Chapter 11

Katara awoke to a familiar face and a sea of silky smoothness. She looked down and saw her silk bed sheets had been changed to fuzzy blue ones. She smiled and looked back at Shyu.

"What happened?" She yawned and felt a slight pain in her right temple.

She rubbed it softly and an 'ow' sound. Thats when she felt the cold wet cloth on her forehead and sighed.

Shyu grimaced.

"You fainted again, but you hit your head on the bed post on your way down." He gave her a sympathetic.

Katara frowned. "How'd you find me?" She glanced out the window, "It's still dark out..."

Shyu visibly blushed, "I was uhm... guarding your door." He smiled sheepishly

"Shyu!" Katara smacked his shoulder softly.

"How long was I out?" She sighed.

"About three hours, Lady Katara

She nodded slowly, "Damn."

"But still! There was no need for you to stay and guard my door! ARE YOU CRAZY?"

Shyu chuckled. That set Katara off.

"Someone could have seen you and asked who you were guarding! Plus, you definitely need some sleep!" Katara sat up and stood, swaying slightly from the sudden vertigo. Shyu held her elbow until she signaled she was fine.

She shoved him softly towards the door, "Go on now! Shoo!" She swated at him so he'd go to the door.

He chuckled slightly, "But, Lady Katara!"

"Oh hush! Don't Lady Katara me!" She opened the door and gestured out.

"Now get some sleep! If you pass by tomorrow morning and I'm still not up, wake me up!" With that she slammed the door shut.

She walked back to the bed and slid in, surrounding herself in the fuzzy blankets that reminded her of home. She smiled at the thought of home and cried silently.

"If only I hadn't been such an idiot."

The rest of the night consisted of nightmares and tears.

Zuko woke up and saw Mai still wrapped up in his arms. He sighed in relief, Katara hadn't come during the night.

There was a slight tap at the door and Zuko slid out from under Mai, careful not to wake her. He picked last nights robe up from the floor and pulled it on, tying the knot as he opened the door.

A scrawny looking guard stood in his sights. He gave him a puzzled look and the guard just nodded, understanding.

"Your slave is still sick. Guard, Shyu, took the night off. Your father would like to see you in five minutes." The guard had a slight accent. He bowed his head and waited for Zuko to dismiss him.

"Wheres Katara?" He spoke in a whisper.

"The slave, your highness?"

Zuko clenched his teeth and nodded.

"She has been given a seperate room to recover in. It seems she had several episodes." He bowed again.

Zuko rolled his eyes, "Let my father know I'm going to go run an errand and then go see him."

"I'm sorry, Prince. But Lord Ozai told me to specifically tell you that you must not go do anything before seeing him. Important matters." He bowed robotically.

Zuko sighed and slammed the door. He flinched when he heard Mai.

"Babe?" She whispered.

He frowned at the pet name. "Sorry, my father wants me." He walked to the bathroom, grabbing a random outfit to change into.

Once he was clean and dressed in flowy gold pants and a red robe, he walked back into the room, ready to leave.

He saw Mai still sitting on the bed, watching him.

He walked to her and gave her an awkward kiss. He took quick steps towards the door and walked out.

"Tell Azula to get Mai." He threw the empty words at a random Guard, as he continued to his fathers office.

He stood in front of the large mahogany door and sighed, making sure his top knot was perfectly slicked back, and his outfit was wrinkle free. He took a deep breath, standing taller, and walked in.

"Father?" He stared at his father's back. He had been staring out at the palace grounds again.

He turned and Zuko almost stumbled back in surprise. His father had been smiling.

"My son! My son! Take a seat." He pointed at the cushioned seat Zuko was all too familiar with.

His father set a glass of whiskey on ice in front of him and took a seat once he had his own, smiling at Zuko.

This must be a dream... Zuko thought to himself, but he simply nodded and took a sip.

"So, as you know, you are eighteen now." He took a gulp and smiled once again.

"Yes." Zuko had his guard up.

"And I have gotten word from the guards that you already have a wife in mind." He grinned now, topping off his whiskey.

Zuko almost choked on the air thinning around him.

"Excuse me?" He simply muttered.

"Yes. Mai, correct?" He poured more into his cup and eyed Zuko carefully.

"Oh.. Mai... Yes." He nodded, swallowing down his glass full, ignoring the burn that spread in his throat.

His father grinned and clapped his hands, "Wonderful choice! Her father is of the government and so she is of importance. A fine fire lady."

He laughed happily. But Zuko could no longer feel. He looked up at his father and smirked.

"But I've been thinking about Ty Lee." He said the words strongly, enjoying the puzzled look on his fathers face.

Of course he didn't want to marry Ty Lee, she was his friend for gosh sakes! But he wanted to stall the Mai idea for as long as possible.

"Hmmm... Ty Lee?" He muttered in between whiskey shots.

"Yes."

"Okay. Decide in two weeks and let me know."

Now it was Zuko who was puzzled. Ty Lee is a circus freak, no royalty or any signs of upscale. She was a carny! How is he so cool with all of this!? But he knew it had to be a trap.

He nodded, "Thank you father."

Lord Ozai nodded, "You are dismissed son. Choose wisely."

Zuko stood and left, running to Shyu's room.