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Chapter 3
Heading to the Fire Nation and the Ball
Disclaimer: Why won't Avatar have auctions for Momo? I WANT MOMO! I WANT A LEMUR!
Katara walked down from the village to the harbour with her soldiers as they boarded onto their water tribe ship and left the harbour as the people from the village waved until their faded in the distance.
Katara rested herself on the bow of the boat as she heard three guys laughing, "Hey want to race?"
"You're on!" laughed the others as a child shouted, "GO DADDY!"
Katara gave the child a weak smile as she sighed heavily as she looked into the sky that was still slightly pale.
She watched three waterbenders race as everyone cheered as she sat down and watched a child cheer for it's dad as the kid was held by its mother as its mother cheered with the others.
Katara sat back and imagined her and Haroka racing each other…
"Katara?"
Katara broke her daze with the water and looked at another close friend, Luke as she sighed and looked over at Luke and looked back at the water and muttered, "Hi Luke."
"Hey, do you want to race me? How about some fun than sitting here like a slouch?" he joked.
"No thanks." She replied softly as she walked away from Luke as he followed her and stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder and began, "I know you are upset about Haroka, I was a close friend too, but…is that an engagement necklace?" he suddenly asked.
Katara took it off and nodded as she held it and burst into tears, "Haroka told Lira to give me this; he was going to ask me for my hand in marriage…I would've said yes, but that damn attack just had to come!" and was embraced by her friend as he hugged her to comfort her and whispered, "I knew he was going to ask you to marry him, but he told me to keep quiet about it, he wanted to make it a special surprise."
"I know…" she cried as she buried her face in Luke's parka as he continued to hug her to comfort her and whispered, "But he'll never leave our hearts Katara, somewhere in the spirit world, he is happy that you are safe."
Katara looked at Luke and asked sarcastically, "When did you start communicating with spirits?"
"Never have." He replied as he put on hand on the back of his head and laughed and asked, "So how about a good race?"
"Alright." she replied as the two of them jumped off the ship and starting catching up with the others that were racing each other.
The kids and women cheered for Katara as they bounced up and down as Katara shot icicles at the others making them tip over and have to gain their balance as Luke smirked and shot a iceball at her as she caught it and smirked back at him and made it bigger and shot it at him as he made a wall and avoided it.
They raced for the rest of the day and found themselves at the Fire Nation by sun set.
"Princess Azula."
"Yes?"
"The Water Tribe guests have arrived at the harbour."
"WHAT! Already! Everyone get the guest rooms prepared quickly they'll be here soon, oh will someone start getting the ball room prepared for tomorrow night?"
People scurried everywhere as Azula groaned and slouched on her throne and saw her brother come in and smirked, "So you weren't organized as you thought you'll be, uncle is supervising the ball work, I just finished checking the gardens."
Azula groaned as she rubbed her forehead as Zuko continued, "Azula, you haven't slept at all night last night, here; you go and rest while I-"
"I can't go and have a nap! The Water Tribe guests are here."
Zuko sighed and asked, "And you like a disaster, you need to get changed."
Azula nodded as she hurried past Zuko as a servant ran up to him and asked, "Where do we bring the guests first Prince Zuko?"
"Bring them to the Royal Court Gardens, it would be a polite thing to do, and tell them Lady Azula and I will be with them in a moment."
The servant nodded as she hurried out with the other servants.
Zuko rushed to his sister's room and knocked on the door and called, "Azula, the guests are here, they'll be waiting in the Royal Gardens."
"I'll be out there in a moment…" Azula opened the door as Zuko began, "Come on, oh your crown…"
Adjusting the crown to be straight not crooked he smiled at his sister, "There now you look like a leader."
Azula hugged her brother as they hurried out and went into the gardens and saw the Water Tribe tiny army and walked over to their guests and began, "Welcome to the Fire Nation; I am pleased that most of you managed to make it."
Katara didn't change her furrowed eyebrows at the two siblings as Azula began, "Please, follow my servants to your rooms, as for the children we have fun activities for them."
Most of the Water Tribe followed the servants until Azula called, "May I speak to the commanders please?"
Katara motioned Luke over as she kept her scowl face as Azula began, "I hear that you two led the army-"
"Actually there was three, until your damn army killed him!" scowled Katara angrily as Luke put a hand on her shoulder to calm her and began, "You happened to kill our third general."
Zuko looked at his sister as she looked over at him and nodded and began, "I suppose this isn't the best time to discuss this, perhaps we can get together tomorrow morning here? Sounds good."
"Yes, that would be much better Lady Azula." Nodded Luke as he led Katara away as she out raged at him as he struggled to calm her down.
Zuko looked over at his sister and led her away and began, "I think we killed someone that she was very close to…"
Azula nodded as they headed inside as Iroh came out from the ball room and began, "Ah, so the Water Tribe people finally made it."
"Yes, but one of them aren't too pleased."
"Who is that?"
"Their commander, Katara." Replied Zuko as Iroh gasped and looked over at Luke trying to calm down Katara.
"Perhaps we should ask a family that might've known who was killed." suggested Iroh.
The siblings nodded as Zuko began, "Uncle, I would suggest you do that, you dealt with these situations before."
Iroh nodded and walked off with his hands tucked in his sleeves as Azula exclaimed happily, "FINALLY I CAN GO TO BED!"
"I'll take care of everything for the rest of the night, you go and rest." Nodded Zuko as he pushed his sister to her room and waved her off and walked down the halls and saw two children wandering around and saw him and hid behind the other as he walked up to the two children and knelt down to their level and asked, "Were you two wandering around and got lost?"
The children nodded as he gave them a weak smile and continued, "Well then, let me help you find your parents."
The children nodded eagerly as he led the children towards where the Water Tribe guests stayed and asked, "Do you two have any idea why Katara, your commander for the battle was very upset about coming here?"
"I heard it had to do with the other commander Haroka."
"Who is he?"
"Katara's future husband, he was going to ask her for her hand in marriage that night, and he never got to because he was killed, they were friends for a long time I heard. He was nice, really nice, he and Katara were really good friends. He gave the engagement necklace to her best friend, Lira a healer and told her to tell Katara that he wanted to marry her and that he loved her."
"Where did you get all of these information Tee?"
The kid shrugged, "My mom was talking to Haroka's mom, Sam."
Zuko looked at the two children and nodded, "Thank you for the information, I'll be sure to inform that to my sister so she understands why Katara was out raging before."
"Yeah, Katara has quite a tempter; you should see her wipe out some boys when they flirt too much with her."
"Was Haroka her boyfriend?"
"No, close, very close friends though." replied Tee.
Zuko nodded and asked, "Is that your parents over there?"
"MOM!" cried the children as they ran up to their moms and the women smiled as they saw their children a picked them up as Zuko left.
Iroh saw a woman and a child sitting by the bench by guest's garden and walked over and greeted them, "Good evening, was this lad in the battle?"
"No." the woman whispered as she burst into tears as the child whispered, "My brother was, he died, we came along with Katara to support her."
"Oh, I am terribly sorry, I am sure your son was brave."
"He was." Nodded the mother as she cried as Iroh sighed heavily, "I know how it feels, I lost my son Lu Ten, and my wife. They both died."
The woman looked up and whispered, "My husband died, Haroka died from a flying catapult attack."
"I am terribly sorry m'am, so I suppose you know why Commander Katara was depress coming here?"
The woman nodded as the kid began, "My brother was going to ask her if she wanted to marry him that night under the full moon, but then the Navy attacked and he never got the chance, but he got to give her the engagement necklace before he died, that is why she is so…soooo…"
"Angry? Depress?"
"Yes." nodded the child.
"Alright, well thank you for informing me about the death, I'll make sure my niece gets the information, that way she'll be calm about Katara out raging at her."
The child nodded as he and his mother thanked the retired general as they headed inside for bed as he walked towards the kitchen where Zuko waited and asked, "Where is your sister?"
"Getting some sleep, she is dead asleep right now, she needs her rest."
"Alright, I got some-"
"I know, me too, I got the same about Katara's depression."
"Well what are we going to do? How are we going to make her happy?"
"Dedicate the ball to Haroka?"
"Yes, that'll be a fine idea as long as Azula agrees."
Zuko nodded and headed out of the kitchen and looked back at his uncle and asked, "Aren't you going to have your tea?"
"No." the old Dragon of the West replied, "I will have enough honour to pray for Haroka, and I will speak Lu Ten to talk to him."
"Oh okay…uncle?"
"Yes?"
"How did you get in the spirit world anyways?"
"A dream, when you miss someone dearly, their spirits will communicate with you. But be thankful that you have good memories…like your mother."
"I don't even know if she is dead!" exclaimed Zuko.
"I would suggest you that the first thing you do when you get on to the throne is to send a search party through the Fire Nation and the Earth Nation, for some strange reason deserters go to the Earth Nation, strange eh?"
Zuko nodded as he headed towards his bed room and saw someone in the garden and walked over and asked, "What are you doing out here this late?"
The person didn't answer but turned to him as he received a scowl and furrowed eyebrows.
"I know about Haroka."
"What?"
"I know about your-"
"Shut up!"
"Excuse me?"
"I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE!" she stormed off and slammed her door behind her.
Zuko stared at her and scowled, "How rude…" and stormed off to his room.
Katara woke up late the next morning and got dress as she walked out and was greeted by Luke as he smirked, "Have a good sleep in?"
"No." she grumbled, "Lets get this over with."
Luke nodded as they headed to the garden and saw Prince Zuko, Lady Azula, and Iroh as they took a seat; Katara furrowed her eyebrows and demanded, "Now, what would you like to talk about?"
Azula was quiet and mumbled, "I am sorry."
"For what? Oh, about the damage you caused back at my tribe!" growled Katara as she snapped, "You do know how many deaths and injuries we had to deal with, and we didn't attack you or anything! What makes you want to attack us?"
"That is what I am sorry about Katara, I should've held back the raid-"
"Sorry isn't going to change the past Azula, you and I both know that well."
"Look Katara-"
"Listen Azula, I did not want to come, I only came to make sure you don't do anything to my people."
"Katara let me speak-"
"What do you have to say Azula? Some other excuse?"
"No, it's about him."
"Who Luke?"
"No, the commander that died."
"Don't even mention him." threatened Katara darkly as she stood up and was about to leave as Luke pulled her down and eyed her seriously as she sat down and crossed her arms across her chest as Iroh began softly, "We heard about Haroka."
"WHO DARES TO TALK ABOUT HAROKA!" yelled Katara angrily and ran off to hide her tears and left the palace grounds and headed into the village.
Azula sighed as Zuko groaned and Iroh looked into his tea cup as Luke began, "What have you heard about Haroka?"
"His death, someone Katara loved."
Zuko stared out into the garden until his sister snapped in front of his face, "Zuko? Are you even listening?"
"Yes."
"Well anyways; because she would've accepted his hand in marriage, they would've been getting married. Talking about Haroka around her won't do the best for her."
"We are well aware about that." muttered Zuko, "I saw someone get hit in the battle."
"You killed him?" outraged Luke getting to his feet.
Zuko looked back at Luke and kept his face cool and replied, "I did not kill him, and I said I saw someone get shot."
Luke took a seat and sighed as Zuko looked back into the garden wandering into his own thoughts.
"Well listen Commander Luke, I offer a great gift; we will dedicate this ball to him, and fill it with Water Tribe music; and have a painting hung-"
"A painting might be too much Azula." warned Zuko suddenly.
"Why would you think that?"
Zuko closed his eyes and replied, "Think about it Azula, those who were very touched with him wouldn't be pleased that another Nation is being pity to them-"
"I agree with Prince Zuko." interrupted Luke, "Especially Katara, and his mother and brother."
"I spoke to his mother and brother, they have a well known honour I believe in the Water Tribe is that so?"
"That is so; Haroka taught Katara some waterbending when they were younger, throw me in too so she'll be ready to face the Waterbending Master, Master Pasku who lives up North."
Iroh nodded and looked at Zuko and chuckled, "She sure improved from the last time we fought her."
"You fought her before?" asked Luke stupidly.
"Yeah, ever heard about her traveling with the Avatar? Yep, that kid; Aang had a crush on her till he figured out that she was in love with someone else back at her home; and fell in love with his Earthbending friend Toph. Her brother I heard got married and moved to Kyoshi Island is that so?"
"Yes that is so too. He got married two years ago." replied Luke.
"Well anyways, I fought her multiple of times, found her necklace; engagement I believe, why does she have two?"
"The first one she got was from her mother that died from a Fire Nation Raid, and her new one is from Haroka."
"Oh."
"Yeah, I highly suggest all of you not to mention Haroka or her mother around her."
The three Fire Nation royalties nodded as Azula replied, "You are dismissed, the ball will be at 7:00 tonight; please inform the others that for the children we are having a story teller and a puppet show about how the avatar wiped out…OW!" Azula glared at her brother as he shot her a look as she quickly added, "And my brother defeating my, I mean our father Ozai, very entertaining."
"Thank you Lady Azula." Bowed Luke as he left and Azula sighed and Iroh had a sly grin on his face and hissed, "Zuko has a crush on Katara!"
"I do not!" he scowled and hurried off.
Azula looked at his uncle and asked, "Why would you think that?"
"Don't ask, love is blind, if you can see your love, you aren't truly in love, if you can't see your love; you are truly in love-"
"Uncle what is with your proverbs?" asked Azula as she left.
"Why it's a habit for the fine former general known as the Dragon of the West." He grinned with glee.
Azula shook her head and ran after Zuko to have a quick Agni."
Katara walked around as she was tapped on the shoulder and squealed, "Lira!"
"Hi Katara, I was just at the palace and one of the servants said you went to the village; are you going to the ball tonight?"
Katara was quiet and replied, "No."
"Come on Katara, him," she paused, "Go for Haroka."
Katara hugged her friend as they walked into a dress shop and began, "Lets find the perfect dress that'll make everyone go WOW!"
Katara nodded as they looked through the dresses as Kira pulled one out and asked, "How about this one?"
"I don't-"
"Find a few more, then we'll try them on." She squealed as she began searching for more.
Katara shook her head as she tapped her fingers on each dress and picked one out and noticed Lira with a hand full and gasped, "You expect me to try on all…WHOA!"
Lira dragged her to the changing rooms and tossed her the dresses and waited outside as Katara tried on a green one and came out and shook her head, "Hell no."
Green dress with fancy layers…no!
Lira passed her a blue dress as she tried it on and grinned as she came out and Lira gasped, "Katara you look…too perfect for words!"
Katara wore a trailing long blue silky dress; very wavy…
Katara gasped at the prince and groaned, "Too expensive!"
"Try on this one." began a woman as she handed Katara the dress as Katara looked at her and nodded, "Okay."
The woman waited with Lira as they waited for Katara to come out.
As she came out the costumers and the shop workers stared at Katara as Lira gasped, "Katara, you look so…"
"Beautiful…" whispered the woman.
"More than that, her mother." Added Lira.
The woman looked at Lira and nodded as she walked over to the shop owner and muttered something as Katara looked into the mirror and admired the white gown that showed off her slender body, as it reached her ankles with fine silks. Looking at the price she gasped, "10 000 gold pieces! This dress is only for nobles to afford."
Getting changed Lira watched the woman who gave Katara the dress pull over her hook and walked out the shop and furrowed her eyebrows and looked over at Katara and began, "Come on, we have to find you a new dress."
The shop owner's head shot up and gasped, "No, no, no, the woman just paid for the dress for you."
Katara and Lira exchanged glances as they walked out of the shop with their dresses and Lira thought aloud, "That was very generous of that woman to pay for you Katara, I wish we knew who she was to thank her."
"Who knows we might see her at the ball."
Katara nodded as they went off to the slippers shop.
Zuko walked through his garden, he just finished training hard, looking across the garden he saw Katara and another girl as they talked as they entered the palace as he silently followed and heard the other girl say, "Katara, don't worry…remember do it for Haroka, he wouldn't want you to miss the ball, besides maybe you might grab some hot boys attention."
Katara didn't laugh with her friend as she snapped, "I think I grab too much attention to the boys; I think that even-"
"Even more boys are going to ask you to dance tonight you know that Katara eh?" added Lira.
Katara glared at her friend and scowled, "That isn't helping me Lira!"
"But I think you should know something Katara."
"What is that?"
"Luke has a major crush on you."
"What?" she gasped as they walked towards their rooms as Zuko walked off and came across Haroka as they nodded at each other and walked in their separate directions.
Zuko was about to go into his room as he spotted Azula talking to Iroh and walked over to them as he asked, "What's going on?"
"Uncle is still trying to get me to have tea with him!"
Zuko sighed and looked at his uncle and asked, "Uncle don't you have supervision to do right now?"
"OH YES!" Iroh hurried off as he quickly hurried into the ball room.
Azula sighed and grinned, "Thanks, I would've had to drink tea by now if you haven't come for the rescue!"
Zuko sighed as Azula asked excitedly, "So are you going to the ball?"
"No."
"What! Are you serious?" she exclaimed as she asked, "Why?"
"I don't want to go."
"Why?"
"Do you always have to question everyone?" he sighed as he rolled his eyes and brushed past his sister as she called, "Well I want you to come!"
Zuko stopped and groaned and turned to his sister and asked, "If you stop bothering me, I'll come to the ball; does that make you happy now?"
"Very, now; I need help choosing out a dress, could you help me?"
"Didn't I just asked you to give me a break?"
"Yeah, but I really need your help, I'll help you after we get me a dress good?"
"Fine, but that's it, period; end of story; got the idea yet?"
"Clearly." She nodded as she dragged him into her room and grinned as she opened her closet and asked, "So what should I wear?"
Zuko picked one out and asked, "How about this one?" Azula grabbed it and hung it against herself and gasped, "Zuko, I didn't know that you were an expert with dresses, it's perfect."
"I learned by helping mom."
"Oh, well you certainly learnt a lot."
Zuko nodded as Azula called the servants and Zuko waited outside of the room and waited for her to come out and drag him to his room.
And guess what?
That what she exactly did.
"Come on Zuko, time to find you the perfect outfit!"
"WHOA!" he exclaimed as she dragged him into his room and opened his closet and asked, "How about this one?"
"NO!"
"To 'LORD OF THE WORLD' don't you find?" she asked and gave it to the maid and asked, "Could you get rid of it, I want it out of my sight."
The maid nodded as she ran to get rid of the 'WORLD DOMINATION' looking suite as Azula pulled another out and asked," How about this one?"
"No, too…"
"Lame?"
"Yes."
"Then this will be."
"My amour?"
"Yes, you look rather handsome with it on, but this is not a battle amour as you can tell easily."
"Duah, it is quiet obvious!"
Zuko pushed his sister out as he got changed into his special amour as he walked out and followed his sister who snapped open her fan as the two of them walked into the ball room and looked around and nodded, "It's ready."
It was an hour till the ball starts as Lira and Katara helped each other as Lira fixed Katara's waist band and asked, "Katara won't you let your hair down?"
"But-"
"Don't worry." Lira held out a blue sapphire hair pin and grinned, "Let me do the hair will ya?"
Katara took out her braid as Lira finished tying the waist band and helped her fix up the dress until Lira began, "Katara, you can't wear two necklaces, wear your mother's she gave you it for a reason."
Doing her final adjustment to tighten Katara's strapless white flowing dress; Katara put away Haroka's gift and put it into her parka's pocket and sat down on a chair as Lira made her a new hair style and took Katara's two longest bangs and braided them and made a braided crown and connected the braid crown into a single braid over her loose hair and slipped in the two sapphire pins to told the crown braid in place.
Katara looked at her friend and smiled, "You did a great job." and added, "Now your turn!"
Katara finished helping her friend as they snapped open their fans they walked out and headed towards the ball room and saw a line up with all of the nobles of the Fire Nation, or Azula or Zuko's good friends…
Someone tapped Katara on the shoulder as she gasped, "Aang! Toph! What are you guys doing here?"
"Came to the party of course!" laughed Aang using his cheapish grins.
Toph shook her head as she grins, "So Katara, how have your days been lately?"
"Uh…"
Lira covered in for Katara, "Good times…good times…hey look they are letting us in."
"Okay; see you inside, come on Toph!" Toph giggled as Aang pulled her through the crowd.
Katara and Lira walked in as the water tribe music began and people stood up as Iroh, Lady Azula and Prince Zuko walked in and did a quick welcoming as Azula began, "Tonight, we have brought our special guests; the Water Tribe. Please welcome the Water Tribe with honour!"
There was an applause as Azula began again, "We are dedicating this ball to a brave warrior known as Haroka of the Water Tribe, a brave man that took down and led his army to take down our ships. He couldn't make it tonight because of his death. But tonight; we'll remember that young man with honour and pray for his blessing and donate our honour to the Water Tribe tonight, let the ceremony begin!"
"The crowd cheered as the Water Tribe music began as Lira and Katara took a seat at a table of two and Lira began, "Well Katara think about Haroka's death this way, he died with honour."
Katara nodded and replied, "I can't change the past, but I can change the future."
"Exactly."
"Katara?" Katara looked up and smiled at Luke as he continued, "Would you care to dance?"
"I would be honoured to." Replied Katara as she took his hand as he led her to the dance floor as Azula walked over to Lira and sat down and began, "I haven't seen your face before, were you the girl who came in today?"
"Yes, my name is Lira, Katara's best friend."
"Ah I see. I am glad you can make it Lira; do you have anyone to dance with?"
"No. You?"
"Nope, at least I am gladly stepping down from the throne as soon as Zuko gets married."
"You are stepping down?"
"Yeah, too much work; Zuko would be a better leader than me." She shrugged as she took a sip of her Dragon Breath drink and asked, "Want to try some, it taste like raspberry."
"Okay."
Lira took a cup as a waitress walking around with the cups filled with Dragon Breath and took a sip and looked at Azula, "Wow that has a blasting flavour, very tasty."
"My mother's recipe." Replied Azula as she added, "I bet you are wondering what happen to my mother eh?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"She disappeared, in other words she suddenly vanished after the death of my grandfather who was the Fire Lord then. Many believe she ran away."
"Oh. I am terribly sorry."
"It's okay, well as far as I know she should be alive."
"What did your mother look like?"
"Black long hair, golden eyes like Zuko's, her face similar to mine's; hmm…she was very generous."
'The woman back at the shop…' thought Lira…
Flash back…
"Try on this one." began a woman as she handed Katara the dress as Katara looked at her and nodded, "Okay."
The woman waited with Lira as they waited for Katara to come out.
As she came out the costumers and the shop workers stared at Katara as Lira gasped, "Katara, you look so…"
"Beautiful…" whispered the woman.
"More than that, her mother." Added Lira.
The woman looked at Lira and nodded as she walked over to the shop owner and muttered something…
End of Flash back.
Azula looked at Lira and asked, "Is there something wrong?"
"No, I was just thinking about something."
"Oh, oh hey Zuko; haven't you asked anyone to dance?"
Zuko pulled up a chair and scowled, "No, those noble girls are driving me nuts."
"What about Katara?" smirked Azula slyly.
Lira looked at Azula then at Zuko as he noticed Lira and held out his hand, "Prince Zuko and you are?"
"Lira, Katara's best friend." Replied Lira as she shook Zuko's hand.
"Well Zuko? Aren't you going to ask her to dance?" asked Azula more slyly.
"Why?"
"Just go, she doesn't seem to be enjoying herself." Replied Lira as she noticed Katara getting bored with Luke and Zuko sighed as he got to his feet and Azula asked, "How do you do that?"
"What?"
"Get him to dance with Katara."
"She doesn't look like she's having fun. She needs to switch." Shrugged Lira as Azula nodded and smirked, "Quick come with me, I got an idea!"
Lira followed Azula as they made their way to the musicians as Zuko approached Katara and Luke and coughed for their attention as they stopped and looked at Zuko as he bowed, "Would you care to dance?"
Katara accepted his hand as he led her to the middle of the floor and noticed Azula clapping for everyone's attention, "Alright, we are going to have a quick fun moment here everyone, we are going to play the Fire Blaze? Anyone heard of it? Of course not, it's a new thing; hit it!"
The music suddenly came to a quick beat as Zuko looked at his sister and mumbled, "Azula…"
"What was that?" asked Katara.
"Azula has something to do with this." He muttered and smirked, "Are you up to the challenge?"
"A little bit of action will seriously do!" she smirked as Zuko quickened the speed as they twirled in circles along with the others.
Luke sat at the side with a scowl on his face as he noticed how Katara was having fun with a challenge.
Lira noticed this and whispered to Azula as they glanced at Luke and back at Katara and Zuko.
Dancing in circles, Katara surprised herself by not getting dizzy and was surprised how she was enjoying herself dancing with Zuko. Don't ask her why, she had no idea.
As the music calmed down to a slow dance Luke was about to get up as Azula and Lira quickly ran up to him and began stalling, "Hey Luke so, you wanted to tell us something earlier right?"
"Excuse, I would like to ask-"
"Hey…"
The girls began stalling Luke as he groaned and never took his eyes off of Katara as she danced gracefully.
'Oh please, just because he is a prince doesn't mean that he can dance with Katara more than I!' thought Luke as he looked at the ladies and asked, "Lira then, would you care to dance?"
The girls didn't see that coming.
"Uh, why of course Luke." She replied as she took his hand as they danced closer to Katara and Zuko as Lira noticed this and redirected him the other direction as he hissed, 'Hey, why did you do that for?"
"Well I don't want us crashing into anyone do we?" replied Lira batting her eyelashes at him innocently.
Luke growled under his breath as he watched Katara spin.
"You are good for a beginner for this type of music." Zuko complimented as spun Katara as she blushed slightly and replied, "Thanks…" then quickly added with a faint blush, "You look beautiful tonight, how on earth did you afford it?"
"Some woman chose out this dress for me and bought it. She is probably a noble."
"How much was the dress?"
"10 000 gold pieces."
"What?" exclaimed Zuko quietly, "Only royalty could afford that! That woman probably some how a rich merchant I suppose?"
She caught something in the corner of her eyes and saw jealousy in Luke's eyes as he still haven't taken his eyes off of Katara as she whispered, "Oh god…"
"What?" asked Zuko as he noticed Luke and nodded, "Oh, I get it; he has a crush on you."
"Yeah." She muttered as he nodded and led her out of the dance floor and bowed, "It was an honour dancing with you."
"Yes it was an honour." Replied Katara as she bowed to Zuko and walked over to the table Azula was sitting at as Azula had a sly grin on her face, "Well-" her grin suddenly faded when she saw Luke coming over and began quickly, "Hey Katara, I wanted to show you something!"
"What? WHOA!" she exclaimed as Azula pulled her out of Luke's sight and saw Lira run over to them and gasped, "Luke was very jealous Katara, he wasn't pleased you were dancing with Prince Zuko."
"Well I hate to admit that dancing with Prince Zuko was much more amusing than Luke; Luke held my hand too tight, as if he doesn't want anyone taking me!"
"Well that is exactly it." Replied Lira, "I told you, since you know who is gone he wants you to himself."
Katara groaned as Azula pulled her behind a flower vase and whispered, "Look, just asking; do you have feelings for Luke?"
"No, he is my friend though."
"Well, uh…how will I ask you this…do you have feelings for Zuko?" asked Azula as she looked around.
"Uh…I guess sort of; I mean he was a better dancing partner than Luke that's for sure."
Azula nodded as they saw Zuko walking up to them and asked, "What are you three girls discussing over here? Luke is searching for you Katara."
"I don't want him to find me."
"Why is that?"
"He has feelings for me too much; I don't have any except that I accept him as a friend…ONLY!"
"Well if you don't want him to find you, leave the ball."
"What? Wouldn't that be dishonourable?"
"No, people leave whenever they like…" Zuko paused and looked over his shoulder, "He's coming, I'll see you all tomorrow; I am done for the night before a bunch of noble girls got nuts to try to dance with me!" Zuko hurried slightly to the exit as he saluted the guards as Lira and Azula dragged Katara with them as they left the ball and noticed Luke with a scowl on his face as Azula and Lira led Katara to her room and waved her good night as they walked off and Katara closed the door and got changed as she put away the dress and got changed into her night gown and heard a knock and opened the door and was greeted by Luke with a scowl on his face and asked, "Why did you spend more time with that bastard?"
"What?"
"You heard me Katara, why did you spend more time with him? Did he force you, did-"
"He didn't do anything Luke, what makes you think that?"
Luke looked around and asked, "Can I come in?"
"Uh, sure."
Luke walked in and began, "If he didn't force you, then why did you look like you were enjoying his company?"
"You mean Prince Zuko's company?"
"Yes."
"Because I was enjoying myself."
"Didn't you want to dance with me more than that bastard?"
"Well Luke the thing is-"
Luke cut her off, "Well did you want to dance with him more? He must've forced you other wise!"
"No Luke! I got carried away."
"Because you were enjoying yourself."
"Luke, of course I should be enjoying myself after recovering from a tragedy!" she exclaimed as she opened the door and ordered, "Out, we'll talk about this tomorrow morning, now will you give it a rest?"
Luke left as she heard a knock and scowled, "What do you want now Luke!"
"Uh…"
"Oh sorry; I thought you were Luke."
"No it's okay; I saw him storming to his room, and was muttering about something how I am a bastard."
"Yeah, he thinks he has a rival." Sighed Katara as she leaned on her door frame.
"Well anyways, what made him so angry anyways?"
"He thought you forced me to dance with you more."
Zuko nodded and replied, "He has a bunch of excuses of imagination."
Katara shook her head, "No, he is just jealous."
"Oh, that is surprising."
"Not really."
"Oh, well I should let you go now."
"Yeah, okay bye."
"Good night."
Zuko left as Katara closed the door and sighed heavily as she slipped into bed and fell asleep.
Disclaimer: OH BOY! LETS ALL CELEBRATE! NICE AND LONG, LONG, CHAPTER! WAHOO!