Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or its characters.

Kata

The candle was burning low…

She wrote quickly, scribbling across the page. There were stacks of letters all around the desk, but this one was the most important of all. If this letter didn't get out, she was doomed. She paused, wondering how to word the next sentence to show her desperation.

As she began fervently writing again, her arm knocked over the ink. "Damn!" she cursed pulled her sleeves back so they wouldn't stain. She watched as the ink flowed like blood across the precious letter. She watched it envelop each letter and eventually her own name. Katara shuddered, set her jaw, and with a flick of her wrist, the ink flowed back into its well, leaving the letter clean.

She finished and folded the parchment and set it in the stack with the other letters. A second later, Hakoda walked in. The war had taken its toll on the former Wolf Chief, peppering his hair with gray at the temples, but his eyes were still twinkling and his laugh lines were deep to show that this warrior wolf wasn't ready to lie down yet.

"Father," she said, rising from her seat. She walked over and hugged him.

He smiled as she walked back to the table and began gathering up the letters. "So you've finished," he noted approvingly.

"Yep," she said, "just got done. I was about to get Sokka."

"No need," he replied. "I will take them myself."

"Make sure these both get to Haru in Omashu. The second one is for Toph. And this one is for Suki, she's not on Kyoshi Island anymore, she's around Ba Sing Sei. And don't forget that the ones with moons in the corner are the important ones for me."

Hakoda sighed as she continued her instructions. It had been nearly six years since the defeat of Ozai, and after a year of pilgrimage with the Avatar, his children had returned home. Sokka was now the new chief of the Southern Water Tribe, having been sworn in a year after his return. Although always sharp-witted, his adventures against the Fire Nation had sharpened it further, made him a formidable warrior, and given him a touch of wisdom. For the past couple of years, Sokka had made an admirable chief.

His daughter however, was another story. She had been more reluctant to return permanently to her home. He suspected that a tie to the little affectionate air bender was the source, but even after years, she still did not seem content to stay. It did not help that she was already a seasoned Master, her skills having grown exponentially in the war. She insisted on continuing her training when she had other responsibilities to the tribe. While she was melting ice caps, her presence was needed in the village. When Sokka took over, Hakoda and Katara moved to the Northern Tribe. Hakoda had hoped that the larger city would encourage her to be more social…and it seems she had finally turned around.

"And the one with this design goes to the Fire Nation," she concluded.

"This design is the one on your mother's necklace," he said, eyeing the familiar pattern drawn on the envelope with care. "Who on that volcanic rock holds such high regard?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes. "It's for Zuko." When her father gave her a bewildered, horrified look, she responded quickly. "It's sort of a joke between us."

Hakoda wasn't fully convinced but gathered the letters nonetheless. He gave his daughter another hug and a kiss on her forehead. "I'm glad you're going to take this step, my daughter. It is a very important one and I am proud." He left with a rustle of paper.

Katara was left alone with her thoughts and her father's voice in the air. She shivered, despite the heavy furs she was wearing. She felt tears threaten to escape and took in a deep breath, trying to control herself. She knelt by the table and prayed to the spirits that the letter would have a safe passage…so much was riding on that piece of paper.

--

'Feeling young is not always as good as being young,' Iroh thought as he walked down the large corridor. For the land of the fire, many of the passages in the palace were chilly, and chilly didn't bode well for some of his old injuries. How he wanted to sit in the sun and enjoy a warm cup of jasmine tea.

The Dragon's daydreaming was cut short as he approached the golden doors. A messenger had come with an important letter and by the look of it, the Fire Lord needed to know of it immediately, and no one was closer to Fire Lord Zuko than Head Advisor Iroh. He pushed open one of the doors and stepped into the Fire Lord's chambers.

Surrounded in soft oranges and accented in deep reds, the waiting room was meant to comfort. It opposed the rest of the intimidating palace and very few were called into such a room. The waiting room led to the Fire Lord's chambers that not only held his sleeping and bathing quarters, but a small private courtyard as well. Iroh set the letter down on the small table and walked to the courtyard to find the young lord practicing.

Since the war, Zuko had changed in many ways. His shoulders had broadened and he had grown taller. Lean, sinewy muscles had been replaced with more solid and defined ones. Golden eyes that had constantly been confused and angry were normally cloaked by a veil; Zuko thought it important that his subjects not know what he was thinking before he was willing to release his ideas. His mind grew more flexible and he was able to see beyond his actions, with a guiding hand from a wise Dragon. Zuko's young face, so often distorted in anger was now constantly a mask of indifference, echoing the late Ozai to the point where Iroh was sometimes uncomfortable. His firebending skills continued to grow and he soon received the title of Master after receiving the crown.

Iroh watched his former pupil run through a particularly difficult kata. The Master handled the low stances with ease and he made even the most frustrating techniques seem easy. His golden eyes were locked onto an imaginary opponent and he struck with a ferocity that few would guess came from such a calm leader.

In the beginning of his reign Zuko had stumbled, like most young rulers. A few social graces were lost and some generals had been offended. But no major damage had been done, especially with everyone so glad that Azula had been defeated and taken from the throne. Treaties had to be made with every other nation and apologies rarely came easy to a nation based on pride. Shortly after Ozai had been put into prison, Zuko sent the Avatar on a pilgrimage to encourage peace throughout the kingdoms and quell what hatred of the Fire Nation he could.

Katara and Sokka had of course gone with Aang. Toph stayed behind, but was soon called to Omashu to assist the King Bumi in rebuilding his city. And with that, Iroh felt Zuko lose his youth once again. The Avatar came around a few times a year and when their sparring time came around, Zuko's eyes would light up and Iroh could see the man that Zuko wanted so desperately to be. But there were duties everywhere for the Avatar and Zuko had an entire nation to run...

"I know you're there Uncle."

Iroh refocused on his nephew, who was not quite scowling at him, but it was eerily similar to years ago. "Of course you do nephew. I must say, your stances are definitely something to be envious of," he remarked as they moved inside.

Zuko 'hmphed' and continued walking silently with his uncle.

"A message has come for you Fire Lord Zuko, from the Water Tribe," he informed the young man as he picked up the letter.

"If it's about the shipping treaty in the North Sea, send it back. I told them I would allow them through Fire Nation waters and they should be willing to do the same for our ships," Zuko said annoyed.

Delivering the letter Iroh said, "I don't think this is about any treaties."

"What would make you say-"

Zuko stopped in mid-sentence as his eyes fell upon the symbol of waves on the front of the envelope. A picture that he had known for years, and only associated with one person.

"Katara," he whispered.

His uncle's eyes widened. Although the symbol had seemed familiar to him, he had noted the Water Tribe origin, Iroh had never stared at the pattern and wondered how it could bring him honor. Nor had he used it as a tool to catch impossibly elusive prey. And although the Dragon grew fond of the girl, he had never fought with her, argued with her, lost with her…risked his life for her.

Zuko and Katara's friendship was an interesting balancing act, not as light-hearted as Sokka's or Aang's, not as sturdy as Toph's, but still very important to the Fire Lord nonetheless. Zuko had missed all of his friends when he took the title and mantle of Fire Lord.

Zuko gently ran his hands over the swirls on the paper, almost in a daze. He hadn't heard from the Waterbender since she left on the pilgrimage. She never sent letters with Aang, only spoken messages that lost their touch coming from the Avatar. When he would receive a letter from Sokka, he would only get clips about the new Wolf Chief's sister, as if he was supposed to be receiving the entire story from somewhere else.

"Would you like me to leave my lord?" Iroh asked quietly, snapping Zuko out of his daze.

After a moment Zuko replied with a simple headshake and they sat at the table. He carefully opened the letter, almost cautiously as if something would leap out. He took out the message and began to read…

Honorable Fire Lord Zuko,

I know it has been a long time since we have spoken, even through the Avatar. Mail does not come often to the Northern City, and I never seem to have paper and ink when I need it. This does not excuse my silence and I hope you will accept my apology.

Aang has told me that you have become a great leader and the Fire Nation is faring well. Sometimes it seems so much longer than six years since the war…and other times so much shorter. I would also like to congratulate you on your Master rank. I know it has been years since you received it, but I also know that if politics did not exist, you would have been a Master much sooner.

I write to you in a great time of need. I understand that you have a great deal of duties required of you, but I ask this as a friend. Something terrible is about to happen and I look to you for help.

Please bring a single Fire Navy ship to the Northern Water Tribe the morning before the full Sturgeon moon. If you can, have it decorated in the honor of the Fire Lord. Do not bring many soldiers, they will not need to depart from the ship. Once in tribal waters, if you are stopped by anyone, announce that you received an invitation from me and you are expected. Prepare to leave the next morning; no one will question the schedule of the Fire Lord.

When you get to the Northern City, seek me out. I am staying in the palace and guards will know where you can find me. If you can, bring your uncle on land with you. I will tell you more once we meet in person.

Clean waters and cool winds,
Katara of the Water Tribe

Zuko stared at the letter for a few moments and handed it across the table to his patient uncle. He stayed silent as he imagined hundreds of life-threatening traps the Waterbender could have gotten into. But what trap would be planned on the night of a full moon? Wouldn't her skills be at her peak? Katara could even bloodbend herself out of a dangerous situation if the need called for it.

"Zuko," Iroh said heavily, looking to the man for a command.

The Fire Lord looked down at the table in an unusual submissive manner. He caught a glimpse of the symbol painted on the envelope. The Fire Nation was still unstable and it was wise to leave a fire of any size left unattended. Zuko had never left the nation's islands since he became Fire Lord, negotiating treaties from the safety of his people's land.

And he had heard nothing from Katara in over five years. He didn't even know she was a part of the Northern Tribe now. She had most likely sent similar letters to the Avatar and her brother…possibly even to Omashu. There would be no real need of him to go…

He looked at his uncle, ready to discuss any options, but when Iroh saw the confused look in Zuko's eyes he immediately declared, "I will get our finest ship ready. We will set off in two weeks my lord."