Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the plot line. You hear me? If I did then starting from when Aang dreamt about and met Toph… No actually starting from "I'll save you from the pirates" when Zuko and Katara ran into each other, Avatar would have been different.

Okay, I just realized that fanfiction wasn't putting up my dividers so the pov changed suddenly. Nothing's changed in the story other than that the pov changes are more obvious. They are now clearly marked. (not as fun as how it originally was. ugh. damn it)

After the War

Chapter One

Katara

Katara held her breath. It was time for the ambassador of the Water Tribe to be chosen. Many young women had cast their names, but the majority of them were foolish and just aiming to get a shot at marrying the Fire Lord. Katara's name was in, but she wasn't interested in marrying Zuko. She had Aang and Zuko had Mai. In fact, it was only a matter of time before Zuko would ask for Mai's hand in marriage in Katara's opinion. Then a gong sounded and the crowd fell silent.

"The ambassador going to the Fire Nation will be," Chief Arnook paused for dramatic effect, "Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe!"

Katara smiled and went to the platform. She shook hands with Arnook, then Aang, and finally Zuko. "Thank you for choosing me," Katara began. "I swear to hold the ideals of the Water Tribe before all else and to negotiate fairly with the Fire Nation." Katara's speech was greeted with applause. She was then led off the stage to her rooms where she would pack.

After the war, she had become a celebrated lady. She was the girlfriend of the Avatar, sister of a war leader, and best friends with the Fire Lord, leader of Kyoshi, and celebrated lady Toph. Though Katara never really thought to their titles; their friendship was what was valuable.

Katara looked at her clothes. She didn't have that many. Her mind was still in the war economically despite that it ended a year ago. She looked through it twice. She was allowed three water tribe robes, two fire nation, a single earth kingdom, and a single air nomad. She didn't even own that many outfits. In the end, she took the three water tribe robes she owned, only one fire nation, and a single earth kingdom robe. She'd buy an air nomad and a fire nation outfit when she got there.

She then threw everything together in the waterproof box made of seal skin that she had been given. That was when she heard voices in the hall and got a bit curious. She pressed herself against the door and listened to two familiar voices.

Zuko

Zuko smiled at Katara as she shook his hand. She deserved the position a lot more than anybody else. Plus, she was the only one with any diplomatic skill of the hopeful people who had tried to get the position of ambassador. As Katara left the stage, so did Zuko. He also had to pack his things. It was time for him to return to his nation.

"Zuko," a voice beckoned. It was monotonous and a bit raspy. "Who was chosen as ambassador?"

"Katara was chosen," Zuko watched a flicker of emotion cross Mai's face as he answered her. It seemed like she was surprised. "I'm not surprised by the decision Arnook made. Are you surprised Mai?"

"Well, don't you think that they should have picked someone older with more experience? Perhaps her brother Sokka should have been chosen. He was a good strategist by the end of the war."

"He's needed at Kyoshi. He'll be marrying Suki soon which will make him leader of the nearby village. He has to prepare for his new role."

"Speaking of marriages Zuko…" Mai trailed off.

"Mai," Zuko sighed. "I'm still getting used to being Fire Lord…"

"But I could help you adjust! The advisors are already begging for you to take on a wife anyways!"

"Mai, I can't think of a wedding yet! Once things are more stable, we'll work this out."

"You said that a year ago! Zuko are you going to marry me? And you do know that I won't wait forever for you to marry me. So just tell me know if I should stay or go."

"Of course I'll marry you Mai! I love you! Just give me some more time," Zuko wearily pleaded.

"I want to know how long I'll be waiting for an engagement ring," Mai demanded.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow on the ship; good-night Mai." And with that Zuko opened the doors that led into Mai's rooms, bowed, and left. He pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to calm down. Why couldn't Mai understand?

"Your girlfriend seems quite demanding," an amused voice sounded behind him. "What's the delay on marrying Mai? The only reason Aang and I are waiting is because Aang is still two years too young to marry."

"Talk to me in two years when you're waiting for Aang's proposal," Zuko told Katara. Then he stopped. They had reached his rooms.

"Zuko, Mai has been waiting for you for a long time. If you love her, then you need to marry her. She'll leave if you don't."

Zuko looked down at the waterbender. He knew that she was right and he knew that he loved Mai, but something was holding him back. It wasn't the right time. "Good-night Katara," and with that Zuko went into his rooms.

Toph

"No offense Katara, but I'm glad to be leaving," Toph told the new ambassador of the Water Tribe. For some reason, the Fire Nation loved pairs. Toph would be accompanying the ambassador of the Earth Kingdom, Haru, until he was properly settled in. Aang was doing the same for Katara. Since the timing was perfect for a huge Gaang reunion, Sokka, Suki, and the Boulder (Sokka had somehow succeeded in befriending him. Go figure) would also be coming to the Fire Nation. In fact, they had probably already arrived.

"Don't worry Toph. I'm not offended in the least. I totally understand why having some dirt and rocks around rather than water and ice is so important to you. You are an earthbender after all."

"All right; I'm going to find Haru. We're going to practice our bending. Do you want to join in?"

"No, I think I'm going to stay on this side of the ship for a while."

"Okay, see you at lunch Katara!" Toph ran towards the practice deck and in doing so ran straight into Aang.

"Hey Toph what's up?" Aang's cheerful voice sounded. Toph's heartbeat picked up. She couldn't help it. She was totally in love with Aang. She hated herself for it. After all, Aang loved Katara who loved him back. Love really sucks, doesn't it? Toph thought and smiled at Aang.

Aang

"Nothing's going on really Twinkletoes. You're going to go see Katara aren't you?" Toph asked Aang with a smirk on her face.

"Yep: I haven't seen her a lot recently," Aang told Toph. He was so happy that Katara had chosen him. When she had said that she was confused at Ember Island, Aang had wondered if she and Zuko had something together. In the end, Aang had just been paranoid. Katara's focus had been on the war. That was all and Aang understood it.

"Well I have to go practice with Haru. See you around Aang!" With that Toph ran off and Aang watched her go with a slight smile on his face.

"Aang," a voice that was female, irritated, and quite raspy beckoned. "Can I talk to you?"

Aang hesitated a moment then said, "Okay Mai, what's on your mind?"

"Zuko still hasn't talked about an engagement to me. He avoids the topic," Mai paused then took a deep breath. "Aang, can you talk to him for me? Please can you do this for me?"

Aang looked at the pleading woman, "Mai, I refuse to interfere. But I think that Zuko loves you and will ask you to marry him soon. Besides," Aang shrugged casually. "He doesn't want to get in Sokka's spotlight. They are friends."

"But Zuko loves to get into Sokka's way. As long as it's not at a stressful or serious moment he would totally do it and you know it."

"He won't do that Mai. You do realize that Zuko has changed right? Plus, he won't want to be beaten to a pulp by the combination of Katara, Sokka, and Suki," Aang repressed a smile at the thought.

"Aang, you know him! He'd love to take on the odds! He's still the Zuko who loves a challenge. Listen to me for a moment. Suki's going to marry Sokka, Toph is practically Zuko's little sister, but Katara is someone that he could easily fall in love with."

Mai

Mai flinched inwardly as the look on Aang's face crumpled in shock. However, she maintained a look of icy preciseness as she said, "Think about it Aang."

"Mai," Aang began slowly. "I once wondered if Katara and Zuko loved each other, but then I realized after the war that what Katara and I had was perfect and would never die."

"I never said that Katara loved Zuko," Mai quickly said. "She's obviously completely in love with you. I'm only concerned that Zuko's in love with Katara." Didn't her reasoning make sense? Katara had saved Zuko's life after he had jumped in the way of lightning to save hers. And Katara had once felt betrayed by Zuko, but he had worked so hard to gain back her trust. Wasn't that exactly what someone did for someone they loved?

"Mai," Aang broke into her thoughts. "Zuko wouldn't still be dating you if he was in love with someone else. He would never put you through that."

"Mai, you doubt all this?" Zuko demanded as he came out of the shadows. Mai gasped in surprise and embarrassment. She had never wanted Zuko to know what she suspected of him.

"How long have you been there Zuko?" Mai asked cautiously.

"I just got here, but I could hear you from the stairs. I'm in love with you Mai, but I can't commit to someone who doubts," Zuko shook his head. "Come find me when you trust me." Then he turned sharply and headed for the training deck.

"Zuko, please, wait for me! Let's talk this out!" Mai clutched the railing for support. She felt as if her world was falling apart. Zuko couldn't be leaving her. He just couldn't be doing that.

Zuko turned around slowly to face her. "I don't want to talk to you, Mai. Find someone else to listen to your problems." With that he turned and walked away. He was obviously furious with her.

"Zuko," Mai whispered.

"Never doubt Zuko," Aang shook his head sadly and walked away leaving Mai gasping as if she had ran eight miles uphill.