Zuko lay on his bed in his chambers and thought about his situation. He was now Firelord. Firelord Zuko. A Firelord with honor. It's what he'd wanted since he was young, to be recognized. What made it better was that Azula wasn't constantly leering at him. He even had a girlfriend whom he liked since he was young. Why, then, was there a discomfort in his chest like something was missing? He grabbed some nearby parchment and wrote down a message. Once finished, he descended to the first floor where the messenger hawks were kept. He called for Roran, his favorite, and tied the note to his leg.
"Deliver this to the Southern Water Tribe," he ordered.
The hawk flew away with a single squawk and disappeared into the distance.
"Katara, hurry and get in here!" Sokka was growing increasingly impatient with his sister. "Aang, this is what you have to look forward to: girls taking FOREVER to get ready when all they're gonna do is mess their hair and makeup up again." A stone struck Sokka on the forehead. "OW! Toph!"
"That was me." Suki laughed. "Sorry. I guess I threw that a little harder than I intended.
"I do not appreciate being hit by rocks." Sokka began to pout as Suki swam to his side and kissed his cheek.
Toph chimed in. "Oh, quit your complaining. You're worse than Twinkle-toes."
"I am not - " Sokka was interrupted by a giant splash as Katara jumped into the water. A tidal wave sent everyone flying across the avatar-made pool. Katara emerged from the depths of the water.
"Wooh! Thanks for heating up the ice here, Aang. We never get a hot swim." She sidled up next to her boyfriend.
"Any time," Aang wrapped his arm around Katara and smiled while he held her.
The avatar was maturing every day and attaining new muscles, but Katara, being two years his senior, was developing at a much faster rate. Her long, brown waves cascaded down her neck to just below her shoulders, which were toned and firm, while still feminine. Her arms were graced with visible muscle that wasn't too large, and her blue bathing halter really accentuated all of these features. The shorts she wore revealed her long, athletic legs that were a light shade of brown that many of the southern water tribe were graced with. Her blue eyes peered up at Aang, but they did not hold the same joy that her smile seemed to convey. They were searching for something, looking into his soul through his eyes. They were searching for the passion that she desperately longed for, but it wasn't there.
Katara looked away from Aang and sighed, accepting that being with him meant that she would be cared for, have airbender children, and be comfortable. She just wished that maybe there could be more.
"Hey!" Sokka exclaimed. "There's a messenger hawk! Like the one I had that Katara sent away!" Sokka shot a pointed look toward his sister.
Katara rolled her eyes at her brother as she climbed out of the water. The hawk alighted on her arm. She untied the note and examined its contents.
Toph exaggeratedly sighed after a few moments passed. "You know, it would really help if you told us what the note says..."
Katara took a moment to absorb the information before reading aloud: "Dear Avatar Aang, Suki, Sokka, Toph, and Katara. I would very much appreciate if you would stay at the Fire Nation Palace for a time. I would like to host a celebration in honor of your accomplishments and hardships faced during the war with my people. I think it would go a long way to ease any remaining tensions after these dark times. I would also enjoy the company it would provide. The festivities are to last for one month, ending on the day that Avatar Aang defeated Firelord Ozai. I appreciate all of you being in attendance. Please pass on my invitation to all others involved whom you feel were major contributors to your efforts, including the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors, Water Tribe Warriors, and members of the White Lotus. I look forward to your arrival. Yours Truly, Firelord Zuko." Katara ended the letter and looked up at her companions, examining each of their faces.
Each of the present company was taking a moment to wait for another to begin speaking when Aang said, "Okay, I think we should go. If Zuko wants to do this in our honor, it would be wrong not to attend or for him to cancel the events just because we didn't want to go. He's also right about it helping our efforts to harmonize with the Fire Nation."
"I agree. I think we should attempt to 'ease the tension,' as Zuko put it." Several were surprised at Sokka's easy-going attitude.
"You just like the Fire Nation cuisine," Suki put in.
Sokka shrugged. "They roast the best kebabs."
Katara acknowledged the looks of consent on her friends' faces. "Looks like we're going to the Fire Nation." She bent the water off of her body and went to ready their supplies.