*Katara POV*

I was now in the Fire-Nation with Sokka. We didn't want to draw any attention to ourselves, because Zuko was the Fire Lord, and he would surely hear about this if he knew. The best we could do is find a run-down, old, shabby hut and hoped nobody lived there. I mean, it didn't look like it was in use. It was vacant. We went to the door, and Sokka said, "Hello? Anyone in here?" Nobody answered. I went inside and I gasped. Look how shabby this place is! It was a muddy, stinky, little hut. We were gonna have to clean this. I looked at Sokka, giving him my we-are-fixing-this-place-up-whether-you-like-it-or-not. He groaned. Sokka was a lazy guy, who practically does nothing all day. Sometimes, he sleeps the whole day. WHO DOES THAT?! I mean sure, sometimes when we were still at war, I would, but not like this! Anyways, I really wanted to go back to Zuko and tell him how I actually feel. He was right. That kiss we had, that wasn't something friends would do. I hugged him, and I always felt happy with him. I never felt this way with Aang. Maybe he was right. He was meant to be his love. Anyways, I saw Sokka... being Sokka again and he started playing with the furniture

"Sokka, you shouldn't be playing with the furniture!"

"It's not as if someone lives here!"

"Yeah, but we came here and it belonged to someone. We shouldn't be playing with the furniture."

He rolled his eyes and went back to playing with the furniture. I slapped my hand onto my forehead. Does that boy ever listen? Anyways, we heard the door open. We both hid behind the dusty, worn out chairs as the person walked in. It seemed to be a girl, about fifteen or so, I couldn't really tell. She groaned. Then she looked to the right and saw the evidence of Sokka playing with the furniture. "Who's there?! Show yourself!" I glared at Sokka as he shrugged. He got his sword ready, and I got my bending water ready too. We came out, and I trapped the person in ice. I kept my glare straight until I realized who it was. Azula. I haven't seen her since she.. snapped. She looked pretty good, with her hair loose, and her red dress and pants. I guess she went to exile without her armor. She seemed... scared though. Like as if she's being watched, as if one wrong move resulted in her permanent end. Although it probably did. Zuko's younger sister looked deprived of herself. She wasn't her old self. Now, it was a scared girl, who hid in the dark. "Azula!" I said. I couldn't believe myself. Azula was here, and alive. She seemed to be cured of her... insanity, but still. It was still a shock.

"Why are you here?"

"Well, well. If it isn't Katara. I should be asking the same question. Katara, why are you here?"

"I'll be asking the questions here. Weren't you in exile?!"

"SHUSH! People don't know I'm here! If they find out, there will be a civil war. People will think the royal family planned this out, to show that we are superior, because I'm better now and there are others who are still insane."

"What do you mean? Civil War?"

"Yes. I mean civil war. Anyways, when I was exiled, with the last ounce of sanity left, I took off my armor and went into a small town. I couldn't think clearly, because I was drugged. Anyways, I went to get some food, and some new clothes. I found this rusty place, and I've been living here since. Now, you may leave."

"I won't leave until I know where Zuko is."

"Oh, so you're here to see Zu-Zu? What about me? That makes me sad."

"Look Azula. Sokka and I don't have time to play games. We need to get to Zuko."

"Oh, about that. There's news all over the Fire-Nation. Zuko left the Fire Nation to go to the Earth Kingdom. He lives in the  desert, and you might find him in Misty Palms Oasis."

"What?! I don't believe you. You lie. You cheat. You deceit. You betray. You manipulate. Why should I trust you?" 

"Because I have evidence. If you want, go to the Fire Nation palace and look. Your little lover is probably dead now."

"Don't talk about Zuko like that! You have no right to!"

"Sure, whatever. Oh, and here's the flyer."

I saw the paper with my own eyes. My hands were trembling as I picked up the paper. It said:

BREAKING NEWS: FIRE-LORD ZUKO LEAVES FIRE NATION FOR EARTH KINGDOM DESERT.

Zuko leaves the Fire-Nation after heartbreak. After being denied by Katara, He goes to the desert in hope of a quiet life. He wishes not to be followed. How will our country survive? Fire Sages send soldiers go to find Azula, who is in exile, hoping she is cured of her insanity. For now, there have been no sightings of the next member of the Royal Family. If you see Azula, please report to the Fire Sages.

I couldn't believe what I read. All of my mind wanted to scream, but a part of me believed it. What if it was true? What if he wasn't in the palace? What if he's- No. I won't think like that. I will find him, even if it takes me everything I got. "C'mon, Sokka. We're going to the palace." Azula smiled evilly. I have the feeling she was deceiving us right now. I don't care. I need Zuko. I have to find him. We stormed into the palace into the War Room. There was no one there. It was empty, with no flames. Just a plain, empty room. I went to the hall next, and he wasn't there either. I finally checked his chamber, where he wasn't there. But from the looks of his room, he left recently. There's spilled water, that's a few days old. I can feel the water through my bending. Yep. Just a few days old. With crumpled papers and clothes all over the floor. I collapsed. I couldn't believe my boyfriend left me. After what we've been through. I've been too stupid to accept it. And here I was, all alone. I wanted him back. I wanted to apologize.  But then, someone put a cloth over my mouth and hit me with something heavy. I tried to fight back, but it was no use. Words were becoming muffled, and everything stared to dim. I tired using the last bit of energy I had, but it was no use. Soon everything went dark.

*Zuko POV*

I went to the desert to the white lotus. I went because I learnt to appreciate the cryptic arts. As I went, I decided to stay at the Misty Palms Oasis for a few weeks. I was still sad about the argument with Katara, but I realized this was her decision. I couldn't force her into anything. If she felt this was wrong, then fine. She can go suffer for all I care. I'm done with her. Although, it hurts so much to say it that I almost fainted. I don't mean it. I need her. But she's not ready to accept it. Is this my life? Nothing ever goes my way! My life is sad. Just when I think I'm getting somewhere, it seems as if it's far away that it's impossible to reach. My sister Azula had everything easy. She was so talented, that dad favored her over me. My mom was the only one who actually loved me. No one else really did, I guess. Speaking of Azula, I wondered how she's doing. Although she's insane, and a crazy weirdo, she is my sister. I can't not be worried for her. I hope she's doing okay. Our relationship could've been different. We could've been friends, and maybe we wouldn't fight so much. No one really cared for me except Katara and my mother. It doesn't matter, I guess. I want Katara to be happy. And if it means I shouldn't date her, then so be it. Maybe I can go find Mai, and try to reconcile? No, that's stupid. It's too late for that. And she probably found someone else by then. I saw a couple Sand benders near a bar, who were talking about something for sure. I have this bad habit of eavesdropping, and I tried not to pay attention. But I couldn't resist and I heard them talking.

"Hey Wong, how much do you think they'll pay for the girl?"

"What about the boy? He also seems like a worthy prize."

"Nah, the boy'll probably be free. But that water bender... she's a real prize."

"Yeah. Maybe they'd pay $1,000 for her?"

"Nah, she's too pretty for that. Her silky brown hair, and those blue eyes... perfect for an entertainer, if you know what I mean."

"Her name's Katara, right?"

"Yeah."

I gasped. These low-lives were talking about Katara like that. They disgusted me. No one should be talking about Katara like that. Or any girl like that. I was anger. I could feel the anger boiling inside me as I created a ring of fire around them and pinned the one who said Katara would be an entertainer to the wall. I made him talk. What kind of guy was he? Doesn't he have any shame? I couldn't believe they were talking about Katara like that!

"HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT KATARA LIKE THAT!"

"P-please, I'm s-sorry. Let me go!"

"Where is she?! Answer me, now! Or else, you die."

"She was captured by some rouge fire benders against the nation and supportive of the war. They knew she was one of the people who stopped it, and well, they sent her here somewhere to the Hami Tribe, and well... there's a civil war rising in the Fire Nation. I- I think a girl started it. Alyza? Aluzi? I'm not sure. But there's a 'z' in her name."

"Azula. My sister. Looks like she's back to her old self again. Where is the Hami Tribe?"

"It-it's out there. Keep heading north and you'll find the Hami Tribe."

I let him go. I couldn't believe this. Azula was back, with her old manipulative self again. She was angry when I became the Fire-Lord. She was always against it from the start. She lies, she deceits, she cheats. She's sick. I took a deep breath as I took some water and some food and headed north. While I was walking, It amazed me on how she was bette so quickly. It was as if someone put a spell on her and now that spell is broken. I don't really care now. I need to find Katara. She's probably hurt, and I'll have to find Sokka. I trudged along until I found some sand gliders that belonged to the Hami Tribe. Three Sand benders stopped me from entering. "Who are you?" They asked. I didn't want to use my fire-bending, because everything in that tiny little tribe is wooden and wood easily catches on fire. I kicked one of the sand benders and knocked him into the other two, and I knocked them out. I wandered inside, where I heard two people taking about prisoners. Apparently they're were in the old, deserted building a few miles away from here. I kept on walking till I reached there. It was rusty, and it had gathered a layer of dust. It was big, no kidding. "Hello," I said, "is anyone here?" I couldn't see what was going on. I ignited a flame and I saw stairs leading to a locked room. I heard a groan, so I kicked open the door to find Katara, with scratches all over her body, and she looked dazed. "Who's there?" She mumbled. She tried to water bend but she didn't have enough energy for that. I looked at her deranged state. I was sorry for her. "It's me, Zuko. I'm here to get you out of here." Her face lit up. She gave a weak smiled as she sat up.

"Zuko, you were right. I was too blind to see it. I guess... after what happened with Aang, I was afraid the same thing would happen."

"Katara, if you don't wanna date-"

She leaned in and kissed me. My eyes widened with shock, but quickly closed as I pulled her in and kissed her back. Tears streamed from my eyes as I hugged her. She quietly said, "I love you Zuko. I really, really do. And yes, I would love to date you. I want to be your girlfriend." I was more than happy. Again I felt that same happy feeling whenever I was with Katara. "I'd love to date you too, and I'd love to be your boyfriend." We hugged, but she quickly pulled out when she said, "ZUKO! I just realized! I forgot to tell you, but Sokka's held prisoner at the Fire-Nation and there's a civil war rising in the Fire Nation!" I connected the dots. "I know. This was Azula's doing. She badly wants the throne, and she got better than I expected. I wish my relationship with her was better, and we didn't have to fight. Let's go." I grabbed Katara as we got out. She stumbled a bit, not being used to walking after a while, but she quickly caught on. We needed a glider, but unfortunately we weren't sand benders and we had a bunch of them outside. "Stop them!" One of them said. Katara didn't have any water to bend, so she was defenseless. Then I remembered, if Aang could blood bend, so could Katara. 

"Katara! You need to blood bend!"

"What?! No! I vowed never to do that again! Do you know how it feels? That evil power?! It's so poisonous that it destroys yourself from the inside!"

"Please! There's too many of them, and you have no bend ables! I can only fire bend, and that's not going to work, because they're coming in huge numbers!"

"No, Zuko! It's not the right way!"

"KATARA! YOU SAW WHAT THEY DID TO YOU! THEY MADE YOU A 'PRIZE' AND THEY TREATED YOU LIKE AN OBJECT! YOU HAVE TO BLOOD BEND!"

"I won't! Plus, even if I could, I wouldn't be able to because I have to do it in a full moon!"

"Katara, please. If you don't do it, the Fire Nation will collapse under Azula's rule and we'll go into another war. The nations can't handle that anymore. And the more time we spend fighting, more Sokka's getting hurt. Please, Katara. If not for me, do it for the world. Please."

"Alright."

She reluctantly closed her eyes, and she focused on the water inside the sand benders. I closed my eyes, not ready for the brutality of her blood bending. I heard groans and screams, as Katara blood bended them. I knew the feeling. It's painful. It's as if all your limbs, veins, and brain are being painfully forced into doing something else. Like all your bones breaking at once, and painfully twisting into odd shapes. She stopped and we ran. We ran as fast as we could, sweat covering us. The heat was killing Katara. I knew she was used to the cold, and this heat would be impossible to survive in for her. We found a glider, but we realized none of us could sand bend. "What are we going to do?" Katara asked. There was only one way. I could use my fire bending as a booster so this could work. I mean, it seemed like a good idea. "Katara! You're not going to like this very much, but here is what we'll do. I'll use fire bending to make the glider go, and you have to steer it and get to the Misty Palms Oasis. The White Lotus will get us a transportation back, and we can get to the Fire Nation." She agreed, and soon we made it back to the White Lotus. The man in the flower shop, Ying, helped us. "Hello there, nephew of Iroh. It is quite a pleasure to see you again." I bowed down. "We need transportation to get back to the Fire Nation. A war will start if we don't get there. Even bigger than the hundred year war." He nodded and got us a ticket to Ba Sing Se. We would have to stay there for some time so we can get a ferry. "You'll have to stay there for a few days, because the ferry is booked. You'll get to the Fire Nation at the end of the week. For now, you can take this ostrich horse and go to Ba Sing Se." I nodded, and I took Katara's hand as we hopped on the Ostrich Horse and went back. We said farewell to Ying. When we were near the outskirts of Ba Sing Se, Katara hugged my back and we had a crazy conversation.

"Hey, Zuko, I wanted to apologize. For everything. I'm sorry for rejecting you. I know we've been over this but I still feel-"

"It's not your fault. You were confused, and what matters is that we're together now. I've waited my whole life just to... ya know, settle down. All I wanted is love. Which my father failed to give, and my mom tried to give, but couldn't give much." 

"I'm sorry, Zuko. I know how it feels, losing your mother."

"So, girlfriend, time for a topic change. We have to find Azula if we need to find Sokka."

"But she's probably in charge of the whole Fire Nation now!"

"No. She's not. All Fire Lords have one process. You can't truly become fire lord for a month, because you have to challenge someone to an Agni Kai, to prove you can stand your ground and that you won't give up after a fight."

"Oh. So we still have some time."

"Yeah."

After that, we sat in silence as we didn't know what to say. I wanted to say something, but I never found the words. And we weren't in the best mood to talk. Before we knew it, we made it to the outskirts of Ba Sing Se. You could see the wall. "Here we are," I said, "Ba Sing Se." I smiled slightly as the Ostrich Horse ran to Ba Sing Se. We went inside to see a huge city. "Let's get off the Ostrich Horse." Katara said. I agreed and we both went off the ostrich horse. We then took a train to Ba Sing Se. Over there, we found a woman with straight black hair and a wide smile. "I'm Joo dee, and I will be your host. Welcome to Ba Sing Se, Fire Lord Zuko. Ah, Katara. What a pleasant surprise." Katara's face fell and her sweet smile turned into an ugly frown. "Ugh. Can't believe she's here." She said. I raised my eyebrow. How did this Joo Dee know my name? Or Katara's name?

"How do you know my name?"

"Welcome to Ba Sing Se. We welcome all who come here. Ba Sing Se is a city where everyone knows each other."

"But... I'm not from here."

"Come! We must go to your new house in the Upper Ring."

"How do you know Katara?"

"Ba Sing Se knows all who are in Ba Sing Se."

I was about to punch this lady when Katara put her hand on my shoulder. "Don't." She said. I lowered my fist and hung my head. I remember living in the lower ring. Ba Sing Se brought... memories. I almost had a flashback when we reached our house. It was huge. Katara shook her head as Joo Dee left us to settle in our house. She used water bending to make a dagger out of water and slashed it across the walls, and was extremely angry. 

"How does Joo Dee know you? And why doesn't she answer my questions?"

"When we came here during the war... and when you were... you know, the 'bad guy,' we went to Ba Sing Se to find Appa. Joo Dee was waiting at the train station and was our 'host.' She never replies directly, because the minister, Long Feng, and the Dai Li somehow took random women and gave them the name Joo Dee. She's basically a spy. Seeing what we're up to. That's why I hate her so much. This house brings back stuff I don't want to remember." I felt bad for Katara. "Come. We'll go to the Jasmine Dragon and stay there for some time." She smiled as we walked all the way to the middle ring where the Jasmine Dragon was. Just as we entered, I saw Mai sitting at the table. She looked different with her hair tied up and her green dress and her... smile. "Zuko! I haven't seen you in ages! And Katara! It's nice to see you guys. What're you doing here in Ba Sing Se?" I didn't know what to say to my ex. It's been such a long time that, I stumbled to find the words. I didn't want to make her feel awkward, so I held hands with Katara to show we were dating.

"Azula's back. And she's trying to take control of the Fire Nation, and lead it to another war."

"What?! I thought she was insane."

"Turns out she isn't anymore. She got better."

"Oh. Are you guys dating?"

"Um.... yeah. We are. But that's not important right now."

"Um... okay. You guys have to get back to the Fire Nation. You know this, right?"

"Yeah. And we need a ferry. We just came back from the desert and we're here now for a few days until we can find a ferry." 

"No. You need to get to the Fire Nation now. If it's one thing I know about Azula, she will strike fast, and she will be deadly. I know a secret passage that has water-benders who can help get you to the Fire Nation in minutes underwater. The Earth King doesn't know it yet, but we have to keep it secret. So meet me here at dusk and I'll take you both there."

"Thanks Mai. You know, you don't have to do this ever since..."

"Since what?"

"You know what I mean."

"Zuko. What's done is done. I found someone else, and you found someone else too. We found our true loves, and you're happier with Katara. And it should be that way. Don't be afraid to own it that you're dating a wonderful woman. Appreciate her."

"Wow. I've never known you like this. It's like you're nicer, and cheerful. Like you're... happy."

"People change when they're with people you love. You've become more compassionate and kinder ever since you were with Katara." 

She left and I saw Katara sitting at a table, with tears in her eyes. I realized what I said and how wrong it came out. I don't want to lose Katara. I sat down in front of her and I held her hands. I closed my eyes as I found the words. "Zuko, I- do you love me? I sat here when you said that us... isn't important. I-if you're trying-" "Katara," I cut her off, "I am so sorry. I know I'm a fool for saying this. I'm an idiot. I never meant it that way. You are the most important thing to me, and when I saw Mai... I lost myself. It's not like I still love her, but she looked as if she's happier, and when I heard she was with someone better... I thought that you'd leave me because I wasn't... the boyfriend you'd want." I grabbed her hand but she jerked it away. Did she hate me? Is it too late? I feel so stupid now. I had this one chance and I blew it. Like I always do. Nothing turns out right for me. NOTHING. Why is my life this way? "Zuko, I know you. And I wouldn't date anyone else but you. I love you. More than you can realize. I would give my soul to see you smile." I closed my eyes and kissed her, feeling the warmth of her lips against mine. "C'mon, we have to get ready to go to the Fire Nation." She nodded her head and we walked out of the tea shop. We walked all the way home, getting ready to leave.  It was almost dusk now. We stayed inside the house, cuddling. We walked back to the Jasmine Dragon without saying a word. There was no use, as we said all we wanted to say when we cuddled. Mai stood up from the table and welcomed us with a warm, bright smile. "Hey guys. You're here. Let's go. Be quick, make sure none notice you." We nodded. "Gee," Katara said, "Mai has become so cheerful. It doesn't seem like her, does it? Has Ty Lee rubbed off on her?" "No, whoever she's dating, must've been right for her. She told me that people change when they're with the people they love. So maybe that guy was nice, and cheerful, and it must've made an impression on her." I replied. She giggled, liking the new Mai. I couldn't believe how fast the moody, grumpy, unhappy girl I used to be with turned into Ty Lee 2.0. Who knew people could change so quickly? We walked down a tunnel when we saw water benders who waved at us. One had beautiful blue eyes, and she was quite pretty. Another one was built like an Earth Bender, and had blue misty eyes. "Hello, My name is Nila. I'm the water bender who'll get you across. This is my brother, Arrluk, who is also a water bender. Hey, you look like you're from the southern water tribe. I'm from the northern tribe." Nila pointed to Katara's necklace, and Katara blushed. "Yeah. I'm from the Southern Water Tribe. I'm the last water bender there. I can help you if you want!" Katara felt so happy meeting water benders. Arrluk, the brother of Nila, looked at me and said, "You're a fire bender, aren't you?" I nodded my head warily, not liking the tone of his voice.

"Your nation caused so much death in our nation! How can you be proud of yourself?! You are a disgusting low life!"

"Sir, I meant no disrespect. The war ended, and my father, Ozai is in ja-"

"YOU'RE PRINCE ZUKO?! YOUR NATION SHOULD BE ASHAMED! YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE! LOOK WHAT YOU DID! YOU'VE CAUSED MILLIONS TO LOSE THEIR HOME, AND YOU SAT THERE DOING NOTHING! YOUR WHOLE FAMILY IS DISGUSTING! AND YOU! SOUTHERN TRIBE GIRL! How can you be with him? Do you not know what happened to your own tribe? Or have you southern tribe people lowered your standards and became people who can't stand for themselves?"

I hung my head in shame. He was right. My nation caused death to millions, all because my great grandfather was obsessed with starting an empire. Now look at the prices we have to pay. Katara stepped in and was angry. "Don't you ever talk about my boyfriend like that. Or I will not hesitate to end you. Yes, the Fire Nation caused trouble among all nations. But Zuko's trying to fix it. He's working to erase his father's, grandfather's, and his great-grandfather's mistakes. He knows what happened, and you should be ashamed of yourself for talking that way. He has gone to all nations that are there, and he has done everything to help them. I should know. He also helped with fixing my village, along with my brother, Sokka and I. You can't learn to forgive. He was never a bad person. He didn't sit there doing nothing. He was banished, just for trying to save his army. He knows they have a wife, children, and a family. So no, he didn't sit there and do nothing. Now, if you have an ounce of kindess left, you will take us to the Fire Nation." He grumbled, and said, "Forget it! I'm not taking this scum along." Mai took a knife and pinned him to the wall, while his sister apologized and said, "Forgive my brother. He's sensitive about this, because he lost his family in the war. He lost his wife and children, and he was resentful toward the Fire Benders. He is stubborn, and I'll need help getting us across the ocean." Katara chimed in and said, "I'm a water bender. I can help." She took my hand and the five of us were inside a bubble keeping the water away, which was created by Nila and Katara. We walked across as I silently cried. He was right, after all. What does Katara see in me? Other than the ruthless, stupid, failure that's me? She took my hand and squeezed it. She looked at me, and she said, "I'll always love you no matter what." Those words really cut deep and made me smile. She always made me happy. We finally reached the Fire Nation, where we thanked everyone. I waited for Mai to come, but she didn't come. "Zuko, I have a life now in Ba Sing Se. I can't come. I'm sorry. But please, be careful you two. Good luck." I held Katara's hand as we ran into the city. We busted into the palace, ignoring the citizens asking where we were and how we were doing. We went into the throne room, where I found Azula, sitting there with an evil grin on her face. "Katara, find Sokka. I'll handle her. I beat you once, I can do it again." Azula got up and said, "Oh, Zu-Zu, that was once. What about all the other times where I beat you? She was right. She beat me multiple times. But I wasn't going to let her do this.

"How are you sane? And why do you want the throne so badly?"

"Because I could get better. You know me well. I am a good liar, and I'm good at acting. Remember, what you see isn't necessarily true."

"So you faked it. You weren't mental at all. You just acted that way, because you planned this out."

"No, and yes. No, I was still mental, but not that bad as you thought. After some time in exile, I used my last ounce of sanity to clear my head, and become calm. That's what made me sane. And after that, I started planning this out. I knew I had to hide still, because I knew if someone spotted me I would be in big trouble. I carefully planned my moves, and now here I am. And I was the heir to the throne. I was better than you in ways you couldn't imagine. AND YOU STOLE IT FROM ME!" 

"Azula... why did we always have to fight? We could've been friends, as well as siblings. But you always wanted to be better. You were better. But now, you're like the rest of us. You're normal like us. Can't you let this be? You will lead us into a civil war, and another war. And the other nations can't handle another one anymore." 

She tried to shoot lightning at me, but I redirected it. I kept fighting her, but I was getting tired. I couldn't keep fighting forever.If someone didn't come soon, well, we'd be in another war soon. I knew it was pointless to fight back, so I could conserve my energy. I evaded her attacks, but then I noticed something. Each time, she was getting weaker and weaker. And becoming insane messed with her fighting style. She became sloppy, thus giving me the upper hand to win this fight. I launched two fireballs, one for her head and one for her feet, the first one knocking her over. Katara then came in and trapped her in ice. And I saw Sokka. "Missed me, guys? Oh, and I brought some back up." He looked toward the door, where I saw Aang. "Hey guys. Look, Zuko, I'm sorry for everything. And Katara, I'm happy you're... doing okay. I came here to take her bending away." We all stepped back as he touched her forehead and concentrated. Within a minute, she fell down and fainted. "Congrats, we ended the war before it started." Sokka said. we put her in prison, and we all hugged each other. Katara and I kissed, and I saw Aang's eyes widen, then close, and he smiled. "I'm glad you guys are together. And Zuko I'm really sorry. For blood bending you, and being mean to you. I guess I got so mad at you two being together, jealousy got over me." "It's okay, Aang. I know how you feel." I said. We hugged, and we smiled at each other. I couldn't believe it's over. I excused myself to the balcony, where I stared at the sunset. I saw so many colors, it was amazing. Katara joined me. 

"Hey." 

"What's going to happen now? Everything? Are we more than friends?"

"Zuko, we are. And I don't know what will happen in the future. Some stuff will be bad, some will be good, but I know, whatever is gonna happen, I'll face it with you."

"I love you so much. I'll never give you up. I'll never let you down. I'll lay down my life for you. I always love, loved and will love you, Katara."

We closed our eyes and kissed. I felt so happy, and again came the warm, tingly feelings. I didn't want this kiss to end, as we kissed during the sunset, and I can never forget this. We've fought a long time. We will fight sometime. What can I say? She's a water bender, I'm a fire bender. Our elements clash against each other. Our love is a clashing love. 

EPILOUGE

It's been a good sixteen years since Katara and Zuko became a couple. Zuko, being thirty-four, and Katara being thirty-one, had four kids. Hijiri, the oldest, looked exactly like her aunt, Azula. With her aunt's signature hair-style and being a fire-bending prodigy, was brave, and persistent like her father, Fire Lord Zuko, but caring like her mother, Fire Lady Katara. Her younger brother, Hakoda, was crazy, and was a hot-tempered water-bender. He was a water bender, but thought like a fire bender. Isamu, the younger brother of Hijiri and Hakoda, wasn't a bender, but excellent with swords. He was more like his uncle, Sokka, who was sarcastic, but smart and clever. The youngest, Yua, was a fire bender. Unfortunately, Aang's time was early and he died. Being in that iceberg in the avatar state weakened his life span significantly. Yua, was not an ordinary fire bender. She could also water bend, and bend the other elements. She was the next Avatar. Avatar Yua. She didn't realize it, but she could bend those other elements because she chose the toys that belonged to all the other avatars. Zuko and Katara couldn't be happier. Maybe they could tell her? No, Zuko realized she would be too overwhelmed with the stress of being the Avatar at six years old. Zuko stared out at the balcony, where Katara joined him. 

"Remember the sunset kiss?"

"Yeah. Greatest time of my life. Katara, how do we tell her that she's the Avatar?"

"We don't tell her now. Yua can't handle it." 

"You're right." 

"Lighten up. We have four amazing kids, and we have each other. I wouldn't trade this for the world."

They kissed, like they did ten years ago. They turned around to find Yua. Yua screamed, as Hijiri came to find them. "What happened?"  Hijiri hugged Yua, and Katara said, "Well, Yua, honey, do you know who the previous Avatar was?" "Yes, it's Avatar Aang." she replied. "Well," Katara said, "You're the next Avatar. You're Avatar Yua." Yua gasped, as Hijiri screamed. "What?! In all of my thirteen years, this is the craziest thing I've heard. I've never seen her bend any other elements other than fire." Zuko chimed in and said, "That's because Yua didn't know. It's going to be hard, but you'll do it Yua. I know it." Hijiri and Yua left, completely in shock. Zuko smiled at Katara, and Katara smiled back. "I'm glad. I love you." Zuko replied, "I love you too. Aang would want this." As they kissed again, Zuko knew that Aang was somewhere, in the spirit world, happy he knows that Zuko's daughter is the new Avatar, and who'll fill the void he left. Zuko closed his eyes, as he always knew, that his love with Katara is a clashing love.