Katara
I watch from my tent to see when Zuko and Iroh will come out, praying to the spirits I was right when I told Zuko Iroh would forgive him. I remember playing countless Pai Sho games with Iroh aboard Zuko's ship back when I was a captive. It was clear that more than himself, more than his nation, more than anything else in the world, Iroh loved Zuko. But I also know how much Zuko's betrayal at Ba Sing Se hurt, and it took me a long time to forgive him.
It takes a much longer time than I thought for them to come out, and I accidentally fall asleep. I don't wake up until just before twilight, when I feel Zuko's hand on my shoulder. I open my eyes, and he puts his finger to his lips telling me to be quiet.
"No one else is up yet. I wanted to see you first. Katara, he forgave me right away. He still loves me." He tells me. I smile and jump up to hug him. He holds me tight, and I have to force myself to let go after a few seconds. Sokka or Suki could wake up and see. I'm so tired of hiding this. Today's the comet. It'll be here in a few hours. One way or another, I can't wait for this day to end. Whether we win the war or not, no more hiding or holding back. We'll either be dead or together for real.
Best case scenario, we all win and get to set up a new world. Worst case, we all die and the world burns. I try not to think of that too much. Slightly less worst case scenario, we get our asses whipped like Polar puppies and go into hiding until we can try again. Spirits willing, we'll come out on top today.
"C'mon, let's wake the others. We can explain everything to Uncle over breakfast." He tells me. I nod and get up, waking up Toph and Suki as he wakes up Sokka. Soon, we're all gathered around a camp fire and talking to Iroh. Zuko explains everything to him, and he listens patiently.
"Uncle, you're the Only person other than Aang who can possibly defeat the Father Lord." Zuko tells him.
"You mean the Fire Lord." Toph corrects.
"That's what I just said!" He responds irritably, making me chuckle. We all look to Iroh for a moment and wait for his answer.
"No, Zuko. It would be the wrong way to end the war. If I were to defeat Oazi, and I don't know that I could, History would just see it as a brother killing a brother to gain power. Only the Avatar can end this war peacefully."
"And then, you'll take your rightful place on the throne?" Zuko asks him. He smiles at his nephew.
"No. Someone new must take the throne. A young idealist with unquestionable honor." Iroh tells him. I beam at Zuko, giggling at the second it takes him to realize Iroh is referring to him. "It has to be you, Prince Zuko."
"Unquestionable Honor? But I've made so many mistakes!" He says, making my heart ache for him a bit. He still carries so much guilt.
"Yes you have. You've struggled and suffered, but you've always followed your own path. You restored your own honor, and only you can restore the honor of the Fire Nation." Iroh says. Zuko's face gets determined.
"I'll try, Uncle." He says.
"What if Aang doesn't come back?" Toph asks, giving voice to a concern of my own.
"Sozin's comet will be upon us soon, as will all of our destinies. I have no doubt Aang will be there to face the Fire Lord. I had a dream when I was a boy that I would one day take Ba Sing Se. I thought it would be as a conqueror, but I know now it will be as a liberator. The Earth Kingdom will be free again."
"That's why you gathered the members of the White Lotus!" Suki says.
"Yes. Zuko, you must go back to the Fire Nation so that when the Fire Lord falls you will be there to restore peace and order. But Azula will be there waiting for you." Iroh cautions him, making my heart clench. Zuko's face hardens.
"I'm not the same man I was a few months ago. I can handle Azula."
"I'm glad to hear it. But you still should not go alone." Iroh tells him. Zuko smiles at me.
"Katara, how would you like to help me put Azula in her place?" He asks. I smile at him, excitement and relief filling me. He won't be going alone. I'll be there to help him.
"What about us? What's our destiny today?" Sokka asks. Iroh smiles at him.
"What do you think it is?"
"Well, regardless of anything else, we need to keep those airships from reaching the Earth Kingdom." Sokka says.
"And that way, we'll be there if Aang needs us when he faces the Fire Lord." Toph tells us. Iroh nods his approval at the plan.
"Everyone, go get ready to go. Except for you, Lady Katara." He winks at me. "I'd like to discuss a couple things about the upcoming battle with you."
"Don't I need to hear this too?" Zuko asks. Iroh shakes his head.
"I trained you for three years, and you've known Azula since she was born. You know all you need to. Katara can refresh your memory if she needs to. Now go get ready." Iroh says. Everyone bows and hurries off. I smile at Iroh as he pours me some tea.
"It is good to see you again, Lady Katara." He teases me, using a formal title.
"You as well, General Iroh. What do you need to tell me about the battle?" I ask.
"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to talk to you alone for a moment, and tell you how glad I am to see you and Zuko are together." He tells me, making me choke on my tea.
"We're not- I mean-" I start, but sigh at Iroh chuckling. "How did you know?"
"It wasn't hard to figure out. I've never seen my nephew look at anyone the way he looks at you, and the tension between you is so thick you can cut it with a knife. I do wonder, though, why keep it a secret?" He asks. I purse my lips together and look down.
"Aang, mostly. He has…feelings for me. Strong ones. I thought he had gotten over it after Ba Sing Se, but after a while I felt those feelings had returned to him. If he found out that I had chosen Zuko over him before he fights FireLord Ozai, it will cause a lot of hurt and could be a huge distraction. He wouldn't want to train with either Zuko or me, and that wasn't something we could risk. Now with Aang gone and the Comet today, it's just so no one else gets distracted." I explain. Iroh nods.
"I see. I would say the two of you acted in wisdom. Aang once spoke of his feelings of you to me, and you are correct in assuming those emotions are intense. It will be…difficult for him, when the time comes for him to find out." My hands start trembling and my stomach flips.
"I'm going to lose him, aren't I? He may be young, and at times he's frustratingly immature. He won't Accept the realities of war when he's a key figure in it. But over the last year I've come to love him like family. It's not a relationship I want to end with hurt."
"I would say, he'll need time." Iroh tells me. "And He'll have plenty of distractions to help. Once the war ends I can assume Aang's main goal will be rebuilding the Air Nation. But he will also have to keep balance in the world. With Zuko as Fire Lord, Aang will need a working relationship with him as part of his duties as Avatar. And with you as Fire Lady-" He starts, making me choke on my tea.
"Fire Lady?!" I cough. Iroh smiles at me.
"Surely you realize what a long term relationship with Zuko will mean."
"I-I guess I hadn't thought of it. We assumed you'd take the throne, and Zuko would inherit it somewhere down the line. Hopefully far down the line."
"Well you should think of it now. And if I do say so myself, you're perfect for the role."
"Why?"
"The Fire Lord's role encompasses many things: Politician, lawmaker, judge, diplomat, and warrior Leader. The Fire Lady's role, while informal, is largely social. What social issues she deems important is the direction the nation follows."
"I-I'm not sure I understand." I confess. He chuckles.
"Like I once explained to Zuko, Fire is the element of Power. But Water, is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. You have a deep sense of community and love that holds you together through anything. You, Katara, can bring about leading the Fire Nation into the change it needs."
"Will they even accept me, though?" I ask. I've never heard of someone from one nation marrying into the royalty of another. Iroh takes a deep breath.
"It will not be easy. Zuko's choices will meet hard resistance. Our people have never had a Fire Lady from another nation, and The Fire Nation has been conditioned to one way of thinking for a century: That we should conquer the world. And if all goes as we hope it will tomorrow, then Zuko will give back all the land our nation has been fighting to gain the last hundred years, land our nation's sons, daughters, mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers have died for. People will not take that easily. They will need you to lead them into change, change of culture and change of heart."
"I-" I clear my throat. "Thank you, General Iroh. Zuko's Fire Lady will have a large task in front of her. But if he'll have me I'm willing." I tell him with a Fire Nation bow. Iroh chuckles.
"I can assure you he will accept no one else. And from now on, I would like for you to call me 'Uncle'." He smiles. I grin back.
"Thank you, Uncle." I tell him.
"You're welcome, Katara. Now go get some rest. You have a long day ahead of you."
"Yes, Uncle." I laugh and try to bow, but he pulls me into a hug. "Now get going." He tells me with a wink as I pull away, and I nod then run over to Appa where Zuko's waiting.
"Mind flying?" He asks. "I stayed up all night waiting for Uncle to wake up. I figured I could rest on the way."
"Of Course." I smile at him and kiss his cheek. "I'll wake you up when we're close."
"Alright. Then lets go take the throne."
...