Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar. Nor do I own any of the other characters involved in Avatar. But I do own this story!

Wherever Fate Takes You

Chapter one: So Much for Fun

Note: This story will be seen from almost every characters point of view, but mostly Katara and Zuko. And yes, this is a Zutara story…so for all you Kataang people…..better leave the room now.

"I swear! You hand me one more piece of paper to look at I'm gonna water whip you out of this room!" I saw the attendant freeze at that very moment and hid the parchment behind his back. It would have been entertaining to watch him scurry in fear if I wasn't already so frustrated. I must have been working all day without any breaks. I'm only 18, I need a break or two from all these political problems. Just as the attendant leaves, my stressed out brother decides to join me.

"How are things holding up on you're side?" I gave him a good look at my face as an answer.

"God, you look horrible."

"Thanks Sokka. I love you too." My sarcasm must not have reached his brain before he lied down on my couch on the other side of the office. I was staring at my never ending stack in disgust. Also trying to figure out how many ways I can destroy each piece with my water bending. Instead, I just took the next sheet and looked at the ridiculous demands from both the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation.

"Can't these people understand we can't provide them everything? We're only one nation! We need our resources too!" I blurted out waking up my snoring brother. He stared at me as if I was the only one with the problem.

"You think you have it bad? At least you only have too read what they want! I actually have to talk to these people! Not to mention help rebuild the South!" And here we go again. Sokka would always spend a good ten minutes ranting about how horrible his job was. How snobby the fire nation ambassadors were and how foolish the Earth Kingdom was. Judging from the way things were going, nothing was getting done. It has been two years after the war and from all the damage that happened over the past 100 years, it looked like it was going to take another century just to fix this mess. Stupid Ozai. Don't get me wrong, my brother and I have nothing against the Fire Nation nor the Earth Kingdom. We understood that resources were needed all over the world and that our ships were the fastest. But sometimes I just wished we could talk to the actual leaders rather than their servants.

You would think that Toph, Zuko, and Aang would be willing to write more and visit. You would think that after our parting in the Fire Nation, everything would be fine. But I haven't seen them in almost an entire year. Since Aang was the avatar, he actually had the guts to break up with me by mail. Through Momo of all animals. I'm not saying I wasn't hurt, but damn! And Sokka and Suki had moved from Kiyoshi island to the Northern Water Tribe a couple months ago after their wedding. So I fortunately had their company. But sometimes I still have my doubts. Toph was blind, so I didn't really expect her to write…but she could have ordered someone to write it down for her! And Zuko? Well, Zuko was too busy. That was always his excuse. Yet he still found the time to exchange some notes between our two countries. I managed to keep every one of his letters, all demanding more time and that he will eventually visit with Mai. It would always make me smile when I had mail from the Fire Nation. So far Zuko had been the only one to write to me and we had become closer than any other pair. I didn't really want to admit it, but Zuko helped me go through my break up. I wasn't sure how Mai reacted to our letters, but then again, I was never truly ever able too read Mai like Zuko could.

As my thoughts wandered I knew my brother had finished his daily routine and it was my turn to respond.

"If you feel like that Sokka, why don't you ask Dad to help you? I'm sure you could use the help and it's not like he's doing much anyway." He gave me a look that asked why I didn't do the same thing and I answered saying that I didn't need to rant off to my sibling everyday just to deal with all the stress.

"Plus you have a wife at home to look after. No doubt you guys are going to have a baby soon, I'm sure Dad would be delighted to help you." And again I saw my brother shake his head in disapproval. Something about proving he was a man or something ridiculous like that. I nodded and went back to my work, letting Sokka find his own way out of my office. Not that it was hard to find anyway.

"By the way, Happy 19th Birthday! My little Sister is all grown up!" I thanked him and then threw a paperweight at him for that comment. He smiled and gave me a small box with some earrings in them. I got up and hugged my brother and then went back to work as he exited as well.

A couple more hours had passed and it seemed like my pile had only gotten somewhat shorter. It must have been around dinner time since that was when the mail usually came. My god, I was hoping to at least get a few hours of my own time. I didn't even realize it was so late. I really wanted to actually go out with Suki, but even that was impossible. Other than my brother, no one else actually knew that it was my birthday. Even my father wasn't here to acknowledge his daughter's day of birth. Dad was in the South as usual, helping grandma.

"Mistress, you have some mail." My scared assistant knocked softly at the door and this time, having relaxed a little bit I gave him a warm smile.

"You can come in Jin I won't blow up on you again. It was kinda mean and I wanted to apologize." He handed me my mail and gave me a soft smile as well. More sheepish than anything else.

"It's ok, I understand. You have a lot of duties and it's hard being someone so young. I wish I could help you more." I assured him he was helping a lot being my assistant and I could tell he left feeling somewhat accomplished at his job. I looked down at the many letters, most were reports from the various posts I had set up around the Northern Water Tribe. I decided to open them tomorrow but there was one red package. That I opened in haste. No doubt it was from Zuko, only he would take the time to actually send me something for my birthday right on time. Even Aang was either early or late a day or two. I opened the package only to be shocked. Inside was a full dress from the Fire Nation. Not the typical everyday dress but a gown. Only worn on formal occasions. I acted like the now, 19 year old girl and lifted the dress and twirled around in it. It was beautiful, red with gold embroidery. The sleeves reached all the way down to my knees, but the cut off was at my elbows making the rest of the fabric flow. We had nothing like this in the Water Tribe, most of the clothing suited for warmth and comfort. Fire nation clothes were always more suited for my taste recently.

After my little adventure with the dress, I saw the long note handwritten to me.

"Katara,

I know I promised to come and visit at least once since the last letter I sent you. However, again I must say that I cannot come. Things at home have become a little hectic and need my attention. So rather than me going to you, I decided to let you come to me instead. For these matters also need you're assistance and expertise as well. As you are reading this note, I have instructed the captain aboard the ship that carried the mail to take you to the Fire Nation as well. And will not leave until you are aboard. I figured you needed a vacation anyway judging from your previous letters. I know you will come, and will expect to see you in a few short days. I will be there personally to pick you up.

P.S. I had to actually beg Suki for you're measurements and the dress is only half of you're birthday present. Board the ship and you'll get the other half.

Yours,

Zuko"

Well, after a letter like that who else would turn down that offer. I was getting sick and tired of only practicing my bending and looking at papers all day long. Zuko would never fail to amaze me. After all these years he was still as cocky as ever. One minute kind and considerate, the next demanding and arrogant. I couldn't help but laugh at his letter and put it in the box with all the others. My assistant instantly came in without even knocking.

"Mistress! There's someone here to see you! It's a Fire Nation Captain!" I calmed Jin down and gave him my reply. Telling him that I am going home to get a few things and that I will be taking a long needed vacation. That all of my duties will go to my brother and hopefully father. If not then to master Pakku. I picked up the packages after Jin had left my office in shock and decided to leave with my presents as well as my box of letters. I figured it would be entertaining to read on the way to the Fire Nation. For some reason something in me had a feeling that this wouldn't be a vacation and that there really were problems going on in the fire nation. I didn't want to base my assumptions on just a letter and hoped my intuition would be completely wrong.

Going home, I saw many of the villagers working hard. I was proud to be part of a nation, where people would do anything for one another. I was proud to be part of a country where each person was caring and kind yet had the ability to be strong and brave. Representing this country would be an honor to any tribe member. The honor should have been given to my father or even Sokka, but I was the one. I thought back to the ceremony that happened only a couple years ago. I knew I had to be part of the ceremony for I was so actively involved in the war's end. Along with my brother, father, and Suki. Yet when they officially nominated a representative for the water tribe, my name was called. Many said it was because of my direct relationship with the Avatar, others said it was because I was a young master bender. But many also believed it was because I possessed a brave and kind heart and would make the tribe proud. I personally liked to believe it was because of all three of these reasons. My mind wandered even as I got home and started packing. Deciding which little valuables to take. I didn't pack much, for no doubt Zuko would try and provide everything for me. I did take the presents though as well as a couple of other trinkets. As I stepped out the captain was already waiting at my front door.

Without even saying goodbye to any of the other villagers I quietly escaped my trapped life of routine and accounts and welcomed an adventure that I needed for a very long time. I was off to the Fire Nation. I was going to go see Zuko.

Well, that's chapter one! Hopefully Chapter two will be out soon! plz Review!