This story has been on many accounts, which are all mine, I keep forgetting my email and so on...anyways I will be focusing on this fanfic alone at the moment as my passion has not died down for my Zutara stories as much as the other ones. I am determined to finish this one...you will notice some difference in the story now as I am older and thus my spelling has slightly improved, the woes of dyslexia.

Anyways enough from me, please give a review after you have read, it is what keeps me going in writing.

Through the Rain

Intro

The palace was bare, empty and cold, well at least they felt like it to him as he walked down the lonely hallways of his beloved home. No longer was he the outsider, no longer the rejected prince of his nation, no longer was he the traumatized teen that was haunted by the event that left him with a grotesque scar upon his face. After the fight of his life he had taken his rightful place upon the throne of the fire nation, he was the Fire Lord, the strength of the Fire Nation, the hope for many that the wars scars could be healed.

Three months had passed since the war had officially ended, the scars of war were deep and many people believed that the young fire lord could not undo all that had been done. The Fire Nation had brought fear into peoples hearts, shook their very souls and brought about so much pain to many people. The world was at peace but the Fire Lord was not, his job was to make sure that not only his nation grew and was provided for but also returning the lands that were stolen from the other nations. Sometimes the most dangerous of battles were diplomatic ones and fought in the meeting room rather than on the battle field. He was tired, his people were suffering yet so was the rest of the world, he needed to step carefully, each move had to be planned so he did not upset any of the nations as well as his own. Although tired he refused to back down, he held his head high, he accepted the insults that were thrown at him, even from his own people. He would prove them all wrong, he was nothing like his father and sister, nor was he weak. All he needed was time, he needed to rebuild the trust that was there so many years ago.

With a heavy sigh the Fire Lord stopped walking, unable to bear the sounds of his lonely and cold footsteps on the floor. Silence, that was all he heard as he centered himself, no birds sang, not even the guards, which were stationed along the hallway, made a sound. Was he deaf or had he drowned out the sense of hearing from over working?

He took a single breath in, holding it for a moment before letting it out slowly, finally the sounds around him returned as he heard the rambunctious steps coming behind him. A smirk appeared on his lips as his nose caught hold of a scent, Fire Lily, it wasn't strong or overpowering but sweet and almost comforting. He knew this person well, she had become a close friend as well as an annoyance.

Finally the steps stopped as he felt eyes on his back, sighing softly once more before turning to face the person. Her ocean blue eyes looked up at him, the same eyes that once held so much hatred, so much pain were now staring at him with respect.

He stared down at her, his gaze piercing and intimating as he looked down on her small frame. She was indeed small, but the Fire Lord knew that she was one of the strongest Waterbending masters out there and wouldn't hesitate to kick his ass if he needed it, to upset or anger her was risking his life.

"What is it Katara? Can't you see I am trying to relax from a very important and stressful meeting?" The Fire Lord's voice was gruff, showing that he was indeed stressed, he added to his claim by rubbing the temples.

"Yes, I know Zuko, I was there remember? Why did you not return the Earth Kingdom's land to them? You only gave him a small amount back" The Waterbender's voice was full of questions as were her eyes.

Zuko looked over her once more, noticing a letter in her hands. 'That must be the letter from Aang' he thought before getting back to their conversation, "Katara, the Fire Nation has had that land now for over ninety years, at least two generations have lived there and are still living in those homes. I can not take away what my people see as theirs. Put yourself in their positions, being taken away from everything you've ever known and loved because of a war that you didn't wish for..."

There was silence between them, neither of them wishing to speak for the moment. Zuko watched as the emotion played on the Waterbender's face, a small understanding smile appeared on his lips as he watched Katara nod. With the conversation ended, Zuko turned on his heel and began walking down the hallway, listening to her footsteps behind him.

"I heard you received a letter from the Avatar. Is he coming to pick you up soon?" Zuko looked ahead, not wishing to look back at her. He knew Katara was upset, hell, anyone would be when your partner leaves you somewhere and goes off on their own personal journey.

"...Aang found a girl...an Airbender." The sadness in her voice was thick, even though she attempted to seem cheerful, her disappointment was clear. "He is teaching her the ways of his people..." Zuko dared to look back at him as he saw the girl force a smile on her lips, her eyes were now stormy blue, hiding the pain she felt with fake happiness "So you are stuck with me for a little longer Zuzu"

Zuko could not understand the avatar, why had Aang left Katara with him when she could have easily gone with the Airbender to help him? Why cause her so much distress and pain?

He took another breath, forcing himself to ignore her force smiles, "I will have to bear with it for a while longer. Was anything else said in the letter?"

"Sokka is getting married to Suki, seems Ty Lee will help with the wedding as well the other Warriors on Kyoshi. Toph has opened up a school for Earthbenders, if she teaches them the same way she taught Aang, then I pray to La that they are strong enough to pull through it." A small laugh slipped from Katara's mouth which only made Zuko relived.

"I have heard about Toph's school, it is rather successful in Omashu. Make sure you write back to Sokka, give them my best wishes"

Katara nodded with a true smile, unbeknownst to her Zuko had stopped in his tracks, causing her to bump into him. Zuko turned his head slightly, just catching the glimpse of the Waterbenders blush before she covered it up.

"I have forgotten something, haven't I?" Motioning towards the dressmakers and maids at his door with a frown on his face, they only appeared if there was an event he was needed for, he could not have been that over worked that he forgot something important like this...could he?

When he watched Katara nod he let out another sigh, he didn't need this. What he needed was his uncle to be in his room with some calming jasmine tea and maybe some roasted duck.

"It is the peace celebration Zuko, you know...the one you planned?"

Katara's voice snapped him out of his thoughts as he nodded at her, he remembered now, he had started planning this event when the war had ended, it was meant to mark the start of a peaceful life for all nations. He took a moment to curse the fact that another had to remind him of such an important thing, if it was anyone other than Katara his pride would have been wounded.

Katara watched him for a while in amusement, it wasn't often that Zuko allowed his guard to drop, it was even rarer for someone to see it. She watched his molten gold eyes fill with so many emotions, embarrassment, anger and then acceptance. It was like watching Zuko's inner thoughts. She let out a small laugh which caused Zuko to look at her.

"Well I'm glad someone found this funny" his voice was light, he enjoyed Katara's laughter, he would have preferred it wasn't directed at him but he enjoyed it nonetheless. "Well then Master Katara, I shall have to depart from your lovely company" Katara rolled her eyes towards him as she watched him bow towards her "I hope you save a dance for me, it looks rather bad if you reject the Fire Lord"

The Fire Lord's smile was genuine and sweet, Katara had not expected Zuko to smile like that. She watched him turn and leave towards the maids, her eyes never straying from his back until it disappeared behind a door. She stood there for a moment, feeling her cheeks burn, she felt her forehead and then her cheeks, was she coming down with something? Maybe a cold brought on by the...heat?

Shaking her head swiftly as if she empty her thoughts, if the dressmakers and maids were at Zuko's door then they too would be at hers. With a heavy sigh she started walking towards her room, her own footsteps now echoing in the lonely halls, although it wasn't much further it felt like a solid hour before arriving. She looked at the maids or as she called them 'The bringers of pain' she wasn't comfortable accepting their help or with them taking her every word as an order, but she knew this was how they worked it wasn't forced on any of them.

Before Katara entered her room she addressed the maids and dressmaker, standing tall and proud as she spoke with a commanding voice, although it was strict her voice still held its sweetness, allowing those that heard it to know that she was not angry.

"This is how today will work. One of you will draw my bath, I do not need help washing. While I bathe you will get my dress ready and leave it on my bed, I do not need help dressing. I will then call you to help with my hair and makeup."

The maids were not shocked by Katara's orders, they were used to this by now. Unlike other Fire Nation women, Katara did not enjoy anything intruding on her bath time, nor did she enjoy the aid the maids had given her the first time they helped her change. With a nod of their heads the maids got to work, opening the door for Katara, pouring her tea as one of the maids ran her bath.

In no time at all Katara was sinking her tan skinned body into the warm water, the heat attacking her muscles, relaxing them instantly. Back in the South Pole they had to boil water to make it hot but it was never as this warm, the water comforted her, wrapped its liquid form around her body as if it was a blanket.

She laid there relaxing, listening to the sounds of the maids next door, they were cleaning her room and preparing things for the event. Without a second thought Katara ducked her head under the water, muffling the sounds around her allowing her to listen to her own thoughts.

Her own thoughts brought her to a golden eyed Fire Lord who had gained her respect over the last few months, she honestly saw the Fire Lord as a trusted and close friend. Yet she didn't understand why it caused her heart to beat when he smiled at her, or why her cheeks burned when he paid her a compliment. He was only being nice, they were friends so it was only normal.

Bringing her head above the water she grabbed her shampoo, Fire Lily, she loved the smell, it smelt exotic and seemed to be a perfect match for her in a alien land. She had used it before Aang left, although he didn't seem to like the smell of it, Zuko on the other hand had complimented the choice.

In no time at all there was a knock at the door, "Lady Katara, if you do not get ready you shall be late, Fire Lord Zuko would be most displeased if one of his friends were not on time"

Katara sighed, she knew Zuko wouldn't mind if she was a little late, but with a heavy heart she left the water, knowing that the maid would indeed come in and pull her out of the bath if needed. Grabbing a towel before walking out into her room, the stream leaving her body as she moved over to her dresser, as ordered the maids had left the dress on her bed, leaving her alone to dry and dress herself.

'This will be a long night' She thought to herself as she eyed over her dress. The dressmaker had chosen a dark red dress, it was simple yet beautiful, she had hoped for a blue dress, something that meant more to her, but this was still as stunning. The open back allowed her tan skin to be shown which was always a plus. A tiny hint of regret hit her, she was about to get all dressed up for this celebration and Aang, the avatar and her boyfriend, would not be there to celebrate it with her, or to see her in such a stunning dress. She thought on it for a while wishing he would turn up, but she knew that he wouldn't, a foolish wish. She pushed it to the back of her mind as she started to get ready, addressing the maids to come in to get her hair ready.

The maids made quick work of her, applying only a little make up to her already natural looks, before all but one left. Azar was her name, she had been given the job of sorting Katara's hair. She had combed and brushed it until it was soft to the touch, and only added a small gold hair band to keep her bun on top of her head.

Azar then stood back and smiled softly at the woman "I hope you do not mind me speaking Lady Katara, but you look stunning" Katara smiled her thanks before the maid walked towards the door. She was about to leave looking at Katara once more, "You honestly look like you belong here, my lady. It would honor us if the Fire Lord took you for his Lady"

Katara blushed quickly hiding her face as she seemed not only nervous but rather awkward to be having this talk with a maid, she quickly thanked Azar once more before the maid bowed and left. Leaving a puzzled and rather confused Katara in her wake.

Hey guys, so this is the new Through the Rain, I had so much fun rewriting this and honestly it feels good to write again. I will already start on the second Chapter. Hope you enjoyed it, yes I changed the dress and a few other things as well. Remember to Review. The link to the old story is here and the link to the style of dress I liked for Katara is here. Hopefully my grammar and spelling has improved, if you find a mistake let me know.