The Fire Lord had changed into a new sets of clothes and headed to the dining hall where they were to have dinner.
"You should've seen his face when the kids were pulling pranks on him." Katara laughed.
"Okay, okay, I still got ways to go before becoming chief." Sokka uttered, his cheeks getting tainted with red.
Toph just giggled at the sight.
Zuko rolled his eyes and proceeded to the seat beside Sokka.
The group started digging in as they shared stories. Their laughter filled the noble family's home. It felt nice to have the Gaang back together after five long years, the family comfy atmosphere they never knew they missed so much.
"How 'bout we go sight seeing tomorrow before the big celebration?" Toph asked.
The waterbender nodded happily.
"Sure, to atleast get familiar with the place." Sokka agreed.
"You guys go on ahead, I think my time's going to be occupied until the party." Zuko uttered.
The ladies sighed, they knew duties still lied on their friend's shoulder even though he was away from the Fire Nation.
Before anyone could speak, a man in a Fire Nation attire entered the room.
"Excuse us." Zuko bowed and approached the man.
"Let's head to my room."
The people who remained in the room heard their friend mumble before he left with the man.
"Come on, let's head to sleep." Sokka yawned.
The ladies obliged and they individually went to their room.
o0oOo0o
"Good morning Sokka." Katara cheerfully greeted to his brother who was having practice at the Beifong's green lawn.
The warrior nodded and continued kicking and punching the air.
"The servants prepared breakfast, shall you join me?"
Katara turned to face her blind friend before nodding and calling for her brother.
Noticing that they were missing one companion the waterbender spoke.
"Where's Zuko?"
"He had breakfast early so he's probably in his room scribbling some papers." Sokka responded.
"I see." Katara frowned.
"We can go visit the plaza first." Toph spoke, breaking the dead silence that almost invaded the room.
"You two ladies can head together, I'll be roaming alone to cover more grounds." Sokka stated.
After having breakfast, the group prepared and they, as planned headed to places they agreed upon.
"Lady Beifong." A group of girls called out as the earthbender and her friend reached the plaza.
Katara nodded to her friend and smiled as she saw how her friend became sociable.
She continued roaming the streets, smiling at every item that caught her eye.
"Katara?"
The waterbender shifted her gaze and met Mai with a nobleman from the Fire Nation she thought, judging from the way he dressed.
"Mai." Katara said in surprise and stepped closer to her lady friend.
"It's been a long time, how are you?" The waterbender started.
"I've been fine." Mai responded with her usual thin smile.
"This is Zhu Li...my fiancé."
Katara got speechless.
Fiancé? But I thought Zuko and her- she cut her thought off.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Zhu Li." Katara forced a smile.
"We should be heading our way." Mai spoke, avoiding any questions from the waterbender.
"Sure, bye." Katara waved.
As the couple disappeared from sight, Katara sighed.
"But I thought they were dating." The female spoke to no one.
"Katara!"
This time she smiled, glad to see her earthbending friend.
The duo continued their walk until they met Sokka and decided to head back.
Again, the Gaang ate dinner with the absence of two. The servants said that the Fire Lord already had his meal and was back into his room. As for the Avatar, the group wasn't even sure if he shall be joining them.
Back into their room, Katara took a bath and changed into a satin night gown before dipping into the circular bed. The moon was already up in the sky but the waterbender can't seem to catch sleep. Knowing she wouldn't be drifting into sleep, she left her room and decided to roam the quiet place of the Beifongs.
She was dipping her feet in the small pond when a light that was lit up in one of the rooms caught her attention. Water bending the small drops of water left in her feet she walked over to the room's window and peered over it. There she saw her firebending friend still up and going as he wrote paper after paper. She sighed and entered thru the window.
The Fire Lord failed to notice the waterbender enter his room. Sneaking quietly, Katara waterbended a small amount of water and turned it to ice before dropping it into the firebender's back.
"Gah!" Zuko screamed and stood from his stool.
Katara let out a laugh and stared at the oh-so great Fire Lord of the the Fire Nation. Zuko glared at his female friend. Thinking of revenge, Zuko sent a small trail of lighting that hit the waterbender. Losing balance from the contact with the electric force she fell to the Fire Lord's bed.
"That all you got 'Tara." Zuko smirked as he leaned down to Katara.
"Get off me." Katara pushed him and stood from the mattress.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Zuko asked as he returned to continuing his calligraph.
"Shouldn't you be too?" Katara smirked and laid on her stomach in Zuko's bed.
"Right after I finish this up." The Fire Lord responded not sharing a glance to his friend.
Katara sighed.
"Y'know, I ran into Mai earlier." She mumbled.
Zuko paused at what he's doing but after a minute continued scribbling.
"And?" He asked.
"She introduced me to her fiancé." Katara paused.
"What happened I thought it was you and her?" She continued.
Zuko sighed and set his pen down.
"I think I need that sleep now." He stated and crawled into the bed.
Katara rolled over and faced the Fire Lord.
"I'm sorry, I know it's not my business and all. I was just wondering but if it's too personal then it's okay." Katara smiled.
She motioned to leave but stopped after feeling her friend's hand grip hers.
"Stay for the night, will you."
Katara nodded, seeing that the Fire Lord needed comfort. She crawled under the sheets, keeping distance with the firebender. But the Fire Lord knew better, he moved closer and wrapped an arm around Katara's waist. He felt irritated, the thin clothing just served as a nuisance. He thought it was better with it off but he respected the waterbender. He pulled her closer, feeling her slim body and smelling her scent, the scent that drove him sane and serene.
o0oOo0o
"Katara!" Sokka worriedly spoke as he searched every room.
"What's wrong?" Toph asked as she ran into him.
"Katara's gone. She's not in her room." Sokka replied and continued opening door after door.
Toph didn't say a word, she knew she was all wrapped up in their firebending friend's arms.
He opened the door to Zuko's room only to find him and her sister cuddled up. Sokka sighed, feeling glad that she saw her safe though it bothered him that the Fire Lord and her sister were hugging in their sleep he let it slid. He trusts the firebender.
He sighed and closed the door, leaving her sister and the overworked firebender to sleep. He'll just nag them later, he thought.
o0oOo0o
Katara woke up feeling arms tightly wrapped around her.
"Wake up sleepy head." Katara whispered.
"Itsh too...early." Zuko snored and nuzzled into Katara's neck.
Katara chuckled. She tried unlocking Zuko's hands only to earn a tighter hold from the firebender.
"Come on, wake up hot hands. I wanna eat breakfast." Katara whined as she tried to escape from Zuko's arms.
"Did you just call me hot?" Zuko smirked cockily as he rose his head.
"Yes, cause you're a firebender." Katara scoffed.
"Stop flirting with my sister and get your butts down the kitchen."
The opposite benders turned to the door. Sokka had his arms crossed with nothing but pure anger burning in his eyes.
"Okay we're up." Zuko rose from the bed.
"And hurry we still got tons of things to do before the party later." Sokka ended and left the room.