Last Serenade

by AnumOfTheMoon

Sequel to Second Chances ...When not even death can separate them, Ozai and Katara try focusing on their children's needs but does that mean they'll be together. Or will Ozai decide his happiness lies elsewhere? Can they defeat Atsou with their hearts so heavy? And will they find peace at the end of this foreboding endgame? Only time will tell.

27. Chapter 27

A/N:

Alright, so those of you that watched Legend of Korra, most of Korra's teen journey is going to involve Katara instead of Tenzin for obvious reasons. Yes, Tezin is in this story but of course, he's not Katara's son though he is Aang's son with one of his three wives. I briefly introduced them early on in this story when Katara was living in the Fire Nation while Ozai was engaged to Ami. The story will definitely be different and have different outcomes but a lot will still play out the same.

Alrighty, now enjoy.

Chapter 23:

Chuckling as he couldn't seem to get his wife off of him, Ozai struggled to pull Katara's arms from around his middle as Zuko was trying to tug her away from him. Some of the guards and staff of the compound watched as the woman refused to let go of her husband. They would think after the two had spent an entire lifetime together that they'd want some space but clearly that was not the case. Zuko knew it mostly had to do with the fact that outside each other and the family, the two didn't have any friends. So, parting ways didn't feel like finally getting a break for the couple, it felt like parting with their life partner.

"I'll visit as much as possible, okay?" Ozai assured her.

"You promise?"

"I promise." He said as he kissed her.

Letting go of him, Katara settled beside Zuko as she watched Ozai open a portal as he didn't bother buying himself a round ticket back home. As he was gone, Zuko helped her carry her bags and trunk to the compound. There, he helped her settle into her quarters right by him and handed her a list of rules the White Lotus made just for them. All usage of their inhuman abilities was prohibited unless completely necessary. There were strict bathing hours, never past nightfall and never before sunrise. As for eating, no outside foods were allowed as the Avatar was given a very strict diet. Curfew for the compound was from 7am to 9pm. Furthermore, the Avatar was not allowed to leave from the compound without both approval from her father and the White Lotus.

The rules kind of made Katara raise a brow as she didn't quite understand the importance of the rules in relation to the Avatar as the Avatar should definitely be allowed to roam freely and eat whatever she pleased. But Zuko filled her in on how recently she had been kidnapped by members of the Red Lotus, a group of inhumans from Atsou's island that banned together in order to raise the new inhuman Avatar to work in their favor.

"I told your father that sparing those people would come back to bite us." Katara sighed as she rubbed her temple.

Zuko shook his head, "I can tell you that most of the inhumans from that island are living quite happily and peacefully on that island. Even though it is Fire Nation territory, I had allowed them to remain independent of Fire Nation rule and they have an island chieftain."

"Who?" Katara asked.

"Daikoku, your little friend." Zuko said with a smirk. "He asks about you."

Katara sighed as she sat on the edge of her bed. She hadn't thought about Daikoku since the day she left the South Pole after Mailan's funeral. He had come by to give his condolences and let her know that as an apology, he would do her three favors for free, anything. Grieving as she was, Katara asked him for nothing, barely said a word and returned home to be with her husband and young children.

Tilting her head, "Zuko, can I ask you something?"

Zuko nodded his head.

"Do you think the White Lotus wants to use this Avatar to 'deal' with our kind?" Katara asked.

Furrowing his brows, "What makes you think that?"

"For starters, they feel threatened by our family despite us having done all we have for the world in the last several decades. Not to mention, that stuff they said at the banquet. Your father and I discussed it already. He feels that whatever happens we will deal with it accordingly."

Zuko raised a brow, "You know what my father means by 'accordingly', Kat. That's not something we want to happen."

"I know but we must protect ourselves and our family from all threats." Katara explained as she stood back up.

"Sounds like that's the only reason you're here, Kat." Zuko eyed her suspiciously. "Is that why my father pushed you to teach the Avatar?"

Shaking her head, "No. He just wants this Avatar to be capable so that our family doesn't have to involve themselves in any world conflicts. Your father and I want out. This is our way out."

Zuko was a bit skeptical but not of Katara. He knew for a fact she wanted to live a peaceful life as his father always complained about her begging him to have more children with her. Katara just wanted to be a mom and surrounded by her children, which he kept explaining to Kya, Ryu, and Izumi. However, when it came to his father, Zuko doubted his sincerity. Sure, his father didn't want to deal with the kind of chaos that took place years ago but just because he gave up his throne, didn't mean he gave up his power and influence. Many people of the Phoenix Empire and elsewhere felt Ozai should still be revered as royalty. He had 'minions' all across the world. Zuko was very familiar with how his father's hand was still in the world of politics though he had convinced so many to believe he wanted no parts of it. It was Zuko's fear that his father had ulterior motives for why he wanted Katara to teach this Avatar.

Seeing that Zuko was convinced something was amidst, Katara tried to explain how his father was always busy at the factory playing with the gadgets and gizmos he and Hiroshi invented. She couldn't see how Ozai had time for anything else. If he wasn't at the factory, he was with her, living their immortal lives as husband and wife.

Sighing, "It's clear you don't trust us, Zuko, and I think that can be said for most people when they think of your father and me. But we really mean no harm. I didn't even want to do this. I only did so when your father pointed out it would help me be less bored with life."

"I know you mean well, Kat. You're not a devious mastermind like my father."

Snorting a laugh, "Your father hasn't been devious in decades, Zuko."

Zuko cut his eyes at her, "All these years with him and you still don't know who you're married to. That, or you just choose to not see."

Before Katara could say anything to that, Zuko walked up to her and kissed her forehead before leaving. She sighed to herself and shook her head. Zuko was clearly not convinced his father had given up that life. He was skeptical years ago when they announced they would step down. But that was nothing she could do anything about. All she needed to do was focus on training the Avatar and finding fulfillment in her life outside of her family. Even if there were things that she should be concerned with, she wasn't. At the end of the day, if things got ugly, she'd handle it. That simple.

….

"I promise, darling." Hiroshi chuckled as he kissed his wife and their daughter on the foreheads before he was on his way out to begin his morning at the factory.

Yasuko gave her husband a pout, "Are you sure, Hiroshi? Your step-mother might be okay with your father spending all his time at the factory but they have forever together. Every moment we get with you is a blessing, my love. I want to cherish it."

Hiroshi smiled at his wife and cupped her cheek before kissing her on the lips, earning a giggle from their daughter. "Yasuko, I promise I'll be home in time for dinner, okay?"

"Alright, I believe you." Yasuko smiled at him.

With that, Hiroshi got into his car and allowed his driver to take him outside the city limits to the factory where he saw his father was just pulling up to in the newest model sato-mobile they had worked on. Greeting his father with a warm smile.

"I'm surprised to see you're back so soon." Hiroshi chuckled as he saw his father stretching. "I thought for sure you'd be gone longer."

Ozai rubbed his neck a little, "Your mother would have preferred that but she's gotta have her own life outside of being my wife and you and your siblings' mother."

Hiroshi chuckled some more, "I think she enjoys being a wife and mother most of all."

"Yes but I need her to get past her baby fever. Otherwise, you're going to have a sibling that is going to be younger than your daughter." Ozai scoffed.

As the two entered the factory together, Hiroshi expressed wanting to have more children with Yasuko but Asumi was their miracle child as she was told she'd never have a child by the doctors. Maybe it was because his step-mother's love for family and doting on her loved ones rubbed off on him but Hiroshi wanted a large family. One as big as his father's and stepmother. However, he wanted it with Yasuko and since Yasuko was unlikely to give that to him, he would let go of that desire. But seeing as his step-mother wanted another child with his father, Hiroshi could understand.

The father and son duo got straight to work on a project they had both been tirelessly trying to complete for months. As they conversed, worked, and gave their employees orders to continue on already established projects, the two lost track of time. Hiroshi noticed that it was just an hour before he had to be home for dinner.

"Hey, dad, Yasuko wants me home for dinner. I think I should get going." Hiroshi told his father.

Ozai looked up from what he was working on with his goggles on, "We're nearly done, son. It won't take more than an hour."

"Yes, I get that but I've spent a lot of time here at the factory already. I should try to get home on time tonight." However, his father managed to convince him to stay for just one more hour and just at the hour mark, Hiroshi patted his dad's back before grabbing his coat to hurry off.

Arriving home, Hiroshi saw the police were all outside his mansion. He quickly parked his car and got out to see what was going on. As he walked up to the now closed off entrance of his home, police tried to stop him, stating it was the scene of a murder. Hiroshi's eyes widened as he shouted that this was his home and his wife and daughter were inside. Once the police realized this, the one in charge of the scene escorted him inside and explained there had been a home invasion. A petty criminal from one of the local gangs had broken into his home while his wife and daughter were at the dining room table awaiting him. From the account of his daughter, Yasuko thought it was him returning home from work. When it turned out to not be him, Yasuko screamed and the staff took Asumi away to safety but her scream caused the robber to attack. She was burned to a crisp.

Entering his home, Hiroshi looked in horror at the burnt body of his beautiful wife laid on the ground with a white sheet thrown over her. The pearl bracelet he had gotten her years ago when they first started seeing each other remained on her burnt wrist. He dropped to his knees and reached for his wife but stopped upon hearing his daughter's voice. Turning to the sound of it, Hiroshi saw his six year old daughter run to him and throw herself into his arms weeping. The two embraced and Hiroshi had never been more devastated in his life. Never.

It was damn near two o'clock in the morning when the staff came to his bed chambers to wake him. Ozai was about to shoo them off when they let him know it was Hiroshi and his granddaughter. Getting out of bed and throwing on his robes, Ozai followed his staff to the lounge of his mansion where his son and granddaughter were.

"Yasuko didn't put you out for being late, did she?" Ozai asked humorously as he entered.

Hiroshi looked up at his father with tear stained cheeks.

Furrowing his brows as he paused, "What? What happened?"

"Yasuko is dead." Hiroshi croaked. "There was a home invasion and a firebender killed her."

Ozai reached out to try and comfort his son but the man shook his head.

"Could you put us up for a little while?" Hiroshi asked. "I can't bring myself to stay at our home."

"Of course, son." Ozai said as his son rose to his feet holding Asumi to him. "Come, we have plenty of rooms. Stay as long as you like."

…

"Wake up, Kat." Zuko nudged Katara as she was still curled up in her sheets sleeping soundly.

The waterbender groaned tiredly as she stirred from her peaceful sleep and cracked her eyes open to see Zuko was trying to wake her.

"Come on, get up. Breakfast is nearly over and we're about to start our tasks for the day with training the Avatar." Zuko told her.

Pouting as she sat up with her bed messy hair, Katara swatted Zuko out of her face and ignored how he was eyeing her. She stretched before standing up out of bed, the covers falling off of her, revealing she was completely naked underneath. Zuko looked away and yelled at her to cover up, which she was a bit offended by.

"Your father says I look even better than I did when I was eighteen." Katara scoffed at Zuko as she went behind her divider to change her clothes.

Zuko rolled his eyes and focused on the divider she was changing behind. "My father is your husband. I am your friend that you forget tries very hard not to steal you back from him. The last thing I need is to see you naked right now."

Katara snorted a laugh as she got dressed, "Oh, Zuko, we are going to have tons of fun, you and I."

"I really don't like the sound of that." Zuko said as he could just hear the mischief in her voice.

After the waterbender was dressed, Zuko handed her a breakfast biscuit to eat that he had snuck out of the dining hall since he knew she wasn't going to make good time. She ate it and kissed his cheek before she tugged him along with her to where they needed to be. When they got there, it appeared everyone had been waiting on them and the two of them felt a little embarrassed at their tardiness.

One of the White Lotus members standing in front of everyone in the courtyard eyed them both coldly. "I'm glad you both could finally make it. Unlike you two, the rest of us don't have all the time in the world."

Zuko and Katara averted their eyes.

"Back to what we were discussing," the other White Lotus member started. "We will do lessons in accordance with the Avatar cycle. Since Korra is the Avatar of the Water Tribes, her bending instructions with water will take place first, followed by earthbending lessons, then firebending, and lastly, airbending. Before her bending lessons begin for the day, she will have academic instruction for the first five hours of the day."

"Furthermore," another Lotus member spoke up. "The Avatar will be tested on her progress with each element. This will allow her to assess how well she is being taught and if she needs more improvements or even a new instructor."

As a few more announcements were made, the White Lotus in charge of this compound approached Katara and Zuko. They were reprimanded for being tardy on their first day and told that if they continued this behavior, it would get them replaced. Katara was also informed that the young Avatar had just finished up her academic lessons.

Parting ways with Zuko, Katara told him she'd see him later as the Lotus members escorted her to where she'd begin her waterbending instruction with the Avatar. Arriving to an area of the courtyard that had the symbol of the Water Tribes on it, Katara got a little excited to meet the little girl. Aside from Zuko telling her that the little girl was not at all like Aang, she really didn't know what to expect since no one ever talked about her outside her being the Avatar.

As Katara stood alongside the White Lotus members, she saw a group of lotus guards approaching with a small girl walking in the center of their grouped up formation. When the guards parted to reveal the Avatar, Katara was surprised to see a cute little Water Tribe girl with a toddler belly poking out from her parka. It couldn't be helped that the waterbender smiled at how cute the little girl was.

"Avatar Korra, this will be your waterbending instructor, Lady Yong." A White Lotus member introduced the Avatar to her water instructor.

Bowing respectfully, "It is an honor to meet you, Sifu Yong." The little girl greeted her teacher.

Giggling at how incredibly cute the small child was, "Please, call me Katara, Avatar Korra." Katara replied sweetly. "It is a pleasure to be meeting you finally."

"Alright, we'll leave you both to begin your lessons."

Once the Lotus members left, Katara opened her mouth to begin talking but the Avatar beat her to the punch.

"Sifu Katara, I've got a question!" The small child shouted.

"Ask away." Katara beamed at the cute little girl.

"If I finish up all my bending lessons will I get to leave the compound and make friends?" Korra asked. "My papa and the lotus people won't tell me yet."

Katara's smile slowly melted at this as she looked at the small child. She forgot the Avatar wasn't allowed out of the compound unless both her father and white lotus agreed on it. That didn't sound right to her when she first heard it but it sounded even worse coming from the little girl. However, Katara didn't know the answer to that question. All she could do was tell her that as long as she got stronger, then no one could stop her from leaving the compound.

Cheerfully beaming at her water instructor, Korra told Sifu Katara that she would train hard to make sure she got strong enough to leave the compound.

Their lessons last about two hours before Korra was given a break before her next instruction. Katara had to fight the urge to pat the little girl's head affectionately as it was her nature to do so. Everyone she trained was either her child or someone she saw as her child and it wasn't hard for her to look at Korra the same way. She looked very similar to all her children that could waterbend. She had Kya's confidence, Ryu's excitement to learn, Mailan's cuteness, and Yukino's studiousness. Oh, Katara was fighting hard not to hold this cute little girl in her arms and plant kisses on her. She knew it was even more difficult with the fact that she had baby fever but she would have to restrain herself.

However, the little girl ran up to her and hugged her legs. "Thank you, Sifu Katara."

Losing her resolve, Katara patted the cute little Avatar's head. "No problem, Korra. Keep up the good work and you'll be out of here in no time."

A few weeks passed without Katara realizing it as she had become invested in her role as water instructor to the Avatar. Despite only having two hours to train Korra everyday, Katara was allowed to sit with her during her academic instructions as Korra had requested she be present with her. It was an odd request but the lotus obliged the Avatar since it was a simple request. With the extra time she had with Korra, the two of them hit it off as Korra wanted a friend and Katara wanted a child to dote on. The other instructors took notice of this and snubbed Katara, with the exception of Zuko. He simply expressed that she needn't get so attached to the child but Katara couldn't help it and Zuko didn't have to think too hard to know exactly why.

"Wow! So you traveled around the world with my past life to learn and teach waterbending to him?" Korra was absolutely amazed.

Katara nodded her head as the two of them were bending the water ribbon back and forth. "Me and your Sifu Zuko traveled with him. Only, Sifu Zuko was our enemy at first but when he became our friend, he was a great help."

Korra giggled at this, "Sifu Zuko says that Avatar Aang had a crush on you."

"Well, so did Sifu Zuko." Katara told the small child and laughed as the little girl was mind blown.

"Really?!" Korra asked.

"I'll tell you more when you're older, okay?" Katara smiled.

Korra smiled back, "Okay, Sifu Katara."

When their lessons ended, Katara left the training area and saw Zuko approach her with a hard look on his face.

"What's wrong?" She asked right away.

Zuko pulled a letter out from his sleeves and handed it to her.

Katara snatched it and read it right away, learning that Hiroshi's wife was killed in a home invasion. It was dated to the day after Ozai left. She didn't understand why he hadn't just come here himself to tell her or reach out to her by the firepit. Hell, he could have even called her. There were a few telephones around the compound and even at her grandmother's home.

"I need to go." Katara said.

"Make sure to leave the compound if you're going to open a portal." Zuko reminded her of the rules.

Nodding, Katara took off and left the compound.

….

Ozai was in the middle of showing his granddaughter how to build a toy train at the patio table in the courtyard of his mansion when he noticed from the corner of his eye that there was someone climbing out of the fountain.

"You finally got the letter." Ozai said without looking up from what he was doing.

Asumi looked up to see her grandmother and beamed at her as she sat in her grandfather's lap. "Hi, Grandma!" She sang.

Katara warmly greeted her granddaughter and kissed her cheek before placing her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Where's Hiroshi?" She asked him.

"In the dojo." Ozai told her as he didn't look her way.

Not bothering to analyze why her husband didn't care to make eye contact with her, Katara went off to find her son and caught sight of him in the dojo punching the punching bag. She paused as she could see he had tears in his eyes as he looked murderously at the punching bag. Calling out to him, Katara watched him turn his head to look at her and in that moment, she watched anguish wash over his features. Rushing to him, the waterbender took him into her arms and held him tight.

"It's okay." Katara cried as she held him to her. "It's okay, Hiroshi. We're here for you, my love."

Later that day, Ozai had found his wife in the kitchen fixing dinner for Hiroshi and Asumi. Kicking the staff out of the kitchen, the firebender walked up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her middle, pressing his lips on the nape of her neck.

"How long are you back for?" He asked her.

"Just tonight." Katara told him as she added some more seasoning to the food after tasting it.

Pressing himself up against her, "I've missed you, waterbender."

Not phased by his advances, "This is not the time, Ozai. Hiroshi just lost his wife. It's insensitive for us to even think about doing 'that' while they're trying to mourn their loss."

"We can keep the noise down." Ozai tried convincing her.

Swatting him away, Katara scowled at him as she waved the cooking spoon in his face. "I said no, Ozai."

Sighing as he eased off of her and apologized, Ozai swept his hand up into his hair. "It's not been easy without you here. Even in spite of Yasuko's death. I've gotten very used to you being next to me when I wake up and seeing your side of the bed empty is difficult."

Smiling at her husband, "For a man that likes to act tough all the time, you really have your cute moments." Katara giggled at him. "Come see me in the South Pole sometime. I can't really leave for long."

Ozai nodded and agreed to visit as soon as he was sure Hiroshi and Asumi would be alright. His wife reached up to kiss him and he attempted one last time to convince her to have a night of passion with him now but she bit his lip, telling him that she would make it up to him when he visited next.

When Katara returned back to the South Pole, she realized it was too late for her to return to the compound and decided to stay at her grandmothers' home. They welcomed her in and asked how Hiroshi was doing as they caught word from Zuko. She let them know that Ozai was handling it as Hiroshi and Asumi were staying at the estate with him. They didn't seem too confident that Ozai was the best candidate to help Hiroshi and she somewhat agreed as Ozai didn't handle grieving and mourning very well. He was able to shut a certain part of himself off like a switch and be detached to the situation. She watched him do it with Mailan. While she knew his heart was broken as he loved Mailan dearly, like he loved all the children, he wasn't able to grieve properly. He never allowed himself to. It was her hope that he didn't approach Hiroshi with this being the solution.

Hiroshi was human and very much in touch with that fact. They had offered to make him immortal but he wanted to remain with his humanity intact. Katara understood what he meant as due to the fact the rest of them had immortality, they had lost one of the more precious elements of humanity and that was appreciation for the small things. They no longer valued the things they once did because they had forever to enjoy the splendors of the world. One of those splendors was living each day like it could be the last. Hiroshi didn't want to lose his appreciation for life by becoming immortal.

Ozai, however, was the complete opposite of his son in that regard. He didn't care about life or death. Even before he began reaching an inhuman age. His cynical worldview had been there even before she met him. Of course, she understood why. Her husband suffered a lot in his youth and by the time he was an adult and lived to become some being that could not age or be killed, he already liked in appreciation for life. Ozai toyed with death a lot. She remembered hearing about it happening when she had gone into her deep sleep but he had started back up in recent years. Using himself as a practice dummy for his machine and letting Yukino try out medicines on him for clinical trials. Whenever he'd go into the city and was getting robbed since he wasn't always recognizable, Ozai would refuse to let them rob him, letting them shoot him with that awful weapon Atsou invented so many years ago. Hell, some nights, she'd stay up until he returned home from a ride and would find that he had driven off the cliff of the mountain to their estate just for the hell of it.

Ozai didn't value life and Hiroshi did. Yasuko's death to Hiroshi was the loss of the only woman he had ever loved. It was a tragedy because there was no way to bring her back from the grave. She was gone until it was his time to pass on. It was this reason that Hiroshi wanted to remain human, so he could eventually return to his love. Yasuko's death to Ozai was just the reality of humanity. Just another lost human life. It was no different from many of the other deaths that he had come to witness over the years. But Katara wouldn't blame that completely on his immortality. The era that the two of them came from was full of carnage and warfare, they saw plenty of deaths. Probably more in that time than throughout the more peaceful halves of their lives. It was Ozai's loss of appreciation for life, that she believed that he may not be fit to help Hiroshi during this time and it would only create a disconnect between the two of them, distancing them.

A few weeks went by and Katara had just finished training Korra in waterbending for a day. She figured since the little girl had already had a long day that she'd get her to take a break before her next instructor came to train her. They shared some fruit that Katara snuck into the compound for Korra to try. She always felt bad about how the little girl hadn't been allowed to live outside the compound and be a normal kid. So, she always looked for ways to remind her that despite her powers that she was still human.

"Sifu Katara, can I ask you something?" Korra asked as her little legs dangled off the side of the bench they were sitting on.

"Yup, what's up?" Katara smiled at the little girl.

Korra sighed and looked up at the sky, "What was it like when you were a little girl?"

"Ah, well, it was like….-" Katara tilted her head to the side a bit as she tried to recall. "It was…different. A lot different from now and….I don't actually recall too well what it was like too much." She chuckled awkwardly as she realized it was very difficult trying to remember. "So much has happened in my life. I've lived a long life."

Korra chuckled, "So even though you look really young, you're actually an old lady."

"I guess so." Katara giggled.

Patting Korra on the head as she got ready to leave, Katara was headed to her chambers when White Lotus members approached her to let her know someone was here to see her and that she could take the next few days off from her duties in the compound. A little confused, Katara decided to not question anything and went to the compound gates where she found her husband standing in his winter clothes, bundled up with his scarf wrapped up to the lower half of his face. She squealed in glee as she ran up to him to hug him, his arms catching her as they tumbled into the snow.

"Ozai!" She giggled as she hugged him. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming for a visit?"

Ozai pulled his scarf down from his mouth, "I wrote you and tried calling you but clearly no one wanted me contacting you. Not to mention, that compound has wards and crystals blocking me from using any inhuman abilities to contact you. So, I decided to just show up."

The two stood to their feet and Katara bended the snow off of them.

"Well, the Lotus is giving me a few days off to spend with you. So, I guess they want me to keep you in a good mood while you're here." Katara said.

"Great. I've got a suite at the resort."

Deciding to take a few of her things with her, Katara headed to the suite with Ozai and settled her things down in the bedroom. She was about to ask how things were going but that would have to wait as her husband was eager to make up for lost time and get her in bed. He smashed his lips to hers and tore off her clothes with his long nails, shredding them. A shiver traveled up her spine as she felt his nails graze against her skin as they devoured one another's lips.

In bed, Katara was enjoying very much how her husband's neediness took over and had them both reaching their climax repeatedly. He could be insatiable at times and she always worried in the back of her head if it would get the better of him and he'd step out on her. But he never once had been unfaithful to her. Many of his conquests took place during times they were not together. But in the few decades they had been married, he had only ever sought her out.

When they were all spent and cuddled up under the sheets, Katara giggled as he nuzzled himself up against her breasts as he rested his head just below them on her stomach and clung to her. Her fingers raked through his short ear length hair as she smiled a little at how cute her husband was.

"How's Hiroshi been?" She asked him.

Ozai groaned, "He decided to return to his home with Asumi after I asked if they wanted to come to the South Pole to get away from the city."

"How was he before that?"

Ozai shrugged, "I don't know. I tried to get him to take up some distractions and put it all behind him but he wasn't really receptive. He just kept visiting the cemetery with Asumi and spending all his time with her, he wouldn't even take my offer to take my granddaughter out to cheer her up."

Katara sighed as she combed her fingers through his hair and explained that Hiroshi was human, that he was taking loss to heart far more than they did. She told him to be more sensitive to what Hiroshi was feeling but Ozai admitted not knowing how. She pulled him up to her and cupped his face as she looked up at the man she had spent all her life with.

"What do you mean you don't know how?"

Ozai shrugged, "There's no point in crying over things that can't change. There is nothing that can be done."

Furrowing her brows, "But it doesn't make it any less heartbreaking when it happens, Ozai."

"No but I can't give way to melancholy. I have an eternity to live, Katara. I don't want to be miserable in those days." Ozai said as he moved himself off of her.

Sitting up with him, "I understand that but you are still human, Oz-"

"I am not human, Katara. I haven't been human in over sixty years. You were there. You know." Ozai pointed out to her. "Neither of us are humans. None of our children or grandchildren are humans. Technically, Hiroshi isn't either. He still has the trait of a phoenix despite not having any bending. Fire doesn't burn him, he can use sources of fire and electricity to see and communicate with other inhumans. All it would take is a siren unlocking those powers for him and he'd be one of us."

Katara looked at her husband as she could see why Hiroshi left. "You offered him immortality again, didn't you?"

Realizing he had been caught, Ozai averted his eyes from her. "Well…he's my son. I wanted-"

"Yes, 'you' wanted, he doesn't. That's probably why he didn't want you alone with Asumi. She's of your bloodline too, so she can also be turned." Katara furrowed her brows at him as she folded her arms. "You promised Hiroshi that you'd never force your will on him, Ozai. You promised."

"And I've kept that promise."

"But you offered him something that his human side would appeal to in his vulnerable state. What if he agreed in his moment of weakness and then once he finally had clarity of mind, regretted his decision? What could be done then? He'd be an immortal like you."

"Like us."

Katara shook her head and as she looked at him with a somber smile, "No, Ozai. I'm not immortal like you. You, Azula, Kya, Zhiar, and Izumi are truly immortal. And one day, whether we are killed or die from old age hundreds of years from now, there will come a time where you all will live a life beyond us. The immortality you're offering Hiroshi and Asumi, is forever. At least for the rest of us, we know one day will be our last, so we still cling to what is precious. You've already let that go, Ozai, because you know that the only constant thing in this world is that you can never die. Even when you want to."

Ozai looked down at her with furrowed brows, "What if there was a way to make you and everyone else in our family immortal like me?"

Chuckling at the idea, "There isn't a way, Ozai."

"But what if there was?"

The waterbender didn't even give it a thought before she replied, "I don't want to be immortal like you, Ozai."

"Why not?!" He was taken aback and offended by her remark. "We'd be together forever. I wouldn't live a life without you. Isn't that what you want?"

Katara nodded, "I want that, Ozai. I want to always be with you but not at the expense of what little humanity I have left. I would much rather we die together, Ozai. I'd prefer that."

Ozai simply looked at her with a disheartened expression as he climbed out of the bed and went into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Katara sighed to herself as she laid back into bed.

Later that night, Katara was woken up by Ozai, who had come to apologize for getting upset earlier. She told him it was fine and that he didn't have to apologize. He leaned down to kiss her lips and as his hands went to grab her wrists to pin them above her head, the waterbender noticed that she could taste blood. It had been a long time since she had tasted his blood as she had found out that if she consumed it, for a short time she'd actually end up having some of his abilities. Hama told them to stop sharing blood as he could momentarily use siren powers and she could use phoenix powers. It was a phenomenon that only took place between inhumans that had been sharing bodily fluids with one another and had begun sharing blood. It never lasted past a few hours but could become permanent if they shared a large amount of blood and died with it in their system. They hadn't shared blood since finding this out.

However, at the moment, she felt seduced by the taste of his blood. Kalhime told her that one of her unique abilities was to heal herself through sucking the life force from another. But Katara learned she was a little different, she did the same but with blood and she didn't always take blood to heal herself. It was more of a thing she did out of actually enjoying the taste. Granted, she had never taken blood from anyone but Ozai. So, at the moment, she was struggling not to get turned on and actively consume it from him.

Pulling her lips from him as she turned her head, "Ozai, your lip is bleeding." She told him.

"Doesn't matter." He said as he grabbed her jaw and forced his lips back on her.

Katara tried ignoring it but it got to be too much, especially when she already wanted to saddle her husband again after being away from him for so long. She decided it wouldn't be all bad if she indulged a little. So, as she flipped him over on his back and mounted him, rolling her hips sensually above him. He sat up while she rode him and she leaned down to the nape of his neck to draw a little blood. She told herself she would just nibble on him a little bit but it was a little more than a nibble and she got so carried away that Ozai had to pull her off of him as he started growing weak. When she tried using her strength on him to get him back down to continue as she now was suffering from her bloodlust, Ozai snapped her neck.

Panting above her as he tried getting himself together after she nearly sucked him dry, Ozai climbed out of the bed and stared at the lifeless body of his wife. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. It wasn't exactly known to him how long it would take for her to come back or what other abilities of his she would inherit but all he knew was he wasn't about to let her get what she wanted. Not at his expense. He wasn't going to lose her. Not ever. Not ever again.

It took a few hours and him worrying that something went wrong, Katara finally got back up from where she had been laying. She rubbed her head and looked around to see Ozai looking down at her in concern.

"Wh-what happened?" She groaned.

"You lost control and tried to drain me completely. I got you by your pressure point and you passed out." Ozai explained.

Katara sighed, "I'm sorry, Ozai. It's just been a while since we did something like that. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Cupping her face as he sat beside her and caressed her cheek with his thumb, "It's okay, waterbender. I'm just glad we get to spend our lives together."

The following morning, Katara sat in Ozai's lap and fed him as she was the doting wife. Anything she could do to show her affection and devotion, she would do so. She had already given him a morning massage and bathed him as they got intimate in the tub. After she dressed him, she got the resort to send up room service and was now making sure he didn't have to lift a finger. Of course, their little time alone together was cut short as a portal was opened in the dining area of their suite. Katara sighed as she continued feeding her husband as Zuko stepped through the portal and raised a brow at the sight.

"What do you want, Zuko?" Ozai asked.

Glancing from his father to Katara, "Chieftain Tonraq wants to speak with you. He asked that you come immediately."

Katara sighed and kissed her husband's forehead before getting up to go over to Zuko. She took his hand and he pulled her through the portal with him. When she appeared on the other side, she saw she was in front of the Chieftain's home and followed Zuko up the steps of the palace. Inside, they headed to the private offices of the Chieftain and there, the Chieftain was waiting for her.

"Lady Yong," Tonraq said as he rose to his feet. "I'm glad you could meet with me on short notice."

Folding her arms as she shifted her weight onto one leg and eyed the Chieftain like he had some nerve, "I was in the middle of spending some quality time with my husband and as a man that is married, I imagine you wouldn't want your wife pulled away from you when she was pampering you. So what is it? What is so important that you've decided to summon me?"

Setting his brows as he was really needing to get used to the attitudes of Southern Water Tribe women, "I'll cut to the chase. There has been word of a rising cult that is opposed to benders and even more, detest the existence of inhumans. Word has gotten around that the new Avatar is an inhuman and it has raised concerns amongst the masses, causing even more to follow this cult." The Chieftain explained.

"The equalist." Katara groaned as she rubbed her brows. "Yes, Ozai and I are familiar with them. They are sort of our faults."

Zuko and the Chieftain raised a brow.

"Not in the way you think. We did nothing to anyone but when we moved to the estate we built at the top of the mountain just outside the city limits, it got out that we were moving into it. They felt threatened by us and our presence. We noticed about a year into us moving there that there were flyers with the equalist logo and mantra being chanted." Katara explained. "Ozai and I looked into it but found they were nothing to be concerned about. At most, it was table talk for non-bending families to discuss and an idea that helped bridge non benders together as most of the elemental benders in the city got along for the most part. They don't even have a leader or a big enough following to pose a threat."

Tonraq furrowed his brows, "Are you sure?"

"Very." Katara sighed. "And if it turns into something else, just know Ozai and I already plan to deal with it. Both as benders and inhumans. Only reason we didn't make a move against them is because we'd only give them more reason to fear us and it could make the situation worse. "

Tonraq felt his fear had eased a little, "I guess you two would be the type to squash a group if they were a threat."

Katara nodded. "Was that all?"

Tonraq nodded.

Turning to Zuko, "Take me back to my husband, Zuko."

Zuko nodded and showed Katara out the palace before opening a portal as using inhuman powers in the palace was forbidden. Before she left to go spend some time with his father, he had a few words for her.

"You shouldn't undermine groups like this, Katara. They might not pose a threat but that way of thinking is not good for anyone." Zuko told her.

Katara rolled her eyes, "They aren't going to hurt anyone."

Zuko sighed, "And I'm sure it was just a harmless belief and pride that a few Fire Nation people felt nearly two hundred years ago. But you know how that turned out. I say you tell father to keep a close eye on it."

"Sure, Zuko." Katara was not convinced.

….

~Thirteen Years Later~

Katara sat with the members of the White Lotus and the other instructors as Korra showed off all her moves, proving to be an avatar that was even more fully realized than her past life at this age. She was amazing in her fluidity of movement and how she was able to wield the elements all at once without needing to enter the Avatar state. While the White Lotus members were observing and notating her show of power, Katara was just watching in awe at her student.

"She's incredible." Katara blurted out without meaning to.

Zuko chuckled at her comment as the lotus members side eyed her.

"She's unbalanced." One of the members scoffed. "Everything she has in physical strength, she lacks in spirituality. That cannot be."

Katara rolled her eyes as Zuko chimed in.

Watching his student flourish in her firebending as much as she did with water, "Aang was anything but balanced. He was nothing but a spiritual being and the world had to be saved by me and Katara's family." He turned to look at a few of them. "Korra will be as capable as we promised we'd make her. Spirituality is lacking because it hasn't been taught to her. You wanted her to be a master in all the elements and she is. We as her instructors have done our jobs."

"Avatar Aang might not have been balance but we can't send a powerful inhuman Avatar out into the world causing more damage than was already present. She needs to at least learn restraint."

Furrowing her brows, "What do you mean you can't send her out into the world? I thought we agree several years ago that once she was physically strong enough to protect herself then she'd be allowed to leave the compound."

"And she will leave the compound, just not the South Pole."

"She lacks spiritually because you have her torn away from everything spiritual to learn in this stone cold prison cell!" Katara spat angrily.

Zuko placed his hand on her shoulder and told her to continue watching Korra's physical exam. She reluctantly let up her scowl in order to remain in a pleasant mood for Korra's sake but by the end of the physical exam, Katara shoved one of the old fucks and hurried over to Korra.

"You did wonderful, Korra!" Katara said gleefully as she approached her.

The seventeen year old beamed and rushed to throw her arms around her water instructor. "I couldn't have done it without you, Sifu Katara."

Zuko chuckled at the two of them as he stood to the side of them and mused at how Korra was so much bigger than Katara.

"And you too, Sifu Yong." Korra smiled widely as she rubbed the back of her neck.

"I already know Katara is your favorite." Zuko smirked at the two of them. "I know all about how she's been sneaking outside foods and snacks in for you all these years."

The two chuckled awkwardly as they had been caught red handed.

"But don't worry. My lips are sealed."

As the White Lotus came over to let the Avatar know to follow them in order to discuss her results, Zuko pulled Katara away with him as he saw she wanted to follow in order to advocate for Korra. He took her to his chambers and fixed some tea that his uncle sent him.

"You know, it's okay that you care so much for the Avatar." Zuko said. "You cared a lot about Aang too."

Katara sipped her tea and shook her head as a smile pulled to her lips, "It's a little more than that, Zuko."

"It is?" He raised his brow.

Nodding her head, "When I first came here, I wasn't happy because it had been my hope your father would consider having another child with me but when he and the Lotus warned me against it, I felt a little depressed. Everyone but Hiroshi and Kya are sterile, so no grandkids for me. But, Korra, she was just this cute and adorable little girl that was all alone here. Sure, her parents came to visit from time to time but I was here mostly and I mothered her like I did all the children. Plus, she's an inhuman siren and we gravitate to our own."

Zuko figured early on that that was the case.

"But now she's older and our time here has come to an end." Katara dropped her head a little. "Your father told me thirteen years ago that children aren't pets. They grow up and they grow apart from us. I understand what he meant. I just want to hold all my children again but I can't, they're all adults and have moved on with their lives. If I want something to hold, I should get a pet."

Zuko sighed as he felt bad for Katara. Her nature and her existence was at war with itself. He was sure if she had had the choice to remain human and live a normal life, that she would have chosen that. Katara had reverted back to her original self shortly after she and his father stepped down from the monarchy. She didn't care about power or reigning over others with authority. She just wanted to enjoy life like all living creatures did. She wanted to live, love, and share merry laughter. And in the thirteen years they had been here teaching the Avatar, he saw his old friend whom he thought he lost many years ago. She was still fiery as always but she was much more gentaler, much less monstrous. Katara had a bleeding heart and it resurfaced when she began mothering another Avatar. This was probably one of the best things to have happened in her recent life because the old Katara had returned and found it harder than it had been in a long time not to fall for her again.

A few months after Mailan's death, Kalhime took over as Katara wasn't able to cope with her daughter's death at the time and the siren queen had to surface in order to protect her host from offing herself. It was around this time that the siren showed up in the Fire Nation and offered to make him fall out of love with Katara. He didn't want to at first but he recalled all his heartache over the years and let her do it for him. From that point forward, Zuko was able to move on and no longer see Katara in that way. While he did care about her no differently than before, he wasn't in love with her, so it stopped hurting to see her with his father all the time. However, some of those feelings of romance started returning shortly after working here with her to once again teach the Avatar.

Forcing himself to look away from Katara, "What are your plans for when you return home?"

"I'm not sure actually." Katara admitted. "I haven't seen any of the kids besides Hiroshi since I've been here. I think I'll travel with Ozai for a bit to check on all the kids."

Zuko nodded, "Of course, your first thought would be the kids but aside from that, what are your plans?"

Katara didn't know. She wanted to first see all of her kids and then spend some time being a good wife to her husband. As far as anything outside of that, she didn't know. There was so much for her to do but she kind of felt out of place in this new world without the task of saving or ruling over others. She was having to relearn herself and what she wanted. Realistically, she could ponder on this forever if she wanted to, she had all the time in the world and maybe she would do that. But in the meantime, perhaps she should take one day at a time until her path is a little more clear.

Later that day, Katara was packing up her things when Korra stopped by her chambers, looking like a sad puppy. The waterbender sighed before chuckling and gesturing for the young Avatar to enter. As Korra came in, she took a seat on Katara's bed and gazed down at her hands.

"Will you be returning back to the South Pole again?" Korra asked.

Katara smiled as she continued packing, "Of course, this is my birth place."

"In this lifetime?" Korra looked up at her instructor.

Turning a knowing look to the young woman, "For you, I'll come visit every weekend if you ask me." Katara told her.

"I doubt your husband will be okay with that." Korra sighed. "Aside from all the harsh things people say about him, I can tell he won't take kindly to you leaving every weekend to see me. My parents say they feel bad for you whenever he visits."

Katara giggled and shook her head, "And why's that?"

"Because you're so much smaller than he is." Korra giggled.

Rolling her eyes as she closed her trunk and locked it up, "But that makes it all the more fun when he and I are preforming our marital duties together."

"EW!" Korra squealed as she laughed.

Joining in her laughter, Katara told Korra that one day she'd meet someone and would be doing that with them. Korra tried to say none of the guys would ever look at her because she wasn't like the other girls. She wasn't petite or flimsy or docile or any of the things that other women were. Guys would be afraid that she'd manhandle them or make them look less than.

Patting Korra's shoulders as she took a seat beside her, "When I met my husband, I was a master waterbender but I was incredibly weaker than him. During that time, he was not kind to me even though we did fall in love before the war ended. It wasn't until I got stronger and kicked his ass that he learned to respect me."

Korra looked wide eyed at Katara, "Really?!"

Katara nodded her head, "Since you're old enough, I'll tell you all about my youth and how me and my husband survived the last several decades."

Excited, Korra turned to listen to her water instructor talk about her life and past that had only ever been vaguely referred to over the last few years. She only ever knew the common details and a few personal ones about her teacher. It had always been her desire to get closer to Sifu Katara as she was the only teacher that ever saw her as more than the Avatar. Sifu Katara always said she was a person, a human, first and an Avatar second as Korra had always felt her identity was solely based on her duty to the world. Not only that but Sifu Katara always looked out for her and stood up to the White Lotus members on her behalf. Korra felt more seen by Sifu Katara than her own parents and she had always been very curious about the personal life of the water siren.

After spending a while talking about her past and answering many of Korra's questions, Katara ended everything on a good note. "I'll be honest, Korra. I was nervous about becoming the water instructor of the Avatar again. I felt as though after everything that happened in my life, that I could never go back to being the old me again. And I was right about that as I'll never be the old me again but…I could return to doing something I enjoyed and that was investing in the future through helping the Avatar." Katara smiled as she placed her hand on Korra's shoulder. "But you're so much more than the Avatar, Korra. Please, no matter what, never forget that. Sometimes we lose ourselves to what we are, who people tell us we are, and who we think we are. But in what I've learned in the years I've lived is that it's kind of impossible to really know who you are. Sure, you are you but that can't really be put into words as we're always changing. All I can say is live life and do what makes you happy and never let what you are get in the way of who you are." She chuckled. "You might not know what I mean now, Korra, but one day, I know you will."

Korra beamed at Katara.

Reaching over to kiss Korra's forehead and running her hand over her head. "This isn't goodbye, Korra. You'll see me around. As one siren to another siren, we all stick together. M'kay?"

Korra nodded, "Okay, Sifu Katara. I'll see you around."

The two stood and bowed to each other out of respect before Katara took her luggage out and saw Zuko waiting for her in the courtyard. She waved goodbye to Korra as she exited out of the compound and when the gates closed, Katara saw Korra's smile falter a little. She sighed to herself and noticed Zuko staring sympathetically at her.

"If you want we can stop at the pet store and get you one of those white fur cats, we can." Zuko told her.

Katara sighed and shook her head, "No, it's fine. Besides, Ozai doesn't want to keep pets after Lele's passing."

"Well, if you change your mind, let me know." Zuko chuckled as he began shapeshifting into his dragon form.

…..

"Yes, yes, I'll see to it that your company receives a sizeable shipment for expanding the market for automobiles in the Fire Nation." Ozai said over the phone in his cigar room. "Thank you, yes, I'll inform you when the shipment is on its way."

Hanging up the phone and gesturing for the maid to take it back to the kitchen, Ozai took a puff out of his cigar before picking up his glass of whiskey. He was lounging in his favorite seat with his leg crossed over his knee while listening to the radio go on about the pro-bending sport he had taken interest in. Apparently, the team he had sided with wasn't doing too well tonight as the teammate for the earthbending got switched out. Just as the door to his cigar room opened, Ozai threw his glass at the wall beside the door and swore in anger as the other team scored a winning victory over his team.

"Agni damnit!" He hissed.

Entering, Katara and Zuko looked at the man in curiosity.

Seeing the two, Ozai was a bit caught off guard as he quickly turned off the radio as his wife eyed the radio upon hearing the announcement on it for pro-bending. Her brow raised as she folded her arms and switched her weight to one hip.

"Were you listening to that garbage again, Ozai?" Katara sounded very displeased with this.

Not wanting to be around the two when they argued, Zuko kissed Katara on her temple and told her he was leaving because shooting his father a wave before dipping out.

Rubbing his neck as he averted his eyes from his wife, "It's entertainment, Katara. I don't see why you have such a problem with it."

Katara walked up to the radio and yanked the cord out of the back of it in order to damage it enough where he couldn't use it again, "Ozai, pro-bending goes against the traditional ways of bending. A lot of these benders aren't even properly trained or have been taught by a master. They're- They're-"

"They're innovative in the art of bending, dear. You'd know that if you didn't refuse going to one of the games downtown with Zhiar and I."

Rolling her eyes as she carried the broken radio over to the trashcan and dumped it, "I'm not entertaining that garbage in this house. You want to digest that trash, go to the bar or anywhere but this house."

Ozai sucked his teeth, "A house you've barely lived in for thirteen years."

"BECAUSE YOU WANTED ME TO TEACH THE FUCKING AVATAR!" Katara shouted at him.

Ozai could see his wife was not in a good mood despite her being back home for good now that the Avatar was fully trained. Sighing as he felt he should just be agreeable in order to appease her until her mood shifted.

"Fine, I won't listen to pro-bending in the house again." Ozai caved.

Katara looked at her husband and felt bad. He looked like he was a bit disheartened by this fact but she really did hate pro-bending. Going up to him, the waterbender took the suspenders he was wearing over his white button up shirt and beamed up at him. The one thing she loved about being immortal is see how though neither of the had aged, they went through different phases like the moon and Ozai's face was the same but he looked so different from when she met him.

"You look very sharp today, Ozai." Katara said as she tugged on his suspenders a little.

Smirking down at her, "Do I?"

Katara nodded. "Want to go up stairs and welcome me home a little more properly?"

Ozai scooped up his wife and carried her off to their bedroom upstairs, giving her a warm welcome home. She clawed his back and wet the sheets as neither of them were able to holdback. It had been two years since last in their bed since she stop visiting during her breaks due to wanting to spend extra time with the Avatar.

They were just about to go at it again when a maid came knocking at their door and let them know their granddaughter was here. Ozai told her they could make it quick but Katara giggled and pushed him off of her. It took them a bit longer than normal to get dressed as Ozai was stubbornly not trying to get out of bed but after convincing him she'd make it up to him, the two made it downstairs to we their granddaughter Asumi in the living room looking through the books on the bookshelf.

Glancing over to them, "Grandma Kat!" Asumi beamed and hurried over to hug her grandmother.

Katara hugged her in return and chuckled, "You've gotten so tall, Asumi."

Chuckling as she pulled out of the hug, "Yeah, well dad always says I take after grandpa."

"Don't worry, most of everyone in this family takes after him in one way or another." Katara told her granddaughter.

Ozai took a seat on the sofa while his wife sat beside him and Asumi sat across from them. "How's your father?" He asked.

Asumi sighed, "He's doing alright. Between working at the factory and doting on me, he just goes out into the city to see a play or whatever. I think he might be seeing someone."

"Maybe we should pay him a visit and see how he's doing." Katara suggested to Ozai.

Shaking his head, "Hiroshi has asked that we not come over unannounced and that we speak with him first."

"Well, I live there too, I can just invite you all over." Asumi said.

Katara shook her head, "No, it's fine, Asumi. You don't have to do that. Your father is always welcomed here. Just let him know I'd like to see him. He might not have been my biological son but I always loved him the same as I did your uncle Zhiar and Ryu."

Asumi nodded, "I know. Dad always talked about how you were more a mother to him than his own."

Beaming at her granddaughter, Katara got up to hug Asumi and whisper for her to come by more often as she would love to dote on her.

"Of course, Grandma Kat. Maybe tomorrow morning we could go out for brunch." Asumi suggested.

Katara nodded, "That would be great."

When Asumi went over to her grandfather to kiss his cheek and left, Ozai stood up to stretch as his wife turned to him. She knew that in the years she spent in the South Pole training Korra that he and Hiroshi had drifted apart. She knew that it weighed on him as Hiroshi had been the only son of his that took after him in the personal interests he had outside of being a leader. Katara could only try to offer him some comfort for his feelings but Ozai never seemed to want to talk about it or acknowledge his son was avoiding him.

"Did you want to go out for dinner tonight or would you like for me to cook?" Katara asked him.

Appreciating that she didn't bring up Hiroshi, "I've gone long enough without your cooking, dear."

"What would you like me to make?" Katara giggled.

"Anything."

….

After a few weeks of settling back into being home, Katara ventured with her husband to visit all the children. They first went to see Yumi, their hybrid dual-bending daughter that married an air nomad. Yumi looked incredibly happy to see them as she introduced them all to the acolytes that saw at her wedding. It was funny how their daughter had really become a part of the air nomadic group despite not sharing any heritage with them. They seemed very welcoming of her and her husband was a really kind hearted man. Katara was surprised that Ozai approved of the man when he had asked for Yumi's hand.

Leaving the Eastern Air temple, the couple traveled to the Fire Nation capital to visit Izumi and Ryu. Izumi allowed them to stay at the palace and spent some of her free time with them but was very busy, so they were mostly spending their time in the capital with Ryu. Katara was thrilled to try some of the new dishes that her son came up with and even happier when he introduced her to his boyfriend. His name was Toji and he was a human that had aged beyond Ryu but was still younger than him by twenty years. Ozai didn't seem to like Toji but was able to pretend like he was suffering from a headache in order get out of talking to the man. However, he had no problem chatting it up with Iroh, who helped Ryu run his restaurant, and kind of made it incredibly obvious that he was not Toji's fan. Katara decided to be extra kind to Toji as her husband couldn't help himself once he made up his mind that he didn't like a person.

Heading to the countryside of the Fire Nation, the province that managed to maintain as much of the traditional world as possible, the couple visited their eldest daughter together, Kya and her family. Uhara and their grandchildren, Jotaro and Susuno, were very warm to them. Uhara was genuinely hospitable and their grandchildren were polite as always. Jotaro showed them to the school he taught swordsmanship at. Despite having the phoenix traits like his parents and being a firebender, Jotaro never really used it similar to his father. As for Susuno, she took after the siren trait that her mother and grandmother possess. She used it mostly with the purpose of practicing medicine and healing in the province. As for Kya, she didn't really bother meeting with them. They occasionally saw her throughout their time in her home but she ddidn't speak or look their way. Ozai didn't take it personally as he hadn't the patience or energy to deal with Kya's aloof animosity against them. At the end of the day, they saved her from a horrible life and she had a family that she loved, so what was there to still hold a grudge at them for decades later? But Katara, she took it very personally. Kya had been the daughter she missed the most out on in raising due to the harsh life she lived while Kya was growing up. She never stopped feeling guilty and Kya's refusal to see or speak with her only made that guilt stronger.

Wanting to spare his wife the mental torture she'd put herself through, Ozai decided they go see Zuko, who stayed on Ember Island with a small group of sirens that used to work for them in the Pheonix Empire. About twelve of them went to live with the broadening former Fire Lord after the Phoenix King and Queen relieved them of their duties while the others went back to the North Pole to stand up for female waterbenders and other sirens. Zuko took great care of them and they were good to him. So much so that Ozai didn't feel worried about Zuko's feelings returning after Kalhime caused him to fall out of love with her. Zuko was probably the most fun to be around out of all their children they had visited. As they never really treated him like one of the children since he was older than Katara and helped raise some of the children. Zuko was on the same level as them in their minds and so they were able to enjoy themselves more.

"It's really nice what you've done with the place, Zuko." Katara commented as she and Zuko were sitting on the lounge chairs by the pool he had installed here shortly after the sirens came to live with him.

Soaking up some sun, Zuko laid with his arms behind his head and nodded. "Well, I mostly just let the ladies do what they want with the place. I just pay for it."

Giggling at him as one of the siren women came to him with a tray of their drinks and kissed Zuko on the lips as he took a glass. "I'm glad to see you happy and not alone, Zuko."

"Yes, I'm sure you have one less member of this family to feel guilty about." Zuko chuckled as he drank his drink.

Thanking her former siren guard as she took up a glass, "Guilt aside, you have always been someone I cared greatly about next to your father. I only ever wanted your happiness."

Zuko smirked at her, "I swear, Kat, you and your need to carry the emotional weight of this entire family on your shoulders is going to be the death of you. You should relax and focus more on yourself now. Everyone's grown up and living their own lives. It's just you and father now, you needn't feel so responsible for our happiness. Least of all my happiness."

Katara sighed and nodded her head, agreeing that she would work on that when she got home.

"In the meantime, have fun, drink as much as you like, and tell my father to not get so frustrated after a game of volleyball with the ladies." Zuko smiled smugly at where his father was growling as the sirens scored on him again in beach volleyball.

Returning home from their travels, Katara saw Zhiar's motor bike in front of the estate and was surprised when she saw Azula and Rin, her niece, lounging in the living room. Ozai groaned that he didn't have the energy for them as he went upstairs to his bedroom. Katara rolled her eyes at him and his moodiness before hugging her niece and Azula just before Zhiar bear hugged her from behind.

"That's enough, Zhiar." Azula scolded her brother. "Your mother already has to deal with our father doing shit like that to her."

Zhiar let his mother down and chuckled, "Can't wait for you two to get a divorce."

Katara playfully hit her son in the arm, "Hush, Zhiar. You know that will never happen."

"Sure, it won't." Zhiar rolled his eyes as he plopped down on the sofa.

Katara sat beside Azula as Rin went over to the grand piano to play some tunes, "So, come to welcome us home? Or just bored and want to spend some quality time." She asked in her motherly tone.

"No, none of that stupid shit." Azula scoffed in annoyance at how opposite she was to the waterbender that she considered a good friend of hers. "Just felt it would be safest to stay here with Rin. The city is getting a little restless."

Grinning, "Sure, like the city isn't always restless, Azula. It's okay to just say you wanted to see me."

Azula sucked her teeth and folded her arms, "The city is restless in a different way now. It's not safe. Not for people like us."

Katara raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

"That little cult that had been preaching about benders and inhumans like us being abusive in our power over others. Yeah, well they aren't just a little cult we can continue ignoring. They're starting to radicalize and have meetings under new management." Azula explained. "This guy, Amon, he came in about three years ago and things started changing. A lot of these so called 'equalist' have start cracking down on the local gangs and from what I saw the other day, they subdued quite a few gang members using chi-blocking."

Katara furrowed her brows at this, "Has your father not looked into this?"

Azula told her step-mother that her father didn't care. He was cocky and didn't care about these equalist as long as they left his family alone. Sure, Azula agreed with him at first but he didn't live in the city like she did. She saw things and could see relations between benders and nonbenders becoming increasingly worse. To make matters worse, the small inhuman population in the city that she had befriended were packing up and leaving. Azula was thinking to do the same, probably move back to the Fire Nation but she wanted to try to stand her ground as long as she could.

Sighing, "Let me go into town and talk to some of my contacts. Get a better idea of what is going on."

"If you're referring to your police chief niece, think again. She's about as useful as father is at this point." Azula said.

Katara let Azula and Rin know they could pick any of the rooms to stay in and told Zhiar to come with her into the city. Azula thanked her as did Rin. Outside, Katara climbed on the bike with her son and held his middle as he sped off down the mountain into the city. She saw a few posters with the equalist montra along with a masked man as the main focus. That must have been that Amon person that Azula told her about. The new leader of this group. She wondered if this group was going to turn into a serious problem or not. She and Ozai had doubted they'd become a threat but for Azula to want to stay with them instead of her nice apartment in the city, it concerned her.

Arriving at the police station, Zhiar decided to hang out by his bike and have a smoke while his mother went to see the police chief.

"You're not coming in?" Katara asked.

Zhiar waved his mother down as he lit his cigarette with his bending, "I think it's better I stay out here. Cousin Lin isn't my biggest fan right now."

Katara figured that had to do with all the arrests Zhiar had on his record. Sighing to herself, "Just wait out here then."

"Will do." Zhiar said as he smoked while leaning against his bike.

Inside the police station, Katara walked up to the receptionist and requested to speak with the police chief. The woman didn't look up from the paperwork she was looking over.

"Do you have an appointment with the police chief?" The receptionist asked.

"No, but it's important I see her." Katara said.

The woman finally looked up and it took a moment but it soon registered who the young appearing Water Tribe woman was before her was. "L-Lady Yong." The receptionist panicked a little. "Go right in. I'm sure the police chief would be delighted to speak with you."

Thank you." Katara said before letting herself go find the police chief's office.

As she looked around, the officers and workers of the station looked at her, pausing at the sight of her. Finally finding the Police chief, Katara walked up to her and tapped her shoulder.

"Lin?"

Growling at the use of her name, "Who has the gual to use my given name?!" She turned around and glanced down to see the last person she thought she'd see. "Lady Yong?"

Chuckling, "Lin, I'm your aunt. You don't have to call me that."

Lin heard everyone gasp at this realization and quickly grabbed her aunt, pulling her into her office with her. Shutting the door behind them, Lin turned to Katara and gave her a slightly harsh stare.

"Aunt Katara, I thought we agree, swore, not to reveal our relation to anyone! Now, the whole station and probably the city will know that I'm your niece!" Lin panicked a little.

Katara apologized, "Want me to threatened them to keep quiet?"

"NO!" Lin shouted. "I have done everything in my power to disasociate with my father's side of the family because my mother warned me that it wasn't him that was the problem, it was you and your fire brats and that damn former tyrant you call a husband! So, please, tell me what you want so you can leave!"

Katara felt a bit sad that her brother's daughter didn't want anything to do with her. "Okay, well, I just came to ask about this equalist group that's been on the rise in my absence. I hear they're starting to organize and take out gang members."

Lin rubbed her temple as she took a seat behind her desk, "You know I can't discuss certain things with civilians. All I can say is that we have several open cases in relations to that group but despite that, the council has forbid us from making a public statement against them. They feel it will make things worse."

Sighing, "I would be incline to agree but we can't leave things as they are."

"And we can't act rashly either, Aunt Katara. I think it's best you leave this to us to handle." Lin expressed as she got the feeling her aunt wanted to meddle.

Katara tried speaking up about how she could do something to help but Lin dismissed her.

"You might have had authority like that before you stepped down from being Phoenix Queen but now, you're just a civilian. You have no pull here now. I suggest you leave and let those of us with the power and authority to handle this situation."

Furrowing her brows at Lin, "You know something, Lin. Your mother was a really amazing woman in her youth. She was always self assured despite her disability. Sometimes, she and I bumped heads in our journey to end a war you never got to see the carnage of. I know I have done things that warrant your mother hating my guts but even she would know that power and authority doesn't lie with those that follow the law but with those who break it." Katara said. "So, I'll let you and your people handle it but if you fail and this gets worse, I will use MY power and authority to deal with it."

"Are you admitting to wanting to meddle in police business which is a punishable crime?" Lin raised a brow.

Katara smirked wickedly, "I've committed a number of heinous crimes in my day. Both against tyranny and for it. What's the worst you can do to me, Lin? Arrest me?" She tilted her head. "I can eclipse the sun with the moon, raise the dead as my minions, and so much worse. I am a better ally than an enemy. Remember that, Lin."

Lin swallowed hard and averted her eyes from her father's sister, "I think you should leave."

Sucking her teeth as she scowled at the woman, "I'll leave but you will be seeing more of me, Lin."

Zhiar was chatting with a bashful young woman when his mother stormed her way down the steps of the police station to him. He managed to get her number before his mother came up to him and told him they were making one more stop before they go home.

"YOU WHAT?!" Ozai shouted as his wife told him what she did.

Kind of caught off guard by her husband's reaction to her telling him she joined the city council on behalf of the Southern Water Tribe representation in the city. She thought it was a good idea as now she was done with training the Avatar and needed something else to do to keep her occupied.

"Ozai, there's a rise of civil discord that needs to be settled down and I think-"

"We agreed, Katara, we agreed that we were not meddling in the lives of humanity. That we would follow their reasonable laws and were above their restrictive laws. Whatever they do, is of no consequence to us. We said that, right?"

Katara nodded, "Yes but-"

"But nothing! You and I are supposed to be on the same page, Katara! You can't make decisions like this without my approval and vice versa! We agreed on that!" Ozai shouted at her as he was so furious with her.

"Ozai, I'm just trying to help save the-"

"ITS NOT OUR FUCKING JOB!" Ozai screamed at her. "We are not their Agni damn saviors! We lost so much trying to do that! Do you not remember how it was we lost Mailan?! Protecting people that only saw us as monsters! I will not lose another child! I will not lose you! I will not do it!" He growled. "Why do you think all our children live peaceful lives and rarely use their inhuman powers?! Because they fucking want to?! No! I went to each and everyone of them, including the grandchildren, and I placed charms on them in their sleeps to resist involving themselves in humanity's conflicts!"

Shocked by this confession, Katara's eyes widened at her husband as he continued.

"Unfortunately, all your descendents take after you when it comes to conflict and helping others." Ozai scoffed as he looked away from her. "I tried to use the charm on you but I see it doesn't work on you like it does the others. You are just too strong-willed and your sense of righteousness overpowers your thoughts of reason because if you had thought things out, you would have realized that these humans can't even touch beings like us, let alone our family." Rubbing his temple as he shook his head. "Now go back to city hall and let them know you will not be joining the council."

Katara shook her head, "No."

"No?!"

"Yes, no." Katara folded her arms and stared at him impassively. "I'm doing this. You don't have to like it. It's fine. But this is what I feel is right and I will do what's right."

Outside their rooms, Zhiar could hear his father laying into his mother because her decision to join the council and even more, he now knew about the charms his father placed on him and his siblings to make them passive. Zhiar had decided he'd inform them all of the charm their father placed on them as it was likely he placed other charms on them without their knowledge and the best way to break the charms was be aware of them.

Getting kicked out of the bedroom indefinitely, Katara took her fur blanket and clothes down the hall to the room across from Zhiars rooms. She sighed to herself and settled her things in the drawer. It had been twenty years since she was last kicked out of their bedroom and she was starting to notice it was typically Ozai taking issue with her. She never kicked him out of the bedroom and anytime she tried, he straight up refused. However, when she was getting kicked out, she just did whatever would appease him as Ozai was not as cordial as her when they feuded.

When she placed all her things into the dresser, Katara noticed that Azula had come upstairs and knocked on her door. She glanced over and saw her step-daughter enter with a serious scowl on her face.

"So, is it true father placed a charm on us?" Azula asked.

Katara sighed and nodded. "He just confessed it to me. How'd you know?"

"Zhiar overheard you two talking. He's planning to tell everyone what father did to them without their knowledge." Azula stated. "I think it's best Rin and I leave. We'll go stay with Zuko on Ember Island until we get our own place."

Katara tried talking Azula out of it but Azula refused, stating her father has proven that he hasn't changed and wanted to control everyone. The waterbender received a goodbye hug and told Azula to be safe. As her step-daughter left, Katara sighed to herself and plopped down in bed.

….

The following morning, Katara confronted Zhiar about telling all his siblings what his father did but he told her he had to or they'd never know because she wouldn't be willing to throw their father under the rug. Katara tried to explain she didn't agree with his father nor did she like what he did. She was firmly against it. Zhiar sighed and kissed his mother's forehead before going to his rooms to pack.

"Where are you going?" Katara asked him.

Looking over his shoulder at his mother, "I'm going to move away like Zula and Yukino."

"Yukino?!" Katara tilted her head. "B-But she works long hours at the hospital. Sh-She wouldn't-"

Zhiar continued packing. "She's already decided to move to the South Pole with Grandmother Kanna and Grandmother Hama. Yukino is there now applying at the medical center."

Katara sighed as she held her face in her hand, "Zhiar-"

"I'll talk to you more later, mom, but right now I'm trying to leave before dad gets back home from his meeting cause I don't even want to see his face." Zhiar expressed to his mother.

Understanding the feeling of betrayal and invasion her children felt, Katara decided to help Zhiar pack his things, telling him to contact her right away so she knew he was alright. When all his things were packed up in a trunk, Zhiar kissed his mother's forehead and told her he wouldn't be a stranger to her like the others. When he left, Katara sighed and decided to get herself together. There would be a council meeting today and she needed to be fully prepared.

"Councilwoman Yong." The North Water Tribe representative, Tarlok, greeted her warmly with an arm shake. "It's great to finally meet you."

Taking his arm and greeting him in return, "Councilman Tarlok, I'm glad to be meeting with you as well." Katara responded with a smile.

"I must say I'm a huge fan of your life's story. You're truly an incredible woman, Lady Yong." Tarlok stated.

Chuckling as that was a first, "Wow, I've never been told that. Usually its my husband that everyone is so fond of."

"From what I've heard of your past, your husband wouldn't be where he is or who he is without you." Tarlok grinned a politician's grin. "As far as I'm concerned, this future would have been incredibly bleak if not for you and all you've done."

Blushing at the compliment, "Well, thank you, Tarlok. I really appreciate that."

"Oh, you are most certainly welcome, Lady Yong. Us Water Tribe folk have to stick together." Tarlok joked.

Katara giggled and nodded.

The meeting went off without a hitch and Katara was made to express tha concerns she had that had led her to filling the position for the Southern Water Tribe representative on the council. She explained that it had been a passion of hers since she was fourteen to help any and everyone in need, no matter who they were.

"I have befriended my enemies and some have been a part of my life for most of my life." She giggled. "But I feel there are many people that forget this about me, that I believe in peace and progression for all people. I have trained two Avatars in waterbending and I want to continue doing the good work that has gotten all of us to this time of recently acquired peace."

The council all applaud her and Katara smiled as it was nice to receive praise. It had been a long time since anyone acknowledged her for her good merits. After marrying Ozai and becoming his Fire Lord, her betrayal to her allies had overshadowed every good thing she had done for years, decades. Then she married Ozai again and as his Phoenix Queen, she did so much for the less fortunate and being present in all things related to doing good by everyone. However, she was outshined by her husband as he was a tyrant turned benevolent ruler. People always praised him for how he was no longer the fearsome tyrant. She had been all but forgotten in her role of making him that way but she never complained. Ozai liked the attention. He still did. Even now with the company he and Hiroshi built together, she had no room to stand out. So training the Avatar and this was all she had to begin making a name for herself.

"Also, I'd greatly appreciate it if you refer to me as Councilwoman Katara or Councilwoman Mizuki. It's a surname I adopted since surnames weren't common in the South Pole when I was growing up." Katara stated. "Yong is my husband's surname and I'd like to have an identity outside of him."

They all agreed to refer to her as Councilwoman Mizuki as they felt is was a suitable surname for her. The meeting went on to cover all the current topics and agendas that the council was working on. Katara took notes and asked questions to clarified. When the topic of the equalist came up, Councilman Tarlok stated that while other members of the council felt they were no threat, he personally worried about their growing numbers over the years.

"This division of nonbenders and benders can't be allowed to get out of hand." Tarlok expressed. "I'm sure Councilwoman Mizuki would agree."

Katara nodded, "I think it has taken a tremendous amount of work of myself, my friends who have mostly all passed, and others throughout the last few decades following the end of the hundred year war to accomplish this newly accquired peace. This is still a very fragile time despite all the work that's gone into. Letting people divid themselves against others can't be encouraged or ignored."

Councilwoman Jade of the Fire Nation spoke up and expressing that she felt it was not too pressing that they needed to worry about it.

"Before the Fire Nation attacked the rest of the world, they slowly adopted the notion that they were somehow different than everyone else, that they were better. That idea continued to grow and expand until one day Fire Lord Sozin decided to act upon that very same idea. For a hundred years people all over the world suffered and it wasn't until I found the Avatar in a block of ice that things finally looked hopeful for everyone else." Katara carefully explained. "This is just how all wars began before they fester. I say we explore ways to bring everyone in the city together. Last thing we want is this idealogy spreading outside the city."

Everyone on the council seemed to agree and shortly after the meeting ended, Katara was approached by Tarlok.

"Looks like you and I are going to be working closely together." Tarlok grinned.

Nodding her head, "I look forward to it." Katara replied before bowing slightly before she was about to hurry on home but Tarlok stopped her again.

"I'd very much like it if you and your husband would like to grab dinner to discuss some options in handling the issue of the equalist."

Turning around as she held her small suitcase in hand, "I doubt my husband would have any interest in the matter. He's already against the idea of me being on the council."

"Then perhaps, if you have the time, we could grab lunch and talk it over." He suggested.

Katara wanted to decline as she really needed to get home and speak with Ozai about the kids all finding out what he did. But honestly, she wasn't the one that had anything to do with that and the two of them were at odds right now. Honestly, she didn't see why not. Besides, she felt the equalist were a lot more of a serious problem than what her husband wanted to believe.

Nodding her head, "I have the time."

"Alright," Tarlok was pleased with her answer and offered her his arm. "I know this place that has the best Water Tribe cuisine."

Katara chuckled, "Could we go somewhere that has Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom cuisines? I haven't really been all that in-touch with my own culture with my husband being of Fire Nation origins and we lived the last few decades here in the Earth Kingdom."

Tarlok patted her hand, "Then allow me to help you reconnect with our people, Lady Mizuki. Never forget where you came from."

The waterbender decided to let him take her to his suggested restaurant as it would be nice have some of the dishes she grew up eating. "I guess you're right, Tarlok. Show the way."

…

A/N: