8. This is kind of a filler for the rest of them. Not as proud... Oh well

Katara had been living in the palace for a week now and realized that she really was needed in this place. Zuko gave her control of what meals should be cooked, what his schedule looked like for the day, and she even took over the Watertribe position in the council for her father who could not come up every month.

Being in the meetings was her favorite part. She always loved listening to everyone talk about the peacefulness of their parts of the Nations.

Today however, wasn't such a good day for the Fire Lord. He was now on the chopping block among the other council members. They had come into the Palace ready for his head at any cost and Katara could tell they wouldn't back down from the fight they were about to start. However, this was Zuko they were fighting with.

"Fire Lord Zuko," Haiyu, the leader for Omashu, started with his deep voice. "A few of the other council members and I have talked this over," he stroked his long gray beard as he spoke. Zuko glared over at Katara and she shook her head letting him know she wasn't part of this. "We believe you need someone to sit by your side as you run this Nation. It will prove to your people that you can work well with someone else." The Lord's face was so red he matched the drapery in the room.

"Excuse me Haiyu, but I don't believe your business belongs in my personal life." Zuko snapped. "I assure you that I have been running my Nation damn well." His dominance returned as he spoke to the rest of the leaders around the table. They all looked around at each other nervously.

"I'm sorry Zuko, but we have decided that you must find a bride before the Festival of Spirits, or you will be removed from your position as Fire Lord." Haiyu's voice was grave as he gave the Firebender his ultimatum. "A Fire Lord cannot run his country without his Fire Lady. Your father proved this dilemma well." Katara held back a shiver at the thought of dear daddy, Ozai.

"Now isn't that being a bit prejudice toward the position?" Katara popped in. "We aren't in the old centuries anymore, men can run countries without women and women can do the same without men. Kyoshi was a strong leader just as Aang is now." Zuko rose from his chair.

"Thank you Katara," he gave her a small smile then returned his gaze to them members in front of him. "I will accept your judgment; before the Festival of Spirits is a reasonable time for me to find a bride to be. But I must demand that marriage is out of the question within that amount of time." Haiyu opened his mouth ready to object but Zuko held up his hand. "I will not marry a woman if I don't believe I know her well enough." Katara looked up at him with a slight smirk. "Now before I end this meeting, is there anything anyone would like to say?" his voice was firm.

The room was silent as everyone stared at the Fire Lord. No one dared to speak as he challenged them. Katara held back her smirk under her sleeve and looked around the table at the other council members.

"No? Then this meeting is now adjourned." The Fire Lord walked out of the room and into the hallway. Katara quickly followed after him and walked next to Zuko. "So how did I do?" He said with a chuckle. Her thumb rose up to show him she supported his argument. As they reached outside of the Palace conference area, Zuko let out a deep sigh. "How am I going to find a Fire Lady before the Festival of Spirits?"

Katara gasped and stopped in front of Zuko to block him. "I know!" He gave her a strange look wondering what the Watertribe girl had up her sleeve. "When you were little did your mom every read you or Azula those Spirit Tales?"His face turned to pure disgust as he remembered the terribly cheesy stories about Princes and Princesses.

"Yes, I have no idea where you're going with this but I know I'm not going to like it."

"You could throw a Party! Invite everyone, especially the single maidens. You're bound to have chemistry with one of them." Zuko winced at her.

"A party?" he said, the dissatisfaction clearly in his voice said it was a bad idea. Katara didn't care. She knew it was a good idea and he was going to go along with it.

"Yes!" Katara grabbed the Fire Lord's hand and pulled him through the hallways again. "Come on Zuko, we have a Ball to plan."

Okay I may not get to 9 10 11 tonight. I'm trying. I'm sorry!