One Choice Changed

A Zutara FanFiction

By AvatarReborn13

Chapter 1

"Buds Blossoming"

Zuko POV-

"So, Fire Lord Zuko? What are your thoughts?"

My head snaps up and I look around a wide, circular table at insistent faces. My throat goes dry, which isn't unusual for a firebender. Blushing a tomato color, I ask sheepishly, "Umm… can you please repeat that statement General?"

Sighing, the burly General responds irritated, "The sentence for Ozai, Fire Lord. Should he be sentenced to life in prison? His bending is already taken away, so no need for any fear of retaliation…"

The General's words were useless. My mind fogs up and images of my father take over my brain; and not for the first time. My father burning my face, banishing me from the Fire Nation, and his smug face, telling me I was no good in life. Slamming my hands down on the table, I half-yell, "What does it matter? Do whatever you want with him, he has no relations with me anymore!"

Scraping my chair back, I rush back to my quarters, feeling anger rise through my body. My father. I want no affiliation with that, that monster! Turning a corner, I run into Katara. Startled, I trip over my boots and fall on my back.

"Oh my gosh, sorry Zuko, I mean Fire Lord, ugh, I mean…"

Katara, obviously flustered, scrambles for the right words. Standing up, I half-smile and shrug my shoulders. "No problem, it was my fault. See you later."

I rush away, concealing my bright red face as I head back to my room. Running my hand through my mess of hair, I realize I shouldn't be acting so awkward with Katara, let alone the rest of my… friends. It's weird, using that word, but I guess after I went against my father and took the lightning for Katara, people are starting to act like I am part of the team now. It's been a week since my coronation, but it still feels like I am that banished prince.

Finally, I arrive at my room. Squinting at a peculiar shadow lounging on my bed, my heart stops suddenly, recognizing the aura of superiority.

"Hi ZuZu! Long time no see!"

Katara POV-

Ugh, I am so dumb! Acting that way with Zuko. He is one of us now, so why am I still so weird with him? Walking to the balcony, I stare out into the beautiful sunset. Suddenly, I feel nauseous, remembering my last thoughts about Zuko, and what happened the last time I was here…

Katara's Flashback-

"Introducing your new Fire Lord, Zuko!"

Cheering along with what seemed the rest of the nations, I felt at peace for once in a long time. Aang defeated Ozai, the nations are starting to become unified once again, and Zuko is starting to heal up. Zuko. Watching Zuko take lightning from a demented girl, striving to kill both of you, put him in a totally different light. He risked his life for me, and really turned a new leaf. He was so brave, so kind, and so handsome… Whoa. I stop clapping abruptly and blush, though no one is paying any attention to me. Did I just call Zuko handsome? It's probably just a relapse of cactus juice, or maybe I'm just having a little mental collapse. Pushing those thoughts out of my head, I go back to celebrating Zuko's crowning.

As evening comes upon the Fire Nation, I go to the balcony to get a breath of fresh air. Sniffing deeply, I close my eyes.

"Hey Katara."

Turning around quickly, I see Aang in his traditional airbender clothes. Smiling, I open my arms for a hug.

"Katara, I love you."

Startled and shocked, I see Aang mouthing words, but all I can hear in my mind is "I love you."

"Katara? Just listen, okay? I have loved you ever since you broke me from the iceberg, and I can't stand looking at you without saying my true feelings. Please, say something?"

Trying to form words, Aang takes the chance to lean in to kiss me. I pull away, now feeling anger boiling inside of me.

"What do you think you're doing? You didn't even give me the chance to talk! Aang, look, you are like a brother to me, but I just don't see you in that way…"

I walk back to the entrance to the balcony, and hear Aang behind me in a soft voice.

"I am not giving up on you Katara. You'll see."

I look back just in time to see Aang jump off the balcony and fly away with his hang-glider.

Katara POV (present day)-

Tears fall off my cheeks as I slowly go back to my room, confused with my feelings about Aang and Zuko… The war is over, but the one inside my heart is just beginning.

Well, this is intense, isn't it? Katara is having new-found feelings with Zuko, Aang is striving to get Katara back, and not to mention a certain somebody in Zuko's room! Feel free to give any reviews, and I will try my best to make them happen. Tell me what new characters can be added in here as well! I hope you enjoyed Chapter 1, and lots more is soon to follow!