Blazing Hearts

"Goodbye," Aang sighed, slinging his arms around Katara. They stood on the front steps of the Council Hall in Republic City. Sokka and Toph stood behind Aang, talking casually about Toph's proposal for a new law enforcement team in the City and her prospering metal bending school. She informed Sokka of the plans for her police force, while Sokka questioned her about the ability of earth benders to learn metal bending.

"It isn't just about astute study. I think some benders are strong enough to do it, born with the ability, but other's can't identify the earth within the purified metal. I mean I can try to teach them, but I can't strengthen their bending," Toph explained. Sokka nodded and continued with his inquisitions, but Katara had already turned back to Aang.

The young Avatar had hardly grown since last summer, when he conquered Firelord Ozai. Of course, he had transformed tremendously in a spiritual aspect, yet on the pout side he was still the small, goofy air bending boy she had found in the iceberg.

His eyes were the same then as they were now as he stared at her with love, concern, and a hint of anxiety and sadness. He released her, but he still stood, looking at her now as she hugged Sokka and Toph in farewell.

After releasing Toph, she turned once more to Aang, allowing one final hug for her dearest friend. "Be safe," he whispered in her ear, squeezing her tightly.

"I will," Katara promised, grabbing the straps of her satchel and slinging it onto her back, before spinning and walking down the steps of the grand hall. The sound of her footsteps on the newly laid stone echoed in Aang's ears and in his heart as he watched Katara scramble up one of Appa's legs, settling herself into the crook of his neck before turning. With a final wave to her friends, she called down to Appa, "Ok buddy, Yip yip!"

Appa leapt into the air, straining forward, into the air, sending a wave of wind rushing at Aang, rustling his robes and reminding him of how alone he suddenly felt. The Avatar stood, watching his flying bison soar into the rising sun, watching the crimson light illuminate the city in an early dawn.

Katara sat on Appa's back, pressing her hands between her temples, trying in earnest to clear her head of the thickening emotional fog and focus. Only a few days had passed since she had decided to journey back to the Fire Nation. A week ago they had received a message from the new Firelord, Zuko. Katara's heart had leapt, seeing his letter, reading the thick bold stokes, crowned with the official insignia of the Fire Nation Royal Family. She didn't know why, but the words on the paper, his words, made her head spin and her breath catch in her throat like daggers.

He had wrote to all of them, 'Team Avatar' as it had been addressed, expressing to them the status in the Fire Nation. Although most had agreed that removing the Fire Nation territories from the Earth Kingdom was the most reliable path to rebalancing the kingdoms, and after conquering some of his own reservations and discussing the matter with Aang and his advisors, Zuko had agreed to this plan as well. Despite their own Firelord's support, some citizens were still dissatisfied with the resolution to remove the colonies. The unrest was causing Zuko some undue stress, and considering his past retractions of the agreement, Aang had feared that more pressure would push Zuko over the edge, igniting tension between the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdoms.

With the nations still in recovery from the war, the Council, which had been created soon after Aang's defeat of the Fire Nation in the hopes that they would serve as a voice for the people of the nations, a central legislative and executive board, formed of representatives from each nation individually. Seeing the tension between the two most powerful and unstable nations, the Council had seen fit to send a representative to not only assist Zuko, but to send a message to the Fire Nation, communicating to them that the new world peace would not be disrupted, and the authority of the Avatar and the Council should not be questioned in violent terms.

Initially Aang had volunteered to journey to the Fire nation but after some thought, it was agreed that Aang's presence and leadership were required to oversee the forming of his new capitol, Republic City. Katara immediately volunteered, and idea which Aang and several others had instantaneously objected to.

It was true that Katara was a powerful symbol and would be able to calm the rising tide in the Fire Nation quite effectively, but Aang of course worried about her safety, as did others. Still, Katara persisted, insisting that she was of little to no use in the City at this time and that she wanted to participate as a vital part of the recovery and restoration effort.

After an enormous amount of bickering and pleading, it was finally decided that Katara could be Republic City's ambassador to the Fire Nation, so long as she was guarded and tended to at all times and remained close to the Palace.

Katara couldn't, or perhaps didn't want to pinpoint exactly what had compelled her to volunteer. Deep down, she knew that if she searched within the depths of hr heart she would discover her answer, but she questioned whether or not she actually wanted an answer. Instead she focused on the journey ahead of her, the deep, cool water gliding past her as Appa moved late into the night.

As the sun sank below the horizon and the sky turned to a deep blue, purple mosaic, Katara spotted a small island, steering Appa to the sandy mound seated in the middle of the shining sea. As Katara slept, her dreams were haunted with images of Zuko. She remembered his face when they were locked in the crystal caves, the feel of his skin under her palm, the heat of his touch… and the anger she felt when he had betrayed them. The rage, her own fury at herself for trusting him. And then her dreams changed to memories of him, helping her find her mother's killer, the concern in his eyes and acceptance when he saw her blood bend the murderer.

Katara awoke with a start. She stared at the horizon, beginning to leak yellow and orange into the black night's sky.

Why, how can I feel this way about him Katara thought, rolling over and standing to begin gathering her things. I have Aang, I should love Aang. He's my friend, he's always been kind and genuine…but he isn't..he isn't Zuko.

Katara felt angry with herself for thinking this way, felt her stomach churn, but not in disgust and shame like she would have wished, but instead in fear. Fear because she felt a fire, swelling and blazing in her heart. A fire that had always been there, always existed but after repeated attempts, it had finally appeared to die down.

Until Zuko sent his letter. Until Katara realized how much she missed him. And now she was on her way to see him and that tiny fire she thought she had squelched began to blaze, igniting all that would burn around it.

Shaking her head, feeling sleepless and more confused than ever she hopped upon Appa and headed off, knowing the Fire Nation was but an hour away.

Zuko sat in his dining chambers, sipping tea and shuffling through reports about the status of his colonies in the Western Hemisphere, furrowing his brow and and shoving the papers to the side, fighting the urge to set the reports ablaze and be done with them.

The doors to the chamber swung open, surprising Zuko who looked up angrily. Sensing his mistake, the messenger bowed, "My apologies Your Majesty. I was sent to inform you that the representative from Republic City has arrived."

Zuko raised an eyebrow, wondering how the representative had arrived so quickly. Perhaps it was Aang himself, riding that giant flying beast of his.

"Zuko raised his hand and motioned, "Bring them in."

Zuko began rearranging his paperwork as the messenger hurriedly departed. When he looked up from his work to see his visitor his eyes widened in surprise, his face suddenly flooding with heat. It wasn't Aang at all. Instead it was a beautiful girl, with flowing locks and intense blue eyes as deep as the sea. As she walked in, her eyes on his he felt his heart flutter.

"Katara…." he began, blinking and stumbling to his feet. Of all the people he thought would come, Katara had never crossed his mind. She was the only person that he had ever let his guard down around, the only person that could see through him like he was made of glass. The only person that had ever made him feel like he did right now. A pit in his stomach, heat washing across his face, and his heart thundering. Excitement and anxiety combined in his heart as he walked towards her.

"Hey Zuko…." Katara muttered staring at her feet, hoping to hide her bashfulness. "I…ummm…," she trailed off, scratching the back of her head. Zuko cut her off, coming to stand in front of her, pulling her eyes to him.

"It's great to see you!" Zuko smiled, pulling Katara into a warm embrace, inhaling her sweet scent, reveling in the feel of her body clutched tightly in his arms. They held the embrace for a moment, then Zuko pulled back just enough to look down into Katara's eyes.

His intense amber eyes stared down at her excitedly, displaying his excitement at her presence. Her heart fluttered as she felt the heat of his breath whispering across her face. She felt something reawaken inside her, something that had lain dormant since she had left Zuko the last time. And as she stood her now, she felt those feelings resurface, rushing up to gather at her throat, threatening to burst forth.

"How have you been," Zuko whispered, voice breathless and eyes revealing his interest and something else that Katara could not identify.

"I've been…..alright I guess. But what about you? After I got your letter I was…" she stopped, unsure of what to reveal to Zuko.

"Worried that I would go back on my promise?" he asked, his tone tinted with hurt.

"No," Katara snapped, in honesty. "I was worried that you would be upset. I came to help you," Katara informed him, reaching up to touch his face and turn it towards her own. When she touched his face he flinched, but she persisted, meeting his eyes with hers, full of caring, sincerity, and concern.

Zuko stared into her eyes and found himself mesmerized by her words, secretly touched by her concern and overjoyed that she was here. He touched her hand against his face and pulled it down, cupping it between his own and peering at her from beneath lidded eyes.

"Well I am upset…" he began, surprised at himself for being so open and unreserved. Around Katara he felt like he could speak his mind, be himself and not fear that she would judge him. And he was right, because Katara wanted nothing more to be there for him now, not just as a friend and for the sake of the new world peace…but because she truly cared for him and wanted him to be alright.

The two sat down at Zuko's long table, still grasping hands as Zuko began telling Katara about the situation in his Western Colonies. He told her about the unrest, the whispers of rebellion and the accusations that the Fire Nation's own King had turned against his people.

Zuko sighed, shaking his head, as Katara squeezed his hand, urging him to continue.

"I just….I cannot fail my people. My father betrayed them, threw them into a war which punished them all, and then turned his back to their suffering. I will not be like that! I want to be their hope, someone they are proud to call their leader. But I also don't want them to see me as a coward, someone who betrays their needs for those of the Avatar and his friends. I need to be their King and to be able to face all the responsibilities and challenges that that entails. But I just….I don't know if I can. I don't know if I can be the later they desire…."

Zuko's voice trailed off, leaving him staring hard at the opposite wall, Katara watching his face contort in pain, the shadows making him look twisted and sad, desperate for support.

"Zuko," Katara whispered, pulling his face towards hers, feeling his eyes trained on her face, hopeful as she continued, "You are not your father and you will not fail your people. You are too passionate and you care for them too much. Anybody could see that you are willing to give everything for the life of your nation. And you are strong. So, so strong and you know in your heart the difference between right and wrong, the key to keeping the nations balanced. Yes, when you lead there will always be a minority against you, saying that you have wronged them, but you must know in your heart that what you are doing is right for the world and the Fire Nation."

Seeing Zuko's face, Katara reached up and stroked his face, letting her hand trail down and settle on his hard, warm chest. "This nation could not ask for a better leader."

Zuko's eyes glowed, warm with a passion and hope. Zuko's attendant came in then, babbling about Katara's quarters, offering the location to Zuko and then making a quick retreat.

Katara's yawn pulled a chuckle up from Zuko's throat, bring a small, crooked smile to his face. "Come on Katara, I'll show you to your rooms," he pulled her to her feet, clutching her hand as they spun down the intricate network of hallways until they reached a large iron door.

As Katara turned to enter, Zuko stopped her, turning her to face him. "Katara…," he began face down, eyes trained to the floor.

"Thank you," he whispered, eyes flicking up to lock with hers in a moment of passion that sent Katara's heart thundering.

"You're welcome…" Her face was inches from his and then before either of them could stop themselves, he kissed her. His lips pressed against her, his breath hot on her face as she moved closer to him, pulling his body against hers, pining herself to the wall. His heart drummed against his chest as her hands explored his body and she struggled to breath as his mouth moved down her neck, kissing her shoulders and her chest, making her vein flood with heat.

Finally the two broke the embrace, both not wanting to stop, but also knowing they should. But still Zuko held her in his arms, clutching her to him and attempting to calm his breathing. He reached for her chin, stroking her face and then gently lifting her face to his. Despite herself she yawned yet again. He laughed, a wonderful, rare sound that made Katara's heart beam.

"I forgot, you're tired," he smiled at her, eyes bright but sell intense.

"I'm really glad you're here Katara," he whispered pulling her closer to him, the heat of his gaze penetrating Katara's until she felt her pulse quicken again.

"Me too," Katara whispered, pressing her mouth to his once more before turing to enter her room. As she threw her exhausted body onto the lavish bed, she put her fingertips to her lips, marveling at the hot, tingling sensation and the warm passionate memory that still lingered there.

"Katara…" Zuko whispered in the empty hall, before shaking his head and turning to stride down the corridor.