Chapter 7

Edit 1.20.18 This chapter was another one that I wrote from scratch because I hated the way it all flowed. Back when I first wrote this, all I wanted was to hurry up and get to the fire nation intrigue. I didn't appreciate the art of storytelling, and honestly, I probably still don't appreciate it like I should. But I'm trying.

Katara

Katara couldn't stop staring at the people standing apart from the crowd in red coats that looked more decorative than practical. They too seemed to be judging her, appraising her just as she had feared. Like one would do at a market. Well she wasn't going to be bid on, not by anyone. Some faces were kind, Katara recognized the woman, Princess Ursa from the miniature painting of her mother's. She assumed the man standing next to her was her husband. He was also staring at her, but in a disinterested way that belied interest. He was…unsettling.

But Prince Zuko was—

The cloak. He's wearing the cloak! –Was the first thing she thought as she looked at him. He was standing there with a sort of sheepish expression, not saying a word, but not hiding his gaze either. How could he wear it? Where would he have gotten it from? The corners of her mouth turned down as she let out a sigh of frustration. The only one who knew was her mother and she wouldn't betray her confidence like that. She wouldn't.

That's not for you.

"Katara, Sokka," Her mother called, "Come introduce yourselves."

Letting go of Sokka, Katara inched forward at a snail's pace, fingers balled tightly into fists, unsure whether it was nerves or irritation that drove her forward. Stopping a few meters away she bowed. "Your highnesses."

A young man with a beard stepped forward. He had kind golden eyes and an easy-going smile that spoke of reassurance, but Katara wasn't having any of it. "Princess Katara, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lu Ten." He said with a cheeriness in his voice that bordered on laughter. "My Uncle, Prince Ozai, and Aunt, Princess Ursa." She bowed to them, before Lu Ten gestured to the younger people on his left. "My cousins, Prince Zuko and Princess Azula."

Azula. She must be the daughter of the concubine.

"It's nice to meet you." She said, although right now it was anything but nice. He's wearing the cloak I made for Hahn! She raged internally, a small grimace on her face but knew for the sake of her people she couldn't let them think badly of her.

"Your granddaughter does you credit, Master Pakku." Prince Ozai murmured quietly, looking at Katara, evaluating her. His gaze was cold, uncomfortable to linger under. Katara averted her eyes, but she could still feel that disturbing stare on her face. "She was near perfection."

"There's no such thing as perfection." Katara blurted out, turning back to them, cheeks reddening as she did so. Her eyes flicked towards Pakku at her side. "Or so my grandfather tells me."

Ozai's lip curled into a smile, but it didn't make her feel any more reassured under his taciturn stare. "Of course, perfection isn't possible for everyone—only the select few," Prince Ozai was saying, those cold eyes seeming to chill her where she stood. "But everyone can try, wouldn't you agree?"

Sucking in air, Katara raised her chin high as she stared at the prince. I'm not going to let you intimidate me. "It depends on the situation, sir. Perfection might not be necessary. There can be important lessons learned from mistakes. Lessons that could lead you to something better than you originally intended."

"True enough..." He said, but the words were soft. If she were reading his expression accurately, the Fire Lord's brother looked almost…impressed by what she said. If the beaming smile on Princess Ursa's face was anything to go by, then she definitely answered the question well. Was that supposed to be a test? Already? Just what was this family getting at? "Perhaps you and my daughter, Princess Azula might like to spar sometime."

"I um…I would like that, Prince Ozai." Katara answered, a polite smile on her face. She had no interest in sparring with a concubine's daughter. It seemed like Azula didn't have any interest in sparring with her as well, letting out a scoff and rolling her eyes before turning away.

"Katara," Her mother said, breaking her out of her thoughts. "When you and Sokka are finished helping your grandfather clean up, I would like for you to go to the temple and fetch Yue."

"Both of us? Why can't just Katara go? It's so far—," Sokka began to interrupt but was silenced by the dark look on their mother's face.

"I would like for this to be a family affair." The Cheiftess continued before turning to Princess Ursa with a smile. "That should give you all sufficient time to freshen up and relax before dinner tonight. You'll be staying in our home for the evening, as well."

"I look forward to it." Princess Ursa smiled again, as the two mothers clasped hands and walked through the doorway between the walls. The rest of the family followed suit, but not before giving her one last look. Prince Zuko and Lu Ten lingered especially long, their expressions unreadable, but Lu Ten looked much kinder than Zuko. He looked suspicious of her, his clear golden eyes drawing tight with apprehension.

But finally, they were gone too, the long train of the cloak around Zuko's shoulders—the wrong shoulders—trailing on the ground behind them. As soon as they were out the door, Katara breathed a sigh of relief she didn't know that she'd been holding in. It felt like gloom had been lifted off her shoulders. Mehmet jogged up to her, followed by a bunch of the other boys in the waterbending and weaponry advanced classes. "Did you see how they were staring at you?" Mehmet asked her, a couple of the boys nodded. "It's a good thing Hahn wasn't here to see that. He wouldn't have been happy."

"I guess…" She murmured.

Why wasn't he here?

Lu Ten

Father and Mother,

The Water Tribe doesn't have a palace, but Princess Katara says that what they lack in opulence and extravagance, they make up for with simplicity. What I "apparently" mistake for a cramped living space, Princess Katara refers to it as being cozy. Honestly, it makes me wonder how they get anything done.

Mother, you will be pleased to know that their home is made of stone (imported from the Earth Kingdom of course) so your only son won't be sleeping in the snow. They call their dining room the Hall, although it is not large by any means. It also doubles as a place where they receive members of their people. It is roughly the size of your bedroom, and from there, one has access to all of the sleeping chambers of the family which are in very close proximity to one another, only separated by a hallway or two. There are no guards, and they don't lock their doors. It is a wonder that there are no thefts in the night. Strange customs.

There are also no servants here. I know. I almost can't believe it either. You can't imagine my surprise as we stood there gaping in open-mouthed silence as the Water Tribe royal family did menial tasks such as setting up the dining table or washing dishes. They all worked as a unit, tasks being completed thoughtlessly, as though they'd done it for decades, which they probably have. No task was too small—Prince Sokka was wiping down the tables, while his father brought cushions for all of us to recline on before bringing in the tables from a spare room. Still I can't believe it.

I'm writing now as dinner will be prepared shortly—apparently Cheiftess Kya and Princess Katara will cook it themselves. Azula complains relentlessly about being poisoned. I told her to keep quiet or I was letting the polar bear dog eat her as a snack. I do not think she believed me, but she remains quiet all the same. Tiang wasn't allowed inside the village.

As for our sleeping arrangements—

The very thought of the room arrangements made him cringe, and he hesitated to write it down on paper. There was limited space—the Water Tribe didn't have enough stone to give each of them their own room. He didn't mind sharing a room with Zuko, they'd done things like that all the time as children. That, was no big deal. But Ursa and Ozai…Lu Ten couldn't remember the last time he'd seen the two share a room, much less a bed. For that matter the Water Tribe didn't use beds. They used thin mattresses on the floor with blankets and furs to keep out the cold once the fires went out. Perhaps the reason the Water tribe had so many children been because living in such a cold climate required exchanging body heat often. If that were the case, then Lu Ten might not mind the frigid temperatures so much, as long as he had a warm body next to him.

Azula had to sleep in Katara's room, something the young girl complained about incessantly. At first, Katara looked like she was anticipating it, like she was excited even, but the more Azula complained, the more the girl's cheerful smile wore down into a look of stress and dismay. He'd tried to make her comfortable, by saying that Azula's complaining would tire her out so fast she'd hardly even notice the girl was there, but Katara's spirits didn't cheer.

Lu Ten also noticed the way Water Tribe girl looked at Zuko, like the poor boy had killed her pet or something. Heh. Maybe she had killed her favorite pet to make that cloak. It wouldn't be the first strange thing to happen since coming here. And Yue—no he wouldn't put her in the letter. But if those eyes she gave him when she arrived were any indication, Lu Ten was sure that this girl would make a lasting impression in his quest to appreciate all that the Water Tribe had to offer.

"Prince Lu Ten?" A light voice stopped his thoughts. Speak of her and she shall appear. He looked up, and his breath caught as her bright blue eyes stared down at him. The white of her hair glowed in the torchlight, framing her face so that so that she looked like a goddess come to life. Setting aside the pen and paper, Lu Ten moved away from the frigid wall of the room he was to share that night with Zuko. He grinned at her, pleased with the pink tinge to her cheeks.

Lu Ten groaned as he began to rise, frowning as he did so. It seemed the cold had made his limbs stiff and moving painful. Moving beside her, he asked "Is there anything I can do for you, Yue?"

"No," She replied, gesturing to the double doors. "I was sent to fetch you. Dinner will be ready shortly."

"Oh, is it?" At her nod, they began to walk out of the room.

"Writing a novel?" She asked.

"No," He chuckled, "A letter to my parents."

Lu Ten opened the door allowing her to pass. She smelled like ice and cold, like the wintery mint of ice wine as it warmed your nose and cooled your tongue. They walked along the narrow hallway, the dark stone imposing and enclosing, seeming to force the pair into closer and closer proximity with one another.

"I hope you don't mind, but I'll be sitting across from you this evening." She said quietly, eyes flashing quickly to his face and then away.

"I don't mind, in fact, I'm sure my meal will be made all the better with your lovely visage in front of me." He quipped lightly. "Though I fear my thoughts may take an impure turn in your presence."

The girl stopped in her tracks for a moment, breath coming in quick pants, the sweetest hint of red on her flushed cheeks.

Oh, I'm good.

But she recovered quickly, and the hooded look she sent him was almost enough to stop him in his tracks. Almost.

"Well," She said lowly after a moment. "When such temptations are so insistent, why deny them?"

"I thought priestesses were supposed to be chaste and all that." He let the thought linger, giving her one last chance to back out before things went too far. Before he went too far.

But then came the slight upturn of her pink lips, the smoothness and confidence with which she spoke igniting something with in him as soon as the blasphemous words left her sinful mouth.

"Chastity is overrated."

Ursa

"Are you sure you won't let me help you?" Ursa questioned her friend for what must have been the hundredth time that evening.

But Kya, like she always did, gave Ursa only an appreciative glance before turning back to the hot stove. Ursa felt so useless in this kitchen, with nothing to do but watch Kya and Katara, sweat beading on their brows as they cooked a hearty meal for ten people. Kya's father-in law, Master Pakku, wouldn't be joining them for dinner, citing their presence as crowding. He would instead be dining with another distant relative of his in a village over. Katara was distant from her mother, answering the woman's requests with barely a two-word answer. A dim look was painted on the girl's face, and there would be occasional spots of bitterness and anger simmering below the surface. Ursa wondered if her presence truly offended the girl so much, if she had, surely Kya would have said something, right?

It was sweltering in this kitchen, as fried meat and stews in large pots boiling over large fires created a pleasant but thick and heavy air in the room. The smoke funneled out through chimneys strategically placed around the area, but the kitchen was cramped even without it. There was a lot of food present, stored for the winter months that were soon approaching. Even if she did help, what was the point, she wouldn't know what to do and, in any event, would probably mess something up. Even Princess Katara moved around the kitchen like it was second nature, with a sixth sense to know when meat was done but not blackened or which pots needed to simmer longer or be taken off the fire. The art of cooking was a skill that Ursa had lost years ago, and while she missed the creativity it brought, she couldn't help but feel that she didn't miss making her own meals.

"There," Kya said, rising from her seated position as the last of the stew was ready. She offered Ursa an apologetic smile. "All done."

"I just wish I could…" Ursa didn't finish, but had a feeling that Kya knew what she was talking about anyway. There were so many things she wished she could do again.

"I know. You will." The other woman said, patting Ursa on the shoulder. Her hands were warm. "One day." Turning to her daughter who had gathered the plates and bowls necessary, she said, "Go gather Sokka and the Princes. If they want to eat, they need to help." The young girl nodded and quickened out the door.

"You didn't let me help." Ursa protested.

"You're my friend, and my guest." Kya joked with a laugh. "Not a lazy prince. Come, at least you can help me with this."

Kya briefly explained that they'd be sealing the pots with lids before stacking them, making them easier to carry while still retaining their hot temperature.

Once she'd gone, Kya turned back to her, sympathy written all over her face.

"About the sleeping arrangements…I know—,"

Ursa tried to keep the resentment from coloring the otherwise happy mood. "I—it'll be fine. I'm sure of it. We've pretended before." Ursa waved her off. "Though I'm thankful Lu Ten made Tiang stay on the ship, I doubt I could stomach it if she joined his bed while I was still in the room."

"Has it gotten so bad?"

Ursa let out the sigh of a weary wife, who'd grown both sick of and used to her husband's infidelity. "Honestly? I think they forget I'm even there, half the time. You should have seen them—actually maybe you shouldn't. Instead of treating this as a way to strengthen ties with other nations, I think Tiang perceives it as a private pleasure cruise for just the two of them—and the rest of us are stowaways that just so happened to tag along like extra luggage." Ursa finished her sentence bitterly, damning the tears that came to her eyes.

Kya looked like she didn't know what to say in that moment, sympathy and irritation crossing her features for the briefest of seconds. It's not like she could offer Ursa any words of advice, her marriage was the most happy and stable one she'd ever seen. The utter devotion in the way Hakoda looked at his wife was something to be envied, and an undeniable spot of jealousy wormed its way into Ursa's heart. The Fire Princess hadn't known that so much love could pass between a couple long after their children had grown up. It was more than simple affection or companionship; it was that they were two separate parts of a whole that found completion in their unity.

Shaking the tense moment off, Ursa nudged her friend as she'd hefted another heavy pot into her arms to join the others on the table. "What do you think about the two of them?" Ursa gestured knowingly at the door.

"Who, Katara and Zuko?" Her friend asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow before letting out a sigh. "Oh, I think it may be wishful thinking on our parts, Ursa."

"I wasn't going to mention it to you, but when Katara saw Zuko wearing the cloak, instead of being happy, she looked—," Ursa cut off, unable to describe the mixture of vehemence and pain in that young girl's eyes.

"Betrayed?" There was a mother's pain in Kya's voice as Ursa nodded in agreement. The last of the pots stacked and loaded, ready to be carted out whenever the boys arrived. The two women straightened before leaning against the bench, the heat from the food at their backs.

"Well…yes."

A guilty expression came over her friend's face. "I fear that has more to do with my poor understanding of my daughter, than any mistake your son did." She swallowed, seemingly trying to find the right words to say. "You see, there is a boy in the village, that my daughter has had a crush on for some time now. I'm not even sure how long, myself."

Ah.

"And you think she made the cloak for him, and not Zuko?"

Kya nodded half-heartedly. "I'm almost positive of it now after seeing her face. It's common here for engaged people to exchange gifts as a way to cement their future marriage and devotion to each other. The boy usually carves a betrothal necklace of a stone that he has found himself, with some inscription meaningful to them both—," Here her hand went absentmindedly to her neckline, fingering the own beautiful turquoise stone that was around her own neck.

It was plain as day the way Kya valued and loved this necklace that her husband had carved. Again, Ursa couldn't fight the jealousy that had burrowed its way under her skin at Kya's words. She hadn't felt that way in a long, long time. And it was likely that she never would again. But that was fine—She was fine. Though it was more to convince herself not to break down again, than it was actually based in truth.

"She will wear this for life. As a child, Yue once called it a collar, but Katara always saw it in a more romantic light. Ultimately it could be passed down to her own daughter one day, or a son to give to his own beloved."

"And the boy receives a cloak," Ursa said, willing to turn the conversation, and her thoughts away from Kya's happily married life. "Which we gave to Zuko."

"Or something like that—yes," Kya heaved a long breath. "But you didn't give it to him, I did. And Katara will never forgive me for it."

As if called by her very name, Katara burst through the doors with a very disgruntled Sokka and a confused Zuko trailing behind her. The girl looked frustrated, and her brother even more so. Gesturing to the pots that the two adult women had stacked, Katara's hands fell to her hips.

"See, Prince Zuko? Now do you believe me?" The girl snapped much more harshly than Ursa expected. Perhaps Kya was right, and Katara did harbor resentment over the cloak.

"I didn't say that I didn't believe you." Zuko said right back, a hard edge beginning to creep into his voice. "I said that I can't believe you expect me to help."

"Oh dear, manual labor." Katara retorted sarcastically, rolling her eyes. "How dreadful."

Kya moved closer to her daughter with gentle admonishment. "Now Katara, in any other situation, Prince Zuko would be right. He is a guest in this house and guests—,"

"Should be treated like they don't have any arms or legs of their own?" Katara's eyes were hard as she stared up at her mother, that simmering anger was getting ready to burst, and spirits help those who stood near her. Kya's blue eyes looked wounded, hurt by her daughter's response. "You do have working arms and legs Prince Zuko? You're fully capable of movement?"

"Katara you're being too harsh." Sokka chimed in, a disapproving look on his face as he stared at his sister. "I've been talking with Prince Zuko and he's a halfway decent guy—,"

"Gee, thanks." Zuko rolled his eyes, but Sokka continued

"And he is a guest, and Mom always says guests shouldn't have to do stuff like this." Sokka shrugged, seemingly nonchalant.

"Oh, you mean the stuff that we do every day?" Katara wasn't up for placation, cheeks red with anger, willing to see this argument through to the end. "Stuff that apparently he's too good for?" A fire burned in Katara's eyes that both frightened and impressed Ursa. Should this girl come to the Fire Nation, she'd make a worthy opponent for all who opposed her, but…such a fire like that was also the source of her fear. Who knows what trouble she'd get into?

Zuko laughed a bit, but it was an arrogant, mocking laugh. Ursa's eyes narrowed at her son. "Where I come from, we have servants to do this menial work for us. We're not like you." She felt her mouth drop open in shock as her son began speaking. Ursa couldn't bear to look at Kya, to see the disappointment etched in her face. "And if you wanted help so badly, why didn't you ask Azula as well? Seems to me that she's got perfectly good arms and legs. Is it because that only men are supposed to do stuff like this?"

Katara blinked in confusion. "That's not it—,"

"Or is that you just wanted me to do the heavy lifting?" This last question from her son was filled with more vitriol than Ursa had ever heard her son direct at a stranger.

"Speaking of which, where is Lu Ten?" Ursa asked, finally noticing the Crown Princes' absence.

"No idea." Zuko answered her gruffly, but his eyes were on Katara the whole time. "But you didn't answer my question."

"My Mom asked for your help, not me. How is she supposed to know that Princess Azula is just as strong as you're? Huh?" She stepped closer to Zuko, hands still on her hips. "Besides, we've just cooked for hours for ten people and we might be a little tired. Ever think of that? And maybe we don't have servants but that's because we're capable of doing things on our own without the help! That's the way it's always been!"

"Katara." Kya's voice was full of disappointment. "How can you speak that way? You're making an awful first impression. This isn't the way we act to guests and people we don't know. Apologize to our guests. Now."

"And it doesn't matter if we're guests or not, Zuko." Ursa chimed in, also disappointed in her son who uncomfortably shied away from her gaze. "Chief Hakoda and Cheiftess Kya have been kind enough to let us into their home for the night, when we could have spent it in the snow. We should be willing to do whatever we can to lighten their burden."

"We all will help." Kya admonished, "Even you Sokka, and Princess Azula once I fetch her."

"I have to help too?" Sokka looked positively stunned. "That's not even fair I wasn't the one getting yelled at."

"Sokka, you will help. Katara, you're not to leave this room until you apologize." That was all Kya said before picking up a heavy pot and striding out of the room with a determined gait, not looking back.

To their credit, Zuko and Katara did look properly chastised, their eyes having found a sudden affection for the floor. They stood almost still as statues, refusing to look up at either each other or the people around them. Ursa crossed her arms over her chest.

"Prince Sokka, please join your mother."

Sokka gaped at her. "And miss this? I need blackmail material." At this, Katara's head snapped up to glare at her brother. Whatever look he saw there must have changed his mind because before she could say anything he backed out of the room, reaching for a pan of meat as he went. "Alright, Alright, I'm going, I'm going…"

She waited until the door had closed behind them. "Now as for the two of you." She said harshly, turning back to them. Again, they looked uncomfortable. "Princess Katara I have no authority over you, but you Zuko? My own son? That is not how you were raised, to behave with such a conceited and disrespectful attitude."

Zuko looked up and pointed at the princess opposite him. "Mom, she started it."

"It doesn't matter who started it. What matters is that you know better than that. And Princess Katara, I would wager your mother would say the exact same thing." From the dismayed look in Katara's eyes, Ursa would bet that she was right. Her hand came up to rub the bridge of her nose, feeling a headache burn behind her eyes. "Now, we're not leaving here until I can rest assured that we will all make it through tonight in one piece."

Seconds seemed like hours as she waited for the two to say something. But they didn't, they only purposefully avoided each other's gaze as they both tried to not be the one to apologize first. The silence between them was deafening, the only thing she could really hear was the crackling of the large stone hearth in the corner of the room. Sokka even came back a time or two, Azula trailing uncomfortably behind him as they returned to get some more plates. Seeing her brother's discomfort, Azula immediately paused, gazing on them with interest.

"Still trying to get those two to apologize?" Sokka joked. "Not going to happen."

"Apologize for…?" Azula asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Azula will you get out of here?" Zuko snapped starkly at his sister. Katara frowned. The girl's red-lipped smile only grew as she acquiesced, departing the kitchen without a word. Sighing, Zuko turned back to Katara, once she'd left. "Princess Katara, I—,"

"I'm sorry." Katara blurted out first, taking both Zuko and Ursa by surprise. Surprisingly, there was genuine feeling clear in her crystal blue eyes. She gave an apologetic glance towards Ursa. "You're a guest. And it was unfair of me to speak to you that way."

"I apologize as well," Zuko said, as sincere as the other girl as well. "I should have realized that what I said was offensive."

"It wasn't." The girl said honestly. "I shouldn't have expected you to help." But the last line was spat bitterly.

Lu Ten

Dinner passed amicably for the most part, but it felt like it dragged on forever to Lu Ten. The food was warm and delicious, but was a bit bland on spice, but that was to be expected from a country where even procuring the most basic of necessities was a daily challenge. It was clear that Cheiftess Kya's skill was evidently more than just a rumor. There was pleasant conversation between himself, Ursa and the two rulers of the Water Tribe, but dreadful silence between everyone else. It was also hard not to look at Yue, but if the furtive and suggestive glances she kept giving him from beneath her lashes were anything to go by, dessert would be twice as good. They'd already spent the minutes before dinner back in the room he was to share. Her cold lips pressed against his heated skin in a way that felt so completely foreign to him.

He'd explored much of her, finding with some small satisfaction just how thin the robes a priestess wore could be, and just how easy they were to remove. But they'd be missed sooner or later; so they exchanged breath after breath with scorching touches that lingered long after her hands had left his arms, trailing over his skin and moving onto other areas, they had to practically tear themselves away from each other.

Even now, as their eyes met over the bowls of hot stew, Lu Ten flinched as Yue's coquettish grin threatened to give them away. He'd never had a girl be this brazen with him before aside from the obvious brothels, and to be perfectly honest, he'd expected her to have some tact about the whole thing. After all, weren't priestesses supposed to be off limits? If they were caught, and they very might well be with the way Yue's hand brushed his every time Lu Ten reached for more food to spoon onto his plate, her lingering touches happening far too often to be merely an act of coincidence. Lu Ten had a feeling Zuko knew more than he let on, as the pointed look he gave their interlocked hand sent his heart racing. But his cousin wouldn't betray his confidence like that.

So, he tried to distract himself from both Yue and Zuko by engaging the others at the table in conversations about meaningless topics, while sipping ice wine trying to get as pleasantly drunk as possible.

"Where are you heading next for the Hana Matsuri, Lu Ten?" Cheiftess Kya asked from next to him.

"Kyoshi Island." Lu Ten took a drink of his wine.

The boy, Prince Sokka's head snapped up in alarm. "Why Kyoshi?" A strangely suspicious look formed on the boy's face, as Cheiftess Kya let out an exasperated sigh, a palm coming to rub her forehead tiredly.

"We're told that the leader of Kyoshi Island has a daughter of marrying age." His aunt Ursa explained from the other end of the table. "I believe her name is Suki."

"Her name is Suki, and there's no way she's going to marry either one of you." Sokka said vehemently, pointing at both of them. "You're the reason she hasn't been answering my letters."

"Well, we aren't planning to take her." Lu Ten said hurriedly, exchanging a glance with Zuko. "We'd like to give her some choice in the matter."

"Trust me, I know her. She'll say no." The young boy said with absolute certainty before turning back to his food.

Clearing his throat, Lu Ten continued, explaining to the Cheiftess, "From there we will proceed to several major cities of the Earth Kingdom until finally arriving at Ba Sing Se. We will rest there for the remainder of the week before heading back to the Fire Nation." Lu Ten answered, both anticipating and dreading the next few weeks of travel. "The entire journey will take 8 weeks at most if the seas are unfavorable."

"And you'll be collecting girls along the way?" Mused Katara, idly swirling the food in her bowl.

"I wouldn't put it like that—," Lu Ten stammered, trying to find words to describe what was going on. They weren't kidnapping them; this was a consensual marriage market. It's not like Lu Ten was forcing any girl to marry him, only the ones that wanted it.

"I would." At Katara's words, even Zuko had this look of See, I told you on his face.

Lu Ten let out an uncertain cough, pausing for the briefest of moments. "Everyone, you included, Princess Katara, has the right to refuse. That's not what the Hana Matsuri's purpose is. What's more, my father would never allow anyone to be married against their will. I prefer to think of it as…simply gathering all of the eligible and interested parties in one place."

"Eligible…meaning royal girls only?"

"Well yes," Lu Ten assented. "Members of a ruling family are preferred, though any member of an aristocracy will suffice. As I'm sure you know, Princess Katara, and your parents will attest to this, I'm certain, that running a nation is not the easiest task, and those who can best navigate the waters are those who have been born and bred in that environment."

Katara didn't reply, picking her cup back up, not looking pleased by the answer. He didn't know what else to say to her, only wondering what he'd done to earn her ire. Perhaps this girl was as confrontational, and stubborn as Yue initially made her out to be?

"Zuko." Lu Ten whispered from across the table towards his reluctant cousin. Lu Ten shouldn't be the only one that's lucky in love, tonight. Zuko's head snapped up, along with Yue's, Katara's and Azula. Lu Ten smiled sheepishly and they all turned back to their meal, but before Zuko could look away, Lu Ten glanced pointedly to the Water Tribe Princess.

Say something to her. Lu Ten mouthed.

Not a chance. Zuko shook his head.

Do it! Lu Ten frowned, and hoped the message was clear even though the words were silent. Turning back to his meal, Yue glanced at him strangely, but he just shrugged.

After what seemed like an eternity, Zuko cleared his throat. "Princess Katara," And at once the entire hall hushed, the only sound that of Zuko's voice. Ursa and Kya seemed particularly interested, and even Ozai looked a little curious at what the prince was going to say.

At first, it didn't even seem like Katara had heard him, she only continued to push her food around her plate absentmindedly, and Lu Ten wondered if she was even going to reply.

But she did reply, even if the look the girl gave was interested at best, impassive at worst. "Yes, Prince Zuko?"

"I would like to thank you for the gift. The cloak you made." Zuko said as an attempted peace offering. Lu Ten thought it was as good a place to start as any. Princess Katara wouldn't have made the cloak if she wasn't at least interested in Zuko as a potential match. But Ursa and Kya both looked petrified. Why?

"I'm glad it pleases you." Katara said coolly, her eyes barely rising to meet Zuko's.

"It's an admirable job. It's impressive for someone of your age. I mean, of course you needed help with it, but the crafting is quite lovely."

As Katara leveled her gaze at his cousin, Lu Ten wondered if the temperature in the room had decreased by a few notches.

Zuko, please don't put your foot in your mouth anymore.

"Excuse me?" She said archly.

Zuko said by way of explanation, "I realize of course that with so many people working on the cloak, I should be thanking your entire family for their effort—,"

"What do you mean, 'so many people' and 'my entire family?" Katara picked up the spoon in her hand and gestured towards the cloak. "Sure, Sokka got me the wolf pelt and my mom made sure my stitches were in a straight line, but I made that cloak myself. I've bled over it for the past week and a half. If there are mistakes in its construction, then feel free to criticize, but they are my mistakes alone. Not anyone else's."

Oh no.

Zuko held up his hands in defense. "That's not what I meant—,"

"Oh really? Then what did you mean?"

"I was trying to say that I thought you did admirable work. It is a beautiful cloak."

Katara scoffed, mockingly. "Oh admirable, is it? The way you say the word I would think you meant merely passable."

As Lu Ten stared in open mouth horror at the exchange, he heard Yue give a noticeable cough, as if to say that her criticisms of the young princess once again had merit. The two young royals were still bickering, and the exchange was growing increasingly heated.

"You're blowing things completely out of proportion." Zuko was saying. "It's not a very attractive quality."

"I don't believe this!" The utensils hit the table with an awful clanging noise. She stood up, staring down at Zuko with all the fury of a summer storm in those bright blue eyes, lips parted and panting, cheeks flushed with rage. "I thought you would be just a little bit grateful, Prince Zuko, since I didn't even make that cloak for you!"

With a quick look at her mother, the princess muttered out an 'excuse me' before storming out of the room, the frigid wind entering as she left, causing the occupants to shiver with the cold. After a second, in the weighty silence that followed, everyone stared at the door the young girl left out of, waiting for her to come back.

But she didn't.

At the end of the table, Azula still sipped her wine casually, a slow smile spreading across her red lips.

"Well that was dramatic."

The reason why I rewrote this whole thing was because I didn't think that Zuko and Katara had anything legitimate to fight about in my earlier version of The Palace. I felt like it was contrived and only there because I didn't know how to set up a couple without them being enemies first. Darn my clichés! It's still a cliché, but hopefully a more realistic one. Hope you enjoy reading!

Fully edited 1/23/18