Thank you so much to all my readers who have stuck with me in the time I have spent writing this story. I have a couple shoutouts I would like to make:

25Carin - Thank you for your kind words and reviews. I loved seeing the progression of your reading with each review. It gave me a very good feeling that you like it so much! Questions will be answered soon :) gotta have that tension buildup hehe.

Shivisdivis - I am so glad you like how I am writing Katara! It is a little difficult, trying to keep her in character but crazy :P So I am so happy it's translating into the story well. I am really grateful for your input!

Chapter 11: The Falling of Ashen Snow

Iroh sighed, happily cradling his cup of warm chamomile. Beside him, Ty Lee bent backwards, stretching out her legs, the thick folds of her Kyoshi warrior kimono slipping. The lapping waters against the hull of the ship brought serenity where tensions lay restless just underneath.

"Are we there yet?" she squeaked, straightening up to fix the headpiece that had begun to tilt with her upside-down maneuvers.

"I believe," responded Iroh, eyes closed as he inhaled the steam of his tea, "we still have about six hours yet."

"It's strange, isn't it?" she asked, jumping up onto the railing and pulling her leg up behind her head. "A northern pirate… I thought everything was finally peaceful between us and the water tribes since Azula was taken down. It just doesn't make sense."

"It was peaceful," Iroh said quietly. "But my nephew has been taken. The Harmony Restoration Movement is still a burden upon his shoulders. His people have made their homes in Yu Dao – and now, they refuse to leave. I can hardly believe it myself, but the Northern Water Tribe has forsaken us… I have known true peace, and this is not it."

"It's a shame. I wonder how Mai is doing with all of this. It falls to her now, with him gone. I feel guilty for leaving her…"

"It is a view into the world she will live in once she is crowned Fire Lady."

Ty Lee stood up. "Yeah," she murmured, "if Zuko ever decides to marry her."

Iroh drained his tea, pretending he didn't hear her. His nephew had many tolling tasks ahead of him and the general could not blame him for putting certain obligations before others. As it stood, relations were delicate. Many of the colonials were in fact eager to leave the Earth Kingdom and return home to their Fire Nation roots, but the older colonies were much harder to sway. There were families of both earth and fire descent – the colonies were just as much a home as the Fire Nation. And so, leaving was not an option. Iroh had worried for his nephew's safety once he took his small fleet to meet the rebels and it seemed now their ancestors' spirits had other plans for him, being that he never made it to his destination. Iroh had heard of the Freedom Fighters before – years ago in Ba Sing Se when he and his nephew made a life for themselves as teamakers.

There was a deep pit of apprehension within the old general and he had drained nearly a dozen cups of tea already, but he remained steadfast. For Ty Lee. For my nephew.

"Aang was in the north…" Ty Lee wondered aloud. "Does that mean he sent the pirate?"

Iroh's gaze narrowed some in thought.

I do not think he knows he has been betrayed.

The general stood, smoothing down the folds in his crimson gown.

"Come, Ty Lee. Let's not talk of treason just yet - we are almost there! I would like to play some Pai Sho!"

Ty Lee giggled into her hands, her long, brown ponytail swinging against her back and she jumped down off the railing, cartwheeling herself into the open doorway to Iroh's common room.

Iroh smiled, but the weariness in his limbs began spreading.

Let us pray Aang holds the answer to all of this…

Earth King Kuei was a bit drunk. He threw his arms out widely, his drink spilling from its goblet as he engulfed Aang in a great hug. The Avatar spluttered, dropping his sweet bun, to which Bosco darted forward and inhaled hungrily.

The party was as grand as Kuei had bragged it would be, possibly even grander. There were at least a hundred nobles, dressed in their finest silks, drinking from their finest cups. Kuei had even hired a quartet to play some of the Earth Kingdom's favorite dancing pieces, but Aang was not in the mood for a dance. Through the vibrations in his feet, he could feel Toph's discomfort, as well as her desire to earthbend the nobles off the side of the palace. It must remind her of home.

Momo was flitting happily from platter to platter, stuffing his tiny cheeks to the brim with moon peaches, grapes, and apples. It was near impossible to keep Bosco from the feast, so much of the pot roasts, boars, roasted duck, and smoked salmon was already gone (though Aang did not mind this).

Earth King Keui draped his arm around Aang, to which he cringed at the smell of the Earth King's breath.

"You've saved us all, young Avatar!" he rejoiced loudly, slurring some. "You must meet everyone! Come! Come!" And Aang met them all – nobles, dukes, masons, the elite of the elite… They were all there for him.

But I… I didn't do this.

An hour later, after being congratulated on the Movement dozens of times, Aang and Toph were standing off to the side of the party, their heads bowed together in hushed whispers.

"You can't go on pretending you actually sent a ship from the North," Toph snapped, her blank eyes narrowing. "If that's what you're doing, anyway."

"I'm not pretending anything," Aang said fervently. "I'm just…I don't know! I'm confused. Zuko is going to hear of this any day now. What will I do then? How do I tell Kuei I don't agree with taking people from their homes?"

"You either withdraw your support or you go against Zuko, Twinkletoes." Aang knew she could sense his apprehension; there was no use hiding anything from her. Brave Avatar or not, Aang was in the middle of something far more dangerous than just the Harmony Restoration Movement. This has turned to treason.

And this pirate…

There was no one he could think of that would dare go against an entire nation in one move. His friends liked Zuko. The Fire Nation was respected for the first time in over a century. It just didn't make sense.

He resolved to send a messenger hawk to Chief Hakoda as soon as possible. He must have information Aang was missing. He must…

"Avatar."

Aang looked over at the voice with a small "huh?" to see a girl, a few years older than he, standing in front of him. She instantly stood out – she had the look of the Fire Nation about her: pale skin, amber eyes, ebony hair… And yet, she was dressed in clothing of the Earth Kingdom.

She bowed quickly.

"Avatar, my name is Kori Morishita of Yu Dao. I have wanted to meet you for some time."

Morishita…Morishita. Something so familiar…

The Mayor!

"Your father is the mayor of Yu Dao," Aang replied, giving a nod of his head. "I am honored to meet you."

She cocked her head, eyeing him thoughtfully.

"I might wonder if I could have a word?" she asked quietly. She led Aang to the hallways of the palace behind the pillars that marked the edge of the party. She ducked beneath a curtain, holding it open for the Avatar as he followed her through.

She clasped her hands behind her back as they walked, clearly in deep thought. Aang was about to ask her what exactly this meeting was for when she finally spoke:

"You are quite controversial."

Aang sighed. "It was never intended." From somewhere unknown came Momo then, sweeping through the air and landing lightly on Aang's shoulder.

"I should not be here. As you can imagine, my father, the mayor, is not well liked by Earth King Kuei."

"Why risk the danger?" Aang asked.

"Tell me, Avatar, what do you think of love?" she asked, eyes burning. The sudden question caused Aang to blush and tried to hide the warm pink of his ears.

"I-I don't know," he said nervously, his mind flitting to a dark-haired water tribe warrior.

"I think love is unlike anything else in this world." She smiled briefly. "Would you care to know why?"

Aang nodded, looking out at Ba Sing Se through the large windows.

"There was a Fire Nation man," Kori said, "who fell madly in love with a girl from the Earth Kingdom. They were not allowed to be together – but, you see, a place was created for them; a safe haven. A place where Fire and Earth could live together without ridicule."

She turned to Aang. "I am speaking of my parents, Avatar Aang. I am of both Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom descent. Now, tell me: what would happen if a Fire Nation man was forced to return to his place of origin, yet his heart screamed of another home? And what would happen if the Earth Kingdom woman could not go with him?"

Aang's head dropped slightly, guilt twisting within him. They could not be together. He knew instantly she was speaking of Yu Dao, of the plot to deport those of Fire Nation origin.

But what can I do?

And yet, the answer was clear as day: He was the Avatar. He had to do everything.

"The Harmony Restoration Movement will tear my family apart," she continued. "And what would happen of me? Where shall I go? Do I belong in the Fire Nation or in the colony? These are questions I have longed to ask you since I received news of your…plight."

They came to a grand window, the stained glass alight with the painting of a past Earth King showering the town below him in gold. He wanted to tell her he did not support Kuei! He wanted to promise her that he never sent anyone to scare the Fire Nation – but her father was playing a part in the rebellion of Yu Dao and Aang could not take any sides, not until he knew what to do.

It was an ironic situation, considering the grand party that had been thrown for him taking the side of the Earth Kingdom.

Aang pushed the sarcastic thought from his mind, internally groaning with the weight upon his shoulders.

"And what of your father?" he finally asked. "What does he feel about Earth King Kuei's movement?"

"He despises it, naturally," she said proudly. "As do I. As does anyone who has made their home in the colonies. If you take away anything from my visit to you, Avatar, let it be this: this Movement will destroy countless families, including mine. Who are you to say we belong in a certain place? Family comes first. I will do anything to stop you from seeing this through. Consider this my – and my father's – warning."

She was not being unkind, but even so Aang's chest felt tight, as though he could not breathe. He could feel his blood pounding, pulsing, racing through his veins, beating against his ears. He wished then that Toph were by his side, coaxing him through with what he needed to say to this girl in front of him but there was no one who could help; there was only Momo and his large, unblinking eyes held only the wisdom of food.

She bowed to him then, before turning and leaving him in silence, the echoing of her footsteps fading until Aang was entirely alone.

He returned to the party in dark spirits. Toph could sense it immediately, naturally, and so he had no choice but to confide in his friend all that occurred with Kori Morishita. Toph whistled, making the remark of, "You've made a lot of friends recently, Avatar."

"It's not something to joke about," Aang said woefully. "I don't know what to do! Everyone here thinks I want to kick out the Fire Nation and now I have secret envoys stalking me to warn me about repercussions and…and…"

"Calm down," Toph said sternly. "First thing's first: We need to tell Kuei the truth."

"We'll be jailed, or killed, or named treasonous-"

"Would you rather make your mark on the world by enabling a war?"

Her choice of words made Aang falter. He wished Katara were with him in that moment. He wished for Chief Hakoda, for Suki, for Pakku…for Sokka. His eyes felt hot, his face even hotter, and the weight of Momo on his shoulder suddenly felt too much to bear.

"I need to find the aviary," he said suddenly. "I need to write a letter."

"How did we meet?"

Her question stumped him.

For one, Zuko could be honest. He could tell her of his incessant stalking for a year. He could tell her of the time he nearly burnt down Kyoshi Island, of when he stole her mother's necklace, of when he attacked her village in order to claim the Avatar. He could tell her all of these things and more, but the words caught in his throat. There was a selfish part of him – she didn't remember…so he could fabricate a story, couldn't he? He could create a life where they were friends from the beginning.

Friends.

A sudden thought, then: Her dark hair that smelled like rain, brushing against his cheek as she reached up to hug him after he took her to confront the man who killed her mother.

His face flushed despite the sickness within him, though that was now beginning to subside.

Zuko pulled himself back to the present, acutely aware of her eyes upon him.

You do not look at me like you used to.

"We were not friends," he said finally, quiet in the darkness of his cell. "Not at first."

She sat down, facing away from him, her back pressing against his through the bars.

"Tell me everything," she whispered, and he could sense a deep, reverberating sadness within her.

There was almost no resemblance to the girl who nearly cut his throat on deck – and could you truly have gone through with it? He wondered how she could switch between selves so suddenly, but this was a girl desperate to know who she was, and Zuko pitied her in that moment.

"I was banished from my home," he said, feeling the softness of her tunic through the cold metal. "I needed to reclaim my honor. My only option was to capture the Avatar."

"And what of me?"

"You were his companion," he said reluctantly. "I did things I'm not proud of."

She shifted.

"I've been told I was a much different person."

"You were."

He could feel a slight trembling in her shoulders when she spoke: "What was I like?"

Zuko closed his eyes, heart racing for some reason. How could he tell her how painful it was to remember? It had been years and in that time, he had mourned her while his Uncle kept from him the very thing he needed to know: she was alive.

"You were unbelievably stubborn, but protective," he said slowly.

"Suki said the same thing," she muttered. Zuko blinked at the mention of the Kyoshi warrior's name. So, she was trying to recollect her old memories. She wanted to remember!

There was a possibility, then… Maybe she could be the same Katara.

But this thought was futile, for even if she did remember, the knowledge of all that she had done on his ships would change her forever.

Zuko's head dropped.

He wanted her back!

Katara stood, brushing down the folds in her tunic and dress. She turned to him, ready to say something, anything, when a shout echoed from above. She looked up instantly, eyes narrowing into slits, head cocked.

"What is it now?" she grumbled, her face once more changing into the wolf she had become.

"This time, you come with me."

And she unlocked his cell.

Aang bent over the writing desk, acutely aware of Toph's presence behind him.

He could hear the music of the party below him and he struggled to clear his mind, tapping the quill against his cheek as he thought of what to write. In the end, it was not the work of a literary genius, but it was enough to warn Chief Hakoda:

Chief Hakoda –

I must speak with you urgently. Someone from the Water Tribe has gone against Fire Lord Zuko. If you could come to Ba Sing Se, I will wait to meet with the Earth King as long as possible.

Avatar Aang

He gingerly sealed the letter, attaching it to the leg of a messenger hawk. It squawked noisily, its beady eyes blinking rapidly before it spread its massive wings and lifted into the air, soaring through the open roof. Aang couldn't help but smile sadly – the bird reminded him of the time Sokka bought a firehawk with Toph's "well-earned" money.

"Time to wait," Toph said. "What are you going to do in the meantime?"

Aang fingered a loose thread on his tunic. "The Earth King will want to meet with me. If I tell him I would rather wait until a 'representative' of the North arrives…"

"A representative? Well, it's not really a lie. Though it's a risky move, ganging up on the Earth King and all."

"The world is falling into chaos," Aang groaned, squatting down, holding his head in his hands. "Who started this all? Who took those ships?"

Toph shifted uncomfortably. "Have you heard from Katara?"

Katara twisted Zuko's arm behind his back, leading him up the stairs. Old friends or not, he was a prisoner and memory would do nothing to change what was happening in that moment.

The sky above was a depressing gray, clouds moving quickly towards them, dark and heavy.

I will become the storm.

And yet, something else had taken her attention:

There was another ship!

Not again.

Admiral Jun was standing next to two people Katara had never seen before. They looked somewhat silly: an older, overweight man dressed in his Fire Nation armor, a perfect gray topknot upon his head, and a young, bright-eyed girl dressed in thick green fabric and wearing a golden headpiece. Katara recognized the girl's outfit and makeup instantly – she looked just like Suki. But no, this was not the same girl.

"Katara!" the girl shouted, lunging forward in a cartwheel and embracing her tightly. Katara spluttered, stumbling back from the impact, her hands letting go of their hold on Zuko. She watched as the scarred firebender quickly took his place next to the older man, who smiled warmly.

"My wonderful nephew," he said, "I am so glad to see you are alright."

"Alright?" Zuko seethed. "Alright? What took you so long? I've been in a cell, my own cell! And don't hug her Ty Lee. She did all of-"

"Ah, young nephew," the man said fondly. "You are the same as ever. And Katara, it is most wonderful to see you."

"Uncle Iroh-"

Katara wrestled herself from the girl named Ty Lee's hold, her ears perking up at the mention of the old man's name. Iroh…Iroh. She had heard that name before… She could not place it, however, and she let the thought drop from her mind as she struggled to regain control of the present. What was happening here?

"What is going on?" Katara snapped, fingering the water pouch at her side.

Admiral Jun was standing off to the side, arms crossed, a smirk upon his face.

Katara noticed all the soldiers she had subdued were now on the newcomers' ship; her deck was empty save for Zuko's precious saviors.

"We've come to rescue Zuko! Well, we didn't know you beat us here to save him," Ty Lee said happily.

Katara's gaze narrowed.

You can't take my only leverage against Fire Lord Azula!

"You should sail home," Katara said angrily. "We've bargained. I will be taken to the Capital."

Ty Lee's smile faltered. "What do you mean?"

Zuko lurched forward, pushing Katara backwards.

"Don't speak to her!" he snapped. "She is the reason all of this happened."

"Nephew-"

"The letter said: a pirate from the North. Open your eyes!"

Iroh eyed Katara uneasily, as though he did not want to believe what his nephew was saying, but she could sense more within him than denial. Katara wanted to roll her eyes; she cared not for the discovery of her plight. She wanted only to get a quick start on their way to the Capital.

Time is running out, you fools! I need to get to Sokka…I need…

"Admiral Jun warned me of this…I had hoped it was not true," Iroh said sadly.

And then there they were, standing in front of her: three strong members of the Fire Nation and that damned admiral. And they were cornering her, though the old, round one still looked pained every time he looked at Katara. Her heart was beginning to race, sweating beading on her forehead. She, at the very least, was comforted by the heavy weight of her water pouch pressed against her hip. She was ambushed so it seemed, but she was ready to become the ravenous wolf needed to protect itself. She made sure to stand tall, chin lifted, eyes glistening. She would not look weak.

It had begun to rain. Thunder rolled deeply, angrily in the distance. This sound, for a moment, put an ungodly fear into Katara. The thunder reminded her of the nightmares, of Azula's lightning, of Katara's execution of Zuko.

"Are we done here?" Zuko asked, and she was brought back to the present, eyes flitting wildly. No, you are in fact alive. He was pinching the bridge of his nose, something Katara noticed he did often. For some reason she could not place, it was so familiar and she felt immensely agitated at this.

"You're not leaving!" she shouted. "We made a deal."

Zuko spun around, spittle flying from his mouth as he retorted, "You mean after you tried to kill me?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Ty Lee gasp and Iroh begin shaking his head as though he still did not believe it. And maybe you shouldn't.

A shift of movement caused Katara to snap her head back towards Zuko, who had bent his knees, feet apart, and raised his hands.

"There's one thing you forgot," the Fire Lord's brother said. Katara's eyes narrowed, her fingers twitching at her pouch. You look ready to pounce. "That damned tea has left my system."

And then he surged forward, rolling into a low crouch, fire erupting from his tightly closed fist. Katara jumped backwards, slipping some on the wet deck. She used the slip to her advantage, pulling a great wall of water from the sea and hurdling it towards the firebender. Iroh shouted something she could not hear, but Ty Lee held him back and Katara sent silent gratitude towards the Kyoshi warrior.

This fight has been a long time coming.

She noticed Zuko faltered every now and then as he circled around her on the deck.

So, the sickness has not fully left you.

Katara jumped onto the railing of the ship, pulling great icicles from her pouch. They hung suspended in the air, pointing directly at Zuko, and she let go of her hold, sending them flying forward with hissing speed, but the damned lord created a cascading wall of fire, melting them near instantly. Katara jumped down, anger rising, blood boiling with adrenaline, sweeping out her leg, catching Zuko's ankle. He fell hard to the deck with an "oof!" but before she could freeze him in place, the cracking thunder above her head caused her to jump and look up in fear. Taking the open moment, Zuko spun on his back, flame shooting from his feet as he whirled to his feet. Katara brought up a wall of water just in time, but the force pushed her backwards on the deck. She could feel the fire's heat, could feel it lapping gently at her face as dragon and sea collided, creating a cloud of steam above them.

Do not let fear take you. Azula cannot hurt you now. Not yet.

But there it was: lightning striking the sea.

Katara gasped for breath, clutching at her chest. She shook her head, angry at herself for faltering with each boom of thunder. She fought to channel that rage – to let it pour from her and envelop Zuko, but he was unfazed, unmovable.

"Give me the Fire Lord!" Katara screamed, riding a small wave she created to plummet towards the lord, arms raised and ready to attack. His gaze was livid, his chest rising and falling with each gasp for air as he created a wall of fire to keep her at bay, spitting in frustration, "I AM the Fire Lord!"

Stop lying to me! I see right through you, bastard lord.

Katara created a massive dome from the raindrops, palms face outward as she stood straight and tall, bringing the water closer together until she created a funnel around Zuko. She balled her hands into fists, pulling the funnel tighter and tighter around his body. He fought back, spitting fire from his palms in any attempt to break the wall of water, but it was snaking around his body and she began freezing it against his skin, the ice stark blue against the pale of his face. Her veins were on fire, her body desiring only to defend itself, as though its conscience was immobile.

My control…

Just as before on deck when she destroyed much of the ship, she felt her grasp slipping, her mind fading until her actions were not of her own. The ice was creeping up the side of Zuko's face, his veins popping in pain.

And then:

Lightning cracked from the sky. Katara looked up instantly, watching it come towards the deck. Her eyes widened in fear, the bolt reflecting in her eyes as Zuko broke from his hold and, lunging forward like an animal, let the lightning enter his fingers in one fluid movement. It was a magnificent sight to behold, but something was wrong! He faltered from the impact, from the sheer power of the sky, and his hand moved towards Katara.

Time slowed. The rain slowed. The lightning reflected in her eyes of blue, widening in alarm as the bolt shot from his fingers, coming towards her chest. She heard someone scream "No!" and Zuko struggled to pull his arm back, to change the direction, but it was too late: nature left his control, just as it had left hers.

Azula's face. The dreams…or are they memories? Ebony hair, golden eyes, a malicious cackle that haunts my mind…

Lightning, engulfing me, killing me; the pain! Too much…too much…

I cannot…

And then everything began fading, the white hot pain cutting her breath short, and the world around her went blissfully black.

"No!" Zuko screamed. Iroh was at his side instantly, holding him up for his knees buckled beneath him. He struggled to break from his uncle's grasp, his eyes tight and hot. His breaths were ragged, his mind even more so. He knew he could control the lightning! He had done it before! So why…why?

Zuko pushed his uncle away forcefully, sprinting towards the crumpled heap in front of him. He slid to his knees, pulling her limp body into his lap. Thunder rolled overhead, the ship rocking back and forth from the violent seas.

"I'm sorry," he moaned, burying his face into her hair, "I'm sorry."

What a cruel man he was, to use the very weapon that almost killed her all those years ago. But it was not his intention! The lightning was coming for the deck, it could have hit her anyway, and so he used the redirection technique to cast the bolt back to the sky, but he couldn't move his arm. He could do nothing but watch, helpless as the lightning decided where it wanted to go. And his heart wrenched in guilt, in fear, in pain as he brushed the wet strands of hair from her face. This moment… He had lived it before, when Azula…

Zuko bowed his head, tears dripping down his chin.

He was no better than his sister.

He sensed Iroh and Ty Lee, even Admiral Jun, coming towards him and so he created a wide sweep of fire, keeping them back as he screamed, "Leave us!"

Admiral Jun bowed, backing away instantly.

"Will she be alright?" he heard Ty Lee ask. Zuko heard no response from his uncle, only heard the closing of a door, and then he was alone save for the dying waterbender in his arms.

"You can't die," he whispered, holding her close. "Not again…" Her tunic was burnt away, the raw red of her singed flesh stark against the dark rain. His thumb traced a light circle on her cheek; her face was still and serene, no longer that of the ravenous wolf, but the young girl he remembered.

"Wake up, Katara, you have to help me," he muttered fervently, gently shaking her. "You have to stay with me."

But she did not wake.

Hei Bai…

The giant panda spirit lifted its great head towards Katara, eyes twinkling with an undying wisdom.

"Why have you brought me here?" she asked, gazing around at the Spirit Oasis she used to call home. She felt herself missing the dreamlike, bizarre place, though it had slowly robbed her of memory.

And perhaps memory is too painful to keep.

Hei Bai approached her then, nuzzling his nose against Katara's water tribe dress (the one I always used to wear! But how-?). She laughed, a light and airy sound she had not heard for a long time. She felt lighter here, younger somehow as though the true world had melded away into something far more surreal and intangible. It was a feeling she had not felt in months - not since she had made her newfound home here with Hei Bai and the other spirits. A part of her felt as though she had come back to her true home, a place made for just her.

She felt alarmed then, but she couldn't place why.

"You never said goodbye," Katara said petulantly. "You gave me up to the Avatar."

Hei Bai blinked slowly. Katara groaned, rolling her eyes.

"I know you were looking out for me. But what if I didn't want to leave?"

She looked around the strangely colored trees flitting with the presence of tiny spirits, and the babbling river that sparkled with countless different auras.

"Why am I here again?" she wondered aloud, almost waiting for a response from Hei Bai. There came no words, but Hei Bai moved forward, gingerly pressing his nose against Katara's chest. Something reverberated deep within Katara, some memory that was fighting its way through…

Zuko!

Katara dropped to her knees, clawing at her dress. She remembered! She was here, when right before she was there, with Zuko, with the Fire Lord's brother and he…

He struck me...He…

Her fingers fervently wound around her chest as she felt for the raw, burnt skin, the stark wound he had left her when he redirected the sky into her heart. But she not find it, nor did she find singed, tattered piece of clothing. She was whole. And yet, he had bent lightning! He did to her what Azula had done and now…

Now, I have returned to the Spirit World.

No!

Katara's breaths quickened, her veins bristling with fear. Would she be stuck for another five years? And Aang… Was he the only hope to pull her back again?

"Hei Bai, you must help me! I need to get back...I need to find my brother!" she said quickly. "I was going to find the Fire Lord. I was so close!"

She damned Zuko. For what could she do to get back to her world? What if...yes, what if he had succeeded in killing her? These questions she could barely ask, for within her a terrible pit of fear began to form.

"Am I dead?"

She let out a breath of relief when Hei Bai shook his head, massive shoulders rising in what could have easily been laughter.

Katara rose to her feet, smoothing down her dress, hair loopies swinging slowly.

"If I can't bend to get myself out of here, I need to find another way. I'm dying in the real world, you know. I have to get back."

She fought to allow her apprehension to subside, if only for a moment. She wanted to just be in the Spirit World for a little while longer. It was a dangerous game she was playing, for her mortal body was fading in the real world, but here she could pretend everything was alright.

And then:

A glimpse through the trees - crimson and gold and ebony hair, flitting in the distance, followed by an echoing laugh.

No…

How had Azula followed her here?

Was she truly here, or was it the hallucinations?

Katara groaned, scrubbing her face with her hands. No, the Fire Lord was safe in her walls of the Capital. It was only her mind, once more playing the unfathomable, never-ending trickster.

A voice boomed within her ears.

"Have you found your brother, wolf? I keep him hidden, you know." The malicious tone in Azula's voice sent goosebumps rising up and down her arms.

Katara whirled around, trying to find the source of the voice. She looked to Hei Bai who was bristling, lip lifted into a small snarl. He had heard her!

So then…

Is this real?

Nothing made sense.

"I want to celebrate something, water peasant," the voice continued. "Your return to the Spirit World, of course. Don't you want to stay?"

Katara faltered, hands grasping at her hair. No, she would not stay. She needed to get away, she…

Sokka!

It was possible. A tiny thought festered within her, growing larger and larger until it was all-consuming. Azula kept Sokka hidden - so what if this was where she hid him?

"Is Sokka here?" she whispered. She was blinking back tears and when her eyes opened again, Azula was there in front of her, hands on her hips, a smirk on her flawless face.

"He could be," Azula cooed. "You'll have to look… Think of it as a game of finding things, but you need a challenge."

"A challenge…?"

Azula snapped her fingers.

The world went dark.

The sky was a sickly brown and gray, the trees suddenly still and silent until a great gust of wind came rocketing through the world, sending the leaves tumbling through the air and across the dark ground. She heard a deep, throaty snarl behind her. Katara turned gingerly to see Hei Bai crouched low, muscles tense and rippling beneath his fur. A change was overcoming him; he was growing larger and larger, face distorting into something far more fearful until he had become a six-legged monster.

The Black and White Spirit of Senlin Village.

Senlin Village…

Why did I think of that place?

There was something frustratingly familiar about the name - yes… Yes! Her, Aang, and Sokka had been there! The town was terrorized by the Black and White Spirit who stole one person each day. She...yes, she remembered. A memory! She clung to it desperately, heart racing, but she was snapped back to the present as Hei Bai clawed the ground, screeching a horrible sound of a monstrous beast.

She stumbled backwards, looking for Azula but the lightning-bender was gone.

She was terrifyingly alone in a surreal world that was darkening with each passing moment.

I have to get out of here!

She was desperate to return to the real world, despite everything that waited for her on the other side.

"Hei Bai…" she said, holding out her hands. "It's me. It's Katara."

But the beast did not respond, only dipped lower as he began crawling towards her.

He lunged then, straight for her, and Katara screamed before everything went black.

Colorful dots swam across Katara's vision. She tried to open her eyes, but it was a futile attempt. She could not see, she could not breathe. Was this death?

And then: playing like a reel, she began seeing pictures, flashing in her eyes. It was Zuko, but he looked different. His head was shaved save for a long black ponytail on the top of his head. He looked angrier somehow, more lost. She was tied to a wooden post, watching him circle her, her mother's necklace in his hand.

Give it back to me!

And then the pictures swirled, transforming into a scene of Zuko walking out of the great metal beasts that were Fire Nation ships. She was home, back in the Southern Water Tribe, and Zuko was demanding the Avatar give himself up. She saw these moments and more - there was fire on Kyoshi Island, there was an assassin she remembered Sokka had named "Sparky sparky boom man".

She was remembering…

She was-

Her vision turned white, as though she was heading towards some neverending light. Where was Hei Bai?

She wanted to search the Spirit World for Sokka, she wanted to see more memories, she wasn't ready to go back! But the Black and White Spirit was nowhere to be found; she was entirely alone as she plummeted towards the light, immobile and unseeing until she saw nothing at all.

Suki wiped the sweat from her brow, inhaling deep, crisp breaths. Training had been rough that day, but it was much needed.

She hadn't been able to relax since Katara had left all those weeks ago. It seemed no one in the Northern Water Tribe had been able to relax. Suki found herself wishing that the Kyoshi Warriors would call upon her for an important mission, but no letters came. She wondered how Ty Lee was doing back in the Fire Nation, how her other war-sisters were doing on Kyoshi Island. She missed fighting, she missed saving people and feeling important. She was becoming lazy here.

Chief Hakoda flagged her down, a wide smile upon his face. She wondered if it was authentic, given his missing family.

"Suki," he said, placing a large hand on her shoulder. "My favorite warrior." The wrinkles around his blue eyes were more prominent; his face looked harder somehow, as though the weeks of worry were taking a massive toll on him.

"Have you heard from Katara?" Suki asked solemnly. He shook his head.

"My mother has been waiting patiently for news of my daughter, but no words have come." They walked together upon the great ice walls of the city.

"I have a request," he said then. "If you would help me."

"Of course, Hakoda."

"I would like you to go on a trip." He paused, looking out across the sparkling sea. "We are safe here; our walls stand strong. But I must return to the Southern Water Tribe to make sure my people are safe as well. Pakku and Arnook have a good hold here - I will not be missed. But if you would… Please, Suki, I need my daughter."

Suki lifted her chin, nodding slowly. "What would you have me do, Chief?"

"You have strong skills. I would like you to track down my daughter and bring her back. With Aang and Toph gone, help will be hard to come by. This is why I have chosen you. You are more than capable to find Katara."

Suki's eyes flashed with gratitude. "It would be my honor. I will bring her back to us."

"I worry how changed she will be."

Suki placed a hand upon his shoulder. "It's Katara. She will find herself again."

Hakoda nodded, grateful for the affirmation about his lost daughter. Suki was bubbling inside, excited and nervous for the task ahead. She shook Hakoda's hand with a promise that she would do everything she could to bring Katara home.

It began to snow.

Suki looked up, still in awe at the beauty of the North even after all this time.

There was something dark about the snow, however, something different.

Hakoda caught a flake in his hand, eyes narrowing as it melted instantly. It left behind a grayish, ashen hue.

They walked to the edge of the great wall, eyes turned to the sky. Hakoda said no words, but the look on his face said everything.

Suki gasped, blood pumping in her ears.

There was ash mixed with the snow as it fell, the infamous sign of Fire Nation ships approaching.