Afterwards

After thoughts were the last things Katara wanted at this moment. It was perfect timing, on Aang's and her part. He had walked out only moments earlier just as everyone started complaining to Sokka about how horrible they looked in his painting. Aang had just smiled and chuckled to himself. Katara seized the chance and snuck outside to the balcony overlooking the city of Ba Sing Sei from Iroh's Tea Shop. She approached him slowly, savoring the moment. Aang was smiling into the sunset, eyes showing happiness, and a slight sorrow. Katara put her hand on his shoulder, smiling as he pulled her into a long, easygoing kiss. Her heart flooded with excitement; wasn't this supposed to happen? She wanted to feel that complete joy she felt when he was around……. No, she mustn't think of that right now. All pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, she was with the one that made her glad, Zuko was with Mai. Aang was just ecstatic as Katara put her arms around him; it felt as if his heart was going to burst from his chest in pleasure.

Still, Katara was having, oh what was it, guilt, regret, no it was after thoughts.

Sure he makes he feel special with his compliments and kisses, but why don't I feel so happy anymore? He is so short, Man, I'm getting a crick in my neck from having to lean over! When will he stop, oh yeah, he really wanted this; since he's the Avatar, he gets what he wants. NO,NO this is supposed to be destiny! Like Aunt Woo said, I will marry a powerful bender. I wonder if she meant Zuko? Wait…. I think Aang is loosening his grip, FINALLY!

Aang let go of Katara hesitantly, only because he felt no emotion during this moment. She stepped away, looking slightly hesitant and regretful; she quickly composed herself before Aang could've noticed. Now, all she had was the future and a hope it would get better. Still, as they walked into the tea shop together, Katara looked to Zuko's attractive face, for one last time before leaving. She couldn't be sure, but she saw a trace of sadness and concern as they shared their last, silent goodbye through each others unclear eyes.

Years passed, and times changed as the Avatar helped make a new world, rebuilding it with the help of the better fire nation. The world was changing in many ways, so did life for Katara and Zuko.

Three years later

Aang landed in the yard of The Bai Fong residents, where Katara was visiting Toph for the weekend. Katara was already in the yard waiting for him, just like usual.

Why is she always waiting for me, never a smile or a wave! Aang thought to himself.

She turned to Toph and ran back to her and gave her the biggest bear hug that meant so much between them.

" It'll be alright Katara, it will get better in the future, believe me I know," Toph whispered swiftly in Katara's ear. Toph had grown up so much in three years and Katara was grateful for her friend. With another hug, Katara jumped onto the impatient bison. Tears trickled slowly down her cheek, only to be swiftly swept away by Katara's milk chocolate hand. Aang kissed her on the lips, and she promptly returned the gesture. It was not a long kiss, but just enough to show that Aang still loved her. Life had not grown any better for her in the three years. Aang hid any business between him and Zuko, and kept Katara all to himself, hidden from the world. He was now 16, she was 19, and all that seemed to remain between them was a child like crush, or at least that's what it was like for Katara. Aang believed she was madly in love with him, and no other guy caught her eye; he himself was oblivious to the world. Katara wished for more, a mature, cute, thoughtful, passionate husband, who thought of important matters, but always found time to spend with her. She wished for a child, a little girl she could coo and cuddle, teaching the ways of water bending to. Tears again edged towards her eyes, making their way down her cheek yet again.

She leaned her head down on the blanket rolled up on the saddle, and dreamt of smoldering, golden eyes, staring at her lovingly as he pulled her body closer to his, caressing her face affectionately. His face leaned into hers, staring at her in her cerulean, blue eyes. So close, she could feel the body heat emitted between them as he placed his hands on her hips. Just as his perfect lips were about to meet hers, a sharp shaking brought her from her drowning fantasies, back to the fresh air of real life! She awoke to grey eyes staring at her with great concern, not the auburn eyes that haunted her every night in her wicked dreams.

" Katara, we're home," Aang said, blushing slightly.

" What?" Katara asked confused. Aang only blushed even more at his great embarrassment.

" What were you dreaming about exactly?" he asked quietly, apparent this was uncomfortable. Katara just blushed profoundly, knowing she had said or done something that gave her mind away. She just smiled and laughed saying,

" What was I dreaming about? I really don't know, once I've dreamt them and I wake up, they're gone in a flash! Why, what was I doing?"

" Oh, um, nothing! You just were tossing and turning and you mumbled something like, auburn or fire, I can't remember. I was just wandering." he said even more embarrassed; he wasn't going to mention the quiet moaning he had heard.

The walk into the large Ba Sing Sei house was a roaring silence on the ears of Aang and Katara, though Katara was more thankful for it than usual.

" SOKKA, SUKI, WE'RE HOME!" Katara yelled through the house, only to be met by her own echo.

" Oh look, some notes," Aang said walking to the kitchen table.

Dear Aang and Katara,

Suki and I have decided to go to the beach again and stay at Zuko's old beach house. We sent him hawky and he said we could stay there for as long as we wanted. Anyways, have fun you two, and Aang, BEHAVE!!

Love,

Sokka and Suki.

P.S. A hawk arrived for Katara while you were gone and Momo was acting sort of weird so Aang, go take him to the vet right now!

Aang read the last part of the letter and started panicking and rambling about certain diseases Momo might have gotten while they were gone. Even after three years, he still worries too much. Aang grabbed Momo and said goodbye quickly as he raced out the door to the vet. Katara didn't care one lick at all, all she cared about was a letter from a fire nation hawk. The letter sat crumpled on the table, like someone had tried to open it, but stopped realizing who it was from and who it was to. Katara gasped as she read who it was from:

Katara

It was like a beacon of hope shining through the fog, beckoning her name with every letter. It didn't read fire lord, or from: The Fire Palace, it read Katara, like a letter to a friend, without address, who you'd know who it was from, just by the handwriting!

Without delay, Katara opened the letter with heart pounding anticipation.

Dear Katara,

I know it must be strange to hear from me again, seeing as our last goodbyes were hasty. I never stopped thinking about you, even after you flew away on the Avatar's…., I mean Aang's bison, I couldn't stop. I know it's been three years, and you probably don't even want to talk to me after all this time, but I need to see you Katara, even if it's just one last time! Your eyes haunt me like an angel's watching care,always they're in the back of my subconscious. This is probably the worse letter you have ever read, so I'm going to stop now. But just think about it,

Love Always,

Zuko

Katara's eyes grew hazy as her eyes welled up with tears. She read each word over and over again, savoring each word and memorizing it word for word.

Fire and Water, Yin and Yang, Love and Passion, Light and Dark, without one, the balance would be lost!

It was a stupid prophecy, nothing more nothing less, yet it made her feel ten times stronger in everything. Her balance was lost, yes, and the emptiness was coming around her on all sides, consuming her hopes and dreams. Not now, only a flicker of light remained in that emptiness, and she needed to fight for it before darkness consumes her. She only had little time, she needed to pack and leave before whatever Sokka had done to Momo is discovered. She paused, and made a silent note to thank Sokka for his complicated plan of Aang's distraction.

With clothes packed, and all essentials ready she rushed to write a note, making a stupid excuse to leave and take Appa, promising a safe return later; he would believe anything from her. She hesitated and decided to invite Aang along as well, so no suspicion would arise. She rushed out the door quickly and hopped on Appa after she sent a message to Zuko about her coming, and with that, she shot of in the sky on the slow journey to her destiny.

At the Palace:

Zuko paced around the throne room with anticipation and excitement. The hawk had only arrived two minutes before, but already, he knew who it was from before the hawk even landed. Zuko's heart was in a frenzy, fluttering like a butterfly flapping at a thousand beats per second.

" What will I say, I haven't seen her in forever," Zuko said talking to thin air.

" What does she look like, does she even remember me? What happens if I screw up, and say something wrong? Will she hate me, does she still think I would hurt her?" His question filled the air with tension and excitement.

His hands were shaking as he opened the letter smelling of sweet, cherry blossom.

Dear Zuko,

I don't think I have much time before Aang comes back. Thank you for inviting me to the palace. I have so may questions about what's been happening lately, Aang won't tell me anything. I'll try to be there as fast as I can.

Love,

Katara.

His heart skipped a beat, she was actually coming, after all the years of dreaming, she was coming. Then it hit him like a lightning bolt, she was coming to the palace, and soon according to the letter! He rushed out of the throne room, telling his servants to start cleaning while he made his way to change clothes; Time was of the Essence.

Later...

Katara saw the gates of the Fire Lord's Palace growing closer like a wave about to crash. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as she saw the Zuko standing on the front steps of the palace. Despite his scared face, he was quiet handsome; his face could be harsh at times, but most of the time, kindness would show all over.

Zuko was alarmed as he saw the bison approaching the palace, fearing Katara couldn't escape the Avatar quick enough. Relief swallowed him he saw only Katara on the bison's back. She looked even more stunning than he remembered; her milk chocolate skin glowed slightly in the sun, emitting a warm glow around her. Her cerulean eyes sparkled like sapphires as she dropped of the bison's back and ran to him.

Why is she running towards ME? Zuko wandered to himself. The bison flew off as he smiled as she slowed to bow before him.

" Fire Lord Zuko, thank you for inviting me to the palace, I am deeply honored," she said with no sign of sarcasm.

" Katara, it's great to see you again, um, why are you bowing?"

" What would Mai think if she saw me and only me come off Appa. Normally, it's Aang, not a water bending peasant," she replied quietly. Zuko frowned and stooped to help Katara up.

" Katara, Mai and I broke up, I think last year. I thought Aang would've told you that," Zuko replied, slightly offended that the Avatar would keep anything from Katara.

Katara was taken off guard, surprised that the depressed, emo girl was still not with Zuko, though it made her heart soar greatly.

" Oh," was all she could say. Zuko smiled as he stared into her eyes, cooling the fire in his eyes with the deep pools. She turned away, embarrassed by him staring at her with his smoldering eyes. The servants grabbed her bags as Zuko led her by her arm inside.

" So Zuko, how is changing the world going, I am in the dark," Katara asked.

" You mean Aang hasn't told you anything, at all?" Zuko asked, appalled to hear you could keep anything from her.

" Aang doesn't really tell me anything, he just comes home, and eats, tells me I look lovely, then tries to kiss me way to much! It is slightly annoying."

Zuko was fuming at the mental picture of the bald child, kissing this angel on the lips. He changed the picture to him instead, calming the lightning building up inside him.

" I would be insulted if I were you. He called you lovely, your more than that… your stunning!" Zuko said moving his hand down to her hand. She smiled a dazzling smile and entwined her hand in his, moving closer to him. Zuko's heart pounded like a drum in his chest, oblivious to the accompament of Katara's drum. They walked to the dining hall to enjoy a dinner together. Zuko rushed to pull Katara's chair out for her, receiving a smile in thanks.

" So, how was your trip? I hope you didn't have any difficulty," Zuko asked striking a dinner conversation as the servants brought the food out.

" It was pleasant, I had no trouble with storms and the wind was cooling."

" If I may, how did you get away from the Ava… I mean Aang, anyways?" Zuko asked curiously.

" My brother made a long scheme to make Momo sick, or look sick, so Aang would go get him checked up on. I need to thank him; I probably wouldn't be here at the moment without his help," Katara said with gratitude in each word.

" I believe I owe him thanks as well, if he hadn't thought up a plan, you wouldn't be her with me right now,….with me," he added softly at the end. Zuko blushed slightly, then went back to eating.

" Remember when we went to see that stupid play about our travels around the world, on Ember Island? Remember when we sat down in the theater, and you took Aang's spot before he sat down next to me. I never thanked you for that, you saved me from a long night, and I didn't mind one bit," Katara added giggling slightly at the memory. Zuko joined in, and soon it was full fledged laughter, filling the room with untold thoughts and memories. Katara smiled; this is what she missed about The Gaang, laughing and having a good time, like she was now with Zuko.

" Common', I want to show you something," Zuko said while grabbing Katara's hand. Her hand was smooth as silk in his as he led her to the turtle-duck pond where he and his mother had once spent many hours together; he hoped it would be the same case with him and Katara. Katara stared at the ducklings following their mother around, making her sigh. She settled next to Zuko in the shade of the small tree, spreading shade around all of them enveloping them in a cool protection from the sun.

Cautiously, Katara leaned her head on Zuko's shoulder as Zuko squeezed her hand lightly.

" I wonder what it is like being a mother?" Katara sighed quietly, hoping Zuko hadn't heard her.

" Why do you want to be a mother?" Zuko asked, answering her fear.

" Oh, I don't know. I see the mother turtle-duck helping her children find food and grooming them, it just makes me wonder. I just want a loving husband, always there, never secretive, just a simple family, ya know?"

" Do you think Aang can give you that dream family you want so much?" Zuko asked slyly.

" Oh, I never thought about, oh, ewe gross, absolutely not! No way are my children going to be living a monk style, I could never force them to. Why did you even ask?"

" Would you consider living in a palace a simple life?"

Katara returned his question with a confused gaze, then a smile,

" I'm not sure, life would be extremely complicated for me, especially if I had a family."

They just stared at each other in the eyes, not saying a word. Zuko leaned in closer, head tilted to the side, just like in Katara's dreams, only this time, she was not going to be abruptly waken up. His lips touched her, gliding smoothly like dancing, better than she had hoped. Zuko was thrilled with the enthusiasm she put with his, turning their waltz into a sharp, passionate kiss. He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer, throwing Katara off guard. Her conscious started kicking in,

This is wrong Katara. Sure you love him, but what about Aang, the boy who was always there for you. Who is probably on his way over right now and might go Avatar State on the one boy you could ever love!

"Zuko, I don't think I'm so sure about this," Katara said in gasps.

" Why not? I don't see any problem at the moment, why stop now?" he said almost in a happy growl. Katara smiled coyly as she replied,

" Zuko, I think I love you, and I think I always had some deep feelings for you. You had me at ' I'll save you from the pirates.' Right now though, Aang would have no idea, and he still loves me. If I left him, he would know exactly why, and he would come after you! I don't think I could live with myself if anything happened to you, and I would feel the eternal torment of living without the warmth you give me," she said almost in tears.

Zuko tilted her chin back and kissed her affectionately on her trembling lips. He smiled a sad smile and helped Katara to her feet.

" If anything were to happen to you, I couldn't go on without you cooling the flames of my anger. I understand what would happen if you came and lived here, and I see the consequences! I love you Katara, please don't forget me, or my heart might break," Zuko said wrapping his arms around her.

A breeze swept through the courtyard, bringing both Zuko and Katara's eyes to the sky, and Zuko's warming arms away from around Katara.

" Hello, Zuko, Katara, is anybody here?" Aang asked reluctantly.

" Hello Avatar Aang, thank you for joining us today, we were just about to eat dinner, care to join us," Zuko said smiling a smooth smile. Zuko looked at Katara and gave a silent signal to play along. She smiled and walked smoothly over to Aang's side, smiled and kissed him as if a fairy tale ending. Stupidly, Aang pulled her into a tighter embrace, forcing Zuko to retain a lighting bolt from erupting from his hands.

" What did I miss?" Aang asked obliviously.

" Not much, we were just reminiscing, you know, back with the Gaang," she said smiling. Zuko walked close to Katara and whispered only audible for her ears,

" It will work out, trust me. I love you, and after this is over, you can come back. Afterwards, it will all work out, I promise, and it will end well. Afterwards, we don't have to hide anymore, I love you."

It was a quick whisper, and some sentences were meshed together, but it was good enough for her to feel confident about her future.

Afterwards, she thought happily as she sat down at the table, and began the act of convincing Aang everything was still the same.

To Be Continued…..