5 Years Later Chapter 20

Avatar: The Last Airbender

5 Years Later

Chapter 20

     She sought Toph out the next day, ashamed at how she had reacted to her best friend. Toph was waiting for her and looked up when she came in.
     “Toph, I’m sorry for everything. I really was foolish to believe Aang would come for me one day and I am happy with Zuko. Seems like you’ve got a little match-maker streak.” Toph grinned at her and lifted up her dress.
     “Come here and help me put on my dress. I’m getting married today!” Katara’s thoughts were suddenly forgotten in the excitement of the moment. She had so many preparations to make and she had to make sure Toph was ready.
     Toph looked beautiful in her cream colored dress. It was made with soft linen and it was supported by a green sash she wore about her waist. The border of her gown was also the unmistakable design of the Earth Kingdom. She looked absolutely gorgeous. Even though she was blind she did not need any assistance walking down the isle. Her gown was long enough to hide her bare feet which allowed her to feel the vibrations in the ground.
     During the wedding she found herself looking around to see if Aang had come. He was no where to be found and she wondered what it was that kept him so distant from everyone. She mentally scolded herself on her distant feelings for him. She had to get over him, there was just no use pining over what could never be.
     The ceremony was long and beautiful. All the nobles from all around the world wished the new couple health and happiness. Katara was pushed to the back as everyone clambered forward to seek favor with the newly weds.
She looked around and saw her brother come up to her. He looked pleased with himself. Katara shook her head at seeing the old Sokka hidden somewhere deep beneath the warrior. On his hip he swung his famous black sword and as he swayed it moved in accordance with him.
     “Wasn’t it a nice wedding? I hope Haru was pleased with all the preparations.” She murmured just inducing into idle talk.
     “Ya, with a wife like Toph I don’t know how he couldn’t be please, but I would not want to be him for all the money in the world.” She elbowed him for his joke about Toph. There had always been a sarcastic tension between the two and apparently that was another thing that hadn’t changed.
     “It’s so weird, you know, looking back on when we were kids. Who would have ever thought things would have ended up this way?” Sokka snorted. She looked at him and dared him to mention something about her marriage. He just arched an eyebrow and shook his head, unwilling to argue with his sister.
     “Well I just received word from dad and he would like you to come home for a bit, if your prince can bear for you to be gone that is.”  She rolled her eyes at his sarcasm and nearly leapt into her brother’s arms. She would be going home but just as quickly as her smile came it quickly faded.
     “I will have to inform Zuko of my change of plans.” For some reason writing a letter to Zuko informing him she would not be returning for a while was not on the top things of her fun things to do list.
     “I’m sure he won’t mind you being gone for a little while longer. After all he does get to see you for the rest of his life, another month won’t kill him.” She punched Sokka playfully and he smiled and turned whistling happily off.
     Within a few days time, Katara would be going home and as reluctant as she was to leave Toph and Haru she couldn’t help feeling exhilarated at seeing the ice and snow of her homeland. It was where her father and Gran-Gran were, where her people were.
     It was home.
     She went to her room and sighed sitting down to write her letter to Zuko. She first began to scribble asking for permission to travel home. Finally she scratched it out and grabbed another parchment. She did not need to ask for permission to go home. He was not the Fire Lord yet, he was her equal. She would go home without his permission and he would just have to deal with it.