Welcome back for Chapter 1! Or Chapter 2 according to ff. Thank you all so far! I'm honored to have gotten EIGHT reviews in a little more than 24 hours. :) You guys rock! A special shout out to my reviewers will be at the bottom of this! I appreciate all of you! I will also try to update once a week - Thursdays or Fridays depending. :) That is my current goal! I'll keep you updated on that on painted-blue or facebook. :)

Onwards!

Katara took a step back and smiled. She had been working on this particular building for a little while and she was finally wasn't sure what it's purpose was yet, but her father had said it needed to be built. It was Sokka's idea and, as chief-in-training, Hakoda let him run with it. She shook her head. Of course dad let Sokka run with an idea without making him tell him what it was about…men…

With that thought, she walked back towards her newer home. When The War ended, Katara had traveled with Aang for a little bit, but after a little while, she felt compelled to go home. She was the last Waterbender of her tribe as well as the Chief's daughter. She would be needed to help rebuild. And she wanted to at the time. It was great at first. She felt useful and it was wonderful seeing the tribe evolve and grow…but now? Now she felt like it was time for something else…like something was missing…

The young woman sighed as she entered through the opening of their home. It was amazing how different things were now compared to before the war…In some ways, it was wonderful. In others…just different. But that train of thought paused as she saw a messenger hawk waiting for her. Immediately she went to the bird and took out the letter from it's holder.

Before going to read it, she looked around to see if anyone was there but it did not seem to be the case, so she sat down and opened it. The young woman smiled when she noticed the handwriting. She should've guessed from the messenger hawk, as it was definitely Iroh's, but she had been distracted with her own thoughts. His letters always made her smile.

Almost always…However she frowned at this one. Zuko. It wasn't the name that made her frown, but the thought that perhaps he was working too hard. That was what Iroh seemed to be implying at least. Not that Katara was surprised. He was a daunting taskmaster when training Aang back in the day.

And there he was. Aang. Or rather his name. He never seemed to escape things. She sighed and looked around her room. Aang had been a good friend, a great one. He was sweet, kind, friendly…but as a boyfriend? He was…innocent. Not that she was experienced either… He was naive in some ways while not in others. He was…something was, he could grow into a good, strong young man in good time. And he probably would. She didn't doubt that. In the year since the war had ended Aang had already shown great wisdom, he did during the war too. She sighed. She felt like she was just making excuses.

It wasn't that he was the Avatar. No, that didn't bother her. It wasn't even all the traveling, though she did miss having a place to go back to at the end of it. It seemed that he didn't want to put down roots right now. It was more so…him. It was that happy-go-lucky, sweet personality. Things seemed like…more like he was her brother than her boyfriend. That just didn't feel right. I AM just making excuses…the end of it all is that it just doesn't feel right.

When they broke up, it was awkward at first. It still was to an extent. He still loved her and he was sad that she felt that way. He wanted the best for her, but…he still wanted her. Avatar or not he was still a teenage boy. But things just didn't feel right. Katara shook her head. She didn't want to think about the break-up right now. It was still somewhat fresh. So when her thoughts began wandering to a certain Firebender, she was quite happy to distract herself again.

"It sounds like he needs someone to keep him in check…" She mused to herself when an idea struck her. Katara grinned widely. "That's it!"

The young Waterbending Master got up, beginning the search for her brother.

In the Fire Nation, Zuko was gratefully ending a meeting. It had gone on for far too long and all he had to do now was shake hands and nod until they left. Then he could begin tackling the never ending stack of paperwork he had in his office. No, really, it never seemed to stop. Thankfully the men he was meeting with had things to attend to so it did not take long for them to leave. All except one. Admiral Jeong Jeong.

It had taken a lot of persuasion for the older gentleman to join things. Jeong Jeong wanted nothing to do with the military anymore. He wanted nothing to do with violence. He did not want Firebending used for such things. But, with a bit of Iroh's help, he gave in and agreed he would come. Despite his Uncle's involvement, he came back largely due to Zuko's strong commitment to peace.

The White Lotus member stopped and eyed the young Fire Lord carefully. "You did a good job back there. You had the patience to wait but remained strong on your positions."

Zuko let a brief, small smile grace his lips. "Thank you." He sighed, looking back at the room and then the Admiral. "Do you think we'll ever truly be at peace?"

Jeong Jeong looked to see what the Fire Lord was looking at but it seemed he was more lost in his mind than anything else. "That is not a question one can answer briefly nor easily."

He sighed and nodded. "You're right, of course."

"But I do have hope." The older Firebender replied. "That one day, perhaps, the four nations could live together in harmony. There may never be complete peace as you may have been implying. Though that would be ideal, it is not necessarily realistic. What we must hope for though, is harmony." He bowed to the Fire Lord and walked off.

Zuko looked off at his Firebending Master and adviser as he walked off. The man reminded him of his Uncle with that wisdom. He could only hope he would gain that with age as well. Perhaps he would. But for now, since he did not hold it, he felt as though he needed to write a letter to his Uncle. Perhaps he could come visit the Fire Nation for a while…

"You want to do what? Hakoda asked, looking at his daughter.

"I want to go to the Fire Nation and visit Zuko. I think it'd do him good to see an old friend."

He looked at his son. "And what do you think of this?"

"I think it's a good idea." Sokka replied honestly. "Zuko will work himself into oblivion if no one checks on him. And who better to help him slow down than Katara? If anyone can make Zuko listen to them, it'd be Katara. Heck, she could do that to just about anyone!"

"Thanks Sokka…"His sister replied sarcastically.

Unfortunately he missed it, or chose to ignore it, as the young warrior grinned. "No problem."

Hakoda ignored that little exchanged and sighed. While he could see the benefit from a friend standpoint…"Fire Lord Zuko is a busy man. I'm not sure he'll have time for this."

"That's precisely the point Dad. He needs to relax a little. Uncle Iroh sent me a letter that had 'Go Visit Zuko' written all over it. Well, that was the subtext."

"I still don't know Katara. There's much to be done on both ends…And while I am always in favor of supporting your friends…"

"Come on dad. Let her go. I'll even go with her to protect her."

While Katara glared at her brother slightly, she knew he was just trying to make their dad feel at ease and let her go. He knew very well that she didn't need protecting but he said it for a reason. *Even if that reason might involve seeing Suki…*

The Chief looked between his two children. At that moment his mother, Kanna, came by and saw the sight. Truthfully she had been listening all along but she just now spoke up. "Let them go my son. I tried to stop them once before and look what happened? They went anyways. And they saved the world with the help of the Avatar. Perhaps the children are more wise than we believe they are. Let them go. It will not be the last you see of them. Besides, they are practically grown now."

He sighed, looking at his mother. She always had the answers…even if he didn't necessarily like them. "Alright. If your grandmother thinks it's best then I suppose…"He said, pausing as his children's faces lit up with excitement. "But I still want you to send me a message as soon as you arrive. And let me know when you plan to return. Keep me up to date please. I know you've traveled the world but I'm still your father. And I still worry." The leader replied, hugging his children.

"Thanks dad." Sokka replied, smiling and looking to his sister.

Katara smiled. "Thank you." She didn't want to waste any time so she immediately ran back to their ice home to begin packing. But before she finished, she sent a simple letter to Iroh.

Dear Uncle Iroh,

I have received your letter. Sokka and I are headed to the Fire Nation to surprise Zuko. I assume that was the intent. I'll see you there.

~ Katara

The Waterbending Master smiled. Iroh's subtext had been pretty clear. And after reading that, she worried. But this wasn't her mothering side. It was entirely different. She didn't want to coddle him...she just...well, quite frankly…she missed him. She missed Zuko. She missed Iroh…and perhaps this was half of an excuse she had been waiting for to get out. To do something. Things just didn't feel right anymore and she didn't know why. So when Iroh's letter arrived, suggesting a friendly visit, she leaped. Excuses seem to be my thing lately...But regardless, it will be nice to see Zuko again. And remind him to have a little fun. Fire Lord or not, he's still a teenage boy. She wanted to leave as soon as possible. And she would.

The Fire Lord stayed in his office later than usual, skipping dinner and opting to do more paperwork. His meetings earlier had set him back a bit, but he decided if he stayed longer, then he would be almost caught up. Though the pile still seemed endless, he stopped for the night, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He was definitely ready to retire for the evening. Firebenders rose with the sun and it was well into the night.

As he walked down the hall, he couldn't help but be reminded of the immediate post-war period. It seemed so long ago…but in reality it hadn't been more than a year. His friends had been there. They'd just defeated his father, or Aang had. And he'd just defeated Azula. It was…nice. Weird, as he'd also just been crowned Fire Lord, but nice. That was the last time they'd all gotten together…or rather the Tea Shop in Ba Sing Se was, but it was around the same time.

Zuko shook his head. It's funny how everything felt longer or shorter, depending. And it was sad that it had been so long since he had seen his friends. He missed them. There was just something about traveling together, preparing to fight the biggest battle of your life that bonded people together. It's funny how war could bring people together as well as tear people apart. It reminded him of something his Uncle had said about fire before…

His train of thought derailed as he yawned, feeling the fatigue set in. Bedroom is not much further...almost there...

When he finally arrived, he opened his door without hesitation. There were times when he would hesitate, especially after all the assasination attempts. But not today. Today he didn't have those feelings. Or perhaps it was his tiredness. But what he saw when he opened the door…was not at ALL what he expected…Or rather, who…

A/N:Sooo I wanted to make this longer and much more epic, but this is still one of those early, must get out of the way chapters. :) But HEY! Katara and Sokka are on the way to the Fire Nation! =D And Zuko…well things are interesting with him. Haha. Thanks for sticking around and YAY!

And here's my thanks section to my reviewers!

(Normally I'll just list them and thank them, unless it's anonymous or important to address. But since this is the first chapter after the initial posting, I thought I'd address them here. :) )

LadyAvatar - Thank you SO much for reviewing! You were my first reviewer and I was honored that you were. I have read your entire fic and talked to you since. You are completely amazing. :)

Everyone should check out her ATLA fic: "Fire and Ice". It's AMAZING! I'm lost for words and so filled with emotions and ideas! Inspirational!

DeadReckoning - Thanks Sammy. I appreciate you taking a look even though you don't like Zutara. But there isn't Zutara yet? So maybe you'll like it so much you'll stay with it even when it gets there. XD

Ladytbug00 - Thanks for reviewing! :) I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Mythomagic-champion - Hooray! :) The update is here! Enjoy!

painterofemotions - Thanks girly! I appreciate the review. I will check out your work after I get more done or sooner if it turns out you don't have many fics written. =D

Advocaat - Iroh is wonderful indeed. He is sneaky and sweet and lots of awesome things all at once. ;)

Boogum - Unfortunate but true. They do grow apart in time, but things will bring them back together hopefully!

appa-appa-away - Woot! :) I'm glad you approve!