Disclaimer: I do not own avatar, nor do I make any profit from this story

Arc I

Rating: T

Chapter 7

Katara, Toph, Sokka, and Zuko

Katara lay silently on the bed she shared with Toph. The moon's light crept through a gap in the curtains, spilling across the floor. The encounter with Jet had left her exhausted, but she was unable to sleep. Thoughts raced through her mind. Jet's words only showed how much of a fool she'd been. His reaction had been terrible and swift. She reached up and gingerly brushed the bruise that had formed on her cheek. The blow had been unexpected and terrifying.

If this is what he does to me, what has he done to faceless strangers?

Katara was stunned. She'd never thought he'd strike someone in anger.. Did he strike others? It was a thought that made her shiver. The possessive gleam in his eyes spoke of madness. He had grabbed her and shook her forcefully, cursing and screaming in rage, pinning her hands all to her sides and stomping her feet to prevent bending. Toph had appeared out of nowhere. Hearing the tears in Katara's voice had immediately caused her to unleash a fury of earthbending that had left Jet broken and beaten on the beach.

She had taken an aghast Katara back to the house, where the others waited anxiously. Sokka had seen his sister's state, and quickly pulled her into his arms, squeezing her until she feared she pass out from lack of air. Aang had been stunned and then, to Katara's shock, terribly angry. She had never seen Aang angry. It was an emotion ill suited to such a lighthearted soul.

Toph had shoved them all off and taken Katara to bed, where she stayed with her to watch over her, uncomfortable but talking to distract Katara nonetheless. She had been silent, numb even. She was so disgusted with herself.

Katara had lain there listening to her friends' voice's trail off for some time. Now she felt hollow and foolish. The moon was nearly full. She had been next to the ocean for La's sake! She felt disgusted that her shock had stopped her from protecting herself. If it hadn't been for Toph…she didn't even stop to ponder the possibilities. Now she just wished sleep would salvage her from her thoughts.

She heard a faint sniffling. The sound came from Toph's hunched form, settled on the other side of the bed. Why would Toph be upset? Katara hadn't even noticed her voice trail off.

"Toph?"

The sniffling ceased immediately. Toph's shoulders tensed. Katara heard her take several deep breaths before she answered. "Yes?"

"Are you…well?" Katara felt odd asking this. Toph had always been strong. Katara had never even seen her cry.

"No."

The quiet answer gave her pause. She had expected for Toph to deny anything and hide her tears. 'Toph…what's wrong?"

Toph rolled over to face Katara. Her hair was tousled and her eyes puffy. Her cheeks were red and wet. A single tear escaped her eye and slid down her cheek. The silver light of the moon made it sparkle magnificently. Toph said nothing, but lifted her arm to show off a small black bracelet.

Katara was confused for a moment before she realized. Sokka. Her brother had given Toph the bracelet on her last birthday. It was a simple piece, fashioned from a small meteorite Sokka had stumbled across. Toph had adored it, surprising everyone by hugging Sokka tightly.

"Oh, Toph…"

Toph said nothing, but lay there, tears silently streaming down her face. Katara couldn't imagine how she felt. It had been quite clear what Sokka meant to ask Suki.

"I knew it was foolish." Toph's words were whispered, full of self depreciation. "I don't know what I was thinking. He was the first male who didn't treat me like a glass doll. He didn't care that I was blind."

Katara's heart reached out to Toph. The only time she had chanced her affection, it had been thrown in her face, and the worst part was that Sokka remained ignorant. She pulled Toph into her arms and let her cry.

Toph had never really needed to cry, she hated self-pity and abstained from it as much as possible. When she was smaller it had been normal, a way to get attention as a babe, and later show her loneliness when she was alone. She hated feeling weak and helpless, it made her feel as if she was proving everyone right, that she was fragile and blind and worthless.

Katara's arms held her tight and she felt disgusted that she was crying because her feelings were hurt, while Katara, with bruises on her cheek and arms, held her close. Sokka was her best friend and she still couldn't determine when she thought of him as more. He had always been there, clumsy and gullible, making her laugh and smile. She had started feeling warm around him. His touches made her heart flutter and her cheeks flush.

She had tried hard to push it away. The strange feelings made her feel weak and so like the court ladies that she despised. Sokka was too old for her, too oblivious, and too…Sokka. She had never acted on her feelings, but for the first time she wondered how she looked, what he thought of her, and most of all how he looked.

Never before had she hated her disability. She had never wished so badly to see, and now she felt weak and wasted. She had never reflected on her worth as a woman, and now it was foremost in her thoughts. What was wrong with her? Why was it only money that drove suitors to her arms? Katara had always been plagued by suitors, despite her lack of inheritance. Never before had Toph thought appearance counted for so much. How could she ever measure up?

Sokka stood on the porch situated at the front of the house. The house was large, reserved for guests of importance. Now it was filled with the wedding escort. Thoughts of his sister filled his mind. He had gone in search of Jet, but had been unable to find him. Aang had been shocked at Jet's actions and had written to Bumi immediately. Sokka was still seething. He recognized the mark of a blow upon his sister and the warrior within clamored for vengeance.

They would be leaving tomorrow instead of staying the planned week. He refused to let his sister stay and suffer from the echoes of Jet and the gossip that would follow. As much as it pained him to admit it, he knew his sister would be safe with the Fire Prince. Thoughts of the firebender made him scowl. He had found the letters Katara had tried to hide. The Prince's words were far too arrogant for his liking. He refused to let the firebender touch his sister, harmful or otherwise. From what he'd heard, Zuko was older than Katara by three years. The number did nothing to ease his fears.

The Fire Prince was a man, and men wanted things. Hell if that firebender would ever have Katara in his bed. He knew they were required to have children, but he pushed that thought away. His sister, his baby sister was far too young to have babes of her own. Sokka wouldn't be…Katara wouldn't be ready for that until she was…30…at least. His thoughts were irrational, especially in light of his own situation with Suki.

Suki.

After Katara had left with, he hadn't stopped pacing, watching and waiting for her return. He had completely lost his nerve by the time she returned. The possibility of rejection loomed ahead, a possibility that had never occurred to him before. Then he saw the bruises on his sister and all other thoughts fled.

He dug his nails into his palm to slow his temper. Right now his sister needed support not a rage-blinded fool. She was headed into a political marriage. A marriage that Sokka had tried to prevent at all costs. Unknown by his sister, he had pleaded with his father and the Fire lord, begging them to reconsider. He spent weeks finding alternative solutions to the treaty, but his ideas were cast aside. The only reason he was allowing it was because of the letters.

Unwillingly he had to admit that the firebender had been the perfect gentlemen. Nowhere in the letter could he find inappropriate conduct or anything harmful. The Prince was obviously full of himself, but weren't most men? Besides for Sokka, of course. He had been astounded to see his sister's obvious delight when the dragon hawk brought a new message from the Prince. She would smile and her eyes shone brilliantly.

Despite whatever she had fooled herself into believing, Sokka saw the signs. The gentleness in her hold as she handled the letters, the wide smile as she read them, the quickness in her reply, and once, a kiss pressed against the parchment on the Prince's signature and a whispered good night. He knew any affection she had for the Prince, whether she was aware of it or not, would only bring her pain.

He knew she was afraid of her marriage and what it would entail, but he watched her nervous excitement with a heavy heart. His sister was still young and he sorely regretted that he would not be around to watch her bloom.

He looked towards the moon and blew it a kiss. As a young child he had been told the story of a brave warrior and his love. The maiden had been killed in a raid on their village and the man had begged the ocean to let him see her beauty. The ocean had placed her soul in the moon to show their eternal love and place the maiden within the warrior's sight. The brave warrior had been his role model and for some reason, the maiden's name had always been held in his mind.

Yue.

He turned his back on the silver glow of the moon and entered the dark house, still pondering his own love and the romance his sister would never have.

Toph stood reluctantly next to the dock. She refused to board the ship until it was absolutely necessary. Not only was she truly blind away from her element, but the idea of being confined in a relatively small space with Suki and Sokka was not something she relished.

It had taken nearly an hour for her tears to subside. Katara had held her, never mocking, but comforting with her soft humming and gentle hugs. Her faith in romance had dropped as surely as Katara's had after Jet, but now feeling scorned and watching Katara prepare herself for a loveless marriage, she dismissed the idea altogether. With her status it would be nearly impossible to wed for love anyway.

Her heart ached for her own grievances and Katara's as well. She thought of the older girl like a sister, her childish fantasies had hoped that someday she would be. Strong, brave, kind Katara. Heading to a country alone and unprepared, with only a few letters to begin a bond that would have to last a lifetime.

Katara seemed cheerful, but Toph felt her nerves as surely as if they were her own. It hardly seemed fair that she would have to give up her home, when she had already given up so much for her people. It was Katara's nature, give as much as she could until someone forced her to take or she dropped from exhaustion. Whatever redeeming qualities the Prince had, he could never deserve Katara.

Katara had always seemed a step above everyone else. Her grace and concern for others placing her in a league of her own. She was not perfect but whilst she held a fury that rivaled the sun's heat, she'd always turn around and sooth whatever harm she had caused. Toph had 'seen' her scold a child for wandering towards thin ice, then play with the child till the offense was forgiven and the ice a distant memory.

If the Prince possessed any semblance of intelligence he'd realize Katara's value.

She deserved the best and Toph was determined to make the Prince realize this. She looked forward to threatening… 'chatting' with her future brother in law.

A light hand landed on her shoulder. Out of sheer willpower, Toph didn't jump.

"Are you ready to go, Toph?" Aang was standing next to her, watching her in concern. That's when Toph realized everyone else had loaded whilst she been lost in her thoughts.

"I'm fine, Twinkletoes." She punched his arm and flashed him a grin before walking slowly up the loading ramp.

Aang shook his head and rubbed his arm, watching her make her way up the ramp before it occurred to him that she was blind.

"Toph! Be careful!"

Zuko stared at the brief message in his hand. It had arrived only moments ago.

Fire Prince Zuko,

Due to a protection issue, the escort has left Kyoshi Island immediately. We will arrive by in four days, instead of the predetermined one and a half weeks. Lady Katara sends her sincerest apologies for any difficulties and asks that I pass on her regards to you and your uncle.

Spirits preserve you,

Avatar Aang, pupil of master Katara and ambassador for King Bumi

The avatar? How many people were in this 'escort'? Why didn't Katara write? What happened? Was she safe? Zuko stopped himself. Obviously she was fine, and on her way.

Zuko took a deep breath. He wasn't sure if he was ready to face her days earlier than planned.

The whole palace was in an uproar. Last minute arrangements were being made left and right. An extra guest had to be accounted for, the musicians had been arrested for vapor usage, and so on and so forth. Not to mention that the ring leader of this circus was nowhere to be found. His uncle had been hiding himself away whenever a spare moment was possible. Zuko knew he was plotting something, but he hadn't bothered to expend energy to figure out what. His uncle's scheming would reveal itself in time.

Zuko left his rooms. He had been seeking a rare moment of solitude when a servant had brought him the letter. Now he ventured into the chaos to find his uncle. Servants were running in every direction, carrying letters, flowers, and meals to various places and people. He stopped in shock at the mass of blue before him.

Katara's room had been set around a corner from his. It had been remodeled to bring her comfort and he hadn't seen the finished outcome. He stepped through the door. Thankfully the room was empty.

The walls were a soft sage color. The large wooden bed was done up in various shades of blue silk, the dark wood of the floor was covered in soft throw rugs. A small desk rested in the corner of the room, already prepared with inks and parchment. The window seat was a deep royal blue, with soft pillows strewn casually across it. A long chaise had been pulled in front of the fireplace, the fabric covering it striped in silver and light blue.

The whole atmosphere was calming and very feminine, and very Water Tribe. Though if one looked closely, touches of Fire Nation could be found. A wooden wardrobe with gold inlay, a crimson pillow tucked between the others on the bed, and a small red throw rug resting directly beneath the hearth. He could only hope she liked it. Glancing around the room, his eyes stopped on the bed. His cheeks flushed as he thought of something he had neglected to mention to her.

After their wedding they would be escorted to his room. Although they wouldn't be forced to share a bed, it was expected. She would be prepared as tradition demanded, dressed and bathed as to make her especially fertile and appealing. Choosing not to dwell on it, he exited the room, shutting the door behind him and nearly smashing into his uncle.

"Uncle!" The shout was driven out of his mouth by instinct, it was a surprise to bump, literally, into his uncle after days of only seeing him from a distance.

Remembering why he had left the sanctuary of his rooms in the first place, he handed his uncle the letter. His uncle scanned it rapidly and let out a decidedly unmanly gasp.

"This was dated two days ago!"

Zuko raised an eyebrow at his uncle's exclamation. "So?"

"We only have two days left nephew!" His uncle was off at once calling to servants and merely adding to the dull roar that sounded throughout the palace.

Zuko sighed and decided to head to the gardens. His mother's soul seemed to linger there, peace and beauty stealing over the place. He sat before the pond and watched the turtle ducks approach him, eager for crumbs.

He smiled softly. "I have nothing for you today."

The ducks swam away, obviously offended once they took note of his empty palms. He vaguely remembered promising to show Katara the turtleducks. He wondered what she'd think and silently hoped she find the same peace he always had. It was the last piece of his mother that felt alive and personal. If Katara rejected it, his hopes for their marriage would plummet. He desired they would become friends, able to work together and get things done. He couldn't stop himself from wishing she'd delight in the small ways he knew how to open up to her.

Zuko sighed. Her arrival had weighed heavily on his mind for some time. Her acceptance of him was a pivotal point for him to trust her. He knew it was unfair to expect more of her than any other person who had seen his face, but he could hardly help himself. He'd sent her the last letter, half hoping she'd receive it and take the pressure off him to open up by demanding answers herself. It felt less like giving in that way.

If she was repulsed, he didn't know how he would go through with the wedding. If, by some miracle, she managed to look past the scar, he'd try everything in his power to make her happy. Her reaction was one of the largest reasons he was nervous, but the wedding itself was another.

He knew that there were many people who resented this marriage in one way or another. The possibility of conflict before during, or after the wedding was very great. He was up against a two nations who kept to themselves and wouldn't welcome the mixing of two elements. Then if Katara herself choose to go against him in their marriage, it was likely the entire alliance would fall apart. Fighting his bride and the people against the alliance was not an idea he relished.

He had little over a day to prepare himself. Despite it start being purely political, this was still a marriage and responsibilities came with it.

He didn't have any idea how to treat his bride, let alone be a good husband and father.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his head. The only thing he could guarantee was the awkwardness about to unfold.

Katara watched in awe as the Yue pulled into the harbor of the Fire Nation's capital city. Color was everywhere. Vibrant reds and blinding golds, harsh black smoke and red stone houses and shops. The only other place she had seen with this many people had been Omashu. Fear crept into her.

A hand landed on her arm. Toph was silent and grim, looking for all the world like she was about to enter a battleground.

Sokka rested his hand on Katara's shoulder and squeezed briefly.

"Lady Katara!"

At the shout everyone turned to see Firelord Iroh waiting next to two rather large carriages. The sailors were already loading the escort's luggage onto the carriages.

Everyone descended the ramp before Katara. She gazed longingly at the sea before running her hand across the ship's rail. Taking a deep breath she stepped onto the ramp and set foot in her new home.

The carriage ride was quiet and uncomfortable. Katara was too nervous to make conversation, and Iroh sensing this, made no effort to draw her out. The others followed his lead and silence ensued.

When they pulled to the front of the Palace, Katara felt her breath escape her in a soft whoosh. It towered above her, dark and foreboding. It was hard to believe such a jolly man as Iroh had been raised here.

The palace consisted of a main building with two large wing stretching out on either side. It easily had 10 stories and had been constructed out of dark stone. Proud crimson banners hung from windows high up, whether they were meant to intimidate or welcome, Katara couldn't be sure.

Iroh led the way inside, sending a maid ahead to fetch Prince Zuko. Katara's stomach was doing somersaults.

They stopped in a light, airy room with vaulted windows and a high ceiling. The sunlight pouring inside was a relief to Katara, though it caused her to feel hot in her thick dress.

Before her departure from the South Pole, her father had presented her with an extraordinary dress. It was light colored silk with draping sleeves that brushed the ground. It had a dainty blue over layer that came to the bottom of the dress. A short tunic-styled vest was laced over the dress itself. The vest was white in color, with swirling blue patterns that were simple yet elegant. She had been mesmerized by the simple grace of the dress and felt tears enter her eyes when her father told her it had been her mother's wedding dress.

She wore it proudly now, along with her mother's stone pendant and choker. Her hair had been half pulled back, with a few loose curls framing her face.

Iroh invited them to sit in one of the many armchairs that dotted the spacious room. Suki sat gracefully on the edge of her seat. Toph plopped down with a thud on one one of the stone benches that lined the windows. Aang sat quietly on the bench next to Toph. Sokka and Katara remained standing. They didn't wait for long.

The door opened and Katara bowed her head.

"Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation!"

The servant that had announced him shut the door behind him. Everyone had jumped up when he entered and his eyes scanned them all.

The two people by the benches were young and the boy's eyes widened when his gaze met Zuko. His mouth opened slightly and Zuko looked away from him. The girl standing next to him stared at him full on, showing no signs of recognition or surprise, her eyes were very light and seemed oddly clouded. An older girl fell under his appraisal next. She let out a slight gasp, before quickly averting her eyes and bowing her head. The tall boy meet his gaze fiercely, but Zuko read the slight fear and pity in his eyes. His uncle gestured him forward, and as he entered farther into the room, the escort separated a reveal a woman's slight figure.

Her head was bowed and it was obvious she was trembling. Her shape was pleasant and her skin a warm tone of brown. Her hair was a deep, rich mahogany that fell over her shoulders and spilled down her back . She bowed before him before straightening and raising her eyes to meet his.

He almost started at their vibrant blue hue.

Her eyes widened, and he waited for the pity and disgust to shine in those oceanic depths.

It never came.

Her surprise was apparent but he watched her eyes rake over his face and figure before meeting his gaze once more. Not for a moment did she stare or gape at his deformed eye, but continued to meet his eyes.

"Prince Zuko," She said lightly nodded in acknowledgement.

Zuko was too stunned to reply. There was nothing on her face that spoke of disgust, and now that his initial fear had been calmed, his very much male mind began to take closer notice of his bride.

She was without a doubt beautiful. Her features were different, to be sure, more prominent and stronger than the dainty women of his court. She had high cheekbones and full lips set in a oval face atop a slender, graceful neck. Her figure was slender, but shapely, and her bending prowess clearly showed in her physique.

His attention kept returning to her eyes. Not only were they easily the clearest, deepest blue he'd ever seen, but they radiated a sort of innocent curiosity that he found extremely refreshing.

"Welcome, Lady Katara."

He surprised them all by bowing to her, but his uncle beamed in delight.

"You all must be exhausted from your journey. If you'll follow me, we'll see if we can situate you in your rooms." Iroh smiled widely. "Nephew why don't you show Katara the gardens? You two need a chance to talk."

Sokka began to protest, but Iroh ushered them all out the room.

Zuko shook his head. She had barely been here five minutes and his uncle already began to play matchmaker.

He turned to Katara, who had shyly averted her eyes to the ground.

Then it struck him.

They were alone.

END OF ARC I

A.N: Arc I is over.