Chapter 5

Katara walked down the aisle a month later. She wore a red and gold dress, and a satin veil. Both the nations attended. She tried not to cry during the ceremony. She smiled up at Zuko and looked over to her father. After this, she would be leaving directly for the fire nation to be crowned queen. She would miss her home and her people. At least now that the war's over, I won't have to worry about any one of my family being killed. She tried to deny that this was her wedding and go to sleep and dream it all away, but it was happening, she was going to marry this man that had destroyed the world. This can't be happening.

That moment she said I do, and walked off the podium with Zuko. They walked to the end of the aisle and turned to go to the party that awaited them. At least I get presents.

Her father came up after the ceremony, and gave her the first gift. She opened it and found a water tribe dress.

"It was your mother's."

With that, the tears came like rivers and she hugged her father. Sokka came and gave her a ribbon and a hand carved brush.

More presents kept coming, the fire nation humbly gave her gifts and wished her the best. She smiled warmly at them, trying to say with her eyes : 'I don't hate you just because I was forced to do this.'

Finally, each of the masters gave her something. Pakku, came forward with a special gift.

"Katara, this bracelet is made out of water from the spirit oasis, I froze it and carved it into beads. It has special properties so it will never melt and it isn't cold."

Katara was amazed by his handiwork and hugged him too. He was her grandfather after all, partially at least.

Iroh came forward with jade, which he had carved into a cup.

"It may not be jewelry, but this will serve you well."

It was pretty, it was a light blue and it had carvings on it.

"Thank you."

Zuko watched as his wife received the gifts. He could see her being as kind as she could. He hadn't even bought a gift or fashioned her one. Boy, he'd need something quick. I guess I could skip that part and say the gift was consummating the marriage? No, no, she'd think I was a pig! She probably thinks that of me already. He remembered asking someone to make a special room for her on the ship. Hopefully, it was nice enough to be thought of as a gift in itself. They were going back on a ship as sort of a honeymoon, though it probably wouldn't be one at all.

Within and hour, the party was over, and they had to go. Zuko watched as she tried to keep her head high and walk to the ship without loosing her cool. She hugged her family goodbye, he waved to his, and they got on the ship. As soon as the door closed she broke down in tears. Zuko wasn't as sad about this marriage. Better her than some courtier. That, and she wasn't too hard to look at. Oh, boy. You're the husband, do something!

He crouched down and hugged her, trying to calm her down. She tore away from him and ran down further bellow deck. Greeaatt, that went well. He asked the captain where her room was, so he could check it out and make sure it was nice. The captain told him it was on the deck bellow this, down the hall, and to the right. He quickly ran down to check out if it was nice enough or not.

What he saw when he opened the door was astounding. It had been decorated completely in the water tribe style. Particularly the southern. It had light wood floors, and many animal skin rugs. The bed was a queen, and was covered in the blankets he liked, of course in blue. The dresser was also light wood with ivory details. It was beautiful. Jugs of water were on it the top of the dresser, as well as perfumes and all sorts of other things. A closet had been put it and her stuff was already in there. I think she might actually like this room. He smiled inside. She should like this, at the very least.

He decided to keep the room hidden from her knowledge up until dinner, he wanted to make it a little sweet. Maybe even romantic.

He found her bellow decks, crying in some utility closet. Her wedding dress was all torn up from the run down here, and her makeup was seriously smeared.

"Katara?"

"What do you want?" she said with a sniffle.

"Well, I am your husband, and if I don't comfort you the crew will start thinking that I am heartless and I hate you.."

She turned toward him.

"Ugh, I ruined this dress."

"Its okay, we have lots of others at home."

It was weird saying that to her. In that way. It was almost uncomfortable. She looked the same way.

"I won't say that again."

She sort of laughed-sniffled.

"Yea, I agree."

"Here, lets get you cleaned up and into some nice clothes, dinner will be ready in a few hours."

"Okay."

He led her to the honeymoon suite the crew had prepared before the wedding. He opened the door and calmly walked her into the bathroom. She let go of his hand and stopped.

"What room is this?"

"It was supposed to be the honeymoon suite. For, well, ya know."

"Yea.." She looked over and nodded.

After a couple of uncomfortable seconds, she walked into the bathroom behind him.

"Whoa, this is, incredible!"

The room definitely was that. It had beautiful tile all around. A sort of sand looking tile with a couple of colorful tiles in between. The colorful tiles were blue and red. The bathtub was sold marble, and the counter tops for the double sinks were obsidian. The floors were a dark wood.

"This is in the private part of the ship, no one will bother you. I'll go get you some clothes."

"Thanks."

"Ugh, may I ask you what color you would want to wear?"

She paused for a second and answered back.

"My mother's blue dress please."

He nodded and got it out of the closet from her room. He ran so she wouldn't notice that he got the clothes from another room. He also had her brush from her brother, and a bar of premium soap.

He walked in without knocking, they were married.

She had already gotten in the tub, and good thing too. She didn't notice him for a second, and in that second she was bending the water happily around her toes and everywhere else. After she noticed him, she stopped and looked over.

"Ugh, I brought you your dress, brush , and some soap."

She, sort of smiled.

"Thanks, just set them there."

"Listen, I know you have had a hard day, dinner will be better. They have made native dishes from each of our nations for us to try."

"Okay." She now looked home sick, but tried to perk up a little. "Just call me when dinner is ready."

"Kay."

He nodded and smiled and went out of the room. He walked up to the deck and looked out. He only had a couple of days until going back to work. This was better than nothing. Though, he could admit, she wasn't too hard to be around. She sort of had a calming effect on people.

She looked up at the ceiling and played with the water. This was the most luxurious thing she had ever had the chance to do. It was so relaxing. He even was thoughtful enough to bring soap and a brush. Heh, not a bad job.

She washed herself thoroughly, and even washed her hair, which she never did back home because you could freeze.

She got out of the tub and dried herself off. She pulled the suds out of her hair using bending, and put it up. She put on her mother's dress, and it fit perfectly. She almost cried, but having one of her mother's dresses was a great comfort.

She walked out of the room and walked up the hall to the deck. She found Zuko playing a card game with the crew, betting some coins. She walked up silently and watched. It wasn't goldfish, but it looked like poker. I hope he doesn't gamble often. Not that he can't afford it or anything.

After a few minutes the noticed she was right there, and the crew immediately stood up and bowed. She smiled, laughing.

"I know that's a sign of respect, but you don't have to so that. Come on, show me your faces."

They bended up and she smiled at them, they sort of smiled back and returned to their stations. Zuko was left alone at the table, holding his cards. He looked up.

"Why, hello, have a nice bath?"

"Yes." Her face turned back to partially serious. "So when is dinner ready, I am starving."

"It's actually in an hour." "I wouldn't go down and get a snack though. It would insult the chef."

"Oh, okay."

"Oh, wait, I might have something to hold you off."

He walked off bellow decks, she just followed. They reentered the honeymoon room againhe puller out a box of chocolates, laughing.

"Ugh, there are these"

She actually laughed, it was pretty funny. She took them and sat on the bed and picked out the ones she liked.

"What, you don't want anymore?"

"No, those were the only ones I liked."

He walked around and sat on the other side and took out his favorite.

"Ah, you took one of my favorites."

"And which one was that?"

"The chocolate with orange filling in between."

"Oh, sorry."

"Here, are you sure you don't want any more, there are plenty left."

"Nah, its okay."

With that, she walked out of the room and started to explore the ship. She found so many rooms. She came upon one and it had the fire nation emblem on the inside on a flag. The bed was made, and everything was dusty. It was large and luxurious, it had its own private deck. This must have been Zuko's father's honeymoon suite. She poked around a bit and found all sorts of perfumes and a dress that she liked in red. She put on some of the perfume and then put it in her pocket. No harm done, I am like the co-owner of this ship anyways. She quietly closed the door and walked down the hall. When she turned the corner, she bumped into Zuko.

"What are you doing here?"
"I was exploring the ship."

"You smell like my mother."

"Yea, I found some perfume I liked in there, I thought I could have it. I am practically co-owner of this ship."

"Yes, but that was my mother's. It's special." He looked a little sad.

"I am sorry."

"It's okay." "Oh, dinner is ready."

"Oh, okay, thanks."

She followed him to the dining room on the ship. Everything was bolted down. She squeezed between the chair and the table and sat down. There were to be three courses, to show breakfast lunch and dinner. With dinner, there would be a desert, so technically it was four courses. The first course was delicious, a traditional fire nation breakfast of small cakes with fruit and warm milk. This is really good, it's almost the perfect comfort food. Zuko got the traditional sweet kelp tea and fish jerky that they had had dinner. For desert it was a snow cone.

"This is what you eat for breakfast?"

"Yea, its okay." "We just catch and cook what we can to survive. Nothing practically grows or lives in the South Pole."

He almost, sort of smiled.

"I would think you would be happy to marry me if that is what you eat."

She shrugged and looked grim.

"I guess…"

He actually didn't want her to be sad or angry at him, he wished he hadn't have said that.

"I didn't mean it that way, I am just not very familiar with this."

She looked up.

"It's okay."

After that, the chefs brought in the second course. Katara got the most common Fire nation lunch, teriyaki chicken with sweet and sour noodles. She seemed to like it, she ate it quicker than breakfast.

He got the sea mushroom and suckling fish pig soup he had gotten back at the pole. So this is a traditional water tribe lunch. It tasted much better than last time for some reason.

He was nervous to talk to her, even though she was his wife.

"Katara, how do you like the food so far?"

"It's actually pretty good."

Finally, the last course he thought would be the best.

She got the most tender and rich delicacy in all the fire nation. The bull bird thigh. It was sided with mashed potatoes and red bell peppers. For desert, strawberry flavored ice cream

"Wow, this looks and smells delicious."

"Thank you, I hoped you would like the food at least. Its one of the better sides of the fire nation."

"Apparently." She smiled and laughed.

He got a sort of sweet oat mush with blue berries and goat milk. The food is following the colors of the nation. I guess their trying to warm us up to each others nations.

"Hey, I have a ugh….gift your you."

"What?"

"I thought I should give you a gift, it's our wedding and stuff.."

"Oh, I didn't know you thought…."

"Come with me."

"Okay."

He led her down the private part of the ship and turned right. It said nothing on the door but it looked like a normal one.

"Close your eyes."

"Okay?"

She closed them, and he opened the door, while they walked in, he covered them for extra measure.

"Here is your room."

When he let his hands fall and she opened her eyes, she was astonished at what she saw. It was almost like home. She ran around amazed at everything and touched and smiled.

"Oh, my, how did you do this?"

"I thought you would want your own room, and I knew you'd be a little homesick. I hope this is enough of a present."

"Oh, it's...more than I could ever have hoped for…from you I mean."

She jumped on the bed, and just couldn't stop smiling. This would help her adjust.

Now that hurt, the best gift he thought would do the trick and would help change her mind about him ends up to be something she thought he could never do.

"I have a heart you know! I cared enough to make you a room!"

He stormed out angrily and went down to his mom and dad's suite. The ship used to be smaller, it was built up from its original size to accommodate space needs. This room was the room he had hid outside of as a child. This wasn't just a honeymoon ship, it was a family time ship and diplomacy ship. Too many times, he had heard his mom crying and his dad screaming at her. She may not have been hit, but she was verbally abused. You couldn't really tell that she had been hit anyway, she wore long sleeves too often. Man, I just want her to at least think I am not a heartless monster. I am not that bad. Maybe if I could romance her or something…

He had no idea what to do. He couldn't seem to get through to her he wasn't that monster she thought he was.

How can I keep being married to her if she doesn't even like me? I wished I didn't have to rush her, but I need an heir so if someone kills me off, my family can go on ruling and not be stolen off by some courtier.

She just stared as he angrily stomped out of the room. Was it her fault she hadn't thought better of him? I mean, it wasn't her fault that he had done so many bad things in the past.

She fell on her bed and cried. Her life was now ruined, her marriage sucked. And like they said, 'Till death to us part.' She had to stay with him until either of them died. Now it was a goal.

She sat up a few minutes later and explored the room. She noticed how many things he had put into the room that were water tribe. The thought. There were water canisters on the dresser. It was good to be around your element. She then went into the bathroom and explored. The wood floors continued into the bathroom. There was mosaic white, blue, and light blue tiles on the walls. The bathtub was marble like in the honeymoon suite. The countertops, however, were an odd, sparkly blue granite. It was beautiful. She went back into her room and found large floor to ceiling windows. When she tried to open them, she found that they were actually doors: It was actually a private deck. There were chairs. She almost cried, it was a nice thought that he would let her be so close to the water.

She walked back in and opened her closet. All the dresses and clothing was blue, except for a few red clothes. He must have wanted her to ease into it. She opened her trunk. She had gotten him a gift. One of the special blankets that were hand woven by the elders of the village and it had been dyed a deep red with gold thread as accents making the pattern of the fire emblem. It was rolled up into and easy, portable little bundle. She had picked out a blue ribbon for it. She would give it to him tonight and try to say sorry. She took everything fancy off and out on some regular fire nation clothes, and pulled her hair down. She needed to make it look like it wasn't a diplomatic sorry.

She walked back down the hall and down to the honeymoon suite. She went over and sat on the bed. She thought he would sleep here tonight. She was tempted just to make a note and leave it, but she had just enough courage to stay. She was sitting on top of the covers. From crying, she felt a bit hungry, so she brought out the chocolates again and started eating them. They were almost a comfort. She tried to stay awake, but she eventually laid down and fell fast asleep, still holding the blanket and the chocolates nearby.

He sat in the room for awhile and just remembered old times. He could still smell his mother. He wished she was here so she could help Katara. His mother could definitely change her mind about fire nation people. He stayed in there for and hour or two, and then got tired. Too bad I didn't ask them to make me a room, I don't want to sleep in the honeymoon suite alone.

It took him about five minutes to climb the stairs and go down the hallway to the suite. He opened the door and walked in. He went into the bathroom, and on the way he saw someone laying in the bed. He walked over quietly. He couldn't tell until he was close.

The two windows over the bed showed a sleeping Katara. She looked happy, peaceful, unaware of where she was. The moonlight played off of her face, and Zuko realized at that moment how beautiful she really was. He hadn't given her the credit for her looks before. Should I wake her up? No, if she sees me standing over her she might think I have been there all along. What should I do? I can't crawl into bed and sleep with her, we both know we're not comfortable with each other. Ooohh!

He decided at that moment that he would pretend he hadn't seen her, she was kind of small.

He went in and got washed up in the bathroom and then went around to her side of the bed. A chocolate box was next to her on the side table. He wanted to make it look like he hadn't seen her, so he wanted to pull up the covers. The covers were down a little, and when he went to pull them up, he found something in her hand. He carefully pulled it out and put a decorative pillow in its place.

What the hell is it? It was a circular bunch about a foot and half long, and it was tied with a blue ribbon. A little note tucked under the ribbon revealed it was for him. Wait…a wedding gift? He quickly untied the ribbon and unfurled the bunch. What he found, was a blanket the size of a king size bed. Hey, its one of those blankets I liked. It was a deep, rich red with gold accents throughout. Did she make this? I looked like it had taken forever, maybe even a month. He didn't know how to roll it back up again, but he did it as best he could, and tied it with the ribbon and put it back in her arms.

He carefully laid down about a foot away from her and went to sleep.

Katara slept in for the first time in almost ever. She felt warmer than usual, it was a comfortable warm and she tried to fall back asleep. She couldn't though and decided to get up. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a red bedroom in a large red bed. Where am I? Wait, this is the honeymoon suite! She slowly turned over and found she was in the arms of Zuko, his arm around her torso, and her head bellow his chin. She screamed with surprise. I stayed in here all night and he didn't even wake me up? That bastard! He knows I don't like him! She rolled over and fell on the floor. He woke up suddenly and screamed when she screamed and also rolled on the floor.

"What the hell are you doing in bed with me?"

"What are you doing in my bed?"

She stood up and backed against the closet wall. It was beside the door and protruded a foot into the room.

"What did you do?!"

He stood up.

"Nothing, I didn't even know you were in here!"

"Don't lie to me!"

"Wait, no, it wasn't that way, I promise, it's not what it looks like!"

She herself didn't notice she had all her clothes on.

He tried to move towards her, but she turned quickly and ran straight into the door, knocking herself out.

He stood up and examined the situation. It did look like what she thought it was, but it wasn't.

When she ran into the door, she fell backwards and lay sprawled on the floor. He picked her up carefully and set her into the bed nearby. I don't want to put her in her own bedroom, she might shoot water at me when I try to explain things.

He put her carefully under the covers, and propped her up with pillows. A few minutes later, she woke up.

"Hello? Hello?"

"Yes?"

He walked in slowly.

"Why am I in here? Oh, no wait, I remember."

"I am sorry this morning it looked that way, but it really wasn't. I came in last night and didn't notice you in the bed. I mean, look at the covers, they're huge. That, and you're small."

"Then why were we in that weird position this morning?!"

"I have NO idea."

He was scratching the back of his head now, hoping she would believe him.

He changed the subject before it cold go on any longer.

"What's this?"

She sat up a little more in bed.

"It's your, wedding gift."

"You didn't need to get me.., what is it exactly?"

"It's a handmade blanket. The elders weave them every summer. I had yours dyed red with gold thread so it would look, more, fire nation ish."

He untied the ribbon like he did last night and unfurled it.

"Its, its huge!"

"I figured, since you were fire lord, you had a big bed, thought that size would be better."

"It's a good size, I am sure it will fit. It's really beautiful. This must have taken weeks!"

"Months, actually. They have to balance that, and cooking and cleaning and stuff."

"Wow, elders still work?"

"Women, only, actually."

"Why?"

"Why, I don't know. Is it fair? No."

"Oh."

He could tell she didn't like most of her own customs. Though she seemed nostalgic about everything at the South Pole, or just about the water tribes in general.

"The blanket is also a sort of sorry, I really didn't mean to misjudge you, its just old grudges."

"Yea, I've seen it before, it's okay."

"You know, while we're all mushy, can I tell you something?"

"Ugh, sure?"

"That position was REALLY comfy."

"Ugh, I am glad you liked it."

He laughed nervously. He liked the position too, but if he said he liked it as much as she did, she would label him a pig. Or so he thought, from what he knew about girls.

Katara looked up from the bed, he seemed pleased by the blanket.

"I am gonna go back to my own room now, bye."

She quickly trotted out and went back to her own room. She hated the uncomfortable situation.

She walked in and could smell the water tribe scent. She went over and laid on her bed and sniffed the blankets and pillows. It was comfort, but also homesickness. She noticed, when she smelled the water tribe scent, how much she smelled like fire nation.

She went into the bathroom and washed up, scrubbing all scent of fire nation on her. She walked out in her towel and dressed in one of her regular dresses, instead of her mother's dress. She put her hair up and walked about the ship. As she walked by, the crew all stared at her. She smiled and waved, they just bowed. I wish they wouldn't do that, I am not technically their fire lord's queen yet. Or would I be called the fire lady? All these things seemed to plague her, she had so many questions, so many that she wanted to ask, but didn't want to ask the person that knew the answers. She didn't hate him much anymore, but she still didn't like him that much to confide in him, or talk with him. How is this going to work?

She saw the sun dial, it was going to be a couple hours to lunch. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know where Zuko was, he was probably down somewhere in the ship, probably in the honeymoon suite. Maybe I could sneak down again to that one room, you wonder if he minds.

She immediately set out and went down bellow decks. She found the room after a few minutes of looking for the right hall. She looked both ways and opened the door. It seemed the same as before. She wished she could light a candle, but there were no matches. You were expected to be a fire bender. Even with the windows it was a little dark.

She just looked around the spacious room. It was far more luxurious than even the honeymoon suite, and this room had a giant private bathroom. This must be what they would call 'old fashioned' fire nation. The bed was a four post with a canopy, it even had curtains to give more privacy. It was covered in silk and the billows were cashmere.

As she continued to look around, her eyes settled on one spot on the wall. The walls were a crème, so you could see everything. She saw little spots, they looked red. Wait, those are blood spots! She jumped back, her spine tingled. It's like a haunted house. She searched the wall, and didn't find any more blood spots, but she did find fingerprint spots. She must have been abused.

She was scared now, really scared. The room got hotter. Could Zuko have inherited his father's rage?

A/N:

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