Appa circled high above the Fire Nation, carrying the five teenagers. It was late, the day before Sozin's Comet.

Sokka pointed to an entrance to the palace on their map, which Zuko had..borrowed, the day before.

"If we want to get to Ozai before he gets to us, someone has to go this way, while the others go this way." Sokka said quietly.

The firebender looked up.

"I'll do it."

Four faces stared at him. No one said it, but they all knew what it meant.

A suicide mission.

"You don't have to." Katara said.

His eyes met hers. "Yes. I do."

She bit her lip.

/&/&

The next day, all of them met at the entrance. They all bid their goodbyes to Zuko, aside from Toph- because, 'goodbyes are for people who aren't coming back.'

They started towards their destination, aside from Zuko and Katara.

"Come back safe." She begged.

But he can't promise this, so he clasps her hands within his, and kisses her forehead.

"Take care of yourself."

Then he was gone, and Aang was telling her to hurry.

And then it was over. Ozai was dead. The war was over.

/&/&

The war. Was over. A hundred years of death, pain, and loneliness..

Were over.

Just like that.

Sokka wasn't present. Once the Fire Lord fell, he broke into a run, yelling he was going to find Suki.

Aang was rousing the unconscious Toph, who, despite her wounds, would be okay.

And Zuko was gone.

Katara had run into an abandoned hallway, hiding her tears.

He gave his life to save us..

Silenty, she fell to her knees and began to sob. Not from the burns on her arms, but from her broken heart.

"Zuko..You idiot! Stupid.."

The waterbender buried her face in her hands.

And then, a voice.

"Jeez. I leave for a little while, and you get all wimpy."

"ZUKO!"

She ran, and lept onto him, flinging her arms around him.

"You're alive!!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Watch the neck!"

Katara pulled back, and was shocked. His neck was bleeding, along with his arms and waist.

"Oh..Zuko..Let me heal you.."

He shrugged, blushing.

"It's nothing..Really."

She smiled.

"Tough guy."

A strange look came over his face.

"He..my father...He's dead?"

"..Yes..I'm..sorry.."

And then he closed his eyes, and smiled.

"Don't be. It's over."

She walked over to him, leaning against his shoulder.

"What happens now?"

"I don't know. I guess...I guess I'm..Fire Lord."

And without another word, he pulled her into a kiss, into an embrace.

Into a new beginning.

...i thought it would be better. lol

shit...i'm freaking out..tomorrow is HIGH SCHOOL!

ahhhh!

lol..i'd thank some of my most loyal reviewers...moonlightspirit, zutarakid50, kitcatcocobar, dragonjadefire, hollywoodland,shadowsole..AND MANY OTHERS!!

..okay. this is SO not fair. FANFICTION DOT NET IS DOWN. THIS SERIOUSLY SUCKS.

..allright. i wrote that last night...so i'm home now from high school..wow. it was a good day : )

REVIEW! I LOVE YOU GUYS!

XOXO ME!!!!!

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