Chapter 12
Breakfast Chaos
Katara stretched and sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror the next morning. She'd asked for very light make up today and she'd flat out refused to let Purya dress her in anything she felt uncomfortable in after their discussion yesterday. Grumbling, Purya had produced the types of clothing Katara had asked for and scowled at the waterbender made her selection. Katara had settled for an outfit similar to what she used to wear when she was hiding in the fire nation only her midriff wasn't bare. Instead the one shoulder top flowed down into flowing skirt that stopped at her knees. Beneath that dress she wore a brown skirt that complimented the color of her dress and felt to mid calf. She wore a similar shade of brown leggings beneath that and on her feet she'd won the battle for comfortable shoes. Looking and feeling more like herself today she thanked everyone for their cooperation, even Purya who just sniffed and gave a stiff curtsey.
Ignoring Purya's attitude, Katara headed down the hallway in high spirits. She was going to make today another good day. Coming into the main breakfast nook at the center of the palace Katara found everyone was already there. Zuko was sitting at the head of the table sipping some tea from one hand and glowering down at a handful of papers that occupied his other. Katara took the only seat left at the table, which was on Zuko's immediate right. She blushed as she sat at the long table. It had been a day or so since they'd all had the pleasure of dining together and yet the subtle changes made all the difference. She glanced at Mai who sat directly across the table from her on Zuko's left and Katara immediately began to feel awkward. A part of her wanted to tell ask Mai if she wanted her seat back as she had always been the one on Zuko's right and Ty Lee used to sit on his left. It hadn't seemed a big deal back then but now she realized the seat on the right had meaning, it was a position of power. So then what was the left? Mother Matron had said Mai was far too proud to become a concubine and Zuko was far too honorable to even consider it. Wasn't he? Katara cocked her head trying to see if she could determine any vibes going on from here. She got nothing, in fact it almost seemed they were ignoring each other as Zuko focused on his paperwork and Mai meticulously buttered her toast.
Katara decided not to think about it for now. She'd find out eventually how they were handling their futures. Taking her eyes from Mai, she reached for a peach and continued to survey the room. Next to her Aang sat with an unreadable expression on his face. She wasn't sure what was going on with him since she hadn't had time to talk to him since their conversation in the garden. He was intent on not looking at her though and making sure he wasn't sitting close enough for their skin to brush as they reached for stuff. 'Well, why'd he choose to sit next to me if he's going to be like this?' Katara tried to keep in a frustrated groan.
Rolling her eyes she moved on, Sokka sat next to Aang but was currently wrapped up in an animated conversation with Suki who sat next to him. Toph, who sat across form Suki, seemed to be wrapped up in the conversation as well as Teo who was sitting right next to her. Beside Teo was Haru who was half listening to Sokka and subtly stealing glances at Ty Lee. Ty Lee sat next to Haru trying to not giggle whenever they caught each other stealing glances at each other. Mai simply rolled her eyes at the flirtation as she was near giving up holding any form of conversation with Ty Lee.
Katara felt so content and happy seeing all her friends simply enjoying each other's company. She'd only been out of their company for one day but it made her appreciate it so much more. A wolfish grin came across her face as servants came in with more trays of ripe fruits, crisp breads, and aged cheeses. Everything looked so delicious. She piled her plate up glad to have put Purya in her place this morning so she could enjoy a meal without fearing she'd have to hear Purya's comments tomorrow about how her figure would never last if she continued to eat like she'd never be fed again.
She was busy inhaling her loaded plate when a servant approached her on her right side.
"Lady Katara, I was sent to inform you that your belongings are currently being moved to your new quarters so when you are ready to retire for the day be sure to head to your new room in the royal wing as none of your things will be left in your old room." The young man said quietly.
"Thank…" Katara started to reply just as quietly but apparently they hadn't been quiet enough or maybe Sokka had paused to take a breath at an inconvenient time, either way Aang overheard and cut her off.
"Where are you going?" He demanded with a stern look.
"I'm moving to the royal wing," Katara blushed. "to get used to living with Zuko."
"You're doing what?" Aang cried.
"What do you mean moving to the royal wing? Why?" Sokka blurted out from down the table.
'Oh boy, this could get bad fast.' Katara groaned. She opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by Zuko who didn't even look up from his papers to answer. She'd hoped he understood that this was a delicate topic and should be explained best by starting off with the fact that they wouldn't be sharing a room but instead his blunt response made her want to smack some brains into him.
"I think it's rather obvious why she's moving to the royal wing, Sokka. We should probably get to know each other on a more personal level considering we'll have to consummate the marriage at…"
"CONSUMMATE! There will be absolutely no consummating of anything." Sokka shouted. "Don't even think about touching my baby sister."
"He kind of has to." Ty Lee pointed out. Katara wished the floor would open up and swallow her. This was so not the conversation she'd wanted to be having, especially not with everyone present.
"No, he doesn't. They could lie, say they did but don't." Sokka continued to freak out.
"Won't work." Ty Lee shook her head. Despite her embarrassment Katara did stare just as confused at Ty Lee and the other none fire nation people sitting at the table did.
"WHY NOT?" Sokka looked like he was going to have a heart attack.
"Servants make the beds, thus they also change the sheets…" Mai cut in, her voice calm but her hands were clasped tightly together under the table to stop them from shaking. She'd left the sentence open hoping Sokka would just figure it out in his head but apparently his current state of distress depraved him of common sense.
"They'd know." She finished tightly.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" Sokka cried gripping his hair. "Toph this isn't funny, stop laughing. Suki how on earth can you be so calm right now? This is…this is…"
Suki's cheeks were stained with a furious blush. She had no intention of getting dragged into this conversation that she definitely wanted to no part of. She really didn't want to have to explain the obvious to Sokka.
Sighing she attempted to sooth the situation anyway. "Well, Sokka, I figured it was kind of obvious that they'd have to…well, you know…since Katara's supposed to produce an heir within the first year of the marriage."
"WHAT?" Katara shrieked, jumping up from the table. No one had told her this much. If she took the time to really think about it she should have a figured a baby would factor in at some point but this was so not the way to bring it to her attention. She felt like she couldn't breath as silence suddenly filled the entire room. As she looked anxiously around she realized that everyone was twiddling their thumbs, looking at the floor, or was suddenly very interested in their food. Her eyes narrowed, they all knew. They knew and no one had told her.
"WHY AM I APPARENTLY THE ONLY ONE WHO DIDN'T KNOW THIS? HOW AM I THE LAST ONE TO FIND OUT ABOUT THIS?" Katara demanded.
"Well, Sokka and I found out from snooping through all the documents after they announced your impending marriage. However, I also figured it was probably going to be a requirement as that's kind of the point of all this, right. Except for Zuko and Iroh there aren't really any fire nation royals left to assume the throne and since they don't trust Zuko's blood alone they'd want to mix it with blood they trust. So a mixed child versed in all the laws and behaviors of the nations is ideal. The documents only confirmed my suspicions. But once I knew, the only person I told was Toph." Suki explained.
"And I may have told Teo and Haru but only to point out how crazy and invasive this whole thing is. I didn't throw a huge tantrum like everyone else but that doesn't mean I agree with the situation." Toph shrugged.
"That's simply what is expected here. While our women are strong and knowledgeable, their first duty is to their husband, providing heirs." Mai shrugged and Ty Lee nodded at her side.
"I kind of told Aang when we were ranting about all this together." Sokka sighed.
'Well that would probably explain why Aang was especially upset and unwilling to accept this.' Katara sighed. She was angry that no one had told her but what Suki said made sense and she was sure Mai was right.
"And for the record, this entire explosion was pointless because while that may be a demand on our union Katara and I won't be sharing a room for some time. She's just moving into one of the rooms next to mine." Zuko drawled in a voice that made them all feel stupid.
Katara felt numb as she sank back into her chair. She didn't know how to feel right now. This was way more than she should have to be dealing with over breakfast. Yeah, it made sense but still that was a lot to take in at once. She grabbed a cup of tea and slugged it down trying to both drown out her confusion and keep herself from being dragged back into the conversation.
"Then why move at all?" Aang demanded. "If you're not sharing a room what difference does it make?"
"An astonishing one actually but since the idea seems so stupid to you would you rather we share a room because that can be arranged?" Zuko smirked.
Aang nearly fell on the floor from shock at the comment and Sokka began to choke violently on the grape he'd just popped in his mouth.
"ZUKO!" Katara snapped, face flushed redder than she had ever thought possible.
"What?" Zuko shrugged, returning his gaze to his papers. Katara gave him a frosty look. Antagonizing Aang was so not a good idea. She slid her eyes over to Mai whose face was blanker than usual if at all possible.
Suki was beginning to worry about her boyfriend, whose face was turning blue from the lack of oxygen as he continued to choke on the grape he had lodged in his throat at Zuko's jest. Deciding he'd probably kill over without some help, Suki gave him a quick, powerful slap to the back and the grape flew out of his mouth landing in the center of the table. Everyone drew back making faces of disgust.
"What? I was choking." Sokka wheezed, gasping for air. "At least I know one person at this table cares about me."
His face was slowly returning to its natural color as he kissed Suki on the cheek. Despite the momentary interruption Aang's normally pale face had reached a flaming red.
"There is no way Katara is going to live with you." He ground out.
"Actually yes, she is, every day after the wedding." Zuko said calmly setting down his papers.
"Zuko, that wasn't really necessary was it." Katara frowned at him. Why was he suddenly being so competitive with Aang?
"I'm only telling the truth. That's in the fine print as well. We have to travel together and everything as a symbol of unity or something equally pointless."
Katara was about to comment again when Aang's frustration over everything finally got the better of him. Snapping up his hand, in a simple bending technique Aang sent the butter flying at Zuko. There was silence as everyone tried to think of what to say or how to react while struggling with not wanting to do anything but watch how this panned out. It was sure to be exciting and Zuko certainly didn't disappoint. In a sudden show of the temper he had been holding back for days, Zuko grabbed the nearest object to him.
"That's it." He growled, wiping butter from his face and chucking a full cup of tea at Aang. It felt good to Zuko to finally be able to unleash some of the rage he'd been holding back for so long. Everyone else just gasped again as the tea splashed all over the Avatar. The room filled with a loaded silence as Aang swiped at the tea on his face. Everyone was tense as it felt like once again they were waiting on the edge, just willing the storm to break. Both Zuko and Aang were glaring daggers at each other and Katara was rolling her eyes annoyed at the childishness of it all.
Acting quickly before the fight could escalate Sokka jumped on the table a wicked grin on his face as a chance for crazy pointless fun presented itself.
"FOOD FIGHT!" Sokka shouted.
It only took a second for the other boys to jump in, grabbing whatever ammo they could and launching into the sort of childish games they had been denied for so many years. Mai was the only one who withdrew, choosing to watch their games play out rather than join. She was shocked that Zuko stayed to being pelted with food in such a childish manner but then again perhaps he needed a little fun in his life. He'd been denied childhood and was forced to grow up so fast and since gaining the throne all he ever had time to do was work on contacts and agreements. Perhaps for just a moment he wanted to forget and be a child again, be just like everyone else, not above them. A smile flickered briefly across her lips as she watched Ty Lee get in on the action, whizzing a nectarine at Haru. Unfortunately the earthbender was team fighting with Teo who blocked the fruit for him with a loaf of bread.
Teo glanced at the nectarine splattered loaf of bread. "I wonder what this tastes like."
"Won't know until you try it." Ty Lee giggled.
The other girls have dove under the table to avoid the boys' foolish antics. "I suppose I understand Ty Lee wanting to play and I commend how sensible Mai was to pull out." Katara said to Suki. "I'm so glad we girls are mature enough to not fall into this. Isn't that right Toph?...Toph?"
There was no response.
"Is that your best you've got, Teo!" Toph's voice shouted from above.
'I knew she wouldn't stay under here.' Katara sighed. "Well at least I've got you Suki…Oh Suki, not you too!"
Katara was alone.
"Sokka?" Suki called.
"I need back up." Sokka shouted.
"You got it!" Suki grinned, pelting grapes around the table with masterful speed and accuracy.
"You can't be serious Suki." Katara cried.
"Sokka needs me and if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Suki laughed.
Katara shook her head watching what she could from under the table. It seemed they had formed four distinct pairs teams. Zuko and Ty Lee were partners, Teo and Haru, Sokka and Suki, and finally Aang and Toph.
"Twinkle toes behind you." Toph said, as she moved behind him, effectively blocking Sokka who had been running at Aang with a loaf of bread. She battered him down with apples.
"Hey, Sokka." Aang suddenly stopped. "Why aren't you on my side?"
"I don't know, but that would make sense wouldn't it." Sokka said. "Hey Suki, we're helping Aang and Toph now."
"Right on." She grinned, aiming her banana boomerang at Zuko instead of Aang.
Aang smiled over the alliance and proceeded to hurl a peach at Zuko as well.
The Fire Lord easily dodged both attacks. He and Ty Lee were hard to hit because they were so fast and agile. However, his dodging the attack left the peach flying at Ty Lee. Haru dove into the mix and caught the peach before it could make contact with the distracted girl.
"Thanks, Haru." Ty Lee beamed. "Does this also mean you and Teo are on our side now?"
"I guess so, it only seems fair." Haru shrugged. "Teo, we're fighting for the honor of the fire nation now."
"It would seem we are equally matched now." Sokka grinned. "How to make this more interesting?"
"Damsel in distress?" Teo suggested.
"Excellent! The side who captures Katara wins!" Sokka cried.
"WHAT?" Katara shouted from under the table.
"She's as good as mine then." Zuko smirked.
"Don't count on it." Aang growled.
"Players…FIGHT!" Sokka shouted like an announcer restarting the match with twice as much vigor and a furious Katara. Even Mai couldn't contain the small laugh that escaped her at Katara's expression as she ran around the room trying to avoid capture by anyone shouting about how she wasn't a part of this game.
The battle went for some time and the poor servants just stood in the kitchen doorway gaping at the extraordinary mess. Mai pitied them for having to clean up this mess but also wasn't too worried considering they'd probably never had to deal with something like this before. It was good to know joy had returned to the palace, there hadn't been such brightly smiling faces since Fire Lady Ursa was here.
Mai's spine straightened as she felt another presence beside her. Turning slowly she took in the shell shocked face of Iroh.
"Zuko? What in the name of four nations happened in here?" The old man gasped.
"A great victory was won in the name of the fire nation, uncle." Zuko said proudly, holding a protesting Katara over his shoulder. She was beating as his back shouting all sorts of out raged things and Haru, Teo, and Ty Lee had formed a protective triangle around him.
Iroh just stared around at the mess and his nephew. The sight was so ridiculous he had to laugh. There had probably never been a food fight in this palace, much less led by the Fire Lord himself. While they all should probably be scolded, the old man was just glad to see them all smiling and laughing again. For the first time in days, there was no tension but a great comradery in the group.
"Have fun, then…but you're all responsible for cleaning this up." With that he left the room deciding if anyone asked, he'd seen nothing but their future leaders discussing battle tactics over breakfast.
A/N: Forgive us, my sister and I were in an incredibly random mood which resulted in such tom foolery as this chapter. I was too amused not to add it. Anyway, in the next chapter, the much awaited beach party is finally here. Sorry to keep you waiting (writer's block is a pain but I've finally come up with some events that I think will be kind of interesting/amusing). Sorry to keep you waiting. Please review!