Hey sorry for my absence, even though it hasn't been that long. I posted my new story! If you haven't seen it yet, you definitely should. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as i do, and please tell me how I did.

Disclaimer: I don't own. I wish, just like every other fangirl out there.

"Why is it so damn cold outside?" Zuko complained for the thousandth time. He was shivering in his parka, the one Katara had made for him. It was blue, and Katara loved him in that color. He didn't want to take it off now.

"It's the South Pole love," Katara came up from behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leaning on his back. They've been traveling for a few days, maybe a week.

"Haven't you traveled here before?" Suki asked, her and Sokka were playing a game of Pai Sho on the deck.

"Well, yeah!" Zuko threw his arms in the air. "When I was chasing Aang around and I knew I wouldn't be here for long! I didn't even notice the cold back then!"

Katara giggled. "You're over exaggerating. I grew up here, this is a normal day to us."

"Just be glad we're not visiting in the winter, it get's so bad, you can't even see a foot in front of you." Sokka waved his hand around, blowing off the complaint.

"Besides, aren't you a firebender?" Suki asked, moving a tile. "You can warm yourself up whenever you want."

"That's true." Zuko rolled his eyes. He was about to speak again, but was interrupted when a large animal flew over the deck and land in the water on the other side. "What was that?!" He exclaimed, nearly falling out of his chair.

"They're tiger-seals!" Katara cheered, standing up and running to the ship's railing. "We're almost to the Southern Water Tribe!"

Together, the four teenagers watched the tiger-seals leap up and down the water, sometimes hoping out of the water to do a trick or something. Playfully, they occasionally splashed water up to the deck, wetting the people standing there.

Laughing, Katara waterbent them dry. Looking up, Katara could see the tall new structures of the tribe, the broken and empty village she left behind, is now a beautiful vast city. At the top, the biggest snow temple was built, for the Chief and his family. It was built much like the Northern Tribe, canals and bridges built around the houses and buildings.

"It's amazing!" Katara smiled, holding onto Zuko's arm. It was definitely different since the last time he's been here. He was going to get lost for sure.

When his ship docks, most of the tribe is there waiting, and cheering. They waved at the Fire Lord and their missed water tribe siblings. Hakoda was among them, smiling towards his children. When they touched ground, Sokka and Katara hugged their father respectfully.

Zuko stood to the side with Suki, feeling a little awkward at the whole situation. He tried making conversation, but failed miserably.

"Zuko come on, I want you to walk around with me." Katara wrapped her hands around Zuko's arm and dragged him through the streets. "I don't know much about this place anymore, but if I want to get lost, I'd rather be stuck with you."

He laughed, actually laughed.

A few weeks later and Zuko was about ready to throw someone out a window.

Hakoda and Sakida wouldn't stop talking about how perfect their wedding will go, how perfect everyone will look, and how wonderful their marriage life will be.

It hurts Katara and that's what angers Zuko, he hates seeing her upset. He tries his best to distract her, whether it's showering her with gifts, or kisses and long night talks.

Now, the two benders were taking a walk in the backcountry, or behind the city. They walked pretty far from everything else, all the craziness.

Katara chatted about her day, and how well the other waterbenders were coping to the Southern style. Katara, besides Hama, was the only Southern bender left, but Zuko's hoping to change that in a few years.

"Zuko?" A soft, kind voice disrupted his thoughts. Zuko turned his head sideways and down, gazing at the waterbender next to him.

"Yes?" He asked, squeezing her hand. The gesture made her blush, even though he's done it hundreds of times before.

"Let's just pretend, for a moment, if you weren't the Fire Lord, and I wasn't a master at my element, would you try making a life in one of the water tribes?" She wondered, for no reason. It was just one of those random things she thinks about when she has nothing else to think about.

"Maybe, if I could live with you." His answer surprised her, she thought he'd refuse right away, stubborn on living where it's warm.

Smiling, Katara rested her head on his shoulder. Getting an evil grin on her face, Katara sneakily waterbent some snow into her hands, and smashed it against Zuko's face.

"Gah!" He exclaimed, shaking his head, his hair flinging back and forth, trying to get rid of the sudden cold. He was about to attack the person who threw it, but stopped when he saw Katara huddled over her stomach, laughing herself to death.

"You. . .should. . .see. . ." Another round of laughter rolled through Katara, so much she fell to her knees. "your face!" She gasped.

Zuko rolled his eyes, bent down, and gathered up his own snowball. He was about to launch it back at Katara, but she was already on her feet, running fast away from him. His feet moved, and he was soon chasing after her, laughing and throwing snow as he goes.

Back and forth the snow traveled, hitting faces and chests. Zuko chased her up and down hills and past the cliffside, trying to get back at her. He loved these times when he can just be normal with her, like he isn't the ruler of an entire nation, but a boy who's chasing the girl of his dreams.

When he reached to pick up another snowball, he noticed he couldn't see Katara anymore. Panicking, he shouted: "Katara!" He ran up the nearest hill to get a better look, and found her on the other side.

There was a giant wounded animal and her pup in front of the waterbender.

Review please! And go check out my new fanfiction(zutara of course)

~EZ17