Sorry for the late update but I was really busy at the start of the week but now im more free to write. I will definitely make time for Avatar, no matter how busy I am. Chapter 2 of Pride is up! Pls review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender, but if I did, would I be writing this?

After wishing everyone goodbye, Zuko and Aang took off on Appa to head to the Fire Nation, where Zuko had to begin his duties as the Fire Lord. As Zuko sat on Appa's saddle, Aang flew Appa to the Fire Nation capital. As Aang flew Appa, all he thought about was Katara, waiting for him back in Ba Sing Se. Already he wanted to just stop there and return to Ba Sing Se to be with her. But he knew he couldn't, as Zuko had already asked him to meet with some Fire Nation governors about the reconstruction of the Earth Kingdom, and apparently he was very nervous. Plus, he didn't really want to leave Zuko stranded in the middle of nowhere having to walk all the way to the Fire Nation.

Zuko decided to break the silence.

"So, why don't you want to stay with me in the Fire Nation?" He asked inquisitively. "There's a big palace there for you to stay in, not to mention good food."

"I'm not Sokka, Zuko," Aang replied. "Besides, Ba Sing Se needs me to help rebuild."

"I still think there's another reason," Zuko said. "It's Katara isn't it?"

"What?" Aang said nervously. "No…no its not! Ba Sing Se needs me to help rebuild!"

"No need to pretend Aang; you know that we all saw what happened during the play right?" Zuko said. "And I don't think Katara would like to hear you say that she's not the reason for you remaining in Ba Sing Se."

"Ok Ok! I'm staying there for her ok? Don't tell her what I said," Aang pleaded. Zuko laughed.

"Relax! Though I have to warn you, some of the governors in the Fire Nation aren't happy that you defeated my father. They may try to make things difficult for you." Zuko warned.

"I think I can take it," Aang shrugged.

The rest of the trip pretty much passed in silence.

XxX

After a week, they finally reached the Fire Nation Capital. Zuko seemed very nervous. The minute they touched down, a wave of applause broke out, and the crowds of people were cheering excitedly for their new Fire Lord, and the Avatar. Zuko's anxiety disappeared as he saw the massive crowds.

"Looks like you're quite popular here eh, Fire Lord?" Aang teased.

"Not as popular as you," Zuko replied, waving at the crowd of fans.

After a long time settling the crowds, Aang and Zuko proceeded to the Royal Palace, where they were warmly welcomed by most of the governors. They rested for a while, before Aang pulled Zuko apart.

"Hey Zuko can we meet your governors now?" Aang asked with an anxious face.

"Can't you wait a while longer? We just got back!" Zuko asked, tiredly.

"I wanna go back already Zuko!" Aang said, with a pleading face.

"Ok ok," Zuko sighed. "Please tell all the governors to meet in the conference room for the meeting with the Avatar." Zuko instructed to one of his royal guards.

"At once sir," the guard left.

"There happy?" Zuko said. "You'll be able to go back and see Katara soon, okay?"

"Finally!" Aang grumbled.

Zuko sighed.

XxX

Later during the meeting, Aang was greeting all the governors politely, but inside he was really frustrated about the meeting. He spent the whole meeting thinking about Katara. Her beautiful blue eyes, dark wavy hair, tanned skin, all made him miss her so much his heart was aching.

At long last, the meeting was over, and Aang immediately went to Zuko, wanting to wish him goodbye before leaving on Appa. As he neared the new Fire Lord, he heard Zuko talking to Governor Shu, about Aang's duties.

"…You can't do that! He needs to return to Ba Sing Se to help in the rebuilding project!" Aang heard Zuko saying incredulously.

"That may be so, but we need the Avatar to stay here and help us deal with the rebel groups! And our need far exceeds that of Ba Sing Se!" Governor Shu said angrily. Spotting Aang standing there, he called Aang over.

"I'm needed in Ba Sing Se to help rebuild! I can't stay here!" Aang said firmly.

"I'm sorry Avatar, but this is more important! We can't risk a repeat of the war because Ozai's loyalists are still around!" Governor Shu said.

Aang sighed. No matter how much he wanted to be with Katara, he knew that stopping these loyalists were more important.

"Fine," Aang conceded. "How long do I have to stay?"

"Until all the militant groups are defeated," Governor Shu said. "It could take months, years maybe.

"That long!?" Aang said, outraged.

"We don't have a choice." Governor Shu said. "From what Fire Lord Zuko has told me, other than the rebuilding project in Ba Sing Se, you have another…er…prior commitment."

"Yeah," Aang said, dejectedly.

"I'm sorry, but you have to forget her for the time being. Focus on finding and stopping these rebel groups." Governor Shu said.

Aang didn't hear him. His mind was back in Ba Sing Se with Katara, and all his friends. Being apart from her for a few days was torturous enough, a few months without her? Aang didn't know how he'd survive.

"The faster these loyalists are defeated, the faster you can return to Ba Sing Se to assist in the rebuilding and your…uh…commitment," Governor Shu said.

Aang just nodded sadly, leaving for his room.

"Looks like I can't leave anytime soon," He said to himself, sighing. "Sorry Katara…"

Sorry about the short chapter, will try to improve the story in the next chapter. Pls review!