Chapter 25

The Ball

Katara's hand rested nervously on top of Zuko's as they stood before the great double doors of the ball room. She was trying to control her heart rate as her mind raced through everything she'd learned in her time here. She heard the herald announcing the Fire Lord and his Lady and she nearly threw up. This was it, the entire fire nation would decide if they loved her or hated her now. The towering doors were slowly swung open and she willed them with every part of her being to close back up and give her a few more minutes. She looked up and over at Zuko's impassive face and let out a small squeak of terror. How dare he put up his mask and be so calm right now! She was about ready to pass out and she needed some support not a statue.

He looked down at her after the small sound she emitted and gave her a confused glance. The doors were almost open and she was practically shaking on his arm. Where was the courageous girl he was so used to arguing with? He turned his hand over in hers for a brief moment and squeezed her hand comfortingly. Her eyes met his and he offered her a small smile before turning his attention back to the now open doors. He was glad she seemed to relax at least a little bit when he looked at her.

Katara took a deep breath and stepped, in time with him, into the ballroom. She held her head high, trying to mimic him and carried herself as Mai taught her. For a moment, it worked and she relaxed but then she made the mistake of letting her eyes cast around the room for a familiar face.

Katara suddenly felt extremely self-conscious as she clutched Zuko's arm in a death grip. There were hundreds of eyes on her and she couldn't really discern much of the court's opinion of her because they all had perfectly masked faces. She couldn't see any of her friends in the crowd and that made her feel nervous and uncomfortable. Her brain was screaming, 'Hello, my name is awkward. Who are you?'

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand on her back. When had Zuko gotten out of her vice like grip on his arm?

He was caressing, slow circles up her spine. She shuddered at the touch of his lips to her ear.

"Courage Katara. They're all just thinking of how beautiful you are." Zuko whispered to her.

A blush stained her cheeks at his kind words and show of affection. She suddenly felt extremely lucky; she definitely could have been stuck with a worse fiancé. She smiled at him gratefully and drew in a deep breath. If he could do this, she could, they could do it together. Refocusing her attention, they made their way to the first step of the stairs just below the thrones. Her friends and family were lining the steps, all bowing and curtseying to her and Zuko.

From where they stood just below the first step, she and Zuko turned to face the ballroom of courtiers rising from their bows and curtsies.

Placing her hand delicately in his again, Katara curtsied low to his court. She counted, not just to time her curtsey but also to calm herself and then rose as gracefully as she'd ever done.

"Well done." Zuko whispered without moving his lips. Mai who was on the lowest step just above his shoulder nodded in agreement.

She smiled breathing a sigh of relief. She turned her happy face to look at his people and they smiled right back at her.

Katara was just thinking they should be heading up to their thrones now when the herald pounded his staff against the ground once more.

"The Princess Azula!" He announced in a loud clear voice.

Katara had almost forgotten Azula was coming. Zuko had told her earlier but with everything going on it had slipped her mind. It would be her first time seeing Azula since their last fight and Katara was somewhat afraid but she trusted Zuko's opinion and she would try to be fair. She felt someone press Azula's golden crown into her hands, which were behind her back, and she looked up at Zuko.

"You'll hand it to her, won't you?" He asked, once again barely moving his lips.

"If you want me too." She responded in a whisper.

"Please."

She gave a short nod. She was going to help him welcome Azula back to court.

- -

"What is she doing here?"

"How did she get out?"

"Someone call for guards."

"Are we still supposed to treat her like a princess?"

"She'll kill us all, why aren't they recapturing her?"

Azula worked hard not to flinch at all the chatter at her entrance. She focused on not squeezing the circulation out of her uncle's arm instead.

- -

"You let her out. What are you thinking Zuko?" Mai whispered in his ear. Her voice held not reproach just an awed wonderment.

In all the time that Azula had been locked away Mai had felt a sadness deep down inside for her lost friend. Yes, she'd been manipulated by fear of Azula's great power but when she wasn't plotting something insidious she was one of Mai's oldest and closest friends. Zuko hadn't answered her so Mai turned her gaze to Ty Lee trying to gauge whether or not Ty Lee had been aware that Azula was free. Ty Lee's wide-eyed stare told her she had not. Mai watched Ty Lee's hands flinching at her side as the pretty girl attempted to keep her hands from flying to her mouth in shocked surprise.

-

Azula kept her eyes trained on Zuko because he was the one comfort she had in the room besides her uncle. Unfortunately, her determined gaze only caused more chatter as people were certain she meant to kill him.

"Someone save the Fire Lord."

"Don't let her near him."

"Why isn't he attacking her?"

"Where are the guards?"

Now that she was before him, Azula curtsied low to her brother and kept her eyes trained on the ground. It was strange for her to be bowing to her brother, to be mocked by a court that once feared her. She swallowed down resentment, as that wouldn't help her now. She was starting over, she was going to make things right and live peaceably in her brother's court. He promised he would show her how.

She rose slowly from her curtsey. She wasn't sure what to say or do next. This was all so new to her. She, however, was spared having to figure it out.

A gasp went up from the gathered courtiers and the room was deathly still as Zuko embraced his little sister.

"Welcome back, Azula." He said, stepping back out of the hug. At his side, stood the little water peasant Azula remembered attacking when last she was free. She trained her facial features into a blasé smile, hoping desperately the girl wasn't going to exact her revenge now. Azula was incredibly shocked when the girl smiled at her. Azula's face turned into one of confusion, why was she smiling at her?

"I think, you'll be needing this from now on." Katara smiled, handing Azula the golden hair piece that signified her royal status.

Azula was flabbergasted. The girl was showing her kindness. She hadn't even gotten chance to show her how good she was. 'What a strange girl.' Azula though.

"We can start over, right? Zuko tells me you're a skilled musician, perhaps you can show me some time." Katara attempted a small smile. Zuko had informed her earlier that Azula would be attending the ball. She had felt a little uneasy at first but she had helped him with his research to help Azula she couldn't just pull out now. After all, on some level she had realized that if Zuko could return her mental clarity he wouldn't just leave his sister to rot. So long as she wanted to be helped Zuko would help her and so long as he was helping her Katara had determined she would suck it up and aid him.

"Yes…I suppose, I could show you what I know, water peas-" Azula stopped at the look Zuko was giving her. "Sorry, I mean…"

'Katara.' Zuko mouthed.

"Katara." Azula forced a smile.

"Come." Zuko said, offering both his sister and Katara an arm. "We feast."

Zuko held his head high, ignoring the looks and whispers going around his court. He was Fire Lord and if he wanted Azula at court and trusted her to be here, they'd just have to deal with it. He led the two women to the top of the stairs where the royal thrones sat behind a large oak dining table. He sat Katara at his right and Azula at his left. Taking his place in the center, he nodded to the conductor of the waiting musicians. The guests took their seats on the floor and the royal guests and council members sat at raised tables nearest to the royals.

With the start of the music, came the start of the banquet. The whispering was drowned out by the music and servants began to clatter in with large serving dishes. The servants brought every dish first to Zuko, so that he might take his selection and then to Katara. When the two had made their selection, the dish would then move hesitantly to Azula. From there it was finally carried around the room to be served to guests of the Fire Lord first, then the nobles, and lastly the lesser court members.

Katara had been here nearly a month and had always been astonished by the array of food that was present at the meals but this was over the top. She had never seen so much food in one place in all her life and everything smelled delicious. Her eyes were wide with awe and her mouth watering from the delicious smells that circulated the room. She wanted to try everything and yet knew that would be impossible. She took small portions of as many things as she could fit on her plate and then began the journey of her senses.

She felt like a child in a candy store as she sampled new things. Taking her time to savor each taste, enjoy every crunch, or soft silky mash of the softer foods. She hummed her approval of some and occasionally asked Zuko the names of foods so that she could ask for them in the future. She stole occasional glances at her brother who was almost hyperventilating over the many choices. Suki was caught between making her own selections and making sure her boyfriend didn't kill over from the excitement. Toph was sniffing at everything brought to her and then would either take some or toss her head signaling the servant to move on. Haru and Teo seemed to be debating each choice as they too had realized it was impossible to fit everything on their plates but wanted to enjoy the many dishes before them. Aang was a tad less excited as he picked over the choices. The thought of the wedding drawing ever nearer had killed his excitement for the day.

- -

Azula got the distinct uncomfortable impression she was being watched. It shouldn't have been strange because everyone was stealing looks at her but this was a persistent piercing stare. Turning her head slowly her eyes locked on the very guarded face of Mai. Beside her was Ty Lee, whose eyes were darting from Mai to Azula to Zuko and then back again.

"Mai." Azula said with a smile. Perhaps they could just pretend their fight hadn't happened.

"Azula." Mai's voice was clipped.

Azula looked down at her plate, that was a far-fetched hope anyway.

"How have you been?" Azula tried, she was racking her brain for 'nice' things to say she just hadn't had much experience with 'nice' and it was going to make this incredibly difficult. She hadn't really thought this confrontation through and all her 'nice' words and phrases flew out the window.

"I've been better." Mai sniffed, turning her face away. "Not nearly as bad as I have been though."

"Is there anything I can do?" Azula tried a sweet voice and cringed at the sound. The slight jabbing reminder of Mai's time in prison because of her was making her lose her resolve.

"Sometimes I wonder, if there was…" Mai said, more to herself than anybody.

Mai would never admit it but she had at times visited Azula in her cell. She'd always worn a dark cloak pulled low over her face as she watched the fallen princess sleep or talk to herself. It was wrong but at times she had wondered what things would be like if she hadn't turned on Azula. She wondered how things would be if the fire nation had won the war. Could she have pleaded with Azula for Zuko's life? Would they still be together then? Probably not. It seemed she was destined to lose him either way but the questions always lingered in her mind.

"Why did Zuko let you out?" Ty Lee finally burst. She'd been trying to hold in the question but it was nearly impossible. She was so curious.

"I don't know. I suppose he sees some good in me or something crazy like that or maybe I'm just not a threat to him any more now that my firebending is gone." Azula shrugged. She had decided to try out this honesty thing she'd heard so much about.

"So, you're still pretty cunning. When did he decide to trust you? I mean, after all the times you…I mean we tried to kill him." Ty Lee asked.

"Same reason he forgave you I guess." Azula shrugged.

"I think our situations are completely different, Azula. You tried to kill him and you threw us in prison for trying to save him." Mai said.

"I know…It doesn't make sense to me either. I don't know what my brother is doing, kindness is a mystery to me but he's apparently full of it now so I won't dispute it. If the options are rotting in a cell the rest of my life or trying to learn to play nice I suppose I could try to change my ways." Azula said.

"No one's ever going to believe that." Mai said.

Azula sighed, lowering her eyes. She already knew that.

"But...maybe with some time, we could try." Mai finished.

Azula's eyes widened as her head shot up. Her gaze whipped from Mai to Ty Lee and then back. "Really?"

"Don't forget, Azula, besides Zuko we've known you longest. If he can see some good in you we certainly can too." Ty Lee grinned.

Azula felt tears in her eyes. She wasn't sure what to do. She wasn't accustomed to these emotions, these types of conversations. She wasn't accustomed to forgiveness but here were her two closest friends, friends she had thrown in prison, willing to give her another chance. She choked on a sob that wanted to escape; she would not lose her cool here. People thought she was crazy enough without her bursting into unexplained tears. In fact, any real show of emotion would probably send people running and screaming.

"I…I, thank you. I'm so sorry I threw you guys in prison that was wrong of me." She gasped, trying to figure out the right reaction, the right thing to say.

"No problem. Just know that if you turn on us again, you won't have a whole host of guards on your side to take care of us so you better be serious about changing." Mai said.

"I'm completely and totally serious." Azula assured her. 'I want to be good. I want to have friends.'

- -

"How do you like it?" Zuko leaned over and asked Katara.

"Oh my gosh, the food is wonderful. I never knew there were so many tastes and flavors. I want to try everything. Purya's going to scold me for days." Katara gushed.

Zuko laughed, watching the childish glee that lit up his fiancée's face. If it made her happy, he'd throw banquets every night. He liked that carefree abandon that lit up her face as she tried something new. Her eyes were alive with the fire of discovery. She'd completely forgotten to be nervous about all the people watching her.

"Just wait until the wedding feast, the meal will be ten times better." Zuko smiled.

- -

"Suki, you've got to try this and this and this, oh and that too, and this is good and that." Sokka cried as he piled up her plate along with his every time a servant walked by.

Suki just laughed and allowed him to have his fun. She hadn't seen him this excited in a while. Food really was the way to a man's heart.

- -

"This whole thing is really turning out, isn't it?" Hakoda gave a relieved sigh as he watched his daughter converse with her future husband.

"Let's hope it lasts." Pakku advised.

"Because it's certainly not over yet." Gran-gran added.

- -

Azula knew she had to knock the habit of tormenting others but she couldn't resist a bit of fun. She'd discovered that saying thank you to any of the servants left them so confused or shocked, they nearly dropped their trays or ran into each other, some just stood staring at her until some hungry person down the table began shouting their irritation at not being served.

She took the time to scan around the room for any interesting faces. 'Who is going to get the honor of dancing with the new me?' She was about to ask Ty Lee for another crash course in talking to boys when she noticed the girl was staring across the room blushing and giggling. Azula followed her eyes to a boy who seemed to be deliberating with a friend over the many dishes before him. Occasionally he'd look up at Ty Lee and point to something and she'd giggle and nod or shake her head no, laughing even harder.

"What's up with her?" Azula asked Mai.

"They've been flirting since the day they met. It's enough to make you sick." Mai responded, rolling her eyes.

"Well that's just lovely." Azula proclaimed, earning her strange looks from those sitting close enough to hear. "Are you going to dance with him, Ty Lee?"

"I don't know, I will if he asks me." Ty Lee blushed.

"Then he'll ask you…or else." Azula grinned deviously. She'd just found the perfect way to make up for throwing Ty Lee in prison. She'd play match maker.

"Oh no." Mai groaned, seeing the look in Azula's eyes. She remembered the days when Azula used to torment her and Zuko. She pitied Ty Lee because at least in the past Azula did it with the intention to be cruel but now she would probably think she was helping.

- -

When everyone was full and the chatter had died down some, Zuko took Katara's hand and led her down to the dance floor.

"Do we have to dance first?" She whispered, in agony of having all eyes on her again.

"Yes, we have to dance first, but you dance beautifully so relax." Zuko grinned pulling her close and letting an arm circle her waist.

She took at deep breath in, suddenly winded from being so close to him.

"Zuko." She whispered cautiously.

"Shh." Was his only response as he whisked her into a dance of the fire nation.

Her nerves fell away as she allowed herself to lean back in his arms and float along to the pace he set. She couldn't help the smile that adorned her face at following him along, carefree and safe. Her hair was swishing along with each turn and her hand was light as a butterfly in his grip. He was smiling at her and leaned his forehead down against hers. She sighed, safe and warm. She tilted her face up nuzzling her nose against his and then lowered her head back down and rested her cheek against his shoulder. 'I can be happy here.' She thought. 'As long as I'm in his arms.'

- -

Aang sat feeling sick. Watching them cuddle and dance had killed his appetite.

He excused himself from the ball room and snuck out onto the balcony. He hung his head as he slumped against the ledge and sighed. She was supposed to be his Katara. She should be leaning back in his arms like that. Life was so unfair.

- -

"Let's go Suki!" Sokka cried, grabbing her hand and yanking her onto the dance floor as soon as the first song ended.

"Excuse us." He joked, when he and Suki drew up alongside Zuko and Katara. "Real pro dancers coming through now. Let's show 'em how it's done Suki."

It didn't take long after that for the floor to fill up with people.

Azula saw this as her chance to jump in and help Ty Lee.

"Come on!" She commanded, grabbing Ty Lee's hand and yanking her over to Haru's table.

"Azula what are you doing?" Ty Lee shrieked.

"Making him dance with you, that's what you want right?" Azula grinned.

"Er, yes, but I can just wait until he asks me…you don't have to…" Ty Lee didn't get to finish because they'd already reached the table.

"You there, by command of the princess of the fire nation, you will dance with my friend Ty Lee or I will smite you for ungentlemanly behavior." Azula commanded.

"Azula!" Ty Lee cried, blushing furiously.

"Um…" Haru exchanged confused glances with Teo.

Teo shrugged at him.

"Okay." Haru agreed.

"Go now and watch the hands or I'll come out there." Azaula threatened.

Despite Toph's lack of trust for Azula she had to laugh at what she'd just heard. If this was Azula's attempt at being good, she wasn't complaining because at least it would be amusing.

- -

Katara was lead around by Zuko and introduced to hundreds of people she was sure she wouldn't remember them in the morning. She just smiled to herself at the fact that Zuko was holding her hand. He hadn't let go of her since they danced together and she was full of joy that he seemed to want to keep her so close. Now all she wanted was for him to love her. 'Woah! Now where did that thought come from?' She paused. Love. Wasn't that getting a bit carried away? They were only just beginning to really like each other. She couldn't expect him to love her already. She tilted her face up to study him for a moment while he talked. Did she love him? What did she feel for him now? It was stronger than like, she knew that much, and it was mixed with desire, but was it love? Did she love him?

She took a step closer to him leaning her head against his shoulder. His fingers slipped from hers and his arm came around her waist easily. She sighed content to be in his hold. He broke from his conversation for a moment to brush a light kiss against her forehead.

"Are you tired, Katara?" He murmured.

"No, just happy." She smiled up at him. He grinned at her and dropped a quick kiss against her lips. She could definitely get used to this.