Authors Note: I'm glad you all like this story. This chapter is 4 years in the future. Katara is16, Zuko 18, Sokka 18, Aang 14, and Azula 16. I got to use a computer so here's the next chapter! Enjoy!

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4 years later: Zuko's POV

"Good Morning Zuko!" Katara yells jumping on my bed.

"Good Morning Katara." I say as I turn over and look at her.

"You have to get up. Fire Lady Ursa said I can go shopping for a new robe for the ball tonight." Katara says excitedly.

"So?" I say getting up.

"So you have to come with me. It's not proper for a young lady of my stature to go alone to the market." Katara says laughing.

"I'm sure. Fine I'll come just get out so I can get dressed." I say.

"I'll meet you downstairs in 10 minutes." She yells as she runs down the stairs.

I can only chuckle as I begin getting dressed.

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10 minutes later

"Let's go!" She says as she pulls my arm.

"Aright I'm coming." I say.

As we reach the market place I can see various couples getting ready for the annual Fire Nation Lord and Lady Ball. When Katara and I were younger and the ball was going on we would train in my mother's garden. Katara with her waterbending and me with my firebending. But this year was different. This year Katara and I were of age to attend the ball. Girls had to be 16 and older and men 18 and older. Since Katara and I were friends and spent every ball night together I was going to ask her to go with me. But I was quickly brought out of my thoughts when Katara said she was ready to go. As we walked back to the Palace I decided it was time to ask.

"Katara, I was wondering if you would go to the ball with me. I mean we always spend every year together and I thought we could do this as friends." I ask.

"I could not think of anyone better to spend my first ball with." Katara said smiling.

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The dates. Zuko's POV

As I prepared for the ball I dressed in red silky pants with a red shirt and my best armor on top. I knew Katara was my best friend but I couldn't help but feel nervous. I mean I had been on dates before but was this a date? Did she think it was a date?

I quickly throw the thought out of my mind as I descend the stairs and wait for Katara.

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Katara's POV

When I began to prepare for the ball I thought it would not be such a long process. So to start I took a long warm bath washing my body and hair with special fragrant oils. I then waterbended the water out of my hair and off my body and wrapped a large towel tightly around me. I walked over to my bed where my dress was laying and let my towel drop to the floor. I began by putting on my good undergarments and the robe soon followed. My hair I had decided to put in a bun with a blue and red comb placed in it to keep it up. This comb was given as gift from the Fire Lady in honor of my first ball. When I looked in the mirror I was amazed at how I looked. I knew how I looked didn't matter to Zuko but for some reason I couldn't help but hope he would think I looked nice. But enough of my thoughts it was time for the ball.

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Zuko's POV

I stood at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Katara until I saw her begin to walk down the stairs. What I saw was breathtaking. She was wearing a light blue robe with red and black flowers on it that brought out her eyes. The length reached just to her ankles. Her hair was done up in a bun with a few tendrils of hair framing her face. Her entire appearance was flawless she looked like a beautiful painting and this painting was by far the most beautiful I had ever seen.

"Oh, Katara you looked Beautiful." Fire Lady Ursa says smiling.

"Thank you. So Zuko what do you think?" She asks spinning around.

"Um you look really nice." I say awestricken.

"Thank you." She says blushing a bright red.

"Well shall we?" I say holding out my arm after recuperating from her appearance.

"We shall." She says taking my arm as the doors begin to open revealing the ball.

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Authors Note: I hope you like it. Next up is the ball! Unfortunately I got sick but the doctors say reviews are the best cure! 