My Heart Burns for You

by alwaysZutarian

Four years have passed since the end of the war, but as they meet again and encounter many obstacles, Zuko and Katara realize that whom their hearts truly burn for is one another. Can they love each other knowing they will hurt those that love them? What will become of them when a new enemy appears with a vengeful plot to destroy everything they had worked for to bring peace?

21. Imperial Celebration

Hello again! Here is the next chapter! It went through a few changes. Sorry for the long wait, but to make it up to you guys, it's a long chapter! Enjoy!

Much thanks to Jezebel. V. Sterling for her great help.

ATLA is not mine.

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Chapter Twenty-One

Imperial Celebration

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The entire Fire Nation, from the western coast to the east and from the north to the south, was abuzz as the day had arrived for the Fire Lord's birthday. In every remote village, island, and small city, the common people scrambled about with excitement as they set up their own festivities in their Fire Lord's honor. They were grateful that they had a day off from their labor for the event. All those of nobility were swarming the palace with expensive gifts and greedy smiles, hoping that their single daughters or sisters would catch the lord's eye. The women themselves preened their looks since the early hours of dawn in order to gain the Fire Lord's attention for the evening—and hopefully night as well—and perhaps the title as his Fire Lady.

Inside the Fire Lord's royal bedchamber, Zuko stood completely still in the middle of his room as he waited patiently for Jiao and another old maidservant to finish dressing him in his formal robes. The older servant placed the final layer of his attire and fixed the golden material that curled upward on his shoulders while Jiao reverently nestled his fire crown on the perfect topknot she had created. Jiao then handed him his sheathed dual swords, which Zuko took silently and placed them on his right hip. The servant women took a step back to admire their work and make sure everything was in its respective place before they moved the full-length mirror they had brought in and placed it before him.

"Thank you," Zuko uttered coolly and dismissed them with a nod as he turned to look himself in the mirror.

Both servants bowed and quickly left the room, closing the door behind them gently.

Zuko took a moment to examine his formal attire before he frowned darkly. He knew he looked good—as arrogant as that might sound—but he really did not care for his appearance for that meant he would have to keep warding off the hordes of noblewoman that he knew were already flooding his home. He really did not want to go out into the banquet and 'have fun' as his uncle had kept telling him for weeks, but he was willing to endure the annoying noblemen and the noblewoman with their irritating giggles and not so subtle flirting for his mother, uncle, and his people's sake. This day was proclaimed a holiday and many villages were hosting their own celebrations.

With one final look in the mirror, Zuko turned and made his way toward the doors of his balcony. He lifted a section of one of the thick curtains and sighed at the sight of the sun already making its way toward the western horizon. It would soon be time for him to make his 'grand appearance', as his uncle had gleefully put it, and he was actually dreading the moment.

Though his expression did not show it, Zuko was a bit tired since he had been out all night, running as the Blue Spirit around the edge of his city as he tried to tire himself out enough for him to be able to sleep as he had done for the past months. Unfortunately, it did not work. He had returned undetected into his room a few hours before dawn, dozed off for a while before he got up to get ready for the day.

The reason he had been unable to find sleep was due to another erotic dream he had about Katara that had left him breathless and disappointed when he realized it was just a dream produced by his desires and wants. The things they were doing—gods, the things she was doing to him—felt so real that it left him so painfully aroused when he woke up that he had no choice but to reacquaint himself with his right hand in order to relieve himself while he pictured Katara's heated face beneath him. Even thinking about that dream was stirring his blood—not to mention certain lower areas—so hot that Zuko had to squeeze his eyes shut and think of something disgusting so that he did not have a repeat of what happened the night before and thus ruin the work Jiao and the other servant had done.

I wonder when Katara is arriving. Is she already here? What would she be wearing today? Zuko mused for a moment before his eyes became hooded for a moment, Though I would also like to see what's underneath what she will be wearing...

He snapped out of his thoughts and berated himself for breaking his promise to stop thinking about Katara in such a sexual way, though it seemed that this promise was regularly broken much more now that he knew he loved her.

Zuko dropped the curtain back into its place, and with a few breaths to regain his control, left his bedroom. He walked glumly across his antechamber and toward the outer double golden doors of his royal suite. He took another deep breath as he stepped outside and nodded silently at his personal guards who then took positions behind him as they made their way from the royal wing toward the banquet hall.

"Zuko! There you are!" his uncle's cheerful voice made him heave a sigh.

Zuko watched as the old man approached him with a large grin on his face.

"I just came to make sure you didn't climb out the window and run away!" Iroh exclaimed teasingly.

"Don't be ridiculous, Uncle," Zuko answered coolly.

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the cheeky smile his uncle directed at him.

Iroh placed a hand on his chin and gave a small hum as he looked his nephew up and down before he gave a nod of approval.

"Why, look at you, Zuko!" Iroh exclaimed. "You will need a stick to keep all the salivating women away from you!"

"Uncle, please," Zuko groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose when he heard his guards chuckle quietly under their breaths. A glare from him had them bowing their heads apologetically.

"What?" Iroh said with a shrug. "You know you won't be left alone for a minute once you enter the banquet hall." He chuckled when his nephew remained silent before he smiled wickedly. "Though I'm sure there is one particular young lady you would not mind being at your side for the entire celebration."

"Uncle," Zuko warned darkly, though the same thought had crossed his mind more than once during the whole week.

Iroh sighed and his expression turned serious as he leveled his gaze up at his glaring young nephew.

"I want you to remember what I told you about finding peace once you have really talked to her, Zuko," Iroh reminded sternly. When Zuko just gave him a small nod, Iroh shook his head.

"I'll see you at the banquet later, Nephew," he added quietly before he turned away and walked in a different direction toward the room where the party was being held.

Zuko silently watched his uncle leave before he nodded at his guards to keep following him down the corridor. The sound of people talking and laughing reached their ears and Zuko ordered himself to keep walking instead of turning back around. He paused outside the large and elaborate set of doors that would lead to the raised dais where he was to make a speech about his gratitude for their attendance while asking Agni to bless the Fire Nation before he was to go and socialize with the crowd.

That thought actually made him shudder.

Both of his guards stepped before him and opened the heavy doors. The room became silent as the people inside stared at the doors that had been opened behind the dais surrounded by another fire wall. They waited anxiously for the appearance of the one whose birthday they were celebrating.

"Presenting our great and honorable Fire Lord Zuko!" the oldest of his personal guards bellowed.

Zuko took another breath to steady his nerves and told himself he just needed to go through this day, endure whatever came his way, and hopefully they would all leave at the time he requested so he could be left in peace.

Both of his guards bowed as he passed through the doors before he made his way to the edge of the dais. From behind the wall of fire, Zuko looked around at the gathered crowd bowing at him. He spotted Iroh and his mother with Admiral Jee at her side smiling brightly at the front of the gathered crowd, but he frowned when he was unable to spot the one person he had been wishing to see all day.

Where is Katara? Is she not coming? he asked himself and growled mentally at the feeling of a sharp pang of grief.

He was brought back to reality when he heard his uncle cough twice, a signal for him to stop standing there like an idiot and get on with the long and boring speech his uncle had made him memorize.

Zuko sighed inwardly as he raised his arms to the side to gain the crowd's attention.

---

Zuko reluctantly greeted another of the noble families that approached him with sugarcoated words and large fake smiles. As soon as he had finished his speech and stepped down the dais after parting the wall of fire, he had been swarmed with enthusiastic people congratulating him and wishing he had many more years left of life. He wondered if they even noticed that he was not enthusiastic about the whole thing at all. He made it apparent by avoiding the hints the noblemen gave him when they would present their single female relatives to him, proclaiming all the good qualities the young women possessed while the girls themselves bowed delicately before him and batted their eyelashes at him with shy or daring smiles.

One set of doors that led into the banquet hall at the southern wall would occasionally be opened as more guests poured in while the guard posted outside would step into the room and announce the new arrivals. Every time Zuko heard it was not who he was waiting to see, his heart would sink at the thought that perhaps she was not attending his celebration.

Zuko tuned out what the old nobleman before him was rambling about and ignored the lusty look the man's daughter was aiming at him. He discreetly began to look around the banquet hall while making sure to nod here and there so the man and his daughter would think they still had his undivided attention.

The guests seemed to be enjoying themselves rather well. Many were dancing in the center of the large banquet hall as the musicians played and others were talking and laughing amongst themselves while they ate and drank from the banquet table that he had already sampled from. He was impressed by how delicious the food tasted, the tasteful way the room was decorated, and the soft music that reached his ears. Although he appreciated what his uncle and mother did for him, he just could not find it in himself to really enjoy it.

"Thank you. Please enjoy the rest of the evening," Zuko said as soon as the man made a pause in his drawn out speech.

He raised a dark eyebrow when the nobleman frowned and opened his mouth to say something before the man snapped it shut and dragged his daughter—who was oblivious as she continued to stare at the Fire Lord—away.

"That wasn't very nice, Sparky." Toph's snicker made Zuko relax slightly before he shrugged as he turned around to see her.

The small earthbender was wearing a formal dress that typical Earth Kingdom noblewomen wore. The dress was made of a soft green material with gold thread embroidered at the hem and edges of the long sleeves. It had a high collar and it reached down to her small bare feet. Her dark hair was swept up into an elegant bun with golden flower pins holding it in place. Zuko still found it strange seeing Toph dressed up, but he knew that although she looked like a delicate noblewoman, she was the same blunt and rough master earthbender.

"I want to rip this stupid dress off! It itches, dammit!" Toph growled under her breath as she stretched the high collar away from her neck with a finger.

Ah, there was the Toph they all knew and loved.

Zuko tensed when he saw Aang step up beside Toph with his usual wide grin on his young face. Aang wore a formal type of Air Nomad garb of different shades of orange and yellow with the necklace symbolizing his high rank as a monk falling around his neck. His usual staff was at his hand with Momo, who gave a happy chirp, perched on his shoulder.

"Toph. Aang. I'm glad you decided to come," Zuko said, recovering his composure quickly.

Momo flew away from the Avatar and landed on the tall Fire Lord's shoulder. Zuko reached up to pat Momo's furry head and smiled slightly as the small lemur began to purr.

"Of course we came!" Aang piped in excitedly. "You finally decided to have a birthday party!"

Zuko stared at Aang, and for a moment, he was reminded of the good times they used to have when their friendship was strong and everything was simple. He missed it. But Zuko looked away at the thought that Aang's current happy mood was probably due to his…engagement. Why did that word always made a lump get stuck in his throat?

"I didn't hear you guys being announced," Zuko commented as he pretended to take interest in the crowd while Momo chirped on his shoulder.

"We arrived early even before you gave that boring as hell speech," Toph responded with a shrug.

"Hm," Zuko muttered with a frown.

"Happy Birthday, Zuko," someone said and the three turned at the sound of the new voice.

Aang and Toph grinned and enthusiastically greeted Haru as the young man made his way toward them, his thin mustache sitting upon his smiling lips as he bowed respectfully before the Fire Lord. Haru was dressed in dark green and brown formal attire and his usual long, loose hair was tied in a long braid that fell down his back.

Zuko bowed his head.

"Thank you, Haru," he responded sincerely. "I'm glad you were able to make it to my celebration."

Haru nodded and smiled as he placed his hands inside his long sleeves.

"And I'm grateful you trusted me enough to teach earthbending in your colonies. I just finished teaching in the last village a few weeks ago, and luckily, I made it to your party in time," the young earthbender said as he looked around the decorated room in awe.

"Well…I'm gonna go check if Katara arrived already," Aang piped in. He glanced briefly at Zuko before he walked away with Momo trailing after him.

Zuko watched him go with a small glare before he shook his head and squared his shoulders. He glanced at Toph who had her head tilted in the direction the young monk had left.

"Uh…well, I'm going to look for Ty Lee," Haru said quietly as he felt the sudden tension emitting from the tall and slightly intimidating Fire Lord. He blushed lightly when Toph elbowed him and wiggled her eyebrows at him before he bowed again and hastily retreated.

"You were right, Toph," Zuko commented quietly after a few seconds of silence.

Toph straightened and crossed her arms.

"I always am," Toph said with a smug grin before she frowned. "But why are you saying that now, Hotman?"

"I was…too late," Zuko said simply as he tried to keep his voice even.

Toph was silent for a moment before she elbowed him on the ribs. Zuko winced and scowled.

"Don't give up so easily," was Toph's reply before she turned away. "I'm gonna look for your old uncle."

Before Zuko could asked her what she meant by that, he felt a pair of arms snake around him from behind. For a brief second he thought it was Katara, and his heart skipped a beat, before he noticed that whoever was holding him had thinner and longer arms than the waterbender. Zuko tensed and quickly stepped away, turning around with narrowed eyes to reprimand the person for the imprudent act, but instead his eyes widened in surprise.

"Mai," he said.

The tall aristocratic woman smiled slightly and Zuko took notice that she was dressed up as well. Though her formal dress was all black with no intricate designs on it, it was made of the finest silks that reached well below her feet and fell down to cover her pale hands. Her long black hair sat atop her head in an elaborate hairdo with two crisscrossing golden sticks keeping the style together. Her pale cheeks had a hint of rouge and dark kohl made her eyes bigger than they were. Zuko had never seen her outside her usual style and he had to admit she looked nice. He felt a bit guilty that he had almost forgotten about her since he had a different woman on his mind recently.

"Hello, Zuko. I've missed you," she finally said. Secretly pleased that it seemed he was appreciating her form, Mai stepped toward him to embrace him again.

Zuko held up a hand to stop her and gave her a stern look to remind her of her behavior in public. Mai took a step back and folded her hands before her and nodded that she understood, though inwardly she was annoyed that he had not changed his idea of keeping her at a distance while he allowed his friends to hug him—especially the insufferable Water Tribe woman.

"Mai, I'm glad you have come to my celebration," Zuko repeated what he had told everybody else.

"My family and I arrived last night from Omashu. I would not have missed such an important day, Zuko," she replied back as she looked into his eyes.

Zuko's lips turned into a hard line and he looked away from her with rising guilt. Why could he not return her feelings? Everything would have been so much simpler. He thanked Agni for saving him from responding when Mai's family approached them. Zuko glanced briefly at Mai's face as she moved beside him and he frowned at the almost veiled irritated look she gave her family.

"Happy birthday, Fire Lord Zuko," Mai's father said with a smile as both he and his wife bowed to him while the older noblewoman held onto their young son's hand. The now five-year-old Tom-Tom stared with unblinking eyes up at the tall man.

"Thank you," Zuko said simply. He braced himself when Mai's parents gave him calculating and expectant smiles.

---

Zuko spent the next few hours greeting and talking—or more precisely, half listening—to the people that came up to him while Mai remain fixed at his side. Her parents had tried to suck up to him and even hinted on a future wedding, suggesting that it was long overdue. Zuko had cleverly evaded the subject, though he knew that perhaps one day it would eventually happen since political marriages were common. Besides, it was not as if he was going to be able to marry the woman he really loved and wanted.

Mai smirked inwardly when she caught the conversation of another group of people remarking on how good they looked together and how she would make a fine Fire Lady someday. She raised her head higher than she already normally did and she sent blank stares at the single women who were watching her with pouts on their faces as she held onto Zuko's arm. She glanced at Zuko who was talking with one of his advisors that had attended the event and she was filled with a smug and satisfied feeling that he was all hers.

A frown marred her stony features for one second before it disappeared as fast as it had appeared. She had to admit, though, that Zuko had been more distant with her as the years went by and it became even more obvious ever since his friends visited the Fire Nation in the late summer. The knowledge of his changed behavior regarding her did not sit well with her at all. She hoped this phase of his would pass soon and she had no doubt that after they married he would focus solely on her.

Zuko suppressed the undignified urge to roll his eyes as he once again caught a comment about his 'future marriage' with Mai. He dismissed what the people were saying since he was more preoccupied in keeping an eye for Katara's arrival. The celebration had started hours ago and there was still no sign of the lovely waterbender and her family. It was getting late and he was beginning to get anxious, wondering where she was.

What if she isn't coming? he thought with a frown as he once again scanned the crowd.

One part of him felt relieved, but a bigger part felt saddened at the thought. He had been looking forward to seeing her again, and the thought that perhaps she was not arriving had not crossed his mind before now.

Just then, the doors to the banquet hall were opened, and the guard stepped in.

"Presenting Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe and his family!" he bellowed.

The loud chattering in the grand banquet hall paused for a moment as the people turned to watch the Southern Water Tribe family enter the room before they resumed their talk while they eyed the newcomers with curious or resentful stares.

Zuko spun around to the entrance so fast he thought he actually heard his neck crack, but it was just a vague thought as he stared ahead with relieved and eager eyes—much to Mai's displeasure.

She's here! he mentally sighed in relief, apprehension, and longing.

Zuko watched as his uncle and his mother, with Jee following close behind, walked up to them in welcome as Chief Hakoda and Master Pakku stepped forward while Kanna, Ty Lee, Sokka, Suki and their twins crowded around them.

And that's when he saw her. Katara.

Zuko's heart leapt and he swallowed hard. She was breathtaking.

Adorning the curves of her body was a long dress that fell down to her small feet enclosed in black slippers. Her dress was made of a silky material of a deep turquoise shade and black lace was wrought onto the edges of the hem and long sleeves. Zuko was astounded, though not displeased, to see that it was cut below her smooth shoulders that he wished to kiss. It was snug around her bounteous breasts that he longed to latch onto with his lips, as well as around her flat stomach that he dreamed of being made round with his child. A thick black sash tied her waist with its long ends falling to one side before the dress fell loosely at her wide hips. Those hips that he had dreamed so many times before of grabbing tightly in his hands while he thrust himself into her…

The young Fire Lord was enthralled by how gorgeous the waterbender looked and he was surprised at himself that he was able to resist the urge to dash up to her, scoop her in his arms, kiss her senseless, and take her passionately in the privacy of his room. Zuko felt his groin tighten and he was barely able to suppress the groan that formed in his throat. He was glad that he was wearing his formal robes or else his whole court would have seen his arousal through his trousers.

He wrenched his eyes away from Katara's appetizing body so he could take in the rest of her, willing his body to calm down. He was surprised and confused to see that what was adorning her lovely neck was her mother's necklace and not the one that Aang gave her, but he quickly dismissed the thought as he moved his eyes to observe her face next. She had kohl on her eyelashes and the rims of her eyes so that her bright, blue orbs stood out even more. A soft rouge dusted her cheeks while her perfect lips were glossed, making them even more kissable than ever. Her long and gleaming chocolate tresses were down from her usual braid and it tumbled down her back in soft brown waves and curls. But what pleased him the most was the fact that one side of her hair was swept away from her face by the silver rose hairpin he had given her on her own birthday. He could not explain how great he felt by seeing Katara wearing something from him.

Standing next to the silent firebender, Mai narrowed her eyes, getting tired of Zuko continuing to ogle the waterbender.

"Zuko, I'm thirsty. Let's go get some punch," she said as she tried to pull him in the opposite direction where the banquet table was situated.

"You go, Mai. I have to greet my guests," was Zuko's distracted reply as he disentangled her arms from his arm and walked away without removing his eyes from the vision before him. He did not notice the glare she threw after him.

"Katara dear! Welcome back! We are so glad that you have come," Ursa announced to Katara after she had greeted the rest of the group.

Katara smiled as the older woman embraced her.

"Especially Zuko," Lady Ursa whispered in her ear before she pulled back with a smile.

Katara blushed and fidgeted nervously with her fingers. How would Zuko act toward her now? Would he be distant like the day he left the Southern Water Tribe or would he smile at her warmly like so many times before?

She was so nervous at the thought of seeing him again that her stomach kept twisting and her heart kept pounding frantically in her chest. On one hand she dreaded seeing him again, seeing him act cold towards her, and seeing him with Mai on his arm, but on the other she was impatient to see his scarred yet handsome face, his warm golden eyes, and his small half smiles. She longed to be near him, to talk and spend time with him, and hear his low chuckles or the laughs that he sometimes allowed to escape him.

She looked up when she felt someone staring at her. Her breath caught in her throat as she watched Zuko making his way toward them…and he was looking straight at her, his golden gaze almost scorching her all the way to her toes.

Zuko was wearing a similar style of formal robes as the one he had donned when he had been crowned Fire Lord, except that his scabbard was secured at his side this time. She could see his black boots with their golden pointed tips as his long legs carried him to where she was standing frozen in place with the rest of her family. His sleek, raven hair was pulled back into his usual formal topknot with the glinting fire crown. Her fingers itched to remove it so that his hair hung loose in order for her to run her fingers through it like she had daydreamed ever since he came upon them in the Western Air Temple. Katara really liked what he wore just like how she liked when he wore his armor or comfortable shirts and pants.

Though I like it better when he's shirtless, Katara hummed silently as she stared intensely at every step he took.

She was awestruck at how striking he looked and blushed at her thoughts, though she could not find it in herself to chastise herself since it was true. She was once again unable to break away from the heated look in his amber eyes, the same look she had caught him directing towards her many times before.

Zuko finally crossed the large room and reached them, bowing politely to the Southern Water Tribe Chieftain, a sign for his people to see that he respected and welcomed those from the southern country.

"I welcome you back to the Fire Nation, Chief Hakoda," he said as he reluctantly looked away from Katara's mesmerizing form to acknowledge the chieftain.

"Thank you, Fire Lord Zuko," Hakoda responded with a smile as he returned the bow. "We would have arrived sooner if it wasn't for a sudden storm that detained us for a while. Anyway, I wish you good things on this day."

"Thank you," Zuko replied before he turned to greet the rest of the family.

He smiled slightly when Kanna embraced him and wished him a happy birthday while Pakku just gave a respectful bow and good wishes. Gran-Gran, Iroh, and Ursa noticed happily that Zuko kept glancing at Katara who would also sneak peeks at him.

Zuko then returned his gaze to Katara and turned to her. Katara flushed slightly and took a step forward, mentally telling herself not to trip on her dress and make a fool out of herself in front of Zuko, his family, and his courtiers.

"Happy Birthday, Zuko," Katara greeted with a tentative smile.

"Thank you, Katara," Zuko replied with a warm smile that made Katara's heart melt.

The waterbender hesitated for a moment since she did not know if it was proper to hug the Fire Lord with all the nobility hanging around, but she gave a mental shrug, and before her courage failed, Katara took another step forward and wrapped her arms around him. If Zuko was surprised, he did not show it as he returned her embraced by wounding his arms around her. But to his disappointment, she quickly ended it and stepped away with a blush on her cheeks.

Sokka stepped forward with a large grin as he gave Zuko a one-armed hug while he carried his oldest daughter in the other just as Suki did while carrying their youngest.

"Say hello to your Uncle Zuko!" Sokka exclaimed as he held up Jing so she could be in Zuko's eyelevel.

Zuko was startled at Sokka's words as he stared at the little girl who was staring back at him with huge, blue eyes. It warmed his heart to know that Sokka saw him as part of his family despite all the hardships their countries had suffered. He glanced at Katara, who had wide eyes focused on him and her brother.

Smiling slightly, Zuko slowly reached out and gave the little girl a soft pat on her dark head. Jing squealed in delight and clapped her small, chubby hands before her attention was quickly drawn to the shiny metal crown on the tall man's head. The group chuckled quietly as Zuko dodged the slimy fingers that were aimed at his hair.

"Wow, Zuko, you sure know how to throw one heck of party!" Sokka exclaimed as his blue eyes darted excitedly around the bright and lively room.

"Believe me, Sokka, if it was my doing, there would not have been a party at all," Zuko commented dryly.

He noticed the young tribesman was half-listening to him, so with a mental roll of his eyes, Zuko motioned to the back of the room.

"The banquet table is that way."

"Thanks, man," Sokka said with a grin as he led Suki and their twins toward the food table.

"I can't wait to see Mai again! I'll see you guys later!" Ty Lee exclaimed as she bounced away after she said over her shoulder, "I hope Haru is here!"

The mention of the noblewoman's name snapped Katara out of her reverie about Zuko carrying light-skinned, blue-eyed or dark-skinned and golden-eyed babies and back to reality. She quickly looked away as she pretended to scan the room, which she noted was beautifully decorated. It reminded her of a horrible nightmare she had months ago where she had come upon Zuko marrying Mai. She winced at the painful image before she mentally shook her head.

"Are Aang and Toph here already?" she asked.

When Katara mentioned the airbender, Zuko reverted into his distant self and looked away as well to glare at a random spot.

"They're around somewhere," he replied coldly.

Except for Ursa, Iroh, and Jee, they all turned to gape at the iciness in the usually stoic young Fire Lord's voice. Katara frowned deeply and she was afraid that Zuko would start acting aloof towards her again.

"Zuko…?" Katara began, but was interrupted from saying anything else by the appearance of the mentioned young benders.

"Katara! You're here!" Aang exclaimed gleefully as he made his way towards them with a bright smile lighting up his face.

"Thanks for stating the obvious, Twinkletoes," Toph remarked snidely as she strolled in her insufferable dress beside him.

Aang ignored her as he briefly greeted Katara's father and grandparents before he clasped Katara's hand, both unaware at the death glare Zuko was sending him.

"Come on, Katara! Let's go dance!" Aang cried out.

"Uh…" Katara uttered as Aang started to drag her away.

She looked back at Zuko, but he was looking somewhere else. A sad frown appeared on her brow before she turned back to Aang and plastered a smile on her face.

"Okay," she relented.

Zuko watched them go from the corner of his eye. He turned his attention to the others, who had been silent for most of the time, and gave them a slight bow.

"If you'll excuse me, I have to attend to my other guests. Please enjoy your time here," he told them politely.

"Yes, thank you, young Fire Lord," Kanna responded for them as she eyed him curiously after he had turned and left.

Zuko ignored the slight ache in his chest as he made his way among the crowd while his hands clenched and unclenched as he walked.

"Wait up, Sparky!" Toph called out as she followed him. She growled when he continued walking. "I said wait, dammit!"

Zuko spun around and pinned a glare at the irritating earthbender.

"Toph, you're supposed to call me by me title and not 'Sparky' in front of my subjects!" he hissed lowly.

"Oh, right, right. I forgot," Toph consented and pretended to lock her lips together. "Anyway," she continued as she once again followed after him when he began to walk away. "Stop being a coward and tell Sugar Queen you love her already," she said, low enough for only him to hear her.

Zuko paused in mild surprise for a moment at her words before he continued on his way.

"Mind you own business, Toph," he growled as his hands clenched tightly at his sides.

Toph scowled, but before she could argue back, she shut her mouth as her scowl deepened.

"Gloom and Doom is heading this way," she said before she whispered rapidly, "You better tell Katara!"

Zuko watched as the small blind girl stomped away just as Mai reached him. He glanced sideways as Mai took hold of his arm again.

"How about we get that punch now?" Mai asked.

Zuko did not say anything as he led her away to the banquet table. Though he tried really hard, he could not stop himself from searching for Katara's form every chance he got. And although he was discreet about the way he stared at the laughing waterbender, he was unable to fool the young noblewoman that kept at his side.

Though she did not show it outwardly, Mai was seething as she once again caught Zuko glancing in the direction the annoying Water Tribe woman was. Mai snorted inwardly as she watched Katara giggle at something Iroh said while Lady Ursa laughed daintily behind her hand. She noticed Zuko glance their way, and to her surprise, she saw his lips twitch into a smile. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

Mai was angry, for she had actually listened to her mother for once and allowed the servants to dress her up, place makeup on her face, and arrange her hair in a beautiful style just for Zuko. But it seemed he did not even notice her efforts for he only had eyes for the waterbender—who at times would also glance his way—while he greeted and talked to the people and ignored the infuriating women that were presented to him and tried to flirt with him.

Though she had only had very small suspicions about the relationship between Zuko and the waterbender back when they had visited Ember Island in the summer, now those small suspicions were growing into full-fledged certainty. Mai moved closer to Zuko when she caught Katara looking at them without making it seem too obvious. Well, it was just too bad because she rather die than allow the waterbender have Zuko.

Mai was brought out of her thoughts when a large, old man huffed his way toward them with a large smirk on his face. She knew he was one of the Court advisors, but she could not remember his name, and if she had listened to Zuko on the rare occasions that he wished to talk to her about his day, then she would have known that it was the one advisor that Zuko despised.

"I wish you a happy birthday, Fire Lord Zuko," Wei greeted exaggeratedly as he pushed aside the nobleman that had currently been talking to the Fire Lord with his wife and two daughters standing beside him.

Wei made a mocking, flourishing bow before he looked over at the silent young woman standing indifferently beside Zuko.

"Lady Mai," he greeted with a smirk.

Zuko stiffened and his eyes narrowed at the sound of the aggravating, old advisor.

"Advisor Wei," he responded impassively and reluctantly returned Wei's bow with a nod of his head since he did not want the family that was still standing there to think he was rude.

Wei straightened and smoothed his robe over his large middle and smirked, but before he could speak an older couple approached the small group.

"We wish a happy birthday, my lord," the old man with cropped white hair said with a smile as he and the gray-haired woman bowed.

"Thank you, Physician Toshiro," Zuko responded genuinely as he graced the physician and his wife with a small smile.

The old couple had always been kind to him ever since he became Fire Lord.

"Your celebration is going exceptionally well, Young One," Wei interrupted rudely, ignoring the small glares the old couple sent him. "Everybody seems to be having a great time."

"Oh, yes, Fire Lord Zuko!" the rather short nobleman enthused, not wanting to be outdone or ignored. "The celebration is magnificent! So wonderful!"

Zuko mentally sighed as he looked over at the crowd.

"I know," he said coolly.

He glanced back at Wei and frowned. Why was Wei trying to have a conversation with him? One that did not result in Wei throwing subtle insults at him.

"Are you not enjoying your own party, Young One?" the old advisor asked with the smirk still in place.

Zuko's frown deepened as the nobleman's daughters gasped and he glared at the smirking advisor.

"I am," he answered imperviously.

"Then why have you not danced? There are many beautiful, young ladies that would enjoy being your dance partner," Wei remarked as he took a sip from the wine cup in his hand.

Wei grinned into his cup when the nobleman's young daughters squealed and pushed each other aside so they could get the Fire Lord's attention focused solely on them. Wei ignored the way the physician shook his head and his wife threw a glare at him.

Maybe that is the reason why I don't want to dance, Zuko thought darkly as he ignored the obvious looks the young women were throwing his way.

"I am not for dancing tonight," Zuko replied tersely. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes when the women gasped and almost whimpered in disappointment.

"Is that so?" the old advisor said as he twirled the cup while he pretended to scan the crowd without interest before he glanced sideways at Mai. "Or is it that you have just not found a woman worthy enough to get your attention?"

He ignored the three young noblewomen's glares as he focused on Zuko's expression. To his satisfaction, he watched as the young Fire Lord's eyes briefly flicked toward one side of the large room. Wei looked in the same direction with a smirk and took another drink from his cup of wine as he stared over at the table where the Southern Water Tribe family was sitting near the banquet table. Where the beautiful, but rather irritating waterbender the young Fire Lord seemed to care for was laughing.

"Or perhaps you do have such a woman in mind?" Wei taunted with a sneer as he tilted his head toward the table.

Zuko fought to remain unaffected at Wei's remark, not wanting to give too much to the mistrustful old advisor about his feelings for the waterbender, even though what Wei had indicated was true. Zuko again quickly glanced to where Katara was sitting. If he were to dance in front of this crowd, then he would have wanted it to be with Katara, but it seemed everything was set against him for the noblemen would not leave him alone even for a second. Besides that, Katara kept being asked to dance by different men, though her father, Sokka, and Aang cut the dances short. Especially Aang.

How he wished it were him she was dancing with as he watched her body sway to the sound of the music like one of her smooth water whips while she tossed her gleaming hair about. Oh, the thoughts that would run rampant in his head as he watched her dance to the music!

"Fire Lord Zuko, you must dance with one of my daughters!" the short nobleman exclaimed as he motioned for his daughters to move forward while he ignored the indignant glare Mai was sending them. "They were the best dancers at the Royal Academy for Girls! I'm sure my lord will be pleased to have one of them as his dance partner!"

Zuko eyed the man warily as the man's wife practically shoved their daughters forward onto him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the physician and his wife give him sympathetic looks before he was forced to look back the young women eagerly waiting his response.

I'm positive that he would even say it would please me to have either one, or even both, as my bed partners as long as they get the title as my Fire Lady, he thought with distaste. He cursed Wei for bringing up the subject of dancing even though it was obvious he did not want to dance.

"I thank you for the offer, and I'm sure your daughters are excellent dancers," Zuko responded dispassionately, "but I'm afraid that—"

"Fire Lord Zuko has already asked me for the next dance," Mai cut in as she moved closer to him.

Zuko frowned at her, but said nothing to dispute what she had said. He would rather dance with Mai than some woman he did not know. Besides, it was only expected since Mai was technically still his girlfriend and all.

"Is this true, Fire Lord Zuko?" the nobleman's wife asked as she eyed Mai.

The previous song the musicians were playing finished, and was immediately followed by another piece. Zuko squared his shoulders, pressed his lips into a tight line, and nodded to the woman's question before he excused himself from the group. Impassively, he led Mai to the dance floor by the arm. He was unaware of the triumphant smirk that crossed Mai's face as they moved toward the dance floor.

Katara happily chewed on a piece of chocolate covered strawberry pastry as she listened to her friends and family banter. She smiled slightly when Aang took hold of her hand before she pulled it away, missing the sad frown the young monk gave her.

She was currently trying to hide from all the young—and not so young—men that kept trying to dance with her. She would admit that she was a bit flattered at the attention the men were giving her, but it was not them that she wanted to ask her to dance, to hold her hand and hold her close as they glided down the dance floor. No, it was Zuko she wanted to dance with just like at her brother and Suki's wedding.

With a doleful sigh, Katara popped the rest of the sweet dessert into her mouth. She was a bit surprised that such a simple dessert made its way into all the other exquisite pastries, but she was glad since it was one of her favorites, especially since it reminded her of that time when Zuko took her to that one famous restaurant all those months ago.

"Oh, my gods!" she heard one of the snobby noblewomen shriek, "Fire Lord Zuko is going to dance!"

Katara spun around on her seat to stare out onto the dance floor and her heart sank at the sight. She watched as Zuko regally made his way to the dance floor while Mai held onto his arm with her head held high. Katara's stomach twisted as Zuko brought Mai to stand in front of him before he took the aristocratic woman's hand in his while he brought his other hand to her back before he began to lead her into a dance as the music played. It hurt to watch them, to watch Zuko hold another woman, but Katara could not look away.

Zuko led Mai into one of the dance steps he had learned when he was a young prince. Though this particular dance was supposed to be soft and relaxing, Zuko moved stiffly as he held Mai, who was smiling at him in barely concealed glee. Zuko glanced away from her and began to scan the crowd until he spotted Katara staring at them with an unreadable expression on her face before she looked away and began to talk to her grandmother. Did she not care?

Ty Lee bounced onto the dance floor, holding onto a blushing Haru, and with a bright smile, she wrapped her arms around his neck while he wrapped his around her waist as they began to dance with the music. More couples stepped onto the dance floor while the young women without dancing partners seethed quietly at the edge.

Zuko watched as Admiral Jee bowed before his mother, who smiled and nodded as she allowed him to lead her to dance. His uncle moved along the dancing crowd with a blushing woman at his side. Iroh caught his eye and grinned, which Zuko responded with a roll of his eyes. The old man's face became serious and he gestured at something behind him. Zuko slowly moved Mai around to see what his uncle was looking at and he scowled. He watched as Aang and Katara made their way toward the dance floor as well before they faced each other. He looked away when Aang placed his arms around Katara since it reminded him of what he saw in the Southern Water Tribe and how much the sight had pained him.

Katara again stiffened slightly as Aang held her before they began to dance. She smiled a bit uncomfortably when Aang smiled lovingly at her as he spun her around. Looking away, Katara peeked toward Zuko and raised an eyebrow since he was staring blankly at a spot over Mai's head even though she was as tall as him.

Katara let her mind wander into much more pleasing thoughts. She imagined that it was Zuko she was dancing with at the moment and it was his warm and strong arms that were holding her and not Aang's lean ones. She was unaware of how long the song lasted or that it was Aang she was dancing with until the musicians stopped playing. Blinking, she turned to see where Zuko was. She watched as Zuko moved away from Mai and quickly left the dance floor with the noblewoman following quickly behind him.

"Katara? Are you okay?" Aang's voice made her jump.

"Uh…I don't know," was her soft response as her eyes followed Zuko's tall form.

---

The evening progressed as the guests continued to enjoy themselves—and continued to try to gain the Fire Lord's favor.

Katara let out a long, relieved breath as she took a seat at their table. Her feet were killing her from all the dancing that she had been subjected to because of Aang. He would not hear it when she protested that she was done dancing and would then tell her that it was to make up for the time he had been away in the Earth Kingdom. Luckily, Sokka, Toph, Haru, and a few young men had dragged him off to get some drinks even though he tried to protest that it was not proper for a monk as himself to partake in such things. Toph ignored his complaints as she grabbed the back of his robe and hauled him away, but not before giving Katara a wink and whispering to her that she deserved a break.

Katara fidgeted with a lock of her hair as she again looked for Zuko's regal form among the large crowd. She sighed when she caught sight of him, though she hated that Mai was still hanging onto Zuko while he exchanged words with the families that came up to him. Katara did not like the look Mai would throw at every woman—especially at her—almost as if she was arrogantly telling them all she was Zuko's girlfriend and for them to keep away.

As if she could keep me way from Zuko, Katara huffed as she narrowed her blue eyes at the pale noblewoman before she looked back at Zuko and sighed. That's if Zuko still wants me around.

After he had greeted them when they had arrived a few hours ago, Zuko had not spoken to her or come near her at all during the celebration. Again, she wondered if he was avoiding her and if that avoidance had something to do with the way he had strangely acted when he left the Southern Water Tribe. She wished she knew what was going on with him so she could find some way to make things go back the way they used to be before. But then that was not what she really wanted. No. She wanted things to change, she wanted their relationship to go beyond friendship, she wanted to stay by his side, she wanted him to love her as she loved him.

She looked away when Mai leaned over to whisper in Zuko's ear, missing the frown that appeared on Zuko's face at what Mai had said before he gave her a disapproving look that made Mai look away with a raised chin.

A tug at her long sleeve startled Katara and she jumped in her seat before she looked to her side only to find a small boy with dark hair and big eyes staring up at her silently while he continued to hold onto her sleeve.

"Hi," Katara greeted with a smile as she looked up to see if the boy's parents were around, but found that no one was even looking their way. She looked back down at the boy and patted his dark head. "Where are your parents?"

"I don't know," the boy answered with a small shrug. "I lost them somewhere."

"You lost them?" Katara asked with a small grin as the boy blushed while he shuffled one foot on the floor.

"Well…I got away from them because they were just talking to some old people and I got bored," the young boy admitted. "But now I can't find them or my sister and I'm tired and I wanna go home!"

Katara smiled and patted the seat next to her.

"Why don't we wait for your parents or you sister to find you here? My family and friends are all having fun and I was getting somewhat lonely. Do you want to keep me company?"

"Okay!" the boy exclaimed as he let go of her sleeve and scrambled onto the empty chair with a large smile. "What's your name?" he asked curiously as he tugged at the stuffy clothing he had been made to wear.

"Katara. What's yours?"

"Tom-Tom," the boy answered.

"Oh, that's nice…Wait. Tom-Tom?" Katara asked slowly as she took a closer look at the boy who was also staring at her with a questioning expression. "Do you happened to be related to Ma…er…Lady Mai?"

"Yeah," the boy huffed as he crossed his small arms over his small chest. "She's my older sister."

"Oh."

Katara gaped slightly. Even though the dark-haired boy did have a resemblance to Mai it seemed they had completely different personalities. Katara leaned back onto her chair as she studied the boy who was now laughing at some of the clumsier dancers and she smiled since she could remember the baby she had taken care of back in Omashu almost four years ago.

Her smile widened when her family approached the table, looking at the boy sitting next to her with raised eyebrows as they took their seats before they continued in their conversations. Hakoda and Pakku were each carrying a sleeping twin in their arms while Suki and Sokka slumped in their seats in fatigue. Katara grinned at them before she returned her attention to the five-year-old boy.

---

Sighing intolerantly in his head once again, Zuko tuned out what the heavily perfumed young women that had surrounded him were babbling about and ignored the way Mai was sending them death glares while she opened and closed the dark fan she had pulled out from the sash around her thin waist. After a moment, the women moved away when they realized he was not paying them any attention. He did not even notice them leave nor did he notice Mai glaring at him. He focused instead on the time when the celebration would end and everybody would leave him in peace while he retired to his royal quarters.

Too bad I can't have a bit more entertainment in my private room with a certain waterbender, Zuko mused with a silent groan. Now that would make my birthday much better.

"Mai!" Ty Lee's bubbly voice made them turned to see the young acrobat in her pink attire making her way toward them while she tugged a weary-looking Haru after her. "Let's go get some punch and hang out for a while!"

Mai glanced back at Zuko who was already talking to Haru, and with an upturned nose, she followed her over energized friend. She had to find a way to make Zuko more agreeable with her.

"There ya are, L-Lord Jerkbender!"

Zuko paused in mid-sentence as he felt someone pat him almost roughly on the back and he saw Haru gaped. With a sharp remark on his tongue, Zuko turned around with a raised eyebrow only to sigh when he realized it was Sokka, and by the red color on his tanned cheeks and the small sway of his legs, he was most likely drunk or getting there.

Sokka wound an arm around Zuko's shoulders and patted his cheek.

"Great p-party! The food's awesome and…and the wine! Oh, Spirits, the wine!" Sokka exclaimed while Zuko tried to pry him off without causing too much of a scene.

Sokka trailed off as his eyes became unfocused before he shook his head and slurred out some more words that neither Zuko nor Haru could understand before the young warrior took another swig of his cup of wine.

"I think that's enough wine for today, Sokka," Zuko admonished with a grimace as he wrenched the wine cup out of Sokka's hands and handed it to a wide-eyed Haru who quickly took it.

"Ah, b-but I'm not ev…even drunk yet!" Sokka whined as he flailed one arm into the air while he continued to hold onto Zuko's shoulder.

A hiccup interrupted him and he staggered. Sokka grinned sheepishly.

"Okay, maybe I'm a little drunk."

"A little?" Haru muttered.

"Maybe you should get Suki," Zuko whispered to the amused earthbender who nodded and quickly made his way to find the drunken warrior's wife.

"H-heeey, w-where's Haru-u go-ing?" Sokka hiccupped again.

"I see our dear friend enjoyed our wine immensely," Iroh's amused chuckle reached their ears.

"Iroh!" Sokka exclaimed as he moved away from Zuko and stumbled onto the shorter man. "Zu-u-ko took away my…my wine!" he cried out with a pout.

Zuko rolled his eyes as Iroh laughed and patted the poor desolate drunk's back.

"There, there, Sokka. I'm sure Zuko did it for your own good," he said before he grinned over at his nephew who just tiredly shook his head at them.

Iroh cleared his throat and his expression became serious.

"It seems Tom-Tom got lost. His parents are worried."

Zuko sighed and looked around for one of his guards so he could give them orders to search for the young boy, but Sokka grabbed his shoulder and laughed.

"Oh, n-no! Quick! Before they think we kid-napped h-him again!" Sokka guffawed between hiccups.

"What are you talking about, Sokka?" Zuko asked as he steadied his friend when he swayed backwards.

"The uh…kid's with…with Katara!" the young man explained drunkenly.

"Really?" Zuko asked quietly.

He turned toward the table he knew the Southern Water Tribe family had taken. He immediately spotted Katara, and to his surprise, Tom-Tom was indeed with her and they were both laughing.

"Yup. You know what he said? He…he told Katara that he l-likes her 'cause she…she's nice and pretty." Sokka chuckled. "Seems like he keeps…finding a way…to…to her," he slurred.

Zuko looked back at his uncle and raised a dark eyebrow which the old man responded to with his own raised brow. Before either could ask Sokka to explain—at least the best he could in his inebriated state—the warrior continued without any prompting and told them about how they accidentally came across baby Tom-Tom and were accused of kidnapping him in order to use him against the governor in exchange for King Bumi's release, which he admitted they took advantage of.

"But the p-plan didn't work 'cause…Azula…your crazy sister, you know," Sokka said and patted Zuko's arm sympathetically, "She told…she told…damn…what's her name?" He cursed as he snapped his fingers. "The tall, scary-looking dagger-thrower?"

"Mai?" Iroh offered with a grin and shrugged when Zuko frowned at him.

"Yeah! Her!" Sokka exclaimed with a nod. "Az-zula told her King Bumi was more…im-important a trade than a mere baby so…what's her name again? Oh, yeah, Mai! She called off...the deal and…and attacked us!" He finished by telling them how Aang returned the baby without anybody finding out.

Zuko looked at his uncle in shock. He knew Mai was not a person to show much affection and care, but he could not believe that she would do such a thing to her own brother, to an innocent child!

"Katara took care of him while he stayed with us," Sokka continued to explain, this time a bit more seriously as he looked at his sister with an affection smile. "Though the group we were staying with told us to get rid of the baby, Katara refused to leave him to fend for himself just because he was Fire Nation."

The three men were silent for a moment before they saw Suki quickly making her way to them with a deep scowl on her face.

"Oh, shit!" Sokka cursed as he tried to move away. "Suki's gonna kill me for drinking too much!"

Zuko smirked and Iroh chuckled quietly as Suki grabbed Sokka by the back of his shirt as he tried to escape and dragged him outside the banquet hall after sending them a quick apology.

Sobering up, Zuko scanned the partying crowd to look for Mai. He spotted her talking to Ty Lee and he frowned deeply before he looked away and his eyes focused on Katara's form. His expression softened as he watched her tilt her head back and laughed softly at something Tom-Tom said. He was amazed that Katara took care of a child from the enemy side, but then again perhaps he was not that surprised since Katara helped anyone who needed it despite who they were. Just like when she was willing to heal his scar even though she still saw him as the enemy.

"Katara will make a wonderful mother someday, don't you agree, Nephew?" Iroh spoke up as he watched Zuko watching Katara.

"Yes, she will, Uncle," Zuko agreed instantly.

Iroh smiled and lightly nudged his nephew's arm with his elbow, tilting his head in the waterbender's direction when Zuko looked down at him.

"Don't just stand there! Make a move already!" Iroh enthused. "Seriously, what is wrong with you young people?"

Zuko reddened lightly and cleared his throat.

"I don't know, Uncle," he began slowly and sighed. "I feel a bit guilty…for both Mai and Aang. Mai loves me and Aang loves…Katara. I just…don't know what to do."

"You want my advice?" Iroh asked quietly. When Zuko nodded, he placed his hands inside his sleeves. "Break up with Mai."

"W-what?" Zuko stuttered at his uncle's blunt response.

Iroh turned a serious eye toward his nephew.

"Tell me, Zuko, are you going anywhere in your relationship with Mai? Do you see her as your future wife? Do you even want her as your wife? Or is Katara the woman you wish to marry and have at your side for the rest of your life?"

Zuko opened his mouth to respond and snapped it closed a second later since he knew he did not need to give his uncle an answer. They both knew what it would be. They remained silent for a few moments as they glanced back at the table where the blue-eyed young woman was sitting. They watched as Mai's parents stomped up to the table to demand their son's return, and to their amusement, they saw Tom-Tom latch onto Katara and begin to scream that he did not want to go back to listening to their boring talks. It was a while later that Katara was able to convince the young boy to go back with his parents, which he did reluctantly.

Iroh gave his nephew a slight push, and if Zuko had not been training for all of his life, he would have stumbled onto the floor and made a fool of himself in front of his subjects. Zuko turned to his uncle and glared at him, but the retired general just gave him a cheeky grin.

"Hurry up and make a move on Miss Katara already," Iroh insisted as his grin grew even larger. "I do want many grandnephews and nieces before I die, you know."

Zuko's face flushed and he quickly turned away when his uncle began to chuckle loudly at his reaction. Squaring his shoulders and smoothing his impeccable formal robes, Zuko determinedly made his way to Katara, his eyes never leaving her enticing form.

Kanna spotted the young Fire Lord making his way to them and she smiled broadly at her granddaughter who gave her a bewildered look.

"I hope you are all having a great time," Zuko said as soon as he came upon the table and smiled at the group before he looked down at Katara.

Katara jumped at the sound of his voice and blushed while the rest of her family enthusiastically answered the young Fire Lord. She caught her grandmother's eye again and her blush deepened when Kanna winked at her.

"Katara?" Zuko asked softly.

"Yes?" she answered as she ordered herself to look at him. Her heart stuttered when he smiled down at her.

"Would you honor me with this dance?" Zuko asked as he reached out his right hand toward her.

Katara forgot how to breathe for a second as she stared in shock at Zuko's outstretched hand. He was asking her to dance! Just like she had been hoping all night since she arrived in the Fire Nation!

"I would love to," Katara accepted with a pleased smile that made Zuko's breath hitch.

Katara placed her hand on Zuko's larger one with a deep, red blush on her cheeks as he pulled her up from the seat. They looked at each other with wide eyes as their hands touched. It was as if their hands knew each other. There was no way to explain the emotions that such a simple touch evoked.

They both tensed when they heard Kanna clear her throat while Hakoda eyed them with a frown on his face. Zuko gave them a small bow before he entwined Katara's arm around his and led her away toward the dance floor while her blush deepened. The loud chatter that had been resonating throughout the room died down to a low murmur as the nobility stared at them making their way arm in arm. Everybody was astounded and the young women were livid for the Fire Lord had refused to dance with anybody else much less asked another woman to dance, and here he was, leading a Water Tribe woman to the dance floor.

Zuko ignored the whispers that reached them since he was already used to it and Katara tried not to let the whispers and dark looks she was receiving ruin her chance to dance with Zuko. The crowd parted for them as they passed and soon they stood in the middle of the dance floor. Zuko brought her before him and they both stood nervously in front of the other as they waited for the musicians to pick up another song. Would this be the right time to confess their feelings for each other?

Once the song began to be played in soft melodies, Zuko took hold of one of Katara's hands while she lightly placed the other on his shoulder as their eyes locked. He brought his other hand to her lower back and moved her closer to him, causing her to blush and let out a small gasp, almost making him groan aloud. Arms about each other, their bodies pressed together, the young Fire Lord and the waterbender moved and began to gracefully sail across the marble floor with the soft music guiding them.

They remained silent for a moment, both caught up in their thoughts, insecurities, and longings, but basking in the moment they had in each other's arms.

Zuko admired the way Katara's long, brown hair swirled around her, how her blue eyes sparkled in the warm light, and he felt his heart constrict in his chest. He cleared his throat as he tried to get rid of the lump that seemed to have gotten stuck there.

"Katara…you look very beautiful," he whispered sincerely.

Katara was sure the blush on her face would not go away anytime soon as she briefly glanced away.

"Thanks. You look rather dashing yourself, Fire Lord Zuko," she said with a smile.

Zuko briefly closed his eyes. Why did it feel so good when it was Katara who said that?

"Zuko? Can I ask you something?" Katara asked slightly hesitantly as they spun around.

"Of course. What is it?" Zuko said as he looked at her worriedly when she looked away.

Please, let it not be about her engagement to Aang, he prayed in his head. I wouldn't be able to take it!

"Why did you leave the Southern Water Tribe so suddenly?"

Zuko let out a mental sigh of relief and relaxed.

"There were…some things I needed to take care of," he replied vaguely.

"Oh," she muttered. "I thought there was something wrong. You acted so weird…so distant and cold. Were you…angry with me?"

"Angry with you?" Zuko asked incredulously as he tried to think back to the way he had behaved and was ashamed to realize that he had acted a bit indifferent toward her.

"I wasn't angry with you, Katara," Zuko told her.

Disappointed and hurt, yes, but not angry, he thought mentally.

"I'm sorry for acting like that. I just…had so many things on my mind," he apologized as he continued to lead her in the dance while trying to forget the pain he had felt that night. "Forgive me?"

Katara pretended to think it over.

"I don't know. Maybe we need to go on another secret mission so I could find it in myself to forgive your rude behavior," she teased before she gave out a mocking sigh, "But since it is your birthday and all, I'll forgive you."

She grinned at him and he chuckled softly. Those that had been watching them closely were shocked to see their usually expressionless Fire Lord smile so broadly and they began to whisper amongst themselves, wondering what Lady Katara really meant to their young lord.

"How do you like the banquet food?" Zuko asked Katara with a small smirk, oblivious to the looks being thrown their way.

"La, the food is delicious! Especially the chocolate strawberry pastries!" Katara exclaimed enthusiastically.

Zuko smiled down at her as his hold on her hand tightened.

"I had a feeling you would say that, so that's why it was the only request I had for my mother to serve for dessert," he told her quietly.

"What do you mean?" Katara asked as she slightly tilted her head to one side with a confused expression that Zuko found quite endearing.

"You really liked that dessert when I took you out to eat at that restaurant in the middle of summer," Zuko replied with another smirk.

Katara gasped.

"You remembered!" she exclaimed as she smiled up at him.

"Of course I remember," Zuko said as he returned her smile, "It was one of the most enjoyable days I spent with you."

Katara blushed at his words and she glanced away shyly.

"It was one of mine, too," she confessed softly.

Zuko's small smile broadened. He twirled her around and then pulled her closer to him before they resumed their dance. He was pleased that she did not protest his actions.

Kanna grinned into her cup of wine while her son and her husband looked at the dancing couple with confused frowns on their faces. Standing along the wall of the room with a slightly drunk Ty Lee, Mai gripped her fan so tightly it almost broke from the pressure as she watched the Water Tribe wench dance with her boyfriend with a sweet smile on her face.

Aang gaped at them with large eyes from the table he was sitting at with Toph, Haru, and a few other people. Toph smirked at the whispers that reached her ears and the vibrations that Katara and Zuko were sending as they danced. She quickly grabbed the collar of Aang's tunic as he tried to make his way over to them.

"Sit your butt back down, Twinkletoes!" she ordered.

Aang glowered at her, but he remained on his seat while he crossed his arms over his chest.

Zuko and Katara were unaware of what was happening around them as they continued with the slow dance. Since Katara was smaller than Mai, Zuko had no trouble as he lifted Katara up with a small grin and twirled her around, her long hair and dress swirling around them. Katara giggled happily and smiled brightly once he settled her back down on her feet and he returned the smile with a small smirk, both unaware that the song had ended and the musicians were playing another one.

With a blush, Katara laid her head on Zuko's chest and smiled when he did not move her away. She sighed happily and closed her eyes as his spicy sandalwood scent reached her nose.

Let me be happy at least for this night, she thought as she pressed her face closer to his strong chest where she could feel his heartbeat.

Zuko felt warmth spread through his body at her action, and without thinking it twice, he rested his chin on her head, inhaling her sweet gardenia scent with a soft sigh. How many times had he wished to hold Katara like this? To have her in his arms? Katara had her head on his chest and he knew his heart was beating like crazy, but if she noticed, she did not say anything.

He moved his head, but pulled back slightly when something cold touched his skin. He glanced down and smiled when he saw it was the rose hairpin. He admired the red and blue gems and raised a hand to touch them with his fingers.

"It pleases me to see you wearing the hairpin I gave you for your birthday," Zuko whispered softly.

Katara shivered as his warm breath caressed her ear before she looked up at him with a smile.

"I thought this day was a good time to wear it so you could see how much I appreciate and love it."

How much I love you, she added mentally.

Zuko smiled at her, thinking that perhaps now was the time to follow his uncle's wise words and confess his feelings for her, but a tap on his shoulder interrupted him before he could speak and he growled under his breath. They stopped dancing and slightly pulled away from each other as if they finally remembered where they were. They turned to see Aang glaring at them, his cheeks red with anger. Katara immediately dropped her arms from around Zuko and looked down at her feet with a blush. Zuko composed himself into his usual impassive mask, but narrowed his eyes at Aang for interrupting them. Again.

"I was wondering if I can have the chance to dance with my girlfriend now," Aang said with a fake cheerfulness in his voice.

Zuko really much wanted to tell the young airbender no and tell him to leave them alone to dance in peace, but before he could say anything Katara stepped around him and grabbed Aang's shaking hand.

"Aang, are you okay? Let's go sit," Katara said gently since she could see that Aang was upset. She was afraid that he might to do something drastic. She looked back at Zuko apologetically.

"Thank you for the dance, Zuko," she said before she added softly, "I really enjoyed it."

"I did, too," he responded as he looked at her, resisting the urge to pull her back and plea with her to stay with him.

Katara smiled before she led Aang away while Zuko looked after her with a small frown on his face. He glowered when Wei made his way toward him with a large smirk on his lips.

"Lady Katara is quite a beautiful young woman," Wei remarked with his smirk still in place.

Zuko did not respond as he took one last glance to where Katara had gone before he turned around and walked away.

---

The hours were long into the night, the celebration was coming to a close, the musicians were playing the last songs, and the guests were leaving to their homes—some with excitement still on their faces, while others sported disappointed looks on theirs since it seemed the young lord had disappeared and thus they were unable to win him over.

Katara slipped away from the banquet hall and slowly made her way toward the silence of the private garden. She was tired. Tired of dancing with a way too cheery Aang, tired of seeing Iroh, Ursa and her Gran-Gran shooting grins at her, tired of seeing Zuko with Mai surrounded by a bunch of moon-eyed girls, but most of all, tired of feeling so sad and alone.

Now all she wanted at the moment was to find some peace and quiet in the Royal Palace Garden with its fresh-scented trees and beautiful flowers. She had really come to love the garden and its cute little turtle-ducks and had missed it when she had left the Fire Nation.

"Katara, wait up!" Aang's jovial voice broke through her thoughts.

Katara groaned, but plastered a smile on her face as she waited for the young monk to catch up to her. Her fake smile disappeared, however, when she noticed that there was something strange with Aang since his cheeks were flushed and his steps were a bit wobbly.

"Where you going?" he asked a bit too cheerfully as he come up to her side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Katara leaned away from him as the smell of alcohol assaulted her nose and she frowned at him, but he did not seem to notice since he was busy smiling broadly at her. Maybe she should not have allowed Toph to take the young monk to get some drinks. Gods knew how tolerable Toph's blood was with alcoholic liquids, but Aang shied away from even taking a sip of wine.

"Aang? Are you drunk?" Katara asked incredulously.

Aang frowned at her before he started to chuckle.

"Nope. I'm just a little bit…how did Toph say it? Oh, yeah! Buzzed!" he said and laughed again. "I'm a bit dizzy, though." He paused for a moment before he smiled at her again. "So were you going to the garden?" he asked as he squinted at the end of the bright corridor.

With a sigh, Katara nodded, but before she could say anything else, Aang grabbed her hand and began to lead her a bit unstably toward the large garden.

"I'll go with you!" he exclaimed happily.

"Thanks, but—"

"I need some fresh air anyway," Aang interrupted a bit more seriously than before.

Katara took a look at the green tint on the airbender's face and sighed as she let Aang lead her outside in a hurried pace.

---

Zuko took a deep breath of fresh air as soon as he stepped into his private garden and leaned his tired back against the cool surface of the wall behind him. The banquet hall was getting too stifling and crowded and he needed some air and space from Mai and the people that seemed to have made it their goal for the day to suffocate him and bore him to the point he wished he could cut off his ears—or much preferably their tongues. He looked across the semi-illuminated garden with a fond smile, but did not venture further than the palace wall.

However, the main reason he escaped to his private garden was because of Katara. After their dance he was unable to stop staring at her, could not stop from admiring the way her hair would swirl around her as she danced, or stop from loving the way her cheeks flushed from dancing, and he was afraid that everybody would notice and would start to question his behavior. He could not stop remembering the way her small body had felt in his arms, how it was pressed close to his, how her sweet scent had washed over his senses.

Zuko shook his head as he felt his heart begin to throb in his chest as well as another part of him below his waist. He needed to leave the banquet hall for a moment because he did not know if he could control himself whenever he looked at Katara. He did not know if he could stop himself from going up to her, tilting her head back, planting a searing kiss to her lush lips, and carrying her to his room without caring what anybody else thought.

He ran a hand down his face, but froze when he heard voices coming from the hall. Zuko hoped for their sake it was not some nobleman and his annoying daughters. Deciding it was best that he did not let himself be seen, he hid behind the dark shadows of one of the pillars that stood beside the garden entrance and remained still.

He watched as two figures emerged from the palace and he tensed. His temper flared as he saw that it was Katara and Aang hand in hand and he quickly looked around to see if he could find some sort of escape. He did not want to stay around and see them get all…cuddly. He grimaced.

Katara watched as Aang shook his head and took a few gulps of fresh air. The green tint on his skin began to fade, but his cheeks were still flushed.

"Do you feel better now?" she asked as she patted his back.

"Yeah," Aang responded as he took one more deep breath before he looked over at her and smiled.

Katara returned his smile, but was unprepared when Aang's arms shot out and wrapped around her. He buried his face in her neck and the smell of liquor on his breath made her dizzy. She stiffened immediately, which only caused him to tighten his hold.

Zuko tensed when Aang pulled Katara to him in a tight hug. He pressed his lips tightly together to keep from growling, but frowned when Katara started to push Aang away with a scowl on her face.

"Aang, let go!" she demanded as she placed her hands on his chest to get him to back off, but he did not budge like she thought he would, instead he shook his head and tightened his embrace.

She realized it was the alcohol that was making him act this way and she sighed.

"You're drunk. Maybe you should go lie down and sleep it off—"

Instead of answering her, Aang slightly pulled his head back before he sloppily kissed her.

Zuko gaped at them before he angrily glared at Aang. It surprised him, however, when Katara snapped her head away and roughly pushed Aang away from her with an angry expression on her face before she brought the back of her hand to vigorously wipe at her mouth.

"What the hell Aang!" she yelled irately as she gingerly touched her lips. "Why did you do that?"

"Because I wanted to!" Aang yelled back at her and flailed his arms in the air.

Katara stared at him in shock. She was expecting him to start apologizing like he always did when his actions went a bit too far, not for him to get angry and argue. She knew it was the alcohol that he consumed that was taking his inhibitions away and was making him be bolder.

"All you ever let me do is hug and kiss you!" Aang exclaimed angrily. "But I want more!"

"What?" Katara asked incredulously and Zuko narrowed his eyes from the shadows of the pillar.

"You know what I mean! I want us to go beyond hugs and kisses!" the airbender growled out as he ran a hand over his bald head.

"Well, I don't—"

"I mean, Sokka has Suki and Zuko has Mai!" Aang interrupted. "You know they do those kind of things, so why can't we?"

What the hell! Zuko growled in his head as he glared heatedly at Aang. Why does he have to bring Mai and me up?

Katara looked away from glaring daggers at Aang at the reminder of what Mai had said back in the flagship about…her and Zuko. She felt her heart ache at that thought and what Aang had said, but she pushed it to the back of her mind as she raised an eyebrow at Aang.

"How do you even know Zuko and Mai…do those kinds of things?" Katara asked.

Aang gave a careless shrug.

"Ty Lee got drunk and she told me that…" he trailed off with a blush and shuffled his foot, "Mai wasn't…getting any from Zuko anymore so that's why she was in such a…uh…bitchy mood."

Zuko gaped at the young monk before he clenched his jaw at the thought that what happened in his private life was being shared around. He glanced at Katara, afraid of what she must think of him now that she knew about what Mai and he had done. He saw his chances for Katara to return his feelings begin to diminish in front of his eyes.

Katara looked away again as her stomach gave a painful twist at the truth before she turned away from Aang and looked across the garden.

"W-whatever Mai and…Zuko do is none of my business," Katara said quietly. "You know my culture's view of such things. Besides, I won't do something that I will later regret just because everybody else is doing them!"

"But Katara I don't want to be with you like that just because everybody else is doing it!" Aang exclaimed in exasperation as he grasped her shoulder and turned her around so she could see him. "I just want our relationship to go to the next level! I love you!"

Zuko resisted the urge to cover his ears. He did not want to be there at the moment, he did not want to see them anymore, and he did not want to hear what Katara's response would be. He squeezed his eyes shut at the turmoil that began to fester inside him.

Before Katara could say anything, Aang forcefully slammed his lips to hers. Katara's eyes widened and she grimaced at the foul taste of alcohol on his breath and mouth. She felt her temper surface when Aang tried to pry her mouth opened with his tongue.

Zuko stared at them wide-eyed and clenched his hands so tightly that his blunt nails almost broke the pale skin on his palms. He felt as if his heart was being wrenched from his chest and he flinched at the pain the scene of the woman he loved being kissed by another man caused him. He clenched his jaw. They were engaged, so it would only be natural for them to be more intimately close, though the thought still angered him beyond reason. He should not have listened to his uncle. He should not have raised his hopes up about there being a misunderstanding back in the Southern Water Tribe because it seemed that what he had seen back then was what it was…Katara had accepted to marry Aang.

Before he could find a way to escape, Zuko noticed that Katara began to struggle viciously in Aang's hold, pushing at his chest with her small hands and trying to pull her head away. He realized that Katara did not want the young monk's affections and he became enraged that Aang ignored her wish for him to release her. Zuko took a step to intervene, but froze when Katara freed one of her hands and slapped Aang across the face.

Aang immediately backed away in shock. When he looked at Katara's hurt and angry face, he came back to reality. He was so shocked at what he did. Guilt and shame quickly began to eat his insides at what he tried to do to her. He was supposed to bring her back to him not scare her away and make her hate him.

He touched his stinging cheek where she had slapped him and he looked at her with horror in his eyes as he tried to apologize.

"Katara…I…I didn't mean…I'm…"

"Just leave me alone!" Katara screamed at him as she spun around and fled deeper into the dark garden.

Zuko watched her go, her hair and dress whipping behind her as she fled, before he looked back at Aang and glared at him heatedly. He sighed quietly and shook his head when tears began to form in Aang's large gray eyes while his shoulders slumped.

"I'm so sorry," Aang whispered into the quiet night, but Zuko was the only one to hear his apology before the young boy turned around and went back inside the palace since he knew Katara would not want to see him at the moment.

Zuko watched Aang leave before he returned his gaze toward the garden where the young woman had run to. He hesitated for a moment as he stepped away from the shadows and approached the grassy edge of the garden. He wondered if he should leave since he wasn't even supposed to hear their conversation in the first place, but he decided to go look for Katara since it was getting very late and the night was chilly. Even though he himself was hurting a bit, he loved Katara and he would be damned if he was not there for her.

Zuko stepped onto one of the stone paths that wound around the Royal Palace Garden and quickly made his way among the many flowers and trees that he had not seen for months. He sighed quietly when he immediately spotted the young Water Tribe woman staring at the pond, sitting at their spot beneath the cherry blossom tree that was now in full bloom. Their spot. It sounded right.

For a few minutes, Zuko remained standing a few paces away and watched her staring at the serene pond with her arms wrapped around her knees that she had brought to her chest while her beautiful hair gleamed under the soft light of the crescent moon and the few lanterns that were lit around the garden wall. With another small sigh, Zuko straightened himself and approached her.

"Katara? Is something wrong?" he asked softly once he neared her. He decided not to say anything about what had happened.

Katara jumped slightly at the sound of his voice. She turned her face away when Zuko slightly adjusted his formal robes and sat next to her, and she quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. How long had Zuko been in the garden? Did he see what happened between her and Aang?

"I'm fine," she replied, her tone emotionless.

She gasped softly when she felt Zuko's fingers touch her chin before he lifted her face to his as he frowned down at her.

"No you're not," Zuko reprimanded gently as he touched her wet cheek with his other hand. "You were crying."

Katara tried very hard to brush his concern aside and tell him there was nothing wrong, but his gentleness and his warm presence was too much for her that tears began to flow freely from her eyes. A soft sob escaped her lips before she lunged herself at him and buried her face on his chest.

Zuko instantly wrapped his arms around the crying woman and began to run soothing circles on her back just like when his mother used to do when he was small and had nightmares. He stroked her soft tresses as he allowed her to cry into his chest while she clung onto the back of his clothes as her small body shook with her sobs. He wished he could hurt Aang so bad that it would render him unconscious for weeks for making Katara cry. He could not help but wish that it were him she was crying for, to distress for, and not Aang—although he would rather not have her cry at all. His heart seemed to be breaking at every sob that escaped her lips, but he just could not push her away and let her suffer alone.

What Zuko did not realize, however, was that Katara was crying not because of what happened with Aang—her tears had nothing to with him. She cried because she could not hold her pain and sadness any longer because of what Aang had reminded her about Zuko and Mai and because Zuko did not love her. How she wished Zuko were holding her to him because he loved her, not because he wanted to soothe her tears away.

A cold breeze blew by, rustling the leaves of the tree above them, which caused the pink and white blossoms to dance their way down upon the pair sitting below wrapped in each other's arms. It was a half an hour later when Katara's tears stopped and her soft sobs subsided. Finally realizing what she had been doing, Katara slowly pulled away from Zuko's warm embrace with a small blush, embarrassed beyond measure for her outburst.

Zuko was reluctant to let her move away from his hold, and so he gently pressed her back onto his chest. He smiled when she settled back down with a blush and watched as she tried to hide the tears that clung to her cheeks. With a small smile, he pulled a silky handkerchief from the inside of his sleeve and quietly handed it to her.

"Thanks," Katara muttered as she grabbed the offered handkerchief.

She almost burst into tears again when she looked down at the silky piece of cloth, recognizing it as the one Zuko had used to dab the hot tea that Jin had accidently spilled onto her hands in Ba Sing Se, but she took a deep breath and wiped the moisture from her cheeks.

"Sorry for crying on you like that. I didn't mean to drench your robe with my tears," she said shakily as she leaned back and tried to smile up at him. "I'm sorry for keeping you from your own party."

"It's okay," Zuko reassured and smiled slightly as he ran his fingers through her hair and shrugged. "I'm actually glad I could escape from it for a while. Besides, you've always been there for me and I will always be there for you when you need me."

Katara looked back down and bit her lip to keep from crying again. Though she knew that it would hurt later if she remained in Zuko's embrace much longer, she buried her face in his warm chest and inhaled his spicy scent.

"Zuko?" she spoke up softly.

"Yeah?"

"Can we…stay like this…for a while longer?" she whispered almost timidly.

Zuko's golden eyes widened and he looked down at the young woman with a blushing face in his arms. He wished he could tell her that she could stay like that forever, that he would be there for her and love her forever, but he refrained from telling her so because it seemed she was still shaken by what happened a few moments ago with Aang.

Katara felt her heart sink when Zuko did not respond right away, so she started to pull away, but she was surprised when Zuko tightened his hold on her and nodded.

"Of course," he finally replied.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

They were silent after that as they sat together under the dark sky in the middle of the grand garden. Both wished they could reveal their true feelings for one another, but so many things had happened that they did not know if they should.

Katara let out a soft sigh as Zuko's warmth surrounded her. She could feel his strong and steady heartbeat beneath her ear, and within a moment, she was lulled to sleep by the sound of his beating heart and by Zuko's long fingers caressing her hair.

Zuko rested his chin on Katara's head as he continued to touch her long tresses. He looked up at the small moon in the dark sky and realized it was getting late. He was not much concerned about his guests since he knew his uncle had probably come up with an excuse for his absence, but he knew Katara's family was probably worried about her. He looked down to tell Katara it was best they went back inside, but stopped when he saw that she had fallen asleep.

With a small smile, he reached his hand to her face and gently caressed her soft skin and then her soft lips. With a sigh, he pulled his hand away before he did anything that would upset her even further. Zuko placed his arms underneath Katara and stood up carefully so he would not disrupt her sleep. He shifted her slightly in his arms so he could have a secure hold on her and her head rested against his neck before he walked away from the cherry blossom tree and the pond.

He cautiously entered the palace, and when he saw that it was empty, he quickly made his way toward the guest room Katara had stayed in before. Luckily, her room was close to the Royal Palace Garden and away from the banquet hall, so Zuko was able to make it there quickly and without any incidents.

Zuko hesitated for a moment once he reached his destination as he recalled the times he tried to avoid that particular room. He brought Katara closer to his chest with a sigh before he awkwardly got the door open while trying to keep Katara in his arms without waking her up. He closed the door behind him with his foot, and with a deep exhale, he willed a few candles to light up. He slowly crossed the empty room before he gently deposited the sleeping waterbender on the bed, remembering the first time he had done the same thing all those months ago.

Instead of leaving, Zuko sat down at the edge of the bed and gazed down upon the peaceful visage of the woman. Katara sighed softly in her sleep, rolled to her side, and pressed herself closer to his warm side. He touched one of her hands, and when she did not stir, Zuko grabbed it and lifted it to his lips, relishing in the feeling of her soft skin.

How he wished he could stay with her, remain by her side and guard her sleep. But he knew such a thing was improper since she was engaged and all, though it still did not make him wish otherwise. He brought her hand to his cheek while he touched her own cheek with his right hand.

He would never be satisfied to be just her friend. As selfish as it sounded, he wanted all of her, all of what she could give for himself only. When she looked up at him, he wanted her to feel the same tightness in her chest that he felt when he looked at her, when he saw her smile, when he heard her laugh. He wanted her to long for him, and only him, when he was away as he had spent countless days longing for her.

Zuko reached for her hair and gently unclasped the silver rose hairpin. He looked down at it for a moment as he caressed the stones with his thumb. He could not even begin to express how pleased he was that she had decided to wear it for this day. After a few more strokes, he placed the hairpin down on the nightstand where he knew she would be able to see it when she woke up. Zuko then turned toward the sleeping Katara and sighed. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead before he moved to her ear as he continued to caress her face.

"I would do anything for your love, Katara," Zuko whispered quietly as he inhaled her scent deeply. "I don't want just your friendship, but your love as well."

He pulled away and held his breath when Katara stirred, but sighed sadly when she became still again as she continued to sleep. He closed his eyes as different kinds of emotions swirled within him.

He remained sitting beside her for an hour or two before he stood up and made his way to the door. With one last look at the sleeping form of the woman he loved but could not have, Zuko opened the door before he closed it quietly behind him.

---

Blue eyes snapped open and a quiet moan escaped Katara's dry lips. Light was pouring from the window and she could hear a few birds singing outside. Looking around the semi-dark room, Katara brought a hand to her head and winced at the pain that she knew had to do with all the crying she had done the previous night. It seemed all she did was cry for the past several months.

She sat up and closed her eyes as the memories of what Aang did and said came rushing to her mind. She knew it was the amount of alcohol he had drunk that made him more daring than usual, but that still did not excuse the way he had treated her. She could not keep up with the way things were, she could not continue lying to herself and to Aang. She needed to have a talk with him. She would end their relationship, a relationship that was not even meant to be in the first place.

Having reached a decision, Katara opened her eyes and sighed as she felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She knew Aang would be angry and hurt at first, but she was positive that in the end he would realize it was for the best and hopefully he would be able to find happiness, for even though she was not in love with him, she did care for him and loved him as one of her best friends.

Katara looked at her nightstand and her eyes widened as she saw her rose hairpin resting neatly in the middle of the wooden surface of the furniture. She picked it up since she did not recall placing it there and then gasped as she then remembered that she had fallen asleep in Zuko's embrace in the middle of the lovely garden after she had calmed down from her crying.

Katara covered her face and groaned.

I can't believe I bawled like that in front of Zuko! What must he think of me?

She quickly shoved the depressing thoughts from her mind as they began to surface for she did not want to relive those moments where the realization of her horrible love life pierced her heart. Katara looked down at the hairpin in her hand and blushed at the memory of Zuko trying to comfort her. She felt a bit bad, though, that he had missed his party just to listen to her cry.

She looked about the room and she knew that Zuko had probably carried her to her room again. Too bad she had fallen asleep and could not enjoy being in his arms like that time when they returned from the prison tower. A soft knock at her door brought her out of her thoughts. The door opened and Jiao entered with a smile on her face.

"Good morning, Lady Katara," the young maidservant greeted and bowed respectfully. "Fire Lord Zuko has asked me to come and see how you were this morning before the breakfast meal."

"Oh…uh…I'm fine, thank you," Katara replied softly as she pulled her covers away. She was shocked to find that she was not wearing her dress from last night but her nightgown.

Jiao turned away from the window she had opened when the young waterbender became quiet and did not move from the bed. The maidservant saw what the woman was looking at, and with an understanding giggle, she proceeded to help Katara stand up.

"I was finishing the last arrangements for your family's stay in the guest rooms last night when I saw Lord Zuko come out from your room while I passed by," Jiao began as she started to fix the bed. "He told me to retrieve your grandmother so she could change you into your more comfortable sleeping clothes."

"Oh." Katara giggled sheepishly as she moved away to let Jiao finish her job. She was amazed that she did not even notice.

Katara watched as Jiao smoothed the covers back onto the bed and fluffed the pillows before she blushed in mortification at what kind of woman Jiao must think she was when she saw Zuko leave her room so late at night. She liked Jiao and she did not want the young servant to think badly about her. What if someone else saw?

"Jiao, about last night…Fire Lord Zuko and I…we didn't…uh," Katara stuttered to explain.

Jiao looked at the blushing young woman and smiled.

"There's no need for you to worry or even try to explain, Lady Katara. Besides, it is none of my business what Fire Lord Zuko or you do," she said with a small shrug. "I understand that in the Water Tribes such things are viewed differently, but here in the Fire Nation, it's not a big deal."

Katara followed Jiao as she walked over to the bathroom and let the water fill the tub before she lit the wooden logs beneath it to heat the water up. Katara murmured quiet thanks as the young servant woman continued to talk.

"Especially among the nobility such things as sexual escapades or virginity do not matter as long as they are kept in secret. It is even expected for both partners to have lovers since most marriages are due to political reasons, not affection, and especially not love."

Katara nodded silently, amazed at how different it was in her culture. She looked away sadly as Jiao smiled at her.

"I-it's just like the…situation between…Lady Mai and Fire Lord Zuko," she said quietly.

Jiao frowned slightly at the dejected tone of the young woman she had come to care for.

"Well…that could be an example. Lady Mai decided to move into the palace a few months ago since her home is so close, almost outside the palace gates," Jiao said before she gave a small shrug. "Though I don't see why Lady Mai is still here since the Fire Lord rarely goes to her or even spends time with her anyway."

Jiao gasped and she quickly covered her mouth as she turned to look at Katara with wide eyes.

"Please forgive me for being so imprudent," she hastily apologized and bowed.

Katara waved her apology away as a large smile broke out on her face.

"It's alright, Jiao," she reassured as she stepped closer to the tub and looked down at the steamy water.

"It actually makes me glad to know this," she whispered softly to herself. She felt like her heart was beating easier now.

Jiao muttered another sheepish apology before she stepped out of the bathroom to lay out some clothes for the waterbender so she could get ready for the day.

Katara stepped out of her light-blue nightgown and entered the bathtub with a soft sigh, her smile still in place.

---

Those that were waiting in the dining room talked excitedly amongst themselves about the happenings from the party the previous night, making a groan or two come out from the Water Tribe warrior slouched at the end of the table as a result of the massive hangover he woke up to. Toph, Pakku, and his father laughed at him and his wife scowled at him gently while she fed their twins with the help from Gran-Gran and Lady Ursa. Ty Lee and Haru were whispering to each other while Mai sat beside the giggling acrobat with a cold look on her face

Aang was oblivious to what the others were talking about as he fidgeted nervously in his seat while they waited for Zuko, Iroh, and Katara to show up. Jing began to squeal loudly as she tried to push away the food her mother was trying to feed her and Aang winced. He knew he should not have allowed the others to pressure him into drinking and now he had a painful headache. The young airbender leaned his elbows on the table and held his head in his hands.

He deserved the pain, though. He felt so horrible at the things he told Katara last night and what he tried to do and he was so ashamed of his actions. What would Monk Gyatso and Avatar Roku think? But he was more concerned about what Katara thought about him now. How was he going to regain her favor after what happened? He did not mean to have acted like that, and he knew part of the blame was the alcohol he had consumed, but he just could not help it. Katara had looked so beautiful in that dress, it just caused his brain to malfunction for a moment. But he knew his actions were wrong. He just hoped that Katara would find it in herself to forgive him.

Aang looked up when the guards opened the large doors and Katara came in with a maidservant walking a few paces behind her while she greeted everybody cheerfully. He smiled at her shakily, but Katara looked away from him and walked around the rectangular table to sit between Hakoda and Kanna. He felt his heart sink at her indifferent behavior and he looked down at the empty plate on the table in front of him.

"I see you had a good night's rest, Katara," Gran-Gran piped in and smiled knowingly at her granddaughter.

"Uh…yeah," Katara said with a small blush.

"Katara," Hakoda spoke up with a small frown, "why did you leave the party without telling us? Where did you go?"

Aang looked up at Katara with wide eyes, but she did not turn his way as she looked at her father.

"I…went for a walk in the Royal Palace Garden to get some fresh air," she replied as she looked down at her hands.

"The room was getting a bit stuffy," Ursa stated as she smiled at Katara. "Now that you mention it, Zuko left his own celebration a bit early as well. Was my son with you? He does like to go to the garden to relax, after all."

Mai's head snapped up at what Ursa had said and she narrowed her eyes at Katara.

"Uh…um…yes," Katara stammered as her blush deepened in color. "Zuko came into the garden a bit later than I did and we…talked."

Mai's glare intensified and she clenched her thin hands tightly while Hakoda raised an eyebrow at his daughter.

Aang stared at her with a gaping mouth. Katara had been alone with Zuko in the garden? Did Katara tell Zuko what he tried to do? Maybe Zuko started to fill her head with things and that was the reason why Katara was avoiding him now more than ever.

The doors opened again and the people sitting at the table turned to see Zuko enter with Iroh grinning madly behind him. The old firebender caught Katara's eye and winked, which almost caused Zuko to roll his eyes and sigh. He had not even said anything about what happened the previous night with Katara, but his old uncle had just looked at him for a moment before he guessed everything right.

Zuko walked to the head of the table while his uncle took his seat at his left.

"Good morning," he greeted impassively as he looked around the table before his eyes settled on Katara and a slight smile curved his lips.

"Good morning, Katara," he added.

Katara stuttered a reply along with the rest of her friends and family as she tried very hard not to blush at the sound of his voice, but failed miserably anyway. She avoided looking at her Gran-Gran when the old woman discreetly elbowed her arm. She ignored the death glare Mai was aiming at her. She could feel Aang staring at her face, but she could not bring herself to look at him.

As soon as the Fire Lord took a seat, the servants moved forward to uncover the plates and trays filled with the delicious breakfast meal while others moved around to pour juice for the Fire Lord and his family and guests.

The serene silence as they enjoyed their meal would occasionally be disrupted when Iroh would make a comment or when the twins would babble and giggle as they tortured their poor father. Nobody seemed to be aware of the tension that was coming from Zuko, Katara, and Aang as they tried to avoid each other's eyes, or the light blushes that would appear on Katara's cheeks when her eyes would meet with Zuko's.

"If you'll excuse me," Zuko spoke up as soon as he finished eating and stood from his seat, "I have some important things that I need to look into. Please enjoy your stay in the Fire Nation."

"We will, Fire Lord Zuko," Hakoda replied with a small smile.

Zuko gave them a small nod, glanced at Katara one more time, and then left the large family dining room and made his way to his study.

"You have such a hardworking young man as a son, Lady Ursa. You must be so proud," Kanna stated.

"Gran-Gran!" Sokka groused and then winced at the volume of his own voice. "Are you saying I'm not a hardworking son?"

Ursa laughed behind her hand as she smiled at the old Water Tribe woman.

"Yes, I'm so proud to have Zuko as my son," she said contentedly. "Although I really wish he could settle down with a wonderful young woman already. I do want grandchildren to dote upon, after all."

"Ah, yes, I know what you mean," Kanna responded as she smiled meaningfully at the Fire Lord's mother before she turned to Katara and patted her hand. "That's what I keep telling Katara."

Hakoda choked on his drink as he gaped at his mother who just grinned at him. Katara flushed deeply at the attention. She saw Aang give her a hopeful look, but she frowned and looked away.

Mai stood up abruptly from her seat and strode away without a single word.

"We should take a walk around the city," Iroh piped in cheerfully as he turned to look at the silent old waterbending master. "What do you say about a game of Pai Sho after we return, my good old friend?"

Pakku's thin lips turned upwards into a smirk.

"Of course, though I must warn you that I have been practicing."

Iroh chuckled as they all stood up from the table and left the room while the servants stayed behind to clean up.

A few minutes later, the group exited the palace gates and entered the city. Kanna's eyes widened at the wealth of the Fire Nation capital, though Hakoda and Pakku were better at covering their awe. Ty Lee grabbed Haru's hand and led him away in a different direction while he followed her with a red blush on his tanned cheeks. Iroh and Toph were walking a few feet in front of them all and were deep in conversation, while Suki took a break and handed her daughters over to Sokka, who groaned miserably when the twin girls began to pull at his small beard.

Katara was talking to Lady Ursa when she felt someone grab her arm. She tensed since she knew who it was and gently moved her arm away from his touch.

"What, Aang?" she asked quietly.

"Katara…I…I would like to talk to you…please," Aang pleaded softly. He was a bit hurt that she had moved away from his slight touch.

"I'll catch up with you later," Katara said as she turned to smile at her family before she turned back to stare evenly at the young monk. "Aang and I need to talk."

Toph was the last one to move away as the others continued walking while they gave each other confused frowns. Once they were out of sight, Katara crossed her arms and sighed.

"Katara…I'm so sorry," Aang began as he ran a hand down his face. "I don't really know what came over me last night and I'm sorry for…for acting like a jerk. I promise it won't happen again," he said as he looked at her with pleading eyes.

Katara nodded.

"Though I didn't like what you did, I forgive you," she said quietly.

She took a step back and held up a hand when Aang smiled happily and moved forward to hug her.

"And, I know you won't do it again because there won't be a next time," she continued.

"K-Katara? What are you saying?" Aang asked apprehensively.

The young woman reached into the pocket of her dark blue pants and pulled out the golden necklace. She reached for Aang's hand and gently placed the necklace onto his palm before she closed his hand over it. Aang gaped down at his hand and then back at her.

"It's a lovely necklace, but I can't accept it," Katara began softly, "We can't be together any longer, Aang. I'm sorry, but I won't marry you."

"No!" Aang exclaimed as he tried to press the necklace back onto Katara's hand. "Please, don't say that! I know what I did was inexcusable, but that's not enough reason for you to break up with me!"

Katara shook her head as she pushed his hand away.

"That was just one of the many reasons why I can't continue being with you," she said with a sigh. She paused as she sadly looked away from him. "Aang, I…I don't love you… Not in that way…I never had and I never will."

Aang froze in shock at her words. He felt like he could not breathe, like the world had suddenly come crashing down on him, like his heart had been broken into a million pieces. He could not believe this was happening to him!

"No! This can't be!" Aang whispered brokenly as tears began to form in his gray eyes.

Katara bit her lip to keep herself from taking back her words and comforting him like she always did. She hated to cause him pain, but she knew that what she was doing was for the best. She needed to do this for his sake and hers.

"I'm sorry, Aang," Katara said gently. "I'm sorry for not telling you this sooner, for not telling you the truth before now, but you would only hurt more if I had continued leading you on and continued with such a lie. I hope one day you can find the person that will make you happy like you deserve."

"Katara, please don't! I don't want someone else! We could work it out! Just give us some time and—"

"Stop it, Aang!" Katara interrupted a bit louder before she shook her head at him. "We've been together for four years and my feelings for you have still remained the same. I can only love you as a friend and nothing more."

"Katara…please…" Aang pleaded desperately as he took hold of her hand, his tears beginning to pour down his face.

"I'm sorry," Katara whispered as she pulled her hand away from him and quickly walked away.

Aang stood in the middle of the street with the golden necklace dangling from his hand, staring dejectedly after the woman he loved with tears falling freely from his gray eyes.

"No," he whispered brokenly.

---

A/N: Aww, the heartbreak.

Thank you for reading!

~alwaysZutarian