In order to reach the North Pole they had to travel over the Shu Rin Mountain Range and up even farther in to the cold northern reaches. There was a small straight that only existed during the winter that was the only land route to the North Pole, you had to travel by sea if you went any other way. Which would, in fact, be difficult because they didn’t have boat. Even though Katara knew she could have bent them a raft and sent them sailing across the sea, she felt much more comfortable taking the land route for now. They had their ostrichhorse back, and although they had to buy and carry a lot of grain to feed it, the speed at which it traveled over the frozen ground was appreciated immensely.

They made camp in their whale skin tent every night along the way, as the landscape slowly changed from craggy mountains to vast endless whiteness. Katara had grown strangely accustomed to sleeping wrapped in Zuko’s arms. Not only did it keep her warm and send a pleasant tingling through her chest, but Zuko seemed to benefit from it as well. In all the time he had spent sleeping in her arms he had never once had a nightmare, never cried out in fear or pain. And for that she was eternally grateful. But to her annoyance she was starting to notice that although he didn’t have nightmares anymore, that didn’t mean he still didn’t dream. And from the way she had woken up pinned under him more than once, she was pretty sure she knew what he was dreaming of, and she wasn’t sure she liked it. She knew their sleeping arrangements offered mutual comfort, but she was afraid of where that was leading. She hadn’t even kissed him yet for La’s sake.

She was instantly glad Zuko couldn’t see her suddenly pink face from his position behind her on the ostrichhorse. Did that mean if he tried to kiss her she would let him? She found herself stroking her fingers tips anxiously, they had touched his lips twice now. Katara remembered the tingling electric current that had run from his soft, but heated lips, through her like a lightning bolt, which might have been a poor choice of words. But it sent every nerve ending in her spine into a jolting frenzy and made her head as light and fuzzy as his lips had been. So she had the sinking suspicion that if he leaned in to kiss her she wouldn’t pull away, in fact she’d lean in and gladly drown in him. Suddenly she wondered why he hadn’t kissed her yet. What was he waiting for? Did she need to give him some sort of sign, some sort of “go ahead and kiss me you idiot” signal? Yes, she was nervous about getting too serious too quickly. But after everything they had been through she knew she could admit to herself, and maybe even Zuko if he asked, that she wanted to be with him, there for him to hear his worries and doubts, to soothe away his pain, and to have him touch her and her heart over and over again like he had always done. These desires were powerful and unlike anything else she had ever felt. It was so different from what she had felt for Jet, and for Aang. It was like with every passing moment this emotion grew and bloomed in her chest, fluttery and dancing brightly like fireflies on the night time breeze. What she had for Jet was a crush, what she felt for Aang was a true deep familial love, but what she felt for Zuko. Sometimes he drove her crazy with his stoic and sarcastic remarks, his teasing, sometimes her heart wished it could bleed in place of his, sometimes she couldn’t help but stare at his toned body, and beautiful molten eyes that sent shivers from her heated scalp all the way to her small toes, sometimes she felt like she couldn’t breathe or even form conscious thoughts, that usually happened when his heated hands touched her skin or when her wide blue eyes met his burning amber gaze that singed her very soul, and for most of the time he made her feel like she was at peace. Katara felt like she was finally at peace with him, after all the war, after all the fighting and chaos and suffering and death, she felt like she could live a normal happy life ( well as much as was possible for her anyway) when she was next to him.

Katara had been so lost in her musing that she hadn’t noticed they had crossed the straight to the North Pole and the ostrichhorse had come to a reluctant stop on the edge of an inlet. Over the small expanse of deep blue-black water they could see the faint icy blue walls of the outer part of the Northern Water Tribe.

“This is as far as we can go with out a little bending on your part.” Zuko said dismounting from behind her.

Katara was still slightly lost in her own thoughts so she just shrugged and stepped up to the edge of the icy water. It felt so right as it rolled away beneath her, beneath the ice cap that was floating on its dark recesses. Sighing in pleasure as she did so, Katara raised her arms silently then lowered them sharply. She heard the ice crack satisfyingly behind her, and to her amusement she heard Zuko yelp in surprise as the hunk of ice they were standing on broke off from the cap and started to float towards the high walled city. Katara took a wide bending stance and started to move her arms in a circular motion, like she had seen the swamp benders do as they propelled their long boats through the water. She felt the ice hunk rock uneasily behind her and turned around quickly to see Zuko trying to keep himself and the ostrichhorse from sliding off into the frigid water. With an effortless flick of her wrist, Katara froze both Zuko and the ostrichhorse’s feet to the small ice burg.

“Thanks, I think.” Zuko said, shifting uncomfortably without moving his glued down feet.

Katara smirked and said,

“If you want I could just let you fall in the water.”

“That’s not what I meant! I just, I mean now, now my feet are cold.” He grumbled the last part begrudgingly.

Katara couldn’t help but giggle as she said,

“You’re a firebender, get over it.”

She heard him huff indignantly but he didn’t say anything else as she sailed up briskly to the large outer wall of the city. There didn’t appear to be any guards standing watch on the outer most wall so she sighed and raised both her hands in front of her, palms facing away from each other, then she heavily pushed them apart. The water rippled lowly under them and with a creaking sound the enormous ice wall in front of them spilt down the middle, with the motion of her hands, the two pieces moved slowly and heavily back to leave a small opening for Katara to paddle them through. This seemed to have caught the attention of the guards at the second wall, because they all rushed down along its expanse to stare at them on their small ice raft. One of them was brave enough to call out,

“Who dares breach the first wall, who posses such power to do so with just a flick of their wrists?”

Katara smirked at the awe in the man’s voice before she replied booming,

“It is Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, student and granddaughter of Master Waterbender Pakku, and friend of the Avatar. And Fire Lord Zuko.”

Katara added the last part quickly, forgetting in her joy at being here, that Zuko was probably more important than her so she should have introduced him first. This seemed to startle the guard as he said,

“I believe you Master Katara, but it would be good if you could provide some proof of some sort for the rest of the guard.”

Sighing in frustration. Katara quickly whipped her arms around her, this caused them to rocket on a massive jet of water that was several feet taller than the actual wall. They landed in front of the stunned wide-eyed guard and the ice block they were on melted away to leave Katara standing proudly, and Zuko and the ostrichhorse looking less than proud and stable on their shaking legs.

“That proof enough for you?”

The rest of the guards nodded vigorously and said “Yah that, well yah, that’s good enough for me, yah.”

The guard that had spoken to her first then said,

“I am Farden, I’m leader of the outer gate guard. It is obvious you have traveled far to return here so it is my honor to welcome you back to the Northern Water Tribe Master Katara. And you as well I suppose Fire Lord. Although I hope this time you come on more friendly terms.”

Zuko's eyes narrowed in anger and the steely comment did not escape Katara’s notice either,

“Farden, I am glad you welcome both of us, who are dear and loyal friends of peace and have family in this tribe. So if you could be so kind as to show me to Chief Arnook’s or Master Pakku’s dwelling that would be ideal.”

Farden seemed confused by her remark,

“Master Katara I’m not sure I understand, are you saying that the Fire Lord is now a member of the Water Tribe, are you two betrothed?”

Katara hacked and turned a bright shade of crimson,

“No! I mean, that’s not what I referring to. We are on a search for his long lost mother, Lady Ursa, and our hunt had led us here.”

Zuko had remained silent and stock still during the whole exchange, but now he spoke up, his golden eyes blazing coldly in to Farden‘s gray ones. Taking a solid stand next to Katara, and to her shock, wrapping an arm around her shoulder protectively,

“And would be it such a terrible travesty if the Chief’s daughter of the Sothern Water Tribe and one of the most powerful waterbending masters in the world were to marry the Fire Lord?”

Farden’s eyes widened in shock and Katara squeaked angrily,

“Zuko, stop!”

Zuko didn’t take his intense glare off of Farden but he let go of Katara reluctantly, saying,

“I have given up a great deal of myself so this world could have peace and balance again. I have been burnt by the war just as you have, but we are all on the same side now. The side of harmony and the side of future understanding and happiness for all the nations. I am doing everything in my power as ruler of the Fire Nation to keep it that way.”

Farden was in awe and he suddenly looked very nervous, as he bowed low he said,

“I’m sorry your highness. Please forgive me, it is hard to change old habits and I find myself humbled before your wisdom and honorable intentions.”

Katara wanted to slap her hand to her forehead, as soon as Farden had said the magic word, “honor,” Zuko’s gaze had softened and he said warmly,

“It is forgiven. As long as we can all make amends and live as friends like we should have a hundred years ago.”

Farden rose and took Zuko’s forearm in his own and Zuko seemed startled, but then pleased as he shook the man's hand solidly in a traditional Water Tribe greeting. Katara smiled as well. It was good to see that things could change for the better in this world. Farden then led both of them down the winding staircase built in to the ice wall to Master Pakku’s home. Katara was giddy with excitement to finally see Gran Gran again, she hadn’t seen her in almost a year and she had so much to tell her! Not to mention that she felt like she was coming home, she may not have been raised in the Northern Water Tribe, but it still felt like she was back in to her element.

--

Zuko, on the other hand, felt no such comfort. He had stiffened at Farden’s comment, but he had been expecting some resistance to his presence here, after all, the last time he was there was as a conqueror. But to his surprise, very much like Katara, the people of the Northern Water Tribe were willing to forgive him and his Nation, if not immediately, then gradually. He hoped against all hope that Katara’s grandmother had forgotten him, otherwise this was going to be very uncomfortable and awkward. As for Master Pakku, he had met him before and knew he was a friend of Uncle’s, so maybe things wouldn’t be so bad with him. Although that had been before he was Katara’s, wait what was he to Katara? They hadn’t really said much of anything about their relationship, he knew they weren’t just friends, they had crossed that line recently, but they had never really talked about if they were dating or not. Were they? With the way she was acting when they were in front of other people, it didn’t feel like it. She had said that “No!” a little too forcefully for it not to tear at the corners of his heart. Would it really be so bad for them to be together? Was there something wrong with two people who seemed to be such opposites in culture, appearance, and personality, falling in love with what they lacked and saw in the other? That, among other things, was what bothered him.

He knew he loved her, he knew that’s what it had to be, nothing else could make his heart smolder like this. There was no other reason he could come up with that he would be willing to die for her a thousand deaths by lightning bolt, or feel like he was a glowing phoenix full of life and power when her small hand touched his chest lightly, or when he pushed his feelings down so as not to scare her, stuffed them inside and cringed as he waited for her to come to him. Waited for the only thing he had ever truly wanted in his entire life, to be loved. To have some one love him for all that he was, all of the good parts, and all of that bad ones as well. All he had ever wanted was to be loved and accepted. And fearfully, he realized, he was pinning all of his hope for that kind of future on Katara. She was the only thing he wanted now, even more than to see his mother again, and that shook him to the very core of the flame in his chest. He gulped fearfully as they approached the door to a large house made entirely of cool blue ice. Even before Katara could rap at the door it burst open to reveal an elderly woman who quickly embraced her granddaughter crying. Katara was hugging her back and crying as well.

“Gran Gran! It’s so good to see you again, I missed you so much, and there’s so much to tell you about! I met so many people and did so many things and yet I always missed this, this and you, oh Gran Gran!”

“Katara my child! You look more like you mother every day, I love your hair down. I missed you so much dear! All of that can wait, come in, come in!”

Zuko had tried not to intrude on their touching reunion, but over Katara’s shoulder Gran Gran had suddenly noticed him standing there awkwardly and she stared at him blankly for a brief moment before she smiled softly at him. To Zuko’s shock she said,

“Katara. Why haven’t you introduced me to your young man? I don’t believe I got your name the last time we met dear, but I’d like to know it very much now.”

Katara blushed and stammered,

“Gran Gran he’s really not, I mean not now, or, well this is Zuko.” She said failing miserably.

Zuko smiled smugly at her reaction, but extended his hand to Gran Gran and said,

“It is an honor to meet another important member of Katara’s family. I’m really sorry about the circumstances of the last time we met, I was a different person, and now I regret my actions from then almost everyday.”

But to his surprise she didn’t’ take his hand, instead Gran Gran pulled him into a tight hug like she had just done with Katara,

“I can see that. It’s good to meet you too young man. I know that Katara wouldn’t be with you now if you weren’t a good person, so I welcome you in to my home for as long as you wish.”

Zuko stiffly hugged her back them pulled away nervously,

“I’m honored.” He mumbled, not meeting her wise gray eyed gaze.

Just then the door moved aside and Pakku stepped out placing his hand on Gran Gran’s shoulder,

“Don’t you mean our home Kana?”

She chuckled slightly and looked up at Pakku lovingly,

“Yes, I guess I have to get used to that, all those years of living alone you know.”

Pakku smiled down at her and said sadly,

“Yes, I do know.”

Zuko suddenly felt like he was intruding, not to mention how eerily familiar their gestures felt to him, it made him incredibly uncomfortable. Katara on the other hand was beaming at them and rushed forward to hug Pakku,

“Gran Pakku, it’s so good to see you again!”

He laughed softly and said,

“It’s good to see you again too. Although I’m wondering why you showed up so suddenly without letting us know you were coming?”

Katara pulled away from his embrace and said seriously,

“Actually we didn’t know we would be coming here. We were just following the trail that Ursa left behind, that’s why we’re here, the path lead us here.”

Pakku’s gray eye brows twitched up at “we” and he turned to look at Zuko, sizing him up, which made Zuko stiffen visibly.

“ Yes, Grandmaster Iroh has mentioned Lady Ursa and her unfortunate disappearance before. But I wonder why it is you’re here Katara? I mean she is Zuko’s mother, unless?” Pakku said eying Zuko suspiciously.

Katara seemed to realize what he was getting at and she pinked and said,

“Zuko helped me find the man who killed Kaya. I felt it was only right that I come with him to find his mother when he asked me for help.”

This didn’t seem to fully convince Pakku because he still was looking at Zuko with narrowed eyes, but he said,

“I see. In that case I will do whatever I can to help you find any clues to her whereabouts, if she has ever been in this tribe or is currently here, we will most definitely find her.”

This seemed to greatly comfort Katara, but Zuko still remained wary of Pakku’s sharp gaze on him.

“Now why don’t you both come inside where it’s warm.” Kana said leading them inside her newly built home.

Zuko was very doubtful that a house made out of ice and snow could be very warm, but to his surprise it was in fact very warm and comfortable inside. Kana showed him to their rooms, which Zuko noticed where right next to each other, he wondered if it was intentional or not. He warily put away his things and stared at the bed made out of furs and ice, how could he actually fall asleep on that? When he was finally done unpacking he went back into the main living room and saw Katara and Kana in the kitchen making dinner. Or at least he thought it was dinner. It smelled like they were really brewing tar glue in the pot instead. Zuko was so overwhelmed by the powerful stench he didn’t notice Pakku had stepped up to stand next to him as they both watched the women they treasured most in the world cook dinner for them. So when Pakku spoke Zuko visibly jumped,

“I remember when I was you age. I watched Kana like that. She was always strong willed though, she refused to bow to any ways but her own, her stubbornness lives on in Katara’s veins. But if you can get through to her, there is an unimaginable feeling of contentment waiting for you in her arms. It may have taken us fifty years, but we both realized we couldn’t really live happily without the other. Don’t be foolish like I was boy. If she runs, chase her. Don’t let her suffer because you were too proud to beg her to come back to you.”

Zuko stared at Pakku in disbelief, then gulped and said seriously,

“I will. I said I would wait, even though I don’t want to, and I will. But I also won’t let her get away, and as it turns out I’m actually quite good at chasing her.”

Pakku smiled ruefully at the him and said,

“Good. Now just don’t break her heart. If you do I’ll have no qualms about running yours through with an ice dagger, or maybe several.”

Zuko paled, he had a feeling Pakku wasn’t kidding.

“That’s funny, because if any one is going to break a heart it’s her. She already has mine in her hands and I don’t think she even realizes it.”

Pakku turned to look at Zuko seriously and said sternly,

“I’ll have Kana talk to her about that, if she hasn’t already, knowing my love, she might have already.”

Zuko shook his head and sighed,

“Don’t. I mean it’s something just between us. Katara is stubborn and free spirited and those are both parts of her I love but we have to go at her pace for now. She has a point, there is no longer a war on, people don’t have to die young. So she can have her independence and adventures if she wants them. But when all that is said and done we move at my pace.”

Pakku eyed him drolly and said,

“And what exactly would your pace be?”

Zuko stiffened and looked away so the old man couldn’t see his face. He didn’t know if he felt comfortable enough with telling him his intentions, he intended to one day make Katara his Fire Lady, that much was certain. But he also had some other less honorable activities in mind. He was thankfully saved by Katara's loud call as she said,

“Zuko! Gran Pakku! Dinner is ready!”

To his amazement he didn’t hate the food they had prepared. Aang may not have a thing for elephant seal blubber or stewed sea prunes, but Zuko didn’t mind them. The food may not have been the spicy, highly flavored stuff he was used to, but it was hearty and full of a meaty flavor. He could see why Sokka had become orally fixated on the stuff.

To his relief Katara talked through the entire dinner, not giving Pakku the opportunity to further grill Zuko about what he intended towards his granddaughter. Zuko dreaded running in to Hakoda now because of how protective Pakku was being towards her. But Zuko had helped Sokka free his father from the Boiling Rock so maybe Hakoda wouldn’t be as overprotective as Pakku was starting to get towards Katara. He could only hope. He then also realized that Sokka would definitely have something to say about him dating his sister. Would the family scrutiny ever end!? At least he knew Kana liked him, or at least he thought so. And Katara, well that was implied, but who knew about the rest of her family! Uncle at least would approve, if Zuko was happy he knew his Uncle would be all for it, and when Katara was near him, when he was pressed against her chest in her arms, he was then the happiest he’d been since he was a small child and their family had been whole.

Katara recounted her entire story from when she left the Southern Water Tribe with Aang, which incidentally was the first time he had ever met her. Zuko listened with genuine interest as she told her side of the story that he had lived as well. He had stiffened when she reached the part about how he betrayed them in Ba Sign Se. But oddly she skirted around it and instead only mentioned him when he joined the group and proved that he really was the good man his mother had always hoped he would be. It was several hours in to her story when she reached the part about he had almost died for her. She had turned away from Kana at that time and looked at him smiling softly and sadly. It had made his insides jump and twist hotly, as she said,

“And while Zuko was fighting Azula she tried to kill me with a bolt of lightning. But he jumped in front of it and took the hit for me. I was so scared when he was lying on the ground twitching in pain and I couldn’t get to him. I was able to heal him in time, obviously, but it still meant more to me than anything else he’s ever done, it showed me he was the good person I had always wanted to believe he was. And he has another scar to prove it.”

Zuko looked back at her until he last part at which his hand went absently to his chest, that scar would always be there to remind him of her of what she means to him, his very life was nothing compared to hers. He noticed both Kana and Pakku’s eyes on him intently and he looked down as Katara continued. She told them, blushingly, about she had dated Aang, and to his surprise she pulled out the necklace Aang had carved her and showed Pakku who stared at it appreciatively and said,

“He was very serious wasn’t he?”

Katara sighed and said grimly,

“But I wasn’t. That’s why things didn’t work out between us.”

Pakku nodded and Kana told her to continue. Zuko was surprised that she didn’t sugar coat how they had almost died in the mountains, but he also noticed how she didn’t mention how they had been sleeping in the same bed recently because of it. He guessed that the Water Tribe looked down on that sort of thing before marriage just as much as the Fire Nation did, but he himself was above reproach on that matter. If she came back with him to the capital she could stay in his enormous bed with him and no one could say anything against it. Well, except maybe Uncle, who did want Zuko to have experience with women but didn’t want him to use and abuse them. But he would explain to Uncle that Katara was not just a fling and that he would never do that to her, or anything else, unless she wanted him to. When she had finally finished her tale it was late and every one was tired. But as Zuko curled up on the oddly comfortable bed of furs on top a block of ice, he already found he couldn't sleep without her warmth next to him. He tossed and turned in a fitful sleep until he was startled awake by the wall over his head suddenly melting to the floor. Looking up in to the darkness he could barely make a thin shape,

“Katara?” He whispered cautiously.

The shape quickly slipped under the warm furs next to him,

“You were moaning in your sleep again, so once again here I am.”

Zuko relaxed as his hands found her and pulled her to his chest where she snuggled in and yawned,

“You know the weird part is I had trouble getting to sleep without you there in the first place.”

Zuko's heart sped up, she needed him as much as he needed her now.

“I’m glad.”

And he felt her jump slightly as he kissed her forehead. Suddenly, he felt he small cool hand against the scar on his face,

“Zuko”

He could feel her so close, her ragged breath was trying to mingle with is own and he found that he was actually holding it in.

“Yes?” He murmured back, their lips almost touching.

But then he felt her back down and rest her head against his chest instead,

“Goodnight.”

He barely had the heart to say good night but he managed. Then he fell in to a sleep that wasn’t as pleasant as it could have been had she given him a goodnight kiss.

The next morning he awoke and realized she was no longer in his arms. Looking above his head, Zuko saw the wall was as smooth as it had been when he last saw it in daylight. It was almost like last night didn’t happen, but he knew it had, it felt too good and reassuring to have been a dream. He got up and got dressed in his long sleeved maroon and gold lined tunic and dark brown pants. When he came in to the living room he saw Katara and Kana had made breakfast but the only one there eating it was Pakku. Zuko gulped as he sat down warily across from the elderly man. Pakku didn’t say anything as he continued to eat a thick looking porridge that reminded him of jook, and after tasting it he realized it was jook, only a little sweeter than what his Uncle had made. When Pakku still didn’t speak Zuko cleared his throat and said,

“So where are Katara and Lady Kana?”

Pakku finally looked up and said blankly,

“You can call her Gran Gran you know. It’s a title of respect here, at least to her it is.”

Zuko blanched at his mistake but didn’t say anything as he waited for Pakku to answer his question. When Pakku had finished his jook he set the bowl in the wash bin in the kitchen and sat across from Zuko again,

“They’ve gone to visit the other women and Kana’s old friends, and Katara wanted to see the female waterbenders who are now studying under me and give them a little sparing lesson.”

Zuko smirked at the last part, she would want to go give those benders a good run for their money wouldn’t she? But then he looked up when Pakku sighed and said,

“So I guess it’s just you and me today then. I don’t know what you want to do, if anything. We could go watch the waterbenders in the arena with Katara or we could watch the hand-to-hand combat practice, or if you want to we could go ice fishing, although I’m not really a big fan of that.”

Zuko could tell he had surprised Pakku when his white eyebrows had shot up as Zuko looked at him intensely and said,

“I want you to teach me how to carve.”

Pakku’s raised eyebrows furrowed as he said,

“Is there something important you’re planning on carving that I should know about?”

Zuko looked away and said tersely,

“I just want to learn how to do it is all. For later.”

Pakku eyed him with a new respect and said,

“Fine. Follow me to the workshop.”

Pakku led him outside the warm house in to the cold city streets and in to an entirely different building. It was empty except for two very old men who sat on separate benches surrounded by carving tools and shavings of stone. Pakku walked up to the first and said.

“Jarook, this is Zuko, he is here with my granddaughter and they are searching for his mother, but in the mean time he would like some thing to do. I would be honored if you'd teach him carving as you taught me.”

The old man called Jarook barely looked like he could see let alone teach, but teach he did. Zuko's hands were cut and bloody by the end of the day from slipping on the smooth stone surface and accidentally stabbing himself multiple times with the sharp tool. But by the end of the day Zuko had also mastered a novice grasp of the fine art of Water Tribe carving, even Jarook said so to Pakku when he returned to get Zuko,

“Master Pakku. This one might not be the most skilled carver I’ve ever had the privilege of teaching, but he definitely is one of the most hard working and persistent. It was pleasure young man, you can come back and carve with me anytime.”

Zuko winced as the old man’s iron grip shook his injured hand, but smiled thinly none the less,

“Thank you. It was an honor to be taught by the best.”

Jarook laughed and waved him away bashfully, then Pakku said,

“I’m glad to hear he had it in him. I’m sure you’ve noticed he is not Water Tribe, but I hope one day he will be, so this is a good start. You know it takes a great deal of dedication, commitment, and patience to carve something as important as a necklace, that is why they are so vital to a serious relationship in the Water Tribe.”

Zuko’s gold eyes widened as the implications of what Pakku had just said sunk in,

“I’m honored Master Pakku.”

Pakku chuckled as he motioned for Zuko to follow him,

“You can call me Pakku son. And Gran Pakku if things work out well.”

Zuko was so stunned by the turn their conversation had taken he didn’t notice that they weren’t heading back to Pakku and Kana’s house. When he actually did notice they were heading somewhere else it was already getting dark outside and he followed a stream of people, along with Pakku, in to the grand meeting hall of the Northern Water Tribe. Pakku motioned for Zuko to sit next to him up at the head table along with the chief and his wife, it was only customary, Zuko was the Fire Lord after all. But his brow furrowed in worry when he saw Kana sit on the other side of Pakku, without Katara. Kana must have seen his look because she smiled and said,

“Katara has a special surprise for everyone tonight.”

Zuko looked at her confused, what did that mean? He soon found out.

Chief Arnook stood up and said booming to the gathered tribe,

“Welcome! Welcome everyone! Tonight we hold this very special feast for two very special guests. First I would like to welcome the honorable Fire Lord Zuko to my table. He has come searching the to farthest ends of the North for someone very close to him I have vowed to be of whatever help I can. And as for our second very honored guest, she has decided to gift us with a very special performance of waterbending might. It is my great pleasure to welcome Chief Hakoda’s daughter, Katara, Master waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe!”

The crowd had cheered politely for him, but they really roared when Katara’s name was mentioned. Then they grew suddenly silent as a cool mist flowed thickly out over the performance space. Zuko saw her at the same time as every one else did and he gasped along with them. She rose up out of the mist like the spirit she was dressed as. Clothed all in white Katara appeared out of the mist, the red markings over her bare arms and face blazing through the fog. Zuko recognized the costume immediately, she was dressed as the Painted Lady. Her hands slowly flung out and she was effortlessly gliding over the top of the fog. Then the eerie beat of drums and a reed instrument played an old Fire Nation melody about love lost and found. Spinning around, she formed an icy wall of water, a crystal wave that she then used to speed up the ramp-like wave and fly delicately in to the air, spinning as she did. Katara landed on several columns of water and then bent them under her so they formed a twisting bridge of water that she used to slide down to the middle of the stage gracefully. Her rice hat had fallen off to reveal her long hair and carefully painted face, a crescent moon shone brightly in between her cerulean blue eyes as Zuko watched her in awe. Katara swayed like a tree in the wind as her arms wrapped around her in wide circles the water reacted. It bent up into a dome around her that she slowly peeled back from inside forming a huge lotus flower out of ice. Then she sent out a ripple of power and to everyone’s shock and awe the entire flower glowed a bright and shining healing blue for several seconds before it shattered in to millions of small glittering pieces of snow that rained down on the stunned crowd. Zuko was on of the first people to stand and applaud vigorously, Kana had been the second.

Katara looked up from her low bow and smiled brightly at Zuko. He tried to not blush, but he was just so happy right now. She had been beautiful in her performance and he couldn’t help but feel like she had decided to dress up as a Fire Nation spirit just for him. Even though she had once pretended to be the Painted Lady, he thought that she would have chosen to be La or maybe the Moon Spirit. And the way she had smiled at him afterwards gave him a quick rush of hope as he thought about her coming in to his bed again tonight. Tonight would be the night. He wouldn’t stop himself from kissing her, he was sure of it now.

That was until he saw her surrounded by a crowd of fawning young men after the performance. This sent a bolt of jealousy and rage through him, enough that that table in front of him started to melt at the edges. Only Pakku seemed to notice the dripping table as he ran his hand coolly over it, freezing it back in to place,

“Relax boy. If you really didn’t want to see her being courted by other men you would have given her a necklace already. No one would bother her like that if she was betrothed.”

Zuko jaw cleneched as he said,

“I don’t want to scare her. The reason she broke up with Aang was because he was rushing her in to that sort of thing.”

Pakku shook his head and said,

“No, the reason things didn’t work out between Katara and the Avatar was because she loved him in different way. I’ve seen the way she looks at you when she doesn’t think she’s being watched. I know that look because it’s the one Kana gives me. It’s true she’s young, but if you are the right person for her and she’s not too hard headed to admit it’s true, then she’ll say yes if you give her a necklace you put your love, sweat, and blood in to. Don’t be a fool like me and let her slip away.”

Zuko wasn’t so sure as Pakku seemed to be of Katara’s feelings. He knew in his heart that it wasn’t the right time to ask, he would know when it was the right time, wouldn’t he? Zuko no longer scorched the table but he still watched Katara stormily as she mingled with many of the young men who had surrounded her earlier. When she finally returned to the head table and sat down next to him he could tell something was off.

“Katara, are you alright?”

She turned to him, her blue eyes slightly glazed as she slurred,

“Jus mooooonpeachy Sparki.”

Good Agni she was drunk! Zuko stared at her in disblief, how had this happened?

“What did those men do to you!?”

“ Nothin I didn’t want em to.” She said winking at him while swaying.

Zuko pinked, did she have any idea what she was saying!?

“I think we should get you to back home, immediately.”

Katara tossed her hand carelessly and scoffed,

“You need to loosen up Sparki.”

Then she eyed him slyly before saying wickedly,

“I think I can help with dat.”

And suddenly Katara was straddling his lap. He thought he heard Pakku spit out whatever he was drinking next to him, but at the moment the only thing Zuko was focused on was the way her hips were griding on top of his. Agni help him! She ran her hands quickly over his chest before wrapping them around his neck and leaning in to whisper in his ear,

“Yoo can take me home now, jus as long as we go straight to bed.”

Zuko could no longer breathe, it was too much even for him. He needed to get her, and himself, out of here right now. And to Katara's shock, if her yelp was any indication, he picked her up like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder and said briskly to Pakku and Arnook,

“I’m taking her home to sleep this off. Thank you for your help and this very gracious feast.”

And with that Zuko was walking back home with her pounding on his shoulder weakly, he was very grateful for the cold air outside, it helped immensely. When he finally found his way to Pakku and Kana's house Katara was drifting in and out of conscious. He laid her down carefully in her bed and tucked in the sheets around her, but as he turned around he felt her hand pull his arm back.

“Don’t yoo want me Zuko? I thought this is wha yoo wanted? Yoo can kiss me now, Ill let you do more if you’a good kissa.”

He went rigid, Agni help him he was very tempted to stay. But his honor wouldn’t let him do anything to her when she wasn’t sure she wanted it. If he had to get her drunk in order for anything to happen between them then he had a feeling it never would.

“Good night Katara.” He pulled away from her and walked back to his room with a finality that made her whimper as he slammed the door. He returned to his room and stripped down before splashing himself all over with some extremely cold water.

--

The next morning Katara woke up with a splitting headache and an oddly fuzzy memory of last night’s feast after her dance. Groaning, she used the water in the pan at her bed side to cool her throbbing head, it helped a lot. After her short healing session little bits of last night came flooding back. It was then she remembered giving Zuko an impromtu lap dance. Her face flushed bright red as she remembered asking him to sleep with her as well. She didn’t remember anything after that last snippet and quickly made sure her clothing was intack and then mentally slapped herself. No matter how much Zuko might want to, she knew he would never do anything she didn’t want him to. But last night, after those boys had given her liquor, instead of the moonpeach nectar they had promised, she wanted him to do all sorts of things to her, she had even asked him to. This made her pale, was that what she really wanted? They said alcohol took away all your inhibitions, did that mean she wanted Zuko all over her and vice versa? It seemed pretty likely after what she had done last night and that made her jumpy as she headed down to breakfast. As soon as he saw her come down the stairs Zuko jumped up and he was in front of her looking at her face frantically,

“Are you alright? Do you feel better? How could you let yourself get so drunk?!”

Katara huffed and backed away blushing, his close proximity was making her uneasy,

“I’m fine, I had a headache when I woke up and everything was fuzzy but I healed it. Look, I’m really sorry about last night. I was kind of tricked in to drinking some alcohol and now I know better so it won’t happen again.”

Zuko growled and said lowly,

“Those bastards spiked your drink, they’ll pay. I’ll,”

But she placed her hand on his solid chest out of instict and said,

“No. It was my fault, I wasn’t paying too much attention to what I was drinking, so don’t go and do something stupid.”

“They still tricked you.” Zuko mumbled angrily.

Katara sighed,

“Don’t worry about it. It’s over and done with, let’s just not think about it ever again.”

Zuko’s good eyebrow quirked as he said,

“I guess.”

Katara nodded with a sense of closure then sat down to eat, and noticed Pakku and Gran Gran had been watching the entire exchange with interest. Katara pinked but wouldn’t meet their stares while she quickly ate her breakfast. When she was done, Katara quickly grabbed Zuko and dragged him out side,

“Hey, what’s this all about? Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”

Katara sighed exasperated,

“We’re going to see your mother silly.”

Zuko stared at her slack jawed in disbelief,

“What?”

Katara grinned triumphantly and said,

“Yesterday day Gran Gran and I asked all the ladies who work as healers if they’d ever seen a woman living here with long black hair and golden eyes. And to my amazment they said they had. They said a woman with amber eyes often came to healing sessions and that although she wasn’t a bender she was very skilled in setting bones and using healing pultices and brewing medicinal rememdies. They said she was a gentle and kind soul who helped them greatly. They also said her name was Ugda, but that could be an alias, it sounds like Ursa. Anyway I had to get ready for my performance so couldn’t tell you were she lives and then after the performance, well I got distracted.”

Zuko voice was full of urgency and excitement,

“Was she at the feast last night!?”

Katara shook her head no,

“The healing women said she was on a long fishing trip and wouldn’t be back until this morning.”

Zuko seemed so wound up he was practicaly jumping up and down,

“Then we have to go now! Take me there now please!”

Katara rolled her eyes but smiled,

“That’s what I was doing.”

“Then let’s go!” He said taking her arm roughly as he started to drag her down the street.

Katara laughed lightly and said,

“You don’t even know where we’re going!”

“Fine you lead. Just go! I’m going to see her again, sweet Agni today is the day!”

Katara smiled at Zuko’s obvious joy and led him to the front of a small ice cottage on the north end of the city that looked like all the other houses around them. She didn’t want to intrude so she backed up the street almost in to the canel and watched carefully as Zuko hesitated to knock, then shakily pounded on the door. Katara’s breathe caught in her throat as a women in Water Tribe blue answered the door, except this woman had long raven colored hair and slanted golden eyes.

--

Ack! Super Cliffy! XD Sorry about that folks, but in case you can't tell, yes they found Ursa! So the next chapter will be called Ursa for that particular reason. We're getting to the final stretch here. There are only two chapters and an epilouge after this. But good news is there's a sequel! That's right! It's called "Definitely Kyou" which I will explain what that means in its first chapter. But anyway those of you who want a Zutara kiss you get it next chapter! As for anything more sexy you'll have to wait for Kyou which takes place when Zuko is 22 and Katara is 19, so I dont' feel guilty at all about writng sex scenes for them. XD But yes about this chapter, lol drunk Katara is Zuko's best fantasy and also his worst nightmare. XD The entire time I was writing this chapter I was listening to the song "Alive With the Glory of Love" By Say Anything. Go to youtube and look it up, it is possibly the most Zutaray song I've heard in a long time. I'm considering doing a Zutara AMV for it. By the way I wanted to thank all of you who have reviewed! All of your reviews are beautiful and make me so giddy every time I read them! Thanks for such an amazing time so far, you guys rock!