The following day I meet with Toph and Suki in the training grounds. Suki and I are going to spar and practice our hand to hand combat. Since Suki is a non bender I will not be using my water bending. It will also help me to improve not using my bending just in case an event arises where I cannot use it. I take the fire crown out of my hair and pull my thick brown locks into a messy ponytail. I slide on a pair of trousers and a loose fitting half shirt without sleeves. It's a hot one today and I do not want to become overheated. I exit my chambers and head for the training grounds. I enter to find Suki sitting beside Toph on the lounge chairs I had the maids bring out with attachable umbrellas for shade.

"Good morning." I smile and greet my friends. Suki smiles back and stands up. She begins to do some stretches. I follow suit, stretching my legs and arms out.

"Did you talk to sparky last night?" Toph lounges back in her chair. I close my eyes and continue my stretches.

"I didn't. Zuko seems to be even busier than before." My heart yearns for my husband but I try to smile anyways.

"Alright, lets get to it." I move to the middle of the plateau. The change of topic works as Suki follows and takes a fighting stance. I do the same.

"Make the first move Suki." She narrows her eyes and smirks at me. A moment later she shifts her leg and darts towards me. I quickly step backward but Suki has had more practice lately than me and manages to twist and drop a kick to my side. I grunt in pain and dart away. I place my hand to my side and flinch. Suki's kick was definitely not gentle.

"A little out of practice are we?" Suki mocks me playfully.

"Nobody wants to spar with the fire lady for fear of hurting her." I smile bitterly and repeat what the trainers said to me. Suki scoffs and plants her feet once more.

"They must not realize that you helped take down the old fire lord." Suki moves her foot again but this time I catch the subtle movement and when she lunges I manage to sidestep her and bring a karate chop down on her shoulder. Suki grunts but quickly ducks and rolls away.

"Nice hit." Suki smiles at me and then darts towards me once again. I race to meet her.

...

A few hours and to many hits later I hold a glowing hand to Suki's shoulder. Suki is a mess. Her clothes are dirty and torn in a few places. Her hair is in disarray. I'm sure I look the same. I tried to dodge Suki's fist and ended up getting a busted lip. Suki flinches when I rotate her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Suki." Suki merely smiles and closes her eyes.

"It's alright Katara. You'll have me fixed up in no time anyways." All is quiet as I heal Suki. A few moments later I am done and Suki breathes out a sigh of relief. She smiles gratefully at me and moves to sit in the shade with Toph.

"You should really heal yourself as well Katara." Suki takes the cup handed to her by one of the maids and take a hearty sip. I move to sit beside them and take a cup of spicy tea. I nod my thanks and wince as my back bushes against the chair. Suki landed a sharp jab and I think it has bruised.

"I will. After I get cleaned up." I wince again and the maids share a worried glance. I smile reassuringly at them. No need to make them worry. I take a small sip and close my eyes.

"Well hello there sparky." My eyes snap open and I look over to see Zuko has almost reached us. My heart patters excitedly in my chest. I quickly sit my cup down and turn to smooth out my hair. Zuko actually has a moment to see me and I look like a total mess.

"Toph. Suki." Zuko's deep voice rumbles out and I feel the hair on the back on my neck stand up. My skin prickles and my heart races. I turn towards him and beam a smile at my husband. Zuko's face quickly changes from smiling to horrified. He is at my side in an instant, gingerly cradling my face in his big palms. His golden eyes scanning my face looking at my scraps and busted lip. I turn my face into his palm and nuzzle against his warmth. I accidently brush my lip against it and pull back with a hiss. Zuko stares at me, his eyes shinning with concern. I smile at him and place a small kiss to his hand.

"It looks far worse then it actually is." Suki frowns at me and Toph is silent. I shrug my shoulders and pull away from Zuko. His hands fall from my face, as he takes one of my hands in his and squeezes softly.

"I just wanted to stop in and apologize for my absence. I also would like to offer my congratulations to you and Aang on your pregnancy Toph." Toph blushes and murmurs her thanks. I'm still not used to seeing this shy Toph. I look over at Suki and we share a secret smile. Zuko stands and leans down to brush a kiss on my sweaty forehead. I silently wish he would kiss my lips but smile at him nonetheless.

"I'm afraid I must be going. It was a pleasure to see you both. Tell Sokka and Aang they need to stop by soon." Suki and Toph say their goodbyes and with one last kiss Zuko leaves us. I sigh wistfully as I watch him walk away. Even in its exhausted state my body craves Zuko, and my heart yeans for him.

...

A few hours later I am seeing Toph and Suki off at the gates. Suki is all patched up and I finally was able to heal my scrapes and cuts. They climb on top of Appa and I reach out to stroke the sky bison's snout.

"Be safe going home. Take care of them ok buddy?" I stroke Appa again and he grunts his consent. A moment later they are in the sky flying away. I stand there watching until they fly out of sight. I sigh and go back inside the gates. I am walking down the hall when I see Iroh walking towards me. I rush to his side and smile widely at him.

"Uncle! What are you doing here?" I lean down to kiss his check. Iroh smiles at me and reaches out to give me a bear hug. I laugh and wiggle until he releases me.

"Hello dear niece." Iroh laughes. "I am here on Zuko's request." I squint and try to think of why Zuko would call his uncle all the way to the fire nation. I shrug and walk with Iroh to the throne room where Zuko sits with scrolls laid out in front of him.

"Zuko? Uncle is here." Zuko stands up and rubs the area between his eyes. Concern fills me. Zuko looks so tired lately. Deep shadows underline his eyes. Iroh goes over and envelopes Zuko into a bear hug. Zuko pats his uncle on the back and smiles warmly at him.

"Thank you for coming so quickly uncle. We plan to leave at daybreak." My heart sinks. Zuko is leaving? I clench my hands behind my back and smile softly at Iroh and Zuko.

"Are you leaving somewhere dear?" I try to sound nonchalant. Zuko shares a conspiratorial glance with Iroh and moves to take my hands.

"Yes my love we are going on an impromptu trip tomorrow. You could even call it a vacation." My eyes must be wide as saucers because Zuko lets out a small laugh. He leans down to brush a kiss to my brow.

"We are really going on vacation?" Zuko smiles brightly and nods his head. I fling myself into his arms and squeal my happiness. I pepper kisses along his face.

"You had better go get packing my love. We leave at daybreak." I quickly kiss him and then rush from the room. Iroh and Zuko's laughter following my every step.