AN: I started this story many years ago with an idea, a somewhat political agenda, and a love for Zutara. After so long, I can't believe that this is finally coming to an end. Not many have followed this story, but for those of you that have stuck around, I want to give you the biggest thank you. I continued writing this story because I purely loved doing it. Creating this world and the relationships has been a big part of my own personal journey these past few years as well. Again, thank you for making it this far and I hope you'll enjoy what I have in store for you. Best wishes ~ rephiamluvers123

Chapter 31: Belonging

3rdPOV

"Katara was a beautiful woman." Zuko started, the tears already falling down his eyes and down the eyes of his children. "She was strong, independent. There was nothing she couldn't do. When I was at my lowest point, she brought me back to life. She gave me the fire in my belly to fight for my people, to fight for my family."

Zuko had ages significantly. He could feel his skin sag off of his face, his hair was long and white. But, he kept great posture, and he was poised in a way that a leader was meant to be. His two children stood next to him, side by side. His grandchildren sat in front of them in the front row of the crowd. One of them holding his first great grandchild, born almost immediately after Katara had passed in her sleep.

"She would probably laugh at the idea of dying so peacefully, considering how much she was fighting. She fought me on almost everything!" A small chuckle resonated through the crowd. "But she was the best wife, the best mother, the best grandmother, and the best ruler this nation has ever seen. If not for her by my side, I don't know how we would have become the Fire Nation we have become today. If not for my beautiful… wonderful…" Zuko began to choke up, but did his best to keep it down. "She once told me that I would be meant for great things. She told me how much it meant to fight for the people that needed it the most. And at first, I was scared. I was scared of losing her, and losing others I cared about. But she was the fiercest woman you'd ever encounter, and her spirit shall remain here forever, casting a glow upon our people for generations to come."

There was an urn on top of a podium and Zuko reached up and hugged it. Allowing himself to be vulnerable in front of close friends and family. He cried deeply as he held onto his wife. "Katara. I already miss you so much. I have no idea what I'm going to do. Have you met our family? They are fucking crazy!" He whispered at the metal urn. After a few silent moments he let go of the urn and moved to allow his children to speak. But, he could barely hear them. He loved his children, and knew that what they had to say was important, but he simply sat in shock as the weight of Katara's missing soul finally caught up with him. He never thought she would be the first one to go, but she had a knack for leaving him behind in the most drastic situations.

Zuko would be flying a plane with his children, Suki and Toph to the Southern Water Nation to spread her ashes in the ocean. But first, they had this funeral between close friends and family. Then, a huge parade to celebrate her passing and her soul being accepted into the spirit world. Aang was there to do a blessing, but he was heartbroken, having never found love after Katara, and no doubt still holding feelings. When he arrived he hugged Zuko harder than he ever had before.

"I don't know how to get past this." Aang admitted. They had grown closer over the years, helping each other out. Aang had finally become a monk on the council of the Air Nomads, and was able to convince them to open their borders and culture to the rest of the world. They often took diplomatic trips together when trying to put together the broken pieces of the political system in the Fire Nation.

"I think at this point, I'm just waiting for us to be re-united. We will all be together some day in the spirit world." Aang nodded.

They walked side by side together in the parade. While some wanted him to sit on a throne, being the king, but he chose to stand and walk along with all of the other council members that made up the Fire Nation Council and the Prime Minister.

Zuko felt similar when his uncle had chosen to give up his worldly form to live amongst the spirits. A part of his soul would be leaving him.

Suki had chosen to wear her Kiyoshi warrior ensemble. She was amongst her own children and grandchildren. Zuko realized just how old they had all gotten, and how so few of them were left. He wondered if their true stories would ever be told again. Who would be around to make sure that everyone remained peaceful? Were his children really ready to take on such a responsibility?

He felt two firm hands clamp onto his shoulders. Almost as if summoned by his thought, Ki and Ursa were at his side. Their tears gone, instead faces of love and sympathy, looking at their withered father mourning the loss of his wife. He ever so slightly leaned back into their touch, forever grateful for their love.

When he did eventually arrive in the Southern Water Tribe, all of Katara's friends, family, and others who knew of her legend and of the work she did for her home gathered to see her departure. Zuko did his best not to shed tears, but to show strength and love as he opened her urn and let her fly amongst the waves of her home. The crowd were arm in arm, hands resting over each other's shoulder and they all swayed back and forth, humming a deep tune. Zuko had heard it at other Water Nation funerals, he had heard it at Sokka's.

Afterward, he stood and hugged, shook hands with and bowed to every single person that showed up. Every person that truly cared for his wife and believed in her words, in her character.

The world was uncertain, and Zuko knew had little ability to control it. He could only hope and dream that Katara's legacy would run true. That her hope and ferocity would fuel the fires in everyone belly's when they saw injustice. And Zuko realized he was content with that.

The night after the funeral, he slept the best he had slept in years. Almost as well as the night that they had finally settled into a home, and their children were safe and sound. Almost as well as he slept the first night in Katara's apartment. He remembered the tea shop, the laughs amongst friends. He remembered the ice fish, the homeless man in the dojo. He could remember holding Katara's hand, how beautiful her hair was when it was wet. And he felt true joy and eternal peace.

With Katara's outstretched hand he followed her. All that was left, was love.

Thank you all again for all of your support through the story! I hope that you enjoy this ending. :) please leave a review.