Chapter Four: The Ball

Sleep didn't come easy to Kira the night before the Ball. She tossed and turned about all night, thinking of the previous dinner with Yen, and how he had acted. To her, it seemed that all he was doing was bragging to her father about his accomplishments. Was that all he was here for? Kira didn't know. But what she did know, was that this arrangement with Yen might be more complicated than she once believed. She let out a soft sigh and shifted in her bed, getting rather frustrated. It was just before dawn, according to the dim glow coming from the two French-style doors leading outside to a balcony. The Ball would begin in no more than six hours, at noon.

Finding it pointless to continue lying there idly, Kira pulled herself into a sitting position and stretched her arms over her head. After yawning the last bit of sleep from her tired body, she climbed off of her bed and wrapped a silk black bathrobe over her nightwear. She didn't know what she should do to pass the time from now until the Ball, so she decided to go lounge around the garden. Hopefully no one would disturb her there.

Once Kira reached the garden, she sat down on the wooden chair-swing that was centered in a bed of Fire Lilies with a perfect view of the lake; Her favorite spot in the castle. Kira laughed softly to no one in particular and reached down, picking a Fire Lily from its bed. She held it under her nose and sniffed the sweet smell, gently touching each pedal with her finger. She brought her knees up to her chest and rested her head against the back of the swing, humming a soft, mellow tune as she played looked at the flower. Things made sense here. This was the one place where Kira could sit and think, and not worry about servants, and guards, and suitors, and her father. She could think freely without rules.

Soon, Kira drifted off to sleep, the flower still cupped in her hand. Her head lolled to the side and her eyelids twitched every so often when there was a sudden noise made by an animal or the wind. After what seemed like only a few minutes, Kira was jerked awake when she felt someone shaking her shoulder. She yawned and looked around in her still-sleepy daze and saw Sokka standing over her. For a moment, Kira could almost say she saw a look of concern on his face. But the thought was forgotten when she became aware of her surroundings.

"Yes?" Kira asked, wanting to know what he bother waking her up. She rubbed her eyes and yawned again, stretching. He shoulders and neck were stiff from sleeping, and she winced a little as she moved.

"Everyone's been looking all over for you. It's nearly time for the Ball." Sokka told her, grabbing her hand and pulling her up. Kira gasped and started to walk quickly towards the palace, her hand in Sokka's to pull him.

"I didn't mean to sleep that long. Oh, I haven't even picked out my dress yet!" Kira muttered to herself as they reached the palace, frantic. Sokka chuckled and stopped walking, holding onto Kira's arm to make her do the same. "What are you doing? I have so much to do!"

"Relax, princess." He said smoothly, saying her royal title with a little more emphasis. "I took the liberty of laying out an outfit for you, and getting all your things ready. And while you do your make-up, I can brush your hair." At this, Kira gave him a questioning look that made him blush slightly. "After my mother died and my father went to war, I had to take care of my sister. I suppose a few things stuck with me."

"But why? No one told you to do that, so there's no reason why you would want to." Kira was confused.

"Well, I figured it might get me some points for good behavior." Sokka winked and smirked at Kira, then laughing. He cleared his throat and became serious. "We can talk later. Right now, I have a Ball to get you ready for." They both shared a smile, then turned and ran up to Kira's room. Kira closed the door behind them and looked at Sokka.

"Would you mind turning around while I get into my dress?" Kira asked crossing her arms over her chest. She heard a soft, "Oh right," from him as he blushed and turned his back to face her. Kira walked over to her bed and slipped off the clothes that she was wearing. She took the dress and slid it on with a little difficulty. It wasn't meant to be the most comfortable dress. But it did look stunning. The torso was a strapless black corset with gold lace in crisscross patterns down the chest and stomach. The bottom of the dress was flowing black silk, sweeping along the floor in the front, and trailing about 2 feet in the back. In the back, where the corset and the skirt connected, there was a gold lace bow. "Alright, you can turn around now."

"So I take it I picked out a nice dress?" Sokka laughed as he turned around to look at her. His breath was caught in his throat. She looked beautiful. Sokka didn't realize he was staring, until she cleared her throat.

"No, I love this dress. I probably would've picked it myself." Kira said as she walked over to her vanity table and sat down. Sokka followed her and reached over her shoulder to grab her brush. As Kira began applying a light layer of powder to her skin, Sokka expertly trailed the brush through her soft hair. By the time she was done with her make-up, he had pulled half of her hair into a ponytail and complimented it with a simple gold hairclip.

"There. Perfect." Sokka muttered under his breath. Kira smiled at her reflection and played with a strand of her hair. She saw Sokka hold out his hand, mocking a bow. Kira laughed and took his hand as she stood up and twirled around gracefully. "Now, go out there and blow them away." He gave her a small wink and nudged her out the door. Kira looked back at him and smiled gratefully, then proceeded down the staircase to the dance hall.

"Ah, darling, there you are." Kira heard Yen's voice from behind her, and she turned around. He took her hand and kissed the back of it, looking over her carefully. "You look absolutely stunning." He complimented, holding her hands and stepping at arms' length. Kira smiled softly and looked at his appearance. He was wearing a very clean cut set of royal looking robes. No doubt bought for him by her father. She almost had to resist the urge to sigh.

"You look good, yourself. Shall we enter?" Yen nodded and offered Kira his arm, which she, in turn, took. He lead her through a group of guests, all of them greeting and complimenting the young princess. Yen walked her over to her throne and waited for her to sit before he sat himself in his own throne, at her right. To Kira's left, of course, was her father's throne. He looked over at her and nodded in acknowledgement. Kira smiled to her father and looked over to the room filled with their many guests. Kira guessed that almost everyone in the kingdom were there, all laughing and mingling. Her hand reached up and she began to distractedly play with her necklace. She could feel Yen reach over and take her hand, linking their fingers. Kira looked at him and smiled hesitantly.

The clinking of a glass got Kira's attention, and she saw her father rise from his seat to greet his guests. The hall became silent and everyone turned their attention to the Fire Lord. He cleared his throat and held his arms out. "Welcome, all, to my palace. As you know, my youngest daughter is about to become old enough for marriage. I've welcomed you all here to happily announce that she has found a fiancé, and is to be married shortly following her birthday." Ozai paused and there was an echo of applause throughout the hall. "Now I invite you all to dance and eat, and talk with the happy couple."

'Happy couple'? Kira snorted at the comment. They were far from what could be considered a couple, and as for being happy… Yen was the only one that could truly say that. It's not that Kira wasn't happy, per say. It was more that she was having doubts that she couldn't voice, as well as fears. The music started and the servants began to bring out the food and refreshments. Yen stood, urging Kira to do the same, and lead her out to the dance floor. A small spot cleared and they were in the middle, dancing slowly to the music. Yen put on hand on the small of Kira's back while he held her hand with one of his hands. She responded by placing her free hand on his shoulder.

As the time went on, Kira and Yen talked about everything. However, the more they talked, the more Kira found that they have practically nothing in common. She had morals and goals, while he had conquests and his goal was to marry a wealthy woman. The way Yen talked, it made Kira suspect that he was only interested in the power and fame. Yen began to let his hands wander along Kira's body. She politely excused herself and walked away from him, going to talk with her other guests.

The rest of the night was spent with Kira avoiding Yen and making light conversation with some of the happy guests. Soon enough, guests started to leave and Kira took this opportunity to quietly slip out of the hall and up to her room, where she was surprised to see Sokka sitting on her bed.

"What are you doing in here? You have no reason to be up here." Although, there was a hint of a playful smile on her face. Sokka leaned back on her bed and looked at her with a cocky look on his face.

"You looked like you had fun tonight." Sokka said, ignoring her question. Kira narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. She walked over to Sokka and grabbed his arm, pulling him off of her bed. She laughed and pulled his arm out of her grip. "Whoa, easy, Princess. Didn't mean to get you mad."

"I'm tired, I want out of this dress, and I'm going to bed." Kira said as she pushed him out of her room. Sokka laughed and stood in the doorway, smirking. "Goodnight." Sokka barely had to time to back up to avoid getting hit by the door as Kira shut it quickly. Kira could hear Sokka muttering angrily outside her door, and she laughed as she walked back over to her bed. She sighed in relief. The day was finally over.

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This chapter wasn't that good, but I tried my best. Eh, I was tired when I wrote it.