A/N: Hey, I'm on time! Amazing! Don't expect an update tomorrow…I have my fave idea for the prompt, but I am gonna be out and about tomorrow night, and…well, fanfiction gets harder to find time for when you are a 22 year old working woman with money to spare. XD


"Secret"

A companion piece to "Masks"

When you had a loudmouth idiot of a brother, a naïve boyfriend with all the knowledge of a hundred lifetimes and nearly none of the wisdom, one friend that was a walking lie detector, and other that could practically read your mind, secret-keeping was no easy task. Therefore, it wasn't much of a surprise that even Katara's best attempts at keeping a secret were unsuccessful. She didn't consider herself to be bad at hiding things because of this, however; after all, there was only one secret she had ever needed to keep, and she thought that she was doing pretty well in that regard.

Of course, she'd better do well at keeping that particular secret. Being maybe-in-love with the Fire Lord when he was already engaged to his childhood—well, "sweetheart" was not a good word to use in conjunction with Mai, but you get the point—was no laughing matter. Especially if you were already dating the Avatar.

It was not the ideal situation, but Katara thought that she was doing a good job, all the same. Besides, not only were her feelings most likely unrequited, but she also really did love Aang, and she had a really great life. So, pining away for a man that she wasn't even totally sure she even felt something for was not a good use of her time. Hopefully, this secret would stay a secret, until it could be eventually forgotten.

Her opinion of the whole "this will be easy" idea changed as soon as Aang broke up with her. He'd sat her down after one of their small-but-frequent arguments and smiled, sadly but not overly upset. Then he'd sprung the news.

"Katara, I'm going to try to find the airbenders. I know there are some left, and I think that I finally have the time to find them. The peace summits are over, the fighting has stopped for a while, and now it's time that I do what I have to in order to make sure that my people survive."

Katara had been all for it; she loved to travel, and she definitely wanted to meet those who may be the great-grandchildren of Aang's loved ones. But then he'd fidgeted, and looked away.

"Katara, I don't think you should come with me. In fact, I'm taking Toph, instead."

After that had come a long explanation of how they had never seemed to be a couple, even after two years of dating. Katara had mothered him incessantly, and he'd idolized her unfairly. He even added that he knew that she'd already had another in mind that would better fit his role as boyfriend and lover. Of course, Katara had denied that vehemently; he must be grasping at excuses to leave her. He'd apologized and smiled and been exactly the man she'd almost-loved, and she'd nodded and smiled and walked away, dazed. The next thing she knew, she was in Sokka and Suki's hut, clutching her sister-in-law and crying more than she had ever cried before.

At some point after the worst of the tears had fallen, Sokka had come in, and they'd all sat together, their sympathetic gazes telling her that they already knew what had happened. They stayed that way, comfortable in the silence, until finally Katara spoke.

"What do I even do, now? Aang was my life." The 'I gave up everything I thought I wanted for him' went unsaid.

Sokka had then smirked, eyes twinkling. "Well, I heard the Fire Lord is looking for an ambassador."

Katara glared at him, but was outnumbered by Suki.

"You know, Katara, he has a point. And the Water Tribe could use a strong presence in the Fire Nation."

Katara frowned. Why was it that suddenly everything had a second meaning? Of course they didn't know her true feelings on the matter. Shaking it off, she promised to think about it, and was finally persuaded when Aang added his encouragement to the chorus of approvals. After that, she had no choice but to accept.

As time went by, her secret stayed safe, even under the same roof as its source. Things with Aang went back to the easy friendship that they'd shared long ago, and Katara fell in love with her position as ambassador. She even found an unexpected friendship in Mai and Ty Lee; somehow, despite the fact that her secret was as real as ever, she couldn't find it in herself to resent Zuko's fiancée. And both girls were rather enjoyable once you got to know them.

All in all, Katara was confident that her secret was safe. If Iroh kept sending her suspicious grins and winks whenever she and Zuko were working a late-night diplomacy session, well, he'd always been a bit strange. And if Mai gave her the occasional odd look whenever Katara and Zuko returned from one of their sparring sessions, well, Mai gave lots of people that look.

And the growing feeling that Zuko may have a secret very similar to her own, well, that had to be her imagination.

Katara was content in the Fire Nation, surrounded by friends and loved ones and working to help secure her people's future. Sometimes, she thought it might even be enough, and that perhaps keeping her secret really was for the best.

Then she found Mai's note, and in a moment, the secret was out.

As she read it, Katara realized that Mai had known about the secret for a long time. In fact, on some level, Katara knew that Mai was aware of her feelings. And, amazing, Mai never resented her for it. Of course, her note didn't say as much in so many words, but Katara knew her well enough to read between the lines.

Mai had recognized what Katara felt, and wanted to be able to feel it, too…even if it meant finding another person to share it with.

In fact, most of her friends must have known; the teasing and knowing grins from Iroh and Sokka were no longer just paranoia. Even the subtle hints from Aang suddenly weren't so subtle. And if they knew, then maybe what she felt about Zuko…

Oh, spirits, Zuko.

"Take care of him," the note had read. Katara remembered how it had felt to be left behind as Aang found a new part of his life. This had to be even harder for Zuko, so used to being cast aside. He truly did need her. Her mind was set. The secret was out; it was time to make it official.

Without wasting another moment, Katara ran towards the Royal Apartments. She would live up to Mai's request. Her love was secret, no more.


A/N: another one that I'm not too proud of…I'll be back Saturday (I hope) with one or two good ones. I like the next two prompts sooo much more! :D