Wow, I updated both my stories today. I feel proud and happy. :) Also, sorry it took so long, I couldn't figure out how to put this chapter together very well. Hope you like it though, and you can go check out my other story if you haven't already.

Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA

~Chapter 5: Reality~

"Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not."

-Uncle Iroh

Water Tribe festivals are very, festive. They hung decorations, they arranged music, and all the woman cooked food for the event. When the remaining tribesmen returned, they quickly bided their hello's and went right to work on the meat.

Katara also seemed to be very 'busy' preparing for the event, or at least that's what Zuko seems to comprehend. His uncle urged him to talk to Katara, try and connect with her, or at least have a civil conversation with her. After all, they are supposed to be married, he's going to be her husband, and her, his-Zuko shuddered-wife.

His wife. He was going to have a wife. Katara was to be his wife. He still wasn't used to the idea.

"I don't exactly have a choice Sokka!" Katara's screaming voice echoed through the large house. Zuko was on his way to his own room where he was staying for the time being, when he heard Katara through her own bedroom doors. "I had a choice, but now I don't. I didn't realize this was such a problem for you!"

"Of course it's a problem!" Sokka returned the shout. Zuko leaned against the wall, listening onto their conversation. "My little sister is being forced to leave her tribe to marry the Fire Nation Prince!"

"I thought you would be supporting me on this Sokka!"

"And I thought you'd put up more of a fight, I guess we were both wrong!"

"How would you know?" Katara yelled. "You weren't there when they told me I'd be a wife to some Fire Nation killer! I tried my best to stay away from him but Tui and La apparently hate me!"

Zuko had no idea who Tui and La were, but he guessed they were some pretty important people to this tribe.

"Now you're his fiancé, you're going to be his wife, and the mother of his children. Does that make you happier? Does that make you proud?" Sokka demanded from her.

Katara seemed to quiet down, but when she spoke again she sounded of someone who was about to hyperventilate. "I didn't think about it that way." Her voice was a lot quieter, her breathing faster and shaken.

"You should have, because that's whats going to happen. Someday you two are going to have to create an heir." Sokka told her the truth, no sugarcoating it.

A heavy thump sounded from inside the room, and somehow Zuko knew Katara probably fainted. Standing up, he figured it was the best time to leave them alone and return to his own room for the time being.

Zuko watched from afar as Katara chatted with a few of the other water tribeswomen and Toph. She seemed to have a normal life here, and he was about to take that away.

"Prince Zuko, cheer up!" His uncle nudged his arm. "It's a festival, it's disrespectful if you don't show enthusiasm."

"Please Uncle," Azula's hand paused just as she was about to take a sip from her drink. "Zuko has no enthusiasm to give, he's so bored looking."

"I'm just not in the mood alright?" Zuko grumbled back, irritated.

"You're never in the mood Zuzu," Azula smirked, hitting a tiny nerve.

Slamming his fists down at the table, Zuko shouted. "Stop calling me that!" A few of the tribespeople around them stared for a few seconds before turning back to their own conversations.

"Seriously Zuzu, you should watch your tone around these people, they're about to provide you with a wife."

"I would've already had one if the council accepted Mai." Zuko growled at her, clenching his fists.

"Prince Zuko, no offense, Mai is a wonderful young lady, and yes she does meet all the standards but. . ." His uncle trailed off, thinking about the gothic knife thrower and how, unexciting she can be.

"What uncle is trying to say Zuko," Azula's tone softened. "is that Mai is boring, she's so gloomy and calm all the time, she isn't a risk taker. I think the council wants a break from serving the Royal Family that is nothing but boredom, they want someone exciting and strong. Someone like Katara, brave and compassionate, who's not afraid to face death head on and accept it. They want-no-need someone like Katara, our nation needs someone like her."

Zuko lowered his head, knowing that what his sister says is true.

"Just think about it Prince Zuko."

Review Please!

~EZ17