Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 50 of Sparks Ignite! We're at chapter 50! Making this my longest story yet! I am so thankful for all of you who continue to read this story after so long and follow along! I can't wait for you guys to see what's coming next! As always, I do not own avatar or its characters. Onto the story!

Fate and Destiny are a funny thing. They are so permanent, but yet can be changed by the smallest thing. It can cause the moon and the sun to collide. Or the most opposite Sparks to Ignite.

Chapter 50: The Tea Ceremony

Zuko ran from his bed as soon as his guard told him the news. He didn't bother to put on his sleeping robe or a shirt so he ran in just his sleeping pants. He honestly didn't care. He just needed to see Katara and make sure she was alright.

When he arrived, several guards were already at the scene. He looked among them for Katara and when they saw him, they parted ways to let him into the room.

Katara sat on the bed and looked up at his recognizable footsteps. He bounded across the room towards her and took her in his arms. He let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you at all?" he asked her, but she shook her head against his bare chest. "I saw him before he had a chance to…" she was very aware of her body pressed against his chest, only her thin nightgown blocking their skin.

Zuko pulled away from her and rested his hands on her shoulders, "Who was on guard for you? They have to be held responsible"

But Katara quickly shook her head, "I went on a walk and Yohan went with me to keep me safe. When we came back, he was here. He didn't do anything wrong" she gave him a look, telling him not to ask any more questions.

Zuko sighed, "Understood…"

"I don't think I'm gonna be able to sleep alone…" Katara whispered to him, afraid to say it too loud. Everyone knew her as the master waterbender. She battled the intruder by herself without even a second thought. But what if she had been sleeping? What if he crawled through the window while she was in her bed? She wanted him near her tonight.

Zuko nodded, not saying a word. He placed a kiss on her forehead and whispered to her, "I'll be right back…"

He left the room and closed the door behind him, leaving her alone in the room. She couldn't help but let her eyes dart across the room, flickering to where the intruder once was. She walked to the windows and closed the blinds, only leaving one window open for Zuko to come through.

She didn't know how long she waited, she sat just staring at the only open window, the only way in. Zuko demanded that three guards be stationed outside her door so she was safe from that entrance. It was just the one window.

She stood when she heard a thud on her balcony. Her arms were ready to blood bend at any second. But she recognized Zuko's figure climbing through the window and she let out a breath. He closed the window behind him and locked it.

"What happens now?" she asked him. He sighed, "This is the second time they've infiltrated the palace… We amp up security for you, my mother, Uncle…"

"You too…" she told him. But he shook his head, "I already have more security then I could possibly ever need… And I don't think they're going to go for me again… Just the people I care about…"

Katara sighed, sitting on the bed. He moved to sit next to her and he wrapped an arm around her, rubbing her back. She looked at him and smiled, locked in his trance.

He leaned into kiss her and pressed his lips against hers. She leaned back into him, falling into him. Zuko held onto her cheek and his hand began to lower, brushing along her neck and then her collarbone.

Inwardly, Katara began to panic. She wasn't blind to the fact that he was experienced to those things. But as a young girl, she was so sheltered from all of it, trying to keep her 'youth' as her tribe would call it.

His hand traveled back up her arm, right next to her breast.

She quickly pulled away and stuttered, backing away from him. Zuko looked at her confused, "Katara…"

"I-I… umm… I-uhh I haven't…" she stuttered on her words, trying to explain to him what she meant. But he caught on before she had to. His mouth gaped in understanding and stood next to her, resting his hands on her arms, "Hey…" he paused until she looked at him, "There's no pressure… We can wait as long as you need…"

She looked down slightly ashamed, "I know things are different here… I know it's viewed as… natural… But back home, that was something that only a man and his wife did… And if you didn't wait, then you were… outcast basically…" Katara looked back at him, hoping that he would understand.

Zuko gave her a comforting smile and kissed her forehead, "Then we'll wait… We have plenty of time…"

Katara smiled back at him, "Can we still lay down?" she asked him. He nodded, moving to the bed and lying flat. She laid next to him, laying her head in the crook of his arm. She snuggled into his warmth, the heat comforting her. She looked forward to having him in the South Pole, it would be like her own personal heater.

She fell asleep with a smile on her face and dreaming of children playing in the snow while she snuggled close Zuko, watching them with the same smile on her face.

When she woke, Zuko was already gone, not wanting to get caught in her bed. Even though nothing occurred, the last thing she needed was people assuming something did.

The morning went by quickly, servants rushing in to ready her for the day. She was primed and prepped to the max, more than the other day for the lunch in. The tea ceremony was widely respected throughout the country, and was done by all married couples after their ceremony in the fire nation. It was their time to thank Agni for bringing them together, and wish them a successful marriage with grace and fertility.

A series of guards lead her in front of the tea room. Mai and her father were already there when she arrived.

They both turned to her in disgust. "Why so many guards?" Mai's father asked the waterbender. But Katara was quiet, "Just a formality I suppose" she offered. Zuko had told her to keep the intruder quiet. They didn't want it getting out that it was possible to sneak into the palace. If it did, commoners may try to break in just to steal things, if not to hurt any of them.

Katara heard the man make a snide comment under his breath but let it go, not wanting to cause a scene.

The doors opened wide as a Fire Sage parted the way to allow the women to enter. Mai's father and the guards were forced to stay outside, as this ceremony was only for the married couple, or in this case, possible future married couple.

Zuko was already in the room, decked out in his complete Fire Lord attire. Him and Katara shared a look, but they made no other movement towards each other. Even if Zuko didn't want to, he had to be fair to both of the females in the room.

Katara took a moment to look around the room. It was beautifully decorated with red tapestries with gold detailing hanging from the walls. Gold sculptures sat in the corners of the room and in the middle, was a large wooden table, that was painted with gold, depicting dragons coming out of a wall of fire. On the floor sat three small red cushions with gold tassels. Zuko took his spot in the middle. Katara chose the cushion to his right, seeing the irritated look of Mai for her choice.

The waterbender couldn't help but smile, knowing the bride normally always sits on the right. The Fire Sage began mixing the tea leaves in wooden bowls, choosing specific amounts of each leaf. When he finished he held it to the sky and spoke, "Agni, we thank you for whichever marriage you decide to bless. We know you will choose the right choice for ourselves and your people"

Katara didn't question the changed words, making it more fitting for the situation.

The Fire Sage poured the tea and allowed the three to sip it delicately. The tea had a flowery taste, like fire lilies from the garden. But after she swallowed, the taste left a hot fiery taste in her mouth. She wanted to guzzle a gallon of water, but stopped herself as the Fire Sage prepared the next cup.

When he finished, he held it to the sky and spoke, "Agni we ask that you bless this forthcoming marriage with grace and fertility. We hope you will bring new light into this world through each of these three souls and allow them to combine to make more souls under you"

Again he handed the three the cups. Katara looked down at the cup, knowing that this concoction was blended to promote fertility in the couple, to hopefully produce an heir was the marriage was consummated. Katara brought the cup to her lips and tasted the tea. It was almost sickly sweet, but had the same flowery notes as the last cup. It calmed the fiery burn in her mouth and she silently thanked Agni for it.

The Fire Sage stood when the tea was finished and bowed, "I wish you all lives of happiness and love… You may go in peace…"

The three stood and bowed before exiting the room. Mai's father quickly stole her to ask her how it went. Katara smiled to herself and didn't bother to shield her mouth away when she spoke.

"Easy as pie"

Ta-Daa! A lot happened in this chapter! What did you guys think? Let me know! Until next time!