AN. So… The start of what we are waiting for!

The flag that hung above the governor's house clang to the pole, so that On Ji couldn't see what it represented. She knew that it had been raised after the reinforcements had arrived, and it was probably the commander's own battle flag… But she had no idea who it was. Kantuno had not emerged from his home, and neither had Hide… So, there was no one who was able to tell her what was happening. Even her own father had not been asked to come, and neither had anyone of the town's council…

"What is for sure, is that they are from the Earth Kingdom." Sap… Katara spoke beside her, apparently thinking along the same lines.

"How so?" She asked.

"They came from the east. The only island between here and the Earth Kingdom is Roku's Temple Island. So, that means that at least a part of the field armies there have gone over to Azula." Katara sighed, putting her hands in her pockets.

It sounded logical. And of course, the soldiers who had been fighting were in favour of someone who would keep the gains that the Fire Nation had fought so hard for. But still… Why bring them here? How was Kirashi so important to the princess? She could have brought them to Fire Fountain, no? It was a far more important city, the second in terms of population in the country… Why not help there?

But perhaps she had. Perhaps this was just a part of reinforcements to all place she held?

"So, how many do you think?" She asked the girl next to her.

"I counted the soldiers on the walls… My brother has a system to guess, approximately, how many there are. I would say that four thousand soldiers are now in the town." The scowl on the tanned face was clearly real, but On Ji saw it didn't hide the beauty of the woman.

"Meaning?" On Ji had no idea what that actually meant for the town.

"With the walls, and the new soldiers… Piandao won't take the town by force. He will have to starve it out…"

That was what the Fire Nation girl had been afraid of. Kantuno could have surrendered, given Hide as a hostage and the town would have been safe. But now, with the knowledge the town could hold out longer than he had originally thought, the governor would take his chances. He would keep fighting, and that meant that the field hospital being built inside their stables would be very busy in the coming weeks… Or even months.

"And you are even more stuck now." On Ji whispered, "The moment you bend, they will know who you are. And even you can't fight such a force."

She hated it. Hated the whole situation. Katara had lied, had been nothing but a pain… But, although she tried to hate the young woman… On Ji couldn't help but admire her. Her father was right… They were not on the good side. Katara had shown her what the Trai… What Prince Zuko… and the Avatar could do. And as the woman had told it… They seemed nice. Kind, good people, who loved their friends. The haunted figure she had seen outside the walls was not the Avatar… It was just Aang, who was looking for the woman he loved.

What her father had said… That he would do the same as Aang was doing now… Keep away from the fighting to make sure no one was hurt… That had struck something in On Ji. That was what love was supposed to be like. To do whatever it took to make sure the other one was safe. And the Avatar clearly loved his… wife.

She tried to hate the people besieging her town… But she found that they were right. Not one person had been hurt until now, and the enemy showed considerable restraint. Not like… Not like their side. Where kidnapping someone, and lying about it, was considered a good and noble strategy.

"On Ji." Her father's voice sounded beside her, and looking at the sound, she saw that he was indeed standing there, hand wringing together and looking from left to right.

"Father?"

"Kantuno has summoned us to the northern gate. There… Something is happening at the siege camp." Her father explained, waving her to follow him. Quickly glancing towards the young woman, she saw Katara's blue eyes fill with questions.

I'll tell you later, On Ji mouthed, and the waterbender nodded. As much as she was accepted inside the house, Katara was not allowed to be there when there was a council meeting. As she followed her father, the Fire Nation girl began to hear the harsh clinging of a bell. Judging by the sound, it came from the northern gate… And she had not heard it before. Whatever was happening… It was making the people on the walls there nervous…

"The governor sent for us?" Normally, he would only send for her father, and he would take her without question.

"Kantuno's messenger said to come immediately. Apparently, a man has been waving a white flag for a few minutes now." Her father's voice sounded worried.

"They want to surrender?"

"I have no clue, but I do not think so. Lord Piandao doesn't seem to be the kind of man to just give up at the first sign of trouble. No… They want to talk. The commander said he would give the governor several chances to surrender, remember?"

Yes… She did. Piandao had said he would breach the wall, and then give Kantuno another chance. But he had not yet done so… So, what was this? As they neared the gate, On Ji saw a small group standing there, all members of the town council. From the corner of her eye, she saw Shoji stand near the gate with some other people from the town, clearly waiting to see what was happening. He lifted his hand in greeting, and she nodded quickly. He was her friend, but she didn't dare show any more kindness towards him than that… In case Hide was looking.

"Where is the governor?" Her father asked another member of the council, looking around.

"Probably hiding his son." The woman answered thinly, clearly unhappy, "He is afraid we will throw them to the enemy to keep the town safe."

"Not a bad plan." Her father spoke softly, but just loud enough to make the woman frown, glancing to her. On Ji knew that her father had just shocked the woman by speaking his own mind, instead of hiding his opinion as he normally did.

"Hiding his son? Or… Giving him to the enemy?" The woman asked in the same soft voice, wanting to clarify what he meant.

"Giving him to the enemy. We should have done that the first day, just like all the nobles from the Eastern Archipelago. They are treated with honour, and surrending under such terms could be considered as… Right. Honourable. But no… Kantuno has to do it like this." Her father sounded angry now.

With a scraping sound, the gates were opened in front of them, and looking between the council member, On Ji could see a man waving a white flag just outside the trees a mile away. Clearly, he had been waiting for a sign that they wanted to talk, because as soon as the gates opened the man stopped and turned back to the forest.

"Well, he isn't here. The co… No matter. Come on, let's see what they want." Her father elbowed his way to the front of the group, and On Ji realized he had been waiting for such a moment. To take the reins of the council… To show that they were able to do something without the governor's approval.

And she couldn't help but feel proud of her father. He had been indecisive about a lot of things… But the things he had discussed with her and Katara had apparently jolted him into action… Action that, from the governor's point of view… Could look a lot like dissent. But she didn't care… He was right. And sometimes… Being right was more important than being safe.

As the council poured out of the gate, making a line, she felt watched… As if a great horde of people were watching them from the wall… But also from the forest. Looking up, the grey clouds that had threatened to spill the monsoon rains were still gathering above them, as they had done for weeks now… Ever since the comet.

Her father stood in the middle of the group, his foot lifting and going down several times, as if he was hesitating if he should stand in front of the council, or amid them. The governor could still come to lead the talks, and if he did, On Ji knew he would consider her father's role as presumptuous, or even treasonous.

A small group of people appeared out of the trees, walking towards the town. They were too far away to see them clearly… But she saw no red uniforms amid the group… Only blue, green… And… Oh no.

"That isn't Lord Piandao." The woman who had spoken to her father whispered, frowning once more. Because in the middle of the group, a little in front of the others, walked a tall figure… clad in flowing orange, saffron and red… And On Ji knew, from the stories that Katara had told her… Who that could be.

No way he was stupid enough to come talk to them… Right? He feared for Katara's life, and the disguise she had seen the last time she had been out of the town suggested he was trying to keep away from the fighting… But the group clothed in green, blue and yellow seemed to have other ideas.

As they approached, On Ji recognized some of the group. There was a tall, tanned skinned man, with broad shoulders and a burly physique, clearly someone who was used to fighting and being a warrior… And she recognized the manner in which he walked. That had been a certain Wang Fire. He missed the beard of his disguise, but it was clear… Sokka.

The girl that had told her that Kuzon had a girlfriend, during the party… The drunk girl… She was there too. Only now, she wore green and brown, her hair in a messy bun on her head. The hair that wasn't held back fell down in front of her face, but as they approached, On Ji saw the misty pale green eyes… Toph.

There were three other people she didn't recognize. A girl, a year or two older than she was, with watchful eyes, walked close to Sokka, letting the young man lean on her shoulder. Looking more closely, the Fire Nation girl saw the slight limp in the man's leg, as if it had been hurt. The two other men were both of the same colouring as Sokka and Katara were, and now that they were closing the distance, she saw that one of the men looked a lot like Sokka, with the same ice blue eyes… So, probably the father, or a close relative. The second man was a mystery, only that he was clearly Water Tribe too…

And then there was… him.

The group stopped a few steps away from them, and stood in silence, as both parties assessed the other. The Avatar was clearly nervous, his jaw going left and right as the silvery-grey eyes looked each of them in the eyes for a few seconds. As she met them, she saw a little recognition in them. On Ji wished she could say the same.

The man in front of her was not the same as he had been when his name was Kuzon. Gone was the hair, to be replaced by a bald head proudly displaying a tattoo that ended on his forehead, arrow pointing straight between his eyebrows. The school uniform that had given him a straight posture was also gone, to be replaced by a tunic revealing a lean, muscular chest and a tattooed arm. All in all… He looked out of place. Ancient, but young at the same time. And On Ji couldn't help but feel a slight pang of fear in her guts as the Avatar put his staff against his shoulder, leaning on it.

"My name is Aang." He spoke, in a melodious accent she recognized from the last time he had been her. Yeah… It was Kuzon. But she didn't miss the fact that he didn't use his title.

"These people behind me are Toph Beifong, Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, Suki of the Kyoshi Warriors, Bato of the Southern Water Tribe and Chief Hakoda."

On Ji felt her heart drop several yards into the ground. All Katara's loved ones were standing right in front of their gates… With one clear mission.

"Welcome, Avatar Aang." Her father bowed, just slightly, but he put his hands together in their traditional Fire Nation greeting, "I presume you are here to discuss if we want to surrender?"

"I am." The Air Nomad bowed back, straining to keep a neutral face. On Ji could see the anger flaring in the silver eyes, and involuntarily took a step backwards. Kind and gentle? That man was not kind.

"The governor is not here at the moment, but I am willing to take a message if you desire." Her father had probably seen the anger too, for he talked slowly, deliberately and as neutrally as possible.

"Why not surrender now?" The young man in front of them spoke, "It would avoid bloodshed."

"We have sworn loyalty to the Princess Azula… And we wish to discuss our options."

At the mention of the princess, On Ji saw that the Avatar balled his fist, and the soft wind around them stopped suddenly. The council members felt it too, for the Fire Nation girl saw the confused looks and nervous shuffling of feet. They all knew that the Avatar was an airbender… And to feel a force of nature, on which they had no say yield so easily to someone… it was frightening…

"Zuko is Fire Lord. Azula lost the Agni Kai. She has to face justice for everything she did." The melodious voice changed into something harder, and On Ji knew that the Avatar was thinking about the crimes that the princess committed…

"Like Lord Ozai face your justice, Air Degenerate." One of the council members spat on the ground. Katara's brother came to stand beside the Avatar, and On Ji saw the same kind of cold anger in the blue eyes as she had seen in the silver ones.

"My friend let that sorry piece of shit live. Don't ask me why, but he did." Sokka spoke with a soft growl in his voice. On Ji knew that there had been rumours… Rumours Katara believed to be true. Piandao had all but confirmed it, but to hear someone who had probably been at the battle say it… It made her shiver.

"And we are supposed to believe that?" The council member asked, raising an eyebrow towards the man in front of him.

"Air Nomads don't kill." The Avatar sighed, "I took away Ozai's bending, and now he has to live the rest of his life in prison, for the crimes he committed and wanted to commit. Azula will face similar consequences… for the crimes she committed in the Earth Kingdom."

It didn't escape her attention that he said that the princess would be punished for old crimes… Not for those he probably thought she was doing right now…

"Avatar Aang… Please understand that we need to discuss this with our governor." Her father stepped forwards, waving a hand to the council member to make him shut up, "But if there is something we could do to show our good will towards productive talks… Just name it."

At that, she saw the Avatar's eyes fix her father, and the anger was back in them.

"Something…" A soft laugh, "Oh, always with the material things..." On Ji saw the confused looks of the people around the Avatar. This was clearly not normal behaviour for the Air Deg… for the Air Nomad.

"My bison was here." The Avatar continued, "That means that someone… someone I love… is missing. Could you give that person back?"

"Depends… Depends on who it is…" Her father sounded dubious, even afraid at the deranged tone the Avatar was using.

"Katara." He spoke the name with such pain and want that On Ji immediately understood that all the waterbender had told her was true. All the talk about how much she loved the airbender, how much he loved her… On Ji had believed it from the waterbender, but had refused to consider that the Avatar was capable of truly loving someone… But now, the silver eyes looked at each council member with such want that it hurt to look the man in the eyes.

"Appa was here." The voice changed into an angry growl, "You people… threatened her. I never gave up on the Fire Nation. Never." The wind picked up once more, only coming from the north, south, east and west at the same time.

"Aang." A small girl, Toph, spoke in a warning voice.

"That means Katara has to be there." He pointed his chin to the walls, "And if any of you has hurt a hair on her head…" The threat hung in the wind, clear to anyone. The Avatar had said that Air Nomads didn't kill… But he would kill any of them if that was the case… Exactly like Katara had said he was prone to do. Throw caution and principles in the wind if she was threatened.

At that moment, she saw that her father glanced at her, frowning. Of course, he had suspected that Sapphire wasn't her true name… Of course he had been thinking along the lines that she was someone who needed refuge… He had never met her, and suddenly a friend of his daughter had been standing at their door…

But On Ji realized that her father had never suspected who it could be. And now, he did.

"The woman you love?" Her father turned back to the Avatar, earning On Ji's eternal respect as he didn't flinch away from the anger, from the rage… No, he faced it.

The Avatar appeared to realize that he was dancing along a thin line of anger, and he physically took a step backward. The wind stopped once more.

"Yes." He whispered, and the pain was even more present in that one word than it had been in any of his sentences. Her father looked back once more at her, and now On Ji was sure he knew. He knew who Sapphire was. How could he not? The woman had been a very vocal supporter of the Avatar and the Traitor, had taken every opportunity to insult the princess, and had been very open about her disdain for people like the governor or Hide...

"Avatar Aang... I-"

"Orsu!" The new voice interrupted whatever her father had been saying, and the governor appeared behind them, exiting the town from the small door inside the gate. The Fire Nation girl could have screamed at him, if she was not so shocked that the man had actually come out. If he had come just a minute later… Agni, perhaps the Avatar would have learned that Katara was safe…

"What do you think you are doing?" The governor came to stand next to her father, "I rule this island, may I remember you?"

"Excuse me, Lord Governor… But you weren't here, and I thought I had at least-"

"You don't need to think. Agni, I would have come here if I wished to talk to… to them." The governor didn't look at the Avatar, but On Ji saw the slight layer of sweat on his forehead. Of course, that could because he had run up the gate or something… But she suspected it was for entirely different reasons.

"And you are?" Katara's brother spoke harshly. The governor turned to him, straightening. His eyes went up and down, probably judging whatever the man deserved an answer. His nose went up slightly, crinkling… As if he was smelling something bad.

"I'm Kantuno of Kirashi Island, the governor here. What is a Water Savage doing on my island?" The crudeness in the question shocked On Ji. Of course… Water Savages were beneath them… But the few times she had spoken to Water Tribe people, being Katara and her brother in disguise… She had liked them. And the waterbender had told her that Sokka was the most intelligent person she knew…

"This Water Savage is looking for his sister." The man answered, sounding not the least bit insulted by the name calling, "The other two savages are also looking for her. The Earth filth beside me wants to know where her friend is. The Kyoshi worshipper wants her friend back. And the Air Degenerate in front of you wants to know where his wife is."

On Ji had to resist laughing. Sokka had made the insult into a joke, one in which he insulted himself, his friends and his family… But the tone had made it a joke. Agni, she began to understand what Katara had meant. Her brother was able to make light of any situation, and yet sound completely serious.

"Air Degenerate." Kantuno laughed softly, "The last degenerate you mean. Agni, the world will be a better place once you are dead, just like the rest of your people."

That insult seemed to stir resentment in the ranks in front of them. The group didn't speak, but she saw Sokka ball his fists while the auburn-haired girl next to him had a look in her eyes that could kill.

"If you wish to insult me Lord Kantuno, you have to come up with something better. I already blame the death of my people on myself… You can't hurt me with that." The sombre tone in the Avatar's melodious voice made On Ji sad… Katara was right. He blamed himself for something he had no hand in… Just as she had said…

Meaning she had been right… It had been the Fire Nation that had killed the Air Nomads… Just because Lord Sozin had known the Avatar would stop him… They had killed a people just so that they would be able to conquer the world… The horrible realization hit her as if the wall had just crumbled down on her. They were not on the right side of this conflict… They should just surrender now…

As she looked at the Avatar, the Fire Nation girl saw that his eyes were looking up, to something behind them. As she watched him, the anger and rage came back, and the silver became grey like the clouds in the sky.

Turning around, she saw that a new banner hung from the wall, just above the gate… And On Ji knew why the Avatar had become angry. The new banner represented a three-pointed flame, gold on red… The Royal Standard… She had learned enough about her nation's history to know that that banner was usually used by the Fire Lord, or his immediate family… If what the group in front of them said was true, it couldn't be Lord Ozai's… And she seriously doubted that the traitor had betrayed his friends… So… That left Prince Iroh, who, if the rumours were true, would never betray his nephew…

Or…

Oh Agni…

"The Fire Lord Azula asks you kindly to leave her nation. If you are not gone by the end of the week, she will start to… Make good on her promise… Avatar Aang." The last two words were spoken with so much scorn in them that On Ji had to resist the temptation to hit her future father-in-law. How dared he!

But… That meant that the princess was in the town. And Katara was too…

On Ji had to decide now… Whatever to warn the Avatar that his love was in the town, safe and sound… Or to flee back into the town, warn Katara that the person who had been threatening her was here… Surrounded by thousands of soldiers… And the choice was simple… She couldn't leave the person that had been helping her… That had been her friend…

The air froze.

On Ji didn't know how to explain, but the temperature dropped considerably, and the air around them thinned, as if they were high up in the mountains. Something rumbled, but she didn't know what… Except that the ground trembled slightly. Looking towards the Avatar, she was shocked to see that the man stood straight, looking at that banner… With such fury… the likes, she had never seen.

"Buddy." She heard Sokka whisper, while grabbing the Avatar's arm. It was clear he was trying to calm down his friend, but the Avatar just shook off the kind gesture, stepping outside the Water Tribe warrior's reach.

"Has she been hurt?" The question came out in a soft whisper, and for some reason it made On Ji more afraid than shouting or screaming.

"That depends on you." The governor answered, turned his back towards the group, and walked back towards the gate.

That left the council members and her standing in front of the group, and On Ji knew they had to get away… before the Avatar really lost control. She had heard enough of Katara's stories to know that if he lost it, and the waterbender wasn't here to calm him… They would be dust against the town wall in a few seconds.

"Is it her?" She felt her father grab her arm, whispering so softly that she strained to hear it, "On Ji, answer me."

She nodded.

"Avatar Aang!" Her father spoke up, but the airbender whipped his head towards them with eyes filled with rage, making her take a step backwards.

"Get. Inside. That. Town." The Avatar growled. The softness and understanding of a few minutes ago had disappeared, and with that, he turned his back to them.

"Avatar Aang! I think you need to kn-"

"Know what?" The Air Nomad nearly spat, "Tell me, you think I need to know what? That this whole fucking situation is my fault? That I could have prevented it? That everything that is happening to Katara is my fault?" The contempt was palpable…. But not for them. Clearly, the Avatar blamed himself for whatever the Princess Azula had threatened to do…

The council members were hurrying inside, and looking over her shoulder, she saw that they were just out of earshot of them… If she wanted to warn Katara's friends… it was now…

"Kuzon." She spoke quietly, and the Avatar suddenly stared at her, the rage still in his eyes, but somewhat softened.

"On Ji." He spoke thinly, and beside him, the Fire Nation girl saw that Sokka had a look of realization in his eyes. He had clearly not identified her before now. Trying to ignore the surprised look of her father, she concentrated… What could she say that was clear enough, letting him understand that Katara was safe… But was cryptic enough to make sure that anyone who heard her would not think twice about it? They would already be asking themselves why she was talking to the Avatar… But to make sure the town stayed safe… The Avatar needed to know that Katara was not hurt…

"Sapphire says she misses you."

Answers:

Guest: You can look, it was not that horrible… for the moment lol!