Author's Note: I know the last chapter was kind of a disappointment, I was a little disappointed in myself too. However, I hope that this chapter does a little more than make up for it. Please let me know what you think. Thank you!

Chapter 7: Katara

-TWO WEEKS AND ONE DAY LATER-

"Hey Sugar Queen!" The cheerful, confident voice greeted me as I stepped through the Palace doors. "We've missed you around here!"

"Hi Mud Slug!" I said fondly as she wrapped me in an awkward one-armed side hug. Despite our rough beginning, Toph had become the sister that I never realized I wanted. "How have things been around here? What did I miss?"

"They stopped Zuko from searching for his mother," Toph said in the nonchalant voice I had come to know and love. I didn't realize how much I'd missed the Fire Nation. The heat had a satisfying weight compared to the icy temperatures in the south pole. As the words fell from her mouth, I felt a twinge of sympathy tug at my heart. I knew how much he'd longed to find her. "Up until the council broke the news to him, he was in a surprisingly good mood."

"I should go see him after his Council meetings.I have some things to discuss with him about my visit South." I said. My heart skipped a beat when I thought of seeing Zuko, and I realized that part of the reason I felt more at home in the Fire Nation was because of him. I was excited to see him, despite the awkwardness of our arrangement. "I'm just going to bathe, and get to my mandatory dress fitting."

"You should probably also go see Aang first." Toph threw in as I started up the stairs toward my chambers. "There has been a lot of tension between him and Zuko the last couple of weeks. I think it has something to do with Aang being in love with you." She spoke so casually as though her words held no weight, but her last sentence caused my head to snap up.

"What did you just say?" I asked, feeling the blush rise to my cheeks. "Aang is not in love with me. He gave Zuko and I his blessing." I said, beginning to ramble as my face continued to turn bright red.

"As if you didn't know, Sugar Queen. I'm just saying, you should probably go see him." She shrugged her shoulders. "It's not good for the new Fire Lord to be fighting with the Avatar right after the war ended. It won't be taken very well if it gets out."

"Thanks," I grumbled as I continued up the stairs. I knew that she was right; the people of the world wouldn't maintain their faith in a world of peace if the Avatar couldn't manage to get along with the Fire Lord. As wonderful as a hot bath with flower petals sounded, I knew that I should deal with Aang sooner rather than later.

I passed my door, and continued straight ahead until I was standing outside of the heavy door leading to his chambers. I tapped my knuckles softly on the wood, requesting entry into his room. "Aang?" I asked, my voice quiet. "Are you in there? I'd like to speak to you."

I heard him move behind the door, and it squeaked loudly as he opened it. "Katara? I didn't know you were coming back today." I could hear the guilt in his voice as he spoke and knew right away that he was lying to me.

"Yeah," I said, trying my best not to focus on the sadness in his eyes as he looked me up and down, "I wasn't really needed in the South Pole anymore; many benders from the Northern Tribe journeyed down and helped with repairs." I paused. "As it turns out, I am needed here a lot more. Can I come in?"

As he stepped aside, ready to let me pass into his chambers Toph's words echoed in my head. "What's going on between you and Zuko?" I asked quickly, trying to push Toph's voice out of my memories.

"What do you mean?" He said, his voice cracking. I could hear the anxiety behind his words, and I knew that he would shut down completely if I didn't come right out and say what I meant. Beating around the bush had never worked with Aang.

"Toph said that you and Zuko have been at each other's throats ever since I left." I replied. I hated myself for the slight waver in my voice. "Aang, you know that if the people sense even the slightest amount of hostility between you and Zuko, it could catapult us back into another century long war." I paused and analyzed his face, searching his features for any sense of emotion. "Aang, they have to know that you and Zuko plan to keep the peace, and they aren't going to see that if they see you guys fighting. So what are you fighting about?"

He stared at me like a seal caught in a trap for what felt like an eternity. He sucked in a deep breath and diverted his gaze from mine. "You." He answered simply. At my look of confusion, he began to elaborate. "We have been fighting over you."

"What do you mean you've been fighting over me?" I asked, feeling slightly flattered but more confused. When he didn't answer, despite my questioning stare, I added an inquisitive "Aang?".

"I thought…" He paused, his voice getting softer with each syllable that fell from his lips. His eyes were glued to the floor boards, and I couldn't help but notice the sadness that swirled around his grey eyes. "I thought that we would end up together. We kissed at the Invasion, and again at General Iroh's tea shop after the war.. I thought you wanted to be with me. But then you agreed to marry Zuko."

"Katara," he continued. "I'm in love with you; I thought that you felt the same way."

"Aang," I said softly, not knowing the exact words that I wanted to comfort him. "I love you, too. But I love you like my brother. You're one of my very best friends. I'm sorry." I knew my words were harsh, and I knew that it would break his heart, but I knew it had to be done. "Aang, you know that you and I can't be together that way. This arranged marriage to Zuko is what is best for the Water Tribes and the Fire Nation. I have to do this for my people, and Zuko has to do it for his."

"You gave Zuko your blessing." I added softly, searching his eyes. "I know he spoke to you after I agreed to marry him."

"You don't love me like I love you? You love Zuko?" he asked, and I could hear the pain in his voice.

"I-I… It's not that easy, Aang. " I said, stumbling painfully over my words. I could feel the tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, and I hated myself for it. "Zuko saved my life in our battle with Azula on the day of the comet." I had never told him this before, and even as the words fell out of my mouth, I could feel the slight blush that rose to my cheeks. "Something changed between us, and I can't explain it."

I stared down at him, tears streaming down my face. The water warmed around my hands that I placed on his chest, trying to channel every ounce of my strength into healing him. He had taken a bolt of lightning that was intended for me, and now he was lying on the ground dying before my eyes. I could feel his heart beat weakly, a drastic contrast to the heart hammering in my chest.

"Zuko," I whispered, my voice wavering. "Please, wake up." How I wished I had more water from the spirit oasis in the North Pole. I felt the tears stream down my face as the water swirling around my hands began to glow. I gasped as I studied his face. His amber eyes cracked open slightly.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as he lifted his hand and placed it on my arm. "Thank you, Katara."

"I think I'm the one who should be thanking you." I said softly. The water around my fingertips stopped glowing and slipped out from under my palms and slid slowly down his chest. He strained to sit up, and I could see the pain in his features. I wrapped my arms around him gingerly, "You saved my life, Zuko."

"I couldn't let her hurt you because of me," he said weakly. "I never want to see you get hurt, Katara." I studied his face, and before I knew what was happening he leaned up slowly and pressed his lips to mine. Surprised, I thought about pulling away but my lips warmed against his and I realized how much I enjoyed having his lips on mine. My eyelids fluttered closed, I breathed in his scent, and sank into the kiss.

"What do you mean something changed?" Aang's voice startled me out of the memory that had washed over me.

"I haven't really thought much about it since." I said truthfully. " But it doesn't matter. It's my duty to the world. Just as it's your duty to the world to attempt to get along with Zuko. Can you please do that? For me?" I knew that it was unfair for me to ask him to put his feelings aside, and that I was putting an unquestionable burden on his shoulders by asking him to pretend they didn't exist.

He sighed and I could see the tears glisten in his eyes. "I guess so." His voice was quiet, and I felt incredibly guilty as I excused myself from his room. I knew that the next stop I had to make before I could settle down for the evening was seeing Zuko to discuss the expectations the Water Tribe Elders and I had discussed when I was in the South Pole.