Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender is the creation of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, and is owned by Nickelodeon.

Author's note: Guess what? Early update! Next week's update will still be on Friday as usual though.

Thanks again to all the reviewers: darkpassion89, XxSparklesxxBrightlyxX, AnnaAza, Jumpingbeans480, Cupcakee, Katey123, hg-always, secretsofadarkangel, temariXshikamaruluva, meggie-moo s, Miss3y, and Thegoldenlock. Yay! I've reached over 100 reviews!

And here we go!

Chapter 8: Preparations

After my dreaming
I woke with this fear
What am I leaving
When I'm done here

So if you're asking me
I want you to know

When my time comes
Forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some
Reasons to be missed

And don't resent me
And when you're feeling empty
Keep me in your memory

Leave out all the rest
Leave out all the rest

Leave Out All the Rest, Linkin Park

Katara stood quietly in Zuko's arms as the ship cut swiftly through the ocean. The stood on the bow of the ship, taking comfort in one another as they were each lost in their own thoughts. Katara felt mild disappointment wash through her as Zuko shifted behind her. She extricated herself from his arms and turned to face him.

She studied his face for a moment. The wind had caused a few strands of his raven-black hair to escape from his topknot. The moonlight reflected off the imperfect skin of his scar. It was funny – she no longer noticed his scar, and yet she could not picture him without it. The blemish was a mark both of bravery and of shame. It was a part of who he was.

He seemed at odds with himself at the moment, as if he were trying to decide what to say to her. Unsure of what he wanted to say, she gave him a look of gentle encouragement.

"What is it, Zuko?" she asked.

He sighed and looked out over the ocean.

"Katara, I need to ask something of you," he began. "One of the messages I sent instructed my military leaders to return the Water Tribe prisoners to the capital."

Katara furrowed her eyebrows in concern. "Why?" she asked, and she backed away from him as a sudden horrifying thought occurred to her. "You're not going to put them on the front lines as bait, are you?" she said accusingly.

He put his arms up in a placating gesture. "No! No, of course not. I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to speak with them. I would like for them to join our forces willingly," he explained.

Katara felt her mind race. "Zuko, they will never trust me again! You saw what happened at the North Pole! I can't possibly persuade them to do that. They will think it is a trick."

She looked at him furiously. "It's not a trick, is it?" she added.

She watched as the Fire Lord seemed to deflate before her. He spoke once more. "I suppose it's my own fault that you would think that of me. Certainly, in the past, it's a tactic I would have taken. No, Katara. It's not a trick. It's a genuine offer. They will be free from prison if they join in the fight against Azula. Having waterbenders on our side would offer a distinct advantage against my sister, especially since she will be invading by sea."

The waterbender was pensive for a moment. The Water Tribe prisoners could be free if they joined the battle? It would be a tempting offer for them. How could they ensure that they would not desert the battle at a crucial point? How could she possibly convince them that the offer was genuine? By the Spirits, they thought she had betrayed them all to the Fire Lord!

"I don't think that they will believe anything I offer," she stated sadly. "And when they are free, where will they go? Like me, they have no home left," she said softly.

He sighed again, and his breath lightly caressed her face.

"I have been thinking about extending the same offer to the Water Tribe as I have offered to the Earth Kingdom. If they help my forces defeat Azula, I will enter into peace talks with them," he said with resolve.

Katara's mind swam with this development. Peace? He was offering an end to the war? He was offering freedom?

She felt a slow smile spreading across her face. "I think they will be much more open to fighting for your rule if that offer is on the table," she said. "But what about our home? It's the beginning of winter, and now there are no stores of food. No shelter…"

Zuko cut her off. "I believe I can arrange a refugee camp in the Fire Nation until spring comes and your people can migrate back home."

She looked at him quizzically. "Zuko, what brought this on? I know you are worried about Azula's invasion, and need outside help, but I don't think you would have offered this even a month ago," she said with wonderment in her voice.

The Fire Lord was quiet for a moment. "It was you, Katara. You showed me what the war was doing to the world. You showed me that people of other nations are just as strong as the people of the Fire Nation. Agni help me, Katara, I love you. I can't continue on the path my forefathers set for me and love you at the same time," he said vehemently.

Katara felt herself fly into his strong arms as she enveloped him in an embrace. Tears streamed down her face, and she found that she didn't care. He leaned his face down to hers, and she felt her lips being covered with his in a passionate kiss. His lips were warm on hers. He pulled her closer, and Katara felt his tongue begin to explore her mouth. She returned the kiss with equal fervor.

When they broke apart, she was amused to see some of Zuko's firebenders staring at their monarch with open mouths. A little laugh escaped her lips.

"What is it?" Zuko asked.

"Don't turn around, but I think we've attracted the attention of some of your warriors. I guess they came on deck when we weren't looking," she told him.

Zuko gave a menacing smile. "Let them look. They won't dare question me," he said.

The Fire Lord turned around and glared at his firebenders dangerously. The men bowed quickly and fled below deck.

Katara laughed. "I suppose that look is good for something. I certainly never liked being on the receiving end of it," she said lightly.

Shame came over Zuko's face as he was reminded of his past treatment of her.

"Katara-" he began.

She was immediately sorry for bringing it up. "It's okay, Zuko. You did the right thing in the end. That's all that matters to me now," she said quietly.

He looked at her uncertainly.

"Katara, I need to ask you one more thing," he said.

Katara looked at him curiously.

"When this is all over, I wanted to ask you to stay by my side. I know…I know that you wish to return to your home, and if that is what you want, then I'll accept that. But…you would be a valuable asset in the peace negotiations," he said.

The waterbender felt her heart fall at his last statement, and disappointment clouded her face.

"But in addition, I don't think I can be happy without you, peasant. I would like you to remain with me for more…personal reasons as well," he said.

Katara's heart once more rose to the proper place in her chest, and she gave him an answer.

"Well, I suppose I can put up with your pretentious royal ways if you can stand having a waterbending peasant like me around," she said with a smile.

"I love you, Zuko," she added.

"I love you too, waterbender," he said as he once more pulled her into an embrace. They kissed under the moonlight as the ship carried them closer to the Fire Nation and their destinies.

The next day, Katara and Toph were the first to arrive in the ship's war room for a strategy meeting. Katara walked over to the window, mindful of the awkward silence between herself and the Earth Kingdom girl.

Toph's bright voice finally interrupted the quiet.

"There's something going on between you and Sparky, isn't there? Your hearts beat about a million times per minute when you're around each other," she said with a smirk.

Katara floundered for an answer. She wasn't quite used to the earthbender's directness.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about. We just-I'm helping to defeat his sister, and then-" she was cut off when Toph interrupted her.

"Can it, sweetness. I can tell when you're lying, remember?" she said, the smile on her face growing.

Katara sighed. "Fine then. Yes. There is something between us," she admitted.

The earthbender's answer surprised her.

"You're good for him, sweetness. And he's good for you. You complement each other. Hang on to what you've got. It's been good for the world too," she said. She said nothing more and settled herself into a chair, and Katara was left wondering at her words.

Zuko entered the room a moment later, followed by his military aides. Toph's earthbending leaders entered shortly thereafter. Katara felt a vague sense of underlying hostility between the earthbenders and firebenders, but it was understandable after one hundred years of war and prejudice. She was happy that they seemed to set aside their differences to fight a common enemy.

Everyone quieted as the Fire Lord began to speak.

"Thank you – all of you – for being here. We stand united against a common enemy, and through it all, the world may yet find peace. Today, we need to come up with a battle plan against my sister's invasion. My military council in the Fire Nation is also planning as we speak. Hopefully, in this union of minds, we can come up with a plan that will leave our forces victorious," he addressed the small group.

Katara smiled at his speech. She looked around the room and saw everyone nodding in agreement.

Toph spoke next. "Can you describe the layout of your city? I need some ideas on where to position my earthbenders. Obviously we won't do much good for the naval aspect of the battle, but we can defend the city if the battle reaches land," she stated.

Zuko gave her a basic description of the city, and their next few hours were filled with planning the defense of the Fire Nation capital. In the end, a plan was devised that all parties were satisfied with.

One week later, Katara and Zuko once more stood on the deck of the ship as the Gates of Azulon came into view. The great dragon statues guarding the port of the Fire Nation capital were indeed intimidating. Zuko had informed her that any who dared cross the gates without permission would encounter great flaming nets. This was generally effective against non-firebenders, but Azula would be able to douse the flames. Katara shuddered. The woman was a powerful firebender.

Gongs sounded as the Fire Lord's flagship entered the harbor. The voyage had gone quickly. As much as Katara despised Zuko's metal ships, she had to admit they were fast. Azula's fleet of Earth Kingdom ships would not be able to travel so fast. Katara hoped that meant that more of Zuko's naval forces would beat his sister to the Fire Nation.

The ship pulled up to the dock, and Katara looked uncertainly at the throngs of people below them. This was vastly different from her first arrival to this city. She couldn't quite put the memories of angry faces and rotten fruit out of her head.

Zuko leaned down and spoke into her ear. "Don't worry. I've sent for a palanquin. You won't have to walk through them this time. Besides, you are now under my protection. No one will dare harm you," he said, his eyes narrowing.

Riding in the palanquin was a new experience for her. The surprised glances from the Royal Guard didn't pass her notice, and Zuko explained that it was highly irregular for anyone else to travel in the Fire Lord's palanquin.

"Maybe I should have traveled with Toph," Katara said uncertainly.

Her stomach fluttered unexpectedly at his answer.

"Don't worry. They might as well get used to seeing us together," he said with a small smile.

They arrived at the great marble steps to the main entrance to the palace, and Katara felt an eerie sense of déjà vu as she set foot on the brilliant marble steps. Her mind flashed back to a time when she was bound and chained, and dragged up the stone stairs by the very man who accompanied her now. She wondered at the change that had occurred in him.

He took her hand and led her up the steps into the palace. She stood quietly next to him as he instructed some servants to prepare all of the rooms in the guest wing of the palace. Toph and her entourage would need a place to stay, and were now honored guests of the palace. He instructed another servant to prepare another room in the family wing.

The servant scurried off, and Zuko turned to her. "I want you to stay in the family wing. I would prefer if you remained close to me," he explained.

She nodded in surprise. She hadn't even thought of where she would stay…she half-expected that she would be led down to her former cell.

"Follow me," Zuko instructed. Trailing after him, she looked around at the Fire Nation palace with new eyes. It was oddly familiar, and yet it seemed so different. The last time she had been here, she had been a prisoner. Chains had shackled her, and she had been confined to a dank, dark room in the bowels of the palace. Moreover, she and the Fire Lord had been enemies.

As they approached the family wing, Katara almost laughed at the changes that had taken place. She had certainly moved up in the world…from a prison cell to a suite in the family wing of the Fire Nation Royal Palace. Once away from prying eyes, Zuko took her hand in his. He seemed to sense her unease, and he squeezed her hand in reassurance.

He pushed open a large set of double doors, and a servant had just finished placing fresh linens on the bed. The heavy velvet curtains had been recently opened, and sunshine from the bright afternoon filled the room.

As soon as the Fire Lord entered the room, the servant bowed deeply.

"Is the room satisfactory, my lord?" the servant asked in a quavering voice.

"Yes, you are dismissed," Zuko said to the young woman.

Katara looked at her surroundings in wonderment, and Zuko led her out onto the wide balcony. It overlooked a private courtyard – which she promptly realized was the same place that Zuko had taken her to waterbend under the moonlight so long ago.

"Do you like it?" Zuko asked.

She laughed. "Well, it's certainly a vast improvement over my last room. Although, my cell was rather cozy. I think I might prefer it to this huge space," she finished with a serious look on her face.

Zuko's mouth nearly fell open, but when he saw the teasing expression on her face, he allowed a snort of laughter to escape his lips.

"If you truly prefer your old cell, I'm sure I can arrange-" he was cut off as she lightly punched him in the shoulder.

"No, the servants put all this work into making this room livable. I wouldn't want it to be all for nothing," she said lightly.

He gathered her into his arms as they shared a quiet moment overlooking the courtyard. The cherry trees rustled in the slight breeze. It was autumn, and Katara missed the pink carpet of blossoms that had been present in the spring. Despite the lack of delicate color, the gardens were still calming. In a few days, the peaceful air would most likely be filled with the sounds of battle.

"Katara, are you ready to speak with your people about my proposal?" he asked, seriousness in his voice.

Her stomach dropped in dread. What would her people think of her? They wouldn't possibly believe her.

"Where can I speak to them? I will not enter their cells as a free woman while they languish in prison. Do you know if Pakku is here?" she asked.

"Yes, he is here. I can arrange to have your old master delivered to a conference room. Do you wish to speak to him alone?" he inquired.

"Yes," she answered. "That way I can gauge his reaction. He is one of the senior members of the Ruling Council, and therefore holds a lot of influence. If I can convince him to join forces, then we may have success at convincing the rest of my people to join the fight."

"Very well. Make yourself comfortable. I ordered some clothing for you – it should be in the chest by the bed. I will come later to bring you to the dining room for dinner later. We will be having a formal dinner with my council, some of my nobles, and Toph and her earthbenders," he said wearily. "I can't imagine it will go smoothly. I was hoping you could use some of your peacekeeping skills," he said with hope in his voice.

Katara felt herself go pale. It was going to be a long night. "I'll do my best," she said with a weak smile.

He left the room, and Katara sat alone in the vast room. Her racing thoughts kept her busy until Zuko came to collect her for dinner.

"My lord, with all due respect, what are they doing here?" one of Zuko's pretentious nobles asked. Dinner was not going well. Toph had bristled at the treatment she and her earthbenders were receiving, but had behaved herself save for some sarcastic responses. His nobles were making disrespectful comments in the way that only nobility could, and his council was ready to explode at the notion of fighting alongside earthbenders. The Fire Lord didn't even want to think about how they would react if Katara was successful at recruiting the Water Tribe to their cause.

He sighed. One hundred years of fighting and prejudice would not be undone during the course of one meal. He had hoped the various parties could at least act civil to one another. Katara was doing her level best to placate both sides. He heard her voice cut above a small argument that had broken out.

"We must work together. We are united against a common enemy – an enemy who will win if we all cannot learn to set aside our differences! This battle-" she was abruptly cut off by one of Zuko's noblemen.

"Since when does a barbaric water peasant presume to tell Fire Nation nobility how to behave?" the heavyset noble accused her, fury lining his face. He jammed a finger in her direction, and his ruddy cheeks gathered more color as his anger grew. He leaned across the table toward her.

The waterbender took a deep breath to calm herself. "I have been invited here to-"

"You will learn your place, girl!"

A sharp crack filled the room. The nobleman had slapped Katara across the cheek. A deadly quiet filled the room. Zuko noticed that Katara refrained from using the various water sources in the room to defend herself. He would not show such restraint. Fury filled him. He stood up, and filled both of his palms with fire.

His nobleman finally noticed, and the outraged look on his face was replaced with one of fear.

Zuko spoke with deadly calm.

"You dare to strike one of the guests that I have invited to my table?" he asked threateningly.

He didn't wait for the man to answer.

"You disrespected my guest, and therefore you have disrespected me. Consider yourself stripped of your title, your lands, and your gold. You will live in shame for the remainder of your life. Get out of my sight!" he commanded, the flame in his palms flaring as he gestured violently at the door.

The man cowered before Zuko and fled the room. The Fire Lord extinguished his flame and wearily sat down in his seat. No, this was not going well at all.

He addressed the group. "Does anyone else wish to join him?" he asked, his voice low. A line of raven-haired heads shook "no" in response.

"Good. These are my honored guests, and they will be treated as such. They have pledged to help defend our city. I will not have them treated with disrespect," he stated.

The group continued eating, and hesitant conversation broke out. Halfway through the meal, Zuko caught Katara's gaze, and he was rewarded with a quick smile.

Perhaps things would work out after all.

Later that evening, Zuko led Katara to a small meeting room. She felt as if her heart would pound out of her chest. This was the first time she would see Pakku since the disastrous day at the North Pole. She had no idea what his reaction would be.

When she entered the room, the gray-haired man had his back to her.

"Pakku?" she asked hesitantly.

"Katara?" he responded in surprise as he whipped around. "You…you are well," he said, still in shock at seeing his former student.

Katara felt relief flood through her as she took in his appearance. He seemed to be well-fed and healthy, if not a bit paler than usual.

"How have they been treating you, Master Pakku?" she inquired. She wanted to know if Zuko had remained true to his promise of humane treatment.

Her waterbending master's white brow furrowed in confusion. "Very well, actually. We have been well-fed, and they have not mistreated us. Very different than what I was expecting, I must say," he answered.

His expression hardened slightly as he seemed to remember the circumstances of their parting. "What are you doing here, Katara?" he asked.

She felt sadness wash through her at the harshness of his voice.

"I-I will explain in a moment. But first…I wanted to make sure you knew something. I know you think I betrayed our people," she said, her voice breaking. "Master Pakku, I would never have betrayed my people. Zuko had me followed. That's how we were found. I did not consciously betray the Water Tribe," she said with conviction.

Her former master started to speak, but she cut him off.

"You need to know something else. While I would never betray our people to him, I love Zuko. And he loves me," she said in a rush.

Pakku seemed to wilt at this news. "I had hoped that it was all a misunderstanding," he said sadly.

She plunged on. "Now, you wanted to know why I am here. Azula, Zuko's sister, escaped the Fire Nation and fled to the Earth Kingdom. Apparently the Dai Li pledged their loyalty to her during the Fire Nation's takeover of Ba Sing Se. She has managed to build a vast army in a short amount of time. She has nearly the entire Earth's Kingdom's former military under her command, and she has been traveling from village to village collecting soldiers. She has promised them freedom if they help to seat her on the Fire Nation throne – which I'm sure is one of her carefully crafted lies."

Pakku looked at her quizzically. "Yes, we had heard such rumors before the invasion of the North Pole. I don't see what that has to do with the Water Tribe," he responded, confusion in his voice.

"The Fire Lord needs a large enough defensive force to ensure his victory against Azula. He has an offer for all Water Tribe prisoners," she said, pausing to observe Pakku's reaction.

The elder's eyes narrowed. "And what would that offer be?" he asked coldly.

Katara took a deep breath in order to calm herself. "The first part of his offer is this: any Water Tribe warrior who pledges to fight alongside Zuko's military against Azula's forces will be granted freedom."

Pakku's eyes flashed at her, and she saw true anger fill his face.

"Why would any member of the Water Tribe pledge to fight alongside him? He has caused us nothing but pain and misery! He and his wretched forefathers have enslaved the world! I would rot in prison a hundred times over before pledging to fight for his cause!"

"Master Pakku-"

"No, Katara! Listen to me! You should feel as I do. His family and nation killed your family! They exterminated the Southern Water Tribe – your heritage! Did your family mean so little to you that you would fall in love with the very man who wishes to rid the world of us?"

Katara looked up at her former master through tear-filled eyes. "Do you truly know so little about me? You have no idea what I went through following the death of my family. I will never forgive the Fire Nation for their deaths! Circumstances are changing though, Pakku, and I will work for peace. If we shut our minds to peace when it is offered to us, then we are no better than they are!" she yelled.

Pakku stared at her, unable to formulate a response. She took the opportunity to continue speaking.

"You have never met Azula. You don't know what she is capable of. You thought the world was bad under Zuko's rule – well, you haven't seen anything yet. She will enslave the world. She cares nothing for humanity. The Earth Kingdom resistance was so worried about her growing power that they initiated contact with Zuko for his help."

She watched her old master numbly sit down in a chair. The disciplined man betrayed no feelings, but he could not hide the fear in his eyes.

"Now let me tell you about the second part of the Fire Lord's offer. In order to convince the Earth Kingdom resistance to travel to the Fire Nation to fight alongside him, he has offered to enter into peace talks with the Earth Kingdom if he remains on the throne when this battle is over. He is prepared to extend the same offer to the Water Tribe. Peace, Pakku. He is offering peace and freedom. It is everything we have ever wished for, but Zuko must remain on the Fire Nation throne."

Pakku looked at her uncertainly. "How can we possibly know that this is not all an elaborate lie? I know you have feelings for this man, but how can we be assured that he will not simply imprison us all once the battle is over?"

"The only assurance I can offer now is a signed document from the Fire Lord stating the agreement between himself and the Water Tribe," she said. After a slight hesitation, she continued, "I can also offer my personal assurance. I believe him, Pakku. I know you don't believe me, but he's changed. I'm not sure how it happened, but he is a different man from the one the world knew only a short time ago."

Pakku ignored her reassurance. "I will speak with the rest of the Ruling Council regarding the Fire Lord's request. That is, if we are released from our prison cells to hold a meeting," he said with bitterness in his voice.

"Master Pakku, would you like to speak with the Fire Lord first?" she offered.

His face remained hard, but he accepted her offer. "Very well. I will let the Fire Nation scum argue his case."

Katara poked her head outside the room. Zuko had been waiting impatiently outside the door. He entered the room, and Katara was certain that her waterbending master would fall over from shock when the Fire Lord bowed to him.

"Master Pakku," he addressed the elder man, "I know Katara has already presented the Fire Nation's offer to you. I also understand your hesitancy in accepting such an agreement, considering the past history between our two nations, especially when the lives of your own warriors will be at risk."

Katara was relieved when Pakku let the Fire Lord continue in his speech.

"The world has reached a turning point. My sister will be attempting to take my throne within days, and I need your help in defeating her. I realize it may seem rather convenient timing to offer peace to you at this point in exchange for your help, but during my recent travels, the need for peace has made itself evident to me. The war is hurting the entire world. Katara has helped me to realize that," he said, looking pointedly at the waterbender.

"Contrary to your beliefs, I am an honorable man. I will not go back on my word," he said, and held out a scroll to the wizened old man. "However, in addition, here is a preliminary peace agreement. Your Ruling Council will be released from prison and offered a place to discuss this document. I will require an answer by morning. Time is an element we do not have," he finished.

Katara watched with hope as Pakku's expression softened. Perhaps they were getting through to him.

"Master Pakku," the firebender added, "I want you to know that Katara never betrayed you. She remained loyal to her people throughout the duration of her imprisonment. My elite tracking team followed her back to the North Pole. She never messaged me with your location," he said curtly.

"I will send the rest of your Ruling Council to this room shortly, where you may hold your discussion," he said. Katara followed behind him as he left the room, leaving a somewhat bewildered Master Pakku alone with his thoughts.

The next morning, a messenger delivered the Water Tribe council's decision to the Fire Lord. They would fight alongside him.