Disclaimer: I own the rights to nothing but my story and my wicked writing skillz.

Author's Notes: I'M BAAAAACK! Yes, to my faithful fans and to newcomers alike, I'm not dead. Just employed, all grown up now, and very, very, very busy. I was recently ill and had to call in 5 days in a row to work and had a little time to mull over my past passion-fanfiction. I began to miss it, and one of my largest regrets is not having finished some stories that were very popular with my fans. Well, this won't solve that problem, but perhaps it can give those who miss my stories an inkling of hope: A new story, chock-full of Zutara-ness! Now, I understand that it's been years since the finale of our beloved show, but better late than never, right? Oh, and to all you Kataang fans-no offense-just don't fill up my review board with proclamations to your preferred coupling. Everyone has a different opinion, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. This is fiction, after all!

Zutara will forever live on in fanfiction! Enjoy the read-I remember my old fans with much fondness and dedicate this story to you.

~*~ Rekindled ~*~

Fire Lord Zuko sat modestly, his legs folded neatly beneath him, his newly formed administration glancing towards him expectantly. The firebender felt a twitch of nervousness. At seventeen years of age, Zuko was the second youngest Fire Lord in his nation's history. His record was surpassed only by Fire Lord Zei-Shong, who inherited the throne at fifteen seven generations ago. And Zuko had an enormously daunting task ahead of him—rebuild the Fire Nation's damaged reputation and restore peace throughout the world. He sighed anxiously, rubbing his fingers to his temple.

Many of these faces staring towards him were new; his father's generals and advisors had long been dismissed. Zuko's newest advisor sat at his right hand, dressed handsomely in characteristic yellow robes. The young Avatar's eyes darted towards the Fire Lord, and the two boys exchanged an uneasy, fleeting glance. Next to him sat three more colorful figures. Katara and Sokka stood out amongst the crimson decoration in their blue robes, and Toph looked like a small plant sprouting from the floor in green. Like the others, they too turned towards Zuko expectantly.

Finally, Zuko inhaled and addressed his administration. "I would like to thank you all for arriving here so quickly. I realize that my message came at an unexpected time, but—as I'm sure you all are aware of by now—our nation is most in need of your assistance."

There was a prolonged silence from the assortment of officials. Zuko frowned, but continued.

"I understand that most of you probably harbor lingering feelings of loyalty to my father and doubts about my ability to lead. Forget them now. As your new Fire Lord, I have more pressing issues to address than disloyalty in my court. Our most important initiative currently is repairing the state of our country and the rest of the world. Until that is fully achieved, your loyalty is to be shared between myself and Avatar Aang equally. You will answer to his requests as you would mine, and respond to his decisions with the upmost respect."

At this, Aang's brow furrowed in confusion. The others glanced at each other with questions in their eyes. He turned his gray eyes towards Zuko for answers, but Zuko pressed on with his speech.

"General Chu-Lin—I'm appointing you as Head of Internal Affairs temporarily. You will be in charge of informing the public about the truth of this war. You will dismiss all army personnel from duty. I want all Fire Nation schools to be closed, all of our history books to be rewritten—"

General Chu-Lin shifted uncomfortably in his place. "Fire Lord Zuko, dismissing our entire army would put our nation at risk—"

"Avatar Aang will be by your side to act as an ambassador to any outside nation," Zuko cut in firmly. "We also have representatives with us from the Water Tribes—Master Katara and Master Sokka—as well as Master Toph to represent the Earth Kingdom. Believe me, these four will be more useful than any army right now."

The other teens smiled proudly.

The General's lips tightened, but then he nodded and was silence. Fire Lord Zuko turned to his friends. "Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph…I trust you four more than anyone. I know you'll maintain order while I'm gone."

Aang blinked rapidly in surprise. "While you're—while you're gone? Gone where?"

There was a sudden uproar in the room. Administrators turned to each other and flooded each other's ears with whispers, while the teenagers gasped and looked towards the Fire Lord, questions fresh on their lips. But Zuko held up a firm hand, and in a few moments the atmosphere calmed. He turned back to Aang and the others. "I understand that it might not seem my place to leave my nation so soon after my coronation, but I feel that I must personally oversee one of the most important steps in restoring peace."

"What step? Where are you going?" Sokka inquired.

Zuko turned back to his administration. "I'm going to Ba Sing Se," he announced, and once again the room was filled with quiet discussion. "I feel my presence is needed there, especially since the Earth King is still missing and some parts of the city still under the control of rogue Dai Li agents."

After the members of the administration quieted, Toph crossed her arms and huffed. "Are you sure it's safe? You are the Fire Lord now—the Earth Kingdom's long-hated enemy—I doubt if the citizens of Ba Sing Se will welcome you with open arms."

Zuko noticed the worrisome look on his friends' faces. "I know it seems like a risk, but you forget, I lived in that city just as long as you did. I was a citizen too."

"You cannot travel alone, Fire Lord Zuko," mentioned another man in the administration—Governor Gai. He was the eldest among Zuko's council, and although he'd served the Fire Nation loyally during the War, it turned out Gai was a longtime member of the Order of the White Lotus. General Iroh had specifically recommended him for Zuko's new administration.

"I have before," Zuko explained. "Why not now?"

"You are now Fire Lord," urged the old man. "And despite your good will, the world will not change in an instant. Traveling alone is simply too dangerous. You could be attacked."

Zuko's brow furrowed slightly, and his friends could tell the young Fire Lord had taken a slight offense at that comment. "I won't argue with your logic, but I won't accept any of the current Fire Nation army as my body guard. We don't yet know who can be trusted."

"I agree completely, Fire Lord Zuko," breathed General Gai. "Which is why I would suggest you take one of your friends here." The old man gestured towards the others seated to Zuko's right.

Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph all exchanged glances of surprise and realization.

"I suppose…" Aang began, "…that bringing one of use would be a good idea. You can trust us, right?"

Zuko smiled. "Right. But which one of you wants to come?"

"I'm the Avatar—bringing peace to Ba Sing Se is my job too." Aang announced. "I'll come with you."

"You can't," Zuko shook his head. "I need you here, Aang, to stand in my place while I'm gone. "

"Oh. I understand." Aang hung his head, then glanced up. "Who will you bring then?"

Sokka's face suddenly beamed, and the teenage warrior sprung up, balancing on his crutches. "I'll go!" He shouted. "Go back to Ba Sing Se, do a little sight-seeing, and meet more of the local ladies…"

"Sorry, Sokka—but you won't be much protection in your current condition." Zuko pointed out, his eyes darting towards Sokka's bandaged leg.

The other boy drooped. "What? I'm as formidable as ever!"

"No offense, but you were hardly formidable at all—even before you hurt yourself!" Toph added with a giggle.

"Oh yeah?" challenged Sokka, "Well, if you're so powerful, why don't you go?"

The tiny earthbender made a disapproving face and turned away. "No way! The last adventure I went on with Zuko was sooo boring!"

"Thanks," Zuko cut in.

"Hey, I'm just saying—"

"So I guess that leaves me," Katara interrupted, standing and addressing the rest of the room. "I'll go with Zuko to Ba Sing Se."

Zuko blinked in surprise, but then smiled warmly at the waterbender. "I suppose we do make a good team."

Katara nodded and returned the expression. Out of the corner of her eye she spied Aang glance at her, then at Zuko, then back again with an unpleasant, unsettled expression. She yanked her gaze away from both boys, frowning slightly only for a moment, but then sat back down next to Aang. He granted him a reassuring smile, and the Avatar's nervousness seemed to calm.

"But, Katara—" Sokka began.

"We'll be safe, Sokka." Katara insisted. "Besides, it makes sense. Zuko and I have worked as a team before and we do it well. This way, Aang still can stay here to oversee the reconstruction of the Fire Nation, and we still have you and Toph to represent the Water and Earth Nations."

"It does seem to be the most logical match," Aang muttered softly.

"Then we'll leave tomorrow morning," Zuko announced, his voice echoing throughout the large corridor. "I want to travel quickly, so why don't we resurrect one of those war balloons from my father's fleet?"

"We won't run into many outlaws or bandits in the air either," Katara agreed.

"Good point." The Fire Lord glanced downward. "I'm unsure how long this mission to reconstruct Ba Sing Se will take, but I'll have the assistance of the Order of the White Lotus and my uncle. Even if my presence only jump-starts a chance, I can count on them to keep it going until the corrupting influence has ended."

Zuko turned towards General Chu-Lin and Governor Pao. "You two shall receive a messenger hawk once every week, carrying a detailed record of the city's vitals and any changes we have made. Understood?"

"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko."

"Good." The firebender turned once more towards his friends, smiled, and then stood up. Following his lead, the teenagers and the members of the administrators lifted to their feet as well. "This meeting is adjourned."

Zuko bowed politely; his council mimicked the gesture and began to file out. With the exception of Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph. The four teens stood, stretched, and all turned to Zuko expectantly. The Fire Lord gawked at them awkwardly for a moment.

"What are you all staring at me for?" He asked with the slightest air of annoyance.

The others exchanged looks. "You're the Fire Lord now," explained Sokka. "We're kind of awaiting your orders."

"I'm not any different than before," Zuko insisted, reaching up and fingering the golden flame that adorned his hair. He frowned, then added: "And besides, I'm not going to order you around like my tyrannical father."

"We never said you were anything like your father, Zuko." Katara said kindly.

Zuko glanced up at the waterbender, secretly thanking her for her constant reassurance. It was really amazing how Katara's demeanor imitated her bending. Just as water was the element of healing, Katara's words had certain abilities to sooth the mind. Zuko definitely felt glad that the waterbender was the one voted to accompany him to Ba Sing Se. A smile slowly crept up his face again.

"It's late," Katara continued, facing the rest of their group. "If we're leaving in the morning, we should get some rest first."

Toph stretched and yawned obviously. "I like that plan!"

"Very well," Zuko breathed. "I'll see you all in the morning."

The teenagers slowly filed out of the court, weaving their ways towards their chambers. Katara wandered curiously, gazing at the parts of the Fire Nation palace she hadn't explored yet. There were elegant pillars, majestic carvings, delicately woven tapestries, and gorgeous gardens sprawling over several acres. It was all very beautiful, and it made Katara reluctant to believe that some of the most terrible people in the world's history grew up here.

Thankfully, Katara thought, Zuko isn't one of those people.

Sighing, the waterbender turned back towards her chamber. Stepping around a corner, she spied the elegantly arched doorway to her bedroom. Suddenly Katara paused, and then pressed against the far wall, hiding herself.

She heard footsteps.

The footsteps grew gradually louder, and finally a figure appeared, clad in crimson, and paused in front of her bedroom door. Katara gasped. It was Zuko.

What is he doing here? Katara thought to herself. Then an afterthought: Why am I still hiding? It's not like Zuko's an enemy anymore.

Still, it was weird that Zuko was lurking around her bedroom door in the middle of the night. Katara stepped out from her hiding place carefully, hardly making a sound. She snuck up behind the newly crowned Fire Lord, just as he was lifting his hand to knock on her door.

"Nobody's home," she piped up suddenly.

Zuko spun around quickly, striking a rigid martial arts stance. Katara jumped back in alarm, but the Fire Lord suddenly gawked at her.

"Katara!" He gasped, clearly very surprised. "Why did you sneak up on me like that? I almost firebended at you!"

"I think I should be the one asking questions, Zuko." Katara retorted confidently. "What are you doing sneaking around my room at night? Don't you and Mai have lots of making out to do?"

A crimson blush began to form on the firebender's cheeks, matching the color of his robe. "Mai is…uh…" Zuko stuttered, struggling to regain his composure. "…I came because I wanted to talk to you about something. Something important. I didn't want to discuss it in front of the others."

Katara immediately adopted a serious manner. Silently, she opened the door to the room and gestured for Zuko to follow her in. The young Fire Lord frowned and hesitated, but then stepped through the door way. He joined Katara on the foot of the bed, cautiously maintaining an appropriate distance.

Katara glanced at Zuko, and began to remove the braids from her hair. Finally, she asked: "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Zuko shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong—it's just that I needed to let you know something—something about me."

"Yeah?" Katara was confused. She waited and stared at the newly appointed Fire Lord as he visibly struggled to push the difficult words from his lips.

"I have to let you know that this time we're in Ba Sing Se I'll be different. I'll make the right decisions this time, I promise." Zuko finally explained disconsolately.

Katara's azure eyes widened in surprise. "Are you still worried about that? I thought you knew I'd forgiven you a long time ago."

Zuko glanced towards her, watching her delicate, graceful hands work apart her hair. "I know that," he explained. "But all these thoughts of revisiting Ba Sing Se have stirred up bad memories for me."

"Zuko, I know you'll do the right thing."

The Fire Lord welcomed the warmth in the waterbender's voice. "Thank you, Katara."

Zuko stood up and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "I guess I should go now."

Katara looked up at the firebender, remembering the angry, conflicted boy she had first met a year ago. Zuko had changed so much—he had overcome so much—his identity and the way he perceived himself had almost completely transformed since that fateful day on the South Pole—the day they'd met.

"Goodnight," she said softly.

Zuko turned and headed towards the door, cracking it open. His golden eyes seemed to shine in the dim light. "Goodnight, Katara."

The Fire Lord closed the door quietly behind him, and lightly stepped down the palace corridors towards his own chamber. He didn't notice that there was another pair of eyes watching him.

Aang crouched down in a dark corner, motionless. He felt a terrible twinge pinch his insides, something that made him feel somewhat sick.

Why did Zuko just come out of Katara's bedchamber?

The Avatar's heartbeat raced as he watched Zuko disappear around the bend. For an entire year, Aang had pined after Katara as if he were a crazy person. Only his duty as the Avatar distracted him from her kindness and beauty. Now that the war was finally over, they could finally be together. They had even shared a kiss or two.

Aang's heart sank. Zuko and Katara always seemed to have a stormy sort of relationship with each other—at least until they went off on that mission to avenge Katara's mother. Then the pair couldn't have been happier together. Had something happened between the two benders that Aang failed to notice until now? Was it a total coincidence that Katara was now accompanying Zuko to Ba Sing Se?

The boy glanced down the hall in the direction which Zuko had gone. He was so confused now, and it came at a crucial moment which required certainty. The Fire Lord was counting on him to maintain order while he was away. Zuko counted on him.

Sighing, Aang stood up and moved into the light, leaving his hiding place. He resisted the urge to knock on Katara's door, but instead walked slowly and solemnly into the heart of the palace. He gradually navigated towards his chamber, opened the door, and flopped lazily on the bed. He stared up at the darkened ceiling.

Somehow, Aang knew he would get little sleep tonight.

Personal Thingy:

Squeee! I love having new, exciting story ideas! Especially when we had an inexcusable lack of Zutara-ness during the series finale that needs correcting! (No offense, Kataang-lovers!) This story is quickly becoming my baby—I love it and have written parts of it ahead of time so I'll keep on with regular updating.