Arianna's POV
The next morning, until Fire Lord Zuko was free, Arianna was forced to spend her time with Hahn. They were standing there talking casually when suddenly he had Arianna backed up against a wall.
"Hahn, what are you doing?" she asked.
He pressed his lips against hers and started kissing her.
Arianna pushed against Hahn's chest to get him to back off.
"What's wrong?" he questioned as he pulled back.
"I'm not comfortable with this," Arianna answered.
He wrapped one arm around her waist and placed his other hand behind her neck. "How is it different from before?"
He kissed Arianna again, and after a minute he ran his tongue against her bottom lip, but she didn't open her mouth. Hahn pinched the back of her neck and she let out a small yelp; that was all he needed, he slid his tongue into her mouth. Arianna pushed on his chest, but he didn't stop. Finally she slapped him across the face. Hahn staggered back a step.
"What was that for?" he demanded.
"This is moving too fast," Arianna said.
"We're going to be married soon and I thought you wanted to have a family. I already told people that we are going to have a child, a son, within our first year of marriage," Hahn replied.
"That can't be promised," Arianna responded.
Hahn made a move to kiss her again, but Arianna wasn't having it.
"No Hahn."
"Excuse me," Hahn said.
"No more Hahn, I'm done for today," Arianna replied sternly.
"You can't tell me no," Hahn reminded.
"I can and I will," Arianna challenged.
Hahn raised his hand to strike her across the face and she didn't cringe, like many of the girls would have. She wanted to show him how unafraid she was.
Besides, if he does do it, he'll be very sore in a certain spot, and he'll have to deal with my father's wrath, Arianna thought.
But Hahn never had the chance to hit her. Arianna saw Fire Lord Zuko come up behind Hahn and grab his wrist.
"Is there a problem here?" he asked.
"She spoke out of turn," Hahn answered.
"So you were going to hit her?" Fire Lord Zuko questioned.
"Our traditions here are different from yours," Hahn said.
"I don't care, I still think it's wrong to hit a girl," Fire Lord Zuko responded.
Hahn pulled away from Fire Lord Zuko's grasp and stormed off.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Arianna replied.
"If you don't mind me asking, what was that all about?" Fire Lord Zuko inquired.
"I just made him mad," Arianna said.
"If you don't think me too bold, are you sure you want to marry him?" Fire Lord Zuko enquired.
"In all honesty, no, I don't want to marry him. I'm just marrying him to make my father happy. Hahn's public face is much different than if you get with him one on one," Arianna responded.
"I understand that, I used to be the same way. Now I'm trying to make my public face and private face the same one. Does your father think you'll be provided for and well taken care of if you marry him?" Fire Lord Zuko asked.
"Yes," Arianna answered.
"Why don't you tell your father what's really going on?" Fire Lord Zuko suggested.
"I don't know," Arianna said. She decided it was time for a change of subject. "I wasn't expecting you to come this early."
"I was trying to get out of lunch. The cuisine here is much different than what it's like in the Fire Nation," Fire Lord Zuko replied, and then he added with playfully mocking tone to his voice, "I bet you couldn't handle it."
"Oh really? What makes you say that?" Arianna questioned.
"We use a lot of spices," Fire Lord Zuko responded. After a moment he added. "I believe you promised me a tour of this wonderful place."
"I believe I did," Arianna said.
The two of them started walking.
"It's much different here than in the Fire Nation," Fire Lord Zuko commented.
"What's it like in the Fire Nation?" Arianna wondered.
"Well, it's much warmer there. Red is the most dominant color, like blue is here. Black and gold are pretty prominent colors as well. The Fire Nation is more spread out than it is here. I noticed the Southern Water Tribe is starting to become more like it is here. The first time I went, it was about twenty tents surrounded by a wall of ice. Maybe one day you can visit the Fire Nation and see what it's like for yourself," Fire Lord Zuko responded.
"I would like that," Arianna replied.
"I heard Katara made huge impact for the girls here," Fire Lord Zuko said.
"Yeah, she did."
"But you seem like a rule breaker to me. I bet you were rebelling even before she came," Fire Lord Zuko commented.
"Yes, yes I did," Arianna confirmed.
"Are you a bender?" Fire Lord Zuko asked.
"Yes," Arianna answered.
"Did you not like being a healer?" Fire Lord Zuko enquired.
"No, I did, and it's useful. I just didn't like being like every other girl. I'm independent and I can stand on my own two feet," Arianna said.
"I noticed. Have you been to the Earth Kingdom?" Fire Lord Zuko inquired.
Arianna started to giggle. "Yes, when I was younger, much younger,"
"What's so funny?"
"I caused my father a lot of grief on that trip," Arianna answered.
"How?" Fire Lord Zuko asked.
"I got lost in Omashu and I wandered around in Ba Sing Se," Arianna said.
"Ba Sing Se can be pretty intimidating," Fire Lord Zuko replied.
The two of them walked around some more and talked; Arianna found it very easy to hold a conversation with Fire Lord Zuko, unlike Hahn; she couldn't hold more than a five minute conversation with him.
"Well, I best get going," Fire Lord Zuko said at one point.
"I should as well," Arianna responded.
"It was nice getting to know you," Fire Lord Zuko replied.
"Likewise."
He grabbed her hand, removed her glove, kissed her hand, handed her glove back to her and walked off. Arianna blushed a deep scarlet and she felt all warm and fuzzy inside, unlike how she felt with Hahn. Arianna headed home and when she walked in, her father was standing in the kitchen.
"You look like you've been kissed by the sun," her father commented.
"Hmm?"
"Your cheeks are a bit rosy. Were you out in the sun?"
"Just a bit, I showed Fire Lord Zuko around," Arianna answered.
"Did he try anything?" her father asked.
"No, he's really nice and kind," Arianna said.
"He sure seems different from the last time he was here," her father replied.
"Yeah he does," Arianna responded.
"I have some soup started. You want to finish it?"
"Sure," Arianna said.
"I know you were working on your dress, but I found something the other day and I want you to see it."
Arianna followed her father into his bedroom. Lying on the bed was one of the most beautiful dresses she had ever seen.
"It was your mother's," her father said.
"It's beautiful," Arianna replied.
It was made mostly of white fur and came down to what looked to be the feet. There was no hood, which was traditional.
"Do you want to try it on?" her father asked.
"Yes," Arianna answered.
Her father left the room and she changed into her mother's wedding dress. After she had it on, she stood in front of the mirror, she couldn't believe how well it fit her; it was perfect. Her mother must have been the same size.
"Are you going to come out or can I come in?" her father called.
"I'll come out," Arianna said.
When she came out, her father's jaw dropped. "Oh Ari. You look beautiful. Now I know there's not a hood, which is more fashionable, but your mother saved and saved her money and had this made."
He held out a veil made of pure silk. There were little lotus blossom clips to hold it in place. Her father clipped it into Arianna's hair.
"You look just like your mother. I know you're not exactly like her and you are your own person, but you just look so much like her."
"I miss her," Arianna replied.
"I know, I miss them too, but I'm sure they're watching and they're very proud," her father responded. "I can't believe you're getting married, I'm going to miss having you around. I wish I could keep you a bit longer."
Should I tell him what's going on between me and Hahn, or should I just keep my mouth shut? Arianna asked herself.
"I'm glad you're marrying Hahn. You'll be well provided for. He's so kind, caring, noble, loving, and strong."
With each word, Arianna only thought of one person: Fire Lord Zuko.
A/N: Thank you all so much for checking out my story and I hope I continue to please you. If at any time you have suggestions, please feel free to leave them in a review or just send me a PM.
K drama queen: Thanks for the review and I'm glad you like the story so far. I look forward to seeing a review from you again.
Sluwhat: I'm glad you also like the story so far and I hope you like this chapter as well.