"There's no way!" Katara yelled as she threw the scroll down on the icy ground. She fled from her brother and father form inside their icy home. She ran until she met a bank by the water. Tears fogging her vision, she gazed out hazily into the vast body of water wondering how far she could swim until she passed out. They can't trade me like this. She thought. I'm a person, damn it. And why would the Fire Nation even want to make peace with my tribe? What are we to them but another weak village to be captured and burned down. Katara sat there until she noticed that black snow that fell heavily down on her home.
Zuko was leading the crew, giving orders on how and where to stop the ship. He noticed the black snow that fell onto his armor. He brushed it off and waited for the crew to pull the ramp down. Suddenly, his uncle appeared beside him.
"Are you sure you want to take this young girl from her family?" he asked lowly. "It sounds like trouble to me. This girl is very strong willed you know. You won't get her to do anything unless she-"
"Uncle," said Zuko. "You're not helping." he didn't move his gaze from the village. He couldn't wait another second for the ramp to fall and for Katara to aboard the ship and come home.
He had figured everything out. He would tell her that he wanted to save her village so much that he became so selfless that he decided to come up with this plan to unite the two and make a bridge and alliance between the two nations. He knew the truth though. Deep down, he knew he had only suggested this so he could maybe finally have her. Maybe… He thought. His uncle was right, he thought. She was very strong willed.
Katara's brother handed her the bouquet of flowers that the tribe had traded for from Ba Sing Se. They had kept the beautiful exotic flowers warm and healthy until now. After all, today the last water bender from the southern water tribe would wed the fire nation prince; creating a bridge between the nations and also an alliance. Katara took the flowers harshly from Sokka.
"Ready?" he asked, holding out his arm to her.
"Yes, I'm ready to be traded." she spat, grabbing his arm. They exited the igloo together. Katara was wearing a beautiful dress and her hair up in a bun, unlike her usual braids. Her face radiate, even with a sour frown. She walked slowly with her brother to meet her father half way to the awaiting fire nation ships.
"If he lays so much as a hand on you without your consent…" started Sokka. Katara sighed.
"Oh Sokka." she hugged him tightly as she departed with her brother. Finally, she met with her father. They walked down the icy trail, to the ships.
"Katara, I love you so much." said her father softly, hugging her tightly. Suddenly, she felt awful for acting like such a jerk for the last few days toward her family. She embraced her father, kissed him, and waited for the Fire Nation Prince to take his prize as she ignored the bulky tears that fell off her face.
This was it. Zuko checked over his outfit again, making sure everything was in order. He realized how obsessed he was with making this work. He took a deep breathe and walked down the ramp. As she did he remembered what his uncle had said. You won't get her to do anything. But when Zuko saw the young water tribe girl dressed up and looking beautifully innocent, he was willing to do what ever it took to change that. He walked down the ramp and took her by the arm. She had been crying, but she did well at staying strong and keeping a straight face. She took his arm without any arguments, and got onto the ship without more than a sniffle. When the ramp was pulled up and the ships sailing off, she was shown her room for the time being and instructed to attend dinner at sunset. She had boldly agreed and quickly fled into her quarters. Nothing was heard from her until dinner. Zuko thought with hope This might go well, actually.
As soon as she was sure the guards had left her, she silently sobbed, keeping all her angry thoughts to herself. She was so terribly empty and numb. How could they do this? How! She kept thinking. She never wanted to see them again, and yet she felt that she needed to see them again. She wanted to so badly jump off the ship and drift back to her home. Home. She thought. I want to go home. Oh mom, what would you say about this? You would never do this. And suddenly Katara wasn't so sure what her mother would say. She soon fell asleep.
She awoke when she heard the banging of metal.
"Katara!" yelled Zuko. Katara ignored him. She buried her head into the pillows, trying to block out this nightmare. "Katara! Get dressed and come to dinner!" he yelled again. She sighed. No way was she having dinner with her husband to be that she didn't even like! She stayed still. "Katara I know you're awake! Get your ass out of bed, damn it!" he cursed. With that she was up.
"What the hell is your problem?" she asked harshly. He ignored her.
"Change into your new dress and come meet me at dinner. You have ten minutes!" with that he left her. She sighed and wondered if this was a dream. She decided that if it was she would wake up soon enough. She slugged out of the kings size bed and slummed lazily over to the dresser. She tried on four dresses and experimented with her hair three times before coming out of her chamber. Slowly, she walked down to the kitchen.
Zuko took a good look at himself in the mirror in his room. This was a stupid idea. He confessed as he turned from his reflection. How could she ever love me? What a waste of time. But how can I call this off now? And I really don't want to. His thoughts rushed until they got caught in each other and he collapsed on his bed. He felt the smooth satin against his skin. His chest was bare, because he was still trying on clothes for the dinner tonight. He would soon have to fetch Katara, because he knew she would either fail to attend because of choice or loss of time. She had a window in her room. She would watch the sunset. He sighed harshly as he sat back up. How could she ever, ever be his?
Katara found her way into the kitchen, where Zuko's uncle, Iroh, sat sipping tea. Katara decided to join him, thought she didn't know exactly whom he was. Before she even sat, Iroh looked up.
"Tea, young lady?" he asked. She nodded sweetly and he immediately poured and handed her the cup. She sipped it lightly before starting conversation. This was so soothing for her.
"So, whom might you be?" she asked the man. He took a sip and answered wisely; "Dragon of the West, but you may call me Uncle Iroh, please." he smiled charmingly. "And you must be the beautiful Katara. I have heard much about you Miss Katara." he said soberly, as he took another sip. Katara was confused.
"From whom, I you don't mind me asking?" she asked.
"Not at all." said Iroh. "I am the uncle of Prince Zuko. He talked about you some. He is happy that your tribe can not be harmed now." he added. Katara sulked, remembering that this was not a dream. She sighed.
"Yes, as am I." she said finishing her tea. Iroh looked at her.
"Child, give him a change. Please. For our nation's sake." he said comfortingly, putting a hand on hers. She was startled, but there was something that was fatherly about him. She trusted him instantly.
"I understand your position. But please. You might find that you like him. Opposited attrack you know." he informed her. She gave this some thought, but ignored her change in feelings.
The two joked and chatted until Zuko arrived to dinner. And when Katara saw him, her heart skipped a beat.
Zuko had said to hell with dressing up and just arrived in his tunic outfit. It showed some of his chest and with it he never wore his crown piece. He had not dressed up at all, and when he entered the kitchen where Katara and Iroh were still talking his uncle stood up.
"Zuko, how dare you dress in such informal clothing to dinner with your wife-to-be!" Zuko looked down, but Katara looked up. He was very handsome. His hair was a sexy mess on his head and his arms were carved to perfection. She could almost feel…she stopped there. She couldn't change her mind. She wasn't doing anything to increase their relationship in a good way. She couldn't.
Katara spoke up. "Oh, please. I don't mind." she cooed. Zuko shrugged and motioned for her to follow. The three sat and enjoyed more tea while their dinner was being set out on the table. Together, they discussed the past, present, and cunningly avoided the future.