Holy hell, avatar may be three years old now but well, for sh**s and giggles this is my attempt of one. It is based after the show had ended so if you have not seen it all the way through or now what at least happened, please stop reading. Also this is a Zutara fanfic so if you do not like that at all then please do not read, and if you do then please keep the comments of aangtara away from here and quite frankly I like both couples. We all have our likes and dislikes.

Also! If you (the readers) enjoy this small chapter and wish for more then I shall grant it, but I need the input from you, simply seeing stats is not enough to make me wish to keep posting more up if no one seems to be enjoying it.

So for now, enjoy!

The rain fell hard, its deep drumming cries echoed within the small room lit by a single wall sconce nearly burned out. Waxed slipped down to fall over the edge onto the smooth polished wooden floor. Two beings stood in the little room, tears falling from sapphire eyes while gray stared bitterly.

'I... I can't do this... I'm sorry... I cannot forgive you...'

Her words still thrumming against the small room walls, intermixing with the rains dance.

The clothed monk with the vibrant blue arrow tattooed on his forehead clutched his staff with white knuckles. His despair flowing through his heart with unyielding agony.

"So... what now?"

The young woman jumped slightly at his sudden voice speaking up in the stillness. Shoulders trembling, the woman closing here eyes with more tears to shed simply shook her head.

"I am sorry... Aang..."

"I am too... Katara."

Katara's eyes snapped up when she heard the door softly click shut. Her watery eyes made the woman realize she was now all alone within the small room. Lightening cracked over the sky, the single candle still struggling to stay lit snuffed out. The darkness engulfing the room where a woman having collapsed to her knees wept with her face in her hands.

A year...

A full year has gone since the Fire Lord was taken down by Aang The Avatar and last air bending nomad. Within that year bonds were made, enemies became friends and the 100 year war was finally closed.

The elerdly servant having wondered where the avatar and his lover had gotten to, opened the wooden door with a frail hand. Hazel eyes going wide, she rushing forward into the room collapsed onto her knees with her hands tenderly resting upon Katara's form.

"My child; what has happened here?"

Katara heard the old woman's words and gave into a small sob, her bottom lip trembling.

"I broke his heart."

Was all the woman in water tribe garb spoke before giving into her sobs once more.

"Oh my dear..."

Curling her old frame around the weeping woman, the servant hushing soft words to Katara stroked her hair as the woman wept.

""""""""""""""

Thunder roared in the sky as lightening danced in the high clouds. Soaked to the skin, Aang stood high on top of the great palace of Omashu. With glider tightly clutched in hand, his eyes stared numbly at the quiet city below. Everyone having fled indoors from the sudden storm.

Throwing his head back, the boy, hero of this era screamed into the storm as winds whipped around; lightening screaming across the sky. Tears intermixing with the pouring rain.

"""""""""""""

"What will you do now?"

Katara after hearing King Bumi's words that for a rare time held no laughter, the woman looking over as she stuffed the rest of her personal belongings into her bad smiled faintly before going to work at knotting the clasp shut.

"Aang has already left then?"

Started by her own broken voice, Katara shutting her eyes tightly fought the threat of tears. "Yes; he left not but two hours ago. He left you this."

Looking over at the mad king, Katara saw in his wrinkled hand a yarn wrapped around a scroll tightly rolled with water on the edges. The rains had yet to cease their onslaught.

Nodding her head she with hands on her bag stared blankly at the bag she had carried for all the time of finding the avatar in the ice to now. With a broken heart.

"I will leave this here then. When you too are ready head to the stables, my stable hand will grant you the use of a ostrich horse. No need to feel that you need to pay me or anything. You and your group have done this world a great deed that can never be fully paid back."

With those words spoken, King Bumi left Katara in her room, her numb gaze glancing over to the scroll right on the corner of the bed. Hand still trembling, the woman grasping the letter made quick work on untying the loose knot. His chicken scratch writing exposed to her eyes that brimmed with tears.

'Katara;

I wish I knew what to say or do... So I will do what I already had planned with you. I am going to the eastern air temple and work with guru Pathik. After that I will continue going around the world and try to help the mess the fire nation had done. I wish you well on your travels Katara and I hope we will see each other again. I am sorry for screwing this up.

Love; Aang'

Fresh tears landed silently on the scroll making the ink smudge. Biting her bottom lip, Katara closing her eyes took a deep breath in. After holding it inside for a few passing moments, slowly released it causing ice to crackled faintly over the parchment.

Where was she intending on going? Back to the southern water tribe? No; she was still to unsettled to return home like Sokka had with his wife; Suki.

Back to Ba Sing Se? She could go visit Iroh at the Jasmine Dragon and it was not that far from Omashu versus how far away home was.

Seeing she really had not other options that peaked her interests, Katara gently tucking the scroll away in her bag, hefted it onto her shoulder, eyes over bright but strong looked forward as she left the guest room where was thought to have made memories of joy were shattered.

It was time to leave it behind. To go on with her life.

The ostrich horse bellowed noisily as it plodded along the well traveled dirt road. Katara rode onward with swiftness, leaving Omashu far behind not knowing when if ever she would return. The mere thought of that city and the memories it reminded her of caused the woman to nudge the ostrich horse's sides making it bellow and lurch forward with more speed.

The weight of her water pouch striking her side with the jostling ride made Katara feel at ease for traveling alone. She may be a woman but she was also one of the most powerful water benders out there.

Rain continued to fall though not as heavily as the night before. This was the beginnings of spring and the earth kingdom saw a lot of rain. Another brought on relief to the young water bender. If her pouch ran out she had plenty to choose from for her arsenal.

A bitter smile perked across her lips as her stubborn eyes stared forward under the brim of a rice hat that lead the water away from her face and vision.

The ride was long and uneventful, only passing a few other risk takers challenging the rain, Katara held a numb mind, eyes forward focused on getting to her destination.

So much prattled in her minds thought as the ostrich horse plodded on the muddy road. After Zuko had been crowned as the new Fire Lord, she and Aang had gone off to travel the world, him for his nomad livelihood and her love for helping those in need. With the war just ending, there were a lot of people that needed help.

All seemed well and fine, then all seemed to go wrong.

Shaking her head trying to rid of those thoughts that tempted to fester, Katara gripping the reigns tightly kept the ostrich horse riding long and fast. Through the night as the near full moon rose and fell with dawn breaking across the gray sky.

As afternoon crossed the lands, Katara wide eyed stared forward, though still a few miles away the mighty rock walls of Ba Sing Se stood forth, no longer closed off to the world. The gate along the main road hung wide open allowing travelers to come and go at will.

It truly was a spectacle to see when on foot versus flying over on a giant bison.

Upon entering the vast capital city, Katara after stabling the ostrich horse with three pieces of gold, headed towards the business district. Unable to not bump into people from how busy the rainy streets, the woman gave into a laugh of relief when seeing the giant sign of the Jasmine Dragon on top of the large building.

Though her joy quickly soured when seeing the long line of customers exiting out the door and down the road some yards. Her rice hat nearly soaked as the rest of her clothing, Katara begrudgingly got in long line with arms crossed over her front. If these customers can stand in line for some tea in this dreary weather, she certainly could to see Iroh.

"""""""""""""""""""

Iroh with a large smile on his face cheerfully hummed to a earth kingdom tune as he in the back of his store brewed the many requested teas for his beloved customers be it new and old. Wearing the green garb cloaked by a white apron, the dragon of the west once feared by the very capital was welcomed with open arms.

With the war having been finished, his identity known, the old general was taken back by the many more who welcomed him over those who wanted him to hang. So the elder returned to his tea shop he had opened up with Zuko what felt like more then one year ago and began to restablish himself as a fine tea maker in the capital of the earth kingdom.

"Jade tea is ready!"

Iroh spoke while placing the tray with teapot and cups on the counter for a waiter to whisk away to its proper table. Sweat gathering on his brow from being in the back with so many steaming pots of boiling water and stewing tea leaves, the old general was glad that the evening was drawing upon his shop. Today had been rather busy due to the rain making many wish to be indoors.

Turning his back to head into the kitchen once more, Iroh heard the slight voice making him look over his shoulder as a waiter who had been the door greeter stood there looking at him with a odd look.

"Well speak up, what is wrong?" He spoke turning to face the man fully as the waiter running his hands over a invisible wrinkle in his suit cleared his throat.

"I was trying to disperse the line seeing closing time is upon us but... uh... a water tribe girl will not leave without... uh... seeing you." Ignoring the uneasy waiter, Iroh with concern twisting his eyebrows pushed through his store to see standing at the entrance of the shop a very drenched unhappy Katara.

Iron could not stop the laughter that bubbled past his lips. "My dear! I wish you would have told me you were stopping by! Please come in! Dry off." He chuckled as Katara entering the store while plainly ignoring the blatant stares she gained from the customers began to water bend the water from her clothes.

"Since when did you get long lines like that? I was stuck in it for ages." the water tribe girl grumbled while tossing the water out into the street before the waiter could close the door.

Iroh's eyes crinkled with hidden laughter as he warmly embraced Katara. "It is good to see you again and you look so well. Is Aang finding a dry place for Appa in this mess?" His smile faltered when he saw the glow of pain shine in her hair. Resting her fingers on the pendant around her neck, Katara looked to the ground.

"Aang... and I are no longer traveling together."

Hearing the crack in her words, Iroh wrapping a fatherly arm around her shoulders proceeded to lead her into the side room he used to delegate bills and payment for the shop and its supplies.

Allowing herself to be placed in a wooden chair, Katara gratefully took the offered cloth and began to dab at her eyes as Iroh closed the door thus muffling the noise of the shop.

"My dear; what is wrong?" he asked standing there with his back to the door. Katara sighing shakily gripped the cloth tightly in hand without lifting her gaze off the floor.

"We are no longer together..."

Iroh knew now what she meant, they were no longer traveling together and then some as they had shown a year ago at the fire palace.

Keeping silent Iroh stood there as she tried to fight her sobs and tears. "I know it was not his doing but... I cannot forgive him. He... I..."

Her vision was filled with his hands resting on her own making her look up into his golden eyes. The sad smile pressed on his lips as he leaning in placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"Clearly it is to painful to talk about this moment but talk about it sometime is a must or the poison of that pain will simply fester within you."

Her watery smile was all he needed as he returning the smile stood tall and looked down at her. "So, you came to visit me, I am guessing you have no lodging?"

Katara blinking blushed faintly as she looked to the ground once more now out of embarrassment rather then misery. She had been so focused to see Iroh that it had not crossed her mind where she was going to stay.

Seeing her reaction Iroh's hearty laugh filled the office making her blush worsen. Ignoring it he resting her hands on his shoulders gained her sapphire eyes.

"You can use my home as proper lodging."

"But I-"

"No buts my dear, Zuko is not here so you can use the room he had, come, all the orders have been made so I can leave my shop to close by my trusted workers." The dragon spoke happily as he opened the office door.

Standing and feeling like a fool by the door, Katara watched Iroh return the apron to the kitchen before tossing on a large olive green cloak. "Shall we? I say quick pace with how the rains are still falling." His voice full of such cheer could not help but make Katara grin as they left the empty shop.

As they walked briskly through the rain, Katara felt at ease. Walking with a man she had once feared and had called enemy was now her friend, he brought peace to her weary heart.

After a while of walking with Iroh humming a earth kingdom tune froze, his arm shot and stopped Katara yet before she could ask anything he not even looking to her shook his head ever so slight, his blazing eyes locked forward at a small house where the candles were lit within.

"I did not invite anyone over... I need not worry about you but let me take the lead, a intruder in my house is something I shall deal with." the man growled with embers flickering from his lips.

Stalking forward in the shadows along the wall, Iroh stopped by the house door and took a deep breath in.

Letting out a loud bellow, the former general charged through the door with full force, flames licking his balled fists. Katara staying back with eyes wide heard the surprised yells and clattering of pots and pans, something breaking loudly.

Then nothing...

"Iroh!"

Charging into the house, she saw the back of a young man to her, without any thought other then to protect and fight Katara summoned forth the water from her satchel.

The man having heard her spung around, with startled golden eyes, he was slammed into the wall with a loud crash ice crackled and buried his body from neck down pinning him.

As soon as the fury of the battle lifted, Katara still in fighting posture went rigid as her eyes wide with shock met the just as shocked golden eyes of the newest Fire Lord; Zuko.

"Now what is- Zuko!"

Katara snapping her gaze over saw Iroh having come from around the corner holding a shattered tea pot, froze at seeing his nephew frozen against the wall.

"I... tried to surprise you uncle." was all Zuko spoke his eyes not wavering from Katara who looking from Iroh, blushed and looked to the frozen fire lord.

"I thought you were an intruder." As she spoke, the woman melting the ice with a wave of her hand summoned the water back into her satchel before corking it.

Zuko stumbling to his feet tried to look regal and proud after being frozen to a wall, giving a glare to the water tribe woman, turned his full attention to Iroh.

"I had brought you some of your favorite teas from the fire nation." he spoke nodding his head curtly to the wrapped parcels on the kitchen table. Iroh smiling set the pot down onto the table looked to his nephew with admiration.

"So how did you get away from the palace?"

Zuko with a weak sound rubbed the back of his neck uneasily. "I did and I didn't. The palace guards refused to let me travel alone, though thankfully I made sure to keep them dressed like commoners and acting like they belong in this area rather then swarm wherever it is I am."

Iroh stroking his beard smirked and began to laugh. "Well done, well done. Though..." with a thoughtful expression he eyed both the man and woman. "this creates quite the conundrum."

Zuko with a slight look of agitation eyed his uncle wearily, he knew that look to well. "You see my nephew, she also came to visit unexpectedly and seeing I was not expecting the fire lord to visit me-"

"Please; just call me Zuko; uncle."

"Either way, seeing the young lady here has no proper lodgings I was going to allow her to stay in the room you normally stay at while here."

Katara met the startled gaze of Zuko as he looking over his shoulder met her gaze. Blushing weakly she looked down with her hands clasped tightly together.

"I can find lodging elsewhere."

"Nonesense, you will stay here my dear." Iroh spoke as Zuko with a pert smile eyed her. "What of Aang, he is always where you are, is he already finding lodging you care less for?"

"Zuko!"

But before Iroh could silence him any further, Zuko's smile faltered as Katara's eyes brimmed, she turned her back to them. "Sorry... I should not have come." Ignoring Iroh calling her name, Katara left the house on swift feet. Entering the rain, head hanging low with rice hat forgotten as it bumped along her back as she walked, Katara allowed the tears to fall freely.

"""""""""""""

Zuko having watched her leave looked at Iroh with a startled gaze. "I was only kidding, what did I do now?" he spoke as Iroh rubbing his right temple sighed heavily. "I do not know much myself but it seems they are no longer traveling together." He spoke putting emphasis on 'Together.'

His startled gaze turning to cold, Zuko turning his back to his uncle faced the open door to the drenched outside. "I messed up. I will go after her." Without letting the general to speak any further, the fire lord stepped into the rain while pulling the hood up on his black cloak. Golden eyes scanning the dreary setting trying to take a best guess where a heart broken woman would go.

So! Comments are always loved^^ Yes I know my writing style is a bit odd and with a lot of 'ing's in it, still working on fine tuning my writing style. Either way, do you wish to have me continue this fic or leave it where it is?