Day one of Zutara week. Finally remembered to upload.

ATLA = Bryke

The lights dimmed, leaving only the spotlight to follow the two dancers in the center of the floor. The crowd of other coupled dancers separated to make room for them.

Matching the rhythm of the song played, the two dancers swayed and twirled to a fast waltz like speed. The masquerade ball had been going on since seven marks afternoon, but from the very beginning the two found each other and had been dancing well into the night. They had said not a word to each other but it seemed as though they were destined to be partners.

It was the annual grand masquerade ball that doubled as a birthday present for Fire Lord Zuko. He knew the party was mostly a way for him to 'find' a suitor, but the ploy didn't bother him as much as if there were no masks. At least this way no one would be able to tell that he was the Fire Lord.

Zuko was having a splendid time with the girl in his arms as they twirled about on the dance floor; he hadn't even noticed that crowd pull away to give room to their formal spin. He was immediately attracted to her costume. It looked just as the one of the legend spirit, the Painted Lady, whom his mother had told him so much about during bed time stories. The only difference was the absence of the hat and the mask she wore, thin in material, red veil that ran down her hair, woody in texture, and high enough to expose her lips that he thought looked very inviting and strangely familiar.

Katara couldn't help her heart from racing when the strong young man in the black skin tight body suit and blue mask asked her to dance. She didn't expect to be dancing the night away with the famous (unless he was an imposter) Blue Spirit. The ball room had grown silent as the attendees watched the mysterious vigilante walk across the floor. Every eye followed as his hand extended and he pulled her out to the dance area. Katara wanted to know who was behind the mask; the way the masked man held her reminded her of someone she knew once upon a time.

The crowd could almost feel the passion emanating from the dancing duet and for most of the night had to stand aside to marvel at the intensity of their movements.
The final song came to an end; the men bowed and the ladies curtsied before leaving for the night. In such a rush of people the friends that Katara originally came with, then left to go dance could not fight the current and had to leave with the crowd. They were sure she would get home safely.

The only two bodies left in the center of the room were Zuko and Katara, still swaying to the music that had already ended.

"I had a wonderful time with you tonight," Katara said finally breaking their pleasant silence.

"As did I."

"You know, you remind me of someone?" It was more of a statement than a question.

He tensed just the slightest. "I do, do I?" Behind his mask his eye brow raised.

"Yes, he was my friend a long time ago."

"And do you miss him?"

"Terribly."

"Well, you also remind me of a friend I once knew."

"Really?" This time it was Katara's turn to clench. "And do you miss her?"

Zuko stopped their dancing and looked straight into the eye holes of the mask worn by the beauty in front of him. He removed his hands from hers and reached for the mask on her face. Pulling it down slowly Zuko watch Katara's expression before leaning into her ear to whisper,

"Terribly."

He brought up Katara's hand to his mask so that she could take it off for him. Once the mask was off his face Zuko swooped in for a deep kiss, immediately she returned with fervor. The rest of the night was filled with catching up and sincere kissing and Zuko conceited to himself that parties such as these weren't as bad as he thought, especially if Katara was present.

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