Okay, first off, this IS written after having watched Sozin's Comet, so anyone who doesn't want any HINT of it yet, you probably shouldn't read further. But, for all those who were MAJORLY disturbed by the obvious decimation of Zutara on the finale, I have a new fanfiction. believe me, despite the fact that the show--and its ending--are majorly kick ass, i wanted to kill Michael Dante Di Martino and Aaron Ehasz for the lack of zutaraness. i mean, they dangled it in front of our faces for nearly three seasons and snatched it away! deep breath but i am learning to live with their choices and have decided to completely ignore that particular aspect of the series finale and just enjoy it as the wonderful, animated, epic piece that it is.

so, for all those who are still on that Zutara flagship, here's Mistakes!

disclaimer: I don't own Avatar. if I did, there would be no reason for me to write this fanfic, because Zutara would be a REALITY.

Chapter One

The Fire Lord sighed deeply, his golden eyes gazing out across the courtyard. At nineteen, he wielded the power of a nation which, two years ago, stood poised to burn the world to ashes. And then, just as quickly as a candle flame, that power was snuffed out by the efforts of a few.

Zuko frowned and turned from the window. He had betrayed his family and his country in order to save the world and yet here he was, Lord over the very Nation he had set out to stop. With a grateful people, a beautiful girlfriend, and a prestigious title, Zuko had everything he wanted. And yet something eluded him.

Silently, Mai approached Zuko and slipped her arms around him. "What are you thinking about?" she asked in her level voice, tone husky.

Another small sigh escaped Zuko's lips as he leaned into Mai. But her eyes were not the ones he saw. Instead, he saw sapphire eyes filled with a mixture of concern and relief. Instead of Mai's coiffed black hair, he saw a wild mass of brown.

Shaking his head to quell the image, Zuko stepped away from Mai, trying to bring forth a smile. "Nothing in particular," he answered her. He gently kissed her. "Just thinking about the war--and the Fire Nation."

"You're worried?"

He nodded. "We have so much to make up for--destroying the Air Nomads, attacking the Water Tribes, and occupying the Earth Kingdom." His golden eyes closed. "Sometimes I feel as if we can never atone for our mistakes."

"But Zuko," Mai protested quietly, "you can't let that stop you from trying."

Zuko looked away, his heart contracting at her words. They were pleasant, the type of words he once would have said himself. But her words of encouragement paled in comparison to the wisdom and kindness of another. "Yeah."

At that moment, a servant entered the room and bowed. "My Lord, the Avatar is here."

He nearly flinched. If Aang were here announced, it meant this was an official visit. And, as with every official visit from the Avatar, the young airbender did not come alone.

"Mai, leave us," Zuko ordered, straightening. Mai hesitated a moment, eyes flashing in irritation. But, without a word, she turned on her heel. As the young woman complied, the Fire Lord put on his mask. And, though it was not the ornate one he once wore, it was just as cool and distant.

At that moment, the doors to the throne room opened, revealing two figures. One was tall and thin--an after effect of a few growth spurts--with a blue arrow instead of hair and gray eyes filled with warmth. He dressed simply, the only adornment accompanying his yellow robes being the amulet of the Avatar.

The other figure, however, drew Zuko's attention more than that of the last airbender. Dark hair swirled about her shoulders and eyes the color of the ocean looked at him, cool and distant. She wore robes of the deepest blue, more ornate than those the Fire Lord remembered. A silver moon glimmered above her heart, proclaiming her high status to the world. This was not a peasant, not in the least.

The two walked across the throne room, their movements betraying their affiliations just as loudly as their clothing. Aang glided more than walked, moving through the air with ease. Katara, too, glided over the floor, but her movements were as sinuous as one of her famed water whips.

As the two approached, Zuko locked gazes with Aang and his mask fell. A smile lit his features and he embraced the younger man with enthusiasm. "It's good to see you, Aang," he said.

Aang grinned. "You, too, Zuko." And then he turned serious. Glancing at Katara, he motioned for Zuko to take his seat.

Knowing something was wrong, Zuko lowered himself onto the throne and observed the subtle byplay between Katara and Aang. They seemed nervous, apprehensive. "What is it?" the Fire Lord asked, knowing an official visit from the Avatar hailed some sort of news.

The Avatar smiled tentatively at Katara and then stepped back, allowing the young woman to take the floor. Taking a deep breath, Katara took a step forward and then bowed formally. When she raised, her face was set. She hated that, even after all these years, she still felt a little tense around Zuko. She did not quite understand it, really, but it was there nonetheless.

"I have been appointed as Ambassador to the Fire Nation," she said formally. "I have been sent here to stay in the Fire Nation for a time, in order to observe the peace you are building." Her blue eyes flashed, showing Zuko the fierce side he remembered so well. "My people, for all their faith in Aang, are not entirely convinced that the Fire Nation has changed."

Zuko nodded, his heart beginning to pound. So the other nations did not entirely trust him, was that it? But, even though it hurt his pride, Zuko understood. He and his people had not been the most trustworthy. No, Katara's admission of her people's doubts was not what made his heart beat nervously. Her announcement that she would be staying in the Fire Nation as the Water Tribe's envoy did.

Frowning, the Fire Lord leaned forward. "Why would they send you?" he asked, voice harsher than he intended.

At Zuko's tone, Katara scowled. "Look, I don't want to be here, either," she said, "but they didn't trust anyone else to come."

"Besides," Aang cut in, "Katara's the princess of the Southern Water Tribe; it's a show of good faith."

"What?" Princess of the Southern Water Tribe? It was the first Zuko had ever heard of it. Since when was Katara a princess?

Knowing Zuko's thoughts, Katara's expression darkened. "My father is the leader of the Southern Water Tribe," she said, exasperated. "And, though we're not as formal as the Northern Tribe, we do have a hierarchy." She shrugged. "Not only that, but--besides Pakku--I am the only waterbender at the South Pole."

"Oh. Yeah."

Aang stepped forward and beamed at Katara. "Not to mention you're the best waterbender," he reminded her.

Zuko watched, amused, as a slight blush spread across Katara's cheeks. At seventeen, she had lost most of her younger roundness and she now had the beautiful, prominent cheekbones of her people, her dark skin accentuating blue eyes which had darkened perceptively over time. But, for all her beauty, Katara was the best waterbender among her people--perhaps the greatest ever known. Though mostly commended for her great healing skills, Zuko knew all too well how great her fighting skills were--and how terrifying. He remembered once watching as Katara used her bending to contort a man like a doll, bending the very blood in his veins. A Bloodbender.

"I don't know about that, Aang," Katara said softly, looking away. After a moment, she looked back up at Zuko. "In any case, I'm here as an envoy to your people." She crossed her arms over her chest. "And that means I'm going to be here, watching every move you make."

The Fire Lord nearly laughed. Though her threat was very real, Zuko did not feel threatened. After all, he had seen Katara at her deadliest--and fiercest. Though she meant what she said, Zuko knew he could relax.

"All right," he said, rising. "As our second foreign ambassador has arrived, I think a feast is in order."

"Second?" Katara echoed.

"Yeah, Sugar Queen," came a familiar voice. "Got a problem with that?"

Before anyone could blink, Aang had turned and was hurtling himself towards the blind young woman. "Toph!" he cried, stopping short of tackling her.

The young earthbender grinned. "Hey Twinkle Toes."

Aang looked the other fifteen year old over, happy to see her. It had been nearly a year since they had last met and Aang found he had missed the caustic girl. And now, Toph stood before him, looking different and yet still the same. She wore robes similar to the old Dai Li of Ba Sing Se, though a mixture of greens in place of the black. She had grown a bit in the past year, taking on the hint of a woman's figure. But, even as Aang thought how much she had changed, he saw her dirty, scuffed bare feet and knew she had not.

"You're the ambassador of the Earth Kingdom?" Katara asked, walking over and hugging the younger woman.

"Yep," Toph replied. "My parents were getting too…controlling again. So, during a visit to Omashu, I asked King Bumi to help me out." The girl shrugged. "He snorted and told my parents that 'metal needs to be near fire.' I guess that was his way of announcing me ambassador. After that, the Earth King, still traveling with Boscoe, sent me here."

"So none of the other Nations trust me," Zuko said, "but at least they sent you two and not some stodgy old fools."

"Did someone say stodgy?"

"I believe, Fire Lord Zuko, that you are overlooking one major party."

Zuko whirled and faced his Uncle, a look of disbelief on his face. "U-uncle? Why are you here? What happened to your tea shop?"

General Iroh smiled and moved to stand beside Zuko, followed closely by Jong Jong. "I decided to return here and see how my favorite nephew was doing," he said. "And to suggest that, while you are accepting liaisons to other nations, you might send a few in return."

The Fire Lord stared at the two older men for a minute before smiling. "Well, Uncle, I guess that means you'll have to move your tea shop into the Earth King's palace." He laughed. "And Jong Jong, I hope you don't mind the cold."

Jong Jong gave a slight shrug. "As long as I don't have to live in an ice palace, I'll be fine."

Katara laughed. "Will an igloo be all right?"

Aang jumped up into the air enthusiastically. "All right! Now, when's that feast? I have a few new tricks I'd like to show off."

As Zuko called for a servant, he watched Katara and Aang. The young airbender hovered close to Katara, his gray eyes always seeking hers out. Zuko's heart tightened as Katara lightly hugged the Avatar. But he shook off the feeling. The two had made their relationship no secret, and Zuko had Mai. So why did his heart hurt every time he saw that waterbender and the Avatar acting so…happy together?

so, there's my first chapter. the second one is coming very soon...please review!