Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender, it's owned by its creators Michael Dante DiMartino & Bryan Konietzko and Nickelodeon.
Zuko and Katara didn't talk about their feelings again. They did continue traveling through various places in the Fire Nation. Zuko and Katara enjoyed their travels.
Some of the places weren't accepting of Katara, but she managed to convince the people of her worth without Zuko's help or protection. He did try to protect her, but she would get mad at him so he gave up.
They returned to the palace.
"Nephew, it's good to see you," said Iroh, who was there to welcome them.
They ate dinner together.
"After the Avatar's wedding, I'm going to return to Ba Sing Se for a while," said Iroh.
Katara looked surprised, but Zuko said, "I understand."
"I'll be back to help plan the wedding," said Iroh.
Katara smiled.
"When are you leaving for the Aang's wedding?" Iroh asked the couple.
"I was planning on coming about two weeks before the wedding," said Zuko. "But we haven't really talked about it yet."
"Two weeks should be plenty of time," said Katara. "It's not that far."
About two weeks before the wedding, Aang and Xing Ying were feeling anxious.
A ship came to the docks.
Xing Ying went to the docks alone.
Zuko and Katara departed the ship.
"Xing Ying," they said spotted the airbender.
"I know you were expecting Aang, but he's busy talking to Chiefs Arnook and Hakoda," said Xing Ying.
"That's okay," said Katara.
Xing Ying led them to the guest quarters that Aang had arranged for them.
A week before the wedding, the other guests arrived. There was a feast to celebrate the arrival.
After the feast was over, Katara, Zuko, Sokka, and Toph went outside.
"I'm surprised you're here," Toph said to Katara.
"Why's that?" Katara asked.
"Snoozles said the break up was pretty bad," said Toph.
"I'm surprised you're here. I didn't think you'd be here until the day before the wedding, considering you don't like boats," Katara snipped back.
"We took an air ship," said Sokka.
"So you and Toph are together?" Zuko was surprised, as he asked Sokka.
"No, we just came here together," said Sokka as he blushed slightly.
"Suki's not coming?" Katara asked.
A few moments later, Suki approached the group.
"Hey," she said. She stood next to Sokka and he put his arm over her shoulders. "So do you know most of the guests?"
"Some of them, not all," said Katara.
"When's your wedding going to be?" Suki asked the Fire Lord and the Waterbending Master.
"Uh," said Zuko, as he looked at Katara.
"So you guys are engaged? I thought Sokka was joking," said Toph.
"No," Katara replied.
"No wonder Aang acted all weird every time I tried to ask about you," said Toph.
Aang approached the group.
"Hey guys," said Aang.
"Twinkle Toes, it's about time," said Toph.
"Would it be alright if I had a private talk with Zuko and Katara," said Aang.
Toph, Sokka, and Suki went inside.
"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted," said Aang.
Katara looked out at the ocean, then back at Aang.
"It's in the past Aang," said Katara.
"Is our friendship also in the past?" Aang asked carefully.
Zuko looked at Aang then Katara.
"No. I promised that Sokka and I would be your family, and we are," said Katara. Katara took Zuko's hand.
"Aang, are you sure you're ready to get married?" Zuko asked Aang.
Aang made a determined face and said, "I'm ready."
Then the three of them smiled.
The day of the wedding, all the guests were seated, while Aang waited. He was dressed in a light yellow bhaku with sleeves and a waistcoat and sash. Xing Ying was dressed in a light yellow bhaku with a light yellow blouse. They lit candles and incense. They looked at each other.
"Towards my wife I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management, provide gifts to please her," said Aang.
"Towards my husband I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings, discharge my responsibilities lovingly and conscientiously," said Xing Ying.
Afterward, Sokka, Katara, and Xing Ying's parents made offerings to the Spirits.
"We are now married," said Aang. He and Xing Ying bowed to the crowd. Then they used airbending to put out the candles and did a ceremonial dance, at the end of which they kissed.
Stay tuned...
AN: Vows based on info from Buddhist marriage sites.