Summary:

After the betrayal of Jet, a polished rogue in the King's Guard, Katara of the Watertribe refuses the affection and offer of any man. Due to rising rebellion in the Earth Kingdom's Island Colonies, and its capital of Ba Sing Se, Chief Hakoda strives to protect his daughter and his people's way of life. Firelord Iroh pushes his nephew to marry Katara, whilst they struggle to have nothing to do with the other. Meanwhile Jet comes to win Katara to find an angry Waterbending Master, that refuses his lies and casts his true self into the light in the high society of the Earth Kingdom. Humiliated he seeks his revenge on not only his parent's murderers, but the country of their origin, and a prize he failed to gain, a blue eyed waterbender called Katara.

A.N

Another update. I rock. I like this one, especially the Toph and Sokka interaction. I know Aang isn't really mentioned, but it is intentional. We will find out where he is next chapter. It's a pretty straight forward chapter, but if you have questions, feel free to ask. I really hope to breach 600 reviews with this chapter, so help me out, we're nearly there! Hope you enjoy, feedback please.

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

Arc III

Rating: T

Chapter 27: The Sacrifice of a People

Sokka, Zuko, and Katara

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Sokka glared at the sight before him.

Not that that, in itself, was too unusual for the pessimist, but this certain sight just rubbed him in all the wrong ways.

He had taken it upon himself to join Katara in the penguin's nesting ground. Since the arrival of the letter that no one would let him see she had been more off than before. If he hadn't hated to say it, he might've labeled it as…mopey.

But when he reached the point where he commonly accosted her, the snow was bare except for those evil little fish snatchers.

Sokka had stood there in some confusion. Katara always accepted morning tea at their Gran's before wasting perfectly good fish and jerky on the demonic little gnomes. It was past the time she should've reached them with her treats. Usually, when he found fit to meet her, he would try to snag some jerky before it disappeared into the whiskered beaks of the waddlers.

Not that he ever got away with it.

His attention was caught by his sister's excited tones spieling off words in rapid succession. Suspecting that she had brought Aang, who for some estranged reason adored the fat should-be-snacks, Sokka ran to hide behind a low snow bank with plans to jump out and frighten them witless. Katara, for the had done so as small children, and Aang, because the boy was as gullible as anything.

Sokka waited till she halted, still too far away to make out the nature of her rant, before poking his head above the ridge of snow to confirm his suspicions.

It was decidedly not a sight for sore eyes to see his brother-in-law being tugged along by the waterbender, an expression of amusement and bewilderment upon his ugly mug.

They looked far too cozy for Sokka's liking, especially since he'd thought Katara had left the Prince of Jerks back in his tropical sandbox.

Tropical Sandbox.

He'd have to share that one with Toph.

Shaking his head to focus back on the matter at hand, Sokka resumed his glaring at the slime who was all over his sister. It was shocking, and extremely disturbing, to find Katara's cheeks flushed in pleasure as she spoke to the male, her eyes bright and the happiest Sokka'd seen since she'd arrived.

Well, damn.

There went his 'proof' that she was miserable with the arse and needed to stay at home where big brother could watc- no protect her.

He really hated the way the jerk's eyes watched her, a mix of desire and cruelty to be sure. He made plans to casually slip between them when a smug voice reached his ears.

"Trying to glare a hole through his head?"

Sokka made to open his mouth to protest, but the little earthbender held up a hand to shush him. He could ignore it, of course, but he'd rather not get his daily beating so early in the morn.

Toph had apparently escorted herself here, odd considering she couldn't see. He was about to inquire to her methods but she shook her head at him.

"How would you know what I'm looking at? I wouldn't have known they were even there if you hadn't pointed it out." His excuses had been better as far as lying to Toph went, but he figured he might slide by with it, seeing as she couldn't monitor his heartbeat.

Toph smirked, cheeky as ever.

"I assume you intentionally meant to contradict yourself. Besides the point, " she continued, shrugging off a normal insult to Sokka's intelligence, "I know you too well."

Sokka sniffed in defiance, not bothering to argue. Toph won far too often at their verbal spars for him to have hopes of anything other than his masculine pride fleeing with its tail between its legs.

Toph flicked him upside the head.

"Are you going to tell me why you're spying?"

"I am not spying."

"Of course not."

"I'm not!"

"Never."

"I'M NOT!"

"Sokka?"

Sokka stifled a groan. Damn Toph with her sneaky little ways to get him in trouble. Turning to his sister, he put on a bright (slightly manic) smile (grimace).

"Good morning sister."

Katara raised an eyebrow at him, but she didn't say anything. She had long since accepted Sokka's tendencies to be odd first thing in the morning, as well as in the afternoon, and evening too.

"And my dearest brother-in-law. What a welcome surprise."

Toph sighed next to him. She reached over and smacked him upside the head just as he was in the process of wiggling his eyebrows 'subtlety'.

"Prince Hotman," Toph said, smirking with a mockery of a curtsy.

"Miss Bei Fong."

Sokka held back a snort at the ugly look on Toph's face, but was disgruntled when she smirked good naturedly and poked her tongue out at the Prince.

Damn brainwashers.

First his beloved, innocent, naïve, darling little sister; and now his rough, boyish, snarky, closest friend and tormentor. Now all that was needed was for his father to slap the slime on the back and give him pelts.

Katara turned her attention back to her brother.

"Why are you up before noon?"

Sokka sniffed. He didn't sleep in all the time.

"I merely wished to feed the penguins with my sister, is that so suspicious- I mean wrong?"

Toph smirked.

Katara shook her head, narrowing her eyes at him.

"Only when you actually refer to them as penguins."

The firebender held back a chuckle, increasing Sokka's ire. He had no right to laugh at him. That was something reserved for friends, and family, and the girls he flirted with, and Suki, and his dad's friends, and…

Damn.

Zuko watched the 'warrior' turn a rather interesting shade of puce before smiling eerily.

"Have you taken your 'husband' to see father yet?" He quipped as he tried to unsuccessfully doge a smack from the little earthbender.

Katara smiled.

Damn.

"No. Thank you for reminding me, Sokka!"

She began to tug on the prince's reluctant sleeve. They made it part of the way back to the village wall before she paused, turning her head and speaking over her shoulder to the younger girl.

"Toph? Could you feed the penguins for me? I left their fish in the pail by Sokka's feet. Don't let him take any."

The little earthbender saluted in their direction before turning back to Katara's brother. Zuko heard him shriek when the penguins edge against him, snatching the fish out of the pail next to his leg, surrounding him.

He heard the blind girl snort before they were out of hearing.

His wife was still pulling him along, stopping to speak to every other person and greeting the vendors who were already set up along the small city's main street.

He was glad he hadn't needed to ask about for Kanna. From the looks of it, the odd, pale young man in the coat would be gossip before breakfast. Katara kept a hand in his, to his relief, and introduced him to several men and women alike.

It was easy to see this was her home.

She cooed over small babes nestled in slings on their mother's arms while inquiring over other children and births. She asked the men about their fishing and hunting, wishing them good sport. She patted the heads of children out for an early dash in the snow before the meal and then chores. She waved to the guards posted at regular intervals along the citizens.

The sight of her at ease, so familiar with her surroundings, comforted him greatly. She would've have been immediately suspicious of any stranger with Fire Nation coloring.

As it was, with his hood down, it seemed the people they encountered didn't know what to make of the prince. Whilst it was common knowledge that the chief's daughter had married the Fire Nation heir, they were obviously surprised at his presence here and Katara's apparent comfort with him.

They certainly didn't act the part of an estranged, political couple, so Zuko was sure they didn't appear like one either. Especially with Katara's hand tucked into his and the slight smile he couldn't pull off his face as he watched her.

The villagers saw it, and made note.

One such man had hugged Katara, inquiring after her well being, but watching the firebender out of the corner of his eye.

Zuko was certain he was a warrior. His shrewd, pale grey eyes were far too observant to be a simple civilian. His assumptions were proved correct when the man took the affirmative and, not waiting for Katara, introduced himself.

"Bato, I am Katara's father's head of military and close friend."

That certainly explained the persona of quiet, but confident authority surrounding him. It also explained his calculating, measuring gaze.

So Zuko nodded, and bowed his head slightly in a sign of respect that seemed to surprise the man. Zuko held back a smirk. No doubt his brother-in-law told anyone who would listen that he was an upstart snob with no manners.

"It is an Honor, sir. I am Katara's wedded, Prince Zuko."

He knew how to respect men worthy of it, even if he was rarely treated as a younger man in his own court.

Bato nodded, seemingly impressed. Then he turned back to Katara.

"If I might steal a word with your man, Katara?" His voice was affectionately teasing and Zuko knew without a doubt that few would take him seriously here. What a far cry from the uptight, high collar, sniffling, whining 'nobles' he was accustomed to.

Zuko was surprised at his desire to speak with him. All the others had nodded their greetings. It was a relief to have such little fuss over his station.

Katara nodded to the man, walking away to pick up a toddler that was edging toward their father's fire pit whilst his back was turned.

Bato came to stand next to him.

"A real gift, that girl." His eyes narrowed in on Zuko's face. "I hope you realize that."

Zuko nodded, watching Katara lift the child and hold it to her chest so it wouldn't fuss. The child's father thanked her, and smiled as the child contented itself with playing with the strands of hair that hung over Katara's shoulders.

Bato looked at where his eyes were focused and smiled.

"That is Ghen. He offered an arrangement for her two years ago."

Zuko snapped his eyes to Bato's guarded features. He didn't speak, sensing the older man was not done with whatever point or observation he was making.

"He is my son."

Zuko sucked in a breath. Wonderful. He had stolen this man's son's choice of wife.

Bato nodded at whatever look Zuko had on his face.

"We were to tell her when she was sixteen. She had no idea." He turned back to watch his son's eyes warm at the sight of Katara bouncing the babe.

"He was widowed when his wife died in childbirth, three years ago."

Zuko bowed his head in condolence.

"Ina adored Katara. We all do."

Zuko was beginning to suspect the man's point. He had not only removed Katara from her home. He had taken Katara from people who loved her.

"We would have never allowed that Jet boy to have her."

Zuko looked up. He was under the impression Hakoda had let it happen, for the sake of his onlt daughter's happiness.

"I hope you understand what we have given to you."

It wasn't just Hakoda or Sokka who had blessed him with her.. Her people had as well. It mustn't have been easy, turning the beloved daughter of a chief over to a stranger in a far off land. Especially one with the rumors he knew circulated about his father and sister.

Zuko nodded, bowing to the older man.

"I know." He said simply.

Bato must have approved whatever he saw in the prince's eyes, for he nodded too.

"It is plain that you love her."

Zuko flushed, pulling at the neck of his coat uncomfortably. It was one thing to realize it himself not even an hour ago. Now to have a stranger read it easily off his face? It was disconcerting.

"You do, don't you, boy?"

Zuko could only nod with averted eyes. It was strangely relieving; the watertribe approach of honesty and straightforwardness. As well, it seemed, of community and family.

Bato leaned in closer to speak, turning his eyes to his giggling grandchild nestled in the waterbender's arms.

"Take heed, Prince. Hakoda has confided much to me. He is not thrilled with this breach of his daughter's virtue."

Zuko turned to glare at the man, forgetting himself for a moment.

"I did not take anything she wasn't willing to give." He narrowed his eyes further. "To even say that Katara would accept me forcing h-"

Bato laughed outright, smacking the boy on the back and causing Katara to glance over and smile at them before returning her attention to Ghen.

"Good answer." He smiled at Zuko's shock and ire. "Hakoda is very protective soul, especially since his wife's demise. Understand his concerns before you react to his words."

Zuko nodded, pleased that he had passed whatever test this man had for him. Bato patted him on the shoulder once more.

"Hakoda has been my friend for many years. He always comes around."

And with that, he approached Katara and plucked the child from her arms before shooing her with a smile.

Katara returned to his side and smile up at him.

"What did he wish to say?"

Zuko tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.

"The usual threats."

She smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry."

Zuko shook his head.

"I'm glad."

Katara pulled open the door to her home.

No doubt her father was already awake, in the kitchen taking his meal, usually with papers of notice before him to be read.

It was their usual practice. Sokka was far too occupied eating to be any sort of conversation, so she and her father often perused the usual papers that came with leadership standing. He preferred to leave anything to do with the waterbenders and healers to her, as every decision impacted her too.

She crossed the hall of their home, bypassing the stairs Sokka had jumped in his eagerness to accost her and slipping through an open wooden door frame.

Her father was sitting there, making notes with a quill on some report or other. He looked up and smiled when his daughter entered.

The smile promptly dropped when he saw who Katara tugged behind her.

Katara was put off by the cold look that had overtaken her father. Certainly, Zuko was unexpected, but her father seemed as if he was unwelcome as well.

Behind her, she felt her husband stiffen.

Hakoda nodded.

"Daughter." His tone became considerably sharper. "Prince."

She nodded to him whilst Zuko merely replied,

"Chief."

Katara was suddenly nervous. Her father knew she was with child. She had been unable and unwilling to hide it from him after he gave her the option of telling him. Never before had she given a thought to how he felt about the father of her child.

She sat, mindlessly preparing a cup f tea for herself and Zuko from the awaiting kettle and cups upon the table.

Zuko sat directly beside her, straight and tense in his seat.

"So, "her father began, pushing away his work, "What brings you to the South Pole?"

Katara was at a loss how Zuko would respond. He rarely reacted well to tense situations, usually only escalating them with his aloof demeanor or his temper, if the latter was invoked.

Zuko's voice was tight when he responded.

"I came to see my wife."

Hakoda's eyes narrowed.

"Is that all?"

Katara was shocked. She couldn't believe her father was being so…so…rude. She gaped at him for a moment until she felt one of Zuko's hands come up and rest upon hers on the table.

"Yes."

Hakoda smiled, a cold, demanding smile.

"And the child had no pull over your 'sentimental' voyage?"

Zuko audibly sucked in a breath. His hand gripped hers tightly.

"Yes, our child was one of the reasons I came to accompany my wife home."

Katara blanched. They really hadn't spoken much about that…

Hakoda outright glared at their joint hands.

"I'm surprisingly unwilling to release my daughter into the care of such a brute."

Katara stared at him in shock. Zuko had done nothing to ever warrant that title, never. She gaped at him before her senses returned.

"Father!"

He met her eyes.

"I cannot, in good conscience, let you stay with a man who forced you."

A.N: Uh Oh. Katara knows what daddy thinks. :) REVIEW!