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Chapter 23
"Sorry!" Azula cried as she rushed into training the next morning. She had stayed up much longer than she anticipated sketching the man before her.
"You are only a minute late," Piandao's eyes crinkled in amusement as he saw her frantically readying herself. He quickly noticed her charcoal-stained fingers. It looked like she finally got back to her artwork, he thought to himself.
The sword master briefly wondered why he was so emotionally invested in the Fire Nation Princess. He had never been this invested with any of his other students. Sure, he had cared about them but not at the level he did for Azula. Piandao couldn't quite place his finger on it, but it felt very different.
"I know, but I don't like to be late," she mumbled as she haphazardly tied up her hair and turned toward him, "I feel like it disrespects you."
"You could never disrespect me," he replied easily. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. "I see you've been sketching."
"What makes you say that?" The Princess looked up at him in confusion. Her heart jumped in her throat as she thought about Piandao finding out she had sketched him.
"Your hands," the sword master gestured to the charcoal-stained fingertips with a ghost of a smile. He passed her the handkerchief reminding him of their hike a couple of months ago. "I always think it's good for a warrior to have an art form to focus on."
"Oh, thank you," she mumbled as she rubbed her hands with the fabric to try to take the staining off. Her cheeks colored in embarrassment. As she passed him back the now dirty handkerchief, Azula missed the soft expression on his face.
"How are you feeling?" Piandao gestured toward his clavicle to be subtle about his inquiry. The Fire Lord and Lady were only on the other side of the training arena and he didn't want to alert them. Though his eyes took in every part of her critically, something he had been doing every day since they resumed their training.
"Much better," she replied with a hesitant smile. Today was the first morning she awoke and the pressure on her torso was almost nonexistent. "Thank you for keeping it quiet, I appreciate it."
"Of course. We should begin, it's going to be a busy day," he instructed after noting her discomfort at his observation. The teacher and student sat next to each other to begin their mediation that started her training.
"Azula's doing a lot better," the Fire Lord commented as he and his wife finished their own training. He was in a good mood having been the victor of their sparring match. He had noticed his sister coming into the training arena just moments before.
"She seems to be really thriving in her training with Piandao," the waterbender agreed as she wiped the sweat from her brow before taking a long drink of water. She was a little miffed that her husband had gotten the upper hand on her earlier.
"Don't be a sore loser, Katara," he teased softly while stealing a kiss from her before draping an arm around her shoulders and leading them out of the training arena.
The two had decided earlier on in their marriage to never go easy on each other. It would do neither of them any good and it wasn't natural having battled so much in their youth. But it always made for an interesting sparring match and never a winning streak longer than three days.
"They look good together," Katara mumbled to her husband as they walked past the sword master and Princess. She had noticed how close the two had become during the past few months.
"You make it sound like something is going on between the two of them," Zuko grumbled as they walked toward their bedroom.
"And if there was?" She looked up at him an eyebrow raised. The waterbender had to resist the urge to laugh at the scowl that instantly appeared on his face.
"He's too old for her," the Fire Lord replied grumpily as he followed her into their room.
"Whatever you say Zuko," she stood up on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss. Her husband tried to deepen the kiss and hold her close. "We need to get ready to meet the first of our visitors."
"They won't be here until noon and we have no duties until then," he told her as she went to move away from him. His hand grabbed hers to stop her. "I think we can take a few minutes to reap my winnings from our sparring."
"Your winnings?" The waterbender gave him a teasing look as she let him pull her closer. "You know as well as I do that it would be longer than a few minutes and we will end up being late."
She barely got the last sentence out before his lips captured hers. The Fire Lady melted into his arms as he kissed her. Kissing Zuko always reminded her of the first time.
"We should bathe together, it will save time. Plus, I promise to keep it extra hot just like you like it," he mumbled against her mouth as he deepened her kiss. His arms moved to wrap around her waist and pull her closer.
"You just want to get me naked," Katara accused as her arms wrapped around his neck. And his tongue traced the shell of her ear. Since the assassination attempt, the two had become very affectionate, taking advantage of any and every opportunity they could to be intimate. Part of it was because of how close they came to losing everything. A much bigger part was the conversation they had at the South Pole about children.
"I'm not going to disagree with that," he chuckled as his hands moved to cup her backside, pushing her into him. "Frankly, I think we should go away for a week or two in the fall. I didn't have a chance to fully take advantage of my new wife during our honeymoon."
"I wouldn't be opposed to that," the waterbender grinned up at him. His hands had begun stripping her of her clothing. "But I believe first you promised me a bath."
An hour later the two were basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking in the bath. Katara had demanded fresh water a few minutes prior and Zuko was sure to increase the temperature to just shy of boiling for her.
"You seem to be a lot calmer after everything," the Fire Lord commented to his wife as they relaxed in the tub.
"I think knowing that our family and friends are coming is helping," Katara began softly thinking about everything that happened in the last few weeks. "Also knowing that Akio is okay and reminding myself that Azula's plan worked, it's made things a little better."
"I'm sorry that they got that close to hurting us," the firebender said as he cuddled her close to him. One of his hands rested on her stomach, while the other drew patterns on her thigh. "When our marriage was announced I thought it would mean less danger for us, I never expected that it could mean more."
"We've never lived in a world with no danger," she told him shrugging as she let his body heat and water soothe her. Her hands lifted out of the water and she started creating bubbles, a nervous habit that had developed since she became Fire Lady.
"That's true but like you said, no one was trying to kill you in your sleep before," he watched as she played with the bubble she had created. His hands slipped up her torso and skimmed her breasts as he tried to help lower her anxiety.
"Oh," the waterbender hissed as his hands touched her breasts. She dropped the bubble from the distraction. Her breasts had been incredibly sore for the past few days.
"Are you okay? Are my hands too hot?" He immediately removed his hands from her chest.
"No, it's not you," Katara shook her head. She willed her voice to come out steady and confident, "I've just been sensitive and achy."
"Your moon cycle should be coming soon right?" Zuko tried to count the weeks in his head. He knew that during her monthly time her body ached and she was exhausted, not to mention slightly irritable.
"I think so," she was glad her back was to him. The truth was she couldn't remember when her moon cycle was supposed to be.
It should have happened on the last week of their voyage home from the South Pole, but the stress of the assassination attempt had thrown off her cycle. The waterbender had some spotting a few weeks ago for a couple of days and wasn't sure if she could count that as her cycle.
"Do you need anything?" He questioned as he was sure to be careful as he gently kneaded her back. A spot that she always complained about being in pain during the time of her moon cycle.
"No, I'll be okay," she titled her head back searching for a kiss from him which he happily obliged with. More to distract him than anything.
"If it wasn't your brother who was arriving today, I would take you back to bed," he groaned against her mouth. The Fire Lord felt her pull away, and the mood instantly soured.
"Zuko," Katara pulled away from him a look of repulsion on her face. She quickly climbed out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her body before pulling the water from her hair. "Never ever mention my brother when we're naked."
"Yeah, that probably wasn't a good idea," he mumbled to himself as he watched his wife walk toward her dressing room to get ready for the day. He scrubbed a hand over his face before following her lead and moving to get ready for the day. Zuko had a feeling it was going to be a long one once his brother-in-law arrived.
"You still aren't speaking with them?" Piandao asked Azula as he noticed her gaze lingering on her former friends across the dinner table.
The royal family dining room was the busiest it had been in a long time. The Fire Lady's family had arrived early to take advantage of the time to see her before the Anniversary Summit began later this week. Along with the rest of Team Avatar and Haru, who arrived a few hours before dinner to see their friends. Coupled that with General Iroh and Jun's arrival a few weeks prior it was a busy night.
"No," she shook her head looking down at her food as Ty Lee laughed at something Suki said to her. The Princess shrugged, "I don't know what to say to them. And I feel terrible for how I treated them."
"Maybe start with an apology," the sword master suggested softly. He didn't want to inadvertently draw attention to their conversation. Over the past few weeks, he had noticed some looks coming from the bounty hunter whenever he interacted with Azula.
"You make it sound so simple," she mumbled as she picked at her food. She felt eyes on her and looked up to make eye contact with her brother who shot her a concerned look. The Princess slightly shook her head, before turning to look around the room. Her eyes settled on her sister-in-law who was speaking to the blind earthbender.
"Maybe because it is," Piandao replied before turning to speak to his former student on the opposite side of him. "Sokka, how is fatherhood treating you?"
"It's been good," the young tribesman answered as he shoved food into his face only pausing to answer the question. His eating habits could only be refined so much. "Keiko is beautiful and perfect."
"You aren't at all biased," Zuko teased his brother-in-law.
"Okay, jerk-bender," Sokka rolled his eyes at the Fire Lord. He pointed at his friend with his chopstick. "Let's see what you think once you and Katara have a baby. When's that happening? Keiko needs a playmate."
Azula noticed how the Fire Lady shifted at the mention of a baby. For a brief moment, the Princess wondered if everything was okay intimately between her brother and his wife. She made a face at the thought before turning back to her dinner. Thinking of Zuko and Katara like that was not something she wanted to focus on.
"Sokka," Hakoda warned with a look at his son. The chieftain didn't like to be reminded of the intimate relationship between his daughter and the Fire Lord. Bato placed a comforting hand on his lover's thigh beneath the table.
"It will happen when the spirits will it," Zuko calmly replied not rising to the bait. He wasn't too concerned, he and Katara just started trying for a baby. He moved his hand to rest on top of his wife's giving it a quick squeeze.
"Anything you want to tell us?" Suki asked as her eyes narrowed at the motion. Everyone turned to look at the couple holding hands.
Katara looked up at Zuko from beneath her lashes, the question in her eyes. They had hoped to make them sweat a little longer. But it seemed like they were getting called out much sooner. Suki was much too observant for that.
"What do you mean?" The Fire Lady played dumb for a minute. She moved some food around on her plate.
"Katara you never were good at lying," the Kyoshi Warrior crossed her arms over her chest. Green eyes bored into the couple waiting to see who would crack first. "Last thing we knew was that you both were not this close. Plus we have the human lie detector here, Toph?"
"I don't need to confirm anything," the Blind Bandit commented as she continued to eat. "They both are terrible at lying."
"Well, we've always been close," the firebender brushed off continuing to mess with their family. His foot found his wife's and he stroked her ankle in a comforting manner.
"Cut the bullshit, we need to know who won!" Sokka exclaimed exasperated, impulse control was not his strong spot.
"Sokka," a collective groan reverberated around the table.
"Who won?" Katara's stormy blue eyes flashed to her brother's. She lifted an eyebrow in question, a habit she had gained from her husband. "What do you mean won?"
"Well," her brother stretched out the word and scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably. He heard his wife sigh in exasperation, maybe he should have just let her lead the interrogation. Suki would have been much more subtle about it.
"Snoozles is the worst at keeping secrets," Toph grumbled to Haru. She rested her forehead on his shoulder in exasperation. "We shouldn't tell him anything anymore."
"I'm going to take a wild guess and say they bet on us," Zuko finished with a lifted brow as he looked at his friend. What he was not prepared for were the sheepish looks across the entire table, except for Piandao. "They all bet on us."
"Can you really blame us?" Sokka asked as he looked at his friend holding his hands up in surrender. "I mean you both were so in love with each other and then you were forced into an arranged marriage. It was only a matter of time."
"It was kind of obvious how you both felt, I thought for sure something would happen between you two during the comet. Especially when he asked Katara to join him instead of anyone else," Suki shrugged as she looked at them. Keiko began to fuss from her place next to her parents. The Kyoshi Warrior picked up the baby as she continued, "But I guess I was wrong."
"No something had to have happened," Toph added after a moment. She took a bite of food and nosily swallowed before continuing, "They were both fidgety the last few days leading up to Sparky's coronation. Remember?"
"And then there was that goodbye hug," Iroh reminded everyone. He had his own suspicions about what happened between his nephew and the waterbender.
"They kissed during the comet," Azula pipped up before taking a bite of food. Everyone turned to look at her. Her gold eyes looked around the table, "What?"
"You kissed Zuko during the comet?" Aang turned to look at the waterbender his expression solemn. His heart stuttered. While he knew that Katara hadn't returned his feelings and that they weren't meant for each other, it still hurt to learn the two had kissed. Especially since neither mentioned it to him.
"How?" Katara's jaw was on the floor, blue eyes wide as she looked at her sister-in-law. She didn't even register the airbender's question to her.
Zuko's anger spiked and he harshly asked his sister, "How did you know that?"
"I was there," the Princess's brow furrowed. She figured they would both remember her being in the arena. The day was mostly fuzzy in her memory but she clearly remembered the two of them kissing.
"You kissed during the comet?" Sokka looked at his sister in shock. Before his eyes turned to the Fire Lord. "You kissed my sister!"
"Hate to break it to you, but I've done a lot more than that," Zuko mumbled unashamed. Ignoring the way his wife elbowed him in the side.
The Water Tribe Heir let out something between a strangled scream and a groan.
"Sokka, shh," Suki hushed her husband as she tried to settle their daughter. One of the maidservants had offered to watch the baby but the Kyoshi Warrior was still not comfortable leaving her daughter in someone else's hands.
The tribesman ignored his wife and kept talking to his sister, "Why didn't you tell me you kissed during the comet? How did that happen?"
"He jumped in front of lightning for me, I thought he was going to die," Katara replied hastily. She looked anywhere than at her brother.
"Okay, can we not bring that part up," Azula looked down at her food in embarrassment. She dropped her utensils and placed her hands on her thighs, balling them into fists until she felt her nails digging into her skin.
The sword master seemed to be the only one noticing his pupil's reaction. He discretely put one of his hands on top of hers, forcing her to unclench first one fist and then the other. His dark eyes scanned the table and was thankful no one seemed to be paying them any mind.
"Oh no, I'm going to bring it up," the tribesman continued ignoring the Princess. He turned to his sister, "What do you mean he jumped in front of lightning for you? You both said, that he couldn't successfully redirect it not that it was shot at my sister!"
Suki thrust the baby into her husband's arms, knowing he would stay much calmer if his daughter was in his hands.
"Don't worry about it," the avatar mumbled to the Fire Nation Princess. "We bring up all the things Zuko did all the time, it's fun to tease. Plus it usually sparks his temper which is fun to see."
Azula flashed the airbender a grateful smile.
"Well, we knew you would react badly," the waterbender responded to her brother with a shrug. "And that's not the point. The point is, Azula knew we kissed."
"More like you two were making out, there was definitely some tongue," the Princess supplied helpfully. She pulled her hands from underneath the table, she tried to resume eating as if nothing happened between her and Piandao. "It took the Head Fire Sage three to four minutes to get your attention."
"No, it didn't," Zuko denied with a shake of his head but then paused. His gold eyes snapped to his sister's. "Did it?"
"Yeah," she nodded chewing on the end of one of her chopsticks. "Honestly I was more surprised that it was your first kiss. Why do you think I aimed for her?"
"I told you their wedding wasn't their first kiss," Suki hit her husband on the arm. She was careful not to disrupt their sleeping child. "But no, you said that Zuko wouldn't do that without you knowing. And you said Katara would have told you."
"Ouch woman!" The Water Tribe Heir exclaimed before turning back to the Fire Nation royal couple. "But if you kissed then why did you both deny your feelings for so long?"
"That was a misunderstanding," the couple said at the same time both still embarrassed at how silly they had been.
"Who kissed who?" Hakoda asked after a few minutes. He was still trying to take in all this new information.
"Umm well," Zuko looked at his wife whose cheeks were turning pink. He desperately wanted to run his hands through his hair, but the top knot didn't allow him too. Instead, he scratched the back of his neck.
"I mean, uhh," Katara added when her husband wasn't responding. Blue eyes met gold, both remembering their first kiss three years ago almost to the day. "I don't remember."
"I don't know," her husband said at the same time. "It just kind of happened."
"Oh really?" Suki quirked her eyebrow at the couple. She took Keiko from her husband's arms and placed her back in the bassinet off to the side. "How interesting."
"Okay, really," Sokka huffed crossing his arms over his chest. "Just tell us when you admitted your feelings to each other. Suki and I suspected when you visited but now we have confirmation. And I need to know who to give the winnings to."
"You're holding on to the pot?" Zuko lifted his good eyebrow to look at his friend.
"Please, you think we would trust him to hold onto everyone's contribution," Mai replied dryly shaking her head. She nodded toward the airbender, "Aang is who we trusted."
"Got it all in my room," the avatar responded helpfully with a grin. He tried to remind himself that Katara and Zuko belonged together.
"We?" Katara looked at all their friends and family. "Who all bet?"
"Well," Sokka scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. He looked at Toph and then Suki before settling on Mai and Ty Lee.
"Sokka," the Fire Lady's voice was hard as she looked at her brother.
"All of us," he mumbled looking down at his plate. He prayed to Tui and La for his child to start crying so he could rush off. "We had a lot of squares to be purchased."
"All of you?" Zuko asked to confirm as he looked around the room.
"Don't look at me," Piandao held up his hands in surrender. "I knew nothing about a bet, though I am a little disappointed I couldn't place my own."
"So everyone in this room placed a bet?" The Fire Lord questioned, he waited for the nods.
"Bumi bet too," Iroh added helpfully with a grin. "So did Admiral Jee."
"And Grand-Pakku and Gran-Gran."
"Who knew so many people were invested in our relationship?" Zuko grumbled sarcastically.
"I guess we need to tell them when we admitted our feelings to find out who won," the waterbender mumbled as she looked up at her husband.
"Or we could just let them stew over it and try to figure it out on their own," the firebender suggested turning back to his dinner as their friends and family made their displeasure known.
"Aang go get the money while we start piecing all this together," the Water Tribe Prince instructed. The avatar quickly skipped out of the room to gather the winnings.
"Well, it had to have been for sure after their honeymoon. They weren't lovey-dovey until after their wedding tour," Mai added thoughtfully as she and Ty Lee tried to remember when exactly the servants began gossiping about the royal couple.
"Was it before the spring equinox?" Ty Lee asked as the airbender returned with the winnings firmly in his hands, retaking his seat next to the acrobat.
"No, that happened after Azula returned to the Fire Nation," Ursa added with a shake of her head. "Surly it was before then."
"They were cozy when they came to visit us in the South Pole," Sokka commented as he shoveled food in his mouth. "Maybe during the voyage over? Wait who admitted first?"
"Probably Sugar Queen," Toph picked at her ear in response. "Sparky would never admit to having any sort of feelings if it didn't have to do with Iroh or anger."
"This is going to take forever," Katara shook her head turning to Zuko. "Put them out of their misery."
"You are probably right," he leaned over and placed a quick kiss on her cheek before turning back to their friends and family. "It was at the end of our wedding tour, the last week before we returned to the Fire Nation."
"We need the specific day, Sparky," the Blind Bandit commented rolling her unseeing eyes.
"Thursday night," the Fire Lady grinned as she remembered her husband's angry confession.
"Before or after midnight?" The Water Tribe Heir demanded as Suki looked over the scroll of everyone's bets.
"After," the Fire Lord placed a quick kiss on his wife's lips. "So I guess technically early Friday morning."
"Aw dammit!" Sokka cried out as he realized he lost.
"I believe that is for me," Azula held out her hand across the table toward the avatar. He handed over the winnings easily. "As if there was any doubt I would win."
"So how did it happen?" Bato asked looking over at his lover's daughter.
"Yeah who said it first?" Suki pipped up with a grin on her face.
"Zuko said it first," the waterbender grinned at her husband. "Though it took a moment to realize what he admitted or rather yelled at me, I mean we were fighting."
"Of course, you were," Toph chuckled darkly, she hadn't expected a lovey flowery confession from the two. "It's your favorite pastime."
"Zuko!" Ursa reprimanded. "You yelled at your wife?"
"In fairness, she shouted at me first," he defended himself to his mother. "And she was sneaking out of bed."
"I was trying to help heal our people," Katara sighed exasperated crossing her arms over her chest.
"Here we go again," Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose.
"And might I remind you, that you snuck out at Merchant's Pier?" The Fire Lady was not going to give her husband the satisfaction of ignoring his transgressions.
"Are they always like this?" Hakoda questioned the sword master and Fire Nation Princess.
"Not always," Azula replied easily as she counted her winnings. "I think it's better than them being all over each other."
"They care a lot about each other," Piandao supplied ignoring his pupil. "But they both are very passionate and have a temper, it's to be expected. Nothing is ever taken too far and they always take the time to cool off after."
"As long as they are good to each other," the Southern Chieftain mumbled softly looking at his daughter. She had a healthy glow of a woman who was well-loved.
"Okay, I think I'm done with my relationship being questioned and teased about," the Fire Lord stated a half hour later, he stood offering his hand to his wife. "Katara and I have an early council meeting tomorrow, feel free to enjoy the rest of the evening. If you need anything, Giya will be happy to get it for you. We will see you all in the morning."
"Good night," the Fire Lady bid farewell to their friends and family as she let her husband lead her back to their chambers.
"Katara!" Zuko grumbled as he entered his dressing room. It was not his day, he thought in frustration. His wife hadn't shown up for their meetings this afternoon and then neglected to meet the last of the dignitaries that arrived this evening. And now this. He exhaled causing smoke to curl around his nose. The firebender counted to ten before he looked down at the object of his anger.
The polar bear puppy they had adopted a couple of months ago had left a present in the doorway which the Fire Lord had just stepped in.
"Fire Lord Zuko are you alright?" Qin inquired as he entered the room. He had heard the distress in his lord's voice and quickened his arrival. The valet's eyes widened as he saw the soiled shoes of the monarch.
"Qin, can you call someone to come clean this up?" The firebender scrubbed a hand over his face. "And please let me know who it is, so I can personally thank them for cleaning up after Hikari."
"Yes, your majesty," the valet nodded. He was always amazed at his lord's desire to interact with the staff.
"Also have you seen my wife?"
"Ty Min said the Fire Lady was not feeling her best and retired earlier this afternoon," the manservant explained as he laid out the Fire Lord's sleepwear. "Shall I have dinner for the both of you brought to your chambers?"
"Yes, thank you, Qin," Zuko nodded before beginning to strip himself from the formal robes. "Since Katara is feeling unwell, have the kitchen prepare something light for her."
The valet nodded as he collected the soiled clothing before taking his leave to carry out the rest of his duties.
The Fire Lord left his dressing room to bathe. His soiled shoes were forgotten as he splashed water on his face. The firebender's mind wandered to his wife, she hadn't been feeling well for the past few days. He was starting to worry she had come down with something.
Zuko exited the bathroom while tying his sleep pants. His eyes moved to take in his wife's sleeping form, Hikari was curled up on the bed by her feet. Instantly the anger and frustration left his body.
Katara's skin was flushed and he noted there was a cup of ginger tea on her nightstand. The firebender crouched down next to the waterbender, he brushed back a few stray hairs from her face. She nuzzled into the warmth and he placed a kiss on her forehead. Her sapphire eyes slowly opened as he pulled away.
"Hi," she mumbled sleepily. She blinked a few times before her eyes settled on her husband. The polar bear puppy yawned as he felt the Fire Lady shift. "I'm sorry I missed the rest of the afternoon."
"It's okay," he told her. Now that he was seeing her, his concern had increased. "How are you feeling?"
"Not great, my stomach is a little upset and my back hurts," she said around a yawn followed by a few shivers. "I'm also just so tired."
"You're running a fever too," Zuko replied as he felt her forehead. She didn't feel warm but he was still worried. "Maybe I should call for the physician?"
"No, I don't want that," she shook her head. The waterbender knew her body and she didn't want to be fussed over by the physician.
"Will you at least eat some dinner?"
"I'm still a little queasy," Katara protested with a shake of her head. She was becoming irritated that her husband had disturbed her sleep. It had been the first moment she had started to feel better all week.
"The kitchen is making something light for you," he pushed. Zuko hadn't seen her at lunch. She had skipped breakfast, only having some peppermint tea that morning and she had missed dinner the night before, having been fast asleep when he came in from his last meeting. Now that he was thinking about it, he realized she had been under the weather all week.
"I don't think I could eat," she made a face and her stomach roiled at the thought of food.
"Katara, please for me," the firebender insisted. He could hear the servants rustling behind him as they set up dinner for the royal couple.
"Has anyone else told you that you are pushy?" The waterbender grumbled with a pout.
"Only every day," he placed a kiss on her nose. "Come on, let's get you out of bed and some food in your belly. Then I promise after to massage your back."
"Zuko," she whined as she snuggled deeper into the covers. A pout crossed her face as she looked at her husband. She knew what her husband was saying was right, but her stubbornness was winning out.
"Katara," he mocked back. A smirk graced his face as he looked at her. "I promise you can come right back to bed and I'll take care of you."
"Fine," she grumbled as he helped her out of bed. Hikari followed the royal couple to the table where dinner had been set up. "How was your day?"
"It was okay," he shrugged as they both sat at the table. "I'm ready for the Anniversary Summit to begin tomorrow."
"Did Keui arrive safely?" The waterbender asked as she took a bite of the soup the kitchen prepared specifically for her.
"He did, as did Lao," Zuko shook his head as he thought of Toph's father. The nobleman was not exactly thrilled to be in the Fire Nation again. Nor was he originally supposed to attend the Anniversary Summit.
"Poor Toph," Katara shook her head. The earthbender had expressed the trouble with her father multiple times since she arrived in Caldera a little over a week ago. "I didn't think he was coming."
"Neither did I," the Fire Lord rubbed a hand on his face. Each year things became much more complicated. "I asked Jiang to find a place for him in the west wing."
"Remind me in the morning to have her move Toph and Haru away from the other Earth Kingdom dignitaries," the Fire Lady mumbled as she thought about the head of the household. Jiang had been spirit sent when dividing up where all the dignitaries would stay.
"Already taken care of, she is moving them as we speak."
"We really are a good match," the waterbender leaned over and kissed him softly. "How else was Lao?"
"Much worse after he stepped foot into the palace." The firebender made a face at his food as he remembered the events that had transpired earlier. The Beifong patriarch's face was burned into his mind.
"What do you mean?"
Zuko rubbed his chin as he thought of a way to describe the arrival, "I don't think Haru asking for Lao's blessing to marry Toph went over well, especially considering how public he did it."
"He did it publicly?" Her blue eyes were wide as she looked at her husband. The Blind Bandit had shared the news of her engagement with her friends a few days after arriving in Caldera. And everyone was worried about how the Beifong family would take the news.
The Fire Lord nodded as he finished chewing. "It was a statement, but I understand why he did it. Lao has been so against their relationship and Keui was so thrilled to see Haru. It certainly puts pressure on Lao to accept him now."
"I hope for Toph's sake Lao approves," the waterbender shook her head as she thought about her friend. "How was Keui?"
"He was in good spirits, all things considered," Zuko shrugged. The Earth King tended to frustrate the Fire Lord. Keui was more concerned with the parties that would transpire during the Summit than the negotiations and peace talks.
"Still oblivious to those trying to take control of Ba Sing Se?" The waterbender collected some scraps from the table and called the polar bear puppy to her. Feeding Hikari as she listened to her husband's response.
"Apparently, but we didn't have an opportunity to discuss much. We have a meeting with him at the end of the week," he reminded his wife. As the hosting nation for the Anniversary Summit, the royal couple was scheduled extensively.
"What have you decided about Azula?" The Fire Lady looked up at him. They had discussed many different things about the Fire Nation Princess. From having her in the public eye to even sending her to Ember Island for a few weeks. It was a big decision and one they needed to make that evening.
"I don't know," he scrubbed a hand over his face as the servants collected the plates of their finished meal.
"Ty Min," Katara called to her maidservant. "Could you ask Azula to join us tomorrow morning for breakfast?"
"Yes, your majesty," the lady-in-waiting nodded before leaving to complete the task.
"I think the best thing to do is talk to your sister," the waterbender comforted her husband. She rested a hand on his thigh.
"You are right," he nodded with a soft smile. "How are you feeling? You barely ate your dinner."
"I told you I wasn't feeling well," she shrugged pulling the puppy into her lap.
"Katara," the firebender sighed heavily giving her a loaded look. "You're working too hard."
"Can we not Zuko?" She begged, blue eyes pleading with him. "I just need some rest and I'll be fine."
"I'll leave it alone for now," he agreed. The Fire Lord stood from the table and helped his wife up before leading her to bed. He let go of his concern for his waterbender tonight, but he would be bringing it up at a later date.
The next morning Azula was entering the royal couple's private dining room for breakfast. She had been surprised to receive the summons last night for such an early hour. "You wanted to see me?"
"Azula," Katara grinned at her sister-in-law. "Come join us! Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, thank you," the Princess said as she took a seat across from her brother. Azula accepted the tea offered to her as she questioned them, "What did you want to see me about?"
"As you know the Anniversary Summit begins today," Zuko began hesitantly. He watched as his sister's "We wanted to make sure you are comfortable. Your health is our top priority."
"Not how I would appear politically?" Azula questioned as she looked down into her tea. The Princess had expected to be shipped off so the others would not see her in the palace.
"Politically someone will always criticize us," the waterbender shook her head sadly. "But this decision we thought you should be included in, especially since it's about you. Like Zuko said, your health and well-being are what's important to us. We came up with a few different ideas and we welcome your input."
"Katara's right," the Fire Lord's eyes softened as he looked at his wife. He turned back to his sister. "If you would like to be away from the politics and prying eyes, I will have you on a ship to Ember Island within the hour. If you want to be the center of attention, you are more than welcome to take your rightful place as Princess."
"I don't want to flee from everyone," Azula whispered after a few minutes. "But I don't want to necessarily be in the center of everything. Can't I just be around for certain events and do my own thing during the other time? Like normal?"
"Of course, you can," the Fire Lady agreed instantly. She was thrilled that Azula wanted to be a part of the anniversary. "I'll have Ty Lee draw up a list of events I would like you to be at along with meetings I have scheduled. You can choose to come to any and all of them. But we would like you there for the luncheon today and the farewell ball."
"You might need to speak with Piandao about your training schedule as he is required for some meetings with Uncle," Zuko explained to his sister.
"He mentioned that the other day," Azula nodded looking down at the food on her plate. She was unsure why she was so disappointed that she wouldn't see her sword master that much during the next few weeks.
"It's just us Sokka," Zuko reminded his friend as they looked over the documents in his office. "Your dad isn't here. Tell me honestly, is this going to be enough? I can pull back some agreements from the Earth Kingdom and send more to you if needed."
The Water Tribe Heir rubbed a hand over his face. He should have known when Zuko invited him to take the meeting instead of his father that this would happen. Sokka appreciated his friend for it and hate him for it at the same time. "With the expected population increase, we could use about twenty percent more. Can you spare that? I don't want to put you in a bad position. Then we both would be fucked."
"I'll talk to Bumi, he already mentioned a potential decrease in our agreement," the Fire Lord replied as he looked over his notes. "I will do as much as I can to help. How much can you comfortably export?"
"To the Fire Nation?"
"In general," the firebender narrowed his eyes.
Sokka turned away from his friend. This was the question he hoped he would not have to answer. He had been wracking his brain for weeks trying to find a way to adjust the trade agreements in place without raising alarm. "If we could lighten the burden of two agreements it would change our circumstances drastically."
"Who are you most worried about noticing the devastation?"
"Arnook and Keui," the Water Tribe Heir replied, his shoulders slumping. All of Team Avatar knew there was something not right happening in Ba Sing Se, it wouldn't do well for Keui to know the details of the South Pole. The Northern Chief on the other hand had pushed for the Southern Tribe to merge with them. Sokka was sure that Arnook would use whatever he could to manipulate the situation in his favor.
"So we have a temporary hiatus of exports to the Fire Nation and Kyoshi," Zuko wrote some notes. "And then you decrease the amount to Omashu. How is that?"
"You don't need to do this Zuko," Sokka's voice was hard as he glared at his friend.
"Sokka, do what's right for your people. Let me help you."
"I don't like anyone doing any favors for me or my people," the warrior looked at the tapestry next to him. He was both grateful and humiliated they were having this conversation. And in his heart, he knew that he would accept the Fire Lord's help.
"This isn't a favor," the firebender placated him. "If anything, you'd be doing me a favor."
"Oh yeah," Sokka snorted. "How?"
"Well, first of all, my wife would kill me if I didn't adjust this agreement," Zuko scratched the back of his neck. "And maybe it wouldn't be a bad trump card to have in my pocket in a few years when the South Pole is thriving again. You know, next time Arnook or Keui question my motives."
The Water Tribe Heir looked directly at his old friend. "Maybe Iroh has rubbed off on you more than we thought."
"Will you just sign the papers Sokka? Or do I need to bring both our wives in to make you?" The Fire Lord grumbled as he thrust the revised agreement toward his friend.
A short while later the two men were walking the corridors on their way to meet their wives for lunch.
"Are you sure Suki doesn't want any help for Keiko?" Zuko asked for what felt like the hundredth time.
"I'm sure," Sokka nodded, a smile crossing his face as he thought about his child. "We have more than enough family and friends to help if necessary."
"If you change your mind just let us know."
"We will," the tribesman agreed readily. "Piandao and I are planning to spend some time sparring later this afternoon, want to join us? I think if it was the two of us we could take him on."
The Fire Lord's chuckling and agreement were interrupted by an aggressive man heading straight toward him.
"You!"
"Lao? Is there something wrong?" Zuko was profoundly calm as he looked at the angry man. The Fire Lord was not thrilled that Lao wanted to have an argument in his palace hallways.
"This is your fault!" The nobleman accused the Fire Lord, his voice rising as he kept speaking. "My daughter was respectable, but then after running away with the Avatar and spending a significant amount of time in the Fire Nation she becomes a loutish woman!"
"Please, Lao," Zuko tried to keep his cool as he was shouted at in the hallway. It did not go unnoticed by him that a crowd was collecting. "I don't have the slightest idea what you are referring to. Did something happen to Toph?"
"Of course, something happened. You put these ideas into her head," Lao's finger was poking the firebender in the chest. An action the royal guard was acutely aware of. "And now she wants to marry that commoner!"
"Haru is anything but common," the Fire Lord defended the earthbender. Haru had been extremely helpful to Zuko's Uncle, something that was worthy of high praise by the Fire Nation sovereign. "He is a loyal, hard-working, and an honorable man. Not to mention a talented bender."
"When she came to the Fire Nation, I had hoped that you would help her see a political marriage was much more suited for her," the Beifong patriarch ignored the statement from the firebender. "But you had to tell her to choose her own path, even if that meant disobeying me — her father."
"Toph deserves to be happy and Haru makes her happy," Zuko continued trying to reason with the man. He was doing all he could to keep his temper under control. The audience was too big to have him snapping at an Earth Kingdom noble.
"She would be happy in a political marriage! You seem to be."
"Excuse you?" The Fire Lord's voice came out harsher than he intended.
"Don't lie, we all see how you enjoy the waterbender," he hissed, his brown eyes narrowing at the monarch. "Just because you settled for someone beneath your station doesn't mean my daughter has to!"
Sokka's hands balled into fists and he was ready to put one through Lao's face. He didn't care the nobleman was Toph's father. Zuko's hand on his chest stopped him.
"My wife was not beneath my station," the young sovereign's voice commanded the entire corridor. "She was the daughter of the Southern Chief, the Southern Water Tribe's Princess. A master waterbender, in not only combat but healing. Teacher to the Avatar, and hero to the hundred-year war. You will show her the respect she has earned."
"What did I expect from someone so disloyal to their father?" The nobleman sneered at the man. His blood boiled as he looked at the firebender. "After all you still wear the mark of the banished prince."
"Zuko is the most loyal and honorable person I have ever known," Sokka's voice came out strong. This time, the Fire Lord didn't stop him. "He has worked incredibly hard to help end the war and bring in an area of peace."
Before Lao could speak again a heavy hand dropped onto his shoulder. The Earth King looked down his spectacles at the nobleman, "Lao, I think it's best you leave and return to Gaoling. This is a time for peace and negotiation, if you can't handle that you should be home with your wife."
The nobleman shook off the hand and stormed down the hallway. He refused to stay in the Fire Nation any longer.
"Are you okay?" Sokka asked his friend once the crowd had dissipated. The Beifong patriarch's words were still ringing through the hallway.
"I'm fine," the firebender replied with a nod. The anger he felt had nothing to do with the words directed at him. But the words that were spoken about his wife. "It might be best if you had a word with Arnook about Lao's opinion."
"As much as I don't like the guy, it would be a good idea to have him on your side," the Water Tribe Heir nodded. He too was displeased with the venom that had been spewed about his sister.
"Please don't tell Katara what he said about her," Zuko turned to look at Sokka. "With all the stress from the attempt and the Anniversary Summit, I don't want to add more to her plate."
"She's not a kept woman, Zuko," the tribesman crossed his arms over his chest. "And enough people saw, it can get back to her. She's your wife and she deserves to know."
"I'm not saying she doesn't," the Fire Lord scrubbed a hand over his face. "Just don't tell her right now. If she asks you don't need to lie, but I just want to give her a little peace before she knows."
"Okay," Sokka's arms dropped to his side. "I can respect that."
"Did you have a chance to look over the proposal for the orphanages?" Ty Lee asked the Fire Lady in their morning meeting.
"Yes, I did," Katara nodded as she handed Mai notes on the Medical Reeducation Directive. She looked through the papers on her desk finding the one with her notes on the proposal Ty Lee was asking about. "There are a few things that need to be adjusted. I want to allocate more funds to the reconstruction."
"What increase are you wanting?" The acrobat questioned as she took notes for her meeting with the committee later that day.
"I'm thinking about fifteen to twenty percent, but I want to see the preliminary plans before I make a decision," the Fire Lady stated. "These children are orphaned because of the war, it doesn't make sense for them to have subpar living just because the council wants to be frugal."
"Of course," Ty Lee agree instantly. She diligently took notes on her monarch's thoughts. "I'll put down twenty percent but with a potential of an increase."
"I also want to look into the requirements for the tutors and caregivers," she continued as she handed Mai another scroll for the council meeting. "And lastly, I want to look at organizing events to visit the orphanages with the other women of the court."
"You want to bring them to an orphanage?" Mai questioned looking at her in confusion.
"These women gather regularly for elaborate and frivolous functions," Katara rolled her eyes as she thought of the daily tea for the women of the royal court. "It would do well for most to start mingling with those they represent. Especially the younger noblewomen. I want to make it a requirement for each noblewoman to visit the orphanage in her district at least once a month. Preferably holding a function of some kind."
"The money used to host and mingle with the children would help the economy," Ty Lee agreed as she looked at Mai. "Not to mention help with morale."
"I'm just sick and tired of these women doing nothing," the waterbender groaned in frustration. "And it seems like it's only a recent thing for them to be so frivolous. I want all of the women of the royal court to be active in duties."
"That's something we can work on," Mai agreed with a nod. She was all for more responsibility for the noblewomen. She thought most needed to aspire for something more than just a marriage.
"Good," the Fire Lady replied as she moved some papers on her desk. She could not find what she was looking for, a frustrated frown appeared on her face. "Ah! Here it is! Ty Lee this is a list of names from the royal court, mostly young women. I want each of them to create a proposal for each section of the arts. Then I want to put forth a motion for you to be the Minister and start implementing their ideas."
"You want me to be the Minister?" The acrobat took the list of names in shock. "On the council?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I? You have the most experience and you seem to really enjoy it," the waterbender was confused at her surprise.
"But typically a courtier doesn't sit on the council as a minister," she looked down at the names.
"Why not?"
"Because they are supposed to aid the Fire Lady," Mai supplemented for her lover.
"And? What I need is a solid minister who I trust," Katara brushed them off. She wasn't concerned with how things were done before. This is what she needed and the waterbender was going to make the appropriate changes to work for her. A knock on the door interrupted a rebuttal, "Come in."
"Oh, I didn't realize you were in a meeting," the Fire Nation Princess said softly. She took in her former friends discreetly.
"Azula, perfect! I wanted to ask you a few questions about this trade agreement," the Fire Lady beckoned her sister-in-law into the office. "Mai, the agreement with Jang Hui please."
The noblewoman passed the trade agreement to her monarch as the Fire Nation Princess took a seat next to her former friend.
"I don't know how much help, I'll be," Azula told the Fire Lady. "It has been a while since I have been a part of any trade negotiations."
"I'm sure you remember," Ty Lee comforted on instinct.
"There isn't a right or wrong answer," Katara soothed. She looked over the information trying to recall the questions she had. "I just wanted an opinion. You helped renegotiate the agreement during the war?"
"That's right; before the factory was operational."
"Good, so I noticed on the agreement you negotiated you had a clause about over-harvesting?" The waterbender questioned as she looked over her notes.
"Jang Hui is the home to some very exotic fish, they aren't in any other part of the world," Azula began explaining. "But we had begun to see a decline in population. So to preserve the natural resource, we implemented a maximum for the season. Along with a fine for anyone who exceeded that and harvested out of season."
"Good, good," the Fire Lady nodded as she made a note. "And why is there a fish on here only allowed to be harvested once every three years?"
"They were critically endangered, after spending time with a peculiar man," the Princess shook her head as she remembered the day. She had been young when she went to Jang Hui, too young to be involved in politics. But Ozai had pushed her to write the first draft of the proposal. "I came to the conclusion that with the rarity and the criticalness of the endangerment there needed to be time for it to replenish. But umm, there was an uproar, to the suggestion of canceling the harvesting. So that was the compromise."
"What did you want to do originally?" Katara asked as she made some notes, missing the way Azula shifted uncomfortably.
"Ideally, stop all harvesting for at least the next ten years."
"And this is for the sea urchin, right?" The waterbender questioned, blue eyes looking up at her sister-in-law.
"It is," the Princess nodded.
"Mai, add in the revision following Azula's original suggestion. But instead of resuming harvesting in ten years, write in to reassess endangerment status," the Fire Lady passed the notes to her courtier. She made a few more notes before she focused her attention on her sister-in-law. "Now, Azula, what did you want to talk about?"
"The proposal about the preservation of Ember Island," the Princess stated. She took a deep breath, "While I know the council wants nothing to do with it after the assassination attempt, I believe there were some important points stressed."
"Such as?"
"The island is a hot spot for vacationers and that stimulates the economy not only on Ember Island but the entire Fire Nation," Azula began, her voice strong and steady. She hadn't been this nervous to express her opinion ever. "It is important to remember what attracts the tourists. Which is the nature, the relaxation of a less industrialized area."
"I agree with you, one of my favorite things about Ember Island is the beaches," Katara grinned as she thought over her last beach trip. She debated about mentioning the hot springs but that was an intimate area for her and her husband.
"Exactly! In the original proposal set forth, there were areas submitted to be not buildable," the young woman continued. She thought back to what she had rehearsed in front of Piandao. "I want to take that a step further, yes include specific preserved areas. But I want to stop talking about new construction and press remodeling instead. It will still stimulate the economy and not encroach on the beautiful landscape."
"Iron out all the details and have a proposal on my desk sometime after the Anniversary Summit," the Fire Lady smiled at her sister-in-law. She was pleased to see Azula taking such initiative. She had been too tentative since returning from the North Pole.
"Of course," the Princess beamed at her sister-in-law.
"And I want you to craft a plan for tourism," the waterbender continued. She probably should run this idea by Zuko, she thought in the back of her head. "A five to ten-year plan on tourism in the Fire Nation."
"What for?"
"Well depending on how good it is, I'm going to submit it to the Fire Lord and the council," the monarch replied not understanding the confusion.
"You want Az—Princess Azula to effectively submit a proposal for the Minister of Tourism position on the council," Mai stated her eyes wide. It would be the boldest decision her monarch had ever pressed to the royal court.
The Fire Lady hummed in response, she rifled through some papers on her desk. "Mai, where is the scroll on the trade agreement from Omashu?"
The noblewoman passed the item to the monarch, "It might be time to hire a secretary."
"That's fine," the waterbender mumbled not looking up. She passed the acrobat some information. "Ty Lee, here is the menu for the farewell ball next week. And the recommendation for the entertainment, along with the revised budget."
"Katara, are you ready for our meeting with Bumi?" Zuko asked as he walked into her office. His eyebrow-raising into his hairline as he took in his sister and her former friends.
"In a minute," she brushed her husband off as she continued to work on the items in front of her.
The Fire Lord motioned for everyone to leave the room. His wife was looking a little overworked. And considering how rundown she was feeling not too long ago, he was concerned.
"Azula," Zuko looked at his sister and nodded to the door. Before turning to the courtiers, "Mai, Ty could you give us a minute?"
The three women left at the command of the Fire Lord, leaving the couple in peace. The Fire Lady didn't notice she was alone with her husband, she was completely absorbed with her work.
"Katara," the firebender stated after a few minutes. He knew firsthand how easy it was to get sucked into the work. "Are you going to look at me? Or just keep pretending to listen?"
"Hmm," she replied absently never looking up.
"I'm going to splash ink on you if you don't stop what you are doing," Zuko told her with a lifted brow.
"That's fine," the waterbender mumbled with a nod.
"Okay," he shrugged. The Fire Lord leaned forward and picked up a brush sitting in the inkwell. A small smirk played on his lips before he brushed the ink across his wife's face.
"Ah!" Katara dropped everything she was doing and looked up at her husband in shock. A black mark across her face. "Zuko!"
"I warned you," he laughed at her, the sides of his eyes crinkling. "You just weren't listening."
The waterbender retaliated with a flick of her wrist and the rest of the ink splashed in her husband's face. Her giggles followed his noise of surprise. "That's what you get."
Zuko leaped over the desk sending the items littered across it flying as he trapped his wife in her chair. He leaned down and placed a messy kiss on her mouth successfully quieting her squeals of laughter.
"Mother would be horrified if she saw us now," Zuko mumbled against Katara's mouth. Since Lady Ursa's return to court life, she had become the first to point out when the royal couple broke from propriety.
"She should be horrified, you attacked me," his wife giggled in response before pressing her lips against his.
"It was well worth it," the Fire Lord whispered in between kisses.
In a small temple outside of the city, a couple stood at the altar hand in hand.
The decision to elope had been a spur of the moment, so the couple had not dressed up for the occasion. Both preferred to keep the ceremony simple and understated.
He didn't think she could look any more beautiful than she did at that moment. Both of them were finally getting their happy ending.
She held his hands in hers tightly, a blinding smile across her face. As she tied herself to him, she fell a little more in love with him.
The Fire Sage performed the ceremony in the dead of night. He had been shocked at the request but he had seen the life they both shared and it was easy to agree. The young couple before him radiated the love they had for each other.
Neither worried about the outside forces that were trying to keep them apart. Their only focus with the love they shared for each other and the life they wanted to build together.
They had no idea the destruction their marriage would cause for so many.
"Thank you for helping Katara," Suki said as she looked at the waterbender holding her daughter. The two were currently in the Fire Nation royal couple's chambers.
"Of course, you deserve a break," the Fire Lady replied as she rocked Keiko. "She is just stunning. I wish we all lived closer."
"Sokka and I talked about coming to stay for a few months once you grant us a niece or nephew," the Kyoshi Warrior chuckled as she adjusted her clothes, she hadn't worn anything this form-fitting since before she was pregnant. It would be her and her husband's first night alone since the baby was born.
"Oh no, Sokka in the Fire Nation for that long I would never see my husband," the waterbender giggled shaking her head. Since her brother's arrival, he had been taking up most of Zuko's free time.
"Trust me after the first few weeks you will be sick of Zuko's hovering and be begging Sokka to take him off your hands!" Suki made a face as she looked at herself in the mirror, her body had changed greatly since giving birth.
"You look beautiful Suki," Katara reassured her catching the sour expression. "And my brother won't be able to keep his hands off you."
"I'm being silly aren't I?"
"Of course, you're not, but my brother loves you and thought you looked stunning in prison," the Fire Lady smirked at the blush crossing the warrior's face. "A few extra pounds of baby weight won't matter to him."
"You're right," she mumbled in response. The Kyoshi Warrior turned back to look at her sister-in-law. "Keiko has been fed, but if she gets hungry I gave some milk to Giya. And if she fusses in the cradle try rubbing her belly for a few minutes before picking her up. There should be extra clothes in the bag, oh and her favorite blanket—"
"Suki, it's okay. We have been over this multiple times," Katara interrupted with a shake of her head. "Zuko and I will be fine, we will see you in the morning."
"Alright, if you need me—"
"Suki!"
"Okay! Thank you again Katara," Suki replied before she left the room to meet her husband for dinner.
An hour later the Fire Lord entered his chambers and found his wife on the couch fast asleep with their niece on her chest. He shook his head before quietly removing the baby from her arms.
Keiko yawned and opened her eyes looking at the man holding her. Green eyes studied the man intently before shifting toward his warm body and falling asleep again. Zuko was sure to be careful as he placed her in the bassinet off to the side. Unfortunately for him, the moment his body heat left her, Keiko began screaming.
"Zuko?" Her eyes were blurry from just waking up. The waterbender looked at her husband as he frantically tried to calm the baby.
"No, don't cry, sh sh," he tried to shush her. He could lead a country and face his sister in battle when she was deranged but this baby terrified him. What was he going to do when it was his child, he thought to himself.
"Suki said to rub her belly," the Fire Lady joined her husband.
The firebender took his wife's advice desperately hoping it would work. "It's not working! Katara! What do I do?"
She smiled at the hint of panic in his voice. "She might be hungry, or need to be changed?"
"But she was fine until I put her down!" He ran a hand through his hair forgetting about the top knot sending his crown flying across the room.
"Then pick her up."
"Right," he nodded like it was the most logical thing to do. He grasped the baby underneath her arms and held her out in front of him. "It's not working!"
"Hmm," the waterbender thought to herself. As her husband held the baby she checked to see if Keiko needed fresh clothing, but she was fine. She didn't think her niece was hungry. "Well don't hold her like that."
"Oh, um," he pulled the baby to his chest and Keiko snuggled into the warmth. Her green eyes opened to look at him and her cries were silenced immediately.
"Looks like she just wanted her Uncle Zuko to snuggle her."
"I don't snuggle," the Fire Lord protested a pout gracing his face. He was typically secure with his masculinity but after the ordeals of the past half hour, Zuko was a bit sensitive.
"Of course, you don't," the waterbender placated as she leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. Her lips were by his ear, "And when you're grumpy you don't remind me of a koalaotter."
"Am I just supposed to hold her all night?" Her husband asked her about an hour later.
"If that's the only way for her to sleep, then yes," she grinned at him. Blue eyes longing to see him hold their own child someday soon.
The royal couple fell asleep a couple of hours later with their niece in between them on the bed.
He had been watching her for some time now. She looked beautiful in her party clothes, he thought to himself. He was not used to seeing her dressed so formally. He had not been able to take his eyes off her when she made her entrance at the Anniversary Farewell Ball.
It was not lost to him how many of the guests kept a wide berth from her. He was not sure why this bothered him as much as it did. But he wanted her to enjoy herself.
"May I have this dance?"
Azula looked up at the question, a familiar calloused hand was the first thing she noticed. Her gold eyes met dark grey ones. She placed her hand in his and accepted the help from her seat before he led her onto the dance floor. The stares and whispers melted away as he took her into his arms.
"Thank you," the Fire Nation Princess whispered. She didn't need to explain to him how uncomfortable she had been feeling.
"No thanks is required," Piandao replied the corners of his eyes crinkling. As he twirled her around the dance floor, the sword master was reminded that Azula was a woman. It was something he had been noticing over the past few months.
"Have you been enjoying yourself?" Azula asked. She needed a distraction from the feeling of being in his arms. He looked handsome, she thought to herself.
"I have been, though I'm a little excited for all the dignitaries to return home," he confessed with a twitch of his lips. "And to resume your training."
Azula grinned at him. She was eager for the world leaders to leave as well. The stares had been making her tired. Anytime she did anything there was an audience. "I couldn't agree more."
"Have you noticed how many of these nobles are staring at your brother and his wife?" The sword master leaned in close to gossip with her. It was something the two had started doing since the assassination attempt.
"They do seem to be attracting the attention of the crowd," she replied as she took a peak at Zuko and Katara.
The royal couple was speaking to a few Earth Kingdom dignitaries. Azula was able to see the question in the nobles' eyes as the royal couple interacted with each other. The Princess had heard the speculation about her brother and Katara during the past two weeks.
"Iroh mentioned there was some tension yesterday in one of the meetings," Piandao told her quietly. He couldn't help but notice how skin glowed in the fire light of the ballroom.
"About what?"
"Apparently Arnook is not thrilled Katara isn't pregnant yet," the sword master whispered as he led them around the dance floor.
The Fire Nation Princess rolled her golden eyes. "He is just terrified if something happened to Zuko I would take the throne."
"Wouldn't you?"
"No," she shook her head. Azula looked up at him, for the first time noticing how much taller Piandao was than her. "Zuko signed legislation that Katara would take the throne and any heir born to her would be the successor."
"I didn't know that."
"Zuzu and I talked about it when I returned home," she shrugged. Her gold eyes flickered down before meeting his eyes. "The backlash would be tremendous if I was named his successor."
The reality was Azula had asked for an amendment to the original piece of legislation. She did not want the throne and thought any child Katara birthed would have the Fire Nation's best interest at heart. The Fire Lord had agreed on the condition that Azula would be part of the government no matter what.
"Well, I don't think that's anything you will have to worry about," Piandao comforted her when she grew quiet.
"Right now I'm more concerned about them," her eyes settled on her former best friends. Things had gotten better, but they were nowhere near good.
"Have you talked to them? Apologized?" His dark eyes softened as he looked down at the woman in his arms. Even in her sorrow, she looked beautiful.
"I've tried but it never comes out right," Azula sighed and looked down. She didn't want him to see how upset she was over Mai and Ty Lee.
"Maybe write them a letter? Sometimes the ink helps us express ourselves," he suggested softly as the music changed. He should have led her back to her seat, but he wanted a few more minutes with her.
"Perhaps," she mumbled looking up at him through her lashes. "I spoke to Katara the other day."
"And how did it go?" Piandao questioned, he was surprised she had waited this long to mention her meeting. They had spent the first few weeks after the attempt discussing how she should approach the Fire Lady.
"Very well," Azula grinned at him, showcasing her pearly white teeth. "Actually, much better than that. She was receptive to continuing on the Ember Island Preservation Proposal with my added changes."
"That's wonderful," the corner of his eyes crinkled as he looked at her. She seemed to blossom under the opportunity to work on legislation. "Is it right to assume you have already finished your first draft?"
"You know me too well, Master Piandao," the Fire Nation Princess wasn't sure what caused her to respond in such a flirty tone. "Would you be willing to take a look at it? I would greatly appreciate your thoughts."
"Anytime, Azula," he pulled her closer to him as he spun her around the dance floor. He relished the occasion to hold her close to him.
All too soon the music stopped, reminding Piandao that he had spent several dances in a row with the Princess. With so many eyes on her tonight, he didn't want to leave an opportunity for her reputation to be called into question.
Regretfully, the sword master threaded his arm through his pupil's arm before he lead her back to her seat. He took a step back and bowed formally, "Thank you for the dance, Princess Azula."
"Thank you for asking Master Piandao," she smiled warmly at him with a nod of her head.
Across the ballroom, Katara leaned into her husband. It was not lost on her the interaction between the sword master and the Princess. "That was awfully thoughtful of Piandao."
"Yes, it was," the Fire Lord nodded absently. He had watched the interaction between Piandao and his sister in surprise. His attention turned back to his wife, his voice husky as he tried to comfort her. "Relax waterbender."
"I can't help it," she mumbled her eyes scanning the ballroom critically. She was still hyper-sensitive since the assassination attempt. "I just feel like now is as good of a time as any. Did the White Lotus finish the investigation?"
After Azula had suggested that Bujing might be trying to falsely accuse Shinu, Zuko enlisted the help of Iroh. Which included the White Lotus doing a deep investigation without alerting the councilman.
"Yes, everything came back clear," he placed his lips against her ear. Being sure that she would feel his warm breath as he spoke, "This event is too public, they wouldn't try anything tonight."
"Or we are all in one place with multiple suspects, which makes it easy for them to go unnoticed," she argued with her husband. Zuko went to respond but unfortunately was not given the opportunity.
"Good evening Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Chief Arnook greeted the couple. He had seen how intimately they were speaking and decided now was a perfect time to make his inquires.
"Chief Arnook," Katara replied holding her head high. She was not in the mood to speak with the Northern Chieftain. There was something she didn't trust about the man recently. Her arm that was in her husband's tightened.
"I trust you enjoyed your stay," the Fire Lord expressed, his face impassive. Like his wife, Zuko had a funny feeling about Arnook. The Fire Nation sovereign couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something just wasn't right. He threaded his fingers through his wife's and gave her hand a comforting squeeze.
"It has been eye-opening," the tribesman said almost hesitantly. He looked toward the Southern Water Tribe dignitaries. "I had an interesting conversation with Chief Hakoda a few minutes ago."
"Hmm," the firebender hummed in response. His gold eyes never strayed from the man in front of him. "My father-in-law is an extraordinary conversationalist."
"I didn't realize the Fire Nation was so altruistic," Arnook stated meeting the Fire Lord's eyes. The chieftain's blue eyes were stormy and accusatory.
"I'm sorry?" Katara questioned furrowing her brow. After their visit to the South Pole, the Fire Nation royal couple made the decision to keep quiet about the aid they were sending. Luckily the Southern Tribe had agreed. The party line was an additional trade agreement created during the marriage contract discussions.
"Your husband didn't tell you? The Fire Nation sent aid to the South Pole," the chieftain chose his words carefully. The tightness in his jaw was the only sign of his displeasure. Arnook was sure to add the appropriate amount of emotion in the next statement. "I must say we were worried about how our sister tribe would survive the next year. Their population increase coupled with the colony release at your wedding. We knew it would be quite difficult for them."
Zuko cocked his head in confusion. "Why would you be concerned? During our last trip to the South Pole, they were thriving."
"Really? According to some of my naval ships on loan in the Southern Seas, there have been issues with receiving goods into the South Pole," the tribesman continued a brow quirked. Even though the Fire Lord married a waterbender, Arnook still didn't trust him.
"Katara, did you hear about this?" Zuko turned to look at his wife. An eyebrow raised, he released her arm and pressed his hand to the small of her back. "Did your father or brother say anything to you?"
"On the contrary, Sokka said that there have been no issues," the waterbender shook her head before looking at the older man. The information was surprising, but she was quick to recover by channeling her sister-in-law. "There had been concern originally, the Earth Kingdom ships not being used to the freezing temperatures and the winter storms. But everything has arrived on schedule, in fact even sometimes arriving a few days earlier."
"It seems you might have received false information, or perhaps there might be some confusion. Maybe you need to have a conversation with your naval officers," the Fire Lord advised diplomatically.
The Northern Chieftain ground his teeth, "I will take that into consideration."
"I hope you enjoy the rest of the night. Zuko and I have some other guests to attend to," the Fire Lady dismissed the tribesman right before her husband led her away. The couple left Arnook to stew.
"Well that was interesting," the Fire Lord mumbled to his wife. His gold eyes scanned the crowd.
"We should be sure to call a meeting with my father and Bato before they leave," the waterbender whispered trying not to draw attention to their conversation.
"I'll talk to Akio and arrange something for the morning," his lips against the shell of her ear. The Fire Lord was aware of the Northern Chieftain's eyes on them. "Don't look but Arnook is watching us. I think we should give him a show."
His waterbender's sapphire eyes fluttered closed and a content smile crossed her face. She could feel her husband's lips leaving whispering kisses down her ear to her throat. One of her hands snaked up and held the back of his head pulling him closer, the other fisting into the lapel of his formal robes. The Fire Lady turned so her nose bumped his, and her mouth sought his. Zuko understanding what she wanted, crushed his lips to hers.
A throat clearing pulled the couple apart.
"You seem to be attracting a crowd, nephew," the Dragon of the West chuckled. His new bride on his arm.
"I can't seem to help myself, Uncle," Zuko smirked at the blush that covered his wife's cheeks. His arm dropped around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. She pushed her face into his chest briefly before turning back to the old general and bounty hunter.
Katara, ever the diplomat, was eager to change the subject. "Are you and Jun enjoying yourselves?"
"We are," the bounty hunter replied with a beaming smile. "I'll be sad to leave tomorrow morning."
"I wish you would stay longer, Uncle," the Fire Lord pleaded with the old general. "With everything going on, it would be helpful to have your experience."
"Nephew, you are doing an extraordinary job and I'm only a game away," Iroh flipped a pai sho tile in his hand. "Besides, my wife is owed a honeymoon. I promised her we would spend a few days of romantic scenery before we return to Ba Sing Se."
"We understand," the waterbender smiled at the couple. "You both are always welcome in Caldera."
The Fire Nation royal couple spoke to the newlyweds a little longer before moving to entertain the rest of their guests.
He was off to one side of the room speaking with Mai and Ty Lee. But his eyes kept being drawn to what looked like a heated conversation in a dark corner. There was something about the two men that made him pause.
In a dark corner, one leader fought with his subordinate.
"You told me that you intercepted the ships," he accused softly. He didn't want to bring attention to himself.
"They had been," the warrior whispered. His eyes scanned the ballroom. "And they weren't going to make it, but something happened after the Fire Lord visited."
"The plan was for you to overtake the ships, disrupt the cargo, and force them to come to us!"
"We are doing everything we can, but we can only disrupt certain ships to avoid suspicion," he replied in frustration. His men and he had done as much as they could but it still wasn't working.
"Well, you need to do more! And soon, they need to come to us before she has a baby," he hissed eyes narrowed. "You have one more year, if they don't come to us in that time I'll have your head."
The two men dispersed quickly, believing they had gone undetected. Neither were aware of the gold eyes that had been observing them from afar.
How are we all feeling? I know we jumped some time.
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See you on December 5th, 2022!