So… this is the last entry for this story. I just wanna say that I'm so happy I got reviews! Really, review make me happy. And I hope everyone liked this story, because I liked it.

So… here goes

EPILOGUE – UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Two years passed by peacefully in the lands of the fire nation. The economy flourished and the citizens were content under the rule or their firelord.

In the palace, life was satisfactory as well. Zuko had learned all the skills he needed to be a great leader and Katara had supported him all along the way. Sokka slowly began trusting Zuko with his sister and eventually started chasing after girls as well. Aang's celebrity status never ceased and he made many friends. Everything was flowing smoothly until one day, when a dark red fire navy ship docked on the shores of the fire nation.

Immediately, guards hurried to the dock to greet the travelers. They waited anxiously on the sandy beach, keeping both eyes glued to the door of the ship. Slowly, it creaked open to reveal Iroh stretching lazily as he walked across the dock. The guards, momentarily distracted by the arrival of the retired general, did not at first notice a second figure appearing from the ship. She walked confidently down the ramp, hips swaying, long red hair flowing in the wind. She was dressed in fresh armor, as if preparing for a battle. In one hand she carried a sword; the other hand was placed on her hips.

When the guards finally saw her, they whistled openly, believing her to be a young girl Iroh had picked up along the way. She narrowed her eyes at the vulgar gesture and strutted past the guards with a haughty manner.

When she reached the gates of the palace, a pair of soldiers stepped in her way, demanding a reason for her to be here.

"I can go in and out of here whenever I feel like it", she argued, attempting to push her way past the guards. They drew their swords, ready to attack if the girl tried to go any further. She growled and lunged at the nearest soldier, while yelling something about "ignorant guards" and "stupid brother".

The soldiers fought their best, but were no match for the trained girl. She scoffed at them as she walked past their unconscious forms and into the palace. More resistance was met and the girl grew furious. She looked at the ring of guards surrounding her and snorted, tossing her sword aside. They watched her silently, wondering what she was planning.

Before any of the guards could react, the girl began shooting fire out of her palms, attacking everything in her way. The soldiers jumped back in shock, surprised that this girl had such power. They were shocked, but not ready to give up. As more backup was called in, a fight erupted in the great hall of the palace.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Katara yawned sleepily and rested her head on the back of her chair, slumping down in her seat even more. This meeting, as important as it sounded, was dead boring. She glanced over at Zuko, who had a similar expression played out across his face. He absent mindedly twirled a pen in one hand, looking around the room at various objects. The current speaker at this conference was an old man who droned on and on for hours. Everyone had stopped paying attention long ago, yet he continued talking.

Katara suppressed an annoyed growl and sighed instead as she started doodling on a piece of paper in front of her. Her eyes started drooping and she was almost asleep when a loud explosion made everyone in the room jump.

Zuko hurried out of the room and Katara tore after him, eager to get out of the meeting. They ran towards the direction of the noise, followed by the rest of the people at the meeting. The sight that appeared before them was more exciting than anything that had happened in the past two years.

All across the floor lay guards who were badly hurt or knocked out. More guards replaced the injured ones, advancing towards the single target. She fought back with full force, showing no mercy to anyone. When Zuko caught a glimpse of the girl's face, he let out an audible gasp and ordered the guards to stand down. A hush fell over the room as the girl dusted herself off and looked up at Zuko.

"You're obviously having trouble training these pathetic guards", she greeted him with a smirk.

"They just can't keep up with a prodigy like yourself", he returned with a smirk of his own.

"Zula?" Katara suddenly blurted out when she recognized the girl. The guards turned to each other with horrified looks. This was Zula? As in, Princess Zula?

"I can't believe no one here recognized me", Zula scoffed, giving everyone an annoyed look. Katara squealed in delight and ran towards the princes, giving her a big bear hug. The firebender returned the gesture, then turned towards the guards who were still standing. They looked at her apologetically and she dismissed them with a wave of her hand.

Zuko stood motionless ashe watched this scene, his mind blurred and confused. He had barely recognized his sister, how could anyone else have? She had grown taller and was no longer a teenager. She still had the same piercing eyes, but there was a different aura around her. She seemed more poised, more sophisticated, more mature. And she'd gotten loads better at fire bending.

"Still standing around like an idiot, huh?" Zula asked as she walked past her brother. He growled and followed her, making sure Katara was with them as well. They made their way into Zula's room and were joined shortly by Iroh who presented several boxes of exotic tea. As they sipped the herbal drink, an exchange of stories began.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Many hours and dozens of cups of tea later, the firelord and his sister, uncle and girlfriend were each sitting in a large, comfy chair placed on four sides of a square table. Halfway during their conversation, they were graced by the presence of Sokka and Aang, who seemed surprised to see Zula. The two males each pulled up a chair and joined the little party. It was during this time that each member was filled in on what they didn't' know. It was also during this time that unanswered questions were finally answered.

Since the time Katara first arrived on the fire navy ship till now, there had been some things worth wondering. They were paid little attention because more important things had taken place, but they were still worth thinking about nevertheless. For example, who was that tall lady? And how did Sokka come up with such a great plan? What happened to Appa and Momo, and the most wondered question of all, where was Katara's necklace?

The longer they talked, the more was revealed. Apparently, the tall lady had been a childhood friend of Iroh's who left the fire nation to work in a port with the rest of her family. She had continued the family business after her parents passed away. Iroh kept in touch with her through the years, but they never had anything more than friendship. And if they were ever more than friends, it was a sister/brother relationship.

Speaking of which, it was the same sister/brother relationship that gave Sokka a sudden brain blast. As a child, he had always been protective or Katara. His brotherly instincts had kicked in and a plan to escape had developed in his mind just like that. He had remembered Appa mostly because he was the one who urged the flying bison to escape.

And now, what happened to Appa and Momo, who was riding on Appa at the time? After the two animals had been shot down, they were ordered to be captured by Lord Ozai. It wasn't until Zuko was crowned that the two were released and given a place to stay. They now lived peacefully in a large, grassy plain near the palace set aside especially for them.

And so, when the stories were exchanged, everyone nodded and their eyes lit up as if finally understanding something. It was now late afternoon and Zula announced she was tired. The party dispersed and everyone went off to do their own thing. Zula stayed in her room to rest and Iroh returned to his own room. Sokka and Aang went off to visit Appa and Momo, and Zuko led Katara into the courtyard.

They sat on a bench under a row of trees, all of which was standing on a raised platform. Below them was the city and beyond that was the ocean. As the sun began its daily descent, the last unanswered question was revealed.

During her stay at the fir nation, Katara had forgotten all about her mother's necklace. She hadn't given it a second thought because there had been so many things going on around her. With little time to sit there and reflect on her life, the idea of her necklace had disappeared.

As of now, it was still in Zuko's possession. In his pocket, to be exact. After Iroh had fixed the straps, Zuko had taken the necklace and kept it with him, never leaving it unattended. It soon became a habit and he began seeing the necklace as his own possession. It wasn't until old times were brought up that he remembered it belonged to Katara.

He wanted to return it to her, since he'd be stealing if he didn't, but he decided to keep it a while longer. There was something he needed to use it for. Besides, what would Katara say if he just randomly pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to her? With these thoughts in mind, Zuko excused himself and hurried into the palace.

Katara sat silently by herself on the cold stone bench as she looked out at the vast ocean. She slowly stood up and walked towards the railing, gently gripping the metal frame. A cool wind swept across the air and this reminded her of flying. She had done it once at the Northern Air temple and that had been an awesome experience. She wondered how to would feel to fly again, and made a mental note to ask Zuko about it later.

A few moments passed and the air began growing cold. The sun had set further, but had not yet disappeared, leaving a trail of purple clouds in the sky. A heavier wind blew towards her and this time, Katara shivered. She wrapped her arms around herself and glanced at the palace. Where was Zuko? He had told her to wait there for him, then darted away without another word. Katara paced back and forth and looked around nervously.

By now, the sun had almost disappeared completely. Yet, it seemed to stay in the sky as if waiting for something. Or someone. Katara shivered again before feeling a gentle tug. She turned around and saw Zuko with one hand hidden behind his back. The other hand was balled tightly into a fist, with something hidden in it.

"What is it?" Katara asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Zuko opened his fingers to reveal a slim brown strap with a glittering blue stone set in the middle. Intricate carvings of water symbols were carved in the stone, giving it detail and meaning.

"My necklace!" Katara gasped, reaching out to grab it. Zuko quickly closed his fist and jerked his arm away, receiving a pout from Katara.

"Two conditions", he offered, dangling the necklace in front of him. Katara nodded, wondering what he had in mind. "One, you wear this", Zuko ordered, bringing forth the hand behind his back. Katara looked at the blue dress in his hands and nodded again. It was the same dress she'd refused to wear two years ago. "And two", Zuko paused and gently put the necklace around Katara's neck, causing her to look at him with wondering eyes. His gaze met hers and he continued softly, "Marry me".

Without hesitation, Katara agreed and threw her arms around Zuko, tears filling her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, gently pulling back. Katara sniffed and smiled a little, explaining that they were tears of happiness.

"You should be smiling, you know? But, I guess someone like you would rather sit around and cry".

"Someone like me?"

"There is no one like you", Zuko rolled his eyes. And despite his attitude, he really meant it.