Author Note: Hellooo! I am excited to bring more stories to life here!

I am rating this T for now, but to be honest, it might go to M later. I have a pretty good idea of what's gonna happen in this… and I warn you. This is very angsty. This is very Kataang, but I'm not gonna call it "fluff" because well, it's a pretty dark story (I swear something is wrong with my imagination).

This takes place 1 month before their wedding, (about 11 months after the end of "The Proposal")

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters – they belong to the powers that be – Bryke!

You Can't Leave Me

Chapter 1: Threat

"I am so sorry, Firelord Zuko. We have searched every inch of the Fire Nation. We came up short, as usual."

Zuko sighed and buried his face into his hand. "She couldn't have gotten far. She does not have a ship, airship, or any other way of getting across the water. Surely she is hiding somewhere here."

"With all due respect sire, your sister is an expert manipulator. You know better than anyone how resourceful she can be. I can send a message to some of our soldiers in Yu Dao to start searching parts of the Earth Kingdom, if you want. But searching the Earth Kingdom will be much harder."

Zuko paced from side to side, opting to not sit on his throne. His mind raced with idea of what was going on. Azula had not been seen for years. Not since the situation during the New Ozai Society's uprising.

"General Lu Wing, what do you suggest? You have far more years of experience with this kind of problem. You have my Uncle's full support and trust, which means you have my trust."

"Lord Zuko, if we send too many Fire Nation troops on this search, I'm afraid we might cause some Earth Kingdom residents to worry you are plotting something. Unfortunately, even though you have been a wise leader, the other Nations still have their…reservations."

"You're right," Zuko said, now straightening his stance, "we need to send a small, elite team to track her down." He sat down, eyes at the floor, contemplating this situation. "You have been working hard, general. Take a week off. We will resume once you get some time in with your family."

The general bowed to Zuko and made his way out of the throne room, leaving home alone to his thoughts.

"The fact that you haven't heard from Azula for a few years can mean many things, Zuko." Iroh's voice rang in Zuko's mind. "While I hope it is because she wants to live a life of seclusion, I fear that is the least likely reason we have not heard from her."

Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose. Maybe he was over thinking it. Maybe Azula wasn't plotting anything. But even as he said that to himself, he realized he couldn't remember that last time she wasn't plotting something –

"Zuko," he was interrupted by someone entering unannounced, startling him. He turned to see Ursa, worry etched on her face as she approached him. Zuko walked down from where he sat as he hugged his mother. "Are you okay? Things have been so peaceful around here for the last year, yet you still seem so worried."

He hung his head, realizing that he had spent a lot of his time dwelling on the location of his sister.

"You're trying to find your sister, aren't you." Ursa's spoke with a tone of sadness.

"Yes, but I'm afraid it's not because I'm worried for her safety. I'm worried she is plotting something."

Urse gave him a sad smile and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I've been thinking the same thing too. Is that why you have been sending troops out? To search for her?" She moved her hand up and softly placed her hand on her son's scarred face. "Are you worried she is going to try to take the Fire Nation again?"

Zuko shook his head. He fully believed she had moved on from that. The problem was, now that he felt she wasn't trying to take the throne from him, he couldn't figure out what she possibly could be doing. He took a deep breath before raising his eyes to the level of his mother's. "Maybe I am over thinking this. She doesn't want to take the throne any more. Maybe she has decided to just live life away from all of us. But I can't shake the feeling that something else is going on."

Ursa smiled once again at her son. "Zuko, take a break from it. Whatever she could be planning, you and your friends can handle it. But if you're this worried about it, maybe it's time to call upon the help of the Avatar."

Zuko raised his head, eyes wide. The mention of Aang sent a shiver down his spine, realizing Azula's plan was right in front of him all along. He quickly hugged his mother and began to walk out of the throne room.

"Zuko, what is it?"

"I need to send a hawk to Aang. I think I know what Azula is planning."

Ember Island

The day was warm and sunny. Katara and Aang were lying on the beach, soaking the sun. This was the first vacation they had ever taken, just the two of them. And Zuko had been so kind as to let them use his vacation home on Ember Island.

The house came with the island's best security and own private beach, giving Aang and Katara a secluded place away from the hustle and bustle of the inner town.

"I could stay here forever," Aang sighed. His arms were relaxed behind his neck as he stared up at the clear, blue sky. Katara had her head laying on his chest as she traced the definition in his body with her fingers.

"Wouldn't that be nice," Katara said with a daze.

"Katara," Aang whispered, tilting his head to look at his soon to be wife. "You are so beautiful."

She blushed, "You're not so bad yourself," she smiled as she rolled over, placing her lips firmly onto his. He melted back, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I love you so much," he said in between breaths, "so, so, so much."

"I love you forever and ever," Katara replied, picking herself up and rolling over. Aang moaned at the movement, not wanting to stop. "Why'd you stop," he asked with a hint of playfulness.

"We should probably get some food, sweetie."

He sighed and sat up, nodding his head. "You're right. Let's go inside."

The two walked up the beach hand and hand as they arrived at the house. "Avatar Aang, welcome back," one of the guards said with a bow. "This message just came for you from Fire Lord Zuko."

Aang sighed as he took the parchment out of the guards hand. "Aang," Katara said from behind him, "I thought we told Zuko to not send us anything. We're on vacation."

Aang looked curiously at the message, but did not unwrap it. "I sure did," he said.

"I'm sorry sir," the guard said, feeling a little embarrassed at himself. "I know you didn't want any messages. But this is a black ribbon message. In the Fire Nation, that is the highest tier of urgency. I thought you might want to read it."

Aang returned the bow, and he and Katara made their way into the house before opening the message. They took a seat in the open living room, before Aang unrolled the scroll. Both Katara and Aang looked before them with worry written all over their eyes.

The words in the message cause Aang's breath to catch in his lungs as his eyes grew wide. Katara, who was trying to read it but couldn't quite make it out, placed a hand on Aang's shoulder. "What does it say sweetie?"

"Zuko thinks Azula is coming after me again."

Author Note: Okkkaaayyyy I know this is short, and I'm sorry! I kind of wanted to be mean and leave it on somewhat of a cliffhanger. Shoutout to everyone who read "The Proposal" – cause I might or might not have foreshadowed this…

Anyway, like, review, follow! All the fun stuff! I'll be back!