Under the cover of moonlight Prince and soon to be Fire Lord Zuko paced his bed chambers his mind cloudy with the day's events slowly playing in his head. Zuko almost felt sorry because he lost his sister Azula, almost, but then he remembered all the pain she had caused. He growled low as smoke was emitted from his fists at the fusteration of life. His mind focused on Katara, the beautiful Waterbender, so much he wanted to say to her when she had forgiven him. Zuko had felt the sparks when she glanced at him- it was electric. Almost indescribable, but he never confroted her about how he felt. It seemed everytime he got close to the subject, dancing around its very edges someone was in need of his aid or her advice.
Perhaps the most torturing test to Zuko that night was the fact that everyone was in the Fire Palace. Toph, Katara, Sokka, Suki, Katara, her father, and Aang were there. The worst part was he knew the shortcuts to Katara's room for it was his room, he had moved into the Fire Lord's room for the privacy to think and reflect it had afforded him for the night. The suprising silence in the Fire Palace was unsettling, he could here the Fire Nation itself celebrating outside the palace walls. Word of Ozai's fall had spread fast and the Nation had erupted into the streets to celebrate. Zuko had the guards make sure nothing got out of hand, but he understood the people's hapiness. Being freed from a tyrant was reason enough to celebrate. If his wounds from Azula's lightening were not causing him such great agony he would be in the streets with the people.
Unable to cope with his thoughts, and the physical discomfort Zuko headed for the kitchen for some tea, a habit he had picked up from Uncle Iroh no doubtly, and fire chips. As his heavy footsteps echoed off the tall corridoor walls and the marble walls he was once again engulfed in the realm of thoughts. The young prince was so absorbed in his own thoughts and his mind was so fixated on the young Waterbender that when he saw her figure heading down the hallway he thought it was his eyes playing tricks on him. Until BAM! He ran right into her curvy figure and hit the ground with a loud thud. Zuko writhed in pain as his fresh wounds began bleed. Katara screamed horrified unsure of who ran into her in the creepy house that was more macabre the welcoming. With its looming red and black themes and haunting Fire Nation logos only seemed to frighten her more.
"It is I, Zuko," he said to Katara who was about to freeze him. He watched with a slight smile as her mortified expression turned into a slight brush and the fear in her eyes receeded as she apologixed and she helped him up. He groaned as he took her suprisingly warm hand as white hot pain shot through his sides. He frowned slightly as her eyes filled with horror once again and he followed them down to the wounds which were gushing blood. "I'll be fine," he reassured himself more than her very unconvincingly. "Wht were you doing out in the halls anyway in this condition?" she demanded instantly her concern instantly turning to anger, honestly she had the temper of Firebender. Zuko sensed a lecture coming on, and he was NOT in the mood. "I was hungry," he replied his voice raising with smoke coming off of his fists. "What is all the yelling about" Aang asked coming out of nowhere ready to take Katara's side in the arguement. "Nothing," scoffed Zuko. "Aang help him back to his quarters, he needs a healing session(she pointed to the blood). I'll be in with food and tea," Katara ordered sternly.
The walk to his room was quiet and Zuko bit his tongue not to yell and scream and Katara, he wanted to tell her to save her lecture for someone she cares about. He was not an idiot, he saw the way she looked at that avatar, and he knew then he must never speak his feelings for this Water Tribe princess. But did he even have the right to be infuriated? It was not like they shared anything more than a few sparks, that he felt and he did not even know how she felt about it... He hated how he loved her. Zuko dismissed the avatar with a thanks as he began to strip off his blood soaked shirt revealing a muscular chest and arms. His golden eyes were pools of sad melancholy when Katara had arrived with tea and Fire Flakes.
Katara inhaled slightly before she entered Prince Zuko's room. Her heart was heavy with day's events playing and her emotions running more rampant then ever before. Her nerves were shot, having just had the crud scared out of her only minutes ago. Inside her heart was ripped in half, half of it still felt sorry for Aang and wanted to be with him out of guilt, and she liked him some. But the other half felt this overbearing lust or maybe something more for Prince Zuko, no matter how hard her logic side tried to argue against these feeling the soon to be Fire Lord. Katara wished she could seek out someone for advice, but Sokka would tell her to go with Aang becqause he is the avatar, and because Sokka hates Zuko still. She could never ask Aang, or her father. Toph would tell her to go for Zuko because she was almost certain the Earthbender had a crush on the avatar. She wished her mother was still around, or she could speak to her gran-gran. With a heavy sigh she pushed open the bedroom door.
The sight that greeted Katara was morbid almost. Pictures of past Fire Lords and pictures of destruction and devistation. The room was solid black in color and the only light came from a giant stone fireplace. Zuko chuckled at her horrified expression when she saw the animal skin rugs and the animal heads mounted on the walls. "You forgot who had this room before me. My dear sister and her devine taste," he chuckled and immediately regreted it clutching his throbbing sides. Katara smiled as she grabbed a marble throne and pulled up to Zuko's bedside. "My first act as Fire Lord will be to redecorate this entire room. It creeps me out. Only the fire place stays, it was my mothers," he continued trying to lightened the mood. She smiled knowing he probably missed his mother deeply as did she. "Is there anyway you could light some torches I can hardly see," she mummbled. He nodded and lit some and took up his position on the bed. She touched his hand softly and there the sparks were again, her face was crimson. She then focused her attention to stop the sanguine liquid from profusly pouring out of the open sores on his chest. Every touch sent a shock through her body enough to drive her body mad. She refused to meet his eyes, she could get lost in those amber eyes forever. Drained and spent, she collapsed against the chair after pouring them each a cup of tea and handing the prince his precious bag of Fire Flakes.
Katara tried with all of her will to get Zuko to stare into her ice blue eyes, she wanted to talk to him about the connection she has felt reccently. But, the young prince seemed to be staring off into space. "Is something bothering you?" she asked bringing him crashing back into reality. "It doesn't matter," Zuko replied harshly, though he did not mean to be so cruel. "It obviously does matter, otherwise I would not be asking you," sh retorted sending and icy blast of water at him. "Save it for someone you care about," Zuko remarked pulling the sheets around himself. "What is that suppose to mean?" she demanded not about to let this go. "Jist save it for Aang, I see how you look at him," he hissed. "And it isn't like we are a couple?" Katara asked more than stated. "No," he paused sitting up to face her sad pools of icy blue eyes, "But tell me you don't feel the electricity. The urge. Just tell me you don't and I will drop the topic." "I can't tell you I don't, because it would be a lie, but to say I trust you and forgive you enough to act on those urges is another story," she sighed with tears coming out of her eyes. "Just think about please, I am not this monster I was in Ba Sing Se. For those things I did to you and the betrayl I am sorry, truly" he appolgized and Katara knew he meant it.
"I am not this bad guy, I really do care. If I didn't would I not have rescued your father, or tried to avenge your mother's death?" poised Zuko. "You're right," Katara admitted in defeat. He was not sure what made him do it but the soon to be Fire Lord made his move on the dark skinned Waterbender and leaned in his lips meeting hers halfway. He swore that when their lips meet fire could be felt as the room grew hot. Almost unbareable, and to his suprise she kissed him back harder. Their eyes meeting in a fiery romantic gaze he could feel the electricity, and knew he had a chance. But he broke off the kiss, sensing Katara's uncertainty. Zuko knew he would have to win her over before she left the Fire Nation for good. She was set to depart in just two weeks, and he needed to make her realize he needed her, as she does him. "Don't tell Aang," she whispered before disappearing. Zuko smirked as he had one over on the avatar, for now at least.
As Katara took a few steps out of Zuko's room her mind still with him, and her body craving him she almost did not notice that Aang was hanging only a few steps outside of his room. "That took a long time," he stated, and it was just that a statement nothing more or less. "Yeah well healing isn't exactly instant. And since when is it your concern how long I take?" she shot back obviiously heated and afraid he overheard them or saw them. "I was just curious... Sorry Katara, I was worried because Zuko seemed out of it earlier," Aang replied tending to the wounds her words had inflicted upon him. "He is just confused is all. Worried is more like it, he lost his sister, his father is imprisoned, his uncle off on adventures, and his mother is missing or dead due to his father's own hand. Plus, tomorrow he takes his place on the throne to rebuild a whole world as a disgraced, dishonored nation," she conclued. "Yeah I guess, when you look at it like that it is scary. PLus, he is losing his friends we all have lives to return to," Aang realized. "I'm not turning my back on Zuko. I am going to help him. He saved my father and me. He helped me, I owe him," Katara decided. "I did not mean that we could not help. I just meant You and I need to get back to your family. We need to start our lives together," the Airbender said as he kissed her cheek and hled her hand. Katara's face turned red, with anger not embarassment. She wanted those lips to be Zuko's and not Aang's in the worst way and it killed her inside. She went to her room in silence and regretfully returned Aang's light kiss on the lips as he departed.
Prince Zuko awoke early in the morining long before the sun was to come up, anxious to get his coronation over with. But, his reason for getting up early was not excitment or nerves, it was a matter of personal business and vengance against Ozai. Zuko, sore and defeated crawled broken both physically and in spirit from his bed and dressed. He was going to pay Ozai a visit and find out the truth about his mother- he needed to know what happened no matter how gruesome or horrifying the truth may be. Somewhere deep inside of him he felt hopeful his mother was alive, in the Fire Nation marriage was sacred and to kill your mate would lead to eternal suffering. But, it was the same part of Zuko that naive enough at one time to believe his father was not a complete monster- all he could do was hope for the best and get his revenge for his beloved mother. He wrote a note to Katara asking her to meet him in his chambers for a healing session before the coronation. He briefly described the shooting pain he felt everytime he took a breath let alone a step. He left the note with a servant to place by her bedside with strict instructions not to wake the beautiful Water Tribe princess.
Zuko gritted his teeth and sucked up the paind as he released a low growl and began the trek to the dungeons where Ozai was being held. The darkness afforded Zuko the secracy he longed for and needed, but added to the dread of the impeeding confintation with his father. Once in the safety of the dungeons, he removed his hood and approached Ozai's cell. Ozai was mess his hair was matted his eyes were far away and distant and seemed to vaguely recognize Zuko. "Where is my mother?" the soon to be Fire Lord demanded. "Zuko, my son I knew you would come to save me," Ozai grobbled grasping his son's regal robes. "Rescue you?" he scoffed. "Tell me where my mother is and maybe I can help you," Zuko offered sincerely. "I honestly do not know where she is. All I can tell you is after Azulon's death she was the prime suspect. For her sfety I told her to leave during the cover of night and never return to the Fire Nation, or she would be executed. She did it to save you, why I have no clue," Ozai rambled testing his son's patience. "So, you have no clue where she could be?" Zuko inquired gloomily shooting a fire bolt into the dimly lit cell to show his father he meant business. "No, but I can feel it in my heart she is alive. A marriage bond is sacred like that. You could have her hunted down," Ozai offered. "Obviously, marriage and its sacred bonds meant nothing to you! How could you do that to mother?" Zuko demanded spitting at his father's shamed figure. "I loved her, but she betrayed our Nation. I never bothered to track Ursa because she was strong, and would make it. At first, Iroh kept tabs on her maybe he knows something we do not," offered the broken figure. Zuko spun on his heels and left his father more angry than he could ever remember being, but he needed to save his energy for the coronation- he would deal with Ozai later. "Guard do not feed him until I return later tonight," Zuko spat gesturing to his father who was pleading to Zuko, but his son ignored him and turned a blind eye. It was Ozai's turn to be taught a lesson and learn to be disgraced and dishonored.
Heavy footsteps and jets of fire could be heard and seen in the main hall before Zuko's appearance was seen by the servants. All knowing where he had been, the mere peasants busied themselves and doged the angry prince's fire bolts. Infuriated by his arrogant father, Zuko sought solace in his room and slammed the door shut behind him, not paying any mind to the open door leading to the balcony which held the Waterbender, or the sealed letter on his bed. Instead he did the only thing he could think of he roared with such ferocity and inesity he lost all self-control sending flames spewing throughout the room burning the rug to a crisp and the Fire Nation emblem tapestries. As he moved about he felt the pain in his arm and chest elavate to new highs causing him to collapse to the ground in a heap of agony. His blood boiled as his blood boiled whether it was due to hatred and anger or the imense amount of agony he was in Zuko was uncertain all he knew is the heat was unbareable even for a master Firebender. The next thing he knew, he felt the cold hands of a Waterbender healing him sending him crashing to reality. His golden eyes flustered with agony. Zuko swore his heart skipped a beat when Katara smiled at him, and helped him up. "My body feels like it is on fire, the pain hurts almost like it is happening again," Zuko said as he pulled himself up reopening the wounds. "Well...umm... the best I can do is draw you a cold bath," Katara offered her eyes focusing on the sun trying to peak out. "Sounds nice," the prince mumbled as he stripped down to his boxers and went into the cold tub. Katara used the water to heal and left him to rest, but when she went to leave he begged her to stay. "Please keep me company,"he stated softly, not in his usually demanding tone."I suppose it couldn't hurt anything," she admitted desperate to sneak a look at the prince's bare muscular chest. The sight was enough to warm her insides, no set them on fire. "What set you off?" Katara inquired when Zuko opened his good eye and caught her staring at him so he opened his mouth about to make a smart alec comment and it was then she decided to change the topic.
"Just a lovely conversation with father,"the angered prince mumbled showing his distaste for the once powerful Ozai. "Did not go well I take it?" Katara noted with sarcasm just oozing in her words. "The understatement of the century. I was trying to find out about my mother's whereabouts. He claims not to know, but to ask Uncle," Zuko retorted his famous temper fully blown and flaring. "There is a letter on your bed from Uncle. One of the servants asked me to place it there earlier when I came to see if you were here. You weren't so I placed it on your bed, and sat on the balcony for awhile to think. I am sorry I should have waited in my room," she rambled embarassed and afraid she might have insulted the soon to be Fire Lord by hanging around his personal quarters though she was staying in his former room where all of his personal affects still dwell except his clothing." Thank you for delivering the letter. I should fire the lazy servant. Don't worry about or hesitate about being in my room, if I had not wanted you in here I would not have sent for your. Not to mention there is nothing in here of importance or too revealing to dig up on me, I'd rather you hang out in here than my old bedroom where you could discover more about me(he joked with a chuckle to and she smiled). Besides, you are always welcome in my room," Zukko added the last part just to see her blush it was so adorable, and the part before that it was almost as if he was reading her mind. "Now I want to search your old room and see what I can find," she said flirtatiously and Zuko was not sure if she was seriously going to snoop through his belongings and find pictures from his childhood. "If you don't I will show you my dancing dragon," Zuko offered jokingly, ever since the Firebending the dancing dragon had been introduced to the gang it had been a joke between the elders of the group as youthanism for the male reproductive organ. Zuko had said it once to Katara before when she was feeling down and she nearly died of laughter, and it was wuite commonly a joke or maybe even a code word for Sokka and Suki. Those two found it so amusing, but Sokka found everything amusing.
When Zuko's golden eyes half serious and half joking met Katara's icy blue ones a fire red blush crept down her face traveling to her bare toes. "I... uhh..." spluttered the mebarassed Waterbend longingly unsure if he was serious, she knew he liked her but was it a joke. She was falling hard for him, he was in her thoughts all night and right now she wanted his dragon to dance inside of her. "Relax Katara, it was a joke, but the offer still stands firm, very firm," Zuko purred seductively with a wink at the end only adding to her embarassment. "I bet," she mummbled and clasped her hands over mouth once she realized she had said that aloud. "I take it you have made a decision," he stated with a hint of uncertainty and fear in his usually calm voice. "I, I uh well I like you a lot. It is just confusing. I mean to tell the avatar I do not like him seems impossible at best," she admitted. "Well, if you would be willing we could try it out. Hide it from Aang, until you are sure of how you feel. I know the thought of being with the Fire Lord is a lot to take and maybe being his wife one day," Zuko said bracing himself for the last part. "I know how I feel, but you are right. And as for being the fire princess I knew it was what you had in mind, and it weighed on my decisions, and I still stand by what I said before. I like you maybe even you know," admitted the usually bold Waterbender in such a shy, timid voice. Zuko smiled and squeezed her hand. "You should go back to your room, before anyone wakes, so not to raise suspicion. If word gets out it will be detirmental to both of us," he sighed. Katara looked at him funny until he replied: "All Fire Lords are suppose to remain celebate until marriage. Though obviously my sister did not hold true to that, I must redeem myself for my people. And my father violated his marriage and my uncle had an illigitment son." Katara nodded and left, she also knew Zuko needed rest and had to be up in two hours for a six o'clock breakfast and then prepare for a noon coronation ceremony after which a legendary party was sure to ensue.
Zuko filled the tub with oils and warm water to bathe in and stripped down to nothing as he submerged his aching body in the relaxing heated water. A sizable sigh escaped his lips as he evaluated his current perdiciment with Katara, she knew chosing him meant wedding him, but did she know how serious marriage was in the Fire Nation? Here, it was an unbreakable bond between two lovers, something strong and pure, he needed to tell her and make her understand this with out scaring her off. Did she know that he was expected to wed within months of being crowned? Was she even ready? Was he? Zuko tried not to think about such dismal things on his day of glory, where he would begin the long process of restoring glory to the Fire Nation and redeeming their name. Rejuvinated, but flustered with responsibilities Zuko slid on a pair of red lounge pants over his boxers and then donned his red, orange silk robe that bore the Fire Nation Emblem on it. He slid his feet into soft, fuzzy slippers and the faint pitter-patter of them against the marble floor was soothing as he collapsed onto his overstuffed bed fit for a lord. After all in a matter of hours he would be the Fire Lord, and with that came responsibilities, and gulp marriage.
Meanwhile, as Katara snuck out of Zuko's room with unusual ninja stealth(haha) dodging servants who were up and about wondering the halls preparing the mansion for the arrival of guests from various nations. Katara heaved a sigh of relief as she snuck past Aang's room undetected, and she continued on her path until a hand snatched her and brough her into an unlit room. "Toph?" she questioned as her eyes adjusted to the darkness and made out the figure of a dark haired girl. "Of course it is Sugar Queen, but I'll be asking the questions here," Toph stated firmly not joking lkike usual. "Okay..." Katara started uncertain shifting with uneasy feelings. "Where were you coming from? And don't say nowhere!" demanded the younger fiesty Earthbender. "Healing session with Zuko?" offered the Waterbender hoping the half lie would pass as a truth by Toph's radar. "Then why is your heatbeat going crazy," Toph continued. The older girl blushed, "PRomise not to tell anyone?" "Of course, Sugar Queen who would I tell?" she added teeming with sarcasm. "I was...uh... with uh Zuko," she mummbled. "Yeah I got that much genius," she snapped back. "No I mean I like him we kissed, and he asked me to chose between Aang and him yesterday but something was between us before then. And well I haven't told Aang yet, but I am choosing Zuko," Katara sputtered her face turning scarlet, bushing oh so profusely.
"You wow," Toph started. "Yeah," Katara said her mind on Zuko who was probably now in the tube wearing nothing, it made her body ache. "You know they take marriage serious here. Fire Lords are expected to be wed when they take the throne," Toph stated scratching her head wondering if Katara knew Zuko could call on her this very night, that courting her was not an option for the prince. "I... uh... what?" Katara asked immediately panicking she could never be ready to be with Zuko like that at least not within the next year or so. "Yep, he could call on you tonight if he wanted. You made a deal with the devil. But, I am sure if you talked to him he'd understand," Toph said the last part was just plain sedistic sarcasm. "Really?" Katara replied a small bit of hope shinning through the dismal situation she was in. She wante Zuko, her heart knew that much. But, what it did not know was if it could handle Zuko so soon. "Ha, no" Toph replied shooing the fusterated Waterbender from her room.
Seeing no options to run and hide Katara continued to her room and a quickened pace trying to avoid everyone and anyone, that was until she ran right into an embarassed Suki sneaking out of Sokka's room. "Oh hey Katara," she said her face red and her head hung low with shame. Suki, why hadn't she thought to ask Suki for advice! Silently she dragged her friend into her room and closed the door. "I need advice, but you can't tell anyone not even Sokka," Katara whispered eyeing her room suspiciously almost as if lurkers would be there. "Sure, anything as long as that little incident out there is our little secret," Suki offered. Katara nodded knowingly. So once again Katara explained her perdicment in vein hoping someone would have advice. "Well... do you love him?" Suki asked. "I think I do, I never felt this this way before," she admitted. "Then listen to your heart, and I am sure the rest will fall into place. If he cares for you like the way he looks at you he will be patient and understand. As for Aanf he will understand, and I am sure he has his eye on someone else," Suki said encouragingly with a yawn and left to nap.
Well, she did feel slightly better but by the time Katara fell asleep servants were waking her. "Breakfast will be served in an hour," they said before leaving. Katara drew herself a bath and quickly dressed rushing to the kitchen only to find Zuko there in his robe ands pajama pants. "Hey," he said eyeing her seductively as she walked past him his hand grasping hers. "Hey yourself," Katara replied with a blush. "Where is everyone?" she commented. "Sleeping, breakfast is not for another hour or so," he smiled pulling her down onto his lap. She blushed at the closeness of their bodies, the suprising warmth of his body. "I was woken up half an hour ago and told breakfast was in an hour," she mumbled as he blew in her ear rendering her helpless against him. "I know I wanted to talk," he replied his body getting warming. Uncomfortable with the warmth and the closeness, given the news Toph had broken to her and the fact that anyone could walk in on them she slid off of him and pulled up a chair. Curious he shot her a glance and said "It is because I am a Firebender. I swear." He held up his hands innocently and Katara chuckled and the gesture, it was something she'd have to get use to. "Not use to it, anyway someone could have seen us," she whispered lightly.
"I got the letter from Uncle. He found Ursa, my mother, she was being held in Ba Sing Se. He is going to bring her here today," Zuko said smiling in the most un-Zukoish manor Katara had ever whitnessed, it was geniune and pure. "That is great," she replied whishing he would smile for her. Üncle said they have news pretaining to me bneing Fire Lord, about me having to wed as soon as possible. He is on his way now. They will miss the ceremony, but will be here for the party and need to talk to me- us about it,"Zuko said carefully tip-toeing around the subject. Ï know. 'But I feel it is my destiny to help you rebuild the nations uniting fire and water as one. But if we must wed don't expect everything to be normal right away,"Katara blushed at the off hand sex refrence. Zuko got it and nodded. Ï understand," he replied and poured some tea for himself and some for her. "Does your mother know about Azula?" Katara asked hoping Ursa would not hate for her part in the death of Azula. "Yes, she understands I did what I had to. She doesn't blame me, or you. Infact, she is anxious to meet you. She says anyone who would forgive me and dare defy Azula must be amazing. Uncle has spoke of you to her, and I think she knows about us and will approve. My mother is gogiving as they come, but she admits I was in the wrong and even she would have opted not to forgive me, and I understand why when I realize the pain I caused you. Mostly my mother blames Ozai for his hand in this, and herself for leaving Azula and I with him," Zuko concluded."I will always forgive you," Katara replied she did not know why but she felt compelled to and knew he needed to hear those words. His lips brushed against hers before he thanked her and left to dress himself for breakfast.
Zuko came down in the robes which Katara assumed were traditional garb for the Fire Lord. Soon the others came down, and Aang took his seat next to Katara who had since then seperated herself from Zuko. She watched as Zuko screwed up his face in extreme dislike as Aang kissed her cheek and held her hand. Katara shot the soon to be Fire Lord an appolgetic glance as she helped herself to a glass of water. Of all of the exotic foods she had encountered in their travels, Katara was never brave enough to try anything off of the Fire Nation menu, but she smiled as her friends feverishly scoffed down mouthfulls of the exotic food. Zuko mouthed to Katara that the food was more erotic than exotic with devilish grin that only she caught, She smiled slightly, and excused herself to go for a walk in the gardens. Being in the same room as the avatar and Zuko was hard, she could feel the tension. Her heart was taken by Zuko, but even that was not simple. The complications of a possible upcoming, premature so to say forced wedding, the idea scared her but she knew it was her destiny. Plus, the stress of telling Aang how she really feels, is going to kill her if he doesn't.
After what seemed like hours of just sitting at the pond playing with the ducklings Zuko joined her. "Hello," his voice said deep and husky as his arms wrapped around her slender waist. "Hey," Katara replied relaxing against him her mind exhausted from being deep in pensive thoughts. She cocked her head slightly and saw he was smiling, a geniune smile and she couldn't restrain the laughter that ensued. "What?" he demanded as she brushed the hair out of his eyes, it was down Zuko refused to wear it up and she had to admit he looked sexy with that emo look going on. "I never see you smile, it's kind of cute," she admitted sheepishly grinning. He beamed at her with a low chuckle, "Yeah, things are different now." He vowed. Katara nodded she was still far away, her mind and body nervous for what the future had in store for them. "Don't worry so much," he whispered in a low purr. "I just don't know what to do," she said her mouth slipping what her brain had been kicking around for hours it seemed. "I know, it is not fair to you," Zuko stated his voice filled with sorrow and grief wishing he had not put her in this place. "It is not, but I jst need to think and time," she whispered before kissing his cheek. "I know, believe me, but Uncle says time is something we do not have. His letter said our decision must be made by the next dawn. So, I'll leave you to your thoughts because I recieved word Uncle and Mother are at the city gates," Zuko announced before vanishing. Katara wanted to tell him to stay, but she turned around and he was gone, wanished into thin air. So she had 'til the morning's dawn?
A sigh escaped her lips, as she shook her head. Part of her wanted to hate Zuko for putting her in this place, for making her choose in a day's time. But, then he was just a victim too. He thought they had months not hours to decide. Katara wanted to curse the Fire Nation and burn its traditions to the ground, but she understood their need to have a married ruler. They wanted to ensure there would heirs to the throne, which through another curveball in her plan what if they wanted them to have children right away... She would worry then. For all of her hating and regretting, she respected the customs of the Fire Nation, her mother always taught her to respect the customs and traditions of others. But the prospect of marrying Zuko and staying in the Fire Nation was not looking all that bad as of this moment for her. Zuko was being charming, enchanting and so much more, he was so understanding something she never had exprienced. Plus, by making peace with the Fire Nation she knew her mother would be proud. Plus, here she could live out a life of helping people, and help the Water Tribe rebuild be a part of a greater cause. She was treated kindly and was certain things would stay the same.