Chapter One

(Permanent Monday)

A tiny sliver of bright moon hung, still, in the deep midnight sky. The radiance that beamed from the sharp slice taken from the black made the snow on the ground glitter like silver and the frozen ocean shine like diamonds. Everything had been well in the Southern Water Tribe since the war had ended. Of course there were the frequent snowstorms and blizzards that had always plagued the people living in those arctic conditions. But no one could be blamed for the weather.

However, life as the only waterbender in the whole nation was a lonely one… even if you were a princess of sorts. Katara had often wondered why she couldn't go to extravagant dances or just be girly, like the other princesses. Unfortunately, she knew that her duty was to be a normal child until she turned 18. Then Sokka would inherit the position of Chief and she would be second in command (vice chief?) Nevertheless, her blue eyes were always seeming to lack that shine they had three whole years ago. Katara had never been quite the same since she left the firenation. Hakoda had the impression that his daughter just wanted to see her old friends again. She hadn't had contact with them since just after Zuko's coronation. They had drifted, just like old friends do. As a father, Hakoda didn't have the heart to tell his daughter that she may never see Aang or Toph or Zuko again.

Katara looked up at the moon each night and watched it grow, and then shrink. Every full moon she fought with herself to keep from hurting someone she loved. Suki and Sokka had even bound her wrists together with cloth once. She would never forget that full moon… it was the first one since she had left the palace in the firenation. At times, the feeling of deep loss and despair settled in Katara's stomach, a feeling associated with both the loss of her mother and (though she never admitted it,) Zuko. Nights were like a living hell anymore; nightmares terrified the girl so bad that she often woke up screaming and stayed up until morning just crying by a fire.

Then there was that constant thought in the back of Katara's mind… When she closed her eyes she saw him. He haunted her dreams like a nightmare gone far too good. Fear was always clinging to her subconscious that she was going to accidentally blurt out the name that she had kept so sacred and so hidden for all this time. Time… time had changed her. Before, Katara had been happy with her life in the Southern Water Tribe. She used to be content with the small family and few friends that she held dear. But now… she wanted more. There was a desire to do things she had never done before. Things like swimming in the icy waters around her. Anything to give her the same feeling that she had years ago. Some days, she asked herself deep questions. What's the point? Why? Is he thinking about me too?

One morning, Katara opened her eyes to the sun reflecting off the floor of her hut. She blinked against the light. You rise with the moon. I rise with the sun. The words echoed in her head. In a daze, she sat up and pulled on a heavy coat, silently thinking that she had never had to do this while they were in disguise in the Firenation. But, of course, she never said a word to anyone. "Good morning, Gran Gran." The girl said sleepily as she stepped out of her hut.

"Good morning? You slept in, dear. Its nearly noon." The old woman nodded her head toward the sky, and then to the children playing nearby.

"Gran Gran! I am so sorry! I guess I'm not feeling myself." Katara apologized, offering a hand to hold a piece of the pelt Gran Gran was cutting. The fur was like a warm blanket, covering her outstretched arms. It was sad to know that it used to belong to an animal, it used to keep him warm and him safe. But now, he was dead. Everyone has to make sacrifices… I guess. Memories flashed through Katara's mind for the first time in two years. She saw… actually saw all the sacrifices that she had made in her life. A silent hand went up to the necklace dangling from the girl's neck, in remembrance of both people who had given it to her.

"Its alright. Today is a lazy day anyway. What's been bothering you lately, Katara." Gran Gran asked, putting down the piece of fur in her hands.

Katara's eyes danced around her grandmother's face, examining each line and wrinkle. "Gran Gran… its nothing. Really. You know… just teen stuff."

"Oh, I see. But you haven't been the same since you left your friends. I think you need to go see them. You miss them."

Katara laughed. "Gran Gran, I haven't seen them in years. Besides, last I heard Toph and Aang were dating."

The elderly woman nodded. "But what about that tall fellow you used to hang around with?"

"I haven't heard from him either," she lied a small, sad frown appearing on her face. Zuko had sent countless letters for the first year of their separation. None of them were ever opened. But they were all burned.

"I see. You didn't get along to well with him anyway, so I've heard." Her eyes quickly darted to her grandson, who was helping his father chop wood.

"No. We didn't." Katara put simply. She picked up a needle and some thread and began sewing together two pieces of dried animal hide. Just then, a boy Katara knew from the invasion on the fire nation on the day of the eclipse walked up to them. His dark hair and bright eyes reminded her of someone she used to know.

"Hey Katara," he started, nervously rubbing the back of his hand. Katara looked over her shoulder at him, but didn't say a word. The boy sighed. "I was wondering… maybe you and I could…"

"No." Katara replied quickly, her voice bitter and her eyes flaming.

"Well, I just wanted--"

Katara turned around sharply, dropping the fur to the ground. "I SAID NO!" She yelled. "WHAT DON'T YOU GET ABOUT NO! ITS TWO LETTERS… N…O… NOOO!"

"Jeesh… okay, I'm sorry. I'll leave now." He held up his hands in defeat and backed away slowly. Katara picked up the fur at her feet and turned back to the table where a shocked Gran Gran looked at her.

"What?" She asked annoyed. Her grandmother looked away, still surprised at Katara's actions.

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That night Katara dreamed of a boy with dark hair and golden eyes. First, they were stuck together in a glowing green room. A strange feeling was sent through her body as she saw her hand touch the boy's face. Just as her fingers made contact with his scarred skin, the scene changed and suddenly she was standing under a crumbling ceiling and the boy from the cave jumped and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her out of the way. They hit the ground and Katara twitched, then the scene changed again. She was thrown into a position that was only used to blood bend. She saw the boy's eyes widen in shock, then he turned away and started yelling at a man in fire nation garb. The next thing she knew she was hugging the boy. Images began flashing quickly through her head… she and the boy were sitting by a lake, she went under the water and the boy jumped in after her, a scared expression on his face. They were in a dark cell, she was being beaten and the boy was so afraid. She was hurt so the boy held her and searched desperately for help. When they found it, the boy and the healer knew each other… they were family. Slowly Katara saw herself fall for those golden eyes. Eventually, they kissed. But they couldn't tell anyone how they felt about one another. So they hid it. Another feeling was stabbed through her body as she watched the boy jump in front of her… he fell to the ground. Only then did Katara hear his name.

"Zuko!" She yelled, sitting straight up in bed. The girl bit her lip and tears pricked the back of her eyes as a hand flew up to her mouth to muffle a sob. Her teary eyes shot over to the fire smoldering on the hearth. Crying quietly, she walked over to the fire and warmed her hands. "This is not fair," she murmured, clenching her fists so tight that her fingernails left little half moons in her palms. "Please," she whispered, tilting her head toward the sky. "Just give me a break!"

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Just Talking

Woot, chappie one… done! Now, I'm doing the sequel a little different. Each chapter is based on a song. The song will be the title of the Chapter and located below the chapter number Chapter One…. Permanent Monday. I'm going to be alternating POVs until our characters come together. Each chappie will be all in one of Zuko or Katara's POV. But in 3rd person… I don't like to write in first person. Don't know why… just don't.

\/SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS!\/

If you want a preview for the next chapter listen to the song To Be With You by David Archuleta. That's only if you want a little spoiler. If you want an even bigger spoiler for a much later chapter listen to Run To You by Lady Antebellum.

Other Stuff

Okay, enough spoilers… Lol. What do you think. Not much Zutara but I made it as Zutarian a first chapter can be… the dream was my fave part to write. It is choppy on purpose, who remembers their dreams perfectly???? OH speaking of dreams, I had a dream last night that I was watchin the New MOVIE it looked really good in my head… I am still unhappy with the casting… and it will be hard to be a zutarian when the zu looks like poo. L :'( Sorry Dev, you would have made a better Sokka… ACK!!!

~She Poe