A/N: I've never really participated in Zutara Week, but I wanted to contribute this year. This first shot is following canon, but with a little twist on it.

Day One: Melancholy

"Epic Love"

Kya learned about epic love when she turned sixteen. Her brother was being honored by the Republic City council for joining the United Forces, a move that their mother was not pleased with, but was proud of her son. Kya knew her mother worried about him, despite Uncle Sokka's constant reassurances that he'd never seen a more talented planner on his feet… except Uncle Sokka, of course.

Tenzin and their father were almost late coming to the event. Kya learned from a young age not to watch the Avatar as he returned home, but to watch his wife. Katara had a subconscious routine she would go through, steps for her transformation. She would turn herself from single mother of two almost adult children into the doting wife. It was a hard transition for Kya to watch.

She loved her mother, even more than her own father, because of their similarities. Her mother shouldered a burden that none knew about, and she did it with a smile on her face. Kya knew that even Aang didn't conceive the amount of stress Katara wore on her shoulders. Kya caught her mother many nights with a full moon in the sky staring south, watching the waves slide in and off the rocks. She would hear her mother sigh and watch the moon most of the night.

It was a hard thing for a child to experience.

Kya smiled at Bumi, dressed in Water Tribe warrior formal wear with an airbending pendant make conversation with their Uncle. Uncle Sokka had trained Bumi when they were younger, stepping in as a father figure when their father was absent. Uncle Sokka treated Bumi like his own son, much to his two daughters' confusion, and made sure that Bumi knew every story about every plan that Sokka ever enacted.

They both scared Kya sometimes with their maddening leers to the world and their secret language. Katara would tell her daughter that Sokka was finally happy to have someone that understood what went on in his head.

Kya watched her father approach her mother, kiss her on the cheek and whisper underneath his breath to her. Katara kept her smile on her face but her eyes narrowed at him. she hugged him tightly and smiled toward the other guests. It was a move that Kya knew very well, since she'd been on the receiving end of that look many times.

Kya watched her mother's shoulders relax a microscopic amount and looked toward the door. Fire Lord Zuko and his Fire Lady approached the Avatar family. kya's gut clenched when she saw the look Fire Lord Zuko gave her mother. It was full of tenderness for a split second and hardened into a friendly smile.

"Kya, whatever your decision on love, know that there is only one epic love," Katara muttered to her daughter after a discussion about adult relationships. Kya watched her mother rise from her seat and gaze out at the water. "Epic love is something that I hope you experience at least once in your life, my dear child."

"How do you know?" Kya asked. The young water bender watched her mother's expression soften, making her appear younger than she was. Stress released itself from her face and Katara's shining blue eyes met Kya's.

"You will notice him whenever he walks into a room, even if you're not looking at him," Katara murmured. She smiled at her daughter tenderly. "When you feel the time is right, make sure you trust the person with your life… and know that he will always hold a place in your heart."

Kya saw her mother's expression turn to sadness. Then she closed her eyes for a brief instant, and when Katara opened them, her motherly gaze was back in place. Kya smiled at her mother as she felt her heart breaking.

She didn't know why.

She watched the Fire Lord, with gray and white streaks running through his hair, approach her mother. Her mother smiled and her wrinkled smile lines showed. Her one long white streak of hair reflected off the candles. Both wore formal wear, but Kya watched her mother intently. Her mother's eyes were shining, a sign that she was comfortable. Kya watched the Fire Lord approach Bumi and he shook Bumi's hand.

"Congratulations," Zuko stated loudly. Everyone in the party froze and Zuko smiled at Bumi. "We will need men of your talent. If your Uncle Sokka has anything to say… you'll run the United Forces in ten years."

"Sooner, Zuko," Sokka warned. "This kid is headed for greatness!"

Zuko winked at Bumi. "At least Bumi can handle dual edged swords."

Sokka became red, and started to lift his finger to declare Zuko's incorrectness, when the Fire Lord walked over to Kya. He bowed slightly and she bowed back. Zuko smiled at her warmly. "You are the image of your mother when she was your age. and I hear that you've… acquired her skills as a water bending master as well."

Kya nodded. "Mom tells me all the time that I might be a better master than she is when I'm older."

Zuko nodded and she thanked him. She watched Zuko approach her mother and she saw he held out his hand. Her mother took the hand and they kept their hands clasped the entire time they were speaking. Kya watched her mother's expressions soften slightly and Fire Lord Zuko became slightly less frightening.

Someone cleared their throat beside Kya. Kya turned and saw Toph standing next to her, with her two daughters walking toward the rest of Kya's family. Lin briefly flashed Kya a smile, which she returned with a slight smirk. Toph held Kya's arm quietly as others passed them into the reception area. When everyone left, Toph turned her gaze to Kya.

"Do not, under any circumstances, reveal what you learned tonight," she breathed. Kya's eyebrows shot up. "They've kept their secret for decades… don't ruin it for them."

"Why didn't they…?" Kya asked when the reason was becoming clearer to her. toph smiled when Kya let out an angry breath.

"She does love him but not in the epic sense, " Toph whispered. She smiled as the wind rustled behind them. "They would never betray anyone… even though…."

"They're betraying each other," Kya sighed out. She shook her head. She and Toph slowly walked up the steps, arm in arm, and Toph started chuckling.

"He's always riled her up and calmed her when she's needed it the most… hopefully they'll be talking tonight." Toph stopped outside the grand doors and gazed at Kya. "Love is a complicated emotion, Kya. It can't be turned off as easily as we sometimes hope… but when we are given a few chances in our lives for it, cherish it."

"It's… sad," Kya muttered. "And not fair. He's… and she's…"

"We all have our responsiblities, but the love in our hearts keeps us going," Toph imparted. She smiled at the closed door. "They're talking to each other… and let them have these precious moments, my dear. They are far and few between."

Kya nodded and she walked into the large party with Toph. Toph said her goodbyes and Kya watched her mother the rest of the night.

She never saw her mother laugh or smile so much when she was around the Fire Lord. They kept finding reasons to give each other small touches, and it made Kya's heart ache.

The End.