Avatar: The Last Airbender (c) Nickelodeon

The sun, the source of all fire, pelted down unmercifully on the backs of Zuko and his short companion. “Is it always this hot in the Fire Nation?” Toph asked.

“Yeah, pretty much,” Zuko sighed squinting at the sun. “Especially in summer,” he sighed, looking at the ground.

“What’s wrong Sparky-butt?” Toph asked. Zuko growled.

“Will you stop calling me that?”

Toph smirked, “Nope.”

“Figures,” he walked towards a bush and pushed it aside. “Found it,” he grumbled, and plucked the mushroom from the ground. “Katara’s oh-so precious mushroom,” he said. “Toph, basket please,” he called.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said, handing him the basket, with the collected fungi in it. It was the delicious shiitake mushroom and everyone, including Zuko liked it. Though Toph was the only one that was able to sense the presents of the mushroom, since they hid so well.

“Any more in the area?” Zuko asked. And she would only go out with Zuko to collect them.

“None that I can sense,” she said, tapping her foot against the earth. Zuko stood still, allowing Toph’s earthbending senses to work. “Yep, no more,” she grinned at him and then snapped her fingers. “My palanquin, please?”

Zuko grumbled and walked up to her. He turned and around and squatted, his back facing her. “Get on you mud-worm,” he grumbled.

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” she said and hopped onto his back. He grunted. He stood up and handed her the basket of mushrooms. “I hope Sugar Queen likes all the hard work we’ve done.”

“We’ve done? You hardly did anything? All you did was tap the ground and told me there were mushrooms in the area! I did all the hard work! Carrying you, looking for the mushrooms, picking the mushrooms, and now carrying you!”

“Finding mushrooms using earthbending is quiet labour intensive,” Toph said smugly. Zuko growled and Toph jammed her heels into his side, he winced. “What’s wrong can’t take a little pain?” she asked.

“No,” he grumbled. “Katara just smacked me with a waterwhip where you left heel jammed me yesterday.”

“Well I—Did you hear that?” Toph asked.

“No, I didn’t hear anything?” Zuko said.

“Stop walking Princy!” Toph ordered.

“Or what?”

“I mean it Zuko!”

“We are going back to the temple to give Katara her mushrooms,” Zuko said. “No ifs, ands, or—” Toph’s hand clapped over his mouth.

“Shut up Sparky-butt! I heard something!” Toph growled. Zuko licked her palm. “Eew! That was below the belt Sparky-butt!” Toph said. “There it is again! Put me down! Put me down! Put me down!” Toph ordered.

“All right, all right! Hold on!” Zuko said as he squatted down. Toph jumped off his back and handed him the basket of harvested mushrooms, before running off. “Toph…wait!” he shouted, running after her, making sure he didn’t spill a mushroom. “Toph! Slow down! Grr! Toph!” he shouted as he ran after her, making sure he saw at least a bit of beige and green.

She finally came to a halt and he ran into her. Thankfully, none of the mushrooms fell out of the basket. “He’s hurt, badly,” Toph said.

“Toph, let’s go! We don’t have time to help someone who’s hurt, as much as I would like to be a good kind person like Katara, I rather get these mushrooms back to her rather than have her kill me, literally,” Zuko said.

“He’s hurt! My friend’s hurt!” Toph glowered at him with broken eyes.

“Toph, not now, I don’t have time for games,” he sighed.

“I have a secret for you Zuko,” Toph said. Zuko bent closer and she grabbed him by his scruffy hair and forced him to look at the person.

“Uncle!” he cried, as Toph let him go, the basket of mushrooms falling to the ground. The mushrooms bounced but didn’t fall out. “Uncle! Uncle Iroh!” Zuko cried, sliding to his uncle side. He checked for a life-beat, it was there but faint. “Toph! He’s hurt badly!” Zuko said, his right eye becoming blurry with tears. “We have to get him to Katara,” he said.

“Right,” she picked up the basket of mushrooms and helped Zuko lift the old man. “He’s certainly changed since the last time I saw him.”

“Your blind,” Zuko pointed out.

“Thanks Captain Obvious, I nearly forgot,” Toph grumbled.

“Whatever, and make sure those mushrooms don’t fall, Katara will kill me,” Zuko said.

“I doubt she’ll kill you,” Toph said.

“Oh, she will,” Zuko nodded. “She will.”

“Right, and we all know how terrified you are of Sugar Queen,” Toph sniggered. Zuko was glad that the girl was blind, for then, she couldn’t laugh hysterically at his blush. “Oh, and I know your blushing,” and with that she laughed hysterically.

Katara waited impatiently by the campfire. “Where are they? How long goes it take to get a bunch of stupid mushrooms?” she growled.

“Relax Katara,” Aang said floating down from ceiling. “I’m sure Toph and Zuko are on their way back.”

“Well, they better hurry up,” Katara said.

“Katara, its been a couple of weeks…could you stop treating Zuko like your personal punching bag?” Aang asked.

“No! I haven’t forgotten what he did to us, what he did to you, like the rest of you sorry fools!” Katara snapped. Aang winced.

“Katara, one Zuko didn’t nearly kill me. That was Azula,” Aang said. “Besides, Zuko told me himself that he couldn’t produce lightning, only redirect it,” Aang brightened. “His uncle taught him that! He said that his uncle learned how to redirect lightning from watching the waterbenders!”

“That’s rich,” Katara grumbled.

“And two, I haven’t forgotten that he tried to capture me, more than once. But I also know that its time to forgive him for his sins. He’s changed. If he hadn’t the Masters would’ve killed him,” Aang said.

“Oh, now you are going to take the word of two dragons over me, your best friend?” Katara snapped.

“Well, these dragons have been around a lot longer than you have…erm…no offense,” Aang said, wincing and waking for Katara’s reaction. “And they didn’t exactly speak, they more of surrounded us in a vortex of flames. Katara rolled her eyes.

“Katara!” came the shouted.

“That’s Toph!” Aang said.

“Finally,” Katara rolled her eyes. Toph came running into view.

“Katara! Katara! Quick you need to go to Zuko’s room,” Toph said.

“Where are my mushrooms?” Katara thundered.

“Sparkles has ‘em,” Toph pointed over her shoulder. “But you need to go to his room! His uncle has been injured, really badly,” Toph said.

“And why should I help his uncle?”

“Katara! According to you, Iroh helped save you and Aang from Madam Psycho!” Toph said.

“Madam Psycho…hehehe…I have to tell that to Zuko,” Aang said. Toph and Katara shot him a glare. “Right.”

“Besides, his uncle means a lot to him. I could’ve swore he was on the verge of tears,” Toph said.

“Iroh could be helpful, he at least can teach me how to actual bend lightning,” Aang said.

“No!” Katara’s eyes narrowed and her gaze turn frigid. “You are not learning lightning, just like you’ll never learn to bloodbend.”

“Cheer up Twinkle Toes, I’ll teach you how to metalbend,” Toph said.

“Thanks Toph,” Aang muttered. “But, Katara, I need to learn this! Its firebending, just like I need to learn bloodbending, its waterbending. I need to learn it. No matter how much you may feel against the two arts, I need to learn it,” Aang said. “At least I need to learn lightning, that’ll be beneficial against Ozai.”

“Uh, hello! Dying old man still needs your healing hands Katara!” Toph said.

“Fine, I’ll help Zuko’s uncle,” Katara muttered and followed Toph to Zuko’s room.

Zuko was kneeling by his uncle, mopping his sweaty brow, and murmuring words of encouragement to him. “I got her Sparky-butt,” Toph shouted cheerily as she opened the prince’s door. “She’s kinda pissed, so I’ll watch my step if I were you.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Zuko grumbled, wringing out the rag into a shallow clay bowl, as Katara came in.

“Stand aside,” Katara ordered.

“Just help him, please, he’s the only family I have left,” Zuko said softly. Katara was surprised to hear the emotion and vulnerability in his voice. Toph threw an arm around him.

“Don’t worry Sparky-butt,” Toph said. “We’re your family, even if Sugar Queen won’t admit it.”

“Thanks Toph,” Zuko grumbled. “Why are you happy anyways?”

“Well, you are being depressed enough for the both of us, plus Sweetness here is more like ice queen.”

“Right,” Zuko muttered.

“Will you both go?” Katara asked.

“I think he has some internal bleeding,” Zuko said. “At least I think he does, because some of his skin is darker in areas and its kinda bluish-purple,” Zuko muttered.

“I know! I’m not blind!”

“How are you going to heal him if it’s internal! I heard you could die from internal bleeding,” Zuko said.

“She could always bloodbend,” Toph muttered.

“Toph!” Katara growled.

“What’s that?” Zuko asked.

“Katara’s a bloodbender, she can bend the blood in the human body,” Toph said.

“I’m not going to!” Katara said.

“Are you crazy! You can save his life! How can you not do that?” Zuko shouted.

She wanted to say ‘easy, because he’s your uncle!’ but didn’t’. “I don’t like the power it’s destructive and unnatural, besides it can only be done on a full moon.”

“There’s a quarter moon tonight, you don’t need that much strength to heal someone do you?” Zuko grabbed Katara hands in his own warm and callused ones. The waterbender blushes at how gentle his hands were and how warm they were as well. “Please, he’s my only family I have left. I can’t lose him…you know what its like to lose a loved one…please, I don’t want to lose my uncle, he’s like a father to me…no he’s more than a father to me. He’s been a father to me…please, I’ve already lost my mother, don’t allow me to lose the only man that has ever been a father to me…please Katara, just try,” he whispered. Katara stared into those golden orbs of his. They were begging no pleading with her, to save the old general’s life. She bowed her head.

“Alright,” she muttered. “I’ll try.”

“Thank you, Katara!” he hugged her. “Thank you! Thank you so much!” he cried.

“Enough hugging!” Katara pushed him off her. “Go make dinner,” she ordered.

“I want to stay with my uncle,” Zuko said.

“Go! Sokka will get hungrier if someone doesn’t make inner soon,” Katara said. Zuko nodded and left. Toph followed him.

Zuko was stirring the pot of rice gently, watching the mushrooms sizzle in the deer-goat fat that Sokka got, and the steaks of deer-goat hiss happily on the spit, which Toph slowly rotated. In another pot, fresh vegetables and herbs simmered happily.

“It sure smells good, Princy,” Toph said.

“Thanks,” Zuko muttered.

“What smells so good?” Teo asked. Zuko looked up at him. The boy shrank back. “Toph…I’m not that hungry,” Teo said.

“Teo, Zuko didn’t poison the food,” Toph said.

“Still…” Teo said warily.

“Katara told him to make dinner,” Toph said.

“Well, in that case,” Teo smiled. “I’ll get Haru and the Duke.”

“Twinkle Toes!” Toph shouted. Aang floated down and landed lightly.

“Yeah, Toph?”

“Go find Sokka, tell him dinner is almost ready?”

“Okay…what about Katara?” Aang asked.

“I’ll bring her some dinner, she’s healing my uncle,” Zuko said.

“Okay,” Aang opened his glider and went soaring, looking for Sokka. Toph watched, more like sightlessly stared at him as he dished out a bowl for himself and a bowl for Katara. He rose with a fluid cat like motion.

“Tell the others to help themselves. And tell them there is one steak for everyone,” he said.

“Sure thing Sparkles,” Toph gave him a thumb up. Zuko smiled at her.

Zuko pushed opened the door with his shoulder. “Don’t you knock first?” Katara asked annoyed.

“This is my room, therefore knocking is irrelevant,” Zuko said, walking up to her. “Here, you need a break,” he said handing her the bowl of food.

“Set it there,” she pointed to a desk. Zuko shrugged and set the bowl of food there. He sat down cross-legged and began to eat his dinner. “Why are you still here?” Katara asked.

“One: its my room. Two: on my bed is my uncle,” Zuko said frankly. “Why? Is my supposedly evil aura disrupting your aura of goodness?”

“Hardy-har-har Zuko,” Katara said. “I just don’t like being alone in the same room as you.”

“Well you’re not alone, my uncle’s in the same room, as we are,” Zuko pointed out as he tore a strip of the deer-goat steak off and placed it in his mouth. “Never did care for deer-goat, the grease always stuck to the top of my mouth and I hated that.”

“Stop talking,” Katara said as she bandaged one of Iroh’s more serious injuries.

“You need to eat,” he said.

“I can’t, not yet,” she said.

“I order you to eat,” he said.

“You’re not Fire Lord yet Princy-boy! So save your orders!”

“I’m not ordering you because I’m royalty,” he said calmly. “I’m ordering you as a concerned friend.”

“You are no friend of mine,” Katara hissed.

“I would like to be your friend,” he said softly. Katara looked at him and then at Iroh, before sighting.

“I suppose I do need a break,” she sighed and finished what she was doing before picking up her bowl.

They sat there in silence for a few minuets before Zuko broke the silence. “Did…did I really hurt you that badly back in Ba Sing Se?”

Katara’s head shot up. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she muttered. Zuko got up and shut the door, before sitting back down in front of Katara.

“Nobody is here Katara. My uncle is unconscious, its just you and me,” he scooted a bit closer. “Just like it was in those crystal caves,” he said. “Now: did I really hurt you that badly back in Ba Sing Se?”

Katara looked away. “Yes,” she whispered.

“How?” he asked.

“I trusted you! I trusted you! I was going to use my special water on your stupid scar! Instead, I had to use it on Aang! What if I had used it on you, and your sister hurt Aang like she did…we would’ve lost the Avatar for good! The Fire Nation would have no one to stand up against it! To bring your megalomaniac father down!” Katara whispered; hot angry tears cascading down her cheeks. “I thought you had really changed! After all that talk about how you realized you could chart your own destiny! And what do you do with that trust? Throw it right back in my face!”

“Katara, I…you don’t understand, if I had sided with you, Azula would’ve killed me, you and Aang! She’s strong…she’s powerful, she’s more powerful than my father,” Zuko said.

“That still doesn’t justify what you did to me! I even cared about you! I wanted to get to know you! You lost your mother…I lost my mother, we had something in common…and I never thought we had anything in common! I always believe that your mother was back home in the Fire Nation, waiting for you,” she said. Zuko looked away.

“I wish she was…” he muttered. “The truth is, my mother is banished. I didn’t know about it when we were in the caves, my father told me on the Day of Black Sun. She may still be alive, and she may not be,” he sighed. “Once Aang has enough firebending under his belt I’ll let my uncle take over and I’m going to look for my mother,” he said.

“You think your mother may still be alive?” Katara whispered.

“Yeah…” he nodded.

“That’s great Zuko,” Katara said. “I wish my mother was still alive.”

“Katara, I know I wasn’t directly responsible for the death of your mother…but…I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“Its okay Zuko, it was a long time ago,” she whispered.

“You know this is the first real conversation we had since I got here,” he whispered. “Other than you trying to bite my head off.”

Katara chuckled. “Once again, our lost mothers seem to forge a bridge of friendship between us.”

“Yeah, though you were very naïve in trusting me,” he poked her in the forehead. “I was half expecting you to waterwhip me when I didn’t answer you.”

“May I should have,” she mused. “This changes nothing between us, I still don’t trust you,” Katara said, as Zuko stood up taking the two empty bowls.

“I think it does,” he whispered softly, walking off. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Katara nodded and returned to healing Iroh. “Thanks for dinner Zuko,” she said.

“You’re welcome,” he said and walked off.

Zuko returned a few minutes later like he promises and watched Katara silently as she used bloodbending to heal the internal injuries of the old man. When she finished the last one, she let go of blood in his body and collapsed. Zuko lunged forward and grabbed her under her arms. Hoisting her into his arms, he carried her bridal style to her room.

“What are you doing with my sister?” Sokka asked, stopping Zuko just as he was going to enter the room.

“She was healing my uncle, he had internal bleeding, so she was using bloodbending to heal his internal injuries. She collapsed and I’m just taking her to her room,” Zuko said.

“Sparky-butt ain’t lying,” Toph chimed as she bit into an apple.

Sokka snapped his fingers and stomped his foot. “Shoot! You live another day, jerkbender,” Sokka grinned before going into his own room.

Zuko kicked Katara’s door opened and walked over to her bed, somehow he managed to pull the blanket back and lay her down gently. With tenderness, he covered back up. He brushed back a few locks of her hair before kissing his fingers tips and touching her forehead, and leaving the room.

Zuko walked back to his room and closed the door; he sat cross-legged and began to meditate. He was snapped out his trance when he heard a moan coming from his bed. He whipped his head around, to see his uncle stirring. “Uncle!” he cried and rushed over to him, pouring him a bowl of clean water. He knelt next to his bed and helped Iroh sit up. “Uncle are you alright?” he asked.

“What happened?” Iroh asked.

“You were attacked. By what, I have no idea; you are in the Western Air Temple. Katara, the Avatar’s waterbending master healed you,” Zuko said. “Here,” he pressed the lip of the bowl to his uncle’s dry cracked ones. “Drink,” he whispered. Iroh slowly drank. He sighed when he drank his fill and Zuko slowly helped him lay back down.

“So, you joined the Avatar,” Iroh chuckled weakly. “Took you long enough.” Zuko grimaced but smiled.

“I’m so glad you’re alright!” Zuko hugged him. “I was afraid I was going to lose you,” he smiled. Iroh cupped Zuko’s cheek, and wiped away the tears that were rolling down his nephew’s cheek. Iroh smiled.

“I forgive you Zuko, you have a good heart, your mother would’ve been proud of you,” he whispered. Zuko sniffed holding back his tears and he hugged his uncle.

“I met the Masters,” Zuko said.

“Really? Why would you have to meet the Masters?” Iroh asked.

“When I joined them, my firebending…I lost sight of my inner fire. Toph suggested that I relearn firebending from the original source, so Aang, the Avatar, and I, journeyed to the Sun Warrior ruins. There we met actual Sun Warriors. We agreed to meet the Masters. And…they were dragons! Two real live dragons!” Zuko gasped, grinning like a child. “And they judged us…and we survived! I saw so many colors in their flames…it was like firebending harmony!”

Iroh chuckled and clapped a hand on his nephew’s shoulder. “I’m so proud of you Zuko,” Iroh said.

“Only…why didn’t you tell me that you met the Masters?” Zuko said.

“The reason why I didn’t is because I knew one day you would have to make the pilgrimage and meet the Masters for yourself,” Iroh said. Zuko bowed his head in understanding.

“You’ve changed,” Zuko muttered.

“Imprisonment does that to you,” Iroh chuckled and Zuko grinned before yawning. “You must be tired.”

“No…” he yawned. “I’m not that tired,” Zuko muttered, blinking sleepily. Iroh chuckled and shuffled a bit before scooping his hands under Zuko’s arms and pulling him onto the bed. Iroh watched as his nephew’s eyes grew heavy and slowly closed. Zuko was soon sleeping and Iroh got off the bed and gently covered his nephew. Limping slightly, Iroh left the room and entered one across it.

Katara woke and briefly wondered how she got there, and then she dimly remembered Zuko carrying her to her room and putting her to bed. Stretching and wincing when she heard some of her joints pop, she got up and went to check on Iroh.

When she got to Zuko’s room, she opened the door and was shocked to find the prince sleepily contently in his own bed. With a furious roar, she grabbed the prince by the collar of his shirt and pulled him up, effectively waking him, until their noses touched. “So, you bring your uncle to me, and then in the middle of the night chuck him out the window? What kind of jerk are you?” Katara roared.

“Wh-wh-what?” Zuko muttered, blinking furiously. “He woke up during the night and…I fell asleep,” he shook his head trying to recall the events.

“Is everything alright?” Iroh asked opening the door.

“Uncle!”

“Iroh!”

“Good morning Nephew, and I do believe you must be Lady Katara,” he said.

“Oh, please I’m no more a lady than Zuko’s a prince,” Katara blushed.

“She’s right, she isn’t very lady like,” Zuko chided, Katara promptly threw him against his own bed. He chuckled. “Yep, it’s a good day,” he said to himself.

“Are you sure your alright, Iroh?” Katara asked.

“I’m quiet fine, just a little sore in areas and my wounds, the ones that you bandaged hurt a bit, but nothing I can’t handle, I did survive an attack from my niece after all,” Iroh chuckled. “Well, I’m famish, let’s say we have breakfast?” Iroh said.

“Sounds good to me,” Zuko said and sprung to his feet. “What about you Katara? Not afraid to eat with two former princes of the Fire Nation are you?” he winked. Katara was left standing there gaping like a fish.

A few weeks passed since Iroh came to them. Everyone was warm and friendly towards Iroh, even Katara, which greatly surprised Zuko, but she had returned her cold and unforgiving attitude towards the prince, which greatly irked the scarred firebender to no end, but he kept his temper in check which Iroh marveled as a great feat of willpower, and proceeded to recount tales of how Zuko would blow up at the slightest thing, much to Toph’s pleasure which only meant she had more information to torment him with on their daily scouting for mushrooms.

Zuko found Katara leaning up against a pillar one day around noon. “Can I talk to you?” he said, she gave him a freezing glare.

“What?” she hissed.

“Can you lighten up a bit? Please?” he asked.

“Why should I? You and Iroh maybe scheming behind our backs!”

Zuko rolled his eyes. “Whatever gambit your playing with, stop it! Now. I’m serious! I’m not scheming or plotting behind your backs! All I’m asking is for a little respect from you. At least for my uncle’s sake, I hate it how he looks at me when you glare at me,” he ran his fingers through his thick shaggy black hair. “It makes me feel extremely guilty, not that your glare already give me guilt…my uncle’s just adds to it,” Zuko muttered.

“Oh, boohoo, am I supposed to feel sorry for the scarred and banished prince?” Katara hissed.

“Please, Katara, just lighten up a little?” Zuko asked.

“Fine,” Katara said.

“Oi! Sparky-butt!” Zuko flinched and slowly cocked his head to stare at Toph, with an empty basket. “Mushroom time!” she smirked. “And my feet are a little sore, so you’ll need to carry me to the top,” she said.

“Yes, I’m coming.” Zuko said as he walked over towards Toph, grumbling. Katara rolled her eyes before walking off.

“So? What did you and Sugar Queen talk about?” Toph asked as Zuko squatted before her.

“I just asked her to lighten up around me for my uncle’s sake,” Zuko sighed. “That’s all,” he stood up. “Let’s get this over with.”

“I’m hurt that you don’t like picking mushrooms with me,” Toph said with mock emotions.

“You mean, I pick all the mushrooms, you just stand there annoying me,” Zuko grumbled.

“Just keep walking my human palanquin!” Toph shouted pointing ahead. Zuko sighed and shook his head.

“There’s another one,” Toph pointed in the direction of the mushroom’s hiding spot. Zuko stalked over and pushed aside the bushes and found the mushroom, plucking it from the dark dank soil which is called home, and placing it in the basket with the others the duo have gathered.

“You are a little bit more helpful today,” he said.

“Hey,” Toph bit into an apple. “I do what I can,” she shrugged. “There’s another one,” she pointed over to the left. Zuko sighed and walked over there and picked the mushroom.

“Is that it?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Toph nodded tossing the apple core over her shoulder. She picked up the basket and walked towards Zuko when she froze.

“What?” Zuko asked. “Did you find another mushroom?”

“No!” Toph looked up at the prince. “I know you’re here Sugar Queen,” Toph muttered softly.

“What was that Toph?” Zuko asked.

“Nothing, now, bend down so I can get on,” she ordered.

“I went from prince to peasant and now servant to a blind twelve-year-old earthbender,” Zuko grumbled.

“Ain’t life special?” Toph cackled as she jumped onto his back, he grunted.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that,” Zuko muttered. Toph cackled.

They walked passed the bushed Katara was hiding in, when Toph broke the silence. “So…if you don’t mind me asking, what happened between you and Sugar Queen in Ba Sing Se?”

Zuko paused in mid step. “I rather not talk about it,” he muttered.

“I rather you do,” Toph said.

“Why do you want to know anyways?” he muttered.

“Curious,” she shrugged. “Besides, you seem really bent on making her happy.”

“We talked,” he said. “And we fought. The Avatar fell at my sister’s hand, and now Katara hates me, simple as that.”

“Talked about what, Sparky-butt?”

“Our mothers,” he whispered.

“I know Katara lost her mom, but you did to?”

“Yeah. She was banished…trying to protect me, when I was ten. My father was ordered to kill me by my grandfather because my father wanted to have my uncle’s birthright stripped because my cousin, Lu Ten, died,” Zuko said. “So, my grandfather thought that if my father sacrificed me to know the pain of losing his only son, my father wouldn’t want to take my uncle’s birthright,” Zuko snorted. “Funny thing is, my father would have done it; guess he never loved me it seems. My mother put her foot down and killed my grandfather and therefore was banished.”

“Wow, your family is really messed up,” Toph muttered.

“Don’t tell anyone else, but…but my father gave me my scar,” Zuko said. Toph’s hand traveled to his face and felt around for his scar until her fingers brushed it. Zuko froze, standing stalk still.

“He…he…he gave you this?” Toph muttered.

“Yeah…to teach me a lesson,” Zuko muttered. “Katara…Katara and I grew to trust each other. I trusted her enough to allow her to be the first stranger to touch my scar. When it was healing I would only let my uncle touch it, not even our ship’s healer was allowed to touch it, only my uncle. And…she was going to use her special spirit water on my scar to see if it could be healed,” Zuko looked at his feet and began walking again. “I’m glad she didn’t. Aang would’ve died if she had,” Zuko looked at the ground.

“I…don’t know what to say,” Toph muttered.

“There’s nothing to say,” Zuko muttered. “Its water under the bridge anyways, what’s done is done, I can’t change the past only the future,” Zuko sighed. “You better not tell anyone!”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Toph said. “For the record, you and Katara do make a cute couple.”

Zuko froze and a blushed colored his cheek. “I…I…I don’t think of her as remotely attractive,” Zuko squeaked.

“Right, and the fact that your voice squeaked means nothing,” Toph said.

“Toph! I’m serious! Even if she didn’t hate me, it would never work out. After the war is over, I’m going to be Fire Lord, my uncle is too old and too far removed from the line of succession to be considered as a replacement for my father, and I doubt Aang would allow my sister be the new ruler of the Fire Nation,” Zuko said.

“And your point is, what exactly?” Toph asked.

“A peasant doesn’t marry the Fire Lord!” Zuko said. “Its not plausible!”

“Ah, not plausible but not impossible,” Toph said.

“You stubborn little brat!”

“I am an earthbender and rock is a stubborn element.”

“Grr! Your impossible!”

“I do enjoy making your life frustrating,” Toph laughed, Zuko just grumbled unhappily for the rest of the trip.

Zuko was sharpening his swords and dagger when Iroh came in. “Can I talk to you?” Iroh asked.

“Sure,” the prince shrugged.

“Zuko, the reason why I came here is because…is because…is because your mother is alive,” Iroh said. Zuko looked up, disbelief written all over his face.

“Are…are you serious?” Zuko asked.

“Positive,” Iroh said.

“So…when can I see her? Where is she?” Zuko felt his heart flutter with excitement but then his joy suddenly came to a half. “I have to train Aang, I can’t leave, and he doesn’t know enough firebending. Plus…it wouldn’t be fair…especially not to Katara and Sokka…they lost their own mother due to this war,” Zuko looked away.

“I’ve already talked it over with Aang,” Iroh said.

“You what?! You tell the Avatar that my mother is alive before me? Why?” Zuko shouted.

“Because he needed to know first, because he is the Avatar and leader of this little group of friends. Aang and Toph have agreed to accompany you on your trip, Aang and I also feel its best that you take one more person,” Iroh said.

“I…I think its fine with just Aang and Toph,” Zuko muttered.

“Are you sure?” Iroh asked.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” he nodded.

“Well, you better go inform the others,” Iroh said and left the room. Zuko sighed and sheathed his blades before following his uncle.

At the group’s campfire, everyone was there. He swallowed his nerves and walked up to them. “As some of you may know my mother, has been missing for roughly six years, well…my uncle has just informed me of her location, well not exactly, he told me she’s alive, which is good enough for me. Aang and Toph are coming with me…we are going to bring one more person,” Zuko sighed before finishing lamely: “Who wants to come?”

There was silence, before Sokka finally spoke up. “I think Katara should go,” he said.

“Sokka are you crazy! This is Prince Zuko we are talking about! The one that helped Azula conquer Ba Sing Se! I’m not going anywhere with the likes of him!”

“Hey, Twinkle Toes and I are also going with the likes of him, Sugar Queen,” Toph said.

“Katara, I really think it’s a good idea, then Haru, the Duke, Teo, Iroh and I have the temple to ourselves, without the bending practices, and we can plan how to invade the capital again and actually win,” Sokka pointed to the aged general. “I mean Iroh is a cornucopia of battle strategies and he knows the Fire Nation capital like the back of his hand!”

“Katara…I have to agree with Sokka on this one,” Aang said.

“Why do you guys want me to go with that jerk?”

“Because you need to finish you’re healing! Mom died two years ago! You are still broken about her death, as I am, but I’ve grown use to it. You’re the one that saw her in that freaky swamp! You need to go to see Zuko reunited with his mother and maybe, you’ll see that he’s not the bad guy you make him out to be! We’ve been here over a month and a half, and you still keep telling me how he’s going to strangle us all in our sleep roast Appa and Momo and grab Aang and run skippity-do-da back to the Fire Nation!” Sokka shouted.

“Sokka, I—”

“I don’t care why you hate him! Whatever he did to you in Ba Sing Se is now water under the bridge; you can’t change the past! You can only change the future, and like it or not little sister, the past does hurt! So get over your big ego and go with the guy!” Sokka shouted.

“Go Sokka,” Toph muttered. Katara glowered at Zuko before staring at her brother.

“Fine, I’ll go,” Katara folded her arms and looked at Sokka and Zuko. “Happy?”

“Extremely,” Sokka said.

“Rreeggrrr!” Katara stomped off.

“We’re leaving tomorrow at dawn!” Zuko shouted. Katara didn’t answer him. Zuko’s shoulders slumped. Iroh placed a comforting hand on his shoulder but the teenager shrugged it off before walking to his room.

Katara was sitting as far as physically possible away from Zuko yet still remain on Appa’s saddle. Apparently, Iroh had told Aang where Ursa was hidden. “What is this stuff?” Toph asked as she bit into the jerked meat that Zuko gave her.

“Spicy cow-pig jerky,” Zuko said. “Want some Katara?” he held out a strip of the dark peppered dotted meat towards her.

“Its really good Sugar Queen,” Toph said and tore a piece off with her teeth before chewing. “Aaah…hot! Hot! Hot!” she cried. Zuko chuckled.

“The peppers are really hot,” Zuko said.

“A little warning next time Sparky-butt,” Toph muttered.

“I’m not hungry,” Katara said curtly.

Zuko shrugged. “You’re lose,” he said. “Aang! Catch!” Zuko tossed him a bag and the young airbender caught it. He spun around and sat cross-legged facing the group. He opened the bag and pulled out a shriveled looking vegetable.

“What is it?”

“Dried sweet peppers,” Zuko said. “They are really good dried,” he said biting into the cow-pig jerky. “There is also some mangosteen in there, which surprisingly grows around the temple. The sweet peppers I swiped from the palace’s kitchen before I left same with the jerky,” he said. “What? I had to eat something when I was following you guys?”

“Its okay Princy,” Toph said.

Aang thanked Zuko for the food before turning around focused on steering. A few minutes later, he gasped.

“What? What?” Toph looked around, frantically.

“I think we reached the hidden White Louts headquarters,” Zuko said calmly.

“Oh,” Toph muttered.

Aang guided Appa down and the great bison landed. Everyone jumped off. Aang, Zuko and Katara looked around. “Nobody’s here,” Katara said.

“Actually,” Toph said, she was squatting with her hand against the smooth stone. “There is a large network of caves and tunnels, and a good amount of people,” Toph said.

“This way,” Zuko said, walking towards the door. He knocked briefly. A man opened the sliding little rectangular window.

“Who knocks at the guarded gate?” the man whispered.

“One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries,” Zuko said.

“Grandmaster Iroh informed us you would be coming Prince Zuko,” the man said and opened the door. Zuko walked in and Aang did to, but the door slammed shut in front of Toph and Katara.

“Hey! Let us in!”

“Sorry, only the Avatar and Grandmaster Iroh’s nephew are allowed in,” the man said.

“Its members only,” Aang said.

“We are the Avatar’s bending teachers! And I demand that you let us in or I’ll have my friend kick down your door!” Katara said.

“Just let them in,” Zuko said. The man swore and opened the door. Toph and Katara walked in.

“Follow me,” the man said. The four benders followed the man.

Down into the serpentine corridors they walked until the man stopped at a door. He knocked. “Ma’am, you have a few guests,” the man said.

“Send them in,” the woman behind the door said. The man nodded and opened the door. Zuko, Katara, Toph and Aang walked in, the door clicked shut behind them.

“Mom?” Zuko whispered. The woman looked up and tears rolled down her eyes. Zuko took a few steps, before his legs gave out and the woman had to catch the falling firebender. Struggling, Zuko stood up, clinging to the woman, drinking in her familiar scent of lavender and clovers.

The woman, whose name was Ursa, sobbed softly, as she stroked Zuko’s hair. Zuko sobbed quietly into her chest. “I…I…I never thought I’ll see you again…Mom…I missed you so much…” he sobbed, holding her tightly, afraid if he let go she’ll vanish. “I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too, Zuko,” Ursa whispered. “And I missed you so much,” Ursa said stroking her son’s hair. “But, don’t you think you are being a little rude to your friends?” Ursa said. Zuko’s head shot up and he blushed lightly.

“Oh…erm…” he let go of his mother. “Aang, Toph, Katara, this is my mother, the former Princess Ursa,” Zuko said.

“Its an honored to make meet you,” Aang said.

“Are you the Avatar?” Ursa asked.

“Sure am!” Aang said.

“Wonderful,” Ursa said. “I hope my son didn’t give you too much trouble. Chasing you and all,” Ursa smiled.

“No…but his sister…erm your daughter did,” Aang said.

“Azula has always been a troubled girl,” Ursa said.

“Troubled? A monster is more like it,” Katara said, and pulled down Aang’s wrap and spun him around. Showing Ursa the large burn scar. “Your troubled daughter did that to him! She nearly killed him! And he,” she pointed violently at Zuko. “Helped her!”

“I know very well what my son did,” Ursa said coolly. “But, his past actions shouldn’t cloud your judgment of him. He’s a good boy, and is turning into a fine young man,” Ursa said. Zuko bowed his head at the praise.

“A fine young man! He’s a good as a murderer in my book! He has done nothing but cause us problems! Hunting us! Hurting us! Stealing from us!”

“Hey! I found your necklace! So, don’t go accusing me of stealing from you! I only stole from Zhao and Earth Kingdom people,” Zuko snapped.

“Shut up Zuko! I hate you!” Katara screamed and stormed off.

“Don’t worry about her,” Toph walked up to Ursa. “The name’s Toph, and I’m the greatest earthbender that ever lived. I can even bend metal,” Toph said.

“Wow,” Ursa blinked. “Zuko?” Ursa asked.

“Not now Mom,” Zuko said. “Which way Toph?”

“To the surface,” Toph said.

“Thanks,” Zuko said and left.

Zuko found Katara leaning against the railing outside of the hidden catacombs. “Hey,” he shouted. She looked over her shoulder and snorted before staring at the vast expanse of sky. “I don’t appreciate you yelling at me in front of my mother,” he said.

“Oh, I don’t really care about your feelings!” Katara snapped.

“Listen Katara, this has gone far enough. I don’t want you treating my like the scum of the earth. I understand that I hurt you, I understand that you are upset, but…please, can’t we just put the past behind us and start off on a new foot?” he asked. Katara looked at him. He was holding out his hand.

“You are so lucky,” she muttered. “You have your mother, you can hear your mother tell you how much she loves you, how much she cares about you, how much she missed you. I’ll…never be able to hear my mother’s voice again. Feel her touch, never, all because of this stupid war!” Katara screamed. Zuko slowly walked towards her.

“The war has hurt us all, in one-way or another,” he whispered. “Indirectly or directly, it doesn’t matter, we have all been touched by this war, and its all been negative,” Zuko said. “I’m sorry for what I did to you, and I wish I could redo it, but I can’t…please, let’s try again, and I promise I won’t disappoint you,” he whispered. Katara closed her eyes, tears rolling down her face. “Please,” he begged. Katara took his hand and he pulled her close. Allowing her to sob into his chest. “Its all going to be over, it’s going to be over soon, Katara, I promise,” he said softly. Katara sobbed, burring her face into his chest. He stroked her long hair, swaying back and forth gently.

The flight back was mostly uneventful. Zuko was asleep, his head on his mother’s lap, one arm tucked under his head, the other grasping one of her hands. Ursa smiled fondly at her son, as she stroked his black hair. “I’m sorry for yelling at him earlier,” Katara whispered.

“Its okay, most of it I’ve heard. The ears of the White Lotus are far and wide and hear many things,” Ursa said.

“But…how can you forgive him?” Katara said.

“I’m a mother, I know he has made some bad choices in life, but, he’s a good person at heart,” Ursa said, and lightly touched the edge of her son’s scar, which was facing her lap. “I wonder how he got it,” Ursa said.

“Ozai gave it to him,” Toph whispered, her glassy eyes staring off blankly with a distant feel to them. “To teach him a lesson,” she finished.

“Oh, my poor boy,” Ursa whispered. “My poor, poor son,” Ursa bit her lip. “I can’t believe Ozai would do that to him. I left to spare his life, yet…it seems that Ozai’s hatred for Zuko was just as strong as it was when I was there.”

“Wait…Ozai hated Zuko? If Ozai hated Zuko, why would he want to go back?” Katara said.

“Zuko always wanted his father’s love. No matter how he tried, Ozai would never show him the same affection he showed Azula. To make up for that, he spent a lot of his time with me, he’s a bit of a momma’s boy,” Ursa smiled sweetly. “I killed Fire Lord Azulon, to protect Zuko. Ozai wanted the crown, and Azulon wanted to give the crown to Iroh. When my nephew, Lu Ten, died, Ozai thought it was prime opportunity to try to wrest the crown from Iroh. Azulon disagreed and as punishment, Ozai was ordered to kill Zuko,” Ursa paused and looked at her sleeping son. “I couldn’t let Ozai kill my son. So, we came up with a plan. I would kill Azulon and Ozai would get the throne, but by killing the Fire Lord, I was committing treason, and therefore I was banished. I didn’t really have time to say goodbye to Zuko, properly, leaving him with a vague message to never forget who he was no matter how much things seem to change,” Ursa said.

“My mother died in a Fire Nation raid,” Katara whispered, taking of the necklace. She showed it to Ursa. “This necklace is all that I have left of her,” Katara whispered.

“You must miss her very much,” Ursa said. Katara nodded.

“I’m happy for Zuko, but also jealous because…he still has you,” Katara said softly.

“Its alright to feel jealous, Katara, just remember that my son is a good person,” Ursa said. Katara nodded.

Life went make to normal when Ursa got to the Western Air Temple. The former princess helped Katara out with the domestic chores, like cooking and cleaning, scold Zuko when necessary, and be a mother to the group. She, Iroh and Toph were avid about the relationship that was budding between Zuko and Katara.

The constant prodding from his mother and uncle about his feelings for Katara caused Zuko to blush constantly. But, it worked, and soon he and the waterbender were sneaking off at night to share quiet time together.

Soon the day came when they had to leave the safety and the normality of the Western Air Temple.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Zuko whispered, looking at his mother.

“Positive,” Ursa said, cupping her son’s face and kissing his nose. “I’m going to be just fine here.”

Zuko nodded. “I’ll come back for you, when this war is over, I promise, you’ll be welcomed back to the capital with open arms.”

“Don’t worry about me too much Zuko, I’ll be fine, worry about yourself and those that you hold close to your heart,” she pulled him into a hug and he hugged her back. “I love you and I will always be with you,” she whispered.

“I love you too Mom,” Zuko whispered.

“Ready Zuko?” Katara asked. He broke away from his mother and turned to the waterbender.

“Yeah,” he said softly. “I am,” he took Katara’s hand and walked off with her.

Ursa watched as the bison flew off. The group had left their lemur with her. She turned to Momo. “Well, Momo, I guess its just you and me until they come back,” Ursa said. Momo chirped in agreement.

With the adults freed, the group was hiding out near the capital. Katara was laying on the ground her head resting on Zuko’s stomach. Zuko was also laying down, one of his hands on her stomach. Both stared up at the stars. “Are you worried about tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “But…I know we can do it, we have to,” Katara said, Zuko looked at her and smiled, both unaware of the last airbender watching them.

Zuko sat up and pulled Katara up as well, he pulled her close wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her soundly on the cheek. “Tomorrow…so much is going to change, I’m going to be Fire Lord day after tomorrow,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck, kissing it gently.

“I know,” Katara whispered.

“Katara,” he looked at her, gold met blue. “If…if we survive tomorrow, will…will you stay with me in the Fire Nation?” Zuko whispered.

“Zuko,” Katara looked at anything put him.

“I know I’m asking you to make a huge sacrifice, but, I wouldn’t ask this if I wasn’t sure of my feelings towards you. Katara I’ve done a lot of thinking lately, about us,” Zuko said.

“Zuko…” Katara looked away.

“Katara, listen to me,” Zuko said forcing her to look at him. “I love you, I want you to be in my life. I want you to be my Fire Lady. Please,” he looked at her.

“Zuko,” Katara whispered. “This…is…this is an awful lot for me to stomach right now, I’ll have to talk it over with my father and brother first,” she whispered.

“I,” he paused. “I understand,” he whispered. “And I’ll even understand if you don’t want to stay with me,” he said. Katara nodded.

“I better get back,” she whispered.

“I’ll be along in a couple of minutes,” he said. Katara nodded.

Katara walked up to her father’s tent, and knocked. Hakoda opened the flapped and smiled. “Katara, I was just about to come and find you and Zuko,” he said.

“Dad, is Sokka with you?” Katara asked.

“Yes? Why?”

“Is he awake?”

“Yes, Katara what is this about?” Hakoda asked.

“Can I come in?” she looked at her feet. Hakoda stepped aside and allowed his daughter to come in. Katara sat down and looked at her father and brother.

“Katara?” Sokka whispered. “Does this have something to do about Zuko?”

“Yes,” Katara looked at the floor.

“What did he do to you, Katara?” Hakoda asked.

“Nothing, he just…he just told me he loved me and that he wants me to stay with him in the Fire Nation…after the war,” Katara said.

“What did you tell him?” Sokka asked.

“I told him I’ll talk it over with you and Dad first,” Katara said.

“Katara,” Hakoda said. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and I’ve spoke with him and Iroh, and he seems like an honest and truthful young man,” Hakoda said. “Despite all the bad things he’s done in his life, he does care about you greatly.” Katara nodded. “This is your decision.”

“Katara, we won’t hate you if you want to stay with Zuko, he’s a great guy,” Sokka said. “If you love him and want to be with him, than go ahead. We will still love you, heck, I know I’ll come and visit you, so will Dad and Gran-Gran,” Sokka went on.

“The question is: Do you love him?” Hakoda asked.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I love him,” she looked up at him. “And I know what I’m going to tell him,” she said. Her father and brother smiled.

Katara woke the next day, ate breakfast, filled her waterskins, before finding Zuko. She was shocked to fine the prince dressed in red and gold armour similar to Appa’s with a helm shaped like an open dragon’s mouth, similar to the wolf helms that the Water Tribe men wore, under his arm. On his hip were his twin blades, and in his boot was his pearl dagger. He was talking with Toph, who wore the same thing she wore on the Day of Black Sun. “Zuko, your lady friend’s here,” Toph said. Zuko spun around and looked at Katara.

“You’re…you’re beautiful,” he whispered.

“Understatement of the century,” Toph muttered, before walking off. “Twinkle Toes!” she shouted, as she got lost in the crowd.

“Thanks, you are quite handsome in your armour,” she whispered. Zuko blushed looking away. “About what you asked me last night,” she whispered.

“Katara!” Aang shouted, coming towards them.

“Yes?” Zuko looked at her.

“I will stay with you, but…only after I spend a year back home, you of all people know what its like to be away from home for a long time,” she said. Zuko nodded.

“Katara!” Aang was getting closer.

“Also, Zuko,” Katara stepped closer her to him resting her hands flat on his armoured chest.

“Yes?”

“Katara!” Aang shouted; he was only a few feet from them.

“I love you,” she breathed. Without a second thought, Zuko caught her lips with his, his helm clattering to the floor as he grabbed her head in his hands.

Aang stood there moonstruck. “Twinkle Toes, there you are…oh,” Toph grabbed Aang and dragged him off.

“I…I thought she loved me,” Aang croaked. “I love her! How could he take her from me! The only thing I wanted most in this world was her love! How come he gets it?” Aang growled.

“Aang, you rock-head, you have Katara’s love. Just…not the same love she gives Zuko. She’s your best friend and your staunch protector,” Toph said. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Yeah, sure, whatever,” Aang muttered bitterly.

“What blocks your final chakra?” Toph asked.

“Earthly attachments,” Aang muttered. “Which is Katara,” he sighed.

“Don’t you think that since she’s found Zuko and is in love with Zuko that you can let her go knowing she’s going to be safe?” Toph said.

Aang opened his mouth to protest. “I’ve…I’ve never thought of it that way, tell the others that we’ll be leaving shortly, there is something I have to do,” Aang said and ran off.

“Right, send the blind girl to deliver the message. Thanks for teaching me earthbending Toph; by the way can you go tell everyone I have go do something, yeah? Thanks bye!” Toph muttered as she walked off.

Katara looked for Aang. “Toph! Have you seen Aang?” Katara asked.

“He went off to do something rather important,” she said. Suddenly the felt the earth shake.

“What in the heck is going on?” Zuko shouted, looking at Toph.

“Its Aang, what ever he’s doing its big,” she said.

“Oh no, he’s going into the Avatar State, I have to stop him,” Katara said worriedly, she moved to head to the epicenter of the quake but Zuko’s hand grabbed her.

“No, he’s dangerous in the Avatar State,” he said, pulling her close. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise Katara,” he whispered.

“But…Aang, he needs me,” she whispered. Zuko held her tightly.

“I don’t think he needs you right now,” Zuko whispered. “I do on the other hand. I need to know why I’m fighting my father; I need to be constantly reminded of our love. It tells me that the future, though bleak, isn’t all that bad,” he whispered, kissing her lightly on the lips. Katara smiled.

“Besides Katara,” Toph said. “I think he wanted to go into the Avatar State,” he said. Katara nodded and leaned against Zuko’s armoured chest.

Aang came back, and Katara knew there was something different about him. “Aang! You’re okay!” Katara cried breaking away from Zuko. “I’m so glad your okay,” she kissed his cheek, unaware that Zuko growled softly. “Are you ready?”

“Yep,” Aang said.

“Unlock that last chakra?” Toph asked.

“Yep,” he turned to Zuko. “Take care of her,” he whispered.

“I will,” Zuko looked at Katara and smiled. “I will.”

“Okay, so lets go kick some Fire Lord butt!” Toph glanced at Zuko. “Erm, no offense,” she muttered almost as an after thought. Zuko chuckled.

“None taken,” Zuko said.

“Let’s go then.” Aang said and walked off. Katara grabbed Zuko’s hand and gave it a squeeze.

The battle was long and bloody and some surprising things happened. Ty Lee, the pink clad acrobat saved Sokka’s life from an attack by Mai. Mai ended up facing her end by Zuko when she threatened Katara’s life. Katara never saw him so angry before, his eyes for a split seconded mirrored Azula’s eyes. All feelings that he had ever had towards the knife-thrower vanished when she turned her daggers upon the waterbender which his heart belonged to.

Iroh was badly injured at the hands of his niece, whom Katara exacted her revenge upon, yet failed to kill Ozai’s daughter, who fled the scene of battle. Katara stayed behind while, Toph, Aang, and Zuko headed off towards the throne room to face Ozai.

Aang battled the Fire Lord alone, and finished him off in the Avatar State. Katara couldn’t say for sure how Zuko felt about the end of his father and the death of his ex-girlfriend. However he felt, he kept it to himself.

He was crowned Fire Lord the following week and there was a grand celebration. Celebrating both the end of the war and the crowning of a new Fire Lord. Katara was happy for Zuko.

Ursa opted to say at the Western Air Temple and made it into an orphanage for all the orphans of the war. To this, Aang was greatly pleased, as was Zuko. Iroh stayed with his nephew to help run things.

Katara returned home with her brother, father and the Water Tribe warriors. Everyone was greatly surprise with how the Southern Water Tribe turned out, and Hakoda was given the formal garb of a Water Tribe Chief. Sokka and Katara were officially announced as Prince and Princess of the Southern Water Tribe. They had talked Hakoda into keeping it a secret from Zuko, though the rest of the world knew.

Toph eventually came into command of the Dai Li and with their helped drove out the last of the Fire Nation troops form Ba Sing Se. She and Aang went on to drive out the Fire Nation troops in the Earth Kingdom that failed to obey Zuko’s orders, and the Avatar and his earthbending teacher had the back of the Dai Li. With that, they restored Kuei to his rightful place on the throne.

Not wanting to disband the Dai Li, Kuei asked Toph is she would want to head the special earthbenders but she refused, wanting to travel the world with Aang. Kuei agreed and reformed the Dai Li with Aang’s help. A small number would stay in Ba Sing Se, while the rest would be stationed in all major towns and cities throughout the Earth Kingdom with major historical significant, now, truly preserving the history of the Earth Kingdom. At the head of each Dai Li unit, was an average citizen appointed by the Avatar himself.

Sokka was the first to return to the Fire Nation and upon his return brought back Ty Lee who saved his life. He never did find out what happened to Suki, but Ty Lee soon won his heart over, especially when she turned out to make a rather tasty steak. They planned to wed but Sokka refused to marry until Katara was set with her own husband.

Katara finally returned to the Fire Nation, a year passed her promised date. Zuko didn’t really mind much, the truth is; he forgot she was going to return a year after the war, so caught up was he, with his Fire Lord duties, but he did greatly miss her.

The two snuggled together on a couch in the Fire Lord’s private chambers. They giggled as they fed each other strawberries and other fruit. “You know Zuko, if you are wondering, you don’t have to worry about marrying a Water Tribe peasant,” she purred, batting her eyelashes at the eighteen-year-old firebender.

“I don’t?” he asked, the sixteen-year-old waterbender laughed.

“Nope, because in reality, I am the princess of the Southern Water Tribe,” she said.

“You’re a princess…wait…have you always been a princess?” Zuko asked.

“Yes, though I was officially crowned princess after the war,” Katara said.

“Dear Agni! I’ve…I’ve been attacking the Southern Water Tribe’s princess!” Zuko shouted. Katara laughed and pulled her boyfriend’s head towards her own.

“Not really, I was still a peasant in your eyes, hardly fit to be a princess when we first met,” Katara said. Zuko grinned and caught her lips with his.

“Well, then I guess I don’t have to worry about asking you this then do I?” he asked, his familiar smirk appearing on his face. Katara looked at him as he pulled out the necklace. The red ribbon with a carved sunstone, and upon the sunstone’s orange-reddish surface was a yin-yang. “Marry me? Be my Fire Lady?” he whispered.

“Yes,” Katara breathed, taking off her mother’s necklace and allowing him to tie the new one around her neck.

The wedding was beautiful and lavish. Katara wore a red kimono with golden butterflies embroidered into it. Zuko wore his finest Fire Lord outfit he had. Many people attended. Ursa brought her orphans, Iroh was present, as was most of the Southern and Northern Water Tribes. Dai Li agents were on guard along with Fire Nation royal guards. Aang, Toph, Sokka, Ty Lee, Haru, Teo, the Duke, Pipsqueak, Longshot, and Smellerbee, where also there.

It was a wonderful celebration. Everything went according to plan and the high sage of the Fire Nation pronounced them man and wife.

Zuko didn’t need to be told again and he swiftly took Katara’s head in his hands and pressed his lips against hers. Her arms snaked up to his neck as his hands fell to her waist.

A loud cheer went up as Appa took flight with Momo on his back, throwing down pink sakura blossoms. Katara and Zuko broke apart for air and turned around. Zuko raised his hand high; smiling while his right arm was still around Katara’s waist pulling her close. Katara leaned against her new husband’s side, happy at last that the war was over.

Zuko lowered his hand and it joined his other hand at her hip. He looked at her and smiled. “I love you,” he breathed resting his forehead against hers.

“I love you too,” Katara whispered, she reached up and touched his scar before kissing him passionately.

And so it has ended.

Wrote this last year after seeing The Firebending Masters. Finally got around to posting it.

Enjoy!

R'n'R

XOXOXOXOXO

DJ