Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender or any of its characters.

AN: Thank you for the follows, favorites, and reviews!

So I just want to kind of reply to your comments (not really directly)

I'm glad you liked the chapter, and yes, I know Azula was killed off (I was debating whether or not to leave her in, but I have something else planned) so no worries, the story will not be all sugar fluffy Zutara. There will be action, have no fear. Also, yes, the Zutara is not exactly discreet, I just assumed that if you are willing to get hit by lightning for someone you may portray some sort of feelings that are not negative towards them. So yeah.

Also, there will *most* likely be Maiko, so sorry bout that, but I do need to address it...

I hope to be able to update as much as possible, but that depends on the amount of free time I have. Enjoy!

It had been three days since Katara had opened her eyes, and in those three days, Zuko came to see her during lunch and diner, always at the same time, never staying a moment longer. She suspected it had something to do with preparing for coronations, and working on the mounds of documents he needed to sign.

When Zuko was not there, she spent her time sleeping and healing her wound, but whenever she was awake, there always seemed to be someone by her side. Sometimes it was Suki, and they would just talk for hours on end about small things, gossiping about the maids and servants that scurried across the hallways. Sometimes Aang would come in to brighten her mood with detailed descriptions of the events of that day, jokes, or new bending forms. Whenever Sokka came in, it would always start off cheerful, but end with a scolding. "How dare you injure yourself for his sake?" Or "Get more rest!" "Eat! Now!" Toph would also stay by her bed, laughing at some stupid thing Sokka had done - and there were a lot to choose from.

For two days, Katara had rested, and healed. Now, on the third day, she felt ready to get up and about, to help people, and to hang out with her friends. She got out of bed and put on her water tribe clothing, which had been washed and neatly folded by one of the countless servants in the palace. Katara quickly braided her hair, and left her room, shutting the door silently behind her.

Zuko stood, pacing in his office, thinking about what his uncle had just said. For the past couple of days he had been engulfed by paperwork, meetings, and arranging the coronation. It was supposed to be this afternoon, but Iroh had just brought up a good point.

While Zuko had tried his hardest to convince the nobles, and fire nation civilians that he was doing what was best for their nation, he could feel their loyalties wavering, and knew that they all doubted him. After all, they had been living perfectly fine before Zuko stepped into the throne. More than fine, actually. And now a formerly exiled prince wanted to rearrange their whole system. There really was not much to be pleased about.

The retired general had left his nephews side mere minutes ago, and his his earthy scent remained, mingling with the sweet incense that floated about the room. Iroh had walked in on the prince, who was signing the last of the papers for the day, and sat himself down in the seat across from him.

"We need to discuss the safety of the people at your coronation." He had told Zuko.

"What do you mean, uncle?" The prince had asked, not sure about his uncles statement as he continued working on the documents, only half listening.

"Prince Zuko, while many people support you and your cause, some do not feel you are... Worthy of the throne. From all the nations, there are groups of people who would prefer to see you gone. Some because they mistrust the Fire Nation, and especially the son of Fire Lord Ozai, and descendant of the man who started the war. Also, your past goal of capturing the Avatar does not bode well with them. But-"

"I know, uncle. I have asked the Earth King and Water Tribe Chief to lend me their guards, so that the people will see not just my own men, but their own people, keeping them safe."

"That is great nephew, but what of those Fire Nation people who want you dead because you were banished, and in their eyes, never regained your honor. Not to mention you assisted your enemy against your own father, who had a goal that would make our nation great and even more prosperous.

"I have heard multiple... Sightings of these people plotting against you. Many groups have formed, and some even consist of people from all the nations. You must be extra careful. Not just now, but until everyone trusts you, you are not safe. Please keep that in mind. I do not want you to get hurt."

Zuko's face did not change, only his nostrils flared, indicating his obvious displeasure. His own people, turning against him. While he had expected it, he was still surprised. "Thank you, uncle." He said, keeping his voice flat and emotionless.

"I will be on my way then. Don't forget your own coronation! You better get ready!"

With that, the old man left, closing the door behind him with a soft thud, leaving Zuko to deal with his problems. He could feel the temperature of the room rising as he thought more and more about what this meant, and what he should do, but before he could decide on anything, his door creaked open, and two of his servants came into the office.

"My lord, if we may intrude, but you must begin getting ready." The eldest said, keeping her head down.

Zuko sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyebrows scrunched in frustration.

"I apologize if our timing was off. We could come back later, my prince." The younger one said, his voice squeaking slightly. He was only a teenager, and relatively new to the palace, and unlike the other servants, he had never served Zuko.

Zuko waved their offer away and stopped moving about. "That is quite alright. I was simply lost in thought. Fetch me Xiu Jin." He told the young man, who bowed low and left immediately, scurrying off down the hall.

"Will he ever learn that I do not intend to hurt him?" Zuko asked the woman with a shake of his head. "Ah well. Chang, if you could draw me a hot bath and prepare my clothing, and inform the cooks that we will be holding a feast after the coronation, that would be great."

Chang nodded and walked out of the office, followed shortly by a distressed Zuko.

Katara walked along the long hallways, her heels sending echoes as they slapped sloppily on the white marble floor. While she had all but recovered, ever so often her ears would begin to roar in pain and her abdomen clenched, and once again she was reminded of the permanent wound that scarred her flesh.

Her small, caramel colored fingers dragged along the blood red walls as Katara placed one foot before the other, moving slowly but surely down the brightly lit hallway. She cursed her sloth-like speed, but there was not much she could do about it, without risking a greater injury. Grande chandeliers swung overhead, the flames within the transparent glass danced along the golden tapestries that decorated the halls. Each woven piece depicted a family, or told a story, of the many wonders of the great Fire Nation.

Soon enough, Katara was lost. It was her first time in the palace, and she had forgotten to keep track of her path. Katara sighed in defeat after she had tried to retrace her steps multiple times, but had failed, each attempt leading her deeper into the heart of the building. Lucky for her, she spotted a servant, scuttling down the hall.

"Excuse me!" She called out, and the boy stopped in his tracks, and turned towards her, his eyes wide with fear and surprise. He walked over to her, seeing as she could not move very fast, and bowed low.

"Lady Katara. I have not had the honor of meeting you in person, but I have heard only the best about you. Is... Is everything alright?" He asked with a squeaky voice.

"I am lost. Do you know where I could find my brother?"

"Of course. Down the hall, to the right, and fourth door on your left, if it please you, my lady. I apologize for being so rude, but I must be on my way - I have orders from the Prince."

"No worries, I wouldn't want to delay you. Thank you for your help." She said, and the boy turned to leave, but before he could go, Katara remembered something. "What is your name?"

"Zhi, my lady." The boy said, his head jerked up in confusion. Most people do not care about him or his name.

"Thank you, Zhi." Katara said. The servant left.

"It would seem this lady is different from all the rest." He murmured aloud as he scurried down the hallway.

Zuko emerged from his steaming bathroom, still wet. His coal black hair hung messily into his amber colored eyes, and he had a white towel wrapped around his hips. Large drops of water rolled down his muscled chest as the Fire Lord to-be walked towards his balcony. He opened the large glass doors and walked out. His room was above the rest of the palace, and the balcony overlooked the luscious, green gardens. Zuko surveyed the area, welcoming the deadly rays of the fire nation sun as the beat down on him, drying him in a matter of minutes. When he walked back inside, he was greeted by a thin, tall figure, cloaked by darkness.

Mai had her back against the wall, and was toying with one of the small daggers hidden in her sleeve. A few had already impaled themselves on the red walls.

"You've been avoiding me." She stated simply, her voice dull and emotionless, as she stepped forward from the shadows.

"I've been busy." Zuko replied, unsure of what to do or how to do it.

The little, blushing girl who had followed Zuko around had grown up into a fierce lady, one that the prince had fallen in love with. And even after they had made up and out the day after Zuko had delivered Katara to her bed, he was confused about the feelings that were bottled up inside him.

"Look, I know you have a lot of things on your mind. But it has been more then a week, and you have not spoken to me once." Mai was now mere inches from Zuko, and she placed a cold, pale hand onto his chest. "You do love me, right?" She asked, her dead, black eyes searching his for an answer.

"Of course I do." Zuko said, his answer hesitant. But when Mai tried to lean in, he gently pushed her away. "Not now. I need to get ready."

The tenderness he had seen in her eyes quickly melted away. "Of course, my prince." She said in her monotone voice, and disappeared.

Zuko sighed, and went to get changed, his back to the large, wooden doors, when he heard it open, and someone bumped into him from behind.

Zhi had seemed like a nice boy, Katara mused to herself as she walked down the halls, towards her friends. But she must have made a mistake, because instead of simple doors like all the rest, she found herself face to face with a large set of painted double doors. Doubtful, the pushed on the wood, and walked into the room, only to be greeted by a back in her face.

How typical me. Katara thought to herself. She had not watched where she was going, and now, she had bumped into-

"Katara?" The husky voice of the fire nation prince asked, his eyebrows scrunched together. The flames in his eyes died down, and so did his defensive position.

"Zuko?" Katara asked, also confused. "I'm sorry, I was trying to find Sokka, I didn't want to intrude on you while you were..." Katara swallowed as her large, sapphire colored eyes traveled their way from Zuko's feet to his bear chest with its defined muscles. Her throat went dry, and the next few words were spoken with a hoarse voice. "In a towel."

Zuko must have noticed her discomfort because he just laughed. "No worries. I do hope that you will not be showing up like that for my coronation?"

"Like what?" Katara asked, going from ashamed to offended and defensive in a split second.

The prince smirked. "You smell like shit. And your hair is a mess."

"Hey! I did it by myself while I was half asleep. Unlike you, I do not need, nor do I have, others serving me and wiping my own ass for me." Katara replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

Zuko narrowed his eyes, unsure of what to say to that.

"Well, Prince Zuko," Katara said, with a bow, "I will be on my way to wash up, if you would be so kind as to excuse me."

Zuko was worried for a second that he had truly offended her, but when she raised her head, she saw the mischievous twinkle in her eye, and he became worried for a whole other reason.

"Don't do anything stupid that you will-" But Zuko did not get to finish his thought, as a water whip hit him on the back of his head.

Zuko tried to lunge after Katara, but she had already left, and the prince ended up grabbing thin air.

That'll teach him not to talk to a lady like that. Katara thought, smiling.