"There's a meeting in the Ladies' Room. Are you okay, Katara?" Yue pushed Katara's door open softly. "You've been asleep all day."

Katara sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes. She was certainly tired, given that Lu Ten had dragged them all through the palace the previous night, and given the exhausting internal turmoil that came with it, but she supposed one would see many other reasons why Katara had overslept.

"Doing as well as I can." That was the truth. "Erm, Aiga had to...return to her family. I'm not sure when she'll be back. Are we still wearing mourning colors?" Katara asked.

This was what Zuko, Lu Ten, and Katara had decided late last night. Shoji's grandmother had taken a turn for the worse, so he and his mother were given emergency leave, and Aiga had quit, needing to care for her family too. This is what they'd tell others, at least. Sure, it was awfully convenient if people put pieces together, but the average person wouldn't and that was what mattered.

"Yes," Yue's voice was heavy with sadness, "I pray you are given a new handmaid soon."

Katara wanted to reply that she doubted she'd ever want anyone but Aiga, but she just nodded, slipping out of bed to find an acceptable white dress.

The last nine contestants gathered in the Ladies' Room. There were a few whispers, but it was mostly quiet, and not merely for the scarcity of numbers. After everything that had occurred, it seemed everyone was waiting for yet another terrible announcement.

Zuko entered the room with Zhi. He looked less tired, less likely to fall asleep right there, which told Katara he'd had a few hours of slumber. Not enough to make him look totally healthy, but enough so that she worried less.

"I just wanted to congratulate all of you for making it this far. It's quite the feat. One of you is one step closer to becoming my wife," he said, and a few girls perked up at his warm words. Then, he sighed.

"On a more somber note, I regret to inform you that Iroh - now separated from his military status or Royal Title - as well as Lady Bei Fong, has been executed."

Katara swallowed hard. Even though she knew both to be alive and well and far, far away, she knew she had to look properly horrified and sad. It wasn't hard; even imagining the terrible reality that nearly befell the pair was enough to make her tear up.

Around the room, the girls reacted with horror and deep sadness. Smellerbee stumbled a bit and Ratana helped her to a chair, after which both girls broke out in tears. Though Ratana tried to keep hers lady-like, Smellerbee cried loudly and painfully.

Yue touched her heart, lips quivering, eyes filling with liquid. On Ji looked down, shaking her head slowly. Alcina dropped herself to the floor, pressing her hands to her lips, her body shuddering as she tried to hold back her own tears. Suki grasped Katara's hand, turning away, and inhaled hard. Katara looked at Mai, expecting glee or some sort of happiness since she'd been the one to cause Toph's 'death,' but she was shocked to see Mai quickly wiping away tears at the edges of her eyes. Even Nadhari looked stunned, eyebrows knit and face pale.

"I thought it was to be a public event?" Suki managed to ask, voice quivering. Katara was glad; she was sure this was some sort of cover but feared risking revealing her shared knowledge if she spoke.

"I convinced my father that Iroh and Toph were once celebrated. Despite their actions, it would look poorly to make a spectacle. They deserved the honor of no audience. Plus, we should not take their deaths as a marked event, something that encourages those who wish to seek fame. It was better, all things considered, to have it done quietly." Zuko lied easily, and Katara wondered if he and Lu Ten had cooked this up, or if this was Ozai trying to not admit that he'd let Toph and Iroh slip away. Either way, it was best. It would be foolish for either to show their faces anywhere, so they were safe for now.

"But...I heard that Iroh vanished from a hallway!" On Ji said, eyes wide.

"A lie." Zuko shook his head. "We're not sure who began it...whether it be someone trying to undermine our power here or a stupid rumor meant as a joke. I can confirm with my own eyes that my uncle was put to death last night." The pain in his voice was real enough.

"...What of the Avatar and Ty Lee?" Mai spoke up quietly, and though her expression was flat, it showed a great deal of worry on her part to even ask.

"Still unsure on their location, but we are working diligently to find the hide-out of these traitors and see to it that they are shown justice as well," Zuko said. Mai nodded, but her shoulders dropped in utter relief.

"We understand these are difficult and turbulent times, so we will be giving you all a few days to work through your feelings, no requirements from us. If you have any more questions, please reach out to me. I wish to help all of you through this," Zuko said earnestly. "The trip to the wetlands of the Earth Kingdom is pushed back a few days," he added, looking at Alcina who was the lone person left slated to take this trip. Katara wondered idly if he'd be adding more girls on?

"Thank you, Prince Zuko," Ratana bowed to him, "For telling us."

Zuko bowed back, to all the girls, and left.

"Toph's dead..." Alcina whispered in horror as soon as he was gone. "And Ty Lee is an Airbender. It almost seems like it's all a dream, huh?"

And honestly, truly, Katara wished it were.

XxXxXx

Two days later and Katara was feeling more alone than she ever had before. Though she and Zuko seemed to be on an upwards path, their friendship and romance hardly made up for all the ghosts she felt were completely choking her at every turn.

She was still waking up, hoping for Aiga to be there.

She was turning to where Toph would sit during dinner to joke with her.

She was searching for Ty Lee in the Ladies' Room to share a feeling of reassurance.

She was expecting Aang to be in the line of the Royal Family, and Iroh too, one with a wide-happy smile and one with sage advice.

She was about to search the halls for Shoji to ask him to do small favors for her.

She walked by her brother's old room a thousand times, always naively hoping he'd be behind the door and ready to give her a hug.

She was the keeper of all their spirits, which danced in every corner of the room and she was furious no one else saw it. She had lost almost everyone she cared about; had she and Zuko still be in a fight, she would have packed up and gone home.

As it was, that was still a consideration, especially in light of Sokka's secrets revealed.

Her parents had sent many frantic messages, but Katara had been unable to answer any with something that would make them feel better. She wasn't even sure he'd be okay, despite Iroh's promise, and even if he was, she couldn't tell them that.

Many, even if he was given his life as a 'gift', demanded his removal as the attendant from the Southern Water Tribe, which Katara understood. She had no idea who would come in his stead, or if he'd be allowed to remain here at all, but this was one of the least concerning issues. If he was released from the palace as it was, that might be for the better, and he could search out Toph without any interference or expectations of jobs here.

What was worse was that Ozai had declared no more food would be sent to Katara's tribe, at least until a 'more suitable diplomat with the proper respect' would come to the Fire Nation to basically grovel at his feet. It didn't matter that Katara was in the top ten contestants and still ranking highly. It didn't matter that it would be at least a week before anyone could make it out to the Fire Nation, and she doubted her parents would send someone immediately, recklessly. It didn't matter that he was pulling on the threads of the livelihood of everyone there, threatening their means of existence.

Ozai did not care. He had almost all but given the Southern Water Tribe a death sentence.

Katara had not even been allowed to attend the meeting where he'd declared this. Ozai was 'disgusted' by the look of any Southerner after one such 'broke his son's heart', which was a bold lie in every way. He had been looking forever for reasons to hate Katara and her people and, frustratingly, Sokka had given him the perfect one.

Lu Ten and Zuko had objected, as well as a few Fire Sages. This was expected. Unexpectedly, both Hahn and Arrluk had voiced their disapproval of the plan too, citing that this wasn't fair and coming to Katara's aid, but apparently, Ozai had already made up his mind. The 'meeting' was more procedural than anything - Ozai had little interest in being swayed. Katara had not been invited to this meeting.

"Thanks for trying," Katara told Arrluk, sighing.

"Will your tribe be okay?" Arrluk asked. "I can write to Chief Arnook and tell him to help! We can send food, now that our tribes are talking again. I'm sure he'd-"

"Don't give yourself a reason to be hated by the Fire Lord too," Katara winced, but was warmed by his sense of kinship. "We'll survive. We always have."

Though, she could not be entirely sure of this herself.

"Fucking sucks." Hahn shook his head. "I swear Ozai gets off on power, you know?"

"You're just figuring that out now?" Katara couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Any news on Sokka?"

"No," Arrluk frowned, "He's alive, I guess, but that's about all. We tried asking."

She had expected as much but still felt a stab to her heart at these words. She sighed, shaking her head before looking out at the garden before her. She'd felt so stifled in her room and she had to escape somewhere. These gardens were hardly used, especially with so few girls left in the competition, but the cool breezes still did not help her the sense of dread that thudded in her chest.

As the trio of Water Tribe members sat, someone passed by on the breezeway. It was the daughter of a politician, giggling with her friend. When she saw the three, she spat a nasty word, directed at all of them. Katara was not completely knowledgeable of her Earth Kingdom language, but she understood the idea of it; cheaters, dishonorable, scum.

"You two should go. Any more associating with me and you'll just bring a headache for yourselves."

"Won't make a difference." Arrluk winced. "We're both Water Tribe. Doesn't matter which part of the globe we're from. We've always been looked down on. This has just...exacerbated it," he explained. "And I'd rather be called that name rather than act as though I've forsaken you and Sokka."

"But we probably should go." Hahn nudged Arrluk. "Not because of that bullshit, but we have that meeting. With Pakku."

"Right," Arrluk nodded, "Will you be okay?" It seemed everyone was asking her this these days.

"I can handle myself," Katara said lightly. Arrluk looked ready to say something more but shook his head.

"Find us if you need us," he mumbled, and Hahn gave a short salute before the pair left.

She hardly had enjoyed a minute of silence when she saw Zuko's tall figure coming quickly through the gardens toward her.

"Katara, we have a problem."

Katara motioned for him to sit. "Zuko, you say that as though having a problem is an uncommon thing. When don't we have a problem?"

She was pleased to see Zuko smile and chuckle, a momentary respite from whatever was bothering him. "True," he agreed, but then his face darkened once more. "But when I say we have a problem, I really mean it."

"It's not...Aang, is it?" Horrible thoughts that Aang and the rest had been captured on their way to safety flashed across her mind. She felt faint; after all that, they couldn't just find him!

"No! No word, which is good news," Zuko assured, "It's your brother."

"What? Is he dying? Is he alive? Is he eating? Zuko, what's wrong!" Katara demanded.

"I tried to talk to him about the plans to get him out, you know, in code. He understood me well enough but he said he'd refuse to go."

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly that!" Zuko hissed, running his fingers through his hair. "He asked me what they're all saying about him. Demanded, actually. I mean, you know that stubbornness runs in your family. So I told him; it was a matter of honor. He is insisting on fixing it. He refuses to run."

"That idiot!" Katara stood up, snarling. "We're trying to save his ass, and of course he has to be all noble!"

"I think we could take him kicking and screaming, but that wouldn't be quiet or aid our hopes, would it?" Zuko's face was grim. "He says once the public opinion of the Water Tribe is 'fixed,' he'll look at options then. Until then...he says the only thing he'll leave his cell for is to face his judgment." Zuko swallowed hard. "And Katara, there weren't many other options."

"Options?" She echoed faintly, terrified for what he was going to say next.

"It was going to be me or my dad and I couldn't let him face Ozai. He'd...Ozai would...it would..." Zuko seemed ready to say something else, but couldn't. He inhaled hard. "It had to be me. It has to. It will."

"Zuko, breathe," Katara rubbed his back comfortingly, "And please, please...tell me what is going to happen to him now?"

"There's only one way to restore honor in a case like this..." Zuko licked his lips, eyes shining with regret. "And that's an Agni Kai."

XXxx

Aang was covered in sweat and dirt, his limbs ached, his head pounded, and he was exhausted.

It had been three days of high anxiety as Iroh and Aiga led the group to safety. Aang still had no idea where the safe location was, per Zuko's agreement with him a long time ago. He woke each day hoping they would reach it and was always frustrated when it seemed they would be spending another night sleeping in someone's barn, hardly more than hay to cushion their heads.

It had been a long, grueling journey. Iroh knew people, but they were a big group and two of their faces were plastered on every inch of every city they visited, hanging on signs and promising lots of money for their return.

Even the best of people, when desperate for money, did things they wouldn't be proud of later...such as turning in the Avatar and his companions.

Still, the people Iroh had faith in were air-tight, and they had made it safely so far. Their accommodations weren't comfortable, far from it. They were squished in boxes, contorting their limbs like acrobats to pass inspection town to town. They were shoved into wagons with mule-pigs and fire-chickens, pressing themselves into the muddy floorboards and underneath the creatures, hoping not to be noticed. They stood in lines in larger caravans, hardly an inch between anyone, and told to stay absolutely and utterly still. They were ferried in the night, by the light of only a lantern, through bogs and rivers and streams and fields with tall grasses, to tiny boats and run-down vehicles.

And the worst part of it? Everyone kept offering Aang the 'best' of each accommodation.

"No, let the elderly and children have it," he kept insisting, uneasy. He was used to being handed the best of the best by his association to the Royal Family, but he hated those in need being passed over for his benefit. It made him feel ill and like a fraud. What sort of hero accepted the singular pillow when there were so many who needed it more?

They laughed, like it was amusing, and pushed. And Aang pushed back. Sometimes, he convinced them. Other times, he did not and found he slept worse when given more room to spread out, feeling guilt eat away inside of him as he listened to the snores of those around him.

More than that, everyone was grumpy. If anyone thought Toph was a terror before this, she seemed monstrous now. All the kids knew more swear words than Aang knew existed, and she was possibly one of the worst travel partners in the history of history. Of course, she was separated from her boyfriend, and that had to be hard, or so Aang sympathized. Still, he wished she'd let up on the curse words a bit.

The only two people that stayed in good moods were Iroh –Aang assumed it was because he knew where they were headed – and Ty Lee. She was a gleam of sunlight in the dim days before him. She was effervescent and warm and kind, always offering food to others first, or playing with the small children and making them laugh, or lending her shoulder and ears for anyone who needed them.

For as much as people were looking at Aang and Iroh for instructions, he noticed they were looking at her too. She took this role in stride, as though she was always meant for more than just being one of Azula's ladies-in-waiting, spending her days lounging in a palace.

Her hair, which fell just short of her shoulders after Azula chopped off her braid during the fight, seemed to float on air whenever she spun. Aang liked her long hair and he liked her short hair; he found out it didn't matter, he liked her either way.

The voices in his mind were quiet. He wondered if his brain functioned slower without enough food or sleep, and therefore the Avatars were affected too. It was probably a blessing; if he had to be shoved into a barrel for twelve hours and he had to spend the entire time hearing Gopan ramble about birds or Kuruk moan about his lost love, he'd have gone insane.

Currently, they were in a small caravan of boats going through a boggy area. The air around him was moist and heavy and there was a cacophony of sounds from everywhere. Iroh was in the front boat, standing at the front like a captain in charge of a military fleet, instead of the measly and tired crew of boats that actually followed.

Aang used his water-bending to move them down the currents. Any other airbenders - Ty Lee, the handful that Iroh had helped escape, and some they'd picked up - propelled the boats forward while the rest steered. Toph was having a miserable time, as her bending helped her in zero ways and she couldn't see a damn thing. Which, he'd heard about a million times.

He looked back, pausing for a moment to see Ty Lee helping a young Airbender, no more than twelve, get the wrist movement right. It was hard to believe she'd only come into her own powers less than a week ago; she seemed like a natural. Something like glee and excitement bubbled inside Aang; he'd been thrilled at the prospect of teaching new benders the craft, but the knowledge that he could have Ty Lee under his tutelage and pass on what was now their shared history made him look forward to the future and whatever lay ahead.

Ty Lee caught him looking and sent a flirty wink his way, causing him to blush full on. He was glad Toph could not read his body language right now, or else she'd be making a snide comment for sure. As it was, she was hung over the side of the boat, her face as green as her clothes.

"We are here," Iroh announced, motioning for the boats to the beach on an embankment to the left.

Aang helped everyone off, frowning. They seemed to be in the middle of literally nowhere.

A whisper came from his left. He spun around, searching for who had spoken but found no one other than the same people he'd been traveling with. Then it was to his right. Then above him.

"Aang, what is it?" Ty Lee asked, grabbing his shirt lightly.

"You don't...hear that?" he asked in true confusion, tilting his head to the warbling and hissing whispers all around him.

"The bugs?" Toph snapped irritably, swatting at a dragonfly the size of her palm. "Yuck! This sucks. I can hardly