Part 2

Just as Iroh reached the end of the first block, Toph grabbed his arm and pulled him sideways, down the street parallel to the bazaar. "Ah, Toph, what are you doing? I thought we were going back to the party."

Toph laughed, a wicked grin on her face. "You wanted to know what was eating Sugar Queen, right? If anyone can get her to spill it's Sparky. You should have seen the time he spent a whole night sitting outside her tent so he could tell her he'd found out about her mom." She turned down a small alley, moving slowly now. "I just have to get close enough to hear them. I can feel that they haven't moved. Don't worry," she added smiling. "I'll tell you what they're saying."

Iroh shook his head faintly, but he too was curious. Finally they were close enough, and Toph stopped. She lifted a finger to her lips and put a hand out onto the stone wall. The voices of the two teens could just reach her sensitive ears.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong or do I need to pry it out of you?" That was Zuko. He sounded annoyed, like he'd already been trying to pry the answers from her.

Katara hmphed loudly. "Nothing is wrong. I told you that."

"Katara, I'm worried about you. So are Uncle and Toph. Everyone has noticed that something is wrong."

Toph was surprised she could make out the next words. They were barely more than a breath. "Aang hasn't."

"So there is something wrong." Toph could hear the smugness in his voice. "Is something wrong with Aang?"

"Of course not," Katara's voice was back to its usual assurance. "He's doing great. You saw him."

"Ok, so the Avatar doesn't have a problem. You're still upset though, so something has to be wrong that he doesn't know about." There was a long pause, and Zuko took a tentative step forward. "Are you happy with him, Katara?"

She didn't answer. If Toph hadn't been standing there, she'd have thought the waterbender had left, but no one had moved since Zuko.

"Katara, we all knew how he felt about you during the war. To be honest, I was surprised that you returned his feelings, but things can change. Just because you loved him then doesn't mean you always will."

"I never said that." Her voice was quiet again, and Toph could feel the young woman trembling.

"What?"

"I mean of course I love him. He's Aang. But, I never said I returned his feelings for me."

Zuko paused for a moment. "If you don't return his feelings, why are you with him?"

"He's the Avatar. He saved the world. And he loves me."

Zuko's voice was louder now and sounded strained. From the small jump beside her, Toph assumed Iroh could even hear him. "So you're just going to sacrifice everything? Yourself? Your future? Your chance to be happy?"

"I always knew I would." Katara's voice was quiet.

"Why?" Zuko's volume hadn't dropped, but his tone was steadier now. "You fought for a chance to be happy and live a normal life, right? Have you even had a chance to stay more than a day at home since you left with him during the war?"

Katara's heartbeat faltered for a moment, but her voice didn't betray her. "Imagine if a girl had come and spirited you away from your father and sister, the hatred and lies, and had given you the opportunity to become more than you could have ever dreamed. Then imagine she saved the world and all she wanted in return was you. Could you deny her that?"

Toph felt Zuko's heart speeding up until it faltered at Katara's last statement.

"No, I couldn't." He said softly

Katara's voice was sad when she continued. "It doesn't matter if I'm ok or if I really love him. I owe him the world and the world owes him at least as much. We've all done our part for peace. This is my role. So it doesn't matter if I don't get to spend much time at home. I'm used to traveling."

"Katara," his voice was almost pleading. "You helped save the world. You should get a prize, not be his."

Toph could feel her begin to walk away. "We should get back to the party. I know Aang is looking for me by now, and I suspect Mai is wondering where you are as well."

Toph stood up, "We need to leave. They're heading to the party."

Iroh took her arm and they began the trip back to the palace, intentionally taking a longer route that wound in the opposite direction from the one Katara was taking. As they walked, Toph told Iroh everything she'd heard.

When she finished, he sighed softly. "I'd hoped all of you could go back to being children after this war ended. That was a foolish hope. You are too young for the burdens you've been forced to bear."

"Cool it Pops," Toph said quickly, disliking the sadness in his voice. "We did what we had to and are fine with it. Right now we've got bigger things to think about. We learned something just now. We know how Sugar Queen feels and we know she knows." She smiled, her grin almost malevolent. "Now I get to confront her."

Iroh frowned at her, but didn't argue. He knew as well as anyone that Toph would do whatever she pleased.

When they reached the party, Katara and Zuko had already returned. The Fire Lord had taken a seat with Mai, who was scowling alternatingly at him, the party, and Katara. He too wore a frown, but his was pensive and he didn't seem to notice his gaze following the young woman in blue.

Katara was standing near Aang. He was still performing tricks but would occasionally look back at her, smiling. Every time she caught the airbender's eye, she'd smile, before it would fade again once he'd turned away.

Toph made a beeline for the waterbender. "Toph, we just got back. Where are you taking me?"

"Toph? Leave Katara alone alright? She's watching my tricks." Aang frowned and reached toward the two girls.

Katara's arm went rigid in Toph's hand. "Actually, Aang, I just remembered that I was supposed to find Toph when I got back. I had something else I needed to talk to her about." Katara marched stiffly away from the Avatar, and Toph smiled as she walked her to a secluded corner of the courtyard.

When they stopped, Toph could feel Katara's arm shaking. "Ok, Sugar Queen, here's the deal. You need to stop coddling Twinkletoes. You did it while you were training him and you're doing it now. Just tell him you're not a prize for him to win."

Katara froze for a moment, her heart beating wildly. "You," she sputtered angrily. "You were spying on us?!"

Toph waved a hand in front of her face, a small smile on her lips. "Not spying. Blind, remember? But yes, I was listening. I knew you'd tell Sparky even if you wouldn't tell me."

Katara groaned. "Toph, I… I don't have to defend myself to you. I know what I'm doing."

"Sure you do, Sweetness," Toph grinned. "You know that you're giving up the shot of being happy to continue following Aang around for the rest of his life like a seal-dog pup. Has he learned how to hunt yet? Or cook? Or are you his mother too?"

Katara groaned and sat down heavily on a nearby bench. "Toph that's not fair. He's a kid. Plus he's a monk and will never learn to hunt."

"You're right, Katara. Twinkletoes is a kid. So why are you putting your whole life on hold for him?" Katara looked up in surprise. Toph hardly ever used her name. "You think he's going to get married, raise a family, and put down roots at fourteen? You think he'll suddenly wake up one day as a mature provider who gives a heck about you and your feelings? Wake up, Sweetness, and get out before you find yourself married and stuck."

Katara stared at Toph for a long moment. The shorter girl glared back but misjudged the location of Katara's face and was glaring past her left shoulder. Finally, Katara leaned in and wrapped her arms around Toph. The earthbender let the hug continue for about three seconds before roughly pushing Katara away.

"Don't go all mushy on me." She muttered, but her lips were curled in a small smile. "Come on, let's get back to partying."

A week after the party, when the group was ready to go their separate ways, Katara announced she was going back to the South Pole. Aang reluctantly agreed to stop there briefly for her, but Katara explained she was staying there for a month at least. Aang complained and begged her to keep traveling with him, but Katara wouldn't budge this time. Finally she told him that she'd had enough.

Aang left the Fire Nation on Appa alone. The rest of the group watched in awe as a newly revitalized Katara smiled in a way they hadn't seen in a year. Although it would take almost six months for Aang to understand, Katara was done being his "forever girl." A few days later Katara joined Sokka on a ship to the South Pole, relieved to be going home after so long.

"Prince Zuko," Iroh said, strolling into Zuko's office the day after the last of his guests left.

"Uncle, what do you need? I'm busy." The young Fire Lord didn't look up from his papers.

"I thought we could have some tea." Iroh smiled.

Zuko rolled his eyes before finally looking up. "I've had guests for almost two weeks now, Uncle. I'm really behind on work. Can this wait?"

Iroh pursed his lips thoughtfully. "I'm not sure. I suppose it could, but I was intrigued to hear your thoughts on what Katara would do now that she's not with the Avatar."

Zuko's eyes narrowed. "Why do you think I would have thoughts on that matter?"

Iroh beamed. "Because she listened to your advice! Surely you had an opinion on what to do after leaving Aang as well."

Zuko opened his mouth, closed it, and looked thoughtful. "I suppose she'll rebuild the South Pole. They need the help."

"And then?" Iroh prompted. "I doubt she'll want to stay there forever."

"Uncle," Zuko sighed. "What are you implying?"

"Nothing, nephew." Iroh smiled again and turned to walk out of the office. "I just thought that maybe you'd have a position open for the woman you jumped in front of lightning for."

Iroh stepped out the door just in time to avoid the red cushion that Zuko threw at him. He chuckled as he left, hearing Zuko's soft curses back inside the office.

A month later, Zuko ended things with Mai. They said the decision had been mutual, but the servants swore they'd heard steel ringing through the palace the night it ended and there were some conspicuous gashes in the walls of the Fire Lord's chambers the next morning. Iroh didn't really care either way. He did, however, extend an invitation to Katara to visit whenever she wanted for tea.

Afterword: I hope you enjoyed the story. As you can see, I chose not to explore the actual relationship between now single Katara and Zuko. There are plenty of stories dealing with that topic, and I'm far more interested in Katara and Zuko getting out of their cannon relationships. If you are interested, here are a few thoughts to explain why things played out as they did:

First, most fans agree that unless Aang shows significantly more growth after the series than he did during the series, he will not be good for Katara in the long run. It is also fairly obvious in the series that he sees Katara as a prize for being the Avatar and stopping the war.

Second, there is an open question of whether Katara is aware of how Aang views her. Most Zutara fics argue that Katara was not aware, eventually finds out, and then becomes disillusioned and angry. I however, chose a different approach. This fic assumes that Katara is perfectly aware of Aang's notions and believes them justified. I think this is a more interesting idea, is a more likely state of affairs given cannon LoK, and is an underexplored facet of her character in fanfiction.

Finally, I will admit, I don't actually have a problem with Maiko. I think Mai would be a fine Fire Lady and if Katara married Aang I fully believe Zuko and Mai would have spent the rest of their lives "not hating" each other. That being said, Zuko spent too long agonizing over earning Katara's trust not to mention jumping in front of lightning for her to not love her. Plus I think the two of them are far cuter, far healthier, and a much better example to the world of what harmony between the elements looks like than any other cannon pairing.