*IVE DONE SOME RESEARCHING UP ON KATARA AND SHE IS 14 WHEN MASTER PAKKU ANNOUNCES HER A MASTER WATER BENDER SO I GUESS THAT MEANS SHES 15 IN BOOK 3 AND THIS TAKES PLACE IN THE BEGINNING OF SEASON 3 . . . I FIXED IT N CHAP 32 *

Fire and Ice

Chapter 36

Katara gasped a red fire opal lay at the base of her throat the fire nation's royal family insignia was engraved with a water tribe symbol in the middle.

The Opal was a beautiful mixture of blues and reds, along with many other multiple colors. It was attached to a red satin ribbon.

Tears came to her eyes as she whispered "Where's my grandmother's?"

Zuko sighed and smiled slightly his face turning red. He untied the necklace from her throat and pressed the middle of the water nation sign; the top of the stone opened to reveal her mother's stone.

She gasped the stone had been carved out so the blue opal could fit inside the cavity.

The outward opal was slightly transparent so it appeared as if the fire opal case and her mother's blue necklace were chasing each other in a flourish of reds and blues.

Zuko closed the fire opal casing and held it up by the ends of the satin ribbon.

"I uh . . . did some reading up on the water nation tribe . . . and uh, well I guess we were already destined to be together when I gave you back your mother's necklace"

Katara opened her mouth to say something but he continued "I want to do this correctly, Katara Lā, of the southern water tribe. Will you accept this betrothal pendant?"

Zuko watched as her eyes widened and her breathing accelerated.

He started to lower the choker when she whispered "No wait." She took a deep breath and smiled

Katara pulled her hair to the side and took a deep breath.

"I'm glad that this is the first time you asked me for my permission. Yes, Zuko. I accept. "

Zuko didn't realize that he had been holding his breath; he exhaled slowly and stepped behind her; tying the choker firmly around her neck. She smiled at her reflection and said "I thought you said those doors was locked"

He chuckled relieved at the dispersed tension with that comment.

"Those doors don't have a lock, they're just really hard to open in colder weather; don't twist, push"

She chuckled and shook her head standing and looking up at him, the blanket falling to the floor. She glared and pointed an accusing finger at him jabbing away at his chest with each word

"Now I know, I know that somewhere beneath all those conceited, dominating, conniving, pampered, spoiled, perverted, selfish prince layers. That deep down Is a kind hearted, caring,-" Zuko caught her hand and stepped forward pinning her to the counter " considerate. . . . shy, thoughtful, loving - "

He leaned down and kissed her, the kiss itself was soft and sweet; unobtrusive in any way. "-man" she murmured against his lips; he chuckled and stepped away. He picked up the blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders, "I think there's been enough action for one night"

Katara smiled gratefully and they walked back into the room, where the fire had warmed the frost bitten room.

Zuko snuffed out the lights and they both fell asleep quickly in each other's arms.

*IM FEELING KINDA MUSHY TONIGHT. BUT I STILL DON'T LIKE ZUTARA FLUFFYNESS IT WON'T LAST 4 LONG WOO HAHAHA SORRY AND CHECK OUT THESE LINKS 2 C SOME KOOL PIX OF FIRE OPALS AND ETC . . . SO U COULD IMAGINE HER NECKLACE *

http:/www /images/3/16%20Black%20Opal%20ring%

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