A/N: First of all I would like to thank all of you who have taken your time to read this. Thanks to the kind and encouraging words from PeanutButter123(who also is the Beta for this), MissZuko, PurpleSkillz, Catalina Dressing, and FourSeasonsFourloves, that has led me to continue this once one shot. This chapter is dedicated to you guys!

Next I would like to point out that this chapter is from Zuko's POV on his wedding day close to the same timing as Katara's from chapter1.


The last time I felt this uncertain was when I told her that my feelings for her were more than just friendship. I praised the spirits when she told me she felt the same way too. Six years has gone by.

The man staring back at me was not the man I wished I was. I was not on the path I wanted to be on. I want the path that we dreamed of in my mother's garden that we had made our own.

For the first time since my banishment I really felt weak.

I should have fought them harder. Tried longer. I should have gone after her… "We chose" she said. No, she left…Maybe she won't come. I thought.

The air around me was thick with regret and I was choking on my pain. I began to pull at the collar of my deep crimson, death robes. I should be in white. I am dead walking among the living. I have been a shell of the man I used to be since the night I found her letter. I held the precious stone around my neck and closed my eyes.


I had just returned from my council with their final decision. Just when I thought everything was perfect, I had never been happier in my entire life. With a single word from them my world began to collapse.

"It's because I love you with that I am that I have to leave." That was the last time I heard your voice.

Your words and your next actions were more powerful than Azula's lightning. I couldn't move. The connection between my will and my body was severed.

You pulled yourself out of my arms. Turned around and walked out on me. On our lives. On us. You left my chambers with silent tears still flowing.

Your love was my sun and my moon that brought light into my darkness and chased away the shadows of my past. Your last words became the ammunition and the sound of my doors closing behind you was the trigger that imploded my heart. It turned it into a black hole that sucked in my sun and moon letting my shadows consume me in darkness.

I continued to kneel on the floor where we were. It was the last time I held you. The last time I saw your eyes. The last time I felt your heart beat. It was the last time I felt alive. How could a single moment be filled with so many lasts?

It seemed like an eternity before I was able to stand on my uneasy legs and will my body to follow my command. Something inside of me told me to go to you. The closer I got to your doors the colder my surroundings became.

I knocked. No response. Not from your ladies in waiting. Not from you. I pounded on the wood with closed fists.

Nothing.

Fear and panic rose from the pit of my stomach to the ache in my chest. I turned the handle. It was locked. "Shit" I swore under my breath. All logic and reason abandoned, I kicked your door in to find only darkness.

"Please Agni. No!" screamed the voice in my head.

The little light that did guide me to your bed was from the moon peering in through your open balcony doors. I was hoping to find you beneath the layers of your bed. I lit the candle on the table that was beside it. To my horror I found your bed untouched and cold.

Then I found it. A roll of parchment tied with your mother's necklace.

I knew you were gone.

I can't recall when my tears started to come again. With unsteadied hands I lifted my death certificate from your pillow and untied your last gift to me.

I read the first line.

Fire Lord Zuko…

I fell to my knees, wiping away my tears. "Please, no, Tara" I said to myself. Furiously blinking I continued to read.

Please accept this as my formal resignation of my position as the Southern Water Tribe Ambassador in the Fire Nation. I have already taken the liberty to send a message to inform my father. My replacement should arrive within the month. I will leave all further correspondence regarding this matter between you and my father, Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe.

"NO! This can't be happening!" that voice inside of me screamed.

…Zuko, we knew this was always a possibility. We chose this. I cannot stay, you know my reasons. Like I cannot look into the eyes of the man who has the other half of me, my body, my mind, my heart, my spirit, and say 'Good-bye'. Perhaps in another life the spirits will be kinder to us, instead of teasing us with these past five years.

Do not come after me. For even I do not know where the tides will pull me. I need to learn how to breathe again. Maybe I will be able to learn how to live again. Destiney can be a cruel mistress. We are the evidence of her wrath.

We chose this.

~Katara

"This is a nightmare! Wake up Zuko! This can't be real! It can't be! Wake up you fool!" the voice screamed again.

But it was not a nightmare nor hallucination. It was now my reality.

I lit the fireplace and the remaining candles with a feral ferocity. Everything was still in its place. All of your things. Then it hit me like, Toph's fist to my gut, to look in your hidden trunk behind your wardrobe.

"No" I gasped.

Your old travelling bag along with the dagger I had commissioned for you, your extra set of traveling clothes, your black shinobi, your black gappa with zukin and bag of money were all gone. All of it gone. Gone with you.

Clutching your letter and necklace in my hand I ran out onto your balcony.

"KATAAARRRRAAAAAA!" I screamed as hard as I could into the night.

You left.

You took more than what was in your trunk with you. Will you ever know?

You took my partner. My best friend. You took my life. You took the person I would give anything for. The one I would die for. You left and took all of me with you. You leaving was far worse for me than the realization that I had when I woke up as a child learning my own mother was gone.

I ordered your rooms sealed. No one would enter them again.

I would never enter them again.

I knew better than to hope that you would return but, it was my last sliver that kept me breathing.

That was the last time I was in you room.


The knock on my chamber doors brought me back to my unbearable reality. I tucked my most priceless possession back under my robes, close to my heart.

"Enter"

"Ahh, my nephew. It is time." Uncle's voice was full of remorse.

"How can I marry someone other than her?"

He took me into his arms. I laid my head on his shoulder like I did as a child. My arms limp at my side lifeless.

"Katara loved you enough to let you go. She wouldn't ask you to choose even as much as she may have wanted to. You both have sacrificed for the continued peace of this world. For your nation and people that she too loved as her own. There is no doubt in that she would have made the best partner, wife, mother, and Fire Lady. Do not let her sacrifice be in vain. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. Let us get through this day. I am so proud of you, Zuko. Of the man you have become and as the ruler of our nation. I love you my son."

"You have always been a father to me. I will be forever grateful for your presence in my life. I love you too…I just don't know what I am supposed to do. My mind knows what I have to do right now, but my heart is telling me to go after her." My voice was no longer strong or commanding. It was shaky, hesitant, and broken. Because that is what I was. Broken.

It took all of my strength not to break down. The muscles around my chest were constricting the bones that supported them. My air passages began to narrow. It was harder to breathe by the second. My legs were losing their ability to support my weight.

"Are they...is she...?"

Uncle held my shoulders so we were now looking at each other.

"Yes, they are all here."

He must have seen my thoughts swirl in my head. Here? My Tara is here! Oh, Agni! I can't do this. I can't face her, our family. I haven't spoken to anyone except Hakoda, Aang and Toph and they would never mention her… What do I say to Sokka? I promised him that I would never hurt his sister and know I am marrying someone else, my friend. Tara's friend. FUCK! And none of them know and I can't even tell them…

"Zuko, this will not be easy but we must go. You are not alone. Most importantly you must remember all is not what it seems and in time this game will end."

I could only nod in response. Uncle turned and I followed him with my deep crimson robes trailing behind me towards our destination…to my funeral prier.

We entered our garden. The spirits must hate me. I paused to stare at the bed of fire lilies that lined the edge of the entrance. The last time I picked one for you was the last time we were here. Together.


I just finished my last meeting for the day and I couldn't get to our place fast enough. Something caught my attention as I entered our garden. I never paid attention to the beauty of the world around me, until you. The flower was beautiful. It stood out amongst the others. It reminded me of you.

I pulled out my hidden dagger that matched the one I had made for you and cut it long enough to fit behind your ear. I placed my hands behind my back, hiding my token. My boots clunked against the stone path.

Rounding the corner there you were. Sitting against our tree with your legs stretched out in front of you. You were wearing that dress you wore during our last trip to Ember Island. The pink and red one that hugged you in all the right places and gracefully flowed around you when you moved. I loved that dress. I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear thinking about that trip. Then you looked up at me. You were breath taking. I knelt beside you cupping your cheek and placed the lily behind your ear. The flower was beautiful but you, my Tara, made it perfect.


I stayed a step behind uncle as we approached the front row were some of our family sat. Sokka didn't say anything, which is never good, he always has something to say. He held his arm out for a warriors grasp before he took his seat again. Suki gave me an apologetic smile and hug. Toph just shook her head, and very un-Toph like, she embraced me too. Not only could I see the sadness behind her milky green eyes, I felt it to my core. I was thankful that Aang was off to the side talking with Nobleman Cheng.

What the hell can they be discussing? I forgot that thought as quickly as it came.

I don't know if I could handle him too. You weren't there yet. Uncle clasped my shoulder and nodded. I bowed slightly to our family taking my place to be burned.

As soon as I stood and turned to face the crowd you were staring at the fire lilies while your father escorted you to the aisle. You are still as beautiful as the last time we were here. Together. I could feel Sokka, Suki, Toph and Aang, who had taken the seat next to his girlfriend, watching me watch you. My first instinct was to look down. If I looked at you I know for a fact that I would have ran to you taking you into my arms. So instead I focused on my breathing and stared at the ground. We chose… Right?


It felt so good to take off my boots and formal robe. I sighed as it rolled off of my shoulders before I tossed it on the grass.

I laid my head in your lap looking up at you and kissed your palm. I loved how I still was able to make you blush by the simplest of things. I felt your smile as you kissed my forehead. Then you took out my crown, untied my hair and began to run your fingers through it.

Agni I loved these moments we shared. We were just a man and a woman in love. You were…are my everything. You made me want to be a better man. A better leader. Everything I did, you were my driving force. I wanted to do all that was in my power to make the world a better and safer place; not only for the nations but selfishly for you and our future children we dreamed of.

"Agni, Katara you are beautiful" I whispered to you.

"I love you" was your reply.


The horn blew and pulled me from my memory. When I looked up my eyes found yours first. It was like my subconscious knew where you were. We were always like that. Knowing where the other was. What the other was thinking. We were never perfect, no one is. But we were always in balance. Yin and yang. Tui and La. Push and pull. Fire and water. We. Were. Balance. Why couldn't they see that?

You were sitting between Suki and Toph. Of course I noticed how they were supporting you. Your body was unwavering but your hands were trembling in theirs. The pain and despair in your eyes matched my own. This is not right! This is not fair! I wanted to pull you into my chest and wrap my arms around you to never let you go again. I just wanted to take all your pain away. The life was gone from your eyes and it was killing me even more, so I looked up at the woman my counsel was forcing me to marry. I was a coward.

I was numb as the sage began the ceremony. Mai was not just my friend but she had become yours too over the years. This was also hard for her. She even tried to get out of it and fought for us the year you disappeared. She knew how this was killing us and yet she also sacrificed herself to a loveless, political marriage. I wonder if you will ever know. This was all kinds of fucked up for all of us.

"All hail Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Mai" the sage pronounced.

She and I turned around. I looked at you but you refused to meet me. Stubborn as always. We walked out of our garden where I married another in. I wanted to burn it down. Maybe with it gone some of my memories would fade with time and perhaps the pain. Yeah right. Who am I kidding. I could never forget a single moment with you, even if the world burned.

Uncle, Mai's parents, and the council walked behind us as we made way to the ballroom for mine and Mai's celebration. I noticed that the rest of our family was last to enter. I could not find you. Probably thanks to our family. I guess I should be grateful. The more I really thought about it I don't know how I would react if we came face to face. I don't know what I could possibly say. If I could even trust myself around you…

Mai and I greeted guests and thanked them for their well wishes, I kept looking out in the mass of people for the pair of electric blue eyes that were deep as the ocean. Those eyes were the only ones that I wanted to see. The ones I saw every time I closed my mine.

Uncle announced it was time for the first dance. Mai and I went to the center of the room. Where are you? Did you leave? Again? As she and I twirled around the dance floor I was looking at her but I was seeing you.


"Tara dance with me?" I asked you on our annual trip to Ember Island.

We were standing at the edge of the crowd watching the others in attendance move around the plaza square.

"Zuko, you do not like to dance unless you have to."

"I know. That's why I asked you."

You tilted your head my way with a raised brow.

"I have to watch your body move to the music. I have to feel your body move in tune with mine. I have to get lost in your captivating eyes. So as far as I'm concerned I do not have the option not to." I whispered into your ear.

You took my out reached hand and I led you to the square. The crowds parted for us as if Agni himself commanded it. I heard Toph whistle our way and shout out some obscene choice of words. I knew Aang would ask me later where she learned that! As we stood before one another, I placed a chaste kiss on your hand. There was nothing that could tear my eyes from you. You were not expecting me to twirl you into my arms. I have to admit that I was pretty smooth. I grinned in triumph. You tossed your head back, exposing that spot that I loved to kiss, while you giggled. I love making you make that sound. I love making you make many sounds...

The drums, pipa and tsungi horn filled the air with one of our favorite dances. It started off intensely slow with you circling around me to your right, ever so slightly dragging your feet with each step, with locked eyes and your right hand trailing along my chest, over my shoulders, and back. All the while your left arm hitched up the hem of your skirt just enough to tease me with your smooth toned legs. And your smile. Your smile would be the death of me.

When the beat sped up I would dominantly lead you across the floor in swift movements of twists, turns and lifts that left us panting wanting more. The red and pink layered chiffon dress flowed around you like liquid flames. You could make anything look beautiful. But I loved seeing in you in my nations colors the most second to you wearing nothing but me. I loved every hair on your head to every scare that told a story of your honor, courage and strength.

We danced until the finale song was played and the crowd dispersed. You started to walk towards our group but I pulled you back into my arms and started to sway our bodies together.

"The music has ended, Zuko. Shouldn't we catch up with everyone?"

I answered you with a shake of my head and my lips on yours, hot as my inner fire yet equally as gentle as your healing hands, the kind that always made me never want to stop. I laid my head on top of yours and you rested yours on my shoulder. I began to hum my mother's favorite song. And we danced. Your arms were around my neck holding me to you and mine around your waist.

The flames from the hanging lanterns had long been extinguished. Vendors closed up their booths. Families with young ones had returned home. The teenagers had dashed away to whichever after party they were invited too. The little crowd that we did have consisted of our guard, several older couples who I assumed were feeding off of our radiating affection and there were a few without partners watching us with joyous envy wondering when they would find what we have. They all gave us our space. It was always bliss when we were allowed just to be us.

We continued to dance under the stars and Yue's light. I loved seeing the gleam in your eyes in the moonlight. They were bewitching and I was gladly under your spell. When the crisp nights air would find a seam where our bodies were not pressed against the other; it would send shivers through my body from the drastic change of temperatures invigorating my senses.

It was as if the rest of the world had disappeared and it was only you and I. The pressure of your breasts on me and when you would sway your body I could feel your perfect mounds shift against my chest. You brought out my most carnal desires without even trying and you didn't even know it. You had your own unique fragrance that permeated off of you. It was a mixture of the ocean and water lilies and it intoxicated me far more than any wine. Even after all these years, all that we had endured, you still were able to make me nervous and confident at the same time. I would sweat a little more, my breathing would become erratic, and my heart would pound harder in my chest.

Woman what have you done to me!? I asked myself.

We danced in our room, on our bed, I feel asleep watching you fall asleep from our euphoric love making, running my fingers through your hair and gracing my fingertips on your bare back.

The next morning I woke up with our legs crisscrossed, my arm around you, your head against my shoulder, and your arm holding me across my stomach. You were still peacefully sleeping.

Dear Agni, please let me wake like this for the rest of my days, I prayed.

I pushed your hair out of your face and traced the side of your cheek. You didn't open your eyes, but I knew you were awake. I love how you would bury yourself even closer into me. I squeezed you tightly then tilted your chin so our eyes would meet. Your eye lids slowly opened exposing their depths. It never got old, us silently staring into each other.

"Thank you, Tara for loving me. Thank you for teaching me what love is. Thank you for teaching me how to love. I will love you with all that I am until this life claims me and into the next."

"Isn't it I who should be thanking you? Zuko I will love you for as long as the sun continues to rise each morning and as long as the moon rises each night."

Then we continued to dance until our bodies trembled from our love.

That was the last time I was in our room, in my beach house, and on Ember Island.

The next time I have to go to Ember Island will be too soon for me. I never want to go back.

It was bad enough having to live in the palace and remembering you around every corner, talking with my people who missed your presence, the desk in my office, our garden, and my bed. I am tortured every second, of every minute of every day without you.


The crowds' applause couldn't cloak the sound of my bleeding heart as I continued to search for you. I noticed Suki and Toph leave Sokka and Aang's sides. They headed to the balcony, which I could only assume that's where you were. My body stiffened a bit more than it already was. Mai noticed it too.

Two nobles and a glass of wine later I stopped breathing as I saw the expression on Toph's face as she headed towards your brother and Aang. My body temperature started to rise while I watched their faces as Toph was whispering something to them. Mai squeezed my hand and I let out the breath that I was holding. She told me to "go." My feet were off heading their way before I could grasp what was happening.

Something was dreadfully wrong. I felt it in what was left of my soul. I was half way to where they were standing before the three broke out into a dead sprint to where I knew you were. I changed paths running to meet them outside. I didn't care what anyone in that room thought. They could think whatever the hell they wanted to.

You froze Suki. You froze her! This is not the Katara I know. I saw a shadow disappear into the night. I heard your voice being carried by the wind. "We chose."

"KATAAARRRRRAAAAA!" I screamed just like I did the night you left. You left again.

Damn it Katara! No. We did NOT choose. You left. I wanted to fight but you left. You left me, twice. YOU LEFT! The voice in my head continued to scream.

My eyes stung from my unshed tears.

Aang melted the water that encased Suki's feet. She then clung desperately to Sokka and Toph held on to Aang her voice cracked as she asked, "What do we do?"

I turned to our family and looked them in their eyes.

"I will not let this happen again. Use the secret passages and wait for me in my room. I will be there as soon as I can."

I left them out there before they could question anything. I just hope that they listen. I found Uncle and Mai and discretely explained to them what was going on. Uncle made the second announcement of the night.

"May I have your attention please? It is now time for the Fire Lord and Lady to retire for the evening. Let us continue to celebrate this joyous occasion. And perhaps with Agni's blessings we will be celebrating the news of an heir to our nation very soon!"

I cringed at the thought of having a child with anyone else but you. Uncle said what needed to be said to keep watchful eyes at bay.

Mai and I left as calmly as we could without raising suspicions. When we reached my chambers, I ordered my guards not to let anyone in for any reason and not to disturb us in the morning either.

We walked inside and locked the doors behind us. We ran through the antechamber to my bedroom. I pushed through the door then Mai closed and locked those as well.

I was bombarded with questions from all of them at the same time. I didn't have time deal with their fears. I had my own. I pulled out my hidden bag with my black shinobi and zurkin. I pulled and yanked my wedding robes off and started to put on my disguise. I didn't give a shit if they were watching me or not.

"Zuko, how?" Sokka asked as he came and stood in front of me pointing to the stone resting on my chest.

I took a deep breath, "Tara left it for me when she left me the first time. I replaced the ribbon with one of my mother's gold chains and I haven't taken it off since. I...I saved your mother's ribbon though." I was now holding your mother's stone in my hand. It was my only physical connection I had to you when you left. I kept it safe, hoping by doing so I was keeping you safe as well.

I cleared my throat, "Listen I need you guys to cover for me if I do not come back by tomorrow night. Mai will help in any way she can. Uncle will be here as soon as he can leave the party. She and Uncle will fill you all in what has been going on the past year. I have a feeling that you all will need to know."

"Zuko you can't just leave. We need to think this through. We need a plan" said Aang.

"Watch me. I have. I don't have time for Team Avatar to map out a plan!" I snapped.

I strapped my twin dao swords to my back and started to make my way to the balcony.

"What the hell are you going to do Sparky?" demanded Toph her arms crossed over her chest.

"I going after her. And I'm bringing her home." I pulled my zurkin over my face and molded my body into the shadows.

This time I'm going to choose. My heart declared.

Thanks for reading:) I hope that Toph doesn't seem too OOC. I think that under all of her hard exterior she can be equally vulnerable when it come to the ones that she loves.


What do you think so far? The dance I was attempting to describe is the beginning of a tango, one of my favs! Any ideas on where Katara has been the past year and what Iroh and Mai have to tell the others? I would love to know what you think! Please leave your thoughts and ideas in a review!

Until next time;p

~BD