Futures – It has been 5 years since Ozai has been defeated. The four-nations are war-torn and being the Avatar is harder than ever. What does the future hold? Zutara.

Hey everyone, neepuh here! So, this is my first fanfiction ever. When ATLA ended, I needed to find a way to cope! So here it is, in the flesh, my attempt at creating a worthy-follow up of the storyline. I am open to both praise and constructive criticism. Please review.

I do not own any of the characters, they are ©Nickelodeon

Ch 1 - The Visit

Firelord Zuko gazed around his palace room. The tall windows filtered in sunshine that sprinkled the red room and gave it an atmosphere that was cozy and warm. Mai still slept, breathing lightly from the bed. He leaned himself out the window and allowed himself to take in the sights and sounds of the Fire Nation. The smell of spices, intense heat, and loud laughter wafted up to his senses as he smiled.

It had been 5 years since Ozai had been defeated.

Zuko turned back into the room, and as he so often did, wondered about the world from behind Fire Nation walls. His mind drifted to all the places he had been, all the people he had met. From the slums of Ba Sing Se to the Western Air Temple, his thoughts slipped and he reminisced –

"Zuko."

Zuko came to with a start as he noticed his Uncle standing firm in the doorway. He glanced quickly at Mai and pushed his finger to his lips as he ushered him and his uncle out into the hall. When the door clicked behind him, he turned towards the dear old man whom he owed his life to.

"Uncle, what is it? Is everything alright?"
"Yes, Zuko. Don't worry yourself so much." He replied with a slight smile. "Life is meant to be enjoyed. I just came to say you have visitors."
Zuko perked up immediately. He loved hearing of outside news. "Who is it?"
"You'll find out soon enough-"Iroh said, as Zuko was already on his way down the stairs and towards the main throne room.

Katara and Sokka still never got quite used to seeing Zuko walk towards them with a large smile on his face. His scar was hardly noticeable beneath the gleam of the golden flame encasing the black royal knot upon his head. He was wrapped luxuriously in a plethora of red and orange silk brocades, and on his fingers gold and ruby rings danced in the light. But above all, Fire-lord Zuko acted different. His attitude had become that of a generous leader, a friendly and responsible spirit. The anger and rage was gone.

"My beloved friends" he began, while stepping down the stairs. "To what do I owe this pleasure? I am so glad you have come. It has been far too long. Please, tell me you are going to stay. We shall have a feast! You can stay in my palace!"

"A feast- eh? As long as it isn't all fire-nation food!" Sokka said endearingly, and then embraced Zuko in a tight hug. Katara followed.
"Firelord Zuko, it's so great to see you!" She said, a wide smile on her tanned face.
"Please, no Firelord. It's just Zuko to you guys." He said, smiling back at both of them.
"Yes, old friends need not worry about formalities." Came a familiar voice from behind them – Katara and Sokka wheeled around and dotingly said in unison -
"Iroh!"
"Yes, and I brought some tea!" Iroh smiled and lifted the tray of steaming cups into view.

Zuko wouldn't show it, but he eyed his visitors in envy. Both Katara and Sokka were wearing traveler's clothes, and they both looked worn down and dirty. He knew he had the whole night to make merry and get their stories out of them, for he could tell by the looks on their faces that they weren't there to just visit. They had something to tell him, and they came a long way to do it.
5 years really changed all of them. Sokka sprouted like a fire-nation cactus, he now towered over Katara and was even a bit taller than Zuko. His hair was longer and tied back, and a slight beard adorned his face. He still wore similar clothes, and both his "space-sword" and boomerang were clipped to his back. Zuko smiled as Sokka made a smart-ass comment and Katara bended her tea in a water-whip at his butt, then leaned back and laughed as Sokka yelped while he rubbed the sore-spot lovingly.
Katara still was the same height, and was now shorter than all of them. Zuko noted that she looked particularly worn out. She was still very fit and lean, even more so than she was back in the day. And her thick, dark hair was longer than ever, and wound tightly into two thick braids. She was adorned in the similar clothing she always had, a blue water-tribe robe and of course, glittering at her throat, her mother's necklace. Zuko felt a pang of guilt and looked away quickly.

They were all seated in a large, regal hall with gold and red tapestries dripping from the tall ceilings. The table they were seated at was longer than any Katara or Sokka had ever seen, and it stretched from one end of the room to another and had countless chairs with velvet cushions. When they spoke the words echoed off the polished walls.
"It's a bit strange to be sitting at the table Ozai used to eat his feasts at while contemplating the ways to kill us." Sokka said with a small smirk on his lips. A laugh involuntarily escaped every ones mouth.
"Perhaps it wouldn't be so awkward if you visited me more frequently." Zuko retorted with a smile. A servant waddled in then, and Zuko waved them off reminding them to take Katara and Sokka's luggage. "You know the two rooms – the best guest suites in the palace." He added.
"Firelo- I mean, Zuko… we really shouldn't be staying that long.."Katara said suddenly, as if she felt they were imposing upon him.
"You two are always welcome here." Iroh said warmly, before taking another sip of tea.
"Exactly, and I want to keep you guys as long as I can. But that really reminds me… why are you two here?"
Suddenly the smiles dimmed and a somber silence filled the room instead.