I do not own A:TLA, or any of it's characters

I Didn't Want this Either! Chapter 3: She will Challenge Me.

Zuko POV:

A few days later, on a ship towards the Southern Water Tribe.

I stand near the edge of the ship, leaning on the metallic railing. I forget how cold it can be at the poles, but being a master firebender, I can easily change my body's temperature through my breathing. It is odd coming back after so long, nearly a decade has passed. Through correspondence with the Southern Tribe, as well as the Fire Nation's help in reconstruction of many war-torn places, I have found out that it is certainly not what it once was. Nearly mirroring their sister tribe in build now.

"Nephew, we will be arriving before dawn tomorrow, be sure you are well rested, and prepared for what is to come." Uncle says, walking up to me by the railing. He eyes me in a calculating way, and then looks out to the icy waters before us. "There will be several meetings while we are here, about the contract, but remember the main reason we are here. Katara would be very mad if you continued to be her only friend who never came to her birthday." Uncle's seriousness drops into a smile, he's teasing me.

He chuckles as I look at him angrily, but then I sigh, he is right. Every year I get an invitation to the waterbender's birthday celebration, but instead of going I send a letter, as well as a personalized gift. I look down, "she knows I have been busy, she may give me hell for not showing up at first, but she isn't superficial like that." Katara has never been one to prioritize herself, which though an issue, I feel that could be why she never seems to like her own birthday.

I blush thinking of seeing her again, I feel nervous. Not just because of the whole marriage thing, but because it has been so long, we may not even know how to act around each other. I probably won't know how to act in general. I, even after all this time, have a terrible way with words.

"So, you are going through with the marriage, yes? I have always thought of Lady Katara as a wonderful young woman, it will be nice having her around. Someone who will really challenge you, yes?" Uncle Iroh side eyes me and nudges me gently, chuckling at what he said. I sigh, she will certainly challenge me, I did say I wanted someone with merit, and she has much of it to spare.

I nod my head "I am indeed going through with it. I honestly don't know much of the contract as of this moment, but Katara and I are to go through it after her birthday celebrations, both alone and with the council." I pause for a moment, and look at Iroh "I know that the world loves Katara, she was one of the warriors who saved the world from tyranny, who wouldn't admire her? I just worry about what the Fire Nation's more radical people will think of a non-Fire Nation noblewoman, or citizen, being their Fire Lady."

Uncle looks out into the icy water for a long moment before finally saying "Even they will come to understand her, come to respect her. It will be a long and tough road, bad things may even happen, but you must be strong, and let her be strong beside you." There's another pause as he puts his hand onto my shoulder. "They have to learn to respect her, you cannot force it, but in due time they will, just as we do." He then claps his hands lightly together and gives me a small smile, then walks away. "Remember to sleep well, busy day" he calls out as he goes to his chambers on the ship.

I look out to the sky, the sun is about to set, and just before I look back down to head inside, I see an oh so familiar sky bison, flying fast through the air, in the same direction we are heading. Aang. I had almost forgotten that I would soon have to deal with the Avatar's antics yet again, though I am not too sure he will be happy to see me.

I make my way through the metallic ship halls, until I reach my study. It's a cozy space, though the metal walls, roof, and floor would normally say otherwise. The red and gold carpets and drapes make the space feel warm, like home. Several wall mounted bookshelves with scrolls line one of the walls, and on the opposite side is my desk. Nearly the same deep mahogany that is at my home office, but this one is smaller, compact, and nailed to the floor, same as the chair.

I sit down at my desk, and begin to look through my scrolls. I brought the bills I needed to either put through or deny. Uncle tried to tell me not to, but if I left them, who knows what would have happened. General Kei has been doing all he can to have people turn against ideals of peace, so I sent him on leave while I will be away, and brought this work with me.

I look through them for a while, making notes as I go, until I am interrupted by a knock. "It's General Jee, Sire. May I come in?" I put some papers away and tell him to enter.

"Is everything okay?" I ask, looking at his face looking for any signs for concern. He just shakes his head "Yes sir, but the Avatar has boarded our ship, and has requested to speak with you. He insists it is urgent." I look over at my candle clock, it's a little past 8PM. I guess he went to Katara and then came back for me.

I get up and walk to the door, dismissing General Jee as I head outside. I feel nervous, but not as nervous as I thought I would. He won't do anything to kill me, since he is the peace maker and keeper of this world, and I have done nothing to disturb said peace.

All of these thoughts exit my head as I come face to face with a very distraught Aang. Why was I worried he would kill me, I am far more worried about him.

I am the first to break the silence, "hey Aang, what brings you here tonight?" Looking at him, sad really isn't the word. He looks like a lost turtleduck. His normally smiling face, and bright eyes, are gone. I frown inwardly, mad at myself for thinking he would hate me, or hurt me.

There's a long pause, as he looks down at his feet, and eventually meets my worried gaze "so, you and Katara, right?" He says it sturdily, but anyone could tell he was holding back tears. I nod my head as a response, not wanting to say anything that may hurt him. He nods his head as well and then sighs, kicking his feet. "I wanted to be angry, I really did. And maybe I am, but I don't know. I always thought it would be me with her at my side, I saw a future with her." I open my mouth to apologize, or something, but he puts his hand up. "I know neither one of you truly asked for this, but I also know that everything will be fine." he pauses with a small smile on his face "You don't have anything to apologize for. I should apologize, the two of you are being given the duty of bringing balance to the world through a marriage neither of you asked for. I'm sorry as the Avatar, as one who cannot bring balance and peace for you. It should be different, so you wouldn't have to do this yourselves."

He bows to me, and then lifts his head "I still love Katara, but she doesn't love me anymore. I also know that my hands are tied. This is an international political decision, even if I were to succeed in ending this marriage, I would have to find a solution, and I don't have one. I spoke to Roku, Kyoshi, and Kuruk. Even in the Avatar's infinite wisdom, I cannot change this for you both. So you have my sincerest apologies." After he finished saying that, he hopped back on Appa, gave me a nod, and left.

I don't have words. Last time I saw Aang, he was more boy than man, but maybe he has grown up some these past years. I look out at the almost full moon, and smile at Appa's retreating form before I head inside for a night of rest. That went better than I expected it would.

Katara POV

That morning, before dawn.

I woke up to an extremely bustling household. The day has come for my 19th birthday, far above what a normal girl's coming of age in the Water Tribe is, but I was not an adult at 16. I don't think I am much of one now, years later. I know I was looked to heavily as the mom, the adult of the group during the war, but I was a kid too.

Pulling me out of my thoughts as I get ready for the day, I hear a familiar rowdy voice from the hall outside of my door "Oh Sweetness! Time to go see future Mr. Sweetness" she says in a teasing tone. I sigh, doing the finishing touches on my outfit and hair, and meet her and Suki in the hall, Toph holding onto the Kyoshi Warrior's arm for stability, as the floors though stone, are somewhat slick with ice at times.

Gran Gran insisted on me wearing something nicer today, and so I am. An elegant light blue dress under a darker blue overcoat with bell sleeves and a white fur trim. I like it, but it isn't me, it's far more to Princess Yue's taste. But I guess since I'm the chief's daughter, I'm a princess now too. That's, not fitting for me. I'm a master waterbender.

"Wow you look great" Toph says with a smirk, and I begin to thank her, but I realize she's messing with me. She's blind, and loves this joke and takes every single chance to make it. Some things will never change.

Sighing I say "you never get tired of that, do you? But I hope you're right. I don't want to look dumb." I don't quite know why I care about how I look, I'm just welcoming Zuko. Just Zuko, the Fire Lord, my future spouse. No big deal. Oh Tui and La.

Toph laughs as Suki pinches her arm, "you do look great Katara, you're glowing." Suki says with a smile.

I thank her, and we head out to the main room of the house, to meet with everyone else before we set out to welcome our guests. We get in and dad immediately embraces me, "you ready, birthday girl?" He asks, pulling away, scanning my face worriedly. I just laugh "I'm fine dad." I look around the room, everyone seems ready, though Aang isn't here. Guess he will meet us at the dock.

"Shall we go?" I ask everyone, honestly not ready to go myself. But I sturdy myself enough.

Arriving at the dock to greet our guests from the Fire Nation, we wait. Toph tries to crack some jokes about Zuko standing me up, but Suki and Sokka get her to stop, though Toph's smile never left her face after saying it. Did she somehow sense that the thought of that happening upset me? Why would that upset me anyways, he's missed plenty of birthdays of mine. Though I never cared for celebrations anyhow.

It is simply nerve wracking being at the center of the party to welcome Zuko. I know he's my friend, but he's the Fire Lord as well. The ship docks, and my heart stops for a moment. I keep telling myself that I'm fine, and that I'm ready, but I don't think I am. Before I can turn and run, Aang comes up from his glider, and stands by my side, with a small smile on his face. Aang didn't even speak to me when he got here last night, he pulled my dad and Sokka away, and then left, only to come back a few hours later. He mouths to me "you're gonna be okay" and he looks up towards the ship, as the Fire Lord himself steps foot onto one of the Southern Water Tribe's docks.

As I and the rest of the welcoming party bowed before them, Iroh let out a laugh "no need for such formalities, though we do appreciate the warm welcome, we are friends" he pauses to look at me warmly "and soon to be family" Zuko looks at Iroh with a pointed look, and then back at me. He's gotten taller, I used to be able to simply lift my eyes to meet his face, but now lifting my head makes more sense. He's wearing extremely regal clothes in deep reds and shimmering golds, he looks like the Fire Lord he's always meant to be.

I walk towards them, bridging the gap between us, "welcome to the Southern Water Tribe, we hope you enjoy your stay. Thank you for coming!"

Iroh and Zuko nod, until Iroh nudges Zuko towards me a bit "why doesn't the birthday girl show my nephew around her lovely home, since it has been much time since you have seen each other, and even longer since he has been here. That is, if you don't mind Lady Katara?" I pause for a moment, this wasn't the plan, though it is fine, since the party won't start 'til later, and the sun has risen... I guess it's fine.

"Of course, as long as the Fire Lord doesn't mind my company." I say, putting a smile on my face, even though my nerves are eating at me.

As the Fire Nation delegates and ship crew are taken to their lodgings to get settled, I begin to lead Zuko around my home. It's awkward, painfully so, and both of us seem to be aware of this fact, as we walk a couple feet apart and refuse to look at each other. This goes on for a short while before he stops walking, and sighs. "Katara, are you okay? I could be wrong, but I think I'm making you uncomfortable." I stop walking as I turn to face him. His posture is the same as it was when we greeted him, but there's something nervous about his stance. His face may be stern and emotionless, but his golden ember eyes, look sad and worried to me.

"Spirits, Zuko I'm sorry, no I'm, well I mean-" he cuts me off mid sentence.

"You don't need to say sorry, or lie to me about being uncomfortable. I know the strange position we're in, but can we act like we're just two friends catching up for the first time in years? At least for now?" He looks at me in earnest, his eyes looking into mine with hope.

I want that, I do. It's hard to just pretend we aren't in the situation that we are in. But I don't want to be so awkward, at least not today, when we haven't even signed the contract, or said our 'I dos'. I nod my head "I'd like that, friend Zuko." He laughs at my response, I make a mental note that his laugh is nice.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Next chapter will have the tour of the city, and some meddling at a certain waterbender's birthday party. Stay tuned!