Uwahhhh~ Hello everyone! I am so happy that you guys are enjoying the story! Remember how I said much more drama was coming and that the M rated parts? Well its here and lets just say things wont be pretty from here on out!

Enjoy!~

Rivals

Katara's POV

The next day came around much too quickly. After all the presents the rest of the night was spent with dancing, socializing, and eating. Everyone had stayed in the guest quarters overnight and were meeting in the banquet hall for breakfast. I yawned, stretching my limbs out above my head, hearing the cracks of sore muscles and bones during the stretch. I flopped the limbs down limply, my hair tousled and tangled like a birds nest. I knew that I was in for a big day. The Council had pretty much stayed out of the festivities last night, claiming that they had work to finish.

I wasn't stupid. Sure I wasn't from the fire nation or knowledgeable about the politics of their nation. But, I knew when I wasn't welcomed. The council appeared only once during the party, and during that time they came up to Zuko and I, giving me a painfully obvious glare asking to speak with him privately. I could only do what I knew best, to put on a smile, bow, and act as if it didn't bother me.

Holy hell it did.

I was mad, so mad that I scared Sokka into hiding behind Suki. I wasn't stupid and I knew that they were talking about me. Their obviously disappointed faces and dirty looks were cast to my direction during their talk. Not to mention the hushed anger of Zuko's voice, probably defending me. I sighed.

No point in aggravating myself again so early in the morning. I got out of bed and quickly dressed myself. Knowing that I now had to impress the council I tied my hair up in a typical fire nation style. Similar to what I had before when we were all traveling in the fire nation. My hair was longer, curlier, and it was obvious that no matter how hard I tried some of my hair just would not fit into the tie. When I got it to a presentable appearance I moved on, dressing myself in my favorite two piece that I had also bought the other day. It was simple the top and skirt having a deep navy blue color, reminding me of the blue in our warriors armor. However, it was also topped with deep reed designs at the bottom, it looked like cursive writing, curling and flicking like fire. I smirked thinking that I could proudly represent both nations with this one dress. Blue and Red, Fire and Water, I snickered. I couldn't wait to show Zuko this.

"Katara are you up?" Suki called from the other side of my door. I walked over fluffing out the rest of my dress and grabbing a small water skin from the side.

"Hey Suki, oh hey Toph!" I said, I walked into the hallway closing my door softly behind me.

"Good morning sweetness, now come on move it! I swear your idiot of a brother is going to finish the entire meal before we get there." Toph grumbled. She stopped away in her formal light green robes, obvious attire that she had brought with her from home. Her feet were still bare but beautiful gemmed bracelets hung on her ankles. Suki chuckled flipping her hair out of her face.

"She's right you know. Sokka is probably on his fifth bowl."

"Yeah, yeah I know." I muttered. We began walking towards the banquet hall feeling quite famished ourselves.

"Have you seen Zuko at all this morning?" I asked.

Suki shook her head with disdain, "We went to wake him up but apparently he was already in a meeting with the council. His guards said he looked like he was in quite the mood."

I sighed, worried about what could have upset him so soon after his birthday. We came to the banquet hall door which was guarded by four guards. Probably since there were so many nobles in one room. They opened the doors, allowing us to see all of our friends and family. Sokka, Aang, Hakoda, Hahn, Gran Gran, Pakku, Ursa, Azula, and Iroh were all sat down at the table chatting happily. I looked to the front of the table and noticed the Fire Lords seat empty. I sighed, he must still be in his meeting. Suki took her place beside Sokka and Toph happily seated herself next to Aang, commenting on his crazy heartbeat that only she could monitor. I looked around not knowing where to sit when a hand found its way to my shoulder.

"Still thinking about where to sit?" I rolled my eyes looking to the Fire Lord himself behind me.

"Just thinking that it was nice to see everyone here. I wasn't particularly worried about where to sit." I lied.

"Sure because you like to stand in random places and observe people, come." He took my hand leading me to the front with him and I blushed. He was not making me sit up here. He pulled out the chair and sat me down. Yup, he was making me sit up here with him. I felt my heartbeat accelerate once again and my hands start to sweat. "Katara calm down, this isn't anything different than last night."

"Says the person who was freaking out about it." I reached for a bread roll and grabbed the butter, hoping that some food in my system would help calm my nerves.

"Haha, look it's just friends and family, don't get so worked up."

I rolled my eyes, "that's exactly why…" I mumbled. He chuckled reaching for some food on his own plate. I looked to my family and smiled. "Good morning everyone."

My father was the first to smile back, "Good morning Katara, how'd you sleep?"

"Well, those beds are so comfortable. I wouldn't mind staying in bed for a bit longer." I said heavenly.

"I have to agree with Sugar Queen here, I like my dirt and earth, but there's something about those beds." Toph said happily.

We all chuckled, engaging in our own little conversations. I looked to Azula and Ursa who were sat next to each other, Iroh across from them next to me. I smiled at him, "It's nice to see Azula so happy."

He hummed. "Ah, that it is. I believe this is exactly what she needed. I've never seen such a happy smile on her face."

We both watched them happily while Ursa spoke with her, the two suddenly broke out into laughter which caught the attention of everyone in the room.

No one had heard such a laugh from Azula.

Ever.

When she noticed everyone's eyes on her she blushed bright red. Her laugh was young, and carefree. Unlike the small chuckles or sinister laughs we had all witnessed before in the past. Ursa looked around the table noticing everyone's surprise, even her own sons. Zuko was blank faced for a moment before smiling like a mad man. "Care to share what is so funny Azula?"

She rolled her eyes, the happy smile still on her face. "Oh just thinking about some old childhood memories."

Zuko sat back smiling, "now that slightly terrifies me."

I chuckled leaning forward, "hey tell me some weird childhood memories about him?"

Zuko growled in embarrassment, "Katara let's not."

Ursa clapped her hands, "Oh I have one! When he was 5 I showed him the turtleduck for the first time. He was so excited to see them that when he reached out he fell in the pond, causing them to scurry away besides one, that had happily situated itself on top of his head. It was the most adorable thing!"

Sokka started laughing boisterously, "Oh man the great and honorable Zuko was diminished to a turtle ducks seat. PRICELESS."

The entire table erupted into a contagious laughter. "If we are sharing baby stories let's talk about how cute Katara was!"

I groaned at my father, "Dad don't"

He chuckled, "If Zuko has to live through it so do you! When she was just a baby Kya and I wondered why she liked her baths so much. One day when we found her playing with the water, she had bended a bubble the size of her hand. She was so amazed at it that when she smiled it popped, causing her to scream in fear. That's when we found out she was a water bender!"

Aang started snickering at my innocence. I slumped down into my chair, I had to be the only child who was afraid of their bending when it first showed. "I couldn't help it! I was caught off guard!"

The table snickered and Zuko placed a hand through mine, rubbing his thumb over the top of my hand soothingly. "No you couldn't, but it's still pretty funny."

I groaned and started eating the fruit off my plate. Iroh, Ursa, and my father started passing more childhood stories about Zuko and I. We chuckled at each other's stories and blushed about our own. When I grew tired of the embarrassment I looked to Zuko, ready to start up a different conversation. "So what was your meeting about this morning?"

Zuko's face grew dark with anger, I shuffled in my seat suddenly feeling the tension in the room increase. "It was about something meaningless. The council are butting into things they shouldn't worry over."

I didn't need to ask to know that it was about our relationship. The Fire Lord, dating a lowly water tribe peasant. The whole scenario screamed trouble, but that wasn't going to stop me.

"Don't worry about it Katara. I already solved the issue they shouldn't be bothering us with-"

"F-Fire Lord Zuko!" A guard yelled from the front door. Everyone looked to him in his military stance, hand brought up to his heart and a slight bow to his waist. "Y-You have a guest, the Council asks that you treat her kindly." He moved to the side, obviously terrified of the look on Zuko's face.

Her?

The said guest came through the front door, her petite figure clad in traditional fire nation robes. Her hair short and straight, bright hazel colored eyes and small lips. Her expression was pleasant. She was beautiful. I felt my heart fall to my stomach when Zuko muttered under his breath.

"Shit!"

I looked at him, worried and confused. This had to do with his meeting I guessed. Meaning she was going to be a problem. A huge problem.

"Good Morning Fire Lord Zuko." She bowed, lifting herself up elegantly, "my name is Rena. You are to assess me as the second candidate for Fire Lady."

My hands clutched into a tight fist, my insides burning with anger. Zuko growled sending a clear message that whatever she was or what she was doing, it was unwelcomed. She looked at me, her eyes scanning me like I was nothing but a dirt on the side and smirked. Her face irked me. Then she looked at Zuko and smiled, "I hope that we get along, very well."

Sorry I know this is a bit of a short chapter but I really wanted to stop it right there ahahahah

Ohhh the drama~ I'm curious to see how you all react in the reviews to Rena's appearance, hehehehehe

I will upload again soon I promise until then I will just leave you all fuming (~)/

Reviews:

Irianna Marie: Yes my sniffles are all gone!~ Thankfully I'm just praying I don't get them again! I felt well enough to write this chapter and hopefully some more!~

Sarahroo: I think this is the first time you have reviewed!~ Hello~ Ahahah thank you for reviewing because it means a ton, I'm glad this is giving you the feels because it makes me feel accomplished. Lol what do you 'feel' now after reading this chapter?! Hurhurhur I bet I can guessss~~~~

To the random Guest: Thank you so much for the review~!~ I read fanfictions in one go when they are really good so I find that to be the best review ever! I am so glad! I feel like I'm doing so well, thank you so much for reading this!

Big thanks to Heiressdecartes, Sarahroo, Srya Evermist, Nyapooh, and Yuula for the follow and favs!~

Okay since I'm on a roll I'm going to go write some more chapters!~

Ciao

Rae