Yay two chapters in one day! I couldnt get this scene out of my head so I just had to type it up. Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.
Fire Nation Capital
Fire Lord Ozai and Lady Ursa had just came out of their meeting with the Avatar when they spotted Lu Ten, their dear nephew. Ursa looked up at her husband "Ozai where is Zuko? I haven't seen him since breakfast. I worry about him, he hasn't been himself lately." she said with a worry look in her eyes. Ozai looked at his wife sadly "Come we'll ask Lu Ten, I'm sure he has seen Zuko." They called Lu Ten over "Good afternoon my Lord and Lady." Ursa smiled "No formalities Lu Ten, we are your Aunt and Uncle." He smiled "Yes, of course. Is there anything I can help you with?" Ozai glanced at his wife then back at Lu Ten "Have you seen Zuko? He has been rather odd these past few days, missing dinner and locking himself in his room." He shook his head "I don't know what's wrong with that boy."
Lu Ten looked at his aunt with worry, it did sound like something Zuko will do. He looked back and right on sure Zuko came walking up the dirt path. Ursa smiled at the sight of him and was about to go and speak with him when Lu Ten stopped her "Aunt Ursa, why don't I talk to Zuko and see what's bothering him?" he said. She glanced at Zuko then back at her nephew "Yes, of course." With that Ozai led her away into the palace. Lu Ten sighed and turned to greet him cousin, casually of course.
Zuko saw his older cousin sitting on the palace stairs with a small scroll in his hands. "Hello Lu Ten." He said then looked towards the palace doors "Was that my father and mother?" he asked. Lu Ten looked up from his scroll. "Oh yeah, there was a little trouble back at the market place and they just got back from a meeting with Avatar Roku." Zuko raised an eyebrow "What kind of trouble?" Lu Ten shook his head "What do you think Zuko? Who have we been at war with for hundreds of years and are constantly causing trouble with?" he asked. Zuko glanced back at towards the village where he saw a man being wrapped up from battle.
"Why didn't anyone let me know about this? And where is Azula? Surely she wouldn't miss an opportunity to fight watertribe folk?" He frowned at the thought of his 14 year old sister, who was a bending prodigy. "Azula is with Ty Lee at the circus, uncommon for her but never mind that, where were you?" Zuko sighed and leaned on the marble wall "I was in the fields." He said quietly. Lu Ten noticed his mood change "What happened Zuko?" Zuko looked at him warily "Hey come on, I'm your cousin, and you can tell me anything." He continued to look at him warily "Fine if you must know, it's Mai." Lu Ten smirked at his cousin "And?"
"Well….she rejected me…..again." He glared at the ground. Lu Ten looked at his cousin sadly; he could tell he was hurt. "I was so in love with her too, but she just said she didn't want to have a relationship with anyone. She doesn't want commitment. I mean what kind of girl doesn't want commitment?" he shook his head angrily. "Love is stupid."
Lu Ten chuckled and smacked his hand on his cousin's back. "Well what I see is that you need to get over this chick and I know how. We are going to a party." Zuko shook his head "No way Lu Ten, last time I did that you got me drunk and we both had to drag ourselves back to the palace, plus you asked my mom if she'd give you a lap dance! Final answer is no." Zuko said. Lu Ten smirked "Fine if you don't want to then you'll never get over your precious Mai." Glaring at his cousin for a few moments, Zuko sighed "Fine, I'll go." Lu Ten smiled and they walked towards the palace doors. "Great, just to let you know we are crashing a Water Tribe party" Zuko stopped walking and looked at him with wide eyes. "Are you crazy? We could be killed! Better yet if my father finds out he'll kill us and then my mother….Oh gods! There is no way I'm going now." He said. "Too late you already agreed. You don't want to let Jet down now? He's been excited for this and you haven't seen him in a while. Don't be such a worry wart." Zuko ran a hand through his shaggy hair "I've been told I never think things through, but Lu, this is crazy!" Lu Ten chuckled "Don't worry Cuz everything will be fine." He glared at his cousin "I highly doubt that."
Water Tribe Palace.
"Kya, the Fire Nation has pledged to keep peace as did we. So there shall be no more trouble." Hakota told his wife as they sat on their loveseat. "I surely hope not Hakota; it was absolute chaos this morning. Im sure your mother was just as upset about it as the Avatar was." She said gazing up at her husband from her book, her cobalt eyes shining. "Yes well it will not happen again my wife. I have to go, the young air nomad Aang and asked to speak with me. He seemed pretty urgent about it, I'm bringing Sokka along too. It wont last long. I will see you at dinner." He said then kissed his wife and headed to his study where his son and the young bachelor was waiting for him.
"Hello Aang and my son." He said nodding to the two young men sitting near his ice desk. "Good afternoon father." Sokka said. Hakota sat at his desk "Now state your business Aang. Is it the air temples?" He gazed at the young man sitting in front of him. He has been Sokka and Katara's friend for a while now and he was proud to see how much of a man he has become. Aang looked slightly uncomfortable and cleared his throat "Well yes, I have come to speak with you about my letter have sent to you a few days ago."
Hakota sat up straighter, yes he did remember that letter. Sokka rose an eyebrow gazing at his friend. "Yes Aang, well I think it is a fantastic idea and a great way to unite our nations, but it is not my choice, it is Katara's." Sokka furrowed his eyebrows then his eyes widened "You asked for my sister's hand in marriage?" Aang's eyes also grew wide "Y-yes" Sokka took a calming breath "Aang, Katara is my sister and one of your best friends, do you think she is going to take this lightly?" Aang stared at his hands "I don't really know Sokka, I do know one thing and it's that I love your sister." He gazed at his friend "Fine but I don't agree with this."
Hakota cleared his throat "Aang you must know that I support your idea but I am going to let my daughter decide, it is her choice after all. Okay how about you come to our full moon celebration tonight, if you can get Katara to fall in love with you then the marriage will be arranged. If not, then you must wait until she is of age, which is 16." He said and looked at Sokka who had a satisfied smile on his face. Aang smiled "Fair enough." He stood up and shook both the watertribe men's hand. When he left the room Sokka plopped down back on his chair
"You Katara is not going to take this lightly." He said. Hakota nodded his head "That's why we are not going to tell her or your mother. Telling Katara will only pressure her into saying yes and making her miserable for the rest of her life. I don't want that for my daughter." Sokka nodded his head. "I think that's a brilliant idea. Well I have to go get ready for the party tonight." He began to leave the room. "Oh and Sokka?" Hakota called causing his son to turn around "Say hi to Suki for me." He said with a wink causing his son to blush and making himself chuckle. 'That's my boy.'
I just love overprotected Sokka :) and sorry for Ozai being so O.C but i couldn't find a way to make him a villain in this story so i just did that^^
Hope you liked it! :D