Growing Up

Prologue:

Katara stared at her shaking hands, delicately folded in her lap. Tears were fresh on her cheeks, and her eyes were vacant. She was drawn away from her thoughts as someone sat down beside her. Katara looked up and into Firelord Zuko's concerned tawny eyes.

"Katara, are you alright?" Katara quickly wiped away her tears.

"Yeah, I just...I had a really...vivid nightmare." She paused and stared at the sky. "I'm waiting for Suki." Zuko stiffened, and his face changed fractionally.

"Oh." Katara sighed at the implications his word carried.

"Don't worry. I know. That's why I'm waiting for her." She glanced back up at the sky, then eyed Zuko warily. "How did you find out?" Zuko laughed dryly.

"He's my bodyguard. How could I not know?" Katara sighed again and Zuko stood up. "Well, good luck Katara." Katara smiled in return, and continued to wait.

Katara stood to greet Suki, and took a moment to look her over. Suki's red hair was pulled back, and she wore a simple green kimono. Suki smiled warmly at Katara.

"Hey Katara! I came as soon as I got your letter. What's up?" Katara motioned for Suki to sit down on the bench she had previously occupied. Katara took a deep breath and surveyed her surroundings, trying to delay the words that she knew had to be spoken.

They were on Ember Island for the next month for Zuko and Mai's wedding, and the weather was warm and beautiful. Katara could only stare at the sky for so long before Suki sent her a questioning stare.

"Suki, Sokka wants to marry you." As Suki opened her mouth, Katara held up a hand. "So you can either stop sleeping with Haru and marry Sokka, or you can break things off with him." Suki's head dropped in shame.

"I really do love Sokka. You just have to understand, I didn't really have a chance to be a regular teenager. I'm just not ready to settle down." Katara glared, anger carving through her body.

"You know what, my childhood wasn't exactly a walk on the beach either. My mom was killed when I was little. My poor father had to explain the cycle to me! But you don't see me cheating on Aang!" Katara stopped yelling and took a moment to center herself. "Look. I haven't told Sokka yet, but I will if you don't figure out what you want." Katara turned, and stormed off, her long hair swirling out behind her.

A/N:

Hi there! So, this is the prologue for what is turning out to be a pretty long story. I hope to update as much as possible. Unfortunately, I'm having to work off of Wordpad, so if there are any errors, please let me know and I will do my best to correct them. Thank you for reading!