Explosions of color could be seen throughout the city of Sozin. Celebrations were sought out as the Fire Nation, along with the rest of the world, rejoiced for another year of peace. Singing and music rang through the streets. Confetti fell from rooftops. It was another year of achievement for the world.

Fire Lord Zuko sat staring from his balcony as children of nobles ran between his gardens. The masks of spirits flashed before his eyes and he chuckled when he saw the mask of the Blue Spirit and another of the recent Avatar Aang. He sighed and moved to his fireplace. She would be here soon.

It had become a tradition between the two. A meeting would be secretly planned for a time of silence for the two benders.

Taking a bowl full of water, Zuko came to his knees and set it up at the base of the fire while adding two sticks of incense. Taking a red ribbon from his wrist, he tied the incense securely to one another. The crest symbolizing the Princess of the Fire Nation shone from the light of the fire. Rising, he removed his crown from his head and walked over to set it in its place on his desk. As he walked to his bedroom to fetch the painting, a knock came from the door. "Come in," he spoke loudly as he heard the click of the door being unlocked. She was the only one who had a key.

Coming back into the main room with the painting clutched in between his fingers, Zuko found her kneeling by the incense as she tied the necklace around it as well. The jewelry rested calmly in the water.

She wore her royal robes from the dinner they both had attended moments ago and she raised her head revealing fresh tears appearing behind her blue eyes. "Are you ready?" In her delicate hands, she clutched a portrait of her own.

Zuko smiled sadly and came to her side. As he knelled, he slowly guided her hands to lay the picture behind the incense and pieces of jewelry, then, placed his beside hers. "Katara, why are you crying?" Zuko clasped her hand and squeezed it gently.

Katara wiped at her eyes and smiled up at the firebender. "It just catches up to me sometimes. I miss her." Redirecting her attention back to the two paintings and burning incense for the two women, she closed her eyes. "Remembering that day is always hard."

Zuko sighed and reached over to grasp her chin. In surprise, the waterbender's eyes shot open and met with the calm gold in his own. "Why are you remembering the last day? I don't." With his free hand, Zuko moved a straying hair from her face. "Remember her smile. Her laugh. Her arms wrapped around you as she sang you to sleep. Forget the day she said goodbye." He looked deeply into his friend's eyes while still holding her chin. She gave a small smile to reassure him and the Fire Lord smiled back as he let her go. "Why don't you tell another story?"

Katara shook her head and looked at the picture of his mother, Ursa. "Zuko, I've told much more than you have throughout the five years we've done this. It's your turn." Turning back to him, Zuko watched her hair slide along her face. Question was in her eyes as he stared. He shook his head.

Oh, Zuko. You are a wonderful person and I'm sure she thinks the same. Go on and tell her before it's too late!

Before his mother had died, Zuko had told her of his love for the Water Tribesman. Of course she had tried to make him confess his love to her when he had just figured it out himself.

"Care to share that smile?" Zuko came out of his thoughts to find Katara looking at him with a tear-stained face. He did not stop himself as his hand instinctively wiped the leftover saltwater from her cheek.

She shivered and leaned into his touch.

Zuko froze. Her eyes were closed and he could tell she was waiting for his reaction. Neither did move.

The Fire Lord's heart was racing. He stared at the beautiful woman beside him and without his mind's consent, leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

She tasted like the water she bent. Like the berries and champagne that were served at the party. Like nothing he ever knew he'd have.

Zuko broke the kiss. His eyes slowly beginning to open, were holding off the look he would see on her face. She was probably disgusted by him for kissing her. For all he knew, she was probably getting up to leave in a flurry of blue skirts. They'd go back to how it was. They'd never speak of it again.

Dear Agni, why did he kiss her?

The firebender reluctantly opened his eyes and was surprised to find her with her eyes closed and lightly resting her fingers on her lips. Finally, her lashes brushed her cheekbones as she blinked. Zuko looked into the fire.

"I'm sorry, Katara. I-" Her hand on his scar caused him to break his sentence. He stared into her oceanic blue eyes while she smiled reassuringly.

"Don't."

Mesmerized, he watched as she caressed his cheek and slowly moved to once again, press his lips to hers.

#11, Memory.