The Sun and the Moon

Several years after the end of the war, Avatar Aang and his friends are trying to find their places in this new world. Peace has not been fully achieved and trouble starts brewing in the Fire Nation colonies after a prisoner escapes from their captivity. The group finds themselves thrown together again for yet another adventure, but danger lurks around every corner...but in the troubled times, a new love is discovered, one that seems as old as time.

yours is the light by which my spirit's born:

yours is the darkness of my soul's return

–you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars...

E. E. Cummings

Chapter One: Stories

There were many stories surrounding the sun and the moon. The truest tales were how the Moon and Ocean spirits were locked in a never ending dance- push and pull, push and pull. The sun was the first source of firebending, and the first firebenders learned from watching the dragons.

Then there were the lesser known stories- how the sun and the moon reigned the skies as god and goddess, how they were lovers since the first light, and how they were destined never to share the sky together. And when they did, the eclipses were something never to be forgotten...

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The ocean was calm, quiet- as was the night.

Deep below, in its dark depths, a school of fish darted away from an approaching shadow. As stealthy as any shark, the shadow passed by, uninterested in the fish. It swam along the glimpses of moonlight, which flickered like flashes of lightning under the water.

Then, slowly, the shadow began its ascent.

Waves crashed against the shore, before receding, only to roll forward once more. The rise and fall of the sea created a melody, and it echoed down the quiet beach.

The moon's reflection rippled against the dark water, its proud face full and pale. It rose high in the inky sky, pushing and pulling the waves, as it had for many, many years.

Far below, emerged a lone figure from the water, before they stood on the water's edge.

With eyes as blue and deep as the ocean, the woman inhaled the salty air, before releasing a long sigh. She could feel the moon's influence, and it gave her power unlike anything else.

Raising her arms, she too began to push and pull the waves, until they rose higher and higher. And for a moment, she held the water aloft, so it towered over her. When she released it, she flexed her hands, and the wave exploded into thousands of water droplets. Each caught the reflection of the moon and resembled a small, iridescent pearl.

Summoning a tendril of water, the bender swirled it around her, moving through a series of stances that were now familiar to her.

Hours would pass before the power of the moon gave way to the rising of the sun. As the sky began to lighten from indigo to a pale blue, the sun peered its golden head over the horizon.

The remnants of the moon's power left the waterbender's body, and with its loss, another sigh was drawn from her. She watched the rising sun, in all its golden might, her thoughts far away, before she turned away and quietly departed from the shore.

Miles away, another was woken by the breaking dawn.

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It would take years before the world would recover from the hundred year war. The healing process was slow, even with the help of the Avatar and his friends. Trust needed to be regained and the nations would once again have to learn how to coexist peacefully with one another.

The first two years were spent repairing the damage left behind by the rise of the Fire Nation- many cities were rebuilt or repaired, and there was a need to heal the land along with the rest of it, to appease any angered spirits. The following years would be spent rebuilding trust, bridging gaps torn between the four nations, proposing peace treaties, then renegotiating those treaties time and again.

The foundation of peace and love were centered on the adventures and friendships between Avatar Aang and his friends- all of whom were deeply involved in rebuilding the world and starting this new era after so many years of war and hate.

Adventures still found the group, even after the war. Some included Sokka and Suki's wedding, or when they discovered where Zuko's mother was and reunited her with the Fire Lord.

But sadness found them as well. The group found themselves in the South Pole for a funeral, where Sokka and Katara mourned the loss of their grandmother. Not long after, the group found itself oddly torn when Katara abruptly ended things between her and Aang, and disappeared for several long months.

The waterbending master returned for the five year celebration marking the end of the war. It was held in the Earth Kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se, where the Earth King has already welcomed the Avatar and his friends, only quietly noting that one was missing.

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He saw her before anyone else. After months of searching for her, it had been Sokka who had called off the search, claiming his sister would return when she was ready. The man, who seemed so different from the teenager that had fought in the war, had stated she needed time.

Zuko had found himself agreeing with the Southern Water tribesman. He remembered how Katara had been when they had tracked down the man who had killed her mother. When her mind was focused on one thing, there was hardly room for anything else. He knew it would consume her if she did not face it, even if she was facing it on her own this time.

It was a feeling he was familiar with.

So when he saw her, standing at the doorway, his eyes sought hers. Gone were the shadows that had lingered under her eyes long after the funeral, and with it, the lost, pained expression that had marred her features. She seemed... calm.

And when her eyes met his, his breath hitched in his throat.

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Katara walked back into the Royal Palace in Ba Sing Se, lost in the memories of the last time she had been there. It felt like so long ago, and yet, it felt like only yesterday. She clasped her hands in front of her, studying the crowd, feeling oddly anxious to see a familiar face.

A small tingle ran down her back, and when she shifted her gaze, she found a familiar pair of golden eyes looking directly at her.

It was as if the world had slowed down, as if time had stretched out a second into a million, as she stared back at him.

His name formed on her lips, and passed only as a whisper, before the world snapped back into place.

"Katara!"

Blinking, Katara turned reflexively towards the sound of Sokka's voice, before she was caught up in his embrace. Her throat tightened as she buried her face into his shoulder. It was then that she realized how much she had missed him.

Pulling back, she smiled. "Sokka," she said. "You have a beard!"

Sokka grinned, running a hand over his jaw. "Well, I didn't have time to shave, not with us trying to find..." He trailed off.

"I'm sorry if I made you worry," Katara said softly. "I just needed..."

"To get away," Sokka finished, with a nod. "I get it. But next time you run off like that, can you leave a note?"

Katara laughed. "I'll be sure to get a message to Hawky."

"That's more like it," Sokka said, moving so she could take his arm.

Hesitating, Katara looked back at Zuko. "Sokka, I'm going to..."

Sokka turned and saw Zuko, then nodded again. "I'll go find Toph and Suki."

"Is... Aang here?"

"He's around," Sokka said, understanding her cautious tone. "Last I saw him, he was talking to Bumi."

Katara nodded, before walking over to Zuko with a hesitant smile curling her lips. When she stopped in front of him, she remembered formalities, and bowed. "Fire Lord Zuko."

Zuko, in turn, bowed back. "Master Katara."

Katara paused only for a moment, before moving to embrace him, not seeing how at the same time, he began reaching for her. She nearly sighed, her previous anxieties forgotten, as she relaxed against him.

"You were gone for a long time," Zuko murmured softly.

"I know. I'm sorry."

Zuko pulled away, placing his hands on her shoulders. "There's no need to be sorry. I know why you left." Remembering himself, he began to tuck his hands into his sleeves.

Katara reached out, taking one of his hands in hers. "Thank you." Then she looked around. "Is your mother or Iroh here?"

"Uncle was supposed to be in the Fire Nation, keeping an eye on things while I'm here. He insisted on coming, so my advisors are in charge in my absence. My mother is right over there," he said, gesturing to a table. "She'll be happy to see you again."

Katara glanced over, noting that Lady Ursa was surrounded by other noblewomen. "What about the others?" She met his gaze again. "Mai and Ty Lee?"

A muscle in Zuko's jaw jumped slightly. "Ty Lee is with Suki and the other Kyoshi warriors. Mai... chose not to attend."

"There seems to be a story there," Katara commented, raising a brow at his expression.

"Yes, but it's not one to tell right now. Here comes everyone else."

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Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or any of its characters.

Author's Note: The idea for this story came to me after rewatching ATLA (for the hundredth time), I figured I'd add to the "years later, eventual Zutara" genre. This story will span many years and will include flashbacks, and yes, there will be eventual Zutara. What this story will NOT include is a jealous, immature Aang- that it is a tired trope, in my opinion. Not to say there won't be SOME jealousy, but it won't be the whole "Aang is jealous and tries to force Katara into a relationship with him for the sake of his own happiness" bit.

Also note: there will be SOME changes to canon. If this makes this story an AU, then so be it. The changes that are made are for the sake of the plot, and won't be huge changes. Just a head's up!

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