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Italics=thinking


The blazing sun covered everything with it's golden haze. Burning it streamed down upon the palace gardens of the Fire Nation. Streamed down upon the two lovers sharing a walk and their company with one another. Smiling Zuko looked to his left at the gorgeous water bender by his side. He still couldn't believe that in the three years after the war they had stayed together. That he was lucky enough to have her in his life, to have her as his girlfriend, his love. She caught his glance and smiled back blue eyes shining brightly into the golden ones above her. "It's so peaceful here." She sighed calmly leaning her head on his shoulder.

"Yeah, my mother built these gardens as her own personal sanctuary. As her place to hide from court life and all of the pressures of marriage. Speaking of which I heard that Sokka finally proposed." Smiling gently Katara replied,

"Yep, I always knew he would eventually. I think he was just waiting for his carving to get better so that he could make a decent necklace for her." Zuko glanced nervously at his pocket that contained his own proposal necklace. Swallowing a lump in his throat he tried to get the conversation back on the track of marriage.

"But she said yes didn't she?" he asked somewhat nervously.

"Of course she did! Suki's been expecting it for years now! Actually she was just surprised that he hadn't done it sooner. Oh she's going to make such a beautiful bride." Katara sighed, "Zuko you have to send your tailor to them to make her dress. He's the best! You will won't you?"

"Err, yeah, sure, whatever you want." She responded by kissing him gently.

"Thank you Zuko, I knew you would. It's going to be wonderful! Their going to be married on Kyoshi Island but then honeymoon on the south pole. Their there right now making arrangements. Oh that reminds me. We haven't had our annual visit yet this year. When do you think we should go?"

Curses he thought off topic again. And I thought that bringing up Sokka and Suki would be the perfect opportunity too. "Um.. whenever you want to I guess. Hey Katara where would you want to get married?" he knew he was running the risk of revealing his intentions but thought, to heck with it. With slight suspicion in her eyes Katara replied.

"I hadn't really given it much thought. But what's with all this interest in marriage all of a sudden? This isn't like you. Unless…. Zuko are you trying to ask me to marry you?" Zuko jumps back shocked. He'd never expected her to catch on so quickly.

"Wha? No! I was just…just thinking about it. What with Sokka and Suki and all." He finished lamely. Katara gave a snort of laughter.

"Right so I'm just supposed to believe that all of this 'thinking' sprung out of Sokka and Suki's upcoming celebration?"

"Uh yeah?" Zuko answered knowing he was in dangerous territory.

"Come on Zuko I'm not that stupid. Out with it." Slowly Zuko knelt to one knee and pulled out the betrothal necklace he had made of overlapping rubies and sapphires swirling around eachother. His palms sweating and his throat dry Zuko finally asked what he had been longing to all day.

"Katara will you marry me?" well it's done now, all you can do is wait and pray to Agni that she says yes. Luckily for Zuko he didn't have to wait long.

"Of course I will Zuko. I'm just mad that Suki won the bet of who would get engaged first. But only on one condition." Not quite allowing himself to be elated Zuko carefully asked what the condition was.

"What would that be?"

"That you come back with to the south pole to follow our engagement customs." Relieved Zuko readily agreed. He stood up and took off her mother's necklace, replacing it with his own.

A/N Okay so I know this plot is badly overused but I wanted to do my take on it anyway so here you go. I have the rest of the story planned out, but before I write it I want to know if you guys even want me to continue it. So give me review and let me know what you liked, didn't like, whatever. I will say though that I have my own twist in mind for this plot and it will be hilarious. So hopefully see you soon,

Animetor777