A/N: Hey guys! Just wanted to confirm ages and point out this is a ZukoxKataraxOzai. Yes I know how strange that sounds but just give it a chance if not that's fine.

Zuko: 21

Katara: 19

Sokka: 20

Aang: 17

Toph: 17

Hakoda & Ozai: 40

Mai & Suki: 20

Chapter 2:

The trip was faster than expected. Katara had left just three weeks ago and already she could see the Fire continent from the deck. A pleasant smile rose to her face as she thought of finally seeing her dear friend after so long. She and Zuko had become closer since he nearly died trying to save her life. Back in the days before the group divided the two of them had practically became each other's confidantes. Even having separating they had wrote letters back and forth. Except she hadn't wrote him in the last several months. She had been too busy.

Hakoda and Aang had nonstop smothered her with their desire for her to marry. She understood she was three years over the marrying age and girls in her village were younger than her and already married with children. But she wasn't like them. She had never been. Training the avatar and saving the world was not something many couldn't say they've done. Besides, after seeing what she had already seen outside the frozen tundras, how could she pass up the chance to explore further. Though she wanted to marry and mother children, now was not the time.

It wasn't till the next day that the merchant ship that carried her arrived at the docks. A wave of excitement washed over her as she thought of her stay. Then the thought of how surprised Zuko would look once he saw her. Much has changed in the last couple years. She was a girl when she last saw him and he, a boy. Katara began pondering if he looked any different than before as she readied her luggage. Did he get taller? Was his hair any longer? Could he have gained weight or lost any? The questions went on. But luckily she'd have the answers soon. Sooner than she expected.

Climbing the stairs to the deck, katara heard loud commotion coming from above. What's going on? As soon as she reached the top she saw a sea of people crowding the platform. Before she could wonder why, the answer showed itself.

"Katara," a husky yet familiar voice caught her ear.

Her eyes widened when they fell on a taller, more built, long haired Zuko. Her mouth would have dropped if she hadn't been conscious of her every movement. Katara could see the last three years have been good to him, he was gorgeous.

"Zuko!" The water bender pushed past the crowd and nearly tackled their Fire Lord to the ground.

The people watching could not believe their eyes as a water tribe woman threw herself onto their sovereign Lord. What in Agni was happening? However; once the initial shock subsided, the Fire Lord smiled and patted the woman's head affectionately as she nuzzled her face into his chest.

This didn't go unnoticed to the people and whispers began to spread like wildfire. "I believe we're writing ourselves unwarranted rumors."

Katara's head lifted and a blushed splayed across her face in embarrassment, "oh! Sorry Zuko." Climbing off her friend, katara dusted herself off and offered a hand to him.

Once they both stood, Zuko rubbed the back of his neck and averted his eyes with a shy grin. He was going to say something but was interrupted when one of his guard approached him.

"Your Majesty, we should return to the palace. The streets are becoming overly crowded."

Zuko turned to look at his personal guard and nodded, "Gather the Lady Katara's things." He ordered before leading her to the palanquin.

Helping her inside, Zuko took a seat across from her and reached into his pocket. Taking out a scroll with the cracked seal of the Southern Water Tribe, he handed it to Katara.

Leaning back into his seat casually and grinning amusedly at Katara as she read the letter, Fire Lord Zuko watched her face turn sour.

"I assume Sokka hasn't changed much, his sense of humor and brotherly instinct are still in tact." He laughed.

The waterbender read over her brother's letter with distaste for the threatening content and the overall mistrust written between each line. How could he possibly think Zuko would do any harm by her? The man almost died trying to protect her. Katara wrinkled her nose and balled up the scroll.

"The nerve of that- ugh! I can't believe him! How dare he! Wait till I get my hands on him!" Katara growled.

"Well I thought it was enjoyable," Zuko chuckled.

For him, it was the only letter he had received from the young warrior in years and it was quite nostalgic. He hadn't seen anyone except Aang and Toph on occasions when he visited the earth kingdom, even then it was a mere glimpse of them. No time for them to converse or catch up. Things were so different and whether that was good or bad, one could not say. But one thing remained clear and that was that he was happy to finally see his good friend and receive a 'warning' letter from her brother.

—

Arriving at the Palace, the two climbed out of the palanquin in a fit of laughter as they caught up on the latest. It would seem they've both had a lot going on in the months since they've last exchanged letters.

Zuko had recently been forced into courting a few noble women as a chance to pick his Fire Lady. Luckily it all boiled down to his decision. He didn't plan on choosing anytime soon. None of them were his type and besides, he only agreed to it to please the council. He simply hated the idea of marrying without love but knew from the start that this was the most likely of paths.

Servants approached them and took Katara's things. They all gave her curious looks as they past her. It was not often that they've seen they're Lord so relaxed around a woman. He usually tensed up or avoided them. Many thought he rather have the company of men than women. Anyways, they truly didn't know what to make of this foreign woman. Perhaps she was what their Lord had been in need of.

"I have a meeting to attend but I will see you in time for dinner. Ying, here, will show you to your rooms." Zuko grabbed Katara's hands and gave them a soft squeeze before letting go.

She waved him off with a grin and followed the servant in the opposite direction to her rooms. She smiled inwardly to herself. Time to relax and forget about my worries.

—

A/N: starting off slow but feel free to give me suggestions. This is my first time writing fan fiction and would love some pointers.