Disclaimer: I'm just paranoid lol. I don't own Avatar! T.T

Chapter 4: A Not So Warm Welcoming

Note: Back to Katara! Yay! ^^

"Lady Katara, welcome to the Fire Nation." I heard Zuko formally greet and when I saw him smile, it almost made my heart jump. I haven't seen that smile in years. It was so far back I couldn't even remember when it was. And for a guy like Zuko, that wasn't very hard to believe. I gave him a smile in return and tried to hide my anxiety as well as I could. I thought I was going to have a meeting with my friends and family, but all I get in the end is the Fire Lady's glare. This wasn't a very good start. I heard Zuko give out a very loud sigh before practically dragging me to Mai. So much for a warm welcome.

She didn't even say a hello so I decided to take the first initiative. I bowed and gave my dutiful greeting as she should have.

"Hello Fire Lady. It has been a long time." I remained bowing, waiting for her to reply.

"Apparently not long enough," I heard her mutter and I really wanted to smack her right then and there. I didn't do anything wrong and here she was with this attitude. I could have stayed at home if I wanted to deal with this kind of drama. Zuko's hand touched my shoulder which I thought was a sign that I could stop bowing. When I stood back up I saw her small eyes grow smaller, which I thought was practically impossible. But then again, things were never impossible were they?

"I didn't say you could get up." Her tone not much filled with malice, but more annoyance. I could tell she was about to say more, but Zuko walked over and held her arm, very tightly.

"But I did. She is my guest Mai and you will treat this lady with the respect she deserves." Normally you would think Mai would just sigh and say whatever, but apparently a lot has changed over the years.

"Lady? She's a peasant." SO NOT TRUE! I was practically next in line to run the freaking water tribe! And I wasn't born into that position either lady! But being in a foreign nation meant I had to keep my thoughts to myself and my mouth shut. Hopefully, I could get my revenge later. So much for being mature.

"Mai, I will deal with you later. Greet our guest and leave. I don't have time to handle our petty arguments today." No wonder Zuko looked so much older. With a wife like that, who wouldn't? I had the feeling Mai was going to do something we would all regret later so I decided to step in.

"Fire Lord, it has been a very long day and we are all very tired. Maybe we should get some rest first?" I thought Mai was going to slap me for interrupting their conversation but I saw Zuko relax.

"Sure, I'll show you to your room." I bowed again to Mai out of peer courtesy.

"Fire Lady, it has been a pleasure to see you again." Not even bothering to wait for a reply I just left with Zuko. I heard him sigh once again. I didn't know what to say. The things Zuko had said earlier were only the tip of the iceberg compared to what I had just experienced. Sometimes it made me wonder how Mai was raised exactly. It must have been a wonderful childhood playing with Azula. Damn I was sarcastic recently. Before I even realized it, Zuko took me to the gardens that we both knew so well. I used to come here to practice my water bending and Zuko came here as a child. Both sharing very interesting yet, welcoming memories.

"I remember this garden. I whipped your ass whenever we sparred," I joked and our playful arguments started all over again.

"What are you talking about? As I recall it was you who got burned," he quipped back. His old smirk coming back.

"Then why do I remember a certain prince frozen in ice for a good minute or two hmm?" We were just passing the pond and I splashed some water on his cheek. He was caught in so much surprise I couldn't help laughing.

"Be grateful you look so pretty today, or I would totally challenge you right now." He had took my hands quickly and held them to my sides. His forehead very close to my own. I thought he was going to lean in but it must have been my imagination. I quickly tried to get some distance between us, but instead just turned around and leaned against a nearby tree. I heard him follow me and lean on the tree behind me, careful to also leave some distance between us. As I watched the turtleducks, I instinctively started to move my wrists. The water started to move back and forth obeying my every motion. I had missed bending where I wasn't stressed. I started to ponder about the way things were before when I noticed Zuko was watching my hands as well. Maybe it was best to start some conversation.

"Katara, what are you thinking?" I smiled towards the water when he asked.

"I was thinking about the life I lead now. I was thinking about if I truly wanted this kind of peace or not." That didn't come out right.

"What do you mean? Isn't this what we wanted?" Zuko gave me a confused look when I glanced at him and eventually my hair was starting to bug me, being constantly up. I sighed and took off the pins, leaving my comb to keep my hair somewhat tamed.

"It isn't that I didn't want peace Zuko. I've always wished for this between our nations. But I've always been a waterbender first. And I guess I always thought my life would continue being a waterbender. But as I started to grow up, I realize how important my role is to everyone in the watertribe so I didn't mind handling the duties I had to carry out. I thought maybe I could have both, be the hero and the leader. I thought maybe I could lead the simple life of teaching aspiring benders and leading my nation towards peace and harmony. But recently, all the water tribe is giving me are papers involving supplies and demands. I know we're acquiring peace, but I never imagined I would completely ignore my bending, my natural path. I've been wanting to get away for awhile now. You've never wanted to just get out of this palace once in a while? I mean, I'm practically heir to the water tribe next to Sokka and I don't even think I want it. Not if this is the kind of life I'm going to lead." Wow, I just really let things out didn't I? This place was messing with my head. I was way too comfortable here, with Zuko. And that was a very, very bad thing.

"I've dreamed of becoming the next Fire Lord ever since I was a kid. To me, there was nothing else but to take care of my country. I can't just leave. This is where I belong, this is what I have to do." I felt horrible. I couldn't believe myself. Asking the Fire Lord if he actually wants this position or not. What was wrong with me? To say I felt ashamed of myself would be a vast understatement. But Zuko wasn't finished.

"But I do sometimes wish I could get away. It's hard Katara. It always will be. The feelings you have are normal." Then why did I feel so ashamed? At least Zuko knew what he wanted to do. I didn't have a clue. I was so much like my element it was frustrating. I was all over the place just trying to fill every crack that I lost any sort of direction in my life. I compromised and I did whatever I could to help my country and my people. But I couldn't compromise myself anymore. Unfortunately this wasn't the only issue I was thinking about though. I knew I shouldn't have mentioned anything but everything just blurted out. It was as if my mouth suddenly decided to have a mind of its own.

"So when you said sometimes you wished to get away, was that because of Mai?" Damn my mouth! Damn my brain! This wasn't any of my business. I heard him literally stiffen in back of me. I didn't speak very loudly but it felt as if I just knocked down a whole forest with the weight of my words. I started to feel very dizzy so I put more weight onto the tree. I refused to be sick. I listened harder to Zuko's words instead.

"I thought I loved her. I thought she loved me. We were supposed to be the happy couple. Katara, we were supposed to be happy. I've fought for so long, so I thought I deserved some happiness in my life. I thought I found that with Mai. I guess I was wrong." I turned around and saw him staring at the pond only a few feet away from us. I wanted to console him, but that wasn't my place. I touched his shoulder instead and he looked up at me with a concerned face. I guess my grip was a lot harder than I thought.

"You'll be fine. Things will get better Zuko, they always do. I mean you broke up with Mai and she still returned to your side right? You do deserve happiness and not just a little. You've done so much for your country, I know your mother would be proud of you. Don't ever doubt yourself Zuko. And don't ever think you're not good enough or not worthy." I didn't think I could say anymore, my head was becoming too dizzy and I was starting to see three Zukos instead of just one. I think I heard Zuko ask if I was alright, but the fatigue got to me way too quickly. The next think I knew, I blacked out.

***

By the time I woke up it, the sun had set and the moon was up literally shining into my room. I was honestly too comfortable to move. No wonder Zuko liked it so much here, the beds were amazing! I didn't want to get up at all. My head still hurt, but it was only a dull pain. I tried to get up for some water but then I heard voices outside the room. Then I realized, this room wasn't even mine!

The entire room was multiple shades of red. And candles were placed everywhere. I always had a room with my own tastes and it was usually blue. This one was probably one of the guest rooms, that is until I saw the crown placed at the bedside table. O dear God. I think I was in Zuko's room. This was not a good sign. The voices were getting louder as I tried harder to get up.

"What is wrong with you Mai! I specifically ask you to be nice to my guests and you practically attack Katara!"

"Me? What about you? You actually rode in the same carriage as that peasant!"

"What the hell is wrong with that? She is a guest and should be treated with respect. And stop calling her a peasant already, she has shown as much control and manners as any lady of this court. Especially with your insults. I'm surprised she didn't freeze you."

"That peasant is not enough to match me in any battle anyway. And what's wrong is that you look at her the same way I thought you used to look at me. With love."

There was utter silence and I stood there shocked. NO WAY did Mai just say that aloud. I couldn't believe the both of them actually. The fact that Zuko actually took all these arguments was astonishing to me. I would have already melted her if I was his position. What was up with Mai anyway? They were already married for God's sake. What's wrong with having me as a friend? And Zuko would never love me. Not like that anyway.

"What are you talking about?" He hissed this time. Mai's voice didn't even hesitate.

"I meant what I just said. I've seen the way you look at her. And it's everything that I never had. You look at her with so much passion and love, a way you never looked at me once."

"Well could you blame me? All we do is argue! And don't pretend I don't know about your affairs. Fire Lady is supposed to help run the country and yet here you are reading and sighing all day long, not doing a thing for others." I didn't think I could take much more of this.

"Are you even listening to me? I'm saying that you've always loved that stupid water girl. Ever since you left me to fight the war you've changed. I mean I save your ass in that prison years ago and you leave me for that-"

"You call her peasant one more time and I swear I'll give you the scar I once had." O shit. I wanted to get up. I had to stop this. But I was in Zuko's room for god's sake. And I was not in the clothes I arrived in….actually now that I think about it. Who's shirt was I in anyway?

"Let's see you try…ZuZu" This was just getting worse. One thing I learned about Zuko…Never ever ever call him ZuZu.

Arg! No time to think about my outerwear now! Need to get up and fix this. Getting up as fast as my legs could manage…which wasn't very quick, I rushed to open the door. By the time I got it to open, both Zuko and Mai were staring at the door. Uh oh. Mai was the first to attack.

"And you insult me about my affairs? What about you? It hasn't even been one day and you're already sleeping with this…thing!" o great. I was now degraded to a thing and a slut. What the hell was her problem! I answered for Zuko before he could even open his mouth.

"First of all I'm not sleeping with YOUR husband. I was running a fever and Zuko was taking care of me since the others aren't here and a majority of your servants can't know I'm here. And secondly, Mai, since you are the Fire Lady I thought you would at least have the etiquette that befits you're station. By calling other nation's ambassadors things and peasants, you're not only showing how immature you are, but also makes us question the Fire Nations motives. Now I have been kind throughout my visit so far, and I intend to be for the rest of my stay. But I will tell you this, you disrespect my best friend, which also happens to be your husband, once again in my presence and I will make sure you will be frozen in ice for the rest of my stay. And I intend to stay a very, very, very long time." I flashed one of my most brilliant smiles and I made sure that I would stick with my threat. I couldn't be more proud of myself. In fact, Mai left not only a few seconds after! This definitely made my day. Zuko started to gently guide me back inside his room and once that door was closed, he looked like he was about to explode. With laughter that is. You couldn't believe his face unless you were there. It was the strangest thing I have ever seen. One moment he was trying to look angry the next he was laughing!

"I can't believe you threatened her like that. No one has spoken to Mai like that since the war. She hasn't been this mad since the last time I broke up with her." I leaned back against the wall and smiled. But I guess Zuko saw though my little charade because he immediately stopped laughing and dragged me to the bed.

"You should be sleeping." I nodded and tried to get back into bed. I didn't have the strength to argue with him. Not today anyway, I knew I had to get better soon. He sat next to me as I got settled in and it made me realize just who's room I was in.

"Zuko, I could sleep in another room. I don't want to take your bed." I argued weakly but he shook his head.

"This is the only way I could protect you. At least until the others get here." I gave him a puzzled look as he continued.

"Don't ask Katara, I'll explain everything to you tomorrow. For now just get some sleep. I'll be here if you need anything." When I nodded and slowly started to drift I used whatever strength I had left.

"Thank you Zuko, for everything" I whispered and practically fell into dream land. That is after I head a his voice whisper something back. His warm voice, "I've missed you too Katara".

Author's note: So what did you guys think? Good? I'm soooo sorry it took me soo long to post this chapter but fear not for the next chapter is already being written! Hopefully I can get it to you guys sooner since I'll have more time. But for now please review! It would be greatly appreciated!