Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

A/N Last chapter, guys!

I just want to give a shout out to everyone who stuck around with this story, giving reviews and following and giving this story a favorite or kudos. You guys all rock and I am thankful for you all. Hope you enjoy the end.

Chapter Fifteen: Unfinished

"Alright... suck in your stomach... Chest high, chin up, arms out. Good, dear."

There was to be a special dinner tonight, according to the servant who stopped by her room this morning. Katara was in no mood to attend, but it was a big to-do for Zuko so she would be expected to be there. And since she was the one who rescued him Iroh insisted she had to attend. She was told to be ready at sundown, wearing a dress made for her by the palace tailor Chan Li- who she was visiting now. The cheery and stout woman was busy taking her time measuring out a skirt, leaving Katara to her own thoughts. And as the tailor pulled out a bolt of blood red fabric, Katara let her mind wander to tonight.

It wasn't going to be anything too spectacular- just her friends and Zuko's family. It wasn't even going to be anything too intimate, either, so she didn't understand why she had to be decked out the way this tailor was planning. So far, she was wearing three layers of skirts, two layers of sleeves, and had already been fitted for a thin silver circlet. It was a bit excessive.

"Deary, can you lift your arms higher for me?"

Katara nodded, lifted up her arms a little more, and looked down at the woman as she brought the fabric against Katara's skin. "Were you told why I have to wear something so... fancy?"

Chan Li glanced up, hazel eyes sparkling as she smiled and nodded. "Oh yes, dear. General Iroh insisted on you looking special. There isn't much going on, but you're the guest of honor alongside Fire Lord Zuko."

She swallowed thickly. "I was told it was going to be just a small get together."

Smiling wider, Chan Li said, "It is, dear. But that doesn't mean you can't look nice. After all, you are the Fire Lord's savior. You need to look spectacular."

Katara lifted her arm, where a long swatch of fabric was now draped and pinned in a bell-like fashion. "I guess... but this much?"

A disapproving frown replaced Chan Li's grin and she said sternly, "Master Katara, I was ordered by General Iroh to create a dress for you that would be acceptable for this dinner. I have already worked with Master Bei Fong and your brother before you arrived. They will be dressed accordingly, as well. So you might as well let me sew this dress for you."

Sighing with resignation, Katara nodded and straightened out of her slouch. Chan Li's smile returned, wider than ever, and she continued to measure and snip the different colored fabrics. So far, it appeared she was going to be wearing red, blue, and purple- a sort of blending of Fire Nation and Water Tribe colors and styles. It was low cut in the red under layer, and the upper navy layer had a wrapping style that was similar to her typical robes. It was beautiful and flattering, especially with the purple sash Chan Li had tied around her waist.

Katara figured she was bound to look beautiful... Perhaps Zuko would notice and like it?

She bit her tongue and felt her cheeks grow hot. She really needed to stop thinking like this. He was her friend- her best friend. Whatever type of feelings she was having for Zuko needed to disappear, and fast. She just pretty much ended things with Aang, and Zuko was the Fire Lord. Her best friend- the Fire Lord. She would have groaned and slapped her own face if she wasn't busy being someone's mannequin. Not only was she basically on the rebound, a relationship with the Fire Lord would probably never work. She knew of his High Council pressuring him to get married and produce an heir, as they had been since he and Mai broke up over a year ago, so whoever he would date needed to be an option for a wife. She couldn't possibly be someone he would even consider. Being Fire Lady for Zuko? It could never happen. And for that, she reckoned she was so stupid for letting herself start to feel this way about him.

She didn't even have any idea how or when these feelings showed up, anyway. It was as if they sideswiped her and knocked her to the ground, blinding her and taking her down faster than she could comprehend.

"Oh," Chan Li crooned, stepping back and putting her chubby fingers to her lips. "You look wonderful, dear. You will be the belle of the ball, so to speak. Now, let's get you out of this so I can sew it by the afternoon."

Katara looked down, agreeing silently, before Chan Li came back to her and began helping her shrug out of the soon-to-be finished dress. As soon as she pulled her robe and slippers back on, she bowed and left the room. She had wanted to go to the library and pick up a historical drama Suki had suggested for her, and now was her chance. Not to mention she could hide in one of the back corners and read until her dress was finished. That would help her avoid any more questions from Sokka or Toph regarding Zuko's rescue and Aang's disappearance, as well as the gossiping tongues of the palace staff. It seems no one here can keep their lips shut about her abandonment by the Avatar, either.

As soon as she entered the library, she found the section Suki told her the book was located and almost immediately found her story. She grabbed it and found a chair tucked away in a sunlit corner, out of sight. There, she settled into her seat and let herself get lost in the pages.

She knew she skipped lunch while she was in the library, based on how her stomach rumbled every few minutes. It was a little past midday when she decided it was about time to clean up and grab something to eat. And just as she closed her book and went set it on the table next to her, heard the very distinguishable sound of Appa's groan outside. She bolted out of her seat, dropping her book to the floor, and sprinted to the window to see him land in the courtyard with Aang on his back, who was dressed in some warmer robes. She figured he couldn't see her from where he was, so she kept watching as he jumped down with a rucksack and his staff, then get greeted by a servant as he headed inside.

It was weird seeing him, but the pang of longing she expected to feel was absent. Maybe it was replaced by the shock of him arriving unannounced, but it was surprising that she didn't even have the desire to dash downstairs and meet up with him. Was it because of her anger towards his treatment of her before he left? Or because of her new found affections towards Zuko?

Katara barely had any time to think on the matter, because a servant had finally found her a whisked her away to Chan Li's workshop.

"Fire Lord Zuko, if I may insist, we have servants here who would be happy to help you dress and get prepared for the dinner this evening. You do not have to do everything yourself."

Zuko turned around from where he was standing in his closet and glared at Han, his head attendant, before snagging a simple open-collared red tunic and tugging it on over his head. He walked out and shut the door behind him. "As Fire Lord, when I say I do not want the assistance, that means you listen and let me do it on my own. Is that clear?"

Han bowed his head. "Yes, your Majesty."

"So if I find any servants in here when I come back, I'll be looking for you. I will be attending to myself tonight. Alone."

Han nodded, still bowing. "Yes, your Majesty."

"You're dismissed," Zuko said, waving his hand.

As Han scurried out of the room, Azula had come in, dressed in a casual tunic, leggings, and house shoes, watching the attendant flee with amusement before she turned to her brother and snickered, "Well, Zuzu, if I didn't know any better I'd say you're getting a little edgy."

Zuko had been tying his hair in a low ponytail when he turned towards her and growled, "What do you want, Azula?"

Azula grinned and shrugged. "I just wanted to know why we have to get dressed up tonight. It's just dinner."

He rolled his eyes as he put his feet in his boots, tugged on a robe, and knotted it's sash around his waist. "Don't ask me. It was Uncle's idea. And it's a more important occasion, anyway."

"And you're the Fire Lord. You can stop it."

Zuko eyed his sister with annoyance before heading to his door. "I'm humoring him, Azula. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Azula followed right behind him. "You know, you're not supposed to go out without your crown, Zuzu."

"I know."

"So why aren't you wearing it?"

"I, uh... I lost it."

Azula guffawed behind him and cried out, "You lost it?! How did you manage to do that?"

Zuko turned the corner, ignoring her, and went straight to the door that led to his office. As soon as he opened the door, she followed him in and closed it behind them both. He still didn't answer when he sat down at his desk, moved a couple scrolls to the side and pulled out another piece of parchment from one of the drawers. Methodically, he grabbed an ink pallet and brush and began pouring the ink into the small basin. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Azula sit in the chair opposite of him and cross her legs and steeple her fingers.

"Zuko."

"What?" he asked, voice agitated as he began writing out a memo to the High Council.

"Where is your crown?"

Sighing, he set down his brush in the ink pallet and rubbed his temples with his fingers. He could feel the ridge of his new scar above his right eye, as well as the familiar one on his left. The massaging relieved a bit of the tension, but not enough. "It was in the bag strapped to the ostrich horse I was riding in the Earth Kingdom. And that ostrich horse that ran away when I got attacked. For all I know, it's been swindled in the black market and melted down to make a broach for some wannabe gang leader."

He was waiting for some snide remark, and as soon as Azula opened her mouth there was a knock on the door. Both royals rolled their eyes and Zuko cleared his throat. "Enter."

He saw Azula shiver and heard her mutter under her breath, "You sounded just like him"

Zuko cast her an apologetic look, and she shrugged again. It was weird, now that she was a constant in his life again and they moved passed the ingrained competitiveness between them, things were starting to become more civil. And along with the amicability came the realization that Azula had been just as affected by their father as he had.

With a sigh, he looked back to the door as it opened and revealed the last person Zuko expected to see: Aang.

"Hey, Zuko!" he said, beaming. He turned to Azula, bowed his head slightly, and added, "Azula. Good to see you again."

Azula rolled her eyes and looked back to Zuko, relaying her annoyance at their interruption, and stood. "Well, I don't want to be here anymore. See you later, Zuzu."

She passed Aang without another word, leaving the Fire Lord and the Avatar alone in the office. Aang shuffled on his feet for a moment then flashed Zuko a smile. Zuko grinned as he stood and rounded his desk to give his friend a hug. Aang eagerly opened his arms and they embraced, patting each other on the back before separating and squeezing each other's shoulders.

"You're looking better," Aang commented, glancing at the scar above Zuko's eye and then the one poking out from underneath the collar of his shirt.

Zuko shrugged and sat on the edge of his desk. "Katara did a good job fixing me up."

Aang visibly flinched at the mention of Katara, but quickly recovered with a big and apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I left before we could talk. I needed to take care of some things."

With a dismissive wave, Zuko replied nonchalantly, "It's not a big deal. I understand there were some things that were more important. Besides, you spent enough time looking for me. I was fine, so it didn't matter if you were there or not."

Aang relaxed a little. "Oh, good. I know I was being a little childish leaving like that... But you can understand why I did it."

Zuko nodded, then folded his arms over his chest. He knew very well of the reason Aang left. And to avoid awkwardly talking about the fight with Katara, Zuko tactfully steered the conversation away by saying, "I'm guessing Uncle sent you a letter about the dinner?"

"Yeah, I got it just last night. It's a good thing I was at the Western Air Temple or I wouldn't have made it in time."

"Why there?"

Aang's shoulders dropped marginally and he replied, "When I left Ba Sing Se, I really didn't know where to go. My heart told me many different places, but my spirit told me I needed to be myself. So I went to the one place I knew no one would find me without me telling them I was there. I needed time for introspection, and in two weeks I got just that at the Western Air Temple."

Zuko knew what Aang needed to think about, and decided it would be best not to ask him to elaborate. It wasn't any of his business, anyway. Aang was with Katara, much to Zuko's dismay, and their relationship problems were meant to be kept between them.

Aang gave him another smile and began taking small steps back towards the door. "Well, it looks like you were pretty busy. I should go and get settled in before tonight."

Zuko stood and cleared his throat. "Oh yeah. It starts at sunset, in the east wing banquet hall. If you can't find it, someone can point the way."

They bowed to each other and Aang slipped out of the door, waving goodbye as it shut behind him. Zuko waited a few minutes before going to his chair and sinking into the cushions. He let out a deep breath and groaned as he ran his hands down his face. He hadn't quite expected Aang, so now he felt as if he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Dinner would be tense, no doubt, and since Aang had returned he probably would try to convince Katara to leave with him once more.

Nothing hurt Zuko's heart more than the thought of her leaving him again.

When she passed a mirror in the hall, at first Katara didn't recognize herself. Dressed in Chan Li's masterful creation, she was truly a vision. Her lips were delicately painted red and her eyes were thinly lined with kohl. To top it all off, her hair had a few small braids pulled back into a small bun that fell into loose curls and the custom silver circlet was woven in. She looked like royalty tonight.

As soon as she reached the door, her nerves began acting up. She didn't know why, though. It was just a dinner with friends, like always. Nothing more, nothing less. Her attire meant nothing. So she just took a deep breath, centering herself, and opened the door.

Katara entered the dining hall, holding up her skirts as she walked through the doorway. Everyone was seated, but as soon as her eyes met Zuko's- who was sitting at the head of the table, dressed in his Fire Lord robes once more, sans his crown- he smiled broadly and stood. She felt her tummy twist and she returned his smile as she walked into the room. Everyone else looked to her, Aang's eyes especially intense, and a round of welcomes chorused from all of them. Everyone was there, even Ursa, Noren, Kiyi, and surprisingly Ty Lee.

She was too focused on seeing who was at the dinner that she didn't notice that Iroh had stood as well and was now coming to escort her to where she would being sitting. As what she expected, her seat was across from his at the head of the table- to Zuko's immediate left.

The table was full of different dishes, some she recognized to hail from each nation. And even though she was the last one to come into the room, they had all waited for her before they started.

She felt two pairs of eyes on her, both pleading for her to stare at them in return in hopes of some sort of similar longing. She couldn't quite do that. Instead, she conversed with Iroh and Suki, who was to her left. Since Zuko was on her right, she was trying her hardest not to look at him. She could tell he would look in her direction every once in a while, but he was busy talking to Iroh when she wasn't, or talking over him to Azula, who was on Iroh's right. Even that was rare, because she would continuously turn to Sokka and talk lowly with him when he wasn't talking with Aang. For the main part, Azula just kept to herself.

From the other end of the table, Ursa stood and raised her cup. "I'd like to propose a toast: to Master Katara and Avatar Aang for finding my son when almost all hope was lost. And against all odds, they brought him back home to his country and his people."

A chorus of cheers echoed throughout the room, complete with a holler and whistle from Toph and a loud whoop from Sokka.

"Cheers."

Katara turned to see Zuko raising his glass towards her, eyes burning through her so intensely that she thought she would combust then and there. He took a drink, eyes still locked on her over the rim of his cup, and it was enough to make her cheeks heat and her heart to race. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Aang eyeing her similarly. Awkwardly, she gave him a small smile before turning back to her plate and taking another bite.

"Miss Katara." She glanced up to see Iroh looking at her, flashing her a merry grin, "You look wonderful tonight."

She was certain her cheeks were tinted a little pinker at that moment. "Thank you, Iroh."

Without a beat, Iroh turned to Zuko and gave him a cheeky smile. "Don't you think so, nephew?"

Zuko choked on the food he had just swallowed and hit his chest a few times before coughing loudly. A few eyes turned to him, but he quickly cleared his throat and took a drink to cover his apparent embarrassment. She waited for a few moments, a little anxiously, before he swallowed and nodded his head once, looking Katara in the eye and giving her a polite grin. "Yes, Uncle. She's quite the vision."

Iroh beamed, then brought his attention back to Katara. "I agree. I must give Mistress Chan Li my thanks... Now, Katara, I have barely seen you since we got back to the Fire Nation. What have you been up to?"

Katara swallowed the bite of food she had just taken and replied, "Well, not much. Just keeping to myself, going to the library to read, relaxing. Spirits know I haven't been able to lately."

"Oh, yes," Iroh agreed in an odd fashion. "With you taking care of my nephew and all. You two did spend a lot of time together since he was rescued. Now that he is back to good health, I was just curious as to what you were doing now that you aren't at his side night and day."

Zuko's cheeks flushed again, much to Katara's amusement, and he hissed in a warning, "Uncle..."

Iroh shrugged and took another drink out of his cup- judging by his rosy cheeks, it had been probably sake- then replied, "Nephew, you and I both know that she is no longer taking care of you, so she is free to do her own thing. I'm actually wondering what you will do now that your mission is complete?"

She shrugged, then spotted Aang perk up as he listened. "Honestly, I don't know. I haven't thought that far ahead yet."

Iroh nodded sagely, and- maybe her eyes deceived her- he flashed Zuko a peculiar look. Zuko wordlessly glared at his uncle, but then shifted in his seat and continued to eat his food. After he swallowed a few bites, Zuko turned to her and said, "Well, if you are interested you can stay here for a little bit. You never got to see the Fire Nation outside of war and I think it would be a good idea- I mean, only if you want to. I know you told me there were some other things you wanted to do now."

Their eyes met and she smiled at him, feeling her whole body warm and bolt to life when he smiled in return. She dipped her chin down once towards him, then grabbed her cup. "I'll think about it. Thank you for the invitation, Zuko."

He blinked a couple of times, still smiling like an idiot, and then broke their eye contact to stare at his plate. She could have sworn his cheeks reddened again, but she chose to let that little bit of hope inside of her go. It was nothing.

An elbow dug into her side lightly, and she looked over to see Suki grinning at her like an idiot.

"What?"

"I saw that," she whispered conspiratorially.

"Saw what?" Katara's cheeks heated up and she sucked in a breath.

Suki's eyes flashed over to Zuko, then her smile got wider. "That. Now, I'm not going to pry, but whatever you might be feeling shouldn't be denied. I can understand why, so don't keep yourself- or him- in the dark for too long."

Katara sucked in a deep breath and was about to ask Suki what the heck she was talking about, but the Kyoshi Warrior had already turned around to talk to Toph. Frowning, Katara started to turn to look at her plate but her eyes caught Aang's. He was staring at her with some sort of lost puppy dog look that just made her stomach churn and twist with guilt.

Did he know? Had he seen what Suki had apparently seen? Not that it mattered- she and Aang had basically broken up. But if he saw some sort of reaction in her that confirmed his belief that she had feelings for Zuko- which was now unfortunately true- would he accuse her of things she had never done? Would he remove her from his life entirely? Even if they broke up for good, she would never wish to no longer be a part of his life. But maybe that was collateral for having a crush on their mutual best friend. Maybe they could never be as close as they once had.

Soon the dinner was over and Katara excused herself, leaving the banquet hall and heading down the corridor towards the balcony that overlooked the garden. Maybe if she went there, she would have a moment to herself to think about what had happened. She needed to decide what she would do, now that she was no longer really needed here, or where she would go if she decided to leave.

Would she go back home? Or would she stay in the Fire Nation? Both were appealing options. On one hand, she would be able to see her family again and get reintegrated back into her old life. But something deep inside of her told her that she still wanted to see so much of the world, travel across every country without the threat of death looming over her shoulders.

Once Katara reached the balcony, she pushed the curtains aside and let them fall behind her; shrouding her entirely in the moonlight. If she stayed here, she would get to experience the Fire Nation to it's full extent. And then she would get to spend more time with Zuko, which was always a very tempting thought.

And there was always the option of going with Aang, wherever he decided to go. But that seemed so unlikely, and even debating it with herself just caused that pit in her stomach to knot even more to the extent of her wanting to vomit all of her dinner. Since when did the thought of being with Aang sicken her so much? Was it the fact that she has come to realize her affections have been placed with someone else? Or that with Aang came the eminent future of being in a relationship where she no longer felt fulfilled and had to sacrifice what she wanted to make him happy?

"Katara?"

Speak of the devil. She turned around, taking her eyes off of the night sky, and stared right at him. Aang had grown in the past weeks, not enough for just anyone to notice. She could tell though, mainly because of their separation after spending so much time together. There was an uneasiness about standing here alone with him, and it was just reconfirming every thing she had been thinking since he left her two weeks ago.

Aang stepped forward and started, "Look, I wanted to apologize for how I treated you the last time we were together."

She frowned and folded her arms across her chest. "For what exactly do you want to apologize? Running off, accusing me of loving someone else, or being a big possum-chicken head about our potential future?"

He sighed heavily and his shoulders slumped. "All of it, I guess. After I left, I spent the whole time meditating at the Western Air Temple, thinking about what I needed to do and what I should focus on for my future."

"And what did you decide?"

"I realized that you were right," he replied, looking up from the ground and giving her a small smile. "I shouldn't have expected you to sacrifice your heritage and culture to be a part of mine. It's like the situation in Yu Dao... if we want to stay together we should be blended. We are revolutionary in our own right, a symbol of how the world has changed and will change in the future."

Katara smiled at him, and opened her mouth to speak but he held up his hand to stop her.

"Just let me finish," he said, cutting her off and giving off an air of new detachment. "I also realized that you need to understand that as the last of my people, I have the responsibility and duty of bringing back my culture to the way it had been before so I can restore balance to the world. I think any airbending children we have should be completely immersed in Air Nomad ways alone. They can learn about your culture, but it won't be a blended environment like you are envisioning, or like the families in the colonies. I have a duty as an Air Nomad and as the Avatar, and restoring my people and their ways is one of my duties."

Once he finished, Katara felt her stomach drop and her hopes drop with it. He basically claimed to have gone and been enlightened, but this was pretty much what he had been arguing before. Frowning still, Katara tightened her grip on her arms and started, "I'm glad you're being mature about this, Aang. But things have changed, the world has changed. And you need to change with it."

He stared at her dumbly for a moment, but before he could counter she continued, "You claim that in order for us to be together, we have to be blended. We can't have certain standards for just one specific child in our nonexistent family. It's completely unfair to all of us. And what happens if we have a nonbending child or a waterbender? Will they be ignored by you because they aren't like your people? What if I can't have an airbending child? Have you thought about what would you do then?"

Aang stammered, "I- I don't know. I didn't think about it."

Katara frowned and replied, "I know exactly what you would have to do: either divorce me and find a new wife or take up a mistress in order to have an airbender. Like you said: it's your duty to have an airbending child, regardless if it's with me or not."

"I would never do that, Katara!" he exclaimed. "We would figure something out!"

"But that's the thing," she said sadly, shaking her head and looking down at her feet. "I don't think we can..."

Aang took a step back from her. "What are you saying?"

This is it. Looking up and staring Aang down with as much resolve she could muster, Katara took a deep breath and asked, "When did you want to get married to me, Aang?"

Without hesitation, Aang replied, "The beginning of this coming spring."

Her heart sank. "Why?"

He shrugged. "I guess mainly because I want to start our lives together as soon as possible. Like, after we leave here, you can start learning more from the acolytes and we can start trying for children right after we get married-"

"Wait, what?" Katara held up her hands as she interrupted him.

Aang shrugged again and went on, "Well, that way we have more time to have more kids in case any of them don't end up being airbenders, especially since I want to have at least three airbending children to pass on the teachings of my people and the bending arts-"

"Aang, do you even hear yourself?!" Katara shouted, startling him. "We're talking about my body! I should have a say on when I start having children and how many I have. And I do not want to start trying when I'm not even 20! I have so much more to do with my life, so much more to learn! I can't do that with children, not yet."

"I'm sorry, Katara!" Aang cried, taking a step back. "But you have to understand: I'm the last of my people! It's my duty as the Avatar and as the last Air Nomad to bring back my people! I can't be waiting around for who know how long! The sooner more airbenders are brought into this world, the sooner balance will be restored."

Katara took another deep breath to calm herself, then pressed her fingers to her temple and said evenly, "So that means I basically have no choice on when I get to start my family?"

Aang looked crestfallen, and he stared at the ground when he replied, "Isn't this what you wanted? To be with me? You told me yourself that you saw us when you saw the families in Yu Dao... Is that not true anymore?"

She closed her eyes. In her mind, she saw the Morishitas standing together on the street. She saw Kori, dressed in green and red while earthbending at Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation soldiers alike. She saw how happy that family was, despite their physical and cultural differences. In Yu Dao, and the other colonies, they had made their own culture. They were the new world.

Then she saw her future family: Aang holding a young boy, who was dressed in the yellow and orange student robes of the Air Nomads. And Katara was standing apart from them, holding the hand of a little blue eyed girl, who was bending the water at their feet. They didn't look happy as they watched Aang bend the air with the young boy, both of them laughing as Katara and her daughter stood at a distance. As Air Nomads, they would be travelling from temple to temple learning about Aang's culture. But Katara would either be left with their waterbending daughter, explaining why her father only took her brother on vacation, or going with them but getting left out because they were different.

Katara then saw herself holding a baby girl, lightly tanned skin and straight brown hair, wrapped in a dark red blanket. Katara was singing a soft Water Tribe lullaby when the girl opened her eyes, revealing twinkling gold crinkled up by a crooked smile. Another child- a boy- ran up to her, the same tan skin and curly black hair pulled into a ponytail, and tugged on her robes, looking up to her with wide blue eyes like her own. He then showed her a ball of fire that appeared from the palm of his hand. Their father approached her, wearing his normal red and black robes, with some silver and gold accents on the mantle. He gave her a peck on the forehead and took the baby girl from her arms, cradling her against his chest and kissing her little cheek. Happiness swelled in her heart, because this was the type of family she wanted.

She blinked a few times, realizing her little fantasy was over. Aang was still staring at her when she sighed and shook her head. "Aang... All I've wanted since I could remember was for the war to end. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine meeting the Avatar and helping him save the world, let alone end up being the one he wanted to be with... But when we want two different things, it's hard to imagine a life where we can harmoniously live together with a blended family.

"Now that the war is over, we can think of peace," she continued, watching him as tears began to slowly fall out of his eyes, "but that peace will be fought for every single day. You duties as the Avatar will probably interfere with having a the type of family I want. And, yes, I want to settle down at some point and have a family, but only at the time that I decide. You deciding for me without my consent just shows me how little you value my opinion and independence. I am not a prize to be won, and I am not going to be a baby maker for you. I want to have children, and I don't want to have to care about what type of bender they might end up being because the world's balance depends on it."

Aang's tears began falling even harder and he tried in vain to wipe them away. "So... I'm guessing this is it, then?"

She nodded once, then looked away. "It was my dream to have the Avatar return to the world and restore balance... You brought me hope when I thought the world would be nothing but darkness... You're the reason I'm here today and that I've learned everything I know. But that only does so much... When you can't compromise in any type of relationship, the best solution is to walk away so you don't sacrifice what you want just to make someone else happy."

He agreed, sniffling, as he nodded, too. "All I ever wanted was to make you happy."

Katara gave him a watery smile, feeling her own eyes prickle with the onset of tears. "And you did. I just can't do the same for you anymore."

Aang took her hand, tears still falling, and he smiled sadly. "I'll always love you, Katara."

She stopped herself from sobbing, but instead sniffed and let her own tears cascade down her cheeks. "I'll always love you, too, Aang..."

He nodded, blinking several times before leaning in and kissing her chastely on the cheek. Without another word, he let go of her hand and walked away. It wasn't until the curtains fell behind him that she let herself truly cry. They weren't just sad tears, though. They were tears of relief, as well. It felt as if a heavy weight was lifted off of her shoulders and fluttered away into the night.

For some reason, she now felt truly free.

When he knocked, he didn't expect for her to answer. In all reality, he had assumed she turned in early for the night and didn't even want to talk. And when Aang came to him with tears in his eyes and let him know that he was leaving already, Zuko couldn't help but think that she was the reason. So he undressed himself, pulled on his more casual clothes and tied his hair out of his eyes. The palace was quiet, fortunately, so Zuko made it to her room without any interruptions. It was when he finally knocked on her door that he realized he might be making a mistake.

"Come in."

Her voice sounded small and a little broken from behind the wood, and Zuko felt the compulsive need to just barrel in and wrap her in a bone crushing hug. For some reason, though a little uncharacteristic of him to desire that, it just seemed like the right thing to do.

He pushed the door open and walked in, then gently closed it behind him. The room was dimly lit by two lanterns, and he could see her silhouette on the windowsill, looking out towards the stars. She was dressed in just a gossamer-thin red dress, feet bare as they dangled from her seat. Her hair was pulled from the small braids and circlet and fell in curls that curtained around her shoulders.

Zuko hesitantly stepped towards her, now almost right behind her. "Are you okay?"

"Who's to say?" Katara replied with a shrug, still looking out the window. "I just officially ended things with my boyfriend of four years, the man I thought I might marry, because I realized we wanted different things."

His heart flipped at that news. Though he knew of the tension between the two, he never actually expected for them to break up for good. It made his heart soar and his mind go straight to thoughts of him declaring his undying love and devotion to her. But she couldn't know about any of that, so he masked his excitement as best as he could. "Like what?"

Sighing, Katara turned from her perch and looked to him. "He understands that as a couple, our cultures need to blend and not overshadow one another. But he said that once we have airbending kids, they should be completely immersed in Air Nomad culture so he can rebuild his nation."

Zuko took a couple more measured steps towards her. "That's not very fair."

Katara seemed to agree, exasperatedly, because she exhaled heavily and threw up her hands. "No, it's not. And I realized that if we have children that are waterbenders or nonbenders as well as airbenders he might neglect them so he can teach the airbender how to be an Air Nomad. It wouldn't be fair, that with him having to be gone a lot for Avatar stuff."

"What would you rather have?" Zuko countered. "A life like that or a family where it was all of your cultures and traditions?"

Katara stared him down, chewing on her lip, before she closed her eyes and deflated a little. "Neither. I would rather have a marriage where there is love and understanding, and compromises with the traditions. Probably even create our own because we would be new and completely different from other families. No one should have more say in what we do. Or when we do it. It would be the same way all around, regardless of where my future husband comes from."

There was something else in her voice, hiding underneath what she had said. Something different than what she was actually talking about. "This isn't just about the culture stuff."

She looked away and out her window once more. "He wanted to get married in the spring so we could start has soon as possible on making new airbenders."

Something in Zuko's stomach twisted and he felt the overwhelming desire to gag. "You're only 19."

"I know!" she cried. "He has plenty of time to procreate some nomads. But right now, I still want to see the world without fire nipping at my heels. Or maybe even go home for a year or two before venturing out again. I'm still young and don't have the threat of premature death anymore."

Zuko closed the distance between them and sat next her on the windowsill. "Katara, I think taking time for yourself is a great idea. And..." he sighed and rubbed his eye with the heel of his hand, "maybe you can tell Aang that it's what you want. He'll understand."

Katara's shoulders dropped as she heaved out another sigh. "I tried. He shot it down saying that the earlier we start, the more we can have. He told me he wants at least three airbending children to pass on the ways of his people! Three! That's 27 months pregnant. Two and a half years working on that. And not to mention the waiting periods in between birth and conception of a new kid, that's an extra two months per child, at minimum. So 33 months- let's round up to three years total. But I want the baby to be at least one before we start trying again, so now it's six years. I'll be 25 and done by the time the third is born, but that's only if they're all airbenders! What if I keep having waterbenders or nonbenders? I really don't want to have more than three kids, so unless I have an airbender in all of those three pregnancies, I'll either have to force my body to have another child or Aang will have to take on a mistress to have one for him if I can't do it for him-"

Zuko put his hands on her shoulders. "Katara calm down-"

"-And I feel like he will do whatever it takes to have an airbender, and I don't want to let him down so I might have to have an armada of children in order for him to have airbenders-"

"Katara, stop!" he shouted, causing her to freeze and stare at him with wide eyes. Zuko then took a deep breath and started, "Look, this is how I see it: you get to decide what you want, because it's your body that will be dealing with the pressure of children- not his. So when you say you're done, you're done. And if you want to travel, do it. If Aang truly loves you, he will wait."

Tears began to form in her eyes. "I don't think he will anymore... I told him that we're through because he couldn't see things from my side."

Zuko cupped one of her cheeks, stroking the soft skin with the pad of his thumb. "Then he's a stupid, stupid boy who won't realize how selfish and idiotic he was because he lost a beautiful and amazing woman like you."

Katara blushed, blinking away her tears as she grabbed the hand holding her cheek. "Thank you, Zuko."

Not even hesitating, Zuko leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her. "Hey, that's what best friends are for right? You would be here for me if I was having an emotional breakdown."

"Hey!"

"Sorry," he chuckled lowly, still holding onto her. "I think what you need is time for yourself. You've barely known yourself alone without the pressures of war or outside of a relationship. It does your soul some good. Trust me."

Her head moved under his chin and he could feel her breath tickling his neck. "Is that what it did for you?"

He nodded, scratching her slightly with the subtle scruff growing on his chin. "I think I gained some wisdom by focusing mainly on myself and my country. Having to juggle a fragile relationship and an even more fragile country just wasn't good for me. Once I figured out who I was outside of a relationship, I learned what I wanted and better understood myself. It was enlightening, really."

Katara took a deep breath and let it out slowly, melting more into the hug as she buried her head into Zuko's chest. "I guess that's what I need."

His heart was flipping, but he had to look her in the eye. So he let go and held her at arm's distance, locking his eyes on her and giving her a warm smile. "How about this: you take one of my ostrich horses and travel the world for a while. I'll give you money and supplies and you can do whatever you want. Then come back here for the Harmony Summit at the end of next summer. Sound good to you?"

She looked a little unconvinced and was frowning. "But when would I leave?"

He shrugged. "Whenever you want. I'm not going to tell you what to do."

Katara smiled at him, then pulled him back into their hug. His heart did that stupid leaping thing again and he had to tell himself not to get ahead of himself. She just broke up with Aang, and needed a friend to console her, not woo her. So instead he rubbed her back and let out a heavy breath. She tightened her arms around him and nuzzled her face against his neck. As soon as she did that, he knew his heart was hammering in his chest and she was bound to hear it. His feelings for her were bound to come to light now.

"Zuko?"

"Hmm?"

Katara pulled out of the hug, looking up at him with her big and beautiful blue eyes. His breath caught in his throat and for a moment he thought he would just stop breathing all together. How could she not know what she was doing to him? It was so obvious now. And as he waited for her to speak, transfixed on her gaze as they searched his eyes for something- what, he didn't know- he swallowed down the tightening in his throat.

Her hand went up and cupped the side of his face, but this time his right cheek. Her finger traced the new little scar above his eye, then she lifted her other hand and cupped the other side of his face. Her thumbs stroked his cheeks- one a phantom feeling of the other- and her eyes remained locked on his. In that moment, it seemed as if his heart skipped a beat, then started back up in that annoying hammering pattern that echoed into his ears.

Katara's mouth opened as if she was going to speak, but all at once she sighed and her hands dropped away from his face- taking his hopes along with them. She turned away from him, frowning as she rubbed her arm with her other hand. "I do think it would be best if I went out on my own for a while. You were right... I need to know and love myself before I can be with someone."

Zuko nodded dumbly, wanting to know what exactly had gone through her mind to make her end that moment between them so abruptly. That nagging part in the back of his mind reminded him it was because she just broke up with Aang, the boy she had been in love with since as long as he knew her. And that same part told him it was because there was no moment between them, and it was just something in which his imagination had gotten carried away. She didn't feel the same about him as he did her. It could never be likely, not someone as wonderful as she was.

Slowly, Zuko stood. "Just let me know when you decide to go. I can set up all of the travelling arrangements for you as soon as you want."

Katara stood as well, eyes lingering on his. "Thank you so much... You don't know how much it means to me that you're supporting me."

They were standing face to face, and when their eyes met again it felt like Zuko's heart was going to explode. Though he knew it probably would never be reciprocated, Zuko took her hand and squeezed it gently. With a smile, he said softly, "Like I said: what are friends for?"

This time, it was Katara who nodded dumbly, causing her hair to fall into her face and over her shoulder. Zuko took his free hand and pushed it away and behind her ear- fingers grazing her skin ever so slightly. It seemed as if a shiver ran through her body and her eyes closed.

They stayed like that for a while, until he took a deep breath and took his hands away from her. Her eyes opened, disappointment filling them, and she just watched as he took a step back and said, "It's getting late. I better turn in for the night."

She blinked a few times. "Right... Me too. Sokka wants to have breakfast with me so I better get some sleep."

Zuko gave her a small smile and headed towards her door with her right on his heels. As soon as he was through the door, he turned back around. "Listen, things will get better. I promise. It may not seem like it right now but as soon as you realize that you deserve better, you will get it."

Katara flashed him a bright grin and hugged him lightly once more. For some reason, Zuko couldn't fight his impulse anymore. Despite his better judgement, he leaned down and pressed his lips against the skin of her cheek. He lingered for a moment, feeling his mind whirl and heart erupt. When he pulled away, he was reassured a little when he saw her cheeks flare pink.

His hand slipped from hers and he took another step back. "Good night, Katara."

And without another word, he turned away and walked down the hallway. It wasn't until he was laying in his bed that he realized that he probably will never get down from that high ever again, and if he were to die right now it would be worth it.

Zuko walked away from her and there was something in her body screaming for her to follow him and get a proper kiss instead of one on her cheek. But he had disappeared around a corner before her feet listened and moved from where they had practically frozen to the floor. So she walked back into her room and quietly shut the door behind her, now left alone with the loudness of her thoughts and the erratic beating of her heart.

It was then that Katara pressed her back against the door, smiling as she chewed her lower lip between her teeth. The warm fluttering in her chest didn't leave, and intensified when the thought of Zuko smiling at her flashed through her mind. It was as she was walking towards her bed that what Azula and Aang has said to her all those weeks ago rang in her ears. It made her heart hurt, her head spin with realization and sudden clarity.

She dropped onto her bed, forgetting she was dressed in the thin underlayer from her gown, and stared at the wall in front of her. How could she not see it before? It was so plainly obvious now, right in front of her eyes as clear as day. She may have not been able to fully acknowledge it before, but now there was no avoiding it.

Her obsession on finding him, her insistent need to tend to him and bring him back to health, the way her mind always wandered to him and desired for his touch and presence. It made so much sense now.

She was in love with Zuko.

...

A knife twirled above his hand, glinting with the setting sunlight and a reflection of the flame behind him.

"Are you sure that's who came to rescue him?"

The man behind him nodded, his blackened eye twitching in fear. "Positive. Rikon even said she was in the tavern before they found us. She had been asking about Yura and beat him up for information on the whereabouts of the Fire Lord."

The knife stopped twirling mid-air, and he turned in his chair to look at the man behind him face to face. "And her location now?"

Then man trembled in his place, then swallowed a big gulp before answering, "The Fire Nation capital. In the palace, to be exact. But our intel says she plans on leaving soon now that the Fire Lord has been completely healed. The Avatar left shortly after arriving."

Nodding, the man in the chair looked back to the knife and grinned, "You have served me well, Sina. Don't take this personally, but we need as much discretion in regards to this mission as possible. Yura's lack of secrecy was his downfall, and I will not make that same mistake."

With a twitch in his face, the knife pointed right towards Sina's heart and soared across the room- so fast it went right through him and was impaled on the wall behind him. Just as Sina fell to the floor, lifeless, the knife began dripping blood against the wall.

The man sighed and shook his head, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket. With another twitch of his hand, the knife was pulled from the wall and soared back to him. He grasped it gently and wiped the blood away, then tucked it into a small pouch on his hip. He stood, then walked over towards his window that overlooked the bustling streets of the walled city.

"By this time next week," he murmured to himself, "Avatar Aang, Master Katara and Fire Lord Zuko will all be dead. And this, and every other city in the world, will go into chaos."

fin

For now...

A/N oh boy... Well that's the end of Against All Odds. Thanks for sticking around, everyone. I hope you liked it and now you can go check out Jagged Edge, the sequel.

Attend well,

Pearlynn.

Updated and revised on 11 May 2017.