A long month passed for both couples, allowing the four of them to grow closer. Mai and Zuko were more inseparable than they'd been their entire lives. Now Zuko was about to make an important step in their two year relationship.
Aang put a hand on Zuko's quivering shoulders. The Fire Prince was beyond nervous as they watched Mai sit by the pond and feed the Turtle-ducks. Zuko's hands shook as they held onto a small box.
"Zuko, there's no way she'll say no. Mai may seem dull and bored on the outside, but on the inside she really loves you and she'll be ecstatic," Aang assured him. "Or in a stroke of bad luck she could turn you down and you could look like an idiot at the engagement party Ozai already planned."
Zuko took a deep breath and as he exhaled steam came out of his mouth. "Okay, I'm ready."
He walked to the turtle-duck pond on unsteady feet. Mai looked up as he came to stand in front of her. Aang watched with bated breath as the Prince said a few words and then dropped to his knee. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he knew that all was well when Mai squealed and threw her arms around Zuko's neck.
"They're so cute," he said to himself. Then Mai and Zuko began to kiss passionately. "And not they're not," Aang said as he got up and walked into the palace.
"So there's an engagement party," Katara asked as she traced the arrow on Aang's hand.
Aang nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, once Ozai heard about Zuko's plan to propose he arranged for a huge party with friends and family from all over the Fire Nation. It's stupid and I really don't want to go."
Katara scoffed. "Why would you say it's stupid?"
"Because the party planner Ozai hired made it a masked-theme. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. And I just know the royal dressers are going to make me wear some stupid formal outfit with sashes and ties and a dumb mask," Aang said, sighing.
Katara giggled. "So that's the problem? You don't want to wear a mask?"
"Yeah! What's the point?"
"I'm sure you'll have a great time at the party tomorrow night," Katara told him, as she got up from the bed and kissed his forehead. She left out of the room and closed the door behind her. She wasn't prepared for someone to stand in her path. Liana stood before Katara with her arms folded and a stern look on her face.
"Why were you in Avatar Aang's room," she questioned.
"Well, he is kind of my master. I had to clean his room and…you know, make the bed," Katara lied.
"I would've believed that a month ago, but you seem to be in there slot lately. Avatar Aang has never been very messy. I doubt his room needs that much cleaning. Unless he has help in dirtying it…," Liana said, trailing off suggestively.
Katara's face turned the color of her robe. "Are you suggesting that I know who he invites into his quarters? What or who he does in his free time is not my business, Liana."
Liana's face darkened. "Katara, you're blushing."
"Well…I…um…."
Liana put her arm around Katara's shoulders. "Its okay, Katara. You wouldn't be the only girl to fall prey to the Avatar's handsome features. But you have to let it go. He'd never break the Firelord's rules to be with you, so it's impossible. And I might consider it a huge betrayal on your part after you assured me you didn't feel anything for him."
Katara bit her lip. "Yeah, you're right, Liana. It was just a stupid crush and besides he's a jerk."
"That's my girl," Liana said, hugging Katara. "Now come on. Firelord Ozai has ordered all of the servants to help with the decorating."
"Oh. Yippee," Katara groaned.
"Yes, Ozai," Aang asked, kneeling before the flames of the Fire throne. "You called me?"
Ozai eyed the Avatar with pride. "Aang, tomorrow night is Zuko and Mai's engagement party and I have arranged for you to take a date."
Aang frowned. "A date?"
"Yes, it would look nice for the future Firelord to have a girl on his arm. Ty Lee should arrive in the morning. You two should spend some time together before the party. Learn to enjoy each other's company. You'll be the most adored couple in the Fire Nation," Ozai said, smirking.
Aang sighed. He should've expected this. At least it was Ty Lee and not some complete stranger. "Okay. I'm sure it won't be that bad." Ozai smiled as left the throne room.
As he lied in bed that night, he decided not to tell Katara about his 'date'. She'd probably have a fit and there's no way she could find out anyway.
"Aang," Ty lee exclaimed as she greeted him the next morning. She bounced gracefully into his arms and placed a kiss on his already red cheek.
"Uh, hi Ty lee," Aang mumbled as used all of his will-power not to throw the girl off of him. He gently placed her back on her feet, but as he did that she became a pink blur running circles around him.
"So what are we doing today?"
Aang reached out and caught the small girl by the shoulders. "Before we do anything, I'm going to need you to calm down. You're way too excited and your energy levels are making me nauseous."
Ty lee stopped her jumping and pouted at the Avatar. "I'm sorry, Aang. I'm just really excited. We haven't spent time alone in such a long time."
Aang laughed and the mood lightened tremendously. "Remember when Ozai used to make us go on 'dates'."
"And then we spent the entire day running away from the guards he'd send to chaperone," Ty lee finished, giggling.
At that moment Katara entered the hallway leading to Aang's bedroom when she noticed the pair laughing together. Her hands clutched the silver food tray tighter. As she approached them she adjusted her face to form a friendly smile, while jealousy churned in her gut. "Good morning, Aang. Ty lee, you're back. It's wonderful to see you again."
Ty lee turned to the waterbender and smiled widely. "It's great to see you again also Katara. Hey, so since you're Aang's personal servant are coming on our date, you know, in case we need anything? You'd be perfect for holding an umbrella in case it rains, holding my messenger bag, fixing my hair in the chance it gets messed up by wind, rain-"
As Ty lee went through her list of Katara's uses she was unaware of the rage practically oozing off of the tan girl. Luckily, Aang interfered before his girlfriend could snap Ty lee's neck. "Ty, I need to speak to Katara for a moment." He didn't wait for Ty lee to respond before he pulled Katara inside of his room and closed the door. As soon as the door was closed Katara exploded.
"YOU HAVE A DATE WITH TY LEE?"
Aang sighed. "Katara, clam down. You're my girlfriend. It's only to please Ozai. I don't have any feelings for Ty lee." He pulled her rigid body into a hug and whispered in her ear. "I only have feelings for you, Katara."
Katara let out the breath she'd been holding and slowly wrapped her arms around Aang's form. "If you say so. But be careful. I trust you, I don't trust her."
Aang smiled and kissed his girlfriend's cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You're not coming back today?"
Aang frowned and bent to kiss the waterbender's pout. "Sorry, I have to escort Ty lee to the engagement ball. I'll come back to the palace right before it starts and get dressed, then I'm off to the ballroom for the party."
"Oh," Katara sighed. "I just kind of wished I could see you before it started."
"I'll miss you, but I'll see you bright and early tomorrow. I wish you were one of those blasted royal dressers I have to come back and allow to dress me. They always make me feel like such an infant," Aang scoffed.
A giggle escaped Katara's lips against her will. She sighed and leaned up on her toes to peck Aang on the lips, but as soon as she was a slight hair away the door opened and Ty lee poked her head through.
"Aang, we've gotta go," she reminded, happily, her mirth seeping through her words.
Aang and Katara both jumped away from each other and turned to glare at the smiling acrobat. Finally Aang rolled his eyes and made his way to the door. "You are dismissed, Katara. I'll see you tomorrow."
Katara bent her head and rushed from the room, while on the inside she was laughing at Aang's bad acting.
Ty lee's face glowed with excitement as she and Aang watched the Ember Island Players' production of 'Love Amongst the Dragons'. The Avatar wasn't as thrilled by the production. He yawned for what seemed like the billionth time since they reached Ember Island that morning.
Once the play ended Ty lee insisted on heading into the market for a while. Their guarding escorts trailed close behind them. Four palace guards always accompanied them on their 'dates' at Ozai's request. As they strolled through the market Ty lee gleefully purchased useless items. Aang watched her in amusement, yet his mind was in another place…a place with bright blue eyes and hair-loopies.
"Okay, we should go now so we can make it back to the palace in time," Ty lee grinned as she handed another trinket to the guards, two of which already had full arms.
As Katara wandered the halls of the Palace with her arms full of clean, folded clothes her face adorned a helplessly sad expression. Just as she neared the Avatar's room a door she passed opened and someone stepped out.
"Oh, dear."
Katara turned her gloomy features to Ms. Qin. "Oh, hi, Ms. Qin."
The nurse brought a comforting hand to Katara's shoulders. "What's wrong, darling? You look so sad."
"It's just…" Katara looked around before finishing. "I kind of like someone going to the ball tonight and I wish I could be there with them."
Ms. Qin was quiet for a moment as she eyed the waterbender. "Katara, how badly do you want to go to the ball?"
"I want to go so, so much."
The older women gave a small smile. "Well then, maybe you can go," she said as she pulled Katara into her room. "Let's what tricks I have up my sleeves."
This chapter is nowhere near done, but it was taking so long to write that I figured you guys would think I ditched you. I didn't, of course. Just ran into some problems. Next is the fun part.
