The strength of destiny

The bright red orange color of the sun set covered his office with a warm and comfortable feeling. The high velvet walls and golden borders that reflected to the opposite side made the illusion that the room was ablaze. He loved this time of the evening. He was reminded of the old days he used to spend with his friends hiding and traveling waiting for what seemed the longest day of the year to come.

A tall stack of papers was in from of him and he sighed. It's not that he dint like being Fire Lord. The problem was that rice and other food demands were high and had the fire nation dint have enough resources to fill them. Also earth kingdom cities needed money and supplies for reconstruction which the Fire Nation didn't always have at the tip of their fingers. And of course the nation itself had its own problems.

Little rebellions here and there. Mostly teens just fooling around and saying stuff. Many volunteers had come together and built much needed orphanages with the supplies Zuko had given them. And of course there was other political problems and request needed to be fulfilled. Thanks to his father Zuko was sure he had enough work to last more than a lifetime.

As he was reading another nobleman's complain Iroh knocked on the door. Zuko replied a muffled "come in" and a few seconds later the dragon the west steeped through that door.

"Oh Fire Lord Zuko I see that you are reading nobleman Chan's request" Iroh said as he sat in one of the couches on the far end of the room. A warm smile ran across his face.

Ever since the war had ended, Iroh stayed working at his tea shop. Not much working but mostly playing Pai Sho, from the letters Zuko had received. He came to visit his neither every few months and always helped when he needed political advice. He was the wises man Zuko knew and was thankful for all the support he had for him. `

"Request right, more like complain." Zuko said as he placed his fingers at the bridge of his nose. All noblemen ever did was complain. They complained about property, placement, money and their own family problems. Zuko had no time for this so he always left these papers for the night.

"Well you should show more interest in it. Nobleman Chan is one of the wealthiest. It could really come in handy if he's on your side when trying to pass something." Iroh said as he sipped his tea out of his favorite cup. A smug smile as he was watching his nephew trouble himself with the problems his nation had.

"I know but why can't these types of problems be solved by some of my most trustful advisors. I don't have time for this. I have bigger things to worry about." The former prince complained as he leaned back on his chair.

Iron gave small cocked. "People, nobleman's especially, like being acknowledged by higher positioned people. It makes them think that you care. "Zuko looked up a narrowed his eyes at him. "Which you do." Iroh responded quickly. Zuko looked down choosing to ignore the comment his uncle had made.

"You have received a letter from Master Sokka. I believe he is getting married. Agi help Suki. But they will make a wonderful family." He said shaking his head. "Here, I would advise you to read it quick so you can reply and have one less thing to worry about." He said as he got up and headed towards the door. "I'll see you at dinner"

It took Zuko a couple more pages of the document he was reading to finish and search for the blue Water Tribe label amongst the mountain of papers. He opened it and quickly skimmed threw looking for the date. Sokka was getting married in two months at Kyoshi. I'll have to buy a gift. Great, another trip with uncle to the market. Zuko signed the scroll and put one or two sentence paragraph saying he was glad Sokka was getting married and that he will happily attend the event. He then called a guard to come and send the note back via messenger hawk.

Zuko sat back in his chair and glanced out the window. The sun was setting and soon there would be only the light of the moon. He got up and headed for his bedroom.

3 days later when he glanced at another pile of papers something blue caught his eyes. Sokka's letter? No, he sent it back already. He walked towards the pile and picked up the scroll that was almost all the way at the bottom

He opened it and felt his stomach flip when he saw the name. He read it

Dear Zuko,

I hope you are enjoying yourself or are at least happy at the time you read this. It's been so long since I've written to you or even seen you. But now you can scratch both of the lists because I'm coming to the fire nation!

You see things are changing really fast here in the South Pole and people are growing. Especially since out sister tribe from the north decided to help. The place is getting really small and the population is growing way faster than we expected. Our plan is to expand the terrain and make schools but make them all out of clay instead of ice to make them more stable. Also make our medical clinic bigger, more houses and other beneficial stuff.

My dad is already with Arnook to make an arrangement of trades and supplies to help us. This is where I come in. My father asked me to go to the fire nation and set up a meeting with you to and the rest of your advisors to discuss this.

Also I was wondering if you don't mind me staying there a little longer than needed. Just 2 months, just unlit Sokka's wedding and I'm out of your hair. I promise. It's just that I really need a break from all this traveling and reconstruction. And people. Aang is going to the earth kingdom so I decided 'why not travel with my best friend The Fire Lord'. I know it seems out of a sudden and I hope you can forgive me if I've caught you in a bad time. I will be returning with Captain Tukasi tomorrow at noon. We probably won't get there until a week after and you will probably not get this unlit 3 days later.

I'm so used to the cold here I hope to adjust as fast as I did when I was 14. Well wish me luck and see you soon. I really miss you and look forward to seeing you.

-Katara

Zuko put the letter down after the third time he read it. A smile was tugging at his lips. After the war ended them had all gone rebuilding and traveling across the national wile Zuko stayed here fixing his ancestors problems. They met every once in a while but that was 2 years ago. Once everything was calmer they had each parted their separate ways. Aang and Katara had been traveling in the Earth Kingdom helping people to their feet. They dint return to the South Pole unlit a year ago with Aang coming and going. He was the only one who he got to see once in a while on his yearly visits to the Fire Nation capitol.

Sokka had gone back to the Water Tribe along with Suki to help rebuild and has stayed there ever since. Toph moved back to her parents and after some convincing, she and her parents moved to a town outside of Ba Sing Se and she started her own metal bending school. She had not traveled much since she settled in.

But now he was going to see them again. Together as a team, just like old times. Just like when they were teenagers fighting a war. Except this time there is no war and everything if how it was meant to be. Now he was getting another chance to see Katara and even sooner than he thought. Suddenly his day was looking brighter.

She was going to arrive in just a couple of days. Zuko's smile widened and he rolled the scroll back up and placed it in the first drawer of his desk. He leaned back and grinned at the thought of her smiling at him, hugging him. Then his smile went down a little. She's Aang's. He sighted and shifted in his seat. She was never going to let Aang go. She loves him too much. Then he frowned. Love. Yes Katara loved Aang and he knew she could never love Zuko the way she does Aang. No matter how much it hurt him she was never to be his.

Katara had always had a big impact on Zuko's life and he had always felt a special connection with her. She was strong inspiring and brave. She is a great leader and one of the most powerful women in the world. She was basically royalty as well. The last time he saw her was when she came to celebrate the second anniversary of the ending of the war. After that she only sent letters. If he was lucky. The last letter he received was a year ago.

Zuko sat back up and continued reading threw files. All he could do was think that Katara was on her way here. To the Fire Nation. To him. When he finally gave up on the papers he sat up and walked to the door heading for the training room. Maybe there was some chance things could change. They could become closer after this. She would make up for all those missing years she spent at the South Pole.

As he walked through the elegant hallways, servants and maids said their greetings and bowed slightly. When he finally got to the training room he took his robe and shirt off leaving him with his nice pants and started shooting combinations. He did combinations that he dint even know he stopped doing. The ones he used to practice with his uncle on the boat on that never-ending search for the Avatar. When he did a move he remembered he did fighting a certain water bender at the North Pole a smirk came on his lips. Nope, he couldn't wait unlit Katara got here. And he was going to take advantage of her visit.