"General fongs base will serve as the launching point for the attack, in exactly two months the army and navy will invade the fire nation on the day of black sun," the general used his earth bending for the props on the map to mimic the earth kingdoms army and the fire nations.

Until momo leaped onto the pieces of the map and attacked the moving objects.

"Or we could send in momo to do some damage," Katara covered her mouth with a small laugh. But no one else found it amusing.

"Sorry,"

The general bended the pieces back into place, momo ran back to Katara in surprise.

"All we need is the earth kings seal in order to execute the plan," he send the scroll across the battle plan and Katara stood with it in hand.

"I'll get these scrolls to him right away," Katara nodded. "Thank you general how,"

She walked through the halls to the outdoors and noticed it was already in the evening and she missed lunch. She didn't realized how late the meeting went, hopefully Zuko didn't wait the whole time.

She left the walls to find herself in the upper class section of the city, it was so clean and quiet with people in fancy robes. It was so different than the lower class.

"They finally let you leave?" A familiar voice came out of no where.

"You waited?" Katara smiled seeing Zuko hanging by the fountain.

"Not like we have a way to communicate otherwise, what's that?" Zuko noticed the scrolls in her hand as Katara went to look at the fountain he was at.

"The battle plans, I just need to get the earth kings seal and we are another step closer to this invasion," Katara smiled excitedly and he nodded.

"Come on grumpy, why don't we get something to eat real quick, I have a few minutes to spare," she motioned to any of the restaurants around them. Momo chirped liking the idea of a meal.

"I could eat," Zuko agreed feeling his own hunger.

"What are You thinking? Noodles? Buns? Dumplings?" Katara looked around interested at what the restaurants have to offer.

"Oh Zuko look there's something called sushi?" She gasped grabbing his arm.

"You've never heard of it?" He frowned.

"I only heard the rich get it in the earth kingdom," she dragged him along.

"I guess, they're not so close with the ocean," he said more quietly. "It's just fish and rice and whatever,"

"Can we try it?" Katara asked intrigued.

"Okay," Zuko sighed leading her to the restaurant with the new foods she wanted to explore. They sat outside together and Zuko ordered them two rolls, one for them to try and one he knew she'd like.

Zukos face relaxed and softened seeing how much Katara enjoyed the new rolls as she made sounds of enjoyment for the new flavor.

"This is so good! We never cooked our fish like this, much less eat it raw," Katara clapped her hands happily as Zuko used his two bamboo sticks to pick up his own bite.

"Its actually really good," Zuko hummed surprised. His parents only allowed sushi and such when there was many people to share it with, a sign to remind them how powerful the fire lord was.

They enjoyed the small dinner together as Katara asked more questions about the cuisines and Zuko helped answer as many as he knew from his own home. The sun was still up and the air was warm, it was comforting to them both.

"I have to get back to work, the earth king needs these sooner than later, walk with me?" Katara asked as Zuko paid for their meal and thanked the server for the food.

"Yea, i could use a walk," Zuko looked at the setting sun.

He looked around calmly as Katara watched his face curiously. He seemed relaxed in the upper ring, maybe it was the summer air or how quiet it was with how many people were around. She wondered why this place more than everywhere else they've been.

"This is my stop," Katara stopped at the palace gates. She saw a kyoshi warrior walking in, Katara waved kindly happy to know Suki was here as well. The warrior waved but looked at Zuko in a unsure way. But went inside anyways.

"I'm gonna head home, with work tomorrow and all," Zuko pursed his lips not liking how that warrior looked at him. His scar always made people's smile dropped as soon as they saw his face.

"Okay, thank you," Katara had a hand on her hip as momo rested on her shoulder.

"It's a warm evening, the walk was nice," Zuko shrugged it off.

"No, thank you for dinner and just being a good friend, your nice to be around," Katara smiled up at him. "You should be proud of how far you've came,"

Zukos chest tightened but said nothing.

"I should thank you for that then, but your welcome," he mumbled embarrassed.

"I'm gonna get you to smile one day, I know I can," Katara pointed at him knowing she's been close.

"You can't but it'll be interesting to see you try," Zuko rolled his eyes at her.

"Have a good night fuckhead," Katara teased.

"You too princess," he stuck out his tongue and she did the same dramatically.

Katara laughed at her own stupidity as she went to the palace while Zuko went home.

She felt heat on her cheeks when she smiled at the evening she spent with Zuko, she had fun, laughing and trying to things. This was such a different friendship than the others, it felt like they were equal to each other.

"Oh Suki, your here," Katara smiled seeing the three kyoshi warriors. The one with the braid she saw before stood behind the leader.

"Is the earth king near by? I have the scrolls from general How," she explained showing the scrolls.

"Oh don't worry, I'll be sure to let the earth king know," the kyoshi warrior grinned at her. That wasn't Suki.

"I am surprised that you seem to be pretty chummy with my brother from what I heard," the warrior looked at her amused.

"Your.. your brother? Who.." Katara didn't understand.

"Don't be naive, I guess You two have known each other for quite some time, tell me, how is it that zuzu is so willing to join sides with the avatar?" The imposter grinned deviously.

"Azula," Katara gasped and went to unclip her water pouch but ty Lee was quicker to block her chi. Only for Katara to collapse from the pressure points that was hit. Momo flying away before he was caught too.

"How- where is Suki?" Katara grunted as ty Lee crouched next to her.

"Not important, now what am I gonna do with you? This is so two birds one stone, I can't wait to see my brothers reaction when he's next, it's time for a family reunion," Azula smiled standing over her as Katara looked at her horrified.

-

Zuko walked back home with his hands in his pockets, he blew his hair out of his face but noticed how much longer it's gotten again. He could grow it out like it was before, wondered how long it would take to pull in a topknot again. Those always gave him a headache..

The sun finally went down and the street lights lit up the night sky, he made his way towards his work first to check on hai before he went back to his apartment.

Zuko turned the corner to go down an alleyway that was a short cut and saw a dai lee agent standing in the middle.

His heart sunk a little and took a step back. Damn he left his swords at his apartment.

There was no way they were here for him. He has barely been outside the last few days, there was no way...

Zuko yelled surprised when cold earth hands clasped around his wrists and were bended behind his back.

"What the hell? What's going on?!" Zuko loomed seeing more agents surrounding him.

"You are under arrest, fire bender," the dai lee agent told him sternly. Zukos eyes widen but didn't waste time to kick his foot at them with flames to strike. The agent grabbed his ankle and shoved him to the ground. Multiple hands grabbing at the teenager as Zuko gasped before a hand covered his mouth.