A/N: For those of you who caught it or didn't, sorry about the screw up in the title of the last chapter. It was supposed to be called 'The Price of Peace' but by the time I realized it said freedom I was too lazy to change it. Sorry about that.

Chapter 5
Talking

Katara jerked up in a sudden jolt of wakefulness. She cringed shielding her eyes from the brutal attack of early morning rays. She wiped tears and dirt from her streaked cheeks as she did a mental assessment of her current situation. She was in the middle of some unknown field, rumpled, groggy, and despite the fact that she just woke up, feeling less that well rested. 'Oh great. I was out here all night. AND NO ONE CAME TO LOOK FOR ME!' She cast a scowl around the field as this realization hit her and then an insulted frown creased her face as she heard a familiar sound. Whipping around and looking down, she found Momo stretching beside her. 'Well great, at least now I know Momo is the only one who cares about me.' The twisted irony of it all spread a crazed smile across her face and suddenly laughter erupted from her. Not happy, healthy laughter, but a cross between insane and hysteric as the reason for her rough night crashed over her ten fold. She laughed until her sides ached and tears spilled down her cheeks. She laughed until she was practically heaving and then as suddenly as she started, she stopped. She snapped her neck around and glared at Momo. It wasn't his fault but he was the only one around. The concerned gaze of the lemur made her feel ridiculous and bitter. Even he pitied her situation.

Rolling her eyes, Katara picked herself up dusting her clothes off and attempted to fix her hair. Momo leapt up to her shoulder and snuggled against her cheek trying to offer her comfort but nothing could sooth her bitter mood. She glowered at the lemur and stomped off in the direction of the palace as he coasted along side her, green eyes following her every movement.

She had a long walk back but she figured it would be worth it. Perhaps the scenery would soften her mood.

- -

Dim light filled a small chamber. It's two occupants had been silent for some time now. First, sitting close but not touching, then moving apart, then back together to hold shaking hands, and then apart again as their masks began to fall. They had been trained all their lives to put honor and duty first, their own selfish emotions could wait but were they truly being selfish to feel so hurt, so jaded?

They'd been silent like this for hours, Zuko just stared sadly at Mai, trying to think of what to say. He wanted to shout, he wanted to cry, he wanted to hold her. But what was the point? It was all so unfair. All the rash actions in the world wouldn't change the minds of the council members. In fact, rash actions would probably make the situation worse. He'd spent the night after his uncle left him scouring the documents that had been drawn up, looking for a loophole in the situation. He was certain Katara was no more interested in dumping Aang for him as he was in breaking up with Mai.

"Don't look like that Zuko. It's not the end of the world." Mai finally snapped, trying desperately to control her own emotion. She had adopted a blasé mask to make the world think she didn't care but inside she was consumed with grief over the situation. Anger at the demands being made of them.

"Might as well be, it certainly feels like it." Zuko muttered, gruffly. Glancing at him, she half wondered if he had been crying to make his voice so rough.

A small sad smile lifted a single corner of her lips. "Is that so? Even considering the events of the day of the comet?"

"How can you make jokes right now?" Zuko cried, roughly pulling at his hair in frustration. "It seems we only just got back together and already we're being torn apart."

Mai sighed and turned her gaze out of the lone window. "I'm just being realistic. I'm hurting too, but…but if this is the only way to restore the fire nation…"

They stared at each other sadly. Why did they have to love their nation so much? This accursed sense of honor and duty that had been instilled in them since birth was all that kept them from a full out raging rebellion against the council.

"We probably wouldn't have ended up getting married anyway." Mai mused, trying to comfort herself.

"What?" Zuko snapped, a deep frown creasing his brow as her turned harsh gold eyes on her.

"Zuko, do you really think your father would have let you marry me? Either way you look at it, you would have been stuck in an arranged marriage. And either way you look at it, it wouldn't have been to me.

"You don't know that." Zuko frowned, a pout forming on his face.

"I don't…but it seems easier to think that way." Mai responded honestly.

His face softened and they fell into silence again. They both cast their minds back to the day of their reunion, Zuko's coronation. Mai's threat against him breaking up with her seemed a distant memory now, even though it had barely been two weeks ago. It's power had lasted so briefly it seemed a waste of breath now. Why was the universe so intent on stealing Zuko's happiness?

- -

"This is so unfair. There has got to be something we can do, some other way to exist peacefully." Aang ranted.

"He's right! Both of them are going to be miserable this way." Sokka agreed.

"You don't know that for sure, I mean, they could find a way to make it work." Suki tried to calm the two.

"My poor baby sister. Her entire future is being stolen from her." Sokka cried.

"Don't be so overly dramatic Sokka. At least they're friends, it could have been a total stranger." Suki tried again.

"We've got to find a way to break this up. I know for a fact that Katara wouldn't want to be with him and I'm sure he feels the same way. What about Mai?" Aang pressed on.

"No one said it was going to be easy to adjust to." Haru jumped in, trying to help Suki keep the situation from exploding.

"We shouldn't have to adjust to it at all." Aang shouted.

"We've got to come up with a plan. Suki do you think you could help me sneak into the meeting room and get a look at those documents?" Sokka asked.

Suki sighed, "I'm sure I can."

"Great, let's go." Sokka said jumping up.

"Um, excuse me, but has anyone seen or talked to Katara or Zuko? We don't even know how they feel about all this yet." Toph cut in.

"We don't have to ask them. The fact that they won't see anybody is enough of a sign that they want out of this agreement." Aang growled, stamping his foot.

"Are you sure you're not just being jealous?" Toph asked.

"I wouldn't expect you to understand." Aang shouted, his face turning red with hurt and frustration. Why couldn't she see how wrong this was? Wasn't Toph supposed to on their side? Suki, too, for that matter? Scowling, he blasted himself up to the roof top to sulk for a while. He found a place where the others couldn't see him but he could wait for Sokka and Suki's return. He took and deep breath and tried to begin meditating but it was so hard with all the hurt and anger coursing through him.

- -

Katara's tired feet dragged as she finally made it into the palace doorway. She paused for a moment to sigh and scrub a hand across her tired face. Seeing the servants bustling about, busy as usual brought an usually dark cloud over her today. 'Probably getting ready for the wedding.' The thought did nothing to improve her dismal mood. Trudging further into the palace she dipped her head down to avoid eye contact with anyone. Perhaps they wouldn't bother her and she could escape to her room to be alone for a while longer before she had to face anybody.

Unfortunately she failed to remember that fate was clearly against her and she ran smack into Zuko who had been walking, equally distracted. The force of the impact against her tired body sent her reeling to the ground and her frustration at her left her sitting there staring blankly at the Fire Lord.

"Katara!" Zuko gasped, uncomfortable with her eerie stare. "I'm really sorry about that, here, let me help you up."

She took the hand he offered her and rose gracelessly to her feet.

"Thanks." she muttered.

"Uh, yeah. No problem." Zuko shrugged. "I was, uh, well you know, I kind of just…had a lot on my mind."

"Tell me about it." Katara sighed.

"Well…well yeah…I suppose you had a lot on your mind too."

Katara nodded slowly, suddenly feeling very awkward. "Yep."

They stood there, hands in pockets, looking everywhere but at each other, rocking on their feet. The only sounds were the rustling of their clothes as they fidgeted and the great whooshes of contained breaths being released.

"Um…" Katara wanted to ask him how he felt about all this. However, she simply couldn't bring herself to ask the question. She, oddly enough, was somewhat afraid of the answer.

"So..." Zuko started but then lost himself to his own confusing thoughts. How exactly should he ask her what she thought about all this?

They both returned to staring at the ground, hands in pockets or scratching at the back of their head trying to put the question out there.

"…Is it going to be strange like this forever?" Katara suddenly asked.

"I really don't know." Zuko sighed.

Silence.

"I'm sorry." Katara whispered, thinking of Mai.

"It's not your fault." Zuko's quiet response was almost unheard.

The silence between them seemed to stretch forever. They had become more daring in their looks though. While still determinedly not catching each other's eye they would periodically sneak glances at each other, trying to determine what the other was thinking.

"Is, uh…I mean…Do you hate this?" Katara finally asked.

Zuko peered up at her through his bangs for a moment searching for some clue as to what sort of answer she wanted. He frowned in sighed when he could determine nothing but a sudden desperation in her eyes.

"I wish there was another way, if that's what you mean." Zuko replied diplomatically.

Katara almost laughed. He really was getting into his role as Fire Lord but as the situation returned to her she couldn't bring herself to laugh or even to smile as sad blue eyes fell to the floor.

"Me too." She whispered.

The awkward silence had returned as they both once again were left with nothing to say.

The loud banging of a door opening and closing further up the hall drew both their attention.

"SOKKA! The whole point of stealth is not to make noise!" Suki's voice carried up the hallway.

"Then why are you shouting." Sokka's voice bounced back.

Zuko and Katara exchanged questioning looks but shrugged and decided if it was important they'd find out. With this small act of normalcy, they both felt a little better, knowing some things in life would never change.

"I, uh, suppose I'll see you around then." Zuko finally said.

"Oh, definitely." Katara returned with a small laugh. It's not like they really had a choice.

With a final nod to one another, Katara and Zuko left to their own separate rooms to think some more.

- -

Mai left out another aggravated growl as she moved gracefully around the training yard. Despite her anger, her elegance never wavered, neither did her precision. Every dagger struck true in every target that caught her eye. Her mask was slipping and her battle against tears was coming to an unfortunate end. The first few spilled easily down her cheeks, not stopping her enraged practice but soon the grief she'd been keeping at bay had consumed her and she dropped to her knees, letting the tears flow.

"It's so unfair." She cried, to what she thought was an empty training yard.

"Oh Mai, don't cry." Was the only warning she got as Ty Lee came crashing into her with a sisterly embrace.

"What else am I supposed to do, Ty Lee? I've never felt so, so completely powerless in my life."

"I know."

"No, you don't know! I love him."

Ty Lee's heart broke at the pictures of sadness her once strong friend now formed, the tears streaming down her face, eyes searching hers for what to do. Ty Lee wished she knew what to tell her.

"We'll get through it somehow. There are other fish in the sea right?" Ty Lee tried to be helpful.

"I don't want another fish."

"Then…perhaps you'll have to stay by his side as a friend…It'll be hard but that's probably the only thing left to do."

"Oh Kami, I know. It's going to be so hard."

"Maybe, we could help somehow. It might bring you closure."

Mai gave Ty Lee an odd look.

"I don't know. I was just throwing ideas out there." Ty Lee grinned.

Mai rolled her eyes but a small laugh escaped through her tears. It wasn't the first time she wished she could be more like Ty Lee. She supposed, now that she was going to being making changes and adjustments in her life, now as the perfect time to start. She'd try to be more positive and upbeat. Maybe she could find a charity or something to fill her days, anything to take her mind off of her heartbreak, until she had come to terms with it.

- -

"Zuko?" Iroh's voice floated through the door, accompanied by his soft knock. "Zuko are you in here?"

Iroh pushed open the door to his nephew's room and cautiously made his way into the room. He scanned the interior and found his nephew standing on the balcony, looking out over the majority of the fire nation.

"It is a powerful sight, is it not nephew?" Iroh smiled, coming to stand beside Zuko.

"It is. It also used to be beautiful and full of life." Zuko mused. "When I was younger, mother used to sit me up here on the balcony and tell me it would all be mine one day so I had to be sure to take good care of it."

"Mmhmm." Iroh murmured.

"I'm going to restore it to its former glory. I want my people to smile again, not lower their heads in guilt at the things our nation has done or sneer at those who taunt them over our 'loss' of the war. I want them to be proud of how strong we are and I don't want them to have to fear visiting other nations because of all the hatred that surrounds us."

"And how do you plan to do that, nephew?" Iroh asked, already knowing the answer. He had come to help Zuko accept the idea of this arranged marriage but it seemed to him his nephew had already sorted it out on his own. Iroh's eye shown with pride as he gazed as the strong man his nephew had become. He wanted to hug the boy from pride, in these last few weeks he had grown so much.

"I'm going to do what's right for my country. I'm going to marry Katara and I'm going to try to make this thing work. I think once she's been here long enough, she'll learn to like the fire nation and probably even have some ideas for restorations."

"Now that's the attitude to have." Iroh encouraged. A beam lit up his face as he smiled at his nephew. Yes, this young man really was meant to be Fire Lord.

- -

"Katara!" Hakoda's voice rang through the thick metal door. "Katara, I know I'm probably the last person you want to see but I think we need to talk. Please come out."

The door opened slowly, revealing an annoyed looking Katara.

"Where did you go last night? Your brother and I were worried sick."

"Why didn't you come looking for me then?" Katara couldn't resist piling the guilt on to her father. She was slowly coming to a decision about all this but she wasn't completely ready to let him off the hook yet. He had to know that even though she was considering going through with this, she wasn't happy.

"I wanted to, I started to but then Pakku suggested we give you your space for a little bit. I hadn't realized you stayed out all night until I asked Sokka this morning what time you returned and he said he thought I had seen you return because he hadn't. Then we were all over the palace trying to find you. Finally one of the servants took pity on us and told us he'd seen you come in early this morning."

"That's true."

"Katara, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I knew this would be difficult for you but I hadn't expected you to runaway. If I had known it would cause you this much heartache I would have…I'd have…well, I'm not really sure what I could have done perhaps refused and we'd still be in that peace talk but hurting you like this was never my intention."

Katara's hardened facial features softened as the crushed look on her father's face and a smile began to blossom on her face. "You think I don't know that dad?"

"Well, I thought you did but when I thought you were gone…" He was cut off by the impact of his daughter throwing herself against in for a hug.

"I'm sorry dad. I shouldn't have been such a brat about it. I know you probably tried your hardest to find another way."

"You must know that I did, Katara. We argued bitterly over every detail of those treaties. The more ridiculous things we were able to batter down but some points were simply inescapable."

Katara nodded. She didn't want to say anything else for now. She just wanted her dad to hold her like she was a little girl again, before life got difficult. She closed her eyes, and a single tear rolled down her cheek as she wished for a second she could return to a childhood moment with her mother, brother, and father just smiling and laughing.

- -

It was late afternoon and the palace had resumed a quiet calm. No one would outright speak about the betrothal but everyone was whispering about it, everyone except a general and an equally spiteful advisor from the Earth Kingdom of Ba Sing Se.

"Hmph, can they really think this will just fix thing?" The advisor grumbled.

"Of course it won't. Our people want revenge and I don't see why they shouldn't have it. The fire nation deserves to suffer more than this." The general replied glancing around.

"I know some people back home who would certainly agree."

"Then perhaps, an alliance of our own?" The general smirked.

"Our kings would consider that treason, Kawamura."

"Sometimes to do the right thing, you have to get your hands dirty first, Hiromu. We are doing what's best for our country. Our people cannot rest until our fallen family and friends have been avenged." General Kawamura explained.

"You're right, Kawamura. We cannot allow these fools to sweep the treachery of the fire nation beneath the cover of this marriage." Hiromu replied.

"Then we have an agreement?"

"Yes."

"I'll be in touch, when we return to the Earth Kingdom. For now, let us get the lay of the land so we know what we're up against." Kawamura grinned deviously.

- -

"Ah, Mai, Ty Lee. I'm glad I found you. I have a request for you that I truly hate to ask you but in light of our brief time limit. We may require your assistance." Iroh called as he joined the two girls sitting at a tea table.

"Would you like some tea?" Ty Lee asked brightly.

"Perhaps, not right now." Iroh looked down, rubbing his knuckles together.

"Oh, so, this is serious then?" Ty Lee's eyes widened as she looked at the elderly man.

"What is it Uncle?" Mai asked.

"Oh Mai, I truly do hate to ask this of you but we need all the help we can get. As you know the water tribes have no formal royalty system in their struggles against the fire nation the most suitable warrior stepped forth and oversaw the entire tribe of their pole." Iroh began.

"And?" Mai prodded.

"Well, that leaves Katara at a serious disadvantage. She has no idea how or what to do as the Fire Lady much less as to how to be a symbol to all nations as Lady Hope. Lo and Lee will teach her what they can but perhaps you two can help as well. I know you were both brought up here with Azula for the most part and would know best what all Katara needs to know about assuming the throne." He stopped. He was trying to phrase this in the best way possible. In truth, since everyone had assumed Mai was headed for the throne it was her who would know best what Katara needed to know about the position. On top of that, Mai exerted the highest level of elegance and grace in everything that she did. Her diplomacy skills were excellent and even when she did not like a situation one could hardly tell because she had perfected her mask and had learned to curb her words to warn of her irritation but cause no offense. She knew how to talk with her eyes and the coy smiles that would have the nobles eating out of the palm of her hands. She was everything a Fire Lady should be.

"Oh, well Uncle…" Ty Lee gave Mai a nervous glance.

"I'll do it." Mai said with conviction.

"Huh?" Ty Lee turned to look at Mai confused.

"I said I'll do it. If it has to be her, I won't allow her to go plundering through it and tarnish the Fire Nation name any further, on top of embarrassing Zuko. I'll have her whipped into shape in a month, or I'll kill her trying." Mai pronounced.

Both Ty Lee and Iroh exchanged wide eyed nervous glances. 'Well I certainly hope she doesn't kill her.' Both thought as nervous sweat rolled down their foreheads.

- -

(A/N: Full credit to my little sister for this conversation, as I am completely incapable of writing anything Kataang that lasts more than a couple of sentences.)

Night had fallen and Katara was wondering the outer gardens of the palace. Between her fingers she twirled a single red tulip. It had been lying on her vanity table when she arrived back to her room after dinner.

I'm in if you are. Is all the note under it said, followed by the seal of the Fire Lord. She bit her lip, turning in a small circle. In reality they didn't really have a choice but she like that he at least pretended they did. She brushed the flower along her cheek thoughtfully, trying to imagine herself married to Zuko. An array of images came to mind, some of them arguing, some of them agreeing. She sighed with relief that it wasn't impossible to imagine and found herself almost laughing at some of the scenarios that appeared in her head.

The crunch of grass caused her to whip around harshly. All the confusion of late had put her on edge. She knew she was perfectly safe here at the palace but her moments of peace were few and disturbances often brought out her foul mood.

"Katara."

"Aang!" She gasped, features soften as her friend came into view. Her eyes jumped guiltily to the flower in her hands and she quickly hid her hand behind her back. She didn't know why she felt the need to hide it but it made her feel wrong to be admiring it's perfection in front of Aang. They hadn't spoken since the news had been spread to the entire palace. She was nervous about this conversation due to the decision she had come to. Her thoughts were cut short as Aang threw his arms around her in a hug.

"I've missed you, Katara." Aang laughed sheepishly. "It hasn't really been that long but with all this craziness it seems like I haven't seen you in forever."

"Yeah, I know." Katara blushed, in truth, a part of her had been avoiding him, avoiding this.

Aang gazed up at her with the saddest face she'd ever seen as he pulled back. If she had really thought about it, she wouldn't have uttered the first stupid thing that came to mind but as she had been slowly adjusting and accepting the idea of her future she was confused by the intensity of her look.

"Aang, what's wrong?" She asked, and then could have smacked herself. She knew what was wrong but it was habit to ask whenever the Avatar seemed down. Aang frowned.

"What's wrong?" Aang snapped. 'How can she ask that? She knows what's wrong. It's wrong for her too, isn't it?' "You're being forced to marry Zuko!"

"I know." She said softly.

"Well, that's certainly something wrong, isn't it?"

"Yes, but…but maybe it's for the best."

"For the best? It can't be. Us being together was for the best."

"Aang, at the moment, this seems to be our only opportunity for peace, the only way I can help rebuild these hurting nations and restore their trust in one another."

"Katara, why are you defending the council?" Aang demanded. "Those are the people who are forcing you to do this. They're taking away your future, our future."

"Aang, some of those 'people' worked really hard to keep this from happening but clearly it is the only way. My dad wouldn't let this happen to me if there was any other choice." Katara tried to reason with him.

"But I thought we were going to be together."

"Oh, Aang! I don't know! I honestly don't know anymore. At this point in time that just isn't an option." Katara cried in frustration.

"Why? You have a choice here! We could leave."

"No, we can't. I can't just run away from my problems."

"Why not? We've done our jobs here, we ended the war. They can figure this thing out without using us like Mahjongg tiles."

"Because Aang! I have to do what's right for my people and the rest of the people in this world. If we don't take the first steps towards peace, who will?"

"Ka…Katara?"

"I'm sorry Aang, but for now things are going to have to be this way. If they find another solution to the problem within the next month I'll gladly leave with you but right now, I just can't."

In her passionate speech, Katara forgot about hiding the flower behind her back. As she thrust her hands about to reiterate her point, it caught Aang's attention. Hurt and anger burned in his eyes as he looked from her to the flower. The guilty blush staining her cheeks told him where she got it from. Upset by her refusal to fight this predicament Aang snapped out his glider and took off. How could Katara do this to him…again? Every time they finally seemed to be getting together, something always came up. Aang cried out to the night sky in angered frustration. Why did this sort of thing keep happening to him.

A/N: Please, please, please review, your encouragement fuels my imagination and enthusiasm. Any and all suggestions will be given consideration as well.