seat next to Katara. Iroh smiled at the Kyoshi warrior but did not invite her to sit. Fortunately at that moment Toph came through the door followed by several servants carrying plates of food and several large pots of tea. Toph usually so brash and headless of polite society stood awkwardly in the entryway. "Lady Toph, marvellous timing. I was just going to suggest to Captain Suki that she locate you and head back to your lodging for the rest of the day. Chief Hakkoda, Katara and I have much to discuss," both girls looked to Katara before departing however and Katara gave them a reassuring smile.
"Dad and I will be along shortly," so with swift bows her friends departed. Iroh busied himself pouring the tea and passed a cup to Hakkoda and Katara
"Chief Hakkoda, let me fill you in on our discussions,"
