Author's Note: This story takes place after the end of the Avatar show. It's going to be around 20-35k. This first chapter is shorter than the others will be since it is just the intro. This fanfic is rated M because I'm going to have them have sex by the end. Plus there will be a lot of sexual tension;) Also if you guys ever have any requests for events to happen in this story please tell me! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own this incredible show.

Warning: Rated M for later scenes.

The wind whipped through Katara's hair as she peered over Appa's saddle to see the ocean. It had been around six months since the war had ended and Zuko had become Fire Lord. The first few weeks had been stressful and chaotic. Katara had taken up the responsibility of healing Zuko and was by his side for weeks. But after he had healed enough to not require her healing abilities, she had been busy helping the nations recover from the war by healing the other injured. It was all exhausting work, but Katara loved seeing how happy her efforts made people. Aang had been away from the fire nation palace for almost the entire time. He was needed to negotiate peace and settle issues. After he had healed enough, Zuko sometimes went with him, but for the most part the Fire Lord stayed within the walls of his palace attending meetings and signing important documents. Katara thought it sounded extremely tiring, but she had not heard Zuko complaining yet. Although that may be just because she had not 'really' talked to him in recent months since he no longer needed healing sessions. But now that was all changing.

It was vacation time! The gaang was reunited this week for a well deserved rest, and they all were going to travel to the south pole. Katara smiled as she remembered the reunion that had happened yesterday. Zuko, Aang, Toph, and she had met at a delicious new tea shop only a few blocks from the palace. Even Mo Mo and Appa were there (although the latter was left outside the building). They had talked for hours about what had taken place in the last few months. Toph had bragged about how she was teaching earthbending at the best school in Ba Sing Se. She even did a demonstration which the shop owner wasn't too happy about since it cost him 14 teacups, 2 benches, and a table. But he cheered right up when Zuko pulled out a few gold coins for compensation. Aang told us stories about his travels and the different people he had met. He had even gone to visit the swamp benders again. Apparently, he had learned a few new moves from them as well. Zuko, on the other hand, was mostly quiet about his life at the palace, but he talked about his visit to Uncle Iroh's new tea shop in Ba Sing Se in great detail. Katara chuckled to herself as she remembered Uncle Iroh's jokes Zuko had tried to retell. Most of them either only had a punchline or were missing some other part. But it was nice to see Zuko smile and laugh again, and everyone had a great time. The only thing missing was Sokka, but he was going to meet them at the south pole since he was already there with Suki.

At the present time, they were all piled on Appa's saddle and on their way to the south pole. Katara was super excited to show Zuko and Toph her childhood home. Zuko had been there already, but it didn't really count because he was only there to capture the avatar and didn't really see much. Katara came back to the present at the sound of Zuko's voice.

"Hey guys, I'm going to go sit up with Aang and ask him some questions about how the nations are doing lately. Can you make sure Mo Mo doesn't eat all the food?"

At that, Mo Mo looked up with big eyes from where he had just been pawing through their bags. Katara laughed at his guilty expression and shooed him away. Looking up, she watched Zuko climb over the front of the saddle and sit down beside Aang. He looked so different from when she last saw him. Sure his clothes were different, but the way he carried himself was different as well. Becoming Fire Lord had changed him from a lost teen into a man. Katara had thought he was attractive before, but now he was something else. She hated to admit that sometimes she had snuck away from the healing house at dawn to watch him train. He moved with such fierce grace. It hypnotized her. However, when he would take his shirt off, she had to admit she hardly noticed his firebending and watched instead how his muscles shifted with each move. This attraction she felt confused her endlessly. She was supposed to be in love with Aang, not Zuko. Yet more and more frequently her thoughts turned to the firebender and not the avatar. Aang was a good kid, but that's the thing. He was still a kid. She felt motherly love towards him rather than any real attraction. It made her wonder whether she would have liked him if it were not for him being the first guy her age she had really known.

Katara was still looking at the back of Zuko's head when Toph spoke beside her, "Now that the boys are finally gone, I've got some questions. So let's get straight to the point, what's going on with you and Zuko?"

Startled, Katara stammered, "Wh.. what do you mean?"

"Oh stop denying it Sugar Queen, it's obvious something is going on between you two. You barely paid attention when Aang was talking, but 'every' time Zuko says something you perk up and listen to every word he says."

Katara was unsure what to say next. She didn't know it was so obvious that she found the firebender fascinating, and she especially didn't want to mention anything to Toph, because Toph was a notorious blabbermouth.

Taking her silence as answer enough, Toph continued, "Honestly, I thought you and Aang were supposed to be something, but I guess times change."

Finally deciding to speak, Katara sighed, "Ya time's change. I guess I just can't see me and Aang together anymore. I think it's been that way for a while. But you're wrong about Zuko and me." Katara rushed, glad that Toph couldn't see the blush that was spreading across her face. "He's not interested in me and I'm... not interested in him either."

"Can't say I'm surprised you switched to the firebender. I can't even see him, but I just 'know' he's smokin' hot. Plus your heartbeat speeds up every time he's around." Toph said with a casual shrug.

Katara finally gave up pretending that she didn't like Zuko and agreed with Toph. "But even if I like him it doesn't matter because he doesn't like me. Plus he needs to marry a fire nation girl who knows how to be the perfect Fire Lady." Katara leaned her head back with a sigh. "I'm not like Mai. I don't know a thing about running a kingdom as big as the fire nation. I'm just a water tribe peasant." Zuko had called her that all those months ago when he was still chasing them, and he was right.

"You know that's not true right?" Toph said. "No one, including Zuko, thinks you are any less important than the rest of us. In fact, I've heard him brag about how good of a waterbender you are on multiple occasions. Plus, you are basically a water tribe princess since your Dad is the chief and all. If anyone should be Fire Lady it's you. I'm sure Zuko will see that if he doesn't already."

"Thanks, Toph." Katara smiled, giving her friend a side hug. "You are a great friend. I'm glad you are here with me."

"Aw, don't get weepy over it... but I'm glad to be here too. Besides, someone's gotta make sure you and Zuko admit you're undying love for each other." Toph said in a voice that was definitely not a whisper.

"Be quiet, Toph!" Katara said with a hint of panic in her voice. "They are right there!" She looked up nervously to see if the two guys had heard them, but neither appeared to have noticed. Whew.. close one, Katara thought. Even if she had acknowledged her feelings towards Zuko, she certainly wasn't ready for him to know yet.

Katara looked one more time at the back of Zuko's neck, and then focused her gaze on the nearing ice mass that was her childhood home...

Hope you liked the intro! I swear it will get better so please stick around! I look forward to hearing what you think:)