A/N: First story in a while. And no I don't own any of these characters. If I did things would have gone differently. Very Differently. ^_^
It was quiet. He'd been looking for silence all day in chaotic mess that had taken over his home. It was to be expected of course. It was only a few hours ago that he had become Fire Lord and there was no end to the many nobles who wanted to pass along their well wishes for his long and successful rein.
He wasn't scared. This was what he was meant to do with his life. It had been a long time coming but the people of the Fire nation needed to know something other than war and the rest of the world deserved the right to run their own lands and control their own lives.
With a sigh Zuko laid his head back against the balcony door. He felt foolish for having to go so far as hiding from everyone to get a moment to think. But there was a lot to think on.
Aang was offering to spend most of his time in the Fire Nation to help with the sudden adjustments the citizens would have to make and with the Avatar by his side it would deter anyone from starting any trouble. Zuko wasn't stupid enough to think that everyone would take these changes easily just because he told them to. No, there were still people out there who thought his father had been on the right track. They didn't want to give up on the war or world domination. And they weren't happy with him for ending it just when it looked to be within reach.
Mai had appeared just before he spoke to his people wearing a scowl as she asked if he thought that he was doing the right thing. She still wasn't a fan of the Avatar or his friends and wanted them gone as soon as possible. She was rather upset when Zuko told her that there were no plans for their leaving as of yet.
Stupidly he had hoped that she would be happy that he had returned unharmed and was stepping up to take their nation out of a dead end war. He'd forgotten one fact though. Mai was never happy.
"Are you hiding?" an amused tone brought him out his own thoughts and he shook his head slowly.
"I needed a moment to myself." he told the water bender as she knelt down in front of where he had seated himself on the floor.
"So you hid out in my room?" she asked with a smile.
"It worked." he grinned, "No one's found me yet."
He hadn't been planning on going to her room but it was the one furthest from the council and close to his study. Not to mention it had a balcony that looked over the gardens and one of the many small ponds around the palace. If he had been cornered he could use the balcony to escape.
"You'll have to go back soon. Most of the nobles have left to get ready for tonight's activities so you should be safe until then." she tugged at the thick robe he was still wearing and made a face, "Aren't you sweating to death yet? I've been boiling all day and that's without the layers that usually go under this." she motioned to her own blue robes. She was wearing it as a dress without the long pants and boots. Instead she had on small black slip on fire nation shoes.
"You get use to the heat after awhile."
His uncle was waiting for him outside his bedroom doors.
"You had better get ready. The festivities will be starting soon." the old man didn't even ask where he had been and for that Zuko was grateful. Not that he would have actually told him where he's been 'resting' for the last two hours. That would have meant finding a new place to 'rest'.
Katara had even told him he was free to hide there whenever he needed. He'd been relieved enough to not argue the fact that he was not hiding. He knew Toph would give him away at once or worse hold it over his head if he attempted to enter her room. Aang wasn't good at keeping secrets and Iroh knew that. It would only be a few minutes of quiet before Aang caved and told the old man where his nephew was. And Sokka... well Sokka's room had never even entered his mind.
"I don't think I'll be in here much." Katara had told him as they sat on the floor in a patch of sunlight, "Your uncle has asked me to help with the healing that has yet to be finished."
Zuko frowned as he pulled on fresh robes. His father had left behind more pain and hurt than should have been possible for one person to inflict.
With a shrug Zuko finished dressing and left his room without even looking in a mirror. Most of the people who would at this celebration tonight had been his father's followers. It would take him time to weed out those that were there because they believed it was right that things change or if they were there because they wanted a way to stay close to the politics of it all. He knew there weren't many people left in the council that he could trust. At least his Uncle planned to stick around for a few weeks to help him find those who really wanted what was best for the Fire Nation.
The old man was good at reading people. Far better at it than Zuko had ever been.
The throne room was crowded but everyone fell silent when Zuko and Iroh entered. Aang was among the first to greet them and it was easy to forget to that he was suppose to be finding Mai among the crowd. He hadn't really spoken to the girl after their disagreement. He supposed he should have tried to talk to her earlier about being on his arm for this but he'd been in Katara's room instead of doing things he should have been doing.
But he wasn't about to tell Mai that. Somehow he doubted it would go over well even if Katara hadn't been there the entire time.
When he actually sttrted looking around for the girl he couldn't find her. Iroh just shrugged when Zuko raised an eye brow in question.
"Fire Lord." Zuko turned and found a woman bowing deeply before him. He was getting ready to spit out the normal thanks and appreciation when the woman straightened up and he was stuck dumb by her blue eyes.
"Miss Katara!" Iroh swept past the Fire Lord and hugged the water bender, "You look lovely in red. I'm so happy the robes fit you."
"Thanks again for finding them for me." she smiled then met Zuko's gaze, "Dad said it looked like you were about to be pounced on by all the woman in the room." she was smirking and he caught himself looking beyond her to see if there were woman staring at him.
There were. A lot of them didn't even look away when he looked their way.
"It was suggested that one of us come rescue you but Aang didn't think he'd be much help." she was still smiling and he felt his cheeks burn as he imagined just what would be said if he spent the night walking around with the young Avatar at his side.
"Ah, perfect." Iroh beamed, "With you on his arm it will show the Fire Nation that he has no intentions of continued warfare."
She looked surprised for a moment before saying, "I was gonna tell him to dance with Toph and see if his feet survived the night."
"No, no." his uncle took Katara's hand and pulled the two of them closer, "Why didn't we think of this earlier? The two of you should stay close tonight. Show everyone there are no hard feelings between you and that you are indeed friends."
With a sigh Zuko pulled free of his uncle's grip and on his own offered Katara his arm on his own, "No funny remarks about this, Uncle." he warned and watched with a bit of surprise when Kartara slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow without hesitation.
"I suppose it would be mean to pair you up with Toph." she shrugged as he led her away from the old man, "She'd have way too much fun trying to annoy you by insulting you and everyone else here."
"True." and thinking of that he was very grateful to have Katara on his arm and not the blind girl.
There were a lot of things that he was grateful about when it came to Katara. While she was stubborn beyond belief she had tested him and his patients while he stayed and trained with Aang but that just made him want to work harder at the whole 'being good' thing.
The music started and all eyes turned to him, waiting for the new Lord to start the first dance of the evening.
"Hope you can dance." he mumbled as he took her hand gripped gently in his own.
"Don't step on me and we'll be fine." she had obviously heard him and he smiled. She didn't seem nervous and it helped his own nerves.
From the corner of his eye he could see his uncle watching them with a wide smile as many others looked on in shock. They hadn't expected his date for the night to be the Avatar's water bending Master.
And as they turned gracefully on the floor Zuko spotted Mai leaving in a hurry. He would hear all about it later but for the moment he wasn't going to worry. She was the one who was late anyways. Or maybe she had been avoiding him just to watch him squirm when he noticed the attention coming from all the women in the room. He had no doubts what so ever that Katara's appearance at his side had stopped many nobles from offering their 'lovely' daughters or nieces as companions for the evening.
He almost growled at the thought. Mai would have enjoyed that very much.
"Stop frowning before someone thinks I insulted you." Katara snapped in her usual tone and Zuko jerked his gaze to her face. She smiled up at him, "That's better."
As other couples joined them it was easier for him to forget Mai. He watched with a smile as Aang twirled Toph while Sokka and Hakoda looked on.
"How is your father enjoying the Fire Nation?" Zuko asked just to have something to say.
"He says it is much better being here without worrying about the lives of his children being in danger." She said honestly with a smirk as if she hadn't expected anything else from her father.
"Ah, so he won't be staying long then?" Zuko looked at the Water Tribe man and didn't blame him at all. Zuko had hated sticking out where ever he had gone and there was no way not to notice that some of the guest had darker skin and blue eyes like some had never seen before.
"Nope." she giggled, "He will be leaving with our men in the morning."
"What about you and your brother? How long will you be here?" he asked quickly and she shot him a look.
"We're not sure." she said, looking him in the eye, "I wanted to help with the new healing house your uncle was talking about but if we're in the way we could go."
"No." he shook his head and dropped his gaze to the side where he could watch Aang and Toph dance, "You're not in the way at all. In fact it will do my people good to have you all around for awhile. Especially such a talented healer who stands her ground stubbornly."
She pinched his arm just as the song ended and walked off towards her family. He stood there laughing before following her.
"Fire Lord." Hakoda bowed before placing a hand on Zuko's shoulder, "As I'm sure you've been told I will be leaving my children here even if it is against my better judgement."
"Come on dad." Sokka groaned, "I think we've already been through more trouble than any other teenagers in history. Being here for a few months will be relaxing."
"Unless of course some of us wanted to help and work with the people as we should." Katara elbowed her brother, "It won't be fun and games all the time Sokka. There's a lot to be done here."
"Sure, sure." he waved his hand at her before walking away towards the food table.
Toph was right on his heels, "Are there any meat pies? I'm starving."
"He'll help when the time comes." Aang said confidently and with a bright smile, "You know how he gets."
"Do we ever." Zuko sighed and was surprised when the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe laughed.
"He is an odd one isn't he?" Hakoda asked, grinning fondly.
"That's putting it lightly." Katara huffed.
"Everyone is really please to see the two of you getting along so well despite the history you've shared." Iroh interrupted the conversation, "Get back out there and smile this time, nephew."
Katara would have laughed along with the others if she hadn't been pushed back towards the dancing nobles.
"I really should have thought through saving you a little better." she smiled as she said it but it still sounded like a grumble.
"What?" Zuko almost laughed, "Rethinking being stuck with me all night?"
"That and I didn't think about all the dancing. My feet are going to be so sore. These shoes barely fit." as if to prove her point she wobbled on a turn and Zuko had to tighten his grip on waist to keep her upright.
"They too small?" he hadn't remembered the water bender having big feet.
"No, they're too big." She wobbled again but not nearly as bad as the first time, "On such short notice these were the only ones that matched the outfit."
"You could have worn any shoes you wanted." Zuko was confused. What was it with woman and shoes?
"Not according to the maids." Katara's smile actually turned down at the corners.
"You could always hide them under a table. I wouldn't tell anyone." he was joking but she looked to be considering it which made him grin.
At least while dancing with her it wasn't hard to keep smiling.
Too soon it was time for polite politics which was really just everyone of importance trying to get a moment with the new Fire Lord.
Unfortunately Katara was dragged along for this part as well. And to say that it was boring would have been an understatement. Of course she was introduced to each and every person who spoke to them. She knew she'd never remember all these names and titles and actually pitied Aang when the young boy was dragged into it.
At least she wasn't the only one who looked overwhelmed. After about ten minutes the Avatar looked ready to launch himself out one of the windows and fly off into the night just to escape.
"You need to get use to stuff like this. You're hopeless." Zuko said in an undertone to Aang as another noble family, this one from the Earth Kingdom made their way over, "You can't ask someone's name each you meet them. It'd be rude."
"You'd know all about being rude, wouldn't you?" Katara smiled brightly, knowing Zuko wouldn't have a chance to reply before the couple could hear him.
Her smile froze at the same time as Aang turned and ran back through the crowd towards where Sokka had been earlier.
"You?!" Katara almost choked on her fury.
"You're here?" the man almost took a step beck before realizing that he was suppose to be the polite noble.
"What are you doing here?" Katara wasn't even attempting to be nice anymore and Zuko was completely lost.
"What's going on?"
"These are Toph's parents. They sent thugs to kidnap her and force her to go home."
Even after being grateful that he wasn't stuck with Toph for the evening, he was still fond of the blind girl and had even heard a great deal about her parents and their views on her disabilities.
"She's just a child. A blind child. She should be home with people who can take care of her." the woman before them said before a voice interrupted whatever else she was going to say.
"From what I've seen Miss Bei Fong doesn't need anyone to take care of her. She is a very strong young woman. Very independent." Iroh stepped into view with Toph by his side and Aang just behind them, a hand on Toph's shoulder.
"Don't be silly. She should be home with her family." Toph's father took a step forward but was blocked by Zuko and Iroh at the same time.
"Family?" Toph snorted, "I was nothing more than a prisoner that you brought out to gain pity from the snobs you so wanted to impress." she pushed past Zuko and pointed up at her father, "You are no longer my family." her hand dropped just as quickly as it had shot forward and in a very non-Toph like manner took Katara's and Aang's hands, "These people are my family now."
"I won't allow this." her mother raged.
"O, really? You gonna send two more grown men to catch me and then have their pride handed to them when I kick both their butts without breaking a sweat?"
"They weren't thugs. They were sent to bring you home so we could talk things out." her mother was a bit calmer this time, but her sugar coated tone irritated Zuko greatly.
"As far as I'm concerned you are bothering one of my countrymen. I won't stand for it." Everyone looked at Zuko as if he had lost his mind, "Toph stood by my side and fought to bring about the end of my father's tyrant rein. If she so chooses the Fire Nation will take her as one of our own. We would be honored to count her among our us."
Iroh was smiling like a proud papa watching his child figure out a hard puzzle that had no easy solution.
"You hear that?" Toph dropped Katara's hand to pat Zuko's arm, "Even the Fire Lord recognizes me for who I am."
"But you can't take our daughter." Toph's mother turned her dark eyes on Iroh.
"The Fire Lord has offered her citizenship. If she accepts then taking her beyond the border without her permission will be a crime." Zuko almost smiled when his Uncle spread his hands out before him as if to say 'there is nothing I can do about it'.
"AND," Katara added, "If she goes missing we will know who to go to."
The couple turned and left so quickly they probably didn't hear the crow of victory that ripped from Toph's throat as she jumped up and down.
"So I guess you're stuck with me, Sparky." Toph punched Zuko's arm before grabbing Aang's arm, "This calls for a celebration. I say we spike the punch and get Sokka drunk."
Katara laughed as Aang asked, "Spike it with what?"
"That was a good thing you did." Iroh smiled, folding his arms over his stomach, "But I wonder how wise it is to set Miss Bei Fong on the Fire Nation."
Zuko groaned but didn't have time to complain before he was approached by important people that he was suppose to talk to.
When it was time for the fireworks, the last event of the night, the moon was high in the sky and Zuko felt like he was holding Katara up as they stood on the balcony overlooking the party guests who stood before the palace.
"Wow." with a small gust of wind Aang seated himself on the overhang of the roof to get a better view for the show to come.
"Not a bad idea."Sokka scrambled up beside Aang and reached down to grab Katara, "Best seats in the house."
"Katara, where are you're shoes?" Aang asked, truly curious.
"Under one of the tables." Zuko answered, still amused by the fact that Katara had really done that. It was even better knowing that no one had even noticed all night. Well, not until just then, that is.
"They were annoying anyways." Katara shrugged, keeping her attention on the empty sky. The fire works would start any minute.
She was surprised at how tired she felt. She never wanted to be a noble if it meant spending even one night a year at one these parties. Dealing with so many people was tiring.
With a bone rattling boom the show began.
"Ah, right on time." Iroh sounded please as he, Hakoda and Toph joined them.
Toph's small hand was balled in his uncle's sleeve and for a moment Zuko wondered what the explosives felt like to the earth bender. It was just a moment he had to consider this because just then he caught something Katara was saying that had him turning to look up at the girl's brother.
"Sokka, hold still. The slats are slippery. You'll fall." of course Sokka just rolled his eyes as he moved to get further away from his sister's bossy tone.
One of his feet slipped, leaving Zuko very little time to grab both the boy's shirt to keep him from bashing his head on the stone balcony and Katara's waist as she was dragged down by her clumsy brother. For just a moment he had seen the fear in Katara's eyes and there was a scathing comment on the tip of his tongue for Sokka and his stupidity but a sharp pain in his chest brought the Fire Lord to his knees.
"Zuko?!" the bright lights of the fire works were blocked as everyone surrounded him. Small cool fingers were tugging at his robe and for the life of him Zuko didn't understand why.
"The edge of the healing skin tore." Katara's voice brought him back to the moment and away from the pain.
"You idiot." he hissed at Sokka, "You're lucky you're head is still attached and in one piece." Aang was looking between them, uncomfortable with the sudden change in mood that the night had taken. He hadn't been fast enough to catch Katara on his own.
He hated to think of her getting hurt but he had really hated how she looked clinging to Zuko.
"I need more light." Katara was saying as strong hands pulled Zuko to his feet.
"I can walk!" he snapped, pulling away from the touch, "My legs are just fine." he hated feeling weak and had no doubt that people had noticed what was going on. The Fire Lord laying on the balcony wasn't something that would have gone unnoticed.
Walking ahead of the others, Zuko tried not to hunch over as he shoved his way into the council's library. He sat down heavily and glared at Katara as she bent over him. It wasn't her fault but once again he needed her help and it felt like a weakness.
"I should have taken more time to work on this once everything was over." she pulled a globe of water from her father's water skin, which just happened to have been hidden under his outer shirt all night, "All I really did was patch you up enough to keep you alive. I wasn't thinking about the long run. I was just so scared you would die right before my eyes." his anger died as her hand laid over the bloody area of the wound.
"Do you all have to stand there and stare?" he asked, growling up at the faces that had crowded in.
"Just had to make sure you were alright, my nephew." Iroh turned, a smile on his face as he asked Hakoda if he had ever played Pai Sho before. Some how the old man managed to get the others to leave as well, including Aang even if it had taken a little more time than it had with his friends.
Leaving just Zuko and Katara.
"You don't have to be embarrassed." she said, eyes down on her work as she moved from one side to the other of the healing skin. Slowly strengthening the skin as it had yet to do. Not that it had really had time to do so on it's own. Barely a week had gone by since his father's downfall and the fight with his sister.
"I'm not. I've just had enough being stared at for one day." even though it sounded lame it was partially true.
"Thanks for catching me." he looked at her sharply but she kept her eyes on his chest and on her own hands as they worked, "I don't think I would caught myself and it definitely would have hurt no matter how I landed."
"Your welcome." he mumbled. Not too long ago he would have gotten an ear full for even attempting to touch her even if it was to save her from harm. In fact that very thing had happened if he was recalling their past few weeks correctly.
He found himself staring at her. So this was a real friendship. He worried about her and she worried about him. They laughed and argued but never really got mad.
If she noticed him watching her she didn't act it. So he kept watching. There, in council library where all the treaties and trading documents, along with maps and other such important paper work was kept Zuko realized that he didn't really know how to be her friend. Sure he protected Katara when his sister had sent lightening to kill her and he tried to make it up to her that it was his people who stole her mother away but other than that he was at a loss. It probably didn't help any that she was female. He could handle Aang and Sokka and Toph was usually easy to figure out but she was different.
Zuko didn't say anything when he noticed Mai slip into the room. Katara was almost done and he wanted to see how long Mai could stay quiet.
"Well isn't this cute." Obviously not too long, "First you dance the night away and now slip away for some one on one time."
"It's called a healing session." Katara didn't even flinch at the sound of the others girl voice, "And we wouldn't have had to dance the night away if you had shown up when you were suppose to."
"Zuko should have gone after me when I left." Mai narrowed her eyes at Zuko as Katara straightened, a globe of water seated in her palm.
"I couldn't leave my guests." Zuko closed his robes and was about to get into it with Mai when Katara placed a hand on his arm, cutting his movement short as he made to stand.
"I should look at that again in the morning. There was a lot of damage done to the area and it's taking longer to heal than I thought it would." he nodded, looking up at her and was surprised when she smiled and added, "Get some rest, Zuko."
A/N: Second chapter is already in the works. So review and tell me what you think. Only polite critique if you will. Thanks.