Chapter 2

Katara hummed to herself as she cleaned her hut. It had been a year since the war had ended and she was already 18. She still loved fun and especially penguin sliding. She enjoyed the carefree style of her tribe. After all of the chores were done, everyone gathered together to listen to stories and sit near the fire. Katara looked outside. It was getting dark outside, everyone was probably already gathered. Katara finished up things and put on her heavy coat. It would be cold outside. She emerged out of her tent. The cold met her body and wind blew the hair from her face. Her cheeks were already rosy. She loved it. She loved the cold. It seemed refreshing. She walked past all of the huts. Aang was currently living there with them, though it was cold. Toph had decided to stick with them as well. Katara saw the fire light and all of the people gathered around it. There were about 100 people living there. Not a high population, but everyone treated each other like family. Katara warmed inside as Sokka handed her some Cocoa. She waved and talked to a lot of people. Eventually, she reached Aang.

"Katara!"

"Hey Aang!"

"Later, let's go penguin sliding."

Katara laughed and nodded.

"Sure Aang."

Everyone gathered around the fire as Katara's grandmother told a native water tribe story. Everyone sat silent, listening to the respected woman. The story kept them on edge until the end. At the end there was applause. Everyone suggested a song. They wanted Katara to sing. She was considered the best singer in the tribe. Katara just laugh and positioned herself in front of everyone. Her voice started out sweet and soft. She sang a playful song of a lost penguin and what it did trying to get home. Her voice became strong and illustrated. Everyone laughed at what happened to the penguin. When the penguin was safely home, everyone cheered. They loved how Katara could always make them laugh.

Hakoda silenced everyone and turned to Katara.

"Thank you very much, daughter. Your mother would have been proud."

Katara managed a nod. Her mother's death still hurt, but she was learning how to deal with it. Hakoda again silenced everyone.

"My dear people, I have something important to discuss with all of you."

Now, everyone was silent. When Hakoda said something was important, it was.

"As you know, the war was ended about a year ago."

Everyone looked at each other. Of course they knew that! Katara leaned in closer. What was her father getting to?

"And the water tribes have not been getting along with the fire nation."

A couple of angry yells echoed through the small crowd. "How can we trust them so soon." "They don't deserve our trust."

Hakoda again silenced them.

"Do you want another war!?"
His voice boomed through the area and Katara shivered. The people silenced. They trusted their leader.

"The fire nation has made a request…"

Katara's breath caught in her throat, the fire nation requested? What about the fire nation demanded?

"They request the permission to come here and settle business with us."

The people burst out in worried exclamation.

"Silence! They wish to come here and choose one woman to marry a high official in the fire nation."

Gasps echoed through the crowd.

"It will ensure our bond between both nations. Whomever they choose, she will live in the grand palace and have as much as she could ever desire."

Katara turned and looked at all of the women. Most were smiling and exchanging whispers. She caught 'I hope he's handsome.' 'All I could ever want!' 'The palace! Can you believe it!?' 'I'll wear my best dress!'

Katara just rolled her eyes. They can have him! Whoever that high official is, they'll give him a run for his money! Katara suppressed a laugh.

"When is he coming?!" an excited woman asked. Hakoda answered.

"In about a week."

Everyone looked at each other. That fast? Now Katara openly laughed at the girls excited faces. One came up to her. She was about 19.

"Katara, can you believe it?!"

Katara laughed at her.

"But Leyla, what if this 'high official' is some greedy, selfish, old, fat, lazy…"

"Rich?"

"Is that honestly all you care about?"

"Well, what do you care about?"

"If I marry, I'll marry for love and happiness."

"Well, good luck with that!"
And Leyla walked away. Katara shook her head as she walked to her hut. Had it come to this? That a girl would trade her happiness for comfort and riches?

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Sorry…this one is kinda shorter…but Zutara will come! Thank you all for reviewing!!!!!