Thank you for all the reviews people! I really appreciate it.
Without further ado: Chapter two!
Hey that rhymed…
By the way, I don't own Avatar. But I do own A jar of mayo! Yay Mayo!
Katara: Yay Mayo!
Zuko:...
Katara: C'mon, Zuko. You lost the bet!
Zuko: Yay...mayo...
Chapter Two: The Best Out of the REALLY Bad Options
Katara blinked.
And then to Sokka's chagrin, exploded.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY WIFE? YOU MEAN I HAVE TO MARRY ZUKO IN ORDER TO HELP AANG? CAN'T YOU BE A BIT MORE CREATIVE SO I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT THE REST OF MY LIFE?"
The Archer took an involuntary step backward. Sure, she had faced Earth Benders of great malice, horned lions, and spiked-tailed lizards, but there was nothing worse then a pissed off woman. Especially one that was yelling. It was frustrating, too. The end of the world was coming, and these two were acting like children! No wonder they lost the Avatar!
Sokka, unfortunately, took over. "Katara, think about it. If you're close to Zuko then you'll be in the inner palace. You can eavesdrop on future battle plans and…"
"Oh, so you're saying I should marry Zuko, too?"
"No I never…"
"FINE!"
"But I…" Sokka started, but it was useless. Katara was gone; storming off into the wood in a huff like it was the end of the world. Which, in some morbid sense, it pretty much was.
"Will she be alright?" The Archer asked finally.
"I think so," Sokka said. "But she doesn't really have to marry Zuko, does she?"
The Yu Yan shook her head. "No, not necessarily. I mean, I doubt Zuko would even choose her…not that there's anything wrong with your sister, of course. She's just not Zuko's type."
Sokka grinned disbelievingly. "Zuko has a type?"
"You'd be surprised."
"Maybe. I'm Sokka, by the way."
The Archer bowed, balling her hand up and putting it in the palm of the other. "I am Aya. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Sokka felt uncomfortable being given such a sophisticated greeting, but the moment suddenly when Aya jerked out of her bow and looked to the trees. Sokka had heard it, too.
Someone was spying.
Katara stomped her way to a brook. There she sat down and fumed, dowsing her face in the cold water, and wondering what else could possibly go wrong.
She wanted to help Aang. There wasn't anything Katara wouldn't do for Aang but…The thought of being Zuko's wife, having to pretend she was something she wasn't for the rest of her life…It wasn't what Aang would want, and wasn't we she wanted.
"I don't have to do this," Katara said out loud. "There must be another way."
Then a voice came. "I wish there were, child." Katara's head snapped up. Standing in the water, with then ends of his robes beneath it, was Avatar Roku, looking down at Katara with a mix of amusement, and sympathy.
"Roku…" Katara started, but the sage spirit held his hand in submission.
"Katara, I have come on behalf of Aang," he said. "And of the world."
"Avatar, is there any other way I can help Aang?"
Roku smiled sadly. "If there were, it would have been provided, Katara. I am truly sorry." The girl looked truly torn so he added, "But perhaps the shadows are not as large if only we walked towards them, and turn around at the end of the road and see the light is as bright as ever."
Katara scowled, clutching her necklace. "I can barely stand to look at his face. He used the only thing I had left of my mother's as a bribery tool. I cannot forgive him for that."
"Perhaps the essence our judgment considers is merely a fabrication to cover a deeper wound. Human nature is never certain, Katara. You must trust your heart."
Katara looked up, but Roku was gone, and hardly a breath's moment after Sokka and the Archer were running up behind her.
"Katara, we have to leave," Sokka said, urgently. "Someone has seen Aya's ship, and they think she's spying for the Fire Nation. It's only a matter of time before they found the person who was spying on us, we have to go!"
"Who's Aya?" Katara asked.
Sokka pointed at The Yu Yan. "She is! And we have to go, now!"
Despite the threat, Katara hesitated.
If she did not go with Aya and Sokka, what could she do? Would she be able to help Aang, or make herself another problem by being caught? But if she did go, there was a real chance of saving Aang…of saving the world. Even if it did mean having to marry Zuko.
Truly, it was the best out of the bad options.
"What say you, Katara of the Water Tribe?" Aya asked.
Sokka begged. "Please, Katara. Think of Aang. Think of the world."
Katara rose. "Let's go save Aang." Sokka nodded, and the trio made their way out of the clearing. Katara gave a fleeting glimpse at the brook, and for a small second, saw Roku smiling gently at her.
Then he was gone, and Katara found herself running through the brush towards a very bleak destiny.