ZUTARA WEEK 2011, Day 7: CAUGHT

His Greatest Challenge Yet

DISCLAIMER: Avatar: the Last Airbender belongs to Bryke, but Zutara Week belongs to all Zutarians.

NOTE: Happy Valentine's Day!

A very appropriate time to post this last chapter to my long delayed Zutara Week entry. Be warned that this contains a lot of cheese and fluff but I will use the occasion as the excuse. It was a strange journey but I hope the ending satisfies you.

This will also be my last Zutara/Avatar story for the foreseeable future. I've been writing for this pairing for several years now and I have not stopped shipping it. But I have run out of ideas and I am excited for Korra. The next time I will write Zutara will only be if there is (hopefully) Zutara week this year. But for now, this will be the last story.

Thank you for all your support. It was a lot of fun writing this and I hope you had equal enjoyment reading it.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"I'll tell her TONIGHT," Zuko resolved with fierce determination shining in his eyes as he marched towards the palace.

Two days had passed since that fateful visit to his father and he had wanted to declare his feelings immediately but he was called on some urgent business in the province. Ever the dutiful Fire Lord, he temporarily set aside his personal desires and resolved the matter quickly. But now that he had returned, he was even more determined to see this whole thing through. He was exhausted but exhilarated at the same time. He had this strange feeling that there was something special about tonight but he couldn't remember what.

Maybe it's a sign from Destiny, he thought, so I must be doing something right.

He stood outside the large double doors of the dining hall, sure that he would see Katara there when he entered. He paused and took a deep breath.

"Well, here we go," he said, "it's now or never."

So with a powerful push of the doors, the Fire Lord made his entrance.

"SURPRISE!"

And once again, Zuko was completely baffled by the circumstances. For the next few minutes all he could do was stand and blink and stare incredulously at the huge, festive gathering before him. The whole place was decorated with banners and lights, there was confetti floating the air, and a music band playing something lively in one corner. Most of his family and friends were present and they were all smiling and greeting him enthusiastically.

It was only when a smiling Ursa gave him a hug and greeted him that Zuko remembered that it was his birthday.

"What's the matter with you, Zuko? Are you all right?" Ursa asked in concern since Zuko kept staring at the whole party without saying a word.

"My dear boy, we wanted you to be surprised," Iroh said with a smile, "but we didn't expect you to be quite so shocked."

Zuko blinked and recovered before smiling gratefully at his family.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I really appreciate all this. The truth is I've been so busy lately that I completely forgot about my birthday."

Ursa smiled affectionately and Iroh burst into laughter.

"I confess, that is just like you," the old man teased, "you must be the most hardworking Fire Lord there has ever been."

"But tonight, you will put all of your worrisome burdens aside," Ursa ordered, "and allow yourself to have some fun."

"Thank you so much," Zuko said sincerely, "this means a lot to me."

"Oh, but there is one person in particular whom you should thank," Ursa said with a knowing look, before taking Zuko's arm and leading him through the crowd of eager well-wishers.

Ursa pulled her son to one corner of the party where a familiar figure was busy double-checking the arrangements and making sure everything was in order. Katara turned to face them and smiled brightly at Zuko.

"Here is the culprit behind this whole celebration," Ursa announced proudly, "it was Katara's idea to throw this party for you and she was in charge of putting it all together. There was nothing done that she did not do herself."

"You give me too much credit," the waterbender said modestly, "this would not have been a success without everyone's contributions."

"Ah, but you were the one with the initiative," Ursa continued her praise, "So it is you who deserve the most of Zuko's gratitude."

But as Katara turned her gaze to Zuko, his resolve faltered and all he could do was stare speechlessly at her for a few moments. Ursa saw that her role was finished so she left the two alone to talk. Seeing that Zuko wasn't going to initiate any conversation, Katara did it herself.

"Happy birthday, Zuko," she said, taking both his hands in hers.

"Thank you," he replied earnestly, "thank you for everything, Katara."

"You're very welcome," she answered before giving him a hug.

Zuko's eyes widened at this because he still wasn't quite used to being hugged by Katara no matter how often she did it. He always felt like he was being given a blessing he didn't deserve. But he recovered quickly enough to return the gesture.

The band struck up a lively tune and people began to fill the dance floor. The celebration continued even as the celebrant was still trying to take it all in.

"How do you like it?" Katara asked, slightly apprehensive.

"It's wonderful, Katara," Zuko replied with a smile that lightened her heart, "it's perfect."

"I'm glad," she said with relief.

Zuko's face suddenly turned serious so she grew a bit nervous.

"Katara," he began gravely, "I need to tell you something."

"Yes?" she asked.

"I," he began hesitantly, and once again, like on countless occasions, he could not spit it out.

He looked at her tenderly and saw her expectant gaze but he still could not bring himself to say the words he wanted to say. He was sure of his feelings but he was still afraid of what she might say. He was nervous, he was confused, and he was just so overwhelmed by all that had happened that he could not continue.

"What is it, Zuko?" Katara asked in concern.

"I," Zuko started again, blushing furiously, "I…was wondering….if I could have this dance?"

Katara sighed with relief and the slightest hint of disappointment (which Zuko missed completely) before smiling and nodding.

"Of course," she replied, taking his hand.

Zuko took a deep breath as he led her to the dance floor. He was going to buy some time with this, he thought as they got into position.

The music suddenly became slower and more romantic because everyone had noticed the new couple who began to dance. Zuko looked around him nervously but took another deep breath and kept his gaze focused on Katara. She did not seem less embarrassed but she was certainly calmer than he was.

And so they began to dance, both of them simply reveling in each other's presence and enjoying the time they spent together. Zuko felt at peace with Katara in his arms and he knew that there was no greater joy than this. He looked at her with a gaze that left no doubt about how he felt for her and to his surprise, she returned his gaze with equal emotion. He said nothing as he felt his heart swell within him. Everything was so perfect.

But after a few minutes Katara sighed and stopped dancing. Zuko looked at her concernedly.

"Katara, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said, "there's just something that I'd like to do."

And before he knew what was happening, Zuko felt Katara press her lips to his and put her arms around his neck. He blinked before pulling her closer and responding appropriately.

All around them people started to applaud excitedly and someone in the crowd who sounded suspiciously like Toph shouted, "Well, it's about time!"

They pulled away, blushing furiously and yet feeling happier than they had ever felt in their lives.

"Katara," Zuko said in a stunned manner, unable to say anything else.

"I guess I got tired of waiting," Katara replied, blushing, "you seemed on the edge of confessing ages ago and yet even now, you still couldn't. I just saved you the trouble."

"You knew?" Zuko asked in embarrassment.

"I think the whole 'secret admirer' strategy was quite obvious," she teased, "but also very creative. I played along because I wanted to give you time to do it properly. And you seemed just about to say it a few minutes ago, but you hesitated again."

"I'm sorry if I made you doubt," Zuko said, "it's just that, for the past few days, I've been doing all sorts of things to try and figure out how I was going to tell you. And I was afraid of how you would react. Honestly, I've never had a greater challenge in my entire life."

"You're ridiculous," Katara teased, "but adorable. I never doubted you for a moment. I just wanted to give you time. But I guess my eagerness got the better of me this time."

"And I couldn't be more thankful for how things turned out," Zuko said with a smile, "because now I can say, with perfect confidence and clarity, that I love you, Katara of the Water Tribe, more than anyone in the whole world. Thank you for coming into my life."

Katara smiled widely, her heart beating wildly as she looked at him affectionately.

"Then, I must say," she replied, "that I love you, Fire Lord Zuko, and you make me very, very happy."

Zuko smiled and took her into his arms, holding her tight. After the embrace, with more confidence and certainty, Zuko pulled Katara close and kissed her, not caring anymore that everyone could see them. As far as he was concerned, they were the only two people in the room and this was definitely the best birthday ever.