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

The Shadow of the Past

Chapter 5 - Love Is Brightest In the Dark

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

'I've heard about you...' Zuko was poking a piece of meat left and right as the dinner went on.

He said he heard about me, but did not say what. What does that supposed to mean…?

He was sitting opposite to Katara while her brother and father were on either his left or right. After the not so fortunate beginning Sokka rather happily hopped down on his chair, grinning evilly as he pulled his thumb before his throat and with that making Zuko slump back in his seat. But this only gained a sisterly neck-slap while their dad was not looking…

Of course this did not help Zuko much. He wanted to make an impression on Hakoda, yet he felt he already screwed things up before the man even stepped through the door.

At first they were talking a bit until Katara served dinner, but just about usual things like school, and the latest events… Hakoda asked about the teen's mother and sister, then about his uncle and how his shop was going. But as they ate, the conversation came to a halt, which left the scarred boy tense in the unnerving silence. This meant no good… this definitely meant no good, what should he do?

When his nerves were about to give up, he accidentally managed to toss the last piece of meat hard enough that it left the plate then ended up in the remainder of his salad with a not too loud – but definitely audible – splashing sound.

He froze with the chopsticks in his hand as everyone looked up at him, and he could have sworn that he had never felt sweat appear on his forehead this quick in his life before. "S-sorry…" He stammered mostly to Katara with a look almost screaming for help, but to his surprise it was not her who eased the tension.

Because Hakoda's lips curled up into a smile then in the next moment he started laughing with his heart while placing a hand on his shoulder. "All right son, I did not plan to eat you… loosen up." Even the two siblings joined in as he put down his chopsticks, knowing for sure that his face heated up too.

Damn… Usually he didn't mess things up this much, what the hell was wrong with him? He was trying but as he went on… maybe he shouldn't even try…

"So Zuko," He sat up straight as Hakoda started, but the man was not looking at him any different than before. "I hear from Katara that you're interested in law…"

This gained an instant snort from Sokka. "Smartass…"

"Sokka!" His sister hissed, and one of her fists hit on the table before their father spoke again, making his son's jaw drop.

"Please try to ignore my son, he takes the term of 'defending his sister' to its limits…" The man started then his lips curled up into a smile while returning his gaze at Zuko. "And he does not handle well competition at school either."

The way Hakoda was looking at him now finally made him be at ease… he might have not started well, but that moment showed that it was forgiven him. Maybe for the first time that evening, he managed to make a small smile, just before Sokka spoke out.

"He's only better in history and literature." The brother spat – especially emphasizing the last word, then looked at him with a smug grin. "That's kind of gay, don't you think?"

"Well, f…!" As Zuko's lips were about to form a not too respectful answer, he scoffed then went on through gritted teeth. "Thanks for letting me know."

Hakoda slowly put down his chopsticks. "Sokka," He said before looking at his son darkly. "I've never hit you, not even when you've almost burnt down the bathroom as you tried to hide that cigarette," The boy seemingly uneasily shifted in his place before the man went on. "But if you don't stop this… 'cockfight'…"

"Dad…" Katara said through gritted teeth, but her father raised a hand, silencing her.

"So bite your tongue if you don't want that to change." He said firmly and for a rather long moment no one spoke or moved until Hakoda leaned backwards with a sigh. "Well, I guess the dinner is over. Let's move into the living room then, shall we?"

After dinner Zuko helped Katara out by doing the dishes instead of her. She waited for him in the kitchen till he was doing so. "You don't have to do this you know… you're the guest now."

He only shrugged with a half smile. "And if I'm a good guest then I might return too." He joked, but she could also hear that he had still been tense, so she walked beside him, intending to place a kiss on his scarred cheek, but he slightly turned, catching her lips with his. He finally made a smirk of his, which made her smile too.

"You're doing fine."

"Do you think so?" He asked as he placed down the last plate then dried his hands.

"I know so." She said, before her smile widened as she added lowly. "Just avoid the 'I'm doing your daughter' topic and nothing can go wrong."

He shushed her loudly before glancing behind him towards the door, but she only smirked evilly as the colour left his face for another time that evening. "Woman, you're trying to get me killed I swear…" She reached out for his hand, pulling on him with a light laugh, but he did not move only asked. "What's going to happen now?"

"We'll watch TV. What did you think?" He only shook his head as they headed for the room.

"I'm trying not to think at all…"

Katara lightly giggled as they walked in the living room where Hakoda was sitting in an armchair, but Sokka started grinning in the middle of the couch.

She walked to the sofa, while not letting go of her boyfriend's hand till she sat down beside her brother then she cleared her throat.

Sokka shrugged. "What…? The couch is big enough." He said but his grin disappeared at once as Katara pinched him in the rear then scooted in the middle as he jerked away.

"Hey!" The blue eyes boy frowned at her triumphant smirk after Zuko sat down too.

Hakoda looked up only now to see a slightly fuming Sokka; Katara with a bright smile; and her boyfriend who also wore a small smile while holding her hand… well, until he realized he had been watched. That literally froze the smile on his face…

Katara looked at their intertwined fingers between them as she felt his one started gripping her hand, but she squeezed back lightly, making him turn to her. The smile in her blue eyes slowly helped the teen relax, even under the gaze of her father.

Hakoda's expressions showed concern as in the low light he was finally able to fully look at the left side of Zuko's face. Oh, he learnt to recognize a burning mark after saving people from the fire for years…

"It's coming!" Sokka said, turning on the television's voice, and for a moment the other teen only stared at the screen.

As a series started, which he knew that only his sister and mother would have watched, he blurted out. "We're going to watch… this?"

"Sure." Katara grinned before her brother leaned forward with crossed arms.

"And now that you know our little 'family secret'," His lips formed an evil smirk. "We'll have to kill you."

In the next moment a pillow slammed in his face, followed by his sister's laugh. Sokka grabbed the said pillow then got ready to his counter strike when a low ringing from the kitchen's direction made him stop.

"Popcorn!" Katara gasped as he suddenly said, and the two siblings raced for the microwave, leaving the two 'men' alone with the series, in which a probably heartbreaking scene was going on between the two main characters while – as in every Brazilian soap operas – only the man cried…

"You know," Hakoda said with a sly smile. "I only watch it because even Sokka loves it." He then raised two crossword magazines. "But normal people might need one of these."

Zuko couldn't help suppress a chuckle before taking one of the papers from the man. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Hakoda smiled before opening his one, while the teen's gaze remained on the screen. A full minute passed before the crying man managed to say out the word 'why', which made the scarred boy scoff. Gods, this guy sure suffers a lot…

"Who are they?" Zuko asked finally with his only eyebrow raised as the woman's eyes turned teary too.

Hakoda peeked up from the paper before slightly leaning towards him as he pointed at the screen. "That is Juan something…" He started, making the teen slightly smirk before going on. "Otherwise known as 'the guy whose name is too long even to appear in the programme magazine'…"

They both snickered as the two siblings appeared with two bowls of fresh popcorn, Katara handed the smaller one to their father while Sokka placed the bigger on the coffee table.

"What have we missed?" He asked before stuffing his face as they sat down.

"Maria just confessed that she's not sure who the father of her child is." Hakoda said, gaining a gasp from Sokka.

"Oh no…" Katara murmured, and now Zuko saw that both she and her brother were sitting on the edge of their seats, while watching the episode.

When even Sokka spoke the other teen only blinked. "No Juan, don't go!"

"It's yours, you should know it...!" His girlfriend said, and then Zuko rather rolled his eyes before concentrating on a puzzle…

He did not even look up in the following minutes, which was enough time for the popcorn to run out, and he only looked up after finishing a crossword and a rather fast music sounded with a man's voice, closely followed by the woman's gasp who he guessed was 'Maria'…

"And who's that?" Zuko asked, pointing at the dark clothed man and his girlfriend answered first, closely followed by her brother. "That's Bastiano. And we don't like him." Her eyes narrowed.

"Especially because of that fake blonde hair…" Sokka added matter-of-factly.

He couldn't look away as the said guy caught the actress' wrist who tried to slap him before making a malevolent smile. "You will be mine!"

"Hey," Zuko's eyebrows furrowed as he lowered the magazine. "Leave her alone, she's pregnant!"

Katara giggled lightly before whispering. "In truth that's Isabel, Maria's younger sister… so she's not pregnant." Zuko scowled as 'Bastiano' forcefully kissed the girl, and the camera slowly zoomed in…

In the next moment all three of them groaned as the advertisements started. His girlfriend leaned backwards beside him, placing a hand on his knee. "So, what do you think?" She asked with a small smile, while the teen crossed his arms.

"I don't know why you're watching this…" He murmured darkly before she went on.

"Well, aren't you interested in what is going to happen next?"

"No, I'm not." Zuko was not even looking at her as he spoke. "There's no one lower than those who are violent with women…"

Hakoda's gazed moved to the boy. There was something dark in his voice, and maybe only he was sitting in the right angle to see that he was rather looking at the selves than on the TV now.

Katara indeed mentioned to him that her boyfriend wanted to go in for the law… family law to be exact. He found it interesting that someone so young already came to a decision like this, but he could already see that this boy had been more serious than his own son.

And yet, there were two questions among his thoughts already, but as one of those were probably not too pleasant to talk about, he asked about the other. He knew well that these were not going to leave his mind otherwise.

"Zuko," The boy slightly turned his head towards him. "May I ask you about your father?"

There was a glint in his golden eyes, which he could not decide whether had only been surprise or something worse when Katara started to speak with a concerned frown. "Dad, Zuko doesn't like to talk about…"

"I am sorry," The scarred teen said, and this time his face remained completely expressionless. "But I'd rather not talk about him." His voice was firm as he added rather coldly. "That man is dead in my eyes."

Even Sokka raised an eyebrow before his father hemmed. "Don't you think that is a bit harsh?" He asked on a softer voice while Zuko's gaze returned to the muted television screen. "You are still young, and I'm sure that not many things are unforgivable…" He said and probably would have gone on if the boy hadn't looked back at him again, the sorrow and true pain in his golden eyes making his voice trail away.

"I do not belong among the lucky ones, sir…" He started, but as his voice had almost been shaky, his face turned stern then let out a deeper breath before finishing. "I haven't seen my father for more than seven years. And honestly, it would be the best if it stayed that way…"

Hakoda's blue gaze remained on him as his daughter turned his attention on her, trying to cheer him up. Then… He thought to himself as the duo lightly chuckled on something Katara just said. Your father's memory is just as painful as that scar's might be. Or maybe… His forehead furrowed as the TV's sound was turned back on. The two might even have a connection…? They did not say more as the episode went on, but even Zuko sighed with the siblings as 'Isabel' was saved by her neighbours in the show, but Hakoda's thoughts remained on their conversation for quite some time after this.

Then Sokka jumped in his place as his cell-phone suddenly rang. "Argh…! Why now?" he whined before picking it up, slowly walking out of the room. "Hello?"

"Oh, hey Teo… yeah, but say it quick." He looked back from the doorway before saying loudly. "No, just my sis' dumb boyfriend is here and we're watching TV…" He grinned from ear to ear as Zuko shot him a glare, the he let out a chuckle as he went on. "Oh, the CDs are ready? Thanks dude, Toph will love those…. Did I say that you're the king of hackers already…?"

As the answer he gained was 'whenever you start like that you always want something else…', he laughed while rubbing his neck. "Well, you've seen through me all right…"

The smile on his lips slowly faded as he peeked one last time in the living room, before walking out to the kitchen so that he wouldn't be heard as he said lowly. "Ok, so do you remember my sister's guy, Zuko? …yeah, that's him." He nervously looked behind to see that he had been still alone. "I'd need you to find out whatever you can about his father…"

"This cannot be…" Iroh murmured ahead of himself as he followed the Porsche for the third time on the same road.

Ok, he should have gotten suspicious when the girls did not use out the car's real speed as much as his niece did earlier, but he shrugged it off with the thought that Mai probably worried more about her license than Azula, who still did not even have one…

But now he knew he had been fooled.

He tried calling his niece's phone, and when he got a 'busy' signal while the Azula in the car did not even lift her hands from her hat and the car's door, he finally had to act.

He changed lanes as he decided to change his tactics, because it was time to clear things, right then. He wanted to be sure that his niece was safe without her knowing about it, but if it didn't work that way then so be it.

He moved beside the other car, honking once to make the girls see him.

"Hey… it's Uncle Iroh!" Ty Lee beamed before turning to the girl on the back seat. "See Azula?"

The girl's smile first turned nervous then completely faded as Mai sighed. "He wants us to stop."

"Oh…" Ty Lee bit her lower lip as they pulled to the side, while Iroh stopped before them.

"What's going to happen now?" 'Azula' asked lowly, but her voice had been higher than usual… When Iroh got out of the light brown car, she seemingly sunk in her seat before whispering. "Here he comes…" She slightly lowered her hat, closer to her sunglasses.

Mai's uninterested gaze followed the old man as he passed by her, heading towards his niece. "Fancy car, Mr Iroh…" He stopped in mid-step as her lips curled upwards. "I did not know you changed yours."

Iroh straightened in his place, making a wide smile. "Oh, because I haven't… but at the moment mine is at the workshop for repair." He finally took a step to stand beside his niece, who turned her head away, still holding her hat with a hand. "Azula…?"

She tried to pull the hat even closer to her eyes as she made a nod. "Uncle…" The word left her lips before thinking, and she immediately froze before closing her eyes, while cursing to herself. She did not protest as Iroh took off her hat with a frown then as the sunglasses were off too, his mouth stayed open as a pair of grey eyes looked up at him.

"Ling…?" He asked with slightly widened eyes, realizing that the 'fake Azula' had in truth been one of Ty Lee's sisters… The only resemblance between them had been the black hair – even though she dyed it – and the pale skin. She and her sister both made similar apologetic smiles as he blurted out. "Girls, where is Azula?"

"Here we go." Mai put her arms behind her neck as she murmured lowly. "I told her it's not going to work..."

Azula got off the bus then took off the pink baseball hat, glancing at it one last time with a grimace before shoving it in her bag. She never liked this colour, but beggars could not be choosers, right?

As she walked through the road in the borrowed pink top and skirt with a pair of 'miraculous' white, high-heeled boots, two guys about her or her brother's age spotted her before one of them let her know about his approval in the form of a low whistle…

Her eyebrows snapped together then as she stepped up to the other side of the path, she turned her head towards them with a smile even Ty Lee would be jealous of before lifting her middle finger in a very not ladylike way.

The next moment she headed into the restaurant on the corner, leaving one of the guys chuckle to himself while the other fell silent at her 'answer', stopping in the middle of the street. He frowned and the piece of grass he kept between his teeth fell out as he whispered. "Azula…?"

"Hey Jet, come on!" The other said with a grin. "She was obviously not interested in you…" He teased, but the other only started walking casually again.

"Oh, we'll see." Jet said before putting his hand in his pocket, and a small smirk appeared on his face as he found the piece of paper he was looking for: her phone number...

Azula stepped in so quick that she could only hesitate after she was over the doorway of the place. It had been so long when she had seen him. Would she recognize him?

Her eyes slowly trailed around the area while she couldn't help holding her breath. Her heart was beating loud enough to slowly take over the sounds of silverware meeting porcelain…

Will he recognize me?

And then… she finally found who she was looking for.

The man was sitting with his back towards the door, his raven hair brushed over his broad shoulders and as she caught sight of a tattoo on his right arm, just below the white T-shirt he was wearing, her lips parted with a small gasp.

When a waiter appeared beside her, calling out for her, not a single sound left her and she couldn't tear her gaze away from the man. "Miss?"

He slowly turned in his seat at the waiter's voice and when eyes as gold as hers finally saw her, she felt tears appear in her ones. A smile formed on Ozai's lips and he rose from his chair, stepping towards her in his worn jeans. "Azula…"

She ran up to him followed by the eyes of the stunned waiter, curling her arms around the man's chest without a second thought as she felt happy tears fell from her eyes. "Father…!" Damn these tears! I can't even speak… She sniffed once before looking up, returning her father's smile after he embraced too.

"My love," He said softly before his sly smile turned into a small smirk, as he looked at her clothes. "You look… all grown up."

"Err…" Azula peeked down then tugged one of her bangs behind her ear. "Don't get used to this, these clothes belong to a friend of mine." She pulled on the edge of her skirt before sitting down on the chair beside his. "She covered for me to mislead Uncle Fatso."

Ozai just sat down too, momentarily freezing as she said this then let out a hearty laugh. "So the old geezer is still alive, isn't he?"

The girl giggled lightly while he made their order then he turned his attention only to her once more. "It's been so long my Sparkle…"

Her lips curled into a soft smile, hearing the nickname he gave her when she was young, and even a small blush appeared on her face. For years she could only hope for this… to see her father once again.

After their drinks had arrived, Ozai drank in his beer before putting it aside. "So tell me now…" He started then crossed his fingers before his smile, which from the serene one slowly turned colder. "How is your mother doing?"

Katara and Zuko were holding hands on the veranda when she asked. "So… you have survived." She chuckled, making him slightly flush. "How does it feel?"

"Well," He started with a smirk. "I think now that I've figured out more about your family's customs than I've ever wanted…" She giggled lightly again, before he turned towards her, placing his hand on her cheek. "I'll take back that your grandfather is weird… your brother is way worse than him!" He let out a laugh too before she placed her hand behind his nape, pulling him in for a chaste kiss…

They were both smiling as they pulled away, but then again they froze as Hakoda appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. "Son…" Zuko straightened his back fast as he took a safety two steps distance away from his daughter before he asked. "Aren't you staying tonight?"

Both teens looked at him with round eyes. "I-I…" The scarred boy peeked at the girl then back at him as he stuttered. "I can…?" His voice showed that this question stunned him indeed.

But Hakoda only shrugged. "Well, if I allowed Toph to sleepover then I don't see why not." He looked at his daughter whose mouth was still opened before he said. "It depends of course on whether Katara is willing to make a bed out of that free mat…"

He didn't need more to say as the dark skinned girl let out a squeal, jumping in his neck. "Thank you Dad, you're truly awesome!" She kissed his right cheek loudly before running into the house, preparing everything…

The man looked after her before letting out a sigh. "Well, that was fast." His gaze turned to the teen, who was still standing on the same place. "It's settled then."

"Sir… I don't know what to say…" Zuko started, hesitantly taking a step, but the blue eyed man stopped him with raising a hand.

"Then don't say anything." He let his lips curl up into a smile before holding out his hand for him to shake it. And when Zuko did, with their hands on the other's forearm he went on. "And please call me Hakoda." The boy's small frown fully disappeared.

"I trust you, Zuko… I trust you with probably my greatest treasure," His hold turned more firm as he spoke again. "And I hope that one day you will trust me enough with your secrets you're still afraid of…" His golden eyes widened in that second and now he realized that Hakoda didn't want him to run away after he said this. And with a good reason, and they were both aware of that…

"But till then," Hakoda's hold weakened. "I want you to know that she is the most important woman in my life." He said while his blue eyes stared into his golden ones. "So you will act on behalf of that, do you understand me?"

Zuko did not even blink as he spoke out. "That is something we have in common, Hakoda." His voice remained serious, and the man made a nod as an answer, finally letting go of his arm.

"And now off you go…" He nodded backwards towards the house. "I don't want my daughter to think I am threatening you or something."

The teen let a small smirk appear on his features before going inside, heading upstairs to her room. As he stepped in, he found a mat on the floor beside her bed, already with sheets, a blanket and two pillows. He heard that the shower was turned on in her bathroom, so when he closed the door behind him then took another step, he had been surprised to see Katara appear still in his sweater with a mischievous smile gracing her face. "Finally… you are here."

His eyebrows furrowed as she leaned to the doorway of her bathroom. "What do you mean… by… that?" His voice trailed off as his gaze fell on her long legs, which only had his anklet to cover her perfect mocha skin from his eyes below the black and red striped upper clothing which had also been his, he swallowed. His teenaged hormones started to get to life while his unaware brain made the question leave his mouth. "Tell me you're wearing something under that pullover…"

Her smile turned into a smirk as she walked up to him, slowly unzipping the mentioned pullover. "Why don't you figure it out yourself?" She only stopped her hand above her stomach before letting go of it.

As she stopped before him, his eyes glued to the bare skin above the opened zip before shutting his eyes closed, pulling the cloth close. "Damn it Katara, your father's in the next room!"

She did not let her smile fade before leaning forward while tugging on his shirt to make him meet her gaze. Why do you think I left the shower as it is? The glint in her eyes showed that she was not going to back down while she started leading him towards the bed. "Then we'll have to be really…"

One of her feet bumped into the mat she put down for him, making them trip, but thanks to his reflexes they landed with her on top. Even that made her smile more confident while holding his gaze. "Really silent…" She breathed before letting her lips catch his ones then move down his chin as his eyes closed. "And careful…"

As her kiss moved to his neck he took a sharp inhale of breath, but his mind whirled back to the talk he had with her father… His eyes opened before he held her shoulders, gently lifting her up with an apologetic look. "Katara, I…" Her disapproving, narrow look made him sigh. This won't make it any easier… "There are things… you still don't know about me…" His gaze moved to the side as a concerned frown appeared on her features. "My father…" When she had seen his eyes now while he was thinking back at a distant memory she saw the same whirl of emotions that her father could before. "He's… not a good man…"

As his voice started to weaken, she lifted a hand to his face, grazing his lips with her fingers that way silencing him. Her eyes showed care when she whispered. "Zuko, you don't have to explain anything…" His forehead furrowed after she let her hand trail in his dark hair, but he did not say anything. "I understand that you don't want to talk about him, and just because my father pushed that topic, you don't have to do it."

He still didn't answer, but there was gratitude in his eyes before she added. "Let's forget it for today and bring it up once you're ready, ok?"

He made a nod and as a small smile came to his lips, she pressed hers against them again… She shifted above him, letting her hands trail down his muscular abdomen after his arms circled her… but when he suddenly broke their kiss she let out a small groan. "Zuko…!"

"No, don't worry…" He spoke with a full smirk, and only now did she realize that his hands rested upon her backside before he leaned closer to her ear. "But this time we should really lock the door…"

A/N: Yaay! XD An upload! XD BOOYAH!
(Ah, and this is the longest chapter so far.)

So in line... XD ah lol, sorry for that series stuff, I did not have a better idea how to make them talk and all... they can't fight and bend in an AU! Mwuhaha and Sokka, you're such an ass...

Hohho, and That's why I wanted Iroh to follow Azula - poor him-, XD he got tricked all right...

Oh O.O and Azula, do not listen to Ozai! Do you hear me?!

Faves mean a lot but reviews are LOVED! :D

Next chapter's title: "The Conflict"

--

(And SUPERNATURAL STILL ROXXXX!! XD)