Promise To Move On For Me (Zutara)

Ambassador

Two regret-filled years passed for Katara. She had moved out to the Fire Nation this a year ago today. She had accepted the job of being an ambassador for the Southern Water Tribe. Her days were filled with constant work that kept her distracted from the pain she still held in her heart. Being far from the South Pole and the "help" from her family helped.

So much had happened during that time even with all the pain Katara was still feeling from Aang's death. Sokka and Suki had gotten married, and Toph moved to Ba Sing Se to open a school to teach metal bending.

The only really nice thing that Katara enjoyed from this new job was the fact that she was getting to spend large amounts of time with Zuko. Being ambassador had odd perks that she didn't actually expect to enjoy. He had been so supportive and kind to her throughout these past years. There was no way she could repay him for all the times he's helped her.

Zuko had asked her out to the court-yard without telling her what he was planning. Katara hesitantly agreed. He had promised, after she had started working in the palace, that he would get her to smile again. She was rather skeptical due to the fact that she couldn't even smile at her own brother's wedding that was just a few weeks ago.

Katara hated the fact that she was this depressing, but losing Aang took a lot out of her. She had surprised herself that she was able to function in any way. She was surprised that she could even show up to Sokka's wedding.

Zuko had found a few old southern watertribe scrolls that his grandfather had taken in the first raids of the 100 year war. He figured Katara would appreciate them after everything that's happened. He hoped that practicing the waterbending moves in them would also be a source of stress relief. Maybe that could make her happy.

Their bodies were forced close as Katara pulled him in with her water whip. He moved toward her too quickly and knocked them both to the ground. They blinked at each other a few times before Katara started laughing. Zuko joined shortly after. He helped her stand up.

"Now I gotta get you back for that. That was cheap. You were only supposed to use the moves in that scroll." Zuko smirked teasingly.

"I'd like to see you try. If you forget, water puts out fire. You're going to have to try really hard to get me back." Katara smirked back. She hated to admit it, but her pain almost disappeared when Zuko was around. And the first time in over two years she had a smile on her face.

Zuko raised an eyebrow with a wide smile slowly spreading on his lips. He was going to accept that challenge. He felt something swelling in his heart. It felt the exact same as when he first met Mai.

"If you say so..." Zuko turned and started to walk away. He paused before looking over his shoulder. His gaze was threatening with a sarcastic grin adorned on his face. "You should sleep with one eye open tonight."

"You think you can surprise me?" Katara moved and caught his arm. She had a teasing look on her face. He turned and both their expressions softened to sweet smiles. They loved this closeness that they were both feeling.

Something about the way her hand felt on his arm and the intensity in their gaze. Katara bit her lip softly as she looked to the side. He used his free hand to gently move her to look back at him. Deep golden eyes met light blue ones to form sweet smiles slightly lower on their faces.

Before either of them got another moment to process the blush staining the other's cheeks or the hitch in both of their breaths, Zuko connected their lips. It was deep and passionate. Katara's arms went around his neck, and Zuko's hands were on her waist. He pulled her closer to deepen the kiss before she put one of her hands between them. She gently wound her fingers into his hair.

Fireworks... That was the only word either of them could use to describe the feeling that was put into the kiss. Zuko turned his head slightly to the side and let one of his hands explore the span of her back. The kiss grew more needy as everything was forgotten in the heat of the moment.

Katara was wanting to stop it, but she couldn't bring herself to push him away. He was married to Mai. Nothing could happen between them. But the kiss was the most perfect kiss she'd ever had. Then an image of Aang popped into her head.

"Stop! We shouldn't be doing this." Katara said regretfully pulling away from him. The kiss was too good, and she knew if they let it continue, Zuko would never forgive himself. Plus the wounds from Aang still stung. She felt like she was betraying him.

"Y... You're right... I should go..." Zuko said with his head hanging low. He started to move away before a hand caught him in place. He turned to Katara who hurriedly placed a soft kiss on his cheek and left just as quickly.

Katara could never admit how much she wanted that kiss to continue. It made life too complicated. She loved Aang and still missed him, but she could also feel something growing between her and Zuko. She almost thought it was too good to be true. Not only did it feel wrong because of Aang, but he was married... Nothing was ever going to... No, nothing could ever happen.

She went back to her bedroom and flopped onto the bed. She stared up at the ceiling thinking about everything and nothing at once. It was hard to process all the emotions that were filling her mind that night.

Zuko, on the other hand, left towards the palace with a small smile plastered on his face and seemingly nothing could bring down his spirits. He bounded up and down the stairs in his way and said hi to everyone he passed. He got to his bed chamber and entered with a happy sigh. The room appeared to be empty until he saw Mai stand from sitting by the windowsill.

Zuko's unusual happiness easily caught the attention of Mai. When she approached him, his smile faltered and guilt flashed across his face. She looked down just enough to not notice his change in expression.

"What's got you so chipper today?" Mai said with a small smile. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He forced a smile to return as his wife looked up at him. She had, what could barely be called, a smile on her face. "I missed you most of the day."

"Sorry. I found some waterbending scrolls that my grandfather stole from the southern water tribe, so I gave them to Katara. She wanted to practice some of the techniques in there, so I agreed to help her." Mai's expression melted to the usual indifference she usually sported. "Is there a problem?"

"I just thought we were going to be spending the day together. It starts today if you've forgotten." Mai moved in closer to connect their lips in a soft kiss. Zuko had completely forgotten about their schedule. "I know we've been trying for years now, but I feel like this time we will finally have an heir."

"It's been a long day... Should we maybe just wait until tomorrow?" Zuko looked away just for a moment. He tried to avoid looking her in the eyes. His guilt was tearing him up inside since he didn't want to admit that he was starting to have feelings for Katara. He even faked yawn.

"I don't think that's a good idea right now. The last time we waited a day, we didn't get pregnant." Mai said matter of factly. She pulled him closer by the waist and met him halfway to a kiss. They hovered close without touching their lips.

"But we haven't gotten pregnant on your schedule either. I don't mean to be mister pessimistic, but I just don't know if I'm in the mood tonight." Zuko was simply trying to stall her until she got too tired to bother him.

"Come on. Let's just try." She connected their lips, and Zuko could feel all her heart and passion. He just didn't know if he could reciprocate it, but the kiss felt amazing to the both of them. Mai didn't even seem to notice his hesitation. She broke away for a moment. "I know this is our time."

"Okay. Let's do this. We are going to have an heir." He said letting a genuine smile spread on his lips. They connected in a rushed, heated kiss. They pulled each other close as Zuko moved them to the bed.