Hello there everyone. Well this is the first story I've put up for a while. I have two others. But enough about that, I'm sure you all saw the Avatar finale ending, and were probably just as disappointed as I was. But as I watched it again for the twelfth time a story came to mind. A Zutara story. And here it is...
Chapter 1 A Closed Door?
Zuko groaned as he tried to tie his robes. "Need any help with that?" a voice asked from the doorway.
The young prince turned, "Mai?" he asked.
Mai smiled and quickly tied his robes. "How did you get out of prison?" Zuko asked.
She shrugged, "My uncle pulled some strings, and it doesn't hurt that the Fire Lord is your boyfriend either."
Zuko smiled. "So does that mean you forgive me?"
Mai kissed him softly. "But don't ever break up with me again."
Zuko's eyes widened at the threat, but smiled and kissed her again. Neither of them noticed someone was watching. Katara leaned against the wall to control her breathing, and then began walking in the other direction. She had been waiting for the perfect moment to talk to Zuko. She was about to take that chance when Mai had walked right on in. Her heart had given a little flutter after seeing the two kiss. What was this feeling? What did it matter to her that Zuko and Mai had kissed? She stopped outside the palace door. "All I wanted to do was thank him for saving me," she whispered to herself, "why do I feel like I just lost something?"
Katara shook her head and went to find Sokka and her father.
Zuko approached Aang. There wasn't much to be said between them, but the words that were spoken expressed a deep friendship. Zuko watched as Aang searched the entire crowd. He saw Katara staring up at him, a soft smile on her lips. Instantly his hand covered his chest were the scar Azula had given him resided. If it wasn't for her, he could have... Zuko couldn't finish the thought. He began speaking the words that he had been rehearsing for the entire morning. He moved through ever little thing that he wanted to say. His thoughts were rushing through all the things that had happened over the past year, but one stood out in particular. It was when Katara had hugged him. There was so much feeling in that one small act. He felt his voice try to crack at that memory. There had to be something he could do to keep the bond between them and the others strong. Ba Sing Se. That was it. He could arrange for them all to stay in the Earth Kingdom. Now that they were in his life, he didn't want to let go. They were the only friends and family he had ever known, besides his mother and uncle.
Katara laughed at one of the jokes that Iroh had told. The old general laughed loudly and began telling another story. Silently Aang slid next to her. He touched her hand, causing her to jump. She looked at him and smiled. In the distance Mai had pulled Zuko into a kiss. Katara felt her heart give another flutter. She shook her head. Why was she feeling this way? Sokka took her attention as he and Suki came into the conversation. "I just talked to Zuko," Sokka explained, "He wants us to go with him to Ba Sing Se and help rebuild General Iroh's tea shop."
Iroh shook his head. "Oh no, none of you have to do that."
Suki smiled. "But we want to sir."
"I'll go tell Toph," Sokka said taking Suki's hand.
Katara thought about this. Perhaps she would get the chance to thank him properly after all, and if she did then maybe her heart would start fluttering.
Zuko placed a cup of tea next to his uncle. He turned towards Katara and Mai and offered the two of them some tea. "Zuko stop moving!" Sokka demanded, "I wanted to paint a picture so we'll always remember the good times together."
Katara smiled. "Aw Sokka that's so sweet."
She looked down at the painting. "Wait! Why did you give me Momo's ears?"
Sokka pointed at them. "They're your hair loopies," he said as a matter of factly.
Zuko looked down at the painting as well. "My hair isn't that spikey."
Everyone gathered around. "Why did you paint me firebending?" Suki asked.
"I thought it looked cool," Sokka explained.
Aang smiled and made his was outside. Iroh looked down at the painting, "Hey my belly's not that big anymore. I really trimmed down."
Toph giggled, "Well I think you all look great."
Everyone laughed.
Katara followed Aang outside. She pulled him into a hug. Her face flushed as she pulled back. It was now or never. She had been using the war as an excuse to keep herself from even thinking about a relationship. She leaned in and kissed Aang. The two of them stood still. Pulling away slowly, Katara turned and looked at the sun setting in the distance. Aang followed her example, but took her hand into his.
From inside the shop Zuko watched the two kiss. He tilted his head to the side as they took each others hands. There was something about the two of them together, kissing, that made him feel as though he had missed something. Like a door that he didn't even know that was open had just closed.
