Just Some Water Tribe Ingenuity
Disclaimer: "Avatar: the Last Airbender" is not mine. That is that.
Note: Set after "The Boiling Rock."
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Hakoda of the Water Tribe was a very perceptive man.
This talent of his occasionally got him into trouble but for the most part, it served him well.
Today, for instance, he was making good use of his powers of perception as he observed two members of the group engaged in (another) heated argument. But being the wise and experienced adult that he was, Hakoda knew that there was more to this interaction than meets the eye. It also helped that one of the persons involved was his very own daughter, who was now in the middle of a dispute with the prince of the Fire Nation.
If someone told him a few weeks ago that Katara and Sokka were living under the same roof as the son of the Fire Lord, he would not have believed it. But ever since he had been rescued by Sokka and Zuko from the Boiling Rock, he saw the latter in a very different light. And after much consideration and observation, Hakoda had concluded that he approved of the young man. It was strange to drop one's prejudices towards one's sworn enemy but Zuko had proven himself more than trustworthy and dependable. He was a skilled and patient firebending teacher to Aang and a good friend to Sokka and the others. More importantly, Hakoda thought, Zuko seemed a perfect match for Katara.
He couldn't help it. Hakoda's paternal instincts had flared up again. He already (more than) approved of Suki for Sokka and he had already welcomed her into the family. It seemed that he was only waiting for someone for Katara in order for the family to be complete again. And seeing the obvious chemistry between his daughter and the prince, he knew that his wish would soon be fulfilled.
Nevertheless, as Hakoda watched the firebender and waterbender trading verbal blows with one another, he knew that it would take quite a while before either of them would admit their feelings for one another. And although he usually wasn't one to meddle in other people's affairs, Hakoda decided to take the matter into his own hands.
Sokka,carrying a bunch of scrolls, walked towards his father, shaking his head as he looked towards Zuko and Katara.
"Here we go again," Aang commented with a sigh, joining the father and son.
"It's two weeks before the comet and they still can't get along," Sokka complained.
Soon, the others had joined Hakoda in watching and shaking their heads over Zuko Katara. Hakoda smiled at their reactions and decided to initiate his plan.
"At the rate they're going," the chief began, "they're practically married."
Everyone there turned to him incredulously, wide-eyed, jaws dropped. The two being talked about continued their spat, oblivious to their companions' reactions. Sokka, Aang, and the others were now suppressing giggles, their glances passing from Hakoda's calm countenance to Zuko and Katara's intensity.
Chit Sang motioned for them to move to another area of the temple so as not to be noticed by Zuko or Katara, who continued their squabbling.
Once they were out of the two benders' earshot, everyone simply burst into a fit of loud laughter, echoing across the halls of the ancient temple. The very notion of Zuko and Katar getting together seemed absolutely ludicrous. But interesting, as well.
"No way," Sokka finally said, "they'd murder each other a week after the wedding."
"Even in the Avatar state," Aang said with a chuckle, "I wouldn't be able to restore peace with those two."
The others expressed similar reactions and there was a general consensus that Zuko and Katara would have a catastrophic marriage. And yet, they were all greatly curious about how those two would act if they (finally) realized that they were in love with one another.
"I wonder," Suki said, "how we could possibly bring those two together?"
"They're both still in denial," Toph added, for she had known (through her advanced senses) of Zuko and Katara's feelings long before even those two did.
"I have a plan to speed things up," Hakoda said finally, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"I'm up for a challenge," Haru said enthusiastically.
"Sure, why not?" Teo agreed.
"We've been training so hard these past few weeks," Aang said, "maybe it's time for a little entertainment."
"Well," Sokka added, catching his dad's drift, "we still have two weeks before the comet arrives."
Hakoda gathered everyone into a huddle and said, "And I assure you, time will not go dully by us."