Heads up I have never written a fanfic before. I love the idea of Zutara and wanted to have my own story of their relationship. I figured I might as well share it. Please leave comments and let me know what you think. I know my written grammar is not fantastic, my apologies. This is rated M for mature content that will come later in the story. If a chapter has M content I will put a warning in the description.

Zuko looked at Katara, when exactly had he fallen for her? Could it have been the catacombs at Ba Sing Se? Was it on their trip to find the Southern Raiders? Was it when she forgave him? Or when she saved him during Sozin's comet? He didn't know. Hell it could have been just looking at her one night across the fire or on Ember Island. Zuko blinked and looked away at his tea not sure how long he had been looking at her. The tea swirled, seemingly on it's own. He looked up to see Katara wink at him as she took a sip of her own tea.

For a while now He and Katara had been doing this secretive flirting. Though with Toph around he wasn't so sure, she saw more than anyone. Katara was not with Aang but Zuko was worried she would end up with the avatar out of some sense of duty. She mothered him and cared for him but that wasn't being in love with someone. Zuko knew that, but did she?

The whole gang was in Ba Sing Se taking a bit of a vacation after the whole saving the world from Ozi. Katara caught Zuko looking at her out of the corner of her eye right before he looked down at his tea. She stirred the water that was saturated with tea to say "yes I saw that". He looked up at her, sipping her tea she winked. She saw Aang stand and walk through the curtains to the porch outside. The night of the Ember Island Players came to her.

"We kissed at the invasion and I thought we would be together but we're not" He said.

"Aang, I don't know"

"Why don't you know?" Katara didn't understand the sudden need to talk about this.

"Because we are in the middle of a war and we have other things to worry about" She looked away trying not to think of those, that, other thing. "This isn't the right time"

"Well, when is the right time?" He asked, he had desperation in his voice.

"Aang I'm sorry but right now I'm just a little bit confused" This wasn't a lie.

Then he kissed her.

"I just said I was confused!" Aang looked defeated. "I'm going inside"

At the time Katara didn't want to rock the boat. Winning the war and saving the world was the top priority but now that it was all over they needed to talk.

Katara walked through the curtains to see Aang overlooking the great city with a brilliant sunset in front of him. He looked at peace.

"Aang" Katara said walking so stand next to him.

"Hey Katara" He smiled.

"I think we need to talk, now that the war is over and all" She put her hand over his on the railing. He looked at her with a mix of hope and fear in his eyes.

"It's over so are you still confused?" She took her hand off his to hold her arms and looked down.

"No, Aang, I'm not" she said quietly.

"Oh" he looked away "I see" There was silence for a moment. "Why?" He seemed wounded.

"Because ever since I found you in that iceberg I've been taking care of you, at first showing you how the world worked, then keeping you on track, doing the laundry and the cooking." Katara paused realizing she didn't need to say all of this. She sighed. "I love you but I'm not in love with you" She finally said it. "And I think you feel the same way-"

"No Katara I don't. I'm in love with you, I have been since I first saw you" His pain was coming out as frustration. "Why am I not enough for you?"

"Aang, I'm sorry. I can't change my feelings" Katara was playing with her hair, a nervous habit of hers. Aang took a deep breath.

"I know" There was a long silence. "So what now?" He asked.

"I, I don't know" she admitted. "But I don't want to lose you as a friend" She trailed off.

"Katara," Aang looked at her "We've been through too much for that to happen. It will take some time for me to work through this, but we will always be friends. You are my family" Katara was grateful and the statement gave her hope, not for the reason Aang might think. But because he might one day see he does love her as family. Aang reached his arms out and Katara accepted the hug, grateful for the embrace.

Katara woke up dreading getting out of her bed, knowing today the work started. Just as they had on the day of the comet, they must figure out their destinies. The war is officially over but there is so much healing to be done. She had seen it first hand, they all had, the impoverished towns and the refugees. So many displaced, jobless, alone. Not to mention how independent each nation is. That is something Katara learned over the past summer, the nations need to build relations and work together.

She pushed herself up and got out of bed. First she put on her bindings, then her blue tunic, and finished by doing her hair. She had taken to the half up half down look and decided to go with that for the day.

Zuko rose with the sun as always, feeling its energy fuel him. Just once he'd like to sleep in when he wasn't sick. For a few minutes he layed in bed bending a small flame in between his fingers. Feeling the small heartbeat of this living thing dance around his hand. Finally he got up and got dressed.

Uncle Iroh was already up making tea.

"Good morning Nephew" He said in his comforting voice. Zuko offered a smile. "How did you sleep?"

"Well enough" he responded sitting at the table.

"Are you ready for today?" Iroh asked, looking at Zuko out of the corner of his eye, to get a read on his reaction. Most wouldn't catch the nervousness that was shown, but Iroh knew his nephew better than anyone.

"Yes, I have to start focusing on my duties to my country, to restoring our honor"

"Mm" Iroh sat down and offered Zuko tea

"Thank you uncle"

"Though you have much to do Zuko, make sure you do not take all the burden alone. There is no weakness in having help from others, it is a strength to know one's limits." Iroh offered the advice before he started drinking his tea. Katara came into the room just then.

"I know Uncle" Zuko knew his uncle was right. And for once his message wasn't cryptic.

"Good morning Katara, I made you some tea" Katara smiled.

"Thank you general Iroh"

"Iroh please, there is no need for the formalities" Zuko watched Katara nod in response as she accepted her tea. They all sat in content silence until Toph walked in.

"Well good morning Uncle, sparky, sugar queen" She greeted loudly.

"Now everyone is awake Toph" Katara said annoyed.

"Well it's time to get up and at'em" Toph said stomping.

"Ahh" thump! "Toph!" Sakka yelled from the other room. Zuko heard Suki's laughter.

"You too twinkle toes!" She kicked her foot so her heel would hit the ground. This time there were two thumps, one of Aang hitting the ceiling and another of him hitting the ground. Toph had a huge grin on her face as she accepted the tea Iroh offered her.

Soon everyone was around the table. Zuko decided he should start the dreaded conversation.

"So, uhh, we have a lot to get done" He said not sure how to start. "I've been talking with Uncle and we think it would be a good idea to host someone from each nation at the palace to try and get some unity."

"I was thinking about that too. Until mid summer the northern and southern water tribes hadn't been true sister tribes for over 100 years." Aang said. Zuko saw Katara nod in agreement.

"I know I can't leave the fire nation, not now there is too much that needs to be done. That's why I hope I can convince a member from each nation to come stay." Zuko turned to Aang "Except the air nation." he said quietly. Before Aang could respond Toph interjected.

"Count me in sparky!"

"Well, Toph, you see I don't think you'd be the best ambassador to have for the earth kingdom" Zuko was hesitant to say it.

"And why would that be? I'm the greatest earth bender ever." She took her feet off the table as if ready to fight.

"Yeah you are, but you lack, um diplomacy. You don't really like rules so I figured you'd rather not stay at the palace."

"Fair," She put her feet back up and hands behind her head. Zuko let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"So then who were you thinking?" Sokka asked.

"I was thinking Haru. He has experience with what the people of the earth kingdom need from the fire nation"

"That's a great choice," Suki said in approval. "I want to go back to Kiyoshi island and train more warriors from all nations," She was so sure of herself and seemed excited. Zuko knew that meant Sokka was going too, everyone knew Sokka would follow Suki anywhere.

"Katara," Zuko started "I was hoping you would be the southern water tribe ambassador," Though he knew Katara would be great for the job he didn't want to be away from her. She smiled.

"It would be my honor,"

"Aang I don't think it would be fair to keep you from the world right now," Zuko continued.

"You're right. The world needs to know I'm here. That the avatar isn't going anywhere." Aang looked determined. He turned to Suki "I can give out flyers for your training program!"

"That would be awesome Aang" Suki beamed.

"Toph," Aang now switched his attention to the girl picking ear wax out of her ear. "Would you want to travel with me?"

"And go on all sorts of adventures? Absolutely twinkly toes"

"Then you all have your paths. They will come back together for your faits are far too intertwined to stay apart. Each of you is going to do great things, I know it" Iroh says. And with that, everyone had a plan.

I am doing my best to stay true to the characters. How I think they would say things and react to different situations. Leave comments! I'm sure it will be more motivation to keep writing!