OK guys so it's my first Zutara fic. Actually it's my first fic ever!! So need reviews with compliments and constructive criticism. No flames! Input is appreciated, seriously. Now here we go.

I don't own avatar only the plot and that mostly in my head for now.

Summary Read it you kind of wont get where im coming from if u don't. Aang and Oazi fought for control over the comet but it was hardly the last battle. Even though Aang wins, his body was left weak and exhausted from the ordeal, leaving him unable to continue the fight, and leaving Oazi still in power. Barely escaping, a year and a half later, the gang has assembled troops from every nation and deserters from the fire nation, to form militias across the world to rebuild and slowly expel the fire nation from villages and territories. Zuko was now in control of the northern troops ready to aid Katara and the in a big battle. Though Zuko had quickly killed his sister, and returned the earth king to power, there's still tension. The pair haven't seen each other since the earth king separated the gang them to lead different fronts a year ago. Katara in the south to lead the water benders, and Zuko in the north, to lead the deserters.

CHAPTER ONE:

Katara sat silently by the river slowly swirling it and letting it fall over and through her fingers like a silk cloth. She often did this on the days before battle. Recalling the past, what was in her heart now, or what the future might hold. Tonight though, she recalled the past. How it all had played out. How she and Sokka found Aang. How he fought Oazi and won a bitter sweet victory with the comet. And how the king sent him to expel the fire nation to the villages in the west. Now he was sleeping peacefully a few meters away in near a slowly waning fire. She thought of Zuko. He was only seven miles north of her ready to lead a barrage of deserter fire benders to help her and Aang.

Not long ago he was dangling her mother's necklace in front of her, bribing and taunting her. Not long ago they were fighting in a tropical oasis for Aangs body. Not long ago they fought together to crush Azula in a battle that left Iroh wounded. And not long ago she had made a promise and the bottom of a crystal world to heal the scar the haunted his every step and turn of a conner. He was different then. He's different now. She thought, remembering the words the spoke before they parted in Ba Sing Sae.

"I wish you well on your journeys Katara. If all goes according to plan we should all meet again in two years in Omashu." He bowed and turned to leave but Katara called to him.

"Zuko! Wait. Why? Why didn't u tell us that you were plotting to assassinate Azula? We could have helped! We could have done something."

"I'm sorry I lied, but I couldn't have you or the others hold back otherwise Azula would have known and then try to kill me too. It was something I had to do." Walking back to her, "it was my burden to bare. Azula was my sister. She tormented, humiliated, and manipulated me all my life. It was time I gave back what she gave me tenfold. And now it's my father's turn. He "dishonored" me. I'm going to reclaim my kingdom and set things right again. To do that I have to lead the deserters to the far northeast. Complete victory will be here soon. But it will never happen if I don't leave. So this is where I say good bye Katara." He bowed to her and walked through the pillars and out of the palace halls to the outside world that was finally ready for its prince to take power again. Katara watched him till the guards lowered the rock wall and Zuko disappeared into the city of dreams.

Now she sat and thought of how different they both were now. She had told him she would heal his scar, and was about to when luckily Aang interrupted. Now she had more water to take that pain away. She promised. Even if she still didn't understand or trust him, Katara had promised. And now, as she thought of his face, the feeling burned in the pit of her stomach and felt it spread through her veins, but still not reaching her heart. Guilt.She told herself. Nothing more that guilt for taking so long to keep her promise. Not anymore.

She quickly got up and flicked the remaining water off her hands. Walking across to Aangs tent she opened it only to find him sprawled on his back snoring like a dog. Rolling her eyes she slapped his leg.

"Wha-? Who? Katara what wrong? Did fire benders find us?" he looked around and out of the tent.

"No Aang, shhhh you'll wake the troops. No Aang just sit down." Pushing a much taller Aang down. "I just came to tell you that I'll be gone tomorrow. I don't know how long but I'm going to the northern troops. There's something I need to take care of." She began to walk out of the tent when Aang grabbed her wrist.

"Wait. You're leaving? Only day's from the eve of battle? What is it that u have to take care of? Hang on just let me get dressed and I'll fly over."

"It's not something that you can do Aang. I promised someone a long time ago and I have to do this." Still holding her wrist, "what about what you promised me? You told me before we parted that you wouldn't take any unnecessary risks. Going out alone in the middle of the night through the woods is hardly the best idea. There are robbers and fire nation patrolling around if one of them catches you the plan is completely thrown out the window."

She looked into his steely gray eyes and pierced them with her own intense cobalt blue ones. "Aang. I know what I'm doing." Only able to stare after her, Aang let Katara go as she hurried over to her own tent. Grabbing a few things quickly, Katara ran back to Aang and gently kissed him on his forehead. He didn't blush anymore she noticed. "take care of them. I'll explain when I get back." Katara sprinted around the blazing fire where a few men and woman still sat talking, and headed back towards the river. She only had to follow it till she reached them several miles upstream. If she bended up river she should be there before midnight.

Stepping on to the glassy water, she started to bend with her feet, like Toph had, moving large the waves under her feet, propelling her forward. Moving closer and closer to her promise.

Zuko frowned furiously at the glassy water below. He would catch a fish for his dinner. Even if it took him all night he would do it. Even after living in the wilderness for so long, he still hadn't mastered the art of "foraging" for food. He knew the basics by now, what fruits were good for eating and what gave you the runs. Or what plants were good teas or dangerous deadly suffocating rash giving ones. But his skills in fishing and hunting were pitiful. Luckily, Sokka had come with him to the far north; otherwise he would have died of starvation long ago. And possibly exposure. The truth was that Sokka could hunt and fish for three people in less time that it took those three people to hunt for themselves. It was going to be midnight soon and if he didn't catch this fish himself he would have to pay off the bet he had made with Sokka.

"im so hungry I could eat three fishes. Or a rabbiroo!"

"well Zuko since we're fresh out of rabbiroo in these parts, I guess I'll go and get u three fish" Sokka had said jokingly.

"what do you mean you'll get my three fish? I can get my own fish If I really wanted."

" Zuko, it's ok. We all know your not exactly the best fisherman around. It takes you hours to catch half of what the rest of us would catch in one hour. Nothing to be embarrassed about. That's just not where your talents lie."

"like you know where my talents lie! I'm just too busy catch my own food! I bet could catch 5 fish before midnight EASY!"

"and what are you willing to bet?"

"what"
"what are u willing to bet. Money, chores, food?" said Sokka slyly. Know Zuko couldn't resist a challenge.

"I bet…" he had to think for a moment want would be sweet revenge on Sokka for taunting him? "I bet a month's worth of dirty, nasty, putrid man laundry that I could catch five stupid fish before midnight!" there that would do it.

"times running out. You better get to the river before the sun goes completely down and u cant see." Zuko turned ferociously and sprinted towards the river. "oh and Zuko!" Sokka had called out before he disappeared through the woods. "No bending. Any singe marks on those fish and you lose the bet. You have to fish just like the rest of us normal people." Damn. That was going to set him back at least an hour. Zuko waved carelessly behind him and skulked off to the river.

Now he sat focused intently at the water with four fish on the shore behind him. He impatiently cut the water with his spear to catch a much faster fish. Ok ZukoJust calm down. You can do thisClosing his eyes and breathed deep into his lungs. Move with the water like a fish. Move….with…the water…like…like…KataraMove with her. Together, as one entity.Never apart.Zuko opened his eye with a new fire in his amber eyes. He caught a glimpse and, without delay, fixed his gaze on a particularly large fish next to a bolder five feet away. Smiling greedily, patience ,he thought. He moved with the water slowly, stealthily. And then…there were multiple splashes and frantic yells of victory as Zuko launched himself head first into the river for his tasty prize. When he emerged his triumph was glorious, as he held a slimy fish firmly between his hands as I fought violently to get away.

"HAHA!! That's the way to do it! Take that Sokka! Not such the incredible hunter now are you?!" he through the fish onto the shore, and stood in the water for a moment basking in all his soggy glory. But is stomach growled and reminded him he and yet to eat. Moving on shore, sopping water all over, he washed his catch and strung them on the rope he had brought. When he was finished, he slowly got up with a mile wide smile, "thanks Katara." And walked back into the forest towards a laundry free month.

It was an illustrious scene that Katara made sure never to forget. As she was walking the rest of the way on foot, she saw a young man fruitlessly trying to fish. Stopping, she watched him. His technique was awful , and his posture was appalling. She started walking towards him to help, but as she turned his face noticed the familiar scar across his left eye. Stopping in her tracks, Katara watched him as he drew his frustration inside and muttered to himself. She listened closely.

"…like a fish. Move….with…the water…like…like…Katara. Move with her. Together, as one entity. Never apart." Katara could have been attacked by pack of moose-lion at that point and still couldn't be more stunned. Why would he think of me? Never apart? What does tha- OH MY GOD! WHAT DOES HE THINK HE'S DOING?!?! Zuko had lunged into the water like a starving wolf. When he emerged, the scene Katara saw was so funny, she could barely control he hoots of laughter that were begging to surface out of her throat. She plummeted to the ground holding her stomach and ribs when held the fish between his hands like a greedy child and started yelling at it about Sokka. When he walked back into the forest Katara was so greatful he hadn't seen her. If he had she might have burst out in to a roar of laughter right in Zuko's face. Most likely cause him to be furious with her for the rest of their natural lives.

After a good ten minutes of nonstop giggling and crying from the comic scene, Katara went to wash her face off and compose herself. When she looked at her reflection, half her face was clouded by the moon. It was darker now, and older. But only the sweeter. Her mother's face. Her father sometimes forgot that she was Katara. It pleased her to know it, for her mother was a truly beautiful creature. Her face was so clear and sharp in Katara's mind sometimes it hurt to think of it. The stunning simplicity of her beauty was breathtaking. Katara had a few more years before her till she could even be considered for such a reputation. And her father had loved her with everything he had inside him. He had brought her roses one day for no reason. That might seem ordinary to some but since there are no signs of plant life anywhere in the south pole, it was and extraordinary feet of romance indeed.

Would someone love her that way? Would she love someone that way? Did such a thing of romance even exist anymore? Katara wanted it. Wherever it was, she would find it. She had to believe that someone find her even if it took a little longer to find them.

Katara rose from the river refreshed and headed into the woods to find Zuko.