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Chapter Thirty-Six
Exposed Plots
"What a beautiful ring," Suki gushed as she admired the golden ring on her sister-in-law's finger.
Katara retracted her hand and placed it against her chest as she stroked one of the engagement trinkets Zuko had given her. Right at that moment Zuko was talking to his royal advisors about his engagement to her. She was so nervous about what they might say, but she could not stop feeling happy.
"Isn't it?" Katara replied to Suki with a pleased sigh.
The waterbender was sitting at the low table in the library with Gran-Gran, Suki, and Lady Ursa. As they waited for Madam Fang Hua to arrive for Katara's lessons, the women exclaimed over the engagement items Zuko had given her the previous night. As soon as they noticed Katara wearing them, her grandmother and sister-in-law had rushed forward to congratulate her before they demanded she tell them how Zuko had proposed. Katara had enthusiastically recounted to them how romantic and sweet his proposal had been before she made them swear they wouldn't tell anyone in order not to embarrass him. He hated showing his soft side to anyone but her.
"Do all Fire Nation women receive a ring when proposed to?" Kanna asked curiously as she turned toward the Fire Lord's mother, who was lightly tickling the twins.
Ursa patted the little girls' heads before she looked up to answer the gray-haired tribeswoman.
"No, only the women from nobility," Ursa explained with a small smile.
"But why a ring?" Suki asked as she carefully watched her daughters, who had begun to crawl away from the table.
"Since noblewomen tend to wear many pieces of jewelry, a ring placed specifically on the fourth finger of the left hand makes it known to all that she is spoken for," Ursa replied with a patient smile.
"Just like everywhere else, it's the woman who has to wear something to show she belongs to a man," the auburn-haired warrior muttered as she crossed her arms.
Katara frowned at Suki's words before she gave a nod of agreement. Lady Ursa and Kanna glanced at each other and smiled ruefully at the younger women's thoughts. It was just the way their world worked.
"You know," Lady Ursa began as she smiled gently at Suki before she turned to Katara, "many years ago, before marriages among the nobility were for convenience like they are now, there used to be another reason behind the ring."
"Really? What was it?" Katara asked curiously.
"It was thought that a large vein connected the fourth finger on the left hand to the heart," Ursa explained with a wistful expression, "So the man would place the ring on his intended's finger to symbolize he would forever be connected to her heart."
"Aww, how romantic," Suki breathed before she was distracted when her daughters began to crawl further away from them. She stood up to retrieve them and then placed the two giggling girls next to her again.
Katara looked down at the golden ring on her finger in a new light and she smiled happily as she again stroked the cool metal. She was positive Zuko had given her the ring to forever remind her that their hearts were linked. Although he had a hard time showing it, Zuko really was sweet—at least when it came to her.
"That is a very beautiful thought," Kanna spoke up as she smiled at her granddaughter before she turned to Ursa. "Were you given a ring when Oza—?" she cut herself off and her eyes widened in mortification of what she had brought up.
Ursa looked down for a moment before she returned her gaze to the old woman, who was looking at her guiltily. The golden-eyed princess smiled softly to show she was not upset.
"Yes, he gave me a ring when he proposed to me," she began quietly, unable to even say his name. "I was young and thought myself to be in love, and I thought he had given it to me to show his love and devotion…But I was wrong. He only saw me as a prize and wanted everybody to know it."
A frown settled on her delicate brow as her gaze took on a faraway look.
"But when he banished me, he completely destroyed our already fragile marriage bond. So when I ran out of money, I sold the ring. It was either keep it as a reminder of my unhappy marriage or sell it to survive. Besides, I refused to be reminded of the fact that I once belonged to such a man," she said, her usual serene voice turning dark as she rubbed the now bare finger on her left hand.
She paused and smiled apologetically at the other silent women.
"Please excuse me. I didn't mean to ruin the mood with my sad tales."
"There's no need for you to apologize," Kanna spoke with a kind smile.
"Yeah," Katara added, "He didn't deserve you and you didn't deserve to go through all that."
"Perhaps," Ursa consented before she gave a genuine smile. "At least something good came out of such a broken marriage. My children…" She paused and her smile turned a little sad. "Well, at least, Zuko did."
The other women knew she was thinking of how badly Azula turned out and they did not say anything. Kanna cleared her throat and clapped her hands heartily, the sound seeming to push away the melancholic air that had suddenly settled over them.
"The ring is lovely, but I think the betrothal necklace is simply beautiful!" the old woman exclaimed before she frowned, "Though I still think the young Fire Lord should have made it himself."
Katara clutched the onyx pendant protectively as if to shield it from the old woman's disapproving statement and she frowned deeply at her grandmother.
"Zuko can't be expected to do something that he's not used to and is not his tradition. At least he gave me a betrothal necklace," she defended her future husband. "Besides, he doesn't have time to be learning how to make a necklace."
"Hm, well, that is true," Kanna conceded.
"And he was the one who designed the symbols and chose the materials," Katara added with a proud smile.
"And it came out amazing!" Suki exclaimed. She touched her own necklace and smiled. It was simple, but she loved it because Sokka had made it for her.
The women again began to talk about how unique and beautiful Katara's necklace was, and how surprising it was to find out Zuko had a romantic side to him—albeit a small one. They were interrupted from their lively chatter by a knock at the door. They looked up as the door opened and Madam Fang Hua stepped into the library with Jiao and another servant trailing after her with trays full of refreshments. Another servant followed them with arms full with scrolls and papers.
The tiny, old woman quickly made her way to the low table, but then she froze in her spot, almost causing the servants to crash into her. Then the old noblewoman began to exclaim over the two engagement trinkets and how it was about time her lord found a wife.
Katara smiled smugly at the thought that she was one of a few women, if not the only one, who was the proud recipient of not one, but two engagement items. And from the Fire Lord no less.
"Enough stalling. We need to continue your lessons," the tiny noblewoman spoke sternly a moment later, effectively making Katara's smile vanish from her face.
"Yes, Madam Fang Hua," Katara managed to say without a tired groan.
When the old woman ruffled through the many piles of scrolls on the low table, the waterbender scowled at Suki and her grandmother when they coughed to hide their amusement.
"Now," Madam Fang Hua began as she looked up with a small smile, "we have covered the most basic traditions and responsibilities you will need to follow, but now we will discuss the most important duty you will have as Fire Lady."
"Alright," Katara said with a pensive expression.
I wonder what duty is that, she mentally mused as she took a sip of tea.
"You must bear Fire Lord Zuko an heir as soon as possible," Madam Fang Hua stated bluntly.
Katara choked on the tea and then coughed loudly as the hot liquid burned down her throat. Her grandmother patted her back with an amused smile on her wrinkled face, while Lady Ursa pressed her lips to keep from smiling and Suki openly grinned at her sister-in-law.
Clearing her throat in a more delicate manner, Katara raised her head to stare at the unperturbed old noblewoman with a dark blush on her cheeks.
"Uh…why as soon as possible?" she finally managed to ask.
"Fire Lord Zuko is already three years past from when he was supposed to sire an heir," the tiny woman explained as she calmly sipped her tea before she placed the teacup on the table with a small frown, "Although times are better than they were four years ago, one never knows if something fatal could befall the Fire Lord. I know it may sound cruel, but we need the royal bloodline to continue."
Katara nodded in understanding, although she vowed to herself that she would do everything possible so Zuko may live a long life with her, and then their child would be ready to take the throne. However, she was not sure if she was ready to be a mother yet. But then again, she was well past the year she was supposed to marry by her tribe's standards. Women usually wedded at sixteen and were mothers soon after. Some would say it was about time she got married and started a family, but did Zuko and she really need to start having babies so soon?
Yet, she could not deny the warmth that went through her at the thought of having Zuko's children.
"But of course conception may take a while," Madam Fang Hua continued in a lighter tone as her thin lips curled into an impish grin, "So that means there will have to be many tries before the Fire Lord can impregnate you." She chuckled.
Katara's mouth flew open and she was sure her entire face was glowing red as all the women laughed. She would never have thought the stern noblewoman would say such a thing.
But the thought of those 'many tries' made Katara grin inwardly.
The royal advisors talked quietly amongst themselves as they wondered where Advisor Kang could be, since he had again missed a meeting. However, their musings soon turned toward the Fire Lord who was just finishing talking to one of the governors from a small northern island. They were curious to know why they had been summoned so early in the morning, but not as curious as to know why Chief Hakoda, Master Pakku, and Master Sokka were in the throne room as well. The three tribesmen were sitting on cushions across from them, their arms crossed over their chests, and their blue eyes piercing as they silently stared at the old advisors. They almost let out a simultaneous sighs of relief when their lord finally concluded his meeting with the governor and the Water Tribe warriors' attention shifted to the Fire Lord.
Sitting among them, Chao resisted the urge to grin at his fellow advisors for their behavior as he waited for his lord to speak. The Fire Lord had confided in him that he was finally going to be able to marry Lady Katara, and Chao had agreed immediately to help his lord sway the advisors' minds in his favor. He caught Iroh's eye, who was sitting beside the tribesmen, and he smiled and nodded when the retired general winked at him.
As soon as the door was closed behind the governor, Zuko briefly glanced at Hakoda, Sokka, and Pakku before his eyes landed on his advisors.
"I have received consent from the father of the woman I want to marry," Zuko spoke up without stalling.
The old men looked around each other curiously and enviously as they tried to figure out if there was anyone among them that had gained their lord's favor, before they returned their attention to the figure sitting behind the wall of fire.
"Who is the woman you have chosen to marry?" one of them finally asked.
"Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe," Zuko responded coolly, although his heart was pounding wildly in his chest, "Chief Hakoda has agreed to allow me to marry his daughter."
"What?" a few exclaimed in shock.
"But, my lord!" others cried out.
"Surely you jest," one of them said.
The sound of two throats clearing rather loudly brought the old noblemen from their protests and their eyes darted toward the tribesmen whose arms were still crossed over their chests, their dark eyebrows raised high on their foreheads challengingly, their eyes hard. The advisors sat back in their spots and grumbled to themselves. It would be catastrophic if they were to begin protesting too much when the Southern Water Tribe members were present
"I am speaking the truth when I say that I have chosen Lady Katara to be my wife," Zuko repeated impassively as he stared at his advisors levelly.
"By not picking a noblewoman from the Fire Nation, your own country and your own people, you are insulting us," one of the oldest of the men spoke up.
"None of your female relatives or any other noblewoman has been able to catch my attention," the young Fire Lord stated bluntly. "And besides, if I had chosen a woman from the nobility, the rest of you would have been insulted anyway."
The men glanced at each other sheepishly before they grumbled lowly to themselves just as Chao tried to reason with them in a subtle way.
"But my lord," another spoke up, "if you marry Lady Katara, the pure royal bloodline would cease to exist!"
The other advisors perked up at this and immediately began to agree and exclaim that they needed to preserve the royal bloodline, but they were cut off by a dark look from their lord.
"What matters is that any children Lady Katara bears me will have my blood," Zuko stated firmly.
At this statement, the men quieted down again as they mused over the idea while they sneaked glances at the silent and intimidating tribesmen.
Expression impassive, Zuko was proud of himself for coming up with the idea of having Katara's father, brother, and new grandfather attend this meeting with him since his advisors were not protesting as much as he knew they would have for fear of insulting the Southern Water Tribe Chief, his heir, who was a master swordsman, and the master waterbender.
"Chief Hakoda and I have agreed that with my marriage to Lady Katara there will be a peace treaty signed between our countries to ensure another war does not occur," the Fire Lord continued, his voice smooth and persuasive.
The advisors murmured amongst themselves for a long moment before they finally agreed that a peace treaty was a good idea. Iroh mentally congratulated his nephew.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Young One?" Wei's voice interrupted the other men and everybody turned to look at the balding advisor who was looking at the Fire Lord with an indifferent expression. "You can still have a peace treaty, you don't have to marry the woman. Having her as your royal concubine will serve the same purpose."
Iroh grit his teeth, and Chao and the other advisors gasped just as the fire wall blazed and Hakoda, Sokka, and Pakku sprang to their feet in outrage, their azure eyes blazing in anger and indignity.
"Hell no!" Sokka snarled angrily as his hand immediately went to his hip to grasp his sword. To his regret, no weapons were allowed in the throne room, which perhaps was a good thing or else he would have killed the old bastard for the insult to his sister.
"My daughter will never be made a concubine!" Hakoda roared in outrage.
"Even for a peace treaty between our countries!" Pakku growled.
"Chief Hakoda, Master Sokka, Master Pakku," Zuko spoke up in a stoic tone as he kept his dark gaze on the old advisor, "Would you please sit down?"
The three tribesmen remained standing as they fought to regain their control and rein in their anger before they slowly sat down next to an equally angry Iroh. However, they continued to glare murderously at Wei, who ignored them as he frowned at the Fire Lord.
Zuko had expected Wei to oppose his marriage to Katara, but he did not give a damn what the man thought, especially since he was still a suspect.
"I respect Lady Katara and I will never insult her, her family and her culture by making her my concubine," Zuko stated definitely as he added, "I want her as my wife."
"But why?" Wei asked as if he could not wrap it around his head why Zuko would want a woman from the water tribes.
"Why?" Zuko repeated as if the question was plain stupid before he said, "Why not? She helped save the world, she saved me when Azula attacked me, she helped me find my mother, and she was willing to help the colony when we were told it had been infected."
He paused and a small smile tugged at his lips just as his amber eyes darkened a little.
"And she is also a very beautiful woman. Why wouldn't I want her as my wife?" he asked.
The other men immediately agreed with nods and murmurs, but they stopped and pretended to find an interest in something else when Hakoda cleared his throat and glared at them. Zuko felt himself flush for admitting his attraction to Katara in front of her father before he composed himself. It would be stupid of Hakoda if he had not realized Zuko was physically attracted to his daughter. And it would be best the chief accepted it, for Zuko will have a hard time keeping his hands off Katara once they married. Not that he would be showing his desire for her in front of anybody.
"She's an intelligent and strong woman with a caring heart," he continued, "And I know that she will help me and the Fire Nation once she becomes my wife and Fire Lady."
The advisors again murmured in agreement since they had also heard the common people speak highly of her and her kindness.
"But she has no knowledge of how to be a noblewoman, especially not a Fire Lady," Wei spoke up with a sneer.
Zuko glared at him heatedly before he smirked.
"Lady Katara had been concerned of that as well and that is why she has insisted in taking lessons with Madam Fang Hua," he told them. "Madam Fang Hua has expressed her approval on how well Lady Katara is doing in her lessons." He was unable to keep the pride from reaching his voice.
Wei frowned and the other advisors exclaimed in surprise. They were pleased to know the waterbender was taking her duties seriously and they wondered if it would be that bad for their lord to marry her, especially if the respected Madam Fang Hua approved of her.
"We understand all of this, my lord," one of the younger advisors spoke up, "But any other noblewoman could do the same."
Zuko had to stop himself from snorting at the man's words. All the women he had been forced to listen to as they invaded his home only wanted him for his power and wealth, and possibly his body as well.
"Why are you so adamant on marrying Lady Katara?" the man continued to ask.
Zuko balled his hands as he stopped himself from shifting uncomfortably on his throne. He already had to confess the real reason to Hakoda and Sokka and he refused to say it to his advisors.
"I…We…care for each other," he said smoothly.
"More like they are deeply in love with each other," Iroh piped in cheerfully.
Hakoda and Pakku suppressed their amused grins and Sokka outright guffawed at the deadly glare Zuko sent his witty uncle, who again was unaffected by his nephew's dark look as he smiled at the shocked men.
The advisors looked at the silent Fire Lord with wide, unbelieving eyes and gaping mouths, but when he did not deny his uncle's words, they composed themselves as they began to murmur amongst each other again. Now they understood why their Fire Lord and the waterbender spent so much time together.
After a few more attempts to change his mind, the men finally give up, after all, they really did not have any real reason to disapprove of Lady Katara except that she was from the Southern Water Tribe. Besides, they really did not want to incur their lord's wrath if they denied his wish to marry the woman he had chosen.
"If it is what you wish and if you are positive she will fulfill her duties as Fire Lady, then we accept your marriage to Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe," the oldest of them finally spoke up.
Zuko's eyes widened slightly before he again resumed his impassive features. He was surprised since he had expected that they would have argued more insistently, but he supposed they were just relieved to know that he had finally decided to marry.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
After a few more minutes of discussing the peace treaty, they all agreed to converge again another day to go into more detail. Zuko heaved a mental sigh of relief as he left the room with the tribesmen, Iroh, and Chao following behind him.
"Congratulations," Hakoda spoke up with grin as he gave the Fire Lord a clap on the back. "That went better than I expected."
"Yes," Zuko agreed with an incline of his head before a small smile tugged at his lips.
"Wow, now it feels more real that you're gonna be my brother-in-law!" Sokka piped in with a dramatic gasp. "I'm gonna be related to Lord Jerkbender, here. Can you believe it?"
He grinned hugely when Zuko gave him a dark look. Chuckling, Sokka placed an arm around Zuko's shoulders and squeezed.
"I know you must be glad to have the Mighty Warrior Sokka as your brother-in-law!" Sokka exclaimed cheerfully as he puffed out his chest. "Who wouldn't? I am amazing, after all."
Zuko shrugged the young warrior's arm from his shoulders and gave him a blank stare.
"Maybe it's a good thing you live in another country," Zuko said coolly.
"Ouch. That hurt!" Sokka cried as he dramatically clutched his chest.
Zuko smirked and the other men laughed. Hakoda sighed at his son's antics, though his lips twitched in amusement.
"I'm going to look for Katara in the library," Zuko spoke up with a smile.
The smile dropped and he scowled when the men grinned at him and his uncle waggled his eyebrows. Without another word, the young Fire Lord turned around.
"Wait! I'm coming with you!" Sokka said as he quickly followed after the firebender. "I want to see Suki and my little girls."
The older men watched them go with amused expressions on their faces.
"Ah, to be young and in love," Iroh mused with a grin.
The others chuckled as they watched the Fire Lord and the Southern Water Tribe heir disappear around the corner before they agreed to play Pai Sho with the retired general.
Zuko had to stop himself from increasing his pace as he and Sokka neared the library where he knew Katara was once again taking her lessons with Madam Fang Hua and his mother. Sokka had been teasing him nonstop on their way to the library, but Zuko had learned to tune him out. Zuko raised a dark eyebrow when he spotted Jiao and Kuo talking quietly to each other beside the doors that led to the room before they stopped when they saw him approaching. Kuo straightened himself and resumed his alert position while Jiao blushed as she bowed to her lord before she hurried down the corridor in the opposite direction.
Zuko chose to ignore them as he knocked on the door once before he opened it and went inside. Sokka followed after him with a grin. Zuko found Katara surrounded by his mother, Kanna, Suki, and Madam Fang Hua, while the twins played near their mother's feet. He was curious since it seemed the women had been arguing before they abruptly stopped when he and Sokka appeared.
"Uh oh," Sokka whispered loudly to Zuko, "We must have intruded upon their girl talk."
"What's going on?" Zuko asked.
"What's going on is that Madam Fang Hua and your mother are insisting that I get fitted for new clothes when I already have a lot with the ones Uncle Iroh had me buy last summer!" Katara exclaimed in one breath.
"Pfft! That's it?" Sokka said carelessly as he waved his hand in the air.
He walked forward to kiss Suki on her forehead before he knelt on the ground to play with the twins. Katara turned to glare at her older brother before she turned back to Madam Fang Hua when she began to speak.
"The future Fire Lady must wear appropriate and formal attire deemed by her title and position," the tiny old noblewoman insisted calmly.
"Well, we still don't know if I'll ever become Fire Lady," Katara retorted stubbornly as she crossed her arms over her chest, "And I don't need to be fitted for new clothes."
"Madam Fang Hua," Zuko spoke up coolly even though his eyes were locked on Katara's, "Please have the royal seamstress meet with Lady Katara tomorrow."
"I already said that…" the waterbender began before she trailed off with a gasp. Eyes wide and staring at Zuko, she asked, "Does that mean the Court Council agreed to our marriage?"
Zuko inclined his head and smiled at her.
"Your father, brother, and grandfather can be quiet intimidating," he said with a small grin.
With a happy squeal, Katara jumped to her feet and race to her firebender before she lunged herself into his arms and began to rain kisses along his strong jaw. She heard him clear his throat and she immediately pulled away from him with an embarrassed blush staining her cheeks.
"Sorry," she mumbled as she stared at his chest.
She felt him place a finger under her chin and she looked up when he gently nudged her to lift her head. He smiled down at her.
"You can show me how happy you are when we're alone tonight," he whispered so only she could hear.
Katara's blush turned a darker hue as Zuko straightened and looked away to smile at the women who were congratulating them enthusiastically. Mentally shaking her head, Katara smiled in anticipation. Hooking her arm under his, Zuko led her toward the table where Katara again took a seat. Turning to his mother, Zuko smiled.
"Mother, I want Katara to be appropriately attired for when I officially announce her as my future wife," he said.
"Of course, dear," Ursa told him happily, "When would you like to have the engagement party?"
"In three days," Zuko replied smoothly.
"In three days?!" the women exclaimed.
"Damn, you have it bad," Sokka piped in amusedly as he allowed his daughters to crawl onto his lap.
Zuko pointedly ignored his future brother-in-law as he addressed the women.
"Yes," Zuko said before he looked down at Katara with a frown, "I told you I was going to announce our engagement as soon as the Court Council agreed."
"I know," Katara responded with a smile, "I was just surprised, but I'm happy."
She grinned at him brightly and Zuko relaxed as he returned her smile with a small one of his own.
"Then I will send the invitations for your engagement party immediately and have the seamstress look into fitting Katara for new clothes," Lady Ursa told them with a joyful smile.
Madam Fang Hua turned to Katara with a haughty expression.
"Do not argue with a wise old woman again, my dear," she advised.
"I tell her that all the time," Kanna spoke up, a teasing glint in her light blue eyes.
Zuko gave Katara a sympathetic look when she groaned as the women and Sokka laughed.
Sitting on a rock overlooking the ocean with knees clasped to his chest, Aang sighed sadly before he rubbed his neck to soothe the ache that had appeared there since that morning. After leaving the Fire Nation, he had had Appa fly nonstop until they landed on this small uninhabited island. Luckily, Toph had remained silent during the entire ride since he did not feel like talking. The feeling of betrayal, anger, and pain were still too real.
For the past few days he had vented his anger onto the small island, causing a lot of damage, before he felt guilty and began to fix what he had destroyed. But now that he had exhausted himself and had nothing to do, the pain returned, and with it, plaguing thoughts. He thought over what had happened during his confrontation with Zuko and he felt ashamed for almost hurting his friends, but could anyone really blame him for the way he had reacted?
Yet he had known for some time that Katara did not love him the way he loved her, but he had ignored it for fear of losing her. He had also known Zuko had feelings for her and that Katara had feelings for him, but he had also ignored that and preferred to think that Zuko just wanted to seduce her to hurt him. But why did they not tell him sooner and why did they let him continue to believe he had a chance with Katara? Why did she lead him on?
He clenched his hands tightly before he relaxed them and sighed.
No, she had not been leading him on. She had told him no when he proposed to her and broke up with him, but he had not accepted it. It was not Katara's fault—not even Zuko's—it was his own fault for not accepting the truth sooner and choosing to ignore it.
Momo chirped beside him and nuzzled his hand. Aang smiled sadly and scratched behind the small creature's large ears before sighing as he wrapped his arms around his knees again.
Glancing at the sea once more, Aang watched as the golden sun touched the blue ocean as it began to set and he could not help but think of Zuko and Katara and how they had been kissing and embracing each other when he had caught them in his search for her. Wincing, he looked away as he once again clenched his hands at the pain in his chest.
He had told them he wished for their happiness and he had told Katara he needed to come to terms, but would he ever be able to let her go and accept her relationship with Zuko? Would he ever stop loving her? Would he ever find happiness?
The Fire Nation nobility were arriving at the palace in hordes for the Fire Lord's engagement celebration. He had finally announced that he had chosen a woman to be his wife and Fire Lady and they were all curious to know who she was and from which noble family she came from. They were envious at the thought, however, that another family had gained their lord's favor. The women were jealous and disappointed at the thought that they now did not have a chance to marry the Fire Lord because another woman had beaten them to it.
Walking toward the great banquet hall with Shen and Kuo walking behind them, Zuko and Katara quietly went over what she was supposed to do during the engagement party.
"There really isn't much for you to do except talk about yourself if any of the nobility asks you, which they will," Zuko informed her coolly. "You will remain by my side all night and mostly listen to their flattery. They will not let us leave their sight throughout the entire celebration."
"How fun," Katara said sarcastically.
"I will enter first to introduce you and then you will join me," he reminded her.
Katara nodded to show she understood before she bit her lip and clasped her hands in anxiety. La, she was so nervous! What if they hated her? What if they made Zuko change his mind? What if they made him choose a noblewoman as his wife?
She was brought out of her thoughts when she felt Zuko touch her bottom lip with his thumb to make her stop chewing on it and she glanced up at him with a frown.
"There's nothing for you to worry about, Katara," he told her reassuringly, "We already passed the most difficult obstacle in convincing the Court Council. Even if the nobles disagree with me and my choice of wife, they can't do much unless they wish to have my wrath fall upon them."
"Anybody will say they agree with you in order to avoid your temper," Katara remarked dryly.
Zuko shrugged at her words.
"I'm glad you know it," he said with a smirk.
Katara smacked his arm and scowled at him.
"Don't mess with me," she grumbled, "I'm already nervous at it is."
Zuko grasped her hand where he had placed her ring and kissed it briefly since Shen and Kuo were walking behind them, although far enough behind to give them some privacy.
"Everything will be okay," he told her softly before he smiled at her as he reached up to touch the betrothal necklace, "You look beautiful."
Katara felt her anxiety lessen a bit and she smiled as Zuko allowed his eyes to discreetly wander down her form. His waterbender indeed looked beautiful in her new blue dress he had ordered to be made for her. Zuko wanted his people to acknowledge her Southern Water Tribe heritage. He looked away when his body again stirred in desire the longer he stared at her enticing form, and he again glanced up to admire the way the betrothal necklace wrapped around her slender neck before he looked at the golden ring around her finger. A smug smile curled his lips at the thought that now everybody will know Katara was his.
Soon they were standing before the large doors that lead to the dais of the banquet hall. Zuko stared at the doors as he reminisced about the last time he had been standing before them on the day of his birthday celebration, thinking that he had forever lost Katara and his chance of happiness. He glanced at his waterbender, who smiled at him softly, and he immediately returned the smile as he thought that now he had her and he would never let her go.
Shen and Kuo stepped forward and opened the doors just as the older guard announced the Fire Lord's appearance. With one last smile aimed at his intended, Zuko smoothed his features into his usual stoic expression before he stepped through the doors and strode to the edge of the dais where a small wall of fire blazed. The people bowed in deference to him before they straightened to look at him expectantly.
"I have asked you all to come here today so that I may announce to you that I have finally found the woman worthy enough to be my wife and Fire Lady," Zuko began in a strong voice that carried toward the ends of the room. "She will not only make a good wife, but she will also help me in my rule of this great nation."
He paused for a moment and he almost grinned as some of them actually leaned forward in anticipation.
"I proudly present to you my future bride," he began as he turned toward the doors which opened again as Katara stepped through, "Lady Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."
The noblemen and -women gasped loudly in shock before they murmured amongst themselves at the revelation.
Zuko's golden eyes gleamed in pride as he watched Katara walked toward him confidently, none of her anxiety and fear showing through, and he extended his right arm toward her. She smiled beautifully as she took his outstretched hand, placing her small hand delicately in his larger one. The nobility gasped again as they noticed the golden ring on her finger and they knew their lord was serious.
Zuko brought Katara close to his side as he again returned his attention to the people.
"Lady Katara took part in ending the hundred year war that had hurt many people. She also saved my life. She is a wonderful woman with a great love for those less fortunate and she will make a great Fire Lady," the raven-haired lord continued, "With our marriage, the Fire Nation and the Southern Water Tribe will have an unbreakable peace treaty drawn that will ensure another war does not occur."
The older noblemen grumbled in discontent at having the Fire Lord marry a woman that was not from the Fire Nation, while the young noblewomen groused silently in jealousy that a Water Tribe woman had gained the Fire Lord's favor. The low murmurs paused when they saw the waterbender take a step forward with a smile on her face.
"I know I may not be a noblewoman, or from the Fire Nation, but I swear that I will do everything in my power to help Fire Lord Zuko, my future husband, as well as both the Fire Nation and the Southern Water Tribe," Katara stated in a calm yet strong voice.
There was silence for a moment as the people stared at her in surprise before they began to murmur amongst themselves again. Zuko resisted the urge to smirk since it was just like Katara to make a speech in order to ease their minds.
The nobility contemplated what they had heard for a moment before they bowed to the Fire Lord and his future Fire Lady in acceptance since not only did they not have the power to go against him, but also they did not want to bring the Fire Lord's displeasure on them. The young women were less reluctant to accept as they continued to whine and pout, but their elders hushed them and nudged them to bow respectfully.
Katara let out a subtle breath of relief as her racing heart calmed. There was a small part of her that felt irritated that all of her fears and doubts had been for nothing, but a bigger part of her felt relieved that no one had actually protested the idea of Zuko marrying her. She knew some of them still did not really approved of her becoming Zuko's wife and Fire Lady, but she vowed to herself that she would change their minds. She glanced at Zuko to smile happily at him. Zuko did not return her smile, but Katara saw how his eyes lit up and her smile widened a bit.
"Please partake in the refreshments set out for your enjoyment," Zuko finally spoke as he gestured toward the banquet tables.
Taking Katara's hand and tucking it under his arm, Zuko parted the wall of fire before he led them down the dais to mingle with the crowd.
As soon as they stepped down, they were surrounded by people who immediately began to congratulate them. The men would comment to the Fire Lord on how beautiful his chosen wife was while the women would admire and flatter Katara's ring and necklace. Katara's head swam as men praised her beauty and women after women vied for her attention. Zuko had warned her that this would happen since the noblewoman would want to gain her favor so they could form part of her female courtiers. She was not sure if she really wanted to have a group of gossipy women following her around wherever she went.
Finally Zuko got tired of their annoying presence and tersely excused Katara and himself. The crowd parted to let the Fire Lord lead his intended bride to where his family was standing with hers. The nobility frowned at the loss, but they were soon distracted by the delicious food set out before them and the soft music that reached their ears.
"That's something I'm going to have a hard time getting used to," Katara muttered as she touched her temple.
"I know how you feel. I'm still not used to it after all these years," Zuko commented dryly.
"That's not surprising. You hate having your personal space invaded," she remarked with a small giggle.
"True, but there's one person that I don't mind invading my personal space," Zuko countered as he gave her hand a squeeze while he glanced at her with smoldering eyes, "In fact, I want her to be as close as possible to me."
A small blush surfaced on Katara's cheeks since she had a feeling she knew what he was referring to before a small smirk appeared on her lips.
"That will have to wait until we wed," she said impishly.
Before Zuko could remark on her words, both their families stepped up to them. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes when Hakoda and Sokka narrowed their eyes suspiciously at him. Zuko let go of Katara's arm as her grandmother embraced and congratulated her before his mother and then Suki did the same, while the men grasped his arm and clapped him on his back.
"You really outdid yourself with the betrothal necklace, Zuko," Sokka commented after he had given his sister a one-armed hug.
"Katara deserves nothing but the best," Zuko stated coolly.
"Gees, man. Way to put pressure on the rest of us men, Lord Hotstuff," Sokka said with a dramatic groan.
Katara ignored her brother as she smiled at Zuko. She glanced at her grandmother when Kanna elbowed her side.
"This one is a keeper, Katara," the old woman teased.
The group laughed when Zuko flushed and cleared his throat as he composed himself.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Lady Katara."
Zuko and Katara turned at the sound of their names and they watched as an elderly man with cropped white hair and a woman with a graying braid bowed to them.
"My wife and I express our most sincere congratulations upon your upcoming wedding," the man said.
"Physician Toshiro, thank you," Zuko said as he inclined his head.
The old physician smiled before he turned to smile widely at the waterbender.
"I am sure you will make a wonderful Fire Lady, Lady Katara," he said genuinely.
"Thank you," Katara replied with a pleased smile.
"I did not know you had returned to the palace," Zuko spoke up, "How are your daughter and grandchild?"
"They are both well, my lord," the Palace Physician said happily.
"Our grandson is such a healthy baby boy," his wife added joyfully.
"I'm glad to hear that," Zuko began before he more seriously added, "Now that you have returned, Physician Toshiro, I would like to speak with you tomorrow about something urgent."
The old man frowned slightly before he bowed.
"Of course, my lord," he complied.
With another few words of congratulations to the engaged couple, the physician and his wife left to talk with the other nobles. As soon as they were out of sight, Katara squeezed Zuko's arm as she looked up at him in concern.
"Are you sick?" she asked worriedly.
"No," Zuko quickly responded in order to cease her worries.
He glanced discreetly around before he more quietly said, "I want to talk to Physician Toshiro about the false messenger that collapsed when he arrived at the palace. I want to know why he got sick and why he died."
"Zuko dear," Ursa spoke up softly.
When Zuko looked at her, the noblewoman continued in the same quiet tone.
"Did he have a high fever? What were his other symptoms?" she asked.
"I don't know," the golden-eyed firebender replied with a frown. "Why?"
Ursa pressed her lips tightly together as she looked around them to make sure on one else was listening before she took a deep breath.
"What if he was…poisoned?"
Zuko's eyes widened slightly before he frowned deeply as they all contemplated the possibility of the false messenger being poisoned intentionally.
"Poisoning seems a likely possibility," Zuko began pensively before he straightened as he looked at his mother, "Can you be there when I interrogate Physician Toshiro?"
"Of course, my son," Ursa responded immediately.
When he felt Katara again squeeze his arm, Zuko looked down to see her worried blue eyes. He sighed guiltily.
"I'm sorry for talking about such things on our engagement party," he apologized.
"It's all right. I understand," she told him with an understanding smile.
Placing his hand atop hers, Zuko gave her a small smile as his eyes warmed.
"Let's pretend we believe the nobles' flattery, shall we?" he asked with a smirk.
"Why, of course," she replied with a giggle.
After a quick smile to their family, the Fire Lord and the waterbender left them and headed to the dance floor, but just as they had been expecting, they were swarmed by people before they could actually reach it.
"I feel like my stomach is eating itself. How about we head to the banquet table, Suki?" Sokka spoke up with a smile as he hooked his wife's arm under his, then with a grin he whispered in her ear, "Then you can satisfy my other kind of appetite later."
Suki shook her head and laughed as her husband waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her.
"Let's go," Suki said with a grin as she tugged on her husband's arm. They had left their daughters in the care of Jiao since the engagement party had started late and would probably end late.
As soon as the younger people left, Iroh turned to grin at Kanna who scowled when she caught his eye.
"Didn't I say my nephew and Miss Katara would be getting married this year?" he said cheerfully, "Now you need to pay up, my dear."
"I was only a year off," Kanna grumbled as she crossed her arms over her chest.
The others laughed as the party continued.
A few days after the Avatar calmed down, Toph's brow furrowed again as she felt Aang sulking on the boulder as he had been doing after he had vented his anger on the island. She had kept quiet at first to give him time to heal, and then she had tried to cheer him up, but he would either ignore her or tell her that he was not in the mood for her jokes and wanted to be left alone. She had again given him his space so he could come to terms with everything that happened, but it seemed as if he was getting worse instead of better. She missed the cheerful and sometimes annoying boy and hated this depressed and melancholy shell of a young man.
Narrowing her milky green eyes, Toph balled her hands into fists. She had had enough of his angst!
She stomped over to where he was sitting, and with a firm stomp of her foot, she threw him off the rock. Aang landed on the ground with a startled yelp.
"What is your problem, Toph?!" he yelled as he picked himself off the ground and dusted himself off with a low growl.
"Stop being a sissy, toughen up, and move one!" she told him firmly, "So what if Sweetness dumped you? It's not the end of the world!"
"It's not that easy!" Aang angrily shouted at her, "I can't just forget and stop loving Katara after four years!"
"Well, that's too bad 'cause you're gonna have to. Katara loves Zuko, and if I know Sparky, he's planning to marry her as soon as possible," the short earthbender said bluntly.
"Shut up!" Aang screamed, "Stop reminding me!"
"It's not like Katara's the only woman in the world!" Toph finally snapped as she stomped her foot, causing the ground to tremble, "If you would just open your eyes and stop being so damn stupid, you would've realize that there are others who like you!"
Aang's gray eyes widened and he gaped at the angry earthbender.
"What do you m—?"
He was interrupted, however, when Toph roughly grabbed him by the collar of his tunic and pulled him down before she smashed her mouth to his. Aang froze in shock as Toph kissed him and at the thought that she could like him, but before he could react, she pulled away. Speechless, he stared down at her sightless eyes as she glared at him, but there was a light pink flush to her pale cheeks. He had only seen Toph blush a few times.
"Toph…I-I had no idea," he said quietly.
The dark-haired young woman let him go and shrugged.
"I tried to stop it and I tried to deny my feelings, but it was useless," she said with another shrug. "Love's like a sneaky little thing that crawls up behind a person when they least expect it. You'll never know it's there until it bites you in the ass. It couldn't be helped."
Aang frowned at her.
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing," he muttered.
Toph grinned at his disgruntled tone.
"I'll let you get used to the idea," she began before she lightly punched his arm as she firmly said, "But I won't wait forever for you to make a decision, ya hear?"
"I...I will try, Toph, but I won't make any promises," he told her sincerely
"I'll change your mind," she responded confidently.
She again grabbed hold of his shirt and pulled him down to kiss him again. Wow, this was better than she imagined and she be damned if she would ignore her feelings. Now there was nothing standing in her way of what she wanted except for his lingering feelings for Katara, but Toph was determined to change his feelings and sway them toward herself.
Aang gasped slightly when he felt a small tingle run down his spine as Toph kissed him a second time before he closed his eyes to enjoy this new sensation. He found that he liked Toph's warm and slightly rough lips on his.
He was not sure if he would be able to return Toph's feelings, but if it meant both their happiness, then he was willing to give it a try.
Perhaps destiny had an entirely different plan for him.
Early on the day after the engagement party found Zuko sitting on his throne behind the wall of fire. His advisors were murmuring amongst themselves as they wondered why they had been summoned again and why the Palace Physician was also in attendance. Zuko ignored them for the moment as his eyes wandered to where Katara and his mother were sitting between Iroh and Jee. Katara had insisted on attending since the matter of the false message about the 'infested' colony also concerned her. Their eyes met briefly before Zuko returned his gaze to the physician sitting alone before him.
"What was the messenger's condition when he supposedly collapsed after arriving in the Fire Nation Palace?" he asked in a blank tone.
The physician started at the sudden question before he frowned as he tried to remember.
"Other than being exhausted from the long journey, his condition was fine," the white-haired man began before his frown deepened, "That is why I was surprised when he suddenly fell terribly ill."
"When did you notice he had fallen ill?" Zuko asked in the same cool tone.
"The following day when I went to see if he had awakened," the man informed him, "When I examined him, he had a high fever, which did not lessen until his death."
"Were there any other symptoms besides the high fever?" the Fire Lord questioned.
"Yes, there was weakness of muscles, dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting," Physician Toshiro listed off with another frown as he again tried to remember, "On the last days before his death he began to have seizures."
Zuko glanced at his mother, who gave a subtle nod to indicate she had been correct in assuming the messenger had been poisoned. With an emotionless expression on his face, Zuko returned his attention to the old physician.
"These sound like symptoms of poisoning," Zuko stated.
The physician frowned as he thought over what the Fire Lord had said before his eyes widened
"That is true, but why would anyone poison him?" he asked in bewilderment, "And besides, except for my assistant, I was the only one near the messenger."
Zuko was silent for a moment as he regarded the old man before him. He did not doubt for a second the physician's loyalty for he had been there ever since Zuko could remember. Toshiro was the one who had seen to the wound on his face when Ozai had struck him all those years ago. The old physician had lamented quietly about such a cruel fate for a young boy as he gave Zuko sleeping draughts for the pain. And when Zuko returned to the palace as the newly crowned Fire Lord, Toshiro had looked after any injury or small illness he had sustained within the years with such dedication.
After a few more minutes of tense silence, Zuko called out to one of his guards. When the soldier stepped up and knelt before him, Zuko spoke.
"Bring me the physician's assistant," he said impassively.
The Palace Physician gaped at him for a moment as the guard bowed before he left to do his lord's bidding.
"Surely you do suspect my assistant, my lord," Toshiro exclaimed, "Such an act is treason and Kuro is the most loyal person I know."
"We'll see about that, Physician Toshiro," Zuko responded coolly.
The advisors again began to talk quietly amongst themselves as they speculated about the recent events while they waited for the guard to appear with the physician's assistant. A few minutes later, the guard arrived with the assistant following behind him. The young man looked around the throne room in confusion as he was led below the Fire Lord's dais where he bowed before taking a kneeling position next to the physician.
Zuko silently eyed the young assistant. He was of medium stature, slim, with unremarkable features, dark eyes and long dark hair.
"Kuro, correct?" the Fire Lord finally spoke.
The young man jumped at the commanding voice before he bowed his head.
"Yes, your majesty," he replied.
"How long have you been an assistant to Physician Toshiro?"
"Three years."
"Do you enjoy your job?
"Very much so, my lord."
"Do you have any complaints about the way you are living? About my rule?"
"Of course not, Fire Lord Zuko!" the young assistant exclaimed with wide eyes.
"What were you doing on the night the messenger that brought the missive from the colonies died?" Zuko asked without any more pretenses.
"I was helping Physician Toshiro try to save the man, but nothing we did worked, my lord," Kuro responded quickly as he sat perfectly still.
Zuko was silent for a moment as the rest in the room waited to see what was going to happen next.
Katara frowned as she stared at the man. If only Toph were there, they would know if he was lying. The blue-eyed waterbender then glanced to where her future husband sat in deep thought and she bit her lip and grasped her hands in worry. Could Zuko be in the same danger as the messenger had been? She prayed it wasn't so.
Zuko suppressed the frown that wanted to appear on his face as the man answered all his questions without any hesitation. What if it was someone else who had poisoned the messenger? But who? Yet, Zuko still could not ignore the feeling that the assistant had something to do with it. The young lord glanced at Wei, who was staring at the young man with a curious look on his wrinkled face. Why was Wei not reacting? Was he not afraid Kuro would point him out?
Straightening, Zuko decided to test the assistant and see what would happen, and if the man was innocent, then Zuko was going to be back to the beginning of the problem and his suspicions of Wei.
"Stop lying," he said coldly.
"M-my lord?" Kuro stammered in surprise.
"I know everything," the Fire Lord continued in the same icy tone, "Before his disappearance, Advisor Kang told me everything and insisted that the messenger's death was all your idea."
"That is a lie!" Kuro shouted, his meek posture immediately changing into indignation, "It was all his idea!"
Kuro choked on his words as he slapped his hand over his mouth. He stared wide-eyed at the intimidating-looking Fire Lord while everybody gasped.
"K-Kuro?" Physician Toshiro stammered in shock as the young man glanced at him before lowering his gaze.
Zuko's eyes widened slightly in surprise. So Advisor Kang was behind all of this? But then why had the old advisor urged him to meet with him in order to warn Zuko about a plot? What really happened to the advisor to cause his disappearance? Narrowing his golden eyes, Zuko leaned forward as the shadows the flames cast made his features seem darker.
"You will explain everything," Zuko commanded firmly, "If not, the information will be tortured out of you."
"Y-you're b-bluffing," Kuro stuttered even as he tried to act fearless.
"For my safety and those close to me, I am capable of anything," the Fire Lord replied darkly.
The young man paled and he stiffened.
Zuko stared down at the wide-eyed assistant, waiting for a response, but when he received none, the flames that stood before him flared in his impatience. Kuro jumped with a frightened gasp.
"Tell me everything you know," Zuko demanded imperially.
Zuko glanced quickly to where Wei sat, thinking that he could have evidence against the old advisor now that the assistant would reveal everything. He was confused, however, when he saw that Wei did not seem alarmed and was looking at the young man with an intrigued expression just like the rest of the advisors.
"I-I know nothing!" Kuro shouted with wide, fearful eyes.
"Don't lie to me!" Zuko growled out angrily.
Kuro flinched at the Fire Lord's anger and he cowered down in his spot.
"Whatever Advisor Kang said was false!" the young man exclaimed as he again looked up at the angry Fire Lord.
"Then let me hear your version," Zuko said in a deceptively calm voice.
Zuko watched as the assistant glanced at Toshiro, as if looking for help or understanding, before once again lowering his eyes when the old physician frowned sadly at him.
When Kuro did not immediately respond, Zuko added more darkly, "If not, then I will have you killed for treason."
The young assistant did not even hesitate as he immediately launched into his own story.
"The day the messenger arrived, Advisor Kang approached me when I was going on an errand Physician Toshiro had sent me on! He told me to poison the messenger in exchange for a very large sum of money…and I agreed. So that same night when Physician Toshiro had left, I sneaked into the messenger's room, mixed the poison with a draught, and made him drink it. I-I did this for several nights until he d-died."
Katara gasped softly. Did he not feel any remorse for killing a man just to get money?
"Why would Advisor Kang want to poison the messenger?" Zuko asked.
"I-I don't know the particulars, but I think it was so the messenger could keep his mouth s-shut about something. P-permanently," Kuro stammered.
"Advisor Kang asked me to visit him in his country house," Zuko said as if he had not heard a word, "He wanted to tell me that you had planned a plot against me."
"But I wasn't behind the plot, my lord!" the young assistant exclaimed in dismay, "I was just in it for the money to have a better life for my family! I swear it!"
Kuro grasped his hair as he looked imploringly at the silent Fire Lord.
"When he offered me more money for another job, I immediately refused!" he continued, "It's one thing poisoning an unknown messenger, but it's another thing poisoning the Fire Lord!"
Zuko remained immobile even as he heard Katara, his mother and Uncle Iroh gasp in horror.
"What?" the advisors shouted in shock and the entire room erupted into chaos.
Raising the flames of the fire wall, Zuko continued once everybody calmed down enough for him to be heard.
"Were you really not going to poison me even after you were offered a reward?" Zuko asked cynically.
"Of course not, my lord!" Kuro exclaimed as he again fell to his knees before he bowed low until his forehead touched the ground. "I am loyal to you and the Fire Nation."
"What else happened?" the Fire Lord asked.
The man lifted his head and he trembled at the blank expression and tone of the Fire Lord. He once again glanced at his mentor imploringly, but Toshiro looked at him sadly and shook his head.
"Answer the question, Kuro," Toshiro said in a quiet, tired tone.
Sitting silently, Katara watched as Kuro once again lowered his gaze and swallowed. She could only imagine how ashamed Kuro must feel to not only have betrayed his lord but the man that had taken him in as his assistant.
"W-when I told A-advisor Kang that I refused, he became angry and…threatened me," Kuro continued.
"How?" Zuko asked.
"He…planned on telling you that I was the one who poisoned the messenger and that I was the one behind the plot against your life. He knew you suspected Advisor Wei, so he believed you would have no reason to doubt him. And once he gained your trust, he planned on finding a way to end your life." He paused before he added with a scowl, "I wasn't about to let him screw me over!"
Katara's eyes widened in fear before she grasped Ursa's hand when the noblewoman gasped while everybody else in the room murmured amongst themselves about what had been revealed.
Zuko was silent for a moment as he stared at the cowering man before he looked at Wei, who caught his eye and raised an eyebrow. Zuko narrowed his eyes before he looked back down at the assistant.
"Are you the reason why Advisor Kang is missing?" he asked impassively.
Kuro's eyes widened again before he pressed his lips tightly together and looked down at the floor.
"Answer me," Zuko ordered firmly.
"Yes," he replied quietly, "When I found out that Advisor Kang was meeting with the Fire Lord, I rushed over to his house and surprised him during his morning ride."
"You killed him," Zuko stated bluntly.
"I didn't mean to!" Kuro shouted pleadingly, "I just wanted to make the advisor stop with his plans, but he ignored me! I got angry and threw a rock at him, but it stuck his ostrich-horse and the animal reared at the impact. It threw off the advisor, who fell on the ground and struck his head on a large rock. He was dead before I reached him, I swear!"
All the advisors gasped.
"Why didn't you tell anybody about what happened?" Zuko asked.
"Nobody would've believed a simple physician assistant!" Kuro cried out, "Nobody would've believed it was an accident! I would've been accused of killing him on purpose!"
"What did you do with the body?" one of the advisors dared to ask.
At the Fire Lord's nod for him to continue, Kuro swallowed as he wrung his hands in anxiety.
"I-I buried his body somewhere in the surrounding area of his country house," he confessed quietly.
"What else do you know?" Zuko asked again, "What about the rebels? And Ozai?"
Kuro frowned.
"I don't know what you mean," he said truthfully.
Damn it, Zuko cursed in his head.
"Guards," he growled out as he motioned for them, "Take him to the prison tower for further questioning."
"But, my lord!" Kuro protested as two guards grabbed him by the arms and hauled him up. "Let me go!" he shouted as he struggled against the guards who were dragging him away.
As soon as the door closed behind them, the men in the room immediately began to declare their indignation about a plot set against their lord's life while exclaiming their concern at the same time. Wei did not say anything as he sat back and crossed his arms above his protruding stomach and frowned.
Zuko did not pay them any attention as he sighed inwardly. He still had so many questions left unanswered. He again glanced at Wei and his brow furrowed when he saw the old advisor speculating with the others. Had he been wrong all this time in suspecting Wei? Or was Wei just pretending he knew nothing?
He looked away to see how his family was taking the news. Jee and Iroh were frowning at each other while his mother and Katara murmured lowly to themselves. Katara looked up and again their eyes met. He frowned at the worry in her eyes.
"Advisors," he called out coolly.
The men paused in their commotion and looked at him expectantly.
"This meeting is concluded for today. We'll discuss what happened later."
"But—"
"Do I have to repeat myself?" Zuko cut off the man that had begun to argue with a growl.
The old advisors frowned as they mumbled to themselves before they finally stood up, bowed, and reluctantly headed toward the doors. Once they had all left and the doors were closed behind them, Zuko sighed as he stood up from his throne and stepped down the marble steps. Just as he parted the fire wall and stepped through it, he found himself in Katara's tight embrace. He looked up to see his uncle, mother, and Jee talking to each other a few feet away, and with a soft sigh, he wound his arms around his waterbender and hugged her close to him.
"Just the thought that you could've ended up like the messenger…" Katara began in a strained voice before she trailed off with a shuddering sigh.
"But I didn't," he reminded her reassuringly, "Kang is dead and so is his plan."
Katara nodded against his chest before she pulled away from him since she knew it made him uncomfortable to show physical affection in front of other people. He touched her cheek briefly and she smiled.
As if just noticing their moment had passed, the other three approached them.
"Zuko," Ursa said anxiously as she grasped his arm, "Why didn't you tell me there was a plot against your life?"
"I wasn't sure if there really was a plot," he answered as he squeezed her hand, "I didn't want to worry you."
"You cannot keep such things for your mother," Ursa admonished him with a frown, "Promise me you will never do it again, my son."
Zuko did not immediately respond, but he eventually conceded.
"What are you going to do now, Zuko?" Iroh asked.
"I don't know," the young man admitted with a growl, "I can't even trust my own advisors."
"You should have all the advisors' houses searched without alerting anyone else," Katara suggested, "Maybe we can find something."
"That's a good idea," Zuko responded with a pensive frown before he turned to Jee. "Please look into that, Admiral Jee," he commanded.
"Yes, my lord," Jee immediately replied, "I will lead the search."
Zuko gave a nod, satisfied. He then returned his attention to his worried mother.
"Are there any antidotes for poisoning?" he asked her.
"Yes," Ursa said, "I know how to make a few."
"Since we don't know which poison they used, could you make a few different ones?" he asked, "Just in case."
"Do you think someone else would attempt to…poison you?" Katara asked worriedly and she bit her lip in anxiety.
"If not me, then anybody close to me," Zuko responded darkly before he more softly added as he gazed down at her, "I won't allow anyone to harm my family."
Katara gave him a small smile, even though she was not as concerned for herself as she was for him.
"We should go to dinner," Ursa reminded them, "I am sure Katara's family is anxious to know what happened."
The four of them left the throne room in silence. Jee bowed to them before he parted ways in order to organize the search. Iroh and Ursa walked ahead of the young couple in order to give them some space since the moment Katara's family had arrived, they had not allowed Zuko to be alone with her for more than a minute.
"Katara," Zuko called her name softly.
When she looked up at him, he continued in the same quiet tone.
"Things are getting complicated," he said, "Are…are you sure you still want to marry me? I don't want you to get hurt…or worse."
"Of course I still want to marry you, Zuko!" Katara exclaimed in the same soft tone as she frowned at him, "I already told you I'm not going to leave you to deal with this alone. I will try my best to keep you safe."
"That's supposed to be my line," Zuko said with a small chuckle.
He let out a mental sigh of relief at the thought that she would not leave him.
Katara smiled at him.
"Then we'll protect each other," she replied.
His eyes warmed as he continued to stare at her.
"Always," he promised.
Admiral Jee stood perfectly straight in the middle of the dead Advisor Kang's study as some of his soldiers went about rummaging and searching the large house. All of the servants of the town house huddled together in confusion as they watched their dead master's house being ransacked. Papers, scrolls, and books littered the polished floors, furniture was overturned, and the once neat bedrooms were a mess.
Jee watched it all silently as he waited to hear of anything important. He had informed the Fire Lord that he would have his men search every single advisor's house at the same time so none of them could be alerted as to what was happening, and thus, have a chance to hide anything. Jee had decided to go to Advisor Kang's house himself in order to find any more clues about a possible plot against his lord.
The admiral narrowed his eyes as he grasped his hands behind his back. If they did find anything that could possibly mean a threat to the Fire Lord, he was determined to stop it at all cause. Fire Lord Zuko was a great and honorable lord. Granted, Jee had disliked him in the beginning of his exile before General Iroh had told them the reason why the young prince acted the way he did. Zuko treated his loyal subjects well and he had even promoted Jee to admiral. Zuko gave him his trust by appointing him to look after duties that should fall to someone else, something the older man would forever be grateful for. And Jee had vowed that he would serve and protect him with his life.
But there was another reason why Jee was determined to destroy any plot set against his lord, and that was Lady Ursa. If anything happened to her son, the gentle and kind woman would be devastated and she would suffer more than she had during her banishment. Jee could not allow Lady Ursa to suffer ever again and he would do anything in his power so it will not be so. She deserved to be happy after all the harm her former husband had caused her with his ambitions to become Fire Lord.
The admiral ground his teeth and clenched his hands into fist at his sides at the thought of the previous Fire Lord. Jee would never forgive Ozai for causing such a wonderful woman as Lady Ursa so much pain. If Lady Ursa were married to him, he would treat her like the princess she was and—
No. He could not think such things. Lady Ursa was the mother of his lord, the young man Jee admired and vowed to honor and protect. She was only his charge that was assigned to him to guard. She was royalty and he was a simple admiral. It would never work out. She would never see him as more than just her personal guard. Fire Lord Zuko would never allow him to marry his mother.
Jee's head kept repeating this to himself and he knew it was right.
Yet, it seemed his heart refused to listen to him as it would beat wildly in his chest whenever he was near her, whenever he heard her soft voice and her musical laughter, whenever she would give him one of her gentle and beautiful smiles.
Stop, he growled at himself.
He needed to get rid of such thoughts. He was no teenage boy whose hormonal body heated at a single glance from a pretty girl for Agni's sake! And Lady Ursa was no girl. She was royalty, a mother, a woman to be respected and protected.
And that was all he was going to do. Respect and protect her as her guardian.
"Admiral Jee," Shen's voice brought him out of his thoughts.
Jee blinked as he suddenly noticed Shen and Kuo standing in front of him before he composed himself as he shoved his thoughts away. Now was not the time for such things. He had a duty to uphold.
"Did you find something?" he asked the older of the Fire Lord's personal guards.
Shen gave a firm nod as he indicated to a chest he and Kuo had carried and lowered before the admiral. It was a rusty metal chest wrapped in heavy chains and closed tightly with a large lock.
"We found this in the cellar hidden beneath many other boxes," Kuo spoke up as he gave a curious kick to the heavy trunk, "We thought it could be important since it's sealed so tightly."
"We should open it before showing it to Fire Lord Zuko," Jee replied as he eyed the chest with a frown, "It could be nothing and I don't want to waste his time."
Both guards nodded. The admiral called for another guard to bring something sharp to break the lock. He did not want to risk setting the chest on fire if he used his firebending in case there was something important inside. After a few unsuccessful tries, the lock finally broke under the heavy blows and the thick chains fell to the floor with a loud 'clang'.
Looking at the other two guards surrounding the box, Jee lifted the lid and peered inside. He frowned at the contents he found before he lifted one thin scroll. As he unfurled it and started to read, his eyes widened in shock.
"What is it?" Shen asked.
Jee did not reply as he furled the scroll up and placed it back inside the chest before closing the lid.
"Fire Lord Zuko has to see this," was his grim reply.
A/N: And the plot thickens.
In the original version, there was barely any Sokka in this chapter. But thanks to PurseMonger she made me see the error of my ways and requested more Sokka. OMG, how could I have left Sokka out?! So bam! I added more Sokka time. You're welcome.
~alwaysZutarian