Chapter 28

Storyoftheunknownfangirl: I think that I have a problem with letting my characters be happy. You will see why.

Azula

Their eyes met.

Azula raised a perfect eyebrow, saying nothing, but she read his body language carefully. The nonchalant way he'd let Katara bend down in front of him, their bodies leaning towards each other as Katara probably told him unending words of affection. The very idea infuriated her more than she would ever admit aloud.

She hadn't expected to see him today. She was only going to coerce information from his sister by any means in order to satiate the need she felt to see him again, even by proxy. Now, seeing him in the flesh, more tangible than in her mind's eye, Azula knew that she could no longer keep away from him. She wondered if she could smell him from here, the scent of straw and oak trees. But she knew that Katara definitely could.

She examined his posture, and the way Katara could easily move her fingers across the plane of his well-toned stomach and she winced, her eyes zeroing on Katara's tan fingers, running over him so possessively. It bothered her more than it probably should have. After all, Jet wasn't hers, she had no more claim over him than the next girl. But that didn't mean it didn't affect her. He'd consumed her thoughts for the past few days, and she didn't like it. She didn't like the way she wanted to find out more about him, the way she wanted to see him again, the way she wanted to be with him as if he were her own.

But Katara could touch him. He let her touch him. He looked like he wanted it.

He shouldn't. And Katara shouldn't either.

But when she spoke, Katara froze, and Azula smiled as though she'd been here all along, which was her intent. She saw Katara straighten slowly, and Jet stepping away from her as though he'd been burned. The girl from yesterday, Jet's sister Smellerbee was behind them, looking on with concerned eyes.

What exactly was going on here?

Katara opened her mouth to speak, but Azula cut her off.

"I originally was going to come down here to see if you were alright, Smellerbee, but perhaps another time, seeing as you have a guest."

"Princess Azula…" Smellerbee whimpered. "Princess Katara was just—,"

Azula smirked, stepping forward. "Contrary to popular belief, unlike everyone in this entire palace, my world and thoughts are not consumed by Princess Katara." She looked Katara in the eye, and could detect not only fear, but also irritation beneath her sky-blue eyes. So this Water Tribe girl has some fire in her after all…very interesting.

"No one's thoughts are consumed by me, Azula." Katara stepped towards her.

"Zuko's are. He loves you."

Katara and Jet's faces didn't change. Azula wondered if that was because he already knew about Katara's relationship with Zuko, or if Jet just didn't care.

"I know that." Katara replied, eyeing Azula warily. Would she still not admit to betraying her brother? Not that she cared, but this could be one more thing to hold over Zuko's head for the rest of his life. "But I don't see what Zuko has to do with any of this."

"I can see that you're having a slow day, so I will ask you again, Princess Katara. What would my brother say when he finds out that you've been down here with Jet?"

"I don't think Zuko would say anything." Katara said firmly. Azula raised an eyebrow, a curious expression on her face. Oh really, and why wouldn't he say anything? "He knows about my friendship with Jet, and it is strictly friendship. It doesn't concern you, Azula."

Zuko knows about Jet too, then? Oh brother, what interesting company you keep. "I think it does. Especially when it concerns the love life of my big brother." Her voice was a sweet as can be, and Katara frowned. "And especially since Jet and I are friends, now."

Azula, like her father was an expert at reading people, but even she had to admit that this Water Tribe princess happened to surprise her. Azula honestly expected the girl to show no emotion upon the reveal of her and Jet's relationship, but no. Katara didn't even try to hide her shock, looking between her and Jet with a shocked expression on her face. "You know her?" She asked of the young man, and Azula couldn't help but show her satisfaction at Katara's displeasure. "You're friends, Jet?"

However, Jet didn't say anything, his eyes only narrowed at her and he fixed her with a steely glare, not unlike the glare he'd given her only a few days ago. "We've met before…" Jet said through gritted teeth.

"Yes, and it was such a memorable encounter." Azula said quietly, her smile still on her face.

It was only then that Jet faltered, his face betrayed his shock and irritation with her. "You don't know anything about friendship, so I suggest you leave, Princess."

When he called her that, in the manner that he did before, it tugged on Azula's heartstrings more than anything else ever had. How could his voice have such power over her? She didn't understand it. She didn't understand him. Nevertheless, she recovered quickly. She always did. "Alright, I'll leave."

Katara visibly relaxed, but then looked worried. "And what will you tell Zuko?" She asked, stepping forward again.

Azula scoffed. "I don't have time to worry about all of Zuko's problems in addition to my own. Your business with Jet is your own, I don't care about him, Zuko, or you, Katara." She turned around.

"Do you really mean that?" Jet asked her suddenly. "That you don't care about your family? He is your brother, after all."

Azula was going to turn, but she didn't. She couldn't look at his face. To look at him would mean that she would lose control of her emotions, and that was the last thing she would ever do. It would be as her father said. Showing emotions meant weakness, and Azula wasn't weak. "

Of course not. I don't care about anyone." She started to walk away but stopped. "I'm taking Smellerbee with me." She heard three collective gasps and turned her head to the side. "Come along."

She could see the shock on Jet's face through her sideways glance. "What?" he gasped. Smellerbee must have started walking because he cried out. "Don't go with her…"

"I have to, Jet." Smellerbee said. "You know I do."

"Why are you going to separate them, Azula? After they've just found each other?" Katara asked seemingly enraged.

Azula turned fully and was met with the angry eyes of the Water Tribe Princess. Jet and Smellerbee stood just off to the side, Jet grasping his sister's shoulders firmly in his hands. He looked so furious with her. So, so furious.

Azula's heart ached slightly, but she had to force it away. If angering Jet and keeping his sister in her possession was the only way to be near Jet, then she would do it. Even if he grew to hate her in the process.

"That's not my problem." Azula said stiffly. "I've grown attached to…Smellerbee, and I want her by my side. Is that such a terrible thing?"

Smellerbee turned to her brother. "I have to go."

She broke out of her brother's grasp and walked towards Azula quickly, not turning to look back. Her head was down, and she didn't meet Azula's eyes. When she reached Azula, the Fire Princess could hear the young girl sniffle, and knew that she was crying.

Jet looked to be on the verge of crying too, but Katara walked over to him, and placed a warm hand on his shoulder, comforting him. He looked down at her, covered her hand with his own, and a quick-something of a smile appeared on his face though it lasted for only a second. She wanted to comfort him, even though she was the cause of his pain. He whispered something to Katara. She shook her head, and Azula frowned.

He chuckled darkly to himself, giving her a glare filled with contempt. "You know, Princess," Azula's heart skipped a beat. "You don't like to show your emotions, but you do have them. Or at least…I thought you did." What?

Katara came closer, now she was only a mere few feet away from Azula herself. She looked to Azula, and then the glaring Jet before resting her eyes with Azula on a pleading expression on her face. "Azula, Jet, maybe there's some way we could work this out." Katara's hands fell to her hips. "Azula, you don't have to separate them."

"Smellerbee said that she would be happy to serve me, isn't that correct?" Azula said, just looking back towards Smellerbee.

The young girl sniffed, but nodded, looking at her brother with teary eyes. Azula really didn't want to separate them but keeping Smellerbee with her was the only way that she would ever get to see Jet again. Even if it caused all of them pain, she really wanted to see him again.

"Azula—," Katara tried again, but broke off when she noticed that Azula was staring at Jet.

To Azula's complete shock, Jet took a step, paused, and then walked forward a bit. He looked her dead in the eye, and Azula almost, almost felt like cowering from his gaze. But she didn't, and Jet immediately lowered his gaze and knelt down on the stone floor of the hallway. She heard Smellerbee's sharp intake of breath, and Azula turned to look at her, noticing the look of sheer horror on the young servant's face. Even Katara looked like she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Jet was kneeling on the stone floor of the palace, hands softly in his lap. He was shaking, Azula could see it from where she was standing. His lips were pressed into a straight line, and he didn't look up, instead letting his messy brown hair cover his eyes. Azula would have liked to see his eyes, but that was beside the point.

"Here's the thing." Jet bit out, obviously he was saying something that was very difficult, and Azula wanted to move closer, but was firmly rooted to her spot. She could only listen as Jet continued to speak, forcing the words out of his mouth with extreme difficulty. Each word of submission appeared to be painful to him.

"I only have one sister. She's the only thing I've got in this world."

"Are you implying that I would hurt your sister?" Azula asked, mind still in confusion from seeing Jet on the ground.

He looked up at her, and his eyes were full of some emotion that Azula couldn't register. It wasn't pain, no, she understood pain, but it was the ache of someone that was in danger of losing a person that they cared about very much.

"I'm just saying..." Jet grit his teeth again and turned away from her. He couldn't stand looking at her anymore. "I don't want your hatred of me to influence the way you treat her. Please, just treat her well. That's all I ask. No matter how much you hate me, for my little sister's sake…just treat her well."

"I don't hate you Jet." Azula said softly, before she even knew what she was saying. Katara's eyes went wide and Jet's expression was unreadable, although she knew what he must have been thinking.

Jet looked towards her, mouth open. "What?" He was probably thinking that she was insane.

Perhaps she was. Otherwise, there would be no other explanation for her total lapse in judgment and verbal filter. If her father could hear the words coming out of her mouth, Azula could no longer consider this Palace her home.

"You think I actually hate you. I don't." Azula was honest, but the words were sticky and unfamiliar on her tongue. Probably because they were true.

"Azula?" Katara questioned, extending a hand towards her, as if to hold Azula's hands in her own.

"Don't touch me." She bit out harshly and Katara recoiled, her emotions betraying her and her carefully constructed mask breaking right in front of her eyes. When she looked towards Jet again, for what may be the last time, she knew that he could see every emotion she felt right now, written on her face like a large banner across her eyes. He could see the confusion, the pain, and something broiling under the surface that Azula had yet to name herself.

She turned her back on them and walked away before she let her emotions get out of hand. At least, any more out of hand than they already were. How could she let her guard down that much?

Song

A maid named Duani had come earlier this morning, bringing a list of items in the Royal Treasury, the distribution of servants and allowances, jewelry inside the palace as a part of her lessons. "After your marriage, you will receive your own quarters in the main palace, not very far from Princess Ursa's chambers. Your chamber will be much more lavish than Princess Ursa's, though not as extravagant as the Fire Lady herself."

"Am I not going to be sharing a room with Lu T—," Duani gave her a curious look and her personal servant giggled. Song admonished herself for forgetting propriety. While it was fine to call Lu Ten by his name in private… "—With His Highness?"

"If you wish it, how can we refuse?" Duani said quietly, writing something down on a piece of paper. "How does Your Highness want to handle the matter of Princess Katara's housing?" She put a scroll on the table. Song unraveled it and looked over it briefly, seeing various names of the chambers of the palace. "She's marrying a second branch of the family and will likely leave the palace once she reaches absolute maturity at 17. So you need not pick a place very well furnished." There was a sly, calculating look that came over the servant girl's face then.

"What about this, then?" Song asked and pointed to a name at the top of the list. "The Chambers of Fortune?"

Duani looked appalled. "Absolutely not! Her palace can't be superior to yours, Princess Song. Those rooms are for you when you become Fire Lady. Very far in the future."

The door to her chambers opened and Song looked up for a moment. Her personal maid, Chenmei walked in with a tray and a cup of tea on it. Song was grateful for the relief. They had been going at this for an hour, and Song was starting to get tired.

Once she'd drunk a sip of tea, Duani looked even more impatient as she waited for Song to continue. Song sighed, then pointed to another one at the bottom of the list, resuming the tedious work. "Then what about this?"

"Princess Katara will surely be insulted if she is placed in a Chamber of less than her status deserves." Song wanted to reply that Katara surely wouldn't do that, that it wasn't in Katara's nature to be so petty, but the effort would be wasted on Duani.

"Then why doesn't the internal Affairs Bureau just pick a residence for her? Or let Princess Katara pick out one of her own?" Chenmei snapped at Duani

Duani bowed. "Your highness, the Fire Lady delegated this responsibility to you, as a sign of your growing power within the Fire Nation Court."

Song stood, walking about a bit, stretching out her legs. She turned to Duanyi. "We will finish this later; I wish to stretch my legs." Chenmei helped her up, and Song took the maid's hand and walked out of her chambers and leading the paperwork behind

As Song moved out into the hallway, she thought about her new station in life, and wondered if she was prepared for it. She had never planned on being Fire Lady, or ever ruling a country, but suddenly, the task was thrust upon her, with little to no warning. Song realized that in order to be a ruler, you had to be willing to do things that weren't exactly pleasant, make sacrifices for the good of others, and move beyond the fancy dresses and elaborate hairstyles and expensive jewels that she'd been accustomed to all of her life. As the beloved sister of the Earth King, Song was, at one time, the richest bachelorette in all the Earth Kingdom, practically the whole world.

The left the Concubine's Quarters and now made their way into the garden, and Song took an appraising look at the pace that was to be her home for the rest of her life. Her children would live here, she would watch them grow, and she would eventually be crowned Fire Lady, and she would rule a kingdom. But how was she supposed to do that when she couldn't even make a decision about where she was to live? And now that she had some influence, she didn't know what to do with it.

She wasn't indecisive, she could form a plan of action and then act on it. But thinking spontaneously to make decisions in high pressure situations was a different matter entirely. When Fire Lord Iroh was poisoned, Katara immediately rushed over to his side to try and heal him, and what did Song do? Song just stood with the rest of the girls, screaming her head off until Lu Ten put her in his arms.

Even when Jin was arrested, Katara never stopped clamoring for the girl's freedom, regardless of the consequences and despite getting blamed for it all. But Song just cried. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed like Katara should be the Crown Princess, and not Song. But Katara would never marry Lu Ten. Not when Zuko looked at her the way he did.

Song wondered if Lu Ten actually looked at her like that. Did he? Did he love her the same way that Zuko loved Katara?

Even if he didn't—she wouldn't give this up. She wouldn't give her new position away to her friend. She'd come so far.

"Is something the matter?" Chenmei asked from next to her.

Song shook her head. "I just wonder…I wonder if I'm meant to be here." She smiled sadly. "If Lu Ten and I are destined for each other."

Chenmei looked nervous for one moment before assuring Song that Lu Ten did in fact love her. Song frowned, what was the reason for that hesitation. "What's wrong? Why didn't you respond right away?"

Chenmei looked away and refused to meet Song's eyes "I have heard rumors…that Prince Lu Ten…he…"

"He what?" Song turned, and clasped Chenmei's hands in her own, offering the girl a smile. "You can tell me, I won't be upset. I promise."

The servant cleared her throat. "I have heard that prior to returning to the Fire Nation, Prince Lu ten…was with another."

Song knew all about Lu Ten's ways before they met, but he had shown her nothing but complete devotion since they'd agreed to be faithful to one another, and Song couldn't care less who he was with because he loved her now. "I know. And it doesn't matter." She gave her servant a stern look. "Avoid gossips; you will have better fortune that way."

Chenmei nodded but continued speaking. "They say that this girl…was different. That his highness had never seen anyone like her before. She had white hair but looked as young and timeless as the Moon itself. They say that His Highness had never been more infatuated with a—,"

"Enough." Song snapped. She didn't mean to snap, Song as a rule, was rarely angry, but a person could only hear rumors of infidelity so many times before breaking. She was about to say something else, but a figure rushing past her startled her and made her lose her train of thought.

"Isn't that Miss Diyi?" Chenmei asked. She called out to Diyi's retreating figure. "Miss Diyi! You have not given your greetings to Crown Princess Song!"

Diyi stopped in her tracks as she heard Chenmei's voice. She turned, and Song could see that her makeup was running. The kohl around her eyes streaked down her face and most of her makeup was smudged. She bowed halfheartedly, giving Song a nasty look. "Your highness."

"Huh?" Song blinked, wondering why her friend was uncharacteristically brusque today. She reached forward and pulled on Diyi's arm as the girl left. "Diyi, what's wrong?"

Diyi yanked her arm from Song's "Why should you care?" The younger snapped. "Just leave me alone."

"No!" Song said, moving around the girl's body to block her path. "You're my friend, and obviously you're upset, so I have to help you."

"Please." Diyi glared. "We aren't friends, and you're a bigger fool than I ever thought you were if you actually believe that. Although…you're the one with the crown, and marrying a prince, so maybe you're not that stupid. Now let me pass."

Song could feel tears stinging her eyes. How could Diyi say such things to her? Diyi was the first friend she had when she came to the Fire Nation, and sure, she could be a bit blunt at times, but that was just a part of her personality, right? But Song tried push the insecurity away from her and brought up something that had been bothering her for a while.

"I've wanted to speak with you for a while, anyway. Katara's lost something—Something I thought you've found." Song tried to bring up Katara's missing letter.

"Don't bring up that bitch in front of me." If possible, Diyi glared at her more. "It's because of her that I've lost my connection to fame and glory."

"What happened?" Song asked, concerned.

"You don't need to know...or maybe you do." She started to say, but stopped, and a wicked glint came into her eyes. She leaned forward and placed a hand on Song's stomach, rubbing slightly. Song gasped and asked Diyi what she was doing. The younger smiled a mischievous smile. "I would hurry up if I were you Song…"

Song blinked and backed away from her friend. "What are you talking about?"

Diyi sneered. "In the race to bear Lu Ten children…I have to say…you're dead last." With that, she turned on her heel and stalked away, waving a hand goodbye. "See you, Your Highness."

Song turned to Chenmei. "What's she talking about?"

Katara

Katara made her way back to her room later that night, still dazed and confused by what she'd seen that morning. Visiting Fire Lord Iroh helped to pass the time and also provided a worthwhile distraction to that morning. She'd gotten most of the sickness out of the Fire Lord's body, and he was even able to stand for a few seconds. A great improvement from where he was a few days ago. She'd cautioned him not to overstep his limits in terms of his strength, but he'd merely given her a great big belly laugh and remarked to Princess Ursa that she'd be a fine daughter-in-law.

That made Katara smile. She wanted them to like her, to feel as though she belonged here. She wanted the Fire Nation to be like a second home to her, and it was quickly becoming evident that a majority of the Fire Nation Royal family liked her. There was the Fire Lord and Lady, Princess Ursa, Lu Ten, Zuko, and now Song. She hadn't had any real conversation with her future father-in-law, Ozai, but if he didn't like her now, she was sure to become like a daughter to him. Tiang…well…Tiang was a problem, especially knowing what Katara knew now but she was confident that Tiang would see justice eventually.

There was still no sign of her letter, though she'd looked everywhere in the entire palace. She would have to put it out of her mind for now, as there really was no point in worrying herself sick over something that couldn't be found. She'd gone over what happened with Jet and was surprised to learn that Jet and Azula had something of a history together, as brief and as short as it was. He claimed it was meaningless, but based on what she saw, it wasn't meaningless at all. To either of them. Azula's eyes showed a lot more than just irritation. There was something deeper beyond the surface.

A lone figure by her door separated her from her thoughts. Night had already fallen, and the hallway was dimly lit with half-dead candles. Even with the poor lighting, she could make out the figure to be none other than Zuko. His eyes were roaming over a piece of parchment he held in both hands, eyes squinting to see with the poor lighting.

"You shouldn't read in the dark. You'll hurt your eyes that way." She gently chided, moving towards him. He jumped, clutching his heart.

"Katara." He said, smiling. "You startled me."

"Me?" She asked, finally reaching him. His arms found their way around her waist, pressing the scroll against her back as he pulled her close for a chaste kiss. She chuckled. "I think I'm the least scary thing on this planet."

Zuko eyed her wistfully, giving her a once over before saying, "I beg to differ." Before she could ask him what he was referring to, he took her hand and gestured to the closed door of her bedroom. "Should we go inside?"

Katara nodded and led the way inside her room. Inside, Gu Zhi, Lin and everyone else waited for her. She eyed Gu Zhi suspiciously, not forgetting what happened this morning. But the strange character that Gu Zhi had taken on this morning had disappeared, and the prim and proper Gu Zhi was back in its stead, almost as if what happened had never taken place at all. Lin stood behind her, carrying a bag filled with things to do Katara's hair with. The other two behind them carried towels and Katara's dark blue nightgown.

When they entered, Gu Zhi looked up, first at Katara, and then at Zuko trailing behind her. Gu Zhi's eyes widened, before she resumed her stony expression. "Princess Katara," she said in her trademark gravelly voice. "We are here to prepare you for bed."

Katara and Zuko shared a look, stepping further into the room. "Can't it wait? Zuko and I…" she trailed off. There were things that needed to be said to him, things that couldn't wait.

But Gu Zhi shook her head. "It is already past the hour, Princess Katara and we need to undress you."

Zuko stiffened by her side, and Katara eyed him warily. What was wrong with him? Turning back to Gu Zhi, she sighed. "All right." She said, letting go of Zuko's hand and walking to her vanity. She turned to him and smiled gently. "Wait for me?"

He smirked a bit, taking a seat on the small couch occupying her room. As he made himself comfortable, his gaze softened. "Always."

Katara tried her hardest to ignore the giggles coming from the other girls in the room.

She sat at her vanity, where Lin started taking out her hair from its tight braid. Katara could feel the girl's skilled fingers running across her scalp, removing the Water Tribe beads out of her hair and placing them in a little tin. Katara felt the relief of her hair flowing free and shook it slightly, giving her scalp some air. Lin unclasped her necklace and placed it with the rest of the beads. More than anything, she could feel Zuko's gaze on her back, watching everything each servant did with rapt attention.

"Tomorrow, Lin, I think I should give my hair a break, don't you?"

Lin nodded in understanding. "Yes, Princess Katara."

"Princess Katara," Gu Zhi bowed from behind her. Katara turned her head slightly to acknowledge that she'd heard. "Your bath is ready."

"Will I be going to the bathhouse?" Katara asked, closing the lid on the jewelry box.

"No, Your Highness." Gu Zhi said. "In light of the service you have performed for the Fire Lady, she has decreed you may use the bathroom built for these chambers." She heard Zuko's intake of breath but didn't want to turn to see his face.

She nodded to Gu Zhi, but she did not look at him as she made her way past him and into the bathroom. Only when Lin closed the door behind her did she breathe a sigh of relief. The large burgundy square bathtub was in the center of the room, waist high and filled the room with steam. Her newer servants were finishing pouring oil and flower petals into the warm water, filling the room with a very pleasant smell. Lin and the others untied the belt at her waist before slipping the long tunic over her shoulders. She climbed into the tub, hissing as the scalding water met her skin.

This was a common occurrence, the women who filled her bath often forgot that she couldn't handle such scalding temperatures. Of course, freezing cold water never bothered her all that much either. But Zuko heard her outburst of pain and suddenly his voice was too near her naked form to be comfortable.

"Katara? What happened, are you okay?" Zuko asked from the other side of the door. "Katara?"

She cupped her hand around her mouth to make herself heard over the swishing water. "I'm fine. Don't come in."

There was a pause before Zuko said, "Alright. If you're sure."

Katara sighed and sank down further in the water. Katara relaxed as the servants began washing her arms and legs with water. In the beginning, she'd protested, demanding to do it herself—but going to the bathhouse alone had led to the incident with Mai, so she'd begun taking Lin, Gu Zhi or someone else with her as a matter of precaution. Not that she couldn't handle herself, but the presence of these girls often seemed like a deterrent for the other girls that probably wished to curse her name.

Gu Zhi had cheerfully grinned when Katara began letting them help her, saying that if she hadn't, they'd all be accused of not doing their jobs properly—which would get them in trouble or punished. To avoid that, whenever one of the servants from Internal Affairs asked, she gave nothing but positive reviews.

For a moment, she imagined that the hands running over her were Zuko's hands and not Una's or Akasha's. She wondered what it would be like, if Zuko would do that for her. Of course, she had heard the stories of what else could happen in a bathtub, something similar to a bedroom, and yet so different because of the steam, and the water, and the intimate closeness that sharing a bath could bring. She tried to picture the shirtless Zuko from not too long ago, sitting across from her, or next to her. Washing each other, exploring each other, relishing in the steam and solitude…it wasn't too hard to do considering that he was only one room over. She wondered if Zuko thought about her in the same way she thought about him…about the things that would be possible only once they were married.

"I'm fine." She told them quietly. "You can go now." After giving her several nervous glances, they retreated into the main room. She could hear Zuko asking what happened, and Gu Zhi carefully explaining that Katara wished to be alone. She knew he'd be confused, but Katara needed time to sort out her brain.

She pictured him smiling at her through the steam, before coming over and kissing her long and hard. Her hands would intertwine around his neck, and they wouldn't separate for the world. She pictured herself clinging to him, and he to her, as his hands disappeared further and further below the surface of the water until—

It became too much for Katara and she ducked her head under the water, rinsing the soap from her hair, body filling with heat.

When she emerged from the steamy room sometime later, she found that Gu Zhi and the others were gone, and Zuko was asleep on her couch. Was she really in the bath that long? She smiled at him, and quietly crossed the room in case he woke up. She hid herself behind a folding screen and tried to get dressed as quietly as possible. When she picked up the fabric, she'd nearly groaned aloud at what Gu Zhi had chosen. Her nightgown was long dark blue silk that was formfitting enough to cling to her skin. It had a low neckline, revealing a large amount of tanned skin around her chest, and when she walked, it trailed behind her on the floor. Princess Ursa had given it to her a few days ago, but she'd never actually worn it. Zuko had seen her in only her bindings, but there was something…sensual about this dress.

She hadn't been this embarrassed when he'd seen her in her bindings, but she supposed it had to do all with location. In the cave, they were isolated, hidden from all who might see them. She'd been able to kiss him confidently, blood pulsing from swimming in the warm ocean, feeling the summer sun on her skin. Her breathing became labored at the very thought of what she'd done, practically tearing his clothes off to get him to come swimming with her. She just wanted some revenge on Zuko for earlier that morning. For surprising her with his half-naked form so suddenly…she didn't know that it would actually work…or that he'd actually respond.

Walking towards her dresser, she removed the moisture from her hair and skin as quietly as possible, trying not to wake Zuko up. When she'd successfully deposited the water in the bowl on the vanity, she heard a voice call out from behind her.

"You don't have to be so quiet. I'm not asleep."

She whirled around, nearly knocking the bowl off the dresser and onto the floor. Zuko was sitting up across the room, eyeing her with a darkened look in his eyes. His eyes roamed over her a few times, lingering on the exposed skin of her chest before finally reaching her face. She looked down, suddenly self-conscious.

"How long have you been awake?" She asked, pulling the gown tighter around her and stepping closer.

He stood and walked towards her a bit. "I was never asleep." His eyes looked her over once more. "That looks good on you."

She eyed him once, muttering. "Thanks."

His cheeks pinked too, and he took her hand in his, leading her back over to the couch. "You said you had something to tell me?" He said, sitting. His back rested against the back of the couch, and Katara leaned against his chest while their intertwined hands rested on her thigh. Once or twice, he brought her hands to his lips for a gentle kiss, causing Katara's cheeks to redden further.

Katara blinked in confusion, before remembering a second later. How could she have forgotten? "Oh, Right." She took a deep breath before saying what she had to. "I think Azula's in love."

"Azula's in what?" Zuko asked her, blatant bewilderment in his voice. He laughed a bit. "Katara, you're kidding!"

"I'm not kidding, I saw I with my own eyes today. Azula's in love with someone, or at least has a crush. She just doesn't know it yet." Katara said firmly.

"Azula doesn't know how to love." He forced out through his snickers.

"Zuko! Everyone has the ability to love, and don't you forget it" Katara admonished, slapping his hand lightly. He still didn't look like he believed her, so she tried to explain. "It's a long story, but I was down in the kitchen this morning, with Smellerbee to go see Jet—,"

"Who's Smellerbee?" He asked. "Jet was there? The guy from the Hospital? Longshot's friend?"

Katara sighed, and then began explaining from the beginning because Zuko obviously didn't know. "Apparently, I healed Jet enough to be able to walk around within a few days, and he wanted to see his sister—that's Smellerbee. I talked to him today—more on that later, but Azula was there too."

"Okay," He said contemplating this. "And you think that Azula is in love with Jet." He started snickering again, but Katara narrowed her eyes at him and he broke it off. "You're serious about this."

"Of course," She said. "If you saw her, Zuko. If you saw those eyes when Jet asked her if she hated him…you would see that she…she didn't. It was the opposite in fact."

"But how do you know?"

"Because the way she looked at him, is the same way that I look at you." She said in a huff, miffed that he didn't believe her. His eyes relaxed.

"You love me, Katara?" Zuko asked her. "Really?"

She chuckled lightly, holding up their entangled hands for a second before letting them fall back into her lap. "I should think that would be obvious, Zuko. But if you need me to say it aloud, then I will. I love you, Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation."

She turned to look up at him, but with a finger under her chin, he captured her lips in a searing kiss. She turned around, breaking contact only once, but he quickly resumed it once she was in a more comfortable position, straddling his hips and her hands on his shoulders. When it became necessary to breathe, they broke apart, before Zuko spoke, his voice breathy and labored.

"I love you too, if you couldn't already tell."

"I know." She smiled at him, before falling against his chest, just relaxing as they were lying on the couch. "Unlike some people, I'm not so dense."

"Hey," he said, poking her in the shoulder. "I resent that."

Katara snickered but didn't say anything, resting his head on his chest, letting the comfortable silence drift over them before asking Zuko a question. "Will they be happy together?"

"Azula and Jet?" He asked. "It's not likely to happen, no matter how much you say she loves him."

"No not them." Katara said solemnly. "Lu Ten and Song."

"Well, they look happy enough." Zuko said bluntly. "I'm sure they'll be happy together. Or they'll learn to be."

Katara sat back on Zuko's lap, taking in his relaxed expression. "No, I mean do they love each other?"

Here is where Zuko grew tense. He didn't say anything for a while, and he didn't look at her either, just silently contemplating her question. Katara hoped that he didn't say what she thought he was going to say, and when he said it, her heart sank in her chest.

"If I'm being perfectly honest…then no, I don't think so." He met her eyes then, and there was some sadness in them both for Song, and for his cousin. "Song loves him or she loves the position she gains by marrying him, but…Lu Ten has another in his heart. I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm pretty sure it's—,"

"Yue." She finished for him.

His mouth opened, and he looked at her with wide eyes. "How did you know?"

Katara climbed off Zuko and tried to ignore the way she missed Zuko's natural warmth and heat from her cool body. She took a deep breath and started explaining, while pacing back and forth, telling him about Yue's letter, and how Yue was set to arrive here in the Fire Nation any day now, and how she was pregnant with Lu Ten's child.

"That's why I wanted to find Jet. I need eyes in the City to look for her." She looked at Zuko and saw him deep in thought. "So that she doesn't cause any trouble."

"That's a smart idea. You're planning to sneak her into the Palace?" Zuko eyed her carefully.

Katara nodded. "Yes. I don't know of where else she can go."

"Why doesn't she just go back to the South Pole?" He asked. "Wouldn't it—,"

But Katara shook her head before he could finish. She sat back next to him on the red couch and looked at her hands in her lap. It is a big disgrace in the Water Tribe if a woman falls pregnant when she is not married. Especially if she was still a Priestess when it happened."

"Yue was still a Priestess? She told Lu Ten that she was being released." Zuko said and Katara turned to look at him. He nodded in affirmation and she shrugged.

"She hadn't completed the ceremony yet. If you count back, she's been pregnant for a little over two months…. The ceremony is a month long, and she couldn't have hidden the signs for very long."

Zuko though about this, and then nodded. "Is it possible that Lu Ten isn't the father of her child?" He asked, and she turned her head sharply, eyes narrowing.

"If that's what Yue said, then I believe her." She said sharply, more than she had actually intended. But Zuko didn't take much offense to this, he only gave her a suspicious look, before resuming a normal expression. Katara's face relaxed and she took the moment to let Zuko know of something else that was bothering her. "Do you think she'll be a concubine? She says she wants to be Fire Lady, but that's no way it's happening."

"Who, Yue?" Katara nodded. Zuko sighed. "It's really up to Lu Ten."

"I think she'd like it better if she was made First Wife, but—I don't know what the customs are here. We don't have concubines in the Water Tribe." Katara said.

Zuko pulled her closer and wrapped his arm around her. "Typically, the concubine that gives birth first becomes the First Wife, she can legally inherit property, make administrative decisions…things like that." His voice became darker, and more sarcastic. "It explains why even though my father can't stand the sight of my mother, and loves Tiang more, my mother is First Wife."

Katara nodded, understanding. "Would you ever—,"

"No." He said before she could finish. She looked up at him, hints of a smile on her face, but Zuko was all seriousness. "I made a promise to my mother to marry only who I loved. And you, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, are the only one I will love in my lifetime."

"That's impossibly sweet, Zuko." She craned her neck up to kiss Zuko, but it turned into a yawn instead. She slumped against his shoulder, covering her mouth with her free hand. He chuckled at her and then pulled her up off the couch, leading her to her bed with the blue covers. One of the only blue things in her room.

"Come." He said, patting the covers. "Lie down."

However, Katara remained frozen where she stood, refusing to move for fear that her legs might give out from under her. Was Zuko really telling her to lie down with him? Would Zuko actually do such a thing? But Zuko just shook his head and pulled her over.

"I just want to help you get some rest. You look tired." He said, pulling the covers back revealing even lighter sheets below.

She sat down, lifting her legs underneath the covers, feeling the warmth as Zuko repositioned them over her form, a soft look in his eyes as he did so. He kissed her on her hand, then the forehead, and finally on her lips, smiling at her as he rose. He blew the candles out in her room and was going to leave. He'd already opened the door when the words practically forced themselves past her lips.

"Zuko will you stay with me?" She gasped out, before she slapped her hand over her mouth in disbelief at what she'd just said.

There was an intake of breath. Zuko froze by the door. She could see his shadowy figure in the darkness of her room, illuminated somewhat by the light from the waning moon. "What?" He asked, his voice suddenly choked and rough.

Katara blushed, thankful for the darkness so she could hide her face from him. "I mean— not like that, but just be here with me." She blushed deeper. "You don't have to sleep on the bed with me, you—I don't know—whatever you want to do."

"I will do, whatever you want me to, Katara." Zuko said calmly.

"Alright then." She said softly. "Come here."

She heard his footsteps get closer, and she held her breath as she wondered where he was going to go. Would he sleep on the couch, or would he lie on the bed with her? The footsteps grew father and farther away before stopping for a few seconds as he considered. She heard a very deep sigh, and then nothing.

It was only when she felt his weight be added to the bed that she knew his choice. If possible, Katara reddened further.

"Just so you know." He said, breath tickling her ear. She gasped and nearly shrieked in surprise. "I'm not under the covers with you."

"O-Oh," Katara didn't know why, but she was almost disappointed at. "That's good to know."

He chuckled, low and deep in her ear, and Katara felt a tingle start in her stomach and end in her toes.

They slept soundly, their bodies fitting together like a snowball, tightly packed, but solid just the same. Katara slept wonderfully, Zuko provided an extra bit of warmth that she didn't get from the covers, and she could feel his heartbeat against her upper back. It was a wonderful feeling, and the thought often crossed her mind if it really would be like this once they were married. If so, she couldn't wait.

But alas, all good things must come to an end.

BANG BANG BANG!

Katara sat up with a lurch. The sky was still dark, though the pink rays of the sunrise had just started to breach her room. She could see Zuko's brows furrow in confusion as his eyes opened, bleary with sleep, and Katara shrugged. She didn't know who was at the door either.

BANG BANG BANG!

This time, Katara swung her legs over the bed, and stood, before sharing a look with Zuko who was now standing as well. A voice called from the other side, "Don't make us kick this door down!" And Katara raised to open it. When she reached the door, she had barely opened it a fraction before several burly men barged into the room, wearing the uniform of Fire Nation guards. One of them lit the torches lining the walls of Katara's room so she could accurately get a look at the faces of the men in the room.

"What's going on here?!" Zuko yelled. The guards, actually not noticing Zuko, turned and bowed slightly, saluting him before turning their attention to Katara. One of them positioned her arms behind her back, so bending wasn't an option, and the other grabbed her legs, hoisting her up. She struggled in their arms writhing and fighting to get them to drop her. But they held tight, squeezing her limbs tighter, binding her to restrict all movement.

"What are you doing!?" Katara cried. "Let me go!"

A new person entered the room slowly, calmly. Katara couldn't see who it was from her position, but she heard Zuko's audible gasp and knew that this wasn't good. She heard Zuko whisper… "Father?"

"I must admit, Zuko." His father said amused, voice low and cool. She couldn't see him, but she imagined him to be smiling deviously at his son. He moved closer, footsteps sounding loud on the tile. "I didn't expect to see you tonight, sharing her bed. Good work, enjoying yourself for a short time. But it makes no difference."

"What are you doing to her!" Zuko yelled at his father, finding his voice.

"Don't get testy with me." Ozai snapped harshly. "Princess Katara is being arrested, and for good reason it seems. With her abilities, she could put all of our lives in danger."

"What are you talking about?" Katara writhed as Zuko tried to hold it together in front of his father. She wanted to run to him, comfort him, but she couldn't. With her being held as she was. "I'm not a threat!"

"Oh, but you're. I know what you can do." Ozai said, moving into view. His cold eyes that seemed so much like Azula's bore into her own. She felt afraid, but she didn't know of what. He turned to his son. Katara could only guess that they were holding Zuko back. "She is being charged with attempted murder."

"Me?" Katara gasped as the holds on her tightened. "Murder? But I'm not even a citizen of the Fire Nation."

"That doesn't matter. You're in the Hana Matsuri" He said sharply a smirk on his lips that looked like Zuko's. The expression was all wrong on Ozai's face. "A formal complaint with evidence has been filed against you, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. And as Chief of the Guard, it is my duty as the nation's Prince to protect our family from all of those who wish it harm."

"But I—,"

"But she—," Katara and Zuko forced out at the same time.

"Shut up!" Ozai snapped at the both of them. He made a gesture, and suddenly she was spun around to face Zuko. His cheeks were stained with tears, and Katara saw his hands shake with rage. He met her eyes, and she knew that if he got angry enough, he was going to firebend and end up in a situation worse than what she was in right now.

"I knew you were a fool, Zuko. But I never knew you to be foolish enough to fall in love. Love is for useless people who don't know how to better occupy their time."

He snapped his fingers and with a swish of his robes, he was out the door.

Zuko mouthed to her I love you. She whispered one word to him, because Katara knew the only person who had it out for her in the Fire Nation Palace, and she told Zuko, so he could avenge her, and set her free from her prison. But she never got the chance to see him say anything back.

She could only hear Zuko's sobs as his knees hit the tile underneath him while she was being led away. And just like that, all her hopes and dreams of a peaceful future with Zuko were gone in an instant.