Didn't See That Coming
by Rebirth of the Phoenix
Thank you for all of your lovely reviews, you helped me get past 300 reviews, so many thanks to all.
I'm sorry for the wait, but I seemed to have a reluctance to actually write the final chapter and bring this story to a close. I have ended up denying myself the rights to a bed in order to get this out. It is now 2 am over here in England, but it was worth it.
But we do indeed finally come to the last chapter of this story, so I hope you all enjoy it.
Disclaimer - I'm not going to say this again (in this story at least), Avatar: The Last Airbender is not on the very short list of things that I own.
The vigil at the edge of the forest was silent and filled with tension and expectation. Barely half an hour previous, the foreboding air of the forest had disappeared and a slight shiver had passed through every member in the makeshift camp.
Iroh had warily stood up, along with Sokka and Aang. "If I am not mistaken, the spirits in this forest have moved on. Do you feel it young Avatar?"
Aang had nodded in reply. He felt the atmosphere in the forest change; the overpowering feeling of sadness had changed briefly to one of elation and then disappeared altogether, Aang knew that the spirits had finally found peace.
Sokka looked between Aang and Iroh. "If the spirits have moved on then that means that Kaen has been defeated, right?"
Iroh nodded. "Yes, I do believe that Katara and Zuko will be making an appearance very soon."
The rest of the camp, eavesdropping of course, had let out a relieved sigh upon hearing that their Prince and Katara were finally free of their nightmare.
Since that moment the camp had waited with something a little less than patience, all holding hope that the two teens were about to stride out of the trees with triumphant grins on their faces.
It was false hope.
Sokka was the first to loose his already tried patience. "It's been a while since the spirits passed on, where are they? Do you think we should go and find them?"
Aang rubbed his eyes in frustration. "If we go into the forest, we might pas them without realising it. I'm going to try and go back into the Avatar State and see if I can find them that way."
Sokka nodded and watched as Aang settled into his meditation position. The Airbender had barely closed his eyes however, when a distance noise from within the forest had everyone on their feet.
The gathering could faintly hear the rustling of leaves and the breaking of twigs as someone made their way through the underbrush. The noises quickly got more distinct and it was easy to tell that whoever was approaching was in a great rush. Their footfalls were clumsy and hurried and soon enough laborious breathing could be heard. The seconds seemed to lengthen as dozens of pairs of eyes focused on the dark foliage.
There was a collective intake of breath as Prince Zuko burst from the trees. He was missing a boot and half a trouser leg and his face was a picture of terror.
The teen froze upon seeing everyone assembled before him, and everyone in the camp froze upon seeing the girl held carefully within the Prince's arms.
Sokka's world shattered as he gathered what he was seeing before him. His baby sister, held within his enemy's arms, was covered in blood and deathly pale. He wasn't entirely sure that she was breathing. Disregarding the fact that she was wearing clothes that were from the Fire Nation, his eyes focused directly on her stomach. The blood was gathered there so thickly it appeared black and Sokka gathered enough to know that Katara was in mortal danger.
For a moment which lasted an eternity there was no movement in the camp and the silence deafened everyone.
Zuko was the one to bring everyone back to their senses. "Help." That one word was spoken with so much pleading and desperation, it pierced to the very hearts of all assembled on the outskirts of the forest.
Iroh was roused from his stupor and immediately took charge, reminding all of the famous General.
"You," Iroh pointed at the nearest soldier. "Go into town and get the local healer, they will be of help to the ship's physician."
The man immediately took off towards town and Iroh turned to the rest of the group. "The rest of you are to provide assistance to the healers. We must hurry Katara back to the ship."
The soldiers immediately mobilised themselves, most of them hurrying back to the ship, while a group followed Iroh towards Zuko. Aang and Sokka approached from the opposite direction, appalled at Katara's state.
"Prince Zuko?" Iroh tentatively reached out for his arm, but Zuko shook his head quickly and started off for his ship, pulling Katara closer to his chest.
Iroh nodded to Sokka and Aang and the unlikely trio followed Zuko, quickly matching his pace and jogging next to him, the rest of the soldiers bringing up the rear.
Zuko completely disregarded the fact that the Avatar was running alongside him, close enough for him to reach out and grab him. He had made a promise to Katara that he would abandon his vendetta against Aang and aid him in bringing an end to the war. He had also made a promise to himself that he would not let Katara die, and he was only focused on getting to the ship as quickly as he could.
Not even when Sokka's voice hissed into his ear demanding for Zuko to let him carry his sister, did Zuko slow down or even grant the warrior any notice.
Aang placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder and Sokka closed his mouth. No matter how much he loathed the fact that Zuko was touching his sister, he knew that his animosity towards the Prince could be put on hold until Katara was out of danger.
When the troop made it off the winding earthen path and back into town, they saw that the townspeople had ventured out of their homes and were standing along the sides of the main street. Some were holding a lantern or candle to fight against the inky night, and all wore looks of sadness on their faces as the procession passed.
Zuko was aware of how cold Katara was getting and could have cried with relief when the ship came into view. He saw the ship's physician standing at the bottom of the metal walkway along with two other people that he assumed were the town's healers. Zuko hurried past them and up onto the deck of the ship, letting the others follow him.
Sokka and Aang were rather surprised by the fact that they were permitted to follow Zuko through the ship without being apprehended and hesitated when Zuko went inside of the ship. Iroh patted the boys on the back, reassuring them that they would be safe and motioned for the trio of healers to hurry.
Zuko kicked the door of his bedroom open and lay Katara gently down upon his bed. The healers were immediately at her side examining the open wound. Someone placed a heavy hand on Zuko's shoulder and he turned to see his Uncle's grim face; Sokka and Aang were standing just behind the retired General, their stricken eyes fixed on Katara's still form.
Zuko turned away from his Uncle and knelt next to Katara's head, stroking her tangled hair. The town healers were shouting for water to be brought to them, while the ship's physician hurried to his chambers to retrieve his medical supplies.
Sokka jumped aside as the physician ran past him. His eyes were fixed upon the sight of Zuko comforting his unconscious sister, he seemed affectionate towards her. It did not bode well with Sokka, not at all.
The remaining two healers gratefully accepted the large amount of water that was placed next to them in bowls by several Fire Nation soldiers. They requested that the water was heated gently and the soldiers readily complied.
The ship's physician returned carrying a large canvas bag and took up his place next to Katara. He requested that one of the bowls of water was brought to the boil and he placed his medical instruments into the water to sterilize them.
One of the town's healers, a short and squat man, looked around irritably at the crowded room. "We need space here! Everyone out, except for one of the Firebenders, we'll need him to keep the water heated."
"I'll stay." All eyes flicked to Zuko. His face was set firmly and his eyes were narrowed, challenging anyone to order him out of the room.
The soldiers in the room immediately exited and took up posts in the narrow corridor. Iroh nodded to Zuko and turned to leave, Aang doing the same. Sokka however took a step closer to the Prince, disregarding the fact that he was not a Firebender, and therefore of no use.
"If anyone is going to stay it will be me!"
Zuko did not take his eyes off Katara "Can we talk about this later on, after Katara is safe?"
Maybe it was the utter despondency in the Prince's voice or the way his voice broke when he said Katara's name, but Sokka didn't push the argument and allowed Aang to pull him from room, the metal door swinging shut behind him.
The healers placed the bowls of water closer to Zuko so he could heat them with occasional bursts of fire, whilst still staying close to Katara.
Zuko watched as the other healer from the town, a thin and severe looking woman, took a small dagger and carefully cut away the remains of Katara's shirt, leaving her breast bindings intact. The healers then converged on Katara and began a thorough examination of her wound.
Zuko left them to it and leant down so he could whisper in Katara's ear. "You have to pull through this Katara. You are so strong, I know that and so does everyone else; I wouldn't have made it past that first fear without you, and I still need you now. Your brother and the Avatar are waiting for you too, I don't think you've ever realised how important you are to a lot of people. Please Katara, wake up and fight."
A sharp gasp from one of the healers and muttering made Zuko's head snap back up. "What? What's happened?"
The ship's physician looked at him with wonderment in his eyes. "We can gather from the wound that something stabbed her." He paused and Zuko nodded in confirmation. "How long was the object that created this wound?" Zuko held up his hands so they were a good few inches apart and the healers exchanged another set of glances. "My liege, something that long would have caused fatal internal damage, it would have penetrated deep within her body."
Zuko looked between the three medics. "She's not going to make it?" His voice trailed off and he looked away, but he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.
He came face to face with the squat healer. "No, we are trying to say that the damage should be extensive, but it seems as if any fatal damage has been repaired."
Zuko's eyes lightened slightly. "Katara, she uses her Waterbending to heal herself. While we were still in the forest I covered the wound in water and she healed herself, but not enough it seems." Katara had not stirred in the slightest. "Is she going to…" He couldn't finish the sentence.
The female healer looked around at him. "Thanks to your quick thinking, the water healing has done her a world of good. If she had internal damage then there would have been nothing we could do for her. What remains is a severe wound, but it can be treated. The problem is that this girl has lost a lot of blood. It all relies on her own strength if she pulls through or not."
Zuko looked back at the still form on his bed and lowered his head next to hers, whispering words of encouragement to Katara and pleas to whatever divine beings could hear him.
Sokka and Aang paced the corridor outside Zuko's room, passing each other on their return journeys. Iroh stood watching the two boys sadly, his hands tucked into his wide sleeves, as silent as the soldiers that lined the corridor along with him.
It had been over an hour since the healers had ushered everyone except Zuko out of the room and tension was laying thickly upon everyone. Zuko had appeared a few times and beckoned a few of the attentive soldiers into the room; moments later the soldiers would appear holding the bowls of water and they would leave only to return quickly with fresh, clean water.
Sokka felt the severity of what was happening every time he caught sight of the vivid crimson water that left the room. He also studied Zuko's face every time he briefly opened the door; the Prince looked so tired, both physically and mentally. He had sustained his own injuries over the course of the night, but he didn't seem to care. Sokka was burning to know why Zuko was so worried over Katara, and why Aang was not locked up in a prison cell.
Oh, he had his suspicions, of course, but he hoped desperately they would be proven false. Although at the moment he couldn't care less as to who Katara was or was not in love with, as long as she pulled through. He never realised hw much he would miss having his sister around to hug when things got too tough, but he had never imagined Katara would be the one in such grave danger. He felt as though he had failed his father. He had promised to protect Katara, but now his baby sister lay only feet from him, and he had no idea whether or not she would live.
He had prayed to Yue countless times to watch over his sister and he knew that Aang was praying to Roku and Kyoshi and all of the Avatars before him, to grant Katara the strength to pull through.
Sokka stopped his pacing and looked despondently down the corridor. Everyone, even the Fire Nation soldiers, seemed upset by Katara's misfortune and Sokka smiled slightly as he thought about how Katara could leave an impression on anyone. She was so innocent and passionate about what she believed in, and Sokka regretted never telling her how proud he was of her; proud of her bending abilities, proud of her kind heart, he was proud of Katara completely.
Sokka growled lowly at the injustice of the situation. He needed to vent his rage on something, someone. He turned to face the door to Zuko's room as it opened to reveal an exhausted Fire Prince.
Zuko sighed heavily as he left the room. He didn't want to of course, but the healers had told him that after they sutured the wound they would have to remove the rest of Katara's clothes, and Zuko was sure Katara would be less than happy if there were more people in the room than needs be when that happened.
Over the past hour he had watched as the healers had flushed out the wound with water and iodine, although they marvelled at how clean the wound already was. He had winced at the sight of the bloodied water that came out of the temporary catheter that had been placed in Katara's wound.
The healers were pleased at the job they had done on the wound; infection had not set in and as soon as it was all stitched up, the only thing they would need worry about would be whether Katara was strong enough to pull out of her coma.
Zuko knew Katara was strong, but he had seen the amount of blood that had poured out of her in the forest, in fact it still stained his hands and clothes, no doubt even his face was covered in Katara's blood, he had certainly wiped tears from his face enough times in the past few hours.
He left his bedroom with the stench of antiseptic still burning in his nostrils and came fact to face with Sokka.
Everyone turned to look at Zuko as he side stepped around the Water Tribe warrior and approached his Uncle and Aang.
Before speaking to them however, Zuko turned to the soldiers still standing loyally in the corridor. "Thank you men. You are all excused for the night."
The soldiers nodded and left the corridor, leaving it empty save for Zuko, Sokka, Aang and Iroh.
Zuko rested against the cool metal wall and spoke wearily. "They've done everything they can, the only thing to do is wait and hope Katara can pull out of her coma."
Iroh place a hand on Zuko's shoulder and smiled. "Miss Katara is indeed a strong young lady, no doubt she will be up and about in no time."
Aang smiled at Iroh's optimism, but Sokka and Zuko did not. Instead Sokka rounded on the drained Firebender.
"So how did it happen? How did Katara get that wound in her stomach?"
Zuko scowled at the hostile note in the boy's voice and spoke to the floor. "The demon, Kaen, is… was an Earthbender and she had one last trick up her sleeve. Katara and I had just defeated her but she had enough left in her to embed a spike of earth into Katara's stomach."
Sokka stalked closer to Zuko. "Why was she the one to take it? Why aren't you the one in there on death's door? Katara should not have to suffer like this."
He pushed Zuko further into the wall, and surprisingly the young Prince did not react, instead he kept his eyes on the ground.
"I know. If I could take her place I -"
"You'd what?" Sokka cut him off. "Take it for her? I doubt it, you're just a selfish Prince. You had your chance to protect Katara and you failed. You probably pushed Katara in front of -"
He never finished his sentence as Zuko jumped forward and pinned the warrior to the opposite wall. He brought his face close to his and glared at Sokka with a burning hate.
"Don't you dare question my feelings towards Katara." Zuko's voice came out as a low hiss that would have reduced Sokka to a quivering wreck, had he not been grief-stricken and senseless. "Don't you think I haven't told myself it was my fault she's lying in there? Don't you think I hate myself for letting her even be put in such a dangerous position?"
He let go of Sokka and stepped away in disgust. "Do not assume you know anything about me, or what happened in that forest. That is between me and Katara, and you don't know how I feel about her either."
Zuko turned on his heel and stormed toward the deck, leaving the other three men in the corridor speechless.
Sokka looked down at his feet, ashamed. The truth was he did know. He knew that his fear and anger had just caused him to unfairly blame one of the few people in the world that had the privilege of loving Katara with all of their heart.
Days passed and Katara still remained comatose in Zuko's room, her dignity preserved by the soft blanket that was placed over her figure. The physician had told the small group that kept a loyal vigil at her bedside, that she would have one hell of a scar, but the good news was that she seemed to be regaining her strength and it was anyone's guess when she would wake up.
She did not move in the slightest for days, and nor did Sokka, Aang, Zuko and Iroh. They stayed in Zuko's room as much as possible, unless they were ushered out by the physician so her dressing could be changed.
In a gesture of hope, some of the clothes that had been purchased before the fateful incident in the forest, were placed on a chair next to the bed she lay in.
The ship did not move from its position in the town's port. Zuko had made an important decision that he would have to announce soon, but he was building up his courage. Zuko's injuries had been fixed up too, upon much pushing by Iroh, and he had gained a lot of his strength back.
Changes had happened however. Sokka and Zuko had not mentioned their little bout from a few nights previous, and a silent pact was struck between the two teens. Sokka had taken Zuko aside and told him that he knew that something had happened between him and Katara in that forest. His pride refused to let him come straight out and accept Zuko's affections for his sister, but he let the Prince know in his own special way.
"Zuko, I'm not foolish enough to deny Katara what she wants; the last time she was in a rage she released the Avatar. But I'm just going to let you know that the sharp side of a boomerang can do very painful things to people. Especially if that person is a Firebending teenage boy who is going out with the sister of the person who owns said boomerang."
When Zuko looked rather confused, Sokka continued.
"If you enjoy having certain… appendages… you will never upset, maim or in any way hurt Katara."
Zuko's look of confusion had promptly changed into one of horror, and Sokka had stalked away with a very smug grin on his face.
On the fourth day of Katara's unconsciousness Zuko had decided to tell the other three people in the room something very important.
He had cleared his throat meaningfully and Sokka, Aang and Iroh had looked up at him over their cups of tea. He could no longer call the Avatar his enemy, but they weren't exactly friends either, they still had a way to go before all their previous animosity faded completely from the forefront of their memories.
Zuko just hoped that the Avatar would take his words as genuine. "While Katara and I were in the forest we faced our fears, as you already know. Several times I had to face my father and with Katara by my side, I won." He paused and studied their faces. Aang and Sokka seemed perplexed, but Iroh was grinning in such a way that Zuko knew the old man had realised where his words were going. "Katara also helped me see that the past two years of my life have been wasted on a fruitless quest to please a man that means nothing to me.
"She also made me promise to do something I never thought I would." Zuko shifted his position on the cushion that he sat on, and face Aang, bowing in respect. "I would be honoured if you would let me aid you in your quest to end this imprudent war, Avatar Aang."
Flicking his eyes up to meet Aang's grey ones, he was relieved to see that the Airbender was grinning. "Ah Zuko, do you know how long I've been waiting to hear you say that since you rescued me as the Blue Spirit?"
A slight chocking fit from Sokka signalled the beginning of a strange afternoon, in which Aang and Zuko retold their previous adventure as a team; although this version seemed to involve a rather colourful description of how, the now deceased, Admiral Zhao managed to burn a hole in his own trousers, and Aang swore that he took down at least a half a dozen Yu Yan Archers whilst carrying an unconscious Zuko on his back.
"No you didn't!"
"How would you know? You were unconscious!"
A week since Katara had been injured saw Zuko leaving his room with a worried look on his face. True, Katara's breathing was almost back to normal, and she had regained a healthy colour, plus she had stirred in her sleep a few times. The thing that was worrying Zuko was that she was being fed a diet of convenience; anything that didn't require chewing was given to her. That meant that Katara was surviving on tea and broth alone, and the girl had gotten noticeably thinner. Zuko knew that she would have to gain her strength back slowly, and he hoped she would wake up soon because she would undoubtedly get very sick if she lost any more weight.
Zuko nodded to Sokka who entered the room in his place and headed to the mess hall to grab a quick lunch before heading back to Katara. He sat between his Uncle and the Avatar and pulled a plate of fish towards him. The peppered hake had barely passed his lips when a soldier entered the room and looked around quickly. Upon spotting Zuko he hurried to his side and handed him two sheets of parchment.
The chopsticks in Zuko's hand fell to the table with a clatter as he read through the first notice.
An illustration of Zuko headed a announcement declaring him as an enemy to the Fire Nation and warning anyone who harboured him that they would also be considered an enemy to the Fire Lord.
Zuko looked at the other piece of parchment and saw that a warrant for his Uncle's arrest was also being circulated. Both were decreed by…
"Princess Azula." Aang read over Zuko's shoulder. "Is she related to you?"
"My sister." Zuko muttered whilst he read the wanted posters again. He nodded to the soldier still standing at the table and the man moved off.
"What do you suggest we do Prince Zuko?"
Zuko looked up at his Uncle and smiled grimly. "There is only one thing I can do Uncle."
Zuko stood up and called for attention. The mess hall immediately quietened and every eye was fixed upon the Prince.
"My father had called for myself and my Uncle to be apprehended and handed over to the Fire Nation as prisoners." There was an outbreak of muttering at this and Zuko held up the declarations for them to see. "All of you have been a loyal crew to me over almost three years of my banishment, and that is why I ask you to do one thing."
He paused and his eyes swept over the people who had been like his family during his search for the Avatar.
"I ask you to return to the Fire Nation without me and tell the Fire Lord that his son no longer accepts the task that he burdened me with. I see now that I have never truly had a father, or indeed any real family except for my Uncle. Go back to the Fire Nation and tell Ozai that I have joined Avatar Aang in his quest to stop the war.
"I do not ask you to lie for me, it wouldn't be fair. Go home and see your families, enjoy the time you have with them. You have indeed been a worthy crew and I am gracious that you helped me on what I now see was a pointless quest. As soon as Katara has recovered, I will leave with the Avatar, because I refuse to be taken prisoner without a fight."
Zuko paused an reached down to his right boot. He pulled out a pearl dagger that Iroh had given him as a child and in one swift movement, cut his topknot from his head.
"Henceforth I am exiled, not from the Fire Nation, but from my father and this war that has been raging for one hundred years too long."
Zuko sheathed his dagger and bowed slightly to the soldiers that were all openly gaping at him. He began walking to the door when something very surprising happened. Lieutenant Jee began to clap, a gesture that was soon copied by everyone in the room. Zuko paused at the door with a true smile lighting his face, and he knew he was making the right decision.
The sun was setting beyond the forest and Zuko was leaning on the metal railings on the deck of his ship. Appa was bathing contentedly in the water next to the docked ship and there was little movement in the village.
A few of the townsfolk had approached the ship barely an hour before and promised Prince Zuko that no one in the town would divulge his whereabouts to Azula if the princess ever rode through there, they were much too grateful to him and Katara to do that; they had, after all, ridded them of a terrible burden.
It had only been a few hours since Zuko had literally severed ties with his father, but news travels fast and most of the town had heard that Zuko was turning his back on the war and was going to aid the Avatar.
Zuko sighed and looked up at the multicoloured sky. He thought back to how Uncle Iroh had appeared at his side mere minutes after his speech to the crew, his own severed topknot in his hand. Iroh had commended Zuko on such a "rousing speech" and Zuko smiled when he remembered his parting words as his Uncle turned to go back inside.
"You will make an excellent Fire Lord, Zuko. You will be exactly what the Fire Nation needs after so many years under the rule of foolish warmongers."
Zuko truly did appreciate his Uncle's unwavering loyalty and his unconditional love, it was needed now more than ever.
The noise of hinges groaning as somebody opened the door to the deck roused Zuko from his daydreams. He turned his head slightly to see who was joining him on deck and his mouth dropped open.
Supported between Aang and Sokka stood Katara. True, the clothes that had been measured to fit her were hanging rather loose on her, and Zuko could see that her legs were shaking as they tried to regain their strength; but Zuko thought that he would never see a more beautiful sight.
Katara was awake, and alive, and smiling at him.
Coming to his senses, he moved over to the doorway where his new travelling companions stood. Aang held out Katara's hand for Zuko to take, and after a quick kick in the leg from a certain monk, Sokka did the same. The pair disappeared back inside the hatch, but not before Aang took one last look at them.
Of course he was disappointed, Katara had been his first crush and now her heart belonged to another; but after all that had happened over the past week, he knew that Katara deserved to be happy, and Zuko was a big part of that happiness.
The door shut with a loud click and Zuko stared wordlessly at the girl he supported in his arms. Her face was a little gaunt and he noticed how the pain in her abdomen stopped her from straightening up fully but her eyes had lost none of their sparkle and her mouth was upturned in a smile.
Zuko smiled back and slowly helped Katara over to the railing.
"How long have you been awake?"
Katara cleared her throat. "A while," her voice was raw from lack of use. "It was quite difficult to get all of those clothes on when I couldn't bend or straighten up properly."
Zuko smiled and nuzzled his face into her neck. "I've missed you."
"I never went anywhere." Katara whispered back. "But I did hear that you've made quite a few changes in your life."
Zuko looked at her smiling face and nodded. "I was just keeping a promise."
Katara beamed at him. "Will you make me another promise?"
"Of course."
Katara ran a smooth hand over Zuko's head, her slim fingers tracing the diamond of hair that was still left there. "Grow your hair back out."
Zuko laughed, something he hadn't done since she had been injured and touched his nose against hers. "I promise I will do whatever you want me to do with my hair, as long as you never scare me like that again."
He dipped down and gently placed his lips over Katara's and revelled in the fact that she was here, she was in his arms and she was his.
Pulling away from Katara he smiled as she placed her head on his chest. Zuko realised how much weight she had lost when he realised he was practically holding up.
Katara spoke to him, her breath tracing warm patterns across his neck. "It's going to be dangerous you know. The closer we get to Summer's end, the higher the risk is."
Zuko embraced her that little bit tighter and rested his chin on her head, the sunset blazing behind them.
"I know. But I'm not afraid any more."
The End
It's over… my first ever fanfic has come to an end. Excuse me while I get rather emotional. While am sad that this story is over, I do feel a rather pleasant sense of accomplishment knowing that I saw this out until the end.
I couldn't have done it without all of the readers and reviewers.
I hope the ending was to your liking, it just seemed like the best place to end it. There may or may not be a sequel, if there is it will have to wait because I have been struck with an idea for another Zutara story that I can not wait to write. I shall leave you to ponder over the (long) summary:
Life as Prince of the Fire Nation carries certain responsibilities. When marriage is more focused on political gain than your hearts desire, certain problems can arise; especially when your heart's desire is the servant of your betrothed. When the world is turned upside down and a servant girl is excused of her social standing, how can it be that what now lays within the grasp of a Prince is still a million miles away?
I have several pages outlining the plot (which is unusual for me, as I usually just jump straight in) and I hope it will turn into a rather interesting tale of romance, lust and political intrigue… all focusing on Zutara of course!
As well as that, you can expect me to pick Lotus Lake back up and perhaps I will post some of the one shots that are gathering dust on my hard drive. I'll eventually go through this story and purge it of any spelling and grammatical mistakes that found their way in.
Thank you all for making my first venture into fan fiction so enjoyable. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
