A/N I started another story called "If I lose Myself" and it's Zutara. Check it out if you like zutara goodness. I know, short chapter, but I promise to post another one tomorrow. This just felt like it ended on the perfect note for the chapter, Don't hate me!

Thank you for your reviews! For my next fic I would love to have someone to dedicate it to, so PM me if you have ideas for a fic and if I like the idea or ship (whatever, doesn't really matter) I'll write it and dedicate it to you :)

Katara awoke to a knock on her door. She yawned sleepily, deciding whether or not to ignore the visitor, until she heard her mother's voice.

"Katara, there's a young man here to see you. He says he would be honored if you would join him for breakfast," Poppy Bei Fong almost sang.

Katara's head popped off her pillow as she almost fell out of bed. "I'm getting ready," she shouted, as she hurriedly dressed. She couldn't believe it, Zuko wasn't a figment of her imagination. He was real, and he was outside the family's room. As she pinned her hair, she found herself humming with all the excess energy. She stepped outside her room and into the family's common area to be met by a much awaited figure.

"Good morning Katara, How did you sleep?" the Prince asked politely as Katara walked toward him.

"Just fine, thank you," she answered.

Zuko surveyed the girl in front of him, amazed that he was so lucky to see her again. He had woken up at sunrise and had already done his morning training for the morning just to distract himself until it was a reasonable enough hour to go see her.

Mrs. Bei Fong surveyed the teens in front of her. They were both clearly smitten with each other. "Perhaps you two should head out and get some food. I believe the meetings won't start until after lunch today," she said, trying to usher them both out.

"Shall we?" Katara asked, hooking her arm through Zuko's.

Zuko flushed at the contact and nodded in affirmation, and bid farewell to Mrs. Bei Fong.

Zuko and Katara's walk to the dining hall was short, but filled with pleasant conversation. They shared about their childhood, as well as their families. They remarked on how different their sibling relationship was, and Zuko laughed at Katara's description of Toph. As they arrived Zuko steered Katara over to sit with Iroh. He pulled out her chair for her, and seated her between himself and his Uncle.

"So this is the young lady you disappeared with last night, nephew? She seems lovely. And don't worry about introductions, we met last night!" Iroh said with a huge smile, and took a sip from his tea. He offered a cup to Katara, which she gladly accepted, if only to have something to look at to avoid looking at Iroh as her cheeks flamed.

Zuko blushed as well in his response, stating that yes, this was the girl. Before he could say anything else, one of King Bumi's advisors entered with an announcement.

"Good morning everyone, and welcome. I am thrilled to inform you that the Southern Water Tribe envoys have just arrived and are headed this way. Chief Hakoda will arrive for breakfast shortly. Please, continue eating," and with a bow, the advisor left.

"Katara, have you met the Southern Water Tribe Chief before?" Iroh asked.

Katara looked up at the kind old man. "No, I've only been to the Northern Tribe in my travels. I was raised in Gaoling, you met my parents last night."

"Ah," Iroh said. "I see."

The meal continued in pleasant silence. It was only a few minutes later when a large man and a younger man, clearly his relative, entered the room and sat down at the far end of the table to eat. They were greeted by several people at the table, especially the monks from the Southern Air temple that frequently traded with them.

Katara glanced at the man, and then froze. She looked again. There was something achingly familiar about him. He looks like the man from my dream, she thought, only older. More worn, and weary. Katara brushed the thought away, dismissing the remote possibility.

"Prince Zuko, we're going to have the first meeting after lunch, perhaps you would like to tour the grounds with your new friend until then?" Iroh suggested.

Zuko agreed and stood up to escort Katara with him. As they headed for the door, Katara heard a voice a froze.

"Kya?"

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Katara's heart stopped and her body tensed. She knew that voice. She turned around to face the voice, and saw that it came from the Water Tribe Man, who was staring at her in disbelief.

He looked flustered and said "I'm so sorry, you just looked so much like my late wife, I apologize, I was just startled." He strode toward her, and the younger man came with him.

"My apologies, I'm Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water tribe, and this is my son, Sokka." He gestured to the man next to him, who grinned in response.

"Are you from the Northern Tribe? I don't believe we've met before," Sokka asked, clearly interested in the girl who wore Earth Kingdom clothes.

Katara was in shock. These men were so familiar. She felt Zuko's grip on her hand in reassurance. "No," she answered quickly. "I was raised in the Earth Kingdom, I've never even been to the Southern Water tribe, but I trained under Master Pakku in the Northern Tribe." Katara felt very uncomfortable, and she fidgeted slightly.

Katara turned to leave, when Hakoda spoke to her again.

"That necklace," he said, reaching for it, "I know that necklace." His eyes were wide with shock.

Katara reached for it instinctively. "Yes, it was my mother's."

Hakoda looked at her before responding, speaking very carefully. "It was your grandmother's actually."

Sokka looked between Katara and Hakoda in surprise. Meanwhile, Hakoda and Katara stared at each other unflinchingly. Zuko, on the other hand, looked at Katara in worry. She was clearly surprised by this news.

Chief Hakoda pressed on. "Is your name Katara? Were you raised in Gaoling by the Bei Fongs?" He asked hurriedly. The dining room was silent while everyone stared at the water tribesmen. Zuko looked to his Uncle for guidance, but the Fire lord just shook his head knowingly.

"Yes," Katara breathed. "How did you know?"

Chief Hakoda looked down with guilt, "Because I'm the one who left you with them."