Chapter 2

Meanwhile at the South Pole, Sokka and Katara's dad, Hakoda came back from a long day of fishing. He went into the igloo that his family and Katara's friends rented. "I'm back and I have enough fish to feed an entire village!" he said. But then his smile faded, for everyone had sad looks on their faces, including Sokka. "Why the long faces?! Did I not catch enough for everyone?" asked Hakoda.

Sokka then said, "While you were gone, Katara, everyone else and I were minding our own business playing outside, then all the sudden Fire Lord Zuko kidnapped Katara. And we're now debating on if she's dead or alive." Said Sokka.

"What?! What kind of a sick joke is this?!" asked Hakoda.

"It's not I'm afraid." Said Gram Gram.

"The poor girl looked so frightened too," said a girl named Samara.

"What are we going to do dad, I'm afraid that I'll never see her again!" said Sokka.

"Who will I come to when one of Katara's friends have a crush on me!" said Sokka. Now most of the girls in the group had a crush on Sokka, he was handsome for a twenty one year old.

Hakoda dropped the fish and dropped to his knees and started crying. "Where did that monster take my little angel!" he said with great anguish.

"We don't know." Said Sokka.

"I'm leaving here I'm going to search for my baby!" said Hakoda.

"I'm coming with you!" said Sokka.

"No son it might be too dangerous!" said Hakoda.

"Are you kidding I don't want to stay here with Katara's love sick friends!" said Sokka.

"You're the man of the house now, or should I say igloo." Said Hakoda.

"But Dad!" said Sokka.

"Ok you're old enough to travel with me then," said Hakoda.

"Yes I get to go and kill a bunch of firebenders!" said Sokka.

"Son violence is not the answer, but in this case, there is an exception, if they do anything to hurt your sister, I'll kill them with my bare hands!" said Hakoda.

"Let's get going!" said Sokka. So father and son set out on a long journey to find their beloved daughter and sister Katara. It would not be an easy journey. There maybe would be some nights and days without food or water.

Meanwhile in the fire nation about a week later, Zuko was looking in the mirror and then Iroh came in. "Oh hello Uncle, how is Katara doing?" asked Zuko.

"She's doing fine, I think that she's calm down a little bit," said Iroh.

"Well then I shall go and see for myself." Said Zuko. Iroh then gulped, but reluctantly followed Zuko. Zuko knocked on the door, and then opened it up. "Hello Katara, how are you doing?!" he asked. Then Katara threw a vase at him, but missed. "Fine be that way!" Zuko yelled. He then slammed the door shut and he let out a horrible growl. "She is impossible to come into contact with!" he said.

"You didn't let me finish though, I said she was calm down towards the rest of us, not you in particular." Said Iroh.

"You could have told me that fifteen minutes ago Uncle!" said Zuko.

"I tried to tell you but you didn't let me finish." Said Iroh.

Zuko then turned to Iroh and said, "I want to eat dinner with her tonight!" he said.

"Ok what should I tell her?" asked Iroh.

"Tell her that if she doesn't attend dinner then her head will end up on a platter!" said Zuko.

"Wow that sounds kind of ruthless don't you think?" asked Iroh.

"I'll do anything to get her to eat with me, I didn't say that I was going to kill her!" said Zuko.

"Oh Zuko sometimes you are so tactless." Said Iroh. Zuko then walked down the hallway.

Iroh then thought of something. "Well I'm not going to tell her that, I'll think of some other way. I know what!" said Iroh. Then he went to Azula for help, very clumsy of him too.

"Oh no! No, no, no! I want nothing to do with his savage wife!" said Azula.

"But Azula you're the only one in the family that can persuade people. And she's not a savage, she's a human being just like you and me! Besides she's not his wife yet. Think about it, how would you like it if Soothsayer all the sudden decided to kidnap you and marry you against your will? Hum?" asked Iroh.

Azula gave him a dirty look, "Uncle don't ever say that again! But I'll do it." Said Azula. She then walked out of the room. She then smiled evilly, and said, "But not unless I can use her as a tool!" she then walked to Katara's room. She then opened the door. "Hello may I come in?" asked Azula.

Katara then looked at Azula, she didn't look so mean, she looked gentle, so without further thought she said, "Yes."

So Azula came into the room and sat down on the bed. "I believe you know my brother." Said Azula.

"You're that savage's brother?" asked Katara.

"Yes I've known him all my life. He tells me that he wants to invite you to dinner tonight." Said Azula.

"Are you kidding, I hate him! I wouldn't dine with him if he was the last man on earth!" said Katara.

Azula then looked at Katara and smiled gently, "You must not know my brother very well then. He wouldn't hurt a spider, but he is very temperamental. I think that that is something that you and him have in common." Said Azula.

"You don't even know me!" said Katara.

"Then how come there are rumors around the palace that you've been throwing stuff at Zuko and missing, thank god! Now my brother is very sensitive he would be sad if you didn't show up. He might make a good impression. You never know." Said Azula.

"Well I suppose that I could try to get to know him a little bit. Thanks for your help, but I still wouldn't marry him!" said Katara.

"By the way, this conversation between you and me, never happened." Said Azula.

"Ok I won't say a word." Said Katara. So with the persuasion of Azula Katara got dressed in one of the fire nation dresses, it was a dress that Azula let Katara borrow. She then went to the royal dinning hall and saw Zuko sitting down. She was about to run out,

"Well, well look who finally decided to show up!" said Zuko.

"Don't talk to me!" said Katara as she sat far away from him.

Zuko and Katara sat the table all silent. "So what do you want to talk about?" asked Zuko.

"Nothing you pig!" said Katara.

"So are you still mad at me?" asked Zuko. Katara got so mad that she threw a banana at Zuko, but missed again. "Boy your aim is bad."

Katara then said, "Oh and you could aim much better I suppose!"

"Actually yes. I used to go out hunting with Uncle on the weekends. We use bow and arrows." Said Zuko.

"How fascinating, not! That's nothing my father used to go hunting with the men of our tribe, but ever since my mother died, he hasn't been the same." Said Katara.

"Well when I was little my mother was executed in secret. The sad part is that I can't go and visit her grave." Said Zuko with a sad look on his face.

"Why not?" asked Katara.

"Because she was cremated." Said Zuko.

"All right you know what, that's sweet and all, but I'm board to tears! So I'm just going to leave!" said Katara.

"By the way you look lovely!" said Zuko. Katara then got mad again, and threw some chocolates at him, but missed again. "Right we'll work on your aim." Said Zuko.

"Why did you kidnap me?! Hum?! Did you think it was funny, did you think it was nice?! What?!" asked Katara.

"Well personally I think you're very beautiful and I want you as a wife. It's an old fire nation custom. If a man kidnaps a woman because he's in love with her, then he gets to have her. But the parents have to answer within 24 hours, and if 24 hours past, then he gets to have her as a wife." Said Zuko.

"It doesn't matter if it's an ancient custom or not, what you did is wrong. My people don't believe in kidnapping women against their will and marrying them against their will. It's wrong." Said Katara.

"No it's not, it's an old tradition of the fire nation! When we were at war with each other, men used to take women against their will and marry them. They even did it to 13 year old girls." Said Zuko.

"Oh men are so stupid! I'll never marry a man like you ever!" Katara then ran out of the room and slammed her door shut.

Zuko went to his room and slammed the door shut. "Oh that woman is so impossible to live with!" said Zuko.

Meanwhile Katara in her room said, "Oh that man is so annoying to be around!"

Then they said at the same time, "I just don't understand him/her!"

Meanwhile around the palace grounds, Soothsayer was talking to Aunt Woo in her guest room. "I'm so glad that you could spend time with me Aunt Woo." Said Soothsayer.

"It's not a problem." Said Aunt Woo.

"So what do you think about Katara?" asked Soothsayer.

"She seems like a nice girl, it's too bad that she won't show it around Zuko." Said Aunt Woo.

"I think she is too, but she's not my type. I love someone else." Said Soothsayer.

"Whom?" asked Aunt Woo.

"Well she does live in the palace, and it's not you or Katara." Said Soothsayer.

"I don't live here and we're distant cousins, but I think I know whom you're talking about. Is it that cute sister of Zuko?" asked Aunt Woo.

"How did you know that?" asked Soothsayer.

"Sadly I knew all along. She seems way out of your league." Said Aunt Woo.

"But she's so beautiful! I would do anything for a girl like that." Said Soothsayer.

"Please don't die for her, she isn't worth it." Said Aunt Woo.

"Why do you predict that something bad will happen between her and me?" asked Soothsayer.

"No it's instinct. She doesn't seem to be attracted to you at all." Said Aunt Woo.

"Sure she is. She just doesn't know it yet." Said Soothsayer.

"What do you mean?" asked Aunt Woo.

"Well I'm going to ask you to do something very radical for me, and I want you to do it too!" said Soothsayer.

"What is it?"

"I want you to make a love potion for me." Said Soothsayer.

Aunt Woo burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?!" asked Soothsayer.

"My dear Soothsayer, you're sadly mistaking, I'm a fortune teller not a sorceress. Besides it's wrong to hold people against their will." Said Aunt Woo.

"But she's the ray of sun in my light, the apple of my eye! The L in love! And the….."

"Ok, ok I get the point! I could try to give you the ingredients or we could go see a sorcerer. In fact I vote on seeing a sorcerer." Said Aunt Woo.

"Ok then I'm with you on that! So let's go tomorrow!" said Soothsayer.

"How about on the weekend instead." Said Aunt Woo.

"Oh man! But I want Azula now!" said Soothsayer.

"Patience is a virtue." Said Aunt Woo.

Meanwhile in the earth kingdom somewhere Hakoda and Sokka were walking around. "Man Sokka I'm all hot and smelly, I say we go and find a place to bath." Said Hakoda.

"We past a waterfall about a few hours ago." Said Sokka.

"We now have a choice we can go back or keep going, since you're a man now, I'll let you choose." Said Hakoda.

"I say we keep on going! After all we are men, we're supposed to stink." Said Sokka.

"I say we keep going too! After all I'm still worried about Katara, I'm afraid that they might hurt her." Said Hakoda.

"Don't worry dad, I'm sure she's fine." Said Sokka.

"How do you know, you're not instinctive like women!" said Hakoda.

"Women are instinctive?" asked Sokka a little bit naively.

"Sit down for a second son." Said Hakoda.

"Ok sure," said Sokka, both of the men sat on the ground.

"Now the thing about women is very simple. Like when your mother was alive, she used to know when something was wrong. Like when I didn't come home late. She would go out looking for me. Then when she would find me, I would usually be talking to my friends. She would then say, "I thought you were coming home around 10:00 at night!" I would then say, "I got preoccupied. How did you know I was here?" I would ask. Then she would say, "I followed my instincts." See son, women always know where to find you." Said Hakoda.

"But all this time, women were just good for marrying, and having children and cleaning the house, doing house chores and making sweet love to you." Said Sokka. "That is true, but they're not as stupid as you think. Let's keep on walking maybe we'll find another waterfall soon." Said Hakoda.

"Ok dad. I'm really starting to sweat. But I'm ready to start sweating even more." Said Sokka. They then continued with their journey.

Meanwhile in the fire nation, Iroh came into Zuko's room. "So how did your dinner date go?" asked Iroh.

"Not to good Uncle. She threw more stuff at me." Said Zuko looking depressed.

"Did she miss?" asked Iroh.

"Yes, I offered to help her work on her aim but she refused it." Said Zuko.

"Yes Fire Lord Zuko, it's very obvious that you're completely clueless when it comes to women." Said Iroh.

"And you know more about women?" asked Zuko.

"Yes I do. I've been married at least twelve times. Ok so it was only 6. But you have to be a little bit more sensitive with women." Said Iroh.

"Give me some more tips" said Zuko.

"Well if you want her to like you, then you need to give her complements, like on the way she looks or how she dresses." Said Iroh.

"Tired it."

"Ok then, give her a present. Lay a little bit on the charm." Said Iroh.

"That's it, I'll bring her some chocolates that Aunt Woo made! Uncle you're a genius!" said Zuko.

"No give her a present from the heart, like a poem." Said Iroh.

"Oh I know nothing about poetry. I can't even write a good essay." Said Zuko.

"Ok then try singing to her. She might notice you more." Said Iroh.

"I can't sing either." Said Zuko.

"Ok then, try dancing in front of her then." Said Iroh.

"I can't dance Uncle." Said Zuko.

"Can't you do anything?" asked Iroh.

"Well I've been going to violin lessons. But I'm a little bit rusty." Said Zuko.

"Then play her a song on the violin! Play, "The Ladies of Ba Sing Se."" said Iroh.

Zuko then lifted his brow, "That doesn't sound very romantic. But I'll try." Said Zuko. So Zuko got his violin out and tuned it, and then stood outside Katara's room. He started playing, it sounded scratchy. "Wow that was awful, I'll try again." Said Zuko. He then started playing "The Ladies of Ba Sing Se" on the violin.

Meanwhile in her room, Katara heard the violin. "Wow I wonder where that sound is coming from?" she said. She got on her robe and opened the door up. She was shocked to see that Zuko was outside her room and playing the violin.

When he saw her he stopped and froze. "Helllooooo." He said.

"Why are you here?!" Katara demanded.

"I was playing a song for you on the violin. It's called "The Ladies of Ba Sing Se."" said Zuko.

Katara gasped and then yelled, "You pig!" She slammed the door shut.

"Well that went smoothly." Said Zuko. He walked back to his room, where Iroh was waiting for him.

"Well how did it go?" he asked.

"Next time when I want advice on love, I'll asked a professional!" said Zuko all mad.

"Wait I have another idea!" said Iroh.

The next day, Aunt Woo and Soothsayer went to the village sorcerer. "Come on in." said the sorcerer. The sorcerer was a male with piecing blue eyes and dark brown hair. "So what can I do for you?" he asked.

"Well we're here to buy a love potion for Soothsayer." Said Aunt Woo.

"What? I thought that maybe you'd be here to buy some medicine, like if you're sick. I can't do any love spells. Who is it that you want to cast a spell on?" asked the Sorcerer.

"It's princess Azula." Said Soothsayer.

Then the Sorcerer started laughing. "Are you kidding she's way out of your league." He then paused, "The spirits tell me that she has no interest in you." said Sorcerer.

"Man that's just a bunch of bull crap right there!" said Soothsayer.

"Ok here is the deal, I'll first send the spirits to find out what she thinks about you and then we'll see about the potion ok?" said the sorcerer.

"Hay whatever happened to the old saying that the customer is always right?" asked Soothsayer.

"That doesn't work with me, if Azula found out that I helped you with this spell, she might try to execute me!" said the Sorcerer.

"That won't happen, it's Fire Lord Zuko that would have you executed not Azula. So don't worry there." Said Soothsayer.

"Ok I'll see what I can do, wait here for about at least 45 minuets." said Sorcerer. He went into the back.

"See isn't it a better idea to go to the sorcerer than to go me?" asked Aunt Woo.

"I guess you're right Woo. But what if it doesn't work."

"If you believe in it enough then it will work." Said Aunt Woo.

Meanwhile, at night Azula was talking to a guard. "Prince Zuko says to attack the Southern Water bending tribe." Said Azula.

"How do I know that you're not lying or anything?" asked the guard.

"Do you dare question me?" asked Azula.

"No madam. I'll tell all the solders right away." With that the guard left.

"Ha! Now the Waterbending tribe will be mine, as soon as I can get my dear brother off the thrown. Oh I know that Katara will fall in love with him and then they'll be so distracted by each other that they'll forget about ruling. He'll be my puppet after I gain his trust!" said Azula. She started laughing evilly.

"Who are you talking to?" asked Soothsayer.

"Oh no one." Said Azula.

"It's not healthy at all to talk to yourself Azula." Said Soothsayer.

"Oh shut up! You're my slave and you'll do as I say!" said Azula.

"Oh by the way, Aunt Woo baked you some cookies before you go to bed." Said Soothsayer.

"I never eat caffeine before I go to bed, I won't get any beauty sleep if I do." Said Azula.

"Oh and it's not chocolate chip either. It's caramel" said Soothsayer.

"Wow my favorite!" Azula took a cookie and sniffed it. "It smells good, hum did you put anything in it?" asked Azula.

"Caramel?" asked Soothsayer.

"Good enough." Azula then popped the cookie in her mouth. "I'll take the whole batch!" she said snatching it from Soothsayer. "I'm retiring for the night, goodnight slave." Said Azula.

"Good night my future wife!" said Soothsayer.

"What was that?!" asked Azula.

"Nothing." Said Soothsayer.

"That's what I thought." She then went into her room.

"Sucker! Now you will be mine forever!" said Soothsayer.