A/N: Hey everyone sorry i haven't posted a new chapter in a while. I've been super busy with finals. but im finally home and ready to write. so hopefully i can get more chapters up within a better time period. please read and review! let me know what you think! enjoy!

Disclaimer: i do not own Avatar the Last Airbender

CHAPTER 7

A few days have passed and it was finally Zuko's coronation. Aang sat in the doorway meditating and waiting for the soon to be Firelord Zuko to arrive. Everyone was outside waiting for them to make their entrance. All their friends that were held in prison were released and were present for this big moment. It was going to be a coronation no one would ever forget. The war would be declared officially over and Zuko would take the role of Firelord to turn the Fire Nation into the right direction. A time of peace and a time for new beginnings. Aang's mind wandered from all of this to the other important thing in his life. Katara.

These last days have been so hectic. I had promised her we would have time to talk and we just haven't. It seems everyone has needed Zuko and I for something. I feel terrible. She said she had to tell me something and I haven't made time for her at all. Sure, we still had been sleeping in the same room but I've been getting up really early and getting back really late. She was always asleep and I never wanted to disturb her. Part me has just wanted to wake her up and tell her again how much I care for her. But I can't help but think back to Ember Island where she rejected me. I need to give her the space she needs. If she wants to be with me I want her to willingly choose it, not give in because I kept asking her. It wouldn't be fair. I'm going to give her all the time she needs. There is no need to rush anymore. The war is over and we are all safe.

Aang heard footsteps approaching and opened his eyes to his dear friend. Zuko paused right in front of him.

"I can't believe a year ago my purpose in life was hunting you down, and now…"

"And now we're friends," Aang said finishing Zuko's sentence with a smile.

"Yeah… we are friends."

"I can't believe a year ago I was still frozen in a block of ice. The Word's so different now," said Aang, standing up.

Zuko places his hand on Aang's shoulder, "And it's gonna be even more different, when we build it together."

They hug. Zuko then opens the curtain and Aang follows him shortly after. Outside the crowd is divided into four groups: Swamp benders, Earthbenders, Water Tribe warriors, and Fire Nation citizens. The Fire Sages hit the gong three times. Zuko walks out first bowing to all in respect. Everyone is cheering. Zuko raises his hand,

"Please, the real hero is the Avatar."

Aang walks out to the cheering crowd. He can see The Duke and Toph sitting on Pipsqueak and the Hippo's shoulders. Aang then scans the crowd seeing Suki, Sokka, Hakoda, and Katara.

When he reached Katara's face. Their eyes locked. Aang smiles a sentimental smile. Absorbing the moment. And by the look of Katara's face, Aang could have sworn she was doing the same.

"Today, this war is finally over," said Zuko "I promised my Uncle that I would restore the honor to the Fire Nation, and I will. The road ahead of us is challenging. A hundred years of fighting has left the world scarred and divided. But with the Avatar's help, we can get it back on the right path, and begin a new era of love and peace."

One of the Fire Sages walks up behind Zuko, holding the Fire Lord diadem. Zuko kneels down.

"All hail Fire Lord Zuko!" he said as he placed the diadem into Zuko's top knot.

The crowd cheered again as Zuko stands up and walks toward the crowd. Then he motions for Aang to join him. They look at each other and then back at the crowd.

An understanding passes between them. The war is over and together they were going to fulfill Zuko's promise of restoring peace. When working together there was nothing that could stop them. It was a new time, a new beginning.

Katara stared back at the newly crowned Firelord and the fully mastered Avatar. She was so proud of the two of them. Proud of all her friends and family. For everything that they have done this past year. Everyone was still cheering. So excited that this horrible war is over. Now it was time to start new things. Help rebuild. She was going to do whatever she could to help. But her main plan was to be with Aang. Wherever he went, she was going to be with him. Nothing was going to split them apart. She couldn't even imagine what her life would be like if he wasn't in it. She was going to help her friends with restoring peace. Wherever that may take them. She looked up at Aang's face one more time. He was looking back at her. Their eyes locked again. Her heart started racing like it was when they made eye contact earlier. Her knees even began to feel weak.

What a feeling.

She felt her cheeks reddening and finally looked away. She didn't want to fall and look like a total mess in front of him. But after a few moments she looked back up and he was still looking at her. Giving her his heartwarming smile.

Zuko then leaned toward Aang and whispered something to him. Aang nodded in response. He looked back at Katara one last time giving her a I'll be right back look and walked away with Zuko. Katara's heart ached as she watched him walk away. She sighed.

Always busy. Soon though. I know there will be a moment soon where we are both not busy, no distractions, and I can just tell him how I feel. I have to believe that there will be a right time. Or is this a way of the universe telling me that it's not suppose to happen?

"Katara?"

Katara spun around. Suki was staring at her with a concerned expression.

"Yeah, Suki?" she replied.

"Are you alright? You seem to be really out of it lately. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah… I'm fine. Just a lot has been on my mind."

"About…Aang?" she said with a sly smile.

Katara's cheeks immediately began to burn. Suki laughed.

"Katara! It's fine! Don't be embarrassed."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Katara, we all know that you guys obviously care about each other. The real question is why haven't either of you said it or done anything about it?"

"Well the truth is that he kind of did when we were at Ember Island. But…"

"But what?"

Katara took a deep breath. "I sort of blew him off. I was confused and scared. The war was still going on and I didn't know how I was feeling. What if something happened to him? I couldn't bare the thought of admitting my feelings and then have something happen to him. Plus I didn't want him to be distracted. He needed to end this war. A relationship was the last thing I wanted to think about. And now the war is over and all I want is to be with him but, what if his feelings have changed? What if I really hurt him and he doesn't want to be with me after all?"

Suki was silent for a few moments. "Katara, I understand how you were feeling at the time. I truly do. But I have seen the way Aang looks at you. His feelings are still there. Take a leap of faith. Tell him."

"I've been trying to Suki. But every moment I try to tell him something is always in the way. What if that is a sign from the universe telling me it's not meant to be?"

"You sound like Sokka," said Suki laughing "All that means Katara is that it wasn't the right moment. When the perfect moment approaches you will know. It'll feel right and there won't be any distractions. Trust me."

"Thanks Suki. I do trust you."

"Good. Now come on, there's suppose to be a big party now to celebrate. And who knows maybe your perfect moment will be during it." she winked.

They started laughing. Feeling better about her situation, Katara followed Suki to where the crowd was headed.

Maybe she's right. Maybe the universe isn't trying to keep us apart. Maybe it's trying to help me find the perfect moment.

A/N: Okay! so hoped you all like that chapter! i'll try and get the next one up soon! let me know what you think! :)