Disclaimer: I don't own the Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of its characters.

The Shadow of the Past

Chapter 2 - Seven Years Later

Story by Last Butterfly

Summary: Seven years passed since that tragic night in Zuko's life, and he and Katara had been together for a year now.
But after this peaceful time a shadow neared them from the past he tried so hard to forget... - Zutara, Zuko x Katara Modern AU

The sun was slowly setting above the city while the now 17-year-old Katara sat above a couple of opened books and exercise books at the table within her boyfriend's room. Her right leg moved in the rhythm of the music they were listening to as she explained a problem she had to solve.

She had never been good at maths – she did not even want to be either – but it had always came easily to Zuko who promised he would help her with it.

He on the other hand was lying on his bed and though whenever she asked if she got it right so far he hemmed, nodded or agreed on other ways; the only thing, which seemed to concern him was the thin, silver anklet with a little flame shaped medallion on it. He gave it to her at her last birthday, and she nearly never took it off.

An almost dreamy smile appeared on his face as his eyes slowly trailed up from her ankle up her beautiful, dark skinned leg and only stopped at her neck. Her hair was in a long braid, but at one side she had one shorter hair-lock, which she could never add to her braid. He loved to kiss her there…

"So this is where I'm stuck." She said before peeking back at him, but to her surprise he only hemmed with a nod again. And from the look in his eyes she already got the feeling that he didn't hear her. So she turned back to her papers and said on the same voice like before. "So that's why three times three is ten."

And he answered: "Sure."

She closed loudly the upper book before turning in her chair towards him. "You don't even listen to me!" The smile faded from his face as he got up. "Look, I told you this test was important, and you have said you would help me!"

"You know three times more than the last time already…" He said as he walked up to her then kneeled down before her feet. "And you still have two days left. You have nothing to worry about." He got a hold of her right hand which was lying in her lap.

"Do you think so?" She asked with a slight frown and as she even bit her lower lip, he blew a kiss at the inner side of her wrist.

"I know so…" He said with only a whisper. Her blue eyes met his amber ones as he leaned towards her to meet her lips with his, and he felt her smile as he did so. As one of his hands slowly made its way up her leg then her outer thigh she broke their contact with a laugh, but he didn't let her squirm too far away before kissing her neck just where he wanted to.

"Zuko, stop…" She giggled, slightly pushing on his chest so that he couldn't reach her neck, but it only made him change to her jaw line. "Y-you are distracting me!"

"That would be the point." He made a nod between two kisses before instead of pushing, her hands only clenched in his shirt. "You have another serious matter to attend to right now… just letting you know."

This time though she leaned away, but peeked to the side with a half-smile as he gave her his pleading look. "Well, I'm just thinking about what your mother would say now…"

She tried to make him forget his plans, but as he made a smirk she understood that it had been in vain. "She'd say that you shouldn't push yourself too hard Sweetness, you need to have some fun too…" Then as his lips returned to her skin, tenderly sucking at her collarbone, she arched towards him as his arms trailed around her waist and back. "And I know a really good way to help you get rid of some tension…" She shuddered as he purred in her ear. Then she let out a squeal while her arms encircled his neck as he suddenly lifted her up from the chair bridal style.

She saw through half-lidded eyes that he headed towards the bed while he caressed her neck and earlobe. "I knew… I shouldn't have listened to you…" She breathed before capturing his lips with hers, melting into a passionate kiss of her lover…

Ursa was holding a big paper sack with both of her hands as she headed for the house. She saw that the only source of light inside belonged to her son's room, meaning he was at home.

Her lips curled into a smile. So many things had happened in the last seven years… Azula found herself friends indeed rather quickly, and she had spent most of her time with them ever since. And Zuko… well, things didn't go as smoothly with him as she had first thought, and she could not say she was not afraid. That scar changed him a lot…

He got into fights and made more enemies than friends. She was thankful for Iroh's help, because he became more of a father figure to the teen than her husband had been. Though Zuko had always loved her and his sister, he needed someone to lead his way, someone he could respect and trust.

She walked in the kitchen, and turned on the lamp with one of her elbows before pushing the door closed with a leg. She slowly unpacked the groceries she brought then opened a box of cookies, placing them on an oval plate…

But all these problems slowly came to an end when he had met her, Katara...

Because after that – well, after a problematic period of getting known of each other – he finally let go of his anger and mistrust. Then with time she became more important to him than any other… and for about a year now – she was not entirely sure since when, because there had been a gap between her realization and when they figured it out themselves – the two of them were in love. But this was for another story to tell…

As for today, Zuko told her that his girlfriend – she always had to smile as he used this certain word – would learn at home because of a 'stupid' maths test instead of letting him occupy her.

So with that knowledge – and because there was no sign of the change in that day's plans – Ursa, as any good mother in her place, headed for her son's room with a plate full of pastries.

And because of the music inside, she only heard the first moan as she'd opened the door, stepping in the room…

It took her only a second to realize her grieve mistake by just a peek at the two completely naked teens upon the bed, with Katara on top.

Followed by two gasps and the sudden pull on the sheets, Ursa closed her eyes shut, even covering them with a hand. "Oh my god…"

"Mom!" Zuko let out a yell, and his mother instantly stumbled backwards towards the door.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I-I didn't know…" For a moment her shock confused her a little bit more as her back bumped into the doorframe. "I'll… I'll just put this down…" She mumbled as her hand placed the cookies down the table beside her by reflex, before finally getting out with still closed eyes. "I'm sorry!"

Only when the door was closed did she dare to open her amber eyes again, which stood in a strong contrast with the deep blush upon her usually pale skin.

Thoughts ran through her mind like: How could I walk in on my own son? And… Oh, my god, how can they already do that? But in the end, as her face returned to its original colour, she could not deny that… all right, maybe a part of her was proud even in that moment… Her son was in love, and with a girl both she and Uncle Iroh found lovely too.

But then the thought changed to what would she feel if it had been Azula and someone? The forming smile on her lips faded as she thought about either of the mothers of Azula's friends and their reactions...

Mai's mother probably would have fallen out of her always calm and cold attire for a single minute before explaining how horribly ashamed she had felt. And Ty Lee's mother… a woman who, after giving birth to seven daughters, still looked that good would have probably stopped in the doorway with a huge smile before saying something like: 'Yes dear, you've got it all right. Just go on!'

She muffled a laugh in her hand, before reaching back to the kitchen where she was about to do the dishes, mop up… or maybe cook a turkey. Her main goal was simply not to get out of there for about the next twenty four hours… or until her son showed himself.

Because they were going to have a serious talk nonetheless.

When Zuko finally appeared, this time fully clothed, he was rubbing the back of his neck, avoiding Ursa's eyes. "Mom…"

She stopped what she was doing. "Oh Zuko, I'm so sorry!" She said again, but it made the boy's ears turn to a crimson colour. "I completely thought you're alone, and that music covered the sounds and I…"

"It's… all right." He finally murmured, but his unsure voice and still shaggy hair made her smile. He had grown so much…

But as the silence grew between them, she crossed her arms with a slight frown. "Zuko, you know I don't want to tell you what to do or not to do…" She made a sigh as his glance returned to her. "I just hope you're not doing anything stupid. You're far too young to…"

"I've thought that far ahead. I'm not that irresponsible…!" He started a bit loud but then he rather brought his attention to the wall than his mother. "I've made… certain precautions."

"Well, I've hoped so, young man." She placed her hand to her hip. "Because you wouldn't want to ruin your lives by getting her pregnant, would you?"

And that was the moment when the outer door opened again, revealing an also pale skinned girl, with golden eyes and raven hair. She was wearing a pair of black jeans and a red sleeveless top, and one of her ears was plugged in with her iPod as a small but playful smile tucked at the edge of her lips. "So who did Zuzu get pregnant?"

"Azula!" He said through gritted teeth, but his fingers unclenched as Ursa's hand fell on his shoulder.

"No one is pregnant, dear…" She started, but Azula interrupted her.

"Yet." She smirked making her brother scowl, and her mother frown too.

"Teasing won't explain why you are late on the other hand." She said, but her daughter only shrugged.

"We were trying out Mai's new car… it's a Porsche." She said, arching an eyebrow at her brother, who only rolled his eyes. "If someone had a better taste then he could drive around the city with it either. But if you're so attached to your little peasant girl…"

His good eye twitched. "Take that back, right now!" He shouted, and only their mother's hand held him back this time.

"Azula! How could you say such a thing?" She asked with slight disbelief.

"All right, all right…" The girl said crossing her arms, then let out a bigger amount of breath, blowing one of her bangs to the side more. "That might have been a bit harsh." She admitted with a glance to the side, but her smile returned anyway. "I'm just saying… if you've gotten bored with that water girl of yours, I think you would still have a chance with Mai…"

"I couldn't care less!" Zuko snapped when Ursa stepped forward.

"That was enough, both of you!" Her eyebrows knitted together before she turned towards her daughter. "Azula, go to your room."

Her mouth stayed open. "So, he started creating the next generation, and I get sent to my room?!"

Her mother lifted a hand, rubbing her forehead. "Your brother and I still have to…"

"Don't tire yourself with explanations." Azula said angrily while getting out of the kitchen. "I've gotten used to it already!"

Before Ursa could have said another word, her daughter slammed the door behind her then they could hear her footsteps as she hurried upstairs.

She heaved a heavy sigh before looking back at her son. His previous anger was long gone, and he offered her a small smile. Azula's words always affected him when he heard them, but with time the damage faded, and he never stayed really mad at her for too long.

But back to their little talk… "Zuko," Her golden look showed worry and tiredness. "You wouldn't hurt her, would you?"

"I love her." He said while returning her gaze. "And she loves me too." This time he embraced his mother, and she let herself smile as he went on. "I would sooner die than let her come to any harm…"

They slowly let go, and Ursa looked up at her son, whose face was covered by a flame shaped scar above his left eyes, ever since he had stood out for her and against his own father, once she had lost hope. Whatever he did, she trusted his decision.

"Where is she?" She asked lowly.

He only looked to the side before explaining the situation…

Katara was sitting at the edge of the bathtub. She had been sure that she would not regret her decisions, especially not those which concluded him…

He had been the first one to fully understand her, and she was stunned many times because he seemed to know her even better than herself.

She did not regret that she had met him, or that she had started going out with him. And she knew she could never regret their first time; because of him, it was wonderful… She even knew that sooner or later their family would figure things out, but that his mother found it out this way…

She hid her face in her hands as it flushed again. She had questioned herself many times… she would have given everything if she had known what her own mother would have said about them. Would she have understood her? Encouraged or scolded her? Or would have done all of these with worry inside of her…?

But even if it had been her mother who saw them… "Oh no… no, no, no!" Her hands rubbed her eyes fiercely. She had never felt so horrible in her life.

That was the moment when a low knock sounded upon the bathroom door. "Zuko, give me five more minutes, ok?" She asked weakly as she sniffed. Then her arms wrapped around herself with a gulp as the door opened… because it hadn't been her boyfriend, but his mother who came in. She got to her feet at once. "U-ursa…" She stuttered nervously as she felt an urge to explain things, but the older woman lifted a hand, making her stop.

"Before you would say anything…" She started, and as she saw teary blue eyes turning to the side, her expressions softened completely. "Let me tell you how terribly sorry I am."

Katara's lips parted as Zuko's mother smiled at her as if nothing would have happened. "I should have known better after 19 years of being a mother to knock before running in a teenaged boy's room!"

The dark skinned girl let out a small chuckle before she spoke again. "Even though I do not completely agree with your decision…" The girl bit her lip but didn't say a word as Ursa went on. "But I have been young once too." She made a small smile and she took Katara's hand in both of hers. "And I could not be happier with his choice."

Finally she was able to smile up at Zuko's mother, but the corner of her blue eyes stubbornly felt with tears again…

"Oh, honey…" Ursa's voice softened and without thinking, she pulled her in her embrace. "Don't cry… it's Ok."

Katara's arms returned the hug while a single tear ran down her cheek.

"I'm sorry…" Ursa said with only a whisper, and the girl didn't feel bad anymore. By the time they pulled away she was smiling up at the woman, who dared to go on.

"And forgive me, but… better safe than sorry." Zuko's mother said while looking at her seriously. "Do you take pills, or…" Her voice trailed away and her eyebrows rose to make Katara finish the question herself.

"No, we are…" The girl averted her gaze while her cheeks burned. "Using that other thing…"

Ursa nodded before asking. "Have you been at the doctor yet?"

"Well…" Katara started before her face returned normal. "Toph said she would come with me if she doesn't have to actually do anything there… but she is away for a month with her parents." She said then started looking at her hands. "Then I thought about asking Suki, but… that would be like back-stabbing Toph with Sokka's ex, and…"

She would have continued like that, Ursa interrupted her with a smile on her face. "Would you want me to go with you?"

Her eyes rounded. "You would?"

As the woman made a nod, she quickly found herself in another, this time happier embrace.

No words were exchanged after this. The good thing in this whole unfortunate situation had been that the two women's bound only strengthened further.

When the duo finally appeared downstairs, Zuko got to his feet, but only when Katara offered him a smile did he let his lips curl upwards too.

"Are you all right?" He asked as she walked to him. Ursa only smiled at them as the girl's arms wrapped around her son's neck.

After pressing his forehead to hers with a loving glance, he looked at his mother while pulling away. "I'll walk Katara home then I'll be back, ok?" He said and as he got a small nod as an answer, the two teens left the house with their hands intertwined.

The dark haired woman stayed at the bottom of the stairs with her hand upon the railing until she let a sigh escape her. Then she made her way towards her daughter's room…

Loud music sounded from the hi-fi on one of her shelves while Azula was lying on her stomach upon her double bed. The cordless phone was kept beside her ear by her shoulder as her hands were occupied with dying her fingernails red.

The door to her room slightly opened and Ursa opened her mouth to call out for her, when she realized she was holding the phone.

"Finally Mai! I was about to put it down…" Her mother stopped. "Oh, about him…" Azula let a smile come to her lips. "Well, you should have seen it! Ty Lee was like totally all over for the guy... Yeah!" She chuckled while holding the phone and her mother stepped back, slowly pulling the door closed again before she left.

"She even made her 'stuff-dropping-oh-my-god' move before him. And guess what? Jet simply turned away and left! And she was like completely convinced that he was gay…"

She was looking at her fingernails with a satisfied smile before going on. "But do you want to know whose number did he ask for from her after class? … Yes!" She turned on her back. "He might as well just call me up soon, but I want to seem busy, so…"

As the phone made a loud beep in her ear, she sat up at once. "Mai, someone is calling me. I'll call you back later." She made a smile as her eyes turned to the mirror on the wall. She looked perfect. Every time she did, she felt more confident… even content. "All right, bye!"

She moved the phone to have a look at it, and its screen showed a hidden number. She let the phone rang for five more seconds – after all she had more important things to do than answer a call – before she pushed a button, finally lifting it to her ear. "Hello?" She changed her voice to a mischievous one.

But when the man greeted her on the other side of the line, her eyes instantly went wide. Her parted lips formed a surprised smile when she whispered. "Dad...?"

A/N: Hi there! I've been busy lately, but I'm trying to write you the story too. XD

Hmm, leave me reviews, that makes me efficient!

Next chapter's title: 'First Threat'