A/N: Oops. Fell into another Zutara ficlet! Less canon compliant and more ship obvious. Three short and sweet chapters.

"Fire and water are inherent opposites and it is just this which causes rebirth"

"Katara, hold still!"

Following her spoken request, Suki forcibly yanked the brush in her hand through Katara's hair. Her stubborn waves resisted its bristles, causing the brush to snag and Katara to wince from its pull. She didn't fault Suki for her impatience – she was trying her damndest to have them presentable for the ball this evening.

A ball. Katara inwardly groaned. She wasn't usually one for overtly extravagant festivities.

Lavish gown pieces of reds, maroons, black, and gold were haphazardly scattered about the palace guest room they shared. A full year following the conclusion of the Hundred Years War, the event this evening would be hosted by the Fire Nation. It was to be a celebration of the progress made between nations towards a bright future, one of prosperity and peace. In an impressively short amount of time, the Fire Nation had paid reparations to its counterparts, seeking atonement for the suffering and loss they had caused over generations. It was no small task, but the nations' leaders, inspired by the Avatar's merciful victory, sought to converge their talents and resources to create something new.

The Fire Nation's new leader had made it all possible. In his letters to Katara, her dear friend would describe all the ideas and plans he and Aang had – even concepts of a new city, where citizens would migrate from all corners of the world to live harmoniously together. Katara reminisced how Zuko's sheer excitement seemed to float off his words scribbled onto the pages. As frivolous as she predicted this evening would be, she found solace that the Fire Nation's own Lord was possibly dreading it more than her. Katara smiled to herself: it would be good to see him again, it had been too long.

She also mildly wondered if Mai would be attending. Zuko had not mentioned her in any of his recent letters – not that she would ever admit she noticed his omission.

"You're awfully quiet Katara." Toph observed, almost accusingly. She was lounging a top one of the room's plush velvet chairs a few feet away, bare toes wiggling. They had all been received earlier that day by an eager Iroh, who was visiting from his new home in the Earth Kingdom, but had made sure the three of them were comfortably settled in their royal arrangements - complete with fruit and tea baskets in each hand. Sokka and Aang were just across the hall in their own room.

"Am I?" Katara asked innocently, careful to mask her expression. Toph tossed a small piece of fruit above her head, nonchalantly catching it in her wide open mouth.

"Yeah," Toph huffed as she chewed, flopping onto her stomach. She cupped her chin with her hands, giving off the appearance of observing Katara with her milky white eyes. "You nervous?" She asked in a teasing sneer.

"Why would I be?" Katara quipped back, willing her voice to be as even as possible. She flinched once again as Suki's fingers diligently worked on the braided crown that circled the top of her head.

"Hmmm," Toph feigned speculation, to Katara's annoyance. "I could think of a few reasons why," she teased coyly. In spite of herself, Katara's stomach twisted uncomfortably. "I heard royalty suits him – though," she drawled, dramatically flipping her long hair from her face. "I much prefer him scruffy myself. His hair pulled back is too clean cut for my liking."

Katara opened her mouth to protest – and also express confusion as to how Toph could see such things - but was promptly shushed by Suki.

"Toph, don't tease," she lectured. Suki rounded in front of Katara, gently clasping the bottom of her chin with her thumb and forefinger, studying her face. She tsked softly. "I can't possibly pick the correct shades with her cheeks so flushed."

Suki took a minute to assess her work before leaning in close, speaking low enough with the intention of speaking for Katara's ears only. "Don't worry – your secret is safe with me and your brother." A wink.

Katara inwardly groaned again. Sokka too? Was it that obvious?

A displeased sigh broke their shared moment.

"I'm blind not deaf."

A/N: Ah. My last fic was so fun to write and explore these characters but didn't have enough dialogue! This fic clearly diverges from canon and has a little bit more fun with Zutara. I hope you find this as fun as me - drop a review to let me know what you think! This will probably be the shortest of the three.

xox rose