Authors Note: Thanks for all the reviews! I think you can tell by the title that this is the morning after the ball. Enjoy! P.S. Thanks to all my loyal reviewers!

-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Zuko's POV

I wake up as the sun begins to rise and I see the light hitting Katara's smiling face making it shine with beauty. I remember us falling asleep last night as I slowly slip out of the blanket hoping not to wake her up as she looks so content. I walk on to the balcony attached to my room as I watch the beautiful sight rising in to the sky announcing the beginning of a new day. But this sight is not as beautiful as the sight lying on my bed.

Hearing yawning and the movement on my bed I turn around to see a newly awake

Katara staring back at me with a large grin on her face.

"Good Morning." I greet.

"Good morning to you too." She greets me as she walks over to the balcony where I'm standing.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" She asks.

"Yeah." I say smiling at her as she examines the newly risen sun.

"I feel all dirty in my ball clothes I should go and change." She says looking down at herself.

"Here let me help you." I say lifting her and holding her bridal style while heading to her room next to mine.

"Zuko put me down." She says laughing.

"We are almost there." I say walking through her door.

"Now is this better." I say as I place her on the bed as I sit next to her.

"Much better. But I have to get dressed which means you have to get out." She says smiling as she pushes me to the door.

"It doesn't mean I have to get out. I could stay." I say smirking.

"Yes I'm sure you'd be a great help. But to me you'd only be a distraction." She says.

"Speaking of that." I say as I lean in for a kiss my lips hitting hers.

I can feel her lips move softly against mine as her hands make their way around my neck and mine around her waist. As our lips move in synchronization I begin to start moving her back when I feel us hit something and collapse on to her bed. Our lips begin moving faster and the kiss intensifies. My tongue begins asking for entrance as her mouth gladly opens allowing me to explore. Her taste is sweet and addictive like I'll never get enough. When I break the kiss I begin to kiss down her jaw until I hit her neck and suck on her pulse point. I can hear her mumble my name as I come up for air to look at her. Her face is flushed a light red color and her breath is coming out ragged as is mine. When we finally regain composure she speaks.

"I really should get dressed." She says smiling as she pushes me off.

"Alright." I say as I stand pulling her with me as I peck her on the lips one last time and leave her to get dressed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - --

Zuko's POV

As I finish getting dressed there is a knock at the door.

"Come in." I say sitting on my bed.

"Good morning Zuko. Did you get enough sleep?" my mother says smiling.

"Yes mom." I reply.

"Did Katara sleep well, too?" she asks trying to hold in a smile.

Not knowing my mother knew I tried to think why she would ask me that question. Then I remembered the blanket. Upon realizing that there wasn't a blanket on us when we fell asleep I assume it came from her.

"I'm assuming you knew Katara slept here?" I say now realizing what my mother was hinting at.

"Yes. You two always looked cute together." My mom said smiling.

After a few minutes of silence my mother asks me a question.

"Are you courting her now?" My mom asks.

"Yes." I say.

"She's a great person and a wonderful woman she deserves to be treated well. Can I trust you with this responsibility, Zuko?" My mom asks.

"I would never do anything to hurt her." I say seriously.

"I knew you would say that. Now why don't you get Katara and tell her breakfast is ready." Mom says going to the door.

"Okay." I say as my mom leaves me to my thoughts.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - -

Katara's POV

"Katara it's time for breakfast." Zuko says knocking on my door.

"I'm coming." I say opening the door and starting down the stairs with Zuko in tow.

When I reach the dining room I can see Sokka taking a pile of Fire Nation Batter cakes and placing them on his plate.

"Sokka!" I yell.

"What?" Sokka mumbles with his mouth full of food.

"Leave some for the rest of us!" I say as we all begin taking some before Sokka eats the rest.

"You know no matter how long you live here I will never stop being amazed by your brother's eating abilities." Uncle Iroh whispers to me as we both chuckle.

Trying to change the subject Fire Lady Ursa brings up the ball.

"So Katara, Azula, Sokka, and Zuko did you enjoy the ball? For all of you this was the first." Lady Ursa asks.

"It was good." Sokka managed to get out.

"It was very nice, mom. You did a great job." Zuko responds.

"I agree. You did a wonderful job mother." Azula says smiling mischievously.

"Thank you Sokka, Zuko and Azula. What about you Katara?" Lady Ursa asks.

As I look up from my breakfast I can see everyone staring at me with different expressions. Lady Ursa and Uncle Iroh are looking at me with genuine grins. Zuko is looking with a light smile. Azula is still smiling mischievously and Sokka is too busy with his breakfast to notice what everyone else is doing.

"I loved it! The ball room was decorated beautifully with the flowers and other decorations. The music was nice and the food was fabulous. So altogether it was a successful first ball for me." I say enthusiastically.

"I'm glad you all enjoyed the ball." Lady Ursa says continuing to eat her breakfast.

When the conversation is over I can feel someone's gaze locked on my face. As I turn my eyes lock with Zuko's as he smiles and winks at me secretly. When he returns to his breakfast I can feel a light blush creeping on to my cheeks.

- -- - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - -- - - --

Zuko's POV

As I move around the palace my thoughts filled with everything that's been going on I decide to make my destination my mother's garden. This is the only place I can truly be at peace.

As I enter the garden I can see Katara practicing her waterbending. Not wanting to disturb her I hide behind a bush close to the entrance of the garden. Her movements place me in a trance. I watch as she gracefully moves the water. I soon become curious and move forward but end up rustling the bush. I can see her notice this as I try and move back in to the bush.

I watch as her movements stop. The droplets of water are now hanging in midair, surrounding her. I can see her placing the water back in to the pond.

"Zuko, come out." She says as she sits on the edge of the pond.

"How did you know it was me?" I say as I make my way over to her.

"Because how many times have I caught you spying on me before?" She asks smiling.

"I wouldn't call it spying more scoping out." I say as I sit next to her.

"Sure." She says.

"Remember when I water whipped you in to the pond." She says laughing at the memory.

"Yeah that was the first time we trained together .If I remember correctly we agreed not to fight until we both said go but you went on three." I say.

"I told you my hand slipped." She says smiling.

"Sure." I say leaning in for a kiss.

As my lips hit hers, she responds with such a fire that could rival any fire nation civilian. But as soon as she responds I pull away. I can hear her whimper at the lost of contact.

"Sorry. My lips slipped." I say smiling at her. My face just inches away from the hers.

She smiles at this comment and places her hand on the back of my neck pulling me forward for another kiss. Just as our lips are about to meet an unwanted interference ruins the moment.

"Well, if it isn't Zuzu and his girlfriend." Azula says smirking.

We immediately move apart at the sound of the voice. We continue sitting on the pond's edge as Azula's smirking form stares at us. It wasn't so bad my mom knew but Azula was a different story.

- - - - - -- - - - -- - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - -- - - - - - -- - - - - - - --- - - -- - - - - - - - - -- -

Authors Note: Cool! My chapters are getting longer! Anyway I want at least five reviews before I update. REVIEW!