Potential Post-War Fanfic Idea (Zutara - There Are Spoilers Behind The Cut!
Basically, I see Katara kissing Aang as an attempt to explore her feelings - she even dates him for a time. But then she realizes that's not exactly how she sees Aang - I mean, there is affection, but not strong enough to be her "great romance."
So, painful as it is, she and Aang decide to remain friends. Aang, finding it difficult to be near Katara at this time, sets off an a voyage of self-discovery, and decides to visit all the air temples, in an attempt to at least restore his culture, if not his people. He bids her farewell, telling her how painful this is, and she cries - he cries, too, but they don't want to risk their friendship any further.
So Katara stays behind, as Aang decides to head out heal his pain - he starts out by going to the Southern Air Temple first, to hold a proper Airbender funeral for Gyatso. Katara, left alone, sinks into a sort of depression, until Sokka suggests she head to the Fire Nation capitol to help negotiate some peace treaties. Katara's not sure of the idea, so she visits Iroh in Ba Sing Se for his advice, fearing she'll insult Zuko's honor if she just shows up uninvited to do some of his work. Iroh, scheming devil that he is, says "sure, he'd love a visit!"
Little known to Katara is the fact that Zuko and Mai have broken up, since Mai, though she loves Zuko, couldn't take the pressures of being the Fire Lord's girlfriend. Mainly because, having grown up as the daughter of nobles and having to suppress herself because of their position she finds it stifling to have to do much the same thing at official functions with Zuko.
So Mai, deciding to stretch her wings, decides to join Ty Lee with the Kyoshi Warriors.
Zuko hasn't told anyone this (except Iroh), mainly because he doesn't want to worry his new friends. So Katara decides to haul off to the Fire Nation capitol (which seriously needs a name, btw - I'm thinking Hong Lung, but that could change). Katara becomes one of Zuko's advisers. From there...
Here's one scene I've conjured so far:
Zuko rushed in to dinner late - as was becoming the norm these days. "I'm sorry," he rasped - clearly he had been running. "So, today," he began, "I had to negotiate with the Northern Earth Kingdom colonies about the best way to transfer ownership back to Earth Kingdom nationals. Some of the my ministers think it would be better just to make a complete retreat, but the Sages believe it better for the peace not to transplant too many people and stir up old feelings... are you listening?"
Mai blinked and looked up from the flame cakes she had been poking half-heartedly with her chopsticks to pass the time. "Huh?" she said, arching an eyebrow. "Oh, uh...yeah... I was listening."
It was clear her mind was half a world away, or across the universe - but clearly it wasn't on Zuko's conversation.
"This isn't working, is it?" Zuko said softly.
"What isn't working?"
"This," Zuko said, gesturing to the table set before him. "Us."
Mai looked down and sighed. "No."
Zuko winced. That wasn't what he had wanted to hear.
"Look Zuko, I've been thinking... do you remember what I told you back in that prison cell? At The Boiling Rock?"
"Yeah," Zuko smirked. "You called me an idiot."
"Not that," Mai said, a hint of a smile on her lips.
"The part where you called me a traitor? Or where you threw a scroll at my head?"
"Zuko, I'm being serious." Mai put her hands on the table, playing with her gloves a bit. "I told you that I didn't know you."
"Yeah, but... that was then."
"You're right," Mai said. "But it's still true, and more importantly - I've realized in the past few months that I don't know me."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... look, Zuko, you know that for most of my childhood I held back who I really was. Did what was expected of me. But I never really got to express myself. And... Zuko, you're the Fire Lord. You have duties. Expectations. State dinners. I care about you, but... I can't do this right now. I need to know who I am before I can take any official role in the Fire Nation. I.. need to get out. At least for a little while."
Zuko swallowed hard and fidgeted in his seat. What was she trying to say? His mouth seemed full of cotton now, dry and unable to speak. "What are you talking about, Mai?" he managed to croak.
"I'm going to join the Kyoshi Warriors. Ty Lee asked me to three months ago, after she joined, but I told her no. But she said the offer was always open, so now I'm going to accept."
"But why?" Zuko asked with a bit of a squeak at the end of the question. "You said when you were in Ba Sing Se that their outfits were horrible. You said they itch."
Mai sighed deeply. "They do, and the makeup makes me want to throw up. But Ty Lee saved my life, Zuko. You didn't see what she did - it was the bravest thing I've ever seen. And I feel I owe it to her to at least fight alongside her, on the right side this time."
"You've already made up your mind, haven't you?" Zuko questioned. "I don't get a say in this?"
"Zuko, it's not like that and you know it. But you also need to find out who you are. You're the Fire Lord. As much as I would love to go back to when we were kids, it's a different world now. So much has changed. And for so long I tried to act like it hasn't. But it has, and the sooner we both accept that," Mai's voice dropped low, to a register Zuko could barely hear, "the happier we'll be. I'm sorry, Zuko. I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Can I at least walk you home?"
Tears pricked the corner of Mai's eyes as she stood up to leave. "No... it's ok, it's just across the road. And... I need some time alone. Zuko, I want you to know I'll always care about you. No matter what."
"Mai..." Zuko said quietly. But she had already slipped out the door, like a shadow, leaving the young Fire Lord alone with a plate of uneaten food, a heavy heart, and a head full of questions. Why were things always so difficult?