A/N: Crappy day yesterday apparently equals new chapter! I would have posted this last night but I couldn't log into the site.
Disclaimer: I don't own.
Zuko watched the main island of the Fire Nation grow larger as the sun set behind it. He was excited to be going home after spending two weeks in the South Pole with his friends. He wasn't sure how people were going to react to this stupid marriage but maybe, just maybe, he'd managed to beat some of the messages that were sent out.
"I can't believe it took us so long to leave," Katara said as she came up beside him.
"It's partially my fault. I forgot to grab the stupid sheets for proof." That and the fact that he'd had to pay way more than he should of to take said sheets and no amount of arguing from either himself or Toph got the price lowered.
"Don't forget to blame Sokka's stomach and wanting to stay for lunch," Katara added.
"I never forget that. We should be there soon. I can have the Fire Sages write up our marriage contract and then our annulment. It shouldn't take more than a few days."
"Why do we need a marriage contract if it's just going away?"
Zuko tried hard not to sigh. "We can't undo something that doesn't exist."
"This could have all gone away if June had never sent the stupid announcements." Zuko nodded as he yawned to make his ears pop as the balloon began it's decent.
They landed smoothly and Zuko, once again, had to go through all the awkward questions that came with bringing Katara with him (he was officially going to find everyone of the birds June used to send these stupid messages and have them all fattened up so they would slow down). Yes, Katara was the woman he married. No he didn't purposely go to the South Pole to get her. He actually got married somewhere else. Yes, he did want a Fire Nation wedding. Of course he should have done this here. NO MORE QUESTIONS, THE FIRE LORD IS DONE ANSWERING THEM (Katara had smirked and teased him that he sounded like he should be on his boat again).
Iroh immediately enveloped him in a hug when he stepped out of the palanquin at the foot of the stairs into the palace. "Nephew I'm so happy you found love," he said brightly as he hugged Zuko tighter.
"Uh, Uncle that's a little premature," Zuko began.
"A newlywed should not be talking like that," Iroh chided as he pulled back to hold Zuko at arms length. "I am a little saddened by the fact that you didn't see fit to invite me."
"Trust me it was a very spontaneous decision."
"Ah, well, I'll just have to comfort myself with the official ceremony here. And Katara," Iroh said as he turned to her. "I'm so happy for you as well." He wrapped his arms around her and Katara looked surprised for a moment before relaxing into the hug. "Now you have to call me Uncle too."
"Sure, Uncle," Katara said as she patted his back. "But Zuko has something he wants to tell you too."
Of course she was going to make him break Iroh's heart...again. By the end of all this Zuko knew Katara was going to owe him big time. Maybe enough to try a second date but that could be stretching it. Not that he wanted to date her. Really.
Iroh apparently noticed the distress Zuko was trying very hard not to show. "Why don't we go inside and have some tea while I warn the kitchens that you two are here. I'm sure Ursa will want to join us too."
Zuko perked up at that. "Mom's here? Since when? Did Ikem and Kiyi come too?" Surely she'd be on his side about this whole thing and maybe could help soften the blow to Iroh. Plus she'd also find a way to make him feel better.
Iroh's smile fell. "Yes, she arrived this afternoon after ordering her own airship to take her here as soon as possible. Unfortunately your step-father and sister could not make it. I now fully understand you and Azula get your, to put it nicely, perseverance from your mother as well."
"He means that Ursa is just as good at shouting orders as you are," Katara said sweetly.
"Thank you very much, wife. I'm so glad to have you in my life to clear these things up."
Iroh looked between the two of them. "Tea," he finally said. "Tea will make everything better."
Zuko highly doubted that statement as he followed his uncle into the palace but he let the old man have his slightly off kilter notions. Iroh lead them to a private sitting room in the family wing (one that Zuko rarely used except when there was company). From the brightly polished table and the fresh scent of the room Zuko guessed Iroh had taken a liking to the place. He'd just taken a sip of his tea ("Calming jasmine...we're going to need it.") when his mother burst into the room with all the flare that her (short) acting background could provide. Zuko particularly liked how she made her casual robes flutter in her wake like they were made of much higher quality fabric.
"Katara," Ursa said with a smile and a hug (when his family got to be such big huggers Zuko didn't know). "I'm so glad you decided to join the family. Well, such as it is. Now we need to talk about your wedding here and, well, I'm not sure how you would feel about this but if you'll let me I'd love to help you get ready for the wedding." Zuko knew that hopeful tone. Katara used that tone too. He smirked into his cup and hoped Katara fell for this.
"Well, I mean, Ursa," Katara stuttered. "I think Zuko wants to tell you something but if I need help you're the first person I'm going to go to."
"I'm sure Zuko does have a lot to tell me." Zuko also know that tone. That was the tone that made him feel like he was five and had just been caught setting fire to something on purpose.
"Mom," he began in his best soothing tone. "I know you want to help Katara but, see, we're not going to stay married-"
"Zuko not now," Ursa said as she kept her eyes on Katara.
"But Mom I-"
"Zuko you will hold your tongue and wait to speak until I say so."
"This is the first time I've seen your sister in Ursa. Besides how similar they look," Iroh whispered in Zuko's ear.
Just then a servant came in carrying a tray full of dishes for their dinner. He quickly set the low table and uncovered each dish before bowing a leaving. "Don't you say anything yet, young man," Ursa warned as she ignored protocol and sat and helped herself before Zuko did.
Following Ursa's lead everyone else sat down and began serving themselves. After a few minutes Ursa calmly said "now you may speak."
"What was that all about?" Zuko asked.
Ursa shrugged. "I thought you knew the rule: when you know someone is coming don't say anything you wouldn't want spread around the palace like wildfire and wait ten minutes until after they've left."
"I didn't know that," Zuko said sourly.
"Now you do and you're going to tell me why I was not invited to my only son's wedding and why this was kept a secret from me."
"It's not like I planned this or anything and besides we're going to get it annulled-ow!" As Zuko had spoken Ursa reached across the table and grabbed his good ear between her thumb and forefinger.
"You are going to explain everything and if you're going to get an annulment you're going to at least let me plan the announcement ceremony that has to happen in between now and then or Agni help me I will think of something to do to you that will make your life miserable."
"That's my good ear," Zuko whined.
"I will let go once you promise me this."
Zuko thought about this for a second. His mother might actually annoy Katara enough to make her life miserable. "Of course you can Mom. I know Katara will have a million questions about everything and you're the best person for her to talk to." Katara's glare made the pain in his ear worth it. "I mean, it is her fault that we're married anyway."
"Oh?" Ursa asked as she pulled Zuko's head up by the ear to face her's.
"She's the one that told me to respect to the Foggy Swamp traditions in the first place. That's how we ended up married." Ursa promptly let go of Zuko's ear and rounded on Katara. The smile she gave the Water Tribe woman made Zuko cringe.
"Why don't we start discussing the preparations after dinner? I'm so looking forward to helping you through this." Katara nodded and Zuko could almost bet that she was wishing to be facing Azula rather than Ursa.
"Is there a reason Mom is so upset about this?" Zuko whispered to Iroh.
"You once told me Ursa told you mothers protect their babies." Zuko nodded. "Think of it this way: her eldest baby, whom she loves dearly and fought to save his life and to give him the love he deserved, just had a major life event that she's been planning since, oh I don't know, the day you were born, without her knowledge. She's hurt that you wouldn't think to include her in your life and is, well, lashing out a little."
"That...makes sense," Zuko agreed. "But I didn't want to do this."
"And that plus your story helped save you from not only her wrath but a very stern lecture from me about including your dear, loving uncle in your life."
"Sorry Uncle."
"It's all right, just remember to invite both of us to your real wedding."
Zuko nodded as he took a sip of tea and watched Ursa's face soften as she began to suggest what kind of fabrics Katara's robes should be made out of, what she should serve at their reception, and maybe Ikem could get his acting troupe to put on a special play for them, would Katara like that? Katara turned to Zuko as Ursa kept going and mouthed 'I hate you.'
Zuko thought it was all worth it.
A couple of things:
I have mixed feelings about The Search but, well, I kind of am keeping it canon here. As for why he's then mentioned as Ikem and not Noren...I forgot Noren until I looked it up and didn't want to go back and change it.
I'm not sure what I want to do in the next chapter: have fun Sokka and Suki in the South Pole and Toph and Aang finding swampbenders and Ursa kind of harassing Katara while Katara harasses Zuko or just the last part. We'll see.
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