A/N: The first chapter. It's kind of short, but that's just because it's practically only the opening. BTW: I am a FULL KATAANGER! I will not abandon that, so if this seems Zutaraish to you, it's not, trust me. It's full of Kataang... well maybe not yet. .:. WARNING!!: May Contain Spoilers! .:. Review if you will. Thanks.

Just to clarify: This is a month after the battle with Ozai. Aang: 13, Katara: 15, Sokka: 16, Toph: 12, Zuko: 17, Mai: 17, Suki: 16, Ty Lee: 17. Will add others later, if they occur... Zuko is now the Fire Lord, and has been reunited with his mother. Iroh is alive; may add other information later if need be.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of the characters within it.

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Chapter 1

The young, blue eyed waterbender strode down the hallway with a light step. She took into account the strange, yet intricate tapestries on the walls and pictures of past lords and ladies of the Fire Nation. The tile on the ground was recently polished, causing her shoes to make a click-clack noise as she walked. The clamor of it was disregarded though, because she was too preoccupied with her own thoughts.

As she strolled down the corridor, however, she past by a woman with black hair that extended to her lower back and with bangs cascading down over her forehead.

"Hello, Mai," Katara greeted her warmly, but continued walking.

"He's in there," she replied in a soft, airy voice, which was slowly becoming second nature to her. She gestured behind her into a room at the end of the hallway, which she had just departed from.

Katara nodded and slowed her pace, smiling at Mai as she walked by.

Once she entered the room she was directed to, she didn't find herself in any ordinary lounge. It was fairly empty, only with bookshelves near the doorway and a table in the center, possibly for war meetings. There was a large window that bowed outward and took up the entire back wall, encasing the most beautiful view she had ever seen from inside a building. A youthful man stood in front of the window, gazing out to the city below, hands behind his back. He had stark black hair and was wearing red robes, the Fire Nation symbol embedded on the back of them.

He must have sensed her presence because not very long after she strode through the doorway, he turned around.

"Katara," he said meekly, nodding to her in greeting.

She nodded back, bowing. "Zuko."

After a brief second, she smiled and ran up to him, caressing him in a tight embrace.

He seemed taken aback, but slowly recomposed his surroundings and hugged her lightly in return.

"Hey, Zuko," she said, pulling away, "You wanted to see me?"

The man smiled and nodded once again.

"I got your letter," he responded, laughing softly.

"What? I sent it in this morning. The guard outside said you probably wouldn't respond for weeks. He said 'oh, he's such a busy man now-"

"Katara. Besides my mother and uncle; you, Aang, Sokka and Toph are my family now. I would drop anything for you guys."

She shook her head.

"There is much more important things than what I'm asking of you," she said in a pleading voice which made Zuko chuckle.

"It doesn't matter. Now listen: I have been working on your 'project' all afternoon and I am very glad you brought it to my attention. I do believe he deserves this. But... I have a matter to attend to which requires your help as well."

Katara paused.

"My help?" she managed, finally, with a brisk laugh.

Zuko beamed at her.

"Yes. Aang as well, of course."

She looked away at the mention of the name and blushed slightly.

"What about Toph and Sokka?"

"No. Just you two."

Something about his voice made Katara shiver, but after an oddly short moment of consideration, she agreed.

"Alright," she replied, turning away from him and resting her elbows on the table behind her. "What's the plan?"

"Well," he started, "First let me explain the situation: There has been reports of missing caravans leading here, the Fire Nation capitol; and Gon Si, the second largest city in all of the Fire Nation. Message hawks have also been noted as intercepted, but we don't know who's doing all of it." He took the same position as hers on the table, and faced her, a worried look on his face. "I was hoping you and the great Avatar, would help the nation you've already saved... again. I have a strong feeling whoever is doing this; or whatever for that matter, is very powerful."

She sighed, but smiled.

"On one hand, I just wanted to settle down and not have to deal with things like this. But on the other, ever since I met Aang, I've thrived for adventure." She set her hands on the table as if they were the ones she was talking about. "This one," she lifted up her right hand, "is the one that's calling to me; and very loudly, may I add... so I guess it's settled. I'll talk to Aang, and we'd be glad to help you out."

Zuko laughed softly.

"I thought you'd say that," he replied haughtily, pulling her up by the shoulder and leading her out the door. "Now, let me get back to my work. I'm a busy man, you know?"

They both laughed.

"I understand, oh great Fire Lord Zuko."

They exchanged grins and bows, and Katara left, quite pleased with the outcome of the unexpected meeting.