Surprised to see me? I'm not finished with this story just yet, but the votes are in! Almost everyone who reviewed the last chapter, practically begged for a sequel. I WILL be writing a sequel for this story, but I have to finish this story first, I've still got some things planned for this one, like Katara's birthday and whatnot. Anywho, hope you like it, PLEASE REVIEW! I love them all!

Disclaimer: I'm broke, and I don't own ATLA.

"I am the proudest brother ever!" Sokka grinned, showing his teeth. His family and friends were all seated in his family's antechamber. There weren't enough chairs, so the girls took a seat on their boyfriends laps. Katara didn't mind, she wasn't going to leave Zuko anyway.

"I'm the proudest father ever." Hakoda smiled at Katara, his arm wrapped around Naoki's waist. That's when Toph cut in.

"I bet Zuko is the proudest boyfriend ever." She giggled, along with everyone else in the room, including Hakoda.

After all the celebration, the Gaang and others retired to the antechambers, where they shared more snacks and stories and whatnot. Everyone was still delighted for Katara on her defeat of Sakida. Katara claimed she wouldn't have been able to do it without the spirit's help. They were still happy for her.

"I'm not going to lie, but I am." Zuko kissed Katara's cheek, making her blush. Katara rested her head on his shoulder, Kaskae was asleep on her lap. Poor little puppy was always tired, and he was shaken by the fight earlier too.

Hakoda sighed, for the thousandth time. "I can't tell how sorry I am for all the things I've done. I'm sorry, truly I am."

"We forgive you Dad, it's not like you had any control." Sokka waved his apology to the side. Hakoda has apologized over and over again, and it was getting on everyone's nerves.

"Zuko, can I talk to you outside?" Hakoda finally asked him, he's been dying to talk to Zuko about something private.

Zuko stuttered. "Uh, sure." He picked Katara up, and placed her back in his chair, kissing her forehead before following Hakoda out into the hallway.

"What do you think they're talking about?" Suki asked Katara, who only shrugged.

Zuko felt uneasy. He knew Hakoda was going to pull him aside sooner or later, he just hoped for later. "I'm not going to hurt you if that's what you're thinking." Hakoda turned his head a little to smile at the nervous teenager.

"Not at all." Zuko faked a smile and rubbed the back of his head. "Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"

Hakoda continued walking until they were out of hearing distance. "I wanted to thank you for protecting my daughter."

Zuko swallowed. "It was no problem really, I want her as safe as possible."

"I know, and Katara's grandmother was right." Hakoda placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "No one has loved Katara as much as you love her. I've always tried to keep my daughter from the young boys, to keep her from betrothing as long as possible, but you're the exception. Fire Lord Zuko, when Katara is marrying age, I give you permission to be her betrothed."

Zuko's eyes widened. "Really? I mean, you would allow Katara to be my Fire Lady? My past hasn't been the best." Zuko's shoulders slouched. He was chosen the least favorite from his father, he was banished, scarred, exiled, captured, he betrayed and hurt so many people.

"You're more honorable than most of these Water Tribe warriors, or whatever they're calling themselves these days." Hakoda chuckled. "I couldn't think of anyone better to be the husband for my Katara."

Zuko smiled, and bowed. "Thank you, Chief Hakoda." Hakoda chuckled again, grasping Zuko's forearm in the traditional Water Tribe greeting.

"There's just a few things I need to know before you can marry Katara." Hakoda placed his hand underneath his chin.

"Anything!" Zuko said a little too quickly. Hakoda whispered something in his ear, and Zuko smiled, agreeing. "We can make it work, what's the other thing?"

Hakoda grinned.

"I have no idea how to do this!" Zuko panicked. He was boarding a Water Tribe ship with Sokka by his side, and Aang on the other.

Hakoda told him in order to marry Katara, he had to pass the Ice Dodging ritual. It's a passage for Water Tribe boys to turn into men. Sokka and Aang were the ones chosen to help him.

"It's simple, trust me." Sokka said, explaining his first time Ice Dodging.

After the story, Zuko was a little irritated. "That's easy for you to say, you had two benders, and one of them was the Avatar!"

They laughed at him. "You'll be fine," Aang pushed Zuko towards the steering tool. "just remember why you're doing this."

Zuko's eyes found Katara's in an instant. She had no clue why he was Ice Dodging, but he was determined to do it. She was a little nervous, because her father was really excited about it. Katara waited by the docks with Toph and Suki.

"Why do you think Zuko has to go Ice Dodging?" Suki asked Katara, she was just as confused as everybody else in the tribe-minus Zuko, Hakoda, Aang, and Sokka.

"I'm not sure, but I just hope they don't get hurt." Katara didn't want to watch, but she had to know Zuko was going to be safe and okay.

The boys were off. The sailed around in the waters, passing the icebergs around them, not hitting anything. It seemed like nothing was going to go wrong, but you could never be too sure. The icebergs swam closer together, and they started beating against the side of the ship. One big one was in their way, and Katara started to panic again. But when Zuko shouted something, Sokka moved some ropes, Zuko turned the wheel, and they made it out just in time. They passed.

"He did it!" Katara cried, hugging Kaskae closer to her chest. Kaskae wagged his tail and barked towards the ship.

As the boys turned to sail back to shore, a huge wave broke apart more icebergs, causing the boys to hold on tight. One gigantic iceberg was in their view, but Zuko had confidence they could make it out, so he sailed right for it.

"Zuko!" Sokka shouted. "You're already passed, lets add some bending in this problem so I don't die!"

"We can make it!" Zuko yelled back. He was after all, banished on a ship for three years, he knew how to handle a ship in a storm.

Katara was shaking in her boots and parka. What is he doing?!; she thought. If they didn't make it, she would have to dig them from the ocean herself. Hakoda looked at Zuko in confidence, he also knew he could make it.

When the ship was close enough, Zuko used his lightning to bust the iceberg apart, allowing them easy passage to shore. He was also in a heap of trouble when he reached Katara.

The tribe cheered, thankful they arrived back safely. Katara placed Kaskae on the ground, and ran over to attack Zuko in a huge hug. When she was close enough, she jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck, and crossed her legs around his waist.

"You knucklehead!" She screamed in his neck. "You scared me half to death!"

Zuko chuckled, and kissed her ear. "Not even ice can keep me from you Katara." He noticed Hakoda walking over to them, with Naoki by his side.

"Well done Fire Lord Zuko, you are now a welcome member of our tribe." They clasped forearms, and the entire tribe cheered.

"Don't ever do something like that ever again!" Katara hit his arm, just as Kaskae trotted over to them, jumping in Zuko's arms and licking his face.

"I'll do anything to return to my family and the one I love."

I couldn't think of anything else for the Ice Dodging thing. Anyway, hope you like it, please review. (Sorry it's so short too btw)

I will be doing a sequel, that is a definite YES. I'm still working on this story though, so don't go away. Thanks for everyone who is still reading, and for all the reviews! I love you guys.

Please review!

~EvilashZutara17