Hello everyone~ Welcome to my first ever Zutara FF! This will be a long journey so I hope you all bare with me as I take you on an adventure that I believe should have happened after Sozin's Comet!

This will start 6 months past the comet and will continue into years! That being said Im expecting 70+ chapters! Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Avatar: The Last Airbender, or any of the characters. If I did Aang and Katara would never have ended up together :3

Chapter Rating: T

"No lightning today? What's the matter, afraid I'll redirect it?" Zuko prepared to face his sister's next attack. What was he doing! He was putting himself into danger. Zuko what on earth is going on through your head!

"Oh I'll show you lightning" Oh no, Zuko I hope you know what you're doing. I watched Azula bended the lightning into a terrifying bright light. My heart was racing in my chest, I had seen this happen before. Her lightning was nothing to be taken lightly. All I could do was watch as their Agni Kai continued. Her eyes, filled with so much hatred...

Azula met my gaze, a sickening smile on her face. I could see it before she aimed at me. I was her target. She never meant to play fair. How disturbing that light was, blue and ferocious. It was coming so quick. I knew I was going to die, I couldn't move. My body frozen to its place as I watched it move towards me at an alarming speed.

"NO!"

There…someone had jumped in front. That horrible sound of the lightning making impact against his skin.

No…no no no!

The smell of burning flesh filled my nose. I could move again…his body laid twitching from the lightning's electricity. Right at his heart.

No…

This wasn't right.

"ZUKO!"

6 months later

Again. I woke up in a cold sweat in my room. My heart beating out of my chest, tears streaming down my face. I felt around my bed to make sure I was awake before finally letting myself cry. It's been six months since then and yet I continue to have that horrible nightmare.

A dream that I can't wake up from. I'm never fast enough. I will my body to move and yet I just stand there. Watching the dream continue despite my will to save him. To rewrite what has happened. My shoulders shake with fear and my sobs echo through my room.

All because I know it wasn't a dream at all.

It was reality.

Zuko had taken that attack for me. Risked his life, he was dying and yet I took so long to realize what had happened. Having this dream again and again even though I knew I got to him in time. I healed him for La's sake! I remember, but I never make it that far in my dreams. I always wake up screaming his name…the same scene for six months.

"Katara?" I remain unmoved, my hands cradling my face as I sobbed. I felt weight on my bed, a warm familiar body holding me close. Stroking my hair until I calmed down. When had he come in…

What a stupid question to ask myself. Every night for the past six months I woke up like this. For six months Sokka always came in and calmed me down.

"Again Katara?" I could feel my voice trapped in my mouth as I just nodded to confirm his suspicions. He took a deep breath before pulling away to brush my tears off my face. "Katara, maybe we should talk to dad about this…" I shake my head. No, I can't trouble anyone with this. Even Sokka, he was never supposed to find out. I took a couple of shaky breaths before looking him in the eyes. He was worried, I probably look and sound crazy to him. Even I don't know why I keep having that dream. I saw Zuko with my very own two eyes, I healed him and I was there for his coronation. So why?

"Look, I know that this is probably something you want to keep quiet, but Katara…"

"Sokka it's fine, I'm fine…" He shook his head. I knew I wasn't getting out of this conversation tonight.

"You can't be fine Katara! You've been like this every night! I…I know I wasn't there. But you having this dream every night screaming his name isn't healthy!" I sniffled, La I'm pathetic…

"Maybe we should go pay Zuko a visit…you know to put your mind at ease." I got out of bed and looked outside my window. It was a crescent moon tonight, the moons rays stretched out into my room. I could feel the pull, and it immediately calmed me. Yue I'm probably worrying you too.

"Sokka…I know you won't believe me but I think I'll be fine." I took a deep breath. "I'm going outside to meditate." I grabbed my coat from the closet on the other side of the room. "Katara…"

Just being outside made me feel better, the fresh air was what I needed. Fastening my coat to my body I made my way down to the water's edge. I just needed time, it was nothing to worry about.

Taking a deep breath I felt the water bending to my command. Slowly and rhythmically the water moved. Water was such a free element, unlike fire and earth it wasn't stubborn. I continued to practice different stances, my water whips, and ice. I shifted my right foot out and curved the water out making it loop around itself. Time, that's all I needed. I shifted into the Foggy Swamp style, my arms stretching out, moving the water further out to the ocean and freezing it. I looked at my makeshift bridge out to the ocean, hovering just above about two or three feet. Carefully I walked across until the ice ended and sat on its edge.

Why did I keep having those nightmares? Aang was in such a similar condition before and yet I didn't get nightmares from that. Clutching my legs against my chest I wracked my brain around the mystery. I care about Aang just as much as Zuko. Sighing I looked down at my reflection.

Just as much, even though Aang clearly wanted more. Pulling my hair down across my shoulder I sighed again. Everything happened so quickly after Zuko's coronation. Sokka and I came back to the Southern Water Tribe to rebuild our tribe, Suki went back to Kyoshi Island to finish her training. Aang stayed with us for about a month before Bumi called him to Ba Sing Se on avatar duties. Toph refused to go home and stayed with Zuko for a while before heading off with Aang.

Things were done so quickly it almost seems like a dream, it's hard to believe it's already been six months since. I got up and walked back down to the shore, destroying the ice bridge as I went. When my boots touched the snow I knew I had to go back. I had to try and sleep again.

I felt terrible for making Sokka worry, we have been so busy rebuilding our tribe and making amends with the Northern Tribe that we've hardly had any time to ourselves. I've started to miss our adventures with everyone. Maybe he was right, maybe I just needed to see Zuko again. As I made my way through the threshold I took my coat off and flopped down on my bed face first into my pillow. Every night I have the nightmares and every night I'm also able to find peaceful sleep once again. I felt my body relax as my eyes became heavy with exhaustion. I needed to sleep, there was too much that needed to be done in the morning. Closing my eyes I let sleep engulf me, allowing myself to play the scene where I saw Zuko standing above his people as the new fire lord.

The morning light was so bright and warm. I clenched the duvet to my face refusing to wake up. Sadly that time was robbed when I heard knocking at my door. I groaned, I just wanted one more hour.

"Katara I know your awake! Come on I'm starving!" I glared at the door but ultimately sighed. Sokka would force me awake despite it. I was not a morning person, especially with the lack of sleep I was receiving.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" I got dressed and made my way to the kitchen where Sokka was waiting with his head against the table. I laughed at his childishness.

He had cut his hair back into the water tribe wolf tail and had aged a little. Not anything dramatic but he had gained a few inches and now stood a good three-four inches taller than me. He had also gained some muscle from training with our father, claiming it to be Sokka's preparation of becoming chief in a few years. I shook my head and tied my hair up into a high pony tail. I needed to start on breakfast before he started complaining again.

"Katara! Sokka! Your letters came in today!" Our father's deep voice echoed beyond the door. Sokka quickly got his head off the table and wiped the drool off of his face. Obviously hoping that one of his letters was from Suki. The door opened and my dad had two piles of letters in his hands. I could hear Sokka pushing his chair out and racing over to my dad. "Quick let me see! Oooo I hope one is from my lovable Kyoshi warrior!" I could imagine my father's sickening face at Sokka's gushing love for his girlfriend.

"Katara here are yours, oh you're making breakfast. Do you want me to set them down on the table?" I turned around to smile at my father. "Yes please!" I caught a quick glance at the vibrant red envelopes in both Sokka and I's piles. My heart beat with excitement knowing exactly whose it was.

Since I had returned home Zuko and I had been exchanging letters every day. Some were just minuscule things about our relationships and the taxing work of being fire lord from Zuko. Just thinking about his last letter brought a smile to my face.

Katara,

I'm pleased to hear from you again peasant! Just kidding please don't come on the next ship to beat me with one of your water whips. Sadly no, Mai and I have had some issues these past couple of weeks. My councilmen are pushing for us to get married and to produce an heir quickly. I don't understand why they can't see that neither of us are comfortable with that arrangement. Mai continuously complains about how I don't have time for her, or that I ignore her needs. I wish she could see that I am needed as Fire Lord before being her boyfriend. Something tells me she won't stay here for long…

I'm surprised your still with Aang, didn't you say in your last letter that you were going to make it clear to him that you didn't see him as a love interest? Katara you and Aang are both my friends, I would hate to see either of you hurt. However, if he is forcing his views upon you I can only continue to advise that you make it clear to him before he gets ahead of himself.
Please take care of yourself.
Zuko

I placed breakfast on the table and watched my brothers face light up at the food. "Sea prunes? For breakfast?" I gave him a half smile and mouthed 'an apology for last night' to him. His eyes became soft as he mouthed 'thank you' back.

"It is unusual for us to have that as a dish for breakfast. Why did you make them Katara?" I sat down next to my father pulling the string that held my letters together before answering him. "Sokka did something for me last night. I was just repaying his kindness, you know how much he loves them." Hakoda looked at his son and immediately laughed. Sokka was literally inhaling the sea prunes from the pile. I sighed and started looking through my letters. Today was definitely unusual. I always received one from Zuko, and another from Toph, but today there was another letter in a orange envelope with the seal of the avatar. I knew it was from Aang, and something in my stomach told me to prepare myself for what was inside.

"Katara, you can look at your letters after breakfast. Sokka hurry up we are going to survey the building on the west side of the tribe today and help out where we are needed." Sokka immediately put his hand at his forehead and spoke with his mouth full of sea prunes. "Yes sir!" I grimaced at the food flying out of his mouth. 'Disgusting Sokka'.

I placed my letters back down on our table and began to drink my soup. "Dad where is gran gran?" He looked up from his plate to the other side of the table. "She said she was needed at one of her friend's house last night. She must have been healing and ended up staying the night." I nodded my head and continued to eat.

SLURP, SLUUURRRPP….SLURRRR

"Sokka!" He flinched at the sudden yell and began choking on the soup that he had been so eagerly drinking seconds before. "Please try and eat a little more quietly, you need to be practicing your table manners before we meet with the Northern water tribe soon." I looked at Sokka from the corner of my eye. He had grown up in appearances but not in personality. I snickered lightly causing him to give me a glare. I stuck my tongue out at him before continuing my meal.

Breakfast had been quick, mostly due to my excitement to reading my much awaited letter. I reached over to the red one as if on reflex but caught myself. I should read Aang's first.

I should…it was only right…Zuko's could wait a minute. Pang

'Pang?' Why would my heart hurt from that…

I shook off the feeling and continued onto opening Aang's letter,

Katara

Hey it's been awhile! Almost a month or two now right? I'm sorry I wasn't able to keep in contact more but I promise I'll be better! Toph and I just went our separate ways (today is Wednesday) she's off to speak to her parents about continuing to travel with me to finish some avatar duties. I know you are busy helping your family rebuild the tribe but I'll be back over on Monday

Monday…?"Dad what day is it today?" He collected the dishes from breakfast before heading over to the table once again to read his own letters. "It's Friday right?" Sokka nodded in agreement while gushing over the lime green letter from Suki. 'You guys are cute, but please don't make it so obvious to what she's written you'. I rolled my eyes before continuing Aang's letter.

I was hoping that by then you will be packed and ready to come with me to search for some more air benders. You have been home for six months. I have already asked your dad and he's allowing you to come with me! Isn't that exciting? I can't wait to see you, I really do miss you Katara.

Love, Aang

I couldn't believe this…

"Dad?"

"Yes Katara?" My hands shook with anger almost ripping the letter apart.

"Did you agree to me going off with Aang on Monday?" He nodded. "Did you bother to ask me what I wanted?" He stilled in his seat and Sokka slouched down into his.

"I thought you wanted to go with him, I mean you are dating right?" Sokka took a sharp breath before slouching more into his chair. I knew this wasn't my father's fault but that didn't stop me from being angry.

"I'M NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!" Sokka gave our dad a look before returning to his letters.

"But Aang…" Another look from Sokka made him shut up. "If you don't want to go Katara you don't have to." I took a deep breath. This subject was a reoccurring one, which was mostly my fault.

"Aang nothing. I am NOT his girlfriend, and I WILL be staying. Dad I have told you since we returned that I am needed here. I still have lessons to teach and I promised Chief Arnook that I would visit with you and Sokka when you both go." He sighed before looking at me with sad eyes.

"Katara, I know that you and Aang have had some time apart but.." Sokka slammed his hands on the table.

"OKAY DAD! Look, Katara is telling the truth. She and Aang are not dating. Aang likes her and she refuses to say no because it will hurt him." Hakoda looked at Sokka and me before scratching his head.

"Does Aang know this?" I quickly looked away before grabbing my letters.

"No…" My father sighed but decided to end the conversation.

"Alright, I trust your judgment Katara. I know you will find time to tell him. Sokka get your things we are heading to the west side of the tribe now." Sokka ran into the other room and returned with his boomerang and coat.

"Hey Katara," he came up beside me with a low voice. "You know dad isn't trying to force you into anything but…he worry's we all do." I gave him a hug, one in which I had to stand on my tiptoes to get my arms around his neck. His arms around my waist.

"I know, I know. Be safe out there okay? And try to not embarrass yourself?" He snickered before letting go.

"I'll try not to, little sis." He walked out the front door, following closely behind dad.

"Bye dad! Keep Sokka in check!" He turned to look over his shoulder and waved giving a huge smile as he kept walking.

I closed the door and finished cleaning up the kitchen after breakfast. I washed and dried all the plates with my bending before looking out the window. I still had time before my classes started. I smiled and grabbed my letters and retreated to my room with a huge smile on my face.

The first letter I picked up was the bright red one with the golden seal of the Fire Lord.

Zuko's…

Hey everyone~ Thank you so much for reading my first chapter! I am so excited to start a new Fan Fiction and a long one at that!
I love ATLA but I am totally against the ending pairs! This is a Zutara fanfic and it will be Mature, for now and maybe a couple of chapters it will be pretty T rated stuff but Im warning you it WILL be Mature! Please Read, Review, and Follow! Maybe even add it to your favorites! Ahahah I love reviews and they will be what keeps me going!
Also if you like Zutara but want something AU keep a look out for my other new FF that will be uploaded either tonight or tomorrow! Until then Ciao~
Rae-tan