Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender, it's owned by its creators Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko and Nickelodeon.
Three months later, Zuko went to the Southern Water Tribe. It was a lot different than the last time he came there. Katara was waiting for him in the harbor.
Zuko got off the ship.
"Zuko, it's good to see you," said Katara. She went over and hugged him.
"It's good to see you too," said Zuko. "Your last letter said that you reached a decision."
"Yeah, come on. There's somewhere I want to talk to you about it," said Katara.
They walked over to the old Fire Navy ship from the war. Katara looked around to make sure they were alone. They went into the ship.
"It feels weird to be back here," said Katara. "I'll do it."
"You will? What about your freedom? You'll have to pretend in front of everyone. Can you do it?" Zuko asked.
"I can do it," said Katara. "But we need a code in case we want to end it."
"How about 'I love you,' when we are alone?" Zuko asked.
"What if in the very unlikely event that we fall in love with each other?" Katara asked.
"Then we have to promise to listen to each other after one of us says it."
"Okay," said Katara reluctantly; then she added, "So what do we do next?"
"Well, I have to ask your father's permission," Zuko replied.
"Hmm, that should be interesting. I don't think it will be too difficult since he likes you," said Katara.
"Yeah, right now he does, but I'm not sure he'll feel the same after I ask for your hand in marriage,"said Zuko.
"Sokka will probably be on your side," Katara said.
"He's your brother," said Zuko.
"We could tell him," said Katara.
"No. We have to fool him too," said Zuko.
"Okay," said Katara. "How long do you think it will be until you find the one you want to spend the rest of your life with? Won't I be a hindrance?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll figure something out," said Zuko.
They walked back to the village.
Katara went to her grandmother's tent, while Zuko went to Hakoda's tent.
Zuko entered Hakoda's tent. He saw Hakoda talking to Bato and Sokka.
"Chief Hakoda," said Zuko as he bowed to Hakoda.
Hakoda nodded.
"What brings you here?" Sokka asked.
"I came to talk to your dad. I thought you were in Yu Dao," said Zuko.
"I got here yesterday. I wanted to see how Gran Gran was doing," said Sokka.
"Fire Lord Zuko, what did you want to talk to me about?" Hakoda asked.
"Er, it's kind of personal," said Zuko.
Bato and Sokka left the tent and wondered what Zuko wanted to talk to Hakoda about.
Zuko looked around and noticed the animal pelts. He began to feel nervous.
"We're alone now. Now, what was it want to ask me?"
"Well, Chief Hakoda, I would like to marry your daughter," said Zuko.
Hakoda eyed Zuko. Zuko wasn't like the others. He knew Zuko, and Katara had history with him unlike the Northerners who would ask to marry Katara. He wondered if Katara was even aware of Zuko's desire to marry her.
Stay tuned...