Chapter 10: Marriages and Misunderstandings

Like most girls in my position, I had no idea what to do or say. The kid was brimming over with so much happiness. It nearly killed me to say what I had to say. "Aang…are you sure?"

Aang looked shocked and befuddled. "I'm the Avatar; of course I' sure. Ever since I saw you, I loved you. Don't you feel it too?"

"Well, yes." I had always liked Aang, and during that spring two years ago I had grown to love him with a motherly or sisterly affection. But it wasn't until late spring, at the Fortune teller's, when I contemplated the idea of "being together." The only reason I got to thinking that was because Aang was such a mighty bender, and it certainly wouldn't hurt, for purposes of fame and respect, to have one of those as a mate. Then, at the invasion, I realized how much Aang cared about me, and grew confused. The past year and a half since then, I hadn't really gotten over that confusion; I had stuffed it away, too busy with my burden to pay attention.

"But, I don't know, Aang," I said aloud. "We're both so young, and this could be…" I shrugged. "Just an infatuation."

"Infatuations don't last two years, do they?" Aang argued. Now that his voice was drier and deeper, his questions somehow seemed less childish. "Infatuations aren't for life. I…" he paused, anxious about opening his heart to me. "I want you forever."

Still not convinced, I got up and left the fire. I walked into the freezing night air, looking up at the stars. No one else was around—only me and Aang and the watchful stars. "I'm flattered, Aang," I said at last, in a low voice. "But…"

Aang came up beside me, and I saw for the first time that he was taller than me. In a few more years he would be a really handsome guy. He put his arm around me, stared into my eyes, and said, "No buts, Katara. My life as the Avatar is so hard. I need you."

That did the trick. I looked straight into his beseeching eyes, and a wave of emotion rushed over me. Of course, Aang needed me. I'd watch over him. I'd look out for him. My duty was to him. My only peace of mind existed in keeping him safe from harm.

"Yes," I said, voice barely audible.

"What?" He hadn't heard me.

"Yes, I'll be your forever girl."

He was laughing and crying at the same time. So was I, I realized with a bit of embarrassment. But there was no embarrassment necessary; Aang and I were transparent with our emotions, almost as much as Sokka and Suki.

"I love you, Katara," Aang said, leaning forward to kiss me. "You complete me."

Smiling, I said, "I know."

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That night I told Dad and Grangran what had happened, and the next morning, Sokka caught me packing my bags. I was singing and smiling as I did so. "You coming with us?" he asked, curious.

I turned to him, eyes glowing so brightly it surprised him. "Sokka—me and Aang are engaged!" I exclaimed.

"What?!" he exclaimed, incredulous.

I quickly explained things to him, but my bubbling excitement was temporarily stopped up by the gradual darkening of his face while I chattered. I knew what his reaction would be, and couldn't help adding, "And I know it goes against water tribe tradition, but it's perfectly fine in Aang's culture." (Of course, typical water tribe women were not supposed to marry until they were sixteen, and the husband had to be that age too. I would almost meet the requirement, but Aang would be far from it.)

"Oh, tradition isn't everything," Sokka said, surprising me greatly. "But doesn't it seem a little…uh, early?"

"You're never too young for true love," I said, fluttering my eyelashes and sighing at the romantic idea.

Sokka gave one of his over-dramatic wry frowns. "Sure Katara," he said in a sardonic voice. "True love. Not to insult cupid, but just think how you would feel if I did what you're doing."

I raised an eyebrow. "What, married Aang?"

He winced at the crude joke. "What if I got married to Suki suddenly? You're like an insane mother hen, Katara! You'd want to control everything we did. Even if you agreed to it!"

"You don't even have a ring," I said cynically.

"Not funny," he replied, tapping his foot impatiently.

I sobered up and tried to reject what he was throwing at me. I knew in my gut that if Sokka sprang such news on me unannounced, I would be furious for not knowing sooner. But if I had known that I would be doing the same, of course I would allow Sokka to do it—or would I? Steering away from the issue at hand, I reverted back to the earlier subject. "Sokka, you just don't remember what it's like, being in love. Think about how I'm feeling. Think about Yue!"

Sokka's face reddened when I raised the sensitive subject. He could tell I was manipulating him, and responded in anger rather than the usual depression that came over him when Yue was mentioned. "I do think of her," he growled at me. "I think of her a lot. But it wasn't meant to be, Katara. I wasn't ready for a real relationship with Yue, or with Suki."

My jaw dropped. "Now you're getting weird. Are you like some lone wolf now, 'no dating' and all that? Or did Suki dump you, and you don't want to admit it?"

"No," Sokka said fiercely, his eyes flaming with anger. "I'm going to college. Suki's going to Kyoshi. When we've figured out what we want, then we'll get back together. We're just trying to be careful."

Typical Sokka—always assessing things and trusting his intuition. Things I didn't like doing, even though I had been forced to do a lot of thinking lately. I had read books about the nature of certain people, how they needed to control to get peace of mind, and I had identified myself as having the same problem. But I didn't want to change; as Toph said, what was so wrong with being motherly? Besides, I thought blissfully, with Aang I would have no problems. Together we would be the ideal couple, with love for each other and more to spare. Sokka was just too stuffy to understand.

"Just got to your college," I shrugged coolly. "Maybe you'll meet another girl there who won't dump you."

"For your information," he answered haughtily, "I am very popular with the ladies." He smiled, a little sheepishly. "Toph was just telling me—I don't know if you knew this—during the war, she actually had kind of a crush on me. Who woulda thought?"

"Toph isn't exactly a lady," I answered. "And that was just a misunderstanding. Nobody pays any attention to misunderstandings."

"Oh, no?" Sokka's anger was replaced by a teasing laugh. "A lot of people know about your little misunderstanding with Zuko."

I packed the last of my clothes into my suitcase and looked up at Sokka. "What are you talking about?"

He grinned, put his hand on my shoulder, and said condescendingly, "You don't need to pretend, Katara—we all know you have eyes for Zuko. He's Royal after all."

I jerked away. "That's not true!"

"Of course not. But it's funny." He grinned one more time and sauntered out of the room. I heard his laughing going down the cold hallway. It was a good-natured laugh, but I still didn't appreciate it.

Decidedly, I slammed my suitcase shut and strode out of the room. My pace was quick and strong. I went to Zuko's room. I felt angry, but I masked it with a smile. He partly opened the door, sticking his sharp, pale, and scarred face through the narrow opening. "Uh, need something?" he asked, staring me down with his fierce brown eyes.

Sokka's words alarmed me, and I wondered how many people thought I admired Zuko, and if Zuko reaped pleasure from the rumor. I wanted to prove that I felt nothing for him by coming and saying smugly, "Just wanted to tell you. I'm getting married!"

He only blinked.

Did he think I was joking? I stared right at him, showing him how serious I was. "Isn't it great?" I asked. "I'm getting married!"

"To who?" he queried, without showing any emotion.

"To Aang of course!" I was insulted that he would imagine any differently.

"Sorry. Just wanted to make sure you weren't marrying the helmsman." Zuko's voice was dry. "Can't be too sure. You'd probably marry any needy guy who waltzed off the street and asked."

"No I wouldn't!" I shouted, getting red in the face. I took a deep breath and clamed with effort. "Alright, Zuko. You can tease, but I'm too happy to be upset over it. Just think—me and Aang!" I felt sure he would be angry at my persistent show of swoony happiness, and the obvious, immature reason for my coming.

But all Zuko did was turn to walk back in his room.

"Hey! Is that it? Don't you have anything to say?"

Zuko turned back to me, scratched his pointed chin in mock-thoughtfulness, and shrugged. "Not really. It's your life. Waste it if you want."

Waste it?! He closed the door before I could yell in his face. Livid, I reached for the doorknob, but Zuko locked the door just as I did so. I water bended, moving the fluid toward the lock and freezing it to make the metal clasp weak. Again Zuko guessed my game, fire bended from the other side of the door, and melted my ice. "Hmph!" I said, pouting. I walked away from the door with deliberately noisy steps; then paused, and tentatively walked back. Zuko would think I was gone and move closer to the entrance to see. I saw his feet under the door, darted forward, and opened my mouth to surprise him with a scream of insults.

"I know you're there, Katara!" he shouted before I could verbalize anything.

"YOU ARE IMPOSSIBLE!" I screeched, turning red. My fists were clenched and my face was a scowl. "Of all the stupid, selfish, immature excuses for—"

"Playing games, Katara?"

I whirled around and my already crimson face turned beet red with embarrassment. Aang was standing in the hallway, cocking his head and staring at me in curiosity. "Oh—it's nothing," I said quickly. "I was just, uh, playing with Zuko." My immaturity was humiliating.

"Cool," said Aang, coming closer. "Can I play?" Without waiting for an answer, Aang beat on Zuko's door and got ready to shout—

I held him back. "Uh—I don't think Zuko wants to play anymore. Look, I've just finished packing. Is Appa up to flying us tomorrow?"

"I though we'd all ride on Zuko's steamship." Aang smiled. "That way your Dad can travel with us and be there for the wedding in the Fire Nation."

I frowned. Leaving Dad behind sounded almost better than having to travel with Zuko after what had just happened. In response to my irritated silence, the door to Zuko's room swung open and he walked out. "I'd be happy to take you," he said, looking down at me with a complacent smile.

I debated soaking his robes with water. But Aang distracted me, gently taking my hand. "Come on. I'll help you carry your suitcases." And, forgetting about Zuko, I walked off happily with the boy I loved.

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"Aang," I said later, after another uncomfortable spell of failed bending. "I think something's wrong with me."

"The only think wrong with you is that you're too perfect to be true," Aang said, staring at me worshipfully.

"No, I mean really. My bending had been…hard. I don't have as much energy." As Aang stepped behind me and placed the palm of his hand on my neck, I asked, "Um…what are you doing?"

"Just hold still," he said.

In a second I could feel his Chi energy linking with mine. It gave me more energy, made me feel like I could bend anything. Then he withdrew, blushing. "Wow," I marveled, "that's incredible."

"It's a special trick I learned recently from the guru," Aang explained. "It's something very special. Only the best of friends can link their Chi energy."

"Does it rob yours?" I asked, concerned.

"Oh, I'm fine," he replied dismissively; but the slight stagger in his walk revealed the error in his words.

It also made a fresh surge of affection well up in me. The fact that he was willing to, in essence, give me part of himself touched me. I put my arm around him, and we smiled the silent solace of each other's company.

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We were married in the Fire Nation. Aang had always wanted an outdoor wedding, and while I pictured mine in a Water Tribe Igloo, I did not let that bother me. On the beautiful cliff-strewn, grass-covered acres behind Master Piandao's house, we set up for the wedding. In all the confusion of arranging invitations, catering, and decorations (which was a mix of air temple and water tribe), we paid no attention to what was going on in the Fire Nation. Aang, Dad, Grangran, and I stayed in Piandao's house; Sokka and Suki stayed too but they were very busy preparing for their own trips. The only person managing things in the Fire Nation was Zuko, who was flocked by fans and protestors alike as soon as he set foot on his home soil. Thus he was not able to help us much with the wedding prep. I managed everything, which was extremely stressful.

The day came in mid Spring, when the air was sweet and smelled like nectar, and everything was alive and green. Everything seemed picture-perfect. The guests sat in carved chairs on the flowery field, and Dad waited for me I while walked up the isle to where Aang was standing in his best outfit beside Sokka, in full water tribe ceremonial clothing. I was wearing a gorgeous white dress with a long, pale-blue train and a veil of the same color. On my forehead Dad had painted my ceremonial mark, the mark of the brave, and around my neck I wore Grangran's betrothal necklace. My hair was back in many meticulously braided tresses, its dark, rich color contrasting the pale gown.

Hardly audible to my hears, Aang leaned over and whispered in Sokka's ear, "So, are you alright with this?"

"A little late to be asking," my idiot brother replied. But it was good-natured sarcasm, and he added "I'm okay with whatever Katara thinks is right."

Dad took my hand and gave me away to Aang. The young Avatar looked a lot more mature than he really was, and he was barely holding back tears of joy and laughs of excitement. Grangran then spoke the water tribe marital blessing, and Aang recited a series of promises which the nomads had taught him. The clinching line was "…And hereby give the oath to each other and to the great Forces of our world, to remain loyal and loving till we are spirited away."

I hardly knew what great Forces were being invoked, and felt uneasy making them a promise, but then I remembered how much I loved Aang. My unease melted away and I agreed to the promises. Aang and I sealed the oaths with a kiss.

Instantly fireworks went up around us. Water tribe drums beat the traditional marriage tune, and there was a cheer from the many guests who had attended. Zuko, Bato, Toph, Tao and his dad, Piandao, and many others were all there.

So began my life with Aang.