Title – Everything I Wanted Was Right There (Never Forgotten)

Author – Sabrina Amethyst

Rating – T for Safety

Pairings – Kataang, Zutara, Maiko, Tokka

Full Summary – Post-War. One year after the war, Fire Lord Zuko pays a visit to Ba Sing Se for a special peace rally. There, he finds that the Avatar and his friends still remember him fondly, some more than others…

Chapter 1

Arrival

"The Fire Lord is here, Aang," Sokka said as he came running into the large reception room. He looked around in silent awe as he slowed to a walk looking for the young Avatar.

"I think Zuko will like what you've done with the place," he commented, fingering one of the Fire Nation tapestries hanging from the ceiling. "Aang, are you here?"

The airbender came down from the ceiling on an air scooter. "Hey Sokka! Fire Lord Zuko is here, then?"

"Yeah, Toph just went out to greet him."

"Oh that'll be fun," Aang said a little sarcastically as he straightened himself out and started for the towering doors.

"I think she said something along the lines of 'Ooh, Hothead is here? I'll go say hi…' before taking off in his general direction. I can only imagine what she's going to do to upset him this time…"

As Sokka trailed off, Aang opened the door to the outer world of Ba Sing Se. He found Zuko and Toph talking animatedly, presumably catching up on the past year's events, and walking up the steps. Zuko looked up as the doors opened, revealing a surprised Sokka and a grinning Aang.

"I'm glad you two are getting along so well this year!" Aang exclaimed. Sokka picked up his dropped jaw, smiling and waving.

"Hey Toph, and hello Fire Lord Zuko. Man, I still can't get over the fact that you're the Fire Lord now! I mean, it's so cool for…"

"Hello to you too, Sokka. I see you're still as long-winded as you were last I saw you." Zuko gave a half smirk as Sokka sputtered slightly at his comment. Zuko turned around when he heard footsteps behind him.

"And here's Mai," he said smiling at his girlfriend. She nodded to Aang and Sokka before turning to Zuko and kissing him on the cheek. She pulled back to see him slightly flushed.

"Greetings, Avatar Aang," she said calmly to Aang, then nodded to Sokka again and followed Zuko and Aang into the throne room of the palace.

"So where's Katara?" Zuko asked, looking around. "I haven't seen her yet."

"She's probably feeding Appa. Want me to go get her?"

"No, that's okay," Zuko said, shifting his eyes so no one could see them. Just then, the door opened and Katara stumbled in.

"Sorry I'm late, Aang," Katara started, but she stopped when Zuko stood and walked over to her.

"Fire Lord Zuko, welcome to Ba Sing Se." She nodded calmly, avoiding his eyes. Zuko wrapped his arms around the waterbender and hugged her. Katara started at this, unsure of what to think. With an encouraging nod from Aang, she hugged back.

"Katara, it's good to see you. I'm glad you're doing well," he said, releasing her. He walked back to his seat next to Mai and rejoined the group as Katara tried to hide her slightly flushed face from the people around her while she took a seat between Aang and Sokka.

"As you all know, in the next three days Ba Sing Se will be hosting a peace rally in celebration of the anniversary of the end of the war," Aang started. "We've invited important leaders from all over the world to join us here. We have representatives from the Water Tribes," he nodded to some blue-robed men, "The Earth King," he indicated a man in green surrounded by some earthbenders, including Toph, "And the Fire Lord," he gestured to Zuko, who sat next to him.

"Who represents the Air Nomads?" One of the younger waterbenders asked, looking for the red and yellow robs of the air monks.

"Since I am still the only airbender left, I will represent the Air Nomads on behalf of my people." The young waterbender nodded in response.

"Does anybody have any questions?" Everybody looked around at each other, shaking their heads and muttering amongst themselves. Aang nodded.

"You will be shown to where you are staying by your element's escort; Earthbenders follow Toph Bei Fong, Waterbenders follow Katara. Fire Lord Zuko, I will show you to your nation's quarters." Zuko nodded and stood, following Aang out of the room.