I am so ready for a new computer! Instead of doing my editing on the internet (where if you remember, it totally erased all my work that I had done.) I decided to do it on my laptop's word. Yeah, my computer shut down-stupid updates-and then word decided to hide the available files. So sorry its late!
Larissa: I totally love to leave people hanging at the end of a chapter. I like endings that make you think so it tends to show up in my writing
Createelements: thanks for your input. I'm really glad everyone seems ok with this, it will be a lot easier to rush past the maiko and kataang
Loveme: I'm so glad that you enjoy these chapters so much. Had to add a bit of drama for this one but hang in there it gets loads better
Luvnote4u: still on that writing kick, so hopefully soon I will have the next chapter out "The Wedding" and thanks for the input on the 20 vs 21
Kimberly T: the last scene is for you. I hope it creates a bit more insight to it, if not let me know and I will try my hardest. And Toph is smart, I figured she'd remember what was put on her, the only issue is some make up is in identical containers.
Alexandrabetaluna:I'm so glad you like it!
Akay2:thanks for the input on th 20 vs 21. It will get better for Toph eventually. I promise!
Sodie: Thankyou! I tried my hardest to keep them the most like the way their characters were protrayed on tv. Yeah Kataang is creepy
Atla lover: yeah I just heard about the new series. I was grumbling whenever they mentioned "Aang and Katara's daughter" BLEH! But hopefully it's a good watch. But I also went in to The Last Airbender optimisic
DofD: I love how you've been with me since the beginning. You totally deserve a mountain of cookies.
Firecrackergirl80: Yeah it was kind of a building chapter. I hope you enjoyed.
Scherherazade: thanks for the input on the age! Actually I was playing with the idea I may write an Ozai Ursa fic after this one. To show how I think they came to be. See, they never show him with Ursa really in the series. The most interaction out of the two is Ozai staring quietly out into space after she left. I always think heartbreak whenever I see it. Again, I see no way that Azulon would have allowed such a marriage easily. I also believe that Ozai probably came to hate Zuko due to his sister able to surpass him in firebending so easily and the fact that he probably showed traits of Roku more than Sozin. With mai, he's still wanting that gaurantee of happiness. I couldn't completely destroy Toph
Also, there is a part where there are two page breaks in a row. I seriously wanted to end the chapter there to keep you guessing but i love you guys too much.
Zuko walked into the conference room where Hakoda and Sokka were talking. They were deep in conversation about the quickest way back to the South Pole.
"I see I've made quite the impression." Zuko said.
"It's not that," Sokka turned toward the Fire Lord. "It's just Suki and I can't wait. We want to be married as soon as possible."
"But I think we should return to the South Pole and let our people know about what is occurring." Hakoda said.
"Let our people know about what?" Katara asked as she and Suki walked through the door. Katara spared the briefest glance toward Zuko.
"The wedding." Sokka pulled Suki into a tight embrace, holding her back to his stomach. "I want to be married as soon as possible."
"The soonest I can figure is a month." Hakoda furrowed his brow. "It takes a week with my ship to get there from here and almost a week to get back to Kyoshi Island. Also, we must give time for your grandparents to pack."
"A month?" Katara repeated faintly. Just one?
"What about your airships?" Sokka asked Zuko.
"Without a firebender they're kind of useless. Plus do you really want to go somewhere with a big Fire Nation insignia? People still hate us." Zuko pointed out.
"Good point." Sokka sighed. "Do you think we can get everything ready in a month?" Sokka asked Suki.
"You bet! I will start on it as soon as we get back. In my culture, the father of the bride pays for everything so all you have to do is show up." Suki smiled as Sokka pulled her tighter, kissing her on the cheek.
"Is that enough time?" Sokka asked Zuko.
"Why are you asking me?" Zuko questioned.
"Well, seeing as her boyfriend." Sokka jerked his thumb in Katara's direction. "Decided to just fly off, you win by default."
"Yay me." Zuko grinned.
"Win what?" Katara asked.
"Zuko's now my best man." Sokka grinned.
"But wait, I can't just leave so quickly." Zuko paused. "I have meetings, trade propositions, imports, firings, hirings, and paperwork."
"And you deserve a vacation," Ursa walked in. "And you deserve to see your friends' wedding.
"My tea shop will be there after a month." Iroh walked in behind her. "Go!"
"Are you sure?" Zuko asked his uncle.
"I can still remember how to run this place." Iroh grinned.
"So a month from now on the night of the full moon will be our wedding!" Sokka kissed his fiance who just giggled.
"But what about Aang?" Katara asked.
"Just pass on the word." Zuko said. "Gossip travels faster than anything else around here, so he should hear about it in time to make it back."
"So, Me, Dad and Katara will go and tell the village." Sokka began. "Suki will go back home."
"With me!" Toph walked in. "Oh and thanks for coming back" She frowned at Katara.
"Whoops." Katara smiled sheepishly.
"And then Zuko will join us a few days before the wedding." Sokka stated.
"With Mai." Zuko added. He ignored the hurt look on Katara's face. "and Ty Lee."
"Tomorrow, we leave!" Sokka grinned at his family.
Katara sat up in her bed. She was sure she had heard something. She turned her head in the dark, her eyes falling on Suki's bed. Empty. She went to see Sokka again. She quietly placed her feet on the floor, moving to where she had left her waterskin. There was a knock at the door. A quiet quick rapping that sounded familiar. Zuko.
She opened the door slightly revealing the Fire Lord still in his Fire Lord robes, his hair neatly in place with his crown. She opened the door wider to allow him to enter. He quickly strolled in, shutting the door behind him and lighting the candles in the room.
"What's up?" She asked crossing her arms.
"I-" Zuko's eyes widened. Katara stared at him in confusion until it dawned on her. She had been sleeping, which meant…she looked down. Great, I'm in my underwear. She looked back up at him and shrugged.
"It's nothing you haven't seen," she blushed. She let her arms fall as she realized that she was mostly just pushing up her breasts.
"Haven't seen it in a while." He gulped. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "I just came to give you something." He pulled something out of his pocket.
"What is it?" She looked closely at the small trinket in his hands. It looked like a small golden string with blue dots along the top.
"It's a bracelet." Zuko said quietly. "This is braided gold; the five stones on the top are saphire."
"I can't." Katara's eyes widened. She looked closer at the bracelet. The whole thing was braided gold, five tiny saphires woven into it at the top, each one a centimeter apart from the other.
"Yes, you can." He reached for her left hand.
"Give it to Mai." She held her hand away from him.
"Mai hates this kind of thing. And I got it for you." Zuko reasoned. "I'm not giving her something I intended to give another woman." He quickly wrapped the bracelet around her wrist, tying the clasp securely in place. "I want you to have it to remember me."
"I could never forget you." Katara smiled as she fiddled with the bracelet.
"It's just a reminder of the time we had together." He said quietly.
"I….." Katara hesitated. "I didn't mean what happened earlier. I'm not that kind of girl."
"I'm not that kind of boy." Zuko agreed.
"So why do I want to do it?" Katara whispered inching closer; she could feel her breasts begging for his touch.
"Because we can't." Zuko shrugged.
"Can I…Have one last kiss?" She asked. They were just inches apart. She could feel a heat rising from her core; pleading for Zuko to give in.
"I already gave you one." Zuko smiled sadly. "I have to go." He turned to leave.
"No you don't." Katara reached for him, but he pulled away.
"Yes I do." He placed his hand on the doorknob. "Mai is waiting for me."
Zuko walked into the meeting room that led to his bedchambers. He looked around noting that Mai wasn't there. He walked quickly into his bedchambers. He sighed as he realized she wasn't there either. He moved over to the dresser, opening the top left drawer. He pushed aside all his socks and underbindings. He slowly lifted the box out of the dresser and looked aorund to make sure no one was looking.
"I'm sorry Katara." He opened the box. A single gold ring lay inside. "But I can't wait for you forever."
"Something new." Gran Gran listed off.
"The dress!" Suki giggled as she twirled around in her beautiful white gown. It was form fitting at the top, where it tied behind her neck. The back started just behind her shoulder blades, and as the dress reached her hip, it flowed outward.
"Something old." Katara smiled.
"The Silk threads." Suki shook her head so the golden silk swished around. It was attatched to a white head band to match the occasion.
"Something borrowed." Toph said from her seat.
"I thought it was something blue." Suki turned frowning.
"Borrow something blue then." Toph shrugged.
"One moment." Gran Gran began digging through her bag. She began holding up different assortments of jewely and scarves. "The headband gets in the way of any hair accessory, you sure you want to keep it?"
"I met Sokka as a warrior," Suki ran her fingers over the threads; "I want to marry him as one too."
"Can't do much in the way of necklaces with that halter." Gran Gran shifted through more jewelry.
"Not really." Suki looked down at the top of her dress.
"How about these?" Gran Gran held up huge blue disc earrings, each the size of a fist.
"Um…" Both Katara and Suki stared wide eyed at the huge earrings. "My ears aren't peirced."
"No problem." Gran Gran pulled out a large needle. "Which side first?"
"I have a better idea!" Katara jumped between the needle and Suki.
"Thank god." She heard Suki whisper. Katara tried to think of what her 'better' idea was. As usual she fiddled with the tiny bracelet adorning her wrist. She looked down when the idea struck her.
"My bracelet." Katara ran her fingers across it.
"No, we can find something else." Suki reasoned.
"It's fine. I trust you. Just promise to give it back after the ceremony." Katara said, turning to look at Suki.
"Of course!" Suki smiled back at her. Katara undid the clasp to the bracelet and put it on Suki's left wrist.
"Just be careful ok?" Katara held her wrist as it felt bare.
"Katara, are you sure?" Suki looked at the braided gold. Katara smiled at her as she nodded.
"Hmmmm. I've been meaning to ask: did Aang give that to you?" Gran Gran asked as she put away the huge earrings.
"No." Katara said quietly as she looked out the window. Where are you Aang? Both you and Zuko still aren't here and the wedding is tomorrow!
"I think I'm going to go check on Sokka." Toph stood.
"You shouldn't see the groom before the wedding." Gran Gran stated.
"I thought it was the groom who couldn't see the bride." Katara turned toward them.
"Does it really matter?" Toph waved her hand in front of her face. Then she hastily walked out the door.
"How do we always forget?" Suki asked.
"What if she says no?" Sokka ranted. "What if it rains? What if the Fire Nation attacks and starts a whole new battle? What if Suki was killed in that battle? I shouldn't have cut my hair it looks so stupid. She liked the Fire Nation look. Did she even like my wolf tail before? Ugh! How can she even say yes if I look like this?"
Sokka paced back and forth in front of Hakoda and Bato who just exchanged glances. They had been in here with him for over an hour. At first it was to make sure his clothes for the wedding fit correctly. Then it was just to calm him down. After a few rants they had given up.
"I mean it does look stupid doesn't it?" Sokka whimpered as he pointed to his wolf tail.
"It fits you though." Said a smug voice. All three men turned to see Zuko in his Earth Kingdom clothes leaning against the doorframe.
"ZUKO!" Sokka ran up to the firebender and gave him a huge bear hug. "You made it!"
"Of course I did." Zuko tried to breathe. "Sokka put me down."
"I was so worried you wouldn't make it." Sokka let go of Zuko. "Iroh said you were trying to do last minute details as you were walking out the door." Zuko raised an eyebrow.
"Iroh sent a hawk our way." Hakoda told Zuko.
"Sorry," Zuko finally caught his breath. "But I'm free for a couple of days now."
"Where's Mai?" Sokka asked peering around Zuko. There were only bags at the doorway. "What's with all the bags?"
"Mai's not here." Zuko sighed. "She wasn't feeling well at all and said she didn't want to get Suki sick. Ty Lee stayed behind to take care of her. And I brought all these because I wasn't sure if you wanted me to wear Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom clothes."
"OH NO! What if Suki gets sick?" Sokka began pacing again. "She could miss the wedding and then have to do some weird thing and end up as the moon! I can't have another one end up as the moon!"
"I'm pretty sure there can only be one moon," Hakoda reasoned.
"What on earth is he talking about?" Bato whispered to Hakodo.
"She'll end up as the sun!" Sokka sobbed.
"Um, any ideas?" Zuko pointed to the pacing man.
"We've tried everything. Nothing works." Hakoda shrugged.
"We even told him that Aang and Katara were getting married." Bato shrugged. Zuko flinched.
"Are they?" Zuko asked.
"Not yet." Hakoda sipped his tea. "Sokka didn't believe us either."
"She still has time. And Aang isn't 16 yet. Women in our tribe only have to be married at age 20." Sokka stated as he paced by.
"Only?" Zuko blinked.
"Especially the chief's daughter." Bato said. "Sometimes the rules can be bent but not for her."
"I know a way to occupy his thoughts." Zuko stroked his chin. "And I was planning on telling him anyway."
"Telling me what?" Sokka asked as he paced right past Zuko.
"Can you keep a secret?" Zuko asked Sokka. "And I mean, no one can find out." He eyed the other two men who nodded.
"Of course I can." Sokka stopped pacing. Zuko grinned.
"I'm marrying Mai." Zuko said.
"Seriously?" Sokka grinned. "Wow, you already asked her?"
"No, I'm asking her as soon as I get back." Zuko smiled. "I had originally planned to ask after the wedding but she got sick."
"I can't believe it!" Sokka fell back into his chair. "This is great!"
"Yeah," Zuko slumped into the chair next to him.
"Can I be your best man?" Sokka asked, his blue eyes shining.
"Sure." Zuko grinned as he could already see Sokka concentrating on what to say at his wedding.
"Why couldn't you arrive an hour ago?" Bato asked staring at the now silent and still groom.
"Sparky?" They all turned to see Toph walk in. "You're back! And here I thought you guys weren't going to make it."
"Well Mai didn't." Zuko shrugged. "Or Ty Lee."
"She means you and Aang." Sokka turned to him.
"Aang's still not here?" Zuko asked.
"No, I don't know if he'll even make it." Sokka said sadly.
"Do you see anything?" Aang asked quietly, the smoke was making it hard for him to see well.
"It's the same as before young Avatar. I can't see anything in your love life." Aunt Wu picked up the bone. She frowned slightly as her fingers ran across the length of the bone.
"What's wrong? Aang asked.
"I couldn't see these, but I can feel them plain as day." Aunt Wu closed her eyes. Her fingers roamed over the bone. "There we are. You will marry, several years from now, possibly 5. I see children. Family. Many brothers and sisters." She opened her eyes and stared at the bone.
"But she doesn't have any sisters." Aang crossed his arms.
"Maybe a different type of family. You can never know for certain." Aunt Wu felt along the bone.
"And five years? I turn 16 in 3, and that's when Katara turns 20. She has to be married then." Aang frowned. "It has to be wrong. Maybe you saw my love line wrong."
"Love is truly blind." She held up the bone that seemed to be in perfect condition, still mesmerized.
The whole town had joined in for the huge picnic that had started at dusk. Villagers sat side by side with officials, all enjoying the eve of the wedding. There was a huge campfire in the center, in front of the statue of Avatar Kyoshi, illuminating her for the world to see.
"I'm so excited." Suki blushed. Her eyes caught with her soon to be husband who was sitting a few people down, next to her father.
"Wow, can you believe that tomorrow we will be sisters." Katara grinned.
"Wouldn't have it any other way." Suki smiled, holding on to Katara's hands. Zuko turned toward them as something caught his eye; a glimmer in the firelight. He turned away from the conversation of chiefs and their duties to look for the glimmer.
Katara and Suki giggled and held their hands together. The thin bracelet on Suki's wrist shined again as firelight caught it. Zuko felt his heart plummet. You just gave it to her?Why would you give her that bracelet?
"What's that on Suki's wrist?" Zuko turned as Sokka asked his question, his brow furrowed.
"Isn't that Katara's bracelet?" Hakoda peered over his son.
"It is." Bato looked over at the two girls.
"Why is Suki wearing it?" Sokka asked.
"I do believe Kanna mentioned something about women needing certain items for good luck on their wedding day." Pakku shrugged.
"How does that go?" Hakoda asked.
"Not a clue." Sokka shrugged.
"I think one of them is something borrowed." Pakku said.
"And then one's something blue." Suki's dad added.
"So Katara let Suki borrow the bracelet." Zuko said. He breathed in a little easier.
"Yeah, because usually I never see Katara without that thing on her wrist." Sokka shrugged.
"Where did she get it?" Bato asked.
"The Avatar?" Hakoda asked. Zuko stared into his soup.
"She never said." Sokka shrugged. "But she's always playing with it."
"Playing with what?" The men jumped as Aang popped up behind them.
"AANG!" Sokka jumped up to bring the boy into a bear hug. "I didn't think you could make it."
"I almost didn't." He grinned at the men as he took a seat between Zuko and Sokka. "I heard of the wedding only a week ago."
"Glad you could make it." Zuko grinned at the younger boy.
"Glad to make it." He turned to Sokka. "Also stopped by Aunt Wu's on the way here."
"Not that old fraud." Sokka pouted.
"She says she sees all sorts of babies and happiness in your future." Aang said.
"She did?" Sokka grinned.
"I may be paraphrasing." Aang laughed.
"Who's Aunt Wu?" Zuko asked.
"She's a fortune teller." Zuko turned to see Katara smiling at him and Aang. "We ran across her a long time ago."
"Yeah, she re-read my fortune. Much better news this time." Aang smiled at his girl. She actually saw love in my future.
"Mine was pretty good the first time." Katara smiled. "Glad to see you made it Aang."
"So, what's the plan for tomorrow?" Aang asked.
"Well, first I will stand at the altar." Sokka began going through the plan. "Then Zuko and Katara will come up the aisle."
"Wait what?" Aang asked his eyes wide.
"Well we didn't know if you could make it." Sokka said sheepishly.
"You kind just ran off." Katara said bitterly.
"So I'm the best man." Zuko shrugged.
"And I'm the Maid of honor." Katara smiled.
"Generally they walk up the steps together." Sokka said.
"Well I'm back now. I can do it." Aang said somewhat panicky. I don't want them together.
"We can't change now." Katara frowned.
"It's the night before." Hakoda frowned as well.
"You get to walk up the aisle with Toph." Pakku mentioned.
"Because you are a groomsmen and she's a bridesmaid." Katara explained.
"I don't want to walk with Toph; I want to walk with you." Aang complained.
"It's too late." Sokka said. "Zuko's already made a speech and everything."
"I…uh." Aang turned about him, everyone frowning. "Ok" Zuko turned away from the avatar, slightly angry. His eyes caught on the retreating form of Toph.
Toph sat on a large boulder; it seemed almost as if she were staring out toward the ocean, her head tilted to the sounds of the crashing waves.
"You ok?" Zuko walked toward the boulder.
"Yeah." Toph's bangs fluttered in the wind.
"He didn't mean anything by it." Zuko said quietly.
"Yes he did. He wants sugar queen so he's not just going to be stuck with me." Toph sighed.
"Yeah he's an idiot." Zuko grinned.
"No he's not." Toph sniffed. "He's smart."
"He laughs at Sokka's jokes." Zuko reasoned.
"I'm just a fool." Toph held her knees close.
"What do you even see in the guy?" Zuko asked.
"He's brave, he can usually stand up to even me. He's smart, always thinking of ways to help people. He's funny, caring, strong, and happy and never even sees me as being blind. Never thinks that I need help. Never thinks that I'm weak."
"So, that's why you want him and Katara to split up." Zuko leaned against the boulder.
"I wanted them to split up even before I figured out I liked him." Toph stated. "They seem so wrong for each other."
"They really do seem that way." Zuko agreed.
Silence encompassed them as Toph listened to the waves while Zuko stared up at the clouds gliding over the hundreds of stars.
"Toph, can you do me a favor?" Zuko asked quietly.
"It'll cost ya." Toph grinned at him.
"I'll find a way to get Aang to dance with you tomorrow if you give this to Katara after I leave." He handed over the parchment. "Keep it hidden till then."
"Either you really trust me or you don't want anyone to read it." Toph smirked as she tucked the parchment into her pants.
"Both." Zuko stared up to the stars.
"You think twinkletoes would actually want to dance with me?" Toph blushed.
"If he doesn't then I will." Zuko nudged Toph. She grinned back at him.
In two (unless I think of some random Zutara fluff to put in) chapters, things will get better. I PROMISE :D
Love the reviews and the age is officially changed to 20