A/N: Okay let me remind you guys this is an AU story! I know that in the real Avatar show the eye color has nothing to do with bending, but in my story it does!! And I changed the ages 2 fit the story. Here are the ages as a reminder:

Zuko- 15

Sokka- 15

Katara- 14

Suki- 16

Toph- 13

Arisu- 16

Mai- 15

Haru- 14

Azula- 14

And I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry that I havent updated in like three weeks! I've been so busy with school and family, but I plan to make it up to you guys! I swear!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar blah blah blah I just own this plotline. The End.

Previously...

"Prince Zuko!"

I froze and jumped away from him suddenly.

"Prince Zuko? What are you doing here?" A girl probably his age came walking up to him. I held my breath and prayed that she wouldn't hear me. Only Fire Nation royalty were allowed in the gardens unless you were invited by someone of high status that could enter the garden.

"Relaxing Lady Arisu." Zuko answered turning to the girl.

"Oh well mind If I join you?" The girl asked either completely ignoring me or not noticing that I was there at all. Either way it made me extremely annoyed. Unable to stop myself I interrupted.

"You mean us?." I asked stepping out from Zuko's other side.

"And you are?..." She asked appraising me. I crossed my arms wondering the exact same thing about her.

"Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."

"Well then. I'm Arisu of the Fire Nation. Don't you know this is for Fire Nation royalty only."

"I invited her." Zuko said quickly covering up for me. I shot him a grateful look before turning my eyes back to the annoying girl in front of us.

"And since your here that means that you must be Zuko's sister." I concluded.

"Um Katara. My sister is Princess Azula, Arisu's father is a counselor in the Fire Nation court, so she's not my sister." Zuko said much to my chagrin. Dang...

"Speaking of Azula that's who invited me here." Arisu said. So thats how she got in here...

"Prince Zuko your father is looking for you." She said extending an elbow towards the shocked prince. "Allow me to escort you."

"That's okay, I've got him." I said stepping to his side and slipping my arm through his. I wasn't going to let some random 'Prince Zuko' fan-girl walk up and steal him away, especially since this would probably be the last time I would see him...

KATARA POV

"Why do you think your father wants you?" I asked noting his anxious expression.

"I'm not really sure..." He said hesitantly. Nervously.

"Hey." I said stopping. He turned his head and looked down to meet my eyes. " Don't worry Zuko. Whatever It is it can't be that bad." I said reassuringly unhooking our arms and taking his hand in mine.

"You clearly don't know my father." He muttered. "And thank Agni for that..."

I ignored his comment...even though it confused me. I mean I had heard that the Fire Lord was pretentious but Zuko was acting like he was going to meet his death. Surely Zuko wouldn't be afraid of his own father? Would he? He saw the confusion on my face and smiled grimly.

"Do you love your father Katara?"

"Of Course." I answered straightaway not liking where this was going.

"Well, It's not like that with me. Not even close." He paused and took a deep breath before he continued walking at a slower pace, keeping my hand in his. " All my life I've had to prepare to receive the throne one day. Training, going to lessons, and trying to prove myself a worthy son, that's basically how I grew up. My friends were my sister and the Nobles children, who were more my sisters friends than mine. Did you know I've actually never left the palace? I've lived a really sheltered life, being cut off from the rest of the Nation, the rest of the world. And...I've found that I don't want to spend my entire life trapped here in the Palace, even if I just go around the Fire Nation. And I will do that when I'm Fire Lord." He said fiercely his eyes alight with passion for his Nation. It was then that I realized that he was going to make a good Fire Lord someday. He was going to make his Nation, and his family proud. I just know it. And so I told him just that.

"I know you will, I can see it in your eyes. You will do what's best for your Nation, you will make a...great Fire Lord someday." I said squeezing his hand and biting my lip to stop the tears from flowing. God what was wrong with me? All the events of today must be getting to me, plus the trip here wasn't the smoothest...

"Thank you." He said drawing me out of my thoughts. I realized that he had stopped walking and turned to look at him.

"It's just the truth." I said trying to make him see. Didn't he know how much of an effect he had on people? How much of an impact he left?

"Do you really think that? You think I'll make a good Firelord?" He asked in a low voice. Those few words were so full of hope it made it harder to keep the tears at bay. What kind of life had he lived to have such a low self esteem? He didn't even believe he would make a good Firelord when he had been preparing his whole life to be just that.

"The greatest." I managed to say my voice catching.

He just smiled a shocked, dazed look in his eyes before he continued walking, but at a much slower pace. We continued down the walkway in silence, each lost in our own thoughts.

"Katara." Zuko said getting my attention.

"Hmm?" I asked looking up at him.

"Well, my father doesn't usually request my presence at these things, hell he's rarely even around on my birthday. So this must be really urgent for him to call for me..." Zuko said nervously.

"What are you saying?" I asked wondering where he was going with this. He looked so nervous it was starting to scare me...

"Are you up for meeting the Firelord?" He asked looking at me worriedly. I stumbled and he tightened his grip on my arm to steady me.

"W-what?" I stammered gaining my balance not believing what I was hearing. Did Zuko just invite ME to meet the FIRELORD, his FATHER? Oh no, no, no, no, no...

"Look I know that's probably the last thing you want to do right now, or ever, after what the impression I've given you of him but, I'd really appreciate it if you were there. And I don't know how long it's going to take and well I don't know how much..." He trailed off breaking his gaze away from me to gaze up at the sky.

"Why does life have to be so complicated? Why can't anything be simple?" He groaned rubbing his eyes in exhaustion. I realized then how stressed he was about speaking with his father. He looked like he was about to lose it, and here and now wasn't the best place and time. I took a deep breath and sucked it up before making my decision.

"You promise it won't be that bad?"

His eyes lit up then he smirked lazily at me.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you."

I rolled my eyes "Cause that makes me feel so much better." But actually...it did.

As we approached the Palace I bit my lip as I eyed the huge entrance door. It was like four times my height! Never thought I'd be intimidated by a door...

"Welcome to my humble abode." He said sarcastically making me laugh.

"Humble? Right." I shook my head at him as the servants opened the doors murmuring their greetings to their Prince and bowing low to the ground.

He glared at me and grabbed one of the servants by the shoulder.

"P-Please I'm sorry your m-majesty." The man stuttered nervously cringing away from Zuko. I raised an eyebrow at the mans reaction and looked at Zuko accusingly.

"Theres no need to bow." Zuko said gruffly and uncomfortably releasing the man's shoulder and stalking away.

"Excuse me." I said to the men as I passed through the doors after Zuko.

"What was that about?" I asked catching up with him.

"What?"

"You know what! Why was that man terrified of you?" I demanded stepping in front of him to stop him from continuing down the hall.

"Oh I don't know, maybe because my Father rules with an iron fist and Azula is the Devil's spawn." He spit out gritting his teeth. "So naturally their reputations, and how they're viewed effects me."

I leaned back away from him as he towered over me suprised at the severity of his anger. He noticed my reaction and calmed himself. He took a deep breath and released it harshly.

"Dammit!" He cursed punching the wall making me flinch.

"Zuko, Calm down!" I hissed pulling his arm towards me and looking at his red, scraped hand worriedly. "Are you insane?!? You could fracture something!" Then noticing the look on his face I simmered down and tried to speak calmly without yelling.

"It doesn't look too bad, I mean I don't think you broke anything." I said smirking slightly at him. He rolled his eyes and let me examine his hand.

"But I'll heal it just in case." I said finally reaching for my water.

"Oh no you don't. I don't want any of that stuff touching me." He said pulling his hand away.

I gripped his wrist tighter and yanked it back towards me. "Don't be a child, it needs to be healed."

"But you just said it wasn't permanently damaged." He argued.

"Yet." I answered in a clipped tone. "Now Zuko If you don't give me your hand right now..." I trailed off just daring him to disagree. Why is he so freaking stubborn? It's not like I'm going to cut his arm off, I just want to heal the cuts!

"Whatever, just hurry I still have to go see my Father." He said holding his hand out and turning his head the other way. I smiled contently and retrieved the water from the pouch at my hip. I swirled it around then lowered it to his hand concentrating on his injuries until the water glowed a bright blue then returned the water to the pouch.

I waited smugly as he examined his hand flexing it and examining it for injuries that were no longer present.

"Your welcome." I said pointedly when I realized that he wasn't going to thank me. He just nodded his head and turned back the way we were walking not waiting for me. I sighed. One day I would get him to Thank me. One day.

"Where are we meeting him?" I asked nervously. Hopefully somewhere with a lot of witnesses...

"The throne room." He said not slowing his pace. I nodded distractedly and kept silent the rest of the walk there. I wonder what he wants to speak to Zuko about. Hopefully nothing bad. Zuko is really stressed right now I don't think he can handle anything else thrown onto his shoulders. Especially since he was only...wait how old was he? I glanced up at him. He was definitely older than me. Maybe seventeen or so.

"How old are you?" I asked suddenly, breaking the tense silence. A brief smile flickered aross his face before he hid it and kept walking.

"Guess."

"Er...seventeen?" I asked taking a wild guess. He was at least that, maybe more.

He glanced down at me amused, a smirk playing at his lips.

"What?" I asked self-consciously. Hopefully I didn't guess too far off...

"I'm fifteen." He said finally, making me look at him in shock.

"Your fifteen?!?" I said shocked. No way! He totally looked a lot older! Wait that means he's only a year older than me!

"You?" He asked nonchalantly. But I could tell he was curious. Hmmm...I wonder...

"Guess."

"Fourteen." He said straightaway. I eyed him suspiciously.

"Oh. You're right." I blinked shocked. I thought for sure he would have said something under my real age. Everyone always told me I looked thirteen.

"Yeah I usually am."

"Yeah? Well-" I stopped talking when I realized we were at the Throne Room. I swallowed and stepped away from him, straightening my back and clasping my hands in front of me. I gave my dress a once over. Okay it's all good. I look fine. Deep breaths. I'm sure this won't be that bad, I'm only meeting the man in charge of the whole Fire Nation. I can do this. I just have to remember what Gran Gran taught me.

"Katara?" He questioned concerned. What was wrong with me? I was Princess Katara. I was trained to do this. Meet important people. I would go in there and make my family proud.

"I'm fine." I said more sure of myself. After a second he nodded and the servants opened the doors.

"You've got this Katara." Zuko murmured before walking ahead of me into the dimly lit room. I waited a second before walking in behind him like I was supposed to. I kept my face straight ahead letting my eyes wander around the spacious room, taking in the flickering torches hanging on the plain white walls, and the huge wall of orange fire blocking off part of the room.

Where the Firelord was.

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews and comments! I'll try to update sometime this weekend!