Dragons Taking Flight

by Princess Animeiija

Revamped! On the way back to the Fire Nation from a peace summit, disaster strikes, sending the Gaang back onto the road of adventure. Zuko uses this as his chance to continue his search for his mother But in doing so...full summary inside.

1. Days Before the Summit (revamp)

Full Summary:

On the way back to the Fire Nation from the first of many peace summits, tragedy strikes to send the Gaang back onto the road. Home is just over the horizon, but circumstance has revealed a new path: One laden with treachery and secrets. Zuko's mother is alive, and the young Fire Lord has been granted the opportunity to find her without his new title getting in his way. But at what cost? He knows what is expected of him in his new role. He knows what he must give up for his people, but can he when the ruler he wants to be goes against all of that? What of Katara? Now that she finds herself granted the opportunity for her own mark in history, will she take it? Both struggle with what is right, and what is expected as they move forward into the new age they've helped Avatar Aang in creating. Regardless of their answers, it seems that more then one target has been pained over their heads. Not everyone wants the new world. Others want it badly enough to kill. It seems that Zuko isn't the only one that needs to look over his shoulder.

What of the Avatar? Can he follow in the footsteps of his teachers to make the right choice, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness? Will he find the strength to do so before that choice is taken away from him? There are ways to deal with a distracted Avatar. Will he remember the consequences in time before everything is lost?

AN:

So, I decided that it was high time to revamp the fanfic a bit. Moreso the beginning than the later chapters. The newer chapters are longer, so much so that they needed to be split. To put it simply, it's a MAJOR overhaul. But in a good way. There will be no major changes. Just a few additional scenes, and some more fleshing out between the characters. Not much time has passed, so I'm trying to stay in cannon as far as personalities and such. There has been no real time to change, only just enough to allow for the group to get closer since they didn't separate immediately after peace has been won. They're friends after all, not just comrades in arms. They're gonna want to stay together for at least a little longer. With closeness comes a level of affection. The southern water tribes are more physically affectionate it seems, but the others are more than happy to adopt their ways. That being said, with the merging of the two groups they're going to find that not everyone is going to get along. Not everyone is going to get into the whole hugging and touching thing.

Anywho, here you go: Chapter One, revamped! Let me know if you like it, or want for me to change everything back. I still have the original story saved away and backed up...like majorly backed up. That damned Peapoon Virus has taught me well!

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It had barely been a few months since Zuko had been crowned Fire Lord and already he and the GAang had to leave and put an end to the last vestiges of war. Zuko and a hand full of ambassadors and elders, six in total, had been called to Ba Sing Se to solidify any negotiations for peace. The original plan had been for the talks to take place within the fire nation capital, but there was too large of an outcry against that plan since no one was ready or willing to set foot within the fire nation.

Zuko tried valiantly to not take offense to this, knowing better than most people the damage that his nation had created, but it still hurt. It was okay though, the war was ended and his soldiers were withdrawing from recently occupied earth kingdom settlements. He couldn't erase the damage, but he could at least stop the wounds from festering.

Zuko sighed as he overlooked the city of Ba Sing Se from the balcony of his assigned housing. He, like the rest of the fire nation delegates, weren't allowed to stay within the palace walls. It was another slap in the face, but one Zuko suffered unflinchingly even as his entire party complained. Instead, he breathed in deep the crisp, clean air of Ba Sing Se.

The chill of winter fast approaching caressed his cheeks and danced with the strands of hair that fell free from Zuko's top knot. The cool touch was welcomed against the heat that hummed just beneath his skin. Zuko's inner flame flared to meet the coming cold eagerly. A small smile pulled at his lips as the chill created a shiver of secret delight down his spine. Like cool water after a sauna, the cold only intensified the hotter Zuko allowed his inner flame to burn. The simple pleasure of it reminded him of days long passed. When he used to sneak out in the middle of the night as a child and run for hours and hours during the winter. The cold a pleasant balm to the heat of his flame.

The cold touch reminded him of his friends. It reminded him of their laughter and the fun they would manage to find even as the horrors of war loomed over their shoulders. The short months they spent together after the war were paradise. The hours they would spend together. The way they would reminisce in his private chambers without the watching eyes of strict politicians and frigid nobility. Peace was won, and Zuko was now Fire Lord. The youngest in history. Neck deep in the ruins of his nation's vicious shadow, Zuko would have been lost to it had it not been for them.

The cold reminded him of how Katara and Sokka would slip into his new office during those first few weeks after his coronation to keep him company. The two night owl-cats would join him at his desk- Sokka directly across from his desk with his feet kicked up on one corner, while Katara sat on the other edge of his desk immediately next to him. The others would be sound asleep, but the two would burn the midnight oil with him as Zuko tried to make sense of the wrongs his father had committed. Sokka's brilliance was always helpful, and Katara was a political genius.

More than anything, when the frigid winds crept along his neck Zuko remembered how Katara would brace her cool hands over his abdomen. Healing waters would coat her hands as she massaged the tension from his burn. Her hands were always cold, even without the water. He would always tease her about it after a healing session before capturing them in his own hands.

Katara would always pout at him, bouncing on her feet when he did it. When her cold hands were prisoner in his hot ones, he would bring her fingers to his lips and blow streams of hot air to warm them. She never said thank you. Instead she would return the favor by blowing a cloud of frigid wind in his face.

Such fond memories. Zuko couldn't believe that less than a few weeks had passed and he already missed her. Missed all of them. Without them, the only joy that could be found was in the cool of the night. Now it was all seriousness as the errors of the past were thrown in his face as if the crimes were of his own hand. No one was there to defend him. No one was there to remind the world that Zuko was there to right the wrongs of his forefathers, not adopt them as his own.

If Katara was there, the entire royal family of the Earth Kingdom, and their councilors would have been lectured about moving forward towards a peaceful world for everyone. She would probably use that voice that was so much like a disappointed mother, even though she was barely of age to be married.

It would have been rather funny, and Zuko could only pray that one day he would be able to speak with as much conviction as she did. One word from her lips could galvanize anyone into doing the right thing. He was living proof of that.

Another chuckle rumbled in his chest. Zuko really missed having his friends round. Bracing his hand against the scar across his abdomen, he felt a familiar ache form. For no reason the muscles beneath clenched in a sudden spasm to combat the tension of stress from settling there. Normally the cold helped, but not tonight. Or maybe it wasn't so much the cold as it was that he was merely missing his healer's touch.

"What are you doing out here so late?" Mai inquired, her husky voice slicing through the silence as swiftly as one of her daggers.

"Just thinking about the others and everything that happened a few days go," Zuko responded, hoping his words would bait her into a conversation. He watched her through the corner of his eyes, taking in her aristocratic beauty with veiled eyes. Secretly, he longed for another to be standing in her place. Her hands would be gloved in glowing water, and there would be a mirthful expression across her lovely face. Such expressions were foreign to Mai. Her emotional expression wasn't so vast.

Each expression was only a nuanced shift from the usual mask. A quirk of her lips in either direction. True, face splitting smiles were rare and far in between. Sheltered like little treasures, they were only given as a reward. As such, that should make them far more valuable. Zuko was ashamed to say that they weren't.

He lacked the energy to fight for those smiles, and settled for the smirks she would wear when content in his presence. Never when someone was looking. She was a true blue blooded noblewoman. Those smiles were just for him and those in her intimate social circle. Something else that should please him, but didn't. The staunch nobility didn't allow for wayward emotion. The heart's delights weren't given away freely. Rigid. Controlled. So unlike her and the others.

"That's nice," she replied. She approached his side with smooth, even strides before she looped her arms around one of his. She waited a few moments longer, her eyes watching the sunset in an attempt to discover what was so captivating about it. Seeing nothing of interest and rewarded with a gust of icy, biting cold. Mai turned to her love with a bored expression. "Come to bed."

"In a moment, Mai," Zuko sighed. She never did understand his long standing love of the cold. No one in the tropical Fire Nation did. At least she made the attempt once in a while, if for no other reason than to not be left out when he spent the evenings with his friends.

He turned to watch as she walked away with an exaggerated sway of her hips, her attempt to sway his attentions blatant. He watched her move for a moment longer. Each step was calculated. The feminine sway practiced and perfected to accentuate the lithe form beneath the layers of silk. Like a serpent, her movements were hypnotically beautiful in their lethality. To master it so fully was the final step to being recognized by the women of the court. Zuko had seen it countless times as it was flaunted under his nose while he was in grace. This was more so when the crown adorned his head. He was so used to it, lust did not overtake him.

Such frigid control only brought pleasure to him when undone, but tonight he couldn't find reason enough to pursue even that. I must be more stressed than I realized, Zuko thought with a rueful grin. From the time he'd become intimate with Mai, he'd sought to shatter Mai's control whenever he'd been freed from his work and his friends were busy. She had called him insatiable as if to complain, but always with that small grin. If he had pleased her in some way, then he would in turn reap the benefits. It always came as a reward for a job well done. A gift well received. A doting gesture. Time spent exclusively with her.

He turned his eyes back to the horizon, his eyes searching for anything out of the ordinary before making his way into his given chambers. Each step had his inner flame dimming to a more controllable flicker. His passions were leashed, lest he lose himself in his own lust and drive Mai to exhaustion. Such would mean that future rewards would be thrown farther along the horizon.

It was how she knew to show love, so he shouldn't complain. Mai had come to Ba Sing Se with her family since her father was one of the delegates, but she was rooming with Zuko so he wouldn't feel lonely without his friends. Her family didn't mind her leaving them. It was the opposite entirely. It was her family that had insisted on her staying with him without a chaperone. Even he could see the greed painting their decision, and Zuko chose to be willfully oblivious. Their plots were no different from any other seeking advancement through pretty daughters, nieces, and granddaughters.

Zuko could easily blame his current sour mood involving his relationship on that entirely. He and Mai were together again, trying to find a way to make their relationship work without the hardships and differences that shattered it the first time around. The progress was slow, even with this new level of intimacy, but her parents insisted on micromanaging. Their relationship was nothing more than a means to an end.

To most it would be a risky gamble, but her family had faith that Zuko would make the honorable choice. Those words and their meaning still stung as deeply as being denied lodging within the palace. It was part of the reason Zuko wasn't so keen on joining Mai in that particular moment.

She knew it too. "This bed isn't going to warm itself," Mai purred when Zuko darkened the doorway. Her fingers crooked in a come hither motion. Her clothes lay in a heap on the floor and her hair was loose to fall about her shoulders in cascades of ebony. It was forward, more so than she was used to or fully confident in. Her past experiences never required so much effort on her part, but Zuko was a prisoner to his own thoughts and required an extra pull in her direction.

The sound of her nervousness was an unfamiliar spice in the usual velvet of her voice. Uncontrolled and genuine, Zuko's eyes ignited a fraction as he looked onto the bed. Long delicate fingers clutched at the verdant sheets of silk as they reached up to cover her nakedness. Her body propped up against the head board, unsure if to be seated or prone in her attempt to stroke Zuko's usually limitless libido.

It worked. Or so it seemed as Zuko offered her one of his boyish grins. The words of the days were pushed from his mind to allow for himself stir.

She was trying for him. How could he deny her? She had no doubts about her heart, so it was unfair for him to question it at every turn simply because he couldn't understand. Better men than he couldn't understand the tumultuous sea that stormed beneath a woman's breast. Even so, he owed her every attempt at the very least.

Kicking off his shoes as he went, Zuko slowly crawled towards Mai. The grin that stretched across his face only grew as Mai became surer in herself. Zuko hovered over Mai's body as she lay back beneath him, but just before the two's lips could meet…

A knock at the door sounded, interrupting the two before Zuko could receive his well-earned reward.

"Just ignore it," Mai commanded as she reached a hand into his hair in an attempt to tug him down. The mask was put back in place, revealing practiced bedroom eyes and that upwards quirk of her lips.

"Zuko," a very familiar voice called. Gentle and melodic, the voice was laced with the subtle lilt born from a frozen tundra. The voice's sweetness was like spiced honey- so different from the smoky tones of his country. As clear as a bell, Zuko could hear the purring rumble deep in her chest as excited joy danced with her pitch.

"Open up, Sparky," another voice shouted following the first. In stark contrast, the higher dulcet of wind chimes flitted from gentle to an abrasive clamor. Small fists beat a familiar pattern that only he and the others among their friends would know. The banging repeated once over, even though the owner knew that Zuko would have heard a gentle knock just as easily.

Zuko flashed Mai an apologetic smile before he quickly dismounted the bed. His stomped his bare foot twice against the thick crème rug, trying not to grin too widely as he did so out of consideration to his irritated girlfriend. He was not successful, so he quickly exited the room. The sliding shoji was shut firmly behind him before Zuko gave the marble beneath his bare feet another two stomps. In so doing he almost missed Mai's request that he put more clothes on. He didn't see the point, so Zuko played deaf as he strode to the house's front door with only his undermost tunic and riding pants to protect his "modesty."

Zuko could have laughed at that. Only with nobility would a single layer of clothing be considered immodest. No, he was a Fire Lord so he should never be seen in less than three layers of the finest robes.

He may as well have been answering the door naked, judging by how everyone seemed to complain. Part of him wanted for one of his accompanying dignitaries to be with Katara and Toph, just so he could partake in the simple joy of annoying the extreme traditionalists among them.

Thought in mind, Zuko sped up to barely reach to door in time as it was opened by none other than Toph and Katara. The swinging door nearly clipped his side as it swung open, but Zuko caught the smooth polished wood in his hand to keep himself from being injured by Toph's eagerness. Stepping back enough to push the door open more fully, Zuko just beamed at two of his favorite people.

"Took you long enough," Toph grinned mischievously as she warped her space metal back into an armband. Her well-worn travel clothes of green and yellow were stained with dirt and grass, as if she rolled through someone's garden between Appa's landing and his current residence. It wasn't that farfetched of an idea. It didn't hold Zuko's attention long as he turned his smile onto Katara.

"What did I tell you about picking locks?" Katara chided, giving a stray lock of Toph's black hair a flick. Her own traveling tunic had seen better days as it clung tight to Katara's torso. The seams at either side of Katara's hips had been popped until the swell of them narrowed down at Katara's waist. Lacing had lashed the two panels of the garment together to keep it closed, but doing little to hide the flashes of skin over the hem of Katara's leggings.

When is she going to just get rid of that thing, Zuko found himself pondering. It would just be easier to replace the tunic than continuing to alter it to accommodate Katara's last growth spurt. Pretty soon, there wasn't going to be much left of the tattered blue cotton. Not like that would be a bad thing. Quite the contrary if Zuko wanted to be completely honest with himself. He didn't, but his treacherous eyes feasted on the exposed skin for a moment too long.

Katara's aquamarine eyes caught his with an arched brow, silently asking him what had his attention so fully. There was no way he was going to answer that question, so Zuko cleared his throat to play it off. "What are you guys doing here," Zuko inquired once he reigned in his wayward thoughts. He was truly happy to see them, but they weren't expected until at least two days from now.

Sooner was definitely better than later. When they all left the fire nation with Aang, it was to stop a small uprising in one of the remaining Fire Nation colonies still remaining within the Earth Kingdom's borders. Zuko had wanted to go and help, knowing that he would have been more useful there than kept safe behind the walls of the palace. The council that helped in governing the Fire Nation was adamantly against any unnecessary travels in case of a scuffle. Zuko was a fighter, so playing it safe on the off-chance that he'd get hurt went against his nature. The only reason he relented was because nothing could jeopardize him being present for any pre-summit meetings.

"What, no hello?" Toph gave Zuko's arm a punch before she allowed herself in. Her bare feet padded deceptively soft against ground, the sound swallowed completely by the stone. She wasn't on her feet for much longer than the first few steps into the threshold.

Powerful arms reached out to catch Toph by the waist to lift her into a bear-hug. Her squeals of delight had him laughing out an exaggerated "Hello" as he held her aloft. He grunted when her flailing legs landed a swift kick against his knee, but Zuko simply adjusted his hold around Toph so one arm could be free to catch the guilty appendage. Just as easily, Zuko lifted Toph's filthy foot to his face before blowing hot air between her toes.

The squealing only grew louder as Toph's giggles increased. Gasping for air, Toph pleaded for Zuko to put her down. "You're ruining my dirt!" she guffawed as the fresh layer of caked soil on the bottom of her feet fell away.

Zuko only blew more air between her toes again before conceding to Toph's wish. Returning her to the ground, Zuko ruffled Toph's silken fringe. Zuko laughed at her when Toph tried to bat his hands away before scuttling away from him in case he decided to remove her from the ground again. It was tempting since Toph dared to start breathing normally again.

She was surprisingly quick in finding the low couch in front of the fire place, throwing herself onto it so she could prop her filthy feet up on the low table. Toph petal pink lips pursed together as she "assessed the damage." Her giggles would come back in random hiccups, shattering the expression of seriousness.

Shaking his head at her, Zuko turned back to Katara. Her eyes were alight with barely contained mirth, giving her an impish glow. Her arms caught him around his shoulders, eager for her own hug. He gave it happily. His arms wrapped tight around Katara's waist as Zuko held her close. Her feet kicked off the ground just as he lifted. Zuko missed her hugs, and sighed contently at the feel of Katara's body crushed against his. Breathing in deep, Zuko drank in the scent of the ocean, gardenia, and night blooming jasmine. It filled his lungs with refreshing coolness, soothing him. Zuko didn't want to let go, even though he knew he probably should. Maybe a bit longer?

Pulling back just enough to look Katara in the eye without having to relinquish her, he flashed another smile. "I thought you were going to be gone for at least another few days. Besides, don't you guys have rooms in the palace?"

Katara's smile fell a fraction as aquamarine darkened with annoyance. "It turned out to be nothing more than a group of bandits causing trouble, so we didn't have to stay long. We left the morning after we got there." Not having as strong of an attachment to the ground as Toph did, Katara made herself comfortable in Zuko's arms. Letting her legs just dangle, Katara rested her cheek against Zuko's shoulder with a sigh. She took a deep, calming breath as her annoyance tried to march back into angry territories. "We looked for you in the palace as soon as we got here, only to find out that you weren't allowed to stay there."

Zuko managed to rub Katara's back as if to sooth down her rising hackles. The growl in her voice reverberated into his chest through their prolonged contact. Katara's heart was far too big for her own good, and this injustice was not going to be overlooked. Zuko shivered as he felt, rather than heard Katara muttering against his collarbone. It touched him to know that Katara cared so much.

"Our Sugar Queen went off on those geezers in the palace before deciding that we'd find somewhere else to sleep." Toph chose to stick to the most basic summary. More was definitely said, since Katara had a very special way with words. Biting back the laugh, Toph could only imagine what kind of faces they were wearing when Katara ripped into them. If their vibrations were anything to go by, it must have been hilarious. They stammered and tried to get a word in edgewise, if only to keep the honor of housing the Avatar under their roof. Katara would not be interrupted, and her mind would not be changed. The end result worked for her, so Toph felt no inclination to complaint. "We decided to stay with you instead," Toph concluded.

"If it's okay with you, that is," Katara interjected, lifting her head to look imploringly into Zuko's eyes. One of the excuses the King's council threw at them was that Zuko was with his intended. She didn't want to interrupt one of their dates, but at the same time she didn't want to shell out the money for an inn since all the guest houses were taken.

As if Zuko could turn Katara away, especially when she looked at him like that. "It's perfectly fine," Zuko smiled softly. Careful of his precious cargo, Zuko took a step further back into the home before he hooked his ankle with the front door. It took only the slightest amount of force to have it swinging closed. There was a soft click, but the lock didn't latch into place. Zuko didn't mind as much as he sauntered over to the low couch. "Where are the others, anyway?" Zuko doubted anyone would be foolish enough to go against Katara's word.

"The guys are getting Appa settled and Suki is explaining to the Earth King that we'll be staying elsewhere," Katara explained. Looking over her shoulder, Katara lifted her feet up to make it easier for Zuko to walk. Her words started to trail off as her eyes leering down at Toph's feet and the accumulating dirt beneath them. Her nose scrunched up with distaste- not because she was grossed out. She was used to Toph. Katara's main concern was the fact that when the cleaning lady swept through the house, it would be Katara's responsibility to suffer the lecture about inconsiderateness and unnecessary filth. Like last time.

"You really don't have to stay with me," Zuko offered while giving Toph's calf a light tap with his foot. Reluctantly, Toph dropped her feet from the table only to resume picking the lint and dirt from between her toes. It wasn't much better, but at least the dirt found a place on the floor, as compared to the table. He didn't want the Earth King to think him a bad guest, and chances were Katara would feel obligated to clean, which in turn would guilt him into cleaning to alleviate her burden.

Zuko finally let Katara back onto her feet, keeping a hand on her waist as she sank onto the couch's cushion next to Toph. "We want to," Katara admitted. "It'll be like old times. Plus we missed you."

Words to his own heart. "I missed you too. It's so quiet without you guys."

"Hey!" Both girls exclaimed indignantly, not appreciating the implications of Zuko's words. He could be just as rowdy and loud as they were when given the right push.

He just laughed as he claimed the only remaining space next to Katara. "Who am I to deny you what you want," Zuko pondered out loud to make both girls giggle. They knew how true it was. Zuko could never seem to tell Katara 'no'. As for Toph, he wasn't stupid enough to even try. One leg propped up against the back of the couch, while the other leg was stretched out until his toes poked at Toph's foot. She tapped him back before placing her foot directly over the top of it.

A happy smile tugged at Toph's lips when Zuko heated his skin to warm her frozen toes. "Thanks, Sparky." Toph shifted a bit more to scoot closer to Katara so she could lean against her.

Zuko didn't respond. He just marveled at the feel of such intimate familiarity with his friends again. The comfort of something as simple as sitting next to someone without it having to mean anything was all the thanks he needed. The tension in his scar eased as the weight he didn't even know he'd been carrying lifted from his shoulders. Stretching out the kinks in his spine, Zuko found himself lounging fully against the arm of the couch.

"Zuko," Mai interrupted them, only wearing a robe and leaning against the door jam. She shot Katara a look, her face a perfect mask of neutrality. It was cold, and calculating. Completely devoid of emotion as she observed the closeness between Zuko and Katara. The corner of her mouth tipped downwards for the briefest of moments. A chip in the mask as neutrality glazed over with distaste. The expression was gone just quickly, but not unnoticed. "I didn't know we'd be having guests." A new sharpness entered her tone, as Mai pointedly looked away from Katara and directly into Zuko's eyes. As always, Mai chose to ignore Katara as she would any other low-born.

"Hey needles," Toph waved in an attempt to garner some form of recognition. Her words were dipped in a sweetness that was foreign to the girl's voice.

Though her words were casual, Katara could hear the condescending aristocratic lilt that noblewomen employed when "dispensing pleasantries" to those they disliked. It didn't suit Toph at all, but Katara couldn't force Toph to like Mai even as the others made the attempt to accept her.

Katara also found troubles letting past experiences go as far as Mai went. She wasn't as easy to get to know as Ty Lee was. Still, Katara had to try to smooth things over. If for nothing else, than for Zuko's sake so he wasn't forced to choose between his friends and his love.

"Hello Mai, I hope we didn't interrupt anything," Katara gave the noblewoman one of her most diplomatic of smiles, praying that it would win some form of positive reaction. An upward twitch of her lip? Warmth in her otherwise arctic exterior? ...nothing. The Southern Pole offered a warmer reception, bringing Katara's smile to falter.

"No worries, we weren't really doing anything important," Zuko answered in Mai's stead. Mai still needed more time to warm up to them all. The couple was just interrupted from a night of 'love making.' Zuko didn't mind the interruption as much as he probably should. Toph and Katara were two of the most important women in his life; he would gladly set aside his libido for them. It was probably for the best, regardless. Though it was no secret that he was intimate with Mai, for some reason it just felt awkward to have that fact hanging in the air over their heads.

He could have chosen better words; he realized when Mai shot him a dirty look before a mask of neutrality was replaced. "I'll be getting dressed," she announced just as Sokka, Suki, Ty Lee and Aang barged right in with their bags. Momo glided in after them before settling onto Toph's knees.

"Hey, Zuko," the two males greeted before tossing their things into the nearest corner. Sokka's arm had the bag sailing from the door to his intended corner with a loud 'thunk,' but the tribesman didn't care. He sauntered over to Zuko's side so he could greet the Fire Lord with a good-hearted fist bump. Their arms clasped before Sokka leaned forward in a half hug. There was no attempt to make Zuko stand as would be required for a proper greeting.

"Took you guys long enough," Zuko managed to cockily once he didn't have a face full of Sokka's shoulder. "I was beginning to think it would just be me and the girls tonight."

Sokka just laughed, punching Zuko's arms in the same place Toph had not that long before. "You'd like that, wouldn't you, jerkbender? Once you go water tribe, you never go back." Sokka declared. His powerful arms then gripped the back of the couch before vaulting over, his legs barely clearing over the top of his sister's.

Katara wisely ducked just in case, her cheek colliding with Zuko's abdomen. In retaliation, she gripped the cushion from her back and chucked it in her brother's direction. It caught him square on the backside to illicit a yelp. "Be careful; you could have kicked me!"

"As if Zuko would let that happen," Sokka reminded Katara. His tongue flicked out before Sokka started sniffing around for some food.

Suki was next to approach, arms high over her head as she stretched. She had no bags to carry, so she made a beeline for Zuko's prone form much in the same way her boyfriend did. When she reached him, Suki knelt next to the arm of the couch. Calloused fingers ruffed through Zuko's hair affectionately, messing up his topknot before Suki kissed his unscarred cheek. "How've you been?"

"Terrible!" was Zuko's whine. "The council won't even let me spar with some of the soldiers. I've been so bored!"

Suki made a cooing noise. "Poor baby." She could only imagine the suffering the poor Fire Lord must be experiencing. "At least we're here now. Between Katara, Sokka and I, we'll have you dying of exhaustion."

"You're speaking poetry: keep talking." Suki just ruffled Zuko's hair again before hoisting herself to balance on the back of the couch. She then slid down until she wedged herself between Toph and Katara.

This forced Katara forward until she was practically sitting on Zuko's lap. Suki doubted anyone minded. It was flippin cold outside, and the stark difference in weather was prominent even between the very tropical, next to no winter Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom. Suki had prided herself in getting used to the cold, for the most part. Just not her feet. Her feet were practically frozen, forcing the Kyoshi warrior to wedge her feet under the cushions.

"Where's the food," Sokka complained once he came up moot. There was no sign of dinner anywhere. He knew that the Earth Kingdom ate their meals late, even by the standards of the poles, but this was ridiculous. The pantry was barren, and the ice chest offered no left overs from meals passed. "Did you eat it all?"

"I'm not you, Sokka." But yes, Zuko did eat the entire meal he'd been given even though it was probably the blandest thing he'd ever consumed. They must have had something against seasonings. Had he known Katara was coming, Zuko would have risked a few hours of hunger if it meant that he'd have more than salt and pepper to flavor his food.

"The King is gonna have someone send us some food," Suki promised. Once Sokka was close enough, the warrior reached up to catch his chin so she could steel a placating kiss. The couple chose to ignore Toph's gagging noises in favor of savoring the quick smooch.

"Get a room," Toph complained, only to have Sokka flick her between her brows.

Sokka had every plan on getting a room with Suki. "Food first." Then, Sokka and Suki were going to test just how ineffective the walls were. Thin wood and paper panels offered little buffer for sound.

"Just take the room farthest to the left down the hall. I actually like sleeping." Zuko's suggestion earned a poke on his scarred abdomen. Flinching, he managed to form a pout in Katara's direction. The little fire ferret didn't even pretend to look guilty as she exploited his weakness. He opened his mouth to complain, but a flash of pink cartwheeling through the sitting room had his words disintegrating into a grunt.

"Hi Zuko," Ty Lee greeted, practically landing on top of Zuko. Had Katara not been there, she probably would have found a way onto his chest in her version of overly affectionate. She adopted the ways of her foreign friends remarkably fast, pressing a kiss onto the corner of Zuko's mouth as she hugged him awkwardly. "Is Mai awake?"

"She went off to change," Aang answered in his place, reaching the back of the crowded couch and draping his arms over the plush padding. He wound his arms loosely around Katara's shoulders, thankful to the couch's low height.

Katara's back went straight as a board to stiffen, lengthening her torso until her posture was almost painfully perfect. Her cheek brushed against Aang's to make it easier to place an affectionate kiss there. It was a sweet gesture that brought a little smile to Katara's lips, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Zuko almost didn't notice how forced Katara's body language was, sounding alarms in his head as he watched her from over Ty Lee's head. When Ty Lee stood to leave in search of her friend, Zuko sat up to bump his knee against Katara's back.

The nudge had Katara blinking a few times, as if she was returning to herself from some internal mindscape. The smile remained plastered to her face as she turned to give Zuko her attention. Her eyes met his concern with unspoken reassurance. "So what plans do you have for tomorrow, before the talks and stuff?" Katara questioned with a flush. Her words were airy and light. Her voice hollow.

Zuko wasn't buying it. Did something happen while they were gone? "I haven't the slightest to be honest." He bumped his knee against Katara's back again as he readjusted himself to slouch forward until he could get away with brushing his knuckles over Katara's arm. "You guys have something in mind?"

The sound of his bedroom door sliding open again prompted Zuko to look up to see Mai re-enter the room fully dressed in her beloved layers and with her hair back up in its usual style. He noted her refusal to look at him but decided not to do anything about it. She cared little for his friends, and had only marginally warmed up to the idea of Aang being around.

Why, he didn't understand, since they were all good people. He could only assume it had everything to do with their rocky history. It was hard to find forgiveness and friendship in old enemies when there was no real common ground. It was why the fact that his friends had forgiven him made them so amazing. I hope she can get over it, and see that soon.

Smelling tension roll into the room, Toph made a gurgling noise in the back of her throat. She knew the sure fire way to keep things going on the right track back to normal: Time to throw some appropriate teasing around. "Well, Snoozles and Fans are going on a da~te," Toph sang loudly. "They're going to traumatize the rest of the world by making kissy face in public!"

The gust of air blown sharply into the side of Toph's face was her reward for a task well done. Katara wasn't all rigid awkwardness, and Zuko wasn't reverting back to the King of Gloom and Doom like he usually did when Needles was around. Further proof was in the barely concealed genuine chuckles of the two in question. Mission accomplished.

Aang wasn't as subtle when he tried to hide his laughter at Sokka and Suki's flushed faces. His laugh then died down. He had his own obligations to tend to: boring ones! "I have to sit in for the meeting between earth kingdom delegates before the peace talks," Aang whined.

He stared at Katara with longing. He wanted to take Katara out on a date too. It would be so much nicer than boring politics and serious stuff. Aang would have to make the best of his time with her tonight, but the couch would probably crumble with the added weight of another person. Aang sent Zuko a look since he knew he wouldn't be able to get Toph or Suki to move until they were sufficiently warmed.

Zuko caught Aang's eyes with a twitch of his brow. He knew what Aang wanted; he just wasn't inclined to move. He suspected it was because he wanted to be near Katara as well. The tension had not yet completely leave her, which in turn made him want to comfort her.

How he would do that, he wasn't overly sure since he didn't know what was wrong to begin with. He just knew that moving would have the opposite effect. The other part of his reasoning was selfishly motivated. The weeks spent without his friends had him feeling crummy. So much so that his temper flared in random spurts. Politicians annoyed him to no end with their two-faced, backstabbing, personalities. He needed Katara to keep him grounded and to remind him to do the right thing. Her calming presence was needed for his benefit.

Two lizard crows, one stone. Everybody wins when everyone feels better. That in mind, Zuko immediately broke eye contact with Aang.

Aang frowned, but thought nothing of it otherwise. "Why don't you guys go to the Zoo? You've wanted to see the badger-mole exhibit, right Toph?"

Touched that he remembered, Toph flashed a bittersweet smile in the direction of Aang's voice. "Sounds like fun, but I can't; I'm visiting mom and dad since they'll be part of the peace talks," Toph admitted. A strange twinkle suddenly filled her cloudy eyes as a thought occurred with her. Excitement filled her voice at the idea to warm her from the inside out. "That just leaves Sparky and Sweetness."

Then it was shot down when Mai cleared her throat.

"And Needles, I guess," Toph added with a grumble. She really didn't like that girl. She was just so...blah! What did Zuko see in her anyway when he had so many other options that would actually make him happy? She wasn't even a good lay from what Toph could tell.

"Or, we can go to the spa. We can have a girly day," Ty Lee beamed before pulling Mai into an awkward hug. Mai was definitely feeling extra gloomy and gray. She was in desperate need of some pampering to perk her right back up again.

"You guys would love the Fancy Lady Day Spa," Katara offered. "Toph and I had an amazing time when we went."

"You bet we did. Remember that scary canyon crawler lady? We almost gave her a heart attack," Toph laughed in agreement. "Ah, those were good times." Toph pressed against Suki's back in silent warning before she hopped over the arm of the couch, giving Aang the chance to claim her spot. He didn't, since that would be more space between him and Katara, but at least she was considerate enough to offer it silently. "I'm going to claim us a room."

The blind earthbender managed a happy strut over to the corner she felt her bag thrown in, easily navigating the stone and wood furniture with firm steps that made no sound. Toph then bent over to examine the bags, her small hands going over the fabrics before she found hers and Katara's. Her expression softened as she caressed the fur lining of Katara's pack and the rough leather of her own. Secretly she was grateful to them. Sometime after Toph joined the Gaang, Katara made the effort to change all their bags so that they were made differently, be it in materials or stitching. This enabled Toph to locate what she needed without anyone else's help and allowed for her independence to bloom. The tactile sensation of the luggage always reminded her of that kindness. It always warmed her heart to make her feel loved in the way she needed.

Toph's bag was hugged to her chest, while Katara's was slung over her shoulder easily. The strut returned to her walk as Toph made her way down the hall until she found a room that was adequately far enough from Sokka and Suki's given room.

"So, about tomorrow," Zuko continued as if they were never interrupted. "I am not sitting around waiting for you guys at some spa." He'd sooner go through another counterproductive meeting with his power greedy councilmen. Which reminded him, he should probably see about clearing up a few positions.

The thought of being at a spa with Mai didn't sit well with Katara either. Though Katara absolutely adored Ty Lee now that she wasn't chi blocking her every chance she got, the very thought of being so exposed to Mai actually scared her.

It wasn't even that Katara suspected Mai would attack her. The reasoning was far shallower than that. Katara didn't want Mai to see her so close to naked. Mai, who was so perfectly groomed and coiffed, and she who was... not... it would make for an awkward time together since Katara would become victim to self-consciousness. "I'll be exploring the city. You can join me. It'll be better than being alone all day." Katara stretched in place before unfurling her legs. She stretched them out and let them drape over Zuko's leg, her feet touching the floor. She peeked outside at the darkening sky, stifling a yawn as she did so.

"That actually doesn't sound like a bad idea," Zuko decided after some thought. Katara was always fun to be around. He actually liked the idea the more he thought about it. Planting his foot on the ground more firmly now that he was no longer needed as a foot warmer, Zuko bent his knee fully until it rested flush beneath the back of Katara's knees. "Tired?" Zuko breathed, fighting a yawn of his own.

"Mm-hmm," she hummed as she started to relax a little against the back of the couch.

"Why don't you sleep for a bit, I'll wake you when dinner gets here," Zuko promised, predicting that the Earth King's chefs would have some food sent for all of them within the next hour or so. Again, he wished that he'd waited for his meal so he could actually eat with them and enjoy Katara's spices.

"Thank you." Katara rose up from the couch, shrugging off Aang's hold before she made her way down the hall. I hope I get the right room Katara thought as she scanned the doors in hopes of figuring out which one was hers.

"Over here!" Toph called, feeling Katara searching for her.

---

As promised, Zuko was at Katara's door and waiting patiently for Katara to answer his knock. Behind him joint complaints echoed, no one willing to start eating until everyone was present at the table. This resulted in people rushing Zuko to hurry up and wake Katara up. Zuko ignored them all however and waited patiently. He knocked again, his fist rapping against the door more firmly than before, thinking that she didn't hear him the first time.

"Coming," Katara's groggy voice replied, heavy with sleep and mixing with the rustling of fabrics. A crash and solid thump soon followed.

"Are you alright," Zuko inquired through the door, almost tempted to risk entry to see if she was okay. The fact that it was Katara kept him rooted in the spot. There was nothing large enough to crush her in there, so he wasn't needed to play hero. Pity: he liked rescuing her.

Proving his point, the door swung open soon after. "I'm fine," Katara assured him. Her hair fell down her back in a cascade of waves and curls, her signature hair loopies undone. She only wore her tunic, still too tired to put her leggings back on. That would require the continued hunt for the garment she'd thrown in some random direction as she crawled into bed.

Her punishment for looking was her pack spilling off of the nightstand. She wasn't as bothered by the cold as the others were, so Katara threw her hands up in defeat and left. Instead of worrying about her legs, Katara made an attempt to tame her wild hair, but realized mid-pony tail that she didn't have anything to fasten it in place with. She grunted to herself and made a move to turn back into her room, but Zuko stopped her with a hand on her arm.

Zuko smiled at Katara's tiredness. It really must have been some trip to affect her so. It was kind of cute. Well, cuter than normal day to day Katara. Reaching into his own hair, he pulled the silk chord that bound his hair in a rigid topknot. Dark chestnut brown fell down to dust over his collarbone and shoulders, having grown longer from when the war ended. He held the red chord out to Katara while pocketing the crown as if it were any other trinket.

The gesture was truly appreciated. "Thanks," Katara smiled. She placed the chord between her teeth so she could work her volumous hair off her face and into a pile on top of her head. The chord was then wound loosely to hold her hair there without pulling too tight at her scalp. She was too tired to add a headache into the mix.

"Anytime," Zuko shrugged before linking his arm with hers and leading her back to the dining room. She fell into step beside him, lengthening her stride to match his. Or did he fall into step by her, slowing his steps to accommodate her shorter height? Zuko couldn't tell. Discreetly, he peeked downwards and noted that his footfalls matched with hers or hers with his. He decided to switch his steps up a little and smirked when Katara's steps altered to match his when his weight shifted.

Katara looked at Zuko through the corner of her eyes suspiciously, worried that his scar might be hurting him. It clearly wasn't, judging by how intently he looked at her legs. Suddenly self-conscious, she wanted to head back to her room in hopes of finding her leggings and putting them back on. Zuko held his arm fast around hers, offering her a reassuring smile as if sensing her nervousness.

Sighing, Katara looked down and noticed their steps were in sync. This bothered her almost as much as it entertained her, so she altered her step and watched in fascination how Zuko subconsciously performed a soldier's half-step to keep in sync with her step. Looking back up, the two locked gazes and chuckled at themselves and how silly they were being, neither really caring who was following who.

"Took you long enough," Sokka whined, finally deeming it okay to start piling his plate with food.

"Yeah, what were you two doing anyway," Toph added, accepting the plate offered to her by Suki. She didn't know what half the foods presented to her were, so she trusted Suki's judgment as to what foods she'd like. Her fork tapped at the plate until it found something firm and crunchy sounding. Probably a barely steamed vegetable. It sounded and felt like broccoli. It smelled like brocoli. She liked broccoli, so Toph popped that first bite into her mouth happily and crunched away at the mini tree.

"Nothing," the two answered, watching each other's feet and trying to walk differently from one another as they made their way to the remaining cushions. They claimed their seating across from each other and by their significant others. Zuko and Mai had already eaten, so he was free to engage Katara in their playful stare down.

Aang didn't know how to take the expressions his two teachers shared, their eyes locked as if sharing secrets through their eyes. Their lips stretched into haughty smiles. Their expressions were an unvoiced challenge as they leaned forward on the table, seeing only each other in their own little world. He sought to break the magic. "What are you two doing?"

"I think he copies me," Katara offered off handedly, pulling back from Zuko so she could begin filling her plate. A flush crept up from her collar to encase her cheeks, born from being caught in such a childish antic.

"That is where I beg to differ; you are copying me," Zuko argued happily, pulling back as well now that the spell had been broken. He threw his arm over the back of his seat casually so he could rock back onto the hind legs of his chair.

"So you finally realized that you guys do stuff at the same time?" Toph grinned, interrupted their playful spat with words of her own. "You guys have been doing that for forever."

"Really?" Katara and Zuko shared a glance, neither having ever noticed. They worked well together, but to go so far as to say they were synchronized was a step farther than that. They thought about Toph's words while idle chatter erupted around them, both wondering if what Toph said was true. It would make sense given how the two paired together the most during their travels, be it in combat or chores.

Zuko was pulled from those pleasant memories when he felt a familiar hand ghost over his thigh. He tried to keep the shock from showing on his face, glancing to his right to see Mai staring forward in blatant refusal to engage in the idle chatter floating around her head. Her hand however gripped his leg boldly. Zuko's hopes didn't get very high, and his mounting libido took a spiraling nose dive. As if Mai would be so inspired. The intimate touch pressed hard into Zuko's knee, forcing him to sit properly in his chair. Begrudgingly, Zuko complied as he fought back a sour expression.

That task was surprisingly easy when Sokka began an energetic retelling of one of their adventures. It was one of their earlier misadventures in which Zuko was still a villain. He took no offense, and just laughed at the ridiculous exaggerations that tumbled from Sokka's lips in astonishing hyperbole. The water tribesman had a way with words, and never failed to capture the attention of his every listener.

Just as it was getting to the good part where Zuko made his dynamic entrance with the devil woman Jun at his back, Mai cleared her throat. "If you will all excuse me, I'll turning retiring for the night," Mai declared. "Zuko..."

The hint was not lost to Zuko, and he frowned up at Mai as she stood. The thought of turning in for the night was the farthest thing from his mind. He had an endless day of politics tomorrow and the days following. Who knew when he'd have a few hours like this to just be himself with his friends? Zuko braced himself for retribution later. "Good night."

There would definitely punishment later, if Mai's glare was anything to go by. She didn't really want to sleep; Mai just needed a polite excuse to leave the table. The noblewoman had hoped that Zuko would accompany her for some time alone, but he seemed to enjoy the company of his boisterous friends more than her. It would seem she would have to do something drastic if she wanted to maintain her monopoly on Zuko's attention. "Ty Lee," she hissed, calling for the girl's attention.

"But, Sokka..." Ty Lee took one look in Mai's direction before letting her voice die down. Even though Ty Lee really wanted to watch Sokka recount his adventures. His powerful arms flailing animatedly as his rumbling lilt fluctuated between deep baritones and high falsettos. Sokka was quite the story teller, but it seemed that Mai needed her more than she needed to hear the end of the story. Oh, poopy, Ty Lee whimpered as she rose from her seat. Bidding everyone a happy goodnight, Ty Lee trotted after her simmering friend.

"What's with her," Sokka pointed, jerking his thumb over his shoulder in the direction Mai and Ty Lee vanished into.

Zuko merely shrugged, knowing he was probably going to get an earful about it later. "Girl talk …?" Zuko offered finally. He leaned back again now that Mai wasn't there to complain, stretching his legs out under the table. His feet bumped into someone's ankles, the skin smooth and uncovered. Instantly he figured it was Katara since she was the only one with her legs bare and he started to pull back.

Until Katara gave him a gentle and subtle kick under the table. Her entire face was a mask of perfect innocence as she listened to Sokka resume his grand telling of their adventures in the Abbey. She didn't remember Zuko sweeping her off her feet and throwing her over his shoulder like a caveman, all while fighting off her brother and Aang from the back of Jun's shirshu. Katara would hope that such a feat would brand itself into her memory. The loose bun atop her head started to droop, unraveling as it slid down to the back of her neck. Practiced hands swept the twist of hair over her one shoulder, enabling Katara to steal a quick mischievous glance over at Zuko.

A familiar heat returned to him as honey-gold eyes drank in that cheeky smile. Licking his lips, Zuko smirked to himself before heating his foot. When her attention had returned fully to her brother, he ran his toes over the side of her foot. She jerked away from the sudden warmth, not expecting the touch. Bending the water in the air to condense and chill over her foot, Katara sent another light kick in Zuko's direction. She missed, her foot grazing the inside of his knee.

Zuko felt his pupils dilate and his breath spike at the sudden contact. His body heated until the moisture on Katara's foot dripped away. He made no attempt to remove her foot. To the contrary, Zuko's knee jerked inwards to slide Katara's foot further up. A jolt of pleasure had his toes curling and his inner flame igniting into a flashfire.

Katara realize her miscalculation and she sent him an apologetic glance, thinking she might have hurt him given how close her foot found itself to his masculinity. Zuko smiled, controlling his breathing while he did so and letting her know that there was no harm done. Katara's foot fell back to the floor, and both turned their attention back onto Sokka. Katara hid behind her freed mane to disguise her flush, while Zuko was more successful fighting back his blush.

Both were oblivious to the impish smirk that spread across Toph's lips. She had 'seen' everything. Even if she hadn't, Zuko had suddenly become a living furnace. Only Katara had that effect on him without really doing anything. Their vibrations hummed up Toph's feet to tickle at her calves and higher. Every secret glance they stole from one another sent another tremor up between her toes. The two of them vibrated almost as much as Snoozles and Fans did, which said a lot. It was extremely distracting when all Toph wanted to do was hear about how Zuko ran off with Katara. The way Sokka told it, Katara made a surprisingly convincing damsel in distress. Who knew?

When Aang started being a stickler for the facts, Toph lost interest in the story with a yawn. "I think I'm gonna turn in for the night," Toph announced finally, scratching Momo behind his ears as she rose to her feet and left. The story was pretty much done anyway.

"Maybe we should all turn in for the night," Suki offered, giving Sokka a meaningful glance before she continued. "We have a long day ahead of us and we'll need all our energy and resources available for the coming summit." They'd been flying for very many hours, with no privacy to speak of. Even when they slept, it was snuggled into Appa's fur. She needed some alone time: now.

"Good idea," Sokka nodded, catching on to Suki's not so subtle hints swiftly. As always, he was ready and willing to serve his warrior princess. "Night guys." He'd already forgotten his little squabble with Aang about creative license in storytelling. In rare form, Sokka even forgot that there was dessert still on his plate.

"Night," the remainder of the group replied. Zuko, Katara and Aang then made their way to the low couch, grabbing what was left of the dessert and tea as they did so. They laid claim to the low couch again, dropping onto it tiredly.

"Sokka must be pretty tired if he's leaving food behind," Aang realized before shoving one of the remaining custard cakes into his mouth. He sat closer to Katara than necessary, leaning against her in hopes of prompting her to cuddle with him.

"Yeah, tired," Zuko agreed even though he knew otherwise. He and Katara shared shy glances as they both understood completely the silent message that was shared between both Suki and Sokka. The three sat in a comfortable silence, enjoying the sweets and the warmth provided via Zuko and the fireplace.

Aang ignored the statement in favor of readjusting himself next to Katara, figuring that she wasn't comfortable with his current position. He turned in his seat and leaned back against the couch's arm in a fashion similar to how Zuko lounged before. Still Katara remained as she was, enjoying her pastry and watching the dancing flames of the fireplace a little ways away beyond the coffee table. Aang watched enviously Katara gave Zuko her attention. They silently communicated with one another; Katara gestured to her cheek to let Zuko know that he had some jelly at the corner of his mouth. Zuko smiled his thanks before swiping his thumb across the corner of his mouth. His tongue swept across the pad of his finger, his eyes fastened onto Katara's.

Though he couldn't see Katara's reaction, he could hear the gentle chime of her amused chuckle. It wasn't one of her full bodied laughs like Aang was used too, but somehow that made it all the more intimate. The laugh was just for Zuko. One that he delighted in as he tapped the corner of his nose. Katara foolishly moved to wipe, only to smack her palm against Zuko's knee. There was nothing on her nose; no stray powder, jam, or crumbs.

Aang had to look away, a foreign feeling gripping his heart as he tried to come up with something that would have him included in their little world. He wanted Katara's attention too. Suddenly, an idea came into Aang's head and he was more than happy to whisper his thoughts into Katara's ear. She just needed a gentle reminder that they were a couple, that's all. The idea was perfect.

Zuko watched with hooded eyes as Katara's expression morphed from a sweet flush and smile, to shocked and then to sullen in a matter of seconds. Whatever Aang said greatly disturbed her. Because of it Katara excused herself for the night, leaving her half eaten pastry and chilling tea on the low coffee table. Zuko reached out to her, as if to stop her hasty retreat. When his hand found hers he could feel the rush of her pulse, leading Zuko to believe that Katara was more than disturbed. She was annoyed. Her fingers gave his a squeeze before Katara pulled away.

"Good night," she managed to say. Her head turned sharply before continuing her march. Her heels struck hard on the ground, the skin of her feet slapping against stone filling the stunned silence. Her back was rigid. Her hands were balled into fists. The usually sultry sway of her hips had grown rigid. He knew that walk all too well, but Zuko wasn't the one to bring it about. He couldn't help himself and glared at Aang. Whatever it was that Aang said to Katara is what made her leave his side.

"What did you say to her?" Zuko demanded sternly, his instructor's voice snapping Aang into attention. It was far more effective than an angry bark, but the flames across the way burned brighter with Zuko's mood.

"Nothing," Aang argued in his own defense, his eyes sad and confused. "I just asked if she wanted to go to bed."

"I see." Zuko doubted that Aang was telling him the entire truth. But he also knew that that was the only truth he was going to get for now. He rose from his seat after another moment of silence in order to clean up the plates and cups. His experience as a waiter compelled him to do so. Zuko needed to do something with his hands to keep from smacking Aang upside his head. Though he didn't know what Aang did wrong, he did something wrong regardless. Breathing a plume of smoke from his nostrils, Zuko took the dishes to the kitchen and set them aside. The maid would be there in the morning to collect them, so he went to bed once everything was tidied up.

---

Katara found herself rooted to the spot as she listened in on the conversation between Mai and Ty Lee. She didn't know what prompted her to listen in, whether it was suspicion or curiosity born from the sound of their words. But there Katara was, listening in on a conversation she had no part of.

"So what ideas do you have in mind already?" Ty Lee's voice was clear as day, even though the wooden sliding door that separated Katara from her two former enemies.

"That's just it, I don't have any," Mai sighed. "I want to do something special for his birthday tomorrow; something that will ensure his attentions on me only."

Katara arched her brow at Mai's choice of words. Zuko wasn't one to give in to wandering eyes. Or so she thought. Was there another woman looking to steal Mai's place as Zuko's girlfriend? Zuko was an extremely attractive young man, so Katara had no trouble believing that he'd garnered the attention of the fairer sex. Even so, she'd never seen him look their way whenever they were together. If anything, she and their friends had Zuko's undivided attention whenever he wasn't working. Was there something she wasn't seeing? Pressing her ear closer to the door, Katara tried to catch the rest of the conversation.

There was a long stagnant pause that filled the air as thoughts and ideas raced back and forth within the minds of the two girls in Ty Lee's given room. "Why not have sex with him," Ty Lee offered finally. Katara almost choked on her own spit, Ty Lee's response startling her with its nonchalance.

"We're already having sex," Mai answered plainly. She was clearly comfortable with discussing the topic with her best friend as compared to Katara. She was finding it difficult to breathe by just thinking about the word, let alone Mai and Zuko engaging in the act.

It wasn't as if she didn't know about it. Katara had bumped into Mai the morning after their first night together. Katara still suffered the memory of Mai in the bathhouse, revealing several love bites along her neck. The knife thrower practically flaunted them in front of her, Suki, and Toph.

That was also the first time Suki had used a vulgar word in Katara's presence, calling Mai a...Katara couldn't repeat it even in her own thoughts. Toph readily agreed as well, predicting accurately that it was all for show. Once they were in public she would act so scandalized to have them.

Toph was right. Mai had Katara heal the marks before they left so no one else would see them. Doing so further branded the horrible event into her memory. Just thinking about it turned Katara's blood to ice. The waterbender was so lost in the memory of Mai's 'cattiness-' as Toph would so delicately put it, that she almost missed Ty Lee speak again after a long pause.

"Well, you can try something new. Then, when you guys get home, you can set up a real celebration in his honor. He'd be sure to propose to you then," Ty Lee presented. The sound that followed led Katara to believe that Ty Lee had flipped or jumped onto the dresser, which wasn't such a farfetched assumption given Ty Lee's personality.

"I'm a lady," Mai snorted, "I will not behave like some harlot."

Katara rolled her eyes at that, the memory of that horrid morning jumping back out at her pointing to the contrary. Katara was extremely liberal minded, and had no real qualms about sex...for the most part. She'd gotten over it real quick when she learned of her brother and Suki being so intimate out of wedlock. Maybe it was just Katara's ignorance that made her believe such a way. Even so, Mai's words and her actions were in stark contradiction to each other.

"Are you sure, you gotta do more than just lay there if you wanna keep a man satisfied. I know of quite a few things that would drive a guy wild," Ty Lee baited. Katara leaned against the door in hopes that the closeness would enable Katara to hear Ty Lee's next statement more clearly.

"Katara," Zuko's voice called, startling Katara and making her jump away from the door as if it had burned her. She tripped over her own feet in her backwards flight, stumbling into Zuko's arms. They wrapped around her waist, keeping her aloft and from further embarrassing herself. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Katara answered guiltily with a high pitch. Craning her neck, Katara peeked over her shoulder to see Zuko's look of disbelief. She tried again, smiling innocently in a way that had always gotten her out of trouble when she had been caught lying. It didn't work, since Zuko seemed to read right through that expression, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he helped her steady herself back on her feet. "Thanks. Night." Quick as a flash, Katara kissed Zuko's cheek goodnight before making a hasty retreat to her room.

Zuko watched her go with a sense of suspicion, figuring that something else was bothering her now; something that had to do with what was happening beyond that door. Zuko approached the door and pressed his good ear to the smooth wood of the door. He heard nothing but faint and giddy whispers that could only be coming from Ty Lee since- Mai was never giddy about anything. Shrugging his shoulder and sending Katara's door a parting glance, Zuko walked back to his room.

---

Katara awoke to an empty room the morning after. Toph must have gone already, Katara decided as the grogginess slowly began to leave her.

Katara slowly managed to crawl out from under her thick coverlet and place her feet onto the cold ground. The sharp frigidness shot through her like lightning, making Katara groan as she dropped herself back onto the raised bed. So cold, Katara thought with a whine. So much colder than the night before as the cold front continued to roll in. Katara tried to get up again, this time prepared for the frigid onslaught against her feet.

Quickly, Katara shuffled to the door in order to slide a pair of velvet slippers over her feet. Located her tunic and leggings that she wore the previous day, she slipped them on over her under clothes. Katara then made her way out of her room. The silence was deafening, but not all that unexpected. The others must have left while I was sleeping. Katara made it into the main room and sighed. She was all by herself with nothing much to do.

She approached the couch with heavy steps. Without looking, Katara grasped the top edge of the couch and jumped over it to lay down with a solid 'oomph.' The next thing Katara knew was she was being rolled over and dropped onto the ground with something deliciously warm pinning her arms overhead. She'd know those hands- and this warmth- anywhere.

"Morning," Katara greeted sheepishly, staring up into glowing amber eyes. She did not fear the flames that danced behind them, nor did Katara flinch away when the owner of those eyes held her prone. The heat mounted as it seeped into her skin in a wave to chase the cold from her bones. "You really like pinning me to things, don't you?"

With recognition came a sudden chill as that heat was withdrawn inwards. Amber softened to warm golden honey. "Katara…? I'm so sorry," Zuko apologized, rising up to straddle her waist and releasing her wrists. He raked his fingers through his hair, forcing the long strands from his eyes. It was a sheepish action, meant to make him seem less threatening and repentant. His eyes darted around the room, as if searching for any sign of a threat or witness. Seeing nobody, he relaxed even more as he dared look down onto Katara's form.

"No worries, I wasn't looking where I was going." Katara blushed profusely as she took in the sight of a half-dressed Zuko hovering over her, his warmth caressing her skin and heating places the warmth had no place being. A shiver rocked her spine, her skin prickling as it tried to take in as much of the receding warmth as it could.

Biting his lip, Zuko fought to keep his eyes in appropriate places even as the shiver took hold of Katara's body. His sharp gaze tried to follow the rise of gooseflesh as it rose along her arms, neck, and downwards. Zuko dare not follow the path down Katara's neckline. With a sharp exhale, Zuko willed his body to not react. "Again, sorry about that. One can never be too careful," Zuko admitted before clasping one of Katara's hands. Rolling onto his feet, Zuko stood up with Katara in tow, his strength pulling her up as if she weighed next to nothing.

The two stared at each other awkwardly, not because of the fact that they were alone together, but because their minds had gone to improper places due to Zuko's actions. Whenever his eyes would travel, Zuko would force himself to look elsewhere out of fear of being inappropriate. Katara didn't seem to notice, or simply chose not to react to the blush that dusted across Zuko's nose. Was she bothered? Was she upset? His eyes kept pulling back in her direction.

Katara fiddled with the skirt of her tunic, the coloration on her cheeks refusing to leave as her mind kept returning to the image of having Zuko over her. The way his hands were firmly clasped around her wrist and the way his warmth radiated from his form brought back so many memories, both good and bad. But all memories filled her with such a strange and foreign longing. She lifted her aquamarine eyes to drink in Zuko's image through her lashes, noting how he seemed just as affected as she was. Dropping the hem of her tunic, Katara gripped the end of her braid where the chord of Zuko's hair tie kept her hair from unraveling.

When he looked somewhere over the top of her head, Katara allowed her eyes to rake over Zuko's exposed body. The cut of his hip bones framed chiseled abdominals and a dusting of crisp little hairs that traveled down from his naval to beneath the waistline of his black silk sleeping pants. The chords across the front were tied loosely, allowing the material to bunch low on his hips. Katara had to force her eyes upwards again, biting her lip as she reprimanded herself. The upwards journey was just as traitorous. The muscles of Zuko's torso rippled as he shifted his weight onto one foot, causing them to undulate beneath his skin. Zuko's scar was a starburst of discolored skin, contouring over his abdomen to further accentuate how...seriously he took his training. Its upmost peak faded between Zuko's pectorals.

Again, Zuko scrubbed his hand through his hair, flexing his bicep before resting his hand over his broad shoulders and strong neck. Oblivious to Katara's staring, Zuko reattempted looking in every direction that didn't have Katara. I really do have a bad habit, Zuko agreed silently to Katara's statement. Memories of trees, walls and floors coming to mind, all of which revolved around him having her pinned in some way, shape or form, it's no wonder uncle wouldn't leave me alone about it.

His uncle made a point to mention it every time Zuko and Katara sparred, even though Zuko had explained repeatedly that pinning her down was the only way to get her to admit defeat whenever he won.

Looking at Katara now, her face flushed as she turned away from him. Her fingers wringing through her braid as she tried to calm her deep breathing. Her chest rising and falling with deep shaky breaths. Zuko licked his lips as the memories assaulted him. Now that he thought back on it, his actions weren't entirely innocent.

"So…" Katara began after a few more long moments, feeling sufficiently in control of her less than innocent impulses. "It's you're birthday today, right?"

He was not expecting this topic to come up. He rarely ever brought up his birthday, and if he did it was always out of necessity. As if birthdays should ever be important... Zuko thought darkly. The night of his birth was never a pleasant topic for him. "How did you know?" Zuko inquired, knowing for a fact he didn't tell any of his friends, lest they actually try to make a big deal about it.

Katara knew that tone; she'd talked her way into a prickly topic. Curiosity compelled her to ask, but tact kept Katara on topic. Best to tread carefully. "I heard Mai and Ty Lee talking about it last night after dinner," was Katara's reply. Her blush returned tenfold as she recalled everything else they said as they spoke. It took all she had to steer her thoughts away from the topic of Zuko and sex, so she could focus on what she did know of Zuko's history and the Fire Nation culture. It did seem odd to her that Zuko was born so close to winter, since most firebenders were born around the summer time. Something told her that this was a bad thing, considering how closely tied firebenders were with the sun.

The cruel words of his father echoed in Zuko's head. How lucky he was to be born at all. Had his mother and the Fire Sages not intervened, he would have been thrown from the palace walls for that reason alone. It was bad luck in the Fire Nation to have a child born so close to the winter. More so to be born when the sun had set. But to add insult to injury, there was no sign of a spark in his eyes.

In the first few months of Zuko's life, he had been believed to be a non-bender. More bad luck. "Oh, yeah well, it's not a big deal." Ozai had no more power over him, but he would forever haunt him in some way. Zuko tried to turn away- tried to hide the darkness of his own heart.

Katara wouldn't let him, reaching out for his hand to give it a comforting squeeze. "Is something wrong?" Katara pressed gently, trying to coax Zuko back into the present with her.

"Let's just say that I'm extremely lucky to be alive, considering how unlucky I am to have been to be born at all." The more religious of his nation still saw him as a cursed child. For some, this was an irrefutable fact since Zuko's coronation put an end to the Fire Nation's domination of the world.

Horror filled Katara's heart at Zuko's words. "What do you mean?" How could anyone think that way? But then, Katara remembered the mantra Zuko had recited once as they prepared for the war. Those cruel words had cut like a knife. To have them said to a child had made her hate Ozai all the more. "You're birthday doesn't have to be a bad thing."

Zuko wanted to believe that. If there were more people like Katara in the world, then he probably would. It was not a topic he liked to discuss, even though he knew that he would find all the comfort in the world in Katara's embrace. One hug would make all the pain go away. It was tempted to tell her everything. "I really don't want to talk about it. Not yet." Maybe in the future when he didn't have to worry about his bad luck poisoning the precious peace. He gave Katara's hand a squeeze just the same. "There's some breakfast left, would you like for me to heat it up?"

Katara let the topic drop for now, trusting Zuko to open up to her when he was ready. He had a lifetime of hatred and pain. That was something that was going to take time to heal. Katara wasn't the most patient, but for Zuko she would give him all the time he needed. Just as long as he always remembered that she would always be there for him when he needed her. "Yes, please," Katara answered finally. She walked over to the dining room table with Zuko's hand still clasped loosely in hers. Their fingers laced together loosely, her thumb gently stroking his larger one until it came time for them to part.

Ever the gentleman, Zuko pulled out the chair for Katara to sit in. He smiled at her as he did so, thankful to her silent acceptance. He knew Katara would drop the topic of his birth for him, but there was no such agreement for today. There was a twinkle in her eye as Katara got to plotting something or other. Zuko braced himself as he pulled away to prepare Katara's meal.

"So, did you decide on what you wanted to do today?" Katara inquired, her eyes almost glowing as thoughts to make today a happy day raced through her mind. She bore no illusions that she could erase the trauma of Zuko's life so easily without getting him to open up about everything, but she could at least give him one good memory. It may amount to nothing, but she could at least try.

"That depends; does the offer still stand to join you around the city?" He hoped it did. Zuko's thoughts had traveled to dark territories, and he feared what that would do to him if he was left alone there.

Katara scoffed at Zuko, pursing her lips as she leveled him with a look. "Of course," as if Katara would change her mind. Especially now that she knew what today meant to Zuko. The very thought of leaving Zuko alone now would be a crime against him and a mark against their friendship.

It was foolish to ask. Zuko knew this, and could only smile as he prepared Katara's plate with precision. "Thanks." What more could he say without making things more than they already were? She didn't need grand displays. Katara was amazing that way. He only hoped he did a good job of showing how much he appreciated her friendship and kindness. Zuko knew he wasn't as skilled at being a friend like Katara was, but he wanted to at least try.

Returning to the task at hand, Zuko heated his palms under the plate and blew heat over the top. He stopped when he was satisfied and then grabbed two apples on his way to the table. Zuko then placed the plate before Katara with a sudden flourish that gave rise to a little giggle. He loved that sound. For a moment, he thought that he would be without it for a while given how last night turned out.

Maybe there was something he could do for Katara after all. He may not be ready or willing to go over some of his own traumas, but she offered. It was the least he could do to offer the same. "Hey, about last night," Zuko began not really knowing how to continue beyond that. He wasn't as delicate with his words as Katara was, so he only hoped that his bluntness wouldn't be too off putting. "Did Aang...do something to upset you?"

There was the million gold piece question. The simple answer would be a loud, ear splitting shriek. Yes! Aang had upset her. He upset her a great deal, but how could she explain that without sounding regretful of her situation- a situation that she put herself into when she agreed to be Aang's girlfriend at long last?

It would be best to not say anything. It was her problem. Even as her mind reeled, Katara should be able to figure a way to solve it. But every time the opportunity presented itself, Katara just found herself running away from it. She didn't want to be faced with the possibility that she was truly unhappy with her decision. It was the right one: Aang deserved to be happy with the one he loved.

Unable to breath passed the lump in her throat, Katara pushed her plate away. Unable to eat. Strong, familiar arms wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her against Zuko's chest. Katara didn't fight it, only rested her cheek against Zuko's heart. The rhythmic beating gave Katara something outside of herself to focus on. It was then that she realized that her vision had gone hazy as tears swelled up in her eyes, threatening to fall.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you!" Zuko insisted, hugging Katara as he'd seen her do for the others. Zuko didn't know what else to do. He had only wanted to offer Katara a listening ear. "If you don't want to talk about it, I would definitely understand," Zuko tagged on quickly, watching Katara's merry morning spiral downwards. "I just...if you want to talk about it, I'm here for you. I..." Damn. How did he continue? Katara made it look so easy when she bore the burden of everyone else's fears and sorrows.

Unflinching.

Unyielding.

Has it not occurred to anyone that she needed the same comfort as well? Did he even know how to help? Emulation could only go so far, but a crack had formed in the dam.

Katara listened as Zuko floundered. How had he noticed? "I want to talk about it, but I don't know how," she finally admitted. She fought back the tears, refusing to cry even as exhaustion sapped her of all her strength. She was just so tired. So frustrated and lost. It kept Katara awake at all hours of the night, even though her body begged for sleep. Last night's request from Aang was one of many. His childlike innocence carrying ignorant demands. It was too much, too soon.

Zuko almost told Katara to just tell him everything. Let it all go and cry like she so desperately needed too. He would not judge her. He couldn't. Katara was the strongest person he knew, but she was still human with inhuman demands placed about her shoulders. She was too proud to let it all go. Too strong willed and stubborn, but she wanted to try. "Tell me what you can."

"I ...Aang and I had started dating when the war ended, and I..." Katara sniffed, stalling in the hope that the right words would come to her. How was it that she could give herself to grand speeches to masses of people and comfort those that she loved with conviction? How could she do that, when she couldn't even put her own heart into words?

Zuko knew about her and Aang; he'd seen the stolen kisses and the held hands. Zuko had given his blessing with a tender smile when they'd announced their relationship. Yet, Zuko knew that there was no real change in their dynamic. Aang still needed to be followed after- watched in case he gave in to his flights of fancy.

Though wise beyond his years, he was still a child. Ignorant of the ways of the world, Aang was sheltered and protected against the harsh realities of growing up. Though two years was all that separated them, Katara still acted more like Aang's mother, sister, and teacher. Those roles she accepted easily, such was her nature. But then she also had to concede to intimate kisses and touches that those roles should not allow.

Zuko didn't know how she did it. He would watch her with Aang. He would watch her lecture the young Avatar for his childish behavior in light of political obligations, only to kiss him not long after. Each kiss was a vicious churn in his stomach. Ever the observer, the contrast in their disjointed relationship seemed perverse to him. But they were happy, and free to choose the relationship that suited them. Or so he thought. The almost woman in his arms was not one that was happily in love. "What did he do?"

"Well, he has it in his head that we should be…I dunno, like you and Mai, or Sokka and Suki are. I think that he wants to move really fast without understanding what he's asking me for, but at the same time, every time he asks me why I just…I don't know what to say to him." How did she go about explaining such things to Aang?

She was his girlfriend. But try as she might to cut the other roles away, Aang refused to grow up and give up the childish needs and desires that had Katara playing his mother. It wasn't right, and Katara couldn't keep track of everything. It was so much easier when the roles easily meshed together. One could be a teacher and a mother at the same time, but to take those roles and put them into a romantic setting had Katara struggling to find some kind of balance.

A spark of anger ignited within his belly, but Zuko managed to maintain a neutral mask as his mind flashed to last night. "Like Mai and me, could you be a bit more specific?" Zuko didn't want to jump to conclusions about the young monk. Aang was ignorant of such things.

"Well, you know…sleeping together and stuff. But I don't think he understands that there's more than just sleeping involved." Her eyes darted upwards, but all she could see was Zuko's strong jaw as he stared forward. His regal features were set in stone as his mind worked through Katara's words.

"Is that what he asked you last night?" He finally asked. At feeling Katara's nod, a wave of heat flashed from his form before vanishing as quickly as it came. "Would you like for me to…talk to him?" Zuko offered reluctantly once he had calmed himself. The very thought of having 'the talk' with the young airbender sent chills down his spine. Granted, Aang was about the same age when he, himself received 'the talk' from his uncle and later from his advisors. But it was so awkward just to hear it. Zuko could only imagine how much worse it would be for him to give it.

It as something that needed to be done and it shouldn't be Katara's responsibility. It wasn't fair to her. Zuko understood her reluctance to even broach the subject, even though avoiding it caused more harm than good.

How much longer until that ignorance faded? Would the demands fade with it? Zuko wanted to believe that was the case, but he knew Aang's personality. If he couldn't get what he wanted one way, he would always find another way. He needed to be made to understand, before Aang got it into his head that it would be okay for him to make such demands of Katara.

"You would do that," Katara gasped, knowing how humiliating the entire situation was. It was her burden to bear, and yet she as the words tumbled from her lips she found herself longing for Zuko's help. He gave it. She didn't have to beg, cajole, or bargain. He just gave it.

Just like that, the stress of the past two weeks had been lifted from her shoulders. "But what should I do? I mean, I know I can't do that. I know he doesn't understand, but I'm fifteen years old, I know what happens and, well…" Katara wasn't allowed the same obliviousness that Aang clung to. She was of marrying age, and as such knew what was expected of her when she was given to matrimony. Never before.

"Don't do anything," Zuko answered simply. "What he's asking for is something you shouldn't have to compromise on, not even for him." If Katara wanted to experience such a level of intimacy, it should be on her terms. Part of him was even glad that she had not surrendered to Aang in this. Katara came from a world where a woman's value was based entirely on her purity. He could never understand such an archaic view, but Aang's head would roll if he forced Katara to make such a sacrifice. She'd given up enough for him already.

"I know, but he always looks so betrayed when I tell him no. I just don't know what to do with him." Katara's shoulders slumped as she leaned more fully against Zuko's chest. She hadn't planned to come to anyone with her little problem. No one ever noticed the humiliation she suffered, but when Zuko asked it just came out. Now she couldn't stop her call for help. This was too much too soon in her relationship with Aang.

They'd only been together for barely three months. Most of that time was spent with others. Had they not parted for the damn skirmish in the colony, Aang wouldn't have even had the opportunity to push the way he was. Katara would have been with Zuko, working tirelessly towards a better tomorrow as she should. As they all should.

Zuko rubbed Katara's back, feeling her lull against his chest even though her mind still worked the stress of her relationship over in her mind. She needed a break from worrying over Aang and their relationship together. She needed a distraction, badly. He did too. "Come on, why don't we get cleaned up and explore the city," Zuko suggested, pushing his own anger at Aang's ignorance aside so that he could help Katara feel better. "I'll have a word with Aang the first chance I get, so don't worry about it. You've got enough to worry about. Just remember that he loves you. Once he realizes that he's hurting you, he'll stop." Or there was going to be a new Avatar very soon.

"Thank you," Katara sighed, glad that she had Zuko in her life. He wasn't so bad, for a jerkbender.

---

AU: Now, again, I can always change it back if the old way was preferred. I just felt as if that my writing has gotten better since the story's birth, so I went back to do a little (a LOT) of tweaking. The other chapters will be added in bulk once I finish the last of them. I've finished the sixth chapter's revamping, and the later chapters need next to no work beyond fixing loopholes and such. So my next stint with the interwebz will have this fic a bit more polished, followed by a brand spankin' new chapter. I've discovered the value of a synopsis, and now know that my villains should have been introduced ages ago, rather than waiting on standby.

Oops. Spoilers ;p