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"Mother, I can't believe you are making me do this!" Fire Lord Zuko said, as his mother kept on trying to straighten his crown more.
"Honey, I don't know why you're so against it." Lady Ursa said.
"Because, I love Mai, and Lady Katara isn't really that attractive." Fire Lord Zuko said. Lady Ursa gasped.
"Zuko!" Lady Ursa said. Azula and Iroh were at the doorway.
"Mother, I'm afraid he's right, Lady Katara is an ugly duckling." Azula said. Lady Ursa shook her head at both children.
"I thought I raised you two with more respect than that." Lady Ursa said, putting some spit in her hand to pat down Zuko's hair.
"Mom." Zuko said, embarrassed by Azula's laughing. Lady Ursa turned to Azula and put some spit to wipe off some dirt from her face.
"Mother." Azula said, as Fire Lord Zuko started to laugh. Lady Ursa pulled both of them in a hug, while laughing all together. Once the laughter had ceased, Lady Ursa looked at the young Fire Lord.
"Please be nice to her, for me." Lady Ursa asked. Zuko sighed and nodded. Once Lady Ursa and Azula left Iroh came to Zuko.
"Nephew, I too once was in an arranged marriage." Iroh said.
"What did you do?"
"I married her." Iroh said. Zuko sighed.
"At least she isn't ugly like Lady Katara." Zuko said, sitting on his bed, Iroh joined him.
"Nephew, beauty doesn't always make the woman."
"Yeah, a nice push up bra wouldn't hurt her." Zuko said.
"Zuko, just give Lady Katara a chance."
"But, I don't love her!"
"That's because you never gave the opportunity to."
"Uncle, how do you know when you're in love?" Zuko asked. Iroh thought this over.
"If the girl is able to make you laugh and smile, if she makes you want to be around her all the time, if you'll do anything for her, that is when you know you have the right woman." Iroh said. "Oh, and if her eggs are fertile for producing the next prince or princess."
"Uncle!"
Katara sat in the carriage that pulled her to the Fire Nation, so she could meet Zuko after so many years. She fiddled with her mother's necklace. They were in an arranged marriage. On every summer, his mother and her father always brought them to meet, hoping they'd fall in love. Katara hated in being in that position. Ever since they were little they were told they'd be betrothal. Katara remind those days well.
"Now Katara dear, be polite." Hakoda told his daughter.
"But dad, I don't like buys they're icky!" Katara argued.
Every single summer that boy had been rude, mean and disrespectful to her. Katara couldn't stand him. She knew he only had been that mean because she wasn't beautiful, not like Lady Mai, the prince's first choice. Katara didn't mind, but they both were terrible to her. They called her names, pushed her around, never let her join them in anything until Lady Ursa made them too. Now Katara even had to admit that she had gotten prettier over the years. Her hair grew out longer, she no longer wore them in hair loopies, and she also dressed nicely, more like a lady. She was wearing a dress is long, sleeveless, white and blue. She has pale blue sleeves on with white decorations at the wrists. Her hair is half up, half down and she wears a blue purple headband. A white ribbon is just under her breasts. Katara wondered if Zuko had matured as well. She had to admit, he was always handsome and good looking as a child. She wouldn't mind waking up to that face every morning. But being married, so young. She was only fourteen, the marrying age of the Southern Water Tribe. Katara was going to miss her chilly home, her dad, grandmother and brother. Now she was going to marry Zuko. She would have to get use to his family. Now Lady Ursa she didn't mind, nor Iroh, Zuko and Azula were only the real problems. To make matters worse, Azula was best friends with Lady Mai. She also joined in on the fun to harass or make fun of Katara. That was the only time Azula and Zuko got along, picking on Katara. Katara knew of Zuko taking the throne to become Fire Lord. Now, Katara was going to be Fire Lady. She hoped she wouldn't let anyone down. The carriage suddenly came to a stop. Katara sighed as she waited for someone to open her carriage door. She put on a bored face and accepted the hand and came down from the carriage. Ready to embrace paper balls, tomatoes, dirty socks, the usual she always got from behind Lady Ursa's back from Zuko, or Azula or Mai. Instead she felt a warm hug. Katara looked up and saw Lady Ursa. The woman who was always a mother to her.
"Oh Princess Katara, I almost didn't recognise you, my have you grown!" Lady Ursa said. Katara smiled and looked around.
"Where's Fire Lord Zuko?" Katara asked. Lady Ursa sighed.
"As much as I begged, he refused to come and greet you here, so we'll meet him at the palace, I'm sorry for my son's rudeness." Lady Ursa said, Katara nodded. She didn't care, she was used to it. But she put on a fake smile and went with Lady Ursa, in her carriage. About to meet Zuko.