Okay so i finally updated :)

This chapter goes to naterkins , FlareonRocks , Aipom4 , the silver and green , Untilthemoonrises !

Thank you guys for reviewing :D It's greatly appreciated!

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

"Wake up sleepy head! "

Zuko slowly opened one eye and was greeted by the sight of Katara's face, inches apart, grinning.

Judging by the position of the sunlight from his window, Zuko could tell it was nearing noon.

Usually, Zuko would've been awake hours ago and way before Katara, but he couldn't get to sleep last night.

He was thinking about his mum.

Ursa mysteriously disappeared when he was 10 and Katara was 8. The day after she disappeared, his grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon was pronounced dead.

The last memory of her was when she came up to Zuko's room and told him, " Zuko, my love. Mummy's going away but you have to remember this. Never forget who you are and always keep Katara safe. Never leave each other. I love you Zuko."

With that, she kissed him on his forehead and left before he could stop her.

The next day, Katara and Zuko spent the whole day in Zuko's bed, soothing each other. Katara noted that Ursa came into her room as well, telling her to " be a good girl and always stick with Zuko. Never leave each other."

Ursa was always the one to keep Zuko and Katara safe from Ozai, but now she was gone.

Zuko always thought that his Father was doing wrong to the world, like taking Katara away from her family, but he secretly was glad it happened because she brought him happiness.

After Ursa was gone, Zuko avoided Ozai as much as he could, only seeing him during important Royal Family meetings.

It was clear Ozai didn't love Zuko , or included him in the family. Ozai always praised Azula but not him. Because he was not a prodigy.

Ozai told him Azula was born lucky, and he was lucky to be born.

Ozai has only two things he dearly loved.

Destruction and power.

" mmmmmfffff," grumbled Zuko.

Katara quickly sat on Zuko and began bouncing up and down.

"Wake up Zuko! Today's a very special day for a very special princey!"

Yes, it was Prince Zuko's 13th birthday.

In the Fire Nation, all male royalty who have turned 13, have just started their first stage into manhood. There would usually be a Royal Ball held for them and they have to have a dance with a special girl.

As for Zuko's case, his ball would be held tonight and yes, he was dreading it. Why? Because he would be expected to dance with his betrothed.

Mai.

He wanted that special girl to be Katara, his best friend, but his father would disapprove.

And an angry Ozai was not what Zuko welcomed.

Zuko pinned Katara's arms to her sides and in one quick flip, Zuko was towering over Katara.

"Okay okay, I'm awake!" Zuko tried to act irritated but he kept on grinning.

Katara smiled, "Okay, Zuko, I have your special day planned out for you. But, you kinda have to get dressed first."

Zuko looked down and noticed he was just in his boxers, straddling Katara. He blushed and quickly got off Katara.

"Fine, just wait a second."

Zuko went to the bathroom to freshen up and changed into his usual Fire Nation robes.

"What has my little squirt got in store for me today?" Zuko smirked.

"Well Zuzu," Katara grinned mischievously, " you'll find out soon."

Katara grabbed Zuko's hand and led him throughout the Palace and into the Central Palace Gardens.

Just next to the Turtleduck pond was a red bamboo mat with some dishes laid out.

Spicy chicken-mutton curry, grilled salmon-dory, turkey-emu egg soup and the famous Fire Nation delicacy, Fire Flakes. There even was Fire bread with spreads like spiced jam and butter. (A/N: totally made this up on the top of my head)

All of Zuko's favourites.

"Let's dig in!" Katara pulled Zuko to the mouth-watering dishes and began dishing out the meal.

They quickly dug in and enjoyed the richness of flavours and the wonderful weather.

"So how does it feel like to be 13?"

"Well, pretty old actually. Soon enough, I'll probably have a beard!" Zuko said while stroking his fake beard.

"Ewww!" Katara giggled.

They finished their main meal and they lay on the soft grass and began to eat the Fire bread, giving some to the family of turtle ducks.

"Zuko?"

"Hmmm?"

"Do you remember how you said you didn't approve of this war?" Katara asked.

"Yeah, and I still do."

"Well, do you believe the Avatar will come back and save us?"

"I hope so because you and me can't stop Ozai. I read a prophecy about a year ago in the old chambers in the Palace. It stated, "The child of the moon and ocean will stop the reigning terror over the four nations. The child of the moon and ocean will stop the beast of destruction. The child of the moon and ocean will stop the fire from consuming the world. The child of the moon and ocean will return."

"Wow," Katara gasped, "The child of the moon and ocean….that's definitely a water tribe avatar! Actually, I remember that earlier in the day, before I was captured, my parents were about to tell me who the Avatar was but they never did."

"If they knew, that means the Avatar is from the Southern Water Tribe. I hope he or she will save the world."

"Yeah, I hope so too," Katara commented, "Oh and before I forget, here's your present!"

Katara took out a her handmade bracelet. Sapphire and ruby was merged into one stone. On it was carvings of the water tribe and fire nation symbols. The straps were made of pure turkey-emu skin.

Katara took hold of Zuko's arm and and strapped the bracelet onto his wrist.

"Happy Birthday Zuko."

"This is beautiful, Katara! How did you make it?" Zuko exclaimed, while examining the treasured piece.

Katara blushed,"Well, the stones were smelted by Fu, the nice old man near the markets. As for the carvings, I learnt it back home."

"Thank you Katara, this is the best gift I've ever gotten," Zuko said. Actually, the best gift he ever gotten was Katara but he decided not to say that.

Katara reached up and hugged Zuko and they stayed like that for ages.

"I made it to symbolize our friendship and to remind you of us."

"How could I ever forget?"

The rest of the afternoon was spent talking, playing and even practicing their bending.

Zuko and Katara incorporated the two bending styles, making the pair seem like one.

Zuko with his ferocity and Katara with her calm, dance-like moves.

If someone was watching them, they would be marveled.

And Iroh was, and thought.

They balanced each other.

ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK ZK

It was starting to get dark and they knew they would have to get ready for Zuko's ball.

Katara was dressed in a crimson red long sleeved dress with flower embroidery on the sleeves . Her hair was let down, with a fire lily tucked behind an ear. She looked classic yet elegant.

Zuko donned a red Fire Nation armor that was made special for the occasion. His hair was up in a top knot and he indeed looked handsome.

The pair walked arm in arm towards the ball room. Zuko couldn't help but glance at Katara. She was extraordinarily beautiful.

Katara also noticed that Zuko was exceptionally handsome. She could feel Zuko's gaze on her and she couldn't help but blush.

They each took a deep breath and entered the huge room.

The room was flooded with red. Everyone noticed Zuko entered and bowed immediately.

Katara felt out of place. Shouldn't Mai be in her position?

Instead she could spot Mai near-by, with Ty Lee and Azula, glaring daggers at her.

"People of the Fire Nation, thank you for coming to celebrate my son's 13th birthday. We shall now start the ball officially," boomed Ozai.

Music started playing and everyone was either up at the dancefloor, mingling or indulging themselves at the food table.

"Excuse me but would you mind if I steal my future husband for a dance?" Mai said, with a hint of venom in her voice.

"No, not at all." Katara reluctantly let go of Zuko and they both exchanged looks before Zuko and Mai disappeared into the crowd.

Ofcourse no one talked or asked a dance from Katara. She was a measly Water Tribe savage that shouldn't be here at all.

Katara headed towards the food table and started to eat. "Boy, do I feel like Sokka," she thought.

She was suddenly hit with a pang of homesickness and felt hot tears filling the back of her eyes. She slowly breathed in and out. She would not make a scene.

Katara looked out towards the dancefloor and saw Zuko in the middle of it with Mai.

Katara didn't like the idea of Mai as Zuko's betrothed. Katara felt….what was it? Jealous.

The last time Katara was jealous was of Zuko. He had a mum and her's was gone. Ursa was gone now, but Katara somehow knew she was alive. However, Katara's jealousy stopped when Ursa became like a mum to her. When she needed someone, Ursa was there.

Mai was stealing Zuko away from her. No, Katara wouldn't let that happen. "I'm here to stay, Mai, so deal with it," she thought while smirking to herself.

The party kept dragging on and Mai was keeping Zuko distracted, by dancing with him and introducing him to friends.

Katara was soon bored from just standing there, so she made her way to the Palace Gardens, her's and Zuko's solace.

She breathed in the night air and sat on the bench next to the pond. Katara began practicing her bending, by concentrating hard and turning the water into faces of the people she loved.

Firstly it was Zuko, Ursa, Gran gran, Hakoda, Sokka and lastly her mum, Kya.

She dropped the water and felt hot tears run down her cheek.

Katara looked up at the sky, with the illuminating moon shining bright, and whispered, "Oh mum, how much I miss you, but I'm glad you're safe up there and keeping watch over me. Don't worry about me, I'm safe here with Zuko."

Katara suddenly felt her vision blur and closed her eyes. She then felt as light as a feather.

She slowly opened her eyes and found herself in a meadow, with birds chirping and she could hear a waterfall nearby.

But what she saw in front of her had her baffled.

Right in front of her was her Mum.

"Mum?" Katara squeaked out.

Kya opened her arms and Katara ran straight into them.

"Oh my darling Katara! You've grown to be so beautiful," Kya whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

They stayed like that for ages until Katara broke it.

"Mum, where am I?"

"You're in the mortal-spirit world, Katara. This is the barrier between the mortal world and spirit world. I brought you up here so I can tell you something important."

"What is it mum?"

"I don't have much time, but firstly, I assure you that your dad and Sokka are alive, along with Gran Gran. And I have to tell you this. Soon, the prophecy will come true. The child of the moon and ocean will rise and you, Katara, will have to be ready for it. This is all that I am entitled to tell you."

" What? "

"I'm sorry Katara , but you have to leave now. Remember what I said. I love you darling."

With that, they mother and daughter embraced and next thing Katara knew , she was sitting on bench next to the pond.

Katara took a breather and recapped what happened just a moment ago.

She was overjoyed to hear that her family is alive! But what mystified her was the prophecy her mum told her about. The child of the moon and the ocean…wasn't that the prophecy Zuko told her about?

But what has it got to do with her?

Before she could analyze more of the situation, she heard a voice.

"Katara?"

It was Zuko.

She looked up and saw Zuko advancing towards her.

"Aren't you going to dance with Mai?" Katara sneered, but she didn't mean to sound it that way.

Zuko sat next to Katara and said, " I'm sorry for leaving you out the whole night but Ozai was watching me. How could I make it up to you?"

Katara's face softened, "I'm sorry Zuko, it's your night. You don't have to make it up to me. But you have to promise to never leave me."

"I thought that promise was established a long time ago, Tara ," Zuko grinned.

"Good. Is the ball over yet?" Katara smiled.

"Yes it is. Come on, I'll walk you to your room."

Katara and Zuko stood and walked side by side to Katara's room. She wouldn't tell the strange encounter to Zuko just yet.

They stopped just outside Katara's room.

"Well, thank you for a wonderful birthday and gift, Tara."

"I'm glad you had a great birthday Zuko."

Katara, without thinking, stood on her toes and kissed Zuko on the cheek. She pulled back and they both blushed.

"Good night Zuko!" Katara quickly dashed into her room and closed the door.

Katara sprawled on her bed and couldn't help but think, why the hell did she do that? But she still smiled.

Zuko , on the other hand, was just as surprised as her. He put his hand over the spot Katara kissed and smiled like an idiot and he thought.

It felt nice.

More subtle Zutara fluff :)

Next chapter won't be about childhood, but straight onto the main plot :)

Please Review! Thanks for reading!