"You were red, and you liked me because I was blue
But you touched me, and suddenly I was a lilac sky" Halsey-Colors

I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender

The atmosphere in the palace over the course of several days since the foreigner's interrogation was bitter. Servants whispered about the Fire Lord and his recent display of behavior. Everyone in the palace, staff and nobles alike, steered clear of his path when he marched down the halls. Eyes narrowed and forward, balled fists and a dark aura that screamed 'stay away'. Even his advisors did their best to keep meetings short and straight to the point in order to avoid his outburst.

Zuko was agitated from the slightest thing. He hadn't acted in such a manner since he discovered Princess Ursa's illness. No one was entirely sure what brought on this mood and of course people always spread rumors.

People stated that he was not pleased with the outcome of his recent prisoner's interrogation. Some thought he just simply had too much on his plate. Others stated that they had seen him arguing with the master waterbender at the prison and it must've had something to do with him sneaking in and out of her room earlier that week.

"He was seen going into her room?" Hikari gasped in shock.

"He sure was." Mistress Natsuko whispered, snapping her eyes side to side to make sure no one else was listening. "Lady Chou seen him sneaking into Master Katara's chambers late one night when she was walking the halls to quiet her restless baby. She thought she was seeing things considering how tired she was from trying to calm a newborn but she said it was no mistake. The Fire Lord was indeed walking into her bedchambers."

"But why?" Hikari had her hand over her mouth.

The old mistress rolled her eyes and waved her hand. "Isn't it obvious? Master Katara is young, beautiful, and single. Any man would be a fool not to want to woo her. Although, I find it strange that she is not yet wed. The Water Tribes seem eager to marry their women off at a young age"

Hikari's mouth opened and closed. She didn't want to mention the scar and the possibility that Master Katara was pregnant. Mistress Natsuko was known for spreading nasty rumors, true or false. "I'm sure that his Majesty has his reasons for visiting Master Katara. She was injured while trying to stop that assassin."

"Late at night?" the mistress huffed. "Child, you are so naive." She sighed. "He was also seen by his guards arguing with the young woman. Lover's spat, I suppose."

"Enough of that, now." Rei came around the corner carrying a pile of sheets in her arms. "You will do well to respect our Fire Lord and Master Katara. She is a sweet girl who doesn't deserve to have her name tarnished from the likes of you, Natsuko." She bit.

"Well, I never!" Natsuko placed her hand over her chest and her mouth opened in a gasp, her spectacles sliding down the bridge her nose.

"Yes, you should never. Don't you have somewhere to be, Mistress?" Rei handed the sheets Hikari and glared at Natsuko.

The old mistress stuck her nose in the air and turned on her heels to leave the two servants alone.

"She's going to get you one day for talking to her like that, Rei." Hikari stated, carefully taking the sheets from her peer.

"Oh, hush, I'm not scared of that old bat. She needs to mind her own, anyway."

"Do you really think Fire Lord Zuko is having…" Hikari brought her open hand to the side of her mouth, "relations…with Master Katara?"

Rei balled her fists and placed them on her hips," And so what if he is? We're here to work, Hikari. Weather he chooses the waterbender or someone else, we must trust that our Lord is doing the right thing."

The younger servant thought that was fair. She liked Master Katara. She was nice enough to apologize for her outburst in the tub when she first arrived and even sat with them to have tea at the servants table with the rest of them during their breaks. She would help them when she was nearby, even going as far as helping the gardener when his frail knees got sore from planting or helping in the kitchens when they were overwhelmed. None of them could speak for the rest of the palace but the staff seemed to adore her.

Maybe having Master Katara around permanently would be a good thing.

*break*

Katara avoided leaving her room as much as possible after Zuko declared that there would be nothing more between them. Hikari and Rei were nice enough to bring her meals to her chambers without question but from what little time she did spend outside the walls of her bedroom, she caught the rumors spreading among the palace.

She never felt so out of place. Her heart ached enough as it was, hearing rumors about her having an affair with Zuko was not easing the pain. If it were true, it wouldn't bother her but his rejection still stood fresh in her mind. Toph was spending a lot of her time helping Iroh and Shin with the investigation behind the Fire Lord's attempted assassination. Aang made it to her once in a while when he wasn't going over treaties with Zuko and joining him in meeting regarding international affairs. Taking her out of the room, visiting Appa in the palace stables. She was glad that the bison still remembered her and he always greeted her with a sloppy, wet lick.

Katara was happy that Aang was at least available for a short time today. It was starting to get lonely in her room.

"How are the meetings going?" Katara asked him, handing him a cup of tea outside on the balcony.

Aang sighed. "Boring. I'm more of a mediator than a participant."

"Well, that sounds like an Avatar if I've ever heard." Katara laughed, taking a sip of her cup.

"Yeah. Honestly, I'm not always needed but I've been having to chime in more than necessary."

"What do you mean?"

"Ugh. Zuko's been kind of out of it. He's been snapping over the smallest issues that's been presented during meetings with his advisors. He does okay when we are dealing treaties or when he's with the ambassadors but…I don't know, he's just not being himself."

"Angry Zuko?" Katara arched an eyebrow. "Sounds pretty accurate to me."

"No, no…Eh, I don't know how to explain it."

"Then don't." Katara snapped. Aang put his hands up in surrender at her sudden change in attitude.

"Sorry, Aang. I'm still a little ill." She gave him that excuse for not leaving her room often the past few days.

The Avatar nodded and they both looked forward, listening to the birds chirping and feeling the autumn breeze. The sudden tension passed through Aang like a ghost.

"So, I guess…it's a good time to talk about…us?"

Katara shifted her body to turn towards his and closed her eyes, nodding her head.

"Katara, I-" he went to reach for her hand but pulled back "First of all, I'm sorry about how things ended. It was immature of me to run off without listening to you."

Katara's eyes popped opened. Her cerulean eyes studied his face and for the first time since his arrival, she noticed how much older Aang looked. "I'm sorry too, Aang. I was just…I was unhappy."

That hit him right in the gut and he fought to keep himself from running away from the conversation. "I didn't know. I thought you loved me. I thought you were waiting for me." He was starting to sound defensive.

"I do love you. I love you so much."

"But not the way I love you." He pursed his lips, squeezing his eyes shut and exhaled. "I still love you."

Katara gripped the front of her tunic. She was hoping he wouldn't say that. "I can't return that, Aang. It was something you forced on me before we got together. What I thought was a relationship with you was nothing but an obligation. A convenience because that's what was expected of us. You worked so hard to save the world, it only made sense to stay by your side. But as time went by, I felt like I was fading. Like I was nothing but the Avatar's girl."

"Katar-"

She put her hand up. "Let me finish, Aang. Everything I was, everything I worked hard to be, was overshadowed by the fact that I was your girlfriend. My identity was lost among you being the Avatar and I was suffocating. It took two years but I came to realize that that's not what I wanted and it wasn't fair to stay by your side knowing that I couldn't love you the way you wanted me to. I was so disappointed in myself. I wanted to try, I did but-" she was cut off by the sob that left her mouth and she hid her eyes behind her hands.

Aang stared at his ex-girlfriend as though seeing her for the first time. He always assumed that Katara would accept being with him regardless of what circumstances came their way. Something as simple as not loving him enough didn't cross his mind. She was supposed to be his forever girl. The one who would spend her life with him among the acolytes on Air Temple Island, raising their airbender children.

But looking back, he realized his actions were quite selfish. He never asked what she really wanted and she followed him with no question. Yet he couldn't even give her the chance to explain herself when she announced she no longer wanted to be with him. She was his first love and fifteen-year-old Aang didn't want to comprehend any of it. So he ran.

The avatar pulled Katara in for a hug, chin on her head and told her that everything was going to be okay and that he never hated her for their break up one bit. "I was hurt." He said. "I was young, mad and hurt. It was wrong for me to leave you like I did. I don't want us to avoid each other like that again. I love you, Katara. I would rather have you as my friend for the rest of my life than not at all."

Katara smiled smally as she clung to his arms, thankful for his words. It's all she wanted. It's all she needed and the air between them cleared. Now they could move on.

Another thought crossed her mind and she clung to Aang tighter. "I was pregnant, Aang. Way over a year ago…I…I lost him." Her voice cracked.

Aang was shocked but he didn't say a word. A gentle rub on her back said it all.

With the weight of her son's death left her shoulders. Kayo will alway be in her heart but she would never be able to build a new life for herself if she didn't let go of her regrets. It was time to start anew.

*break*

Zuko felt out of his mind. If he wasn't wondering around like a ghost, he was bursting out in anger. Telling Katara that he could not be with her turned his already confusing world into a daze of endless torture. It had only been four days and he missed her so much. Nights in his bed were mind numbingly empty without holding her in his arms like he did when she was unconscious.

He wanted to kiss her again. Feel her again. She ignited a fire in him unlike anyone and when she was away, the flame burned out and his world turned cold. He thought he had something like that with Mai but looking back he realized his relationship with his ex-wife was nothing but a blur of sustainability. It was comfortable, expected of them and easy to carry on. There isn't a single reminiscence of his time with Mai that stuck out as memorable. It was her and him. That was it. Two people floating in the world of palace life like make shift puppets.

But Katara, she was what seemed to bring the place to life. She was open, honest and all around good natured. She got mad when she felt it was necessary and opened an ear to anyone who needed to be listened to. Her letters to him kept him encouraged and gave color to his gray world.

The Fire Lord bent his neck back as the sweet, tangy liquid went down his throat. Smacking his lips after he emptied his glass. He was with another Agni forsaken candidate-bride and all he wanted to do was drown out the rest of the day. He was not presentable for this meeting. Robes slightly wrinkled and five o'clock shadow emerging.

Lady Umikei was obviously uncomfortable. Her nervous eyes darted around the garden, looking around at his guards unsure of what to do about her Lord's binge drinking. His glass never stayed empty.

Zuko felt bad but couldn't bring himself to stop. He was more upset over the fact that the matchmaker sent Umikei knowing she just turned sixteen. It was an immediate no when he seen how young she was. Out of courtesy, he offered to show her around the palace until they came across seeing Aang holding Katara on her balcony. His thoughts flashed to her going back to the Avatar.

"Uh, Lord Zuko, maybe you should slow down." One of the guards approached him when he noticed the poor girl's anxiousness.

"I'll stop when I'm ready to." Zuko snapped, scowling at his guard for being out of line.

"My apologies, your Majesty." He cleared his throat. "It's just that Lady Umikei has a curfew and the sun is setting."

"Oh." Zuko seemed to wake up. "Yes, of course. My apologies Lady Umikei, I meant not to keep you. Give my regards to your father." He stumbled standing up from his chair and made his way out of the gardens without so much as a goodbye to his guest.

He should've done what was required of him but today he didn't want be Fire Lord. Today he didn't want to be a symbol, a leader. He wanted to be Zuko. He wanted to be able to say and do the things he wanted without the world criticizing him. He wanted to forget about the assassination attempt and the bridal candidates.

Zuko dismissed his guards when he entered his chambers and threw every piece of clothing off of his body like it was burning his skin. He stripped down to his trousers and walked over to his study to find a small bottle of Fire Whiskey in the draw of his desk.

He felt like such a mess using alcohol has an escape method but when it reminded him of when Katara snuck in his room, drunk and discovering she had frozen his guards to a wall, he chuckled to himself. A pit of guilt formed in his gut and he put the whiskey back in the draw, slamming it shut.

He never resulted to drinking. It was unlike him.

Instead, he went to his room to put an evening robe on then proceeded to sneak through the secret passageway to avoid confronting his guards. He had to see Katara. If he couldn't last four days without her, he sure as hell couldn't last a lifetime.

Before he knew it, he was at the doors of her bedchambers. He knocked, hoping she would answer right away. A few minutes went by. Nothing. He knocked again with still no answer. After the third, he mentally apologized for intruding and opened the door.

The candles were lit and the room looked like it was previously occupied but no one was there.

*break*

"Here." she slid a pouch between the prison bars. "It's seal jerky. It might not be to your liking but I'm sure it beats prison food." Katara bent her knees back in place and went to sit next to Aang, crossed legged, as they watched the red head examine the pouch she was given.

"You come back to visit, water girl?" Yuna asked. Katara nodded her head. "And Avatar?"

"We meet again. Yuna, I believe."

The woman nodded. "What brings pleasure?"

"Well, it was curiosity that brought me here more than anything. Katara has said some pretty intriguing things about you. I know I am a stranger but if you don't mind…," Aang started, clearing his throat. "As the Avatar, I've been all over the world and, no offense, I've never come across anyone of your…background."

Yuna smirked, leaning back on her hands as she sat crossed legged opposite of them. "That cause we no want to be found, Avatar."

"We?" Katara gleamed. "There's a whole society of you?" she hoped she wasn't coming across rude.

So Yuna's hair is a trait not something she was randomly born with. "You're not from the Earth Kingdom, are you?"

Yuna cocked her head, her long hair filled with numerous thick braids fell to the side. "No, water girl. My people keep to selves. We no interfere with world, it no interfere with us."

"That make sense." Katara replied. "So, your people don't bend?" she was perking up. They didn't expect Yuna to say much but turns out she didn't have a problem talking to them.

Yuna shook her head. "No, little water girl." She chuckled whole heartedly at Katara's excitement, "We have benders."

"Really? What element?" Aang smiled brightly. He was hoping for air but her red hair and amber eyes told him it wasn't likely.

"Both."

Katara and Aang stop to stare at her then at each other. "Both?" they asked in unison.

"Fire and Water. But I am no bender."

Aang shook his head in disbelief. "Your people can bend both elements?"

"No, no, Avatar. My people are waterbenders and firebenders. We live all together."

"Wow, your people are of mixed race." Katara guessed.

Yuna nodded. "My father waterbender and my mother firebender."

"This is amazing." Katara laughed. Aang was just as enthralled. "And you all have red hair?"

The foreigner seemed pleased by Katara's enthusiasm. She didn't think much of the girl but she had visited every night since her imprisonment. Yuna assumed the girl was just foolish the first day she came to her cell with a plate of komodo chicken and a bowl of fresh rice. The gruel the prison offered was horrific and the red head didn't bother touching it. She was hesitant in talking to the watertribe woman but Katara brought something out in her she couldn't explain. And for the first time in twenty years since she left her home, she opened up a little to the young woman. "Yes." She smiled with amusement in her amber eyes.

"I have to say, on my journey as the Avatar, I only ever met two other societies who fall outside the common four nations." Aang said. "The waterbenders from the Swamps in the Earth Kingdom and the Sun Warriors."

Yuna nodded as though acknowledging that she knew they existed.

"Do your people have a connection to these tribes?" Katara asked.

"Somewhat." Yuna shrugged. "Priestess from all three tribes meet one time year."

Yuna went to explain that the priestess of her tribe meets with the others to establish solid communication and knowledge exchange. They often bring gifts to give to one another as a sign of peace.

"What is it that they discuss?" Aang asked.

"Eh, silly things. Fate and marriage. I no care for prophecies." Yuna spat. It was a sign she was no longer interested in talking about it.

"I appreciate you passing on such incredible information about your tribe. It's nice to know that there are places out there that remained unaffected by war. I hope to hear more about it in the future."

"I doubt, Avatar. I will be prisoner in Earth Kingdom."

Aang frowned. He almost forgot what she did while residing in the Earth Kingdom. She was still a criminal, no doubt about it.

"Well, it was still nice of you to share." Katara said softly. "I wish I could do something for you. Other than bringing you decent food."

"You wish me free, water girl." Yuna raised her brow.

"Not if you can't promise to stop the inhuman thing you call a job."

Yuna shook with laughter. "How you expect I make money."

"There are other options. I'm sure someone with your skills can find numerous positi-"

"It no my skill that is issue." Yuna flipped her hair.

Katara felt a pang of guilt. She was never one to discriminate, so she always seen past others looks. She should've known that Yuna's mysterious features would prevent her from getting a simple job. She was both alluring and frightening. Katara swallowed an apology. She still did not see that as an excuse to harm people for money.

"If you manage to think of something, I'll consider talking to the Fire Lord." With that, Katara stood up. "Let's go, Aang." She held out her hand to help him of the floor.

The Avatar wanted to ask more questions but could see the irritation on his friend's face. He bowed to Yuna and followed Katara out of the cell.

"You really think you could talk Zuko out of sending her to Earth Kingdom prisons."

Katara sighed, "I don't know. Maybe. She doesn't seem to want to change her preference, though."

Aang stopped her by grabbing her arm gently. "You are a good person, Katara. I know you don't want to turn your back on people but maybe you should let this one go. You can't save everyone."

She closed her eyes. "I know."

Wrapping an arm around her, Aang walked her out of the prison.

*break*

"Thank for walking me to my room, Aang." Katara gave him a hug before turning the doorknob.

"I leave tomorrow, Katara." Aang hurriedly said.

"Tomorrow? You just got here." They just started over, why would he want to leave so soon?

"I am no longer needed here. Besides, Zuko's recovered well from his recent divorce without me. If anything should arise, I will make it back as soon as possible."

"Those aren't the only reasons you are leaving, are you?" Katara's eyes began to water.

Aang scratched the back of his head. He looked so sad, Katara almost mistook him for being twelve again. "I never got to let everything between us sink in. The break up was hard. Now that we've truly had a clean break, I need to put the pieces of that part of myself together."

"Is it about my son?"

Aang shook his head. "Not really. Well…somewhat. I didn't expect you not to move on. It just felt like the past four years just skipped by and none of it really sunk in for me."

Katara nodded in understanding. "Well, I at least want to say goodbye to Appa before you both leave." She took her hand off the knob.

"In the morning, Katara." He laughed. "You should rest. It's late."

The Avatar gave her another hug before leaving for his room. Katara went inside and closed the door gently behind her. It was an eventful day. Before she began to remove her day clothes for sleep, a stir in her bed startled her. Katara immediately drew water from a nearby vase and took a defensive stance.

Zuko emerged from under her blankets and yawned.

"Zuko! For spirits sake! What the hell are you doing here?" she dropped the water on the floor out of both anger and relief. His tired eyes turned to her and she could see how awful he looked. His hair stuck out in every direction and he was flushed. The stubble on his face longer than she ever seen it. "You ok?" she asked in concern, walking to the bed to check on him. "Ugh! You smell like alcohol!"

"Sorry…" his raspy voice croaked. He was ashamed for showing up in her room in such a state.

Katara shook her head. "Why are you here?"

"I had to see you." The way he said it was so sincere, Katara's heart beat quickened.

"And breaking into my room seemed like the logical way to see me?"

"I couldn't wait."

"Zuko, if it's not important, you can wait until morning. I'm tired."

"Kat, don't be like that."

She brought both her hands to her face. "What do you expect of me?" she removed them, eyes red from anger or hurt, he couldn't tell. "One minute we're fine, the next we're not. I don't know where to go with all this. You broke my heart."

Zuko removed the blankets off his lap and went to stand in front of her. "I didn't want to. All I wanted to do was protect you. I want you by my side, Katara. More than anything."

"You said that our feelings for each other were not genuine." Her cerulean eyes pierced him like a knife. "I don't know about you but I know how I feel. I know how I've felt all these years."

Zuko's heart jumped. She had feelings for him all these years? He always told himself that it was impossible. He did his best to hold back a smile. "Katara, I never knew. I always wanted to tell you how I felt but I thought it was impossible."

"What was impossible?"

"That you'd want to be with me."

The waterbender clenched her fists. "So when I let you touch me three years ago, what? You thought I was screwing around?"

"No! I didn't know what you thought!" Zuko could tell she was becoming defensive. "I was worried I sucked you into my problems. I was vulnerable and I was concerned you thought I was using you."

Katara crossed her arms. "I don't need your concern or your protection. Whatever I decide, I can handle. You, saying what you said at the prison, hurt. So bad."

Zuko gulped. "I know…I care about you, Kat. A part of me is scared. I'm scared that being with me will hold you back like your relationship with Aang. I'm scared that someone might use you against me if they truly wanted to hurt you. I'm scared of my people not accepting you and seeing you the way I do."

She stared at him. Really stared. Without saying a word, she walked to the door leading outside her bedchambers and opened it. "You say you're afraid. Afraid of how I'll react or feel. Or what other people think. Well, then maybe we shouldn't be together. Because the day you make decisions for me says how much you really value my opinion. In that aspect, yes, you are just like Aang." Katara turned away from looking at him. "Leave."

A/N: For you guys who are curious about Yuna's age, she is in her mid thirties. I know, I know. You're wondering what the hell Zuko and Katara are doing but I promise you all will like the next chapter.