A/N:

I'm back!

Part 4:

"Please! My Lord!" Lady Jade cried out in agony as she tried crawling away from the Fire Lord after he scorched the entire courtyard full of concubines of the Tiangong domain, killing and injuring many of them.

Stepping over some of the torched bodies of his concubine, "All of you whores are liars! You know my water consort wasn't taken by force! You all watched her run off with my bastard son and did nothing!"

Turning over on her back as she pleaded with him, "My lord, Consort Sapphire…she couldn't have run off with Fire Prince Zuko on her own….she would nev-"

Ozai burned the woman alive and sent another wave of blue flames to finish off the rest of the concubines still alive. He had enough of their lies. They all were liars. He had believed the word of the old man about Katara threatening him. He didn't know why but he found it hard to believe Zuko just kidnapped her and the kids without attracting attention. That deceitful bitch took off with Zuko of her own choosing.

"Your majesty, what would you like down with the bodies?" A servant hesitated to ask.

"Let them rot." Ozai scoffed as he turned to leave the domain. "In the meantime, have portraits of my two oldest sons and Consort Sapphire released to the public. There will be a one million gold coin reward for any that discover their whereabouts and a two million gold coin reward for any that bring them in custody. I want Zhiar and Consort Sapphire brought back alive, as for anyone else with them, either or is fine."

…

Sokka eyed his sister and Zuko as they seemed to be getting closer and closer. It had been three months on the road and they were nearing a mountain village that Zuko marked on the map. They were heading there to meet a trusted contact of Zuko's that would help them get to the North Pole. He refused to tell them who this contact was but Katara trusted him nonetheless. Sokka didn't like it. He felt like Zuko was a good friend, proved himself trustworthy before the war ended and continued to prove that he truly believed in their cause as he was frontlining this trip. However, Sokka had seen his sister suffer quite a bit and couldn't risk her suffering even more.

"Look mommy, I caught another fish with my bending." Zhiar said gleefully.

Katara giggled at her son as she was washing their clothes in the river while Zuko cradled Zenitsu beside her. "Good job."

"Big brother! Look!"

Zuko chuckled and smiled his brother's way, "Good job, Zhiar."

As Zhiar took the fish over to his uncle, he saw the man looking at his oldest brother with a strange look. "Is something wrong, Uncle Sokka?"

Sokka shook his head.

Later that night, Katara was stirring the pot for dinner while Zuko cut the chunks of meat from the rabbits he and Sokka caught earlier. Everyone was quietly watching Zhiar do a few waterbending moves that his mother had been practicing with him. As he managed to get the footing and hand movements exactly as instructed, Katara praised him for it. She was happy and delighted. She knew he would do well with water as despite his half Fire Nation parentage and fire being the first element to manifest for him, he was in fact the Water Avatar. Water came easier to him than any other element.

"Tomorrow, I want you to work on fire with your brother, okay?" Katara told her son as Zuko slide the diced meat into the soup she was cooking.

Zhiar nodded, "I can learn fire easily with big brother Zuko teaching me." He beamed at his older brother, who beamed back. "He's way nicer than daddy was. I'm glad we don't have to see him again."

Zuko seldomly watched Katara's expression shift away from glee. Katara never said anything. Nothing at all about it but he knew she hated to hear about his father. He couldn't tell if the recollection of him bothered her or if she had missed him. He knew Katara had developed feelings for his father, though she liked not to discuss that part at all. A part of her felt ashamed of her feelings towards the man that had abused her, even if it wasn't as frequent as one might think. His father was a tyrant that used her to create an Avatar under his lineage, under his control. She must have felt her feelings were betrayed and that she meant nothing to his father after the few years they spent together, with her as his favorite.

After dinner, Zuko helped Katara wash their cooking utensils in the nearby stream and asked her how she was feeling.

"We need to hurry to the North Pole." Katara told him. "If your father gets his hands on us, he'll kill us for sure this time. There will be no mercy."

Zuko assured her they'd make it to the North Pole but they needed to head to Gongwa to do that. There, his uncle was hiding out with a few lotus members. Once they explained to them that the new avatar was here, they would help them get to the North Pole, and they'd be safe from his father until it was time to confront him.

"I know defeating your father is our main goal but as a mother, Zuko, I have to protect my son at all cost. I think waiting till he is well trained and older is most important in not only defeating your father but doing my duty as a mother." Katara explained. "Aang was far too young when he faced your father and he died because of it. I won't let that happen to my son."

Nodding his head, Zuko reached to touch her hand and looked her in the eyes. "We won't let him fight my father until he has completely mastered all the elements and matured."

Katara moved to throw her arms around Zuko's neck and hug him to her as he hugged her back. "Thank you, Zuko."

"What's this?"

The two pulled apart and looked to Sokka.

"You two are supposed to be washing dishes, not flirting!" Sokka spat at them.

Zuko furrowed his brow at him while Katara raised a brow at him. They quickly gathered the clean dishes and headed back to camp. There, Katara entered the tent where her sons were already asleep while Zuko sat by the fire, not yet ready to go to bed. He noticed Sokka was also up and staring at him from across the flames. He tried not to roll his eyes and say something but he failed miserably.

"Is there a problem, Sokka?"

Furrowing his brows, "There is. I want you to keep away from my sister, Zuko. I understand you and her had a thing going on before the war ended but I just want you to know I'll never let you or your father have her again, got it?"

Zuko rolled his eyes, "Whatever, Sokka. Kat and I are just friends."

"Doesn't look that way."

Sighing, "Well, it is that way. I've been looking out for your sister ever since the war ended and my father took her as a consort. I've never not looked out for her since I became a part of the gang. I just thought I had proved myself to you already but I guess not."

Sokka furrowed his brows, "I just don't want my sister to get hurt and I'm sorry, Zuko, but your family doesn't have the best track record with my sister."

Nodding his head, "She's my little brothers' mother. I won't let anything happen to her, Sokka. Last thing I want is for them to lose their mother like I lost mine."

"And keeping things strictly friends is how you can protect her, Zuko."

"If that's what it takes." Zuko said as if it were no problem. "Kat and I are just friends, so it's no big deal anyway."

…

They were here. Katara sat at the front of the wagon with Zuko while Sokka and Zhiar sat in the back. She held Zenitsu in her arms and fed him from her breast just before they reached the gates of the fortified city, Katara remembered that the city was conquered but mostly controlled by rebel sympathizers. However, there were still very many that were loyal to the Fire Nation, so they all had to be very careful.

"We'll get to my uncle's safehouse and then you won't have to worry too much. Here, we'll have allies and people to protect us. We should be safe for a little while until we make it to the North Pole." Zuko told her as he glanced over at her, accidentally catching a glimpse of her breasts.

Katara chuckled at Zuko as he quickly looked away, "It's fine." She said before fixing her dress. "I'm glad that we can breathe a little more easily now."

Arriving at the gates, the carriage was inspected and all of them were lined up outside the wagon to be inspected. Katara held Zhiar and Zenitsu as Zuko had his arm protectively around Katara's waist. Sokka stood by stoically as the soldiers reviewed their identification and looked them all over.

"Kind of sad to see another Fire Nation man fall for these savages but your cards all check out." The soldier in charge threw their identification cards at their feet and Zuko stopped Katara from reaching down to get them, so he could get them himself.

Loading everyone back into the wagon, Zuko rode through the gates of the city and made his way to the place he remembered his uncle would hangout with his friends. He stopped the carriage outside the tea shop and told them all to wait here while he tried to make contact with the white lotus.

As he entered the establishment, Zuko noticed a few men standing around playing a game of pai sho while others were scattered about enjoying their drinks. It was a low-end place but just the type of business that his uncle would be in cahoots with. His uncle did always see the best in people despite their social standing. He was a good man. He hoped his uncle was still alive after all these years.

Going up to the bartender, Zuko leaned on the edge and pulled out a lotus chip to flash at the man. "Anyway you could point me in the direction of these people?"

The bartender looked at the chip and then to Zuko with a scowl as he was cleaning a glass, "What people?"

Leaning closer to whisper, "The white lotus."

Zuko was grabbed by his collar and yanked onto the counter where he was about to be punched in the face when a familiar voice told him to hold off. As he was let go, Zuko straightened himself out and glanced over at the man that called for his release. His gold eyes widened before glee came over his face.

"Uncle!"

Iroh was stunned as he looked at the young man he had spent so long raising. It seemed Zuko had grown up a lot in nearly seven years. He was taller and broader. Had a bit of facial hair stubble to his face. Iroh was so happy to see him as he feared the worse for the young man. His father got a hold of him and his friends and he worried that they all perished.

Embracing his nephew, Iroh looked up at the young man and beamed. "I never thought I'd see you again, Zuk-"

"It's Lee." Zuko whispered.

"Ah, yes, Lee." Iroh glanced around. "Tell me, how have you been all these years?"

"I'd love to share it all with you uncle but I didn't come alone. We need somewhere to stay, that's safe, real safe." Zuko said the last part carefully.

Iroh could see the urgency in his nephew's eyes and nodded. "Yes, yes, gather them and come right this way." Iroh told him.

Iroh had to say, he was surprised to see the people his nephew was traveling with. It was the waterbender and her brother along with two small boys. He planned to ask Zuko about the boys as they were clearly the children of the waterbender from how she seemed very protective of them but looked very much like Fire Nation boys. Were these his little great-nephews?

"Here we are." Iroh showed them into his humble abode that wasn't far from the shop. It was a four bedroom flat in a quiet part of town. He watched his nephew show Katara and the kids to a room while pointing to a room where Sokka could settle. As everyone settled in and Iroh put some tea on, he looked to his nephew and saw the young man sigh in relief as he plopped down on the sofa.

"You have no idea how grateful we are to have you help us, Uncle." Zuko told him.

Chuckling, "It is no problem, Nephew. I know you've all been through quite a bit in these years after the war. I'm just glad to see you managed to settle down and have a family in spite of this."

Zuko looked at his uncle as the man brought the tray of tea over.

"I knew you always had a crush on the waterbender, I just didn't know if you'd ever make good on those feelings." Iroh said with a smile.

Zuko furrowed his brows as he looked away from his uncle, "They aren't my sons, uncle." he said.

"Oh, I just though-"

"They're my brothers." Zuko swallowed hard as he told his uncle and watched the old man's eyes widen. "Father…he…Katara was made his consort after the war ended. They had two boys together."

Iroh looked to his nephew in both disbelief and horror.

Sighing as he glanced up to see Katara exit the room, Zuko patted the seat beside him for her to come sit and she quickly made her way over. She gave Iroh a smile before noticing the man looking at her somberly to which she looked at Zuko. Her gaze went down as she twiddled her fingers.

"So he told you…about my sons?"

Iroh nodded, "I'm sor-"

"Don't be." Katara lifted her gaze. "I didn't hate your brother the entire time. It didn't take long for me to fall into my place as his consort and I'd be lying if I said Zuko getting us out of there was something I jumped at. I didn't mind staying with your brother. If I didn't think he'd kill me, I might return by myself."

Furrowing his brows at the waterbender, Iroh tried to understand what his brother was like to her for this young woman to feel that way.

"Father chose her as his favorite consort." Zuko sighed. "She didn't know till recently why it was that he made her that."

Curious, "Why was that?"

"He wanted to have children with her." Zuko said.

"He wanted me to birth his secret weapon." Katara hissed as she looked off to the side.

"Secret weapon?" Iroh was confused.

Zuko looked over at Katara had saw she looked upset and took her hand in his, "Father knew the next avatar in the cycle would be Water Tribe….Southern Water Tribe."

Iroh's eyes widened, "Is-"

"My oldest, Zhiar, I watched him go into the Avatar state." Katara said regretfully. "Ozai didn't seem surprised as much as he seemed delighted. It was then that I realized what Zuko had tried to warn me about. So for years, I thought I actually meant something to him but in actuality, I was just a pawn. He didn't care about me much after he knew he had his Avatar nor did he care about our second son when I birthed him. Zuko had to stop him from killing Zenitsu."

Iroh sighed at this, "I'm sorry you had to endure this, Master Katara."

Still holding her hand, Zuko looked to his uncle. "The Avatar is back, uncle, but Katara wants to make it clear that Zhiar will not face the Fire Lord until he is much older than Aang was and only when he is absolutely ready."

Iroh nodded his head, "Of course. It was our greatest mistake allowing Aang to confront your father so soon. We won't make that same mistake now."

"Thank you." Katara told him.

Sighing, "I'll need to get the lotus members together and discuss this information with them. I'm sure it will give them more hope if they know the Avatar has returned to us."

"What about the North Pole?" Katara asked. "Shouldn't we go there as soon as possible? Ozai has the entire military looking for us. Zuko managed to get us identification cards but it won't take long for it to be discovered that we had them forged. That or for them to round up every tribeswoman with my description."

Iroh stood up, "We'll head to the North Pole as soon as the opportunity arises."

Furrowing her brows, "What do you mean?"

Iroh assured the waterbender that he'd make sure they all got to the North Pole before his brother could pinpoint where exactly they were. It would just take time as there was a reason that the Fire Nation could no longer touch the North Pole. They were virtually unreachable and it would not be easy to get there. He'd have to reach out to Pakku, who led the White Lotus of the Northern Water Tribe. Once Iroh let it get out to all the members of the White Lotus that the world's last hope was back, he'd make a way here and from there, they'd all be granted travels there.

"How long will that take?" Katara asked nervously.

"A few months. Maybe a year." Iroh reluctantly said.

Katara got up and stormed off as Zuko sat there watching her leave. When the door shut, the two men looked at each other. Things were going to be difficult it seemed. They knew Katara was likely terrified of Ozai getting his hands on her or the kids. It was definitely a possibility but they'd insure her and the children's safety, no matter what.

Zuko and Sokka sat in on the meeting with Iroh and the White Lotus members. They all discussed the matter of the Avatar and what they'd do to make sure things went differently this time. Katara came out to make it clear that they wouldn't be using her son like a tool or weapon like they tried to do with Aang. He was still a boy, a human, he deserved a life as such. An argument took place and Zuko defended Katara's wishes to the lotus members that had a problem with her wanting to delay the Avatar's fight with the Fire Lord. The meeting ended with some having a problem with Katara and others siding with her. It was when Jong Jong called her the Fire Lord's whore that Katara snapped and jumped across the table to attack him and they had to call off the meeting until they could later come to an agreement.

Katara was deeply upset by the comments made at her and how everyone looked down on her for having been the consort of the Fire Lord. She apologized to Iroh and Zuko, letting them know she wouldn't attend another meeting. Zuko tried talking her out of it but Sokka figured it was best his sister just focused on raising Zhiar while they handled the rest. She was no longer equipped to handle situations like these. Her duty was first and foremost as a mother. Even if her child was the Avatar, she'd never see him as anything but her child.

The following day, Iroh saw Katara was up early and wanted to fix breakfast for everyone. The two of them went out into the market to get groceries and brought them back to Iroh's flat. They noticed Zuko was up when they got back and Katara went straight into the kitchen to start on breakfast.

Rustling his hair, "Think we have a chance at blending in for a year?" Zuko asked.

Iroh nodded. "It's wise that you thought to mask one of Zhiar's eyes. Him having such a rare set of eyes will definitely bring attention to us but as long as we minimize his presence outside of these walls, things should be fine."

When breakfast was done, Sokka brought up how they couldn't rely on Iroh to take care of all their needs and that it might be wise for them to get jobs to help cover their expenses. Zuko agreed as did Katara. However, Iroh suggested it best that Zuko and Sokka be the ones to work while Katara focused on the boys. She didn't seem too happy not being included but she accepted it.

While Zuko and Sokka left to get jobs, Katara brushed Zhiar's thick black hair and put it into a topknot while Iroh held Zenitsu.

"You have beautiful sons, Master Katara." Iroh said, trying to make conversation.

Tying up Zhiar's hair, "They look like their father." She told him.

Iroh didn't know what to say to that as Zhiar told her he didn't want to look like his father, claiming to hate the man.

"You don't say that, Zhiar!" Katara reprimanded him. "He's still your father, don't speak poorly of him again!"

Zhiar frowned at his mother, "He was mean to you…why are you always on his side?"

Katara looked at her son and then saw Iroh looking at her with a sympathizing expression. She sighed and looked away from her son, telling him she didn't want to talk about his father anymore. It was better to just forget him. Zhiar agreed that he'd forget his father if it made her less sad.

Later when Zuko and Sokka returned, they saw Iroh had both of his little nephews with him. They asked where Katara was and if she was alright.

"She went to lie down." Iroh said as he held Zenitsu and Zhiar played with a toy soldier that Zuko remembered his uncle used to carry around for Lu Ten.

Sokka sighed and told them he'd check on Katara. As he entered her room, he saw her sitting at the edge of the bed staring at a sheathed dagger. It was a dagger she always kept on her person. One that he noticed that was likely gifted to her by the Fire Lord. It had a gold and black hilt with a red ruby in the knob. Sometimes he'd catch her toying with it back at the palace but this was the first time he saw her with it since their escape.

"It was a reward for helping him see what he thought was impossible." Katara smiled sadly down at it. "Even showed me how to use it. I figured it was a sign of his affection for me. Sometimes I wonder if he ever truly cared about me…did he really mean it when he told me he loved me."

"Well, he didn't. He was just using you."

"But I had already given him what he wanted. He was good to me through the years."

"But you forget how he'd lose his temper with you and slap you on occasions or when he would be so rough with you that the physicians would have to see you after he'd spend the night with you. You forget how he'd let his advisors sleep with you in order to get them to fall in line. How you had to keep up an act in order to survive him. I remember all of that. So even if he did love you in some twisted way, you shouldn't dare think for one second he wouldn't just hurt you more as the years went on."

Katara tucked the hairpin back into her dress, "Well, it doesn't matter regardless. He'd kill me now if he ever got his hands on me."

"As long as you know that." Sokka said.

"I know it well."

…..

Five months had passed and Zhiar had been begging his mother, uncles, and older brother to let him outside. He wanted so badly to get some fresh air and have some fun. However, everyone was worried about his safety. He understood he was something or someone that needed to be protected but he was still a kid. He thought his mother understood that but she was so afraid of everything, telling him he could play as much as he liked when they got to the North Pole. It upset him that it would take a long time for him to finally get to play around as he liked. Being cooped up was no fun.

Watching his month clap her hands gleefully as his older brother managed to get their baby brother to walk on his own, Zhiar folded his arms and pouted. "I bet he'll get to go outside with no problems."

Zuko and Katara exchanged looks before looking at him.

"Zhiar, you know only your uncles and Zuko are allowed outside right now. It's not safe for us here." Katara explained. "If your father finds us-"

"Yeah! I know but my birthday is coming up and I want to go outside!"

"Zh-"

"I'll take him out on his birthday, Kat. He can put on his eye patch and I'll take him around town, show him a good time for his birthday." Zuko said as he sat on the floor holding Zenitsu.

"Zu-"

"Please, mom! Let me go with Zuko! He'll protect me!" Zhiar said.

Katara sighed and gave in. As much as she felt it was a bad idea, she knew that Zhiar just wanted to be a normal kid and that was the least she could do for him for his birthday.

When Sokka returned from his work at the wood shop and saw Zuko in the kitchen helping his sister cook. He tried not to be so annoyed by it as Zuko wasn't a bad guy by any means. If anything, he should be thanking the man for helping them escape. However; he wasn't blind. After Zuko told him about how he and Katara had a physical relationship leading up to the end of the war, he could see that Zuko wasn't just friendly with her, he had actual feelings for his sister. Whatever relationship they had, it wasn't just physical, not to Zuko at least.

They were all eating when Iroh told them that Pakku caught word about Zhiar through the White Lotus circles and would be making his way here in a few weeks. He let them all know to be prepared to leave as soon as the test is conducted to confirm his identity. Iroh let them know he'd come with them in order to ensure that the other lotus members respect Katara's decisions over Zhiar's life and training. Katara was thankful.

"This is great news, Uncle." Zuko said. "We'll be clear of my father and the military."

Iroh nodded, "But I must tell you that when it is revealed that my brother fathered both Katara's children, it will not be taken so lightly. The North and it's beliefs hold strong. Not only are they not in favor of mixing elements but Katara had children out of wedlock. She will surely face great scrutiny because of this."

Katara sighed, "I'm very much aware of the beliefs of the North and I've faced worse. As long as we are safe from the Fire Nation, I will rest easy."

Zuko looked at Katara and could see she only partially meant that. He knew she had felt some shame in much of how she spent her last seven years with his father. She did things she was not proud of but she did them to survive and she bore two sons out of wedlock for his father.

Later that night, Zuko had planned to talk things over with Katara but managed to catch her speaking with Sokka about something instead.

"I told you a thousand times, Sokka, nothing is going on!" Katara hissed at her older brother.

"Katara, I'm just saying. You need to be careful when we get there. If anyone sees that you and Zuko getting close on top of knowing about Zhiar and Zenitsu sharing the same father as him, it'll only look that much worse on you." Sokka tried to tell her.

"We're just friends!"

"You two slept together, Katara! You're not just friends! You need to be careful!"

Katara scowled at Sokka, "Look, Sokka, I know you're looking out for me but telling me to stay away from the only friend I have left is like condemning me to isolation. Zuko has looked out for all of us! Look where he's gotten us! I trust him with my life and I don't care what anyone thinks about it, I will not distance myself just because it'll have people talking. Let them talk!"

Sokka stormed off just as Zuko walked in to have a word with Katara. She looked at him and just knew he heard their conversation.

Sighing, "You really shouldn't have told Sokka about us, Zuko. That was all in the past and we agreed never to discuss it after the war ended."

Zuko rubbed his neck, "I know, Kat, but that night he seemed so sure that something was up between us and I didn't want him to think he was going crazy."

Katara folded her arms, "Well, is there something going on, Zuko?"

"Huh?" He was confused.

Poofing out air, "Zuko, as much as I don't want to bring this up, I heard what your uncle said to you when we first came here. He thought Zhiar and Zenitsu were yours."

"Yeah, cause they look like me as a kid. We have the same father. It's not-"

"He said he knew you had a crush on me." Katara eyed him funny.

Zuko averted his eyes, "Yeah, well that was a long time ago, Kat. I was hormonal and you were the only constant girl I'd see."

"Oh," Katara brows set in a bit of disappointment.

Seeing this, "But don't get me wrong, even after I started seeing other girls, you were still the prettiest. Not to mention, I don't know too many girls that can kick my ass like Azula."

A small grin pulled to her lips.

"And I know we agreed to no strings attached and no feelings back then but I did fall for you then." Zuko said seldomly as he gazed down at the floor. "Seeing you as my father's consort was the hardest thing over these last seven years." He confessed.

"Zuko, I-"

"I know, Kat. This is no time to rehash feelings and whatnot but I just needed to get that off my chest. Sokka's not being a hard ass. He can just see through me."

Katara sighed at this and went to hug him. She held him in her arms as he sulked against her, dropping his head into the nape of her neck. "Give me time, Zuko." She whispered as she pulled away and looked up into his gold eyes, caressing the scarred side of his face. "I have a lot of hang ups right now with the idea of being with anyone. Let alone the son of the man I've spent seven years serving as a consort to. Give me time."

"You don't have to force yourself, Kat." Zuko told her.

Shaking her head, "You weren't the only one unable to hold back feelings then. I just knew no matter the outcome of the war, I'd never be good enough." She smiled somberly.

Zuko furrowed his brows, "Kat," He gathered her hands in his. "Kat, you've never not been good enough."

Tearing up as she dropped her gaze from him, "Zuko, I'm ruined. Your father ruined me. I wasn't much then but I'm definitely not any good now." She cried.

Zuko pulled her back into her arms and held her tight. "My father is a monster. It has nothing to do with you. He treats everyone that way."

"But I let him." Katara wept.

"You didn't have a choice, Kat."

"I still didn't put up a good fight." Katara whispered into his shirt.

"Shhh, it's okay, Kat." Zuko held her tight.

A few days passed and it was Zhiar's birthday. Zuko took him out like promised, making sure to bandage up his gold eye to avoid drawing attention. As they went out, Zuko made sure that his brother got to try the different foods and pick out anything he wanted. He wanted Zhiar to have a good time. It couldn't be helped, the kid deserved to have a good time. However, when passing by a coworker of his, Zuko introduced Zhiar as his son to him. It caused his coworker to raise a brow as he didn't know he was married or had a child.

Eventually, an argument ensued as Zuko took offense to the coworker implying he abused his family as he hid them away and his son had an eyepatch. Zuko insisted that his son was harmed in their travels to safety while his wife was fearful of Fire Nation soldiers so she stay in the house for her own comfort. Zhiar coaxed his brother to continue on as he didn't want to hear the arguing anymore and Zuko obliged him. However, the coworker wasn't buying it and contacted the authorities.

Returning home to tell his mother all about his adventure around town, Zuko was about to shut the door when suddenly the constables of the city barged their way in and threw him up against the wall. Katara hurried to grab her sons in her arms and stare in fright at the men that forced their way in.

While Katara and the boys were taken to be examined by a local physician for any other signs of abuse, Zuko was interrogated by the authorities. He tried didn't realize he was there only because his coworker reported him for abuse towards his family and let slip who he was, causing him to be thrown in a cell and soon after, Katara and the boys were brought to the cell beside him. This was not good. Not good at all.

"Your majesty! We've received word on their whereabouts!" The page boy hurried to the Fire Lord with a letter.

Immediate orders for the retrieval of his consort and sons were made as Ozai was in the middle of torturing a man he had captured from the South Pole. He grinned at the man and tilted his head.

"Looks like your daughter and grandsons have been found." Ozai said. "I guess I can leave you to rest until I get my hands on your daughter."

Hakoda looked fearfully at the tyrant that finally let up on his fire whip. He prayed for Katara and his grandsons got away.

…

Katara was holding Zenitsu and Zhiar to her when she saw Zuko get thrown into the cell beside hers. He was all roughed up with a busted lip. When the cell door was closed and locked on him, his gold eyes went to her and stared at her sorrowfully.

Wincing as he pulled himself up, "I'm sorry, Kat."

Katara shook her head, "Zuko, it's fine." She smiled sadly at him.

"I'll get us out of here, Kat. I promise." Zuko told her.

Katara nodded as she believed he'd find a way. They didn't get this far just to be sent back to the Fire Nation. The guards soon left out of the cell unit they were in, likely switching shifts, and as they did, Katara moved up to the bars that divided her and Zuko's cells.

"Zuko." Katara whispered.

Zuko looked over and scooted to her.

"Do you have a plan?" She asked.

Zuko nodded. "Uncle was expecting Pakku before I left with Zhiar. I think they plan to bust us out since uncle likely told them about Zhiar."

"That's good. We just need to be patient."

Zuko shook his head. "My father has one of the few airships that can travel long distances and stay afloat. I doubt he's going to leave our retrieval to anyone but himself. He'll be here by nightfall if word has already reached him."

Katara's eyes widened.

"I have a plan to get us out now but I need you to distract one of the guards."

Katara nodded.

Several minutes later when the night guard entered to keep watch of them, Katara glanced at Zuko and decided now was her opportunity. Going up to the cell bars, Katara waved down the guard and watched him come closer. She glanced over her shoulder to see her boys were asleep and wouldn't witness their mother about to do what she was.

"Is it possible I could get a drink of water?" Katara asked him.

The guard glared at her and looked her over, "You think I'd trust you, a waterbender, with any water?"

"Please," Katara whimpered. "I'm so thirsty. I'd do practically anything to get something to drink at this point."

The guard stepped back and saw her pressing herself against the bars suggestively. He lifted a brow at her and tilted his head. "Pull up your dress some if you're that thirsty."

Katara did as asked and lifted her dress for the guard to see. "Is this good enough?"

Smirking, "Higher."

Katara had no problem doing so. She had been a consort for years and had been made to sleep with men she would never consider were she not forced to submit. This was no difficult task for her.

The guard got closer to the cell as he saw the water woman's undergarments. He took his hand and reached through the bars to touch her skin, feeling her shiver under his fingertips. He licked his lips and pulled at her bra, pulling it down just enough to see her dark nipples.

"I see why the Fire Lord wants you back." He whispered.

"Can I have some water now?" She asked him.

The guard reached for the buckle of his pants, "Get on your knees and I'll give you something to drink."

Katara slipped down on her knees and just as the man was about to pull his male organ from his pants, Zuko struck the guard in the temple, knocking him unconscious. He grabbed his collar to keep the man from falling and making too much noise. Katara stood up and snatched the keys off the man's waist. She quickly went to unlock her cell after waking Zhiar and grabbing Zenitsu to strap to her chest. As Zhiar followed her out of the cell, Katara unlocked Zuko's cell after easing the guard to the ground.

When they were all out of their cell, Zuko took Katara's hand as she held Zhiar's and they quickly opened the door to their cell block. Zuko fought off the guards while Katara assisted in order to get out of the prison. Fortunately it was a light crew here at night and they managed to get outside the prison. Zuko held Katara's hand tight as they raced through the streets, trying to make it to Iroh's apartment. However, as they did, Katara felt herself be yanked backwards and thrown into a wall.

Zuko turned around and saw Katara trying to pick herself off the ground as Zhiar stood still staring at a large figure.

"You thought you could just take my waterbender and my sons and get away with it?"

Zuko's eyes widened as Zhiar hurried to his mother. "Fa-"

"You will die for this, Zuko!" A blue flame roared at Zuko and he quickly dodged it before it could engulf him.

Katara held Zhiar to her and quickly removed Zenitsu from her person to strap to Zhiar. She looked over her eldest son's face and smiled weakly at him. "Take your baby brother and hurry to your uncle's house, do you hear me?"

Zhiar looked at his mother and nodded.

"Hurry!"

As Zhiar took off, Katara turned to see Zuko continuing to evade who she knew was Ozai attacking him. With the chi-blocking serum still actively in their system, Katara knew they didn't stand a chance against Ozai. However, she needed to see to it that her sons got far far away from him. If Pakku was here, he'd take them to the North Pole but she needed to make sure Zuko left with them. He'd make sure her wishes were honored as well as be their fire instructor. She had to forfeit herself to save him.

Zuko was about to evade another attack when he watched Katara throw herself at his father and try to ring him to the ground with her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

"Katara, no!" He shouted as he watched his father yank her from off his back and slam her on the ground. She tried getting right back up but his father kicked her in her gut, then kicked her aside as his father refocused his attention on him.

"You've turned my waterbender against me, boy! I'll make you pay for this!" Ozai hissed as he was about to send a fire plum of blue flames his way.

But to Zuko's good fortune, an ice wall came up in front of him and blocked the attack. Zuko saw what looked like Water Tribe men come up beside him and hold the ice wall up as his father kept attacking it.

"Lotus member Iroh says we must retrieve you before we leave." One of the men said.

"But Katara, she's on the other side!" Zuko yelled as he saw her lying unconscious on the ground by his father's feet.

The tribesmen looked at him, "He's too powerful. We can't get to her without getting struck. We'll have to leave her."

"NO!" Zuko shouted and was about to run to Katara when a hand chopped him in a pressure point and he fell unconscious on the floor.

Pakku looked down at the firebender and before looking to see Katara lying on the ground unconscious by the Fire Lord' feet. "Someone cover me. I'm going to retrieve my student."

…

Waking up on a ship from how he felt the waves rock it back and forth, Zuko pushed himself up from bed and rubbed his head. He took a look around and realized he was on a Water Tribe ship. His eyes widened as he remembered what happened shortly before falling unconscious. Throwing off the fur covers, Zuko quickly rushed out of the cabin he was in and went looking for someone, anyone that could answer his question. He made his way above deck and saw several men standing off to the side talking. Seeing his uncle, Zuko hurried over and interrupted them.

"Where's Katara?!" Zuko demanded.

Iroh saw his fellow lotus members stare at him impassively.

"Uncle," Zuko looked at him and asked again where Katara was.

"She's fine, Zuko. Right now, she's with her sons and Sokka. They're all resting." Iroh informed him in a grave tone.

Zuko furrowed his brow, "then what's wrong?"

Before his uncle could answer, a man with a long white beard turned to the Fire Prince and wore a scowl. "Your uncle has informed us that your father is the one that father the Avatar with my student, Katara. It would be one thing if it were you or some other man. However, with Zhiar's father being the Fire Lord, this complicates things."

"How so?" Zuko tilted his head.

Pakku sighed and shut his eyes as he held his hands in his sleeves, "Katara will not be received well in the North Pole if it is made public that you and Zhiar have the same father. I suggested to your uncle that we have you claim Zhiar and Zenitsu as your sons. He believes it to be a good idea and plans to discuss it with Katara, what do you think?"

Zuko was a bit caught off guard by this. He could understand and see how Katara, having the consort of his father, would not sit well with many and could have shameful remarks tossed at her. However, he couldn't really give his feedback on this. Katara would have to give her opinion on this. It was her life and he didn't want to speak for her.

And fortunately, he didn't have to. Katara had come above deck and seemed to have overheard their conversation as she looked pretty annoyed.

"What's the purpose of lying?" Katara asked as she looked at all the White Lotus members. "I don't want to lie about who my sons' father is."

Pakku looked at her sternly, "You are the daughter of the Southern Water Tribe chieftain, Katara! The only living princess of either Water Tribe! It will destroy your image!"

"I don't care! I don't want to lie out about what I've experienced since the war ended!" Katara shouted back at him. "I was the Fire Lord's consort and I bore two sons for him! I am not ashamed of what I had to do in order to survive!"

Pakku scowled at her, "I will not allow you to tarnish your name, Katara!"

"And why not?!"

"Because! I helped build you up to be the waterbender and warrior you were! I will not let a student of mine bring shame on themselves!" Pakku hissed at her as he looked to Zuko. "You will make her see reason, Prince Zuko. This could ruin her for good if she makes it known she spent seven years whoring her body out to your father!"

Zuko glared at the man, "She didn't whore herself out to him. She didn't have a choice."

"She could have chosen death!" Pakku spat as he went back to scowling at Katara, who was suddenly in tears. "This is why we don't let our women fight or learn combat waterbending! Horrors like this happen!" With that, Pakku stormed off and the other members eyes Iroh to talk some sense into the two.

Sighing as he shook his head, Iroh looked to his nephew who was holding Katara to his chest as she cried from being insulted by her former teacher. "Master Pakku's words were harsh but they were true. It would be in both of your best interests to go along with this story that the children belong to the two of you."

Holding Katara to his chest as he scowled in Pakku's direction, "I won't make that decision for Katara. It's her call." Zuko said.

"Master Ka-"

"Fine." Katara sniffled as she looked at Iroh with a hurt expression on her face. "We can claim Zuko is their father but…I want Pakku to know that I only do so out of concern for my children. Not my stupid reputation!"

"Very well, Master Katara, I will let Master Pakku know and move on from there."

When Iroh walked away, Zuko asked her if she was sure and she felt she was. In the end, there was no real reason for anyone to know the truth, not like anyone would understand. Pakku was right, she did have a choice, she could have just died instead. She let Zuko know that she was okay with this as long as he was.

"I'm fine with this." Zuko told her. "With how young Zenitsu is, he won't even remember my father as his father. This might be for the best."

Katara nodded.

Just when Zuko and Katara were beginning to accept Pakku's and the White Lotus's cover story for the boy's parentage, the White Lotus even more they had to deal with. Sokka expressed not being against it as he only wanted to protect his sister's image. However, this made the two very uncomfortable as they didn't expect for things to go in this direction.

"You want us to get married?" Katara looked at Iroh like he was crazy.

Iroh nodded, "It wouldn't be far-fetched that you two got married before the war ended and settled down."

Zuko rubbed his temple, "Why is any of this necessary?"

"Because the North will be more accepting of Katara having children, if they know she's married." Iroh explained. "The North Pole is very strict about these things."

Katara sighed, "If I knew I'd have to deal with all this, I'd have stayed in the Fire Nation. Fine. I don't see what's the big deal regardless, let's just go along with all of this, not like it's going to kill us."

Zuko really felt bad for Katara. She had been the person that had suffered the most and now the White Lotus was on her. He didn't understand why they had to reign down on her so hard when she had done nothing wrong but it seemed she had very little fight in her and didn't plan on

.arguing with them. She just accepted it for what it was. As long as they were safe, he didn't think Katara really cared much.

It was the night before they reached they arrived in the North Pole's capital city when the White Lotus threw a real marriage ceremony. Katara was dressed up nicely in a Northern Parka and had her hair styled in neat bun with bangs. Pakku even made a betrothal necklace for her to wear for the ceremony. It had a red velvet band with a sun and moon pendant. Pakku had excellent craftsmanship so she could not complain. He took it upon himself to escort her to the ceremony and while he did, he tried better expressing himself to her.

"I didn't mean to refer to you as a whore, Katara. I know you were given very little room to refuse the advances of the Fire Lord. I can't imagine what you've gone through as his consort but Zuko has enlightened me. This marriage may not be of your desire but I think he is truly a good man. You should try to acknowledge him properly." Pakku told her.

Sighing, Katara nodded.

The ceremony was not long at all as they both repeated the lines given to them by an White Lotus member. Katara kept her gaze down as she found herself having a hard time looking at how handsome Zuko looked in a Water Tribe parka. Even more, they had combed his hair into a wolf-tail and shaved the sides of his hair low. When they vows were exchanged, the two of them sealed the union with a simple kiss before they were proclaimed husband and wife.

While no marriage consummation was needed since the marriage was one that was not desired much by either party, Katara was expected to share her bed with Zuko for the night. The two felt very awkward as Iroh left them with an erotic scroll and told them to enjoy their evening. It took Zuko lighting the scroll on fire to break the ice.

"Won't be needing that." Zuko said.

Katara laughed, "Confident you know what to do?"

"Nah, just figured you'd rather get some sleep before we got to the North Pole." Zuko said with a grin on his face.

Nodding her head, "Nice to know my 'husband' knows me so well." Katara joked.

"Geez, I'm going to have to get used to that."

"Me too." Katara said as she started undoing her hair for bed.

Zuko turned his head as he saw Katara pull her parka up. He let her get dressed in her nightgown before he looked back to her and was surprised that the nightgown was so…revealing. It show much of her upper breasts and came up to her high thighs, not to mention he could see her nipples through the thin gown. He swallowed hard and averted his eyes as she climbed into the bed, under the furs.

"You coming to bed?" Katara asked him.

Zuko turned away from her, "I need a minute." He said before hurrying to the bathroom.

Katara sighed and laid down in bed, deciding to get some sleep since it was clear that Zuko didn't plan on anything happening tonight. Not that she mind. If he wanted to, he didn't have to really ask, she'd just wiggle herself up against him and get things started. However, she knew how Zuko was. Always the gentleman. Truthfully, she found this a little disappointing but it was fine. They were married now and had plenty of opportunities to have sex in the future.

Morning came and Katara realized Zuko was not in bed but on the floor. She sighed to herself and shook her head as she hung over the edge of the bed to poke his face.

"Zuko." She sung his name as she kept poking his face.

"Huh?" He asked sleepily.

"Why didn't you sleep in the bed last night?"

Zuko groaned as he rolled on his back to look up at his water friend, "I just didn't know how you felt about sharing the bed with how lightly clad you are." He told her honestly.

Giggling, "Well, we are married now, so….I'm okay with that and anything else that married people typically do, just for the record."

Zuko blushed as he saw her wink at him before climbing out of bed, giving him a full view of her silk panties.

…..

The greeting they received from Chieftain Arnook and the elders was a warm one. A great feast was put together for them and everyone looked as if they hadn't lost the hundred year war. Like the world wasn't under the control of the Fire Nation. It was morbid to the three that had spent the last seven years as captives of the Fire Nation. They simply drank their wine and ate. It was during the party that they were pulled away by the servants of the Chieftain. He wanted to speak to them about what was really going on out there.

The White Lotus informed the Chieftain and the elders of who the real father of Katara's sons was along with Zhiar being the Avatar. This came as a shock to all of them and Arnook extended his sympathies to Katara for what she had to endure. It was decided that Zhiar's identity be kept a secret from the general public as they wanted to make sure he was properly trained before the world learned that the Avatar was back. Katara was pleased with this as she felt this was exactly the outcome she wanted.

"As for your accommodations," Arnook started. "I've arranged for you all to stay in a villa not far apart from where many of the noble households stay. There are many bedrooms for you all to pick amongst and enough room to give you all space. You'll have servants at your disposal and if you need anything else, feel free to reach out to me."

Bowing their heads to the Chieftain, they all thanked him and were escorted to their home. There, they saw that Zhiar and Zenitsu were already in the care of a few of the servants. Sokka turned to his sister and told her he'd go find him a bedroom before shooting a look at Zuko as he took off. Iroh excused himself as well to find a room suitable for him, leaving Zuko and Katara to stand idly beside each other.

Rubbing his neck awkwardly, "I guess I should go find a room too." Zuko said.

Katara giggled as she latched onto his arm, "Shouldn't we be looking together? You know, since we're married and all?"

Zuko's face heated up, "I guess you're right."

Pulling his arm, Katara led him up the stairs to find their bedroom and saw a master room not far from the boys' shared room. It had a balcony that overlooked the city and a spacious bathroom connected to it. Katara saw Zuko staring at the large round bed in the middle of the room and she nudged him.

"Getting any ideas?" She asked.

Blushing, "No."

"It's okay if you are." Katara smirked as she went to sit on the bed and tilted her head up at him. "It's also okay if you don't want to because this all feels a bit much but I want you to know where I stand. I feel like you should know in case you get the idea that I'm not happy with any of this because in truth, I couldn't think of anyone else I'd be with like this but you."

Zuko was trying his best not to be impulsive and give into his emotions. He didn't want to make Katara uncomfortable or have her feel like they were just in another physical relationship like they had been years ago. He cared a lot about her, he truly did and he'd want nothing more than to take her to bed. But the issue was, he wanted to make sure it was more than just meaningless sex with his wife that had been forced into this marriage with him. He wanted the sex to mean something to them both and right now, it just seemed like they were both just horny.

Sighing as he pulled his wolf tail out, letting his hair fall messily on top of his head, "I feel the same, Kat, but right now, I think we need to try and focus on the bigger issues at hand here."

"Bigger issues?" Katara was confused. "We got Zhiar to the North Pole where he will be safe, where we will be safe, he's going to be taught the elements and until he is a fully realized Avatar, no one will know but us. There is no bigger issue to worry about because we're fine now. Finally, we don't have to worry so much for a while. We can go about our lives and just focus on something that's not the immediate dismantling of the Fire Nation's supreme power."

Zuko ran his hand over his hair, "Kat, I-"

Katara dropped her head, "If you don't want to sleep with me, that's all you have to say, Zuko." She stood up from the bed.

"That's not-"

Turning away from him as she folded her arms over herself, "Maybe you should just go find another room or something, Zuko."

Zuko felt like he just ruined something that could have been really good between them, "Okay, Kat, but I'll be right down the hall if you need me. I won't be far."

Katara scoffed as she went into the bathroom and slammed the door.

Iroh was surprised that Zuko and Katara decided to use separate rooms as his nephew had disclosed the two of them had a physical relationship not long before the war ended. He figured the two wouldn't be so awkward about their marriage given their history. However, it would seem they were going to have to take time to adjust.

Sitting in the dining room as Katara and the servants set the table for breakfast, Iroh saw Zuko had finally made it downstairs with the boys and Sokka. They each took their seats as Zuko held Zenitsu in his arms while sitting close to where Katara would be sitting. Once the food was all out, Katara took her seat and they all thanked her for cooking. Katara nodded her head and was about to dig in when Iroh decided to ask her a question.

"I was wondering if you'd like to attend the meeting today with the White Lotus, Katara?" Iroh asked.

"I'd like that." Katara said as she began eating.

After breakfast, Katara went back upstairs to dress herself in her Northern Water Tribe clothes and styled her hair into a neat bun with her bangs out. When she stepped out of her bedroom, she saw Zuko standing in front of her doorway with a look on his face that told her he wanted to discuss something with her. She sighed and folded her arms.

"What is it, Zuko?"

"I just wanted to let you know that I really want this marriage to be more than us having a cover story for what happened to you during these past few years." Zuko told her. "I have real feelings for you but I don't want to just sleep with you until I know it actually means something to us both outside of just trying to get off. I'm not my father, I won't delude your mind with sex to make you think I care, I want you to know I do before I sleep with you."

Katara eased up on her stance, "You've already shown me you care. Look at where you got us. We're safe. Me, my brother, and sons are safe, Zuko. All because of you." She reached up to cup his face. "But if you need us to take more time, then I can't complain too much."

Pressing his forehead against hers, "Let's just get Zhiar settled into the swing of things and then we'll go from there, okay?"

Katara nodded.

….

A year had passed and Iroh had to say, he was very thrilled to see how skilled Zhiar was with both water and fire. He wielded them like a true extension of himself and could very well master them before his tenth birthday. The eight-year-old had become more confident in himself and he looked genuinely happy, hard for him not to. His mother was safe and in a better state than she had ever been, his older brother was dutiful in a way that made him look at him as more of a father figure, and people seemed to always have something kind to say to him. He knew he was the world's hope and he took that very seriously.

Iroh was watching Katara show Zhiar a few moves that his instructor, Master Pakku, would not go over with him as he felt it was waterbending in poor taste. However, Katara felt he'd need them if he were ever in a dire situation. Even after they took down Ozai, the world would not suddenly just go back to being one of balance. It would take years to adjust the world to the way it once was and she wanted her son to be prepared for any scenario that may come in his life as the Avatar.

"Pakku's not going to be happy." Zuko said as he took a seat beside his uncle in the courtyard, wearing his simple Northern Water Tribe attire. "He keeps telling me that as her husband I need to remind her that the North has rules against women waterbending."

"And do you tell her?" Iroh asked.

Snorting, "I'm daring but not crazy. If he or anyone else has a problem with her using waterbending, they can take it up with her themselves. I'll gladly watch them get their ass handed to them."

Iroh chuckled as he poured his nephew some tea, "How are things going for the two of you? I see you're both still residing in your own rooms."

Zuko glanced Katara's way and sighed, "Things are complicated, uncle."

"How so?" he sipped his tea.

Looking down at his hands, "Well, when we first got married, she was all for us behaving and doing what married couples did but I wanted us to take time to settle into being here. Only issues is that now that we've settled into things, we've kind of also settled into things being the way they have been between us."

Iroh could see how that could be a bit of a dilemma. He asked his nephew if he had tried to make time for just the two of them and Zuko explained all the times he did. Most of the time, he couldn't read Katara too well, she always seemed like she was having a good time but by the end of their alone time, she'd kiss his cheek and they'd go their separate ways. It was confusing. Did she want things to progress between them or was she okay with how things were?

"Perhaps, talking to her will do the trick." Iroh stroked his beard. "Neither one of you can read minds."

Zuko sighed. He was really worried about having a conversation like that with Katara. Last time they had that conversation, he hated himself for not just letting things go in that direction when he had the chance and he spent the better half of this past year using his hand. He felt he'd just put his foot in his mouth again and he'd go another year of a platonic sort of marital situation. However, his uncle was right. He couldn't just read between the lines with Katara. Not when he had been struggling to do so all this time.

Later that night, Katara was helping the servants tidy up the kitchen when Zuko waltzed in and asked to speak with her before she went to bed. She agreed and returned to cleaning. When she finished, she met Zuko out in the hallway and saw he was already dressed for bed with his hair found.

"Yes?" Katara looked at him in curiosity.

Zuko awkwardly averted his eyes as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I know I said let's settle into things first but I think we're well past settling in, don't you think?"

Tilting her head, "Yeah cause you never made a move and I assumed you weren't interested. I didn't want to give my hopes up, Zuko."

"I'm sorry, Kat. I just didn't want to make a move and you-"

Folding her arms, "I think I made myself pretty clear on what I wanted, Zuko. You're the one that wanted to slow things down."

"Yeah but not this slow."

Pinching her brows, "What do you want, Zuko?"

"I want us to at least act like we're married."

"We do!" Katara snapped. "We go on dates, we take the boys out to the events in the city, and we sit beside each other at the dinner table!"

"Well there's more to being married than that!" Zuko snapped back.

"I know but you don't want to do that with me!"

"I do! That's why we're having this conversation!" Zuko shouted.

"Then just say that!"

"Fine! Let's go to your room!" Zuko said as he snatched Katara's wrist and pulled her along with him up the stairs.

Zuko was not expecting Katara to get so riled up but what could he say? They had both been holding out for some time and now, they were overrun with lust. They did their best not to break the kiss as they removed one another's clothes and fell into bed together. Zuko laced his fingers into hers as he pushed them above her head while hovering above her in bed. She wrapped her legs around his middle and wiggled her hips as he finally parted from her lips.

"You know I've been wanting to do this for a long time?" Zuko asked her as his eyes traced over her.

Smirking as she bit her bottom lip, "Oh have you?"

Smirking back at her, "I wanted to do that thing we did before when your brother nearly caught us."

Katara tilted her head as she giggled, "Then let's do it."

Zuko recaptured her lips and took hold of himself to enter her. He enjoyed the pleased moan from his beautiful wife and knew he would perform his best as he had been dying to leave his print on her mind, so she'd never have to think of the men she had been forced to endure. He'd be the only man she'd ever remember being with. He'd make sure of it.

It was breakfast time and Sokka saw Zuko looked to be in a more upbeat mood than normal. He was a little curious about it as he then saw his sister serve him his plate and kiss his cheek before heading back in the kitchen. When she returned, Sokka was served his plate just as Iroh came to join them.

"Where's Zhiar?" Sokka asked.

Digging into his breakfast, "Already training with Pakku." Zuko answered.

Seeing Zuko had more whale bacon on his plate, Sokka looked at his sister as she brought out Iroh's plate of food. "Why's he get all the whale bacon?!"

Katara giggled, "Because he's the man of the house, Sokka. He's my husband."

Pouting, "I thought Iroh was the man of the house."

Iroh chuckled, "I'm much too old to delegate a household. My nephew is better suited."

Katara returned with her own plate and took a seat beside Zuko. The two exchanged looks and beamed at each other. Catching this, Sokka raised a brow and asked them what they were getting all googly eyed about. Neither said anything but Iroh picked up on this and congratulated them on finally consummating their marriage.

"Wait! You fucked my sister again, Zuko?!" Sokka glared at the firebender.

Rubbing his neck, "I wouldn't be so crude as to use those exact words but Kat and I are married."

"It was a sham wedding!" Sokka spat.

Iroh furrowed his brows at this, "The wedding was commenced by an ordained member of the Lotus, the wedding was very much real."

"Doesn't matter! He shouldn't be touching my sister!"

Katara narrowed her eyes at Sokka, "What is your problem, Sokka?! What do you have against Zuko so bad that you don't want us together?!"

"His father turned you into a whore! And then I learned he did so himself before his father even laid a finger on you! None of this should have happened! None of it!" Sokka shouted as he excused himself from the table and stormed off.

Zuko sighed along with his uncle and Katara shook her head. They knew Sokka only agreed to the marriage as it would help prevent his sister's image from being tarnished if it were ever learned by the general public that she was the Fire Lord's consort. However, there was nothing that angered him more than his sister being with the son of the man he watched for seven years abuse, manipulate, and impregnate his sister. Sokka felt he had failed big time after the war ended. He felt he should have done more to prevent their friends from facing the hell they did when the Fire Lord captured them. Even so, Katara had never liked having her older brother be so protective over her that he caused scenes and verbally assaulted others. She decided she'd ignore her brother's opposition to her and Zuko making this marriage as real for them as any marriage.

While Katara and Zuko continued to enjoy themselves more and more with the rekindling of their sexual relationship, Sokka decided he couldn't live under the same roof as them any longer. He spoke with the Chieftain on finding a smaller home for himself as he couldn't marry or have children due to the chemical castration he had undergone to become a eunuch for the Fire Lord. With him moving out, Katara helped him pack his things and told him that she'd visit to check in on him as much as possible but Sokka didn't want to hear it.

"Just focus on you, the boys, and your marriage. You clearly don't need me anymore." Sokka said disdainfully as he grabbed his bags and left out.

Standing in the doorway as Sokka left, Katara felt Zuko come up beside her and hug her from behind as he pressed his lips to the back of her head.

"He'll be fine." Zuko assured her. "He just needs some space so he can focus a little more on himself. He's clearly made you his primary concern to avoid dealing with his own situation."

Katara turned to Zuko and looked up at him tearfully, "I feel his anger is less about us and more about him being unable to be like us."

"Is he really-"

Katara nodded as she looked away from Zuko, "Your father used to have relations with me while Sokka watched in order to see if he could get aroused but it only incited his anger seeing me be the Fire Lord's whore."

Zuko furrowed his brows at this, "And that's why my father will pay for everything he's done to the world and to you all."

"Yes but it'll be years from now." Katara lamented.

"Sooner." Zuko told her as he cupped her face and looked her in her eyes. "It'll only get worse if we leave it up to Zhiar to face my father."

Katara looked at him questioningly, "Wh-what are you-"

Looking at her a bit somberly, "Chieftain Arnook, Pakku, Jeong-Jeong, and I have been planning the assassination of my father."

"And when was this decided?!"

Zuko pulled away from her, "We have meetings outside the White Lotus meetings." he confessed. "The goal is to return the world to its former wonder without the Avatar's involvement."

"So who's going to carry out the assassination?" Katara asked warily, feeling as though she already knew the answer.

Sighing, "I am."

"Zuko!"

"What, Kat?! I'm the only one that knows how to navigate the Fire Nation palace! It has to be me!"

"You could die!"

"That's something I'm willing to face if it means there's hope that I can bring justice to my father for what he did to you and Sokka."

"I don't care about revenge, Zuko! I don't care about it if it means-"

"This is more than revenge, Kat! You saw the world! You saw the suffering first hand before the war ended and after, we can't let this continue." He tried appealing to her conscience.

Katara shook her head and stepped away from him, "You're going to die, Zuko, and I'm never going to be onboard for that."

"You don't have to be, Kat, but you have to accept it."

"When is this supposed to happen?"

"Next week." Zuko informed her.

Katara didn't want to hear anymore and stormed off.

A week past and it was the night before Zuko and Joeng-Joeng would be heading to the Fire Nation with Pakku and a few highly trained waterbenders. They were wrapping up their meeting with Chieftain Arnook when they all saw Katara enter with a disdainful look on her face. She confronted them all for keeping this a secret from her as she should have had a say in this. She should have been made aware of this.

Arnook looked to Zuko, "I think you should remind your wife of her place."

"My place! My place is at my husband's side! You're not taking him to go die at the hands of his father! I refuse!" Katara shouted at them.

Pakku scowled at her, "Hold your tongue, woman! You might hail from the Southern Water Tribe but it is the Northern Water Tribe you reside in! You will not speak to the Chieftain anyway you like!"

Katara was about to storm up to Pakku to give him a piece of her mind when Zuko took her arm and pulled her away but she yanked herself from him.

"Kat-"

"Zuko, don't do this!" Katara looked up at him pleadingly. "I need you here!"

"I have to do this, Kat. What sense does it make to let my younger brother grow up with the burden of killing his own father when it was my wish to end him?" Zuko furrowed his brows as he grabbed onto her arms. "We made a choice years ago to see to it that the tyranny of the Fire Nation would no longer plague this world. I have to see that through. I will never be able to rest if I don't."

Crying as she looked up at him, "Zuko…please!"

Zuko kissed her forehead, "If I don't come back…"

"Zuko, no!"

"...Please, forgive me." He gave a somber smile.

With that, Zuko let go of her and walked around her as the other men followed. He didn't see her at the docks to say goodbye. Instead, his uncle came to send him off and assured him he'd take care of his brothers and Katara.

Holding his hands in his sleeves, "You must not put your life in unnecessary danger, nephew. You must return. There is much you have to live for and someone you must meet when you return."

Zuko raised a brow, "Meet? Meet who?" he was confused.

"Katara is expecting, my dear nephew." Iroh smiled a small smile at his shocked nephew. "That's why she is so frantic about your departure. She says you had been there to help her with both her deliveries and wants badly for you to return in time for this child's birth."

Zuko couldn't believe this. Katara was pregnant? With his child? He felt an immediate sense of dread at having to leave her when she needed him most but he understood that he was helping forge a world that would be worth having his child born into. He promised his uncle that he'd return in order to help Katara have the baby.

"Tell Katara that I love her." Zuko told his uncle.

"Tell me yourself."

The two men turned to see Katara walk up to them.

Looking at her husband with a mixed expression, Katara felt hurt, lament, and grief. She didn't want him to leave. Not now. Why now? They were about to have their first child together and he was leaving before their child could even swell her belly.

Zuko met her half way and reached to cup her cheek as he leaned down to kiss her. The two exchanged a passionate and teary kiss as they silently prayed to themselves that this was not goodbye forever.

"I love you too, Zuko." Katara whispered. "You come back to us, swear it."

Nodding his head, "I swear it."

Katara looked in his eyes to see he was honest, "Even if you have to cower, you come back, at all cost."

Zuko nodded.

Pakku came over to them and broke things up as he told Zuko to get on the ship. They quickly exchanged one more kiss before splitting apart. Pakku looked to Katara as Zuko boarded the ship and sighed.

"I know you think I hate you."

"Oh, I know you do." Katara sneered as she folded her arms.

"Well, I don't." Pakku told her. "You're my best student. A master beyond mastery. You've managed to learn all sub-bending styles of water and even discovered an unthinkable sub-bending style, bloodbending. I've never had a student like you and I doubt I ever will. I'd be heartbroken if something happened to you. Broke my heart enough to learn what happened to you at the war's end."

Katara looked away from Pakku.

"I'll make sure he returns home, Master Katara. You have my word."

Cutting her eyes back at him, "Don't show your face if you fall on your words, Sifu Pakku."

….

A/N: One more chapter of this story left!