That's right... A new chapter! Finally! I had some time and I decided to sit my butt down and write something. I had simply forgotten how much I like working on this story; I hope to continue it at a more fast pace in the future. Also, I realize that I left you readers at a really pivotal point in the story, and I do apologize about that. That was a seriously dick move on my part!

At any rate, this new chapter jumps ahead a bit, so it skips says three days into the future. I hadn't worked on this story for a while, so I felt it needed a jump as much as I did. I hope it make sense to you guys as such! So, for those not paying full attention, this new chapter will start three days from the confrontation of Zuko and Aang in the garden.

Ready? GO! (Rated T!)


There was nothing quite as unpleasant as sitting in an important meeting, in which your opinion was not only valued but treated as law, and finding it as difficult to wrangle your attention as it would be to wrangle an angry Shirshu. Aang's brow furrowed as he struggled, a feat in itself as his brow was sufficiently furrowed to begin with. He looked as sour as a lemon, and the palace guests who were seated next to him made fleeting, worried glances in his direction every time an impassioned diplomat mentioned his name in an argument. He would occasionally grunt in displeasure and for a moment the great hall of politicians and staff would fall silent, expecting words to follow, or advice to escape the mighty Avatar's mouth, but each time the noise was uttered, he merely ghosted a glace at the room, pulled his attention back for a moment, and muttered "continue," before his attention released and he drifted back into a blank stare of anger.

His mind was a choppy sea of confusion, each wave of emotion carrying new doubts and past fears. He couldn't believe everything that had happened in the last few weeks. First Bumi died, leaving him vulnerable and distraught that his last connection to the old world had been severed. Then Katara kidnapped, injured, and existence threatened while he was away and unable to help... and then she went and slept with his best friend!

His mind drifted back to that misty night when Zuko had told him. He had lost control of his Avatar state and nearly killed the Fire Lord. As much as he had wanted to in that moment, Aang thought for a second what further political implications that would have. He mused bitterly at the gossip that would flow freely through the streets. Oh, so he can kill one innocent Fire Lord, but he spares the one that waged war on the world for countless years? Yeah, that wouldn't go over well. And then she had come to Zuko's defense, protecting that slimy filth even after he had admitted that he had slept with her.

Aang didn't know what to think and felt the inescapable lack of control wash over him in painful showers. While it was his duty to the world to remain impartial and to instill peace, it was not in his job description to sit idly by and watch as his whole world fell apart. He had to do something, he had to try. He had to try and change the-

"Aang?" His head snapped up.

"What?" he said hastily. Remembering suddenly where he was, he quickly added, "I'm sorry, please repeat yourself."

His eyes shifted from one politely embarrassed face to the next, searching for the speaker.

"I was just asking you, sir, if you agreed that an attack on the Dai Li would be beneficial to the trade routes that frequent the area where Lady Katara was taken."

Lovely, it was Admiral Liu who had spoken. Aang sighed, allowing himself a second to dream up an answer before he had to respond. The last thing he needed was the Admiral of the Water Tribe Colonies thinking he was ignoring either him or his legitimate question of an immediate response attack to get retribution for Katara's kidnapping! The thing was, Aang didn't want a full out attack on the Dai Li. He didn't believe in full on violence and he didn't believe that the use of an entire army against the actions of a few hostile remnants of the old Fire Lord's regime was necessary. That was murder, plain and simple. Of course, that hadn't stopped Zuko from protecting her.

Aang signed again and opened his mouth to speak. Better tread lightly here.

"With all due respect, Admiral, but why would you ever think I would agree to that?" Nice going.

Stunned murmurs echoed through the chamber like a thunderclap of an approaching storm. Admiral Liu shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with the Avatar's response and the dozens of sets of eyes now on him.

"Uh, well... Sir..." The Admiral stammered, looking for a respectful way to address Aang's comment. The avatar watched as the man's eyes hardened and his jaw set, the shock steadily being overcome with justified anger. The Admiral stood and slowly turned his head toward Aang as he spoke.

"With all due respect, Sir," his voice emphasized the respected term with barely contained fury, "but your beloved Katara, our princess, and perhaps the most influential and important water bender master for centuries was snatched from within the palace walls, led on by an agent on the inside no less! How dare you sit there and want no retribution whatsoever?!" The Admiral's fist came down onto the marble table with his final words; brave, indignant fury now prominently displayed on his face.

"What makes you think I don't want retribution?" Aang spat back, having two meanings but only one to be understood in the meeting. "Of course I want to strike back in Katara's name, but sending an entire army is overkill!"

"Overkill is kidnapping a princess with the intent to rape and murder her!"

"How DARE you!" Aang roared, also standing now. The chamber was silent except for the quiet echo of anger that bounced off the walls. Both men were standing, glaring their frustrations at each other.

"How dare you accuse me of not caring." Aang's voice was now quiet and gravelly. "I have done nothing but put the world's best interests first for six years. I have done more in the name of peace and justice than has been seen in centuries. Who put you in the position you're in now, who declared the Water Tribe Restoration Act that even as I speak is helping your people rebuild all that has been lost?" The Admiral stared stubbornly at the Avatar for only a moment longer before hanging his head.

"And who was it that almost lost his reason to live rationally, to live peacefully? If it weren't for Zuko..." Aang's voice trailed off, suddenly saddened and thrown by his own admission. "So don't claim I don't care. Don't you dare say that." The Admiral sat then, clearly and thoroughly outranked.

"My apologies, Avatar Aang," he said defeated.


Katara had spent the last two nights in a simple but cozy back room of Master Iroh's home. While the tea shop stood on the front of his property, his house was a modest dwelling nestled in the back of his garden, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the streets of Capitol City. Like Iroh himself, the home was filled with various teas and little blurbs of written wisdom dispersed among the shelves. It was comforting in its simplicity and Katara savored that feeling as it blanketed her each day.

She spent her days in a lazy mix of yoga, bending, and the occasional shift at the tea shop. While it was easy work, it left far too much time for poor Katara to allow her mind to wander over the events that had transpired as of late. While she technically did not have the time to just relax and recuperate, Iroh had not allowed even a single palace servant in to see or speak with her; even chasing one persistent woman out with his legendary breathe of fire after she had attempted to sneak past his knowing gaze. This was all very much appreciated by the waterbender, as she had not realized just how very tired and sore she was from holding onto all that pent up tension for so long. But even the release of that tension could not stop her fog of guilt and the spirals of confusion that wound their way around her heart.

She loved Aang. She loved him more than life itself. But he had become as distant and cold as her homeland and she had no longer been sure of his commitment to their lives together. Then, suddenly, he returns from a trip with a betrothal necklace, ready to commit? Was that because her life had been threatened or did he truly still love her? And if she did truly love him still, why did she give into the temptation of another man, of Zuko, and give herself to him?

She raked the falling Cherry Blossom petals into a pile in the middle of Iroh's garden, scratching hard at the soft ground, leaving deep grooves in the dirt and grass underneath. You cannot blame yourself for needing a comfort that you have been denied for so long – especially after such a trying night. She thought to herself, not realizing a certain older wiseman was watching her quietly from a stone bench next to his tea shop. Zuko was not to blame, he was simply offering you that comfort. Was it wrong to accept it? Yes, but he doesn't deserve all the blame here. And you need to find a way to get over all of this. Things will never move on if you don't. Just accept that you made a mistake, apologize to both Zuko and Aang, and things will go back to normal. Katara snorted out loud and shook her head, the absurdity of her own thoughts making her feelings of guilt even stronger.

Iroh stirred then and her vision shot up to focus on him, not realizing he had been there the entire time she had mentally tried to talk herself out of the blame.

"Oh, Master Iroh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. Did I disturb you?"

"My dear Katara," he said, eyes soft and smile sincere, "such a beautiful young lady could never be a disturbance to me." Sensing her conflicted feelings he added, "What is troubling you, my dear?"

She hesitated, remembering only now that he was in fact Zuko's uncle and may not find the information she had to tell to be terribly to his taste. "Uh... Well...," she tried to find a diplomatic way around the story as she sat on the bench next to him. "As you may know, the past few days have been really difficult for me." He nodded and she paused, briefly going over her words, "on top of the whole kidnapping situation, my relationship with Aang is now even further complicated and I'm honestly terrified I may have lost him forever."

"We cannot blame ourselves for events outside of our control, Katara, but those that we can control hold a responsibility that we ought to strive to respect, and we must do our best to make the honorable choice." She nodded slowly, contemplatively. "Your heart is so filled with fear and unnecessary worry that you do not have enough room for love. Let love back in and all will be right."

He lifted her chin and smiled again. "After all, there are four seasons for love, but summer is the greatest of all." Iroh stood and yawned, he placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed softly before sauntering off in the direction of his tea house, lightly scratching his belly in delight and anticipation.

Katara sat on the stone bench alone, considering the advice he had provided her. Perhaps he was right, perhaps she had been so worried that Aang didn't love her that she was starting to make it true. 'One often meets their destiny on the path they choose to avoid it.' The old proverb rang through her head, and she sighed with heavy understanding.

She had unconsciously pushed herself away and in turn allowed herself the excuse that Aang was away all the time to avoid her. He was away all the time because it was his job. And she had encouraged Zuko's advances because she was too afraid to admit that she was already bound to another, even if her mind was trying desperately to convince her otherwise.

She stood, took a deep, clearing breath, and marched out of the garden towards the palace.