Author's Note: Ok so I finally got something up. I know, I know, it's been like 3 weeks. But I have good excuses (notice: excuse(S), plural!). So the last 3 weeks have been bad. Like, just terrible, horrible weeks. I had 0% motivation to write, like, negative motivation (although I really appreciated all of your feedback, and that's what forced me to update today). And then last week was midterms and I was up until 1 or 2 every night (which is bad for me) plus I have an internship and I'm really behind in my work for that. Also, my mom had surgery (she's fine-don't worry) but I was fretting about that. So the end of February was just not fun.

Now I'm on Spring Break! But now I'm also sick! Literally, it started on Saturday and it hit me so hard today. I'm sitting here breathing through my mouth because my nose is all clogged, my throat feels scratchy and gross, and the light from my laptop is hurting my eyes. But I managed to update, so I'm patting myself on the back for that one.

In conclusion, thank you for being so patient. I really do appreciate it. And thank you for your comments and analyses of my story, because they give me life. Literally. I hope you like this chapter. It's not too exciting, but the next few chaps will be. I love you guys! 3

Disclaimer: I own nothing, yada yada yoda ;)

Katara had been avoiding him all day. Zuko tried to talk to her after breakfast, during class and after, but she had always made some fake excuse. And he knew they were fake because one of them was that she had to "wash her porcupine-cat." He thought maybe she was angry at him for last night, even though he hadn't done anything.

"Maybe that's the problem, Hotpants," Toph had said at dinner when he brought it up.

"What do you mean?" he had asked, honestly confused, but Toph had just rolled her eyes and patted his cheek. "It's a good thing you're pretty, because you're an idiot." Coming from Toph, he didn't think there was a compliment anywhere in there.

Jin hadn't been much help either. He sat with her after class as she finished her dress, embroidering flowers on the sleeves. He hadn't told her everything, just that he and Katara had talked the night before and now she wouldn't even look at him.

"You probably said something stupid."

Zuko gaped. "Why would you assume that!?"

She just shrugged, and Zuko groaned, dropping his head to the table. "I'll never understand girls."

Finally, she set down her sewing and leaned against the table, poking his forehead until he looked up at her, his chin resting on his arms. "What exactly did you say?"

Zuko rolled his eyes. "How am I supposed to remember—"

"Zuko."

"Fine. I think I said she was strong, or something like that."

Jin gave him blank look.

"What?"

She shook her head, sadly. "You're so odd, Zuko. Whatever. What did she say after that?"

Zuko tried to remember what had happened even though, honestly, the entire night was kind of murky. He remembered more how happy he felt than what he had said. "'Thank you' I think?"

Jin nodded, considering this. "Alright. Then what did you say?"

"You're welcome."

Jin waited. When it became obvious that he had nothing else to say, her expression fell. "'You're welcome.' That's what you said." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah?"

"Are you kidding me?!" Jin exclaimed, hitting his shoulder.

"Hey!" Zuko complained, though it hadn't hurt. The memory of Katara hitting him with the pillow flashed across his eyes and he couldn't help the swell of warmth that bled into his chest. "What's wrong with that?"

She didn't answer; instead, she picked up her dress and thread and stepped away from the bench. "You are such an idiot."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" he grumbled as she left the room, the door swinging behind her.

Zuko finally caught up to Katara late that night, after he had sparred with Sokka. She was in the room where they had first met—really met, not under the gaze of her father or weight of her title. She sat cross-legged on the floor with a pot of water. He only waited a few seconds before he entered, watching her hand guide the water in complicated patterns.

"Katara," he said as he turned the corner. The stream stilled mid-air when she looked at him. He was surprised to see a flash of fear in her eyes before they flickered away, re-focusing on the water. He sat down in front of her and waited for her to finish whatever she was doing, which was fine with him, because he still found her bending beautiful. It was different from firebending; with his own element, it was all about ferocity and strength, overpowering your opponent with sheer will.

Water was different. He got the same feeling watching her control it as he had felt during their dance. Her bending was the movement of energy; the push and pull. It was the moon and the tides, curving and adapting. The water weaved in and out of her fingers as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and once again, Zuko was captivated. But then she finished, and the water dripped back into the pot, becoming motionless once more.

She looked up at him. "Hi."

A smile tugged at his lips. "Hi." She just stared at him, her expression blank, and once again he found himself wondering what he had done wrong. He could swear he felt the word 'idiot' seared across his forehead.

"How are you?" he asked.

"Alright."

That's it? Zuko watched her dig out dirt from underneath her fingernails. Something was off. She seemed…agitated. Her fingers began to move faster, scraping harder, and Zuko clasped his hands over hers.

"Katara. What's wrong?"

Finally, she met his gaze and tears gathered in her eyes, making the blue sparkle like the sun on the ocean.

"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you today. I just—I couldn't."

"Why not?" he asked, still acutely aware of their intertwined fingers. Katara looked away, obvious pain on her face. He couldn't be the cause of it—could he?

You idiot. You really must have messed up whatever it is you messed up. "Whatever I did, I'm sorry," he said preemptively.

To his surprise, she laughed. It was a sad, hollow laugh, but one nonetheless. She pulled her hands away only to wipe away the tears that had never actually fallen. Then she was able to give him a small smile. "It's not your fault. You're the very last person I could blame for this."

Zuko had to admit that it was a relief to know he wasn't at fault, but he was still confused. "For what? You know you can tell me."

She sighed. "I know. I have to tell you. And that's what makes it so hard." She stood up, straightening her tunic and pants, and only then did Zuko realize that she had been training.

"Were you with your father?"

"Yes."

"Are you okay?" Zuko asked cautiously.

Katara gathered her hair into a bun and secured it with a strap of leather. "Yes. Would you like to see what I've learned? I'll be performing at the feast tomorrow."

She was still avoiding whatever it was she had to tell him, but he said yes anyway, and she moved to the center of the room. The water along the walls glowed light blue and Katara took a few deep breaths before lowering herself onto one knee, her head down and arms extended.

Then she stood and water came rushing towards her from all angles, coming together in a swirling sphere above her head. She lunged right, then left, and the water followed, splitting into two streams that wove together, dancing like a pair of dragons.

It reminded Zuko of tales he had heard from his Uncle about the last remaining dragons, Ran and Shaw, protected by the Sun Warriors. They were said to live in the high mountains, but no one living had ever seen them.

Katara brought the two streams together again and directed it towards the vases against the wall, ending the performance with a bow.

She laughed when Zuko started clapping.

"Stop it!" she chuckled, flinging the water from her wet hands at him. "So what did you think? I mean, it's not perfect, and that's not even all of it, but I've got the basics down and I have better control of the second movement, so—"

"Katara," Zuko cut her off, putting his hands on her shoulders. "It was great. You're going to be amazing."

Her cheeks darkened. "Thanks. I'm still really nervous."

"You have no reason to be. Trust me." He smiled in a way that he hoped was comforting, but inside he had his doubts. Of course her performance would be flawless, but she'd be in a room full of old Water Tribe geezers who thought a woman's place was only in the kitchen or delivering babies. They'd be critical of her no matter what. Of course she knew this. But he could at least try to calm her fears.

The thought brought him back to whatever had been bothering her earlier. He hated to see her so upset, but he needed to know.

"About what you were saying before," he started, wringing his hands. She licked her lips and he could tell she had been hoping to forget the subject altogether.

"Right. That." Katara darted to the entryway, peering around the corner, then slowly made her way back to where he stood waiting. "What I'm about to tell you could put you in serious danger, Zuko. No one can know that I told you this." She looked up at him through her eyelashes, begging for his understanding.

"Okay," he said, giving it to her.

XXXXXX

Dear Mother,

It's me. I am writing with urgent news, and I pray to the spirits that you receive this letter in time. There is a good chance it will get intercepted, but if by some chance it makes it to you, burn it as soon as you've read it. I don't want to know what would happen should it fall into the wrong hands.

Roku is in danger. You must see to it that he is constantly supervised. He has enemies in the Water Empire that wish him harm. You all do. Please, for his sake and my sanity, hire more guards. Trustworthy ones. Thin out the waitstaff and the servants. You never know who could be a spy.

I have it on good authority that the capital is in danger. I cannot tell you more than that, but believe me when I say that I am doing everything I can to keep you all safe.

You can't imagine how much I miss you all. Give father my love.

May the spirits reunite us soon.

Your son

Katara held the thin envelope in her hand underneath her travelling cloak. It had been in her pocket earlier, but she didn't want to take any chances. It would be too easy for a pickpocket to steal it or for a gusty breeze to wrench it out of her grip.

She tugged her hood farther down her forehead as she waded out into the crowd of townspeople. The market was surprisingly busy for so early in the morning. Katara was glad she had worn older clothing—it was less conspicuous, and she could not afford to be noticed today.

A man offered Katara a basket of bread and she waved him off politely, keeping her face down. She knew The Golden Temple was just ahead by the pattern of shops that lined the street: the fish market owned by Mrs. Kopple, the cobbler, another fish market, and finally Nuk's Weapons and Wine.

The jangle of a windchime signaled her entry into The Golden Temple where she finally dropped her hood. The tea shop was practically empty and anyone there was engrossed in conversation, so they hardly noticed her as she made her way to the back room. Lilit, who was bent over the washbin with a teacup in her hand, looked up as soon as Katara moved aside the curtain that separated the rooms.

"Katara!" she exclaimed, a smile running the length of her lips. As per usual, the short woman enveloped Katara in a hug which she returned enthusiastically, but briefly.

"I have something important to talk to you about." She cast an eye at the room behind them. "Can we talk privately?" Lilit looked concerned, but didn't question her. Instead, she led her to a back room off the side of the main shop. It was small, and dark, but extravagantly decorated with deep red cloth and sparse golden light. Candlelight glinted off jewels that hung in sparkling lines from the ceiling to the floor and draped over two plush, maroon chairs. Lilit gestured for Katara to take one of them.

"Lil, this is beautiful."

She smirked. "This is where my more…respectable clients dine. It's where your parents met, actually."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes. The Emperor came to The Golden Temple shortly after he took the throne and I assigned your mother to be his server. The two of them ended up staying back here well into the evening, talking to one another."

Katara had never heard this story. As far as she'd been told, Hakoda had approached Kya's father for her hand in marriage after learning she was the most beautiful woman in the South (which was true, but Katara had always thought this was an awfully shallow reason to court a woman, if you could call that courting). But this story…well, this seemed more normal. More…human. She wondered why her mother never told her.

"Didn't you have something to talk about, dear?" Lilit asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Yes! I do. I need you to send something for me." Katara pulled the letter from her cloak. It was an unassuming parchment, not adorned with a seal or anything, no writing on the outside. No one should be suspicious of it. "If I send it from the palace unauthorized, I know it'll be followed. And I can't exactly tell the hawk officer where it's going."

She placed the letter into Lilit's hand, and the woman observed it for perhaps a moment too long. "And where is it going?"

Katara bit her lip. She had hoped Lilit wouldn't ask. "Lilit, please. You cannot tell anyone. It's very important that that letter arrives safely."

"You know you can trust me, Katara. But if you're in trouble…."

"No. It's not about me. I swear. It's going to—" she lowered her voice "—the Fire Nation."

Katara had been very careful about what she told Zuko. While she knew he would never do anything to hurt her or her family, she did not know if his loyalties still lay with the Fire Nation. It was his home, after all, and she understood that. That's what made her tell him in the first place.

"The Fire Nation is in danger," Katara said slowly, gauging his reaction. Other than a slight narrowing of the eyes, he seemed unperturbed.

"The Fire Nation is always in danger in this war," Zuko replied, as if this wasn't new information. "There's always the threat of attack."

"But this isn't a threat. Attack is imminent."

This got his attention. "What do you mean?"

Here was the tough part. During the meeting with the Chieftains she had bit her tongue so hard to keep from speaking out that her mouth had filled with blood. But she had assumed someone else would disagree, point out that this plan was too risky, too malicious. Kill the Fire Lord and his heir? Exterminate the entire royal family? It was too much; they were going too far. But no one stopped it. The motion was passed. The Fire Nation would be conquered from the inside out.

"The plan has been approved for the attack on the Caldera. It will begin soon."

Zuko took a step towards her. "What are they planning?"

"Zuko," she hesitated. "You have to understand how dangerous it is for you to know this...how dangerous it is for me to tell you. If anyone found out…."

"They won't, Katara. But I need to know, please. My family is in Cal—in the Capital. Please, Katara."

His hands gripped her shoulders, not painfully, but desperately. She understood where he was coming from. He wouldn't be there to protect his family when the time came. She'd never been in that position, but she understood. She would do anything to protect her mother, even Sokka, if they were threatened.

"They're targeting the royal family, Zuko. The Fire Lord and his heir."

Zuko's eye widened. "His heir? But how? How did they find out…?"

"Apparently my father has spies in the palace. They were trying to keep him a secret."

Zuko's hands fell to his sides. He looked as if he were going to be sick.

"I'm so sorry, Zuko. It's disgusting. He's just a child, for La's sake! He's not a threat, and I know it, but they don't understand how—"

"Wait," Zuko stopped her, holding up a finger. "A child?"

Katara nodded, confused. "Yes. The last heir of the Fire Lord. Prince Roku."

Although he had tried to hide it, Zuko was livid after learning her people were planning on assassinating a child. He'd only gotten more upset when she told him the rest of the plan, how they would take out the royal family and move outwards from there, slowly taking over the rest of the Capital City. Once the Empire had control of the harbor, they could begin the attack on the entire country. She'd been hesitant to offer, but her conscience had won out, and she gave Zuko a piece of parchment to send to his family. She suggested he send them to the Earth Kingdom, which was already under Empire control, where they would be safe as Fire Nation refugees.

She hadn't read his letter, of course. She trusted him enough to know he wouldn't do anything to incriminate either of them. She only hoped Lilit would trust her enough to not ask more questions; questions she just couldn't answer.

"Katara," Lilit started, hesitation clear in her eyes.

"Please." She closed her hands over the woman's. Her knuckles dug into Katara's palms as she leaned forward. "Please do this one thing for me."

Lilit held her gaze. The woman was many things—fierce, strong, courageous. She was always there for her friends, always willing to go the extra mile. However, she was not a traitor. And although she didn't like the Emperor, she loved her country. If she knew what was in that letter—Katara assumed—she would not be okay with it.

"Please."

Lilit sighed and her head fell to her chest. In this lighting her brown hair appeared golden-red, bright and full of vitality, but her face was dark and deep-set wrinkles betrayed her age. Katara wondered how many of those wrinkles she'd developed worrying over Kya, maybe even over herself.

"Fine. I'll send it out with a hawk in the morning."

The weight of an iceburg melted from Katara's shoulders. "Thank you, Lilit," she said, getting up to hug her. Lilit patted her arm.

"Just promise me that you're being careful, Katara." Katara pulled back to look at her, and she continued. "I don't know what business you have in the Fire Nation, but whatever it is, it can't be good."

She didn't know how to respond to that last part, so she didn't. "I promise I am being careful, Lilit. Thank you so much."

Unexpectedly, Lilit smiled and shook her head. "You're becoming more and more like your mother everyday, child. You're the only two people in this world able to manipulate me like that."