DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Avatar: The Last Airbender. I don't own anything related to it. I earn no money from this. In fact, I earn nothing from it but my own enjoyment. I make no profit from my writings and don't want to; they're based on someone else's work and I would rather make my own way.

Thank you for your reviews!

AnnaAza: Thank you. I hope the next chapter doesn't disappoint.

XxEvilMasterMindxX: I don't know what it is, but I'm sure that it can be busted up no matter which way we look at it. Though I slightly agree about Azula, but I can't have much sympathy when she attacked Zuko all the time.

Meegan: No, no, it's fine. And…of course he does! He's the sexy Firebender. He has to confuse girls; they're all attracted to him. And thank you! I hope the chapter doesn't disappoint.

My Soldier of Irrationality: Thank you! I hope this update doesn't disappoint.

cuzimaw3som317: No, no. As in the summary, the pairing is Zutara. I'm just following canon up to the end of the series and then things will start to deteriorate. And thank you for that last part, as well. I hope the chapter doesn't disappoint.

ZutaraOwnzKataangSux69: Again, I'm following canon to the end of the series and then I'll start breaking down the relationships realistically. Hopefully the chapter has enough Zutara to suit you. Thank you for the review.

This chapter takes place in the last episode and ends at the end of said episode. After this chapter, the Zutara will begin. So to speak. Enjoy.

Change

Chapter Six

For the first time, Katara woke long before Zuko. Her body was well-rested, thanks to his softy and cushy bed, but her mind was still turbulent and she struggled with her memories for a few seconds. She was again too hot for it to be normal, but then she realized that, once more, she was sleeping next to Zuko. She very gently rolled herself over, so that she could face him, and found that he looked much better than the night before. He looked tired, true enough, but she could see that most of his pain was gone and sleep had been his companion through the entire night.

He had gotten plenty of rest, she could see, and she sat up slowly. She didn't want to wake him. But she did reach out and put her fingers against his neck, touching his pulse. The beat of his heart had slowed to a very normal, healthy rhythm and his breathing was deep and even.

He would be okay.

She gently slipped off his bed and quietly asked one of his servants if there was a place she could bathe. Her effort from healing him had left her a little sticky from sweat and she wanted to clean that off.

They pointed her in the right direction, but before she went, she looked at them. "If anyone hurts him, they're going to face me. Do you understand that?"

The guards at his room nodded and so did the servants who were waiting for him to wake. "You saved us from Azula's madness. Both of you did. We would never hurt him."

There was a long pause while she watched them for lies. But they were telling the truth, and soon after, she slipped down the hall and was able to wash off. When she returned, she found Zuko sitting up, eating a bit of breakfast. There wasn't much, but he seemed quite content with the amount. It was clear that he was still sore, but he would be fine in time. She had healed him better than most other people might have been able to do, really; as a powerful Waterbender, she was also an amazing healer. She allowed herself to stand in the doorway for several moments, and then, finally, she padded over to him. He looked up at her, a very small smile on his face. "Katara." He looked at the servants who were waiting by his bed, and he dismissed them for the moment. He'd rather have just Katara there, truth be told.

When they were gone, he gestured for her to join him on the bed. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"They said you are quite frightening. You threatened them." There was a little, teasing smile on his face that revealed a small glint in his eyes. He was happy.

"You saved my life, Zuko. It's only fair that I protect you." She was smiling, too.

He smiled a bit, but then pulled out a small roll of parchment and handed it to her. "I think you might want to read that."

There was a small pause, but she untied the tiny string holding it closed and began reading. She came very close to hugging him but just barely stopped herself; he was too sore, and she was on his bad side. "They're alright!" It was a soft and relieved gasp, and she pressed one hand gently against her heart. "And they'll be here sometime today?"

It was a little unclear in the note, but Zuko smiled softly. She had been much more worried than she'd let on. "Yes. They just crossed the Fire Nation borders this morning, probably about the time you woke up. They're on their way."

She let out a deep breath, relieved, and then thought for several moments. She leaned in and softly kissed Zuko's cheek. "Thank you. This is…just a…relief." She couldn't think of a better word than that, too excited and happy to think too much.

He laughed, even though it hurt. "Of course, Katara. I wouldn't hide it from you. I thought you might want to know that they're all safe."

She paused for several seconds, and then sighed. "I did. I was worried about them. After we all split up…I mean, we've never done that before. We always work together. And we couldn't find Aang, and…"

He reached out and touched her hand. "I know, Katara. But everything is okay now. They're all safe and they'll be here soon."

She smiled a little bit, delighted. That was more than likely the most wonderful part of this day; knowing they would soon be there. She saw Zuko smile, too, and she felt the joy grow. "And you're safe, too. I'm sorry about the scar."

"I told you, Katara. Look at my face and tell me I can't take another scar that will almost constantly be covered." He was still smiling. "It just goes to show that I'm stronger than Azula…and that I have better friends."

This time, Katara's smile was very, very wide. "You are strong, Zuko."

He smiled just a little bit, but soon, he was leaning back in to his pillows, trying to rest, if only a little bit. He was still rather sore and sleep would help him, but he didn't want to sleep through the entire day. A few minutes of rest and he decided he wanted to get up, try and walk around a little bit. Maybe even get a bath. The hot water would help him. Katara helped him the whole way; she helped him to his feet, and supported him when he needed it on the way through the halls. Several of the servants ran a bath for him, but he turned down the offer for their help. He had already asked Katara to help him. He wouldn't be bare, of course, but he also trusted her.

He allowed himself to sink all the way down in to the water, even his head, and he allowed the hot water to sooth some of the pain away. Though he was still somewhat weak, he used his own bending to superheat it just long enough that it caused pain, and then slowly allowed the water to cool. He finally allowed himself to surface and he looked up at Katara. "Come on. I'm not going to bite you, and the water's not too hot for even you."

She hesitated for several seconds. She wasn't very…sure of this. But Zuko needed her help, and she wouldn't just walk away. She stripped off her outer clothing and slipped in to the water with him. "I'm not worried about that. You just saved my life, Zuko. I don't think you're going to do anything to me."

"Then what is it?" He paused, apparently realizing what was going on. "Katara, that's not going to happen. I just trust you more than anyone else here. I'm not…" He didn't get to continue.

"Okay, okay." She was blushing now.

He smiled and released a small, soft chuckle. But he did his best to sit up in the water, and he finally looked at his stomach. The scar wasn't nearly as brutal as he expected, and wasn't anything like the one on his face. In fact, in comparison, it was…really quite a gentle mark. He started laughing, but he had to hold it down; it shifted his stomach and muscles, too, and even with the hot water, he was sore. "Katara, that's nothing. Please don't worry about it anymore."

She blinked several times. "But there's a spot bigger than my fist on your abs. That doesn't bother you?" On his well-formed abs, for that matter. She was fairly sure he'd worked very hard to get himself in this sort of shape.

"No. Not at all."

She found herself smiling for some inexplicable reason and she shook her head. But she reached for the cloth the servants had set aside for him, lathering it with some soap. It seemed a luxury when, on the journey, they hadn't been able to carry it around with them—it had been a hassle to try and keep up with it, in fact—and had, therefore, relied purely on running water to clean themselves. Usually rivers. "Alright, tell me if I hurt you. I know you're still sore." It was a murmur.

He leaned forward for her to take care of his back first. It would be much less sore than the front of him, he thought, though he admitted that it hurt a bit. By the time she moved to his stomach, he was holding his breath. She'd gotten his back and arms, his chest, his legs, and, much to his surprise, even his feet. He knew this was going to hurt. A lot. She looked at him from under her lashes. "I'm sorry, Zuko."

The cloth touched his skin and he gasped sharply, feeling the pain to his very core. She wasn't even on the scar! But he gritted his teeth and refused to cry, even when she touched that sensitive spot. He motioned for her to get out, and just when she escaped he heated the water again. It burned immensely, but the heat soon soothed some of the pain and he sighed deeply. She watched him for several minutes, and then told him she would ask one of his servants in so that he could clean the…last portion of his body that she just had not wanted anything to do with.

She returned to help him dress and walked with him back to his room. She wrapped his body gently, hoping that, if it was tight enough, it might keep him from moving too much. That way, some of the pain wouldn't strike him so much. His subjects, servants, and guards came in after that, saying they needed to talk to him in private. He tried to protest, but Katara shook her head. She would go outside and search the skies for Appa, get some fresh air, perhaps walk around a little bit. Though she was over her hate for the Firebender, she also needed her own space for a little while.

When she decided to go back inside to find Zuko and check on him, she stopped at the door. Mai was…there. She was back. She couldn't help but watch when they kissed. Zuko definitely hadn't kissed her that way, and Katara almost wished he had. The way he held her, the way he kissed her, the way he looked at her…he loved Mai. The kiss was almost painful to watch, because, though Zuko had kissed her passionately, with fire, it became very obvious that he hadn't kissed her with love. But she did love Aang, and, one day, she was sure that they would have what Zuko and Mai had.

Later that day, she found out just what the big deal was. Everyone was here but Aang. Even those who were on the invasion plan were set free from the prisons and had been brought back here now, and she found Sokka and her father. Sokka's leg was hurt, apparently, but she was sure that he'd be okay. Suki was there, and Toph. Everyone.

But where was Aang? Sokka finally told her that he was okay. They were all in the courtyard where she and Zuko had defeated his horrible, horrible sister. They were waiting for something.

Katara finally found out. Zuko came out at the top of the stairs…and he was wearing the robes of the Fire Lord. Applause and cheering. Then, he had hushed them…and out came Aang. He was wearing yellow, but it was different than normal. He was now a fully realized Avatar, she realized, and tears started to fill her eyes. Her Aang was a full Avatar, finally, and Ozai was defeated. Zuko's speech was wonderful, and they shortly crowned him.

Fire Lord Zuko. It was a fitting title, and the realization of all they had worked to do. Now, they could begin rebuilding the world.

He joined them, and so did Mai, and Suki, flying to Ba Sing Se. They had worked hard to restore order in the city and begin the repairs and rewrite many rules and now, they wanted a break. They were going to see his uncle. The tea shop was open again, and Zuko took the liberty of making tea for the lot of them. Iroh had a rather large smile on his face. He was so, so proud of his nephew and could not imagine feeling more joy than he did at that moment.

Aang left them. He went outside, looking down at the city. The walls parting each level were being taken down. A new freedom was forming here, and the White Lotus members were helping create it. The king had even returned to his throne and all was going so very well. But this sunset, he wanted to spend relishing his own freedom. He had done it. There was no impending doom awaiting his power. There were rough days to come, but right now, tonight, he wanted to breathe in the clean air and think only of what the future would be, not what would get them there. And in this warm evening, it was the perfect atmosphere to stop his thoughts and just…daydream.

Katara joined him shortly after that. She smiled at him, and for the first time since their victory, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, hugging her. He held her close, and she clung to him in the very same manner. He was safe. All was well. She was with the man she loved and, though it would be tough to love the Avatar when she was sure that he would be traveling around the world, helping people, she would go with him. She had been with him this long.

She pulled away from him and, after a few seconds, she made her decision. She leaned in and softly met his lips with hers. It was only a soft and timid kiss, but she loved the feeling it gave her and her arms wrapped around his neck.

Aang was sure that this was what perfection was.

End Chapter

I hope this chapter didn't disappoint, and again, after this one the other relationships will start to break down. So yay for more Zutara!

I really appreciate reviews!