AN: Hey all! I don't know about you guys, but I totally ship Kataang. I think it's one of the only parings in cartoons that doesn't seem forced just because they're the main characters. At the same time though, I love stories where Aang finds out that Zuko and Katara are in a relationship and how it breaks his heart. So, naturally, I had to give a story like that a shot xP Stay tuned for more chapters coming soon!

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fanfiction. Avatar: The Last Airbender is owned by Bryan Konietzko and Micheal Dante DiMartino. Please support the official release.

"Relax Aang – I'm sure they're fine."

"Sokka, this is Azula we're talking about. I know Zuko and Katara are both powerful benders, but she's dangerous. I would never forgive myself if something happened to them."

"What's there to worry about, Twinkle Toes? You beat the FIRE LORD – there is no war anymore! Even if by some miracle if Azula isn't taken care of there's no way she can take Katara, Zuko, me and you at the same time."

Aang looked at Toph before nodding and saying, "Yeah…you're right." It had been one hell of a night for Team Avatar. Earlier in the day, they realized that they were in for the fight of their lives when they met up with the members of the White Lotus and they parted to do their duty for the world. Sokka, Toph and Suki went to the airship field to try and do whatever they could to stop Ozai and the rest of the fleet from burning down the Earth Kingdom, and Zuko and Katara flew to the Fire Nation palace to stop Azula. Aang himself reappeared from nowhere minutes after Ozai had started raining fire down on the land, and challenged him to a duel which would determine the fate of the world. It was truly a clash of the titans, and in a dramatic twist, Aang defeated Ozai by taking away his bending, thus disabling him from ever hurting anyone else ever again. Now, Aang, Sokka, Suki and Toph were on their way to see Zuko and Katara, who had hopefully ended their battle. Aang was filled with a mixture of anticipation and happiness. 'I can finally tell Katara that I love her! Oh – well, I'm guessing she already knows that by now…but now we can be together. There's nothing to stop us. I've saved the world, the war is over, and I think she even likes me back…..' Aang smiled as the airship started to descend, indicating that they reached the palace.

"Aang, what are you so happy about?"

Aang turned to see Toph standing next to him. Aang said, "How did you know I was – oh wait. You sensed my heart rate, didn't you?" Toph nodded. "Well, nothing in particular. I'm just happy that the war has ended, that's all. I mean, it has been 100 years." Toph nodded and said, "Twinkle Toes, you know I can tell when you're lying right?" Aang nodded and said, "Yeah…I know. So?" Toph smiled and said, "I know that you care a lot for Sugar Queen, and that you want the two of you to live happily ever after, but just remember that sometimes not everything turns out the way you want." Aang looked at Toph quizzically. "Toph, what are you getting at?" Toph bit her lip. She sighed and said "Nothing. Let's go meet the others." Aang shrugged and walked to the front of the ship. Toph sighed as Sokka came up to her. "What's with him?" Toph shrugged and said, "I wish I didn't know." Sokka raised his eyebrows and looked again at Aang, who was staring at the point the walkway would drop.

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE CAPITAL

Katara stared at the sky, patiently waiting for any sign of a ship. However, upon hearing a groan behind her, she broke out of her reverie and ran to Zuko, who was collapsed on the ground. She quickly brought out her pouch and put her hands over Zuko's wound. A green glow emanated from the spot and Zuko's irregular breathing slowed and eventually became normal. She sighed in relief as she withdrew her hands and said, "I've temporarily patched things up, but we need to get you looked at properly. With any luck an airship will be here soon and we can get you a nice long healing session." Zuko nodded and sighed. "It was a cheap trick on Azula's part; trying to hurt you instead of just focusing on me. I shouldn't have been so overconfident." Katara chuckled. "Well, I'd actually be worried if you weren't overconfident." Zuko looked at her with a befuddled expression. "Aren't you the one who always goes on about always sizing up your opponent and never underestimating them, no matter what?" Katara smiled and said, "Yeah, that's me. But it just doesn't feel like you if you didn't come off a little cocky. It would have shown that you were jittery and nervous. I don't know if Azula would have picked up on that, but if she did, she could have used it to her advantage." Zuko's eyes widened momentarily as he realized that Katara was right. "H-How did you know that? Even I didn't know that, and I was the one who fought her." Katara said, "Well, I've kind of seen you fighting for around a year now. So I know your style and whatnot – like when you're backed into a corner or when you have the upper hand. You tend to notice these things after a point." Zuko stared at the sky without a word. Eventually Katara stood up and said that she was going to go see if there was anyone else around in the city. Zuko nodded and watched her leave through the back door of the compound. As soon as she left, Zuko sighed and tried to sit up again, but failed as pain shot through his body. He groaned and lay flat on his back as his mind raced at a million miles per hour.

'How can I tell her? Should I even tell her? I mean, it wasn't too long ago that she started to even trust me and consider me a part of the group – to go from that to…well…whatever this is, it's far-fetched that she'll even take me seriously….but even so; I still have to let her know! She'll probably end up with Aang though…they have been travelling together for around a year now, and she probably sees me as a brotherly figure to her…..not to mention the political aspect of it all….(sigh) I'm overthinking this, aren't I?'

Zuko was broken out of his reverie by Katara's voice. "I couldn't find anyone, but then again, I didn't go far. I'm guessing there's no sign from the others?" Zuko couldn't help but notice the hope clearly laced within the young waterbenders' voice.

'That could be for her brother – it's not necessarily for Aang.'

He shook his head and said in a raspy voice, "None. But don't worry – I'm sure they'll be back soon. The comet has almost finished its run across the planet."

"You can feel it?"

"Yeah – the warmth and additional power that it gives us fades away as it gets farther away from the Earth."

Katara nodded and returned to looking at the sky. Zuko gazed at her out of the corner of his eye and wrestled with the idea of just telling her how he felt. Finally, he said in a timid voice,

"Katara? Can I ask you a question?"