Katara sat cross-legged on the roof of the Kiosha Inn staring off into the inky blackness of the night sky. She rocked herself softly from side to side to the music of her heart beat, she had changed in appearance greatly.
Her figure had finally taken shape, her breast pushed out as well as her hips. Though it was time who shaped her body, it was something else that changed her once childish, cheerful, jubilant face. Her eyes, once clear, crystal blue had darkened.
Though it's beauty and innocence could still be seen in the glimmer of her eyes, it still was different. Her dark blue, almost royal purple eyes showed no fear. There was nothing else to fear anymore.
It had been seven years. Seven long years of war, poverty, riot and crime. Katara, now a Waterbending Master as well as the Ambassador of both Water Tribes, had witnessed more than anyone at the age of twenty one should have seen.
She had fought with Aang at the Earth Kingdom riots, she helped reestablish the Water Tribe's crumbling economy, she cried with Aang when Toph died. She was killed when the riots broke out. Aang never cried so hard...
But there was hope, still. Their journey was almost over. Zuko had been crowned Fire Lord, the Water Tribes were no longer poor and Aang had brought peace to the nations. Everyone was at peace. The only thing that was left unfinished were the Air Temples.
Aang, Sokka and Katara had been staying at the Kiosha Inn for three months as they rebuilt the Temples. By then, the War would be over completely.
Katara pondered her future as she studied the endless sky counting the dim dots of stars with her eyes, aged by seven years of war. She had done enough work for a lifetime. So what will she do when they finish work rebuilding the Air Temples?
Her though were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs that led to the roof.. She needn't look to see who it was, the only person who visited her up here was Aang.
"Will we marry when the war is done?" She asked plainly, her eyes still set on the night's sky. "I knew you loved Toph, and still do. But I have nothing left. I just have you and my brother. My family life back home is strange to me now. It bores me. It's not like I want to be your lover, I don't. You know that I still love the Prince Zuko, King Zuko, now. But he's not in my life anymore. I knew you were bothered by our relations but in we had never made love. I'm still a virgin is it matters to you. And I have nothing else to do. Nothing else to work for, to accomplish. Once this life of war is over, I'll be obsolete. The only thing I'll be good for is to be wed and made a mother. So what else can I be?"
"My wife." The hoarse, familiarly strange voice said.
Katara turned around to face the stranger.
"Zuko?" she stood up in amazement. The last time she had seen him was two years ago at his Inauguration. She stared at him as he came closer to her. She backed away at instinct but was pulled back by a strong hand on hers. He knelt down to kiss it.
"You asked me what you should be when the war ends. You should be Fire Lady. You should be an ambassador from your Nation in my court. You should be my wife, our Queen. Together we will rule, you will teach my Country tolerance towards the other nations. You will be busy. And loved. Isn't that what you want?"
"Zuko..." this seemed all too good to be true. She waited for a moment, not wanting to believe. "What–what will you want in return?" she asked timidly.
"Nothing. Just you, all I want is you. Will you let me have you?" He puller her closer to him. Katara could feel the heat pulsating off of his skin. Zuko could smell the sea off of her skin. He stared into the deep blue eyes he fell in love with as she pondered her answer.
"Take me." she answered.