Here is chapter 2! thanks to those who reading my story!

(This chapter has been re-writen)

Enjoy.

...

This can't be happening.

This can't be happening.

That was the only thing, floating around in Katara's mind while Zuko was looking at her with his golden eyes, an amusement sparkling in his gaze. She sat up from her chair, gaining some curious glances from the people on the table. She was ready to yell at him, throw him something, Tui and La, hit him, but then, remembered where they were and who was in present and sat down immediately.

She murmured a 'sorry' and then locked her gaze with Zuko.

"Thank you" she said, her voice flat. A frown ghost his face but disappeared as quickly as it had come and he nodded at her.

"Very smooth sugar queen" Toph whispered.

"You knew he was coming, didn't you?" Katara hissed at her, thankful for the other, louder conversations that were covering theirs.

"Of course I knew" she blew a dark lock that was in front of her face and crossed her arms over her chest.

"And you didn't tell me" Katara said, furious with her friend.

"And what? Spoil all the fun?" She smirked and shoved a mouthful of noodles into her mouth. Katara glared at her but remembered she couldn't see it.

"I'm glaring at you right now" she told her.

"I'm sure you are" she smirked and then turned her attention to her food.

Katara's gaze settled on Zuko. Well, the yelling had to be waiting. After breakfast she would find him and drag him in a corner and would make him listen. With the good or the bad way, which contained him against a wall, and some ice dargets. She preferred way more the second one.

"So, Firelord Zuko" King Kuen started as he placed his hands on the table "Was your journey fine? I hope you didn't meet any obstacles in your way." He said.

"It was okay" Zuko said. He frown a little "Except from the wind, though. It was quite strong" he glanced briefly at Katara "But I couldn't miss lady Katara's birthday."

"I'm honored" she said sarcastically.

"I couldn't miss it for nothing, because then my present would be a waste effort" he smirked "And it's not something you see everyday. It's very ... unique."

"I'm quite curious to see that present myself" said the King.

"Youboughthrapresnt?" Asked Sokka, with his mouth full of food.

"Sokka! Don't talk when your mouth is full" said Suki "And of course he bought her a present, like everyone else! It's her birthday."

Sokka glanced at Aang. "You bought her one too?"

"Of course!" Said Aang, then turned his head and smiled widely at Katara, who was very interested in her food suddenly.

"Snoozles, you're the only one without a present" Toph said from her seat.

"Well, I didn't know I had to bring a present myself. My presence only is a gift itself." He grinned and shoved more food in his mouth.

After breakfast was over, Katara waited outside the dining hall because the King had kept Zuko to talk about something. And they were in there for ten minutes. Really, how much time they need to plan the time of the next meeting?! Can't they see she has things to do as well? She sighed and rolled her shoulders that were against the wall and closed her eyes as she lean her head backward.

She didn't know how much time she was like that but when she opened her eyes she was greeted by a pair of golden eyes, that were rather closely to her face. She yelped and lean backwards, trying to put some distance between their bodies but hit her head in the wall. She groaned and rubbed her head as he took some steps back.

"How much time were you watching me?" She asked and narrowed her eyes at him.

"A little" he said.

"Well, you should have told me you were here and not leave me standing like that."

"I like seeing you when you're relaxed" he let a smirk form in the corner of his mouth "You should remembered this" he crossed his arms over his chest and raised an eyebrow at her as she blushed.

She moaned as he kissed a sensitive spot on her neck and she scratched his scalp with her nails and he groaned on her shoulder. She flashed. Not now of all the times! She shook her head and cleared her throat.

"I ... umm, well ..." her mind went blank and she forgot the reason she had waited for him.

"Firelord ... Miss Katara" they jumped as they heard a trembling, quiet voice. They turned their heads and they saw a servant girl, bowing to them and playing nervously with the hem of her shirt.

Zuko cleared his throat before speaking. "What is it?" He asked as he looked at her.

"General ... Iroh is h-here to see you ... my lord" if the girl was trembling a little more, it would have shattered to pieces. She couldn't be more than fifteen.

Katara gave her a warm smile as the girl looked at her, and that seem to calmed her because she stopped shaking so much.

"Very well, where is he?" Zuko asked.

"H-He's waiting at your room, my lord" the girl bowed.

"Well, thank you" Katara said gently, with a smile. The girl bowed another one time and then she ran from the hallway. Literally.

They stood in silence for a few moments after the girl had gone. Finally Katara, without saying anything else, turned around and left. He watched her retreat with a longing gaze on his eyes, then turned and walked to the opposite direction, his steps steady and sure, like a Firelord would walk.

Katara ran when she turned over a corner, heading straight to her room. She didn't know that, meeting him would affect her so much. She had prepared for this because she knew that eventually they had to meet. But not so soon. She didn't even know he was coming at her birthday. Probably Aang assumed that she wanted him here and wrote to him to come. She had done so much time, trying to forget him and their past and tried to focus on Aang, hoping her feelings for the firebender would go away. No, she corrected herself. She didn't have any feelings for him, they just thought they were going to die very soon and they both seeked the other's warmth. That's all. Just atrraction. Even though they whispered it to each other, countless nights before the final battle. She shook her head. They were just desperate, that's it. Funny thing though, that even after she was telling this, she couldn't bring herself to believe it.

She arrived at her bedroom and got inside, shutting the door behind her. She kicked off her shoes and climbed to the bed. She curled under the sheets and put her head to the puffy pillows, sinking on the soft bed. It was cold since it was winter and she would die now for a cup of hot had half a mid to say a servant to bring her but decided against it. They aren't obliged to do and her own wishes. Even if it isn't true she doesn't want to be an extra burden to them. She turned around and faced the window. It was raining outside and the sound of the rain against the glass was calming her. As she gazed at the raindrops, her thouhgts flew back to him. She didn't want it but couldn't help but remembered their first kiss. Her stomach warmed at the memory. She told herself that this is bad, thinking about him. It would make it harder for her to let go, that she shoudn't be thinking about another boy when she had already a boyfriend that loved her with all his heart, that it was wrong but she just couldn't help it and closed her eyes.

"What are you waiting for?" she whispered at him, while she walked out of the building and to the rain, her robes getting soaked.

He looked at her from behind his blue mask and then shook his head.

"We should go from inside the building" he whispered back.

"Why? It's much faster this way." she protested, her huge hat and veil hiding most of her face from his eyes.

"It's safer this way" he pointed inside the building.

"A few moments ago you agreed that we go from this way" she said, gesturing with her head the dark street. They had left from the camp and went to watch this little town about anyone that needed healing or help like they had done to several other villages and towns. From the night he had caught her leaving the camp, dressed in her painted lady's disguise, they had a night routine together, keeping it secret from the others.

"Well now that i saw it, i say it's safer this way " he said irritated and crossed his arms in front of his chest. She looked at him for a moment and then a smirk appeared on her painted lips. She took a few steps in his direction, the rain falling on her body yet she didn't mind.

"Is that it or little zuzu is afraid of a little rain?" His features turned into a frown. How could she even know that nickname? He found it weird though that he didn't mind her calling him like that. Katara could just imagine his face behind his mask, his scowl and his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance and she giggled quietly.

"I just ... don't like getting wet" He answered. He wasn't afraid of rain. In his previous missions alone he was just trying to get from ... warm places. He just didn't like it when he was getting soaked and all. Yet as he watched her standing in the rain she seemed not to be bothered at all. Quite the opposite, she seemed to like it.

He was snapped out of his thouhgts, when a hand grabbed him from the elbow and dragged him out of the building and in the rain.

"Hey!" he protested.

He was taken aback and his golden eyes widened when she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, her hat falling behind her as it bumped with the front of his mask. He tensed against her body, his arms trapped under hers.

She seemd to notice his discomfort and a blush appeared on her cheeks.

"So that you don't go back inside" she murmured against his neck and that made her more embarrassed but she didn't pulled away.

Zuko could pull himself free if he wanted to, for he superior against her in physical combat but he decided against it. Besides it wasn't an everyday thing getting hugs from the waterbender and he kind of missed the feeling of having her soft body pressed up in his in all the right places. He let himself relaxed against her, his uneasiness forgotten.

They stayed like that, the rain falling on them faster and faster, the only sound of it, hitting against walls and pavements, each one lost in their own thoughts. After a little she pulled away, just enough to see his face. He didn't say anything, didn't stop her when she raised her hands and pulled is mask away from his face, didn't say anything when her thumb moved across the edge of his scar. He looked down at her with his golden eyes and she felt something inside her twitching, his gaze warm on her face, like a little caress.

"There" she whispered "Now and your face will get some water" she smiled up at him but he was too stunned from her beautiful, blue eyes that seemed to shined to response back."Now you don't dislike so much the rain, huh?" she said quietly. How could i ever hate it when it's a part of you? He was aware for a while that he had a soft spot for the crazy waterbender but didn't know how to go for it. And to be honest with himself he was kind of scared. Yes she had forgive him but still . . . they weren't close. The only thing that had changed was that she wasn't glaring at him the whole time.

He was able to free his arms now and very slowly as if waiting for her to back away, he wrapped them around her frame.

"I ... don't think so" he whispered and without thinking he leaned forward. Katara's heart thumped loudly in her chest and she wondered what in the world was going on. Is he going to . . . kiss me? She was so confused but she found the thought of him kissing her not so unpleasand. He stopped in the last second and Katara tried to hide her disappointment, thunkful of the darkness of the night. With his lips a hair away from hers, he realized what he was going to do. His eyes widened and he tried to pull away. Great! All the proccess he had made with her would shutter because of his stupidy.

"I'm sorry" he said "i-" but he didn't get to finish, for he was pulled down and then a pair of soft, wet lips were on his own and oh agni she was kissing him! He stood like that for a few moments, trying to analyze what happened. He gave up thinking when he felt her hand softly carressing his skin and he kissed her back, his arms around her frame tightened. She snaked her arms around his neck, the mask on her hand falling to the ground, next to her hat. The kiss was soft and gentle and careful, as if they were exploring something unknow, which in some way they were. It made Katara feel stange. Not unpleasant but odd. And it was so much hot. He was hot, like burning alive, like she was kissing fire. It made her so warm, to the point that sweat gathered on her forehead and mixed with the rain but she liked that. She liked it so much. She was feeling so excited and like a bolt of lightning had gone through her, giving her energy. It made her feel alive.

They parted, just enough so that their bottom lips no longer touch and they rested their foreheads against each other, as they breath together the same air. They stayed like that and then Zuko kissed her again and again and again.

They stayed in the rain, kissing and touching each other until the very end of the night.

"My nephew!" Iroh exclaimed cheerfully as Zuko came into the room.

"Uncle" he greeted him with a soft smile on his face. He had missed the old man.

Iroh pulled him immediately in a bear hug and then ruffled his black hair affectionately, destroying a little his knot. Zuko scowled at his action and Iroh grinned at him "It's good to see you prin- I mean Firelord Zuko" Zuko rolled his eyes at the uneccesery title but didn't say anything.

"It's good to see you too uncle" he said and made a move to sit down on the huge pillows next to the table with him.

"Tea?" He asked Zuko and he nodded. He watched his uncle, pouring tea in a cup and giving it to him. He took it gladly and thanked him.

"I had a very long time to see you! Look how handsome you've become! Such a fine man" Iroh said and chuckled the expression on his nephew's face.

"Uncle" Zuko growled and flushed.

"I'm sure many young Ladies would kill to be with you" Iroh went on. Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance and embarassment. He frowned at his tea. Well, one does not even want to be near me. The one i would kill to be with. He sighed and traced his long finger along the rim of his cup. Iroh saw his troubled expression and raised a questioning eyebrow as he realized his nephew was far, far away from here.

"Zuko, what's the matter?" He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard his uncel referring to him and turned his attention to him.

"Hmm? Oh no, nothing" he brushed it away as he lifted his gaze at him "How are things going with your tea shop?" he tried to change the subject and sighed mentally in relief when his uncle's eyes sparkled at the mention of his beloved shop.

"Things are going very well. Since the end of the war i'm having more and more customers. Sometimes there isn't enough place to house them all and they have to wait 'til the other customers leave!" He folded his arms on his belly "I'm actually thinking of extending the building" he said at last.

"That's very good for you" Zuko said and took a sip from his cup. His insides warmed as the tea made its way on his neck and through his body, like a blessing in this cold weather. Not that the cold bothered him. He tilted his head back and breath out fire, warming the room with his actions.

"How are you doing back at home?" Iroh asked and Zuko smirked at the question.

"Quite well, actually" He said with a little satisfied smile "I have succeed in convincing some of the council to trust me fully and give their loyalty to me and the citizens are more trustful towards me than they were" Iroh nodded with a smile as he spoke "And also we will replace all the history books in the schools with the new books. About the truth of what happened" he frowned "I don't want my people to be raised with lies."

"You are progressing well nephew." Iroh said "I am very proud of you."

"Thank you uncle" Zuko said grateful for the good words. Iroh smirked at the young lord and a mischievous look appeared on his face.

"So. . . tell me, is there a certain Lady in my nephew's life so far?" He asked with a wink on his eyes.

"Uncle, i'm still with Mai" Zuko said and Iroh raised his eyebrows. He didn't expect to hear that. He assumed his nephew would break up with the young noblewoman the last time he had seen them. He could see Zuko's eyes as he was looking at her. The feelings inside them were a lot. But the formal general was sure love wasn't one of them. He knew his nephew didn't really love her and he was afraid he was with her from obligation even if Zuko couldn't realise it.

"So, how's lady Mai doing?" he asked instead and didn't spoke his mind.

"She's fine ... I guess" he said. Zuko hadn't thought of his girlfriend at all, from the time he had arrived on the palace. She didn't want to come to Katara's birthday and she stayed at the palace. He was thankful for that because he didn't know if he could handle her and Katara in the same place together. They had a pretty big fight before he had gone, about him not spending enough time with her. He was the Fire lord. He couldn't spending every walking moment with her. Couldn't she understand it? And she had the nerve to put the blame on him! He understood her reaction for it was true he wasn't spending enough time with her but he just had so many things on his head. And when he was feeling tired and just wanted to lay with her and just sleep she was saying he didn't desire her anymore. It seemed like with Mai he couldn't just sit in quiet and peace to relax. They had to have sex whenever they were together. Sometimes he was feeling very lonely in the palace. He was feeling that no one could understand him. No one as well as ... Her.

"What do you mean you guess?" Iroh frowned as he saw his nephew. He remembered him saying once that they were arguing a lot and he sighed as he saw him averting his gaze."Did you had a fight, Zuko?" Iroh frowned as he didn't meet his eyes again and stayed silent.

He looked seriously at him "Zuko a relationship mustn't be building on anger. For a relationship to work, it has to be understanding from both sides, it has to be cooperation, it has to be love." He folded his hands on his lap "It can't work without these things. It will not be good in the end."

"Uncle, it's just ... we will work out. It's just need a little time." he tried to make him believe though he wasn't sure if he was trying to persuade his uncle or himself.

Iroh decided not to push the matter but another thought came to his mind "Don't forget that after your eighting birthday, they will start telling you to find a wife" He told him and Zuko groaned and put his head in his hands.

"I hadn't thouhgt of that."

"Well, you should start now." he adviced him as he poured another cup of tea to himslef.

"Why do i have to marry from now? Why is it so necessary, when we have more importan problems to solve?" Zuko asked angrily.

"The Fire Nation needs an heir to feel safe and secure, if, unfortunately, something happens to you." he looked at him.

"Well, i'm not ready yet and they have to understand that. I'm barely eighteen and they want me to start popping out babies because they're afraid!"

Iroh lay a hand on his shoulder sympathetically "I know how you feel but you must understand that at some point they are right" he reasoned him. He decide to spare him and patted his head. "But it isn't the time yet, so lets put it in the corner" he drew his hand away from his nephew's head and Zuko smiled, relief that his uncle let it go. They stood in confortable silence for a while, both thinking over the conversation they had. Iroh then grinned slyly and turned to Zuko.

"Today it's miss Katara's birthday! Did you see her in breakfast? I hope you didn't forget to say happy birthday."

"Of course i said" he smirked as he remembered her reaction when she saw him. Her eyebrows shot upward, her perfect blue eyes wide opened, her delicious, full lips parted. How much he wanted to take those lips between his teeth and ... Bad, Zuko. Bad! You can't be thinking of her like that! And not in the presence of your uncle. He shook his head, trying to get rid of his thoughts of the blue-eyed girl.

"That's one of the reasons i came" he added unaware of his uncles's knowing look and amusement.

"What present did you bought her?" Iroh asked curiously.

"It's a susprise" Zuko said with a smirk "What is your present?" Iroh grinned.

"Aah, well..."

Katara sat up slowly and stretched her arms above her head, yawning. She must have felt asleep while she was remembering ... Her cheeks heat up from the memory. She put her head in her hands and groaned.

"This is bad" she muttered to herself "Very bad."

A knock came from the door and she climbed off the bed and went to answer it. She opened it to come face to face with her young boyfriend.

"Hi!" Aang said and then scratched his bald head akwardly. Sometimes Katara wishes he had hair. She had seen him with hair and it went him well. It was black and straight and it was like his. She was ashamed of herself for wanting this. Him to be like him. But it would be more easy for her to be with him. She felt disgusted with herself. How could she do this to Aang. He, at least deserved to by himself.

"Hey..." she said "Come in, i'm sorry i left you standing like that" she stepped to the side to let him walk.

"No, i just came to ask where you want your 'birthday party'" he joked.

"Birthday party?" she asked confused.

"Ooh, it will be only us, you know just like the old times"

"I didn't think we would go somewhere but ... okay, iroh's tea shop it's fine i guess." she shrugged and wrapped her arms around her.

"Great!" he said and then hesitated but leaned in and gave her a kiss that she return with a half heart. He pulled back and blushed. "Well, i'll see you later" he half whispered and she only nodded. She looked at him as he walked on the hallway and then sighed. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Her stomach growled. She hadn't eat much on breakfast, because ... well, of him and now she was hungry. Super hungry. A knock was again on her door and she groaned. Who is it now?! She opened it and saw a servant, keeping a tray in her hand.

"Master Katara" she bowed "This is for you" she took the tray from her hands, confused.

"Thanks, but who send it?" she asked.

"I do not know miss. An other servant gave it to me and he didn't tell anything. I apologize."

"It's okay. Thank you, again."

The servant left and Katara went inside her room, sitting in the bed confused, but happy that she could finallyput something in her stomace. She found a little note on the tray. She picked it up curiously and opened it.

Enjoy your meal Tara.

Her eyes widened. Only one person was calling her like this. She left the note down and eyed the food. Roast chicken with vegetables and white sauce. That dish was usually served without sauce. And she liked it with sauce. White sauce. Her favourite. And he knew this. How could he possibly remebered this?! Her eyes narrowed and a frown appeared on her face.

"I won't eat it!" She said stubbornly and crossed her arms. "I will send it to his room untouched!" she left the bed and went to the door to find a servant beause she wouldn't go to his room. She put her hand to the door knob, but her stomach growled again. She put a hand in her belly. I'm so hungry. And lunch won't be for another a few hours. And it's my favourite food. She scowled and went to the bed. She picked up the fork and took a bite. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head. So good.

Another time, firebender. I swear, she thought and shoved more of the delicious food in her mouth.

The same servant came to take the empty dishes and she thanked her again. She bowed and left the room. She walked into the corridor and then turned over a corner.

"What hapended?" he asked anxious, as his fingers played nervously with his robes.

"She ate it all, my lord. Every last bite" she said and gestured to the tray and the empty plates. He let a smirk form on his lips.

"Very good" he said to himself "Thank you, Ming" he said to the girl.

"Always, Firelord" She said with a little smile and then left.

Katara didn't went to launch. She didn't need to, because she had eaten and she was full now. She told a servant to go and informed them that she wasn't coming. She decided that she didn't want to stay in her room and went to the palace library, in search for a book to read, to pass her time.

She arrived at the library, the smell of scrolls and books and paper, hitting her nose and she smiled. She went to several bookshelves , trying to find a good book. The library was huge, not like the Fire Nation's, but still. All the books were either historical or political scrolls about economy or the geography of the earth kingdom. Aren't these people reading any literary books? She looked a little more and found a shelf in the end of the huge library. She trailed the books with her fingertips, reading their titles, trying to find a good one. Her eyes caught an interesting one and she took it from the shelf. It was a very old book she could tell by its worn cover, and it surprised her because it was from the Fire Nation. Back after the end of the war, when they had visit the Northen Water Tribe, she had found there some scrolls from the earth kingdom and air nomads. But not from the fire Nation. She shrugged. I guess it was here before the war. She went to the huge table and sat down, putting the book in front of her. Its title was 'The White Hawk'.

She opened it and start reading it. It was a legened about a hawk that the spirits had given to a man for his braveness and kindness, when he had helped a spirit that needed him. The Hawk had the ability to see your future as well your past, by just looking at you. It was only loyal to its master and listened only to his wills. The man was a firebender, and unfortunately, he died in the begining of the war, leaving the hawk without a master to wander in the four Nations. When the other people learned about its power, captured it and use it against their prisoners of the war, to steal informations and plans. The spirits got angry with the selfish actions of the people and freed the bird from them. They say now that the bird wanders in the world, without somewhere to go and without a master and no one has seen it over a hundred years. Katara went to the last page and when she saw it she yelped, sitting up and throwing the chair backward in the process. It was a drowing of the bird. It had white, fluffy feathers, in his head there was a red line that went down to his nose and two black eyes, the most dark eyes she had seen ever in her life. And it was just like she remembered it, sitting in the branches of the tree outside her balcony.

This can't be real. It couldn't be alive after so much time. She shook her head and took slow breaths to calm herself, rubbing her tembles. She grabbed the book and ran out of the library.

She ran through the long corridors without stopping. She bumped with someone, apologized and then she ran again, the book between her hands with a tight grip on it.

"Katara!"

She stopped sharply and looked behind her. That someone she had bumped with was her brother. She hadn't even notice him.

"We were looking for you" He said as he approached her "Were have you been?" he asked and his eyes fell on the book "Never mind, i know."

"What were you looking me for?" she asked a little shaken. If Sokka noticed her behivour, he didn't say anything.

"It's afternoon and we agreed to go to Iroh's tea shop remember? For your 'birthday party'" He chuckled for his joke.

"Okay ... i'll ... i'll go to get ready" she told him.

"Meet us in the entrance of the palace. We'll go with a carriage since it's still raining."

She nodded and without waiting for him to respone, she left and headed for her room, her thoughts turning back to the legened. It wasn't logical. She couldn't have seen that same bird!

...Could she?

...