A/N: Sweet, I finally started writing a Zutara fic! :D It's taken me three years... Anyway, I know this 'prologue' is realllly short, but that's really all I needed it to be. So, yeah. I have been working on fanart for this fanfic before I ever posted it. It's on deviantart! My screenname there is Crzy4Avatar, so look me up and check out the characters! ;D There are still some I have yet to draw, but I'm working on them. Happy reading!

"Prologue"

It was strange being able to walk through the streets of the Fire Nation capital, without having to hide the fact she was from the South Pole. Although her blue robes stuck out horribly against the usual red and gold, she wasn't stopped or stared at. It had only been a year and a half since the war had ended, and already the world was returning to the way things used to be, long before she was born.

As Katara came to the Fire Nation Palace gates, she saw a familiar face waiting. She smiled, and she wrapped her arms around the taller boy. He may have been the Fire Lord, but that didn't stop him from being a teenager. They hadn't seen each other since his coronation, and were looking forward to catching up. As they began to walk toward the Palace, Katara looked around for someone.

"Where's Mai?" she asked, looking up at Zuko. He looked at her, a little confused.

"She left almost a year ago…" Zuko mumbled.

"Oh," Katara smiled uncomfortably. "Sorry, I haven't been around much."

"It's fine." Zuko said.

"So, what happened? If you don't mind me asking…"

"She liked the old Zuko…" he sighed. Katara could tell he was still a little sad about it.

"Well I prefer the new Zuko." Katara grinned. "And, so does everybody else." Zuko laughed.

"Where's Aang?" Zuko was the one asking questions now.

"Right, you didn't hear…" Katara frowned. "We broke up too."

"Really?" Zuko's good eye widened. "What happened?"

"Um, it was mutual really… I started to grow up, and Aang's responsibilities didn't allow us to spend much time together. We just grew apart."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We're still friends. We see each other often." Katara reached into her over-the-shoulder bag, and pulled out a package, wrapped in what looked like some kind of thin leather. "This is for you!" She smiled, as she gave it to Zuko. "Happy 19th birthday!"

"Who told you…" Zuko began; when he remembered he had told Aang several months ago that he didn't want to spend his birthday alone. He must have told Katara. He thanked his friend, and took the present. "Do you mind if I open it later?"

"Not at all." Katara shook her head. "I was surprised to hear from Aang that your birthday was in the winter…"

"Why?" Zuko asked, looking down at her.

"Well, I thought all firebenders were born in the summer."

"All the good ones are, at least, that's what everyone thought." Zuko mumbled.

"You proved them wrong, huh?" Katara said warmly.

"Yeah," Zuko smiled.

"So… How is it being Fire Lord?"

"It's alright… Having to clean up after my father's mess isn't too great…"

"I could imagine." Katara said. "It has to have some perks though, right?"

"Not yet." Zuko sighed. Katara laughed softly.

"I'm sure it gets better." She smiled. Zuko, however, wasn't so sure.

"How long are you planning to stay?" Zuko asked.

"A few days maybe." Katara answered. "I need some time away from the snow."

"You could stay longer if you like… It gets really lonely around here with Uncle living in Ba Sing Se…" Zuko's cheeks became pink.

"Maybe I will." Katara shrugged.

"So, how's Sokka?"

"He's good, great actually. He and Suki got married a few weeks ago." Katara said.

"Right, sorry I couldn't make it…" Zuko smiled sheepishly.

"It's okay. We know you have much more bigger things to deal with."

"You have no idea…" Zuko said, almost inaudibly.

"It sure is warm here in the winter…" Katara grumbled, clearly unhappy with the heat.

Zuko could only laugh.

A/N: You know, I have never ended a chapter with one sentence. :D There's a first time fore everything I guess. I wrote this really fast, so it's not as good as my usual writing. I'm posting the actual first chapter right after this, since it's already written. Check it out! (but leave a review first please!) Thanks!