Chapter 3

Author's Note: I think I'm going to try to aim to make this chapter longer because I'm so use to writing small sections. Thanks for reviewing the last two chapters even though it's only 2. Each ones matter to me! (;

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any person associated inside it... nor will I ever.


Katara looked inside the room in front of her. It was huge, no wonder Uncle Iroh insisted they share a chamber. Zuko could have 2 more beds put in and still have room to train.

"Zuko, your room is... huge, are you sure this is just a ship?"

The Fire Lord laughed, "Yeah, but mines and Uncle's Iroh room are only this size... everywhere else is pretty small."

The room had little in it, but the furniture was elaborate. It had one king size bed with about ten pillows tossed on it. Everything seemed to be the highest quality of red silk and the carpet was woven with the image of Fire Lilies. Zuko noticed Katara looking around. He figured that the south pole didn't have things like this, but the Fire Nation was a huge country.

"This is pretty small compared to the palace's master room. If you're amazed this easily by the size... you're probably going to be speechless in the Fire Nation."

"I can't help it, you saw the south pole! We have tents and igloos... nothing like wooden beds and fine silk pillows," The water bender laugh.

Katara took a step into the room and started to look around. Everything gave off such a royal aura that she felt out of place. Zuko looked at her. He noticed the way her hair bounced as she took a step and how her nose would winkle when she was observing something. Then he noticed that she was still in that breathtaking creation called a dress and made a mental note to get her changed before stepping into the fire nation.

4 years. He had never really noticed before how beautiful the water bender was. Back in the Fire Nation, pale skin was normal, but Katara had beautiful tan skin that glistened in the water. Her dark brown hair only complimented her overall appearance and because she was a water bender... her blue eyes were unique to her kind. Yet, they were only friends. Friends who were being forced to marry one another for the good of both their nations and the future.

"Just friends," he mentally engraved.

Suddenly, Zuko heard a small yelp and looked up to see a certain water bender tripping on the edge of the carpet. Moving quick on his feet, Zuko lunged forward, pushing Katara onto the bed before she managed to hit her head on the wooden dresser.

Everything froze.

"ow..." the water bender mumbled as she slowly opened her eyes.

Golden orbs met ocean blue as Zuko landed right on Katara. He could smell a faint scent of lilies come off of her as she noted the smell of cinnamon on him.

"Friends," Zuko thought as he tried to desperately remind himself of his position. He had never really thought about it, but he wondered why he was fond of the water bender. Back during the war, he had remember the pain that shot through him as Azula set her aim on Katara. He had fear on his mind, but he was more scared of hurting this girl than dying. Before he knew it, his feet picked up, his heart was racing, and he had manage to redirect lighten without dying.

"You know, Katara..." The fire bender said, running a section of hair through his hand, "It's dangerous for a lady to walk into a man's room."

Katara laughed. It wasn't a joking laugh or a laugh you express when someone tells a joke, but she was genuinely getting nervous. Sure, she traveled with Zuko before, but now this was different. She didn't register that he was a guy back then. He was just her friend... who happened to be a little cute. Now, she had to marry him, live with him, have...kids with him which meant they would have to – to – bang. The water bender used the flower pot near Zuko's bed to make a small water whip, knocking him off of her and leaving him shocked.

"Hey! What was that for?" He asked more surprised than angry.

"And you should remind yourself that I am a water bending master," Katara remarked, "I don't need to fear any man."

Zuko smirked, "I know, which is why this is going to be a beautiful... marriage."


The master benders got interrupted a few moments later. Zuko had been pull into a meeting while Katara was informed that the female servants would help her get dress in something more suitable for a future Fire Lady.

"Fire Lord Zuko," An older man said as they stood in the office room, "Is this design the one you wanted for Lady Katara?"

Zuko looked at the object in his hand. He had noted that even today, Katara wore the same necklace around her neck. It was a small memento from a very important woman, who he had later on learned, during their journey, meant the world to her. He knew that she was the one sacrificing the most in this agreement. Not only was she leaving her home and family, but she would also have to learn his country's rules. The least he could do was give her one of her custom back.

"This is the bridal necklace I had you prepare, right?" Zuko asked, admiring the design.

He had personally sketched the picture for the man. He knew that the gentleman was suppose to make the stone themselves, but due to the complexity of the drawing, he realized he was not going to do a good job. He wanted Katara to remember her home town, which prompt him to draw the water tribe symbol in the center, but because they were creating a unity, he had it put in the middle of a flame to show her developing loyalty to the Fire Nation. Zuko requested that the stone be blue with red cravings because he had realize that Katara would general dress in red. This meant that she was losing the color she had worn her entire life. The final touch was the shape. Her mother's necklace was a circular stone and although he admire the craftsmanship, he had them make his into a heart.

"This will do," Zuko said as he paid the man extra for his hard work and time.

The man nodded and left, heading back to the room they prepared for him before leaving the Fire Nation. Suddenly, there was a small knock at the door.

"Zuko? Is your meeting over yet... Uncle Iroh said you should be finishing up,"

"Come in," He announced as he recognized the voice to be Katara's.

As the door slowly opened, Zuko's mouth slightly dropped. The blue dress had enhanced Katara's natural beauty, but a red dress; that was different. The water bender was in a floor length dress that hugged her waist and flowed out the bottom. The maids had put half of Katara's hair up and left the bottom half down. The dress was strapless, but a long silk wrap was placed on her shoulder to prevent any chills during the night and her mother's necklace laid proudly on her neck.

"They put make up on you?" Zuko asked as he stepped closer.

"Yeah, they said every girl should have a little on," Katara answered shyly.

There was really no need to put make up on Katara. She naturally had big eyes and her lips were always soft, or so they looked. The women had put a darker pink on Katara's lip and lined her eyes with eyeliner.

"They wanted to put on red lipstick, but I protested! For a men's ship, you guys have a lot of female dress," Katara said, "This one was easier to move in."

"Well, we wanted you to feel right at home,"

"With... dresses?" She asked.

"With many dresses... so that you can chose," Zuko said smiling, "I know how you like to dress up every now and then."

The Fire Lord was holding the necklace in his pocket, but decided to leave it for dinner later on. He had already made plans to convert her mother's necklace into a bracelet so that even if they took it off, it'll always be with her. The craftsman said he would make a gold bracelet made the sun fell and all he needed to do was place the stone in the center.

"How long does it take to get to the fire nation?" Katara asked suddenly.

"About... 2 days," Zuko answered realizing that Katara was probably more use to flying than sailing.

"Two days?!" She yelled, "What am I suppose to do for two whole days?"

"well, on the bright side one day is almost done. I have stacks of paper to read," he answered, "but you may feel free to do what you please,"

Katara just stood there. Two days on a boat left her with nothing to do. She could train on the deck, but training for her was generally only an hour long. Not only that, but she realized that they would be on a boat overnight and that left the bedroom situation open. Sighing, she paced around the room.

"But," The fire bender said, "I can wait until we get back to do paperwork... so we can catch up if you want,"

"Are you sure? You must have a lot to get through,"

"Well, I'll put in a few more office hours when we get back."

Katara smiled at him. She knew he was trying his best to make her comfy and being the hot head he was, it was probably hard.

"You know, you're alittle different than when we left to go our seperate ways," The water bender mentioned.

"Really?"

"Yeah, somehow it seems like you're more understanding. Before it was all about you, you, you," She laughed as she stuck her tongue out.

"Well, you're not the same either," he blurted out, "in fact, I think you gotten even more beautiful."

Katara turned her head before Zuko could see her blush.

"Yeah, he was different all right..."

The two bender walked down the hallway as Zuko informed Katara on the simple things she would need to be conscience about. She groaned over the idea of keeping her cool under ridiculous demands and not talking back to the Fire counsel. It was like having another dad... only 5 of them.

"You have to do this all the time, Zuko?"

"All the time," he groaned.

"Concubine!" A young man yelled walking toward the couple, "You will address Fire Lord Zuko as Fire Lord Zuko, not by his name like he's some sort of commoner."

The man was about to grab Katara's arm when Zuko stepped in front of her. Zuko glared at this guy and it looked as though he was about to burn him in fire, "You shall not yell at a lady like that, especially one who is going to be my wife. First she is no concubine, she is the future Fire Lady and she may address me however she likes, even if it's something ridiculous like 'hot-head.'"

General Tai came running up to the small group after he had heard the commotion.

"I'm so sorry Fire Lord Zuko, he's a new recruit and have yet learned the grounds,"

"Keep our men in check, one more outburst like that and I'll see to it myself that I find someone more capable of controlling a few men."

Katara grabbed Zuko's arm and tried to calm him down.

"Zuko, it's fine, I didn't say hi to everyone on the ship yet... it's easily mistakable that you could be enjoying a night of... Pleasure." She laughed tugging on his hand, "it's a tad stuffy in here, can we go outside near the sea?"

"I have never used sexual services, thank you very much!" the fire lord groaned, "I'm like a sex-god!"

"Way to grow your head," Katara said rolling her eyes.

They two left after the young man apologized again. As they headed toward the stairs to the deck, they had miss the sudden glare General Tai gave them as he smacked the recruit on the head.

"Get back to work and do not make anymore mistakes!" He yelled.

After several moments passed he tightened his fist, "Don't make a fool out of me..."


Author Note: Well, I think the next two chapters are gonna be fluffy seeing as Zuko will finally give her the necklace! It will be posted either tommorrow or thursday ~ because I want the people reading to enjoy :D. thanks again loves