Hello! :D :D :D

Thank you to the following people for helping with ideas for the previous chapter and this chapter too: Ana-DaughterofHades, Ravynne Queene of The Lily and Zutarafan1992.

Also, thank you to everyone who commented on the questions, it really helped a lot. I am extremely grateful, so thank you all :D

This chapter is extra long, to make up for the late updating the past few months. Also, I am trying to make this story less than fifty chapters, so that beginners will be more willing to read it. Also, I may not be able to update for a couple of weeks due to exams, but I will try :D

Also, at the bottom of the A/N, I will have three, or more, questions for you all, about the chapter, and this fanfic in general. I'm thinking of doing it for all future chapters as I feel like it will help get a better idea for improvements, and will also give people an excuse to review :D

Disclaimer: I don't own A:TLA, most ideas are either mine, or have been offered by friends and reviewers :D

Chapter 27

AANG, SOKKA AND TOPH...

Toph couldn't sleep.

She could feel the footsteps of something, no, someone. She stood up, just as Sokka let out a loud snore.

"Damn Snoozles." She muttered, as she walked slowly, towards where she could feel the steps. The Earthbender slowed when she had reached the river side.

"Oh! Why hello there!" Toph was greeted by an old man with a white beard and a long cloak. He was holding a small cup of tea, and was sipping from another.

"Who are you?" Toph said, walking towards the older man and sitting next to him.

"Why I'm Iroh!" The old man smiled at the Earthbender. "Would you like some tea?" He asked, pulling out different sachets and naming them.

"Yeah, sure." She replied casually.

Toph wasn't the sort to be intimidated by people. She talked with Iroh as they both sipped their Ginseng tea and spoke of Toph, The fire nation and Zuko.

"My nephew is just mislead." Uncle Iroh smiled at the girl. "But I have a feeling he'll realise what is right soon." Iroh smiled to himself knowingly. He had a feeling that the waterbender would change the prince, for the better.

"Yeah." Toph grinned at Iroh, "You can come back with us if you want. I'm sure my friends won't mind."

IN THE MORNING...

"You thought I wouldn't mind?" Sokka screeched, as Aang sent a glare at him. "He is from the FIRE NATION, he is that stupid prince's uncle."

"Sokka, he's not bad, in fact, he wants the war to end." Aang looked at Iroh. "You're welcome to stay with us Iroh."

"What!?" Sokka yelled.

"Yeah, he's not the bad guy Snoozles." Toph replied, as she bended a small rock to hit him.

"Ouch! Fine." Sokka muttered, and sat down.

"Do you have any food?" He asked Iroh, who smiled in return.

"No, but I have tea!" He grinned, as Aang and Toph laughed. Sokka couldn't help but smile too.

ZUKOKATARAZUKOKATARAZUKOKATARAZUKOKATARAZUKOKATARAZUKKOKATARAZUKOKATARA

Zuko awoke to the sound of children laughing and music playing. He looked over and saw that the waterbender wasn't next to him.

"Katara?" He mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he stretched. He hadn't slept so peacefully in a while, it felt... normal.

Just as he stood up, the young waterbender came walking through the door, her hair dripping water. She was wearing the red outfit that Ling had picked for her yesterday. The golden chain design hung on Katara's arms beautifully, and the loose pants made her look princess-like. He remembered how his mother would sometimes wear clothing like that, and he smiled momentarily.

'She's beautiful...'

'What?! No, she isn't...'

'Then why are you staring Zuko?'

'I'm not, I was just...'

'Whatever.'

"Where are the showers?" He asked, as Katara looked up at him.

"Oh, they're downstairs, turn left and you'll find them." Katara smiled at the prince.

The prince left, and found the showers himself. After having showered, he walked back to the room, to find that the girl had braided her wet hair and was sitting on the windowsill.

Just as he was about to ask whether she wanted to go outside, Ling walked inside.

"Hello, and Good morning!" She yelled, rushing over to Katara. "Why, aren't you two going to go outside? There are loads of stalls and you can buy all sorts. Also, today is the Fire festival!"

"Wait, Fire festival? Isn't this Earthbender land?" Katara asked, confused slightly.

"Well, yeah, but the fire nation has taken over this area for a while now, so whatever they celebrate, we celebrate. We can't fight them, because we aren't allowed to bend." She explained, and Katara could sense the sadness in her voice.

"What? So you don't bend?" Zuko asked, listening carefully.

"Well, we can't. After having so long to not bend, we have become weak. Of course, I can still bend, I just don't do it around those firebenders." She muttered, but then looked back at the two teenagers.

"Sorry, don't mind me. One day, we'll be free. The avatar will help us." She whispered, as Zuko clenched his fist.

"Anyway, I expect to see you both downstairs in ten minutes. I'll tell you some great places you can visit." She left the room, as the prince glared at Katara.

"Why does everyone rely on your pathetic avatar so much?" He asked, turning to Katara.

"Hmph." She replied. "First of all, he's not my avatar. Second, he's going to save the world Zuko. If he defeats your father, then the world will be safe. All the nations will be able to live in harmony again." She smiled at the thought, all nations happy and no wars.

"The fire nation isn't trying to ruin the world!" Zuko argued, as Katara gave him a look that clearly showed him that he was lying.

"Listen, I don't want to argue today. Can we please just go downstairs?" She walked out of the door without waiting for an answer.

"Damn her." Zuko muttered, but followed her as they arrived at the small breakfast room.

After having eaten, they were ushered outside by Ling, who insisted they treat it like a 'date'. When out of earshot, Katara frowned at Zuko.

"See? This is what happens when you lie." The waterbender said to the prince. "What next? She'll ask us to get married here too?" She mumbled to herself, looking around at the busy street.

"What was that Kara? You want to get married here?" Zuko said out loud, causing a couple of heads to turn.

"Zuk-Lee... Shut. Up. Stop acting like a child." Katara smiled at the people, who looked away, whilst still glaring at the prince.

"What was that Kara you want to have my childr-"

"Shut. Up."

Zuko was stopped by Katara's hand covering his mouth. They both paused momentarily, as their eyes clashed. Blue against amber.

Realizing that her hand was on the prince's mouth, Katara removed it quickly, her face tinted red.

"I-I'm going to the erm... jewellery stall." Katara mumbled as she quickly walked towards a bracelet and necklace stand. She had a small bag of money that she and the prince had split earlier, so she walked, taking that along with her.

Zuko smirked as Katara walked away. He didn't know why, but he felt a weird emotion now that he and the waterbender were okay. He felt like he was able to laugh. Like he was... allowed to be... happy.

The past few years, Zuko had spent in anger and annoyance. He hadn't gotten the chance to talk to people, to smile, to laugh. Now, he suddenly felt like it was okay to smile. Zuko knew that the feeling wouldn't last, but he decided to make the most of it if it was there.

He walked over to Katara, who was trying out different bracelets, and was trying to figure out which necklace to buy.

"This one." Katara felt a warm breath tickle her neck, and she turned around quickly.

"Zu-" Cough, "Lee..." She whispered back, moving backwards. Her foot caught on a stone, and she fell back, shutting her eyes tightly and letting out a small squeal.

Katara opened one eye when she realised that she hadn't fallen. Instead, the prince had one hand around her waist where he had caught her.

The waterbender's eyes widened, as amber clashed with them again. The prince suddenly let her go, as he seemed to get back to his senses. Katara fell on the ground with a small thud, and she glared up at the firebender.

"What was that for?" She yelled, as she stood up.

"What? Don't think that I have begun to like you... Katara." He whispered, her name sending a shiver down her spine.

"Hmph. I didn't." She replied, and went back to picking a necklace.

Zuko picked up a necklace, that had a circular sphere at the end of the chain. There was a bright blue wave at the bottom, and a flame above it. The two colours clashed well together, making the chain look beautiful.

"This one." He said to the man who was selling it. "She wants this one."

Before Katara could protest against what the prince wanted, he had already paid for it and had pressed it into her palm.

"You didn't have to pay for it Lee." Katara said, once they were away from the stall.

"I didn't." Zuko smirked and held up her money bag. "I paid half the price from your bag, and half from mine."

Katara glared at him. Of course, why would the prince possibly pay for it himself. She smirked to herself slightly, at how smart the prince was.

"What? Would you have wanted to pay alone? It was quite pricey." He smirked as Katara gazed at him questioningly.

"Why are you being so... nice?" She asked, smirking back at him. "You're not yelling at me, or trying to hurt me."

"Would you like me to?" Zuko retorted, as Katara shook her head.

"No. It's just, I found it different..." She trailed off as she tried to hook the necklace onto her neck, but was struggling.

"Here." Zuko leaned towards Katara, as she squirmed backwards a bit.

"Stay still." He mumbled, as he hooked the clasp behind Katara's neck.

The waterbender could smell Zuko's scent, and could feel his warm breath on her neck. She tried her best not to move, as she didn't want to make this more awkward. She felt her cheeks tingle, and she knew she was probably blushing again.

"There." He said, as he moved back.

Katara looked down at the necklace and gasped.

"It's beautiful." She whispered, and then coughed, "I mean, it's quite nice. Um... thanks." She looked away from the prince, who also avoided her gaze.

'What's wrong with me?'

'You like her.'

'No. Never. I'm just being civil, maybe then she'll agree with me, and help me find the avatar.'

'Yeah yeah...'

"Zuko?" Katara broke the prince's train of thought.

"Hmmm?"

"Should we eat? I'm starving." She asked, as the Firebender also felt his stomach grumble.

"Fine."

They found a small cafe, and they sat down at one of the tables. The cafe was not filled with people, just a few couples and a group of boys.

"You know, Katara, my uncle has always wanted to open a tea shop here. Somewhere where no one would trouble him." He sighed, as he remembered his uncle.

"Where is he?"Katara asked, as she too was reminded of the old man.

"I left him on the ship when I went to um... save you." He mumbled.

"Yeah, but is he still there?"

"I dunno. I hope so. I told him not to leave." Zuko replied.

The two teenagers spoke to each other for a while, until a guy, sitting on the other table came over to them as Zuko pulled his hood around his face so that his scar was hidden.

The boy seemed to be around the same age as Zuko, maybe a year younger.

"Hello." He smirked at Katara, "What's your name?" He asked, leaning closer to the waterbender who gave him a disgusted look.

"It is not of your business." Zuko growled at the teen.

"Ooooh... are you her boyfriend then?"

"He's my fiancé." Katara glared at the guy, wanting to get rid of him.

Instead of leaving, the guy then proceeded to grab Katara's hand.

"Babe. Just give me a chance." He whispered.

Just as Zuko was about to punch him, a hand grabbed the guy and turned him around.

"How dare you touch her like that!?" The person yelled. He pushed the guy away, who then ran back to his other friends.

Katara looked up to see who the person was, and gasped.

"Oh my god..." She whispered as Zuko looked at them both, confused...

Cliffhanger! I hope you all liked the chapter, don't worry, I'll have the next chapter up soon :D

I'll reply to the reviews and then please answer the questions I leave down below

Texasface: I'll see if I can find any quotes to fit in with the current situation. I'll also try and use words instead of numbers. What did you like about this chapter? Hope you review again :D

Zutarafan1992: I'm glad you liked the chapter :D Haha, thanks, I'm glad you like my writing too :D I'm not that good *smiles modestly* at the romance, but I guess all the reviewers helped quite a bit too :D Yay! I hope this one was even better :D Haha, lol #TeamMushy :D You're welcome Thank for the review, hope you review again xx :D

Ana-DaughterofHades: A lot of people are saying that this was the best chapter :D I'm glad you liked it :D Haha, yeah, there will be more Iroh soon, I just thought to add on the Zutara Of course I used your idea, it was amazing, did you like how I added to it in this one? Yup, I used your idea again, it was really good, thanks for all the help, I really appreciate it :D Thanks for the review, and ideas, hope you review again x

Dee809: (Your review on Ch1) Thanks :D Hope you read ahead and review too

i love zutara: (your reply for Ch 3) Okay, first of all, you have commented on my friend Zutarafan1992's story, and you literally said that you weren't hating, but she was a bad writer. You also spelt your wrong (just saying) I get that you aren't being that mean, but your way of criticising can be hurtful. I mean, saying someone's story is not amazing, and that they need to write better isn't really that nice now, is it? We all appreciate criticism, but maybe you should be kinder in your reviews I didn't mean to offend, but it had to be done, as you almost made my friend stop writing her story.

Okay, now the questions. It may be more than three, but please do take the time to answer them.

How was this chapter overall? You can rate it out of ten if you want. :D

Who do you think id the mysterious new character? Just guess Whoever guesses right will get a special thing, note whatever you wanna call it, at the bottom of the chapter. :D :D :D

Did you like the Zutara? You can comment some ideas, I appreciate all help. I am looking for ideas

Correct any grammar mistakes if you found any

Are they any ideas, or some things that you would like to see in this story? If so, just review :D

Anyway, here is the cool quote :D

"Never lose sight of who you are. Stand up for yourself." - Zuko

Also, I won't be able to update for at least a week, as I will be extremely busy, and I have exams, again Sorry

Anyway, please do favourite, follow, review and...

Enjoy!

Zutara1267

:D