119 ASC
The Waterbender was perched along the window. Her luscious cocoa-coloured hair was loose from its regular braid, her electric blue eyes attentive. The moon rose in the midnight sky, shining it's light across Republic City. The city was small, not that she didn't know it would grow, but it was humble. Noises from the streets of Republic City could be heard from a mile away. They could be heard even here, on Air Temple Island.
Katara smiled sadly, looking out towards Yue Bay. She remembered the world years ago, ruined with a hundred years of war. Her husband, Avatar Aang saved the world from devastation along with an unlikely source. Fire Lord Zuko helped Aang restore balance to the world, ending the war and bringing in a new era of peace. She could still fondly remember his long, shaggy hair, bright and dangerous golden eyes and scar, covering his left eye. Her heart ached whenever she thought of him. The young teenager she saw grow up into a Fire Lord heartthrob. She knew she loved him, ever since they found Yon Rha, her mother's killer, together. Her heart belonged to him. But his did not.
Two years after Fire Lady Mai was crowned, shy of Zuko's 26th birthday, Aang proposed. Aang loved Katara with his entire soul. She cared for him, but as a sister would to a brother. She couldn't break his heart, savior of the world. She accepted. And on her wedding day, as Katara walked down the aisle, she saw Zuko, sitting poised as ever giving her a slight smile. She knew this was a mistake she would regret for her life.
But she did go and marry the Avatar. Everyone rejoiced, and now here she was, on the windowsill looking at her sleeping husband, daughter and son. She loved the three of them so much, Aang, Kya and Bumi. Another on the way, Katara placed her hand gently on her growing belly. She would never leave them. She knew she couldn't. This was her family. They were her everything. But as she stared back at the shimmering moon, Katara couldn't help but wonder. If I had another chance.
150 ASC
You'll take good care of Ilah, I know it," Mai clutched his hand, her life slowly seeping away her strength.
Zuko closed his eyes. His face scrunched up, his scar twisting in a horrible way. Tears squeezed out of his eyelids, streaming down the Fire Lord's face, dropping off of his chin onto his dying wife.
Mai looked at Zuko painfully. She stroked his face, caressing his cheek, her smooth hands like a feathery touch. Lacing her fingers with her husband she looked contentedly at him, a final breath escaping her lips.
Mai's fingers went limp. Zuko's blood-shot eyes shot up, frantically trying to revive her. He hastily moved his middle and index finger around her pulse points, finding silence.
"No–No–NO, MAI–" Zuko choked on his tears. "Please, please don't leave me–" A hand reached out on Zuko's shoulder. He shakingly turned around, staring at the young woman in front of him. Her long dark hair was loose and amber eyes shone fiercely.
"Father," The girl pulled Zuko into a hug, they clutched each other, letting their tears fall. Zuko could feel his back getting moist, he slowly pulled out of the embrace and brought his eyes in front of his daughters'.
"Ilah, be strong. For your mother," Zuko smiled a little. He observed Ilah's lovely growing face, her features sharp, eyes damp and red. "Ilah, do you–do you know that you were named after Fire Lady Ilah, one of the most famed in all of Fire Nation history," Zuko remembered little of his Grandma. "She was kind and courteous, sweet yet firm and always had a smile–" Zuko wiped away a tear with his thumb falling from Ilah's eye, "On her face?"
Ilah nodded. She'd heard the story a million times. She was never named after Zuko's long-lost-but-recently-found mother Ursa because it brought back painful memories of her father's childhood. She had never asked why but she knew it must've been serious. "I know, Dad."
"When Fire Lord Azulon was away waging battles for a pointless war, Fire Lady Ilah ruled a nation that was at peace within themselves." Zuko continued, his face somber. "I'm sure you're capable of that."
Ilah nodded and then froze. Her eyes widened and she looked at her father in shock. Was he saying that... Did he want me to...?
Zuko smiled at Ilah and brought her into another strong hug. Over her shoulder, he could see Mai's face at rest, looking like she had gone into a very deep slumber. Shaking his head, clearing out all the pain, Zuko kissed Ilah on the cheek, "I want you to rule the Fire Nation now. I think the time has come for me to peacefully retire and move away for a while."
"Are you sure, Father?" The two stood in front of Mai's body, holding hands. "This is a lot to process..."
"I'm sure your mother would have your full support," Zuko turned to his daughter and smiled a little.
"But, where will you go?" Ilah questioned. Her father wasn't one that took "vacations".
"After I fully retire from my duties...I think... Yes, the South Pole," Zuko thought intently.
"Wh–What? Why?" The woman looked at her father curiously. "Why there?"
"I have some unfinished business to do."
Katara wiped a tear away from her face. As she looked out up to the sky, beams of orange and yellow bursting out from the horizon on the cold wintery day. Katara's hair loopies blew across her wrinkled face, causing her to tighten her fastenings on her midnight blue coat.
Aang was in Republic City, for the inauguration of Lin Bei Fong as the new chief of police. Katara was invited, but she declined, saying that the South Pole needed her guidance. Katara had managed to turn her small humble village into a growing city made simply of snow, ice and determination. The population was growing by the day, more waterbenders than ever. Katara was the head healer with endless wisdom, everyone came to her if they needed help–
Katara heard crunching of snow behind, whipping her head around to see him. Him.
"Zuko?" Katara's eyes filled with tears, running towards Zuko, enveloping him in a bone-crushing hug.
Zuko smiled and put his arms around Katara's waist. She smelt the same. Like salt water and air. Air. "It's wonderful to see you again, Katara."
Sighing, Katara whispered something illegible as Zuko brought his arm around Katara and patted her back.
As moments passed by, Katara brought her face out of Zuko's robes and stared at the boy she once loved. His face had grown weary, his scar weathered and crinkles around his eyes. His hair had grown white and grey, loose like old times. But his golden eyes stayed the same. Those proud amber eyes she trusted hadn't changed. "I heard. About Mai. I'm sorry, Zuko. But what are you doing here?"
Zuko smiled slightly at Katara. She changed so much over the years. Now a splitting image of her grandmother, Kanna, she was still as strong as ever. Her eyes were like icy pools of water, he felt himself falling into. Zuko took one of Katara's hair loopies and began fiddling with it, "I came here, to see you."
Katara disconnected herself from Zuko. She found his hand and clutched it. "I've missed you."
"As have I," Zuko spoke, his voice growing softer. "Everything's changed."
"It has," Katara sighed, staring at the streaks of orange, red and yellow bursting out from the sinking sun. "I heard you retired. Passing on throne to Ilah."
Zuko nodded. "I knew she was ready. She already has a child after all. Iroh. Named it after Uncle." He smiled, Katara had missed Uncle the most since he passed.
But Katara's next words surprised him. "Did, did you know–there was a time–a time when I– I thought that I– I loved you."
"Do you still?" Zuko spoke, recovering from his shock. It was completely out of the blue. But he knew he always had a soft spot for Katara.
"I think I do," Katara whispered back.
Their lips touched. His as soft as she imagined, their bodies moving in sync. Zuko's hand moved towards Katara's back, guiding her lips towards his. But, it was a short kiss. Katara broke them apart, lightly pushing his chest away.
"I'm still married, for Spirt's sakes!" Katara muttered, her eyes downcast. "I–love Aang. What about Mai?"
"I don't care." Zuko spoke, lifting Katara's chin, staring at those lovely eyes of hers. "We were meant to be together. Didn't you want to be with me?" When she didn't respond, Zuko sighed. "I guess, this is it, then."
"Another place maybe, another time. But not here, not now." Katara spoke softly.
"I'll be waiting." Zuko caressed Katara's face before turning around and leaving..
Katara closed her eyes, until she could no longer hear the treading of Zuko's footsteps. Looking up, she saw the last rays of the sunshine beam from the horizon. I'll find you Zuko. I promise.
Author's Note: Love to all of you Avatar fans out there. What did you think of the Legend of Korra Season Finale on June 23rd?
