AN: So here's the final chapter. I'm very sorry this took so long but the exams were worse than I'd thought they would be. Thanks for sticking it out all the way to the end, I really and honestly do appreciate it. Once again, I need reviews to tell me what to change: I want this to be as good as it possibly can be. I must warn you that the ending is kinda cliché. But what else do you expect from me? Lol.
Note: Some things in the previous two chapters have been changed thanks to the critique of sableambiguity. The story stayed basically the same, though, so don't worry. I just thought you should know that some of the finer detail has been refined.
Rating: T
Pairing: Zutara, Sibling!Toko and Sukka. Hints of Mai/ Ruon-Jian, Kataang and Taang.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Avatar. If I did… Well, something tells me you should pray Bryke gets to keep it xD
Part III
No matter what she did, Katara could not get herself to calm down. Her fingers refused to stay still as she paced up and down the room she was staying in on Kyoshi Island. She stopped to check if her hair was still alright, and grimaced as she caught sight of how wide and excited her eyes were. Gritting her teeth she forced herself to stand still and take a deep breath.
The others would all put her jumpiness down to pre-wedding jitters. After all, her big day was tomorrow. But she knew in her heart of hearts that she was not brimming over with excitement because tomorrow she'd be the Avatar's wife. No, she was hyped up because today, at her and Aang's pre-wedding party, she would see Zuko again. It had been three months since he had left her in Ba Sing Se, and since then she had not caught so much of a glimpse of him. A part of her was screaming in guilt, but that part was shrouded out by the pure longing and anticipation that was coursing through her veins.
She had to calm down. She was sure that Zuko would see the excitement in her eyes for what it really was, and that would just cause more problems. Not only that, but she was very sure the perceptive Toph would figure it out and that just could not happen. Aang didn't even want to have this party, after all. It was Water Tribe tradition to throw the bride and groom a party before their wedding day. It was apparently their last chance to have fun before settling down, but Katara knew it was just a chance for the guests to make the couple do outrageous things. At Sokka and Suki's party the two had been made to dress up in rotting seaweed and dried jerky. It was fun for the guests, but horrible for the two of them and Aang didn't want that happening to him. But he respected Katara's traditions and finally gave in, but not before laying down one or two rules of his own.
One of these rules had been that Katara had to invite everybody to both the wedding and the party. And by 'everybody' he meant Mai. Katara was not pleased by the idea, but Aang was firm and eventually she'd given in and asked the noblewoman when she saw her at Ember Island while she was on a brief visit there. At first she'd just focused on cooing to Mai's daughter who, she admitted rather grudgingly, was beautiful. But eventually she couldn't stall any longer and she'd grit her teeth and asked straight out. To her immense relief Mai had to decline: she and her husband already had plans for that entire week. Aang had disapproved at her obvious relief, and she didn't have the heart to tell him that it wasn't just because of her dislike for the girl for leaving Zuko that she didn't want Mai to come. Instead, her reasoning was more along the lines of her not wanting to put Zuko through any more pain or temptation.
"Are you ready?"
Suki was standing at the door and beaming as she looked Katara over. The Waterbender laughed and twirled around so her loose light blue dress twirled. Suki giggled and then held out her hand, leading Katara outside where a palanquin of sorts waited, surrounded by the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors. Katara was led onto the palanquin and all the Warriors, except Suki, picked up the corners and began to carry Katara to where the party was. Katara had wanted to hold her party, at least, at the Southern Water Tribe, but Suki was highly pregnant by now and could not travel. Not wanting to do anything without her sister-in-law, Katara had agreed to hold the party and the wedding on Kyoshi Island. The rest of the Warriors had enthusiastically taken to the challenge, and Katara was pleased with her decision.
She was carried to a large open space that overlooked the beach and she had to stifle a gasp at the wonder of it all. There were lanterns and flowers everywhere, as well as large rock formations that she was sure Toph had created. It looked beautiful, and she felt her heart warm with thanks. The rest of her party guests saw her coming, and they began to cheer. Then another palanquin came into sight, this one carried by men. Sokka, right in front of Aang's palanquin, waved at his sister with a grin. Katara waved back enthusiastically. After he'd spent three weeks away from his pregnant wife to quell a riot that never happened Sokka had stuck to Suki like glue, meaning she hadn't seen her brother for ages.
Both palanquins reached the platform that had been set up for them, and Katara and Aang got out, grinning at each other.
"Yeah! Now the fun begins!" Toph hollered, a grin so evil on her face that Katara's heart plummeted.
The first thing they were made to do was drink five glasses of the most disgusting liquid Katara had ever tasted. Halfway through their final glass they were told, by a laughing group of Kyoshi, that it was elephantkoi mucus. Aang went almost as green as the girls' robes. And so the obstacles went on, some gross, some stupid and some actually quite fun. It was in the middle of a game that required Katara and Aang to sit on hammocks made entirely from grass that Toph's head jerked around.
"Sparky!" she yelled in delight.
Katara looked up and felt her heart stop beating. He was there. He was wearing casual clothes and his gold eyes were light as he smiled at Toph's greeting. Then he looked up, straight at her, and her heart went into overtime. She noticed Toph frowning at her and she immediately drew her feet into the hammock so the Earthbender could not feel her vibrations. For another long moment Zuko looked at her, then he broke eye contact to greet Suki, who was delighted that he'd kept his hair short. Katara let out a shaky breath and rested her forehead on her knees. She had to stay away from him. What had happened was wrong. She was marrying Aang. Zuko had to remain a friend, and a friend only.
A hand rested on her shoulder. "Are you alright, child?"
"I'm fine, Gran Gran," she smiled. "I just got a little woozy from that elephantkoi concoction."
Her grandmother smiled, seeming pacified, and squeezed her shoulder. Then she clapped her hands, and silence fell amongst the guests. Hakoda stood up and walked over to his mother and daughter, a twinkle in his eyes. Kanna chuckled, and then squatted down beside Katara. Without warning she began to tap a rhythm on the ground, and Katara suddenly knew what was coming. It was an old tradition in her tribe that the daughter had to be fought for. Every person who wanted her hand in marriage had to do something to impress the girl's father, and at the end he would choose the one he thought was most worthy. Obviously Hakoda would choose Aang, but that didn't mean other boys couldn't have playful fun prancing around and showing off. And after their little performances, they each got to kiss Katara once, something she was rather dreading.
"I am Chief Hakoda!" her father began in a loud voice, raising his hands. "And this is the pride and joy of my soul: my daughter Katara." There were cheers. "She is beautiful and she is strong, and she deserves only the best warrior the spirits can provide!" Sokka let out a whoop of agreement. "So who thinks that he can claim her? Who dares try?"
For a moment there was silence, and then Haru stepped forward, raising his hands impressively.
"I do!" he called to Hakoda, grinning at Katara's shocked face. "I am Haru, a son of earth, and I shall fight for your daughter!"
He sprang forward and began to Earthbend, swirling rocks impressively over his head as he leapt around, quick as a deer. The crowd began to cheer him on and he got bolder: the rocks got bigger and the moves got more dangerous. Finally he sank to a bow before Hakoda, breathing hard.
"Well done, son of earth. You may claim a kiss."
Haru grinned and sauntered up to Katara. He winked at her, then kissed her swiftly on the lips. She tasted seafood and something spicy that she could not place, and his moustache scratched her face. It was not a pleasant kiss at all, but she managed not to grimace as he walked away. She did, however, hear her grandmother attempting to stifle a laugh next to her.
"Who dares come next?"
"I dare!" Sokka hollered, springing into the open space between the crowd and his family with a grin. "I am Sokka of the Water Tribe, and I am here to defend my sister's honour! If I win the favour of my father then nobody is allowed to marry her!"
"Proceed, brave son of water!" Hakoda laughed, and Sokka drew his sword.
He began to spar with an imaginary opponent, his feet light yet sturdy and his movements swift. Katara glanced over to Suki and saw the pride and love in her eyes as she watched her husband perform. Sokka motioned to Toph, and she bended a rock at him, which he deftly cut into small pieces to much applause. Then he bowed to his father.
"Well done, Warrior of water. You may claim a kiss."
Katara pretended to be cross as Sokka came towards her and gave her a hug.
"If you're the reason I don't get married I will kick your butt," she warned jokingly.
"Nah Dad won't do that: he's too scared of you and Gran Gran. I just wanted to liven up your claiming ceremony, that's all."
"Yeah, because you had it easy. All you had to do was spar with Bato and Dad to win Suki's approval. You didn't have to be kissed by random guys you don't know."
Sokka only laughed and placed a kiss on her forehead before returning to Suki, who beamed lovingly at him. Hakoda raised his hands again, but before he could utter a word another man pushed his way to the front of the crowed. Katara nearly fell off the hammock in shock. Standing in front of her father was the guy Katara only knew by the nickname Sokka had given him: The Foaming Mouth Guy. At that instant he was not foaming at the mouth, but the memory of what extreme excitement did to him made Katara cringe back. Surely, surely, he was not going to try…?
"I am here to claim your daughter too!" he exclaimed with a friendly wave to Katara.
Hakoda raised his eyebrow sceptically but then gave the guy the go-ahead. What followed was the worst excuse for a dance Katara had ever seen. It was a mixture of Sokka on Cactus Juice, an animal having an epileptic fit and a flower being tossed viciously by the wind. The people watching were either doubled up with laughter or staring with wide-eyed, dumfounded shock. Katara was part of the latter group, and she could feel her mouth hanging open. The man skidded to a stop on his knees, his hands raised and his face turned to the heavens.
"Er… Well done, son of…" Hakoda seemed unable to decide what element he belonged to. "You may… claim a kiss."
He gave his daughter an apologetic shrug as the man dusted off his pants and practically hopped over to where Katara was sitting. Her eyes were still large as she watched him approach. He beamed at her.
"You're so lucky! Marrying the Avatar! The AVATAR!"
She gave him a slightly apprehensive smile, but he didn't seem to notice. Suddenly he swooped down to kiss her, and missed her lips by about an inch. Katara was surprised, but not disappointed at all. As he sauntered back to the crowed he waved energetically at Aang, who had tears of laughter in his eyes. Katara didn't know whether to laugh or cry in mortification.
"Are there any other… gentlemen… who wish to fight for my daughter?" There was barely suppressed laughter in Hakoda's voice, and Katara flushed. "Nobody?"
The chief's eyes scanned the crowed before they focused on Aang. He jerked his head and the Avatar slid off his hammock, getting ready to give the best display of bending in the world to win his girl. But before he could take more than three steps there was a commotion at the back of the crowed.
"Wait! There's one more!"
"No, there isn't! Toph-! MPH!"
The people jumped aside hurriedly, and Zuko was deposited at Hakoda's feet by a ripple of earth. The Firelord glared over his shoulder at Toph, who just threateningly raised her hands again, ready to bend him into oblivion if he tried to escape. Zuko grit his teeth.
"Well, son of fire, are you going to fight for my daughter?"
Zuko stopped glaring over his shoulder and his eyes turned to Katara. She refused to look him in the eyes, and instead focused on a point just above his shoulder. Her mouth was suddenly dry and her heart was pounding. What was Toph thinking? Zuko couldn't fight for her! Zuko couldn't be a contender. He was just a friend. Just a friend. She prayed he would ignore Toph's warnings and back away.
"I will fight for her, chief of water," Zuko's quiet voice said.
Her eyes snapped to him as he climbed slowly to his feet. Disbelief, horror and other emotions she knew she was not supposed to be having spread through her body like floodwater. She glanced to see where Aang was, and found him standing in front of the crowed now, grinning happily at what he thought was just part of the game. Only she and Zuko knew that the Firelord had wanted his words to be true. He wanted to fight for her, and he wanted to win. However, they both knew that he would lose this battle.
"Proceed, son of fire! Make your stand."
Hakoda nodded to him, and Zuko returned the small bow. Then he took a deep breath and crouched into a Firebending form that Katara knew like the back of her hand. As she watched him crouch memories filled her mind of times long ago when they teamed up to spar against the other members of the gaang. They had won almost every time because they knew each other's rhythm and style. She missed feeling his assuring warmth on her back as she attacked and he defended. She missed his warm breath on her ear as they circled each other tightly to form an impenetrable wall of fire and water. She missed his smug smile when they were victorious. She missed his raw power surrounding her and making her feel safe instead of scared. She missed him.
Katara shut her eyes to block out the memories, but they snapped open again when fire turned her eyelids red. Zuko was magnificent. Awe was etched into every face, including hers, as fire spurted from his hands and feet. She could not place the form that he was doing, and so she assumed it was a mixture he was making up on the spot. Even so, he did not falter or make a single mistake. Aang was watching him in rapt attention, hungry to learn more from his teacher. But Zuko seemed unaware of the crowed as he moved, commanding fire as if it were nothing. His bending was awesome, inspiring, beautiful and deadly all at the same time and she felt herself wishing he would look at her so she could once again see the way his eyes burned when he gave the world his all.
No. We can't look at each other. It will just make things that much worse.
The Firelord suddenly stopped and raised his hands in an arch. The fire mimicked his movements and then crashed together above his head, forming a waterfall of fire that shimmered and roared harmlessly over his head. When it was done he lowered his hands and bowed his head to Hakoda.
"Well done, son of fire." Hakoda was impressed. "You may claim a kiss."
Her heart seemed to contract and swell at the same time, and the strange reaction left Katara breathless. Zuko made his way over to her, looking at Aang out of the corner of his eye. Katara followed his gaze and found Aang excitedly talking to Sokka and not paying attention to his fiancée and his Firebending teacher at all. Katara looked from Aang to Zuko at the same time his eyes flashed to her. Their gazes locked. And the world seemed to vanish.
His eyes were still burning from his Firebending, and she felt like she was being pulled into a deep hole. One she could drown in forever; one she didn't want to leave. She didn't care who was watching any more or about her wedding or even about the safety of the world. All there was was Zuko, and that was okay with her. She could barely breathe as Zuko reached her, and she realized her hands were shaking.
Please, Agni, let him not kiss me. She shut her eyes. Please, Agni, let him kiss me.
She felt Zuko lean towards her, and her chin rose automatically. His warm lips touched hers, and the world exploded. A deep, craving hunger overtook her, and all she wanted was to grab him and pull him closer. But her mind was luckily still in control of her limbs, and so her hands stayed by her side. The kiss lasted only a second, but it was the longest second of her entire life. When he pulled away, his hands stroked her cheek. It felt like her skin burst into flames.
Her eyes opened and met his again, and she read so many things in those two points of gold. Anger. Despair. Pride. Hope. Passion. Pain. Love. Acceptance. They looked at each other for a long moment before he turned away. She watched his back, feeling like half her heart was leaving with him. She was fighting hard against the tears. Her father started speaking again, but she paid no attention to his words. Aang then began his show for her, using all four of the elements in glorious displays. A small part of her heart glowed with pride and affection for him, but the rest of her was too busy focusing on not crying. Then Aang was suddenly in front of her, his eyes beaming in joy as he leant down and kissed her. His lips were soft and familiar, but they were not what she wanted. Still, she smiled and allowed him to drag her from her hammock so they could dance. She lost herself to the Water Tribe music, allowing her body to follow the drums without thinking. As she danced with her fiancé the same thoughts vibrated through her head over and over, thumping in time with her feet.
It hadn't just been lust. It hadn't just been some elemental pull. She didn't just want Zuko for his body or his kissing. She wanted him- his soul and his faults and his heart. She was not only in love with him, but she truly loved him. The deep kind of love she only really understood the second after he'd kissed her.
She closed her eyes and allowed Aang to hold her.
-x-x-x-
Katara had assured her grandmother that she could do her hair by herself. After all, the style was not too elaborate- all she had to do was pile some of her hair on the top of her head and secure it with traditional Water Tribe beads. However, now that the Waterbender was actually attempting to do said hairstyle, it was becoming very apparent that it was harder to accomplish than it looked. When her eighth attempt at securing a particularly stubborn piece of hair in place failed miserably she finally lost her temper and threw her hands up in disgust. Then, with a frustrated groan, she allowed her head to sink into her hands.
In less than half an hour she was getting married. That knowledge alone stiffened her shoulders and set her emotions on edge. She was marrying a fourteen-year-old boy. And even the fact that said boy was the Avatar did not take away the ridiculous nature of that fact. She'd said yes to Aang's proposal because she did love him. Because it was the only step she'd thought plausible or possible. Because she'd expected them to stay engaged for ages before actually getting married. Because…. Just because. She wasn't even sure of the reasons any more.
In fact, she wasn't sure of anything any more. Ever since the party the previous day her mind had been buzzing with far too many thoughts. She'd felt so many emotions in the past twelve hours she was just about ready to never feel again. And none of it had helped her in any way. She was still confused, still miserable, still longing, still aware that nothing could change. The only difference between what she felt now and what she'd felt a week ago was that now she knew exactly what she would be missing. And that just made matters so much worse.
"Do you need some help with that?"
Her head shot up, wide blue eyes finding the image of Ursa standing at the door. The woman's face was kind and concerned and its expression was so mother-like that Katara could not find it in herself to refuse. So, blushing slightly, she whispered her thanks. Ursa just smiled wider and moved into the room, gently picking up the brush Katara had discarded with much gusto. She worked swiftly yet gently, her hands threading through the Waterbender's thick hair with expertise. All Katara could do was watch in silence, admiring the way that the Fire Nation noblewoman easily clipped her hair up in a perfect Water Tribe style.
"I never got the chance to thank you." Ursa was the one to break the silence.
Katara frowned in confusion. "For…?"
"Protecting my little boy. Well," she made a face and shrugged. "He's not little any more but…"
Katara's smile was automatically warm. "It's okay. It was… a mutual agreement." She elaborated at Ursa's uncomprehending face. "He protected me too." She remembered Azula's lightning and shuddered. "A lot."
Ursa nodded. "He cares for you deeply."
Katara swallowed down the lump in her throat. "I know."
"You two share a special bond."
It was not a question, and the young Waterbender had no way to answer it. All too soon she was walking towards the makeshift hall on the shore of the island. Toph and the other Earthbenders had spent the whole morning crafting it and their hard work paid off- it looked beautiful. The structure was a mixture of the Air Temples and the great ice city of the North Pole. The two designs, though different, worked very well together and Katara couldn't stop herself from gasping in awe when she caught sight of it.
Before she could take the whole building in, however, she was suddenly inside it. Master Pakku and her father were on either side of her, with Suki and Toph in front and Kanna bringing up the rear. People waved to her from where they sat, beaming and wishing her luck with their eyes. She registered none of it as she walked, in an utter daze, towards Aang. He was standing next to Sokka in front of a table made from the same stone as the building. A Water Tribe elder stood alone behind the table as there were no Air Nomad people left to help bless the wedding. The Avatar was dressed in a rich Air Nomad robe, his smile so wide it took up his entire face. Next to him stood a beaming Sokka in his Water Tribe best and beside him…
She nearly stopped walking. Zuko's eyes bore into hers as she walked towards her fiancé. On the one hand his gaze made her want to stop walking, to turn around and change out of her wedding dress. On the other hand, it also made her want to speed up as her brain fantasised a setting where Aang and Zuko swapped positions, where Zuko's rich red robes changed to white ones and her wedding dress became one from the Fire Nation. Her fantasies shattered as Zuko looked away and she finally reached Aang.
He had grown a lot in the past two years, yet she was still slightly taller than him. Thus when she stood across from him, hands clasped in his while he beamed, she was looking down into his eyes. Eyes that were full of so much hope and love and endearment that she felt herself soften right to her core. But somehow that soft feeling was not enough to drown out the rest of her emotions, as it once had been. She was still acutely aware of Zuko's eyes on her and a part of her mind was screaming at her to run. Suddenly, she wasn't sure she could do this. Her heart rate climbed as she began to panic, and her entire mouth went dry, as her body seemed to go numb. She tried taking calming breaths to sort through it all but all she felt was panic and confusion and utter hopelessness.
The spirits, however, seemed to take pity on her. For Katara was still floundering, unsure of what on earth to do or say, when her wedding was ended for her. The reason for the abrupt standstill in the ceremony was Suki, who yelped into the revered hush that her water had just broken. Her exclamation was so sudden that for a few moments everybody just gaped at her. Then Sokka let out a strangled sound, not unlike that of a dying mooselion, and the entire hall erupted into chaos.
-x-x-x-
The sunset bathed those sitting on the porch of the little house in soft fire colours. The excitement and general rushing about that had happened for most of the afternoon had finally quietened down, leaving everybody tired and grateful for the peace. The door to the house opened and Katara stepped out, her smile plain and glorious.
"It's a little boy," she announced to those who did not know yet, and many cheers floated through the air.
The Waterbender beamed wider, pushing strands of her wild and ratty hair out of her face. One or two beads still clung to the mattered tendrils, but most of the others had either been lost or removed somewhere in the course of the day. While Hakoda went in to join his mother and his new grandchild she carefully manoeuvred her way out onto the porch, trying not to stand on the hems of the oversized dress she had hastily exchanged her wedding dress for a few hours before. Aang was excitedly talking to Haru and Teo and, not wanting to interrupt, Katara found herself sitting in the first open place she spotted. It took her a few moments to realize Zuko was beside her, and by then it was too late to move without arousing suspicions. Awkward silence frosted between them, each refusing to look at each other.
"So. Sokka must be ecstatic."
"He is." A smile automatically made its way onto her face. "He wanted a boy so badly. When I left they were arguing about names."
The Firelord had to laugh at this- he could imagine the type of things Sokka would want to name his son. He felt an amused pang of sympathy for Suki and the little boy. His amusement vanished as he felt Katara's eyes on him. Swallowing he looked up, catching her gaze for the first time.
"What?" It came out ruder than he'd intended, but he was nervous and unsure.
"Nothing I just… I was thinking… You will make a good father." Her tone was sure, factual.
He turned away and busied himself by watching the rest of his friends. He almost felt her disapproval at his sceptic silence, and he felt her stiffen into her usual stubborn posture. But as she opened her mouth to try and convince him, he suddenly noticed that something was amiss. He held up one finger and Katara was surprised into silence. Zuko frowned, looked around again and then got slowly to his feet. Carefully, quietly, he started towards the huge pot-plant on the side of the porch.
"What are you-?"
Zuko shook his head at her, stopping her question. Katara watched him in baffled curiosity as he crouched by the plant and then slowly drew the leaves aside. She nearly fell over when she saw Toph seated behind the huge fern. The young Earthbender was seated in a small ball, her legs drawn up to her chin. And, unless the light was already playing tricks on Katara's tired eyes, Toph had been crying.
"It's way too crowded out there," Toph muttered, voice thick.
"You'll have to come out soon- it'll be our turn to go and see the baby."
The Waterbender was surprised by how soft and gentle Zuko's voice was. It sounded so paternal it threw her off guard. And while she blinked in shock, Zuko continued to gaze gravely at Toph's tear-stained face. He knew a lot must have happened to make her cry and he started trying to fit the pieces together. One small reason had to be Sokka's baby. He'd been told of Toph's crush on the Water Tribe warrior, and while he knew she was happy for Suki and would never dream of breaking the couple up, the final realization that he would never be hers must have hurt. With a sinking heart the Firelord realized another reason must be because of the wedding that nearly was. Zuko wasn't always the frontrunner on picking up people's emotions but he wasn't stupid- he'd been aware of Toph's feelings for Aang almost as soon as he'd joined the gang. But he refused to go down that road: it would bring up too many of his own warring emotions to think about the wedding.
"It's not like I'm going to miss much. To me a baby is just a smaller human that isn't any fun at all. I don't see what everybody's making a big fuss of, anyway. All it's going to do is cry and poop. And all it's gonna like is being fed and sleeping!"
And there was the third reason. Jealousy of another sort. The Earthbender hardly ever pitied herself for being unable to see. But at times like that- times where seeing brought a whole new perspective to joy and rightness- she was reminded forcefully of how much she lacked. And she was wallowing in it, letting it mould with the first two reasons to create despair that had caused her, the mighty Toph, to actually cry. Zuko thought for a moment, then smirked.
"You know what else babies like?"
She glowered in his general direction. "No."
"Being tickled," Zuko answered, smirking widely.
And before she knew what was happening, his fingers were on her, wriggling mercilessly against her sides. She shrieked and began to try and fend him off at once, swatting at him viciously as she squirmed. He just kept darting out of the way, however, not stopping his assault for an instant.
"I'm going to kill you!" she howled, flinging herself on top of him.
Almost automatically Zuko's arms half encircled her, stopping her body from rolling off his as he crashed backwards onto the porch. The two of them wrestled for a while, Zuko mostly on the defence. Then, catching an opportunity, he swooped in, grabbed her and stood up, lifting her clear off the ground. Before she could recover he flipped her upside down, holding her middle in such a way that her kicking legs didn't make contact with his body.
"Let me go! Zuko, let me go!" She pounded against his shins viciously.
"What do you think I should do with it?" he asked Katara, panting slightly.
"It doesn't look too edible… But Sokka will eat anything. Wash it off in the well first." She was laughing.
"Zuko!" Toph's shriek held more panic now.
Laughing, the Firelord gently set her down on her feet. She seethed at him, smoothing down her rumpled clothes with the air of cold rage.
"Idiot, now I need to go and fix my hair!"
Her dark tresses hang in disarray around her hair, some of it still in her usual style and some out. She muttered some curses under her breath, stomping out with as much force as she could manage. But she was not fast enough- both Zuko and Katara caught the smile on her face and the way her previously hunched posture had lightened. There was a scattering of laughter from the guests who had watched, and Zuko began brushing himself down. When he straightened he found that Katara was smirking at him in a very infuriating way.
"What?"
"That just proves my earlier statement. You're going to be a great father."
He just sighed, unable to truly believe her words. Sensing his temporary defeat, Katara lunged.
"Come on. I think it's our turn to see the baby."
He eyes her wearily, instantly drawing back instinctively. "I don't think-"
"It's not going to bite you, Zuko." She was exasperated.
"I know! It's just… I don't… Really I can…"
She grabbed his hand firmly in hers and pulled. He resisted, still spluttering incoherent excuses but she was adamant. Luck was on her side again as he couldn't very well get rough with her in front of so many witnesses and so she was able to drag him inside and into Suki's room. Aang followed them, laughing at the sight and not seeming to notice how Zuko did everything to stop Katara except take his hand out of hers.
Suki was propped up in a bed, looking tired but beaming. Sokka sat beside her, looking just about ready to burst with pride and happiness. Hakoda and Kanna stood to the side, fondly watching the squirming bundle wrapped in a white blanket that was currently being passed into Toph's waiting arms. The Earthbender's face was unreadable as she held the baby, being sure to stand almost over the bed in fear of dropping him.
"I guess he's kinda cute." Her soft smile gave her away.
Sokka laughed and took his son, placing a kiss on his forehead before handing him to Aang. The Avatar made baby talk with the dark-skinned baby, rocking him ever so gently and pinching his cheek softly. Then, grinning, he passed the baby boy onto Katara. Her gaze turned soft and gentle, and Zuko was reminded of an expression he had seen on his own mother's face years ago. Watching Katara with the baby was something special, and he almost forgot his initial awkwardness of being in the room.
"And now it's back to Mommy," the Waterbender cooed softly, starting towards Suki.
"Not yet." The Kyoshi Warrior said with a smile. "Uncle Zuko hasn't gotten to hold him yet."
The Firelord instantly paled, and began saying no at once. He turned panicky as Katara ignored his protests and started towards him anyway. He took a step back as she continued towards him and his back hit the wall. He was trapped. Instantly he curled his hands behind him, showing his refusal to hold the child. Katara raised an eyebrow at him and carefully held the baby out. When he glared at her and refused to take it, she shrugged and then made as if to drop him.
Even though his mind told him at once that there was no way Katara would ever drop the baby boy, his arms shot out automatically, curling around the tiny body. Katara beamed and he glowered at her, deep betrayal and rage in his eyes that she ignored. She stepped back and his rage turned to panic again as he realized he was holding a baby. Swallowing hard he forced himself to look down.
Two large, bright blue eyes stared up at him, and he could have sworn there was curiosity laced in them. Then the baby squirmed, and Zuko swore he nearly had a heart attack. He couldn't do this! He was going to drop him. Trying to calm down, he was about to hand him back to Katara with some comment on how cute he was when the baby reached out and firmly grasped one of his fingers. All the air seemed to leave Zuko's lungs at the feeling of the little hand around his own.
And suddenly the weight in his arms took on a new meaning. Katara saw his gaze soften, saw his eyes widen and warm, and her own heart nearly exploded with joy. The moment was indescribable, yet unnoticed by nobody but her. Gently she moved right beside Zuko, looking down at the baby just as he was. Without really knowing why, she placed her cheek on Zuko's shoulder, watching as the Firelord gently stroked the little boy's cheek. It was this sight that greeted Suki as she looked up, and it was so tangible and breathtaking that the Kyoshi warrior froze in place. The first thought that popped into her head was how completely right Katara and Zuko looked as a family.
-x-x-x-
It was late at night when Katara was awakened by a tapping noise. Groggily she sat up, rubbing her eyes against the sleep. It took her another moment to realize the tapping came from the door that led out onto the porch. Frowning she tripped her way out of bed and opened it, stifling a yawn. Zuko's face greeted her.
"Zuko? It's the middle of the night!" She was more surprised than she let on.
"Sorry. I… Sorry."
She became even more curious as he shifted in embarrassment, seemingly unable to say anything else.
"Is something wrong?" she frowned.
"No.… I just… I…" He took a deep breath. "I had to tell you good luck. For the wedding tomorrow."
She stared at him in perplexed incomprehension. "But you're going to be there."
"No, I'm not. I got a message from one of the colonies today. They need me there to oversee the signing of a peace treaty between the two different groups of people there. My ship leaves first thing in the morning."
"Can't you wait just a few more hours?" She was aware how desperate she sounded.
"No. It… I need to take the tides and the possibility of bad weather into account…"
It was quite possibly the worst excuse she'd ever heard. Anger and hurt filled her, causing her grip on the door to tighten as she glared, not even sure if he could see the expression on her face.
"You just don't want to come to the wedding," she accused.
"I can't do it, Katara. I can't stand there and pretend to be happy while I watch you marry him. I just can't."
"Coward." The hissed insult was laced with her oncoming tears.
He stiffened at once, going on the defensive. "Like you would have been able to do any different," he snarled. "This is your decision, Katara. Don't make that my fault."
His words burned like a slap through the face. "What do you want me to do, Zuko?" she snapped. "Please tell me, because I have no clue."
"You really want to know? Fine: I want you to call off the wedding. I want you to tell him you can't marry him and I want you to give him his necklace back. I want you to choose me."
Silence. Zuko sighed and deflated. "But that's not going to happen." His voice was low. "Good luck, Katara."
He didn't touch her- didn't stroke her cheek or hug her or kiss her forehead. All he did was give her one last piercing look before turning around and walking away. Katara was too numb to even cry.
-x-x-x-
Everything after that passed in a blur. When she next became aware of her surrounding she was standing outside facing the make-shift building, dressed in the antique Air Nomad dress and with her hair carefully done up again. Ursa and Kanna were fussing around the long hem of the robe while Toph waited a little impatiently at the head of the procession. Ursa gave Katara a gentle smile and the Waterbender felt her heart ache in longing for the kind woman that could have been her mother. Hakoda and Pakku came around the corner, and the Water Tribe chief stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes raced over this daughter, and they suddenly looked over-bright.
"It's really happening this time, isn't it?" His voice was rough.
"Oh, Dad." She could feel the catch in her throat. "You're going to make me start crying too."
Hakoda laughed shakily and hugged his daughter gently. "The last time seemed surreal to me, but now I feel like it's really happening. I love you, Katara. And you look so very beautiful."
She swallowed hard against the growing tears and hugged her father back. "I love you too, Dad. Thank you."
Hakoda let go and moved behind his daughter. Kanna squeezed her shoulder with a loving look on her face and then fell into place at the back while Pakku and Hakoda flanked her. Katara looked at the three of them and willed herself not to cry. Suddenly Pakku stepped forwards and faced her with his fierce glare.
"Are you sure you want this? You are a strong-willed young lady, but your heart knows exactly what's right. All three of us have our doubts, but if you are sure then we are."
Her father and grandmother flushed somewhat at Pakku's confession, but Katara could not be angry with them. A part of her had the exact same doubts. But she buried that part and nodded. Satisfied, her master fell back into step with a bow of his head. Katara turned back to the front and took a deep breath, starting towards the building. They walked in silence for a while before Toph suddenly ground to a halt without a shred of warning. With a flip of her wrists she caused a wall of rock to rise and block their paths. They all stopped, confused and surprised, eyes flickering to a glaring Toph in confusion.
"Say it out loud," the Earthbender demanded.
"What are you talking about? Toph?"
"You," she pointed at Katara roughly, "need to say it out loud." Katara only blinked at her in dumbfounded surprise, and Toph snarled in frustration. "Listen, Sweetness. I see through reading vibrations, so I know things, okay? And I know a little of how you really feel. Now you gotta admit it out loud so that you yourself realize what's going on in that girlie heart of yours. 'Cause if you don't, a lot of people are going to get hurt. One of them is my big brother and the other… Well…" She flushed. "He doesn't deserve to be lied to! So spit it out!"
Katara's heart began to sink. She had a very good idea what Toph was talking about now, even though the grown-ups present were still utterly confused. Shame and embarrassment filled her, and she dropped her eyes to the ground.
"Say it," Toph demanded again.
"I don't know what you're talking about," the Waterbender whispered.
"Say it, Katara!"
"I don't know what you-!"
"SAY IT!"
"I don't-!"
"Say it say it say it say it say-!"
"Alright!" A nearby bowl of old wash water foamed dangerously at her outburst. "You want me to say it? Okay then: I'm in love with Zuko. Hear that, Toph? I love him. Very much. And I think he may love me back. And we kissed in Ba Sing Se, and I loved it. But you know what else? It isn't going to change anything. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a wedding to go to."
She stomped around the mass of rock, aware of the flabbergasted silence that radiated from her entourage. She could imagine the looks on their faces, the shocked disbelief tinged with horror and disappointment. And Ursa… She had no ideas what Ursa would think, but some of the possibilities left her feeling even hollower. She stopped her march as she reached the doors to the building, and fiercely wiped at the few tears she could not force back by sheer force of will. There were footsteps behind her, and the scent of her father filled her nostrils.
"Katara…"
"Don't, Dad. Please. Just… Don't."
She glared resolutely ahead as she felt rather than saw her father retract the hand he had been about to lay soothingly on her shoulder. Toph silently came to stand in front of her, and three more sets of footsteps told the Waterbender that Kanna, Ursa and Pakku had arrived too. Unable to look any of them in the face, least of all the Fire Nation lady, Katara turned her head away as she walked passed them and entered the hall to find her seat before the ceremony began. The Waterbender found her eyes being drawn to the ocean just beyond the island's horizon. On the waves, just about to set sail, was the distant outline of a Fire Nation ship. She had to fight harder not to cry.
Finally Toph opened the doors and started forwards, still without saying another word. The rest of the procession followed and made their way slowly towards Aang. This time, Katara was aware of all the smiles being sent her way. She could feel their acceptance and expectancies radiating towards her, and her sandals suddenly seemed to be made of lead. Would they still look at her that way if they knew what her heart was secretly feeling? Would they still expect her to go through with the marriage, still see her the same way? She barely managed to return a seated Suki's warm smile as she passed her sister-in-law and her nephew.
And then, too suddenly for her liking, she was in front of Aang again and her hands were gripped in his. There was no panic this time, only a dulled numbness that seeped through every pore in her body. She felt dirty and monstrous and unworthy and ashamed and angry and grateful all at once, and the enormity of the many emotions left her drained. She barely listened as the Water Tribe elder said the traditional bonding words. She let herself drift out of her body, drift into oblivion, feel and think nothing. She was doing this very well until the usual drone was interrupted by the elder asking a question that threw her and many of the guests.
"Avatar Aang, would you care to ask one of your past lives here to bear witness or give blessing?"
Aang nodded as she gaped, and before she could protest his tattoos were glowing and it was too late. She expected Roku to either appear only to Aang or to use the young Avatar's body as he had once before, but neither of those things happened. Instead, the room was suddenly leached of all colour but an unearthly, glowing blue. Katara let go of Aang's hands and looked around to see how everybody else was taking it, and was shocked to see them all stock-still- frozen as time around her stopped.
She nearly jumped right out of her skin when the light radiating from Aang's tattoos became smoke that materialised itself into Roku. And while Katara was still processing the sudden appearance of the dead Avatar, another one materialized. Then another, and another, and another until they were both completely surrounded by past Avatars. Aang stopped glowing quite so much and opened his eyes. By the way they widened at the sight that greeted him, she knew he had not expected this to happen either.
The Waterbender was just considering bowing to all of them- they deserved the respect, after all- when Roku and a few more Avatars circled Aang, blocking him from her sight. They began to converse with him but their words were too soft for Katara to hear. Before she could become curious the ghostly apparitions walled her in too.
"Young Waterbender." The speaker was a pretty lady dressed in what appeared to be Earth Kingdom garb. "You have been brave and willing to accept your destiny. But you have forgotten that fate is never set in stone" Her wise face was grave.
"You have been good to our current life," a wizened old monk continued, giving her a tiny smile. "But you are accepting things without truly questioning if they are the right things to do. Remember that the easiest path is not always the right one."
"I don't understand," Katara breathed.
"My daughter." A Water Tribe Avatar claimed her attention, his face the kindest out of the lot. "You must follow the destiny your heart tells you to take. Love is not something that can be created by sheer force of will. And deception in that front is a dark road that nobody should travel."
"If you do, you will end up hurting more than just yourself," an Avatar behind her said gravely.
"Young Waterbender," they all chorused, "we offer you this wisdom: choose the path that your head and heart both agree on."
They parted slightly, and she was suddenly faced with Roku. His face was grave and kind at the same time, and he took her hands in his.
"Katara, I am of Aang. I feel what he feels and I would never wish him harm. But I am of the Fire Nation too, and I also understand the feelings of their current Firelord. We cannot tell you what to do- which road to take. Know only that we hope you choose the one you will be able to live with. For everybody's sake."
Roku's eyes glowed blue, and the Avatars disappeared into smoke once more. The world suddenly regained its colour, sound and movement, and Katara found herself holding Aang's hands again as the hall shifted and wondered if anything had just happened. The grip on her hands slackened, and she looked at her fiancé in surprise. His grey eyes were filled to the brim with hurt and anger- expressions that ripped through her own heart and made her want to hold him close and chase all the bad away.
"You're going to leave me now, aren't you?"
His voice was quiet, laced with pain but with an air of… acceptance. It was as if it wasn't really a question, just a last attempt at stopping the inevitable of happening. Immediately she began shaking her head, opening her mouth to deny it. But the words somehow got stuck in her throat, and the words of the past Avatars rang through her head again. Looking at the pain etched on Aang's face, she wondered what his past lives had told him. What could they possibly have said that made him react in resigned agony?
Katara took a deep, shuddering breath, and allowed herself to remember. Remember being with Aang, remember feeling things for him, remember picturing this day once or twice in her head. The pictures were clearer now, as though before they had been made hazy by her stubborn insistence that they were the things she was supposed to feel and the things she was supposed to do. Swallowing past the sudden lump in her throat, she allowed herself to love him in the right ways. Then she looked him, her little brother and best friend, in the eyes and apologised silently. Her hands squeezed his once before they let go, pale white fingers slipping from her tanned ones. She was already halfway towards the door before anybody really realized what was going on.
"Katara!" The Water Tribe elder's voice was utterly bewildered. "Where are you going?"
"To stop a ship!"
Katara ran as fast as she could possibly go, hitching up her dress so she could run without hindrance. Her sandals slipped off, but she continued barefoot and slightly blinded as her hair began to slip out of its hold as well. She didn't pause for a second before launching herself into the water, dropping her skirts so she could summon the waves to her bidding. Her bending was hurried and sloppy, resulting in her getting slapped with water, but she did not care. Her eyes were trained firmly on the Fire Nation ship in the horizon, as though it were the only object in the world. As she rode her wave-like creation towards the metal monster, she called for it to stop. The closer she got, the louder she yelled until she sounded frantic even to her own ears. To her utter relief the ship, did stop and Fire Nation guards crowded the decks curiously. She was not concerned about them- she wanted only one man.
"Zuko!"
By the expression on his face, she knew he thought something terrible had happened on the shore. She made the wave swell so that she was the same height as the ship and then grabbed the rail and vaulted herself over it. Dripping wet from her chaotic hair to her ruined dress she didn't waste a beat getting her footing on the deck. Instead, she flung herself at Zuko immediately and crashed his lips to hers. His warm body froze in shocked surprise, but he did not push her away. When she finally pulled back she saw his gold eyes wide and laced with utter confusion.
"I choose you," she babbled at once, slightly breathless. "I know it's going to be hard and it's possibly the stupidest thing I've ever done and everybody is going to be disappointed and shocked and I'm hurting Aang and everything but I thought it through and… I choose you. I choose you."
Without a word he scooped her up and kissed her, which she shrewdly took to be his 'I choose you too, Katara'. He didn't seem to care that she was wetting his expensive Fire Nation robes or that she probably smelled of seaweed- he just crushed her to him and allowed her to wrap her wet arms around his neck. For a moment that could also have been an hour there was silent, and then a lone guard started clapping. This prompted the rest of the ship to break out in loud applause and cheering, which stopped instantly as Zuko resurfaced, just in case they weren't allowed to show their approval so vocally.
"Firelord Zuko. Should I turn us around, sir?"
"I think that would be wise," Zuko agreed, still looking rather dazed.
Katara laughed, a little hysterically as she was suddenly overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. A Fire Nation cloak was brought for her and it was only then that she realized she was sort of cold.
"So… This is really happening?" Zuko looked rather unsure.
She smiled. "Yes, it's really happening."
"How did…? I mean, what made you change your mind?"
She told him of Toph's intervention and the appearance of the past Avatars, and his expression turned so baffled it was rather amusing.
"Wow. That… wasn't what I expected." She laughed. "And… Aang?"
A deep pang of guilt and slight regret screamed through her. "He's… going to be mad for a while. And really hurt. But…he'll be okay. We'll all be okay. I'll always love him, just… in a different way."
He stared at her with a calculating look for a while. "You're never allowed to love me in a different way, understand?"
"Who says I even love you?" she scoffed. "I won't," she amended quietly.
"And if you leave me for Haru on our wedding day I won't ever speak to you again," he teased dryly.
She had to laugh at that. "Why does everybody think there was something going on between us? Wait, don't answer that. I don't want to know. But… speaking of weddings…"
"Hmm?"
"Could we… wait a few years? I mean, it's not that I don't want to marry you, and I understand as the Firelord you-"
"Relax." He slipped his hand into hers. "We'll definitely wait a few years. I think I've had enough wedding talk for a very long while."
She almost felt guilty for feeling so relieved. "So… what now?"
He winced slightly. "Now we go and do damage control on the island. After that I really do have to leave for that colony. And after that…" He hesitated. "You could come stay in the Fire Nation with me? So we can start to work this… us… out."
She felt a flutter in her stomach as her heart warmed and her cheeks flushed. "I'd like that. But…"
"But?"
"Give me the guest bedroom that's as far away from your room as possible." He gave her a look that made her blush horribly. "I mean, after all that's happened I think it's best if we make it as obvious as possible that before we get married we're not going to… you know…"
"Partake in any sinful activities?" he suggested shrewdly.
She grinned. "Exactly."
"Alright, the furthest room it is, then." There was a pause, and then his face split into a smirk. "But after the wedding is another story, right?"
She didn't know whether to laugh, blush or roll her eyes. She settled for pulling him closer, burring her head in his chest and facing the approaching island. "Yes, Zuko. After the wedding will be an entirely different story."
She felt him laugh slightly and some of the impending doom loosened off her shoulders. Whatever was coming could be conquered, because she had the other half of what made her whole to help her fight it.
AN: So much for part II being the longest. Sorry about that. Anyway, thanks so very, very much for reading. To all those who reviewed, favourited, alerted or just lurked- thank you. I love you very much. I hope the ending wasn't a disappointment to any of you.
All my love, WP.