Chapter 4

Zuko stared off into space. The room he was in was cold, with no windows. It had high ceilings and solid ice walls. Jeez. For helping them during the invasion, this sure isn't a very nice welcome. He'd been in here for a few hours, it was dinner time, and he was hungry.

"Hello!" "Hello!"

Katara ran in

"What?"

"I am hungry."

"I am going to cook your dinner" "Wait a little while"

"You know, this isn't a good way to keep peace"

"Well, its your fault for looking so suspicious."

"I told you the truth!"

"I am sure you did."

With that, Katara walked out of the room. Ohh. Once I get back home this is going straight to the council. Zuko wondered why she was still so defensive. He had helped them right? Oh, It's the whole 'I attacked your home, killed your people, and stalked you for two years straight' thing. This, might take awhile.

He had tried using his firebending. Apparently, the drug they gave him was very potent. They would probably give him another dose in this meal too. Oh, well.

There was no use in trying to escape. He couldn't get past the gate without being spotted and captured. Shit, this is hopeless.

An hour later, Katara walked in with his dinner.

"Here you are, Zuko"

"I have a title."

"Oh-I am sorry Firelord Zuko"

Zuko stared at her for her rude comment.

"What is this?"

"Soup."

"What kind?"

"Sea mushroom and suckling fish pig."

"Uh-huh.." "Aren't you going to leave?"

"No, I have to make sure you eat your food. You can't be running back to the council saying we were inhumane."

Which is another way of saying you have to take your drugs

"Why don't you have guards?"

"They can't waterbend."

"Ah"

He just stood there looking at her. In this light, she didn't look half bad.

"Eat, please, I have other things to do"

"Yes, Katara"

She looked angrily at him for dropping her title, he just smiled.

It had been 10 minutes of silence as he ate, slow bites to inconvenience her schedule. She finally spoke, but not in an angry tone.

"So, how's running a kingdom going?"

"Shitty"

She nodded and chuckled.

"I should say so, after 100 years of war, I bet your nation is fucked up"

He was about to laugh and agree, when he realized what she meant.

"-What are you playing at?"

"Nothing" She smiled.

"Listen, the fire nation isn't as bad as you make is sound.."

"Oh, I am sure its fine." She kept her face almost neutral. What the hell does she mean then?

After a little while, he finished. They didn't say a word after katara's last sentence.

A day or two earlier

Iroh knocked on the door. "Nephew? Your Majesty?"

He had become accustomed to calling Zuko 'Nephew', and although Zuko was kind of annoyed, he let him do it. Iroh had been a father to Zuko more than his real one.

He opened the door to find the room empty and a scroll on the bed. He opened the scroll and read it.

Uncle,

I have discovered a plot…Mai is not who I thought she was…going off for a few days.

Iroh shook is head. Just like his father, so hot headed.

But he though nothing of it. He would rule the roost for a few days and wait for Zuko to come home.

Now

Iroh kept sending messengers to search the docks for Zuko's ship. All came back negative. Now, he was getting worried. Something horrible could have happened. He wasn't about to stand around and let others go on ahead, he'd have to go.

He knew where Zuko would be likely heading.

He walked quickly down to the docks and got the imperial flag ship. Zuko would recognize it if he was lost at sea.

Aang had his hands full, almost 5 kids had been sent to him in a matter of weeks, and all were about 4 years old. The parents, utterly confused about what to do, dumped the airbending children on him as if they had a life threatening disease. Poor kids. They actually have parents and theirs don't even want them. Yet, they think I do?

Somehow, he managed. The old avatars, who had, at one time, had children, gave him advice.

Katara took his plate and walked out of the room smiling. Confusion, gets em every time

She walked into the kitchen and set the plates on the counter. The next meeting is in about 4 days. We'll have to let him go by then. You wonder, if he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time? Katara shook her head. No. And, even though he'd helped them, she never could get over that lingering sense of paranoia and prejudice about fire benders. They always seemed to have a violence in them, a fire that never burned out. She shuddered to think about what would happen if she made Zuko mad. He couldn't do much, but if he could bend again, she'd need serious help.

In her mind, when she'd walked in the room, she wanted to cover her nose and run out. He stunk horribly. I guess he hasn't had a bath or a change of clothes in awhile. I should at least be a little hospitable. Katara always seemed to forgive, no matter the crime.

She walked into the laundry room and grabbed some of Sokka's clothes, then grabbed the water canister.

She walked back in to find him in a ball, shivering. He quickly stood up, trying to hide the 'weakness' he had showed. What is it about men and weakness? Geez, no wonder he's fire lord.

He met he eye to eye and it seemed as if the room started warming.

"Yes?"

"I thought you might want a bath."

"Well, yes, but, where's your tub? And the soap?"

"Here in the south pole, nothing's frilly. We use what we have." "This is water with soap in it, I brought you some clothes to change into after the bath. I'll wash your clothes afterwards."

"Where's the wash cloth?"

"You won't need one"

"What?"

"Just undress, I can wash you with waterbending"

"But,-I'll be naked"

"Its nothing I haven't seen before" "I have a brother, you know? You've met him?"

"Oh, um, yes"

"Sola, is it?"

"Sokka."

"Ah, yes"

"But, why would you wash him, he's perfectly capable-"

"He is, but do you think he will? Not a chance. Since my mom died, I've been the one doing everything"

"How'd your mom die?"

"One of the first Fire nation raids."

"Oh."

Katara kept a neutral face except for the comment on her mother. She gave it and icy edge.

He undressed, very relunctantly, and she got to work. He just stood there. Looking up, trying to ignore the water running over his body. It was a couple minutes of silence before he said anything more.

"I am-Sorry about your Mom."

"I am sure you are."

"I meant it, I truly am sorry" "I lost my mom too"

She was suddenly surprised, but not by his tone, what he said.

"Really?"

"I don't know where she is, she could be dead or alive."

"-I am sorry."

"Its okay"

After she got done washing him, she gave him some clothes and took his to the laundry room to wash them. They stunk immensely. Wow, the fire nation monster isn't what I thought he was.

Iroh looked out on the open sea, searching for Zuko. What happened? He sighed. Ever since losing his own son, Zuko had been his, sort of son. Zuko had been his responsibility and he loved it, he loved being a father again. Now, if he lost Zuko, that world would be gone again.

"General Iroh"

He turned around and saw the captain.

"Yes?"

"Our scout ships found no sign of him, or his ship." The plot! Wait a second. Mai's brother was in the Navy! I should've known.

"Captain, doesn't General Hiro have a son?"

"Um, yes."

"What position does he hold."

"He's a captain..sir."

"When was his last scheduled trip?"

"A few days ago, he said…he had to take a trip."

Iroh grimaced. He knew now what had happened. The only problem was, what island did Hiro's son leave him on? Or what ship did he put him on?

"Captain, get me a map."

"Yes-Sir."

Iroh searched through the maps, the captain showed him which had been checked.

"There's one place we haven't checked."

"Sir?"

"The south pole."

The captain looked utterly confused.

"Set a course please, Captain, for the southern water tribe."

"Yes…Sir."

"Oh and captain?"

"Yes?"

"Wave the diplomatic flag of peace. So that we do not scare the water benders."

"Yes, sir."

He hurried off and did what he was told. In a matter of hours, Iroh could see his breath. Zuko, I hope wherever you are, you're alive.

Zuko sat in his room, looking up. He was surprised when he found out about Katara's mom. He knew her mother had died, and by the fire nation, but…the thing that remained was the fact that he had led most of the first raids. His father had taught him battle and death at a young age. Often, he had actually been a part of the raid and slaughtered viciously. Death no longer bothered him, he could kill on impulse, and he didn't think another thought on it. His life, as he thought, was the thing that you should protect at all costs. And, in war, it was kill or be killed.

Suddenly, Katara walked in with his clothes.

"Here, I washed your clothes." "Thought you might still want to wear red."

He laughed. "Thanks"

She smiled back. "Well, its getting late, and you need a bed. I brought one from a spare bedroom, I also brought sheets."

"Ugh, thanks."

They were red and had fire emblems on it.

"Where'd you get these?"

"We captured a ship awhile back when the war was going on."

"Oh."

"You hungry."

"Hell yes."

"Come."

"What?"

"Just, get up."

She used ice cuffs to secure him and brought him into the kitchen. At the table, he saw no one. A servant in the corner waited to attend to their needs. She looked familiar.

"Yanai? Could you please get us some soup?"

"Yes, Katara-I mean Miss Katara."

As she went to get the soup, Katara took the cuffs off and attatched his ankles to the chair.

"Who-Who is she?"

"Oh, you saw her walking in." "She's a northern native who came to start a new life here. She became a servant to support herself until she gets married."

"To who?"

"To tell you the truth? I hooked her up with someone, I think they hit it off."

"Oh."

Yanai walked back in with two bowls of hot soup. She held each with a napkin to keep from burning herself. One was blue and the other was white. One must be doctored.

"So, why am I being let out of my cage?"

"I thought you might not want to say in that room all day." Which was probably another way of saying. 'I need to keep an eye on you'

Yanai set the bowls down and stood back. He got the blue one.

Katara set a napkin on her lap and started eating.

Zuko looked at the soup and started eating. Mhm. This isn't half bad.

"My compliments to the chef."

Katara looked up at Yanai and kept eating.

After the dinner she led him back to his room.

"The bed has been put in place, if you need anything during the night, just come wake me up."

"Why are there no gaurds?"

"I don't need any, I can waterbend the ass out of you if you do anything." She smiled smugly at this.

"Oh."

He walked back into his room and got under the covers, the blanket that he liked had been put there, and the bed was comfy and warm. He fell asleep, he was tired from trying keeping warm all day.

Iroh could see the bumps of the southern water tribe on the horizon. I hope you're here Zuko.

"Captain!"

"Yes, sir?"

"Get me a boat and some guards, I am going ashore."

"Yes, right away."

Within minutes a group had been assembled and they got on the smaller ship that was used when the bigger one was too big. He could see some water bender scouts above watching them. He had the diplomatic flag though, they should be fine.

They sailed up to the port gate and Iroh came to the deck of the ship.

"Good waterbenders, can we please enter? It is a matter or urgent diplomacy."

The water benders sent one of the workers running, probably to get the chief.

"Please, wait a few minutes." They said back.

A tall man came running up a few minutes later, his stature was strong and tall, but in the face he showed signs of aging, and the scars of war.

"Ah, General Iroh, nice to see you. What are you doing here?"

"I am searching for Zuko. He seems to have gotten tangled up in a plot back home."

The chief, Katara's father, Hakoda, began looking a bit pale.

"He is here Iroh, please enter."

Hakoda nodded and the water benders opened the port gate. Iroh's ship cruised in.

Zuko woke up warm and rested, he just wanted to sleep a few more minutes .He couldn't do this when he got back home. Katara walked in seconds later. She stood in the doorway.

"Get up!"

"What, whats going on?"

"Your Uncle just entered port, he has come to get you. Get dressed and hurry up."

She briskly walked out and Zuko sat up in bed. Whoah, who put nails in her breakfast?

He quickly got up and got dressed. He felt his fire in him again, had the soup not been doctored? Ah, they pulled a nice one. They tricked me into thinking I had gotten one that was doctored so I wouldn't try it. He got his hair up into the ceremonial ponytail and walked into the hallway.

"Katara?"

Instead of Katara walking around the corner, Sokka came around.

"Zuko?" "What the hell are you doing in my house?"

"Ugh.."

"Katara!"

"Yes?!" She cane running as if something bad had happened.

"Why is Zuko here?"

"I told you right?"

"No, but I would like to know."

"I'll tell you after I get home from the meeting, His Uncle is here."

Sokka tried to speak on last time but Katara grabbed Zuko's hand and ran out of the door.

A couple of yards from her house, he asked.

"Where was Sokka all this time?"

"In his room, grieving."

"Why, what happened?"

"Suki, died."

"Oh.." She probably doesn't have to explain how though.

He hadn't had a chance to look at her. She put on here ceremonial stuff too. She had her makeup done, and her nicest dress on. Looks like diplomacy is important at least.

In the middle of town, they entered a large igloo that was decorated and had the water tribe emblems adorning it. The city hall? She walked down a long hall and turned right. He just followed. At the end of that hall she entered through a door and signed him to follow. He walked in not expecting Iroh to be sitting there having tea and laughing.

Katara spoke first.

"Here he is Iroh, we have been keeping him here. We found him off shore under suspicious circumstances."

"Miss Katara, I don't expect you to apologize. He got caught up in a devious plot and got stuck on that ship you saw him in."

Zuko wanted to shout all of the things they had done to him, but Katara nudged him.

"Nephew, lets go, the fire nation needs you."

Every water bender shuddered at those words. It seemed like poison.

Zuko followed Iroh out the door. Katara and her father bowed and waved good bye, they both smiled.

A week later, Every world leader was packing to go to Ba sing se. Each meeting was held in a different town around the world, in a different nation. Katara, Sokka, and Hakoda had left a few days a go, their ship would take a while to get there. They all had packed their best clothes, Katara asked Yanai along to cook during the journey. She came with reluctance, she hated leaving her children, but the glass smith was watching them.

Zuko was packing to board and airship with Iroh. He planned to tell the council about all that had happened. He still felt a little mad for Katara and the rest of the tribe not trusting him. Iroh came to make sure Zuko didn't explode. The newsstands were shouting his imprisonment, and demanded that war be resumed again.

Aang, well, was busy trying to go. Appa could get them there in a day. But, he had to make sure the children were okay. He dropped them all of at their parents for a few days.

The earth kingdom had to do nothing. They were already there.

Katara, Sokka, and Hakoda stepped off the ship a couple of days later. Toph waited for them on the docks, she heard they were coming.

"Katara, Sokka!"

"Toph!"

They ran up and exchanged hugs. They had been almost a family for 2 years as Aang trained and fulfilled his destiny, and the feeling had not gone away.

"How've you been?"

"Fine, I made up with my parents and have settled in."

"Great.", both of them smiled. Being untied with your families was always a good thing.

"Katara, Sokka, we have to go, the meeting starts at 3 today, and we only have an hour to prepare."

"Bye Toph," they both said, "We'll see you tonight after the meeting."

They quickly got to the palace via train, and settled in the suite on the east wing of the palace. They all were in a hurry to get ready, they all had to put on their ceremonial robes, and Katara had to put on makeup. It was 2:30 when they walked up to the meeting hall. It was actually the banquet hall converted.

They were the third ones in, the fire nation had apparently not arrived yet. They all sat down where the cards told them to sit. Katara looked around amazed, it was huge!

The walls, were of course, green. They had ornate gold edgings to make it look like wall panels. The vaulted ceiling had a dark wood stain, and the table was lavishly decorated. It actually started to make her hungry. She looked over and saw Aang, he strangely looked exhausted.

At the last minute, Zuko and Iroh walked in. Katara had her eyes glued on them as they sat down. Zuko looked over and she directed her gaze to the earth kingdom section.

Zuko walked in wearing all of his royal robes and his crown. Katara almost didn't recognize him as Zuko.

"The meeting is now starting, we will go around each of the nations and discuss peace concerns."

Katara waited in half agony, waiting to see what Zuko would say. Finally, it was his turn, and she watched as he delivered his speech.

Zuko looked around the room at the council, and cleared his throat.

"Good council, I was recently involved in a plot back at home. I was set on a ship and ended up at the southern water tribe. When I arrived, they treated me like a criminal who spied, when It was a misunderstanding. They imprisoned me and drugged me so I could not firebend. I returned home when my uncle came to get me. Some how, word got out at what had happened and where I had gone, and the people of my nation are simply infuriated. They demand that I start another war. I will not do this, because it is peace we all want. And, I am not as hurt by what happened, just confused at the mistrust. But, this issue must come to the council's eye, it is an issue of great prejudice, and something must be done"

He delivered his speech with political cunning. He gave all the dirty details and over blew them He looked over at Katara when he was done and sat down.

Suddenly, all eyes were on the southern water tribe, mainly Katara. She looked over at her father, and her father nodded, and she stood up.

"We are deeply sorry for our treatment of you, we were simply doing standard procedure, and no matter if you were a humble peasant, or the firelord, we just went by our laws."

There, that should help things a bit.

Zuko looked infuriated. His face turned red, he almost fire bended, and the people around him were sweating. The fire may not have come out in flame, but the heat in his hands gave enough of a sign.

After all of the speeches had been given, the council decided it would have another meeting tomorrow, specifically on the fire-water nation issue, so that it could be resolved.

They were to stay at the palace tonight.

Katara, Sokka, Aang, and Toph went out to the country with a picnic dinner, they wanted to have some Gang time.

Aang didn't know how to explain to Katara what he felt. He loved her tremendously, but he couldn't find the words. For old time sake, he brought Appa and Momo along with him. It was something about being together in the woods like old times that made them all smile. A certain nostalgia came over them.

Katara, Toph and Sokka, ran over to Appa and Momo to pet them, they had strangely

missed them. Especially Appa. After their 'hellos' they sat down for dinner. Sokka and Katara came in normal clothes, so did Toph. Aang sat with his regular clothes on.

Katara looked around and felt wonderful. Being with old friends was the best thing to do in a stressful situation.

"So, how's everyone been, I don't think we've seen each other since the invasion."

Toph and Aang stole a quick look and then Aang spoke up. He didn't want Katara to find out about Him and Toph talking about her.

"Nothing really. Though, there are new airbenders popping up. I am so happy to be around airbenders again, even if they are small ones."

Toph looked up.

"New airbenders? That's great Aang!"

Katara and Sokka were equally surprised.

"Wow, how did it happen?"

"They just started popping up; the spirits said the world was imbalanced, so they decided to make more airbenders."

They all made a toast to Aang. He smiled. Katara looked at him and saw an adult now, apparently killing someone really boosts your age level.

"Me and Sokka have gotten settled as well, though, we have some bad news."

Toph and Aang looked up. Bad news was not very common these days without the fire lord.

Sokka told them. "Suki is dead."

Toph and Aang looked astounded, they couldn't believe it.

"But, we saw her during the invasion. How could she not be alive?"

"She got killed, I don't know. It must have been in the last part of the battle."

They all were silent for a second. Aang made a toast.

"To fallen friends."

They all were a little reluctant, but soon raised their glasses with smiles.

Around the end of the night, Aang pulled Katara aside. Katara had no idea what he was doing. He pulled her into the woods where the rest of the Gang couldn't see.

"Aang, what are you doing?"

"Katara, I…I have to get married to someone. I am a world leader and unless I get married, I'll be sort of ignored."

"Okay, so who's the girl?"

"Katara, I am asking you."

Katara was stunned, she loved him a little more than a friend, but not that much to get married to him. Of course, she had to get married too. But she had not thought about doing that for a while.

"Aang, I will think about it, I don't know what to tell you right now."

With that, Katara walked out of the camp and back to town. Sokka shrugged and followed and waved bye.

Toph was confused.

"What happened back there Aang?"

"I dunno, I asked her to court me."

"Ohh."

"A tip for girls Aang, during stressful situations, don't ask them important questions."

Aang smacked his head.

"Shit! Why am I so stupid?"

Katara walked back to her suite and got ready for bed. There were two beds in the suite, and she got one to herself. A boy couldn't share with her, that would be just gross.

She combed her hair and got in bed. She said night to Sokka and her dad. The bed was very comfortable and she was tired. She didn't want to think about the decision with Aang.

In the middle of the night, Katara woke up from a dream about her mother, she couldn't save her, she couldn't reach her, she couldn't say good bye.

Katara sat up and looked around, Sokka was on his stomach snoring and her dad was turned over. She quietly got up and went out of the suite, she needed air.

Zuko had been confused all night. He tried to figure out Mai, and why she had done what she did. She had the throne already practically, it would only take another couple of months. Somehow it just didn't make sense, there must be something he was missing. He sat out in the court yard beside a pool. He watched it ripple. He looked around, the night was peaceful. He laid on his back, looking at the stars. They helped him think.

After about 20 or so minutes he stood up and went to climb the tree. He hadn't had time to see the city when he was here last time, and even though he got a few views, he wanted to see more. When he finally got to the top of the tree he looked out, and saw a whole city lit up. It seemed so calm, so disconnected. Not like the rebuilding of the fire nation. Suddenly he heard someone coming, he crouched down to hide himself, he had a rep to uphold, if anyone saw the firelord up in a tree just hanging out, he'd be the laughing stock of the meeting.

He couldn't tell who it was, it looked like a girl, she had a white nightgown on. He hair was down, he couldn't see her face. She was holding her hair and playing with it. She looked like something was bothering her. She turned from the open, columned corridor and headed toward the pool. He saw her face but couldn't make out specific features. She looked beautiful. She quietly sat down and put her feet in the water. She seem to calm down a bit and splashed around. Wait a sec…That's Katara! He couldn't believe it. Then, the moonlight caught her face and he knew. Man, she better not see me.

He obviously couldn't get down, he'd have to stay up there until she went to bed. If I get caught, I am screwed.

For an hour she played around with the water, she bended it and created ice sculptures with it. He just watched and wished he could do fun stuff with fire besides lighting a stove or burning down a forest. His element was so violent, and water was so peaceful. They both could kill, but fire was more tied to killing now a days. She finally went back to bed and he quietly climbed down. Phew.

The next day Katara woke up a little tired, but mostly rested. Time for another meeting.

She put on every ceremonial thing she had brought and walked down with her group to the meeting hall. Only fire and water came today, those were the only ones that needed to settle something. Pakku stood in for both water tribes, her father was just and advisor.

Iroh didn't want Zuko deciding what should be done, so he took Zuko's place.

Katara sat down with the others and watched as the leaders came in. The leaders for all the nations were there, but the groups weren't. They sat down and Pakku spoke.

"We've come to a decision on what must be done, and I have offered it and the fire nation accepted."

Then, Iroh spoke.

"We have come to the conclusion that The firelord must take a water tribe wife. This will show the fire nation, and the world, that all have gotten past old differences."

Katara gawked, she couldn't imagine Zuko taking any woman as his wife, let alone one of her people.

Then, Pakku spoke again.

"The water tribe girl we have chosen, is I think, suited and should be able to make peace."

Katara's heart beat wildly, she hoped he had met more that one water tribe girl.

Pakku stood up and turned toward Katara.

"With your father's permission, we shall arrange a date immediately."

She prayed her father wouldn't nod, but he nodded grimly.

She stood up angrily, she couldn't believe they would do this without her consent.

"Well, don't I get a choice! Its my life!"

She looked over at her father who stood up.

"Katara, you really don't have much choice, your marriage would have already been arranged back home anyway. Now, do you want to marry someone you know, or some man I pick out for you?" That's another way of saying 'You're a girl, you can't decide politics.'

She sat down indignant, and nodded, crying.

"Fine, I'll do it."

"There's a girl."

He went over and comforted her and nodded to Pakku.

Iroh looked over at Zuko through the whole thing.

Zuko couldn't believe, he had to marry her? But she hated him!

"Uncle, I hate to say no, but…."

"No, Zuko, if you were to reject her, it would bring shame to the nation. You would look as though you were prejudice. And if Katara had done the same, it would have looked the same way."

Iroh sighed and continued.

"I am sorry about this, but this is what we thought would be best."

A/N:

Sorry I haven't written in awhile, but writers block took its toll, and this was a long chapter. I had to write it in between vacations and activities.

Anyways, hope this satisfies your craving.

I know that the series ended but I am going to still go on.

The story is out of context to the series, and the character's personalities are what I make them to be. Though, I will keep some of their personalities.

Anyways, comment, point out errors and stuff,

Tell me what you think! :)

Thanks!