A/N: I hope that everyone in the good old USA had a great Thanksgiving and did not decide to riot on Black Friday if you went out. I had a great Thanksgiving but no Black Friday for me, as I have no money :-(

But on a better note here is the rest of the ball and a little time out at the beach :-D Enjoy and don't forget to read and review!

I do not own Avatar.

Katara and Zuko returned to the ball arm in arm. Katara was smiling while Zuko had once again replaced his smiling face with his stern no emotion Fire Lord face. Katara was continuing her train of thought from the hall.

Do I really love him? If I do what do I do? Would my dad and the Water Tribe be ok with me dating or even marrying someone from the FireNation. Wait! Let's back track a little here. Does he even like me? Would the FireNation let him date or marry me? Man this is too complicated. I think this is something to ask Iroh or Sokka. They would know the rules and give me some advice on this. But the big question is; does he like me? She slowly started to be pulled from her thoughts as she looked around the room. People were giving her all kinds of looks. She caught eyes with Iroh and smiled.

Uncle was entirely too happy to see them together. He noticed his nephews red knuckles and mentally noted that he would ask him what happened later, for now he wanted to watch his nephew, and hopefully future niece, dance to the last song of the night. Angi and Yue, please let her realize she cares for him before it is too late. I am glad my Nephew realized it over a year ago, otherwise this could take more than the two years they have. Uncle smiled to himself. One day maybe you won't hate me for doing this to you.

As they walked to the dance floor Katara's heart was racing. Sure she had danced all night, but with men she didn't care about, much less want to dance with. And now after her little revelation as they were walking, she was having a mini panic attack. I hope he cannot feel my heartbeat under all those layers. I wish people would stop staring it isn't helping me relax.

Zuko wasn't fairing much better. Inside he was freaking out. How could I have let that happen? In my own home much less! But she said she was ok. He side glanced at her. She does look wonderful tonight. Us together, at every ball, would be relaxing. None of those stupid guys dancing with her or those stupid women dancing with me. It would be perfect. He looked at her again. Sokka could have at least warned me she was coming. What if I had everything out on my desk and she came in? I wouldn't have even had the time get the letters put away let alone the stones. He is going to get it when I see him again.

As they walked toward the center of the dance floor everyone slowly started to look at them. Zuko with his head held high and proud like always as he glanced around at everyone out of the corner of his eye. Everyone is looking at us. He slowly started to smile. The smile was small. If you did not know him you would have thought he still had his face set. They are so jealous. Maybe what Uncle did wasn't as bad as I thought.

This did not go unnoticed by Iroh. He is smiling! I think I might have won this battle.

Katara was looking radiant with a smile on her face and a blush forming from all the stares. Zuko looked as royal and prestigious as ever. They looked perfect together, a King and his Queen. As they entered the crowded dance floor they could hear everyone whispering about them.

"Who is that?"

"Isn't that Katara? From the Southern Water Tribe?"

"She is beautiful."

"They look so good together."

"Are they together?"

"Is she a princess?"

"Are they engaged?"

Once in the center Zuko took Katara's hand and spun her to face him. She smiled and giggled as she stopped to face him. His smile grew at her giggle and placed his hand on her waist and raised the other waiting for her to signal she was ready. She placed her hand on his shoulder and looked up at him. They started to dance to the song the orchestra was playing.

Katara was in heaven. She had danced with Zuko many times, even a few times to this song. The song was slow but ended quickly without letting on it was coming to an end. She looked up at him as he spun her around the floor. She couldn't help but smile and giggle slightly as he added an extra spin in there for fun.

Zuko was having the time of his life. Sure he had danced with Katara before but not much since his revelation. She was beautifully light on her feet and was willing to do whatever he chose to do. He added a few extra spins here and there and she would giggle each time. The smile on his face had grown even more. The smile could be seen from across the room. His teeth showing even as he pulled and pushed the girl of his dreams across the floor.

At one point they were both giggling and laughing in their own little world. Iroh was smiling from his spot outside the dance floor. Jee was standing guard at the door and couldn't do anything but smile at the two. The servants had left their places in the room and the kitchen when they heard the two were dancing AND the Fire Lord was smiling. They were all beside themselves with happiness for their ruler and their good friend.

As the song progressed the dance floor had slowly cleared and everyone was watching the Fire Lord and the Waterbender dance and laugh.

When the song was finally over, everyone clapped. At this sound, Zuko and Katara were pulled from their own little world. Katara started to blush, while Zuko slowly started to turn pink as well. Both still had a small smile on their faces.

When the music didn't start again everyone knew that it was the end of the ball. Katara moved to walk away but Zuko took her hand and lead her in front of the band.

What is he doing?

Go Nephew! Go! You show them what she means to you! Go! Go! Go!

She is mine. Or at least I hope she will be. But tonight I am going to show them how much she means to me.

Zuko stopped and turned to face everyone to speak one last time before they left. He released Katara's hand and took a small step towards her closing the remaining space between them. Placing his hand on the small of her back he began to address the crowd. "Thank you so much for spending your evening with us. We hope that you had as much fun as we did. Please enjoy the rest of your evening." After this he slowly motioned for Katara to walk toward the doors.

As she started to walk, she looped her arm with his and they headed towards the doors. They stopped at the door so they may tell each guest goodbye, as Fire Nation tradition.

Katara was lost as soon as he stopped her from leaving. What is he doing? Where am I going? Zuko began to speak. Us? We? Zuko stopped talking and motioned for her to move. What just happened? She placed her arm in his and they walked to the door. I am confused.

He began to lead her to the door. She had a smile on her face, but as soon as they passed the last guest and were facing only the door she turned to look at him, and the smile was gone and a pure look of confusion was on her face. Zuko smiled at her confusion, released her arm, and placed his hand on the small of her back again. She just smiled in return, mentally making a note to ask him about it later tonight. Once they reached the door they turned and he first guest approached them.

They had stood next to each other while they said good bye to each of the guests. Only one guest remained. Katara noticed something as he approached, Zuko tensed. He was nervous. Why? Who was this man that he made Zuko nervous? Katara looked up at him while touching his arm. He turned and looked down at her questioning face. Can she tell I am nervous and I hate this man? He rested his hand on hers and smiled weakly. She returned the smile and he seemed to relax some but her hand never left his arm.

"Young Lord. Tonight was entertaining." The man said with a smirk.

Katara didn't like him. Young Lord. A little disrespectful don't you think.

"Thank you Ryuji." Zuko stated as the men finished shaking hands.

He then turned his attention to Katara. Everyone had been looking at her as they left. A few of the men she danced with had acknowledged she was standing there with a small nod, but none had spoken to her. He looked at her and smiled, the kind of smile that makes you want to run and hide. The kind of smile a killer uses when he is satisfied with his kill. She leaned in closer to Zuko. I get why Zuko doesn't like him.

"You look ravishing my dear. I do hope that nothing happens on your trip here and you have a safe trip home." Ryuji said in a venomous tone. He took a step away from them as if to leave. Before he exited the door completely, he stopped and turned to Zuko, "Remember you have less than two years now, so I hope you find a decent woman soon." And with that he was gone.

Katara shivered. "Yeah I don't like him much either." Zuko said feeling her shiver. "Let's see if they need help cleaning up. Zuko said as he offered his arm. I need to get this stupid man off my mind. And did he threaten her trip or was that all in my mind. Jee is never going to leave her side now. That man has too many weird friends for me to feel like she is safe.

Ryuji exited the palace and entered his carriage.

"Your brother was captured again." Ryuji stated flatly to the man sitting across from him as the carriage began to move.

"Does this surprise you? He is an idiot. I told you long ago to let me handle things."

"I thought I would give him a few more chances before I turned it over to you. But he has one more chance and then it will be up to you." Ryuji shifted in his seat.

"I shall break him out one more time then."

"This time may prove to be slightly harder. He has a few broken ribs, a broken arm, and a hole in his arm that is most likely still bleeding. He does know how to make a mess of things, if he is good for anything." Ryuji finished flatly. "Now leave."

"Yes sir." And with that the man jumped from the carriage and left without a sound.

Zuko and Katara helped clear the side tables and fold the linens. When only the snack and drink tables were left Zuko excused himself to change. Katara stayed behind and helped 'clean' up the food. More food was entering Katara's stomach than was making into the fridge as leftovers.

Oh man this stuff is good. I wish I could have eaten more at dinner.

"Hungry much." Simon, the head chef, laughed as she shoved another piece of cheese in her mouth.

"Only a little." She replied with a mouth full.

"Did you not like dinner?" He questioned as another servant picked up a tray of food.

"I was way too nervous to eat." She said after swallowing.

"You are one of the funniest people I know." Simon laughed. "You freeze people to the wall. You fight in battles constantly. You stand up to nobleman right and left in those meetings. And yet, you were nervous at a ball?"

"I know right. I just don't like the dancing part." Katara continued and laughed with her friend.

"Well I don't know if you will want to go since you don't like dancing but, the servants and what not, are having a dance party tomorrow night. It is Songs birthday and she wanted a dance party. As always you are more than welcome." Simon finished as he also took some cheese to eat.

"Sounds fun. I will be there." Katara said smiling.

"Be where?" Zuko asked as he approached the two in what appeared to be a workout outfit.

Simon had given them some pastries saying that they were too good to waste. They left and headed down to the beach. They were now sitting on the beach behind the palace eating and watching the ocean.

The long silence was broken by Katara "So, are you going to tell me now? Or am I going to have to force it out of you."

Zuko finished chewing before he spoke. "Which thing would you like me to tell you about first?"

Katara giggled. He knew her all too well. She had many questions and wanted them all answered tonight. "How about we start with creepy man." She stated as she took a bite of a pastry.

"Ryuji is a nobleman on my council. I do not like him. He does not like me. Simple. Problem is I cannot be mean to him as I will lose his support and influence, which is far and great, if he leaves or I fire him. He knows this, which is why he is openly disrespectful. Uncle and I think he may be an Ozai supporter but we have no proof, so we cannot accuse him of anything. I also think he is the one letting Yami out of jail, but once again no proof so nothing."

Katara interrupted with a mouth full of pastry. "I thought you thought the man breaking him out was that soldier who was always on guard when it happened. What was his name?"

"Yeah well, Kyle, turned out to be a different Kyle every time I went to talk to him. Turns out, after a lot of research, the real Kyle was discharged at the end of the war and is living in the Earth Kingdom with his wife and two daughters. We eventually figured out that all these different men were paid to pose as a soldier and let Yami out of jail."

Zuko paused, took a bite of pastry and continued. "The reason I think it is Ryuji is because there are few men in the Fire Nation that know who is currently in a cell at the palace. Ryuji is one of them. Ryuji is in charge of the prisoners needs and if necessary last will. He is the only one who has contact with them regularly. That is why we think it is him." He finished and took another bite.

"That does make sense. Weirdo. He gives me the creeps." Katara shivered again.

Zuko laughed "Just thinking about him makes you shiver. You are ridiculous sometimes."

"Thanks." Katara responded and stuck out her tongue. "Next subject, find any Fire Ladies out there tonight?" Because I would like to know where they are so I can kick their butts.

"That would be a giant N, O. They were all way to stuck up. One even asked me if I would have a child with a mistress because she didn't want to mess up her figure." Zuko smirked. "And she wasn't even slightly hot." At this Katara laughed so hard she spit some pastry over the sand. Zuko laughed in return. "How about you? Find mister right?"

"Oh yeah!" She said sarcastically and they both laughed. "No offense but Fire Nation guys are kind of odd. Some stepped on my feet as if they had never danced. One tried to tell me that I should change my name to something more Fire Nation. The last guy was the worst though." Katara looked at him and took a bite. "He kept advancing on me like you wouldn't believe and even grabbed my butt at one point. But the best part was when he asked me if he had to go to the South Pole because only barbarians live there." At this Zuko laughed so hard he spit pastry.

"Yet he was trying to marry you, the barbarian princess." Zuko said as he continued to laugh.

Katara nodded and picked up the last pastry. She ate it and looked out at the ocean. After a few minutes she finally worked up the courage to ask him, "So what was the real reason you wanted me to come out here with you tonight?"

Oh there are so many answers to that question. Zuko sighed knowing what she meant. He had practically begged her earlier and she wanted to know then but he made her wait until now. "It is about my mom." Katara's head shot up and looked at him. "If I really am to get married in two years, then my family will be started and I can no longer look for her." He paused looking at her, her eyes showing understanding. "I want to go and look for her now because in a few years I won't be able to. I just want to know if she is alive or not."

Katara looked at him and then at the ocean. She sighed. "I agree." She turned to look at him with sad eyes. He returned her look with one of confusion. "Please do not be mad at me." Katara had always known how important finding his mother was to Zuko. They had gone on many pointless trips to look for her that turned out to be traps set by Ozai followers. Katara had never given up. Never seeing her mother again was heart breaking but not knowing would be ten times worse. So during her travels had been asking around without his knowing.

Zuko looked at her confused. "You know that is not a good way to start."

Katara nodded and continued turning to look at the ocean. She could not look at him now. "Well I have been following a few leads that I have gathered while I was traveling. And if I am right your mom is in an Earth Kingdom village far into the mountains."

She stopped and finally turned to look at him. He had a look of shock on his face. "I didn't want to tell you until I had gone there myself and seen if she was there. I did not want to get your hopes up again and there be nothing." She finished and then waited for his reaction.

She has been looking for my mom this entire time. It has been a year since the last time we went to look for her. She never stopped. She is the most amazing woman ever! Zuko jumped across the small space between them and gave Katara a bear hug. "Thank you Katara. You have no idea what it means to me. Even if she is not there, the fact that you kept looking means so much to me." His face was buried in her neck and she could feel him trying to control his breathing as to not cry.

Katara returned the hug full force and waited for him to let her go. When he finally let her go they sat in silence for a while, neither knowing what to say. Katara interrupted the silence, "So then enough of this depressing stuff, we can talk about it more tomorrow." She smiled at him. "Let's go have some fun in the water." She jumped up and ran straight into the ocean.

Zuko watched as she dove into the ocean. "She really is too good for me." Katara came out of the water completely soaked dress clinging to her every curve, leaving little to the imagination. Katara smiled up at him waving to get him to come into the water. "Yeah, she is going to be the death of me." Zuko smiled as he spoke. He stood up and went running to the water.

At the palace an old man chuckled. "Nephew you better not mess this up." Iroh then walked into the palace to go to bed for the night. "Sweet dreams love birds." He said as he turned.

A/N: Ok I know I said I wanted 10 reviews but I thought 8 was pretty good. I want to thank some of you guys for being amazing and reviewing :-D Jane Keybored, ArrayelPL, Sarcasm22, and jmac1220. As of the moment I am writing this you have all commented at least two times and I want to thank you for it :-D

Side note: I wanted to let you all know that next weeks chapter might not be up on time. I will be having some blood work done and may have to spend some time in the hospital. If all goes well then a chapter will be up next Friday same as always. if not don't worry as soon as I am better regular posts will return.

I would love as many reviews as possible, positive and negative, just so I know what you think. Enjoy your weekend :-D