So, here is the next installment. This is where things will begin to pick up the pace just a bit! I hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think and where you think this might lead. Also, just wondering, who do you think Zuko's killer is?


Sighing slightly, Katara stood there, the waves rolling up onto her bare legs with a gentle ease. Her hand rubbed her arm tenderly as a cool breeze bristled her flesh slightly, picking up her hair as it did. She knew that she couldn't get caught up in this alternate universe, that she belonged somewhere else and that she needed to find Zuko's killer...but how could she do that? She was hardly ever near him and when she was, he was either rude or awkward.

She missed the old Zuko, confident and headstrong. Always so sure about every decision he ever made...but this one, he was indecisive and it scared her. But what scared her even more was the fact that history would and wouldn't repeat itself. Yue would die; she would become the spirit of the moon once more and would be the loving wife to Tui, spirit of the ocean. That was destiny, but she wasn't certain of was her future with Zuko. Would it be bad, good? Would she end up with the man she loved or would another steal his heart away?

There were so many things she wanted to know, yet no way to find out...unless.
She began to pace in the water, she needed to compile a list of all possible suspects; those were sending her red flags and those who were inconspicuous. She tried to heed the Tui and Yue's warning...if not Mai, then who could it be?

But still, she began to list names off one by one, "There's Mai," she stated, her pacing slowing down a bit as the tide crashed against her leg, "then there's Neara..." she paused, shaking her head, "no, no. Neara was dead long before Zuko," her hands slowly rested themselves on her hips as she tried to think of anyone that would truly wish harm on Zuko.

"Members of the court?" she finally whispered.

It made perfect sense, murdering someone who was about to change the entire traditional order of things by marrying someone of a different social status, let alone cultural stance.

She remembered the night of their engagement party. Tension was in the air as she was greeted by the several different members of the Fire Nation Council. Many who had opposed Ozai and had single handedly handed him over to Zhao were either beheaded or sent to the Boiling Rock, depending on the gravity of their involvement. Even so, the new members who were young and idealistic, those who replaced the corrupted ones, didn't exactly smile upon her and Zuko's marriage.

It was tradition for the Royal family of the Fire Nation to be just that, royal and Fire Nation. Though she was a royal, she was not from the Fire Nation, nor did she bend fire and that was what concerned many. If she and Zuko were to marry, it was expected of her as Fire Lady to produce an heir to the throne, a male. But that wasn't what truly concerned many, no. It was the fact that they were complete opposites, in culture and bending.

If they were to have children, would their children be of fire and water? Would their bending cancel the other out, causing their children to be non-benders? Or would it be this. Either waterbender or firebender? And if it were the heir to the throne, being a waterbender was simply out of the question. The Fire Lord had to be a firebender, true to his people in every way...but how could he be true to his people in every way if he were a half-breed?

Katara of course understood their frustrations and concerns, unlike Zuko who practically told them to shove it down their arrogant throats. She took into consideration of how she would feel, should someone from another culture, country or whatever comes in and begin changing her cultures traditions. She would be furious that such person would be so arrogant and ill mannered to think they could do such a thing...but the thing was, she truly loved Zuko and his people. She would do anything for them, even if it meant giving Zuko up to satisfy their traditional thirsts. But Zuko told her to ignore them. That this was the beginning of a new era.

Could he have signed his own death warrant? Could someone from the council have actually murdered Zuko...because of her?

She didn't want to think about it, but she couldn't rule out the fact that the idea of a council member murdering Zuko due to his new ambitious idealism that would shake the very foundations of Fire Nation culture was a damn good motive. She began to feel guilty...what if it was her fault? What if by loving her, Zuko's life was forfeit?

Tears threatened to break, but she simply shuddered and brushed them back, turning towards the beach to return to the beach house. It was then that she saw him, standing there, a look etched into his features that she couldn't quite place. How long had he been standing there...more importantly, why was he standing there?

As she slowly trudged out of the water, she kept her gaze down at the sand that scuffed across the shoreline, trying to avert her gaze as much as possible.

But it was his voice that brought her up to face him, "Did the party not suit you?" he asked calmly.
She glanced up at him, her eyes glossed over by the tears that threatened to fall earlier and shook her head as she brushed a few strands of hair from her face.

"It was very satisfactory, I just," she paused, taking in a deep breath, "needed some fresh air...and water," she smiled softly, trying to remain calm. Because quite honestly, she wanted to leap into his arms and never let go. She wanted him to make love to her right there on the beach, she wanted so desperately for things to be the way they were...but knew that they probably never would be.

Zuko nodded, "I see," he slowly began to approach her, brushing past her slightly as he gazed out at the very spot she danced with...the man in the water, "you dance beautifully by the way," he whispered.
Katara spun on her heel, her jaw practically falling from its hinges, "W-hat?" she sputtered...how long had he been standing there?

He sighed softly, "Don't make me repeat myself," he glanced her way, a smirk rising on his lips and Katara couldn't help reach out and smack him on the arm.

"You enjoy mocking me, don't you," she asked, her eyes suddenly widened at her action. But he did nothing, let alone seem angered by her light aggression.

His shoulders rose and fell, "It's something to help pass the time," he stated, the wind slowly brushing through his hair.

For a moment Katara stood there, taking him in in every aspect. The silence between them wasn't the hostile, awkward silence that she had shared with him earlier out on the balcony. No, this was peaceful, serene. Much like the times before everything happened.

Subconsciously she sighed, catching his attention, "You alright?" he asked.

Katara nodded, "Yea, just a little tired is all," she faked a yawn as she stretched out her limbs, before running a hand through her hair, "well, I guess I should get going..." she trailed off, hoping that this would be where they parted. But in truth, she hoped he wouldn't allow her to get off so easily.

Zuko smiled as he turned back towards the ocean, "I'll walk you back," he stated, before turning to face her.

"Oh, you don't have to," she said sheepishly, "besides, you are probably being missed by your lady friend as we speak," she muttered, thinking darkly for a moment about the all too appeasing concubine he danced with earlier.

Zuko raised a brow at her, slowly drawing out his response, "Oook," catching her attention once more, "I really could care less who is missing me at the moment," his response caused her to look at him weirdly for a moment as well, "besides, it was dull and I don't care much for dullness."

Katara eyed him for a moment, "So you came out here to speak with me because?" she did it again! Always challenging everything! She didn't even know how this Zuko would react.

But he merely chuckled, "I find you…different," he finally found a word to suit whatever it was that he was feeling about her.

She rolled her eyes, "Yea, different." Her voice sounded harsh and cold and he suddenly realized that perhaps instead of complimenting her, he insulted her. He never was the greatest with girls. Honestly, did people not know who his sister was? He was surprised he hadn't turned away from girls a long time ago.

"Not in a bad way," he sputtered, watching as she quickly caught his gaze, "it's just, well…I don't know what to say," he shrugged his shoulders, "I can tell you that there is a ease in comfort when I'm around you, it's like I've known you my entire life," he began, watching as a soft smile splayed across those smooth lips.

Katara couldn't help but think of how right he was when he stated she knew him, he was too right.

"But I also know that that is absolutely ridiculous!" he laughed out, trying to sooth away the awkwardness he felt surround him.

"I feel the same," she stated, this time catching his undivided attention.

He nodded, "Look, I know before when we first met, I wasn't exactly the kind of person you wanted to be associated with…and I know that I was harsh, but that's because I don't know how to be around new people," he shrugged his shoulders, "and I want to apologize for insulting you…and your people."

Katara's eyes widened, she glanced up at the moon, screaming 'Thank you!' in her mind before looking back at Zuko with a smile, "I accept your apology my lord," she bowed her head slightly, still trying to remember that he was royalty after all.

But what came next surprised her, "You don't have to do that," he stated, coming up, grabbing her hand, "Zuko's my name, not my lord," he wore a curvy smirk that made her heart flutter, "so please call me Zuko."

She nodded, "Alright," she whispered, her eyes roaming down to where they were joined at the moment. A surge of electricity coursed through her veins and momentarily she wondered if he felt the same jolt of energy pass through him. If he did, he did not make any attempt to let her know.

"Come on," Zuko began, "let's get to the beach house," Katara nodded, pulling her hand from his as they began to walk towards the house side by side.


For a while they conversed together, talking about their childhoods, how differently they lived. They talked about their ambitions, their dreams and what it is they truly wanted out of life. It was rather exhilarating for Katara to be honest. He was still the same Zuko, the same man she fell in love with, the one who wanted nothing more than to please his people, but also the world. To find a harmonic balance between the nations and end the suffering. It was a relief that he hadn't changed.

"I just think that the war is unethical," he stated, kicking the sand with his foot, "for years it was about showing the other nations our greatness, but I know that isn't what they see," he looked over at Katara who nodded accordingly to his words, "for example, what is the first thing that comes to you when someone says, 'The Fire Nation?' be honest."

Katara looked away for a moment, thinking through her words carefully, "To be honest," she turned back to face him as they continued to walk, they passed the beach house hours ago, "hatred."

Zuko nodded, "You see, you say that because the Fire Nation has wronged you, people you love and countless others. I don't want the world hating my country! It's not the country that's the problem."

"But that was before I came here," Katara quickly added, "I hated the thought of the Fire Nation, being imprisoned here made me hate it even more…but then," she shrugged her shoulders, "it allowed me to befriend people I never would have thought of befriending. It allowed me to love a nation that I once loathed," but there was so much more she wanted to say, like it allowed me to fall in love with a man I thought was a monster. But she held her tongue. It was far too early to tell him her love for him, he would probably think she was weird and distance himself from her…and that was defiantly not something she wanted.

Suddenly a warm grip came over her shoulder and she looked to see Zuko smiling tenderly at her, "Thank you," he whispered, but she didn't know why he was thanking her, "thank you for giving my nation a chance."

Katara laughed, "It's not like I had a choice!" she saw the pain in his eyes, but quickly added, "But I'm glad that it happened."

"There you guys are!" that annoying high pitched voice broke the calming atmosphere, the moment she and Zuko were about to have.

They turned slowly to see Azula, Ty Lee, Mai and Yue approaching. Katara eyed them all, her eyes remaining fixed on Mai, but then, several other figures came into view…the concubines.

"Zuzu, you really shouldn't leave your whores to their own devices," Azula taunted, inspecting her nails as if they were more interesting than the conversation she was having, "they can be quite, sultry," she winked at him then eyed Katara carefully. Her eyes taking in the outfit Katara was wearing and suddenly Katara felt her heart racing at an incredible speed.

Before Azula said anything, Tyre came out of nowhere, coming up to Katara and slinging an arm around her neck, "Well, now that we're all together again, why not head back to the beach house?"

Katara thanked the spirits a thousand times over and a thousand times again for Tyre at that exact moment. She knew Azula, she knew her cruelty and temper and she hated being on the receiving end of it.

"I agree cousin," Azula began, "I'm feeling tired. But first, I would like to talk with the waterbender wearing my bathing suit for a moment," she narrowed her eyes at Katara before roaming them around to everyone that stood before her, "alone."

Everyone quickly left, no one liked Azula's rage, and if it didn't need to be pointed at them, then they were happy to leave.

'Cowards,' Katara thought as she glared at their retreating forms, noting that Zuko, Tyre and Yue all glanced over their shoulders with apologetic looks.

"So," Azula's disdainful voice drew her eyes to meet hers, "I see you and my brother are finally getting along," she circled Katara for a moment, before standing before her once more, "I'll tell you something. You have guts to rummage through my belongings and just wear whatever your pathetic heart desires," she saw Katara open her mouth to retort her statement, but the glare Azula gave her kept her from speaking, "and I will say, I admire that. I like a strong woman, but don't let it happen again."

Katara quickly nodded as Azula turned away, "Oh and you can keep it. I never really liked that shade of red anyway," with that she began to walk away, leaving Katara alone on the beach.

Watching as she retreated, Katara couldn't help but call out to Azula, "Thank you!" but heard nothing in return. Though she did see the princess hesitate in her walk before disappearing further down the shoreline.

With a sigh, Katara decided to follow the retreating form of the princess, buts something caught her off guard, a voice.

"Lovely evening, isn't it?"

She knew who that voice belonged to, the blood in her body suddenly chilled and she couldn't help but want to drive an ice dagger through his putrid heart. Turning around slowly, she watched as he emerged from the shadows, that smug smirk on his face and those golden feline eyes narrowed in the most disgusting way.

'Zhao,' she muttered under her breath.


Ah, our good buddy Zhao...I really hate this guy to be honest. So, what do you think is going to happen next? If you guess right, I will send the next chapter to you in advance! So, start guessing!