Summary: Fire Nation!Katara AU After being kidnapped as a young child by the fire nation, Katara is raised by Prince Ozai and Princess Ursa as Princess Katara of the Fire Nation. Katara/?

ARC 2, CHAPTER EIGHT

The months went by quickly and Katara was happy to return to her normal routine. She barely noticed Uncle on her visits to the dungeons, except when he would offer to make tea for all. And yet, Katara began to notice something strange was happening to her family. Her father seemed to say very casual but very cold remarks to Zuko that would hurt the boy's feelings and leave Katara to pick up the pieces.

Their mother may have gone but that didn't mean that Katara was going to.

Azula didn't seem to care about Zuko's feelings at all, spending more time tormenting the girls at the Girl's Academy that Father had decided to send her to. Katara was both relieved and pleased that Ozai had decided to keep her close to him.

Katara barely noticed her father's attention on her though. She was more concerned with seeking out information from prisoners and make connections to different military personals. It wasn't long after her father invited her officially to her first war meeting that she met Lieutenant Zhao.

The man was tall and almost intimidating with black hair and golden-amber eyes. He wore the typical Fire Nation military outfit and seemed rather pleased with himself as he introduced himself to her.

"It is indeed a pleasure to meet you, Princess," Zhao bowed. "I have heard much from Admiral Ku Yon." He nodded towards an intimidating man with a deep scowl and gray hair speaking with Ozai. Katara recognized him from different meetings.

"All good things, I do hope." Katara said smoothly. "And you must call me Katara."

"Of course," Zhao said, smirking, "Katara. I heard about what happened to you a few months ago. What a terrible thing. The Tans were such a respected family as well."

"Esoh Tan's pride was his downfall," Katara said curtly. "He was foolish to attack me and he was punished greatly for it." Zhao nodded calmly and took a sip of his tea as the lights dimmed in the war room. Katara focused her attention on Ozai and the other generals sitting next to him.

Cold amber eyes flicked to Katara and she held serious eye contact with her father before he turned to the war table. "The Earth Kingdom still stands strong. Our forces have manages to infultrate small villages but cities like Ba Sing Sei and Omashu still are indomitable." Ozai paused, for a dramatic affect Katara figured, "Another issue we need to discuss is the Southern Watertribe forces that have continually attacked our naval forces and succeeded in taking several ships."

There was a small silence in the room and Katara narrowed her eyes at the blue wooden ship on the table. Ozai began tapping his fingers onto the table. "Anything to say?"

"My lord," One man with a distinguished mustache and thick black hair bowed his head, "If I may speak," Ozai nodded. "Your father, while an excellent ruler, was a softer sort of man about war. We need to hit hard and ruthlessly. Send out our best men."

There were murmurs of agreements. Katara looked and watched the different military personals whisper and hiss out different forms of action, ways to end the way in the sake of the Fire Nation and she felt irritation. They could end the war, but they had to be smart about it.

"And what then?" Katara asked. Her voice broke out amongst the noise and everyone quieted. She felt glaring eyes on her but she didn't care. Flicking her eyes to her father, she saw him give a quick nod of encouragement and she continued. "We send our best men to the front lines and they perish. What are we left with?"

The man who spoke earlier spluttered out a rushed argument but Katara waved a hand in dismissal. "You may speak when you have a good idea." Katara said in a cold voice.

The man's face began to turn red. He was angry. "What do you know?" He spat. "You're nothing but a watertribe savage!"

The room grew quiet. Katara could almost hear her father's rage begin to bubble up beneath the surface. Flicking her eyes across the room, she saw most glowering at the man (including General Ku Yon and Lieutenant Zhao), some were looking away in fear but that general simply glowered at her.

"What's your name?" Katara asked.

"Excuse me?" The man sneered.

"Your name, you simpleton." Katara drawled out.

"General Si Yung." Si Yung said coldly.

"I see." Katara nodded. "I have not been apart of the watertribe since I was very young. I am Fire Nation through and through, and not to mention Fire Nation royalty. Father, remind me what happens when you insult a member of the royal family directly?" Katara turned to her father and batted her eyes at him innocently.

"It's seen as treason." Ozai said in amusement. "The punishment is death."

"Oh, I see." Katara said, tilting her head. She turned back to Si Yung. "Shame."

"I-I am a general," Si Yung spluttered, but there was now fear in his eyes and this fear is what Katara relished.

"And I am a royal princess," She said sweetly. "Now, as I did not take offense to it, I will ask my father not to punish you as intended. Of course, it is his choice. I cannot stop him. But next time you insult me, I will personally see to your demise. Am I understood?" She quirked an eyebrow at him as the man's eyes grew wide.

"Y-Yes, your highness." He finally said, clenching his jaw.

"Good." Katara nodded. "Any other ideas, gentlemen? Good ideas?"

"If I may?" Another general spoke, nodding his head respectfully at her. She nodded back and the meeting continued per usual. Katara secretly wondered if father was upset at her about that but he sent her no ill looks and made no indication he was angry. At the end of the meeting, Ozai slipped out with a few of the generals leaving her with Zhao.

"That was brilliant." Zhao said as they began walking out. "You are fantastic."

"Thank you," Katara laughed. "You stepped out of his bounds. He should not have."

"Well, I'm glad I was there to see it." Zhao chuckled.

"I grow weary of people calling me a savage," Katara sighed. "I haven't been watertribe in a very long time. I hope one day I can prove that I am loyal to the Fire Nation."

"I believe you proved it well," Zhao bowed low. Katara did a small curtsy in reply as they stopped near a door. "May I speak out of turn?"

"Of course," Katara tilted her head.

"Well, General Ku Yon recently told me that I will be a commander soon." Zhao started.

"A promotion?" Katara asked. "Well done. You should be proud."

"I am," Zhao beamed. "As I have my own fleet to command, I was seeking special individuals to join. Would it be too bold to ask a princess to join me on helping end this war?"

Katara pursed her lips, eyes flicking to the wall. "I will be honest with you as I find your company enjoyable, I haven't a clue. It's a conversation I would have to have with my father. I promise you, I will give you an answer, though."

"Thank you," Zhao bowed again. "I must go. Goodbye, Princess."

"Goodbye," Katara said and watched him go. Narrowing her eyes, she set off the opposite direction towards the gardens. Once she entered the doors, she was happy to see Eiji waiting for her. He was studying the fish in the pond curiously as they darted around.

"Since when are you interested in fish?" Katara wondered, standing above him. The boy jumped, making a high pitched squeaking noise. Katara giggled lightly and smiled down at him.

"I'm not." Eiji rolled his eyes. He reached up, interlocking their hands, and yanked Katara down to his lap, diving his fingers against her sides. Katara released a chortle and half pushed him away.

"Stop it-" She hissed out, smacking his hands. "You're insufferable."

"Ah, you love me," Eiji teased, gently knocking his forehead against hers. His dark eyes twinkled mischievously as his hand curled tightly around her.

"Keep thinking that," Katara said. She smiled lightly and flicked her eyes around. "Have you heard of Zhao?"

"The name is familiar." Eiji said. "Why?"

"He's a lieutenant in the army," Katara said. "I recently met him in the war meeting. Father intends to promote him to commander. Zhao asked me to come along on his voyage."

"Oh," Eiji said, his face noteably sinking. "What are you thinking?"

"I think I'll ask father and if he approves, I'll go," Katara said, eyes hard. "I need to start helping out more in this war. I will return home to visit, though." She put a hand on his cheek. "You'll be here, right?"

"Yes," Eiji smiled tensely. "I will be." Katara nodded, looking relieved at that and slowly stood, stretching her arms.

"I'm hungry," She looked back at him. "Go to the kitchens with me?" Eiji nodded and got up as well. Katara began to walk towards the exit of the garden, not noticing Eiji shoving a now-crumpled letter into his pocket.