"If your eyes stay right on mine, my wounds would start to heal." Ghost On The Dance Floor, blink-182

Katara's daily routine was quite simple: wake up, bathe, eat breakfast with her grandparents, train her waterbending with her grandfather, help out at the healing hut, and try not to die of boredom. Her father liked to keep her on a simple schedule since her accident—not like the South Pole had much to offer, anyway. They were not like the sister tribe, the Northern Water Tribe, where Hahn was from. Once he returned to her in one month's time, she would be traveling back with him. She internally reveled in the fact that she would be getting out of her homeland.

The bitter cold wind whipped her hair across her face as she walked through the snow. She had just finished her bending, and she was exhausted. Her grandfather liked to push her to her limits. She was told that before her accident she was known as Master Katara. She was slowly climbing back up the progression ladder; everyone who spared against her usually lost. She beamed with pride whenever she thought about her bending, but she was always grateful for such a gift. For the longest time, she had been the only waterbender in the South Pole. She knew, and remembered, that much. But after the war, she was told, a lot of the Northern Tribe moved down to the South Pole. Why, Katara had no idea. As far as she was concerned, the Northern Tribe was much bigger, and much wealthier. Hahn had informed her that their living styles were much different and she would probably enjoy life in the North much more.

As she pushed the flap of their house to the side, the warmth of a fire greeted her. She shrugged off her parka and hung it up on the post next to the thick pelt that was used to keep out the cold air. From the kitchen, she heard her grandmother rummaging around. After her accident, it didn't take long for Katara to realize that is where her Gran spent most of her time.

"Katara, is that you?" The elder woman's voice called out. Katara waited a few moments before answering as she took a seat on the fur rug that was laid out in front of their fireplace.

"Yes, Gran," she called back as she held her hands out to the flames. "Is dinner going to be ready soon? I'm starved." A small smile appeared on her lips as she could feel her grandmother's glare on her back.

"You're not incapable of taking care of yourself, Missy."

Before Katara could reply, a cold wind blew into their house and she looked over her shoulder to see her father entering. Their eyes caught and he smiled warmly at her.

"How was practice?" He shrugged off his large parka and hung it on the wall. Katara noticed he held a sealed parchment in his hands and she stood up to follow him into the kitchen.

"It was good," she said. "It's nice to be able to expand on my movements since nothing is really much of a challenge for me anymore."

Hakoda took a seat at their table and Katara sat down next to him. Her Gran already had a warm cup of tea waiting for them. She laughed inwardly. It was as if she knew he would be arriving when he did. Her father set the sealed scroll down between them and cupped the warm cup in his strong hands.

"That's wonderful, Katara," he said. "Pakku is always raving about you." She smiled.

"What's this?" She nodded her head toward the thick, white parchment that sat between them. Curiosity had gotten the better of her since her father never brought home with him. He liked to keep business and family matters separate as much as he could.

"Oh!" He seemed to have forgotten about the note. "It was at the post office. It's addressed to you, actually."

Her surprised must have been evident of her face since her father broke out into a smile. He silently urged her with his eyes to open it. Hesitantly, she picked up the parchment and studied the seal. It was not from Kyoshi Island. She did not recognize this one. Assuming it was Toph; she ripped it open and began reading…

…until she realized Toph was blind and could not write.

Even more curious, she skipped passed where they addressed her and started reading. As her eyes scanned the cursive print, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Katara, who's it from?" Her father asked. She could feel his gaze on her as she continued scanning the letter. She read it once, twice, and a third time before setting it down onto the table. Looking up at her father, her surprise quickly turned into confusion.

"It's from the Fire Nation."

Hakoda's surprised mirrored her own and he reached out for the parchment, silently asking. She nodded her head, and she noticed her Gran had turned to face them at her statement.

"The Fire Nation?" She asked, crossing her arms. "What do they want?"

"It's from Uncle Iroh-" She started to explain, but was cut off by her father's voice.

"He says something very urgent has come up and they require Katara's presence."

She watched as her grandmother's brows furrowed, and a silent message was passed between mother and son. Suddenly irritated, Katara crossed her own arms over her chest.

"You're not going to let me go." She stated. For a few moments, her father didn't meet her gaze. Then, sighing, he looked at his daughter with a thoughtful look on his face.

"I don't think it would be wise, Katara," he explained. "You do not remember the Fire Nation, do you?"

"I remember Uncle Iroh, hence why I called him by a more personal name."

What she really wanted to say was she had seen the Fire Nation plenty of times in her dreams and it wouldn't feel like she was traveling somewhere for the first time. She knew what the palace looked like, the Fire Lord's personal chambers, the gardens, the upper ring, the lower ring where merchants sold their goods, and the ports. She didn't know how she knew that's what they really looked like—for her imagination could have made them up, but she did.

The Fire Nation called out to her. She did not know why, and she wanted to find out.

"You would be traveling alone, Katara." Her father spoke further. She was well aware that he would not approve. "Sokka is in Kyoshi Island with Suki, so he cannot go with you, and I cannot leave."

"I don't need a guide! I can sail on a boat with a crew."

"He didn't even elaborate what he needs you for…"

"He said it was very urgent, right?" She said with emphasis. "He probably wants to explain it in person." Her eagerness to get out of her homeland was so overwhelming, Katara wanted to scream at her father. She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. If she were needed, she would go. "Plus, I don't think they would send word to me if I was not needed somehow."

By now, Gran was back to mix whatever they were to eat for dinner in the boiling pot. Katara watched her father quietly as he thought to himself. She may have had an accident—two years ago—but she was not some incompetent person. She was capable of living; which her father still seemed to be in denial about.

"Katara..." Her father sighed, running a hand down the side of his face.

"Dad, I am an adult—a capable adult. I remember enough about Iroh that I think it would be safe for me to meet his request. He would never let anything happen to me. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about him. Plus, he's Zuko's relative. What could possibly be wrong with this?"

"She has a point, Hakoda." Her Gran chimed in from beside her. "I have known Iroh for many years. But, Katara, I think your father is mostly worried about your trip over there."

"You hire every crew member! You have to trust them, right? No matter what ship I take…they all end up at the same place!"

"Katara, if I allow you to do this, promise me you will try to stay away from the Fire Lord as much as possible."

She furrowed her brows. "Why? He was my friend."

"Your accident…broke his heart," her father explained. "I just don't want you to get hurt."

Her blue eyes narrowed as she stared pointedly at her father.

"I don't understand." Next to her, her father sighed. She could tell her was struggling to phrase his words.

"Never mind," he said. "Just be careful, alright?"

After five straight days of being out at sea, Katara's legs were wobbly as she stepped onto solid ground. She moved slowly, willing her body not to crumble beneath her. As she looked up at the surrounding docks, and the bustling people carrying cargo to and fro ships, she saw her host standing with his hands folded into his red robes at the gates. A friendly smile was on his face as their eyes connected and she suddenly felt nervous.

As she walked up the gravel road, his arms outstretched. Once she came to a stop a few feet in front of him, his hands came to rest on her shoulders. He must have sensed her nervousness because he did not embrace her. If she had not had her accident, she was sure it would be a pleasant thing. But she did not remember actually being around him, and he knew this.

"Lady Katara, it is a great pleasure to see you again. It's been too long!" His voice boomed and she felt herself ease. It was not strange being around him.

"Uncle Iroh, it is great to see you." Her words were honest, and his smile widened.

"You remember to call me Uncle! Wonderful!" He removed his grasp on her, and turned to usher her toward a carriage that was led by two kimono rhinos. "Now, if you'll accept this ride, we can be on our way."

She nodded once as he opened the door for her and she gasped at the regal décor. She didn't expect a carriage to be so…fancy looking. It had plush red cushions on either side and they were outlined in gold. She plopped down against the wall and pushed a little curtain aside and looked up ahead. She saw the lower ring easily, but in the distance, she saw gold buildings glistening in the sunlight. The sound of a door shutting and a relaxed sigh pulled her back to where she sat.

"I must admit, I am excited to be here." She said, although she didn't know why. Iroh smiled at her and rubbed his white, pointed beard.

"That's good to hear, Lady Katara. I can assure you, your arrival to the palace will be warmly welcomed by many."

If he sensed her confusion, he said nothing. Instead she smiled and looked back out the window as the carriage started moving forward. Merchant stalls were set up between buildings and she couldn't help but admire how hardworking they all must be. Since they were in the lower ring, they must not be as well off as the majority of the nation. She could feel Iroh's gaze on her every once and a while, but she ignored them. As the people and the buildings passed them by, her smile never ceased to exist.

"You know, it's quite coincidental that I received a letter from you. I'm constantly having dreams about the Fire Nation…" Her voice broke the silence that had engulfed them.

"Is that so?" The older man asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Well, kind of, anyway. They never seem to have a beginning…but there's surely about this place." She shrugged, her eyes locking on a merchant waving their hands wildly in the air.

Iroh did not respond.

Once the carriage came to a stop, Iroh exited the ride and held the door open for her. Thanking him, she stepped out and watched as large gates closed behind them. She gazed up at the large, intimidating three-tiered palace. She caught sight of an opened door off to the side and people were coming and going as they loaded food cargo into their arms and brought it inside. A sweet, sugary scent filled her nose and her stomach growled. Iroh appeared at her side as the carriage pulled away and left the two of them standing alone.

"I'm sure you're hungry, Lady Katara. If you would allow me to escort you to your suite, I can have servants bring you food." He placed a hand on her shoulder and ushered her forward.

"Thank you…that would be most pleasant." She said, her stomach grumbling once more. A chuckle sounded from beside her and she felt her cheeks heat up.

As they walked along the halls of the palace, people bowed to both her and Iroh. She was confused as to why they acknowledged her in such a manner, but she chose not to ask. They were friendly and she welcomed it. After climbing a set of stairs, he ushered her down a long hallway, but came to an abrupt stop at a wooden door.

"Lady Katara—"

"Why would he be aware of the arrival of a guest before me?" A voice yelled inside the room they had stopped in front of. Katara looked at Iroh nervously, but he shook his head. Smiling, the older man raised a fist to knock on the door.

"I do not know, Your Highness." Another voice said.

"I wasn't even aware that we were expecting company!" The first voice hollered again. Katara suddenly felt anxious, her stomach knotting. She watched as Iroh's hand paused centimeters from the wood. Footsteps grew louder from inside the room, and the door came bursting open. Instinctively, Katara stepped back and Iroh's wide figure hid her from view.

"Uncle, what are you doing out here?" A young, authoritative voice asked.

"I was just about to knock," the older man explained. "I was coming to tell you we have a guest."

"Yes, I've heard. Why were you informed before me?"

"I was the one who greeted them at the dock." He said in a mischievous tone.

"What? Who is it?"

"I believe you know…" Iroh stepped aside and revealed the young waterbender. Nervously, she watched the old man beam up at the figure in the doorway. The older man never met her gaze and she felt her stomach knot once more.

"…Katara." The younger voice finished before Iroh could. Respectively, she looked up at the person who addressed her—formally or not—and saw amber eyes staring down at her.

Different emotions played on the young Fire Lord's face, but they disappeared too quickly for her to assess. Different images played in her mind from her dreams, and she felt her palms clam up. She forced herself to bow.

"Fire Lord."

"Zuko," He corrected in a low, raspy voice. The same voice that she heard all those nights…

"Zuko," She bowed. "I am sorry for the intrusion. I received a letter from your uncle nearly a week ago. He said it was urgent that I arrive…"

She watched as the Fire Lord's brow furrowed and he tore his gaze away from her. Iroh, however, seemed unfazed by the look on his nephew's face.

"Uncle…" the amber-eyed boy started, "What is she talking about? What's urgent?"

The older man shook his head. "We will have time for that later, Fire Lord Zuko. Right now, why don't you and your old friend get reacquainted? I was just seeing her to her room." The Fire Lord was quiet for a moment before he nodded once. He turned his gaze back to her, and she withheld the urge to step back.

"Shall we?" He asked, stepping out further into the hallway.

"Thank you for taking me this far, Iroh, I will see you soon?" She asked, moving herself next to the Fire Lord. The older man nodded, smiling.

"Yes, Lady Katara, we will have tea soon!"

Zuko exchanged a few more words with the man, and before she knew it, they were alone.

As they walked, Katara quickly realized how natural it felt to be walking beside the man she often dreamt about. She also realized how it never once crossed her mind how weird it should be. Instead, she felt very comfortable around her old friend already. He, on the other hand, seemed to be very tense around her. She frowned.

"So," he said, "Uncle really did not say what he needed from you in his letter?"

"Nope, it just said that it was very urgent. But I'm beginning to think if it were very urgent like he says, he would have told me already." From her left, she heard Zuko let out a small laugh.

"Yeah, that's Uncle for you. Meddlesome."

"Meddlesome?"

"He says one thing, but really there is a hidden agenda underlining somewhere." Zuko mused. "Although…I do not know what he could possibly be scheming this time."

For some reason, Katara felt insulted.

"Maybe he actually needs me for something." She snapped, folding her arms. She watched him glance at her out of the corner of his eye.

"I'm in charge of this nation. I think I would know if we needed a waterbender for something."

"Well, maybe he wanted to see me again." She hissed, eyeing him back. She knew she would not need to say any more—the message was clear.

Katara awoke with a start, sitting up in her bed. Cold air attacked her as the silky sheets fell down around her waist.

Did she just have a memory?

She closed her eyes, focusing on what she had just seen.

A pond. Laughter. Zuko.

Throwing the blanket the rest of the way off, she stood up and grabbed the red robe that was hanging over the back of a chair that sat in front of the table next to her four-poster bed. The suite that Zuko had escorted to her was nice and luxurious. A nice-sized bathroom was connected to the room, a walk-in closet with different types of clothing, but the room itself was ginormous. Katara felt spoiled just looking at such a room.

Quietly, she tip-toed down the empty hallway and headed toward the Fire Lord's chambers. She knew it was late, but she needed to know if what she 'dreamt' about was real or not. This is what she had done with Sokka, and continues to do with her father.

As she turned down the next hall, she watched as someone exited the Fire Lord's bedroom. Her heartbeat picked up as she leaned into the wall, slowly closing the distance between herself and the stranger. As she grew closer, she realized they were dressed in all black. Gasping, she spotted a potted plant further down the hall and summoned the water. Without thinking, she jumped from her spot against the wall and froze the figure to the wall.

"What the-" A feminine voiced yelled, glaring in Katara's direction. She winced at how loud the outburst was.

"Mai, what's going on?" Zuko's voice wafted in the air as the door to his bedroom flew open. Katara suddenly wished the floor would open up and swallow her. How could she be so stupid? Of course the Fire Lord would have a girlfriend! She was thankful it was dark because she could feel herself turning bright red.

"I'm frozen to the wall, Zuko!" The girl barked. Zuko looked in Katara's direction and she cleared her voice.

"Sorry…about that…" She said lamely. She took a step forward and made herself known to the couple.

Zuko took a few more steps forward and she saw the stern look on his face.

"What are you doing, Katara? Freezing someone to a wall? Why are you not in bed?"

"Katara…" The woman's voice whispered.

"I-I think I remembered something…you were there…so I came to ask you about it. There was a pond…and laughter…I-I didn't know who it was, I'm sorry. I panicked." She stammered as her eyes were downcast. She could see Zuko's arms fall to his sides and he sighed.

"It's all right, Katara," he said. "What was this memory? Do you need me to help you decipher it?" She nodded.

"We were feeding turtleducks…I think. I have these dreams sometimes so I never know if what I remember about you is real or not…" She partially lied. She looked up and felt her stomach flip when she saw how much his eyes had softened.

"It's real," said the girl. "Zuko used to feed turtle-ducks when he was younger. He hasn't for a long time, but I'm sure your dream was real—a memory. Now could you unfreeze me?"

"Oh, sorry." She blushed. She flipped her wrist and called the water back into the pot.

"Yeah, we used to feed turtleducks every afternoon. The pond is in the garden…I can take you there in the morning if you'd like." Zuko said, his eyes searching her own. She could only bring herself to nod under his gaze.

Mai joined Zuko's side then. Katara studied the slender, raven-haired woman.

"I'm sorry…I can't seem to place you," Katara said. "Have we met?"

"Only a few times," she said. "I'm going to head to the kitchens like I was originally planning. It's nice to see you, Katara."

With only a glance back at Zuko, she started down the hall. Once out of earshot, Katara cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry about freezing your girlfriend to the wall." She offered a half-smile.

He laughed. "It's okay. She knows about your accident. Plus, I didn't exactly mention her before…" He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.

Their first encounter had been an awkward silence after Katara called him out on his absence from her life. After they reached her room, she stayed in there.

"Yeah, well, I should probably get back to my room. I'll see you at breakfast?" He nodded.

"I'll see you at breakfast," he confirmed. "Then we can feed the turtleducks. I'm sure they miss your bread."

"Why did you stop feeding them?" She asked, curious.

"It's been hard for me to do things we once enjoyed doing together." He admitted, once again rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." His voice suggested that the conversation was finished. Bidding him a silent goodnight, she turned to head back toward her bedroom. She only took three steps before he called out her name.

"Yes?" She barely had time to realize what was happening before strong arms embraced her.

His arms were like an iron grip—there was no getting out of there until he had enough. She slowly slid her arms up his sides and hugged him back as his head burrowed into her brown locks. Inhaling his scent, she closed her eyes. It felt like she never had an accident. It felt like this was the natural thing for them to do. Internally, she kicked herself for not embracing Iroh at the docks.

"It's good to see you, Katara." His raspy voice was muffled by her hair.

She silently agreed by tightening her grip around his body.

A/N: Sorry if there are any errors. It's late. I need to stop writing at weird hours of the night... Anyway! Thanks for reading!