Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There’s word about a capture. Someone from the Southern Water Tribe. 

Azula had been the first one to notify Zuko about it. It’s not like her to go out of her way and tell Zuko all the latest gossip, but she couldn’t help herself when she was the one who was there, taking one of the last remaining waterbenders that tribe has.

Now, they have no more protection. Azula had laid siege on the people and forced them to bend their knees to her. She was even planning on killing some of them off until the last waterbender had begged her for mercy.

There’s no such thing as mercy to Azula, especially to their father, Fire Lord Ozai.

But… Azula was in a good mood. And for some reason, from what Zuko has heard from Ty Lee and Mai, his sister had surprisingly taken quite a bit of liking towards their prisoner. They say Azula finds the waterbender interesting. 

It’s not that much of a shock when Zuko thinks about it. He and his people hardly ever see people from water clans anymore. They’ve grown rare to find these days and have hidden themselves well. Not well enough for this tribe, but it’s been decades since they’ve last located a tribe.

“I’m telling you, Zuzu. She’s got the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. I mean, everyone from the water tribes has blue eyes, or at least the majority of them, but they’re as blue as the ocean. She reminds me of something… I just can’t seem to put my finger on what it is exactly,” Azula hummed, showing her brother an amusing grin. “Maybe you can figure it out for me when she’s here.”

Zuko tries to ignore her, peering down at his desk full of scrolls Iroh had given him to study on. “There are rumors about you liking this waterbender. It seems they’re right, sister… And don’t call me that.”

“I like the thought of dressing her up more.”

“You’ve captured her just to make her into a plaything? I didn’t realize you were still into dolls and dress up.”

“Of course not.” She leans against his desk. “I figured she’d make a wonderful gift for our father. Actually, now that I think about it, she’s probably already met with him. He wanted to be the first to see her, especially since she has the ability to heal others. That girl is incredibly valuable.”

“So I’ve heard,” he retorts.

The reason as to why it’s extremely difficult to find any waterbenders is due to how much people were willing to get their hands on one seeing as how marvelous their healing abilities were as long as they had just enough water. In the Fire Nation where there’s nothing but severe battles and harsh tyranny, a healer is much appreciated. Fire Lord Ozai had tried his best at locating the tribes or finding a wandering water tribesman, but there wasn’t such luck.

Until now. 

The siblings weren’t given much time to talk–well, it was mostly Azula doing all the talking. Zuko had to roll his eyes in annoyance when the two of them were finally dressed in proper royal attire since they were called to the throne room by their father. And because they were walking together down the hall, Azula couldn’t help but smirk at his brother, continuing to rile him up about her latest capture.

“She’s really pretty,” Azula sighs, dismissing the way Zuko screws his face up in frustration. “You should be careful, brother. You might fall in love at first sight.”

“Utter nonsense.”

“Is it? I mean, I suppose it is. Who’d ever like your company? Mai tried taking one for the team, but you really chased her off, didn’t you?”

This thing again. It ticks him off. “Shut up. We weren’t even together. You tried setting us up in the dumbest way possible, now quit it.”

Whatever happened between Mai and him was stupid. The two of them were always being shoved together in the worst way possible since Azula thought it’d be funny, and even Ty Lee got in on it, thinking they’d make the cutest couple when Mai honestly thought of it as a bother while Zuko blew up on his sister as usual. 

“Don’t get so angry, Zuzu. What? Don’t tell me you never liked Mai because you were still waiting for your other half. Having a soulmate doesn’t suit you,” Azula scoffed.

Zuko sneered, “Just keep your trap shut. It’s nothing but nonsense and you know it.”

Soulmates.

They’re said to be precious gifts the world and fate has given to the people. There’s nothing greater than finding the only person who’s able to complete you, make you whole and feel alive. There’ll always be someone who’ll be your perfect match, presented by the fates themselves. 

One example would be Fire Lord Ozai.

Zuko despised his father, and Ozai hardly ever cared about him and only placed great importance on Azula since he thinks of her as someone much more capable than the ruined prince. He’s a terrible man who craves power even if there’s not much left to conquer in the world. Almost everyone is at the feet of the fire nation all thanks to Ozai.

But a dreadful, terrible man like him was still gifted a soulmate. Their ever-gentle mother, Ursa.

And he had loved her so fiercely that it did more harm than good until she finally vanished without a trace.

Zuko had to close his eyes for a second when they arrived in front of the large doors. His features were hardened. Everyone has always cherished their soulmates the moment they find them, but his father loving Ursa did not make him a gentle person as the world had hoped. 

That was the start of everyone’s downfall when he grew so paranoid of Ursa getting captured or hurt, and there was always a seed of doubt that had been planted in his mind when Ozai thought of Ursa running away from him. Ozai became more restless, more aggravated and hurt too many people for his mother to even bear. 

And when she disappeared, it seemed as if a huge part of his father had gone with her desperately as well. 

Zuko can’t fathom having one. He wouldn’t know what to do. He may not be like his father, but he’s still Ozai’s child. What would happen if he ever saw his pair? Soulmates were now a bane to his existence. It’s best for him to just stay alone like this.

When they step through the doors, Zuko only got a small glance of his father until he and Azula kneeled in front of the throne. They spared each other only a glimpse before feeling the beating heat of Ozai’s stare. Azula flinched a little and bowed a bit further, not wanting to take any chances. 

As much as he and his sister looked up to wanting to be the next Fire Lord, having their father as an example wasn’t always for the best. Despite being his favored child, Fire Lord Ozai still didn’t give Azula any exceptions and was somewhat harsher towards her than he was with Zuko due to casting him aside after he lost their Agni Kai duel. 

“Princess Azula.”

It’s Admiral Zhao who calls out to her, right next to her father.

Azula shuddered a little, but she forced a small smile before lifting her head ever so slightly in response. “Yes, Admiral?”

“Your brother could learn a thing or two from you. He’s been to many excursions and despite how later you began following in his footsteps, you were the only one out of everyone in the entire Fire Nation to actually find someone from the water tribe. A waterbender no less. They say she’s the very last one of her tribes, is she not?”

“Yes.”

Zuko held in a glare. Of course, Azula gets all the praise here. Even though he spent so much time out on the waters, no matter how dreadful and dangerous it was, Azula’s the one who managed to find a waterbender. It irks him to no end, yet he bows his head lower in order to avoid his father finding out just how displeased he is.

Admiral Zhao gives a nod of approval, pleased with the princess’ quick work on capturing the waterbender. For now, he’ll be speaking in the Fire Lord’s place. Zuko despises that man.

“Fire Lord Ozai has given his command to treat the waterbender with respect as an official guest of the Fire Nation.”

Azula perks up. “An official guest? But she’s…”

“We understand your confusion, but it’s better this way, is it not? She’s the only waterbender anyone has ever seen for the past decades, and who knows just how many waterbenders there are left in this world? And because you’ve captured her, you know very well that she is the daughter of the Southern Water Tribe’s chief. She may as well be recognized as a princess in their own customs. Do try to get along with her.”

Azula doesn’t say anything to refute that. She’s exactly like her father and holds no respect for anything other than herself and towards the man sitting on the throne, so it’s hard to see herself being polite to the girl. Still, what Admiral Zhao says is correct. Perhaps having her as an official guest of the palace is better than having her hold the title as Princess Azula’s prized captive. 

Admiral Zhao looks down at Zuko next. “Crown Prince Zuko, out of everyone here, only you and the Fire Lord haven’t seen the waterbender yet. General Iroh is tending to her, but she’s to be here at any moment. You have a duty to escort her for a while, make sure she’s comfortable in this place… and see to it that no one disturbs her. She may as well be the Fire Nation’s most valuable possession.”

Zuko lifts his head up and glowers at the man, but he keeps quiet and gives a stiff nod. He doesn’t want to be some petty escort to some water tribe girl, but Admiral Zhao speaks for his father these days, and whatever he says is Fire Lord Ozai’s intentions. He can’t go against that. 

Though he is curious about his father. Zuko figured he’d be the first one to see her, but he’s last like Zuko? 

He glances at Fire Lord Ozai and accidentally catches the man’s eyes. He hastily looks away in return. It seems like he’s only waiting for the girl’s arrival. Almost too patiently. That guy isn’t very well known to wait on anyone or anything, so it’s too odd for Zuko not to notice.

When the doors open to reveal his uncle, General Iroh, he’s seen escorting a young girl with dark brown hair, half of it neatly pulled up with a few braids. She’s wearing blue clothes, thick and fit for the colder regions. He briefly wonders just how she’s not sweating considering just how warm it is in this palace. And then he catches Admiral Zhao’s eyes, the man subtly gesturing with the tilt of his head for Zuko and his sister to go up and greet her. He holds in a snort and goes anyways, Azula following right behind him.

General Iroh takes the girl’s hands gently, smiling down at her heartily. “Come now, dear. You’ve already met Azula, so I want you to meet my nephew.”

Zuko can’t see her since she was hiding behind his uncle, and she’s refusing to leave her spot. Zuko’s eyes narrowed. He really can’t be bothered with this, yet Azula secretly nudges him forward. She glances over at her shoulder for just a moment, noticing Fire Lord Ozai growing impatient. He hasn’t seen the waterbender either.

“It’s alright!” General Iroh laughs, stepping to the side. “Crown Prince Zuko is very nice! My nephew is a gentleman.”

Despite telling her it was alright, she was still adamant on hiding behind him until General Iroh carefully shoved her forward to finally expose her features. Zuko has seen all types of people on his excursions, so seeing a girl who’s younger than him shouldn’t really surprise the prince.

But it does. More than he thought.

She’s gorgeous . With soft brown skin and deep blue eyes that mirrors the ocean just as Azula said, and she’s tinier than he expected. Probably just below his chin, mostly due to the fact she’s ducking her head once again to avoid looking at Zuko, but he grabs her out of nowhere and finds himself releasing a shuddering breath. He wants to see her eyes again even though there’s chills running down his skin and through his spine, and he wonders if she could hear just how loud his heart is hammering against his chest.

A euphoric feeling had washed over him out of nowhere, nearly knocking out all of the oxygen in his lungs and momentarily freezing his brain. He can’t even think correctly. Zuko just held onto her tighter as his eyes widened.

Ah… Zuko thinks that this is how his father, that terrible, horrid man, felt when he first saw the lovely Ursa. This girl is his soulmate .

She even glimpses back up at the prince. And then the waterbender recoils when she realizes what was happening. 

Zuko can feel his sister grabbing his wrist, peeling it away from the girl. He vaguely sees Admiral Zhao standing with alertness at the prince’s actions. He doesn’t even notice his father’s gaze settling in on them.

Azula hisses, “Just what do you think you’re doing? Do you have any idea just how fragile she is… What’s wrong?”

He can’t speak. Doesn’t know how to when he’s just so mesmerized by her that he’s at a loss for words. Zuko feels his blood boiling which shouldn’t even be possible since he’s a firebender, but there’s just too much eagerness in his bones that he doesn’t know how to ebb away the adrenaline of having her here with him. 

He’s his father’s son, truly. Falling in love at first sight.

Azula lets go of him. She’s quiet for a second, looking back and forth between the prisoner she captured and her waste of a princely brother. It clicked all too fast for her. Azula stiffens.

“She’s your-”

“Fire Lord Ozai is summoning her presence. General Iroh, if you could please bring her here, that’d be great.”

General Iroh’s still confused at what was happening between the three of them, but he goes to take the girl away when Zuko’s hand grabs her, not separating at all. He gets a small idea of what’s going on and tries to hide a smile. 

“See? My nephew is very nice! There’s nothing to be scared of, dear girl.” He purposely brushed Zuko’s strange action as a means of comfort. Zuko silently thanked him.

They’re up in the front now, kneeling before Ozai. Zuko keeps a strait-laced face even though he’s holding onto her hand so tightly, and he feels her shaking in his grasp. Either from knowing she was soulmates with her enemy, or from the overwhelming stare she was being given from the Fire Lord who had been hunting down people like her.

She shrinks her head further as Azula takes her place from the other side of the waterbender. General Iroh is standing behind them as well. She’s trapped between them and has no way out.

“What is your name?” Admiral Zhao asks. Zuko glares at the commanding tone.

“... K-Katara…” She all but whimpers. 

It’s a pretty name. It’ll be echoing in his mind all day no doubt. Hearing it makes Zuko slightly loosen his grip on her hand… until she’s trying to slip it out of his hold to which he holds onto her again with strange ferocity. He can’t have that. This is probably how his father also felt when he had grown paranoid of Ursa leaving him.

"Katara," Admiral Zhao begins, “we know how… unpleasant it must have been for you to leave your home and family to come all this way, but you won’t have to worry about anything. Here in the Fire Nation, the servants will provide you with anything you request. You’re an official guest now. Fire Lord Ozai has even granted you the title of a princess now.”

Katara flinches. “I… I-I want to go home-”

“This is your home,” Azula interrupts. Her smile is cold. “As Admiral Zhao said, you’re a princess just as you were back in the water tribe.”

“My father was just a chief. I wasn’t a princess…”

“Same difference, is it not? And besides, with you as my brother’s soulmate, you might as well be.”

Everyone went silent. Zuko closed his eyes, having to hold his breath. He didn’t want anyone, especially his father, knowing about Katara just yet. Waterbenders have always been their enemies, and it was so hard acquiring Katara since she was one of the few who were able to heal using her abilities. If Fire Lord Ozai knew of them being soulmates, he’d use Katara against Zuko and force the both of them to do things they wouldn’t want to do. 

Even his uncle won’t be able to help them through this.

He peers up at the throne through the ravaging flames, noticing Admiral Zhao’s smirk and knowing eyes at the opportunity presented before them. That damn sister of his, always running her mouth to ruin Zuko. Instead of a gloating smile like he expected, Azula’s silent. Her face is like stone. It’s odd and puts him on alert.

“Princess Katara, you should thank the Fire Lord for his generosity.”

At Admiral Zhao’s suggestion, Katara trembles. She doesn’t want to face that man, but if she displeases him, she’ll be in trouble. Who knows what’ll happen to her? Katara doubts the prince even helping her out of this, so she slowly meets the Fire Lord’s eyes and feels her heart turn cold. 

His eyes are the same as Zuko’s. They’re of burning embers and liquid gold. The pressure of his stare accidentally made Katara bite her lip, and she hastily lowers herself on the ground to bow with trembling shoulders. There’s only a small whisper of her thanks echoing in the room. It wouldn’t be enough gratitude, they’re sure of it.

And Zuko was about to get up and shield her, thanking his father in Katara’s place properly until he heard his father hum something. 

“... You’re welcome.”

Admiral Zhao stands frozen. As do the rest. 

They didn’t expect Fire Lord Ozai to let the girl off so easily.

Katara lifts herself from the ground just as Azula suddenly wraps an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close and breaking her away from Zuko.

“Father,” she calls out without warning. “She’s still in her tribal wear. May we be excused to go and fetch her something more appropriate to wear? Katara’s probably tired as well.”

What is she thinking? Zuko sneers, yet he was once again taken aback when his father slightly nodded and waved the both of them away. Azula stands up and takes Katara up with her, and Zuko plans on going with them until his father stops him and dismisses Admiral Zhao and his uncle.

General Iroh sends Zuko a worried look, though Zuko continues to kneel. “Go with Katara… Please, Uncle.”

He only trusts him with her. 

When General Iroh begrudgingly leaves with Admiral Zhao, it’s only Zuko and the Fire Lord.

“How’s your breathing?”

An unexpected question.

Zuko… doesn’t know how to answer that. His father must’ve noticed how lost he was and sighs as if the silence was yet again another disappointment Zuko presented him.

“When I first saw your mother, it felt like all the air left my lungs. So? Did you feel the same?”

Oh, so that’s what it was. Zuko relaxed just a tinge.

There’s a scoff in response. “I thought I was having a heart attack.”

His father lets out a frosty smile, one much like Azula’s, yet it holds just the tiniest bit of amusement. Fire Lord Ozai raises a hand to let the flames settle down so Zuko can see his face clearly. The room’s still as hot, but not as stuffy thankfully. He wonders what his father wants from him.

There are all sorts of thought running through Zuko’s mind, and he briefly thinks about how it’s possible that there’s nothing good to come out of this meeting. He must want something from Katara. It causes Zuko to clench his fists.

There’s just a slight pause before Fire Lord Ozai speaks, maybe due to the fact that he hasn’t spoken to Zuko one-on-one in months, so there’s nothing but awkwardness and tension between them. 

“I… Planned to have her move into the central building of the palace. Now that she’s your soulmate, a part of our family, I think it’s best to have her stay by your side instead. It’s better to have our soulmates as close to us as possible. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you this, but don’t stray too far away from her.”

It’s hard to hear the word “family” come out of that man’s mouth, but Zuko slightly bows his head. “Yes, I understand. Her abilities are valuable, so I’ll keep her near.”

That’s what he wanted, right? To keep Katara near Zuko just so she wouldn’t be able to escape anywhere. It’s how Ozai thinks… yet he sees the Fire Lord falter just a bit. A rare sight for Zuko or anyone to see.

“That’s not it… She just… well-” He ends up quiet. Ozai never stutters. “She just reminded me of your mother, that’s all.”

Zuko is left stunned.

Azula, that clever girl… She planned for this.

She reminds me of something.

That girl reminded her of their mother. Ozai’s one and only weakness.

All the stiffness left him as Zuko raised his head up, knowing that Katara was safe in the coincidence that she somehow reminded Ozai of his missing wife. He can’t see it though, but when Zuko thinks back to how demure Katara seemed, perhaps it’s one of the reasons why.

Fire Lord Ozai dismisses Zuko right after, his expression turning extremely frigid once again. As if there was any place for gentleness. 

And for the life of him, Zuko couldn’t remember just how fast he ran over to Azula’s section of the palace. He’s sure the many servants he passed by were startled by the sight of their crown prince running, yet they swiftly moved to the side and bowed their heads. Zuko paid them no attention and made it all the way to his sister’s residence, heavily breathing as the nerves crawled all the way up to his throat.

He wants to see her. He wants to take a peek inside and know how she’s doing, and if Katara was willing to spend the day getting to know him. Though he hesitated. Zuko isn’t very… sociable. Not like Azula, who had a surprising amount of charisma and dominating presence.

He hardly ever talks to the opposite sex as well. The only girls around were Mai and Ty Lee, and they don’t exactly count.

Zuko was alarmed when the doors opened, revealing Azula in a more casual attire. There’s a knowing smirk on her lips that Zuko’s already tired of seeing.

“Aw, you miss your girlfriend already?” She’s teasing him. “You know, I hear some girls don’t like clingy people. You should give her some space-”

“Where is she? Can I see her?”

Azula’s smile grows stiff. “She’s still getting ready. Katara doesn’t want to wear anything red to be honest, she wants blue. And well… I barely have anything in that color. My maids are helping her pick out her clothes, so you might as well just wait.”

Zuko’s antsy. He doesn’t want to wait, but he nods and heads inside anyway, finding a random place on the ground to sit down. Azula raises an eyebrow at him and suddenly chooses to sit down next to him.

“I do have a bit of a waiting room, you know. She’s inside my bedroom, so you can wait around there.”

“I’m fine… I just need a moment here.”

Azula rolls her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re getting a panic attack. That’s so lame.”

“Shut up, Azula.”

She waves him off. “So? What did our father want to talk to you about? Let me guess, it’s about… Katara! I bet he was comparing her to our beloved mother, who’s still missing.”

Zuko doesn’t say anything and simply turns his head around. Azula scoffs in return.

“I told you, didn’t I? She reminded me of something. Of course, she looks nothing like Mother, but she gives off that feeling. I’m not sure whether or not to take offense to that.”

“Don’t.”

Azula almost jumped when she realized Zuko wasn’t warning her, it was a threat instead. Her brother was never the one to outright hurt her no matter how much she faints him and butt heads with him, so seeing him like this makes Azula more alert. She’s glaring right back at him.

“I was kidding. Don’t take it so seriously, Zuko.”

Of course, she’s only kidding. But Zuko’s paranoid already, and he keeps recalling about his mother and how she left her children just to get away from her tyrant husband. No matter how much Zuko says he’s not his father, he and Fire Lord Ozai are the exact same.

General Iroh appeared before the two of them, smiling as happily as ever.

“She’s all ready now, but she seems a little too shy to leave the room. I think it’s best to let Katara get accustomed to the palace first.”

Zuko stands up in a hurry. “But Uncle-”

“Don’t worry, Prince Zuko. This is the perfect time for you to keep me company instead. Why don’t we play some games, eh? Your sister can watch over your soulmate for a while.”

Zuko spares a glance at Azula, watching her getting up with a small smirk. He sneers. The hell is she planning?

“Don’t give me such a scary look, brother. I’m just doing as our uncle says!” She scoffs at him, brushing past Zuko to leave. “I’ll make sure she’s not so lonely. Have fun you two.”

Even though he protested, General Iroh was adamant on taking Zuko away from Azula’s quarters. He kept on grinning widely even as fire erupted out of Zuko’s fists, growing hotter with each passing second as they stalked out into the crown prince’s quarters instead. 

Zuko exhaled, fire coming out from his nostrils as well. He’s thoroughly pissed off and much too anxious to just be sitting around in this place.

“Uncle, I should be there with her,” he claims.

“As I said before, let’s just give Katara some time. She’s in a foreign place without any friends or family-”

“Who cares about that? I'm her soulmate! She only needs me!” 

His uncle gives him a sigh. It’s not unusual for Zuko to throw tantrums but watching him pace around like this reminds him of how Ozai was back then whenever he grew too distrustful and paranoid about Ursa. If his wife was doing something behind his back such as leaving him.

“Prince Zuko.”

He hisses, “What?”

“I must advise you to calm down just a bit. Yes, it’s true you are soulmates with her, but you should think just a little bit on how she feels. You’re from the enemy nation, and the crown prince of all people. She’s afraid of you-”

“Katara shouldn’t have to be. It’s not like… I-I’d hurt her. I just wanted to see her…”

What’s wrong with wanting to see his own soulmate? He doesn’t understand why Iroh was separating them and making Azula of all people watch over her. Knowing her, she might be mocking Katara during his absence which makes him frantic. He wants to go out and ignore whatever Iroh told him, but his uncle clasps a hand on his shoulder and shakes his head.

He tells Zuko again. Katara is afraid of them.

Of course, she’s scared of Azula who overpowered her small tribe and took her as hostage but having a soulmate who’s been enemies with her own people for so long was different. Katara already viewed the people of the Fire Nation as bad guys, so having to face Zuko as her own true pair? 

She probably already despises him.

The thought of that makes Zuko’s heart sink, and he turns sickly pale at the possibility. He doesn’t want to be hated by her. 

He’ll have to keep his distance for a while just as Iroh says.

It proves itself to be difficult though.

A week later, Zuko ended up wandering around in the garden, all decked out in his usual armor with a menacing look on his face after a particularly harsh training from Admiral Zhao. Not that Zuko had any problems with him since he was on par with the man, but Admiral Zhao always went out of his way to taunt the crown prince and was hostile every time they met. Now, Zuko was heated and thoroughly aggravated to the point where he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going.

Until he heard a delightful giggle from the middle of the garden. He looked up, already groaning when he knew it was Ty Lee.

Azula probably brought them over again to cause some trouble.

And he thought about just turning around to leave before he caught wind of Katara’s name, and he turned around so fast he nearly got whiplash. He peered around the trees, his heart stuck in his throat when he saw Katara sitting down on a blanket, having a picnic with Mai as Ty Lee showed a powerful display of acrobatics.

Zuko didn’t pay much attention to her though, his eyes only zoned in on his soulmate and how pretty she was wearing a simple blue dress. Her dark brown hair’s all neatly done with some accessories decorating it, and she’s even wearing some bands of gold on her wrists and arms. She’s a vision for days, and the anger that had bubbled up in Zuko all but nearly vanished.

He wants to sit beside her as well.

Azula though, she’s there. She’s right by Ty Lee, gesturing at her friend. “So? What do you think, Katara? Didn’t I tell you Ty Lee’s pretty flexible?”

“I can even walk like this!” Ty Lee says, moving with her hands as her feet are still high up in the air. She hangs her head down, looking at Katara in a funny position. “It’s pretty fun! You should try!”

“I don’t know how,” Katara replies softly. “You’re really amazing… I can’t imagine doing that. And when you said you were in the circus, I can’t imagine going to one either.”

Mai hums absentmindedly, “Oh, yeah. You grew up in the cold. You’ve never seen a circus performance before, have you?”

“It’s okay, Katara! I’ll perform for you anytime! It’d be good for me anyways since it’ll be a while before I return.”

“Really?”

“Yeah! I know a good handful of tricks, so if you’re ever bored then feel free to tell me. I’ll show you some,” Ty Lee responds with a wide grin. “Actually, now that we’re talking about the circus… Azula, would it be possible to hold a banquet?”

“Hmm, I don’t see why not. It’d be a good way to officially announce Katara’s status here in the Fire Nation as an honorary princess.”

Mai sighs, “Banquets are boring.”

“That’s why I’m thinking of bringing the circus over!” Ty Lee exclaims, swiftly getting up without difficulties. “Katara’s never been to one! And since when did the palace last have good entertainment? Right, Azula?”

“I think it’s a great idea.”

“Fire Lord Ozai doesn’t seem like the type to agree. He doesn’t like noise, right?” Mai scoffs. Katara shrivels in disappointment, but Mai notices and frowns. “But… seeing a circus outside the palace might be more fun. There’ll be a lot of people and food stalls, won’t there?”

“Both of them are good ideas, but it’s really up to what the crown prince thinks. Isn’t that right, Zuzu?”

Zuko jolted at the mention of his name and silently cursed at his sister, forcing himself to reveal himself when the girls all turned around to see the crown prince awkwardly shifting on his feet. He’s waving over at them, forcing a smile. It drops though when he sees Katara turn away.

“Hey, Zuko!” Ty Lee cheerfully waves at him. “We were just talking about you not too long ago!”

“... About what?” He’s slowly treading over, finding it impossibly difficult not to join Katara instead of his sister’s side at the moment.

“Oh, you know,” Ty Lee giggles. “Just how crazy it is for you to be paired up with someone. With Katara of all people. You know, she’s really pretty. And super cool, too! She tried feeding the turtle ducks, and she bended the water to get one! She’s way out of your league, don’t you think?”

There’s a small bout of jealousy flaring up when he hears that the girls were able to see her waterbending skills before him. But it’s not something to get angry over, even though the knowing grins from Ty Lee ticked him off.

It’s all teasing, Zuko knows that, but it’s not like she was wrong. 

He also felt that it was such a pity that someone so gorgeous as this girl in front of him ended up… with a lousy crown prince who can never keep his temper down and was utterly useless in the eyes of his father. She deserves better, doesn’t she—

There’s a slight tug on his leg. Zuko and Azula were startled to see Katara looking up at Zuko, her pretty blue eyes glistening in the sun. She swallows but raises a hand to shakily point at the fountain.

“Would… You like to help me feed the turtle ducks? I-I don’t know how to.”

Her question is soft, too timid as if she was afraid of the rejection, but Zuko couldn’t imagine saying no to Katara. At all.

Like a fool, he nods his head and bends down to help her up in a hurry, almost losing his balance until Azula grips the back of his armor and helps him stand properly. Ty Lee giggles alongside with Mai, who rolled her eyes and chuckled at the sight. Zuko feels his face blush red at the embarrassment, yet Katara doesn't see it and gently takes his hand.

Azula snickers with the girls as Zuko leads Katara over to the pond. He ignores them, too focused on what’s happening before him right now. 

Katara stands next to him silently, holding a piece of bread as she stares at the turtle ducks with some hesitance. Zuko gazes down at her, unsure of what to do until she looks back at him.

“I’ve never seen turtle ducks before… We don’t have them in the South Pole. I want to feed the babies, but the mother keeps circling around them. She might bite me.”

Her eyes are on a baby turtle duck, fascinated and slightly obsessed. She wants to touch it and hold the creature, yet its mother swam around its children, wary and irritated. Zuko dropped down to the ground, gently taking Katara down with him and smiled grimly. He doesn’t know how to explain, he isn’t so good at talking to people. Still, he tries to show her and holds her hand out towards the turtle ducks very slowly.

There’s bread in her hands. The mother hisses. Katara flinches and tries pulling away, but Zuko had a firm grip on her wrist and kept her hand there just long enough for the mother to swim closer. She’s sniffing it and eyeing them carefully, but all it takes was one nibble of the bread for her and her children to enthusiastically swim over and join. There’s one baby that’s even trying to jump in the palm of her hands.

Katara inhales sharply. “Is it okay to hold it?”

“Yes, hold it carefully.”

Zuko’s still helping her, holding both of his hands below her own just in case the small turtle duck decides to randomly jump off. But Katara’s smiling wide, excited and a little in disbelief awe she held it close to her chest. 

“Will you join me for dinner tonight?” She asks out of nowhere. It unnerves him. 

Zuko swallows. “I-Is that alright?”

“Will you be busy?”

“No… I won’t.”

She smiles wider and glances at him, pink dusting across her cheeks while she’s still cradling the turtle duck. He’s enamored with how the girl looks at him. He’s embedding the serene color of her eyes, how it strikes him in the heart when he’s reminded of the calming seas. He wonders fearfully what would have happened if Azula never went on that voyage out of a whim, if she’s never met Katara. He wonders what would have happened to him if he went on without knowing his pair.

Katara ducks her head and lowers the turtle duck down to its mother, still full of smiles and reaches down to touch more of them. 

Zuko can’t stop looking at her.

He’s mesmerized. Loves her to death.

He begs forgiveness from his mother silently, where she's at. He’s what she’s feared would happen. Fire Lord Ozai was a terrible man who kept his mother locked up, only ever for him to see and to hide away from the world. His children are the same. 

He hopes Katara will never find that out.

Chapter Text

Things have changed in the palace. Slowly and subtly, but the people have been noticing.

Ty Lee and Mai are often seen with Katara, accompanying her and sometimes showing her around. Ty Lee also makes sure to keep her thoroughly entertained, putting on small shows here and there whereas Mai sometimes teaches Katara the culture of the Fire Nation even though Mai’s lessons were… monotone and dull.

If Katara wasn’t with the girls, she was usually with General Iroh, enjoying his company and his tea. She made good remarks about it, saying that they’re the most delicious things she’s ever had which greatly pleases Iroh. 

As for the young royals, the people in the palace have made it their mission not to disturb Azula and Zuko’s time with Katara.

Azula is delighted by the new so-called “princess” along with her friends, to the shock of many. Azula doesn’t do sharing, especially having to share her title as the crown princess of the nation with Katara, a foreigner. But she doesn’t mind it. In fact, she likes showing Katara off whenever she can to elevate the waterbender’s status. It’s said Katara is her favorite person. Who knows why honestly.

And for her brother, Zuko is always hovering over her whenever he can, and was possessive over his soulmate to where he was nearly the exact same as Ozai when Ursa was still around. There wasn’t a day when Zuko wasn't around her, always keeping his gaze settled on Katara. He’s a lot more intense than the others, of course, but there was a time when everyone had grown increasingly anxious and wary when Zuko forcefully swapped out all of the male servants in Katara’s court to who knows where, replacing them with only girls.

If there was something Katara liked, Zuko would use any means to get it whatsoever despite any trouble. If there is something that bothered her in the slightest, he’d get rid of it just as easily as those male attendants. And despite not always wanting to go out or see anyone, if Katara stayed inside her quarters the whole day, Zuko would still come by and stick around the outside, merely wandering and waiting to try and get a glimpse of her before being removed by his sister and her friends.

Katara, no longer a captive, had been officially titled as an honorary princess. She’s been given many gifts that even noble families of the nation can’t get their hands on so easily, and there was hardly anyone around to tell her no whenever she asked for something, no matter how small or trivial it was. Katara really had become the Fire Nation’s greatest treasure, especially to Zuko. 

Though Katara couldn’t really believe what had happened to her. She was still in disbelief, going from a small tribal girl from the Southern Watertribe and being held captive, to becoming a princess that had equal standing with Azula and Zuko. Not to mention the fact that her soulmate was the crown prince… She still doesn’t know what to do with him.

They’ve had dinner before, yes. When she first invited him, she could tell just how nervous he was as he kept stammering over his own words while complimenting how pretty she looked. He could barely even eat. She recalls the way he even choked on his drink, much too anxious about just sitting down and eating with her. 

Katara had blushed though, finding him somewhat… cute. But that was all. She only invited him to eat with her since she just wanted to take a closer look at him. And seeing how Zuko’s become so possessive of her, Katara had grown a little weary.

She wants to avoid Azula and Zuko. She’s still frightened by them no matter how nice they are to her. 

But nothing beats being completely terrified of Fire Lord Ozai though.

Once, Katara was walking through the gardens to take a peek at a turtle duck. She wanted to pet one without anyone’s help, and there really wasn’t anything else for her to do in the palace. 

But when she attempted to pet one, the mother turtle duck grew vicious and tried attacking her. Katara would’ve stumbled back on her butt if it weren’t for someone grabbing her by the shoulder and pushing her upright, keeping her balanced on her feet.

“Thanks, I was about to fall-”

Her voice died out just as she backed away, bowing her head so low as her heart hammered against her ribcage.

It was Fire Lord Ozai who helped. And he was staring down at her with eyes as cold as the south. This was the man who had begun mass genocide for years, taking apart whatever he wanted and rebuilding the entire world with just a wave of his hand. He’s the reason why the waterbenders had all gone into hiding.

And he helped her up.

The only other person with him was Iroh, simply smiling at her. He’s munching on a loaf of bread, too.

“My dearest Katara,” Iroh chuckled. “Forgive us for intruding. We didn’t mean to startle you.”

“N-No, I… I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you. I humbly greet the Fire Lord.”

Ah, she can’t stop her voice from shaking. She’s so scared of him lashing out at her that she didn’t even notice Fire Lord Ozai taking the bread away from his brother. He grabbed one of her hands as well, dumping the bread there before backing away and leaving without another word.

Seeing his sudden departure was… baffling honestly. Katara was at a loss for words, Iroh as well when his food had been taken away. Yet, he chases after Fire Lord Ozai, but not before smiling at Katara once more and telling her good luck with the turtle ducks.

She was quiet for a good ten minutes, wondering what just happened until the baby turtle ducks started clamoring around her, noticing the bread in her hands.

Other than that one incident in the garden, she hardly ever saw him again, and if she did, it was far away for when she and the others had to attend a small dinner gathering once in a while. Turns out, the Fire Nation’s royal family hardly ever had dinners together until Katara arrived. And because Zuko was adamant on sticking with her, and Azula claimed Katara as her favorite little waterbender, the three of them were stuck together with the addition of Mai and Ty Lee. Even General Iroh came along and sat down with his brother, full of smiles and jokes as they ate.

“I think having a banquet would be a good thing!” Iroh laughed. “Ty Lee is right. It’s been too dull in the palace these past few months, and Princess Katara might’ve grown bored without proper entertainment.”

Ty Lee nodded. “Yes! Exactly! I’ll even get the circus to come!”

Zuko snorts, rolling his eyes as he sneakily puts some of his favorite dishes on Katara’s plate. “A circus doesn’t sound so appealing,” he mutters. “We have other things for Katara to enjoy. There’s no need to invite small peasants here.”

Katara’s downhearted a little. She’s lived a regular life like peasants as well since the tribe was just so small and they never had a whole abundance of food, so she’d give up her portion to the young children and the elders and mothers. 

“Don’t be a sore loser, Zuzu. I think it’s a great idea, Ty Lee.”

“Shut up, Azula.”

From the other end of the table, Mai picked at her food. She lightly hummed out, “It’s so boring staying here… If I was Katara, I’d want to go out and see the streets of the Fire Nation-”

“That’s too dangerous for her. It’s better for Katara to just stay here where it’s much safer. Besides, we have lots of gardens and she’s free to have whatever she wants,” Zuko scoffs.

Katara shrinks, her mood plummeting. She’s starting to pick at her food as well. Zuko would never let her out, and despite already accepting that fact, it still saddened her just a bit. She’s been wanting to go outside, yet the royal siblings would try and keep her locked up here where she’s constantly in their eyes. 

But she guesses it’s not so bad staying in this place. After all, she can have whatever she wants even if it’s the most nonsensical request. Like this food in front of her, it’s not something the Fire Nation would have. Seaweed noodles, one of her favorites. A cuisine that only the Southern and Northern water tribes would eat.

When she first commented on how much she missed eating the dishes of her home, Zuko personally went out and scourged all over the nation and met with foreign people to ask about the cuisines of the water tribes. Azula would also try her best to make some dishes that fit her people’s standards even if she’s never cooked a day in her life.

It ended up with the crown princess being kicked out of the kitchen by Iroh.

The people here really did treasure her. It made her grateful actually.

“What’s wrong?” Zuko whispers frantically. “This is your favorite dish. Is it not to your liking? I’ll have someone send it back and bring out some fish instead.”

“No, it’s fine. I just… Well, I think I want to go out…”

Zuko frowns, unsettled and already shaking his head. There’s no need for her to go out. Why would she when she’s perfectly safe in here and has everything in the palm of her hands? Even Azula would freak out if she learns of Katara wanting to go out. Not as much as her brother, but… She’d still get worried.

Katara notices the look on Zuko’s face and huffs.

“If I can’t go out t-then what about the banquet? Can’t we host one?”

She’s holding out on hope that Zuko would allow it. She’s too cooped up in here. Back home, she was free to go out wherever she wanted with her brother, and they’d end up penguin sledding for hours without end. In this place, there’s too many things holding her down. Zuko was strict about it. She wasn’t even to go about freely without anyone noticing her soulmate or Azula, and she doesn’t doubt Fire Lord Ozai knowing where she’s going either. 

Zuko doesn’t get a say though when Iroh butts in the conversation. He’s chuckling, “Of course, you can! Even Fire Lord Ozai says yes!”

Everyone turns their heads to the very end of the table to where the Fire Lord is sitting. The man is eating quietly, hardly paying any attention to his brother and lightly taps his chopsticks against his dish. But he does glance up once, shockingly over to Ty Lee. The girl immediately flinches and hangs her head low, too afraid to even hold his stare.

Fire Lord Ozai lightly comments, “It’s fine.”

And then he goes back to eating, not saying another word. 

Azula is dumbstruck along with her brother. The matter of a banquet isn’t something that their father particularly cares about. If they wanted to host one, they could without permission honestly since it’s a trivial thing for Fire Lord Ozai to care about. But now, he said yes. He’s expecting it no matter what.

Iroh relieves just a bit of the tension by waving over to Ty Lee. “Bring some of your circus friends! Fire Lord Ozai will be more than happy to have them here! It’d be good for Princess Katara, too.”

“O-Oh… Yes, I’ll make sure of it.”

No wonder he looked at Ty Lee. He expected actual entertainment, one that’s not for the usual royal banquet’s pleasure. There’s no doubt about it. He’s only accepting this due to Katara.

And speaking of Katara, she’s beaming and smiling so wide that it renders Zuko speechless. He’s unable to look away.

Perhaps hosting a banquet wouldn’t be too bad if it meant he’d get to see Katara like this. She’ll probably smile a lot more during it as well.

With that, the dinner came to an end with Katara walking back to her chambers, humming lightly with a smile still stuck on her face. This was a good thing, having a request like this be granted. Even if it was by Ozai himself.

But before she could enter her chambers, Katara hears someone calling her name. She turns around, somewhat surprised to see Zuko chasing after her and then stopping, awkwardly just standing around even though he looked like he had much to say.

“Um, hey,” Zuko said lamely. He cursed himself for sounding like such a fucking loser in front of her. “I just… Well, I, uh… C-Came to say goodnight to you.”

Goodnight? The sun hadn’t set just yet, and they were in her quarters, ways away from the crown prince’s chambers. He even ran here just to see her, so only coming here to say goodnight? Katara feels her lips twitch up into a small smile. 

“Yes, goodnight.”

“Um, y-yeah… Make sure to stay warm as well. It gets cold at night… you know?”

“Oh, uh, yes. I suppose so.” Cold? It’s always warm in this place.

Zuko frantically points out, “Make sure to tell someone if you need anything. I know you already know, but… ah, well…”

It’s sort of funny, she guesses. He’s just so awkward with her that it’s hard to see it as anything but endearing. 

Even if they were natural born enemies.

“Would you like to come inside?”

Zuko stops his stuttering rant and looks dumbfounded. “Sorry?”

“Oh, uh, it’s just for a while. Azula and the others are off doing their own things and I don’t really have anyone to talk to, and my quarters are rather big just for one person… Would you like to come in for some tea?”

She didn’t know what came over her, asking such a thing to the crown prince of the Fire Nation, but there was nothing she could do when Zuko’s eyes lit up in expectancy. He seemed hopeful to get closer to her.

And when they were settling in her chambers, sitting across from each other at the table with her pouring tea, they found themselves at an awkward sort of silence. It was to be expected really. Katara doesn’t like to say much ever since she was captured, and Zuko was naturally an awkward person.

Who would’ve thought? Certainly, not Katara. Not to mention, he was clumsy the majority of the time whenever they’re together due to his nerves. And there were times he often stuttered or found himself at a loss for words, unsure of what to say to her without making himself look any more of a fool. 

Plus, he wasn’t so… Princely like she initially thought before coming here. And she doesn't mean his scarred appearance. She could care less about that.

Zuko had such a short temper. It seemed like he was always angry every single day no matter the location or the people he was with. A fiery personality like his was to be expected, but she never expected him to have a hard time controlling himself. He turns reckless, selfish and uncaring, and it was difficult to settle him down without the help of Iroh. And sometimes, she notices how fast it is to rile Zuko up. 

Like Admiral Zhao for instance. That guy had quite a talent picking on Zuko and facing him head on whenever they met, and to Katara, it looked like her soulmate was always going to pick a bone with that man no matter what it was.

Yeah, Katara guesses she’s got quite a bit to work with concerning her soulmate. She won’t say Zuko’s a handful, not when he’s just been so kind to her and tries his best to please her, but it’d be good if he learns to be that nice to others as well.

Still, he's a very gentle soulmate. In his own way. She's very thankful to have someone like him, though she's still a little unsure. 

“Thank you,” she says. “For the whole banquet thing. I know you’re not very happy about the performers, but I appreciate you still allowing it.”

Zuko grimaces. “Well, it can’t be helped if you like it so much. Besides, Father was the one who wanted them anyway. You can thank him later for that if you want.”

Katara doesn’t see herself going out of her way to thank the Fire Lord, but she grins and nods anyway.

They were stuck in another awkward silence which Katara was getting worried about until Zuko finally spoke up, asking her something she didn’t quite expect.

“Do you… Still miss your home?”

Katara was unsure how to reply, but she was truthful in the end and said, “I am. Don’t get me wrong, this place is beautiful and I’m very grateful for everything Your Highness has given-”

“Zuko.”

“What?”

He blinks. “You can just call me by my name, you know. I’d prefer that instead.”

She smiles, a little shy. “Right, Zuko.”

She sees him perk up a bit, too happy to just hide how pleased he was.

“I, um… I’m thankful for how accommodating everyone has been, but the water tribe…” Katara trails off. “I can’t help but miss it.”

Zuko doesn’t understand her attachment. He’s too focused on having Katara stay here with him, and that she shouldn’t really need a reason to go back. Plus, this palace wasn’t so warm and welcoming Even to him or his sister. He has no sentiments about this place, and no fond memories. If there were, they would have been around his mother, who was long gone.

But it does make him worry when he sees just how downhearted Katara is. He doesn’t know how to fix it.

“What do I do?”

Katara was taken aback. “What?”

“What do I do… So, you’re not as sad?” 

He’s eagerly waiting, determined to find some sort of solution as if it was so easy. There were a lot of things running through Katara’s mind, but the only thing that had stuck with her was the ask to return home.

But Zuko wouldn’t allow it. The entire Fire Nation would never allow it, especially Ozai.

Katara only shakes her head. “You don’t really have to do anything.”

“But I don’t want you upset. Surely, there’s something I can do.” Zuko tries again.

She knew he wouldn’t let this go so easily, so she comes up with something quick and smiles lightly. “Um, since I don’t know much about Fire Nation culture, I was wondering if there would be… uh, dances for the banquet.”

Zuko blinks. “Dances?”

“Ty Lee told me there were old Fire Nation dances that people still do. We hardly ever dance back in my tribe due to our small population, and I’ve never been to the Northern Water Tribe either. There’s a lot I don’t know about here. C-Can I see one?” 

It’s a reasonable request, right? And Katara was actually genuine in wanting to see more of the nation’s culture since she wasn’t allowed to be outside. 

So, when she saw Zuko quirk his lips up and nod, Katara lights up and happily thanked him. She misses her home a lot, and she doubts that she’ll ever properly adjust to this place, but it’s a good thing that she isn’t mistreated here. She was honestly scared of everyone and anything due to the brutal stories she heard about the Fire Nation back home.

And seeing her happy makes Zuko relax a little. He’s still a bit wary, worried about what he’d have to do next in order to appease Katara next time. He just doesn’t want her so caught up in wanting to go back to the south, not without leaving him behind.

Like Ursa did with his father, who’s now nothing more than a spiteful and malicious shell of half the man he used to be.

With the thoughts of his parents heavy in his heart, Zuko’s smile turns strained as he hurriedly compliments Katara on how pretty she was today, making sure she knew just how much he appreciated being able to see her and even talk with her even though he still had trouble making conversations. He doesn’t want her thinking about her home any longer. He wants her with him all the time. 

Zuko’s paranoia grows a little more.

He’ll have to think of some other way to make sure she doesn’t leave. 

Chapter Text

Katara didn’t know what she was exactly expectanting when the banquet had finally come. 

She knew, of course, that it’d be massive and full of splendor since Azula and the girls were in charge of it. But they needed to make it even more spectacular since Ozai had voiced his anticipation despite the Fire Lord’s stoic and bland tone. He didn’t seem all that excited, but he figured if Katara really wanted that party so much, he might as well put in some effort for entertainment.

Which is why he didn’t mind Ty Lee hosting the main events. They had all sorts of entertainers to traditional firebenders to even invite those who bended the earth. There were even some who juggled sharp swords with ease, those who could breathe out fire and make them into shapes, and other performers who amazed Katara and the guests with magic gimmicks. 

Ty Lee though, she was wonderful to watch. She brought out a whole entourage of performers. And even though she was up high in the air, dangling about with hardly any safety net, she seemed to be enjoying herself and did all sorts of flips.

But one of her favorite performances was a play, set up right in the middle of the banquet hall. It was comedic and colorful, and it showed her plenty more things about the outside world she had been missing out on since she had been stuck in such a remote home.

Katara glanced at the side, noticing Iroh clap loudly and praising the performances. He was having a good time like her, and he didn’t stop pointing at whatever seemed to pique his interest to show his brother. 

But… It looked like Firelord Ozai wasn’t as entertained. In fact, everyone else shared the same bland, stoic looks. Azula held a cold smile whereas Mai played around with her fingernails, already bored with everything. The two of them only showed real interest in Ty Lee’s performance, but other than that, they weren’t paying that much attention. 

Zuko, sitting beside Katara as always, stared straight at the people doing their best to please the royal family. And while he clapped and nodded, he hadn’t said a single word and never smiled. For a second, he looked just like his father. The two of them weren’t so into it. 

“Did you see that, Zuko?” Katara gasps as she watches a firebender create a large dragon out of fire. 

“I can make mine bigger,” he responds nonchalantly. He’s not impressed. 

Azula scoffs, “So, what? I bet I can make several at the same time. Ever seen a blue dragon, Katara?”

“Blue?”

Katara thinks back to when she first saw Azula. When the princess had seen her, she was adamant on capturing Katara at all costs and immediately bended blue flames in front of the whole tribe. She was ruthless and agile, skilled in pushing Katara and her weak powers back. It wasn’t even much of a fight. Within minutes, Azula had her completely trapped and begging to at least let her people go.

She’ll never forget about those blue flames. They were far different from everyone else’s. More sharp and extremely hot, and Azula took such pride in how she bended fire.

“I guess not?” Katara says. 

“I might as well put on a performance myself. Show these people what real fire is,” Azula scoffs, flicking a piece of her hair away from her eyes. “You might enjoy me more than them.”

“Don’t be rude, Azula. Ty Lee’s doing her best.”

“I don’t mean Ty Lee, Mai. I meant the others. The firebenders who keep making small butterflies out of their fires and whatnot,” Azula snickers. 

Mai shrugs, going back to sharpening her nails with a blade that Katara’s sure wasn’t allowed to be inside. 

At that time, a couple came up to their table. A man and woman, holding each other’s arms as they bowed in front of the crown prince and princess. Zuko gives them a nod, silent and not so attentive as he keeps giving Katara some snacks instead. Azula, on the other hand, gives the couple a look.

“Lord Bairo!” Azula greets with a stiff smile. “It’s so lovely to see you. How long has it been since we last saw each other?”

Lord Bairo and his wife, Lady Nena, smiled in reply. His wife answers, “We haven’t seen each other since last spring. We just wanted to come up and congratulate Princess Katara and Crown Prince Zuko on finding each other. It’s truly a miracle you found your brother’s soulmate.”

“Yes, well, it’s truly the work of fate for us to meet. ZuZu over here can’t stand to be apart from Katara, so don’t expect him in any meetings for the next month or so.”

Zuko gives his sister a stern glance as the table erupted into small giggles. Katara had to cover her mouth with her sleeve, occasionally peeking over at Zuko’s flustered face while saying nothing. He’s too embarrassed to.

“I’m Lord Bairo, and this is my beloved Nena,” the man introduced to Katara. 

Katara sends them a shy smile, unsure of how to greet them since she hasn’t been taught anything. But when she gazed over at Zuko, he only shrugged. Even the girls weren’t so concerned on how Katara greeted the noble couple.

“Princess Katara, I was wondering if it’d be alright to invite you over to our home. It’s not so far from the royal palace, just right in the middle of the capital! I’d like to introduce you to more people as well, get you more acquainted and let you see more things. I heard you came from a small tribe, yes? Would you like to broaden your horizons?”

Lady Nena gazes down at Katara gently, eager to know if she’d be willing. Katara felt herself perk up, delighted at the opportunity to get out and travel even if it’s still here in the Imperial City. 

“That won’t be necessary,” Zuko cuts in firmly. “If you’d like a social gathering, you’re more than welcome to come to Katara’s instead. We’ll have invitations sent out. You’re free to invite your friends over to the palace.”

“Oh! I see,” Lady Nena stutters a little. “But it’d be good for her to go out, Your Highness. Get more attuned with the people and our customs!”

“Can I really?” Katara asks. “I want to go!”

She’s too excited to notice Zuko’s face twist into displeasure, and Mai rolled her eyes for what seemed to be the thousandth time when she witnessed Azula scoffing into her drink. 

“I think it’s a wonderful idea!” 

All of them were startled by the sound of General Iroh laughing from the other side of the room, sitting closer to Ozai as he tried telling his brother about the performances he favored. Ozai, still not that interested, ignored Iroh. But he settled his gaze on the noble couple, making them wince and crane their necks down to avoid looking straight at the Fire Lord.

“Princess, you should go! It’s a good opportunity to see the rest of the capital! In fact, I’ll go with you. I haven’t gone out for some time by myself.” Iroh looks pleased at his proposal.

Zuko narrows his eyes. “If you want to go out then you’re fine to do it yourself.”

“By myself? It’s better to have company! Isn’t that right, Princess Katara?”

“Uncle, please,” Azula scoffs. “Katara hasn’t been here for very long. She’s still getting used to the palace! I’m sure she can go out some time later.”

“But I want to go out,” Katara inputs with a frown. “I’m already used to this place, I swear! Can’t I go with General Iroh?”

Lord Bairo and Lady Nena shuffled away, the two of them looking at each other with worry. This is something they shouldn’t intervene in. Word has already spread on how adamant Zuko was when keeping Katara within his sights, and although he’s shown to have terrible anger issues, Azula was no better when just the right buttons were pushed. 

Iroh simply ignored the royal siblings, still going on about how luckily it was for Katara to finally be out. It’d be good for her, but it’s not like he could say that straight to Zuko just yet. He figured it was best for his nephew to figure things out first, but with Zuko already on the same path as his father once was, Iroh thought it was time for him to step in.

But everyone was stopped when Fire Lord Ozai suddenly set his cup down, the sound echoing across the banquet.

Mai immediately sat straight up when she felt the fires burning brighter and hotter around them. Iroh clamped his mouth shut, awkwardly giving smiles to Lord Bairo when the couple bowed their heads even lower than before in fear of Fire Lord Ozai.

Everyone in the banquet stopped. They grew unsettled, and even Ty Lee halted in her performances. The large hall had grown silent, only able to hear the sounds of Azula and Zuko bickering with their uncle. Katara ducked her head low when she felt the fiery embers of Fire Lord Ozai staring down at her.

It’s uncomfortable. It makes her want to shrink herself further to get away. And it’s bad enough that he isn’t saying anything, so everyone else forced themselves to wait as well under the tense atmosphere. There’s not an ounce of music and chatter anywhere.

“You wish to take my daughter-in-law?”

His tone’s crisp and rather blunt. Nothing but frostiness as well.

Lord Bairo and Lady Nena found themselves unable to properly explain. She tried to say something, but words failed her and she could only keep her eyes trained on the floor. They were too afraid to do anything, and it didn’t help at all when Azula kept muttering out how there wasn’t a need for Katara to go out. Zuko, on the other hand, already dropped the topic and was too busy with his soulmate.

Iroh coughed awkwardly, “It’s a marvelous idea!”

Fire Lord Ozai ignores him. That makes Iroh groan a little, knowing that whatever he’s going to say won’t help.

“What are all of you doing?” Mai abruptly speaks up, startling even Azula. “Resume the music. This isn’t a party without one.”

Mai had a feeling deep down that stuff was going to go down during the party, yet she had high hopes that nothing would happen. Turns out, she’ll have to be the one to fix this. 

Ty Lee gives Mai an uncertain look, and when she glances at Fire Lord Ozai for silent permission, the man doesn’t even look at her. He flicks his wrist instead, commanding everyone to go on.

Reluctantly, everyone resumed what they were doing. Still, they couldn’t help but to go about more quietly and less rowdy than before. And although Ty Lee’s supposed to be performing, she takes a bit of a small break to get away from the scene in front of her. Ty Lee isn’t all too excited about Ozai getting angry and having to witness it.

When the noble couple couldn’t find anything to say due to their fear, Fire Lord Ozai let out a deep sigh. He’s irritated already, and it’s obvious to see. So, he dismisses them without a word and continues to watch the banquet. 

But he does glance at Katara. The girl’s face sank when her chance of leaving had been taken away. It’s not like she was going to run away… how would she even get home? How would she even pull this off without any help? Katara had been stuck in one place her whole life and wasn’t accustomed to the outside world. 

She’ll have to face it. There won’t be another chance to get out of the palace.

“… I’m sorry.”

Katara looks at Zuko, who suddenly apologized.

“Huh?”

“I’m sorry. I got angry again, and I’ve made you upset.” The apology was rough, and he refused to meet her gaze either out of embarrassment or guilt. It’s clear to Katara that he’s never been good at saying sorry.

“No, it’s fine…” Katara trails off. “I just wanted to go out. That’s all.”

Zuko’s face twisted. The fear of letting her out was greater than anything he thought was possible, and even though he had no problems caging her in here, he felt miserable knowing that she was upset. At everyone, and probably more at him. They’re soulmates after all, but he isn’t treating her right by always hovering above her shoulders and dictating to others what to do and what Katara should also do.

“If you want to go out so much… I’ll go with you.”

Katara stifled a gasp, not expecting Zuko to actually go through with what she wanted.

“R-Really? We’ll go out? Like, outside?”

He tries for a smile. “Sure. Why not? I mean, Uncle’s right. You should go out and see more things. I’ll, uh… even introduce you to some of the shops!”

Mai gives him a look. The shops? Zuko has never even stepped foot into any of them, thinking he was always too high up on his pedestal to do so. She doubts he’ll even know where they’re going.

“Oh, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Katara latches onto his arm and hugs it unintentionally, much too focused on the thought of going out later. “You can’t take it back, okay? You promised!”

Heat crawls up Zuko’s neck and he fights hard not to blush at the close contact. He could only make out a nod, unsure of what to do now since he never thought he’d get to this point.

He doesn't want to make the same mistakes his father had made. He doesn't want to end up like him even though he knows deep down there's a chance he really was. Zuko has seen what his father had done to himself and to his mother. Him and Katara won't end up like that. He'll make sure of it.

But then he locks eyes with his father. Fire Lord Ozai gives him a seething glare, and Zuko knows it’s because his father disapproves of Katara going out. Whether it’s because he wants to keep her locked up as a safety precaution, or if it’s because he’s still haunted by his past due to Ursa leaving, Zuko will never know. His father looks away rather quickly and thankfully doesn’t say anything.

The rest of the night goes smoothly thankfully. Everyone is back to having their own fun and Katara’s a lot happier in knowing that Zuko will go with her to go outside of the palace.

And as the night drags on, so do those who come up to the table to introduce themselves to Katara and Zuko. More families of nobility or high-ranking soldiers of the Fire Nation. All of them were there to congratulate Zuko and Katara, even stringing along some gifts for them.

By the time the last person left, Katara breathed out a sigh of relief, thinking it was all over and she wouldn’t have to keep up that same old smile which was hurting her cheeks.

But then Ozai sits his cup down once more and the room settles. Everyone halts in what they’re doing and grows quiet again, not so sure of what the deal was this time. Nothing had happened and no one’s gotten on the royal family’s bad side.

Fire Lord Ozai looks at Zuko and Katara, silent for a little while before raising a hand. 

And then Iroh gets up, shuffling over to Katara to present a small box. She looks at it questioningly, but Iroh smiles and urges her to peek inside.

When she does, she’s hesitant, like something might fly out and scare her. But then Katara’s eyes widen, and she hurriedly discards the top, grabbing whatever’s inside to take a closer look with a beaming face.

It’s a waterbending scroll. One that was supposedly hard to attain with all the waterbenders gone off into hiding, yet it was here in her hands. And Katara couldn’t stop looking at it.

“A gift from the Fire Lord!” Iroh states happily. “Something to commemorate you coming into the family.”

“I can’t believe you guys found one. It must’ve been hard. Thank you so much!”

“Think nothing of it, my dear. It was all my brother’s idea. You can thank him for it!”

Azula and Zuko share a look. It’s a prized possession sure, only to those who could control water. Other than that, waterbending scrolls were entirely useless and often kept hidden since they were seen as precious trinkets. Surely, the gift was a way to keep Katara anchored to the palace. It felt like Ozai was only doing this to chain her down to the family.

But when Katara looks up at the Fire Lord, blue eyes all sparkling with excitement, she couldn’t help but to grin at him despite her fear a second ago.

“Um… t-thanks, dad!”

Everyone blanched. Even Zuko made a face, unsure if what he heard was actually right just as Azula cupped her face, refusing to look up.

Did they really just hear Katara call him dad? She said it so casually like nothing was wrong. Even his own children found it a luxury to call him “father” instead of his title.

But General Iroh patted her on the shoulder with chuckles rolling off him in waves. Katara, not understanding their reaction, shrugged it off and kept looking up at Ozai with a glint in her eyes.

They’re family now, right? Sure, Fire Lord Ozai scares her most of the time, and she wouldn’t even think about staying in a room alone with someone as stiff as him, but he’s never mistreated her. In fact, after what happened at the long with him giving her bread, she thought of Ozai as an okay person. Well, not exactly, but he wasn’t too harsh on her like she expected him to be.

Besides, wasn’t this a good way to address him now? But she was beginning to think she’s made some mistake seeing everyone in the banquet all shocked and refusing to say a word. Even Mai looked at her questioningly. 

“… You’re welcome.”

It’s the same thing he said to her the first day they met. Fire Lord Ozai’s expression hasn’t changed. He still wore a heavy frown, eyes distant and reserved. But his words were laced with a sort of timid softness that was unfamiliar to even his own family. 

Katara’s smile widens. “I promise I’ll practice every day! When I get the hang of it, I’ll show you.”

Fire Lord Ozai’s eyes wander to the scrolls. And then he looks back at Katara, grinning like she’s still thanking him. 

He doesn’t say anything else and resumes drinking his tea. Katara finally looks away and giddily skims over the scrolls again, her attention too preoccupied to even notice Azula and Zuko looking at her in disbelief. 

Mai scoffs quietly.

Well, she guesses having some surprise like this here and there was perfectly fine. Ozai being gentle is a foreign thing, and it’s stranger than anything, but it’s a welcome thing. Mai would rather have a quiet, sort of "docile" Ozai around than a tyrant he usually is.

Briefly, she wonders what else Katara’s presence will bring to the Fire Nation.

Chapter Text

Katara spends more time outside in the garden, right beside the ponds to study her waterbending scroll.

It wasn’t unusual to see her outside every day, taking hours upon hours to even perfect one of the moves, but it makes Zuko antsy seeing as how she keeps exhausting herself. And it doesn’t help the fact that it’s always burning hot outside. Katara still wasn’t used to the climate, yet she perseveres and is stubborn to go back in.

It causes Zuko to create a tent just for her. A special place for her to keep testing out the scroll while being in the shade. And because of her spending time outside, Zuko’s there with her as well. 

And although he wanted to sit out there and watch, he’s the crown prince of the Fire Nation. He can’t always be there to accompany her, so he got creative and worked outside under the tent, occasionally glancing at Katara to check up on her as he’s working on his duties. 

It was a strange thing for Katara at first, but now it’s a common thing everyday. In fact, she sort of liked it whenever Zuko was with her. They have small talks here and there whenever Katara wasn’t seriously learning and when Zuko took small breaks from his duties, sometimes even bantering when Zuko pokes and prods at how novice Katara was. She’d roll her eyes and glare, telling him to knock it off.

But it gets her going further. It’s like she’s trying to prove to Zuko that she isn’t that much of a beginner, and her hard work comes to fruition when she finally gets the hang of what she calls the “water whip”.

“See that, Zuko?”

She calls to him with a smug smile, bending the water once more in the air even faster. Zuko stops and stares, smiling lightly. 

He likes to watch her practice. It’s refreshing, and she looked absolutely lovely being so carefree and in her element. 

“Not much of a novice anymore, huh? I told you I’d get the hang of it,” she declared. 

Zuko playfully shrugs. “Well, you still have those other moves to master. Have you even started on those?”

“Ugh, don’t remind me. My arms are already sore from doing this for days.”

“Sit down with me then. I’ll message them for you.”

Katara paused for a second. With her focus gone, the water splashes back in the pond. She groans, upset that she lost control so quickly. When she hears Zuko stifling a laugh, Katara turns around and crosses her arms.

“That’s not funny, Zuko.”

“I wasn’t laughing.” He ends up coughing into his fist. 

“Yeah, whatever.” 

Katara finally plops down on the ground next to him, holding in a wince when she raises her arms. She can feel the soreness weighing in on her muscles now, and she almost jerked back when Zuko took hold of her left gently. He does as he promised, carefully rubbing his fingers on her muscles to ease away the soreness.

It’s nice, that’s what she thinks. 

Even if she doesn’t consider them as close as soulmates usually were, their relationship was a lot better than before. Of course, there’s still times where she’s unsure how to act around him considering his random bursts of anger. And the fact that there were moments when Zuko was so closed off to the rest of the world, always sulking and extremely intimidating whenever he stood with others.

But they get better slowly, and Katara eventually learns how to deal with him. She’s always careful of approaching Zuko when he becomes furious and aggravated, making sure to place a tender hand on his arm to anchor him back to reality. Or she’d simply hover around him, always in the front and never behind him. 

She learned that, quite quickly, to those who were behind Zuko, they ended up getting attacked or were even close to getting burned since Zuko was always on guard and acted more on instincts than thinking before he acted.

With her around, it’s made Zuko even more cautious on what he does. He doesn’t want to snap at her on accident, and he definitely doesn’t want to burn Katara out of anger. If he ever does that, he might as well just burn himself too and die.

He’s gotten better for the most part, and gentler as well. There’s proof of it when he continues to message Katara’s arms carefully, eyes narrowed and never taking his gaze off his fingers. He doesn’t want to press down hard in case it hurts her.

“Are you sure you can stay out here with me? What about your duties? You can’t keep doing them here.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I want to spend time with you.”

“What about dad? Won’t Fire Lord Ozai get angry?”

Zuko groans. “I really can’t believe you called him that.”

“What? Is that bad or something? Azula told me the same thing!”

“No, it’s just… he doesn’t seem that much of a “dad”, you know?”

When he puts it that way, Katara understands quickly. He wasn’t much of a father figure at all and seemed impossible as a family man, and after calling Fire Lord Ozai “dad”, she found a small part of herself cringing incessantly with built up regret. She was so embarrassed that she’d hardly been able to look at Fire Lord Ozai anymore.

Zuko noticed the distaste in her face and chuckles. “You agree, don’t you?”

“You’re reminding me of the banquet. Don’t do that.”

“You’re fine. I bet everyone’s already forgotten it.”

“Really?”

His smile fades a little. “Well, probably not.”

That earns him a small punch to the shoulder. He pulls back even though it doesn’t hurt. 

“Zuko!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

Even though more than a week passed since the banquet, many people were still whispering about the fact that his father hardly batted an eye to Katara calling him her dad so casually. Even Azula’s still not over it, though she acts as if it never happened at all.

He could understand if it was due to Katara calling I’m that out of pure excitement due to the waterscrolls, but perhaps she missed her own father. Wherever that man was at.

Zuko glances at Katara. There was an urge to ask her about her family and what they were like, yet his voice falters and he goes silent. He doesn’t dare to bring Katara’s family up. He’s too reluctant in case she grows upset or angry.

So, he continues doing what he does best. Accompany her without mentioning anything about her old life. He wants to be a good soul mate, and Zuko tries his very best not to act out anymore which is still a surprise to others. Especially Admiral Zhao, who Zuko still hates but hardly even bats an eye to anymore. 

And by the time Katara finally learned another waterbending move, Zuko wasn’t around. He had been called for his duties, having to leave her for just the day despite him not wanting to go at all. And even though Azula and the girls were supposed to have stayed with her, Ty Lee had to go back to the circus for a while whereas Mai and Azula were assigned some sort of task from General Iroh.

It’s just Katara in the ponds. By herself, sort of struggling to get the bending correct. She’s gotten a lot better at the water whip, and she’s learned how to do large waves, but Katara’s having a lot of difficulty separating a certain amount of water from the pond and turning it into ice.

She never even thought it was possible to do such a thing, but Gran Gran told her stories about her mother and the other waterbenders from before that used to create ice out of ease. It’s in Katara’s blood to do the very same.

It’s just that Katara doesn’t have the right person to even teach her. She lacks education. And that makes her more upset than she liked to admit.

“Ugh! Why can’t I get it right?” She exclaims as the water falls back down in the bond. Katara huffs, irritated and somewhat dizzy from standing out in the sun too long.

Though a helping hand surprised her, handing Katara a cup of cold water. She takes it quickly and drinks it fast enough to where she almost had a coughing fit.

“Thanks, Zuko. Listen, could you hand me that scroll again? I swear, I just need to practice this a few more times and I’ll get it right!”

Katara’s too busy ranting and staring at the long to even notice the person handing her the scroll. But there was a small cough standing behind them, as if they were trying to get her attention.

She turned around and almost got a heart attack when she saw Fire Lord Ozai holding her scroll, frowning deeply and waving it slightly for her to take. Behind them were his servants, the ones coughing to get her attention.

Katara hurriedly snatched the scroll up and backed away just a bit, bending her head down. If she wasn’t sweating before, she definitely was now because of how scared she was.

“I’m sorry, I thought you were Zuko. I was just lost in thought…”

She didn't know what else to say, and Fire Lord Ozai was still quiet. She could feel his stare adding a lot more pressure on her shoulders, and the need to get up and leave was tremendous. 

It’s so awkward. They haven’t seen each other for a whole week! 

“Is it going alright?”

Katara perks her head up. 

“Y-Yes?”

Her father-in-law glances at the scroll. “You told me you’d practice hard. So? Did you manage to learn?”

“Oh! U-Uh, I think so. I mean, I’m trying my best, but it’s sort of hard since no one’s really taught me how to waterbend. B-But I think I’m managing! I’ve gotten to a few of them and I’m about to start on the rest, though I’m not sure if I’d really mastered one because again, I haven’t had a teacher so-”

“Show me.”

Katara stops babbling. “Huh?”

Fire Lord Ozai’s stare makes her want to put her head back down. He answers again, “Show me.”

“Um, okay…”

She’s hesitant and doesn’t even know where to begin. She eyes the servants, but even they shake their heads, not knowing how to help. It’d be better if Iroh was here, at least the atmosphere wouldn’t be so suffocating.

Katara sets the scroll down and stands in front of the pond. She forces herself not to look back and shakily raises her hands up, trying to get a stream of water up in the air to do the water whip. The form isn’t very stable and shook just as much as her hands, yet it doesn’t fall.

That’s good, right? 

She gets in a familiar stance and raises the water higher, flexes her hands and relaxes her muscles, doing the same movements as before and everyone hears a small whip in the air as the stream traveled quicker than their eyes could see. It was good. It’s better than she thought.

And then a jerky movement of fingers causes that same old imbalance, and the water loses form rapidly, splashes back into the pond and even on the grass. Katara backed away, her face turning white as embarrassment grew.

Hesitantly, she looks at Fire Lord Ozai. But that made everything worse when she and everyone saw how a bit of his robes had been darkened, completely soaked from the water.

Ugh, she screwed up! Terribly! Katara can’t even face him!

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to-”

“That was good.”

“… What?”

Fire Lord Ozai didn’t seem to be all that bothered by his clothes getting wet. Instead, he holds up a hand and pats her stiffly on the head. It felt foreign to do so, and everyone watching had to force themselves not to gawk.

“It’s good,” he repeats gently this time. “It’s just because you haven’t had a teacher, yes? It’s alright. You’re doing your best.”

Katara relaxes. He’s not angry. 

“No, you don’t have to lie. I know it’s not good.”

He shakes his head and pulls back.

“I’m not. Don’t sulk about it too much. Just… keep at it. You’ll find a way. If you can’t, you’ll make a way. Just as Zuko and Azula have done. When they couldn’t figure out a way, they made one. Many times. Whether they were good or bad ones. Do you understand?”

Katara was taken aback. Ozai sighs and continues.

“You’re a waterbender. You may struggle, and perhaps you’ll never fully master the ability, but it is your power that you should take pride in. You’ve done your best, and you haven’t slacked off, have you? Why be upset at something that is out of your hands? Forget about what you couldn’t do. Think more about what you’re able to do and go from there. You aren’t so weak, so don’t think that you are weak.”

His tone’s cold as always, and there never seemed to be any room to argue back. It sounded like it was something for others to only comply with helplessly.

Yet the look in his eyes didn’t exactly match. They’re not as icy as before, and Fire Lord Ozai isn't trying to look down at her as he and his children do with other people. 

He’s not a person who’d give out comfort due to how alien and rigid he was, nor was Fire Lord Ozai someone who’d encourage others freely since it was never in his nature to do so.

But she sees him trying. 

Katara’s lips quirk up into a small grin.

“I get it. Thanks, dad.”

She’s not as shocked anymore when Ozai pats her again on the head. His touch isn’t so strained and rather gentle. Though he does look a tad bit uncomfortable, unsure of how to take in the fact that Katara called him “dad” once again.

Well, it’s not hurting anyone. He doesn’t say anything about it.

“Come inside, Katara. You’re done for the day.”

“Okay.” 

Pleased with her budding relationship, Katara’s eager to walk next to him and start talking about what she’s learned from the past week. She quipped about her hardships and wasn’t too timid to tell him about being able to learn just a few, and while he doesn’t say anything, he does glimpse at the girl from time to time.

One might even say he smiled back, but it vanished as quickly as it came. The servants who saw kept quiet but didn’t hide their grins and simply followed the father-daughter pair back inside the palace.

Maybe Fire Lord Ozai wasn’t too bad after all.

Chapter Text

If there’s one thing Katara noticed that the royal family shared, it’s that they have a habit of spoiling her a little too much. She doesn’t really understand why since she has everything she needed already, more than what she needed honestly, but they seemed to like giving her gifts.

Azula and the girls liked dressing her up with the finest silk and lavish jewelry. Katara was a little hesitant in the beginning, but over time, she eventually got used to walking around the palace covered in all sorts of jewels. Some weren’t even native to the Fire Nation. Apparently, Azula liked getting her rare gems that even came from the great Earth Kingdom. Still, it’s not like Katara knew of their actual value. How could she? She spent all her life in a poor village and wore nothing as priceless as these jewels, so she was still awkward in accepting them.

Zuko was no better. He wanted to do the same thing, but his own sister beat him to it. So, instead of material things, he brought in all sorts of animals into the palace to keep Katara company. Mainly small animals though, nothing too big or anything dangerous. Katara liked them very much, and even though she spent most of her time outside in the gardens, she spent all her time there now.

But then Zuko decided to gift her one last animal. A pet.

Katara figured it’d be a cute cat, or maybe one of those flying lemurs she heard about but don’t think exist anymore.

But no, it wasn’t.

It was an owl wolf. A cub at that. But it was an aggressive, dangerous and territorial creature that came from the polar regions of the world. Once it grows up to be an adult, they’re usually hostile around humans and barely ever interact with them.

Katara doesn’t know just how Zuko managed to get one considering its pack members were incredibly wary and could manage to tear a human’s arm off, but here it was. The cub was rather loud and needed a lot of attention, and it was typically irritated most of the time. Even as a cub, people still needed to be wary of it since its beak was sharp and had already tried to cut Katara’s fingers.

Eventually, it imprinted on Katara and perceived her as its mother, so the owl wolf clung onto her whenever it could.

Katara adored it with all her heart.

She never thought about taking in a pet for herself, and while she’s afraid of not being able to raise it properly, Zuko was always around to help her out. And seeing her like the gift made Zuko more smug, proud that he was able to please Katara much to Azula’s dismay.

As for his uncle, General Iroh popped up here and there, giving her many souvenirs from his trips outside and even those from years prior. Katara liked seeing them and often had General Iroh over to her small estate. The things he brought out for her to see were from places she couldn’t even dare to go, nor did she imagine actually existed. And while the majority of the souvenirs may not look as extravagant as the other gifts she’s received so far, she thinks they’re a lot more enjoyable and somewhat sentimental.

Unfortunately, that had to be stopped at some point since Katara kept asking if it was possible to go with General Iroh to his trips. She wasn’t too surprised for her requests to be denied, but she was surprised that General Iroh himself shook his head.

Apparently, the places he goes to was dangerous.

Makes sense. He’s still the nation’s powerful general, and he personally advised Zuko whenever they go out.

And as for Ozai… the man wasn’t really one for crowds. He’s not a talkative person, so there wasn’t even a need for anyone to see him. But there are times where he and Katara meet up, though it’s a little concerning just how well he manages to appear out of nowhere like his brother.

It’s nice spending time with him. Somewhat. It’s not as tense or awkward as it was before, and although he hardly ever speaks, Katara’s just fine doing all the talking. Fire Lord Ozai just tends to listen and gives an occasional hum or a small nod here and there.

And as time passed, Katara eventually realized that Zuko was about to go out to another voyage. One even more important than all the others.

Fire Lord Ozai had called for a small meeting. Everyone in the family was supposed to be present, no one else could come. And while Katara thought it was best for her to stay out, everyone else already considered her part of the family despite not marrying Zuko, so she was able to attend.

Now, she’s kneeling side by side with Zuko and Azula. General Iroh stood next to his brother, who’s sitting on the throne with an indifferent look in his eyes.

He does glance at Katara though. In a second, he waves his hand.

Katara isn’t sure what that gesture meant, but Zuko immediately laid a gentle hand on her back and helped her to sit in a more comfortable position. As for him and his sister, they continued to kneel with their heads bowed low.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors lately,” General Iroh begins with a light smile. “Prince Zuko, we’re to set sail in about a month or so. We must head over to the Earth Kingdom.”

“Quite a far distance, Uncle,” Azula mutters. “I volunteer to take his spot. I’m sure whatever is there, I can take care of it-”

“It’s the Avatar.”

Everyone in the room grows silent. There’s a chill in the air that shouldn’t seem possible, but Katara notices. And she’s confused.

“Avatar?” She asks.

General Iroh looks at her. “Ah, no one to worry about, my dear. You’ve heard about the Avatar, yes?”

“I…”

She doesn’t know what that is, but just mentioning it set everyone on edge. Even Azula is no longer smirking, but she’s calculating. Katara knows. She’s been with the princess long enough to know the small glint in her eyes.

“The Avatar is a person with great powers that not only is able to bend one element, but all four. The Avatar is considered a great threat… and has apparently been missing for a long time until now. The last known Avatar was Roku, and after he vanished, it seemed as if there were no more Avatars.”

“There’s only one in the world, isn’t there?”

“Yes. It’s important for us to go and capture him. For the good of the Fire Nation.”

Katara visibly winces at the word “capture”.

She doubts the Avatar will be treated nicely in this place. She’s only lucky because of her status as one of the few waterbenders left, and the fact that she’s Zuko’s soulmate so the royal family looked at her with great value.

Perhaps they want to try and bring him to their side. That’s all the royal family thinks about. If there’s one thing they value more than Katara, it would have to be power.

Fire Lord Ozai was the example of it with how he continued to expand his tyranny throughout the land, even trying as far as to reach other nations and making them submit. The Fire Nation was the biggest powerhouse in the world, and Fire Lord Ozai intends to keep it that way.

Katara speaks up quietly, “Why the Earth Kingdom? Do you think he’s there?”

“We’ve received some reports on him. It’s best to capture him now rather than letting others take him first. The Avatar is not to be taken lightly,” General Iroh states. “Fire Lord Ozai is generous enough to let you, Prince Zuko, take the lead in his capture. If you manage to do so, you’ll be able to regain your honor. You’ve been trying to find the Avatar for so long now. This is your chance.”

Katara immediately looks over at Zuko, who clenched his teeth and scowled. She can see the way his muscles tensed that he was angry. But even so, he nods and doesn’t say a word.

Honor? What are they talking about? She doesn’t know.

“Princess Azula, you’re to stay here and watch over Princess Katara. Her safety is imperative, especially with the Avatar finally coming out of hiding. People might start to think to side with him and cause a revolt.”

Azula frowns.

A revolt, huh?

It’s not entirely impossible. She’ll do what her uncle says for now even though she wanted to go off and capture the Avatar herself.

“… If my brother isn’t able to capture the Avatar, may I go and take them myself? I promise that I will not fail you.”

Zuko gives her a glare, obviously in disagreement before Fire Lord Ozai raises a hand to nod. With that, Azula sends her brother a discreet look of smugness which ticks him off further.

The meeting was kept short. There was nothing else needed to be said other than the fact that the Fire Nation needed to capture the Avatar. It doesn’t matter how they do it as long as Fire Lord Ozai has him.

And just when Zuko was helping Katara up, his father interrupted.

“Katara, come up here.”

Zuko stilled. “Father-”

“You’re dismissed.”

The cold treatment towards his own children is something Katara will never get used to. She had faint hope that the Fire Lord would be a little warmer with them, but Fire Lord Ozai only ever indulges Katara.

“It’s okay, just wait for me outside,” she whispers to Zuko.

“But…”

“No, really, I’m okay. I’ll see you in a second.” She gives him a light smile and almost had to yank her hand away from his.

Zuko eyes her walking away from him. He knows his father won’t do anything, but it’s still worrying. He doesn’t want to leave, and he feels like his own feet refuse to move away from Katara until Azula had to nudge him away. General Iroh was also dismissed, leaving Katara and the Fire Lord alone.

When Katara stood in front of the flames, acting as a barrier between her and the throne, she could feel herself sweat a little. Thankfully, Fire Lord Ozai settled the flames down small enough to where she could see the bit of displeasure on the man’s face.

Hesitantly, she says, “Yes?”

Fire Lord Ozai merely gestures for her to come even closer. It takes her a while to realize that he was pointing at where General Iroh stood, so Katara proceeded with caution all the way up to his throne until she stood at his side.

“Is something wrong?”

He eyes the cushion beside his seat. Katara sighs and felt as if he wanted her to sit rather than stand, so she places herself on the soft cushion and continued to look at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do you like my son?”

The question takes her aback. She wasn’t expecting him to start off with that, but it does take her a second to respond.

Zuko is nice to her. Treats her like an actual princess and cares very much about her opinions. Sure, he’s hot-tempered and was a little clumsy when it came to her, but she does like him. In a friendly way.

Perhaps something more may come out of it.

Katara nods. Fire Lord Ozai only sighs.

“My son… is a weak thing. Not at all fit for the throne.”

“Dad-”

“Azula should be the first candidate for my reign, but I decided to give the task of capturing the Avatar to Zuko. Has he told you about the scar on his face?”

Katara turns meek. Zuko hasn’t, but she knows the story. She was too afraid to even bring it up to Zuko in case she offended him, and Fire Lord Ozai sees the way she flinches at the mention of the scar.

“He was called upon to duel after disrespecting me a long time ago, but when he found out that I was his opponent, he refused. I gave him that burn scar before his banishment from the Fire Nation.”

“You… banished him?”

“He was brought back not too long ago only at the behest of General Iroh. I didn’t even plan on keeping him for long. He was supposed to leave a long time ago until you came.” Finally, Fire Lord Ozai looks down at Katara. With a warm hard that never seemed gentle, he carefully placed it on her head and brushed away some straying hairs.

He’s not fit to be a father, but at this moment, Katara thought to perceive him as one from that simple gesture. Only for a brief moment.

“My daughter, I may have acknowledged you as my own, and I may indulge you with the best of things, but if your soulmate cannot redeem his honor and capture the Avatar, I will banish him permanently from this nation. No child of mine will be seen as weak. This is not the way of our family, I refuse it to be.”

“Is power the only thing this family cares about?”

“Power defines us. It made us who we are. I am on this throne because of my strength and power. Who else but me is fit to rule? My children shall follow the same path as I have taken. Zuko must prove his worth or face banishment.”

“… Will you cast me out, too?”

The gentle caress of his hand stopped. The hardened look in his eyes dimmed.

Katara felt as if she said something that wasn’t supposed to be said, and she feared that she might have stepped over the line until Fire Lord Ozai shakes his head.

“If you choose to stay, you can. I will keep you safe. I’ll make sure you can spend your days doing whatever you wish, but you must continue your lessons as a waterbender. I cannot have you completely defenseless. Power is… what makes this family. You are one of us now.”

Katara reaches up to grab his hand. “And if I stay with Zuko?”

Fire Lord Ozai takes a long time to respond. He doesn’t hold Katara’s hand back. It’s too alien of a feeling, yet it’s familiar. Reminds him of Ursa. Love of his life. It entices a small part of familial warmth that’s been tucked away for years, and the flames in the room have dimmed as well to the point where it doesn’t even feel hot. Now, there’s silence with no fires crackling.

“Then be with him.” It’s all he manages to say. “Still, you must learn how to fight. There will come a day where you won’t be able to rely on anyone but yourself, and you won’t stay hidden forever. The palace may offer you protection, but the outside world is dangerous.”

Katara hasn’t been outside. Truly been outside. She doesn’t know what it’s like, and if what Ozai says is true, she’ll have to learn how to defend herself one way or another. Because Fire Lord Ozai demands it for her safety, and Zuko and Azula won’t be with her forever.

“What will you do with the Avatar if you capture him? If you plan on making him side with us… what if that doesn’t work? What then?”

“Don’t worry about the Avatar. You should go and be with Zuko now.”

Katara tries again, “Dad?”

He removes his hand away from her in return and doesn’t answer anymore. All he does is help her up and dismisses her gently. Katara could only bow her head and leave. She knows that if she continues to prod, Fire Lord Ozai won’t say a word.

But even though she leaves his side, her thoughts were swarming all over the place.

He scarred his own son’s face all because Zuko disrespected him? What for?

What would happen if she were the one to disrespect him unintentionally? Would Katara be in danger?

Is the palace truly safe here?

Katara thinks she has to leave. She should return home, be with her brother again.

But what about Zuko?

Katara hesitates at the thought of leaving him behind. They’ve been together long enough to where she sees him as someone she could trust, and she’s enjoyed his company along with Iroh and Azula. But she cannot dismiss the way he is.

The royal family of the Fire Nation are not good people. They may be kind to her and indulge her, but they are tyrants. Even General Iroh is someone who follows in the steps of his family.

She’s still afraid of them deep down, and Katara misses her home.

But it’s not like she can leave without getting caught. If she were to get out of the palace, the only way out is through Zuko. Her soulmate can take her with him, and perhaps she’d be able to persuade him to let her go home. Only for a small time, just so she could see her family again if Zuko was adamant on keeping her at his side at all times.

“Katara.”

She looks up to see Zuko standing around in the hallway, clearly waiting for her. He hurriedly walks over to the girl and checks her everywhere, yet Katara waves him off.

“I’m okay.”

“Did anything happen? What did he say?”

“Oh… well,” Katara hesitates. “It was mostly about your expedition…”

“… And regaining my honor?”

Zuko’s voice turns stern. Katara isn’t used to the tone, especially when he’s the one using it in front of her.

Katara doesn’t know what to say, but she quietly explains a bit of her conversation with Fire Lord Ozai. She carefully watches Zuko’s face screw together in pure disdain, and for a second, she thought she might have made a mistake in telling him what happened. In the end, she doesn’t say anything else. Katara only waits after Zuko let out an indignant huff, finding it hard to even talk about anything else.

“Katara.”

“Yes?”

The two of them stood face-to-face with one another closely. But the distance between them shortens when Zuko steps closer, looking down at her with a permanent harsh glare. He might’ve not noticed it, but when he does at the behest of Katara slightly flinching, he tries for a softer gaze and then he reaches out to hold her hands.

“You understand how important this is for me, don’t you? This is a chance for me to come back not as an exiled prince, but someone worthy of the throne. Of the entire Fire Nation,” he tries to explain. “Most of all, I’ll be able to stand by you proudly.”

Katara frowns. “But I like you as you are now. You’re-”

“On the verge of being excommunicated,” Zuko finishes off coldly. “There is a chance for me to be more than what I am now. I’m lucky as it is to be standing in the palace, and it’s all thanks to my uncle speaking to my father. I’m even luckier having the opportunity to be with you, but that will all change if I don’t prove myself to my father. If I can’t capture the Avatar, you…”

Zuko drifts off. It’s hard for him to find the right words.

“Zuko?”

“… I’m not a capable soulmate for you right now. There are many things I wish to do for you, but I’m being held back by my own lack of experience and power. Even Azula has higher authority in the palace with how much Father favors her. This is an opportunity for me to come back and be what you need.”

He’s trying his best to be able to provide for Katara, and if he wants to keep it that way, Zuko will have capture the Avatar one way or another. It doesn’t matter how. Failure isn’t an option. It was never one in the beginning of his childhood, and it won’t start right now. Especially since his future with Katara is at stake… and she had a small feeling about what’s going on in his head, too.

Katara may not be so attached to Zuko as he is to her, but there’s a part of her that’s incessant about staying with him. It might be due to the soulmate bond, or perhaps it’s because of how much she’s grown to enjoy and favor his company, but all she knows is that she wouldn’t be able to sit still in this place if Zuko was gone.

“Can’t I come with you?”

The question came out of nowhere, and she meant to say it in a different place in another time that’s preferable, but she couldn’t help herself. It even took Zuko by surprise.

Zuko shook his head immediately. “No, it’s dangerous out there. You’re better off here where you’ll be protected.”

“But I’ll be with you,” she argues. “Zuko, what if something happens? What if your mission or goes wrong, or if we suddenly lose contact? What then? I don’t want to be here while you’re far away!”

“I’ll make sure to send you letters as much as I can. You don’t have to worry about me either, I can handle myself.”

Katara hesitates. “C-Can’t I just come with you? Please? I’m… really worried.”

Another time, Zuko would’ve been elated about her worry for him. Even now, he finds prickles of relief and joy that Katara didn’t want him going anywhere, but he was overshadowed by a large part of himself that didn’t want Katara going out of the palace.

She doesn’t know anything of the outside world. It’s better to keep it that way. And even though he doesn’t trust Azula and his father, he knows them enough that they wouldn’t let anything happen to Azula. Especially if Azula was around. His sister always kept a keen eye on numerous things much more than Zuko ever did.

She’ll be safe with them.

Feeling slightly emboldened, Zuko wrapped his arms around Katara and hugged her tightly to his chest. He hitched a nervous breath, knowing that this was the first time they did something like this. He worried about Katara pushing him away, but he was incredibly relieved with the feeling of arms encasing him back. Katara laid her head underneath his chin in return, closing her eyes.

… It’s warm.

Zuko has always felt warm in this palace, but this was a different feeling. One that didn’t come from stuffiness and anger and sweat and tears. No, it was a purely euphoric warmth that washed over his body, something that chilled him down to the bones in a good way. He’s grown addicted within a second.

Zuko relaxed, wanting to take a minute to remember the way Katara held him back with the same desperateness that Zuko briefly thought he hallucinated. It’s better than he expected.

It’s a lot more than he deserved, but Zuko doesn’t let go and lets himself bask in the moment.

Because soon enough, he’ll have to be away. And the two of them don’t know just how long that’ll be.

Chapter Text

There’s still some time before Crown Prince Zuko and General Iroh leave for their mission to capture the Avatar. Katara would’ve liked to spend some time with him before they left, yet she saw how busy Zuko was training day and even during the long hours in the night.

Not to mention, there were preparations that needed to be done since the voyage would be long, and there are no doubts Zuko would end up spending the same amount of time or even longer on foreign grounds.

Due to that, their time together was cut short.

Katara would’ve been spending her time with Azula and the others as well, but Mai had to return to her parents. Mai had been born as one of the most privileged girls in the Fire Nation, and because of her upbringing, her family was strict and didn’t want her spending too much time outside for so long. As for Ty Lee, despite also being a nobleman’s daughter, she had been away from the circus for a while and needed to go back.

And it seemed Azula was busy herself, trying to wedge herself into Zuko’s plans to try and steal the Avatar herself. Katara caught on quickly that there was a harsh rivalry among the siblings, and that whatever Zuko did, Azula claimed that she could do it better. After all, she was named as a prodigy. Zuko wasn’t.

Which is why Zuko was more desperate to regain his honor.

So, Katara was left alone for some time. It’s not like she had any other friends inside of the palace. The only thing she could do was practice her waterbending out in the gardens. She thinks she’s doing better than before, though her hopes were always crushed whenever a slight jerky movement of her fingers would cause the water to lose its form and fall.

Other than that, she was also glad for the newfound companionship of her owl wolf.

“Is it just me or have you grown bigger, Lianne?” Katara questions the animal, raising an eyebrow as it flaps around the room.

The owl wolf lands gracefully on her bed and lets out a chuff, seemingly acknowledging her owner.

Katara might have to ask the servants to prepare more food. She’s not quite sure just how much they’re supposed to eat, but she’s getting a little bigger here and there. Almost up to Katara’s waist. And while Lianne may not be as aggressive with Katara around, it’s not the same for others. Best to keep her away from people until Katara finds a way to have Lianne properly behave.

A knock on her door startles her away from her thoughts. Katara hurriedly opens it, a little surprised to see Zuko standing outside.

In his usual attire of course, but there’s beads of sweat on his forehead and he seems to be panting heavily as if he’s just gotten out of training.

“Katara,” Zuko greets in a softer tone. She smiles in return.

Zuko chews on his bottom lip.

She’s just as pretty today as she is any other day. It’s hard not to stare.

“I haven’t seen you in a while. What brings you here?”

“It’s like you said… We haven’t seen each other in a while.”

Zuko must’ve headed straight to Katara’s quarters after training then. He looks terribly exhausted, but Katara doesn’t mention it and lets him inside her room. Lianne perks up and suddenly crouches with small rumbles of a menacing growl leaving her lips. It wasn’t until Zuko sighed and opened his arms, showing no signs of aggression, that the owl wolf perks up and happily walked over, allowing herself to be petted.

Zuko was someone who helped to raise the animal. There’s no point in attacking him when he wasn’t even an enemy.

“Is it just me or has she gotten bigger?” Zuko tilts his head.

“Yeah, no kidding. I was thinking the same thing.”

“We might have to adjust her meal portion then.”

“She’s basically up to my waist! Can you believe it?”

Zuko glances between the animal and Katara. “That so? Lianne, you might be as tall as Katara in no time.”

“I can’t imagine her growing that big,” she replies, shaking her head. “She’s already running around and making messes in this place. What would happen then?”

“Well, we’ve got plenty of space outside. I’m sure no one would mind if she tore up a bush or two there.”

Katara rolls her eyes. “Zuko…”

He grins a little. “I’m just saying it’s better for Lianne to make messes outside than destroy the pillows here. How many have we gone through now? Five? The last thing she destroyed was a pair of boots… and they were mine, too.”

Katara laughs in return at the memory. “We’ll have to increase the number of toys for her to play with then. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she won’t scratch at your boots again, Zuko.”

Lianne glances at her master and Zuko once, not really understanding what was going on before losing interest in the conversation rather quickly. She dashes back over to Katara’s bed, ready for a nap.

Zuko sighs, “It must be hard having to take care of her by yourself. I’m sorry. I’ll try to come around more.”

“It’s fine. You’re busy, aren’t you? I’m just glad you’re here now.”

“It’d be better if I came around every day instead of once in a while.”

Katara gives him an encouraging pat to the arm as he visibly sulks. It’s still nice to see that Zuko was still wanting to spend some time with her, it’s just unfortunate his schedule was packed. Other than the constant training and preparation for both him and his uncle, there were also Fire Nation ministers and officials Zuko was talking to and setting up meetings for who knows what.

All Katara does is play here and there with Lianne and practice her waterbending skills. It must be pretty tough for Zuko.

With that thought in mind, Katara begins to push Zuko over to a chair close to her vanity, making him sit down. She grabs a towel and starts wiping the sweat off his face and neck. Zuko lets out a groan, completely exhausted and finally slouched, something that Azula would’ve scolded him about.

“How’s everything going?”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” he mumbles. “Other than Azula sticking her nose in where it’s not her business, everything’s fine. What about you?”

“You know there’s not much for me to do here. I’m just practicing. The same as usual.”

“Still stuck on another one of your techniques?”

Katara finds herself hesitating. “Kind of…”

Zuko snorts, but he smiles in amusement. “How can you ever become a great waterbending master now? I bet you’ve been slacking off.”

She glares down at him and yanks on his ponytail. Zuko hisses but doesn’t cough up an apology.

“I’ll have you know that I spent hours outside! I thought I would’ve fainted from how hot it was! I’m still not used to the temperature here.”

“You do know there was shade for you I set up for you, right?”

Katara sighs and puts away the cloth. “I felt like if I stopped for one second, I wouldn’t want to get up and continue. My muscles are all sore from it and it’s so tiring that I can never get it right—um, well… I’m sure it’s nothing compared to what you’re going through, right?”

She didn’t want to complain in front of him. Compared to her, Zuko was actually going through quite a bit and was under a lot of pressure while she was over here having fun and whatnot.

But Zuko frowns, not really sure of what she’s getting at. “I’m used to it. You aren’t. You haven’t been able to practice as much from when you were at the Southern Water Tribe, right? It’s natural for your muscles to be sore. Don’t mind whatever I’m going through.”

“I mean, sure, but it’s not that bad compared to you-”

Zuko gets up from his seat and stands in front of Katara. For a second, she felt the urge to take a step back just from how close Zuko was. Doesn’t help that there is still a considerable gap between them for their heights, so Zuko had to crane his neck to look at his soulmate properly in the eyes.

In a second, Katara was plopped right down on the chair. Zuko stands behind her, switching places and raising his hands, placing them on her shoulders before giving her a gentle massage. Eventually, the pressure of his fingers being a bit more forceful gave her a slight startle, and Katara tried not to wince at the prickles pain.

It’s not anything special. Zuko gives her a message all the time whenever her arms were terribly sore from practicing, but they weren’t in the gardens this time. They’re inside her chambers alone. Other than Lianne, of course, but the owl wolf was slumbering away and wouldn’t wake up for another hour or so.

There’s something about this proximity that’s making Katara feel self-conscious. Almost unbearably uncomfortable. Perhaps it’s the fact that this is the first time he’s giving her a message on her shoulder, just so close to her neck, and it’s making her want to duck her head down.

Zuko sees Katara slowly hunching over in the chair. He moves his hand carefully on her back, right in between her shoulder blades, suddenly pushing her forward a little so she’d straighten up. And then he’s back to her shoulders, on the verge of smiling again.

It’s a good thing they’re right in front of the vanity mirror. Zuko glances at it every so often, gauging his soulmate’s expression and how nervous she seemed. He gets it. They haven’t been around each other for several days, and instead of being out in the open, they’re all alone in Katara’s private chambers where hardly anyone enters.

Just the two of them.

Zuko finds himself moving a hand closer to her neck, the tips of his fingers lightly tracing the skin. There’s a subtle movement of Katara moving away in return. It’s not that visible, but the prince could still tell.

She’s embarrassed. Zuko is absolutely in love.

“How is it?”

Katara takes a glimpse at their reflection. She sees Zuko staring down at her with a fond look in his eyes. She looks away.

“… It’s okay. It’s mostly my arms, you know?”

“I think it’s good to do it like this as well. Uncle says stiff shoulders aren’t good for people, especially as young as us.”

Zuko moves his hands away from her shoulders though. They travel to her arms instead, probably thinking he shoulder message them as well. Katara says nothing though, she’s merely staring and waiting. For what? She’s not so sure, but she observes nonetheless and feels goosebumps across her skin as Zuko comfortingly rubbing his hands up and down her arms.

There’s nothing but warmth coming from his touch. Katara noticed it a while ago, but she thinks firebenders were naturally warm. Every time she was with Azula or Zuko, their presence or hands were never cold, unlike her who could still feel the iciness lingering on her palms despite the regulated temperate in the palace.

Some things don’t really change apparently. Katara had brought the cold of the south with her.

… But it’s nice. Being in his presence. Being warmed up by him.

And then she hitches her breath when Zuko moved his hands lower and lower, until he’s having to lean down as he touches his soulmate’s waist. Both of his arms try their best to wrap themselves around Katara as a hug, though it was rather possessive the way he held her. His chin on the left of her shoulder, face being buried to her neck, and his grip on her waist tightening.

Katara doesn’t move. She keeps… looking through the mirror. The way Zuko doesn’t seem like he’s letting go any time soon should've made her uncomfortable, but the feeling never comes. She merely takes a hand and gives him another pat to one of the arms around her, smiling at the situation.

“You feel nice,” Zuko confesses. He takes in her scent. Like this, he recalls the memory of the ocean and the fresh, cold air the southern region had brought to him.

Katara stifles a laugh. “You feel warm.”

“… Is it hot?”

“I never said that. It was always freezing from where I come from, but it’s nice like this. Having you around feels… good as well.”

Zuko responds with a hum. He doesn’t move from his position even though his bones ached and begged for rest after spending days under severe training and restless nights having to talk to the palace officials. Zuko would rather collapse in Katara’s presence honestly. It feels soothing… though a little more exhilarating than he thought.

She’s his soulmate after all. It’s an intoxicating experience to go through. His body may be tired, but he refuses to go to sleep when Katara was right here.

His fingers slip.

He’s begun to touch her skin. Katara nearly jerks out of her seat, yet she manages to stay still while her eyes were stuck on the vanity mirror.

Katara has never worn her attire from the Southern Water Tribe. There was no need to due to the weather here, so she often wore thin materials made of silk such as this two-piece clothing that exposed the skin of her stomach. It was a little strange in the beginning, but she got used to it.

Now the feeling of self-consciousness came rushing back at rapid speed. She felt too exposed. Like the clothing wasn’t enough of a barrier between her and Zuko, but even if she put on layers, Katara doubts it’d help to ease the ever-growing bundle of nerves in her stomach.

Zuko’s face is still buried into her neck. He refuses to budge. In a way, Katara is somewhat glad he isn’t able to see how flushed her cheeks are, but the feeling of lips descending onto the side of neck finally made her pull away. Almost made herself fall off the chair, too.

Her soulmate lurches back, surprised at the action.

As if he didn’t just pull a little stunt himself.

Katara stands up, putting some distance between them. Zuko follows as well, though he tries to take a step forward when Katara hurriedly places a hand up to stop him. There’s confusion in his eyes, unsure of what was going on.

“Have you had dinner yet?”

Zuko blinks. Katara continues to plaster a smile on her face.

“You haven’t, right? It’s getting close to dinnertime. You should get cleaned up. I’ll see you later with the others.”

He gave a slow nod.

“Right…”

Zuko doesn’t push it and leaves with a tight smile of his own and says a quick goodbye. The thought of what he’d just done hadn’t exactly processed through his mind. He’s still disoriented and enraptured from Katara’s presence, but when the time came for him to realize what happened, Zuko’s cheeks grew furiously red, and he had to crouch at the corner of the hallway.

If he could, he’d set himself on fire.

Even so, despite the mortifying ordeal of what happened in Katara’s private chambers, Zuko gazed down at his hand that touched her skin. He felt himself shake out of pure excitement, and the forced smile on his lips suddenly couldn’t go away no matter how hard he tried to cool himself.

Ah, he’s missed her.

Zuko stays crouching on the ground for a good while, keeping a level head while thoughts run all over his mind. When he was finally good, he stood up, fixed himself and stalked off without a trace of emotion on his face.

The next time the two of them met was that very night at the dinner table.

The family of four came together once again in silence in the grand dining hall. Fire Lord Ozai sitting right at the head of the table with his brother, General Iroh, across from him at the other end. The royal heirs sat at opposite ends of each other, but Katara was right next to Zuko, joining the family.

It’s really becoming a normal occurrence to have family dinners. Maybe not every night, but more often than not. 

If Katara hadn’t shown up, such a thing wouldn’t even be possible unless it was a formal function.

“You’ve taken a liking to our cuisines, my dear?” General Iroh asks with a happy smile.

Katara nods. “I’m not a picky eater. Our tribe just ate whatever could be provided, so I’m good with anything.”

“You should eat more, Katara,” Azula points out. “I feel like you’re getting thinner every time I see you. We wouldn’t want you to get sick now, do we?”

“I haven’t had that much of an appetite honestly, but you don’t have to worry.”

“How come?”

“I’ve been a little busy.”

Azula raises an eyebrow. “Ah, from that waterbending scroll. I always forget about it. Well, don’t overexert yourself if you can help it. If you’re not talented in mastering those techniques, there will always be others… like healing.”

Zuko stops chewing and spares a bit of a glare to his sister. 

Healing.

The main reason why the Fire Nation had laid siege upon the waterbenders. They wanted their arts of healing, to take it for themselves since no other bender could have such an ability other than them. With that type of power, the Fire Nation would be more than unstoppable. It was just unfortunate they never managed to capture any healers before the water tribes had hidden themselves.

Until Katara came, of course. But no one knows if she was even capable of that art.

But that doesn’t really matter to Zuko. As long as Katara was safe and taken care of, he doesn’t mind if she isn’t able to learn that. 

He can’t say the same for the others though.

“Waterbending scrolls are hard to come by,” General Iroh sighs. “Fire Lord Ozai was very fortunate in finding one, but I’ve had no such luck. Do not worry though! I’m sure Prince Zuko and I will find one for healing once we set out on our journey!”

Katara frowns a little. “But how long will you two be gone?”

Azula shrugs. “Until they find the Avatar, of course.”

But that might not happen for a long time. Will Katara really be away from Zuko for that long?

The idea of having to be separated for a long period of time unnerved her. It reminded her of the time when her father left the tribe, leaving her and Sokka alone. Her brother was passed down the responsibility for looking after a whole tribe by himself, and even if Wolf Cove was reduced to nothing more than a small village, it was still a heavy burden on a child.

Katara doesn’t know if she was able to handle having Zuko away from her. 

Noticing the look on her face, Zuko secretly grasped her hand under the table and nonchalantly resumed eating. Katara held his hand back and picked at her food, not really wanting to finish. 

General Iroh kept an eye on Katara. It’s a pitiful situation, but not even he was able to persuade Fire Lord Ozai to let Zuko stay here.

“There’s still some time before we depart! How about one more banquet?” General Iroh suggests.

Azula scoffs, “Another one, Uncle?”

“Why not? Princess Katara was delighted by the last one! Besides, our journey to find the Avatar might take such a long time. It’ll be nice to host one more banquet before we go!”

“Yes, well…” 

Azula steals a glance to the head of the table. Her father has kept quiet and merely tried to finish his plate. It doesn’t seem like he’s interested at all in the conversation.

Surely, he wouldn’t mind another. Azula was sure, but it’s not like she was that confident in her answer.

Katara leans close to Zuko and whispers, “You don’t mind another?”

He replies quietly, “If you like it so much, I don’t. But later, we should go and see the capital.”

“Really? I’m not supposed to go out there.”

“I’ll sneak you out.”

Katara has to hide a smile. She nods eagerly in return and resumes eating, but as she looked up at Fire Lord Ozai, she couldn’t help but to ask him as well.

“Dad?”

Azula and Zuko wince.

They’re still not used to it. They doubt they ever could.

Fire Lord Ozai taps the ends of his chopstick on the edge of his bowl. He’s not looking up at her but acknowledges Katara with a slight hum.

“Are you okay with another banquet? It doesn’t have to be as long as the other… it can even be something of a farewell and good luck to Zuko and Uncle Iroh before they leave,” Katara hastily suggests. 

“… It is up to you.”

Katara was relieved. Her father-in-law doesn’t speak for the remainder of dinner, but his answer was all they needed to start planning. 

General Iroh was most pleased about this. There would be good food and a good cup of tea for him to enjoy, while Azula found it a little difficult on how to actually plan for it. Ty Lee was gone so whatever entertainment left available had to at least be up to par with her, otherwise Azula might have to drag Ty Lee back to the palace.

For Zuko and Katara, they were secretly relieved they’d at least have one night off where they could spend time with one another. Other than the fact that Zuko planned to sneak them both out of the palace later on.

But that’s for another time.

For now, they continued to hold hands throughout dinner under the table as Katara eagerly spoke with General Iroh about his past trips outside of the Fire Nation while Azula and Zuko bickered her and there, getting onto each other’s nerves.

There was still some time left. Katara should enjoy it to the fullest before her soulmate leaves.

Chapter Text

It’s just a farewell banquet. That’s what Katara said to Fire Lord Ozai.

Though it seems as if it’s not the case anymore.

Katara is staring up at the ceiling where servants were trying to hang large, hanging decorations. The entire banquet room was getting redecorated in a way that topped the last one.

She isn’t so sure how Azula managed to put in this much thought, but it may be due to the fact that General Iroh and Crown Prince Zuko would be out to do the impossible of capturing the Avatar. The very one that other people are hunting down.

There’s heavy pressure on Zuko after learning that. The faster he goes out, the faster he can take possession of the Avatar himself.

But he couldn’t fathom leaving right now. Not when Katara was here.

Zuko honestly doesn’t know how his father manages to do it. Fire Lord Ozai has been separated from his beloved soulmate for almost five years. That amount of time has got to kill him, but here he is, still standing.

If there was one thing Zuko would be jealous of, it would have to be the endurance his father shows. It feels like even stepping away from Katara would very well kill him.

Not trying to be dramatic or anything, though it felt like the truth.

“Everything should be ready by tonight.”

Katara looks up at Zuko. He’s right at her side as always, patiently waiting for her.

“It’s a shame Ty Lee and Mai aren’t here. Looks like it’ll just be us five celebrating, huh?”

“I’m sure those two will come another time. Since the two of us are free now, do you… want to go out into the gardens?”

“Will anyone see us?”

Zuko glances at their surroundings, slowly walking backwards with Katara since no one was batting an eye at them. “Not if we’re fast enough.”

They hastily sneak out of the room and found their way outside without alerting anyone. Turns out, Zuko was pretty good at being inconspicuous and hardly made any sound despite his heavy boots. As for Katara, she was rather clumsy and didn’t know how to sneak around the hallways, making Zuko always be on the lookout for the both of them.

He basically dragged her around. Katara was in there for the ride, having to hide her laugh before getting shushed by Zuko.

When they reached the gardens, they made their way toward the pond and basically fed the turtle ducks as they continued to talk. Katara absentmindedly conversed with Zuko as she bent the water up and out of the pond, instinctively forming it into the water whip. With her practicing, Zuko merely listened and watched her from the ground, still as mesmerized as he was back then when he first saw Katara’s power.

“Lianne has been running around a little more,” Katara says, moving her arms and hearing the sound of water whipping around in the air. “It’s getting a little hard for her to settle down. I think you’re right about her needing to go outside more.”

“We’ll get the courtyard prepared for her.”

“Do you think she’s okay in this place? She’s from the south, remember?”

“She’s adapting just fine.”

“I think she is, too. But I still think-” Her left hand suddenly freezes up and the water loses its form rapidly, falling down onto the ground. Almost splashed her soulmate honestly.

Zuko snorts, “At least drop it back in the pond.”

“I would if I could, Zuko.” Katara sends him a scowl.

Instead of trying it again, she merely stood there, rubbing her arm with a worried look on her face.

Katara mutters out, “I’m not cut out for this… I’ve been doing this for so many days already, and I haven’t improved in the slightest. But it’s not like I can do anything else. I don’t even know the arts of healing.”

Zuko reaches up and tugs on her skirt, causing Katara to come over and sit next to him on the ground. It’s undignified, what they’re doing. Sitting right out here on the grass rather than chairs, but Zuko has learned quite quickly that he honestly doesn’t care much for etiquette anymore.

Katara scoots closer to him and practically brushes her shoulder next to his.

“Uncle and I will find the rest of the waterbending scrolls for you,” Zuko promises, hoping to cheer her up. “You’re doing just fine, Katara. It’s just because you don’t have a teacher-”

“That’s the problem, Zuko. There’s no one here to properly teach me. I was the only waterbender left in my tribe, and the others have gone into hiding because of…” Katara trails off.

She didn’t need to say why. Zuko doesn’t respond to it either.

There’s a prickle of guilt crawling in both of their stomachs. Zuko knows that it was the fault of the Fire Nation that the waterbenders have all but disappeared right after the Air Nomads have fallen, and Katara felt bad for speaking about the Fire Nation like that.

Well, not really. As much as she liked Zuko, she still isn’t that fond of this place.

Katara turns to him. “I really can’t come with you?”

“You know the answer to that. It’s dangerous outside. You’re better off here in the palace where Azula and my father are.”

“But… I just want to be with you. I promise I won’t do anything that’ll hinder you, so if you could just think about it-”

“It’s already been decided,” Zuko cuts in with a firm tone. “I’m sorry that you don’t like the circumstances but believe me when I say that I’m doing this for us. Once I have captured the Avatar and regained my honor, I’ll be a soulmate that’s worthy of you. A-And I know that it’ll take a long time before I can do it, but I’ve already spent three years outside doing the impossible. But now that word has spread about the Avatar being here, I can accomplish what I was tasked to do.”

Katara knows this. She knows it’s so important for Zuko to go out and reclaim the honor his father is hanging over him, but what is she supposed to do if he’s gone? What if Zuko gets hurt and she isn’t there?

She suddenly hoped that she was blessed enough to have the abilities of a healer despite her lack of experience and training.

“Everything will be fine, I promise.” Zuko puts an arm around her, hugging Katara close to his side as they sat under the tree for shade. “I just want you safe, okay? Don’t worry about me.”

Katara pursed her lips. She felt the obnoxious need to argue, to tell him that she should go with him no matter what, but she turned her head away. Zuko won’t take her. In the end, she might have to stay locked up here in the palace.

She tries not to argue even if she wants to. Right now, she just wants to spend time with her soulmate, and Katara sees him trying his best to deter the conversation into a lighter topic. He gives that awkward smile of his, one that Katara knew all too well. She simply returns a small smile of her own and gives in, talking about something else.

If she keeps pushing, she knows how frustrated Zuko would get. Probably at her, but Katara wouldn’t have minded really. He’s got quite the temper after all.

When night came and the banquet began, Katara was dressed up in her favorite colors of blue made from the finest of material thanks to Azula. As for Zuko, despite still being covered in full armor, General Iroh helped his nephew out by at least trying to find similar patterns for Zuko to wear to match his soulmate. Eventually, Katara and Zuko came into the banquet with their arms linked together, coming inside as a perfect match.

“What’s with that look?”

Katara couldn’t help but question, giving Zuko a glance from the side when she noticed how his gaze was on her for some time. Well, it’s always on Katara, but it’s different tonight since everyone can tell just how smitten the crown prince was with his soulmate.

Zuko hurriedly turns away, suddenly embarrassed. “Nothing… you just look pretty tonight.”

“Oh, thank you! You also look-”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you don’t always look pretty!”

Katara nods. “Yes, but you also look really nice tonight-”

“It’s just that you’re exceptionally beautiful tonight. Sorry, I just can’t really stop staring. I know it probably makes you feel uncomfortable and all…”

Zuko doesn’t finish his sentence when Katara abruptly raises a hand and smacks his arm.

She sighed, “Don’t worry. I know what you mean. I was also trying to give you a compliment.”

“… Me?”

“Who else other than you? I don’t think I have a second soulmate around.”

Zuko turned as red as his armor. “You really think so?”

He knew for the longest time that his appearance was… not up to par. He’s not particularly attractive due to the scar on the left side of his face. And because of his “permanent” scowl on his face, Zuko wasn’t too good with people since they seemed rather intimidated by him… and his personality wasn’t all that good either.

It feels unbelievable hearing a compliment from Katara when he’s like this. Zuko knows she meant it though, which makes him even more baffled.

And seeing him a little confused and insecure, Katara frowned. She takes her hand and grabs his own, lacing their fingers together as a means of comfort. Zuko might take it the wrong way and see it as an act of two lovers, but she wouldn’t mind that honestly.

Katara leans over and whispers, “You look handsome.”

“…T-Thank you.”

Katara ends up laughing from his screwed-up expression.

The royal family were seated accordingly and in order. With Fire Lord Ozai at the very middle, sitting down and peering over everyone and everything with a cold smile on his face. His brother was once again next to him, rambling on and on about how he needed to pack twice as much tea bags for such an arduous journey. For Azula, she came to sit next to Katara, sandwiching the waterbender between her and Zuko.

The banquet proceeded on without much of a fuss thankfully. It was a little dull without Mai and Ty Lee around, yet everything went pretty smoothly. Again, there were tributes being offered from various family clans, but most of them were indirectly presented to Katara.

Katara wasn’t quite sure on how others saw her position in the royal family, but word has spread even further than wildfire on how much the royal family placed great importance on her. Whether it was due to the fact she was the only waterbender that’s been seen for decades, or the fact she was Zuko’s soulmate, it didn’t matter at that point.

What mattered was the favor she gained from the Fire Lord.

Apparently, Fire Lord Ozai took a liking to her.

Now, if the families from these great clans of the Fire Nation were to secretly appeal to Katara, there’s a high possibility of them getting into Fire Lord Ozai’s good graces.

Katara found herself frowning at the crowd of noble families offering gifts that were mainly said to be hers. She leaned over to Azula and whispered, “Is this appropriate?”

“Hm?”

“They said “Princess Katara” and not you. Did I hear that correctly?”

“Oh, I’m sure you know how it goes. You’ve been here for some time. They’re trying to butter you up,” Azula scoffed. There’s amusement in her tone though. “Just take it if you like them. If not, it’s fine to reject it as well. It’s not like the palace is lacking any of those items anyways.”

“I don’t know why they’re giving them to me. It’s not like I can even do much,” Katara confesses, still frowning.

She’s 14. She’s not stupid. Katara can still figure out what’s going on.

For a while, Katara sat with the siblings, letting them do the talking for her. She looked at the Fire Lord every so often, unsure of what exactly she’s supposed to do. She didn’t feel that comfortable taking the gifts, so surely her father-in-law knew what to do, right?

To be honest, all he did was take one look over at the gifts, raised an eyebrow, and turned his chin up as if they were beneath him.

That was all they needed to know. They bowed their heads and kept quiet, taking away their gifts and leaving.

Katara… sort of envied Fire Lord Ozai for having that amount of power. She’s never been in that position before, and despite how Zuko was being treated, he was still the supposed crown prince of this nation and was powerful in his own right. Azula was considered to be above him as well, while General Iroh earned stories of his own that proclaimed him a legend.

But what about her?

Katara found herself anxious.

She has no power in this place. When Zuko leaves, it’ll be harder for her. Sure, no one’s going to mistreat her or anything, but she’ll still be locked up in the palace and will have to keep putting her head down to her father-in-law and be under Azula’s watchful eyes.

Katara took a glimpse out of the large windows where the moon brightly shone.

She later squeezes Zuko’s hand.

She wants to go home.

“Is something wrong?” Zuko asks.

“Oh, um… Can you eat this for me?” Katara points at her plate. “I’m a little full from eating so much, but I don’t want to waste it.”

“You can just toss it away.”

“No, I don’t like wasting it. We don’t do that back home.”

Zuko pauses. He forgets that Katara came from an isolated village that was too small and rundown. Briefly, he wonders just how hard she and the others had to work to get anything done and to fill their stomachs. And according to his sister, there were hardly enough men that were capable enough to protect everyone.

With that in mind, he picks up her plate and finishes off what she couldn’t. Katara only grins in appreciation and returns her attention to the banquet in front of her.

Someone from the crowd came forward holding a box, bowing themselves to the family. Katara tilts her head, unsure of what they were doing. She was sure Fire Lord Ozai was done seeing any more gifts.

“Your Majesty,” the man began. “Forgive me for stepping out, but I have a gift I wanted to give to Princess Katara.”

General Iroh hums, “What is your name? What have you brought out?”

“My name is Shorao. After Princess Katara graced the nation with her presence, I personally went out and traveled quite far to attain something that may be beneficial for her as a welcome present and to congratulate the crown prince and her.”

Shorao opened the box to reveal a familiar scroll clad in blue cloth, and patterns that showed the symbol of water.

Katara almost jumped off her seat. “A waterbending scroll!”

Azula narrowed her eyes. “Where on earth did you get that? Those are quite rare to find.”

“It’s as I’ve said, I journeyed out of the nation and into others. There were various shops that sold the most unusual of items, and there were some fakes as well, but I managed to find an authentic waterbending scroll. I believe this should belong to the princess. Please accept my gift.”

Katara wanted to go up and accept it right away, yet she hesitated and looked at Zuko. For a second, there was a huge scowl on his face like he couldn’t pinpoint what the exact problem was.

Was it the gift itself? It’s difficult to find those types of scrolls, and he was sure his father even had some troubles, yet this man was able to actually find one? Perhaps he’s just reading too much into this.

Reluctantly, he lets go of Katara’s hand and the family watches as she eagerly gets up to her feet and hurriedly goes down the steps to receive the gift.

It almost seems too good to be true. Katara wondered a few times if it was alright to ask for another scroll, but she never got the chance to since it looked like everyone was so busy. Thankfully, there was someone who went out of their way to get one for her!

As Katara stood in front of Shorao with her hands outstretched, she took one look behind her to show how excited she was to Fire Lord Ozai.

The Fire Lord nodded his head in acknowledgment and raised his cup of tea to his lips. With his approval, Katara turned back and reached out to take the scroll, yet the box was forcefully yanked away from her. Before she knew it, Shorao surged forward as he discarded the scroll, raising a hand up in the air as sparks of fire danced across his palm, descending upon Katara.

At that moment, Katara froze. It wasn’t until she heard Zuko calling for her name that she jolted, subconsciously raising her own hands in defense to bend the water that’s closest to her. Just as she was able to create a barrier, it was far too late for her to properly shield herself.

Her hands connected with the burning flames and the water was immediately lost as she let out a shriek, flying back and falling right on the ground. Katara doubled over, curling up into a ball with her hands cradled to her chest, sobbing loudly from the pain.

In an instant, the banquet dissolved into chaos as Zuko got up, absolutely enraged and began firebending at the man. He curled his hands into fists, jumping over the table and charging right at him while Azula hurriedly ran to Katara, dropping down to grab her.

“Let me see,” she says. “How bad is the burn?”

Katara refused to budge and stayed in her position, afraid that the pain would worsen if she were to lift her hands up and away from her chest.

“Katara, let me check!”

Azula would’ve just dragged her then and there to a safer place if it weren’t for her brother throwing that sham of a man across the room, right in the very front of Fire Lord Ozai. Her father, the king of the Fire Nation, was already up from his seat and staring down at him with burning embers in his eyes that resembled his children too much.

A burst of flames erupted from Zuko’s hand, and he threw it straight at Shorao, watching it burn his left shoulder. He would’ve just incinerated him if it weren’t for Katara crying, telling Azula to let go of her.

Still in a fit of anger, Zuko gave the man a seething glare before taking his place beside his soulmate, carefully grabbing her up and away from the ground.

“Katara,” he calls. “Katara, let me-”

“No, let go!”

“Katara, please.”

Azula raised her head up and pointed at the man, “How dare you lay your hand upon us? Have you any idea what you’ve just done?”

“What I’ve done… Was for the sake of our nation,” Shorao hisses. He takes a bold look up to the Fire Lord and the Dragon of the West. “This tyranny you have brought upon us will be ended. If it weren’t for the princess’ appearance, I wouldn’t have had to resort to such measures.”

Zuko hugs Katara close to his chest and nearly sets him on fire. “You treasonous wretch, I will kill you.”

“I didn’t want to hurt her either since she might as well be the last waterbender, but if there’s anyone to blame, you can blame yourselves for having her to be part of your family. Blame the fact that she ended up as your soulmate! If I can’t hurt any members of the royal family, she would have to do.”

This was nothing more than utter mutiny against the throne. There were reports of their own people getting anxious and growing unsatisfied with how the royal family led the nation, especially with Fire Lord Ozai taking the lead in expanding their territory. But they didn’t know it would result in Katara’s precious hands getting burned horribly.

Even now as Zuko looks down at her, he could see dark red wounds across her skin. Katara could only cry harder and hide her hands as much as she could and made herself even smaller, curling right up into Zuko’s chest.

What is she going to do now? She’s been scarred.

… Zuko will fucking kill him.

“Father, you must let me-”

“Take him away. To the prisons.”

General Iroh was taken aback. “What? But he had hurt Katara!”

“Take the princess away as well to get treated. Azula, come with me. Zuko… stay with your soulmate. I will deal with these matters personally.”

Zuko grits his teeth and forced himself to exhale slowly, but with every breath he takes, the surrounding flames that were lighting up the banquet hall grew bright and burned hotter in response to his fluctuating emotions and anger.

“That’s enough,” Azula reprimands him. The sight of the growing fire wouldn’t do Katara any good. For now, she hauls both her brother and Katara up, though Zuko was too furious to leave.

“You can’t let him off like this, Father.” Zuko’s glare worsens at the sight of the man. “He hurt my soulmate!”

Fire Lord Ozai pays no attention to his son’s anger. Instead, he sends General Iroh to hurriedly take the heirs away. With Katara being hauled off for immediate attention, all that is left of the banquet was the Fire Lord and a traitor, surrounded by the palace guards who all had their weapons at the ready.

Fire Lord Ozai tilts his head. Shorao tries not to flinch underneath his stare.

“To the prisons,” he repeats. “Eight guards on him at all costs. I will be there to deal with him later tonight.”

Shorao was taken down to the prisons at his command. The Fire Lord found himself standing alone in the room, looking at the mess that was caused.

Katara wasn’t quick enough to protect herself. In a situation of life or death, he even saw her freeze. That was enough for Fire Lord Ozai to be on edge. It’s clear to see that with her lack of experience and training, Katara should never set foot outside the palace grounds. It’s even more concerning that there isn’t a teacher for her to master waterbending, and it’s not like he or the other masters could substitute as one either. They aren’t of the same element.

Fire Lord Ozai pursed his lips.

What should he do with Katara?

~*~

“What do you mean you can’t treat her scars?” Zuko fumes at the healers. “If none of you can help, get the hell out of my sight! Bring someone else!”

Azula, sitting at the side of the bed where Katara was at, narrowed her eyes. “I don’t believe there isn’t a single healer among all of you who can’t treat her hands. What use are you then?”

“F-Forgive us, Princess Azula… but we have already done our best. Our biggest concerns aren’t just the scars, but if she can even waterbend-”

“What?” Katara chokes up. “What did you just say?”

Zuko grabs the collar of the healer who spoke and gripped it. He was on the verge of burning him to a crisp.

“Get someone else here. Don’t make me repeat myself.”

He drops the man and watches him and the others rush out.

His uncle, standing next to Katara as well, shakes his head and sighs. “Perhaps he’s right. For right now, let’s just focus on what we can do. Princess, you shouldn’t be worried on what he said. Even if your hands are hurt, you are still a waterbender. That’s a fact that won’t change.”

“Uncle, that man can’t go unpunished,” Zuko states. “I need him punished.”

“Execution is the proper ending for traitor like him,” said Azula.

“Your father will deal with him, don’t worry. For now, call in the rest of the healers.”

Katara tears up. “But they said… my hands will be scarred forever. They won’t be able to treat me.”

“Someone will,” her soulmate hurriedly ensures. “If there’s not, we will make sure to find one even if that means having to go outside of the Fire Nation.”

“… What if we don’t need to?”

All eyes turned to Azula. The girl seemed to be considering something until she looked up at her uncle and demanded, “Bring a bucket of water.”

“Princess Azula-”

“There’s a chance we can heal her hands completely.”

If there was a small possibility to fix Katara’s hands, Zuko would’ve grasped onto it no matter what. At her request, he and his uncle brought in a large bucket of water and placed it on the edge of the bed. They were unsure of what Azula wanted to do, but his sister paid them no heed and grabbed Katara’s wrist carefully before dunking them into the water.

Katara hisses, still in pain from the wounds. She prayed to the moon that her hands will be alright, yet in that second when she and the others thought it to be of no help, they were taken by surprise when the water swirled. Her hands were emitted in a glowing light before quickly fading, and then the water stopped moving.

Azula released a breath. “There… you did it.”

Katara raised her hands up from the water, incredulous at the sight of no scarring whatsoever. She looked up at General Iroh and Zuko in disbelief.

“I-I can heal-”

She was cut off when Zuko lunged at her, throwing his arms around her body and hugging her tightly.

Honestly, he doesn’t really care about her abilities. It’s a good thing for her to have so she’d be able to protect herself, but even if she wasn’t a healer, he wouldn’t have minded. But now, he was extremely grateful Katara was blessed enough to be able to heal with her bending. If she hadn’t, her hands would’ve been scarred. Zuko didn’t want that for her.

“How did you know?” General Iroh questioned Azula.

“I wasn’t sure. It was out of pure curiosity. But now that it’s been confirmed that she’s a healer, things should start changing in the palace.”

“What sort of changes?”

Azula sighs, “I’m thinking of setting up a separate hallway just for Katara to practice her waterbending. Not just from her scrolls, but also for her to learn and master the art of the healing. If she can’t become a master by using water to attack and protect herself, the next best thing is this instead. I’m sure Father would agree.”

General Iroh lights up. “It’s a wonderful plan.”

“It’d be greater if there’s a proper teacher for Katara. This doesn’t change the fact that she lacks experience. The only thing I can think of to help her is bring in wounded soldiers from their training and to practice healing them instead, but I’m not sure what her limits are so we’ll have to start out small.”

Despite General Iroh’s initial worries of what Azula thought of Katara, it was relieving to see her show this much concern for the girl. There was a time when he thought Azula was bored and was merely playing around with Katara, but it seems she was a better friend to her than he thought.

Of course, he can’t brush off the fact that it may be due to Katara’s abilities that Azula placed importance on her, but he sees Azula staring at her brother and his soulmate with a softer gaze than before. Zuko kept pressing kisses on the back of Katara’s hands, profusely apologizing for what happened while she only shook her head and said it wasn’t his fault.

Well… there was a time when Zuko and Azula had been happy together. Perhaps the feeling of familial warmth was still present no matter how small it is.

“As expected of my daughter. Good job, Azula.”

Everyone in the room turned their heads to see the Fire Lord standing underneath the doorway. He came in with a blanket meant for Katara.

Azula hurriedly bowed her head. “It’s nothing, Father. I wasn’t so sure about her abilities, but now we can safely confirm to everyone that she’s a healer.”

“We’ll keep it quiet for now. There may be others who’d want their hands on Katara,” he replies lightly, striding in to hand over the blanket. “Iroh, there’s something I need you for down in the prison. Go there for now and wait. Azula, stay here… and as for you, Zuko, follow me.”

Zuko holds Katara’s holds tightly. “I can’t leave her side-”

“Right now, Zuko.”

His tone leaves no room for argument, and there was a look in his eyes that made chills go up Zuko’s spine. He gives Katara an uncertain look, but she simply pushed him away gently. Whatever it was, it sounded important.

So, they leave Katara alone to be taken care of by Azula. General Iroh heads down to the prison, and Zuko is left to follow his father across massive corridors of their palace. They don’t speak a single word to each other which Zuko doesn’t mind. His stomach kept churning at the idea of leaving Katara by herself.

He was still furious about that man hurting Katara and leaving damages to her hands, so he wouldn’t be satisfied until Shorao was properly punished. The only thing he could think of for a traitor like him was execution just as his sister suggested.

When they finally stopped walking, they were standing outside now and too far away from where Katara was. There was nothing out here but the vastness of the open sea and their ships, and dozens of trained Fire Nation guards patrolling the area. Now, their size seems to be increasing after the incident in the banquet hall.

“Father, why did you bring me-”

A painful smack to the face was laid upon Zuko, and he stumbled back in completely shock.

His father, Fire Lord Ozai, looked down upon him with great contempt and raised his hand again to strike Zuko’s face.

“You miserable thing,” Fire Lord Ozai spat. “I should’ve known better than to keep you here on behalf of your soulmate. You didn’t react fast enough to protect her. Now, look what has happened. It’s nothing more than a miracle she was able to heal herself, but what if that never happened? Her hands would’ve been permanently scarred.”

“Father, it’s my mistake-”

“The only mistake was how I didn’t send you away earlier.”

He steps up to Zuko. His son immediately stands up straight yet keeps his head and eyes lowered to the ground in submission.

“You aren’t strong. You have no power in this palace. Azula is nothing more than a prodigy, but you? The only redeeming quality you have is my bloodline and the fact you’re soulmates with Katara. Pack your things, there is no need for further preparation. You are to leave by tonight and not to come back until you have captured the Avatar.”

Zuko widens his eyes. “But Katara is here. I-I can’t leave until I know she’s perfectly fine.”

“Unless you want another burn on your face, I suggest you keep that mouth shut and do as I say. You’ve been away at sea for three years, but it seems that the outside hasn’t taught you any better. The only thing you do to redeem yourself is this mission. Do not think you’re able to return without the Avatar.”

The Fire Lord’s glare worsened as he turns away from Zuko to head back inside of the palace.

“If I hear a single whisper of you stepping back on these lands, I will deal with you myself just as I did with that traitor.”

The warning loomed over Zuko as he was left behind. He bit the bottom of his lips, struggling not to plead with his father, knowing that it wouldn’t help the situation. If he wanted to be a worthy person and reclaim his rightful place as the next heir to the throne, the only thing Zuko can do is keep his head low and to obediently listen to his father.

Tonight, he will leave this place and use whatever means it takes to get the Avatar.

Chapter Text

Sneaking outside of the palace grounds isn’t too difficult.

At least, that’s what Katara thought when she tried evading the increasing security and Azula’s ever watchful gaze.

With Mai and Ty Lee gone, Azula had more than enough time on her hands to accompany Katara and stuck close to her as if she were a shadow. And while her presence was… somewhat nice, Katara was still rather nervous around her and hardly knew what to do or say.

Azula doesn’t particularly mind initiating the conversations and talking for the majority of the time. She was a lot better at it than her brother, and even though Katara doesn’t deem herself as someone too introverted to keep up a conversation, she still wasn’t used to the amount of attention she was getting.

And speaking of Zuko, he was the main reason as to why Katara was struggling to get outside of the palace.

She heard from General Iroh about how Fire Lord Ozai sped up the process in tossing Zuko back into the seas to find the avatar and capturing him.

Katara didn’t understand why at first but had a feeling it was because of the incident at the banquet. She just isn’t sure what the connection was. And even though she tried prodding for more information, no one told her anything.

Which leads her and Lianne right outside in the palace gardens in the middle of the night. Her owl cub, which had grown at an increasing rate, was trying to help Katara go over the walls by letting her use its body as a stepping stool.

Katara grimaces. “I know you’re getting bigger by the day, Lianne… but I can’t be stepping on you. You’re still too small.”

Katara was met with what sounded like a chuff and a muffled screech. She hurriedly clasps her hands over the creature’s beak and shushed her before they could get caught.

She didn’t want to mess up now. Not when Zuko was possibly on the verge of leaving the Fire Nation.

Thankfully, Lianne was quick enough to drag her over to the pond and tapped her paws in the water. She looked up at Katara with wide eyes, emitting a strange coo.

Katara frowns.

“I-I can’t waterbend very well. How am I supposed to…”

Lianne continues staring up at her. She was a very intelligent creature, but it was at this moment that she didn’t particularly understand why Katara was hesitating. She saw Katara practicing for so many hours day after day and got used to her waterbending, so perhaps it was needed for this moment. But her owner wasn’t doing anything.

Lianne tilts her head in an abnormal way.

Katara hesitantly lifted her hands and slowly moved a stream of water up into the air. Her fingers shook from anxiety, and she mentally scolded herself for being such a coward even in this time.

The stream ended up losing its form and plopped back into the pond. Katara lets out a small groan under her breath before trying it again, this time a little more desperate.

It won’t be long until someone notices her absence in her quarters, so she has to hurry.

With a small prayer and incessant pleading, she shut her eyes closed and began waterbending once more, forcing herself to steel her nerves and lifted a bigger and more powerful stream from the pond. She forced it to travel all the way over to the wall, making an unbalanced and wonky staircase made of ice.

Katara opened her eyes and nearly cupped her mouth. Lianne happily pranced around her legs.

She did it?

She barely used a proper form and was too messy, but the evidence of her work was right there in the flesh.

Briefly, she wondered what her mother and the other waterbenders would’ve thought had they been able to see her right now.

Katara immediately rushed over to the wall, stepping on the ice and nearly slipped if it wasn’t for Lianne bumping herself behind Katara, helping to keep her balance.

She finally ended up on the top of the wall, sitting there with a rapidly beating heart. She looked down at Lianne and whispered, “Make sure to keep everyone away from my room as much as you can!”

Lianne flapped her wings, also wanting to take off and follow before Katara shook her head and held a hand out to stop her.

“No, Lianne! You can’t come. You’re still too young, so what if you get hurt? This place is safer for you.”

Lianne wasn’t listening to what she was saying and was just so caught up in wanting to follow Katara that she pranced around more vigorously at the bottom of the walls. Eventually, her eagerness died down when Katara scolded her once more and told her to keep an eye out.

With Lianne finally listening, Katara dropped down from the top of the wall and finally ended up outside of the palace walls. She looked up at the night sky, feeling her heart thrum more rapidly due to the nervous. The bright moon calmed her down just a little though.

Katara looked around, unsure of where to go.

Technically, she was still on palace grounds.

The home the Fire Lord was too massive, so there were still a lot of places where she hadn’t explored yet. The docks where the large war ships are was one of them. She briefly remembers Zuko and General Iroh talking about them, so she relied on her memory to sneak around to try and find the right path.

She reaches down at her waist, pulling out a small scroll from a bag that’s been hooked around her. Katara stares down at it, trying to memorize the layout of the palace.

This was certainly no easy thing to get, and hardly anyone is supposed to have a whole picture of the palace since who knows what they’d do with this information.

Luckily, General Iroh had no qualms handing it over to Katara after she asked, explaining it’d do her well to get used to this place. A lie. Both of them knew it.

Even so, he merely smiled down at her kindly and said nothing.

With that, Katara slowly takes off, staying hidden in the shadows until she reaches the port.

~*~

“It is almost time,” General Iroh’s voice echoes. “Why not come inside the ship? I prepared us some hot tea. It’ll help with the nerves!”

“I’m not nervous,” Zuko snaps.

He continues pacing around the port, too hesitant and scared to leave this place while knowing that his soulmate would be stuck here without him.

He should plead with his father. Beg for another chance.

But Fire Lord Ozai has never listened to him and already made his decision. Zuko doesn’t doubt that the rest of the palace already realized what was happening. That Zuko was yet again thrown away, only with his uncle by his side on what seem to be a useless quest.

Zuko clenches his jaw and feels himself seething.

He needs to take the Avatar by whatever means necessary, even if means dragging their half-dead body back to the Fire Nation. There was no other way to return to Katara.

“Uncle.”

General Iroh perks up.

“Ah, finally decided to go inside and have some tea, I see!”

“Where are my broadswords?”

Zuko tilts his head slightly, glaring at him. General Iroh makes a face in return.

“Hung up already inside of your room! Goodness, you’re always carrying them around. Wouldn’t it be better to pack something else like a fan if you get too hot-”

“We need to make sure we have everything ready to go. Father won’t allow me to return until the Avatar is captured and presented to him.”

General Iroh walks up to him, giving a simple pat on the shoulder which makes Zuko scowl further.

His uncle hums, “Oh, don’t get so angry. I’m sure your father will allow you back once his temper simmers down.”

“It won’t. Uncle, you know this. Even you persuasion on him won’t work this time, not with Katara inside of the palace. I must get the Avatar.”

The fear of his soulmate being stuck inside of the palace with Fire Lord Ozai and Azula petrified Zuko even if he’s trying his best not to show it. But General Iroh has been with him for so long, how could he not know? For just a second, the old man felt as if he went back in time when Ursa was still here and his brother was a different person.

Until the paranoia came. With the fear, and the constant wariness.

Zuko looked just like his father.

General Iroh turns away, finding himself at a loss for words.

He forces himself to place a hand on his nephew’s arm, leading him onto the ship. “Come along now, Zuko. The day will break soon. Your father won’t be pleased to see us loitering around.”

Zuko says nothing, but keeps his eyes trained on the palace. His muscles are tense and it felt as if he was ready to yank himself away from his uncle, wanting to run back inside to at least see Katara one more time.

But he can’t do that. He can’t risk angering Fire Lord Ozai.

With a heavy heart and a litter of curses leaving his breath, he turns away from the palace and hisses at the nearest guard to set sail immediately. He immediately felt regretful for saying that.

They left too soon for his liking. Zuko didn’t give himself a chance to look back even though his uncle told him to.

And by the time Katara finally reached the port, light was beginning to come and the moon slowly vanished. The ship was already just a speck in the distance as well. She panted heavily, exhausted from all the running and sneaking around. But there was a weight in her chest that made it all the more unbearable, knowing that she was too late to see Zuko.

Her soulmate was gone. She doesn’t know when they’ll be able to see each other again.

So, what can she do now?

Katara doesn’t want to return. She can’t stay here either. Yet, she doesn’t move.

She simply stays at the edge, hearing the harsh winds and feeling it hit her as the waves underneath crashed against the port. She doesn’t see the ship anymore, but her eyes are still locked in on the horizon until the day broke into a dazzling orange that graced her eyes.

Katara stiffens slightly when she feels a blanket being wrapped around her shoulders.

“Come inside,” Fire Lord Ozai commands. His eyes were also trained on the horizons. “It is cold.”

“… It isn’t.”

“That so?”

“My home was far colder.”

Fire Lord Ozai purses his lips. “Perhaps so. The Fire Nation…. seldom gets snow in this particular area. It may be lucky enough to get morning frost. We do not know cold like you do.”

“You do.”

“Hm?”

Katara feels her tongue grow numb, yet she speaks anyways without the usual hint of fear or anxiousness.

“When your daughter and men came to take me,” she responds quietly. “When you… took us apart and forced the waterbenders to flee. Your men were there, standing in the cold snow, grabbing us and demanding us… and when they used their fire, it was the first time I felt like the heat would kill me.”

Katara and him lock eyes with one another. Fire Lord Ozai has no hint of remorse on his face. Not that he ever does. Why would he?

Katara doesn’t say anything else and neither does he. They simply stand there out in the port for a long time, merely watching the sun rise until her eyes began to tear up. But a part of her knows it was because of Zuko’s departure, for he was someone who was a constant presence throughout her time here.

“How did you find me?” She finally looks up at him. “I was hidden.”

“Not hidden well enough. I’ve lived in this palace for so long. Did you think I wouldn’t know where you were?”

She sighs in defeat. It was such an obvious answer that it made her more upset than she liked to admit, yet Fire Lord Ozai looks back down at her with a dry smile.

“And there was a staircase made of ice that we found near the garden walls.”

“… Oh.”

“Impressive,” he remarks quietly. His eyes return to the ocean. “Makes me wonder just how talented you are.”

“I don’t think a half-made staircase that’s about to fall over is anything to be proud of,” Katara bitterly expresses.

“No? Well, maybe not. Yet, you still made it anyways with no mentor and no help whatsoever.”

Fire Lord Ozai begins to move, already walking back inside of the palace with Katara trailing after him.

“Breakfast is ready.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“After that feat you pulled in the gardens, you are.”

Katara clutched the blanket tighter around her shoulders, still shuffling right behind Fire Lord Ozai. She didn’t want to eat anything at all and just lock herself up in her room.

Fire Lord Ozai suddenly reprimanded her, “Katara, you know better to stand behind someone. Walk with me. It’s dangerous.”

“Y-Yes?”

Katara wasn’t processing his words until she recalled how she always stood beside Zuko, knowing that it was safer that way. Turns out Fire Lord Ozai was the same as his son with paranoia in his mind of anyone attacking him from behind. So, she quickly walked right beside him and glanced up at the man.

Fire Lord Ozai continued with his head held high and eyes never straying from the path.

It was only until they got inside did he finally look down at her. Katara squirmed, finding the atmosphere suddenly so tense and uncomfortable. It’s just like the first time they met when she couldn’t fathom to be around the man.

So, she isn’t sure why he was gazing down at her so coldly.

“Prince Zuko is no longer here,” Fire Lord Ozai eventually stated, and it makes her flinch away. “If you forget about my son, it will be easier for you in the future.”

“… Yes, Father.”

Katara plays with her fingers as her face turned red. Not from embarrassment or despair, but from anger and hurt at how he was quick to dismiss his only son from the Fire Nation. Still, she tries to bite her tongue and follows him straight over to the dining hall where Azula was already seated.

She looks over at Katara with a victorious grin as if she had been waiting for the day her brother left. And as Katara sat down in the middle with Azula and Fire Lord Ozai taking their respective seats at the opposite ends of the table, she suddenly felt like she was caged in all over again.

She wilts immediately.

This must be what Zuko was worried about as well. As soon as he left, she would be at the hands of his family, relying on favor and luck to remain on their good side.

Katara simply keeps her head down and eats breakfast silently without looking at anyone, not noticing Fire Lord Ozai and Azula staring at her. Both contemplating in silence.

They don’t say anything though, leaving Katara to her own thoughts and prayers that she’ll be able to see Zuko again.