Hey everyone! Just so ya know, this is my first Zutara fanfic i've ever written, and it's dedicated to all of my great friends. I heart ya guys!

Please review, I really want to know if I should continue on with it! and I hope you enjoy it :D

Introduction:

So we all know how the Avatar series finale ended—Aang was able to defeat Ozai, Azula looses herself to madness, Zuko becomes Firelord, and peace is declared as the war ended. Oh yeah, and Katara and Aang decide to be together forever. But this is a Zutara story, so I just couldn't let that happen :) This story will pick up right where the finale left off, about a month or two later. Don't worry, there's gonna be tons of action and yummy Zutara-ness ;)

Enjoy!

-MissMouseIsModest-

Chapter One

Katara stared outside the window of her exotic new summer home on Ember Island as she watched the waves roll onto the sand and the enormous palm trees sway in the warm tropical breeze. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath of the enticing salty air, she couldn't help but let her mind wander off.

Ever since Zuko was crowned Firelord a short month ago and declared the world in an era of peace, he and everyone else in the gaang have been practically drowned with things to do—achieving peace apparently took a lot more than just defeating Ozai to get the world back into balance. Because of the high stress levels, the gaang decided to take a few weeks off for some much needed vacation time. Sokka went with Suki back to Kioshi Island where they could celebrate, Zuko had gone to his summer home here on Ember Island, Toph went back to her home to patch things up with her parents, and Aang decided to skip vacation time and went to Ba Sing Se where he was needed the most.

Bringing world peace was not the only thing that had changed for Katara. She realized that she had a change of heart. She could never love Aang anymore than just a really good friend. Being the Avatar, he had many duties to fill and could never spend any time with Katara anyways; if he did it would have been selfish. The time that he spends with her would be time he could have spent saving someone's life. But other than that, Aang was clingy, childish, and just immature. Not to mention a foot or two shorter than her. No, Katara couldn't stay in a romantic relationship with him. It would be selfish of her, and Katara just…well she just can't think of him that way.

Katara decided that this change of heart came around on the day that she stood by Zuko when he was crowned Firelord. That was not only the day that he had declared the war over and the world be at peace; It was the day Katara realized how much Zuko had changed. He had changed for the better. Now he was kinder, happier. Katara only saw goodness in him. I don't need someone like Aang…I need someone like him. The realization struck her like a ton of bricks when she found the truth in her own words. So it was then that Katara understood that she would have to break Aang's heart so she could find her own happiness.

So she did.

Katara sighed as she remembered the look on Aang's pained face when she told him she could no longer be with him.

"Katara I…I don't understand…are you…rejecting me?" A few tears welled up in the Avatar's devastated grey eyes.

"Yes, Aang…I'm sorry." Katara whispered as she looked away. She couldn't face the hurt she was inflicting on her long-time friend.

Although that familiar feeling of guilt at the pit of her stomach seemed to settle in once again, she calmed down as the corner of her lip turned up in a weak smile. He'll find someone that will make him happy…Just like me. Her weak smile transformed into a full-blown grin as her stomach seemed to be doing flips when she thought about Zuko's smile-something that didn't happen too often-but was amazing to see.

Katara was dropped back into reality when she remembered what she was here on Ember Island for. Instead of going back to the South Pole like everyone had expected her to do, she decided to stay in one of the small vacation homes at Ember Island that Zuko's family once used. It wasn't anything like his royal beach estate; but it was still nice that he let her use it.

"What's mine is yours!" He smiled brilliantly at her in a way that seemed to make Katara's heart stop.

But she needed time alone with Zuko, to be able to confess her feelings, even if he didn't return them. That thought instantly crushed her good mood. Sighing once again, she looked down at the piece of blank parchment on the table and the quill in her other hand. Maybe I shouldn't do this…she chewed on her lip, contemplating her next she narrowed her eyes with a new found determination. No, Katara. You have to do this. It's the only way you'll be able to find out his true feelings for you. So with that thought in mind, she began to vigorously scroll a short, simple note that could decide her whole fate.

Zuko,

Meet me on the Dock at sundown.

Come alone.

Katara

Katara held the note in her hands carefully folded it in half. She couldn't help but start to feel doubt start to drown her thoughts. What if he doesn't come? What if I can't tell him? Maybe he won't return the feelings I have for him…maybe I'll be alone and sad for the rest of my life. She pouted at the unfairness of the situation.

A warm breeze from outside found its way through the open bay windows and swirled around Katara, twirling her thick hair. The air was getting noticeably warmer as the time was approaching midday. Katara used her bending ability to wipe the sweat that started to collect on her forehead as she stood up and walked towards her full-length mirror in her bedroom.

Being in the fire nation, Katara couldn't exactly dress in her usual cerulean parkas. So she swapped out her usual blue-toned outfits for some more suitable red-and-gold ones, taking advantage of the use she now had for the best tailors and dress shops in the entire fire nation. Her top is cut short at the hem-a good 5 inches or so above her belly button- and is a bright scarlet while the strappy sleeves simply hang off her small shoulders. The neckline of the small, dainty shirt is cut to show some cleavage, and the trim is a deep gold, almost a melted-caramel color that shines in the sunlight. So of course, the skirt had to be just as flattering; it's long and flowing, a matching scarlet color, that hugs Katara's hips and freely glides down to her ankles while still giving her curvy figure a great definition. A slit on either side of the skirt is cut up from the ankles to the middle of her thighs, showing off her long dark legs. The trim is also laced with gold, and a satiny topaz sash was slung around her waist, covering one hip and tied in a small knot on the other. Just too complete the stunning look, Katara threw on some gold bands to wear on her wrist, as well as a gorgeous ruby gemstone strung on a thin silver chain around her neck.

Katara didn't usually dress in a way that was so revealing, but she thought that for tonight would be an appropriate attire. Satisfied, she smiled at her reflection, and decided to wear her deep brunette hair in the usual half-bun as the rest of her thick wavy locks flowed past her shoulders freely. With one last glance at the mirror, she slipped on her sandals, grabbed the note and headed out the door.

She had to be fast while delivering the note…Katara knew that it wouldn't be good for anyone to see her act so shady delivering a mysterious letter to the Firelord's estate. Ever since the gaang had ended the war, they have constantly been in the public eye. Everywhere they went, they were always stopped by a mob of onlookers begging to hear their story, even though everyone knew it already. It was all really starting to wear Katara down, especially because every move she made every single day seemed to be documented and questioned. And it would be the worst thing to have everyone think that she was sneaking around the Firelord's summer estate…the rumors they would think of could be horrendous. Katara shivered plesantly. Bad rumors, or bad ones? Katara mentally slapped herself. Focus! She rolled her eyes at her inner self.

Katara tried to act casual as she strode towards Zuko's summer estate, which was only a short walk away, but her nerves made her feel keyed-up and jumpy. Not only was she doing a poor job at making anyone not be suspicious of her, but the fear of rejection was heavy on her heart, the worry and the possibility of Zuko not coming weighed down on her thoughts. What if he doesn't even want to see me? She looked down at the small parchment folded in her hand…it didn't feel so small. It felt like it weighed a million pounds. She was just thankful that she knew the Firelord wasn't at his summer estate today-He had left late last night back to the mainland for an important meeting. Katara didn't know what it was about—she knew it was confidential, Firelord-only kind of stuff she didn't care to know about. But he should be back anytime, as he told her he would arrive back at Ember Island before sundown. The only thing worse than being caught by a guard as she headed to the Firelord's doorstep with a questionable letter was being caught by the Firelord himself. Especially since this letter was not for him to read in her presence.

Once Katara finally reached the steps entrance to the massive Royal Family's estate, a guard who had a post near the entrance of the home watched her timidly walk up the steps to the entrance with light feet, looking over her shoulder, almost with a guilty look on her face. Maybe she's lost…The guard frowned. He hated giving directions to stupid tourists.

"Uh, Ma'am, can I help you?" He raised an eyebrow, voice deep.

Katara jumped a little and turned to the guard, then smiled sheepishly.

"Are you looking for someone?" The guard asked again with a bored tone.

Katara quickly spoke up.

"Oh umm, no I'm alright…I just need to deliver this letter to Firelord Zuko." She tried to wave the guard off and continue with her mission, but he couldn't seem to stop pestering her. She rolled her eyes when the guard kept interrupting her important work.

"We'll if you give it to me I can assure you that I'll be able to give it to him safely…" The guard sounded more confused than helpful, and slowly overturned his hand in an unsure gesture to take the letter.

Katara stopped him immediately. "No no, it's okay." She quickly reassured him and laughed a nervous, shaky giggle. "I'm sure he'll get it if I just leave it here." She placed the note on top of the enormous bronze handle on one of the front doors, and quickly began to retreat.

"Uh, alright…?" The guard just shrugged it off and continued working at his post.

Once Katara set down the letter and saw the guard had gone back to his post, she could think of running away. All she wanted to do was run and put as much distance between her and that piece of parchment as she possibly could.

When Katara finally reached the Dock at the beach, she collapsed in an exhausted heap on the sand. Her lungs worked double time for air, her legs burned and screamed for mercy. As soon as she regained her strength, she heaved her worn body onto the Dock and took a few more deep breaths. The sun told her that she still had a few hours before sundown…and hopefully a few hours before she could see Zuko. Her thoughts were now in an entirely different realm as she daydreamed about him, her body slowly recuperating as she did so. Her legs dangled off the edge of the Dock, and she mindlessly teased the waves as she bended the water, though she was not really paying attention to it at all. She loved how this was the one place on Ember Island that was deserted; It used to be a private dock for loading the Royal Family's personal boat, but now it's no longer used. This Dock was special to Katara because it's the only place that Zuko and she know about, the best kept secret on Ember Island. Katara smiled.

The evening breeze swept across the beach, making the magnificent palm trees sway and searavens to squak in the distance. All the creatures of the island seemed to be preparing for nightfall; the Sealguanas finding shelter in the brush and the hermit crabs scuttled along in the sand to find a nice place to settle down for the night. The cooler breeze died down, leaving the air cooler, although it was still considerably warm. Eventually most of the sunlight had faded, leaving the world to be illuminated by the half-moon's glow. The brush, the trees, all of the vegetation was dark and the waves were a deep and hypnotizing navy color which contrasted greatly with the white, grainy sand that seemed to glow.

Katara reminisced for a while longer, until it was a while past sundown. Her nerves were finally about to get the best of her, and the more time that passed the more she gave into despair. Maybe Zuko didn't want to come, maybe he didn't get the letter, maybe he was too busy...she sighed and struggled to keep from crying. All she wanted was to tell him she loved him, to have him wrap her up in his arms, to kiss him…and she might never get the chance too. Now a small tear escaped and slowly rolled down her cheek, and she wiped it away angrily. No. He'll come. He has too… but a look in the direction of the sun that had disappeared below the waves seemed to prove her wrong.

The sound of a snapping twig startled her, and she whirled around to get a look behind her. She reflexivley reached for her waterskin and cursed when she realized she had left it back at home. A small whisper came from the collection of mangrove trees that surrounded the Dock. Her eyes widened and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the silhouette of a tall man, one that she couldn't have mistaken to be Zuko.

"…Katara?" he said breathlessly into the night air.

Uh oh, what's gonna happen? Will Katara really confess to Zuko? What will he think? Omigosh, the suspense is killing me! Haha!

Well I hope you guys liked that first chapter :D Please review and tell me what you think! I'll get the second chapter posted ASAP, so don't worry!

-MissMouseIsModest-