Chapter Fourteen: Mending the Four Nations
Zuko hadn't left Katara's side in four days. It wasn't until Toph and Sokka literally dragged him away, that he was told he would be the new fire lord. He spoke to his uncle and they agreed it would be better for Iroh to take his place for the time being. They were sitting in the throne room with Iroh, and the rest of the leaders of the battle.
"Katara and I were planning on roaming through the nation to find what needs to be fixed." He stated sadly. "That's if she still wants to."
"What about Katara coming home where she belongs?" Sokka demanded. "She belongs in the South Pole."
"Snoozles, are you planning on returning to the South Pole?" Toph asked boredly.
"I... well... if..."
"I think it's a good idea." Hakoda interrupted. "If she decides to go along with you, Zuko, I agree. But, you must not push her, the healers did say she exhausted herself."
"I know. It's my fault. I should have noticed and made her rest." he sighed.
"Nonsense." Iroh scolded. "A woman that strong would never rest until she accomplishes her plans."
Zuko snapped his head up and looked straight to Hakoda. "Then I beg you to take her to the South with you." he said. "If she comes with me, then she'll do the same thing."
Toph and Iroh slapped their foreheads. "Idiot."
Hakoda shook his head. "There is no deciding for her. She will either come home or go with you. You can try though."
Aang came running into the throne room. "She's awake!" he cheered running back out.
Katara was surprised to see Aang running back in. When she woke up to him apologizing, she smacked him. The poor boy nearly cried in happiness as she hugged him.
"They're coming!" he smiled to her as he sat down. "I'm sor-sorry I was so childish..."
"Aang, don't worry about it." she whispered. "Besides, there is a certain Earth bender that likes you."
He scratched his head. "Toph? But she always..."
"She likes you. Go for it." she reprimanded.
"Kata!" Sokka barreled Aang over to get to his little sister. "You are so... stupidly brilliant! I don't know if I want to hug you or kill you."
"S-Sok-ka!" She gasped.
"I believe you're accomplishing both." Iroh chuckled.
Sokka let go and blushed. "Sorry, but you had me worried. Wait till Gran Gran hears what you did! Master Pakku is here. Did you know he was part of the white lotus? He said he made sure our village was once again restored to its natural..."
Everyone in the healer's wing stared in awe as the two siblings babbled back and forth in a language only they understood. It wasn't until Katara noticed Zuko standing against the wall that she silenced her brother.
"Why are you standing all the way over there?" she asked.
Zuko shrugged. "I figured you'd want to spend time with your family."
She rolled her eyes and turned to Iroh. "How are things going with Ozai's death?"
"The White Lotus claimed Ba Sing Se back shortly after with help from your friends. The Earth King is coming in a few days once they get everything situated. Master Pakku is here in Cheif Arnook's place to sign the treaty as well as your father."
She nodded. "And what about the air benders?" she asked.
The older men looked at her in disbelief. "Aang is the only..."
"No. The island close to the western air temple has been harboring air benders for the past hundred years. I told Aang before we left the freedom fighters."
Everyone turned to look at the young avatar. "I thought she was just saying that to shut me up." he blushed.
"Iroh, why don't you send a message to the White Lotus and have the leader of the air benders on that island come here." she ordered.
Hakoda raised an eyebrow. "Katara, you shouldn't be ordering..."
"It's fine, Chief Hakoda, Princess Katara has earned the right to order us around." Iroh smiled. "I suggest we all leave and let her rest."
They all turned to leave and Katara called out. "Zuko, I'd like you to stay for a moment."
Everyone gave him confident smiles as they left. Zuko slowly walked towards her bed, dreading what he was about to do. She smiled and patted the bed next to her completely oblivious to what he was about to tell her.
The adults decided to go to Iroh's study to plan, while Toph, Aang, Sokka, and Ty Lee went to a nearby courtyard. Ty Lee was doing her acrobats as the other three watched, or in Toph's case felt, her jump around.
"What do you suppose Zuko is telling Katara?" Aang asked curiously.
Sokka stretched and leaned back in the grass. "I hope he doesn't plan on telling her to go home. But knowing him he will, and that's why we didn't go very far. Toph, what's it look like so far?"
Toph tilted her head down in concentration. "Well, as far as I can guess, she's talking... oh, I think it's getting good. Excuse me."
She got up and started heading back to the healers wing, followed by three other curious teens.
"What do you mean I'm going back to the South Pole?" Katara snarled. "I told you I'd help you straighten out your lands. I'll do it without you if I have to!"
"You need to go home and rest. Be with your family. I'm sure they need you much more than I do. I can manage." he defended just as loudly.
"So that's it? You don't want me around? Fine! I'll fucking leave tomorrow." she snapped pulling the blankets up over her head. "Leave so I can rest."
"Katara." Zuko sighed. "Listen, I just..."
"LEAVE!" She shouted so loud it vibrated his chest.
He turned and stomped to the door, but as he opened the door he heard her crying. Before his heart betrayed him he slammed the door behind him crashing into Sokka.
"Watch it!" he barked.
Sokka stood up and crossed his arms. "That was a mistake. My dad warned you about telling her what to do." he sighed. "Now, who knows what she'll do."
"You think I don't know that?" he snapped angrily. "Do you have any idea how difficult she was when we were traveling together? Every time I'd tell her not to do something she'd do it anyway!"
The other three stared at him as he fumed about insane women. Aang started to pull him towards the dinner hall for lunch and he seemed to be so into his rant he never noticed they served the food.
"When did I get here?" Zuko stared blankly at his plateful of food.
"Roughly between mixed signals and insane wife, but after bossy, hotheaded, stubborn wench." Master Pakku smiled broadly.
Zuko blushed. "I... er... sorry."
"No need." Hakoda smirked. "I take it you did not heed my advice and told my daughter she would be coming home with me?"
"Yes. I figured after everything she'd at least listen to me once." Zuko glared at Sokka who was choking on his drink after laughing.
"What was it you were saying about a wife?" Iroh beamed.
"I... er... nothing. Did I say wife? I meant..."
"I remember them playing husband and wife in a village." Aang winked. "I think I overheard Toph and Katara giggling about it. Isn't that right Toph?"
Toph nodded. "Oh yeah. He was the perfect husband... blah blah ... couldn't have asked for a better man... I don't know I wasn't listening." she said plainly as she went back to her meal.
The adults around the table eyed the young blushing fire lord, and burst up laughing. Hakoda and Iroh were whispering with their heads bent together. The rest of the day went on with Zuko brooding in his room and the other teens visiting an irate water bender.
It had been three more days until Katara was finally allowed to leave the healer's wing. The healer wanted to keep her longer, but the ball was today and she intended on going. This ball would be when the four nations became one again, and apparently she was one of the important people needed to sign the treaty.
As she returned to her room she dropped down on the bed in satisfaction. Zuko hadn't been to see her since she blew up on him. She sighed and got up to take a bath. Iroh had told her a dress was being made for her and Toph or Ty Lee would drop it by.
She let the warm water relax her tight muscles. Lying in a bed for more than a week made her muscles feel more exhausted than when she was fighting. That silly healer refused to let her get up, except for the bathroom. The candle showed she had an hour before the ball began, which meant she wasted too much time to worry about her hotheaded companion.
She didn't see her dress or Toph anywhere when she walked out. "Great! How am I supposed to go when I don't have anything to wear?" she grumbled to herself as she sat at her vanity. "Damn it! Look at this hair. It'll take me longer than I have to get all these damn knots out."
"I can help you with that." came a quiet voice from the door.
She clenched her towel tighter at her chest and whirled around to see Zuko holding out a dark blue dress trimmed in white. When she looked closer there were little blue flames stitched into the white.
"It's beautiful." she smiled. "I was starting to worry if I'd have to go naked."
Zuko blushed. "I don't think it'd be a problem. From what I've seen the past few days, several men have asked for your hand." he smiled weakly. "I'll help you with your hair as soon as you get into this."
She looked at him. He wore the traditional Fire Lord robes, but she noticed a patch of blue around his wrist and stood up to get a closer look. "What's this blue?"
He looked down. "It's something your father gave me." he said hiding his arm. "Put this on. We don't have much time and that hair looks like a mess."
She frowned but listened as she grabbed the dress. "Why did my father give you a gift?"
"For taking care of his daughter. Aang got one as well." he stated.
"Oh, alright then. Tie me up." she turned so he could tighten the corset. "You know, these fire nation dresses aren't so bad after you get used to them."
He smiled as he picked up the brush and ran it through her hair. "I heard Pakku talking about Princess Yue, and apparently she wore these types of dresses." He said as he worked out a particularly tough knot. "Are you putting your hair in water tribe style? I don't know how to..."
"No, I'm already wearing blue. Fix it however you want to." she sighed. "Zuko, I'm sorry I blew up on you the other day."
He froze halfway through pulling her hair up. "It's alright. Your father warned me about it. I just wanted you to see your family." He continued his work.
"But, I'll see them plenty after we get everything straight. Don't worry about it." she smiled into the mirror.
"Alright." he placed his hands on her shoulders and looked at her reflection. "I won't worry about it. You're all done."
She shook her head and leaned forward to put makeup on. "I'll be done in a moment." she said quickly.
The ball was full of every nation. Iroh, Hakoda, Pakku, Kuei, and Aang sat at the head table watching all the people mingling cautiously. They spotted Toph lecturing some poor boy about earth bending. Ty Lee was bouncing all around the room flirting with all the men, while Sokka stuffed his face.
"Has anyone seen Zuko or Katara?" Iroh questioned.
Aang looked around the room. "No. But the healer said she went back to her room. Zuko took her dress to her."
"Oh La, I hope he's planning on ending all this wedding proposals. I'm sick of them." Pakku snickered.
Hakoda raised an eyebrow. "I've been dealing with them for months. You've only had to hear it for maybe a week. I don't want to hear it old man." he laughed.
A hush went around the room as said couple stepped into the room. A path cleared for them as they walked up to the head table, ignoring the whispers going around the room.
"Ah, finally!" Iroh smiled. "I was beginning to wonder if you two decided to have a ball of your own."
"What?" Zuko frowned.
Katara blushed and rolled her eyes. "That reminds me Iroh." she whispered. "I think it's time you gave him the talk."
As much as she tried to keep it so only Iroh heard, Hakoda and Pakku managed to hear it as well. Zuko was still frowning when Hakoda spoke quietly.
"And who did you get the talk from?" Hakoda hissed quietly.
She blushed even darker. "Sokka. Hmm. That food smells great, come on Zuko."
Zuko sent the men a bewildered look before following the water bender. "You know what, I've learned not to ask anymore."
She laughed as they reached the table. "Don't worry, your uncle will explain."
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Two Hours Later
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The treaty had been signed, but not without a little threatening on Katara and Toph's part. Men had asked Katara to dance constantly and it took Zuko growling at any man that came near her to stop. She was grateful for the break.
Sokka had gotten a hold of cactus juice by accident and was spouting off at the mouth. Toph and Aang disappeared outside and hadn't returned as of yet. The air benders that had been in hiding were mingling for the first time in a hundred years, and enjoying it.
The final song of the night was finally played and people were coupling up on the dance floor. No one seemed to pair with their nation, allowing this treaty to finally grow.
"It's nice isn't it?" Katara said happily watching the couples on the floor.
"What is?" Zuko asked.
"That people can finally look past discrimination and come together." she said dreamily.
"Mm. Your father said Pakku was complaining about all the suitors asking for your hand." he chuckled.
"Oh." she sighed sadly. "I guess I'll have to look at the list sometime soon."
He looked at her in understanding. "Do you want to dance? Maybe it'll take your mind off it." he asked cautiously.
She glanced up and smiled. "I'd love to Fire Lord Zuko."
He frowned as he lead her out on to the floor. "I don't think I'll get used to that." he said with a smirk. "And you've been calling me that a lot."
She giggled. "Would princess be better?"
He spun her around quickly and caught her in a dip. "Only if you plan on giving me the pleasure of your presence when I survey my lands." he smiled warmly pulling her up.
She raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't miss it for the world." she replied placing her head on his shoulder.
Three pairs of old eyes watched them quietly from the head table. Iroh smiled wildly at the two water tribe men. All three agreeing that if the new Fire Lord asked them for the water bender's hand, neither would object.
Fin.