Zutara marriage in the Fire Nation. Some angst and some more of Katara's story. In case anyone is wondering what Ursa's bracelet looks like, this is it.
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Chapter 9
The ship bellowed loudly, belching out copious amounts of black smoke as it pulled into the harbor. As soon as the gangplank lowered, Sokka began to make his way down.
"Uncle Sokka!" Bumi and Kya screeched at the top of their voices and they ran up to meet him. Standing some paces behind, Katara grinned, feeling genuinely happy.
Sokka lifted Kya up and spun her around, earning a gleeful whoop from the four-year-old. He then grabbed Bumi and repeated it, making the boy chuckle. However, once he set him down, Bumi straightened his shirt and said, "I'm a big boy now, Uncle. You shouldn't do that."
Sokka laughed and ruffled his nephew's hair. Behind him, Suki walked down the gangplank, followed by Hakoda and Kanna respectively. While the children greeted the others with loud, enthusiastic calls, Sokka made his way to his sister.
Knowing that her family would hug her, Katara had mentally prepared herself. Thus, when Sokka engulfed her into a bearhug, she was prepared and did not freeze.
"Oh," he said, grabbing her by the shoulders and standing at an arm's length. "You look so much better!"
Katara chuckled, "Hello to you too, Sokka."
Her father was the next to pull her into his embrace and there, Katara went willingly. Snuggled in Hakoda's warmth, she felt her worries melt away. There was no place in the world like one's parents' arms. The safety and the security found there was unmatched. For a moment, Katara wished she could freeze this moment in time, just to bask in the warmth of Hakoda's unconditional love. Soon, much too soon for her, he broke the hug and placed a kiss on her forehead.
"I can't explain what I feel like seeing you smile, sweetheart," his voice was choked with emotions. "I… I almost did not think I would see it again."
Tears pooled into her eyes, but she blinked it back, "I'm fine, Dad. I really am. Welcome."
After sharing warm hugs with Kanna and Suki, Katara pointed at the two carriages standing behind them. "Come, let's go. We will have to split up, since one carriage can't take so many people."
Suki said, "Don't worry. I will take Kya, Bummi and Gran Gran with me. You three could use some time alone."
Katara nodded, a part of her wondering, not for the first time, how her goof of a brother had landed such a wonderful woman. She led her father and brother to the second carriage while, Bumi chatting a storm with Gran Gran, dragged her over to the first carriage. Once they settled in and the doors closed, Sokka turned to face her and took her hands in his.
"How are you, Katara? Hope Zuko is treating you well?"
Katara smiled, "He's treating me very well. Don't worry, Sokka. The bad things… the horrible things, it's all over. I'm in a much better place now."
Hakoda ran a finger over his beard, "For hundred years, Fire Nation was the one place a Waterbender would never want to be in. Today, Fire Nation is the safest place for you to be in. How times have changed."
Katara nodded, "Part of it has to do with Zuko, I suppose. No one really wants to get on his bad side."
"Speaking of, where is he?" Sokka asked. "He didn't come to meet us?"
"He had a council meeting this morning. Besides, he said he wanted to give me some time alone with my family before he intrudes."
Hakoda shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips, "He's grown into a fine man. I remember him when he rescued me from Boiling Rock. I always knew he had it in him to be a great leader. He has more than lived up to my expectations."
"How are you, Katara?" Sokka repeated.
"I'm fine, Sokka. Now that the shock of what the tribunal was trying to pull off worn off, I'm… I'm just… relieved. Kya and Bumi have a chance at a stable and safe future, I couldn't ask for more, really."
"Bumi and Kya have a stable future, " Sokka said, "But what about you?"
Katara sighed. She had asked this question to herself in the dead of night several times, but an answer had not been forthcoming. She chose to deflect and began pointing out the various food stalls to Sokka. She paid no heed to her father and brother exchanging perplexed looks.
Below him, Fire Nation was celebrating. Their Fire Lord was getting married the next day. After seven years of being a widower, he was finally marrying. For most people, that was a cause for raucous celebration. Sure, some people were not happy about the bride, but after he had made it clear that his wife was his personal choice, people had kept their reservations to themselves. Today, they were going to celebrate.
Standing in his balcony, Zuko looked at his people, but not really seeing them. On his mind was a day, nine years ago, when he was in a similar place. The people had celebrated then too. They were welcoming their Fire Lady then, just like they were now. Closing his eyes, he remembered Mai. She had looked so elegant, so fierce dressed in the golden robe. He remembered the shy smiles, the furtive glances, the excitement, the thrill of marrying the woman he loved. The memory of their lovemaking was still potent enough to harden him. Zuko lowered his head into his hand, allowing for a single tear to escape his eyes.
"Mai," he whispered, "I miss you."
The wind fluttered his long, open hair, making him sigh. Things could not have been more different today. Nine years ago, Zuko had been unable to stop smiling. Today, he had tears in his eyes. Then, he had married a woman he loved and one who loved him back. Today, he was tying himself to woman who could not even stand his touch. Then, he had been thrilled. Today, duty lay heavy on his shoulders.
Not that he regretted saving Katara, Zuko reminded himself. Katara was a dear friend and he would much rather have her by his side than some other woman he did not even know. But then, how much did he know Katara, really? The girl he had known, the one he had fought with, the one on whom he had once harbored a tiny crush, the one who had worked tirelessly to make sure he lived, the girl who had brought him out of grief after Mai's death, – that girl was gone. Standing in front of whom was a stranger who just looked like Katara.
"Zuko," Iroh's voice startled him and he turned to find his uncle approaching him. It suddenly hit Zuko just how old he looked. "How are you, son?"
Zuko licked his lips, "I don't know. I… I keep thinking about her. Mai."
Iroh nodded, "I expected as much. In fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't."
"I feel so conflicted, Uncle. Why do I feel like I'm betraying one of them by thinking about the other? I can't stop thinking about Mai, but I feel like I'm being unfair to Katara. But… by marrying like this, have I not broken Mai's trust?"
Iroh sighed and walked up him, "I understand. But Zuko, tell me something, how are you betraying either of them?"
Zuko looked at his uncle with a frown. "I'm thinking of Mai… on the eve of my wedding with Katara! How is that not a betrayal?"
"How do you think Katara would react if you told her that?"
Zuko took a moment to think, "I don't think she would mind. She would understand."
"And what about Mai? If you could talk to her right now, would she begrudge you marrying Katara?"
Wordlessly, Zuko shook his head.
"Why are you so hard on yourself, Zuko? Think about what this marriage has done. It saved Katara's life. It made sure that Bumi and Kya wouldn't be orphans. Izumi now has a mother. You have someone next to you."
"I have you next to me," Zuko said. He folded his arms and cast a look at the revelries below.
"I won't be there always," Iroh said. "I'll be honest with you, Zuko. I have been worried about you. A man needs a mate. Someone to support him, challenge him, love him. When Mai died, I saw a part of you die with her. I can't express how relieved I am that today, you have someone to hold your hand."
That someone doesn't want to hold my hand. Zuko thought but refrained from saying it. Instead he said, "Uncle. Would I be able to do this?"
"You already did it, Zuko. Don't forget, by Water Tribe customs, you are already married. You are just making it official for your people."
Zuko took a deep breath and looked out to the celebrations on the streets.
Katara looked at her reflection. She was dressed in a dark red furisode embroidered with golden dragons. Her elaborately done hair had small golden bells dangling from it. Her hand moved to her throat, where her mother's necklace nestled. Unbidden, images of her yanking Aang's betrothal necklace and throwing it into the abyss from the Eastern Air Temple assaulted her. She could still see herself, curled up on the floor of her room, sobbing like her heart was dying.
"Katara?" Toph's voice broke the image to smithereens. She turned to look at her friend who was uncharacteristically serious. "You're scared."
Forcing a trembling smile on her lips, she said, "Well, big changes."
Toph shook her head. "No. Anxiety causes heart to beat rapidly. But it still has a rhythm. Your heart's beating rhythm is all over the place. You're terrified."
Katara scrunched her eyes and took a deep breath, "I.. I…It's just nerves, Toph. That's all."
"Understandable," Suki said, "But I'm sure you will be fine."
Unable to say anything, Katara nodded. Toph jerked her head up suddenly, her eyes turning wide. "Oh no!" was all she could say before her door opened and Azula walked in. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Suki pale and Toph's hands clench, but the princess paid scant attention to the frosty reception she received.
"You look nice," Azula said casually.
A small, but real smile drew on Katara's lips, "Thank you."
Azula looked at Toph and said, "Do you mind? I want to talk to my sister in law in private."
"We're not going anywhere," Suki said a little hotly. It did not escape Katara's notice that Azula avoided looking at Suki, addressing Toph all along.
"I could, as the Fire Princess, order you out. But that's not what you want, do you?"
Before Toph could argue, Katara interrupted. "Suki, Toph, it's okay. It'll just be a minute. Can you step outside for a moment?"
Toph looked downright mutinous, while Suki drew herself up to her full height. "Katara –"
"Suki, please."
Neither of them looked pleased, but they complied, nevertheless. As they were leaving, Katara said, "No eavesdropping, Toph."
The Earthbender gave a thumbs-up, "You got it, Sweetness."
Once the door was closed, Azula turned to look at her and said, "I wanted to give you something," She dug into her sleeve and pulled out a red silk bag and handed it over to Katara. "Open it."
Katara pulled the string and pulled out a bangle. It was a golden cuff studded with rubies. A golden vine weaved over the rubies, with golden flowers branching off in various directions. Tiny chips of diamonds were dotted along the vine and flowers.
"Oh Azula! This is beautiful!"
The princess looked downright bashful as she said, "I know. It… It was my mother's."
Katara gaped, "No! No! I can't take this."
"Take it," she said. "I was supposed to wear it for my wedding. That isn't happening. So… I would like you to keep it. That way, it stays in the family."
"But Azula…"
She held up a hand to silence Katara, "No. I need it off me. It burns."
Yet again, Katara saw herself flinging her betrothal necklace into the cliff. It burns. "I understand. I'll keep it."
Azula nodded. "Good. See you later."
With that, she turned around and marched out of the room. Moments later, Toph and Suki barged in.
"What did she want? Did she threaten you?" Suki asked urgently.
"No," Katara put the bag on the dresser and wore the cuff on her left wrist. She held out her hand and showed them the bracelet, "She just gave me the wedding gift."
"That's beautiful!" Suki exclaimed.
Katara smiled, her previous terror receding a little. For some reason, wearing that bracelet made her feel like Ursa was there with her, welcoming her. Maybe, just maybe, things would be alright this time around.
The pomp and splendor of the Caldera City was a sight to behold. Everywhere she saw, there were tiny flickering lights, as though someone had strewn stars on the ground. Katara was led to a room that was adjacent to a platform where the wedding was to take place. A diaphanous curtain hung between the room and the platform. From her sanctuary, she saw Zuko approach the platform followed by his retinue of Imperial Firebenders. The Imperial guards stood on both sides of the stairs and let out a coordinated blast of flame. When the drums began, Katara suddenly wondered if this is what Toph meant when she spoke about vibrations from sound. The Imperial Firebenders let out a steady stream of fire, forming a canopy for Zuko to walk under. He reached the platform and did the Fire Nation bow, leading to an ear-splitting cheer from the crowd.
Zuo took, what Katara recognized a basic Fire Bending stance and punched, sending a flare to the stack of wood that was kept on the center of the platform, setting it ablaze. Katara had to admit, he looked impressive. Dressed in his ornate Fire Lord robes, with his dao swords at his back, and his crown on his topknot, he looked every bit the monarch that he was.
In her mind's eye, she saw the confused, unsure, traumatized, guilt-ridden sixteen-year-old boy, down on his knees, begging for their forgiveness. That sweet, adorable, dorky boy had grown into a matured and stable man. While she had been lost in her own, personal miseries, her friend had gone and grown up.
Friend who is now your husband. Her mind countered in a voice that sounded suspiciously like Aang's. All the pain, fear, and anxiety that Azula's gift had pushed away, came rushing back to her. As per custom, no one other than the bride was allowed inside this room. There were guards all around, yes, but at that moment, Katara was all alone.
She hugged herself, rocking back and forth. "Please, please, please," she muttered, "Tui and La, save me. Stop this nightmare, please. Have I not paid enough? I made a mistake. One mistake. When does my punishment end? Please make it stop. Please."
Moments later, or perhaps it was a lifetime later, Katara did not know, for time had ceased to matter, a woman Fire Sage stepped into the room. In her hand, she held a headdress with a veil.
"Lady Katara," she said in a surprisingly childish voice, "It's time."
Swallowing the icy ball of fear in her throat, Katara stood up. The older woman placed the veil on her head and bowed. "This way, milady."
Don't think. Let your training take over. Katara told herself. She put her entire focus on putting one step after the other, forcing her mind to stay completely blank. She did not notice the drape being pulled away, or the flower blanket that was held over her with the help of four poles. She just counted the steps. One. Two. Three.
It took a total of forty-eight steps for her to reach Zuko. Once she reached there, though, her mind and heart began racing again. Thoughts were blending, creating a confusing blur of images. Her standing next to Zuko, both their arms tucked inside their sleeves. Aang hugging her, whispering sweet nothings into her ears. The fire in front of her crackling. Her arms trapped as she struggled against the hands touching her. Zuko pouring the holy oil in the fire. Her lying naked on the floor, sobbing, hugging her stomach, thankful that her dark skin hid the bruises. Zuko removing her veil and tucking a finger under her chin.
The cacophony of her mind comes to a screeching halt. All she could do was stare at his golden eyes, uncomprehending. He lowered his head even as one word resonated in her mind, loud and clear. NO!
"Relax," he whispered, cutting through her panic. "I won't kiss you."
It was then that Katara realized. He was using his long hair and larger frame to shield her. He came close, so close Katara could feel his breath on her skin and stopped. He stayed there, unmoving, not touching. She counted to twenty and then, Zuko pulled back.
A Fire Sage declared them married.
