Yay! I got a letter from Harvard today. Okay, it really wasn't anything much. On my ACT test there's a section that you fill out saying what colleges you're intersted in and they send your results to said college(s). So I marked Harvard, Oxford, and Queen Marie's University for laughs. The letter was just some stupid thing inviting me to an open house if I'm really intersted in attending there. Pssh, as if! Well, I started working once more today. I don't really know for sure if I'll be able to update at my current pace for much longer. The only reason this chapter is so long is because I wrote most of it yesterday. Woo hoo! I just punched out Osama!

Athenera: Well, at least you aren't slapping me anymore. I actually got the handfasting idea from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. It's the best book series ever even though the books are uber long. You should go out and check one out today! If you like steamy romances with hot guys in kilts, it's just the book for you.

Starchic: Thank you! Thank you! (accepts 'Best Chapter Ever' award and blows kisses)

Angelthread: Aw, thankyou.

Plutobaby494: I was afraid the 'Iroh walking in on them' would be cliche-ish. I'm glad you liked it!

Lovergal1227: Just like a baby bunny.

Zukoscute2: Calm down. It's fiction. Zuko is still on the market in real life ;-)

darklight4ever: I'm confoosed. Did you like the chapter or hate it? (Don't worry, nothing will be held against you, I value criticism.)

Khazia: I'm glad you liked all of those quotes. I would love to hear about your dream! I'm just weird when it comes to dreams. I want to hear them all! I actually had one last night that I remembered for a while. It made me happy! But now I can't remember what it was. It's floated from my mind. Fly little dream! Fly and be freeeeeeee!

O-dragon: Hm, I didn't think the movie was too scary, but then again I grew up in a house where all my siblings are more than 8 years older than me and I've been watching freaky shows for as long as I can remember. I should let my mom know that other people thought it was scary, otherwise she'll hurt me and say that I lied to her or something. I'll tell Titan09 that someone besides me is interested in the story. I'm surethe titan'llbe happy to hear it.

Titan09: So far only one person has responded to my advertisement of your story and that person would like to read it as would I. I'll read your other HB story when I have the chance, time is just really constricted for me at this precise moment. Don't worry, I won't up the rating because there are some people who wouldn't be able to read my story if I did. What does Kawaii mean. I know there's a Hawaiian island called Kauai because I've been there, but what is this Kawaii? And just to let you know. My mind is more than intersting. IT'S CHAOTIC GOODNESS! Squeee!

xXFissshBonesssXx: Oh, I just don't know what to say! I'm blushing, really I am. I'm really glad you like this story so much and I really appreciate all of your comments. I lurv long reviews, they make me feel special (the good special. Not like, 'shpeshul' special). I hope that this chapter really does rock your world!

Okay, little note. I'm doing all of my advertising at the end of chapters so that people remember actually remember them. And for all you people who didn't like the 'intenseness' of the last chapter, don't worry, that's as bad as it gets. And for all you who are like "Oh yay! I love the steamy stuff!" I'm sorry. I just have too big of a plot to writemoreand a lot of people don't want me to change the rating, so there won't be more than a little fluff here and there from here on out. Another thing! I feel like such a dip. I gave Zuko the b-day August 28 because that's the day Dante Basco's (drool) b-day is and he does the voice for Zuko. But all of this is supposed to be happening in early spring, so just pretend I didn't mess up.

Katie woke up the next morning feeling very warm and comfortable. She opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was a perfectly rounded, bare pectoral. She lifted her head and glanced up at Zuko. He was wide-awake and he grinned at her evilly.

"Wow, last night really happened, didn't it?" She asked resting her face back on his chest. Zuko chuckled.

"Yes. Yes it did."

"And we're really married now?" She asked lifting up her right hand to see the deep cut.

"For 365 more days, yes." She frowned at the cut slightly.

"That happened really fast."

"Are you having second thoughts?" Zuko asked concernedly.

"No, I guess I'm just kinda surprised." She propped herself up on one elbow and glared at Zuko. "You're a sly fox, did you know that?"

"I thought I was Junious Something-or-another." He said grinning. Katie laughed and kissed him.

"Yeah well, all hail Caeser." She laid back down beside him and pulled her blanket up around her chest. "So how did you know that ritual? You haven't been temporarily married before, have you?"

"Actually, I have." He said running his fingertips over her bare shoulder.

"WHAT?"

"It was when I was seven." He said chuckling. "There was a little playmate that I had when I was growing up at the palace. We decided to get married one day."

"And you sliced your hand and everything?" Katie asked taken aback.

"No, we were too scared to do that. So we just picked a couple of scabs and pressed them together." Zuko said. "I remember we would go behind the stables and roll around in the straw. We thought we were being so bad." Katie giggled at the thought of seven-year-old Zuko. "But then Zula saw us kissing one day and told my father. He wasn't too happy at the thought of me falling for a commoner, even if I was just a child. So he sent me to stay with my aunt Shinja for the summer and he relocated my little friend."

"Did you ever get to see her again?"

"Yes, actually. Last year I saw her at a small Earth Kingdom town. She's married to a cobbler now and they have a small child."

"Wow, she married young."

"She was fifteen. It's common to get married at that age." Zuko said.

"Not where I come from. I really didn't expect to get married for another ten years."

"But by that age your childbearing days would be coming to an end!"

"Um, no. Childbearing days last until a woman is about forty." Katie said. She hoped he dropped the subject about having children. Their marriage had gone by quickly enough, she didn't want to think about being a mom. She looked at her hand once more. The cut was deep and red. But the heat from the blade had mostly cauterized it. "Wow, that just happened so fast." Zuko began to reply when the doorknob across the room began jiggling. Luckily the door was locked, so the intruder knocked lightly instead.

"Prince Zuko?" Iroh's voice called from the other side.

"Yes uncle?"

"The avatar has landed on a nearby island. I wonder if you would mind having a council meeting to decide our next cause of action?"

"Alright, I'm coming." Zuko threw the blankets off of himself and walked around the room trying to gather his clothes. Katie grinned evilly as she watched the muscles of his body move gracefully beneath his skin. After he had pulled on his pants and boots, he leaned down and kissed Katie before joining his uncle. "I love you." He muttered.

"I love you too." Katie said, watching the door close.

Iroh was waiting for Zuko outside his room. He couldn't help but smile when he saw how relaxed his nephew was. Zuko pulled his shirt over his head and they walked for a ways in silence.

"So…?"

"So what?" Zuko asked tying his hair up.

"So how did you…sleep?"

"I don't think that's really any of your business uncle." Zuko said trying to hide a grin.

"Oh really?" The silence between them was heavy, grudgingly Zuko held out his left hand for his uncle to see the cut. Iroh let out a whoop of triumph. "That's twenty for me!"

"You were betting on us?" Zuko asked angrily.

"It wasn't a bet, it was an investment." Iroh said opening the door to the mess hall. Inside were the lieutenant, the helmsman and a few other officers. They all looked at Iroh expectantly. Iroh grabbed Zuko's hand and held it up for everyone to see. Two men let out cheers and the other three plunged their hands into their pockets to find the money owed. Lieutenant Ji walked up and gave Zuko a hearty thump on the back.

"It's about time prince Zuko, we were beginning to wonder about your preferences." He said, and laughter erupted behind them. Zuko shoved away his hand and tried to glare at them all, but couldn't keep the smile from his face.

"Are we going to have a council meeting or not? Because I have better things to do." More laughter and catcalls erupted at this statement. They finally settled down enough to sit on the cushions around the table and discuss the issues at hand.

"The avatar was spotted last night around at around ten o'clock. We've been able to keep him within sight and he's landed on the Eucalyptus islands. There's a reasonably sized city on the North side that we can make port in." Ji said indicating everything on a map on the table. He glanced up at the prince for his approval. The prince was frowning slightly.

"Lieutenant? Do you have family?"

"Um…Yes sir. I have a wife and three children." Zuko's frown deepened. He turned to the four other men besides his uncle.

"What about the rest of you? Do you have family as well?" They all nodded slowly.

"Well then. My orders are to be obeyed to a T. I want you to steer the ship for this port. The ship will be restocked and I will give a month's leave of action for the entire crew to travel back to the Firenation and see your families." The prince said standing up and began to leave the room.

"Sir, are you certain?" Ji asked, apprehensive to believe his ears.

"Yes, I'm more certain about this than anything right now. My uncle will go with you to make sure everyone returns to the ship at the end of the month. I will stay on the island with my wife until then." Zuko left the room. He really liked the sound of the words 'my wife'.

News spread fast on the navy ship. By the time she left the bedroom, Katie was the only one aboard that didn't know about prince Zuko's orders. But by the laughing and cheering that greeted her she knew something was up. One soldier even wrapped her in a bone breaking hug and called her an 'Angel of mercy'. She managed to find Zuko on deck and went to stand beside him.

"Did I miss something?"

"Have you ever heard of the Eucalyptus islands, Katie? I've only been there once but it's one of the most beautiful tropical islands in the world." Zuko said wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close.

"Zuko, what's going on?" Katie asked apprehensively. Zuko grinned at her.

"It's a perfect place to spend a honeymoon."

"A honeymoon you say?" Katie asked, her interest peaked. "On a tropical island? Tell me more." She wrapped her arms around his waist as he told her what had happened during the council meeting.

"Zuko! That's wonderful!" Katie cried. She knew that the separation from their families for two years had to be unbearable for the soldiers. "But what are we supposed to do for a month?"

"I'm sure I could think of something." Zuko said giving a mischievous grin. Katie laughed and shoved him away playfully. Zuko grabbed her hands and pulled her back against his chest. "That there is going to be our home for the next month." He said pointing to a lush green island that loomed from the ocean half a mile away.

"Oh wow."

"Come on. We'll be docking in an hour. We should get our things rounded up."

"You're my husband!" Katie said unbelievably halfway through packing.

"I know." Zuko said counting out the gold and silver they would need from his personal safe.

"It's just so weird to think about." Katie said folding a pair of Zuko's pants.

"Well it's not like our life is going to be that much different from how it was. You've been dictating my life for the last two months." He ducked out of the way as a boot came hurtling at his head.

Katie hugged Iroh tightly as they stood on the dock. She was surprised at how find she had grown of the old man.

"I'll see you in a month's time." He said softly.

"I'm gonna miss you Iroh."

"You'll be too busy to miss me." He said with a chuckle. "And from now on, just call me uncle."

"Thank you Uncle." Katie said, smiling.

"Now," he said turning to Zuko and shaking his hand firmly, "I expect a grand niece or nephew to be in the oven by the time I come back."

"UNCLE!" Zuko cried.

"I'm just kidding prince Zuko." He laughed and pulled his nephew into a fatherly hug. "Try to get him to lighten up." He said in an undertone to Katie.

"The ship has been completely restocked sir." A soldier said walking up and giving a smart salute.

"Very good." Zuko said. "Now, get all of the men onboard and shove out." The soldier saluted again and dashed off with a smile on his face.

"Don't forget to come back for us uncle." Zuko said placing a hand on Iroh's shoulder.

"Of course not nephew. I will see you in a month."

"See ya." Katie said, throwing her bag over one shoulder and stepping away so the ship could shove off. The two stood on the dock and waved goodbye to the ship as it shrank into the distance.

"Now," Zuko said reaching out and grabbing her hand. "Let's find us a place to stay." A merchant pointed them in the direction of the inns around the city. After snubbing several questionable places, they found something that looked just like a seven dwarves cottage. The owner was a kind, grandmotherly woman named Ina (that's actually my gramma's name) that was very easily excited. She nearly busted at the seams when they told her they were newlyweds.

"Oh, I must get a decent party up and going for you tonight. My other patrons will be absolutely thrilled to hear your news!" She took them up to their room. It wasn't luxurious by any means. But it was comfortable and very clean. Zuko dropped his bag just outside the door and swept Katie up off her feet before she could step inside the room. Katie tried to kick and squirm out of his arms, laughing her head off the whole time.

"Will you relax? I'm trying to carry you across the threshold." Zuko said, making sure he bonked her head on the doorframe. Zuko dropped her unceremoniously on the bed and climbed on after her giving her an urgent kiss.

"I'll just come up for you when dinner is ready, shall I?" Ina asked placing the dropped bag against the wall.

"That'll be fine, thanks." Zuko pulled himself away from the kiss long enough to say. Ina chuckled and shut the door behind her.

Katie hummed softly to herself as she unpacked their things later that day. She opened up an armoire to hang up a shirt when she caught a glimpse of herself in the full length mirror.

"Oh happy day, I think I've lost some weight in the last couple of months." She said twisting to get a good look at herself.

"You didn't have any weight to lose." Zuko said from the bed.

"You're only saying that because I'll hurt you otherwise." Katie said as she inspected herself. Her hair had grown at least three inches in the last two months and would no longer stand on end. Katie didn't dare try to keep her hairstyle as it used to be with the primitive scissors she had managed to find. She had been keeping her bangs under control however and they fell halfway over her eyes as always. The scar on her face from Zhou's ring stood out violently, but she was glad to see it wasn't disfiguring. The scar on her arm, however, was big and nasty. She let out a sigh and put the rest of the clothes away. There was a light knock on the door and they heard Ina's squeaky voice call them down to dinner.

A loud cheer erupted from the dining room when the two came down. The dining table was lined with food and bottles of wine. Katie was immediately pulled one way by a gaggle of women, all of which were over the age of 25, while Zuko was pulled the other way by a bunch of chortling men.

"You can have one drink Zuko. Only one!" She called over her shoulder. "And I'll be keeping an eye on you!"

Katie had never blushed more in her life than when she was around these women. They marveled at her waistline and long fingernails, then began giggling and making comments about their husbands and other things that Katie dare not repeat.

"So, when are you planning on having children my dear?" One woman asked.

"Um, probably not for a while. We haven't really even talked much about our future yet."

"Well, are you taking any precautions then?" Another woman asked.

"Uh, I don't really know of any." Katie said feeling like an idiot. This started a whole new flood of conversation that brought unsightly images to Katie's mind.

When they got back to their room, Katie wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck and collapsed in his arms. She tilted her face up to kiss him when she smelled alcohol on his breath.

"How much did you drink tonight" she asked suspiciously.

"Don't worry, I only had one glass all night." He said kissing her. "But it's not my fault they kept refilling it."

"Zuko!" Katie said angrily, pulling away.

"Relax. I have a very high resistance. I don't even feel a thing." Katie glared at him. "You weren't there. Do you have any idea what pressure I was under?"

"That's no excuse. You're sleeping on the floor." Katie said turning her back on him. Zuko pounced.

Eh, it just kinda ended, I know. I just didn't know what else to write and it was already taking up 7 Word Document pages. I figured that's long enough to last you bloodsuckers the rest of the day.

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Remember to read O-dragon's One night, and Katara183's Water bender in the Earth kingdom. And please let me know how may of you would be intersted in reading a story by Titan09 about Liz Sherman from Hellboy traveling to different universes, including the avatar-verse. I know I can't wait to read it!

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