Katara Pov

I couldn't belive that the spirit festival was just a few days away. I mean I'd heard that it was a grand event up here in the northern water tribe which is why I'm glad my brother and I came here to train and grow stronger. In just a few weeks I had already advanced to the top of my class and become one of the strongest people here, but of course that ment that there were a lot of men but one in particular who wanted my hand in marriage. Which leads me to my current problem and the cause of my aggravation.

"Katara did you hear me?"

"Oh sorry dad I was lost in thought." My farther had shown up a couple of days ago and told me that we needed to talk which was never good.

"Well like I said Katara about a week ago a young man came to our home and asked for your hand in marriage. And you'll never believe who it was."

Please don't be who I think it is oh by the spirits please don't be who I think it is.

"It was the avatar."

Damn!

It wasn't that I didn't like Aang I mean he was a nice guy and all, but he was just so childish at times not to mention the way he acted around me was just on the border of admirer and stalker. I'd turned him down multiple times before but unlike the other guys he just kept coming back.

"And what did you tell him?" Although if I knew my dad I could guess his answer.

"I told him yes of course. Honestly I can't think of any greater opportunity then for you to marry the avatar."

"But dad I don't want to marry him! I'm only eighteen for spirits sake. I want to live my life for a few years and then settle down when I'm ready.

His tone and face changed from excitement to serious but when he saw the expression he relaxed and tried to look apologetic.

"listen Katara I know you want to live your live but think of the tribe. Compared to the north the south is a small glacier and if people see that the avatar chose someone from the south to marry then hopefully people will flock there and the tribe will grow stronger."

As the chief of the tribe and as a farther he was only trying to do what was best but I still feel like I'd picked the short stick in all of this. I'd never dated anyone or even been kissed before and now I'm expected to marry someone I've only interacted with a few times.

"But I..."

"No buts Katara! Look I'm sorry he's not your ideal husband but I've already given him my blessing and as a chief I can't go back on my word. I'm sure given time you two will realize that you have a lot in common."

Then it was hopeless, when my dad gave his word he never broke it which ment that for better or worse I'd be marrying the avatar.

Well at least that means guys will stop asking me to date them. Only now Aang will be following me around like a love sick puppy.

After dad's little announcement I decided to take a walk outside to try and clear my head which was made much harder when the person I really didn't want to see dropped out of the sky nervously smiling like a idiot.

"Oh hey Katara...did your dad tell you the big news?"

What that you wouldn't take no for an answer and decided to go behind my back and just ask my farther who couldn't say yes fast enough! I thought to myself trying my best to hod back my anger

"He did." I managed to say trying not to clinch my fists.

"Great!... I mean that's good and all but... what do you think of it?"

What do I think!? that little bald... No calm down he's not a bad guy just a bit to sure of his feelings for me.

"I don't know what to think. Honestly I don't want to settle down right now but dad already gave his blessings so there's not much I can do."

As I talked he seemed to look a bit ashamed at what he had done wich made me feel a bit better.

"Listen I know I should have asked first and I understand if you're angry but I only ask you give me a chance to prove myself."

"I don't know Aang." I really don't want to do this.

"How about this, be my date to the spirit festival in a couple days and if we hit it off you allow me to date you."

"And if we don't?" he looks at me like he didn't think of that situation.

"If we don't then by my honor as the avatar I'll terminate our engagement and won't ask you again." The way he said that made it perfectly clear that although he ment what he said he was without a doubt hoping it doesn't come to that.

Well at least he gave his word to give up on me if it doesn't go well. Honestly he'd make a great husband to any girl and I do hope he finds someone else when this is over.

"Alright Aang I'll give you a chance."

"Great! I'll see you at the festival." Before I could act he leans up and plants a kiss on my cheek before flying off on his glider no doubt planning how he'll he win me over.

"It's just one date, then after that I won't have to marry him and I'll move far away from here maybe go see the earth kingdom." Trying to push the date from my mind I continued my walk through the city crossing over bridges and canals until I somehow wound up near the ancient shrine where I saw my princess Yue reading a book. During my first few days here I'd noticed her watching me as I practiced my waterbending and soon after introducing myself we started talking and before we knew it had become good friends. As soon as she heard footsteps Yue looked up and smiled when she saw me.

"Katara I heard a rumor that you're getting married is that true?" I'd told Yue of my disdain for marriage and she sympathized with me being a princess and all.

"Yeah it's true, Aang asked my farther how couldn't help that think it will make the south stronger."

She gives me a quick hug before guiding me over to the spirit pond where the ocean and moon spirit were circling each other like they always were.

"They're anxious about the portal opening in a couple days. It's said that on that day they fall into a deep slumber so that they can recharge their power."

It was then that an idea formed in my mind. And if it went as planned then I wouldn't have to go on a date with Aang.

"You know these spirits are the source of our bending and it would be a shame if they were left unprotected when the portals opened."

Yue looked at me instantly catching on to my plan.

"Well we can't have that now can we? Then as princess as the northern water tribe I hear by ask you to guard the spirits untill the portals closed and their powers returned do you accept this task?"

"It would be an honor."

This way I won't have to deal with Aang and if he brings it up after the festival I can just say that I had something more important to do. It's not the nicest thing to do but he started it when he went behind my back.

As the days came and went Katara watched from atop the wall with her brother as people were opening up their booths for the festival in a few hours.

"So Aangs been preparing a list of things for you two do to tonight you excited?" Sokka and Aang had become good friends since we've been here and from what he told me he couldn't ask for a better in-law which made what I was about to do so difficult.

"Yeah can't wait"

"That's good but... do you think the princess will be there I heard she usually doesn't attend because of all the admirers."

I couldn't help but chuckle knowing full well that Sokka was one of those admires, if only he knew that the princess was as intrested in him as he was her.

Maybe I can make sure the two of them have fun tonight. If he's out with the princess tonight then Aang won't be able to rope him into looking for me tonight. Besides if I have to stand here while they both ask me about the other then i'll go mad.

"You know she did ask me if I knew any capable person that would be willing to be her escort for the night so she can enjoy the festival. If you want I can tell her you're available."

"Really!?... I mean yeah that'll be fine you know if she's okay with it."

As the lights of the village started to come on I realized that if I wanted to avoid Aang and make it to the shine I would have to move now.

"Sokka come on I'll take you to her I was going to meet her anyway."

I took his hand and pulled him over the wall using my bending to slide down before landing in the water before riding the wave on a frozen section all the way to the top of the village. After running for a few minutes and watching the skies for Aang i finally foun Yue at the opening to the shrine. She nearly jumped when she saw Sokka and looked to me with a questioning look.

"Yue I found Sokka and he said he'd be happy to be your escort you can enjoy the festival." I told her giving her a wink. After taking a deep breath she pulled us away from Sokka who was blushing himself.

"Katara what's the meaning of this?"

"Listen he likes you and you like him so go enjoy the festival alright"

She looks back at Sokka and then to me as a smile formed on her face.

"Alright just try not to die of boredom while I'm gone, I'll come get you as soon as the portals are closed."

She moves to Sokka and offers her hand which he takes but as they start to walk her turns back to me.

"Aren't you coming to the festival?"

Looks like I have to reveal my plan.

"I'd love to but I've been instructed to guard the spirits for the night. If Aang asks about me tell him you haven't seen me I'm supposed to do this myself to prove my mastery of waterbending." He was about to protest when Yue places her hand on his cheek forcing him to look at her.

"Come on Sokka I haven't been to the festival in years and I want to see everything." All he could do was nod as she lead him away and I retreated into the shrine ready to be bord out of my mind for the next few hours. But honestly it went by pretty fast, a couple hours into my solitude the sky lit up with a blinding pillar of light indicating the portals had been opened and the spirits drifted to the bottom of the pond the only sign that they were still alive were their gills opening and closing as they slept.

In fact I grew so bored just sitting there that eventually I must have drifted off. I wasn't sure just how long I was sleeping because the next thing I knew I was staring up at the night sky and to the sound of someone cursing.

"Damn looks like I'll only be able to carry one jug, it's not much but it should help Ty lee at least now I just need to find a healer."

I was immediately up and in a battle stance. Stealing water from this shrine was one of the worst things you could do. The figure in question was wearing a cloak and holding a massive jug no doubt containing the water.

"You there! stop what you're doing and return the water." hearing my words I expected the figure to run but whoever it was didn't even get up but instead just moved their hand and sent a massive blue fireball straight at me. Although my bending was weakened I still managed to consume the fireball with a wave of water from the pond. This seemed to get the fire benders attention.

"Seems I won't have to look very far. You there women how strong are you?" The figure said removing their cloak showing a beautiful women in their place.

"I'm at the top of my class."

"That's good now be a good girl and come with me." She spoke like she expected me to just drop everything and obey her so instead I sent a frozen spear of water straight at her head. As it was inches from her face she side stepped and broke it in half with her hand.

"You've go spirit girl but I don't have the time to play with you. Now you and I are going to leave this place but whether you make it painful or not is entirely up to you."

She starts to move toward me hands glowing with blue flames but suddenly she looks to the sky where the portal was starting to fade.

"Damn I'm out of time, time to head home but not empty handed" Blue flames erupt from every part of her body causing me to look away and when I look back in her place wasn't the girl I'd been fighting but a massive blue dragon that was by far the most terrifying and beautiful thing I'd ever seen and in one of it's clawed hands holding the jug of water. It was then that I remembered her words and started to run away, I bearly made it six steps before I was captured in her other hand as she flew up and out of the shrine and toward the pillar of light were people were coming out of the portal and spirits were returning into it. I tried to fight her grip but al it earned me was her squeezing me nearly crushing my ribs and forcing me into out cold. The last thing I saw before we passed through the portal was Aang looking both annoyed and sad as he closed the portal with his hands sealing them for the next year. Our eyes made contact just as the portals closed but we both knew there was nothing he could do. Turning away from the portals I saw that we were flying over a massive forest and heading toward a massive palace no doubt where I would meet my end.