A/N: Thank you all for your reviews! I've decided to continue this little fic, and it should be quite the interesting journey. Please tell me what you think!

I don't know how long it's been since our imprisonment.

Weeks, months?

Maybe if I knew how long it took for a ship to reach the Fire Nation, I could hazard a guess. The Fire Lord says we are within days from that filthy pit.

I've only seen Sokka once, only because I grit my teeth and begged. That superior glint in his strange yellow eyes made it hard to swallow my pride, but it was for the mission.

I made sure to add extra mockery to my bow.

Of course the guards stood within earshot while I was visiting Sokka, and I hadn't counted on that, but like I said, my brother is smarter than he lets on. When I tried to break from our greeting hug, he held me fast and whispered quickly to me.

"Katara, convince the Fire Lord to keep me in the palace. Do whatever is necessary, even if I have to be Princess Azula's consort." I could feel his mouth twitch regretfully, but whether it was for me or for himself, I still don't know.

Since then, I have seen the Fire Lord a handful of times. Today, though, is the day I plan to make my supplication. I've had enough time to get an idea of what I should say, what I should do, in my steel box of a room.

I have only been outside once, when the man had me brought to him on deck. The sun was warm on my skin and the salty sea air was welcome as it played with my long hair. Aside from seeing Sokka, this is the best thing that has happened to me since we were taken. I must have let my guard slip, because he chose the moment to speak.

"I'm not a bad man," he had said. I had rolled my eyes in response, but he held onto some semblance of calm. "Bad men don't take prisoners."

I have reflected upon those few words for a few days now. Does he really think he's the good guy in all of this? Maybe compared to his father, but he is still responsible for an enslaved world.

He did nothing to stop it.

Then again, neither did I.

But I will.

I can't see the sky, but from my number of meals I think it's around sunset, which means dinner time. My stomach growls in agreement, but I am annoyed that my captor has not wished to see me today. He's throwing everything off! I exhale in frustration, and I wonder if I could ask for an audience or something.

The guards don't seem to know either, so one of them is sent off to interrupt Fire Lord Zuko's luxurious dinner in favor of knowledge. I slide down the wall next to the door, sitting with my head in my hands. What if I don't see him again before we reach the Fire Nation, and Sokka gets sent somewhere far off? What if he rejects my pleas? I've got to think of something good! Think! Think!

The guard returns minutes later, and I'm still up a creek without a paddle. I'm being taken to His Majesty, but I better hurry up (the guards tell me) because he's in the middle of his meal. Well duh, I always plan to be the biggest inconvenience when it comes to your lot.

I'm alone before the Fire Lord so fast that I wonder if time sped up a little bit and I missed something. Naturally he looks annoyed, but he is still waiting for me to explain what could be so important that it had to interrupt.

I let my face crumple with worry and anxiety, all real, to help my case. I can tell it works immediately by the way he is suddenly alert, eyes intense upon me. I shift while on my knees as if I am uncomfortable, and begin with my performance.

"Are you really going to give my brother to Princess Azula?" My voice is quiet, and there is a trace of delicate trembling. Yes, I have practiced this many times on my father and brother, and it will ensure my victory. I'm not looking at him, but I'm sure his silence is not without astonishment. Maybe he was just taking a minute to remember the day he took us, and who my brother was.

"No. It was a scare tactic. I would not wish her upon any man." His voice is dry, but he sounds honest enough. But good liars were supposed to sound honest when they wanted to, gathering from my personal experience. I don't resist the shudder that races through my body, thinking of the Princess.

"He would do better in the ranks of your servants," I offer hopefully. As might be expected out of such a man, he rejects the idea with a stern shake of his head. He's about to say something, but I need to change his mind before it becomes set. "We're a matched set! Just think how nice we'd look at social events, how your nobles would find us so desirably exotic together, brother and sister. They'd say how charitable you are, keeping a pair of siblings together."

I can't possibly think of anything else, my head is buzzing. The Fire Lord seems to be thinking it over, though, which is definitely a good sign. People like their little collections, and they like those collections complete. How could he let a perfect pair just slip through his fingers? It made every sense to me in that moment, and I desperately hoped he would think the same way.

"I will consider it," he said at last. I was so happy I could kiss the man, except I remembered what he was and opted for inner rejoicing. I gave him a very grudging "thank you" before I was escorted back to my prison. You catch more leopard bears with honey than with vinegar, Gran Gran always said, and maybe being civil will get me what I want. I just really, really hope it worked.

That night I dream about the Avatar coming to save the world. I know it's a dream because he's just a kid and I have no idea what Air Nomads look like. All the same, I wake up with a hollow feeling in my chest. Where is the Avatar? Why didn't he stop the war from ever happening?

My clothes are getting gross. With nothing to change into and no opportunity to wash what I wear, I consider them barely passible. My parka is folded neatly in the corner. I haven't had any use for it for a week maybe? It's getting warmer, a good indicator the Fire Nation is close at hand.

I am apprehensive so say the least.

All I've ever known is my frigid (and beloved) South Pole. I've heard that the poles are the only places to have snow year round. Living without the cold just doesn't sit well with my mind.

At the same time, I am exceedingly excited.

I feel incredibly guilty (this isn't some relaxing vacation trip, after all) but something outside of the life I've always known has a sort of mystique, some alluring call to discover new things.

First things first, I remind myself. When the world is safe from the Fire Nation, then I'll have time to explore the world. For now, I have my duties. And Sokka has his.

I almost groan, thinking about what he might have to face. At least I know what to expect from my position, but Sokka? He could get sent to the Earth Kingdom for all we know. He definitely can't do his part from there. I stop thinking about that situation because that would mean the responsibility of the whole mission would fall to me.

For the first time on the ship, I allow myself to think of my father. Where were they keeping him? Did he get different treatment, since he's the chief? Or are we just a ragtag bunch of children to be put in line to them? Where will he be sent?

Too many questions, not enough answers. Things like this frustrate me to no end, and I take my anger out on the metal wall. It's only complain is a dull thud, and my abused nerves are shrieking. I'm about to get up and start pacing with all of this nervous energy, but the ship has stopped. When did we even slow down? Someone opens my door moments later.

It's a guard, and he says we've landed (duh) in the Fire Nation (another duh) and I am to change into these clothes (which he tosses at my head). I glare a silent challenge up at his weird helmet-face, and wait for the lot of them to close the door. Only they don't.

Oh, I see. Want to get an eyeful of the exotic woman. You can look, but don't touch, right? I'm sure the Fire Lord wouldn't like that. Besides, with my wrappings on it's not very different from changing in front of my family. Well, this is what I tell myself.

Without further ceremony I disrobe, wrestling the foreign clothing onto my body. I know it's wrong when the guards snigger, and after a few more tries they stop. Assuming I have the top on correctly, that only leaves the skirt. It comes down to my knees, but there are slits on either side that come to the middle of my thigh. There are no pants, and my guess is because this gives my captor ready access to my body.

Typical.

I can hardly believe that the top is on right, because it shows a lot of skin. It's a one-shoulder type, the hem of it coming to a downward point well above my belly button. I look down at myself and immediately feel strange.

The clothing is red and I expected no less, but this red reminds me of the color of blood. I swallow the fear rising in my throat. The guards shackle my wrists in iron restraints and I think it's almost laughable how they look like bracelets with a chain in between. Any laughter from me at this point would sound like I was a maniac.

I don't think I really appreciated the gravity of my Tribe's situation until I was led down the gangplank. The sun was bright and sweltering, sweat already beading on my forehead as I narrowed my eyes at the brightness. By the time my eyes finally adjusted, I was halfway to solid ground and I realized something: there was no white, no snow, no ice.

How did people actually live here? I was grudgingly thankful for the light clothing now, because it was getting hotter by the second. I could feel the sweat make tiny tracks down my face, and I wished my hands were free to wipe it away.

There were people waiting along the dock, dressed in their reds. Some wore raggedy clothes, but most were people of wealth. It wasn't just their clothes that gave them away, but the way they looked down their noses at me as if they were gods. What they saw was an uncultured savage, it was in every one of their snooty faces.

I gave them what they expected to see, curling my lip like a wild wolf seal and making the occasional lunge as I passed them by. In my defense, I have to get my fun where I can. Seeing those prissy lords and ladies make a big to do over nothing was certainly the most entertainment I've had in a while.

I kinda sorta regret my behavior. If my people had seen me, I'd definitely die of shame. But there not here. It's just me on my own now assuming the Fire Lord dismissed my pleas on Sokka's behalf. I will do what I must to survive and right now, being a fierce, exotic woman is what got me this far.

The man leading me stopped, and I am forced to wait for La knows what. I glare accusingly at anyone who dares to make eye contact. I try desperately not to squirm as the sweat trickles down my back, but I do shift my weight impatiently. Try as I might, I cannot see much over the heads of the crowd, but I can see my people being led off of the ship. I squint, trying to discern if Sokka is among the line going down the gangplank, but I can't be sure.

There's a big boxy thing on horizontal poles making its way to the front of the crowd, and as it passes I ask the guard what it is. He laughs at my naivety to their culture, and speaks to me in a voice reserved for children or the mentally incapacitated.

"That's a palanquin. Only those of royal blood are allowed to ride in one. The curtains are drawn for privacy right now, or else you'd get to see the Princess and the Fire Lord."

I fall silent afterwards, following the strange contraption with my eyes until the guard yanked my chain to join the end of some royal procession. My eyes narrow at his back, and I can't help but think: when I get out of here, you'll be the first one on my hit list bub.

The rage of the unfairness of this life I was born into boils in my blood, and I let it. My father said it was alright to let this hatred fuel me and make me stronger, but he also cautioned against letting it consume me. I check my unbridled fury for now, only because my clenched fists are starting to shake, and my jaw aches from clenching it. A few calming breaths bring me to a functioning state, and I focus on the task at hand.

Right now, though, it seems like I've reached the end of the line. That is to say, the palace is looming in a menacing way before me. The pala-whatever is nowhere to be seen, and by the time I reach the courtyard most of the nobles have disbanded. There are still some lingering about, and when I pass they hush their voices. Their eyes glance quickly at me, and dart away as if I'm about to swallow them whole. Good.

Some big guys guarding the large stone doors into the palace cast their leering eyes my way, but I am not afraid of these men. I bare my teeth at them, a sign of contempt in the Southern Water Tribe, and from their faltering glances I surmise my message has been received. My pride is short lived, because as soon as the doors shut behind me I'm being yanked hurriedly down a narrow passage. It's dark, but I guess that's no problem if you can produce fire out of your hand.

There is a light beyond what is in the guard's hand, and before I know what's happening I'm laying on something soft. Lifting my head just in time to see a door being bolted shut behind me, I assess my surroundings and realize I am not alone.

I struggle to sit up, and realize the floor is soft because of these cushion things strewn about. Good thing my head landed on one, otherwise I might be out cold. I yank at my bound wrists, but it's no good.

"You'll just irritate your skin if you keep pulling," a soft voice assures me from behind. I whip around, almost throwing myself off balance. It's one of the others in the room, this weird room full of women and cushions, and she's kneeling before me. "I'm Yue, from the Northern Water Tribe."

She's not blind to my skin color, that's for sure. Her hair is white, which is weird because she doesn't look old. Is that some kind of trend in the North? Her eyes are kind, but threats come in many different appearances. Still, I'd like to get some information.

"Katara of the Southern Water Tribe," I offer in response. "What is this place? Why are you all here?" I could have been a tad less harsh, but dammit I wanted answers. The woman gave me a sad smile before answering in a hollow voice.

"Welcome to the harem, Katara of the South."