Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ever After (Arc II)

The warm ocean air descended over them like a dewy balm, welcoming and lush with the scents of the tropical Kyoshi Island. Billions of silver stars glittered overhead against the onyx canvas of the night sky. They seemed so much brighter from the outskirts of the island, and Katara gazed up at them with an appreciation for her heritage as she recalled the stories of her tribes-people. A half-drunken smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she lifted the hem of her crimson skirt and waded up to her ankles in the surf. She could feel the ebb and flow of the current like a gentle caress that reminded her of home.

Katara couldn't remember the last time she was well and truly drunk. She'd been buzzed off of sweet wine recently, but that was nothing compared to the heady undercurrent that swam through her veins and made her brain and body feel light and fuzzy. She felt amazing right now, but she hoped she wouldn't come to regret it in the morning.

She, Suki, Toph, and few other Kyoshi warriors had gone out on the town to celebrate the last night of Suki being a bachelorette. There had been music and dancing, games and drinking, and Katara had enjoyed every minute of it. It felt good to let go of her responsibilities and just have fun with her friends. She didn't have to worry about who was watching her, or wonder if she was upholding to the honor of a queen in training. For tonight, she was just Katara–daughter of Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe with no other titles or decorum to adhere to.

"Katara," Suki shouted from a few yards ahead, "keep up, would you!"

"Sorry," Katara called back over the sound of the waves. "The night is just too beautiful not to enjoy."

"Some of us are getting married tomorrow and need our beauty rest," Suki retorted.

"You know the way back to the cottage," Katara said. "Don't let me hold you up."

The auburn-haired girl placed her hands on her hips. "You're not tired?"

"Not yet," Katara said.

"Aw let her have a minute," Toph said. "She probably doesn't get many to herself these days."

"Thank you, Toph."

"Okay," Suki responded. "Just don't try to go swimming or something stupid in your condition. If I find out you drowned the night before my wedding, I'll personally kill you."

Katara laughed. "I don't think you can kill a dead person."

"You know very well what I mean."

"Don't worry Suki. I won't do anything stupid. I'm still a medic. I still have my wits about me even when I'm tipsy." Katara stumbled over a piece of coral in spite of her statement.

"She'll be fine," Toph insisted, placing her hand on Suki's arm. "Besides, the boys will be coming this way soon. I feel their vibrations in the sand."

"Okay," Suki said on a sigh. "Goodnight Katara." She smiled at her friend. "I'll see you in the morning."

Katara waved goodbye, and spun herself in a circle when they disappeared out of sight. She still held the hem of her skirt in one hand, and attempted to tame the mass of hair that was blowing across her forehead with her other. The last song she danced to in the pub was still stuck in her head, and her feet began swaying to the inaudible rhythm. She lost herself to it until a different scent–warm and rich–filled her nostrils and a strong arm buttoned around her waist. Zuko swept her up in his embrace, easily keeping time with her as they danced in the sand and surf and she tossed her head back and laughed.

"Oh get a room," Sokka complained. Katara met his gaze for a half a heartbeat and saw that he had a smile on his face.

"Did you enjoy your last night as a bachelor?" Katara asked her brother as Zuko lifted her on a spin.

"A little too much," Aang answered for him. "I'm going to get him back to the cottage and make sure he drinks plenty of water before he goes to bed. I don't want Suki to murder me for letting Sokka get drunk."

"She's threatened murder plenty tonight," Katara said.

Sokka laughed. "She does that. I find it quite adorable."

"The rest of us find it quite terrifying," Zuko said with a smile.

"We'll see you love birds in the morning," Sokka said.

Zuko and Katara found themselves pleasantly alone on the beach, twirling and spinning to music that no one could hear. When they were out of breath, they fell back on the sand, the ocean lapping at their ankles when the waves rushed the beach.

"I'm dizzy," Katara said, squeezing her temples between her palms as she gazed up at the night sky. Even the stars seemed to be dancing for them.

"How much did you have to drink?"

"I lost count," Katara admitted as she rolled to her side to face him. "I had the most amazing night though, Zuko. The only thing that would have made it better is you."

Zuko propped himself up on an elbow and reached for her hand. "I'm here now," he said, lacing their fingers together. The smile that she gave him nearly melted his heart.

"Can you imagine living like this?" Katara said wistfully. "In another place and time, I would just be a healer working in the hospital living a simple, ordinary life. The weather is nearly always perfect. It's peaceful here, and we could go to the beach and lie on our backs and look at the stars every night," she prattled. "We would have no one to impress. No silly rules to follow."

Zuko stayed quiet, the smile on his face turning sad.

"But you were born a prince," Katara added, "destined to be the ruler of the Fire Nation, and chosen for great things. And I," she said, "was destined to be by your side." Katara rolled herself forward and pressed her lips to Zuko's.

"You were destined for great things, too, Katara," he told her. "You know that right?"

"I know that," she said. And somewhere in the deep, rational part of her brain she believed it, too. She was only musing now, imagining a quiet life with him for fun. But Katara had lived that quiet life before, and it hadn't been enough. She needed to make a difference, to be something great for the world. "You're my destiny."

Zuko reached for Katara and pulled her to his chest, their feet tangling at their ankles. "We will still have plenty of days and nights like this Katara, I promise you. There won't always be so many rules to follow. We've proved that we can change the world, whatever it is that you want, I'll make sure that it's yours," he vowed.

"You're the only thing I want," she whispered. In the starlight, Zuko's amber eyes were darker and filled with wonder and mystery. She wanted to have him out in the open–she wanted to feel him between her thighs with the ocean crashing around them. She knew that the guards were probably hidden nearby, and she didn't want to give anyone a show.

As if sensing her desire, Zuko's hand crept over the high curve of her hip and followed the dip of her waist. She could feel the heat of his palm searing her skin through the thin fabric of her shirt, and murmured softly as his thumb skirted below the hem and swept over her ribs. "The others are all back at the ship on my orders," Zuko said. "Feng is nearby, but he's also under orders not to spy unless he hears my distress call."

"Sneaky," Katara said, grinning. She pushed Zuko's shoulder back into the sand so that he was flat on his back as she straddled his waist. Her head was still slightly swimming, but the sight and feel of him was a different intoxication of sorts–better, than anything alcohol could do. Slowly, Katara worked at the buttons on his shirt and parted the two halves over his smooth, muscled torso and drank in the sight of him. His hands spread across her thighs beneath her skirt, igniting sparks in their wake.

Katara traced the contours of his chest, fingertips dipping between the muscled ridges of his abdomen. Despite their slightly inebriated states, they managed to undress the essential parts without too much complication. Katara kept her skirt in place to help hide them in case someone should see, but it was dark and late into the hours of the night. She eased down on top of him with a soft murmur of pleasure as his hands tightened on her hips. Katara pitched forward, hands pinning his shoulders as she rocked against him.

With the blanket of night shrouding them, and the waves lapping at their feet, Katara felt herself connected as deeply to her element as she was to Zuko: heart, body, and soul. They moved as one, lost to the sensual rapture that encompassed their two beings. Katara could feel the delicious burn building in her lower core, stunted momentarily as Zuko flipped her to her back and drove himself deeper inside her. Her body belonged to him alone, and her fingernails raked at the skin of his back as impossible heat blossomed inside her.

Katara cried out in sweet release, hips bucking as Zuko's pleasure followed shortly after. They collapsed into each other's embrace, lips pressing heated kisses to the other's sweat-cooled skin. When they both could catch their breath again, Zuko took Katara by the hand and led her out into the shallows, rinsing the sand from her skin. They took their time, returning to the little cottage with soaked clothes, swollen lips, still a little drunk, and perfectly satiated in love.

~xXx~

The next morning, Katara awoke with the sunlight streaming in through her old bedroom window. Outside, she heard the rooster cry and a smile spread slowly across her face. I don't miss that, she thought fondly.

Zuko had gone back to the ship after walking her to the cottage last night, but the memory of their love making was still fresh in her mind, and butterflies tickled her ribs. She tossed back the covers, pulled a robe on, and made her way into the kitchen to start breakfast.

Toph was asleep on the couch, lying flat on her stomach with one arm draped over the cushion so that her knuckles brushed the floor. Momo was curled up on the pillow beside her, snoring softly. Katara tiptoed into the kitchen and began pulling eggs from the basket in the fridge. She located fresh vegetables and pulled the cutting board from under sink and set to work. When the mouthwatering scents of breakfast suffused the air, Toph stirred from the couch.

"Good morning, Sugar Queen," she said as she stretched. Toph scratched her belly and flipped her onyx hair back from her face before joining Katara in the kitchen.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Like a rock," Toph replied. "What time did you end up getting in?"

A warm blush colored Katara's cheekbones. "Oh, I think it was somewhere around three."

Toph grabbed an apple from the bowl and bit into it. "I'm choosing not to comment on your late night excursions because I don't want the gooey details."

Katara grinned. "Where are Aang and Sokka?"

"The barn," Toph replied. "Sokka was being obnoxious and Suki was tired, so Aang insisted he spend the night with him in the barn to uphold some sort of marriage tradition." Toph shrugged. "Apparently in some cultures, it's bad luck for the bride to see the groom before the ceremony begins. What a load of rubbish–am I right?"

"It's kind of romantic if you think about it." Katara loaded a plate with an omelet and passed it across the island counter to Toph.

"I guess." The blind girl located a fork and cut into the fluffy goodness. "Anyway, they're supposed to meet up with Hakoda and Zuko at the Inn and get ready there. So it'll be just us girls getting ready here."

"I thought I smelled eggs," Suki said from the doorway of her bedroom. Her auburn hair was sticking up like a crown behind her head and eyeliner was smeared across her cheek.

"There's the bride to be," Katara said with a grin. "How are you feeling?"

"Oh, I dunno–like I drank seven shots of tequila and challenged an old man to a dance off and lost." Suki rolled her neck to the side and a few vertebrae popped rather loudly. Katara winced and passed her an omelet as Suki sank down next to Toph. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Katara said. "Do you want me to go check on the boys and make sure they're fed?"

"I asked General Iroh to take care of them," Suki said dismissively. "How are you this perky right now? I think you drank more than I did."

"Well," Katara said, fixing up her own plate, "I didn't challenge an old man to a dance off, so maybe that saved me."

Suki narrowed her eyes. "Likely story."

Katara filled a large glass with water and passed it to Suki. "Drink all of that," she told her friend. "I can get you some medicine too if you're in any pain."

"I'll be fine after I take a hot bath," Suki said. "Thank you for fixing breakfast Katara, you didn't have to do that."

"It's the least I can do after not being here to help with the final arrangements."

Suki rolled her eyes. "You're relentless."

"You love me for it anyway," Katara insisted with a grin.

After breakfast, Katara and Toph cleaned up the kitchen while Suki took her much-needed bath. When that was done, the girls took turns bathing before dressing in their ceremonial garb. Katara's dress had been picked out prior to her journey to the Fire Nation, and still fit her elegant frame perfectly. The gown was a deep, sapphire blue with embroidered silver accents. The silk material of the cheongsam felt like cool water against her fingertips as Katara examined her reflection in the full-length mirror. She fixed her hair up in a half chignon and pinned it with blue sticks and silver flowers to match her dress.

Toph emerged in a simple sage-colored yukata with cream accents and blossom-embroidered designs on her sleeves. Her bare feet were hidden by the long material of the dress, but Katara thought she looked rather elegant. "Can you please do something with my hair?" the girl asked. "My mother gave me this comb. She said it matched the gown, but what do I know?"

Katara giggled. "You look beautiful, Toph." Katara took the decorative comb and pinned Toph's hair back into a low bun at her nape and tucked the comb in beside it.

When Katara finished with Toph's hair, Suki emerged from the bathroom in her ceremonial gown. She wore an emerald silk-kimono with gold embroidery. The lining under the kimono was a radiant white with golden designs that stood out in contrast. The kimono was fastened with a sage-green belt that draped to the floor. Everything about the dress was perfect–Suki, was perfect.

"Suki…" Katara breathed.

"I was hoping you could help me with my makeup. My hands are shaking." The Kyoshi warrior attempted a smile.

Katara reached for Suki's hands and held them between her palms. "You're the most beautiful bride I've ever seen, and it would be my honor to assist you with your makeup."

Suki giggled. "You're sucking up to make me feel better."

"Is it working?"

"Maybe just a little." She grinned. "Do I really look okay?"

"You're a vision out of this world," Katara said. "Sokka won't be able to breathe when he sees you coming down the aisle."

"You knocked my socks clean off," Toph said, lounging back on the couch with Momo on her shoulder. The blind girl wiggled her toes for proof.

"You're so hilarious, have I ever told you?"

"Not often enough," Toph teased.

Katara led Suki over to the vanity and helped her down onto the seat so she wouldn't wrinkle her gown. She lined her eyes with black kohl, dusted her cheekbones with a bit of rouge, and painted her lips a deep, cherry red. Last, but not least, Katara fixed her hair with an elegant golden headdress to represent the Earth Kingdom. When she was finished, she stepped back to let Suki see her reflection while Katara admired her handiwork.

"Wow," Suki breathed… "This is it, huh?"

Katara nodded. "You sure you want to marry him? Don't say yes just because he's my brother… I mean, you're my friend and I will happily defend you if you choose to back out of the wedding."

"I second that motion," Toph said. "A lifetime spent with Captain Boomerang is nothing to take lightly."

Suki laughed. "I appreciate the support guys, but I'm sure this is what I want. Sokka might be goofy and dramatic sometimes, but he's also sweet, and gentle, and kind. He's my other half in every way."

"You left out the part where he eats everything in sight and still complains about being hungry–not to mention the fact that he's a sore loser about everything."

"Okay Toph, I think it's safe to say Suki knows what she's signing up for," Katara said.

"Just stating the facts," Toph said, holding up her hands.

Suki grinned. "I'm glad you both are here with me. We've all really come a long way since the beginning."

"We have, haven't we?" Katara placed her palm on her friend's shoulder and looked at her in the mirror. Time had been good to them considering the difficulties of their past, but the world, it seemed, was afloat in the balance of peace again. Katara wasn't sure how long that peace would last, but she was glad to be a fighter of justice and freedom. No matter what the world threw their way, Katara and her friends would always choose to fight for what was right and it was their fierce belief in justice and freedom for all that brought them together in the first place. "You deserve to be happy, Suki."

"I think we all do," Suki replied.

"You guys are making me nauseous with all the sentiments," Toph teased.

The girls giggled, but they were interrupted by a knock at the door. Suki's mother let herself in, and immediately burst into a fit of tears upon seeing her daughter in her ceremonial dress. The auburn-haired woman with blue eyes was practically a mirror-image of Suki. The fine lines pulling at her eyes and mouth were the only things that separated their age difference. Katara had rushed to get tissues and spent another ten minutes fixing the woman's makeup before any of them were ready to leave the house.

The ceremony was to take place on the beach beneath a wooden pergola decorated in beautiful white lilies. Chairs for their guests had been placed in the sand beneath the shade of palm trees, and the sound of the ocean waves echoed in the background. The sky was a perfect shade of azure, dotted by idle drifting clouds that kept the heat of the intense island sun at bay. Suki and her close family sat inside a hut, hidden from the guests and groomsmen until the ceremony was set to begin.

"Can I get you anything?" Katara asked, straightening the hem of Suki's gown.

"I'm fine Katara, stop fussing," Suki protested. "In fact, why don't you go and find the Fire Lord? You're supposed to walk in with him, remember? After all, he is sort of the guest of honor. You guys will be announced right before Aang." They had gone over this detail last night at the rehearsal, but Katara was hesitant to leave her friend in case she needed something.

"You're sure?"

"Of course I'm sure," Suki said with a smile. "Go get your man and give the world its first glimpse of what Queen Katara of the Fire Nation will look like standing next to her King."

Butterflies stirred in her stomach. "Queen Katara," she said aloud, testing the sound of it.

"Has a nice ring to it, huh?" Suki winked before scooping up Katara's hands in her own. "Thank you, my dear sweet friend, for all that you have done. Your friendship is a gift to me, and now we'll officially be family."

Katara squeezed her hands. "There didn't need to be a marriage to make that official, but I'm glad for it just the same." Katara brushed a light kiss over Suki's cheek. "I'll see you after the ceremony, Sister." Katara waved to Suki and her family before letting herself out of the small hut. The sound of tranquil music filled the air as the guests began to file into their seating down on the beach. The string quartet was in position which meant there was fifteen minutes until the ceremony began. Katara scanned the crowd, but it didn't take her long to spot the Fire Lord in all his esteemed glory standing up on the high boardwalk. Zuko looked like a dream in his crimson and black royal garb. His hair was pulled back into a traditional knot with the Fire Lord's sharp, golden hairpiece.

Looking at him took her breath away.

Zuko was standing tall with his hands resting along the high stone railing that was draped in flowing boughs of emerald ivy. He was hidden from the crowd, but Katara could see him from the pavilion and easily made her way up the stairs and crossed the bridge to meet him. When Zuko caught sight of her out of his peripheral, he turned his head, lips parting as he gazed at his Water queen.

Looking at her hurt.

Looking at her stopped time.

Absently, Zuko reached up and massaged his chest with the heel of his hand. She moved like the river, Zuko thought, all her essence and composition graceful in its own resplendent magic. He turned from the stone railing, hand reaching for hers.

"Hi," Katara breathed when he drew near.

"Katara," he said her name like a prayer, thumb brushing over the back of her hand, "you look stunning." She was more than that, but eloquent words seemed to escape him.

Katara smiled a smile that was only for him. "You're all alone up here," she said. "I kind of thought General Iroh and some of the guards would be escorting us down the aisle."

"I convinced them to go ahead without us." He nodded towards the men dressed in Fire Nation garb down below.

Katara spotted her father, too, and felt her chest flooding with warmth and happiness when he caught her eye and winked. She knew what the wink was for–knew that he approved of her relationship with the Fire Lord. He'd told her at the rehearsal dinner that the only thing he ever wanted for her was happiness, and if Zuko was what she wanted, then he would gladly give his blessing to his beloved daughter. He told her that Zuko was a good man, and he was proud of her. Though she wished her mother had been there to share the sentiments, Katara couldn't have asked for more.

Katara stepped forward, arms circling Zuko's waist. "I know it's only been a few hours, but, I missed you."

Zuko's lip twitched as his hand gently framed the side of her face. "I missed you too Katara."

They seemed to say so much more without speaking as they gazed into each other's eyes. The world was going on around them, but in that moment, time seemed to pause for them. The music faded into the background, blown away in the gentle breeze, until there was nothing left but Katara and Zuko standing on the stone bridge. There was a sort of blind understanding that encompassed their two beings–an acceptance that held like a secret in the air between them. They had come such a long way from the start, and yet–and yet their journey was really just beginning.

"I think they're calling for us," Zuko said, fingertips positioned under Katara's chin as he gazed into the pools of liquid sapphire that he so loved.

"They can wait," Katara said, pulling his mouth to hers with a smile.

THE END

Let me start out by apologizing for the delay of the final chapter. You guys that have been with me since the beginning were probably getting a little curious as to whether or not I would finish. I HATE writing endings. It's a bittersweet contrivance of sorts, but alas, it is here.

I decided to make the last chapter very lighthearted and love-oriented. (This was a Zutara romance after all.) I could have gone on and described the ceremony, but this story was always intended to be focused on Zuko and Katara, and in a way, I left it open for a bit of interpretation. Stories that don't have specific endings, never really have to end, do they? ;) That said, I doubt this will be my last ZuTara fic.

Thank you all for the lovely words and compliments, I am truly humbled by the kindness I received while writing this story.

If you guys find yourselves interested in any of my original works, stop by my website and check those out. (brittany elise author dot com) I write YA fiction for a living, y'all. Two books are out, and one is on the way coming this August!

Remember, the world needs your love - so please be kind to one another.

As always, happy reading!

~Sparrow