Chapter ten: Rage and Engagements
Disclaimer: I haven't and never ever will own Avatar: the Last Airbender (AtLA), but this story I spent my time on writing is mine.
Important A/N: In this story time goes slower than in the actual show. From where we are right now in the story there is about 5 months until Sozin's Comet. You'll see why later. :-]
(I'm going to start writing the entire story in Katara's P.O.V. It's just easier for me to update and it can leave you to think about what other emotions are running through the other characters minds.
The Unexpected
Katara's P.O.V
When I woke up I looked around me to find myself not in my own room. Why am I in Zuko's room I thought to myself. Then I remembered the events from last night that led me here. I stand up and head to the a washroom to clean up for the day. Once everything else is done I go to the eating area, prepare breakfast, and call everyone to eat.
Once we ate we all did our daily routine of either training or doing chores for the rest of the day. During this time I thought about what Zuko and I were going to do once the babies were born. I was only fourteen- wait no, I can't believe I had forgot my own birthday. It had passed five days ago, I was fifteen, and I had forgotten. It seemed as if everyone else did, but that would be perfectly reasonable since no one but Sokka knew. Once the sun had set I went outside to go do some training by the fountain when I heard a loud noise and ran to see where it was coming from. Apparently everyone else heard too, because they were right behind me. We all got in our bending or fighting stances about to attack until I saw the person I had been longing for, for the past few days come into my view. Zuko.
"What are you doing in this thing?" I asked as I see them in a giant war ship, "What happened to the war balloon?"
"It kinda got destroyed," he replied with a delicious smirk.
"That sounds like a crazy fishing trip," Aang said.
Just then at the sound of fishing trip, Toph piped in on the conversation also, "Did you at least get some good meat?"
"I did, the best meat of all," Sokka said with a dreamy look on his face, "The meat of friendship and fatherhood."
I just stood there for a quick second shock that Sokka actually thought something was better than real meat until I saw who came off the warship. It was Suki, my dad, and some guy that I had never seen in my life.
"I'm new what's up everybody," I heard the new guy say in the background, but the only person I was focused on was my dad.
"Dad," I said and ran up to give him and hug. Just I suddenly remembered my pregnant belly and pulled away to see the shocked look at my dad's face sketching over with anger.
"I can explain," I say quickly and look over towards Zuko for help as I feel the tears build up in my eyes, "I'm so sorry dad." I sob as I feel the tears rolling down my cheeks.
"Who is it?" I heard him say in a whisper.
"What?" I look up at him confused.
"Who is the father, Katara?" He replied.
I look over at Zuko feeling bad for the raft he would have to endure. I give him a questionable look asking if it was okay if I told and he just nodded.
"Zuko," I say in a soft whisper.
I saw the fury in my dad's eyes as he turned his head to face Zuko.
"Look I know you are probably mad at me, but I just-," Zuko started, but was cut off my dad.
"You took my daughter's honor and got her pregnant at fourteen!" Hakoda snapped, "And you're the son of the man who ordered people to destroy my tribe and killed my wife! Why should I not be mad at you! You ruined my little girl!" He bellowed as he pounded his fist into the pillar and stormed out the area.
I just stood there with tears rolling down my cheeks. I let out a sob, drop to my knees, and bury my head in my hands. I soon felt two strong arms pull me into a warm embrace. I look up to see Zuko with a comforting look on his face.
"I love you," he whispered in my ear and kissed my temple.
"I'll go talk to dad," I hear Sokka say and run off into the direction in which dad left.
"Congratulations Katara," I heard Suki say as she tried to ease some of the tension, "How many months along are you?"
"Seven," I say and give her a sad, uneasy smile as Zuko helped me up.
"Come on," Zuko says, "I'll help you to your room."
I grab Zuko's hand and we walk to my room and I sit on the bed as Zuko shuts the door.
"Stop crying Katara," He says as he rubs my stomach, "All that can't be good for the babies."
"I can't help it," I said in between sniffs, "My dad must hate me know and probably think of me as nothing more than a slut."
"You're dad doesn't hate you 'Tara. He loves you with all his heart he's just shocked. You're not a slut Katara, no matter what anyone else says you're not a slut. This is all my fault anyway that we are in this situation."
"Zuko don't think that," I say as I smile at his words and caress his face, "It take two to make a baby. Stop putting all the responsibility on yourself. If I had to do this situation any differently I wouldn't change it for the word" I finish as I wipe my eyes and kiss him on the cheek.
"So tell me about your trip," I say trying to start a new conversation to get my mind off things.
I listened in detail as Zuko described the whole top from beginning to end. I was confused on some parts, but he cleared them up but there was still one part I was really stuck on.
"Why would she save you and turn against Azula?" I asked, "Why are you so special to Mai."
"She was my girlfriend back in the Fire Nation," Zuko responded with a sigh.
"SHE WAS YOU'RE WHAT!" I screamed while close to tears, "I hate you. Get Out!" I yelled as she pointed towards the door."
"Katara!" he yelled and grabbed my wrist, "I said she was my girlfriend in the Fire Nation. I broke up with her before I came here and even told her when I saw her at the prison that we couldn't ever be together."
I yank my hand out of his grasp and look at him with anger in my eyes, "Well obviously she still has feeling for you." I say as I feel tears threatening to fall from my eyes. Damn mood swings.
"Well I don't have feelings for her anymore 'Tara. I don't love her, I love you with all my heart and more. What kind of man do you think I am?"
"I'm sorry," I say as he pulls me into a hug and I bury my head into his chest and sob, "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," he mumbled into my hair as he led me over to the bed to go to sleep. We laid together on the bed with Zuko's arm around my waist and our foreheads touching. He leaning in a steals a kiss from my lips and says, "Everything his going to be alright," while rubbing my back.
I smile at the statement, kiss him, and muttered against his lips, "I know. I love you."
"I love you too, 'Tara," he said as he planted one last kiss on my forehead and pulled me closer so he could rest his hand against my stomach.
We went to sleep like that, that night and that night I felt more loved than anyone else in the universe.
OoOoOoOo
When I woke up the next morning Zuko was already gone. I assumed he was back in his room since my dad would be too friendly about the fact he slept in mine.
Breakfast was awkward because my dad was glaring a whole into the back of Zuko's head the entire time. Once I had finished I decided that it was a good time to finally talk to my dad.
"Dad," I say and he turns his head from Zuko to me, "Can we talk in my room for a second?"
My only answer was a grunt as he got up and walked towards the fountain in the garden of the temple, out of ear shot from the others of the group. Once we reached our destination I saw him look at me waiting for me to talk.
"Please try to understand dad," I plead as I look up at him with tears in my eyes.
"I want you to know something Katara," he said as he tries to keep his voice calm, "I'll love you unconditionally, I'm just really disappointed in you. You know they rules of the tribe, yet you broke them. You were suppose to keep you virginity 'til you were married."
"I'm so sorry," I sob, "I didn't want it to happen like this."
"I just want what's best for you and the babies," he responded, "This is no one's fault for you own and you're going to have to take responsibility for you actions. We are in the middle of a war and this won't be easy. I was going to arrange a meeting with Chief Arnook to see if I could unite our tribes by getting you to be betrothed to one of the warriors up there, but I see that is impossible now."
"I would never be agree to be in an arranged married," I snap and narrow my eyes at my dad. I mean has he learned nothing from Gran-Gran.
"It's too late now," he shouts at me, "No one will ever have you now that you're pregnant, and with a fire bender's child no less."
"That's where you're wrong dad," I yell, "Zuko will have me. He loves me."
I start to storm off, but freeze when I hear the next set out words come out my dad's mouth.
"That fact may be true," he shouts after me, "but do you ever think that the Fire Nation will ever accept someone of Water Tribe to be Fire Lady, especially when you'll have two illegitimate children by then."
"Do you think I don't have my own fear and doubts?" I fume as I spin around on my heals to face him with tears rolling down my cheeks, "I have my own doubts already that people won't support me and Zuko's relationship, that I might have to raise these babies on my own, that all my family and friends will shun me for getting pregnant by a fire bender at so young and out of wedlock, and so much more. Yes dad, I thought of that, but just know one thing. I know there will be serious problems, but I don't need to hear them come from anyone's mouth, especially yours." With all that out of my system I walk back towards the meeting area where everybody else it waiting and to clean the dishes.
Once I'm done with the dishes I walk to my room, lay down on the bed, and put my hands over my round stomach and began to think. I'm startled out my thoughts a little bit when I hear the door creak open, but I was only Zuko who stepped inside. I start to open my mouth to ask him what he was doing here, but he just puts his finger over his lips signaling me to be quiet.
I stand up and walk towards him. He plants a quick peck on my lips and grabs my hands and led me somewhere.
"Zuko, where are we going?" I asked confused.
"You'll see," he said as he turned as around and smirked at me.
"Well can you at least slow down," I complain, "My ankles hurt."
"Zuko, what are you doing? Put me down," I shriek as he stops, picks me up bridal style, and starts walking again.
He just smiles one of his rare smiles and kisses me on the cheek as he continues to the place we were going. Once we got close he put me down, but put his hands on my eyes and guides me to the place. When we finally came to a stop he took his hands off my eyes and I gasped at the scene in front of me.
In front me was a blanket with a crystal clear pond in front of it. In the middle of the blanket there was a huge plate that had apples, moon peaches, and nuts around the rim of it. In the middle there was steamed rice with two nice sized piece of roasted fish. Around the blanket were fire lilies and to the other side of the fire lilies was ginseng tea.
"Oh Zuko," I exclaim with joy and turn around to hug him, "Did you do all this for me?"
He just chuckled, kisses my forehead, and leads me over to the blanket. Once we are both seated I picked up a moon peach slice and bit into it. It was delicious. I could feel some of the juices run down my lips and I was about to wipe it with my hand, but am shocked and blush when Zuko leans over and licks it off himself. I pick up a piece of fish, pull off a piece, and hold it out for Zuko to eat. He brings his mouth to my hands bit the fish in my hand, but lets his mouth linger on my skin. I feel a involuntary shiver go down my back at the feeling of his lips on my skin.
"Katara," I hear him say.
"Hmm?" I ask.
"I was thinking about what we were going to do once the war is over." he says.
"I don't know," I reply honestly.
"Well I thought about something. I love you," he says as he puts his hand on my stomach, "and I love these babies already so much. I don't think I can ever let you out of my life. So when I go back to the Fire Nation I don't want you to go back known as some whore of my bastard children, when you know you mean so much more to me. I want you to go back as my fiance." I gasp as he pulls a betrothal necklace out of his pocket, holds it up and says, "Katara of the Southern Water Tribe will you marry me?"
"Of course I will," I practically exclaim with happy tears running down my cheeks. I take off my mother necklace and slide it in the pocket's on the side of my dress, "Put it on," I say as I turn around and hold my hair up.
Once I hear the necklace clasp I turn around and bring my lips to his hard. He runs his tongue across my bottom lip and I grant him entrance. Our tongues battle for dominance until we both pull away panting for air. I run my fingers though his ebony locks. I look at my neck and run my other hand across the new pendant. It was beautiful. It had the symbol for water crossed with the symbol for fire engraved in a nice smooth stone, and all of that hanging on a pretty, violet lace.
"Is this why you brought me our here, and set up all this," I say with a smile as I gesture to the picnic.
"Mostly," he replied, "It was also a late birthday present."
"How did you know my birthday passed?" I asked.
"Sokka and I were talking about you on the way to the prison. He gave me permission to ask you to marry me and he showed me how to carve the necklace. Well actually it was deal. I told him I would tell him where the prison was if he showed me how to carve the necklace on the way there. I have just one more thing I want to ask you to do."
"What's that?" I ask again.
"In the Fire Nation, instead of carving necklaces for their intended they give them rings to wear to show their commitment. They male spouse also has to wear the ring. When the wedding comes they put on another ring to make it official. So I went to the Fire Nation town to buy two rings, one for me and one for you. All I want you to do is wear the ring." He said as he slid the ring on my finger. I smiled up at him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and kissed him again.
"I love you," I say.
"I love you too, 'Tara," he replied and I smile at his nickname for me.
"I need to come up with a nickname for you," I state.
"My name is too short to come up with a nickname for," he responded.
"Oh come on," I tease, "How about Zuzu?"
I feel Zuko tense up in my arms and look up at him with concern until I hear him sigh, "Azula calls me that."
"Well I'll just have to spend all my free time coming up with a nickname for you," I joke.
"You should be spending all your free time in my bedroom," He joked back in a husky tone.
I giggle at his joke and move my hands to my huge stomach.
"Gaia says that the babies are doing fine," I say.
"Gaia?" He said with confusion.
"She's the doctor that me and Toph go to to check on the babies. She's also the one who told me I was pregnant."
"Do you want me to go with you to your next appointment?" He asked.
"No because I'm not even sure if we are still going to be here and I don't want them to know you are from the Fire Nation." I state.
"Okay," he replied, "Now lets finish the food."
"Wait," I say and he looked up at me with a questionable gaze, "I didn't even get to put the ring on your finger."
He just smiled, put the other ring in my hand, and held out his hand for me to slide the ring on his finger. I leaned over and kiss him on the lips and then go back to eating the fruit, the rice, and the fish. Once we were done Zuko began to speak.
"It's about time to get back," He says as he holds out his hand and I grab it.
"It's a long walk though. Why did you chose a place on the other side of the entire temple?" I ask.
"I didn't want to be interrupted," was his reply, "Think you can make it back?"
I just nod and hold his hand as we walked quickly back to the meeting area only to see everyone was waiting around for us.
"Uhh, Why is everyone right here?" I ask.
"Dad wanted to announce something to the group," Sokka said, "Although he won't tell us what it is." he remarked with slight annoyance at my dad.
"You two are finally back," Dad says, "I don't like the idea of you two going off alone together though."
"What's gonna happen? Am I going to get pregnant?" I say with sarcasm evident in my voice as I rolled my eyes. Everyone in the group looks at me in shock at the tone I used at my dad.
"Anyway," Dad starts, "I had an announcement to make."
"Get on with it," I say clearly annoyed at being here.
"I don't want Katara to travel around anywhere with her condition," Hakoda told the group, "I want her to come to the south pole with me and stay there with me even after the babies are born. I don't want her to go to the Fire Nation."
"WHAT!" was the response that came out of everyone's mouth in the group.
"I not going with you back to the south pole," I snarl.
"You should have thought about that before you and Zuko had," he paused as he looked around at the groups faces, "Before you did what you did."
"I refuse to go," I yell, "I have a war to fight in."
"You're not fighting in a war pregnant," he shouted back.
"Watch me," I snap as I get up and start to walk away, but stop when I feel a hand grab me. I turn around to see Zuko and reluctantly sit back down.
"The comet doesn't start until almost 3 months after the comet comes," I say, "And if I go with you why can't I come back after the babies are born?"
"I don't want you to go to the Fire Nation period," he says, "I don't even want you to go there after the war is over."
"You can't do that," I say softly as I feel myself start to cry, "I'm engaged to Zuko now." I move my hair out the way of my next to show everybody my necklace and hold out my hand to show the ring.
Everyone in the group looked shocked except for Sokka, Zuko, and Toph. My dad just looked right down pissed.
"Weren't you supposed to ask my permission first?" My dad asked Zuko angrily.
"I asked Sokka." he replied with a shrug.
"Why did you say yes?" he shouted at Sokka.
"Because I knew you say no and right now I just want what's best for my sis." Sokka stated and I smiled at his comment.
"I am looking at what's best for her," he said.
"No your not," Sokka responded, "Taking her back to the South Pole to raise two kids isn't what's best for her. She needs to be with the man she loves and for him to help raise them."
"He's right dad," I say, "I'm going to continue fighting in this war and I'm going to go to the Fire Nation once it's ended, not with you." I grab Zuko arm and we head back to my room.
"What are you going to do?" Zuko asked as he flopped down on my bed.
"I really don't know," I say as I sit down next to him, "But I know that I'm not going with my dad to the South Pole, and I know that I'm going to marry you." I finish as I lean down to kiss him.
"That's my fierce water bender," he says as he rubs circles along my back, "Who going to fix dinner?"
"I don't care," I answer, "I'm not hungry and if they want to eat they can fix it themselves."
"Me neither," he agreed as he pulled me next to him and wrapped his arm around my stomach.
It was pretty early to go to bed, but I didn't really care. I was tired from the pregnancy and all the events that had happened today. I look down and rub my fingers across the pendant again. Who would've ever thought in a million years that right now I am engaged to the prince of the Fire Nation?
"I love you," I tell Zuko as I snuggle more into his embrace.
"I love you too, 'Tara." He responded and I lay my head down on the pillow with a smile.
OoOoOoOo
40 reviews, you guys are awesome! 3424 words this chapter! Also don't forget to review, it gives me motivation to work faster :)
~Zutara-Lova8