Katara and Zuko both said, ''What?''
Teo rolled his wheel chair back a few paces, "Wait till Haru hears this!''
The Duke ran up to Kendo and smiled brightly, "He and Sokka are gonna kill you!"
Kendo looked up at Katara's shocked face, "Surely, you knew by now. You are fifteen correct?''
She nodded, "Yes, but… I didn't …''
Sokka turned beet red, "Holy Dungsicles!'' He shook Toph, ''Please tell me he's lying!''
Toph had a confused look on her face, "Sorry Sokka, but peachpuff here seems to be telling the truth.''
Sokka looked at his father, who was busy examining Katara's face, "Did you…plan this?''
Hakoda glanced at her, "Yes.''
Something inside Sokka snapped. His voice came out sharp, "And you didn't tell me?''
Hakoda looked her in the eye, "It's a father's duty to arrange a marriage for his daughter.''
The formal tone his voice carried stung, "So you just traded her off? And didn't even have the decency to tell her or even me?'' Suki placed her hand on his shoulder and motioned for him to calm down.
Aang, who had been quiet up until now, looked up at Hakoda. His voice was a dry whisper, "Is this what Zuko was writing to his uncle about?''
Katara whirled around and faced Zuko. To her surprise her voice came out soft and small, "You knew?''
Zuko waved his hands in front of him, "No! I mean, I knew he was coming, but I didn't know he was your…you know.''
Toph felt Katara gaze and sighed, "He's telling the truth. Not everyone here's hiding something, Sugar Queen.''
Katara faced her father, "How long?''
Hakoda looked at her surprised, "Well we weren't expecting the wedding until after the-"
''I meant how long ago was this planned!''
Hakoda gazed from Kendo and then to Sokka who was snarling, ''since before Kendo was taken away by the Fire Nation.''
It was like being at the edge of a cliff and having no one to pull you back, ''you knew all this time and didn't even bother telling me?''
Hakoda sighed, "I tried telling you. Last night.''
Katara recalled his words, "You were planning on telling me the day before he got here! What were you planning on saying, 'Dinner was great Katara, and by the way your fiancé arrives tomorrow?''
He moved toward her, "I didn't just trade you off. Things aren't what they seem.''
She scoffed and moved away from his out stretched arms, "I can't deal with this right now.'' She turned on her heel, "I've got an avatar to teach.'' She searched the pavilion with her eyes, "Aang!''
Aang looked up from his place on a rock. ''I'm right here.''
She looked into his grey eyes, and thought she might have seen tears. She cursed herself for kissing him on invasion day, "Outer courtyard, in five minutes.''
Aang grabbed his glider and motioned toward Toph, "But I thought I trained with Toph after lunch.''
Toph bent a rock into putty, "Change of plans, Twinkletoes.''
Iroh came bustling out of the kitchen just as she stalked by, "Tea, Katara?''
"No, thank you!''
She stomped into her room and took off her outer blue tunic. She made sure she still had her mother's necklace on and headed towards the outer courtyard.
On her way she was stopped by Hakoda, "What are you wearing?''
''Gee, dad they look like my bending clothes. But then again things aren't what they seem.''
Hakoda barred her way, "I will not have your fiancé seeing you like this. There's practically a foot of skin showing!''
She rolled her eyes, ''It's only six inches dad. Trust me, Sokka measured.'' She ducked under him, ''and he's not my fiancé!''
She bounded into the courtyard and felt the warm sunshine caress her skin. She smiled and closed her eyes. I won't be given away like this. I want to fall in love like mom and dad did. Not just be traded off like cattle. Dad can't make marry him. Can he?
"If it makes you feel any better, mom was your age when she was betrothed.''
She snapped one eye open and saw Sokka standing there, "Hey.''
"Is there anything I can do to help?''
She spread out her arms and bended the moisture in the air into a ribbon of water, "who are you and what have you done with Sokka?''
He laughed, "Hey, I'm pretty helpful…sorta.''
She bent the ribbon of water at him, "my point exactly.''
He ran at her, "I can still take you, you know.''
She bent the water out of his clothes and created an icy slide. He slid right into her.
They landed side by side laughing. He pointed at a cloud above, "That one looks like Appa.''
She pointed at a different cloud, "That one looks like that guy who had a crush on GranGran.''
He wrinkled his face, "The one with all the moles?''
She nodded then sighed, "Do you think GranGran knew about this?''
She felt Sokka shrug next to her, "At one time probably.''
She turned her face toward him, "At one time?''
He kept gazing at the clouds, "Yeah, she probably forgot all about it the next day though.''
Katara sat up and gave him a shove with her arm, "Even GranGran couldn't forget about something like this.''
He propped himself up on his elbows, "Katara, remember that time I got lost on the ice plain?''
Katara stood up and laughed, "Yea, you were gone for two days.''
He nodded at her, ''GranGran forgot me there. She just got on the sleigh and drove off. Something about not seeing me. And this other time, remember how ice weed is poisonous? Well-''
Her scream of frustration cut him off, "I just can't believe he thought I would be okay with this! ''
Sokka shrugged, "I can't believe he wouldn't tell me about it.'' He smiled at her, "When Haru comes back from getting supplies in town, we can kill him for you.'' He shrugged his shoulders, "If you want that is.''
She uncorked her water skins and began bending the water into different shapes, "I'll just tell him no.''
Aang appeared form behind an airbison statue, "Can you do that?'' His eyes shone with hope.
Katara bit her lip, "I don't know,'' his face fell but she smiled at him brightly, "Let's see if we can get some bending in before dinner.'' She gasped, as she remembered the pot of Sea Prune Soup, "I forgot about the soup I was making!'' She imagined the black goop that would cover the entire bottom of the pot.
Aang smiled faintly. "Don't worry. Zuko took care of it.''
She bit her lip. "Oh.'' a slight flush crept up her cheeks. "Then, let's get started.''
She sent a water whip flying at Aang's head. He ducked and jumped created an air scooter. Tossing an ice ball in the air he directed a sharp wind in its direction. It shattered, and scattered sharp ice needles every where.
Katara moved created an ice shield and watched as the needles bounced off. I can't marry him. My place is here. She clothed her arms with water and used them knock Aang of his feet. My place is here, with Aang. She glanced at Sokka and Toph who were placing bets. This allowed Aang to plow her into the ground with a strong wind. And with Sokka, and Toph and… she remembered the feel of Zuko's skin under her fingers. The green glow of the cave in Ba Sing Se over came her, and with Zuko.
"Katara! Watch out!'' Aang waved his arms trying to diminish the wave of fire headed towards her.
She sent a wall of water at the inferno a moment to late. The heat barreled past her and scorched her arms.
She clenched her teeth as she fell to her knees. It reminded her of the other time Aang burned her, except this time it was her own fault.
Aang reached her first. His voice was thick, "I'm sorry Katara! I didn't mean to, I thought…''
She held up her hand and winced in pain. "Its okay Aang, I wasn't paying attention. It's my fault.''
The tears were pooling in his eyes, "I – I thought I could control it.''
She smiled and coated her hand in water, "I can heal myself, remember.'' She focused on repairing the burnt skin.
Sokka ran over to them with Toph on his back, "I thought you were teaching him waterbending Katara. You're not a master of all the elements.''
Aang gave him a look, "We've been adding the other elements in lately. Mixing them with water to see what we can create.''
Katara dropped the water from her arms, "So that's where that ice bomb thing came from!'' She showed them her arms. "See, good as new.''
She helped Aang up, "What were you trying to create with fire?''
He shrugged, "I was just trying to see if I could make it move like water.''
She nodded in understanding and whispered, "Could you try that with Zuko next time?''
He smiled at her and added quickly, "Are you sure your okay?''
She rolled her eyes, "I'm fine Aang!'' She waved her arms in front of his face, "See, no damage done.''
A delicious smell wafted into her nose as they entered the pavilion. She sat down beside the fire and tried not to notice when Kendo sat down her left. She did feel her pulse quicken when Zuko sat down on her right.
Toph snickered, "Don't give yourself a heart attack Sugar Queen.'' She was silent a moment and then laughed again, "Whoa Sparky, maybe it's your heart we should be worrying about.''
The fire in front of them flared, "I don't know Brat. I saw giant Zebra Sloth track near here today. You're due at any moment.''
Toph bent a giant clod of dirt at Zuko, ''Watch it, Sparky.''
Kendo cleared his throat and motioned toward the fire that had just flared, "I think fire is an element that should be controlled no matter what a person is feeling. Don't you?''
Zuko stiffened and fixed Kendo a deadly stare, but the fire didn't flare this time, "I agree, Kendo.''
Something inside Katara burned. Who does this guy think he is? Only I get to lecture Zuko.
Iroh handed Katara a bowl of something sweet and spicy smelling and whispered, "All shall be explained soon, young flower.''
She pretended to stare at the contents of her bowl. Young flower? Kendo tapped her on the shoulder, "The food is delicious Katara. I didn't think anything from the fire nation could taste so heavenly.''
Toph made a gagging noise and Teo laughed. The Duke whispered to Sokka and Haru. Sokka mouthed Should we kill him now? Haru made a fist a smacked it into his wiating palm.
Kendo ignored them and continued, "This is just another thing that reveals our being together is... destiny.''
Katara almost snorted. Get real, "Actually, Zuko made the food. So maybe you and him are 'destined to be together.'''
She felt Zuko shake with silent laughter beside her and smiled. Maybe he isn't heartless.
Kendo cleared his throat, "Regardless, I do believe we are destined to be together.'' He tilted his green eyes upward at Katara.
She leaned away from him, while Suki restrained Sokka. A strong wind from Aang's direction blew embers from the fire onto Kendo. Katara bent some of the liquid in her bowl and lazily put it out. His eyes flicked suspiciously from Aang to Zuko, both who were busy eating.
She continued eating and decided to take the diplomatic approach, "Kendo, I think it'd be best if you were aware of …''
He smiled alluringly, "Your unexplainable attraction to me.''
Hakoda groaned and Iroh hit his forehead with his palm. She felt herself throw up in her mouth, "I was going to say my duty to Aang and the people around him.''
He waved his hand dismissively, "You will have plenty of time to help the Avatar. The wedding is to take place after the war.''
She clenched her teeth. I tried being nice, "I don't think there's gonna be a wedding, well at least one were I'll be getting married to you, anyway.''
Kendo visibly stiffened, "Katara, your bride price has been paid.''
She stood and her legs visibly shook, "what?''
She looked at Hakoda who looked mournful, "When?''
Hakoda looked like he had trouble breathing, "Katara, I had planned on telling you earlier.''
She shook her head, "When did you plan on telling me? Before or after I was married to him?'' She felt like kicking someone. Kendo's head was looking like a wonderful target at the moment, "When did you pay the bride price?''
He lifted his hands helplessly, "it was a while ago.''
She clenched her teeth and balled her fists, "How long ago?''
He lifted his eyes toward her, and in them she saw his heart breaking, "Before Kendo was taken.''
Katara bit her lip and ignored the tears streaming down her face. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came, so she ran.
Hakoda took a step in the direction she had ran, "Katara, wait!''
Aang and Zuko both glared at him and simultaneously said, "I think you should give her some time.''
Katara wandered aimlessly through the main garden of the Western Air Temple. It had grown wild without someone tending it for over a hundred years. She smiled as a cool wind tussled her hair. If she closed her eyes she could almost believe all was right with the world. She sat down by the glassy pond in the center of the garden and waited. She wasn't sure what she was waiting for. Maybe it was to wake up, or have her dad come and tell her it was just a joke.
A slight rustling behind her made her jump. Bending water from the pond into a whip she peered in the darkness. "Who's there?''
A tall figure emerged form the bushes, and she recited what she had been repeating in her head. "Dad, I don't want to talk about Kendo. Or marriage, or how I'm feeling.''
A fire sprouted in the figure's hand. "Well, at least now I know what subjects to avoid.''
She let her whip return to the pond, "Oh hey, Zuko. What do you want?''
He extinguished his flame and sat down by a tree, "Hello to you too.''
The moonlight danced between the trees and made his golden eyes glow. She sat down beside him, "Don't tell me, you're here to save me from the pirates?''
He produced a little flame and played with it, "That was over a year ago,'' He laughed, "I can't believe you still remember that.''
She shrugged, "It's amazing what you remember.'' She had a momentary flash back to the caves in Ba Sing Se.
He nodded and tried to clear his head from the sweet smell of her hair, "At least you got your necklace back.'' He motioned to where it hung around her neck.
She nodded slowly, "At least for now that is.''
He extinguished the little flame in his palm, "what do you mean?''
She shrugged and said slowly, "Well, I expect Kendo will be handing over a betrothal necklace soon.'' She tried to lighten the mood with a joke, ''And I can't wear two now, can I?''
He tensed, "There's nothing you can do?''
She waved her hands helplessly, "The bride price has been paid. Knowing my dad he only went through with that so long ago because we all needed the money.'' Long ago or not, it still hurts.
He put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a comforting side hug, ''It'll be okay. You'll find a way to get your way out of this one. You always did when I fought you, anyway.''
They sat in silence for a while. She thanked the spirits in the spirit world he wasn't badgering her with questions. Or heaven forbid, making small talk.
As the wind blew throughout the garden, she decided she might as well talk to him, "I can't believe he did this to me.''
Zuko gazed at the moon, "He only wanted to make sure you were taken care of.''
She looked at him and was surprised at the tears that came, "But that's what scares me. We were really so bad off that my dad had no choice, but to give me away.'' She whispered, ''Kendo will probably try to tame me into a perfect lady or something.''
He held her tighter, "Katara, you're a pain in the arse. No one is going to tame you.''
To her surprise she laughed, ''I'm a pain in the butt?''
Zuko shook his head and did his best to imitate Kendo's voice, "Katara, a young lady should never say the word butt.''
She rolled her eyes, "Did you see the way he ate his dinner?''
Zuko laughed, "Like a peach puff!''
She bent some water from the pond and lazily made an arc in the sky. She gazed at the moon and half of the arc fell on Zuko, "Sorry!'' He looks kinda good wet.
He steamed his clothes dry and grinned, "Like I'm supposed to believe that.'' He sent a weak little flame her way that dissapeared before it reached her.
She smiled, "Not a chance Zuko. You rise with the sun, remember?'' She pointed at the full moon, "That right there, happens to be the moon.''
He got up and brushed his shoulders against hers. ''I'll be waiting in the courtyard.'' He grinned again, ''If you dare that is.''
Twenty minutes later Katara was sweating through her bending clothes, "Give it up Zuko. '' She sent a wave of water at his bare chest, "This time of the month, I'm unbeatable.''
He sent a jet of flame her way, "you're also very irritable this time of the month.''
She blushed crimson and sent a volley of ice arrows his way, "Now you're in for it.'' She smiled brightly as she flipped over a wave of fire, "You know Aang was trying to create that wave thing earlier today.''
Zuko dodged her icy fist, "Really? How'd that go?''
She shrugged at and jumped over his foot as it swept under her. She sent a small wave at his face, "Not so well. He burned me, but I managed to heal myself.''
Zuko's good eye widened. "He burned you?'' He stood still a second too long.
Katara knocked him down with a water whip, "Never let your guard down Zuko! ''
"So that's why Aang told me he doesn't want to firebend again.''
Katara stopped smiling, "He doesn't want to firebend anymore?''
Zuko shrugged from where he laid on the ground, "hopefully we can talk him out of it.''
She nodded, "We've talked him into firebending before.''"'Oh and Katara?''
''Yeah?''
"Don't let your guard down either.'' He swept his legs under her and this time she didn't have time to jump. She fell forward and landed on him.
Zuko was fully aware of her weight. He moved her hair from his eyes, "Hello, there.''
She laughed and at that exact same moment Kendo walked in carrying a light, "I thought I heard something.'' He looked form Katara sprawled on Zuko, to Zuko under Katara. He arched an eyebrow, ''the plot thickens.''
Katara scrambled off of Zuko, "it's not what it looks-'' She noticed that the lantern in Kendo's hand wasn't a lantern, but rather fire.
Zuko stood besides Katara and confusion was written across his face, "But your from the Southern Water Tribe. How could you?''
Kendo threw a flame at Zuko's feet, "my father liked to play around.'' He laughed, ''Sorta like you.''
Katara felt her blood boil, "I told you nothing happened.''
Hakoda emerged from behind the Kendo, "is there a problem?''
Kendo faced him and pointed to Katara and Zuko, "I found the former fire prince making advances toward my fiancé, sir.''
Hakoda looked at Katara's bending clothes and Zuko's bare chest. There was an iciness in his tone, "I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. But just in case I will talk with both of them. You can sleep easy Kendo.''
Kendo bowed and held up an obscene finger at Zuko when Hakoda wasn't looking.
Zuko smiled and growled, "Right back at you.''
As he walked away Hakoda whispered, "The library in half an hour.''
The Western Air Temple housed one of the biggest libraries Katara had ever seen. Well in exception to one that was currently buried underground. Katara felt exceedingly insignificant as she wandered among shelf after shelf of ancient books. The fire in Zuko's palm cast eerie shadows. The dust that thickly coated everything only added to the dreariness.
She yelped loudly when she bumped into Hakoda, "Oh, it's just you. ''
Iroh appeared from behind one of the book shelves, "It is time for an explanation young flower.''
She was taken aback and tried to put some steel in her voice, "You're right it is.'' She leaned against a shelf and crossed her arms, "What made you think I would be even remotely okay with an arranged marriage.''
Hakoda sat down on the floor and motioned to the spot next him. He only looked at her when Iroh and Zuko had sat down, "I knew you wouldn't be alright with it. I realized that you would grow up to hate the thought of an arranged marriage. Especially with all those stories your mother told you.'' He smiled faintly at the memory of his wife.
She sat down beside him and fingered her mothers necklace, "Then why dad? Why did you agree to it.''
He shook his head, "I wanted you to be taken care of. I wasn't sure who would come around in the future and I was worried.'' He gave her a squeeze, "But now I see I had nothing to worry about all along.''
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "There's got to be some way.''
Hakoda enveloped her in a hug, "I'm sorry Katara.'' She felt a tear drop onto her head.
Her heart melted instantly and she tried to push all thoughts of her friends out of her head, "Dad, It's okay. If you picked him I'm sure he'll be a good husband. Besides I'm a pain in the arse, I'll make him wish he hadn't.''
Zuko lowered his head. Don't give up so easily. I'll die before he marries you.
Iroh cleared his throat. "Unfortunately there's a bigger problem then whether or not he'll be a good husband.''
He produced a scroll from behind him, "When Kendo was taken from your village, he wasn't sent to a work camp. He was sent to the Fire Nation capital…and became part of the Fire Lord's latest project.
Zuko visibly tensed, "He what?''
Iroh nodded, "Yes, Kendo became a Doppio.''
Zuko sent a jet of fire upward, and Iroh raised a disapproving brow, "Keep in mind, my nephew, that we are in a library. Surrounded by scrolls.''
Katara looked at the three men, "Would someone mind filling me in?''
Hakoda held Katara tighter as Iroh spoke, "Kendo can bend both fire and water. He is a new breed of soldier Ozai and Azula had been working on.''
Katara felt a shiver run down her spine, "But he's on our side now. Right?''
Zuko slammed his fist into a bookshelf, making the scrolls rattle. "Once a Doppio always a Doppio.'' He glared at Iroh and Hakoda. "You're being married off to a monster Katara. A monster that plans on murdering all of us while we sleep.''
Sorry if there are any grammer mistakes i was in a rush! (parents threatned to kick me off the computer permanently!)
read and reply pls. o and spread the word.