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

Arc II

Rating T

Chapter 11: Unwanted Attentions

Katara, Toph, and Zuko

Katara couldn't help but smile when she saw a pink blur dart towards her brother. Zuko had warned her. She shook her head.

Zuko was off conversing with the son's of nobility, leaving her to fend for herself against the curious stares, and the whispers about her tanned skin and bright eyes.

No one had approached her, and while she was grateful, the knowledge that it wouldn't last dampened the relief.

She silently searched for her family. Toph was leaning against a stone pillar, looking completely unconcerned with her surroundings. Sokka was seeking refuge in the buffet lined against the wall. Suki was nowhere to be seen.

Neither was Aang, she realized with a start. Her eyes swept the room again, but it proved fruitless. Aang's dark hair and bright clothes were absent.

He had been abnormally quiet during their discussions of the ball over the last few days. She had tried to question him, but he had shrugged it off with a smile and walked away.

Katara made her way towards Toph, hoping to ask her about the airbender's whereabouts, but her sojourn was halted.

The man was tall and he had an unpleasant sneer on his face. His prominent sideburns seemed to match his ego, large and rather distasteful.

"M' Lady."

Like Mai he spoke the words with a vindictive mockery, dressing her down tell she felt like the peasant his eyes called her.

She bowed her head slightly. She had no idea of the man's standing, but decorum dictated courtesy at all times.

He smiled, and she shuddered at the distinct feral look of it.

"May I have this dance?"

Her eyes widened. The man was either lofty enough to demand her attention, or he was a bold fool.

Her thoughts and indecision must have broken through on her face, for in the next moment he said, "I am Lieutenant Zhao." He gave another mocking bow.

Katara barely caught herself from glaring at him. Not even 5 minutes in the man's company and she had his character pegged. He was obviously boorish, hopelessly pompous, and his eyes gleamed with a malicious delight as he watched her.

"Of course."

As much as she dreaded this man touching her, she could not deny him one dance because of his standing.

He smirked and reached for her, one warm, wrong arm sliding around her waist as his other clasped her hand.

She put her hand on his shoulder with obvious reluctance that he seemed to enjoy. Once her hand had settled, he pulled her closer and she felt the heat of his even breath brushing her forehead.

He was warm and sturdy, but unlike the friendly hold of Zuko, his harsh grasp was not in any way comforting.

"Cozy." He practically purred. She felt absolutely disgusted.

"How do you find the Fire Nation so far, my Lady?"

The question interrupted her fervent prayers that Zuko, that anybody,would interrupt them. She couldn't begin to search for the source of her unease, but her instincts screamed 'Run' at her every other moment. Something about this man was off.

"It's fine Lieutenant."

He nodded, "How is Prince Zuko taking to you?"

The question raised red flags in her mind, but she couldn't find away to dodge answering. "You'd have to ask him."

His eyes flashed at her unexpected cheek, but he merely nodded once more, and his eyes flickered to the edge of lace peeking over her bodice. She felt soiled as his eyes lingered on the tops of her breasts. He apparently had no qualms about her reaction, for he stared openly at her heaving torso.

"Zhao!"

They both turned, he seemed disappointed at the interruption, but she resolved to kiss whoever it was repeatedly.

Iroh beamed at Katara before turning to Zhao. "I see you've met my niece, Lieutenant."

"Instantly charmed, My Lord."

His tone, while dripping with grease held respect and flattery that made Katara add another description of him to her thoughts.

Sycophant.

Iroh turned to her and smiled consolingly. "My nephew has been looking for you."

She nodded and moved away, ridiculously relieved to flee. She couldn't call her apprehension for this man fear as much as an unsettling disgust. He had the aura of someone who looked purely at his own interests, crushing whoever it took to build his own gain.

She walked away quickly, feeling the burn of his feral yellow eyes on her back as she did.

Katara had escaped him. He had finished with the pompous bastards of the court and searched for her immediately. He had promised his uncle that he would watch over her. Not that he needed much prompting.

She looked ravishing, and the urge to soak in her fierce spirit and beauty was overwhelming. He had noticed many male eyes lingering on her soft figure in interest. The thought made him burn. She was, after all, going to be his wife.

And Zuko had so few things that were truly his own.

Her radiant figure alluded him, even with the advantage of his height. However, he soon caught sight of the airbender slipping from the shadows of the corners to make his way into the hallway.

Zuko's eyebrows raised, and he made his way towards him.

The little airbender adored Katara, and Zuko found in highly odd that he would desert a party in her honor. Katara would be fine for a few more moments. She had convinced him rather quickly that she was capable of protecting herself.

The shadows engulfed Zuko, hiding him from view as his silent steps carried him toward the Avatar.

The airbender drew to a halt. "Did you require something, Prince Zuko?"

While Zuko was skeptical the boy had heard him, he stepped forward. "May I ask where you're leaving to?"

"No."

The answer surprised Zuko. The avatar had always seemed open and rather friendly.

"I'm sure Katara will be thrilled to know you left halfway through a party in her honor."

Aang's shoulders stiffened visibly. "Do not speak of Katara as if you know her."

The retort was enough to bring quite the scowl to Zuko's face. There was quite a bit of malice in the young monk's tone.

And jealousy.

"She is going to be my wife, Avatar."

"I know!"

The shout echoed down the hallway, and the airbender turned to him. His face was set in tortured features.

"How dare you taunt me? My affections for her are clear."

Zuko's eyes narrowed. This boy, this child, had no right to Katara.

"And yet she is marrying me."

Petty he knew, but the boy seemed to be forgetting the plain fact.

Aang snarled. "You left her no choice."

Zuko smirked. That was a lie and they both knew it.

"If you love her so much, why do you flee from her party?"

"You'd think a Prince would have better manners, "Aang said in a low voice. "I flee from the attention."

Zuko's good eyebrow rose. "Attention?"

"The Avatar!" His face was stern and bitter. "Its always the same. The questions, the endless bombardment for help. What are you doing for the world, Avatar? How are your studies coming? Never a personal question! They never look at me as a person! You'd think they'd learn to sort out their own problems! I am not their ass, their beast of burden!"

The outburst surprised Zuko immensely. "Most people would think you blessed, to have so much power."

"I never wanted it!"

On that bitter note, he swept away, leaving Zuko behind to gape after the child who'd give anything to be normal.

Toph smirked in amusement. She had made her way over to the buffet table to escape the shameless flirting of some merchant's son.

Sokka was bragging to a slight, female figure, whose vibrations never seemed to stay still.

"Toph!"

Sokka's voice halted his own tale of the mammoth leopard seal he had killed.

"Snoozels."

"This is Ty Lee, she's an acrobat."

Toph grinned. "Where's Suki, Sokka?"

He frowned, but the expression was lost on Toph. "I don't know."

"I'm sure she wouldn't be as thrilled with Ty Lee as you seem to be."

"Why?"

Sokka actually seemed confused, and Toph snorted at his ignorance. The blur of Ty Lee had already latched unto another male, but from what Toph could tell, she watched Sokka closely.

"She's flirting," Toph said in her usual, blunt demeanor.

"No! I am not! I was telling her about that seal-"

"I said she was flirting, not you. Besides if you value your life you'll stay away from her."

"Why?"

"Because Suki's headed this way."

She left him to placate Suki, smirking to herself.

Attend the ball? Accomplished. Ignore the blathering idiots? Simple. Ruin Sokka's evening? Complete with total satisfaction.

Feeling accomplished she left and found her way to her room. She had put up with all this finery long enough.

Katara had been unable to find Zuko, and was currently dodging Zhao, whose eyes were scanning the crowd rapidly. She had the prickling feeling he was looking for her.

A hand grasped her wrist firmly, and pulled her through the balcony doors she had been standing close to.

"Hey!"

She struggled before the hand pulled her gently into Zuko's chest.

"Oh."

He smirked down at her before releasing her and her frustration came back instantly.

She pushed him further away, placing her hands on his chest."Where have you been?" Her tone was demanding, but she blamed on the unease that had been her constant companion since she had encountered Zhao.

He smiled gently, grasping her wrists that were still poised against his torso, distancing their figures. She was surprised by the compassion in hie eyes.

"I had a talk with the Avatar."

Her eyebrows rose. Aang and Zuko had been very cold to each other thus far, so even though she didn't quite understand why, the knowledge that they spoke still shocked her.

"And?"

Zuko shook his head before drawing her into his arms. He held her to him, his arms going around her shoulders and her waist.

She froze for a moment, before relaxing slightly. His grip was soothing, especially after being held by Zhao.

She was lost as to why he was holding he so familiarly. He seemed almost...

Grateful.

He didn't say anything, just held her contentedly. The affection in his embrace was surprising, but touching.

"Zuko?"

"Mhm?"

Did he just smell her hair? She could've sworn…

"What are you doing?"

"Holding my wife."

Her heart skipped a beat at the title.

"I'm not your wife," she pointed out.

His grip tightened, and the jealous conviction in his voice made her shiver.

"You will be."

A.N: The talk with Aang made him appreciate what Katara was giving up to marry him.