Author's Notes: This is my first time trying to write a fanfiction, so I guess you can say I am a noob. :P Anyway, I hope you like my Katara x Zuko story and reviews/feedback would be GREATLY appreciated. I would love to see where I can improve. I admire people with the skill to write a wonderful fanfic and I hope I can get to that level.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, its characters or anything affiliated. I am just a fan writing on the context of my admiration for the show and its characters.
Chapter 1
There never existed a point in time where Katara felt like she was ever truly happy. Even after the end of the War and the world finally regained its peace, there was always a part of her that was on edge. Maybe it was the fact that being at war for years and having her guard up constantly. Or maybe she was finally aware that something missing in her life. She couldn't understand what could be missing: Aang had defeated the Phoenix King and set the world at peace. Afterwards, he declared his love for her and she gladly accepted. Even though she knew she loved Aang, dating him didn't fill her with the happiness she thought it would. There was a part of her that didn't accept this life. Maybe it was too easily achieved. Maybe the lack of danger was boring her. No matter what the reasoning was, her thoughts kept swirling and there was nothing she could do to rationalize them.
Once they had won the war, Zuko was prepared to take the throne of the Fire Nation. The heroes were to go their separate ways after the war, but Zuko had offered them each a room in the palace so they could remain close. Each one of them accepted, and that is where they dwelt today. In the guest quarters, Sokka and Toph had separate rooms next to each other. Aang and Katara intended to have their own rooms, but Katara objected, stating that that it would be natural to share one bedroom. Sokka, being the older brother, was against this. Katara eventually got her way - like always - by arguing the point that even if they had different rooms, she would end up staying in his room anyway. It would also give the maids less work to do. Sokka gave a good argument, but eventually he got tired of Katara's nagging and let her do what she wanted. Their room was across the hall from Sokka's, so he was able to keep an eye and ear on them.
Though Katara had won against her brother, she couldn't find herself being too happy. It was merely a distraction from her real problem. Any girl would be happy to live in the Fire Palace and be dating the Avatar, but she couldn't be content. Every night she went to bed, her mind was swarming with what ifs. She kept thinking of other possible people she could be with, but they all end up falling short to Aang - no short jokes intended. She then would try to convince herself that she was thinking too much about this and she was just having jitters because she hasn't be in a long term relationship before. Besides, she couldn't think of anyone else she would be with. Just because she isn't happy at this particular moment didn't mean there was some other man out there for her, right?
With all these thoughts swarming in her mind, she couldn't sleep. Her body remained restless and continued shifting positions. She concentrated her vision in the dark and she made out Aang's form. Aang's face while he was sleeping was like an innocent child, which wasn't much of a difference from how he was awake. Her fingers traced the arrow on his forehead delicately. She didn't want to wake him, so she kept it brief. Usually doing this calmed her enough to get rest, but she felt even more restless. She let out a tiny sigh and slipped out of the confines of her room to walk around the palace. If I can't fall asleep, might as well go on an adventure...
The palace used to be a beacon of terror, but now, it just felt like a home away from home. It was built on fear and anguish, but now the lavish red silks that adorned every crevice of the palace was built on Fire Nation pride and wasn't worn with shame anymore. She ran her hand over the silk as she passed by it in the hallway. There was yellow embroidery adorning the silk to represent the symbol of the Fire Nation. The silk was soft and flowed through her fingers like water. Only a royal family could afford material as high quality as the silk that just left her fingers. She took a couple more seconds to admire it before moving on with her tour.
Her walk continued on down the hallway. It was quiet, as everyone was asleep. The palace was huge and she still didn't know her way around it. Her footsteps echoed as she headed into the royal chambers. She didn't realize she had walked so far, but since she wasn't tired yet she would continue onwards. She slipped in and heard nothing but the eerie silence. Of course it's iquiet. No one in the royal family is here except Zuko. The hallways were pitch black until Katara spotted a tiny light emitting from one of the rooms at the end of the hall. The closer she got, the more relieved she was. Walking in the dark was pretty challenging and the light helped illuminate her path.
Just as she was about to pass the door, Katara was curious about the light. She tiptoed over to the room and peeped in the doorway. The room was a massive library. Many bookshelves adorned the walls, each filled to the brim with books. From what Katara could see of the room, there was a red and yellow theme similar to the rest of the palace. Long, flowing curtains covered the colossal windows. The moonlight would have been flowing through the windows, but the light changed the room from a soft blue hue to a warm yellow-orange hue instead. The carpet was exquisite, holding intricate floral patterns. They were soft yet fierce, reminding her of how tough the Fire Nation presented themselves to others. The middle of the room held a desk with a ruby-crescent lamp, which was the sole light source for the entire room. Sitting at the desk was Prince Zuko with stacks of paperwork strung about on the desk and floor.
"Well, you seem to be hard at work. Have you gone to sleep yet?" Katara walked over to the side of the desk that lacked paperwork, trying to determine how much work he had. She was careful not to step on anything on the way there.
Zuko jumped slightly, not realizing someone else was in the room. "No. Not yet. I have to fix everything my father destroyed, which means trying to renew relationships and writing new treaties. I haven't even had the time to think of rest, let alone get some."
She sat next to the desk and stared at the workload. "It must be difficult to be the ruler of a nation. I can't see how my father could do it for so long, let alone how you will." Her thoughts began to flood with memories of her father and how much she missed him. Then her mom and Gran-Gran came to mind. She couldn't wait to get back to the Southern Water Tribe, even though it brought about sad thoughts.
Zuko cleared his throat, making Katara break out of her reverie. "I don't mean to be rude, but shouldn't you be in bed right now?"
"I couldn't sleep at all. I don't know why though. My mind has been racing ever since the war. I can't seem to enjoy the silence."
"You too? I thought it was only me. I'm always looking behind me and I find myself being paranoid all the time."
"That's expected for you. You are going to be the next Fire Lord. It's best for you to be on your guard. There are still nations who are angry at the Fire Nation."
"There's reason for you to be on your guard as well. You are with the Avatar and he is at risk too. I guess it won't ever be the same, huh?"
They both laughed lightly and then let out a sigh. Katara stood up and stretched. She was in a Fire Nation dress close to the same design as her Water Nation one. It rose up her legs while she stretched. "So what should we all wear to your coronation? Do we need to wear anything fancy?"
Zuko's face was back into his work. "Just wear your nation's clothes. We want each person present to represent their nation. I mean, I wouldn't want to put you guys out and make you wear something uncomfortable. Aang will have to represent as the last remaining Airbender, but I think him being here in honor of my coronation will have everyone's worries at ease. People won't even remember what we are wearing."
She rolled her eyes. "Casual yet formal it is then." Her eyes quickly scanned the books on the shelf adjacent to her. "What are all these? Are they just reference books?"
He lifted his head up for a quick second. "Oh, those. They are the history of the royal family. There are autobiographies, war stories, invasion plans; practically everything that each ruler has done in their reign, stories of their families, and our people."
Her eyes went back to all of the books, recognizing some of the names from Fire Nation history. "So one day your name and work will be up here as well."
"That's the plan, but only if tomorrow's coronation goes well." He squinted at some of the words on the paper in front of him, sorting it into a much smaller pile than it started. "I am almost done with these and then I can go to sleep. I'm so exhausted."
Katara let out a yawn at that moment. "Guess I'll head back to my room then." She walked over to the door, about to leave. She turned on her heels and said, "I hope you have a good night's sleep, Prince Zuko." She twirled on the sole of her right foot and maneuvered her way back to the guest quarters, eager to fall asleep after the long walk.
Zuko's face held a slight blush. He shook his head and cracked his knuckles. "Time to get serious!"
Afterthoughts: I hope you liked this chapter. Please remember to review or send feedback or I won't be able to know where I should improve. :3
