Zutara - What if

Chapter 1 - After effects

*The Fire Lord has been defeated* The news spread so quickly as the hundred year war had finally come to an end. But the news didn't mean that the Fire Lord ozai was dead. Rather that he was defeated by the Avatar and his bending was taken away. This news was so surprising for the general public because nobody ever thought this was even a possibility. Everyone had their own theories of how that happened. But only Aang knew how he did it. Nevertheless, everyone around all four nations was happy and relieved.

The gang met regularly in Iroh's tea shop soon after the events. Zuko, even as the new fire lord, liked serving tea to his friends. After multiple batches of really bad tea, he had finally learnt how to make delicious tea. He remembered making his first tea for iroh when he was injured. He thought it tasted ok but long after that day, iroh had confessed to him that it was worse than he could imagine. He was gentle about it back then. He smiled at the thought. As he kept serving everyone tea Sokka stopped him.
"Zuko can you not move. I'm trying to capture the moment."
The moment as everyone saw in his depiction was Katara with momo's ears, Zuko looking like a porcupine, Mai looking like a man and Suki firebending. Even iroh complained about his fat belly. As everyone was engrossed in this funny battle, Aang stepped outside. The relief on his face was visible. After so many hardships and struggles he had finally done what he was meant to do and that too without losing his values while doing so. That had been his biggest fear. But he did it. They all did. Katara moments later joined him and hugged him in a soft embrace. They looked into each other's eyes and kissed. Finally.

Aang couldn't have been happier. But soon he heard some voices and realised they had an audience.
Both Katara and Aang blushed as everyone saw their embrace. Sokka was visibly trying to close his eyes in disgust as he saw Aang kissing his sister.
"I don't think I need to see this, guys. Please."
"Ohhh c'mon Sokka it's sweet. Wait what is happening?" Toph asked.
"Aang and Katara were making out." Mai sighed.
Zuko had nothing to say. He just looked at both of them who were flushed with embarrassment.
"Let's leave these two alone now c'mon." As always Uncle Iroh came to rescue them to stop this embarrassment to go any further.

It was a fun day. But now as they enjoyed their fair share of relaxing days, they knew that soon a huge responsibility was coming their way. Especially for Zuko and Aang. Post war, Fire nation owed repercussions to a lot of people. Zuko knew this and was ready to do whatever it takes to give Fire Nation its honour back. Aang had the most difficult responsibility. Restoration of the Air Nation. Not just the temples but of his people. Right now he was the only Airbender left and he didn't know what he was supposed to do.
Katara and him were sitting by the pond when his thoughts were clouded by so many mixed feelings.
"Aang, is everything okay?"
"Uh.. um yes. Actually I was just thinking. Now that the war is ended I should focus on restoring my nation."
"Well how do you suggest we do that?"
"We?"
"Yes we, silly. You didn't think we'll leave you alone to do it. We are your family now Aang."
"Thanks Katara. I can't do anything about the people I've lost but I can at least start by restoring the southern air temple. It was my home for so many years and it pains me to see it the way it is now."
"It's a great idea. We all will help."
"Uhh really? Doesn't everyone else have other things to do?"
"Umm I'm not sure. We should discuss with everyone about our next course I guess."
"You're right."
The next day they gathered the whole gang in the tea shop. They were all arguing about who had made the best tea. And it looked like iroh was the judge.

"Uncle you have to say it's my tea. You're literally my uncle."

Aang and Katara arrived with a serious look on their faces.

"Hey guys why have you called us here ? And why so serious?" Sokka asked.

"As we know that since the war has ended everything looks fine. But it isn't. We still have a lot to do. Especially with the fire nation and air nation. As a fire lord, Zuko must have a lot of responsibilities on his head. And as the Avatar and being the last Airbender..."
Aang sighed.
Katara continued.
"But it is also important that we restore the nations that were damaged in the war. Most importantly Air temples. They have no one but they have history and their history has the temples that show their strength and development as a nation. We must help aang to restore the destroyed temples."

Everyone agreed.

"You are right Katara. We will help Aang." Suki agreed.

Zuko listened to everything carefully and finally spoke.
"I will help too. I know as a fire lord I have many responsibilities now but nothing is more important than this. I will assign a few soldiers for this as well. But I will come too. Uh.. um if it's ok with everyone. And with Mai."

Everyone smiled at his gesture. But katara somehow felt this was more than just about helping Aang.

At night everyone went to sleep, except Katara. She looked outside her window and saw Zuko sitting near his uncle's shop, lost in his thoughts. She went to check in on him.

"Zuko." A silent whisper spread in the air as he heard his name from a gentle voice. He knew it was Katara. He looked back and saw her standing just behind.
"Katara. What are you ..." Before he could finish his sentence she sat down beside him.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Why aren't you?"
"I saw you .. well you look a little worried. Care to tell me what's bothering you?"
"How did you .. how did you know I was worried?"
"It's visible."
Zuko wondered how she noticed that. Katara always had an understanding of everyone around her. She was such a caring person.
"Well if you must know, I come here every night. I .... I have trouble sleeping."
"Oh. Everything ok?"
She looked genuinely concerned. He smiled.
"Don't worry about it." He wasn't giving any answers to her questions and it annoyed her. Why couldn't he share his feelings for once? Why does he have to be closed off?
She stood up. "It's ok if you don't want to tell me. I won't bother you."
Zuko realised he might have hurt her unintentionally.
"No ... Wait..." She stopped.
"I .. I guess I still feel guilty."
"About what?"
"About everything. Especially betraying you in ba sing se."
"But I've already forgiven you."
"I know."
"And you've saved my life more than once since then."
"I know. I think I feel guilty about a lot of things. If it wasn't for me aang wouldn't have gotten that hurt and..."
She just looked at him in a way that meant she was listening.
"I saw your face when Aang fell down. I've never seen that look. Maybe once when lu ten died. On my uncle's face. And I caused it. For you."
Katara realised that even though he had changed and everyone forgave him, he couldn't forgive himself. After so much happened he had finally gotten time to think about all this and maybe... Maybe he felt more and more guilty as he reflected on his past actions.
"Zuko that's all in the past. Maybe it was meant to happen that way."
"You don't understand Katara. Everything I did for the last three years, every action, every hurtful word. It haunts me. After watching that play I realised what I did was unforgivable. I couldn't dwell on this when I had to help Aang. But now everything is coming back to me."

"Is that why..." Zuko understood what she was trying to ask.

"Yes. I want to help Aang and you guys in every way I can. Not just because I am the fire Lord and my nation owes it. But because I know you all have forgiven me even after everything and chose to be my friends. At first I thought it was convenient for you guys to get a firebending teacher for Aang. But you remained my friends. And I'm forever in your debt for that."

Zuko's words touched Katara. She never realised his sensitive side was hiding so many emotions. And how he felt about all of them. It was moving.

"Zuko, we'll always be your friend. Especially me."

Especially me. Those words surprised Zuko. Katara sensed this reaction and explained.

"You dove in front of a lightning for me. As far as I'm concerned you have nothing to feel guilty about. You can help aang on account of your guilt towards him. But with me I'd like to start fresh. Is that ok ?"

Zuko thought for a moment.

"Yes it is."

"Plus I would rather have all the benefits of being the Fire Lord's friend." She chuckled, trying to lighten his mood.

He smiled back at her.
"Thanks Katara. I think we should sleep now."
"Yes we should."
"And oh ... Well congrats i guess... For you and Aang."
Her cheeks flushed. "Thanks"

And they went to sleep.