Forenote: Yes, I know. This is fast becoming the fic that will never end. It's haunting me. Anyway, a ninth chapter does sort of divide things up evenly. 3 chaps in Kyoshi, 3 in Omashu and 3 in the Southern Water Tribe or by it anyway.
Advisory: Also, just in case you did the imagination homework – just a slight change of plans – the wedding is now on a tropical island because Bumi's advisors wouldn't let him go onboard a (metal) ship, and I just gotta have Bumi at the wedding. (stupid technicalities)
- - -
Chapter Nine – The Ties that Bind
- - -
Katara removed one of her sandals and dug her bare left foot into the sand. Following their mother's example, Tui and Lan also took off their sandals and it wasn't long before they were chasing each other along the beach with Katara calling for them to be careful.
"I'll keep an eye on them," said Suki, smiling. Katara thanked her and the Kyoshin went off after the twins, leaving Katara and Sokka alone.
"Can't believe this is really going to happen," she heard Sokka say under his breath. She glanced at her brother; he was settling himself down in the combined shade of three coconut trees.
"I know what you mean," said Katara softly. She sat herself beside him and in silence, they watched as Suki and the twins play in the surf while at a distance behind them, Aang and Bumi were supervising teams of earthbenders finishing up a temporary villa for the upcoming wedding.
Hearing Aang's voice shouting about a column that almost tipped over, Katara shivered involuntarily. Noticing his sister's discomfort, Sokka once again complained about how Aang had traded Katara to Zuko for a ship.
As always these days, Katara found herself defending Aang's decision despite that she also had considerable reservations about being married off to the FireLord.
"This marriage is important to everyone, Sokka."
"I don't care. I know Zuko isn't bad guy, but this is too sudden, and I don't like the idea of you having to go live with him in the Fire Nation."
"… I know. It is difficult, but I'm sure I'll get used to it."
Sokka sighed, "Can't believe dad and Gran-gran actually agreed to this. Even Bato and Pakku."
Katara shrugged. "You saw the ship. It's too valuable for the tribes to refuse."
"We're just playing into the Fire Nation's hands," declared Sokka. "Sure, it's great now, but what if it starts leaking. We just don't have the technology to maintain iron-clad ships."
There was a pause before Katara answered, "Aang said that the firebenders agreed to teach us how to maintain it."
"Oh please. Once you're in the Fire Nation, Zuko and his firebenders don't have to keep their other promises. If that hunk of junk needs repairs, they'll probably just tell us to bring it to a dry dock somewhere in the Fire Nation."
"… Aang says we have to trust-"
"Trust!" Sokka stared at Katara with disbelief. "Just listen to yourself for even a second, Katara. We can't trust the firebenders. I don't care that Aang thinks they're one of the good guys now. He's the Avatar, but he's asking too much from us too soon. The Fire Nation brutalized everyone for over a hundred years, and he expects us to just be friends with them in less than even a tenth of how long the war went on. He's nuts!"
Katara couldn't reply to him and for a long while she and Sokka sat together in an uneasy silence with Katara feeling more and more miserable with every passing moment.
"I'm going with you," said Sokka suddenly. Katara stared at him.
"… What?"
He breathed out loudly and reaffirmed his previous statement, "I'm going with you to the Fire Nation so you better tell Aang to tell Zuko that I expect to be properly treated. I'm the brother of the FireLady after all. I want my own suite in the palace, and I want-" he broke off for his sister was hugging him fiercely.
"No way am I letting my little sister get into this mess all by herself," he said in a gruff voice, embracing Katara back.
"Sokka, thank you!" Then, Katara remembered something and pulled herself away so that she could look at him in the face. "But what about Suki?"
His blue eyes darkened momentarily but his expression remained certain. "I love Suki," he solemnly said to Katara, "but right now, you need me more. I'm sure she'll understand."
"What is the woman you love supposed to understand?" Both looked aside to see Suki and the twins watching them. Suki's face was expectant as Sokka stood up awkwardly; the twins scampering to their mother's side.
"Suki, I'm going with Katara to the Fire Nation," said Sokka slowly, sounding wary. He was startled when Suki moved closer to him and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"I think that's wonderful, Sokka," she told him with a tender smile on her face.
Hesitantly, Sokka asked her if she would wait for him and again was taken aback when she laughed softly and told him, "You idiot. I can go with you, you know."
"… You will? You will go with me, with us?"
"Yes," Suki answered simply, and Sokka's face lit up. Katara, with a smile, stood up and quietly herded her children away as her brother kissed Suki.
- - -
Delegates from all three nations arrived the next day, and Aang and Bumi were kept busy welcoming each and everyone of them. The villa constructed for the wedding was divided into three wings; the first wing to fill up was that for the Water Tribes, followed by the Fire Nation. The largest wing for the Earth Kingdom never reached full occupancy or even a third for most of the Earth Kingdom cities were still held sway by Jet's false rumors.
Despite the missing guests, the wedding ceremony would go on as schedule regardless that the last time the bride and groom saw and spoke with each other was about a month ago in Omashu.
- - -
"Can you believe they're now saying that I am in cahoots with the Fire Nation?" said Bumi darkly to Aang, Sokka and Suki as they waited outside in the terrace for the guests to come and settle in their seats.
Aang sighed softly. "I am sorry-"
His very old friend held out a hand. "No, don't apologize, Aang. I saw what happened to Zuko while he was a guest in my city during my birthday party. What Jet and his men did was not only unforgivable but treacherous. Omashu is my domain, and I can invite whoever I please, even it's FireLord Ozai. Zuko and his companion should have been safe in my city, and those fools who believe Jet were still in diapers or not even born when I was already monarch. There is no one in the entire Earth Kingdom more loyal than I. When I go back, I'll make certain Jet will never be able to show his face anywhere in the continent."
All three had looks of admiration on their faces when Bumi finished.
Sokka chuckled. "You know what? Now, I'm feeling sorry for Jet." Both Aang and Suki grinned while Bumi, after a momentary pause, cackled. When they settled down into silence, Suki asked if it was possible for Katara and Zuko to meet before the ceremony. Sokka seconded her request.
It was Aang, looking a touch guilty, who answered, "I've arranged with Kanna and Iroh for such a meeting, but it won't be for long. We're on a very tight schedule. Most of the Earth Kingdom delegates here can only stay for a few hours, some only to witness the ceremony. A few even said they have to leave within the hour, and at least one obnoxious ambassador told me he only came here to see the wedding flop," he ended on an irritated note.
Sokka complained, "What's wrong with them? I can't believe Jet has so much control over them."
Bumi shook his head slightly. "You shouldn't underestimate him. He has much more influence than you think. This was why I asked you all not to accuse him of almost killing the FireLord without proof. It would have turned out very badly. The word of an Earth Kingdom bounty-hunter turned Fire Nation Imperial Guard Commander would simply not have stood up against the word of a Hero of the People. She's seen as a traitor. Now, if Aang here had actually seen Jet or heard his voice. Maybe, we would have a chance, but even so- it will be difficult."
Suki frowned at this. "Why would it be difficult? He's the Avatar."
The King of Omashu made a wry smile. "Aang, why don't you tell them?"
"… Do I have to?"
"Well… if you won't tell them, I will." And Bumi proceeded to enlighten Sokka and Suki that their friend, the Avatar, had been garnering the reputation as a firebender-lover.
"That's ridiculous," said Suki immediately while Sokka remained silent, looking as though he wasn't surprised.
Aang turned embarrassed when Bumi nudged him, saying, "I told you to ease up on those 'Let's be friends with the Fire Nation' speeches."
"Bumi…"
"Don't worry too much, Aang. It's not entirely your fault. It's those rumors also."
Sokka blinked. "Rumors? About the ship?"
"No no," said Bumi, "these are old rumors. Been around for a long time. There are… some… who blame Aang's previous reincarnation, Avatar Roku, for the Hundred Years' War."
"How can they blame the Avatar for the war?" demanded Suki, insulted in Aang's behalf. Again, Sokka didn't look surprised while Aang looked pained.
Bumi shrugged. "There are some who believe that Avatar Roku should have prevented the war. That the war happened and that Avatar Roku was a firebender has led certain individuals to make up theories suggesting that perhaps Roku supported the war."
"Which isn't so," said Aang, his expression angry. "Roku did his best to help me stop FireLord Ozai, and if it weren't for his help, we wouldn't have found out about Ozai's plans to use Sozen's Comet to end the war once and for all. Not to mention, he helped me figure out who were the Moon and Ocean Spirits during Zhao's siege at the Northern Water Tribe."
"Yes, we know that, Aang," said Sokka thoughtfully, "but still… Roku was a firebender. Wouldn't he have known that FireLord Sozen was planning to take over the world?"
His temper breaking, Aang retorted, "The Avatar is the master of all four elements and is a bridge between this world and the Spirit World; that doesn't mean the Avatar can read minds and know everything that's going on everywhere!"
"Okay, okay. Calm down, Aang. I was just asking a question." But Aang didn't calm down, and Suki was now also furious with Sokka for questioning the motives of the Avatar.
Old Bumi, silently watching them argue, regretted bringing up the subject.
- - -
There was a nervous knot in Katara's stomach as her Gran-gran gave her a wordless reassurance and left the sitting room.
Dressed in the traditional wedding attire of her people which basically meant furs and a lot of it, Katara felt stifled in her garb and found herself wishing that the ceremony could be held someplace a lot cooler than a tropical island, at either poles perhaps.
Unable to sit still while waiting for her husband-to-be, Katara found herself pacing around the room with the beating of her heart uncomfortably loud in her ears.
Calm down, Katara. Calm down. It's not as if you haven't been married before, she thought to herself and soon after she was recalling her first wedding in which she had also suffered wedding jitters however not even half as much as she was experiencing now for she had gotten to Sacha so well before they had even been engaged and because he had agreed for their wedding to take place at the Southern Water Tribe wherein furs were far more suitable to wear.
Suddenly, there were noises at the door, and Katara froze in her tracks as it opened. Her Gran-gran entered, followed by Iroh and just behind him was Zuko, dressed in full FireLord regalia.
Iroh smiled at her before he and Kanna left, but Katara didn't notice for she was unable to take her eyes off Zuko, who suddenly seemed to her so handsome and looked so distinguished.
"Hello," she finally was able to say to him after a long while wherein both of them just stared at each other.
The right corner of his mouth quirked upward; Katara's heart seemed to leap at the same time.
"Hello, Katara," he greeted back and much to her discomfort, blood rushed to her face at the sound of his voice accompanied by a deafening roar in her ears.
Zuko could barely contain his amusement when she smiled at him, said hello again and clearly nervous begun looking around for the nearest chair.
"Here, let me help you."
"No, I'm okay, Zuko-" she stumbled, breathing in sharply when he caught and held her close against him.
Looking down on her flustered face, Zuko brushed her left cheek with the back of his hand, eliciting another gasp from Katara, who tried to pull away from him unsuccessfully. She only managed a soft incoherent protest before he bent his head down to kiss her.
"We're not supposed to do this yet," she whispered breathlessly when the kiss was over.
He smiled lazily at the reminder and murmured, "Too late," in her ear before stealing another kiss. Katara moaned helplessly, torn between needing to stop him because they needed this short meeting to talk over certain important matters and wishing for him to continue the sweet torment. The former barely won, and Zuko looked quite disappointed when Katara finally forcibly pushed him away.
Licking her swollen lips nervously, Katara finally made her way to a chair and sat down in it unsteadily. She inhaled and exhaled, closing her eyes, to calm herself down. At the same time, she wondered at how Zuko's mere presence could affect her so. Perhaps it was because he was decked out in full ceremonial wear; those were always intended to impress.
"We need to talk, Zuko," said Katara, stating the obvious. She flinched when the back of his hand caressed her cheek once again.
"Talk about what?" he asked, smiling when she stood up and hastily moved away from him.
"About us, of course."
"What about us?"
Katara felt a twinge of impatience. "Zuko, please. No wordplay. We don't have much time before the ceremony."
He sighed, "Very well, Katara. I will be serious."
"Good. … Has Aang told you that Sokka and Suki would be coming with me to the Fire Nation?"
"Yes, he has."
"It's okay, right?"
"Yes, it is, Katara. There's plenty of room in the palace. Your brother and his companion will be very comfortable."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"Their rooms have to be still prepared of course, but it is no trouble. Your suite and that of your children are already ready."
Zuko was taken aback when Katara abruptly looked away from him.
"… Katara?"
She had to take a deep steadying breath before she could inform him that the twins wouldn't be accompanying her.
"What?"
"… My father and my grandmother won't let me take Tui and Lan to the Fire Nation," she said softly, barely able to keep her voice steady.
Zuko made an aggravated sound. "They do not trust me to keep your children safe, do they?"
Katara didn't answer; she just shook her head. That she would have to be separated from her children for considerable periods of time was the hardest task to endure in her having to marry Zuko. She jumped, startled when he was suddenly standing just behind her; his arms wound about her in a reassuring embrace. Tears came to her eyes when he promised her that he would prove to her family that her children would be safe in his country.
"Thank you," she whispered and after wiping the tears from her eyes, she turned around in his arms to face him. The other matter she needed to discuss with him suddenly didn't seem so important when she saw the gentle concern for her in his amber-colored eyes.
All of a sudden, Katara felt certain that everything would be fine, that she would be happy with Zuko and that she needn't worry about anything. Katara raised her face towards his, startling Zuko when she began kissing him. He immediately reciprocated, causing Katara to sigh with pleasure when he deepened the kiss.
They didn't hear the knocks on the door, didn't notice when it opened and when their chaperons entered. It took several very loud harrumphs from Iroh before they finally realized they weren't alone.
Flustered, both moved away from each other though not too far. Katara couldn't meet her grandmother's very amused blue eyes while Zuko found it difficult not to send a fireblast straight at his uncle's very broadly smiling face.
- - -
As she stepped out into the bright sunlight, Katara was abruptly reminded of how unsuitable for the tropical climate her wedding garb was. Also seeing the many rows of guests, most of which she didn't know, caused her chest to tighten with apprehension.
Her father looked at her with concern as he led his evidently uncomfortable and alarmed daughter through the aisle. As much as he wanted to do what was best for his tribe as a whole, he simply couldn't abide giving her hand in marriage to a man she apparently didn't want to wed.
"Don't worry, Tara. You do not have to do this," he whispered to her, halting in the middle of the aisle and agitating Katara even more.
"Father, what do you mean?" she whispered back hurriedly.
"You don't have to marry the FireLord."
"… But I do… Oh," she sighed in relief, realizing that he had mistaken her discomfort as dislike for Zuko. "I'm just nervous, Father. There's just so many people I don't know," she said, indicating the crowd staring at them and no doubt wondering why the bride and the father of the bride was standing in the middle of the aisle, whispering at each other.
Her father considered her carefully and Katara breathed easier as did everyone else seem too as they finally proceeded the rest of the way.
- - -
The marriage ceremony itself passed somewhat agonizingly for Katara as she knelt beside Zuko before the officiating monks, the head of whose words her numb ears could barely decipher. She was distracted, practically roasting in her garments. Several times, curious, she glanced over to Zuko, who irritatingly enough looked quite comfortable despite that he was wearing armor and a cape to boot.
By the middle of the three-hour long ceremony, Katara was wishing she was a firebender.
- - -
After the ceremony, still more sweltering misery waited for Katara as she and Zuko had to one by one greet each guest offering their congratulations to the newly-wedded couple. She couldn't keep track of all the faces and names with official titles and felt thoroughly out of her element while Zuko appeared as though he dealt with this sort of thing everyday.
Finally, a reprieve of a sorts for Katara for there were two free hours before the evening reception to be held in the villa. Her head aching from the continuous heat and feeling dehydrated, Katara excused herself from Zuko's side and quickly made her way back to her chambers. On the way, her Gran-gran met her, informing Katara that a cold bath had been prepared for her. It was like music to the waterbender's ears and the frigid water felt heavenly as she lowered herself into it.
"Thank you so much, Gran-gran," she whispered, sighing with absolute relief.
Kanna chuckled. "You're welcome, Katara. Poor dear, I could see you were really suffering through it all."
"It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't had to wear those things," complained Katara about the traditional wedding garb she had to endure the long wedding ceremony in.
"I know. I know. But we have to keep up appearances. Besides, the FireLord also had to 'dress up' for this occasion."
Katara made an annoyed noise, and Kanna was surprised when informed that firebenders could regulate their body temperatures, not only increase but also decrease.
"Besides, they're used to warm temperatures. Zuko looked absolutely comfortable even while wearing body armor," said Katara a little peevishly.
"Hmm…" said Kanna reflectively and quite startled Katara when she wondered out loud how firebenders would be in bed.
"… Gran-gran!"
Kanna gave her mortified granddaughter a look. "What? I may be old, Katara, but I'm not dead. I do still indulge occasionally. … Well. That look on your face tells me that this particular conversation is much too 'adult' for your ears. I'll be going off then," said Kanna, chuckling as she left a tomato-red Katara to sit in her bath.
- - -
Refreshed, once again clad in furs and with time to spare, Katara and Kanna headed to the reception hall, already busy with guests in a more relaxed mood now that the wedding had gone through without a hitch.
Kanna left her to join Pakku while Katara, spotting King Bumi with some of his earthbenders, decided to ask him where Aang, Sokka and Suki were. She couldn't recall seeing them during the wedding ceremony or even afterwards. Then again, she had been so addled during the ceremony that she couldn't even remember what the officiating head monk looked like.
She was quite staggered upon being informed by a quite guilty-looking Bumi that he didn't know where they were.
"I am sorry, Katara. It was partly my doing."
"What do you mean, Bumi? What happened?"
"Well… to make a long story short… your brother thought that Aang was a little bit too much of a… well… uh… let's just say Sokka thought Aang favored the Fire Nation too much… he sort of accused Aang of using you to uh…-"
Katara didn't wait for Bumi to finish the short long story. Quickly, she craned her neck up and looked over the hall. After a long while, she finally spotted her brother and Suki at opposite ends of the chamber, too clearly not on speaking terms with each other again. However, Aang was nowhere in sight.
Bumi looked very alarmed when Katara hurriedly headed out of the hall.
- - -
Aang watched as the sun sank slowly into the western horizon, turning the sky from blue to a palette of amber colors. For some reason, it reminded him of the eye color common amongst firebenders. Avatar Roku's eyes, Iroh's, even Zuko's.
Thinking of his previous reincarnation always brought a feeling of infinite sadness upon Aang. Though he knew and felt that Roku was always with him; it simply wasn't the same as seeing the firebender Avatar standing before him and conversing with him face to face.
The day that Roku told Aang that he could no longer talk with him; that the two of them had to finally part, to go onto separate ways which may never meet again – it was one of the worst days in Aang's life, as terrible as that day in the Southern Air Temple when he discovered Monk Gyatso's burnt corpse.
Why? Why do you have to go away? Please stay with me!
The sorrow in Roku's golden eyes; the tinge of sadness in his placid voice as he gently told Aang it was simply the way things always were and that he had to leave Aang now that he had come into his own as the Avatar. He explained further that it was dangerous for the past lives of previous Avatars to directly influence the current Avatar over the course of his or her entire life. There had been cases of the personalities of previous Avatars prevailing over the present one. Sometimes, such ended in disaster and tragedy. Other times, it didn't. However, it was simply considered wrong for the past must remain in the past, and because each Avatar must live his or her own life in its proper time.
But I will always be a part of you, Aang. You will at times feel my presence and sometimes, you will share in my memories. You will also sense similar the other so many Avatars that went before you and I. Mine will simply feel the strongest for I was the Avatar who came before you and the one who guided you. I will always be with you, but I must also leave you now.
That there were people who would think ill of Roku would never sit well with Aang, even if it was one of his closest friends who had doubts. He would of course forgive Sokka someday but for now, Aang couldn't even stand to be in the same room as he was.
And then, there were also Sokka's accusations to him that Aang was just using Katara to further his plans for world peace and harmony. As ridiculous as that sounded, it was enough for Aang to begin doubting his decisions concerning the ship, Zuko and Katara.
What he had felt before that was so right and the correct thing to do was now beset with qualms and misgivings. Was he indeed right to give up his dearest friend and lover to the FireLord just because his instincts once said that Zuko would do right with Katara?
Right now, those same instincts were silent with dread and indecision, and Aang seeing how uneasy and anxious Katara was during the wedding ceremony only confirmed his worst fears. Had he just gotten Katara into a marriage she didn't want but that she had forced herself to comply with just because Aang had asked and convinced her to agree to?
Aang would never forgive himself if Katara was unhappy for the rest of her life because of him. But what could he do about it now? All through out the ceremony, he had been torn between wanting to stop it and knowing it had to be so. He had not done a single thing then. What was he supposed to do now? Take Katara away before she and Zuko consummated their marriage?
The young Avatar couldn't even begin to imagine just how much turmoil and panic such an action would cause not only in the Fire Nation, but also in the Water Tribes, and he would completely lose the Earth Kingdom to Jet's manipulations. Not even Bumi could help him, and his dear friend's reputation would suffer tremendously should Aang interfere in the first credible union between the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes in over a hundred years, one in which they had both more than played prominent roles in assisting to bring about.
He couldn't go back on what was already done and yet the thought of Katara in a miserable marriage was a thorn in his heart. He couldn't allow that either. She deserved to be happy.
Struggling with his inner demons, Aang didn't notice a huge white bison heading towards the cliff overlooking the beach where he had ensconced himself at. He didn't hear Katara calling his name from behind him nor Appa's groan. Katara, still completely dressed up all in furs, carefully got out of the litter, thanked Appa and slowly approached Aang, still oblivious to their presence.
He was absolutely shocked, jumping out of his skin when Katara tapped him on the shoulder. Katara laughed when he leaped up high, twisting in mid-air with more surprise and relief coming over his face when he saw it was her standing far below on the cliff.
"I always enjoyed doing that," Katara giggled as Aang floated back down to terra firma. Seeing her smile, hearing her laugh was enough to drive away all of Aang's worries even though he still was technically worried.
"Aang, Bumi sort of told me what happened with Sokka. Please don't take what my brother said seriously. You know he's only worried about me."
"… Are you unhappy, Katara?"
"… What?"
"Being married to Zuko. Are you unhappy?"
"… Oh, no. I'm okay, Aang. We didn't get to talk about everything before the wedding… but I think I will be happy with him," said Katara softly, a blush spreading over her cheeks as she remembered the kiss they had shared.
Aang, not convinced, said, "You looked like you were being tortured during the wedding."
Katara became even more flustered. "Oh… that." With a soft sigh, she tugged at the thick fur trimmed collar about her throat and a laugh escaped from Aang when she informed him that she had been roasting in her clothes.
"I thought you didn't want to be married to Zuko."
"Oh Spirits, that's probably what everyone is thinking. Even father thought I didn't want to go through with it."
"… But Zuko does know you want to marry him, right?"
Katara giggled again before with an enigmatic smile to Aang, said, "He should."
"… Okay, now I'm curious. What did you two exactly did before the wedding?"
"I don't talk then tell, Aang," said Katara, grinning as they headed to where Appa was waiting.
"… You only had a few minutes… But I suppose…-"
"Aang, we didn't do 'that'."
- - -
Knowing that tongues would waggle if they seen alone together, Aang set Appa down on the beach at a distance from the villa.
"Sorry about this, Katara," said Aang apologetically, but Katara, unworried, just smiled at him and said that a walk along the beach before the reception would do her some good.
With absolute fondness for her on his face, Aang jumped first unto the sand before helping her down from the litter. As her feet touched down, Aang pressed a kiss against her brow and told her that he would ask Suki to go meet her.
Knowing that this would be the last time they could be together like this, Katara, struggling to keep regret at bay, raised her left hand to Aang's face and gently caressed his right cheekbone before whispering good-bye to him.
Aang's gray eyes softening, he told her that there could never be really a good-bye between them.
"I know, Aang," she murmured to him and with a smile slightly tinged with sadness, she turned away from him and began walking along the beach towards the villa. Behind her, Aang watched her slim silhouette for a long time before with a sigh climbed back on Appa and ordered the bison to fly.
Neither he or Appa noticed the movement in the shadowed foliage by the beach.
- - -
A worried Iroh watched as his nephew chose to ignore his bride and instead bestowed his attention on a daughter of one of the delegates from their country. The firebenders in the reception hall as a whole seemed arrogant. The waterbenders, stony with disapproval and insulted by the groom's actions. What few earthbenders left one by one conspicuously left the reception hall until the only prominent earthbender left was King Bumi, who looked disheartened and seemed at last to show every year of his considerable age.
Katara's face was unreadable. Iroh didn't know whether to be glad or worried she hadn't reacted more emotionally to Zuko's betrayal on their wedding night. Her brother, on the hand, looked furious. His companion, the Kyoshin, as enraged. However, it was the expression on the Avatar's face that caught Iroh's attention in particular and which gave cause to the Dragon of the West to fret for FireLord's well-being.
- - -
Katara barely heard her Gran-gran's livid diatribe against Zuko as they walked towards the chamber which had been reserved for the wedding couple's first night together. Though she doubted that Zuko would be with her that night, she wouldn't allow herself to be the excuse for this marriage to fail. It was too important for her people, even though it was too obviously a sham.
"It's all right, Gran-gran. I expected this."
Kanna sucked in a breath in outrage. "Expected this! How could you expect this, Katara! I've heard stories of how immoral firebenders are, but to treat you this way on your wedding night! It's unforgivable!"
Softly, in a tight voice, Katara reminded her grandmother that this wasn't a real marriage.
"Zuko doesn't love me. He only wanted to bed me. … Sooner or later, he would have lost interest in me. I expected later, but now that he knows he can have me whenever he pleases, it's understandable that he would no longer desire me like before."
"Katara, you give yourself too little credit! It's plainly obvious he wanted to hurt you by playing around with that other woman! But for what reason, I do not know! He seemed so happy to be marrying you just before the wedding!"
Deep inside her, Katara knew there was another possible and more plausible reason for why Zuko was being such a bastard. Katara had realized that somehow he had found out that she had been with Aang just before the reception. She wasn't certain, but that was currently the only reason she could think of for his hurtful actions. And if that was truly the reason for why he wanted and succeeded to hurt her so deeply, it still wasn't a good enough cause for publicly shaming her in front of his people and her own.
Right now, even if she was indeed partly responsible for his actions, she had done nothing with Aang which amounted to betraying their marriage vows and thus she simply didn't want to make excuses for Zuko.
- - -
When Zuko left the reception hall with a woman, other than his newly-wedded wife, on his arm, Jun was about to go after them; however, she decided not to when the Avatar beat her to it, also heading out of the hall after them.
Iroh and Jee standing beside her, simultaneously let us sighs of gratified relief, and Jun realized that they had also intended to go after the FireLord.
"It's better that the Avatar deal with this," Iroh commented, taking a careful sip of calming Jasmine tea. Jee agreed wholeheartedly, downing a goblet of wine in order to soothe his nerves.
Jun, on the other hand, couldn't stand by just doing nothing. After finishing off her own cup of wine, she headed out of the hall with every intention of having a long conversation with the bride.
- - -
Katara was just about to have a second bath when there was a knock on the door. For a wild instant, she hoped it was Zuko, but then cruel reality set in; she doubted it was him and if it was indeed him, she didn't want to see him.
There was another knock while Katara decided whether or not to answer the door. After a few moments, she set her shoulders back with determination and headed to open it. She was surprised to see it was Jun, who brusquely asked her if they could talk.
"Talk about what?"
"Who else?"
"… I don't want to talk about him."
"Just hear what I have to say, and will you invite me in or not?"
Reluctantly, Katara let the Commander in. After closing the door, she went over to the sitting area and sat herself on the couch; however, Jun remained on her feet.
Without preamble, Jun immediately told Katara that Zuko was a good man. The abrupt statement really didn't put a single dent into Katara's current opinion of Zuko as the most horrible man alive.
Realizing that the direct route wouldn't work on Katara, Jun switched tactics and tried to pin the blame on her, which had rather dire consequences.
"Jun, get out! Nothing happened between me and Aang. We haven't been lovers since Omashu. All Zuko has now is a suspicion, and that definitely doesn't give him the right to humiliate me in public in front of strangers and everyone that I love!"
In the back of her mind, Jun decided that she would take on Iroh's long-ago offer to tutor her on the ways and mores of diplomacy otherwise known as 'how to persuade other people to see from your point of view'.
"What I'm trying to tell you is that he really thinks you coupled with the Avatar just after you two were married."
"I already told you we didn't!"
"I know. I know. I believe you. But the point is that he thinks you betrayed him. Besides, why in the world were you with the Avatar when you should have been with Zuko?"
At this, Katara couldn't quickly formulate an answer, and Jun's face filled with relief when the younger woman began to finally have more than an inkling of what had gone through Zuko's mind when one of their spies informed him of the sweet parting he had witnessed between the Avatar and his newly-wedded bride on a lonely stretch of beach.
Finally, Katara looking very embarrassed told Jun that Aang and her brother had gotten into a fight over her marriage to Zuko.
"I just wanted to comfort Aang."
"Right…"
Irritation flared in Katara. "Nothing happened of that sort happened between us!"
"So you say… Look, you should know how people are. We immediately assume the worst thing. It's human nature. Now, Zuko. He's been learning how to better control that explosive temper of his over the years, but he's still no saint, Katara. And even a saint would have been hard-put not to assume that you had decided to have one last dalliance with your lover before shackling yourself to a man you had been forced into a marriage with."
With a very reluctant sigh, Katara again insisted that nothing had happened between Aang and herself before admitting very slowly that she saw Jun's point.
"Good. So you will give this marriage a chance to work, right?"
"… Yes, but-"
"Don't worry. I think your Avatar is explaining your side of the story this very second to Zuko."
"… What do you mean exactly? And Aang isn't my Avatar."
"Meaning that I think your Avatar is a smart one. He's probably figured out what had happened. I think he'll make sure Zuko will be with you tonight."
"… Again, Aang isn't my Avatar… and I am surprised that you would be concerned about our marriage, Jun. I thought you and Zuko were lovers."
"We –were-," said Jun, emphasizing the past tense. "And of course, I would be concerned. I'm not stupid. You're the FireLady now. You can make it very difficult for me, even if I'm Commander of the Imperial Guard, if you're unhappy and suspecting your husband and I are lovers."
"… Huh?" said Katara, looking at Jun with a blank expression.
"I've heard about you waterbenders being very –very- possessive of your spouses."
This time, Katara could only stare at the other woman silently.
- - -
"How many times do I have to tell you that nothing happened between Katara and me!" Aang shouted at the obstinate FireLord sprawled on the sand and holding a hand to his aching jaw. They were on a stretch of beach very far away from the villa and hopefully from any curious eyes. Surely, Zuko's spies didn't go this far.
Glaring murderously at Aang, Zuko kicked at him, throwing up a spray of molten sand at Aang who airbended it all away with a sweep of his hand.
Regardless that he couldn't possibly defeat a fully-realized Avatar, Zuko didn't give up. He got up to his feet and firebended a flaming sword with which he started slashing with at Aang. Shortly after, a wall of water knocked him back unto the sand.
"Zuko, stop it. You can't beat me. Just promise me you'll go to Katara."
"Shut up!" shouted Zuko, who began aiming fireblasts at him, only to have another wave of water dunked on top of him.
"I'll keep doing this until you calm down, Zuko!"
"Stop telling me what to do, Avatar!"
"You wanted this! You wanted to marry Katara!"
"THAT'S BEFORE SHE BETRAYED ME WITH YOU!"
"KATARA DID NOT BETRAY YOU!" raged Aang, and Zuko suddenly found himself waist-deep in quicksand.
"Get it into your thick skull, Zuko! Katara hadn't been unfaithful to you. She only went to me because she was worried about the fight I got into with Sokka about my asking her to marry you. Yes! The fight was about me letting you marry his sister! Katara was only worried about me. She's like that. She always wants to help people, especially her family and friends. She even helps strangers and people she doesn't even know much about. Remember, she saved your uncle's life, and she saved your life too! She wouldn't break her vows to you even if she wanted to! YOU HAVE TO TRUST HER!"
A twister suddenly formed about Zuko, digging him out of the sand and flinging him up high with gravity doing the rest and driving him back down to the ground.
- - -
The next thing Zuko could remember was hearing Katara reprimand the Avatar.
"Good grief, Aang. Do you want to make me a widow again?"
"Sorry, Katara. Couldn't help it. I just lost my temper with him. He should be fine though. He's tougher than he looks"
"I'll be the judge of that," snapped Katara before shooing Aang out of the bedroom.
Wincing, Zuko forced himself to a sitting position on the bed as Katara came back with a basin of water in her hands. She paused at seeing him awake and then quickly went to his side, placing the basin on the bedside table before sitting beside him and asking him how he felt.
"Terrible," Zuko muttered. There was a muffled giggle from her before she gently requested him to lie back down so she could begin healing him.
His immediate refusal to comply with her wish caused her to breathe in sharply, and Zuko knew he had hurt her when without a word she looked away from him and stood up from the bed. However, he quickly grabbed her hand before she could move away.
"Zuko-"
"I'm sorry," he told her in a harsh whisper, and a moment after, she was again seated beside him, also saying to him that she was sorry as well.
"Please believe me, Zuko. I swear, on my children's lives, that I didn't betray you with Aang. Truly, nothing happened between us."
Knowing how much she treasured her children, the dark suspicion that had haunted him the entire evening finally dissipated and all Zuko wanted at the moment was to consummate his marriage with her.
Katara gasped when she suddenly found herself underneath him.
"Zuko, you're still hurt. Let me heal you first."
"Don't refuse me, Katara."
Further protest died in her throat at the clear intent in his eyes. Suddenly shy, she nodded her acquiescence. Anticipation soon shined in her blue eyes as Zuko bent his head to capture her lips and finally claim her as his own.
- - -
The next morning, nearly everyone was surprised to witness the FireLord smiling, laughing and even stealing kisses from his waterbender wife, now FireLady, during breakfast.
Everyone else at the head table was either relieved or unsure if this was actually happening. The Avatar kept raising his eyes heavenward, fervently thanking the Spirits that this particular outcome had come about. King Bumi, beside him, several times looked over to the happy newly-wedded couple and after each time, rubbed at his old eyes for he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing through them.
The bride's father, Chief of the Southern Water Tribe, kept throwing suspicious glances at his new son-in-law while Kanna had a half-confused half-happy expression on her face. Master Pakku, Sokka and Suki just kept on glaring at the FireLord.
On the other hand, on the groom's side of the table, Iroh, Jee, Jun, Jeong Jeong and Bei just looked mostly relieved.
- - -
Katara could feel Zuko's eyes upon her as she took off her sandals before walking on the beach's waterline; she enjoyed the sensation of wet sand between her toes. Just ahead of her were the twins, playing in the surf. Lan clearly in his element, waterbending sprays to form multiple rainbows while Tui was struggling to earthbend a wavebreaker of sorts.
"Those two are going to keep tabs on me, aren't they?" Zuko suddenly observed out loud. Puzzled, Katara turned back towards him and nearly laughed when she saw her tall husband glancing back at Sokka and Suki not too far behind and watching him with similar suspicious expressions.
"Well… you can't blame them after what you did to me last night, Zuko," she said lightly; however unable to keep a hurt note out of her tone. He turned his full attention back to her as Katara finally forced herself to bring up the other matter she had put off-ed discussing with him before the wedding.
"Katara?"
"Zuko, I know we don't know each other very well yet so I can't honestly expect this attraction we share for each other now to last forever. … I will do my best to be a good wife for you, and I will remain faithful to you. The only thing I ask from you in return is that when you tire of me to just please be discreet- Please. Please don't do again what you did to me last night. I couldn't bear it-" she suddenly found herself in his arms; his mouth pressed upon hers.
"I didn't want to do that to you, Katara," he whispered to her after their kiss ended. "I knew even then that it was beneath me… but I was simply too angry to think straight. I truly believed you had been with the Avatar."
"I wasn't with Aang in that way-"
"I know. I know now," Zuko interrupted her, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. "I believe you, and let me assure that our marriage isn't a small thing. You are simply not a woman I could use merely for the purpose of satiating my desires and then throw aside. You will be the mother of my children, who will be heirs to the Fire Nation. You are not only my wife, but also my queen. Firebenders here, in my country and everywhere else will bow in respect to you; otherwise, I will have their heads. And I will honor our vows. I will desire you always, and I will be faithful to you. You will be the only woman for me for the rest of our lives, and I will be a good husband for you and a good father to your children and our children. This, I give you my word."
Katara, as happy as she was to hear Zuko say all that to her, all of a sudden felt as though a large weight had been placed upon her shoulders, and Zuko started laughing when she told him that she preferred his people didn't bow to her.
"You will get used to it," he replied with certainty and then with a frustrated noise he glanced behind him at their chaperons and at others around watching them with observant eyes.
"If it weren't for this bother to keep up appearances, we'd still be in bed," he said, sounding irritated. Katara turned red and suddenly found herself having to stifle a yawn. A small satisfied smile curved her lips for indeed he had kept her awake all through the night and had even gotten into a rather ferocious argument with his uncle and Jee who had the unfortunate task of informing the FireLord that he and Katara had to attend the breakfast banquet for appearance's sake.
"Does this mean you can never make love to me outside of a bedroom?" Katara asked him teasingly, reminding Zuko of how he had almost made love to her on a balcony in Omashu.
Katara turned wary when a tell-tale wicked glint suddenly appeared in his golden eyes.
"… Zuko, no! Not here!"
"Why not? We are legally husband and wife so such a public display of affection between us should not adversely affect our image as a loving couple and may even enhance it. Besides, I've heard that beaches are quite suited for such activities."
"Zuko, no! The twins- my brother- everyone's watching us!"
"They'll turn away if it troubles them."
"That's not the point!"
- - -
"That's the most disgusting thing I've ever seen," commented Pakku as they watched Katara deftly evading her husband.
Kanna giggled. "Oh, Pakky. They're obviously in love."
Pakku make a harrumphed sound and then frowned at Aang, Bumi and Iroh exchanging grins with each other.
"Pakky?" repeated Iroh.
- - -
Zuko had just managed to capture his nimble wife when a shadow passed over them. They looked up, barely catching sight of what appeared to be a small floating iceberg. Suddenly, there were yells and shouts about a four-way elemental battle.
"What do you think that's about?" Katara asked Zuko as her inquisitive children ran off towards the ruckus, quickly followed by her brother and Suki.
Zuko shook his head. "I do not have a clue-" More shadows passed over them, and finally giving in to their curiosity, hand-in-hand, they also headed towards the commotion.
- - -
- - -
- - -
(you see Anonde polishing a bronze plague with the words THE END marked upon it)
Advisory: Two sort of short Katara/Zuko stories below.
- - -
- - -
- - -
Note: I know. I know. It got a wee bit crazy at the end, but what else could you expect when you put together Aang, Bumi, Iroh and Pakku in the same spot. Yes, there was a Pai Sho game between Iroh and Pakku; I'll just leave what happened during that game to your imagination.
The following below are two (big) bits and pieces that never made it to the final draft of this chapter. After reading those, don't forget to use the review button, okay?
Advisory – Bits and pieces barely had any editing, may not be in the same continuity as the final chapter draft and may not make much sense.
- - -
Bit and Piece 901 – Katara finds out that Zuko shares a certain mannerism as Aang
- - -
There was a small lazy satisfied smile on Katara's face as she traced patterns on her husband's chest.
Her husband… she found herself dwelling on the thought; her hand ceasing its movement. Unaware that Zuko was watching her closely, Katara teased the thought out in her mind and found herself inadvertently comparing Zuko to her late husband as well as to Aang.
Different, so different they were and yet similar in ways. Sacha had been more like Aang though more formal. Zuko could be worse in teasing her than Aang but also had a formality about him that bore some semblance to Sacha.
Katara didn't dwell long on her mental comparisons for she didn't feel comfortable doing so and to be fair, she wouldn't like it either if Zuko compared her to his other lovers.
With a mental sigh, Katara again found herself wondering on whether or not Zuko would be seeing other women despite being married to her. She had had encountered a similar difficulty with Sacha but she trusted him. Zuko; however, did more than try to seduce her even when he knew she was with Aang. The FireLord didn't seem to be the sort who held highly or took seriously the sanctity of marriage, and Katara simply had honest doubts that he would remain faithful to her regardless of Aang's assurance that he would be a good husband to her and of Jun's insistence that Zuko was a good man.
Another sigh; this time audible, Katara pressed her forehead against Zuko's chest and didn't notice the frown forming on his face.
"What's wrong?" he asked her but received no answer for Katara was too deep in discomforting thoughts to have heard him.
Katara was startled when he shook her a little. Her eyes snapped to his and she was doubly surprised to find his amber-colored eyes staring at her intently.
"What?" she asked him, and he sighed with impatience.
"I asked you first – what's wrong?"
"… What are you talking about, Zuko?"
He grimaced at her. "You looked worried about something. What is it?"
A blush rose to Katara's cheeks when she realized what he was talking about.
His frown deepened when she denied there was anything wrong.
"You're lying."
"I am not," she said though she was in fact lying.
"Yes, you are."
"I am not. There's nothing wrong- well, except for now. … Hey!" Katara suddenly found herself neath him and staring with outrage at his determined face.
"Zuko, get off me." She didn't care that he was now legally her husband and thus accorded this particular position.
"Not until you tell me what is wrong."
"I already told you that there's- … all right, fine, but get off me first."
Slowly, with a suspicious regard, Zuko lifted himself off her and Katara immediately scuttled from underneath him to freedom, throwing her legs over the side of the bed and standing up.
"Katara," said Zuko warningly as she grabbed her robe and covered herself.
"Will you wait? I will tell you. I just- just don't feel comfortable talking about it in bed with you… or even out of it actually," muttered Katara, feeling awkward and annoyed with him and with herself for her cheeks were flaming red with embarrassment.
Zuko, after a moment's pause, clambered out of the bed and stood before her. Much to Katara's additional discomfort, he didn't put on his robe and seemed quite at ease standing in front of her naked as the day he was born.
Oh Spirits, he's just like Aang, was all Katara could think as she hurried around him, grabbed his robe and handed it over to him.
With an amused expression that Katara refused to see, Zuko took the proffered robe and donned it.
"All right, you can turn around now, Katara," he told her in a very dry tone. Katara, suspicious, took a peek first to make certain he was indeed decent before turning to face him.
- - -
Bit and Piece 902 – Zuko finds out that Aang wouldn't have minded had he bedded Katara in Omashu
- - -
"I am your wife now, Zuko, and I promise to you – I will be faithful. Please believe me."
Katara's heart seemed to still with every second that Zuko remained silent, just looking down at her; his eyes hooded. Then, finally, he released a sign and Katara started breathing again when he pressed his lips against her temple.
"I do believe you," he told her, his voice rough. "I've seen how loyal you can be."
Confused by his words, Katara asked him what he meant exactly.
"That night in Omashu, on your balcony. I knew that you desired me greatly but you rejected me still.
At this reminder, Katara giggled, much to Zuko's puzzlement.
"What do you find so amusing?" he asked her suspiciously.
Katara had to clear her throat before answering. "That night… Oh Zuko, you have no idea how much I wanted you."
"… That's amusing?"
"No, no. It's just that I told Aang you tried to seduce me, and guess what he said to me."
"… He belittled me-"
Again, Katara had to deny and quickly. Any mention of Aang seemed to irk Zuko so.
"No, he didn't make fun of you. He asked me if I wanted you."
"… What?"
"What's exactly what I said to him next."
"… What?"
"Yes. What."
"You are confusing me."
"I was surprised that he asked me if I wanted you. That's why I said 'what'."
Zuko frowned at her darkly. "Are you toying with me?"
"No, I am not. I am just trying to tell you about what happened when I told Aang that you tried to seduce me."
"In that case, I must say that you make a poor storyteller."
Katara shushed him before continuing, "Aang realized I was confused so he rephrased his question. Did I want you or not, he asked me."
"… And what did you say to him?"
"I very slowly answered to him – Yes, I wanted you."
"And what did he say to that?"
Katara made a face. "His exact words were – Katara, you should have slept with Zuko."
"… That is ridiculous."
"I know, but that's what he said."
"He's an idiot," Zuko declared.
"Yes, he is," said Katara in complete agreement with him.
"I'm going to kill him."
"That's what I tried to do."
"Well, you obviously didn't do a very good job of it."
"Oh really? Well, let's see you try to kill the Avatar, milord."
"I will." And with that, Zuko headed for the door, but Katara knowing he wasn't seriously going to hurt Aang, hugged him about the waist and tackled him back unto the bed.
"You can go kill Aang after the honeymoon," she told him teasingly, raining soft kisses on his face, jaw and down his throat. Smiling, Zuko put up a mock resistance which ended up as always with her beneath him.
"That's not fair. It's my turn," Katara complained in a breathless voice.
Lips twitching, Zuko asked her, "Must we do this in turns, milady?"
As an answer, Katara only gazed up at him lovingly, and the austere lines of Zuko's face softened at the clear affection in her regard of him. He lowered his head and began a lingering kiss that drove all thoughts out of their minds save for the one which simply stated how much they wanted each other.