A/N: Okay here's the next chapter :)
Previously...
"Yeah? Well-" I stopped talking when I realized we were at the Throne Room. I swallowed and stepped away from him, straightening my back and clasping my hands in front of me. I gave my dress a once over. Okay it's all good. I look fine. Deep breaths. I'm sure this won't be that bad, I'm only meeting the man incharge of the whole Fire Nation. I can do this. I just have to remember what Gran Gran taught me.
"Katara?" He questioned concerned. What was wrong with me? I was Princess Katara. I was trained to do this. Meet important people. I would go in there and make my family proud.
"I'm fine." I said more sure of myself. After a second he nodded and the servants opened the doors.
"You've got this Katara." Zuko murmured before walking ahead of me into the dimly lit room. I waited a second before walking in behind him like I was supposed to. I kept my face straight ahead letting my eyes wander around the spacious room, taking in the flickering torches hanging on the plain white walls, and the huge wall of orange fire blocking off part of the room.
Where the Firelord was.
Previously...
"Sokka?" I turned away from Toph and saw Suki looking at me from the side of the wall.
"Suki?" I gaped. I had forgotten she was here. What was she doing here? Where was Michio?
"Toph?" Suki asked in shock looking at the small girl sitting next to me.
"No duh Fan-Girl." Toph said sarcastically making me grin despite myself. then I frowned confused.
"Fan-Girl?" I asked looking at them in confusion.
"I'm a Kyoshi Warrior." Suki said dismissively. "Um...Can I join you guys?"
"Sure."
"No."
Me and Toph answered at the same time. Suki smiled at me and came to sit on my other side ignoring Toph's refusal.
"OW!" Suki shrieked making me jump.
I looked down and saw a piece of Earth jutting out from the ground. She glared at Toph who smirked evilly.
"Whoops...my bad." Toph retracted the jagged piece of rock and Suki sat down her eyes locked on Toph looking for any sign of bending.
"So..." I said scratching my head. This is awkward...
SOKKA POV
"I'm going to go look for Katara." I said suddenly getting up. I haven't seen her for awhile. I hope she didn't get into any trouble, dad would kill me.
"Overprotective much?" Toph asked raising an eyebrow at me.
"No I'm just worried about her." I huffed annoyed. What was with this girl being so sarcastic? That's my thing!
"What is she your girlfriend?"
"No! Why do people keep thinking that!"
"That's what I thought!" Suki exclaimed agreeing with Toph. "I knew it wasn't my imagination!"
I gaped at them. They were talking like I wasn't even there.
"I do not!" I spluttered. Were they insane? A couple of seconds ago they were fighting and now they've ganged up against me.
"Whatever you say Snoozles." Toph said dismissively glancing over and meeting Suki's eyes, both of them grinning.
"But-wait...no-I just...I mean-." I fumbled for words while they burst into laughter.
"I'm serious though, I haven't seen her in awhile." I said again after they finished laughing at me.
"Your really worried about her aren't you?" Suki asked seriously.
"What? No...I just...I just...I just wanted to see If she knew where I...put my boomerang."
"You carry a boomerang?" Toph asked snorting with laughter. "Wow, real manly."
"I'll have you know-" I started defending my prized possesion.
"I mean there are people everywhere. Plus I don't think she could get into that much trouble." Suki inserted interrupting me.
"You don't know Katara then..." I muttered.
"Come on, let's just go find her before Sokka has a heart attack." Toph said pushing up from off the dirty ground. I ignored her and started towards the main courtyard where the celebration was being held.
Where did she go?!? I saw her like forty-five minutes ago, she couldn't have gone too far, But this Palace is humongous what If she did get lost, or, or kidnapped! If something bad happened to her...Dad would strangle me. I don't get why he always tells me to look after Katara. I'm only a year older than her, she can take care of herself. All she needs is some water and she's fine. I mean she's only fourteen how much trouble could she get in?
KATARA POV
"Father." Zuko greeted bowing. I quickly followed in suit. I can't believe this has happened to me. Me of all people. Sure I've been to different places, and met important people, I am a princess. But I never thought I'd be taken to meet the Fire Lord personally, by his own son...who turns out to be a nice guy, and my friend.
"Prince Zuko." He aknowledged his son with probing, calculative eyes. I could see what Zuko meant earlier. The Fire Lord didn't really have any emotions as he looked at his only son. It was like he was greeting a stranger he didn't know yet. Like he didn't particularly dislike Zuko, he just didn't seem to love him either.
Then he turned his cold eyes to me. I stiffined as I felt his eyes run over me. Once. Twice.
"This is Princess Katara of the Southern Water Tribe." Zuko explained "We were speaking when the message came, and I didn't feel that It was proper to leave her alone."
The Fire Lord said nothing on his excuse. I waited anxiously on the edge. Was he angry? Annoyed? Unimpressed? Or did it even matter that his son brought someone that was obviously unwelcome to see him?
"Welcome, Princess Katara, to the Fire Nation." He said finally. But his tone didn't match his words. The words were meant to be welcoming, and comforting in an unfamiliar land. But the way he said them was bitter and sarcastic. Like he really didn't mean a word that was coming out of his mouth.
"Thank you." I chimed inclining my head.
"Yes. Tell me, how are you enjoying the Fire Nation? Is everything to your liking?"
I felt my insides turn numb at his questioning. I couldn't tell you which was worse; the tone of his voice, or the look in his eyes...
"Of course. Zu-Prince Zuko" I amended using his formal title "has been a perfect host."
"As he should be. I pin him to be the type to be around someone of your grace and form though." He said making my blood run cold. What? Did he just...
"You sent for me?" Zuko interrupted quickly earning my eternal gratitude.
"Yes...Tomorrow you will attend the Council meeting along with all the generals. Iroh will bring you there."
"Y-Yes father." Zuko replied his face composed, but the shock and pleasure clear in his eyes. He wanted so badly to have his father's approval. And I knew then that he would stop at nothing to get it. I felt bad for him. Sure my dad was busy a lot, but I knew he loved me. Even If my dad wasn't always best at expressing it, at least he showed that he cared for me sometimes. But Zuko's father seemed like he didn't really care for his son at all.
"Don't dissapoint me Prince Zuko."
"I won't." Zuko said resolutely, his eyes steely with determination. He turned exiting the room, with me following closely behind him.
As we walked down the halls I glanced up at Zuko and saw a far away look in his eyes. I bit my lip and kept quiet allowing him some time to think. We exited the Palace, when he finally spoke.
"It's a tradition for the eldest Fire Prince to be invited to attend the meetings when the Firelord deems them ready."
I remained quiet unsure of what to say. Was he excited? Ovewhelmed? Nervous? Proud?
"I's been waiting to be accepted into the meetings, but I didn't expect to be invited so soon." He continued looking straight ahead.
"Are you okay? I don't know anything about your Nation's customs, but I'm sure this is a big thing. I mean from what you've told me this is a once in a lifetime deal. I have no clue what goes on during those things, but it sounds like it's really important...I guess what I'm trying to say is good luck." I finished finally.
He grinned at me after a second. "Thanks for being there with me. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else there."
I looked up at him a small smile on my face. "Zuko that-"
"Katara!"
I turned around at the sound of my name being called.
"Toph?"
"You are so lucky I found you. Sokka is going crazy looking for you everywhere." She said rolling her eyes. "Who's he?" She asked suddenly turning her sightless eyes to Zuko.
"Oh Toph this is Zuko, Zuko this is Toph."
"Zuko as in Prince Zuko? Oh wow that's ironic." Toph said a lazy smirk on her face as she looked at me.
"What do you mean-" Zuko started
"We don't have time to explain Fire Face." Toph snapped. "Sokka is looking for Katara and I don't think he take kindly to the fact the you took his little sister to meet the Fire Lord."
"Um. Okay then I guess I'll just...um see you guys later?" Zuko said awkwardly.
"No can do Princess, Sokka is planning on staying by Katara's side the rest of the night." Toph explained.
"Okay. Just give us a second." I said looking up at the torn, stricken look on Zuko's face. This was so unfair. I was just getting to know him and now I had to leave. And probably would never see him again.
"Hurry up...buncha pansies." Toph muttered stalking off.
"I'm sorry." I said unsure of what else to say.
"It's not your fault. I'm just sorry that you have to leave. I wish..." He trailed off.
"I know. Me too." I said choking back the tears that were threatening to fall.
"It'll be okay." Zuko said a small, sad smile on his face. He brushed my hair out of my face lightly.
On a whim I reached back and untied my priceless blue necklace from my neck and held it tightly in my palm. This necklace was a part of my life. Just as Zuko now was. I would never forget him, and now he would have something to remember me by.
"I want you to have this." I said opening his hand and laying my necklace in it. The blue crystal, almost luminescent looking, shone in the darkness.
"No I shouldn't-"
"It's your birthday gift." I interrupted his protests. "Please. To remember me by."
He nodded and slipped the present into his pocket.
"I will find you again." He said his eyes alight with determination. I nodded even though I knew it was next to impossible.
I embraced him kissing his cheek. He hugged me back immediately his arms wound around my waist.
"I'll be waiting." I whispered before pulling away and walking towards the crowd. Not looking back.
A/N: Extremely angsty chapter I know!! But Katara and Zuko WILL be reunited I swear! And I know the thing with the Firelord might have been kinda weird but I wanted to...get the point across that in this story Katara is extremely pretty. Even more so than in the show. Reviews are appreciated!!
Next chapter...
"Katara!"
"What's wrong?" I asked turning from the meal I was making. We were low on supplies, I'd have to get Sokka to go into town soon.
"Nothing I was just wondering If you wanted help."
I relaxed at his words. "You freaked me out for a second. I thought Sokka had went and did something stupid again like yesterday when he drank the swamp water."
Yesterday Sokka had found a nasty, dirty, smelly, swamp and decided to take a drink. The water was bubbling for La's sake! How clueless can one person be?!? I had to use most of our supplies making a liquid to get him to throw the poisonous junk up!
"No...not yet anyways."
I laughed. "True, I won't hold my breath."
"So did you need any help?"
"Sure Aang, could you boil some water?"
"No problem Katara."