I promise this will be a Katara and Zuko story, just bear with otherwise for a short while.

Not Avatar, nor the world of, belongs to me.


Chapter 4: What do we do now?

The main hall had been transformed, to other eyes it would look like a normal war meeting, except the teens gathered here didn't intend to discuss war.

"Aang, if you expect everyone to simply lie down and stop fighting, you are out of your mind." Zuko looked at the bald monk. His eyes and rigid posture portrayed his intense frustration, "Everyone, in the world has been trained to hate each other."

"Actually sparky, they just hate the Fire Nation. Everyone else gets along just fine." Toph wiggled her toes, uninterested in 90% of the

Zuko merely looked at the blind girl. Was the sarcasm really needed right now? "My point still stands. All anyone has known is how to fight and how to hate. Expecting them to just throw up their arms and say sorry is impossible."

"Then what do you expect us to do Zuko?" Aang held his head high and defiant. Deciding above everything else he was holding to his ideas of peace.

"We need to gather a civilian militia willing to fight any resistance."

"You sound like your dad! We don't need to fight!"

"Aang," Sokka spoke quietly trying to sooth his friend, "You know that sometimes you need to fight to earn peace. We all knew that the war wasn't the end of this."

Aang nodded, "You are right, I just hate the sound of more fighting."

"I know Aang, no one wants to fight. But for a while at least we have to fight to stay where we are." Katara rested her hand on his shoulder in which he covered her hand with his. Even though Zuko saw strength in her, he also saw the fear in her eyes. Above everyone else, Katara was taking this rough. The unknown was scaring her.

Graciously Zuko offered her any quiet support he could, "We are all pretty sure of what's going to happen to the Fire Nation, what about you guys?"

"Well, the Water Tribes seem to be doing well enough. Any damage done to the exterior can be fixed by the water benders." As an unofficial ambassador of the Water tribes Katara relayed the information.

Sokka continued, "Right, and before the war even ended many from the Northern tribe migrated south to help rebuild it. In all honesty, the Water tribe seemed to suffer very little long term damage."

Katara glared at him, if you don't count the many lives lost then sure! The Water tribe walked away unscratched.

"The Earth Kingdom may need some work. On the day of the Comet the Pai Sho club reclaimed Ba Sing Se." Toph relayed her message as the voice for the Earth Kingdoms.

"It's the Order of the White Lotus." Zuko corrected her but Toph didn't seem to notice and continued talking.

"The stone will be easy enough to fix, but everything else is toast."

"There's also the forest that Ozai burned. We need to start replanting." Suki looked down, remembering the amount of damage done by the air fleet.

Aang nodded, "Suki and Toph are right, the buildings are going to be fine. The cities all managed to survive, but we need to do what we can to replant. Suki, would you and your warriors be willing to take that to King Bumi, and then start as soon as possible."

"It would be an honor."

"What about you Aang? What are you going to do now?" Katara held Aang's hand softly. All of the other nations had a somewhere to start. And during the war he had a distinct purpose as the Avatar to regain balance.

With a completely innocent smile he announced, "I'm going to rebuild the Air Nation."

Everyone was completely silent as they looked at Aang. Gradually his smile faded as he looked to his friends concerned faces, "What?" No one spoke, "Guys, what's wrong?"

Katara stroked his hand gently, "Aang, there are no more Air benders. You can't just wish for them and have them appear."

"I have to Katara, there are four bending styles, there are four stages to the Avatar cycle. There needs to be the four nations. I can't be the last one."

"How do you plan on doing that?" Sokka moved to Aang's left and rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Like Katara said, there are no more left."

"Still, I can start by gathering nomads—"

"And then what, wait for some more twinkle-toes appear out of thin air?" Toph leaned back on to a giant pillow, her arms folded behind her head as she spoke.

"I-I don't know… But I have to start somewhere."

"We'll all do what we can to help, but I don't know how much luck you are going to have."

After a moment of heavy silence Zuko offered an end to the conversation, "We all know what we need to do. We should start first thing in the morning, we can't really waste much more time."

All the kids nodded in agreement. They didn't want to, but they knew this time would come eventually. After traveling together for nearly a year, it was time that they actually go separate directions, with separate goals.

Last time they had split it was only for a day or two. Then they weren't sure who would come back. Now, they don't know when they would return. How long would they be gone? How long would it be before they saw each other again? Though now held more possibilities, the pang of loss was just as strong.

"Let's not be all doom and gloom tonight. Let's laugh and have fun. Let's just be friends, for one more night." Zuko stood from the plush pillow on the floor.

Aang was first to follow, "I'm starving, we should eat."

"Yeah, we should feed Sokka before he eats someone." Katara laughed and followed Zuko and Aang.

It's tempting… Hey Suki, do you think you'd be tasty?"

She turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised, "What?"

"You know," He raised his arms menacingly; "You just look so… tasty." He made a loud rawring noise and ran after the Kyoshi warrior; obviously, ready to chase her until the end of the earth. She laughed loudly and ran, as fast as she could out the door, Sokka close behind them.

"You know, if they get any cuter I think I may actually barf." Toph pretended to pass out in the pillow of a chair she was sitting in.

"I don't know Toph, I think it's cute."

"Exactly my point. Sugar-Queen thinks it's cute! Sparky, please save me." With her eyes closed Toph flailed her arms around her like she were drowning in an endless pool.

"Sorry Toph, I'm not going anywhere that steps in front of Katara. That's just dangerous."

Toph immediately stopped and sat up, "You guys suck." With a sigh she reluctantly got up, dragging her dirty feet out of the room.

"Some day Toph, you'll find someone and you two will be just as cute."

"Please, kill me first."

"Ah, there you are children."

Toph ran up to uncle Iroh, wrapping her small arms around his middle. "It is a pleasure as always Miss Toph."

"You were looking for us uncle?" Like Katara and Aang, Zuko stood back as he greeted his uncle.

"Yes, I wanted to invite you to tea in the gardens. There is a lovely band playing there. Most beautiful."

"That's perfect." Aang spoke in his usual smile, "We had just decided to come find some dinner."

"So, it is set? We will dine in the gardens?"

On Aang's arm Katara tilted her head, "Isn't it getting a bit late for you? The sun is about to set."

"What's wrong Katara?" Zuko stood on her other side, "Is there something we should worry about with the moon coming out?"

She flashed him one, quick, evil grin, "The full moon comes with many possibilities, Zuko." For a second their eyes were locked, tearing apart walls and boundaries constructed in the soul. This is why Katara hated him so much, this is why she went with him on the day of the comet, this is why she chose Aang. Those golden eyes made her feel so small, so raw.

It will be easier being with Aang, his eyes won't rattle her very bones, her very core. His eyes couldn't make her own heart betray her. He's never betrayed her. He is sweet, and innocent. He could never hurt her, even if he wanted to.

Aang gave Katara's hand a light squeeze, as if to pull her out of her own mind. To remind her where they were. "You have nothing to worry about Fire Lord Zuko." Her words were short and sweet, pulling both her and Zuko back.

The garden was as beautiful as always, but the night brought a striking new world. Scattered around the outer edge were countless torches illuminating the courtyard with a warm glow. Each of the children sat on a plush pillow settled into the grass. All except for Sokka and Suki, they had disappeared after leaving the conference with excited squeals.

The moon shone down on upon all their faces. It's magic glow casting highlighted shadows, their eyes glittering like stars. The night was beautiful, capturing the essence of all the elements. Our moon fed the soul with the push and pull. The gentle glow of the torches warmed the hearts. The solidity of their shared friendship rocked through the earth beneath them. And the airs of love, drifted on the winds, singing the sweetest song.

"Katara," Zuko's words were so quiet they were barely heard over the constant chatter. Toph and Aang were arguing, rather debating about the simplest of things. Smiles spread across both their faces. Iroh was playing Tsungi Horn, lulling the company with soothing music, "What are you thinking?"

Katara looked at Zuko, the moon cast a silvery light on his already porcelain skin. "I'm just… enjoying." She took a thoughtless sip off her jasmine tea. Iroh was right, it truly was a fabulous tea. "The nights here are so warm, it's easy to forget when it is. All the perks of day time pleasures. But I can feel the moon on my skin. I guess it's like what the sun feels like to you." Zuko nodded, letting his mind wander around her words. The sun on his skin, how it feeds him like food. How it's warmth is always wrapped around him like friendly arms. "You know, you'd think a fire bender would be darker. How is it you guys who worship the sun don't manage to tan."

"We don't worship the sun; we pull from it like you do the moon. The sun feeds our fire bending."

Katara chuckled and shook her head, "You have no humor."

Zuko raised his tea-cup to his lips, smiling ever so gently, "You don't know that, we've just barely gotten to know each other."

Then why is it she feels like he's been a part of her for eternity? "I think I'm actually going to miss this."

Zuko hadn't missed a beat, like the words left without his permission, "I think I'm going to miss you too."

"Zuko, I was talking about traveling together, where no matter how the world is ending, we can still make each other laugh. All of us."

"I know what you were talking about."

Katara smiled and sipped off her tea once more, letting the liquid travel across her tongue and down her throat before speaking. "I think I might actually miss you too Zuko. I don't know why though."

There was a quiet pause between the two, in which they both finished their cup of tea, "So, you are leaving with the Avatar in the morning?"

"Aang would have it no other way."

"I hope you two are happy.

"And you and Mai."

"Of course." His words drifted off on the wind. Carried away to some distant, unknown shore.

"Katara?" The brown girl looked up to meet the air bender's grey eyes.

"Yes Aang?"

"We should go to bed, we need to take off early."

Katara nodded and directed her gaze back to Zuko.

His smile was reassuring, "Fire benders rise with the sun, I'll be there to see you off."

She nodded once more, "Good night, Zuko."

"Good night… Katara." Barely above a whisper he watched the two walk away hand in hand. They were both still young, and Aang had some growing still to do. As it was Katara was a couple inches taller than the boy.

Why is it that the fire bender bonded so closely with the Water Tribe siblings? Of everyone he was most sorry to see them go. Not long after the sight of her disappeared, Zuko excused himself to his own chambers. Having the group leave left Zuko feeling surprisingly empty.

"Zuko." Mai's emotionless voice rang in the darkness. Summoning a small burst of fire from his palm he saw her sitting in a straight-back chair.

"Shouldn't you be home Mai?"

"Were you with them?"

"Of course I was, theyr'e my friends."

"And I'm your Girlfriend. You wouldn't even have dinner with me."

Zuko didn't want this argument. She was maliciously attacking him for what? Spending the last evening with his friends?

"That's fine, they'll all be gone tomorrow and we can go about running a country."

She was lucky, when they were little Mai always spent her days with Azula and Ty Lee, Zuko spent those younger days alone. But now, he has people that care about him, who are proud of him, "Mai, that's harsh and unfair. For the first time I have friends, real honest friends and I won't let you attack me for that."

"What are you talking about Zuko?

He ran his fingers through his loose hair, letting his eyes flutter closed, "Mai, I'm tired and I'd like you to leave now."

"Whatever" She strolled out of the room, her arms folded across her chest. Without even bothering to change, Zuko collapsed into the silk bedding, reminding himself that he loves his girlfriend.