Author's Note: All right, I have recently just finished Avatar: The Last Airbender all over again. It blew my mind, like, several times. It's wonderful, and beautiful. I wish to continue the main plot in most of my ATLA stories.
Disclaimers: I don't own anything of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I'm just merely a fan, as almost everyone else.
A little girl with dark, smooth skin comes running down the halls of the Fire Nation Palace. In one hand she holds a bear, which is scorched badly. One eye is missing, and the leg is ripped, sizzling. As she cries, Zuko lifts his head from his desk, dropping the ink-covered brush onto the yellow paper, spinning around to see his daughter's tear-streaked face. Quickly, he grimaces.
"Lie Mei, what's the matter honey," Zuko asked, his arms opening quickly as a toddler runs into his chest, hitting roughly. The hair has been brushed back behind his ears, actually able to see his crying daughter. "Did Shen hurt you again? Want me to teach him a lesson?"
Shaking her head, she half crawls, half climbs along her father's leg, sitting along it so she can bury her head deep into his shoulder. Whimpering, she sniffles once, "No, he burnt Mr. Fyyu," She sniffles twice. "See, look." Leaning back slightly, she holds up a burnt part of the bear's limb, putting it directly into Zuko's face.
In his mind, he's quite proud that his son has developed Fire Bending, but will have to teach him about the true meaning of Fire Bending, remembering not to share the Sun Warrior's secrets though. Grabbing Lie Mei's back, he holds her steadily as he takes the bear in his other hand, examining it. Shen did a good burn, that's for sure.
"Here," Standing, he pulled Lie Mei higher onto his chest, wrapping both arms around her as he left his study, leaving the door cracked open. "Let's go to daddy's room, okay?" Zuko starts to head to his room, out of the corner of his eye, he catches his seven year-old son drooping his head, and wandering the front part of the Palace. Calling out, he manages to keep his voice in a somewhat non-threatening voice. "I'll let your mother deal with you, son."
A small smile pressed his face as he heard the pout of Shen, shaking his head as he hit his bedroom door open with his right hip. Switching Lie Mei to the other side of his body, he can start to feel her legs wrapping tighter around his body. He always thanked the Spirits' that his daughter had got her mother's complexion, but his hazel-yellow eyes. My, she was beautiful.
Using his now free hand, also remembering to switch Mr. Fyyu to his other hand as well, he lit the lamps by the bed, and one by Katara's desk. Making sure not to blaze her paper work. "Where's mommy?" He heard her mumble in his neck.
"She's probably with Uncle Iroh, why?" He asked as he sat her down at the edge of the bed, placing her teddy-bear on Katara's desk, his head turning back to look at her.
"Well... Shen was talking about you and mommy, and I thought he was lying, and th-" She explained quickly, causing Zuko to wave his hands frantically in front of him. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait, sweetheart, what did Shen say?"
"He said that you met mommy a long time ago, and you were best friends with her, but your other best friend loved mommy, so you guys didn't love each other. Then I got sad, and he told me not to tell you! But, but! I-I.. I-" Tears formed in her eyes, her small knuckles brushing them away. All she saw was her father start to kneel in front of her.
"Hey, hey. Why you crying, baby? Shh, don't cry." Over the years, Zuko has found himself to be more affectionate, now that Katara has been in his life. It's a beauty to see his family. Katara should be back home within a few more hours, it is getting late..
Wiping away the last couple of tears, she began explaining again, "He said that you fought for mommy, and Aunt Azula tried hurting mommy, but you stopped it. Then, Avatar Aang was going to marry mommy, and you guys wouldn't love each other!" It broke Zuko's heart seeing her cry, but he had to stifle a laugh from her odd reasoning, and his son's foolish listening from Uncle Sokka.
Sighing, Zuko responded, "Listen, sweetheart, I did do that. I stopped Aunt Azula from hurting mommy, I did that because I love her. I wouldn't want to see the woman I love get hurt, now would I? Aang loved mommy, but there were some complications, and mommy didn't have the same feelings.. Ya' understand?" Seeing her brown, silky hair bob, he smiled and continued.
"Then, after I was crowned Fire Lord, I told mommy how I felt. I told her how much she meant to me, and I loved her. I didn't want to wake up without her by my side. She felt the same way. Then, we got married, and had Shen, now we have you. I wouldn't change my life, because all three of you are my life." Zuko placed both of his hands on her shoulders, smiling as he squeezed her. Getting a huge, warm hug from his lovely daughter. He kissed her hair, holding her close to him.
"Hey, dad, will you tell me a story before I go to bed?" She asked as she pulled away from him, an adorable smile worked its way on her lips, and Zuko couldn't refuse. He nodded, and stood, holding his hand out for his daughter to take it. Lie Mei took it, and hopped off the bed, walking with him to her own room. She quickly left Zuko's hand as she ran towards her mother. Screaming, "Mommy!"
Katara turned around, a big fat smile on her face, kneeling down to catch her princess. Her prince soon wrapped his arms around her shoulders, giving her a wet kiss from the looks of Zuko's eyes. Walking over to the crowd, Zuko stood with his arms folded, smiling. Zuko married at the age of 19, Katara was 17. Having Shen, his first child, at the age of 21, and having Lie Mei at the age of 28. This now, makes him 32 years of age. Katara had Shen at 19, and had her princess at 26.
It was hard taking care of The Fire Nation, and watching two children, but they managed. It was a treat to see them, and Katara nearly cries every time she has to leave her children on business. It breaks her heart to leave her children.
"Hello, my children. How are you?" Giving both of them a kiss on the lips, she stands and looks down at them. both of them speaking at once. Shen was jumping up and down, and talking about his Fire Bending, and Lie Mei was shouting about Mr. Fyyu, and how it got all burned.
"Now, now, once, my loves. Let's go in the family room after I speak with your father," Katara eyed Zuko, and winked with her left eye. A playful smile eased on his lips. He watched as both of his children raced each other. Surprisingly, his daughter was more agile. Katara walks slowly into her husband's awaiting arms, she wraps her own around his chest. While his wrap, and stay on her back, Zuko tilts his head down to kiss her shiny hair.
"I missed you, Zuko." She spoke quietly, as if she hadn't slept in days.
"I missed you too, Katara." He spoke truth. He missed waking up with her on his shoulder, or greeting those soft lips with a kiss. Or the nights where they would just sit up, and laugh, and talk. They couldn't do that before when they were friends, they had to save the world.
"Man, you're awfully warm today." Katara remarked, slightly thrown-off by this.
"I'm always warm, dear." He chuckled, and leaned back, catching hold of her face with his palms, guiding his lips down onto hers. They danced in a passionate kiss. It had been 41 hours, 35 minutes since he last saw Katara, he needed the kiss. Katara was the first to pull away, smiling. She took his hand, and laced their fingers together, they walked to the family area, where they saw their kids sitting next to each other.
Zuko waved for a maid to come and serve them some fruit, and tea. Every time, whether it be Zuko or Katara, when they came home from a trip, they always sat around and talked about their trip. Or they sat and read, or talked about school. It was a generous idea that Katara had came up with. So far, they've been doing this for three years.
After thirty minutes of chatting about Katara's trip to visit Uncle Iroh in Ba Sing Se, and discuss plans with the Earth Kingdom. The White Lotus were there as well, involving with the great plans. They came to an agreement that the Earth Kingdom should make safer walls around the kingdom, along with the other two allies.
"All right, children, it's getting late. Come give your father, and I a kiss. Go to bed afterwards, please." Katara announced, sitting back, Zuko's arm wrapped around the pillow that she sat infront of, his hand now on her shoulder.
Shen ran over o Zuko, and Lie Mei ran to Katara. They hugged for a good minute, Zuko embraced his only son, and kissed him. Zuko made a promise to himself that he would never do what his father did to him. He vowed that he would love Shen with all of his might, and more than his life. Just as he pledged for Katara, and Lie Mei. The children switched sides, kissing and hugging the other parents.
"I love you." Zuko and Katara spoke in unison, looking towards each other as they said it. Snickering, then turned back to their kids.
"I love you more!"
"I love you with all my heart!"
A few giggles from children, then two doors shut. Zuko reminded himself of the story he was going to tell Lie Mei, he'll do that tomorrow night. Katara was resting her head on Zuko's shoulders, her hand pressed on his warm, throbbing chest. She felt his heart beat constantly, and found herseld closing her eyes, a broad smile too.
Zuko rested his head on her own, his fingers stroking the exposed skin from her outfit. She was more than beautiful. Radiant. Gorgeous. Katara's wedding ring sparkled, it caught Zuko's eye. He shifted, making Katara sit up. He took both of her hands in his, his eyes admiring the jewelry on her finger.
"We've been married for 23 years, and when I was 18, I thought I was going to lose you..." Zuko hardly talked about the past, it was a touchy subject, but Katara learned that when he did it was sentimental.
"23 long, phenomenal years. And I spent them with my best friend." Katara smiled, which earned her a big, goofy grin from her husband. He clasped his arms around her small frame, which she returned back. He hugged her tightly, his left hand rubbing the small of her back. He kissed her bare neck, barely skimming his tongue along the skin. She made a giggle, and Katara leaned back slightly, but was still in his grasp.
Katara placed a kiss on his jaw-line, feeling the small stuble against the side of her face. He smelled... exotic. She inhaled once more, and a fiery passion built within her. Quickly, she moved onto his lap, which Zuko sunk back into the pillows beneath him, and behind him. He pressed his palms at her hips, his fingers fumbling with the fabric as the two entwined her tongues together. Katara dove in, holding Zuko by gripping his shirt near his neck, scrunching the cloth together in her fists.
Soon, Zuko would be building an arousal, his hips would start to push up, making Katara fall back down on his crotch. As this happened, he groaned, and Katara could feel his growing length pressed against her own crotch. Katara parted the kiss, lustfull eyes gazed at each other for a while, then the two broke into a roaring laughter. It was a problem, after 23 years of marriage, they still couldn't look each other in the eyes for a long time without laughing, and getting buterflies in their stomachs. It was cute, to them at least.
After a few more minutes of making out like teenagers, Zuko and Katara decided to head for bed. On the way there, Zuko spoke about Shen's actions. He was upset at his child, but they all make mistakes. "You know, Shen burned Mr. Fyyu with fire.." He almost talked with a slight disgrace. He hoped Shen wouldn't use the Fire Bending for control, and only for self-defense or the correct way.
"Wait, excuse me?" Katara stopped in her tracks, looking at Zuko as she reached out to pull him to face her. "Why? What did my baby do?" Zuko swallowed, and pressing his two fingers towards his temple, rubbing it.
"Shen must've got a hold of a Fire Bending scroll, and learned about the totems in my study. He and Lie Mei got in an argument about us, and then he... well, caught her bear of fire. It was si-"
"Stop," Katara cut off his sentences, "they argued about us? Why?" She asked, her head turning slightly.
"Your brother told Shen about when we were friends, when we had to stop my father. Shen told Mei, and she got all upset. She thought that you loved Aang, and not me. I told her that wasn't true though." Zuko explained carefully, watching Katara's expressions. Hoping that she wouldn't get mad, or upset.
"We should tell them, what happened." Katara spoke, looking at Zuko. Her face stern.
"I promised Lie Mei that I'd tell her as a bed time story, you can tell it with me, if you'd wish." Zuko smiled, grabbing her hand as the two walked to their bedroom. Opening the door, Zuko quickly abandoned his clothing, leaving him only in his smalls. Still, continuing the conversation with Katara, who was brushing her hair, and starting to remove her shirt.
"We should tell them everything. The fights we got into, how Sokka and I found Aang, Toph.. Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai..." Katara's voice trailed off, she seemed distant, but Zuko didn't respond to it. He folded his shirt, and was now working on folding his pants.
Katara was in her wrappings, her back was muscular, and Zuko enjoyed the view. She hung the tribal outfit in her dresser, moving to her vanity. Which Zuko moved behind her, placing on hand on her shoulder, the other playing with the strands of hair she wasn't brushing.
"We'd have to tell him on different nights, this story will take days, maybe even weeks if we go into full detail." He proclaimed, leaning down to kiss her cheek before moving to his desk, picking up the dried brush and setting it in the ink holder. Flipping the pages in his journal, rereading everything that he wrote in the past.
Brushing out the knots, then combing some strands, Katara talked, "Yeah, she should tell Shen, too. I'm sure he'd love to hear of his father's ass kicking abilities." Zuko chuckled, a hand on his own chest while he briskly scanned the pages.
"I uh, think we should tell them the meaning of their names, too." Katara spoke, making Zuko turn around. Katara turned to look at her husband, a weary smile on her face. With a long, muffled sigh, he nodded. Leaning over his desk to blow out the fire, which Katara had down too. He finally reached the bed, landing in the mattress with a grunt. Wrapping his body under the sheet, while Katara maneuvered herself under the comforters.
"Goodnight, love." Katara spoke, yawning in mid-sentence.
"Goodnight, my dear."