Hi, this is my very first fanfiction about the universe of ATLA. I of course own nothing related to this universe. Please note that English is not my first language (reviews correcting my grammar would be greatly appreciated). I hope you enjoy reading this chapter as much as I liked writing it.

Katara woke up, her heart was racing. She had been dreaming, and the dream was interrupted. She knew that much, but could not remember what it had been about. She was just left with a strange feeling of embarrassment – or was it guilt? – as she tried to catch her breath. Where was she? She looked around, and noticed the wooden ceiling above her. The wood was of a deep reddish color. Mahogany. She was lying on a bed, the sheets that covered her were of red satin. The air was warm, she'd left the window to her left open during the night, hoping to catch a cool breeze. Yes, it was definitely a weather Katara had trouble getting used to. The Fire Nation was known for its long, hot summers and mild winters. Katara fared better surrounded by ice, in her element. She remembered now, she was in the Fire Nation palace. 'Zuko's palace', she thought. 'Prince Zuko' was now 'Fire Lord Zuko'. She would also need some time to get used to that.

She wondered what time it was. According to the position of the sun, it was still a few hours until noon. Her stomach emitted a growl. Time for breakfast. She got up, throwing her legs over the side of the bed. After having freshened up, she got dressed and left in search of the Dining Hall. This was only her second day in the Fire Nation Palace, two days after Zuko's coronation, and she did not know her way around, the palace being the largest building she had ever been in by a long shot. She hoped to find a familiar face, or maybe a member of staff who could guide her way. She hoped she would not stumble across Aang.

Aang. It came back to her. She had dreamed of the Avatar that night. She'd remembered that moment she kissed him in Ba Sing Se, right after they'd won the war. She flinched. She had kissed Aang…but she was left confused as ever. She had kissed Aang because in the spur of the moment. They had just won a war, Ozai was finally defeated. She knew how the young Avatar felt about her. In that moment, when he'd looked at her with those wide grey eyes of his, kissing him had seemed natural. Like it was meant to be. And that's what everyone else thought, Aang included. They were meant to be. It was destiny. No one had questioned that fact, not even Sokka. So why was she having those dreams? She kept reliving the kiss, and each time she felt more uncomfortable. 'You make your own destiny', said a voice in her head. She was surprised to realize that the voice was Zuko's. Was that the problem? She felt like she was obligated to love Aang? He was the Avatar, he had saved the world. 'You're not a prize, Katara', the voice insisted. It wasn't that. Aang loved her! 'But do you love him?' The voice inquired. Of course she did. But she also loved Sokka. And Suki. And Toph. And Zuko. 'Damnit!' She thought. 'I'm just confused because I don't know whether or not we're dating!' She tried to convince herself, but the uneasiness remained.

She turned around a corner. She had no idea where to go next. Her stomach protested once again. She hoped she was at least on the right floor. She was considering knocking on the nearest door to ask whoever was in that room for directions when the door opened. Zuko came out, his hair tousled, as if he'd just woken up.

'Katara?' Zuko said, sounding surprised, 'What are you doing here?'

Katara looked at the ground, shifting awkwardly on her feet. For some reason, the fact that her conscience now sounded like Zuko was extremely embarrassing.

'Oh, uh, I was just trying to find my way to the dining hall,' she said, trying her best to sound casual, 'but this palace of yours is huge!'

Zuko chuckled. He had always found the Fire Nation palace to be ridiculously big as a child. It was inconvenient, and at times scary, especially when Azula was hiding, waiting to make him jump wherever he went. Now he'd somewhat gotten used to it.

'Come with me, I'll show you the way.' He replied, offering his arm.

Katara put her hand in the crook of his elbow. They walked in silence for a moment, Katara was racking her brain, trying to think of something interesting to say.

'I didn't see anyone on my way here. I thought there'd be guards.' She said, looking up towards him.

He gave her a little smile and said: 'Usually, yes, but I gave them a few days off, at least those who normally stand outside my bedroom.'

'Why?' she asked.

'After my coronation, I just…I didn't want to have to deal with that…I've seen more people in one day than I probably have in the past three years!' He chuckled softly. 'Last time I was here I wasn't…I wasn't very nice to the staff…I had a reputation, you see. I think they need time away, they need to be close to their families. Working for the likes of Ozai was never easy.' He shook his head. 'Besides, I've lived on my own for so long now…having people dress you, people standing outside your bedroom all the time can be a little…overwhelming.'

She nodded in understanding, before adding with a smirk: 'I mean, I wouldn't know, I am but a humble peasant.'

Zuko gave her a sad smile. 'You're not a peasant, Katara. I'm sorry for the way I spoke in the past. I'm sorry for what Azula may think. You are much nobler than she is, if you ask me.'

Katara tried to calm herself down to avoid the slight blush she felt creeping on her cheeks. 'It's fine, Zuko. I know you've changed, you don't have to apologize anymore. And Azula's crazy. But thank you, it actually means a lot.'

'Anytime.' He said. 'We're here.' He added, before opening the doors in front of them.

Everyone was already around the table, helping themselves to breakfast. Suki and Sokka were sitting on one side of the table, they had pushed their chairs so that they could sit closer to each other. Sokka's plate was covered in food, and Suki was shaking her head, watching him gulp down huge amounts of it at once. On the side of the table opposite Sokka was Toph, who had also filled her plate. Next to her, on her right, was Aang, with Momo on his shoulders. Aang was feeding the lemur some leechi nuts. They all interrupted their activities to greet the newcomers.

'Good morning!' Suki said, smiling kindly, while Sokka uttered something that they could not understand, due to the amount of food in his mouth.

'Your Highness, Sugar Queen.' Toph smirked.

Aang said nothing, he simply nodded, and flashed a bright smile at Katara who tried and failed to return it. The seat at the end of the table had been left vacant for Zuko to sit in, but so was the one immediately to his right.

'Left a spot for your girlfriend,' Toph said, 'but she didn't show.'

'Mai had to leave last night after dinner, to deal with family business.' Zuko simply said.

'Nothing bad, huh?' Katara asked, concerned.

'No, no, it's just that since the end of the war, her father's position has been…compromised. But I'll make sure her family is fine.'

'I'm sure you will.' Katara replied with a smile. She could see that Zuko was not being completely honest, but she decided it would be best to let it slide, for now at least.

The fact that Toph had left an empty seat gave Katara an advantage at least. She wouldn't have to sit next to Aang. She sighed. She couldn't keep avoiding the Avatar for very long. Still, she wasn't ready to deal with it this morning. She took the seat that had been meant for Mai, on Zuko's right hand, and began to eat. As she was eating, she noticed Zuko was looking at her strangely, like he wanted to tell her something, but couldn't bring himself to do it. He turned away when he saw Katara had noticed.

"What is it?" Katara asked gently.

'Nothing.' Zuko whispered back. 'What do you think of this palace? Other than the fact that it's too big, I mean.' He finished with a smile.

'Oh.' Katara said. She knew it wasn't what he wanted to say in the first place, and couldn't help but wonder what was bothering him. Perhaps it was about Mai? 'I don't know…there's a strange atmosphere about this place…like…,' she stopped, not sure how to continue, 'I mean…you can definitely tell that…things…happened here, but…it's like the place was haunted or something, and the cursed was recently lifted? It may sound stupid, but I think the place knows that the ownership has changed. Like the rest of the world, I guess, it's just entering a new era. Thanks to you.'

Zuko smiled even more. 'Wow,' he said, 'I didn't know you had such strong feelings about this place. I agree with you, but it's not just thanks to me. You guys are the ones who saved the world. Especially Aang, I mean he defeated Ozai!'

Katara couldn't help but tense when Zuko said Aang's name. He noticed.

'What's wrong?' he asked.

'Nothing.' Katara answered. Now she was the one keeping secrets.

'It's not nothing if it's bothering you…' Zuko insisted.

'No, it's fine, it's just…I'll tell you about it later, okay?' Katara murmured.

'Sure. I'm glad to help in any way I can. You know that.'

'Yeah, I know. Thanks, Zuko.' Katara gave him the biggest smile she could manage.

After breakfast, Zuko excused himself, as he had a meeting to attend. Katara excused herself to her room as well, claiming a headache, in a desperate attempt to avoid Aang for a little bit longer. The boy had been watching her keenly during the whole meal, and she was sure he hoped to talk to her. Suki frowned, looking at Katara's back as she exited the room. 'What was that about?' The young Kyoshi warrior wondered.

Without Zuko to guide her, it took Katara at least five minutes to get to her room. When she did, she flopped on the bed, scrutinizing the mahogany ceiling for the second time that day. She inhaled deeply. 'Okay. I can't do this forever…I need to talk to Aang'. The problem was that she had no idea what she would say once confronted to the Avatar. She loved him, that was certain. But she was not sure she loved him the way he wanted her to. The way he loved her. But now that she had returned one of his kisses, she had given him hope. That had definitely been a huge mistake on her part. She thought back on the three times Aang had kissed her: before the invasion on the day of Black Sun, on Ember Island during the play about them, and finally in Ba Sing Se, just outside Iroh's teashop. The first time Aang had kissed her, she hadn't pushed him away, but she hadn't kissed him back either. Besides, at that point, there was a strong possibility that at least one of them would die before sundown. The kiss had been quick, to say goodbye, and good luck. The second one…she did not like to remember. Aang had taken her by surprise that time. She was already trying to figure out exactly what she felt towards the Avatar, and he had taken advantage of her vulnerable state. The kiss had been selfish, for Aang alone. The third time...well, that time she did kiss him back. She had hoped that by kissing him, now that the war was over, she would finally feel like she was supposed to. But it had backfired. Before they won the war, she thought her problem was that she was afraid to start a relationship when she had no perspective of the future. What if she'd died? What if Aang hadn't beaten Ozai? It would have been even more painful. But now…the world was entering an era of peace, and yet she was still confused about her feelings. The worst part was that Aang, on the other hand, was not. He had made it very cler that he saw Katara as his girlfriend, even though they'd never talked about it.

Katara grabbed one of her silk pillows, put it over her face, and screamed in frustration. She had to figure it out. Before long, Aang would take her and Sokka back to the South Pole. The journey would be terribly awkward in any case, but she would certainly feel better if she told him what was on her mind. As she was thinking of a way to speak to Aang, there was a knock on the door. Her stomach twisted. Was it Aang? She sat up.

'Yes?' Katara called

'It's me, Suki! Can I come in?'

'Yes, of course,' Katara said with a sigh of relief.

Suki came into the room, but she was not alone. Standing next to her was Toph.

'Did you want something?' Katara suggested.

'Not really. Actually, I just wanted to speak with you.' The older girl replied.

'Oh. Sure, I'm listening. Does it have anything to do with my brother?'

'No, not at all. It's about you…and Aang.' Suki said calmly.

'Oh.' Katara replied, her shoulders slumping a little.

'Well I think you've already told us what we need to know, Sugar Queen,' Toph said ironically, 'just saying his name puts you in such a state!'

'Did something…happen between you two?' Suki continued, her voice still soft.

'I…When we were in Ba Sing Se…we kissed. It was the first time that I kissed him. He'd kissed me twice before, but it'd always been one-sided.' Katara admitted.

'Well shouldn't you be happy, then?' Toph said, perplexed.

'That's an excellent question, Toph.' Katara replied sourly.

'What do you mean? Are you…not happy?' Suki asked, concern causing her forehead to wrinkle.

'I…don't know. I have lots of reasons to be. And I am, really. It's just that…I don't know, I expected everything to be simple. I thought that once we'd won the war, Aang and I would be together, and we'd be happy, and that'd be it. But now that the war is done, I…I don't know if I want that to happen anymore!' Katara exclaimed.

'Well…,' Suki tried, 'Do you love him?'

'Of course I do. I'm just not sure whether or not I love him…like that.' Katara felt exhausted.

'Well. If you don't want to be with him, no one can force you, Katara! You have to do what you want to do!' Suki said, her voice a little higher than usual.

Toph nodded in agreement before adding: 'Do you want to be with him? And don't tell me 'I don't know', because I think you do.'

'I…I…No, I don't.' Katara conceded. 'If I wanted to be, it would be clear to me, wouldn't it?', she thought.

'Well…then you have to tell him. As soon as possible. If he truly loves you, he won't push. He'll understand.' Suki concluded firmly.

'I know…I hope so.' Katara whispered.

And that's it for chapter one! Hope you liked it. Reviews are more than welcome xx.