Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter One: Summer 101 AG
"Thank you, Katara," Zuko rasped, gold eyes opening slowly to take in the waterbender as she healed him. His chest felt instantly better as the soothing water moved across it. The firebender's gasping breaths becoming deeper and more even as she worked to save his life.
"I think I should be the one thanking you," Katara whispered back, blinking back the onslaught of tears. She had felt a cross between terrified and awed when he jumped in front of her. The pure power Zuko had demonstrated as he redirected the lightning reminded her of the words Aunt Wu had said about her future husband almost a year ago. The waterbender's breathing was erratic as she concentrated on the wound in front of her.
Her hands were enveloped in water moving across his chest seamlessly as she worked, focusing only on the task at hand. She knew that she had to set aside her own emotion to save him. Katara could feel the blood rushing through his body as she healed him, timing the push and pull of the water to Zuko's own blood. His heartbeat strengthening and the smell of his burning flesh diminishing as she continued to save the firebender's life. She could see his torso rippling with every breath he took. Katara's eyes moved towards his face, the first thing she saw was hooded dark golden eyes looking at her.
The waterbender's breath caught in her throat. She felt like he was staring into her soul, she had never before felt as seen as she did at that moment by the Fire Nation Prince.
Zuko leaned forward, his hand coming up to brush back the silky lock of hair that had fallen out of its spot into her face. Her hair felt soft against his calloused hand. The firebender stroked the lock of hair back behind her ear, his hands leaving a stream of fire against her skin. He was taken back as he watched the expression of concern and terror across her face before it morphed into an emotion he did not recognize. Katara's sapphire eyes sparkled as they filled with tears as she healed him.
A tear rolled down her cheek leaving a trail in its wake. Zuko used his thumb to wipe away the tears that she didn't know were falling, his skin tingled as it touched hers. He looked into her deep blue eyes framed with long dark lashes, wet with tears. Her eyes which moments earlier had shown such fear, showed sweet relief now and that same emotion he didn't recognize. His chest itched and burned, the skin feeling taut as she continued to heal him, but Katara's touch alleviated the pain. Even with the pain, he would do it all again to save her.
Both didn't know when but the water that had been encompassing her hands, had fallen and now framed his body.
All he could feel was her skin against his, Katara pressed down toward him. Zuko pushed himself up so he was sitting. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close to him. She fell forward as he pulled her toward him and rested her hands on his biceps, fingers digging into to stop her descent. Katara was amazed to feel how strong he was, she felt small in his arms.
Zuko's hand that was cupping her face moved to wrap around the back of her neck. He pulled her face closer to his, she could feel his hot breath on her face as they moved closer. Katara stared into his hooded eyes, she felt a tingle of pleasure raced down her spine as she watched his tongue leave his mouth and lick his lips softly. This action caused Katara's breathing to increase and close her eyes as she leaned closer to him. A need she hadn't ever felt before crashing and rolling through her body as they moved toward each other, an invisible force pulling them together.
He watched her sparkling blue eyes flutter closed and his eyes quickly followed.
If asked, both could not tell you who started the kiss. Only that one minute Katara's nose bumped Zuko's and the next their lips were touching.
Katara would say the kiss was hot and needy, filled with every ounce of fire that Zuko held. Her lungs burned for air as he kissed her. She felt as if Zuko was breathing life into her body. Zuko felt her kiss was soothing and cool. It was an instant relief to the fire burning in and around him. They kissed each other in the easy way of two familiar lovers, no fumbling or awkwardness but still filled with a burning passion.
The firebender moaned into her mouth as he swiped his tongue across her bottom lip, asking for entry to her mouth. She gasped at the action, unknowingly, opening her mouth to allow him to deepen the kiss. He pulled her even closer, causing her to slip one of her legs around his hips the apex of her legs pressing against him. Katara felt her chest press against Zuko's, her breasts pushing against the newly forming scar making him groan.
Zuko didn't care about the slight burning pain he felt as she pressed into him. He was compelled to tighten his hold on her, she couldn't get close enough.
She tilted her head up toward him, silently begging him for more as he pushed himself into her. The hand on her waist tightening before moving to the small of her back, holding her to him. His fingers tangling into the fabric of her shirt as he molded her body to his. Katara's grip tightening on his arms as the heady kiss continued, before moving to wrap around his neck pushing them closer together. Zuko's hands felt hot through her shirt as he clutched her against him.
He had never kissed anyone like this before, he felt more passion in this kiss than in his entire life combined. Zuko wanted to consume her, there was not even a breath of space between them but he needed her closer. Katara had a similar thought running through her head as he kissed her. All too soon their kiss was interrupted.
"Prince Zuko," a voice broke the two of them out of their bubble. Zuko reluctantly pulled away knowing that he had duties to attend.
"Yes?" Zuko asked as he turned to the owner of the voice. Standing off to the side was the Great Sage who had been watching the Agni Kai. Katara untangled herself from the firebender. She stood before quickly helping Zuko, her skin heated with embarrassment at being caught kissing the Crown Prince.
"We need to have your injuries attended to, as well as you must make a decision about your sister," the sage gestured toward Azula who was manically screaming and jerking in the chains as tears ran down her face. A far cry from the calm and composed young princess she had been just weeks before. It was a devastating sight to see how far the Princess had fallen.
"I want Azula sedated for the time being and under a twenty-four-hour watch in her old rooms," Zuko responded, he breathed deeply to rid himself of the erotic thoughts running through his mind. Praying to Agni the Sage thought the breath was related to the pain in his chest. "Keep her that way until the Avatar arrives, he and I will discuss her crimes before sentencing her. Please have my room prepared, Master Katara will attend to my injuries there. Be sure to bring her anything she asks for, I want you to treat an order from her as you would myself."
The Great Sage nodded and bowed before turning to alert the little staff left to abide by Zuko's demands.
His lips were on hers, the two moving in sync seamlessly. Her hands were pressed against his chest, fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. She felt as if he was breathing fire into her body as he kissed her. His hands were tangled in her hair as she was pulled forward, her hands clutched to his shirt as she pressed even closer to him. She could feel her body's natural lubrication beginning to form between her legs.
Incredibly hot hands slipped from her hair to rest against her hip and pull her closer. He moved his hand to the back of her thighs before lifting her legs to wrap around his hips. Effortlessly lifting her and pulling them even closer together. Her heated core was flush against his hips, she need more.
Katara instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck as she was lifted, her ankles crossing to hold herself against him. He pressed his growing erection into the apex of her thighs as he kissed her. The waterbender rotated her hips against him creating the pleasurable friction she needed. She didn't want him to stop.
He pulled back to take a breath, her name coming out softly against her mouth.
"Katara," Zuko moaned.
Katara jolted awake, her body feeling tingly and her lips feeling cold. The dream had been extremely vivid, it felt real. It had left her core throbbing and wanting. The waterbender could feel the wetness between her thighs. She brushed her fingers against her mouth before shaking her head turning to look at the man she had just dreamed about across the bed from her.
It had been two days since the Agni Kai with Azula, two days of healing Zuko. After the initial healing, he seemed okay, but the moment they were in his room the adrenaline had finally worn off.
Zuko had collapsed mere inches from his bed, thankfully Katara was able to have some of the staff assist her in making him comfortable. She had saved his life in the arena, but such a large wound needed much more care and attention. Since the comet, Zuko had been in and out of consciousness. Only being awake for a couple of minutes when he did have the strength to open his eyes and during those times he wasn't lucid. Katara healed him most of the day and during the nights would be there to soothe any pain that would come.
The waterbender had taken to sleeping next to him because she was worried the lightning had done damage to his heart. She wanted to be close to him in case he needed her. The bed was plenty big enough and with the number of servants moving through the room she felt it was safe to do so without damage to her reputation.
But after that dream, she didn't know if she should stay. Her body ached for him.
She stared at the man next to her, her mind traveling to the day of Sozin's comet. Katara didn't know what to make of the kiss in the palace arena. The two hadn't had a chance to talk about the kiss. For all she knew, Zuko didn't think of her that way. She wasn't even sure how she felt about it or Zuko. In addition, she remembered Sokka telling her that Zuko had a girlfriend before coming to join them at the Western Air Temple. The waterbender didn't want to get her hopes up if he was just going to push her aside.
And then there was Aang.
Now that the war was over, she needed to give the avatar an answer about the two of them. She couldn't delay any longer. But after that kiss with Zuko, Katara wasn't sure she could ever be with Aang. Zuko's kiss left her feeling as if she was on fire, Aang's kiss had left her feeling shocked and confused. How could she go from such passion to just mildly okay?
"Master Katara," Giya, one of the servants, called from the doorway after a series of quick knocks. "There is a message for you and Prince Zuko. I don't want to disturb you but it looked urgent."
Katara removed herself from the bed and made her way towards Giya before taking the scroll that was offered. "Thank you, Giya."
After assuring Giya they did not need anything, Katara turned to the scroll in her hand. Her blue eyes quickly scanning the contents, she recognized the messy writing instantly.
Katara and Zuko,
We did it! Suki is telling me to write that Aang did it. But either way, we won the war! Aang was able to take Ozai's bending away, how cool is that? Apparently, he learned how to do it from a lion turtle! That's where he disappeared to, he was on the lion turtle learning how to energy bend.
We are on our way to the Fire Nation now. We should be there soon. Everyone is fine, except me. I might need those healing hands on my broken leg, little sister.
See you soon,
Sokka
Trust Sokka to want to take all the credit, she shook her head softly as she re-read the letter. The waterbender was unsure how to process the knowledge of Aang taking away Ozai's firebending. It seemed a little surreal, almost impossible. But after a little over a year traveling with the Avatar, she knew to always expect the unexpected.
"Katara," Zuko moaned in pain from his spot on the bed, his arm reaching out to feel for her. His eyes flashing open as he looked around frantically for the waterbender, his chest felt as if it was being stabbed. He rasped for air, a sense of panic rising in his body as the pain returned and he couldn't find the healer.
Katara turned to look at her patient, he was clearly distressed at not being able to find her in bed next to him. She quickly made her way back to him, noticing for the first time that his eyes seemed to focus on her.
Looking into his golden eyes instantly brought her back to the last time they had focused on her, in the arena. She felt a shiver down her spine as her mind was brought back to when he kissed her. She could still remember the feeling of being in his arms and his lips on hers. The memory causing her body to feel hot and cold at the same time. Katara pushed all that out of her mind so she could focus on the present.
"Hey sleepy," she greeted him quietly as she sat on the edge of the bed next to the firebender. Her hands twitched to brush the hair out of his face. Instead, she pulled the covers around him tighter to combat his shivering. "How are you feeling?"
Zuko's heart beat faster as he looked into her eyes. They looked darker in the middle of the night he observed. Her hair was falling around her in a mess of curls, it looked as if she had woken up only a few minutes before him. Zuko loved how her hair looked at this moment. He wanted to reach out and touch it again. The Fire Prince sucked in a breath through his teeth as he tried to curb the urge to kiss the waterbender.
He was pulled from his daydreaming of Katara by the sudden pain in his chest. He felt suffocated and as if someone had reached a fiery hand into his chest to squeeze his heart in time with his breaths.
"It hurts," he groaned as her hands went to touch his forehead and check his pulse.
"Yeah, it must feel like you got struck by lightning," she joked lightly as she pulled the water to her from the bowl next to his bed. She was pleased to see that the wound didn't look infected.
Zuko chuckled at her comment before moaning in pain. "Oh, Agni!"
"I wasn't able to get to you fast enough to stop it from scarring but I don't think you will have any lasting damage once we are finished. It might take a few more days though to fully heal," she explained as she rested the water against his chest.
Her hands instantly went to work on healing the fried nerves beneath the skin. She had done as much as she could in the arena, but with so much damage her main concern was that he would live. She had spent the last two days working on all the other underlying issues as they presented themselves. Katara tried not to let her mind wander to the feeling of his muscular chest beneath her fingers.
As she worked, Zuko could feel the pain receding. His mind played back to the last memory he had of her hands on his chest. The kiss coming to the front of his mind as a lock of hair fell into her eyes, reminiscent of how she looked in the palace arena right before their lips had touched. He wanted to reach up and touch the lock like he had in the arena but stopped himself. He was an honorable man and would not force himself on her. The Fire Nation Prince would not touch her again until he knew if she felt the same way.
"Katara, about that kiss," Zuko began nervously. He desperately wanted her to feel the same way, he could not imagine kissing anyone else after that. He knew that he needed to be the one to broach this conversation, but he was terrified to be rejected. The firebender prayed silently to Agni that she would love him too.
The waterbender heard the nervousness in his voice and mistook the reason for it. Her heart broke, no it felt as if it had shattered into a million pieces. She knew he would say that it was a mistake, taking away every ounce of pleasure she had ever felt. Being the stubborn and headstrong waterbender she was, Katara wanted to beat him to the punch, before he broke her heart.
"No need to worry about it, Zuko," Katara interrupted before he could finish his thought, her hands continuing to move across his chest.
She wanted to tell him that she had never been kissed like that before. That somewhere between the caves in Ba Sing Se to Ember Island he had shown her what it meant to truly love someone. She wanted to say that she didn't think she could ever kiss another knowing that there was someone out there that could kiss her like that but she didn't.
Reluctantly she told him, "We both were caught up in the heat of the moment, you almost died. I promise we can keep it between the two of us."
His skin felt incredibly hot through the water as she continued to heal him. She could feel the blood rushing through her body and her heart beating faster with each second as she waited for his response. Katara tried not to let herself hope for even a moment that he would try to deny her words.
Zuko felt as if she had frozen the water she was using to his chest. His throat closed up and shoulders dropped, he swallowed twice before responding. "Thank you, I agree it was just the circumstance. I hope we can still be friends, you are my best friend, Katara."
"Of course, Zuko," she replied quickly as if the thought of not being friends with him didn't even occur to her. But in reality, she had feared he wouldn't want to speak to her again after the kiss. "You are part of the group, one little kiss will not change that. We will forget it ever happened."
Zuko wanted to tell her that it was more than a little kiss. He wanted to say that kissing her made him feel like the most powerful man in the world. He wanted to tell her that kissing her was something he could never forget. He wanted to say that her mouth against his enlisted more passion and arousal within him than all of his previous sexual encounters before combined.
Instead, he said, "You are right, it will be like it never happened."
"Katara, what should I do?" Zuko asked his friend as she worked on healing his chest wound. His eyes closed tightly in frustration.
He had just received news from the palace physician who claimed Azula was mentally unstable. The physician worried that putting her in prison might cause her to become even more unhinged. A sane Azula was a massive threat, but one who was not thinking rationally was an unpredictable opponent and perhaps much worse.
Zuko needed to make a decision about his sister soon. Aang would be arriving with Ozai tomorrow and he did not think it would be a good idea for them to even potentially cross paths. But this was his baby sister, Zuko had so many mixed feelings about the situation. He didn't know what to do about her.
"What do you want to do?" She asked him as her hands moved along his chest. She was trying to only focus on the task at hand, but she kept getting distracted by the way his muscles moved when she hit a sensitive spot. This was his tenth healing since being shot with lightning and the waterbender knew there was still many that lay ahead.
"She's dangerous! How many times has she tried to kill me? Aang? You?" He chuckled darkly, gold eyes opening to find blue. It wasn't really funny but there was no other way to react.
"Azula is very dangerous, we all know that," she whispered thoughtfully as she healed him. "Her skill as a firebender is unmatched only by Aang. It took her being unstable and both of us to take her down."
"Exactly, how can I justify not sentencing her?" Zuko clenched his teeth and hissed as Katara moved over a particularly painful spot on his chest. This was day three of her healing him and while things were getting better, there was still a good bit of pain.
"Then sentence her," Katara shrugged as she pushed and pulled the water in a circular motion over the wound. "You can still get her help if she is in prison, how she is treated is up to you."
Katara had a point, he thought to himself. He would be the one who would decide how she was treated. He could sentence her for her crimes and still get her the help she desperately needed. But why did that leave such a bad feeling in his stomach?
His mother would not want Azula sentenced. She would want her daughter to heal and Ursa would not believe that could happen in prison. Zuko knew this, it was why he was struggling so much with what to do. He wanted to do the right thing not only for the Fire Nation but for his family too.
"She's my sister," he sighed looking away from his friend. "My little sister, I'm supposed to protect her and take care of her. And . . ." the firebender trailed off not ready to voice the thoughts in his head. He was afraid the waterbender would think less of him.
"And she's some of the only family you have left," Katara finished his sentence for him. She deposited the water into the bowl next to the bed before sitting on the chair adjacent to Zuko. She deliberately looked anywhere but his chest.
"Yeah," he whispered as he sat up and closed his tunic. "And if there is any chance of getting my sister back, I want to take it. Does that make me a bad person? A bad leader?"
"Zuko, no!" Katara exclaimed as she looked at him. Her heart lurched as she saw the broken look on his face. "It makes you a good brother."
"She tried to kill you," he mumbled, his breathing becoming labored as he remembered the Agni Kai.
"And she didn't succeed," Katara added trying to soothe him.
"She successfully killed Aang and almost succeeded in killing me," he argued back, his eyes filled with fire as they looked at her. "Sentencing her would be the logical thing to do, it would make me a good leader. It would be a good thing for the Fire Nation."
"Sentencing her would make you a good leader," Katara agreed with him. She watched Zuko's face fall as the words left her mouth.
"Then I will sentence her," the words left a bitter taste in his mouth and Katara could tell.
"Zuko, when your mother left and you were banished you had your uncle. Iroh was there to help guide you and helped you become the man you are today. All Azula had was Ozai, she had more years with him than you ever did. I can't imagine the kind of pain she endured," Katara's words speaking more truth than any others before.
"She was the favorite," Zuko grumbled as he moved to stand. Part of him knew that the waterbender was right, but another part didn't want to admit it to himself. His sister had done terrible things to him, she was manipulative at any and every chance she had. He looked down to see the new scar forming on his chest, he literally wore the mark of his sister's abuse. So why did he want to help her? Why should he help her?
"And how much more pressure did she have then? Pressure to be perfect? Pressure to never have a hair out of place," Katara argued. Zuko moved to look out the window as she continued. "You might not realize the pain and abuse she suffered because she might not have realized what was happening. And maybe she was just better at hiding it."
"I want to get her the help she needs, the help she deserves," he mumbled looking outside. He was unsure of the emotions running through him. Memories were resurfacing, almost long forgotten of his baby sister. But he knew he would always regret it if he didn't help Azula.
"Choosing to get her the help she needs and not sentencing her for the crimes she committed would be the right thing. It would make you a good brother, a good person," Katara took a deep breath, she knew the words he needed to hear. Her voice was steady as she spoke truth into the Fire Nation Prince. "And most importantly an honorable leader. It would be honorable to not sentence a woman who faced madness because of the poison someone inflicted on her."
Zuko was silent for a moment as he stared at his mother's garden outside his room. He kept repeating her words over and over in his head. He could feel the truth in the waterbender's words. Finally, turning back to meet sapphire eyes across the room he asked, "Do you think I can really get my little sister back?"
"I think you wouldn't be Zuko if you didn't try," she affirmed softly.
"Aang," Zuko greeted his friend with a quick hug. "I'm glad you are okay."
Aang hugged Zuko back instantly, he was shocked to have that amount of physical affection from the future Fire Lord. His friend was not a touchy-feely person. "I'm glad you are okay too! Are you ready for your coronation?"
"Almost," Zuko nodded as he gestured for Aang to follow him down the hallway. "I wanted to tell you, I spoke to Shyu earlier today. His grandfather passed down to him all of the artifacts from Avatar Roku. Including Roku's things from when he studied at the Southern Air Temple. I wanted to offer them to you."
Aang's heart stopped for a second as he processed Zuko's words. He was offering him a piece of home, a piece of his history. His throat felt tight and he felt the tears well up in his eyes. It was like when he saw Bumi again after being in the iceberg for a hundred years.
"Thank you, Zuko. I would really like that," Aang thanked his friend. His words coming out a little rough as he tried not to cry. Zuko not being good with emotions awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.
"Ozai is in custody?" Zuko asked Aang as they moved into the Fire Lord's office. It still felt weird that his father's office was now his. He gestured for the Avatar to sit in one of the chairs across from the desk.
"Yes," Aang responded after clearing his throat, taking the seat that was offered. "The guards have him in the cell you arranged."
Zuko nodded as he sat down at his father's desk — no it's his desk now, Zuko reminded himself. It had been three days since Aang returned with Ozai, almost a week since the comet, Zuko was shocked to learn his father was alive. But he did have a small part of him that was relieved. While Ozai was a horrible person and an abusive father, he was still Zuko's father and he would much rather Ozai spend his time in prison than have the Avatar take his life. Aang already suffered from emotional trauma caused by the genocide, it would not be fair to have him carry the burden of taking his friend's father's life.
"What do you think we should do?" Zuko questioned his friend, hoping the Avatar had an idea of how to handle the situation. The Fire Nation Crown Prince struggled with the aftermath of the war. He had expected his father to be dead, but now that he was alive Zuko was unsure how to lead. He had not prepared to lead a country with the dethroned Fire Lord still alive.
"I don't think Ozai should ever walk free again," Aang admitted softly, he had been nervous to see Zuko's reaction to his father still living. The firebender had been adamant that the only way to stop Ozai was to kill him. The airbender was pleased to see that his friend was not in turmoil because his father was alive. "I think it would be appropriate for him to have a sentence of life in prison."
"I agree," Zuko nodded as he mulled over Aang's words. It was clear that his father was a threat to the peace he would be creating. Life in prison seemed like the logical response but there also seemed to be something not quite right with it, Zuko thought.
Ozai would sit in a cell for the rest of the days and do what? Be bitter that his quest for world domination was unsuccessful? Would he ever see the error of his ways? If Zuko had not been forced to travel the world or been forced to live as a refugee would he have seen the error of the Fire Nation? Or would he still believe the lies that were taught to him at birth? Would Ozai truly understand the damage that was caused?
The resounding answer in Zuko's mind was no.
Ozai would never see the error of his ways if he was not able to see the results of his actions, of his forefather's actions. And neither would the Fire Nation as a whole.
"Zuko?" Aang insisted when he noticed his friend's silence.
"I think he should face trial for his crimes against the world. I don't think he should get to ignore the destruction he caused and I'm afraid if he isn't tried, he can ignore the pain he inflicted," Zuko ruled, his tone strong and brow furrowing. He would stand firm on this action, Ozai would have to face the destruction his choices had caused.
Aang looked at his friend and saw the incredible leader Zuko was about to become. He would bring honor and peace back to not only the Fire Nation but the world as well. In that one sentence, Zuko showed how he understood the pain his forefathers had brought and how not ignoring the past but facing it was the only way to restore balance. The future Fire Lord had a difficult job ahead of him. The job would be tiresome, not only for having to undo a hundred years of pain but because of the many complicated decisions he would have to make regarding his family.
"I think that many of the other world leaders would appreciate the opportunity to face Ozai," Aang responded thoughtfully and delicately after he absorbed Zuko's words. The avatar hadn't thought of putting Ozai on trial for his crimes, Zuko was demonstrating his skill as a leader. "I am sorry you have to deal with this Zuko."
"It needs to be done," Zuko replied quickly a knot forming in his stomach. He did not have the energy to deal with his emotions right now, he would worry about that later. "I think Katara was looking for you earlier."
Aang nodded, easily noting his friend's exhausted look and the obvious push for the avatar to leave. Zuko had a big job ahead of him, if he wanted to wait to deal with the emotions the ruling to his father caused then Aang would let him.
The young airbender speedily slipped from the room, barely registering how Zuko leaned in on himself with his head in his hands. They would talk later but right now, the future Fire Lord needed to be alone.
After a few minutes of searching, Aang found Katara in the infirmary. She was working on healing Sokka's broken leg. The tribesman flailed around on the bed he was on, as he dramatically made his pain and displeasure known as his sister worked.
"Stop being a baby," the healer murmured with an eye roll, ignoring Sokka's squeals of discomfort. He sounded like he was being tortured.
"Hey, Katara!" Aang greeted as he moved toward the Water Tribe siblings. His grey eyes focusing on the waterbender. "How's his leg?"
"It's doing much better," she smiled at Aang. Sokka grumbled some more as Katara pushed his healing. "He should be up and walking by Zuko's coronation."
"Do you think you can take a break? I was hoping we could talk," Aang inquired, his face feeling hot. His eyes scanned over the young woman standing in front of him, the Fire Nation clothing did wonders for her figure.
"I know what that means, smooches," Sokka teased as he made kissy faces at his sister and friend. His dramatics being forgotten for a moment while he poked fun of the two people in front of him.
"Sokka, shut up," Katara sighed exasperatedly. She instantly dropped the water that she was using to tend to his leg and moved towards Aang. "I guess you're feeling good enough that I can go talk to Aang."
Katara grabbed Aang's arm and dragged the boy out of the room. She was incredibly embarrassed by Sokka's comment, not because of Aang but because of the last person she had kissed. Her brother might not have meant anything by it, but she instantly thought of Zuko when he said the word "smooches."
As they exited the infirmary both heard Sokka loudly exclaim to Suki, "What did I do?"
Katara knew that she needed to tell Aang that she couldn't be with him. There was no way she could be with Aang now that she had felt like what it was like to be kissed by Zuko. And even if Zuko didn't want her, she couldn't fake a relationship with Aang. Katara would rather be alone than try to force something with Aang.
Aang let Katara lead him to one of the larger private gardens the Fire Nation palace had. He knew they needed to have a conversation about their relationship now that the war was over. But he didn't want to hurt Katara. For the longest time, he thought he needed her.
Aang learned on the lion turtle that his attachment to Katara was merely superficial, she was the first person he saw after being frozen in ice for a hundred years. He needed to attach himself to something to survive the new world he was thrust into, and that something had been the waterbender. She gave him the hope and drive to become the avatar, but now he didn't need that.
After speaking with Avatar Yangchen, Aang knew his duty was to the world and his responsibility was to revive the Air Nomads. It would not be fair to force Katara into that, it wasn't her destiny. Aang knew to be a true spiritual leader for the Air Nomads he needed to take on all the practices of the monks. Including celibacy. But if he had to repopulate an entire nation, he couldn't have a monogamous romantic relationship.
"Katara," Aang started hesitantly looking up at her blue eyes.
"Aang," Katara said at the same time. Their eyes met briefly. They both stopped talking and blushed, before looking away from each other. "You go first," she gestured to him.
"Katara, I don't know how to say this. Umm, when I was on the lion turtle trying to figure out how to not kill Ozai, uhh," Aang began his voice cracking slightly, his hand scratching the back of his head nervously. "I learned that my destiny is to the world to be the Avatar, which I always knew. But, umm, I mean that I learned what that actually means."
"I'm sure it must have been a lot to process," Katara commented when Aang stopped to take a breath. Her heart was beating faster as she listened to him speak.
She was terrified that Aang was wanting to talk to her about them being together and what that would look like now that he was a fully realized Avatar. She loved Aang but not like that and she was nervous to potentially break his heart.
"As much as I love you, I need to love you as a friend only," Aang stated in a rush. He felt the sooner the words were out of his mouth the better.
Katara instantly felt lighter as she processed Aang's words. It was as if she could breathe again. She was also thankful that she would not be the one to break his heart, but that they could come to this decision calmly and maturely.
"Aang, I understand," she finally responded to him, the relief evident in her tone. "I think it would be better if we stayed friends too."
They both let out a collective breath.
"Well, that went better than I thought," Aang chuckled lightly. His hand coming up to scratch the back of his neck again. "I honestly thought you would be mad at me."
"I thought I was going to break your heart," Katara laughed lightly. She felt free in her friendship with him for the first time since he kissed her before the invasion.
"Still friends?" He asked her, holding his arm out in a traditional Water Tribe greeting.
"Still friends," she agreed with an easy smile, taking his offered arm effortlessly before releasing it. They stood there for a moment before Katara spoke again. "I should probably head back and check on Sokka, finish healing his leg. I'll see you later?"
"Yeah," he nodded in agreement before she headed back toward the infirmary. He would always love Katara, she rescued him from the iceberg but now he could love her as a friend.
The young airbender looked out at the garden for a while, thinking over everything that had happened the past couple of weeks. He finally felt at peace about his role as the Avatar. And more importantly, he felt like he could revive the airbenders the way they should be. Letting go of Katara was his last earthly attachment, he could do everything he needed to now.
"Twinkle Toes," Toph called as she walked over to Aang. "Did you tell Sugar Queen that you love her?"
"Actually no," he shook his head. "We decided we were better off as friends, it's the right thing."
She was straddling his waist, he moved his hands to her hips to grind her against him as she kissed him. He could feel her soft breasts pressed against his chest. Her hands rested on his biceps as she pulled herself closer to him. The young woman's body felt extraordinary against him. He felt her hair fall around him and brush against his arms, he heard a small moan of pleasure come from her.
Zuko felt like he could consume her if she let him. Her cool nature soothing the fire that raged inside of him but at the same time caused his body to burn. He needed her, he wanted her. He felt like her kiss was the only thing keeping him alive at the moment.
Her mouth opened and he snaked his tongue into her mouth, tasting all of her. She tasted sweet and slightly minty. His teeth lightly pulled at her bottom lip before soothing away the sting of the bite with his tongue.
Her hands moved to wrap around his neck, one tangled into the hair at the nape of his neck. Zuko pulled away from her mouth and trailed kisses down her throat, pausing when his lips settled against a spot that made her moan, nipping and sucking softly.
He slid one hand from her hips up one side of her body, feeling how small her waist was as his hand settled underneath her left breast. His thumb stroking the side of her breast as he moved his mouth back to her lips.
Zuko pressed himself against her as he felt himself harden, he wanted her desperately.
"Katara," he mumbled against her lips.
"Zuko," she whispered. "Zuko?!"
The Fire Nation Crown Prince jerked awake to the voice. His gold eyes hooded with arousal and sleep rested on the woman he had just been dreaming of standing in his bedroom.
"Katara?" He questioned, his voice rough with sleep and arousal. The firebender blinked rapidly to dispel the sleep from his eyes. He was unsure if he was dreaming or if she was really in his bedroom. "What are you doing here?"
"You asked me to do your healing session now, remember?" Katara asked as she tried to ignore the reaction her body had to the sound of his voice. Her core clenched at the sound of him.
"Right," he grumbled, his cheeks turning pink at having forgotten. The Prince adjusted himself in his bed to a propped-up position. He tried to inconspicuously hide his arousal under the blankets as Katara moved a chair next to his bed.
"You look flushed, are you having any pain?" She inquired once she was settled next to him. Katara looked over his chest as he went to answer her question.
"A little," his voice deeper and hoarser than normal. He cleared his throat harshly. The waterbender passed him a cup of tea which he eagerly accepted taking a sip. "It comes and goes in waves but it's still pretty bad."
"Let's get started then," Katara nodded as she thought over his complaints. She pulled the water to her and rested it against his chest as she began working.
Zuko watched her as she healed him. She left her hair down today, he thought. Katara's hair loops weren't in today either, he decided he liked her hair down. He noticed how her brow furrowed as she concentrated on what she was doing. He wanted to kiss the wrinkle away.
Katara thought she saw his body twitch and she looked down his torso. Zuko's abs had a light sheen of sweat covering them. She observed the grooves and ridges of his torso, she wanted to trace her fingertips through the valleys of his abdomen. Katara moved her eyes back to the lightning scar on Zuko's chest. She should not be sexualizing a patient, and Zuko was her patient right now.
Zuko let out a soft moan as he noticed the swell of Katara's breasts, her chest rising and falling as she breathed. All he could think about was how the mounds would feel in his hands.
The firebender's moan sent an instant tingle of arousal through the waterbender, causing her to almost lose the grip on the water she was manipulating.
"Is this hurting?" Katara asked trying to distract herself from Zuko's moan. She willed her body to stop preparing her core to take him, it would never happen.
Zuko realized the moan he let out was loud enough for her to hear. He could feel the blood rush to his cheeks as he tried to calm his arousal down.
"It hurts a little," he responded trying to cover up his moan. It was true, his chest did hurt. Not as bad as it did earlier in the week but there was still some residual pain.
"Where exactly is it hurting?" Katara pulled the water from his chest so he could show her where the pain was the worst.
Zuko traced his fingers down his chest, settling as the tips brushed over the top of the scar that was forming. "Right about here," he murmured his response, searching for the words to describe the discomfort. "Every time I breathe I feel some pain. It's sharp at first and then turns into a dull burning sensation."
She placed her water-covered hands back on his chest, right where he indicated the most pain. She could feel something beneath the surface wasn't right, more than just the nerves. It felt like it could be in his veins or perhaps an artery, it was difficult to tell right now. Katara knew her bloodbending would be able to tell her all the answers, but she didn't want to do that without Zuko's consent.
"I can feel something is wrong, but I would need my . . ." Katara trailed off nervous to explain how she could find out the problem. It was still such a taboo subject.
Zuko knew instantly what she was referring to, bloodbending. His mind went back to the day he learned about the subspecialty of waterbending.
Zuko was sitting on the roof of his family home on Ember Island. He felt claustrophobic in the house. He needed to get out of it, so he decided to hang out on the roof. It was something Lu Ten showed him as a kid.
Team Avatar had arrived on Ember Island earlier that evening to join Zuko and Katara after their search for Yon Rha. Suki and Sokka were currently indisposed as they typically were whenever night fell lately. Aang and Toph were practicing their earthbending on the cliffs.
"Oh, I didn't know you were up here," Katara muttered, her tone showing her surprise as she took in the young man after climbing onto the roof. "I'll just go, I don't want to bother you."
"No, stay. Please?" Zuko asked softly. He wasn't sure what compelled him to ask her to stay. Maybe it was because he didn't want to be alone? Or maybe it was because he found her attractive? A ll he knew was that he didn't want her to go.
"I'll stay," she responded nodding. The waterbender made her way toward the banished prince and sat next to him.
The firebender noticed how her hips swayed as she walked. He had always found her attractive, but seeing her in Fire Nation clothing had stirred a slow burn deep in his belly. He looked back out at the view in front of him, not wanting her to see the attraction he felt to her. The banished prince was still a little unsure where the two of them stood.
"Can I ask you something?" Zuko's voice breaking the silence that had settled over them.
"You already did, but what is your other question?" Katara shrugged her shoulder as she teased him with a small smirk. Since the two had gotten back from hunting Yon Rha, Katara began noticing that she liked talking to Zuko. He always surprised her.
"What was that thing you did? On the ship of the Southern Raiders?" He asked her softly. His mind going back to the captain of the ship, Katara had done something but he didn't know what it was. It was like nothing he had ever seen before, he was captivated by it.
"Oh," her cheeks colored in embarrassment. She had hoped that he didn't notice when she bloodbended or at least that he forgot. Katara should have known better, Zuko didn't forget anything and he noticed everything.
The banished prince watched the expression on her face change at his question. A row of pearly white teeth captured her plump bottom lip as she shifted nervously at the question. He thought she looked beautiful in the moonlight, her hair flowing around her in the wind and blue eyes sparkling. The waterbender's tan skin seemed to glow under the moon. This wasn't the first time he noticed how beautiful she was, but it was the first time he saw the blush color on her cheeks.
Katara took a deep breath before responding, "It's called bloodbending, the only other Southern Waterbender I have ever known showed it to me. Aang hates that I know how to do it, I hate that I know how to do it."
"Why?" Zuko exclaimed without thought. His first reaction to hearing about the subspecialty of waterbending was that it was extraordinarily powerful. "That's an incredibly useful skill. Imagine all you could do with it!"
"What?" Katara asked in shock, her sapphire eyes filling with fire as they snapped to look at him. "It's a horrible technique, to reach inside someone and control their body. Take away their choice."
"Who said you have to use it in combat?" He inquired with an eyebrow raised in question. He was shocked to learn that she would not want to learn how to control this power. "My uncle used his ability to lightening bend in multiple situations that were not in combat. He redirected lightning away from my ship multiple times during a storm."
"That's different, bloodbending isn't like that," she argued back. She hated bloodbending it was vile and perverse. Hama created it out of her hate for the Fire Nation, it twisted everything good about waterbending. Not to mention, she promised Aang she would never do it again.
"I knew of a firebender who was so skilled with lightning he was able to use it to heal. He was able to restart someone's heart because of his skill," Zuko retorted rolling his eyes. Sometimes Katara frustrated him, this was an amazing power she should learn how to use. What he would give to have half her talent when it came to bending.
"You can use lightning to restart someone's heart?" She looked at Zuko in shock. Her displeasure about bloodbending was momentarily forgotten as she processed his words. She had seen the firebender use his bending in simple tasks during their time together: cooking, lighting a fire, staying warm, and heating water for baths. But she hadn't even known there were other ways to use firebending for good.
"In certain cases," Zuko nodded turning to look back at the island, he could just barely see the waves crashing on the beach. "I'm assuming that with bloodbending you could do so much more."
"I never thought about it that way before," she whispered in awe. Her mind remembering why they were fighting and her voice hardened. "But it doesn't matter, I promised Aang that I wouldn't do it again. I feel disgusting when I do it and after. No other bending is like it."
"Katara, every bending can be used in a vile way. Bloodbending is not the first time someone has abused their power. I don't need to get into how firebenders have abused their power. Earthbenders can crush people to death and airbenders can pull the air from people's lungs," Zuko's eyes snapped back to hers as he argued, running a hand through his unruly hair in aggravation.
"I promised Aang that I wouldn't do it again," Katara explained. Zuko just wasn't getting it, though she thought out of everyone he would. "I shouldn't have done it, I feel so guilty I used it again."
"Aang is a child," the firebender mumbled exasperated. He moved to lean back against one arm, his brow furrowing and gold eyes hardened as they moved to look away from the waterbender.
"He's the Avatar," she retaliated, but even to her own ears, the defense sounded weak.
He cleared his throat before speaking again. "Aang is a child, he may be the Avatar but he is not all-knowing. He hasn't lived the life you and I have, he doesn't understand the whole lot of grey areas in the world. He also is not the person who gets to decide if you should learn how to harness this power or not."
"But he is supposed to keep balance," Katara replied as she adjusted the position she was in, pulling her knees to her chest. She didn't know how to take Zuko's arguments and enthusiasm for bloodbending.
"And in the spirit of keeping balance don't you think that you should learn how to use this power for good?" He insisted. Zuko moved so he could look at her straight on, her blue eyes doing their best to avoid his as he looked at her. "You will never abuse this power if you learn to use it, but if you don't then you could. Knowing how but never mastering is the real abuse of power."
Katara was stunned into silence at his words. Sapphire eyes finally meeting the fire-filled gold ones. She had never thought about it that way. He was right that bloodbending could be used for healing. But she hadn't ever thought that she would be abusing the power if she didn't master it. Then again her element wasn't as volatile as firebending, her eyes looked at his scar. Zuko would know how non-mastery of an element could be dangerous.
"I promised Aang," she whispered grasping at straws. She was conflicted.
"Your mother died protecting you," the firebender continued, thinking out loud. Unaware of how the waterbender's eyes were taking in his scar. "If you don't learn how to master this, it's a betrayal of her death. Forget about fucking balance! She died so you could live, so you could learn to waterbend. You could be the greatest waterbender of our generation, but you are too stubborn to even admit there is a use for this. By not mastering it, you are disrespecting her memory."
After he said his piece, Zuko stood and began making his way off the roof. Katara didn't care about his opinion, he wasn't sure why that hurt him. He wanted more than just her forgiveness. He wanted her to trust him and confide in him, he wanted to be there for her. He wanted, he didn't know what he wanted from her. All the banished prince knew was that the waterbender brought feelings out of him he didn't know he had.
Katara looked after the firebender in surprise, her eyes wide as she watched him walk away from her. Everything Zuko said was true. No one had ever understood her the way that he did. And in that last sentence, he had shown how well he knew her. Her stomach lurched as she observed his retreating form. She didn't want him to leave because she had upset him. But it unnerved the waterbender that the banished prince could see her so clearly.
"Zuko?" She called after him softly.
He turned to look at her, his chest tightened as he saw her blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight. He took a deep breath to steady the feeling of attraction that was bubbling up inside of his body. "Yes?"
"You are right," she admitted her voice carrying across the wind to him. She had been wrong earlier, he did understand. He understood better than anyone. "Thank you."
That was the first of many nights that Zuko and Katara sat on the roof together after everyone went to bed.
Zuko was brought back to the present as he realized that was the moment he began falling for Katara. Sure he had thought of her as attractive when he chased the Avatar, he noticed that the first day he saw her in the Southern Water Tribe. She was so spirited when she fought him at the North Pole, that was when he saw her as a warrior. In Ba Sing Se was the moment he saw her as more than just an attractive woman and a warrior, he saw her as a complex person who had pain just like him.
But that night on the roof, that was the night he realized he began falling for her.
And he knew right now with her hands on his chest that he, Crown Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, son of Ozai and Ursa, future Fire Lord, was in love with Master Waterbender Katara of the Southern Water Tribe.
"Katara, you know how I feel about your bloodbending," Zuko comforted her instead of admitting his feelings. He swallowed the words he wanted to say and continued, "I know you have been practicing. The full moon isn't until tomorrow, can you do it now?"
"I can probably find out what is wrong now, but I might not be able to heal it until tomorrow," she told him, biting her bottom lip nervously. The waterbender waiting for his nod of confirmation before she proceeded.
She dropped the water back into the bowl next to the bed before moving her hands back to his chest. Katara concentrated searching for the blood running through Zuko's veins. Once she was able to feel it, she focused on the push and pull. Finally, the waterbender searched the spot that he said was hurting. Katara could feel scar tissue that was surrounding his heart, too close to his heart, and something else that was disrupting the flow of his blood.
Katara felt her stomach drop, as she located the blockage from the scar tissue. It was way too close to his heart. She had thought the healing she did in the arena had taken care of the worst of the damage. But while it kept him alive it left its mark on him. She didn't think he would ever be fully healed from it, there would always be a scar on his chest. But the scar tissue around his heart needed to be fixed before it caused too much damage and pain.
"Ah," Zuko cried as she found the source of his pain. "Right there."
Katara released her hold on his blood and moved back from him. "There seems to be a lot of scar tissue surrounding your heart and it's disrupting the flow of your blood," she explained to him.
"Can you fix it?" He asked her as he rubbed his chest, willing the pain to disappear.
"I don't know," she confessed, her blue eyes downcast. "I haven't done anything on this scale before."
He could hear the fear in her voice. The fear for him. Zuko knew that Katara needed to heal the tissue around his heart if he was going to be able to live a healthy life. But he also could hear the doubt. The doubt of her skill. She was afraid to even try because she didn't want to hurt him
"Katara, I believe in you and trust you," Zuko affirmed, his hand going to reach for her but he pulled back before she could see.
"Thank you, Zuko," she responded to him. Her eyes reaching his, unaware of his almost offer of physical comfort. Katara moved to stand. "We are done for tonight. We can try tomorrow night after the moon comes out, we will have to go slow."
"Okay," he nodded his head.
"You should get some sleep, tomorrow's healing will take a lot out of you," Katara instructed as she cleaned up the bowls of water surrounding his bed. "Especially considering that your coronation is in the next couple of days."
"Yeah, you are probably right," he agreed as he felt the exhaustion settle into his body.
"I'm a master healer, of course, I'm right," the waterbender teased lightly as she finished tidying up. She closed the door to leave him to rest in peace, "Sleep well, Zuko."
"Goodnight, Katara," Zuko said huskily as she left his room.
Zuko groaned and pressed his palms to his eyes as he heard the knock on his office door. He did not have the energy to deal with another councilman trying to pledge their loyalty to him. His coronation was in two days and he was not looking forward to it.
Mai was due to arrive at the palace sometime today and he knew he needed to have a conversation with her. Last night after he confirmed his feelings about Katara, he knew that he could not be with Mai. It would not be fair to drag her into a loveless marriage. But he didn't know how to tell her, he had already hurt her when he left after the solar eclipse. And she was still his friend.
Honestly, he wasn't sure if he ever loved Mai in a romantic way. Sure, he loved her as a friend. She had been in his life for a long time, he cared about her. He was remise to say that he had only been in a romantic relationship with the noblewoman because it was expected. It didn't help matters that because of their familiarity, things were easy. But after realizing his feelings for Katara, Zuko finally knew what real romantic love felt like and it was never like that with Mai.
Zuko didn't know what to do. He wished Uncle Iroh was here, but he wasn't scheduled to arrive from Ba Sing Se until tomorrow. The future Fire Lord really needed someone to talk to right now.
"Come in," Zuko called finally when he realized he could not ignore whoever was requesting an audience with him. He watched as the door to his office opened and in stepped Mai.
"Hi Zuko," she greeted him. The noblewoman looked exactly the same since the last time he saw her at the Boiling Rock.
"Mai," he replied back to her as she went to sit in front of his desk. "How are you? Are you okay? You don't look to have any lasting damage."
"My uncle is the warden, idiot," she teased him with the same words from the last time he saw her. Causing a small smile to grace his face as she kept speaking. "Ty Lee and I were taken care of until the letter came with the Fire Lord's seal pardoning us. Are you allowed to use it even if you aren't coronated yet?"
"Minor detail," he brushed off with a smirk. Zuko was thankful that she was okay. He felt so guilty that Azula would have done something horrible to her two best friends. It actually gave him a bit of hope to learn his sister hadn't put out an order like that.
"Zuko, I was hoping we could talk," Mai pressed as she watched Zuko shift.
She had learned a lot about herself in prison and one of them was while she loved Zuko, she didn't love him like she probably should. Mai had listened to many of the inmates talk about the people they loved that were on the outside and she did not feel the way they described. And she never thought she did.
On top of that, she could never be the wife Zuko needed. Mai might have been groomed to be Fire Lady, but she did not want it. She wanted a life on her own terms and that started with not being the Fire Lady. She also wouldn't be a good Fire Lady now, Zuko needed someone who would help change the Fire Nation for the better and that was not Mai.
"Of course, Mai," Zuko responded instantly. He was stalling, he had his own things to discuss with her but he didn't know how to start the conversation. "What's on your mind?"
"I love you, Zuko," Mai began. Zuko started to open his mouth to speak but she sent him a sharp look that silenced him before he could speak. "But, only as a friend. I cannot be what you need. You need a wife that will be a true partner to you in rebuilding the Fire Nation. One that will help bring in a new era of peace and help dispel old archaic ideas. And I cannot be that for you. I don't want to be that for you. I want to live my own life without having any expectations placed on me."
"You've been raised to be Fire Lady," Zuko argued, the look of surprise clear across his face. He was shocked to hear these words from Mai. "It was the reason you were thrust into being friends with Azula. You would be perfect, why do you want to throw that away?"
"Because my entire life I did what I was supposed to and I hated it," she retaliated, anger slipping into her words and eyes narrowing. "I liked being with you, but all it was was nice. Can you tell me that you felt any different?"
"Most Fire Lords just have nice relationships with their spouses, very few have pleasurable marriages," he responded to her as he looked down at his desk. "We would be great together. The royal court would be so happy with our marriage."
"Zuko, please don't make me do this," she pleaded to him, her voice wavering. His eyes snapped to meet hers. It was one of the few times in her life she showed any emotion. "When you left the Boiling Rock, I understood what you were doing. Your destiny is to bring honor back to the Fire Nation, but that's not mine. And I don't want it to be. Please, for the first time in my life, let me do something that's just for me."
He could hear the pain in her voice as she spoke. He understood that pain. It was how he felt on Ember Island all those months ago with her. He finally was able to understand his destiny after that trip. Mai deserved to follow her own path.
"Mai," Zuko began softly. He was going to argue with her again, but the words died in the back of his throat as he saw the raw emotion cross her face. He took an uneasy breath through his teeth, "I understand. I love you too but as a friend. I don't think we would ever be happy long-term. I would never want to force you into a role you did not want."
"Thank you. I'm glad we aren't going to enter a marriage just to appease some nobles," she blinked back tears and sent him a small smile. "And maybe one day both of us can have the love story we deserve."
The firebender tried to smile at her but it came across as a grimace as he thought over her words. He hoped that Mai was able to find someone to love her the way he couldn't, but he was already hopelessly in love with someone who didn't want him.
"Zuko, there is someone else isn't there?" She inquired as she watched the look on his face change. "You can tell me, I'm still your friend."
"I think," he cleared his throat. His palms felt sweaty, this would be the first time he admitted it aloud. "I think I fell in love with someone else, and she doesn't feel the same way."
Mai's mind went instantly to the waterbender, Katara. The two would make a beautiful couple, Mai thought.
There were many things she could have thought of when she thought about the couple. Both completely opposite but more alike than people thought. They both were fiercely loyal and believed in honor above all else. Each of them were master benders in their own right and could clearly face each other evenly in a match. They both had strong ideals and would do wonders for the Fire Nation.
But what Mai thought of was not that. No, she thought of the way Azula said the two interacted in the caves of Ba Sing Se. The Fire Nation Princess had commented on the crackling chemistry in the air as the two interacted and how each word passed between the two felt intimate. Even those in the middle of a battle.
Mai did not believe for a minute that Katara did not have feelings for Zuko.
"Are you sure?" Mai retorted with one eyebrow raised at him. The firebender was extremely dense when it came to women.
He paused to think over her words, "I don't know what to do."
"Just be you, Zuko," Mai said as she stood to leave. Right before she left she turned back and said, "You both are fools if you can't see what's right in front of you. She's beautiful and would be a perfect wife for you."
Zuko sat there in stunned silence.
After leaving Zuko's office Mai went in search of Ty Lee, the two had not spent much time together in prison. They actually had only spent a few days together before Ty Lee was sent to another prison. Azula was not stupid, she knew keeping her friends apart was a good idea.
"Mai!" A ball of pink exclaimed before it pulled her into a fierce and tight hug.
"Hi, Ty Lee," Mai greeted her friend as she returned the hug. "How are you?"
"I'm good! I made friends with the Kyoshi Warriors and I want to ask Suki, their leader if I can join!" Ty Lee pulled back and instantly started to ramble about the Warriors and all that they did.
Mai could not help but notice how stunning her oldest friend was. Ty Lee was a very attractive woman and Mai began observing the feelings in her own body as she looked at Ty Lee. She had noticed these feelings before though had always ignored them since she was expected to marry Zuko. But now with a marriage to the Fire Lord no longer in the cards for her, the noblewoman allowed herself to feel.
"I think that's great, Ty," Mai responded once her friend finally took a moment to breathe.
"Have you seen Zuko? Are you getting back together?" Ty Lee inquired, her hand going to curl around a lock of hair.
She was trying to be subtle about asking after her friend's love life. Ty Lee had always had a little crush on Mai but never told her. She did not want to ruin a perfectly good friendship when she knew Mai was attracted to men.
"I did and no," Mai shook her head lightly. "Zuko is amazing and I will always care about him, but I'm not in love with him. I don't think I ever was."
Ty Lee was stunned, hearing her friend's words. "I'm sorry, Mai," she murmured. "Our life was so different, filled with rules and expectations. Once I ran away to the circus I realized how much we all were playing a part in a weird game."
"You were lucky to learn that then, I think that's why you were able to survive Azula so well," Mai stated. She thought over Ty Lee's words, she was surprised at how right they were. They were all playing a part in a game they didn't know was happening.
"Zuko is going to change that though," Ty comforted, her hand going to rest on the girl's upper arm. "And I think it's for the best."
The two stood in silence for a moment thinking over their life prior to Zuko taking the throne.
Ty Lee gave herself a moment to dream about her and Mai being together. Same-sex couples were not frowned upon in the Fire Nation but based on the two girls' ages and their noble families it would never have been a possibility before. They each were plunged into the royal family in the hope of potentially one of them becoming the future Fire Lady. Now that Zuko had taken the throne, maybe just maybe, Ty Lee and Mai could be together.
"Do you know what happened to Azula?" Mai asked hesitantly. She had forgotten to ask Zuko when she went to see him earlier.
"No," Ty Lee answered timidly, it was something that had been on her mind since she had been pardoned. "I'm afraid to learn what happened. I'm sure Zuko will make an announcement at his coronation. I know what she did was awful, but she was still my friend."
"Our friend," Mai corrected lightly before wrapping an arm around her friend.
"Katara, are you ready?" Zuko asked her.
The two were in his mother's garden by the pond with the turtle ducks. While they typically conducted their healing sessions inside his bed-chamber, tonight Katara wanted to be as close to the moon as possible.
"I think so," she nodded quickly and jerkily. Her anxiety was high. This wasn't just anyone she was healing, it was Zuko. Someone she cared about, someone who extracted feelings from her that no one else had. Not to mention, he was the future Fire Lord. There was no room for error tonight.
Zuko laid on the ground and opened his tunic to bare his chest for her. Katara's eyes traveled down his muscular upper body before she forced them back to the scar on his chest. She moved to sit on the ground next to him, tucking her feet beneath her as she settled against the grass.
He watched as her hand went to her necklace, her fingers rubbing the pendant. Zuko had observed that she only touched her mother's necklace for two reasons. The first was when she missed her mother, the second when she was nervous. He knew that she was concerned about messing up and that bloodbending made her uncomfortable. He assumed she was nervous about healing him.
"It's going to be fine, Katara," Zuko reassured her as adjusted himself on the ground. "I trust you."
She nodded absently in response before taking an unsteady deep breath. Katara gave herself another minute then she began.
Her hand went to touch the top of his scar where he had stated earlier had the most pain, his skin was so warm against her cold hands. Zuko hissed as he felt her cool fingertips brush across his heated chest. The act itself was innocent but it felt so sensual and erotic to both of them.
Katara tried to focus on the blood running through his body so she could ignore the tingle of pleasure that trailed down her spine when her skin touched his. The push and pull of his blood was easy to identify in the full moon. She matched his breathing to hers as she worked on the scar tissue surrounding his heart. Every single muscle in her body was tense as she worked.
The future Fire Lord had to force himself to think about anything besides her hands on him so his arousal would not be noticed. He noticed the light sheen of sweat beginning to cover her body as she worked on healing him. Her brow furrowed as she worked on healing him. The tip of her tongue coming to rest on her upper lip as she concentrated, it was almost sultry the nervous habit.
Zuko closed his eyes, he focused on the feeling of her skin against his to distract himself from the pain.
"There," Katara finally murmured after an hour. She pulled her hands away from his chest. "How does that feel?"
Zuko took a deep breath and for the first time since Azula hit him with lightning, he was able to breathe without pain. "So much better," he acknowledged. "It doesn't hurt to breathe anymore. I honestly feel great, rejuvenated."
"I wasn't able to get all of it," she admitted as she went to help him sit up. "But I think with a few more healing sessions over the next few days, it will be a lot better and almost fully healed."
"Almost?" Zuko inquired. He thought the purpose of using her bloodbending would be to finish the healing.
Katara breathed deeply, she felt a little dizzy. Healing Zuko with her bloodbending took out a lot of energy, even with the full moon. She was concerned about Zuko though and pushed her own needs away so she could focus on him.
"You will probably need some ongoing healing for the rest of your life," she explained, wiping the sweat from her brow. She was lightheaded. "The lightning did a lot of damage and while I will be able to get it almost fully healed, you will need it to be looked at probably at least once a year to make sure there are no lasting effects."
"I'm assuming you mean a waterbending healer," Zuko replied thoughtfully, his eyes took in her exhausted form. "How is that supposed to happen when you are probably the only waterbender comfortable enough to be in the Fire Nation for an extended period of time."
"Aang mentioned there will probably be a yearly anniversary meeting because of the war, I'm sure I can make it work so during that time I can come to check on you," Katara smiled reassuringly at him. "Don't worry Zuko, I will make sure you keep up with your headings."
Zuko smiled at Katara, she looked a little flushed. Bloodbending was difficult for her and took a lot of energy, even with the full moon. Zuko stood and reached a hand out to help Katara to her feet. He noticed how she took almost twice as long to stand than was normal, she must really not be feeling well. Her hand felt cold and clammy in his.
"Thank you, for everything," he said softly.
"You're welcome," she responded. She swayed a little on her feet. "Woah!"
"You okay?" His voice portraying his concern. He wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her. Zuko tried to ignore how small her waist felt in his hands.
"Just a little dizzy," Katara brushed him off. She wanted to lean into the arm supporting her. Zuko's arm around her waist felt better than she could have ever imagined.
"Why don't I walk you back to your room? It's the least I can do for saving my life," Zuko suggested not wanting to let her go. His memories of her in his arms did not do the waterbender justice.
Katara's first reaction was to say no, but knowing that shortly after Zuko's coronation she would need to head back to the Southern Water Tribe she decided to say yes. She might never get to be with Zuko the way she wanted but she could at least have a few more moments alone with him.
"I would like that, thanks," she accepted hesitantly.
His hand squeezed her side and he began leading her back toward her room. He wished that she would lean in a little more to him. But also knew that she didn't feel the same way about him. If all Zuko could get was this moment with Katara, he would take it and savor it.
"My last day in this room," Zuko muttered to himself. He was standing on the balcony to his room looking out at his mother's garden. The sun was just starting to set, casting an orange glow across the scenery.
Tomorrow was his coronation and after that, he would spend his first night in the Fire Lord's chambers.
The sages had tried to get him to stay in Fire Lord's chambers since the Agni Kai with Azula, but he wanted it remodeled before he spent anytime there. Zuko did not want to spend any time in that room until all traces of his father were eradicated from it. He would not live with the poison of his father in his personal space.
"Tomorrow you will begin the journey of bringing peace and honor back to the Fire Nation," a gruff and steady voice stated behind him.
Zuko whipped around to see the owner of the voice. "Uncle!"
In a few steps, Zuko crossed the balcony and hugged his uncle. Within seconds the scent of home settled across the future Fire Lord as he hugged Iroh. The old general smelled of ginseng tea and jasmine with a hint of smoke.
After the emotional reunion, Zuko and Iroh sat down at the tea table set up on the balcony. Iroh began heating the water Zuko had let cool earlier before he began brewing the tea.
"I'm so proud of you, Prince Zuko," Iroh stated as he poured the tea for both of them. "Tomorrow you will take on the mantle of Fire Lord and I think you are more than prepared for it."
"Thank you, Uncle," his nephew responded accepting the cup that was offered to him easily. "I'm nervous though. I think I have made some decisions that not everyone will like."
"What decisions?"
"Aang and I have decided to let Ozai live but he will be put on trial for his crimes against the world," Zuko began explaining, only pausing to take a sip of his tea. "But mostly, I will not prosecute Azula."
"That is a bold decision," Iroh muttered thoughtfully, his hand going to rest on his chin as he looked inquisitively at the young man in front of him. "What is your reasoning, nephew?"
The future Fire Lord shut his eyes as he thought back to the day of the comet, the Agni Kai against his sister. Azula had looked unhinged. The careful control she always maintained a distant memory. Her hair falling all around her, uneven and greasy. Her makeup smeared as tears rolled down her face. The blue fire spewing from her mouth as she sobbed and cried out. He was unable to suppress the shudder that raced through his body as he recalled the day.
"She is unwell, Uncle," Zuko's eyes opened, the sorrow and compassion were palpable in them as he admitted what he remembered. "That day, the Agni Kai, I didn't even recognize her. She is a shell of who she was before."
"Zuko," Iroh pressed after Zuko was quiet for a moment too long. The Dragon of the West was unused to seeing such emotion cross his nephew's face when speaking of the Fire Nation Princess.
"Katara pointed out when mother left and I was banished I had you to help guide me. To help me heal," the young firebender continued, his voice unsteady as he expressed the distress of his sister. "Azula had Ozai, we do not know the extent of the poison he fed her. She deserves an opportunity to see who she truly is without Ozai's influence."
"Zuko, that is very honorable," Iroh nodded after hearing his nephew's explanation. The old general had always suspected that his niece had suffered. But until now, Zuko was never in a position to truly see the pain she carried. "I will help as much as I can with Azula, she is my niece."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"You are taking on a large role, Prince Zuko," Iroh commanded after a moment, pride evident in his voice. "You are thinking things through now, which you haven't always done in the past. You will need to continue that as you lead the Fire Nation into a new era."
"I know, Uncle," Zuko nodded as he listened to the wisdom of his uncle.
Iroh spoke about all that would be expected of him as a ruler. He instructed Zuko to stay steadfast in his ideals. To remember who he was and not to get sucked into the vipers of the royal court. Iroh spoke of keeping his honor and that meant making decisions not everyone would like sometimes.
"You will also need to pick a good partner," Iroh continued cautiously. "A woman who can help you rule. Someone who can be there for you when things are difficult but will rejoice in the happy times with you. A lady that will look after the Fire Nation the same way you will."
"Yes, Uncle," Zuko agreed easily. It was something he had thought about since Mai had left his office the other day.
"Are you still with Lady Mai?"
As much as Iroh liked Mai, he didn't feel like she would be a good fit for Zuko as a partner. Especially now that Zuko was going to make some controversial rulings. He had to if he wanted to lead the Fire Nation in a new direction.
"Mai and I came to the conclusion that we were not compatible," the future Fire Lord stuttered out nervously, he was unsure of his uncle's view on the match and hadn't wanted to disappoint him. "We will always care for each other as friends but that is it."
"Would you be interested in a possible political marriage?" Iroh asked casually. He already was thinking of potential brides for Zuko and it would be easy to convince the royal court if they could claim it was political.
"I will do what I have to in order to secure peace," Zuko stated before muttering under his breath. "Unless somehow I can be with the girl I love."
Notes:
Hope you enjoyed chapter 1 of Kisses of Fire and Ice
Thank you to everyone who added this story to your alerts and favorites, as well as those who followed me on social media. If you don't follow me, you can find me on Instagram JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ I post sneak peeks along with keeping everyone informed of my updating schedule on there!
The update schedule for this story will be on the 5th, 15th, and 25th of each month. This story has finished being written and now is in the final edit stage, but there are probably are still some mistakes. I want to thank you in advance for your grace.
And of course, I want to thank my sister for putting up with me since I started writing. You have been an incredible help in not only motivation, editing, and plot lines. But in telling me the honest truth.
I will see you all on October 15th, 2021!
Chapter 2: Chapter Two: Summer 101 AG
Notes:
Hello! Hello!
Thank you to everyone who commented on the last chapter, those who left kudos, everyone who bookmarked and subscribed to Kisses of Fire and Ice. I am so humbled you all are enjoying it. I hope I can continue to live up to your expectations!
There is some dialogue taken from Season 3 included in this chapter.
Remember to follow me on Instagram JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ for story news, update information, and sneak peeks.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Two: Summer 101 AG
Sokka had been watching his friend fidget for about ten minutes before he decided that Zuko probably needed some support.
The firebender was standing in front of the doors that led to the Fire Lord's chambers. The large double doors looked ominous as he stood in front staring at them. It was a tradition that the future monarch readied themselves for their coronation in their new chambers. But this would be only the third or fourth time he would be stepping into the rooms he associated with his father. The room had been remodeled but Zuko was still nervous to go inside.
The number of times the future Fire Lord stood outside these chambers hoping his father would see him was immeasurable. He probably could count on one hand how many times he had been allowed into the Fire Lord's chambers, Zuko thought to himself. He jerked suddenly. It was a startling realization to him when he realized there was only one time his father allowed him inside, all the rest were when his grandfather Azulon was alive. And none of those interactions were positive.
"Zuko, my man," Sokka greeted his friend as he came to stand next to the future Fire Lord after seeing the nervous twitch. He clapped his hand on Zuko's shoulder affectionately. The motion and touch steadying the firebender. "This might be the last time we can spend time together before you become Fire Lord! Why don't I hang with you while you get ready?”
Zuko let out a huff, thankful that Sokka was standing next to him. His friend might have played himself to look like a goofball but he was very perceptive. The tribesman could feel the tension leave the firebender's body almost instantly. Sokka gave a quick comforting squeeze to his friend's shoulder when Zuko turned to look at him before letting go. With a deep breath, the two walked past the guards standing outside who opened the doors for the future Fire Lord and the Heir of the Southern Water Tribe to enter the chambers.
Once the doors were closed behind them, Zuko let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. The room held no resemblance to when Ozai occupied it and for that the future monarch was grateful.
His mind wandered back to the last time he was in the Fire Lord's chambers. It was when he had returned from Ba Sing Se. Ozai had learned that Mai and Zuko were courting. His father had sent for the Crown Prince in the middle of the night, he wanted his son to be sure he knew what he was doing with the young noblewoman. Zuko had been uncomfortable when he had entered his father's chambers to see he was not alone but accompanied by two of his father's youngest concubines.
A reward and a teaching tool, that's what Ozai had called the women.
The future Fire Lord felt a shiver rush down his spine as the sickening memory tried to resurface. Ozai was in prison and Zuko vowed he would never do that to his son.
"I'm okay," he whispered to Sokka after he was able to compose himself. His palms felt sweaty and his stomach churned as the memories touched the edges of his mind. The calm he felt earlier had evaporated the moment they had stepped into the room.
"You sure?" Sokka asked him. The firebender looked pale, paler than normal. The tribesman was worried his friend was going to be sick. He debating about calling for his sister. "It's okay if you aren't, this room probably has a lot of memories.”
"None as bad as the Agni Kai," Zuko muttered to himself. He took a few deep breaths to steady himself. These were his chambers now, Ozai was in custody and his father couldn't hurt him anymore.
The tribesman thought the firebender was referring to the Agni Kai with Azula, but in reality, his friend's mind was on the one that happened years prior.
"Well if getting ready for your coronation is anything like the Southern Water Tribe, I'm guessing it's gonna take a while," Sokka commented trying to change the subject when he noticed his friend's vailed distress. The tribesman might not always be the most sensitive, but the truth was he was incredible at recognizing uncomfortable moments and providing a distraction in his own unique way.
His friend should be happy today, he was going to rule the Fire Nation and help restore peace. Sokka decided he would do everything in his power for Zuko to have a happy first memory in the Fire Lord's chambers.
Zuko chuckled, "Yeah, there is a whole bunch of stuff I have to do. I'm supposed to do them with a wife if I had one.”
"Ew! I don't want to know that!" Sokka exclaimed, his face showing his thoughts on the matter. He really did not need to know that, first Zuko walked in on him more times than he could count, and now this. He swallowed the bile rising in his throat and suppressed a repulsed shudder.
"No!" Zuko objected loudly, smacking his forehead in annoyance a habit he had picked up from the tribesman. Sokka was an idiot sometimes. "It's nothing like that, it's just typically future Fire Lords are married way before they are coronated. So the future Fire Lady goes through the motions with her husband.”
"Oh yeah," Sokka scratched the top of his arm sheepishly. He was embarrassed to have thought anything else. "It's the same with us, I guess I just forgot.”
"Your father is in perfect health, you probably haven't thought about it," Zuko responded offhandedly.
He didn't expect his friend to have really spent any time thinking about his ascent into Chieftain, Zuko had hardly thought about it. Only a few times shortly after Ozai had taken the throne and never during his banishment. He had thought about it twice when he returned home from Ba Sing Se and once when he joined Team Avatar.
"Actually," Sokka admitted as he went to sit down on the settee off to the side of the room. "I thought about it a lot, especially when he was at war. I didn't know when we would get word that he had . . ." Sokka trailed off. His mind remembering how terrified he was that one day he would learn his father had died and he would be Chief.
"I guess I didn't think about that," Zuko responded as he sat down at the new mediation alter. His stomach rolled with the guilt of the childhood his nation took away from his friend. He swallowed the bile rising in his throat. The firebender promised silently to himself that no child would suffer the way his friends had.
"Yeah, anyway, I'm hoping that Suki will be prepping with me to become chief," Sokka said trying to lighten the mood. He knew how his friend got whenever the wrongdoings of the Fire Nation were mentioned. "After everything we have been through, I want her next to me. I know everyone will say I'm too young, but I love her and I want to be with her.”
"Don't worry about everyone else," Zuko advised his friend. The firebender adjusted his position to ready his practice. "Suki will be an amazing wife to you and an incredible co-chieftess for the Southern Tribe. When are you going to ask her?”
"I need to make her a betrothal necklace first," the Water Tribe Heir commented deep in thought. The tribesman had been thinking about asking the Kyoshi Warrior for days now. When he saw her go down during the battle, he knew he couldn't live without her. "Once I get home, I'll probably start it. The time spent carving is important and symbolic in the Tribe.”
"Is Katara's your mother's betrothal necklace?" Zuko asked all of a sudden as he thought about Sokka's sister. He remembered the waterbender mentioning the jewelry was her mother’s.
The firebender knew he would feel terrible if he had not only taken and used for leverage a family heirloom but also her mother's betrothal necklace. He already carried so much guilt surrounding that time when he chased the Avatar, he didn't know if he could handle it anymore.
"Yeah. Technically it was our grandmother's first, Gran-Pakku made it for Gran-Gran. When dad went to propose to mom, Gran-Gran gave it to him to use," Sokka explained. The tribesman was unaware of how his friend was taking the news.
And just like that, Zuko's guilt slammed back into him causing his breath to shorten. He still felt horrible for all he did to the waterbender when they first met. Knowing now the loss of their mother, Zuko thought it was one of the worst decisions of his life. Sure, he had found the necklace and didn't actively take it. But he still used it as blackmail. He would have been devastated if someone took the last possession of his mother's to blackmail him.
The firebender's mind wandered to how he would propose to Katara if he could. The Fire Nation had its own traditions for engagement tokens but he wanted to know if Katara still wanted a necklace.
"Do you think Katara will want a betrothal necklace?" The future Fire Lord tried to be nonchalant as he asked the question. As observant as Sokka was, he could be incredibly dense and Zuko hoped his real reason for asking went over his friend's head.
"She mentioned it once," Sokka replied with a shrug, his eyes glancing around the room. "As much as she loves our mother's it's still very symbolic.”
He knew that Zuko found his sister attractive and he was almost positive that Katara felt the same way about their friend. The two benders didn't hide their midnight conversations as well as they thought, Sokka had noticed how close the two had become on Ember Island. It made perfect sense they had developed feelings. Though he was unsure if the two really knew how the other felt, it would be just like them to not notice.
"And it has to be hand-carved?" Zuko inquired trying to keep a general tone of curiosity as he questioned his friend. He made himself light the meditation candles to make it seem as if he was just casually asking about the Water Tribe tradition.
The future monarch didn't know why he was so concerned about the tradition, it wasn't as if the Water Tribe Princess had feelings for him. But he still wanted to know. A small part of him held on to the little sliver of hope that perhaps they could be together in the future.
Sokka watched as his friend did everything in his power to make this conversation seem impromptu and with no hidden agenda. But the tribesman knew better, Zuko's back was too stiff to be meditating, his breathing just a tad shallow. His questions were too quick and pointed. The firebender was asking for a purpose, even if he didn't believe that the waterbender had feelings for him.
Zuko would be a good husband to Katara, Sokka thought as he looked at his friend. He was a strong man and would be able to protect his little sister. His friend was honorable and would never do anything to hurt her. He would challenge her to be better, make her a better bender and person. The firebender would force the waterbender to relax a little, not be so headstrong and stubborn.
Similarly, Katara would push Zuko to better too. She would remind him to rule with compassion and not let him get swallowed by expectations. The waterbender would make him a better Fire Lord. His sister would force the firebender not to take things too seriously and show him to have fun. She would remind him every day to have hope. The two would balance each other well.
"It needs to be hand-carved," the tribesman explained, leaning back and snacking on the food laid out for the future Fire Lord. "The time spent is supposed to represent how you will face your marriage and stay for the long haul. As well as the time and dedication it takes to have a good marriage. The hand carving is supposed to represent you taking control of your destiny. Once the necklace is done, you are supposed to place it on her neck as the way of asking. Technically the man is supposed to stand behind his future bride to show that he will always put her first."
"Very symbolic," Zuko muttered as he tried to force himself to breathe smoothly. "Is there something specific that needs to be carved?”
He had a feeling his friend could pick up on how tense he was. He prayed to Agni that Sokka thought it was from the nerves of his coronation and the anxiety of being in the Fire Lord's chambers for the first time. And not because he knew how Zuko felt about his little sister.
"The carving is supposed to be personal and represent the couple," Sokka answered.
The future monarch's thoughts strayed to what would be the perfect carving for Katara and him. He was shocked when a clear design formed in his mind. His mind instantly filled with images of when he taunted Katara with her mother's necklace after he tied her to a tree. Zuko thought of how different it would be to propose to her.
"What are you going to carve?" The firebender asked curiously. He scolded himself for thinking of his friend's sister that way. Here was his friend trying to confide in him about proposing and he was thinking of Sokka's sister romantically, his baby sister.
"I have a few ideas, I guess it depends how hard it is," the tribesman shrugged casually, popping some fire flakes in his mouth. "I want something to represent Kyoshi and the Southern Water Tribe. Maybe I'll carve the unagi. Did I ever tell you how we met?”
"I'm assuming when you guys were on Kyoshi," Zuko drawled, he would have rolled his eyes if they were open. He remembered the Kyoshi Warrior telling him that he had burned down her village when they were in the Boiling Rock.
"Well yeah but Suki and the others ambushed us," Sokka retold with a chuckle as he thought back to the day. He thought she was beautiful the moment he laid eyes on her. "Aang wanted to ride the elephant koi, it's why we were on Kyoshi. We spent forever flying to all different islands trying to find them right after we rescued Aang from you.”
"Some rescue, Aang escaped," Zuko reminded his friend. Then he stopped and thought about what Sokka just said. His eyes snapped open, "Wait! You mean to tell me that I chased you across ten different islands in almost as many days because Aang was looking for elephant koi?!”
The firebender whipped around to look at his friend. He was flabbergasted to learn that when he thought Aang was a master of evasion, in reality, the kid was just looking for a giant fish to ride on. Sometimes Zuko forgot how much a child Aang really was, but then there were moments like now it was obvious.
"Oh yeah," Sokka revealed, scratching the back of his head sheepishly before laughing lightly. "Honestly, we had no idea where we were going.”
"The more I learn about your side of those early days, the more I wonder how you all were able to get away," the Crown Prince shook his head as went to stand up from the meditation alter.
"Yeah, we were not that put together in the beginning," Sokka chuckled thinking back to those first few weeks.
Truth was, Sokka wondered too how they were able to get away from Zuko all those times. They never had a plan and always seemed to get into trouble. It wasn't until after the Winter Solstice when Roku and Appa saved them, they really started creating a plan. But even then, they still were kids playing a part until much later.
Thinking of Roku reminded Sokka about when Aang told them all that Roku and Sozin were best friends.
"Did you know that Avatar Roku and Sozin were best friends?" The Water Tribe Heir asked randomly as his friend went to start getting dressed.
"I did," Zuko nodded as he looked over the ceremonial robes he had to wear. He didn't know how he felt about them, they were tradition but part of him thought with so much change in the Fire Nation his robes should be different too. He shook his head, that was something he could change later. "I can do you one better, Avatar Roku is my great-grandfather on my mother's side.”
"What? Does Aang know?" The tribesman's eyes were wide as he looked at his friend.
"I don't know," the Crown Prince shrugged, he knew he hadn't divulged that information to the Avatar. "Sozin left his friend to die, they were best friends and Sozin decided world domination was more important than saving his friend. I don't know how he could do that.”
"Do you think we will grow apart?" Sokka inquired suddenly
"You consider me your best friend?" Zuko looked up at his friend, gold eyes wide in shock.
The firebender thought of the tribesman as his best friend, he was the first person his own age who treated him like a normal person. He felt like he could tell Sokka everything and they had shared a lot with each other. But he was always unsure how the other man felt, it was comforting to hear that Sokka thought of him as his best friend.
"Well yeah," Sokka responded uncomfortably shifting in his seat. He wasn't good with the mushy stuff. "I mean you're the only guy my age I have actually connected with. I mean prior to you joining the group, I was the oldest. We didn't have a lot of people mine and Katara's age in the Southern Water Tribe."
Sokka had been in charge of children in the Southern Water Tribe after his father left. When his father left before he entered his teenage years, he only had Katara. All the men had left to fight in the war. Zuko was the first guy he actually considered a friend and after everything they had been through in the Boiling Rock, he considered Zuko his best friend. But now he was questioning if Zuko thought of him that way.
"You were the first guy my age I related to too," Zuko commented as he looked at his friend. "I promise that we will not end up like Sozin and Roku. After all, you are probably the only person I'll be able to talk to about leading a country. It's a small club and I'm sure we will both need support at times.”
"I didn't think about that," Sokka admitted softly. The two men looked at each other, nodded, and moved on with their day.
The Crown Prince entered his dressing room and began changing into the ceremonial royal robes that were laid out for him. Sokka was silent, giving his friend a moment to just be. The firebender was thankful for his friend to be there for him. He was glad that the Water Tribe Heir was able to understand that the future Fire Lord needed support but he didn't need words.
Coming back into the main room, Zuko pulled his hair up into the signature top knot and looked at himself in the mirror. He was startled by how much he looked like Ozai.
"I look like my father," the Crown Prince whispered as he stared at his reflection.
"Actually, I don't think you do," the Water Tribe Heir objected as he looked at his friend. He didn't see the resemblance at all. "I saw your father and I don't think you look like him. And I don't mean because of your scar. I think you look more like Roku and Iroh."
"Thank you, for saying that and for being here," Zuko thanked his friend before the two began making their way out of the room.
"I need to go find Katara and my dad, I'll see you after," Sokka commented before the two friends went their separate ways.
The walk toward his coronation was much shorter than he wanted it to be. His hands felt sweaty but clammy at the same time, Zuko felt his chest tighten and his breathing come in short gasps. After today, the entire Fire Nation would rest on his shoulders. It was a lot of responsibility for an eighteen-year-old.
Aang was waiting for the Crown Prince in front of the doors that would lead to the balcony for Zuko's coronation. He could feel Zuko's anxiety as his friend made his way toward him. The airbender knew exactly how the firebender felt, it was the same way that he had felt when he learned he was the Avatar. The only difference was that Aang ran away whereas Zuko would face his responsibilities and do everything in his power to bring honor back to the Fire Nation.
The future Fire Lord saw the Avatar in the ceremonial robes of the Air Nomads, causing an overwhelming sense of nostalgia to come over him.
"I can't believe a year ago my purpose in life was hunting you down. And now . . ." Zuko trailed off as he looked at Aang.
"And now we're friends," Aang responded as he looked at Zuko, grey eyes meeting gold.
"Yeah, we are friends," the future Fire Lord nodded a small smile gracing his face. He thought back to the time Aang asked if they thought they ever could be friends. If asked, had he responded to the Avatar's question then, the firebender was sure he would have said no. Yet here they were, a year later and Zuko could not imagine not being friends with Aang.
"I can't believe a year ago I was still frozen in a block of ice. The world is so different now," the Avatar admitted softly, his eyes wide as he thought about how much had changed.
"And it's gonna be even more different, when we build it together," Zuko placed his hand on Aang's shoulder.
"Zuko, I want to find the airbenders. I need to find them," the young airbender stated with authority as he looked up at his friend. Grey eyes somber as he thought about his people, "And to do that, I need to be a true spiritual leader from them. I need to embrace all practices of the monks, including celibacy. I will help repopulate if I need to but if I don't have to that would be preferred. I want to start looking for them as soon as possible.”
"Aang, I will do everything in my power to help you find the airbenders," Zuko reassured his friend. His thoughts drifted to the waterbender, the firebender was not unaware of the crush the Avatar had on the tribeswoman. "But what about Katara? I was under the impression you, two were . . .”
"Katara is a very good friend, but I cannot bring her into my responsibilities. If I have to repopulate an entire nation it wouldn't be fair to her," Aang said with a sense of maturity he rarely displayed. "I don't think we would ever work long term, she needs a different kind of man in her life. Someone like you.”
"Me?" Zuko asked his friend, his voice showcasing his shock. His eyes darted around the hallway. If the airbender noticed how he felt, who else had?
"Yes, you, Zuko," Aang insisted giving his friend a look. "I know how you feel about her, it's obvious.”
"She doesn't feel the same way," the Crown Prince brushed off. He was trying to hide his real feelings for Katara. He didn't want to make things awkward with Aang. "Besides I wouldn't want to ruin our friendship.”
"But—" the airbender began but the firebender cut him off suddenly holding up his hand.
"We need to get started, I'm sure everyone is ready for the party to begin," the future Fire Lord interjected turning to walk outside. He couldn't have this conversation right now, he was too embarrassed by the waterbender's earlier rejection. At this moment the firebender had to focus on his people. There would be other times he could think about his love life.
Aang sighed before nodding to his friend. If Zuko wanted to ignore the feelings he had for Katara, Aang would let him for now. After speaking with Katara, Aang was pretty sure that she felt the same way for the future Fire Lord. At first, Aang was upset, but the more he thought about it the more he understood how the two would be perfect for each other. Maybe he could talk to Toph or Sokka and see if they could push Katara and Zuko together.
The future Fire Lord and the Avatar made their way onto the balcony. The cheers were deafening as the two stood in front of the crowd.
"Please. The real hero is the Avatar," Zuko's voice sounding very much like the monarch he was about to be crowned.
The firebender gestured for Aang to move forward to stand next to him. He waited for the cheers to die down before he continued with his speech.
"Today this war is finally over!" Zuko announced to his people, his voice taking on a lower and soothing tone as he continued. "I promised my uncle that I would restore the honor of the Fire Nation. And I will. The road ahead of us is challenging. A hundred years of fighting has left the world scarred and divided. But with the Avatar's help, we can get it back on the right path and begin a new era of love and peace.”
Once the firebender made his speech, the Great Sage instructed the Crown Prince to kneel as he took the vows to become Fire Lord.
The words felt heavy as Zuko answered each vow the Great Sage asked with a steady voice. He was to lead an entire nation out of a hundred years of war and destruction. But the firebender had never felt more sure of his destiny than in those moments as he made his vows to the Fire Nation and his people.
The waterbender watched from below as the firebender pledged himself to the Fire Nation. She was struck with how regal he looked and how handsome. She made a note to tell him she liked how he looked with the top knot, with his hair pulled back she knew that she would be able to see more of his eyes. As Zuko spoke, Katara found herself watching his lips the best she could from her position. Her mind was on the feeling of his lips against hers
"Katara, pay attention," Hakoda scolded his daughter when he noticed the faraway look in her eyes.
The Southern Water Tribe Chief had only recently been reunited with his children and he was uncomfortable to learn that his daughter had feelings for the new Fire Lord. Sure, he liked Zuko. But the older man had been gone from his family for years and Hakoda hoped that Katara would pick a nice tribesman to wed. He wanted his children in one place now that the war was over.
Katara forced herself to ignore the feelings in her body and adjust her eyes away from Zuko. She was frustrated and annoyed her father had picked up on the way she had been admiring the firebender.
"All Hail Fire Lord Zuko," the Great Sage announced as the crown was placed on the young man's top knot. The crowd erupted into cheers as their new sovereign stood before them.
The Fire Nation had an honorable leader for the first time in over a hundred years.
"You sure know how to throw a party, Sparky," Toph complimented the firebender from her place next to him.
It was the morning after his coronation, Team Avatar had decided to all get up early to spend the last few hours together before they all went their separate ways. They were all currently in the Fire Lord's private garden having breakfast together.
"How late did you all stay?" Zuko asked as he sipped his tea. He was trying to take sly looks at the waterbender from his spot across the way, but he had a feeling Sokka caught him a few times.
"Sokka and I stayed the latest," Suki answered their friend as she leaned into her boyfriend who was shoveling his face with food. His arm instinctively wrapping around her as he used one had to stuff his face. "We were having so much fun on the dance floor.”
The formal party after the coronation was mainly for the dignitaries and the royal court. The Fire Lord would stay through dinner and start the celebration but left quickly after. This was mostly due to the new sovereign convening with the Fire Sages in the Temple of Agni to establish a prosperous era for the Fire Nation under the new ruler.
"I left pretty soon after you did," Katara spoke to Zuko, her blue eyes slyly meeting his across the breakfast table. Her words were quiet but the firebender felt as if she shouted them.
The waterbender had decided not to stay after Zuko left. Her father had taken an interest in shoving every eligible Southern Water Tribe Warrior in her face. The message was clear to Katara, even though she was not of age to begin courting yet, her father knew she would be a coveted marriage prospect. She did not want to engage her father in a fight, so the waterbender had elected to leave.
Sokka had observed his father trying to force Katara into meeting every eligible Water Tribesman that had attended the coronation. He was unsure if it was because his father had picked up on the fact Katara had feelings for Zuko. Or if it was because Hakoda realized that she was going to be coming of age soon.
Tradition dictated that if she was not betrothed by her coming of age ceremony that Hakoda would have to pick her husband. But still, it was a tad early for his father to be introducing her to men. Katara was still a few months shy of turning sixteen — courting age in the South Pole.
"Dad kept introducing her to all the Southern Warriors," Sokka filled in for Zuko. He made sure to keep his tone casual, but still, explain the situation to his friend. "I guess he finally noticed she's growing up.”
The tea in the firebender's hand began to boil. The firebender made himself relax and lower the temperature of not only his hand but his tea too. It wouldn't do well for anyone to notice his abrupt and negative reaction to the knowledge of the waterbender courting.
"Isn't it a bit early for that?" The Fire Lord blurted out harshly. He hoped that no one noticed how fast he responded or the slight bitterness in his words.
"Technically, it would begin when she is sixteen, which isn't that far away. She is not allowed to be approached by a suitor until then," the tribesman commented as he picked up on his friend's displeasure. He sent a loaded look toward Zuko, "But I think it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
Katara was grateful that Sokka was explaining all this to their friend. She didn't think she would be able to get the words out if she needed to. Plus she was able to watch Zuko's reaction as the information came to light. She was surprised to see his tea bubbling but thought that was more for the fact he ran hotter than the average person. Her eyes scanned his entire form, not missing anything and she still wasn't sure at his reaction to the news.
Zuko was happy to learn that while the Southern Chief tried to coerce his daughter into interacting with the Southern Warriors, she was neglect to do so. It frustrated him that he was not been there to rescue her and stake a claim, even if he had none. But it also elated him to know that she was not a fan of her father's actions. If only the firebender knew if the waterbender felt anything for him.
"This is a boring conversation," the Blind Bandit exclaimed suddenly. She could feel the heartbeats of both Zuko and Katara, Toph was positive they had feelings for one another. The earthbender had been feeling the change in emotions for almost three months now. But if neither were going to say anything this conversation was pointless.
"What do you want to talk about Toph?" Zuko sounded exasperated as he questioned the youngest of Team Avatar. His arms crossed over his chest as he looked at the Blind Bandit.
"Well, Snoozles told me that your great-grandfather is Avatar Roku," Toph grinned at Zuko. She had been sitting on that piece of information all morning since Sokka slurred it out last night. "So does that make Aang your great-grandfather?"
"You're my great-grandson!" Aang whooped from his spot across from Toph. He was already thinking about all the ways he could bug the firebender with that knowledge. "That's so cool, you'll have to respect me as not only the Avatar but as your great-grandfather."
"That's not how reincarnation works," Zuko slapped his hand on his forehead. He already was regretting telling Sokka about his mother's family.
Aang began explaining how technically based on his age he really could be the Fire Lord's great-grandfather. Sokka joined in and soon they were both teasing Zuko, who scowled like a grumpy little boy.
Katara was thrown by the reaction of the new Fire Lord. He was grimacing as if he was a toddler who was told they could not have dessert before dinner. His bottom lip was pushed out just slightly and his brow furrowed, arms crossed over his chest as he looked at the other two men. It was so unlike Zuko, normally he would glare and brood but never scowl the way he was now. The waterbender thought the reaction was hilarious and could not help herself as she started to giggle before turning into full-on laughter.
The Fire Lord was brought out of listening to his most annoying friends by a giggle that turned into a full-out belly laugh. His head whipped around to face the Water Tribe Princess as she laughed. It was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. And he realized that until that moment, Zuko had never really heard Katara laugh. Sure she would giggle softly, but never would she lose herself in mirth like she was right now.
The waterbender's head was thrown back, her hair falling in soft waves around her moving slightly as her body shook with laughter. Her deep blue eyes sparkling before she closed them in the middle of her laughter. One of her arms went to clutch her stomach as she continued laughing. Her whole body shaking as her laughter continued.
The Fire Nation sovereign decided that the Southern Water Tribe Princess had never looked more stunning than she did at that moment.
"Zuko, your face," Katara gasped out between laughs. Her reaction causing the rest of them to laugh while the firebender continued to observe the woman he was falling deeper in love with.
"It seems I entered at the right time," Hakoda said with a throaty chuckle as he found Team Avatar giggling. His heart was full as he saw the group of young people acting their age. They had too much responsibility for their age and it was good that though most of their childhood was cut short they were able to have some enjoyment.
"Chief Hakoda," Zuko moved to stand to properly greet the sovereign of the Southern Water Tribe, now that he was Fire Lord it was expected. He was unsure where he stood with the tribesman.
"Please Fire Lord Zuko, you rescued me from prison. Call me Hakoda," the Water Tribe Chief stated with a smile. He gestured for the young leader to sit back down. Hakoda was not as formal as the other leaders and considering how close his children were with the firebender it seemed odd to be so formal with the young man.
"Only if you don't call me Fire Lord," Zuko bargained as he sat back down, gesturing for the Southern Chieftain to sit as well. Hakoda nodded as he joined the young people, easily accepting the tea a servant offered to him.
"I came to let my children know that we will be leaving soon," Hakoda stated taking a sip of the tea, before turning to Suki. "As well as to offer the Kyoshi Warriors passage back home."
"We would greatly appreciate it if you had the space. Thank you, Hakoda," Suki thanked the tribesman with a small smile. She had been worried about how to arrange passage for her warriors. The Kyoshi Warrior knew that Zuko would offer if asked, but she didn't want to take advantage. Plus this way she would get a few extra weeks with Sokka.
"How soon are we leaving?" Katara asked her father. Both she and Sokka knew they would leave today, each packing before meeting with their friends.
"The ship is set to leave in the next two hours," Hakoda answered easily as he went through the information for their departure. "We will need to be aboard before, so we should make our way to harbor in an hour or so."
"This is going to be the last time we all see each other for a while isn't it?" The earthbender voiced what everyone was thinking as the reality set in. Her fears of returning home suddenly surfacing.
Before Zuko had left the party last night, Toph had expressed how she did not want to return to her parents. The Fire Lord was able to understand her concern and fear. He did his best to console her, but he kept being pulled in other directions. He was able to pull Haru over to speak with the Blind Bandit. He hoped that the older earthbender would take his suggestion to invite Toph to help rebuild Ba Sing Se.
"Yes," the Fire Lord responded somberly, his voice deep and husky. He hoped his words would be able to express his feelings. "But we will write to each other and we will always see each other at the anniversary celebration. And each of you will always have a home here in the palace if you need or want it."
"You don't need to get all emotional, Sparky," Toph brushed the firebender off throwing a punch to his shoulder. Either noticing how he flinched at the impact or not caring. She wasn't good with emotions and the earthbender wasn't about to start now.
"Are you going home, to Gaoling?" Katara asked the youngest of Team Avatar delicately when she noticed her friend wanted to ignore the emotions that Zuko's words brought up.
"No, Haru and I are going to Ba Sing Se to rebuild the wall," Toph explained picking at her ear. Her face showing her gratitude for the waterbender. "We plan to leave after you and Sokka head out. It's going to be weeks on a boat."
"I can give you a lift on Appa," the airbender offered. He knew how much Toph hated boats and though she still didn't like flying, at least she knew it better. That and they would get to Ba Sing Se much faster.
"Thanks, Twinkle Toes," Toph responded as she accepted his offer.
The Blind Bandit and the Avatar quickly decided to leave within the hour. The more daylight they had for Appa the better, they would be able to cover a lot of ground today too. Zuko sent a servant in search of Haru to tell him the plans while the other two made their way to their rooms to pack. The reality of them all going home was quickly settling in across Team Avatar.
Hakoda alerting the others that he would gather the rest of the Water Tribe and Kyoshi Warriors in the Fire Nation, before meeting his children at the docks. He reminded them multiple times when they were leaving and not to be late.
Before they knew it, Team Avatar was surrounded together by Appa saying their goodbyes. After many hugs and few punches from Toph, the three were seated on the sky bison ready for their journey to begin.
As Appa took off Toph called out to the firebender, "Don't forget about my field trip, Zuko!"
The waterbender and tribesman giggled lightly as the Fire Lord made a face before shaking his head. Toph would never stop bugging him about a "life-changing field trip." He made a promise right then and there he would take the earthbender on one.
Once Appa was only a speck in the sky, Zuko turned to the Water Tribe siblings and the Kyoshi Warrior Captain.
"You probably need to meet your dad now," the firebender looked away as the words came out. He couldn't imagine Katara leaving the Fire Nation, they would be a world apart. And the small hope he held onto of wooing her diminished as each minute passed. The waterbender and the firebender took sly glances at each other as the realization of their separation settled amongst them.
Sokka noticed his friend wanted a minute alone with his sister. And it was not lost on him that Katara felt the same way. The Water Tribe Heir quickly devised a plan so the two could have a moment alone.
"Zuko, could you walk Katara to the docks? I just want to run and double-check I didn't forget anything. Suki, will you come with me?" Sokka asked his girlfriend, praying she would pick up on his subtle hint. Being subtle was not Sokka's strong spot.
"Oh that's a great idea, Sokka," Suki nodded, having caught the interaction between the two benders. "We will meet you at the docks."
She knew that her boyfriend's sister probably wanted a minute alone with Zuko. And whether or not Sokka knew, she wasn't sure but she would take the suggestion to give the two a minute. The Kyoshi Warrior and the Water Tribe Heir quickly made their escape leaving the two unknowing lovers alone.
"Do you know?" Sokka questioned Suki once they were out of earshot of the others.
"Sokka, I'm trained to read people," Suki rolled her eyes lightly at him. She snuggled against his side, his arm going to wrap around her shoulders before pulling her against him. "Do you think they know?"
"I think they are both too stubborn to admit anything," Sokka sighed softly. He wondered if there was anything he could do to push the two together. He placed a soft kiss on his girlfriend's forehead. He wouldn't worry about his sister right now, the tribesman only wanted to be occupied with his Kyoshi Warrior. It would be a long few weeks with no alone time and he was going to take advantage of the time right now.
"Well that was weird," Zuko mumbled as he watched his friend nearly run out of the stable that Appa had been housed in. His good eyebrow raised in question at the abrupt exit.
"Knowing them, they probably want a minute or two alone before they are stuck on a ship with no privacy for a few weeks," Katara stated dryly, brushing hair out of her face. The waterbender wasn't exactly upset that she was left alone with the Fire Lord. She had wanted some time to say her goodbyes but couldn't fathom how to orchestrate a private minute between them.
The firebender chuckled. He had quickly learned those late nights on the roof that Katara had a very sarcastic and dry sense of humor. Even more so than her brother, but she didn't feel the need to make comments every chance she got. No, she was much wittier than that. The Fire Lord liked the waterbender's sense of humor, it always surprised him.
"Well if you would like, I can escort you to the docks," Zuko offered his arm out to her in a very official manner. He had donned his crown earlier and if he was going to be seen in the streets, he needed to keep his interactions with Katara respectful and proper. Especially considering she was not supposed to be approached by a suitor until she was sixteen.
”I would like that," Katara accepted as she placed her arm in his. Her skin touching his brought forth memories of his lips on hers. She yearned to be flush against him but kept proper spacing and distance. The waterbender needed a distraction to not focus on his strong body striding next to hers, "Are we actually walking?"
"I think leaving the palanquin would be much more your style," Zuko commented as they made their way to the front of the palace. The firebender wanted to wrap an arm around her shoulders and hold her close, "Plus, I figured you'd want an opportunity to see the city. You never got to see it not in battle mode, though we are short on time to give you a proper tour."
”I'd love to see the city," Katara smiled up at Zuko. She realized that he had placed her on his scarred side. She wondered if it was deliberate to hide the scar from the public or if he did it because she knew it didn't bother her.
No matter how many late-night conversations they had, she still did not know what happened to cause the scar. Obviously, it had been done by a firebender but she did not know who or how. She thought back to the day on the roof when she asked him.
Katara and Zuko were sitting on the roof again, it had become a little tradition to stay up late and watch the moon rise together. They had been slowly playing a game through the weeks of asking each other questions.
Well, it had merely started as a game to pass the time, but it quickly turned into much deeper questions. You did not have to answer but if you did, the only rule was to answer honestly.
The two benders had learned almost everything about each other from their favorite foods to happiest memories to favorite places traveled. Their relationship had developed into extremely close friends in only a few short weeks.
Katara had wanted to ask this question for a long time but she didn’t have the courage until now. Something about how he talked about his cousin just now, he was so forthcoming that the waterbender thought he might actually answer. As she listened to him describe his favorite memory from childhood, she built up the courage to ask the question she had been dying to know.
Zuko had finished telling his story about when Lu Ten had taught him how to build a sandcastle. He leaned back resting his weight on his arms and looked out at the horizon, in the moonlight he could see the waves crashing on the beach. A happy smile displayed across his lips. Katara noticed how lean and muscular his body was as he shifted his position.
After a moment she finally asked her question.
“Zuko, how did you get your scar?” The waterbender whispered, her voice almost being swallowed in the tropical island breeze.
The banished Prince took a deep breath and turned to look at her. She could see his scar instantly, she had noticed for the past week whenever they sat next to each other he deliberately positioned himself so she couldn’t see it. Katara wanted to know why he did that.
He stared at her trying to understand what her motives were for the question. But as Zuko looked into her eyes he was shocked at what he saw.
Her eyes didn’t hold any pity, just empathy and want to understand. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out, he couldn’t say anything. Not yet.
“I don’t like to talk about it,” he finally mumbled, the words felt hollow even to him.
The firebender wasn’t sure why he couldn’t tell her. Maybe it was because he didn’t want her to think less of him? Or maybe it was because, for the first time since he received it, the scar didn’t define him? But maybe it was because of the way the waterbender never looked at the scar? Her blue eyes always stayed on his gold ones when speaking to him. Zuko didn’t want that to change once she knew the truth.
“Oh,” her voice sounded shallow to her own ears. She swallowed not sure how to respond. Katara hadn’t wanted to offend him, she wanted to appreciate him and how he got to this place today. “I just wanted to know, so I could understand you better. I’m sure it must have been traumatic and it helped shape you into the man you are today. I just wanted to know what was the catalyst to that.”
“You think this was the start of making me the man I am?” Zuko looked at her in astonishment, gold eyes wide with surprise meeting deep blue. She was right but how could she know that.
“I guess I just thought it was, how you act about it . . . ” she shrugged trailing off. Katara wasn’t sure how to convey her thoughts into words. But there was this air around Zuko because of his scar. It was something she had noticed the first day she met him. At the time she didn’t understand how pivotal the scar was. But as the year progressed, the waterbender knew that without the scar the Fire Prince wouldn’t be sitting next to her.
“You are right,” he admitted when he noticed she wasn’t going to complete her sentence. “I promise I will tell you, one day. But tonight, I just want to watch the moon rising with you and remember a happier time.”
“One day,” she agreed before turning back to look at the sky. The only sound between them was the waves crashing on the beach.
Katara wondered when she would get that day. She knew it wouldn’t be today or probably anytime soon. Zuko held a lot of pain with that scar, maybe in the future, he would let her try to heal it. She wasn’t sure if he could be rid of it completely but maybe with her bloodbending, she could help heal the scar tissue underneath, release some of his pain.
Zuko could feel Katara’s eyes on his scar as they moved through the palace gates. Normally he would have negatively reacted to anyone who looked at his scar, but not her. He felt a sense of peace as the waterbender looked at it. The Fire Lord knew that she didn’t judge or pity him because of it. It was just a part of him to her. And he liked that. He was curious as to what she was thinking, but maybe he was reading too much into the situation. And she merely was looking because she never saw it from this angle before.
He promised her that he would tell her about it one day. Zuko didn’t know when that day was, but like his silent promise to Toph earlier he was going to do everything in his power to keep that promise.
“I never pictured the Fire Nation to be so green before we traveled through it,” Katara spoke softly as they moved past the noble houses. Her voice pulling him out of his thoughts. His gold eyes fell on her and he smiled softly at her wonder as she looked around the city. This had been his home and he forgot how beautiful it was sometimes, seeing it through her excitement was a gift he would always remember.
“How did you picture it?”
The waterbender's cheeks turned a light pink as she looked anywhere but the firebender.
“When we first started traveling, we came across this valley in the Earth Kingdom. The forest was completely burned down,” Katara began slightly embarrassed. She didn’t want him thinking she still saw the Fire Nation so negatively. “Since that day, I had always pictured it as charred land. It didn’t help that the only other place we visited prior to the fall of Ba Sing Se was Crescent Island, which had a volcano.”
“But after Ba Sing Se, you spent months traveling through the Fire Nation, and then on Ember Island, we were there for almost two months,” Zuko commented as they continued to move through the city. He had been surprised to hear of the negative view she had of his homeland, though he couldn’t blame her.
The two had not reached the main market yet, which allowed a little privacy since not many people were out yet. The firebender knew the moment they entered the main market, people would rush to him. This would be his first outing since Fire Lord. He made a note to himself to schedule a much better outing for tomorrow. He did not want to be the ruler his father had been, he wanted his people to see him regularly.
“That’s true,” the tribeswoman nodded thoughtfully. She took a moment to think over her words before she spoke again. She didn’t want to offend the Fire Lord, yet she wanted to be truthful. “But if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I don’t know if I would believe it. I loved when we were on Ember Island. I think it's my favorite place in the world.”
“Me too,” Zuko leaned in close to her to whisper his agreement, his hot breath fanning across her ear. The moment turning intimate at the action. “Maybe we can go back one day.”
“I hope so,” she sighed. Her thoughts traveling to a dream she had about him and her on the beach. “Everything is going to be so different now, you are the Fire Lord. Sokka will begin training to be Chief and I’m guessing Suki will join him soon. Aang is off to be the Avatar. Even Toph is headed to Ba Sing Se, probably going to be the right hand of King Keui if she has her way.”
Zuko chuckled at Katara’s words before responding, “And you are going to do amazing things, you will help rebuild your tribe.”
“And then be married off,” Katara grumbled the words bitter in her mouth. She was still frustrated her father started shoving bachelors in her face at Zuko’s coronation ball.
“I thought you weren’t allowed to be pursued until you turned sixteen?” Zuko questioned quickly. He had heard Sokka talk about it earlier when they were all together, but this was his opportunity to speak with Katara directly about it.
“I’m not, but being the last southern waterbender, daughter of the chief, and a war hero now,” the waterbender shrugged as they kept walking into the main market. “My father is probably trying to find the best match which could start now, especially since my birthday is only a couple of months away. At least he is trying to give me a choice.”
“Arranged marriages are popular with nobility in the Fire Nation, I will probably have to face an arranged marriage. I’m assuming it's the same with the Water Tribes,” Zuko speculated as he thought over her words. “But I get the feeling your father will try to do everything in his power to avoid that for you.”
The Water Tribe Princess let herself briefly think of an arranged marriage to the Fire Lord, she would be okay with that. But she would hate for Zuko to be stuck in a relationship he did not want, even if it was to her. How she wished he had the same feelings for her.
“This is depressing,” she said all of a sudden, sounding very much like her earthbending friend. She didn’t want her last memory with Zuko to be speaking about an arranged marriage. “And no way to spend our last few minutes together. Do you think we have time to look at one of the shops?”
The Fire Lord looked up at the sky and took a moment to feel the heat so he could judge the time of day. “I think we have a little time,” he told her. “Which shop were you interested in?”
“That one!” She exclaimed as she pointed to a small clothing boutique. Before Zuko could respond, Katara was pulling him into the shop. The waterbender was amazed to see all the different colors in the boutique. She pulled her friend toward the accessories so she could look at the armbands and bracelets. While traveling through the Fire Nation, Katara had fallen in love with the bracelets she wore and the gold armbands.
The firebender noticed the woman he loved looking at a set of bangles in front of her. He saw she looked at the price and quickly moved on, but her sapphire eyes always traveled back to that set. After not finding anything else she liked, the waterbender followed him out of the store and they continued to head toward the docks.
“Katara, I hope things aren’t weird between us,” Zuko said suddenly. He wanted to make sure that he could still talk to her.
“Of course not, Zuko,” she comforted him. She bit her lip to stop herself from thinking of the kiss. “As I said, it's like it never happened.”
“Well that’s good,” he moved his hand to scratch the back of his head. They were finally at the docks, both were surprised to see Sokka and Suki already there.
“I guess this is it,” Katara turned to stand in front of Zuko.
“Can I write to you?” The Firebender asked quickly. The words coming out with a huge breath of air. He longed to take her in his arms and kiss her as he had in the arena, it didn’t feel right to watch her leave without tasting her again.
“I hope you do,” the waterbender whispered. She could feel her heart beating as she looked at him. His eyes were warm and slightly hooded as he looked at her. Suddenly her mouth felt dry, she licked her lips not noticing how gold eyes zeroed in on that action. She prayed to Tui and La that he would reach out to kiss her, stop her before she left. But the waterbender knew it was foolish to hope for that.
“I will write you then,” he commanded before adding quietly, “No one understands me like you.”
“I feel the same way Zuko,” Katara responded to him. The firebender noticed how her eyes sparkled in the sunlight with unshed tears. It was the confirmation needed that she would miss him too.
He didn’t think, he let himself feel. The Fire Lord took a step toward her, reaching his arms out wrapping the Water Tribe Princess in a fierce hug.
Katara’s body molded against his larger frame. The tears she tried to stop resurfacing and falling slowly. She took a deep breath, committing the scent of him to memory. He smelled of citrus, sandalwood with a hint of hickory smoke, and something entirely Zuko. Her fingers curled into the fabric on his back, his fingers stroked her waist intimately. His nose was buried in her hair, his throat tight as cherished this last moment.
The two benders were blind to the audience they had as the waterbender’s family and the Kyoshi Warrior watched the intimate exchange from a short distance away. No one knew the Dragon of the West had been in his favorite tea shop just a stone throw away from the docks, in perfect view of the intimate goodbye.
All too soon, the hug was over.
Finally, the two joined the rest of Katara’s family. Their goodbyes were quick, with promises to write and mentions of seeing each other again at the anniversary. Much too soon the Southern Water Tribe and the Kyoshi Warriors were on the three ships set out to head to the South Pole.
Zuko watched the ships leave the harbor and move past the Gates of Azulon. He could see Katara standing on the edge watching him as they sailed away. Once he could no longer see her, he turned to head back to the palace. More aware than before of the Royal Guard following him.
As he moved through the city he saw the shop Katara had dragged him into. Making a spur-of-the-moment decision, Zuko reentered the shop and immediately purchased the bangles Katara had been admiring earlier.
With his purchase made, Zuko quickly headed straight back to the palace. He had a letter to write and a present to send to a certain waterbender.
Notes:
How are we feeling about chapter two? I would love to hear your thoughts!
Thank you for reading! I will see you on October 25th, 2021
Chapter 3: Chapter Three: Fall 101 AG to Summer 102 AG
Notes:
Welcome back to Kisses of Fire and Ice!
A quick thank you to everyone who commented, I am so happy you are enjoying it. I so appreciate you taking the time to comment. It's amazing to see how many people have added this story to their bookmarks and subscribed, so thank you.
This is one of the longest (if not the longest) chapters of our entire story, sitting at just under 20k in words. Wow! I never thought I would write a chapter this long, but it does cover a lot of time, about a year in total.
A little disclaimer, there is some dialogue taken from Season 3 in this chapter again. As a reminder that I have also manipulated the timeline to fit this FanFic. Like I have stated in previous notes, this only follows the path of the series up until the Agni Kai. In addition, I began writing this before Suki Alone came out and didn't know her full backstory or family history. I made it work for this FanFic, but know that now there is more information out about her story.
I hope you all enjoy :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Three: Fall 101 AG to Summer 102 AG
"I should count myself lucky. The new Fire Lord has graced me with his presence in my lowly prison cell," Ozai grumbled sarcastically as Zuko entered the cell. The young man resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose at the acidic and putrid smell of the prison.
It had been almost two weeks since all of Team Avatar had left. Zuko had wanted to come to see his father sooner, but the duties of the Fire Lord took priority over a family visit. He had learned a lot about the state of the Fire Nation when he took the throne, it seemed that Ozai had almost destroyed it in his quest for world domination. Not only had his father almost destroyed the world, he almost devastated his country. The firebender now not only had to heal a hundred years of wounds but needed to stabilize his nation.
The Fire Lord was hoping though that the two weeks in prison would have started to put things in perspective for Ozai, but clearly, that had not happened.
"You should count yourself lucky that the Avatar spared your life," the young man stated as he stared at his father. His gold eyes scanning the former monarch, the greasy streaks of hair were the first indicator of how far the man had fallen. The second was weight loss, not to mention the smell. It might have been only a few weeks, but Ozai was already showing signs of deteriorating. For the first time in his life, Zuko felt a twinge of pity for the older man. Though as fast as the emotion came, it retreated.
Ozai made a noncommittal noise in response. He looked off to the side not wanting to give his son the respect of making eye contact. But he didn't look away soon enough to not notice the small amount of pity from his son. The older man was already suffering, having only lived with the luxuries of royal life and now he faced the humiliation of falling so far from his station.
"Banishing me was the best thing you could have done for my life. It put me on the right path. Perhaps your time in here could do the same for you," Zuko spoke the most sincere words he ever had to his father. His entire being felt light as he released some of the pain that he had held onto for so long.
A small part of the Fire Lord hoped that his father could be the man that he deserved. But Zuko would not count on it. Ozai was poison and it would be best if he spent the rest of his days away from civilization.
"Why are you really here?" Ozai asked with a vengeful tone, brushing off his son's words. His eyes were hard as he looked at the young man. He could barely stomach that his bending was gone, let alone that his failure of a son was now Fire Lord. It was like salt in a wound.
"Because you're going to tell me something," Zuko bent forward so he could look Ozai in the eye. The next words he said came out through a commanding hiss between his teeth, "Where is my mother?"
The prisoner threw his head back and laughed harshly, bitterly causing the sound to echo off the walls. Before responding with a rhetorical question that was dripping with venom and disdain, "Now why would I tell you that?"
"Because I am the one who will decide how the rest of your life will be," Zuko stated as he stood from his position, his arms crossing over his chest. His stance was relaxed yet commanding. The young man was no longer the frightened boy who had been banished years ago. He had fought for everything he had, it made him better and stronger. Zuko was a master firebender, learning from Ran and Shaw. He was the Fire Lord and his father was just a lowly prisoner.
"Let me rot," Ozai commanded in a gravely taunt, his gold eyes that matched his son's darkened in resentment. "I would rather that than help you in any way."
He was unnerved by the way the Fire Lord demanded his attention but was still so relaxed. Once upon a time that had been him, but now he was rather well acquainted with the smells of prison. As much as the overthrown monarch wanted the luxuries of his formal life, he would not give into his son's demands. He would die in prison or trying to escape, in no world would he ever help his disappointment of a son.
"Have it your way," Zuko agreed without a second thought before he turned on his heel to leave the cell. His head held high as he made his exit. He refused to let his father see him anything less than composed.
The firebender had a feeling this meeting would be pointless but at least he did it. He had said his piece about being banished and inquired about his mother. Maybe a few months more would soften Ozai to answer. Maybe facing his trial would change his father's perspective and open his eyes. The Fire Lord would only allow himself a small sliver of hope that his father could potentially change, though he knew logically it probably would never happen.
The moment he was out of the prison and could feel the heat of the sun, Zuko took a few deep breaths to steady himself. He looked back at the building that Ozai would spend the rest of his days in, unsure of how he felt about the interaction just moments before. With a shake of his head, the firebender turned back around before he made his way quickly back to the royal palace.
The duties of the Fire Lord were calling, he would not neglect his nation and people as his forefather.
The Water Tribes ships had docked in the South Pole a little over a month after they had departed from the Fire Nation. The trip took longer than normal as they made multiple stops along the way. The longest being in Kyoshi for Sokka to bid his girlfriend farewell. Katara had only been off the ship for a short minute before Gran-Gran was scooping her up into a hug.
"I missed you my little waterbender," Gran-Gran stated her voice heavy with emotion as she squeezed her granddaughter. With one last squeeze, she moved to her grandson. "And you too my brave warrior."
"Gran," Sokka complained as she hugged him close. He might have been making a show to demonstrate his annoyance, but secretly the young man had been grateful to be in his grandmother's embrace. It had been over a year since he had seen her and there were many times he wondered in that time if he would ever make it home.
"Hush now," the old tribeswoman commanded with a pinch to her grandson's arm before moving on to her son. "My little chief," she said when her son's arms wrapped around her. Kanna's voice was filled with happiness and gratitude as she clutched him tightly to her.
"Mother," Hakoda shook his head a small smile gracing his face. The Southern Chieftain had learned long ago that even though he led the tribe he would always be "little chief" to his mother. He squeezed her tight, thankful to have made it home to her. He would never admit it, but every day he fought he had been terrified to never see his family again.
The Chieftain looked out at his home, misty blue eyes taking in the snow and ice. He felt the bitterly cold breeze wrap around him in a comforting manner, breathing in the smell of snow. Three years was a long time to ponder about ever seeing the South Pole again.
"I'm so happy you all are safe," Kanna admitted once she had thoroughly hugged each of her family members, letting the happiness and gratitude settle into her body. She turned to her granddaughter, old eyes filled with a knowing sense, "Katara, I have something for you from the Fire Lord. It arrived a week ago. It's back at the house."
"Oh!" Katara exclaimed her heart began to beat faster in her chest, ever aware of her brother's eyes on her. She looked anywhere than the questioning look from her father. A blush began to cover her face, she crossed her fingers in her mittens hoping that the redness would be mistaken for being cold. The waterbender was thrilled that Zuko had sent her a letter. She hadn't expected him to write so soon, but she was thrilled that he had.
On the voyage home, Katara had begrudgingly admitted to her brother that she might have feelings for Zuko. Sokka had teased her endlessly until she water whipped him, after he had been her big brother and encouraged her to speak to the firebender. The tribesman reminded his sister that Zuko was their friend and she could tell him anything. But she was stubborn and explained exactly why she couldn't, being sure to leave out the information about the kiss they had shared.
Sokka was unsurprised to hear of his sister's feelings toward the Fire Lord. He had a suspicion that she felt something for Zuko probably long before she even realized it. Though now knowing of both his sister's feelings as well as his best friend's feelings, put him in an awkward position. Neither were willing to admit their feelings to each other and the Water Tribe Heir was afraid if they didn't it would be too late.
The Water Tribe Heir knew he needed to play matchmaker to the Fire Lord and the Southern Water Tribe Princess.
It took almost an hour for the Chief's family to make it back to their home. Everyone wanted to see that Hakoda and his children, who were now war heroes, had returned home safely. Katara was pleased to see that Pakku and some Northern waterbenders had already begun rebuilding the tribe. The village was quickly turning into a city with the work that had already been completed.
When the family finally made it to their home, the Chief and his children were speechless. This was not the home any of them had left. In front of them stood a similar palace to that of the Northern Tribe, the difference only in the decorative sculptures and carvings. It had been decades since the South Pole had looked so developed.
"Pakku has been hard at work to make sure this was ready for your arrival," Kanna explained to her family, pride evident in her voice. She had been pleased her new husband had wanted to finish the palace before their family had returned.
The family entered the home and Kanna gave a brief tour, though Katara and Sokka were able to recognize the layout from their time spent in the Northern Tribe. Once each member of the family knew where their rooms were, the children each retired for the day. It would be night soon and they were exhausted from their journey.
Hakoda agreed to stay up with his mother and step-father to begin planning the celebration for the following night. The Southern Tribe was thrilled that not only was the war over but their Chief and his children had returned home safely. It called for the kind of celebration that had not been seen in almost a hundred years.
The moment Katara was in her room, she found the red and gold wrapped package on her dressing table. She quickly tore open the paper, eager to see what he had written and sent to her. The waterbender was astounded to find a set of eight bangles, but not just any bangles. The gold bangles she had admired in the shop back in Caldera.
Katara,
I hope this wasn't too forward. But I saw how you looked at the bracelets and had to get them for you. Consider it a thank you for saving my life.
The moment you left, I missed you and as I walked past the shop I had to go back to purchase them. Don't think of telling me they are too expensive. If you send them back, I will send them again plus more.
Next week, I'm supposed to visit Azula for the first time since I employed the new physician. I'm scared to see how she is, her bending is being suppressed for now and probably will be for the indefinite future. I have her confined to her rooms in the palace, though I don't know if that's the best place for her. I'm afraid she will have too many memories there.
I wish you were here with me, I could use your guidance. It seems lately every time I turn my head there is another problem. Ozai not only almost destroyed the world but he almost destroyed the Fire Nation in his quest to destroy everything. It's a nightmare and I could really use my compass for good to help make decisions.
I'm afraid right now, you might be the only person who thinks I'm honorable.
I miss you,
Zuko
Katara's heart lurched as she read the letter, her face felt incredibly hot and her palms were sweaty. Could Zuko feel the same way about her? Or was this just how he wrote to his friends? Though Sokka didn't receive a letter from Zuko. Maybe he was trying to overcompensate because of their kiss? But the writing didn't sound forced, just natural and emotional.
She shook her head, putting her questions aside to gaze at the gift. The bracelets were beautiful, Katara thought as she admired the intricate designs across them. The carvings were filled with dragons, swirls, and flowers; they were stunning. She had desperately wanted to purchase them, but when she saw the price it seemed too much to spend on something so frivolous. Especially considering how much her Tribe had struggled during the war and would while it rebuilt.
Katara was touched to know that Zuko had seen her admiring them. He was wrong though, she wouldn't dream of sending them back. Though when he stated he would send them again if she sent them back and more, she was intrigued at what the "more" would be. She was half tempted to do it, just to see what he would send.
But she liked them too much to part with them. She slipped the bangles on her wrists and admired how they sparkled in the firelight. The intricate carvings made the light dance as she admired them on her wrists.
The waterbender was unsure what to think of the gift and the letter, she didn't know if she should allow herself to hope.
Before she went to bed Katara wrote a letter back to Zuko, thanking him for the wonderful gift and hopefully giving him the support he needed. Once the letter was finished and set aside to send the next morning, the waterbender snuggled into the furs of her homeland and fell asleep admiring the new bracelets on her wrists.
The Water Tribe Princess's dreams were filled with Ember Island beaches, wandering hot hands, passionate kisses, and most importantly a scarred man at the center of it all.
The Fire Lord was currently in his office, he had just come back from seeing his father a third time trying to get information on his mother. Ozai always seemed to know what to say to make Zuko doubt himself. Each time the firebender left, he felt beaten down and like he was a failure, today was no different. He missed his friends, they were able to keep him grounded in his morals. Most of all he missed the waterbender.
Zuko leaned back in his chair pressing his palms to his eyes, his nerves were fried. It had been almost two months since everyone had left.
It seemed as he tried to right the wrongdoings of the Fire Nation he kept upsetting people. No one seemed to agree with him when it came to closing factories or releasing colonies back to the Earth Kingdom. To make matters worse, there were many debates on his decision with Azula. Some agreed that she needed help, most thought she needed to be locked up, and some even thought she should be executed. Thankfully, the council agreed with Ozai facing trial for his crimes and spending his life in prison.
He wished Katara was here, she would know what to do.
The firebender still hadn't heard from her since he sent the gift. He knew that hawk would take a few weeks to get to the Southern Water Tribe and it would probably beat her there. Especially since they would stop in Kyoshi for a few days to drop Suki and her warriors off. For Katara to send another letter would take another couple of weeks to return to him. To him, it felt like it was taking forever.
Uncle Iroh had been the one to convince the young monarch to try to show the Water Tribe Princess his feelings in the letter he wrote. Zuko had tried to be subtle but maybe he had been too forward. But as another day passed, he grew fearful that she realized his feelings and did not feel the same way. He was terrified he had screwed everything up.
He was tempted to write another letter, potentially backtracking on what he had previously said.
A knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in," the Fire Nation Sovereign called. He pulled his hands away from his face in time to see the young guard walk into his office. Golden eyes settled on the blue scroll in the man's hand.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Malu began as he entered the office with a quick bow to his lord. He was the Captain of the Fire Lord's Royal Guard. "A letter came for you from the Southern Water Tribe."
Traditionally, Malu should only serve as a guard. But the Fire Lord was apprehensive to hire a secretary and the Captain had quickly offered his services to help where needed. Zuko was struggling to find those loyal to him and only him. There had already been a few close attempts on his life with the staff. And it was weighing on the new monarch. Luckily the Captain of the Royal Guard had been diligent and caught the ones responsible for the assassination attempts red-handed.
The guard knew of his Lord's struggle when hiring and was happy to help in any way necessary. He owed a lot to the new Fire Lord and would take over the duties of secretary he could to assist his Lord.
"Thank you," Zuko responded as he accepted the scroll from his guard, dismissing him. The man bowed again before exiting the room.
The scroll felt heavy in the firebender's hand. The letter he had been waiting for had finally arrived. He was terrified to unravel the scroll.
He didn't know what to think as he stared at the letter. Part of him desperately wanted her to recognize his feelings and say she felt the same way, but that would be complicated. They lived on opposite sides of the world, not to mention how the royal council would react to a waterbender as potentially Fire Lady. And the political ramifications based on their positions within their nations. But still, he would deal with all of that to be with her. Though another part of him wanted her not to notice so nothing would change. He would hate to lose Katara as a friend.
With a deep breath, the Fire Lord opened the letter to be greeted with the Water Tribe Princess's delicate writing.
Zuko,
Thank you! That seems like not enough to express my gratitude for the gift you sent. I had no idea you noticed me looking at them. Though that shouldn't surprise me, you notice everything. I also can't believe your letter beat us home. Gran-Gran said it arrived almost a week before we did.
I wouldn't dream of sending them back, though you can stop thanking me for saving your life. You saved mine first.
How did your first meeting with Azula go? It's going to be a long hard road for her, but I believe with the proper help and you as her brother that you will get your little sister back. And I will do everything I can to help you with that.
You are a strong leader and you never give up. I know that whatever mess Ozai left you, that you will fix it and make it even better than anyone thought. The Fire Nation is in very good hands with you as Fire Lord. But your compass is here for you if you need her.
You know more than anyone that doing the honorable thing is hard and people won't always understand it at first. You knew that the day you joined us at the Western Air Temple. Be that Zuko, the one who saved us from Combustion Man even though we didn't accept you.
Remember, I will always think you are honorable.
I miss you too,
Katara
The letter warmed Zuko's heart and he instantly felt better as he read over her words. Even miles away, Katara knew what to say to him.
As much as the letter made him feel better, it left Zuko confused. He was unsure if the waterbender felt the same way or not. Her letter was ambiguous. Or maybe that was her way of trying to let him down easily? Zuko decided that her letter was her just being Katara and she was unaware of his feelings.
If he had the time right now, he would respond but he had a meeting with Azula's physician which he was already late for. Rolling the scroll back up, Zuko was going to leave it on his desk but thought better of it. He slipped the scroll into one of the inner pockets of his formal robes before heading to his meeting.
Zuko entered the sitting room of Azula's quarters and was unsurprised to see his sister sitting on the window sill. Though he was not expecting her hair to be down from her signature look, flowing down her back softly. She looked so young without the top knot, more child than an adult at that moment.
Physician Dairin was off to the side watching his patient as her brother entered the room. His eyes were ever observant of the Princess so he could better treat her illness.
"Fire Lord Zuko," the physician greeted standing to bow before retaking his seat. He noticed the lack of reaction from the sovereign's sister. "We are glad you are joining us today."
Azula didn't even acknowledge her brother when he entered the room. Her eyes never moved from the window she was looking out of, though that was normal when her brother came to visit.
"How is she doing today?" Zuko inquired as he sat across from the physician making sure to keep Azula in his line of sight. The firebender was unsure if he did that to include his sister in the conversation or because he knew how deadly she was even without her bending.
"She still hasn't spoken," Dairin replied sadly. He had hoped that after some time of the medication and no bending the Princess would begin speaking about her trauma. It would allow him to better his treatment plan, but it seemed like the road would be long and hard for the young woman.
Zuko sighed as he heard that. When Azula had first begun treatment she had been inconsolable, manically crying and screaming. She had to be kept sedated for almost two weeks. Once the sedation began letting up, Zuko instructed her bending to be suppressed. He had enlisted the help of Ty Lee to indefinitely block her chi which allowed his sister to have some much-needed natural sleep. She had slept for three days straight and when she woke, she no longer required sedation.
Since then Azula had not said a word.
"It's been almost two months, do you think she will?" He questioned the physician. His eyes looked over her small form. He was only just beginning to understand just how much the Princess suffered at the hands of their father.
"I believe that her madness was diagnosed early and she has the potential to make a full recovery," the physician responded delicately. He too looked over his patient, this was the worst case he had ever seen. "It's still only a few weeks into her treatment process. She does much better on the days you visit."
"Really?" Zuko's interest was peaked. He was unaware that Azula even realized he visited. But to hear that she did better on days that he visited made him feel lighter. As if there really was hope for his baby sister.
"She is much more active and eats more," the physician commented as he looked over the notes he had. "And she even is more willing to take her medication on the days you visit."
"Well, I will come by more often," Zuko decided instantly. If his small visits helped his sister then he would come by every day for a few minutes.
The Fire Lord concluded his meeting with the physician and moved to head back to his office. He was astounded to see Azula looking at him as he began walking out of the room. He sent her a small smile before exiting her chambers. It was the first time his sister had looked at him since the Agni Kai and there was no malicious intent in her look. Just curiosity, the look reminded Zuko of when she was a young child.
This was small progress but it was still progress nonetheless.
Katara and Pakku were currently building a new training arena. Originally they weren't going to build a waterbending arena but they were able to identify three new waterbenders today. The children were young, barely school-aged. But their bending finally manifested. Katara was thrilled to learn she would no longer be the only southern waterbender.
"Katara!" Sokka called as he joined his sister in the unfinished arena. "It looks really good."
"Hey Sokka," Katara finished moving the ice into position. She told Pakku she was going to take a break, before joining her brother at the other end of the arena. "Thanks, I'm so excited we actually need an arena."
"With the way you and all the other waterbenders have been working, the tribe is more than halfway done," Sokka commented as he looked around the almost finished arena. He was amazed at how much his sister had been able to do in a day.
It had been about three months since they returned from the Fire Nation and with the help of the Northern waterbenders, the South Pole's reconstruction was almost completed, well, physically at least. There was still much to be done to repair the culture and spirit of the Southern Water Tribe, but everyone was actively working on recreating the thriving culture.
"Yeah, I think once the tribe is completely built back Pakku suggested we start on creating a border system similar to what they have in the North," Katara told her brother. He had been enamored with the wall in the North Pole and spoke about it any chance he could. "I know with all the treaties we probably won't need it, but it will also help with the winter storms."
"Can you believe that a little over a year ago this was just a few igloos and my wall?" Sokka asked as his eyes moved around the area. He didn't think back then that this is what his home would look like, heck he never thought he would leave the South Pole.
"I can't believe a year ago I didn't know any waterbending and now I'm creating an arena out of ice almost single handily," Katara chuckled as she took in the view with him. She noticed Pakku off to the side flirting with her grandmother, he had done more directing than actual helping.
"Speaking of things we didn't know a year ago," Sokka grinned as he shuffled the scrolls he was holding, hoping to draw her attention to them. "Did you think a year ago you would have received a letter from the Fire Lord?"
Katara laughed lightly before his words registered in her brain. "Zuko wrote back?"
Sokka held up a scroll with the signature red and gold insignia. His sister rushed to him to take it but he moved it over his head out of her reach. Sokka had hit a growth spurt since returning to the tribe and stood a good head over Katara. After failing miserably to jump and grab the letter, Katara used her bending to snatch the scroll out of his hands.
"You could have just asked for it," Sokka responded dryly as his sister eagerly unraveled the scroll, ignoring her brother as she devoured the words the Fire Lord had written.
Katara,
Why do you always know the right thing to say?
I've visited Azula a few times. And while she doesn't need to be sedated anymore, Ty Lee did block her chi so she won't be able to bend. Azula hasn't spoken a word since the Agni Kai. I'm afraid she might never speak again. She is a shell of the person she once was and I don't know what to do.
But Physician Dairin has assured me he expects her to have a full recovery. He told me that while she doesn't speak still, she is more active and livelier on the days I visit. I've decided to spend a few minutes each morning with her, I hope that helps. When I told the Physician that, Azula looked at me for the first time since we fought. I haven't had my sister look at me like that since she was a child. I'm hoping that shows progress.
I have visited Ozai multiple times to gather information on my mother, but he won't reveal anything. Each time ends worse than the last. He makes me question everything about myself. I know his words are poison and I shouldn't listen, but I can't help it.
How is the Southern Water Tribe? How's the rebuilding going? I can't wait until I need to make an official visit to see how much you have rebuilt. Sokka wrote to me and told me I won't even recognize it.
Your birthday is coming up in a few months, is there anything from the Fire Nation I can send you? Something that you missed from your travels?
Your friend,
Zuko
"Is it a love letter?" Sokka asked as he watched his sister blush while she read. He hoped that the scroll had a declaration of love but knew that was wishful thinking. The two benders would only admit their feelings if forced and the Water Tribe Heir was looking for a way to push them together.
"You know he doesn't feel that way about me, Sokka," Katara grumbled dejectedly, giving a scathing look to her brother. The words left a bitter taste in her mouth. She wished that Zuko felt for her the same way she felt for him, but that wasn't the case. All they were destined for was to be good friends.
"Right," Sokka said drawing out the word, clearly showing his disbelief. This was a conversation for another day though, "Well, my letter from Suki was a love letter!"
"I'm sure it was," his sister rolled her eyes as she responded. As much as she was happy for her brother, it hurt to hear about his relationship sometimes. "When are you going to ask her to marry you?"
"I'm working on her necklace, you know that," he whined petulantly. Sokka had gone through multiple practice stones trying to get the design right. He wanted to be able to carve it ten times in a row without a mistake before he attempted the actual stone. "It's taking a while, it needs to be perfect!"
"Sokka, she will love it because you made it," Katara reassured her brother, resting a comforting hand on his forearm. She had seen the design that he wanted to carve, an interlocking fan and sword. It would be beautiful against the light blue stone and green ribbon he had purchased.
"I'm thinking of going to Kyoshi in a few months," Sokka blurted out. He had been working the nerve up to tell his family he wanted to leave the South Pole for a few weeks now. "I need to finish the necklace and get permission from her father. Plus I know she will want to have a transition period to find the new Captain for the Kyoshi Warriors."
"I think that's a great idea," Katara told her brother with a smile. She was listening to Sokka but her mind was on the response she was already forming to Zuko.
The Water Tribe Heir watched as his sister became lost in her thoughts. He knew that she was thinking about Zuko. It amazed him that two people who were so smart could be so stupid and not pick up the other had feelings for them. After watching his sister's brow furrow as she thought, he knew that all she was thinking about was writing her letter to the Fire Lord.
"Go write your letter," Sokka said suddenly, giving her a little shove. They had plenty of time to talk later about him wanting to visit Kyoshi. "But this time tell him how you feel."
"I can't do that, he doesn't see me that way," Katara shoved her brother back before she shook her head and walked away, before calling back. "Plus it is just a little crush."
His sister brushed off his words, much like his friend did when he brought up this subject. Maybe when Sokka went to visit Suki, the two of them could come up with a plan to push Zuko and Katara together. But first, he would need to speak to his father and make sure that Zuko could pursue Katara. It wouldn't do anyone any good if Hakoda refused to allow the two benders to court.
"Whatever you say little sister," Sokka muttered under his breath unconvinced as he watched his sister walk away.
The waterbender quickly made her way back to the house, or palace now, so she could write back to Zuko. She had a response immediately planned in her head and she wanted to get it on paper as fast as possible. She was lucky not to run into anyone as she walked home, making her escape to her room seamlessly. The moment she was at her desk she immediately began writing.
"Katara, what are you doing here?" Hakoda questioned as he saw his daughter was in her room at the writing desk. He had been passing by her room and had been surprised to see her in it. His blue eyes took in the emotions across her face as wrote with painstaking care.
"I'm just writing a letter to Zuko," she replied quickly as she continued writing. Barely registering her father as he stepped into her room, her mind only focused on the task at hand.
Hakoda immediately felt his stomach drop. He had hoped his daughter would start taking interest in one of the young tribesmen. He selfishly wanted both of his children to stay in the South Pole. But he couldn't fault her for falling for the Fire Lord. He was a good man, a strong warrior, and a sovereign of a nation. Zuko would be more than capable of taking care of his daughter. But still, he wished she would stay close to him. He had missed out on too many years with her because of the Fire Nation.
The young waterbender's father entered her room before sitting on the chair next to the writing desk. It took her a few minutes to realize she wasn't alone anymore. She looked up at her father, his lips turned down slightly and his eyes downcast.
"Katara, do you have feelings for the Fire Lord?" The chieftain finally asked her somberly, his voice soft and tentative.
The Water Tribe Princess looked anywhere than at her father. Her cheeks heated up as the blood rushed to them. How was she supposed to answer that question? Of course, she had feelings for Zuko! But it didn't matter because he didn't have feelings for her. So why should she ruin a perfectly good friendship over a crush?
"Would you hate me if I said yes?" Katara responded back to her father, refusing to meet his eyes. She focused on the drop of ink at the edge of the letter she had been writing.
"He's a good man, of course not, little tiger seal," Hakoda shook his head, deliberately using his nickname for his daughter. He was not surprised to hear her admit how she felt, he had expected since the coronation. "Does he feel the same?"
"No, he doesn't," she sighed, finally looking away from the letter she was writing. Her heart was heavy in her chest, she took a deep breath before picking up the brush and began writing again. "I don't know why it matters if I have feelings for him. Plus it's probably just a crush."
Hakoda watched his daughter continue writing her letter. He did not believe for a second the Fire Lord did not have feelings for his daughter. The way he looked at her was evidence enough, not to mention Zuko's sacrifice during the comet. But what confirmed the Chief's opinion was the gift that was waiting for Katara when they returned to the South Pole.
He decided not to voice his opinion, instead, he said, "Any man would be lucky to have you as his wife, little tiger seal."
"Thanks, Dad," Katara whispered looking at her father, her blue eyes meeting his. He was struck by how grown-up she looked. "Zuko is still my best friend and I'm sure I'll get over this little crush."
Hakoda nodded before standing to take his leave, he squeezed her shoulder comfortingly as he left. If his daughter wanted to pretend as if her feelings would disappear, he would let her. Perhaps in time she would fall for a tribesman and stay in the South Pole. Though Hakoda had a feeling that was going to be unlikely. His main focus was to keep her from a political marriage, Arnook had already mentioned it a few times since the war ended.
The waterbender finished her letter and quickly sent her response. She had duties to attend.
"Azula!" Zuko shouted as he tried to restrain his sister. His hands gripping her wrists as he tried to stop her from flailing, she was going to hurt not only him but herself included if she didn't get herself under control.
The Fire Lord had come to visit his sister that morning like he did every morning for the past couple of months. And as he was asking the Physician about her condition she snapped. It was the first time she had spoken since the comet.
"Stop talking about me like I'm not here," she had hissed out at her brother, gold eyes flashing with emotion. Her temper had flared for the first time in months. The Princess was clearly upset, no she was livid.
Zuko had been elated to hear her voice but was instantly worried when she sounded so vexed. He had hoped she was just annoyed that he was not speaking to her, so he tried a different tactic. The firebender took a moment to steady himself before turning to his sister.
"How are you feeling, Azula?" Her brother inquired in a calm and steady voice. He was trying to mirror Iroh whenever he spoke to him after his banishment. The calm and unwavering nature of his uncle had been the anchor he needed to heal, he was hoping he could do the same for his sister.
"You must be so happy, Zuzu," Azula taunted eerily as she moved to stand in front of him. She leaned in close to his face as she continued speaking. Her eyes never left his as she continued, "You are Fire Lord and I'm legally declared insane. What not man enough to kill me? Even mother was able to kill when necessary. She would do anything for her little Zuzu."
"Azula, I have never wished you dead," Zuko tried to reason with her, his gold eyes held hers. The Princess thrived on seeing fear, instead of giving her the satisfaction he grounded himself. In the distance, he saw the physician calling for assistance. "I only want you to get better, you're my sister. I want you happy and healthy."
"Like you care? None of you care!" She roared before lunging at him. Zuko was just barely able to register the unhinged look in her eyes before she attacked, it was so much like how she looked in the Agni Kai. The air crackled around them, similarly to how it would when Azula would release lightning. The Fire Lord suppressed the urge to shiver as he moved to subdued her. A small voice in the back of his head, sounding very much like the waterbender, reminded him that his sister was sick and not in the right frame of mind.
With her bending suppressed, it took minutes to restrain and sedate his sister. Zuko was confused, the other day she had been doing so much better. Now he was unsure what had happened. After a quick word with Dairin, Zuko took his leave.
It wasn't until hours later in a council meeting when someone mentioned the date did he realize it was the day his mother vanished all those years ago.
"NO!" He shouted as he raced to redirect the lightning.
It was too late though, his stance was uprooted. He wouldn't be able to redirect. Zuko was in midair as he caught the lightning with one hand. He could feel the power and energy racing through his body as he shot his other hand out to release the bolt.
His entire body burned. He waited for the cool water to soothe the pain in his chest but it never came.
Zuko shot up in his bed instantly. His heart was racing at the nightmare. It had been almost a month since Azula's relapse and with it the nightmares.
The Fire Lord was not a stranger to night terrors, he endured them for months after his mother left and years after the Agni Kai against his father. With the nightmares came the panic attacks, he was used to those as well. He knew how to handle them, better than most. Lately, he felt out of control, he hadn't suffered this way since the comet but one disastrous hour with his sister had him struggling once again.
His hand went to the scar on his chest rubbing the discolored and rough skin. He forced himself to feel the bedsheets beneath him. He focused on the feel of his sweat running down his face and the back of his neck. The smell of the cherry blossoms coming in with the cool night breeze through the open windows. It took him almost half an hour before he was calm enough to get out of bed. But once he could Zuko made his way to the meditation alter in his room, seating himself in front and lighting the candles.
Breath in, he thought. He was alive.
Breathe out, he thought. Katara had healed him.
When his breathing was finally regulated, Zuko made his way back to his bed. He could still get a few hours of sleep. Once he was situated in bed, he grabbed the crumpled scroll that was resting on his nightstand. It was looking a little rough from the endless reading, but he knew it would calm him.
So for what seemed like the hundredth time, Zuko unraveled the scroll to read the contents.
Zuko,
I don't know if I always know the right thing to say, I just know you.
I'm happy Azula is doing better. She has suffered so much, more than you and I will ever know. Be patient with her, it's probably only a matter of time before she relapses. Don't run away when that happens. She will need you more than ever at that moment.
It's only natural that you want your father to approve of your life. But I don't think Ozai will ever be capable of that. He was no more a father to you than I am. Remember who your real father is, Iroh. And he is so proud of you. I know it's hard but don't let his words cause you to doubt.
The rebuilding is going amazingly well! We should have the city done soon. I guarantee that you won't be able to recognize anything. I cannot wait to give you a tour of the tribe when you come to visit. Pakku and I were able to identify three waterbenders today! You probably don't remember, but three of the children who were there the day you invaded are the waterbenders. I am no longer the only Southern Waterbender!
Gran-Gran speaks of Southern Style Bending, a style forgotten long before my birth. I wish I was able to keep that part of my heritage and pass it down to these three benders. Of course, I will teach them Northern Style and Froggy Swap Style but it's not the same.
I don't need anything for my birthday, you already gifted me these beautiful bangles. I hardly ever take them off. But thank you for the offer. If you do really want to send something, Sokka complains about missing fire flakes. I'm sure he would appreciate them.
Your friend,
Katara
Zuko's hand brushed against the calligraphy as he reread the letter. He had responded almost two weeks ago, but the letter soothed him.
Azula had relapsed, unfortunately, Katara's letter did not arrive until after the fact.
He had wanted to run and hide. Zuko wanted to push her on the physician and not look back. He did not want to deal with his manic sister and the pain it caused him. And he had done just that. He turned his back without a second thought, not even a sparring glance.
And here Katara was calling him out, just like he knew she would. Zuko was finally processing the words she had written. He decided that tomorrow he would visit his sister like normal and maybe instead of talking to the physician he would talk to Azula. Or at least attempt to speak with her.
She was right about Ozai. Zuko knew it before he even finished reading the words. He needed to let go of the power the man held over him. Iroh was his father and he was an incredible father to him. The Dragon of the West was proud of him, he approved of his choices.
"Uncle Iroh has been more of a father to me than Ozai," the Fire Lord spoke the words into the silent night air. He was startled to feel an instant lightening of his chest as the words settled around him. From that day forward, Ozai would hold no power over Zuko.
The next morning found the Fire Lord in the Princess's room again. But instead of going to sit next to Physician Dairin, he sat next to his sister.
"Good morning Azula," Zuko greeted as he sat down. He was sure to keep his voice calm and soothing, the same way one would speak to a wounded animal. "What are you reading?"
He had noticed the book a few weeks earlier but did not know which it was. Azula looked at him in surprise, she was confused to see him in her chambers. She thought for sure he would have forsaken her like everyone else in her life. But Zuko hadn't, he had come back and was focusing on her. Instead of verbally responding the Fire Nation Princess just passed him the book which he instantly accepted.
The Fire Lord sucked an unsteady breath in through his teeth as he saw the title Love Amongst the Dragons.
He didn't know what to say. He thought about what Katara would say, more specifically how would she react if Azula was on the roof with her at Ember Island. He could picture the scene in his head, the two young women sitting next to each other staring out at the water with the moonbeams casting the only light. His sister tentatively telling Katara she was reading their mother's favorite play. The waterbender would respond in the gentle way she always did.
The answer was as clear as the picture in his head.
"I miss Mother too," he whispered as he looked at his sister. His eyes met hers gently, but she looked away the moment they did. He could see her fiddling with a stray thread from her shirt. He was convinced she would unravel the garment.
"She hated me," Azula responded staring at her hands and she worried the string. The words held no bitterness only pain. The agony in her voice cut through the air like a knife causing everyone in the room to feel the acuteness of her despair.
"She loved you Azula," Zuko stated with conviction trying to catch her eye again. His tone was still soft and soothing, but firm. He might doubt Ozai's love for him and his sister, but he did not for one second doubt their mother's.
"They're in my head," the Princess confessed her gold eyes meeting her brother's as tears streamed down her face. He had to repress the urge to fall out of the chair and weep when he saw the unrestrained suffering reflected in her irises. "I can hear them both, Ozai and her. It scares me."
This time he didn't suppress anything, Zuko immediately dropped the book and launched himself out of the chair. For the first time since Azula was a small child, he wrapped his arms around his baby sister. The two fell to the ground within seconds. He held her tight to his chest as she sobbed out the pain she had bottled up for so long. He would hold her as long as she needed him to, he didn't care about the meetings he was missing. Or the fact that his clothing was being ruined by her tears. All he cared about was his sister.
Everything else could wait as Azula processed her pain. The Princess cried for hours, full-body wails that cut through the air in the rawest state.
"I'm here and I promise nothing bad will happen to you again," Zuko vowed over and over as he hugged his baby sister for the first time in over a decade.
Katara,
Your timing as always is impeccable.
Azula relapsed a week before your letter arrived. She attacked me on the day our mother disappeared. I don't know how I can do this, we are not even six months in and she is already back to fighting me.
I hid, just like you knew I would. I shoved the physician in her face and fled from her, the one problem I might give up on.
I don't know what to do. How am I supposed to be there for her when she is trying to strangle me? How am I supposed to comfort someone who caused so much pain for me?
I'm having nightmares, Katara. Nightmares of the Agni Kai, but you don't get to me in time. I die there on the ground in the area amongst the destruction my sister caused. It scares me, Katara, it scares me so much.
Tell me what to do,
Zuko
Her heart broke as she read Zuko's letter. She wished she could do something for him. Katara scribbled out a reply as fast as she could. She wanted no delay for this letter, Zuko was in pain and needed her guidance.
It had been late when she finally had a chance to read his letter, but she knew the hawkery attendant would still be there for the next half hour. If she was fast, she would be able to send him a response tonight.
Katara raced to the hawkery, the streets almost deathly quiet as everyone began turning in for the night. After inquiring on the fastest hawk she slipped the scroll into the carrier. The tribesman had assured her that the hawk would arrive in two weeks, instead of the normal three to four, with her letter to the Fire Lord.
"My little waterbender," Gran-Gran greeted Katara as she arrived back home. The tribeswoman was surprised to see her granddaughter awake at such a late hour. "You should not look so down, you will be sixteen in a little over a month's time. Warriors can start to call on you."
"Gran-Gran," Katara grumbled slightly annoyed, instead of speaking her displeasure of being courted she explained her fears. "I'm worried for Zuko. He is having trouble with his sister, I think she might need a healer."
"You know, when I arrived in the South Pole it was said that the South had the best healers of both tribes," Gran-Gran commented as her granddaughter sat at the table she was at.
"Really?" Katara's interest peaked. Her grandmother rarely talked about the Tribe when she first arrived in the South Pole. "Why did they say that?"
"They had a revolutionary style," Kanna shrugged her face grave. She knew there were secrets to the waterbending practiced in the Southern Tribe, very few were allowed to learn the healing techniques. A lost art to the war, "I was never a bender so I could not tell you what that style was. All I know was that children's births were much smoother and fatal attacks were not considered fatal here."
Katara's mind wandered to Hama for a moment, could Southern Style have used a form of bloodbending when healing? Was that how Hama was able to pick up on the fact she could blood bend? No, Hama said she had learned about it in her cell there was no way the Southern Tribe knew about bloodbending.
"I wish I could help him," Katara whispered as she looked away from her grandmother. She would do anything to alleviate the pain Zuko was currently feeling.
"Perhaps after the anniversary you can travel to the Fire Nation and try," the old tribeswoman suggested as she watched the young waterbender.
She knew her granddaughter had feelings for the Fire Lord. And Kanna had no doubt the man had feelings for her little waterbender too. It was obvious with how quickly letters were exchanged. Already Katara had received double the amount of letters from Zuko as Sokka had.
"Maybe," Katara nodded before deciding to take her to leave. It was late and she had a full day tomorrow teaching students.
Pakku and Sokka had taken over finishing the rebuilding so Katara could begin teaching the new waterbenders. Pakku had said it was because he didn't have the patience but part of her wondered if he still struggled teaching females considering two of the students were female. Either way, Katara was happy teaching.
She snuggled into her furs that night praying to Tui and La that Zuko would find some peace with his sister.
A warm body pressed against her back, hands pushing the hair back from her neck. Hot lips trailed kisses down her neck. One hand pressed against her naked belly as she leaned into the muscular chest. She could feel her body relaxing against him, the wetness forming between her thighs.
Her hand moved to grip the back of his head. Fingers tangled into the silky hair pulling him closer as he continued to suckle on her pulse point. He pulled away to trace the shell of her ear with his tongue.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered huskily taking the lobe into his mouth.
"Please," she begged breathlessly as a hand moved to cup one of her bare breasts. Impossibly hot fingertips rolled the pebbled nipple, causing her to moan and push into his hand.
"Tell me what you need Katara," he nipped her pulse point, soothing the sting with a swipe of his tongue. The hand on her stomach trailed down to hover over her most intimate place.
"Touch me, please," she groaned feeling him press his length against the small of her back. She felt hot and needy. The waterbender felt that she would weep if he didn't offer any relief from the fire burning in her belly.
"Always."
His fingers felt electric as they moved across her overheated skin, moving slowly and teasingly lower. She could feel her wetness dripping out of her, sticking to her thighs and creating the lubrication necessary to take his impressive length. Her breath caught in the back of her throat as the tips of his fingers met the space right above the bundle of nerves she craved.
"Zuko," she cried out in need.
The waterbender was startled awake by a crash coming from outside. Her thighs felt sticky and her heart was racing. She turned into her pillow, pushing her face into it before letting out an agitated wail. The dream had been perfect and reminded her of how the firebender's lips felt against hers.
She scrubbed a hand over her face and viciously kicked off the furs to cool her overheated body. The Water Tribe Princess laid there allowing her body to calm and her heart to return to normal.
A quarter of an hour later, Katara looked outside and saw the moon still high in the sky. Whatever had caused the crash could be dealt with tomorrow, she decided. She pulled her covers back over her body and settled in to catch a few more hours of sleep.
The next morning at breakfast Sokka made an announcement to his family.
"After Katara's birthday I plan to visit Kyoshi, I will stay there and join you at the anniversary celebration in Omashu," Sokka stated suddenly, he was sure to make eye contact with each member of his family. It was something he had spent a long time thinking about and no one would be able to change his mind.
"That was random," the waterbender mumbled as she ate her breakfast.
"I have finished Suki's betrothal necklace and I plan to ask her to marry me. If she accepts, I hope she will join me here in the South Pole and begin training to be my Chieftess," the Water Tribe Heir responded to his sister. He had been prepared for his family to be upset he wanted to leave the South Pole so soon after returning.
"It's about time," Pakku grumbled from his spot next to Katara before taking another bite of his food. She giggled lightly at his comment. "He would be stupid to let a girl like that go."
"I am proud of you," Hakoda told his son. He had been expecting this for some time. The Chieftain had been surprised when his son had returned to the South Pole and did not stay in Kyoshi. "I expected this to happen soon. I would be honored to have Suki as my daughter-in-law."
"Sokka I'm so happy for you," Katara stood to hug her brother after realizing how important this was to him and how nervous he seemed. "I know she will say yes!"
"Let's hope her father says yes too," Sokka chuckled lightly after releasing his sister.
The Fire Lord was in his private library going through some old scrolls regarding the industrialization of the country. He would be leaving the day after tomorrow to visit a few factories that had been destroyed during the war. Zuko wanted to have a baseline understanding before he traveled.
He set the scroll down he had been reading rubbing his tired and blurring eyes as he did. The sun had set hours ago but as the leader of his nation, he had to find other times to do his research. His days were mostly filled with meetings and the day-to-day operations of his country. The firebender thought for the thousandth time about hiring more staff but was still apprehensive to let anyone into the palace. Not even a month ago there was another attempt on his life.
Zuko stood from his hunched-over position and stretched his body. One thing he hated was how restless he was. During the war, he was constantly training and fighting, when that wasn't happening he was on the move. Now he spent most of his days sitting and listening to council members argue over the best course of action for Fire Nation.
The Fire Lord moved around the library taking a much-needed break from his work. He hadn't ever been allowed in here as a child, he barely knew it existed until he was crowned. The Fire Sages explained it held the secrets only the sovereign was privy to, but as the young man looked around he saw artifacts from the other nations. It seemed like only half a library and the other half a shrine to the conquering of the last hundred years.
He needed a distraction from the work he had been doing. He began combing through the shelves looking for anything on the Air Nomads. Zuko had told Aang he would look for anything and everything that could help the search. His mind wandered to the waterbender and her birthday that was coming up as he searched through the shelves.
The firebender still hadn't found a present to send to her. He had gone out multiple times to the city but couldn't find anything. Zuko knew he would be cutting it close if he didn't send something soon, but he wanted it to be perfect. Maybe he was being silly. But maybe it would show her how much he cared. He sighed heavily, did it matter if she didn't return his feelings?
A flash of blue caught his eye and his hand traveled over the items, the perfect gift had been in his library the entire time.
"Malu," Zuko called to the guard waiting just outside the room. He had collected to items and placed them on the low tea table. "Please ask Giya to box these and leave them in my study. They are important."
"Yes Fire Lord," the man nodded and bowed slightly to his lord.
"Once you are done with that, you are free to go," the young leader explained as he gather the scrolls he had been previously reading. He began making his way out of the library toward his bedroom. "I will be heading to bed."
The Captain of the Royal Guard accepted his dismal before retrieving the maidservant to box the items as instructed.
Zuko had settled into his bed half an hour later, his eyelids felt heavy. He looked across at the reading material he had brought to his room. He should finish his research but he was exhausted. After a few minutes of debate, he extinguished the lighting and settled beneath the covers. The last thought he had was of Katara.
His mouth was on hers, she tasted incredible as he kissed her. His hands were tangled in her hair as he devoured her mouth. She made a small moan as he nipped her plump bottom lip.
She was on top of him, her weight fully settled against his body and he revealed in it. He could feel the apex of her thighs pressed against his groin. He pressed himself upwards allowing them both the glorious friction they needed. She gasped and he thrust his tongue into her mouth, leaving no part untouched.
Hands clutched onto his upper arms before sliding their way to the front of his shirt, tangling into the fabric pulling him closer. He needed more, he needed to consume her.
The firebender's hands moved to grasp her waist, he let his fingers brush against the swell of her breasts as he did. Within seconds he had their position flipped, her writhing underneath him as he pressed his erection against her wet center.
"Katara," he mumbled against her mouth.
A clap of thunder rang through the night air, waking the Fire Lord.
Zuko sat up in his bed and looked at the brewing storm outside the palace. His heart was racing as he saw the lightning flash across the sky. He scrubbed a hand across his face and tried to will his body to relax. The dream had felt so real, his mouth felt as if he could still taste her.
He took a few calming breaths, but couldn't will himself to relax. His mind traveled to the harem. It wouldn't be the first time he had used it and probably wouldn't be his last. The Fire Lord only went as a last resort. He knew that there was nothing wrong with him being with a concubine, he was a single young man. But each time he felt slightly guilty as he fantasized that he was with the waterbender.
The lightning lit up his room again, causing his desire to lessen as it brought back memories of the Agni Kai with his sister.
He shook his head, the best thing for him would be to go back to sleep. Zuko rolled over and shut his eyes, willing his body to rest once again.
"I have to leave for Jang Hui tomorrow," Zuko told his sister the next morning. After being woken by the storm, he had settled into a much-needed dreamless sleep. "I will be gone a few days."
It had been a little over a week since the day the Fire Lord held the Princess as she cried. And so far Azula had been doing better. She still barely spoke to anyone, but she would respond mostly to her brother. However, it was only for a short period of time before becoming lost in her mind again. Though since that day she attacked him, Zuko made sure to speak to her even if she did not respond. He wasn't sure if it was helping but he hoped it was.
Physician Dairin had explained to him that Azula's response to him was a good sign and that Zuko should keep interacting with her. She was much better at taking her medication since the day she sobbed in his arms. Even going so far as taking it without being reminded on two different occasions. Dairin had told the Fire Lord if her progress continued at this pace, in the next couple of years the Princess might not have to be on any medication at all.
Azula had yet to have another bad day though Zuko knew it was only a matter of time before it happened again. This would be the first time he had to leave Caldera since her breakdown on the day their mother left and he was apprehensive.
"Why?" The Fire Nation Princess asked softly, her voice hoarse from lack of use. She was sitting on the windowsill again looking out the window. It had become her favorite spot and more often than not she could be found perched there.
"Well, I need to check on the factory there. There was a malfunction almost a year ago leaving it destroyed. Now I need to go see if we should repair the factory so it can become operational again or if it should be shut down permanently," the Fire Lord explained to the Princess. He fiddled with the pai sho set sitting in front of him.
But he hadn't needed to explain anything to her.
"The reports said that the workers were run off by some river spirit. They make weapons. The factory practices are not exactly environmentally friendly either," Azula commented softly, her gold eyes having a faraway look in them. She was seeing through the scenery outside her window. She was lost in a memory of a meeting with her father and brother.
"Yes," her brother replied urging her on delicately.
"Jang Hui used to provide the best fish to the markets in the capital but a year into the factory becoming operational they could no longer provide goods. Killing not only a central part of the trade for Jang Hui but also a large portion of the food trade industry here," her voice was eerie as she spoke, her mind traveling back to more meetings with Ozai. Meetings her father had neglected in his quest for world domination.
The Fire Lord was shocked at how much the Princess knew about the factory. Though he shouldn't have been. They both had attended the same meeting with their father when the report had come in. Ozai had instantly wanted to repair the factory and send new workers so operations could begin again. Azula had convinced him to leave the factory alone.
Zuko at the time did not know why she had done it, though now as he listened maybe Azula knew their father was slowly destroying their nation. He was surprised to learn about the impact on the environment the factory had. He had been away when the factory was first established so did not know that it had slowly destroyed Jang Hui's main source of trading.
"That's right," Zuko nodded encouragingly, he tried to catch her eye but she refused to look at him. Or maybe she just didn't notice. He took a deep breath and dared to ask her for an opinion. "What do you think I should do?"
But Azula never responded, she was staring out the window and did not give her brother a response.
The next day, the Fire Nation sovereign began his journey to Jang Hui. He had received a response from his last scroll to Katara late last night and had yet to read it. He planned to use the time on the airship to read it in private.
As he unraveled the scroll he was surprised to see that her calligraphy looked rushed and messy.
Zuko,
You do not give up and I know you will not start now.
I'm not surprised Azula reacted the way she did on that day. I'm sure it has painful memories for her too. In six months, she's had one setback. I would say that's doing pretty good considering everything that has happened.
Zuko, I hope you aren't still hiding. I hope you went to her and showed her that you cared for her. She won't get better if you keep hiding and leaving her in someone else's hands.
I don't know how to answer your question without a question. What were we supposed to do when you arrived at the Western Air Temple? How were we supposed to trust you and forgive you after you tried to kill us multiple times?
You just take a leap of faith and keep working at it every day until she is better.
You're alive Zuko! I felt the blood run through your veins as I healed you. I know the dreams are scary. Those first couple days when you were unconscious I had them too. It terrified me, it's the reason I stayed with you. Just remember, you didn't die and you will not die at the hands of your sister.
I wish I was there with you,
Katara
The firebender brushed his hands over the letters. He wished she was there with him as well. He felt his chest tighten when he reread the part of her having nightmares about him dying too. She said it was only for the few days after the comet, but she still had them too. Katara understood his pain in a way no one else did.
"Fire Lord Zuko, we will be landing soon," Malu informed the monarch. He had been waiting for a few minutes to be acknowledged, but his lord was lost in his own world.
"Thank you, Malu," Zuko nodded at his guard absently. He didn't realize he wasn't alone until the man had spoken.
The ship landed not much later and the Fire Lord made his exit so he could begin the tour of the factory. The sooner this was over, the sooner he could return to Caldera and respond to Katara with her birthday gift, which he still needed to send. Though he probably should send it to Sokka to make sure she didn't open it too soon.
"Fire Lord Zuko," the head engineer bowed and greeted the Fire Nation sovereign once he was off the ship. Zuko gestured at the man to stand.
"Let's begin," the Fire Lord commanded, he didn't want to waste any time. The sooner he returned home the sooner he could reply to the waterbender. "Explain all the goods this factory manufactures, the amount of money required to keep it operational, the number of people it employees, the damages, and how much it would cost to repair."
"Yes, your majesty," the engineer agreed instantly. He was looking forward to the factory becoming operational again. The two began walking toward the destroyed building.
"Oh and the impact the factory has on the environment as well as the village of Jang Hui," Zuko stated as he looked at the man straight on. His gold eyes studied the reaction his request caused.
He watched the head engineer shift and become increasingly uncomfortable at his last demand. The firebender decided based on that reaction the impact was too great for the man to want to admit. The Fire Lord knew at that moment he would not be reopening this factory.
After a comprehensive tour, the monarch noticed two things. The first being the Princess had been spot on when she made the comment about the environment. Second, the damage in the factory seemed to be done only surrounding the instruments that required water. Yet the reports all claimed it was the illustrious river spirit, the Painted Lady. It was very odd.
"Malu," Zuko called to his guard before he retired for the night. He knew something wasn't adding up. "I want to go speak to the villagers tomorrow. I have a feeling that the Head Engineer is not giving us the entire story. Please let the rest of the crew know we will take our leave tomorrow afternoon instead of the morning."
"Yes, your majesty," his guard responded before leaving to follow his orders.
The firebender looked over the letter from the waterbender one more time before sliding into bed. And for the first time since his sister relapsed, he slept peacefully.
The next day Zuko found himself in front of a peculiar old man who kept switching between multiple personalities. It took him a moment, but the Fire Lord was able to pick up which he was talking to at the moment.
"Xu, you said that you and your brothers have lived here your entire lives?" Zuko asked the quirky old man. He looked to be mad, but there was a level of truth in his words that the other citizens didn't have.
"Yes, sir! We used to provide the fish for the palace, did you know that?" Xu answered the Fire Lord heartily.
"I did not know that, why did you stop?" The firebender inquired, being sure to keep an eye on the hats that demonstrated the switching of personalities.
"The factory came in and destroyed our river!" Xu exclaimed in outrage. That colonial waterbender had saved their town and he did not want it to reopen again, the old man thought to himself.
"The river looks clean now," Zuko commented looking at the crystal clear water. He had learned long ago sometimes it was better to not ask questions but to make statements and let people talk.
"Well during the war this colonial waterbender came and masqueraded as our Painted Lady," Xu began telling the story eagerly. It was clear to the monarch this was his favorite story to tell. "She healed our sick, delivered food to us, destroyed the factory, and then protected us against the workers."
"Really? I didn't know there were any colonials who were waterbenders," Zuko was very intrigued now. The old man might sound crazy, but something about this sounded a little too familiar. "Did she travel alone?"
"No, no! She traveled with two young men and another young girl," Xu answered with a shake of his head. "She saved the town!"
"Xu, thank you," Zuko nodded at the man. The pieces in his head had clicked, his work in Jang Hui was done. "I can promise you the crown will not be restoring the factory."
After spending a little bit more time in the town, Zuko returned to the airship. He needed to get back to the palace, he had a birthday present to send to the illustrious Painted Lady.
The sea breeze blew over them as they rested in the sand. She was sitting between his legs with her back against his chest.
"This is my favorite place," she whispered as she snuggled deeper into his warm embrace. Her eyes watched the water as the children played in the waves. She felt so happy at this moment.
"Mine too," he mumbled into her ear following her line of sight. He placed a kiss on her temple. His hands sensually traced patterns on her arms. "I'm glad you made us do this every summer for the children."
The waterbender closed her eyes and rested deeper back against the firebender. She was lulled into a deeper sleep as she listened to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the squeals and laughter of the children praying. The feeling of being wrapped in his warm arms relaxed her body.
"Happy Birthday!" Sokka exclaimed as he burst into his sister's room the morning of her birthday.
"Go away Sokka," Katara grumbled as she pulled the furs over her head. She wanted to go back to the beach with Zuko and their imaginary children. Mostly her dreams about the firebender were heady, but this one was sweet and romantic.
The waterbender had been up most of the night, only falling asleep a couple of short hours ago. Her mind worried about how today any tribesman could begin expressing interest in her, yet there was only one person she wanted to express their interest. As daughter to the chief, she would have to at least hear out every suitor. It caused her much distress.
On top of that, Zuko had not written since her last letter. She knew he was not obligated but he had mentioned sending her a present and she was curious about it. Did he somehow learn of her feelings and decide not to send one? Or was it just delayed?
"Katara, Gran-Gran has made all your favorites," Sokka commented as moved deeper into her room. He knew his sister was upset at not having received a letter from the Fire Lord. "It would be rude to keep her waiting."
The Water Tribe Princess knew her brother was right so she quickly shooed him out of the room so she could get dressed. Today was a happy day, it was her sixteenth birthday and she should be celebrating.
"Happy Birthday Katara!" Her family greeted her as she joined them for breakfast. She was quickly embraced by her grandmother and father. The waterbender tried to not let her mind wander to the fact that she had lived exactly the same amount of time with her mother alive as without.
"Thank you," she smiled at them all once she was seated at the table. "This all looks amazing, thank you Gran-Gran."
The Southern Water Tribe Chieftain's family had a breakfast full of teasing, laughter, and reminiscing. Hakoda looked around the table, he felt an immense amount of joy and gratitude for the day. Not even a year ago he was unsure if he would be alive to see another one of his children's birthdays.
After having breakfast with her family, Katara spent the rest of the day teaching the young waterbenders. Meanwhile, her family prepared for the large celebration with the rest of the tribe later that evening.
"Thank you all for coming to celebrate my daughter Katara's sixteenth birthday," Hakoda announced to the tribe as he stood in the grand hall. He waited for the cheers to die down before continuing, "As you all know, Katara can now begin courting. Yet I have decided that any man who wishes to court my daughter must seek me out prior to expressing interest to her. Now let us go forth and celebrate this joyous day!"
Katara's breath caught in her throat as she heard what her father said. He knew of her feelings for Zuko and instead of letting her be overrun with eligible tribesmen, he would be instead. Hakoda was giving her a choice to say no through the chief of the tribe. And Katara did not think she could have received a more perfect gift from her father.
The waterbender was placed in front of everyone as she unwrapped the gifts surrounding her. She had expected the gifts from her family thanking them accordingly, clothing and bone jewelry were normal gifts for a sixteenth birthday in the Tribe. Toph had sent a dress from Ba Sing Se along with some make-up. And Aang had sent a box of her favorite fruits from the Western Air Temple. Both gifts from her friends were thoughtful, but she didn't see one from Zuko.
"There is one more gift," Sokka stated after Katara had finished unwrapping all the gifts she had received. Her brother placed a wooden box in his sister's hands. "This one is from the Fire Lord. He made me promise to only give it to you on your birthday."
He had remembered her birthday! He just didn't want her to open it before her birthday, so he had it sent to Sokka instead. That was very much a Zuko thing to do. With a deep breath, she opened the box and found multiple scrolls inside.
The scrolls were odd. There was the one that was the signature red and gold of the Fire Lord. But the rest were a mixture of cream, blue, purple, and some even black. It was difficult to distinguish what each scroll was about. Many of them looked old, it reminded Katara of the scrolls in Wan Shi Tong's Library.
She unraveled the top scroll that was red and gold, reading its contents.
Katara,
I know you are probably upset I had your present sent to Sokka, but I knew you would be too excited and not want to wait for your birthday.
No, I am not still hiding from Azula. You were right, she needed me to be there for her. You are always right, I should just stop questioning you when it comes to her. She doesn't talk much and she only speaks to me, but it's better than she was.
I would have sent you a letter sooner, but I had to visit Jang Hui. It's a fishing village that used to have a factory, the factory was destroyed during the war. I went to assess if it should be rebuilt or not.
The citizens seem to be under the impression that the Painted Lady came to their rescue, very interesting a river spirit took interest in a factory. Don't you think, Katara? Or should I say, Painted Lady?
I'm sorry I couldn't be with you on your birthday but I hope this present makes up for it.
It seems that I found something interesting in the Fire Lord's Library. Did you know that Sozin and Azulon wanted artifacts from each village they took over? Well turns out that not only did I find many things for Aang, I also found a few things for you.
Two of the scrolls are the written legends of the Southern Water Tribe, three are spiritual texts of Tui and La, and the other five are waterbending scrolls. Specific to Southern Waterbending Style, one even is on healing. I think you will find that one the most interesting.
Happy Birthday,
Zuko
"I can't believe it," Katara whispered stunned as she looked over the rest of the scrolls. Her hands moved through the box as she rifled through the contents. There were no words to describe how meaningful the gift was to her.
"What?" Sokka questioned curiously as he tried to get a look at what was sent. He was currently snacking on some fire flakes that Zuko had sent him in exchange for holding on to his sister's gift.
"These are authentic Southern Water Tribe scrolls," the waterbender explained as she began unraveling each one. Her eyes greedily took in the information on each one she read. "Zuko found them in the Fire Lord's Library!"
"That was a very thoughtful gift," Pakku commented as he picked up one of the bending scrolls that Katara had set aside. Perhaps he could spend time with his step-granddaughter and help her master Southern Style, he thought to himself.
Katara's breathing hitched as she looked over the healing scroll. She felt her palms become sweaty and every hair on her body stand on end. She could hear the blood rushing through her ears, drowning out the sounds of her party. Her stomach twisted as she continued reading the contents of the scroll. She could not believe what she was looking at. Zuko was right, she did find this one very interesting.
"Sokka," the waterbender murmured quietly at first. Then again much louder and more urgently as stared at the healing scroll.
Her brother noticed the thinly veiled distress of his sister. Something had clearly unnerved her. The Water Tribe Heir doubted that anyone else would notice how disturbed she was. It was an uneasiness that only he could pick up on, he moved quickly to look at what she was staring at in shock. His eyes widened as his mind registered what she was looking at, her distress becoming clear.
At the bottom of the healing scroll, under advanced techniques, was an entire section on bloodbending.
Zuko,
Thank you so much for the gift!
I love it so much! You are right, I was very interested in seeing the healing scroll.
Though I guess I owe you an apology for how I acted on the roof that night. You were right, true abuse of power is not mastering it. I have decided to master this ability and the scrolls are a wonder in helping. I don't know how to thank you.
I am so glad that you are no longer hiding from Azula. Now that she is starting to do better maybe you will be able to connect more.
So I masquerade as a river spirit. That factory was destroying the village. I spent many nights healing the sick Zuko. Please tell me that you won't reopen it. Not only was it destroying the villagers, but it was also destroying the river. Remember on the roof how I told you about the time I met a Fire Nation spirit? It was there.
Thank you again,
The Painted Lady
Zuko chuckled as he read the last lines of the letter. Katara would sign it with her alias. He was thrilled that she liked her gift. He had found the scrolls while looking for information on airbenders for Aang and he knew they were perfect. He was also ecstatic that she had officially decided to master her bloodbending. It was the perfect way to show her thanks for the gift. He could not wait to see how incredible her bending was after having the scrolls to help her. She really would be the best waterbender of their generation.
He knew the day on the roof she had mentioned. They had been talking about the North Pole and how Yue sacrificed herself. Zuko had asked if she had met any other spirits in her travels with Aang. It had seemed like a logical question to ask someone who had been traveling for over a year with the Avatar. The firebender had been shocked to learn that she had met a Fire Nation spirit. He was not surprised now knowing what happened in Jang Hui that Katara had met the spirit there.
The Fire Lord wrote his reply to the Water Tribe Princess then made his way to visit his sister for afternoon tea.
"Zuzu," Azula greeted her brother as he sat across from her at the tea-table. The nickname no longer held any malice when she said it.
"Zula," he responded using his childhood nickname for her. He noticed the untouched tea on the table. The firebender quickly poured himself and his sister a cup. "How is your day going?"
"Boring," she muttered as she flipped the page of the book she was reading. Ignoring the tea set out for her. "I liked the gossip scroll you brought me."
A few weeks ago Zuko had found a gossip scroll that talked about some of the scandals of the other noble families in the market. He had a fleeting thought his sister might like it and purchased it on a whim. Turns out his instincts were right.
The Fire Lord was surprised to hear his sister express interest in something, it was the first time she had since before her breakdown. He did not care that it was something as frivolous as a gossip scroll, this was extraordinary progress on her part. The Fire Nation Princess had been doing extraordinary well the past couple of months and he was not about to make her feel bad for wanting a gossip scroll.
"Do you want me to get more of them?" Zuko asked her, being sure to keep his tone casual as to not make her feel uncomfortable.
"Yes, I feel like I'm not so isolated when I read them," she shrugged flipping another page. Her eyes not taking in the information in front of her but the action soothed her.
She was having a good day today, being much more talkative than normal and even sharing things with him voluntarily. Zuko was ecstatic that his sister was doing so well. If she wanted gossip scrolls he would be sure she got them. Perhaps he should send her ones from outside the Fire Nation. While it might not be as entertaining as learning about the Fire Nation nobles they knew, it would still give her something to read.
"I'll be sure to get more for you. Do you want any from the Earth Kingdom? Uncle tells me the ones from Ba Sing Se are much more entertaining," Zuko eagerly suggested to his sister. He tried to reign in his excitement but failed miserably.
"Okay," Azula nodded after a moment of thought.
"I'll ask Uncle to send some," Zuko agreed instantly.
Iroh had taken to sending Azula letters telling her about his tea shop and some of the news from the regulars who attend his shop. She had never responded but once Zuko told his uncle how she kept all of his letters next to her bed, Iroh had sent them more frequently. He had also begun sending her little trinkets that he would come across in the Ba Sing Se marketplace. Everything was small, but Azula was always happy to receive the gifts.
"Could he also send that candy again too?" Azula requested quietly, apprehensively. In her uncle's last message, he had sent her some traditional Earth Kingdom hard candies and she had loved them but she had yet to tell anyone that.
The Princess looked up at her brother from her spot after making her request. She looked much younger than her fifteen years of age. There was something off about the way she asked the question, the Fire Lord thought to himself. He took in her facial expression and body language, it took him a minute to realize she was terrified to ask for something that she wanted. It was clear her wants and needs had been pushed aside as a form of abuse from their father. He wasn't sure how to make it better, but he knew that he would have his uncle send a ship full of candy if it would make her happy.
"I'm sure he would be glad too," her brother smiled at her softly.
This was the first time Azula had outright asked for anything since her breakdown on the day of the comet. Zuko was sure he would have gifted his baby sister with anything at that moment.
"He's a peasant," Lao grumbled with a sneer as he looked at Haru serving the other patrons of the Jasmine Dragon. "I might have not liked that you ran away with the Avatar but at least he was the Avatar. And the two siblings were at least the children of the Southern Chief."
Toph and Haru had been in Ba Sing Se for seven months now. The two of them had been helping the other earthbenders create a much stronger wall surrounding the city. In between rebuilding the wall and other areas of the city, the two earthbenders spent time helping Iroh at the Jasmine Dragon.
They had gotten close in the months of rebuilding the city. Toph had helped Haru master his earthbending and even begun teaching him metalbending. Haru was surprised that once you were able to peel back the tough exterior of the girl, she was very easy to get along with. He liked that she was confident enough in her skill not to take herself too seriously. Haru even forgot she was blind a majority of the time, only when she made a joke about it did he remember.
Toph also was surprised at how well she got along with Haru. For a long time, she just declared him willfully incompetent as an earthbender, but when she learned that he had never been taught she made it her mission to train him. Haru had a strong work ethic and never complained about Toph's unconventional teaching methods. In fact, he thrived on it. He took everything in stride and just worked harder if he could not grasp a concept fast enough.
The two balanced each other well, the Blind Bandit bringing him out of his shell and the young man calming her.
"Haru is a good guy," Toph argued toward her father. It was a fight she had been having for a long time. "And he was there at the invasion, he helped end the war too."
"You should never have helped end the war," Lao murmured he thought he was quiet enough she did not hear him. But his daughter heard him clear as day.
"Why are you here Dad?" Toph asked her father instead of rising to the bait. She was tired and didn't want to hear him complain about her life choices.
"I'm here to speak to King Keui about some trade negotiations. I am also here to bring you home, to Gaoling," Lao commanded as he looked at her. He was tired of this insolent behavior, it was time she returned home and took her place in proper society.
"I can't go home now," she shook her head. She could feel her father's heartbeat spike in anger. She took a different tactic to get him to let her stay, "I promised King Kuei that I would help rebuild the wall. It would probably not look well for a Beifong to go back on their promise. Especially now that you are trying to negotiate new trade deals."
The Blind Bandit knew that playing into her father's need for propriety would be the only thing that could get her to stay. If she had to play into her father's sick need to have the perfect noble family then she would do it. Anything to be sure that she would not return home to Gaoling with him. Toph could tell her father had a hidden agenda.
"That would be unwise," her father agreed quickly. Too quickly. "If you are invited to any formal events, you are under no circumstance allowed to be escorted by Haru," Lao sneered the name.
"I don't think I will be invited to any, not my style," Toph stated, resisting the urge to pick her ear. She wanted her father to leave so she could go back to acting like herself. "Plus I'm still a little young, I don't really need an escort. Got a few more years to go."
"Keui would not be foolish enough to not invite the heiress of the Beifong estate to his events," Lao brushed off. He would be sure that his daughter would attend the events, he wanted her to be seen in society. "Perhaps I should introduce you to Quon, he has a son who is unmarried."
Her heart sunk as the words ran through her mind. Her blindness allowed her to hear what was not being said.
And there it was, plain as day. All her father thought of was money and status. Toph would need a good match in his eyes. A match that also came from a powerful family and was either just as wealthy or wealthier. It had nothing to do with caring about his daughter, it all came down to politics and money.
She was just a tile in his pai sho game.
Katara,
She asked for something.
Azula for the first time since the comet asked for something. It was small, she wanted Uncle to send her more of the candies he had sent a few weeks ago. But it was still something. I am getting nervous though as we get closer to the anniversary of her breakdown, I know it will be a trigger for her. I hope she doesn't relapse again.
I'm so glad you liked your gift. I knew it was perfect the moment I saw it. There are so many things in the Fire Lord's personal library. Maybe next time you are in the Fire Nation we can go through it together.
I'll happily offer up my lightning scar to be a test subject for your bloodbending if you need someone.
Now that you are sixteen are you beating the warriors off with water whips? Or have you decided to let someone court you?
I promise I will not reopen the factory. It destroyed the economy of Jang Hui as well as part of the industry here in the capital. And that does not even touch on the environmental hazards of the factory. Though I do need an alternative for jobs for the workers. And not just for that factory but for many others that need to be closed as well.
I could use your guidance,
Zuko
The waterbender was thrilled to learn that Azula was doing better. Perhaps Zuko and his sister could finally have the relationship they both desperately deserved. She was nervous when she noticed Zuko's question about tribesmen courting her. Katara was unsure if he was asking as a friend or if he was asking because he perhaps felt something more for her.
The Water Tribe Princess wrote her reply quickly, she had waterbending practice to get to with Pakku before she taught her waterbending students.
"Master Katara," Pakku greeted her formally as she joined him in the training arena.
"Master Pakku," she responded to him. The two bowed playfully to each other, a far cry from their first time sparring.
She had noticed they had a bit of an audience today. Once news got out that the Fire Lord had sent the Water Tribe Princess waterbending scrolls on Southern Style, many of the tribesmen had taken to observing her and Pakku practice in the mornings. Katara hated them watching her but it was an open arena and she could do nothing about it. She secretly hoped that she intimidated some of the men, but sadly it seemed her father was always approached right after her bending practice.
Southern Style was coming quickly to the two benders, even the healing aspect. Though it was a difficult conversation to have with Pakku about bloodbending. They had a massive fight about it the first time he heard of the technique, it reminded Katara of her time in the North. But Kanna spoke with her husband and he decided it was useful when it came to healing. Pakku and Katara had decided to keep quiet about the bloodbending healing practice, never leaving their home for Katara to practice that technique. It would be considered very taboo to any outsider. Though whenever her healing was called upon, she did practice it discreetly.
The two waterbending masters moved through the movements first of northern style, then they transitioned into the movements and forms they had been practicing together of southern style. They moved as one unit as they warmed up.
Once both had moved through the forms, they moved on to the next form they were currently learning. After spending an hour on the new form, they each went to separate sides of the arena to spar with each other.
Sparring with Pakku was much more fun now, Katara thought. Neither bender held back and both were able to sharpen their skills. Sometimes the young war hero won and other time's her step-grandfather won. It just depended on who was having the better day. They were very evenly matched in skill.
Southern Style felt much more freeing to Katara than any other waterbending style. She was quickly learning that it felt the most natural to her and she was unsure if that was because it was native to her tribe or because she was already a master bender.
Pakku constantly admired that Katara had learned from multiple bending disciplines, her moves were sharper than most because she had adapted her bending. It was very much in rhythm with the White Lotus and he was grateful that he had bent his ideals to teach her.
Katara was very quickly becoming the best waterbender of her generation.
"Suki!" Sokka exclaimed as he went rushing off the boat to greet his girlfriend. It had been a little over seven months since they had seen each other. He could hardly contain his excitement at seeing the Kyoshi Warrior.
"Sokka," she called back as he raced to hug her. His arms instantly wrapped around her and she returned the motion. Suki was surprised that when she was in his embrace her head only reached his chest now. It seemed he had hit a late growth spurt when he was in the South Pole.
"I missed you," he said as he rained kisses down her face. She looked so beautiful, even more, beautiful than the last time he saw her. He never wanted to be separated from her for this long ever again.
"I missed you too," Suki responded as she turned her face up to plant a soft kiss on his lips. He leaned down to shorten the distance, both of them lingering in the reunion. Too soon she pulled away, "Come on, let's go get you settled in."
The Water Tribe Heir let his girlfriend lead him toward her home. He was nervous to see her father. But he would do everything in his power to receive Suki's father's approval. The betrothal necklace felt heavy in his pocket.
It had been about three months since Sokka had arrived in Kyoshi. He and Suki had spent the first couple of weeks reconnecting. He was able to build a good relationship with her father in the first few weeks of his stay and even earned some extra points by helping with rebuilding the village.
But today it was time Sokka asked for Suki's hand in marriage.
The tribesman stared at himself in the mirror, he had been sure to get cleaned up and put on his nicest outfit. Making sure to be clean-shaven and his hair perfectly tied back in the wolf tail. He looked so different from the boy he had been when he first met Suki. He looked like a young man, yet he felt more like a boy today than that day he was ambushed on the beach.
Taking one last look, Sokka left his room and went in search of Oyaji.
"Oyaji," Sokka greeted as he found Suki's father in his office. The man always left the door open, "May I speak with you for a moment?"
"Sokka, sit please," Suki's father gestured to the seat in front of his desk. He was interested to hear what the young made had to say. "What did you want to speak with me about?"
Sokka sat at the chair offered to him and took a deep breath. This was the moment of truth, he would either have Suki's father's blessing or not.
"I want to ask you for Suki's hand in marriage," the tribesman stated his voice sounding much more confident than he felt. He could hear his heart beating in his chest as he waited for a response.
"I can't say I'm surprised by this," Oyaji commented after a long moment of silence as he looked at the young man in front of him. "Why do you want to marry my daughter?"
"Suki is incredible. She is kind, compassionate, smart," Sokka began listing all of Suki's features and characteristics. "An extraordinary warrior and leader to the other girls. She puts up with me and my crazy ideas. Not to mention so beautiful. And I love her."
"Have you thought about the political ramifications of your marriage to the Captain of the Kyoshi Warriors?" Oyaji inquired as he watched Sokka. He was pleased with the young man's assessment of his daughter.
"I have. Though it was not on my mind originally," Sokka admitted. He didn't know how to explain himself well, but he hoped he got the point across. "I love Suki and sometimes I forget both of our roles politically in the world. While I understand this would cause a unique alliance between the Southern Water Tribe, Kyoshi Island, and the Earth Kingdom that is not the reason I want to marry her."
Oyaji stared at the Southern Water Tribe Heir. He had a feeling the day he met Sokka that one day they would be related. Sokka had been a misogynistic young boy when he first came to Kyoshi but after spending time with Suki had expressed his wrongdoings. He had been humbled and continued to show humility in the presence of those who knew more.
The young man who sat before Oyaji was no longer a young boy. He was now a Sword Master, a capable Warrior, a War Hero, and next in line to become Chief of his tribe. He was more than worthy of taking care of Suki.
The silence was deafening as the tribesmen waited for an answer. He wasn't sure what he would do if the answer was no.
"You have my blessing," Oyaji sighed after he thought about what Sokka had said to him. "Though, I only ask one request. You wait until after the third anniversary of the war. We will need at least a year to collect her dowery and make the necessary changes to the Kyoshi Warriors."
"I expected a long engagement," Sokka agreed readily. It was not uncommon in the South Pole to have longer betrothals. "I have no issue waiting until after the third anniversary of the war to get married. Though I do plan on asking her soon."
"How soon?"
"Well tomorrow will be two years since the day we met, I had planned on asking her then," Sokka explained the way he wanted to propose. He had put a lot of thought into how he wanted to ask her, the symbolism of the day they met was a perfect time.
"I guess I better let you get to your planning then," the older man commented, this was a bittersweet day for him. His daughter would be betrothed to a wonderful man by the end of tomorrow but it also meant she was growing up.
The Water Tribe Heir stood thanking Oyaji one last time as he bowed in Earth Kingdom custom before taking his leave, he had a girl to propose to.
The next day found Sokka pulling Suki behind him as he walked to the beach picnic set up he had done earlier that day. He wanted the entire day to go perfect, he had woken up extra early to be able to get everything organized.
"Where are we going?" Suki asked with a giggle as her boyfriend pulled her along.
Sokka had told her that he had a special surprise planned for them. She wasn't sure what was so important about today but he seemed so excited that she went along with whatever planned he had cooked up.
"The beach!" Sokka exclaimed as they stepped foot onto the sand. Her hand was tightly in his as they walked along the warm sand. His voice had become deeper since the war and she found she liked the rumbling sound.
"Are we going to ride elephant koi?" Suki teased her boyfriend. Truthfully she was always a little weirded out by Aang wanting to ride the fish. "Or am I just going to ambush you again? I could always feed you to the unagi."
"Very funny," the tribesman commented with a dry chuckle. He swung their hands between them as they continued to walk. "We are having a picnic."
The Kyoshi Warrior looked past her boyfriend and saw the spread that was set out for them. She noted that he had all of her favorites. It was very romantic and not something Sokka usually did.
"What's the occasion?" She asked him as he helped her sit down on the blanket before quickly joining her.
"Today is two years since we met," he grinned at her. He hoped the proposal would come as a surprise. "And I wanted to show you how much I care about you."
"Sokka, this is so sweet," the Kyoshi Warrior smiled at her boyfriend. She was touched that he had remembered the day.
"I'm glad you like it," Sokka admitted, his chest puffing out as he took in her praise. He had spent weeks planning today. "I really love you, Suki. I hope you know that."
"Of course I know that," she gave him a weird look. Something felt off about his declaration but she couldn't figure out why. "I love you too. I know the past few months apart has been really hard on both of us."
"What would you say if we didn't have to be apart again?" The Water Tribe Heir inquired as he watched her reaction.
"You know I would love that, but I understand that we both have responsibilities right now," Suki shrugged. She was unsure what her boyfriend was getting at.
Sokka moved so he was sitting behind Suki, his legs resting on either side of her body. The betrothal necklace felt like it weighed as much as an elephant koi where it rested in his hand. Suki leaned back to rest against his chest. He moved her hair to one side. He trailed his nose up the side of her neck and planted a quick kiss beneath her ear. Finally, with his lips resting against the shell of her ear, Sokka proposed.
"Suki, will you marry me?" Sokka whispered as he moved the necklace to rest against her throat.
"Yes!" Suki exclaimed.
Zuko,
I'm so glad things are better with Azula!
I know you are worried now that we are getting closer to the anniversary of the war ending. If you think she is well enough to travel with you to Omashu, I'd be happy to try to use my healing on her.
Don't know if you heard, but Sokka wrote to me and shared that Suki accepted his proposal! I'm so excited for them.
My father has told me three of the warriors here have approached him asking to court me, but he has declined each one. I'm thankful he is the one having to reject them. Apparently, he told two of them, that he would not accept a man that is weaker than me as a warrior. It has discouraged many of the other tribesmen from asking him.
It's hard to believe that it's been almost a year since we sat on the roof and talked about what we do after the war ended. Some of those nights on the roof were my favorite memories of our time during the war.
I know you probably won't have time to send a reply, so just tell me everything at the anniversary.
See you in Omashu!
Katara
"Fire Lord, we are ready to depart when you are," Malu told Zuko.
Zuko looked up from Katara's letter, it had arrived late last night and he was just now getting a chance to read it. Today was the day he departed for Omashu, the first location to celebrate the anniversary of the war ending.
Zuko had debated about bringing Azula for a long time, but after a discussion with Physician Dairin had decided that uprooting Azula now would not be wise. She needed structure and routine if she was going to get through the most triggering time.
"Thank you, Malu," Zuko replied as he stood from his desk. "I will be visiting Princess Azula and then I will join you at the airship after."
Malu nodded at the Fire Lord then left the room with Zuko quickly following.
The Fire Lord was unsurprised to find the Princess sitting on her windowsill. It was one of her favorite spots and nine times out of ten he would find her sitting there. But he was surprised to see that she had a red and gold scroll in her hand.
"Zula," Zuko greeted his sister as he joined her, sitting in his usual chair. "I'm leaving for Omashu today."
"I know," she nodded. Azula held out the scroll to her brother. "Will you have this sent to Uncle?"
"What is it?" Zuko inquired as he took the scroll.
"A letter," she replied dryly as she shrugged, not wanting to elaborate.
Zuko could tell his sister would not say more on the subject. He was surprised that she wanted to send Uncle Iroh a letter but he would not object to it. This was progress and it was happening so close to the anniversary of the comet that Zuko was not going to make a big deal out of it. He did not want to make Azula self-conscious by asking more questions, so he decided to accept the letter and change the subject.
"I would be happy to send it to him," Zuko nodded, he was nervous about what she had written. But at least she was making contact and that was progress. "Are you going to be okay that I'm gone?"
"I'm a big girl, Zuzu," Azula commented with a slight eye roll. She didn't think he needed to worry as much as he did, but it was also nice that he did. "Plus it's not as if I'm really alone. The palace is filled with over two hundred people on staff and that's not including the guards or the private physician."
Zuko decided not to rise to the bait of his sister, instead, he asked, "Would you like me to bring you back anything from the Earth Kingdom?"
"Gossip scrolls from Omashu would be nice," she responded instantly. She might have grown up in the palace but it was still odd to ask for things she just wanted. "And maybe some candies?"
The Princess had a very large sweet tooth, the Fire Lord had learned. His sister was starting to open up more and more to him. If she wanted a boat full of sweets, he would be sure to send a boat full-back. While in Omashu, he would make sure he picked her favorite hard candies and any other traditional ones so she could try them
Zuko nodded. After a quick goodbye to his sister and a brief stop at the hawkery to send her letter, the Fire Lord made his way to the airship.
Notes:
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, I know there wasn't the reunion everyone was hoping for but I promise it is coming. I would love to hear your thoughts on chapter 3! Please take a moment and leave a comment :)
Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for story news and updates at JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
See you on November 5th, 2021
Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Summer 102 AG
Notes:
Hello! Hello! So glad to see you back :)
Thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story so far, I'm glad you all are enjoying it as much as I did writing it. I so appreciate each and every one of you who has left a comment, it means a lot that you took a moment of your time to do that.
Without further ado, our next chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Four: Summer 102 AG
The waterbender looked around the Omashu Palace hallway, she wanted to be sure she was alone before she knocked softly on the door in front of her. The Anniversary Summit was supposed to begin tomorrow since the last of the world leaders had finally arrived in Omashu today. She knew tonight would be probably her only chance. A few more glances around, she clutched the package in her arms close to her chest as her hand rose to rap on the stone door. She was quickly rewarded with the door opening.
"Hi," Katara whispered in greeting, blue eyes sparkling as looked up at the man in front of her. She was unprepared at the warmth that curled in her chest as she looked at the firebender.
In the past year, she had pictured him a lot, but her memories didn't do him justice. She admired the way his hair fell into his eyes, creating a shadow across his scar. Her eyes trailed down to take in the strip of chiseled naked torso visible through his open robe. The waterbender had the urge to dip her sight further down to see how the fabric of his sleep pants formed to his strong thighs. Instead, she trained her eyes on his face.
"Hi," Zuko responded just as quietly, a crooked smile gracing his face. He stepped back from the entryway so she could slide past him, "Come on in."
The two had hardly seen each other since they both arrived in Omashu a few days ago and knew they probably wouldn't have much time together in the coming weeks. The Water Tribe Princess slipped into the Fire Lord's guest room unknown to the rest of the sleeping world leaders. She tried not to notice how close she was as she moved next to him. His body heat radiated off of him and onto her. He closed the door behind them and was surprised to find Katara leaning against the wall, a mere half a foot away from him. Zuko's hands itched to reach out to touch her, she looked beautiful in the soft glow of the firelight and the soft kimono she wore.
"I know I shouldn't be here, people will talk," a rose color dusted across her cheeks as she spoke. Her nerves were high as she looked at the man she had feelings for. "But I'm not sure if we will have a moment to be alone and I wanted to give you something."
"Probably not a good idea to be seen entering the Fire Lord's room in the middle of the night," Zuko replied in agreement he knew how serious the Water Tribes took virtue and he wouldn't do anything to tarnish her reputation. Though he secretly wished that she had come to his room for a much more illicit reason than a gift.
"This is for you," she pushed out the package toward him, the words coming out in a fast huff. With a deep breath to settle the nerves in her stomach, she explained, "It's for your birthday, I know it's a little late but I didn't think it would get to the Fire Nation before the anniversary. And I thought it would be better to hand-deliver it."
"Good thinking," he chuckled as he took the presented package from her hands, his fingertips brushing against hers sending a tingle up his arms. He thought she was adorable with how eager she was to give him the present.
"And I wanted to see your face when you opened it," Katara offered a sheepish smile as she watched him begin to open the gift. Her skin burned from where it touched his. "I hope you like it. Happy belated Birthday, Zuko."
The Fire Lord carefully unwrapped the gift, pulling out a beautifully soft leather-bound journal. It was stunning, a deep rich chocolate brown. His fingertips traced the etched image of Caldera across the cover. His eyes noticed his name engraved in the bottom right corner and underneath that the date of his coronation. He turned it over and noticed the image on the back cover of the Fire Nation.
"Thank you," he whispered to the woman he loved, his eyes meeting hers. It was an incredibly thoughtful gift. Just another reminder of why he loved her.
"I'm glad you like it," she graced him with a dazzling smile. Katara's heart soared seeing the look of gratitude cross his face, his gold eyes moving to look back down at the journal. "I thought it could serve as a place to write your thoughts when you felt the need to talk to me. Obviously, we will still write letters, but in the in-between."
"It's perfect, really," Zuko looked up at her, his eyes filling with tears. His chest felt heavy with emotion, he resisted the urge to pull the waterbender to him in a deep kiss. Instead, he went to open the journal but she stopped him.
"I should get going, I will see you at breakfast," Katara brushed some hair back from her face as she fidgeted. She was nervous to stay too long, she didn't want someone from her family seeking her out and not finding her in her room.
"Of course, I'll check the hallway," he opened the door and peeked his head out to check the coast was clear. He beckoned her forward and could feel her body brush against his as she slipped out of his room. "Thank you, Katara."
"Goodnight Zuko," she whispered as she walked out into the hallway, she made her way back to her room unaware of him watching her as she walked away.
Neither noticed the old eyes having caught the exist of the Water Tribe Princess from the Fire Lord's rooms.
Once the waterbender was out of his sight, the firebender moved back into his room. He settled into bed with his new journal. His hands skimmed over the image again on the cover before flipping it open. He was surprised to see half a world map on the inside cover, he had a feeling the back inside cover would house the other half. He noticed small Fire Nation insignia's and Water Tribe insignia's in specific areas across the map. A smile crept across his face once he knew what they meant.
It took him a moment to realize, but Katara had marked where they had fought and who had won based on the insignia. He noticed that she had marked the spots they had traveled together searching for Yon Rha and when they were in hiding with Team Avatar, with an interlocking sun and moon. The corner of his eyes caught the neat script and they wandered to the first page of the journal.
Golden eyes scanned the contents of Katara's handwriting.
For when you need to be reminded how honorable of a leader you are.
Happy Birthday, Zuko.
"Good morning! Today is the second to last day of the Anniversary Summit, I know all of us are feeling tired from the long days and nights. But today, we are finally discussing what everyone has been waiting for, colony release," the Avatar began the meeting, eliciting a soft chuckle from the crowd. "I will let Fire Lord Zuko and King Keui present their agreement."
After a very heated day of trying to provide some semblance of leadership, it was decided that Aang would be the one to open and close each meeting. Him being the Avatar meant he would have each nation's best interest at heart, so far it was proving to be an adequate solution.
All the world leaders had been gathered in Omashu for the past two weeks. There had been countless meetings negotiating trade agreements, colony release, and other peace treaties. Most everyone was feeling the exhaustion of the negotiations and were ready for the peace talks to end. This was the second to last day where each leader presented the agreements and final negotiations happened. Tomorrow would be their final meeting and then the ball would happen in the evening.
"Thank you, Avatar Aang. There are currently 112 Fire Nation colonies, over ninety percent of those colonies are in the Earth Kingdom," Zuko started as he stood in front of the other world leaders, he was sure to keep his voice steady and calm. He could not wait to return home. The Earth King joining the young sovereign as he began their presentation, the Fire Lord gestured to the man next to him. "King Keui and I have discussed the most logical way to release the colonies back to their original nations. I'll let him explain our conclusion."
"Many of the families have mixed heritage, though the people tend to strongly identify as Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom. It has been decided a vote will be taken of each colony to elect which nation the colony will stay as," King Keui continued, picking up where the Fire Lord had left off looking down at the papers in front of him with his notes. "This will happen over the course of the next ten years. We have found that it would destabilize the world economy to have it happen in a shorter time frame."
The Avatar took over the podium to allow the Earth King and the Fire Lord to take their seats again. Aang announced, "We will now allow some time for discussion and questions."
"And what of the other colonies that were not originally the Earth Kingdom?" Arnook inquired from his position next to the other Water Tribe dignitaries. The old man's sharp eyes bore into the young Fire Lord.
Zuko had been surprised that the Northern Chief had been so accommodating the past two weeks. He had been worried that Arnook would hold some lasting pain and animosity to the Fire Nation from the death of his daughter. But so far he had been very reasonable in the peace talks, almost too reasonable. Though the Fire Lord had a feeling that was only lasting for so long.
"Avatar Aang has decided that the colonies that are in original Air Nomad Territory will be released as the revitalization of the Air Nomads happen. In the meantime, he has decided to restore the temples and the Fire Nation has given him complete control over the area. I'm sure if you have any questions he would be happy to answer them," Zuko explained turning toward his friend and nodding at the young airbender. It wasn't the firebender's information to share, but he wanted to provide enough to answer Arnook's questions. "As for the two colonies that were established from the Southern Water Tribe, I will let Chief Hakoda speak on the agreement."
"Thank you, Fire Lord Zuko," Hakoda nodded to the young man before adjusting to look at his Northern counterpart. The Southern Chief was surprised at how well the new leader had been handling the peace talks. "We have decided that the colonies from the Southern Water Tribe will stay under Fire Nation control until the South Pole's economy stabilizes. It would be irresponsible to disrupt the colony before we can properly lead them."
"When will the first colonies be released to the Earth Kingdom?" Arnook asked after a few minutes. He might be keeping a calm facade but he was still wary of the Fire Nation. He knew it was unrealistic to expect to get everything he wanted in these negotiations, but the older chief did want reparations to be made.
"Fire Lord Zuko and I have decided that the first colony that will be released back to the Earth Kingdom is Whale Tail Island after the second anniversary," the Earth King told the council of leaders, looking down at the papers in his hand. "They have only recently been colonized and no mixed heritage families are yet present. It was no surprise when the vote was in favor of the Earth Kingdom."
"For Prince Sokka and Captain Suki's wedding!" Bumi cackled heartily, understanding the significance easily. The old King also knew that his announcement would help his oldest friend with another, more personal project. "How fitting for that to be the first released, directly in between the Earth Kingdom and the South Pole!"
King Keui and Chief Arnook looked at each other. This was news to them that the Heir of the Southern Water Tribe and the Captain of the Kyoshi Warriors were getting married. Similarly, Ukano, Zuko's advisor and Mai's father, was shocked to hear the news. While the Earth Kingdom and Northern Tribe were thrilled with the marriage alliance, Ukano was not.
"Two strong families coming together across nations is concerning for the Fire Nation. While we understand the Fire Nation has done some," Ukano spoke, pausing searching for the right words. It was a delicate balance staying loyal to his country while also acknowledging its mistakes. "Unacceptable and cruel things in the past hundred years, what is to stop the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes from seeking retaliation now that this marriage is taking place?"
The Fire Nation sovereign shot his most trusted advisor a look. He was shocked to hear him speak like that, but he did have a point. It would be very easy with this alliance to retaliate against the Fire Nation, especially now when they were still slightly unstable from the transfer of power. Now, while the Fire Lord didn't think the Southern Tribe and Kyoshi would band together for revenge, that didn't mean the Northern Tribe and the Earth Kingdom wouldn't.
This was the very reason Zuko chose Ukano as his advisor, he was able to think things through quickly. The nobleman was also able to play devil's advocate in a way that allowed his lord to be seen as peaceful and accommodating. It was crucial for the Fire Lord to be seen in these entail meetings as non-threatening, but he did have a responsibility to protect his own nation. Mai's father allowed him that ability without compromising his facade.
"What's to stop the Fire Nation from starting another war?" Arnook questioned right back, hands gripping the edge of the table. His eyes hard and stormy he as looked at the young leader.
"I would never!" Zuko exclaimed his temper flaring in annoyance, his hands digging into his body where they rested against his thighs. He knew that a quick response was necessary to assure the rest of the world.
"Yes, but we know that you are still working on stabilizing your nation," Arnook argued, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair. "Many still support the war and your father, additionally you have no heir. It would be simple to displace your authority and with no guarantee for a successor to continue this new peaceful era."
"And your sister is still a potential threat," Keui agreed with the Northern Chief. The Earth King leaning forward to look across the table at the Fire Nation dignitaries. "She was able to stage a coup in Ba Sing Se. We know her mind suffers but she is not healed now."
"She is under constant surveillance, her bending has been blocked, and she has a dedicated physician to attend to her healing," Zuko argued, smoke curling around his nose as he exhaled. He knew at this moment it was of the utmost importance to stay as calm as possible. "She suffered under Ozai's abuse for all of her life, she deserves a chance to heal from it. Do you want to prosecute a child? She has not even reached her coming of age ceremony."
"That is your opinion," Arnook stated, his eyes icy as they narrowed in on the Fire Lord. The chieftain's patience was thin. His daughter was lost to the violence of the Fire Nation and he would do everything in his power so no one else of his Tribe would feel that kind of pain.
"And it is mine as well," Aang agreed with his friend. The Avatar place his hands on the sides of the podium as he spoke to the rest of the leaders. "Princess Azula can be saved, Fire Lord Zuko had received my guidance and approval before he decided not to sentence her. And as he stated, she has not reached her coming of age ceremony and suffered great abuse which skewed her perspective of the world. She can still be redeemed."
The Avatar's words were technically a lie. Zuko had made the decision first and then asked if Aang was alright with it. But the Fire Lord was not about to point that out in the middle of the meeting. The only other person who knew the truth was Katara and she would never say anything if it helped Azula.
"My sister has been well versed in Princess Azula's healing process," Sokka spoke up, from his place next to his father. He had originally been instructed by his father to observe only in the summit, but he knew now was the appropriate time for him to speak. "She has expressed a few times that the Princess needs a healer, a waterbending healer. Perhaps if the Fire Lord is in agreement the Northern Water Tribe could take over Princess Azula's healing?"
Zuko was surprised to hear Sokka's words. Though, Katara had mentioned it a few times in letters. And the Fire Lord was already thinking of asking the master waterbender to join him back home to check on his sister. He hadn't really had a chance to discuss it with his friend, he had been detained in meetings most of the trip and barely saw the Southern Water Tribe Princess. The two friends had only seen each other across the way during meals and other than the night she came to his room the two hadn't had an opportunity to speak.
Maybe sending Azula to the Northern Tribe would be a good idea. She would be away from painful memories and she could receive more dedicated help than he could give her. Katara had mentioned using the Spirit Oasis Water to help heal the Princess and the only place that was available was in the North Pole. Zuko would of course send his sister all the gossip scrolls and candies he could so she wouldn't feel abandoned.
But this could solve two issues. The first reason was establishing trust among the rest of the world. And the second was of a much more personal issue of helping Azula's healing in an accelerated way. The more he thought about it, the better of an idea it seemed.
"You are asking me to bring a known dangerous firebender into my tribe," Arnook stated as he looked at the heir to the Southern Tribe. It was incredibly painful for the Northern Chief to look at the young man, all he remembered when he looked at the young warrior was the devastating news of his daughter.
"I'm asking you to oversee her healing," Sokka retorted, stressing the final word. He knew that it was risky arguing with Arnook given his history with his daughter. But he also knew that Yue would have instantly agreed to help Azula. Sokka was hoping that Arnook would channel his daughter's compassion and agree to help the Fire Nation Princess.
"It would be a tremendous show of good faith on both parties to agree," Keui commented as he thought over Sokka's words. The Earth King did not have as much of a vested interest but it would create more trust for him and the Fire Nation if the Princess was in the hands of another country. It was a delicate situation, but there needed to be shown more faith amongst all of the nations and this could be an extraordinary first step.
Chief Arnook's hand ran through his beard as he thought over the proposal. The Fire Nation Princess would be far away from home and that would drastically reduce the risk of her trying to steal her brother's throne. He would be able to monitor her healing process and it would be a tremendous show of good faith to allow her into the Northern Tribe.
Lastly, he thought of his daughter. Yue would have agreed to help Azula without a second thought, she could see the good in everyone. She also believed in the powers of the Spirit Oasis when it came to healing, having experienced it at such a young age. He, of course, had seen firsthand how it could save someone. Yue would believe the Fire Nation Princess had a right to healing.
After a few more moments of thought, the Northern Chief was in agreement.
"The Northern Water Tribe is offering to take over Princess Azula's healing," Chief Arnook extended an official invitation as he stood.
"The Fire Nation accepts your offer," Zuko stood and both leaders bowed slightly to each other. "Upon my return home, I will have her sent to the North Pole."
Once both leaders were sitting, Ukano spoke again. "That still does not help the potential retaliation with this upcoming marriage," the advisor insisted, tenting his fingers in front of him thoughtfully. "How is the Fire Nation supposed to be the only one showing good faith?"
"How do we know that the Fire Nation isn't going to take advantage of our hospitality?" Arnook fired back with a glare as King Keui agreed.
"The rest of the world needs more assurance than just sending the Princess to the North Pole," Keui retorted before Ukano could speak. The earthbender's arms crossed looking at the Fire Nation. It was a small alliance, but a shaky one. There was still the issue of no heir for the Fire Lord.
"What would make you happy?" Aang asked leaning over the podium to look at Ukano, ignoring Arnook and Keui first. Almost everyone missed the way grey eyes met blue for a brief moment. Could this be the moment they needed?
The Fire Lord's eyes narrowed as he observed the interaction between his two friends.
"A much stronger alliance with the Water Tribe or the Earth Kingdom, though how I do not know," Ukano admitted, as his eyes studied the table in thought. He was loath to admit it, but the others did have a point. There was no successor in the Fire Nation currently, it left them in a very vulnerable state.
"You are upset about my marriage," Sokka commented, he watched Ukano nod slowly. The Avatar exchanged a look with the Water Tribe Heir, the solution had serendipitously fallen into their laps. The young warrior turned to face the Northern Chieftain, "Chief Arnook, would you be satisfied if you knew that if something happened to Fire Lord Zuko, Princess Azula would not take the throne?"
"Yes," Arnook stated in the most obvious tone. His hand waving animatedly as he spoke, "I want reassurance that there would never be another war again. My daughter sacrificed herself for this war, I don't want any father to have to go through that."
"King Keui, are you in agreement?" Sokka turned to the Earth King. He needed them to both agree before he made his move. There needed to be just enough pressure on the two parties, for this to work.
"I am in agreement if we can find a solution that will be sure to keep the Fire Nation from restarting the war," Keui concurred, he gave the young man a quick nod before glancing a look at the Avatar.
All of the world leaders were silent as they thought over the options they had. There seemed to be only one option to both the Avatar and the Southern Water Tribe Prince. And it seemed they would be able to not only satisfy the world leaders but also satisfy a personal agenda.
"What about a marriage?" Aang spoke up after a nod from Sokka. They only had one chance at this, it had to be done right. Keui, Arnook, and Ukano both turned to look at the Avatar in surprise. They were unclear what he was suggesting.
Zuko's hands curled into tight fists resting against his thighs, nails digging into the palms of his hands. He sucked in a quiet breath through his teeth. His friends wouldn't, would they? They knew how he felt and they wouldn't purposely put him in this position.
"I hope you are not suggesting an arranged marriage with my daughter to the Fire Lord," Keui accused, arms crossing over his chest. "She is only three years old."
"No, of course not," Aang shook his head, secretly elated the Earth King had created the perfect opportunity for him. "But I am suggesting a marriage between the Water Tribes and the Fire Nation. Perhaps between the Fire Lord and the Southern Water Tribe Princess."
The Southern Water Tribe Chief looked at the Avatar. He knew what Aang was suggesting and while Hakoda never wanted to have to use his children for politics this was their reality. He knew that Katara would do anything to help keep the peace that was created. Hakoda also knew that she was in love with the Fire Lord and he was positive that the Fire Lord was in love with his daughter.
Hakoda looked to Bato, his second in command when it came to all matters with the tribe. The two had spent many times during the past year discussing a political marriage for Katara. They knew the reality of her age and the Fire Lord's age. They also knew how both the Northern Tribe and the Earth Kingdom felt about the Fire Nation. It was not lost on either of them that Katara might need to make a sacrifice for the peace they had all fought for. In fact, Hakoda had even primed the waterbender of this on the voyage to Omashu, peace talks were complicated and he wanted his daughter prepared if he had to agree to a marriage.
The leader of the Fire Nation was deep in his own thoughts, as well. He was in love with the Water Tribe Princess. And he would be thrilled to have her as a wife, but he didn't want it this way. Zuko wanted Katara to want to marry him because she loved him, not because it was an arranged marriage. Yet, a small part of him hoped that if they were forced to marry then perhaps one day she would fall for him. He knew that she already cared for him and if they were forced into a relationship could romantic feelings develop?
Yet it did not matter what the Fire Lord wanted, he would do what was best for his nation and if this marriage was it then he would gladly do it.
Zuko looked at Aang first then Sokka, apparently his friends not only would but they did. He raised one eyebrow at them, both gave him a slight nod. The Fire Lord turned to look at the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe, the two having a silent conversation.
The Fire Lord stood before he spoke, "I will do what I need to for not only my country but for peace to reign. I made that promise the day I vowed my life to the Fire Nation. If the Water Tribes are in agreement, I am proposing marriage to Princess Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."
"I have vowed to do what I can to aid the peace we have all fought for," Hakoda stood, his voice much steadier than he felt. He had hoped it wouldn't have come to this, but it had. "The Water Tribes accept your proposal, Fire Lord Zuko."
"Does this satisfy the Earth Kingdom as well?" Aang asked Bumi and Keui.
"We are very satisfied with this agreement," Bumi cackled like a mad man.
"Let us break for today and resume in the morning," King Keui suggested. Everyone let out a collective sigh. There was one more day left of the summit and all the world leaders were feeling exhausted.
"Chief Hakoda, a word?" Zuko asked his now future father-in-law as the room began to empty. He thought it was important to speak to the older man as soon as possible.
"Of course, Fire Lord Zuko," Hakoda agreed with the young sovereign. "Let's retreat to one of the sitting rooms."
"I wanted you to know that I understand this was not what you had in mind for your daughter. But I will do everything I can in my power to make her happy and to take care of her," the Fire Lord told him once the two were in a private sitting room. There was much to discuss.
"I know you will," Hakoda nodded in understanding. He did not necessarily think this was a bad peace agreement. "It was why I agreed."
"I know that we will have many discussions for treaties, the wedding contract, and many more details," Zuko began nervously fidgeting slightly, he was unsure how to act with the older man now. "Ukano is my second, he will be the Fire Nation representative in creating the contracts. Does that suffice?"
"That is agreeable to me, Bato will be our representative," the Chief agreed, he was hoping to ease the nerves of the young man. Plus he had a request, "I want to give Katara one last night of her freedom before I tell her the news if you don't mind allowing me to do it in the morning?"
"I respect that," the Fire Lord nodded, letting out an unsteady breath. He needed a night to collect his thoughts before he saw the waterbender. "Bumi said there is a festival happening tonight in the city, I know Katara likes them."
"That's a wonderful suggestion," Hakoda commented. He watched the somber expression on the young man's face. "Zuko, are you prepared for this? You are not even twenty."
"How old were you when you married your wife? Took the mantle of Chief?" Zuko questioned suddenly. He was constantly reminded of how young he was, but he had lived more in his nineteen years than most men had in their fifties. He was more than prepared for a wife, he just wasn't prepared for a one-sided marriage.
"Not much older than you are now," Hakoda nodded. He was quiet for a moment before he continued. "You are in love with my daughter."
It was a statement, not a question.
"I am, but she only sees me as a friend," the firebender grumbled looking away from the man.
"Perhaps because she has not seen you as a potential suitor," the older man explained, he knew the Fire Lord was a good man and of his daughter's feeling. "She might have thought you were never an option because you are Fire Lord."
The Fire Lord failed to respond to the Southern Chief.
At Zuko's lack of response, Hakoda decided to leave the young Fire Nation sovereign to his own thoughts. It was a lot to learn that you were about to marry someone.
Zuko was conflicted about the news he was to marry Katara. He was in love with her, but she did not love him. Though he knew that she would do everything she could to be a strong and powerful Fire Lady to him. He even knew that she would try her best to make him happy, yet the thing that would make him happiest would be her love. It seemed like an impossible situation and the one person he wanted to talk to, he couldn't because she was the other party involved.
The Fire Lord had only been alone for a few minutes with his thoughts before the Avatar joined him.
"Zuko, don't be mad at me," Aang said to his friend once he burst into the room after finding the firebender.
"You know how I feel about her Aang," Zuko hissed in anger, turning to look at the young monk. His gold eyes filled with fire. "Why? Why did you do it?"
"Because this not only would ensure peace but it would keep you safe," Aang admitted, only halfway telling the truth. He knew that his friend was going to be mad, but this was the only way. "A marriage was going to be proposed either way, but it could have been to anyone! You and I both know that there are many people still unhappy, that could lead to someone quickly assassinating you. Where would that leave the Fire Nation? The peace we all worked for?"
"That's not the only reason you did it," Zuko commented as he looked at his friend, crossing his arms over his chest.
While everything that the airbender said was true, the firebender knew his friend well enough to know that he was not telling him the whole truth. He didn't need Toph's earthbending to know that Aang was avoiding telling him something.
"Maybe, I hoped that if you two were married you both could actually be together," Aang confessed softly, looking down at his feet and scratching the back of his head sheepishly. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, after all, he thought to himself. He hated when anyone was mad at him.
It was the real reason he had proposed the arranged marriage, all the other things were true but the main reason was it would force his friends to admit their feelings. Sokka had been the one to bring it up one night when they were talking about how Zuko and Katara were clearly perfect for each other. The young monk and Water Tribe Heir had spent hours observing the meetings to find an opening for an arranged marriage. They had thought it wouldn't happen this Anniversary Summit, but the opportunity had presented itself almost too perfectly.
"She will never feel that way for me," Zuko whispered turning his back to his friend.
"You don't know that!" Aang argued, hands balling in fists and falling to his sides in aggravation. He knew from Sokka that Katara felt the same way, the only person who didn't know was Zuko.
"I don't know if I can handle the pain of being married to someone who could never love me," the firebender lamented to his friend, looking out the window at the city of Omashu. "I don't know if I could handle being with her but not really being with her."
"Just have faith and trust me," the airbender told his friend, he crossed his fingers behind his back. He really hoped Sokka's plan worked.
"All he cares about is me marrying the perfect nobleman," Toph complained to Katara about her father. The two were in Bumi's rock garden. The two women were lounging on the stone benches as they caught up.
The earthbender had just finished telling her friend that she had developed feelings for Haru and that he returned her feelings. The past year had them growing closer and they quickly began dating while they were in Ba Sing Se. Toph had kept her relationship quiet from her family once she learned that her father was only concerned with status and wealth in a future partner for her.
Katara was the first person that Toph had confided in about Haru. The waterbender had been so excited to hear that her friends were happy together. She had a feeling back at the Western Air Temple there was an attraction between the two.
"Isn't it a little early for him to be worrying about that?" Katara asked her friend as she fanned herself, it was the hottest part of the day. "You only just turned fourteen."
"Sugar Queen, come on," Toph commented as she picked at her toes. The only reason she had come to the Anniversary Summit was to stay away from Gaoling. "You know that's not how it works when it comes to powerful families, I guarantee your name was probably brought up for a political marriage at some point these past two weeks."
The waterbender sighed. Her friend was probably right, she thought. Her father had a long conversation with her on the trip to Omashu about her status as the Princess to the Southern Water Tribe. Katara knew he had already received a few offers of marriage from some Earth Kingdom nobles.
Prior to arriving in Omashu, the Water Tribe Princess had a funny feeling she would leave the city betrothed. But as the days passed, she brushed it off as a silly superstition. Tomorrow was the last day for peace talks, if a marriage wasn't brought up by now it most likely wasn't going to be discussed.
"Yeah, you're probably right," Katara sighed, looking out at the garden in front of her. "I'm sorry your dad is being so frustrating."
"Oh, I didn't know you two were here," Zuko muttered as he stumbled onto the two girls. "I'll just let you be."
The Fire Lord had left his meeting with Hakoda and Aang to spend some time alone in his guest chambers. He had tried to meditate but he felt like he was going to suffocate in the palace. After quickly changing into a simpler tunic, he had made his way outside. He had hoped that Bumi's garden would have been empty but instead, he stumbled across the one person he was trying to avoid, his future bride.
"Zuko, are you okay?" Katara asked as he went to leave. The firebender was acting very strange. She wasn't sure what it was but there was something slightly off about her friend.
"I'm fine," he responded instantly, he needed to leave immediately. He didn't think he could be around his future wife right now.
"You're lying," Toph drawled, something was up with her friend and she was not about to let him lie his way out of it. Plus, he was always a bad liar. She was pretty sure even the waterbender could tell he was lying.
The Fire Lord almost groaned. Of course, the Blind Bandit would point out his lie. He should have known better. He took a moment before formulating his response, he needed to tell the truth without telling the whole truth.
"Yeah, just the meetings are long and my chest hurts," he shrugged. It was true, the meetings were long and his chest was hurting.
Toph made a noncommittal noise to Zuko's response. She knew he wasn't telling the whole truth but she figured it had something to do with Katara so she wouldn't press the issue, for now. The moment she got him alone, the earthbender would interrogate the Fire Lord.
"The full moon is tonight, I can take a look at it," Katara offered. Sokka had explained to her that the meetings were taking their toll on everyone. The waterbender had hoped to be a part of the peace talks, but her father had advised her not to be.
"There's a festival in town, I thought you would want to go to it," the firebender commented, he was hoping to avoid her until her father spoke to her.
He didn't know how to act around her, especially considering he knew of their engagement and she did not. He hated keeping secrets from the waterbender. He knew that Katara should take a look at his scar, but he was feeling very conflicted with the arranged marriage. Zuko felt as if he would do something wrong and accidentally tell her. Or worse she would come to hate him when she found out.
"I can do it before we go or after we come back," Katara explained, she desperately wanted a moment alone with him. Her fingers itched to touch his chest, even if it was just to heal him. Thoughts of the kiss were brought to the forefront of her mind and she shook her head to clear them.
"Or you could do it now," the Blind Bandit suggested with a shrug leaning back on her hands. Something was clearly going on between the two of them. "You were just telling me how much better you have gotten with your bloodbending and you don't need a full moon anymore."
"You didn't tell me that!" Zuko exclaimed as he looked at Katara. His excitement at the news caused him to forget his earlier apprehension. "Are the scrolls helping?"
"Yeah, they are helping a lot. And I feel like I have barely seen you since arriving," she blushed a little as she told her friend. She wanted to tell him all about how much she enjoyed the scrolls and the bracelets he had gifted her. "I was going to tell you when I had the chance, but you have been so busy with all the peace talks."
"Well, I don't have any more meetings for the rest of the day," Zuko informed. His worry about the marriage leaving his mind. "Maybe you could look at my chest now and then after we could go to the festival?"
"We can do that," Katara agreed with a small smile, brushing the hair out of her face. "Go find a comfy spot and undo your tunic."
"That's my cue to leave," Toph teased, she wanted to give the two some privacy. Clearly, the two needed some time to talk about their feelings. Maybe if she cleared the way they would, the earthbender thought.
"You can't even see," Zuko retaliated as he found a spot on the ground that he could sit before he bared his chest.
"Yeah but I'm sure Katara needs to concentrate," Toph explained as she went to leave. "I'm going to go find Twinkle Toes, maybe go practice some earthbending with Bumi."
"She's fighting with her father," the Water Tribe Princess confided as she rested her hands on his chest.
Katara was doing everything in her power to distract herself from looking at Zuko's body. The past year had been very good to him. He had grown not only in height but in mass as well. The firebender now stood over a foot taller than the waterbender and was almost as muscular as his father was. It was difficult not to notice how much more attractive he had become in the past year as she focused on his chest.
"What about?" The Fire Lord asked as his friend began working.
He was trying not to look at the way her top formed to her breasts. Katara was growing into a beautiful woman. Her curves were becoming more defined and her face had lost the last remnants of baby fat it had held. Her hair had grown longer and reached past her lower back. The firebender hadn't had an opportunity to observe her this closely since he arrived in Omashu.
"He doesn't like that she is spending time with Haru," she began softly as she healed him, her fingertips gliding across his chest lightly. "He doesn't like his status, or lack of I should say. He keeps thrusting eligible Earth Kingdom Nobles in her face. He is more concerned with her marrying someone who will match her status than he is with her being happy."
"I understand what she is going through," Zuko commented with a shiver as he felt her skin brush against his. "I'll try to talk to her soon."
"All done," the waterbender said with a smile as she moved her hands off his chest.
The firebender almost moaned when he felt how much lighter and better his chest felt. It had slowly been worsening over the past few months. And now he felt like he could breathe easily again. Katara had been right when she said he would need more healings throughout the rest of his life.
"That feels so much better," he admitted as he began closing his tunic. He kept his eyes low to not stare at her breasts. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel good actually," the waterbender smiled leaning back to sit on her heels. This was the first time she had used her bloodbending outside of the South Pole since the war. "Pakku has been helping me and we have been practicing with other members of the tribe as they get hurt."
"Seems like you are quickly mastering this skill," Zuko grinned at his soon-to-be fiancé. "I always knew you would."
"Well, I did get a wonderful birthday gift that showed traditional Southern Water Tribe Healing techniques," she teased him, pushing against his upper arm lightly. "Did something happen in the meeting? You seem tense?"
"Arnook and Keui brought up Azula," Zuko admitted to her, the half-truth slipping easily off of his tongue. "They are concerned about her insanity. Even though she is doing better. Sokka suggested sending her to the Northern Tribe to be healed, I think once I get home I will send her."
"I think that's a great idea," Katara assured him as he stood. She was thrilled with the idea of the Fire Nation Princess moving to the North Pole. "I have thought for a long while that Azula needs a healer, I can write to Yagoda and ask for her to be in charge of your sister's treatment."
"I would appreciate that," the Fire Lord replied reaching a hand down to help her from the ground.
Her hand slid into his easily and she felt a tingle race up her arm as she stood. She wished she could leave her hand in his, but dropped it immediately. The waterbender was so concerned about him noticing her reluctance she missed the way his hand opened and closed a few times at the loss.
The two stood in silence for a moment before the Water Tribe Princess spoke again, "Well, I need to go find Sokka and my dad. But we can meet up in the next hour or so to go to the festival?"
"Yeah, I'll come to find you then," Zuko agreed as she went to leave. "And thank you."
"You're welcome," Katara smiled as she left.
The Water Tribe Princess wandered the halls of the Omashu palace looking for her brother and father. She had a feeling something happened in the earlier meeting, the Fire Lord had been very tense during his healing session. And she knew that if anyone was going to tell her what happened it would be her brother. If he refused, she knew ways to get him to spill the details.
She finally heard her father's voice and followed it into one of the many sitting rooms.
"How are you going to tell her?" Bato asked Hakoda.
"I don't know," Hakoda shook his head in frustration. "I wanted her to have one last night before she knew. She's my daughter, how am I supposed to tell her?"
Hakoda felt as if he had betrayed his daughter. They had a long discussion on their journey to Omashu about arranged marriages and the potential for that during the peace talks. But he had promised her that he would do everything in his power to prevent that, only agreeing if it was absolutely necessary. And he told himself it if was necessary, he would be sure they would reside in the South Pole. He didn't want his daughter to be left alone in another nation with an arranged marriage.
Who would have thought that the marriage that was proposed was to the one man his daughter was in love with? He had been prepared to fight against a possible marriage with the Earth Kingdom and the Northern Tribe, which he had successfully done. But he was unprepared and could not fight the marriage to the Fire Lord.
The Southern Chief did not know how to tell his daughter about her betrothal. He selfishly wanted to wait until the morning so he had time to process the loss of his little tiger seal. He had been making the excuse that she deserved one last night of freedom before she learned the news. But the longer he waited the more the guilt settled into the pit of his stomach.
"Hakoda, you need to tell her sooner rather than later," Pakku told his stepson. He didn't agree with waiting, he thought she should know now. She needed time to adjust to the idea. "The longer you wait the sooner someone else could tell her."
"And this news should come from you," Bato encouraged his friend. He rested his hand on Hakoda's shoulder. The two had always been close but after the death of Kya and fighting alongside each other they had become even closer. Bato had begun noticing how attractive his oldest friend was during the war, but he dared not act on it.
Bato was unsure if the attraction was because neither of them had been with a woman in so long or if he really was attracted to Hakoda. But as they returned home and Bato's feelings did not lessen, the tribesman was beginning to think it could be something more.
"Do you want me to tell Katara?" Sokka asked his father, looking at him somberly. He fidgeted with the boomerang in his hand.
He had been the one to plant the idea in Aang's head earlier this week, but the two never thought there would actually be an opportunity for it. The Southern Heir was now feeling incredibly guilty for forcing not only his father's hand but his best friend's. Maybe he should be the one to tell his sister.
"Tell me what?" Katara inquired as she entered the room suddenly. She had stood just outside the room and listened to all the important men in her life talk about her. Something had happened in the earlier meeting and it was the reason Zuko was so uncomfortable around her.
Hakoda looked up and saw his daughter standing in the doorway. She looked so grown up, he thought. Katara had turned into a young woman and she deserved the respect to find out what had been agreed upon the moment it happened. And yet in his own selfishness, Hakoda had prolonged her knowledge.
"Katara, come sit please," He motioned for his daughter to sit next to him. "Can we have a moment?"
All the rest of the men in the room nodded before taking their leave. Sokka stopped to look at his father, silently asking if he should say. But a quick jerk of his father's head had him leaving the room.
"What's going on dad? I just saw Zuko and he seemed tense. Did something happen in the meeting?" Katara sat next to her father once they were alone.
"Katara, little tiger seal," Hakoda began, taking her hands in his. He swallowed the lump in his throat, "Do you remember how on our trip we discussed how peace treaties and alliances were created?"
"Through marriages," Katara answered, not daring to look at her father as she waited for his response. The words tasted metallic in her mouth. Her heart was pounding in her chest. The waterbender could feel her palms become sweaty. Everything in her body felt tense and her stomach turned sour as the words processed.
"Yes," her father responded softly and delicately. He brushed some hair out of her face, "Katara, many of the world leaders are upset that the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom are now tied together through your brother's upcoming marriage. In addition to that, many people are concerned about the Fire Nation starting another war. They want assurance that another war will not happen. So marriage was proposed."
"A marriage that I am involved in," Katara murmured pulling her hands from her father's and placing them in her lap as she looked down.
The Water Tribe Princess was terrified of who the other party in the marriage was. There were many Earth Kingdom noblemen that she could have been promised too. Or potentially a Fire Nation nobleman. Her biggest fear was being married to a Northern tribesman, she did not think she would survive the outdated misogynistic ways. Her only ray of hope was that she was of high enough standing that it would be expected her husband to move to the South Pole.
"Yes," her father confirmed.
"To whom?" She finally asked. Her hands were cold, clammy, and shaking. The waterbender's stomach churned and a base level of queasiness settled in the back of her throat. She took an unsteady breath through her mouth to ease some of the nausea, a drop of sweat trailed down the back of her neck. Her heartbeat increased and she could hear her blood rushing through her ears as she waited for her father's response.
"The Fire Lord."
Neither Katara nor Zuko joined their friends at the festival in Omashu that night. Both lost in thoughts about their upcoming marriage.
"Katara?" Pakku called his step-granddaughter when he stepped inside her room.
He had noticed she did not go with her friends to the festival and figured she was upset about the news of her marriage. He thought he could help her see the bright side of this arrangement. Pakku had gone in search of her and found her in her room, it looked as if she had been crying.
"Pakku, I thought you went with everyone else," Katara commented as she brushed the tears off her face.
"I wanted to check on you," he explained as he moved deeper into her room. "Your father said you took the news well, but I figured you were just trying to be strong in front of him."
"I'm okay," she argued as he went to sit next to her on her bed.
"No, you aren't," he retorted as he sat next to her. "But I know that you will be."
"I don't know how I feel," she responded tucking her legs under her and softly picking at the bedspread. "Zuko is one of my best friends, it is not as if he is a stranger. But I always wanted to marry a man I loved."
"But you do love him," Pakku stated, the fact had not been lost on the old master. "And this marriage will do extraordinary things for the peace you fought for. The coming together of two strong benders and nations. You will be Fire Lady."
"What?" She looked up at him in shock. The Water Tribe Princess hadn't heard anything he said after he mentioned her loving the Fire Lord. The only person other than her brother to know of her feelings for Zuko was her father. She was unaware that her step-grandfather knew as well.
"Katara, you have been in love with that young man since the day you stepped into the White Lotus camp," her step-grandfather declared as he looked at her.
Pakku had observed Katara and Zuko a year ago when they had arrived at the White Lotus. He was also not the only one to notice how they had been curled up close together as they slept on Appa. There was no doubting the feelings the two benders had for each other that night. Not to mention what he had seen when she left his room only a short few weeks ago, but he didn't think mentioning that would be a good idea.
"It doesn't matter," Katara shook her head, looking down at her hands. The weight of her betrothal felt heavy in her heart. "He does not love me. How am I supposed to be married to a man who doesn't love me? I'm not strong enough to do this."
"You are strong, Katara," Pakku assured her, setting a comforting hand on top of one of hers. "You left home over two years ago to travel to the North Pole with the Avatar. You stood up to me and convinced me to teach you how to waterbend. You brought Aang back to life. You helped defeat Azula and end the hundred-year war. You are strong enough."
"This is different," she argued, jerking away from him. She didn't want to be strong, she didn't want to have to be with the firebender in a one-sided relationship. She didn't know how she would survive being able to have part of Zuko and watch him retreat to his harem. The waterbender was sure it would kill her. "Loving a man who doesn't love me back is far more painful than anything I have ever done."
Pakku knew that anything he said would not be helpful, so instead, he just held her as she cried. Finally, the young waterbender ended up falling asleep. After pulling some covers over her, the older tribesman left her to her dreams.
About an hour after her step-grandfather had left, Katara found herself awake and restless. The full moon pulled at her. She needed something to do and fast. She had heard from Aang that there was an area of Omashu that had been hit extremely hard during the war. So the waterbender decided to don her Painted Lady costume and see what she could do for the citizens of Omashu.
On the other side of the palace, the Fire Lord was in his own room was similarly feeling restless. After pulling himself out of bed, he slipped into his Blue Spirit disguise and also made his way to help the citizens of Omashu.
The Blue Spirit was halfway to the southeast side of the city when he saw a figure moving through the streets. As he trailed the rooftops to get closer, he was quickly able to pick up that the figure was the Painted Lady gliding through the streets. He was enamored at the stealth she showed as she moved through the midnight hour.
Knowing who the Painted Lady was and why she was probably heading in the same direction as him, the Blue Spirit decided to make himself known.
Katara jolted back as someone jumped down from the roof right in front of her. She was shocked to see the elusive Blue Spirit in front of her. She had heard stories of the Blue Spirit during her travels; a vagrant who did wonders for the lower ring in Ba Sing Se and the Fire Nation. He had even helped Aang escape from Zhao.
"Blue Spirit," Katara greeted her voice husky in the cool night air. She was surprised at how tall he was, the wanted posters had always claimed him to be shorter. "Am I to guess you are headed to the same place I am?"
The masked man nodded slowly. The waterbender knew that the Blue Spirit did not talk and was unsurprised by his nonverbal response. But it did make communicating with him much more difficult.
"Do you want to join me?" Katara asked the man. She knew she needed to keep her questions to yes or no answers. Part of her knew she should feel apprehensive with a strange man, but there was something oddly soothing about the Blue Spirit.
He nodded in response again. He pointed to himself and then Katara, repeating the action a couple of times to be sure she understood his request.
"You want to work together?" She inquired after she comprehend what he was asking of her. The waterbender felt a little unsure of working with someone else, she didn't think he meant to harm her. Though a young woman couldn't be too careful during this late of an hour. And it wouldn't hurt to have someone with her, a potential deterrent for anything untoward and the citizens would receive more help.
The Blue Spirit nodded for the third time.
"Well, I'm heading to the hospital to heal some of the injured," Katara explained lowly, she was sure to check her surroundings. "I thought you mostly dealt with gangsters and criminals."
The Blue Spirit shrugged before he nodded at her. He wanted to laugh, she was right that he mostly dealt with criminals. He had no idea how to help in a hospital but he would do what he could to say near her and make sure she had backup if needed. Though he knew the waterbender could take care of herself.
Katara was unsure exactly what the Blue Spirt was trying to communicate, but decided it didn't matter. He had broken Aang out of Zhao's clutches because of that she felt safe with him.
"I guess we are working together," she agreed before they both headed toward the hospital.
Once inside the hospital, Katara instructed the Blue Spirit on basic dressing changes. She figured her talents were best used for the most serious of injured. Once he was settled, she began healing the many soldiers who had returned from the war. Bumi had explained that many of the hospitals were overrun as soldiers returned to Omashu. The King of Omashu had done as much as he could, putting up temporary hospitals everywhere. But there were not enough medical professionals to go around.
Katara knew that this was the main hospital that was overrun, since it was at the edge of the city it was the first stop for the injured soldiers when they returned. She figured if she could heal as many people as possible, this hospital would be able to take in new patients. And maybe she could come back a few more times during the rest of the week to help the city of Omashu get ahead of the problem.
Zuko watched Katara heal almost a hundred of the soldiers in the hospital within a few hours as he redressed the less severe wounds. He was amazed at the strength of her bending. He was even more surprised when he observed she was using very little water to heal. Her bloodbending did not seem to be taking the same amount of energy as it had in the past, though with all her practice and it was a full moon he was unsurprised at how strong of a bender she was.
He allowed himself to admire his future bride as she worked, never breaking a sweat. Though soon he felt the night begin to waver, dawn was approaching in the next couple hours and they both needed to get back to the palace.
The Blue Spirit touched Katara's arm as she went to move on to the next patient, both feeling a current of electricity pass through them at the contact. He gave a gesture to the two of them and indicated his head toward the door. Katara sighed, she knew the Blue Spirit was right but she wanted to keep working. Finally, though she nodded her head and followed him out of the hospital.
The two had been walking for about twenty minutes when Zuko heard catcalling coming from a few men that had left a brothel they had just passed. He quickly grabbed Katara's hand and pulled her along as they ran up the road ducking into an ally.
He pulled the two of them behind some piles of rocks. Zuko was leaning against the rocks with Katara in his lap, her slightly above him. How they were positioned reminded both of them of their kiss after the Agni Kai.
Katara felt as if she had been in this position before, with this man too. The way his chest felt against her torso as she was pressed into him. She could feel the heat from his body through both their clothes. His arms holding her felt familiar and safe. The more she thought about it the more something about how he held her reminded her of Zuko.
The Painted Lady's hand moved to the mask on the Blue Spirit, both could hear the drunk men stumbling along as they hid. Her breathing increased, her heart pounding in her chest drowning out the drunk men. Her fingertips brushed against the side of his head as she went remove his mask, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. Skin brushed against soft hair that wasn't tucked into his hood well. His eyes fluttered closed at the contact, but quickly opened he wanted to see her reaction.
He knew he should stop her, it would make sense to stop her. But he wanted her to know it was him. Her body felt cool against his as she moved closer to remove his mask easily. The Blue Spirit held the Painted Lady tightly to him as she unmasked him.
She saw the scar first and then his hooded golden eyes.
The firebender quickly closed his eyes as she stared at him. He felt embarrassed all of a sudden that he was masquerading as a vagrant. He was the Fire Lord, he should not be doing this. Yet Zuko knew he probably would never stop. He had never felt this uncomfortable with someone potentially finding out he was the Blue Spirit, he figured it was because of his feelings for the woman in his arms.
"Zuko," Katara whispered. Her hand rested against his scar from when she had removed his mask, the rough skin steadying her.
She leaned into his embrace, his arms quickly tightening around her as she did. Katara decided at that moment she loved being held by Zuko. She stared into the golden eyes of her future husband. She was unsure how she felt knowing that he was the Blue Spirit. Part of her was thrilled that even so long ago while he was working against them he was still trying to do good, but the other part was upset that he felt the need to keep it a secret from her.
"Katara," he responded back quietly.
The waterbender felt wonderful in his arms, he pulled her closer to him and her lips parted slightly as she sucked in a breath. Zuko's eyes instantly watched her lips open and his mind wandered to what it felt like to have her lips on his. It had been over a year, but he could still remember the taste of her
"Why didn't you tell me it was you?" She asked him as they sat there.
Her arms wrapped around his neck as he pulled her closer to him. She could feel his hands on her waist, his fingertips a whisper away from grazing the sides of her breasts as they moved to her back.
"I thought you were mad at me," he replied leaning closer to keep his voice down, Katara felt his breath fan over her face as he spoke. "I figured you heard the news from your father."
"I'm not mad, but I do think we need to talk about it," she confessed, he was inches away from her lips. "Are you upset?"
"No, of course not," he shook his head, he resisted the urge to kiss the tip of her nose. "But you are right, we do need to talk about it."
After a few more minutes, the two decided to continue back to the palace. They walked in comfortable silence, though could not explain why it had been so soothing. All too soon the couple was standing outside of Katara's room. Zuko stood in front of her, his mask in his hand. He watched her remove the hat she was wearing. She looked beautiful with the red paint covering her face and upper body.
They were quiet as they stood outside the room. Both wanted to fill the silence but were unsure what to say to the other. Finally, Zuko decided to say something he had been thinking about for a long time. Something that had been on his mind since he had proposed marriage formally in the meeting.
"Katara, I know we will talk about this later," he began as he looked into the sapphire eyes of his future wife. He shifted his weight slightly, "But I want you to know that I will do whatever I can to make you happy."
"I know you will Zuko," she smiled at him. She looked up at the man in front of her through her lashes as she voiced a similar thought, "I hope I can do the same for you."
Zuko felt desire course through his body as she looked up at him, her blue eyes glittering. Both benders unaware of the feelings the other person had, felt a little lighter after their declarations. While this was not how either of them wanted to enter marriage to each other, they each hoped secretly that one day something might shift in their relationship.
The Fire Lord leaned down and placed a quick kiss on the Southern Water Tribe Princess's cheek before he took his leave
Notes:
And the arranged marriage has been announced!! How will our two lovers handle the changes to their relationship? Stay tuned :)
See you November 15th, 2021
Chapter 5: Chapter Five: Summer 102 AG
Notes:
Welcome to Chapter 5!
Thank you to everyone who commented and left kudos on the last chapter! I love hearing your thoughts and seeing how you liked each chapter :) Your feedback makes me a better writer.
Just a reminder we will have a little bit of a slow burn, it will be sometime before our lovers open their eyes and admit their feelings to each other. I promise it will be worth the wait!
Hope you all enjoy Chapter 5!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Five: Summer 102 AG
"Where were you last night Sparky?" Toph asked Zuko when he joined her and Aang for breakfast the next morning.
The Fire Lord suppressed a groan and resisted the urge to rub the back of his neck, a motion he knew his friends would pick up on. Of course, Toph would notice that he had snuck out last night. The entire Omashu palace was rock, she would literally feel every single vibration. And knowing that meant she knew that Katara had snuck out too. The earthbender probably also knew the two had returned together as well. He had a fleeting thought that the Blind Bandit also knew of their secret meeting a few weeks ago, but wasn't about to incriminate himself.
"What do you mean? I was asleep," Zuko stated as he sat down next to the earthbender and loaded his plate. He was sure to keep himself calm as he spoke, even though he knew it was pointless to attempt to lie.
"Wow, two lies in as many days," Toph commented to her friend as she took a bit of food. "Want to try again? Let's start with the one from yesterday."
"If he doesn't want to tell us, he doesn't have to," the airbender defended the firebender from his spot across the table. He still had a low layer of guilt in his stomach from the other day.
"That's not just my news to share, Toph," Zuko explained turning to thank the servant next to him for pouring him a cup of tea. "Plus it will become public knowledge soon enough."
"Is it about your marriage to Sugar Queen?" The earthbender questioned loudly, causing the firebender's chopsticks to drop from his grip and clatter loudly onto his plate.
"Who told you?" He exclaimed angrily, brow furrowing as he placed his signature glare on his friend. Very rarely did the Fire Lord's legendary temper surface, but when it did it was typically with his closest friends. And this moment was no exception. He could feel his blood boiling as he looked at the smirking earthbender.
"I did," Sokka said as he walked into the room hand in hand with Suki. The couple taking the seats across from their friends. "It's not exactly a secret now that Katara knows plus I figured you'd both want the support of your friends. Plus, she would have been the only one not to know. And it's Toph, she would have found out either way."
"It's going to be announced tonight at the ball anyway," the Kyoshi Warrior commented as she began passing things to the man next to her as they loaded their plates.
Zuko pressed his palms to his eyes. He understood Sokka's reasoning and he was glad that he didn't have to tell the rest of their friends. But he was still struggling with the news he was going to marry a woman who didn't love him. Plus this would greatly change the dynamic of their friend group.
"I don't understand why you are upset," the Blind Bandit commented as she picked at her ear, pointedly ignoring the firebender's flaring temper. "Your heart rate goes up every single time you look at Sugar Queen, you obviously find her attractive."
"Attraction isn't the only thing men look for in a partner," Zuko grumbled scrubbing a hand over his face in annoyance, he did not want to be having this conversation with them. Though he did find Katara attractive, very attractive actually.
"You aren't denying it though," Toph retaliated before taking another bite of her breakfast. She knew for a fact that Zuko found the waterbender attractive and him not correcting her just solidified the knowledge.
"Well you obviously find her mentally stimulating otherwise you wouldn't have sent all those letters," Sokka teased his friend. He didn't want to think about Zuko finding his baby sister attractive. Maybe he hadn't thought pushing his best friend and sister together through fully.
"Yeah, you did send a lot of letters," Aang added as he joined in on the teasing with his friends. "I felt like every time I visited you, you were writing a letter to Katara or reading one of hers."
"How many letters did you send?" Toph asked suddenly.
Zuko groaned, all of his friends were ganging up on him now. But he could not deny anything, he was attracted to Katara. He did find her mentally stimulating, she was his best friend. They did write a lot of letters to each other, even more than he wrote his uncle. And he was in love with the waterbender.
"There was one at least once a month, maybe twice a month," the tribesman replied as he shoveled food into his face, barely chewing as he swallowed. "More than I sent Suki and we are engaged."
"So are Katara and Zuko," the Blind Bandit's head was thrown back as she cackled loudly. "I bet Zuko is just eager to get to that wedding night."
The Water Tribe Heir choked on the food he was chewing at the earthbender's words, his fiancé patting him on the back to dislodge what he was choking on. It was the first time the Water Tribe Heir registered his best friend and sister would be having sex. He suppressed a shudder and tried to dispel the images brought to his mind at Toph's words.
"Here, you should drink something," Suki passed her betrothed some water as she helped him. She shot the earthbender, who was still making teasing comments to the Fire Lord, an exasperated look. The Kyoshi Warrior didn't believe antagonizing Zuko and Katara would bring them closer any faster, she just wished the rest of her friends realized that too.
"Toph!" The firebender growled, ignoring Sokka's coughing fit. Zuko could not believe the earthbender had just said that.
"Oh," Katara's voice carried into the room, echoing off the walls. The Fire Lord's head whipped around to see his future wife standing at the entrance of the room.
"Um, I forgot something in my room," the waterbender claimed as she turned and fled the scene in front of her. She couldn't get away fast enough. The Fire Lord knew something was instantly wrong when her legendary temper didn't surface. She was not one to flee, she was the type of person to stay and fight.
"Katara, wait!" Zuko cried as he stood to follow her. He turned back to glare at his friends, this was their fault. "You all are the worst!"
The waterbender was so embarrassed by the scene she had walked in on and overheard. Hot and airy tears filled her sapphire eyes as she fled. All of her friends were talking about her and Zuko's engagement. They were insinuating feelings that were not there on Zuko's part and clearly he was getting agitated at the teasing. On top of that, both Sokka and Toph knew of her feelings for the firebender. Did they tell him? She felt as if she could not get far enough away from them.
A hot hand wrapped around her wrist pulling her to a stop, she turned to see her fiancé holding on to her.
"Katara," Zuko pleaded as he moved to stand in front of her, still keeping a tight hold on her wrist so she couldn't run away from him. "Don't go, they were just teasing."
"I don't think I can handle this," she admitted softly looking anywhere but him, willing the tears to stay in their place. Her entire body was telling her to run. She knew if she stayed she would embarrass not only herself but the man she loved as well and with everything happening she didn't think she could handle that.
"They are trying their best to make it seem normal," he tried to comfort her, releasing her wrist once he knew she wasn't going to run away from him. He ignored the loss he felt the moment his hand left her body. "None of them were expecting this from us and they don't want it to seem weird."
"None of them were expecting this? Because we were totally expecting to be forced into an arranged marriage!" She cried as she looked at him, throwing her hands up in the air. He tried not to flinch at her calling their marriage forced. He focused on the fighting spirit he had expected earlier. "But, oh sure, we should try to be sensitive about this for them!"
"You're right," Zuko whispered once her breathing calmed down.
If anyone should be sensitive it was their friends. This wasn't happening to them, but to Katara and Zuko. They were the ones who had to get married. They were the ones who had to learn how to go from friends to spouses. Eventually, lovers, an heir would be required at some point. It was a lot for the two benders to process, for anyone to process really.
"I'm what?" She questioned him, her eyes boring into his. He had left his hair down and she noticed how it fell into his eyes. It reminded her of their times on the roof.
"You are right," he repeated as he looked into the glassy blue eyes. He could see the tears she was holding back. "They are not the ones going through anything, it is us. Toph was in the wrong with her comment and I'm sure Suki or Aang is explaining that to her right now. But it's Toph, she didn't say it to be mean and you know that."
Katara sighed, Zuko was right too.
The earthbender didn't make the joke to be mean but because she handled awkward situations with humor. In a weird way, the Blind Bandit was trying to have everything seem normal. She didn't go about it in the right way, but she was desperately trying to ease the tension the only way she knew how. The Water Tribe Princess could see that now and she felt silly for abruptly escaping her friends earlier.
The Fire Lord watched as his future bride leaned against the wall and slid to the ground, pulling her knees to her chest. She rested her arms on her knees and pressed her head down onto her forearms. Her fiancé joined her on the ground, one leg bent at his knee with an arm resting on it and the other leg that was next to the waterbender stretched in front of him.
"How are we supposed to do this?" Katara whispered as she let the tears roll down her face.
"I don't know," he shook his head, he wanted to wrap an arm around her shoulders. He didn't know if it was appropriate or not now. In the past he probably would have, their engagement made things complicated. As if they weren't already messy with his feelings for her. "But I know we are going to do it together like we have done so many things in the past."
"I didn't want this, I wanted to marry a man who loved me," she mumbled as she pressed her face deeper into the ball she had created, the waterbender didn't want him to see the tears she was shedding. The stress of everything made her words slightly more honest than normal.
"I don't think I ever had the luxury of marrying someone who loved me," Zuko whispered deep in thought. His hands twitched to touch her. He resisted the urge to tell her he did love her, the firebender knew she wouldn't believe him now even if he did confess. "Maybe when my cousin Lu Ten was alive, but after he passed I always knew an arranged marriage would be in my future if I was to be Fire Lord."
The waterbender turned her head to look at him through blurry eyes. Zuko looked so much older than his nineteen years. This past year had aged him. The stress of the mantle of Fire Lord and taking care of his deranged sister clearly showing in his demeanor. But Katara found him even more attractive than before. As she looked at him, she thought about who Zuko was. He was a strong and honorable leader, a good brother and he would be a good husband to her — even if he didn't love her.
"What would Iroh say?" She asked him quietly. Katara wasn't sure what prompted her to ask the question, maybe it was because she wanted to know what the old man's sage advice would be. Or maybe it was because she wanted to keep her fiancé talking and with her.
"About our marriage?" The Fire Lord clarified, he watched her nod before continuing. His deep voice filled her soul as he spoke, "I guess he would tell me that destiny is a funny thing. My Uncle would also probably tell me that I create and shape my own destiny. And then he probably would tell me the spirits have an odd way of rectifying the wrongdoings of the past. He would say this marriage would be seen as not only keeping the peace but the spirits trying to achieve balance with our opposite elements."
"Do you think he would be right?" Katara inquired as she watched his lips move as he talked. She thought for a minute of confessing her feelings to him, but the thought was fleeting and over before it really started.
"I don't think he's been wrong before," the firebender shrugged, his gold eyes staring intently at the stone wall across the hall from them. "But we do have the ability to create and shape our destiny. We can create our marriage to be whatever we want, no one needs to know what happens behind closed doors."
The couple sat on the ground in silence, both lost in their own thoughts about how they wanted their marriage to work. Unbeknownst to them, they both were imagining a marriage where they loved each other. A marriage filled with happiness, respect, and love. They both pictured children and vacations on Ember Island. Attending royal functions, international meetings, celebrations with family and friends as a true couple.
"That day on the roof, when we were talking about what we would do after the war did you ever think we would be here? In an arranged marriage together?" She questioned him softly breaking the silence.
"Honestly, no. Everything is so different than I originally thought then," the Fire Nation sovereign murmured. Both of them get lost in the memory
Katara looked out at the beach in front of her, the moon was full tonight. She knew that Zuko would join her on the roof soon. The past few weeks all of her thoughts were focused on what she would do after the war was over.
Would she date Aang? Would she continue to travel the world? Or would she return home to the South Pole and help rebuild? Would she marry a tribesman? Or would she marry a man of another nation? Would Team Avatar stay friends? Or would they all go their separate ways? Could peace really be achieved? The questions consumed her.
"A copper piece for your thoughts," Zuko said as he plopped down next to her.
"I'm just thinking about the end of the war," she replied easily, turning to look at him gracing him with a smile. "Where we will be. And what will happen as the world rebuilds?"
"It's scary to think about," Zuko added when she paused. He leaned back on his hands and looked out at the beach. "I guess I will probably be in the Fire Nation, potentially becoming Fire Lord unless my uncle wants to take his rightful place on the throne."
Katara had learned a few days earlier that Ozai had made a play for the throne after Iroh's son Lu Ten had passed in combat. The General had been grief-stricken and Ozai had used his brother's darkest moment to take his birthright. She found the entire thing despicable, she didn't think she could hate the Fire Lord more than she did at that moment.
"Do you think he will?" She asked the boy next to her. Her blue eyes taking in his profile, he always sat with his scar facing away from her. She wished one day he wouldn't be so self-conscious about it and allow her to look at it up close.
"I don't know," Zuko shrugged, unaware of the waterbender observing him. "Even if he does, I will be the next in line after him. I know that at some point in time becoming Fire Lord is in my future. My destiny is to heal the wounds the Fire Nation created over the past hundred years. What about you?"
"I think I want to return home to the South Pole," she confessed after a few minutes of silence turning to look up at the moon. "Sokka will become chief eventually and probably marry Suki. I know I want to see my Gran-gran again. I hope there will be more waterbenders being born, maybe I can help teach them."
"I thought you would want to travel with Aang," the firebender commented, his gold eyes moving to take in her upturned face. It was no secret that the Avatar had a crush on the waterbender, but Zuko was unsure if she felt the same way for the boy.
"Aang is great," she mused as she closed her eyes basking in the moon rays. With the island breeze ruffling her hair, she looked stunning. "But I think he and I have different destinies. His duty is to the world, my duty is to my tribe."
"It is different but my duty is still to my tribe," Katara confessed as she looked at her future husband. Her hands itched to run through his hair, she liked it down but she preferred it in the top knot.
"Just like mine is to the Fire Nation," Zuko agreed as he got lost in her sapphire eyes. He almost laughed when he realized neither had tried to fight their arrangement, "It was never a question if we would go through with this, was it? We both just knew that we would do what was best for our people."
"Yeah," she whispered, a blush forming on her cheeks. They looked at each other and both had a quiet chuckle before lapsing into silence.
The couple sat in silence again, just allowing themselves to get lost in their thoughts again. Neither had ever questioned if there was another way instead of a marriage. They both knew that this would create everlasting peace between the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes. The two benders had each given up the opportunity to fall in love with someone else so they could do what was right for their nations.
"Our friends are going to come looking for us soon," Zuko murmured after a few minutes of silence. He scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably.
"I guess we probably need to get back to everyone else before they do then," his fiancé speculated rubbing her face to rid herself of the dried tears.
"We will talk about this more though?" The Fire Lord questioned as he stood first, helping her to her feet. This time, he held onto her hand a little longer.
"Yeah, maybe once we both have processed everything," she suggested as she reluctantly released his hand. Katara looked down causing some of her hair to fall into her face.
"There is the ball tonight," he reminded her, suppressing the urge to tuck the strand of hair back behind her ear. "Our engagement is supposed to be announced at the start, I'm supposed to escort you now that we are . . ."
"Right," she nodded, she remembered her father mentioning the event. After confirming the time they would meet for Zuko to escort her to the ball, the two decided to go their separate ways. The firebender back to their friends and the waterbender to go search for her father. She wasn't ready to see anyone else just yet. She hardly wanted to see her father, but he was the closest person to her mother she could get.
"Good morning, Katara," Bato greeted her as he ran into her. He noticed instantly her eyes were red and her cheeks still slightly tear-stained.
"Hi Bato," her voice rough from trying to hold back more tears. She had only just left Zuko a few moments earlier and the farther she walked the more the tears wanted to fall.
Bato stared at the young waterbender, he knew she probably was desperately missing her mother. Especially now that she learned she was to marry the Fire Lord. He knew that many of the Tribe's wedding customs required an active role of a mother and he was sure that was exasperating her distraught. Katara looked every bit the sixteen years old she was. She had been holding everything together since she heard the news.
He knew that everyone was trying to comfort her by explaining how strong she was, how important this marriage was, how at least she and Zuko were friends. But the tribesman doubted anyone had just let her feel the emotions running through her body.
Without warning, Bato pulled Katara into a tight hug. Her arms instantly wrapped around his torso and fisted in the fabric on his back, the tears flowing freely now.
"It's okay to be upset," Bato whispered as he hugged her. "Right now, just let yourself feel all of it."
And for the first time since Katara had heard the news that she was engaged to Zuko, she felt the pain of marrying someone who didn't return her love.
"I know this wasn't your choice and you would prefer to marry a man of your choosing, but we can find a way for this marriage to work for us," Zuko told his betrothed, he shifted a few times in his seat. "And if we are going to do that, we need to talk about it."
The couple was currently in the small office on the Fire Lord's airship heading back to the Fire Nation. The ball last night had gone seamlessly. Bumi had been the one to announce their engagement to the world and everyone seemed thrilled at the news. Zuko had done a majority of the talking when it came to interacting with the nobility. Katara only spoke when asked a direct question, after her tearful hug with Bato she was struggling to keep herself together.
Thankfully, the Fire Nation sovereign had made excuses as to why they had to have an early departure. The Water Tribe Princess only found out at the ball that she would be expected to return with her betrothed to the Fire Nation to be with him for the announcement to the council. She handled the information better than she had expected to, at least on the airship they would be away from prying eyes. And maybe during their time alone, they could find a sort of truce.
Bato had joined the couple for the journey to the Fire Nation, he and Ukano had been in discussions for the marriage contract all day. The plan was for the tribesman to travel back to the South Pole with the couple once the marriage contract had been finalized and Katara had been presented to the royal council. Zuko would then be introduced to the tribe and Hakoda would have final approval of the marriage contract.
"Well, what do you want?" She questioned him, her eyes scanning the contents of Zuko's office. Katara wanted to see where he started so she had a compass for how to express her own desires.
Zuko inwardly groaned, he had hoped to hear what she wanted first to see how much he could push. Taking a deep breath he thought he would start pretty tame. He didn't want to scare her and he figured they could always revisit this conversation so he could push a little more each time.
"I want us to be happy," he began cautiously, he wasn't sure how to broach the subject. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, a contrast to the regal clothing he was wearing. "We are best friends and I hope we can stay that way."
"I would agree with that," she nodded her heart sinking. It was obvious the firebender wanted no form of romance in their relationship. At least he didn't want a strictly political marriage where they only saw each other in an official capacity. A small ray of hope settled into the pit of her stomach that it wouldn't be a completely awful marriage.
"Okay," the firebender sighed, his gold eyes boring into the ink bowl on his desk. He felt as if she had frozen the blood around his heart. "I guess we are in agreement."
"Fire Lord Zuko," Malu interrupted the couple after a succession of knocks. "We will be landing shortly."
"Thank you, Malu," the Fire Lord responded before turning back to Katara. "I plan to visit Azula, I can have Malu show you to your rooms once we land."
"Okay," Katara nodded, she was still so unsure how to act around him.
Two hours later found the waterbender following Zuko's personal guard to the rooms she would be staying in until they had to travel to the South Pole in a few weeks. Meanwhile, the Fire Lord made his way to visit his sister.
"Zula," the firebender called as he walked into his sister's chambers, paying no mind to the physician seated off to the corner. Zuko's arms were filled with gossip scrolls and bags of candies for his sister.
"Zuzu!" Azula exclaimed, dropping the scroll she had been reading. Her enthusiasm at seeing her brother shocking herself, "You're back!"
She sounded so excited to see him and it warmed his heart. The last time his sister sounded this excited to see him was when she was a toddler. Zuko was thrilled that she had made enough progress that she could show emotion when she saw him. Maybe his time in Omashu did some good and her time in the Water Tribes will do even more.
"And I brought you gossip scrolls," Zuko explained as he set the scrolls and candies on the table in front of her. The individually wrapped pieces spilled out as they were jostled. "And the hard candies you like as well as some other traditional Earth Kingdom candies."
Before he had finished speaking, the Fire Nation Princess had popped a hard candy in her mouth. The Fire Lord smirked as he watched his sister shuffle through the gifts he had brought her. He needed to tell her about the North Pole and his marriage, but he wanted to give her a moment to enjoy her gifts. He didn't think there had ever been a time where she had received a gift she actually wanted from a family member. The firebender's mind wandered to Iroh sending her a doll she hated when she was younger, he would have done better to send her a knife as well.
"Azula," Zuko began his voice serious after she had a minute to look through her gifts. "I have some news."
"You sound serious, Zuzu," she teased him lightly around the candy in her mouth as she rifled through the new sweets on the table. She lifted one eyebrow as she looked up at him, "You don't need to be so melodramatic."
"I am getting married," he told her as he settled into his seat across from her. Zuko figured this would be the easier piece of news and decided to start with that. "Do you remember Katara?"
"The waterbender," she nodded absently as she pulled out the latest gossip scroll from the pile. The Fire Nation Princess was not surprised that her brother was marrying the tribeswoman.
"During the peace talks, it was decided that she and I will be married to assure an alliance between the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes," he explained to his sister, his hands pulling at the bottom of his shirt. He was surprised to see her stay calm as he spoke.
"She will be a good wife for you," Azula responded after a moment, leaning back in the chair she was sitting in with the scroll clutched in her hand.
She had remembered how Zuko and Katara had looked at each other in the caves in Ba Sing Se. And she briefly remembered how they fought together during the Agni Kai, the waterbender was a strong bender and would be a very capable Fire Lady to not only Zuko but the Fire Nation as well. Frankly, Azula could not think of a better match for her brother.
"I have some other news too," he continued after he saw that his sister was okay. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, he knew this news had the potential to set her back. "Chief Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe has offered for you to stay in the North Pole and have access to the best healers in the world."
The Fire Lord watched his sister for any kind of reaction, but she was just quiet. Her eyes were a little out of focus as she processed the words he had spoken. The Fire Nation Princess was unsure how to feel at the moment. She thought her brother loved her and wanted to be around her, but here he was telling her that she was going to the North Pole. He wanted to leave her just like everyone else had done before.
"Did I do something wrong?" She inquired after a long moment. In her mind, the only reason her brother would send her away was as if she had done something wrong. It was what her father did to her brother for speaking out of turn and not fighting in the Agni Kai. Ozai treated her the same way during the comet. She had a brief memory of herself telling her father he couldn't treat her like Zuko before he had snapped at her. The Princess chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for the Fire Lord's response.
"Zula, no!" He replied instantly. His heart plummeted at her question and hearing how distraught she was. The firebender took a deep breath to give him a chance to organize his thoughts, "I just know that there are a lot of painful memories for you here. And I know you are still struggling with seeing them. The waterbending healers are the best in the world and I want you to get the best."
Zuko tried to show how much he cared for his sister as he explained his reasoning. He had been afraid that she would see this as a bad thing and regress at the news. The Fire Lord was not expecting her to feel abandoned and unworthy.
At that moment he realized not only how much damage their father had done to Azula, but how much pain there was surrounding their mother's disappearance. It fueled the fire in his belly to find their mother, he was determined to double his efforts.
"Are you mad at me?" Her voice was small as she asked the question. The sound echoed off the walls.
"Of course not. I am so proud of you, Azula," Zuko confessed to her, he barely registered the physician out of the corner of his eye shifting to take notes. "But you deserve to have the best healers in the world and since many are still wary of traveling to the Fire Nation, Chief Arnook suggested you go to the North Pole. You did nothing wrong and I am not mad at you."
She nodded softly, looking anywhere but at her brother. Tears began to form in her eyes, but she held them back. She wanted to be strong, she needed to be strong. "How long would I go for?"
"I guess that depends on how long the healers need," he replied honestly, he laid his hand open on the table in front of him. His sister grasped his hand tightly as he spoke, "But, I promise to visit and write to you. I will send you all the gossip scrolls you could ever need and I will make sure Uncle Iroh does too. I'll even be sure he sends you the candies you like."
"You aren't mad?" Azula asked again, her voice cracking slightly as she swallowed the lump in her throat.
Zuko stared at his sister for a moment, her eyes looked heartbroken and terrified. For some reason, it reminded him of how he felt in the Agni Kai with his father. Azula was struggling with the need for his approval now, he realized. The Fire Lord stood before dropping her hand quickly. He registered the shock and heartbreak crossing her face but it quickly vanished as he pulled his sister to his chest. He hoped she could feel his love and approval through his tight embrace.
"I promise that I am not mad Azula," Zuko told her, hugging her close to him. He was surprised to see how much taller he was than her as they embraced. "I just want you to get better and I love you enough to know that you need something I can't give you here in the Fire Nation."
Azula's arms wrapped around his middle, her hands in tight fists nails digging into her palms as she pressed her face into his chest. The Fire Nation Princess squeezed her brother so tight it was almost painful but he was not going to complain. Finally, she let the tears escape as her brother held her. She nodded against him. For the first time understanding what it meant to truly be loved by someone.
"I'll be able to come back though?" She cried softly, wiping her nose against his clothing.
"Of course! Once you are better you can come back," Zuko assured her, stroking her back in a comforting manner. "And I promise when you come back, we can redecorate your room as you have always wanted."
"Okay," she whispered as she tightened her hold on Zuko. "When do I leave?"
"Avatar Aang is going to take you in the next couple of days," he explained softly, not wanting to release her until she was ready. "If I could, I would take you but I have to be here to introduce Katara to the council."
Chief Arnook had been fearful of having Zuko send Azula to the North Pole with the Fire Nation Royal Guard. Aang had suggested escorting Azula himself to the North Pole and Bumi had offered an elite team of the White Lotus to offer extra protection once Azula arrived in the North. Zuko agreed to this knowing that Iroh would be sure to select the best members to protect the Princes.
The two siblings held each other, neither wanting to disturb the silence. They had made tremendous progress in the past year, but this was the first moment that both were able to feel how the other loved them. Azula knew that Zuko would do anything to help her and Zuko knew that Azula would do her best to get better for him.
At one point in time, the two had moved to sit on the ground as they held each other. In the back of his mind, Zuko knew he needed to get back to Katara but this was more important at the moment. He knew that Katara would understand, she always did when it came to Azula. Eventually, the Fire Lord felt the Princess slump against him as she fell asleep, her sobs tiring her out.
Zuko lifted his sister into his arms and tucked her into bed, leaving her to her dreams. He would see her again in the morning and the day after tomorrow Aang would arrive to take Azula to the Northern Tribe.
After a brief whispered discussion with the physician, the Fire Lord found himself sitting under the cherry blossom tree by the turtle duck pond in his mother's garden. He was lost in thoughts about his sister and his upcoming marriage. Who would have thought standing up to his father and ending the war would have been the easy part?
"Zuko? Are you okay?" Katara questioned as she went to sit next to him. She had been restless that evening and decided to come out to the garden to practice her bending when she saw her fiancé. He looked to be deep in thought.
"Do you want to climb onto the roof?" He asked her instead of answering her question, his eyes boring into hers.
Yet his response told the waterbender so much. The roof on Ember Island had been their spot to be totally honest. Whatever was said there stayed there, it was their safe space. The place that was just for them. Clearly, something was wrong and Zuko wanted the safety of the roof to tell her.
"Let's go," she replied instantly. The couple stood up quickly and after finally finding a good spot, they climbed onto the roof.
The firebender watched her climb onto the roof in front of him. He admired the way the Fire Nation clothes fit her body, she was wearing a similar outfit to when they hid on Ember Island except this one was in blue to showcase her heritage. Zuko liked that he was able to see her toned stomach, her endless training leaving her thicker and curvier than Fire Nation women which the Fire Lord loved.
The two benders sat next to each other and looked out toward the Fire Nation capital of Caldera. If it was a full moon, Katara was sure she'd be able to see the beach but tonight all she could see was the city.
"I told Azula she's going to the North Pole," Zuko stated after a few moments of silence. His voice carried with the night breeze.
"How did she take it?"
"She was heartbroken at first," he began, picking at a loose thread on his clothing. "She kept asking if I was mad at her. You were right, she suffered so much under Ozai. More than I ever knew."
"I'm so sorry, Zuko," Katara comforted him. Her hand twitched to comfort him, she gave in to the urge and rested it on his arm. "I think the healers will be good for her. There is so much we don't know about the mind, but Yagoda is the healer who taught me. I have complete faith in her that she will do everything she can to help Azula."
"I always thought that after the war was over things would get easier," Zuko commented as they both looked at Caldera in front of them. With her hand on his arm, he felt much more at ease. It was the most normal he had felt since the engagement.
"I did too," Katara chuckled darkly, the words flowing out easily. "But rebuilding the world is going to take some time. We all knew that."
"Yeah I guess we did," he agreed. He was quiet for a moment before he turned to look at her gold eyes meeting blue, "Katara?"
"Yes, Zuko."
He took a deep breath to ask the question on the tip of his tongue, "When we are married can we still do this?"
"I really hope we do," she smiled at him.
For the first time since they heard the news of their marriage, the couple felt like everything was going to be okay.
Uncle,
I'm getting married.
I wished you could have attended the Peace Talks in Omashu. I remember you one time telling me that meetings like this have a way of getting away from you. And that sometimes solutions are presented you never would have thought of.
Well, that's how I ended up not only agreeing to send Azula to the North Pole for treatment but proposing to Katara for a peace treaty and assurance the Fire Nation would not start another war. Aang presented the solution for a marriage between the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes to secure an alliance.
I'm going to marry a woman who does not love me and I don't know how to do it. She asked me the day after the marriage had been arranged what you would advise. I wasn't sure what to tell her, other than you would explain we can shape our own destinies. I hope I can have a happy marriage with Katara.
Azula is leaving for the North Pole in the morning, she kept asking if I was sending her away because she did something wrong. I think now more than ever it is important to show her how much I care for her. I told her that I would ask you to send her more of the gossip scrolls and the hard candies she liked. Maybe you could also send her that new tea you have been working on?
I wish you were here Uncle, I'm introducing Katara to the council today and by the end of next week, we will be leaving for the South Pole. I could use your guidance and wisdom.
Your nephew,
Zuko
The Fire Lord set down his brush and gave the ink a moment to dry before rolling up the scroll. He set the scroll aside to be sent by later that day to Ba Sing Se. Zuko stood from his desk, smoothed out his robes, and made his way to the throne room. The meeting was to begin shortly.
"The council has been eager for me to choose a wife," Zuko began as he sat behind the flames in the council meeting. Katara was waiting just outside the room, she would enter once he said her name. "I have called this meeting to share with you the joyous news."
"What news your majesty?" Shinu asked when his Lord paused. The councilman was the head of the department of labor. He worked very closely with the Fire Nation sovereign to place strict labor laws to protect workers. Shinu was the first to come forward and pledge himself to Zuko after the war. Effectively taking his father's place on the Royal Council.
"After many meetings, the Fire Nation has secured an alliance with the Water Tribes," Zuko continued his voice strong and commanding. He was prepared for the backlash from his council. "Through my marriage to Princess Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."
Katara heard her name, with a deep breath and her head held high she walked into the room. Climbing the steps of the dais to join Zuko behind the flames. The Fire Lord parted the flames for her to walk through, he reached a hand out to help steady her so she could sit on the landing just below him and on his right.
The silence was deafening. The newly engaged couple held their breath as they waited for the first reactions.
No one moved for a moment as they processed their Lord's words. The shock of the announcement rippled throughout the room. Most everyone's eyes were drawn to the waterbender in Fire Nation clothing but in Water Tribe colors, seated next to the Fire Lord. Ukano noticing that none of the council was eager to voice their approval decided to be the one to break the silence.
"We are overjoyed by this news Fire Lord Zuko," Ukano praised after he stood from his seated position. "We have heard of the strength of Princess Katara as not only a bender but as a leader to her people. I have the utmost faith she will be an excellent Fire Lady."
Zuko nodded to Ukano once he sat back down. After Mai's father's approval, all of the other council members voiced their opinion and approval. Many were surprised to hear Ukano's words, especially considering that his daughter had been groomed to be Fire Lady. Though many of the council recognized that Ukano understood that Mai had been groomed to be Fire Lady under the old ways, but now the Fire Lord needed a new kind of Fire Lady for the new era he was creating.
The meeting concluded relatively fast after the council expressed their approval, leaving Zuko and Katara alone in the throne room.
"This feels weird," she murmured after a few minutes of being alone with her fiancé. She shifted uncomfortably.
"Being engaged or being on the dais?" Zuko chuckled as he watched her look around the room.
"Both," she replied, her body turning to look at him more easily. "Will I always have to be one step below you?"
"No," he shook his head and moved so he was facing her. "Once we are married and you are crowned Fire Lady, you will be next to me on equal footing. You will have the exact same power as me to rule."
"Really?" She looked up at her betrothed in shock. Her next words came out of her mouth before she could stop them, "I expected the Fire Nation to be a little more sexist than that."
"You think we are sexist? Because we are traditional?" He gave her a surprised look. He had heard many negative things about his nation, but never did they mention sexism.
The Fire Nation was rooted in tradition with royalty but they were anything but sexist. A woman could hold the same positions as men and wives were expected to match their husbands in power and strength. Though the harem and concubines were very much still a practice in the Fire Nation, it wasn't because they were sexist. In fact, Zuko knew of many couples who included concubines in their coupling.
"Well that and the umm harem," she responded quickly. Her cheeks colored as she blushed. The concept had always made her uncomfortable, but more so now since the engagement. The waterbender didn't like to think about her betrothed with other women, she understood he had a past but she didn't want to think about it.
"That's a practice I want to eradicate," Zuko commented, his voice sincere. It had always been his plan to dissolve the harem once he was married. "But it will be much more difficult to do than ending the war. While we do have it, that does not mean that we view women as less than. One of the most feared war Generals, aside from my uncle, was a woman. Azula was to be crowned Fire Lord, remember?"
"Yeah, I guess you are right," she nodded, taking in the information. The Water Tribe Princess was pleasantly surprised he wanted to eradicate the harem. "The only other place I know that has harems is the Northern Water Tribe and well they don't allow women to learn how to waterbend."
"How did you learn then?" Zuko asked her suddenly.
"That's a question for the roof," Katara grinned cheekily at him. "Well, I know you have duties to attend to. I'm going to go visit with Mai and Ty Lee, both offered to teach me all about Fire Nation tradition."
The Fire Lord watched as the Water Tribe Princess stood and made her way out of the room, he was mesmerized by the slight sway to her hips as she walked.
"Katara, the ship leaves in an hour," Zuko complained as he watched his fiancé look through the store. He wanted to reach out and drag her out of the store. He was a stickler for punctuality.
Aang and Azula had left for the North Pole a week ago, the Fire Lord hearing word this morning they finally arrived. Which meant, Katara and he could begin their journey to the South Pole. Bato and Ukano had finally come to an agreement on the marriage contract. And all that was needed was for the Fire Lord and the Water Tribe Chief's signatures.
"I just want to bring something back for Gran-gran," she brushed off Zuko's complaining as she riffled through the display of clothing. "The ship won't leave without us on it, you're the Fire Lord."
The firebender rolled his eyes at his future bride but knew she was right. Technically Admiral Jee wanted to leave in an hour, but they would leave when the Fire Lord was ready. Zuko let his fiancé wander the store as she looked for a present for her grandmother. Finally, Katara made a purchase for her grandmother and joined her fiancé at the front of the store.
"Ready?" Zuko asked her as she joined him at the front of the store. She nodded and the two walked toward the docks.
"I told you they wouldn't leave without you," Katara teased once they were on the ship.
Her betrothed gave her an annoyed and exasperated look that caused her to burst into giggles. The sound warmed his heart and he decided it was worth waiting for her to hear her laugh.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Admiral Jee greeted when he saw the Fire Nation sovereign was on the ship. "We are ready to depart when you are. As per your instructions, we will arrive in the South Pole in time for the Summer Solstice."
"Thank you, Admiral Jee," Zuko turned toward the man. His mind traveled back to their last voyage to the Southern Water Tribe. "I trust we will have a very different experience together since our last trip to the South Pole."
Jee didn't know what to say at first but when he noticed the slight smirk on his Lord's face, he gathered it was a joke. The Fire Lord had matured greatly since the last time Admiral was on a ship with him. No longer an angry boy, this was an honorable and strong leader standing in front of him.
"A very different experience your majesty," he grinned at the Fire Lord, eyes crinkling at the corners. "Though some of the crew would still like to have music night if that is alright with you?"
"Tell the crew they are more than welcome to have music night," the Fire Lord assured the Admiral, the request reminding him of his uncle. Zuko longed for the Dragon of the West to be traveling with them. "Though I cannot guarantee I will participate. Also, Admiral Jee, I am expecting a hawk from my uncle in the next few days. Please let me know when it arrives."
"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko," Jee bowed to the young man taking the hint the conversation was over.
The Water Tribe Princess watched the entire interaction between the Admiral and the Fire Nation sovereign in awe. It was inspiring and terrifying to watch Zuko in the role of Fire Lord. It also caused a slight shot of arousal to course through her body hearing her betrothed speak with such authority. She silently observed her future husband lost in thought. He was an extraordinary leader, a far cry from the angry sixteen-year-old that abruptly infiltrated her village.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" The firebender inquired as he turned to see the waterbender staring at him, a faraway look in her sapphire eyes.
"I'm just thinking about the moment I first met you," she replied easily, her eyes focusing on his molten gold ones. Her entire body tingled just looking at him. "At that moment I never would have thought you would have turned into such an incredible leader."
"You're telling me that while I was destroying Sokka's wall and trying to capture Aang, you didn't think I was going to be a good leader?" Zuko gasped in mock indignation causing his fiancé to giggle. He felt a sense of pride well up in him for being the cause of the sound.
"Shocking, I know," she laughed lightly.
"Well the first time I met you, I never thought you would turn out to be such a strong bender," the firebender teased her back. He tried to resist his eyes traveling the length of her body taking in the way her breasts moved as she laughed. "And I really didn't think that after that rescue attempt on my ship."
"What do you say to a rematch?" Katara challenged her fiancé, her laughter instantly halting at his words. Blue eyes darkened as they flashed to him, "Once we are in the open water of course."
"I gladly accept," Zuko readily agreed. The two benders settled on a time the following morning for their bending match.
The next morning found two benders both on deck stretching before their match. Bato and Jee had set up watch off to one side as they watched the newly engaged couple warm-up. More than half the crew had decided to watch the bending match that was about to happen. Many were eager to see their Lord and future Fire Lady battle.
Zuko was doing everything in his power not to look at his betrothed. Katara had opted for a pair of light training pants with a top that showed off her toned stomach and cleavage. The firebender was also acutely aware of how the top gripped her breasts and how the pants hugged her backside. Her outfit showed every curve to her advantage, but the way she wore it so effortlessly made it even more attractive.
The Fire Lord also noticed the bangles on her wrists that caught in the morning light. It warmed his heart to see that she was wearing the gift he had sent her a year ago. Though he was disheartened to see that she had braided her back to keep it out of her face for when they sparred.
Katara, similarly, was aware of Zuko's body. His hair in the signature top knot showed off his strong features and chiseled jawline. He was only wearing a pair of training pants, his torso bare. The waterbender watched the fabric tighten and stretch across his muscular thighs as he shifted his stance. His abdomen rippled as he moved through his forms. All she could think about was how he held her in the ally in Omashu.
"You ready?" Fire Nation sovereign asked the Water Tribe Princess bringing her out of her thoughts.
"I'm more than ready," she taunted him as they both moved into position. Titters rumbled through the ship's crew at how familiar the tribeswoman was with the Fire Lord.
The two benders each waited to see who would make the first move, Zuko after a couple of minutes of waiting went onto the offensive. Katara was able to counter each of his moves and throw some back at him which he was able to deflect.
The couple moved seamlessly as they fought each other, neither being able to get the upper hand. They were too evenly matched.
"I don't think I have ever seen her fight this way," Bato murmured to Jee from their spot above the main deck. The two men had taken an instant liking to each other.
"She's an extraordinary bender," Jee commented as they watched the couple spar. "She is not making it easy for him, that's good. He needs a strong wife."
"He doesn't seem like he's taking it easy on her either," the tribesman observed quietly, not to be overheard by the rest of the crew. "I like that he matches her, he will push her to be better."
"He's a good man," the admiral agreed. He paused for a moment unsure if he should continue, "He's had a rough time, I wasn't always the most understanding when he was younger. But hearing his story . . . Fire Lord Zuko has been through a lot. And he is a better man for it."
Bato had the distinct feeling that if he asked, Jee would not explain what Zuko had been through. He respected that the Admiral was not one to gossip about his Lord, it showed how high of regards Jee had for the sovereign of the Fire Nation. It spoke volumes on the kind of man the Fire Lord was. But he also heard what was not being said, for Zuko to be the man he was today meant he had more trials than triumph.
That was a heavy thing for Bato to process considering how young the Fire Lord was. Yet, Katara was the same. Both had lived through too many struggles for their age, it was why they understood each other.
"Gotchu!" Katara said as she pinned the firebender to the deck. She was resting on top of him, his hands frozen beneath him.
Zuko growled at her as he tangled his legs with hers and heated his hands to melt the ice. Once his hands were free and her legs trapped in his, he flipped them so she was beneath him. Her hands were pinned to the deck by the sides of her head as he pressed his entire body into hers.
"You were saying?" Her betrothed chuckled throatily, his breath fanning over her face.
The waterbender could feel every inch of the Fire Lord against her. He was incredibly warm as he pressed her into place beneath him. The blood instantly rushed to her cheeks as she felt her body's natural lubrication begin to form. Above her, Zuko could feel his body responding to the gorgeous woman below him. Her body felt cool and refreshing against his overheated skin.
"If we were fighting at night, I would have won," she hissed at him playfully. Stormy blue eyes narrowed as she spoke, "You have the advantage of the sunrise."
"Well, we can always have a rematch in the South Pole during a full moon," he taunted, his body heating up in another way as he noticed the position they were in.
"You really want to have a rematch then? Seems a little risky, Fire Lord," Katara teased him back, her eyes softening.
The firebender tried to focus on the word she was saying but all he could see was the way her breasts moved as she breathed heavily from the exertion. Katara felt how every breath pressed her closer to him, Zuko's skin felt feverish against her. He watched a bead of sweat roll down her neck toward her chest before finally moving down her shirt. She watched how his chest glistened in the sun from the sheen of sweat covering his body.
The longer they lay there, the more their minds wandered. Their position caused both of them to think of activities better suited for the bedroom.
A few meters away Bato and Jee stood watching the couple. The sexual tension was crackling across the deck. The only people oblivious to it were the couple creating it.
"Maybe this marriage will be more than just a political arrangement," Jee muttered almost silently to the tribesman next to him.
"I have a feeling it will be much more than a political marriage," Bato admitted, his eyes wide. He knew there were some underlying feelings between the two benders, but he didn't realize how potent the emotions were.
"Admiral Jee, a hawk has arrived for the Fire Lord," a crew member informed his superior joining the two men.
Jee took the scroll while he looked out at the two benders, they were beginning to pull away from each other. The firebender offered a hand to help his betrothed off the deck into a standing position. Even from his spot, Jee could see how embarrassed the couple was at being in such a compromising position moments earlier. Now seemed like a good time to interrupt.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Jee greeted the man once he was a few feet from him. He was sure to give the couple a little bit of space to give the illusion of privacy. "The letter you were expecting from General Iroh has arrived."
"Thank you, Admiral Jee," Zuko nodded as he took the scroll. He was thankful for the distraction. He didn't know how to interact with Katara now that they had been in such an erotic posting.
"I'll let you read that," Katara gestured to the scroll. She, too, was thankful for a change of topic. Before she left she said, "I'm going to go get cleaned up and I'll see you at lunch."
"See you later," the firebender called after her as she walked away. The couple both retired to their separate chambers on the ship. Once Zuko was alone in his room he unraveled the scroll.
Nephew,
I am ecstatic at the news of your marriage!
The meetings for peace will always feel that way. It is unnerving being in a room with that many world leaders. So many opinions and challenges. Remember to listen, many times people will speak their way into a solution without much effort.
I don't think you are giving Master Katara much credit. She has one of the biggest hearts of any woman I have ever met. This marriage will be a good thing for not only the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes, but the world. The spirits are creating balance with the merging of two strong benders of opposite elements.
Nephew, I want to remind you that my wife and I were in an arranged marriage. And I loved her more than I ever thought possible. Remember this Earth Kingdom proverb I heard in Omashu many years ago, love is brightest in the dark. Show her that you love her and have faith that she will love you too.
I think sending Azula to the North Pole is brilliant. She needs to be in a place that is not riddled with the memories of Ozai. I think she will benefit greatly from the healing touch of the waterbenders. Bumi has already written to me asking about assembling a team of White Lotus members to watch over her. I have a few in mind and will be sure they arrive in the North Pole soon.
Of course, I will send her all the gossip scrolls she could ever need! And the candies she loves so much. There are many teas I have been working on and I will gladly send your sister all of them to try! You are doing the right thing for Azula, this will be very good for her.
Remember, you create your own destiny,
Uncle Iroh
Zuko clutched the letter in his hand, he was unsure what to make of his uncle's letter or the Earth Kingdom proverb. He felt that marrying a woman he loved, who didn't love him in return was a dark moment in his life. Potentially one of the darkest moments. How was love supposed to shine through?
"Little tiger seal," Hakoda whispered as he hugged his daughter tightly to his chest. Her arms circled around his waist and she breathed in the scent of home.
The Fire Lord's flagship had just arrived in the South Pole and Katara had run off the deck straight into her father's arms. She had only been gone for a little over a month, but she felt as if it had been years.
"Fire Lord Zuko, I trust you had a smooth trip," Hakoda greeted the sovereign of the Fire Nation once he let go of his daughter.
During the reunion of father and daughter, the Fire Lord had been looking around the South Pole. He hardly recognized anything. No longer was it Sokka's wall built around the village but a structure that rivaled the Northern Tribe. Zuko could see all the similarities in structures between the two poles, noting the differences only in the artistic carvings. The Fire Lord had a brief thought of plunging into icy waters, as he remembered using the water ducts to infiltrate the Northern city so long ago. He hoped that Sokka had the mind to not model everything off the North.
"Chief Hakoda," Zuko nodded back to his future father-in-law. Extending his arm in traditional Water Tribe greeting, "We had an excellent trip. The South Pole looks incredible, Sokka and Katara both informed me that I would not recognize it. But this is even more extraordinary than they led me to believe."
"Thank you," Hakoda's chest lifted in pride as he released the firebender's arm. "It has been a long road and we still have more to go, but the rebuilding has gone very well."
"Hakoda," Bato nodded to his friend as he disembarked. The tribesman was uncomfortable being around his Chief after the attraction he noticed in Omashu.
"Bato," Hakoda replied easily. The Southern Chief ignored the excitement at seeing his friend after a few weeks of being away. He could feel the energy and relationship shifting between him and his friend. He had begun noticing it during the war, but he did not know what to make of it. Hakoda had been trying to ignore the feelings that Bato elicited in him for some time, though after their time apart he was wondering if he should stop ignoring the tension.
Once the pleasantries were out of the way, Zuko followed Hakoda and Katara back to their home.
"Hey, Zuko!" Sokka greeted as his friend walked into his home. He moved to embrace his sister quickly, "Katara! So excited you guys got here safely."
"Hey Sokka," Zuko exchanged a quick handshake with his friend. "How are you? Have you and Suki set a date yet?"
"I'm good, we are good! No date yet, we are going to leave on an engagement tour in the next week or two through the Earth Kingdom. I'm going to meet her in Kyoshi. But Oyaji asked us to wait until after the second anniversary, Kyoshi needs time to figure out what to do about the warriors," Sokka explained his hands waving animatedly as he spoke. He barely noticed his grandmother had joined them.
"My little waterbender," Kanna greeted her granddaughter as she gave her a quick hug.
"Gran-gran," the Water Tribe Princess responded fondly, returning the hug. She pulled away turning them both to her betrothed, "You have to meet Zuko."
Zuko felt his stomach lurch as he looked at Katara's grandmother. His mind instantly went back to the first time he had visited the Southern Water Tribe. Of course, the woman he had grabbed and manhandled was Katara's grandmother. The Fire Lord felt guilt and shame-filled his body as he looked at the matriarch of the Chieftain's family. He inhaled deeply through his nose to settle his emotions and gain control of his reactions, this was an important moment.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Kanna stated as she stood in front of him.
Zuko bowed lowly to the old woman in front of him as a sign of respect for the matriarch of the Southern Chieftain's family. "I want to apologize to you for the last time I was here. It was wrong of me to treat you and your tribe so disrespectfully."
"It has been well over a hundred years since a Fire Lord has apologized for anything," Kanna commented as she looked at the man in front of her. "I will not hold a grudge against the mistakes of the youth. And you did act very honorably, leaving once the Avatar was in custody. Most would have destroyed the rest of the tribe and taken advantage of a village filled with only women."
The Fire Lord's stomach turned sour and his mouth tasted acidic at the implication of her words. He thought of Zhao and what would have happened if the former Admiral had been the one to infiltrate the dying Water Tribe all those years ago.
"Thank you for being so gracious," the firebender responded as he stood fully. "I regret my actions that day, but I have learned from my mistakes and continue to learn from them."
"An admirable trait in a leader," the old tribeswoman nodded before looking at her granddaughter with a twinkle in her eye. "And in a husband."
The waterbender blushed at the words and decided to look anywhere but at her family or her betrothed.
Zuko cleared his throat, saving his fiancé who shot him a grateful look. "I know I was probably not who you expected Katara to marry, but I promise to do everything in my power to make her happy."
"Are we done with all this mushy stuff?" Sokka asked suddenly, suppressing a shudder. This entire experience was becoming too much for him to handle. The way his friend mentioned happiness made the warrior think of his sister and best friend in bed together. Something he did not want to think about. "It's making me uncomfortable."
"Sokka is right," Hakoda added. He too was uncomfortable with the interaction, though he knew it was necessary. "Let us show the Fire Lord to his room, tonight we will announce the engagement, and tomorrow we will have our meeting reviewing the wedding contract."
The firebender followed his friend to the rooms he would be staying in while he was in the South Pole. He hoped the meeting with Hakoda about the marriage contract went smoothly. As much as he wanted to stay in the South Pole, the interaction with Kanna had made Zuko uneasy. He also knew that many of the villagers were wary of his presence.
"So tell me really, what do you think of the rebuild?" Sokka asked his friend once they were alone. The two sitting at the tea table in Zuko's room.
The Fire Lord knew this was his opportunity to help his friend and explain to him the security faults the North Pole had. And perhaps even he rectify the wrongdoings of his past. Zuko shuddered as he remembered plunging into the icy depths, his breath of fire being the only thing keeping him alive as he swam.
"I think it looks really good," Zuko encouraged his friend. He fiddled with the pai sho set in front of him. "It reminds me of the Northern Tribe, is the sewage system and water ducts the same too?"
"Yeah, we modeled everything off the North," Sokka explained giving him a puzzled look. He was confused as to why his friend would care about the water ducts and sewage system. It seemed odd.
"Yeah," the Fire Lord said drawing out the word. He dropped the tile he was messing with and crossed his arms over his chest, "You might want to redo them, could be a problem for a breach in security."
"There's no way someone could swim through those waters, especially for that long. They would freeze to death before they made it halfway," the tribesman shook his head chuckling softly as he looked at his friend. Zuko just stared at Sokka across the table for a moment before recognition crossed the tribesman's face. "Awe, fuck."
"Remember when Zhao attacked the North Pole? And I took Aang in the spirit oasis?" The firebender questioned his friend a low smirk crossing his face.
"Wait! Wait, you're telling me that you used the water ducts in the sewage system to get into the city?" The Water Tribe Heir clarified harshly, rubbing his temple. "How did you survive?"
"Firebenders can control their body temperature," the Fire Lord explained to his friend, letting out a puff of smoke to demonstrate. "It was hard but possible and I was not nearly as strong then."
"Only you would be crazy enough to swim in below-freezing water," the tribesman rubbed his hands against his face.
"True," the firebender grinned scratching the back of his head. "But that skill was what made it possible for me to unbolt the cooler at the Boiling Rock, so without having done that we wouldn't have had an escape plan."
"We still didn't even use that escape plan and it was a good one," the warrior sighed and glared at the pai sho board on the table in front of them. "I guess I need to tell Gran-Pakku that we need to redo it."
"Don't you mean Katara and the other waterbenders?" Zuko teased his friend.
"Who do you think needs to design it?" Sokka retaliated with a slight smirk.
"Hakoda are you alright?" Bato questioned his friend who looked suddenly downcast. The two had met for a preliminary viewing of the marriage contract.
Last night they had introduced the Tribe to the Fire Lord and announced the wedding that would take place. It went very smoothly, no objections were made. Many were excited to see the Fire Lord take on a waterbender as a bride. The only upset that Hakoda saw was the tribesmen who had asked court Katara, but they would have been upset with anyone she was marrying.
As he read over the contract and the traditions that would be included, it dawned on him that Bato had negotiated out all the traditions that would require Kya and replaced them with Fire Nation tradition. He knew that his second had done that on purpose so Katara wouldn't feel the loss of her mother as much. But for the first time, it dawned on the Chief that his children's mother would not see them get married.
"I just realized Kya won't be here for either of my children's weddings," Hakoda mumbled after a moment as he blinked back the tears welling in his eyes.
"She would have been thrilled at both of the matches," Bato comforted his friend. His hand came to rest on Hakoda's shoulder.
"Yeah, she would have," the chief nodded somberly, his eyes scanning the document without really taking in the information. "She would have adored Suki and would have reminded Sokka to treat her well. And Zuko, she would have thought that he was the perfect match to Katara."
"I can picture her telling him not to take Katara's shit," the warrior chuckled thinking about the deceased woman.
The Chieftain laughed, "She would have said that to him."
"I know this must be really difficult for you too, not having her here," Bato said softly, almost delicately as he moved to sit next to his friend. "No man is supposed to go through this without a partner."
"I don't know how to be both mother and father to my children," the Southern Chief sighed, resting his head in his hands. Somehow this weight felt heavier on his shoulders than the weight of the Tribe. "I know that Sokka will be okay, but Katara . . ."
"She will get through it," Bato insisted, his hands itched to reach out to comfort the man. It was not lost to him the changing feelings coursing through his body, but now was not the time or place to address them. "She has so many people in her life that will be there for her, no one will be able to make up for the absence of Kya. But Katara won't feel any less loved."
Hakoda thanked his friend before he moved back to reviewing the contract, the two friends settling into a comfortable silence. The Fire Lord joined the two tribesmen a few minutes later.
"Chief Hakoda, Bato," Zuko nodded to the two men respectfully as he took a seat across from them. "Do you have any questions or concerns?"
"The only concern is that the wedding will happen in the Fire Nation," Hakoda began as he reviewed the contract once more, pointing to the spot he was referring to. "I agree with the bride price and I trust you are in agreement with her dowery."
While the Water Tribes had dowries, the Fire Nation had a bride price. It took Ukano and Bato days to come to an agreement on which should be honored. Finally, they decided that it would be disrespectful to both cultures if they did not include both.
As a bride price, Zuko would release all Water Tribe war criminals and the colonies during the first year of their marriage. And the Fire Nation would provide any aid the Water Tribes needed for the first five years of their marriage. The Fire Lord would also include both Water Tribes under the protection of the Fire Nation's Navy for the duration of his marriage.
For Katara's dowery, Hakoda and Arnook would release all Fire Nation war criminals back to the Fire Nation during the first year of marriage. The Water Tribes would also provide protection and healing for Azula for as long as she needed it. Hakoda would also offer priority to the Fire Nation for all trade agreements. It was also negotiated that Katara would provide Zuko with two heirs within five years of their marriage.
"I understand the concern about not having the wedding in the Water Tribe, for Katara to be crowned as Fire Lady and not just as my Princess Consort, I need to have the wedding take place in the Fire Nation. My hands are tied," Zuko explained to the other leader. He interlocked his wrists to demonstrate his point, "Is there anything I can do to help ease that concern?"
The Fire Sages had been adamant that for Katara to be crowned Fire Lady the wedding must be a traditional Fire Nation ceremony. But the firebender also understood the concern that the tribesman had, as well as the fact that Katara would most likely want a traditional Water Tribe wedding. He hated that he had taken away not only her choice in marrying him but also the Water Tribe wedding she had no doubt dreamed of.
"I understand the need on your end," Hakoda responded thoughtfully. He was impressed that the man in front of him wanted his daughter to have the same authority that he did. It made the chieftain like Zuko even more. "I want the Water Tribe to be honored in some way. Perhaps if the wedding was held on the Winter Solstice?"
"We can arrange that as the date," Zuko nodded thoughtfully. It was an important day spiritually, it wouldn't be difficult to convince the Fire Sages on the date, "Though that does not give us much time to plan."
While it was a holy day for the Fire Nation, it was not as big of a deal as it was in the South Pole. And Zuko could easily make an argument for ushering in a new era on the solstice.
"Then next year's Winter Solstice," Hakoda decided after a moment. He wasn't exactly thrilled to throw his daughter into another nation. "That will give both of you time to come to terms with the engagement, make arrangements for both the bride price and dowery, and for you to travel back to the South Pole for the Water Tribe engagement rituals next year."
"I will agree to that," Zuko replied easily, letting out a low breath. He needed some time to process everything that had happened in a few short weeks. "Do you have any other concerns?"
"No, the rest of the marriage contract is fine," the Southern Chief told the Fire Lord. "I will have my scribe write the changes and later this evening we can sign it."
Zuko nodded and thanked the Chieftain before he left the tribesmen in search of Katara. It was agreed upon that the Fire Lord would tell his betrothed of the date of their wedding.
"Katara," the firebender called as he found his fiancé in the training arena.
She had just finished teaching her waterbending students. The couple had slowly gotten more comfortable with each other again. Though they had not sparred since their match on the ship, both had left that interaction feeling aroused and uncomfortable with how erotic it had felt.
"Hi Zuko," she smiled at him, moving to stand closer to him. "How was the meeting?"
"It was good," he answered before he retold the main events of the meeting. "Your father and I came to an agreement on the contract. And we set a date for the wedding. The Winter Solstice, of next year."
"Oh! I thought it would have been sooner," Katara murmured, looking down at her feet.
For some reason, she was upset that they would not be getting married sooner. She didn't understand why, but Katara had hoped that maybe if they were thrust into their marriage sooner that Zuko could potentially fall for her.
"I don't think your father wants to part with you too soon," Zuko chuckled trying to brush off her words.
He didn't dare let himself hope that she wanted to get married sooner because she felt something for him. Yet he too was a little disappointed that they would not get married for over a year and a half. Zuko desperately wished that one day his marriage to Katara would be filled with love.
"My children are leaving me," Hakoda grumbled into his drink. He and Bato were currently out at one of the new taverns.
The Fire Lord had left a week ago to return to the Fire Nation after the marriage contract was agreed upon and signed. Sokka had left earlier in the day to travel the Earth Kingdom with Suki as a pre-wedding tour. And now Hakoda was very aware that his children were growing up and he had missed a large portion of their lives because of the war.
"They aren't leaving you, they are just growing up," Bato argued as he took a sip of the ale in front of him. "Sokka for sure is not leaving, he will be back. He's your heir. And Katara will visit as often as she can, you know that."
"I'm going to be all alone once they are both married," the chieftain lamented as he drank his seventh ale and spoke into the glass. "My wife is dead, my mother is remarried, and my children are both getting married next year. I'm going to live the rest of my life as a bachelor."
"Okay, I think you have had enough," the warrior said as he pried Hakoda's drink out of his hand. "Let's take you home."
The Southern Chief allowed his friend to swing his arm around his neck and support his weight as he dragged him out of the establishment. Hakoda was hyper-aware of his arm around Bato's neck and Bato's arm around his waist.
"No, I don't want Katara to see me like this," Hakoda complained his words slurring slightly. In the back of his mind, he knew he had drunk too much and did not want his daughter to see him falling apart.
Bato sighed but adjusted their direction to bring Hakoda back to his home. This was the closest the two had been since the day Bato was injured during the war and Hakoda carried him to the abbey. And at that moment the warrior realized he liked feeling Hakoda's weight against him as he helped his friend to his home.
Once in Bato's home, the tribesman helped his chief into his bed. He would sleep on the couch in the front room. He helped his friend pull off his parka and move underneath the furs.
"Bato, stay?" Hakoda pleaded when he saw his friend about to leave the room.
The alcohol in his system makes him brave. He knew that if Bato didn't want him, then tomorrow he could just blame it on the alcohol and they would laugh about it. But if he did want Hakoda, then they could approach a new relationship with each other.
Bato stood in the doorway staring at his Chief. He had so many thoughts running through his head. Did Hakoda feel for him the same way he did? Or was he just drunk and not realizing what he was asking? Bato looked at his friend for a moment longer, before deciding to join him.
"I'll stay," he whispered as he climbed underneath the furs.
Hakoda rolled over so his back was pressed against Bato's chest. He pulled his friend's arm around his torso and snuggled down into the bed. The two men enjoyed the intimacy that neither of them had had since before they left to fight in the war.
The couple quickly fell asleep, but the two had migrated closer during the night. Bato was the first to wake the next morning, Hakoda's head resting against his chest. The tribesman stared at the chieftain in his arms. He knew that he should move before Hakoda awoke, but he could not find the strength to move.
If this was all he had with the man he had slowly and unknowingly fallen in love with, he was going to take advantage of every moment.
Hakoda's eyes fluttered opened and the first thing he saw was Bato's chest. The Southern Chief buried his nose into his friend's chest and took a deep inhale. He wanted to memorize everything about this moment. Bato smelled of crisp snow and pine but with a slight undertone of sandalwood. Hakoda decided at that moment he loved the smell of the tribesman.
Bato's arms tighten around his friend as he snuggled into his chest. His thoughts ran wild as he processed the fact that Hakoda was awake. At that moment, he decided to take a big risk.
The tribesman tilted the Chief's head up toward his, Hakoda's blue eyes finding his. Bato licked his lips as he leaned forward, his nose bumped Hakoda's before their lips settled against each other. The tribesman left a soft kiss on his friend's mouth.
"Bato," Hakoda sighed into the kiss. He leaned in and deepened the kiss, Bato moaning softly into his mouth.
All too soon the two men pulled away from each other.
"I guess it's safe to say you feel the same," Bato whispered as he looked at his friend — now lover.
"Yeah," Hakoda chuckled. The two stayed snuggled up in bed together for an hour, stealing kisses every few minutes. Neither felt the need to fill the silence.
"Do you want some breakfast?" Bato eventually asked as he felt his stomach clench in hunger.
"I could eat," Hakoda commented. Soon the lovers were in Bato's kitchen eating breakfast.
"So now what?" Bato asked as he took a sip of tea.
"What do you mean? I thought it was obvious," the Southern Chief looked at the other man in alarm. Had he read the signs wrong?
"You are the Chief of the tribe and you have two children," the warrior began softly, placing his cup down on the table. "I just don't know how this will work. I want it to but I figured we should talk about that."
Hakoda let out a breath of air. He had been afraid that Bato had regretted their time in bed together this morning. The Chieftain was relieved that he just wanted to have a conversation on how they would move forward. He should have expected it from the tribesman, he was the more pragmatic one of the two.
The Southern Water Tribe did not have an issue with same-sex couples. They carried all the same respect that male-female couples did. Though there had never been a chief who was involved with another man. But since Hakoda had a son already, he didn't think there would be an issue with the Tribe.
"Well we both know the tribe's view on same-sex relationships," Hakoda responded deep in thought. "I think I want to ease my children into this though, I hope you are not upset by that."
"Hakoda, I understand," Bato comforted him. He was not surprised at his lover's remarks, "Your children are very important to you and they are at a pivotal point in their lives. I know that not having their mother around is going to bring up many feelings for both of them. I'm okay with you wanting to explain this to them delicately."
"Thank you," Hakoda replied, placing his hand on top of the other man's.
"But I will say I don't just want to be your lover," Bato commanded once he had the courage. "I want to be a true partner to you and I won't accept anything less."
"I would never disrespect you or my children like that," Hakoda insisted but comforted by the fact they wanted the same thing. "That is what I want too. Though I don't know how this will work and I will probably make mistakes, I want you to be an equal partner to me."
"We will figure it out together," Bato said before he leaned over and kissed his partner.
Notes:
Thank you for reading :) Would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
I hope you all have an amazing week and I will see you on November 25th, 2021
Chapter 6: Chapter Six: Fall 102 AG
Notes:
Happy Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate!
This chapter is posting is coming to you a tad late, with family coming into town I had to be creative in finding time to edit. Please forgive this chapter as I would have liked to have another 2-3 reads through before posting but I wanted to keep with the schedule. I do plan on going back after everything is posted and doing some additional edits as I've caught a few mistakes already since posting the previous chapters.
Thank you to everyone who commented on the last chapter, I so appreciate it! And to all of you who have been sharing and bookmarking/subscribing. It means so much to me! I hope I can continue to live up to your expectations.
Also if you are an artist and want to create some fanart for this fic, please send me a message on Instagram: @JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ I have had a few people reach out already and I'm so excited to see it :)
Enjoy this Thanksgiving update!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Six: Fall 102 AG
"Katara, it's late," Hakoda murmured when he noticed his daughter was still awake. He had gone to check on her before going to bed and noticed she was sitting on the chaise next to the window. It was unlike her to still be awake. He walked into her room to see what was wrong.
"I can't sleep," his daughter responded not removing her eyes from the view outside. She felt restless, it was a full moon she wished she could blame it on that. But the truth was she had too much on her mind.
"Are you worried about your engagement still?" Hakoda asked as he went to sit next to his daughter.
"A little," she shrugged, turning to look at her father briefly before looking back out the window. She tucked her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees, "He didn't even give me a betrothal token, I didn't necessarily expect him to carve a necklace. I figured the Fire Nation has another custom, but I never got one. I know it's silly, it's not like he wants to marry me. I know this is political, but I just thought . . ."
"Little tiger seal, I am sure he will give you a betrothal token," Hakoda comforted his daughter. His hand went to rest on the top of her foot, "This is still new to him as well and we had to go over the marriage contract. It was agreed all engagement customs of the Tribe will be practiced since your wedding needs to be Fire Nation. The hunting trip takes place before the betrothal necklace is presented."
The Southern Chief was doing his best to not reveal too much. The last conversation he had with the Fire Lord was about betrothal necklaces. More specifically, Zuko had asked about the carving process, the materials used, and the appropriate time to present the necklace. Hakoda was almost a hundred percent sure that Zuko would be gifting the betrothal necklace in true Water Tribe custom in front of the entire tribe. But he needed to make the necklace first.
"But Sokka didn't do that," Katara argued, her brow furrowing in frustration.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth as she got lost in her thoughts. If her betrothed was falling traditional customs, did that mean she wasn't technically engaged yet? And if they were following tradition, who would step in for Zuko's mother? Would he make the necklace himself or would he have it commissioned?
The Water Tribe Princess felt silly for being worried about the necklace, but if this marriage was only going to be political to the Fire Lord she at least wanted a necklace. If Zuko was marrying her because he loved her, she wouldn't care about a betrothal necklace. But he was marrying her because he had to and so she cared.
"Sokka is following Kyoshi engagement traditions," her father explained softly, his voice coming out in a calming and soothing manner. He watched her fidget from her spot across from him. "Since the wedding will be Water Tribe. But since Kyoshi doesn't have set betrothal tokens, he gifted Suki her necklace."
"Am I being silly?" The waterbender asked her father. She turned her sapphire eyes toward her father, "Zuko said he would do whatever he could to make me happy, but I know he doesn't love me the way I love him. Is it frivolous that I am expecting him to act as if he does?"
"I think you answered your own question, little tiger seal," Hakoda confirmed as he brushed the hair out of her face. "This is new to him as well, he's a young man — not even twenty. You both will learn how to move through this marriage together."
"You're right," she nodded after a minute. She leaned into her father's hand, seeking the comfort only a parent could give, "It's a full moon tonight."
"Don't stay up too late," her father advised with a small smile as he stood. The Southern Chief knew there was no way his daughter would fall asleep before the midnight hour, "Goodnight little tiger seal."
"Good night," the waterbender whispered as he left her room. Her eyes moved to take in the full moon for a moment before they closed again. She prayed to Tui and La for a happy marriage.
"Master Toph!" Iroh greeted the earthbender as she walked into his tea shop. He moved to join her, "How was your trip to Omashu?"
"It was good," Toph answered as she sat at one of the tables in the Jasmine Dragon, the old general sitting across from her. She had just returned to Ba Sing Se that morning. "Is Haru here? Or is he still working with Keui?"
"He should be back soon," the Dragon of the West informed the earthbender. He motioned to one of the servers to bring some tea and canapés over to their table. "Your father returned to Gaoling shortly after you left for Omashu."
"I hoped that if I wasn't in Ba Sing Se he would leave," Toph mumbled as tea and finger sandwiches were placed in front of them. "I think I need to go home and see my parents though."
"You don't want to," Iroh commented it was a statement, not a question. He knew the relationship was complicated with the young earthbender and her parents. "But I agree you should at least try."
"I don't want to go by myself," Toph confessed to the retired general. She picked at one of the sandwiches in front of her. Her body stiff as her hands fidgeted, "But I don't think I should bring Haru, my father already doesn't like him."
"I haven't left Ba Sing Se since Zuko's coronation," he speculated as he looked at the young woman. He had been a buffer many times for his nephew and he knew he could successfully do it for the Blind Bandit. "And I hear Gaoling is beautiful. Perhaps it's time I make a visit."
"Thank you," Toph whispered as she took a sip of the tea that was in front of her. She didn't like appearing weak, but she knew she needed help if she was to face her father.
"I will need a week to organize my servers and Haru should be fine looking after the tea shop," Iroh continued. He knew not to make a fuss over Toph's thanks, she was not good with emotion.
Two weeks after Toph had returned to Ba Sing Se, found her and Iroh arriving in Gaoling. Each day caused her anxiety to increase the closer they got to her hometown. She was extremely grateful for the old general who kept a steady stream of chatter during their journey.
The Beifong heiress had been insistent on booking a room at a hotel in the city and not staying at her parents' home. She knew that her parents would do everything they could to keep her in Gaoling and she would not give them an opportunity to catch her by surprise.
"It's going to be alright, Toph," the old general told her as they stood outside her family's estate. They had been standing in front of the Beifong home for a few minutes.
"Yeah," she grumbled before walking past the gates and into her childhood home. The earthbender had debated about knocking but decided not to give her parents the satisfaction of preparing for her. Toph greeted the guards by name as she and Iroh walked into the estate.
"Toph!" Poppy called as her daughter walked through the door. She immediately rushed over to hug her daughter.
"Hi Mom," Toph mumbled into the embrace. She couldn't remember the last time her mother hugged her, it had been years. She sank into her arms for just a moment, allowing herself to feel the affection.
"Poppy," Lao chided harshly. He didn't like the display, it wasn't proper, "I see you finally decided to come home, where are your things? Your room is ready for you."
"I'm only here for a visit," Toph informed her father once her mother let go of her. The earthbender knew her parents would not be happy with her, "Iroh and I are staying at a hotel in town."
"General Iroh," Lao corrected his daughter. He grinned his teeth slightly before swallowing his pride to acknowledge the older firebender, "Thank you for escorting our daughter home, but she will be staying here and not at the hotel."
"You are most welcome," Iroh replied, with a slight bow of respect. He knew that Lao did not like him, but he was not going to give the Earth Kingdom nobleman the satisfaction of letting it affect him. "Lady Beifong is a lovely traveling companion. But she did insist that she wanted to stay at the hotel."
The Dragon of the West could immediately tell why Toph wanted to stay in town. She was absolutely right that her parents would try to use the opportunity to trap her in her room. The old General had an uneasy feeling as he observed the Beifong patriarch. This was about more than just their daughter and her lover.
"Tell me everything that you have been doing," Poppy insisted as she led her daughter over to sit down next to her. She gently tried to help the earthbender find a seat.
"Well, we defeated the Fire Lord after I taught Aang to earthbend," Toph stated, shrugging off her mother, she hated feeling like an invalid. The last time she spoke to her mother was before she ran away, "Sokka, Suki, and I took down over fifty Fire Nation airships together during the comet. After that, I helped Zuko with interrogating his staff to make sure no one would kill him in his sleep."
"Your daughter is able to tell someone is lying instantly," Iroh boasted to her parents. He was looking at Poppy but did not miss the subtle uncomfortable shifting of the earthbender's father. "It is very remarkable! She has helped my nephew so much."
"I still don't think you should have helped end the war," Lao mumbled irritably. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the firebender, he wanted him out of his home. "It's not where you were supposed to be. I also cannot believe that the Fire Lord, needed a young girl to help him vet his employees. He should be able to handle that himself."
Toph ignored her father and kept speaking, "Haru and I traveled to Ba Sing Se after Zuko's coronation. King Keui asked us to help rebuild the wall and with other areas of rebuilding the city."
"Who is Haru? Did he help end the war too?" Poppy inquired as she watched her daughter. She was thrilled her daughter was interested in a young man. When the earthbender had run away, she had been fearful that Toph would not want to marry. Not to mention the trouble it would be to find a good match for such a headstrong girl.
"Yeah, he's another earthbender," Toph explained, a smile gracing her face as she spoke of her paramour. "He helped us with the invasion on the day of the eclipse. Then he went with Hakoda to help go fight the troops occupying villages in the Earth Kingdom. They were able to free over two dozen by the time of the comet."
"He's a commoner," Lao sneered as he informed his wife about the other earthbender. He knew that Poppy would be distracted by the affection their daughter was showing, "Far from an acceptable suitor, but she insists on spending time with him."
"He's great! Only a couple of years older than me," Toph continued ignoring her father's words. She could hear him grinding his teeth in frustration, "He and I have been learning so much about earthbending. I'm still better than him, but he's fun to practice with. Katara helped him and a whole bunch of earthbenders break out of a metal prison rig, just using coal!"
"And he's very handsome," Iroh added. He was unsurprised to see Lao's eye twitch at the helpful comment.
"If you say so," Toph shrugged but her blush betrayed her nonchalant attitude. She said the one thing that would drive her father crazy, "He has been my escort to some functions, we have a great time together. And Keui really likes him! We spend a lot of time helping Iroh at his tea shop when we aren't needed for the rebuilding."
"You sound like you like him very much," Poppy noticed, a small smile playing on her lips. She truly wanted her daughter to be happy, maybe running away had been good for her.
"Yeah, he's great," Toph shrugged. She was trying to appear calm and collected, she did not want her mother picking up on the feelings that were developing toward the other earthbender.
"Do you think he could be a potential suitor?" Poppy questioned wistfully.
"Of course not!" Lao demanded as he stood. "He is unacceptable! He has no title and no money! He would be after her just because of the dowery."
"Haru doesn't care about that kind of stuff," Toph argued lightly. She felt her father's heart rate spike with his temper, but she kept speaking, "Plus, I'm not even sixteen. Why does it matter?"
"It matters!" Lao shouted in anger as he jumped from his seat. He felt like he could dismantle his entire home stone by stone with his bare hands, "Every person you are around reflects back on us! We have an image to uphold, Toph."
Katara,
I'm back in the Fire Nation.
I received my first update from Yagoda yesterday when I arrived home. Azula has been doing good, though apparently once she learned that women were not allowed to learn how to waterbend she began verbally assaulting every man she saw. It reminded me that you still owe me an explanation for how you learned to waterbend.
Uncle wrote to me, Toph and he are in Gaoling to see her parents. From his letter, it sounded as if things are not going well. I think I might offer for her to come to visit Caldera afterward. What do you think?
Did you have a chance to look over the marriage contract? Your father told me that he would show you the agreement. If there is anything you want to change, you can tell me and I will happily change it. I want you to be happy.
I'm going to look for my mother before the wedding. I need to take the next couple of months to make sure everything is secure in the Fire Nation before I go looking for her, but I want her at the wedding. I have a lead on where she is.
Tomorrow I have to meet with the Fire Sages. Ozai neglected many spiritual festivals and holidays. The Fire Sages want a large celebration for our wedding, they want to keep an emphasis on the religious aspect. Shyu informed me they want to use it as an opportunity to help transition the nation back into our spirituality.
Shyu has been encouraging me to bring back our religion in a much bigger way. I think it will do wonders for the Fire Nation and not just because our religion used to play a big part in our lives. But the increase of festivals will help the economy and hopefully raise the spirits of the people.
How's everything in the South Pole? Have Sokka and Suki come back from their engagement tour?
Your friend,
Zuko
P.S. This feels weird, I don't want things to be weird between us. Tell me how to fix it and make it not like this.
She looked down at the worn scroll in her hands. Katara had read Zuko's letter almost a hundred times. It had been two weeks since she had received it. The Water Tribe Princess still had not sent a response to the Fire Lord.
She didn't know how to respond to him. Their friendship felt strained when he left the South Pole. Somehow the date of their wedding being set made everything more real and the temporary truce they had created in the Fire Nation felt flimsy at best.
Katara set the letter back down on her nightstand and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. It was late, she should have been asleep hours ago. But she couldn't sleep, her thoughts were racing. It was becoming more uncommon for her to have a good night's rest than a bad one. She missed her mother.
The waterbender thought about the day in Ba Sing Se when she confessed to Zuko the death of her mother at the hand of the Fire Nation. She could remember it like yesterday when he turned around and told her that his mother had been lost to the Fire Nation as well. Her entire body ached to comfort him and share in his pain. The vulnerability he showed created compassion where there had been hate, it was the reason she offered to heal him.
Her mind wandered to the night on the roof that Zuko told her that his mother could be alive.
"Hey," Katara greeted Zuko as she climbed onto the roof. He didn't turn to look at her but a small nod confirmed he knew she was there.
He was sitting with his legs stretched in front of him, leaning back on his arms. She could tell that something had been bothering him all day. He had freaked out on Aang, attacking him while they were on the beach. Zuko then reacted badly when Katara mistook a picture of Ozai for him. And even worse yelled at Aang when he said that he couldn't kill Ozai.
When she had questioned him earlier that afternoon during bending practice he had just responded, "A question for under the moon."
Zuko's gold eyes looked out at the beach, lost in his mind. He felt shame at his actions earlier today, he always felt shame when he lost his temper now. If only he could be like his sister, always calm and steady. She was cruel but she never let her emotions get the better of her, and he envied that about Azula.
Katara made her way towards him finally settling down next to him, sitting with her legs crossed underneath her. She didn't say anything, nor did he. The two just basked in the comfort and security of their time on the roof as the salty tropical wind blew around them.
The two benders sat in silence for almost an hour before Zuko finally spoke, "Today is my mother's birthday."
"Zuko," Katara whispered in comfort, she tentatively reached a handout but withdrew it a few seconds later. She knew the pain he was feeling, the day of her mother's birthday and the day of her death were always the hardest.
"There's more," Zuko mumbled quietly, his eyes closed as he thought over the night she had left. "I always thought she died, but I found out when I confronted my father that she was banished from the Fire Nation for killing my grandfather."
"What?" Katara exclaimed, a hand covering her mouth in shock. She wasn't sure how to respond. Everything she knew about the banished Prince's mother suggested she never would kill anyone. The waterbender had the urge to wrap the firebender in her arms but resisted.
"It gets worse," Zuko whispered, his voice shaky. He sat up and ran a hand through his hair as he continued. "When my father made a play for the throne, my grandfather told my father that he had to suffer the same way Iroh did. By losing his firstborn son. Ozai was going to kill me to get the throne."
"Tui and La," Katara swore as she listened. Her mind was racing with the news he was sharing with her.
"Azula taunted me that night about it, I thought she was lying," Zuko took an unsteady breath. His body hunched over as he glared at the roof, saying the words aloud made it real, "My mother overheard and confronted my father, he told her that he planned on killing me. She said that she would do anything to protect me. She and Ozai came to an agreement that she would kill Azulon to save me. The only sacrifice would be that it would be considered an act of treason and she would be banished from the Fire Nation."
"Zuko, I'm so sorry," Katara moved closer to him. She rested a hand against his leg as he spoke. She wished she could do more to comfort the banished Prince.
"That night she came to me and woke me, the last words she spoke to me were 'Zuko, please, my love, listen to me. Everything I've done, I've done to protect you. Remember this, Zuko. No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are.' Then she was gone," the firebender said, his voice haunting as he echoed her final words. His gold eyes were glassy and faraway, "The next day my grandfather was dead and my father was being crowned Fire Lord."
"I'm so sorry," Katara whispered, she moved closer to him trying to offer him some silent support. "I can't believe your grandfather would order your father to kill you and I really can't believe that your father would do that."
"The Fire Nation Royal family has issues," the banished prince replied quickly. He was uncomfortable with the display of affection, "Ever since Sozin, we didn't use to be like that. But he was cruel and raised Azulon that way which caused Azulon to raise Ozai that way and that's why my family is so messed up."
Katara was desperate to ask why General Iroh was not that way but knew it was not the right time. From what Zuko had shared about his Uncle, she knew he had a complicated past he was titled Dragon of the West after all.
"Saying sorry seems so insignificant," the Water Tribe Princess whispered as she looked down at her hand resting against his leg. "You have gone through so much to become the man you are today and your family history does not define you."
"I know that now," he acknowledged softly, a hint of skepticism in his voice. Yet he reminded himself that he was going to change his family and his nation for the better. He was learning from past mistakes. "But thank you."
The waterbender debated about asking the question on her lips, she wasn't sure if it was the right time. But this was their spot on the roof, the time to ask anything and everything. So she found the words coming out before she made the decision to even speak.
"Is that why you are so desperate for Aang to understand the only way to defeat your father is to kill him?"
"Yes," the firebender nodded after a moment of silence, he should have expected the question. "Ozai will not hesitate to kill Aang and if he is left alive, he will do everything in his power to take control back."
"You once reminded me that Aang is just a kid," Katara gently said to her friend. "The thought of killing was never something that crossed his mind."
"I know," the firebender nodded at her. "I'll apologize to him in the morning."
Zuko never got the chance to apologize, because the next morning Aang had gone missing.
Katara came out of the memory desperate to be anywhere but in her room. And she longed to have the easiness and familiarity of conversations with Zuko on the roof. Even though the subjects they spoke about were difficult, there was a flow that felt natural. It was such a contrast to the words she had just read, she looked down at the scroll in her hand.
The Water Tribe Princess couldn't put her finger on it, but this letter from the Fire Lord felt cold.
She knew that she needed to send a response and soon. Katara pulled herself out of bed and moved to the writing desk across the room. If she couldn't sleep, she might as well write to her fiancé.
In the back of her mind, she thought it was odd her father didn't come in and check on her. She always went to bed first, if her light was still on he would come in and see if she was okay. But tonight he didn't.
The next morning Hakoda was sneaking back into his home. He had spent the night with Bato. The two had been trying to find a way to spend more time together, but they both wanted to keep it quiet for a little longer.
Hakoda did not want to upset his children if there was no need and Bato understood that his lover wanted to wait until things were more clear between them.
"Hakoda?" Pakku questioned as his stepson tried to sneak back into the house.
"Pakku," the Southern Chief sighed as he turned around to see the Master Waterbender. His first instinct was to have an explanation of why he was out so early, "I was just going over things for Katara's coming of age ceremony. I wanted to get an early start."
"I didn't realize you woke so early," Pakku remarked as he stared at the Chieftain, an eyebrow lifted. His eyes bore into his step-sons and he could see the man deflate before him at being caught in a lie.
Hakoda knew what the older man was hinting at and his shoulders sagged in surrender. He felt like a child lying to a parental figure. Which wasn't far off considering the old waterbender was his step-father. The Southern Chief desperately need someone to talk to about everything and Pakku had given him sound advice before. So with a deep breath, he admitted to the unspoken question.
"I typically don't, but I wanted to be back before Katara woke," the younger tribesman confessed, his eyes looking at the ground in defeat. "She's still struggling with her engagement and I think her learning that I'm seeing someone might push her over the edge."
"Your children will understand," Pakku advised his stepson, trying to catch the man's eye. "But you have to give them an opportunity to, you shouldn't let them find out on their own."
"I know," the chieftain nodded and scratched the back of his head as he shifted uncomfortably, the mannerism replicating his own son's. "But I don't want to worry them before I know what's happening."
The waterbending master rested his hand on Hakoda's shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze before the two tribesmen went their separate ways.
Unbeknownst to them, Katara had overheard the entire conversation.
She had been up early to send her letter to Zuko and on her way back home, had stumbled upon the conversation between the eldest men in her family. Her heart sake when she realized her father didn't check on her last night because he had been with another woman.
Katara did understand and wanted her father to be happy. But she was most upset that he felt like he could not tell his children about it.
The waterbender's life felt even more complicated now.
"Toph, are you in a relationship with this boy?" Lao sneered as he questioned his daughter. His green eyes narrowed as he looked across at her.
She had been in Gaoling for over a week now and things with her family just seemed to be getting worse. The earthbender knew that her father had a hidden agenda with her love life, yet she couldn't understand what it was exactly. There was much more to it than just the image he wanted to maintain. No, Lao had another reason too but she couldn't figure out what it was.
The Blind Bandit had just finished telling a story about how she and Haru caused a cave-in on one of the underground tunnels while they were helping rebuild. The two had been competing to see who could finish faster, unfortunately, they forgot that moving too fast would cause a cave-in. Thus trapping the two earthbenders until they were able to bend their way out.
"Haru is a friend," Toph argued back. She didn't want to tell her father that she and Haru had gone on a few dates in Ba Sing Se. Haru had been hinting at the fact that he wanted to court her once she was of age.
"I hope you won't bring him up at dinner tonight," Lao commented as he took a sip of his tea. He needed to calm himself if he was going to have a successful first meeting tonight, "We are having guests join us."
"Oh, how lovely," Iroh declared, reminding the Beifong's of his presence. "I am excited to meet your friends, Lao."
The Dragon of the West had been watching the interaction between the two for over a week now. There was something up with Lao and Iroh was sure to get to the bottom of it. He knew from Zuko and Keui that the man's business was not doing well since the war stopped. Lao Beifong had a monopoly with the weapons industry in the Earth Kingdom. When Zuko declared the war over, his sales dropped drastically.
Iroh had been in many meetings in his youth about trading agreements and the economy. He also knew the backdoor deals many families made with one another to have control of finances and for power. Rumor was that Lao had taken a shady business deal to cover his expenses and with no revenue coming in, he could have the economy crashing when his debt was called to be paid. The old General had a feeling that there was more to the story than the Earth Kingdom noble was letting on. Perhaps during dinner, his guest would reveal a piece to the puzzle.
"This is more than just any guest," Lao informed reminding himself last minute not to snap at the Dragon of the West. "Toph, our guest is a potential suitor for you. I know you are young but I am not happy with the company you keep. It is time you started acting like a woman of your station, you are a Beifong!"
"The company like my nephew? The Fire Lord?" Iroh retorted with a quirk of a brow in question. The Dragon of the West was thrilled to see the Beifong patriarch turn a shade of red in embarrassment.
"Of course not! We are very pleased that Toph has made such good friends with the Fire Lord," Lao sputtered as he tried to backtrack his words. He might not like the Fire Nation, but he knew it wouldn't be a good idea to alienate the Fire Nation royal family. And perhaps he could use it to his advantage, "But Haru is not a suitable man for my daughter to be around. Surely you would agree General Iroh?"
"I believe that Master Toph is an excellent judge of character," Iroh responded steadily, never breaking eye contact with Lao. He was enjoying the way the younger man fidgeted, "The friends she has made can only aid the Beifong's and the Earth Kingdom not only political agreements but business agreements as well."
The threat was thinly veiled but the Dragon of the West was sure that the nobleman had heard it.
Poppy had been listening to the entire conversation but neglected to say anything. She was unsure why her husband was so against Haru. From what Toph told her, the young man seemed nice enough. Though it was true he didn't come from any social standing, Haru had earned the favor of King Keui by aiding in the invasion and helping to free occupied villages of the Fire Nation. That increased the young man's standing in society and would continue to do so if he stayed close with the King. It seemed like a very good match for her daughter. The noblewoman could not understand why her husband was so against Toph seeing this boy.
"So who's coming for dinner?" Toph asked as she adjusted her position on the chair she was sitting on and pulled at her clothes. She had made an effort to look nicer for her mother but just wanted to back in her simple clothing with her feet on the earth.
"Quon and his son Sheng," Lao informed his family a small smile gracing his face. He was satisfied his daughter was on board with the dinner he had arranged. "You remember Quon, don't you Toph? I introduced the two of you in Ba Sing Se."
"I remember," Toph nodded with a heavy heart. If she was not already annoyed at the prospect of dinner, she was now.
"Quon financed the tea shop originally, Master Toph. Such a nice man," Iroh babbled as he explained how he knew the man. He felt the need to destabilize Lao after his threat, he needed information. "After the war, Zuko paid him handsomely for the shop. Now the Jasmine Dragon is all mine."
"Oh yeah, I remember you telling me that," the Blind Bandit commented distractedly, more to fill the silence.
Iroh neglected to mention that there had been something shady about Quon, Zuko had to pay him to triple what the tea shop was worth to get the deed in Iroh's name. The Fire Lord assured his uncle that he did not mind, but Iroh felt at fault. He had so quickly taken the offer when they were refugees in the Lower Ring and it was probably not the wisest decision once the war was over to reclaim the shop. Hindsight would have been better to create a whole new tea shop, but he loved the Jasmine Dragon.
Quon would not have caused an issue if they had just been refugees. Once he found out the illustrious tea maker, Mushi, was actually the Dragon of the West, the Earth Kingdom Nobleman became problematic. Quon had been upset that he helped Fire Nation citizens and not just any Fire Nation but the royal family specifically. The nobleman hated the Fire Nation with a burning passion. He wanted all of them to suffer the way his nation had for a hundred years. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't cause too many issues other than refusing to sell the shop to Iroh. But when Zuko offered triple what it was worth, Quon could not refuse a sum that great.
The former General was concerned that Lao Beifong was close with Quon. Iroh had a feeling that made him uneasy about the whole thing. He knew from experience that where there was one shady business deal there were multiple. Perhaps the rumors were true.
All too soon Quon and Sheng arrived at the Beifong estate for dinner. It was clear to both Toph and Iroh on the hidden agenda for dinner — Lao wanted Sheng to court Toph.
Dinner was an awkward affair. The moment Toph realized what her father wanted, she made it her mission to antagonize Sheng. She started small, as she had with Aang all those years ago, using her earthbending to make his dinner uncomfortable. Then when he became arrogant and misogynistic, she started to verbally assault him every time he spoke.
Lao wanted to leap across the table and strangle his daughter, this dinner was important and she had almost done irreparable damage. He had spent most of the dinner apologizing to Quon and Sheng. Lao knew he needed to have a private conversation with Quon to smooth things over and do damage control.
"Quon, I have an expensive bottle of Northern Water Tribe port in my study that I'm sure you would love to sample," Lao offered to the other nobleman, pleading silently he would take the offer. "Why don't we leave the children to converse?"
"I would very much like to try it," Quon agreed readily. The two men stood from the table and quickly made their way into Lao's study.
Toph was sure to ignore Sheng the moment her father left. Poppy was desperately trying to be a perfect host speaking to both Sheng and Iroh but failing miserably. Finally, she just settled into the silence of the room.
Once Iroh knew his disappearance wouldn't be cause for concern, he slipped out to eavesdrop on the conversation between the Earth Kingdom noblemen.
"You promised her hand, Lao!" Quon hissed, his hands itching to grab the fabric of the man's shirt and throw him against a wall.
"And I still do," Lao confirmed, trying to be as calm and steady as possible. He scrambled for an excuse to explain his daughter. "But she was not prepared for you tonight and that Fire Nation General is not helping! He is filling her head with nonsense."
"Your business is losing money hand over fist," Quon stated harshly. He had a hidden agenda to help as well, "And I promised to help once you agree to Toph marrying Sheng, but only because I want benders in my family. I would have never agreed if I knew how unrefined she was."
"I need that bride price," Lao mumbled to himself. He turned back to the man in front of him to defend his daughter. "And she is the strongest earthbender in the world, of course, she will add benders to your family."
"You need not only the bride price but me to forgive your debt," Quon corrected the man. If the Beifong heiress married his son, not only would his grandchildren be benders but with Lao gone Quon would control the entire Beifong estate. "Get your daughter inline and soon!"
"They cannot marry until her coming of age," Lao reminded the man when he saw the greedy look in his eyes. "I promise by her eighteenth she will be the perfect wife for Sheng."
"She better be," Quon hissed, this time he did grab the man by his shirt. Leaning in close as he spoke, "And remember our deal, I promised to pay your employees for her hand. As a show of good faith, I'll continue to cover your expenses. But if she doesn't marry him, you will not be safe."
Iroh knew he had to leave the hall before the two men emerged and get back to the others as to not raise suspicion. He also wanted to remove Toph from the house as quickly as possible. The Dragon of the West need to send a letter to the Fire Lord and soon, something was not right with the deal that Lao made with Quon. And Iroh knew it extended beyond Toph's hand in marriage that was promised.
"Master Toph," Iroh called as he walked back into the room. He was sure to play the victim perfectly, "It seems I'm not feeling too well. Would it be alright with you if we returned to the hotel?"
Toph knew that Iroh was lying but she couldn't figure out why. And at the same time, she didn't really care. He was giving her an excuse to leave her parents' house and she was going to jump on it.
"Of course we can," Toph agreed instantly, jumping up from her chair. "Tell Dad bye for me, Mom."
"I hope I can see you in Ba Sing Se," Sheng said as he stood. He went to take her hand so he could press a kiss to it, but she moved before he could reach for her. He tried another tactic of wooing, "I would love to show you the city and take you to some of my favorite places in the Upper and Middle Rings."
"Nah, I'm good," Toph boomed as she went to leave with Iroh. The Blind Bandit wanted to get as far away from her family's estate as she could.
Once the two travelers were back at their hotel, Iroh decided to fill Toph in on the conversation he overheard. But he was sure to sensor part of it.
"Master Toph, I overheard your father speaking with Quon," Iroh began delicately as the two sat across from each other in front of the pai sho board. This was not going to be a pleasant conversation. "And I heard that Lao has promised your hand in marriage to Sheng because of a business deal."
"I figured as much," Toph muttered disheartened, she crossed her arms over her chest and slouched. "I don't want to go back to Ba Sing Se just yet, but I don't want to stay here."
"Perhaps a trip to visit Zuko is in order," Iroh suggested softly. It would be a better idea to speak with his nephew in person considering the deal with Lao and Quon.
"Yeah," Toph replied thoughtfully. She picked at her ear uncomfortably. "Do you think we could leave in the morning? And do you think you can write a letter to my parents for me?"
"We can do it right now," Iroh proposed as he stood. The old general sat down at the writing desk in Toph's room and began writing the words Toph dictated to him before he wrote his own letter to Zuko.
Once done, he sent his letter to Zuko and left Toph's letter with the manager of the hotel explaining that the letter was to be delivered tomorrow afternoon. He wanted to give Toph an opportunity to get a head start before her parents potentially went after her.
The Dragon of the West had an uneasy feeling in his stomach after leaving the Beifong Estate, he knew it was a matter of time before disaster would strike.
"Suki!" Katara exclaimed as her friend disembarked the ship.
The Kyoshi Warrior ran straight to Katara's open arms. The two had gotten much closer since she had been rescued from Boiling Rock. They hadn't been able to really spend time together in Omashu, Sokka had kept most of Suki's attention then. Katara was looking forward to having some time with her friend.
"Katara," Suki called as she hugged her friend. "I'm so excited to see you."
"How was your trip?" Katara asked as she started pulling her friend toward the southern palace.
"Hey little sister, thanks for the warm welcome," Sokka grumbled as he followed his fiancé and sister carrying their bags, "I missed you too."
"Stop being dramatic Sokka," Katara teased as the three continued to walk to the palace. "I haven't had any girl time since Omashu."
"Well, you two can have your precious girl time," Sokka began once they entered their home. "I need to find dad anyway. He and I need to come up with a plan for training me to be Chief."
The Southern Water Tribe heir placed their bags on the ground off to the side and went in search of his father while his sister went to get his fiancé settled in.
"What's going on Katara?" Suki asked as she followed her future sister-in-law through the halls.
"Honestly, I don't even know," she whispered as she led Suki into her temporary bedroom. Once the Kyoshi Warrior and her brother married, she would be moved into his room.
Suki sat down on her bed and beckoned her friend to come to join her. "Is it about your engagement?"
"A little," Katara shrugged as she sat down next to her friend, looking anywhere but at the Kyoshi Warrior. She had wanted desperately to speak to Suki earlier, but now that she was here the words weren't coming, "Everything feels weird now between the two of us."
"Between you and Zuko?" Suki clarified as she tried to catch the waterbender's eye.
"Yeah," Katara nodded before she stood and started pacing the room. Her hands waved around as the words she didn't have before erupted, "Something felt off with his last letter and I don't know. How am I supposed to marry my best friend? Have children with him? We are supposed to have sex and he probably hates me! I mean how am I to be a good wife to him? I'm going to be Fire Lady and I know nothing about that! I'm supposed to help rule and make decisions but I don't know the people. What if I'm horrible? What if they hate me? What if —"
"Katara!" Suki shouted to get her friend to stop, she stood and grabbed the waterbender's hand. She had felt the ice around them tremble and knew she needed to contain her friend, "Take a deep breath. You and Zuko will have a wonderful marriage, trust me. It's going to be okay."
"Honestly, Suki, I don't think it will be," Katara mumbled harshly pulling her hands from her friend's. Suki just didn't understand, no one did. "I forgot I have to go meet Gran-Gran to talk about my coming of age ceremony, I'll let you unpack and get settled in."
Suki sighed as she watched her friend leave the room. There was obviously a lot of anxiety that Katara was carrying about her upcoming marriage. The Kyoshi Warrior knew if Katara and Zuko just admitted their feelings both would be better for it. The world needed this marriage as much as her friends needed it. She just hoped that the two would figure out their feelings sooner rather than later.
The Southern Water Tribe Princess had lied to her friend about her grandmother, instead, she quickly went in search of Bato. He had been the only one recently who just let her feel, everyone else kept trying to get her to come to terms with her engagement. But rarely would anyone just let her feel the emotional storm bottled inside of her.
"Katara," Hakoda called to his daughter as he saw her running through the house. "Where are you going?"
"Have you seen Bato?" She asked her father. Sokka was with him and looking at her like she was crazy.
"He's out training some of the new warriors," Hakoda informed her, though he gave her an odd look. He was wondering if she suspected something between the two, "What's wrong?"
"I just—" her words were cut off as she fell to the floor and burst into tears.
The waterbender was feeling so overwhelmed with everything. Her engagement to Zuko was a mess and their friendship was being held by a thread at best. She was in love with a man who didn't love her and probably never would. He was being forced to marry her and she was sure based on his lack of response to her last letter that he hated her.
Katara was also feeling abandoned because her father had been spending more nights out than in. She knew he was seeing someone but she didn't know who. And she felt that Hakoda was replacing her mother with someone new. Katara felt bitterness towards her father for not being home as much and neglected as he spent more time with his new love interest.
The Southern Water Tribe Princess just couldn't keep her emotions bottled anymore and they erupted in a furious show of tears.
Sokka looked at his father in alarm, he had never seen his sister cry like that. At least not since their mother's death.
"Sokka, we will talk later," Hakoda waved for his son to give them privacy. Sokka took the hint and fled from their line of sight, but he was able to see his father stoop down and pick up his sister.
"Little tiger seal," Hakoda whispered as he carried his daughter to her room. She cuddled into her father's chest as he walked. His son followed discreetly behind.
The waterbender wanted to tell her father that she knew he was seeing someone. She wanted to yell and scream that he was betraying her mother. Katara wanted to tell her father that he had abandoned her when he went to war and now he was doing it again. She wanted to tell him that she knew he hadn't spent the night in his own bed in almost a month. But instead, she cried to him about Zuko.
"I don't know how to marry a man who doesn't love me," Katara cried as her father cuddled her on her bed. "I love him and he hates me because of this marriage."
"Little tiger seal, no," her father comforted her, brushing tears away the best he could. "He doesn't hate you."
"Yes, he does!" The waterbender argued, her hands curled into the fabric of his shirt and she pressed her face into his chest. "His last letter was so distant and cold towards me. It felt so impersonal and like he was just going through the motions because he had to."
"Katara," the chieftain pulled her face up to look at him, brushing back more of her tears as he did. "Zuko does not hate you and he doesn't hate this marriage. He's just trying to learn how to be your betrothed as much as you are."
"Then why hasn't responded to my last letter? Why did it take him two weeks after he returned home to write to me? Why hasn't he responded to my last letter that I sent over a month ago? Why didn't he ask me to help him look for his mother?" Katara rambled her questions off to her father through hiccuping sobs, "Why doesn't he want to give me a betrothal token?"
Unbeknownst to her, Sokka had been listening to their conversation and knew what he had to do to help his sister. Turning the Southern Water Tribe Heir quickly made his way to his office, he had a letter to send his best friend.
"Katara, you are going to make yourself sick if you keep acting like this," the southern chief stated as he tried to lull her down. Her entire body was shaking and her breathing was extremely irregular. Once she had calmed some he suggested, "Why don't you go to bed early tonight? Tomorrow you will have your coming of age ceremony and then next week we will have to start planning your brother's wedding."
Katara nodded to her father, her eyes burned from all the crying and her body ached. She rubbed a hand across her nose to take care of the snot and tears that had run down her face. She was being overly emotional and she knew that. Perhaps it would be a good idea to go to bed early, seeing Sokka and Suki so happy had caused her to spin about her own relationship status.
"Goodnight little tiger seal," Hakoda whispered as he tucked her under the furs. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Life has a way of giving us things we never knew we needed. Zuko doesn't hate you or this marriage. I firmly believe you two will have a wonderful and happy marriage."
By the time Hakoda had left the room, his daughter was fast asleep.
Zuko,
You're right, this does feel weird and I don't know how to fix it.
How else is Azula doing? Yagoda wrote to me before she arrived and agreed to be in charge of her healing. I know she had a whole treatment plan at the ready for her.
I hope Toph is okay in Gaoling. She was telling me in Omashu how her dad was being a monster about her and Haru spending time together. I would hate to see how he would act if he knew that Haru wanted to court her when she comes of age. I think inviting her to the Fire Nation is a great idea.
My dad showed me the marriage contract. I don't have any issues with it, just wish we could have the Water Tribe wedding I always dreamed about, but I understand why we can't. I want you to be happy too, I hope you know that.
I think it's amazing you want to look for your mother. I hope you can find her before the wedding, maybe, I could help you look for her? Only if you want me to go with you though. I get it if you want to do this alone.
Sounds like you are in the process of changing the Fire Nation for the better. I knew you always would.
The South Pole is good, we had to redo a whole bunch of the rebuilding though. Sokka was in a panic after you left, something about how the water ducts were too big and we needed to make them smaller. It was a lot of work but Pakku and I were able to fix it without too much extra work.
Suki and Sokka are supposed to come home in the next month or so from the Earth Kingdom, just in time for my coming of age ceremony. Once they return we will need to start planning their wedding and begin prep for the anniversary.
Katara
The Fire Lord reread the letter he had received almost two months ago from his fiancé, it would be her coming of age ceremony today.
His heart sunk as he realized her letter felt just as cold as his letter had been. He desperately wanted to write back and beg her to come to help him look for his mother. She was the only one who understood the pain of losing a mother.
Zuko also felt that they had shared such a personal moment searching for Yon Rha that it would probably do them some good to search for Ursa together. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to ask her.
Katara had fallen asleep in the back of Appa's saddle about two hours ago, they were on their way back to the Team Avatar. She hadn't slept since they had left to search for Yon Rha. The banished Prince was worried about her. He felt like she needed more time before she saw her brother and Aang. Making an impulsive decision, Zuko pulled the reins in a different direction.
"Are we back already?" Katara asked as Appa landed. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and stretched, she was groggy and slightly disoriented. The sun was just starting to rise.
"No, I thought you might need a moment before returning to everyone else," Zuko admitted, he felt guilty all of a sudden. He wasn't sure why he hadn't kidnapped her. "We are at my family's house on Ember Island. No one has been here since before my father was Fire Lord."
The waterbender looked around and noticed the beautiful beach down below the cliff the house was situated on. The island breeze felt wonderful on her skin and she couldn't help but notice how attractive Zuko was in the early morning light. Her blue eyes turned back to the water at the spark of desire in her belly.
"It's beautiful here," Katara whispered as she looked around. "Can I go down onto the beach?"
"Yeah," Zuko nodded, gesturing to the way down. "I'll come with you, the path is overgrown so it might be a little tricky."
The two benders walked along the overgrown path to the beach in silence. Once their feet hit the sand, Katara sprinted towards the water collapsing onto her knees on the ground so the waves could hit her. She closed her eyes, letting the waves and breeze blow of her. The waterbender could taste the seawater in the air. Her face was upturned as she basked in the sun and ocean.
Zuko calmly joined her before he sat next to her, one leg bent and the other stretched in front of him. He looked at his companion, the water was causing her clothing to cling to her body. Another wave crashed over, spraying water all the way up to her neck. He thought she looked beautiful surrounded by her element.
"I don't know if it means I was strong enough not to kill him or if I was too weak," Katara whispered into the salty air, pulling the banished prince from his not so pure thoughts about her.
"I think killing can be easy," Zuko responded after a moment. He had not expected her to want to discuss this with him. "My father has killed many people, so has my sister. Sometimes I think it's harder to not kill."
"Have you killed?" She asked him softly. The Water Tribe Princess recognized the question was quite personal and intimate. She went to backtrack but was pleasantly surprised when he began to answer.
"I have and I think about it every day," he confided, gold eyes staring out at the water. He was lost in his memories. "Each time was in self-defense but it still happened, we are in a war and sometimes it is you or someone else. I pray to Agni every morning during my meditation for the souls I have taken."
The waterbender was shocked to hear the sincerity in the Fire Prince's words. She was not surprised to hear him admit that he had killed before, his past was complicated. But she was amazed to learn that he prayed for the lives he took daily. Zuko never seemed to be the type who was spiritual, for some reason Katara liked that he felt remorse for the lives he ended.
"Do you think I should have killed him?" Katara questioned softly, her blue eyes opening before turning to look at him. She was curious to hear what his opinion was, she figured that he would say yes.
"No, I don't," he shook his head, gold eyes met blue.
"I don't really know why I couldn't kill him," she confessed looking down at the sand and water in front of her. Pushing her hands into the wet earth, "I thought it was because I didn't want to be a monster like him, but now I don't know."
"I think you understood the biggest issue of this whole war," Zuko admitted after a moment of silence. This was something he had thought about their entire return trip.
"And what's that?" The waterbender wondered aloud, looking up at him.
"That Yon Rha, even though he killed your mother, was only following the orders he was given," he began tentatively not wanting to upset her. He turned to look out at the ocean again. "Not all Fire Nation soldiers are bad, some were just doing what they were told. Trying to survive in a world where they have to make decisions that might compromise their beliefs."
"That's a good way to explain it," she mumbled as she thought over his words. "I couldn't bring myself to kill a man on his knees, my mother wouldn't have wanted that. But I don't think I will ever be able to forgive him."
"You are a better person than he was," Zuko comforted her, he reached out and placed a hand on her arm. It was something he had seen the others do with each other, "And you don't need to forgive him. Maybe it's time to forgive yourself."
"What?" She looked at him in alarm.
The Fire Prince knew what it was like to feel the guilt that came with feeling responsible and like you were the cause of the loss of your mother. He knew without the waterbender telling him that she felt responsible for her mother's death. Yon Rha practically confirmed that when he told her that Kya had admitted to being the last waterbender to save her daughter.
"You are not responsible for your mother's death," the firebender declared with conviction. His words flowed from him as he spoke truth into her, "The only one responsible is Yon Rha."
Katara's eyes filled with tears as she processed Zuko's words. She had felt so responsible for years. She had carried the guilt since the day it happened. If only she had run faster, stayed in the tent, not been a waterbender — then perhaps her mother would still be here. The boy next to her was right, it was time to forgive herself. And with a deep breath, she did just that.
"Thank you," the waterbender whispered as she let the tears fall.
The Fire Lord stood from his bed, it was late but he had to get out of the room. He needed someone to talk to and the only person he could think of was Mai. She was the only one in the Fire Nation who knew about his feelings for Katara and she knew him better than anyone else. Plus there was something about their history that helped the noblewoman ground him.
He donned the robe next to the bed leaving it open. Not caring he was only in a pair of sleep pants and the robe, he went in search of Mai.
Zuko padded through the quiet hallways of the palace, lost in thought as he went to the noblewoman's room. He barely registered the guard standing straighter as they saw the Fire Lord walking the halls. Mai and Ty Lee had moved into the palace once they returned to the Fire Nation. Both were being groomed to be Katara's advisors once he married. Though Zuko felt that Mai would be better suited for the Fire Lord's Head of Weaponry.
He was comforted that her light was still on and she was clearly still awake.
"Mai," Zuko called as he knocked on her door. He heard some muffled noises, he couldn't make out the words but he assumed Mai told him to come in.
Without a second thought, the Fire Lord entered the room and suddenly stopped in his tracks. His jaw-dropping as he took in the sight before him. He could barely register what was happening.
The firebender was immediately assaulted with screams and the sight of his two oldest friends naked while entangled with each other.
"Zuko!" Ty Lee cried as she threw a pillow at his face. The acrobat dove to the other side of the bed, looking for her clothes so she could cover up. She was mortified that Zuko had seen her and Mai together.
"I'm sorry!" He blurted out ducking to avoid the pillow before he started explaining why he was in Mai's room so late. He was in so much shock he couldn't turn around, "I didn't know! I just really wanted to talk to Mai because I couldn't sleep. I thought you told me to come in."
"Turn around or I'm going to chi block you!" Ty Lee commanded as she desperately tried to cloth herself. The threat was enough to cause the firebender to swirl around so his back was to the two women. He could hear them moving around and getting decent.
"I really didn't mean to! I'm sorry!" He tried to reason with them as they got dressed. This interaction caused him to feel very much like the awkward teenager he used to be, a blush covered his cheeks as he thought of what he witnessed.
Mai had quickly grabbed her dressing gown and wrapped it around her body as Zuko apologized. She was so embarrassed that Zuko had walked in on them. She had been planning on telling Zuko about her and Ty Lee, she just didn't want him to find out this way.
"Just go, Zuko, we will talk about this in the morning," the acrobat declared as she began to calm down from the surprise. The firebender had registered her words but could not seem to make his feet move. He had been stunned frozen in place, he willed his feet to move but they wouldn't.
"Zuko, get out!" Mai exclaimed when she saw he wasn't going to leave her room. "Get out or I'm going to start throwing shurikens at you, I don't care if you're the Fire Lord!"
The Fire Lord almost ran out of the room, unlike Ty Lee's threat he knew that Mai would start throwing knives at him.
His concerns and fears about Katara could wait, his friends deserved some happiness.
Notes:
Thank you so much for reading! I would love to hear your thoughts so please take a moment to leave a comment, I do respond as best I can to everyone :)
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See you on December 5th, 2021!
Chapter 7: Chapter Seven: Winter 102 AG
Notes:
Good morning! Happy December!
Thank you to everyone who commented on the last chapter and left kudos! And thank you to everyone who has subscribed, bookmarked, and shared my fic. You have no idea how much I appreciate it! I hope I can continue to live up to your expectations.
Hope you enjoy chapter seven!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Seven: Winter 102 AG
"Fire Lord Zuko," Malu called as he walked into Zuko's office after a knock to alert the sovereign. "Your Uncle and Master Beifong have arrived."
The Fire Lord had just finished writing a letter to his fiancé and packing the gift he had for her coming of age ceremony. It was very late but he hoped that Katara wouldn't be too mad about the delay. Part of it was because he wasn't sure how to make things better between the two of them. The other part was because her gift wasn't finished yet.
It had been three days since the Fire Lord had walked in on his two oldest friends in the throes of passion. He still hadn't been able to bring himself to face either one of them, he had been so embarrassed to catch them together. The firebender has even gone as far as not only avoiding them but even turning and walking away when he happed across either of them. Though he wasn't very surprised they were together now, Zuko had a feeling that Mai was attracted to women when they dated briefly during the war. And he knew for a fact that Ty Lee had a crush on Mai for years.
The Fire Lord was less surprised they had finally made things official but more surprised to have walked in on them. He saw more of Mai that night than he had in the entire time they were dating. He also had a low layer of guilt in the pit of his stomach at seeing two women naked who were not his fiancé. Though he was unsure why it wasn't as if it was on purpose.
He shook his head and turned to the Captain of the Royal Guard awaiting a response from him.
"Send them in Malu," Zuko commanded as he rolled the scroll and set it aside to be mailed later that afternoon. He was looking forward to seeing his uncle, though he had received a troubling letter yesterday from him detailing a deal with Lao and Quon. The Fire Nation sovereign barely registered his guard leaving and his office door opening again for his guest to enter.
"Sparky!" Toph greeted as she sauntered into the room followed by General Iroh. "How's life going?"
"Hello, Toph," Zuko rolled his eyes at the nickname. He stood walking toward his youngest friend and his uncle. "Uncle."
Toph immediately plopped down in one of the chairs in front of her friend's desk, ignoring the exchange about to happen between the two men. Overly emotional reunions were not her thing.
"Nephew!" Iroh exclaimed as he saw Zuko, as much as he loved living in Ba Sing Se he missed his nephew. The two family members embraced briefly before joining Toph.
"Let me call Giya," the young sovereign mentioned before he turned to Malu who was standing by the door. "Malu will you ask Giya to bring us in some tea, ginseng preferably, and some canapés. I'm sure my company is hungry from the journey."
"Yes, your majesty," Malu nodded a small smile on the edge of his mouth, before exiting the office to notify the maidservant.
The Fire Lord knew that the Captain had an interest in the young servant, so any chance he had Zuko allowed the guard to interact with Giya. It was a small thing but it always improved Malu's spirits and the monarch knew because of this he would always be loyal to the Fire Lord.
"Did you get my letter?" Iroh asked his nephew once Malu had left the room. The Dragon of the West risked a look at the Blind Bandit next to him.
"I did and I think your suspicions should be investigated, I already wrote to King Bumi," Zuko informed looking down at his desk. He was sure to keep his reaction as steady as possible as to not alert his friend to anything.
His uncle's letter had been startling, to say the least. Lao Beifong was in deep financial trouble with Quon and from the sounds of it had done some shady back door deals involving his daughter. Something did not seem right and if anyone could investigate the White Lotus were the perfect people.
Zuko knew that Iroh would probably not stay in the Fire Nation long, traveling back to Ba Sing Se while alerting certain members. But the Fire Lord decided to send a letter to the sovereign of Omashu because he had a feeling that this would not stay as a domestic issue in the Earth Kingdom.
"Good," Iroh nodded, he had hoped Zuko would have taken to alerting the old king. He was glad to see his hope was well placed. The old general looked across the desk at the young Fire Lord, he could not be prouder with how his nephew was taking to his role.
"What's going on?" Toph asked quickly, her head cocked as she listened to the two men speak. Iroh had been shifty most of the journey to the Fire Nation. Something had happened at her father's house, but she wasn't sure what it was.
"I'm not entirely sure," the young firebender replied avoiding the question. His gold eyes made contact with the old general.
"But something is going on," she supplied the response after a moment. Her lack of eyesight letting the earthbender hear what was unsaid, she knew the two firebenders were exchanging looks that she could not see.
"Toph," Zuko began then stopped. He scrubbed a hand over his face, his scar ached as the stress settled into his body. The Fire Lord sighed, there was no way he could tell Toph about her father's plans but he also could not lie to her.
He was in a delicate position, as her friend he wanted to be there for her but it wasn't his place to tell her. As the Fire Lord, it was his responsibility to see if she knew anything that might cause trouble for the Fire Nation. And he couldn't lie to her.
"Yes, but the White Lotus is launching an investigation," the Dragon of the West said, taking pity on his nephew. He understood just how intricate and delicate the entire situation was.
The Blind Bandit had a funny feeling that what was happening had to do with her father's business dealings. She also knew that Zuko was in an abnormal position. If nothing was wrong, he could potentially ruin their relationship by falsely accusing Lao. But if he was right, the Fire Lord would need the earthbender's help.
"And it has to do with my father?" Her voice was hesitant as she asked, she knew the answer before she had voiced the question. But she needed to hear the response from the Fire Lord.
"Short answer, yes," Zuko sighed softly, this was the part he didn't like about being a leader. He rested his hands flat on his desk to steady himself. "Long answer? It's complicated and we don't have all the answers. But, we've contacted the White Lotus to help gather information and I'll probably write a letter to Aang once I get their report."
"Will you tell me if I need to know?" The earthbender inquired softly, her head tilted down blind eyes looking at her feet.
"I promise that if you need to know, I will tell you," the Fire Nation severing swore, sounding very much like the honorable leader he was. "I also will not do anything without you knowing."
The Fire Lord nodded to Malu as he slipped back into his position next to the doorway, a small smile gracing his lips.
"Good," the earthbender nodded quickly. She was quiet for a minute, forcing herself to have the courage to make her request. "Do you mind if I stay here for a while? I know Haru wants me to get back to Ba Sing Se, but after seeing my family I just don't want to talk about it and he will push me to talk."
Zuko cracked a small sad smile, he knew what Toph meant. Having a complicated family relationship himself not everyone understood that he needed time to process. A lot of people would push him to talk before he was ready, his mind wandered to the time he was on Ember Island with his sister. The explosive reaction he had around the campfire because he was processing, came to mind, it was not his best moment.
"You can stay as long as you want Toph," he told her sincerely, he had the urge to reach out to comfort her but he suppressed it. He knew she would not react well to the gesture. "But I will be leaving in the next week."
"Where are you going?" Iroh asked as Giya finally brought it tea and refreshments. Zuko was not the only one to notice as a light blush colored her cheeks as she walked by Malu. He hoped the two found happiness together, there wasn't much the firebender could do to push the two together but he could make sure they interacted regularly.
"Thank you, Giya," Zuko thanked his servant, before turning to answer his uncle. It made him uncomfortable not to acknowledge them. His father used to treat the servants as if they were disposable, Zuko never wanted to be like that. "I found a lead on my mother. I was able to find her marriage contract, I figured she might have returned home to her parents and that would be a good place to start."
"I think that is a very wise place to start, nephew," the Dragon of the West agreed as he took a sip of his tea. It didn't go unnoticed by the old general how respectful the Fire Lord was to his servants, it pleased him. "I wish I could go with you, but I need to return to Ba Sing Se."
"I understand, Uncle," Zuko nodded cracking a smile, placing a few tea sandwiches on a plate for himself. "This will not be the first trip I have gone on by myself."
"You're going to look for your mother!" Toph exclaimed around the bite of food in her mouth, her mind working a mile a minute. She swallowed noisily then continued, "You know what that means?"
"What?" Zuko looked at his friend confused, the tea sandwich raised halfway to his mouth. His brow was furrowed as he looked at the earthbender.
"It's time for my life-changing field trip!" The earthbender jumped out of her seat before grinning at her friend.
The Fire Lord sat there stunned for a moment before he dropped the sandwich, threw his head back, and burst into laughter. It did seem like the perfect opportunity to bond over their complicated families. And he would finally be able to make good on his silent promise at the end of the war.
Iroh beamed at the mirth his nephew was showing. For a very long time, he never expected Zuko to be this happy or to have friendships the way he did now. His nephew had traveled a long and hard road, but at this moment he was just a young man of twenty and the Dragon of the West did not think he could feel any more joy at the sight.
"Okay, Toph," Zuko shook his head lightly after his laughter settled. He smiled crookedly at his youngest friend, "We can go on our life-changing field trip to find my mother."
"Sweet," she responded instantly, a grin crossing her face.
Katara,
I hope the weirdness won't last forever.
Azula so far is doing well with her healing. Yagoda explained in her last letter that other than Azula verbally abusing the sexist men in the North Pole, she has taken very well to the healing process. I write to her once a week and though she hasn't responded, to me, Yagoda has told me she keeps them all by her bed. I think sending her to the North Pole was a good idea.
Toph and Uncle Iroh are in the Fire Nation currently. She told me that things were complicated when she went home, though I don't know fully what happened in Gaoling I know it was unpleasant. I do know something is up with Lao, Uncle overheard a conversation with him and Quon. Something seems fishy with whatever business eat they have entered. Tomorrow Uncle is returning to Ba Sing Se, he is going to be alerting some of the White Lotus to be on the lookout for information on this business deal.
Thank you for the offer to come to look for my mother, but I know you will have to leave the Water Tribe when we get married. I think it would be best for you to stay home until you absolutely need to be in the Fire Nation. I don't want you to cut your time short in your Tribe. Toph actually is coming with me, she keeps mentioning that it is her "life-changing field trip."
I know when we get married we will both be changing the Fire Nation for the better and the world.
That might have been my fault for the extra work, I explained to Sokka how I snuck into the Northern Tribe. I'm glad he is taking measures to make sure the South Pole is secure and safe.
I know my gift is late, but it's for your coming of age ceremony. It's the traditional betrothal token for the Fire Nation. I wanted to give it to you when we first got engaged, but there wasn't time to arrange it. I know it's terribly late, but I had to have it commissioned and it took longer than expected. I hope you like it.
Your Fiancé,
Zuko
The young waterbender read the letter in the privacy of her bedroom. The letter had been accompanied by a small box.
She had been upset when she never received a gift for her coming of age ceremony from the firebender last month. Sure, she had been slightly angry her fiancé had not sent her anything but most of all Katara had been hurt that her best friend hadn't acknowledged the day. She didn't need a big gift but she wanted at least a letter.
But as she read the letter the hurt alleviated, Zuko didn't forget. It just took longer than he had planned. Katara slowly opened the box that had been with the letter. She knew it wouldn't be a necklace since he said it was the Fire Nation betrothal token.
Her heart beat wildly in her chest before she gasped, the contents of the box taking her breath away.
Nestled inside was a beautiful golden ring. A large red ruby sat on top of the gold circle with two small sapphires on either side of the ruby. Katara pulled the ring out of the box and noticed etching on the sides of the ring. As she looked closer she saw that the etchings were dragons and their tails were intertwined at the bottom of the ring.
It was stunning.
Before Katara slipped the ring on her finger she saw another slip of paper in the box.
Happy belated Birthday Katara
I thought the stones would be a good representation of mixing our two nations together, fire and water. The dragons had to be etched in by a firebender, so I did it. One is a volcano dragon god and the other an ocean dragon goddess, legend states the two were lovers.
The ring is supposed to go on your fourth finger, next to your pinky, on your left hand. I hope that you like it. — Zuko
The Water Tribe Princess slipped the ring on the appropriate finger and admired how the gems sparkled in the firelight. It was the first moment that her engagement felt real, now that she had a physical representation of it.
She quickly wrote a response to her fiancé, thanking him for the gift before she set it aside to send in the morning.
Katara was ready to go to bed when she heard a noise from outside her room. She quickly went to the door and cracked it open in time to see her father sneaking out. It was the fifth time that week that he snuck out after he thought everyone was in bed. The waterbender sighed before she snuggled under the furs for bed.
The Southern Water Tribe Princess's last thought was how sad she was that her father felt like he had to hide his relationship from his children.
"Two and a half years later, I finally get my field trip," Toph commented as she and Zuko began their travel to Hira'a.
Zuko rubbed his temples. The trip had just begun and already he had a headache. He never truly realized how much the earthbender talked when they traveled during the war. The other members kept her occupied, but now that it was just the two of them he was responsible for entertaining his youngest friend.
The two of them were currently riding on Komodo rhinos, Toph's being pulled by Zuko's since she couldn't lead it. There were twelve of Zuko's personal guards also on Komodo rhinos surrounding the Master Earthbender and Fire Lord on all sides.
It had been almost a month since Toph and Iroh arrived from the Earth Kingdom. Zuko had wanted to leave the Fire Nation earlier, but once Toph decided to come he had to make new arrangements. He also had wanted to spend some time with his Uncle before he returned to Ba Sing Se.
"Yes, Toph," Zuko grumbled realizing he still hadn't answered his youngest friend. He kept his eyes on the horizon and reminded himself that the earthbender was struggling. "I know it's long overdue."
"So how does this work?" She questioned as they rode outside of the city. The Blind Bandit was going to be sure not to miss any part of the life-changing aspect. "Do I just start telling you everything that's wrong in my life? Or do we kick ass first?"
"There is no set schedule," the firebender answered her, rolling his eyes. Maybe he hadn't thought this all the way through. "We have at least a week's journey to Hira'a and I'm sure that the life change will happen eventually."
"This is the worst field trip ever," Toph pausing her endless chatter to complain, as they rode through the Fire Nation. They had been traveling for half a day and the earthbender was ready for the life-changing part. She also didn't understand why they weren't taking one of the many airships.
Zuko felt his temper flare in the way only his friends could ignite.
"Toph." He hissed before he thought, smoke coming out of his nose. He was exhausted. He had decided to travel with the Komodo rhinos to leave no part of the Fire Nation unexplored in his search, but now he was regretting that decision. In the hours they had traveled, the earthbender had been silent for maybe ten minutes. "We just left the palace, we are not even outside of the city limits. Why don't you reserve judgment until we get to Hira'a."
The firebender immediately felt guilty for his outburst. This was not the kind of friend he was nor was it the kind of Fire Lord he wanted to be. A quick glance around showed the shocked and terrified faces of his guard. Zuko at that moment felt more like his father than he ever had before.
"Jeez Sparky," She commented trying to calm the guards around them. She didn't need her feet on the ground to tell they were uneasy. "I was only teasing. And we've been traveling for hours. We are way past the city limits."
"I'm sorry Toph. I shouldn't have yelled, that was wrong of me," he apologized instantly. The Fire Lord could feel his guard relaxing at his words, none of them had seen a monarch demonstrate accountability let alone apologize. "I'm just tense about looking for my mother, what if she doesn't want to see me?"
"She'll want to see you Zuko," Toph reassured him softly. She understood his fears, she had similar ones about returning to Gaoling after the war. The Blind Bandit felt a smirk gracing her face, "And it's not the first time I've been yelled at by you."
The earthbender was unsurprised by her friend's explosive reaction to her complaining, she had made it her mission to see how long it took before he snapped. Nor did it shock her when he apologized, he was good at recognizing when he was in the wrong. She had thought he would have lost his temper much earlier but Zuko had more control of his anger now. It had taken over three hours of her constant babbling before his fiery reaction.
"I've been Fire Lord for over a year and a half," he continued after shaking his head at her teasing. His eyes moved to look down at the reigns in his hands, "I don't know why she hasn't come home. Maybe she really doesn't want to come back to the palace. I wouldn't blame her, there are a lot of painful memories for her there."
Toph calmly listened to the Fire Lord's words as he vented his stress. She knew better than anyone what it was like to have a complicated family. The earthbender had learned all about why Zuko's mother left Caldera from Iroh before he had returned to Ba Sing Se. And she had a feeling that if Ursa knew her son wanted her home, she would have been on the fastest eel hound to Caldera.
"Have you ever thought that maybe she thinks you don't want to see her?" The Blind Bandit inquired softly after they had traveled another half mile.
Zuko looked over at his friend and his gold eyes widened as he processed her words. He had never considered that his mother might have thought he didn't want to see her. But the more he thought over the words, he recognized the truth in Toph's words. Ursa could be apprehensive to Zuko because she might think he hated her after what she did to his grandfather.
"I never thought that," he whispered in awe. His hands gripped the reigns tightly before relaxing. His entire body calmed as he really thought over what his friend had said. He wouldn't put it past Ozai to have given his mother false information. It had never occurred to him that she could be scared too.
"Looks like I'm killing this life-changing field trip," she quipped to lighten the mood. As much as she wanted this trip, she hadn't anticipated how emotional it was going to be. "You need to up your game, Sparky!"
The firebender rolled his eyes but smiled to himself. He had a feeling in the pit of his stomach that this trip was going to be good for him but it would do wonders for Toph.
"Fire Lord Zuko, we are about an hour from sunset," Malu informed his lord a few hours later. He had been watching the interactions between the two friends closely and it puzzled him. The guard had never seen his lord so relaxed yet emotional at the same time, "We should begin making camp."
"Thank you Malu, scout a spot and we will stop for the night," the Fire Lord commanded his guard. He had been extremely impressed with how the Captain of the Royal Guard had managed their travel so far. Zuko liked that Malu allowed him the space to do things for himself, after being on his own for so long the monarch had become self-sufficient. Traveling the way allowed the young sovereign the opportunity to just be without servants fussing over him.
A few minutes later, Zuko was dismounting while his guards began setting up camp. He could see one of his guards' trying to help Toph off her Komodo rhino and he chuckled at the scene. The Fire Lord brushed the guard away and discreetly communicated to Toph how to come down. He knew how important it was for Toph to not use help and be seen as someone who could take care of herself.
"I don't need help," she grumbled petulantly. She hated people thinking she couldn't carry her own weight. It reminded her of her parents' home and how they viewed her.
"Of course not," Zuko readily agreed, letting her feel him to know how far the ground was from her. Once her feet were on the ground, he asked her, "Now do you want to make your own tent or do you want to sleep in the ones my guards brought for you?"
"What do you think?" Toph snarked. The earthbender stopped her foot and clapped her hands as she constructed an earth tent in half a minute. She loved sleeping on the ground, it rejuvenated her.
"Just offering," the Fire Lord chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender before he moved to check on his guards. He was unsurprised to see his friend creating a seat for herself as the rest of their companions readied the space for their leader.
"Fire Lord," Malu greeted with a short bow as Zuko joined him. He immediately began informing the sovereign of the plans he had carefully curated. "We have a rotation of three different watches happening throughout the night with four guards each shift."
"Very good Malu," Zuko nodded as he looked out at the tents that had been assembled and the fires being created. "I want to leave at daybreak tomorrow morning, I will inform Master Toph. But I would advise the rest of the guard to give her space in the morning. She is not a firebender and tends not to rise with the sun."
"Understood," the guard replied, making a note to inform the rest of the royal guard about the young woman. Truthfully most were slightly wary of the earthbender. "We traveled a good distance, we might arrive in Hira'a a day sooner than expected if we continue this pace, your majesty."
"Thank you, Malu," the Fire Lord spoke a few more minutes with the Captain of his Guard before moving to join the rest of his men surrounding the roaring fire. He could smell the food cooking and it was causing his stomach to rumble.
"This reminds me of the old days," Toph stated as she sat next to Zuko, in her earth-constructed furniture around the fire. "All we need is the rest of Team Avatar."
"Yeah, except tonight I didn't have to set up my own tent," the firebender retorted swiftly with a throaty chuckle. He missed camping with Team Avatar. "And we aren't smelling Appa."
"Or listening to Sugar Queen go on and on about hope," Toph grinned at her friend. She waited half a second before she felt Zuko's heartbeat quicken at the mention of Katara.
The Fire Nation sovereign cleared his throat, "Yup all those speeches." He busied himself by encouraging his men to serve themselves instead of waiting for him. Once they all had food on their plates, he finally loaded his own.
"Okay, Sparky," the Blind Bandit commanded after she had a full plate of food. She shoved a dumpling in her mouth. "What's going on with you and Katara? Tell me. And don't even try lying to me."
"Nothing is going on," he defended himself. His entire body tensed and he pushed the food around on his plate, "We are engaged that's it."
"That's a load of crap," Toph responded in between bites. She had to give it to the Fire Nation, their food was always good. She swallowed noisily, "What's wrong?"
Zuko sighed before looking around quickly. He noticed most of his guards were trying hard to look as if they weren't paying attention. Most were sure to purposely keep their eyes on their plates. Though a few tried to look up at him slyly, quickly averting their eyes when caught. Ever since he became Fire Lord, he had no privacy.
The young firebender did feel the need to confide in his friend though. He hadn't had a chance to speak with Sokka last time he was in the South Pole. Though they had exchanged some letters since Zuko returned home. And after walking in on Mai with Ty Lee, he still hadn't spoken to anyone about his last letter from Katara.
He had sent his betrothed's birthday present about a month ago and he was hoping to hear from her soon. The Fire Lord was having all of his mail sent to meet them in Hira'a and he was desperately hoping that there would be a letter from the waterbender. But it was unlikely to arrive that quickly.
"Things are just weird," he shrugged his shoulders throwing his plate down in front of him, his appetite was gone. The emotions were coursing through his body, leaving him feeling lost and unsure. "Her last letter left almost cold and I don't know how to make it better. Plus I sent her birthday present late and I'm sure that is not going to help the situation."
Toph sat next to her friend in silence for a moment. She had a feeling that Zuko was being too hard on himself. The earthbender was also sure that there was very little that he could do to ruin his relationship with Katara. Similarly, there was very little the waterbender could do to ruin her relationship with him. They both just needed to admit their feelings for each other and everything would be fine.
"Zuko, she probably just doesn't know how to communicate with you now that you are engaged," the earthbender comforted as she continued to eat her dinner. She knew they had the attention of every one of their companions. "I think you both are trying so hard not to upset the other that it's coming out weirdly formal. When was the last time you had an open conversation? Wrote an honest letter to her?"
"Last time I wrote an honest letter? Before seeing her in Omashu," Zuko looked into the fire in front of him deep in thought. He ran a hand through his hair, "The last honest conversation we had was on—uh . . . in the Fire Nation."
The firebender caught himself before he explained the night on the palace roof. Those moments on the roof with Katara at Ember Island and Caldera were very intimate. He didn't want anyone to know about their time together. He wasn't ashamed of it but it felt too personal to tell someone without her permission.
"You can write to her now," Toph advised putting her empty plate down and turning to address her friend. "I think you should just be you. Forget you are engaged and tell her about all your fears. I know she will understand."
"I'm terrified she might resent me for the marriage, I didn't have to accept the solution of a marriage," the Fire Lord whispered into the night. The words were almost swallowed by the night air, he looked up at the moon.
"You didn't have to but you did," his friend reminded him, picking at her ear. She thought the two were being silly. "And you can either avoid her or start shaping your destiny."
The young earthbender sounded very much like the Dragon of the West at that moment, the words being exactly what the Fire Lord needed to hear. Perhaps she was right and Zuko needed to stop walking on eggshells around Katara. That certainly wasn't getting them anywhere. He picked at the grass in front of him, throwing it into the fire in irregular intervals.
"I think you are spending too much time with Uncle Iroh," the firebender chuckled, more to release the nervous tension that was littering his body. "You are beginning to sound like him."
"Now if only you could make tea like him, it would be like he was actually here," Toph laughed with her friend. She elbowed him affectionately, she had a feeling that with this little push everything would be okay between her two friends.
A couple of hours later found Zuko staring up at the ceiling of his tent. His mind working through the things Toph had said earlier.
The Fire Lord made up his mind that once they arrived in Hira'a he would write a letter to his fiancé expressing all that he was feeling about their upcoming marriage.
Zuko,
Thank you for the letter and the beautiful ring!
I know it's the betrothal token for the Fire Nation but I never expected anything so beautiful. Whenever it catches in the light, it sparkles in the most stunning way. I cannot stop looking at it. Some of my students have even talked about how it glimmers when I am teaching them.
I am so thrilled that Azula is doing well with her healing! She has a long way to go but, I think she is showing tremendous progress with her development.
Do you think Toph will be okay? Isn't Quon the nobleman who financed the Jasmine Dragon when you were a refuge? Didn't you have to pay him three times the worth of the tea shop for Iroh to own it fully? I really hope Lao and him have not entered a business deal together.
Well, it's about time that she got her field trip! And thank you for being sensitive to the limited time I have left in my tribe. Do you think I'll be able to visit once we are married? I want to be here for when Sokka takes up the mantel of Chief, it won't be for a long time but still something I think about.
Let me guess, you snuck into the North Pole through the water ducts? Only you would do something so reckless.
I hope you find your mother soon,
Katara
The Fire Lord read the letter from his fiancé quickly. He was surprised that there was a letter waiting for him in Hira'a from her. She must have used the fastest hawk to send her letter to him. Though he wasn't about to complain about how quickly the waterbender had responded.
They had arrived in Hira'a late last night, two weeks after they left the palace. And it was the first night they had spent in an actual bed since leaving Caldera.
Malu had originally thought they would arrive earlier than anticipated. But after several guards reported they felt like they were being followed, the Captain of the Royal Guard changed their travel plans. The Fire Lord's party took a much longer more rural route which meant campaigning until they arrived in Hira'a. It was worth it for their lord's safety but was not what they had planned originally. Most were feeling very worn down and were eager to fall into a bed that night.
Zuko felt his heart warm knowing that she had liked her ring. Traditionally he would have presented the ring to her father first. Then once Hakoda had accepted the marriage, the firebender would have slipped the ring on her finger himself in front of both families. But since the marriage contract stipulated Water Tribe engagement customs, Zuko didn't have the opportunity.
Though the Fire Lord wanted to be sure she had her own ring to show off to the royal court. He knew how catty the women could be and he didn't want anyone to comment on the fact she didn't have a ring. The firebender had already heard rumbling from some disgruntled noblewoman that he was marrying a waterbender. Plus he still was working on her betrothal necklace and she wouldn't get it until the next time he saw her.
Sokka had also written to Zuko after he had returned home to the South Pole. He explained to his friend that his sister was feeling upset that she didn't have a betrothal token yet. Though it was not what caused the Fire Lord to send her the ring for her coming of age ceremony, it had given him a slight ember of hope.
The young sovereign was cautiously optimistic that the waterbender might actually want this marriage. He could feel his male pride swell as he reread the letter. She wanted to show she was claimed by him, the thought elicited a primal reaction to course through his body. Katara wasn't one for materialistic things for her to want a token meant she might not be as opposed to the idea of their marriage as he previously thought.
"Sparky, what's taking so long?" Toph grumbled as she knocked on his door for the fifth time. She wanted to begin their search, it was going to be a long day if they couldn't find the Fire Lord's mother. The earthbender was not looking forward to dealing with a moody friend.
"I'm coming, Toph, just calm down," Zuko called as he rolled up the letter from Katara before opening the door to his friend. He knew he wanted to respond honestly about his fears to the waterbender but was unsure of the words. The firebender hoped that after their search he would have some clarity.
"I'm just excited for you to see your mom," the earthbender bellowed as he stepped outside of his room. The Blind Bandit grabbed her friend by the arm and pulled him from his room aggressively. The firebender shook his head as he let his friend lead him out of the inn all the while she shouted, "It's time for the life-changing part of this field trip, let's go!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his guards looking apprehensively at the young earthbender. Technically in the Fire Nation, it was illegal to touch the Fire Lord but this was an old war friend, so they were unsure how to handle the situation. He caught Malu's eye and shook his head to the unvoiced question in the Captain's eyes.
"I think it's a good idea to ask around in the marketplace," Zuko suggested once Toph let go of him. The two friends were standing outside on one of the side streets of the main market for the village.
"Ursa right?" Toph verified as she felt the movement all around her, ears turned into the conversations happening off to the side of them. Everyone was curious about the young scarred man. Though he was not the only person the villagers were wondering about the royal guard had not gone unnoticed and were drawing their own attention.
"Yeah," the firebender nodded as he looked out at the village. His nerves were crawling up his throat. "Let's split up."
Zuko had decided to leave the guards at the hotel and dress down for the occasion. He did not want to alarm the townspeople nor did he want his mother to become worried that palace guards were looking for her. But as he began moving through the village he wondered if that had been the best idea. Every hair on his body stood on end as his people whispered about him, no one suspected him to be their Fire Lord.
The two benders spent the majority of the day looking for the former Fire Lady but kept coming up short. Though Zuko was able to learn a little bit about his mother. She had been engaged before Ozai and her former fiancé had moved out of the town after she had married into the royal family. Ikem, her former lover, had not been back to Hira'a since.
Ursa had also traveled back to Hira'a approximately ten years ago. But she had left suddenly when she learned her parents had passed and Ikem was no longer residing in the village. Many of the villagers were startled by her sudden reappearance and departure, a few even speculating she might have been on the run. Shortly after her fleeing the village a second time, Fire Nation soldiers had occupied Hira'a for six months. Leaving Zuko to wonder if something else had happened.
Toph found her friend sitting on the steps of the inn. His head resting in his hands lost in thought. This was his only lead. He instantly regretted not bringing the waterbender with him, she would know exactly how to comfort him. And the Fire Lord could have really used her everlasting supply of hope.
"No luck?" She asked as she joined him on the steps. The earthbender could feel the hopelessness in each breath he took.
"I found out she was here but she left after learning her parents had passed," Zuko informed dejectedly. His gold eyes looked up at the setting sun casting an orange glow across the village. His heart was heavy as the sunset on his hope and only lead.
"I found out she was engaged to a man named Ikem before your father," Toph told him trying to cheer him up. She was sure to keep her voice cheery. "He left when he heard the royal decree of her marrying Ozai."
"Yeah, apparently she looked for him too before leaving," the Fire Lord sighed. He picked up a small rock that was next to him and threw it down the road. He was sad and angry. He felt incredibly stupid that he had allowed himself to hope.
"Well now, where are we going?" Toph questioned as she leaned back against the steps.
"What do you mean where are we going? This was my only lead," Zuko grumbled, surprising his friend when his temper didn't spike. He rubbed a hand over his scar to hide the tears that welled up in his eyes.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his mother's handkerchief. He had found it in Azula's room while he went to look over the redecorating plans. Zuko had been pleasantly surprised that the fabric still had his mother's scent attached to it. He let himself lean into the fact this would be as close as he would get to his mother.
"We could look for Jun," Toph suggested when she felt him remove something from his pocket. She had detected a deep inhale known for smelling coming from her friend. Whatever he had still had a strong enough scent he could smell, which meant so could a shirshu. "I know you have something of your mother's you've been holding on to for the past couple of weeks."
Toph might have been blind but barely anything got past her, the Fire Lord thought as he looked down at the fabric in his hands. She did have a point though, June would be able to help find his mother. And what did he have to lose? Nyla would be able to get a scent or not, he might as well explore the idea.
"Okay, I guess we are going to the Earth Kingdom," Zuko decided after a few minutes of silence. He dared not to let himself hope. "Time to find Malu and the closest port."
"Great, a week on a boat," the blind earthbender complained. She hadn't thought about what it would mean to go look for Jun. She was not looking forward to being on a ship that long.
"It's the Fire Lord's Flagship," Zuko corrected with a roll of his eyes. He knew she was able to handle being on a Fire Nation ship Team Avatar had stolen after Azula's failed attempt to kill Aang in Ba Sing Se.
"Just a fancy boat," she remarked picking at her ear and flicking the was away from her.
"A fancy boat made of steel," the Fire Lord explained as he stood. He did not have the patience to deal with his friend right now. "You'll be fine Toph, probably the easiest boat trip you will ever have."
"If you say so," she called after him as he went to look for Malu.
"Malu," Zuko greeted his Captain once he found him in the inn. "Where is the nearest Port?"
"Fire Fountain City, Fire Lord Zuko," Malu informed the young monarch. The guard took a moment to think about the distance, "About a four-day journey from here."
"Thank you, Malu. I will write to Admiral Jee to have him meet us there with my Flagship, we will leave tomorrow morning," the Fire Lord commanded thoughtfully. He had a lot that needed to happen if they were to arrive in the Earth Kingdom within the month. "I hope the rest of the guards are well-rested, we have a little bit longer of a journey to attend."
"The men are in good spirits, your majesty," Malu expressed honestly. Other than seeing their monarch's temper flare at his friend, the guards were in a good mood. "They are all eager for you to find Lady Ursa."
After making a few more arrangements with Malu, Zuko retired to his room to write to Admiral Jee and a response to his fiancé.
"If it isn't Prince Pouty, though I guess it's Fire Lord Pouty now," Jun snarked as Zuko walked up to her. She had hoped she would never have to cross his path again. The bounty hunter just couldn't seem to shake the young man.
The firebender was unsurprised to see her gambling. She looked exactly the same, nothing had changed since he last sought her out to look for Aang. Even down to the pungent liquor she was drinking was the same.
Toph was the only one inside the seedy tavern with the monarch. Malu had been upset that the Fire Lord only wanted to bring the earthbender inside with him. But the Captain understood his lord did not want to draw attention to himself in this area. Thus, the entire guard had surrounded the building and waited outside for their sovereign.
"Just announce a little louder that I'm here," the Fire Lord hissed as he bent down so they were at eye level. Goldeyes narrowed and his voice low as he looked at the bounty hunter.
"Where's your girlfriend?" She asked ignoring his hostile words. An eyebrow quirked as she stared him down. Jun was not one for intimidation tactics.
"She's his fiancé now," Toph chimed in from her spot behind the firebender. She liked the bounty hunter and was ecstatic to be working with her again.
Zuko pulled back, closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose as he listened to the two women comment on his betrothal. He missed the surprised look the bounty hunter shot the earthbender.
Jun was an incredible bounty hunter and probably one of the few people who could find Ursa, but it was going to be a struggle keeping his temper in check. Add into the mix Toph who idolized Jun, it was going to be a very long journey for the Fire Lord. He was sure to take calm and steadying breaths, ignoring the words being passed between the two.
"If you two are finished, I'd like to get to business," Zuko snapped after a couple of minutes. His calming breaths were forgotten. The sooner they got started, the sooner the bounty hunter would go her separate way.
"I'm not helping you search for the Avatar again, been there done that," Jun flipped her hair over her shoulder before taking a sip of her drink. She didn't want to get sucked into the world of Prince Pouty again.
"Good thing I'm not looking for him," the firebender replied easily. He closed his eyes took a breath and opened them again. She was the one who could find his mother, he reminded himself. "I have someone else I'm looking for and I'd rather keep it private."
"It will cost you extra," the bounty hunter haggled after a moment. She hated to deal with the spoiled Fire Lord, but he did have money. And her jobs were much thinner after the war than before.
"Name your price," Zuko stated, his arms crossing. He would pay whatever she asked, he knew she would never ask for the amount he was actually willing to pay.
"Five hundred gold pieces," Jun said after a moment of thought. It would be the most she had ever charged for her services.
"Done, I'll give you half after Nyla finds the scent and the other half after we arrive at our destination," Zuko agreed. It was a lot of money, but he not nearly as much as he would have paid. He was not worried about the cost. As Fire Lord, he had access to the royal funds though what Jun was asking was less than he had expected.
Jun didn't respond, just stood and walked out of the tavern with the two benders in tow. She immediately noticed the guards surrounding the area, it was a far cry from the last time she worked with Zuko.
"Nyla," the bounty hunter called in a sing-song tone to her shirshu. Her pet headed straight towards her, nuzzling the woman. After petting the beast a few times, Jun beckoned Zuko over to present the object of the scent.
"Please be able to find her," he whispered to himself as he presented the handkerchief to Nyla. The bounty hunter pretended to ignore the plea of the monarch, he was paying her for privacy.
The shirshu turned its nose up toward the sky sniffing a few times, before finally turning suddenly in one direction.
"Looks like we got a scent," Jun said hopping on the shirshu and taking off.
"Wait, Agni!" Zuko exclaimed as he and Toph hopped onto their eel hounds. Even though he had been expecting it, he was still annoyed.
Once they had docked in the Earth Kingdom, Zuko thought it would be wise to not take the Komodo rhinos. After purchasing multiple eel hounds for himself and his traveling companions, they began their search for Jun and were lucky to find her in the same tavern from years ago.
The rest of the guards followed their lord a few seconds behind as they were not prepared for Jun's swift exit.
They had been following the bounty hunter into the next evening when Zuko was the first to spot the wall.
"Looks like we are back in Ba Sing Se," Toph commented when they stopped just outside the outer wall to rest. It was ironic to both benders as they took a moment to hydrate the eel hounds and stretch.
"We can stop in Ba Sing Se for the night," Jun informed the Fire Lord as she looked out at the wall. She had a feeling she wouldn't be paid until he found who he was searching for. "And then we can continue in the morning. We traveled a lot of distance and Nyla needs her rest. I trust you will be paying for our accommodations."
Zuko rolled his eyes but nodded before responding, "We have a place in the upper ring."
The Fire Lord had thought of visiting his uncle but decided it was late and he would visit him tomorrow afternoon. Instead, he led his entourage to the hotel near the Jasmine Dragon. He had heard good things about it. Once the shirshu and eel hounds were attended in the stables, the monarch focused on obtaining rooms. It was fairly straightforward once he was recognized as the Fire Lord. He was sure to ask a messenger to alert King Keui to his arrival, giving the excuse he was visiting his uncle. He didn't want to alarm his fellow leader.
Soon the Fire Lord and his companions were resting in their rooms. Jun had explained Nyla had become twitchy in the lower ring, so her best guess was that Zuko's mother was in the city. They had a long day ahead of them.
The next morning Zuko, Toph, and Malu began asking around the lower ring for Ursa. No one had heard the name, but when shown a picture a few commented that the woman looked similar to Noriko — a woman who ran an apothecary and was a Master Herbalist.
As they continued through the day, she kept being brought up. Apparently, she was very skilled with many plants, even ones that were not native to the Earth Kingdom. Zuko knowing his mother's history with poisons and plants decided it would be prudent to visit Noriko.
Unfortunately, they were unable to locate which apothecary the woman worked at. Every time they asked someone which apothecary, they were given a different answer. The young firebender was becoming more and more frustrated as the day went on. Toph had become confused, it felt as if some people were lying but their nerves at being questioned by a firebender made it difficult to determine.
After one of the longest days of his life, the Fire Lord decided to go to the Jasmine Dragon for an early dinner. Jun chose to join him and the others since she wasn't leaving until she got her last payment. This is how Zuko found himself leading the bounty hunter into his uncle's tea shop.
"I'm not a big tea drinker," Jun complained as they walked inside. The young firebender led them over to a table in the corner. It was only a matter of time before Iroh noticed he was here.
Within two minutes of sitting down, Iroh had noticed the signature scar and rushed over to the table. Zuko saw Iroh and smirked.
"Jun you remember my uncle don't you?" He spoke loud enough for his uncle to hear. A smirk settled across the monarch's face. The bounty hunter had driven him crazy the past couple of days and he was looking forward to her fending off his uncle's advances.
"Miss Jun!" Iroh exclaimed as he caught sight of the woman. He was sure to focus all of his attention on the fascinating woman in front of him, "So lovely to see you again, you are looking more beautiful than ever."
To Zuko's surprise, Jun blushed at the compliment. "Thank you."
"Now what can I get for such a lovely lady?" The Dragon of the West flirted. His nephew felt a little sick as he watched the interaction. He couldn't understand why the bounty hunter was now appreciating the advances of the older general.
"Whatever you suggest," she responded softly, looking up at the tea maker through her lashes.
Toph turned toward her friend in shock as she listened to the bounty hunter flirt with the tea maker. Neither Zuko nor Toph could believe the turn of events happening right before them.
"Nephew, I trust you would like your favorite?" Iroh inquired turning to the rest of the table, after he flirted with Jun. "And Miss Beifong, I believe there is someone in the kitchen eager to see you again."
"Ginseng will be fine Uncle," Zuko responded after Toph stood abruptly and left the table silently. The Fire Lord's eyes followed his friend as she disappeared into the back of the tea shop. He had a bad feeling sweeping around him.
"Malu, what would you like?" The Dragon of the West asked turning to Zuko's guard. The tea maker already knew what the earthbender would like and was undisturbed by her sudden departure.
"Ginseng is good for me as well, thank you, General Iroh," Malu slightly bowed his head in respect. The young man could hardly believe he was being served tea by the Dragon of the West. A general he had idolized and was the reason he joined the military before becoming Zuko's Captain of the Guard. He was just honored to be in the man's presence.
Iroh stayed a few moments more to chat with the bounty hunter and his nephew. Though Zuko's eyes always traveled back to the kitchen. While they were chatting there was a loud crash from the back of the shop and raised voices. Iroh sent his nephew a look before going around to calm the rest of his customers.
Zuko discreetly stood and walked swiftly into the kitchen. He was unsurprised to find Toph and Haru fighting. It was an ugly fight, a common occurrence with two emotional benders. Their emotions were affecting the stone and earth around them unknowingly.
"Everything okay?" The Fire Lord asked as he looked around, he crossed his arms across his chest. His presence seemed to remind the earthbenders where they were.
"Everything is fine," Haru gritted out through his teeth. His green eyes narrowed as they looked at his lover. "Just Toph seems to be more concerned with keeping her father happy than telling him about our relationship."
"I just said it wasn't the right time to tell him! And he doesn't need to know," Toph argued back throwing her hands up in the air. She resisted the urge to stomp her foot in frustration.
"I'm not your dirty secret Toph!" Haru snapped, his hands balling into fists at his sides. He was hurt that his girlfriend didn't want to share their relationship with the world.
Before Toph could say something she would regret, Zuko jumped in between the two earthbenders. Once he caught their attention he began speaking, sounding very much like the leader he was. "This is not the time nor the place to have this conversation! Both of you are acting like children and my Uncle does not need this happening in his tea shop. Haru, stay here and help Iroh. Toph, come with me — we are leaving!"
The Fire Lord turned without waiting for a response and made his way swiftly out of the tea shop, Toph was hot on his heels. His gold eyes glanced around and he was pleased to note no one paid him or the Blind Bandit any attention. The Fire Nation sovereign continued walking until he was at Iroh's house in the upper ring, sitting on the steps of the house the earthbender joining him.
The two sat in silence for a little while, long enough for Toph to calm down. He knew there would be no talking to her while she was this upset.
"Toph, what is going on with you?" Zuko asked softly once he was sure that her temper would ignite. He rested his elbows on his knees as he looked at his youngest friend.
"I don't know what you are talking about," she deflected stubbornly. She lifted her chin and turned her face away from him. The earthbender barely knew what was going on with her, she didn't have the words to express herself.
Her friend sighed next to her, he knew that he would have to use a different tactic to get her to talk. The firebender waited for a few more minutes, thinking over his next words. He had an idea of why Toph was so defensive about her father but he needed to tread lightly.
"It really sucks when all you want is for your family to be proud of you but they aren't," Zuko coaxed quietly, he spared a look out of the corner of his eye at the earthbender next to him. He noticed Toph's body instantly slacken. "Especially when you accomplish extraordinary things. Three-time undefeated Earth Rumble Champion, the creator of metalbending, teacher to the Avatar, and a Hero of the Hundred Year War."
"Yeah," she whispered softly. The Blind Bandit bit her bottom lip, her head turned down unseeing eyes looking at her knees.
"It's also hard to want to tell them anything good when you know they will just sprout their disappointment," the Fire Lord continued after a few minutes. He knew he needed to be gentle in this conversation.
Toph nodded, tears filling her eyes. She swallowed harshly, she was the Blind Bandit she would not cry. She gritted her teeth doing everything in her power to hold back the emotions threatening to spill out. Her hands balled into fists resting on her thighs, nails digging into the palms of her hands. The earthbender's breathing was unsteady as she listened to her friend's voice how she felt.
"I wanted nothing more than my father to be proud of me, so much so I almost lost who I was in the process," the Fire Lord confessed when he realized she wasn't going to respond. He could do this for her, he thought to himself. "It wasn't until I realized Ozai was not capable of being proud of me that I felt true freedom. I would never be the son he wanted, but that does not take away from all I have accomplished nor does it define me."
"Why can't he be happy for me?" Toph questioned as the tears she had been holding back slid down her face. "Why isn't he proud of me?"
Zuko wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulder, she rested her head against his shoulder as she finally let the tears silently fall. He knew her pain because of that, the master earthbender finally let herself feel it. There had only been two people who had ever seen her cry — Katara and now Zuko. If she wasn't in the middle of her own emotional turmoil, the earthbender would have thought it was fitting that the only two she allowed herself to cry with were perfect for each other.
"It has nothing to do with you Toph," Zuko affirmed quietly as he let her cry. He wasn't good with crying women, but he knew this was necessary for his friend. "He is incapable of loving you for you, but that has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with him. You are extraordinary and you have so many people who love you."
"I'll never be good enough for him," she mumbled into his shoulder.
The Fire Lord sat there in silence after her last statement. He wanted to comfort her and tell her that her father was proud of her. But Zuko knew better than anyone how that was untrue. He had to decide if he would say the words Toph wanted to hear or the words she needed to hear. With a deep breath, he chose the words she needed.
"No, but you could never be who he wants you to be because that's not you. And if he cannot love you for you," the firebender paused for a moment. He wanted to be sure she was okay before continuing. "Than he does not deserve you."
"You're right," she sniffed moving out of his embrace. As the words settled around her and she could feel her emotions calming, the earthbender was embarrassed at the display.
"You also have someone who loves you for you, faults and all," Zuko reminded her as she wiped her nose on her sleeve. He shook his head, she continued to rebel even when she cried he thought.
"I have no faults," she grumbled stubbornly. She was unsure who her friend was speaking of, in a quiet voice Toph asked, "Who?"
"Haru," he told her. His good eyebrow lifted as he looked at her. Sometimes he didn't realize how dense the earthbender could be, though he guessed that's what happens when you are taught to suppress your needs.
"Yeah, I do," she nodded after a moment. A small smile graced her face as she thought over the man she loved. "I owe him an apology. He's right, he doesn't deserve to be my dirty secret. And I'm not ashamed of him. I'm in love with him."
Toph finally felt peace with her family and with her life. She was Master Toph Beifong, the Blind Bandit — the greatest Earthbender in the world, three-time undefeated Earth Rumble Champion, Creator of Metalbending, Teacher to the Avatar, and a Hero of the Hundred Year War. But most importantly she was in love with Haru and not even her father would stop them from being together.
"You guys will talk and it will be fine," the firebender comforted.
"Fuck, this life-changing field trip really sneaks up on you," Toph laughed when she realized what happened. She punched her friend in the arm.
"Better late than never," Zuko chuckled rubbing his arm.
"Katara, I think you are reading too much into it," Sokka commented to his sister. His arms crossed over his chest, an eyebrow quirking.
He had only sought her out because he had a letter from Zuko for her, Sokka was unsurprised to find her practicing her waterbending. She was becoming extraordinarily good at Southern Style. Though it did unnerve him a little at how she excelled at blood bending in the healing huts. He knew his sister would not abuse the power like Hama, yet it still made him uncomfortable seeing it practiced.
The warrior had hoped this would be a quick conversation, but she roped her brother into a conversation about their father's love life. He had noticed some strange behavior from the Southern Chief since he returned from the Earth Kingdom with Suki. He figured his father would tell him when he was ready, the man deserved a little fun and privacy.
"Sokka!" Katara groaned, throwing her hands up in the air. "He has snuck out every night this week, which is weird considering he's our father. He is seeing someone!"
"And if he is?" Her brother shrugged. The young tribesman was unaffected that his father had found someone to spend time with. He wasn't completely immune, but he recognized that this was probably difficult for the chieftain and he knew his father would tell him when he was ready.
"It doesn't matter that he is," she replied instantly. She understood that whomever her father was with she would probably like. She just didn't understand all the secrecy. "Plus even Bato thinks something's up!"
"You spoke to Bato?" Sokka's eyes nearly disappeared into his hairline as he looked at his sister. He shifted his weight uncomfortably from one foot then to the other, but his sister didn't notice.
"Yes!" The waterbender explained beginning to pace as she talked. "I don't think Dad's told Bato, which is even weirder! It would be like you not telling Zuko or Aang not telling me something."
"What's really got you upset about this?" The tribesman questioned trying to steer his sister in another direction.
"I'm just upset that he doesn't feel the need to tell us. I wish he would, I want him to be happy," the last few words whispered as she looked out over the snow and ice.
"Look, I'm sure he will tell us when he is ready," Sokka comforted her after a few minutes. He debated for a moment about telling her his suspicions but decided against it. His hand held out the scroll for his original visit. "Now do you want your letter from Zuko or not?"
"What? Why didn't you say you had it sooner?" The waterbender exclaimed whirling around and snatching the letter from his hand. Her excitement at receiving a response so soon was contagious. She prayed to Tui and La this letter would be different from the others.
"You were the one who wanted to talk about dad," the warrior drawled crossing his arms again. He waggled his eyebrows at her and made a kissy face. "Now is it a love letter? I can just picture it, 'Oh Katara how I miss you and can't wait for you to be my wife.'"
"It's not like that! He doesn't feel the same way and you know that," Katara's cheeks turned pink as she heard the horrible imitation of Zuko's voice. It embarrassed her for him, she made a note to tell him never to do that around the firebender.
"If you say so," Sokka quipped before he left her to read the letter in peace. Once she was alone, her hands couldn't unravel the letter fast enough.
Katara,
I am thrilled you like your ring.
Yagoda explained that Azula probably wouldn't be fit to travel for our wedding. But that she thinks she will be able to return home before the third anniversary if she keeps progressing the way she has been. I began redecorating her rooms for when she does return. She used to talk about it for a long time before her breakdown and I figured it would be good for her when she returns. A new look for a new start.
Toph is going to be okay. I'm sure our life-changing field trip will help her. Quon is the nobleman who financed the tea shop. Ever since the war ended he began making shady deals, King Keui mentioned the increase in organized crime in Ba Sing Se and he believes Quon might be at the head of it.
Of course, you will be able to visit! We will go back for every important occasion we can, I promise you that. You will not be kept from your home.
I know everything feels weird between us right now and I hate that. I miss Katara my best friend, the one with whom I sat on the roof with and had late-night conversations. The one whom I told my secrets to.
Our marriage was never something we wanted to enter into and I know you probably are unhappy with me for it. But I want us to stay best friends and for us to be happy. I'm terrified that you will grow to hate me if you don't already. I couldn't survive losing you as my best friend.
You mentioned before me being upset about this arranged marriage, but actually, I'm not. Who better to marry than my best friend? I know you expected to marry someone you were in love with, but I never thought that would happen to me. And I'm so thankful it's you.
Please don't resent me for this marriage,
Zuko
Notes:
Thank you so much for reading! How are we feeling about Toph's field trip? Would love to hear your thoughts so be sure to take a moment and leave a comment :)
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See you on December 15th, 2021
Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: Spring 103 AG
Notes:
Happy Update Day!
I know typically I post in the mornings but this week has been just a tad crazy. I am leaving town at the end of the week for Christmas to visit family and I will be gone two weeks, so trying to get everything ready meant not a lot of time editing.
Thank you to everyone who commented, left kudos, and add this story to bookmarks/subscribed! Seeing how many of you enjoy this story every day is what encourages me to keep writing :)
Please forgive any mistakes in this chapter, I hope you all enjoy it.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Eight: Spring 103 AG
"Did you and Haru talk yet?" Zuko asked his friend as they set out that morning. The two walked side by side through the Lower Ring. He had asked her every day since their conversation if she had spoken to her lover, each morning hoping for her to finally say yes.
They had been in Ba Sing Se for almost a week now. Jun had informed the Fire Lord that Nyla couldn't get an exact location for his mother because her scent was constantly all over the Lower Ring. The bounty hunter was confident that Ursa was somewhere in Ba Sing Se, it would just take some time to find her. After that discovery, the firebender had expected the Earth Kingdom woman to leave, but to his surprise, she stayed and spent most of her time at the Jasmin Dragon.
Zuko and his guards had been asking around for the past few days for Ursa. They suspected she was most likely going by another name since no one had heard of her. But almost every refugee asked verified that the woman in the picture they were shown looked like Noriko, a healer who ran an apothecary.
The firebender and earthbender had asked which apothecary Noriko owned but they could never get a clear answer. Their search was now isolated to visiting every single apothecary in the Lower Ring to find his mother.
"Yeah," Toph answered as they walked through winding streets. Her nose wrinkled at the putrid smells coming from an alleyway. "We decided that we need some space for a little bit. So I told him I would return to the Fire Nation with you and we will meet back up before the anniversary."
"Is that what you want?"
"I think it's necessary," she shrugged a little too stiffly. The earthbender much preferred when she was the one asking the difficult questions. "At some point, I need to go home and deal with my family."
"Just remember, stop letting your father's twisted view of success distort what is right for you," Zuko reminded her as they stopped walking. He looked up at the familiar sign, he was confused. "Didn't we check this one already?"
The two benders stood in front of an apothecary on the far edge of the lower ring. The Fire Lord could have sworn they had visited it previously. In fact, he remembered it well, the woman working the counter had been extremely rude. Judgmental for the fact he was a firebender, he wasn't exactly leaping for joy to recheck.
"Yeah, but there is someone different inside today. I can sense two heartbeats," Toph explained, she had an odd feeling last time they were here. "Plus I think people are starting to believe we don't have the best intentions so they haven't been completely honest with giving the name."
Turtle Duck Apothecary, the sign read. Zuko had admitted to himself when they originally visited this shop that he was almost sure it was his mother's. But the young woman who was tending the shop had said Noriko was not the owner and it was run by a man. Toph had mentioned briefly she thought the woman was lying, but Zuko brushed it off as she was nervous because he had two guards with him.
"I guess it doesn't hurt to try again," the firebender shrugged as he looked at the sign. His friend's words were right, it made sense that most of the refugees wouldn't trust him. Zuko didn't dare let himself have an ounce of hope, he took a quiet deep breath and held it as they crossed the threshold.
The two walked in quietly and saw the same woman behind the counter, he could sense the hostility as he walked in the room. He shuddered, he hadn't faced this blatant hatred since his father had burned him. The Fire Lord reminded himself that Toph had said there were two people in the shop, perhaps the other was in the back.
"You again," the woman behind the counter hissed, arms crossing over her chest defensively. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at the firebender. "I already told you, she doesn't work here."
"I'm just here to purchase a tea to help me sleep," Zuko quickly lied, he resisted the urge to hold his hands up in surrender. He needed to stay in the shop long enough for the person in the back to come forward. He had a funny feeling growing in his belly, the hair all over his body stood on end.
"I know you are staying in the Upper Ring, why didn't you go there?" The young woman interrogated, her nose slightly turned up as she asked the question.
"I was told this was the best apothecary in all of Ba Sing Se," Zuko shrugged, he willed every muscle in his body to relax. The air crackled around him, "Even better than the one's in the Upper Ring."
"We don't like your kind here in the Lower Ring," she sneered placing her hands flat on the counter as she leaned toward him.
"My kind?" The Fire Lord faked his confusion. He had a feeling she was implying her dislike for Fire Nation Natives, he waited to see if she would admit her true feelings. This was not the first time he had seen the bias against his countrymen, but it was the first time it had been so blatant since he took the throne.
"Fire Nation."
"Yin! That is quite enough," the woman from the back scolded as she moved to the front of the store. Her hands on her hips as she reprimanded her employee. She had been listening to the conversation from the back, hoping that Yin would have been polite. But the young girl still harbored much distaste toward the Fire Nation from the war.
The firebender's heart stopped as he looked at the woman walking over to Yin. The corners of her eyes held some light wrinkles, her face showing some laugh lines and a few specs of grey were littered in her hair. But her eyes were the same gold as he remembered, the exact same as his sister's.
There was no question, the woman standing in the shop was the Fire Lord's mother.
"Mother," Zuko whispered once, twice, then louder on the third time causing his voice to crack. The room went silent at his words.
It was the crack that made her pause, so familiar to her ears. Her eyes shut tightly, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Ursa opened her eyes and turned to look at the man Yin had been rude to. Her legs felt weak and her heart pounded in her chest. She took a step forward but had to quickly grab onto the counter to not fall.
He was tall, taller than her husband had been. Though he was still growing into his limbs she noticed. His hair fell into his eyes in a messy but endearing way, reminding her of when he had been a baby. Ursa had prepared herself to see the scar she knew he had, but her eyes never fully registered it. All she could see was that her son had grown into a handsome young man.
"Zuko? Turtle duck," she whispered in awe. She was afraid to break the silence, almost if she did that the man in front of her would disappear and she would realize this was just a dream.
"Mother!" The Fire Lord rushed to his mother and instantly wrapped her in a hug. The two quickly fell to the floor as they embraced. He turned his nose to her hair as he breathed in smelling fire lilies, spiced tea, with a hint of cherries — the scent of his mother.
"Turtle duck how I missed you," she whispered as she hugged her son in an almost too tight grip. Tears fell down her face.
"I missed you too, Mom."
"I had your old room prepared and redecorated," Zuko explained as he walked with his mother through the palace. It still felt a little surreal to have her back in the Fire Nation, "If you want to change anything just let me know and we can."
"I'm sure it will be fine, turtle duck," Ursa assured her son. She placed a comforting hand on his arm.
They had stayed in Ba Sing Se for a week so Ursa could close her shop and pack her things. About a month after finding each other in the Lower Ring, they had finally arrived in the Fire Nation earlier that morning.
As the Fire Lord's mother looked around the palace she dared not ask the question that had been on her mind since they boarded the ship.
Her son had also explained everything that happened after she had left the palace; Ozai becoming Fire Lord, his scar, and banishment. The search for the Avatar, living as a refugee with Iroh and how he became the firebending teacher to Aang. Zuko had informed her that Ozai was in prison and facing trial for his crimes within the next couple of years. He even told her about his upcoming marriage to the Southern Water Tribe Princess happening in the next year. But he had neglected to mention his sister.
The mother and son walked into the family wing of the palace in silence. While both were ecstatic to be reconnected, there was a lot that had happened in the almost decade she had been gone.
"Remember we can change whatever you like," Zuko reminded his mother as he opened the door to her chambers.
Ursa looked around and was pleasantly surprised to see that there was nothing that would remind her of her husband. Her son had been very thoughtful in what to include in her room.
"It looks wonderful, turtle duck," she thanked her son. The Fire Lord took a seat next to the window and nodded at his mother to join him. Ursa sat down and looked out at the garden, pleased to see that her son had made sure it was well taken care of.
"Mother, I need to tell you about Azula," he began softly. His mother's eyes turned to look at him, the garden was completely forgotten. This was a conversation he had been avoiding since he saw her. There was no easy way to begin, "When you left, it was hard on me but even harder on Azula. I don't think I truly appreciated how difficult it was for her until recently. The only person she had to guide her was Ozai."
"My poor Zula bug," Ursa whispered a hand covering her mouth as she listened. She knew first-hand how cruel of a man Ozai was and she felt extremely guilty for leaving her daughter to be subjected to the horror of her husband.
"She suffered greatly from mental and emotional abuse at the hands of Ozai and I'm not entirely sure, but I think some physical abuse," Zuko continued, his hands flat on his thighs as he resisted the urge to ball them into fists. His eyes became glassy as he remembered the end of the war, "The day of the comet, she had a breakdown. Katara and I fought her, she shot me with lightning. I almost died, but Katara healed me. Azula was inconsolable, she had to be sedated and her bending blocked."
His mother sat there quietly as she processed his words. Her hands felt cold and clammy, she could feel a bead of sweat drip down the back of her neck. She did the best she could to swallow the lump in her throat before she spoke. The firebender watched as she took a few calming breaths.
"Is she alive?" Ursa asked her voice sounding much stronger than she felt.
"Yes, she is in the North Pole," the firebender explained. He reached out his hands to comfort his mother and she grasped them tightly in her own. "I employed a physician to help her heal. For the first few months, she barely spoke, but she had a relapse on the anniversary of the day you left. After that, we began having a breakthrough. Katara suggested that she could benefit from a waterbending healer. So during the anniversary summit, I made arrangements for her to be sent to the North Pole. She has been there for the last eight months and is doing very well."
"And the healers in the North Pole, do they believe she will ever be able to come home?" His mother questioned softly, tears falling of their own volition. Her heart was constricting with each new piece of information. She looked down at her hands enveloped with her son's.
"Yagoda believes that Azula is not ready to return to the Fire Nation just yet, probably for at least another year perhaps even two," he responded trying to catch her eye. He knew this was going to be difficult for her to hear. "I know it is hard but this is the best thing for her. I promise the moment Yagoda tells me you can see her I will have a ship ready for you."
"Thank you, turtle duck," she whispered nodding slightly. She released his hands and brushed the tears off her face. "If you don't mind, I think I would like to be alone and have an early night. I will see you in the morning."
"Of course, Mother. If you need anything, I have assigned Giya to you for the next few days."
The Fire Lord stood, the conversation they had just had was very emotional. He was unsurprised his mother wanted to be alone and spend time with her thoughts. He placed a quick kiss on her cheek before leaving her to her own devices.
Zuko entered his office after leaving his mother's room and almost groaned at the sight of paperwork littering his desk. Having been gone for almost a few months, he knew it was bound to happen. But he had hoped there wouldn't have been that much.
The young Fire Lord quickly began sorting through the piles on his desk categorizing the work into two piles, immediate attention, and non-immediate attention. He would begin working fully tomorrow, but at least this evening he could have everything sorted.
As he was moving through the papers and scrolls a light blue one caught his eye. Dropping the papers he held in his hand, the firebender snatched the blue scroll up almost tearing it in the process to unravel it.
The first thing he noticed as he began to read the words, were areas that looked like they had been wetted and dried. He knew, even before he read her words, that she had cried when she wrote this letter.
Zuko,
I'm sorry if I made you feel that I resented this marriage.
I miss you too Zuko. Remember when we were on the palace roof, you asked me if we could have our late-night roof talks when we were married? I told you I wanted us to continue the tradition. I promise you won't be losing me as your best friend.
Zuko, you are terrified I will grow to hate you? I'm scared out of my mind you will grow to resent me! We both know I was not raised for life in the royal court, I have no idea what I'm doing. I am entirely too stubborn for my own good and we both know I will disagree with you publicly at some point. I'm afraid I won't be a good wife to you nor a good Fire Lady to your people and that will cause you to despise me.
You are worried about not being able to survive losing me as a best friend? I'm worried about not being able to survive in an unknown land as my only friend grows to hate me.
You are right, I hadn't ever expected to enter an arranged marriage with you. I had always pictured falling in love with a man and that would be the reason he asked for my hand. I wanted the relationship my parents had one filled with love, passion, and respect. Before we ended the war, I never thought my status as Chief's daughter would mean a political marriage.
But on the trip to Omashu, my father had a long conversation with me about political treaties. I fully expected to leave Omashu engaged, there was too much damage done to the world. Alliances needed to be created, treaties needed to be signed and I knew that if it was the right thing for my tribe I would do it. I was thankful it was to you and not some Earth Kingdom Noble or Northern Tribesman.
I hope I can be a good wife to you,
Katara
The Fire Lord's heart dropped, his breath coming in harsh pants as he read her words. It seemed that they both had their own fears when it came to their marriage. The past two letters that had been passed between the couple were the most honest they had been since before their engagement.
Zuko vowed at that moment, he would do everything in his power to get Katara to fall in love with him. She deserved to have the marriage she always dreamed about.
"I hear congratulations are in order," a bored voice brought Zuko out of his inner thoughts.
He turned around from looking at the view from his office window and found Mai seated at one of the chairs across his desk. He hadn't heard her come in, though he had asked for an appointment with her.
The young monarch had been awake most of the night. The conversation with his mother about Azula had been emotionally draining, coupling that with Katara's emotional letter left him feeling restless. Zuko had spent most of the night thinking of how he could ease Katara's fears in herself. He also wondered how he could begin making her look at him as more than her friend, perhaps even fall in love with him.
Finally, after hours of tossing and turning, he had left his bed to write a response to Katara.
"About?" He questioned cocking his head. He was still slightly uncomfortable being in the noblewoman's presence after walking in on her and Ty Lee.
"I heard Lady Ursa returned with you from Ba Sing Se," she elaborated an eyebrow-raising as she looked at him. She felt a spark of amusement at seeing his discomfort. After a moment she decided to put him out of his misery, "I'm happy you found your mother, Zuko."
"Thank you," he nodded with a smile to her as he moved to sit at his desk. He could feel himself relaxing. "I'm happy for you and Ty Lee too."
Mai grinned happily, an expression Zuko hardly saw on her face. "Thank you. I know it might have felt sudden, but we just wanted to keep it between us for a little while. Though next time you should know to knock."
"I did knock," the firebender defended himself, his cheeks coloring in both anger and embarrassment. "I thought I heard you tell me to come in, I was wrong."
"Next time, unless I answer the door don't come in," Mai chuckled as he shifted in his seat.
"I don't think I will be seeking you out in the middle of the night anymore," he replied looking anywhere but at his oldest friend. The young noblewoman felt the sense of pleasure grow at seeing her old lover squirm in discomfort.
"So was that all you called this meeting for?" Mai questioned. She was eager to return to her time in the training arena with Ty Lee.
"Not quite," the Fire Lord shook his head. He braced himself to make his request, he could have ordered the noblewoman but he hated commanding his subjects. "Katara expressed to me in her last letter how she feels unprepared to be Fire Lady. I was hoping that perhaps you could visit the South Pole and help ease her fears."
"I guess I'm the best option," Mai nodded thoughtfully. She had spent some time with the waterbender after the first-anniversary summit and had helped answer a few questions for her. "I was bred to be Fire Lady, so was Ty Lee. When would you like me to go?"
"I was hoping you wouldn't mind leaving tomorrow," he admitted, his gratitude was apparent. "Ty Lee is more than welcome to go with you, I expected she would honestly. But I had hoped to send you both on my flagship tomorrow morning. I would join you for the second-anniversary summit in a few months."
"Tomorrow, that is very soon," she commented her brow furrowing. She had a lot that needed to happen to make his planned departure date.
The Fire Lord nodded, "It is, but Admiral Jee is heading out with some specific items tomorrow for the Southern Tribe and since he was already on his way I thought it would be a good time."
"I'll let Ty Lee know," Mai agreed instantly. She could read how anxious he was to send her. "Would you like me to bring anything specific to her?"
"I have a letter." Zuko handed two letters over to his friend who accepted them instantly. "There is one for Sokka too."
The noblewoman could sense the conversation was finished, she stood and began making her way to the door. She knew how difficult this arranged marriage was for Zuko, but she had a feeling that it would benefit him in the long run.
Now if only the couple could admit how they felt about each other, Mai decided that she would work on getting Katara to confess her feelings. Somehow she suspected it would be easier for the waterbender to admit than the firebender. But granted she didn't know how stubborn the Water Tribe Princess was.
"One more thing," Zuko called softly. She turned to look at him and was surprised by how small his voice sounded at his last request. "Could you help her see that I'll be a good husband to her?"
"I will do everything in my power to make her see that," the young noblewoman promised with a bittersweet smile before she left.
The Fire Lord let out a breath he had been holding for a long time. He hoped that Mai would be able to adjust Katara's view of him, so she could see him as a romantic partner. He wanted his future wife to love him the way he loved her. Perhaps that was wishful thinking, but it didn't hurt to try.
He was brought out of his thoughts by Malu entering the room abruptly, the guard didn't even knock as he entered. The Fire Lord was unused to seeing his guard so tense, something was not right.
"The Avatar's Sky Bison was spotted, Fire Lord Zuko," the guard immediately informed his lord at his entrance.
"The Avatar? I don't remember expecting him," the sovereign stood suddenly. He was concerned that Aang would come straight to the Fire Nation without writing. His mind raced with questions. Did the White Lotus uncover something about Lao Beifong? Did Aang find out who was behind the threats to the Fire Lord? Had something happened to any of his friends? His sister?
The Fire Lord flew out of his office and quickly made his way to the stables knowing that's where Aang would land Appa. He was hoping there was nothing wrong, Zuko didn't think he could handle any more stress.
Within minutes the firebender was able to spot his friend.
"Sifu Hot-man!" Aang greeted as he ran up and hugged his friend tightly. The firebender was shocked that their height difference was much less than before.
"Aang, what are you doing here?" Zuko questioned once he was released from the death grip of the airbender. No sooner had the words left his mouth did Appa licked the firebender from head to toe and grumbled happily.
"I came to see you," Aang replied in a tone that suggested his response was obvious. He looked up at his friend confused.
"So nothing is wrong?" The Fire Lord inquired, his voice hard and eyes piercing. He crossed his arms over his chest. He felt like he was back at Ember Island all over again.
"No," the Avatar shook his head with a grin. "Just wanted to visit, take a peek at the documents on airbenders."
"Aang," Zuko groaned as he rubbed his hand over his face. "We talked about this! You can't just show up unannounced unless it's an emergency. Some warning would be nice next time, it takes two minutes to send a hawk."
"Oops!" Aang shrugged and scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I forgot."
"Twinkle Toes!" Toph called as she joined the two men. She had felt the vibrations of the landing sky bison. The earthbender delivered a quick punch to her old pupil. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, Iroh wrote to me and told me you found your mom, Zuko," Aang explained looking back at the firebender as he rubbed his arm. "And since you did that I thought I could talk to you about helping with my search for airbenders?"
"Haven't I been doing that already?" Zuko questioned, he was still slightly annoyed with his friend. Aang was acting very much like the child he was, he needed to remember that as the Avatar his sudden presence was cause for alarm.
"Well yeah, but there are just so many records I need to go through," Aang began almost lamenting. He looked up at his friend with sad eyes hoping the firebender would help him.
"And Twinkle Toes can't sit still long enough to go through them all, yup makes sense," Toph finished for the Avatar.
Zuko shook his head, of course, that was the case. He turned and beckoned his friends to follow him, telling the stable hand to take care of Appa as he walked through the building. The Fire Lord had a feeling this was going to be a long conversation and did not want to be in the stable to do it.
The firebender led his friends into one of his private sitting rooms, calling Giya to bring refreshments.
"Okay, so what do you need from me?" Zuko asked gruffly. He had a feeling he knew the answer already but, he wanted to hear what Aang had to say first.
"I want access to the Fire Nation records on airbenders," the young monk confirmed. He had been doing his best to find any indication of his countrymen across the world but the only nation who had kept track was the Fire Nation. "I know you said Sozin and Azulon, had tried to track them down. And that you have been sending me scrolls as you find them. But I also need help going through all of them."
"Aang, as much as I want to be able to help you go through them I don't have the time," the Fire Lord admitted rubbing a hand on his scar. The time required to comb through the records would leave him not able to lead his country. Forget about wooing his betrothed. He did want to help his friend though, "But I can see if Shyu is available to help you."
"I guess that will work," the Avatar agreed with a nod. He would have preferred Zuko's help but he liked the Fire Sage and would be glad to have his help. "Does that mean I'll have access to the Fire Lord's library?"
"Yes," Zuko replied with a shake of his head at the excitement his friend displayed.
"I'll help you too, Twinkle Toes, I just love reading," the Blind Bandit chimed in from her spot next to the monk.
Giya glided into the room silently and sat down a tray of refreshments on the table in front of the group. Zuko thanked her before he brushed the servant away as she went to pour the tea decided to do it himself, passing cups to each of his friends.
"Thanks!" Aang responded without thinking. It took a moment but finally, "Wait!"
Toph cackled as the dots connected for the Avatar. "Never gets old!"
"Zuko, there you are," Ursa greeted as she walked into the room. She had been looking for her son for the past hour when she heard voices.
"Mother, come meet my friend," her son called over to her. Beckoning her toward him, "This is Aang, the Avatar."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Ursa said with a respectful nod as she sat next to her son. He poured a cup of tea and passed it to her. "Zuko has told me so much about you, Avatar Aang."
The Fire Lord watched the mannerisms of his mother, she would have made a perfect Fire Lady.
"It's nice to meet you too Lady Ursa," Aang replied as he loaded his plate with the delicacies only offered to the Fire Lord. "Zuko was so excited that he found you."
"I was thrilled that he found me too," she admitted with a smile. She took a sip of her tea before commenting, "I hope I'm not interrupting your reunion."
"No, of course not," Zuko assured her as he passed her a plate with a few of her favorite tea sandwiches. "Aang and I were just talking about his search for airbenders. Turns out Sozin and Azulon kept meticulous records on their crusade to eliminate the air nomads."
"Avatar Aang, do you have reason to believe you can find airbenders?" Ursa asked the young man in front of her. Her mother had told her stories about the airbenders she had met with her grandfather, Avatar Roku.
"I believe that the airbenders were nomads and not everyone resided in the temples. There is a high chance that some survived and have been in hiding," the airbender answered, his hope contagious. "Also please call me Aang."
He didn't include his fear that he would be solely responsible for repopulating the nation if he was unable to find any. But he held on to hope that there were still a few out in the world somewhere. They might not be trained or even know they were benders but Aang felt deep in his soul there were others still alive.
"My grandfather kept a journal for each nation he visited," Ursa replied thoughtfully. She was lost in the memories of the stories her mother told of Roku. "In one he detailed areas that airbenders liked to travel to. I wonder if I still have it."
"That's right! Avatar Roku was your grandfather," Aang jumped up from his seat in excitement.
"Yes, he was," Ursa nodded with a soft smile. It was nice for her to be able to share those aspects of her history When she came to Caldera, speaking Roku's name had been almost treason. And then in Ba Sing Se, she was trying to stay hidden. "The only thing is I had hidden the journals from Ozai, I was only able to bring a few things with me when I left. I don't know if he ever found the journals."
"Where did you hide them?" The Fire Lord questioned his mother softly. He would not put it past his father to have destroyed the journals if he knew of their existence.
"A loose stone underneath our bed," she mumbled deep in thought. "I don't believe he knew of them, I never wanted him to know I had them. I could check if they are still there."
Zuko watched his mother in silence. He knew that she was the type of person who liked to stay busy. She had offered to take over the duties of Fire Lady until his marriage, but the Fire Lord knew that she would feel more fulfilled if she did more than arranging social events. As he watched her interact with Aang an idea came to his mind.
"Mother, would you like to help Aang with combing through the records?" Zuko inquired gently. He wanted her to be sure she had an option, but he thought she would like to help. "You have a unique perspective having read the journals of Avatar Roku."
"Only if Aang would like my help," The Fire Lord's mother replied. Though her eyes sparkled with hope and happiness.
"I would greatly appreciate it!" The Avatar exclaimed, he was eager to learn what he could about Roku and if he could find the airbenders in the process he would be eternally grateful. "There are so many scrolls we need to go through!"
"I will speak to Shyu tonight but in the meantime, you are more than welcome to access the library and begin combing through the records," the Fire Lord informed them both. A quick look at the time had him standing, "Now while I would love to stay and chat, I do have a council meeting to attend. Toph are you coming?"
The Fire Lord had decided to bring his friend along to the council meeting since he had received two threatening scrolls while he was away. While the Fire Lord was confident in his ability to identify traitors and liars, he thought it was best to bring the human lie detector with him. He also knew that Toph loved to make the council on edge with her blueness whenever Zuko let her sit in a meeting.
"Yup!" The earthbender responded popping the word loudly.
The two friends walked through the palace in silence. Zuko liked to arrive early to council meetings, it always made them nervous and on edge to walk in seeing him already seated. The Fire Lord took his place on the dais bending a wall of fire as he waited for the council to arrive. Toph sat at the head of the council table per Zuko's instructions. She would be able to get a clear read with the stone floor.
Within a matter of minutes, the room was filled with the council members. Zuko had a feeling it was going to be a long meeting.
"Mai, Ty Lee, it's so good to see you!" Katara greeted the guests after they disembarked the Flagship. Sokka was deep in conversation with Admiral Jee off to the side. The Water Tribe siblings had only just been warned a few days prior to expect the arrival of the noblewomen.
Ty Lee instantly bounced over to the waterbender pulling her into a tight embrace. "It's good to see you too! I'm so excited to be in the South Pole!"
Mai gave a slight nod to their host, physical affection was something she only reserved for Ty Lee. "I'm sorry it's such short notice that we are here," the noblewoman told the waterbender.
"We are much more causal here in the Water Tribe," Katara assured them with a wave of her hand. She gestured for them to follow her. "Come, let's get you settled in. Maybe even find you some warmer clothes."
"It's so beautiful here!" Ty Lee began to prattle as they entered the canoe that would navigate their way through the new canals. "The carvings on the wall are stunning. And all the snow! I've never seen snow before, I love how white it is! How is Suki and Sokka's wedding coming along? Is she going to wear a Kyoshi gown or Water Tribe? I can't imagine how hard it must be to mix traditions like that! Oh, you have a ring! It's so pretty. Did Zuko do the etching of the dragons in the gold?"
The acrobat had pulled at Katara's hand when she noticed the ring sparkling in the light, she instantly knew what it was. In her opinion, Zuko had done an extraordinary job in designing the ring. Traditionally if the person asking was a firebender, they would be the one to carve the design into the ring. But Ty Lee was unsure if Zuko would do it now that he was Fire Lord.
"Ty, slow down," Mai commanded her lover as she wrapped an arm around her. The more reserved noblewoman was sure to reel in the acrobat. "Ask one question at a time. Your ring is beautiful Katara, I know Zuko spent many weeks trying to get the dragons just right."
The Fire Nation noblewoman knew how significant the time spent carving the betrothal token was in the Water Tribes. She had purposely elected to inform the waterbender of the time spent on the ring. She wanted Zuko to be happy and wanted them both to admit their feelings. Mai figured a good first step was informing her of the time spent.
"Thank you," Katara responded blushing slightly.
She pulled her hand back to admire her ring for a moment. She felt a flood of heat surround her body at Mai's words. The waterbender had known her betrothed had done the carving but the fact he had spent a lot of time on it meant the world to her. It might have seemed insignificant to the Fire Nation but in the Water Tribe, it was important.
"Your wedding is going to be beautiful, the wedding of the century!" Ty Lee chatted as they continued through the canals to the Chief's home.
"I don't know if it will be the wedding of the century," Katara mumbled looking away slightly.
"But that's what so many people are calling it," Mai informed the waterbender. She was unsure if Katara was trying to be modest or if she really didn't know how big of a deal it was going to be. "Your bother's wedding will be grand of course, he is the heir to the throne. But your's and Zuko's will be much more since it is opposite elements, war heroes, two nations battled in the war for a hundred years, and even more importantly it is the first Fire Lord to not have been married when he ascended the throne in almost three hundred years."
"I didn't realize," Katara whispered, her thumb going to rub the underside of her ring. She knew it would be a big deal but she didn't realize how big of a deal. She quickly distracted herself with their arrival in front of the palace, disembarking and waiting for her guests to follow.
"Last I heard, the guest count was well over a thousand people," Ty Lee added as she quickly followed her girlfriend out of the canoe. "Plus now that Lady Ursa is found, she will take over the planning."
"He found her!" The Water Tribe Princess squealed, forgetting momentarily about her nerves. "I haven't heard from him, so I didn't know!"
"Oh shoot!" Mai exclaimed with a shake of her head. She reached into her bag and handed Katara the scroll. "I was supposed to give this to you immediately upon arrival and I forgot. There is one for your brother too."
"You are fine," Katara brushed her off as she accepted the signature red and gold scroll. "You haven't even been in the South Pole an hour. I'll wait to read this after showing you to your rooms."
The three women walked quickly into the Water Tribe Palace, Ty Lee keeping a steady stream of chatter as they moved through the halls. Soon Katara was showing them to their rooms and leaving them to settle in.
Making sure she was not needed for the rest of the afternoon, the waterbender retired to her bedroom to read the letter from her fiancé.
Katara,
I found her.
She was in the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se this whole time. My mother was so close to me during the last year of the war and I had no idea. I could have walked by her a thousand times in Ba Sing Se and I never knew. But she's back here in the Fire Nation and I could not be more thrilled. I cannot wait for you to meet her in the next couple of months.
I think once I arrive in the South Pole we might need some time on the roof together. I promise you that we will make it a regular habit once we are married for our late-night roof conversations.
I could never resent you. You don't think you are cut out to be Fire Lady? I think you are the perfect person for it. You will rule with compassion, grace, and a warrior's spirit. I hope you do disagree with me publicly, I never wanted a quiet wife. You push me to be better and I need that.
You are scared and I understand that, I was terrified to become Fire Lord. But I know you are facing challenges that I did not. I had Mai and Ty Lee come early to the South Pole because both know Fire Nation tradition and royal court life better than anyone. Both of them were thrust into their friendship with my sister in the hopes of becoming Fire Lady. They are there to answer any and all questions you have.
You won't be alone, I promise you that. I could never grow to hate you.
Katara, I know this is not what you dreamed of and I wish I could change the way this happened. But I will spend every day of our marriage doing everything I can to make you happy.
I hope to be a good husband to you,
Zuko
Katara clutched the letter to her chest. Her heartbeat was extraordinarily fast as she processed the words Zuko had written. She dropped the letter, quickly writing a response back to her fiancé before leaving her room to mail her response.
As she walked through the streets of her home, she left lighter and free than ever before. For the first time since returning to the South Pole, the waterbender felt at peace with her upcoming marriage to the Fire Lord.
"I think I might visit my parents before I go back to Ba Sing Se," Toph commented from her spot across the dinner table from Zuko.
It had been a few weeks since Ursa had returned to the Fire Nation. The Fire Lord's mother had taken over the duties customarily set aside for the Fire Lady, including planning his wedding to Katara. His mother and Aang had also been reviewing every single document they could get their hands on regarding airbenders. And the Avatar was confident they were on the verge of a breakthrough.
"Are you going to be okay to do that?" Zuko questioned his chopsticks paused halfway to his mouth. He didn't know if it was the best idea for her to return to Gaoling, not only because her father appeared to have tangled with some questionable business deals. But because the firebender was worried about the emotional toll it would take on the Blind Bandit.
"Yeah, I need to tell them about Haru," she replied with a nod. This was something she had been thinking about since her field trip with Zuko. "Even though they won't be happy."
"Why do you want to tell them?" Aang asked Toph from his spot next to her. He didn't understand why she wanted to see them, it confused him that she wanted their approval.
"Because they either will accept me as I am or not," Toph shrugged pushing the food around on her plate. She needed to do this to be free of them. "But I need to go in there alone and let them make that decision. I know it will probably end poorly, but I need to do this."
"I don't get it," Aang looked at her confused as he continued to eat his dinner.
"I do," Zuko nodded to her with a sad smile. His mind traveled back to when he confronted his father during the Day of Black Sun. "Let me know when you want to leave and I'll make all the travel arrangements for you."
And that's how a week later Toph found herself at the entrance of her parents' home. A few deep breaths to steady herself before she knocked on the door. Within seconds her mother answered.
"Toph!" Poppy greeted her daughter, the noblewoman hugging her quickly. "Come in, let's have some tea."
The earthbender allowed her mother to pull her into the house. If she wanted this trip to go well, she was hoping that her parents would accept her. But she was not naive enough to think it would. Toph was hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.
"Where's dad?" She asked as she sat across from her mom. The earthbender resisted the urge to slouch in the chair but failed after a few minutes.
"He's in a business meeting, he should be home soon," Poppy explained before calling a servant over to bring them tea. She was thrilled that her daughter was home after such a sudden departure during her last visit.
"Who is he meeting with?" Toph asked as she put her feet on the furniture. She could feel her mother bristle at the unladylike maneuver. But if she wanted to be accepted it meant showing her true self.
"I don't have the slightest idea," Poppy responded brushing off the question. She did not pay attention much to her husband's business. He made enough money to keep them very comfortable and that was the only thing that mattered to the noblewoman.
Toph was unsurprised by her mother's lack of knowledge. But she had hoped to find out a little bit about what her father was up to, especially considering the recent information that Zuko had shared. "Well, I hope he gets here soon. I have news for you both."
"Poppy, I'm sorry I'm late," Lao called as he moved to the sitting room. He stopped when his eyes took in his daughter, his shock taking over before his displeasure at her appearance. "Toph!"
"Hey dad," she replied not moving to get up. She didn't feel like she should change her behaviors to please him.
"You are back, I see the Fire Lord is not holding you, hostage," Lao sneered at the end as he sat next to his wife. His eyes scanned her posture and crossed his arms over his chest, he didn't like the mannerism she had returned with.
"Like Zuko could hold me, hostage," the earthbender snorted. Toph could not understand her father's extreme hatred for the firebender. Nor with how much her father disliked who she was as a person.
"Well what are we supposed to think when you go running off with the Fire Nation all the time," Lao remarked with a dismissive wave of his hand. His eyes zeroed in on her feet that were propped up on the tea table. "Am I to assume they were the ones who rid you of your manners?"
"Nah, Sparky and Sugar Queen always got on my case about my manners," Toph picked at her ear. She slouched further into the chair. "But I don't really care."
"Toph you said you had news," Poppy interrupted her husband before he could speak. She didn't want her daughter to leave suddenly like she had last time.
"Yeah I did and I would like you all to wait until I'm finished," she explained. Toph took a deep breath and began. "I am the best earthbender in the world. I love fighting and training other benders. Working with my friends in all areas of the world, helping rebuild our world is something I love to do. And I refuse to give that up just because it makes you uncomfortable."
"I wouldn't say it makes us uncomfortable," Lao scoffed, he clearly thought she was being too emotional. Just reinforcing his belief that she was not capable of making her own decisions.
"I'm not done," Toph hissed before she continued. "Lastly, I'm in love with Haru. I could see myself marrying him one day. You might say I'm young but I have lived more than most and I refuse to give him up just because you don't find him respectable."
"He's a commoner!" Lao exclaimed, standing from his chair in a show of dominance. He was taken back when she didn't show any fear or bend to his will.
"He may not have a noble title or money, but he is anything but common," Toph commanded, her voice strong and sure. She didn't feel the need to try to battle for dominance with her father. "This is who I am. You either accept me as I am or you don't accept me at all."
The earthbender waited in silence for her parents to come out of their shock. This was the defining moment for their relationship. Toph was prepared to walk away from her family if they did not accept her. She had spent many nights going over the conversation she had with Zuko in Ba Sing Se. The youngest member of Team Avatar would never truly be free if she was tied to her parents' expectations.
Unsurprisingly Poppy was the first to speak, with Lao shortly after.
"Toph, I just want you to be happy," Poppy confessed, eyes brimming with tears. It had hurt her when her daughter ran away during the war and then again when she didn't return after the war ended. "Of course I will accept you! I cannot wait to meet this Haru."
"Dad?" Toph asked her father. The Blind Bandit didn't like how weak her voice sounded as she waited for his response.
"What your mother said," Lao lied through his teeth.
The earthbender was sad to detect the deception from her father but she had expected it. Though she no longer was the young girl who ran away from home, this time she would not react. It was just the way of her father.
"Thank you," Toph responded, her voice coming out much stronger than she felt. She pushed herself out of her seat. "Well, I need to get going."
"You are leaving so soon?" Poppy asked in alarm. Her eyes darting between her daughter and her husband. There was something happening between the two but she didn't know what it was.
"I have to get back to Ba Sing Se," Toph explained as she began walking toward the door. "I'm supposed to travel with King Keui to the Anniversary Summit in the South Pole."
After her goodbyes, Toph was on the road to Ba Sing Se. She waited until she was a few hours outside of Gaoling before she let the tears fall. Her father would never accept her, he was not capable.
It was a bittersweet moment for Toph.
Zuko,
I am so excited you found her!
The important thing is you found her and she will be at our wedding. Have you explained what happened to Azula? I'm sure that will be a difficult conversation if you haven't already had it.
I think we can arrange some time on the roof when you get here. But fair warning it is freezing, so we won't be able to sit out as long as we normally do.
Thank you for asking Mai and Ty Lee to come. They have been a huge help with easing my nerves about being Fire Lady. Both of them also reminded me while you have your set of advisors, the Fire Lady has her own. I've asked both of them to be a part of mine. I figured they would help me navigate court life.
My father keeps reminding me that marriage is what you make it. Maybe once we have time away from prying eyes we can start figuring out how to make ours a happy one? I don't expect you to love me the way a husband traditionally loves his wife, but maybe we can at least deepen our friendship?
You probably won't have time to send another letter back. I know you will be busy finalizing the arrangements for the Fire Nation before you leave for the South Pole. So if it's easier, just wait and tell me your answers on the roof.
See you in a few weeks,
Katara
The Fire Lord had set the letter on his desk after he had read it. It pained him greatly that Katara didn't expect him to love her the way a husband loved his wife. If only she knew that he had loved her that way since their very first night on the roof in Ember Island. His finger traced her signature. Wooing her would be much easier in the days to come when she would be his side.
The young firebender pushed the letter aside and turned back to navigating the carving he was creating. He had to leave in two days' time for the South Pole and Katara's betrothal necklace was still not finished yet. It had taken him six months to find the right stone and another two to find the ribbon to accompany it. He understood now what Sokka had meant about the symbolism creating the betrothal token.
He secretly hoped that she would be able to tell the depths of his feelings by the betrothal necklace he would gift her. But if she didn't see it from the ring, he doubted she would see it from the necklace. Still, he put his entire heart into creating the necklace she would wear for the rest of their lives.
He shook his head before picking up the practice stone he was carving on before he began the real stone. He had yet to be able to carve the full design successfully once. Patience was not something he was known for.
"Fuck," Zuko hissed as he messed up the design for the tenth time, he tossed the imperfect stone across the room. He grabbed another practice stone and readied the chisel he was using to start over again.
"Umm, I just wanted to say hi," Aang mumbled from his spot in the doorframe. His eyes looking at wear the blemished stone lay a few feet from him.
"Oh sorry Aang," Zuko mumbled, embarrassed to be caught in such a frustrated state. He beckoned his friend to come into his office and take a seat.
"What are you doing?" The airbender asked as he sat down in front of his friend.
"I'm trying to carve Katara's necklace," Zuko admitted as he held up the practice stone, currently mistake-free. "Sokka suggested I practice to make sure I get the design right but I just can't seem to get it. This is the tenth stone I've ruined today."
"Maybe you are trying too hard," Aang commented as he watched the Fire Lord begin his eleventh attempt. He was able to see how ridged his friend was, "You are gripping the chisel too tight."
"That makes no sense," the firebender snapped as he instantly messed up again. He dropped the tool onto his desk and rubbed a hand over his face. This was never going to get done he thought to himself.
"Zuko," the airbender scolded. The Fire Lord dropped his hand from his face and looked up at his friend. "Take a deep breath and relax. When you are redirecting lightning, you need to be relaxed and centered. Remember, it's based on waterbending you need to move with the energy."
"The student has become the master," the young monarch chuckled lightly. His shoulder's dropped after he thought over his friend's words. "Okay, I'll relax."
"I also think you should skip the practice stone and go straight to the actual stone," Aang advised. He knew if Zuko spent too much time trying to perfect the design he would never move to the actual stone.
"I don't know," the Fire Lord looked unsure as he looked at the stone sitting across his desk. It was a sharp contrast in color to everything around his office.
"Just trust me okay?"
"Okay," the firebender moved the practice stones to the corner of his desk. His fingers reached for the blue jade he had purchased for Katara. He had spent months looking for the perfect stone and had found this one when he was in Ba Sing Se.
"I'm going to talk to you the entire time you are carving," Aang explained once Zuko's hands were poised to start carving. "Sokka told me once to move with the grain of the stone, don't act against it. You ready?"
"Move with the grain," the firebender mumbled after a nod to his friend. He placed the chisel at one end and began to feel the flow of grain as he worked. When meeting resistance instead of forcing the shape, he came at it from another angle. It did remind him of lightning redirection.
For the next hour, the airbender kept up a steady stream of chatter while the firebender carved the design into the blue jade. And sure enough, not one single mistake was made. It also did not go unnoticed to the Fire Lord that the Avatar had spoken only about stories involving Katara.
"Done," Zuko said as he strung the stone onto the black ribbon before holding it up for Aang's inspection. The black ribbon caused the blue jade to be the main focus of the necklace. "Do you think she will like it?"
"I think she will love it," Aang assured his friend as he took in the design. It was a perfect representation of his two friends. But what really made the airbender pause was the care that had been taken in the carving. He could see that the firebender had poured his entire soul into creating the necklace.
"I didn't want to overly complicate it," Zuko explained as he placed the necklace on his desk and looked down at the design. It turned out much better than he had anticipated, "Plus I thought the design represented the two of us well. Now all I have to do is melt the gold and let it set onto the pattern."
"If I didn't already know how you felt about her, it would be obvious from the care in your design," Aang praised his friend. He was sure that Katara would see how Zuko felt about her with one look at the necklace. "Why don't you tell her?"
"Tell her now? After she's forced into a marriage with me?" The Fire Lord scoffed with a shake of his head. The thought had crossed his mind in Omashu, but he knew it would a disaster. "Yeah, great idea Aang. She'll just feel betrayed and probably hate me more."
"For as well as you know her, sometimes you are so wrong about her," Aang shook his head as he stood to leave. He paused in the doorway and turned to look back at his friend, "You can't hide it forever Zuko."
Notes:
What did we think? Did we like how Zuko found his mother?
I know this chapter is a little bit on the slower side, but there is much to come in the next few! We have our lovers reconnecting, which means there will be some sparks flying.
As always would love to hear your thoughts!
See you on December 25th, 2021!
Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: Summer 103 AG
Notes:
Merry Christmas!
Sorry, this update is coming late in the day, staying with the family has made it difficult to edit and update. Not great wifi, but here is our next chapter!
Thank you to everyone who commented/subscribed/Kudo/bookmarked the last chapter :)
Please forgive all mistakes as I would have liked to spend a little more time updating this chapter, but I hope you all enjoy it :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Nine: Summer 103 AG
The Fire Lord watched as his ship drew closer to the South Pole.
It would be only a matter of hours until he would step foot in the Southern Water Tribe. But more importantly, it would be the first time he saw his fiancé in months. One hand held onto the railing of the ship, the steel felt icy against his overheated skin. His other hand slipped into his pocket and his fingers brushed the cold stone of the betrothal necklace he had worked so hard on. The act grounded him, allowing the nerves in the pit of his stomach to settle just a tad.
"Turtle duck, are you alright?" Ursa asked her son as she approached him slowly. She had been observing him for some time, he had been standing at the front of the ship in silence for the past hour.
"I'm nervous to see her," he whispered to his mother. Not daring to tear his eyes away from the land in front of him, too terrified that the moment he did it would disappear completely. And he would be back in Omashu signing a marriage contract with an Earth Kingdom noblewoman. A nightmare that had been reoccurring to the Fire Lord since his engagement was made.
"Your betrothed?" She questioned as she moved to stand next to him. He looked tense and she was worried about her son. She knew he hadn't been sleeping well, but every time she asked about it he brushed her off. The first few weeks in the Fire Nation, the two had spent every minute they could recounting what the other had missed in their life. But now, Ursa was struggling to connect with him. This was her son, but this man was very different from the boy she left.
"Yes," he replied easily, unaware of her thoughts. He remembered back to three years prior, he had stood in the exact same position watching the South Pole as he drew closer to it. "Things are complicated."
The Fire Lord had not explained to his mother much about his engagement. Only that he was marrying the Princess of the Southern Water Tribe at the instance of the world to keep the peace. Yet, Ursa knew he and Katara had a history of close friendship. Both Toph and Aang had told stories of their travels with Zuko. His friends alluded to something more between the two benders as well. As did Iroh.
"Complicated because you love her?" His mother inquired gently.
She watched her son, his jaw tightening at her words. He stood a little straighter and refused to meet her eyes. He exhaled through his nose, smoke curling around his face as he did. Even without his verbal response, his body language answered her question.
"Yes," he finally admitted, the word was out of his mouth before he realized what she had asked him. The Fire Lord had not expected his mother to notice his feelings for his bride so soon. "But she doesn't love me. And I trapped her into a political marriage."
"Turtle duck," Ursa sighed as she watched him, a hand reaching out to touch his shoulder but stopped halfway. She didn't know how to comfort the young man in front of her, she opened her mouth to help soothe his worry. But before she could say more, her son interrupted.
"You should double-check that you have your things ready for when we make port," Zuko suggested harshly, harsher than he had intended. He did not want to have this conversation right now. He closed his eyes tightly as the guilt from his reaction washed over him. "I'm sorry, it's just we will be in the South Pole in an hour."
"Of course," she nodded, though he didn't see it. She turned to leave but turned back a whisper of comfort on the tip of her tongue. Ursa took in his ridged posture and let the unspoken words die.
His mother could sense his uneasiness and left him to his thoughts. She did not fault him for his harsh tone. Zuko wore his heart on his sleeve, but he was also quick to anger. Ursa had expected his reaction and was prepared for it. When he was ready he would come to her.
Unknown to the Fire Lord, standing many miles away in his exact position was his betrothed. The Water Tribe Princess watching the Flagship glide through the icy ocean getting closer and closer to her home.
"Little tiger seal," Hakoda called as he joined his daughter. He pulled her hood over her head, she had been standing on the dock all morning. "It will be at least another hour before the ship docks."
"I know," she whispered as she looked out at sea. She pushed the hood off of her head, not wanting anything to potentially block her view of the man she loved.
The waves crashed a little harder as the Fire Lord's Flagship cut through the water toward the South Pole. She felt her heart beating harshly against her chest as she watched the ship. It was well below freezing, but her entire body felt hot with her nerves.
"Dad, leave her be," she heard her brother say from behind her to their father as he joined them. She felt the familiar company stand on her other side, Sokka speaking over her head, "I know you have things left to prepare, I'll keep an eye on her."
Hakoda hesitated then nodded at his son before pulling Katara's hood over her head again. He looked back at his children one last time before leaving them to watch their friend arrive in peace. Perhaps his son would get through to his daughter and the Southern Chieftain did have duties to attend. While propriety dictated he greeted the Fire Lord on arrival, it would not be improper for his children to greet the Fire Nation sovereign.
The Avatar had arrived yesterday on Appa and was having a blast with all the children, showing them airbending tricks. King Bumi had arrived late last night and was catching up with Pakku, both of them rooted in the dealings of the White Lotus. Chief Arnook and King Keui were both scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Once the final delegates arrived the Second Anniversary festivities could begin at the end of the week.
"You don't have to stay. I know you probably want to spend time with Suki," Katara mumbled to her brother. She felt nauseous as she continued to wait for her fiancé. Her nerves were already high without Sokka observing her every move.
"Gran-Gran is altering her dress. And I know I don't have to stay," he replied easily picking up on his sister's nervous energy. He sat back on the steps of the watchtower, leaning back on his arms. "You know, you can talk to me? You keep bottling everything up but you don't have to. We aren't traveling the world anymore, you aren't required to be strong for the others."
"I know," she answered her voice steadier than she felt. She had been thinking a lot about her upcoming marriage. Hearing Mai and Ty Lee outline the duties she would have put things into perspective for the waterbender. "But I'm going to be Fire Lady in six months. And I need to start thinking like a world leader and less like a blushing bride."
"That may be true, but I don't think that's the reason you won't talk to me," Sokka pressed as he looked at her.
He noticed she still had her hair loops in, once Zuko presented her with her betrothal necklace she would have to take them out. Technically she should have done it the moment they got in engaged in Omashu. But the Southern Water Tribe Heir figured she wanted to wait a little longer, the moment the necklace was on her neck she would have to remove them.
"Zuko is your best friend," Katara shrugged lightly. The waterbender heard him make a noncommittal noise. She knew she needed to tell her brother the truth, so with a deep breath she did. "I don't want you telling him anything before I do. And I don't want to put you in an uncomfortable position."
"Katara, you are my baby sister," Sokka stated as he stood, moving to stand behind her. He put a hand on her shoulder. "I would never do that to you, you come first. Now how are you really feeling about everything?"
"I don't really know what I'm feeling honestly," she finally admitted to him after a few minutes. Her eyes never leave the Flagship moving toward them. "It has been a long time since I've seen him, but it doesn't really matter how I feel. In six months he and I will be married." And sharing a bed, she thought to herself.
The Southern Water Tribe Prince stood next to his sister in silence, the two of them watching Zuko's ship approach. The waterbender felt as if the ship was moving too fast and too slow all at the same time. Her stomach was in knots and her palms were sweaty in her mittens. Every sound fell away except the roar of the ship cutting through the water.
Across the water, the Fire Lord felt his nerves spike as the ship glided through the water. His stomach felt like it had dropped, he felt his blood run hot, too hot and his mouth felt dry. He hoped that Katara would meet him at the docks but he was unsure if she would. Zuko had received a letter from his best friend, outlining what was to be expected once he arrived in the South Pole.
Since Katara had not been presented with a betrothal necklace in the Tribe, Sokka had informed his friend that he would have to be seen courting his sister. Even though the marriage contract had been signed, to the Tribe Zuko and Katara would not be seen as engaged until he publicly presented the betrothal necklace.
"Fire Lord, we will be docking momentarily," Jee informed his lord. The admiral knew the young Fire Nation sovereign well, he could see the nerves radiating off the man. It was times like this Jee wished that the Dragon of the West was traveling with them.
"Thank you, Admiral," Zuko nodded to the man standing behind him without really thinking about it. The Fire Lord could see the two figures waiting on the doc, but it was still too difficult to see exactly who was waiting for him from his position on the ship.
The Water Tribe siblings watched the ship pull into the harbor. Sokka could see his sister's shoulders tense up as the ship docked. He could see her breath in the cold air coming in short fast pants. She felt as if someone had taken a hold of her heart and was squeezing it in time with the ship docking. The cold wind of the ocean, that once used to comfort her, felt suffocating.
The tribesman noticed his sister's reaction as the ship docked. He knew she was nervous, but he had never seen her this nervous before. It surprised him that she would feel this way when the man arriving was one of their best friends. Sokka knew things were complicated between the couple, but he hadn't realized how tangled their relationship had become in the last year. The warrior took his sister's hands in his.
"Katara," Sokka pulled his sister out of her anxiety attack. His eyes were on hers, but she was looking anywhere but her brother. "It's going to be okay. It's just Zuko, our friend."
"Right," she nodded at him as she saw the ramp lower. The waterbender took a few deep breaths as she saw her fiancé disembark.
Her first thought was that he looked taller and broader than the last time she saw him. She was sure he stood a good head and a half taller than her now. His hair was tied back and his jaw was more chiseled than the last time she saw him. The firebender's pants stretched across his muscular thighs as he took long strides toward her. Katara could feel her blood run hot through her body and her body's natural lubrication begin to form as she watched the Fire Lord come down the ramp.
Zuko was thrilled to see his betrothed waiting for him on the dock as he walked toward her. As he took the first steps he had to remind himself not to race down the ramp toward her, he took longer slower steps admiring his bride as he move toward her.
The waterbender's cheeks had a healthy rosy color to them from standing out in the cold weather for so long. Her blue eyes shimmered as they roamed up and down his body, causing the Fire Lord to stand a little straighter when he noticed her appraisal. He tried to do the same to her but was disappointed that the parka she wore did not accent her figure the way Fire Nation clothing did. His mind drifted to the last time he had seen her in Fire Nation clothes when he had pinned her on his Flagship almost a year ago.
"Princess Katara," Zuko greeted his fiancé formally but fondly. He leaned toward her as if to give her a hug but resisted the urge. He was unsure how to interact with her and defaulted to the formality he had learned as a child in the Fire Nation Royal Court. "The South Pole looks lovely after the rebuild."
The Southern Water Tribe Princess felt all of her nerves disappear as he spoke. His voice held no malice nor any bitterness, the formal words offset by the friendly tone. The man standing in front of her was her friend, Zuko.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Katara nodded her head at him and matched his tone. Her arms itched to wrap around his torso and hug him. She bit her lip, debating about following through with the action. In turn, she suppressed the urge, "Thank you, I hope you had smooth travels."
"We did," he informed her with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He had hoped she would have hugged him like she had when she saw him at the last summit. "I know the next few weeks are going to be filled with meetings for the anniversary, but I was hoping we could find some time to spend together."
"I would like that very much," she replied smiling sweetly at him. Her fingers rubbed against the ring hidden beneath her mittens. Katara wished she had left the mittens at home, Mai's words coming back to her about how long Zuko had spent etching the dragons on the ring. She wanted to show her betrothed how much she appreciated and liked the ring.
Zuko smiled back at her before turning to greet his friend. "Sokka, it's good to see you."
"Good to see you too, Zuko," Sokka reached for his friend's arm in traditional Water Tribe greeting. The warrior ignored the nervous and tense air coming from the betrothed couple.
"I would like to introduce you both to someone," Zuko began after releasing his friend's arm. He turned and beckoned the woman behind him to come forward. Once she was next to him, he began the introduction, "Sokka, Katara, this is my mother, Lady Ursa."
Katara could instantly see where Azula got her looks from when Ursa step forward and where Zuko inherited some of his mannerisms. The way she titled her head slightly as she observed the world around her and the way she stood. The Water Tribe siblings were eager to meet the woman their friend spoke so highly of.
"I have heard so much about you both," Ursa stated as looked at the Water Tribe siblings. Her first thought was how stunning the waterbender was, she and Zuko would make beautiful children. Her gold eyes turned to the Water Tribe Princess, "I am so thrilled to meet you, especially you Katara."
"I'm so happy to meet you too," Katara began she reached out her hands to greet the Fire Lord's mother, Ursa quickly grasped them in hers. The comforting touch of a mother was not something the waterbender had felt in a long time, the action caused her heart to ache. "Zuko has told me so much about you!"
"I would love the opportunity to spend some time with you, Katara," Ursa said as she looked at her future daughter-in-law. She squeezed the young woman's hands once more before letting go, "I know how hard it was for me to leave my family and become assimilated in Court life. My hope is to make the transition easier for you than it was for me."
The waterbender's eyes filled with tears at the words she just heard. The energy coming off of Ursa reminded the tribeswoman so much of her own mother. The memories of her mother and emotions caused Katara to become overwhelmed by the offer. Couple that with the nerves she had felt earlier, the waterbender's emotions bubbled over. She knew that she and Ursa would become very close.
"Thank you," she whispered before speaking louder, her voice coming out slightly unsteady. Tears trailed down her face, which she quickly brushed away. "I would really like that."
"It's freezing out here," Sokka commented after the emotional moment between his sister and the Fire Lord's mother. For once the young man was not making a joke at a weepy encounter. "We will show you to your rooms, I'm sure you would like to get settled in after the long journey."
The Water Tribe siblings walked the Fire Lord and his mother to one of the canoes that would take them to the palace. If it was just Zuko, they probably would have walked but Lady Ursa being with them the siblings silently decided it would be best to use the canals. It would showcase the South Pole much more beautiful as well as allow her to rest after the long journey.
"The South Pole is beautiful," Ursa complimented as they moved through the city on their way to the Southern Palace. "I've never seen snow like this before, only ever having read about it."
"It's home," Katara replied with a smile as she looked around the city. Pride swelled in her chest at seeing her people thriving, "I'll be sad to leave but I have to say I miss the beaches of the Fire Nation."
"A little hard to surf here," Sokka teased his sister lightly. Zuko joined his friend with a hearty chuckle at the memory of Katara creating an ice surfboard on Ember Island. The firebender would give anything to see her in a bathing suit at this very moment. He knew she would look incredible.
"Just a tad too cold," the waterbender agreed to grin at her brother for breaking the ice. Her betrothed's deep rumbling laughter caused her insides to feel warm and instantly made her blood run hot. She turned to look at him and noticed how his good eye crinkled at the corners as he laughed.
"Somehow I doubt that has stopped you from trying," the firebender drawled as he looked at the lovely waterbender. The two had moved closer in the small canoe, he could almost feel her body heat.
Her blue eyes flashed to his, he could see the slight gleam in them, with one look he felt his arousal spike. She was stunning when she was mad. He had to breathe deeply to stop himself from overheating in his outerwear. Smoke curled around him as he exhaled, he hoped that his friends thought it was because of the cold weather, not his arousal. The Fire Lord just knew she was going to take an opportunity to get back at him for his comment.
"Says the man who swam through the water ducts in the North Pole to capture Aang," his betrothed retaliated her sapphire eyes fiery, her arms crossing as she arched an eyebrow at him. Though the firebender had a feeling, she wasn't finished with him yet.
"You did what?" Sokka faux exclaimed looking at his friend in shock, a hand on his chest in mock indignation. His dramatics are far from believable.
"Sokka, you already knew," Zuko rolled his eyes at the man next to him.
"Well she didn't know that," the Water Tribe Prince snipped at his friend. He might have been overcompensating for the uncomfortable air, but finally, the couple was beginning to act like normal.
"No, she did," Katara rolled her eyes at her brother. Her icy glare now turned to him, "You were the one who made Pakku and I completely redo the ducts to avoid that happening here in the South."
"Zuko?" Ursa looked at her son in shock. She had been observing the reunion in silence but had to question her son. "You didn't tell me that."
"It wasn't my proudest moment," the Fire Lord explained to his mother, he scratched the back of his head. He barely caught the look in the waterbender's eyes.
"Why? Because you tried to capture Aang? Or because you asked for a rematch from a waterbender on a full moon, while standing on a glacier?" The Water Tribe Princess questioned innocently, too innocently. The firebender looked at the waterbender with a raised eyebrow, she flashed him a small smirk.
"I wouldn't get too cocky," Zuko responded with his own smirk toward his betrothed. Unknowingly the two had moved closer together, just whisper away from touching. "I seem to remember winning our match last time. Though if you would like a rematch, I'm sure we can arrange that."
Her eyes narrowed at him. Though she could not help the blood rushing to her cheeks as she remembered being pinned underneath him on the ship. Unknown to her, the firebender across from her was remembering the same moment. They never had the opportunity for their rematch last time the Fire Lord visited the South Pole. The Southern Water Tribe Princess was determined to have it this time.
"You can't have a rematch until Toph gets here," Sokka whined to the couple in front of him. He sounded a little like a disgruntled toddler. The sexual tension was rippling off the couple and the warrior did not need to see them work each other up any more than they already had.
"Toph is coming?" Zuko inquired more to distract himself from his thoughts of Katara pressed beneath him. He leaned a little bit away from her to give himself the distance his body required. "I thought she said she would never come to what did she call it? The arctic wasteland?"
"Yes, Haru finally convinced her to come to the South Pole," the tribesman informed his friend happily. He could feel the sexual tension between his sister and the Fire Lord growing. "Though I think the only reason she agreed was because of my wedding next month."
"Sokka is marrying Suki, the Captain of the Kyoshi Warriors, in about a month," Zuko explained to his mother, turning to make eye contact with her as he did. Both benders forget about their battle as they informed Ursa of the Water Tribe Heir and Kyoshi Warrior's relationship.
"More like six weeks," Katara corrected the firebender, much like she used to during the war. She didn't even notice she had done it. "They have been together since the war, we all knew they would be the first of Team Avatar to get married."
"Team Avatar?" Ursa questioned turning her gold eyes to look at the waterbender. The Fire Lord's mother had been sure to stay quiet most of the ride, choosing to observe her son and his friends instead.
"It's the name we call all of us," Katara answered her future mother-in-law. Blue eyes turned to her fiancé, she began giggling slightly. "Luckily we stuck with that one, you don't want to know all the names we had to veto before we settled on that one."
"For the record, I still think the Gaang and the Boomeraang Squad were fabulous names," Sokka objected with a glare at his sister as he defended himself. His chin titled up as he spoke, arms crossing over his chest.
"Thank Agni, I was not there for that discussion," the firebender shook his head. He wanted to hear Katara laugh some more, it seemed making fun of Sokka's names was the way to go today. "Still can't believe that you nicknamed the most feared assassin in the Fire Nation, Combustion Man."
"That wasn't even the first name for him," Katara giggled as she leaned toward her fiancé as if telling him a secret. The intimate action did not go unnoticed by her brother and Zuko's mother.
"Oh no," Zuko looked at her as he also leaned toward her. He admired the way her blue eyes sparkled against the snowy background of the South Pole. He whispered huskily, "Do I want to know?"
The waterbender giggled and nodded covering her mouth with her hand as she looked up at the firebender through her lashes, "He originally named him, Sparky Sparky Boom Man."
Zuko threw his head back and barked out a laugh as his betrothed giggled along with him. Sokka really had a way with names, he thought to himself. The Fire Lord let his mirth settle as he looked at the Water Tribe Princess. Some of her hair had escaped her braid in the wind, eyes sparkling with laughter, rosy cheeks and nose from the cold. She looked stunning.
"You should not be in charge of naming your future children," the young monarch chortled but never took his eyes off of his betrothed. He wanted to lean forward and capture her lips with his, but instead, he settled for observing the way her nose crinkled as she laughed.
"Hey, boomerang and I were the ones that took him out at the Western Air Temple," Sokka reminded them with a huff. A scowl crossed his face as he recounted the events from a couple of years prior, "After Zuko sent him after us."
The Fire Lord turned toward his fiancé, without thinking he rested his forehead against her shoulder and groaned loudly. He was surprised to feel her lean into him, but was happy that the interaction felt normal. The first normal interaction since before their betrothal. Though he wanted much more from her.
"I'm never going to live that down," he mumbled into the fabric of her parka. His cheeks colored slightly in embarrassment as he remembered his actions before the solar eclipse.
"Probably not," she admitted quietly. Her breathy giggle brushed over his ear as she leaned in to answer him. The waterbender was enjoying the way he pressed into her. His body heat radiated through her parka and warming her.
Lady Ursa observed her son and his friends interact silently. She had seen him with Toph and Aang in the Fire Nation but he always seemed a little more reserved with them. She had attributed it to his station and age though now she was unsure. The way the Water Tribe siblings interacted with him was playful and familiar, while the other members of Team Avatar did the same there was always something holding them back slightly.
The firebender's mother watched in fascination at the interactions between Zuko and Katara. Every move was deliberate but relaxed, intimate even. Ursa felt as if she were intruding on a private moment between the two. The Water Tribe Prince caught her eye and gave her a knowing look, it seemed that the only two people not picking up on the sexual tension were the ones creating it.
Before she could ponder anymore on the couple, the canoe was pulling up to the Southern Water Tribe palace. Zuko gallantly helped the waterbender onto land before helping his mother.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Hakoda greeted his future son-in-law as the party made their way inside. The two men greeted each other in traditional Fire Nation fashion first, then moving to the Water Tribe manner. "Welcome back to the South Pole."
"Thank you Chief Hakoda. I am thrilled to be back," Zuko responded warmly to the man before him. He was surprised to see that he now had a few inches on the chief, though he knew if he ever hurt Katara that few inches would not save him. "Let me introduce my mother, Lady Ursa."
"Chief Hakoda, it's a pleasure to meet you," she greeted the Water Tribe Chief. Ursa stepped forward as she spoke to Hakoda, she was taken back by how familiar he was with her son.
"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Ursa," Hakoda inclined his head in a slight bow. He was thrilled that the firebender had found the older woman. "I wish I could stay to help you settle in but unfortunately I have a meeting to attend. The work of Chief is never done. My suggestion is to rest now, the festivities begin at the end of the week."
After their father left, the Water Tribe siblings escorted the Fire Nation royal family to their rooms. Earlier in the day, Sokka had to remind his sister that she could not be seen entering or exiting Zuko's room. The Water Tribe took virtue very seriously for women, there was already some hesitance among the tribe for the waterbender to be marrying a firebender. The tribesman did not want his sister's name being slandered.
"Sokka, I don't want anyone questioning my virtue," Katara whispered to her brother as they let Zuko settle his mother in quickly before showing him to his room. "Tell him under the new moon, the east wing."
The Water Tribe Heir nodded at her. He was unsure what the message was his sister was sent to her betrothed but he would give it nonetheless. Once she was sure her brother would give the message she left the guest wing of the palace. She did not want to show that she knew where Zuko's room was, if her virtue came into question it could be disastrous for their marriage contract.
"Where did Katara go?" The Fire Lord asked once he was in his room with his friend. He took a seat on the settee across from his bed.
"She didn't want to show that she knew where your room was," Sokka explained to the firebender as he sat adjacent to his friend. "I told you how strict the Water Tribes are with virtue. As I'm sure the Fire Nation is as well."
Zuko nodded before responding, "Right, we do have pretty strict traditions too. I kind of glossed over what was agreed upon with the marriage contract . . . the inspection of the marriage bed I mean."
"Yeah, don't ever mention my sister and marriage bed in the same sentence to me again," Sokka shook his head looking a little green. The tribesman knew that eventually Zuko and Katara would have to be intimate to have an heir. But he did not need or want to hear about it. Maybe he hadn't thought of setting his best friend up with his sister all the way through?
"Sorry, wasn't thinking," the Fire Lord's cheeks pinked when he realized how candidly he had spoken.
Sokka might be his best friend, but he would not be the person Zuko could go to for sex advice considering his lover to be was Sokka's sister. He briefly thought about speaking with his Uncle but that seemed uncomfortable as well. The firebender suspected he could probably speak to one of the guards, maybe Malu or even Jee. He shook his head, seeking sex advice was not something he should be concerned about at this moment. Zuko needed to be focused on wooing, intimacy could come later.
"Okay, well I'm supposed to give you a message," Sokka changed the subject quickly. He did not want to think about Zuko and his sister that way. "Katara said under the new moon, the east wing."
"She said the new moon?" Zuko pressed bracing his palms on his thighs and leaning forward. His brow furrowed, he wanted to make sure the message was correct. Yesterday was the waning crescent moon, which meant she wouldn't meet him for another week!
"That's what she said," Sokka agreed with a shrug as he smoothed out his clothing before standing. "Well, I need to go find Suki. I'll see you at dinner."
"Ugh, how much longer?" Toph complained for the thousandth time as she leaned against Haru on the deck of the ship they were on. They had been traveling for just over two weeks on King Keui's Flagship from Ba Sing Se to the South Pole and Toph had been sick the entire time. Haru had hoped the cool air would have helped his lover's seasickness. But it didn't seem to be doing much in the way of aiding the blind earthbender.
"Only a couple more hours before we arrive at port," Iroh responded as he poured the ginseng tea for himself and Jun. Everyone was surprised when the young bounty hunter agreed to accompany the Dragon of the West to the Peace Summit.
"You've been sick this entire time, Toph. Are you sure it's seasickness? Could it be something else?" Jun asked the fifteen-year-old earthbender. She turned to face the young couple, a worry line appearing on her forehead.
"It's for sure seasickness," Haru declared turning to give the older woman a dirty look at what she insinuated. He did not want his paramour's honor being questioned, especially by the likes of someone like Jun.
"I didn't mean that," the bounty hunter argued with an eye roll. She turned back to face her lover, "I meant she might actually be sick. Maybe she should get checked by the physician once we dock. Even if it is seasickness, she hasn't been able to keep anything down in weeks. That's not good for her health."
In response, Toph vomited into the bucket she was holding. Haru was sure to hold her hair back. He turned to the bounty hunter, "Maybe Katara could take a look, she's the best healer I've ever seen."
"That's a wonderful idea," Iroh agreed instantly before moving to make more tea. He rifled through the endless supply in the tea box he always traveled with until finding the one he was searching for. "And in the meantime, I will make Toph some peppermint tea to settle her stomach."
The blind earthbender leaned back against her partner. Haru pressed a cold compress against her forehead. She turned her head slightly toward Iroh, "I hope that tea helps. I feel like I'm dying."
Half an hour later with peppermint tea in hand, Toph was finally starting to feel a little better.
"We should be docking in the next hour," the captain of the ship informed the group on deck before going back to his duties.
"So why is the Peace Summit in the South Pole? Wasn't it in Omashu last year?" Jun asked the Dragon of the West. She moved the pai sho tile, he had been teaching her how to play the past few months.
"It was decided that the Peace Summit would rotate each year, allowing each nation to showcase their cities," Iroh began explaining to his young lover. He moved his own piece on the board before continuing, "Each economy benefits from the rotation, which has been helping the world stabilize since the war. Plus, I don't think Toph would have come to the South Pole for Sokka's wedding if the Peace Summit wasn't tied to the location."
"Have you told Fire Lord Pouty about us?" Jun asked as she looked down at the board, brow crinkled. Quietly mumbling to herself, "That nickname really doesn't have the same ring to it as Prince Pouty. I need a new one for him."
"I wanted to tell him in person," the old general responded, ignoring her mumbled words. In truth, he found her many nicknames for his nephew amusing. "I hope he arrived already, his mother is supposed to be attending too. She hasn't meant Katara yet."
"Still can't believe this is an arranged marriage," the bounty hunter commented with a shake of her head as she thought over the couple. She knew the banished prince had been enamored with the waterbender the day he showed up with that necklace. "Do you really think they will admit their feelings?"
"Do you want in on the pool?" Toph called from her spot against Haru, she had been blatantly eavesdropping. Her stomach was feeling slightly better from the peppermint tea, but she wanted to keep her movements to a minimum.
"You know it!" Jun agreed as she moved over to the younger woman to discuss the bet that Team Avatar had on when Zuko and Katara would admit their feelings. The pai sho game completely forgotten, "Who's all bet?"
"So many people! Sokka, Suki, Aang, Haru, Mai, Ty Lee," Toph began listing everyone who had placed bets with a toothy grin. She was ecstatic that so many people had been interested, it had made the winnings increase tenfold. "All of Katara's family really and a few others."
"Bumi and I did too," Iroh added with a smile. He knew many of the people in his nephew's life just wanted to see him happy. "Azula wanted in as well."
"Azula?" Jun looked at her partner in shock as he joined her. She had been well versed in the story of the Fire Nation Princess. Both those from the Dragon of the West and from the rest of the world. "I didn't realize betting was her thing."
"I think it's because it has to do with her brother, not necessarily because of the betting," Iroh wrapped an arm around the bounty hunter's waist. He gestured toward the parchment Haru had produced cataloging each wager, "You better place that bet soon, we will be docking any moment now."
Jun and Toph settled her bet, right as the ship docked in the South Pole. King Keui was the first person off the ship as was expected, greeting both the Southern Chief and the Fire Lord formally as they were both waiting for him. Rather, the Chief was awaiting for the Earth King and the Fire Lord for his uncle.
Iroh followed once propriety dictated enough time had passed, the old general quickly embraced his nephew, "Zuko!"
"Hi Uncle," Zuko greeted as he hugged his uncle, inhaling the smell of Iroh. The scent made him feel like a boy all over again. Maybe now that the Dragon of the West was here, he could offer the Fire Lord the advice he needed about wooing his bride.
"Sparky, where's Sugar Queen?" Toph butted in at the reunion causing the two men to release their hold on each other. She was leaning heavily against her partner, who was fussing over her.
"She's at one of the healing huts with Kanna," Zuko informed, ignoring the fact that his friend didn't greet him. "She's helping with a birth. The Tribe has had quite a few since I've arrived."
"Ugh," Toph groaned and leaned further into Haru. He was almost fully sporting her weight.
"Are you okay? You look a little green," the monarch mumbled as he looked at his young friend. He titled his head to get a better look at the Blind Bandit.
"Toph's been having some terrible seasickness," Haru explained to the Fire Lord. He continued to fuss over the young woman, "We were hoping Katara would take a look, make sure it wasn't anything worse."
"Maybe talk to Ty Lee," the Fire Lord suggested with a shrug. He didn't like seeing his friend so miserable. She was not one to show any weakness. For her to be complaining, Toph must have been feeling terrible. "She's not as accomplished as a healer, but her knowledge of the human body is extraordinary. She might be able to help, or you could just wait for Katara."
"I think I'll wait," the Blind Bandit mumbled as she turned her face to press against her lover's chest. "You're gonna have to help me to the house. I can't see on the ice."
Haru wrapped his other arm around Toph to inconspicuously lead her through the frozen terrain. "I got you."
The young Fire Nation sovereign watched them walk for a few minutes, before calling one of his guards over. He quickly asked for his friends to be escorted to their rooms and for someone to alert his betrothed of Toph's illness.
"I hope she feels better soon," Zuko mumbled as he turned back to his uncle. He gestured as he spoke, "You must be freezing, we should get inside."
"Nephew, I have something to tell you," the Dragon of the West began after he had his nephew's attention again. He beckoned Jun forward. "The lovely Miss Jun has agreed to begin courting me!"
Zuko's eyes widened as he looked at his uncle and the bounty hunter. Instantly forgetting about ushering his uncle to the Southern Palace. The young monarch's mind went back to the first day he had met Jun on his ship almost three years ago. Uncle Iroh's flirting and Jun's disgust. Paying Jun to find the Avatar, using Katara's necklace for Nyla to find the scent.
"That's wonderful news, Uncle," Zuko said after a few moments of silence. Finally, he smiled warmly, he was thrilled that Iroh had found someone. "I'm very happy for you."
"Thank you, Zuko!" Iroh hugged his nephew again, squeezing him tightly. The young man's approval meant everything to the Dragon of the West.
"But you have to tell Sokka," the Fire Lord told the bounty hunter with a smirk.
It had been a week since Zuko arrived in the South Pole. He had been pleasantly surprised at how smooth everything was going with the Peace Talks. But he had a feeling that would only last for so long. Tomorrow he had a meeting with Chief Arnook to check on Azula's progress, to say he was nervous would be an understatement.
The Fire Lord was currently sitting on the roof of the Water Tribe palace above the eastern wing, just as Katara had instructed him. He had hardly seen his betrothed since the day he arrived. Sure, he saw her for the formal dinners and breakfast, but they were always situated on opposite ends. Whenever they did see each other propriety dictated they were heavily chaperoned, it hardly allowed for them to connect. It was beginning to take a toll on him.
"Hey," he heard a melodic voice greet him from behind. Turning he saw Katara moving toward him, she was dressed casually.
"Hey," he replied as she sat next to him. A smile graced his face as he looked at the waterbender. His memories didn't do her justice, "Finally alone."
"Yeah," she giggled lightly. She had expected them to have very little alone time. What she hadn't expected was how everyone watched their interactions like a hawk. "I know you probably wanted to talk sooner but I was hoping that after a week people would calm down with the chaperoning. Plus I know my father won't be checking that I'm in my bed tonight. Tui and La! That's not what I meant!" She exclaimed as she realized how her ending words sounded. Her cheeks colored prettily.
"Katara, it's okay," Zuko assured her, he longed to reach out a comforting hand. He knew exactly what she had meant, though he could not help but think of activities that could get them into trouble. "I know what you meant. Sokka explained to me how this would work until I present you with the betrothal necklace."
"Sometimes I speak before I think," she mumbled pulling her knees to her chest. She pressed her face into her legs in embarrassment, before looking up at him with wide blue eyes. "Wait, you are giving me a betrothal necklace? But you gave me the ring."
"Yes," he gave her an odd look. His good eyebrow lifted in confusion, "I thought you knew that? It's in the marriage contract, to observe Water Tribe engagement customs. I wanted to gift you the ring because I wanted you to experience some Fire Nation tradition."
He hoped she would not be able to pick up on the half-truth about the ring. Part of the reason he gifted it was because he wanted her to experience some Fire Nation traditions. Another part did it so she could have her own ring to show off to the women of the royal court. But mostly he did it because he wanted everyone in the Fire Nation and Water Tribe to know she was his.
"Oh, I didn't know," she shrugged looking down at her hand. She twisted the gold circle and watched as the moonlight bounced across the stones. Her heart soared at learning he was gifting her a necklace. She loved her ring, but it still felt a little surreal she was marrying Zuko. The waterbender knew once the necklace was placed around her neck it would feel more real.
The firebender followed her gaze and was thrilled to see the gold wrapped around her finger. He had seen it throughout the week but this was the first time he saw it on her up close and personal. The Fire Lord loved to observe the physical representation of his claim on the Water Tribe Princess.
He watched as she played with her ring. It was clear she did it regularly and he was unsure what that meant. Zuko cleared his throat, to capture her attention before speaking. "One thing we need to discuss immediately is the marriage bed inspection."
It had been on his mind since the day he arrived, they both needed to understand what was expected of them. And they both needed time to come to terms with what would happen in a few short months. There was no time like the present to bring it up.
"Oh," Katara looked anywhere but at Zuko. Her cheeks were flaming and her heartbeat quickened. She chewed on her bottom lip, "How is it done in the Fire Nation?"
"Typically the sheets of a royal are hung on display for the Fire Sages to inspect and the royal council to see," Zuko rushed out with a huff of air. His hands felt sweaty where they rested on his thighs, he rolled his neck.
"I didn't realize the council will also be looking," the Water Tribe Princess whispered as she became fascinated with a loose string on her parka. She didn't know if she could face him. "In the Tribes, it is just the mothers' of the couple along with the High Priest of Tui and Priestess of La who go into the marriage igloo to check."
"Marriage igloo?" The young monarch questioned her softly. He did not know much about Water Tribe marriage customs and traditions. Only what had been included in the marriage contract.
"The Tribe builds a one-room marriage igloo for the couple," Katara explained a small smile gracing her face as she thought over the tradition. Her mind swirled with stories her mother used to tell her about the first night for married couples. "It's to spend their first night as man and wife undisturbed by outside influence."
"That must be really nice," Zuko replied thoughtfully, how he wished to have a room all to himself with Katara. His golden eyes roomed over the wistful smile across his fiancé's face. "In the Fire Nation, we will have servants coming in and out of our bed-chamber constantly throughout the nights."
The two sat in silence as they thought over their wedding night. Each wanted it to be a pleasant experience for the other. Zuko knew that he had enough experience to make it enjoyable for Katara and he was in love with her so he knew no matter what it would be pleasant for him as well. She prayed to Tui and La that she would please her husband well, she had very little experience but hoped he would enjoy it.
The waterbender looked down at the ring on her hand, she had left her mittens in her room so she could clearly see the gold circling her finger.
"Do you think we will be happy?" She whispered as she looked at her ring. The gems caught the moonlight as she looked down. The Water Tribe Princess twisted the ring as she admired it. The jewelry comforting her.
"I know I will do whatever I can to make you happy," he replied easily, truth ringing in his words. His eyes turned to look out at the South Pole. "Though I'm sure there are things we need to talk about. We didn't have a normal courting experience."
"Yeah," the waterbender agreed. Her sapphire eyes followed his, gazing out at the icy ocean. She could see the waves rolling through the waters. "How should we do this?"
"Ember Island question style?" He suggested to his betrothed with a bump to her shoulder from his, breaking the tension. He figured that would be the easiest way to start. Zuko was thrilled to see her positive reaction to his suggestion.
"Okay," she grinned at him. Her blue eyes sparkling, "You first!"
"Well, how many children do you want?" Zuko asked after a moment. He figured this was an easy question to begin with.
"I want at least three, maybe more," she whispered shyly. Katara had always pictured herself with a large family, especially since her's had become so small because of the war. But she wasn't sure how her fiancé would react. "I always wished I had more siblings."
"I wouldn't mind three," he replied easily. He was surprised that she wanted more, it would mean they would have to be intimate frequently. Like her, he had always wanted more siblings. "But I'm open to more."
"How do we want to raise them? They will be half Water Tribe," Katara questioned her hands playing with the end of her braid. Her blue eyes flashed to his briefly. This had been her biggest fear since Mai and Ty Lee had visited. Both had mentioned the possibility of the council denying the throne to a child who was a waterbender.
"I think we can find a balance," the firebender said thoughtfully. He remembered how skewed his education had been, he didn't want that for his children. "They will of course have Fire Nation tutors but if you would like we can have Water Tribe tutors as well."
"I would like them to have a balanced education," the waterbender admitted shyly. Her fears eased slightly. She pushed a little more, "I would also like them each year to spend time here in the South Pole."
"We can make that happen. I want them to also learn a non-bending fighting discipline," Zuko stated his voice deeper as he began his impassioned speech. Gold eyes flamming as he spoke, "I learned dual broad swords, we both know how skilled your brother and Suki are as warriors. Not to mention Mai and Ty Lee. I think it would give them respect for their element to learn a non-bending form."
Katara nodded at his words, she agreed there was a benefit to learning a non-bending discipline. She bit her lip before asking her next question, "Zuko, what happens if our eldest is not a firebender?"
"Honestly? I don't know," he looked out into the distance. It was the question he had hoped she wouldn't ask. He didn't know how to ease her fears, "I know there will be many of the council who would want a firebender on the throne and I don't blame them."
"You would pass over our eldest!" She snapped, her stormy blue eyes flashed to his. The Water Tribe Princess knew that having a waterbender on the Fire Nation throne would probably not be something the council would want. But she couldn't fathom not allowing their child to take the throne.
"Katara, you know it's not that simple," Zuko argued as he looked at her. His eyes met hers as he pleaded for her to understand. "I want to raise all our children in a loving supportive home. Our eldest might turn out to be a firebender or a waterbender. Fuck, they might turn out to be a non-bender or they might not even want the throne. But I don't think it's worth worrying about now."
"You are right," she nodded softly. She did not want to comment on the words he spoke about raising their children in a loving home. Katara was ecstatic that he wanted to raise their children that way, but she did not want to make him uncomfortable by pointing out his words.
"We also need to discuss more practical things," Zuko shifted the conversation when Katara didn't say anything to his loving home comment. He had deliberately placed the word to see her reaction. "Like is there anything you want in our room? What kind of bathing oils do you like? Foods you like or dislike?"
"Oh yeah," she replied thoughtfully, blushing lightly as she thought of sharing a room with the Fire Lord. Her mind traveled to a few of the many erotic dreams he had stared in, she cleared her throat. "I can make a list of things for you."
"That would be most helpful," he nodded to her. They sat in silence again, both thinking over what it would be like to share a room with one another. The young monarch had to remind himself to breathe deeply and distract himself with unpleasant thoughts to calm his body's reaction. He was eager for their wedding night.
"Zuko?" Katara called bringing him out of his thoughts. She thought she noticed steam coming out of his nose but ignored it. "There is one thing, I want to talk to you about. But I don't know how you will feel about it."
"You know you can talk to me about anything," the firebender reassured her. His hand twitched to brush a lock of hair out of her face. He noticed that she was playing with her engagement ring again, it was the fifth time since they were on the roof. It must be a new nervous habit, he thought to himself.
"I don't want you to have a harem," she admitted into the bitterly cold wind her tone matching the weather. The waterbender knew that she shouldn't be asking the Fire Lord to not use his harem, but the thought of him being with anyone else made her blood boil.
"Ah," he mumbled.
He was a little surprised by her request. The Fire Lord had assumed since she was not in love with him that she would encourage him to seek out the harem, only going to her when an heir was needed. He could feel his blood rushing to his groin at the thought of having a regular intimate relationship with his wife.
"In the South, marriage is sacred and adultery is taken very seriously. A woman can be killed for it and a man exiled," the waterbender explained tentatively at first her voice becoming stronger the longer she spoke. Her blue eyes darkened as she turned to look at him. "While I know being Fire Lord means you can have as many concubines as you want, it's not something I am comfortable with. And since I am leaving my home to ensure a peace treaty, I would hope you would have enough respect for me not to partake in such a vile tradition!"
"I would never disrespect you like that," the firebender assured her, he watched as her entire body relaxed. His confidence skyrocketing that she wanted to keep him to herself. He decided to broach the subject of their sex life at a later date. "I won't lie and say I have never been with women and concubines, I am a man. But since our engagement, I have not been with anyone and I have begun working on dismantling the harem. It's not something I want to raise my children with, nor is it something I want the Fire Nation to continue."
"Thank you," she whispered, willing the hot tears that had formed earlier away. The mere thought of her future husband being with another woman caused her an intense amount of jealously, but it was in the past. And she was grateful that he hadn't been with anyone since their engagement.
"It's getting late," Zuko said after a few minutes of silence. He looked over at her, he didn't want to leave but he knew the longer they stayed the more they risked. "We can talk more later. I can escort you back to your room."
"No," Katara shook her head as she stood. She desperately wanted to accept his offer, it wouldn't have been right though. "That wouldn't be proper. I'll leave first, then wait a few minutes before you leave."
"Okay," the Fire Lord nodded as he watched his betrothed climb down the palace walls.
"The Water Tribe will trade the furs to Kyoshi, Omashu, and Ba Sing Se," Hakoda agreed in his meeting with Keui and Bumi. He looked down at the papers in his hands.
"Omashu will trade their winter crops," Bumi negotiated without his signature cackle for once. He grinned, "And jennamite to the Water Tribes! I hear the Fire Nation Princess has a real sweet tooth for it."
"Ba Sing Se will include their production of jewelry and spring crops," Keui continued as the scribe wrote the trade agreements. It had been days of moving through which each nation had a surplus of and what their needs were. Finally, with some finagling, there had been common ground met.
Almost an hour later the agreements were finalized with each party happy with the trade beginning after Water Tribe Heir and Kyoshi Warrior Captain wedding in a few weeks.
"In six months both your children will be married," Keui commented to Hakoda after the scribe left. The Earth King was still apprehensive of the Fire Lord, he would feel much better once the Water Tribe Princess was married.
"Yes," Hakoda nodded his blue eyes focusing on the younger king. It was not lost on him how much Keui and Arnook disliked Zuko. "And while I'm very happy with both of their matches, I wish it wasn't so soon. I missed so much when I was at war."
The Southern Chief had heard many of Earth Kingdom nobles expressing their sympathy to him that his daughter was to marry the Fire Lord. Hakoda wanted to make it known that he was not displeased with the marriage. In fact, he could not think of a better person for Katara. If only the two could see how blatantly they felt for one another.
"They are still your children," Bumi comforted the other leader. He shot a disapproving look toward King Keui. Peace was a delicate relationship, it would do no good to alienate the Water Tribes. "And soon you will have grandchildren to dote on."
"That is true," Hakoda replied with an easy smile. Before he could say anything else they were interrupted by his future son-in-law.
"King Keui, King Bumi, Chief Hakoda," the Fire Lord greeted as he joined the men. He was sure to seat himself away from the Earth King, electing to stay close to the Southern Chieftain. The firebender was anxious for this meeting with the Earth Kings.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Bumi cackled in an unusual greeting. His old eyes were sharp as the youngest monarch took his seat. The old king dove straight into the topic at hand, "Join us, please! I'm sure these men would like to hear your suspicion of Lao."
"You have a suspicion of one of my noblemen?" King Keui questioned, his hands balled into fists on top of the table. His green eyes pierced through his spectacles as he looked over the Fire Nation sovereign.
"I would not call it suspicion as much as I would call it concern," Zuko corrected as he took the tea offered to him by a servant, the movement allowing him an opportunity to think over his words. "Master Beifong is a very good friend of mine and she recently told me some news she had from visiting her family. It made me wary."
"And what did she have to say?" Keui asked, his gaze softening a tad. His back was straight as a rod. Having concern was only mildly better than suspicion, the earthbender thought to himself.
"Her father's business is not doing well," the firebender began to explain after taking a sip of his tea. Though most of his information came from the White Lotus and not Toph, Zuko was sure to be delicate in his explanation. "He profited significantly off of the war and Long Feng when he was in power. Apparently, he supplied goods and services to the Dai Lee. My concern is now that he is no longer in a position to profit off the war, he could decide to make some . . . drastic decisions to fill the gap in his revenue streams."
"There have been some rumblings of that among my court," the young king agreed, he slouched in his seat. His shoulders felt heavy as the weight of a prominent businessman losing his money settled on him. It could destroy the Earth Kingdom's economy single-handedly.
"We have also begun seeing the ramifications of Lao not profiting off the war in Omashu," Bumi added after taking a moment to observe the two younger men. He had done his own research with the White Lotus in his city and the trickle effect of one major family not making as much money was beginning.
"Lao is connected in many businesses and not only in the Earth Kingdom," Zuko continued, he was sure to keep his voice calm and steady. He drew rings along the rim of his teacup as he spoke. "Many of his businesses provide goods and services to the Fire Nation and the Water Tribes. If he loses the ability to fund his business it could be disastrous for the world economy."
"He does seem to have a monopoly of foreign trade," Keui replied thoughtfully. His hand moved to hold his chin as he thought over the new information. "How do you propose we rectify the situation?"
"Well I would be happy to open up other trading agreements with other Earth Kingdom merchants," Zuko suggested looking between Keui and Bumi. He pulled out a scroll detailing ideas on how to create new trading agreements. "Diversify the trade routes."
"What you say has merit, King Bumi and I can create a list of suitable merchants for the Fire Nation to trade with," Keui nodded to the sovereign of the Fire Nation. He noticed the papers filled with ideas, it was the first time the Earth King thought highly of the Fire Nation sovereign.
The Fire Lord and the Earth Kingdom Kings spent the rest of the day ironing out the details to diversify the International trade market. Hopefully saving the world economy from crumbling around them.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Chief Arnook greeted the firebender as he walked into the private sitting room. The Fire Lord stood from his seat extending his arm to properly welcome the older man.
"Chief Arnook, thank you for meeting with me," Zuko nodded to the Northern Chief. He released the other man's arm, taking a seat and gesturing for Arnook to sit across from him. "I was hoping we could have a conversation about the health of my sister."
"Of course," Arnook replied as he took a seat across from the young man. He had been prepared to have this discussion and was briefed thoroughly on the Fire Nation Princess's condition. Even going so far as to bring notes from the healer, "Yagoda has expressed concern that Princess Azula has contradicting opinions on your parents. She hates your father but feels like he is the only one who loves her. Similarly, she desperately loves your mother but feels like she hates her."
Zuko nodded thoughtfully, this was not news to him. Physician Dairin had expressed a similar account. He looked down at his hands as he replied, "I know she suffered greatly at the hands of Ozai and he spent all of her life emotionally abusing her, but I didn't appreciate it until I saw her breakdown."
"She wants to get better," Arnook assured the young man. He was surprised at how much he wanted to comfort the other monarch. "That much is obvious, she has stated multiple times that she wants to get better for you."
"For me?" The Fire Lord looked up in shock, gold eyes wide. He was surprised to hear that his sister's push to get better was tied to him. It was the first time he felt like Azula showed that she cared about him and wanted him in her life. This was leaps and bounds ahead of where she was during the comet.
"Yes," the Northern Chieftain admitted with a questioning look. He thought it would be obvious to the firebender of his sister's motives. "Her main reason for getting better is to be able to return to you, not the Fire Nation. The distinction is very clear, Yagoda says."
"Does Yagoda believe she will be able to return to the Fire Nation?" The Fire Lord questioned after a few minutes. He had hoped his sister would be there for his wedding, but now he wasn't so sure.
"As of right now, no," the tribesman explained with a shake of his head. Having Azula in his country had softened the man to the Fire Nation royal family and given him empathy for Zuko. "Though she believes if the hallucinations have been able to stop, then there is no telling what may happen in the future."
"The hallucinations have stopped? Completely?" Zuko felt his heart beat faster at the news, he did not want to get his hopes up. He knew that even though she was doing better in the Fire Nation, she still suffered from seeing their parents. Azula had never told her brother what the hallucinations entailed but he knew there was nothing positive coming from them. Hearing that they had stopped, allowing the small ember of hope in his belly to flame.
"Yagoda has expressed that the Princess has not had a hallucination in almost six months," the Northern Chief assured him with a small smile. He was thrilled to give some good news to the man. "If she is able to continue without them for at least a year, it's safe to say they would have stopped. Though right now there is concern they might return if she has a breakdown."
"That is very good news," he mumbled as he thought back to his baby sister. She was on the right path for healing. Katara had been right, Azula had needed a waterbending healer.
"She has expressed wanting to attend your wedding but Azula has also become aware enough that she is not in the right mind to travel," Arnook continued to inform him. He looked over the notes he had from Yagoda. "She has expressed wanting to be able to eventually return to be an advisor for Katara, but understands it is most important for her to get healthy."
"Azula has made tremendous progress in the past year," the Fire Lord stated after absorbing all the information. His eyes held a faraway look. "Thank you, I will forever be in debt to you. If the Water Tribe needs anything from the Fire Nation, please let me know."
"There is one thing," Arnook replied thoughtfully after a moment.
"Oh?" The Fire Lord had not expected the Northern Chief to have a request so soon.
"You are not having a Water Tribe wedding, yet I don't think you understand how much your betrothed wants one," the tribesman coaxed the man in front of him. He had overheard the waterbender expressing her desire for a traditional Water Tribe wedding to a friend of hers. "She has already lost her mother, is leaving her home, and now will not be able to have the wedding of her people."
"My hands are tied," Zuko confided sadly. His arms outstretched to demonstrate the action. "The Fire Sages refuse to crown her Fire Lady if we are not married in a traditional Fire Nation wedding. If we had a Water Tribe wedding, she would be crowned Princess Consort and if something happened to me the throne would go to Azula."
"That is troubling," he clucked standing to take his leave. He had much to think over. "I understand the predicament that you are in, but your bride is sacrificing a lot for you and world peace. I suggest finding a way to ease the burden."
"If I could, I would do anything for her to have the wedding she always dreamed of," he confessed to the empty room.
The Fire Lord was lost in thought when his friend entered the sitting room. He wished that he could give Katara the world and he thought he was going to, but now he seemed to realize how important a wedding was to a woman.
"Zuko, man," Sokka called as he sat next to him. "Are you okay?"
The firebender looked up a little startled to see his friend sitting next to him. "Sokka, when did you get here?"
"Like ten minutes ago," he responded looking at him oddly. The firebender was one of the most observant people he knew. Clearly, something was wrong, he knew that Zuko had a meeting with Arnook about Azula and he hoped it was good news. But now he was not so sure.
"I guess I'm a little out of it," the Fire Lord sighed scrubbing a hand over his face harshly. The weight of his impending marriage felt heavy. "Arnook said something that just got me thinking."
"Is it about Azula?" The tribesman asked worry clearly coming across. Originally he had not agreed with Zuko's insistence to help his sister. Sokka thought that she was too far gone, but after a long conversation with Suki, he realized if the roles were reversed he would do anything for his baby sister. The Kyoshi Warrior had a way of showing her betrothed the other side.
"No, she is doing much better," the firebender shook his head. His emotions were conflicting, he was happy about his sister but distressed about his betrothed. "It was actually about your sister."
"Oh?"
"Sokka, is Katara upset that she won't have a Water Tribe wedding?" Zuko finally asked after a few minutes. If anyone knew the answer it would be him.
The Water Tribe Heir did not know how to answer. He could respond honestly and tell him that Katara wanted a Water Tribe wedding, not a Fire Nation one. He could also explain that she was in love with him, but somehow he knew he had to tread softly with this conversation.
"She has expressed that she wishes things could be different," Sokka began hesitantly as he looked across the room. "She has dreamed of a Water Tribe wedding her entire life. But she also dreamed of our mother being there. I don't know if it would make her sadder to have a Water Tribe wedding where mothers are very involved with the brides."
"Does she not want to marry me?" The Fire Lord questioned quickly.
"No, she hasn't said anything to that effect," Sokka shook his head a little too harshly. He promised his sister he wouldn't tell Zuko about her feelings. "I just know she said she wished the man marrying her loved her, which you do."
"But she doesn't know that," Zuko hissed exasperated pinching the bridge of his nose.
"How are you going to hide it? Just spend the next fifty years pretending you aren't in love with the woman in your bed? You wear your heart on your sleeve man! We all know how you feel about her. You might be able to fool your council but you won't be able to fool her," Sokka accused the firebender. Now was not the time to dance around the issue, it was time for a little tough love.
"She doesn't love me," the Fire Lord argued back. His signature temper flaring toward his best friend.
"Fuck man, just tell her how you feel," Sokka command as he noticed Zuko's anger spiked. It reminded him of their disagreements at the Boiling Rock.
"No, at least not now," the firebender stated ignoring his friend. "I will do everything I can to woe her and then maybe one day I will tell her. Maybe one day, she will love me in return."
"You are an idiot," Sokka insisted shaking his head. "You would be saving yourself so much time if you just told her."
"I don't think I would be able to get through my wedding night if she rejected me now," Zuko confided to his friend. "After the wedding, I'll find a way to either make her fall in love with me. Or I'll have to get over my feelings."
"Azula wants to get better," Zuko mumbled to Katara as they sat on the roof. It had been almost two weeks since his conversation with Arnook but he hadn't had the strength to bring it up to Katara until now.
They had been able to find more time to spend together but rarely was it unchaperoned. The only time they were truly alone were the nights on the roof. To avoid suspicion, they only met on the roof every couple of days. Zuko did not want anyone to question Katara's virtue.
"That's good!" Katara exclaimed. She was thrilled that this trip on the roof seemed more normal than the previous ones.
"Yeah, it is," he agreed. "Arnook says that she wants to get better for me."
"Zuko, that is incredible," the waterbender placed her hand on his leg. He looked down and saw her engagement ring sparkling in the moonlight. He had imagined for months how it would look on her hand, the reality looked much better.
"Is it?"
"When you left the Fire Nation on the day of the eclipse, why did you do it?" She questioned him instead of answering. He needed to work this out for himself, but the waterbender could offer a little guidance.
"Because it was the right thing to do," he gave her an odd look. They had had this conversation years before.
"And why else?" She pestered him, she removed her hand to pull her hood over her head. The wind making the roof feel extra cold tonight.
"I wanted to make up for what happened in Ba Sing Se, the look he gave me in the caves. I wanted to make Uncle proud," he finally confessed softly. His eyes squeezed shut at the memory of the look the Dragon of the West had given.
The words he spoke were not news to Katara, the firebender had confessed this same sentiment on another roof over two years ago.
"Exactly," she replied placing her hand back on his leg in a show of comfort. "Azula wants to make you proud, just like you wanted to make him proud."
"I didn't think about it that way, but you are right," he nodded solemnly, doing everything he could not think about his betrothed's hand on his leg. "I've learned so much about my sister through her healing process. Did you know she has a sweet tooth?"
"My interactions with Azula were never positive, so I can honestly say that I did not know that," Katara teased him.
"Right," he chuckled softly, looking at her. "She's obsessed with this hard candy from the Earth Kingdom, it kind of looks like crystal."
"Jennamite?" Katara asked.
"Yes, how did you know?" He gave her a surprised look.
"When we first went to Omashu, Bumi trapped Sokka and me in it," the waterbender explained. "It's also called creeping crystal, it grows around a captive. He did it to trick Aang into solving these ridiculous challenges that finally ended with him asking Aang what his name was. It took a minute, but he finally realized it was his old friend from a hundred years before. Honestly, the whole process seemed odd to just reveal his identity."
"Bumi is a little unorthodox in his methods but there is always a reason for them," Zuko responded with a shrug. He had learned plenty about the secret society since the war had ended. "Typical of the White Louts. I'm sure there was another reason for the challenges than just to reveal his identity."
"He was testing him," Katara whispered in amazement after a few minutes of silence, the answer coming to her immediately. "He knew Aang was the Avatar, every single challenge had to deal with another element besides air. Bumi wanted to see how much he had learned in the last hundred years!"
"For some reason, that doesn't surprise me," the Fire Lord drawled as he looked at his betrothed.
"Sometimes I wish the White Lotus would be more forthcoming than they are," Katara confessed with a small frown, her brow furrowing. "Pakku keeps telling me that our marriage will do wonders for the ages to come. But I have a feeling he knows something we don't."
"Are you ever going to tell me how you learned to waterbend?" Zuko taunted her. "You did say it was a question for the roof. We are on the roof, so I would like to hear the story now."
The Water Tribe Princess gave him a sly look, she pondered the thought of refusing to respond before deciding to give him the answer he so desperately wanted.
"Fine," she moved her hand from his leg to brush the hair out of her face. "I was told that women didn't learn waterbending so I had to learn healing from Yagoda, which I did. Aang decided that he could show me at night what he was learning, but Pakku caught us and he was not pleased."
"Sometimes I wonder if Pakku is ever pleased, he seems to be the grumpiest of all the White Lotus," Zuko interrupted her. "Next to Jeong Jeong of course."
She giggled softly with a nod before continuing. "He ended up telling us how we disrespected him and his culture. Then refused to teach Aang! So I had to go in front of him and the elders of the tribe to beg him to take Aang back as a student. Arnook finally said that Pakku would agree to take Aang back if I swallowed my pride and apologized. The moment I was gearing up to do that, he provoked me. And I snapped."
"Let me guess, he called you a little girl?" Zuko inquired as he looked at her. He knew her better than anyone else, the only way she wouldn't have apologized was if Pakku called her a little girl.
"Yeah," she admitted with a shake of her head. "We fought and I lost, badly. But I kept getting back up, finally, my necklace went flying off. Turns out he and Gran-gran were supposed to be married but she fled to the South Pole. After learning who my grandmother was, he decided to train me."
The Fire Lord had listened to her story and some things just didn't seem to line up, he thought. Why would Kanna leave her home and a man she was to marry all those years ago, but then marry him when he came back into her life? And why would Pakku abandon his tradition to train Katara if she was Kanna's granddaughter? There was a piece missing from this puzzle, he just knew it.
"Bending is hereditary," Zuko commented as he thought over the missing piece. "Do you think he could be your grandfather?"
"What? Of course not," she shook her head. It was clear she thought her betrothed was insane for even mentioning it.
"Are you sure? Your grandmother fled her home because why?" Zuko questioned. "She married Pakku when he came to the South Pole. It wasn't because she didn't love him. You had to have had waterbenders in your family somewhere, your mother wasn't one and I'm assuming her parents weren't either."
"But why wouldn't he tell me," the waterbender pondered.
"I don't know but maybe it's a question for him or your grandmother," Zuko shrugged deep in thought. "I might be wrong, but it does seem a little odd."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask," she mumbled as she looked out at the city.
"We probably should head back inside," Zuko suggested after a few minutes of silence.
"You go, I'm going to sit out here a longer," his betrothed told him. "We probably won't have another chance to be alone together until after the hunting trip."
"That's next week right?" The Fire Lord confirmed.
"Yeah, our parents will go with us," she explained. "It's to show that we can handle hardship in our marriage, it's also to prove that you can provide for me. This is why the necklace gifting is given after."
"Sokka has been explaining to me how the betrothal necklace presenting will happen. It is starting to feel more real," Zuko mused to her before he stood up. "Well, I guess I'll head in."
"Good luck tomorrow with the announcement," she called after him.
"Thanks," he smiled. "Don't stay out too long, wouldn't want you to catch a cold. I'll see you at breakfast."
The Fire Lord left his fiancé sitting on the roof. Things still were slightly uncomfortable between them whenever they spoke about their upcoming marriage, but he had hope that it would one day wouldn't.
"Kanna," Zuko greeted the old woman as he climbed back inside the palace. He was sure to be calm, he and Katara had done nothing wrong. But it was unnerving to see his bride's grandmother waiting for him.
"I trust that Katara's virtue has not been compromised," she spoke boldly and suddenly.
"Of course not," Zuko stated with conviction. "I would never compromise her honor like that, nor disrespect the Water Tribe by violating their customs."
"Come take a walk with me," she ordered the firebender before her. The old tribeswoman turned and began to walk the halls, fully expecting the firebender to follow her. "You confuse me, Fire Lord Zuko."
"I'm sorry?" He questioned, they had been walking for almost ten minutes.
"You love my granddaughter, do you not?" She interrogated him as they continued through the quiet halls of the Southern Palace.
"I do, very much," he replied. He was unsurprised that she was able to pick him so quickly, though he had a feeling that you did not get to Kanna's age without being able to read people.
"And she feels the same," she stated. "Yet, you have not acted on it. Why?"
The Water Tribe woman was confused as to why the young couple had not admitted their feelings for each other. It was clear as day to anyone with eyes how they felt. Each night she waited for them to climb down from the roof to catch them in an act of passion, but they always left separately and forlorn. Tonight, she decided to question the Fire Lord.
"No, she doesn't feel the same," he shook his head suddenly. "Katara is just very kind and a good friend. We have agreed to keep our friendship with our arranged marriage, but she does not love me the way I love her."
The words he spoke felt bitter and metallic in his mouth as they left. The Fire Lord desperately wanted to have a loving relationship with his wife. But sadly, anytime he tried to broach the conversation she shut him down. The kiss they had shared two years ago was proof enough that Katara did not feel for him the same way. If she had, she wouldn't pretend it didn't happen.
Kanna made a nondescript noise in the back of her throat. "I worry about my granddaughter being alone in the Fire Nation."
"I have told her and Chief Hakoda that your family is more than welcome to visit at any time," he tried to reassure her. "I know it seems like she will be alone but she does have friends in the Fire Nation. Mai and Ty Lee, I know have gotten very close with her since arriving in the South Pole."
"Yes," Kanna nodded. "She has taken a liking to the young women. Katara mentioned they will be a part of her advisors when she is crowned."
"That is correct," he informed Kanna. "As will my sister once she is able to take up her responsibilities as Princess again."
"Yagoda is my oldest friend," the old woman mentioned, her eyes boring into the Fire Lord's. "She has written to me about your sister and the illness of her mind that plagues her. Princess Azula seems to be under the impression your mother not only disproves but despises her."
"Ozai did a wonderful job of isolating her and abusing her," the Fire Lord sighed sadly. "I wish there was something I could do to shower how much mother cares for her."
"Your mother and I have had many conversations over the past few weeks," Kanna confessed. "She has spoken much about your sister and how deeply she loves her. Perhaps the best help would be to send her to the North Pole."
"At the end of the war, I called a meeting with Avatar Aang," the Fire Lord began his announcement in front of the other world leaders. "There were records in the Fire Nation Royal Library indicating that there could be Air Nomads in hiding across the world. Avatar Aang," he gestured to his friend to continue as he sat down.
Zuko had spent almost an hour with Kanna the night before. She was able to give him a much deeper insight into Azula's healing process considering her oldest friend was the healer. He had to agree that sending his mother to the North Pole had some merit. Azula needed to see how much Ursa loved her so she could finish fighting the battle in her mind. But he wasn't sure if she would be able to handle the shock of seeing Ursa after all these years.
Early this morning, after much prompting from Katara at breakfast, he had written a letter to Yagoda. He had questions that needed answering and she was the only person who could give them.
Aang stood and took over the announcement, "Fire Lord Zuko has given me and a few trusted members access to the Royal Library to investigate. By our estimates, we believe a few hundred Air Nomads were able to escape the genocide — potentially more. The Fire Lord has generously offered to help fund my search for Air Nomads and restore the Air Temples. Now I would like to ask all of you for your help."
Hakoda and Arnook stood together after a brief look. "The Water Tribes will gladly extend their help," the Southern Chief stated formally.
"You have my support from afar Aang, but I don't have the resources to help with this right now," Bumi cackled from his spot. "Though airbenders may be closer than you think, stop looking where they want you to and go back to the beginning."
There was something about what Bumi said that caused goosebumps to line the Avatar's entire body. He felt like he was back in Omashu when he learned that Bumi was alive. The King was saying something without saying it. And it unnerved him.
"I understand King Bumi," Aang replied diplomatically. "I know that Omashu has been overrun with the return of soldiers and its resources are stretched thin."
"The Earth Kingdom will gladly help to restore balance to the world," Keui stated after Aang stared at his friend too long.
"Thank you King Keui," the Avatar nodded to the Earth King as well as the other leaders before everyone took their seats again.
"If there is no more business to attend for the day, I must excuse myself as I have a meeting with my bride and my mother to attend," Zuko stated waiting for the approval of his dismissal before leaving.
The Fire Lord made his way quickly through the halls in search of his mother and Katara. He heard their voices and decided to stand back a minute, it sounded as if they were speaking about him. He didn't want to eavesdrop, but he wanted them to have a close relationship.
Zuko hesitated before deciding he would come back to the sitting room in a few minutes, as much as he wanted to hear what they were saying about him, he knew better. The two women needed time without him. Turning on his heel, he decided to write a letter to his Uncle before joining them.
"When we first met Zuko, I never would have thought he would turn into the man he is today," Katara admitted to Ursa as the two had tea. Zuko was supposed to join them after his meeting.
"Iroh has explained to me how angry he was then," Ursa sighed as she placed her tea on the table in front of her. "If I would have known my disappearance would have caused him so much pain, I would have taken my children with me."
She would forever regret not taking her children with her when she fled the palace. Both of them had suffered greatly at the hands of Ozai, if she had known she never would have left them. Ursa would never forgive herself for letting her children experience the abuse of Ozai.
"He wouldn't be the man he is today if he hadn't gone through what he did," the waterbender soothed her future mother-in-law. "He is a better man and leader for it."
"Thank you, Katara," Ursa said reaching her hand out to the young woman who quickly grasped it. "I can understand why my son has fallen so hard for you."
"Oh!" The Water Tribe Princess jerked her hand back in surprise. "No, you are mistaken. He doesn't feel that way towards me, we are just good friends. This an arranged marriage for peace treaties."
"I hadn't realized," Ursa lied hoping Katara would admit her feelings. "My son has been very tight-lipped about the whole ordeal. I had assumed he was marrying for love, he speaks so highly of you."
Ursa of course knew all of this, but she also knew of Zuko's true feelings for the waterbender. And after spending the last few weeks observing the couple, she had a feeling that Katara had feelings for her son. Her reaction to Ursa's comment about Zuko falling for her solidified the Fire Nation woman's opinion on the matter.
"We are very good friends," the waterbender blushed. "He doesn't have any romantic interest in me and he probably never will. But we both fought for the end of the war and vowed to do everything in our power to assist the world peace we created."
"How very honorable of you both," The Fire Lord's mother stated softly.
Katara looked anywhere but the woman in front of her. She didn't feel very honorable, in fact, she felt almost guilty and slightly selfish. It was clear to her that Zuko did not love her but she was trapping him into an arranged marriage for world peace. Along with that, she begged him to dismantle his harem, even though she knew he did not want her.
Yes, the Water Tribe Princess felt very selfish.
Notes:
How are we all feeling? What are our thoughts? Would love to hear them!
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See you January 25th, 2022 :)
Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: Fall 103 AG
Notes:
Hello! Hello!
I know this update is coming later than originally planned, but unfortunately, life got away from me. And we are here now with our next chapter :)
Thank you to everyone for waiting patiently. Also thank you to everyone who added this story to their bookmarks/subscribed, as well as those who left a comment. I so appreciate the support :)
Please forgive all mistakes, I do my best but don't always catch all of them until later. I hope you all enjoy it!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Ten: Fall 103 AG
"You ready for this?" Sokka asked his sister from his spot leaning against her doorframe. She was in her room packing her bag for the ceremonial hunting trip with Zuko. Her brother had assumed she would need some support so he had joined her while she packed. But the stubborn waterbender had ignored her brother almost the entire time he had been there.
"I guess so," Katara mumbled as she finished packing her things. She was supposed to meet Zuko in a half hour. She took a look around her room to double-check that she had everything she needed. Her eyes fell to the ring on her hand.
She had debated about not wearing her ring for the trip but decided she wanted to show her fiancé how much she loved it. Katara had slipped off her mother's necklace the day before, her father pointing out that the tribe needed to see her without it before Zuko presented her with a new one. Her neck felt bare without it.
"You both will do fine," Sokka assured her as she swung her bag onto her shoulder. He took in her tense form and noticed how her hand went to touch the vacant necklace on her neck. She was more nervous than she was letting on, "It's only three days, we've camped in much worse conditions than this."
"Yeah that's true," she nodded at him absently as she followed him out the door. The two siblings walked through the halls in silence for a few minutes.
"Plus, you will have Dad and Ursa with you too," her brother reminded her as they made their way outside. Tradition dictated that the bride's father and groom's mother attended the hunting trip. Her father was to come to protect her virtue and asses if her future husband could provide for her. Ursa was to come to be sure that Katara could make a good home for her husband.
"Did I tell you that she thought he had feelings for me?" The waterbender inquired as they began walking to the city center, where the tribe would see her and her groom off. She twisted her engagement ring on her finger, her mind was a million miles away.
"No," Sokka shook his head. He was sure to not look at her as he spoke. It was killing him to keep a secret this big, but he would heed Suki's advice and let them figure it out on their own. He cleared his throat, "When did she tell you this?"
"A week ago maybe," Katara shrugged nonchalantly. She pulled the strap of her bag tighter on her shoulder. Her eyes took in the crowds of people awaiting their approach, her nerves increasing. Not wanting to be overheard she mumbled, "I guess he didn't tell her that this was an arranged marriage. She seemed surprised, though I'm sure there was so much to fill her in on."
The two siblings walked the rest of the way in silence, both acutely aware of the tribesmen and women who were watching them. While many of the tribe had heard the news of Katara's marriage, most chose not to believe it was true until the engagement rituals took place. Today was the first of many, naturally, the entire tribe wanted to witness her departure with the Fire Lord. It unnerved the Water Tribe Princess to have such a large audience for the ceremony, seeing the crowds caused her stomach to churn unpleasantly.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Lady Ursa," Katara greeted her future husband and mother-in-law with a nod as she went to stand next to her father. It was still incredibly uncomfortable to be so formal with the firebender.
"Princess Katara," Zuko nodded back he noticed she looked a little green. He wanted to reassure her but now wasn't the proper time or place. The firebender turned to Hakoda reciting the words Sokka had instructed. His voice was steady as it rang out across the masses. "Chief Hakoda, I wish to ask for Princess Katara's hand in marriage and am prepared to show that I am able to provide for her."
"I accept your request Fire Lord Zuko, and have no doubt that my daughter will be a good wife to you," the Southern Chieftain responded before turning to his daughter and nodding for her. He knew this was just a formality for his people, marriage contracts had been signed as had peace treaties. But with this trip, made the engagement real to the tribesman.
The waterbender took a deep breath to settle her stomach. In the Northern Tribe, if a father accepted the proposal there was nothing a woman could do. In the South, it was expected for the daughter to extend the invitation for the hunting trip to the warrior asking for her hand. This allowed the woman a choice and one Katara was very grateful for, she wanted her people to see she was asking Zuko of her own will.
"Fire Lord Zuko, would you and your mother be so kind to accompany my father and me on a hunt to show not only your ability to provide but my ability to curate a home?" She invited him, her voice steady and even. As the woman, Katara was expected to showcase her skill in being a good wife. The hunting trip allowed the potential couple to see how well they worked together under difficult conditions.
"Thank you, Princess Katara," Zuko responded after a nod from his mother. He was doing his best to remember all the traditions set forth by the Water Tribe. "My mother and I gladly accept your invitation."
"Let us depart," Hakoda commanded, his acceptance not leaving anyone a chance to object to the match. Within seconds the couple was on their way out of the city with their parents close behind them.
Aang and Sokka watched as the couple began their journey. This trip would either make or break the two benders. The Avatar could feel the current running through the snowy terrain, he held his breath. His last thought was if this ended with fire and ice, it would be his fault.
The Fire Lord and Water Tribe Princess had been traveling for about half a day when they settled on a spot to make camp. Both parents were thrilled to see how the two benders worked together to scout a location and create two temporary igloos. It was decided that Hakoda and Zuko would share one, while Ursa and Katara shared the other. Camp had been set up within an hour of them picking their location.
"Feels a little like old times," Katara commented as Zuko and she worked. The two were able to work without the need for much instruction, both had camped many times before and knew exactly what needed to happen. Coupled with having camped together prior, they knew the other's strengths and catered to them. It was a delicate dance they operated together.
"If you really want it to feel like old times, I could chase you around for a while and try to capture you," Zuko felt a small smirk crossed his face as he recited the infamous words to his bride. He waited patiently for her reaction, desperately hoping it would be different. The firebender knew that she would either find it funny or it would ruin their already rocky truce. It was a risk he was willing to take.
"More like pester me for information on Aang," she replied dryly. His heart sunk thinking his words had enlisted a similar reaction but after a moment he caught her biting her bottom lip.
This time Katara was trying to disguise her mirth but one look from him and she caved in to the humor. His betrothed laughed and not a small giggle but a full belly laugh. He was pleasantly surprised by her reaction. The waterbender's mirth initiating his own. Zuko's rumbling laughter soon followed her's and before they knew it the couple was bent over clutching their stomachs in hilarity.
Both parents looked over at the couple from a hundred feet away.
"They are good together," Ursa commented as they watched the two laugh. A small content smile graced her face. She was thrilled to see her son experience joy, it was a rarity in his life.
"If only they would admit their feelings to one another," Hakoda agreed as he continued to watch his daughter. He could see the under a layer of sadness at hiding her feelings, he didn't want her to spend the rest of her life loving a man who she thought didn't return the affection.
"So she does have feelings for him?" The Fire Lord's mother inquired turning to look at the chieftain. This was the first time she would get actual confirmation about the waterbender's feelings for her son.
"She does," he confirmed quietly not bothering to look at Ursa as he spoke. The Southern Chief watched as his daughter threw a snowball at her fiancé and laughed at the surprised reaction from the firebender. If you didn't know about their titles or arranged marriage, one would say they looked like any young couple in love playing in the snow.
Zuko tried to throw a snowball back but his overheated skin kept melting the snow before it could fully form. Katara kept pelting snow at him while he worked, he didn't think it was fair considering she was a waterbender and was using her bending to make the snowballs. Finally, the Fire Lord had enough, he ran toward his bride tackling her to the ground. Shaking his wet hair in her face as he pinned her to the ground.
Hakoda could hear his daughter's squeals of laughter carry across through the snowy terrain. And while most would have disapproved of the roughhousing between the couple, he was ecstatic about it. It was natural for them and he enjoyed seeing it.
"Are you going to tell me that you will save me from the pirates?" Katara asked through her laughs as Zuko pinned her to the ground. He let out a throaty chuckle that wrapped around her. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, her sapphire eyes smoldering in the late sun.
Zuko watched his fiancé squirm and writhe underneath him. His mind played back to the day she was referring to. He wouldn't mind tying her up again but this time he wouldn't want to interrogate her, he thought to himself briefly.
Unfortunately for the young firebender, his mind was not the only thing that remembered that day. His body instantly reacted to the image he had of tying her to the tree. He could feel every ridge of her body against his, even through the thick parkas they both wore.
The waterbender watched as his face contorted and he licked his lips as he pressed into her. She could feel his entire weight on top of her. Katara wished that he could stay on top of her forever. Suddenly, he leapt off of her and turned so she faced his back.
"We should finish setting up camp," Zuko stated his voice was strained as he willed his body to settle. He was looking anywhere but at his bride-to-be. He knew if he stayed pressed against her, she would feel the physical representation of his attraction. The young man thought of anything and everything to will his body down, finally what worked was picturing his uncle naked. He shuddered at the thought.
Ursa and Hakoda exchanged a worried look before joining their children. The Fire Lord's mother moving toward her future daughter-in-law and the Southern Chief moving to speak with the Fire Lord.
"Zuko, why don't you come help me?" Hakoda placed a hand on the firebender's shoulder. He immediately began steering the young man toward the igloo the two men would be sharing.
"Uh, yes," he nodded as he followed his future father-in-law.
"Something tells me that your reaction to falling on my daughter was not exactly innocent," Hakoda stated as he looked at Zuko. His arms crossed over his chest as he looked at the young monarch.
The firebender looked down suddenly and was happy to see that there was no evidence of his arousal. Yet, he was confused by Hakoda's remarks. "I'm sorry?"
"I may be her father, but I'm still a man and I was a young man once," Hakoda chortled at Zuko's reaction. And hid his laugh behind a cough when he saw the firebender briefly look down his torso. The tribesman was enjoying the discomfort that the firebender was displaying.
"Excuse me?" Zuko looked at the chieftain in slight horror.
"All I'm saying is if you won't admit your feelings to her, you should probably keep the falling on top of her to a minimum," Hakoda continued acutely aware of how uncomfortable the young man was.
"Yes, Sir," the Fire Lord looked anywhere but at the Chieftain. He cleared his throat before changing the subject. "Sokka informed me about the hunting trip. He said there were a few different animals that were acceptable. A puffin-seal, an arctic hippo, and a polar leopard?"
"That is correct," Hakoda nodded at the firebender. The Southern Chief pointed to the different directions as he spoke, "About an hour walk west of here, we will reach the water so you can have an opportunity for either the puffin-seal or an arctic hippo. An hour and a half walk south of here will lead us toward the polar leopards."
"Do either of the animals mean something?" Zuko questioned as he rocked back on his feet. He wanted to be sure he did everything right for the waterbender, "Like is it more impressive to kill a polar leopard or an arctic hippo? I know she is sacrificing so much, the least I can do is hunt the right animal."
"A polar leopard would be most impressive since they are the most violent," the tribesmen responded thoughtfully. It was not lost on him that the young monarch wanted to showcase well for Katara. "Sokka would say a puffin-seal would be best since the meat is made into sausages and jerky that will last during the polar nights. An arctic hippo is the same. But really it is not about being impressive as keeping the task at hand."
The Fire Nation sovereign nodded, lost in thought. He wanted to prove to the Water Tribe Princess that he was an impressive match for her. And the firebender knew it wouldn't hurt his wooing attempts of the waterbender to impress her with his hunting skill. He was interrupted by his bride coming toward them.
"It's getting late," Katara called out to the two men as she approached them. She noticed how on edge her betrothed was, she wasn't sure anyone else would be able to pick up the tense body language. "Zuko could you make a fire?"
"Certainly," he responded moving toward the fire pit they had created earlier. With a quick snap of his fingers, there was a fire roaring before them.
"Zuko, I have moved my things into the igloo with Katara," Ursa informed her son as they all gathered to sit around the fire. "It will give her and me an opportunity to get to know each other a little better. Hakoda, I hope you don't mind sharing with my son."
"Of course not," the tribesman shook his head before looking steadily at the Fire Lord. "It will give us an opportunity to get to know each other better. Now, Ursa and I will be here for help, but the point of this exercise is to see if you two work well together."
"I know Dad," Katara rolled her eyes at him as she began cooking dinner. This was something he kept reminding the couple. "It's not as if we haven't worked together before, we both took down his crazy sister. I think we can work together fine."
"Crazy sister," Zuko mumbled echoing his betrothed's words. The words were quietly swallowed by the wind, but Katara heard them as if he shouted them.
Her stomach dropped as she watched his aloof reaction. It reminded her of their interaction in the caves of Ba Sing Se before Iroh and Aang busted in to rescue them. His tone sounded the exact same when he mumbled the words "my face," all those years ago.
The waterbender's head snapped up for her eyes to meet her fiancé's, "Zuko, I didn't mean that!"
"I know what you meant," he replied brushing her off a scowl forming on his face. Their parents exchanged a look, not sure what had happened.
From that point on every interaction during the hunting trip between the couple was forced and uncomfortable. Both of them felt like they were back at the Western Air Temple. Only this time there was no life-changing field trip to break the awkward energy. Instead, it grew to a stifling level.
Leaving both to wonder if their relationship would ever be the same again.
"Zuko did a good job," Bato murmured as he cuddled his lover close to him before he placed a light kiss on the other man's temple. The two had just spent the past couple of hours becoming intimately reacquainted.
The Southern Chief had returned from the hunting trip earlier in the day. The Fire Lord had surprised the entire tribe by bringing back a polar leopard and a puffin-seal from the hunting trip. Katara having helped skin the animals and prepared the meats for the winter. According to the Southern Water Tribe, both had been successful on the hunting trip and now all that was left was the betrothal necklace ceremony.
"Yes, he did," Hakoda snuggled deeper into Bato's arms. The chieftain was incredibly happy laying in the warrior's embrace.
"Though they didn't seem happy when they arrived back," the warrior commented softly. His hand intimately stroked up and down his beloved's body. "Did something happen between the two?"
"Something did, but it's hard to say what exactly," the chieftain confirmed with a sad nod. His eyes closed as he settled into the loving embrace. "One minute they were playing in the snow, the next the air was uncomfortable."
"Unresolved sexual tension?" Bato questioned, his movements stopping as he spoke.
"I mean that was there too, but no," Hakoda shook his head. He didn't know how to explain what exactly happened, he wasn't sure himself. "That wasn't what was making the situation uncomfortable."
The two benders had worked beautifully together, they knew each other well and went right back into their roles when they were on Ember Island. Because they knew each other so well, they hardly needed to speak. The couple only said a handful of words to one another the rest of the trip.
Ursa and Hakoda watched in silent amazement as the two just moved as one unit. Yet it was unsettling, normally a couple working this well together would have been enjoyable to watch. These two were anything but enjoyable to observe.
Both parents could not understand what happened between the young couple. The trip had started beautifully with their children playing in the snow. But sometime during the snowball fight and dinner, the air had shifted.
"Do you think they will be able to work through their issues before the ceremony tomorrow?" The warrior asked his chief, his fingertips gliding up and down his chief's arm. He desperately wanted to take all the worries away from the man he was holding.
"I doubt it, they are both entirely too headstrong," the chieftain turned in his lover's arms, eyes opening to meet Bato's. "She's a young woman now and tomorrow in the eyes of the Tribe she will be engaged. I'm losing my little tiger seal."
"She left her home at fourteen to fight in a war that wasn't hers, she is a master waterbender, and helped end the hundred-year war," the tribesman stroked Hakoda's hair back fondly. "She's not a little girl anymore, Koda."
"I know," the Southern Chief replied dejectedly. His heart ached for his dead wife, "I wish Kya was here to see it."
"She's here in spirit," Bato comforted him with a quick kiss. He knew how difficult it was for his lover to see his children grow up without their mother. "You should get some sleep, it's a big day tomorrow."
Hakoda nodded, shifting a little to be in a more comfortable position. His head rested on the taller man's chest. Both fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
Across the tribe, Katara sat in her room looking out at the view of the tribe from the window silently thinking over the last few days. She didn't know what had caused Zuko to go from her playful friend to a rigid man. His reaction when he jumped off of her reminded her of who he was before he joined Team Avatar. But she did know what caused his reaction to her comment about his sister. And she felt terrible the moment the words were out of his mouth.
"Katara?" Suki called as she knocked before peeking her head into the room. "Can I come in?"
"Yes," the waterbender responded not even turning to look at the Kyoshi Warrior.
She wanted to be alone and didn't want to be alone all at the same time. Her mind was riddled with the hunting trip and ceremony happening tomorrow. Sadly, the only person she wanted to see was only speaking to her if it was absolutely necessary. Katara could count on one hand the number of times Zuko started a conversation with her during the hunting trip.
Suki entered quietly and joined her future sister-in-law at the window. "Do you want to talk about it or let it eat at you until you blow up at Zuko again?"
"I'm not going to blow up at Zuko," she grumbled stubbornly a pout forming. And while she really did believe that. The waterbender didn't know that in the weeks to come she would have let her emotions fester causing an explosive reaction to rival the one before the comet.
"Okay," Suki replied drawing out the word. She was quiet for a moment before continuing, "I know tomorrow isn't necessarily as exciting as you want it to be, given the circumstances of your marriage. But it is a big day for you."
"Yeah and honestly all I want right now is my mom," the Water Tribe Princess whispered with tears streaming down her face. Her hand went to her neck to touch where her mother's necklace had spent the last decade, only to find it gone. Her eyes moved across to her bedside table, catching sight of the bluestone where it lay.
Suki wrapped an arm around the younger woman, she knew how much the Water Tribe siblings were struggling without their mother around.
"I can't imagine the pain you are going through, not having your mother here for such an important occasion," the Kyoshi Warrior began softly. Her voice was soothing as she spoke, offering comfort in the way she knew how. "I want you to know, I'm here for you. And I'll be whatever you need these next few days."
Katara rested her head against Suki's shoulder, eyes closed as she leaned into the embrace. "Thank you."
An hour later, the Kyoshi Warrior was able to coax the waterbender into bed. Leaving her almost sister to sleep in hopefully peace, before she became officially engaged in the eyes of her tribe.
"Suki, is she okay?" Sokka asked as he intercepted his fiancé on the way back to her room. He had asked her to check on Katara, he knew something was wrong. But he suspected his sister would prefer a woman to speak to than him, and he had been right.
"She's missing your mom," she replied as she slid into his arms. His body heating warming her, she was still getting used to the constant chill that ran through the Southern Palace. "Though something happened between her and Zuko during their trip. She wouldn't tell me, but I could sense it when they came back."
"I could too," the Water Tribe Prince agreed with a nod. He pulled his betrothed closer to him, "I wanted to speak with him today, but he's held up in his room doing Fire Lord duties. I thought I could corner him while he trained tomorrow morning."
"I really hope they can make this marriage work," she murmured as she rested her head against his chest. He stood a foot taller than her now, but he still reminded her of the goofy fifteen-year-old she ambushed on the beach.
"Three more weeks and I get to marry you," he whispered as he kissed the top of her head.
"We should probably get to bed," the Kyoshi Warrior told him after a few minutes. As much as she wanted to stay in his arms, she knew that Kanna would be seeking them out. "It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
Sokka nodded before he walked his bride-to-be to her room, with a soft kiss and whispered goodnights he left her alone. Counting the days until they would no longer sleep separately.
As the Water Tribe Prince slipped into bed that night, he couldn't help but think he was responsible for the mess between his sister and best friend.
Zuko was in the arena practicing his firebending when Sokka found him. The firebender's shirt had been long gone and he was dripping in sweat from the practice. The tribesman hadn't seen his friend practice this hard since Ember Island.
The Fire Lord roared loudly, fire-spewing from his mouth in a display similar to the Dragon of the West.
"He isn't okay," a voice said next to the Water Tribe Heir. He turned to see Aang standing next to him.
"No, he isn't," Sokka shook his head as he looked back at his firebending friend. The tribesman sighed heavily, maybe pushing an arranged marriage wasn't the best idea.
"There's only one other person who can do that," Aang mumbled as he watched Zuko roar again and if possible, even more fire came out as he did. "And honestly, I think Sifu Hotman over there might be better than the Dragon of the West at it now."
"Something happened on the hunting trip," Sokka informed the airbender quietly, not wanting to alert the firebender of their presence. "I don't know what, but it's affecting both of them."
"Something has been wrong for almost two weeks now," Aang mumbled. "The hunting trip just exasperated the issue."
The two men watched their friend train in silence. Both were feeling extremely guilty for forcing the Fire Lord and the Water Tribe Princess into an arranged marriage.
There was nothing they could do about the marriage now, all they could do was try their best to help bring the couple together. Someone had to admit their feelings first, the logical choice was Katara. But she was being very stubborn about the entire thing. The only option was Zuko, he wore his heart on his sleeve. The only issue was the waterbender being too obtuse to notice.
"Are you both just going to stand there or are you going to help me train?" Zuko finally asked his friends, his back to the two of them. Both jerking in surprise at being noticed, though they shouldn't have been. The Fire Lord was an excellent observer.
"Avatar first," Sokka gestured for Aang to head into the arena first. Zuko was still bending and there was no way the tribesman was heading in there until the firebender was ready to bring out the dual broadswords.
Aang sighed as he went into the arena. He had a feeling this was going to be a difficult sparring session.
Sokka watched as his two friends battled in the arena. He could easily see how hard Aang was trying against Zuko. But the avatar was being overpowered by his friend. The firebender was clearly upset and taking it out on his friend. Finally, Aang flagged surrendering to Zuko.
The Fire Lord backed off and went to grab his swords. The Water Tribe Prince quickly followed with his own sword, as the Avatar walked back toward the palace. All Aang wanted to do was collapse next to Appa, he was exhausted from sparring with the firebender.
"Where did you get that?" Zuko asked with a nod as he noticed Sokka's signature space sword that was thought to be lost after the comet.
"Toph and Haru found it in Ba Sing Se," Sokka explained as he held his sword out in front of him. "It was an early wedding present."
The two battled for almost an hour, neither being able to get the upper hand before finally, they ended their sparring match. The Water Tribe Heir sat in the stands leaning back as the Fire Lord dried the sweat off his face with a towel in front of his friend. The two young men were silently staring at each other, both waiting for the other to break.
"What happened on the hunting trip?" Sokka finally questioned his friend. There was no point trying to be subtle, the firebender would have seen right through it. If the warrior wanted answers, he needed to be straightforward.
"I don't want to talk about it, I can't talk about it," Zuko replied looking anywhere than at the tribesman. His thoughts were plagued with images of Katara beneath him. And Zuko knew that he couldn't tell his friend that.
"Why don't you try?" The warrior pushed his future brother-in-law. His brow furrowed as he stared at the monarch.
"You don't want to hear it," Zuko gave him a loaded look which Sokka interrupted correctly.
A shudder ran through the Water Tribe Prince. He looked anywhere but at the firebender. Sokka swallowed twice before he looked back at Zuko. The words came out of his mouth before he could really think through them. "You can tell me anything right now, and I'll forget she's my sister."
The Fire Lord looked at his friend briefly, he debated about talking to Sokka about everything that was going on. Agni knew he couldn't talk to Aang and he would die before he talked to his Uncle about his predicament. "No, that's okay. She and I will figure things out," he responded instead.
"Okay," Sokka let out a puff of air in sweet relief. He would have listened to Zuko, but he was glad he did not have to. The last thing he wanted to hear was about the firebender's attraction to his sister.
"I need to go get cleaned up," the Fire Lord stated suddenly as he put his shirt back on. He needed to be far away from the interrogation his friend was trying to build up the courage to start. "I need to be ready for the ceremony in an hour."
"Yeah," Sokka nodded while he stood, the disappointment evident in his tone. He was hoping to continue questioning his friend. The two men walked together in silence to the Southern Palace before going their separate ways to get ready for the betrothal necklace ceremony.
Across the building, Katara sat at her dressing table looking at her reflection. Her stomach felt heavy as she thought about the day that lay ahead of her. She picked up the brush next to her and began the tedious process of controlling her loose curls. In the corner of her eye she caught sight of the blue beads she would use to string into her hair loops and for the first time since Yon Rha, she wanted to cry over her mother.
A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts. Brushing back the tears that had fallen she called for whoever knocked to enter.
"My little waterbender," Gran-Gran whispered as she moved toward the young woman, the tears not going unnoticed. She stood behind her granddaughter meeting her eyes in the mirror, "Today is a joyous day."
"I know," she nodded her voice hoarse as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I just wish Mom was here."
Kanna embraced her granddaughter, letting her shed tears over her mother. The two women stayed like that for a few minutes, before Gran-Gran coaxed the waterbender into getting ready. The older tribeswoman helped Katara as she dressed for the occasion, neither saying a word in the process. Her mother lay heavy on her mind as went through the motions.
An hour later, the Water Tribe Princess was standing in the grand hall with her father and brother on either side of her. Across from her stood the Fire Lord with his mother next to him. Most of the tribe had gathered for the occasion, the betrothal gifting ceremony was open to anyone who wanted to attend.
The ceremony began with both parents acknowledging the hunting trip. The father of the bride, speaking on if the groom showed he would be able to provide for her. If the answer was yes, Hakoda would give Zuko permission to gift Katara a necklace. After the groom's mother would speak, she would explain if the bride showed herself capable of curating a home. If the bride had, the mother would give her blessing for Katara to accept the necklace.
"Katara, Fire Lord Zuko has succeeded in the hunting trip," Hakoda began as he looked at his daughter. His voice ringing throughout the hall, "And I have found him capable of being able to provide for you handsomely. Fire Lord Zuko, you have my permission."
Ursa then turned to her son, "Zuko, Princess Katara demonstrated the ability to be a good partner to you and create a beautiful home for you. Princess Katara, you have my blessing."
After their parents had spoken, Zuko step forward while their family stepped back. He held a hand out to her, Katara took it surprised at how steady her hand was when she reached for him. The two walked a little bit away from their families, it was to give the allusion of privacy. Though they both could feel every eye on them.
The Fire Lord positioned himself behind her. She stood rigid and tense, her breathing a little shallow. She was nervous and he could tell. If it was up to him, he would have proposed to her in a very different way. He swept her hair to one side so he could place the necklace around her throat, leaning down to whisper in her ear as he did.
"If I had it my way, we would have done this on the roof at sunset. The moment of the day where we both are equal," his breath tickled her ear as he spoke the words. It was the most words he had said to her since the first day of the hunting trip.
The Water Tribe Princess's breath caught as she heard his words and a second later felt the ribbon around her throat. His fingertips grazed the back of her neck as he clasped the betrothal necklace. The action caused an instant shiver of pleasure to her as he did it.
His skin felt hot and needy at the movement Katara made. All Zuko wanted to do was place a kiss on the back of her neck. But he restrained himself, reminding himself that she didn't feel the same way. Katara wished his hands would stay on her, but all too soon they pulled away.
The entire room could feel the crackling of the air around the Fire Lord and the Water Tribe Princess. The entire moment felt too intimate for the ceremony they were a part of. Many of the tribespeople looked away as the firebender clasped the necklace around the waterbender's throat. The sexual tension was smothering as it rippled throughout the grand hall.
For a brief moment the energy between them had shifted, each wondering if the other did love them.
"I thought I might find you here," Zuko says as he sat next to the waterbender. The two had left their engagement party hours ago. Both moved through it in a daze after their ceremony. Something had changed, yet everything still felt the same. It was unsettling to both benders.
"Hi," she replied not turning to look at him. Her mind was occupied with the necklace in her hand.
"Do you not like it?" Zuko questions suddenly as he noticed the stone in her hand. His stomach plummeted at her displeasure of the necklace. He began speaking quickly, "I carved it myself, but carving isn't something we learn in the Fire Nation. But if you don't like it, I can have one commissioned for you when we return."
"It's beautiful," she whispered as she looked at the stone. She had been tracing the carving for about an hour before he had arrived, "I don't need one commissioned, I just wanted a closer look."
The blue jade felt smooth in her hand and she loved that he had picked a stone that was native to the Fire Nation but in her Tribe's color. The carving was perfect, a waterbending symbol and firebending symbol combined, neither overtaking the other. But what made it even more stunning, was the gold inlaid into the carving making the symbol pop on the blue jade. The necklace beautifully represented them.
"I'm glad you like it," Zuko's chest puffed out in pride. He was terrified for a moment that she hadn't liked it. He would have immediately had a new one made for her if that was what she wanted but he was thrilled she liked it.
"I love it, Zuko," she corrected softly, her eyes still taking in the symbol. "This is the first chance I have had to really look at it. What prompted you to add the gold?"
"It's a very old Fire Nation technique called kintsugi, traditionally it's used as an art with broken pottery," he began explaining to her, moving closer as he did. "The gold is used to put the broken pieces back together. Based on the idea that in embracing flaws and imperfection, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece. I thought it represented us and our relationship. What started as something good in Ba Sing Se was broken, but was made better and stronger after Yon Rha."
The waterbender looked up at her future husband, sapphire eyes meeting gold. He hadn't just carved a necklace to carve it. He had really thought about what represented the two of them. The symbolism in each aspect of the necklace showed through. The Fire Lord did not just embrace the Water Tribe tradition because of the marriage contract, he ran with it to show his love for her in some small way. Though the last part was unknown to the waterbender.
"I don't think you could have made a betrothal necklace more perfect," she admitted. She bit her lip while she thought over her next words. "I know it's not sunset, but will you put it on me again. Here on the roof."
Instead of responding, Zuko held out his hand for the necklace in response. Once it was in his hand he moved behind her. She swept her hair to one side as he pulled the necklace around her throat. Clasping it again on the back of her neck, letting his fingers trail her spine briefly he pushed all the love he felt for her into that one action.
For a brief moment, he thought she might have feelings for him. He pushed that thought out of his head, in his mind Katara just wanted them to share a special moment before their marriage. That was all.
She shivered as his fingers moved across her spine, the intimate action causing butterflies in her stomach. The Water Tribe Princess wanted one special moment before her marriage to the Fire Lord. He might not be marrying because he loved her, but at this moment as he clasped the necklace to her throat she could pretend he did.
"You rise with the moon, I rise with the sun," he whispered in her ear. His warm breath blew over the shell, causing a shot of arousal to run through her. "Thank you for marrying me."
The waterbender turned to look at the firebender, they were impossibly close and she wished he would lean forward to capture her lips with his. The Fire Lord looked into the deep blue eyes, getting lost in their depths.
He wanted to kiss her but instead pulled back.
"I should get back," Katara said when he moved. She looked down causing him to miss the disappointed look in her eyes. "Gran-Gran will no doubt be checking on me. I'll see you in the morning.
"I'll wait a few minutes before heading inside," he agreed. He watched as Katara climbed down from the roof to head back to her room.
Zuko looked out to the city in front of him. He wished he could do something to make the transition easier for her. She was sacrificing a lot to marry him and he felt incredibly guilty for that.
"Sokka, stop!" Katara scolded for what felt like the hundredth time. Her hands kept slipping every time he moved, "I know you are excited but I need you to sit still!"
"Sorry," he grumbled again. Katara was currently helping him get ready for his wedding day. Customarily in the Water Tribe, a mother would help her son get ready by braiding his hair into a wolf tail. Since Kya was gone, Katara had offered to do it for her brother.
"Suki is going to look beautiful," she murmured as she created a tight braid on the top of his head. Being sure to leave one lock at the front down, so Suki could tie in the beads to represent his transition from boy to husband during the ceremony.
"Thanks for helping me with this," Sokka said as he looked at his sister in the mirror. His voice was slightly unsteady as he thought about his mother. "I'm glad it was you."
She smiled at him, "She would be so proud of you."
"And she would love Suki," he added as he caught her eye in the mirror.
"Yeah, she would have," Katara agreed, her throat tight with emotion. She swallowed loudly, this was her brother's day and she would focus on him. "And she would remind you to be a good husband to her."
"And she would tell Suki not to put up with your shit," a voice from the doorway said startling them both. The siblings turned to see their father come into the room.
"She totally would have said that," the waterbender nodded with a little giggle.
Hakoda joined his children and watched as Katara filled Kya's role seamlessly. She was turning into an extraordinary young woman. He watched his son and for the first time in years, he realized how much Sokka looked like his mother. His son was an incredible warrior and would lead the tribe well.
The broken family helped the Southern Water Tribe Heir ready himself for his wedding. And while his mother was lacking, in the presence of his father and sister he didn't feel the absence of her love for one minute. Her spirit and memory would live on through each member of the small family.
What felt like days later to Sokka but was really only a couple of hours, he was finally standing at the alter waiting for his bride. Suki walked down the aisle toward her lover, lost in his eyes as she made her way. The Kyoshi Warrior had to remind herself not to run towards him.
Hakoda watched his son and future daughter-in-law at the alter. His mind going back to the day he married Kya. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his lover giving him the support he needed. Bato and Hakoda shared a look before the Chief turned back to watch his son's marriage. Though the warrior's hand never left his shoulder, giving silent comfort to the man he loved.
Katara and Zuko sat next to each other watching the couple. The Fire Lord turned to look at his betrothed only to see the look of longing on her face. Next to him, the Water Tribe Princess watched her brother and best friend take their vows, all she could think about was how she hopped Zuko looked at her the way Sokka was looking at Suki. The waterbender turned to look at the man next to her, she was surprised to see gold eyes staring back at her.
The couple held each other's gaze only breaking away when the crowd roared in excitement.
Katara was the first to rise from her seat applauding and cheering with the rest of the crowd, Zuko quickly following. Though unbeknownst to them, there were a few people in the audience who had noticed the look that had passed between them.
"It was such a beautiful wedding," Ty Lee commented from her spot on Mai's arm as they followed Katara and Toph towards the reception area. "Are all Water Tribe weddings that beautiful?"
"Eh, didn't really do it for me," Toph replied as she picked at her ear. Haru had gone with Zuko leaving the Blind Bandit to stick with the women.
Katara rolled her eyes before answering Ty Lee, "Yes, they are. What are Fire Nation weddings like?"
"Your's and Zuko's will be massive," Mai informed the waterbender. She wasn't sure exactly how to explain the differences. "They also tend to be a bit longer, pretty in their own way. But not as intimate as what today's was."
Katara nodded as she thought over the words. Her thoughts going to her wedding in a few months. Mai and Ty Lee had been helping answer all her questions about being Fire Lady. Yet they had barely touched on the wedding. It still seemed so far away, it was getting closer every single day.
"I can't wait for Sugar Queen and Sparky's wedding," Toph stated as they made their way inside the grand hall. "It's going to be the party to end all parties."
"It's going to be spectacular!" Ty Lee exclaimed as she bounced around, her hand tightly clasped in her lover's. "Mai and I were having tea with Lady Ursa the other day, she was telling us all about it."
"Oh, I didn't realize," Katara interjected a little sullenly. She had hoped her future mother-in-law would come to her with the details surrounding her wedding. The waterbender thought it a little rude that Ursa had not even spoken to her about the wedding. Though that might have been in part to Zuko never showing for their meeting a few weeks ago with his mother to discuss the wedding.
"She wanted to get an idea of things you would like," Mai explained softly noticing the upset look crossing the tribeswoman's face. "And since we have been spending the most time with her, she wanted our opinion before presenting everything to you."
"I shouldn't have thought so poorly of her," the Water Tribe Princess looked away slightly embarrassed at her train of thought.
"Your whole life is changing and the Fire Nation royal family can be all-consuming," the noblewoman comforted the waterbender. "Ty Lee and I know that from experience. I meant what I said a few weeks ago, you can talk to us about anything having to do with them. It's overwhelming being a part of the royal family and court life."
"I know that and I appreciate it," she told Mai honestly. Katara had a feeling she wasn't being the most excited bride and her mood swings were probably weighing heavily on the noblewomen. The waterbender decided then and there to be a little more accommodating and not so sullen about her upcoming wedding.
"Enough with this sappy stuff. It's a party!" Toph exclaimed trying to adjust the mood of the night. The four girls nodded before they headed toward their table and the rest of their friends.
Today was a happy day and Katara would focus on the joy she was feeling about her brother's marriage.
Across the hall, Bato and Hakoda were slipping out of the room to take a few minutes alone.
"Thank you for today," Hakoda whispered to Bato as they moved into the shadows. "I know you wanted me to tell my children sooner, but with everything happening . . ."
"It's okay," Bato reassured him. He looked into his lover's eyes being sure to effectively communicate how he was feeling, "We will tell them when you are ready and when they are ready. It's been an emotional few weeks."
"Yeah, it has been. I couldn't have gotten through it without you," Hakoda admitted as he pulled Bato to him. The Chieftain was leaning against a wall with his lover standing in front of him.
"I'll always be here for you," the warrior leaned down to kiss his paramour quickly before continuing. "The wedding was perfect. Sokka will make an extraordinary chief one day and Suki an amazing chieftess with him. You should be very proud."
The Souther Chief leaned into the warrior, Bato made him incredibly happy. The tribesman loved his children just as much as him. Hakoda could not ask for a better partner than the man standing in front of him.
"I am, so proud," he replied resting his forehead against Bato's.
"We need to get back," Bato whispered with a quick kiss to Hakoda's forehead. "Don't want anyone looking for us, mainly you."
The two men headed back into the grand hall, no one noticing their absence or entrance. The party was in full swing by the time the two reentered the reception. Hakoda was happy to see his son and daughter-in-law on the dance floor, looking more in love as each minute passed.
Across the grand hall, the Southern Chieftain was not the only one to notice The Fire Lord approaching his daughter.
"May I have this dance?" Zuko's hand reached out to Katara. He had been building up the courage to ask his fiancé to dance for almost an hour. The waterbender responded by placing her hand in his and allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. She felt every eye on her as they moved through the crowd.
The Fire Lord pulled the Water Tribe Princess toward him, placing a hand on her lower back. Her waist felt incredibly tiny in his hand.
Katara felt herself pressed against Zuko. Her heart beating faster, her skin felt hot and she could feel the blood rushing through her veins. She looked up at her betrothed, his gold eyes staring back at her. She admired the way his clothes fit him, his shirt stretching across his chest as he held her.
He had made sure to dress for the occasion but left the Fire Lord regalia in his room, this was Sokka's day and not everyone needed to be reminded who Zuko was.
Katara looked beautiful with her hair down, the firebender thought as he pulled her to him. Her full chest almost touching his. He wanted to trail his hand down past her lower back, but he kept it firmly in its place. She felt incredibly cool against his overheated skin. Zuko could feel the ends of her hair brushing the hand on her back as he twirled her around the dance floor.
The Fire Lord looked down at the waterbender in his arms, he could see the way her breast were pushed against him. A slight view of her cleavage caused his skin to feel tight. This was the first full-body contact they had since the hunting trip almost three weeks ago. He had to force himself to breathe deeply as to not let his mind wander to thoughts that were not appropriate for the setting.
The waterbender's blue eyes looked up at him, through her lashes and he almost missed a step. Zuko pulled her closer to him, their bodies fully pressed against one another. He admired the way her betrothal necklace settled on the hollow of her throat, he didn't think he would ever get tired of seeing it on her.
Both became lost in their own world as they danced.
"You look beautiful," he whispered, his voice throaty and needy.
"Thank you," she replied breathily. A heady ache in her lower belly formed, she longed for him to soothe it. "You look very handsome, every bit as handsome as you did at the Western Air Temple."
"You thought I looked handsome then?" He questioned her, this was the first time she was admitting her attraction to him.
"Of course," she responded instantly. The bubble they had created caused them both to be extremely honest with each other.
"I thought you looked stunning, the day you threatened me," Zuko admitted softly a small smile gracing his face. He remembered the day vividly. "You were so fierce and strong, looking truly like the warrior princess you are."
The waterbender blushed at his words in response, though her eyes never left his as they moved around the dance floor. No more words were spoken between the two as they glided in between the other couples, words were not needed. Both just letting the other romance them.
A few couples away, Haru and Toph danced across the floor.
"Toph, you look amazing," Haru complimented his girlfriend as he danced with her.
"I know," she thanked him with a grin.
The male earthbender chuckled at her signature response. He was well versed in the language of Toph, she was not one for over-emotional sentiments. "Do you think we will ever get married?"
"Please, Haru, not tonight," Toph pleaded to her date. This topic was a point of contention between them since her last trip to Gaoling. "I just want to focus on how happy I am for Sokka and Suki."
Haru nodded, though he knew she could not see. There was much the two needed to talk about, but after their voyage to the South Pole both were feeling a little lost. He did not need to add extra stress right now. They could talk more once they were back in Ba Sing Se. He pulled her closer to him, taking advantage of the opportunity to hold Toph close.
The two earthbenders twirled their way around Mai and Ty Lee, who were also using the dancing as an opportunity to get close to one another.
"Aang, are you alright?" Iroh asked the avatar from his spot observing his friends.
"They are all moving on with their lives," Aang replied as he watched his friends. He was happy for them, he really was. But he felt as if they were all moving on without him. And that was leaving him to feel slightly abandoned by the family he had created.
"Yes, they are," Iroh nodded solemnly. He could easily see the struggle the young monk was facing. "But so are you, Aang."
"I guess," he shrugged as he looked at the dance floor. While his friends' lives now looked different, the Avatar's did not. And that left the young airbender to think nothing was changing in his own life.
"Having a responsibility and duty to the world is challenging," the old general began sagely. "You will have to make many sacrifices to keep the balance. But your friends will always be there for you, just like you will always be there for them. Only now, your relationships with each other will grow and change."
The Avatar nodded at the words from the Dragon of the West, he understood what the old general was saying. His relationships were changing for the better and he had a destiny to fulfill.
"Katara?" Ursa called as she found the waterbender crying in the library. "I thought you would have gone to bed."
"No, I couldn't sleep," the waterbender shook her head. The wedding had ended hours ago, not many people were still awake. The bride and groom tucked away in their marriage igloo. Kanna would join Suki's mother along with the Priest and Priestess for the inspection of the marriage bed in the morning.
"Is everything alright?" The older woman asked as she sat next to her future daughter-in-law.
Katara debated about telling her what was wrong or leaving it be, after a few minutes she finally settled on confiding, "I miss my mother."
"Zuko told me she died during the war," Ursa prompted slightly. "But he didn't say anything else."
"She died during a Fire Nation raid," the waterbender began softly. It was extremely difficult to speak about tonight, "I was eight, she died protecting me. They were looking for the last waterbender, she told them it was her."
The Fire Nation woman wrapped an arm around her, as she listened to the story of how Zuko and Katara went in search of her mother's killer. Ursa was pleased with how her son handled the situation with the waterbender, though she knew by how Katara spoke that she had feelings for Zuko. Her suspicions were finally confirmed unknowingly from the waterbender herself.
"Do you regret your decision to let him go?" Ursa questioned her softly. Her hand had begun combing through the tribeswoman's hair unconsciously. Something the older woman had done with her own daughter many years ago.
"No," Katara shook her head lightly. She didn't regret how she handled Yon Rha, she had come to peace with it years ago. "But I wish she was here with me. There are so many traditions that Sokka and I are losing out on because she is gone."
"She might not be here with us physically, but she is here with you in spirit," her future mother-in-law comforted as she wrapped an arm around the young woman. "And while I know I will never be able to replace your mother, I will be here for you no matter what."
"Thank you," Katara leaned into the embrace closing her eyes.
Zuko stood at the doorway to the sitting room, seeing his mother and betrothed cuddling. He had heard most of the conversation, but neither noticed his presence. He knew Katara's pain and he wished more than anything in that moment he could take it away. The Fire Lord was grateful his mother was comforting the waterbender but more than anything he wanted to be the one she went to in times of trouble.
He prayed to Agni, that one day his betrothed would allow him to be there for her the way a husband should.
Notes:
We are just a few chapters away from their wedding and wedding night ;) How are we feeling about our two lovers? We are getting so close to the big reveal! I would love to hear your thoughts!
Be sure to check out my Instagram: JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
We are going on another long break between updates, Chapter Eleven will be posted on February 25th, 2022
Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven: Fall 103 AG
Notes:
Hello! Hello!
Thank you for waiting patiently for this update. I know it's coming pretty late in the day today. Also, thank you to everyone who commented, left kudos, subscribed, and bookmarked! I appreciate each and every one of you.
I know a few of you were not thrilled with some things that happened in Chapter Ten. Please be patient as I promise everything will be resolved. But also remember our characters are beautifully flawed which means they make mistakes and not every mistake is fixed in a single chapter.
Please forgive all mistakes, I hope you enjoy it!
Happy reading!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Eleven: Fall 103 AG
“Aang are you sure?” Suki asked for the fifth time. Team Avatar was surrounding the newlyweds as they loaded Appa with their things. Aang had offered for the couple to take the sky bison for their honeymoon so they could have a shorter travel time and more days together.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Aang nodded again with a grin, petting the bison fondly. This would be the longest he would be without Appa since the war. “It's my gift to you, plus he could use a break from the cold, so you would be doing me a favor.”
The Avatar was still struggling with all the changes happening in his friend group, but he knew it was something he needed to work on. He wanted his friends to know how happy he was for them. The young monk was doing everything he could so his friends did not feel responsible for his internal conflict.
“We will be sure to take good care of him,” the Kyoshi Warrior reassured the airbender a smile on her face. She gave him a quick hug, “Thank you.”
“Thanks, Aang,” Sokka added as he climbed down with Zuko from loading their things. “I have missed traveling by sky bison.”
Appa grumbled in response as Zuko pet the sky bison affectionately. The action caught Katara’s eye and she watched how her betrothed interacted with the animal. She felt incredibly guilty for the words she had said to him on their hunting trip, not to mention embarrassed. But the waterbender didn’t know how to make it better between them, especially when she was the one in the wrong. That coupled with the under-layer of hurt she was holding onto about not being asked to help find his mother, she was almost nauseous with her emotional turmoil.
A large part of her longed for an opportunity to travel with Zuko. Another adventure to help break the icy energy and calm the fires of their tempers. Maybe if they had that things would be better, like after Yon Rha, Katara thought to herself. But unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen, all she could do was wish to take back the words she spoke.
“Congratulations again,” the firebender told his friend after stepping away from Appa. He gave Suki a quick hug before moving on to the tribesman. The two friends grasped each other’s forearms, oping for a much more manly goodbye.
“Thanks, man, you are next,” Sokka chuckled as he released his friend’s arm.
Zuko laughed throatily along with the tribesman though it was forced, his thoughts wandering to his wedding with Sokka’s sister. The Fire Lord’s eyes traveled to the waterbender as she approached the two of them. She looked beautiful amongst the snow and ice, he thought to himself.
He knew he should have acknowledged his bride to be, but he was still hurt by what she said about Azula even though he knew she didn’t mean it.
Well, he hoped she didn’t mean it. Zuko was feeling conflicted as he watched his betrothed. The firebender hadn’t known how to tell her he was upset, so instead, he tried to ignore his feelings. It didn’t matter how hurt he was by her words, they would still be married in a few months. So like everything else, he pushed it aside and buried it deep.
Katara was acutely unaware of the internal struggle plaguing her betrothed. Instead of interacting with him, she launched herself at her brother hugging him tightly, “I’m going to miss you!”
“Jeez, it’s only a few weeks,” Sokka snarked but wrapped his arms around his sister nonetheless. He knew she was feeling overly emotional about their mother being gone right now and whatever was the cause of the tension between her and Zuko. But he was her big brother, so even though he had teased her, he still hugged her tightly.
“I’m sorry that I love you,” Katara mumbled sassily with a final squeeze to her big brother. At that moment she wanted to tell Sokka everything but held her tongue, he deserved some happiness without feeling the need to fix everything. She pulled out of the embrace before moving to Suki. “I’m so happy to call you my sister!”
“I’m so happy to be your sister,” Suki laughed happily in the embrace, she could not have asked for a better family to marry into. “Thank you so much for everything, the wedding was perfect.”
“You are so welcome! I hope you two have so much fun on your honeymoon!” The waterbender responded as she let go of the Kyoshi Warrior. She whispered the last sentence in her friend’s ear, “And maybe I’ll have a niece or nephew soon.”
“Sugar Queen is overly emotional,” Toph groaned to Haru as she leaned against him, the ice making it difficult for her to see. The earthbender ignored the whispered comment between the two older women. “I told you this would happen.”
“Yeah you did,” Haru chuckled as he rested his chin on top of her head. His arms encircled her waist as she leaned back into him.
“I’m just happy my brother finally married Suki,” Katara defended herself as she moved toward the earthbending couple. Even though the waterbender knew that Toph was only teasing her. “Plus you should be happy Toph, you won the bet.”
“There was a bet?” Sokka interrupted suddenly, his head moving back and forth as he looked at his friends. It was comical to see his surprise. “You all bet on when we would get married?”
“Come on, we all knew it was coming,” Toph shrugged, picking at her ear. Her eyes were cloudy looking past her friends. “Sparky thought you wouldn’t get up the courage for at least another year. Sugar Queen thought you would get married on Kyoshi before the first anniversary. Aang refused to place one.”
“Why wasn’t I allowed to bet?” The Water Tribe Heir huffed out, annoyed his friends partook in a game without him. His arms crossed as he looked around. “Also why did Aang not want to bet, he bet on—”
Suki’s hand immediately covered Sokka’s mouth. “We really should be going!”
Zuko and Katara exchanged a look, there was something odd about the reaction of the newlyweds. The other couple looked between the newlyweds as they climbed onto Appa and their other friends. There seemed to be something they were not privy to. The waterbender shrugged not really caring, her friends always placed bets on silly things.
The group of friends watched as the newlyweds departed on Appa, waving until he was a speck in the sky.
The tension was still high between the waterbender and firebender even though they had a moment at the wedding last night. No one knew what happened between the two benders but everyone could feel the storm brewing. And the entire group could feel it now that Sokka and Suki had left. The tension needed to break, and soon.
“This is the first time where two of us have gone away and Zuko wasn’t one of them,” Toph commented to break the energy as they began walking back, the silence was awkward and uncomfortable. She needed the waterbender and the firebender to either fight or kiss, just something to break the tension in the air. It was suffocating the blind earthbender.
“I guess you are right Toph,” Katara replied not really paying attention as she played with her betrothal necklace. She responded more so it wasn’t silent than to actually start a conversation. She hoped that Toph would take the hint and stop talking.
“I’m still annoyed I was the last person to go on a life-changing field trip with Sparky,” the earthbender continued not realizing her friends wanted her to be quiet. The ice numbed her senses, it was one of the reasons she hated the poles. She need to keep talking, she couldn’t handle the potent uneasy energy. Haru squeezed his girlfriend’s hand tightly, silently communicating for her to be quiet but she ignored him.
Aang had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach as Toph spoke. The energy in the air shifted between Zuko and Katara. Both benders stood a little straighter, their movements more rigid the only indicator of the shifting mood. The rippling current made the Avatar uneasy, he could feel the storm getting ready to explode. This was not how he wanted the tension to break.
“It might have been the last but it was the best,” Zuko admitted with a small forced smile as they walked, his tone slightly off. “I’m really glad you were the one who went with me to find my mother. It meant a lot to me.”
The Fire Lord really only spoke the words because it felt like the appropriate thing to say, not actually meaning them. Sure it meant a lot to him to share the experience with Toph, but if anything his favorite moment out of all the trips was when he brought Katara to Ember Island. The way she sat at the edge of the beach as the waves crashed over the Water Tribe Princess, was stunning. But more importantly, the healing experience for both of them at that moment was impactful. Zuko liked to believe it was the moment she began to truly care for him.
“Oh?” Katara tested looking straight at Zuko for the first time that day. Her entire body tensed and her heartbeat quickened. The anger and hurt she had been feeling since he rejected his help to search for his mother came to the forefront of her mind. The two earthbenders and the airbender could tell that this was a minefield their friend had to navigate.
“Yeah, I’m really happy it was her,” the firebender replied looking at his fiancé, giving her an odd look. He noticed her breathing change, the deep inhales with short exhales causing her chest to rise and fall. It was the same way she breathed before she started a fight. Something was very wrong, and unknowingly he had stepped right into it. Though he didn’t understand why Katara was mad, especially when she was the one who hurt him recently.
“Why’s that?” The waterbender challenged looking at him straight on. They had all stopped walking, their other companions slowly backing away. They were beginning to give the couple some space. Each one had battled enough times to know the signs of one unfolding.
“It’s just that we both had complicated families,” Zuko continued carefully, he could sense danger but was unsure why. He repressed the urge to run his hands through his hair. “She was able to understand how difficult it was and I really appreciated that.”
The words he was speaking were true, Toph did value the complicated situation in her own way. Zuko was thankful that she came with, even if the earthbender didn’t understand the pain of being abandoned by a maternal figure. That was an intimate experience shared only between the Fire Nation siblings and the Water Tribe siblings.
“So I couldn’t understand?” Katara taunted him, her eyes narrowing as she looked her betrothed up and down. “It’s not like I lost my mother too and know the pain of losing a parent.”
Part of the waterbender knew she shouldn’t be picking a fight. Especially since her fiancé had more of a reason to be upset with her. But she couldn’t help it. Something about his apparent ease at Toph’s comment caused Katara’s skin to crawl. That coupled with her own embarrassment and guilt for her words about Azula was causing the Water Tribe Princess to act irrationally.
“I didn’t say that,” Zuko defended himself, arms crossing his chest. His stomach sank as he processed the words, finally beginning to understand the danger that lay ahead. “I was just saying how much it meant to me that Toph came along.”
“Right,” Katara hissed drawing out the word, her voice icy. The betrayal she felt when he didn’t ask her to come search for his mother came back in full force. “Because it’s not like you went with me to find my mother’s killer and it’s not like that meant anything to you.”
“It did mean something to me,” Zuko agreed earnestly, though he widened his stance just a tad and drew his shoulders back. He prayed to Agni she would hear his words. “I thought you knew that because of that night on the roof.”
The Water Tribe Princess’s mind went back to the first night on the roof when he told her to master her bloodbending. The words he said about her mother and how Katara should learn to be the greatest waterbender in honor of her mother’s sacrifice. She felt like she was playing again, that day in Ba Sing Se coming back to her. In her mind, Zuko had used her dead mother to manipulate her again.
“Oh no,” Aang mumbled to Toph, the storm had shifted and he could see the icy rage cross the waterbender’s face. He knew how this would end and it didn’t look good. All he could think about was that it was his fault they were fighting. The Avatar had given the suggestion of the arranged marriage, he had forced this on them.
“My money is on Sugar Queen,” she whispered to Aang and Haru. She drew her lover’s arm around her shoulders and snuggled into his side.
The blind earthbender was not as upset about the fight as the Avatar. She knew there were things that needed to be said and the only way that would happen is if they were angry enough to speak their mind. This tension was almost a year and a half in the making, starting from their engagement in Omashu. Toph knew for any progress to be made they needed to break before they could fix it, just like at the Western Air Temple.
“Right,” the Water Tribe Princess snorted, her temper was boiling. She felt overheated in her parka. Her next words came out in a spitting rage, “Like I believe that.”
“You’re overreacting!” He growled at her, sparks flew from his mouth. His own flair for dramatics caused him to act before thinking. The firebender could feel his skin sizzling as she continued to yell at him. He kept taking deep breaths to try to calm himself, she was the only person who could get under his skin. If the waterbender had been paying attention she would have noticed the smoke curling around him as he breathed.
“No, I’m not!”
“Yes, you are,” he hissed at her through clenched teeth. His own pain and hurt flowed through his body. He was angry with her too. Too angry to think rationally. “You called my sister crazy, knowing how much that hurts me, and I didn’t yell and scream like a child.”
“A child? Did you just call me a child? Really? You are just the same pig-headed asshole from three years ago,” the waterbender felt like steam was coming out of her ears as she placed her hands on her hips. She couldn’t believe the firebender had resorted to such a low blow and reacted in kind. The word reminded her of when he used to call her peasant during the war.
“This is exactly what I mean! You always overreact,” Zuko threw his hands in the air, ending his sentence with a loaded grunt of frustration. Her accusation that he was the same man before he had joined the avatar cut through him like a knife. He couldn’t believe that the waterbender thought that about him.
“I think I’m underreacting now!” She shouted at him. Her breathing was heavy, her cheeks flushed from the cold and the anger she felt. Katara stripped her parka off, her rage causing her to overheat. A few feet away, Aang had a flash to the North Pole when she challenged Pakku. It felt oddly similar.
“Oh really?” The firebender snapped at her, smoke curling around his face as he exhaled through his nose. If anything, he thought, he was the one who was under-reacting. She had called Azula crazy and just ignored what it did to him. He had even tried to get them back to normal by not bringing up how it hurt him. And instead of appreciating his efforts, she was yelling at him.
“Yes really!”
“You are the absolute worst,” he let out a frustrated snarl. “You won’t even acknowledge what you said! And I’m always the one in the wrong!”
“We aren’t talking about that,” the Water Tribe Princess snapped at him, her hands waving manically. “Besides I already told you I didn’t mean it! And you were the one who stopped talking to me.”
“Because you called Azula crazy!”
“I told you I didn’t mean it!” Katara groaned in exasperation. She knew her words had hurt him, but she had tried to apologize during the hunting trip but her future husband had ignored her when he could. “And if you were so mad about it, you should have said something instead of giving me the silent treatment. It’s not my fault you have the emotional maturity of a badgerfrog!”
“I can’t believe you! I’m glad I didn’t ask you to come!” Zuko shouted at her, the words were a lie and he instantly regretted them. But the waterbender just got under his skin and he found himself saying things he didn’t mean. His gold eyes flashed to his betrothed, her shoulders dropped and she looked defeated. He was sick to his stomach.
“All those things you said to me about bloodbending and disrespecting her memory. I thought you cared and that it meant something considering you told me that so many times on the roof. But I guess it only meant something to me!” Katara accused harshly, her voice quiet and low. Only really being heard by the firebender in front of her at the beginning of her speech, but progressively getting louder.
“No, Katara that’s not true! I didn’t mean to, ugh, that’s not,” Zuko stumbled over his words running his hands through his hair, trying to salvage their relationship that was already on eggshells. He might be hurt over her words about his sister but he loved her and didn’t want her to think badly about him. “It did mean something to me.”
The Water Tribe Princess’s last argument had made him see that she was reacting from a place of hurt. He knew how much pain he had caused her in the past and how monumental it was for her to trust him. But with one thoughtless comment to Toph and words said in anger the Fire Lord had ruined that. The waterbender just knew how to rile him up, he was too angry to stop and assess the situation before him. If only she would just stop for a moment to hear his words.
“Just like Ba Sing Se meant something to you,” she snarled at him, her anger coming back in full force. The words hitting the right button to set her fiancé off, yet she kept speaking. “But then I was the one who got screwed.”
“When are you going to let that go?” Zuko asked exasperated, his temper finally snapping. She was the most exhausting woman he knew. He felt like he was back at the Western Air Temple, trying to apologize for everything he had done. His anger moved through his body in red hot flames. “It’s been years. How many times do I have to apologize for that?”
“Maybe when you stop using my dead mother to manipulate me!”
Without warning the waterbender launched a perfectly formed icicle at the firebender’s head. Aang and Haru looked around wondering where she got it from, but quickly realized she created it from the air.
“That’s not what I meant!” The firebender cried, ducking in time to miss the icicle that was thrown at him. He shot a blast of fire at her when he noticed Katara wasn’t going to back down.
If it was a fight the Water Tribe Princess wanted, a fight the Fire Lord would give her.
“Should we stop them?” Aang asked his companions with worry. His head titled toward the earthbenders as he looked on at the firebender and waterbender.
“No,” Toph shook her head, taking Haru’s hand in hers. “This has been building up for a long time, we should just let them be. They need to let it out.”
“Okay,” the Avatar nodded as he went to follow his friends with a quick look back at the two benders who were fighting in the snow.
The Fire Lord and the Water Tribe Princess fought for over an hour before she finally was able to trap him in a ball of ice. Reminding both of them of their fight at the North Pole so long ago.
Katara knew he would be able to get out, but the moment he was trapped she took off running with tears in her eyes. She was angry at Zuko for avoiding her since their hunting trip. She was hurt that he seemed to want to be around anyone but her. She felt betrayed that did not want her to come search for his mother, the one thing that brought the two of them together. And he just tossed it aside as if it didn’t matter. But mostly, she felt like a fool for letting him use her mother to manipulate her twice now.
Zuko watched her runaway as he thawed himself out of the ice, feeling sick that she was so upset and that he had caused it. As hurt as he was over the comment about Azula, he knew it was a thoughtless one. And not how she actually felt, she had tried to apologize on multiple occasions. But his words were said to cause pain. In addition to causing harm, they had unveiled a much deeper pain than he had originally thought.
For a brief moment, as he watched the tears run down her cheeks as she ran away, Zuko felt like he was turning into Ozai. He was doing a terrible job of wooing his future wife.
“I didn’t know you were up here,” Zuko said after he climbed onto the roof of the Southern Water Tribe palace. He had secretly hoped to find her on the roof but hadn’t thought she would actually be there.
Katara was sitting on the roof deep in thought, looking out onto the city. She hadn’t been able to sleep, her emotions still running high from earlier in the day. The firebender could see the gold in her betrothal necklace sparkle in the moonlight as she moved her head to look at him. Zuko felt a primal reaction course through his body at seeing the necklace around her throat.
“I was trying to avoid you,” the waterbender mumbled harshly. She tried not to look at her fiancé, failing as she asked, “When did you get out of the ice?”
He had hoped that she had cooled off from their earlier fight, but that was clearly not the case. The Fire Lord knew he should tread softly and be afraid, but at that moment all he could think about was how adorable she looked when she was mad at him. The way her eyes narrowed as she looked at him and her bottom lip jutted out just a tad caused his blood to run hot. All he wanted to do was kiss that bottom lip, his mind remembering how it felt to kiss her after the Agni Kai.
“Didn’t do a very good job if you came to the roof,” he chuckled trying to forget about the arousal he was feeling. He walked over and sat next to her, he noticed how she moved away from him. The firebender cleared his throat, “And a few hours ago.”
“Should have trapped you in more ice,” she grumbled at him pulling her hood up over her head. The waterbender was still in pain over his words. Her eyes moved to look over the city again. She couldn’t even look at her betrothed.
“Katara, I didn’t use your mother to manipulate you. I promise that was never my intention, ever. Everything I said in Ba Sing Se and on the roof was true,” Zuko apologized to his fiancé, scooting closer to her.
“Whatever, if you are going to stay the least you could do is be quiet,” the waterbender snapped at him. Her eyes were fiery as she whipped her head around to look at him, the hood of her parka falling off with the movement.
The Fire Lord observed his betrothed in silence for a few minutes. Her hair was tied back but her signature hair loops were gone, they had been for some time now. Zuko had asked Sokka about it. The Water Tribe heir had explained that since Katara was now betrothed her hair had to reflect that, apparently women who were unwed or widowed styled their hair with the loops. But once betrothed she could no longer do that per Water Tribe custom.
He found that he liked her without her hair loops. Zuko was able to see more of her face and was able to get lost in the abyss of her blue eyes. As he quietly observed her, he noticed her shiver and pull the parka around her body tighter. She might be used to the cold but being on the roof kicked up the wind and made the already freezing temperatures feel worse.
“Come here,” Zuko told his fiancé. He pointed to the spot between his legs.
“What?” She gave him an alarmed look and resisted the urge to scoot away from him. The waterbender was unsure how to take the request made by her betrothed.
“Just come here, you are clearly cold,” he pointed out rolling his eyes as he beckoned the Water Tribe Princess closer.
“I don’t know,” Katara squirmed at the thought of sitting between his legs. Zuko took her apprehension as shyness when in reality, she was more concerned with him noticing her feelings.
“Afraid for you virtue?” The firebender teased her, he knew the best way to get Katara to do something was to challenge her. “We are going to be married in a matter of months, now come here. I would rather you didn’t freeze to death. I would hate to have to marry some vapid Earth Kingdom noblewoman.”
“I’m still upset with you,” she mumbled but another blast of wind caused her to shiver again. Katara scrambled across the roof and settled in the space between his legs.
She bent her knees and curled her arms around them. Zuko scooted closer so his chest was against her back, she sighed as she felt the heat radiating off of him. He bent his legs to mimic her and pressed his thighs into hers, his arms moving to circle her. His head resting on her shoulder, the waterbender was surprised that it left his scar completely visible to her. She found she liked the texture of his scarred skin against hers.
Katara let out a pleased moan at the contact, Zuko was so warm she felt as if she had died and gone to heaven. She inhaled through her nose, the smell of Zuko being all she could sense. He smelled of sandalwood, a little musky, citrus, an underlying layer of hickory smoke, and something that was entirely Zuko. It was the best scent she had ever smelled.
“Better?” He asked her after a couple of minutes. It took everything in his power to not react to her moan. His entire attention went to warming his body, he hoped the focus would will his growing erection down.
“So much better,” she whispered breathily unconsciously leaning back against him. The waterbender was quiet for a moment before she asked the question she wanted the answer to, “Are you mad at me?”
“No,” the firebender responded truthfully as he shook his head. His arms tightened around her, enclosing her in his warmth. “Are you mad at me?”
“I’m more hurt than angry,” she confided after a moment of silence, she was slightly embarrassed by her reaction. Her eyes looked at where his hands were clasped in front of her.
“I didn’t mean what I said,” Zuko whispered in her ear, his breath causing her to shiver. “You just know how to push my buttons and I get so frustrated I speak before I think. I wished you could have come with me to find my mother.”
“Okay,” Katara replied unsure how to take his apology. His words had hurt her more than he knew. “I’m sorry for throwing an icicle at your head, even if you did deserve it. And for accusing you of manipulating me, I know that’s not true. And for calling Azula crazy, she’s sick and I know that.”
“Apology accepted,” he chuckled lightly. Zuko tightened his arms around her at her admission. He felt horrible that he had caused her pain. Iroh would tell him this was no way to win over his future bride. Ironically enough, he didn’t tell his uncle about the fight with the waterbender. Though the Dragon of the West was the first person to see the Fire Lord after he freed himself from the ice.
For some reason, Zuko wanted to keep the fight with Katara just between the two of them.
“It’s just sometimes you can be so aggravating. You make me feel like we are back on opposite sides again,” Katara whispered as she snuggled into him. He was so warm, she felt so relaxed and safe in his arms.
“We both have a temper,” Zuko began as he held her. He knew exactly what she meant, she made him feel the same way sometimes. There was so much history between them, it was bound to spill over into their relationship.
“I don’t have a temper,” she grumbled stubbornly holding back a yawn. She was exhausted and he was so warm. Her body finally had relaxed from the rollercoaster of emotions she felt earlier that day.
“If you say so,” the firebender smirked. He was thrilled to feel her relaxing into his arms., he could hold her all night. “So much has happened between us and we can’t ever forget where we started. And I don’t want to. But it’s going to spill over into our marriage, that’s the reality. We are bound to fight, we are both passionate, headstrong, and opinionated.”
“Because you can’t admit when I’m right,” Katara teased lightly. She leaned further back into his chest, his muscular torso feeling incredible against her back. Her mind mulling over the words he was speaking, she knew he was right.
“Are you going to let me finish?” Zuko accused lightly, he waited for her nod before he continued. “We are bound to fight, but when we do I think we should always meet on the roof after we have calmed down to apologize.”
“I like that,” Katara agreed instantly. She suppressed a yawn as she continued, “And you are right, about all of it. We both have bad tempers and a lot has happened. That doesn’t just go away, but I said I forgave you for Ba Sing Se. And I meant it. But I’ll work on not bringing it up when we fight, that isn’t fair to you.”
“I appreciate that,” he smiled crookedly. He pressed his cold nose into her hair and she squealed prettily, Zuko resisted the urge to nuzzle her.
“Though you, Fire Lord,” the title was said teasingly by the waterbender. “You need to work on telling me if I say something that is hurtful. I’m not in your mind, I don’t know. And you just brood when you get upset. It's infuriating!”
“Okay, that’s fair. I’ll work on telling you when something upsets me,” Zuko promised her. They both did things that were wrong during their fight and they both needed to work on that.
“Finally getting back to normal,” she whispered through a yawn as she snuggled into him.
“Do you want to know the real reason I didn’t ask you to come with me?” The Fire Lord asked after a couple of minutes of silence. This was the space he could tell her the truth, the space where he could begin really showing his feelings for her.
“I thought you said it was because Toph deserved a field trip and you wanted me to enjoy my last year at home,” she answered begrudgingly. Her pride was still wounded from his words earlier in the day, even though he had apologized for them.
“Those were secondary to the real reason,” he admitted, his eyes closing as he held her close. His words were soft as he spoke, “I wanted you to come. I desperately wanted to write you and beg you to come to look for my mother. Only you knew the pain I went through. You were right, it did mean something when we went looking for Yon Rha.”
“Why didn’t you ask me to come?” Her voice was small, being swallowed by the cold wind whipping around them.
“Because I thought you hated me,” Zuko confessed, his voice husky as he kept it low. His nose skimmed along her hairline as he breathed in, the smell of Katara calming him. “I thought you were offering to come out of obligation. Up until that letter I got from you when I returned home, I thought you would spend the rest of our lives hating me for this marriage. I felt like I had trapped you into this marriage and you don’t deserve to be trapped.”
“Zuko,” Katara whispered turning her head into his chest with a yawn. Her eyelids were drooping as she resisted sleep. “You didn’t trap me. If I didn’t want to marry you, I wouldn’t be.”
“Really?” He questioned her. His hold tightened even more on her as she pressed her cheek into him. Zuko let himself hope for just a moment that she had feelings for him.
“Have you ever known me to do something I didn’t want to do?” She fired back, her voice throaty and sleep-laden. The events of the day finally caught up to her, she was exhausted.
The Fire Lord chuckled and Katara felt his chest shake. The sound made her feel all warm inside, the vibration sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine. This was the kind of relationship she wanted with her future husband. The relationship she dreamed about with him.
She leaned her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, she was so warm with him wrapped around her. The waterbender wanted to freeze this moment. His rumbling chuckle began to lull her, she was emotionally drained from the day.
“You have a point there,” he said after his mirth settled. He paused for a moment and looked at the woman in his arms, she was leaning into him with her eyes closed her breathing deep. He whispered into her ear, “If I didn’t want to marry you, I wouldn’t have asked. I would have found another way.”
The Water Tribe Princess didn’t respond to the Fire Lord, she was already fast asleep in his arms.
“I saw you coming out of Katara’s room the other day,” Hakoda commented as he and Zuko rode through the South Pole. They were on another hunting trip, just the two of them.
“I assure you her virtue is still intact,” Zuko admitted quickly. His heart beating fast in his chest, they were innocent but he did not want her honor questioned. “She fell asleep and I didn’t have the heart to wake her. I carried her to her room and asked Kanna to go settle her into bed.”
Hakoda knew all of this but wanted to hear it from Zuko himself. The Southern Chief nodded as they continued on their journey. He was impressed at how the firebender moved through the snowy terrain while navigating his snow leopard caribou. The tribesman was also observing how the firebender treated the animal, you could tell a lot about a man by how he treated his beast.
“I know it's a hassle,” Hakoda began as they continued, his eyes ever aware of how Zuko petted the animal. “And I was the only one to see you, but please don’t put my daughter in that position again. She already is facing ridicule because of her marriage outside of the tribe, I would hate her virtue to be in question too.”
“Of course,” Zuko agreed instantly. He adjusted his hands on the reins before looking at the Chieftain, “She’s been getting ridicule?”
“Not much, but there are those who are not thrilled she is marrying outside of the tribe,” the Southern Chief confirmed his eyes not meeting the Fire Lord’s.
Zuko swallowed twice before he clarified, even though he knew the answer, “Is it that she’s marrying outside the tribe? Or that she’s marrying me, the Fire Lord?”
The tribesman looked around the South Pole as he evaded the question for as long as possible. He had faced many battles with not only his own people but the Northern dignitaries who had visited for the anniversary. That coupled with his daughter’s disgruntled suitors, had the Chieftain wanting everything to go smoothly for Katara. He took a deep breath, there was only so long he could stall.
“There will be a day when a waterbender and firebender getting married won’t be seen the way it is now,” Hakoda comforted his future son-in-law without answering the question.
“Yeah, I know,” Zuko nodded he looked down at the reigns in his hands. He wished the way his marriage was coming to be was different. “Shall we make camp here?”
“As good of a place as any,” the tribesman replied easily. The two men dismounting their snow leopard caribous simultaneously making camp in silence. Soon they were sitting around a fire Zuko had made. “I had an ulterior motive taking you on this hunting trip.”
“I figured,” the firebender shrugged at his future father-in-law. Hakoda looked at the young man quizzically. Zuko immediately answered the unspoken question, “I know it was part of engagement customs, but Sokka explained that it was the bride’s family that took the groom. Not just the father.”
The Southern Chief looked at the Fire Lord in silence. The firebender was much smarter than most thought, he was quiet and observed everything. Hakoda took a deep breath before confirming, “I wanted to have time with just you. Pakku understood and Sokka wouldn’t, so I thought now while he’s on his honeymoon was a perfect time.”
“And why’s that?” The young monarch asked the older man after a few minutes of silence.
“You had a hard life,” Hakoda began hesitantly. His mind wandered to what he knew about Zuko, the things his children said, and the things he had observed. Not to mention what he had pieced together from the things he knew about Ozai. The young sovereign before the tribesman had lived much more than most at his age.
“I had a life that prepared me to lead my people out of a war and into an era of peace. My life prepared me in a unique way that many Fire Lords did not,” he deflected the tribesman as he shifted in his seat.
His life had been hard and he acknowledged that. He had to struggle but it made him stronger. Zuko had the opportunity to see and experience things he would not have if his life turned out differently. It gave him the ability to lead his nation into a better era, a prosperous era. He never saw himself as a victim.
Zuko liked to view himself as a fighter, he had to struggle to work for everything he had. It made him appreciate it that much more. He didn’t like when people viewed his battles as something negative.
“That it did,” Hakoda agreed to placate the firebender. He had heard the unspoken part of Zuko’s words. “Your uncle has been an incredible father to you, more so than your own father.”
“Yes, he has been,” Zuko looked at his hands a small smile crossing his face as he thought about Iroh. His next words were low, “I would not be the man I am today without him.”
“I know how important Iroh is to you,” the tribesman continued, he cleared his throat. He wasn’t sure how to make the offer he wanted to. But this man was in love with his daughter and Hakoda wanted to be close with him. “I know how horrible Ozai was to you. And while we aren’t close, I want you to know I am here for you the same way I am there for my children.”
“What?” The firebender looked up at the man, his eyes wide from the shock he felt.
“I’m not saying I will replace your uncle,” the chieftain held up his hands in front of him. “Spirits know how important he is to you. But I know how difficult it is to lead a nation, be a husband and a father. I also know how stubborn and headstrong my daughter is.”
Zuko chuckled in response to the remark about Katara. He loved his fiancé, but she was a fiery woman. And she would keep him on his toes, it was one of the things he loved about her. That and her temper. He thought back to their fight from the other day, she was a handful. A beautiful and chaotic handful that Zuko loved deeply. For a brief moment, he wondered if her passion would translate to their bedroom activities.
“You will need all the support you can get,” Hakoda continued unaware of the thought process the man in front of him was having. “And this is not because you helped break me out of prison, but because you are a good man, a good leader, and will make a good husband to my daughter.”
“Uh, thank you,” the Fire Lord replied shaking his head to clear his thoughts. He cleared his throat to gather his bearings, “It means a lot you think so highly of me.”
“I’m so glad you are back!” Katara hugged her brother then Suki. She gave the Kyoshi Warrior an extra squeeze, “How was your trip?”
The couple had just arrived from their honeymoon and all of their friends were waiting for them. The newlyweds exchanged a look as they noticed how close the Fire Lord and Water Tribe Princess were standing to each other. Toph leaned back into Haru’s arms, as the couple greeted their friends. Aang instantly hugged Appa, he had missed his bison fiercely.
“It was amazing,” Suki gushed as she released her sister-in-law, pulling Katara along as she walked. “I have so much to tell you! Sokka do you mind bringing our things in?”
“I got it, I know when I’m not wanted,” Sokka mumbled as he moved to climb back on the sky bison, then began unloading Appa with Aang’s help. “Come help me jerk-bender!”
“Stop being a martyr, Sokka,” Zuko drawled with an eye roll as he climbed onto the sky bison to help his friend. He wasn’t annoyed at being asked to help, in fact, he enjoyed it. He missed being able to do the simple things with his friends now that he was Fire Lord and he was taking advantage of the opportunity in the South Pole.
Now that all the world leaders had returned home, except for Arnook, there was no real threat to the Fire Lord in the Southern Water Tribe. Because of that Zuko had given the royal guard a much need vacation, only scheduling two guards to his room overnight. It was a welcome change of pace for the young monarch to have so much privacy.
“Toph, are you going to come with us or stay with the guys?” Suki asked the earthbender ignoring her husband and his friends. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the men were roughhousing more than unloading the bison.
“I’m going to stay, bug Snoozles and Sparky for a bit,” Toph informed the Kyoshi Warrior as she waved her friends off. The Blind Bandit leaned into her lover, “You and Sugar Queen go gossip away.”
The two women rolled their eyes at their youngest friend, with a quick wave made their way across the courtyard and toward Katara’s room.
“So tell me everything! Well, not everything, there are something’s I don’t need to know about my brother,” Katara laughed as they walked through the corridors.
“I love being married,” the Kyoshi Warrior grinned looping her arm through her new sister’s. Suki was glowing as she spoke, “Our trip was beautiful and your brother makes me so happy.”
“He better,” the waterbender teased as they turned down another hallway. She looked at the woman next to her and smiled, “You look happy and I’m happy for you both.”
“There’s something so wonderful and settling about being married to the man you love,” the new wife sighed happily. Suki brushed the hair off her face, “What am I babbling about? You will know what it's like in a couple of months.”
The Water Tribe Princess shifted and cleared her throat uncomfortably as they approached her bedroom. She desperately looked for a way to get her mind off her impending wedding, “You made it sound earlier like there was something specific you wanted to tell me.”
“Well, it’s part tell you and part ask your opinion,” Suki began hesitantly as they entered Katara’s room. It was not lost on the Kyoshi Warrior how the waterbender deflected the conversation. “I was thinking about the Tribe and how you have been training the new waterbenders, but there isn’t a huge place for non-bending warrior women.”
“That’s true,” Katara nodded in thought content to be on a new subject. The South was more progressive than the North, but there was still much that needed to change. “That wasn’t the focus when the rebuild started, but you are right there should be a place for female non-benders.”
“I don’t want to give up the Kyoshi Warriors completely, it’s a huge part of my life and identity,” Suki continued as they took seats next to each other on the settee. Her hands moved as she spoke, “So I was thinking of creating a subdivision of the Kyoshi Warriors here in the South Pole. What do you think?”
“Suki, I think that’s a great idea,” the Water Tribe Princess agreed instantly as she settled against the cushions. “It’s perfect, the Tribe could really use it.”
“I don’t know how or when, but I want to do it,” Suki explained excitedly, her hands waving around as she spoke. “And I’m so ecstatic that you agree.”
“The Tribe needs something like this and you are the perfect person to do it,” Katara replied to her new sister. “Are you going to have any of the other Kyoshi Warriors come to stay here for a little bit or train them all yourself?”
“Well, I was thinking of having a few come here, that way it wouldn’t all be on me,” Suki answered flipping her hair out of her face. “I will also need some sparring partners, so that would help there too. But after all of us traveled for the war, not many want to stay put in one place anymore.”
“I feel that way a little bit,” Katara agreed as she looked out the window. She had been so excited to return home after the war, but now she was restless. “It’s like I lived this entire life outside of the Poles.”
“Yeah, it’s weird,” the Kyoshi Warrior nodded solemnly to her sister-in-law. “That was only one part of what I want to do. I also want to add a sub-group of the Kyoshi Warriors to the Fire Nation, ideally, I want a subdivision in each nation. But I thought starting with the Poles and the Fire Nation was a good idea. Ty Lee and Mai spent some time in Kyoshi studying, I think they would be the perfect people to implement it in Caldera.”
“Wow,” the waterbender looked over at her friend in shock. She wasn’t sure how to process all the information that was being thrown at her. “I mean it’s up to you but I like that idea. But why are you asking me about it?”
“Because the hope is that they would be part of your guard as Fire Lady,” the Kyoshi Warrior replied softly looking down at her hands.
“Oh!”
“I know you will have an extensive royal guard filled with the best firebenders,” Suki rambled her explanation. “And I’m sure they will do an amazing job protecting you. But there are a lot of people who oppose you becoming Fire Lady. And if I can help in any way, I want to.”
“A lot of people,” Katara echoed ominously, her blue eyes looking past her friend. She hadn’t really thought about the fact that once she was married there would be threats to her. It made sense, the waterbender thought to herself, she had been ridiculed here in the South Pole.
“I know it might sound odd to have Mai and Ty Lee head up your security, but they are incredible warriors,” the new bride continued unaware of the thought process her sister-in-law was having. “They fought on the opposite side, so they know how potential assassins and attackers will think. Plus, we all trust them. Not to mention they will be part of your courtiers so with you a lot.”
“The decision isn’t only mine,” the tribeswoman responded after a moment. Her mind still swirling about assassination attempts in the months to come. “If they want to, I’d like for them to head up my security team.”
“I’ll talk to them tomorrow,” Suki grinned at her sister-in-law. “Hopefully we can come up with a plan to have it implemented after your coronation.”
“Are you done with your girl talk?” Toph asked as she walked into the room with Sokka following. The earthbender hardly ever knocked and the tribesman never cared for his sister’s privacy.
“Yes, Toph,” Katara rolled her eyes at the intrusion. She had learned to pick her battles with her youngest friend. “Where’s Haru and Aang?”
“Haru and Aang are giving Appa a bath,” the Blind Bandit informed her friends. She waited a second got to see if the waterbender would ask about the Fire Lord.
“And Zuko?”
“Think he said he had bending practice with Iroh,” the earthbender picked at her ear.
“Oh right,” the Water Tribe Princess nodded trying to seem nonchalant about the interaction. She gave her brother a look begging for a change of subject, he happily obliged to her pleading look.
“Did Suki tell you about how much fun we had?” Sokka asked as he wiggled his eyebrows and slid to sit next to his wife. His arm wrapped around her shoulders. He was happy to be home, but he was already missing their honeymoon.
“As much as I love Suki, listening to your sex life is one thing I’m good with not knowing,” Katara teased her brother but noticed Suki’s cheeks turning a little pink. “Why are you all in my room anyway?”
“Well, we can’t go in my room,” the tribesman responded with a shrug as he looked at his wife pointedly. “Maybe we could go watch Zuko’s bending practice.”
“Why can’t we go to your room?” Suki turned to look at her husband in confusion. “Technically isn’t it our room now?”
“I wanted to surprise you,” Sokka whined slapping a hand on his forehead. Suki arched an eyebrow at her husband before turning to look at his sister.
“For the first year of your marriage, you two will live outside of the family home,” Katara explained with a shake of her head. “Even though Sokka is next in line, it’s for you both to establish your relationship without outside influence.”
“Where is this home we will be living in?” Suki questioned her husband as she gave him a sly look. “Maybe we need to go take a look at it. Make sure it’s all ready for us.”
“Why would we do that? Of course, it’s ready, we don’t need to —” Sokka stopped mid-thought before a look came across his face. “Oh!”
“Yeah,” Suki smiled as her husband understood the sentiment behind the words she spoke.
The Water Tribe Prince stood suddenly, taking ahold of his wife’s hand to pull her with him. “Bye guys!”
“Don’t forget about the welcome home dinner!” Katara called after the newlyweds as they ran out of her room before turning to Toph. “You’d think after weeks of that they would want a break.”
“You clearly are a virgin, Sugar Queen,” the earthbender responded right before a pillow flew through the air and hit her in the face. “Oof! Cheap shot! I can’t see flying things.”
The two girls burst into giggles, happy that all of Team Avatar was in one place again.
“Now the most important thing to remember when negotiating trade agreements is items we cannot get here in the poles, but it’s important to remember what we need to keep for our tribe. We can’t be overextending trade just to leave our people in the snow,” Hakoda instructed his son, he pointed to the list in front of him. Sokka was shadowing his father to begin transitioning the role of chief over the next few years. “And be sure to—”
“Factor in the increase of population, about fifteen percent each year. Dad, I’ve been in trade agreements before,” Sokka finished his father’s words. The Water Tribe Heir rolled his eyes not even looking at the list of items his father was gesturing at. “I know how they work. And I especially know how to negotiate with the Fire Nation.”
Zuko smirked from his place across the table. He knew Sokka felt insulted that he had to be instructed on how to create a trade agreement with him. The warrior should really have been in the meetings with the Earth Kings or the Northern Tribe. The Fire Lord also noticed how difficult it was for the Water Tribe Prince to keep his humor at bay, if it was just the two of them he would have been more relaxed. But since his son’s wedding, the Southern Chieftain was taking instructing his son very seriously.
It felt odd to be sitting across from his best friend while he was being taught how trade agreements worked.
“Right,” Hakoda nodded looking between the two young men. He went say something but stopped himself, after a moment of thought he stood up. “Why don’t I leave you two to work out the details then? Fire Lord Zuko, would you be alright if my son negotiated instead of me?”
“That is perfectly acceptable, Chief Hakoda,” Zuko agreed with a straight face. He knew this would be Sokka’s first trade agreement on his own but he didn’t foresee any difficulties. The Southern Chief nodded then left the Fire Lord and the Water Tribe Heir to negotiate. The two friends watched as the older man left the library in silence, only speaking again when they were alone with the scribe.
“Finally,” Sokka grumbled to himself. He appreciated his father wanting to show him the ropes, but he need an opportunity to show how much he had learned. The tribesman looked down at his notes before continuing the negotiations, “So crops?”
“Yes, I know that poles have trouble producing fresh crops because of the weather. The Fire Nation is happy to provide them,” Zuko began, sliding a scroll over with a set of numbers he was willing to offer. He knew he did not need to be worried about being taken advantage of by his friend so he continued. “Now that I am marrying your sister there has been a demand for all things blue. But specifically the blue beads and bone jewelry.”
“So your thought is to trade the crops for the beads and jewelry your citizens are wanting to purchase,” Sokka nodded as he looked over the numbers his friend had shown him. He made a few adjustments and passed the scroll back. “That could work. I think we should try it for a year, after the first anniversary of your marriage we can reevaluate.”
“I am in agreement,” Zuko nodded after looking over the adjustments. He passed the paper to the scribe and gestured for him to write up the proposed trade deal. A few minutes later both men were signing the scroll and the scribe was on his way to find the Chieftain.
“First official trade agreement is done,” the tribesman grinned as he grasped the forearm of his friend.
“Easiest negotiation I have ever had,” the firebender grinned at his friend. He was used to the other nations making high demands because of their trauma from the war.
“Only a few more months,” Sokka commented, passing Zuko a cup of tea that was sitting on the table. He should have offered it sooner, but he had been distracted by his father.
“Yeah, feels like forever and tomorrow all at the same time,” Zuko sighed rubbing a hand over his face. “Anyway, how are you? It’s been what almost two months now?”
“Yeah,” the warrior nodded with a dopey grin on his face. The past couple of months had been the best of his life. “I’m so happy! I didn’t think I could feel any happier than when she married me, but every day I fall more in love with her.”
“I know that feeling,” the Fire Lord whispered as he looked down at the tea in his hand. He was thrilled for his friend, he really was, but the Fire Lord felt some envy at how easy the warrior’s relationship was. “It’s how I feel about your sister, except she doesn’t love me in return.”
The Water Tribe Prince looked at his friend across the table from him. He could clearly see how upset Zuko was. He was still in denial about Katara loving him and that wasn’t going to change anytime soon.
The tribesman was unsure if his friend was being purposefully obtuse or if he really didn’t think the waterbender could have feelings for him. Sokka sighed as he watched his friend for a moment. After a few seconds, the warrior stood and moved toward the bookshelf across the room. He knew his father had a secret stash of Arctic Arrack hidden.
“We need something stronger,” Sokka stated turning back to his friend holding up the bottle and two glasses.
“Yeah,” Zuko agreed with a half-smile as his friend retook his seat. The firebender pushed his half-empty cup of tea away and waited to be served the liquor.
The Water Tribe Heir poured each of them a drink. As he passed the glass he asked, “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” Zuko shrugged as he took a sip, feeling the alcohol spread through his body and the warm feeling that came with it. “I felt a little guilty for trapping your sister, but after our fight, we talked and I feel better.”
“Wait, you two had a fight?”
“Right after you left for your honeymoon,” the firebender nodded. He hadn’t planned on telling Sokka about their fight, but Zuko felt like if he was going to be successful in wooing his bride he need her brother’s help. “She was upset and I was upset. We both said some things we shouldn’t have. Your sister threw an icicle at my head, a perfectly formed one from thin air.”
“Her bending has gotten very good,” the tribesman commented as he listened to the story noting the awe in Zuko’s voice when he spoke about his sister’s bending. Turning to pour a second drink for himself and his friend before continuing. “You sent the scrolls and she ran with them.”
“I noticed,” Zuko drawled before continuing his story. He looked at his drink a small smile on his face as he remembered their fight, she had looked stunning and powerful. A warrior princess if he ever saw one. “She trapped me in a ball of ice, again, before running off in tears. Then later we finally had a chance to talk since then I feel less guilty and it’s less weird. But we are still working on things.”
“You could just tell her,” Sokka mentioned for the thousandth time. He was frustrated that Zuko and Katara could not see what was right in front of them.
“Hey, I have a question for you,” the Fire Lord spoke suddenly. He did not want to hear Sokka explain to him for the millionth time how he should admit his feelings. Plus he did have a question for his friend, he was curious about something having to do with the warrior’s wedding.
“Ask away jerk-bender,” the Water Tribe Heir gestured for Zuko to ask his question while he downed his third drink in one gulp.
“I really hate when you call me that,” the firebender glared at his friend who poured him another drink. “We all know you and Suki were intimate during the war. We all knew. How did you get around the marriage bed inspection?”
“Oh yeah, that was something that took some planning,” Sokka laughed as he poured himself a fourth drink, or was it five? He was losing count but didn’t really care, “We were sure to be in separate bedrooms the entire year we were engaged, fooled, everyone. Honestly, the only people who knew was the Boomeraang Squad.”
“Team Avatar,” Zuko corrected as Sokka poured them more drinks. The firebender was noticing his friend getting more and more drunk, he groaned. He knew he would be the one to take care of Sokka. The man could not hold his liquor if his life depended on it.
“Yeah,” the tribesman continued his words beginning to slur slightly. The liquor sloshed in his glass he told the story, “Anyway, it took weeks to plan. Because you can’t bring anything into the marriage igloo. But I knew we weren’t going to pass the inspection if we couldn’t fake it. I thought about cutting myself, but then everyone would notice a wound.”
“So what did you do?” The Fire Lord questioned as he pulled the bottle of spirits away from Sokka. It slipped easily into his hand, his friend too tipsy to put up a fight.
“We had lychee nuts at our wedding, they are Suki’s favorite food from home,” Sokka slurred only stopping to take a sip. He ended up spilling more than ingesting at that moment, “So we snuck some into our clothes, we both did it to make sure we would have enough. We used the juice from them to stain the sheets. It was the perfect coloring too, reddish-brown. No one even questioned it. Even I believed she was a virgin when we woke up the next morning.”
“Okay, you are drunk,” the firebender stated as he stood and pulled his friend up. Sokka wrapped his arm around Zuko’s neck, while Zuko supported his torso.
“You’re my best friend,” the tribesman slurred as his friend helped him home. He half stumbled and a half was dragged through the corridors.
“I know,” Zuko shook his head taking more of Sokka’s weight as they weaved their way along with corridors. The Fire Lord shook his head as he listened to his friend babble about friendship, his boomerang, Suki, and the war.
“Where are we going?” The warrior questioned as he was led outside by his friend. It took him a minute to realize they had left the Southern Palace
“I’m taking you home,” the Fire Lord informed him as they moved through the snow. He was grateful at this moment to be a firebender, not only was he able to stay warm in the poles he was able to hold his liquor better than his friends.
“Home, Suki is home,” Sokka mumbled drunkenly turning to look at his friend. “Maybe she’ll be naked.”
“I did not need to hear that,” Zuko groaned in annoyance. He shook his head at the way his friend kept mumbling about the Kyoshi Warrior.
“Oh no,” Suki said as Zuko pulled Sokka inside the newlyweds’ home. “Let me guess he got into his father’s Arctic Arrack again?”
“Suki!” Sokka exclaimed when he saw his wife. He pulled away from Zuko and tried to reach for his wife, his lips puckered for a kiss. The Kyoshi Warrior easily deflected her intoxicated husband.
“Where do you want me to put him?” Zuko asked as he pulled Sokka back to him. He nodded when he saw Suki gesture toward the bedroom. The firebender helped the Kyoshi Warrior put the tribesman to bed before leaving them to their peace.
“Zuko, what were you doing at Sokka’s and Suki’s?” Katara asked when she saw her betrothed leaving her brother’s home. She had been on her way to meet her sister-in-law for a meeting to discuss the subdivision of the Kyoshi Warrior’s in the South Pole.
“Putting him to bed,” Zuko chuckled at the events finally seeing how funny they were, now he wasn’t pulling his drunk friend through the streets. “We got into your dad’s Arctic Arrack after our trade agreement meeting.”
“Oh, Tui and La,” the waterbender shook her head before she began giggling. Her hand clutched her stomach as she laughed. “He cannot hold his liquor.”
“No, he can’t,” the firebender laughed with his fiancé. The two benders made eye contact and both felt their mirth settle.
“Well, I guess my meeting with Suki isn’t happening,” Katara mumbled with a residual giggle. “A drunk Sokka is a handful.”
“I do not know how Suki put’s up with him,” he responded with a crooked smile. He wanted to keep talking to her.
“She’s a saint,” the waterbender agreed, she looked down at her feet.
“May I walk you back?” Zuko asked formally when he noticed members of the tribe stopping to observe them. He had been sure to keep things formal and proper after Hakoda’s question on their hunting trip. He did not want Katara’s honor in question.
“I would like that,” she nodded at him. He extended his arm and hers slipped through his easily so he could lead her. The couple walked quietly back to the Southern Palace, just happy to be with one another.
“Katara, can I come in?” Suki asked after she knocked on Katara’s open door.
“Of course,” the waterbender gestured for her sister-in-law to come in and join her. She noticed how Suki was sure to close the door as she entered the room.
“I was hoping I could talk to you about something,” the Kyoshi Warrior began as she sat on the couch next to Katara. Suki kept adjusting her position.
“What’s wrong?” The tribeswoman asked her with concern as she observed the nervous energy of the Kyoshi Warrior. It was an unusual occurrence for her to be anxious.
“It’s been a little over six weeks since Sokka and I returned from our honeymoon,” Suki began brushing her hair back as she spoke. Her nerves were high, but she needed to know. Her throat felt dry as she paused, the words not coming out.
“Suki, is everything okay? Did Sokka do something?” Katara questioned as she continued to watch her sister-in-law nervously fidgeting.
“No, he’s amazing!” Suki exclaimed her hands up in front of her. “I just haven’t been feeling well and I haven’t, I mean I skipped a cycle. It should have come the week we came home from our honeymoon and now I’m late,” The Kyoshi Warrior took a deep breath, it was now or never. “I think I’m pregnant. I was hoping you could check.”
“Suki! Of course, I’ll check,” Katara exclaimed pulling the warrior into a fierce hug. The two girls released the hug and the waterbender gestured for Suki to lay down on her bed so Katara could examine her.
“I’m so nervous, Katara,” the newlywed whispered as her sister-in-law began her examination. “I was taking a tea during the war and whenever I saw Sokka after. Then when we came to the South after we were engaged, your grandmother was so strict so I didn’t need it. I meant to take some with us on our honeymoon, but I forgot. And then I didn’t know where to get any. Sokka and I didn’t want to have children this soon.”
“Suki, it’s going to be okay. He will be thrilled,” Katara comforted her as she used her bloodbending to check the pregnancy.
The waterbender’s hands hovered over Suki’s lower abdomen, feeling the push and pull of her blood. Her hands steady over her and there, she felt the pull and push separate from Suki’s. Katara paused on the spot, waiting, just letting herself feel the flow of blood before finally, she felt it — a beat. Then two. And within seconds she felt the fast thumping of a baby’s heartbeat.
“Katara?” The Kyoshi Warrior’s voice was unsteady with her nerves.
“Congratulations,” the waterbender said as she pulled her hands away, helping her sister-in-law into a sitting position. “You’re pregnant.”
“Are you sure?” Suki whispered with tears streaming down her face. Her fears filled her head as she placed a hand on her lower stomach.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Katara nodded her head with a smile. “Sokka will be thrilled. I promise you!”
The Kyoshi Warrior looked at her friend in silence before a radiant smile graced her face. “I’m so happy! I was worried,” she whispered. “Some of the older warriors had trouble conceiving. Too many blows to the abdomen. I was terrified I might not be able to have a baby.”
Katara wrapped her arms around the older girl, tightly. Her words brought the comfort she knew Suki needed, “I can promise you, that everything is fine. I could sense a strong and healthy baby. By my estimation, you are about eight weeks, maybe nine.”
“Now I just need to tell Sokka,” Suki pulled away wiping the tears from her face. Her green eyes sparkling as the tears fell. “Do you mind keeping it to yourself until I tell him?”
“Of course not,” the waterbender shook her head.
“I’ll keep it a secret too,” they heard Toph’s voice call from outside the door. “Can I come in now?”
Suki and Katara burst into giggles as the waterbender let their friend into the room. Toph always knew things she wasn’t supposed to. The earthbender pulled Suki into a bone-crushing hug before sitting next to Katara. She was ecstatic for her friend.
“Someone needs to learn to stop eavesdropping,” Katara bumped Toph’s shoulder with her own.
“Where’s the fun in that? Plus, I was going to find out anyway,” the earthbender drawled as she put her feet up on the table. “And I was coming to look for you to see if you wanted to go hang out with Twinkle Toes. He is practicing his waterbending, might be a good time to tell him about your bloodbending. Especially if you are going to yell about it to Zuko regularly.”
“He still doesn’t know?” Suki questioned in surprise, looking at Katara. Her green eyes were wide as she looked at the waterbender.
“It’s just a sensitive subject,” Katara defended herself, waving her hand to brush the Kyoshi Warrior off. “I made him a promise after Hama I wouldn’t do it again.”
“I think you should show him the healing scroll, Sparky gave you,” Toph suggested picking at her ear before crossing her arms over her chest and standing. “If you do it now we can all be there to help.”
“You really need to,” Suki agreed standing next to the Blind Bandit. She arched an eyebrow at her sister-in-law.
“Fine,” the waterbender relented following her two friends out of her room to go find Aang.
She walked with purpose, her friends following her speaking in hushed tones to each other. Katara knew the earthbender and her sister-in-law were talking about the confrontation she was about to have with Aang. She pushed her insecurity of what they were saying out of her mind as she strode toward the training arena.
The Water Tribe Princess was surprised when they entered the arena to see Zuko sparring with the Avatar. The three girls watched the two benders spar from their spot on the sidelines, it was hard to tell who had the upper hand. Katara’s eyes traveled the length of her betrothed’s body as he fought. She hadn’t seen him spar with Aang in years, she was amazed at the power he was displaying.
Finally, the firebender was able to pin the avatar.
“Hey, guys!” Aang greeted as he ran over to the girls after Zuko helped him off the ground. The avatar wiped the sweat from his face as he spoke. “What are you up to?”
“We just came to watch the match,” Suki commented trying to distract Aang when she noticed her sister-in-law was observing a certain firebender.
The Kyoshi Warrior knew that Aang and Katara had mutually decided not to pursue a relationship together. And while the waterbender never had feelings that were romantic for the airbender it didn’t mean that his romantic feelings disappeared after their decision. Suki could see that even though he had let her go, he still had residual feelings.
Zuko had pulled the bottom of his shirt up to wipe away the sweat from his face, leaving his torso bare in the process. The waterbender was amazed to see how built he had become since the last time she saw him shirtless. His muscles rippling and bulging at his heavy breathing, a sheen of sweat covering his body. The lightning scar only enhanced the ruggedness of his muscular torso.
The Fire Lord pulled his shirt back into place, finally seeing his friends across the way. He was pleased to notice his betrothed’s eyes on him.
“Hi,” he said huskily as he joined them.
“Hi,” Katara responded breathily. She cleared her throat and turned back to the Avatar. “I just came to see if Aang wanted to learn some Southern Style bending.”
“Yeah!” The Avatar exclaimed, not noticing the stifling sexual tension between the couple. “Zuko told me he sent you some scrolls!”
“He did,” she nodded looking at the younger man. She was doing everything in her power not to ogle Zuko. “Actually that’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
The Fire Lord felt the air shift at her words. He had a feeling he knew what was coming next.
He had tried to convince Katara for months to tell Aang about bloodbending in Southern Style Healing. But she had refused, stating he wouldn’t understand. Now she had become so much better at it, it was time she informed the Avatar. Zuko could see the strategy she had, two of her closest friends were with her and he was there too. It was the perfect time to tell.
“What about it?” Aang questioned almost bouncing on his feet. He hardly spent time with Katara anymore, their lives were just different now. He was excited to practice waterbending with her. His crush might not have planned out the way he wanted, but she was still one of his best friends and he still had some feelings for her.
“There was something in the healing scroll that was really interesting under advanced techniques,” she began softly, her hand going to play with her necklace. An action that Zuko’s eyes followed intimately. She continued, “And I know you might not approve but . . .”
“This is taking forever,” Toph grumbled from her spot next to Katara. “Here’s the deal, the Southern Tribe has used bloodbending as a healing practice for hundreds of years. Sugar Queen has been learning it and has gotten really good, doesn’t even need a full moon anymore.”
“You’ve been bloodbending?” Aang questioned his voice hard, devoid of any emotion. It caused a shiver to run down everyone’s spine.
“Only in terms of healing,” Katara corrected quickly, her voice growing stronger as she kept talking. Her hand dropped from her neck and she pulled her shoulders back. “It has been able to save so many lives. There are five children who have their mother’s because I was able to use it during their birth.”
“You promised me you would never use it,” the Avatar accused her. In his mind, bloodbending was perverse and dirty. It was a skill that should never be used and he thought Katara had agreed with him. She had been so upset the night she had used it on Hama.
“That was years ago,” the waterbender defended herself, her brow furrowing. “I also didn’t know all it could do, but now I do. It can save lives, do you know how many people could have survived the war if someone knew how?”
“And? That doesn’t make it better, Katara,” Aang argued, his mind was made up. He didn’t like this particular subspecialty of waterbending and decided that it was vile. “Just because something can be used for good, doesn’t mean it should be used! It's twisted and wrong, you told me that yourself. You hated that you knew how to do it.”
“Oh lay off,” the firebender chimed in when he caught sight of his fiancé’s face, she looked defeated. Her fingers rubbed the blue jade as she was verbally attacked by the avatar. “You aren’t the bending police Aang.”
“I’m the Avatar, it’s my job to keep balance,” his friend corrected the firebender, his voice harsh. The young monk’s hands balling into fists at his side.
“Then keep balance, but that’s not what this is about,” the firebender crossed his arms over his chest. Zuko’s next words caused the airbender’s jaw to drop. “But just for the sake of argument, don’t you think a talented waterbender using a died-off subspecialty of healing would help keep balance. Especially considering it was a casualty to the hundred-year war?”
“That’s not the point!” The Avatar cried in frustration with a huff of annoyance. He couldn’t believe what his friends were saying. “I’m the Avatar, and I don’t think Katara should do it. It’s perverse.”
“So are you going to tell Toph not to metal bend then? Me not to lightning bend?” Zuko questioned Aang, his voice hard and challenging. “All bending can be used in a perverse way, including airbending.”
“What?” The young monk questioned, his voice hoarse and frightened. Airbending was passive, nonviolent and he refused to believe that it could be used in a vicious way. “That’s not true!”
“An airbender could literally pull the air from someone’s lungs,” Zuko corrected Aang, this was an argument they had never had before. “Just because you don’t do it, doesn’t mean it's not possible. Bloodbending itself isn’t evil, only the acts that a bender uses it in can it become evil.”
“No airbender would do that,” Aang snapped at Zuko. The airbender could not picture anyone using his element to harm someone. “Plus, this doesn’t concern you.”
“Are you sure about that Aang?” The waterbender spoke up. She remembered the first time Zuko brought up airbending to kill someone. “Monk Gyatso was in a room with over twenty fire nation soldiers, how do you think they all died? I was there when you found him and frankly, after thinking about it he had to have pulled the air from the room for all of them to die.”
Aang shook his head, he didn’t want to believe what he was hearing. He felt sick to his stomach, he thought he would lose his lunch. But the more he thought over her words, the more they rang true. It hadn’t occurred to him before and now that he was thinking of it, there had to be an explanation of why so many were dead in that room.
Gyatso would have sacrificed himself to allow others to escape, he also would have taken a life if it was for the greater good.
“Aang, we aren’t telling you this to cause you pain,” Zuko added when he saw the distress on the airbender’s face. His arms dropped from his chest, “Only to point out the grey areas in bending. It’s not all black and white, you know that. If you didn’t you wouldn’t have spared my father’s life.”
“I still don’t think she should use it,” the airbender argued again. Though even to his own ears, his arguments felt weak now. He swallowed loudly as looked down at the ground.
“It’s not up to you,” Katara stated her voice strong. She could do this, she thought to herself. “Pakku agrees with me and so does Zuko. But most importantly it’s my decision, not yours.”
“Katara,” the airbender pleaded to his friend. His grey eyes met hers.
The waterbender thought back to the first night on the roof with Zuko on Ember Island, his words about her mother coming back to her. Her waterbending was the way she kept her mother alive. This was more than just about what bloodbending could do to save lives. It was about her mother’s legacy and the fact she sacrificed herself for Katara.
“No, Aang,” she shook her head, her stance shifted and she held her head high. “This isn’t just about the morality issue of bloodbending. It’s also about my mother.”
The Fire Lord watched his betrothed step into her own power. Her hair softly blew in the wind, her cheeks pink from the cold, and her sapphire eyes were filled with fire. The Water Tribe Princess was the perfect woman to lead with him, the monarch thought to himself.
“What?” Everyone but the firebender exclaimed in confusion.
Toph tilted her head closer to the waterbender to hear better. Suki and Aang were looking between the couple in confusion. The events of their time looking for the Southern Raiders had been very private, only sharing that Katara had let Yon Rha go.
“When Zuko and I went to look for Yon Rha,” Katara began her voice wavering as she remembered her mother’s killer. She took a shaky breath to steady herself and licked her lips. “He informed me that he had been sent by the Fire Nation in search of the last Southern Waterbender. My mother lied to protect me. She sacrificed herself for me.”
“Katara,” Suki whispered moving closer to the waterbender. But her new sister held up a hand to stop her.
“Mastering my element fully — including bloodbending,” Katara spoke her voice stronger and filled with passion. “Is not just about being a good waterbender, it’s not even about being the best waterbender of our generation. It’s about my mother’s memory and I’m sorry but I won’t sacrifice that for anyone. Not even you.”
“And you shouldn’t have to,” Zuko reassured her with a loaded look to the airbender when he turned to look at him.
Aang sighed as he interrupted his friend’s look correctly. But the firebender was right and the Avatar understood where Katara was coming from. She was right, this wasn’t just about the morality issue of bloodbending. He also knew realistically that Katara wouldn’t abuse the power.
“You’re right,” the airbender nodded solemnly as he turned back to the waterbender. “But I don’t think anyone else should learn how to use it.”
Katara nodded but caught Zuko’s eye behind Aang. The firebender gave his betrothed a quick wink that only she noticed, he was rewarded with the ghost of a smile as she tried to keep the interaction between them. The couple had spent a few nights on the roof since their fight talking about how to screen candidates for bloodbending. But Aang would need a little more time before he would be open to other waterbenders learning how to bloodbend.
“Thanks, Aang,” the waterbender smiled at her friend. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, “Do you still want me to show you some of the other things I’ve learned?”
“Yeah,” he agreed instantly pulling her into the arena with him. Suki, Toph, and Zuko observed the two from the sidelines as Katara fell back into her role as the Avatar’s waterbending teacher.
“You’re good for her,” Suki commented to Zuko as they watched the two benders in the arena.
“Hmm?” Zuko murmured glancing briefly at the Kyoshi Warrior in question. His gold eyes quickly moved back to watch his future wife. “What are you talking about?”
“Zuko, you two were not subtle,” Suki rolled her eyes, a knowing smile on her face as she watched him. “All of us, well except maybe for Aang, knew about your roof time talks. Plus, Katara was anti-bloodbending until after you took her on her field trip.”
“I didn’t try to convince her if that’s what you mean,” the Fire Lord pulled his eyes away from his betrothed Turing to Suki. He gave her a questioning look. “If you think I could convince Katara to do anything, you don’t know her at all.”
“No,” Suki shook her head. Sometimes she forgot how dense Zuko could be. She went on to clarify, “I just mean that you help her think things through better, which is good for her. And she makes you not take life too seriously. You are good for each other.”
Zuko looked back at the waterbender, watching how carefree she looked as she moved through each bending form. Her cheeks flushed from the cold, her hair falling out of her braid as she moved. The Fire Lord watched as her eyes sparkled with each movement, the way Katara bit her bottom lip as she concentrated. Her brow furrowed as she instructed Aang.
“Sparky is staring again,” Toph teased as she bumped her shoulder with Suki’s.
But the firebender was more than staring, he was falling deeper in love with the waterbender as he watched her.
Notes:
How are we feeling? Did you hate it? Love it? Eagerly awaiting the next chapter? I would love to hear your thoughts!
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Chapter Twelve is coming March 5th, 2022
Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve: Fall 103 AG
Notes:
Happy Saturday!
This chapter is coming late in the day, but at least it's on schedule :) Thank you to everyone who commented and left kudos on the last chapter. I so appreciate it! Thank you to those of you who have subscribed and bookmarked my story.
Please forgive all mistakes! I hope you enjoy :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Twelve: Fall 103 AG
"Arnook, please," Hakoda groaned exasperated, rubbing his temples as he spoke. "We know why Zuko cannot have a Water Tribe wedding, yes it's important to Katara. But it's more important she is crowned Fire Lady, not Princess Consort."
The Northern Chief had been in a disagreement with the Fire Lord and Southern Chief for over two hours now. They had been discussing the marriage contract again, Arnook pointing out how much Katara deserved the opportunity to have a traditional Water Tribe wedding. He continued to argue that the Tribes would only recognize the couple as betrothed without a Water Tribe wedding.
Hakoda agreed with the other Chief, he desperately wanted his daughter to be married in the Tribe. But he understood why it was not feasible. The only option was to have two weddings and there was no time to plan another large-scale wedding.
"I wish I could do something about it," Zuko replied for the tenth time, his palms pressing into his eyes. He had a headache forming. "I just don't know how, unless we had two weddings. But the wedding is already set in the Fire Nation for two months from now, I can't change it. And if it really means that much to her, why hasn't she told me herself?"
Hakoda looked at the disgruntled Fire Lord sitting in front of him. The Southern Chief took pity on the young man, "You know how stubborn and headstrong she is."
"I know," Zuko mumbled pulling his hands away from his face, he felt bad for snapping. He knew that Katara was a people-pleaser, she wasn't going to admit how much she wanted a Tribal wedding. She was barely able to make him a list of things she liked so the royal staff knew. "But we are going to be married in the next couple of months. I just wish this was something she would have come to me about. Anytime I try to bring it up, she doesn't say anything."
"Why not have two weddings?" Arnook asked suddenly as if the thought had not occurred to him previously. Though Hakoda and he had strategized how to have the Fire Lord agree to a Water Tribe wedding. Both of them decided that the Northern Chief would play the heavy hand, while the Southern Chief would be the more forgiving man.
"Because we don't have time to plan another one," The Fire Lord commented annoyed, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "There is no way we could create a wedding on that scale in less than a month, plus not all the guests could arrive in time. And the ones who couldn't, they would see it as a slight to them. We would need at least another year and I can't postpone the Fire Nation wedding. The Fire Sages informed me that I need to be married by my twenty-first birthday which is this summer."
"Because you have no heir," Iroh added as he walked into the room. He had heard about this meeting from Pakku and knew that he needed to be there for his nephew. "I'm too old and Azula is still healing. Which means there is no one to take over if something happens to you. You are the first Fire Lord in hundreds of years who has been unmarried when you took the throne. Your marriage contract already has a generous allotment for an heir."
"It does," the young monarch sighed he looked down. His uncle was right, the marriage contract had a very generous time frame. Zuko had seen many marriage contracts allot for an heir to be born within a year of the wedding. The firebender hadn't wanted to subject Katara to that much pressure. He, with the help of Bato, had been able to negotiate two heirs in five years. It was a much more generous arrangement than most.
"I still don't understand why we can't have two weddings," Arnook wondered aloud as he adjusted his position where he sat. He was playing his part perfectly, though for a brief moment Hakoda contemplated if Arnook was playing the part or if that was just him.
Zuko gave Arnook a dirty look. He thought he had been clear on the reasoning why a second wedding now was not possible. If he had known how important it was to Katara when the marriage contract was being created, Zuko would have added it in. He would have found a way to have two weddings. The Fire Lord would do anything for the woman he loved. It was just too late now.
"Yes, why not?" Iroh turned to his nephew. The Dragon of the West understood where the Northern Chief's thoughts were heading and he agreed with them. And perhaps a more intimate wedding might help give the couple the nudge in the right direction.
"We don't have time to plan it," Zuko reiterated his voice harsh and exasperated. The firebender knew how much this meant to his bride and he had struggled with it. He wished he could give her the wedding of her dreams. He just didn't know how to give it to her.
"That's only if you do a large wedding," Iroh corrected his nephew, his brow furrowing as he pretended to think. He didn't want Zuko thinking he was being played. "All your friends are here, your family. A small intimate wedding, just for you and Katara."
"That would make my daughter very happy," Hakoda stated looking at Iroh then Zuko. The chieftain had a smilier thought to the old general and if anything else, he would be able to see his daughter have a traditional Water Tribe wedding. "She is sacrificing a lot to marry you."
The Fire Lord's mind thought over his uncle's words, first. It would be nice to have a wedding that felt like it was just for them. After seeing Sokka and Suki's wedding, he could see the appeal. The Tribal weddings were very romantic, much more than the Fire Nation ones. It would be much more intimate than the large wedding already planned two months from now. A wedding that would of course hold weight for the Fire Sages, but it would be mostly for show.
Zuko sighed, thinking of his future father-in-law's words. Katara was sacrificing a lot to marry him. She had been roped into a political marriage with him. And in a week she would be leaving her home to live in the Fire Nation. The choice had been taken away from her when her father agreed to the marriage contract. The least her future husband could do was give her the wedding of her people.
And just maybe, the Tribal wedding could help the Fire Lord and his bride see this as a real marriage not just an arranged one.
"It really means that much to her?" Zuko clarified looking at Hakoda, though his mind was already made. With the two men making eye contact, it was clear to the firebender what the answer was. "We are scheduled to leave for the Fire Nation at the beginning of next week and her birthday is tomorrow. Tell me if it's possible to arrange something that quickly."
"We can have it scheduled for the end of the week," Arnook suggested looking around the room. At the agreeing expressions from the assembled company he continued, "It shouldn't take much planning if it's only friends and family. And you can still have your original departure date the day after."
"Okay," Zuko nodded after a moment. A small ember of hope began to settle in his belly, this could be a very good thing for him and his betrothed. "I guess I'm getting married at the end of the week, the full moon too. Perfect for my waterbending bride."
The Fire Lord found himself on the roof later that evening. It was decided that Zuko would be the one to tell Katara about the wedding date and he wanted to. Everyone expected him to speak with her in the morning. They didn't have a planned meeting tonight, but he had a feeling he would see the waterbender at some point that evening.
"I thought I might find you here," Katara greeted as she joined him. "I haven't seen you all day. Feel like you've been holed up with my father and Arnook since yesterday."
He instantly positioned himself so she could seat herself between his legs. Ever since the night they made up after their fight, they cuddled on the roof under the guise of staying warm. Both did not want to admit their feelings about one another, but also wanting to take advantage of the cold weather and his higher body temperature.
"Hey," he replied as she settled against his chest. He noticed how she took a deep sniff of him when she sat down. She had been doing that a lot of the time. He scratched the back of his neck, "Yeah, I really have been."
"The struggle of being Fire Lord," she giggled as she snuggled deeper into his arms. He was so warm.
"I have something to tell you."
"You sound so serious," Katara teased as he subconsciously pulled her tightly to him. "Does it have to do with my birthday present?"
Zuko chuckled resting his chin against her shoulder before responding, "No, but I do hope you like your gift. Sokka helped me pick it out."
"Oh no," she giggled as she cuddled into him. She could feel his muscular torso against her back. Her mind swirled with what he looked like under the clothes. "It's going to be awful. He's the worst at gift-giving. You'd think my brother would be better at giving gifts than he is, considering how observant he is."
"Hopefully Suki will help him now that they are married," Zuko agreed with her a throaty chuckle following his words. His friend really was the worst when it came to presents. "But I still do have something to tell you and it's important."
Katara felt her back get warmer as his temperature increased steadily. She knew from experience, that it only happened when he was nervous. She took a deep breath to steady herself, "I'm listening."
"I know how important it is for you to have a Water Tribe wedding," the firebender began softly. His voice was husky and steady as he spoke, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin in arousal.
"Zuko," she tried to comfort him, but he kept speaking.
"You are making so many sacrifices for me and I want you to have your dream wedding, which isn't a Fire Nation wedding. But without a Fire Nation wedding the Fire Sages won't crown you Fire Lady," his words were coming out in a rush because of his nerves. He needed to get this out. "So we will have two weddings. The one in the Fire Nation two months from now and a Water Tribe wedding at the end of the week, just for our family and friends."
"We can have a Water Tribe wedding?" Katara questioned in awe, her voice weak with emotion. She was trying to process his words and she didn't want herself to hope, in case she had miss heard him.
"Yes," Zuko answered rubbing his chin against her shoulder. "Only if you want to."
"I want to," she whispered leaning her head back to rest against his chest. She was thinking about her wedding dress, the dress she had pictured since she was a child. Though this time, she hovered on the image briefly before her mind wandered to her mother's dress.
"It would be at the end of the week though," Zuko explained as his arms tightened, she sounded so happy. "We can't postpone our departure to the Fire Nation and I don't want you to wait until the next time we are in the South Pole."
"On the full moon?" Her breath caught in the back of her throat as she processed Zuko's words. That would mean that they would be married two months sooner than originally planned. Which also meant that she would have to share a bed with him sooner, much sooner. She immediately was on edge at the thought of consummating their marriage.
"Yes," he nodded his chin moving against her shoulder and brushing some of her windblown hair out of her face. He was trying to understand her thought process, but it was unclear to him.
"Would you wear Water Tribe clothes or Fire Nation?" The waterbender asked her betrothed suddenly. Her mind whirling with the news, for some reason marrying Zuko in a Tribal wedding made the marriage seem much more real to Katara.
"Water Tribe," he replied automatically. It had never even crossed his mind that he would wear Fire Nation clothing. He had assumed he would ask Sokka to help him acquire the traditional clothing. Zuko did wonder briefly why she was worried about something so trivia, but he assumed it was because of the shock at hearing the news.
"Good," she responded as she sniffed him again. Tui and La, he smelled so good. "We will be married in a week. It seems so real now."
"I know what you mean," Zuko mumbled. Something about the way she was reacting made him feel like he could tell her about his feelings, maybe Sokka had a point of just telling her. . . So with a deep breath, "I'm excited to marry you."
"You don't have to say that," Katara murmured looking out at the city. The waterbender thought she knew what he meant. She knew he wasn't actually excited, only that he was grateful it was her and not someone else. "I know this is political and you are only happy because we are friends."
"I didn't mean it that way," Zuko shook his head trying to find a way to explain his feelings. "I meant—"
"I should get to my room," she interrupted as she pushed herself out of his arms. She didn't want to hear Zuko explain to her again how he was thankful that his arranged marriage was to her and not an Earth Kingdom noblewoman. She didn't have the strength, not tonight.
"Yeah," he sighed dejectedly, his heart felt like it was in his stomach as the moment passed. To him, Katara was rejecting his advances and she didn't want to hear him confess his feelings. If that's what she wanted, Zuko would keep his feelings to himself until she wanted him to confess them.
"Gran-gran will be checking my room now that the wedding is so soon," she explained to her fiancé. "The next week will be busy, with all the planning. Probably not much time to meet on the roof."
"Right," he nodded. The firebender knew how seriously the Tribes took purity. "I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight Katara, sleep well."
"Goodnight Zuko," Katara said as she climbed off the roof. It hurt more to hear the man you loved to say he only viewed you as a friend.
His mouth was hot against hers as he kissed her.
Katara wrapped her arms around his neck, tangling into his hair to pull his mouth closer to hers. She couldn't get enough of him and he of her. He nipped her bottom lip, eliciting a throaty moan from her. His naked torso pressed against her bare chest, nipples pebbling at the contact.
Hot hands slipped up her bare waist and then ribcage. Her legs tangled with his causing them to move closer together. She could feel his hardness pressing against one of her thighs.
Zuko's hands slid up her body, brushing the sides of her breast in their ascent. He reached the top of the waterbender's arms, detangling them from his neck. His hot hands glided against her arms until his hands threaded through hers. Pinning her beneath him. His mouth pulled away from hers, moving lower pressing kisses to the top curve of her breasts.
"Zuko, please," she moaned loudly.
"Happy Birthday!" Toph exclaimed as she walked into Katara's room the next morning without permission.
"I was sleeping," Katara grumbled as she pulled the furs over her head. She had been having a wonderful dream about the Fire Lord. Her body was still tingling at the images her subconscious had curated.
"It's your birthday," Toph commented as she moved closer to her friend. Speaking as she went to remove the covers. "Which means, it's time to get up! Also, Iroh is making you a special brew for breakfast and your grandmother has been cooking for over an hour."
"You are the worst," Katara shrieked as the cold air washed over her. Though it did do a good job at riding her of her arousal.
"If you don't get up, I'll drag you out of bed," the earthbender threatened her friend. The waterbender groaned as she pushed to sit up before pulling herself out of bed. She knew there would be no stopping the Blind Bandit.
"I thought it was my birthday," the older woman mumbled as she began dressing for the day behind the partition near her wardrobe.
"Hey what happened between you and Zuko on the roof last night?" Toph questioned as she sat on her friend's bed."His heart rate was weird when came back inside, he seemed sad and nervous. But also excited, it was confusing."
"We are apparently having two weddings now, the massive one in the Fire Nation," Katara explained as she sat at her dressing table, pulling a brush through her hair. "And a Water Tribe one at the end of the week for just friends and family."
"Thought you would be happy about that," Toph leaned back deep in thought as she felt her friend's heartbeat and breathing change. "You'll get to be in bed with him sooner."
"Toph!" Katara cried out in indignation.
It was bad enough her friend knew about her feelings for Zuko, now the earthbender had to mention the attraction regularly just to get a laugh. It didn't help that the waterbender was also anxious about her wedding night, she had no experience. Add in the fact she was in love with the man she was entering an arranged marriage with, it caused her to be a little on edge about the whole thing.
"I'm just saying," Toph picked at her ear. She knew there was more to it than Katara was telling her. "I know how attracted you are to him and you told me how in love with him you are. Maybe time between the sheets will help him see you differently."
"I can't believe you just said that," Katara covered her face with her hands.
She was mortified at what her friend was saying but a small part of her pondered for a moment if there was any validity to what she was saying. Maybe being intimate with Zuko would help him see her as a woman and not just as his best friend. Katara didn't think it could hurt anything.
A knock at the door interrupted them and the waterbender called for the person to enter.
"Oh good you are awake," Suki greeted her as she went to join Toph on the bed. "Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks," Katara smiled and moved back to fixing her hair.
"Sokka told me you are getting married at the end of the week," the warrior commented as she watched her friend. "I'm sure you must be excited about that. I bet he's an amazing lover, all those muscles, his warm body temperature, and I'm assuming he's very well endowed. Ty Lee told me that firebenders are extremely passionate in the bedroom."
"Suki!"
"That's what I said!" Toph exclaimed in agreement, elbowing the Kyoshi Warrior. "But Sugar Queen is too much of a goody-too-shoes to even think about it. I told her the fastest way for Sparky to stop looking at her as a friend is through the bedroom, but she got all weird."
"Toph does have a point," Suki agreed with the earthbender looking toward Katara. Her green eyes were empathetic as she looked at her sister-in-law. "And would it be so bad if he fell for you? I thought that's what you wanted."
"I don't want him to fall for me because of sex," the tribeswoman argued as she braided her hair. Not meeting Suki's eyes in the mirror. "I want him to fall for me because of me. Not just my body."
"Well he needs to see that you think of him like that," Toph informed the woman across the room. Her own thoughts moved to the small crush she used to have on Sokka. "He will never fall for you if he sees you as just his friend."
"So we need to make him see you as a woman," Suki added helpfully. She knew for a fact that Zuko had feelings for the waterbender. But it was important Katara demonstrated she found him attractive. "There are plenty of ways we can help with that!"
"Operation Seduce the Fire Lord," Toph exclaimed in an excited voice.
"Fine," Katara grumbled looking at the reflection of the two in the mirror. Though really she was more than open to hearing the ideas of how to get Zuko to fall for her. They might have a bit of a point of adjusting his view of her. "But let's start later, today I want to enjoy my birthday."
"Deal," the two women said at the same time. The three friends left Katara's room to join the rest of their friends and family in the dining room for her birthday breakfast. The waterbender was sure to avoid eye contact with her betrothed from the moment she entered the room. Even as everyone greeted her with good wishes to celebrate her eighteenth birthday.
"Where's my dad?" Katara asked Pakku a few minutes later noticed her father was missing. She had been so busy avoiding her betrothed she hadn't realized that her father was not there.
"I think he spent the night at Bato's. I checked his room this morning and he wasn't there," Sokka spoke up from his spot next to her as he shoveled food into his mouth. "They went out drinking, something about his daughter turning eighteen and how he was missing all the good things. He should be here soon."
An hour of celebration later and her father still had not joined them. The young woman stood from her place, she wanted her only parent here. This was most likely her last birthday in the South Pole and he should be here. She had a funny feeling that he was avoiding her because he knew her wedding had been moved up. The waterbender was less than pleased with that. She was going to confront the Chief.
"I'm going to go get Dad. He should be here," she stated as she stood from the table suddenly drawing everyone's attention. Without waiting for a response the waterbender was gone. She walked through the quiet streets deep in thought, surprised at how early it still was. Much of the Tribe still sleeping.
She arrived at Bato's home, calling out his name as she knocked and entered at the same time. The man was practically family, it didn't occur to her to wait for him to let her in, let alone answer. She moved deeper into the tribesman's home, getting worried when she did not see her father on the couch. She knew that Bato would know where her father was and was unconcerned about looking in his bedroom for the warrior.
Coming up to the warrior's bedroom, the young woman knocked softly and heard a muffled reply in response. The waterbender peeked her head in through the open door seeing Bato awake but bleary-eyed in bed along with another body pressed into him. She could not make out who the other person was and didn't spend any time worrying about it. In her opinion, Bato was single so he could do whatever he wanted and it wasn't her business to see who he spent the night with.
"Bato, have you seen my dad?" Katara questioned softly as she tried not to wake the other person.
Before the warrior had a chance to respond the body shifted, the furs drawing back to reveal a tanned muscular back. The Water Tribe Princess was surprised to find her pseudo uncle in bed with another man. It was not the first same-sex relationship she had seen in the tribe, but she didn't realize that Bato had that orientation. Though in her opinion it explained so much about why he had not married.
Katara's heart plummeted and her stomach churned when she heard the voice coming from the body curled up to Bato.
"Bato, what time is it? I probably need to head back for Katara's birthday breakfast," Hakoda murmured groggily, he opened his eyes then quickly shut them. One of his hands moved to rub his eyes displaying more of his naked torso.
His daughter's gasp caused her father to turn to see who was in the room with them.
"Katara!" Hakoda cried out as she turned to leave, but she didn't stop to listen to him. She was instantly fleeing the scene in a fit of rage and betrayal. She had suspected her father was seeing someone, but never in a million years would she suspect it was a man. Let alone, Bato.
The waterbender ran the entire way home, tears rushing down her face. Her emotions were all over the place. Katara was unsure if she was angry or sad or embarrassed at catching her father in a compromising position. But she did know she was extremely hurt. The Water Tribe Princess had stopped paying attention to where she was going once inside her home, causing her to collide with a warm and hard body.
"Woah, Katara what's wrong?" Zuko asked as he steadied her from crashing into him. She had barreled through the corridors and straight into his chest. "Is everything alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Yeah, I just need to find Sokka," she replied hurriedly. Her voice slightly panicking, blue eyes wild as she looked around him frantically. Something was very clearly wrong.
"He's in the library," the firebender informed her. He tried to catch her eye as she glanced around the area, his betrothed seemed almost terrified. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"
The waterbender shook her head as she tried to separate herself from Zuko. As she answered him, her voice came out strangled and aggravated, "I just need to find my brother."
Zuko nodded and let her go watching as she moved speedily through the corridors. He felt rejected when she didn't want to speak with him. He knew her better than anyone else and something was clearly wrong. His hands felt sweaty at the thought she wanted to speak to Sokka and not him. Did she somehow learn about his feelings? Is that why she wanted to talk with her brother and not him? No, he thought to himself, if that were true she would have confronted him.
Katara did not give a second thought to the Fire Lord as she left in search of her brother.
"Sokka!" She cried fearfully as she burst into the library not caring her brother and his wife were wrapped around each other.
"Yes?" Sokka groaned as he and Suki pulled away from each other. The Kyoshi Warrior hadn't told her husband that she was pregnant yet. She was hoping to do it now, but one look at the waterbender had her leaving the two siblings to speak in private.
"I have to talk to you," Katara informed him breathily, her voice wavering. The adrenaline in her body from fleeing the scene of her father and pseudo uncle wrapped around each other finally calming.
"What's wrong?" He questioned as he caught a glimpse of his sister. Her eyes were bloodshot and wide with an emotion he couldn't decipher. Tear tracks lined her cheeks and she was trembling. Something was clearly and extremely wrong.
"I caught dad in bed with . . . with," she stuttered the last word her breathing coming in harsh fast pants. She could barely bring herself to say the name. Sokka moved toward her and took her shaking hands in his. He needed her to calm herself long enough to tell him what happened.
"Deep breaths, slowly. In and out," he coached his sister through her breathing. Finally, the tribesman asked, "You caught dad in bed with whom?"
"Bato," she whispered the name.
"Wait?" Sokka stopped her, his voice cracking in surprise. He lifted an eyebrow as he looked at her in confusion. "Did you just say Bato? As in Bato Bato? The man who is basically our uncle?"
"Do you know more than one Bato?" Katara snapped at him yanking her hands from his in agitation. She didn't think she could be any clearer.
"Katara, I'm just trying to understand what you are saying," Sokka defended himself, holding his hands up in surrender. "What you are saying sounds crazy."
"I know, but I saw it," she replied starting to feel her anger recede. Now she just felt mostly hurt and betrayed that her father felt like he couldn't tell his children about his relationship. Katara thought they had the kind of relationship that he would be open and honest with them. She didn't understand why he felt the need to hide it.
"What did you see exactly? Maybe it's not what you think," he suggested, though his voice sounded off even to his own ears. He knew his sister would not be telling him unless she was absolutely sure of what she saw. Though Sokka was not upset at the news, the Water Tribe Heir was happy his father was moving on. Hakoda deserved to be happy and his son appreciated that he found that person in Bato.
"They were naked in bed together, Sokka! There isn't much open for interpretation," she snarled at him in annoyance. The waterbender closed her eyes trying to get the image of her father in bed with a lover out of her mind.
"We both suspected he was seeing someone," the Water Tribe Prince tried to calm his sister down. "Are you really surprised? Or upset that he is moving on? It's been almost a decade, little sister. It's time, he deserves to be happy."
"I know and I agree. It's not that he's moving on," his sister mumbled with a quick head shake. Her emotions finally calmed down enough for her to think clearly, allowing her to process what was making her feel so strongly.
"Is it because it's a man?" Sokka questioned her softly. "Honestly, I prefer it. Bato isn't going to try to replace mom and I won't feel like that's happening."
"No," she shook her head. She really wasn't upset it was a man, that didn't mean she didn't have questions for her father. "It's the fact that it's Bato."
"But you love Bato!" Her brother looked at her in confusion. He couldn't understand why she was upset about that. To him, it was incredible that it was Bato. Sokka didn't need to get to know anyone new. And he knew that Bato would treat his father with the utmost respect. He also knew that the warrior would only have pursued Hakoda if he really loved him and not for political prowess.
"Then why didn't he tell us?" As the words left her mouth, a look of understanding crossed Sokka's face. He knew why she was so emotional. In the past year and a half, she had been blindsided by decisions from their father. His sister was feeling betrayed by the one man who should have been a constant in her life.
"Katara, Dad didn't do it to leave us out," he explained as he wrapped an arm around her. "He probably was just waiting until they figured things out. It's a lot to introduce a lover to your children and the Tribe."
"He still should have told us!" The waterbender argued back.
Sokka shook his head, his sister was too upset to think rationally. And this was something she would need to discuss with their father.
"Admiral Jee," Zuko greeted as he joined the officer in his office. The admiral and the crew had been staying on the Flagship since they arrived at the South Pole. Zuko had not wanted to overwhelm the Water Tribe with so many firebenders, but he still required them to travel with him. Malu had agreed on compromising with having the guard rotate and most stay on the ship.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Jee bowed to the monarch.
"I wanted to discuss our return travel to the Fire Nation."
"Of course, Fire Lord Zuko," Jee agreed instantly. He had been expecting this conversation for the past few days. "As of now, we are scheduled to depart in three days from now on Sunday morning. Lady Mai and Lady Ty Lee have asked to share a room, we have accommodated them. Lady Ursa and General Iroh have rooms made up for them in the family wing."
Zuko nodded. Jee made no mention of his wedding, leaving the Fire Lord to assume he did not know. They had not made it public knowledge they were having a second wedding. And he was pleased to see that even if his guards had been gossiping, Jee knew the importance of not letting information get out.
"Princess Katara and I have decided to have a small Water Tribe wedding with our friends and family on Saturday, it will be the full moon," the young firebender informed the admiral as he looked over the map displayed in Jee's office. "I want to have us depart on Sunday afternoon instead as the marriage bed inspection must take place first. Please have a room made up for her, next to mine."
Technically speaking, he and Katara could share a room. But since they would not be married publicly yet, the Fire Lord concluded it was best for Katara to have her own room. That and he was unsure how the first night with his wife would go, he didn't want to put too much pressure on her too soon. They had the rest of their lives to share a room.
"Yes, Fire Lord," Jee acknowledge the order. The admiral had been unaware of the upcoming wedding in the Water Tribe. Though he was not one to listen to petty gossip, he suspected it was time he should start paying attention.
"I also need your fastest hawk to send this to the Fire Sages," Zuko handed Jee the scroll. "I need it to arrive before our return to the Fire Nation."
"I will send it now," Jee nodded as he took the scroll from the young man. "It should arrive no later than a week and a half. Is there anything else, Fire Lord?"
"No, that will be all," Zuko replied moving to leave the office and disembark the ship. But he turned at the last minute. "Jee, I would like you to attend the wedding. As a guest."
"I would be honored to, Fire Lord Zuko," Jee bowed slightly toward his lord, watching as the young man left in silence. He had changed a great deal from the angry and hurt teenager Jee used to know.
"Hello Mother, Uncle," Zuko said as he joined his family at a restaurant near the docks.
The restaurant had a beautiful view of the water, Katara had taken him there earlier this month as it was her favorite spot. She had written to him the moment it had opened, claiming it to be her new favorite place in the South Pole. Zuko could see why she enjoyed the spot, it was perfect for the waterbender.
"Turtle duck," Ursa grinned as her son sat next to her. "How was your meeting with Admiral Jee?"
"It went very well," Zuko responded before turning to thank his uncle for pouring him a cup of tea. "We will leave Sunday afternoon. I have arranged for Katara to have her own room, the quarters are small on the ship. And I don't want to overwhelm her, especially since we weren't expecting to be married this soon."
"That is very thoughtful of you nephew," Iroh praised him. The old general was very happy with how the young Fire Lord was approaching his marriage. Gone was the teenager who rushed into things, now was a young man who thought things through.
"Thank you, Uncle," Zuko replied with a small smile taking a sip of his tea. "Sokka told me this morning that tomorrow I will have to spend time with Kanna and Pakku. I am supposed to spend the time with the elders of Katara's family to understand where she comes from."
"A wonderful tradition," Ursa exclaimed her hands clasping in front of her. "Perhaps when we return to the Fire Nation, we could borrow it. Iroh and I could spend time with Katara, answering any questions she has."
"I'm sure she would like that," her son responded his index finger tracing the rim of his cup. "Tomorrow evening, Sokka also has planned an evening of friends and drinking. Or so he tells me, I'm not completely sure what it entails knowing him."
"Ah yes, he mentioned something earlier today about it," Iroh nodded thoughtfully. He had been the one to help the tribesman plan the evening. "I believe Princess Katara is having a similar event with her friends."
"She and I haven't really seen each other since her birthday breakfast," Zuko shrugged his shoulders, he looked at a spec of darker wood on the table. "Something happened with her father."
"I believe I saw her tucked away in the east wing before we left the palace," Ursa provided the information lightly. She wanted to encourage him to seek out his betrothed, but not be seen as pushing him. "Isn't that where you spent the other night?"
"The library is on that side of the palace," Zuko commented trying to dislodge any speculation about himself and Katara. "But maybe I will see if I can catch her for a moment, inform her about our travel plans. If you'll excuse me."
The Fire Lord stood with a quick nod to his mother and uncle before leaving the tea shop in search of his betrothed. He wanted to see her one more time before their wedding. At least so he could explain their travel. Zuko did not want to catch her off guard with anything having to do with their marriage. And even though she was deliberately avoiding him, he needed to be sure that she knew nothing would change.
"Hi Zuko," Suki greeted the man with a smile as he walked through the corridors of the palace. He quickly noticed how the woman had a hand placed on her lower abdomen, she had been doing that lot in the past couple of weeks.
"Hey Suki, have you seen Katara?" He asked her, trying to keep his voice steady. "I was hoping to tell her about our travel, now that things have changed with the wedding."
"I think she was in her room the last time I saw her," the Kyoshi Warrior commented. "But it wouldn't be wise to seek her out now. The Tribes are very strict when it comes to maidenhood. It would put you both in a horrible position to be seen spending time together this close to the wedding."
"Oh," the firebender mumbled looking at his hands.
"I can bring her a message though," she offered to her friend as she tried to catch his eye. "I remember how difficult it was the last few days before my wedding, all I wanted to do was see Sokka but we had to stay away."
"That would be great," he replied trying to avoid the subtle implication of his feelings for his future wife.
"Of course."
"Just let her know we will be leaving on Sunday afternoon after the," Zuko cleared his throat twice. His cheeks coloring slightly at the reference to the marriage bed. "The inspection."
Suki gave him a small sympathetic smile. She just wished the two benders would admit their feelings to each other, then they could have a magical wedding night. "I'll tell her, Zuko."
"Thank you," he turned to head back to his guest room. But stopped himself quickly, the dots connecting about the Kyoshi Warrior. "And Suki?"
"Yes?"
"Congratulations," he told her with a quick wink and a nod to the hand that rested on her stomach.
The Kyoshi Warrior was rarely stunned but she was confused as to how Zuko picked up her pregnancy so quickly. She knew that Katara and Toph would not say anything, she hadn't told her husband either. But somehow the firebender had quickly picked up on the fact.
"How did you know?" She questioned him softly.
"The past three weeks when you think no one is looking, you rest a hand on your stomach," Zuko responded. "I also noticed you've been avoiding the blubbered seal jerky, something you used to like up until you returned from your honeymoon."
"You are entirely too observant for your own good," Suki scolded the man with a shake of her head. "I haven't said anything to Sokka yet, please don't tell him."
"Why?"
"I'm worried," she responded. Suki and Zuko were not as close as other friendships in their group, but they still understood each other in a way most didn't. "Many of the other warriors have had trouble, our training and battle experience making it difficult to have children. Katara told me I'm around eleven weeks and most of the danger passes after twelve, I was waiting until then."
"That's ridiculous," Zuko rolled his eyes. "You should tell him, today. He would want to be there for you if anything does happen. And if nothing happens. Plus, if Katara isn't concerned you shouldn't be either."
"I guess you are right," she nodded quickly. "And I guess that means I have two siblings to seek out. Thanks, Zuko."
"Anytime," he replied easily.
"Katara has always been headstrong," Kanna explained to the Fire Lord. Her old eyes bore into his as she spoke. "She learned all she could about waterbending on her own before she met Aang. Her determination was something I have never seen before."
"I can attest to that," Pakku agreed with his wife. He watched how the young man did not waver under the harsh gaze of Kanna. "She put in more effort than all fifteen of her classmates combined. Katara was strong and talented, but most importantly she pushed herself to an impossible standard. One I think you would understand."
"Excuse me?" Zuko questioned the master waterbender. The three of them were currently sitting in one of the smallest sitting rooms of the palace. The older couple sat across from Zuko at one of the tables.
"Your uncle has explained the impossible standard you held for yourself with your firebending," the older man told him. "As well as Piandao has expressed the same characteristics when you trained under him. Knowing that kind of determination is something that cannot be taught, it is a good thing you both share it."
"Thank you," the firebender nodded to him. He was taking all the information in with a calm exterior. He wanted to be the best husband he could be to Katara.
"The Water Tribe places much expectation on a husband," Pakku educated him. "They must be able to provide for their bride and future family. The man must be equally balanced to his wife, like the ocean and the moon. Push and Pull."
"Tui and La," Zuko continued for the man. He saw a ghost of a smile grace Kanna's face as she looked at the firebender.
"In the Southern Tribe, it is important a husband and wife can fight together," Katara's grandmother spoke after a moment. "In the North, women don't train to be benders or warriors. But here in the South, the terrain is much worse and every woman is taught how to fight. It is paramount that a couple is able to survive together here in the harsh environment."
"I did not gift those scrolls to Katara for her to stop bending once we are married. Bending is a very important and intimate part of her. I have every intention of continuing to train with Katara," the Fire Lord assured the old woman. He had never dreamed his future wife would stop bending, he loved that she was an extraordinary bender. "She makes me a better bender and I hope that I do the same for her."
The old couple in front of him shared a look before they nodded at his words. They were pleased that the Fire Lord had no indication to stifle Katara's dreams. Nor did he want a weak wife, it pleased the couple to hear Zuko's conviction.
"Water is the element of change," Pakku parroted Iroh's words from years ago. "The adaptability of a couple is important. Being able to grow and evolve with your wife is a necessary part of a successful marriage."
"Marriage is difficult, there will be many mountains and valleys as a couple you must weather together," Kanna continued for her husband. Her sharp blue eyes met gold ones. "Your marriage specifically will have its own set of unique challenges. You are a man who is a leader of a nation, but even here in the Tribes the Chief is expected to put his wife before the Tribe."
The Fire Lord's eyes widened. This was very different than he was used to with his country. From the moment Zuko had become the Crown Prince, it was drilled into his head that he would have to put the Fire Nation above everything else. Including his family. Though once his engagement to Katara was finalized, the firebender had been struggling with the thought of putting anything before her.
"I understand," he responded when he realized the couple was waiting for him to say something.
"We recognize that the Fire Nation has a different expectation," Kanna commented as she looked at the young man in front of her. Her eyes never wavered from the Fire Lord.
"There are many things that the Fire Nation needs to change to heal after the past hundred years," Zuko stated pulling his shoulder back. "For too long, my people have lived in a bubble unaware of the damage that was being caused outside of its borders."
Pakku smiled for the first time since Zuko had walked into the room. "Spoken much like a young Iroh."
"Thank you, that is the highest compliment you could bestow on me," the Fire Lord smiled lightly at the master waterbender.
"A husband is also expected to give his wife pleasure," Pakku added after a moment. Kanna's lips turned into a smirk at her husband's words. "We take purity very seriously, but a woman should never feel that her husband does not desire her."
The young man shifted slightly uncomfortably in the chair he was sitting in. The firebender couldn't be sure but he had a suspicion the old tribeswoman was taking pleasure in his humiliation. He cleared his throat slightly more so there was no silence than to say something. He gave a brief nod, not meeting the eyes of the older couple. Zuko wanted to give Katara pleasure, it was something he had dreamed about since their kiss after the Agni Kai.
"We also expect for you to be faithful," Kanna finished after a moment. She knew of Katara's feelings and would not subject her granddaughter to the emotional distress of adultery. It didn't matter to the old woman if it was a custom in the Fire Nation.
"We understand the traditions in the Fire Nation, but fidelity is an important pillar of marriage in the Water Tribe," Pakku finished for his wife.
"Katara and I have spoken about this topic," Zuko interrupted her. He did not want her to have a bad impression of him. "Since our engagement, I have been dismantling the Royal harem. I would never want to disrespect my wife that way. I saw the damage it did to my mother. It's a practice I home to eradicate by the time my successor is ready to take the throne."
Pakku and Kanna looked at each other thoughtfully. The old couple had a silent conversation with each other before they both nodded.
"You will make a very good husband to Katara."
"It's party time!" Sokka exclaimed as he burst into Zuko's room carrying two bottles of Arctic Arrack with Aang and Haru following him. Momo was situated on the airbender's shoulder. The door to Zuko's room opened again with Iroh entering and Jee in tow. The former was carrying two bottles of Fire Whisky.
"Sokka," Zuko mumbled as the man started pouring drinks for everyone. A knock on the door interrupted him, the old general moved to answer waving the Fire Lord's captain of the guard off. Hakoda, Bato, and Pakku entered the room, bringing even more alcohol with them.
"Lighten up jerk-bender," Sokka teased him as he passed out the drinks. "It's your last night of freedom!"
"Yeah, Sifu Hotman," Aang agreed as he took the first drink from Sokka. Haru and the tribesman downing their drinks quickly, followed by the Avatar. "Stop taking everything so seriously."
"Drink! Drink! Drink!" The three young men chanted at the Fire Lord.
Finally, Zuko lifted his drink and downed it in one swig. The Water Tribe Prince went around the room refilling everyone's drink. The group of men was in an array of different positions, some on coaches and chairs with others on the floor. Malu standing by the door with his eyes focused on Zuko. An odd little group.
"I didn't realize monks were such big drinkers," Pakku commented as he looked at the Avatar, he was shocked to see the young man indulging.
"A little drink to aid the fun is good for the spirit," Aang replied with a grin before taking another sip. "It's all about balance Master Pakku."
"Okay, Sokka," the young firebender began after he had a good buzz going. He figured it was better to be once he was feeling the effects. "What's the plan for tonight?"
"Getting you drunk," Sokka outlined, his words beginning to slur. He and a few of the others had some drinks before the party started. "Tell funny stories about you—"
"Oh! We should tell the story of when Zuko tried to capture us with the Pirates!" Aang butted into the conversation. Momo jumped at the sudden outburst. The avatar was feeling the effects of the spirits much faster than the rest as he rarely drank.
"That's a good one," Sokka agreed, he smirked at the Fire Lord as the next words left his mouth. "We are also going to explain to you the art of pleasing a woman. I have a lot of experience in that area. Just ask Suki!"
"Remember the time, Zuko, that we tracked the Avatar with Jun," Iroh began telling the story. Many noticed how the Dragon of the West focused on the bounty hunter for most of the story. But he did have a dramatic way of sharing when Zuko was hit with the shirshu's tongue.
"Oh yeah and we dumped the perfume so that Nyla couldn't smell anything," Sokka added at the right part. "She kept referring to Katara as your girlfriend, she did it when we went looking for Aang in the summer too."
Zuko listened as his friends made fun of his failed attempts to capture Aang. Soon they moved into stories from Iroh, he told the assembled men about hiding in Ba Sing Se as refugees. The date with Jin was brought up and how angry Zuko was for being kissed by a pretty girl. That elicited a lot of laughs.
"Remember how he joined us at the Western Air Temple?" Aang laughed as he nudged Sokka. The alcohol was flowing freely, many of the men on their way to becoming drunk.
"Oh yeah!" Sokka laughed.
The two friends looked at each other and each rose a hand up, saying at the same time: "Hello Zuko, here." Aang and Sokka burst into giggles at Zuko's red face.
"Like we didn't know who he was, he had only been hunting us for a year," Sokka slurred as he poured another drink.
"Remember the horrible jokes he used to tell when he made us tea," Haru commented with a laugh. Iroh gave his nephew a curious look across the room and noticed a small blush on Zuko's cheeks.
"He and I broke into a Fire Nation prison," Sokka continued as more drinks were passed around. "I got him arrested."
"I'm still mad about that," Zuko mumbled as he took a drink. He was protecting his friend from getting caught and he was the one who took the fall at the Boiling Rock.
"My favorite Zuko story is when he walked in on you and Suki!" Aang piped up from his spot on the floor next to Sokka. Malu from his spot across the room snorted, he had known about the Fire Lord walking in on Mai and Ty Lee.
"I think Sokka is the one who should be embarrassed about that," the firebender said from his spot next to the tribesman. "Who has their first time on the ground?"
"Sh!" Sokka shushed him with a nod to his father. "My dad doesn't know!"
"Oh I know," Hakoda rolled his eyes at his son. The moment he saw Suki and Sokka he knew their relationship was much more than they showed. He also knew that the moment he left Team Avatar, Sokka was going to make a move on the Kyoshi Warrior.
"Remember when he went crazy right before the comet!" Aang exclaimed with a giggle at the memory. "He just rushed onto the beach and started shooting fire at me."
"Destroyed my sculpture of Suki too," Sokka added from his spot opening the fourth bottle of spirits. Many of the men were passed buzzed and on their way to drunk. "Though the best was when he and Katara took Appa to get revenge."
"Those two were made for each other even then," the Avatar observed as he took a sip of his drink. "All those nights on the roof on Ember Island, they thought we had no idea."
"Wait what?" Zuko's head snapped up to look at his friends. He was barely drinking causing him to have his wits about him.
"Oh yeah," the Water Tribe Prince nodded passing the bottle to Zuko. "They thought they were so subtle with their little hints to each other. Bet you, they still meet on the roof here."
"Momo and I've seen them!" Aang stated with a massive grin. "They are above the east wing most nights! I saw them cuddling the other day too."
"You were cuddling?" Haru turned to look at the Fire Lord, surprise on his face. "I didn't realize you had progressed that far!"
"We were not cuddling," Zuko corrected with a glare to Aang. "She was cold and I was just offering her some warmth."
"The oldest trick in the book," Iroh teased with a twinkle in his eye. "I used the very same excuse to get close to my late wife after we were married!"
Jee nodded from his spot across from the young groom. "It's a move my men use when they entertain a woman or two at the ports."
"It wasn't like that," Zuko snapped, his temper flaring slightly. For a brief moment, he thought he should have let Combustion Man succeed in the assassination of the Avatar. It would mean that Zuko wouldn't be sitting here having his secrets spilled.
"It's going to be like that soon," Sokka chuckled he was too drunk to realize he was talking to his friend about bedding his sister.
"Very soon," Iroh agreed slurring just slightly with a nudge to Pakku. "We could tell you stories on how to learn to please your wife."
Zuko's red face became even redder, a feat many did not think was possible. Soon all of the older men and Sokka were giving him explicit instructions on how to please his new bride. The Fire Lord briefly wondered how drunk the tribesmen were not to realize they were giving him instruction on how to please their youngest relative. The firebender was not going to be the one to bring it up, he really did not want to be on the receiving end of their anger.
The moon was high by the time the alcohol ran out, the men all having haphazardly fallen asleep in various positions throughout the room.
Zuko snuck out of the room silently.
"Sugar Queen!" Toph called as she entered Katara's room followed by Suki, Mai and Ty Lee.
"What are you guys doing here?" The waterbender asked as the women all got comfortable in her room.
"We are here to celebrate your last night of being a single woman," Suki announced as she joined Katara on the bed.
"Also to answer any questions you have about . . ." Mai trailed off diplomatically. She noticed how the young bride blushed instantly at the implication.
"Sex," Toph finished, not caring if she was diplomatic or not. "And to discuss Operation Seduce the Fire Lord!"
"Oh," Katara whispered softly, her voice higher pitched than normal. Her mind thought back to the kiss she and Zuko shared years ago. The time he pinned her to his flagship when they were sparring. His muscular upper body she knew intimately from healing him.
"Katara," Gran-Gran said as she walked into her room with Ursa following, eyes looking around the room. "I was hoping we could have some time together. Ursa and I thought it would be prudent you understand what will happen tomorrow night."
"That's why we are here too," Suki added as she looked at the older women. Ursa moved to sit on the opposite couch of Mai and Ty Lee, next to Toph.
Kanna was about to suggest that all the girls leave, except for Suki. But Ursa beat her to the punch. She remembered the conversation she had with her own mother and Ozai's mother the night before her wedding, it would be good for Katara to have a younger perspective.
"I think that's a lovely idea," Ursa responded quickly, she didn't want her future daughter-in-law to be scared. "It's good to be able to have your friends to talk to you. Especially Mai and Ty Lee, they will be a part of your royal courtiers in Caldera."
Both of the Fire Nation young women smiled at the compliment from the older woman. It was high praise coming from the highest-ranking female of their country.
The old tribeswoman nodded before she turned to sit next to her granddaughter, "On your wedding, you will be expected to consummate your marriage. This is very important to your marriage's success."
"Gran," Katara shifted uncomfortably on the bed as her grandmother explained in detail the aspects of sex. She noticed across the room, Mai and Ty Lee trying not to giggle at the description the tribeswoman was giving.
"It will be painful at first," Kanna continued unaware of how uncomfortable she was making her granddaughter. "And probably for the first few times after, but lucky for you we tribeswomen tend to be extremely fertile. You will most likely gift the Fire Lord with an heir in the first year of your marriage."
"I bet she gets pregnant tomorrow," Toph snorted across the room.
"While I understand you will be consummating tomorrow, I have to remind you that you will be married publicly in two months' time," Ursa interrupted the earthbender. "I think it might be prudent to perhaps take a contraception tea. The Fire Sages will be understanding of the consummation, but a baby born conceived too soon might not carry the title of heir."
"Oh that's a good point," Ty Lee piped in. "I think I have some!"
"Why do you have some?" Mai looked at her girlfriend in confusion, there was no reason that Ty Lee needed the tea.
"It's leftover from when I was in the circus," she explained to her lover, correctly assuming the direction of Mai's thoughts. "The Ring Master made all of us girls have some just to be on the safe side. I think it might still be in my bag."
Mai nodded feeling much better at the explanation the acrobat provided. The other woman cuddled into her side.
"There's a section in the healing scroll that deals with contraception," Katara mumbled her cheeks red, clearing her throat quickly. "I won't need the tea, I'll be fine. How painful is painful?"
"It doesn't have to be painful," Suki contributed from her spot on the other side of the waterbender. "My first time was not painful at all, if he takes his time with you it can be uncomfortable but still pleasurable."
"I have to agree with you," Ursa added as she looked at the Kyoshi Warrior. Her thoughts wandered to her first time with her lover before her marriage to Ozai. "My first time was not as painful as my mother made it out to be. An experienced partner will know how to make your first time pleasurable."
"I wonder what Sparky would say if he knew we were all talking about his sex life," Toph commented with a snort as she thought over his reaction.
"The men are having a similar conversation with the Fire Lord," Kanna informed the group. Katara's face got even redder as she processed those words, her breathing quickening in panic.
"Katara, don't worry," Mai comforted the bride, though she mistook the cause for her panic. "Zuko has a good amount of experience, he will make sure it is not painful for you."
The Water Tribe Princess felt her jealousy spike at the thought of Zuko with another woman. He had alluded on the roof a couple of months ago to his experience. "How much is a good amount?"
"I don't know the number," Mai explained softly correctly noticing the jealously. "But he was away at sea when he had his coming of age and he was the Crown Prince for a few months in the spring of the comet. And he's been a single Fire Lord for over a year. He's not his father, but he did use to have a harem."
"Used to?" Suki questioned in confusion.
"He began dismantling it after the engagement was announced," Ty Lee added from her spot in her lover's side. "He's been placing all the women with employment outside of the palace. He asked Mai and me to help with that, he told us that he didn't want you to have to interact with any of the women that were part of the harem."
"My son is very thoughtful that way," Ursa replied softly as she looked at Katara's small smile. "He knew how painful it was for me to see Ozai with Azulon's concubines. I know that Zuko will take very good care of you, Katara."
"The important thing is to communicate with him," Suki contributed after a moment. "It will be a learning process for both of you and even though it's an arranged marriage, you can still have a rewarding experience with each other."
"It's getting late," the waterbender mumbled.
She was feeling overwhelmed with information from all the women. She was terrified for her wedding night, not because of the pain. Katara knew Zuko would do everything not to hurt her, but for her feelings to become obvious to her new husband. She was also worried he would not enjoy the night, the only experience she had was with a few kisses. Mostly with Aang, one with Jet, and an extremely heated one with her husband-to-be.
"We will let you rest," Gran-Gran declared as she stood beckoning the others to follow her. "Tomorrow will be a big day. Goodnight my little waterbender. I'll be right outside if you need me."
Soon Katara was left alone in her room with her thoughts and it was stifling, she needed to get out of there. She knew that her Grandmother would be waiting outside her room to make sure she didn't sneak out to see her fiancé, a custom in the Water Tribes.
The waterbender went to the window and climbed out of it. It was a beautiful night to spend on the roof.
"Guess we had the same idea," Katara called to the man as she joined him.
Zuko turned to see his bride walking toward him, her hair whipping around her in the wind. She looked ethereal in the moonlight like a Water Tribe spirit, it took his breath away. "I guess we did."
She slipped to the ground next to him, a different experience than the past few weeks where they would cuddle together. The two sat in heavy silence, the weight of their impending marriage on their mind. Her thoughts were on the moment she fell in love with him, that first night on the roof. She took a deep breath, "This time tomorrow we will be married."
The firebender wanted to confess his feelings right then and there. He wanted to tell her how much he was in love with her. Zuko wanted to say he thought she was beautiful. He wanted to say he had dreamed of their kiss every night since it happened two and half years ago. He wanted to pull her to him and confess all the things he dreamed about doing with her. The Fire Lord wanted to explain he had fallen in love with her on Ember Island and had continued falling ever since. He would love her to the end of time, but tonight wasn't the time or place.
"Yeah, we will, be," he replied instead. "How long do you think we will have before your grandmother comes looking for you?"
"Probably another ten minutes," she grinned at him.
"Are you ready for the kiss tomorrow?" He asked her after a couple of minutes.
"Not the first time we've kissed," she teased him, her cheeks coloring as she brought up the Agni Kai. "But it will be slightly weird in front of all our friends and family."
"Yeah," he agreed, his mind replaying their first kiss. "At least it's just our friends and family. In the Fire Nation, it will be in front of thousands of people and every world leader."
"I didn't even think of that," she whispered looking into the wind. "We probably should get back, we have a long day tomorrow."
"I'll see you tomorrow at the alter," he said as they both stood.
"I'll see you at the alter," she repeated with a wave before they climbed down opposite sides of the roof.
Both benders snuck back into their rooms undetected. The last thought they each had was of their kiss after the Agni Kai.
"Little tiger seal," Hakoda called as he knocked on his daughter's bedroom door. "Can I come in?"
"Yes," Katara answered her father. She was at her dressing table, brushing out her hair when he walked into the room. She noticed he was carrying a box with him.
"You look beautiful," he told her as he sat down on the couch behind her. After placing the box he carried onto her bed. His daughter looked so much older than he remembered he thought to himself. Though perhaps in a moment similar to most fathers he just hadn't noticed her transition from girl to woman.
"I haven't even started getting ready yet," she responded her voice a little frosty. The waterbender was still mad at her father for not telling her about him and Bato. She knew this was not the day to be upset and she should set aside her emotions for her wedding day. But she couldn't be hurt that she was marrying her unrequited love, and so instead, Katara chose to resent her father today.
"I was hoping we could talk before your grandmother comes to help you do your hair for the ceremony," the chieftain cautioned. He didn't want her to get married still mad at him. Especially when she thought Zuko did not love her.
"Talk about what?" She yanked the brush through her hair, not meeting her father's eyes in the mirror.
"Katara," he scolded her. Her name was heavy in the air after he spoke it. Hakoda could understand she was upset with him, his daughter should not have found out about his relationship that way. But he was still her father and she needed to remember that.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked after a deep breath looking at her father through the mirror on her vanity. The brush clutched tightly in her hands in front of her. "And how long has it been going on?"
"It's been almost ten months. I didn't want to cause an issue before I knew what was happening," he explained softly, looking down at his hands. "It wouldn't have been fair to you or Sokka, to bring in a new person before he and I decided what we wanted."
"And that's the only reason?" She asked quickly dropping the brush on her vanity and whipping around to stare at him. Her biggest fear was that her father never loved her mother. What else was she supposed to think when she saw him in bed with another man? It had been discombobulating to the waterbender.
"Yes, I wanted to tell you before you left for the Fire Nation," he expressed quietly. He could see the unspoken question in her eyes. "I loved your mother deeply, I still do. And I hadn't been with a man, until Bato. During the war, we became close. So close we fell in love. It happened before we knew it had. This was new for both of us too. We planned to tell you after we had figured out the relationship."
Katara knew what her father meant, that's what happened with her feelings for the Fire Lord. She had fallen in love without realizing it. And she didn't fault her father for moving on, he deserved to be happy. The waterbender had just been surprised to see her father in bed with a man, especially considering it was Bato. The man was practically her uncle. Sokka's words ran through her mind as she listened to her father. Maybe it was a good thing her father was with Bato. He wouldn't try to be her mother and it didn't really feel like her mother was being replaced.
"I understood," she nodded looking down at her hands. "I just wish you told us sooner, we could have handled it."
"I'm sorry for that," he apologized. His mouth lifted in a sad smile. "I should have told you and your brother sooner. I forget that you aren't children anymore."
"I'm a big girl dad, I can handle it," Katara teased her dad. Both of them were feeling much better now that they had spoken.
"Yes, you are. Which is why I brought you this," Hakoda stood and opened the box he had placed on her bed. Katara watched as he pulled out blue fabric with white trimmed fur. "This is your mother's wedding dress. I thought you should wear it."
"Dad," the waterbender whispered a hand going to cover her mouth in awe as she looked at the dress.
She had only seen it twice in her life, once when she was five and her mother showed it to her. And once about a month after her mother's death when her father was packing Kya's things away.
It looked exactly like she remembered. When she had learned about having a second wedding, Katara had thought about asking her father if she could. But she didn't know if her father still had it. Her mother's wedding dress was one of the reasons she had gone looking for him the day she found him with Bato. But she had been too upset to ask him, her stubbornness winning out.
"She would have wanted you to wear it," the chieftain whispered as he saw the tears fall from his daughter's eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered as she moved to stand shakily in front of her father. Her hand going to touch the fur trim. Hakoda reached a hand up and wiped the tears from his daughter's eyes.
"My little waterbender," Kanna greeted as she walked into the room. "Oh good, you brought the dress. Say goodbye to your father, you will see him when he walks you down the aisle."
Hakoda placed the dress on the bed, embracing his daughter tightly before he left. His last thought as he left was that his little tiger seal was going to make a stunning bride for the Fire Lord. She was all grown up now.
Gran-Gran was quiet as she braided Katara's hair, weaving the beads into the locks silently. Traditionally, Kya should have been the one helping the waterbender get ready for her wedding. And Katara was grateful her grandmother was allowing her to feel the sorrow of her mother being gone without trying to comfort her or fill the room with mindless chatter.
All too soon, Katara was alone in her bed-chamber looking at herself in the mirror. Her mother's dress fit her like a glove. The fabric hugged every curve to her advantage, her blue eyes looked even bluer with the light make-up on her face. The waterbender's hair was braided traditionally to the base of her skull with blue and white beads intertwined, the rest of her hair falling in soft curls down her back. Her betrothal necklace was visible with the low collar of the dress.
"Today, I'm marrying the Fire Lord," she whispered to herself. "He doesn't love me the way I love him."
Across the Water Tribe Palace, a young man stood in traditional Water Tribe clothing in front of a mirror. Sokka had helped his mother with his hair, braiding it with the beads. He had also been explaining the symbolism of it. Zuko hoped he would be making Katara proud today.
"I'm marrying the woman I love," he whispered as he looked in the mirror. "But she doesn't love me."
Notes:
We got one wedding next chapter! And a wedding night ;)
How are we all feeling? We are getting super close to our reveal! Literally almost there, just hang tight :)
Be sure to check out my Instagram for fanart, update news, sneak peeks, and more! @JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
Chapter 13 Coming March 15th, 2022
Chapter 13: Chapter Thirteen: Fall 103 AG
Notes:
Welcome back to Kisses of Fire and Ice! Thank you for being so patient, this update is coming much later in the day than I had hoped.
A quick thank you to everyone who commented, bookmarked, subscribed, and left kudos on the last chapter! I so appreciate it. I never thought so many of you would enjoy my little story and I hope I continue to live up to your expectations.
Please forgive all mistakes, happy reading!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Thirteen: Fall 103 AG
Katara stood at the end of the aisle, her arm in her father's. She took a deep breath and followed the pace the chieftain had set as they walked down the short aisle to her groom. It was twilight, the full moon rising behind her causing the snow to sparkle all around her as Hakoda led her to Zuko. As they continued to approach Katara was able to take in his appearance. She thought he looked so handsome in Water Tribe clothing, it caused a shiver of pleasure to run through her body.
The waterbender felt her fears begin to settle as she continued down the path toward her future.
Zuko watched as his bride took another step closer to him, the light from the candles all around and the full moon causing his bride to look divine. His first thought was about how stunning she looked walking to him. The dress accented every curve to her advantage and caused his body to react accordingly. Zuko stood a little straighter as she moved closer. He wished for a moment that her hair was fully down, falling in the soft waves he loved down her back. But the braids were beautiful too.
Their eyes connected as she walked, he smiled softly in reflex. Any anxiety Katara felt at marrying him disappeared with that smile, it was so utterly Zuko. Her answering smile almost blinded the man across the way and he felt the hope that she could love him skyrocket. Before either knew it, Katara had met him at the alter.
The Southern Chieftain kissed his daughter's cheek and squeezed her hand in his, before turning her toward the firebender.
"Take care of her," Hakoda told the Fire Lord as he handed his daughter over to the young man. The tribesman knew the words were not needed, the firebender loved his daughter and would do anything to make her happy.
Katara watched as her father placed her hand in Zuko's outstretched one. The waterbender's hand felt soft and cool in his overheated one. Both felt a shock run through their fingertips as their hands' touched. Katara moved closer to her groom once Hakoda was seated.
The couple turned to face the High Priest and Priestess waiting for the ceremony to begin.
"I never thought I would be happy with an arranged marriage," Katara whispered to the man standing next to her. She knew she shouldn't be talking, but she felt the need to tell him a portion of her feelings. "I'm glad it's you."
"And you are happy?" He clarified quietly to her as the Priest began the ceremony. His voice was hushed, this moment felt private. He risked a side glance at her.
"I'm very happy, Zuko," she turned her head slightly to him with a smile, sapphire eyes met his dark gold ones. Zuko felt the last of his anxiety recede at her response. "You look handsome in Water Tribe clothing. Thank you for making this happen."
"I should be the one thanking you," the Fire Lord replied as she looked up at him from under her long, thick lashes. There was an emotion he didn't recognize in them. "You make me a better person and a better leader. Thank you for marrying me."
"You do the same for me," she whispered as her eyes filled lightly with tears. The final fears melted away at his words.
"You look beautiful, by the way," Zuko responded softly. He could see her sapphire eyes become glassy. He didn't want her crying, "I must have done something good to have the Spirits gift me with a bride so stunning."
"Only ended the hundred-year war," she teased him light-heartedly as she blinked back the tears. The waterbender was secretly pleased he found her attractive, it was something that had been on her mind since he complimented her at Sokka and Suki's wedding.
Their fears were all but forgotten at the friendly banter, both sharing a friendly and familiar smile.
"Sh," the Priestess whispered at the two benders jerking her head toward her counterpart. The couple quieted down and paid attention to the spiritual leaders in front of them. Only moving when prompted to face each other. Soon they were instructed to grasp each other's hands to begin their vows.
The firebender got lost in the deep blue eyes as he recited the words the Priest urged him to. He noticed the dark blue spec in her right eye, it was something he loved about her. Zuko's eyes narrowed in on her mouth as she licked her bottom lip, the only indicator she was nervous.
His eyes trailed down the column of her neck to see his betrothal necklace nestled against the hollow of her throat. The gold flickering in the light. The firebender could see just a hint of her cleavage past her necklace, he had to breathe deeply to settle his bodily reaction at the sight. Reminding himself there would be time for that later.
Katara felt her entire body heat as she held Zuko's warm hands. His eyes felt like they were staring into her soul. She noticed his eyes trail down her face to look at her neck and her breath quickened, knowing how the dress cut across her chest. Her eyes snapped to his nose as she saw smoke curl around his face lightly. She doubted anyone else could see it if they weren't standing so close.
The Fire Lord looked extraordinary in the blue and white clothing of the Water Tribe. His crown was gone but he looked every bit as regal to her as he did with it. The furs covered his muscular upper body but Katara knew exactly where all the grooves and ridges were. She had noticed when he shifted his stance how the pants pulled across his thighs in the most mouth-watering way. Her body tingled with anticipation of what was to come that evening.
The waterbender was brought out of her observations to recite the words the Priestess had told her to. Her voice was much stronger than she anticipated.
Her eyes never left his hooded golden ones. She wanted to place her hand on his scar, he was standing so their friends and family couldn't see it. A small part of him that only she knew so intimately. Katara gasped slightly at the end of her vows, at the realization she loved his scar too. She knew if she had water from the spirit oasis, she could heal it but she would never want to. The scar made him the man he was and she loved it with every fiber of her being.
"Katara," the Priestess of La called her name. The Water Tribe Princess blinked at the scene in front of her. Katara had been so lost in thought she hadn't noticed the Fire Lord had kneeled down so she could begin braiding the lock of hair left out of the wolf tail. The bride turned to the priestess before she accepted the blue and white beads into her hand.
The waterbender's hands moved to work skillfully on braiding the lock of hair. She was unsurprised to feel how silky the lock felt in her hand, this was not the first time she had touched his hair. No, the first time was when they had kissed at the Agni Kai. She was startled when the memory of their first kiss surfaced, causing a dusty rose to color her cheeks. Katara could feel his eyes on her as fingers worked, she looked from the corner of her eye and saw the deep gold irises hooded as they watched her.
Zuko observed his bride as her talented fingers moved through his hair seamlessly. He loved how when she concentrated her tongue stuck out and touched her top lip. He adored the way her brow furrowed when she stared intently at something, he wanted to kiss the wrinkle it caused away. The firebender was surprised when suddenly she blushed prettily, he desperately wanted to know what caused the reaction from her.
Katara slid the first bead through his hair and her breath hitched at how with the simple act she already felt tied to him. She made a silent promise that she would be a loving wife to him.
Unknown to her, Zuko watched as the white bead was threaded into his hair, the weight of being married settling on his shoulders with the movement. He pledged silently to her that he would be a good and loving husband.
Too soon the second bead followed and the Fire Lord stood from his place in the snow.
The audience felt as if they were intruding on an intimate moment with the bride and groom as they watched the wedding take place.
Before they knew it, the Priest and Priestess were announcing the new couple, "Congratulations, you may kiss your bride."
Zuko pulled her close by her hands, one hand going to rest on her waist and lower back while the other moved to the back of her neck. One of her hands went to rest on his bicep as he moved her closer, the other going to rest on his scar. His breath fanned her face and he watched the blue eyes flutter close, the action reminded him of their first kiss so long ago.
He bumped his nose with her's purposely, hoping she would remember the action from their kiss in the Agni Kai.
Much too slowly, his lips finally settled against hers. Katara pressed herself closer to him, she felt electricity flowing from his mouth into her body. Her breasts were pushed against his chest, almost painfully but she couldn't get close enough to her new husband. Her nipples pebbled at the movement and rubbed against their bindings.
Zuko's hand tightened around her neck, pulling her even closer. Katara tasted just as he had remembered, his dreams not doing her justice. She gasped at the movement and he took the opportunity to snake his tongue into her mouth. He wanted to consume her. As close as she was, she wasn't close enough.
Katara moaned at the taste of Zuko, she might have only kissed him once before but he tasted the exact same. And she had missed it. His tongue massaged hers lightly before he pulled back slightly to nip her bottom lip. Immediately soothing the bite with his tongue. She felt her body's natural lubrication begin to form at the action.
The Fire Lord wanted her, right then and there. His hand on her waist moved further down her back, resting right above the swell of her derriere. His pinky brushed against the edge, just out of reach. Katara's mouth felt incredible against his. He could feel the blood rushing to his groin and he had to breathe deeply through the kiss to be sure his arousal would not be visible.
He kissed her as if he was a man dying of thirst and she was the last drop of water on Earth.
In the back of their minds, they could hear the cheering around them of their friends and family. But both were lost to the world.
"That's one long kiss," Aang whispered to Toph as the two continued to kiss. "And it doesn't look like the first time."
"Honestly, it seems too familiar," Suki mumbled to her husband as they watched. This looked more like a kiss between two lovers and not an arranged marriage. Even though the Kyoshi Warrior knew the two had feelings for each other, she had expected an awkward peck not this all-consuming kiss.
"You don't think, something happened during the war?" Iroh murmured to Hakoda. The two men watched in shock. "The only other time someone has touched Zuko's scar outside of a medic, was Katara in Ba Sing Se during the war."
Sokka whistled loudly to break the two apart and he watched as they almost bonked heads as they pulled back from each other. Both were breathing heavily and a light blush littered their cheeks.
The couple quickly, walked down the aisle hand in hand being sure not to make eye contact with anyone. Their friends and family cheered at their marriage as they walked, and followed them to the dining room for their small reception.
Zuko and Katara sat next to each other at the head of the table, barely looking at the other as the food was served. The only interaction they had was when Zuko stood offering his hand for them to dance with the other couples. Katara took it instantly, letting him lead her onto the dance floor.
The Fire Lord held the Water Tribe Princess close as they danced around the floor, even though they hadn't said anything to each other their eyes said everything. If only the other could understand what they were trying to say.
"Do you think now that they are married they will admit their feelings?" Suki asked her husband as they danced, coyly watching the newlyweds.
"I hope so," Sokka replied as he looked at his sister. He twirled his wife around the dance floor. "But I have a feeling this is one step forward and two steps back. And what was with that kiss?"
"That was not the first time they have kissed," Suki agreed her mind replaying what they had just seen a couple of hours earlier. "He knew exactly where to put his hands and the way he let her touch his scar."
"I don't know. Zuko wouldn't kiss my sister and not tell me. That was crazy," The Water Tribe Prince shook his head as he pulled his wife close to him. He felt the growing swell of the baby she was carrying. "Can we tell everyone?"
"It's Katara's wedding," Suki reminded him with a small smirk. Her husband had been ecstatic at the news. "We shouldn't steal their spotlight."
"Pretty sure she wouldn't mind," he gestured to where the newlyweds were sitting back down not looking at each other. "I could ask her too, and see what she says."
"I think those two are already stressed enough as it is," Suki pointed out as she coyly observed them. Her sister-in-law looked nervous as the night continued. Katara had confided her fears about the wedding night to the Kyoshi Warrior earlier in the day. "We can make the announcement after they leave, they both know already."
"You're right," Sokka sighed as he looked at his wife, she was glowing. He was just so happy and wanted to share the news with everyone. "Have I told you how happy I am?"
"You mentioned it once or twice," Suki teased her husband with a glorious smile. He had been expressing his love and happiness for her constantly since she shared the news.
Across the dance floor, Haru and Toph were dancing closely.
"Do you think we will get married?" Toph whispered to her lover. Echoing the words he asked her at the last Water Tribe wedding they had attended. She had been thinking about their future a lot lately.
"If I have anything to say about it, we will," he commented as he pressed her against him. Her petite form fit perfectly in his arms, he thought to himself.
"I'm not ready yet, but maybe in the future we can have that conversation," the blind earthbender expressed softly as he pulled her to him. She loved being in his arms, she felt so safe and secure.
"I know you aren't," Haru whispered in her ear. His warm breath caused her to shiver. "And I promise, I won't ask until you are. All I want is you to tell me when."
"You are too good to me," she rested her head against his chest. Her normally tough exterior was nonexistent around him.
Aang watched the earthbending couple dance and Sokka lead Suki over to their table to sit down a few feet away from him. His eyes traveled across the room to watch the Fire Lord and the Water Tribe Princess, the newlyweds barely interacting with each other.
"Momo, those two have kissed before," the Avatar commented to the lemur resting on his shoulder. "The question is when did it happen."
"Maybe on Ember Island," the Water Tribe Heir answered his friend as he came to stand next to him. "Suki isn't feeling too well, we might head home soon."
"But we would have noticed," Aang responded as he watched the two. "They couldn't even hide their late-night roof talks."
"That's true," Sokka mumbled his hand resting on his chin. He didn't think the firebender was the kind of man to kiss a girl and then leave her. "Maybe it happened when we were looking for you, they did leave for the Fire Nation together to fight Azula."
"Maybe," Aang agreed looking around. He paused as he saw the Southern Chief in the arms of Bato. "Is your dad with Bato?"
"Yeah," Sokka nodded following his friend's gaze. The young man was happy his father was finally moving on from his mother's death. He had been surprised it was with Bato, but the warrior was not going to stand in the way of his father's happiness.
"My little tiger seal is all grown-up and married to the Fire Lord," Hakoda whispered as he leaned into his lover's chest. The couple was unaware of the two young men watching them across the hall.
"Yes, she is," Bato chuckled as he tightened his arms around the shorter man. "He loves her though."
"He does," the chieftain replied. Blue eyes gazing with bittersweet emotion at his daughter. "She loves him too. Hopefully, they won't deny their feelings too long. I couldn't have picked a better match for her."
"Did you join the pool?" The tribesman asked his beloved curiously. Practically everyone close to Katara and Zuko had placed a bet, but he wasn't sure if Hakoda had.
"Of course," the father of the bride nodded. He leaned in close to his beloved, "I don't think they will last the first month without admitting their feelings."
"I think they won't last the night," Bato whispered in his lover's ear. Hakoda shivered against him from the contact. "How was Katara when you spoke to her earlier?"
"She was much better," he replied as he thought over his conversation. It went better than he had expected. "Mostly just surprised at catching us, but we talked and she is happy for us."
"They will be departing soon," Bato murmured as he noticed the time. Iroh and Ursa joined the two men as he spoke.
"It was such a beautiful wedding," Ursa commented to Hakoda. She had loved the intimacy of the Water Tribe wedding. "Katara looked lovely, I'm sure you must be very proud of the young woman you raised."
"I am very proud," Hakoda nodded as he looked at his daughter.
"She's a perfect match for him," Iroh added as he watched his nephew.
The old general's heart was full today. For the longest time, he was unsure if Zuko would ever be happy again. Even after the young firebender helped end the hundred-year war, the Dragon of the West worried for his nephew. But now with Katara at the Fire Lord's side, he knew that Zuko would not only be happy but well-loved.
"He's a perfect match for her," Hakoda echoed before looking at Iroh. "And that's because of you."
"I wish I could take the credit," the old general said. He remembered waking up to his nephew in the White Lotus camp. The Fire Lord had worked extremely hard for everything he had now. "But Zuko had to overcome much in his life, I just gave him a gentle nudge in the right direction. He did all the rest."
The four adults turned to watch the Fire Lord stand and offer his hand to the Water Tribe Princess, she took it standing next to him. The couple said their goodbyes before leaving the dining room to spend their first night together as husband and wife.
"During the war, did you ever think we would get married?" The waterbender asked her new husband.
She was sitting on their bed in the newly constructed marriage igloo. As her fingers undid the intricate braids in her hair, placing the beads on the nightstand next to her. Both her and Zuko were in their dressing robes, nervous to undress in front of each other. They were extremely out of their comfort zone and neither wanted to make the first move.
She did not want to bring up their kiss, it felt too scary. Katara didn't think she could handle it if he rejected her on their wedding night. So instead she had introduced a different topic of conversation, a safer topic.
This was the first moment they had been alone since they had wed.
The Fire Lord was standing on the other side of the room, not knowing what to do. He wanted to ask about their kiss, but when she didn't bring it up he decided not to. Maybe he could coyly bring it up, forcing her to ask about it.
"Honestly, no," he shook his head softly. His eyes took in how her fingers worked through her hair to remove every bead, undo each twist and turn. "After the war and that kiss, I thought I would marry for politics. I thought I would probably marry Mai, but when she was released from prison we had a long conversation about our compatibility. And then before the Peace Summit in Omashu, I thought I would probably have to marry an Earth Kingdom noblewoman. It terrified me."
"Why?" Katara questioned, she was feeling uncomfortable that Zuko mentioned their first kiss. The waterbender was unsure why he had brought it up and was too nervous to ask him.
"Because there are many people who want me dead," Zuko murmured looking intensely into the fire. He had never spoken these fears aloud. "I've been steadily receiving some threats with the Earth Kingdom insignia, since my coronation. I was afraid that whoever was placed into a marriage with me, could kill me. When the suggestion was you, I knew that I would be safe. And even if you didn't love me, we could be happy. Selfishly, I pounced on the opportunity."
"Zuko," she whispered, her chest ached at his words. She turned to look at him, blue eyes dark with sadness. The waterbender was stunned to learn that he had assassination threats. "I had no idea."
"That's not the only reason I agreed though," he explained after a few moments of thought. He did not want Katara to think he married her because she was the safe option. "Mostly I knew that just maybe we could be truly happy together. Once we leave for the Fire Nation, things will be busy for both of us. But I was hoping during our honeymoon to Ember Island we could figure out how to make this work. And I don't mean to just coexist, I mean really truly work as husband and wife."
"I like that idea," she nodded. She was quiet for a minute as Zuko sat on the bed next to her. Finally, she decided to admit her feelings, or rather her feelings surrounding their consummation, "I'm nervous, I've never been with anyone."
"I figured," he chuckled softly. He noticed how tense she was, her breathing unsteady and her back straight as a rod. The firebender took a deep breath when he noticed how nervous his waterbender was, "I promise to be gentle and make it as pleasurable for you as I can."
"I don't want to disappoint you. I'm afraid I won't be as good as your past partners," she confessed quietly looking anywhere than at him. Her palms felt sweaty as she placed the last bead from her hair on the table next to her.
"I don't think that would be possible," the Fire Lord whispered as he moved closer to her. He noticed her breath quicken, "Does my past make you uncomfortable?"
"Yes and no," she shrugged trying to make the motion seem nonchalant. Though her body was incredibly tense with her anxiety. "I'm not upset you have been with other women. I'm just worried I won't be any good and because of your experience you would know."
The firebender nodded as he thought over her words before he confessed his own fears to his wife. "I'm nervous you won't enjoy it. But it will be a learning experience for both of us and it will get better with practice."
"That's true," she nodded. Her nerves were still high but they were coming down with her husband's words.
"We will take it slow," he comforted her as he moved closer to her. He was trying to ease her into their intimacy as best he could. "At any time if you want me to stop, say the word and I will."
"Okay," her voice breathy, unaware at how her husband had edged them closer together.
"Maybe we should start by getting closer," Zuko teased her slightly. He was hoping by teasing her, it would cause her to relax and show her that he wasn't going to force her into something she didn't want.
Katara chuckled at his comment, causing him to feel all warm inside.
The waterbender stood to remove her robe, leaving her in just her nightgown. She joined him back on the bed not noticing how his eyes traveled her body, she was stunning. The only thing hiding her body from him was that nightgown. Zuko had to remind himself to tone down his arousal, this would be her first time.
She took a deep breath as she slipped under the covers before replying to him. "You are probably right."
The Fire Lord stood to shed his robe, following her lead to slip under the furs. Katara watched his back muscles ripple as he placed his robe on the chaise across the room. He was only wearing a soft pair of sleep pants and the waterbender instantly wanted to be in his muscular arms. She shivered as he joined her under the covers.
"Cold?" Zuko questioned as he moved to wrap an arm around her, heating his body just slightly to warm her. He was pleased when she snuggled into his arms, her head going to rest against his chest. His waterbender fit perfectly against his body, he thought to himself.
"A little," she replied, mostly so that he wouldn't let go of her. Her hand moving to rest against the scar on his torso, she noticed he tensed quickly. "Does it hurt?"
"Sometimes," the firebender shrugged placing his hand on top of hers. But she pushed it away, it took him a moment to realize her intent. "I'm just not used to anyone touching it, you are the only person who has."
"Has Azula seen it?" Katara asked her husband as she concentrated on the push and pull of his blood.
"No, and honestly I don't think she's ready for that. She's made a lot of improvement but," Zuko took a deep breath and balled his hand into a fist at his side as he felt the tingle of her bloodbending. "She still hasn't even written to me since being in the North, though I send her a letter every week."
"It will take some time, as long as she is getting better that's the important thing. Now how does that feel?" The waterbender asked as she released her hold on his blood. She had been able to release some of the scar tissue that had developed.
"Better, much better," he replied in awe. He had not even noticed the dull ache before, but he instantly noticed it when it was gone.
His hand tangled with hers as he looked down at her, blue eyes meeting his. Katara felt herself press against him, her breasts pushed against his warm side. His hand played with hers where it rested on his torso above his scar. Zuko's arms tightened around her body, his other hand drawing circles on her bare upper arm. She looked up to meet his eyes. The look he was giving her caused a tingle to run through her entire body.
The firebender watched as her mouth parted slightly to take a deep breath. His eyes moved to her breasts as he saw them move as she breathed before they flickered back to her mouth. The dark pink of her lips was inviting her to be kissed again. They were still slightly swollen from when he kissed her earlier in the day. He watched as a lock of hair fell into her face.
"Can I kiss you?" He begged his wife.
"Yes," she answered him breathily.
The new husband leaned closer as his wife tilted her chin up towards him. He looked deep into the sapphire eyes he loved so much and watched as they flicked down to look at his mouth. He felt her breath fan over his face causing him to shiver. Katara's eyes closed and she leaned closer to him, she was desperate for his mouth on hers.
Finally, he captured her sweet lips with his.
Zuko moaned at the taste of her. She might have had very little experience but no one had ever kissed him like she had. The firebender moaned into her mouth a second time and he was shocked when his wife's tongue slipped past his lips into his mouth. He moved his tongue against hers erotically while pulling her to rest on top of him.
The waterbender adjusted her position as he pulled her against him, slipping her legs around his hips so she was straddling him. Her arms winded around his neck as she pressed down into him, her mouth glued to his. One of Zuko's hands went to tangle in her hair while the other moved to cup her behind, pressing her down against his slowly growing erection.
Her breath caught as he pulled her bottom lip between his teeth. Her body felt like it was flooded with her lubrication and she need something to relieve the ache. Zuko groaned as he felt her press down against him, he could feel the heat coming from her core. Her nipples were pebbled in arousal, the fabric from her nightgown rubbing against them just enough to excite her but not enough for relief.
The firebender sat up so he could pull her tighter against him, her nightgown raised to pool around her hips. The hand that was not tangled in her hair, slipped under the fabric to settle on her naked waist. His thumb brushed the underside of her breast, leaving a trail of fire with each stroke against her naked skin.
"Zuko," she moaned into his mouth as she felt his thumb move to brush against her nipple. She broke away from his mouth to breathe. Her husband not letting his lips leave her skin trailed kisses across her jaw down her throat. Settling on a spot below her ear above her necklace that caused her to buck against him.
The Fire Lord nipped her throat lightly causing her to whimper in response, soothing the bite with a swipe of his tongue. He couldn't get enough of her, he wanted to consume his wife. Every sound and movement she made was sensual, erotic. He was convinced she was a siren sent to bewitch him.
"Oh, please," she whimpered, she didn't know what she was asking for. Her skin was on fire and all she could feel was Zuko. It was too much and not enough all at the same time.
"Katara," he mumbled into her neck.
He pulled back just long enough to see the love bite he had left on her soft skin, before bringing his lips back to hers. He wanted her, no he needed her. His cock was harder than it had ever been before, Zuko felt her hot center as she pushed down against him. The friction felt glorious against his needy organ. He could feel how wet she was against him, her undergarments saturated as they pressed against his sleep pants and arousal.
"Zuko!" She cried as he bucked up against her. He pulled back to check to see if she was okay. Her lips swollen, hair wild where he gripped it, and her chest heaving with each breath. He watched as her betrothal necklace moved up and down with each breath. Katara's skin was flushed from the heat of his body. She looked erotic, straight out of a dream.
But her eyes were what caused him to pull back.
The sapphire eyes were wide, slightly glassy with arousal. Her pupils dilated as she looked at him. But the fear, the fear was what stopped him.
She might have been enjoying herself, yet the waterbender was terrified. His waterbender was not ready for this.
"Maybe we should stop," he whispered as their breathing settled.
"What?" The Water Tribe Princess asked in alarm.
She had been enjoying everything he had been doing but she was nervous. Katara was scared of what would happen after they consummated their marriage. She loved him so much and she knew the moment they crossed this boundary there would be no turning back with her feelings. And she still had a Fire Nation wedding to get through, not to mention her coronation. She was terrified at what would happen once they became lovers.
"You aren't ready," he stated softly. Seeing her anxiety had calmed his arousal slightly, allowing him to think clearly. "And as much as I'm enjoying this, I will not force you into something you aren't fully ready for."
"But what about the inspection in the morning?" Katara questioned her husband. She could deal with the consequences of her feelings, but not the uproar if they did not pass the inspection.
"We can fake it," Zuko comforted her. He tried his best to help rid himself of his arousal, but she looked so sensual on top of him. He closed his eyes tightly then opened them slowly as he continued, "The important thing is going at the right pace for us. We already had our wedding moved up, we can get more comfortable with each other and consummate in the Fire Nation."
"Are you sure?" The waterbender shifted her weight on top of her husband, causing him to hiss at the contact.
"I'm sure," he nodded, even though every fiber of his being was saying no. "I have an idea for how to pass the inspection."
"Okay," Katara moved herself off of him, noticing the large tent in his pants. But what surprised her more was that the fabric was damp, from her. She looked anywhere other than at him or the wet spot. She felt the mattress shift as he moved off the bed and heard him rustle around with his clothing.
"Ah," Zuko hissed in pain as his knife slid across his hand.
"Zuko! What are you doing?" His wife cried as she rushed over to him.
"Wait," he told her when he noticed her hands were reaching for his. He thought of his uncle naked to rid himself of the erection he had and to distract from the way Katara's nipples pushed against her nightgown. "It's for the inspection in the morning. Pull back the furs, please."
Katara did as he asked and watched as he squeezed his hand to allow his blood to drip onto the bed. The action caused her to fall a little bit deeper in love with him. He had thought this through and was saving her the embarrassment of not passing the inspection in the morning.
"Let me," she commanded when he went to wrap his hand. Zuko reached his hand out to her and watched as she healed the cut for him.
"Thank you," he whispered as she worked.
"Thank you for understanding I wasn't ready," she replied as she healed him.
"You don't need to thank me," he smiled at her. His hand closed around hers once she was finished healing him.
The moment felt more intimate than their passion earlier.
"Good morning," Zuko greeted his bride with a light chuckle as Katara stretched next to him. She looked gorgeous just waking up.
"Good morning," she replied, her voice rough with sleep. It sounded so sexy to the firebender. "How long have you been awake?"
"About an hour," he answered from where he was sitting on his side of the bed. His back against the headboard and a scroll in his hand. He had woken up with his wife pressed against his chest and his arms wrapped around her. Zuko had been sure to extract himself from her embrace so she would not be embarrassed this morning.
"What's that?" Katara gestured to the scroll in his hand as she moved to sit next to him. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she had never woken up in the same bed as someone else. It was an odd experience.
"It's our travel plans," Zuko explained as he showed her the scroll. He was trying to be as casual as possible to not scare her. "I snuck it in last night along with the knife. I thought we could discuss it while we still had privacy."
"Probably a good idea," the waterbender nodded to her husband. He was always so thoughtful she thought to herself. "How long will the trip take?"
"About three and a half weeks. My mother and Uncle will be traveling with us, as will Mai and Ty Lee," Zuko informed her as he shuffled the papers in front of him. "I had your own quarters made up for you next to mine, they are conjoined with mine. But since we are only married in the Water Tribe, I thought it would be better. It also gives us time to get used to living together before our next wedding night."
"I'm sorry we didn't consummate our marriage last night," her cheeks turning red at the thought of the previous night.
"This is new for both of us," Zuko comforted his new bride. After having some time to think about last night, the firebender decided he wanted time to adjust himself. "Our marriage was not traditional, we both need time to get used to the idea of being intimate with each other."
"I guess it's probably confusing to you too," the waterbender mumbled thoughtfully. Her sapphire eyes met his, "I hadn't thought of that. I was too self-absorbed, I'm sorry."
"It's alright. Maybe in the evenings, on the ship," the Fire Lord cleared his throat for a moment. He had been thinking about this idea all morning. "We could spend time getting more comfortable physically with each other."
"What do you mean?" Katara's innocence showing through her question. She had wanted to have a conversation with Suki about sex but only had a few minutes on her wedding day alone with her new sister.
"There is a lot between last night and full intimacy," Zuko stuttered slightly before pausing to take a breath and continuing. "We can learn a little bit about each other's bodies and just become more comfortable with that aspect of our marriage."
"Oh," his bride blushed prettily as she looked down at her hands. She was surprised by Zuko's suggestion but also a little happy he wanted to explore that part of their relationship. "We can do that."
"Okay," he cleared his throat again, moving on to other details. "We will stop at two different ports on the way to the Fire Nation. Kyoshi being the first one and then Merchant's Pier."
"As in the pier with the pirates?" Katara giggled softly when she realized that was one of their stops.
He smirked at his bride. "I figured it would be a good place to stop."
"You never did save me from the pirates," she teased her new husband. Her blue eyes sparkled as she looked at him. The smirk on his face made him look even more handsome than normal.
"Well knowing you, I'm sure you'll get into trouble with them again causing me to have to save you this time," he remarked back at her with a grin.
"We're gonna be happy, aren't we? Really and truly happy," Katara whispered to him.
"Yeah we are," he agreed with a smile.
Both of them wanted to freeze this moment, but that was not in the cards for them. The moment was interrupted by Sokka, of course.
"Rise and shine love birds!" The Water Tribe Prince called into the igloo to wake the newlyweds. "We are all waiting for you! You have ten minutes and then I'm sending Toph in."
"Guess it's time to face the music," Zuko mumbled to his bride.
"Yeah," Katara nodded. She gestured to the patrician off to the side of the room. "I'm going to get dressed."
"Okay, I'll dress out here," Zuko suggested waiting for her confirming nod before he got out of bed.
The waterbender pulled herself out of bed, being sure to keep everything covered. She hadn't realized how short her nightgown was last night or how sheer. Katara put her dressing robe on, then gathered her clothes moving to dress away from her husband's eyes.
"Are you decent?" Katara questioned once she was finished getting dressed.
"Yes," the firebender responded.
He was just finishing tying his hair up in the signature top knot when she had called out to him that she was done getting dressed. His bride came out from behind the patrician, dressed in her normal clothes as was he. The Fire Lord's eyes fell to her neck and he saw the love bite staring at him. It was dark red, almost purple in some spots. If her necklace and ring wouldn't keep other men away, the love bite would.
Zuko watched as his bride sat at the dressing table, her hand reaching for the brush.
"Tui and La!" Katara exclaimed as she noticed the bruise on her neck. Her fingertips going to brush against the mark, it was slightly swollen.
"I'm sorry," her husband whispered. Though he was anything but sorry, he loved tasting her delicious skin. "Does it hurt?"
"It aches a little bit," she responded as her fingers probed the mark lightly. Katara flinched as she pressed too hard against it.
"Do you want to heal it?" He questioned softly. He desperately wanted her to say no, he wanted the world to see his mark on her.
The Water Tribe Princess paused as she looked in the mirror, her eyes meeting his through the glass. His expression was unreadable. She thought about saying yes, thinking the Fire Lord might be embarrassed about the mark. But the waterbender wanted everyone to see the claim he laid on her. It caused a thrill to run through her body at the thought that he had done it deliberately.
"No," his wife replied after a moment. She thought she saw a ghost of a smile and a spark in his eye. "I think it would be better for them to see it and not question the marriage bed as much."
"Good idea," he coughed looking away as she braided her hair allowing the mark to be more visible to the outside observer.
"You ready?" Katara asked as she moved to stand next to him once she was ready to face their family. Zuko held his arm out to her, the waterbender looped her arm in his and let him lead her out of the igloo.
The waterbender's stomach rolled as she saw all the people waiting for them. There was not only the High Priest of Tui and the High Priestess of La but her entire family and Zuko's family. But what was causing her to feel so nauseated was their friends standing off to the side every single one of them.
"Was thinking I needed to send Toph in," Sokka teased as the couple came to stand in front of their families. His eyes noticed the angry bruise on his sister's neck. "Woah!"
Suki stood next to her husband and noticed the love bite the moment the couple came out of their marriage igloo. She was unsurprised her husband picked up on the bruise, but the Kyoshi Warrior knew that now was not the time for him to make a scene.
"Everyone's ready," Suki interrupted Sokka gesturing to Ursa, Kanna, the High Priest, and Priestess. She lowered her voice and leaned toward Katara. "We figured the sooner the better. I remember how embarrassing this was to do."
"Thank you," the waterbender whispered to her friend. The group of four greeted the couple before heading inside the igloo to inspect the marriage bed. Katara sighed mumbling to her husband, "This is going to be the longest ten minutes of our lives."
"Nice hickey," Sokka commented as he stared at his sister's neck. He could not take his eyes off the mark.
"Sokka!" His sister cried out in embarrassment, her cheeks red. Zuko wrapped an arm around his wife's waist in silent support, pulling her close to him. She fit perfectly against his side.
"Do we have a problem, Sokka?" The Fire Lord questioned raising an eyebrow. He was pleased when he felt his wife's face press into his chest. "If we do, I can remind you of all the places I caught you and Suki? Or I can tell everyone about what really happened at the Boiling Rock?"
The Water Tribe Prince's face paled at the threat. "No problem here!"
"Look it's the happy couple!" Toph called out as she and Haru joined their friends now that there was space next to them. "So how was last night? Was it fun?"
"Toph, Jerk-bender here was just telling us about all the secrets he would spill if we teased them," Sokka informed his friend. He knew that Zuko had dirt on each member of Team Avatar.
"Sparky is such a killjoy," the blind earthbender mumbled to her partner as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"Why are you all here?" Katara snapped after a moment turning to face them. She was already embarrassed enough as it was without all of their friends and family waiting around to see the verdict.
"You are leaving later today," Hakoda reminded her as he moved toward his daughter and her new husband. He was doing everything in his power not to look at the bruise that was on her neck. "We wanted to spend some time with you before you left for the Fire Nation, little tiger seal."
The Water Tribe Princess moved from her husband's arms to embrace her father, the chieftain instantly wrapped his daughter in a hug. She felt her embarrassment recede as she hugged her father. "I forgot you aren't coming until later."
"You are all grown-up now," Hakoda sighed softly as he squeezed his youngest child.
"Dad," Katara complained with a shake of her head, looking up at her father. "I've been all grown-up for a long time. I did end the hundred-year war and teach the Avatar waterbending."
"You will always be my little tiger seal," the chieftain teased his daughter as he released her from their hug.
Mai moved toward Zuko with a single eyebrow raised during the interaction between father and daughter. The Fire Lord gave her an odd look, if anyone would know they faked their consummation it would be Mai. The noblewoman was entirely too perceptive for her own good and she knew Zuko better than anyone else. She also was an expert at hiding knives.
Mai knew for a fact that the firebender was not only hiding one now but that he had snuck it into the marriage igloo last night.
"You and I need to talk later," the noblewoman murmured to him as she stood next to the Fire Lord.
Kanna and Ursa were the first to exist the marriage igloo, their expressions unreadable as they rejoined the group. The High Priest of Tui quickly followed with the High Priestess of La, exited last. Katara had rejoined her husband and he had wrapped his arms around her, letting his wife bury her face in his chest so she could be spared the looks from their friends and family.
"The inspection is complete," the Priest stated once everyone had quieted down and turned their attention to the group of four.
"The great Ocean and Moon spirits have heavily blessed this marriage," the Priestess took over for her counterpart. "We suspected it at the wedding but the marriage bed confirmed it. This union will bring in an era of progress and peace."
"So we passed?" Zuko questioned the spiritual leaders. He could feel how tense his wife was in his arms. Their intimate actions were not going unnoticed by their friends.
"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko," the Priest nodded with a small smile to the young sovereign. "You will have a very fruitful marriage, congratulations."
The spiritual leaders bid their farewells to the newlyweds, allowing the family and friends to have a moment before the couple departed for the Fire Nation.
"You wanted to talk?" Zuko questioned Mai as she sat down in his office on the flagship. They were a few hours out of the South Pole, he and Katara had been avoiding each other since he had shown her to her room.
"You faked your marriage bed," she stated looking at him, her arms crossing over her chest as she leaned back in her chair.
"And?" Zuko hissed, his anger spiking. He was unsure why she wanted to bring this up right now.
"I'm not here to out you," Mai sighed as she turned to inspect her nails, a mannerism she had picked up from his sister. "I'm here to point out that you can't fake it in the palace. There will be too many servants going in and out of your bedchamber. And the servants gossip, a lot."
"I know," the Fire Lord slumped in his seat.
She was right and it was something he had explained to Katara on the roof. It was the reason he had suggested to his waterbender that they worked on getting comfortable with their intimacy. He smiled to himself when he realized he had begun thinking of Katara as his waterbender since their wedding.
"The love bite was obviously something you got carried away with," the noblewoman continued ignoring the firebender's smile as he thought about the mark he left on his wife. "That was clearly not fake. Let me guess, she got scared and you did the honorable thing?"
"You know me too well," Zuko chuckled humorlessly. His mind replaying the night in his mind. He stood from his seat, turning so his back was to his ex-lover, and looked out the small window. If Katara let him, he would mark her neck again. He was overjoyed with the show of ownership even if it did make him feel a bit like a barbarian.
"I'm not saying this to make you uncomfortable. I'm telling you this because I don't want the Fire Sages to have a reason to annul your marriage," Mai explained to her friend quietly. "This marriage is important, not for the world. But for you, you love her. And if your courting skills are as good as they were with me, she'll fall in love with you."
"Do you really think so?"
Mai smiled to herself, his back still to her. The noblewoman didn't know how to tell him that the waterbender was already in love with her husband. And Mai was fairly certain that if she did tell him that, he would have denied it.
The noblewoman stood to leave and instead said, "I think she would be an idiot if she didn't."
Zuko heard the door shut behind her, leaving him to think about her words. The Fire Lord watched the water for hours, lost in thought. His mind imaging a happy and loving marriage, filled with a litter of children.
"Zuko?" Katara called as she entered his office. He looked extremely regal as he looked out at the water. "Everyone's at dinner, they've been waiting for almost an hour."
"I'm sorry, Katara," he turned to face his wife.
He noticed she had changed into the Fire Nation clothing he had brought for her. He had several outfits commissioned for her, some were in red and black but also some in blue. The one she was wearing now was a sapphire blue, it matched her eyes. She had let her hair down and it looked beautiful. Zuko noticed that she had also donned the bracelets he had bought her after his coronation. He realized the only jewelry she wore was from him. His mind pondered the thought of seeing her wearing only the jewelry he had gifted her, the thought eliciting his member to stand at attention.
"Is everything okay?" She asked as he moved closer to him.
"Not really," he replied as he gestured for her to sit on the couch across the room. The Fire Lord took a deep breath and thought of his uncle naked to get his problem under control. After a minute he walked over to join her.
"What's wrong? Is it about Azula?" The waterbender questioned as she noticed the scrolls from the Northern Tribe sitting on his desk.
"No, it's not her," he shook his head as he sat next to her. He rested his arm on the back of the couch and unconsciously his fingers played with a lock of her hair. "I'm just thinking about us, our marriage, and children."
"Children right," she muttered looking away from him. She had been thinking about children since her grandmother mentioned how fertile tribeswomen were. "Would you hate me if I said I wanted to wait a few months before we started trying?"
"Is there a reason you want to wait?" Zuko questioned his bride. His hand paused where it played with her hair. He had been hoping to start trying immediately, he figured the physical contact would help her fall for him. He knew that he was a generous lover and it would be a point in his favor.
"There's a lot changing in our lives," she responded softly her voice unsteady.
Katara was terrified about all the new things happening in her life. Her wedding was already moved up without her knowledge. And in two months she would not only be living in the Fire Nation, but she would also be Fire Lady. It was a lot for a woman of eighteen.
"Come here," Zuko comforted her, gesturing for her to cuddle with him. He noticed her hesitation. "We talked about getting more comfortable with physical contact. I'm just going to hold you."
"Okay," his wife nodded. She moved to rest against his chest, moving her legs to lay on the couch.
"You're feeling overwhelmed aren't you?"
"A little," she admitted as she cuddled into him. Her hand went to play with the lapel of his shirt involuntarily. His body was so warm and it calmed her to be up against his heat.
"That's understandable," he nodded to her. His hand went back to playing with his wife's hair. "I was petrified when I became Fire Lord. It was all so new and there was so much to do. I get how overwhelming it can be. You're leaving your home, marrying me — again, and becoming a queen all in eight weeks. That's a lot for anyone."
"Yeah," she sighed feeling better that her husband understood how she felt.
"Adding a baby into that would be insanity, for me too," Zuko confided his other hand going to tangle with hers on his chest. "I think right now we should focus on getting more comfortable with each other physically and you taking the mantel of Fire Lady. We can talk about a baby later."
"But the marriage contract," she argued remembering the details she had read all those months ago.
"The marriage contract said two heirs in five years," the firebender reminded her gently. He was more than okay to wait a little bit if it would help her adjust and allowed him time to woo her. "But really it's up to us, the Fire Sages will be happy just once an heir is born. And frankly, this is a lot for me too. I say we should revisit the conversation about a baby after the third anniversary, which will be six months from our Fire Nation wedding."
"Thank you, Zuko," she looked up at him with a small smile. "You have been so good to me."
"As your husband, it's my job," he teased her easily. "I'm sorry if last night was too much for you. I got carried away."
"It's okay," she told him. Her blood ran hot as she remembered the events from the night before. "Honestly I've only been kissed a handful of times and most of those were by Aang during the war. Once by Jet and then you. I'm not really sure what I'm doing."
"You were perfect," he expressed softly. He caught sight of the love bite and it looked much worse now than it had before. "How's your neck?"
"A little sore," she replied honestly. Katara swallowed her nerves, this was part of them getting comfortable with each other, then she continued. "But I really liked what you were doing last night."
"That's good to know," he grinned as he looked at his wife. "It's a little strange to think that your my wife now. Is it weird if I say I like it?"
"No," she shook her head before yawning and snuggling deeper into his arms. The waterbender was overjoyed to hear that her husband liked being married to her. "I kind of like it too."
"You're going to fall asleep," he chuckled as she nuzzled into him. His chest rumbled with the noise. The firebender shifted his position slightly, stretching his legs out and resting his feet on the tea table in front of the couch.
"Maybe," she mumbled with another yawn. "You are just so warm and I'm comfortable. Plus I'm pretty sure we only got a couple of hours of sleep last night."
"You are probably right," he agreed. Zuko raised his temperature just slightly causing her to sigh prettily into him.
His waterbender's eyes fluttered closed, he thought about suggesting they go to bed. But he didn't want her to leave his arms. Instead, he leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. The back and neck ache tomorrow would be worth it, was his last thought.
Within minutes the newlywed couple was fast asleep, neither would see the Dragon of the West peaking into the office to see the sleeping couple.
Notes:
Our Water Tribe Wedding is done and along with it our first wedding night! I know many hoped they would consummate but they need time to adjust. Hint hint! ;)
I would love to hear your thoughts! Be sure to follow my Instagram for update news @JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
See you March 25th, 2022!
Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen: Winter 103 AG
Notes:
Happy Friday! Welcome back to Kisses of Fire and Ice :)
Thank you to everyone who has commented, bookmarked, subscribed, and left kudos on the last chapter! It means so much to me that you are enjoying my story. Also, a thank you to everyone who has followed my Instagram. Be sure to follow for story news, sneak peeks, and some fan art.
Happy reading! Please forgive all mistakes :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Fourteen: Winter 103 AG
"I can't believe we stopped here," Katara teased her new husband as they walked hand and hand through the market at Merchant's Pier. She looked up at him, her blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about," he smirked with a twinkle in his gold eyes as he looked at her. He gave her hand a squeeze as they walked along the familiar path of the shops.
Katara's neck had healed from the love bite Zuko had left and he had yet to leave another one, but he wanted to. Oh, how he wanted to.
The couple had become much more comfortable with physical contact throughout their journey. Both had agreed to stop questioning the physical intimacy aspect of their marriage. It took a few weeks but the awkwardness was settling between the two. Now neither were asking the other to initiate contact, just doing what felt natural to them. The newlyweds had been spending their evenings cuddling and kissing, nothing heavier than their wedding night. But the interactions were helping them both come to terms with the reality of the situation.
Ursa and Iroh followed the young couple watching the interactions between the two. The Fire Lord's mother and uncle had been playing matchmaker since the Water Tribe Wedding, both pleased to see the small intimate touches taking place.
"They seem to be more comfortable with each other," Ursa commented to the old general as she observed her son and daughter-in-law. She wanted Zuko to know the pleasure of a loving spouse.
"Every day they seem to be growing closer and closer," Iroh agreed as he looked at his nephew. The couple was currently stopped in front of a street vendor selling deep-fried pickled radishes on sticks. He noticed how thrilled the waterbender looked as her husband presented her with the food.
"I suspect it won't be too long before one of them admits their feelings," the Fire Lord's mother murmured to her brother-in-law as they continued watching the couple. Her thoughts lingered to Azula, the older noblewoman was thrilled for her son but she worried about her daughter.
"Perhaps sooner if we give them some privacy," Mai added as she moved next to the older members of the royal family. The noblewoman had seen how Ursa and Iroh had been trying to keep tabs on the newlyweds from inside the nearby shop. She knew the more privacy the two had the sooner their emotions would be revealed.
"She is right," Iroh nodded somberly, as he let the young noblewomen lead them away from their spying. The Dragon of the West wanted to stay and watch, but he knew the truth behind Mai's words. His nephew was a man now and it was up to him to woo his wife, Iroh couldn't help him in this.
"This is one of my favorite food's from the Earth Kingdom," Katara admitted as she took a bite of the radish her husband had purchased for her.
"I remember you telling me that on Ember Island," Zuko grinned at his wife. He had seen the vendor and pulled her toward them. The firebender figured she probably had not had any in a long time.
"Thank you," she told him as the two finished their snack. She was touched he had remembered. The two walked deeper into the marketplace. "Are they still following?"
Zuko discreetly turned, to his surprise noticed that his Uncle and mother had gone their separate way. He looked back at his wife, "Other than the Royal Guard trying to blend in around us, we are free from prying eyes."
"Is it always going to be like this? Being followed everywhere I mean," his wife asked him as they continued walking. She wasn't used to the security detail, it made her uncomfortable. "It just feels weird. I'm used to the South Pole where I walked around freely."
"Unfortunately, yes," the Fire Lord responded with a sigh. He hated that their marriage had taken away her freedom. "Malu is even more on edge since the threats have started coming in. Not many people are happy with me and it's dangerous to be on my own, or so Malu tells me."
He despised being watched by the guards but he understood why. Though he had slipped away from them before. He was a master bender, trained by the original Masters. In his opinion, he didn't need the protection, but Zuko went along with it to appease the Royal Council and now his mother. Though with the most recent threats on his life, the firebender agreed that it didn't hurt to have a second pair of eyes.
"I'm guessing when I've been crowned Fire Lady it will be the same," Katara assumed as she stopped in front of a merchant selling jewelry. Her hands going to adjust the pieces in front of her to look through them.
"Yes," her husband agreed as he watched her browse through the jewelry. His gold eyes focused on what pieces she lingered on. "We will have to set up your own guard, once we arrive in the Fire Nation. I'll have Malu start screening some options and we can interview them together."
"I'm already missing the freedom of traveling the world during the war," his wife sighed. She took his hand again and pulled him along to another store. His skin felt hot against hers, the feeling led her thoughts astray. "We are staying the night here right?"
"We are," Zuko confirmed, he pulled her to him so she was pressed against his side. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I got us one room, I hope that's okay."
"That's okay," she shuddered as she felt his hot breath against her skin. A tentative smile crossed her face as she looked down at the ground.
The waterbender's thoughts turned back to their nights on the ship. The couple had been having more pleasurable experiences but had been careful not to go too far. It didn't help the knowing looks Iroh kept shooting his nephew, nor the looks Mai and Ty Lee kept sending Katara's way. It would be good for them to be in a room away from their travel companions.
"We are staying at a different inn than the others," he informed looking down at her face, trying to catch her eye. His blood ran hot as he thought about them being truly alone later that evening.
"Oh!" She blushed looking anywhere but at him.
"You know you only have to say stop," he whispered in her ear, warm breath flowing over the shell causing her to shiver.
He had been very insistent on that fact. And he had been true to his word, every single time she hesitated or said the word he stopped everything. But the waterbender wanted more, but she didn't know how to ask for it. Or even what more was, her inexperience was causing her to struggle with communicating her needs.
"I know," she replied breathily turning coming face to face with him. He was so close to her, Katara could feel his breath. Zuko could see her eyes sparkling and the nerves getting ready to settle in her stomach. He didn't want her to be nervous and overthink, the firebender needed to get his wife out of her head. And fast.
"How about we ditch the guards?" He asked her suddenly. Her answering smile and the mischievous twinkle in her eye were all the confirmation Zuko needed. He grasped her hand tightly and steadily quickened their pace. "Keep up with me."
The Fire Lord weaved his new bride through the streets at a quick pace. Every single time a guard looked away the couple moved in a direction away from them. Soon anywhere they looked the newlyweds could not find a single Royal Guard. Zuko knew that Malu would have a field day when they retired for the evening, but right now they had a few hours alone. This was a necessary step in wooing his bride and the firebender was going to take full advantage of it.
"You've done this before," Katara giggled as he guided her through the village behind the pier. Her relief of not being followed was apparent.
"I need a break every now and then too," he said with a grin at her "Malu knows that if I'm not back by sunset, then there is a problem. He hates when I do it, but he understands why."
"So you are telling me that occasionally we can get some privacy?" The waterbender swung their joined hands as they walked. She was not paying attention to where he was leading her, frankly, she didn't really care. All the tribeswoman could focus on was his hand in hers. She really liked holding his hand while they walked, it just felt like a natural thing to do.
"Occasionally," he echoed with a smirk. Her joy at being alone with him was contagious and he was thrilled he had brought his wife so much pleasure. "But there was a reason I wanted us to have some privacy today."
"Oh?" Katara questioned her husband. Her blue eyes moved to meet his gold ones, she didn't care why he wanted them to be alone only that he wanted to. "Why's that?"
"Why don't you tell me," the Fire Lord suggested turning her around to look at the scenery in front of them.
"Zuko!" The waterbender exclaimed in shock as she took in the lush green vegetation and river. She could feel the waterfall she knew was tucked behind the rocks and trees, just barely hearing the roar of it. Her husband had taken her to the exact spot he tried to use her for bait.
"I have some very fond memories of this area," he chuckled with a teasing smile at her. This was the first place he noticed how delectable the waterbender was. His hand moved to rub his chin, "If I remember correctly, you stole a waterbending scroll. And were horrible at executing, what was it, the water whip?"
In response, Katara smacked him in the back of the head with a perfectly formed water whip. Her tone was light and teasing, "How about a rematch? Maybe this time you can be the one tied to a tree."
"You're on!" Zuko responded his hands igniting, within seconds the newlywed couple was sparring.
The Fire Lord tried not to be distracted with how her chest moved up and down with each breath. Or how her hair was swirling around her with each movement. Zuko caught site of her backside in the pants she was wearing, it looked perfect. He had known the outfit flattered her curves but he hadn't realized how well until she started fighting.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her necklace fly off toward him. His quick reflexes allowed him to catch it and pocket it without her knowing. Zuko was unsure how but he was able to pocket the necklace and keep sparring, but he was thankful he had been able to. He had spent a lot of time on her necklace and didn't want to redo it.
The firebender focused back on the fight, he was desperate to pin her beneath him. His wife was a strong bender, but he had the advantage of the daylight.
The Water Tribe Princess was ever aware of how the fabric on her husband's pants stretched across his muscular thighs. His hair escaped his top knot and fell into his eyes, reminding her of the angry teenager he was on Ember Island. With each movement the belt around his shirt loosened until it flew open, showing off his strong torso. Every ridge was calling for Katara to touch him.
She was too distracted and didn't see the tell-tale sign of him about to charge her. By the time she anticipated his movements, he was inches from pouncing.
Not even thirty seconds later, the waterbender found herself pinned on her back with her husband on top of her.
"I'll save you from the pirates," he whispered huskily as he laid on top of her. His words echoed the ones he said so long ago. Both her wrists were in his hands pinned above her head. Katara caught the playful look in her husband's eyes, so his next words were not a surprise. "Tell me where he is and I won't hurt you or your brother."
"Go jump in the river!" She cried out but there was a twinkle in her eye as she spoke the words. Katara was enjoying the game he had started. She also loved feeling his weight on top of her. And an exciting thrill filled her core at being pinned beneath him.
"Try to understand. I need to capture him to restore something I've lost, my honor," he whispered leaning down so his lips were against her ear. Zuko adjusted his position so only one of his hands held both of hers, holding up her betrothal necklace for his wife to see. "Perhaps in exchange, I can restore something you've lost."
"My necklace!" Katara exclaimed, the surprise was real. She had no idea it had flown off during their fight. But then her eyes narrowed playfully. "Give it back!"
"I'll give it back on one condition," he bargained his voice throaty causing a tingle to race through her core. "Just one kiss."
The waterbender didn't stop to think, she leaned up and captured his lips with hers.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Malu grumbled as his sovereign entered the inn. Through gritted teeth, the guard spoke, "I'm sorry for allowing you to get lost in the crowd."
The couple had lost track of time and spent all afternoon by the river, they had missed dinner. Stopping at a couple of street vendors as they made their way back to the inn. It had been a great day for the newlyweds, but a stressful one for the Royal Guard.
Malu had wanted to send a search party when the Fire Lord had not returned for dinner, but the Dragon of the West had talked him out of it. Explaining that Zuko was very familiar with the location and just wanted time to court his wife without an audience.
"That's quite alright Malu," Zuko grinned at the Captain of the Royal Guard. He was on a high from kissing his wife all afternoon. "We decided to visit an old friend. I'm sorry if we worried you."
Malu did not have a chance to respond before the Fire Lord and his bride left the room heading to their accommodations. The guard had been too distracted by the love bite on his Lord's neck and the grass stains littering the newlywed's clothing to finish his speech.
Katara's hand was clasped tightly in her husband's as he led her from the room. Her cheeks were stained in a rosy hue as she followed Zuko through the inn.
"Do you think he noticed?" She asked referring to the love bite she had given him. They were currently safely tucked away in their room.
Zuko looked at the blush coloring her cheeks and decided to tell a little white lie to save her some embarrassment. He shook his head before responding, "No, I think he was too upset that I snuck us away."
"That's good," she nodded looking at the large bed in the center of the room.
They had slept next to each other a few times on the ship, but they had always been careful not to go too far in their exploration. It didn't help that Ty Lee and Iroh tended to come looking for the couple in the mornings. Tonight would be their opportunity to go further ahead of their second wedding night in a few months.
"Will we share a room once we are in the Fire Nation?" Katara began unpacking the bag that had been brought in for her.
"Not until after our originally scheduled wedding," he informed her, following his wife's lead of unpacking. "Traditionally the Fire Lord and Fire Lady do not share a bed-chamber but when I began dismantling the harem, the council was upset. I had Bato write it into the marriage contract that I would not use the harem and the council demanded that we share a room."
"Why were they upset about it?" She inquired as she glanced over to the adjoining bathroom. She could see the tub and it looked so inviting, but she wasn't sure if she was comfortable taking a bath with her husband yet.
"The Royal Council has, that is to say, they have umm," he coughed uncomfortably not meeting her eyes. "Enjoyed umm the benefits of the Fire Lord's Harem for generations, it was a perk they did not want to give up. But with it written into the marriage contract, they had no way of keeping it."
"And they thought forcing us to share a room as a punishment?" She raised one perfect eyebrow at him in question.
"In the Fire Nation, many royal and noble marriages are arranged," he began explaining. He noticed how her eyes flickered toward the bathroom more than once. "Many couples have affairs, only coming together to have children."
"Oh," she looked away. The Fire Nation was so different than the South Pole and learning the intricacies of the culture was demanding on the waterbender. "Hence the reason for the harem and why us sharing a room would be a punishment."
"It's something I want to change in the Fire Nation," Zuko expressed as he looked down at the floor. He hated that aspect of his culture, his gold eyes flicked back to hers. "But enough about traditions that need to be changed. If you want to take a bath, go ahead. I have a few letters to answer."
"Umm, okay," she nodded, only slightly surprised he had noticed her desire to bathe. She gathered her nightclothes and moved into the bathroom, trying not to think about the fact her husband would be just outside the room while she was naked.
Katara used her waterbending to extract the water from the pump into the tub, knowing it would be faster than waiting for it to fill on its own. Her hand dipped into the water to check the temperature and she shivered at the cold. As a waterbender she could manipulate the temperature of water to a point, being able to freeze and unfreeze it. She desperately wanted to ask her husband to heat the water but was too anxious.
The firebender heard her bend the water into the tub but never heard her enter. He figured she was too nervous to ask him to heat the water. During their friendship on Ember Island, it was something he would do for her. And he knew how much his wife enjoyed the hot water. Zuko decided to put her out of her misery and use this opportunity to further their relationship.
"Katara, if you want me to heat your bath let me know," he called into the room after he knocked on the door.
"Actually that would be great, you can come in," she responded in relief. She had taken many cold baths, but didn't want to tonight.
Zuko entered the room noticing she was only in her dressing robe. He could see her undergarments draped across the clothes she had been wearing earlier on the counter. It took everything in his power not to grab his wife and disrobe her. He wanted to see all of her tanned skin, the glimpses he had seen in the past few weeks made his blood run hot.
"How hot do you want it?" He questioned as he placed his hand into the water beginning to heat it. It wasn't necessary for him to touch the water, but it helped him with adjusting the water to the right temperature.
"I like it pretty hot," she replied biting her lip as she looked at him. She hesitated briefly, "Do you remember the hot springs you showed us on Ember Island?"
Zuko grinned as he nodded, it was a very specific temperature but one he could easily achieve. He increased the temperature, thinking back to the day he showed his friends the hidden hot spring in the caves of the volcano behind the house. Katara had fallen in love with it and spent any chance she got in it. The Fire Lord hoped to have some romantic time in the hot spring on their honeymoon.
"How's that?" He asked her after a few moments. The water was just shy of boiling, steam coming off the tub and settling around the room.
Katara's fingers were trialed into the water to check the temperature. She moaned at the heat, it was the exact temperature of the hot spring. "Perfect. Thank you, Zuko."
"If you need me, let me know," he mumbled awkwardly. Her moan had gone straight to his groin. And he was trying not to think of her slipping naked into the water he had just heated. "I'm going to be working on some correspondence, so take your time."
The waterbender watched as her husband left the bathroom, shuffling uncomfortably the entire time. Once she was alone, she dropped her dressing robe on the floor and entered the hot water. Her mind thought back to the kisses she shared with Zuko by the river. She had let her desire take over and the more she thought about how forward she had been, the more embarrassed she became.
In the other room, her husband sat thinking over her actions too. The firebender was elated at the enthusiasm she had shown. He had been unsure if she was attracted to him, yes there was the kiss at the Agni Kai but that was years ago. Today he had actual proof that his wife was attracted to him. His waterbender was the one who made the first move and he was ecstatic.
The Fire Lord was just a little bit closer to his bride falling in love with him.
He was brought out of his thoughts by the bathroom door opening. Zuko turned to watch his wife come back into the room, clad in only a nightgown. The fabric clung to her curves in the most delicious way. He noticed how it fell to mid-thigh, showing off her shapely legs. Her skin had a rosy hue from the hot water and her lips were swollen from kissing him all afternoon. She had piled all of her hair into a wispy bun on the top of her head, the baby hairs on the back of her neck wet and clinging to her skin.
Katara was stunning, he thought to himself.
"I added clean water to the tub for you," she told him, her voice coming out breathily. The waterbender had noticed her husband's appraisal of her and it caused a flood of heat rush to her core.
"Thanks," he replied huskily. Zuko cleared his throat twice. He needed to get himself under control before he not only embarrassed himself but made his wife uncomfortable. "I'll go bathe and then we can go to bed."
"Okay," she nodded as she sat down on the side of the bed next to the window. Katara was doing everything to not look at her husband entering the bathroom.
Zuko entered the bathroom with his nightclothes and shut the door soundlessly behind him. He took a deep breath, shedding his clothing before he plunged into the cold water. His arousal had spiked seeing his wife in the tiny nightgown and he needed the cold water to calm his growing erection.
He breathed deeply trying to control his body. The water did not seem to be helping in fact, the thought of Katara sitting in the same tub naked was causing Zuko's arousal to increase steadily.
His hand moved down his body to grip his erection, he knew there was only one way to get rid of his problem.
On the other side of the door, Katara kept changing her position on the bed. She was unsure of how to wait for her husband, they had never been in this position before. The Water Tribe Princess knew that this would soon become the norm and she needed to get comfortable.
She had finally decided to wait under the covers for her husband when the bathroom door opened and the man himself came into view.
Katara watched her husband walk toward her, clad in only a pair of loose sleep pants that hugged his strong thighs in the most pleasing way. His muscular torso rippled with each movement as he walked toward her. She watched her husband's arm as he went to move hair out of his face and could see his bicep contracting with the movement. Her eyes zeroed in on Zuko's hands and she noticed how large they were. One of his hands moved to rub against the scar on his chest.
Her eyes traveled down to how the fabric molded and stretched across his groin as he walked toward her. The waterbender's mind wandered to how large that appendage was. A thought that had plagued her since she felt it on their wedding night, the apex of her thighs felt slick as she looked at him.
"Katara?" Zuko called as he went to join her in bed. She seemed lost in thought and his chest puffed out a little at the knowledge of her appraising him. He noticed how her nipples had pebbled and were pushing against the fabric of her nightgown.
The waterbender's eyes snapped to the hooded golden eyes of her husband. There was an emotion behind them she could not read.
"Yes?" She questioned huskily as he climbed under the covers with her.
"If you want me to stop just say the word," he whispered as he moved closer to her. A flick of his wrist and the candles extinguished leaving only the light of the moon from the window as their source of light.
The two benders moved closer to each other until they were wrapped in a lover's embrace.
"You are always so warm," she moaned in his arms as she drew circles on his chest. It was her favorite place to touch him, she loved feeling the ridges of his muscles.
"Benefits of being a firebender," he chuckled as he placed a kiss on her forehead, then the tip of her nose, and finally he pressed his lips against hers. It was soft and sweet, nothing like the hungry kisses she had bestowed on him earlier in the day. Yet still just as passionate.
The couple kissed each other slowly as if they had all the time in the world. A slow build of arousal for each of them. Zuko pulled away from his wife to trail kisses down her throat, he wanted to leave a matching love bite on her neck. He settled on the spot that made her moan and was pleased when he felt her fingers thread through his hair, pulling him closer to her neck.
"Zuko," she moaned as he continued his ministrations. Her entire body yearned for him, she could feel the heat of his skin through her nightgown. "That feels so good."
His hand moved from her waist down past her hip to the back of her knee, hooking her leg over his hips. The movement caused her short nightgown to rise up past her hip, Katara's heated core pressing against his groin. The only barrier between them was his sleep pants.
"Is this too much?" The firebender asked as he rocked his erection against her. His hand caressing her leg, he moaned at how soft her skin felt against his hand. Her arousal allowed him to move easily against her.
"No," she shook her head arching her back causing her breasts to push hard against his chest. The friction felt glorious on her overheated core. Her husband shifted slightly hitting the button on her core that made her see stars, causing her to cry out. "Tui and La!"
"You're so beautiful," he murmured as he kissed down her collar bone. Her soft skin felt delicious against his mouth as he worked his mouth over his waterbender's body.
Her body was hot against his and he could feel her arousal seeping through his pants. She was so wet. His erection felt almost painful he was so aroused. Even with the release in the bath earlier, Zuko found himself as hard as steel. He didn't know how he would survive sharing a bed with her once they were married publicly. He would want her as often as she would let him have her.
"Zuko, please," Katara begged her husband. She didn't know if she was begging for more or less. All she knew was his hands and mouth left a trail of fire along her skin.
The firebender moved to look into her eyes and saw the need in the blue depths. She was close to her release but had no idea. Her innocence caused him to groan at the knowledge that he would be the only man to have her.
"Relax Katara," he whispered moving to kiss her again. He felt her push her core against his organ causing her to cry out in pleasure. Zuko was happily letting his wife use him for her pleasure. His mouth moved against hers as he urged her on, "Let go."
His tongue swiped across her bottom lip asking for entrance, which she granted. He increased the movement against her core, causing delectable moans and whimpers to escape from her as they kissed.
The Fire Lord knew the moment her release was about to come. Pulling her bottom lip lightly between his teeth, snaked a hand to caress her breast as her body tensed and he held her tightly to him as she cried out his name.
Pleasure rippled through her body in a tidal wave causing each muscle in her body to go taunt.
Her husband slowed his rocking against her core, extending the waves of pleasure. Her body shuddered as it collapsed underneath him.
"Wow," the waterbender mumbled, her eyelids drooping. Exhaustion overtaking from the release of endorphins running through her body.
"Sleep, Katara," her husband told her as he brushed the hair out of her face. She looked so beautiful to him.
"What about you?" She questioned though her eyes were already closed.
"Tonight was about you," he replied as she cuddled into his chest. He willed his erection to go down as she settled against his body. Thankful for the release he had earlier that evening.
"But," Katara protested her words heavy with sleep as she tried to keep her eyes open failing miserably. He was just so warm and comfortable, she couldn't help it.
"Sleep, my waterbender," Zuko whispered placing a soft kiss on her lips.
"I thought I might find you here," the Fire Lord said as he joined his wife at the front of the ship. Since their time in Merchant's Pier, the couple had furthered their physical relationship and both were more comfortable with the idea of consummating their marriage.
They were about a day away from reaching Caldera and Katara was wearing an outfit that showed off her midriff. He was pleased to see that she was wearing her hair the same way she did when they were on Ember Island. He was in casual clothes as well, taking the opportunity to not have to dress for formal meetings.
"I can't believe how warm it is," she told him as he wrapped an arm around her waist, his thumb rubbing circles on her bare skin. "As much as I'll miss the South Pole, I'm loving this warm weather. How cold does it get?"
"It will drop a little more in the next couple of months," Zuko explained to his waterbender. He was glad she was excited about moving to the Fire Nation. "But not as cold as the Earth Kingdom and certainly not as bad as the Poles. All your winter wear will only be needed if we leave the Fire Nation."
"I like it," Katara leaned into her husband. She swore he had grown taller since they left the South Pole. He stood more than a full head and a half taller than her, it was something she found very attractive about him.
"I'm glad," he told her as he pulled her closer. He loved how she melted into his side seamlessly like they were created to fit against each other. "I just spoke to Jee, he said we should be in Caldera by morning."
"I feel like we have been living in a bubble here on the ship," she confessed to him as she stared out at the water. The ocean was calming to her and allowed the waterbender to speak her mind. "It's nice not having everyone staring at us and judging us."
"Pretty sure Ty Lee and Uncle are watching us right now," Zuko teased his wife, chuckling lightly at the annoyed look she shot him. "But I know what you mean. It's been nice being away from the expectations of everyone. I think we needed this all along."
"Yeah I agree," she adjusted her position so she was leaning with her back against the railing. Zuko's front pressing into her front as his arms went to rest on either side of her. She looked into her husband's dark gold eyes.
"You look stunning right now," he whispered as he looked down at her.
It was late afternoon, golden hour. Her tanned skin looked like it was glimmering in the light. Her chocolate brown hair was windblown from standing at the edge of the ship. The waterbender's eyes framed with dark lashes looked a deep sapphire in the light, Zuko felt like he could see the entire ocean reflecting in them.
"I was going to say the same thing to you," she smiled sweetly at him. The waterbender appraised her husband silently.
She could see his strong chest and the top of his scar peeking out from the deep-v of his sleeveless shirt. His arms were strong and on either side of her as she leaned against the railing. Zuko had left his hair down and it was flowing in the wind. His dark golden eyes glowed in the sunset.
"Well thank you," he flirted with her. He contemplated for a moment if his wife knew that he was flirting with her or if she was oblivious.
"What's going to happen tomorrow once we get there?" She questioned as she placed her hands on his chest. Katara felt like she needed to touch him.
"The Royal Council will probably be waiting for our arrival and a palanquin will be there for our use," Zuko started after a moment. He noticed whenever Katara got nervous she changed the subject. "I know you probably won't want to use it, but I'm sure the council will surround us if we don't."
"I do not want that," Katara shivered in his arms at the thought of being swarmed by the Royal Council. She didn't want to leave the safety of the Flagship. Her next comment earned a chuckle from her husband, "I guess I'll be okay with taking the palanquin to avoid the people."
"We won't be sharing a room until after our public wedding," Zuko continued moving to brush a stray lock of hair out of her face. "The Fire Sages understand we had to consummate in the Water Tribe, but they want us to keep that wedding between us. And frankly, the more I think about it I agree. That felt too personal to make public knowledge."
The sides of his wife's mouth twitched as she tried not to smile at the reference to their fake marriage bed. The Water Tribe Princess understood why the Fire Sages were advising them to stay quiet about their Tribal wedding. And she agreed with her husband, it had been too intimate to share with the rest of the world.
"What am I supposed to do when you're off doing Fire Lord things?" Katara asked him after a few minutes. "You know before we are married."
This was something that had been on her mind for a while now. Until their Fire Nation wedding and her coronation, Katara wouldn't have any duties or responsibilities in the Fire Nation. It was an unfamiliar concept to her as there was always something to do in the Water Tribe.
"Whatever you want," he shrugged his shoulders. He wished he had thought of organizing some activities for her. Zuko knew how she wasn't used to sitting around and doing nothing.
"Mai offered to introduce me to the women of the Royal Court," Katara mumbled looking down. "She warned me that many of the young noble's daughters are upset you are marrying outside of the royal court. I have a feeling it will not go well."
"Just ignore them," Zuko said with a shrug. He had heard the rumblings throughout the past year, but he wasn't too concerned. In his mind, it was just a few vapid women who were scorned. "I do most of the time."
"When I become Fire Lady what responsibilities will I have?" She questioned as she leaned into him. "Your mother said she would help me, but never fully explained the role I will play."
"Traditionally the Fire Lady is in charge of the orphanages, the schools, the arts, along with the festivals and the social life of the court," Zuko informed his wife, his knuckles skimming down the side of her face. "But one thing I have been lobbying is for you to be in charge of the hospitals as well."
"You want me in charge of the hospitals?"
"I think a Master Waterbending Healer is much more qualified to lead the hospitals than I am," he grinned at her with a quick wink. "But if there is anything you feel passionate about during council meetings, just tell me and you are more than welcome to head the project. You will be my equal in every way."
"This is our last night of privacy before we get married," the waterbender whispered to her husband. Her sapphire eyes looked up at him from beneath her lashes.
"Yes it is," he whispered in agreement leaning down so his forehead rested against his wife's as she looked up at him.
"Maybe we can have an early dinner," she suggested softly, her voice breathy and fanning over his face. "And take advantage of the privacy."
The firebender adjusted his head so he could press his lips to hers. She moaned at the contact. He kissed her softly, familiar. It was sweet and demonstrated his feelings for her.
"I think that's a great idea," he replied after pulling away. He took her hand in his and began leading her toward their rooms. "But, I think with one modification."
"And what's that?" She asked as she let him lead her off the deck.
"We have a private dinner in our room," the firebender whispered in her ear placing a kiss on her temple.
"I like that change," the waterbender replied.
"When is your family supposed to arrive?" Mai asked Katara as they had tea in the royal garden with Ty Lee and Ursa.
They had been in the Fire Nation for almost a month now. Katara's elaborate Fire Nation wedding was to take place in a few weeks, on the Winter Solstice. The waterbender had found herself easily adjusting to life in the palace.
"Day after tomorrow," Katara responded as she took a sip of her jasmine tea. "I think Toph and Haru are supposed to arrive today, along with Aang."
"Are you excited about your wedding?" Ty Lee questioned as she picked at the food on her plate. She had really enjoyed getting to know the waterbender in her home city. The acrobat was sure her future Fire Lady would do wonders for the Fire Nation.
"I guess," Katara shrugged as she spoke. Her hand going to play with her engagement ring. She noticed the nervous habit and balled her hands into fists on her lap to stop herself.
She wasn't really sure if she was excited about the Fire Nation wedding or not. Her emotions were mixed about the day. She already was married in the Water Tribe, so this wedding didn't seem to carry much weight for her. The coronation at the end of the ceremony made her slightly anxious. But she was eager to be sharing a room with her husband.
"It must be very strange having a second wedding," Ursa commented to the young waterbender. She hadn't had as much time with her new daughter-in-law as she wanted. "You are already married, so the nerves must be nonexistent but at the same time it must be hard to get excited in the same way."
"Yes, it is," Katara agreed lightly as she went back to fiddling with her engagement ring.
"Have you picked out Zuko's ring yet?" Ty Lee asked as she caught Katara's actions.
"Zuko's ring?"
"In the Fire Nation, the bride and groom exchange gold rings with the groom's family insignia carved into it on the wedding day," Mai explained to the tribeswoman. Her fiddling was not lost on the noblewoman. "It's the physical representation of your marriage, like the beads you braided into his hair in the South Pole."
"It's an extremely old tradition," Ursa added from her spot next to her daughter-in-law. "If you would like I can take you tomorrow to the Royal Jeweler."
"I would like that," Katara accepted the offer instantly. She was eager for any help her mother-in-law could give her. "I feel like there is so much I am still learning about the Fire Nation and my role as Fire Lady. I am terrified that I will do something wrong."
"You are being too hard on yourself," Mai comforted the future Fire Lady. "You don't need to remember everything, you have Zuko and your courtiers. We will be here to help you with anything and everything. Plus Zuko will still love you even if you do something wrong."
"Oh, that's very sweet of you to say but we aren't," Katara shook her head in protest. It was the first time Mai had referenced romantic feelings regarding the Water Tribe Princess and Fire Lord. "I mean, he doesn't feel that way about me."
"But you two always look so cozy together," Ty Lee agreed with her girlfriend. She pressed a little further. "And I have never seen Zuko look at anyone the way he looks at you. I thought after your wedding in the Water Tribe you were beginning to have feelings for each other."
"No," Katara shook her head to rid herself from dwelling on what Ty Lee had meant about Zuko looking at her. "We are just getting more comfortable with being married to each other, that's all. We are good friends and that's it."
"That's very wise," Ursa rescued the waterbender. She sent the two courtiers a look before turning back to Katara. "You are very fortunate to have such a strong friendship."
The Fire Lord's mother did not for one minute think that the two benders didn't have feelings for the other. But both were entirely too stubborn to admit them right now. The older woman knew that trying to push the two together would not work, it needed to happen naturally. A concept the young couple in the room didn't understand.
"Was it difficult for you to enter your arranged marriage?" Katara asked without really thinking. Her hand went to cover her mouth as she realized the words that she had spoken. "Ursa, I am so sorry! You do not need to answer."
"Katara it is alright," Ursa replied with a small smile. She took a deep breath, "Ozai is a monster and was not my first choice for marriage. But I think that anyone who has an arranged marriage faces similar difficulties. Your choice is taken away and then you must become comfortable with the man you have married. It can be very overwhelming."
"It is," the waterbender agreed quietly. She looked down at the tea in her hand. "I know Zuko and I are fortunate that we have known each other so long. I could not imagine entering an arranged marriage with someone I had only just met."
"I know Zuko feels the same," Ursa comforted Katara. "But enough about such a heavy topic. How are you liking your new home?"
"It's lovely," Katara responded with a smile meet the older woman's eyes. "As much as I'll miss the South, I do love the Fire Nation. I'm still getting used to all the attention and the servants, but I'm excited to make a home here."
"Is it weird not sharing a room with Zuko? I mean considering you two are technically married," Ty Lee asked as she poured more tea for herself. She applauded herself for the question coming out so casually.
"We have only shared a room once, on our wedding night," Katara lied easily. She knew that their companions suspected she and her husband had shared a room during their travels. But the waterbender did not want to confirm anything, the last thing she needed was Mai and Ty Lee wanting details about their relationship.
"But I thought on the ship . . ." Ty Lee trailed off shooting a look to Mai. The young women both knew that nothing had happened on the wedding night. Though they had seen some pretty intense interactions between the newlyweds on the Flagship.
"It will be an adjustment once you do share a room," Ursa spoke diplomatically. They all had their suspicion of what happened on the Flagship, but she did not want her daughter-in-law to feel uncomfortable. "I know right now it can be very overwhelming with Zuko, him being the Fire Lord. But do not be afraid to speak your mind to him."
"I won't," Katara replied with a small smile. She hadn't had any trouble speaking her mind to Zuko, even though he was the Fire Lord. In fact, she was pretty sure she was one of the few people who treated him like a normal person. Though it was odd seeing how he was treated by the palace staff and the rest of the Fire Nation.
"Have you taken a look at all the functions you will need to begin planning after you become Fire Lady?" Mai questioned the waterbender. This was something the two young Fire Nation women were supposed to help arrange with the new Fire Lady.
"Not yet," the young bride shook her head. After the first couple of days in the Fire Nation, Katara had demanded her husband let her start her duties early. "Zuko made me a list, but right now I'm just trying to remember the entire wedding ceremony. It's so strange having to learn a whole new culture."
"Mai and I will help with the planning," Ty Lee offered to the tribeswoman. "The first thing that will need to be planned is the wedding tour."
"Though Zuko will have to give you a list of all the places you will be traveling to," Mai interrupted her lover. "You will have to help coordinate the subsequent parties each city will put on for you."
"A wedding tour?" Katara turned to Ursa in question.
"Since the Fire Nation is so large, after every marriage, birth, and coronation in the royal family there is a tour to some of the cities," Ursa explained softly. After having visited the South Pole she now understood how different the two cultures were. "It's a chance for the citizens to see the happy news and more specifically for them to meet their new Fire Lady."
"The South is so small, we don't have that," Katara mumbled looking down at her hands. She was feeling like a fish out of water, she smirked to herself at that thought. For all intents and purposes, as a waterbender soon to become Fire Lady — she really was a fish out of water.
"The wedding tour is also used to give you an opportunity to become well acquainted with your new home and for you to meet your people," Ursa placed her hand over Katara's on the tea table. "It's s reminder of who you are leading, that the decisions you make affect real people and not just numbers."
"It's a lot to take in. I just hope I do a good job," the waterbender whispered to herself. Her fears and anxiety were extremely high the more she thought about becoming Fire Lady. She felt ill-equipped and the fear that Zuko would grow to resent her had returned with each new task she learned about.
"For the Fire Nation?" Mai questioned lightly her eyes meeting the man standing behind the waterbender. It was clear to the noblewoman that her future Lady was terrified of disappointing her husband. But Mai also knew that she had not admitted those fears to the Fire Lord.
"For Zuko," Katara replied her voice full of emotion.
The Fire Lord cleared his throat from where he stood behind his wife and mother, before turning to address his wife. He saw the Water Tribe Princess's back straighten at the sound, "Katara, I was hoping you would join me for a walk."
The waterbender looked back and saw golden eyes swimming with concern, she was afraid of how much he had overheard. Her face heated at the thought of him hearing her fears. The Water Tribe Princess placed the cup of tea she was holding on the table in front of her, before taking the outstretched hand of her husband. She allowed him to help her from her seat before looping her arm through his, as he lead her out of the garden and through the palace corridors.
"How's your day been?" The young wife asked as she let her husband guide her through the twists and turns. It had taken her a couple of weeks but she was finally able to learn the layout of the palace.
"It's been busy," Zuko shrugged in response. He kept speaking more to fill the silence. "There is still so much left to do before we leave for Ember Island at the end of the month. I want to have everything arranged prior to our departure. It will be the first real vacation I have had since the comet."
"What about when you were in the South Pole?"
"There was still paperwork I was being sent on a weekly basis and all the negotiations with the other nations." Zuko chuckled as he thought about the peace talks in the South Pole. "The work of the Fire Lord is never done, I'm sure even on our honeymoon I will have at least one hawk with urgent paperwork."
Katara smiled tentatively at her husband, she was still getting used to his responsibilities and maneuvering with him in the Fire Nation. It was weird seeing him as Fire Lord and how everyone interacted with him. They hadn't had a lot of time to adjust, the waterbender hoped that she and the firebender would have an easier time adjusting after their public wedding.
"After my coronation, I'll be able to help shoulder some of the responsibility," the Water Tribe Princess replied easily. She was beginning to appreciate how much of an equal she would be to her husband.
"I'm looking forward to that," Zuko smiled down at her. They continued you walking in silence until they reached the Fire Lord's private garden. "Why didn't you tell me how you were feeling?"
His wife sighed as she sat down by the cherry blossom tree, her husband quickly joining her. "You are trying to heal the world of hundred years of war, I didn't want to put any extra pressure on you."
"Katara," Zuko began as he moved closer to her. His arms itched to wrap around her, "We are never going to make it if we don't talk to each other. There is already so much stacked against us. You have to tell me when you feel this way, just like I will tell you."
"I know," the waterbender nodded as she picked at the grass in front of her. "Everything just feels weird since we got here. I felt like we were in a really good place on your ship and now . . ."
"Everything feelings uncomfortable again," Zuko finished as she trailed off. He knew exactly what his wife meant. They had become comfortable in their marriage on their journey to the Fire Nation, but once they had arrived things had become strained. They did not know how to operate in this half-married stage.
"Yeah," she agreed meeting his golden eyes. His hand came to rest on top of hers as it fidgeted in the grass.
"We are just in a place of weird transition right now," her husband comforted her as he intertwined their hands. "Things will adjust again once the wedding takes place and even more so once we return from our honeymoon."
"I feel like I have barely seen you," Katara mumbled softly looking down at their joined hands. "I don't want to have that kind of marriage."
"Things will be different once we are married by the Fire Sages," he explained as he moved closer to her. He was secretly pleased she missed seeing him regularly the past few weeks. "We will have every night together and the morning. Not to mention you will be ruling with me, which means you will be in council meetings with me. I promise the past few weeks are not an indicator of how our marriage will be."
"I know," she whispered as she allowed him to wrap his arms around her. Katara leaned into his chest as he cuddled her.
"What brought on all these fears?" The firebender asked his wife as she settled against him.
"Mai and Ty Lee have been introducing me to members of the royal court, more specifically wives and daughters," the Water Tribe Princess began explaining to the Fire Lord. She swallowed loudly before continuing, "Many have made comments about their husbands and relationships."
The Fire Lord sighed as he heard her speak. He was very familiar with how the royal court handled their relationships. Most married for politics and not out of love. Wives would sometimes not see their husbands for weeks, even though they lived in the same home. Only ever mingling for social functions or if an heir needed to be born. There were many affairs in the Fire Nation aristocracy.
"Katara—" he began before she cut him off.
"I know you said you wouldn't have an affair and you dismantled the harem," she continued not waiting to listen to him. Her words came out in a rambling mess. "But the amount of resentment that many of them have for their spouse was eye-opening. Zuko, I'm terrified that's what will happen to us if I can't be a good Fire Lady to you or our people."
"Katara," he started again after she paused to take a breath. "The fact that you are worried about being a good leader is proof enough that you will be a good one. You already called them our people, which makes me extremely happy. We won't become like the others because it's you and me."
"But we aren't marrying for love, so it could," she whispered willing her eyes not to fill with tears. The Water Tribe Princess worried about this constantly since meeting the Fire Nation noblewomen. It was already miserable that the man she was married to did not love her in return, she couldn't bear it if he ended up resenting her because of their marriage.
Zuko watched his wife's sapphire eyes fill with tears as she looked anywhere but at him. He allowed himself to hope that she had feelings for him too. He knew that he would never know unless he admitted his love for her.
With a deep breath, the Fire Lord decided to take a leap of faith, "Katara, I have something I need to tell you."
"Fire Lord Zuko, I'm sorry to interrupt but Avatar Aang has just arrived," Malu informed the young sovereign. The guard's voice was soft and respectful but with a hint of urgency.
"Thank you, Malu," Zuko replied his voice hard. He couldn't catch a break. "We will meet him in the dining room for dinner in an hour. Please inform Giya to let him know."
"Yes, Fire Lord," Malu nodded before he bowed and left the couple.
"I should probably get freshened up," Katara mumbled as she pulled away from her husband. She was unsure what Zuko was going to tell her, but the waterbender knew that she wasn't in the right frame of mind for a serious conversation.
"Okay," Zuko whispered as he watched her stand. The perfect moment to tell her about his feelings had passed. Maybe it was for the best, he thought to himself. "I guess I'll see you at dinner, I'm going to hide out here for a little longer."
"I'll see you at dinner," she responded before taking her leave.
"Today's the day," Suki greeted Katara as she walked into the room. Mai and Ty Lee followed after the Kyoshi Warrior. The two noblewomen had taken to the idea of setting up a sub-group of the female warriors in the Fire Nation and had spent much time with the former captain.
"Go away," she grumbled into the pillow. The Water Tribe Princess pulled the covers over her head as her bedroom was invaded by her friends. It was too early in her opinion to be woken up for preparations. Though it probably hadn't helped she had worried herself to sleep last night at the thought of having to be intimate with the Fire Lord. The stress of the wedding and her new role had her crying late into the evening.
The waterbender snuggled deeper into the covers hoping the group of women would all leave her, even though she knew it was in vain.
"No can do, Sugar Queen," Toph commented as she joined them. "You are getting married in a few hours, it's the tradition in the Fire Nation to be married at noon. You know that."
"I'm going to count to three and if you aren't out of bed by the time I get to three, I'm letting Toph drag you out," Suki told her sister-in-law. She took a long pause in between each of her next words. "One, two, thr—"
"I'm up!" Katara exclaimed as she jumped out of bed before Suki could finish the word. The waterbender knew the Kyoshi Warrior would make good on her threat and that the Blind Bandit would relish dragging her out of bed.
"Did you sleep okay?" Suki questioned as she noticed the swollen and puffy eyes of the bride, not to mention the dried tear tracks along her face.
"Yeah, just missing my mother," the waterbender responded scrubbing a hand across her face to rid the evidence of her crying. Her words were true, she longed for the sage advice only a mother could give.
"Let's get you to the spa," Mai commanded as soon as Katara had slipped her robe on. The noblewoman linked her arm through the bride's arm and began guiding her to the royal spa.
"What about breakfast?" The future Fire Lady asked as she was being led out of the room by her courtiers. The Kyoshi Warrior and the Blind Bandit following them.
"There will be some food at the spa," Ty Lee informed her as Mai pulled Katara along the corridors.
The waterbender followed the rest of the way in silence, her nerves and anxiety coming to the forefront of her mind. Katara wasn't nervous about her wedding, she was already married so there was no need to be nervous. No, her fears stemmed around the coronation that would take place immediately after the wedding.
Before she knew it, the Water Tribe Princess was being poked and prodded in the royal spa. Katara was transforming into the perfect Fire Nation bride. She wondered if Zuko was receiving similar treatment in his rooms as he prepped for their wedding. The waterbender hadn't spent anytime alone with her husband since that day in the Fire Lord's private garden.
"Are you nervous?" Ty Lee questioned her future Fire Lady bringing the young woman out of her thoughts. All the while Mai instructed the servants on Katara's appearance.
The Water Tribe Princess was unused to all the treatment she was getting from the staff. Katara was not used to having servants, let alone being pampered in a spa. The only other time she had this sort of treatment was during the war in Ba Sing Se with Toph.
"No," Katara shook her head as she let herself be pampered. "I've already done this once, today is just for the rest of the world. I'm more nervous about the coronation at the end of the ceremony."
"You will be fine," Ty Lee comforted the waterbender. She made a plate for the future Fire Lady and set it on the table next to her. "The coronation is simple, you just have to accept the vows the Fire Sages speak. I think the harder part is going to be the transition when you return from your honeymoon."
"There are so many duties to attend," Katara replied quietly as her hair was styled.
"Yes," Mai agreed as she passed the tribeswoman some tea. "But you had such a large part in your tribe and with the end of the war, I'm sure you will do fine Katara. And we will be here to help you along the way."
"And you'll have Zuko too," Ty Lee added before she pointed out something to the woman doing Katara's make-up.
"That's true," the waterbender mumbled as her make-up was finished.
Soon it was just the three of them in the room. Mai looked at her future queen and took a deep breath. She had already had this conversation with Zuko, now she needed to have it with Katara.
"You know you have to consummate tonight?" Mai treaded softly with the question.
"Yes," the tribeswoman answered her cheeks coloring as she looked away from the woman. She knew that both of her courtiers knew that Zuko and she had not consummated their marriage in the South Pole.
"There will be too many servants in and out of the room," Ty Lee continued quietly being sure to keep the conversation as private as possible. "I know it's uncomfortable and ideally you would be able to wait until you were both ready. But that's not how the world works for the Fire Lord and Lady."
"I know," Katara nodded as she looked at her reflection. She had been transformed into the perfect Fire Lady. "We've talked about it and we are prepared for tonight. Well not prepared, but we know what needs to happen."
Katara stood at the end of the aisle, her arm in her father's as they waited for the moment to begin their procession toward her husband. The sun was high in the air, it was customary to be married at noon in the Fire Nation.
Sooner than she expected, her father began leading her down the aisle. The waterbender's nerves spiked the moment they began the walk to the Fire Lord. She wasn't sure why she was so anxious. The two of them were already married, this was just a formality for the rest of the world.
Zuko watched his wife walk toward him, she looked stunning in the royal robes she wore. She looked very much like the Fire Lady she was about to become. The only thing missing was the crown, the Fire Lord would bestow it once Katara pledged herself to his nation.
The aisle was much longer than the one in the South Pole, it took a few minutes before she reached the bottom of the stairs that led to her husband. Hakoda turned to his daughter and placed a kiss on her cheek before stepping back so she could climb the steps to the Fire Lord.
Katara took a deep breath to settle her nerves before she began the ascent to Zuko. She was quick to notice that he had his broadswords attached to his hip and his robes while still formal had a military edge to them. He looked every bit the monarch that he was, though Katara silently wished the robes showed more of his muscular body.
He had moved down the steps about halfway to escort her the rest of the way to the alter. Once she was next to him, he looped her arm through his and led them the rest of the way up.
"You look stunning," he whispered as they climbed the stairs. "Every bit the perfect Fire Lady."
"Thank you," she replied as she turned to take him in. "You look very handsome, I didn't expect you to wear the swords."
"Customarily firebenders don't learn a nonbonding discipline, but I am a master swordsman," he commented as they walked. He wanted to bring out the giggle he loved so much, "Plus, I like to show off just a tad to my subjects."
"I like it," she grinned at him a small nervous giggle escaping. She noticed that she was on his unscarred side. "This feels weird."
"A little," Zuko agreed as they neared the last steps. "But we've already done it, so it should be easy."
"Yeah, but maybe this time we should keep the kiss light," Katara suggested as she looked down at the steps. Her cheeks inflamed at the words she spoke.
"Good idea," the Fire Lord whispered as they stopped in front of the Great Fire Sage. The waterbender noticed Shyu standing behind the Great Fire Sage to assist the ceremony. He gave Katara a smile and a slight nod which eased her nerves about standing in front of so many people.
The wedding passed by in a blur to both benders as they stood in front of the crowd. Each only paid attention only when absolutely necessary. Before either knew it, they were pronounced husband and wife. The crowd made a deafening roar of approval at the announcement.
Zuko turned to kiss his wife, placing a soft kiss on her lips. The noise from the audience melted away at that moment. The kiss felt so natural to both of them, neither wanted to pull away.
But it was cut short much too soon.
Immediately after the ceremony, Katara was to be coronated. The firebender led his wife to stand in front of the crowd. He helped her down onto one knee so she could pledge herself to the Fire Nation. He stepped back for her coronation to take place. The Great Sage, spoke each pledge waiting for Katara's response when appropriate.
With a nod from the Great Sage, the Fire Lord stepped forward to place the crown on his Fire Lady's head. He had fought with the Fire Sages for months on this, but Zuko was able to convince the Fire Sages to allow him to crown Katara.
The Fire Lord reached down to help the Fire Lady stand from her position, both of them turning to face the crowd. It was deathly silent as they looked out to all the people.
"All hail Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Katara," the Great Sage announced before the crowd went wild again.
Zuko led Katara down the steps and back down the aisle while the audience continued to cheer. As much as he wanted to escort her to their room to consummate their marriage, they had to greet their people and attend the reception.
"You were perfect," the Fire Lord told his wife as he guided them through the corridors of the palace. They would stand and greet their people on the balcony at the front of the palace.
"I was so nervous," she replied. The crown felt heavy on her head. Katara had worried about the responsibility since their engagement was official, but she didn't expect to feel the weight the moment the crown was placed on her head.
"I know," he comforted his wife. He squeezed her hand tightly in his, "But I don't think I could ask for a better Fire Lady, you will be extraordinary."
"Thank you for having the confidence I don't feel," she looked up at her husband through her lashes. Zuko wanted to kiss her at that moment, but he wasn't sure if that was appropriate. Instead, he pulled her closer to him and squeezed the hand in his.
"You ready?" He questioned as they stood outside the doors leading to the balcony.
"Yes," Katara responded with a deep breath. The Fire Lord nodded to the guards who opened the double doors allowing the newlyweds to walk out.
The couple waved regally down to their people hearing the cheers surrounding them. A few minutes later, Zuko led them back inside to attend their reception.
"Fire Lady, do you need me to for anything else?" Ty Min asked Katara. She was the handmaiden that was employed for the Fire Lady, she had come highly recommended having been the daughter of Ursa's handmaiden.
"I think I'm alright," the Fire Lady responded. She was currently seated at her vanity in her new dressing room. She looked at the door that would lead to her new chambers and her nerves skyrocketed. She smoothed out her nightdress and kimono. "And please, call me Katara."
"Yes, Fire — Katara. Have a good night, Katara," Ty Min said after she tidied up the room and took her leave.
The young monarch looked at the door that would lead to her bedroom with her new husband. She was nervous but also a little excited. The waterbender had enjoyed the time that she and Zuko had spent on his flagship. She had a very limited understanding of what would happen on her wedding night.
Sure she knew the basics but it was more in a clinical sense. The waterbender hadn't had a chance to speak with her friends on the topic without her Gran-Gran present. And since being in the Fire Nation she had no privacy. The Fire Lady hoped she would be able to please her husband.
She stepped out of her dressing room into the bedroom noting that her husband was not there yet. The waterbender quickly glanced at the enormous bed in the center of the room but averted her eyes when her thoughts traveled to the intimate aspect of her relationship. She took in the rest of the room, this was the first time she was seeing her new chambers.
The Fire Lady moved toward the open balcony doors and stared out at the city, her city now. The streets were busy as the people celebrated their Lord's marriage. Mai and Ty Lee had explained to her how the capital would party all night because of the royal wedding. The moon was full on this solstice allowing the waterbender to see all the way to the ocean.
Katara leaned against the railing allowing herself to become lost in thought. The cool evening breeze calming her overheated skin.
Across the bedroom, in his own dressing room, Zuko stood tying his sleep plants. His thoughts ran along the same lines as his wife.
"Fire Lord, is there anything else I can assist you with?" Qin, the Fire Lord's valet, asked the young man. He collected the monarch's clothes to be laundered tomorrow as he awaited a response.
"No, you are dismissed Qin," Zuko responded as he pulled the night robe on being sure to leave it open so Katara could see his bare chest. "I'll send for you in the morning. And could you tell Giya to have breakfast served late morning?"
"Yes Fire Lord," Qin bowed to the sovereign then left silently.
Zuko ran his hands through his hair twice before taking a deep breath and moving to enter his bed-chamber. The first thing he saw was Katara leaning against the railing looking out at the city, her hair blowing in the wind. The firebender flicked his wrist and dimmed the candles in the room.
"Beautiful," he whispered as he leaned against the door frame.
Katara hearing her husband turned to look at him. He looked incredible leaning against the frame so casually. His ankles were crossed and his feet were bare. His hands were resting in the pockets of his sleep pants. She was able to take in his muscular torso unencumbered.
"It really is a stunning view of Caldera," the waterbender agreed. Brushing her hair out of her face as she turned to look back out at the scenery. "I could get used to seeing this every day."
"I wasn't talking about the city," he replied as he walked up to her, stopping when there were only a few inches of space between them. "I was talking about my wife."
"Oh," she blushed looking down at her bare feet. Katara could feel the heat coming off her husband's body, he was so close to her.
"We can't fake it this time. And it won't be any easier if we wait," he whispered as she looked down at her toes. He followed her gaze and was amazed to see that he found even her toes attractive.
"I know," the waterbender responded breathily. Her hair was falling around her face, creating a shield from her husband. She had dragonflies in her stomach she was so nervous.
"Katara, look at me please," the Fire Lord commanded as he tilted her chin up. Sapphire eyes met deep golden ones that were filled with fire. "I promise to be as gentle as possible and go slow."
"I know you will," the Fire Lady whispered as she stared into her husband's eyes. The lust that she saw reflected back at her made her knees weak and fanned an ember growing in her loins.
Zuko leaned down and kissed her softly. A gentle coaxing to relax the woman in his arms. Katara's arms circled his neck as his hands went to rest on her waist, pulling her closer to him as he did so. She felt so small compared to him as he pressed her to his strong body. Her waist felt tiny in his hands, for the first time Zuko noticed not only their height difference but how even though she was deliciously curvy the waterbender was small compared to him.
Both of them could feel the passion and lust they had for each other igniting as they kissed. The nights on the Flagship allowed them to be much more comfortable with the other's body. The nerves were still there, but the newlyweds were able to let their passion guide them.
Their mouths continued to move in sync as both benders moved closer together. Her breasts were pressed against his chest and he moaned at the feeling. Katara was on her tiptoes as she tried to get closer to her husband, her calfs straining at being tensed for so long. Moving more on instinct than thought, the waterbender jumped and wrapped her legs around Zuko's hips.
He was only slightly startled by her movement, but he was thrilled at it. The firebender could feel how her nightgown bunched around her hips and pressed her heated core against his growing erection. Zuko moved one of his hands to rest against her firm backside, feeling the weight of the curve in his hands.
Katara pulled back from the kiss, her breath coming in harsh pants. The Fire Lord trailed kisses down her neck stopping at the sweet spot right below her ear as she caught her breath. She could feel her arousal spike and her body producing its natural lubrication as he teased her. She felt incredibly hot in his arms, but it had less to do with the heat his body was producing and more to do with the growing fire in her belly.
"Zuko," his wife moaned as he suckled on the spot. "Please, more."
The Fire Lord took her words as that she was ready for more. He spun them around so he could carry her to their bed. He wanted to do so much more but knew he needed a bed to do it. As he walked, the firebender moved his mouth back to his wife's.
She felt him place her on the bed, her legs still around his waist. His hands moved to slip her robe from her shoulders leaving her in a sleeveless nightgown, never breaking their kiss. The waterbender heard fabric hitting the ground as he tossed her robe somewhere in the room. Once her robe was gone, Zuko moved to remove his own. He felt her hands tangle in his hair as he went to join her on the bed.
Katara slipped her hands to rest on his bare chest as he moved closer to her. He moaned feeling her hands on his skin. She scooted back along the bed to allow him the space to join her, only stopping when her head hit the pillows. Her husband trailed his hands down her bare arms interlocking their fingers together, pinning her to the bed beneath him.
The firebender pulled back to look at his wife on the bed under him. Her hair was sprawled all around her, eyes hooded as she looked up at him. The nightgown cut low, allowing him to see the swell of her breasts as she breathed heavily.
"You are stunning," Zuko murmured as he took her in. His hands slipped from hers before they gathered the fabric at the bottom of her nightgown. A question in his eyes.
Katara nodded to him, her eyes only straying from his briefly as she looked down to the growing bulge.
The Fire Lord slowly pulled the nightgown up his bride's body, his knuckles erotically skimming the sides of her body as he did. Katara moaned at the sensual touch, her thighs rubbing together as her body reacted. She felt extremely hot in her nightclothes, it felt like Zuko was taking forever to remove them.
Finally, the firebender removed his wife's clothing, leaving her only in her undergarments.
Zuko was unsurprised to see two perfect and full breasts topped with nipples that matched the waterbender's lips. His mouth watered as he looked at her heaving chest. The Fire Lord leaned down and captured one of the pebbled peaks in his mouth causing his wife to moan loudly arching her back for more contact.
The Fire Lady had never felt such pleasure as he suckled on her breast. Her legs rubbed together, desperately wanting friction on her most intimate area. The man above her felt the shift against his erection and he hissed in response. He switched breasts, his hand moving to roll and tweak the nipple his mouth was just on as he gave the other side the same treatment.
Katara needed more from him, her hands moved to the waistband of her husband's pants fingers leaving a trail of goosebumps. She was playing with fire and she knew it. Her body was on fire and he was just increasing the flames. To the Fire Lord, she felt cool to the touch, his body overheating as the night continued.
The waterbender's undergarments were saturated with her essence. Her body was preparing to accommodate her husband. Zuko's hands moved to her undergarments and felt her wetness through the fabric. He slipped one hand inside the garment and groaned when he felt the heat coming off of her. The firebender searched for the nub at the top and grinned into her breast when he heard the whimper of pleasure confirming he found it.
"Oh!" Katara exclaimed as she felt the pleasure running through her body as he found her most intimate area. "Zuko!"
Her husband's pride soared as he felt more of her lubrication leak out of her as he continued his ministrations. He started with gentle circles on the button increasing pressure as he went. Zuko growled in frustration when he realized her undergarments kept getting in the way. In a matter of seconds, he had torn them from her body, Katara gasping when she realized she was completely exposed to him.
The Fire Lord released her breast from his mouth as he traveled down the bed until his head rested between the Fire Lady's thighs. She watched her husband in confusion as he inhaled the heady scent of her arousal. Her eyes shut tightly and her arms moved to cover her face, she was self-conscious with him being so close to her most intimate area.
Katara's back arched in pleasure the moment his tongue slipped between her folds and she let out an intoxicating moan. The sound caused her husband to double his efforts in between her legs, drawing her name with his tongue to coax her to a climax.
Zuko thought she tasted delicious as he worked. He had wanted to give her this pleasure since the day they kissed at the end of the war. The firebender could feel his wife draw closer to the edge as he continued to pleasure her with his mouth. He increased the pressure and shortened his strokes to bring her closer to her climax.
"Look at me, waterbender," his voice was rough against her skin. His tongue moved back to working her over. The Fire Lord slipped a finger inside her then two as he pleasured her. He slowly crossed his fingers inside her to stretch her and make the transition as painless as possible. She felt when he entered her and her body clamped down to aid in her climax.
"Tui and La!" Katara cried out as she felt each swipe of his tongue against her body. Her arms lefter her face as she looked down at her husband. The sight was enough to send her over the edge.
Her entire body tensed as she felt her first orgasm of the night crash into her, letting out squeals of pleasure as she did. Her back arched off the bed as she first drew closer to his mouth then tried to move away as the sensation became overwhelming. Her hands tightened in the sheets at her sides.
Zuko pulled away suddenly, he needed to get out of his clothes and be inside her. Katara watched as he stripped in front of her. His erection sprang free of his clothes and her jaw dropped. She was unsure if he was supposed to be that big. Her first thought was that he wouldn't be able to fit inside her.
Her husband noticed the alarm on her face and crawled over her as he got back onto the bed. The Fire Lord kissed his bride slowly before pulling away just slightly, his breath fanning over her face. "Do you trust me Katara?"
"More than anything," the waterbender whispered. She wouldn't tell him until much later how much she enjoyed tasting herself on his tongue.
Zuko grasped himself in his hand, stroking his shaft a few times before running the head through her wet folds to lubricate himself. He knew he would not be able to spare her all of the discomforts but he wanted to do all that he could to ease the burden. Much too slowly for him, the firebender began to slide into his wife. She felt incredibly tight as he sensually and slowly worked his organ into her.
Katara had never felt so full in her entire life as she felt him stretching her. It was too much and not enough at the same time as he worked himself into her. She wanted him to go faster but didn't know how to ask. He took shallow strokes, each time pushing further and further into her body.
The Fire Lord couldn't handle it, she was so wet and felt so good wrapped around him. He was trying to hold himself back but on his next stroke, she adjust the angle of her hips. Before he knew it he had slipped in as deep as he could on accident. Her sharp intake of breath was the only indicator of what happened, he froze.
"Katara," he began at the realization, a whispered apology on his lips.
"More, please," she whimpered before he could finish his thought. She needed something, the fire had returned to her belly and Katara knew the pleasure that was on the other side of it.
Zuko growled at her words he instantly began to take longer and deeper strokes. Her body began to glisten with sweat as they moved together, her hips beginning to meet his as he thrust into her. He leaned down and captured her lips, pulling on her bottom lip with his teeth as he increased the pace.
"Agni," he moaned against her mouth as pushed into her. Sex had never felt like this for him. She was so wet and tight against him, literal perfection as he worked them both closer to their peaks.
"Oh, Tui!" His wife squealed as he hit a particularly pleasurable spot inside her.
Katara's back arched as she tried to adjust her hips so he could continue stroking that area. Her breasts pushed against her husband's chest. The friction of his chest against her nipples heightened her pleasure. She shifted her hips again.
Her husband knows what she wanted, looped one of his arms beneath her knee, bringing her leg up toward her chest. The action caused him to rub against the spot inside her with each thrust. Her hands gripped onto his biceps as he worked on pleasuring her, fingernails gripping him as she reached for something she didn't know she needed.
"You feel amazing, waterbender," the Fire Lord groaned as he looked down at her. The sight of his wife beneath him was too much for him. Her breasts bounced with each thrust, hair sprawled on the pillow. He looked down and saw how her body took his length — she was the most erotic sight he had ever seen.
"More, Zuko," she pleaded as she met his thrust. "Please I need more!"
He wetted his thumb before moving it to her clit, circling the bundle of nerves. The firebender was rewarded with her squeals of pleasure. Zuko swore she got wetter as he continued to pleasure her. He could feel her walls fluttering against him.
"Let go, waterbender," he grunted as he tried to hold back until she had reached her peak. The sight of her beneath him and feeling her wrapped around him was almost too much for him. Luckily within seconds, his wife's orgasm crashed through her.
Her climax hit her almost painfully as her body clamped down around her husband, causing his release to quickly follow.
"Zuko!" Katara cried out as her body shook, back arching causing her breasts to smash against his naked chest.
"Katara," Zuko growled as he felt her body pull his release from him. He dropped her leg, holding her body to him as he moved to sit back on his knees so she was straddling him. He rested his forehead against her shoulder as they both came down from their high.
"Wow," she whispered in awe as she clung to her husband. She wanted to hold onto him tightly and never let go. Her arms slid to circle his neck. "Is it always like that?"
The Fire Lord chuckled as he looked at her, holding her close to him. "No, it's not. I think it's just us. Apparently, fire and water create a passionate marriage bed."
"Oh," Katara blushed as she looked down at their joined bodies. He pressed his forehead against hers and followed her line of sight.
"We fit well together," he whispered huskily. He had never given much thought to how his body fit with past partners, but now he couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Yes," she breathed her sapphire eyes meeting his.
"I know you said you wanted to wait before we started trying for an heir. Should I call a servant for the contraception tea?" He asked her more because he was afraid he would admit his feelings. And he knew now was not the time for that confession. What he didn't anticipate was ruining the mood.
"Umm, that's okay," she shook her head as she went to extricate herself from him. Zuko almost groaned at the erotic sight of their combined fluids beginning to drip out of his wife. The Fire Lady missed the heady look cross his face, she was embarrassed that she had almost let her feelings show.
"Are you sure? I know the tea is most effective the sooner you drink it," he responded as he tried to calm the spike of arousal he felt at the sight. He knew she might be sore for a little bit of time after.
"I'm sure. There was a section in the healing scroll," Katara replied her voice coming out much stronger than she felt.
The waterbender flicked her wrist and her husband watched as his release was extracted from her before she deposited it into the basin across the room. Zuko just looked at her in awe for a moment. He loved watching her bend, even when it was something as simple as this.
The newlyweds both sat in uncomfortable silence, neither moving to redress but both unsure what to do.
"You should use the restroom," Zuko blurted out awkwardly.
"What?"
"Umm, Uncle said it's important for females to," he gestured with his hand. As the words left his mouth he wished he would burn in flames. "After sex, something to do with their health."
As Katara processed the words she was remembering her own education when it came to healing and the human body. He was not wrong, but it was something she had forgotten about in the heat of the moment.
"I'll be right back," she mumbled. Her kimono was the first thing she saw and she immediately donned the garment before entering the bathroom.
"You're such an idiot," the Fire Lord groaned to himself. He pressed his palms to his eyes in frustration. A few deep breaths and he seemed to have calmed himself enough not to embarrass himself in front of his wife anymore.
"What now?" Katara asked as she rejoined him. She had been thankful for a moment to herself in the bathroom. It had given her a chance to settle her nervous energy.
"I guess we should get some sleep," the firebender finally commented after a few minutes.
"Right," she agreed instantly. She moved to retrieve her nightdress.
"No," Zuko shook his head at her. "The servants tend to gossip, they need to see us in bed together. If there is any doubt of our consummation, it could cause the Fire Sages to retaliate against the Water Tribes."
"Okay," Katara nodded dropping her nightdress where it had been thrown then removing her kimono. Finally, she climbed naked back into bed with her husband. Zuko lifted the covers so they both could slide beneath them. Both of them stayed on their side of the bed. She shivered at the cool breeze coming from the open balcony doors.
"Come here, I know you're cold," her husband beckoned her over to him as he moved to the center of the bed. The waterbender stared at her husband for a moment before inching her way toward him. She finally settled in his arms with her head against his chest, her hand resting on his lightning scar.
"Thank you," Katara sighed softly in contentment as the heat settled around her naked body. Her fingers going to trace his scar like she normally did when they were in this position. Her sapphire eyes fluttered closed a few minutes later. She was so happy at this moment, she didn't want it to end.
"Why do you do that?" He questioned her curiously as he shivered against her roaming fingertips.
"Do what?"
"Your hand always seems to touch my scar in this position, why?" He adjusted his question to his wife after a moment of thought.
"I don't know," she lied softly. Her blue eyes stayed firmly closed.
Katara knew why though. She loved both of the scars he possessed. She didn't know the cause of the scar on his face, yet she knew that it was pivotal in him becoming the man he was today. And she found it incredibly attractive. But the scar on his chest was the portrayal of his sacrifice for her.
The image of him jumping in front of the bolt to save her still haunted her mind. It was the moment she knew she was in love with him. The waterbender couldn't pinpoint the moment she began falling for him. She couldn't say if it was in the crystal caves in Ba Sing Se or the nights on the roof on Ember Island. But Katara knew she was in love with him the moment he jumped and the lighting struck him.
"Hmm," Zuko mumbled as he looked down at the woman in his arms, her eyes were closed. He knew she was lying, but he was unsure why. He chalked it up to her being embarrassed at the action and affection she was showing him. "Good night, Katara."
"Good night, Zuko."
He extinguished the candles in the room leaving the only light coming from the full moon. Within minutes the Fire Lord and Lady were fast asleep.
Zuko awoke the next morning with the sunrise. His sleeping wife was nestled in his arms as the cool breeze blew into the room. He brushed his fingers against her naked back. She was so beautiful. The Fire Lord was so happy at this moment, he thought the only way he could be happier was if Katara fell in love with him.
He slipped out of bed, covering his wife with the sheet as he did. He then went on finding his sleep pants before taking care of his basic needs in the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, to settle the arousal that had been brought on by seeing his naked wife in his bed. Once Zuko knew he wouldn't embarrass himself if Katara awoke he entered his bed-chamber moving to the meditation alter settling himself down in front of it.
The firebender lit the candles and began his morning meditation. He knew that servants would be in at some point in the next hour to bring breakfast and help the couple get ready for the day.
Katara awoke almost an hour later to rustling in the room around her. The waterbender clutched the sheet to her naked chest with bleary eyes looked around the room. She noticed her husband first, his upper body sans clothing as he meditated at the alter. At this angle, she could see every muscle of his back tense and contract as he breathed through his practice. Her next observation was Giya and Ty Min setting out a breakfast tray, the former noticing that Katara was awake.
"Good morning Fire Lady," Giya greeted the new monarch quietly to not startle her. "We have brought breakfast for you and the Fire Lord, but if there is something you would like that is not here I'd be happy to retrieve it for you."
"Morning," the waterbender replied groggily. Still holding the sheet tight to her body she reached for her robe that was on the floor, quickly donning it before she climbed out of bed. "Thank you Giya, this looks lovely."
Ty Min poured the young bride a cup of ginseng tea, passing it to her as Katara sat at the table. The monarch thanked her handmaiden before taking a sip of the hot liquid as she observed her husband across the room silently.
Zuko could feel her eyes on him as he came out of his meditation. He stretched lightly knowing how it would shift his body as she watched him. The firebender was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath from his wife. He continued to stretch for a minute before he stood to join her.
"Good morning Katara," he said as he sat at the table across from her. He was pleased to see how the soft silk of her dressing robe clung to her curves. "Giya, could you please send someone for Qin?"
"Good morning," Katara repeated surprised at how easily her husband maneuvered with the palace staff. The servants filtered around the couple as they began tidying up the room. At the request of the Fire Lord, Qin had joined Ty Min in preparing the dressing rooms for the husband and wife.
"Did you sleep well?" Zuko inquired as he began to eat. He suspected the best way to get to normal was to act as normal as possible, which started with a conversation over breakfast.
"I slept very well, thank you. Did you?" Katara answered him. Her mind traveled back to the feeling of her naked body being pressed against his all night.
"I did," the Fire Lord smiled at her. They lapsed into an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before he decided to inform her about the next few days. "We are supposed to meet the Fire Sages in an hour along with the Water Chiefs and Earth Kings to sign some documents."
"What documents?"
"A few treaties, some trade agreements, legislation releasing all Water Tribe prisoners of war," he began explaining, noting how she relaxed the more they spoke. "And of course documents to ensure if something happens to me before an heir is born that you will rule the Fire Nation."
"I remember now," she nodded as she thought over everything from the marriage contract. "Other than the signing, when will I officially begin in my role as Fire Lady."
"Not until after we return from our honeymoon. Mai and Ty Lee will gather everything to ensure a seamless transition. Tomorrow we leave for Ember Island, we will be there for two weeks," he told her to continue their conversation.
"Are we staying at the house?" The waterbender questioned as she ate her breakfast. She was thrilled about their honeymoon, but she hadn't received any details on it other than it was on Ember Island.
"We are," he replied the corners of his mouth turned up slightly as he thought about the last time he was there. "I haven't been back since the war, but I had it restored and parts redecorated."
"Restored from your temper tantrum," Katara teased her husband with a cute smirk. For a moment she forgot they were married and she was now Fire Lady. At this minute she was having a conversation with her best friend.
"It was not a tantrum," he growled back at her. His mouth formed a lovable pout as his eyes flashed to hers.
"Whatever you say, Fire Lord," she taunted her husband with a small smile. Their breakfast was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. Ty Min answered it, speaking briefly to the messenger before accepting a package.
"Fire Lady the package you were expecting," the lady-in-waiting said as she held the box out for the waterbender.
"Thank you, Ty Min," she responded as she accepted the wooden box. Katara opened the lid quickly to double-check the contents before turning to her husband. "Customarily in the Water Tribe, before the wedding night, a bride gifts her new husband with a spear made for him. It's to keep him safe during the hunts and help him provide for his family."
"I don't remember Suki doing that," Zuko replied as he looked at the small box in her arms.
"You wouldn't, it's a private event between the couple," the Fire Lady explained brushing some hair out of her face. She had wanted this to be as perfect as possible. "Our wedding happed extremely quickly and I didn't have time to arrange your gift. It wasn't written into our marriage contract, but I wanted to do it anyway. This is for you."
She passed him the package, which he instantly accepted and quickly opened. Nestled into the packing material was a bone tanto. There were carvings of two dragons on the hilt, he looked closer and recognized they were the same ones he had engraved on her engagement ring. The sheath held an intricate design of koi fish painted on it, they reminded him of the spirits of Tui and La. Zuko unsheathed the dagger and held it in his hand. It was the perfect size for him. The weight was light but had a heaviness to it that he knew meant it could do quite a bit of damage.
"It's amazing," he whispered as he held it in his hand. He had an urge to check how sharp the blade was but he could see the edge glimmer in the morning sun. "Thank you."
"I know you weren't going to be hunting regularly and if you did you wouldn't be using a spear," she began speaking in a rush. Her palms were sweaty, "But I knew it might be a good idea to have something on you that could be tucked away should you need it. And I hope you like it."
"I love it, thank you," his gold eyes met hers.
"You are welcome," Katara stood to head to her dressing room, Ty Min quickly following. "I'm going to get ready for the day, I'll meet you in an hour to head to the signing?"
"That's fine," Zuko agreed as he watched his wife's retreating form. He desperately wished that he could take her again this morning, but was unsure how she felt about their coupling.
Unknown to the Fire Lord, his wife was having a similar thought as she began dressing for the day.
"You are coming home with me," Lao hissed at his daughter for the hundredth time. The two were in the corridors of the Fire Nation palace fighting extremely loudly.
"No, I'm not," Toph argued back again. She was exhausted, they had been having this fight for what seemed like hours. The earthbender had originally been in a private sitting room with her father but had retreated hoping that her departure would end their never-ending argument. Unfortunately, luck was not on her side as her father raced after her.
"The Fire Nation has made you disrespectful and ungrateful," the nobleman accused as he followed her. Everywhere he looked he saw red and it fueled his anger. "You are returning to Gaoling and that is not a question."
"You can't make me!" The Blind Bandit stated turning to stand her ground. The father and daughter were unaware that their fight was drawing the attention of many wedding guests. Including the Fire Lord and Lady themselves.
"Stop being a brat," Lao commanded his voice dripping with venom. His blood boiled as he looked at his daughter. "You will stop seeing that peasant and return home to marry Sheng."
"I'm not marrying him," Toph stood her ground. Her arms gesturing wildly as her voice hardened. She was done with her father and his games. "I'm not going to be your stupid puppet anymore, I'm my own person."
"Ever since you started spending time in the Fire Nation and with Haru," Lao spat her lover's name. He ground his teeth as he continued to berate his daughter. "You turned into an abrasive foolish little girl! I did not raise you to be this way. I blame the Fire Lord."
Katara gasped next to her husband as they observed the fight. Her hand going to clutch his arm as Lao continued to insult Zuko.
"Zuko is a good person," the earthbender defended her friend. Her arms crossed over her chest and her stance widened slightly. The Fire Nation monarchs noticing the subtle shift in the movements, the Blind Bandit was preparing for a physical fight.
"He has no honor and was disloyal to his own father," the Earth Kingdom nobleman replied flippantly. His comment unknowingly elicited whispers amongst their audience. But Lao kept speaking, "I would have banished him too, at least his sister was loyal to her father."
"That's not true," Katara whispered to the man next to her. But Zuko did not for one minute internalize the words that Lao spoke. His father held no hold over him.
"Zuko has more honor than anyone I have ever met," the earthbender responded quickly. Her arms fell from her chest and her hands balled into fists at her sides. Toph never felt the bite of pain as her nails dug into her palms. She was good at waiting and listening when it came to most fights, but with her father, she reacted first and thought later.
"This isn't about him, it's about you. Do you think that peasant is going to stick around? He just wants your inheritance."
"That's not true," Toph objected as her father continued to verbally assault her and her friends. She felt like someone had knocked a boulder into her gut. "He doesn't care about those things."
"When did you become so ignorant?" Her father criticized her, his arms waving about madly. "Leave him and you'll inherit everything. If you stay I will no longer have a daughter."
"Dad," the Blind Bandit pleaded to him, for the first time in a long time she sounded her age. "Don't make me choose."
"You have one year to make a decision," Lao continued ignoring her cries. He began walking away with his back to her, calling over his shoulder, "See how long he will stay with you once he has taken your virtue and you have no dowery."
Katara went to comfort her friend as she saw the tears well up in Toph's eyes, but Zuko's warm hand on her wrist stopped her. He shook his head lightly. This was something the earthbender needed to process on her own. The couple watched as she retreated from the audience that had gathered during the fight.
"She'll be okay," Zuko whispered to his wife before pulling her in the opposite direction of the earthbender. "Toph just needs some space."
The Blind Bandit fled the palace. She needed to be alone in her own head for a while. She walked for almost an hour around Caldera before she went to the palace stables to find Aang. She had avoided Haru since the fight with her father, Toph knew that her lover had seen the entire thing. She didn't have the energy to talk with him about what happened yet.
"Twinkle Toes," Toph called out as she walked toward the Avatar. "You're getting ready to leave already?"
"Yeah," Aang responded as he petted his bison fondly. "I've been working on the Western Temple for a few months now and once it's done I can really focus on the airbender search."
"Can I come with you?" The earthbender asked her former student suddenly.
"To the Western Temple?" Aang looked at her confused. He hadn't been around for the fight with Lao. "What about Haru and Ba Sing Se?"
"I just need some space from everything," Toph shook her head as she thought over everything that had just happened with her father. She believed that Haru loved her. Yet a small part in the pit of her stomach wondered if her father was right. Was Haru really with her because of her fortune? Would he take her virtue and leave her?
"Okay," Aang agreed apprehensively. He had so many questions he wanted to ask but didn't know-how. "Pack your things and meet me in half an hour. Do you want me to leave a note for Haru?"
"Yeah, just tell him I'm going with you to help rebuild. I'll have you write him something longer in a few days," she nodded thoughtfully. The sooner she got away the better. "I'll be back in a little bit."
Less than half an hour later found Toph in Appa's saddle as she and Aang headed toward the Western Air Temple. The Blind Bandit hoped she was making the right decision and she didn't just lose the one person who truly loved her.
Notes:
So it finally happened! Was it worth the wait? Did we like the Fire Nation wedding? Honeymoon is to come ;) Maybe some lemons with it! Would love to hear how you are feeling after this chapter :)
Be sure to follow my Instagram for all story news @JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
See you on April 5th, 2022!
Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen: Winter 103 AG
Notes:
Welcome back to Kisses of Fire and Ice!
Thank you to everyone who has commented, left kudos, subscribed, and bookmarked! I so appreciate each and every one of you <3
A few important things before you read this chapter:
- I have adjusted the timeline of when Zuko got his scar to fit this fic, I know technically it wouldn't have been this close to the winter solstice but it was necessary
- There is some dialogue from Season 1 taken for this chapter
- TW: panic/anxiety attackI hope you all continue to enjoy my story :) Please forgive all mistakes!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Fifteen: Winter 103 AG
The waterbender leaned forward on the railing of the Flagship as it cut through the water. She could feel the spray of the ocean as she stood there. Her hair was flowing in the wind. The cool breezing heightened all of her senses as she looked out at the horizon in pure bliss.
The Fire Lord watched his bride from the helm next to Admiral Jee. She looked stunning as she watched the water. He was thrilled to see her in Fire Nation clothing again, the garments did wonders for her figure.
"We should arrive at Ember Island by sunset," Jee informed his Lord. They had been discussing the logistics of the voyage. Though the admiral doubted the young monarch heard him.
"Very good," Zuko nodded not really paying attention. He was too enthralled with the woman across the way. The two men exchanged a few more words before the Fire Lord left the Admiral to join his wife on the lower deck.
Katara heard the footsteps coming from behind her, turning to see her husband walking toward her. She smiled at him and closed her eyes as she got sprayed with the sea again. The Fire Lady had never felt so happy as she did at this moment. Her voice was husky as she spoke, "I love being on the ocean."
"I'll make sure we spend as much time on the beach as possible," the firebender responded as he went to stand next to her. He was thrilled to feel her tuck herself into his side, his arm wrapping around her shoulders.
"I can't wait to be back on Ember Island," she confessed as she snuggled into his side. The waterbender loved how she seemed to fit right against him as if they were made for each other.
"What do you want to do first?" He asked her trying to ignore the arousal he could feel growing in his lower belly.
"Maybe spar on the beach with you," she taunted him lightly. "We never did get that rematch."
"I think we can make that happen," he teased his wife, loving how carefree she sounded at the moment. "I know I want to make a visit to the hot springs at some point this week."
"I'd be happy to do that every day! Could we?" Katara moaned at the thought. She had thought about those hot springs each time she took a bath since the moment he had shown them to Team Avatar.
"It's our honeymoon," Zuko shrugged trying to be as casual as possible. He had felt himself harden at the moan she had let loose just moments before.
"I also want to spend time in town, if that's okay?"
"That is more than okay," he placed a kiss on her temple. She was so beautiful and the firebender had the urge to take her to bed but was unsure if she would be comfortable with that.
"How long until we get there?"
"We had an extremely late start, but it's only a few hours away. Jee thinks we will be arriving around sunset," Zuko explained to his wife. The couple had originally been scheduled to leave in the morning, but King Keui had demanded an audience with the Fire Lord after hearing of Lao's outburst. The Earth King wanted to be sure that the Fire Nation sovereign was not insulted by one man's opinion.
"What did Keui have to say?" Katara questioned her husband, she turned so her back was against the railing. The Fire Lady had not been in the meeting with the two monarchs. She had wanted to spend the time saying goodbye to her family as they would be departing for the South Pole tomorrow.
"He offered to strip Lao of his title, but I explained this was a personal matter between him and Toph," her husband said. His knuckles skimmed up her arm. "Lao's problem really isn't with me, at least I don't think it is."
"I agree," the waterbender nodded, leaning into his embrace. "I think he just needs someone to blame while Toph becomes a woman."
"Keui was fine once I calmed him down, though he was pretty adamant about stripping Lao of his noble status," Zuko shook his head as he thought over his meeting. He knew the disaster it would cause if the Beifong's lost not only their title but their fortune. "But after some discussion, he realized how disastrous that would be for the economy."
"He does have a monopoly on exports in the Earth Kingdom," the Fire Lady agreed thoughtfully. She was still learning about the intricacies of the Fire Nation, but she had been in enough negotiations to understand the nuances of international trading.
"Not something to worry about right now," the firebender looked into her sapphire eyes. He didn't like the concerned look in her eyes. "Turn around."
"What?"
"Just do it, Katara," he sighed exasperatedly. He helped her move so she was facing the ocean, and he pressed closer to her. He pointed as he spoke, "See that against the horizon."
"Yes," she whispered. The waterbender could feel the heat coming off his body. His scent mixed with the smell of the ocean caused her body to shiver in pleasure. She resisted the urge to closer her eyes and focus on what he was pointing out.
"That's Ember Island," his breath fanned over the shell of her ear.
The royal couple spent the rest of their journey in silence, just enjoying the view and each other's company. By the time they arrived on Ember Island, the sun was just beginning to set.
"I feel like I'm in a dream," Katara murmured as they walked up to the house. The moment felt similar to when Zuko had first brought her to Ember Island after Yon Rha. "I feel like we are back fighting in the war and we are hiding from the Fire Nation all over again."
Zuko grinned at his wife's quiet words. It did feel eerily similar to when they had first arrived on Ember Island all those years ago. "I know what you mean. But it is different too, the house is actually ours to use. And it's been cleaned up, restored from training, plus redecorated."
"Restored from training," Katara snorted at Zuko's words. "I wouldn't call you attacking Aang because he was playing on the beach and not firebending, training."
"I'm sticking with the training story," the Fire Lord smirked at her. He was pleased with the gentle teasing from his wife. He didn't think she would feel this comfortable after consummating their marriage.
"Which room are we staying in?" The waterbender asked her husband after a few minutes of silence.
"My parents' old room," Zuko mumbled as he took her hand and led her up the stairs to the largest bed-chamber. It had been completely redecorated to eradicate all memory of Ozai. Katara shivered as her husband led her into the room they would be staying in.
"It looks amazing," she mumbled as she looked around.
The room was beautiful and not at all what she remembered from the war. One thing that stood out to her the most was the bed, it was massive and done completely in white linen with a mountain of pillows. It looked so inviting and called out to her to jump into the perfectly arranged pillows. Sensing her husband's discomfort, she decided to do just that.
The Fire Lord watched as his wife pulled her hand from his before she ran toward the bed, jumping into the sea of cushions. He admired the way her body bounced on the bed, each movement accentuating her curves. Her happy giggling was contagious and he smirked as he stalked toward her.
He crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at his bouncing wife. With a smirk, he said, "You seem to be enjoying yourself."
In response, the Fire Lady reached up and pulled her husband down onto the bed with her. He made a noise in surprise as he fell next to her, the giggling was now in his ear as it was increasing. Zuko growled before turning quickly to pin her to the bed, one hand had both her wrists above her head pushing into the plush mattress. The other hand immediately reached for her sides to tickle. The firebender was rewarded with his wife's squeals of laughter as he assaulted her most ticklish area.
"Zuko!" Katara shrieked in between peals of laughter. She made half-hearted attempts to wiggle away from his torturing hands, secretly she loved the affection her husband was showing. Beneath her giggling a low rumbling chuckle could be heard coming from the Fire Lord as he played with his wife.
Much too soon for both of them, Zuko pulled away to allow his wife some breathing room. He flopped down on the bed next to her, his breathing heavy and stomach aching from the laughter.
"I don't think I've laughed like that since before I became Fire Lord," he panted heavily next to her. He was pleased that she snuggled into his side, her head resting against his chest. His arm moved to wrap around her.
"What?" Katara looked up at him in shock. "That's so depressing! Why?"
"Not many people are beating down the Fire Lord's door to laugh with him," Zuko shrugged as he thought about it. "Honestly, I think the last time I laughed like that was when Lu Ten was still alive."
"Zuko," his waterbender whispered voice full of empathy, her hand tangled with his against his chest. Unknown to her, the firebender fell a little more in love with her. At that moment he loved her more than he ever thought possible.
"Thank you," he told her earnestly. "Not just for marrying me, but for reminding me what joy feels like."
Katara recognized there was nothing she could say at this moment to her husband that would make it more perfect. Instead, she closed her eyes and let them both savor the moment.
Malu watched the Fire Lord and Lady as they sparred on the beach. It made him uneasy to see his Lord being attacked, but he was becoming more comfortable realizing that both benders were very evenly matched. The Captain of the Royal Guard had been unsure how to approach the new Fire Lady. Being the closest to the Fire Lord, he was a confidant to a point. Zuko had expressed many times to Malu how he feared for his life with an arranged marriage. And while Katara was a friend of Zuko's, Malu was still apprehensive about the young woman.
"Malu's watching us again," Katara mumbled to Zuko after she had pinned him. "Or rather he seems to be watching me. I don't think he likes me very much."
He dropped to his knees. Please, Father. The Fire Lady's words brought her husband out of his thoughts.
"It's his job to watch us," Zuko shook his head to help him focus. They had only been on Ember Island for a day and Katara had mentioned Malu not liking her over a dozen times. "And I'm sure he likes you just fine."
"I don't think so," his wife murmured with a shrug. She noticed that her husband seemed slightly distracted yet she brushed it off. "But you know him better."
If the Fire Lord didn't know his waterbender so well, he might have not noticed the way she tensed. Or the fact that Malu did not like her bothered her so much. He made a note that after they returned to Caldera he would have a word with the Captain of the Royal Guard. Zuko did not want his Fire Lady and the Captain to be at odds, Malu was in charge of her safety now too.
I only had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn! As much as the Fire Lord tried to fight it, the words surfaced in the back of his head. It had been a battle he had been fighting all last night and this morning.
"Do you want to get cleaned up and go into town? Or do you want to spend the rest of the day in the hot springs?" Zuko questioned his wife as they walked up the path from the beach to the house. He was trying to distract himself from the internal struggle in his mind.
"Hot springs definitely," she grinned up at him from under her lashes. "But tomorrow can we go into town?"
"Of course," he nodded at her as a fond smile graced his face. You will fight for your honor. The words echoed in his head but he ignored them, "There is supposed to be a festival celebrating our marriage happening in town starting next week. I think with an opening night on Monday of the revised version of The Boy in the Iceberg too."
"Oh no! It's going to be awful," Katara shook her head with a giggle.
"Most likely," Zuko chuckled. For the first time that morning, he was able to focus on her. "But I think it would be rude if we didn't show considering there was a personal invitation waiting for us this morning at breakfast."
"There was?" The waterbender looked at her husband in shock. She had seen him going through scrolls and other paperwork but didn't pay any attention to what he was working on. "I didn't notice that."
"There was," he nodded. The memory surfaced again. I meant you no disrespect. "We can worry about that in the morning, let's get to the hot springs. Do you need to change?"
The firebender was pleased his wife wanted to spend the rest of the afternoon in the hot springs, he was interested in seeing her in a Fire Nation bathing suit. He knew that Mai and Ty Lee had packed for her, he was eager to see the selection they had gifted the waterbender. This would be the first time he would see her in a proper bathing suit, Katara only ever having worn her undergarments during the war.
"No," she shook her head. "I have a suit on underneath. I didn't realize how many different styles the Fire Nation had, I was surprised to see the selection that was packed."
"We tend to spend a lot of time on the beaches, not really something you can do at the Poles," Zuko cleared his throat. He made a quick observation of his wife, noticing how form-fitting her clothes were. He was eager to see the amount that her suit covered, or lack of, considering how little she already had on.
"It is a little cold," Katara agreed as they walked up the path. "But I wasn't the one who tried swimming in the Poles."
"I do not recommend it," he chuckled with a slight shake of his head. The words broke through again. I am your loyal son.
The firebender desperately wanted to reach for his wife's hand as they walked, partly to connect with her and partly because he wanted comfort from her. But Zuko was still unsure of where they stood. It was expected in the palace and in Caldera, for him to escort her formally anywhere when they were together. But here it was just them and the Royal Guard, Zuko didn't know if she would let him escort her.
They continued walking in silence up the path toward the hot springs. Being here felt familiar and unfamiliar for the couple. For both benders, this was the place their feelings had been developed and nurtured. It held all the potential to be the perfect romantic honeymoon destination but without any acknowledgment from the couple. The limited staff was more than aware of the rippling sexual tension between the Fire Lord and Lady.
"Exactly how I remember it," Katara whispered as they stood next to the spring.
The steam was coming off the water in rolling waves as it heated up the space. The spring was nestled into a cave in the volcano behind the house. You needed to know the spring was there to want to venture into the side of the volcano. It was something that Iroh had shown Zuko and Lu Ten as children.
The Fire Lord's thoughts of his family brought the memories he was trying to suppress to come forth again. Rise and fight, Prince Zuko!
"Let's get in," the firebender mumbled as he began stripping his shirt and pants, leaving him in a pair of form-fitting swim shorts. He wanted to be safely tucked into the water before his wife began disrobing. Zuko knew his arousal and appreciation would be visible the moment she removed the layers she was wearing. The Fire Lord was unaware of his wife observing him undress and taking an immense amount of pleasure at the sight before her.
The Fire Lady watched her husband disrobe off to the side. He had been wearing a sleeveless shirt that showed off his strong arms when they were sparring, but now she was seeing him shirtless she was able to admire his muscular back. And his rippled torso as he moved. He moved and she was able to see his scar, Katara found it extremely sexy.
The firebender continued to undress as she admired him. His thighs were thick and defined as he stripped his pants, leaving him in the form of a tight suit. Katara was pleased when he turned around to enter the spring, his backside being just as spectacular as his front.
She shook her head lightly as Zuko continued to wade into the hot water. The waterbender followed her husband's lead and quickly disrobed from the training clothes she had on. Katara could feel her husband's eyes on her as her top came off, leaving her in a low-cut bikini top. She didn't dare look at him as he watched her undress. Her hair fell to the side as she pulled down her training pants, showcasing her shapely legs and her curvy hips.
Zuko could feel his arousal increase as he admired her form. Her body was beautifully toned with a small waist, not too muscular with the right amount of curves. He thought back to their wedding night, how she looked naked in his bed. The firebender loved how she looked naked and wished she would stay that way all the time. But he was extremely pleased with the small scraps of fabric that consisted of her bathing suit. The top accented her breasts perfectly, showing deep cleavage. Though his focus kept drifting to her butt and the way the fabric kept slipping between her full globes as she took her training pants off.
The Fire Lord became lost in thoughts of all he wanted to do to his wife.
"Zuko?" Katara called snapping him out of the trance he was in. The waterbender had been on edge since their wedding night.
She had enjoyed herself immensely but when her husband didn't try to initiate intimacy again, she became incredibly self-conscious. Perhaps he didn't enjoy the experience, she thought. Other than their spar on the beach earlier today, the Fire Lady was terrified to do anything or say anything. She wasn't sure how to act around him now that they had consummated their marriage.
"What?" He mumbled shaking his head to get the images of Katara's legs wrapped around his waist while he was deep inside her out of his head.
"Are you feeling alright? I've been calling your name for the past five minutes," she responded as looked at him confused.
"Yeah," Zuko cleared his throat. He rubbed his hand against his scar, it ached a little bit after being in the sun for so long. I won't fight you. "Just tired, didn't sleep well last night."
His words were true, he hadn't slept well. Today was the anniversary of when his father had challenged him to the Agni Kai and he was banished from home. The Fire Lord had woken up three times from the nightmare playing in his head on repeat. He wasn't sure why this year brought back all his anger and hurt, perhaps because he was keeping too many secrets from his wife. Or perhaps because now that he had married Katara, the firebender was terrified of turning into his father.
"Are you sure?" The waterbender moved closer to her husband. She was concerned when she saw the dazed look in his eyes just now. The Fire Lady had heard him up in the night several times and he kept touching his scar today, it worried her.
"Yes," he brushed her off. He felt extremely hot as she moved toward him. The sexual tension transformed into panic. Zuko felt like he was suffocating, all he could see was his father standing above him. The scar ached with phantom pain as the memories surfaced.
She reached for him, her hand gloved in water to check. "Is your scar bothering you? My bloodbending has improved a lot. Maybe I could see if I can elevate some of the pain."
You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher.
"Katara, I'm fine," her husband snapped eyes narrowing and brow furrowing in anger as he glared at her. Sparks flew from his mouth and smoke curled around his nose as he spoke.
One of his hot hands moved to grab her wrist before it made contact with him. The grip was tight and hurt immensely. The last time he had grabbed her like that was when he was using her as bait for Aang. Zuko wasn't sure what caused him to react the way he did. Only that when he had seen her come from the corner of his scarred side, he felt all the terror from that day return causing him to panic.
The Fire Lady struggled against him as he held her wrist tightly in his too-warm hand. Her stomach churned as she stared at the man in front of her. Every memory of when he chased them across the world came flooding back to her. His eyes were unfocused, faraway as he held her wrist. Zuko was lost in his own memory, the smell of burning flesh felt so real.
It took a moment for her husband to realize she was trying to move away from him and that the burning scent was real. His hand instantly released her wrist as he noted the struggle.
His wife moved back from him as if she had been pushed away from him. She could feel the blood flowing back into her wrist and winced at the immense pain. Katara glanced down and saw the burns littering her skin. They were superficial and could easily be healed, but she was terrified Zuko could do such a thing to her.
The waterbender's sapphire eyes met his holding shock and horror as she looked up at him. This was not the man she had married, standing in front of her was the Zuko she had met in the South Pole. It terrified her.
The Fire Lord's reaction had been so immediate; his body had increased in temperature burning her.
"I should go," Katara whispered her voice shaky. She didn't turn her back to him as she exited the spring and collected her clothes not bothering to dress as she fled.
"Katara, wait!" Her husband called after her as she ran from him. Zuko jumped from the water to chase after his wife but slipped on a patch of ice she created. He laid on his back and cried out, "Fuck! What have I done?"
"Fire Lord Zuko," Malu called into the cave. He was extremely worried something had happened, he knew he should have stayed closer to the couple. "I saw Fire Lady Katara running into the summer palace distressed, is everything all right?"
"Everything is fine Malu," Zuko hissed, picking himself off the ground. Sparks flew from his mouth again as he spoke. He sat on the ground his arms resting on bent knees, head in his hands. "I just made a mistake with my wife and now I don't know what to do. What would you do?"
"Perhaps give her some time, My Lord," the guard suggested lightly. He might have been older than the Fire Lord, but Malu always struggled to give advice to the monarch. "Maybe even an apology. And then explain what happened in a place where she can hear it."
"In a place where she can hear it," Zuko parroted softly. He stood and collected his clothes before turning to the Captain of the Guard. "Malu, please take care of the Fire Lady. I have some things to gather in town. Also, tell her I'm sorry and to meet me where secrets are told tonight."
"I'm sorry?" Malu looked at the Fire Lord as if he was insane. The message made absolutely no sense to him.
"She will understand," the Fire Lord responded as he began dressing. The guard went to leave but Zuko called after him, "And Malu, I know you might be apprehensive of Katara because of the recent threats. But if she wanted to hurt me she already would have, I know I am safe with her. Do not treat her like she is a threat, she is your Fire Lady and under your protection now as well."
"Yes, Fire Lord," Malu bowed his cheeks pinked in embarrassment as he left Zuko. The guard walked quickly back to the palace in search of the waterbender. He reached the Fire Lord's bedroom and heard crying. The Captain of the Guard knocked on the door and waited for the approval to enter before stepping inside the room.
"What can I do for you Malu?" Katara asked as she brushed the tears off her face. She had redressed and had been just moments earlier crying on the bed. The look on Zuko's face had terrified her. It was as if she was fourteen again standing in front of the firebender as he demanded the tribe hand over Aang. She had healed her wrist the moment she was in their room, but the emotional wounds would take more time.
"The Fire Lord wanted me to tell you that he apologizes for his actions and that he would like you to meet him where secrets are told tonight," the guard responded doing his best to pretend not to notice the tears on her face.
"Thank you Malu, but I'm unsure if I want to meet him," she flipped her hair over her shoulder. Her anger was beginning to take over. "Tell the Fire Lord, if I do not show then he can find another place to sleep tonight. You are dismissed."
Malu cleared his throat uncomfortably but nodded before leaving the Fire Lady. He desperately hoped that he would not have to inform the Fire Lord of her words, but would if it was necessary. The guard figured he could wait until the last possible moment to deliver the message to the sovereign of the Fire Nation.
"You came," Zuko murmured as his wife walked across the roof to sit next to him. He had been waiting for almost an hour and was unsure if she was going to show.
"I wasn't going to," she shrugged as she sat next to him, being sure to leave a bit of distance. "But we agreed to always meet on the roof after a fight so here I am."
"How is your wrist? I didn't mean, uh I mean," he let out a shaky breath. "I never meant to hurt you. I am so sorry, Katara."
"It's healed," she replied holding it up for him to see. She choked back tears, "But I don't know where we go from here. Today was . . ."
"What can I do to make it better?" Her husband questioned her when she didn't finish her sentence. Though he didn't need her to finish, he knew what she was thinking. He desperately wanted her to cuddle into his side like she had the last time they were on a roof together. But Zuko didn't think that was going to happen anytime soon.
"I don't know. You really scared me today," Katara replied as she looked out at the beach.
"I know I did and I am incredibly sorry. You have no idea how sorry, if I could take it back I would. Instantly, " Zuko apologized. He watched as she nodded absentmindedly. He knew he needed to explain to her what happened, the waterbender deserved that.
She was quiet for several minutes before speaking again. Even though she was still slightly afraid of him she couldn't help but have deja vu. "Feels like old times."
"Yeah it does," he agreed looking at her, watching her hair whipping around her in the wind. He moved closer to her and was pleased when she didn't back away from him. "It's been so long since we have been here, but honestly it feels like yesterday."
"I agree," she whispered as he moved until their arms were touching. "I feel like I can remember every single night in vivid detail."
"All the secrets we shared," he whispered in her ear causing her to shiver. "And all the promises we made."
"Yeah," she nodded being sure not to look at him. Katara knew her resolve would soften once she looked into his golden eyes. She took a deep breath, "Now are you going to tell me what caused you to go crazy earlier?"
"Part of the reason I brought up the promises," he explained as he thought back to their time during the war. "Can I hold you? I know I don't have the right to ask, but this will be a difficult thing to tell you and I just want the comfort of my best friend."
The waterbender knew that her husband would not deliberately hurt her, something had caused him to lash out today. There had to be an explanation for what happened, and she still loved him. Katara hesitated for a moment before she moved to sit between his legs in response. She leaned back into his chest as his arms wrapped around her and instantly relaxed into his warm body.
"This doesn't mean I forgive you for what happened earlier."
"I know," the firebender nodded a small smile crossing his face. He took a deep breath, "I promised you one day I would tell you about my scar."
Zuko thought back to the day in silence as he tried to find the words to explain what happened to him so many years ago. He was unsure how to put into words the trauma he had endured. The panic he had felt and the pure terror of seeing a hand coming toward his face today. It didn't help that she had been waterbending when she went to touch him.
The firebender had reacted without thinking and spent all day trying to understand what had happened.
"Zuko?" She questioned him softly.
The waterbender hadn't expected to hear this story today and didn't know how it related to what happened. She felt her heartbeat quicken as she waited for him to tell the story. Katara had always assumed it had been a training accident or a battle during the war, but she was grossly underprepared for the truth.
"I was thirteen when I got my scar," he confessed so quietly it was merely an echo in the island breeze. He wasn't sure his wife heard him until he heard the sharp hiss she made and felt her body stiffen in his arms. The waterbender was getting a peek into his soul as he told this story.
"What happened?" Katara asked her husband after a couple of minutes.
"I had just begun my tutoring to become Fire Lord," Zuko spoke soft and steady. "I was only about six months into being groomed for the crown. My father was having an important war meeting and I wanted to attend. I convinced Iroh to get me into the meeting but he advised me not to speak. Saying that many of the old generals did not like being reprimanded by someone so young."
"But technically as Crown Prince you outranked them," his wife mumbled as she took in the story.
"That might have been true, but Azula was always the favorite in those situations," he replied lost in thought. His eyes stared out at the ocean, though not really seeing it. This was the first time he had ever spoken the words out loud. He only ever spoke about his scar to Iroh and even then not in this much detail.
"How come?" Katara probed lightly.
"She was the better firebender," Zuko explained with a shrug. There was no emotion in the words, just fact. "And her cruelty streak ran high because it pleased Ozai. General Bujing stated a plan that would use a division of new recruits as bait to claim an area of the Earth Kingdom. It was unnecessary and cruel. The land offered no advancement in winning the war. Hundreds of lives were lost for ego."
"And you did the honorable thing. You spoke out against it," she supplemented already knowing how righteous her husband was.
"Yes," the Fire Lord nodded solemnly. "My father said I had been disrespectful and that I would have to battle in an Agni Kai as punishment. I thought he meant Bujing, but I disrespected Ozai in his war room. When I turned to face my opponent, it was my father."
"Zuko," she turned in his arms so she was facing him.
"I told him I was his loyal son and I meant no disrespect," the firebender continued looking at the waterbender but not seeing her. He was miles and years away. "I told him I only had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart. But it didn't matter, he said I would learn respect and suffering would be my teacher. I remember seeing his hand ignite in flames and feeling his palm on my face. The pain was excruciating, I don't know how long he held his hand on me but I know it was long enough for me to pass out from the pain."
Katara's hand tentatively reached up to touch his scar, brushing the tears that had started falling down his face. Tears the Fire Lord had no idea had been forming until she wiped them away.
"I woke up in the infirmary with Uncle next to me," he continued his eyes closed. Now that he was aware of them, he could feel the hot tears sliding down his skin. "He told me that Ozai had banished me and told me the only way to reclaim my honor was to capture the Avatar. I didn't see him again until after Ba Sing Se. And even though his poison can no longer hurt me, I will always wear the mark of a banished prince."
"Is that what you think this is?" Katara questioned him in shock, her voice coming out in a breathy whisper.
Zuko's eyes opened in surprise at the harshness in her voice, he was stunned to see blue eyes filled with fire staring into his. His voice was hard as he retorted back. "What else does it represent?"
"This scar is not the mark of a banished prince," she replied with conviction. Her blood boiled as she kept speaking, "This scar is the sign of someone who persevered. Of someone who stood up for what's right even though the consequence were dire. Someone who did the honorable thing even when it was not popular or when it could have had him killed. This scar is what made you the incredible leader you are today!"
"You don't have to say that," Zuko responded pulling away from the hand touching his face. "I know what this represents and I know that I will always carry the mark of Ozai's poison."
"No," she told him suddenly. Her hands jerked him back toward her. "You are never allowed to say that again. Your scar is one of the things that made it easy for me to forgive you. It was the thing that made me open up to you. I refuse to let you think about it negatively anymore and if I have to tell you every day for the rest of our lives that you should be proud of it, I will!"
He looked at her seeing the way her breathing increased with each word. The way her eyes narrowed caused the crinkle on her forehead to come out. He watched how she frowned just slightly but her bottom lip jutted out, making him want to kiss her. Her hair was whipping around her in the wind and her blue eyes looked like the sky during a storm.
This woman wanted him to be proud for having done the honorable thing even when it caused him pain.
"Okay, Katara," he whispered after a moment. He would do his best to remember her words. "I promise not to think about my scar negatively again."
"Good," she nodded crossing her arms over her chest after a few minutes. "That doesn't really explain what happened earlier though."
"It's been seven years today since he marked me," the Fire Lord whispered as he confided in her. He looked down embarrassed that he had such a volatile reaction. "I had been battling the onset of a panic attack all day. I don't know why this year it affected me so much just that it was."
"Zuko," his wife choked at the confession.
"When you reached up to touch it, all I saw was a hand that was bending reaching for my face," he continued to explain. He thought he was past all of this. "It brought me back to that moment. All the anger, terror, and pain I had felt came rushing back. I reacted out of fear and that was wrong. I am so sorry."
Katara's arms wrapped around his neck as she hugged him tightly to her. His arms went to her back and clutched her to him.
"It's okay, I understand," she said as she hugged him. "I forgive you."
"You shouldn't," he shook his head against her neck where he had buried his face in her hair. "I was horrible and that was wrong, I was no better than him."
"Don't you ever say that again!" Katara scolded him loudly. Her voice dropped as she whispered in his ear, "You went through something so traumatic. Of course, you will have times of panic, it's okay."
"No, it's not," he retorted half-heartedly. He breathed in the scent of her hair as she continued to hold him.
"You suffered at the hands of Ozai more than most people would know, but you became a better man because of it," Katara declared quietly in his ear. "A stronger man for having lived through it. It was awful and you didn't deserve it, but it made you a fighter! Your honor stayed steadfast because of that you are the man who will lead your people out of this harmful behavior."
"I didn't deserve it," he repeated his voice cracking as tears fell more freely. His mind played over the words she had said, actually hearing them.
For the first time, Zuko cried for the pain and abuse he had received from his father. As he listened to the woman he loved tell him that he didn't deserve what happened to him, it allowed the last piece of him to heal. In her arms, he let himself be more vulnerable than he had ever been before.
In her arms, the firebender let himself feel all the pain, anger, and fear that he hadn't allowed his body to feel before.
"You didn't deserve it," Katara echoed whispering the words into his ear as she held him. One of her hands was in his hair and the other pressed against his back. "You held my pain for me, let me hold yours for you."
The waterbender held him tightly as he sobbed into her. She just hugged him as he cried, feeling everything he had bottled up for so long. Katara held the man she loved as he let go of the pain holding him back. The fear and anger that he held onto after going through something so horrible finally escaped.
Katara might not have been able to tell Zuko she loved him, but she hoped he felt it in her arms as he cried.
She held him for hours as he released all of his pain. Finally, after a few hours, the firebender's sobs came to an end. They sat together in each other's embrace, not moving. About an hour later the Fire Lady was able to coax her husband to climb down the roof with her. The newlyweds entered their bedroom together quietly, each going to their respective areas to change into their sleep clothes.
The Fire Lord climbed into bed waiting for his wife to join him. His eyes hurt from crying as long as he did. A couple of minutes later, Katara joined her husband in bed. The firebender extinguished the candles, leaving them in darkness.
"Zuko?" His wife whispered after a few minutes.
"Yes?"
"Can I try something? With your scar?" She questioned softly. She knew that she wouldn't be able to heal it fully unless she had spirit water and even that she wasn't a hundred percent sure was possible. But his wife suspected with her bloodbending she could take some of the residual pain away.
"Okay," Zuko replied with a deep breath.
The waterbender shifted her position on the bed so she could reach him better. Her body pressed against him. She placed her hands on the side of his face on his scar and felt him tense at the action. His eyes closed as she began to heal him.
Katara felt the push and pull of his blood within seconds. Her bloodbending feeling around the scar tissue and the nerves, looking for what caused him the most pain. She worked in silence for some time beginning at the top edge and moving her way down as she worked. Her entire focus was on his blood and the scar. The waterbender pulled her hands away once there was nothing left she could do.
"Does that feel better?" She inquired once her hands were by her sides again. The scar was still there, but she hoped that she alleviated some of the residual pain.
Zuko's hand reached up and touched his scar, for the first time feeling more than just pressure on that side. His eyes opened and it felt easier for the scarred lid to move. He looked around and found his eyesight was better than before. The tightness of his skin he had almost forgotten about was no longer there. And he was almost positive his hearing had improved.
"Wow," he mumbled as he turned to look at his wife. She looked stunning in the moonlight, he thought. "It feels so much better. Thank you."
Without thinking he sat up and pulled her to him, placing a soft kiss on her lips. The couple looked at each other in surprise once they separated. While they had become comfortable with their intimacy, neither had initiated any since their wedding night.
Zuko feeling embarrassed at his display of affection, mutter his goodnights and quickly laid back down eyes closing to fall asleep. His wife quickly followed his actions after a few minutes of stunned silence. Within the hour the newlyweds were fast asleep.
The Fire Lord woke to find himself entangled with the Fire Lady as the sun began to rise. He held her for the hour it took the sun to rise, removing his arms from her once she began to stir. During the time he watched the sunrise, the firebender decided to not comment on the kiss. He would see how his wife reacted before mentioning it.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Zuko greeted as Katara stretched from her place next to him on the bed. He was sitting with his back against the headboard, one knee bent with an arm resting on it. The firebender had been watching his wife sleep until now.
"How long have you been awake?" She questioned him, her voice rough with sleep. Her arms reached above her head and back bowing as she continued her stretch. The waterbender was unaware of how the position sent blood rushing to her husband's groin as he watched her.
"Not long, about an hour," he responded as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. He was hoping she would bring up their kiss but decided he would not mention it unless she did.
"How are you feeling?" Katara asked as she sat up next to him. "After yesterday I mean."
"Honestly? I feel okay," Zuko confided as he turned to look at her. "I feel like for the first time in a long time I can breathe. You know, you're the first person I have ever told about what happened."
"I appreciate you telling me," the waterbender whispered as she moved toward her husband. She had hoped he would speak about their kiss, but her heart sank when he avoided it.
"Thank you for listening to me," he bumped her shoulder with hers. His face turned serious as he spoke again, "So we didn't really get to enjoy the hot spring yesterday. And it is our honeymoon, I vote we do something fun today."
"Like what?" Katara giggled at the seriousness of his expression.
"Well, I vote we get some old-school bending practice in," Zuko began with a smirk. He had been thinking about what to do all morning to make up for yesterday. "We can even set up a melon lord and have one of the guards pretend to be Toph. Maybe after we can enjoy the hot spring."
"I like that plan," she grinned at him. "But I like the idea of sparring on the beach. And maybe later tonight we can indulge in the vintage fire whisky we found in the house last time we were here."
"That sounds even better," the firebender nodded as he looked at his wife. "Breakfast first?"
"Yes, I'm starving!" Katara exclaimed. With a quick look at each other, the two benders climbed out of bed to get dressed for the day.
"I'm not surprised, you missed lunch and dinner yesterday," Zuko commented as he dressed into training clothes behind one of the partitions.
"I was a little preoccupied," she retaliated as she dressed into her own training attire across the room, behind the other partition. "But I plan to make up for it this morning. And I hope you plan to make it up to me too. Might need another life-changing field trip."
"You got it," the Fire Lord chuckled as he stepped back into the main room. His wife followed shortly after him. Zuko took her hand and led her out of the room, "Let's see what's on the menu."
After breakfast the couple made their way outside, walking down the path together in comfortable silence. Both were unaware of the guards watching them as they moved. The newlyweds walked close to one another, their arms occasionally touching as they walked. Both benders discreetly took the other's appearance in as they moved down the path.
Once they reached the beach, each of them took to opposite ends to begin their sparring match.
"Do you remember the watermelon juice you and Suki made?" Zuko asked as he and his wife reminisced over their time during the war. They were on the roof indulging in the vintage fire whisky. "It was one of my favorite things."
The couple had spent half the day sparring and the other half in the hot spring. They told each other their perspectives of when they were on opposite sides of the war. Each was surprised to hear how the other bender perceived what was happening. They had a quiet dinner on the beach as a picnic, both not wanting a formal event. It had been an incredible day for the newlyweds, the island allowing them to let their guard down.
Once the moon had fully risen, the Fire Lord and Lady had climbed onto the roof with multiple bottles of fire whisky to indulge as they reminisced over their time on Ember Island.
"I do, I could probably make it again," Katara told him with a grin. She took a sip of the fire whisky.
"Do you think you could make it while we are here?" He asked eagerly as he downed the rest of his drink. Tonight was the most natural they had been since Sozin's Comet.
"If you want me to," she nodded with a smile. "I also remember finding the pictures of you and Lu Ten. And the clay handprint you made as a kid."
"I want to do that with our children," he muttered without thinking. He ignored her sharp inhale, pouring himself another drink before topping off hers. "Toph made the best sand sculptures, Aang's were always good but Toph's were incredible!"
"She made an entire replica of Ba Sing Se," the waterbender agreed as she took the glass back from her husband. "But you had to ruin it with attacking Aang."
"Poor Suki, I thought for sure Sokka would have butchered her betrothal necklace like he did everything else," Zuko laughed as he mentioned the sculpture of the Kyoshi Warrior. "But you know what I remember most?"
"What?" His wife asked as she poured them another drink. She couldn't remember what drink they were on.
"You surfing on the beach," the Fire Lord grinned at her. His body was feeling the alcohol, they had already finished off one bottle and had moved to a second about half an hour ago. "You would be in only your undergarments as you cut through the water, I could never look away from it."
"Really?" She slurred just slightly.
"Yes," he nodded his own words slurring. The fire whisky made him much more honest. "I was a sixteen/seventeen-year-old boy, in the presence of a beautiful girl. It was hypnotizing to watch you. Your figure was gorgeous then, but you really filled out over the years."
"You thought I was beautiful?" Katara questioned as she moved closer to him.
"I thought you were so beautiful, you still are," Zuko replied pulling her into his lap. "The past few days all I've been able to think about was having you beneath me. It's been driving me mad."
The Fire Lady's breath caught as she processed the words her husband said. Her entire body felt hot as he pressed her into him. She felt like she was too close and not close enough to him. Katara's hands went to the lapel of his shirt and pushed it off of him, she didn't know what possessed her to do it but she was not upset she had.
Zuko allowed her to strip him of his shirt. The waterbender adjusted the position she was sitting on his lap, causing her to straddle him. He could feel her hot core pressing against his growing erection.
"It's hot," she mumbled as the warm breeze whipped around them. Her hands pulled her hair up off her neck as she sat astride him, the action twisted her body beautifully.
"It's just us up here," Zuko mumbled as he went to remove the cropped shirt she had on. The Fire Lady did not put up a fight as her clothing was removed. He groaned when her breast fell out of her top, displaying pink nipples and no undergarment.
"Zuko," Katara begged as she pushed her naked chest against his. Her nipples pebbled at the contact of her skin against his.
"What do you need Katara?" His voice was husky and sensual as he looked up at the woman on top of him.
"Kiss me," she commanded as her sapphire eyes became hooded in arousal.
The Fire Lord did not need to be told twice. He wrapped his hands in her hair as he brought their mouths together in a hungry kiss.
Katara awoke to the birds chirping the next morning. She was groggy and confused as she sat up in bed. A quick survey of her body told her she was naked, wrapping herself in the sheet she looked next to her. She pulled her knees to her chest as she sat there, observing the man sleeping beside her.
Zuko was fast asleep on his back, one arm bent so his head was resting on his hand, the other arm draped across his lower stomach and a thin sheet covering his hips. His naked torso was on display for her. The morning sun filtered in through the window, causing the firebender's skin to heat.
This was the first morning since they were married that Katara awoke before her husband. His firebending caused him to wake when he felt the first rays of sunlight.
As she rested her head on her knees, she understood why Zuko liked watching her sleep in the morning. With him asleep, the waterbender could pretend that they were a blissfully married couple. And she could admire him without fear of the firebender catching her.
As the Fire Lady observed her husband, her memory began flashing with scenes of the night before. She remembered drinking on the roof. Zuko told her he had admired her years ago. Him removing her top, Katara commanding him to kiss her. The firebender pressing his erection into her heated core. Climbing down the roof and entering their bedroom as more clothes came off.
Zuko had trailed kisses down her body and she remembered his mouth on her most imitate area. But her face reddened when she recalled that she had done the same to him after she had reached her climax from his mouth.
Katara almost moaned as her mind recalled the feeling of him sliding into her. It had only been her second experience of intimacy but she thought it was better than the first.
Her memories caused her body to react, her natural lubrication began to form and goosebumps littered her skin. The waterbender had no idea that sex could feel that erotic and sensual at the same time.
She was brought out of her memories as he began to stir. His muscles rippled and flexed as he moved. The waterbender's breath caught as she looked at him. She was an incredibly lucky woman to be married to a man so handsome, even if he didn't love her.
"Katara?" The Fire Lord's voice was sleep-filled as he awoke. The waterbender rushed to climb out of bed and don the closest clothes to her. She was not ready to face him after their drunken night together. His eyes fell on her as they opened, surprised to see her awake before him. "What time is it?"
But she didn't respond, she was already halfway down the hall.
Zuko was surprised when his wife was no longer next to him. He sat up ready to dress and find her, yet was shocked to see he was naked.
"Fuck," he whispered to himself as the night came back to him. The firebender did not regret the sex with his wife, on the contrary, he was thrilled it had happened. Though within the first few moments of being awake he knew that Katara did not feel the same, and he was horrified he had taken advantage of her when she was drunk.
The Fire Lord flopped back down on the bed in agitation, they had only been on Ember Island for a few days and already his wife had taken to avoiding him again. He was turning out to be a terrible husband.
Zuko couldn't understand how other couples who had arranged marriages survived. Though the use of concubines came to mind, no one expected those couples to find carnal relief within one another.
He knew it was useless to run after his wife, she need time and space. He would go to her later after she had time to think. Instead, the Fire Lord called a servant to draw a bath and bring him breakfast. His head hurting from the drinking the night before. As he rested in the bath, he tried to recall every detail of the night before.
Unknown to him, Katara sat on the beach trying to do the same.
The waterbender was trying to remember where she was in her cycle and if she had bent Zuko's release out of her. She was not ready for the complication of having a baby just yet. There was still so much she needed to learn about being Fire Lady and Zuko's wife, the two benders were still walking on eggshells around each other, sure it had gotten better but it wasn't good yet. Katara didn't want to do any of that pregnant.
But most of all she didn't want to have a baby with a man who did not love her in return.
The Fire Lady let tears fall down her cheeks, she desperately wished her mother was there to counsel her and comfort her. Katara felt like she was turning out to be a horrible wife.
"I thought I might find you here," Zuko called as he walked down the beach toward his wife. He sat next to her silently.
The waterbender pulled her head out of her knees and looked out at the water, the sun was setting. She had been there all day.
"Hi," she greeted her voice rough from lack of use.
"Have you been here all day?" The Fire Lord waited for her confirming nod before he continued. "I'm assuming you haven't eaten anything. We can go back up to the house or I can have the servants bring us something out here. It wouldn't be good for the Fire Lady to get sick on her honeymoon."
"Can we stay out here?" Katara asked her husband, her tone was nervous and slightly apologetic.
"Of course," he nodded. He beckoned to the maidservant who came over at the motion instantly. "Giya would you please bring our dinner out to the beach. The Fire Lady and I want to enjoy the sunset together."
"Yes Fire Lord," the servant bowed before going to make the necessary arrangements.
"The servants probably think I'm crazy," she muttered looking anywhere but at him. "I keep running away from my husband on my honeymoon."
"It's not that uncommon," her husband shrugged. He bent one knee and stretched his other leg out in front of him. "Most nobility have arranged marriages. Meaning, that after their wedding night and perhaps one or two nights on their honeymoon they tend to spend their time apart. I don't think we are doing anything outside the norm to them."
"I don't want to be leaving a bad impression though," she whispered brushing her hair out of her face. "I am their Fire Lady now and I want them to respect me."
"They will respect you," Zuko encouraged her with a bump of his shoulder to her shoulder. "And you will do a fabulous job fighting for their rights
"What makes you think I will fight for their rights?" Katara picked at the sand next to her.
"Because I know you, Katara," he spoke confidently. His voice was warm and sure, wrapping around her in the breeze. "You fight for those who need it the most and that isn't the nobility, it's the common people. The Painted Lady chose you to do her work."
"What?" The waterbender inquired in surprise as she looked at him in confusion.
"In the Fire Nation, if a spirit comes to you after a deed has been done. Typically a good deed," Zuko began as he looked at her. "It is them choosing you to do their work here."
"That's a lot of responsibility," his wife squirmed as she turned to look at the waves crashing ashore.
"Not for someone who helped end the hundred-year war," her husband retorted with a teasing tone. She smiled slightly at him as her only response. The two sit quietly, listening to the rolling waves and sounds of the beach.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara, your dinner is served," Giya announces about thirty minutes later. She gestures to the table set about twenty feet away from them before taking her leave. The two benders stand at the announcement and walk the short distance to sit at the table that had been prepared for them.
"Are we going to talk about it?" Zuko questioned his wife halfway through eating their meal.
"Talk about what?" Katara stared down at the rice on her plate.
"Katara," the Fire Lord stated his voice authoritative. Her sapphire eyes flashed to his gold eyes. "You know what about. This morning you couldn't get away from me fast enough."
"I was scared to see how you would react," she whispered looking out at the water. "And a little embarrassed by what happened. I basically threw myself at you."
"Katara, look at me please," he waited until blue eyes met his. "You have nothing to be afraid or embarrassed about. And you did not throw yourself at me. I was not only an equal and active participant but also an enthusiastic one."
The Fire Lord watched as her cheeks pinked prettily at his words. He wanted her to know that he was not ashamed of what had happened and he had also enjoyed it. Zuko knew she did not love him, but he hoped he would be able to woo her through their intimate relations. And he couldn't do that if she ran away every time they had sex that was not planned.
"Oh," Katara mumbled looking away from him.
"Did you not have a good experience last night? Did I hurt you?" The firebender voiced his fears as he looked at his wife. He had been intoxicated last night, he would hate to have hurt her in the throes of passion. But it was not something he could rule out. Zuko had heard stories from his guards of firebenders who had accidentally burned their partners in the bedroom.
"No!" She exclaimed throwing her hands up to stop his train of thought. "It was incredible, I never knew it could be like that. But I just don't know how to act around you or how to do this. It's not as if I've ever been married before."
"And you think I do?" He teased her with a dark and throaty chuckle. "This is all new to me too. I have never been married before either. We talked about this, learning how to make our marriage work for us. We discussed doing it so much we never actually did it."
"I guess so," the waterbender responded looking at her husband with a small smile. Her nerves and anxiety settling. "So we should probably discuss it."
"I think that's a great idea," he gave her a crooked smile. He looked down at their finished dinner and then back at the house. "Do you want to do it here or on the roof?"
The Fire Lady looked at her husband, a twinkle in her sapphire eyes. Zuko was unsurprised at the words she spoke next. With a grin, Katara answered, "On the roof."
Both benders stood and made their way up the path to the house. The moon was rising as they walked in silence toward the summer palace. Both of them noticed the servants traveling in the opposite direction to clean up their dinner. As Zuko passed Malu, he instructed the guard that the newlyweds were turning in for the night. The couple had been able to keep their rooftop rendezvous quiet from the servants and wanted to continue that.
Once inside their room, the two benders moved toward the back window to climb on top of the roof.
Zuko sat first and opened his legs, gesturing for his wife to sit between them. The Fire Lady apprehensively moved to sit in his embrace, leaning against his strong body as she settled. His arms wrapped around her lightly.
"Promise me something," Zuko murmured into her hair. "Promise me that you won't run away from me again. I don't want you to leave anytime something happens between us. It won't help if we don't communicate. From now on, no matter how uncomfortable we stay and talk about it."
Katara felt incredibly guilty at that moment. Both she and Zuko had been abandoned by their parents, specifically their mothers. It did not do them any good to run off from the other when upset. The Fire Lord respected her enough not to flee when things got difficult, she should do the same for him.
"I promise to not run away again," the waterbender vowed. Her heart was heavy in her chest, "I'm so sorry Zuko. That was wrong of me."
"No use getting upset about it now," he brushed her off. He had been upset by her reaction, though he understood it. The firebender did not want his wife to go into this conversation feeling guilty.
"Still, I am sorry," she repeated.
"I know you are," he nodded. The Fire Lord cleared his throat, "But, I do want to talk about our relationship. More specifically the physical aspect of it. We know we will be sharing a room and a bed."
"Yes," Katara agreed with a deep breath. Her hands going to play with a lock of hair as he spoke. It was an unspoken rule that they would be honest with each other on the roof.
"I guess the first question is how much physical contact would you like?" Zuko inquired lightly. He was terrified she would say that she didn't want any physical contact unless it was in the creation of an heir.
"Honestly, I have no idea," she replied dejectedly. She wasn't sure how to tell him that she wanted physical contact without giving her feelings away. Instead, she settled on something slightly vague but no less truthful, "I've never really been in a physical relationship with someone. But I don't want it to feel forced or be so sporadic that it feels uncomfortable."
The Fire Lord thought over her words, she wasn't saying that she didn't want any. The waterbender just grew up in a very different culture, he figured she didn't know how to communicate her needs. He thought back over to their time on his Flagship, the last half of their journey he would come up and kiss her when he wanted. Or hold her hand while they walked. It all seemed very comfortable and romantic.
"Did you like how we were on the journey to Caldera from the South Pole?" He finally asked thoughtfully.
"Yeah, I did," Katara smiled lightly as she thought back to him cuddling her on the ship and how he would come up to her to kiss her. She loved the physical attention he gave her during that time. It was part of the reason she hated arriving in Caldera, the formality of the Fire Nation court lost the intimacy the coupled created on their journey.
"Well let's get back to that then," Zuko suggested. His voice came out a lot stronger than he felt. In his mind though, if he could bring back the intimacy they had cultivated on the ship it would aid him in wooing his wife. He hated walking on eggshells around his waterbender.
The Fire Lady cleared her throat twice before asking the main question on both of their minds, "What about sex? How often would you want to be intimate?"
"I don't want anything to be forced," the firebender began. He needed to tread softly and not scare his wife off. If he was completely honest, he wanted to be in bed with her as often as she would let him. Yet he had a feeling that might not be well received.
"Cut it out Zuko," the waterbender scolded him instantly. She could tell he wasn't giving his honest opinion.
"What?"
"You're doing that weird hesitant response thing you do when you don't want to admit something," his wife rolled her eyes. She couldn't stand that he was trying to protect her. She wanted him to be truthful no matter what his answer was. "Just be honest, that's the rule of the roof."
"You were vague too," Zuko retaliated as he looked down at her.
"I was not!" She exclaimed crossing her arms over her chest, causing her breasts to push forward and up. "You are the only person I have done anything other than kiss, I don't know what it's like to have a physical relationship. My answer was honest, yours isn't. I know you, Zuko, you just don't want to scare me off, but you're the one with experience here."
"Fine," the Fire Lord grumbled before beginning to rant. "I like sex with you, I like it a lot! I've never had an experience that good before and last night was even better than the first night. I'm not going to go into details about my past experience, but I know that I like regular sex. And now I have a wife, whom I'm extremely attracted and I want to be intimate with her a lot more often. But only if you want to have sex with me because I don't want to be with someone if they don't want to be with me!"
He was breathing heavily by the time he finished speaking and Katara could feel her back becoming hot as his body increased in temperature.
"Okay," she replied softly after processing the words of her husband. She didn't know how to make sense of him expressing his interest in her intimately. "Maybe we can try to find a rhythm that works for us. Just go with the flow and initiate when the moment feels right?"
"We can do that," he agreed as he thought over her suggestion. Zuko was thrilled that his wife had taken his rant so well. He liked her idea of just doing what felt right at the moment and not overthinking it.
"Probably could have saved ourselves a lot of trouble if we had done this earlier," Katara giggled as she thought about how silly they had been.
"Not really our style to do the easy thing," her husband chuckled.
She looked beautiful, the Fire Lord thought to himself. The newlyweds were on the beach, enjoying the evening sunset. Zuko was reclined on the blanket that had been laid out in the sand for them and his wife was in front of him wrapped around the waves.
The royal couple was coming to the last few days of their honeymoon, it had been a week since their drunken night together. Both of them had become more acquainted with the other's body. During the day there were many soft kisses and touches initiated when either party felt appropriate, at night there had been many more intimate acts. Both were pleased they were not the only one introducing contact in their bed.
Katara was in a very small bathing suit that left little to the imagination and Zuko loved it. He watched her manipulate her element in ways he had never seen before. It was clear to him that she was bending the water just for the fun of it. A content smile on her face as she moved.
The Fire Lord looked around and caught the eye of Malu who was doing his best to stay in the shadows, giving the illusion of privacy. Zuko jerked his head in the direction of the house. He knew they would be safe on the private beach and wanted the opportunity to be alone with his wife. The Captain nodded back to his lord and left the couple on the beach.
Zuko's eyes traveled back to his wife once he knew they were alone.
Her hair was damp and sticking around her as she twirled the water up her thick and curvy body. He could see her nipples pebbled against the fabric and her skin glistened in the setting sun. She spun with the water as it climbed up her body and then back down. The firebender sucked in a breath as he saw that the bottoms of the swimsuit had slipped between the two full globes leaving her backside on display.
The sight was sensual and slightly erotic. Zuko felt his body respond to the image. He had the urge to take her, right there on the beach.
Katara knew her husband was watching her. She also knew that she was putting herself on display for him. The waterbender wanted him to admire her.
"Are you going to watch or do something about it?" The Fire Lady called to her husband. She was secretly thrilled that she could arouse her husband.
"I'm okay with watching," his voice came out husky. Gold eyes darkened as he watched her. "I like this bending practice."
The Fire Lord was rewarded with the peals of laughter from his wife. He watched as the water dropped around her and she walked toward him with an extra sway in her hips. Zuko sat up as she came closer to him, her wet body looked incredible in the golden hour of sunlight.
Katara settled so she was on her knees, straddling his upper thighs. Her suggestion came out throaty, "You could always join me."
"I don't think I could make my firebending look as sensual as your waterbending," he replied his breath fanning over her face. He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and his gold eyes darkened as he looked at his wife, "But perhaps it's not the bending but you. It makes me want to do many indecent things to you."
The waterbender sucked in a breath at his words. No matter how much she wanted it, she was still unused to Zuko expressing his sexual desire for her. "Oh!"
"Does that make you uncomfortable?" His eyes softened as he took in her surprised expression.
"Yes, no," she shook her head. Katara was unsure how to express her feelings to his words. She was still learning how desire affected her and what things she liked. "I don't know."
The Fire Lord noticed how her breathing was a bit labored and how she shifted her thick thighs against his legs. Zuko was no stranger to how arousal affected the female body. He sat up straighter and then wrapped his arms around her body. The movement caused her to shift so her core was pressed against his growing erection.
"Does it make you hot?" He whispered, his hands playing with the tie of her bathing suit. He could smell the ocean and Katara, it was intoxicating.
"Umm," she moaned, her sapphire eyes fluttering closed. The waterbender could feel him against her. Her nipples felt hard and her core clenched. His words only added to her arousal.
"Come on, waterbender," he coaxed her. Zuko rocked her against him, her eyes opened and she whimpered. "Tell me how it makes you feel."
"Umm it makes me," her words were breathy. His eyes were heady as he looked at her, she couldn't focus while he looked at her like that. Katara's eyes closed again as she tried to put her feelings into words. "It makes me hot and . . ."
"And what?" Her husband encouraged her. He undid the tie of her swimsuit and let her top fall from her body. His hands were hot as they skimmed up her back. Zuko touched his forehead to hers. "Come on, waterbender. Tell me how it feels."
"Wet," she moaned quietly. The waterbender could feel her body's natural lubrication pooling between her legs. She shifted against his hardening length.
"Good girl." He thrust up against her so she could feel every inch of him between her legs. He could feel the heat between her legs and the wetness seeping through the fabric. "What do you need waterbender?"
"Ummm oh," she was breathy. Her head fell back and her hair touched the tops of his thighs. The waterbender was unsure how to answer his question, she was still learning her own desires. "I don't know."
"Do you want me to kiss you, Katara?" Zuko asked his wife. The firebender looked at the long column of her throat and the way her back arched showcased her bare breasts. He ran his hands up her waist and cupped her breasts. His thumbs brushed against her nipples.
"Oh!" She hesitated as she pushed her body into his hands. She looked back at him and licked her lips. "Yes, please."
The Fire Lord's lips captured hers in an erotic kiss. His hands tangled in her hair at to the back of her neck and pressed her head to his. She tasted like the ocean and his tongue snaked into her mouth. Her body felt hot as she pressed against him. Katara whimpered as her breast pressed against his naked chest. Her legs widened as he pushed his erection against her core.
"Zuko," she mumbled against his mouth. She needed more but was still uncomfortable asking for what she wanted. Her hands gripped his biceps and she rocked against him.
He pulled away to let her breathe and trailed kisses down the column of her throat. Katara moaned when he found the right spot. His teeth grazed her pulse point and he was rewarded by her turning her neck to allow him better access. The firebender wanted to leave another love bite on her neck.
"I love the taste of your skin," Zuko told her. His hands moved from her hair down to her waist before cupping her backside. The firebender played with the bottoms of her swimsuit, he wanted them off of her.
"Uh," the waterbender moaned loudly. The Fire Lord took one of her nipples in his mouth as his hands worked to remove her bottoms. She could feel herself dripping down her thighs and was almost positive her husband could feel it too. "Please Zuko!"
"I got you, Katara," he whispered as he moved back to kiss her throat. His hands had untied the sides of her bottom leaving her bare. Her sapphire eyes looked into his golden ones as she rocked against him.
"Too many clothes," she mumbled as she rubbed her naked core against the bulge beneath her.
"We can fix that," her husband comforted sensually. With her help, Zuko was able to remove his swimsuit. The firebender groaned as he felt her wet and heated core slide along his length. He leaned back and adjusted his position so the head of his cock could slip into her tight body.
"Oh!" The waterbender exclaimed loudly. She threw her head back and tried to reach for something to brace herself on. His hands grabbed hers to steady her so she could slide all the way down. Katara felt her body adjust to his size as she took him as deep as she could. "Tui and La!"
"That's a good girl," Zuko moaned as he felt her envelop him. Her body always gripped him perfectly. He had a brief thought that the only way they could fit so well together as if they had been made for each other.
After taking a few minutes to adjust to his size, the Fire Lady began to raise and lower herself. It took her a couple of thrusts before she found a rhythm that felt good. Her hands gripped his tightly as she moved up and down against him. Her husband watched as the waterbender's breasts bounced with each thrust. His breathing was labored along with hers as she worked them both toward their release.
"Zuko," Katara whimpered. She needed more, one of her hands left him to cup her breast. Her fingertips played with her nipple. The Fire Lord watched as she writhed above him in pleasure. Her body glistened against the fading light. Her sapphire eyes looked down at him, "Talk!"
"Hmmm, you liked that waterbender?" Her husband questioned huskily. He hadn't been sure if she liked his dirty talk but he was pleased she was asking him.
"Yes," she drew out the word as she continued bouncing on top of him. Zuko sucked his thumb into his mouth before placing it against her clit being sure to draw circles as she bounced on top of him.
"Ride me waterbender," he spoke his voice throaty. He kept up the ministrations on her body as she moved up and down. "That's a good girl, Katara."
"Tui and La!" Her head was thrown back as a new flood of wetness dripped out of her onto her husband. Katara's hair brushed against the top of his legs.
"You look so sexy on top of me. And you so good riding me, waterbender," Zuko dirty talked. His eyes trailed up from where they were connected to her blue eyes. He took in her toned stop and the way she played with her breast. Her mouth was slightly open and she was making the most wonderful sounds.
"Zuko," she moaned as she tilted her hips and felt him hit a spot inside of her that made her see stars.
"That's it, waterbender," her husband coaxed her. He began meeting her thrusts. The moon was rising and she looked stunning in the moonlight. "You feel so good around me. So tight and wet."
"Zuko please," Katara cried out as she raced toward her climax.
"Tell me what you need, waterbender," Zuko was sure to add more pressure to her clit as he continued to circle it. He felt her walls flutter around him.
"I need, ugh, Tui," she was panting with each thrust. Her eyes squeezed shut, "I'm so close to — fuck, I just need . . ."
"Let go, Katara."
"Tui and La," she licked her lips and she sped up her bouncing. She was so close to her release.
"Open your eyes, waterbender. Look at me as you come," the Fire Lord commanded almost harshly. Her eyes snapped open and gazed down at her. "That's a good girl, waterbender. Come for me Katara."
"Fuck, Tui and La," the Fire Lady moaned. Her back arched and her body clamped down on her husband's cock. She writhed on top of him as she reached her climax. Katara swore she felt her desire rain out of her.
"Agni!" Zuko watched as a flood of her wetness poured down on his cock as she came hard. The sight caused his release to quickly follow.
The waterbender fell on top of her husband in exhaustion. Her eyes were closed as she rested her head on his chest. "Wow. That was . . ."
"Yeah," he agreed his eyes closed and he clutched her tightly to him. The firebender loved feeling her body against his. The cool evening breeze blew over them.
"Tui and La! Did Malu watch all of that?" Her head snapped up to look at him.
"No," he chuckled softly and shook his head. "I sent him away before you even climbed on top of me and had your way with me."
"I didn't hear you complaining," she rolled off of him and sat up crossing her over her chest. Unintentionally pushing her breasts forward.
"Trust me, waterbender, you can have your way with me anytime you want," his eyes darkened in the moonlight. Her breathing caught at the nickname he had used during their coupling. "But frankly, I think I would rather ravish you."
"Now? But we just," Katara stuttered her sapphire eyes wide as she looked at her naked husband. She could hardly believe that he was ready to go again.
"Unless you don't want to, waterbender," his voice was husky but he was giving her a choice. Zuko would never force her and if she told him no, he would gladly carry her home so they could clean up and go to bed.
The Fire Lady felt her body reacting as she heard the nickname again. Her voice was soft and swallowed in the island breeze, "I want to."
Her husband pounced on her, rolling her onto her back him on top. He wanted to spend the rest of the night making love to her on the beach.
"This is probably the first Fire Nation festival you've been to, isn't it?" Zuko commented as he walked hand and hand with his wife through the festival. The bangles he had gifted her clanked as they walked, he noticed immediately she was wearing them this morning.
"Actually it's the second," Katara corrected as she pulled him toward one of the vendors selling fire flakes. The Fire Lord paid the vendor for the snack and looped his arm through her's so he could hold the bag while allowing it to be accessible for both of them to reach.
"What was the first?" He questioned as he led them through the streets.
"Do you remember when you came after us with Jun? When we fought you at the convent?" She waited for his confirmation before finishing the story. "Well, after that we ended up in this village during the Fire Days. Aang wanted to see some firebending firsthand. Of course, we got caught but that's where we met Jeong Jeong, who agreed to teach Aang."
"Right, when we found the White Lotus I remember you mentioned that he was Aang's first firebending teacher," Zuko nodded as he followed her story. It was fascinating to hear her perspective of those days and everything that had happened which he was not privy to. He felt as if they were sharing a secret when they spoke of the early days.
"Zhao ended up finding us and of course, we had to get away from him," she continued the story. Her voice was nostalgic as she remembered the freedom of traveling with the avatar. "I guess you wouldn't know about that because we didn't see you again until the North Pole."
"Did you know Zhao tried to murder me so he could get to Aang first?" The Fire Lord blurted out as she looked at some of the jewelry on display. He tossed the empty bag of fire flakes into a nearby trash bin.
"What?" She whirled around to look at him in shock. Her arm looping back through her husband's, she touched him like she needed to make sure he was alive. "When?"
"A few weeks before the North Pole?" He mussed as he began walking them deeper into the festival. "He took my crew for the siege and hired the pirates to blow up my ship. I barely was able to escape into the water. Uncle helped smuggle me onto one of Zhao's ships and he stayed to be an advisor to him. It was just an excuse to make sure I was safe."
"Is that why you had so many cuts and bruises at the oasis?" She let him lead her toward the games that were being played a little way down. Katara was enthralled with his version of events.
"Yeah, hadn't fully healed by the time we got there," Zuko let out a dark chuckle. "But I was the banished prince at the time, there wasn't much I could do."
"I guess we never realized what you had to go through on the flip side," the waterbender mumbled. She had never thought about what he was going through the entire time he chased them. Katara had just assumed he was having an easy time, but really Zuko had to fight for everything. Just like them.
"Everything happened the way it was supposed to," he shrugged as they walked. He would not have changed anything, it brought him to her. "I'm glad for having been banished, it gave me perspective on what my nation was doing. And it's made me a better Fire Lord."
"I think it's made you an incredible Fire Lord," his wife complimented him with a quick kiss on his cheek. The couple stopped at another jewelry vendor and Zuko purchased a golden hairpin for his wife after he saw her admiring it.
He guided her toward another vendor, the sun hot in the afternoon heat. The Fire Lord turned to his wife, "Have you ever had cherry-berry lemonade?"
"No," she replied as she looked at the drinks for sale. They all looked incredible.
"It's delicious," her husband told her. He turned to the merchant and purchased them each a lemonade. Handing one to his wife and keeping one for himself.
"Wow," Katara muttered in surprise after her first sip, her mouth watered as she sucked down the sweet liquid. "That's amazing!"
"I told you," he chuckled. He led her back into the masses of people in the festival, pointing out different things as they moved through the streets.
"What was your first festival?" His wife asked him a little while later. "We didn't really have any in the South Pole, so the only reference I have was from the Fire Days one."
"My first one I'm not sure but the first one I remember was actually with my father and mother. Azula was there too," Zuko replied thoughtfully, his mind traveling back in time to a happy memory. "I think I was about six, Azula had just turned three. She couldn't say my name, which is actually why she calls me ZuZu."
"So that's where it comes from," Katara smiled at the pleased look on his face.
"I remember it was one of the few times my family was happy," he mumbled lost in his memory. "I had just begun firebending, Azula hadn't learned anything yet. So it was before she became the favorite. My father took me to play this game where you throw fireballs at a specific target."
Zuko cut off his memory harshly and looked around at the different games presented around the festival. His arm tightened around his wife's as he caught sight of what he was looking for and pulled her with him to a specific booth.
"What are we doing?" She questioned with a giggle. As she looked at the game in front of her.
"This was the first festival game I ever played," Zuko explained to her. His gold eyes reflected the fire burning around them. "The objective is to throw a fireball through the rings to the target, as you can see the rings are not straight but in a pattern. The key is to only make a mark on the insignia at the center and not have your flame touch the rings. It's incredibly difficult, but most parents let their children play because their fire ends before the second ring. It also gives fathers, mostly, an opportunity to show off for their children."
"Can you show me?" Katara asked hesitantly.
The Fire Lord nodded turning to pay for the game. The man in charge explained the rules and how Zuko had three tries to hit the insignia. As the Fire Lord waited patiently through the explanation, he was unaware that a crowd had been drawn. Everyone wanted to see their Lord play a game. Once he had the clearance from the game's master, Zuko threw the first fireball seamlessly through the rings. The insignia lighting within seconds.
The crowd cheered to see their Fire Lord displaying such skill. The other two attempts moved just as well as the first.
As for the Fire Lady, she had rarely seen her husband just bend for fun. Sure they had sparred together but he always was so serious. Zuko never just let himself experience joy with his bending. Today was the first time Katara saw him firebending just because he wanted to. And for nothing other than just enjoyment. She suspected he didn't even realize he had an easy smile on his face the entire time.
"Wow," the waterbender whispered as he rejoined her. "That was incredible! It looked like so much fun."
"It was a lot of fun," he agreed as he looked back at the game. He noticed the crowd around them and held her hand to lead her through the thicket of people. "Ozai was a monster, but I had a few good memories of him. He taught me how to play the game and with every attempt, I made Azula would giggle. She was one of my favorite people at that time."
"What else did you do?" Katara inquired as they walked through the vendors again.
"I remember watching the fireworks, my father had left us," he mussed trying to remember the finer details of that day. "But Iroh and Lu Ten had joined us. Uncle lifted me onto his shoulders so I could have a better view of the show. I remember Lu Ten buying me a practice sword and Azula candy."
For a brief moment, Zuko wondered if his sister had a sweet tooth because of their late cousin. Lu Ten had doted on both of his younger cousins, never having had siblings he treated the two as if they were his brother and sister. The firebender had become a swordmaster because he had seen his older cousin practicing and every time he pulled out the Dao blades it reminded him of the older man. Was candy the way Azula kept Lu Ten alive?
"That sounds like such a happy time," the Fire Lady rested her head on his shoulder as they walked, unaware of her husband's thoughts. "Do you think we will be able to take our children to the festival?"
"I will make sure we do," the Fire Lord placed a soft kiss on the top of her head as they walked.
"This is much different than last time," Katara laughed as they settled into the royal box in the Ember Island theater. It was opening night for the revised play The Boy in the Iceberg.
"You mean sneaking in wasn't the same as sitting in the Fire Lord's box?" Zuko commented with a shake of his head and a light chuckle. The two were dressed regally, having been invited formally to the play. The Fire Lord went so far as to insist they take the palanquin to the theater.
"Surprisingly no," she grinned at him. The royal box offered comforts and perks that their nose bleed seats during the war did not. While Katara still struggled with being waited on and having servants, she secretly admitted that she liked the comforts of royal life.
The lights dimmed and the play began, both benders cringed to see that the play version of Katara was still crying about hope. Though they both giggled when they saw that Aang was still played by a girl.
"The scar is still on the wrong side," Zuko ground his teeth when his actor came on stage. "I thought by now it would be fixed."
"Oh," his wife muttered next to him when she saw the play writer had added more love scenes to her and Zuko's storyline. The play made it seem that the banished Prince had purposely allowed the Avatar to get away because of the illicit affair with the waterbending Princess.
"Well, that's one way to tell the story. If only I could blame it on purposely not capturing you because I was so enthralled with the Southern Water Tribe Princess," the Fire Lord flirted with his wife causing her to smile coquettishly at him. His confidence soared at that small action.
"Tui and La," the waterbender groaned when Jet went on stage. She wished she could take back how infatuated she was with him at the time. Katara hated that she looked like such a silly girl with all these love interests.
"By your reaction I'm assuming he was your first kiss, considering Aang didn't kiss you until the invasion," her husband teased. He was rewarded with a sharp look, her brows narrow and blue eyes full of fire. She was going to get him back for that at some point tonight.
"Excuse me, Mr. Blue Spirit," Katara taunted her husband when the Blue Spirit came into the play. "Did you fail to mention that perhaps the reason Zhao wanted to kill you was because you freed Aang?"
"Minor detail," he grinned at her with a quick wink.
The newlyweds continued to watch the play, occasionally making comments to each other about the depiction. It was obvious their love story had been exaggerated from the last time they saw the play. Both figured it was due to their recent marriage.
The main difference of the play came from the ending, this time instead of the Fire Nation citizens cheering for their death. The audience cheered when the Avatar subdued Ozai and the banished prince took out his manic sister.
"That's not exactly what happened," Katara crossed her arms over her chest when she noticed the play showed Zuko taking down Azula.
"Aang is played by a girl and Toph is played by a man," the Fire Lord tried to comfort his wife. Though he could understand her frustration. "They aren't exactly known for accuracy."
"That's true," she contested with a sigh. He did have a point. "At least this time we aren't all killed off."
"I don't think we would have been invited to opening night if that were the case," Zuko teased her. He had wanted to see the reaction of his people at the new ending of the play. "Though it seemed our love story was more of the focus than before and you had fewer love interests this time."
"I guess the Fire Nation doesn't want to think of their Fire Lady being impure," she giggled with him.
The couple was brought out of their conversation when they heard the play write come onto the stage. Each of the actors bowed when their name was called before the writer thanked the audience for coming to opening night.
"And as a special treat, Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Katara have taken time off of their honeymoon to join us for opening night," the play writer announced gesturing to the royal box. "Thank you for attending our production, I hope you enjoyed it!"
The audience turned to the royal box, waiting for the reaction of the royal couple.
"Don't speak," Zuko instructed Katara quietly, his mouth not moving. The Fire Lord nodded solemnly after a moment and rose his hand to signal the play writer to continue his speech. After everyone had been thanked and the theater had cleared almost completely, the newlyweds were free to journey back home.
The Fire Lord helped his wife into the palanquin before climbing in next to her. The Fire Lady was still getting used to the aspect of being royalty and was grateful that Zuko was being so patient with her.
"I wonder what Sokka would say if he knew we went back," Katara speculated on the ride home.
"Probably would tell us that we were crazy or be jealous he couldn't come too," Zuko chuckled as he looked across at her. It was the first time since their wedding he had seen her with the crown, he thought she looked beautiful. He noticed her hand went to play with her engagement ring as she looked outside at the scenery.
"We leave in a couple of days right?" The waterbender questioned as she looked outside, the thought of leaving had been heavy on her mind. Katara did not want the intimacy they had created to vanish once they left the island. Her husband might not love her, but at least he liked being with her physically. It hurt a little but she would much prefer some form of a relationship than none at all.
"Yes," the Fire Lord nodded. His thoughts were along the same lines as his wife's. "We will be home for two months, finding a rhythm that works for us. But then we have our wedding tour."
"How long is that?" She questioned her husband. The Fire Lady had been keeping a secret from her husband and it had been slowly driving her mad. She knew that the best place to tell him was here on the island in their bubble of bliss. But she didn't know-how.
"About six weeks," he explained. His hand going to rest on her knee. "Katara are you alright? You were fine at the festival and at the play, but something is bothering you."
"Zuko, sometimes you are too observant for your own good," she sighed before her eyes met his dark golden ones. His brow was furrowed in concern as he looked at his wife.
"You can tell me anything," he coaxed lightly.
"That night," Katara waited for his gentle nod, confirming he knew which night she was speaking about. "I didn't, umm." She made a gesture with her hand.
"Oh," Zuko coughed as he understood her meaning. "I wish you would have told me sooner. The Fire Nation has teas that help within the first forty-eight hours. But I guess it's a little late for that."
"I know I told you I wanted to wait so we could figure everything out in our marriage and now I forgot to do one simple bending trick and," she was beginning to hyperventilate at the thought of having a baby so soon. The Fire Lady wanted children but not now!
"Katara," Zuko grabbed her hands from where they were messing with her betrothal necklace. "Take a deep breath! It was only one time and you aren't the only one responsible, I should have mentioned something the next day too. But no matter what happens we will figure it out together."
The waterbender took a deep breath at her husband's instruction. She didn't know why she was feeling so emotionally lately. It could have been from the emotional fatigue she felt from marrying the man she loved in an arranged marriage. Or it could have been from the fact that becoming Fire Lady had been stressed and starting in a few days she would have to lead a nation.
Whatever the reason, Katara knew that keeping her feelings to herself was eating her alive. She made a decision at that moment, on their first anniversary she would tell her husband how she felt about him. The waterbender knew that she could not live the rest of her life this way.
The Fire Lord hated how stressed his wife had been lately. He wished that he could be a better husband to her but the only way to do that was to admit his feelings. And he knew that if he did it now she would not be able to handle it. Maybe once she felt more comfortable in her role as his wife and Fire Lady then Zuko could confess his feelings for her. But not today.
Notes:
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See you April 15th, 2022 :)
Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen: Winter 103 AG
Notes:
Welcome back to Kisses of Fire and Ice! I know this chapter is coming very late in the day, we were having some technical difficulties uploading. But we finally got it posted :)
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I hope you all enjoy it! Happy Reading!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Sixteen: Winter 103 AG
Katara was surprised to see the number of people waiting for their return as the ship docked in Caldera. Zuko had not mentioned they would have a welcoming party but she should have assumed they would.
The waterbender looked down at her clothes, she wore a similar outfit she had worn when they were hiding in the Fire Nation years ago. Though this time her clothes were in black and gold, not a solid red. She wasn't sure if what she was wearing was appropriate to greet the assembled people. Her stomach rolled with the nerves of stepping into her new role.
"You look beautiful," Zuko came up next to his wife, he had seen her appraise her appearance. He was also dressed casually, it reminded her of how he looked when meeting them at the Western Air Temple. The only difference, he wore his hair in a top knot with the crown fully in place.
"I didn't expect such a large crowd," she mumbled looking at her husband. Her hand going to play with a lock of her hair. The waterbender was thrilled she could wear her hair mostly down in the Fire Nation. Mai had explained she would always have to have some form of a top knot for the crown, but she could wear it anyway with the top knot.
"I was hoping we wouldn't have one, but was prepared just in case," the Fire Lord explained as he stood in front of her. His hand's carrying her crown, he placed it in the top knot. The action was extremely intimate to any outside observer. "Don't worry so much about what you wear, it's only important for certain events. The main thing is the crown."
"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko," Katara rolled her eyes teasingly at him. She giggled when he lightly flicked the tip of her nose in retaliation. He hadn't told her that he wished she would call him by his title in the bedroom. For a reason he did not know, hearing her address him so formally caused the flame of arousal to course through his body.
"My Lord, My Lady," Jee greeted the couple at the front of the ship. "We have successfully docked, we are ready for you to disembark whenever you are ready."
"Thank you, Jee," Zuko nodded to the admiral before turning back to his wife. He hoped that explaining they had family waiting would help settle her fears. "Are you ready? I'm sure Uncle and mother are waiting for us."
"I'm ready," she replied looping her arm through his. The couple disembarked the ship regally. Katara smiled and waved to those who called out to her, Zuko kept his face impassive as they walked toward their family. From the corner of her eye, she noticed some palanquins off to the side.
"Nephew!" Iroh exclaimed as the couple came close enough. "Katara, it's so good to see you both."
"Hello Uncle," Zuko greeted the man with a nod before turning to do the same to his mother. "Mother, it's good to see you. I hope all our guests departed safely."
Katara made a face at how formal her husband was being in front of the crowd. The royal guard was lining the area to keep everyone at bay, slowly pushing the people back giving the royal family a wide berth. The Fire Lady was annoyed with the formality her husband was displaying it wasn't as if anyone could hear them.
"Zuko tends to excel at formality," Ursa explained to her daughter-in-law when she caught the look. The older woman stepped forward to embrace Katara quickly, Ursa knew how that would be seen by the public. She wanted to do everything she could to help the waterbender.
"I think it's worse now that he's Fire Lord," Katara teased her husband with a laugh at his expense.
"You might be right," Ursa laughed with her. The tribeswoman would do wonders for the Fire Nation, she thought to herself. "How was your trip? Did you enjoy the house? It was one of my favorite places."
"The house was beautiful as always," the waterbender grinned up at her husband. If she had been privy to his feelings, she would have noticed how his expression softened as he looked at her. Her eyes glimmered in mirth as she teased him, "This time it stayed in one piece."
Zuko rolled his eyes, he was happy his mother and wife were getting along. Even if they were bonding at his expense. He gave his wife an exasperated look and a heavy sigh, "Well this time I wasn't training a thirteen-year-old avatar, who was responsible for saving the world, in firebending."
"That might have had something to do with the house getting destroyed," Katara agreed with a twinkle in her eyes as she looked up at her husband. She turned toward her in-laws, "All Aang wanted to do was play on the beach. He found it much more fun than practicing his firebending."
"Too much responsibility for one so young," Iroh mused to himself mostly. His thoughts were traveling down the path of what could have been. He closed his eyes briefly to stop the thought process, he could not change the choices of the past only those decisions yet to be made. Turning back to the newlyweds, "I am sure you are both tired from the journey, shall we make our way to the palace?"
"Yes, we have a big day tomorrow," Zuko nodded taking Katara's hand in his. Tomorrow would be the Fire Lady's first day with the royal council.
The firebender led his wife over to the large much more ornate palanquin, helping her step inside quickly. The Fire Lord nodded to the old general who was helping the Fire Lord's mother into their own palanquin. Zuko joined his wife and once situated, altered the pole-bearers they were ready to depart.
The royal couple could hear the cries of excitement from the crowd as they rode through the city streets.
"Will it always be like this?" The waterbender questioned her husband as she looked out at the cheering people. She watched the way that everyone tried to peek into the palanquin and catch a glimpse of the couple.
"The crowd?" He clarified looking at her, his fingertips brushing her arm in a soothing manner. Even though it got on his nerves, the Fire Lord was used to all the attention. "There will always be some semblance of it, but it will die down in a little bit. They haven't had a Fire Lady since my grandmother, the people are excited."
"Ty Lee made a comment that the Fire Lord is for the country but the Fire Lady was for the people," Katara mumbled looking out at her citizens. There was still so much to learn about the nation she now was responsible for. "I'm starting to understand what that means."
"After our wedding tour, the crowds will die down," Zuko comforted his wife. He figured now was as good of a time as any to bring up a request he had. "Until then, I would prefer if we used the palanquin. I know you don't like it, but it's for your safety."
"I'm a master waterbender, Zuko," his wife grumbled crossing her arms over her chest, inadvertently accenting the swell of her breasts. She did not notice her husband's eyes drop down to stare at the movement. "I think I can take care of myself."
"I'm not saying that you can't," he placated her. He brought his eyes up to her blazing blue ones. He remembered having this same argument with Malu after he took the mantle of Fire Lord. "But there have been a few close calls even for myself. There are people outside the Fire Nation and in that are not happy the war is over, or that I'm on the throne. Some are unhappy I married a waterbender. Katara, I just don't want anything to happen to you. Please, until things calm down take the palanquin."
"Fine," she begrudgingly agreed, she knew he was right. No matter how much she did not want to admit it. "As long as it's not forever, I'll agree."
The couple continued to ride the rest of the way making causal conversation, Zuko pointing out different parts of the city and shops. Katara asked the occasional question about the city. Both benders acknowledged the crowd when necessary.
About half an hour later, the couple arrived at the palace with Iroh and Ursa following shortly after.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Ukano greeted the newlyweds with a bow. To most, he would seem put together but the Fire Lord could see the nobleman was slightly frazzled. "I know you have just arrived, but there seems to be a discrepancy with one of the colonies' taxes My Lord. The council has been discussing the problem for days with no clear solution."
Zuko sighed, the nobleman was speaking in a code only he and the old general knew. With the many assassination attempts on the Fire Lord during his short reign, a small circle had devised a way to communicate the warnings in public settings. A colony tax discrepancy, the monarch thought to himself, and an overseas threat.
The urgency in which Ukano came to him coupled with the weariness state, was not something Zuko could ignore. The young man turned to his wife, "I have to take care of this, will you be alright to get settled into our chambers on your own?"
"I'm sure I'll manage just fine," Katara nodded at him with a small smile. Their bubble over Ember Island had popped. Her husband was the sovereign of the Fire Nation, he had duties to attend to.
"Uncle, I would greatly appreciate your assistance with the council," the Fire Lord turned to the Dragon of the West. He waited for his uncle's nod of acceptance before addressing his mother, "Would you mind seeing Katara in our chambers?"
"Of course, Zuko," Ursa nodded at her son. Her heart was heavy, she knew that a tax issue would not cause the worry line to come out on her son's forehead. Ursa looped her arm through Katara's, "I've been wanting to spend some time with my daughter-in-law."
The Fire Nation sovereign gestured for the old general and the nobleman to follow him, the Captain of the Royal Guard was hot on their heels. The men walked in silence until they reached Zuko's office.
"What happened?" The monarch stood with his hands flat on his desk peering at his closest advisor.
"We received this an hour before you arrived at the palace," Ukano passed a scroll over to the Fire Lord. He was apprehensive for his sovereign to see the words. "It details the threat to not only you but the entire royal family. It has no signature other than the Earth Kingdom insignia."
Zuko turned the scroll over in his hands a few times. The paper was heavy and the detailing on the edges was impressive. There was a gold pattern along with the green overlay. The ink looked weighted and the lettering was extremely formal. Whoever sent the threat had money, this was not a scroll a commoner would use.
The Fire Lord sat down as he began to look over the words.
"Have you contacted King Keui?" Zuko questioned as he continued to examine the threat. He could feel his temper rising as he read each word. This did not seem to be just about politics, it read as almost a personal vendetta against the Fire Nation royal family.
"Not yet Fire Lord," Ukano shook his head as he looked at the young man. "It arrived so close to your return that I thought it best to speak with you first. Is it wise to involve the Earth King?"
"Keui has been clear he is an ally to the Fire Nation," Zuko replied with a sharp look to his advisor. "Unless you have reason to believe he is behind this threat, I believe it prudent to contact him."
"I will draft a correspondence immediately," the nobleman agreed before he went to stand.
"No," Iroh commanded suddenly to the nobleman before turning to his nephew. He had been taking all the information in silently. "The White Lotus is investigating these threats and there is reason to believe that Keui's communications have been compromised."
"By whom?" Zuko looked at his uncle in alarm. This was news to him, it seemed a lot happened while he was on Ember Island for two weeks.
"We are not sure, but the Dai Lee seem to be the most likely group," the Dragon of the West explained. He and Jun had heard the rumblings in the city since the war ended, even more so since Zuko's engagement. "They had been in power in Ba Sing Se since before the war, they did not back down quietly. And it would seem they are ready to regain control of the city."
"I'm assuming the White Lotus is helping the Earth King keep control of the city?" The Fire Lord confirmed with his uncle. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he thought over what to do. "Very well, have a notice be sent to King Bumi. He has made some inquiries among his own court on the most recent threats. I'm sure he would like to be informed."
"I will draft the letter myself," the old general responded flipping his pai show tile in between his fingers, a twinkle in his eye. "Jun and I will travel to Ba Sing Se at the end of the month. We will see if we can be any of assistance to the White Louts and make our own inquires about the threats."
The Fire Lord nodded. After discussing a few more minor details, the two men were dismissed from his office.
Zuko leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as he did, and placed his fingers on his temples. He had only been gone two weeks and already more people wanted not only him dead, but his family as well.
"Fire Lord Zuko, I believe it would be important to discuss yours and Fire Lady Katara's security detail," Malu began once he was the only one with his leader.
The Fire Nation sovereign's eyes snapped open as the words Malu spoke processed in his mind. Katara was now a part of his family, she would be included in the royal bloodline. The threats now included her, in addition to the rest of the royal family.
"What do you propose?" His attention was fully on the royal guard now. He forced himself to take a calming breath as to not lose his temper with the man in front of him.
"I would like to double your guard when the two of you are together, including within the palace walls," the Captain outlined his thoughts. He had been thinking about adjusting the security detail since the wedding. "The Fire Lady would have the same amount of guards as you do now on solo outings, but I believe it might be prudent to have some more inconspicuous ones as well. Many might try to hurt her to get to you."
"Draw a list of names and I will talk it over with my wife," Zuko nodded as he saw the wisdom in Malu's words. The Fire Lord thought about mentioning Mai and Ty Lee in regards to subtle protection. But for some reason, he didn't feel comfortable disclosing their skill.
"Yes Fire Lord," the guard bowed clearly seeing he was being dismissed.
The moment Malu stepped out of the room and the door was shut behind him, Zuko let out a cry of anger into the air — fire spewing from his mouth as he did. He had just begun wooing the woman he loved, now someone was threatening to take it all away from him. Hadn't the Fire Lord suffered enough?
"I think I should try to get some work once we return home. I think the information I gather could be helpful," Jun mentioned to her lover as they had tea. The couple was currently on a ship traveling to Ba Sing Se. They had left the Fire Nation about a week ago and still had almost two weeks left on their journey.
"And why is that?" Iroh questioned the woman in front of him. He thanked Agni every day for her. As much as he loved his late wife, Jun had ignited feelings in him that he hadn't known possible. It was why he kept pushing his nephew toward the waterbender.
"Iroh," Jun looked at him with an eyebrow arched. She knew he wasn't that naive. "I know about the threats, not much gets past me. I'm a bounty hunter, remember?"
"That you are my sweet Jun," he leaned over to kiss her quickly. The Dragon of the West had never imagined the young woman he had met so many years ago would have given him the time of day.
"You learn a lot as a bounty hunter," she explained after he pulled away. Her dark eyes bore into his. "As much as Zuko gets on my nerves sometimes, I want to help. Once we are home, I can take a few jobs. See what hits are out, just make some inquiries lightly."
"You'll be careful?" Iroh questioned his beloved. The old general had experienced too much pain in his lifetime, first his wife then his son, and everything that happened with his brother. Not to mention his nephew and niece. He didn't think he would be able to recover if something happened to the woman in front of him.
"Yes," Jun grinned at him. She was not used to someone worrying about her, though she was getting used to it. And the bounty hunter would never admit it, but she liked Iroh worrying about her. "I'll be just fine, Nyla will be with me the whole time. She and I have been in much worse situations before. Being hired by your nephew comes to mind."
He chuckled quickly in response before observing her.
The Dragon of the West watched her sip her tea in silence. Since they had begun courting, Jun had started pulling her hair out of her face. She still wore her signature make-up but, had softened it just a tad. After traveling to the Fire Nation, the bounty hunter had taken a shine to the clothing Mai had shown her while in Caldera. The old general thought his lover looked beautiful, he was overwhelmed with emotion as he looked at Jun.
"Marry me," Iroh stated looking at her.
"What?" Her head jerked up in surprise. She had not expected him to say anything like that. They had only been together a year.
The bounty hunter had never expected to get married. She had a complicated relationship with marriage, having run away with her father when he caught her mother in bed with someone else. Jun had been convinced the reason her mother had turned to another man was because she had tried to tame her husband. He too was a bounty hunter and had taught his daughter everything he knew.
"Jun, will you give me the distinct honor of marrying me?" He asked again, louder this time staring at her. Her dark eyes were wide as she processed his words. "I know you think that marriage ruined your parents' relationship and led your mother to another man. I don't want to tame you, or have you barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. I want you as you are, the incredible woman who stormed my nephew's ship."
"Iroh," she whispered looking at him. She was prepared to let him down easily, she had rehearsed the words in her head. Instead, Jun found herself accepting, "Yes, but I don't want a big wedding."
"It will just be you and me," Iroh replied easily. He thought for a moment before continuing. "There's a small temple to Agni on the outskirts of Ba Sing Se. There is only one sage, but I think it would be perfect for us."
"And that's alright with you?" Jun questioned her new fiancé.
"I don't need anyone else."
Long Feng looked across the tea table at the man in front of him. They had spent years working together. The Dai Lee would not have been as successful in controlling Ba Sing Se without his help. Though of course, his old associate abandoned him when the Avatar came into the city and then again when Princess Azula turned the Dai Lee against him. He wasn't sure if realigning with the man was in his best interest.
"And this is how you plan to take down the Fire Lord?" Long Feng finally asked after taking a moment to listen to his old ally. He had originally not planned on hearing the man out, but the thought of dismantling the Fire Nation did have its own appeal.
"It's our starting point."
"Our?" The former government official lifted an eyebrow. From his understanding, this seemed like a solo operation, an almost personal vendetta against the Fire Lord. But that wasn't saying much, most people had some form of grievance with the scarred monarch. After all, he was the son of Ozai.
"An old friend we did business with during the war has reached out," the man smirked as he remembered the meeting. "He wants this as much as we do."
"Whom?" Long Feng grinned sadistically as he heard the name. "A member of the Fire Lord's own court, how fitting."
Katara's lower back ached as she sat next to Zuko behind the wall of fire in the throne room.
This was only her third council meeting since her coronation. Her husband explained there was only one meeting a week, something he changed when taking the mantle. Ozai would hold meetings almost daily to inflate his ego, and rarely did anything ever get done. Zuko had decided he wanted more action and fewer words, because of that he adjusted the meetings to only happen once a week.
The Fire Lady was stiff from sitting so long and extremely hot. She could feel the sweat pooling at the back of her neck. Who thought it was a good idea to be in heavy robes behind a wall of fire?
She peeked at her husband from the corner of her eye. His face was impassive and he looked the picture of comfortable. The Fire Lord had advised her before her first meeting that it was more important to listen than to speak. He rarely spoke and allowed his councilmen to speak freely. Zuko explained that it was a technique he used to hear what was not being said.
Her eyes traveled back to Councilman Chan in front of her. He was giving a report on grain production for the year. It was incredibly dull but extremely important for trade information. Though the waterbender had a feeling there were many things the councilman was not including in his report. She wasn't sure why she thought that, but it just seemed like he had too many quick answers when someone asked a question.
"And the excess rains haven't had an impact on the harvest?" Genkei questioned Chan when the man stopped to pause. He never liked the former admiral. "I find that very surprising."
"Of course not," Chan shook his head. His body tensed at the question, but he responded instantly. He was the last report of the meeting, he just needed to finish answering all these questions. "The workers have been very productive on the dry days."
The Fire Lord cocked his head slightly toward his wife, before placing a warm hand on her lower back. He could see she was too stiff. The Fire Lady instantly relaxed as the soothing heat dulled the pain she was feeling. The firebender focused his attention on Chan. He still had some doubts about the former Admiral, Zuko suspected that his son took after his father. And the Fire Lord did not have positive memories of the young Chan on Ember Island.
"So why are you positioning for a higher price? If the rain has had no impact on the production of the harvest, surely that means there isn't a reason for an increase?" Ukano pressed as he looked at the proposal in front of him. He had already proved his loyalty to the Fire Lord but it didn't hurt to stay on his good side.
The standing councilman cleared his throat twice before responding, "To ensure the harvest was running smoothly we . . . we hired more workers, which of course helps the economy by supplying employment. Thus the increase to allow for compensation to both the farmers and new workers."
Zuko's eyes narrowed at Chan. His answer while appropriate, seemed forced. The Fire Lord waited for the former admiral to finish his proposal and report before Zuko stood from his spot on the dais. He offered his hand to his wife and helped her to her feet.
"Thank you, Councilman Chan," the Fire Lord spoke his authoritative voice sending a shiver of pleasure through his wife. His next command caused her core to heat, "Hing Wa Island is one of the stops on my wedding tour, I would greatly appreciate your son clearing his schedule so my wife and I may have a tour of the new grain factory."
"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko," Chan agreed instantly. The councilman could see the words were not a request, though it was phrased as one. He stood ridged as he watched the royal couple exit the room, effectively ending the meeting.
Zuko and Katara entered their room quietly, both removing their outer robes the minute the door was closed.
"How can you stand this heat?" His wife questioned as she threw the formal robe on their bed. Her hands moved to strip her top as well, leaving her in her breast bindings and pants.
The Fire Lord and Lady had become very accustomed to seeing each other in all states of undress in the weeks since they had returned from their honeymoon. Even though their feelings were still a secret from the other, the couple had settled into a comfortable rhythm. Both benders had on more than one occasion initiated their bedroom activities and small physical intimacy became more public with each passing day.
The royal couple was the center of attention of the court, not just because of their status and unique arranged marriage. No the reason for the attention was it seemed that the couple actually enjoyed each other intimately. It was practically unheard of in the Fire Nation.
"You'll get used to it," Zuko chuckled as he too removed the excess clothing. He hated council meetings because it meant he had to be dressed in formal robes. All other times the Fire Lord dressed much more simply.
His eyes drifted to where his wife was removing her pants leaving her only in her undergarments. Katara unaware of his staring moved toward the balcony doors, throwing them open to allow the evening breeze into their room. Zuko watched as she flopped down into the chaise lounge in front of the doors allowing the cool air to blow over her. His eyes wandered over her body, clad in only her undergarments.
The Fire Lady closed her eyes and leaned back to enjoy the fresh air. It was the middle of winter in the Fire Nation. Katara was quickly learning that winter to firebenders meant that the palace should feel like the height of summer. They were unused to the cold and were sure to pump the palace full of excess heat via firebending and steam to combat it. But to the waterbender, it felt stifling. It reminded her of the swamp.
"A little cold won't kill your people," she commented as she laid there with her eyes closed.
"Our people," Zuko corrected her for the hundredth time. He moved toward his wife, bracing his hands on either side of her leaning down to kiss her quickly. Her eyes opened at the contact and stared up at her now shirtless husband. "Do you want to get dressed for dinner or have it in our rooms?"
"I'd prefer here," she gave him a sheepish smile. Katara dreaded the thought of getting dressed again, she could also feel a storm brewing and wanted to spend that time in the rain. The past two times she had been out in the rain since their honeymoon, the waterbender had received odd looks from the staff. It would be easier on their private balcony.
"I'll let the servants know," he nodded with another kiss to his wife. He lingered a moment longer than necessary, savoring her lips. His next words came out husky yet still playful, "And maybe before dinner, my wife would like to join me for a bath?"
"She'd like that very much," the waterbender grinned at her husband. He stood fully and moved to the double doors to alert the staff of the change of plans for dinner. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his wife moving into their bathroom no doubt to prepare the tub.
After the Fire Lord instructed the staff to bring the couple's dinner to their room in an hour, he immediately went to join his wife. He was rewarded with the site of her hair piled on top of her head in a wispy bun and her naked body covered in bubbles. Zuko shed the rest of his clothing before submerging himself in the water behind his wife. He was pleased to hear a happy sigh as she settled against his chest.
"How's your back?" He inquired as his hands began to massage her stiff limbs. This had been her longest council meeting to date and she still wasn't used to sitting in one position for so long.
"It's a little sore," she moaned as his hot hands worked. The waterbender had never felt anything so wonderful. "How are you able to sit for so long? I feel like my entire body goes numb after a while."
He chuckled throatily, "You get used to it after some time. The first year was horrible, I was so used to being active all day. Then I went to sitting almost all the time, part of it was the soreness and another part was the restlessness. But now my body is used to it, muscle memory."
"I miss being able to run around all day," Katara confessed to her husband. She was still learning what it meant to be Fire Lady, but more than anything she wished she could be traveling again or teaching Aang.
"I do too," he was quiet for a moment, lost in thought. For a brief a moment he wished he could go back to Ember Island right before Sozin's Comet and tell Katara all the things he felt for her. He cleared his throat, "I know you aren't an early riser, but if you wanted you could join me in the mornings."
"I thought you just meditated in the mornings," she mumbled her head rolling to one side as he worked on the knots in her neck. The waterbender moaned softly.
"I start and end with meditation," Zuko explained softly. His hands explored his wife's body as he worked out all the kinks. "But in between, I practice not only my firebending but my broadswords as well."
"You practice alone?" Katara was learning a lot about the daily routine of her husband. It was still a process for them to merge their lives together.
"Sometimes Malu or Jee will join me. And if Uncle is visiting he will practice with me," the firebender continued. His hands were finally still after working through each tight muscle. His arms wrapped around her waist and held his wife close to him. "But most of the time it's just me moving through my forms. Most don't like to spar with the Fire Lord."
"Hmm is that why I've been able to beat you so much?" The Fire Lady teased her husband. She squealed as he playfully pinched her side.
"Is that a challenge?" Zuko taunted the waterbender back as he tickled her sides. Her peals of laughter echoed throughout the room. The water sloshed on the sides of the tub, spilling over onto the floor as she wiggled and twisted against her husband's teasing hands.
The Fire Lord loved his wife's laughter and any opportunity he had to hear her laugh, he took advantage of it. It was not uncommon for him to tickle her or read her one of Sokka's letters or tell a funny story involving one of team avatar's life-changing field trips.
"Yes," Katara laughed loudly as she squirmed in his arms. Her laughter triggered his own and a deep throaty chuckled could be heard in tandem as she squealed. "Zuko!"
After a few minutes, the firebender stopped tormenting his wife. The couple settled back into their bath, their stomachs aching from the laughter. The waterbender's cheeks were flushed from the exertion, her chest was rising and falling from heavy breathing as she leaned against the firebender. Her husband admired the way her body looked admits the bubbles.
The Fire Lord and Lady finished their bath in comfortable silence, both donning their sleep clothes for dinner in their room.
"After today's meeting, I think we should move our wedding tour up and leave at the end of the week," Zuko commented to his wife over dinner. It was something he had been thinking about since the council meeting.
Katara looked across the table, chopsticks poised halfway to her mouth. "Is this because of Chan?"
"Mostly," the firebender nodded taking a bite of his food before responding. "He seemed off when giving his proposal and report. I don't really trust him, especially considering his son."
"His son?"
"Oh right, you don't know," he chuckled as he looked down at his dinner. He took a deep breath, he hated explaining this part of his past. "Remember when I returned to the Fire Nation with Azula? After Ba Sing Se?"
"Yes," Katara arched one eyebrow as she looked at her husband. He had been very closed off about his time returning home after Aang went down in the crystal caves. And he hardly ever brought up what happened in Ba Sing Se.
"Well, Azula and I had been sent to Ember Island so my father could have us out of the way for whatever meeting," he waved his hand as he spoke. He hoped she didn't think too poorly of him. "Chan's son is also named Chan. Invited Mai and Ty Lee to a party, effectively ignoring Azula and myself. He had no idea who we were. But we ended up going, Chan was rude to my sister. And his friend flirted with Mai. I was angry and confused we ended up destroying his house."
"Of course you did," the waterbender shook her head at her husband as she turned back to the food in front of her. This tracked with everything she knew about Zuko pre-Western Air Temple.
"I don't think he told his father that we were the ones who destroyed the house, but his son was shady," Zuko explained to his wife. Ignoring how she made a face at his story. "And I'm sure he gets it from someplace. I just want to take them by surprise. Make sure everything is as it should be and not staged for the Fire Lord's visit."
"That's understandable," she nodded at him. She thought maybe getting away from the palace might be a good idea. "It's your decision but I'm okay with leaving early."
Fire Lord Zuko,
I am sad to write this letter to you, ahead of our scheduled update. Unfortunately, there has been an incident with your sister.
Chief Arnook knew Princess Azula was struggling with her emotions surrounding the disappearance of your mother. After his return from your wedding, Chief Arnook thought it might be a good idea to inform the Princess of her mother's return to the Fire Nation.
Upon hearing the news of her mother's return, your sister had a breakdown. She was inconsolable.
Azula cried and screamed for hours. The emotional upset combined with the disturbance to her healing process was able to reverse the chi-block suppressing her bending. Her emotional turmoil and violent reaction caused her to damage a majority of the city, not to mention herself. It took most of our warriors and almost two days before we were able to subdued her.
I had been hopeful that your sister would be returning home in the next year, the process she made has been incredible. But I am afraid that this news has caused too much damage and set back her healing by months, possibly years.
The mind is a tricky thing, Azula has so much pain and trauma attached to her life. She suffered greatly, being poisoned by Ozai and his court. She speaks about them in a chilling manner. As for what she doesn't say, it is much more troubling.
She has made tremendous progress since arriving at the North Pole, but she still has much more to go as we have seen from her breakdown. It could be years before she will be able to return home.
We are currently looking at longer-term solutions to suppress her bending as it is clear she is a danger to herself and to others. I also believe that her firebending is exasperating her mental illness. I wish I had better news for you. But until I am sure Azula will not use her bending to hurt herself or someone else, I do not think it is wise for her to have it.
It could be many years before she is able to control her bending. And perhaps she might not ever be able to.
Yagoda
The Fire Lord was tired. He placed his head in his hands as he leaned on his desk. The letter had arrived an hour ago and he had read it more times than he could count. He thought things were turning around for his sister. The last update he had received before his wedding had been so positive, now it seemed like they were back at square one.
In his mind, there was only one clear answer to his sister's healing.
"Zuko?" Katara called as she walked into his office, seeing her husband hunched over and defeated was not a look she was used to seeing on him. In fact, she had never seen him look this way in all the time she had known him.
He looked up at his wife, eyes filled with tears. She rushed over to him, wrapping her arms around him. He buried his head in her chest and let the tears fall. He cried out, "I don't know what to do."
The waterbender's eyes skimmed the contents of the letter on her husband's desk. She knew he wasn't expecting an update from Yagoda for a few more weeks. The fact that he had one now, was not a good sign. As her eyes traveled across the words, her breathing hitched. Azula was not doing well.
Later that night found the Fire Lord and Lady on the roof of their bed-chamber, looking out into the city.
"Do you want to tell your mother?" His wife asked after a few minutes of silence. She had wanted to give him the time to think but knew that Yagoda's letter was time-sensitive.
"My mother would be devastated and want to travel to the Northern Tribe immediately to help Azula," Zuko whispered into the night air. "And frankly, I don't think that would be what's best for my sister."
The firebender hesitated, he knew what he had to do. He just didn't want to admit what it was. He looked out at his city, the people he was responsible for. He hated this decision. It felt almost like a betrayal to Azula.
"What's eating you?" Katara questioned as she watched her husband. She could tell something was bothering him but she was unsure what it was exactly. He had been unusually quiet since they climbed onto the roof. Normally by now, he would have talked through multiple different options, yet he hadn't.
"Her firebending," he finally admitted as he turned to meet the sapphire eyes. His stomach was in knots. "She was a prodigy, her whole identity is wrapped up in being a firebender. I had Ty Lee block her chi after the war because I thought my sister would kill me. And I'm afraid that Yagoda is right, her bending is worsening her mental state."
"Do you think Ty Lee would be able to block it again?"
"No," Zuko shook his head thoughtfully. He hated this, he had promised to protect his baby sister. But ending her firebending, it was extreme. And Azula wouldn't like it. "If she was able to get out of it because of emotional distress, it will be able to happen again. And I don't want her hurting herself."
"Sounds like you already know what you want to do," the waterbender pointed out. She lifted an eyebrow as she looked at him. "You are just afraid to do it. So why don't you tell me and your compass for good will let you know if it's a good idea."
He cracked a smile at the name he had used for her so many years ago. He took her hand in his, playing with her fingers as he spoke. "I'm thinking of asking Aang to take away her bending. At least indefinitely, if not permanently. I don't know if he can give it back, but I'm assuming if he can take it away he can return it."
"Only you know what's best for Azula," Katara comforted him staring down at their joined hands. "If you think having Aang take away her bending is the right thing to do then do it. She will understand and when the time is right, you will help her realize she is more than her bending."
"You are too good for me," the firebender whispered leaning over to place a soft kiss on her plump lips. The action instantly soothed him. "Thank you for always knowing the right thing to say."
"Tomorrow morning, write to Aang before we leave for our wedding tour," she advised her husband. Her hand grasped his tightly, "I'm sure he will be happy to help and he can help Arnook with whatever damage Azula inflicted."
"I will," he nodded pulling her to cuddle against his side. "Can we stay out here a little longer?"
"Of course," the waterbender yawned, snuggling into this warm body. "We can stay out here as long as you want.
He was extraordinary as a leader, the Fire Lady thought as she watched her husband greet the people of Kirachu Island. It was their first stop on their wedding tour and Zuko was truly in his element as they disembarked the ship.
Katara was brought out of her thoughts as people cheered her name. Taking the lead from her husband, the waterbender turned to greet the crowd. She felt the guards next to her as she went up to the children. The Fire Lady crouched down to speak with the school-aged children. A few of them were proud to tell the waterbender they were benders while, others showcased their bows, and some gifted her flowers they had picked for her.
A young boy, no more than five, stood in front of the Fire Lady explaining how he had just begun firebending and he hoped to one day be good enough to join the palace guard. Katara had smiled prettily at him and asked him to show her what he had learned. The young boy took in a deep breath and his brow wrinkled in concentration as he demonstrated the first bending form he had learned. The Fire Lady had clapped and encouraged him, telling him that if he practiced he could one day be a part of the royal guard.
Unknown to the waterbender, the Fire Lord and the entire Royal Guard were watching her interactions. Her husband watched her interact with the young boy and he fell a little more for her. She would make an extraordinary mother. He wished he could watch Katara all day as she greeted the people, but more pressing matters were at hand.
"Fire Lord Zuko," the governor of Kirachu greeted the monarch with a bow followed by the councilman next to him. "Thank you for visiting, we are thrilled to show you our island."
"Your people seem to be in good spirits," the Fire Lord commented after greeting the governor.
"We have been very fortunate this year," the councilman spoke. His chest puffed out as he boasted about his island. "The rains have allowed for a better harvest and the decrease in taxes has helped with trade."
The governor and councilman exchanged a quick look. There was a problem they were unsure how to bring to the Fire Lord's attention. Fire Lord Zuko had been very generous and understanding, but the wounds of Ozai still existed.
Zuko could sense some hesitation from the councilman and governor. "That is fortunate. Have there been any problems in the last year?"
"Many of our men have begun returning from the war," the governor began slightly. He looked at the councilman and with an encouraging nod continued. "Our hospital is not equipped to deal with the injuries they sustained during the war."
"My wife is an extremely gifted healer," the monarch responded as he thought over the issue at hand. "She and I can take a look at the hospital, and see what help we can be. If that is the most pressing issue, perhaps it should be dealt with first. Could a tour be arranged for the morning?"
"Yes, Fire Lord," the governor agreed instantly before offering to show the royal couple to his home, where they would stay for the duration of their trip.
Behind her, the waterbender could hear Zuko speaking with the governor of the village and the councilman who represented the island in Caldera. Katara became self-conscious as she realized she probably should have not gone up to the children. All of the lessons from Mai and Ty Lee returned to the forefront of her mind. The waterbender had treated this experience as if she was in the Southern Water Tribe, not as Fire Lady.
The waterbender joined her husband, the gifted fire lilies in hand. Zuko turned to his wife briefly, his face impassive as he took her arm in his. Not missing a word he was speaking to the group of men before him.
A few minutes later, the royal couple was in the palanquin on their way to the governor's home where they would be staying.
"You were perfect," the Fire Lord said to his wife once they were tucked away. His mind traveled back to seeing her greet his — their people.
The Fire Lady had been gracious and kind to every child that came to her. Katara looked so regal as she interacted with the people. She had smiled at them and listened, asking questions when needed. The waterbender had won over not only the children at that moment but their parents. She was the perfect person to rule with him.
"I'm sorry I greeted the children and didn't stay by your side," a lovely blush covered her cheeks as she spoke. Katara was incredibly embarrassed by her actions. She needed to remember this was the Fire Nation, not the South Pole.
"Why are you sorry?" He looked at her confused, taking her hand in his. He thought she had been perfect. "I'm glad you did that."
"But Mai and Ty Lee told me I should stay by your side when traveling," Katara explained looking up at him beneath her lashes. She was embarrassed at not following the proper etiquette. "And that I shouldn't approach the crowd unless specified by the Fire Lord."
Zuko rolled his eyes and gave an annoyed huff. "Archaic rules that have allowed my family to not connect with their people, causing them to start a war and create a totalitarian leadership."
"I don't know how to respond to that," she mumbled as she noticed steam curling around his face in agitation.
"If I wanted a subservient wife, I would have married a petty noblewoman," his voice was much softer and calmer than before as his golden eyes looked into her sapphire ones. "Katara, I wanted someone to lead by my side, if you want to greet the people when we arrive — do it. If you want to question something of the council or any of the governors, then you should. You are Fire Lady, just as much as I am Fire Lord."
Her heart swelled and her eyes blinked back tears as she listened to him speak.
Katara had been worried about losing herself in the role she had to step into since her coronation. Being Fire Lady was a huge responsibility and one the waterbender did not take lightly. Though as she remembered her lessons from Mai and Ty Lee, the waterbender was struggling with her identity. She did not want to just be the woman on Zuko's arm, but a partner to him.
"Okay, Zuko," Katara whispered leaning over to kiss her husband. They both savored the kiss slightly longer than they should have. The couple getting lost in their own bubble.
"Avatar Aang, thank you for coming," Arnook greeted the airbender as he landed Appa at the North Pole.
"Fire Lord Zuko asked me to come to check in on his sister," Aang explained to the Northern Chief. The avatar looked around and was unsurprised to see the damage around the city. Azula had clearly had the intent to destroy everything around her during her breakdown.
"She is doing slightly better," the Chieftain sighed softly. He felt extremely responsible for the Fire Nation Princess's episode and by default the destruction of his city. "Yagoda has her sedated as of right now, but the few times she has been conscious she keeps apologizing."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to see her first when she is awake," the avatar spoke with authority, unaware of the crowd gathering around to see him. "And then after I have checked on Azula I would be happy to assist in the rebuilding."
"Of course, Sangok can take you to see the Princess," Arnook gestured to one of the warriors standing next to him. "I'm sure you remember him from your time training with Master Pakku."
"Nice to see you again, Sangok," Aang nodded to the waterbender. Momo landed on Aang's shoulder. He could see the Chieftain wanted to say more, but he didn't trust the tribesman's assessment of the Princess. "I'd really like to go see Azula now if possible. Zuko was extremely concerned after he received word from Yagoda."
"Good to see you too, Avatar Aang," the young man greeted the avatar. He gestured with his hand, "If you'll follow me, I'll show you to Yagoda's home."
"Thanks," Aang replied once they were away from everyone else. The formality instantly left his speech.
"How's Katara?" The young man asked after a few minutes of walking in silence. The warrior had always had a crush on the spirited young woman. And he had even thought about moving to the South to potentially court her. Though by the time he could make the journey she was already betrothed to the Fire Lord.
"She's good," Aang shrugged slightly. He wasn't a big fan of Sangok, the avatar was not unaware of the crush the man had on Katara then and now. "She and Zuko are traveling the Fire Nation on their wedding tour. Both wanted to come to check on Azula, but I told them I could do it so they didn't have to cancel their trip."
"It's weird that she is married to the Fire Lord," Sangok commented mostly to himself. He still harbored many negative feelings toward the Fire Nation. "She hated the Fire Nation more than anyone and now she's their queen."
"I wouldn't say she hated the Fire Nation, just the war," the airbender argued. He didn't like the energy the warrior was giving off.
"Right, of course," the tribesman placated. He could feel the displeasure rolling off the avatar. "Many of us assumed she would marry one of us. It was a surprise to hear of her betrothal to the Fire Lord."
"One of us?"
"You know, a Northerner," Sangok explained not noticing how the young monk was not amused. "We didn't think she would want to marry a man whose talent was not close to her own. And since she was the last Southern Waterbender, we just assumed it would have been one of us. None of us ever imagined she would take a political marriage."
"Zuko's good for her," the avatar responded defensively. He didn't like the way the tribesman made the word political sound dirty. Before he could say more the two young men entered Yagoda's home.
"Yagoda, Avatar Aang is here to see Azula," Sangok greeted the older woman. "I'll leave you two unless you need me to help keep control of her."
"I think the Avatar is more than capable of handling the Princess," Yagoda stated with a hard look at the young warrior. The older woman disapproved of his hate and disrespect for the Fire Nation Princess. Sangok quickly left, knowing when he was not wanted.
The airbender pulled out a scroll and handed it to the healer, "Zuko sent this, with my letter, for you. He would have sent a hawk but knew I would be faster. I'm assuming it explains why I am here."
The old tribeswoman read the contents of the letter before turning back to the avatar. "I see he wants you to take her bending away."
"I don't know if I'll be able to give it back," Aang explained in a rush. He scratched the back of his head. "But Zuko told me that you think her bending is causing her mental illness."
"I do," Yagoda nodded thoughtfully. She had never considered the Avatar as a solution to the Fire Nation Princess's sickness. Though it was as clear as ice to the healer that the bending had corrupted the young woman's mind.
"She clearly is a danger to herself and others," the airbender continued. "I saw the damage to the city."
"I'm afraid the loss of her bending completely will destroy her," the healer responded softly. Yagoda knew that Azula's entire identity was in being a firebender, even though with the bending came the madness. But the healer also knew that until her identity was shifted, Azula would never recover.
Her eyes traveled to look toward the door that led to Azula's room. She had heard some of the horrible things Ozai had done to the young woman. It made the healer sick to think of the truly terrible things that the Princess could not formulate into words.
"Let me speak to her," the avatar pushed. He wasn't really sure what he was going to say, but he could feel that it would be best if he spoke to the Princess alone.
"Alright," the tribeswoman agreed after a few minutes. She gestured toward Azula's room. "She's awake right now. I've been telling Arnook she has been sedated, but in reality, Azula was extremely upset about what happened. She's barely spoken since the breakdown."
The airbender nodded before moving toward the room. He knocked on the door before entering the room. He was surprised to see Azula sitting on the floor, her hair down and in Water Tribe clothing. In her hands was a gossip scroll from the Earth Kingdom.
"Hi Azula," Aang greeted softly as he sat across from her on the floor. The same tone he would use to comfort a wounded animal. Her golden eyes snapped to his grey ones in shock. "Zuko heard what happened and wanted me to come to check on you. He's worried about you, he sent a letter with me."
The airbender went to hand over the scroll from her brother but it was snatched out of his hand quickly. He was baffled to see her eyes moving quickly over the words written for her. Azula's gold eyes welled with tears and her fingertips traced her brother's signature.
Dear Zula,
I heard you aren't doing too well. You've been doing such an amazing job at getting better. I know how difficult it must be for you. And it's okay that you had a setback, it doesn't make you a bad person. It just means you are human, don't be too hard on yourself.
So mom's back, though I guess you already knew that. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. You shouldn't have found out from Arnook, he's a tool. You should have found out from me, and for that I'm sorry.
Mom wants to see you, she was ready to get on the first ship to the North Pole. But I thought it would be better if she came when you wanted her to come. I know how difficult this is for you and I didn't want to pressure you into seeing her before you were ready. The moment you want her to come I will have her on the fastest airship to see you, I promise.
Aang is there because Yagoda told me that your bending has been causing an issue for you. Katara had an idea that if you could have relief from the emotions attached to your bending it could help you. Aang is there to talk to you about it, if you don't want to you don't have to but at least hear him out.
I love you, Zula. It's going to be okay, I promise.
Love, ZuZu
"What do you want to talk to me about?" Azula's voice was horse from lack of use as she turned to the avatar. The airbender tried to hide his surprise at hearing her voice, he hadn't expected her to interact with him.
"You know I took away Ozai's bending," Aang began his voice coming across stronger than he expected. "Katara and Zuko thought if I took away your's it could help you, I'm here to offer that to you. I don't know if I'll ever be able to return it, but I promise when you are better I will try my very best."
Azula had expected his response. She had even thought about it after she came to from her hysteria. The moment her bending had been unleashed again, she had felt out of control. It was a feeling she was not used to and she hated it. The feeling reminded her of the Agni Kai with her brother. The Fire Nation Princess did not want to go back to that.
"Okay," Azula nodded after a few minutes of thought. "Avatar, take my bending . . . please."
The rest of their visit to Kirachu Island went without incident, as did their visits through Shu Jing and Fire Fountain City.
The royal couple had aided the hospital on Kirachu. After seeing the conditions, Katara had insisted on visiting every hospital in each city they visited. The Fire Lady making notes on how to better assist the hospitals outside of the capital. Even going so far as to send a letter to her courtiers to begin drafting a proposal to show her husband once they returned to Caldera.
The Fire Lord had been well aware of his wife's plans. She had been taking notes every chance she got; speaking with every physician, nurse, healer, and apothecary in each hospital they visited.
In between his own meetings, Zuko watched his wife step into her own. In addition to the hospital visits, the Fire Lady had been an extraordinary patron of the arts. She had visited the schools. And even took an interest in the small business littering each city they visited. The waterbender was taking to her new role like a moth to a flame and her husband was thrilled.
Similarly, Katara had watched her husband lead in a way she hadn't ever seen before. He was firm and regal in everything he did. Zuko spoke with each official and the common people in the same manner of respect. He stopped and listened to the concerns of each person he came across, formulating plans to help in any way possible. The waterbender was surprised at how the display of authority and leadership excited her. It had led to her initiating more intimate moments between them in their rooms.
The Fire Lady sighed as she looked out the window of their room on the flagship. Seeing the waves roll through the ocean helped her think.
Her heart felt heavy in her chest as she thought about the last few weeks. The lines were becoming blurred in her marriage. There were days she thought that Zuko might have feelings for her. But then he would become distant for a day or two. She wasn't sure what to do as her feelings kept growing.
Her eyes drifted back to the letter she had received in response from her brother.
Dear Little Sister,
Suki is good, the journey home was a struggle. She was seasick almost the entire time, but Gran said that was normal. The baby is growing and Suki looks more radiant every day. I am so excited to meet my son! Suki thinks it will be a girl, but I think a boy. Either way, I'll be happy.
I wish I could tell you what to do about Zuko. This marriage wasn't what you wanted for your life, but it is your reality. I'm sure that with time things will get better. It's only been a few months since you were married in the South Pole and not even two months since your coronation. Talk to Zuko, you said things were better after you two talked. It's going to take probably more than a few conversations for things to feel normal.
Tara, I have no doubt you are an extraordinary Fire Lady. You mothered all of us and I'm sure you are mothering the Fire Nation people the same way. You were built for a role like this, not to stay here in the South.
Stop worrying, everything is going to be okay.
I miss you too,
Sokka
Her fingertips traced the ink on the scroll as she reread the letter. The waterbender missed her family, she felt incredibly alone on her wedding tour. In the palace, she had Mai, Ty Lee, and even Ursa who she could speak to. But here it was just her and her husband, plus the royal guard. She missed having other people around her.
"We should be arriving in Hing Wa Island sometime tomorrow afternoon," Zuko told his wife as he walked into their room. He noticed she quickly rolled up the scroll she was reading. He caught sight of the Southern Water Tribe emblem and figured it was from her family.
"That's the area Chan represents right? The largest agricultural island in the Fire Nation," Katara confirmed as she tried to hide the letter from her husband. She didn't know why she was hiding it, but the waterbender was terrified of Zuko finding it.
"Yes," he nodded ignoring her odd behavior moving to join her at the tea-table. "I want to take a look at the rice fields but more importantly I want to spend some time touring the factory. Chan used to work for my father and I have a feeling he is keeping with some practices that I have tried to eradicate."
"Do you think the factory is contributing to environmental concerns as well?" She asked her husband as she poured him some tea. "Like in Jang Hui."
"Potentially," Zuko nodded as he took the cup she passed him. "A year ago there were reports saying the rice that was grown made many of the common people sick. It would make sense if Chan was selling the polluted rice to the workers and lower-income areas, but keeping the more pure crops for court."
"If that's true it sounds extremely odd for them to have such a fruitful harvest this year," Katara mumbled taking a sip of her tea. In her mind, she was remembering what Jang Hui looked like before the river was cleaned. She shuddered at the thought of another factory causing such destruction to the people.
"Something isn't right about Chan," the Fire Lord mumbled lost in thought about the councilman. "I will do everything in my power to find out what is really happening in Hing Wa, even resurrecting the Blue Spirit if needed."
"I have a feeling that whatever you uncover will make Chan dislike you even more," the waterbender commented to her husband.
"My people are more important than a councilman's opinion about me," Zuko stated firmly, his golden eyes filled with fire looking directly into hers.
At that moment, Katara wanted to tell her husband about her feelings. He looked so strong and capable. Very different from the boy she had met so long ago. She went to speak but was interrupted by a knock on the door. The Fire Lord called for the person to enter, unaware of his wife's almost confession. A servant came into the room carrying a letter for her husband.
"Who's it from?" She questioned as he read the contents, a thousand emotions crossing his face as he did.
"Aang," he whispered as kept reading. His eyes met hers again, but this time they were heavy with emotion. For the first time in years, the Fire Lord had hope. His gold eyes with unshed eyes met his wife's blue ones. "Azula asked him to take her bending away."
Notes:
This chapter was a little fluff, a little filler, and a little plot development. Trust me you do not want to miss my next update ;) There will also be a very important author's note at the end of Chapter 17!
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See you on April 25th, 2022!
Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen: Spring 104 AG
Notes:
Hello! Hello!
Thank you to everyone who has commented, left kudos, bookmarked, and subscribed! You all are so incredible, thank you for all of your support :)
We have a very important author's note at the end of this chapter, so please be sure to read it.
This is the chapter you all have been waiting for ;) I hope you enjoy it! Please foregive all mistkaes.
Happy Reading!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 1: For the Love of Fire
Chapter Seventeen: Spring 104 AG
"And with all the rain you haven't had any issues?" Katara questioned Chan Jr as she and Zuko toured the rice fields.
It had been a long week, Katara thought as the nobleman showed the couple the rice fields. She could understand why Zuko found this man irritating. Chan was extremely entitled and clearly recognized her husband from before the war ended. Not to mention the young nobleman had been extremely rude to her. Though his disrespect was subtle, not enough to be called treason but enough it was obvious.
The couple had been in Hing Wa for a little over a week. The two had spent the first part of the week going through the celebratory customs of the wedding tour. They didn't want to alert the Chan family to the investigation they wanted to launch. Finally, the newlyweds had an opportunity to investigate the real reason they were on the island.
Chan had been surprised when the scarred man who had destroyed his father's vacation home on Ember Island had disembarked the Fire Lord's Flagship. The young nobleman had been even more shocked to learn that the scarred man was the Fire Nation sovereign. Chan was instantly transported back to the day on Ember Island when they had met. His stomach sank as he remembered hows he had been extremely disrespectful to the royal siblings.
"No, we have not," the nobleman shook his head as he answered the Fire Lady. His tone was harder than it should have been when speaking to the monarch.
He thought it was revolting that a firebender had married a waterbender, but he was not going to make his opinion known now. His father had instructed him that he needed to get used to the idea of Fire Lord Zuko, at least for the time being. That didn't mean the nobleman was happy about the change of leadership. Chan still very much believed that firebenders and the Fire Nation were far superior to any other people group.
"I find that incredibly surprising," the Fire Lady responded ignoring the tone. She looked around the fields thoughtfully. "It's extremely difficult to harvest when it's muddy. And it looks like Hing Wa has been having severe rain for days, perhaps even weeks. How have you managed to harvest around this issue?"
"We have managed just fine," the nobleman responded with an air of arrogance. He looked down his nose at the Fire Lady. "I don't think a tribeswoman would understand the complications of harvesting grains in the Fire Nation."
The Fire Lord's eyes narrowed at the sign of blatant disrespect toward his wife. The young Chan had not made his views a secret of what he thought about the waterbending bride. Zuko had two choices, make a scene now or file the information away for a later date. The Fire Lord was inclined to deal with the disrespect now but was beaten to the issue by his wife.
"Oh, I'm sure it must be incredibly difficult for me to understand," Katara responded in a sickly sweet tone. Her arm looped through her husband's to calm him down, she could feel his anger radiating off of him. "But if you would be so kind to explain it to me."
The young nobleman huffed, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the Fire Lady. He hesitated a moment and saw the Fire Lord lift one eyebrow in question.
Finally, Chan went into an explanation of how complicated the harvest had been. And how the weather affected the production of grains. His arrogance was so thick as he spoke about the factory outputs. At the end of each sentence, he added how intricate and complex the situation was. It grated on Zuko's nerves nothing was as elaborate as the nobleman was describing.
As Chan Jr kept speaking both Katara and her husband stiffened. Unknowingly, the young nobleman had slipped and released some vital information.
"Excuse me, Chan," The Fire Lord interrupted when the man took a moment to breathe. He made sure to keep his voice steady as he asked, "Did you say that the factory is operating all day and night? How do you manage that with the employees on staff?"
Chan cleared his throat uncomfortably. He shifted his weight awkwardly as he answered the Fire Lord, "We hired extra staff and they rotate the shifts. We are currently at one-hundred-twelve on staff for the factory and the fields."
"Hmm," the monarch hummed in response with a slow nod. He looked at his wife and after having a silent conversation with her, he turned back to the nobleman. "Thank you for the tour, Chan. We have a few other areas we would like to see on the island and a few places I would like to show my wife. We will see you tomorrow morning for the factory tour?"
"Of course My Lord," Chan Jr replied with a quick bow seeing he was being dismissed by the royal couple. His breathing was beginning to settle, he could barely believe his good fortune. "I will see you tomorrow morning."
The Fire Lord led his wife away from the nobleman toward the palanquin with the royal guard following. Once the couple was tucked away behind the sheer curtains, Katara leaned against her husband. She was exhausted, Chan had made his displeasure know that she was a waterbender since the moment the tour began. Zuko wrapped his arms around her and let her rest for their ride to the inn. He was not unaware of the subtle racism that had been displayed today.
"I'm sorry," Zuko whispered as he wrapped his arms around the waterbender. He was delighted to feel her settle against him. "Chan is an asshole, always has been always will be."
"It's not your fault," she replied as she looked up at her husband. Her voice displayed her exhaustion. "Even though this was an arranged marriage, we knew there would be people not happy with it."
"If I didn't need to catch him off guard, I wouldn't have let him get away with being so rude to you," The Fire Lord mumbled to his wife before he placed a kiss on her temple. He looked out at the streets, something was off but he couldn't place what it was. "I promise the moment I have what I need, he'll be charged with disrespecting the crown."
"I'm not offended by one annoying man, Zuko," Katara whispered as she cuddled into him. She really wasn't upset about Chan, he was just a nuisance to her. "You don't need to charge him with anything. It's not the first time someone will be disrespectful to me, nor the last. Besides, we have more important things to worry about at the moment."
"Chan is not only arrogant and entitled but also stupid," Zuko responded to his wife after a moment of thought. His brow furrowed as he continued to look out at the people of Hing Wa. The Fire Lord's mind thought back to the information he heard earlier in the day. "He stated that they had one-hundred-twelve combined workers for both the field and the factory."
"Last year the factory itself had almost a hundred," the Fire Lady added as her husband pondered the information given. She had read the reports from the past two years before leaving for Hing Wa to be familiar with the situation. "But in the council meeting, Chan Senior stated they had hired more — just like his son agreed today."
"And the fields had double that," the Fire Lord hummed as he broke down the information in his head. The employment had gone down by over a hundred-fifty people, the big question was why? "It also seems odd to run the factory day and night if they don't have the workers to sustain it."
"Do you think they are involved in some form of slave labor?" His wife speculated as they neared the inn they were staying at. While visiting all the other cities, the royal couple had been hosted by the noble families but in Hing Wa neither wanted to stay with the Chan family.
"It's possible," he nodded solemnly as he helped his wife out of the palanquin, leading her into the inn and up to their room. "There used to be a prison camp not too far from here and Chan Senior was an admiral, he would have the connections to smuggle some prisoners before they heard the war was over."
"There is just still so much unknown," she sighed as they walked into their room. Her first instinct was to begin shedding the outer robes. "You don't think he is involved in the recent threats, do you? He would have met many Earth Kingdom nobles and merchants."
"Chan could be," Zuko shrugged out of his outer robe. He couldn't figure out what was happening in Hing Wa. He was missing a vital piece to the puzzle.
"Why did you keep him on the council?" Katara questioned as she began changing into less formal clothing. "Zuko?"
The Fire Lord watched her begin to undress from the formal robes. He was having a difficult time concentrating on what she was saying as she changed. "Oh! Um, he and Bujing are the only two from my fa— from Ozai's court to still be around. I thought if I took away everything they had it would be much worse, their bitterness would only increase. They were the few that were most likely a real threat to my nation. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."
"You sound like your uncle," she teased him as she finished changing into more casual clothes. The waterbender looked in the mirror and noticed her husband's eyes on her backside as she adjusted her hair. This was not the first time she caught him staring at her while she was dressing or rather undressing. "Zuko, you're staring again."
His eyes snapped to hers in the mirror and his unscarred side became red as he blushed at being caught. He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. The Fire Lord cleared his throat twice before turning back to look at the satisfied expression on his wife's face. He smirked at her before responding, "I have a beautiful wife, I'm allowed to stare."
The firebender was rewarded with her own blush at the compliment. It didn't matter that they had been married for a few months or that they had been lovers for some weeks now. Katara was still taken back when Zuko complimented her or referenced their bedroom activities. As much as she enjoyed their physical relationship, she was still getting used to how open her husband was about it.
The Fire Lady had dragonflies in her stomach as the Fire Lord continued to look at her, his eyes hooded. His tongue licked his bottom lip as he watched her breathing increase, causing her chest to rise and fall. His arousal was clear on his face, his thought process clearly rubbing off on his wife. Katara could feel her core become heated as he looked at her.
"Where did you want to take me?" The waterbender questioned her voice husky as her husband watched her. He smirked at the choice of words she used, his golden eyes bored into hers. He stalked toward her, his hand wrapped around her throat to tilt her face toward his. Katara's eyes fluttered closed and he pull her mouth against his. Zuko pressed his lips to hers in an electric kiss.
"Right now, I want to take you to bed," he growled his reply against her lips, causing her to shiver in pleasure. "Our sightseeing can continue later."
Haru looked across the way at the Western Air Temple. His eyes moved from one end to the other. It looked incredible, a far cry from what he remembered. The temple was restored in a way only his love could do.
His mind traveled back to the war when they had hidden here after the invasion. This was the first place he started falling for Toph. She had begun helping him with his earthbending here. Her teaching style was brutal and blunt, but she made him a better bender. It took a while for the calm teenager to get used to the fiery and abrupt girl as she taught him.
Toph was nothing like the girls he had known before.
There was a confidence that she exerted that caused Haru to feel better about himself. Her sense of humor was crass but in a witty way, nothing was off-limits. Her strength was next to none when it came to bending but she did not boast about it. The statements she would make about being the best were just that, there was no emotion attached to them.
The two had become close in the couple of weeks they had spent together before being split up. Toph had taken to spending some quiet nights with him away from the rest of the group. They had bonded over having to hide their bending. She had confided in him about the crush on Sokka when Suki joined them. And Haru had comforted her. He had told her that she needed a strong man and while Sokka was great, he was no match for her.
Haru was the calm to Toph's storm.
He centered the Blind Bandit and healed parts of her soul. She brought him out of his shell and taught him to embrace his emotions. They made each other better and not just in bending but in life too. He didn't care about a dowery or status. He didn't care that her family hated him or that she was a better bender than him. All he cared about was her. Toph was the love of his life.
The earthbender adjusted the strap of his pack, he still had about half a day's journey before he reached her. And this time he wasn't going to let her run away.
The Fire Lady followed her husband as they toured the grain factory with Chan. Her stomach churned as she inhaled the smells that came from a working factory. She felt hot in the formal robes and just slightly dizzy, but this was important. So Katara gritted her teeth and barred the discomfort to help Zuko.
They needed to know what the Chan family was hiding and the only way to do that was to be here.
She continued to look around in silence. Even though she had a plethora of questions to ask the nobleman, he seemed to only be taking questions from the Fire Lord. The waterbender watched as Chan pointed out the machinery. She noticed that there seemed to have been an extreme amount of work done recently to the factory. Which was surprising, considering the factory had only been in operation for a couple of years.
In fact, Katara was pretty sure her brother had designed this factory in particular. Her eyes darted around frantically before finally settling on the signature boomerang carved into the metal.
The waterbender became lost in thought as she tried to remember the conversation she and Sokka had about the grain factory.
After visiting Jang Hui, Zuko had asked Sokka to help design factories to be environmentally friendly. The only way for the Water Tribe Prince to do that was to eliminate the use of coal as a fuel source. Her brother had mentioned it would increase the economy too, the need for extra workers to help with the new environmentally friendly energy source. Instead of using coal, the tribesman had suggested pure fire from benders and . . . steam!
Her eyes snapped up to take in the surroundings, the factory should have been muggy and humid like a hot spring. But instead, it was smokey, Chan was using coal as the fuel source. That was incredibly volatile in this factory, it was not designed for that kind of energy.
Sokka had mentioned that too. He reminded Zuko in every letter and every time he saw him that the new factories would be at risk of an explosion if coal was used.
By using coal, Chan was able to decrease the number of workers. It required multiple benders to supply the fuel from pure bending and by doing that cut into the profit created by the factory. There was also no ability to keep the factory running through the night with benders and steam as the fuel source. Hence the reason they had decreased the staff by over one-hundred-fifty people for both the factory and the fields.
Katara's arm threaded through her husband's and tightened it quickly, communicating she had something to tell him. It was a signal the two had developed when he had informed her about the threats. The couple had come up with a few different signals for multiple situations so as to not alert others around them.
"Are you alright, Katara?" The Fire Lord turned to his wife as she squeezed his arm, he ignored the nobleman next to him completely. He had noticed she had not been looking well. "Do you want to take a break from the tour?"
"I'm just feeling a little light-headed," Katara explained to him as they looked at each other. She rested most of her weight against her husband and he quickly supported her. The words she spoke weren't a lie, she had not been feeling well all morning, and being in the factory had made it ten times worse. "Why did Sokka have to design a factory that was so hot?"
The only slight widening of Zuko's eyes showed that he understood what she was trying to explain to him. He looked around briefly, under the guise that he was looking for a place for her to sit. In reality, he was noticing the details that showed it was Sokka's design and the smoke that he hadn't really processed before. His eyes settled on the boomerang the Water Tribe Prince had demanded be carved into every room. Katara was right, her brother had designed this factory.
The Fire Lord chuckled, but the sound did not reach his eyes. "Next time you see your brother, take it up with him."
"I plan to," she responded, her hand falling to her stomach. She knew Chan would be suspicious after the comment about her brother and the Fire Lady knew she had to lead him off the trail. Luckily, her stomach did feel upset and it was completely natural for her to touch it.
Zuko caught the motion of his wife's hand and for a second wondered if it was purely for show or if it was real. The question was on the tip of his tongue, but instead, he suggested, "If you're feeling out of sorts, we can head back to the inn."
"No, I'm alright," the waterbender brushed her husband off. Though she sagged in his arms, it took most of her willpower to swole the bile rising in her throat. The smoke was making her nauseated.
"If this is too much for you, we can continue the tour another time," Zuko stated in a firm voice. His main concern was for his waterbender. "I'm sure Chan won't mind. Would you?"
"Of course, not My Lord," Chan shook his head. The young nobleman could not believe his good fortune, he was on edge having to lie to the Fire Lord. He had seen the sheer power the monarch possessed first hand and Chan did not want to be on the receiving end of that again. "There really isn't much more to see anyway and I don't want to bore you."
"Nonsense, we are scheduled to leave tomorrow," Katara shook her head when she noticed how eager the nobleman was for them to leave. The emotion was not lost on her husband either. "I'll be alright to continue, especially if there isn't that much more to see."
"Your health is far more important than the factory, Fire Lady Katara," the nobleman stated with a look at her hand resting on her stomach. "I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. . ."
"I agree, I've seen everything I needed to," the Fire Lord looked at his wife as his arm held her close to him. He didn't need to see any more of the factory, he had enough evidence to launch a full investigation.
"Only if you are sure," the waterbender commented to her husband as she rested her head on his shoulder. The truth was the longer they stayed, the more ill she felt. The smoke was hard on her system and every minute they stayed she felt like she would lose her breakfast.
"I'm sure," he nodded to her with a tender look in his eyes. His first instinct was to get Katara some air. "I've checked on everything as needed, we can still depart tomorrow. Chan if you would be so kind as to show us out, I would greatly appreciate it."
"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko," Chan nodded before turning to show the couple out of the factory, the three walked in silence through the factory. The nobleman had been on edge since the moment the couple had begun asking questions. He felt as if the Fire Lord could see right through his answers. The monarch hardly said anything during both of the tours and it caused Chan's skin to crawl with how uncomfortable it made him.
They were almost out of the factory when it happened.
Zuko felt it before he saw it.
The Fire Lord's stomach clenched, his entire body tensed and every hair stood on end. He felt the rising heat, the flow of kinetic energy, and the stillness right before. It reminded him of the Agni Kai with Azula, right before she shot at Katara with lightning. The terror he had felt came rushing back tenfold.
Zuko turned slightly to see the catalyst and just like the Agni Kai, he didn't think. He just did.
"Katara! Down!" The firebender shouted, the fear evident in his voice as he jumped toward the waterbender. Pushing her down to the ground and covering her with his body. His chest pressed against her back as she fell to the floor. Her arms going to protect her head as he pulled his robes around them in a cocoon.
The factory exploded behind them.
"Toph, we've been having the same conversation for days!" Haru complained as he looked at the love of his life. The earthbender had been at the Western Air Temple for about a month. He had been surprised to find that his girlfriend was the only one in residence, the Avatar having traveled to the North Pole.
The couple had been fighting for days now, both not willing to bend. Haru wanted to rip the hair out of his skull he was so frustrated with her. He just wanted her to love him enough not to worry about her family.
The young earthbender didn't care that she was of noble birth or that she had an inheritance. He didn't care that if her family didn't approve she wouldn't have a dowery. All he cared about was Toph and her happiness. He knew that she was upset her family couldn't accept her, but in his opinion, they never would. Haru had thought she had worked through her issues on her field trip with Zuko. But after their friends' weddings, it seemed they were back to where they started.
She was shocked to hear Haru's normally calm personality vanish as he argued with her. The Blind Bandit had only known him to lose his temper twice, once in the Jasmine Dragon during their fight Zuko had interrupted, and now.
"Well you aren't listening," Toph snapped back at him, her arms crossing over her chest and lifting her chin in defiance. It surprised her to hear him this upset, but it didn't matter to her. She was stubborn and he couldn't understand what it felt like to have her family practically disown her.
"No, I'm listening," he fought back. His face was hot with his anger. "I just don't care!"
"What?"
"Your father is an asshole," her lover responded his hands balling into fists as he spoke. "He's awful and he's been awful since before you were born. He just wants to control you. I don't care that he hates me. I care about you, I want to make you happy. Your family is not my concern."
"He's still my father," Toph argued turning her face away from him. How could he not understand? Family was everything to Haru, she thought he would at least see why this was so difficult for her. She had given up on her family accepting her but it still hurt. But it hurt more than her father would rather disown her than see her happy.
"I can't keep doing this, Toph," Haru replied sadly looking anywhere but at her. He wouldn't be able to say the words he needed if he looked at his love. "I can't be the only one fighting for us. You left, without telling me. I don't even know why I'm here."
"You're here because you love me and I love you," the Blind Bandit stated her heart was heavy in her chest as she listened to his words.
"That might be true, but unless you let go of the hold your family has on you it doesn't matter," the young man shook his head as he looked at the ground. "You didn't even answer my proposal, you wanted to speak to your family first. You ran away from me after the fight with your father. You barely stay and fight for us, why should I?"
"Because I love you!" Toph cried her voice heavy with emotion, tears in her eyes. "And you love me."
"I don't think it's enough anymore, Toph," he whispered before he turned to walk away. "I want more with you. I want to marry you. I want to have a family with you. To build a life with you. I can't force you to want that with me, maybe it's better if I go."
"Haru don't," the Blind Bandit grabbed his wrist to stop him from leaving. The tears were freely flowing down her face. "I want that too. I want all of that with you. I love you."
"What's stopping you?"
"I'm afraid you won't want me after you learn . . ." she took a deep breath. She could barely say the words to herself let alone him.
"Nothing you could say would make me want you any less."
"He disowned me and took away my inheritance," she mumbled softly her head bowed. Finally, Toph admitted her biggest fear. "I don't have a dowery for our marriage."
Haru moved toward the woman in his life. He brushed the hair out of her face and rested his forehead against her's as he spoke. "I have never cared about the money. I wanted to marry you before I knew you were a Beifong and after. I just want you."
Her arms wrap around his neck as he leaned further toward her. She has no idea how much taller he was than her, but she knew she liked that he was. Toph's lips touched his in a sweet kiss. Haru pulled her close as she kissed him and for the first moment since before he learned about her family, he knew they would be okay.
"Sokka!" Suki exclaimed in annoyance as she brushed him away. He was futzing around her again. She was feeling suffocated with all the attention from the past few days.
"Do you need anything else? Maybe I should ask Katara to come?" The Water Tribe Heir said as he tucked his wife into bed. He was worried when he got the news she was with the healers earlier in the week. "I could send a hawk today, Zuko would make sure to send the fastest ship."
"Sokka," her voice was much more firm. She pushed his hands away from her. Her green eyes met his blue ones, "I need you to stop. I'll be fine!"
"You were bleeding," her husband pointed out while he crossed his arms. He frowned and looked away, the fear coursing through his system. "Still are."
"And Senna already said I'm fine," she argued. Secretly the Kyoshi Warrior was terrified and she didn't want to worry her husband any more than necessary. The healer had told her some spotting was normal but had suggested bed rest as a precaution.
"I still think Katara should come," Sokka admitted after backing off a little. He sat down next to his wife. He rested a hand on her leg, he thought his wife looked paler than normal. The Water Tribe Heir was trying to not let his worry take over.
"She and Zuko are on their wedding tour," she reminded him. Suki placed her hand on top of his. "It's going to be okay. And you need to go meet with your father. You have that meeting and you can't miss it."
The Water Tribe Heir scrubbed his hand over his face. Between his wife and his tribe, Sokka's emotions were all over the place. The meeting was important and he couldn't miss it. His duty to his tribe and to his wife was leaving him in knots. The Water Tribe Heir knew his responsibilities would come into conflict with each other at some point in time. And when they did, he would have to choose his tribe. But he hadn't thought his wife and child's health would be in jeopardy.
"I don't want to leave you alone," he sighed in frustration. He looked down at their hands. The tribesman took a deep breath, "Are you sure you don't want Senna to come to sit with you? Maybe she can examine you again?"
"I'll be fine," the Kyoshi Warrior reassured him again. She understood why he was worried, especially with everything going on. But she was starting to feel suffocated with all the attention. "You need to go, I understand and I'll be fine. Plus your grandmother will be checking on me."
"I know, I just wish," Sokka huffed. He looked across the room for a moment before turning back to his wife. "I just wish, I didn't have to leave you."
"Sokka, I'll be fine, oh!" Suki clutched her stomach. The baby had been extremely active this entire week. It was the one thing the couple was holding on to in this crisis.
"The baby is active today," he mumbled as he placed his hand next to hers. Sokka was rewarded with a nudge against his hand from the baby. His fears settled at the pressure.
"Yes, which means we will be fine," his wife gave him a hard look. She back to shoo him away. "You need to go to this meeting. I'll be okay. And if you don't leave I'll pull out the fans."
"Okay, I'm leaving but if you start bleeding again I'm writing to Katara." He stood up and placed a quick kiss on her forehead before leaving to head to his meeting.
Suki watched him leave before pulling out the materials she had stashed in the nightstand. While she didn't want to worry her husband, she did want to write to her sister-in-law. The Kyoshi Warrior knew that Katara would ease her worries.
Zuko felt her slip out of bed again.
It was the fourth night in a row that she had snuck out of their bed. The Fire Lord suspected she was helping the villagers that had sustained injuries in the factory explosion. Thankfully the monarchs had only sustained superficial wounds that were all quickly healed by the Fire Lady. That couldn't be said for the rest of the workers and villagers, the effects of the explosion were vast. The blast had traveled for miles and caused fires all over the island.
The couple had been in Hing Wa for almost three weeks now. They were supposed to only stay a little over a week but after the factory explosion, the newlyweds had decided to extend their stay.
Zuko had been working with the other firebenders during the day to help stabilize the factory, along with his guards. He had been extremely thankful that his wife had noticed the factory had been planned by her brother. It made it much easier to stabilize knowing the original plans. Chan and his father were currently in custody. The initial thought was their greed for money had been the cause to switch the fuel source of the factory leading to the explosion. Though a full investigation would be launched later.
The firebender had been so scared when the explosion happened. Katara's life had flashed before his eyes the same way it had in the Agni Kai. His stomach lurched at the mere thought of what could have been. Zuko had to remind himself that he and Katara were safe. They were alive. The first few nights he had awoken to nightmares, the smell of burning flesh, and the screams of his people at the forefront of his mind.
But most of all he remembered seeing both their crowns in the rubble.
The Fire Lady had comforted her husband every night for the first week. His gasping breath as he sat up in bed waking her with him. She had soothed him back to sleep each time with soft words and gentle kisses. He clung to her every night, making sure that she was alive and with him. The nightmares were what alerted him the first night she had left, he had awoken to find her missing.
Katara had been working in the hospital, healing as many as she could. The Fire Lady was exhausted, she was working from dawn to dusk. Her days were filled with the most critical of patients and even then she couldn't help all that she needed to. There were only so many people she could see during the day. Zuko knew instantly where she had disappeared that first night, yet he still felt a sense of terror when he discovered her gone.
The Fire Lord had heard whisperings of the Painted Lady coming to help throughout the week as he worked with the engineers. He had no doubt in his mind that his wife was doing all she could to heal their people.
Zuko climbed out of bed and donned the Blue Spirit disguise before leaving the inn to look for her. He was livid that his wife would not tell him she was sneaking out. The first night he had woken up to find her missing he had been terrified. He didn't understand why she didn't tell him.
It didn't take him long to find her moving through the streets of the village, her disguise was good but Zuko knew her too well. Her husband watched from the shadows as she entered the hospital, healing as she went. Katara moved quickly and efficiently as she worked, the moon and her bloodbending allowing her to be more effective. He was unprepared for the feeling of pride that settled in his body as he observed her.
The Blue Spirit was so in awe of the Painted Lady, that he momentarily forgot why he was angry with his wife.
The waterbender could feel the moon beginning to set and knew it was time for her to rejoin her husband. She had healed more than half of the villagers who had been involved in the explosion, but there were still so many more who needed her help. There were only so many hours in the day. There were too many people watching the Fire Lady during the daylight hours and she was unable to use her bloodbending to its full potential.
Katara had been walking through the village when she heard someone moving along behind her. She picked up her pace, but the person following her did the same. The waterbender moved into the shadows hoping to slip inconspicuously into an alley that she knew was up ahead. Within minutes she had slipped into the alley, hiding behind some barrels.
The Painted Lady waited for the person to move past her hiding spot but no one ever did.
She heard a slight thump from behind her before her arms were restrained and she was pressed back into a hard chest. The Painted Lady went to scream, but a gloved hand quickly covered her mouth.
"It's me," the Blue Spirit spoke softly in her ear. Instantly he felt his wife relax into his arms. Zuko released her once he knew she was calm. He knew she would be upset at him for startling her, but his own temper was a ticking bomb from his wife's secrets.
"Don't scare me like that!" Katara exclaimed as she turned to shove a finger into his chest.
"Don't scare you?" Zuko's temper flared as he flipped the mask on top of his head. He had been worried about her every night she slipped out of their bed. "How do you think I felt waking up to you missing the past few nights?"
"You could have brought it up in the morning," the waterbender crossed her arms looking anywhere than the Blue Spirit. She was vexed that he had frightened her.
"I was terrified every time I woke up and you were missing," Zuko ranted throwing his hands up in the air. His jaw clenched as he continued, "You can't just leave in the middle of the night without telling me! The war might be over but there are plenty of people who still want us dead."
"I was perfectly fine," she rolled her eyes at him. The waterbender was embarrassed that he not only scared her but that he was treating her like she was stupid. "This isn't the first time I've snuck around, nor is it the first time someone has wanted me dead. And if you would remember, I have a lot of practice evading people who want me dead."
"You drive me crazy!" He exclaimed. Zuko wanted to reach out and shake her he was so furious, instead, he ran his hands through his hair. His body was tense and hot, filled with panic. His distress caused him to lash out at her. "You can't just leave in the middle of the night without telling me!"
"I'm a grown woman, Zuko! I can do whatever I want," the waterbender snapped at him, her sapphire eyes glowing in the moonlight as she glared at him. She was upset that he was scolding her like a child. She noticed how his eyes narrowed into slits as he looked at her. Katara hadn't seen him this angry since before he joined Team Avatar.
"It doesn't work that way for the Fire Lord and Fire Lady! We have talked about this so many times," he grumbled lowly. His body was tense from the fear he felt earlier that night, not knowing where she was. "We don't even know what fully caused the explosion! It could have just been because of the greed that the Chan family had or it could be related to the threats. It isn't safe for you to be out without anyone knowing where you are! Without me knowing!"
"I'm a Master Waterbender, I can handle myself just fine," the Fire Lady vigorously bit out to her husband. His wrath fueled hers. He began pacing as she argued with him.
"It has nothing to do with that!" He bellowed at her. The Fire Lord's terror was giving away to his rage as he listened to his wife. She was the only one who could make him this angry. "You fucking disappeared! In the middle of the night!"
"You act like I left you, Zuko," she flipped her hair over her shoulder as she spoke. Katara lifted her chin and refused to meet his eyes. "All I did was help our people! The ones who are actually dying from the factory explosion."
"I'm not acting, you did! You always do," he growled out in frustration, smoke was curling around his nose. If he hadn't been so frightened he would have been in better control of his emotions and his words. "Every single time I try to talk to you about our marriage, you fucking leave! You keep shutting me out and leaving me. How am I supposed to feel?"
"You are being dramatic," Katara hissed at him. She knew he was right but, instead of admitting it, her stubbornness won out. "Stop acting like an abandoned child. I have come back every single time."
"I'm being dramatic? Fuck! I was an abandoned child, by not only my mother but also by my father," Zuko snarled at his wife, sparks flying from his mouth. The feelings of being forsaken by his family came back to him in full force. "Which is something you know! We spent weeks on the roof talking about it and bonding over the fact we were left by our mothers. And yet, you keep leaving me!"
"I have never once abandoned you, I have come back every single time. Even after Ba Sing Se! I fucking married you!" She shouted at him, her finger jabbing into his chest again. Katara was upset that he was projecting the issues and fears of his family on her. "Stop putting their failures on me!"
"Agni! It always comes back to fucking Ba Sing Se!" He threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. He leaned down to look at her, their faces only a few inches away from each other. "You just can't let that go."
"Well maybe if you weren't acting so dramatic all the time and accusing me of things I didn't do I would let it go," she hissed at him. Her face was so incredibly close to his, that he could feel her breath.
"That's not the point!"
"What is the point?" Katara cried angrily. Her arms crossed over her chest and she turned to look away from him. But she could still feel his gold eyes on her.
"Katara we both almost died two weeks ago," He argued back, running his hands through his hair. His words dripping with emotion. "It could have been so much worse for both of us. We were lucky to walk away with no lasting damage, you literally work in the hospital! You know exactly how close we came to losing our lives."
"Well, it wasn't! And we are fine," she defended herself persistently to her husband. Her chin lifting as she brushed him off, she was not going to let him make her feel bad about helping their people.
"Fucking Agni!" Zuko snarled, his fear had turned to anger as she spoke. The little hold he had on his rage finally broke with his next words. "Sometimes you make me so angry, I don't understand why I love you! You're infuriating! Headstrong, stubborn, pigheaded—"
"What?" Katara replied breathily cutting him off.
Sapphire eyes snapped to look at her husband. Her mind was racing along with her heart as he spoke. The question was almost silent in the dark night as it left her mouth, but it sounded as if she had shouted it.
The Fire Lord turned back to his wife, the words he had just admitted to her processing in his mind. In two long strides he was in front of the waterbender, she had moved back as he moved toward her and her back was against the alley wall. His right hand removed the hat she wore before tangling in her hair as his left came to cup her cheek. His eyes flickered down to take in the way her betrothal necklace moved against her throat as her breathing increased.
Katara felt Zuko's body push flush against her as he cupped her cheek. His gold eyes bore into her blue ones. He leaned forward and crashed his lips to hers in a bruising kiss.
The Fire Lady's hands moved to rest on her husband's chest, moving to grip his shirt as he kissed her. Zuko kissed her almost painfully, pulling her closer to him as he did. In this one kiss, he wanted to show not only his love but his desire for the waterbender. He swiped his tongue against her bottom lip asking for entrance.
The waterbender opened her mouth allowing her husband the access he wanted as he continued to kiss her. Her hands moved from his chest to wrap around his neck. Zuko moved the hand against her cheek down to rest against her waist, before lifting her to bring her lips closer to his. Katara instantly wrapped her legs around his hips to steady herself from falling. The Fire Lord placed his hand against the bottom of her thigh to hold her against him.
Zuko didn't want this moment to end, he felt like he couldn't get close enough. Her body felt cool against the fire burning inside of him. He could feel every soft curve pressed against him. He knew the moment they separated everything would change.
Katara felt almost suffocated by the heat Zuko was giving off as he kissed her, but she didn't want him to stop. She felt like he was trying to consume her with this one kiss. He surrounded her. All around her all she could taste, touch, smell, see, and hear was Zuko. The waterbender didn't know if he was stealing her air or breathing life into her. He had kissed her breathless and she didn't know which way was up.
She went to pull away so she could catch her breath, Zuko biting her lower lip in punishment as she separated from him. The action caused her to moan into his mouth and a fresh flood of heat to grace her core.
Blue eyes sparkling in the moonlight looked into heady gold ones. Her chest rose and fell as she took gulping breaths. Her nipples were pebbled and he could feel them pressing into his chest. His erection was pushing into her heated core. Zuko swore he could smell her arousal.
The Fire Lord rested his forehead against his wife's.
"What was that?" The Painted Lady whispered, her words coming out through her panting.
"I love you, Katara," the Blue Spirit responded his voice strong as he looked into deep blue eyes. Her breath caught in her throat, her body felt hot and tingly as he continued. "I have loved you for a long time. I know you might not feel the same way, but I'm tired of hiding it."
"Zuko, I love you too," Katara admitted. Her sapphire eyes sparkled as the happy tears began falling. He brushed them away quickly before he pressed his lips to hers again in a much shorter, much softer kiss.
"I don't think I have ever wanted you more," Zuko replied against her lips.
"Take me to bed," the waterbender commanded. The Fire Lord did not need to be told twice, within seconds he had lifted his wife before setting a fast pace toward the inn and their room.
"How long?" She questioned as they laid in bed after their lovemaking. Her head was resting on his naked chest and she was tracing the scar.
Both benders had been surprised to learn that their feelings had created an even better act. It had been emotional and passionate. Whispered declarations of lust and love as they had moved together. Equal parts romantic and erotic.
"That first night on the roof," he replied as his hand captured hers. He brought it to his mouth, kissing her fingertips. The Fire Lord was doing everything in his power to keep the growing erection at bay, but his wife was making it difficult as she continued touching him.
"During our honeymoon?" Katara clarified as she looked up at him in question. Blue eyes glittering in the moonlight streaming in through the window met hooded golden ones. Her breathing caught as he continued to look at her. The look her husband gave her caused her to feel desired and loved.
"No, the first night we ever met on the roof," he responded with a shake of his head as he looked into the sapphire eyes. He wanted to kiss her, cherish and worship every inch of her bronzed skin. He brushed a lock of hair out of her face as he answered, "When you told me about bloodbending."
"Oh," her cheeks turned pink to think of Zuko loving her that long. But then again, the waterbender had loved him for a long time too. She bit her lip as she looked up at him through her lashes.
"What about you?"
"What about me?" Katara giggled knowing full well what he was asking but wanted to tease him a little. After hiding her feelings for so long, it was nice to just be herself with Zuko again.
"You know what," he smirked at her as he pinched her side lightly in retaliation for being teased. His wife was a minx, but he loved it.
She pulled her hand from his and began tracing the scar again. The memory of her feelings came back to her mind as she spoke, "I don't know the moment I started falling for you but I knew I loved you when you jumped in front of the lightning for me. I was terrified, I thought I had realized my feelings too late. And you were going to die before I could get to you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Zuko questioned his wife. He watched her fingertips move over the scar and at that moment he knew instantly why she did it.
"I could ask you the same thing," she retorted, her cheeks pink. When he didn't say anything she continued hesitantly. "We kissed and then when you brought it up, your voice sounded so serious. I thought for sure you were going to tell me it was a mistake. And at the time I wasn't sure if you were still with Mai. Everything was so confusing. But I didn't want you to break my heart, so I lied before you could hurt me."
"We could have saved so much time," Zuko shook his head sadly. His hand twirled a piece of her hair as he spoke. "I lied because you told me that it was a mistake first. I had wanted to tell you how I felt, but then within seconds you had taken my heart and crushed it."
"Do you think the world would have been ready for us then?" Katara questioned suddenly as she thought over his words. Her foot rubbed against his calf as she snuggled closer to her husband. "If we had been honest, do you think that the council would have allowed us to court and marry?"
"Honestly, no," the firebender sighed bitterly as he took a moment to think. It was something he had wondered after their betrothal had been announced. "I think they would have fought everything. By the time I had announced our engagement because of a treaty, some of my more 'radical' ideas had been pushed through. Having a waterbending bride seemed not as big of a deal in comparison. Not to mention, I had been briefed to come out of the Peace Summit in Omashu with a betrothal."
"I was too. Maybe it's a good thing we never said anything," the waterbender whispered as she looked up at the naked man she was wrapped around. "We didn't have to fight the system to be together and now we can create the life we want."
"Uncle would say everything happens in the timing it was meant to and nothing we do could change the plan of the spirits," the Fire Lord commented softly his eyes boring into hers. His fingertips stroked the side of his wife's face, she was beautiful. "However it happened, I'm just glad to have you by my side. I love you, Katara."
"I love you too, Zuko."
The key turned in the lock caused Ozai to awaken from his light sleep. Gold eyes stared at the man in front of him. His voice dripping with disdain, "It's about time you came for me. Has my failure of a son run my country to the ground?"
"I'm sorry My Lord, but I don't think you will like the nature of my visit."
Ozai sat up straighter and looked down his nose. He could hardly believe his most trusted advisor had taken so long to plan an escape attempt. "Why would I not like it?"
"I'm not here to free you."
The disgraced monarch's eyes widened as he processed the words and watched his former advisor move closer to him. Ozai couldn't understand how he had fallen so far from the life he had carefully curated.
A few floors below Warden Poon patrolled the prison. He was exhausted, two of his guards were homesick tonight because of that he was pulling double duty. He was getting too old to continue working this way. He should have taken the opportunity to step back when Fire Lord Zuko had offered, the man thought to himself. Typically at this hour, he would have been in his office, only available if necessary. But because of the change in roster, the Warden was pacing the halls of Caldera Prison.
He nodded to the other guards as they walked the corridors in silence. The place was littered with guards, hundreds patrolled the tower. Only a fool would try to break out, a fool or the Dragon of the West.
Poon had been the warden of the prison when the Great General Iroh had been incarcerated for a few months during the war. At the time, the warden had been instructed to break the old man mentally. And there was a brief moment where he thought the Dragon of the West had gone mad. How wrong Poon had been, the Day of Black Sun showed that the general might have been old but he operated as a one-man army. He was the only person known to have escaped Caldera Prison.
Of course, that was not the only Fire Nation prison to have inmates slip through their fingers. The Warden had been shocked when a couple of months later the news of the escape from Boiling Rock had come into the city. Poon had been flabbergasted to learn that Prince Zuko had led the breakout.
The clock struck, indicating the midnight hour. And the warden began the long climb to the highest floor of the tower to check on Caldera Prison's most elusive prisoner.
He was not prepared for the sight that would greet him.
The End of Part One: For the Love of Fire
Notes:
Sooooo? Was it worth it? Did the confession live up to your expectations?
Be sure to check out my Instagram: JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This story has three main parts and we have officially come to the end of Part One!
Unfortunately, the next few months of work are going to be crazy for me. It already has been picking up and it's made it difficult to stick to my original schedule. I don't want to promise you a chapter and then not deliver it.
So, I have decided to take the next few months off of posting. The next chapter will be posted at the end of the summer. I will continue to post on my Instagram sneak peeks and begin adding to my Patreon on May 1st. Where the unedited sneak peeks will be uploaded.
I almost took a break earlier this month, but we were so close to the end of part one that I pushed through. This story will hopefully be fully posted by the end of 2022 but at the latest, every chapter will be posted by the Summer of 2023.
Sadly, writing fanfiction doesn't pay the bills and I need to focus on my job for right now. Thank you all for your patience and your support!
See you on September 5th, 2022!
Chapter 18: Chapter Eighteen: Spring 104 AG
Notes:
Hello! Hello!
I know this chapter is coming earlier than expected, but before we get too excited I'm not promising regular updates as of right now. Work is still insanely crazy and the next update will probably not come until September 5th, 2022.
But this chapter was ready and I did a quick poll on my Instagram to see if you all would like me to post it early. And it was a unanimous decision of yes lol. So here it is! If you are not following me on my Instagram be sure to check it out, I post sneak peeks and answer questions there: @ JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
I hope you all like the beginning of Part 2 :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Eighteen: Spring 104 AG
The Fire Lord was awakened suddenly in the middle of the night.
Someone was knocking vigorously on the royal couple's bedroom door. He was not in a good mood to have been woken. Zuko had only just fallen asleep an hour or so ago, spending most of the night pleasuring his wife until she screamed in ecstasy.
He untangled himself from his naked wife and stumbled out of bed, barely remembering to pull on his sleep pants in the process. The knocking continued as he dressed. The Fire Lord looked down at his wife, this better be an emergency he thought to himself.
His waterbender's tanned skin looked beautiful in the moonlight streaming in through their bedroom windows. Her hair was a mess of curls wildly across her pillow with her face turned where his chest should have been. Katara shivered at the lack of warmth from Zuko's body. He reverently brushed his wife's hair out of her face and made sure her body was fully covered before moving to answer the door.
Since their confession in Hing Wa a few weeks ago, the royal couple had been extremely affectionate with each other. The two were making up for the lost time.
The palace halls were filled with whispers about the royal couple. Many of the noblewomen could not believe the Fire Lord actually wanted his wife, let alone desired her. In contrast, the noblemen wondered if the tribeswoman knew things about the art of pleasure their wives and lovers did not. The royal couple was the prime topic of gossip throughout the Fire Nation court. Zuko had seen more than one article in the scrolls he sent to his sister about his relationship.
The servants were the only ones who knew the reason the couple was so affectionate with each other. The whispered declarations of love not lost on them.
"Malu, do you know what time it is?" Zuko hissed through his teeth as he looked at the Captain of the Royal Guard standing in the doorway. The Fire Lord barely registered Warden Poon standing behind the guard. The monarch was livid that he had been pulled from his sleeping wife.
"I'm sorry to wake you Fire Lord Zuko, but this couldn't wait until morning," the guard apologized his tone heavy. He was not looking forward to breaking the news to the monarch. Malu glanced back at the Warden of Caldera Prison to remind himself of the importance of the information.
"Zuko?" Katara called from their bed. She rubbed her eyes and sat up being sure to clutch the sheet to her chest. "It's cold, come back to bed."
The voices and her husband's absence having woken her. The warden and the guard exchanged a stunned look with each other. Both were surprised to hear how intimately the Fire Lady called for her husband.
"I'll be right there, Katara," her husband responded in a doting tone; a harsh contrast to how he had addressed the men in front of him. Taking a deep breath to steady the anger rising in him before turning back to the men in the doorway. "Now, whatever it is, I'm sure it can wait until morning."
"It's about your father, My Lord," the warden interrupted before Zuko could close the door on them. Poon was sick to his stomach to deliver the news, though he knew it could not wait. This news required immediate attention.
"Just ignore Ozai's demands and the threats," the firebender brushed off the words. He was not in the mood to hear about his father's venomous empty threats. Katara had left the bed and donned her kimono the moment she heard the name leave Zuko's mouth. Her steps were quick and long to join her husband.
"My Lord, it's nothing like that," Malu corrected quickly with a shake of his head, he scratched the back of his neck. His nerves were high, he had been on edge since Poon had come to him in such distress. The Captain of the Royal Guard never would have woken his sovereign if the news was anything else.
"Malu, what's going on?" Katara asked her voice soothing as she looked between the two men. Her arm wrapping around her husband's waist as he draped his over her shoulders. She nestled into his side instantly, allowing his body heat to warm her. The waterbender had immediately felt the absence of her husband when he had left their bed.
"I'm so sorry to have disturbed you, Fire Lady Katara," the guard spoke his words soft and comforting, a sharp contrast to the beads of sweat across his brow. He gestured to the man next to him. "But Warden Poon came to me with some distressing news. I thought it best you and Fire Lord Zuko hear it immediately."
"It is very late, what happened?" Zuko's patience was thin. He wanted to climb back into bed with his wife, that sadly was now clothed.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Poon began his voice wavering as he looked at the scarred man. "During our routine checks, we found Ozai," the man paused to clear his throat. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I'm so sorry, Fire Lord, your father was found dead in his cell."
"What?" The Fire Lord's eyes widened. Katara gasped next to him, her grip tightening around him.
He had expected everything else, but that. He thought the warden would tell him Ozai wanted concubines. Or to see Azula, or to threaten Zuko. Perhaps even threaten his mother or wife. Even an escape attempt had crossed his mind. But the Fire Nation sovereign hadn't expected his father to be dead.
"He was fine at our after-dinner check, but in the span of time between the ten o'clock check and the midnight check he had been killed. This was left in his cell," the warden handed him a green scroll addressed to the Fire Lord. The guard and warden stared at the monarchs waiting for their dismissal.
The Fire Nation sovereign looked at the scroll, the gold detailing in the green replicated the ones sitting in his office. It was heavy in his hands, just like the ones he had seen before. These were no longer empty threats. He felt like he was going to be sick as he stared at the scroll. The Fire Lord was no closer to learning who the sender was than he was a month ago and now his father was dead.
"Zuko?" Katara questioned her husband as he looked at the scroll in his hands. When it was clear her husband wasn't going to say anything, the Fire Lady took over, "Malu, Warden Poon, we appreciate you bringing the news to us in such a timely manner. We will be sure to investigate this threat in the morning. Malu, please enact all security measures you believe necessary for the night and we will discuss a more permeant detail in the morning."
At the Fire Lady's words, the two men bowed at their clear dismissal leaving the royal couple in silence.
The waterbender guided her husband back into their room and sat him on the edge of their bed. Katara wrapped her arms around Zuko and just held him as he worked through his feelings. His body was stiff in her embrace but slowly relaxed into her as time went by.
The Fire Lord's eyes were wide and his breathing was shallow. His stomach churned, he could almost taste the bile rising in his throat. His palms were sweaty but he felt cold all over. The room began to spin and he pressed his forehead against his waterbender's shoulder.
"My father's dead," he whispered after about an hour of being wrapped in his lover's arms. His arms threaded around Katara's waist, burying his head in her supple chest. "I don't know how to feel."
"It's okay to be sad or not to be sad," she spoke gently into his ear, brushing the hair out of his face. "You had a complicated relationship with your father. Don't put any pressure on yourself to feel a certain way, just let yourself feel it. You don't owe anyone an explanation for your feelings."
The Fire Lord nodded before he pulled away from his wife and looked at the scroll in his hand. He took a deep breath, unraveling the scroll before looking at the contents.
Fire Lord,
It looks like my last threat was not taken seriously.
A hundred years of war has its consequences.
One royal family member gone, another to follow.
Who will it be next?
"It's begun," Zuko commented eerily as he read the contents of the scroll again. He passed the scroll to his wife to read. "Ozai's death was obviously not from natural causes, the question is who was able to get close enough to kill him. Poon and I, are the only ones with a key to his cell."
"Zuko," she whispered as she looked over the threat. Something felt oddly familiar with the phrasing and the handwriting, but she couldn't place it.
"I need to call a council meeting," he stood from the bed thinking about everything he needed to do. He began pacing as he spoke. "I need to tell my mother and write to Uncle. Contact Bumi and see if there has been any progress with the White Lotus investigation. Figure out the funeral. Meet with Malu and discuss security measures for all of us. Azula! What if they go after her?"
"Malu is going to bolster security for the rest of the night, Azula is protected by the White Lotus. Come to bed, Zuko. We can figure the rest out in the morning," Katara responded putting the scroll down and pulling her husband back into bed with her. "They won't try anything tonight. Come on, let's go back to bed."
The Fire Lord allowed himself to be pulled into bed. The waterbender laid down next to her husband, his head resting against her chest and his arms around her waist. His wife brushed his hair out of his face in a soothing manner as she held him.
"My father's dead," he repeated as he laid against his wife.
The shock was still evident and Zuko still didn't know how to feel. He thought he should cry over his dead father, that's what people did when their fathers passed. But his eyes were bone dry. He couldn't process the reality, it didn't make sense to the Fire Lord that Ozai was now dead. Zuko was unsure if he wanted to laugh or cry or scream. He felt numb.
"Shh," his waterbender shushed him. Her hands stroking his hair willing him to relax in her arms. "We will talk about it later, on the roof. Right now, just sleep."
The Fire Lord's body calmed slightly before he looked up into sapphire eyes, "I don't think, I'll be able to sleep. Will you sing me something?"
"What do you want me to sing?" She asked with a twitch of her lips as he snuggled deeper into her chest. The request from her husband reminded her of why she fell in love with him.
"Anything," he shrugged closing his eyes, his arms holding himself tightly to his wife.
"Two lovers, forbidden from one another. A war divides their people, and a mountain divides them apart. Built a path to be together . . ." Katara sang softly, her voice lulling her husband to sleep.
"I haven't gotten anywhere with my search," Aang complained to his oldest friend as he paced around the room. The Avatar had been in Omashu for three weeks. He had decided to visit Bumi after helping Azula in the North Pole. He figured if someone could help him in the search to restore the Air Nomads, it would be someone who actually remembered airbenders.
"You will, Aang. But it's been over a hundred years, these people have only known hiding. It will take some time," his old friend comforted him. The old man went to speak more but was cut off by the Avatar's groan.
"My people are gone, my culture is nonexistent," the airbender lamented as he looked out the window at the city. "I want to be the proper leader for the airbenders and become a full monk. But to do that I need to embrace all the practices, including celibacy. I can't do that if I have to repopulate an entire nation!"
"Do you believe airbenders are out there? That even with everything that happened some survived the genocide?" The earthbender questioned his friend. He was testing the young monk's faith.
"Of course I do," the avatar grumbled frustrated with the line of questioning. His hands balled into fists at his side. "I've gone through every record. I have checked around every temple and the surrounding areas. I don't know where else to look anymore."
"Perhaps you are thinking too hard about it," Bumi cackled as he looked across at the airbender. "Stop looking where you think you should and start at the beginning!"
"The beginning? You mean of the genocide? Or of the search?" The monk looked confused at his friend, the mad king was making even less sense than normal. Momo jumped off of Aang and toward the bowl of fruit on the table in front of the two men.
"Yes," the King laughed loudly, the sound echoing off the walls. For the first time since the war ended, the earthbender thought his friend was almost ready to be the leader the airbenders deserved.
"Excuse me, King Bumi, this came for you from Fire Lord Zuko," a guard stated as he walked into the room. He passed the letter he was carrying to the King. "It was marked urgent."
The normally crazy king was extremely calm as he read the letter. The atmosphere became particularly ominous as he looked over the contents, two times then a third. The avatar looked at his friend when he felt the energy shift. Bumi rarely took things so seriously, he felt every bit of his age as he read the scroll.
"Bumi?" The airbender questioned quietly.
"Ozai is dead," Bumi responded as he looked up at Aang. The old king rubbed a hand over his face as he continued, "He was found dead in his cell two nights ago."
"How? He was in perfect health!"
"The Fire Lord suspects he was poisoned, a threat was left with the body," the king explained as he looked at his young friend, passing the letter to him. "And the White Lotus is no closer to finding who is sending the threats than we were since the first was sent."
"Do you think it's still someone from the Earth Kingdom?" Aang asked as he looked over what Zuko had written. The lemur hopped onto the monk's shoulder, eating a piece of fruit as he looked at the letter too. "Or do you think it's someone trying to lead us off the trail?"
"It's someone from the Earth Kingdom," Bumi sighed. The old man was frustrated he couldn't figure out which noble was threatening the Fire Lord and his family. "But I wouldn't be surprised if there was someone inside Caldera helping. There are too many pieces unaccounted."
"Momo, maybe it's time we go back to the Fire Nation," Aang mumbled to his pet. The airbender absently scratched the lemur's head. "It looks like we might be needed."
"I think you should stay," the King of Omashu commented suddenly looking at the young monk. Now that Aang was closing in on who he needed to be for the Air Nomads, the earthbender didn't want him to leave. "Perhaps you could help me and the White Louts investigate the noble families to see who is behind the threats."
"You are probably right," Aang nodded solemnly. Zuko and Katara would be busy with the arrangements of Ozai's funeral, the avatar didn't want to be in the way. "I doubt the assassin will make another move now, they will want to let the paranoia build before striking again. Plus, knowing Zuko, security will have been increased."
"I'll call a meeting immediately," Bumi agreed as he thought over how to handle the news. He wasn't exactly upset that Ozai had died, he thought the world was better off without the man. But he knew that the airbender had conflicted feelings about death.
"Guess my search for airbenders will have to wait," the avatar sighed. He watched the lemur eat the lychee nuts on the table in front of him.
Aang had been so ecstatic when he had seen the lemur at the Southern Air Temple at the beginning of his journey to becoming a fully realized Avatar. The entire temple had been demolished and Gyatso had been murdered. And Aang had felt incredibly responsible for all the death and destruction caused to his people. Momo had given him hope that the Air Nomads had not all been murdered in the attacks by the Fire Nation. But now he was struggling with keeping that hope.
"Maybe staying in Omashu will give you the answers you seek," a twinkle in the crazy king's eye. He had been around since the first strike, but Bumi needed Aang to have faith. The young avatar needed to release not only the anger and pain he had surrounding the devastation of his nation. But also the guilt before he would be able to rebuild. The moment that the old king saw the shift in his friend, he would give him the missing link to the airbender's search.
"Bumi, what do you know?"
"Go back to the beginning," Bumi repeated his words from earlier before he left the monk to meditate on his words.
"Ozai is dead," the words were spoken softly, by the Fire Lord. Yet they seemed to echo through the cool night air.
"Yes, he is," his wife agreed with the statement. Her hand's lightly combing through his hair in a soothing manner. The Fire Nation royal couple was currently on the roof over their bedroom, the moon their only source of light. Zuko's head in his wife's lap.
It had been almost a week since Ozai had been found in his cell, the couple had been extremely busy with organizing his funeral and alerting all the necessary people. In addition to the investigation that was taking place surrounding the untimely death of Ozai. This was the first time they had an opportunity to sneak away to the roof.
"I feel like I should be sad," Zuko admitted his voice steady and hollow. Gold eyes glazed over as he looked out at the city. The past week he had just been going through the motions of his life. "But at the same time, I feel like I should laugh because he can't hurt me anymore."
"How do you feel? Don't judge yourself, just speak it," his waterbender lightly probed the question. Her tone brought him back to the day he found Azula with Love Amongst the Dragons. Katara sounded exactly like he had imagined she would.
He let her words move over him for a moment. How did he feel? The Fire Lord closed his eyes and breathed deeply. Zuko focused on the feel of his wife's fingers combing through his hair, timing his breath to her movement. His mind going to his meditation practice. Asking the necessary questions with each breath he took.
How did he feel? Breathe in, breathe out.
Was he surprised at the news? A little, he hadn't expected it.
Another deep breath in followed by one out. Was he grieving? No, Zuko wasn't sad or grief-stricken that his father had died.
He breathed again, in and out. Was he happy? No, he wasn't happy. In and out, he breathed deeper. How did he feel?
"Angry."
Katara's body jerked as the word left his mouth, the soothing rhythm of her fingers was lost. His golden eyes snapped open to look at her, prepared to see judgment all he saw was surprise. Zuko watched her lick her lips before speaking, "Why are you angry?"
"Because he got to escape it all," the bitterness was evident in his voice. He sat up quickly before standing and began pacing the roof as he spoke. His emotions flooded out of him now that he had released the damn of indifference. "I thought for sure that Aang had to kill him for peace to reign, but I was wrong. Killing him was easy and gave him an escape. Ozai will never see the wrongdoings of his ways. When Aang brought him back, I decided that he should be tried for his actions."
"Zuko," she whispered as he continued his speech. Her sapphire eyes followed his movements. Katara's heart ached for her husband.
"So he could see what he did, see the pain and suffering he caused not only to the other nations but to his nation and his family. To me!" The Fire Lord ranted with silent frustrated tears running down his face, pointing at himself briefly. His arms and hands moved rapidly in time with his words as he continued, "And now, he escaped it all. He will never get to see what he did. He was able to die, while I have to clean up the mess of him and the last hundred years. How is that fair?"
The young Fire Lord dropped onto the roof in a pile at the last sentence, his eyes now filled with hot tears he could not shed earlier. Katara rushed to him before she wrapped her arms around him and held him as he cried. His face turned into her, pressing himself as close as he could to her soft body. Zuko basked in the comfort only the waterbender could give him.
"You don't know that Ozai would be able to see the wrongdoings of his past when put on trial for the crimes he committed," Katara's voice was soft as she consoled her husband. The waterbender held him tightly to her, fingertips running along the scar on his face pouring every ounce of love she had into the movement. "He might have and might not have. He was an evil and vile manipulative man, who left destruction in his wake."
"I will never have the opportunity to tell him how he destroyed my nation and family," the Fire Lord cried into the waterbender's arms. His sorrowful sounds cut through the night air harshly. Zuko's hands fisted into the fabric of his wife's clothing. "He fucking burned me at thirteen! And sent me on a mission that he believed to be unachievable. He wanted to kill me when I was born and now instead of getting justice, he gets to die. Escaping all of it. It's not fucking fair!"
The Fire Lady allowed her own tears to fall as she learned that Ozai wanted to kill her husband at birth. She knew that Ozai was despicable, but the more she learned about Zuko's past the more she realized how horrific his father was. He not only wanted the world to burn, but he also wanted to destroy his children as well. Neither Zuko nor Azula deserved the abuse that their father inflicted on them.
"In another life, you might have had the father you deserved," his wife whispered into his ear as she held her husband tightly. She hoped he could feel all of her love in her embrace. "And you might not be cleaning up a mess that was created by your forefathers. But in this one, I get the man not only worthy of the crown but the man strong enough to have gone through fire and survived to heal his people."
Zuko listened to the words she spoke softly to him. Just being in her arms helped soothe not only the anger but the pain buried deep within him. His life had been destroyed by his father, that was true. Yet because of that destruction, the Fire Lord ended the hundred-year war. He was leading his nation into an era of peace. And he was privileged enough to have the waterbender as his wife.
"If all I have gone through was to make me honorable enough to be your husband it was worth it. Every single moment was worth it," the firebender responded once his cries slowed. "I shouldn't be angry at a dead man."
The Fire Lord would always have complicated feelings about Ozai. He could hate his father for what he did to him. But Zuko could also be grateful to the man for providing the steps that led to his waterbender. And if that's all the good that came out of Ozai, it was enough for Zuko.
"No, you shouldn't," she replied quietly. Katara adjusted their position so Zuko's head was laying in her lap again, her fingers running through his hair. "But it's okay to feel however you do, Zuko. If right now you need to be angry, I understand."
"Thank you, for always being here," Zuko whispered as he let her soothe him.
"I'll always be here," she replied softly. The two fell into a comfortable silence while the firebender worked through his feelings. Katara broke the silence a few minutes later, "You know you should write to Azula about Ozai before she finds out from someone else again."
"I know, it's just hard to find the words. I've tried to write the letter a hundred times and I just can't," Zuko mumbled as he looked up at his wife. His stomach had been in knots each time he picked up the brush to write to his sister. "I'm afraid she will have another breakdown."
"Could you go in person to tell her?" Katara questioned as she brushed her fingers through his hair in a peaceful manner. "It might be better if you're there. You haven't seen her in a year and a half."
"Yagoda thinks I might trigger her, apparently she is struggling with her identity after Aang took her bending," he sighed as he looked at the blue eyes of his lover. His heart was heavy in his chest. "She hasn't had any other breakdowns since finding out about mother, but this might be the final straw."
"Do you want me to go?" The Fire Lady offered softly into the night breeze. She hadn't seen Azula since the Agni Kai. But the waterbender was a very gifted healer and more than capable of restraining the Fire Nation Princess if necessary. It was also her sister-in-law now and obviously something her husband struggled with, Katara would do anything to help him.
Zuko held his breath as he thought over the offer. He never had expected his wife to suggest going to the North Pole, though he should have it was in Katara's nature. He had hoped to find a way to ask his wife to look after his sister. Though every single time he went to ask the words fell short. He knew better than anyone the pain Azula had inflicted on Team Avatar, he couldn't ask his waterbender to heal her. Yet, she was still his sister.
"I would hate to ask that of you," he whispered his reply looking anywhere but at her. It was the truth without answering the question, he didn't count on his wife knowing him so well.
"She's my family now too. I'll leave tomorrow," Katara responded leaning down to kiss him quickly. "Now, if we don't get inside soon we'll be sleeping up here. I can't carry you like you can me."
Zuko chuckled at his wife's words before extricating himself from her embrace, standing then helping his waterbender to her feet. The couple made their way down the roof onto their bedroom balcony, slipping inside their room.
"The day I married you, in the South Pole, I had only hoped you would one day love me too," Zuko whispered once the two were tucked into bed. He cuddled his wife close to him. "Thank you for not only loving me but for loving my family, crazy sister and all."
"I'll do whatever I can to help Azula," the waterbender promised softly her eyes closing in fatigue. "Love you Zuko."
"Who is the prime suspect in Ozai's death?" He asked as he adjusted his cloak to keep his identity a secret. He was going to extract as much information as possible before he handed over the gold pieces.
"There isn't a prime one yet, but the Chan family is on the list," the firebender explained to the hooded man. His hands were itching for the money he was owed. "As are a few councilmen from Ozai's court."
"Anyone from the Earth Kingdom or the Water Tribe?"
"There were some names from the Earth Kingdom court but they are low on the list," he answered. He didn't have a lot of time before he needed to be back. "Mostly a few bounty hunters from the Earth Kingdom."
"Hmm," the cloaked man hummed to himself. "And the security measures?"
"He's doubled his guard, for not only himself but his wife," the firebender sneered the last word. He was not a fan of the waterbender nor the Fire Lord. "Though he seems unconcerned for his sister in the North Pole."
"And the Dragon of the West?"
"He hasn't even been informed of his brother's death yet," the informant shrugged. He had put himself at a great risk trying to extract the information he had promised.
"I guess you've earned your price," he nodded in response. He dropped the gold pieces on the table. He watched the Fire Nation Royal Guard count each piece before quickly pocketing them then leaving the tavern. Half an hour later, the cloaked man stood from the table and exited the establishment from the back. He needed to be out of the city before morning.
The first tile for eliminating the Fire Lord had been laid.
"Malu is going with you," Zuko argued with his wife for the hundredth time. The couple was currently standing beneath the airship that would take the Fire Lady to the North Pole. The Captain of the Royal Guard standing off to the side listening to the couple fight.
The royal couple had been having the same argument since they woke early that morning. Both were being extremely stubborn and not really interested in listening to the other's perspective.
The Fire Lord wanted his wife to take not only her royal guard but Malu as well. Since the threat left with Ozai, Zuko was not risking anything when it came to his wife. Katara felt like she would be fine with just her guard and the soldiers required for the airship. She knew that her husband was concerned, but thought he was being ridiculous considering the threats were coming from the Earth Kingdom. She was also confident that if something did happen the Northern Tribe would protect her.
"I don't need him to come with me. I'm fine with Jee and the others," Katara retaliated her arms crossed as she looked at the firebender. If only he knew that all he had to do was kiss her breathless to get his way.
"You already refused Ty Lee and Mai, at least take Malu with you," Zuko grumbled to his wife. He was upset that she wasn't bringing her courtiers, though both were more than just that. The two women were extremely deadly and would be able to help protect the Fire Lady if necessary.
"You know why I said it wasn't a good idea for the two of them to come with me," the waterbender defended her decision as she gave her husband a look. "It would be extremely soon for Azula to see them and they also have their own trauma to work through regarding your sister. It wouldn't be fair to any of them to see each other so soon and especially considering the circumstances."
"I know," the Fire Lord conceded to his waterbender. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Because they aren't going with you, I would really appreciate it if you took Malu with you."
"Zuko, I'll be fine with Jee," she repeated herself again. Her stance wavered as his gold eyes looked over her. The fear and love reflected in his irises as he looked at her.
The Fire Lord could see her resolve melting away as he pressed himself closer. His hand came to brush his knuckles across her cheek, looking into her sapphire eyes. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. The waterbender's body flush against his.
"Please, Katara," his eyes pleading with hers. He felt instantly when she agreed, her body relaxing in his arms. "I know you will be fine with Jee, but it would ease my worries if you would take Malu with you as well."
"Fine," Katara agreed with a mumble. She was quickly rewarded with a searing kiss from her husband.
"I'm going to miss you," he breathed against her mouth. This would be their first time apart since they were married. The couple had only confessed their feelings to each other a little over a month ago.
"I'll miss you too," she mumbled against his lips as she tried to press herself closer to him. Hoping that if she kissed him long enough he would be able to magically come with her. A throat clearing pulled the couple away from each other.
"Write to me when you arrive," Zuko requested though it sounded more like a command. "And don't forget to give Azula the scrolls from me, I also packed some of the candies she likes."
"I promise and I won't forget," the Fire Lady smiled at her husband. "Please be safe, don't do anything stupid Zuko."
"I never do anything stupid," he smirked down at his wife, tapping her nose in retaliation earning himself a giggle from his waterbender. "Now go, before I change my mind about you leaving."
An order to Malu to board the ship, two soft quick kisses, and countless whispered declarations of love later — Katara was boarding the airship. Before she was fully from the Fire Lord's view she turned back to him.
"Don't think I didn't notice you trying to seduce me to change my mind, Fire Lord," she called back to her husband. She didn't wait to see her husband's reaction, just continued to board the airship in silence. Zuko's jaw dropped as he watched his wife's backside walk onto the ship. Ever aware of the way she swayed her hips just slightly for his benefit. The waterbender was a minx, he thought, she was perfect for him.
Katara boarded the airship with a small giggle to herself, leaving her gobsmacked husband in her wake. She couldn't resist calling him out in front of everyone. The Fire Lady made her way to the chambers she would be staying in for the duration of her trip. She was unsurprised to see Ty Min, her handmaid, already inside unpacking the things the monarch would need for her trip.
"Is there anything you need, Katara?" Ty Min asked the Fire Lady as she settled into the airship. "Admiral Jee estimates we will arrive in the North Pole by nightfall tomorrow."
"I'm alright for now, thank you, Ty Min," the Fire Lady dismissed her lady-in-waiting. The waterbender looked at the scrolls in her hands, laying out the correspondence from Yagoda. Azula had done some terrible things, but Katara believed she could create a new life with the proper healing and guidance.
"Hi Azula," Katara greeted her sister-in-law, joining her on the floor of her bedroom. The Princess did not react to the woman. Only offering a quick look to the tribeswoman before she moved the pai sho tile as she played the game on the ground of her room.
The waterbender had arrived late last night, much later than originally planned. Katara had barely been shown to her room in the Northern Palace before collapsing onto the bed from exhaustion. She had spent all morning with Yagoda, asking any and every question she could to understand the Fire Nation Princess's mental state.
The Fire Lady was pleased to hear that Azula had been doing much better since Aang took her bending. The first major improvement was that she no longer felt out of control or at risk for hallucinating again. Azula spoke more to Yagoda and would interact when asked a direct question. She had begun making a few requests for different things throughout the past few weeks. The Princess even opened up a little about the abuse that had transpired with Ozai and his court, though she still did not speak about her mother. All were good signs to the two healers.
Finally, Katara returned with Yagoda to see her new sister. She desperately hoped she would be able to help her family.
"I brought you something from Zuko," the waterbender continued unfazed by the lack of verbal response. She placed a box in front of the young woman filled with gossip scrolls, candies, and a letter from her brother. "He was so sad he couldn't come with me, but the council had meetings he couldn't reschedule."
Azula caught sight of the familiar red and gold insignia showcasing the Fire Lord's emblem on a scroll. She didn't wait for Katara to confirm there was a letter from Zuko, her hand coming out to quickly snatch the scroll. The Princess unraveled the letter from her brother. Azula's eyes quickly scanned over the words written, once, twice, then finally a third time.
Dear Zula,
I don't know how to write these words, I'm still in shock myself but you should hear this news from me.
Last week, father died. He was found in his cell with a threat attached to him. It seems like even though the war is over some people think the only way for justice is to kill off our entire family.
I'm so sorry, Zula. I wish I could be there to tell you in person, but unfortunately, I can't leave Caldera. I sent Katara though, she's going to stay as long as you want her to. She knows everything that happened and can answer all your questions. She also is your sister too.
He's gone, Azula. He can't hurt us anymore.
Zuzu
She looked at Katara and swallowed, her eyes showing the first rays of hope she had in a long time.
"He's dead?" The Fire Nation Princess questioned, her voice cracking. Her tone was heavy with emotion, but it was unclear how the girl felt about learning her father had died.
"I'm so sorry, Azula," the Fire Lady replied softly. She held her hand out, with her palm up and open. She knew better than to touch her sister-in-law voluntarily but wanted to still offer the physical contact for support. "He's gone. Zuko and I both checked to verify what the physician determined. I came immediately to tell you, but he insisted on writing to you."
"He's not coming back," she whispered reading the words again. Silent tears began to fall from her golden eyes. Unlike her brother, Azula knew exactly how she felt.
The Fire Nation Princess let the tears fall freely. Tears that she was finally allowed to shed for the first time in her life. She shed tears for the loss of her childhood. She cried for the abuse she had faced from her father. Azula wept for the lost relationship with her brother. She sobbed for the pressure and expectations she did not deserve to have placed on her. But most of all she cried for her mental illness and how Ozai was responsible for where she was today.
Katara moved closer as the girl shook with sobs, tentatively wrapping her arms around Azula's shoulders. The waterbender smiled softly as the princess turned and leaned into her for support. She held Azula for almost an hour, whispering all the comforting words she could to her sister-in-law.
"I am very sorry for your loss, Azula," Katara sympathized as the girl went to pull out of her embrace. Eventually, the girl's sobs lessened and the healer was expecting to be met with anger or at least much more grief. Azula's response was anything but that.
The Fire Nation Princess's tears gave way to a sense of freedom, she threw her head back and laughed. A laugh that was pure delight, nothing like her manic laughter during the Agni Kai years ago. Azula's hands went up to rub her face in a way that was very much like her older brother. She brushed the tears from her eyes with a beaming smile on her face, Azula felt almost giddy. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so much joy and happiness.
"He's gone and I'm finally free," she laughed loudly. For the first time since before she began firebending, Azula felt light. With Ozai dead there was no more abuse to be inflicted on her. No expectations on her to be better than Zuko anymore. There was no pressure to be the perfect princess. And now that Zuko was married, no opportunity for her to be Fire Lord.
Now that Ozai was dead, the only thing Azula needed to be was herself.
"Iroh? Are you alright?" Jun called to her fiancé when she found him in their home. The bounty hunter was surprised to not see him in the tea shop when she was out running errands earlier. She was even more shocked to see that he had an open bottle of fire whisky next to him.
The Dragon of the West looked up to see his young lover walk into their home a few streets down from the tea shop. He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there. Iroh didn't even remember pouring himself the drink that sat next to the letter from his nephew.
He had been surprised to receive such a formal correspondence from the Fire Lord. The old general was unprepared to see the Fire Nation messenger enter the tea shop early this afternoon, he almost missed the urgency in the delivery. Iroh had tucked the scroll away in his robes until he was able to leave the shop in the capable hands of his staff.
He looked down at the scroll again as Jun joined him at the table. Her hand moved to rest against his on top of the table. His eyes scanned the shortest letter he had ever received from Zuko for what seemed the hundredth time.
Dear Uncle,
I regret to write you this letter. Last night, Ozai was found dead in his cell.
There was a message left with him, whoever is behind the threats is no longer threatening. Their actions have begun, I fear they might come for you next or possibly Azula. I have already sent word to my friends, as well as Bumi.
Katara and I are arranging for a small funeral for Ozai in a few days, just us and my mother.
I'm sorry Uncle,
Zuko
"My brother was killed," the old general spoke bringing his eyes to Jun's. "Ozai was vicious but he was still my brother. I'm afraid he will not have the best judgment from the spirits in death. If only I had been a better sibling to him, maybe he would have turned out better."
"Iroh," Jun sighed in sympathy as she saw the regret and pain in his eyes. "His actions were his own and he will have to face the consequences, but it's not your fault."
"This could break Azula," Iroh whispered as he let his lover comfort him. "I'm afraid of what she might do, it's only been a year since she stopped hallucinating."
Jun knew very little about the Fire Nation Princess, having never met her and only hearing stories from Iroh. She knew that Azula had a breakdown at the end of the war and she was currently in the North Pole healing, but that was about it. No one dared explain the cause of the breakdown or the abuse she had suffered. Though the bounty hunter knew enough that for someone as young as Azula to have a breakdown, she had to have suffered greatly.
"I'm sure Zuko knows that," Jun comforted her fiancé. Her hand threaded through his and she squeezed it tightly. "And if not, Katara will be there to help guide him. That girl is good for him and keeps him grounded."
"She is perfect for him," the Dragon of the West agreed with a bittersweet grin. He sat quietly for a minute, before turning to the woman next to him. "Will you come with me someplace?"
"You know I will," she nodded looking confused as to what he wanted to do. She watched as he moved around their home grabbing a few things before they left the house.
The couple walked quietly hand in hand through Ba Sing Se, the news of Ozai's death heavy on both of them. Jun's curiosity grew as they exited the city and the inner wall, they never went out this way unless they were traveling. Iroh led her through the fields until he reached the hill, the couple easily climbing it. He stopped them once they reached the tree, the rocks marking the spot.
Iroh pulled out a picture of Lu Ten then one of Ozai and himself when they were younger, setting the incense down in front lighting it. The aroma filled the area around them. Jun sat on the ground next to him, looking at the pictures as Iroh said a Fire Nation prayer for first his brother then his son.
"My son, Lu Ten, his ashes were spread in this spot," the firebender explained as he noticed his fiancé looking around the area. "I had laid siege to Ba Sing Se for six hundred days, but after his death, I retreated. The war did not make sense anymore after the loss of Lu Ten. I might not be there for my brother's funeral but I wanted a place to honor his life."
"You are a good man," the bounty hunter whispered placing a kiss on his cheek. She was unsurprised to see Iroh honoring his brother's life. He saw the good in everyone, including Ozai.
The couple sat there watching the sunset as the incense burned.
"Do you hate me?" The question was asked hesitantly with no malicious intent, yet the words cut through the silence of the room harshly.
"What?" The waterbender turned to her sister-in-law looking confused. She had been in the North Pole for a week. During that time, Azula had made tremendous progress. She was now starting conversations on her own, sleeping better, and feeling much lighter than ever before. The news of Ozai's death had helped heal a large part of the Fire Nation Princess.
"Do you hate me?" Azula repeated the question looking directly at Katara. Gold eyes bored into blue ones.
"I don't hate you. What would make you think that?" Katara shook her head as she moved the pai sho tile. The two women were in Azula's room at Yagoda's, sitting on the floor and playing the game.
"I did horrible things to you and your friends," the girl shrugged as she made her own move. Her eyes looking anywhere than at the waterbender. "And don't even get me started on what I did to Zuzu. So I guess, I just assumed you always hated me. I wouldn't blame you if you did."
"Azula, I don't hate you," Katara replied with a small sad smile. She had been surprised at how easy the Fire Nation Princess was to talk to now that she wasn't attacking her.
"Why?" The princess asked, the question was not accusatory just curious. She cocked her head to the side as she looked at the waterbender.
The Fire Lady sighed thoughtfully as she tried to figure out the best way to explain her emotions.
"When I was eight, my mother was killed in a Fire Nation raid so when Zuko stormed our village all those years ago, I hated him. My entire being despised your brother," the tribeswoman began softly. Her sapphire eyes were faraway. "I felt like he was the one who took my mother away from me. Which was silly in hindsight, he was only ten years old when it happened."
"That doesn't explain why you don't hate me," Azula commented as she looked at her sister-in-law. Katara rolled her eyes at the interruption.
"When he joined us at the Western Air Temple, after the invasion, he helped me find my mother's killer," Katara continued as she fiddled with a tile. A small smile graced her face as she thought of her husband. "And I realized while I didn't forgive the man who took her, I couldn't blame him for following orders. Just like I couldn't blame Zuko for what he did to us and everything you did. You thought what you were doing was right and I was the one in the wrong."
"Oh," the princess responded looking at the board in front of her. Neither one of the women had made a move since Katara started speaking.
"That day, the Agni Kai," the tribeswoman clarified. Her blue eyes rested on the drooping form of the Fire Nation Princess. "I saw someone who held pain the same way I had. You reminded me of myself when I went after Yon Rha, I had felt out of control with the pain. And that pain I channeled into rage and hatred, mostly directed at your brother. That's why I don't hate you."
"I'm glad you don't hate me," Azula whispered after a moment. She looked down at the board between them. "It would be horrible if I couldn't get along with my brother's wife."
"Do you hate me?" Katara flipped the question on her.
"No," she shook her head, somber gold eyes met blue briefly. Azula turned to look out the window as she tried to express her thoughts, "I never hated you or Zuko. I just felt like I had to be better than him. My fa—he made me feel that the only way I could be worthy of anything was to be better than my older brother. So I made sure I was nothing less than perfect."
"You are both different people," the Fire Lady stated watching several emotions cross the princess's face.
"I know that now," she nodded solemnly. Azula had never spoken to anyone about what had happened with Ozai. Zuko had been physically abused by their father, but she had been emotionally abused and manipulated. "But it was the only way to stop it."
The healer went to question her sister-in-law but thought better of it. This was the most forthcoming the Fire Nation Princess had been in her entire life, let alone since her breakdown. Katara was not going to push Azula past what she could handle. If and when she was ready, the waterbender would be there to listen. Today was not that day.
"I understand that," Katara replied instead.
"How did your mother die?" Azula asked after a few moments of silence. The pai sho game completely forgotten.
"There was a raid," the waterbender shrugged noncommittally. It was still painful to talk about the death of her mother.
"But most raids only took prisoners," the Princess stated looking directly at the woman in confusion. The tribeswoman realized Azula was entirely too smart to just be a petty and frivolous noblewoman in the Fire Nation court. The Fire Lady made a note to herself that when Azula was ready to come home, Zuko and she needed to find a place for his sister to have a purpose.
"I'm not sure why the raid happened," Katara began softly, willing her voice not to crack as she told the story. "We hadn't had one in years, I think it had been around fifty years since the last one. And then one day they came. They said they were looking for the last waterbender and that there was one more still in the South Pole. My mother lied to protect me, claiming to be the last one. He killed her immediately."
"I'm sorry about your mother," her sister-in-law said after a few minutes. While Azula's relationship with her mother was complicated, she still understood the loss Katara was feeling.
"Thank you, Azula," she gave a gentle smile to the Princess. "You know, when Zuko took me to find Yon Rha, it was the best form of closure I could have had. I hope you get that one day."
"That must have been a freeing moment," Azula replied thoughtfully. Her mind ran with the possibilities of what she would have said to her own abuser.
"It was, I remember looking at him and just I don't know." Katara's sapphire eyes were miles away in a Fire Nation village as she remembered Yon Rha. "The pain just slipped away."
"Did you kill him?" This was an important question for the Fire Nation Princess. She expected the waterbender to say yes, it's what Azula would have done. But for some reason, she felt the need to ask.
"No."
"Why not?" Her sister-in-law asked in confusion. Her brows pulled together as she looked at the woman in front of her.
Katara's hand fell to her necklace, though she now wore Zuko's betrothal the habit still stuck when she thought of her mother. "War is complicated. And for the first time, I saw not an enemy but another human being."
"Is it hard being the monarch for a nation who caused you so much pain?"
The question caught the waterbender off guard. "I've never really thought about it like that. Things changed after we started traveling through the Fire Nation during the war."
"What do you mean?" Azula asked softly. She was fascinated by her brother's wife, there were so many questions she wanted to ask the waterbender.
"When we first started mingling with the people, we saw how oppressed they were," Katara explained. She mindlessly played with her engagement ring. "And then in Jang Hui, I saw the devastation that the war was causing to its own nation."
"The factory, you destroyed it?" The Princess came to the conclusion much faster than her brother had. She remembered the meetings and the reports coming in about the factory destroying the village. Her father didn't care about the environmental concerns, only industrialization. And then the report came in before the day of black sun that the factory had been destroyed.
"Aang and I did," the tribeswoman nodded thinking back. She missed traveling the world. "But before that, I masqueraded as the Painted Lady and healed the sick. Stole from the factory and gave it to the villagers. I realized that the Fire Nation didn't have it any easier than the rest of the world."
"You helped the Fire Nation during the war?" Azula looked at her funny. She could not imagine the Avatar and his friends helping Fire Nation citizens, but apparently, she was wrong. "But why? I mean what possessed you to do it."
"Yes, I never turn my back on people who need me," the waterbender shrugged not realizing how much Azula's respect for her grew at that moment.
The Fire Nation Princess had learned a lot about her brother's wife in the past week, but in the last hour, she had discovered how incredible the Fire Lady was as a leader. Katara was good for Zuko, she thought to herself as she looked over the woman. The waterbender would be sure to not let her husband become cold and heartless like their father.
Azula had been thinking about the next step in her healing process, something Yagoda had been encouraging since her bending had been taken. But it wasn't until speaking with Katara just now that had the Princess ready. Ozai's hold on her was finally gone and a sister-in-law who actually cared about her had Azula ready to return home.
"Katara, would you help me write a letter to Zuzu?" She asked the question hesitantly, afraid the Fire Lady would refuse the request. Azula was rewarded with a fast response from the healer.
"Of course," the waterbender grinned at the girl.
The Fire Nation Princess took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly, "And one to my mother?"
The King of Omashu found the Avatar meditating on the balcony of his guest-chamber, the lemur perched on his shoulder. Bumi was going to leave the monk in peace, the two had gotten into a disagreement earlier. The two friends fighting over the fact that Aang blamed himself for the genocide and just for being alive. The earthbender didn't see it that way, he saw what the adolescent man could not. If Aang had not left the temple, he would have been killed with the other airbenders.
Bumi knew that the last airbender was experiencing extreme survivor's guilt now that the war was over. He had planned to let his friend work through his emotions in his own time. Aang needed to let go of his guilt before he could be the true leader to the Air Nomads. Though earlier that day the old king had awoken feeling every bit of his age. Bumi wasn't sure how much longer he would be around, there was no longer the luxury of time. The last airbender needed the missing piece if he was to restore the Air Nation.
"You don't need to go," Aang spoke up as his friend turned to leave. The avatar had gotten a lot of practice using Toph's method to see, he wasn't as good as the Blind Bandit but he was able to use it daily.
"I didn't want to interrupt you," Bumi stated as he looked at Aang's back.
"You aren't," the young monk responded, never moving from his position. "But I think I owe you an apology. You were right and I shouldn't have yelled."
"I know this must be difficult for you, Aang," the earthbender mumbled as he sat down on the balcony with his friend. "But you are not the one responsible for the genocide of the Air Nomads, nor are you responsible for the war."
"If only everyone else believed that as well," the avatar whispered quietly. He shut his eyes tightly hoping to stop the image in his mind but failing. "It might not be my fault, but it is my duty to restore them. And I don't want to sacrifice my ideals to do it, though I will if I have to."
"What do you want to do now?" Bumi inquired as he watched the young monk. He could see the transformation in Aang, perhaps he was ready to be the spiritual leader to the airbenders.
"Now, I continue my search," he stated confidently standing to look at his friend. His shoulders pulled back and he stood in his power of not only the Avatar but the Air Nomads too. "You said to go back to the beginning. The temples were all attacked on the same day, so I start there. To the day the comet came over a hundred years ago, it would have traveled southeast to northwest. The first to feel the effects would have been the Southern Temple, that is the beginning."
"Very good, Aang," Bumi grinned at him. The old king stood and made his way toward the hall. "But I think there is something you should know before you travel there. Come with me."
The avatar looked at his friend in confusion as he followed him in silence. Aang knew better than to question Bumi. The two walked in comfortable silence until they came to the old king's private office. The office was very unassuming as you walked in, Bumi did not feel the need to keep it cluttered with anything that was unnecessary.
A rumble pulled Aang's attention to the wall behind Bumi's desk. He saw his friend bending open what looked to be a hidden compartment. The old king taking out the three scrolls he had kept hidden for just under a hundred years, before turning back to his friend.
"I never knew if I would be alive to see this day," the earthbender mumbled as he looked at the aging scrolls.
"See what day?"
"The day the Air Nomads come out of hiding," Bumi responded holding out the scrolls to Aang.
The Avatar's eyes jerked up to meet Bumi's, tears were filling in both men's eyes as they looked at one another. The young monk's chest was tight with each breath he took, there was a lump in his throat. With shaky hands, Aang accepted the scrolls that were being offered to him. His heart beat wildly, feeling like it would leap out of his chest at any moment.
Aang slowly unraveled the first scroll, then the second and third quickly following. One contained a record of those who had escaped the genocide, another a map of what looked to be a maze. And lastly a riddled, obviously written by Bumi, one that only Aang would have the ability to decipher. The answer leading to the Air Nomads.
"The Southern Air Temple," Aang whispered after he read the riddle twice. The answer came quickly to him. "You hid them underground? But how?"
"After you ran, Gyatso sent a group looking for you," the old king began the explanation as he took a seat. "There were a total of almost a hundred nomads looking for you after you ran. All hailing from different temples. Eight were sent here to Omashu from the Southern Temple, it was the last place they thought to look. Gyatso thought you would not stay so close to home. They were here the day the comet came and after those who had managed to escape sought refuge here in Omashu."
"How many were able to escape?" The Avatar interrupted. "Total and from each of the temples."
"Every single bender looking for you had escaped, ninety-two," he thought to himself trying to recall the numbers from so long ago. His mind was lost to the month following the genocide. "Seventeen from the Northern Temple, twenty-three from the Eastern, twenty-eight from the Western, and fifty-one from the Southern thanks to Gyatso. He sacrificed himself to allow the others to escape."
"So he did kill them," the monk mumbled softly.
"Two-hundred-eleven people escaped," the earthbender continued. He knew he could not offer the comfort Aang needed knowing his mentor had killed when necessary. "I don't know if you remember my father, but he was a Grand Lotus. He was appalled by what the Fire Nation was doing and took action to protect the airbenders. He hid them in the Caves of Two Lovers for almost ten years and in that time we had a few more who had been able to find their way to us. The White Lotus was instrumental those ten years, their primary job was identifying Air Nomads and smuggling them to Omashu. Unfortunately, not all were able to make it to us. Azulon was ruthless following in his father's footsteps."
"How many were able to be saved?"
"Just over three hundred, enough to be able to help repopulate their nation. As of today, there are over a thousand in hiding," Bumi explained as he thought back to the report he had seen. It was a difficult task being one of a few people who knew about those in hiding. "I had just turned eighteen when my father knew we could no longer keep hiding them in the caves. It took four years, but I was tasked to migrate them back to the Southern Temple in an underground city on the other side of the mountain. It took two years for me to build the city, only trusted earthbenders were allowed from the White Louts. And another two years to smuggle them to their new home."
"And how are they now?"
"They lack a spiritual leader," the king sighed softly. He wished the hidden Air Nomad City was thriving more than it was, but they needed a teacher and a leader for that. "They are benders and keep the practices but they are unable to have a spiritual leader as they are tasked with repopulating. They need you Aang."
"You hid them for a hundred years at your own risk," the monk shook his head. His palms were sweaty, he felt overwhelmed. "The man who essentially was my father took the life of countless Fire Nation soldiers so the Air Nomads could survive."
"I did what was right," the man chuckled, but it lacked the exuberance it normally had. "I would do it again if I had to. I'm just glad I get to see the day they come out of hiding, most of the airbenders don't know a life outside the city that was built. Your job now is to go to them, lead them out of the underground and announce to the world the Air Nomads have returned."
"Fire Lord Zuko," Souta greeted the Fire Nation sovereign. He was the second in command of the Royal Guard and had been tasked with Malu's responsibilities until his return from the Northern Water Tribe. "I have a letter for you from Fire Lady Katara."
"Thank you Souta," Zuko responded as he beckoned the man into the office, quickly taking the letter from the man. He was able to see the Fire Lady's seal on the scroll and was excited to read the letter. His wife had been away for a few weeks now, and he missed her terribly. He was intrigued at the contents considering his surprise when he had read her previous letter. The last letter from his wife had described in detail how much she missed him and their bedroom activities. He was hoping for a smilier scroll today as he unraveled it.
The firebender almost dropped the scroll as his mind absorbed the handwriting in front of him. He had expected to see his wife's handwriting but instead, he saw lettering he had not seen in years.
Dear Zuzu,
For the first time in my life, I feel free.
I know I should be sad that he died, but honestly, I feel happy. Almost giddy. I wonder if this is how Ty Lee always feels. I'm glad he's gone. I don't understand why the Avatar didn't kill him in the first place.
Katara is nice and smart, but more than that. She's a strong bender, stronger than you. I watched her the other day giving a class to some of the older warriors, one of them said something completely sexist and she took him out within a second. I like her. Did you know the Northern Tribe only in the past few years taught women how to waterbend? It is ridiculous if you ask me.
Yagoda thinks I might be able to come home soon, especially after last week. Katara has been helping with my healing. She took me to the spirit oasis and did some healing there. She fought with Arnook to allow me in, I didn't hear everything she said but she got us in. When the Avatar took my bending it really helped, it took away the anger and mania in my head. But since that day in the spirit oasis, my mind feels clear and uncluttered, finally.
I feel lost without my bending. I'm glad it's gone right now, but I was trained to be a warrior and I don't feel like one anymore. Katara told me to tell you that, she thinks you might have a solution to that problem. Apparently, contrary to popular belief, you come up with good ideas.
The last gossip scroll you sent me mentioned an explosion of a factory that was in the Chan family. Was it the same Chan from Ember Island? Did you know he kissed me on the terrace and then left me out there? Stupid boy. He could have risen his family's status but he just didn't like that I was a strong bender.
Be nice to Katara, she's entirely too good for you,
Zula
The Fire Lord finished the letter, the last lines blurring as tears rolled down his face. His heart felt full. Azula was going to be okay.
Notes:
What did we think? Are we mad that Ozai is gone? How about that Azula storyline? So excited to dive deep into that plot :) Also, are we surprised the Bumi was hiding Airbenders?
Be sure to check out my Instagram: JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
Next update September 5th, 2022
Chapter 19: Chapter Nineteen: Spring 104 AG
Notes:
Hello Hello!
Happy September and Update Day!
Thank you all for being so patient with me while I took a little break over the summer.
As of right now, I will do my best to keep up with our regular update schedule. But I am working full time and going back to school full time, which is a lot of work. So fingers crossed I can keep up with my schedule!
Be sure to check out and follow my Instagram for all story news: JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_
I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Nineteen: Spring 104 AG
"I missed you!" Katara exclaimed as her husband showered her face with kisses, lifting her into his arms and spinning her simultaneously. She had just arrived after a month at the North Pole. Azula was doing much better and the waterbender felt she could return home to Caldera.
Home, Katara thought to herself, she had begun thinking of the Fire Nation as home. More specifically she now thought of Zuko as home.
"Don't leave again," the Fire Lord mumbled against her mouth as he moved to kiss her sensually. Zuko was unbothered by the stares from the guards and the public they were receiving. Many in the Fire Nation were unused to seeing such affection surrounding the royal family.
"Zuko," the waterbender squealed as he moved to kiss her neck, nipping her playfully right above her betrothal necklace. He wanted to brand her with his mark. She was not unaware of the looks they were receiving. "Everyone is staring at us. Maybe we should head to our room?"
"Good idea," he grinned at her after pulling away. His hand wrapped around her hand tightly, tugging her along to the palanquin waiting for them. The couple rode to the palace tucked away, using the curtains to spend time reconnecting.
They arrived at the palace a little while later. Zuko helped his wife out of the palanquin as he called out to the Captain of the Guard, "Malu, cancel all my meetings and you have the rest of the day off!"
The Fire Lady giggled as her husband pulled her through the palace corridors. Zuko grew frustrated with his wife as she struggled to keep up with his much longer stride.
After a quick look around, he hoisted her over his shoulder and ran toward their chambers. He dropped her on the center of their bed, throwing his top robes off as he watched her bounce. The Fire Lord joined his wife on the bed, crawling over her as his lips sought out hers.
"A month was too long," Katara breathed against his mouth, her husband pawing at her clothes.
"Yes, it was," he agreed throatily as he pushed the fabric off her shoulders. His hands cupped her breasts once they were free, thumbs circling her nipples. The firebender's mouth devoured his waterbender's, swallowing her moans.
Her hands worked to pull his shirt from his body. Fingertips dipped into the ridges of his chiseled abdomen. She could feel him hardening against her stomach. Katara rubbed her thighs together, desperate for some friction.
"You keep rubbing against me like that, waterbender, and I won't be able to do all the things I want to do to you," her husband whispered huskily as he pulled his mouth away from hers. He traced the shell of her ear with his tongue eliciting a whimper from his waterbender.
"I can't help it! It's been too long," she whimpered with need. Her hands dipped into the waistband of his pants. The Fire Lord hissed as her fingertips wrapped around his length. She knew the exact buttons to push.
"You asked for it waterbender," Zuko growled before he nipped her earlobe. He pulled back from her and stood before immediately shedding his pants.
The firebender grabbed his wife's foot and pulled her to the edge of their bed. He stripped her of the last of her clothing before flipping her onto her stomach. Instinctively Katara settled onto all fours, she could feel her wetness dripping down her thighs. The dominance her husband was displaying fueled her desire.
Zuko looked at the sight before him, his waterbender exposed and her lubrication pooling beneath her. Hot hands gripped her hips and she felt the tip of his length rub against her. She let out a breathy groan, "Zuko, stop teasing me!"
His waterbender's sharp gasp followed by her low moan filled the room as he sunk himself fully inside her. He groaned as her warmth enveloped him. Zuko swore his wife was tighter than the last time they had merged together. "It's only teasing if I don't plan on following through, waterbender."
The Fire Lord set a fast and brutal pace as he thrust into his wife. Her hips moved back to meet him. Their coupling was needy, both could feel their climaxes coming quickly and hard. It had been too long for both of them. His hands gripped her tightly as he tried to hold off his climax until she reached hers first. Luckily he didn't have to wait long.
"Zuko," Katara cried as she felt her orgasm crash through her body. Her back arching and toes curling. "Tui and La!"
The firebender roared as he felt her reach her peak, her body clamped down on him causing his climax to follow just seconds behind his waterbender's. The two collapsed on their bed a few minutes later.
"Do you think that they noticed?" Zuko questioned once they caught their breath.
Now that he was thinking more clearly, he realized he had just canceled everything to have sex with his wife. The couple was laying on their bed. Zuko was on his side with an arm propping him up. Katara was on her stomach, a sheet covering her lower half but her back was bare for her husband to draw shapes on with his fingertips.
"Oh, they definitely noticed," the waterbender laughed at his horrified expression. She hadn't seen that look in a long time, probably since during the war. Her husband was an extremely private person, becoming Fire Lord had made it much worse. The two couldn't get enough of each other and it was bound to become public knowledge at some point, she didn't seem to care as much as he did though.
"Well, that's great," he grumbled with a pout as he looked at her. His waterbender giggled at him before leaning up to kiss his pushed-out bottom lip. She was graced with a crooked smile from him.
"But I don't care if they notice," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair. "I want everyone to know I can't get enough of my handsome husband."
"Handsome?" He teased with a smirk as he captured her hand in his, dragging her toward him. Their naked chests pressed against each other. Zuko took compliments much better now. He had originally been closed off whenever Katara would express how attractive he was, but after a few water whips to the back of the head, he stopped arguing with her.
"Breathtakingly," she replied with a coquettish smile. "And I missed him terribly."
"He missed you too. He thinks you're beautiful and you should never leave again," the Fire Lord confessed, rolling her onto her back. His hands tangled with hers, pinning her to the mattress. Their bodies flush against each other.
"Somebody else missed me too," Katara flirted as she felt him grow against her. A small smirk crossed her face. "Though this time I think you should do all the things you didn't have the patience to do earlier."
"Minx," Zuko growled with a nip at her bottom lip. He pulled the covers over their heads, he was going to show his wife just how much he missed her.
"Where you there for mother to arrive?" The Fire Lord asked his wife the next morning at breakfast. The couple had spent all of yesterday and most of the night reconnecting intimately. They were just now getting a chance to talk about Katara's trip to the North Pole.
"Yes, I left the next day," she nodded taking a sip of her tea. "Azula didn't meet her at the dock though. Ursa demanded to see her daughter but your sister refused. I think she wanted her to come but got scared once she did. Your mother is relentless though, she went into Azula's room and didn't leave. Yagoda checked on them, but I know they weren't speaking when I left. Or rather your mother was speaking and Azula was not."
"I had hoped she wouldn't do that," Zuko sighed softly. He knew how difficult this was going to be for his sister. The Fire Lord hoped that Azula would speak to their mother, but he knew that was wishful thinking. He should just be thankful that she wrote a letter to Ursa asking her to go to the North Pole.
"They just need some time," Katara soothed placing a hand on her husband's wrist where it rested on the breakfast table. "They both have a lot that they need to work through. This will be good for them and for you."
"How is she really doing?" The firebender questioned his waterbender after a moment. It was the question he had been afraid to ask since she had returned to the Fire Nation.
"She's doing really well," the Fire Lady responded with a grin as she thought over her time with Azula. "I actually really like her, we got along and had some fun. After we worked through the issues."
"You got along with my sister? And had fun?" His good eyebrow quirked as he looked at his wife in surprise. He didn't think Azula and Katara had much in common, nor would they be able to have fun together.
"Yeah, after we worked through our issues that is. She seemed so much lighter after hearing of Ozai's death," the waterbender confirmed as she continued to eat her breakfast. "We read the gossip scrolls together, played pai sho, and she watched me teach some classes. Azula is a great supporter during a sparring match."
"You talked to Azula about gossip scrolls?" His voice displayed his shock. He couldn't picture the two women doing something so frivolous together.
"Of course," Katara kept speaking, unaware of her husband's confusion. "We had a lot of fun when she came to watch me bend. Turns out that when she's not trying to kill me, she has a really good eye for bending. It was a lot of fun to hear her help strategize against the different sparring matches."
"I'm surprised she wanted to watch waterbending," he mumbled deep in thought. He was happy that his sister seemed to be doing so much better. But he felt like he was learning so much about his sister.
"She loved watching waterbending practice," Katara nodded with a smile. Her brow furrowed in thought after a moment. "Though she did mention she missed the rigorous schedule of firebending practice. I thought maybe when she returns we could see if she could train in a non-bending discipline."
"That could probably be arranged," the Fire Lord agreed. It would probably do some good for his sister to learn a non-bending discipline. He would employ any private tutor for the Fire Nation Princess. "Do you think she will be able to return soon?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if she would return with your mother in two weeks," the healer responded as she looked at her husband. "She's doing really well, Zuko. Honestly, I feel like with Ozai dead there really isn't anything to worry about. Azula just wants to be herself with no expectations and for the first time in her life she can be."
"Herself with no expectations," he echoed after a few minutes. For the first time in his life, Zuko understood his sister.
With the insane pressure she was under and the expectations she had to live up to, everything became clear in his mind. He had always been the screw-up but for her, she had always been the perfect one, that pressure must have been debilitating. She had begun firebending at three years old, or rather that was when their father had been notified she had begun bending. Azula didn't remember a time when she was just allowed to be herself.
"We need to get going for the day," the Fire Lady urged her husband. The monarchs had a busy schedule since they had pushed all their duties aside yesterday. There was also the trial of the Chan family and the threat to the royal family that still needed to be dealt with.
"There is a council meeting this afternoon," Zuko reminded his wife as he helped her from the table. The couple making their way out of their bedroom, they had a nation to lead. "Your office is finally ready, next to mine. Mai and Ty Lee should meet you there this morning. I wish I could help you transition into your duties, but I have a meeting with Jeong Jeong. He has news from the Earth Kingdom."
"I understand, that's more important," she comforted him as they walked down the palace halls, her arm threaded through his. "I am excited to get away from the gossip of the court. It will be nice to be able to help make a difference and lead our people."
"You will be extraordinary. I cannot wait to see how you help transform our nation for the better," Zuko affirmed with a kiss on her temple. He stopped them in front of the door to the Fire Lady's office. "But first, here is your office."
The guards on either side of the double doors opened them after being prompted by the Fire Lord. The couple stepped inside and Zuko was rewarded with a pleasurable gasp from his wife as she looked around the room. The firebender had been an integral part of the redecorating, wanting to be sure his wife had the perfect space to lead.
Katara looked around in amazement, the room was nothing like she had ever seen before. A small sitting area was at the front of the space leading back toward a massive desk with two chairs in front of it. An entire wall was lined with shelves for books and scrolls. There were multiple vases of fire lilies around the room, her favorite flowers. She noticed bowls of some of her favorite snacks from both the Fire Nation and the South Pole. Her eyes drifted back toward the double doors behind the desk that lead to the balcony, they were open allowing the winter breeze to flow through the room.
Her eyes were drawn to the artwork surrounding the room. Hanging on the wall she saw a massive beautiful panting of the dragons that were on her engagement ring. Another painting that was hung was what looked to be the view of the beach from the roof of the house on Ember Island. There was a grouping of a few paintings, one that showed a picture of all of Team Avatar, it was one they had done right after Zuko had been crowned. Two of the paintings were of Zuko and Katara, one from their Fire Nation wedding and another from their Water Tribe wedding. The last painting she saw was of the waterfall in Merchant's Pier.
"It's beautiful," she whispered looking around. Zuko had been sure to balance the Water Tribe with the Fire Nation. It had been created perfectly for her.
"I'm glad you like it," her husband responded pushing a lock of hair out of her face. He pointed toward the balcony explaining a few things about the room, "The terrace wraps around and connects to mine. There is also a conjoining door to my office."
"It's perfect," the waterbender thanked her husband, her arms wrapping around his waist leaning up on her tip toes to kiss his cheek.
"Told you she would like it," Mai mumbled from off to the side, her arms crossed across her chest. She and her lover were standing behind the couple, both had been helping Zuko ready the office while Katara was in the North Pole. It was supposed to be ready after the wedding tour, but the noblewomen suggested waiting a little longer to personalize it better for the Fire Lady.
"You win, Mai," the Fire Lord mumbled with a glare behind him at his ex-girlfriend. She had made a bet with Zuko that Katara would love the room. "Just tell the weapons master to send the bill to me."
"I plan on it," the noblewoman smirked. She moved to push the Fire Lord out of the office. "Now you have meetings and we have our own things to attend. She will see you for the council meeting."
Zuko ignored her and leaned down to kiss his wife softly on the lips. He didn't want to leave her, but the noblewoman was right. "I have a lunch meeting today with Malu going over the guard scheduled for the month, but I'll see you for the council meeting."
"Goodbye Zuko," Mai stated in a bored tone trying to push him out the door.
"You know, I'm Fire Lord, not you," he grumbled with a playful glare to his ex-girlfriend as he left the room.
"And as Fire Lord, you should know that the Fire Lady has many duties she needs to be responsible for and she can't do that with you here," the noblewoman pushed him out of the room being sure to close the doors on him. Katara giggled at the stunned expression she caught for a split second on her husband's face as the doors were shut on him.
"There is much to do before your council meeting," Ty Lee stated with a smile at the Fire Lady who sat behind her new desk. The acrobat pulled out a few scrolls moving them toward the desk, "First we have organized all your notes on the hospitals from your wedding tour. We already calculated the supplies that would be needed for each hospital and the funds that are necessary to employ staff."
"The main obstacle we noticed from your notes is something you kept writing down," Mai joined the conversation pointing out something on one of the scrolls written in Katara's handwriting. "Lack of proper training?"
"Every physician I spoke to stated that if they did not enlist into the army they were denied entry into proper schooling," the Fire Lady explained to her courtiers. "This left them to learn via apprenticeship but it looks as if this has been happening for decades. I worry the knowledge has not been passed down properly."
"Of course, if it didn't have to do with the war it wasn't important," Ty Lee shook her head sadly at what had become of her nation. She moved to sit across from the Fire Lady, next to Mai taking the scrolls detailing information on the medical schools in the capital.
"The palace of course has educated physicians as does the rest of Caldera," Katara continued as she jotted a few notes down. "A few of the major cities had retired physicians from the war, but most of the smaller cities and villages suffered greatly. I want to propose education for every hospital and their staff, it will take a few years but it is vital to the citizens' welfare."
"You can't pull the physicians from the hospitals, the schools won't have enough to space to accommodate all of them," the acrobat started looking over the statistics for the medical schools. "The class sizes need to be kept small to ensure a robust education."
"What's the class size now?" Katara questioned looking over the list of staff for each hospital. The sooner this could be implemented the better for the nation, as a healer she couldn't stand by and watch her people suffer because of past actions.
"It looks like they accept less than fifty people each year, on average forty-three," Ty Lee explained as she flipped through the scrolls. "Though this year's graduating class will be forty-eight, they will be finished at the end of spring."
"Is it possible to enroll the staff from the outer Capital City hospitals? It looks to be about forty-nine physicians who need to enroll."
"It would be a higher number than most years, but it should be possible," the acrobat agreed with a nod, brushing hair out of her face. "Lady Sulan would be the correct person to ask."
"Lady Sulan is the Minister of Health and Human Services on the council, she's a distant cousin to the royal family. She is also the main benefactress for Caldera Medical School. What you want to do must be approved by the council," Mai informed the Fire Lady. The noblewoman began writing some notes to help the monarch draft a proposal. "As Fire Lady, you are allowed to bring forth a proposal at the council meeting, but it doesn't hurt to have support on the council."
"She's here today, I booked her a meeting in an hour," Ty Lee supplied helpfully. She looked over the information on Caldera Medical School, "My father also will support your proposal as well as Ukano. And of course, Mai and myself. But we should begin drafting it now, Sulan is a widower she's been on the council for years and around in general for forever. It would be helpful to have her input."
The three women began drafting the Fire Lady's thoughts for a proposal to help the hospitals of the Fire Nation. They had much work to do if this proposal was to be up for a vote at today's council meeting.
"You look beautiful," Zuko murmured into his wife's ear as they walked into the throne room for the council meeting.
They hadn't seen each other since breakfast, only barely saying hello to each other while they dressed into their formal robes. The royal couple had decided to be purposely late to the council meeting, so were unsurprised to see the room filled when they walked inside. Zuko helped his wife up the stairs to the dais, parting the fire curtain to allow them to sit in front of the council.
"Thank you," she replied with a shy smile, her cheeks coloring at the compliment. Her husband helped her sit before taking the spot next to her. The crown felt heavy with responsibility today as Katara walked into the throne room.
Today would be the first proposal she would be heading since becoming Fire Lady. Her meeting with Lady Sulan had gone extremely well and Katara was feeling excited at the prospects of the proposal.
Zuko held his hand up signaling the council to begin the meeting. It was going to be a long afternoon for the royal couple.
"The Chan family investigation has been finalized," Ukano began as he stood to report on the most recent findings surrounding the factory explosion. "We found that Chan Sr had a gambling problem when he was based in the Earth Kingdom, his debts were extensive. By reducing the staff but keeping the same output, he was able to pocket the extra money. He had no knowledge of the potential implications of changing the fuel source and the explosion was an accident, not an attempt on the royal family."
"To whom is the debt owed?" The Fire Lord questioned, his brow furrowed as he took in the information. It seemed like too much of a coincidence that Chan owed money to the Earth Kingdom, especially considering the threats coming in recently.
"We were unable to attain who the accounts belonged to, but we know that the payments were being sent to two different banks. Both of the banks were located in the Earth Kingdom, one in Gaoling and the other in Maizu," Councilman Genkei informed the monarchs from his place next to Lady Sulan, standing as he spoke. Katara stiffened when she heard the cities' names, she felt a sudden fear for her friend knowing that Toph's connection to Gaoling would be brought to light.
"But we are working on attaining that information as soon as possible. In the meantime, Chan Sr and Chan Jr have been taken into custody to await trial," Ukano continued looking over his notes. "That is if the crown would like to prosecute."
The Fire Lord exchanged a look with his wife, one eyebrow raised as gold eyes met blue, and the two monarchs communicated silently with each other. Other than a slight turning of heads the two sat completely still. It was unsettling for the council to watch the couple interact, especially after the wedding tour. The Fire Lady gave the barest of nods, so small it was practically unnoticeable if you weren't looking for it. She turned back to face the rest of the room and waited for her husband's orders.
"The crown will prosecute on unsafe and neglectful working conditions. Thank you Councilman Ukano and Minister Genkei. Moving on to next business," Zuko commanded waving his hand to proceed, his voice echoing throughout the room. Next to him, his waterbender suppressed a shiver of pleasure at his tone. The councilmen nodded, before writing some notes and taking their seats.
"Councilman Katsu, you have the floor," Ukano gestured to the man across the table from him.
"Budget for the new replacement factory in Hing Wa needs to be approved," Katsu stated as he stood to give his report. He passed a scroll to Malu, who climbed the stairs to hand it to the Fire Lord. "The numbers represent the cost of materials, labor, and the temporary factory."
"What's this figure at the bottom?" The Fire Lady questioned suddenly as she looked over the information with her husband. Her eyes caught sight of something at the very bottom of the document.
"The figure at the bottom represents the total number increase for each household income on the island with the increase in work. In addition to the income increase after the factory is fully operational," Katsu explained to the Fire Lady his back straightening. He was the youngest on the royal council and still always expected to be reprimanded during the meetings.
"When is it expected for the factory to be fully operational?" Ukano inquired, as head of the council he tended to ask the questions the Fire Lord needed the answers to. The councilman was pleased to see the increase in the nation's economy based on the figures presented.
"The contractors have predicted a completion date for the end of spring, it should only be a couple of weeks after that before it is up and running," the councilman informed the monarchs in front of him. His chest-puffing out at being able to answer the question easily without referencing his notes. Katsu had spent weeks prepping for this report.
"If there are no more questions," Ukano paused looking around the throne room, waiting to see if anyone had anything else to say. "We move to vote on the approval of the budget. All those in favor?"
A unanimous vote in favor echoed throughout the room before the room turned to the royal couple. Both the Fire Lord and Lady voiced their approval, each of them signing off on the budget.
"Last item of business, the Fire Lady has a proposal she would like to present," Zuko commanded his voice hard. He could feel how nervous his wife was next to him and he was determined to make sure her first act as Fire Lady would go well.
"In the past hundred years, medical care in the Fire Nation has been declining," the Fire Lady began her voice coming out steadier than she felt. "After one had completed their education to become a physician they were enlisted into the military, leaving the rest of the country to self-teach. My proposal is for the next decade, to pull staff from the hospitals across the Fire Nation one at a time and enroll them in Caldera Medical School."
"Pulling an entire hospital staff would put that area at risk," Bujing interrupted, his voice harsh. He was not impressed with the new Fire Lady, his disdain for the Water Tribe was evident in his commentary.
"It would," Katara agreed readily, she knew exactly who Bujing was and as he spoke the only thought running through her head was the story of how Zuko got his scar. "It takes six years of schooling, which means we have six graduating classes to share the load. The next six graduating classes will cover the hospitals as they rotate into the programming."
"This would allow all of the health care workers in the Fire Nation to have proper education and training, something they were denied during the war," Mai spoke up from the spot next to her father, her voice hard as she looked at the old general. She remembered the Agni Kai with Ozai and Zuko, not to mention the reason for it. The noblewoman was not about to allow Bujing to disrespect her Fire Lady.
"Based on the numbers of health care workers that have not been properly trained and those who have the proper education, this project should take about twelve years," Lady Sulan contributed from next to Bujing, after Ukano she was the most senior member of the council. In addition, she was the most closely related to the Fire Lord.
"And the financial implications of this project?" Katsu questioned as he reviewed the document being passed around the council.
"Entry fees to Caldera's Medical School will be taken care of by the crown," the Fire Lady answered with authority, her body tensing as she looked at the old general seated next to Lady Sulan.
"The crown? Ha! It's laughable. A waterbender is deciding how the crown's private reserve should be spent," Bujing sneered looking at the Fire Lady with disdain. "She's turning our country into the laughing stock of the world."
"What was that?" The Fire Lady questioned as she looked at the councilman. She was unsurprised by the old general's reaction, he had been very clear that he didn't like the tribeswoman.
"You heard me. You are going to run our nation into the ground," Bujing snarled his eyes hard as he looked at the monarch. "You know nothing about our culture or our nation and yet you are the one making decisions. A tribeswoman is going to destroy the Fire Nation all because the former banished prince has a taste for the exotic!"
Zuko's eyes narrowed as he looked down at the man, he took a deep calming breath as he stared Bujing down. With each deep breath, the Fire Lord reminded himself he was no longer a boy and this was his throne room.
Every muscle in his body tightened, and the urge to scream in anger was strong. His fists clenched where his hands rested on his knees and his stomach felt hot with rage. It took the Fire Lord a split second to make the decision, he was standing before he even finished the thought.
"You disrespect my wife, you disrespect me," Zuko stated his voice calm as he parted the firewall walking down the steps to stand in front of the table. "Do you know the punishment for disrespecting the Fire Lady and Fire Lord in a council meeting?"
"She's not a firebender," Bujing stuttered as the young leader moved toward him.
Katara watched her husband move through the throne room. Her mind replayed the lessons she had with Mai and Ty Lee. The punishment for disrespecting the Fire Lord or Lady was an Agni Kai, the waterbender remembered. She was unsure why Zuko was reacting the way he was. Though she did recall him saying that Bujing had pushed back on every proposal brought forward by the Fire Lord.
"No, she's not," Zuko shook his head with a smirk gracing his face. He was unprepared for the satisfaction he felt radiate through his body as he spoke. "But I assure you if she would like to challenge you, she will be more than capable of participating in the Agni Kai. But since you disrespected my wife, in my throne room it is directly disrespecting me. Which means you have two transgressions against you. You may have a choice, my wife or myself. And I would be more than happy to challenge you, take your pick."
The throne room was silent as Bujing looked between Zuko and the scar across his face. He hadn't seen the Fire Lord firebend in years, the last time was probably when the young man was nine or ten. But he had been trained by the Dragon of the West, it would be a wild card to pick the Fire Lord. The old general's eyes flickered to the Fire Lady sitting calmly behind the firewall, no emotion showing. He had heard the stories about the Agni Kai with Azula, but he didn't believe the waterbender was that strong.
"A waterbender against a firebender," Bujing snorted as he looked at the Fire Lady. He didn't think it would be difficult to take out the Fire Lady, but he didn't think it would be appropriate to choose the waterbender. "It's not a fair fight, is it? Though I doubt she is able to fight, she seems a little delicate."
"Katara?" Zuko questioned without taking his eyes off the old general, he was elated that Bujing had fallen for the bait. The Fire Lord would have happily challenged the general but he much preferred to watch his wife destroy him.
"That's twice you have disrespected me, two more times than I will tolerate," the Fire Lady stated without moving from her seat, her voice dripping with venom. She wanted to prove a point to this man, he was the reason Zuko suffered at the hands of Ozai.
"I thought I was allowed to state an opinion," Bujing argued standing to face off with the Fire Lady and Lord. His temper rose as he looked at the couple. "That's what we have been told Fire Lord Zuko, or are you turning into Ozai."
"An opinion on the proposal is one thing," Katara replied, her voice eerily calm. She was channeling her sister-in-law. "Expressing your dislike for me is another. You also have made yourself very clear on your views of me and my marriage. I won't tolerate it, this council has better things to do than listen to your opinions on me."
"Is that a challenge?" Bujing's body was rigid with anger, his teeth were grinding and smoke was coming from his nose. The old general couldn't believe a waterbender dared to challenge him.
"Would you like it to be?" The waterbender asked, brushing a piece of hair out of her face. She thought about how Azula would respond, the princess was quiet intimidating and the tactics she used were helpful in this situation.
Mai and Ty Lee exchanged a look with each other, the tribeswoman sounded very much like their childhood friend. It was haunting to hear the similarity, but both of the courtiers thought Katara was handling the interaction well.
The former general's stomach lurched at the Fire Lady's steady but icy tone. He was unsure why the calmness caused his skin to crawl. Bujing wished he could take back everything he said about the monarchs. It had been killing the general to not voice his opinion on the inter-bender marriage, he had finally snapped today.
"No, Fire Lady Katara," the words tasted bitter on Bujing's tongue. He gritted his teeth, "I apologize for my remarks, it's still difficult for me to remember the war is over after all these years. I was taught to believe one thing and now I have to readjust."
"I accept the apology, we all say things we don't mean," the Fire Lady replied sweetly, too sweet. She noticed Mai gave the slightest nod in approval. The Fire Nation court was complex. Katara knew it was a delicate balance of commanding the respect she deserved without creating ripples, especially with the most recent threats.
"We all understand how difficult it has been," Zuko replied turning to walk up the steps back to his wife. The display showed how little he was concerned about the threat of Bujing. The Fire Lord sat next to his waterbender, "If there are no more questions, the proposal for the medical re-education program has my signature."
The entire council held their breath at the words, the Fire Lord was making a statement by declaring his signature on the proposal. Zuko had the authority to sign any proposal into action without the council's approval. He was staking a claim, showing his loyalty. It was a big move and something that had been boiling for some time now. The council needed to see him taking a stand not just on his ideals for the Fire Nation but siding with his wife.
"Mai and myself will have the papers drawn up, they will be on your desk ready for you to sign tomorrow morning," Ukano stated as he shuffled the papers in front of him nervously. His daughter passed her copy of the proposal and her notes to him. The Fire Lord had not made a statement this large to the council since he declared he wouldn't prosecute Azula.
"Very good. Meeting adjourned," Zuko declared dismissing everyone from the room with his words and a wave of his hand.
The Fire Lord watched Bujing leave the room, there was something off about him. He had been too accommodating since Zuko became Fire Lord. And he had been unusually silent about the arranged marriage. It seemed odd that Bujing would choose now to push back against the crown.
"You know when you scrunch up your face like that it reminds me of the first time I saw you in the South Pole," Katara said fondly as she looked at her husband. The two were the only ones in the throne room.
"Hmm," the Fire Lord turned to look at her. He could instantly feel his facial muscles relaxing as he looked at his waterbender. "I thought you would hate to be reminded of that day."
"Why? It was the first day I met you," she shrugged a small smile gracing her face. "It might not have been the ideal first meeting but nothing about our relationship has been ideal."
"That's the understatement of the century," he agreed with a throaty chuckle.
"But without that first meeting I wouldn't be sitting next to you and I like sitting next to you." Katara leaned over and kissed her husband sweetly.
"I like sitting next to you too," he mumbled against her mouth before deepening their kiss. All thoughts of Bujing were forgotten.
"Only a few more weeks," Sokka mumbled as he felt the baby kick his hand.
"I look like an arctic hippo," the Kyoshi Warrior complained as she looked at her pregnant belly. The couple was laying in bed taking advantage of the last few nights to themselves.
"You look beautiful," the Water Tribe Heir argued as he leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead. "I cannot wait to meet our son."
"She could be a daughter too," Suki rolled her eyes. They had been arguing about the gender for the entirety of her pregnancy.
"He is a strong kicker, I think he's a boy," the tribesman felt another nudge against his hand. A grin crossed his face. "See he agrees!"
"Or she is upset you think she is a boy," his wife chuckled with a grin. She groaned as she felt the baby shift. Kanna and Senna had told Suki the baby was getting into position.
"And you still like the names we picked?" Sokka asked as he watched her belly shift with each movement of the baby.
"I still like them," the Kyoshi Warrior nodded. The couple had wanted to give their child a name that reflected their love. It had taken some time but they finally agreed on a name for each gender.
"And you are sure you don't want Katara here for the birth?" He asked for the hundredth time. Since Suki had been put on bed rest a few months ago, the tribesman had wanted to call his sister to the South Pole. But his wife had stopped him, stating she was fine with Senna and Kanna.
"I'm sure," she replied around a yawn. Her eyes closed and she rested her head on her husband's shoulder. "Good night, Sokka."
"Wow," the avatar whispered as he walked through the perfectly formed tunnels. He was currently on the far side of the Patola Mountain Range, he hadn't ventured to this side of the mountain in over a hundred years. He had found the white lotus carved into the rock easily, Bumi's instructions were simple to follow when you knew to think like the crazy king.
"Who knocks at the guarded gate?" A voice called out into the tunnel, the guard had heard the footsteps and felt the air shift with an added body in the tunnels. There was something oddly familiar about the voice of the young monk.
"One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries," the avatar repeated the words his old friend had instructed him to use. He was hoping he said them correctly.
"Who are you?" The guard asked as the figure approached. The response had been exactly right, but even with the cracking of adolescence, the sound reminded the guard of someone from long ago.
"I'm an old friend of Bumi's and for a long time I was under the impression that I was the last airbender," Aang replied easily as he moved toward the voice. He could see the figure of an old man as he advanced, it was dim in the tunnel only being lit by the torches the two men were carrying.
"Aang?" The old man asked in awe once they were close enough to see each other. He took in the sight of the familiar tattoos and the clothing, he could barely believe who was standing in front of him. It seemed impossible. There was no way that the avatar had survived, let alone only look a few years older than the day he left.
The nomads in hiding had been cut off from the outside world for the past decade, the knowledge of the avatar's return had been unknown to them until today.
"Jinju?" Aang thought the old man looked familiar, but he couldn't believe he was still alive. It seemed impractical, but then again Bumi was still alive and he was still alive. So why was he questioning it?
"You're alive! And you look so young. But how?" Jinju asked in shock. They all thought Aang had died, that the avatar hadn't been reborn. The old man was the last to remember life before the caves, he didn't think he would ever see the day the war would end.
"I was frozen in ice for a hundred years," the avatar began as he moved closer to him, Momo was perched on his shoulder. "It's only been a little over four years since I was broken out of it. I didn't know about the other airbenders, I saved the world by ending the war. I've been searching ever since."
"You were frozen in ice," Jinju echoed in awe as he listened to the story. He was trying to process everything that he was hearing. He had always thought if he lived to see the war end that it would be because of the rest of the world, not the avatar. "When? When did you become trapped?"
"I had only been gone a day before I got lost in a storm, I went down into the water. I don't remember what happened after that, the next thing I knew I was waking up," the avatar began softly. He hadn't expected to see anyone from his past and have to explain what happened. Aang knew logically he was not at fault for the genocide, but seeing Jinju brought up all the feelings of guilt he had been repressing.
"We spent months looking for you," Jinju remembered softly his eyes had a faraway look, lost in time a hundred years before. He wanted to be angry at the avatar, but he couldn't bring himself to feel the emotion. "It had been four months after you left when the genocide began. You were already frozen when it started."
"You were able to escape," the avatar stated as he looked down the dark tunnel. "I didn't think I would ever see another airbender."
"We are over a thousand strong and growing steadily," the old airbender boasted as he straightened slightly. "But they are limited with their bending, the most knowledgeable have since passed. And they were not close to becoming a master. All of the airbenders over the age of twelve have mastered the basics, only the basics."
"I guess that's where we will start then, hopefully in a few years we can have a few masters," Aang smiled at Jinju. "After we move you from the underground city to the fully restored Western Air Temple."
"We can leave the underground city," Jinju mumbled to himself. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "The Western Air Temple?"
"Yes," the avatar nodded. "Myself and a couple of earthbending friends have restored the temples. It's time to start rebuilding our nation and for the Air Nomads to reenter the world."
"I never thought I would live to see this day."
The wetness between her legs awoke her, she wanted to pull the covers over her head and forget the world. But she also needed to get out of bed and take care of herself.
Reluctantly the Fire Lady rolled out of bed, her eyes settled on the sheets, and saw the blood stain. Katara repressed the groan and moved to the bathroom, she would take care of the sheets later.
She had been feeling the pains on and off for the past two days, it was only a matter of time before her moon cycle began. Yet a small part of her was disappointed it had arrived on schedule. She and Zuko were doing their best to prevent a pregnancy at her own request. But since her return from the North Pole thoughts of a baby kept flittering through her mind.
"Katara?" Zuko grumbled when he realized she wasn't next to him. He rubbed his sleep ladened eyes.
The first thing he noticed was the covers turned back and then the dark wet patch on the sheets. It took the Fire Lord a moment to realize his wife's moon cycle had started in the middle of the night. He climbed out of bed before he called a servant to come replace the sheets and one to bring some tea for his wife. The sound of running water penetrated the royal couple's bed chamber, and Zuko figured the waterbender was cleaning herself up.
He knocked hesitantly on the bathroom door.
"Come in," the Fire Lady called from her spot inside the shower. Seconds later her husband entered the room.
"How are you feeling?" He asked as he walked into the room.
"My moon cycle began," she supplied with a blush. The waterbender splashed water on her face.
"I know it did." Zuko was not squeamish about the subject. And he wanted to support his wife in the best way possible. But Katara seemed to be rather embarrassed about the whole thing, something he didn't understand. It was a part of life.
"I didn't mean to wake you."
"I wish you would have," the firebender said as he moved toward her. He stripped his clothing and joined her. "I called for a servant to change the sheets and bring you some tea."
"You didn't need to do that," Katara protested as her husband wrapped his arms around her.
"I want to," he argued. His hands skimmed up her sides until they rested on her shoulders and he began kneading the tense muscles of her neck and shoulders. "Let me take care of you."
"Thank you," she mumbled tipping her head back and allowing her husband to take care of her. A little while later the royal couple was climbing back into their bed. The fresh sheets felt amazing against the waterbender's skin. She had really become accustomed to the luxuries of royal life.
"Are you in any pain?" The firebender asked as he spooned his wife. He remembered her complaining during the past few cycles of cramping and her lower back hurting.
"A little," she replied in embarrassment. Katara was still not completely comfortable speaking to her husband about her moon cycle. The shower had helped her feel a little better, but now the cramping had really begun.
Zuko rested his palm on her lower belly, slowly warming the area and drawing soothing circles. "How is that?"
"Better," she replied snuggling deeper into his arms. Her eyelids drooped, her sleep had been restless before. "What time is it?"
"Don't worry about that, we can push everything in the morning," the Fire Lord soothed his wife. He knew how terrible the first two days on her moon cycle were.
"The council will have a field day if I called in sick," the waterbender mumbled. Though she quite liked the idea of staying in bed all day. For a brief moment, she wondered about voicing her thoughts about a baby.
"Luckily they answer to the Fire Lord," he chuckled in her ear. He didn't like to see her in pain and he thought a sick day was necessary. "What if I took the day off with you? We can lay in bed and just spend time with each other."
"That would make it better," his wife yawned around her words again.
"How's your pain?"
"Better," Katara replied as she nuzzled her face into his bicep that she was using as a pillow. "But my lower back hurts a little."
The firebender heated his whole body hoping to alleviate the pain in her lower back. "Let me know if you get too hot," he instructed her.
"One of the benefits of a firebender as a husband," the waterbender hummed happily. "I don't know what I used to do without you."
"Well, now you never have to be without me ever again," Zuko placed a kiss on her temple. "Now try to get some sleep. Tomorrow I'll take care of you."
The Fire Lady's eyes fluttered closed and she relaxed into her husband's arms. Within minutes the royal couple was fast asleep.
The earthbender sighed heavily as he looked at the vendor selling gossip scrolls. He was unsure what to do. His hand reached of its own accord to grasp the paper. Eyes began scanning to contents.
"They've been in the scrolls a lot recently," a woman next to him commented.
Haru's eyes turned to look at the young woman shopping, "The Beifong's?"
"Yes, practically every issue for the past two months there has been an article," the young woman mumbled. "Everyone thought the scandal of his daughter running away with a poor earthbender was the biggest piece of news from the Beifong Estate but now . . ."
Haru looked down at the headline in his hands: Beifong to Lose Hotel
"Is this the first hotel that has been at risk?" The earthbender questioned as he scanned the article.
"No, I think it's the third," the woman mumbled as she paid the vendor for her own scrolls. "Have a good day."
"Thanks," Haru mumbled as he held the scroll. He turned to the vendor and dropped some copper pieces on the counter. The earthbender was already running late with his supply run and he hated leaving Toph for too long by herself.
A few hours later found him arriving back at the Western Air Temple, his arms laden with supplies.
"You were gone forever," the Blind Bandit mumbled as her lover greeted her with a kiss. "What took so long?"
"Busy day," he deflected as he unloaded their things.
"You're lying."
Haru scrubbed a hand over his face. He turned to take in the woman before him, she was standing with her arms crossed over her chest. "Your father was in a gossip scroll."
"My father?" Her arms dropped as her unseeing eyes turned toward his voice. Toph wasn't sure what to make of the fact her father was in a gossip scroll. She wasn't naive, she knew her family ended up being a part of the gossip headlines.
"There was an article about him potentially losing one of his hotels to a creditor," Haru explained. His stomach sunk as he gave her the bad news, "Apparently this is the third business at risk. He almost lost one of his factories, but he aligned with Quon."
"Quon?"
"Yes, he apparently agreed to invest in the factory to keep it operational," the young man continued. He rubbed his hands against his thighs. "There is concern that if he loses more than one business it would be detrimental to the economy, not just for the Earth Kingdom."
"I didn't realize he employed that many," she whispered her cloudy eyes turning toward the ground. Toph knew her father's business was in trouble for some time, she just hadn't realized things were this bad.
"It's probably just gossip," Haru soothed as he took her hand moving them to sit on the edge of the cliff. "These scrolls also said that Zuko and Katara are both having affairs. And that Aang has a different woman in each city."
The Blind Bandit giggled, she rested her head against his shoulder. "Yeah, you're probably right."
"Whatever happens, it's gonna be okay Toph," he tried to comfort her. Haru hated seeing his lover so upset.
"I know," Toph mumbled. A tear rolled down her cheek as she thought about the mess her family was in.
"They also stated that you ran off with some poor earthbender who seduced you away from your father's home," he added to lighten the mood. He was rewarded with a small giggle before she began laughing.
"Well you did seduce me," she teased him after calming down. A smirk settled across her face.
"I think it was you who seduced me," Haru argued placing a kiss on her temple.
"Yeah I did, didn't I?"
"Aang found the airbenders," Zuko told his wife over dinner, she was sitting on his right side. "I received a letter from him today, he requested transportation for them."
"How much transportation does he need?" Katara took a bite of her roast duck looking at her husband.
The couple had opted to have a quiet dinner in their room together, the past two weeks had been filled with many meetings and dinner invitations. Since the display in the council meeting with Bujing, the entire royal court had been wanting to cozy up to the royal couple. Tonight was their first night alone since Katara returned from the North Pole. It weighed heavy on the couple to be in such close proximity to each other but feeling like they were miles apart.
"Well over a thousand apparently."
"What?" Katara's hand slipped and dropped her drink, with a quick motion she bent the liquid off the table. She was shocked to hear there were so many airbenders out in the world. When Aang had begun his search, everyone expected he would be lucky to find twenty or thirty. But to find over a thousand seemed unbelievable.
"That was my reaction too," Zuko chuckled as he watched her clean up the spill. He found it endearing to watch his wife waterbend for mundane tasks. "The White Lotus had taken them into hiding, Bumi's father specifically. They hid them in caves near Omashu for some time before moving them to an underground city in the Patola Mountain Range."
"The caves? You mean the Cave of Two Lovers?"
"Yes, apparently no one in their right mind would want to venture into the labyrinth of tunnels so they were secluded well," her husband continued eating his meal. "Bumi helped build the underground city when he was a young man and the airbenders have been in hiding, repopulating for a hundred years."
"And Bumi waited this long to tell us about it?" The Fire Lady questioned looking up at her husband. Her eyes were drawn to his mouth as some sauce dripped onto his bottom lip and his tongue snaked out to catch it. The sight caused her core to clench, her mind traveling to having his tongue on a much more intimate area of her body.
"You know Bumi, he had his reasons," he shook his head, oblivious to the way his wife was watching him. "I spoke to Jee, he is sending a few ships to the Southern Temple."
"Where is he relocating them? Wouldn't it be easier to keep them in the Southern Temple?"
"Probably would be," Zuko shrugged as he finished his meal, pushing the plate out of his way. "Aang wants to relocate to the Western Temple, I'm assuming because it has been restored."
"And cleaned up from the genocide," Katara added as she interrupted him, placing her utensils down signaling she was finished with dinner as well.
"Yeah," he agreed looking down at the table, he immediately felt queasy. Zuko knew that the genocide was not his fault, but whenever it was brought up he couldn't curb the guilt that settled into his stomach.
"Zuko, don't go there," his wife spoke suddenly as she watched his reaction. Her mind knew exactly where he went. The waterbender reached her hand across the table and grabbed his hand that was picking at the gold detailing of the table, stilling the nervous habit.
"You know me entirely too well," he smiled crookedly at her, pulling her hand to his lips and placing a kiss on the inside of her palm. The couple had been extremely busy the past couple of weeks, rarely having time for each other. "When was the last time we had the night to ourselves?"
"I think it was when I returned from the North Pole," she leaned toward her husband who was now stringing a trail of kisses up her arm. Katara was glad she had changed out of her formal robes before dinner and into her sleep clothes. The dressing robe allowed her husband to continue his ministrations.
"That's too long," he mumbled into the inside of her elbow kissing the erogenous zone there. His gold eyes darkened as he saw the goosebumps arise on her skin.
"Maybe we should move to our bed," Katara whispered, her voice coming out husky as her husband's lips reached first her shoulder and then her neck. She moaned lowly as his teeth grazed her pulse point.
"I agree with that," the Fire Lord grinned into his wife's neck. A knock on their door interrupted the royal couple. He pulled away and rested his forehead on his wife's shoulder. "If this isn't an emergency, I'm going to hurt Malu."
The Fire Lady sighed as her husband stood and moved to answer the door. He was surprised to see not only the Captain of the Royal Guard but Ukano as well.
"Fire Lord Zuko, I'm sorry to interrupt but former General Bujing is requesting an immediate audience with you," the royal advisor informed the young monarch.
"Does he know what time it is?" Zuko hissed rubbing a hand over his face. "What's his reasoning?"
"According to him he has information on your father's death," the nobleman replied. "He wanted to seek you out himself but I thought it better if I did."
The Fire Lord pinched the bridge of his nose, he was unsure if Bujing had information or if it was a power play. But he couldn't ignore the possibility of the former general having some knowledge of what happened to Ozai. "Fine, tell him to meet me in my office. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Yes, Fire Lord Zuko," Ukano nodded before leaving his monarch.
"I'm sorry I have to go take care of this," Zuko told his wife as he rejoined her at their dinner table. "But considering our last interaction with Bujing, I think it's necessary to take the appointment."
"I understand Zuko," Katara comforted sadly. She was looking forward to having her husband to herself. "Do you want me to go with you?"
"Considering her threatened so recently," the Fire Lord shook his head. "I know you can handle yourself, but I think the meeting will go faster if it's just me and Ukano."
"Well, hurry back," she leaned forward and placed a searing kiss on his lips. "I'll be waiting for you."
"With a promise like that, I will be back as soon as I can," he grinned at her. Within minutes the Fire Lord found himself in his office facing the former general.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed your evening Fire Lord Zuko," Bujing bowed formally. He knew the young monarch was apprehensive of him. He hoped by bringing this news that it would elevate his status with the monarch. "But I have some important news involving your father's death."
"So I've been told," Zuko took his seat behind his desk. He was sure to not offer the councilman a seat, he wanted this meeting over with as soon as possible.
"I have reason to believe that someone in your court is framing the Earth Kingdom for the threats," Bujing stated. His voice was steady as he delivered the news. "Or at least if they are not framing the Earth Kingdom, they are working in conjunction."
"And whom would that be?"
"Shinu."
"Hmm," the Fire Lord responded. He was unsurprised to hear the name, but he was confused as to why Shinu would kill Ozai. After all, he was a General during the hundred-year war and the director of the Yuyan Archers. "And you are sure?"
"He is one of the only ones who would know the ins and outs of Caldera Prison," Bujing explained. "And he would have all the contacts to be able to make the necessary assignation."
"I will take this information under advisement and launch an investigation," the monarch nodded his head clearly dismissing the man in front of him. "Thank you for bringing this to me in such a timely manner."
The former general bowed once more and left the office quickly, he had done his job.
"Ukano, in the morning please begin the necessary inquiries to validate Bujing's claim," Zuko turned to his most trusted advisor. The monarch stood as he finished speaking. "I trust there will be no more urgent news this evening, I will see you in the morning."
"Yes, Fire Lord."
The firebender quickly made his way through the palace halls, he was eager to get back to his wife. Zuko was prepared to make sure she delivered on her promise.
"Zula bug?" Ursa called as she walked toward her daughter, joining her at the front of the ship. The Princess stood quietly arms outstretched with her hands gripping the railing, her hair whipping around her in the wind.
The mother and daughter had spent days fighting. Azula felt like her mother had hated her. Ursa feared her daughter was turning into Ozai. It took the Fire Nation Princess a week before she would speak to her mother. And after six days of fighting, the two had finally made progress. They had made it to a place where they could be open and honest with each other while staying calm enough to understand the other. Ten days later and Yagoda agreed that Azula was ready to return to the Fire Nation.
"When Zuzu returned home with us after Ba Sing Se he watched the water all day, dramatically so," Azula whispered with a small smirk as she looked out at the evening sea. Her mind grasping for the words to explain how she felt. "I never really understood why, until today. The feeling of uneasy returning to a place that had caused so much pain, but it's still your home so you want to be back . . . I get it now."
Ursa wrapped an arm around her daughter in support. Azula wasn't a talker, she didn't process her emotions aloud easily. Her mother knew this, she might have left when Azula was eight, but Ursa knew her daughter's personality. The Princess didn't need words of comfort, she needed maternal intimacy.
"Zuko redecorated your room for you, he did it mostly in shades of gold and whites. Though I think that was Katara's suggestion," Ursa told her daughter. "And he was sure to include jars of your favorite candies for you. Every single one of them; fire gummies, rice candy, and jennamite. And all your favorite things."
"Gossip scrolls?" The Princess asked as she looked up at her mother.
"Many many gossip scrolls, from the Fire Nation to Ba Sing Se and I think even a few from the North Pole," the older woman grinned with a squeeze on her daughter's shoulders. Ursa had been a little surprised to learn her daughter liked something as frivolous as tabloids. But after spending three weeks at the North Pole and seeing Azula's face light up as she read about the scandals of the noble families brought Ursa so much joy.
"I know they seem silly," Azula spoke softly as her hands went to play with the ends of her hair. "But seeing that everyone has someone in their family who is less than ideal, well it makes me feel less insane."
"Azula, Zula bug," Ursa began turning her daughter to face her. The Princess's eyes were downcast as she listened to her mother. "You are not insane. Horrible things happened to you, some because of me. I should have done better for you, fought harder for you. You had to deal with so much at such a young age, things you should not have had to deal with. Zula bug, you did what you needed to survive. Terrible things happened traumatic things. You took the time to heal and get better. But you are stronger because of it."
"I know, Mommy," the young woman's voice cracked, and tears fell from her eyes that were quickly brushed away by her mother's hand. Ursa wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding her close as they watched the ship cut through the water.
There was still much that the mother and daughter needed to work on, but at this moment they knew everything would be okay.
Notes:
A little fluffy chapter for right now, don't worry we have a lot to come in Part 2!
I love hearing your thoughts so please drop a comment :) Thank you all for your continued support! I so appreciate it!
See you September 15th, 2022 for Chapter Twenty!
Chapter 20: Chapter Twenty: Spring 104 AG
Notes:
Happy Update Day!
Thank you to everyone who commented and left kudos on the last chapter, I so appreciate it! :) Also a big thank you to everyone for giving me so much grace with our posting schedule and sticking with me.
I know I mentioned in the last note, but I am currently working full time and going to school full time. Why I thought that was a good idea, I'll never know lol. Even though my life is crazy busy, I am promising you all that this fic will be finished. I don't want anyone to worry, I will never abandon this story and as of right now I am on our normal posting schedule (the 5th, 15th, and 25th of each month). Thank you all for supporting me.
Those of you who are looking for an Azula redemption arc, get ready!
Happy reading :)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty: Spring 104 AG
"Fire Lord Zuko, Master Piandao is here for your meeting," Akio announced after walking into the monarch's office. The young man had recently been employed to be the Fire Lord's secretary.
Akio had grown up with Zuko, being only a couple of months older than the monarch. His mother had been employed to be the Prince's wet nurse and later governess. The two boys had spent much time together before the banishment.
When the Fire Lord finally found a need for a secretary, he looked into the recent graduates from the top universities in the Fire Nation. Zuko had been pleased to note Akio's accomplishments at Caldera University, the number one school in the nation. The young man had majored in Political Science with a focus on History. Zuko immediately called upon him for an interview.
The two men had spoken like no time had passed and the young man was hired on the spot.
"Thank you Akio, please send him in, and will you ask the Fire Lady to join us," Zuko commanded as he finished a few notes on the proposal he was reviewing. "Oh, and will you tell my sister to join myself and Katara in about an hour?"
Akio cleared his throat and shifted his weight from foot to foot uncomfortably at the mention of Azula, "Yes, Fire Lord."
The firebender looked up at his oldest friend from beneath his brow, his good eyebrow raised. "She's having tea with my mother, I'm sure she won't give you a hard time. I know you have been avoiding her."
"No shit, Zuko," Akio grumbled crossing his arms across his chest as he spoke candidly to his friend. "She used to call me a charity case and burn my schoolwork."
"Yeah," the firebender shook his head in response a ghost of a smile across his face. He knew he shouldn't have found the way Azula teased Akio funny, but he did. Zuko couldn't resist taunting the young man, "But she's not like that anymore. Plus I think she used to have a crush on you."
"Okay, I'm leaving," Akio threw his hands up in annoyance at his old friend. The young man was not afraid of the Princess, more he found her frustrating. While he was never as close to her, there was a time when he thought of her as a younger sibling. But that changed after Zuko had been banished. "Don't worry I'll tell your sister to join you for an audience and get your wife."
The Fire Lord chuckled as he watched the flustered young man walk out of his office quickly. He heard Akio speak to the sword master and a minute later his office door opened again.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Piandao greeted as he stepped into the room, bowing as he moved in front of the monarch.
"Master Piandao, sit please," Zuko responded as he gestured for the man to sit across the desk from him. He shuffled some papers on his desk. "My wife should be joining us momentarily. Would you like some tea?"
"Please. I must say, I was surprised to receive the summons," the older man stated as he sat down. He didn't think the Fire Lord was upset with him, but the summons had seemed a little formal. Too formal. "Even more so when I heard it was an audience with both the Fire Lord and Fire Lady."
"Yes, I'm sure it was. I hope the summons wasn't a cause of alarm for you," the firebender apologized to his old teacher as he poured some tea for himself and his guest. "We just had some things that were of a delicate nature. We thought it best to discuss them with you in person."
"Thank you," the sword master replied as he took the offered cup from the sovereign. His blood pressure lowered at hearing the words, "I completely understand."
"Master Piandao, it's lovely to see you," Katara greeted as she walked into the room, her husband stood coming around the other side of his desk taking her hand. The firebender placed a quick kiss on her cheek before helping her into the seat next to the sword master.
"Fire Lady Katara, it's good to see you as well. I see that marriage seems to have agreed with you," Piandao complimented with a grin to the young woman. She glowed like a woman in love. It wasn't lost on the sword master how intimately the Fire Lord anticipated his wife's needs.
"It seems to agree with us both," the Fire Lady chuckled as she settled into her seat. She flashed her husband a smile.
"I hope your brother is doing well," the sword master took a sip of his tea. He knew he must make appropriate polite conversation first, lucky for him, he actually wanted to hear about Sokka. "I heard he and his new wife are expecting."
"Suki is due in a few weeks, I think right now he is probably irritating her to the best of his ability," Katara grinned at the older man. She had always liked Piandao and hoped he would agree to their request. "The last letter she sent me, she told me she banished him from their chambers for the week."
"My brother-in-law has the tendency for making jokes when he shouldn't," Zuko added with a teasing tone as he moved back behind his desk. He poured his wife some tea and quickly placed it in front of her. "We plan to make a trip to the South Pole once the baby is born. It will have to be a short visit as the anniversary will only be a couple of months away, but we are both excited for our new niece or nephew."
"Well, Sokka has a knack for getting himself in and out of trouble easily," Piandao chuckled as he thought of his former student. "As much as I enjoy the reunion, I have a feeling this was not the reason you called this meeting."
Katara sighed looking at her husband waiting to see how he would handle the next few minutes. This was something she and Zuko had spent days discussing, they knew how delicate the situation was. She sent a silent prayer to Tui and La for this conversation to go well, the last thing either wanted to do was to offend Master Piandao.
"No, it wasn't," Zuko looked down at the papers on his desk. He had rehearsed the words all morning, but actually saying them to the sword master was entirely a different experience. "It's about my sister."
"The last I knew of Princess Azula, she was," Piandao stopped searching for the right word. He didn't want to offend the monarchs, "Recuperating in the North Pole under a master waterbending healer and the White Lotus."
In a million years, the sword master did not think he would ever be called for an audience with his sovereign regarding Princess Azula.
He had never interacted with the Princess. The sword master hadn't even been introduced to her when he had been called to the royal court during the war. Only really seeing her from afar when she was a child. And after the war, he had only really heard about her through Iroh. Azula was a complete and utter mystery to him.
Piandao was unsure where this meeting was headed, but he would listen to everything his monarchs had to say. He waited patiently for them to continue.
"Azula returned to the Fire Nation late last night," Katara took over for her husband, her voice steady and soothing as she broached the sensitive subject. Her blue eyes took in the sword master and waited for his reaction to the news.
"I hadn't realized she had returned to the Fire Nation," he replied, an eyebrow raised in confusion. He understood that his every move was being meticulously observed.
"Master Yagoda agreed she had made tremendous progress and was in the right frame of mind to return home," the Fire Lady explained delicately. She looked at her husband before continuing. "During her time in the North Pole she had some setbacks, but after much discussion, it was determined one thing that was holding her back was her firebending. Because of that, we made the decision for the Avatar to take away her bending indefinitely."
"A big decision," the older man commented reverently. He was unsure where this conversation was heading. "I do not mean any disrespect but are you sure that it was her bending that was the issue?"
"My sister has never been an evil human," the Fire Lord defended his sister quickly as he watched the sword master take in the information with a straight face. "Her drive was not to take over the world but to please my — our father. Our mother left at a very young age. As you know, during my formative years I had Iroh to guide me. Azula had Ozai."
The sword master hissed through his teeth and shook his head sadly. He had never really thought about Ozai's influence on one so young.
"His toxic views coupled with the damage his council added and the volatile nature of firebending almost destroyed her," Zuko kept speaking but his eyes never left Piandao. "Now that his influence is nonexistent, my sister is turning into the woman she always should have been."
"Understandable, your father — Ozai was a manipulative and cruel man," the sword master comforted softly and hesitantly. He tried not to let his surprise show at how his old pupil handled himself when challenged. The Fire Lord had come a long way from the angry and hurt young man he had been. "I can see how difficult and damaging that must have been to the Princess, considering her skill and age."
"Azula thrives under a rigorous training schedule, she cannot and will not be a frivolous woman of court," Zuko added after a few minutes of silence; this was going better than he had anticipated. "With her personality and the most recent threats to the royal family, I would like to humbly ask you to train her, Master Piandao."
The sword master sat there in stunned silence. He did not see their conversation heading in this direction. He cleared his throat ready to clarify, "You would like me to train Princess Azula in the way of the sword?"
"Yes," Katara and Zuko replied simultaneously. The sword master looked between the two monarchs in surprise.
"Master Piandao, we know it is much to ask," the Fire Lady began cautiously with a quick look at Zuko. "And we would never ask you to train someone you did not find worthy, the decision is ultimately yours. But we believe that Azula would learn much from you, not just in swordsmanship but in many other areas. And with the right guidance, she could help bring the Fire Nation into the future."
His mind was spinning as he looked at the royal couple.
Not even a year ago Piandao had heard, that the Princess was considered dangerous prior to leaving for the North Pole. Yet he too had made many mistakes, originally fighting for his country before learning the war was not justified.
Could he really fault Azula for doing what she thought was right?
The girl had clearly spent time trying to heal for her brother. And Katara would not have Zuko ask if she did not think Azula could be trained. He knew that much about the waterbender.
Piandao had thought Sokka would be his last student, no one had been worthy since the tribesman. But if the Princess showed she was worthy he would feel the need to teach her. It wouldn't hurt to at least meet the young woman.
"I want to have a trial period, beginning this afternoon. If I find her worthy, I will train Princess Azula," Piandao stated after a moment. This was a big decision and he didn't want to commit to anything until he had seen her.
"That sounds perfectly acceptable," the Fire Lord stated nodding to the sword master, clearly dismissing the man. It was more than he could have asked for, "Thank you Master Piandao."
The older man stood, bowed to both monarchs then left the room.
"Do you know how you are going to tell Azula?" Katara questioned her husband once they were alone. She moved to seat herself in his lap, his arms circling around her instantly.
"I told Akio to have her join us in," he looked at the clock across the way. His hands pulled at the ties that held her formal robes together. "In about twenty minutes."
"Zuko," she warned as she saw him snake his hands underneath the robes. His palms pressed against her breasts as he moved in to kiss her neck. His mouth found the sweet spot that caused her to moan, "We don't have time!"
"It's a promise for later," he replied his teeth lightly scraping the spot along her neck. He moved to place a kiss against the blue jade of her betrothal before taking her lips with his. Kissing her with the promise of more, Katara melted against him.
A throat cleared pulling them apart.
The Fire Lady, regally adjusted her robes before turning around to face her husband's secretary. She took her former seat across from the Fire Lord's desk and waited for Akio to inform them why he had disturbed the couple.
"Your sister is here, Fire Lord Zuko," Akio stated professionally. His eyes stared straight at the back wall of the office.
"Send her in."
The young man opened the door to call the Princess into the room. Azula walked in with her head held high. She turned to briefly look at the secretary before she immediately seated herself next to her sister-in-law. The young woman was dressed simply, with her hair down a far cry from how she used to style herself.
"I see we hired the charity case," Azula drawled as she took her seat, flipping her hair over her shoulder and then studying her nails. "You always were philanthropic, Zuzu."
"Zula," the Fire Lord pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, his voice hard and frustrated. "You can't say that about people anymore."
"Princess Azula, it is an honor to meet you," Piandao greeted the young woman with a formal bow. The Princess was petite, and quite a bit shorter than him, the sword master noted.
His grey eyes quickly scanned her. She had grown into a lovely young woman. Her long hair was in a single braid draped over her right shoulder. The training clothes she wore accented the Princess's slender and toned frame. He couldn't help but notice the soft curves she carried in all the right places.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Master Piandao," Azula bowed her head slightly to show respect for his station. He was surprised at the humility she showed, "My brother tells me you are an incredible teacher. I am honored you have agreed to take me as a student, even if it is on a trial basis."
Azula had been shocked to learn from her brother and sister-in-law that Piandao had agreed to take her on for a trial basis. She had never given much thought to the art of swordsmanship. Coincidently she had seen her brother practicing his broadswords earlier that morning and she had longed for the ability to train.
The Princess never looked down on non-benders, she knew they were deadly. She just had felt it was unnecessary to learn a non-bending discipline if you were a bender.
But now, things had changed. Azula would give anything to be a warrior again.
"The Fire Lord was an excellent student, one of my best," the sword master nodded at her. He was trying to reconcile the knowledge he had of the Princess along with the woman in front of him. His next words were more out of polite courtesy, "I am looking forward to teaching you."
"You don't have to say that, I know that I'm not exactly the student most would want. I've done a lot of horrible things," the Princess mumbled looking away from the man in front of her. She felt a funny feeling grow in the pit of her stomach as she looked at Piandao, despite his age he was attractive. She didn't want him to think poorly of her.
"So have I," he replied easily, as he looked at the remorse written across her face. Her gold eyes met his in surprise. He was not sure why he wanted to reassure her, "All of us have done things we are not proud of, but those actions don't define us. It's the things we learn from those actions that do."
"Like Zuko," She whispered to herself. Azula looked down at her feet before quickly glancing over at her brother.
The Princess could hear the sounds of the Fire Lord and Lady practicing on the other end of the training arena. She knew they had trained earlier that morning. The couple had canceled the rest of their meetings for the afternoon to join her in support. It was something Azula was grateful for but would never voice to them.
"Yes," Piandao nodded in agreement. He was rewarded with her gold eyes flashing to his, he didn't know her well enough to decipher the emotion behind the look. He cleared his throat before speaking, "My methods may be slightly unorthodox, but every student I have trained is a successful master of the blade."
"I understand," Azula stated with a slight nod as she looked at him. She desperately wanted to do well to please her brother and sister-in-law. "I am here to learn."
"Let us begin," the sword master commanded. He went straight into teaching, he was pleased with how eager she was to learn. "Meditation is used in most bending practices, I find the aspect of learning to sit calmly and clear one's mind a useful place to start."
The Fire Nation Princess was surprised to be meditating as her first lesson. She knew it was a tool many firebenders were taught but she had never struggled in her bending practice. She had therefore never learned how to meditate. Azula had always been able to separate her emotions from her bending. The act of clearing her mind was unnecessary because she had extraordinary focus from a young age. Her palms felt sweaty and the hair on the back of her neck stood as the nerves rolled through her stomach.
"I've never, I mean I don't, umm. Agni," Azula paused and took an unsteady breath. The Princess closed her eyes, pressing her palms into them an action that reminded the sword master of her brother. She breathed deeply again, dropping her hands and opening her eyes, "I don't know, uh, how to meditate."
Piandao tried to disguise the astonishment he felt. Most firebenders learned how to meditate at an early age to help with control. It was clear Azula had never struggled with control and had never needed to meditate. Luckily the Princess was looking down at her feet and didn't see the look of surprise on the sword master's face.
He cleared his throat as he thought over his next words, "Well, no time like the present to learn."
"Okay," her voice was soft almost hesitant as she looked up at him from under her lashes.
"Come," Piandao held out his hand for her. She tentatively placed her hand in his, his calloused hand enveloped her smaller one. He began leading her toward the alter of Agni off to the side of the training grounds before helping her sit on the ground. The sword master explained the position to sit in as he sat beside her.
"Like this?" Azula asked as she adjusted her position to mimic his.
"Exactly," Piandao nodded with encouragement, the corner of his eyes crinkling was the only sign he was pleased with her. "I find it helpful to close my eyes, but it's not necessary. For today I want you to focus just on your breath. Be aware of each breath you take. Breathe deeply in and out, think about the air moving through your body. If your mind wanders, come back to your breath."
The Princess followed his instructions, closing her eyes and listening to his words. Piandao coached her through the meditation practice for an hour. Deep inhales followed by controlled and steady exhales. He watched as she followed each direction with painstaking care. The sword master's mind wandered to his two best students.
Zuko had been a diligent student, he worked hard and long to be the best. The firebender never gave up and that translated when learning the broadswords. He was meticulous, the precision he wielded was deadly. Sokka was an interesting student, he worked hard as well and took to the sword with ease but what set him apart was how he thought. The tribesman was unconventional in everything he did, it made him an unpredictable and deadly opponent.
As Piandao watched the Fire Nation Princess meditate for the first time, he realized she would be the combination of his best pupils. With the deadly precision of her brother and the unpredictability of the tribesman, she was more than worthy to study under him.
"Thank you for taking the time to teach me today," Azula said softly as he helped her up from her spot.
"You're welcome," he replied easily. Piandao was fascinated by the young woman before him, she was nothing like he had expected. He noticed her eyes traveling to watch her brother and his wife spar.
"She's good for him," Azula commented more to keep Piandao around than to express her thoughts. "He's less dramatic with her, Katara makes him take a breath and think things through."
"They are good for each other," he agreed a thoughtful expression on his face. Piandao could see her gold eyes analyzing every movement of the fight. Azula was a warrior first and a princess second. "I'll tell your brother myself, but I don't need a trial period. You and I will meet every morning for your training."
"I will see you in the morning, then?" She was disappointed when she realized he was about to leave. He was one of the few people to treat her like a normal person. She wished he would stay with her just a little while longer.
Azula knew why other people were apprehensive around her, but it was nice to not feel so judged. She knew it would take a long while before others would not be so uncomfortable.
"Dinner actually," Piandao corrected as he turned to leave, but turned back to elaborate. He was unsure why he felt the need to explain, "Your brother invited me to dinner tonight."
"I'll see you at dinner," she smiled tentatively at him. Her eyes followed him as he walked away. Once Piandao was fully out of sight Azula turned back to watch Zuko and Katara.
The royal couple sparred playfully, the two evenly matched allowing them to have some fun with each other. It was a showy match, both of them pulling out the fun fancy tricks that were hardly used in a real battle.
The couple was unaware of Azula watching them, their eyes only focused on each other. A little while later Katara pinned her husband, freezing his limbs to the ground as she straddled him. She leaned down and brushed her nose against his with a soft giddy smile.
"Looks like I win this time, Fire Lord! I'll collect my prize later tonight," the Fire Lady teased placing a kiss on his scarred eye. She pulled herself off of Zuko while unfreezing him. Ever aware of his eyes on her body as she walked away to clean up before dinner.
"All the tutors in the world and a self-taught peasant from the South is still a better bender than you," Azula noted to her brother as he wiped the sweat from his brow after losing to his wife.
He noticed though that the words didn't hold any malice or venom. Her comment only stated a fact. So different than how those words would have been said during the war.
"She wasn't fully self-taught, Master Pakku taught her," Zuko defended himself to his sister crossing his arms over his chest. "And she's not a peasant, she was the daughter of the Chief. Not to mention she's Fire Lady."
"Semantics. She was taught for not even a month," Azula looked down at her nails, her voice came with a teasing edge. "She told me all about it, how he refused to teach her, and then after he agreed she only had three weeks of instruction. I stand by my earlier statement."
"Well, I'm happy she's strong," he stated pulling his shoulders back. He was still getting used to the levity between him and his sister. He had to remind himself that most of her comments were said to be teasing not to hurt him. "I didn't want a weak wife, she pushes me to be better and I like that."
"It still amazes me that you are the one who taught the Avatar," the Fire Nation Princess commented before turning to leave calling behind her to her brother. "If you ever want any pointers, let me know Dum-dum."
"You can't even firebend anymore!"
"And I'm still better than you," she called over her shoulder not missing a step as she walked away from the Fire Lord.
"We are having a formal dinner in an hour with Piandao and some others, please don't be late," Zuko shouted after the Fire Nation Princess. Her reply was a wave of her hand in acknowledgment.
The royal couple were in their chambers, readying themselves for bed after dinner. The meal had been an interesting affair. The royal family had been present along with the Fire Lady's courtiers, the Fire Lord's advisors, and Piandao.
Azula had sat next to her mother and sister-in-law across from the sword master. It had allowed the Fire Nation Princess the opportunity to observe the older man easily. But even with watching Piandao, she noticed how the servants and her former friends were apprehensive around her. Azula hoped one day it would change and things would be better for her.
Katara had been sure to include the Princess in conversation as did Ursa and Zuko. But the Fire Lady's courtiers hadn't spoken a word to Azula. And sadly, her brother had occupied Piandao's attention most of the night.
The swords master had been slightly disappointed when he was monopolized by the Fire Lord. He would have much rather spent the time speaking to his new pupil. He was intrigued by her.
But the Fire Lord demanded his attention and so he focused on his sovereign. The two had spent hours catching up and discussing the aftereffects of the war. It made for detailed conversation for the men. Yet the sword master had only wanted to watch the Princess. He was sure on more than one occasion the Fire Lord had noticed his eyes traveling to his sister.
The formal meal had lasted a couple of hours, Azula being the first to leave the table once propriety dictated she could. The Fire Lord and Lady had noticed how the sword master left shortly after.
"Dinner went well," Katara commented as she climbed into bed with Zuko that night. Her body instantly snuggled up against his bare chest. She felt herself settle against his warm body, causing her to sigh.
"I thought it went very well, all things considered," Zuko agreed as his arms wrapped around his waterbender, pulling her impossibly close to him. As the weather warmed, she had taken to wearing less clothing to bed claiming she overheated in his arms. He was not about to complain. "The staff still seems apprehensive around her."
"It's only been a day since she's returned and last time she was in the Fire Nation she rarely left her rooms," Katara comforted him, her hand playing with one of his. "Just give them some time, they will warm up to her."
"You think so?"
"I warmed up to you and you chased us all over the world," she teased her husband with a smirk. "They just need some time."
"You are probably right," he sighed quietly. He was happy his wife was getting along with his sister so well. "Good news is Piandao is staying indefinitely, I don't know if you heard but at dinner, he said Azula shows much promise."
"We should move him into a more permanent room," the Fire Lady whispered thoughtfully. She was still learning all the particulars when assigning rooms to guests. "I'll talk to Jiang in the morning and see if she has a recommendation. Did you notice how Ty Lee and Mai said nothing to Azula?"
"They were pretty surprised that she had returned to the Fire Nation," Zuko yawned pushing his nose into his wife's hair. The day had been emotionally exhausting for everyone, including him. "It must be difficult for all three of them. Maybe in a few weeks, they will have an opportunity to clear the air."
"Wishful thinking," the waterbender shook her head. She loved that her husband never gave up. But sometimes he was a little hard-headed when it came to these matters.
"You are probably right," he sighed heavily. He twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. "I'm just grateful he agreed to train her."
"I think Piandao will be good for her," Katara whispered, her eyes fluttering closed.
"I'm thinking of inviting him to have a spot on the council," the Fire Lord adjusted their position slightly. "He would bring an interesting perspective and he is well respected among the court."
"Whatever you think is best, talk to him about it tomorrow," his wife replied around the yawn she tried to disguise. He brushed some hair out of her face, her long lashes creating a shadow across her cheekbones.
"You're exhausted," he mumbled as he looked at her. He could see the dark shadows, she had run herself ragged to prepare for Azula's arrival. "You can still collect your prize tonight, or we can postpone until tomorrow."
"Mmmm, tomorrow," she replied around a yawn. She was exhausted, not only had she pushed through three proposals this week but she had prepared for her sister-in-law's arrival. And played hostess to the greatest sword master in the world. As much as she wanted her prize for winning their sparring match, Katara could wait.
"Goodnight Katara. I love you, waterbender," he whispered, placing a kiss on her forehead, each of her eyelids then the tip of her nose, and finally on her lips.
"Goodnight Zuko," she mumbled against his mouth. She was already half asleep, "Love you."
"Looks like we are getting company," Toph commented to her fiancé as she felt the vibrations run through the mountain. She leaned back against her forearms, waiting to see how long it would be before everyone arrived.
"Do you think Aang found the airbenders?" Haru questioned as he sat next to her. "He's been gone for weeks and you know how he is when he gets excited."
"Tends to forget to write letters," she mumbled as she focused on the vibration. "It's too far away to tell right now. But give it a little bit longer and I should be able to tell if Twinkle Toes is with them."
The couple sat in silence for about an hour before Appa landed at the temple with Aang and about twenty older people. Toph could still feel the vibrations coming from above and knew that there were more coming.
"Toph! Haru! I found them!" The avatar sang as he jumped down from his bison. "So many of them. These are the eldest, who couldn't travel easily. But the rest should be here by nightfall!"
"So that's who's coming," Toph nodded as her cloudy eyes turned toward her friend's voice. The avatar was helping the elderly down from Appa.
"How many did you find?" Haru questioned as he helped the airbenders unload the supplies they had brought. The earthbender was surprised to see how old the travelers were, he hadn't expected them to be as aged as they were.
"An entire village!" Aang exclaimed excitedly helping Jinju off the flying bison. He turned to the older man, "Do you remember when we came here with our bison?"
"I do," Jinju nodded thoughtfully as he looked around the temple. It had been many years since he had seen the outside let alone been to an air temple. "It looks almost the same."
"That's thanks to Toph and Haru," the avatar gestured to the two earthbenders. His face showcased his appreciation and pride for the work the couple had done. "They helped restore the temple with me. We stayed here during the war for a little bit, it was in pretty decent shape but we got attacked here and the temple was destroyed partly. It was the first one I started working on. I figured we could get to the rest later, once there were more airbenders."
"We will all fit here comfortably," Jinju commented as his eyes moved from one end to the other, he was taking in part of his childhood. The memories of traveling with the sky bison were fresh. It felt like yesterday to him. For so long it had seemed like a thousand years prior, but today it felt like yesterday.
"I figured it would be good for a few months. Then we could make an assessment of who wants to stay and who wants to travel back to the other temples to help restore them," the avatar explained as he began assigning rooms.
"We took about six months to rebuild. But it sounds like the area will be fine for the time being," Toph added from her spot across the way. "Once Aang tells us, we will head down and start working on the Southern Temple. It's the next one on our list."
"Though we probably won't get to it until after the third anniversary of the war," Haru contributed as he moved to sit next to his new fiancée. He couldn't wait to share the news with their friends.
Haru had helped all of the other airbenders to their new rooms. It was interesting to see the airbenders. Other than Aang he had never seen one. The earthbender was unsure how to interact with them. Add in the fact they were all over the age of seventy-five it made Haru nervous.
"You want to restore the Southern Temple?" Jinju looked at the young avatar in shock, he had assumed that the restoration of the temples would have not included the Southern.
Aang picked up his old friend's bag and began leading him to his room. The avatar did not know how to answer Jinju's question.
The young monk didn't necessarily want to restore the Southern Temple. Aang felt if he didn't, his entire life prior to being the avatar would disappear just like his culture had for the last hundred years. He missed Gyatso and Jinju brought up all the feelings of rejection when he first learned he was the avatar. It was a difficult time for the young airbender.
"The Northern Temple has a group of people living there, they were displaced during the war," the avatar replied as he walked into the room Jinju would be staying in. He saw a look cross the old man's face. "I don't want to displace them again. I understand if you would like to not return to the Southern Temple."
"I'm the last one who remembers that day," the old man whispered as he sat on his new bed. His mind was lost to the first time he saw the comet cross the sky. "Everyone else is gone. I don't know if I could return. That day was horrifying."
"I won't ask you to, Jinju," Aang reassured the old man. He vaguely heard Haru call for him in the distance. The avatar went to leave turning back to his friend before he left the room, "Rest up from the journey, I think that's the rest of them. I will see you at dinner."
The old airbender nodded absently as he looked out the window of his room. His grey eyes looked far away, his mind lost in another time and place.
"Good morning Master Piandao," Azula bowed formally to her teacher, her voice throaty from waking up less than half an hour ago. The Princess had been training every morning for almost a month with the sword master.
"Good morning Princess Azula," Piandao bowed back. When he first began training the Fire Nation Princess he did not expect to enjoy her company as much as he did.
She had a dry and sarcastic sense of humor which always took him off guard. And she was incredibly disciplined. Furthermore, she was extremely intelligent and tactful. Azula thought like no one he had ever known before. The sword master found himself wanting to speak with her about anything and everything.
"I was wondering if I could make a request this morning," she replied shyly. Her hands fiddled with the tie on her training pants.
"You may make it, I won't guarantee that I will grant it," Piandao replied playfully his eyes crinkling as he looked at her. His deep voice drew her out of her thoughts.
She graced him with a pretty smile and her cheeks coloring slightly, "Umm, I was hoping we could begin some conditioning work. I know you wanted to focus on meditation mostly and other areas but it's been a long time since I have trained in any discipline. I know it will take me some time to build back my strength and endurance."
The Fire Nation Princess was unsure if her teacher was teasing her or not. She was more than halfway convinced that she was imagining things. But there had been a few interactions in the past week that had caused her to question his view of her. Secretly, she hoped he found her attractive. She certainly found him extremely handsome, even if he was old enough to be her father. There was just something about him that drew her in.
"Beginning you on conditioning work sounds like an excellent idea," Piandao nodded at her thoughtfully. He was taking a moment to truly listen to her request. "We will add an additional hour in the mornings to work on conditioning and in a couple of weeks we will start training with the blade."
The sword master had been waiting for her to bring up the next aspect of training. The old Azula would have wanted to dive straight into the sword, but this one was much more balanced. She understood the importance of the meditation practice and her physical fitness before taking the blade. It was a true indicator of her growth as a person and a pupil.
"Thank you, Master Piandao," she replied easily looking up at him from beneath her lashes, her voice losing its throatiness as she continued speaking. "Would you like to start today?"
"We can most certainly start today, after our meditation practice of course," he agreed quickly his eyes looking at her kindly.
Piandao had never been this soft-spoken and nurturing with a student. But there was something about the Fire Nation Princess that caused him to want to be even more intentional than all the others. Perhaps it was because of the trauma she had endured. Or perhaps it was because Azula herself was so focused and intentional in her training, that he wanted to show the same amount of respect as she did. Whatever the reason, he knew that there would be no other student like the Princess.
"Of course," Azula brushed her hair out of her face, she had taken to wearing it in a side braid but a few locks always escaped. Her eyes darting over his face, she noticed how the corner of his eyes crinkled as he smiled at her.
The master and pupil moved to sit in front of the alter they meditated at every morning for the past month. Like every morning since their first training, the sword master coached the Princess through meditation. Each day he drew back his teaching, today he only walked through the steps for the first ten minutes. After a half hour, the two were breathing in sync with each other.
"You did very well today, Princess Azula," Piandao broke their meditation gently looking over at the young woman.
Her form was perfect. For someone who only began meditation a month ago, she was able to surpass those who had been practicing for years. She was the kind of person who threw her entire being into everything she did. Nothing was done halfway. He admired that about the young woman.
"Thank you, Master Piandao," she responded like normal, as the sword master stood from his spot next to her. He reached a hand out to help her from the ground like he did every day. But even though she was expecting it, Azula felt her heart race just like the first time. Her hand felt incredibly small in his calloused one.
"This is normally the place we stop for the day, but instead we will begin your conditioning work," he adjusted his clothes as he spoke. "Today, I think we should go on a hike on the palace grounds."
"A hike?" A perfect eyebrow arching in question. The Princess had never been one for hiking, she wasn't even sure what it entailed. Azula was nervous about the hike, but even more so scared for a man she thought so highly of to notice her anxiety.
"Yes," he nodded to confirm, he could see she was apprehensive. "We are going to combine a few lessons as we work on your physical fitness. I just need a few things before we begin, I suggest grabbing some breakfast and meeting me at the stables in about an hour?"
"Yes, sir," she nodded. The sword master gave her a small smile and turned to head back to his room to gather a few things. Azula watched him walk away, her stomach full of dragonflies as she looked at him. She shook her head before heading toward the family dining room. She shouldn't be crushing on her teacher.
"Good morning, Azula!" Katara greeted her sister-in-law in the corridor. The Fire Lady was coming from her own morning training, dressed casually.
"Hello Katara," the Princess nodded at her.
Technically, Azula should have bowed to the monarch but the waterbender had dismissed that idea immediately. Stating that in family settings the royal family should act like a family, and etiquette could be practiced during formal events. Azula was extremely grateful for the lack of formality, it irritated her when the people closest to her were so formal. It reminded the young woman too much of Ozai and the years before the war ended. Katara's influence was doing more good than most knew.
"How was your training with Piandao?" The Fire Lady asked as she walked with the Princess to the family dining room. The two women had become very close since Azula had returned to the Fire Nation.
"It was good, we are taking the next step in the process after breakfast," the Princess informed with a smile as she thought over the day. "Starting with some conditioning work and some other things."
"Sokka and Zuko told me that he has a little bit of an unconventional approach," the waterbender added as they walked into the room. "But he is the best, I have no doubt you will be an extraordinary sword master when you're through."
"Thank you," Azula responded as the two women sat down for breakfast with the Fire Lord, one on either side of him. The Princess quickly loaded her plate as one of the servants poured her some tea.
"You were up early this morning," Katara commented after kissing her husband quickly before taking her seat on his right side. She turned to the servant pouring her tea and thanked them while she settled.
"Naval observation this morning. I meant to tell you last night, but you were asleep before I could," Zuko replied to his wife as he took a sip of tea. He placed the papers he had been looking over down next to him.
"Your meeting ran late with Katsu," his wife observed as she placed some fruit on her plate. She sent a cheeky wink to her husband, "It finally allowed me a night to sleep."
"That's disgusting," Azula shuddered as she pushed the plate she just filled away from her. "Could you not talk about your sex life at breakfast?"
Zuko choked on his food harshly, coughing roughly to dislodge it. His wife patted his back to help him. After a few minutes, he finally regained his ability to speak, "Azula! You can't say things like that!"
"She's the one who brought it up," the Princess gestured to her sister-in-law across the table. Her stomach had turned sour at the thought of her brother and Katara in bed together. "I was just trying to eat my breakfast before rejoining Master Piandao."
"You are meeting with Piandao again today?" The Fire Lord changed the subject quickly.
"We are beginning some conditioning work and some other preparation. We are going on a hike," Azula informed as she tried to settle her stomach with the jasmine tea that was in front of her.
"Get ready for a hike and some painting," her brother chuckled as he thought over the sword master's unconventional methods. He was hoping to keep her distracted, he sent a look to his wife.
"I haven't been on a hike in ages," Katara added as she ate her breakfast, correctly interrupting her husband's facial expression. "Zuko, we should try to find some time this week to go on one. Didn't you mention an overlook of the city a few days ago?"
"Nice change of subject there," Azula rolled her eyes as she ate. Painting? She thought to herself. Why would she be prepared for painting? The Princess assumed her brother was just teasing her, but it was a little mean-spirited all things considered. She brushed the thought away, Zuzu wasn't like that.
"Zula," he leaned forward and pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "We really do not need to talk about this."
"Aren't you supposed to provide an heir by the end of the year?" She asked as she continued eating her breakfast. "Seems to me like maybe we should talk about it. It's been what, four months since your marriage? Are you two struggling?"
"We aren't struggling," Katara cleared her throat, her cheeks pinking lightly. She took a sip of tea before continuing, "We just aren't trying right now. I wanted time to adjust to the mantle of Fire Lady, first."
"You still have some time," the Princess shrugged as she finished her breakfast. "Pretty soon you will be popping out multiple firebending babies."
"Azula, please," Zuko grumbled, rubbing a hand across his scar in aggravation.
"I know when I'm not wanted," she teased standing up and grabbing an apple to take with her. "Remember, mother will be joining you soon. Don't do anything that will traumatize her."
"Azula!" The couple exclaimed as the woman sauntered out of the room. The Princess headed back toward the stables to join her teacher for their hike.
"So a hike?" She questioned after rejoining the sword master. Azula noticed he had a bag slung over his shoulder. Maybe her brother wasn't teasing about the painting.
"A hike, Princess Azula," he grinned at her. He gestured for her to follow him and began leading her to the start of the trail. Piandao kept a brisk pace as they climbed the volcano. He was pleased to see that his student was able to keep up with him relatively easily.
"Zuko said you had unconventional methods but a hike seems pretty standard for conditioning work," the Princess made conversation as they continued on the trail.
"Perhaps he was referring to what will happen once we reach the top," he chuckled as he continued to lead her through the winding mountain. The sun beat down on them as they climbed.
"How do you know where to go?" The young woman asked after a moment. She had never hiked these trails before, she didn't even know there were trails to hike before today. Yet Piandao seemed to effortlessly move through the natural setting. Azula took a moment to observe the way his pants shifted against his backside as he climbed over a fallen tree.
"Your Uncle showed me these trails shortly after the war ended," he explained with a slight smile, his mustache twitching. "Watch your step, Princess Azula."
"Stop saying that," she mumbled annoyed as he reached out a hand to help her climb over the fallen tree.
"Pardon?" Piandao heard what his student said but was unsure what she meant. He was surprised at how they had gone from a pleasant, almost playful conversation to her being upset.
"Nothing," she brushed off, her cheeks turning pink. Azula was embarrassed that she had made the comment, but she just wanted him and everyone else to stop.
"Alright," he replied. The two continued to hike in silence, the sword master occasionally helping the Princess through some rough areas. As they climbed higher the breeze blew through the mountain cooling their overheated skin. Both were acutely aware of how close the other was to them.
"Stop saying, princess. I hate the title," his pupil clarified after about an hour. She took a deep breath and kept talking. She felt like she could tell him anything, "It reminds me of the war, my father, and his council."
"Of course, Azula," Piandao spoke softly. He didn't know exactly what happened to the Fire Nation Princess. But he knew that she suffered from some form of abuse at the hands of her father and his council. And by the way she had hissed the last of her words, the abuse had been extensive. Far more than most probably knew.
"Thank you," she replied quickly brushing her hair out of her face and the light sheen of sweat that had developed across her forehead.
"You don't need to thank me," he nodded after a moment of admiring the scenery before them. "If you don't want me to use the title, I won't."
"I know, but still I appreciate it," Azula said turning to look up at him. His grey eyes held an emotion she could not decipher. "You have done a lot for me. Not only treating me like a normal person but agreeing to teach me. And just, thank you for that."
"You're welcome," the sword master responded looking into molten golden eyes. The air crackled with the humidity, even with the cool mountain breeze surrounding the couple. The energy shifted at that moment between the sword master and pupil.
They reached the top of the mountain a little over an hour later. The Fire Nation Princess was amazed at the view before her.
"Wow," she whispered in amazement. The view was of the other side of the palace, one she had never seen. Before she could really enjoy the scenery, the sword master had turned her around.
"In battle, you will have only seconds to take in your surroundings," Piandao began as he gestured to the art supplies he had laid out for her. "Paint it from memory."
Her gold eyes flashed with alarm briefly. The sword master didn't think he would have caught the emotion if he wasn't observing her so closely. Obviously, art was a sensitive subject for the Princess. He turned away slightly to give her a little privacy as she settled in front of the workstation he created.
Azula tentatively sat down in front of the canvas. Her hand shook as she reached for the brush. Remembering the meditation practice she had been learning, the Princess took a few deep breaths. She could do this, she thought to herself.
Within seconds the brush was gliding across the canvas. She tuned out the world as she worked on the task at hand.
The sword master watched Azula work in amazement. Her lips pouted in concentration and he found the expression endearing. He noticed how she used her fingers to help get the image just right. The world melted away for her, Piandao observed. The sword master lost track of time as he watched Azula. He could feel the sun was high in the sky when she finally finished.
"Done," she whispered breathily. She brushed the sweat off her brow and unknowingly left a trail of paint. "What do you think?"
"It's perfect," Piandao replied in amazement. In front of him was a likeness of the scenery he hadn't expected. He looked up at her, the streak of paint across her face caused an unknown emotion to settle in his chest. "I didn't realize you were an artist."
"I'm not," Azula stated, her voice hardening. Her gold eyes looked away, her hands itched to rip the canvas she had just spent hours working on.
"I didn't mean to offend," the sword master apologized. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. He gestured to his face, "You have some paint."
She accepted the cloth without a word. Quickly wiped off her face and cleaned off her hands. Gold eyes looked anywhere than at the artwork she had completed.
"You did an excellent job in this evaluation," Piandao told her as he began collecting the items he had carried up the mountain. He carefully tested the canvas to make sure it was dry before packing it away.
"I'm glad I was acceptable," Azula mumbled looking anywhere other than the sword master. "What now?"
"That's it for today," he told her. His eyes softened as he looked at her. Clearly, he had hit a nerve with the art. "We will hike back down and then tomorrow begin more traditional conditioning work."
The teacher and student hiked back down the mountain in silence. Azula was uncomfortable at how vulnerable she felt. Piandao was confused about what had caused her to become upset.
"I will see you in the morning," the Princess said once they had returned to the training arena. She barely looked at him, she needed to be alone.
"Of course, Azula." He watched her walk away in silence. Piandao shook his head as he reevaluated his training methods. Perhaps for the Fire Nation Princess, he needed to be more traditional, he thought to himself.
The sword master returned the supplies he had taken before heading back to his chambers. Once he was alone, he took out the painting Azula had done. She was an incredible artist.
She had painted the scene perfectly. Down to the exact place the sun was in the sky and the birds that had been sitting on a tree in the distance. She had perfectly captured rolling waves from the beach down below. And the dips in the ground that would cause one to stumble. It was hard to believe the canvas was a painting. Piandao felt like he could step into the artwork.
Unknown to the sword master, across the palace, tears slipped down the Fire Nation Princess's cheeks.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Giya greeted the monarchs. The couple was in their private garden, taking a little time for themselves between their meetings that day.
"Hello Giya," Katara smiled up at the maidservant from her spot on the ground. She and Zuko had been feeding the turtle ducks. It had been a lovely afternoon, filled with stolen kisses and whispered declarations of affection.
"This came for you from the Southern Water Tribe, it was marked urgent," the young woman explained as she passed a scroll over to the couple.
Zuko waited for his wife to take the letter, but when she reached her hand out it was shaky. The Fire Lord grasped his wife's hand in his to calm her nerves and reached for the scroll himself. His hand felt hot in her clammy one, but the heat elevated her worry just a tad. He offered comfort in the only way her husband could.
"Thank you Giya," the firebender replied to the servant. He looked down at his wife, her eyes were closed lashes casting a shadow across her cheekbones. "Would you mind bringing a cold drink for my wife?"
"Yes, my Lord," the servant bowed before exiting the garden to abide by his order. Giya could tell the couple was worried about the letter they had received. She decided to warn Malu when she saw him.
"Katara?" The Fire Lord whispered after they were alone. He knew that for a letter to be marked urgent this close to Suki giving birth, something must be wrong. Zuko could feel his own emotions stirring as he looked at the scroll in his hand.
"Just, please Zuko," her voice was shaky as she looked at her husband. Blue eyes were glassy as she looked into his golden ones. She didn't have to say anything, he knew what his wife was asking for so very slowly he unraveled the scroll. His eyes quickly darted over the words written. Zuko knew of her fear.
The waterbender knew that her brother's wife was due to give birth and as a healer, she knew the complications of childbirth. Too many women and unborn children were lost in the struggle.
Katara also knew of how awful Suki had been feeling the past few months. She had thought about traveling to the South Pole to be there so she could help, but when she wrote to Suki her sister-in-law brushed her off. She had abided by the Kyoshi Warrior's wishes even though she was unsettled by the idea of not being there.
The Fire Lady would never forgive herself if something had happened to her sister-in-law and the baby.
"Katara, you should read this," he whispered to his wife as he finished reading.
"I'm too scared," her sapphire eyes sparkled with unshed tears. Her chest felt tight, she could barely breathe as she looked at the scroll in her husband's hands.
"Why don't I read it to you?" Zuko suggested softly as he moved closer to his wife. He adjusted their position so she was sitting between his legs, her back against his chest. The firebender heated his body ever so lightly to offer her comfort, his arms wrapping around her in a cocoon of warmth.
"She wasn't feeling well," the waterbender whispered as she leaned into her husband, his arms holding her tight to his chest with eyes closed. Allowing his body to comfort her, voice shaky. "The last few letters from her and Gran . . . uh she was struggling. I thought about going to see her, but then Ozai died and I went to the North Pole. She told me, um, she said she would be fine. I know all the risks, I know that if something happened to her and I wasn't there."
"Trust me," he whispered in her ear, huskily. His hand brushed some of her hair behind her ear. Zuko placed a kiss on her temple, before pulling the scroll open again. His voice was soft and soothing as he read the letter from Sokka aloud:
"Dear Katara and Zuko,
I have a beautiful baby girl!
She was born last night, Suki did an amazing job! Though Gran-Gran kicked me out of the igloo an hour into the birth. Apparently, I wasn't being helpful and something about my jokes weren't appropriate.
But anyway, my daughter was born! She is beautiful, has Suki's eyes and nose but my hair. So tiny, I didn't know a baby could be that small. I'm terrified every time I hold her, but I never thought I could love as fiercely as I love her. I cannot wait for you to meet her. She's so perfect!
Suki is doing good, tired but good. Gran said it was a relatively easy birth for her first child. My wife is amazing, taking easily to motherhood! She just glows when she looks at our daughter.
Dad is so excited about his granddaughter and even Pakku smiled when he met her. Bato has been super helpful. He stayed up with me all night to help take care of the baby so Suki could get some rest. And he's offered to come during the days when I can't be here so she's not alone.
I have a healthy daughter and a strong wife, I couldn't be happier!
Sokka"
"They're okay," the waterbender breathed with silent tears streaming down her face. Her hand brushed away the tears roughly.
"I'll talk to Jee, see if we can set sail at the end of the week," he brushed her hair back again and nuzzled his nose against the side of her face. The tears fell much faster now as he held her tightly to him. She leaned into him for support as the emotions coursing through her body.
"I have a niece," Katara cried happily against him. Her hands rubbed against her face wiping away the salty tears. A giggle escaped her, "Tui and La, Sokka needs to know what to mark urgent and what not!"
"That's the first conversation I'm having with him when we get to the South Pole," the Fire Lord chuckled throatily kissing her temple.
Notes:
What did we think? The main focus was Azula I know, but don't worry we have more things to come ;)
I would love to hear your thoughts so please drop a comment :) Thank you all for your continued support!
Be sure to follow my Instagram @JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ for update news, fanart, and some sneak peeks
See you on September 25th, 2022 for Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter 21: Chapter Twenty-One: Summer 104 AG
Notes:
Welcome Back!
I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend, mine has been super busy but luckily this chapter was ready to post on time lol :)
Thank you to everyone who commented and left kudos on the last chapter, I so appreciate it! Your kind words, feedback, and support it was keeps me writing. I am still in the process of responding to those of you who were sweet enough to leave a comment, hoping I can be caught up by tomorrow!
Here is Chapter Twenty-One, I hope you all enjoy it!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty-One: Summer 104 AG
"She's beautiful," Katara whispered in awe as she looked at her niece. The perfect mixture of Suki and Sokka.
She and Zuko had arrived at the South Pole only an hour prior, her brother had met the Fire Nation royal couple at the docks. After a quick greeting, the waterbender was immediately demanding to see Suki and the baby.
"She's the best-looking baby I have ever seen," Sokka beamed as he watched his sister hold his month-old daughter. He didn't think he could love anything as fiercely as he loved his wife and child.
"Have you decided on a name?" The Fire Lord asked as he looked over his wife's shoulder. The baby squirmed and with a yawn opened her green eyes for a brief moment before closing them again.
"Keiko," the Kyoshi Warrior told her sister-in-law. A content smile settled on her face as she looked at her newborn. She was completely enamored with her daughter, the perfect combination of her and Sokka.
"Keiko, blessed child," the waterbender whispered the meaning of the name as her fingertips brushed over the cheek of the baby girl. "What a perfect moniker for her."
"I thought so," the tribesman responded as he looked at his child. His eyes rarely left her unless he was sleeping or not in the same room. "She's so perfect, I just want to stare at her all the time. I never thought she would be this amazing."
"Thank Agni she got her mother's looks," the Fire Lord joked with a quiet chuckle, from his place behind the Fire Lady he looked down at the sleeping infant. Zuko heard his friend huff in mock hurt as he watched his wife. The firebender was not prepared for the primal emotions he felt running through his body at seeing his wife cradle a baby. "Seriously though, she's stunning. Congratulations Sokka, Suki."
"Thank you, Zuko," the Kyoshi Warrior replied from her place on her bed underneath the furs. She had what would be considered an easy birth, but Kanna wanted her to rest as much as possible. Truthfully, Suki was feeling pretty horrible still. Her body felt rundown and she was still bleeding.
"Hopefully Sokka hasn't been making things worse on you," Zuko chuckled throatily as he looked at his friend. "Almost scared us to death with the hawk he sent, he had urgent marked all over the scroll and the bird. I swear Katara had a heart attack before she was able to read it."
"You marked it urgent? You know you can't do that," Suki scolded her husband with a pout as she gave him a frustrated look. Her husband leaned over and placed a quick kiss on her temple in apology, tucking her tighter under the covers. He was worried about her, the last half of her pregnancy hadn't been easy and even though Gran had said the birth was smooth he was still anxious.
"It was urgent news! My baby had been born," the pride that settled across Sokka's face was contagious to his wife. "I don't see the problem."
"We thought something had gone terribly wrong," Zuko explained slowly as he looked down at his wife again, he could barely tear his eyes away from the sight.
His wife looked beautiful holding a baby, the firebender thought to himself. The Fire Lord was unaware when he adjusted the furs the Fire Lady wore when she shivered. His mind traveled to what their child would look like. He missed the look that passed between the other couple as they observed the small intimate touches the Fire Nation royal couple made amongst themselves.
"Enough about Sokka, he didn't do much in the process of creating this beautiful baby girl. How are you feeling, Suki?" The waterbender questioned her friend softly so as to not wake the baby. She ignored her brother's cry of indignation and Zuko's laugh was unsuccessfully covered by a cough as she kept speaking. "Have you been in any pain?"
"I've been okay, tired mostly," Suki admitted in a hushed tone her eyes drifting to the two men in the room. She was not ashamed to speak about her health in front of her husband but she doubted the firebender wanted to hear about the horror of childbirth.
"Zuko, my man, let's give the girls some privacy," Sokka suggested as he saw his wife's eyes look at the Fire Lord briefly. "I'm sure Katara is going to want to ask all sorts of invasive questions to make sure Suki is healing well."
"Do you need anything Katara?" Zuko asked resting his hand on her lower back. The Fire Lord wanted to be sure his wife was fine before traipsing all over the South Pole with his best friend.
"I'll be fine," she smiled up at her husband.
The two hadn't made the knowledge known to their friends and family members that they had admitted their feelings. Both decided it would be more for fun to see how long it took them to catch on. The couple also liked living in their little bubble of Caldera, none of their friends were there with prying eyes. It gave them the freedom to develop their relationship.
The Fire Lord nodded at his wife before tucking the stray lock of hair behind her ear while the Water Tribe Heir tended to his own wife. A few minutes later the men had left their wives to walk the city.
"You two looked cozy," Suki commented as Katara placed the baby in the bassinet next to the bed.
"What do you mean?" The waterbender questioned as she sat on the edge of the bed after settling the baby. Katara wasn't surprised that Suki easily picked up on the familiarity between her and her husband.
"You know who I mean, you and Zuko," the Kyoshi Warrior smirked at her friend raising an eyebrow in question. "You guys are much friendlier than the last time I saw you."
"I would hope so, we've been married for months now and we were best friends for years," she brushed off Suki's comment. She had a feeling if anyone was going to catch on, it would be the Kyoshi Warrior. "Now, what's been going on with you? How are you really feeling?"
"Pretty horrible still," Suki replied adjusting her position on the bed slightly, wincing as she did. "I'm still in a lot of pain and bleeding. And my boobs ache."
"That's to be expected," Katara assured her softly as she critically looked over her sister-in-law with her healer's eyes. Suki looked much paler than she should for being a month postpartum. And it wasn't just the exhaustion that came from being a new mother.
"I'm so tired all the time and I feel like I could sleep all day," she continued explaining as she looked over at her daughter. "Sokka has been amazing with her. He takes almost all of the nighttime shifts with her, only waking me if she needs to be fed."
"Who knew my brother was so domestic?" The waterbender joked with a small smile, her blue eyes full of mischief. "I'm going to tease him about that later. But right now I'm worried about you. You didn't have an easy pregnancy and you don't look as recovered as you should by this point in time."
"She is fine," Kanna stated as she walked into the room to join her granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law, not bothering to knock. She passed a lactation blend of tea to the new mother, "The birth was perfect, in all my years I have never seen a birth that smooth."
The Kyoshi Warrior blushed at the compliment from the old tribeswoman. She accepted the tea and tried not to gag at the taste. Suki was unsure if it was actually helping her milk supply. But Kanna had insisted since birth she drink it twice a day and she wasn't about to stop now.
"Gran," Katara sighed at her grandmother as she checked on her sleeping great-granddaughter. "You know as well as I do, Suki should be much further along in recovery than she is right now."
"Suki just needs more time to heal, it's a lot of work carrying and birthing a baby. And everyone heals at their own pace my little waterbender, you know that," the tribeswoman patted her granddaughter's cheek affectionately. She turned back to the Kyoshi Warrior, "The South Pole is a tough place to live, your body is adapting to that and trying to heal. And none of your healing hands will help."
The waterbender sighed hearing the wisdom in Kanna's words.
"Katara was just telling me about her and Zuko," Suki piped up with a twinkle in her green eyes after she finished gulping down the lactation tea. "The two were awfully close just now."
"He's my husband," Katara rolled her eyes. "He has been for almost six months now."
"And he's treating you well?" Kanna asked her granddaughter, her old eyes looking up and down the young Fire Lady. Her little waterbender looked happy and healthy. Being with the Fire Lord had helped Katara blossom into a strong and regal young woman.
"Yes, Gran-Gran," the waterbender smiled softly thinking about her husband and lover. The two had made massive strides in their relationship in the past six months. "He has been treating me extremely well."
Suki and Kanna shared a look as they noticed Katara's content expression.
"Should we expect an heir in the coming months?" Gran-Gran spoke as she pulled the furs over Suki to seem nonchalant in the question. The Kyoshi Warrior let the older tribeswoman fuss over her as they both awaited a response.
"Gran," she sighed, exasperated at the inquiry. There were already rumbles around the Fire Nation Royal Court about the Fire Lady's lack of pregnancy. Even though she knew that she and Zuko were actively preventing it, the whispers still hurt her.
"If he needs some advice, I would be happy to have Pakku speak with him," the old tribeswoman continued undisturbed by her granddaughter's uncomfortable fidgeting. "It is important that you are having a pleasurable time during your coupling, it makes it much easier for a babe to implant."
A harsh cry interrupted the words Katara was going to speak and her entire body felt the gratitude of the distraction run through her. The waterbender rose from her place on the bed to pick up her crying niece. Her blue eyes were soft as she looked down at the baby who was trying to nestle into her bosom.
"I think someone is hungry," she chuckled as she passed the baby over to Suki. The young mother, adjusted her top to free her breast for her daughter to latch on.
The waterbender watched the scene in front of her with a sense of longing. Her blue eyes were far away as she looked at her niece nestled in the bosom of her friend. Now that Katara and Zuko had confessed their feelings, she couldn't wait to welcome their child into this world. A part of him and a part of her, a physical manifestation of their love. Katara's entire being hurt as it yearned to hold a Fire Nation Heir.
"Who did you leave in as regent?" Sokka asked his friend as they walked along the snowy streets of the South Pole capital. The Water Tribe Heir tried to keep a happy and calm exterior for his citizens, he was not unaware of their struggle.
"Azula and my mother," the Fire Lord responded quickly his brow furrowing as he took notice of the Southern Tribe. He knew his decision had ruffled a lot of feathers in the Fire Nation, but he didn't doubt his sister's capability nor did he worry about her trying to take his throne. Not now at least, she had changed a lot in the past few years and her desire for the crown was one of those things.
The Water Tribe Heir let out a low whistle before replying, "That must have made a lot of people uncomfortable."
"She is the best person to do it," he shrugged nonchalantly as they continued walking. His eyes scanned the city, there was something off about it. But the firebender couldn't quite place what it was. "Azula knows exactly what needs to happen plus with the recent threats and the assassination, it just made sense."
"Woah wait a minute," Sokka stopped in his tracks grabbing Zuko's shoulder to stop him as well. "Threats? Assassination?"
"You know about the threats coming from the Earth Kingdom," Zuko's brow furrowed as he looked at his friend in confusion. His gold eyes pulled back to look at the vendors of the South Pole.
"No, I know, but what assassination?" His face was hard as he looked at the firebender, eyebrows pulled together as he looked at his friend.
"Katara didn't tell you?"
"Okay jerk-bender, Stop being an ass and tell me what you are talking about," Sokka crossed his arms over his chest as he stared at his friend in frustration. He knew that he had been focusing on his wife's pregnancy for the past few months, but he didn't think he would have missed something as big as an assassination.
"About two and a half months ago, Ozai was found dead in his cell."
"What?" The tribesman's jaw dropped as he heard the news before quickly recovering. Sokka scratched the back of his neck. He quickly ran through the appropriate response in his head, "Umm are you okay?"
"Yes, no, I'm not even sure," Zuko shrugged as he looked out across the city. It didn't escape his notice how many of the tribespeople were watching the two men. "Can we go someplace else?"
"Yeah," Sokka nodded and gestured for his friend to follow him. They walked in silence for almost half an hour before finally settling along the edge of the glacier away from the city to look out at the water. Sitting on a peak and staring at the water was something the Southern Water Tribe siblings had in common.
"I was angry," the Fire Lord whispered, he didn't realize how much of a relief it was to speak those words to his best friend. "He was able to escape taking responsibility for all he had done. And not just to the world but to me."
Zuko had confided a little into Sokka about the abuse he had suffered under Ozai. The Water Tribe Heir was one of his best friends. And he had wanted to share the news with him about his father's death. But amidst the struggle of rebuilding his nation, helping Aang, and taking care of Azula he hadn't been able to write to Sokka. And it was clear that Katara hadn't informed her brother either.
"He was a terrible father to you," his friend comforted after a minute. He knew the firebender was not a man of many words. For him to confide this much to him was extraordinary. "You have every right to be angry with him."
"I know," a ghost of a smile crossed Zuko's face. "Your sister has been amazing, she gets me and she was there for me. She helped me work through it."
"Speaking of my sister, how are things going for you two?" Sokka tried to pose the question casually. He wanted to catch the firebender off guard.
"We are good," he replied easily with a chuckle as he thought over married life. "It's been an eye-opening six months if I thought your sister was stubborn before nothing prepared me for her being my wife. Katara drives me crazy sometimes, but it is fun to watch her take on the council."
"Like a polar dog with a bone," Sokka agreed, laughing. His sister had written stories about council meetings and he wished he could be there to see her tear into some of the Fire Nation Court.
"Yeah, but she is passionate and fights for the people," the firebender's voice took on a tone of awe and admiration as he spoke about his wife. His love for her showcasing through, "She has done so much for them in such a short amount of time. She passed her first proposal a couple of months ago. She's completely redoing our hospital system!"
"Okay, I don't really need to hear you gush about my sister," Sokka drawled dryly. He wasn't sure if Zuko and Katara had admitted their feelings yet. But the tribesman knew that he didn't want to listen to the firebender talk about his sister anymore.
"Sorry," the Fire Lord looked anywhere but at his friend. His cheeks turned pink.
"Why didn't you tell me about your dad?"
"You were expecting a baby and Katara was worried about Suki," the firebender shrugged not really answering the question. He looked out at the water in front of him, "It just didn't seem like the right time. And I thought she would have told you when she wrote that we were coming to the South Pole."
"You are the Fire Lord and one day I will be Chief, there will never be a right time for anything," Sokka chuckled shaking his head.
"Speaking of never the right time, when were you going to tell me you're in a deep economic crisis?" Zuko shot back at his friend. His mind wandered back to what he saw in the capital. The empty stalls of vendors and the children crying to their mothers of hunger. It was clear the Tribe was experiencing a goods shortage.
"We have nothing to trade," Sokka sighed softly as he thought over his people. He scrubbed a hand over his face in agitation. "We've hunted as much as we can, but we can't overhunt or there will be nothing in a few years. We, uh, the tribe had a massive baby boom, we have almost tripled in size since last year."
"How long has it been?"
"A couple of months," he sighed softly as he thought over his people. "Since we returned from your wedding, things went downhill fast."
"You won't make it to the anniversary will you?" Zuko asked though he knew the answer, he had seen the devastation across the Southern Tribe. He might not have been there for long, but as a monarch, he knew the signs to look for.
"Honestly, probably not," the Water Tribe Heir swallowed loudly as he thought about the Tribe. They had boomed since the war ended, but their growth happened at a rate too fast to be sustainable. Hakoda and Bato had done their best to help reallocate supplies to help those most in need, but the numbers in need were rising daily. There was only so much that could go around.
"Come with me," the firebender stood suddenly and gestured for his friend to follow him. The two men quickly made their way across the frozen tundra.
"Zuko?" Sokka questioned as his friend took long strides toward the docks. He was unsure why his friend wanted to head toward the Flagship.
"Admiral Jee!" Zuko called out the moment his foot crossed the threshold onto his ship. "How long would it take you to get to Omashu?"
"A few days, Fire Lord," Jee responded instantly.
"And how much supplies is left on the ship?" Zuko questioned as he thought out a plan to get his wife's home the help they needed.
"Enough for our stay here plus the journey to Merchant's Pier on the way to Caldera," Jee informed his lord automatically. The admiral looked at the Fire Lord in confusion.
"Very good. Please ready the fastest hawk and meet me in my office," the Fire Lord commanded, ignoring the way Sokka was looking at him. "Sokka, come to my office with me."
The tribesman followed the firebender dutifully, trying to understand what Zuko was doing. Finally, he had enough of being in the dark, "Hey, jerk-bender, are you going to explain to me what's going on?"
"I promise I will in a second, but some of this is time sensitive," the Fire Lord explained as he sat at his desk and began writing a letter. "But make a list of the families most in need to the least, once I send this I will explain."
Sokka sighed, but took the piece of paper offered to him and began making the list his friend wanted. It was a punishing task to see the names of the families in need. He had thought by ending the war his tribe would have fewer problems, but it seemed they were just different ones now.
"Fire Lord Zuko, the hawk you requested," Jee stated as he walked into the room, the hawk on his arm. The Fire Lord slipped the scroll into the carrier before commanding the hawk to deliver the letter to King Bumi.
All three men watched the hawk fly out the open window, before turning back to each other.
"Zuko?"
The firebender held up his hand to the tribesman, "Admiral Jee, tomorrow morning you will depart for Omashu. Before you depart, I want you to separate only the supplies you need to travel to the Earth Kingdom. The rest I want to be sectioned off to help a standard family for a little over a week."
"My Lord?"
"Sokka and the rest of the Southern Warriors will distribute those boxes to the families in need. Admiral Jee, you and your crew will stay for two days in Omashu, enough time to refuel and resupply for our journey home and also for the Water Tribe. King Bumi should have everything ready for you. Use any and every space available to bring the supplies to the South Pole."
"Zuko," Sokka began but was cut off before he could say much more.
"Do you have any questions?" The Fire Lord looked between the two men. "Very good, use every man available. Sokka and I will return in a few hours to begin distribution."
"You didn't have to do that," the tribesman said after he and his friend were back in the Southern Palace.
"I wanted to do it," he shrugged not understanding what the big deal was.
"These are my people, it's my responsibility," the Water Tribe Heir argued crossing his arms across his chest. The Southern Tribe was incredibly proud and did not take help easily.
Zuko sighed dramatically at his brother-in-law's reasoning, "This is my wife's home, which makes you family. And your people are now tied to mine. Don't fight me on this Sokka, or I'm telling Katara you didn't accept my help."
"Fine," he huffed in annoyance. Sokka told himself this was what was best for the Tribe, so accepted the help begrudgingly.
"Good morning Azula," the sword master greeted his pupil as she entered the training arena.
"Good morning Master Piandao," she smiled warmly at him. The two had become quite friendly since the royal couple departed for the South Pole.
"Today I thought we could begin the basics with the blade," he explained to her as she began her warm-up stretches. Her gold eyes flashed to his dark ones and he couldn't help but notice how they sparkled with excitement.
"Truly?" She questioned him softly. Azula had known that it would take some time before anyone warmed up to the idea of her training with any form of weapon. The fact he was doing it with only a couple of months of training excited her. She dared not get her hopes up if he changed his mind.
"Yes," he nodded at her, a half smile crossing his face briefly before it was gone. His dark eyes were serious as he looked at her, "That's after our conditioning training and our meditation practice will be what we end with as always."
"Of course," the Princess agreed instantly. He beckoned her to follow him to the track that circled the arena.
Since their hike a few weeks ago the two would start each day with a few miles of running. They would normally gossip about the royal court but today they ran in silence. Azula's heart felt light as she ran next to her teacher. During the past couple of months of training with Piandao, she was beginning to feel more and more like herself again.
"Now, let us begin," the sword master stated after they had caught their breath from their run. He pulled out his own blade and he caught the longing in Azula's eyes. Her hands itched to touch the hilt.
"The craftsmanship is impeccable," she mumbled softly as she admired the Jian sword in his hand.
"Thank you Azula," his chest swelled with pride at her compliment. While Azula might say she was not an artist, Piandao believed differently. And he appreciated her high opinion of his own creative side. "Our first lesson of the sword is that your weapon is an extension of yourself."
"Like another part of your body," Azula supplemented interrupting him. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"It's alright Azula," Piandao's eyes softened as he looked at her. He should have expected her to pick up on the lesson so quickly. "You are correct. Think of it like an extra long, very sharp arm."
"I understand," she nodded thoughtfully. It was how she had thought of her bending, the fire was an extension of her.
"The sword is simple, but in the hands of a master it becomes the most versatile of weapons," he demonstrated a move and was rewarded with her gasp of excitement. "And just like the imagination is limitless, so too are the possibilities of the sword."
The Fire Nation Princess was drinking in every word he said and each move he demonstrated for her.
"Gran keeps asking if I'm pregnant," Katara whispered to her husband as she snuggled closer to him in bed. He was on his back with his wife draped across his chest. The Fire Nation royal couple had been in the South Pole for almost a week.
"Well, it's been six months since we were married," the Fire Lord mumbled as his hand stroked up and down her back. "And it's a little under three months until the third anniversary."
"That's true," the waterbender mumbled drawing shapes over the scar that rested below Zuko's sleep shirt.
"Maybe it's time we at least talk about it?"
"What's there to talk about? We both know we want kids," she shrugged awkwardly before shivering. Katara had grown used to the heat of the Fire Nation and felt the cold much more easily than she had before in the South Pole.
"But we haven't talked about when," he nuzzled his face into her hair. He dropped a kiss onto her forehead as he pulled her closer, being sure to warm his body for her. The firebender hissed suddenly when he felt icy appendages brush against his legs. "Agni! Your toes are cold!"
"And you're warm," the waterbender replied as she tried to squish her freezing digits between his legs to warm them.
Zuko shook his head but allowed her the space to heat her toes. He missed their bed in the Fire Nation, the warmer weather meant his wife was willing to sleep sans clothing. But in the South Pole, that wasn't really an option.
"Katara?" Her husband called her name when he noticed she hadn't responded to the comment about children. The Fire Lady was nervous to broach the subject, before today she would have liked to wait at least until their anniversary. But after holding her niece and seeing the Fire Lord cradle the baby, she longed to hold her own and see her husband hold their child.
"I wouldn't be opposed to begin trying," she whispered pulling the furs over her head to hide from her husband.
"Why are you hiding from me, waterbender?" He chuckled at her form underneath the furs. He tried to pull the covers off of her, but she had a tight hold on them. Zuko rubbed his hand across his chin as he thought for a moment. He lowered his head near hers, his voice turning husky, "We can't begin trying if you keep hiding from me."
The furs flew off of the Fire Lady, her hand smacking her husband in the face in her excitement causing him to grunt at the impact. "Oh sorry! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Zuko responded as he rubbed the side of his face and stretched his jaw. "You hit hard."
"Here let me," the waterbender pulled the water from the basin across the room to her and set her gloved hand on the newly forming bruise. It took seconds for his skin to turn back to its natural complexion. "Better?"
"Much," his arms wrapped around her pulling her close to him as she returned the water to the basin. Pressing his entire body weight on top of her, "I was serious about trying now."
"You were?" She shifted underneath him and could feel his growing erection as it pressed against her lower abdomen. There was no doubt in the truth of his words. Her nipples pebbled and rubbed harshly against the fabric of her nightgown.
"I was," he leaned down so his forehead touched hers, hot breath blowing in her face. His hooded gold eyes bore into hers, she could feel her body responding to the heady look. She rubbed her thighs instinctually, the action not going unnoticed by her husband. His hands moved the bottom of her nightgown, pulling it up so he could slip hot hands underneath to trail up her body.
"It's freezing though!" Katara hissed at the cold air she was being exposed to as his hands continued their trail. Months in the Fire Nation had decreased her tolerance to the Poles. But she couldn't deny the low burn for her husband that was building in her belly.
The Fire Lord began placing kisses along her neck, finding the spot below her ear that caused her to moan prettily. He suckled the spot softly before grazing his teeth against it, his wife let out a whimper at the action. Hot breath blew over her sensitive skin, "You know I'll keep you warm."
"Zuko," she moaned needly. The waterbender couldn't handle the teasing, she need more. Her thighs were sticky with her arousal, and her nipples pressed against him causing some friction but not enough.
"I got you," the firebender pulled the furs over both their heads to wrap them in a cocoon of warmth. Their clothes were quickly shed and they soon were lost in a passionate embrace.
A few rooms down Sokka and Suki were snuggled in bed together, the Kyoshi Warrior nursing her daughter while her husband read the reports on the goods shortage. The Water Tribe Heir dropped the papers he was holding when a feminine cry of ecstasy reverberated off the walls.
"Looks like they are together," Suki chuckled at the horrified look that crossed her husband's face. "Who knew your sister was so loud?"
"Suki!"
The Kyoshi Warrior irrupted into a fit of giggles at Sokka's discomfort. She transferred the baby to her other breast. "You should be happy they are getting along so well."
"Right now, I'm more focused on this," he picked up the documents he had dropped earlier. The Water Tribe Heir was trying to figure out how to get his people through the winter. He couldn't help but feel it was partly his fault they were in this mess, he had taken more of the lead with the negations during the last Anniversary Summit
"It will be okay," his wife comforted him. She passed him their daughter and righted her nightgown. "We will get through this together, we have been in worse situations than this."
"I hope so," he whispered as he burped his daughter before laying her down in the bassinet by their bed. Sokka quickly rejoined his wife and collected the papers he had been reading placing them on his nightstand.
She nodded to the reports, "How are things looking? Are we going to make it until the Flagship comes back from Omashu?"
"I think so," the tribesman adjusted his position for her to lay her head on his chest. "We will just barely make it, but it has been a massive relief. I don't know what we are going to do after the supplies from Omashu runs out, but hopefully, it will last us a couple of months."
The Kyoshi Warrior sighed, she wished there was more she could do to help. When the shortage first began, she had written to her father and Kyoshi had sent as many goods as they could spare without sacrificing their own. But it was not enough, the Southern Tribe had expanded at a rate it could not sustain. In addition to the baby boom, the colony release had been too much for the tribe.
"We will figure it out, we always do," she comforted, rubbing her hand across his chest.
"Yeah," he placed a soft kiss on her lips then reached over to turn off the oil lamp next to their bed. His eyes fell on his sleeping daughter. Now more than ever he needed to figure out a way to help his tribe.
"Where would we live?" Tops asked him. It was the first moment alone the two had since the arrival of the Air Nomads at the Western Temple. Aang had been demanding all of their attention since he returned. Many of the airbenders needed to be assimilated into modern-day culture.
"Where ever we want, we don't have to stay in any nation," Haru shrugged as he pulled her closer to his chest. He wasn't sure why she was asking, especially since she still hadn't given him an answer. The older earthbender had asked her to marry him months ago, telling her he only wanted an answer when the time was right.
"Meaning?" She pressed him for an answer.
"We could stay in the Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation, or move whenever we wanted. I doubt you want to stay in the Poles," the young man clarified. He wasn't really in the mood to have this conversation, he just wanted to lay there with her.
The Blind Bandit was silent as she thought over his answer. "What about children? We can't just be moving them around all the time. And how many would we even have?"
"True but we are a few years off from that and it's something we can discuss when the time's right."
"Where would we even get married? Anywhere in the Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation would for sure make the gossip scrolls," she argued some more.
"Toph what is with all the questions?" Haru pulled back to look at her.
"These are important questions," she mumbled turning her face into his chest so he wouldn't be able to see her facial reaction.
"I agree but they are only important if you're saying yes," the earthbender argued. The details fell into place once he spoke the words, "Are you saying yes?"
"Maybe."
"Toph," he grumbled in exasperation. Haru resisted the urge to push her away from him in annoyance.
"Yes, I'm saying yes, okay?" The Blind Bandit pushed off his chest and stormed away in a huff. Not unaware of the elated man she was leaving in her wake. Toph hated emotional moments like this.
She watched the two women practice together, neither noticing the golden eyes peaking into the training arena. This wasn't the first time she had observed them, it had become somewhat of a routine for her to watch them after her own practice. They moved exactly like she remembered, smooth and precise. Not to mention deadly.
It brought her a little bit of comfort to watch the two move in perfect sequence together, but it also left her feeling the loss. She swore she could almost taste it on her tongue. It used to be the three of them moving in sync with each other. Yet now, because of her actions, she was left on the sidelines watching in the shadows. Things could never be the same, but the longing was there to be a part of them again. To practice with them, to laugh with them, to confide in them.
"You could just talk to them," a deep voice whispered huskily, warm breath fanning across her ear causing her to shiver. She knew immediately who stood behind her, but the action had felt so personal and she didn't want to ruin the moment by turning to meet his dark eyes.
"They've been avoiding me," she replied quietly with a shrug as she continued to look across at her two friends, or rather former friends. Her body literally ached to be wrapped in a hug from Ty Lee again. She desperately wished to hear Mai's dry sense of humor. But the wounds of a broken friendship ran deep for all of them.
She watched the two women practice, a flirtation to their movements. The Princess was unsurprised to learn that her two friends had turned lovers after the war. She always knew of their feelings toward one another, both having confided in her separately. Before it never would have been possible, it was expected one of them would be her sister-in-law. She was happy for them, she just wished she could tell them that.
"Are you sure? Maybe they think you are avoiding them?"
"No, I'm sure," She whispered her voice becoming rougher. A lump formed in her throat as she spoke, "And I don't blame them, I did horrible things to them. I doubt they want to see me."
"Azula," Piandao sighed sadly as he heard the hurt come through her voice. He placed a hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner.
The sword master had seen her observe her old friends every day after training with him for weeks now. He knew that she missed them, they had grown up together. And he suspected they missed her as well. He had noticed the looks they sent her way when they thought no one was looking. Piandao didn't know exactly what had happened between the three friends, but he knew there was much pain behind whatever it was.
"They will be ending soon," she whispered to him as she noticed the signs of Mai and Ty Lee wrapping up their training. Azula tried to ignore the tingles across her skin from her teacher's hand against her shoulder. "We should go, somehow I don't think catching me spy on them will help things."
"If you're sure."
The Fire Nation Princess nodded and turned to look at the man standing behind her, gold eyes meeting grey. She didn't want to be alone and she really did not want to see her mother. The question tumbled out of her mouth before she could think about it, "Will you join me for breakfast? It's a little lonely with Katara and Zuko gone."
Azula held her breath as she waited for her teacher to respond to the invitation. She was not completely unaware of the small crush she was developing on the older man. Though she brushed it off to the fact they were becoming close because of how much time they spent together.
"Thank you for the invitation," his mouth twitched as he resisted the urge to smile. The two had spent some time together but mostly stuck to seeing each other only for her lessons. Piandao was ecstatic to see the young woman in another setting, "I would like that very much."
"I'm going to freshen up, but meet me in the family dining room in about half an hour?"
"I will see you then," this time he did smile with a slight bow as the two parted ways.
Once in her chambers, the Princess quickly bathed and changed her clothes. Her lady-in-waiting, Lian, was ready to help the young royal ready herself for the day.
"Would you like help with your hair Princess Azula?" Lian questioned once the Princess was sitting in front of her dressing table.
"No, I'm alright," she replied as she began to brush it. She rarely wore her hair up which meant she hardly ever wore the crown. The most the Princess would do was braid it to the side for training, all other times she wore it down. It was a small thing to adjust her appearance, but it was important to her to show a physical difference to match the inner change.
She dressed simply, forgoing the formal robes that she was required to wear during the council meeting later that afternoon. The Princess was not looking forward to the council meeting later. In fact, she was unsure why her brother had decided to name her regent in his place while he traveled. Azula had no desire for the crown and that included most of the everyday politics that came with the mantel. Her only saving grace was that her mother was also named regent, it was a good balance of power between the two women.
A few minutes later Azula was walking into the family dining room, she immediately took the seat she would normally occupy while she waited for Piandao to join her. She didn't need to wait long, within a couple of minutes the sword master was gliding through the doorway.
"Your mother isn't joining us?" The man asked as he took a seat across from the Princess he noted only two place settings. He had expected Lady Ursa to be having breakfast with them as well.
"No," she shook her head as she began loading her plate. As she was ahead of his station, she knew propriety dictated that she must begin the meal so he could, "Mother won't be up for another hour, maybe two and she typically has her breakfast in her room."
"Do you normally have breakfast alone?" Piandao questioned as he served himself, he moved the platter with fire cakes closer to his pupil. He had noticed she had a sweet tooth and remembered her mentioning they were her favorite one time.
"When Zuko and Katara are here, no," she shook her head. Azula was not unaware of how he rearranged the platters. She took a sip of the jasmine tea in front of her. "They are both up to train together and we all eat together."
"How are things going with them?" He knew the struggle she had when returning to Caldera. She spoke about it often during her training, the focus mainly was on the relationship with her brother and sister-in-law.
"Things are getting better," she shrugged lightly, pushing food around on her plate as she struggled to answer. "I think things are getting better. Katara is nice, but I still feel weird around her. Zuzu not as much."
"You just need more time with her," Piandao comforted taking a bite of his food before moving to more pleasant topics of conversation.
The more time the sword master spent with the Fire Nation Princess, the more fascinated he became. He watched everything about the young woman. The way her eyes lit up as she spoke about something she enjoyed and the way her brow crinkled as she concentrated. She would study her nails when she was annoyed. Her eyes would close for a moment when she ate a sweet.
Everything about her intrigued him.
"Zuko received a lead on Ozai's death," Iroh informed his lover over dinner. He had received the letter earlier that day.
"Anyone worth investigating?" Jun questioned as she took a bite of rice. She had been making her own inquires about the death of the fallen Fire Lord since they received the news.
The Dragon of the West paused, it was the question he had been asking himself all day. It didn't seem a worthwhile investment of time to investigate Shinu. "It seems to be a wild ostrich-house chase. General Bujing brought forth the information."
"He's the one Zuko opposed in the war room right?" The bounty hunter confirmed. She pushed the food around on her plate.
Iroh nodded solemnly as the memories of the day came back. He wished he had stood up to his brother so many times to protect his nephew. The amount of time that he wished to have taken his rightful place on the throne when he returned from his siege of Ba Sing Se. Too many minutes wasted on things he could not change.
"Zuko will be fine," Jun rested her hand on top of his offering the only comfort she could. She knew her lover was kept up most nights worried about the threats coming forth to his nephew. "He's more than capable of taking care of himself and Katara will make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
"You are right," he accepted her comfort. The Dragon of the West leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Thank you for carrying about him."
"Hakoda, does that sound reasonable?" The Fire Lord asked the Southern Chieftain once he was done presenting his proposal. He and his wife were due to set sail to the Fire Nation this afternoon. It had taken him much longer than he had anticipated drafting the proposal for the Southern Water Tribe.
"We can't ask you to do that," the older man responded after hearing the firebender out, his pride not allowing him to immediately accept. The young sovereign had presented a proposal that would have the Fire Nation send aid to the South Pole bi-monthly for the next three years while the tribe stabilized their economy.
"You aren't asking, I'm offering," Zuko countered as he lifted an eyebrow waiting for the response. He could see where his friend's sense of pride came from.
"And what does the Fire Nation receive because of this?" Hakoda questioned, he was not used to dealing with other nations where something was done altruistically.
"This isn't a give and take," the Fire Lord scrubbed a hand over his face. He let out a breath through his nose, causing smoke to curl around him. "Let me speak candidly, you gave me your daughter. Something that must have been extremely difficult considering the pain caused to you by my nation. I will do anything to make sure my wife's home is taken care of."
"My daughter is not a possession," the older man exclaimed, his hands balling into tight fists on his desk. Maybe he had misjudged the man in front of him.
Zuko resisted the urge to run his hands through his hair, this was proving to be a much more difficult conversation than he thought. "If I thought that, my wife would never speak to me again. What I meant was that you entrusted me to take care of her and I know that seeing the devastation has caused much pain to her."
"I know," Hakoda rested his head in his hands as he propped his arms up on his desk. His daughter had gone to help the healers within the first few days of being in the South Pole and saw the struggle. Later that day she confronted her father and refused to speak to him unless he told her and Zuko what was going on. It had taken a week but the chief finally explained to his daughter and her husband the economic crisis the Tribe was facing.
"These are your people, I have no desire to lead them," the Fire Lord assured the other leader. "But I am tied to them as well and I want to see them prosper. We have an excess in our trade which was originally going to be sent to the Earth Kingdom to trade, but I can see it would do more good here. Let me help."
The Southern Chief looked up at the Fire Nation sovereign, he couldn't deny that his people needed the help. Nor could he really refuse it once it was offered, this was a solution that didn't compromise his tribe. The older man sighed, "We would gladly accept your help."
"Good," the young leader nodded before outlaying the details. "I will send a hawk today to the Fire Nation, the first ship should arrive within the month. And there will be one following that in two weeks. The agreement I have laid out is for three years, as that was the estimated time Sokka gave me but if you need longer—"
"Three years is perfect, if we need more we can address that later," the chieftain cut off the Fire Lord. "You have no idea how helpful this will be, thank you."
"I should really thank you, my trip home just got much easier," Zuko joked with a soft chuckle. He held out his arm to shake Hakoda's, after the two men standing from where they had been seated in the chief's office.
"My daughter has really blossomed being Fire Lady, hasn't she?" The tribesman responded with a grin. Katara was still extremely passionate, but there was an elegance in her fight that wasn't always there. Not to mention, she radiated the love that the Fire Lord was showering her with.
"She is extraordinary," the firebender beamed thinking about his wife. "She throws herself into everything she does and she fights for the common people with the council. And she wins more often than not. Katara, she is changing the Fire Nation for the better!"
"By the way you speak of my daughter, I'm hoping you will be gifting me with another grandchild soon," the older man replied placing a hand on his son-in-law's shoulder. The tribesman and his son suspected something happened between his daughter and her husband. He hoped he had made the comment subtly enough the Fire Lord would accidentally volunteer information.
"We have been discussing it," Zuko responded, his cheeks turning pink as he shifted his weight from foot to foot uncomfortably. "When the spirits bless us, I promise you will be one of the first to know."
"Let's go join the others," the chief put the young man out of his misery as they walked out of his office. Whatever happened between the two wanted to be kept private for now. "I know your Admiral wants you to leave in the next couple of hours."
"As Katara likes to remind me regularly, the Flagship won't leave without me on it," the Fire Lord chuckled along with his father-in-law.
The firebender's eyes instantly met his waterbender's sapphire ones, he gave her a brief nod and was rewarded with a breathtaking smile. She had been worried her father wouldn't accept the help that was being offered.
Maybe she should have stayed in the palace, Mai thought to herself as she moved through the market. She had wanted to be far away from the women of court when they arrived for the tea set up by Lady Ursa.
Since the war, Mai had done everything to limit her time as the proper noblewoman. Only really fulfilling her duty as a courtier to Katara. The noblewoman's presence wasn't necessary for this gathering so she took it upon herself to go into the city.
But as she walked through the shop, she missed her lover. Ty Lee was expected to attend since all of her sisters would be there as well. The acrobat had pushed her girlfriend out the door, knowing how much Mai hated these events. But as the noblewoman saw items that Ty Lee would like, it caused her to rethink her choice of avoiding the event.
"Everything is in order?" A hushed voice on the other side of the shelf asked. Something about the voice made the noblewoman pause, her stealth was one of her finer qualities. Her ear turned toward the voice as she pressed her back against the wall, it wouldn't do well to be taken by surprise while she tried to gather information.
"Yes," someone responded quietly. "After he returns, the hawk came in today alerting his arrival in a month. Luckily our men were able to intercept it. He will be dead that night."
Mai bit her lip and held her breath as she continued to listen, there was something familiar about both of them. But she couldn't place it exactly, not when they were being this quiet. She prayed to Agni they weren't speaking about who she thought.
"Good," the first man replied harshly. "You took the katana?"
There was some rustling, she suspected the sword that was in question was just shown in response.
"She won't know until it's too late," the second man continued, his voice becoming softer. "It will lead all back to her."
"And she agreed to work on the proposal?"
"She jumped at the chance to work on the proposal, with that evidence plus the dagger," the second man chuckled. "No judge will think she is innocent."
The noblewoman's hand clamped over her mouth so she wouldn't make a sound at the news. When she heard the second man's dry chuckling she instantly placed him, but the first was still a mystery to her.
There was no doubt in her mind who they were speaking of, she wanted to rush to alert Azula. But she needed more information if there was going to be any hope to counter the attack.
"Thank Agni there aren't any heirs, that would have made everything more complicated," the first man mumbled, his voice moving further away. "Once he's dead, we will move forward with . . ."
Mai didn't hear the rest of the plan between the two men and by the time she moved to see if she could catch a glimpse of them, there was no one insight. She needed to get to the Princess and warn her.
"Good afternoon, Azula," Piandao greeted his pupil as he walked toward her.
The sword master found the Princess tucked away at the far edge of the royal gardens reading. He had been surprised to see she wasn't having tea with the other women of the court on the other side of the garden. Technically he was supposed to be joining the women but had made a break for it when he noticed Azula was not in attendance. He would much rather spend time with her.
"Hello, Master Piandao," the Princess responded with a wide smile, ignoring how her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him. "How are you this afternoon?"
"I am doing well, may I join you?" He asked as he pointed to the spot on the bench next to her. She nodded and he sat next to her. "I noticed you weren't at the afternoon tea with the other women of court today."
"No," she shook her head lightly as she looked up at her teacher from beneath her lashes, a small smile gracing her face. "I find their conversation less than stimulating."
"I cannot say I blame you," he chuckled throatily at the comment. Piandao was unsurprised the Princess was not leaping at the chance to spend time with the women of the royal court. Azula was someone who had enjoyed the art of intelligent conversation and was not easily entertained by the frivolous nature of the court.
"Aren't you supposed to be at the tea?" His student asked as she took in his figure. He was dressed much more formally than he normally did. "My mother said she organized it for you, something about prospects for a wife."
"Part of the reason I left," he sighed looking out at the garden before him. Lady Ursa had tit upon herself to find Piandao a wife. Today was the first social she organized with all the eligible single women of court.
"You don't want a wife? Are you attracted to men?" The Princess looked at him in confusion. Her small crush on him had grown in the almost three months they had been training together. She had been devastated to hear from her mother that she wanted to introduce the sword master to the eligible women of the court.
Piandao threw his head back and laughed loudly. His eyes crinkled as the rumbling sound washed over her. She had never seen the sword master so carefree. As his laughter settled he turned back to her, "No, Azula, I assure you I am very much attracted to women. I just haven't found a woman I want to spend my life with and frankly, I don't think I will find the right woman at a tea party."
"Not into discussing which design should be worn to the Anniversary ball in a couple of months?" She teased him with a smirk, her gold eyes light and playful. She brushed her hair behind her ear as she spoke, unaware of how his eyes followed the action.
"Not particularly," he smirked, grey eyes filled with mirth. He cleared his throat as his thoughts began to stray. "What are you reading? Anything of interest?"
"It's the proposal from Councilman Makoto on the preservation of Ember Island," she explained to the older man. Her eyes drifted down to the scroll in her hands. "He understands the importance of creating new hotels and resorts to stimulate the economy but he wants to be sure they are environmentally friendly."
"It would be a shame to have the island overrun just to stimulate the economy," he hummed in agreement. "Almost defeats the purpose of the vacation spot."
"Completely," she nodded as she looked over the scroll again. Her brow furrowing as she skimmed the contents. There was something off about it, but she couldn't place it. "He is in the process of writing legislature in regards to the industrialization of the Fire Nation and he asked for my help."
"That's good, right?" He was puzzled by the negative look that crossed her face. When she didn't respond he continued, "It means he trusts you and wants to work with you. Weren't you just complaining about how everyone was apprehensive around you?"
"I was," she replied absentmindedly focusing on the proposal. Gold eyes moved back and forth over the words. "That's odd."
"Azula? Are you alright?"
Something was terribly wrong, there was an amount of money missing in the ledger. As she kept reading she noticed something written in the margin that had been scratched out and looked to be written in code. A code she knew. Most would have seen an ink stain or thought it was a simple arithmetic error. But for a trained eye, she was able to read what had been concealed. Her breathing came in harsh gasping pants as her mind processed the information.
How could she have been so stupid? She should have known better. In the past, she would have known better!
"No, no, no," she mumbled as she looked at the scroll moving to read more of it, the numbers weren't adding up. None of it was making sense, unless . . . her thoughts trailed off as her stomach sank.
"Azula? Hey, deep breaths," Piandao took the scroll from the young woman and dropped it on the ground next to them. He took her shaking hands in his, her gold eyes connecting with his grey ones. She looked terrified. He began coaching her through her breathing like when he taught her to meditate. "Deep breath in, slowly, breathe out."
"I can't," she panted after a few minutes. Her breathing was mostly under control and the shaking had stopped.
"What's wrong?" He questioned softly. Her eyes began welling with tears and he brushed the fallen ones away. The sword master felt his heart sink as he watched her, the term of endearment slipping out unknowingly, "Little one, it's okay. Whatever it is we will fix it, I promise you that."
The Fire Nation Princess didn't speak for a few minutes trying to regain her composure. When she did her voice came out hauntingly as she whispered the words, "He's going to assassinate Zuzu and he's trying to frame me for it."
Notes:
Dun Dun Dun! I know it's a cliffy, but what's a story without a good cliffhanger?
How are we all feeling about this chapter? Are we liking Azula's redpemtion arc? Hating it? What about the rest of our characters' stories?
I hope you all liked this chapter! Please be sure to drop a comment or kudos if you feel it's appropriate ;) I love hearing your thoughts.
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See you on October 5th, 2022!
Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty-Two: Summer 104 AG
Notes:
Happy Friday!
I know this chapter is a couple of days late and for that I am so sorry but life got in the way. Be sure you are following my Instagram:@ JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ for story news and update information.
Since starting school this fall I have desperately tried to keep up with our original update schedule but I think for the time being I'm going to move to update once a month. That way I can make sure I'm giving you the best chapters ad not rushing to finish things. I so appreciate all of you sticking with me and supporting me.
Thank you to everyone who commented on the last chapter and left kudos! I'm so happy you all are liking Azula's redemption, she has been such an incredible character to write about.
Alright, I hope you all enjoy this update! It's a long one! ;)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty-Two: Summer 104 AG
"Azula! I need to speak to you," Mai burst into the Princess's chambers, all sense of protocol and decorum was out the window. She hadn't stopped to alert the guards and was unsurprised when they followed her into the room. Though she was surprised to see Master Piandao in the room with her former friend.
"Mai, is everything okay?" The Princess stood from her seat next to the sword master, she gestured for the guards to leave them.
The young woman was startled to see the noblewoman showing so much emotion. Azula was unsure if she should move toward her or if she should stay where she was. The Fire Nation Princess had never expected her old friend to come searching for her, let alone be in such distress.
"Someone's going to assassinate Zuko!" The noblewoman got out in-between gasping breaths, she had run from the market straight back to the palace. The Princess asked for a servant to bring some cool to drink for the noblewoman.
Azula sighed as she sat back down and gestured for Mai to take a seat as well. "I know about the assassination plan. Master Piandao and I are trying to figure out how it will happen so we can create our own to combat it."
The noblewoman sat in the furthest spot from the Princess, something that did not go unnoticed. She looked between the sword master and Azula in confusion.
"They plan to frame you for it. I don't know who, I didn't see them," the words were still coming out laced with her heavy breathing. "I overheard them say they took a sword from your room, at first I thought they were trying to frame me. But I checked all my weapons before seeking you out, none are missing. The only other person who knows how to wield one is you."
"A few of my things were misplaced this morning," the Princess mumbled absently. Piandao watched as recognition crossed her face. She turned to the sword master, "The katana you gave me to practice with, I thought I brought it back yesterday but I couldn't find it this morning. I just assumed I left it in the training arena."
"It would be a very easy case to make, the katana you have been practicing with very publicly," Piandao mumbled rubbing his chin thoughtfully. His dark eyes were stormy, "The reason you wanted to train with me. It would leave no doubt in the court's mind."
"It would be an easy case," Azula added her brow furrowing in thought. Almost too easy, she thought to herself. She turned back toward Mai, "Were you able to hear when?"
"They said when he returns, something about not surviving the night," Mai explained what she had heard. Her breathing finally settled, "Apparently they intercepted the hawk detailing his arrival in a month's time."
"Zuko is on his way home?" The Princess was surprised to hear this news, the palace hadn't heard any news about her brother's return. But that would also be prudent for the attempt. The palace would be so consumed with the surprise of their sovereign they wouldn't notice anyone sneaking in. They could easily be misidentified as a servant readying the Fire Lord's room.
"It would be simple to slip into the palace during the chaos of preparing his chambers," the sword master echoed his student's thoughts. "The key is we need to catch them in the act, you can't go accusing a councilman without the Fire Lord present."
"First thing we need to do is send word to Zuko," Azula said as she brainstormed aloud. She stood and began pacing her room in a similar manner to her brother. "Ty Lee is close with the Kyoshi Warrior that married the Southern Heir right?"
"Yes, they exchange letters regularly," the noblewoman confirmed her eyes wide in surprise. She did not expect the Princess to know that information about her lover.
"Good, have her send a letter tonight asking to inform Zuko to stall in Merchant's Pier," the Princess stated. She wasn't sure how she would inform him of her plans, but it was imperative he stalled his arrival. "His hawks are compromised from the flagship, we need to work around that and no one will think anything of Ty sending a letter. Use my personal hawk, it's the fastest."
Mai nodded understanding the thought process of her friend. "How will we alert him to our plan?"
"Well first we need a plan," Azula pointed out softly.
"An old associate of mine and your Uncle can deliver a message," the sword master offered.
"You trust him with the Fire Lord's life?" The Fire Nation Princess questioned. Her gold eyes calculating as she looked at her teacher.
"I trust him with the fate of the world," Piandao stated his dark eyes bored into hers.
"Good," she replied pulling away from his piercing gaze. "Discretion is key, but we also cannot have Zuko be the one to engage him. It's too risky no matter how strong of a bender he is, don't tell him I said that."
"We need a decoy for your brother," Piandao began deep in thought. He was briefly distracted by how quickly the Princess strategized. "It would be best to have the flagship arrive as scheduled, but leave the royal couple on board and have someone else in his bed that night."
"But his scar, it would be easy to identify a decoy," Mai argued.
"We could fake the scar, smuggle my brother out as a guard," Azula mumbled, tapping her chin with a finger. "Katara is harder to mimic, but it wouldn't be too difficult to explain her absence. Have a public statement she is staying with her brother in the South Pole."
"Who would match the Fire Lord and be loyal enough to play as the decoy?"
The Fire Nation Princess smirked slightly as she thought over the options. "Lian, could you please go get Akio for me."
The servant nodded and went in search of the Fire Lord's secretary. A few minutes later the man had come to the Princess's chambers looking slightly green. He made eye contact with Azula and looked away immediately, his weight shifting from foot to foot. Zuko's words echoed in his mind from a few months ago. His heart rate settled as he saw they weren't alone, nothing untoward was about to happen between him and the Princess.
"Princess Azula, what can I do for you?"
"We unfortunately have been made aware of an assassination attempt on the Fire Lord," she began swiftly, circling him as she spoke. His height and build were perfect, she never truly noticed how similar he looked until this moment. "Now we are in the process of alerting my brother and while we have hopefully delayed his arrival, it seems like a decoy is in order. How loyal are you to the crown?" She stopped in front of him at the last words.
His eyes narrowed, and he looked up at the sword master standing behind the Princess before meeting her golden eyes. The young man's voice came out much steadier than he felt, "If you are asking if I will pretend to be the Fire Lord to entrap the assassin, the answer is yes."
He thought she looked beautiful draped across his chest with the morning sunlight streaming in. Now that they were on the voyage home she had insisted they sleep sans clothing and he was not about to complain. Since their conversation about trying for children, the two could not get enough of each other.
The waterbender stretched before blinking her eyes open and staring at her husband. She could feel his hardened length pressing against her belly. Her voice was gravelly from sleep as she greeted him, "Good morning, Zuko."
"Good morning," he leaned down and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. "Did you sleep well?"
She pursed her lips playfully and shook her head. "No, something long, thick, and hard kept bumping me in the night. It made me positively achy."
Zuko threaded his hands through hers and flipped them over so she was squirming beneath him. He was rewarded for his display of dominance by blue eyes darkening and a soft moan escaping her. "Is that so? We can't have you aching, perhaps I can soothe your pain."
"I like that idea," she mumbled as she arched up to meet him. Her legs fell open almost instinctively and he settled between them easily. He could feel his wife's natural lubrication already flowing steadily out of her.
The firebender chuckled throatily, "What were you dreaming about waterbender? I could slide right into you with how wet you are."
He rocked his length against her core and was rewarded with her moan. Both of them could hear how wet she was as he moved against her. Katara tried to buck her hips for more friction as he rocked against her. The tip of his length hit the bundle of nerves in the most agonizing way.
"Zuko," she whined stressing out the last syllable. Her husband bathed in her wanton desire as the waterbender expressed her desire. She tried to shit again but was unable by how tightly he had her pinned beneath him.
The Fire Lord clucked his tongue at her, "I'm in charge here waterbender and I promise to make you see stars."
Katara pouted but didn't respond verbally, she liked when he took charge. Her husband guided her hands up so they were resting on the metal bar of their headboard. "Hold on tight, Katara. And don't move your hands unless I tell you, do you understand."
"I'm not an idiot Zuko," she grumbled. Her core was hot with need and he was just out of reach.
Zuko wrapped one leg around his hips so he was able to spank her in reprimand. She jumped in surprise causing her core to push and rub against him deliciously. "What did I say waterbender?"
He watched her eyes darken in lust at the dominance, he had a feeling she would enjoy this play. His mind spun with erotic thoughts. Katara's voice was deeper as she leaned into the game he was playing, "Yes Fire Lord."
"Good girl." Zuko shifted so he could crawl down her body. His hot hands holding her legs spread open as he rested on his stomach so his head was at her core. He could see her wetness glistening on her core. The firebender blew lightly against her, his hot breath reaching every inch. Katara tried to shift closer but he had an impossible tight hold on her hips.
The waterbender huffed in exasperation that she couldn't seek out the friction she so desperately needed. When she finally stopped wiggling, Zuko licked her from bottom to top. "Oh!"
He took slow leisurely licks between her folds, savoring each mouth full of her. The firebender loved the taste of her. His mouth stroked the fire in her belly, with each motion. As she got closer he circled the bundle of nerves with the tip of his tongue, just enough pressure to keep her burning but not enough to push her over the edge.
"Zuko, please," the waterbender begged him.
As heard the aching need in her voice he decided to give her what she really needed. He crawled back up her body, placing one leg on his shoulder while keeping the other one spread out. With one hand he grasped his length and placed it at her entrance, easing himself into her.
The Fire Lord hissed through his teeth at how tight and wet she felt against him.
"Ahh," Katara moaned out. In this position, he went deeper and the waterbender felt like she was filled to the brim. He was reaching places she hadn't known he could.
"Too much?" Zuko questioned through gritted teeth.
"No," she groaned with a shake of her head. He leaned down so his chest was pressed against hers, their foreheads touching. The motion caused him to shift inside her. His wife cried out, "Tui and La, Zuko."
"I know, I got you Katara. I'm here," he placed one hand around the bar of their headboard between her hands. The other snaked around to hold her tight to him. He set a slow languid pace using the bar as leverage.
Katara's mouth sought out his. With each stroke, she could feel every inch and ridge of him. The waterbender had never felt so needy, not only physically but emotionally. She needed to connect with him.
Zuko kissed her deeply as he continued to move inside her, their coupling slow and steady. He could feel her need for him and he was sure to keep them as connected as possible. Her desire was dripping from her body and soaking him.
Though their movements were slow both of them were reaching their peaks quickly.
The Fire Lady pulled away from his mouth and her back arched. A silent scream on her lips as her climax rushed through her. Her toes curled and her core clamped down pulling her husband with her. A rush of fluid flowed from her body.
Zuko groaned as he emptied himself into her.
As he came down from his own high, he was sure to unwrap her hands from the bar moving them around his neck. His arms wrapped around her and pulled them so that he was on his knees with her straddling him. One hand moved to tangle in her hair while the other pressed against her lower back. The two still connect intimately as he held her.
Katara's head rested in the crook of his neck as he held her. Zuko could feel the silent tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I'm here, Katara," he whispered as he held her.
"That was . . ." the waterbender trailed off after she calmed down.
"Intense?" Her husband supplied helpfully.
"Yeah," she mumbled nuzzling into him. She didn't want to leave his arms just yet. "It's never been that . . . emotional before."
"Yeah . . ." Zuko's arms tightened around her. He feared that he took their game just a little too far.
"I liked it though," she dared not look up at him as she whispered the words. Even with how close she was he had to strain to hear her. "I liked it a lot."
"Me too," he placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"Can we stay like this a little longer?"
"Anything for you waterbender," he replied being sure to warm his body to keep her comfortable.
Azula couldn't sleep again, her mind was plagued with the plans that were being sent forth. She had spent weeks strategizing with Piandao to catch Makoto. But as the days neared her anxiety was constantly raising. She feared not only for her innocence but for her brother's life.
No one had received word yet that Zuko had been alerted and Azula was unsure if they would until a decoy stepped off the flagship.
She slipped out of bed and donned her kimono, her feet leading her to the one place she hoped she would find peace. As she walked into the small temple of Agni on the palace grounds she immediately dropped to her knees at the altar. The scent of the ever-burning incense already began to settle her nerves.
The Fire Nation Princess had never prayed more in her life than at that moment.
In two weeks' time, her plan would either be executed flawlessly or her brother would be dead. Her hands were clasped to her chest, wrapped around the gold flame she wore around her neck. Her eyes closed as she whispered her prayers under her breath. Holding vigil into the early hours of the next morning.
Hours later the sword master found the sleeping Princess on her knees in front of the altar. Her head leaned against one of the many pillars, one of her hands still holding tightly to the firebending emblem. Tear stains on her cheeks and her dark hair flowing down her back.
Piandao didn't have the heart to wake her, knowing the stress she was under. His arm easily slipped around her as he lifted her carrying her back to her room. He knew she was petite but he was surprised by how small she felt in his arms. Her head pressed against his chest and she snuggled deeper into him as he carried her through the palace halls.
As he placed her in her bed he couldn't help but brush the back of his hand down her cheek. He had been amazed to see her skill for strategizing and the passion she held in the past weeks. Azula loved deeply and the sword master knew that any man would be lucky to be on that receiving end.
"I wonder what ever happened to the pirates," Katara mussed as she and her husband walked through Merchant's Pier. She swung his hand that was in hers as they moved through the market.
"Not something I really think about," Zuko chuckled as he watched her eyes light up as she saw the different vendors. He moved closer to her resting his lips against the shell of her ear and whispering, "But I do think about tying you to a tree often."
The waterbender froze where she was looking at hair pieces from the Earth Kingdom. She turned to look at her husband in stunned silence.
Her sapphire eyes were wide and her cheeks colored as her breathing increased. She could feel her nipples pebbling in arousal. Her husband's gold eyes ran up and down her body noting the effect on her. The firebender gave her a quick wink when he noticed that she was excited by the idea. He had been waiting for an opportunity to add some spice to their bedroom.
"Maybe we can try that when we get back home," the Fire Lady replied breathily. The couple walked in silence for a little longer as they weaved through the merchant stalls. Both were acutely aware of the royal guard keeping a close eye on them.
"I thought we could stay a few days here, maybe a week. Just take some time for us before we return back to Caldera," the firebender commented after a little bit. He had been trying to find time all morning to tell his wife about the letter he had received from Sokka late last night.
Katara immediately stopped walking and turned to her husband, it took him a moment to realize she was not next to him. He turned back to look at her, taking a couple of steps so they stood in front of each other. Her sapphire eyes were narrowed as she looked up at him. Zuko's voice had sounded off to her as he made his suggestion about extending their time in the port city.
"What's going on?" She crossed her arms over her chest.
The Fire Lord's eyes drifted down to take in the way her stance accented her breasts, he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I got a troubling letter from your brother today. Apparently, Makoto intercepted the hawk to Azula detailing our arrival, Mai overheard him discussing a plan to assassinate me the night we return home."
Blue eyes grew wide as she took in the information, and her arms dropped. "What? But, I mean, he's on the council? And he hates the Earth Kingdom!"
"He might not be working with the organization sending threats from the Earth Kingdom. In fact, he's trying to frame my sister for it," he reached out to take one of her hands in his. He spoke softly to comfort her, "Azula has a plan, Piandao is sending a member of the White Lotus to meet us here detailing the information."
"Where are we supposed to meet them?" The Fire Lady's was posture stiff as she looked at her husband. She was unnerved by the information that was just bestowed upon her.
"The letter didn't say, but I'm sure it won't be hard to find them."
"Okay," she looked down at their joined hands. Suddenly the joy she felt a few minutes ago had vanished. "Do you think he had something to do with Ozai's death?"
"Makoto isn't smart enough to orchestrate a break into Caldera Prison," Zuko commented with a shake of his head. He had wondered the same thing when the letter came in. "And he would not have been trusted enough to get that close to Ozai. I don't think he is working with the person who did."
"I can't believe this is happening," she pressed her palms to her eyes to keep back the hot tears.
"Hey," he pulled her hands away from her face and tilted her chin to look up at him. Her blue eyes brimmed with her tears and he brushed away one that fell. "It's going to be okay, we are going to figure this out. We both have been in worse situations and survived those."
"Doesn't mean I want to have to live through them again," she sighed heavily. She pushed her face into his chest. "Azula has a plan?"
"She has a plan," he confirmed hugging her tightly. He really should have done this on the ship in private. "You know my sister, she is cunning and precise. She orchestrated a coup in Ba Sing Se in less than a week. This is nothing compared to that."
"You're right," Katara nodded against his chest, letting the words comfort her. "I thought after the war people would stop trying to hurt us."
"There is a visiting Fire Nation circus, do you want to go tonight?" He whispered into her ear after a few minutes. "It's the one Ty Lee used to be a part of, it's supposed to be the best."
"That would be a nice distraction," she pulled away and brushed back the fallen tears before taking his hand. The Fire Lord and Lady began walking through the market again, not unaware of the attention they had brought on themselves with their display of affection.
A few hours later found the couple walking into the circus, dressed simply but both had donned their crown. It would be difficult to attend a Fire Nation circus in disguise.
"Good evening Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Shuzumu, the circus ringleader, greeted the royal couple with a bow before leading them to their seats. "Thank you for attending my humble circus."
"We are delighted to be here," Katara replied diplomatically as she sat on the throne designated for her. She felt a sense that the man was slightly off.
"I had the pleasure of showcasing my circus to your sister a few years ago, during the war, Fire Lord Zuko," the ringleader turned toward the monarch. He was not exactly thrilled to have a waterbender as Fire Lady. But he was grateful to have the Fire Lord instead of the Fire Princess in his tent.
"So I've heard," the firebender replied dryly. He did not miss the slight level of fear the ringleader showcased when referring to the Fire Nation Princess. Being sure to clearly dismiss the man Zuko continued, "We are eager for the show, I will let you get back to work."
A short while later the circus began. Shuzumu opened the show with flowery words about the royal couple, but neither were impressed with his display. The Fire Lord was able to recognize a few of Ty Lee's sisters during the acrobatic showcase. But he noticed that the circus seemed to be lacking a few things. Mainly the animals, which was odd since the main attraction for this particular circus was the creatures.
"Do you feel like it was lacking in animal demonstrations?" The Fire Lord questioned his wife as the circus began wrapping up.
"A little, there was only a couple which seemed odd. They boast to have the most exotic animals," the Fire Lady mumbled as she looked down at the program in her hand as the performers took their bows. "Animals from every nation."
"It also looks like he is selling some to the butcher at the end of the show," her husband added nodding to where the ringleader was in a heated discussion with one of the many butchers of Merchant's Pier.
"And I guess we know what happened to the pirates," the waterbender commented as she saw them walk into the room. "I bet they are selling some of those animals on the black market."
He knew based on the sound of her voice what she wanted to do. The Fire Lord looked over at his wife before sighing and standing up holding his hand out to her. "Come on, let's go look at the animals."
"Thank you, Zuko!"
"Shuzumu," the Fire Lord called as they closed in on the heated negotiations. "Would you mind indulging my wife and me in taking a peak at the animals? Apparently, you seem to have the most exotic and wide selection of any circus."
"Of course Fire Lord," the ringleader replied instantly, he knew the question was not a request. Shuzumu turned to begin leading the monarchs toward where they housed the animals. He clearly understood that the request was an order.
The Pirate Captain stared at the waterbender, he couldn't quite place her. But he recognized the scarred man. He wasn't stupid enough to tangle with the Fire Lord, even if he disliked the man.
"Shuzumu, I'll see you in the morning maybe you will reconsider my offer," the Pirate Captain told the ringleader, his eyes never leaving the Fire Lady. His voice grating down Katara's back. She clutched her husband's arm tightly, he unnerved her. With one more look of disdain, the Pirates left the circus.
"Right this way Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Shuzumu gestured the direction they were headed. The royal couple followed the ringleader to the back tents of the circus. Both the Fire Lord and Lady were acutely aware of the royal guard following them.
"Are you okay?" Zuko whispered in his wife's ear. He knew that seeing the pirates had caused her some stress.
"I'm fine," she replied but moved closer to him. She had survived the last interaction with the pirates but in the back of her mind, she remembered Zuko explaining how they blew up his ship. They had caused a lot of devastation and she would be happy to never see them again.
"Here we are," the ringleader commented as they entered the tent. He could hear that the couple was having a whispered conversation but not the words themselves. Shuzumu spoke more to release the silence than to actually announce their arrival. He thought back to the day he had met Princess Azula, she was vicious and cunning. A shiver raced down his entire body. If he never had to see the Fire Nation Princess again, it still wouldn't be long enough.
The waterbender looked around seeing many different kinds of animals locked in cages. There were creatures from not just the Fire Nation but the Earth Kingdom as well. "Zuko," she mumbled sadly to her husband looking around.
A crack of a fire whip echoed throughout the tent.
Zuko was sure to keep his movements slow as he turned at the sound. He didn't want to alarm the ringleader. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his wife do the same.
The Fire Lady's heart sunk and her blood boiled as she saw the circus trainer wielding a fire whip against a cowering polar bear puppy. She didn't think she just reacted.
"Stop!" She commanded to the circus master as she raced over to him, in her haste her crown falling. The waterbender had already pulled water toward her and the moment the circus master cracked the whip again, she was ready for him. Knocking the fire away from the puppy.
"What are you doing?" The circus trainer sneered at the tribeswoman. "Get away from the beast."
"You stay away from him," she put herself between the trainer and the polar bear dog. It tore at her heart to see an animal from her homeland being tortured.
"How did you even get in here Water Tribe trash? I'm surprised you could afford a ticket to the show," the circus trainer barked out as he readied another whip. The waterbender readied herself for the attack, but it never came. Before the man could lower his arm, his wrist had been encircled by a counter-fire whip.
"Is that how you speak to your Fire Lady?" Zuko bellowed in a hard tone as he brought the circus trainer to his knees by putting pressure on the fire encircling the man's wrist.
"Fire Lord Zuko," the man whispered in awe as the monarch came to stand over him, in seconds half of the royal guard was surrounding him. The other half in a u-shape behind the Fire Lady.
"Not only did you disrespect my wife, but you also threatened to harm her," the sovereign's voice cut through the tent. "Going so far as to almost whip her. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"Fire Lord Zuko, my apologizes, I did not know who she was," the man began pleading as he looked at the scarred man. His heart was racing. "I would never wish to disrespect you or Fire Lady Katara, let alone harm her."
"You should be apologizing to her," the Fire Lord hissed as he stared at the cruel circus trainer. He continued to look at the man on the ground with disdain, with one word he commanded his guard, "Malu."
The Captain of the Royal Guard grabbed the man by the back of the neck, lifting him off the ground. Being sure to turn him to make eye contact with the Fire Lady. Katara was on the ground and had the polar bear puppy in her arms. She was healing the burns that had been inflicted on the helpless animal.
"Fire Lady Katara, I am so sorry," the circus train begged for forgiveness. He knew what the penalty was for disrespecting the Fire Lord or Lady, and he did not want to find out what it would be for an attempted attack.
"Where is his mother?" Her blue eyes blazing as she asked the question. The puppy in her arms was barely six weeks old, too young to be separated from its mother.
"Dead, she died while birthing her pups," the man replied quickly, his voice shaking. "He was the only one who has survived without the mother."
"Please Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Shuzumu came to the defense of his employee. "We are deeply sorry for the confusion, we will do anything to right this mistake."
"This pup is coming with me," the Fire Lady began as she stood with the animal. "And you will leave tonight, never coming back to Merchant's Pier. You will never sell any of these animals to the Pirates. If you ever disrespect me again, I will be sure your punishment shall fit the crime."
"My wife is being generous, I am not," the Fire Lord got in the face of the circus trainer, his eyes boring into the other man's. "Do not cross me again."
"We will be gone within the hour," Shuzumu confirmed after a few minutes. The trainer was dropped onto the ground in a heap as Malu released him.
The Fire Lord turned to pick up the crown that had fallen from his wife's head, a pai sho tile next to it. He picked both items up, inconspicuously pocketing the lotus tile before placing the crown back on his wife's head. He threaded the waterbender's arm through his as they began to leave he stopped in his tracks.
"I will send an associate of mine to meet you in Caldera in a month's time," the monarch commanded never turning around. "I believe these animals would do nicely in the zoo there, I do not trust anyone who could harm an innocent creature."
The couple was halfway back to the hotel before the Fire Lady spoke, "Thank you, Zuko."
"Anything for you," he placed a kiss on her temple as they walked. His hand went to pet the puppy in her arms, the polar bear dog nipped at the hand that was petting him at first. But soon leaned into the warm hand scratching behind his ear, "I guess we have a new member of the family."
"Eventually we will need to find some space in the stables for him, he will get very big in the next year," the waterbender cuddled the pup to her chest. "But until then I hope he can stay close to us."
"Of course, he can. What do you think of the name Hikari?" The Fire Lord asked as they walked into the hotel. "It means light."
"I like it a lot," she replied with a soft smile, she turned to kiss her husband quickly. The waterbender lifted the puppy up and nuzzled him to her, he leaned up to lick the underside of her chin.
The young man looked around the seedy tavern for a moment before he saw who he was looking for. He walked quickly and purposely toward the pai sho table, his cloak doing well to hide his identity. It wouldn't do well to be recognized in a place like this.
"May I have this game?" He questioned the old man as he sat down.
"The guest has the first move," the old man replied after a nod. He took a deep breath and placed the tile down, making eye contact with his opponent as he did. The old man's lips twitched as he displayed the customary welcome, "I see you favor the lotus tile, not many cling to the ancient ways."
"But the ones who do can always find a friend," the young man said mimicking the hand gesture he had seen so long ago. In the back of his mind, he felt a low layer of guilt at having snuck out to meet the old man in front of him. But he knew it was better this way and after receiving the calling card earlier this evening he knew he could not delay the meeting.
"Let us play," the opponent stated. The two men began placing tiles systematically, if anyone had been watching they would have realized that they weren't actually playing. But creating a specific design across the board. Once they were finished the old man looked up, "Welcome Fire Lord, the White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets."
"I hear there is a message from my old sword master," the Fire Lord questioned after nodding to the old man.
"There is one from him, but perhaps we should find a better place to discuss the particulars," the White Lotus member suggested a flick of his eye showed he saw something in the tavern that was cause for concern.
"Meet me in an hour, there is a place on the edge of the docks," the Fire Lord whispered, causing the old man to strain to hear as he listened to the directions given to him.
The firebender nodded before taking his leave, being sure to seem uninterested in anything that had happened just moments before. Out of the corner of his good eye, he noticed a few Earth Kingdom men following his every move. He couldn't quite place them but something seemed oddly familiar about them, he thought as he slipped out of the tavern. He had been walking for about ten minutes when he felt them.
Someone was following him.
Zuko lured the person following him into an ally. He whirled around suddenly punching a line of fire as he did only for no one to be there. A thud sounded behind him.
"You think I don't know all your tricks Fire Lord?"
His shoulders sagged, and he flipped the hood of his cloak off his head as he turned to look at the waterbender standing behind him. The expression on his face mirrored the polar bear puppy in their room back at the hotel, "How mad are you?"
"Not Ba Sing Se mad, but pretty close," she crossed her arms looking at her husband a single eyebrow quirked. And her lips twitched repressing a smile, "Sneaking out, Zuko? Really?"
The firebender pulled her into his arms, she lifted her chin and tried to resist him a little, "I wasn't doing it to keep you in the dark. I just didn't want to worry you."
"And when has that ever been a good idea?"
"Never," he replied as he pulled her closer to him. He dropped a kiss on her forehead, the tip of her nose then finally her pouting lips. "Do you forgive me?"
Katara looked up at him from under her lashes, sapphire eyes meeting gold. She pursed her lips as she pretended to think about his question. "Promise not to do it again?"
"I promise," he nodded, pulling her toward his chest. "How long have you been following me?"
"I tracked you to the tavern and then waited for you outside," she replied. "You were speaking to the White Lotus."
"At the circus, there was lotus tile on the ground. He didn't feel like it was safe to discuss in the tavern, I'm meeting him at the docks," Zuko supplied. "Will you come with me?"
She tapped her chin with a finger as if she was thinking about it, more to tease her husband. The waterbender held out her hand to him and he quickly grasped it. "Let's go find out this plan from your sister and Piandao."
Iroh moved through the back of his tea shop seamlessly as he tidied up at the end of the day. The bell on the door rang as a late customer came into the shop.
"Just a minute," the old general replied as he made his way to the front. He was not very surprised to see a young man standing by the pai sho table. "Hello, traveler."
"May I have this game?" The man asked gesturing to the table.
The firebender took a seat motioning for the man to do so as well. "The guest has the first move."
It was no surprise to the firebender when the lotus tile was placed on the board, he nodded to the traveler opening his hands. "Not many cling to the old ways."
"Those who do can always find a friend," the traveler opened his hands as well.
"Let us play," a few moments later and the board was complete. In the back of the old general's mind he knew that for the traveler to be taken this much caution with his greeting, there was terrible news. "Welcome brother, the White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets."
"Thank you Grand Lotus," the traveler bowed his head humbly. He was nervous to be delivering this news to the old general he idolized. "I come with a message from Caldera."
"Come upstairs, we will discuss it there," the Dragon of the West stated as he noticed a shadow pass by the window for the third time. He wasn't taking any chances with this information.
"Did you close the tea shop early?" Jun called as her fiancé entered the office space above the shop. She looked up from the work she was doing and was surprised to see he was not alone. "I didn't realize we had company."
"He comes bearing news from Caldera," Iroh informed his beloved. After situation his guest with some tea, the three sat around the table to discuss the news that had required a messenger.
"Piandao sent me," the man began. "Your niece has uncovered plans to assassinate the Fire Lord and frame her for it. One of his council is behind it, though from the White Lotus investigation it seems there is more than just him involved. Multiple sums have been deposited into his account from an Earth Kingdom bank."
Iroh scrubbed a hand over his face. "Have they discussed a plan to catch this man?"
"Your niece suggested using a decoy to replicate your nephew on an early arrival home from his trip to the South Pole," the messenger continued. "The plan is for him to be killed in his sleep, we aren't sure how they will get around the guards. But a few will already be in place in the room prior to the decoy's arrival to catch the assassin."
"How quickly can you send word back to Caldera?" Jun questioned suddenly as something dawned on her.
"Almost immediately, why?" The traveler asked.
"There was a large amount of poison purchased on the black market a month ago, there was something off about the customer. He wanted it sent to Merchant's Pier," Jun explained as she remembered the interaction she had with a dealer.
"The Pier is known for being a place for many unique characters," Iroh reasoned.
"It's also known as the last stop before someone travels to the Fire Nation from both the Earth Kingdom and the South Pole," she explained. The bounty hunter's mind was working a mile a minute. "I guarantee it's supposed to be loaded onto the Flagship, easily smuggled into Caldera to apprehend the guards."
"No one would check the Fire Lord's Flagship," the Dragon of the West agreed. He grabbed a blank scroll and scribbled out an important message being sure to seal it "Quick send work back to Piandao and tell him I will depart tomorrow from Ba Sing Se. Do you remember the poison?"
The messenger didn't wait for the answer as he departed with the scroll. Time was of the essence.
"No but I can find out," the bounty hunter supplied. "My contact who sold the poison will be in Yu Dao, we can stop on the way. Do you think we will get there in time?"
"It depends on how cooperative your contact is."
"Did you tell your mother?" Piandao asked the Princess as they finished their training. He never told her that he found her in the temple and carried her back to her room, for some reason.
"No, I didn't want to worry her any more than necessary," Azula replied as she stretched her muscles. She was unaware of the dark eyes taking in her body as it contorted. "I suggested that she spend the next two weeks in Fire Fountain City looking at the orphanage under construction. Katara will want a full report when she returns, plus it keeps mother away from the fray. She is leaving tomorrow morning."
"Was she suspicious?"
"I don't think so," she shook her head. Her muscles ached as she stretched them. "But it didn't seem like a good idea to have her here. She already is on edge with the Earth Kingdom threats."
"We will catch them," he comforted the Princess.
"I know," Azula nodded solemnly. "Would you like to join me for breakfast?"
"I would like to," his mustache twitched as he resisted the urge to smile at her. Since the Fire Lord had traveled to the South Pole it had become a routine for the sword master and his pupil to spend breakfast together. Every morning the Princess would ask him to join her and he would say yes.
"See you in an hour," she smiled up at him waiting for his confirmation before walking to her room to bathe and change.
"Do you need anything else from me, Princess Azula?" The maidservant asked as she waited by the door. She had just finished helping the Fire Nation Princess bathe and dress for the day.
"I think I'm alright, thank you, Lian," she dismissed the woman easily. "If I need you I will call for you but I should be fine for the day."
The lady-in-waiting bowed briefly before leaving the Princess to finish getting ready. A few minutes later and Azula was making her way to the dining room.
As she rounded a corner she heard hushed voices coming from a sitting room, one sounding very much like her sword master. The Fire Nation Princess crept toward the voices being sure to keep to the shadows. At first, she wanted to surprise him but as she was able to hear more of the conversation she stopped to listen.
"The messenger was sent to the Fire Lord, he delivered the information necessary. All the plans are set and confirmed," a man said softly. "The Fire Lord will arrive in seven days' time, under the moon."
"Good and did you send word to the Grand Master?" Piandao questioned quietly.
"Yes, he departed the Earth Kingdom and will send word on his arrival shortly," the man informed. "He asked me to deliver this to you."
"Very good, if you find out anything else let me know," the sword master replied. "This is our one chance to catch him off guard. Go, report to me if you hear anything."
Azula didn't hear the man's reply as she made sure to hide behind an ornate column to see the man leave. She didn't recognize him but thought he looked like he was from the Earth Kingdom. Her hands balled into fists, she could feel her nails digging into her palms. Gold eyes narrowed and her blood boiled. The only thought running through her head was that she had been played.
The sword master followed out of the sitting room a few seconds later, the Fire Nation Princess could not contain her temper.
She walked right in front of the older man cutting off his path, "Is the only reason you agreed to train me so you could infiltrate the palace and take advantage of not only my brother's trust but mine as well?"
"Azula what are you talking about?" Piandao looked at her confused, he was unsure why she was angry with him.
"It's Princess Azula," she snapped her voice hardening but never raising. "Don't try to deny it, I heard your entire plan and if you think I won't try to stop you then you are very wrong. In case you forgot the penalty for treason is execution, you should prepare for yours."
The Fire Nation Princess turned on her heel and walked back toward her rooms. She didn't see the look of recognition cross the sword master's face.
"Azula," he called after her. When he realized she wasn't going to turn back he raced after her, his hand grabbing her wrist to stop her retreat. "I can explain, let me explain. If you don't like my explanation I promise I will gladly let you execute me for treason."
She yanked her wrist free and crossed her arms over her chest. She wanted to tell him, no, but as she looked into his dark eyes she wavered, "I will give you two minutes."
"The man with me is a messenger, there was some information I did not trust to send to not only your brother but your uncle," he began explaining quickly. "The Flagship is scheduled to arrive in ten days to enact your plan with Akio. After breakfast, I was going to tell you to send Akio to meet the ship. Your brother and sister-in-law will be returning to the Fire Nation in seven days in the middle of the night. They will be staying in Ukano's home until Makoto is caught."
"Who is coming from the Earth Kingdom?"
"Your uncle," Piandao replied immediately. His eyes were unwavering as he looked into her narrowed gold ones.
"How do I know you aren't lying?" Azula arched a perfect brow in question. She desperately wanted to believe the information she was being told.
The sword master had been expecting the question. He pulled the scroll out of his pocket and handed it to her. The seal had not been broken since he decided earlier to read it after breakfast since he had been running late to meet her.
The Princess snatched the scroll out of his hands and saw the signature dragon seal of her uncle inlaid in the wax. Her hands broke the seal and she scanned the contents of General Iroh's handwriting.
"This is the letter I just received from him, I don't even know the contents," Piandao continued when he saw her shoulders relax.
"You thought correspondence from the palace was compromised," she mumbled softly as she rolled up the scroll. "You sent discreet messengers no one would suspect. How did you find them? How do you know they are trustworthy?"
"Have you heard of the White Lotus?"
Azula's brows pulled together as she thought over the words. A faint memory came forward, "The gang who liberated Ba Sing Se during the comet?"
"A secret society that transcends all nations," he cracked a smile at her perception. The organization had done an extremely good job at hiding its tracks after the war. It was always better to be underestimated. "Your uncle is one of the Grand Masters or Grand Lotus. Your brother has had distinct dealings though he is not initiated, but I suspect he will be in the coming years."
"That's who you sent," the pieces were clicking together in her head. Her gold eyes met his, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't think you would believe me," his hand inched to brush the hair that had fallen into her face back. "I never meant to break your trust, I only wanted to be sure we would catch Makoto and everyone else he was working with."
"You are probably right, I wouldn't have believed you," she looked down at her feet.
"Still want to have me executed?" He teased the Princess as he tried to catch her eye. The sword master was rewarded with a slight smile.
"No," she shook her head. Her gold eyes became fiery as she continued, "But next time don't keep secrets from me. Still want to join me for breakfast?"
"I promise no more secrets. And I would like that very much," he replied with a crooked smile.
"I hate just sitting here and waiting," Katara mumbled as she paced the guest room of Ukano's home. The Flagship had arrived this afternoon and she knew that any moment now the attempt would take place.
"I know," Zuko watched as she continued to pace nervously. He took in the way her pants accented her curvy frame and the strip of skin between her top and pants. "You were never good at the waiting part."
"I just want to do something to help," she grumbled as continued to walk around the room. Her entire body was on edge with each thought of what was about to happen just a couple of miles away.
His eyes drifted to look out the window, "It's a full moon tonight."
The waterbender stopped to look out at the moon, the words of her husband having the desired effect. He moved to stand behind her, his arms wrapping around her. Katara leaned back into her husband.
"Azula's plan is going to work right?" The sight of the moon and the firebender's arms instantly calmed her.
"Her plan is foolproof, there was a reason she was able to do all the damage she did during the war," he placed a kiss on her temple in comfort. Hikari jumped at their legs wanting to be included. The royal couple took a seat on the floor and cuddled the polar bear puppy. "He's excited to see his new home."
"It seems that way," Katara agreed as she created some snow for the puppy to play in. The Fire Lady knew her husband was trying to distract her but she was welcoming it.
"You will have a massive home to run around," Zuko told the puppy. Hikari jumped up and licked the firebender's face. "Gardens and hallways ready for you to explore."
"And maybe one day a child for you to love," the waterbender whispered as she looked up at her husband. It had been a little over a month since the couple had decided to start trying for a baby.
"I'm hoping for more than one," her husband replied his gold eyes boring into hers. "I know I said originally three, but I will gladly love as many as you will gift me."
The Fire Lady leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her husband's lips. She had been having a similar thought of wanting more children than they had originally discussed.
Hikari barked at the two of them. Zuko turned to the polar bear puppy and picked him up, cradling Hikari like one would a baby. The puppy's tongue rolled out of its mouth in a happy expression as the firebender rubbed his belly.
"Someone loves attention," Katara chuckled at the endearing sight of Zuko with the puppy. The couple played with their pet for a little longer before all three ended up on the bed fast asleep.
A few hours later the royal couple was awakened by frantic knocking on their door. It took a few minutes for the Fire Lord to pull himself out of bed and don some pants before answering the door.
"Piandao, Malu," he greeted with a nod to the men awaiting outside the door. "I'm guessing it's done."
"Fire Lord — Zuko," Piandao dropped the formality instantly. "We need Katara, Akio is in bad shape. Makoto is in custody but right now we are playing with minutes."
"Katara, you are needed in the palace infirmary," Zuko called back to his wife who was already getting dressed. His heart was beating wildly in his chest as he thought about his oldest friend being injured. He turned to ready himself to leave, calling to the guard as he did. "Malu, grab Hikari and bring him to the palace. Have someone set up a bed for him in my office."
The firebender quickly joined her in getting dressed, and within minutes they were out the door rushing to take care of Akio. Neither worried about the few possessions they had brought with them. The moment the royal couple entered the palace walls they immediately jumped into the fray.
"Azula," the Fire Lord called to his sister as he saw her moving through the halls in the early hours of the morning. Katara had spent all night in the infirmary healing his secretary.
"Zuko!" The Fire Nation Princess whirled around to see her brother. She took off running toward him and jumped into his arms. Ignoring the pain from her injuries. The fear she had of him being hurt reverberated throughout her entire being.
He hugged his sister tightly, he could feel her fear as she clutched him. "You did such an incredible job catching him."
Azula held onto her brother for a little longer before she pulled back, inconspicuously brushing away tears that had fallen. "How's Akio?"
"Katara is still with him, she spent half the night healing him," he ran a hand through his hair. "Piandao said that you helped take Makoto down, I guess his lessons are paying off."
His sister's cheeks turned pink at the compliment. She flipped her hair and was sure to cover the bandage across her chest. She didn't want to worry her brother, "Well I always was a fast learner."
"That you were," her brother mumbled noticing how she deflected but missing the injury she was trying to conceal. "I haven't seen the room yet. How bad is it?"
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, it's bad," Azula confirmed with a grimace as she thought back to the royal couple's chambers. "You probably will not be able to stay in it for some time. My suggestion, don't let Katara see it."
"Probably good advice," he shook his head. There had been attempts when he first took the mantel of Fire Lord, but no one had ever gotten this close. "She's resting in my office now. I'm going to look over everything before she wakes, I'll call a meeting in a couple of days."
"As of right now it's probably best to keep Makoto in solitary, hopefully, he will release some information soon," the Princess commented. "I put in your office all the information I could find out."
"I appreciate that," he scrubbed a hand over his face. "Was Mai able to find out more?"
"No, but she said she would recognize the voice Makoto was speaking to," Azula explained to him. "My guess is it's someone else on the council, so I would be sure to have her there for the next meeting."
"One more thing I need to do," he rolled his neck. "Piandao explained a little bit about what happened. He said there was a timing issue with alerting the guard to the contaminated food."
"By the time we received the notice from the White Lotus yesterday evening, about half had already taken their meal break," she confirmed with a nod. She yawned before continuing, "Luckily we were able to combat it quickly when symptoms were shown with the antidote."
"You are exhausted, we can continue this later," Zuko told her.
"Thanks, Zuzu," she said with a nod. "I'll see you and Katara for dinner."
"Go get some sleep, you did an amazing job as regent and dealing with this, Zula," he pulled her into a quick hug once more before letting her head to get some rest.
The Princess was exhausted, she had been up all night add that in with preparing to catch Makoto she was practically dead on her feet. Azula had just finished changing for bed when there was a knock on her bedroom door. Her handmaid had left just a few minutes before.
"Piandao," Azula said in surprise to see the sword master standing outside of her door.
"I just wanted to check and see how you were," Piandao explained as he took in how her nightgown and dressing gown formed to her toned figure. "Last night was a close one."
"Yeah, it was," she agreed as she adjusted the collar of her clothing to hide her injury. "I'm okay, tired but I'll be fine."
His grey eyes zeroed in on the movement, he noticed the haphazard bandages trailing from the edge of her throat down to the top curve of her right breast. "You're hurt."
"It's nothing, just a little scratch," Azula brushed off.
Truth was, it was much larger than a scratch and a little bit deeper. Not to mention, she was sure one or two of her ribs were broken. But the infirmary was overrun with the guards who had been poisoned and everyone else who engaged Makoto. She was going to be fine and didn't want to take up resources that were needed elsewhere.
"You're bleeding through the bandage," the sword master noticed instantly. Anger filled his belly at seeing her hurt. "Let me take you back to the infirmary."
"No," Azula commanded. She held up her hands to stop him. "I will be fine let the physicians focus on those who actually need help."
Piandao was shocked to hear her selflessness. He found there were many things he didn't expect from the Fire Nation Princess. He sighed heavily, "I can respect that but at least let me gather some things to help you clean and bandage it."
"Okay," she nodded after a minute. "But please don't tell Zuko, I don't want to worry him any more than necessary."
"I promise I won't. Now, I'll be right back," he said as he left the doorway in search of the items he needed to take care of Azula. Less than fifteen minutes later he was back knocking on her door.
"Come in," she gestured to him. She took a seat on her bed while the sword master brought everything toward her.
"I don't want to be inappropriate, but if you could adjust your clothing so I could have access completely," he cleared his throat trying to be delicate in the approach. He knew it was a large request to ask her to disrobe partially when it was just the two of them.
"Right," the Fire Nation Princess mumbled as she first bared her shoulder adjusting her clothing to slowly reveal the top of her breast. Her hand was steady as she removed the bloody bandage revealing a long deep wound.
Piandao hissed as he saw how badly she was hurt. It was much worse than she had made it out to be. He took a damp cloth and began cleaning the wound. The sword master had noticed she had done a decent job on her own but there was still much that needed to be tended to.
"Just a little scratch?" He questioned as she made a soft noise in pain as he worked.
"Okay maybe a little bit more than that," she begrudgingly agreed. He began disinfecting the wound and she winced. "Ouch!"
"I'm sorry it hurts," he mumbled as he continued to work. His fingertips brushed against her clavicle and he noticed how soft her skin was. Grey eyes moved to the gold firebending emblem resting around her neck. "Did he get you anywhere else?"
"Umm," the Princess looked away in embarrassment. Her ribs ached in protest at being ignored.
"Azula," the sword master's voice was firm but soft. He finished cleaning her injury and she noticed how his brow furrowed as he moved to grab the bandages next to her. He began methodically applying them, his eyes never leaving hers.
"My ribs are in a lot of pain. I think one or two might be broken," she said looking down at his hands. Azula's mouth felt dry and her tongue went to wet her lips, an action Piandao noticed immediately.
His hands stilled as he finished his work. Dark eyes meeting hers, he was afraid to voice the offer. But at the same time, she needed someone to take care of her. "If you are comfortable with my assistance, I can help you wrap your ribs. I promise not to look unless absolutely necessary."
The decline was on the tip of her tongue, it was improper for her to be so exposed in front of him. She could feel the sharp pain with each breath she took. Azula trusted Piandao with every fiber of her being and she found herself saying, "Please."
The sword master cleared his throat before taking a step back. He wanted to do this properly and for Azula to feel comfortable. "I'll turn around while you get yourself situated."
"Thank you," the Princess whispered. She watched him turn around and gather the materials he needed to help her. For a brief moment she admired his back, lean muscle strained against his clothing. Shaking her head, Azula quickly shed her top and breast bindings. One arm came to cover her bare breasts, being sure to cover everything. "You can turn around now."
Piandao turned around and was sure to keep his eyes on her gold ones. "Which side?"
"The left," she pointed with the arm that was free. She noticed how his eyes looked down at the spot she referenced but nowhere else. The Princess expected nothing less from the sword master, he was a man of honor.
"I never realized he got you that bad," he mumbled with a shake of his head. Piandao rolled some bandages creating a brace and pressed to her injured side before he started to purposely wrap her ribs. The pattern was easy for him, something he had done many times before. She hissed through her teeth as he worked, he couldn't help but notice how her breasts moved at the action. He paused, dark eyes meeting hers, "Too tight?"
"No," she shook her head softly. The wrapping was beginning to alleviate some of the pressure on her lungs. "Just a little sensitive and sore."
"I'm not surprised," Piandao mumbled as he resumed his work. He thought back to her battle with Makoto, she had been almost flawless. Not a single misstep nor did she falter at any of the blows she took. The sword master was impressed with his pupil, "You fought through the pain better than most skilled warriors."
"Well, it was that or let him get away," Azula replied deflecting the compliment. She was not used to verbal praise from authority. Her father hardly gave her any, only a slight smirk when he agreed or would take her idea and run with it. Never would Ozai praise his daughter because he was actually proud of her.
"Don't do that," he whispered as he finished bandaging her ribs. He did his best to avoid looking, but the swell of her breasts were hard to ignore. After all, he was a man, and even though she was almost twenty years his junior, he couldn't help finding her attractive. Her arm shifted and Piandao could see the edge of a pink nipple against the creamy breast. He did his best to concentrate on the task at hand and not on her supple chest.
The Fire Nation Princess noticed how his brow furrowed as he tightened the binding. His eyes met hers as he pulled the slack being sure not to wrap them too tight. The sword master was quick to turn around so she could redress.
"You can turn back now," she told him. He turned back around, and the first thing he noticed was a lock of hair was out of place and he itched to adjust it. Her gold eyes turned to look up and met his grey ones. "Don't do what?"
"Don't brush people off when they give you a compliment," he whispered as he looked down at her—the firelight casting a golden glow around them. "You are extraordinary as not only a warrior but a strategist. You are an incredible woman and will make some young man very happy one day."
"Thank you," she replied. Azula was showing her gratitude for so much more than just his help tending to her injuries. Piandao gave in to the urge and brushed the lock of her hair back. Her skin was tingling from where he had touched her.
The air had shifted between the master and student, both feeling it but not knowing what to do.
"First, how's Akio?" The Fire Lord questioned as he began the meeting of his innermost circle. Since the attempt, he was apprehensive to include anyone he did not trust completely. He would have liked to have this meeting much earlier but there was still so much that needed to be secured before it was possible.
He shuddered as he remembered seeing his and Katara's bedroom right after the attack. Makoto hadn't just wanted to kill him, he wanted to terrorize him before he died. Zuko's guess was the former councilman wanted to make the Fire Lady watch as he was beaten and tortured before finally being killed.
"I checked on him this morning," Piandao replied as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. The Fire Lord's secretary had been in bad shape. "He is doing well and was in good spirits. Thanks to Fire Lady Katara's healing, the physician believes he will be able to resume normal duties in the next week. It's good that he did a stint in the military. He was able to engage Makoto in combat until Azula arrived. Once she subdued him, he was taken into custody immediately."
"I still can't believe Makoto was behind the attempt," Zuko mumbled to himself, he scrubbed a hand over his face. He sighed, "If I was a smarter Fire Lord, I would have been able to catch it sooner."
"Well there is only so much we can expect from you, Zuzu," Azula replied dryly as she studied her nails from her spot on the other side of his desk. Piandao, who stood behind the Princess, pulled lightly on a lock of her hair to reprimand her. She looked up at him and gave him a playful pout, she was rewarded with a crooked smile.
The two had grown extremely close in the past few months. Even more so after he had helped her clean and bandage her injury. True to his word, the sword master had not told anyone keeping it just their secret.
"Thank you, Azula," her brother pinched the bridge of his nose missing the interaction between master and student. Though his wife's eyes zeroed in on the action.
"He has been kept in solitary for the past two weeks," Piandao supplied hoping to distract everyone from the intimate action between him and his pupil. "According to Poon he has been babbling but as of right now very little makes sense."
"Has he said who he is working with?" Katara asked quickly. She was not sleeping well knowing that there were still people in the Fire Nation trying to hurt her and her husband. When it was just threats from the Earth Kingdom it felt easier to ignore.
"Not yet," the sword master shook his head sadly. He had been making his own inquiries throughout his many contacts and still was coming up short.
"And the royal guard? How are they?" The Fire Lord questioned Malu who was standing behind the Fire Lady.
"The ones who were drugged are looking to make a full recovery," the Captain informed his lord. "Though the servant who contaminated the food has come forward, she was a former concubine and was disgruntled the harem had been dismantled."
"She and Makoto had a very close relationship according to his wife," Mai added, she looked next to her at the Fire Lady.
Katara rubbed her eyes. She was exhausted, they had been home for over two weeks now and she still couldn't sleep in their bed. The couple hadn't even been in their room when the attempt happened but the waterbender felt like she was on edge. She and Zuko had only recently moved back into their chambers.
It didn't help that Piandao had sent for her in the middle of the night during the attempt because Akio was in bad shape. It had taken all of her strength and bloodbending to heal him. He was lucky to still be alive after the attack he had sustained. She might not have seen the destruction their chambers had sustained, but she still didn't feel safe.
"You need to get some sleep," the Princess commented to her sister-in-law. She had noticed how exhausted Katara looked.
"I can't," she looked down at her hands. "The fact that someone was able to get that close to our room, to our bed . . ." she shuddered as she thought over the events that led them to this meeting.
"You were hunted constantly during the war, why did this make you so unsteady?" Azula questioned, she wasn't used to seeing the Fire Lady so shaken. Even during the war. It unnerved the Princess.
"Azula," Zuko warned softly. He knew how much his waterbender was suffering, he didn't need his sister pushing her.
"But typically they attacked us during the day and in front of us, never were they trying to kill us in our sleep," Katara's sapphire eyes met her husband's before turning to look at her sister-in-law. "Even you didn't try to kill us in our sleep."
"There is no honor in defeating an opponent when they are unable to defend themselves," the Princess replied quickly not realizing how the statement sounded to the man standing behind her. She could almost feel the sword master swell with pride. "It's barbaric and the worst form of an attack."
"Zula's right, you need some sleep," the firebender stood before walking around his desk to kneel in front of his wife. He was ignoring his sister's words. "I'm worried about you. If you want, you can lie on the couch while we finish the meeting. Just rest, for now, I promise to wake you when Uncle gets here."
"He's arriving in the morning, Fire Lord," Piandao reminded the young monarch. He too was worried about the Fire Lady. Too much stress wouldn't be good for her.
"That's right," the monarch nodded absently. "I'm right here Katara, nothing happened to me. Akio is going to be okay, you saved him. And he is going to make a full recovery."
The waterbender's eyes became glassy as the tears welled. She gave a brief nod to her husband. Zuko stood and slipped his arms around her carrying her to the couch against the wall in his office.
"It's past dinner, let us reconvene when General Iroh arrives," Piandao suggested as he looked around the room to see everyone's confirming nods.
"Mai, can you grab the blanket from her office?" Azula questioned her friend. She stood and moved to the door to call for a servant. "Giya, there is a sleep tea blend my Uncle sent in my room. Lian knows where it is, please bring it along with a pot of hot water."
"Yes, Princess Azula," the maidservant nodded before moving to complete the task at hand.
"Maybe we should give them some privacy while they get settled," Ty Lee suggested as she looked over at the royal couple. Zuko was whispering soft terms of endearment to his wife as she rested her head in his lap. The moment was intimate and the acrobat felt voyeuristic as she watched the couple.
"I'm going to get them settled but when my uncle arrives tomorrow we can call another meeting," the Princess agreed as she took the blanket Mai was handing her. "Malu, I think my sister-in-law would feel much better if there were a few more guards stationed outside the room."
"Of course, Princess Azula," the Captain of the Royal Guard nodded before taking his leave to follow the request set forth.
"Do you need anything else from us?" Mai asked as her lover joined her, quickly grasping her hand. Everyone had left the Fire Lord's office to give the royal couple some privacy.
"No, when we know when the next meeting is I will let you know," the Princess shook her head. Things were still tense between the three former friends.
"It will get better," the sword master commented as Azula watched the two noblewomen walk away. "Things have already improved."
"I guess you are right," she mumbled absently. She knew it was wishful thinking to hope that everything would be fixed after they worked together to catch Makoto. But Piandao was right, things were already better.
"Come on, I want to show you something," he told her gesturing for her to follow him. The Princess shot her former friends one last look before following Piandao. They walked in silence for a few minutes before they entered one of the sitting rooms in the family wing of the palace.
"What is it you wanted to show me?" Azula took a seat on one of the many chaise lounges littering the room. "I can't imagine there is much I don't know about my home."
He chuckled softly as he picked something up across the room. He was enjoying her wit, she was much more humorous than people gave her credit. The sword master joined the Princess again.
"This," he handed her a book as he took a seat next to her. He was probably sitting closer to her than propriety dictated but he wanted to be close to her. The sword master suspected she would need comfort. "I found it on one of the shelves in my room the other night. I thought you would want it."
The Fire Nation Princess looked down at the soft leather book in her hands, her name printed upon it. She hadn't seen it in many years, the last time was when Zuko was banished.
"Did you open it?" Her voice was unsteady as she asked the question. Azula's stomach was in knots, her throat was tight and her hands were sweaty.
"Only on accident, once I realized what it was I thought it should be returned to you," the sword master said softly. He quickly realized how sensitive this topic was to his pupil, "You were extremely talented in more than just firebending, but I'm guessing your fath—Ozai was not a fan of this talent."
"No," she shook her head. Her fingers grasped the book tightly, her knuckles turning white. Azula took an uneasy breath, "My mother gave it to me, she encouraged the talent. But after Zuko, I was afraid of what he would do if he found it. So I hid it."
"In almost plain sight, a guest room in the family wing," Piandao finished her thought process. She had to have been only ten or eleven, even at that age she was smart.
Azula nodded as she looked over the book in her hands, with a deep breath she opened it and was greeted with the sight of her handiwork. She always loved sketching with charcoal, something she had a talent for but never was able to truly harness. Her fingers brushed over each sketch as she flipped through the pages of the sketchbook. It had been a gift from her mother, the last gift she had received before Ursa had disappeared.
"He didn't really know I liked to sketch," the Princess mumbled as she turned the pages. "Ozai didn't have a high regard for any of the arts. My mother encouraged me, but after she left I would sketch at night hiding in my closet."
The sword master instantly remembered her reaction to being called an artist when they had first started training. It all made sense now.
"As all good children do when hiding something from their parents," Piandao chuckled trying to lighten the mood as he listened to her story. He was rewarded with a small smile from her. He could see out of the corner of his eyes the sketches getting darker in theme.
"But then the Agni Kai happened," she whispered as she came across the last sketch in the book. Her fingertips brushed the scene. "And Zuko was banished to search for the Avatar."
"And so you hid the book," the sword master finished the story. His eyes looked down to see the last drawing she had done. He sucked in a breath through his teeth, the picture was an almost perfect replica of Ozai burning Zuko. It was raw and emotional. He could clearly see the pain and terror reflecting back in her drawing. Without thinking the words came out, "He hurt you too, didn't he?"
"Not the same way he hurt Zuzu," Azula replied not realizing she had confirmed his greatest fear. She looked up at him while flipping the book closed quickly, her shoulders pulling back in strength. "It doesn't matter anymore. He's dead, my mother is back and Zuko is an incredible Fire Lord."
"That doesn't mean it doesn't matter," his voice was soft and comforting. He hadn't expected the book to bring up such emotional memories for her, but he should have known. The sword master was less surprised to see her show of strength. It tracked with everything he knew about the Fire Nation Princess.
She stood abruptly, the sketchbook clutched tightly in her hands. "Thank you for giving it back to me. It's getting late, I'll see you in the morning for training."
"Azula, you can always talk to me," Piandao called after her. His heart was in his stomach as he thought about all that she didn't say.
"I know," she whispered with a quick look back at him. The sword master watched her leave, his eyes taking in her form as she glided out of the room.
The Fire Nation Princess pressed the sketchbook to her chest as she moved through the corridors to her own room. She placed the book on her nightstand and moved to get herself ready for bed with the help of Lian.
Piandao had given her back a piece of her heart.
"Did you ever think we would be here?" Jun questioned her new husband as they lounged in their hotel room. They had just left the small temple just outside of Caldera where an old Fire Sage had performed their elopement.
"Never," Iroh shook his head as his new wife cuddled into him. He could hardly believe that not only had the lovely bounty hunter returned his flirtation but that she was in bed with him let alone what had transpired just a few short hours ago.
"Do you regret Zuko not being there?" It was a thought that plagued her mind.
"I've done the big wedding Jun," the old general shrugged. "It didn't make the marriage any better. I loved our private ceremony and I wouldn't change it for the world. You have brought much happiness to my life, thank you for marrying me."
"I love you," she kissed him quickly before snuggling deeper into his arms. The new bride closed her eyes a content smile on her face. She never thought of herself as the marrying type, but something about Iroh brought out the domestic side of her.
The next morning the newlyweds were arriving at the royal palace.
"Uncle," the Fire Lord greeted the older man with a hug on the steps of the palace. He turned toward the bounty hunter. "Jun, it's good to see you again."
"Fire Lord Pouty," the new bride smirked at the young monarch. She looked around for the waterbender. "Where is your better half?"
"She is still sleeping," he replied softly ignoring the nickname Jun had bestowed on him. The firebender gestured for the couple to follow him into the palace. "It's been a difficult transition hearing about what happened to Akio and seeing the aftermath."
"Has Makoto said anything about who he was working with?" Iroh questioned as they walked through the halls.
"Not yet," Zuko shook his head. "We are still trying to piece together what happened fully. Until Akio is able to tell us we are at a loss since most of the guards became ill after the evening meal."
"How badly was he injured?" The Dragon of the West questioned as the trio migrated into one of the private family sitting rooms.
"Bad, Katara had to use some bloodbending," Zuko replied as he took a seat. It had been a long week. "She isn't doing well after seeing him."
Iroh hissed when he heard about the waterbender's use of bloodbending. He knew she only used it if it was absolutely necessary. The old general was unsurprised Katara had been slightly traumatized. She had to treat the injuries that were intended for her husband, and of course, that would affect her. He shifted in his seat as he thought over the events that had recently taken place.
"Who is left on the council that favored your father?" Iroh questioned as he tried to run through possible suspects.
"Or anyone who just isn't agreeing with you," Jun added from her seat next to her new husband. She was on edge, she knew that Iroh wanted to announce their marriage to everyone at dinner but it was making her uneasy.
"Well, Chan is currently under investigation for inhumane labor charges and unfriendly environmental practices. Shinu isn't on the council, but he is a suspect in Ozai's death," the Fire Lord explained as he thought over his council. He touched his chin in a move eerily similar to his Uncle. "Bujing of course, he is in charge of Defense."
"Chan is reckless but not stupid and my guess is he wouldn't work with Makoto if he is up on environmental practices," the old general replied after a few minutes. "Bujing is the most logical choice, but again he isn't stupid. And Makoto's work was sloppy."
"Too sloppy if you ask me," Azula said from her spot in the doorway. She had overheard her brother and Uncle just a few minutes prior. "If it is Bujing, he might have let Makoto be the brains to lull you into a false sense of security."
"Has he done anything recently that would be a cause for concern?" Iroh asked as his niece went to sit next to her brother.
"No," the Fire Lord shook his head as he thought back to the last two council meetings. If anything the man was being very supportive. "Since the attempt, he has only been expressing concern that Katara is not pregnant yet. And he came to me months ago saying he suspected Shinu was behind Ozai's death."
"He could be trying to lead you off his trail," the Princess crossed her legs and studied her nails. "If it was me the first thing I would do is try to have you launch a false investigation on a plausible candidate. And then distract you by bringing up that you have no heir. Makes him look like he is concerned for not only you but your legacy and it also distracts from the fact that he doesn't like Katara. What?"
Zuko just stared at his sister in shock. Sometimes it was easy to forget how up until the past few years she was on the opposing side of him.
"I know this is the first time meeting you, but I like you," Jun told the Princess with a cackle. The bounty hunter could see herself getting along well with her husband's niece.
"I am very likable," Azula replied with a smirk. "Also congratulations on your marriage Uncle."
"What? Zula, they aren't married . . ." Zuko trailed off as he noticed the guilty expression on the newlyweds' faces. "Why am I the last one to know anything?"
"Because you are too focused on running a country to pay attention to the little things," his sister supplied flipping her hair off her shoulder. "Besides, I'm a people person Zuzu."
"Did you have a good birthday?" The Fire Lady asked her husband as they laid in bed after their lovemaking.
"I had a wonderful birthday," he replied holding her close to him. His waterbender had given him the perfect day starting with being awoken by her mouth pleasuring him all the way to the party that evening. He hadn't expected such a celebration, but his wife had arranged the perfect day for him. "Almost as good as the first one I celebrated with you on Ember Island."
"We didn't celebrate your birthday during the war," she looked up at him in confusion.
"Do you remember the day I brought mochi onto the roof? And we talked until dawn," Zuko smiled softly at her as he thought back to the day.
Katara's blue eyes widened as she recalled the memory. They had discussed their hopes and dreams that night as they shared the mochi. "It was your birthday then! Why didn't you tell me that night?"
"I don't know," he shrugged softly. "Maybe because I was falling in love with the spirited waterbender who voiced how she wanted to be more than some man's wife."
"I did say that didn't I?"
"You did," he grinned at her. Brushing his hand down her cheek, "When our marriage contract was signed, I was sure that you would be seen as more than just a political bride."
"It's your birthday and you are the one saying all the sweetest things to me," she shook her head and buried it in his chest.
"Maybe because I like your reaction," Zuko teased her though it was the truth. He loved watching how she blushed at the compliments.
"Well, I hope next year I can top that first birthday," the waterbender looked up at him. Sapphire eyes sparkling with excitement.
"How?"
"By giving you a baby," the rest of her words were cut off as he pressed his lips to hers. His mouth quickly dominated hers.
"Do you need anything else Princess?" The handmaiden asked as she tidied up a few things in the room. Azula slipped into her bed easily, it had been almost a week since her Uncle had arrived in the Fire Nation announcing his new marriage. Tomorrow the first of the dignitaries for the Anniversary Summit would be arriving.
"No, thank you, Lian," the Princess replied as she picked up the sketchbook again. Her fingertips grazed the cover. "Wait. You wouldn't happen to know where I could get a piece of charcoal to sketch with, would you?"
Lian smiled softly with a nod, she moved to the sitting room and Azula's desk. The Fire Lord had requested a few things that had seemed odd to the maidservant before the Princess had returned. But now with Azula asking for the charcoal it made more sense. At the bottom of the desk drawer, there was a collection of art supplies, Lian picked up the charcoal piece and brought it to the Princess.
"Fire Lord Zuko had requested that your desk had space for some art supplies, it is all in the bottom drawer," the servant explained as gathered the linens to bring to the washroom.
"I hadn't realized he had done that," Azula whispered to herself as she looked down at the charcoal in her hand. She didn't even know her brother remembered she had used to sketch. It was such a thoughtful thing for him to include in her room renovation.
"Have a good night Princess," Lian said as she slipped out of the room leaving the young royal to her evening.
It had been many years since Azula had sketched anything, but it came back easily to her. She didn't notice the hours tick by or her fingertips becoming stained with charcoal as she worked.
The Fire Nation Princess fell asleep with her sketchbook open to her latest piece of artwork: a perfect drawing of her sword master.
Notes:
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See you on November 5th, 2022!
Chapter 23: Chapter Twenty-Three: Summer 104 AG
Notes:
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Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty-Three: Summer 104 AG
"Sorry!" Azula cried as she rushed into training the next morning. She had stayed up much longer than she anticipated sketching the man before her.
"You are only a minute late," Piandao's eyes crinkled in amusement as he saw her frantically readying herself. He quickly noticed her charcoal-stained fingers. It looked like she finally got back to her artwork, he thought to himself.
The sword master briefly wondered why he was so emotionally invested in the Fire Nation Princess. He had never been this invested with any of his other students. Sure, he had cared about them but not at the level he did for Azula. Piandao couldn't quite place his finger on it, but it felt very different.
"I know, but I don't like to be late," she mumbled as she haphazardly tied up her hair and turned toward him, "I feel like it disrespects you."
"You could never disrespect me," he replied easily. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket. "I see you've been sketching."
"What makes you say that?" The Princess looked up at him in confusion. Her heart jumped in her throat as she thought about Piandao finding out she had sketched him.
"Your hands," the sword master gestured to the charcoal-stained fingertips with a ghost of a smile. He passed her the handkerchief reminding him of their hike a couple of months ago. "I always think it's good for a warrior to have an art form to focus on."
"Oh, thank you," she mumbled as she rubbed her hands with the fabric to try to take the staining off. Her cheeks colored in embarrassment. As she passed him back the now dirty handkerchief, Azula missed the soft expression on his face.
"How are you feeling?" Piandao gestured toward his clavicle to be subtle about his inquiry. The Fire Lord and Lady were only on the other side of the training arena and he didn't want to alert them. Though his eyes took in every part of her critically, something he had been doing every day since they resumed their training.
"Much better," she replied with a hesitant smile. Today was the first morning she awoke and the pressure on her torso was almost nonexistent. "Thank you for keeping it quiet, I appreciate it."
"Of course. We should begin, it's going to be a busy day," he instructed after noting her discomfort at his observation. The teacher and student sat next to each other to begin their mediation that started her training.
"Azula's doing a lot better," the Fire Lord commented as he and his wife finished their own training. He was in a good mood having been the victor of their sparring match. He had noticed his sister coming into the training arena just moments before.
"She seems to be really thriving in her training with Piandao," the waterbender agreed as she wiped the sweat from her brow before taking a long drink of water. She was a little miffed that her husband had gotten the upper hand on her earlier.
"Don't be a sore loser, Katara," he teased softly while stealing a kiss from her before draping an arm around her shoulders and leading them out of the training arena.
The two had decided earlier on in their marriage to never go easy on each other. It would do neither of them any good and it wasn't natural having battled so much in their youth. But it always made for an interesting sparring match and never a winning streak longer than three days.
"They look good together," Katara mumbled to her husband as they walked past the sword master and Princess. She had noticed how close the two had become during the past few months.
"You make it sound like something is going on between the two of them," Zuko grumbled as they walked toward their bedroom.
"And if there was?" She looked up at him an eyebrow raised. The waterbender had to resist the urge to laugh at the scowl that instantly appeared on his face.
"He's too old for her," the Fire Lord replied grumpily as he followed her into their room.
"Whatever you say Zuko," she stood up on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss. Her husband tried to deepen the kiss and hold her close. "We need to get ready to meet the first of our visitors."
"They won't be here until noon and we have no duties until then," he told her as she went to move away from him. His hand grabbed hers to stop her. "I think we can take a few minutes to reap my winnings from our sparring."
"Your winnings?" The waterbender gave him a teasing look as she let him pull her closer. "You know as well as I do that it would be longer than a few minutes and we will end up being late."
She barely got the last sentence out before his lips captured hers. The Fire Lady melted into his arms as he kissed her. Kissing Zuko always reminded her of the first time.
"We should bathe together, it will save time. Plus, I promise to keep it extra hot just like you like it," he mumbled against her mouth as he deepened her kiss. His arms moved to wrap around her waist and pull her closer.
"You just want to get me naked," Katara accused as her arms wrapped around his neck. And his tongue traced the shell of her ear. Since the assassination attempt, the two had become very affectionate, taking advantage of any and every opportunity they could to be intimate. Part of it was because of how close they came to losing everything. A much bigger part was the conversation they had at the South Pole about children.
"I'm not going to disagree with that," he chuckled as his hands moved to cup her backside, pushing her into him. "Frankly, I think we should go away for a week or two in the fall. I didn't have a chance to fully take advantage of my new wife during our honeymoon."
"I wouldn't be opposed to that," the waterbender grinned up at him. His hands had begun stripping her of her clothing. "But I believe first you promised me a bath."
An hour later the two were basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking in the bath. Katara had demanded fresh water a few minutes prior and Zuko was sure to increase the temperature to just shy of boiling for her.
"You seem to be a lot calmer after everything," the Fire Lord commented to his wife as they relaxed in the tub.
"I think knowing that our family and friends are coming is helping," Katara began softly thinking about everything that happened in the last few weeks. "Also knowing that Akio is okay and reminding myself that Azula's plan worked, it's made things a little better."
"I'm sorry that they got that close to hurting us," the firebender said as he cuddled her close to him. One of his hands rested on her stomach, while the other drew patterns on her thigh. "When our marriage was announced I thought it would mean less danger for us, I never expected that it could mean more."
"We've never lived in a world with no danger," she told him shrugging as she let his body heat and water soothe her. Her hands lifted out of the water and she started creating bubbles, a nervous habit that had developed since she became Fire Lady.
"That's true but like you said, no one was trying to kill you in your sleep before," he watched as she played with the bubble she had created. His hands slipped up her torso and skimmed her breasts as he tried to help lower her anxiety.
"Oh," the waterbender hissed as his hands touched her breasts. She dropped the bubble from the distraction. Her breasts had been incredibly sore for the past few days.
"Are you okay? Are my hands too hot?" He immediately removed his hands from her chest.
"No, it's not you," Katara shook her head. She willed her voice to come out steady and confident, "I've just been sensitive and achy."
"Your moon cycle should be coming soon right?" Zuko tried to count the weeks in his head. He knew that during her monthly time her body ached and she was exhausted, not to mention slightly irritable.
"I think so," she was glad her back was to him. The truth was she couldn't remember when her moon cycle was supposed to be.
It should have happened on the last week of their voyage home from the South Pole, but the stress of the assassination attempt had thrown off her cycle. The waterbender had some spotting a few weeks ago for a couple of days and wasn't sure if she could count that as her cycle.
"Do you need anything?" He questioned as he was sure to be careful as he gently kneaded her back. A spot that she always complained about being in pain during the time of her moon cycle.
"No, I'll be okay," she titled her head back searching for a kiss from him which he happily obliged with. More to distract him than anything.
"If it wasn't your brother who was arriving today, I would take you back to bed," he groaned against her mouth. The Fire Lord felt her pull away, and the mood instantly soured.
"Zuko," Katara pulled away from him a look of repulsion on her face. She quickly climbed out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her body before pulling the water from her hair. "Never ever mention my brother when we're naked."
"Yeah, that probably wasn't a good idea," he mumbled to himself as he watched his wife walk toward her dressing room to get ready for the day. He scrubbed a hand over his face before following her lead and moving to get ready for the day. Zuko had a feeling it was going to be a long one once his brother-in-law arrived.
"You still aren't speaking with them?" Piandao asked Azula as he noticed her gaze lingering on her former friends across the dinner table.
The royal family dining room was the busiest it had been in a long time. The Fire Lady's family had arrived early to take advantage of the time to see her before the Anniversary Summit began later this week. Along with the rest of Team Avatar and Haru, who arrived a few hours before dinner to see their friends. Coupled that with General Iroh and Jun's arrival a few weeks prior it was a busy night.
"No," she shook her head looking down at her food as Ty Lee laughed at something Suki said to her. The Princess shrugged, "I don't know what to say to them. And I feel terrible for how I treated them."
"Maybe start with an apology," the sword master suggested softly. He didn't want to inadvertently draw attention to their conversation. Over the past few weeks, he had noticed some looks coming from the bounty hunter whenever he interacted with Azula.
"You make it sound so simple," she mumbled as she picked at her food. She felt eyes on her and looked up to make eye contact with her brother who shot her a concerned look. The Princess slightly shook her head, before turning to look around the room. Her eyes settled on her sister-in-law who was speaking to the blind earthbender.
"Maybe because it is," Piandao replied before turning to speak to his former student on the opposite side of him. "Sokka, how is fatherhood treating you?"
"It's been good," the young tribesman answered as he shoved food into his face only pausing to answer the question. His eating habits could only be refined so much. "Keiko is beautiful and perfect."
"You aren't at all biased," Zuko teased his brother-in-law.
"Okay, jerk-bender," Sokka rolled his eyes at the Fire Lord. He pointed at his friend with his chopstick. "Let's see what you think once you and Katara have a baby. When's that happening? Keiko needs a playmate."
Azula noticed how the Fire Lady shifted at the mention of a baby. For a brief moment, the Princess wondered if everything was okay intimately between her brother and his wife. She made a face at the thought before turning back to her dinner. Thinking of Zuko and Katara like that was not something she wanted to focus on.
"Sokka," Hakoda warned with a look at his son. The chieftain didn't like to be reminded of the intimate relationship between his daughter and the Fire Lord. Bato placed a comforting hand on his lover's thigh beneath the table.
"It will happen when the spirits will it," Zuko calmly replied not rising to the bait. He wasn't too concerned, he and Katara just started trying for a baby. He moved his hand to rest on top of his wife's giving it a quick squeeze.
"Anything you want to tell us?" Suki asked as her eyes narrowed at the motion. Everyone turned to look at the couple holding hands.
Katara looked up at Zuko from beneath her lashes, the question in her eyes. They had hoped to make them sweat a little longer. But it seemed like they were getting called out much sooner. Suki was much too observant for that.
"What do you mean?" The Fire Lady played dumb for a minute. She moved some food around on her plate.
"Katara you never were good at lying," the Kyoshi Warrior crossed her arms over her chest. Green eyes bored into the couple waiting to see who would crack first. "Last thing we knew was that you both were not this close. Plus we have the human lie detector here, Toph?"
"I don't need to confirm anything," the Blind Bandit commented as she continued to eat. "They both are terrible at lying."
"Well, we've always been close," the firebender brushed off continuing to mess with their family. His foot found his wife's and he stroked her ankle in a comforting manner.
"Cut the bullshit, we need to know who won!" Sokka exclaimed exasperated, impulse control was not his strong spot.
"Sokka," a collective groan reverberated around the table.
"Who won?" Katara's stormy blue eyes flashed to her brother's. She lifted an eyebrow in question, a habit she had gained from her husband. "What do you mean won?"
"Well," her brother stretched out the word and scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably. He heard his wife sigh in exasperation, maybe he should have just let her lead the interrogation. Suki would have been much more subtle about it.
"Snoozles is the worst at keeping secrets," Toph grumbled to Haru. She rested her forehead on his shoulder in exasperation. "We shouldn't tell him anything anymore."
"I'm going to take a wild guess and say they bet on us," Zuko finished with a lifted brow as he looked at his friend. What he was not prepared for were the sheepish looks across the entire table, except for Piandao. "They all bet on us."
"Can you really blame us?" Sokka asked as he looked at his friend holding his hands up in surrender. "I mean you both were so in love with each other and then you were forced into an arranged marriage. It was only a matter of time."
"It was kind of obvious how you both felt, I thought for sure something would happen between you two during the comet. Especially when he asked Katara to join him instead of anyone else," Suki shrugged as she looked at them. Keiko began to fuss from her place next to her parents. The Kyoshi Warrior picked up the baby as she continued, "But I guess I was wrong."
"No something had to have happened," Toph added after a moment. She took a bite of food and nosily swallowed before continuing, "They were both fidgety the last few days leading up to Sparky's coronation. Remember?"
"And then there was that goodbye hug," Iroh reminded everyone. He had his own suspicions about what happened between his nephew and the waterbender.
"They kissed during the comet," Azula pipped up before taking a bite of food. Everyone turned to look at her. Her gold eyes looked around the table, "What?"
"You kissed Zuko during the comet?" Aang turned to look at the waterbender his expression solemn. His heart stuttered. While he knew that Katara hadn't returned his feelings and that they weren't meant for each other, it still hurt to learn the two had kissed. Especially since neither mentioned it to him.
"How?" Katara's jaw was on the floor, blue eyes wide as she looked at her sister-in-law. She didn't even register the airbender's question to her.
Zuko's anger spiked and he harshly asked his sister, "How did you know that?"
"I was there," the Princess's brow furrowed. She figured they would both remember her being in the arena. The day was mostly fuzzy in her memory but she clearly remembered the two of them kissing.
"You kissed during the comet?" Sokka looked at his sister in shock. Before his eyes turned to the Fire Lord. "You kissed my sister!"
"Hate to break it to you, but I've done a lot more than that," Zuko mumbled unashamed. Ignoring the way his wife elbowed him in the side.
The Water Tribe Heir let out something between a strangled scream and a groan.
"Sokka, shh," Suki hushed her husband as she tried to settle their daughter. One of the maidservants had offered to watch the baby but the Kyoshi Warrior was still not comfortable leaving her daughter in someone else's hands.
The tribesman ignored his wife and kept talking to his sister, "Why didn't you tell me you kissed during the comet? How did that happen?"
"He jumped in front of lightning for me, I thought he was going to die," Katara replied hastily. She looked anywhere than at her brother.
"Okay, can we not bring that part up," Azula looked down at her food in embarrassment. She dropped her utensils and placed her hands on her thighs, balling them into fists until she felt her nails digging into her skin.
The sword master seemed to be the only one noticing his pupil's reaction. He discretely put one of his hands on top of hers, forcing her to unclench first one fist and then the other. His dark eyes scanned the table and was thankful no one seemed to be paying them any mind.
"Oh no, I'm going to bring it up," the tribesman continued ignoring the Princess. He turned to his sister, "What do you mean he jumped in front of lightning for you? You both said, that he couldn't successfully redirect it not that it was shot at my sister!"
Suki thrust the baby into her husband's arms, knowing he would stay much calmer if his daughter was in his hands.
"Don't worry about it," the avatar mumbled to the Fire Nation Princess. "We bring up all the things Zuko did all the time, it's fun to tease. Plus it usually sparks his temper which is fun to see."
Azula flashed the airbender a grateful smile.
"Well, we knew you would react badly," the waterbender responded to her brother with a shrug. "And that's not the point. The point is, Azula knew we kissed."
"More like you two were making out, there was definitely some tongue," the Princess supplied helpfully. She pulled her hands from underneath the table, she tried to resume eating as if nothing happened between her and Piandao. "It took the Head Fire Sage three to four minutes to get your attention."
"No, it didn't," Zuko denied with a shake of his head but then paused. His gold eyes snapped to his sister's. "Did it?"
"Yeah," she nodded chewing on the end of one of her chopsticks. "Honestly I was more surprised that it was your first kiss. Why do you think I aimed for her?"
"I told you their wedding wasn't their first kiss," Suki hit her husband on the arm. She was careful not to disrupt their sleeping child. "But no, you said that Zuko wouldn't do that without you knowing. And you said Katara would have told you."
"Ouch woman!" The Water Tribe Heir exclaimed before turning back to the Fire Nation royal couple. "But if you kissed then why did you both deny your feelings for so long?"
"That was a misunderstanding," the couple said at the same time both still embarrassed at how silly they had been.
"Who kissed who?" Hakoda asked after a few minutes. He was still trying to take in all this new information.
"Umm well," Zuko looked at his wife whose cheeks were turning pink. He desperately wanted to run his hands through his hair, but the top knot didn't allow him too. Instead, he scratched the back of his neck.
"I mean, uhh," Katara added when her husband wasn't responding. Blue eyes met gold, both remembering their first kiss three years ago almost to the day. "I don't remember."
"I don't know," her husband said at the same time. "It just kind of happened."
"Oh really?" Suki quirked her eyebrow at the couple. She took Keiko from her husband's arms and placed her back in the bassinet off to the side. "How interesting."
"Okay, really," Sokka huffed crossing his arms over his chest. "Just tell us when you admitted your feelings to each other. Suki and I suspected when you visited but now we have confirmation. And I need to know who to give the winnings to."
"You're holding on to the pot?" Zuko lifted his good eyebrow to look at his friend.
"Please, you think we would trust him to hold onto everyone's contribution," Mai replied dryly shaking her head. She nodded toward the airbender, "Aang is who we trusted."
"Got it all in my room," the avatar responded helpfully with a grin. He tried to remind himself that Katara and Zuko belonged together.
"We?" Katara looked at all their friends and family. "Who all bet?"
"Well," Sokka scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. He looked at Toph and then Suki before settling on Mai and Ty Lee.
"Sokka," the Fire Lady's voice was hard as she looked at her brother.
"All of us," he mumbled looking down at his plate. He prayed to Tui and La for his child to start crying so he could rush off. "We had a lot of squares to be purchased."
"All of you?" Zuko asked to confirm as he looked around the room.
"Don't look at me," Piandao held up his hands in surrender. "I knew nothing about a bet, though I am a little disappointed I couldn't place my own."
"So everyone in this room placed a bet?" The Fire Lord questioned, he waited for the nods.
"Bumi bet too," Iroh added helpfully with a grin. "So did Admiral Jee."
"And Grand-Pakku and Gran-Gran."
"Who knew so many people were invested in our relationship?" Zuko grumbled sarcastically.
"I guess we need to tell them when we admitted our feelings to find out who won," the waterbender mumbled as she looked up at her husband.
"Or we could just let them stew over it and try to figure it out on their own," the firebender suggested turning back to his dinner as their friends and family made their displeasure known.
"Aang go get the money while we start piecing all this together," the Water Tribe Prince instructed. The avatar quickly skipped out of the room to gather the winnings.
"Well, it had to have been for sure after their honeymoon. They weren't lovey-dovey until after their wedding tour," Mai added thoughtfully as she and Ty Lee tried to remember when exactly the servants began gossiping about the royal couple.
"Was it before the spring equinox?" Ty Lee asked as the airbender returned with the winnings firmly in his hands, retaking his seat next to the acrobat.
"No, that happened after Azula returned to the Fire Nation," Ursa added with a shake of her head. "Surly it was before then."
"They were cozy when they came to visit us in the South Pole," Sokka commented as he shoveled food in his mouth. "Maybe during the voyage over? Wait who admitted first?"
"Probably Sugar Queen," Toph picked at her ear in response. "Sparky would never admit to having any sort of feelings if it didn't have to do with Iroh or anger."
"This is going to take forever," Katara shook her head turning to Zuko. "Put them out of their misery."
"You are probably right," he leaned over and placed a quick kiss on her cheek before turning back to their friends and family. "It was at the end of our wedding tour, the last week before we returned to the Fire Nation."
"We need the specific day, Sparky," the Blind Bandit commented rolling her unseeing eyes.
"Thursday night," the Fire Lady grinned as she remembered her husband's angry confession.
"Before or after midnight?" The Water Tribe Heir demanded as Suki looked over the scroll of everyone's bets.
"After," the Fire Lord placed a quick kiss on his wife's lips. "So I guess technically early Friday morning."
"Aw dammit!" Sokka cried out as he realized he lost.
"I believe that is for me," Azula held out her hand across the table toward the avatar. He handed over the winnings easily. "As if there was any doubt I would win."
"So how did it happen?" Bato asked looking over at his lover's daughter.
"Yeah who said it first?" Suki pipped up with a grin on her face.
"Zuko said it first," the waterbender grinned at her husband. "Though it took a moment to realize what he admitted or rather yelled at me, I mean we were fighting."
"Of course, you were," Toph chuckled darkly, she hadn't expected a lovey flowery confession from the two. "It's your favorite pastime."
"Zuko!" Ursa reprimanded. "You yelled at your wife?"
"In fairness, she shouted at me first," he defended himself to his mother. "And she was sneaking out of bed."
"I was trying to help heal our people," Katara sighed exasperated crossing her arms over her chest.
"Here we go again," Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose.
"And might I remind you, that you snuck out at Merchant's Pier?" The Fire Lady was not going to give her husband the satisfaction of ignoring his transgressions.
"Are they always like this?" Hakoda questioned the sword master and Fire Nation Princess.
"Not always," Azula replied easily as she counted her winnings. "I think it's better than them being all over each other."
"They care a lot about each other," Piandao supplied ignoring his pupil. "But they both are very passionate and have a temper, it's to be expected. Nothing is ever taken too far and they always take the time to cool off after."
"As long as they are good to each other," the Southern Chieftain mumbled softly looking at his daughter. She had a healthy glow of a woman who was well-loved.
"Okay, I think I'm done with my relationship being questioned and teased about," the Fire Lord stated a half hour later, he stood offering his hand to his wife. "Katara and I have an early council meeting tomorrow, feel free to enjoy the rest of the evening. If you need anything, Giya will be happy to get it for you. We will see you all in the morning."
"Good night," the Fire Lady bid farewell to their friends and family as she let her husband lead her back to their chambers.
"Katara!" Zuko grumbled as he entered his dressing room. It was not his day, he thought in frustration. His wife hadn't shown up for their meetings this afternoon and then neglected to meet the last of the dignitaries that arrived this evening. And now this. He exhaled causing smoke to curl around his nose. The firebender counted to ten before he looked down at the object of his anger.
The polar bear puppy they had adopted a couple of months ago had left a present in the doorway which the Fire Lord had just stepped in.
"Fire Lord Zuko are you alright?" Qin inquired as he entered the room. He had heard the distress in his lord's voice and quickened his arrival. The valet's eyes widened as he saw the soiled shoes of the monarch.
"Qin, can you call someone to come clean this up?" The firebender scrubbed a hand over his face. "And please let me know who it is, so I can personally thank them for cleaning up after Hikari."
"Yes, your majesty," the valet nodded. He was always amazed at his lord's desire to interact with the staff.
"Also have you seen my wife?"
"Ty Min said the Fire Lady was not feeling her best and retired earlier this afternoon," the manservant explained as he laid out the Fire Lord's sleepwear. "Shall I have dinner for the both of you brought to your chambers?"
"Yes, thank you, Qin," Zuko nodded before beginning to strip himself from the formal robes. "Since Katara is feeling unwell, have the kitchen prepare something light for her."
The valet nodded as he collected the soiled clothing before taking his leave to carry out the rest of his duties.
The Fire Lord left his dressing room to bathe. His soiled shoes were forgotten as he splashed water on his face. The firebender's mind wandered to his wife, she hadn't been feeling well for the past few days. He was starting to worry she had come down with something.
Zuko exited the bathroom while tying his sleep pants. His eyes moved to take in his wife's sleeping form, Hikari was curled up on the bed by her feet. Instantly the anger and frustration left his body.
Katara's skin was flushed and he noted there was a cup of ginger tea on her nightstand. The firebender crouched down next to the waterbender, he brushed back a few stray hairs from her face. She nuzzled into the warmth and he placed a kiss on her forehead. Her sapphire eyes slowly opened as he pulled away.
"Hi," she mumbled sleepily. She blinked a few times before her eyes settled on her husband. The polar bear puppy yawned as he felt the Fire Lady shift. "I'm sorry I missed the rest of the afternoon."
"It's okay," he told her. Now that he was seeing her, his concern had increased. "How are you feeling?"
"Not great, my stomach is a little upset and my back hurts," she said around a yawn followed by a few shivers. "I'm also just so tired."
"You're running a fever too," Zuko replied as he felt her forehead. She didn't feel warm but he was still worried. "Maybe I should call for the physician?"
"No, I don't want that," she shook her head. The waterbender knew her body and she didn't want to be fussed over by the physician.
"Will you at least eat some dinner?"
"I'm still a little queasy," Katara protested with a shake of her head. She was becoming irritated that her husband had disturbed her sleep. It had been the first moment she had started to feel better all week.
"The kitchen is making something light for you," he pushed. Zuko hadn't seen her at lunch. She had skipped breakfast, only having some peppermint tea that morning and she had missed dinner the night before, having been fast asleep when he came in from his last meeting. Now that he was thinking about it, he realized she had been under the weather all week.
"I don't think I could eat," she made a face and her stomach roiled at the thought of food.
"Katara, please for me," the firebender insisted. He could hear the servants rustling behind him as they set up dinner for the royal couple.
"Has anyone else told you that you are pushy?" The waterbender grumbled with a pout.
"Only every day," he placed a kiss on her nose. "Come on, let's get you out of bed and some food in your belly. Then I promise after to massage your back."
"Zuko," she whined as she snuggled deeper into the covers. A pout crossed her face as she looked at her husband. She knew what her husband was saying was right, but her stubbornness was winning out.
"Katara," he mocked back. A smirk graced his face as he looked at her. "I promise you can come right back to bed and I'll take care of you."
"Fine," she grumbled as he helped her out of bed. Hikari followed the royal couple to the table where dinner had been set up. "How was your day?"
"It was okay," he shrugged as they both sat at the table. "I'm ready for the Anniversary Summit to begin tomorrow."
"Did Keui arrive safely?" The waterbender asked as she took a bite of the soup the kitchen prepared specifically for her.
"He did, as did Lao," Zuko shook his head as he thought of Toph's father. The nobleman was not exactly thrilled to be in the Fire Nation again. Nor was he originally supposed to attend the Anniversary Summit.
"Poor Toph," Katara shook her head. The earthbender had expressed the trouble with her father multiple times since she arrived in Caldera a little over a week ago. "I didn't think he was coming."
"Neither did I," the Fire Lord rubbed a hand on his face. Each year things became much more complicated. "I asked Jiang to find a place for him in the west wing."
"Remind me in the morning to have her move Toph and Haru away from the other Earth Kingdom dignitaries," the Fire Lady mumbled as she thought about the head of the household. Jiang had been spirit sent when dividing up where all the dignitaries would stay.
"Already taken care of, she is moving them as we speak."
"We really are a good match," the waterbender leaned over and kissed him softly. "How else was Lao?"
"Much worse after he stepped foot into the palace." The firebender made a face at his food as he remembered the events that had transpired earlier. The Beifong patriarch's face was burned into his mind.
"What do you mean?"
Zuko rubbed his chin as he thought of a way to describe the arrival, "I don't think Haru asking for Lao's blessing to marry Toph went over well, especially considering how public he did it."
"He did it publicly?" Her blue eyes were wide as she looked at her husband. The Blind Bandit had shared the news of her engagement with her friends a few days after arriving in Caldera. And everyone was worried about how the Beifong family would take the news.
The Fire Lord nodded as he finished chewing. "It was a statement, but I understand why he did it. Lao has been so against their relationship and Keui was so thrilled to see Haru. It certainly puts pressure on Lao to accept him now."
"I hope for Toph's sake Lao approves," the waterbender shook her head as she thought about her friend. "How was Keui?"
"He was in good spirits, all things considered," Zuko shrugged. The Earth King tended to frustrate the Fire Lord. Keui was more concerned with the parties that would transpire during the Summit than the negotiations and peace talks.
"Still oblivious to those trying to take control of Ba Sing Se?" The waterbender collected some scraps from the table and called the polar bear puppy to her. Feeding Hikari as she listened to her husband's response.
"Apparently, but we didn't have an opportunity to discuss much. We have a meeting with him at the end of the week," he reminded his wife. As the hosting nation for the Anniversary Summit, the royal couple was scheduled extensively.
"What have you decided about Azula?" The Fire Lady looked up at him. They had discussed many different things about the Fire Nation Princess. From having her in the public eye to even sending her to Ember Island for a few weeks. It was a big decision and one they needed to make that evening.
"I don't know," he scrubbed a hand over his face as the servants collected the plates of their finished meal.
"Ty Min," Katara called to her maidservant. "Could you ask Azula to join us tomorrow morning for breakfast?"
"Yes, your majesty," the lady-in-waiting nodded before leaving to complete the task.
"I think the best thing to do is talk to your sister," the waterbender comforted her husband. She rested a hand on his thigh.
"You are right," he nodded with a soft smile. "How are you feeling? You barely ate your dinner."
"I told you I wasn't feeling well," she shrugged pulling the puppy into her lap.
"Katara," the firebender sighed heavily giving her a loaded look. "You're working too hard."
"Can we not Zuko?" She begged, blue eyes pleading with him. "I just need some rest and I'll be fine."
"I'll leave it alone for now," he agreed. The Fire Lord stood from the table and helped his wife up before leading her to bed. He let go of his concern for his waterbender tonight, but he would be bringing it up at a later date.
The next morning Azula was entering the royal couple's private dining room for breakfast. She had been surprised to receive the summons last night for such an early hour. "You wanted to see me?"
"Azula," Katara grinned at her sister-in-law. "Come join us! Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, thank you," the Princess said as she took a seat across from her brother. Azula accepted the tea offered to her as she questioned them, "What did you want to see me about?"
"As you know the Anniversary Summit begins today," Zuko began hesitantly. He watched as his sister's "We wanted to make sure you are comfortable. Your health is our top priority."
"Not how I would appear politically?" Azula questioned as she looked down into her tea. The Princess had expected to be shipped off so the others would not see her in the palace.
"Politically someone will always criticize us," the waterbender shook her head sadly. "But this decision we thought you should be included in, especially since it's about you. Like Zuko said, your health and well-being are what's important to us. We came up with a few different ideas and we welcome your input."
"Katara's right," the Fire Lord's eyes softened as he looked at his wife. He turned back to his sister. "If you would like to be away from the politics and prying eyes, I will have you on a ship to Ember Island within the hour. If you want to be the center of attention, you are more than welcome to take your rightful place as Princess."
"I don't want to flee from everyone," Azula whispered after a few minutes. "But I don't want to necessarily be in the center of everything. Can't I just be around for certain events and do my own thing during the other time? Like normal?"
"Of course, you can," the Fire Lady agreed instantly. She was thrilled that Azula wanted to be a part of the anniversary. "I'll have Ty Lee draw up a list of events I would like you to be at along with meetings I have scheduled. You can choose to come to any and all of them. But we would like you there for the luncheon today and the farewell ball."
"You might need to speak with Piandao about your training schedule as he is required for some meetings with Uncle," Zuko explained to his sister.
"He mentioned that the other day," Azula nodded looking down at the food on her plate. She was unsure why she was so disappointed that she wouldn't see her sword master that much during the next few weeks.
"It's just us Sokka," Zuko reminded his friend as they looked over the documents in his office. "Your dad isn't here. Tell me honestly, is this going to be enough? I can pull back some agreements from the Earth Kingdom and send more to you if needed."
The Water Tribe Heir rubbed a hand over his face. He should have known when Zuko invited him to take the meeting instead of his father that this would happen. Sokka appreciated his friend for it and hate him for it at the same time. "With the expected population increase, we could use about twenty percent more. Can you spare that? I don't want to put you in a bad position. Then we both would be fucked."
"I'll talk to Bumi, he already mentioned a potential decrease in our agreement," the Fire Lord replied as he looked over his notes. "I will do as much as I can to help. How much can you comfortably export?"
"To the Fire Nation?"
"In general," the firebender narrowed his eyes.
Sokka turned away from his friend. This was the question he hoped he would not have to answer. He had been wracking his brain for weeks trying to find a way to adjust the trade agreements in place without raising alarm. "If we could lighten the burden of two agreements it would change our circumstances drastically."
"Who are you most worried about noticing the devastation?"
"Arnook and Keui," the Water Tribe Heir replied, his shoulders slumping. All of Team Avatar knew there was something not right happening in Ba Sing Se, it wouldn't do well for Keui to know the details of the South Pole. The Northern Chief on the other hand had pushed for the Southern Tribe to merge with them. Sokka was sure that Arnook would use whatever he could to manipulate the situation in his favor.
"So we have a temporary hiatus of exports to the Fire Nation and Kyoshi," Zuko wrote some notes. "And then you decrease the amount to Omashu. How is that?"
"You don't need to do this Zuko," Sokka's voice was hard as he glared at his friend.
"Sokka, do what's right for your people. Let me help you."
"I don't like anyone doing any favors for me or my people," the warrior looked at the tapestry next to him. He was both grateful and humiliated they were having this conversation. And in his heart, he knew that he would accept the Fire Lord's help.
"This isn't a favor," the firebender placated him. "If anything, you'd be doing me a favor."
"Oh yeah," Sokka snorted. "How?"
"Well, first of all, my wife would kill me if I didn't adjust this agreement," Zuko scratched the back of his neck. "And maybe it wouldn't be a bad trump card to have in my pocket in a few years when the South Pole is thriving again. You know, next time Arnook or Keui question my motives."
The Water Tribe Heir looked directly at his old friend. "Maybe Iroh has rubbed off on you more than we thought."
"Will you just sign the papers Sokka? Or do I need to bring both our wives in to make you?" The Fire Lord grumbled as he thrust the revised agreement toward his friend.
A short while later the two men were walking the corridors on their way to meet their wives for lunch.
"Are you sure Suki doesn't want any help for Keiko?" Zuko asked for what felt like the hundredth time.
"I'm sure," Sokka nodded, a smile crossing his face as he thought about his child. "We have more than enough family and friends to help if necessary."
"If you change your mind just let us know."
"We will," the tribesman agreed readily. "Piandao and I are planning to spend some time sparring later this afternoon, want to join us? I think if it was the two of us we could take him on."
The Fire Lord's chuckling and agreement were interrupted by an aggressive man heading straight toward him.
"You!"
"Lao? Is there something wrong?" Zuko was profoundly calm as he looked at the angry man. The Fire Lord was not thrilled that Lao wanted to have an argument in his palace hallways.
"This is your fault!" The nobleman accused the Fire Lord, his voice rising as he kept speaking. "My daughter was respectable, but then after running away with the Avatar and spending a significant amount of time in the Fire Nation she becomes a loutish woman!"
"Please, Lao," Zuko tried to keep his cool as he was shouted at in the hallway. It did not go unnoticed by him that a crowd was collecting. "I don't have the slightest idea what you are referring to. Did something happen to Toph?"
"Of course, something happened. You put these ideas into her head," Lao's finger was poking the firebender in the chest. An action the royal guard was acutely aware of. "And now she wants to marry that commoner!"
"Haru is anything but common," the Fire Lord defended the earthbender. Haru had been extremely helpful to Zuko's Uncle, something that was worthy of high praise by the Fire Nation sovereign. "He is a loyal, hard-working, and an honorable man. Not to mention a talented bender."
"When she came to the Fire Nation, I had hoped that you would help her see a political marriage was much more suited for her," the Beifong patriarch ignored the statement from the firebender. "But you had to tell her to choose her own path, even if that meant disobeying me — her father."
"Toph deserves to be happy and Haru makes her happy," Zuko continued trying to reason with the man. He was doing all he could to keep his temper under control. The audience was too big to have him snapping at an Earth Kingdom noble.
"She would be happy in a political marriage! You seem to be."
"Excuse you?" The Fire Lord's voice came out harsher than he intended.
"Don't lie, we all see how you enjoy the waterbender," he hissed, his brown eyes narrowing at the monarch. "Just because you settled for someone beneath your station doesn't mean my daughter has to!"
Sokka's hands balled into fists and he was ready to put one through Lao's face. He didn't care the nobleman was Toph's father. Zuko's hand on his chest stopped him.
"My wife was not beneath my station," the young sovereign's voice commanded the entire corridor. "She was the daughter of the Southern Chief, the Southern Water Tribe's Princess. A master waterbender, in not only combat but healing. Teacher to the Avatar, and hero to the hundred-year war. You will show her the respect she has earned."
"What did I expect from someone so disloyal to their father?" The nobleman sneered at the man. His blood boiled as he looked at the firebender. "After all you still wear the mark of the banished prince."
"Zuko is the most loyal and honorable person I have ever known," Sokka's voice came out strong. This time, the Fire Lord didn't stop him. "He has worked incredibly hard to help end the war and bring in an area of peace."
Before Lao could speak again a heavy hand dropped onto his shoulder. The Earth King looked down his spectacles at the nobleman, "Lao, I think it's best you leave and return to Gaoling. This is a time for peace and negotiation, if you can't handle that you should be home with your wife."
The nobleman shook off the hand and stormed down the hallway. He refused to stay in the Fire Nation any longer.
"Are you okay?" Sokka asked his friend once the crowd had dissipated. The Beifong patriarch's words were still ringing through the hallway.
"I'm fine," the firebender replied with a nod. The anger he felt had nothing to do with the words directed at him. But the words that were spoken about his wife. "It might be best if you had a word with Arnook about Lao's opinion."
"As much as I don't like the guy, it would be a good idea to have him on your side," the Water Tribe Heir nodded. He too was displeased with the venom that had been spewed about his sister.
"Please don't tell Katara what he said about her," Zuko turned to look at Sokka. "With all the stress from the attempt and the Anniversary Summit, I don't want to add more to her plate."
"She's not a kept woman, Zuko," the tribesman crossed his arms over his chest. "And enough people saw, it can get back to her. She's your wife and she deserves to know."
"I'm not saying she doesn't," the Fire Lord scrubbed a hand over his face. "Just don't tell her right now. If she asks you don't need to lie, but I just want to give her a little peace before she knows."
"Okay," Sokka's arms dropped to his side. "I can respect that."
"Did you have a chance to look over the proposal for the orphanages?" Ty Lee asked the Fire Lady in their morning meeting.
"Yes, I did," Katara nodded as she handed Mai notes on the Medical Reeducation Directive. She looked through the papers on her desk finding the one with her notes on the proposal Ty Lee was asking about. "There are a few things that need to be adjusted. I want to allocate more funds to the reconstruction."
"What increase are you wanting?" The acrobat questioned as she took notes for her meeting with the committee later that day.
"I'm thinking about fifteen to twenty percent, but I want to see the preliminary plans before I make a decision," the Fire Lady stated. "These children are orphaned because of the war, it doesn't make sense for them to have subpar living just because the council wants to be frugal."
"Of course," Ty Lee agree instantly. She diligently took notes on her monarch's thoughts. "I'll put down twenty percent but with a potential of an increase."
"I also want to look into the requirements for the tutors and caregivers," she continued as she handed Mai another scroll for the council meeting. "And lastly, I want to look at organizing events to visit the orphanages with the other women of the court."
"You want to bring them to an orphanage?" Mai questioned looking at her in confusion.
"These women gather regularly for elaborate and frivolous functions," Katara rolled her eyes as she thought of the daily tea for the women of the royal court. "It would do well for most to start mingling with those they represent. Especially the younger noblewomen. I want to make it a requirement for each noblewoman to visit the orphanage in her district at least once a month. Preferably holding a function of some kind."
"The money used to host and mingle with the children would help the economy," Ty Lee agreed as she looked at Mai. "Not to mention help with morale."
"I'm just sick and tired of these women doing nothing," the waterbender groaned in frustration. "And it seems like it's only a recent thing for them to be so frivolous. I want all of the women of the royal court to be active in duties."
"That's something we can work on," Mai agreed with a nod. She was all for more responsibility for the noblewomen. She thought most needed to aspire for something more than just a marriage.
"Good," the Fire Lady replied as she moved some papers on her desk. She could not find what she was looking for, a frustrated frown appeared on her face. "Ah! Here it is! Ty Lee this is a list of names from the royal court, mostly young women. I want each of them to create a proposal for each section of the arts. Then I want to put forth a motion for you to be the Minister and start implementing their ideas."
"You want me to be the Minister?" The acrobat took the list of names in shock. "On the council?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I? You have the most experience and you seem to really enjoy it," the waterbender was confused at her surprise.
"But typically a courtier doesn't sit on the council as a minister," she looked down at the names.
"Why not?"
"Because they are supposed to aid the Fire Lady," Mai supplemented for her lover.
"And? What I need is a solid minister who I trust," Katara brushed them off. She wasn't concerned with how things were done before. This is what she needed and the waterbender was going to make the appropriate changes to work for her. A knock on the door interrupted a rebuttal, "Come in."
"Oh, I didn't realize you were in a meeting," the Fire Nation Princess said softly. She took in her former friends discreetly.
"Azula, perfect! I wanted to ask you a few questions about this trade agreement," the Fire Lady beckoned her sister-in-law into the office. "Mai, the agreement with Jang Hui please."
The noblewoman passed the trade agreement to her monarch as the Fire Nation Princess took a seat next to her former friend.
"I don't know how much help, I'll be," Azula told the Fire Lady. "It has been a while since I have been a part of any trade negotiations."
"I'm sure you remember," Ty Lee comforted on instinct.
"There isn't a right or wrong answer," Katara soothed. She looked over the information trying to recall the questions she had. "I just wanted an opinion. You helped renegotiate the agreement during the war?"
"That's right; before the factory was operational."
"Good, so I noticed on the agreement you negotiated you had a clause about over-harvesting?" The waterbender questioned as she looked over her notes.
"Jang Hui is the home to some very exotic fish, they aren't in any other part of the world," Azula began explaining. "But we had begun to see a decline in population. So to preserve the natural resource, we implemented a maximum for the season. Along with a fine for anyone who exceeded that and harvested out of season."
"Good, good," the Fire Lady nodded as she made a note. "And why is there a fish on here only allowed to be harvested once every three years?"
"They were critically endangered, after spending time with a peculiar man," the Princess shook her head as she remembered the day. She had been young when she went to Jang Hui, too young to be involved in politics. But Ozai had pushed her to write the first draft of the proposal. "I came to the conclusion that with the rarity and the criticalness of the endangerment there needed to be time for it to replenish. But umm, there was an uproar, to the suggestion of canceling the harvesting. So that was the compromise."
"What did you want to do originally?" Katara asked as she made some notes, missing the way Azula shifted uncomfortably.
"Ideally, stop all harvesting for at least the next ten years."
"And this is for the sea urchin, right?" The waterbender questioned, blue eyes looking up at her sister-in-law.
"It is," the Princess nodded.
"Mai, add in the revision following Azula's original suggestion. But instead of resuming harvesting in ten years, write in to reassess endangerment status," the Fire Lady passed the notes to her courtier. She made a few more notes before she focused her attention on her sister-in-law. "Now, Azula, what did you want to talk about?"
"The proposal about the preservation of Ember Island," the Princess stated. She took a deep breath, "While I know the council wants nothing to do with it after the assassination attempt, I believe there were some important points stressed."
"Such as?"
"The island is a hot spot for vacationers and that stimulates the economy not only on Ember Island but the entire Fire Nation," Azula began, her voice strong and steady. She hadn't been this nervous to express her opinion ever. "It is important to remember what attracts the tourists. Which is the nature, the relaxation of a less industrialized area."
"I agree with you, one of my favorite things about Ember Island is the beaches," Katara grinned as she thought over her last beach trip. She debated about mentioning the hot springs but that was an intimate area for her and her husband.
"Exactly! In the original proposal set forth, there were areas submitted to be not buildable," the young woman continued. She thought back to what she had rehearsed in front of Piandao. "I want to take that a step further, yes include specific preserved areas. But I want to stop talking about new construction and press remodeling instead. It will still stimulate the economy and not encroach on the beautiful landscape."
"Iron out all the details and have a proposal on my desk sometime after the Anniversary Summit," the Fire Lady smiled at her sister-in-law. She was pleased to see Azula taking such initiative. She had been too tentative since returning from the North Pole.
"Of course," the Princess beamed at her sister-in-law.
"And I want you to craft a plan for tourism," the waterbender continued. She probably should run this idea by Zuko, she thought in the back of her head. "A five to ten-year plan on tourism in the Fire Nation."
"What for?"
"Well depending on how good it is, I'm going to submit it to the Fire Lord and the council," the monarch replied not understanding the confusion.
"You want Az—Princess Azula to effectively submit a proposal for the Minister of Tourism position on the council," Mai stated her eyes wide. It would be the boldest decision her monarch had ever pressed to the royal court.
The Fire Lady hummed in response, she rifled through some papers on her desk. "Mai, where is the scroll on the trade agreement from Omashu?"
The noblewoman passed the item to the monarch, "It might be time to hire a secretary."
"That's fine," the waterbender mumbled not looking up. She passed the acrobat some information. "Ty Lee, here is the menu for the farewell ball next week. And the recommendation for the entertainment, along with the revised budget."
"Katara, are you ready for our meeting with Bumi?" Zuko asked as he walked into her office. His eyebrow-raising into his hairline as he took in his sister and her former friends.
"In a minute," she brushed her husband off as she continued to work on the items in front of her.
The Fire Lord motioned for everyone to leave the room. His wife was looking a little overworked. And considering how rundown she was feeling not too long ago, he was concerned.
"Azula," Zuko looked at his sister and nodded to the door. Before turning to the courtiers, "Mai, Ty could you give us a minute?"
The three women left at the command of the Fire Lord, leaving the couple in peace. The Fire Lady didn't notice she was alone with her husband, she was completely absorbed with her work.
"Katara," the firebender stated after a few minutes. He knew firsthand how easy it was to get sucked into the work. "Are you going to look at me? Or just keep pretending to listen?"
"Hmm," she replied absently never looking up.
"I'm going to splash ink on you if you don't stop what you are doing," Zuko told her with a lifted brow.
"That's fine," the waterbender mumbled with a nod.
"Okay," he shrugged. The Fire Lord leaned forward and picked up a brush sitting in the inkwell. A small smirk played on his lips before he brushed the ink across his wife's face.
"Ah!" Katara dropped everything she was doing and looked up at her husband in shock. A black mark across her face. "Zuko!"
"I warned you," he laughed at her, the sides of his eyes crinkling. "You just weren't listening."
The waterbender retaliated with a flick of her wrist and the rest of the ink splashed in her husband's face. Her giggles followed his noise of surprise. "That's what you get."
Zuko leaped over the desk sending the items littered across it flying as he trapped his wife in her chair. He leaned down and placed a messy kiss on her mouth successfully quieting her squeals of laughter.
"Mother would be horrified if she saw us now," Zuko mumbled against Katara's mouth. Since Lady Ursa's return to court life, she had become the first to point out when the royal couple broke from propriety.
"She should be horrified, you attacked me," his wife giggled in response before pressing her lips against his.
"It was well worth it," the Fire Lord whispered in between kisses.
In a small temple outside of the city, a couple stood at the altar hand in hand.
The decision to elope had been a spur of the moment, so the couple had not dressed up for the occasion. Both preferred to keep the ceremony simple and understated.
He didn't think she could look any more beautiful than she did at that moment. Both of them were finally getting their happy ending.
She held his hands in hers tightly, a blinding smile across her face. As she tied herself to him, she fell a little more in love with him.
The Fire Sage performed the ceremony in the dead of night. He had been shocked at the request but he had seen the life they both shared and it was easy to agree. The young couple before him radiated the love they had for each other.
Neither worried about the outside forces that were trying to keep them apart. Their only focus with the love they shared for each other and the life they wanted to build together.
They had no idea the destruction their marriage would cause for so many.
"Thank you for helping Katara," Suki said as she looked at the waterbender holding her daughter. The two were currently in the Fire Nation royal couple's chambers.
"Of course, you deserve a break," the Fire Lady replied as she rocked Keiko. "She is just stunning. I wish we all lived closer."
"Sokka and I talked about coming to stay for a few months once you grant us a niece or nephew," the Kyoshi Warrior chuckled as she adjusted her clothes, she hadn't worn anything this form-fitting since before she was pregnant. It would be her and her husband's first night alone since the baby was born.
"Oh no, Sokka in the Fire Nation for that long I would never see my husband," the waterbender giggled shaking her head. Since her brother's arrival, he had been taking up most of Zuko's free time.
"Trust me after the first few weeks you will be sick of Zuko's hovering and be begging Sokka to take him off your hands!" Suki made a face as she looked at herself in the mirror, her body had changed greatly since giving birth.
"You look beautiful Suki," Katara reassured her catching the sour expression. "And my brother won't be able to keep his hands off you."
"I'm being silly aren't I?"
"Of course, you're not, but my brother loves you and thought you looked stunning in prison," the Fire Lady smirked at the blush crossing the warrior's face. "A few extra pounds of baby weight won't matter to him."
"You're right," she mumbled in response. The Kyoshi Warrior turned back to look at her sister-in-law. "Keiko has been fed, but if she gets hungry I gave some milk to Giya. And if she fusses in the cradle try rubbing her belly for a few minutes before picking her up. There should be extra clothes in the bag, oh and her favorite blanket—"
"Suki, it's okay. We have been over this multiple times," Katara interrupted with a shake of her head. "Zuko and I will be fine, we will see you in the morning."
"Alright, if you need me—"
"Suki!"
"Okay! Thank you again Katara," Suki replied before she left the room to meet her husband for dinner.
An hour later the Fire Lord entered his chambers and found his wife on the couch fast asleep with their niece on her chest. He shook his head before quietly removing the baby from her arms.
Keiko yawned and opened her eyes looking at the man holding her. Green eyes studied the man intently before shifting toward his warm body and falling asleep again. Zuko was sure to be careful as he placed her in the bassinet off to the side. Unfortunately for him, the moment his body heat left her, Keiko began screaming.
"Zuko?" Her eyes were blurry from just waking up. The waterbender looked at her husband as he frantically tried to calm the baby.
"No, don't cry, sh sh," he tried to shush her. He could lead a country and face his sister in battle when she was deranged but this baby terrified him. What was he going to do when it was his child, he thought to himself.
"Suki said to rub her belly," the Fire Lady joined her husband.
The firebender took his wife's advice desperately hoping it would work. "It's not working! Katara! What do I do?"
She smiled at the hint of panic in his voice. "She might be hungry, or need to be changed?"
"But she was fine until I put her down!" He ran a hand through his hair forgetting about the top knot sending his crown flying across the room.
"Then pick her up."
"Right," he nodded like it was the most logical thing to do. He grasped the baby underneath her arms and held her out in front of him. "It's not working!"
"Hmm," the waterbender thought to herself. As her husband held the baby she checked to see if Keiko needed fresh clothing, but she was fine. She didn't think her niece was hungry. "Well don't hold her like that."
"Oh, um," he pulled the baby to his chest and Keiko snuggled into the warmth. Her green eyes opened to look at him and her cries were silenced immediately.
"Looks like she just wanted her Uncle Zuko to snuggle her."
"I don't snuggle," the Fire Lord protested a pout gracing his face. He was typically secure with his masculinity but after the ordeals of the past half hour, Zuko was a bit sensitive.
"Of course, you don't," the waterbender placated as she leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. Her lips were by his ear, "And when you're grumpy you don't remind me of a koalaotter."
"Am I just supposed to hold her all night?" Her husband asked her about an hour later.
"If that's the only way for her to sleep, then yes," she grinned at him. Blue eyes longing to see him hold their own child someday soon.
The royal couple fell asleep a couple of hours later with their niece in between them on the bed.
He had been watching her for some time now. She looked beautiful in her party clothes, he thought to himself. He was not used to seeing her dressed so formally. He had not been able to take his eyes off her when she made her entrance at the Anniversary Farewell Ball.
It was not lost to him how many of the guests kept a wide berth from her. He was not sure why this bothered him as much as it did. But he wanted her to enjoy herself.
"May I have this dance?"
Azula looked up at the question, a familiar calloused hand was the first thing she noticed. Her gold eyes met dark grey ones. She placed her hand in his and accepted the help from her seat before he led her onto the dance floor. The stares and whispers melted away as he took her into his arms.
"Thank you," the Fire Nation Princess whispered. She didn't need to explain to him how uncomfortable she had been feeling.
"No thanks is required," Piandao replied the corners of his eyes crinkling. As he twirled her around the dance floor, the sword master was reminded that Azula was a woman. It was something he had been noticing over the past few months.
"Have you been enjoying yourself?" Azula asked. She needed a distraction from the feeling of being in his arms. He looked handsome, she thought to herself.
"I have been, though I'm a little excited for all the dignitaries to return home," he confessed with a twitch of his lips. "And to resume your training."
Azula grinned at him. She was eager for the world leaders to leave as well. The stares had been making her tired. Anytime she did anything there was an audience. "I couldn't agree more."
"Have you noticed how many of these nobles are staring at your brother and his wife?" The sword master leaned in close to gossip with her. It was something the two had started doing since the assassination attempt.
"They do seem to be attracting the attention of the crowd," she replied as she took a peak at Zuko and Katara.
The royal couple was speaking to a few Earth Kingdom dignitaries. Azula was able to see the question in the nobles' eyes as the royal couple interacted with each other. The Princess had heard the speculation about her brother and Katara during the past two weeks.
"Iroh mentioned there was some tension yesterday in one of the meetings," Piandao told her quietly. He couldn't help but notice how skin glowed in the fire light of the ballroom.
"About what?"
"Apparently Arnook is not thrilled Katara isn't pregnant yet," the sword master whispered as he led them around the dance floor.
The Fire Nation Princess rolled her golden eyes. "He is just terrified if something happened to Zuko I would take the throne."
"Wouldn't you?"
"No," she shook her head. Azula looked up at him, for the first time noticing how much taller Piandao was than her. "Zuko signed legislation that Katara would take the throne and any heir born to her would be the successor."
"I didn't know that."
"Zuzu and I talked about it when I returned home," she shrugged. Her gold eyes flickered down before meeting his eyes. "The backlash would be tremendous if I was named his successor."
The reality was Azula had asked for an amendment to the original piece of legislation. She did not want the throne and thought any child Katara birthed would have the Fire Nation's best interest at heart. The Fire Lord had agreed on the condition that Azula would be part of the government no matter what.
"Well, I don't think that's anything you will have to worry about," Piandao comforted her when she grew quiet.
"Right now I'm more concerned about them," her eyes settled on her former best friends. Things had gotten better, but they were nowhere near good.
"Have you talked to them? Apologized?" His dark eyes softened as he looked down at the woman in his arms. Even in her sorrow, she looked beautiful.
"I've tried but it never comes out right," Azula sighed and looked down. She didn't want him to see how upset she was over Mai and Ty Lee.
"Maybe write them a letter? Sometimes the ink helps us express ourselves," he suggested softly as the music changed. He should have led her back to her seat, but he wanted a few more minutes with her.
"Perhaps," she mumbled looking up at him through her lashes. "I spoke to Katara the other day."
"And how did it go?" Piandao questioned, he was surprised she had waited this long to mention her meeting. They had spent the first few weeks after the attempt discussing how she should approach the Fire Lady.
"Very well," Azula grinned at him, showcasing her pearly white teeth. "Actually, much better than that. She was receptive to continuing on the Ember Island Preservation Proposal with my added changes."
"That's wonderful," the corner of his eyes crinkled as he looked at her. She seemed to blossom under the opportunity to work on legislation. "Is it right to assume you have already finished your first draft?"
"You know me too well, Master Piandao," the Fire Nation Princess wasn't sure what caused her to respond in such a flirty tone. "Would you be willing to take a look at it? I would greatly appreciate your thoughts."
"Anytime, Azula," he pulled her closer to him as he spun her around the dance floor. He relished the occasion to hold her close to him.
All too soon the music stopped, reminding Piandao that he had spent several dances in a row with the Princess. With so many eyes on her tonight, he didn't want to leave an opportunity for her reputation to be called into question.
Regretfully, the sword master threaded his arm through his pupil's arm before he lead her back to her seat. He took a step back and bowed formally, "Thank you for the dance, Princess Azula."
"Thank you for asking Master Piandao," she smiled warmly at him with a nod of her head.
Across the ballroom, Katara leaned into her husband. It was not lost on her the interaction between the sword master and the Princess. "That was awfully thoughtful of Piandao."
"Yes, it was," the Fire Lord nodded absently. He had watched the interaction between Piandao and his sister in surprise. His attention turned back to his wife, his voice husky as he tried to comfort her. "Relax waterbender."
"I can't help it," she mumbled her eyes scanning the ballroom critically. She was still hyper-sensitive since the assassination attempt. "I just feel like now is as good of a time as any. Did the White Lotus finish the investigation?"
After Azula had suggested that Bujing might be trying to falsely accuse Shinu, Zuko enlisted the help of Iroh. Which included the White Lotus doing a deep investigation without alerting the councilman.
"Yes, everything came back clear," he placed his lips against her ear. Being sure that she would feel his warm breath as he spoke, "This event is too public, they wouldn't try anything tonight."
"Or we are all in one place with multiple suspects, which makes it easy for them to go unnoticed," she argued with her husband. Zuko went to respond but unfortunately was not given the opportunity.
"Good evening Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Chief Arnook greeted the couple. He had seen how intimately they were speaking and decided now was a perfect time to make his inquires.
"Chief Arnook," Katara replied holding her head high. She was not in the mood to speak with the Northern Chieftain. There was something she didn't trust about the man recently. Her arm that was in her husband's tightened.
"I trust you enjoyed your stay," the Fire Lord expressed, his face impassive. Like his wife, Zuko had a funny feeling about Arnook. The Fire Nation sovereign couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something just wasn't right. He threaded his fingers through his wife's and gave her hand a comforting squeeze.
"It has been eye-opening," the tribesman said almost hesitantly. He looked toward the Southern Water Tribe dignitaries. "I had an interesting conversation with Chief Hakoda a few minutes ago."
"Hmm," the firebender hummed in response. His gold eyes never strayed from the man in front of him. "My father-in-law is an extraordinary conversationalist."
"I didn't realize the Fire Nation was so altruistic," Arnook stated meeting the Fire Lord's eyes. The chieftain's blue eyes were stormy and accusatory.
"I'm sorry?" Katara questioned furrowing her brow. After their visit to the South Pole, the Fire Nation royal couple made the decision to keep quiet about the aid they were sending. Luckily the Southern Tribe had agreed. The party line was an additional trade agreement created during the marriage contract discussions.
"Your husband didn't tell you? The Fire Nation sent aid to the South Pole," the chieftain chose his words carefully. The tightness in his jaw was the only sign of his displeasure. Arnook was sure to add the appropriate amount of emotion in the next statement. "I must say we were worried about how our sister tribe would survive the next year. Their population increase coupled with the colony release at your wedding. We knew it would be quite difficult for them."
Zuko cocked his head in confusion. "Why would you be concerned? During our last trip to the South Pole, they were thriving."
"Really? According to some of my naval ships on loan in the Southern Seas, there have been issues with receiving goods into the South Pole," the tribesman continued a brow quirked. Even though the Fire Lord married a waterbender, Arnook still didn't trust him.
"Katara, did you hear about this?" Zuko turned to look at his wife. An eyebrow raised, he released her arm and pressed his hand to the small of her back. "Did your father or brother say anything to you?"
"On the contrary, Sokka said that there have been no issues," the waterbender shook her head before looking at the older man. The information was surprising, but she was quick to recover by channeling her sister-in-law. "There had been concern originally, the Earth Kingdom ships not being used to the freezing temperatures and the winter storms. But everything has arrived on schedule, in fact even sometimes arriving a few days earlier."
"It seems you might have received false information, or perhaps there might be some confusion. Maybe you need to have a conversation with your naval officers," the Fire Lord advised diplomatically.
The Northern Chieftain ground his teeth, "I will take that into consideration."
"I hope you enjoy the rest of the night. Zuko and I have some other guests to attend to," the Fire Lady dismissed the tribesman right before her husband led her away. The couple left Arnook to stew.
"Well that was interesting," the Fire Lord mumbled to his wife. His gold eyes scanned the crowd.
"We should be sure to call a meeting with my father and Bato before they leave," the waterbender whispered trying not to draw attention to their conversation.
"I'll talk to Akio and arrange something for the morning," his lips against the shell of her ear. The Fire Lord was aware of the Northern Chieftain's eyes on them. "Don't look but Arnook is watching us. I think we should give him a show."
His waterbender's sapphire eyes fluttered closed and a content smile crossed her face. She could feel her husband's lips leaving whispering kisses down her ear to her throat. One of her hands snaked up and held the back of his head pulling him closer, the other fisting into the lapel of his formal robes. The Fire Lady turned so her nose bumped his, and her mouth sought his. Zuko understanding what she wanted, crushed his lips to hers.
A throat clearing pulled the couple apart.
"You seem to be attracting a crowd, nephew," the Dragon of the West chuckled. His new bride on his arm.
"I can't seem to help myself, Uncle," Zuko smirked at the blush that covered his wife's cheeks. His arm dropped around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. She pushed her face into his chest briefly before turning back to the old general and bounty hunter.
Katara, ever the diplomat, was eager to change the subject. "Are you and Jun enjoying yourselves?"
"We are," the bounty hunter replied with a beaming smile. "I'll be sad to leave tomorrow morning."
"I wish you would stay longer, Uncle," the Fire Lord pleaded with the old general. "With everything going on, it would be helpful to have your experience."
"Nephew, you are doing an extraordinary job and I'm only a game away," Iroh flipped a pai sho tile in his hand. "Besides, my wife is owed a honeymoon. I promised her we would spend a few days of romantic scenery before we return to Ba Sing Se."
"We understand," the waterbender smiled at the couple. "You both are always welcome in Caldera."
The Fire Nation royal couple spoke to the newlyweds a little longer before moving to entertain the rest of their guests.
He was off to one side of the room speaking with Mai and Ty Lee. But his eyes kept being drawn to what looked like a heated conversation in a dark corner. There was something about the two men that made him pause.
In a dark corner, one leader fought with his subordinate.
"You told me that you intercepted the ships," he accused softly. He didn't want to bring attention to himself.
"They had been," the warrior whispered. His eyes scanned the ballroom. "And they weren't going to make it, but something happened after the Fire Lord visited."
"The plan was for you to overtake the ships, disrupt the cargo, and force them to come to us!"
"We are doing everything we can, but we can only disrupt certain ships to avoid suspicion," he replied in frustration. His men and he had done as much as they could but it still wasn't working.
"Well, you need to do more! And soon, they need to come to us before she has a baby," he hissed eyes narrowed. "You have one more year, if they don't come to us in that time I'll have your head."
The two men dispersed quickly, believing they had gone undetected. Neither were aware of the gold eyes that had been observing them from afar.
Notes:
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See you on December 5th, 2022!
Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four: Fall 104 AG
Notes:
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Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty-Four: Fall 104 AG
The Fire Lord resisted the urge to rub his temples. He knew the meeting was necessary but he wanted this conversation to be over. Though he was more frustrated that he had been ambushed. He looked around at the small group in his office, his two royal advisors accompanied by his uncle and his mother.
"Zuko," Ursa sighed as she looked at her son. She hated upsetting him but it was a conversation that needed to happen. "It's been over eight months since you were married in the Fire Nation. Surely after your wedding tour, I thought an announcement would have been made in the coming months."
"I'm still very young mother, only twenty-two," Zuko reminded his mother. He knew his father hadn't even been married until he was thirty. The Fire Lord still had plenty of time to sire an heir.
"The fact is that your people are restless my Lord," Ukano continued as he looked at the firebender. "A wedding has subdued their worry for a period of time, but now they expect a babe. Your people want to see you settled with an heir, especially since your father's assassination and your sister's return."
The Fire Nation sovereign's eyes flashed to his royal advisor. He gritted his teeth, "If something happened and my sister had to claim the throne, she would be excellent at it."
"I mean no disrespect, Fire Lord Zuko," the nobleman backtracked quickly. While Ukano would always be slightly uneasy about the Fire Nation Princess he knew that she was not a threat to the nation. "The average citizen does not know all the intricate details and the other nations are still apprehensive of your sister."
"I am well aware of the other nations' view on my heir," Zuko stated his voice hard. He crossed his arms over his chest as he looked at his advisors. "And I assure you that my wife will birth one in the near future."
"Tribeswomen tend to be extremely fertile," Iroh added as he thought over his nephew's words. "But there has been much stress recently in your marriage. Has there been trouble keeping the babe?"
"Not to my knowledge, no," the Fire Lord pinched the bridge of his nose. His uncle was supposed to leave a few days ago but apparently after finding out about this meeting extended his stay. As much as he loved the old man, he didn't particularly enjoy speaking to him about his sex life.
"Is there trouble with you and not your wife?" The Dragon of the West questioned with faux innocence.
"Uncle!" Sparks flew from the monarch's mouth as he reprimanded the older man.
"It was merely a question," Iroh held up his hands in mock surrender. He looked steadily at his nephew, "But you can see why one might start speculating with only partial information."
"Fire Lord Zuko, we don't ask these questions to be invasive," Lady Sulan tried to diffuse the situation. "Our only concern is carrying on the royal bloodline, with recent threats and the rumblings from the Anniversary Summit has us concerned. We all loathe hearing the criticism of you and Fire Lady Katara."
"I hadn't realized we were at that point," Zuko's temper simmered down as he thought over her words. He despised anyone criticizing his wife, but he didn't realize how it would look at they had wanted to wait.
"Zuko, turtle duck," Ursa said softly. "We just want to be sure that there is nothing preventing you and Katara from birthing a babe."
"What were they saying?" Zuko questioned quickly as he looked up at Ukano and Lady Sulan. "The naysayers?"
"A few have questioned whether fire and water should mix," the nobleman spoke first. He avoided making eye contact with the monarch. "You both are powerful benders and there was a question on if the Spirits didn't find that compatible. Others stated that with two powerful opposing elements how could a babe survive conception."
The Fire Lord rubbed a hand over his face. His simmering temper raised to a boil as he heard the words.
"There has also been speculation that you do not want to birth an heir to allow your sister to be your successor," Lady Sulan added after a few moments. Her voice was soft as she tried to delicately explain the situation. "Along with the assumption that your intimate relations are not pleasurable for either of you."
"Excuse me?" His gold eyes snapped to hers.
"The Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom have a few speculations that your wife would not take you to her bed because she was," the noblewoman paused as she looked for the right words. Her eyes flashed to the scar on his face. "Unsettled by your appearance."
Zuko couldn't help himself, he burst into laughter. The thought of people assuming Katara disliked his scar was laughable. His waterbender showered all of his scars with loving attention any chance she could.
"As for the Fire Nation a few of the nobles have wondered if you truly desire your wife or if it's all for show," Iroh added the last few thoughts. "Some wonder if you enjoy such a voluptuous bride or if you would prefer a more traditional slender Fire Nation woman."
The monarch's laughing was brought to a halt immediately. "My court questions if I desire my wife? Even with the show we put on at the Farewell Ball?"
"Most wonder if it is all for show to compensate for lack of relations," the Dragon of the West replied delicately. "While none of us believe that, we do want to ease your burden in regards to the criticism."
"Uncle," Zuko groaned as he placed his head in his hands. He knew how much Katara would dislike him speaking about this but he didn't have a choice. Finally, he looked at each of them, "I do not want Katara being harassed. But she and I decided at the beginning of our marriage to actively prevent a pregnancy. Katara was leaving her home and becoming not only my wife but a ruler of a nation that caused her great pain. We both thought allowing her time to adjust was necessary. My wife and I revisited the conversation while we were at the South Pole."
"Are you still actively preventing an heir?" The Fire Lord's mother was the first to speak.
"How long did you want to prevent it?" Ukano questioned before Ursa finished her question.
"I will be answering no more questions," Zuko stood from his desk. The best he could do was assure them that a child would be born soon. "When my wife and I conceive I will alert the royal court. This meeting is done."
The young monarch exited his office in a huff, he could not understand why this was a conversation. He and Katara were still both very young, a babe would happen when they were ready. Though now fears were put in his head he didn't have before. Zuko reminded himself they had only been trying since they visited the South Pole. Katara would fall pregnant when the Spirits blessed it. If in a year she was still not carrying a babe then he would speak to the physician and midwife for help.
But for now, he was going to find his wife and keep trying.
"Katara, maybe you should rest today," her husband suggested as he held back her hair while she emptied her stomach into the basin.
They had been having lunch in their chambers when his wife had leaped from the table and bolted toward their bathroom just in time for her to become violently ill. She had been sick once every day for a couple of weeks. And now she hadn't been able to keep food down for most of the day, he was worried she had caught something from one of their visitors.
"But the council meeting is today," the waterbender protested before she leaned against the wall. The cold stone soothed her overheated skin.
"There are meetings all the time," Zuko comforted as he placed a cold compress against her head. She leaned forward and made a retching sound into the basin. He turned toward Ty Min, who was helping the couple. "Maybe we should call for the physician."
"No," his wife sobbed in between her vomiting. The last thing she wanted was to be probed and prodded.
Then there was the thought she dared not voice and didn't want to get her husband's hopes up if she was wrong. Katara was waiting until she knew for sure before telling him.
"If you won't let me have the physician look at you, then you are most certainly going back to bed," the firebender put his foot down as he made sure none of her hair fell into the basin.
The waterbender nodded once she was able to pull back from being ill. She leaned back against her husband's legs. For the first time all day, she felt like she could have a little bit of relief. But now the exhaustion was setting in, her eyes closed as she leaned against him.
"Fire Lord Zuko, would you like me to turn down the bed for Fire Lady Katara?" Ty Min asked after she did a cursory cleaning of the bathroom.
"Yes, thank you, Ty Min," Zuko replied as he combed his fingers through his wife's hair in a soothing manner. "Let's get you some water and maybe something to settle your stomach?"
"Water sounds good," the Fire Lady agreed, she pressed a hand to her stomach. Her abdominal muscles were screaming in protest as they relaxed from her endless illness. "And maybe a quick bath, I feel gross."
"Qin, would you get some water for Fire Lady Katara as well as some peppermint tea?" The Fire Lord asked his valet barely looking at the man. "And please ask Ty Min to draw a bath for my wife before she turns down the bed."
The Fire Lady's handmaid quickly drew the bath that was requested before moving to ready the bedroom for the monarch.
"Zuko, can you help me undress?" The waterbender opened her sapphire eyes turning to look at her husband. "I would have asked Ty Min, but I'm still uncomfortable with her dressing and undressing me that intimately."
"You don't need to explain," he whispered placing a kiss on her forehead. He helped her sit up and moved her so she was sitting on the edge of the tub, "And you don't need to ask, I got you."
He lovingly helped remove first her skirt and then her top. She allowed him to take his time undressing her. Finally, she was left in only her undergarments, looking up at her husband who stood in between her legs. He watched as she removed her top undergarments, leaving only her bottoms on.
"That feels so much better," she moaned after her breasts were free from the tight bindings. She shivered as she bared herself, she crossed her arms over her chest to keep herself warm. Zuko's eyebrows drew together as he warmed his hands rubbing them up and down the tops of her arms.
"Do you need help getting into the water?" He questioned softly, lovingly.
"I think I got it," her voice was hoarse from the abuse her throat had endured just ten minutes earlier. "Could you make sure it's hot though?"
"Anything for you," he said as he slipped his fingertips in the water to be sure it was the temperature she liked. In the time that they had been married the firebender quickly learned his waterbender liked to bathe in almost scalding hot water. A trait that they both shared. Once the bathroom was steam-filled, Katara slipped into the water delicately and hesitantly.
"Oh," she moaned as she rested in the water. She dunked her head underwater scaring her husband. She pushed her hair back off her face as she came up for air, "This feels amazing."
"Let's keep the going underwater for when you feel better," Zuko suggested as his heart rate calmed down from the terror he had felt just moments earlier. "Lean your head back, I'll wash your hair."
The Fire Lady obeyed her husband's command and relished in the affection he was showing her as he washed her hair. For the first time since her suspicions had occurred, she felt fully at peace, relaxing in the hot water. All too soon, her husband was helping her out of the water and toweling her off.
"I don't have any clothes in here," Katara said as she looked around. Zuko grabbed her robe that was hanging off to the side quickly helping her into it and being sure she was completely covered.
"Come on," he whispered as he swept her up into his arms, holding her tight to his chest. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she leaned her head against his shoulder. "Let's put you to bed."
The Fire Lord carried his wife out of their bathroom before he laid her into their bed. He brushed the strands sticking to her forehead off her face. She nuzzled into his hand as he sat on the edge. Her hand rested on her belly, eyes closed.
"Can I get you anything else, Fire Lady Katara?" Ty Min questioned as she placed the cold water and peppermint tea that had been requested on the nightstand next to the bed. The servant watched the Fire Lady's reactions and had her own concerns about the monarch.
"Do you mind opening the balcony doors?" The waterbender asked quietly, her eyes never opening. She still felt slightly nauseated and wished for the fresh air to help calm her stomach.
"Of course," the maidservant answered as she moved to fulfill the request.
"Thank you, Ty Min" Katara replied once she felt the breeze blow through the room. Her husband was sure to pull a light sheet over her body but she kept pushing it off. She heard him growl in frustration but finally stopped, fussing over her.
"If you need anything please let me know," the lady-in-waiting said before she took her to leave allowing the couple to have a little bit of privacy.
"Zuko, can you get me some clothes?"
He debated about getting one of her nightgowns but decided she might want something loser. The Fire Lord walked toward his dressing room, the waterbender heard him rummaging around looking at where his form had disappeared to in confusion. She shivered and moved to pull her robe more tightly around her body.
"Here," her husband said as he made his way toward her, one of his sleep shirts in his hands. He helped her out of her robe before he pulled her arms through the shirt and placed it over her head. Once she was dressed he helped the waterbender slide under the covers. "Do you need anything else?"
"No," the Fire Lady shook her head, eyes closed the fatigue settling into her body. She inhaled through her nose, the shirt smelling like her husband. "You're going to be late for the council meeting."
"Fuck the council meeting," Zuko growled, the back of his hand brushing her cheek. "Are you sure you are going to be okay? You've been sick at least once every day for almost three weeks now."
"I'll be fine, I'm just going to try to get some sleep," Katara mumbled into the pillow. Her lips twitched as she tried not to smirk. A playful pout crossed her face as she said her next words, "I'll be fine, though I could use a kiss before you leave."
The Fire Lord shook his head playfully a crooked smile gracing his face before he indulge her. He leaned down placing a soft kiss on her lips. "Get some rest, I'll have Azula come to check on you later. If mother was here I would have her come sit with you."
Ursa had gone on a tour of the public schools in the Fire Nation at the instance of the Fire Lady. Katara had wanted to go herself, she along with her couriers were looking into creating a proposal for education reform. Unfortunately, the waterbender couldn't leave her duties in Caldera, thankfully, her mother-in-law had offered to go instead.
Zuko made sure the covers were wrapped around his water bender before leaving their chambers. His wife had been right he would be late for the council meeting. She was asleep before he had stepped out the door.
"Cutting it a little close," Azula drawled as she waited outside the room for her brother. Her arms crossed over her chest, leaning against the wall. "Where's your better half?"
"Katara isn't feeling well," Zuko rolled his eyes at his sister. "I'm going to try to check on her before our meeting with Piandao. Do you mind checking on her later? I have three meetings after that and I'm worried about her. She hasn't been able to keep food down all day."
"Again?" The Fire Nation Princess's brows drew together as she remember how sick the Fire Lady had been a few days ago. In fact, she thought, her sister-in-law had been sick for weeks.
"We can talk about it later, let's get this meeting over with," the Fire Lord entered the room his sister a few steps behind him. Both took their proper place on the dais. He rose his hand and gestured for the meeting to begin.
Across the palace, the waterbender woke about an hour later. Katara rubbed her eyes as she sat up in bed. She pulled the collar of Zuko's shirt to her nose and inhaled, it smelled just like him. The scent gave her comfort.
Katara didn't want him to call the physician, she had a suspicion about what was happening with her body. But she didn't want to tell her husband just yet.
"Oh you're awake," Ty Min commented as she walked into the royal chamber. Her hands were laden with fresh peppermint and ginger tea.
"Ty Min, is the council meeting still in session?" The Fire Lady questioned as she sat up in her bed. A hand rested on her belly, she could feel the push and pull of her own blood.
"Yes, your majesty," the lady in waiting nodded as she set the tray down. "Would you like me to retrieve your husband? The Fire Lord made it clear to interrupt the meeting if you needed him."
"No," the waterbender shook her head. She was not surprised at her husband's instance to interrupt the council meeting. The Fire Lady looked around before turning back to her maidservant. "Ty Min, would you . . . I mean could you . . ."
The lady in waiting did not need her to finish the sentence. She knew exactly who the monarch was asking for and she was unsurprised at her lady's request. "Of course, Fire Lady Katara. I'll return within the hour, that should give us plenty of time before the council meeting ends."
"Thank you." Katara's shoulders dropped as she spoke, her voice breathy. The relief showed across the monarch's face.
As Ty Min exited the royal chamber she was pleased to see her husband had changed shifts with the previous guard.
"Ty, is she alright?" Souta asked his wife softly. He wasn't one to engage in gossip but Malu had asked him to get an update for the Fire Lord. Souta and Ty Min had been married for almost a decade, they were some of the first to pledge their allegiance to Fire Lord Zuko after the war. The couple had twin boys who were eight years old and attended the Royal Fire Academy for Boys as a thank-you for their parents' service to the crown.
"She will be," Ty Min replied with a soft smile and a twinkle in her eye. "I know you are asking for him, but do not tell him who enters this chamber when I return."
His eyes widened but before he could ask the question his wife had scurried down the hallway. Souta was as stiff as a board as he waited to see who was accompanying his wife. He never would have thought of the Fire Lady doing anything untoward, but now he was unsure.
The royal guard let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he saw his wife return with Shinju in tow. The two women entered the royal chambers in silence. He would not say anything to the Fire Lord, it was not his place to discuss this detail.
"Fire Lady Katara," Shinju greeted the monarch with a bow. "I am Shinju, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The waterbender looked at the older woman with a nervous expression. This was the first time the Fire Lady was meeting Shinju. She had heard of the woman from Ursa and had no doubt the older woman would do right by her.
"Hello Shinju," Katara replied as she adjusted her position on the bed. She beckoned the woman to come forward to begin her examination. "As experienced as I am as a healer, I don't have objectivity when it comes to myself."
The older woman sat down on the edge of the bed, she placed a comforting hand on the Fire Lady's. "I have spent decades bringing children into this world, every mother has her own fears. I promise to do my best to ease your worries and help you safely deliver a healthy heir."
"She's been sick for weeks and I'm really worried. Especially with the assassination attempts. After we see Piandao will you go check on her?" Zuko asked his sister as they entered his office. The council meeting had run longer than expected and he didn't have a chance to check on his wife before his next meeting.
"Of course," the Princess nodded as she followed after him.
"I'm thinking of calling the physician to check on her," he mentioned as he sat at his desk. The Fire Lord's hands instantly went to rifle through the paperwork in front of him, it was a never-ending pile. "But she's so stubborn and keeps refusing."
"It might be a better idea to call for the midwife," Azula plopped down in a chair studying her nails before making eye contact with her brother. His face scrunched up at her words in confusion.
"Why would I need to call the mid—" he stopped halfway through the word. Gold eyes widened in recognition. "Oh. Oh!"
"You were always just a tad slow," the Princess tossed her hair over her shoulder, giving him a bored look. "I'm surprised you can lead a country sometimes."
"You think?" Zuko tried to think of the last time his wife had complained about her moon cycle. It had been right before their voyage to the South Pole. He had been so concerned with shielding his wife from the pressure of his advisors and council that he missed all the signs. "Agni!"
"She seems to have a few of the symptoms but the only person who would know for sure is Katara," Azula lifted one perfect eyebrow as she watched her brother process the information. "Why don't you ask your wife?"
"I have to go," the Fire Lord jumped up from his desk. He didn't care about the rest of his meetings, his only thought was Katara.
"I didn't mean now! What about our meeting with Piandao?" She called after him.
"You can handle it! Cancel the rest of my meetings," he waved her off as he left his office, practically running back to his chambers. He needed to see his wife.
The royal guard chased after their monarch in a hurry. Since the assassination attempt, all of them were on edge. It didn't help matters that the Fire Nation sovereign tended to race off without saying a word.
Zuko burst into his room only to find it empty. He had barely registered the way Souta gave him a knowing look and stopped the rest of the royal guard.
The Fire Lord looked around his chambers in confusion, the polar bear dog was curled up in the corner. Hikari opened his eyes briefly to look at Zuko before shutting them again.
"Some guard dog you are," the firebender mumbled to the puppy as he patted his head. He knew Katara had to be close. The light from the bathroom caught his eye and the sound of running water flooding to his ears. He found his wife standing naked next to the tub in front of the full-length mirror cradling her stomach.
The Fire Lord knew his waterbender's body well, he was surprised he hadn't noticed the changes earlier. Zuko could see the small bump forming and her breasts which had always been full looked slightly larger. He walked up behind her, his hands covering hers.
"Zuko," she whispered as her blue eyes met his gold ones in the glass.
"How far along?" He whispered into her ear, his breath fanning over the shell.
"I thought originally only three months maybe three and a half, but now I think just over four months," her head rested against his chest. "I had a little bit of bleeding a few weeks ago. I felt a heartbeat with my bending just after the assassination attempt, but with all the stress I was nervous."
"That was over two months ago," he mumbled, his lips against her ear.
"I just wanted to make sure we were okay before I told you," Katara's eyes shut tightly as her voice wavered. "Shinju came by earlier and she said everything looks good to her, she estimates that I'm over four and a half months. We agreed on eighteen weeks."
"Four months would mean sometime between the South Pole," his hand cupped the small baby bump. He tried to focus on the fact the midwife said his wife was healthy and less on how long it took her to tell him. "And merchant's pier."
"I didn't realize I missed my monthly bleeding at first with everything going on," the Fire Lady commented. "Add with the anniversary, it has been a stressful few months."
"You were worried about something happening and me being upset with you," he commented after a couple of minutes. Zuko hadn't realized her fear until just now, but of course, he had seen the abuse wives suffered in the Fire Nation royal court when they couldn't deliver a healthy baby.
"Yes," she looked down at their hands resting on the small bump. She had heard the discussions between some of the other wives of court and how their husbands had reacted to a miscarriage.
"I could never be upset with you," he kissed her temple. "I only wished you told me sooner so I could have been there to help shoulder the worry."
"I'm sorry," Katara whispered.
"Don't apologize, I'm just thrilled you are carrying my child," Zuko replied. He spun her around and dropped to his knees, lips touching the growing bump. "Hi baby, I'm your daddy. I can't wait to meet you."
The waterbender's eyes closed as she let her husband shower her with love. "You know four months means the baby will be born at the beginning of spring."
"The time for new beginnings, how fitting," he mumbled in between the kisses he rained down on her belly. The Fire Lord stood suddenly and cupped his wife's face in his hands, "I never thought you could look more beautiful than on our wedding day. And then you said you loved me, a memory I will forever cherish. But you carrying my child has surpassed both of those."
He punctuated his words with a searing kiss. The royal couple quickly became lost in each other.
"Good afternoon, Azula. Where's Fire Lord Zuko?" Piandao questioned as he entered the Fire Lord's office. He had been called for a meeting by the Fire Nation sovereign and was surprised to find him noticeably absent.
"I suspect he and Katara are celebrating her pregnancy," the Fire Nation Princess smirked at the widening of his eyes.
"Did she tell you?" The sword master joined his student on the settee.
"No, but she has all the symptoms and has since right after they returned from the South Pole," Azula shrugged. She had her suspicions for a few weeks now. "I wouldn't be surprised if he made a formal announcement by the end of the week."
"I'll be sure to hold off my congratulations until then," his mustache twitched as he resisted the urge to smile. He liked that she confided in him. "So, I guess my meeting has been postponed."
"Well, Zuko gave me clearance to handle it," she smiled warmly at him, looking up at him from beneath her lashes. "That is if you are alright with it just being me."
"I'm more than alright with it," his dark eyes softened as he looked at her. "Unfortunately I wish I had better news for him. Shinu has nothing linking him to the attempt with Makoto or your father's death. And the Chan family has no ties as well, though they seem like they will take a plea deal if offered."
"That doesn't surprise me," the Princess replied with a soft shake of her head. She was already shifting through the options available to her. "If Shinu is part of the group sending the threats, he would have made sure to leave no trace of his dealings with Makoto. Or he would have made sure that Makoto didn't know that he was involved."
"The question is where does your brother want to go from here?"
"Well he can't do anything to Shinu without reasonable cause, my suggestion is just to continue having the White Lotus monitoring them both." Azula made some notes for her brother. "Of course, Zuko might have his own thoughts later, but I think that's where we start for now."
"Already taken care of, I suspected that would be your suggestion," the corner of his eyes crinkled in response. "The White Lotus will await to see how Zuko would like to respond moving forward."
"Seems like the only thing we can do," she mumbled. Her frustration seeped through her actions and tone.
"You don't think Shinu has anything to do with the threats or your father's death," Piandao stated as he watched her. He raised an eyebrow waiting for her response.
"I think Shinu would cover his tracks well but I also don't think he would make an enemy of my brother," Azula shrugged as she continued her report.
A knock on the door interrupted the sword master and student. The Fire Lord's secretary stepped inside, "Princess Azula, I have gone forth and canceled all of the Fire Lord's meetings for today. Jiang has informed me that the royal couple has retired for the evening."
"Thank you, Akio. When Zuko arrives in the morning, please let him know that I have left notes on his desk," the Princess told the secretary, her eyes meeting his. She waited for the man's confirming nod before dismissing him.
Piandao watched Azula as she continued to write a brief report for her brother. Her hair had fallen to one side in a cascade of dark silky locks. He shifted a few times before making the decision he had been debating. His deep voice was gravelly as he made the offer, "With your brother otherwise engaged and your mother on her tour, I was hoping you might join me for dinner — in the city."
The brush dropped from her hand and her gold eyes flashed to his. "What?"
"I just thought you would like to venture out of the palace, maybe start integrating into the city again. You've mentioned it a few times," he quickly replied. Piandao didn't want her to be uncomfortable.
The Fire Nation Princess had spoken to him quite a bit about her desire to start entering the city and re-assimilating fully into Caldera. But she was hesitant to go on her own. The palace stares were bad enough let alone all of the nobles she would see out in the city.
"Of course," Azula nodded. She bent down to pick up the brush, her cheeks turning pink. The Princess scolded herself for thinking that her sword master would ask her because he had a romantic interest in her. "That would be nice. What time would you like to leave?"
"We can leave around six," Piandao suggested, he was sure to keep his enthusiasm at bay. "Might I suggest leaving the palanquin? That is if you don't want to attract too much attention."
"I would prefer to walk, anyway," the Princess agreed. She liked that he recognized her desire to not call for excess attention.
"Good, I look forward to it," he stood from his spot next to her. The beginnings of a smile crossed his face as he nodded at her. "I'll see you at six."
Azula's gold eyes followed her sword master as he exited the office. Her stomach was full of dragonflies.
The sword master was sure to pull out the Fire Nation Princess's chair for her as they were shown to their table. Piandao had discreetly asked the host to place them in a more private area stating the Princess's want for privacy.
"This used to be one of my favorite restaurants," Azula murmured as she looked around the room. She was pleased to see not much had changed.
"Used to?" He questioned as he took the seat across from her. He regretted not telling her how beautiful she was earlier in the evening. Piandao had hesitated so as not to make Azula uncomfortable.
"I haven't been back since after the war," she looked down at the place setting. She shifted the menu aside not needing to look at it. The Fire Nation Princess was restless as she fiddled with her napkin in her lap.
The sword master hummed in response looking at the menu. He had noticed early on that Azula got cagy when bringing up her past, so he tended not to dwell on the subject.
"Princess Azula," the female server bowed to the young woman. She was thrilled to see the Princess again. "We are delighted to see your return! Would you like your usual?"
"Yes Mura, thank you," Azula nodded at the familiar server. She had always been the Princess's favorite. "I'm glad to be back."
"Master Piandao, what would you like?"
"I'll have the same as Azula," his eyes sparkled in the firelight. He was curious about her palate.
"You don't even know what that is," the Princess commented with an eyebrow raised.
"I'm not concerned, you have excellent taste." He collected both of their menus and passed them to Mura. His dark eyes never left Azula's gold ones.
"Of course," the server smiled at them before leaving the teacher and student to an awkward silence.
"How is Katara? Feeling better?" The sword master questioned after a few minutes. He wasn't extremely concerned for the Fire Lady, but he wanted to fill the silence. It seemed much easier to relax in the privacy of the palace than in the restaurant.
"I think so," the young royal nodded. "Shinju has been moved into the family wing, but I'm optimistic that everything will be okay."
"Is it normal for the midwife to reside so close to the Fire Lord and Lady?" Piandao was not privy to all the comings and goings of court life.
"It's not abnormal," Azula shrugged. "But is something to notice. I believe it has more to do with Zuko being overprotective and a hypochondriac."
The sword master nodded noncommittally. His palms were sweaty and they rested on his thighs. Somehow being out in a restaurant with the Princess made it all the more real, "How's the artwork?"
"It's going well," a soft smile graced her face and her eyes lit up as she spoke. "I told Jiang that I want to make one of the rooms in my chambers into a studio. Zuko told me that the expense of the remodel is my birthday present."
"I hadn't realized your birthday was coming up," his mind flittered to what he would purchase for her.
"Two weeks," she unknowingly supplied for him. "Zuko suggested a party but I do not want that attention. So instead Katara recommended a family dinner."
Not that many years ago the Princess would have thrived under the attention of a large party in her honor. But not anymore, she wanted to have the mellow affair of a family gathering.
"You and Katara seem to be getting along very well," he commented as they were served their drinks. The sword master thanked the server for them both before raising the glass to take a sip. His senses were assaulted with the familiar flavor of cucumber-aloe water. Piandao wasn't surprised Azula hadn't ordered anything alcoholic, she had turned of legal drinking age in the North Pole.
"We are," the Princess drew lines on the condensation of her glass. "It's hard not to like her. And she's a strong a wife for Zuko, his perfect match. Unlike Mai."
"You never wanted Mai with your brother? But she was one of your best friends," his eyebrows raised toward his hairline in surprise. The sword master didn't know much about the noblewoman or her history with the Fire Lord. But he was stunned to learn that Azula hadn't wanted one of her friends with Zuko.
"Zuko is an idealist that takes everything too seriously," Azula brushed some hair out of her face. "He is strong and kind-hearted. He's been through hell and fought hard to be the man he is today. Mai is a skilled warrior and can play the part of the perfect noble wife but she was apathetic for most of her life, and still is at times. They would have destroyed each other."
"You have thought about this frequently, even before the war ended." His response wasn't a question. He was fascinated by how her mind worked and he wanted to know everything.
"Of course. Even before the war ended, I thought my brother needed someone who would be filled with passion," the Princess's words were soft as she expressed herself. "Someone who had struggled and worked for everything they had, just like he did. A woman who was filled with the storm to his fire. Someone who wouldn't put up with his hippo-ox stubbornness and push back when necessary. Katara is all those things."
"That she is," the sword master agreed with a small smile as he looked down at the table. He was fascinated with how her mind worked. "They fit well together."
The Fire Nation Princess hummed her agreement, she turned to look away from the man in front of her. She loved her brother and the waterbender, they were perfect together. But thinking of them always made Azula a little melancholy. Her entire body yearned to have what they had. Her gold eyes took in the man sitting across from her discreetly.
"It's been about six months since you returned, I'm sure your brother has already been receiving some interest in regards to you." Piandao was able to see the longing behind her words. But he was unsure why the thought of his pupil being pursued by the young men of court bothered him so.
Azula's nose scrunched up in a sour expression. "The only men who are interested in me right now are looking to advance their political position."
"I'm sure in time that will change," he reassured her even as his stomach churned at the thought of her courting. The sword master was saved from saying anything else by Mura placing the plate of appetizers on the table.
"One of the things I missed the most in the North Pole was these dumplings," Azula mumbled as she placed a few on her plate. She was quick to pop one in her mouth and savor the flavor.
Piandao's eyes were drawn to the way her mouth wrapped around the dumpling. Her eyes had closed, lashes casting a shadow across her high cheekbones. The joy she radiated was infectious. He looked down at his own plate before her eyes opened and caught his staring. The sword master was quick to try the dumplings, his curiosity distracting him for a moment. He was unprepared for the explosion of flavor as he chewed.
The Fire Nation Princess was grateful to be able to watch her teacher's face as he tried the dumplings. He was not a very expressive man, so seeing his face showcase his thoughts was an experience she would not forget.
"Wow," he whispered softly as he readied the next dumpling. "I can see why this is one of your favorite restaurants."
"I used to come at least twice a week," the Princess commented as she dipped the dumpling in one of the many sauces available. "Sometimes with Mai and Ty Lee, sometimes by myself. But since everything that happened I find it difficult to venture out on my own . . ."
"Well maybe you and I can make this a regular adventure," the words were out of his mouth before he thought them through. Though once he spoke them he couldn't seem to stop. "It certainly would give your brother a chance to spend time with his wife. And as much as I have enjoyed the palace life, I appreciate being a part of Caldera. Maybe you can show me your favorite places?"
"I would like that very much," she replied hesitantly. The two finished their appetizer and the plates were promptly cleared.
"How is your tourism proposal coming?" Piandao asked as they waited for their entrées.
"It's going well. I submitted my preservation proposal to Katara last week and I'm supposed to receive feedback from her in the next few days," the Princess explained to him. She rubbed a hand across her face reminding him of her brother. "I have begun drafting the tourism plan that she requested, but everything seems to fall flat."
"Do you want to run some ideas by me?" The sword master offered as their meals were placed in front of them. His eyebrows rose as he looked down at the roasted duck over a bed of rice and vegetables.
"You wouldn't mind?" Azula missed the way her sword master took in their dinner with an appreciative glance.
"Of course not," he paused to take a bit of his meal and hummed in pleasure. "I must say you have extraordinary taste. And I'm happy to see you don't succumb to the ordinary small tasteless plates like the rest of the ladies of nobility."
"Oh Agni, no," she shook her head vehemently. She hated how many women in the royal court were obsessed with keeping a small figure. In her opinion food was meant to be enjoyed and training was where she worked on her figure. "I would never be able to survive our morning practice if I ate like them. You work me extremely hard."
"A very true statement," his lips twitched at her statement. He wondered if she heard the double entendre in her words. "So your plan for tourism, tell me your thoughts."
"The logical thing would be to push Ember Island but it could be easily overrun," Azula began, pausing to take a bite of her food. "And the local culture could be lost which makes it so unique."
"It would be a shame to disrupt the local scene," Piandao agreed as he watched her lips wrap around her chopsticks. He quickly looked down at his plate. "Is the plan for just the Fire Nation or does your brother wish to attract the other nations?"
"He is differing to Katara on tourism, it's under the Fire Lady's jurisdiction now. And she wants to see my thoughts first, " the Princess replied. "I think it would be good to bring in the other nations and adjust the perception of the Fire Nation."
"A big task," he mumbled his eyes transfixed on how she reacted to each bite. Azula savored her meal and her enjoyment was clear on not only her face but her movements as well.
"My initial thought is to reach out to some of the Earth Kingdom nobles, see who would be interested in financing a remodel of some of the hotels," the Princess began explaining her thoughts. "Have a stipulation of a certain amount of materials and labor needs to come from the Fire Nation."
"A fair thought," the sword master agreed. "At least sixty percent of labor and materials should be from the Fire Nation would be my suggestion."
"I was thinking the same," she nodded thoughtfully. She paused to eat before continuing, "The addition of the other nations would help stimulate good word of mouth and the world economy."
The two finished the rest of their dinner while the Fire Nation Princess outlined her thoughts for her Tourism Proposal. She was going to be sure to take into consideration all of the sword master's thoughts.
When the bill came, he did not allow her to even reach for it.
"You don't have to, I can help," she began to protest. While it was customary for a man to pay when out with a woman, Azula knew this was not that kind of evening.
"No," Piandao answered firmly, leaving no room for negotiation. After leaving the appropriate amount with a hefty gratuity, the sword master came around to help the Princess from her seat.
The two walked in a comfortable silence back to the palace and Piandao insisted on escorting Azula to her room.
"Thank you for dinner," the Princess told him as they stood outside her bedroom. She looked down causing some of her hair to fall into her face. "And for getting me out of the palace."
"You are very welcome. I hope we can do it again," the sword master replied, his eyes crinkling at the sides as he looked at her. He wasn't sure what possessed him to do it but the back of his hand brushed her cheek, "Have a good night, Azula. Sleep well."
Piandao quickly turned to leave the Princess to retire for the night. Unaware of the feelings he had just caused to surface in her.
His eyes opened suddenly and he looked around the room trying to find the source that disrupted his sleep. The sound of retching reached his ears and he sprang from the bed, sprinting toward the noise.
"Katara," he whispered as he swept her hair up in his hand. He reached onto the counter searching for the damp cloth Ty Min had begun leaving out every night. Zuko placed it on the back of her neck as she continued to vomit.
A few minutes later she pulled back and rested her head against his thigh. "I think I'm okay now."
He swiped the damp cloth across her face to rid her of the light sheen of sweat. Zuko knew if she stood too soon after it would result in another bout of sickness. So instead he let her lean against him and he comforted her. "It began later today, do you think you could be gaining relief soon?"
"Shinju thinks it will probably be through the rest of the pregnancy," the waterbender mumbled closing her eyes. "Azula suggested I write to Iroh and see if he has a special blend to help."
The Fire Lord chuckled. "You weren't the only one she suggested it to, I'm expecting a response any day now from him. Are you feeling a little better?"
"I'm good to move now," the waterbender replied moving to allow her husband to stand. He quickly helped her from the floor. Zuko watched as she cleaned her teeth to rid her mouth of the taste of bile.
"We should probably make an announcement to the council soon," the Fire Lord mumbled as he swept her hair up and tied it back to her. His fingers moved to massage the tension out of her neck.
"Do we have to?" She leaned back into his chest. The thought of dealing with the council made her stomach churn.
"I don't know how much longer we can hide it," Zuko's hand went to rest on her growing baby bump. In the past couple of weeks since he had learned of her pregnancy, Katara had popped.
"When's the next meeting?"
"End of the week," he mumbled looking at her in the mirror. Even though she was exhausted and feeling terrible, the firebender still thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"Fine," Katara closed her eyes.
"What do you have today?" Zuko asked as she leaned against him. He rested his chin on top of her head.
"Mai and I are having a meeting about the orphanage renovation in Hing Wa," the Fire Lady began explaining. "Then I have a meeting with Jiayi about the education budget and the new requirements regarding the arts, Ty Lee is joining us for that. And then I have that tea in the gardens this afternoon with the poetry group from the Earth Kingdom."
"I forgot that was today, the haiku group right?"
The waterbender hummed her agreement. "Do you have a busy day?"
"Ukano and I have a meeting regarding the agenda for the council meeting. I'm meeting with Piandao to go over Azula's training. Genkei asked for an audience this morning, though I don't know what it is about," the young monarch informed his wife. "This afternoon I have most of the day blocked to meet with Kang to go over the information regarding veteran needs."
"You know who would be helpful in your meeting with Kang?" She mumbled as she moved to begin filling the tub. "Azula, when it comes to the military her knowledge is unmatched."
"That's a good idea," the firebender nodded as he heated the water while she stripped her clothing. "I'll have Akio ask her to join us. She should be taking a much larger role, maybe Piandao can help convince her."
Katara slipped into the tub with her husband quickly following her. "I think she's still struggling to find her place in this new world. But I agree asking Piandao to speak to her about is a good idea."
"Looks like both of our days are pretty busy," Zuko mumbled as she leaned back into him. "I don't think I'll see you until dinner."
"Maybe we can just keep it the two of us? I'll ask Jiang to have dinner served in our room tonight," the Fire Lady suggested.
"Sounds perfect, I want to take advantage of the time we have together before the baby comes," the Fire Lord whispered in her ear. His hands skimmed sensually down her torso, placing soft kisses on the shell of her ear and down her throat.
The waterbender's thighs rubbed together, seeking the friction her husband wasn't providing. Her voice was needy as she fell to her husband's ministrations, "How much advantage?"
His hand dipped between her legs and his fingers skimmed her folds. The firebender growled in her ear as he felt her wetness seeping out of her. "As much as you'll let me."
Katara's head tilted up, her mouth sought his. She moaned into her husband's mouth as he slowly began to pleasure her. The waterbender whispered against his lips, "We don't have time."
"I'll make time," Zuko bit her bottom lip in retaliation causing her to groan and shift closer to the hand that was between her legs. He was Fire Lord, his court needed to be on his time and right now his concern was causing his wife to scream in pleasure repeatedly.
The Fire Lord helped his wife become situated on the dais before turning to the royal court. After spending a few days celebrating their news and an all-clear from the midwife, the royal couple finally called a meeting to announce the waterbender's pregnancy.
"Thank you all for assembling on such short notice. It has been quite a few years since we have had such a need for a royal announcement, the last being my wedding. But it's been even longer since a royal birth," Zuko began, his voice ringing out through the throne room. He paused for the small gasps throughout the crowd. "I am thrilled to announce that my wife and I have been blessed by the Spirits! In the spring she will give birth to the next Fire Lord!"
The roar from the crowd was deafening as the royal court celebrated the news of the Fire Lady's pregnancy.
Once the nobles had settled, Katara's voice rang clear, "We invite you to join us in the grand hall to celebrate our news."
The royal couple watched as the court filed out of the throne room. Once it was just the two of them, Zuko held out his hand and helped his wife up from her spot. His hands instantly rested on the small growing baby bump.
"The council looked happy," he mumbled as he helped her down the steps. He had been sure to keep the meeting he had with his advisors a secret from her. The firebender didn't want to add excess stress on his wife.
"As did your mother," the waterbender agreed as they walked down the stairs. "Perhaps we should have told her and Azula earlier — and in private."
"Zula already knew, she's the one who pieced together the information for me," he comforted her as he led her out of the throne room. "As for mother, she only arrived this morning. And with how you are showing it wouldn't have been easy to keep it from the council for too much longer."
Katara glanced down and sure enough, she could see some pulling of her formal robes around her midsection. As well as how her cleavage had grown in the past few weeks. She rested a hand on her belly feeling the push and pull of her child's blood. She decided since her bump was noticeable she didn't need the outer robe. Katara quickly shed the top layer of her clothing, leaving her in the much simpler and cooler dress underneath.
"Did you send the letter with Admiral Jee?" The Fire Lady asked her husband as they neared the grand hall. Earlier that morning, Katara had penned a letter to her family announcing the news. She had been apprehensive to send it via hawk since Arnook's odd behavior at the Anniversary Summit.
"I did, he left two hours ago," Zuko informed her. "He took a few extra benders and should arrive within a week's time with the added fuel."
"Thank you," she leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek. The two were standing outside the doors to the grand hall. The couple could hear the celebration on the other side.
"Are you ready for the lion vultures?" He whispered in her ear.
"As long as you're next to me, I am" the waterbender replied. She felt him place a kiss on her temple and with one hand on her lower back, the other on her baby bump the two entered the fray.
The moment the couple walked into the room they were both being pulled in two different directions.
"Fire Lord Zuko, congratulations," Ukano stated as he guided his lord toward a few of the royal council members.
"Thank you, Ukano," Zuko nodded to the man.
"Fire Lord," Bujing greeted the monarch. He smiled widely but it didn't meet his eyes, "We are all so pleased to hear your joyous news. How far along is Fire Lady Katara?"
"My wife is just shy of five months pregnant," the Fire Nation sovereign responded his voice steady as he observed the man. The White Lotus might have cleared him, but Zuko didn't trust the man standing in front of him.
The Fire Lord observed his wife quickly and was pleased to see her being led toward his mother, though it did not ease all of his worries. Malu caught his lord's eye and shifted closer to the Fire Lady. Now that the waterbender was pregnant her security would need to be increased and the Captain of the Royal Guard was taking no chances.
"How are you feeling Fire Lady?" Lady Sulan questioned as she ushered the young woman toward some of the other women and the monarch's mother.
"Starting to feel better," the waterbender respond as her mother-in-law embraced her.
"Congratulations darling!" Ursa kept one arm around her daughter-in-law. Her hands itched to touch the baby bump. "The spirits blessed you well."
"The spirits didn't tell me how miserable the first few months are," Katara grumbled as her nose scrunched up at some of the smells around the room. She turned to beckon her lady-in-waiting, "Ty Min could you bring me some peppermint and ginger tea?"
"Of course," the maidservant responded instantly. She had insisted on accompanying the Fire Lady more often now that the monarch was pregnant. As she left to complete the request she caught the eye of Shinju, the palace midwife. Both women had seen firsthand how sick the Fire Lady had been and were both still concerned.
"When I was pregnant with Zuko and Azula, I felt most of my days I was sick," Ursa comforted the tribeswoman. "Some say it's the firebender in the child who makes their displeasure known through illness."
"We haven't even thought about if the baby will be a bender," the waterbender mumbled as she placed a hand on her stomach. Her fears surrounding what would happen if her first child was a waterbender came rushing back to her. She tried to remember Zuko's calm resolve on the roof when they had the conversation about children.
"Surely the babe will be a firebender," one of the noblewomen speculated as she looked at the waterbender. "The Fire Lord being such a strong bender, after all, he was able to subdue his sister during the war. It's no surprise you would birth a firebender."
Katara bit the inside of her cheek to correct the woman that she had in fact subdued Azula but thought better of it. Though the waterbender was more annoyed that she was not seen as a strong bender. She wanted to point out that her bending linage was so strong she was birthed by non-benders, though she knew that wasn't going to go over well.
"Whether the babe is a firebender or waterbender or even a non-bender," Ursa began almost harshly her voice softening as she continued. "They will be loved greatly and heir to the throne."
Across the room, Azula leaned against the wall watching her mother and sister-in-law interacting.
"Seems like you were right," Piandao remarked as he joined his student. He passed her a glass of plum wine.
"Thank you," the Princess mumbled as she accepted the glass from her sword master. She resisted the urge to make eye contact with him. Her heart was beating heavily in her chest. "Are you really surprised?"
"Of course not, I had my own suspicions of an announcement during the Anniversary Summit," he admitted as he moved closer to her. "But when one didn't happen I worried the stress of the attempt had caused some complications."
"I had my suspicions then too," Azula agreed with him. Her eyes drifted to look back at the Fire Lady, the sword master followed her gaze.
"What do you think they are speaking about?"
"From the look on Katara's face, I would say they are speculating if the baby will be a firebender," the Princess's gold eyes met his. Her breathing hitched as she noticed he was staring only at her.
"Such a silly thing to worry about," the sword master commented as he looked at his pupil. Since he helped bandage her injuries he constantly was being reminded how beautiful of a young woman she was growing into. "Especially considering how difficult child birth is for both mother and babe."
"I agree," Azula replied she took a sip of her wine to stop herself from embarrassing herself. Once her nerves were settled she continued. "I think everyone should be focusing on the fact that Zuzu secured his bloodline and less on if the baby will be a bender. It's not always as fun and exciting as others make it seem."
Piandao observed her quietly as he mulled over her words. He placed one of his hands against the wall and moved closer to her. "Do you miss your bending?"
"You are the first person to ever ask me," she looked up at him from under her lashes in surprise. Azula licked her lips and stared into her glass. "I have a complicated relationship with my bending."
"That didn't answer the question," his brows pulled together.
She sighed heavily, she wasn't sure how to communicate her thoughts. "I started bending at a very young age, I presented as a toddler. Much earlier than most children presented. My mother tried to keep it from him, but the moment he found out the pressure began."
"That must have been difficult," he soothed as he waited for her to continue.
"My entire life became about my bending and being better than Zuko," the Princess mumbled, her gold eyes far away. "And I was talented, it came naturally to me. Which only added to the expectation. Because of that I never learned how to really understand the fire burning inside of me."
"Which is why you never meditated," Piandao interjected as he learned about his student.
"Exactly," she whispered. Azula looked across the room. "When the comet came and my own emotional turmoil, I unraveled. The pressure had become debilitating and the inner fire had taken over. Once it was unleashed it was uncontrollable and I didn't know what to do. It only stopped when I had been chi-blocked and that gave me relief for a long while but then I learned about my mother's return from Arnook."
"And I'm assuming he wasn't very tactful with that discussion," the sword master speculated. She had confessed to a strained relationship with her mother a few months prior.
"No he did not," the Princess shook her head. She looked down in shame, "I reacted badly. Somehow I was able to break the chi-block and I felt like the fire would consume me if I didn't let it out. When the Avatar came to the North Pole, I requested he take it because I feared what I would do."
"A brave choice," Piandao comforted her. He was awed by how she spoke about her bending. It was clearly something she was very attached to. "But you still didn't answer my question. Do you miss it?"
"I missed how it was, I was precise and deadly," Azula finally admitted. Her eyes glowed as she thought about firebending. "I miss the rigor of training and the ability to protect the ones I love. But I don't miss the overwhelming nature of my inner fire."
"Would you ever want it back?"
"Maybe one day when I could feel more centered, fire is alive and the most volatile element," the Princess whispered and looked down in shame. She had never voiced these thoughts aloud before. "I want it back but only when I can become one with it again and truly be an honorable host to it."
"Azula," he whispered tilting her chin up to look at him. "You have come a long way and I think one day soon you will be ready to be an honorable host to your inner fire. When that happens I will do everything I can to support your learning how to become one with it."
The acrobat took a deep breath before knocking on the Fire Nation Princess's bedroom door. She wished that her lover had decided to join her, but knew that she was still hurt by what happened at the Boiling Rock.
Lian answered the door and ushered the noblewoman into the sitting area. "Princess Azula, Lady Ty Lee is here to see you."
"Thank you, Lian," the Princess as she closed the book she was reading turning to look at her former friend. She looked back at her maidservant and requested Ty Lee's favorite to put the noblewoman at ease. "Could you bring us some green tea and canapés?"
"Yes, Princess Azula," the lady-in-waiting bowed before exiting the room. She was grateful to have the opportunity to leave the room. The tension was stifling between the two friends.
"Azula," Ty Lee shifted her weight as she looked at the Princess. This was the first time the two had been alone since before they traveled to the Boiling Rock. "I got your letter."
The Fire Nation Princess had taken her sword master's advice and wrote a letter to both of her former friends. It had been weeks since she had them delivered to the two women, but this was the first time she was hearing from either of them.
"I figured you had," Azula mumbled bitterly though instantly regretted it when she saw the look cross the acrobat's face. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"It's okay," Ty Lee looked away. Her eyes paused on the sketchbook sitting on the table. She hadn't seen it in almost a decade.
"Have a seat," the Princess offered as she gestured to the chairs across from her. She was unsurprised that Ty Lee had arrived alone. Mai's wounds were much deeper and would take her longer to heal.
"This is odd," the acrobat whispered looking around the room. She wasn't used to feeling so uncomfortable. "I really like the remodel."
"Thank you, though I can't take all the credit. Zuko and Katara were the ones who thought of the color scheme." Azula smiled softly as she thought of her brother and sister-in-law.
"She's good for him," Ty Lee mumbled. She had grown extremely close to the waterbender in the past few months. "And good for the Fire Nation."
"That she is," the Princess agreed instantly. "I heard congratulations are in order. Katara told me you will be officially inducted into the Royal Council as the Commissioner for the Arts."
"Thank you, Azula."
The two women sat quietly neither knowing what to say. Both trying to start the conversation but both falling short. Luckily a few minutes later the uncomfortable silence was interrupted by Lian. The maidservant set the tea and canapés on the table between the two former friends. Both of the women were quick to make themselves a plate to distract from their nervous energy.
"Are you terribly upset with me?" The Princess finally asked the acrobat. "I would understand if you were."
"I think I'm more a little embarrassed," Ty Lee confessed after a few minutes as she looked down at the tea in her hands. "Technically Zuko was a fugitive at the time. Mai and I did commit treason."
"I was never upset she let Zuko getaway, more the reason she told me," Azula looked away. Even now a few years removed Mai's words hurt. "I would have reacted better if she told me she did it for her uncle."
"Mai knew that," the acrobat confessed softly. She took a deep breath, "But she didn't want to lie to you. She respected and cared about you too much to lie."
Gold eyes brimmed with tears as they flashed to look at the woman across from her. "I didn't know that."
"I knew that her words hurt you and that you would regret your actions if you seriously hurt her," Ty Lee continued as she looked at the Princess. The noblewomen's grey eyes were uncharacteristically somber. "So that's why I chi-blocked you. And then I panicked because I had just committed treason."
"Sometimes I forget how well you know me," Azula whispered brushing back tears that had fallen. "Thank you for doing that, I would have regretted it."
"Any time. And thank you for having us arrested, it pushed us together," Ty Lee grinned at the Princess. "I will forever be grateful for that."
Azula laughed lightly. "You are most welcome."
"I missed you Azula," the acrobat said with a bittersweet smile. "Friends?"
"Friends," the Princess smiled widely and opened her arms. She didn't have to wait long before Ty Lee threw herself at her. Azula wrapped her in a tight embrace.
Mai would need a little more time, but things were looking better for the former trio.
Zuko's hands caressed his wife's growing belly as she slept in the early morning. He didn't want to disturb her, it had only been a week since she finally stopped emptying her belly in the mornings.
The sun had just begun rising and the firebender was enjoying the few minutes before his wife awoke. Katara's back was pressed to his front allowing him the space to trace patterns on her baby bump.
He knew that his waterbender had started to feel the baby move a couple of weeks ago and he was eager to feel the movement too. Any chance he could his hand was on her stomach waiting for his child to press against him.
The Fire Lady stretched her limbs as she awoke. She noticed that she could feel her bare skin against the silk sheets.
"Zuko, did you take my clothes off again?" Katara mumbled sleepily to her husband. She wasn't concerned with him being asleep, he always rose before her.
Her husband chuckled throatily. "Only at your instance did I, you were half asleep in the middle of the night trying to toss the covers off and wrestle yourself out of your sleep clothes. Seems that you were running extremely hot."
The waterbender's brow furrowed and her nose scrunched up as she remembered the night before. Sure enough, she had a vague memory of being flushed from the heat and trying to get out of her clothes. She remembered feeling Zuko's hands helping her strip and then him soothing her back to sleep. This was the fifth night in a row she had felt warm enough to strip out of her night clothes.
"Shinju said that hot flashes during pregnancy are a sign of a firebender," she whispered her blue eyes turning to meet his. She was afraid to voice the question, "Do you think . . ."
"Waterbender, firebender, or non-bender I will our child just the same," Zuko nuzzled his nose into the side of her neck. "Katara what matters to me is a healthy baby and a healthy wife."
She immediately felt guilty. Too many conversations with the women of the court had her mind playing tricks on her. Most of the noblewomen had expressed their husbands had desired firebenders and did not always react positively to non-benders. Katara had taken their experience and judged her husband against that, not on who he was.
"I'm sorry I doubted," the waterbender mumbled rolling over to face her husband. Her bare chest touched his.
"The Fire Nation has some odd ideas, especially among the nobility," he soothed her, gold eyes bored into hers. "And I don't blame you for having concerns. But know that I loved this child the moment I knew you were pregnant."
"Me too," her sapphire eyes brimmed with tears. She covered her face with her hands. "Tui and La! I wish I wasn't so emotional."
"Look at me waterbender," his hot hands prying hers off her face. "I like you emotional and swollen with my seed."
Katara's breathing changed at his innuendo and he punctuated his words with a searing kiss to distract her from her worries.
"Can we stay in bed all day?" She whispered huskily as she pressed closer to him. "I just want to be close to you and I feel like I could sleep for days."
"As much as I want that, I have pushed back too many meetings," the Fire Lord whispered brushing her hair out of her face. "What do you have on your schedule today?"
"I have a meeting with your mother to go over the reports from the schools. And I'm having lunch with Lady Sulan and Shinu's wife, Haruku," Katara informed him. Their lives were so busy if they didn't ask in the morning they would miss things.
"Shinu's wife?" Zuko gave his wife an inquisitive look. "Please tell me you are taking not only Mai and Ty Lee but your guard as well?"
"Zuko," she complained.
"I know the White Lotus cleared him but until we find out who is sending the threats and killed Ozai," the firebender began reasoning with her softly. He began placing kisses all along her bare shoulders and neck. His hands drifting lower, he could feel her arousal. "I would feel much better if both Mai and Ty Lee were there along with your royal guard. Don't make me order Malu against your will. I'll make it worth your while."
"Fine," the waterbender grumbled, her resolve melting away. "But only on the condition they blend in, I don't want Haruku feeling like something is up."
"That is fine by me," he kissed the tip of her nose. His arms slipped around her and cupped the full globes of her derrière. "If I knew you were this agreeable when I seduced you I would have done it at the Western Air Temple."
Her sapphire eyes flashed with fire. "If I knew you were that talented with your tongue, I would have told you that's how you could earn my trust and forgiveness."
Zuko pinched her butt as he pulled her closer. "Cheeky. Now we should be practicing our bending right now. Or we could skip it and I can make good on my promise."
"My vote is you make good on your promise now," Katara's hands reached into his sleep pants and wrapped around his hardening length. "After all, I require some form of downpayment."
"That you do waterbender," the Fire Lord growled as he rolled her onto her back. He wasn't going to leave this bed until he had screamed in pleasure at least twice. His mouth trailed down her body until he reached the apex of her thighs. In one long swoop, he licked her from the bottom to the top.
"Zuko," the waterbender grumbled wantonly as she tried to shift closer to his mouth. But his hands held her hips steady and her legs open for him.
"Patience is a virtue, Katara," he chuckled before slipping his tongue inside of her. Zuko loved tasting his wife and took the opportunity as often as she let him.
"You know I'm not a patient person!" The Fire Lady snapped at her husband followed by a low moan as he continued his ministrations. His tongue moved from inside her up to circle the bundle of nerves while he slipped at first one finger inside her then two. He made a come hither motion as he found the spongy texture against the top inside wall. Her entire body tensed up, "Oh!"
"Just relax, waterbender," he mumbled as he continued what he was doing. He applied more pressure to that spot while one hand pressed on top of her pubic bone.
"Tui and La!" She cried out, not knowing if she wanted to shift closer or move away from what he was doing. The pressure building in her was both incredible and terrifying.
"Let go, Katara," the firebender mumbled against her before he sucked her clit into his mouth. He knew she was seconds away from her climax.
Her back arched as her orgasm crashed into her, causing her entire body to shake in pleasure. The waterbender felt a rush of fluid pour out of her as she screamed her husband's name.
The Fire Lord drank her essence straight from the source and groaned as he felt her clench around his fingers. Before she could come down from her climax, he crawled up her body grasping his length and easing into her body.
"Zuko!" She cried as her eyes settled on his face as he began to slowly thrust into her, prolonging her climax.
He rested his forehead against hers as he worked himself in and out of her. The sound of her wetness echoed throughout the room. He watched as her blue eyes fluttered shut.
The firebender looked down at his waterbender's body, a light sheen of sweat covered her entire body. Pink nipples were pebbled against her breasts and he watched them sway with each thrust. He looked further down and saw himself being enveloped by her pink depths. The sight was almost too much for him.
"Open your eyes Katara and look at how you take me," he commanded in a low voice.
The waterbender's eyes snapped open at his demand and followed his line of sight. She could see him covered in her wetness and how he stretched her. Her hips shifted so she could see better causing him to put more pressure on the already overstimulated spot.
"Ahh!" She screamed out as her second climax rushed through her, causing her toes to curl.
Zuko growled as he felt her pulse around him, causing his climax to follow hers. As they both came down he rolled them so she was on top of him. Both of their breathing was heavy from the exertion. As they finally settled, the Fire Lord looked down at his wife with a smirk. "How was that for a downpayment?"
Katara erupted into giggles hiding her face in his chest.
She watched from afar, she had stumbled on the couple accidentally. They were locked in their own bubble oblivious to the woman watching them. She dropped onto the ground in front of one of the benches so she could see them better. The love was radiating off of them, it was a beautiful thing to witness.
Azula looked down at the sketchbook in her hands. She had wanted to draw the cherry blossom tree, it was something she did when her mother would feed the turtle ducks with Zuko. But now seeing them in the shade of the very same tree, she had the urge to paint them instead.
Her hands worked quickly to sketch the image, wanting to be sure to capture each and every detail.
As the Princess watched them she found a slow knot of envy forming in the pit of her stomach. The gentleness with how they interacted with each other was refreshing, it was not something Azula was used to seeing in a couple. But with each gentle caress, there was a heat of passion behind it.
She worked to capture the emotion she could feel across the garden from the couple.
The Fire Nation Princess was so absorbed in her work she didn't notice her mother observing her.
Ursa moved closer to her daughter, taking a seat on the bench that Azula's back was against. It gave her a perfect view of the Princess's sketching.
"You always were incredibly talented," she mumbled to her daughter as she saw the sketch.
Azula's hand paused for a moment before continuing on with the image she was creating. She was embarrassed she hadn't realized someone had come up to her. "How long have you been watching?"
"Just a few minutes," her mother whispered delicately. She knew her daughter prided herself on being observant, she hadn't meant to startle her. "You probably don't remember but I always used to love watching you sketch, Zula bug. And you would doodle on anything you could get your hands on."
"I remember," the Princess mumbled as she smudged some of the charcoal. Things had been much better with her mother since Azula had returned from the North Pole. But it didn't mean their relationship was in a good place.
"This piece is beautiful," Ursa told her daughter, the pride evident in her voice. "I've always been amazed by what you could do with just a piece of charcoal, Zula bug."
"It's only the reference sketch," Azula whispered as she looked down at the finished piece. "I plan to paint them and then gift it to them."
"How thoughtful," her mother commented as she admired the art. "I know they will love it greatly."
"I hope so." The Princess closed the book and stood from her spot. She looked at her mother and hesitated. "I'm supposed to meet Councilman Baihu in a half hour, but maybe we could have tea tomorrow morning?"
"That sounds wonderful, Azula," Ursa agreed with a smile. It was the first time her daughter had invited her without pressure from anyone else.
Notes:
Did you guess Katara was pregnant? Finally gonna see a little prince or princess in the next coming chapters :)
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, let me know your thoughts in a review!
Thank you all for your continued support! See you in 2023!
Chapter 25 coming February 5th, 2023!
Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty-Five: Winter 104 AG
Notes:
First of all, I want to say thank you to each and every one of you for your support but also your patience.
This chapter was supposed to be posted back in January but then life got the better of me and I was unable to fulfill that commitment. I had hoped to post it in February but then Texas (where I live) was hit with a massive ice storm and that caused some other problems. And again life got crazy.
I think trying to prepare a chapter a month is a little ambitious for this season of my life. I have made this promise before but I'll make it again, this story will get finished at some point! But at this moment in time, I think to set expectations I will say to look for a new chapter every other month. I promise to do better on keeping my Instagram @JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ updated so you can be aware of when a new chapter will be posted.
Thank you to everyone who has left kudos or a comment! I haven't had a chance to go through all the comments but I hope this week and next week I'll be able to catch up by responding to all of them.
I know so many of you have been following this story from the beginning and I had hoped to have it already finished by now but since writing is not my real job and since going back to school it's just not possible for me to keep my previous schedule. Thank you all for your support and patience, again! I so appreciate you!
I hope this chapter makes up for my absence! Happy reading!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty-Five: Winter 104 AG
The Fire Lord watched as the ship docked in the mass of dark waves. He was grateful Malu and Akio came to wake him for their visitor. Thankfully Katara was still fast asleep in their bed, her pregnancy was taking its toll on her. During the first few months, the only time she hadn't been sick was when she was sleeping. And now the waterbender spent most of the day sleeping she was so exhausted.
"Zuko," the chieftain greeted as he stepped onto Fire Nation soil. He held out his arm and the greeting was instantly reciprocated. Unknown to his wife, Zuko had sent a letter requesting her father to travel and stay in the Fire Nation for the duration of her pregnancy. He figured his wife needed the support of her family.
"Hakoda, thank you for coming," the firebender said to his father-in-law. He turned to greet the next man. "Good to see you Bato. If we had known the news before you left we would have had you stay in the Fire Nation."
"We didn't mind the journey," Hakoda brushed off the apology. His arm wrapped around his lover's waist. "Besides we are just thrilled to be welcoming a new grandchild."
"Congratulations Zuko," Bato told the young monarch with a grin. The warrior draped his arm around the chieftain's shoulders. "As happy as we are, we know you must be overjoyed at the news."
"Thank you, Bato," he nodded his head at the man. The two tribesmen had made the journey in almost half the time; going so far as to travel on a cargo ship from Omashu to Merchant's pier before the Fire Lord's Flagship met them. "Let's get you back to the palace, I hope you don't mind the Komodo rhinos."
"I have to say both Koda and I during the war had the urge to ride one. Guess we finally have the chance," the warrior confessed to the Fire Lord as they all mounted the rhinos. Zuko threw Bato a playful grin over his shoulder.
"How is my daughter doing?" Hakoda questioned once they began their journey toward the palace.
The firebender sighed heavily, his eyes never straying from the path he was leading the men on. "Her pregnancy has been difficult, I will not lie."
"Difficult?" The chieftain turned to look at the young monarch. He didn't doubt the man's ability to take care of Katara. But she was his daughter and the tribesman knew the struggle of bearing a child. He remembered that Kya had a harder pregnancy with Katara than with Sokka.
"The midwife is not concerned, though Katara was sick constantly the first few weeks," Zuko mumbled as he ran a hand through his hair. "And she's extremely exhausted most of the time now."
"Carrying and birthing a child takes much energy," Bato comforted his lover and son-in-law. "It is good she is resting while she can. Don't worry unless the midwife tells you."
"I'm afraid I will only stop worrying once the babe is born," the Fire Nation sovereign mumbled looking down at the reins in his hands. Until his child was in his arms and his wife had recovered from the birth, his anxiety would be high.
Hakoda and Bato exchanged a look with each other, both recognized Zuko and Katara need them more than they thought. It was good they had traveled to the Fire Nation.
The men rode the rest of the way through the dark cobblestone streets of Caldera in silence. Once the party had arrived within the outer walls of the palace the tribesmen were escorted by Jiang to their room within the family wing.
Across the way, the Fire Lord entered his bedchamber and readied himself for bed. Zuko looked at Katara as he tied his sleep pants, she was laying on her side facing away from him. He quickly slipped underneath the red silk sheets and pulled his wife close to him. His arm wrapped around her and his hand went to rest on her baby bump, he was pleased to feel a soft nudge against him.
"Zuko?" The waterbender's voice was soft and raspy though her husband could sense an undertone of panic. Her body instantly stiffened as the unknown person moved closer to her. She shifted slightly away from him.
"Shh, it's me," her husband comforted, he hated leaving her. Her posture relaxed and she snuggled closer to the warm body behind her. "I didn't mean to wake you, everything is fine. We'll talk in the morning."
"Where were you?" Even through the heaviness of sleep, he heard her frustration and worry at being left alone. The Fire Lady still carried so much fear from the assassination attempt in the summer. And the continuing threats had prolonged her anxieties.
"I just had to check on something," Zuko whispered, placing a kiss on her temple. He pressed his lips to her ear. "Go back to sleep Katara, the baby needs you to rest."
"Don't leave me," she whimpered before succumbing to sleep.
"Never, I got you." He pulled her tightly against him and counted her breaths allowing them to soothe his own worry until sleep overcame him.
"Little tiger seal," Hakoda whispered as he clutched his daughter to his chest. She pressed her cheek against him as they embraced.
"Dad, I missed you," she replied still holding tight to him. Katara hadn't realized how much she wanted her father until she had seen him. She took a deep breath and the scent of home overwhelmed her.
"I missed you too," the chieftain placed a kiss on the top of her head. Zuko was an incredible husband to his daughter, but he still worried about her living alone in the Fire Nation.
The waterbender finally released her father and moved to greet her stepfather. The two embraced similarly though for a shorter time frame. "I'm glad you're here Bato."
"We wouldn't miss this for anything," the warrior reassured her as she pulled away from him. He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, "You look radiant Katara."
"Thank you, Bato!" Her answering smile showcased how truly and well-loved she was.
"Let's not stand around, have a seat," Zuko gestured toward the table where breakfast had been laid out. A little bit of shuffling had the group seated around the family dining room ready to enjoy the meal with each other.
"Is that where you ran away to last night?" Katara raised one eyebrow as she looked at her husband. The dots finally connected in her head.
"Guilty," the Fire Lord replied placing a quick kiss on the tip of her nose before turning back to the tribesmen.
"As happy as I am to see you, what are you both doing here?" The waterbender asked as the servants began to serve tea. Before Hakoda could answer Azula walked into the room with Piandao.
"I thought you had already had breakfast," the Fire Nation Princess commented as she took a seat. The sword master pulled out her chair before moving to sit next to her.
Katara's eyes zeroed in on the interaction between master and student.
"We skipped training today," the Fire Lord informed his sister. He was not unaware of the accusatory tone his sister had taken. "Katara needs her rest and I was out late to welcome Hakoda and Bato."
"Katara gets to skip training because she is carrying a baby, but you are going to get soft Zuzu," Azula brushed some hair out of her face. She turned to face the tribesmen, "Good to see you Hakoda, Bato."
"Hello Azula," Bato replied with a nod while the chieftain smiled at the young woman.
"Dad, you didn't answer my question, what are you doing here?" Katara interrupted she was curious why her father had essentially returned to the Fire Nation after only being home for a fortnight.
"Zuko invited us when we learned of your pregnancy," Hakoda commented easily as he accepted the serving plate of fire cakes from his lover. The chieftain's eyes never met his daughters.
The Fire Lord placed some fruit on his wife's plate avoiding adding anything to the conversation. "Don't forget that Shinju wanted you to increase your fruit intake. She said it was important for the baby's development."
She looked at her plate and ignored the clear avoidance of her question. The waterbender knew if she wanted answers the best way to get them was from her husband in their bedroom.
"How were your travels Hakoda?" Piandao asked the tribesman.
"They were well, Zuko sent his flagship," the Southern Chief told the sword master. He could sense some odd energy between the table. He was unsure if it was from his surprise arrival or the arrival of the sword master and Fire Nation Princess.
"A beautiful ship, different than the Water Tribe but no less spectacular," Bato agreed, trying to make ideal conversation. "We are both thrilled to be here for Katara's pregnancy."
"How did the council react to the news?" Hakoda turned to look at his daughter.
"Very well," Katara mumbled as she looked down at the food on her plate. She was trying to ignore the demand for a firebender throughout the entire royal court. Zuko kept assuring her that all he wanted was a healthy child but her fears were still simmering in her belly.
"The court is ecstatic that she is pregnant," Azula commented before taking a bite of food. She knew that her sister-in-law was constantly worrying about the backlash if she birthed a waterbender. "As am I! I cannot wait to spoil my new niece or nephew."
"You won't spoil my children," Zuko grumbled as he pressed a hand to his wife's belly, and the baby kicked him instantly.
"Of course not, Zuzu, you will do that all on your own," the Fire Nation Princess cooed at her brother. Her eyes twinkled at teasing him.
"You walked into that one," Katara giggled at her husband's facepalm. The baby shifted suddenly, "Oh!"
Everyone turned toward the waterbender as she clutched her stomach, but their eyes were quickly averted to the firebender who was panicking.
"Are you okay? Is the baby okay? Should I get Shinju?" Zuko's questions came out quickly, giving no room for his wife to respond. "Giya, get Shinju!"
"Giya, no," Katara commanded when her husband stopped speaking. She tried to push him away from her. "I'm fine."
The maidservant turned to look at the Fire Lady and then the Fire Lord. She was not used to getting conflicting orders.
"Katara," he grumbled exasperated. He wasn't taking any chances with her pregnancy.
"I'm fine Zuko," the waterbender shot her husband a scathing look. "The baby just shifted quickly and it startled me. Nothing is wrong."
"I would feel better if Shinju looked at you," the Fire Lord argued as he looked at his wife in annoyance. He stood up to seek out the midwife on his own.
"And I would feel better if my husband would trust me," the Fire Lady seethed crossing her arms over her chest. The firebender stopped and stared at her in annoyance. Her hormonal shift combined with her own stubbornness and her husband's short temper was causing more quarrels between the two.
"Zuzu, Katara is fine," Azula defended her sister-in-law. She looked down at her nails, "If there was cause for concern, she would know. She's a master healer, stop being so dramatic and sit down. You are ruining breakfast."
The firebender leaned over and went to say something sarcastic back to his sister but paused when his mother walked into the room.
"Hakoda, I didn't realize you and your partner were staying with us," Ursa greeted the two men as she took her seat on the opposite side of the table. "Always a pleasure to see you both."
"A surprise visit," Bato grinned cheekily.
"A surprise visit yet my husband snuck out of bed to greet them," the waterbender mumbled under her breath with a look at her father. "You ask me that's not much of a surprise."
"Ursa, it is good to see you. Bato and I couldn't resist the opportunity to spend the duration of Katara's pregnancy in the Fire Nation," the Southern chief placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "We want to be sure we can help when needed and shoulder the stress so she can have a safe pregnancy."
The waterbender turned to grin at her father. It was not lost on her or her husband the subtle warning Hakoda was giving.
"Zuko what are you doing standing there and hovering? Sit down," Ursa commanded her son. The Fire Lord immediately sat down, not noticing how the table repressed a giggle at his expense.
The rest of the table continued conversing, catching up with their guests and on Katara's pregnancy. Zuko sat there brooding at his concern being brushed off. And for being scolded by his mother.
Her sapphire eyes watched him for a few minutes before she leaned close to him. "When you pout you get this adorable wrinkle right here," she poked him in the forehead. "It's one of the things I love about you."
Gold eyes met the waterbender's. "Are you sure you are okay?"
"I promise I'm fine, it was just a sudden movement and it surprised me," Katara reassured her husband. "I know you are worried too, just as much as me. There will be times when Shinju is needed and I promise to tell you when that's necessary."
"Okay," Zuko responded, he leaned over and kissed his wife quickly. He placed his hand back on her belly. "Are you up for the council meeting today?"
"I've missed too many during the first few weeks, Zuko," the waterbender reminded him, she placed her hand on top of his. "I'll be fine for the meeting and the rest of the day's activities. Stop worrying so much."
"I'll stop worrying once the baby is born," the Fire Lord countered, he dropped a kiss onto the tip of her nose.
Aang watched the airbenders as they practiced their bending from the top of the cliff. He was amazed at how quickly the children had caught on to their forms.
The Avatar still struggled with what had happened to his entire culture but seeing them come out of hiding brought him so much joy.
His hand absentmindedly stroked the lemur's head. Momo and Appa were enjoying the plethora of fruits the Western Air Temple had available along the cliffside.
"They are strong," Jinju commented as he sat down next to the young monk.
"Yes, they are," Aang agreed moving over slightly so the older man could sit next to him. "In the next week or two, I think a few of them can move to the next level."
"Amazing how even though they had only mastered the basics how quickly they are learning the advanced sets," the older airbender whispered. He watched as his grandchildren worked hard on mastering the element.
"A few have already decided to follow in the footsteps of the monks," the Avatar told him. He was greatly pleased that three of the younger children had already expressed interest in following the footsteps of monasticism.
"Yes, though I worry about our numbers growing still," Jinju confessed softly. Having been brought up in the temples like Aang, he hated discouraging anyone from the life of a monk. But the fact that the airbenders were still such a small people, it was important to think about how many benders wanted to embrace celibacy.
"It might be time to think about creating some laws and regulations," Aang sighed softly. He despised telling anyone what to do, Jinju was right though. They could not have so many men embrace the practice of celibacy that they sacrificed the growth of their people.
"Too much responsibility," the older man whispered with a shake of his head. "I know the Anniversary Summit has passed for this year, but I think next year we will be ready to enter the peace negotiations. Though perhaps one not so jaded from the past should be the one to travel with you."
"There is much wisdom in your words," the Avatar agreed. He had already been vetting some of the older airbenders. One who could move on from the past but still be thoughtful in arranging treaties and trade agreements.
"I know it must feel like a mountain trying to rebuild our culture," Jinju began after a few minutes of observing the teenager. "But you have already done so much and it will come. Don't compare tomorrow to what will be in years."
The older airbender did not wait for Aang to respond, merely stood and made his way back down the temple. It was time the young Avatar needed before he truly would see all that he had done for the Air Nomads.
"I don't get why we had to come to the Eastern Air Temple without Aang," Toph complained to Haru as they began creating the plan to rebuild. The airbender had drawn out a replica of what he could remember and now Haru was left with the task of creating small models so his wife could see what needed to be done.
The male earthbender wrapped his arms around his new wife and she leaned back into his chest. "Are you really upset we are alone?"
She shrugged in response. The truth was she was more annoyed that they had to piece together the rebuild without knowing what the Eastern Temple used to look like. Even with the airbender's drawing for Haru, Toph was skeptical they would do it to the Avatar's standards. She didn't really care that Aang was not there, more she just didn't want to be blamed for something that was not her fault — like her father had been doing for years now.
"I know I'm happy for the alone time, it's not like we had a real opportunity for a honeymoon," Haru placed a kiss on her temple. "Think of this time as just for us."
"Are you upset we didn't tell anyone?" The Blind Bandit questioned softly. She had been thinking of their elopement for some time now. And while she liked not having the pomp and circumstance, she worried about Haru.
"Our wedding was beautiful and I wouldn't change it for the world," he pressed his lips to her ear as he reassured her. "And when the time is right we will tell everyone, but right now I'm just happy I get to keep you forever."
"Zula bug, happy happy birthday," Ursa embraced her daughter briefly before cupping her face and looking into her eyes. The joy was radiating off of her as she looked at her youngest child. "I am so proud of the woman you have become."
"Thanks, mom." The Fire Nation Princess blushed before she turned to move away but was quickly wrapped in another set of arms.
"Happy birthday, Azula!" Katara hugged her sister-in-law tightly. She had spent all week planning the celebratory dinner for her husband's sister. Katara hoped that she had done right by Azula and she would enjoy the celebration.
"Thank you," the Princess replied as she squeezed the waterbender quickly. Azula care deeply for Katara, she was like the sister she never had. After releasing her embrace, she turned to her brother.
"Happy birthday, Zula," the Fire Lord whispered as he hugged his sister. While they both had grown up with lavish parties, neither had actually enjoyed them. "I am honored to call you my sister."
"Thank you, Zuzu," her voice was soft as she held onto her brother. She swallowed the lump in her throat as his pride washed over her. The brother and sister held onto each other a little longer before they pulled away.
Soon everyone was seating themselves around the dinner table. There was a mountain of gifts at Azula's seat. Though as she looked through the cards, the Princess was disappointed not to see one from Piandao. In fact, as she looked around she couldn't find the sword master among the seated parties.
There was her family, the tribesmen, along with Mai and Ty Lee. Her sword master was nowhere to be seen.
Zuko silently observed his sister as she shuffled the gifts around. The disappointment was clear on her face, but he was unsure why.
"Jiang, please let the servers know we are ready," the Fire Lady whispered to the head of the household. Katara seemed to be the only one to notice the Princess's crestfallen face and gave her a quizzical look.
"Is Piandao not coming?" Azula asked her sister-in-law softly. She didn't want to bring attention to the fact she was upset her sword master did not show.
"Your mother arranged for him to have dinner with Lady Xia," the waterbender leaned close to whisper her reply. She placed a hand on Azula's arm in comfort. "I'm not sure exactly about the details, but Ursa is still trying to find him a wife. Though I think she might start looking at male romantic prospects for him if this date isn't successful."
"Oh," the Fire Nation Princess mumbled as she looked down at her plate. She hoped her disappointment didn't show on her face.
Azula couldn't picture Piandao out with the Jr. Minister of Parks and Recreation. If anything she thought the two were ill-matched. Xia was more concerned with finding a husband ahead of her station than the work she took over from her mother on the council. The Fire Nation Princess thought the sword master would be incredibly bored with the noblewoman.
"Zula bug, would you like to open your presents now or after dinner?" Ursa asked from her spot across the table. She wasn't sure what caused her daughter's mood to sour so suddenly.
"Could we do it during dinner? I'm famished," Azula answered with a sheepish smile. She wanted to keep her hands as busy as possible. The Princess could feel her brother's eyes on her. She was not sure of the reason why he was scrutinizing her but she wanted to avoid any suspicion at all costs.
"Of course," her mother replied just as the servants began distributing the meals. Ursa was sure to point out the work that the Fire Lady had put into curating the celebration, "Katara had Jiang make all your favorites."
"Thank you, Katara," Azula told her sister-in-law, just barely resisting rolling her eyes. She knew her mother was trying to make sure she was being respectful and polite. Though it wasn't necessary, Azula had already thanked the waterbender profusely.
"You are very welcome, Azula," the Fire Lady winked at the Princess when no one else was looking. Katara was well aware of how Ursa was overly concerned with propriety.
Throughout dinner, the Fire Nation Princess went through each gift and was surprised at how thoughtful they were. She hadn't expected the group in front of her to know her so well.
Hakoda and Bato had gifted Azula a set of rare paints from Kyoshi. Ty Lee had purchased a collection of the Princess's favorite candies. Ursa had commissioned a set of paintbrushes for her daughter. Katara and Zuko had redone one of Azula's rooms into an art studio for her, which had been showcased earlier in the day.
But the most surprising gift had been from Mai.
As Azula unwrapped the noblewoman's gift, her breath caught in her throat. Her gold eyes flew up to look at her former friend, "Mai? How? I mean — I don't know what to say."
"I meant to give it to you awhile back, but . . ." the noblewoman shrugged as she trailed off. She had hoped Azula would have opened her presents alone. But another part of her wanted to see the Princess's reaction to her gift.
Gold eyes looked down at the piece of jewelry in her hand.
Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee had all purchased a piece of custom jewelry from the same collection when they were children. Azula the necklace, Mai the ring, and Ty Lee the bracelet. The noblewomen only ever removed their pieces when they were in prison, but after their release immediately donned them.
The Fire Nation Princess had never voluntarily removed the necklace but during the war, it had gone missing. When they had trashed the Chan house on Ember Island the clasp had broken. It was something Azula had been extremely upset about, but both Mai and Ty Lee had assured her later that night that their friendship would survive the lost necklace.
Mai gifting the Fire Nation Princess a replica of the necklace was the most significant thing the noblewoman could have done for Azula.
"How did you get it? The jeweler passed away the year after we purchased them," the Princess mumbled as she looked at the necklace. She was surprised at how perfect the replica was.
"It's the original," Mai corrected, she looked down at her plate. The noblewoman took a deep breath and waited for the response.
"But how?"
"You were so upset that night, so early the next morning I went back to Chan's and looked for it," Mai shrugged not meeting Azula's eyes. She scratched her forearm a nervous tick from when she was a child as she continued. "I meant to give it to you once we returned home but so many things happened I forgot. And now just seemed like the right time."
"Thank you, Mai," Azula's voice cracked with emotion as her fingertips clasped the necklace tightly. She blinked back the tears in her eyes. "This means so much to me."
"Here let me help you," Ty Lee shot up and moved to help the Princess secure the piece of jewelry around her neck. The acrobat was thrilled that her lover was trying to repair her relationship with their friend. Ty Lee had missed their trio.
Zuko shot the noblewoman a small smile when no one was looking. Mai had come to him a while back to sort out her feelings about the Princess. The noblewoman had let it slip that she had the necklace in her possession and the monarch had suggested that when she was ready it would be a nice gesture to return it. As well as reestablish the bond between all three friends.
The rest of Azula's birthday dinner went well. Conversation flowed easily and the Princess felt truly re-assimilated into her old life. After thanking each person, Azula made her way to her room with all her gifts in her arms.
She hesitated briefly when she saw a tall figure standing in the shadows by her entryway. It was odd for anyone to get this far into the family wing of the royal palace without being detained, and even more unusual to be awaiting the return of a royal family member.
"Master Piandao, I thought you had an engagement with Lady Xia," the Princess greeted the sword master. She hoped her words didn't sound as bitter as she felt.
"My engagement lasted no longer than thirty minutes and I am not extending an invitation for another one," Piandao explained himself quickly. Though in the back of his mind, he wondered why he felt the need. His stomach sank at hearing her formality.
"Why did you go if you weren't interested?" Azula gestured for him to follow her into her sitting room.
The sword master took a seat as she dropped her gifts onto the table. He had wanted to attend her birthday dinner and had even received an invitation from the Fire Lady, but the Fire Lord's mother had already thrust the engagement with the noblewoman upon him. As loath as he was to dine with Lady Xia, he was a gentleman and would not cancel.
"Saying no to your mother is proving to be harder than I ever imagined," he leaned back in his chair and watched her as she fiddled with the gifts. Piandao was a little surprised that she hadn't noticed the package next to him. "She is determined to find me a wife, though I don't know why."
Azula shrugged, it was something that had plagued her mind for the past few months. And even more so during her birthday dinner, "She thinks highly of you, otherwise, she wouldn't be going through the effort."
"I will take it as a compliment, even though I have no desire or need for a wife," the sword master expressed. He didn't like seeing her so forlorn, "But I do have the desire to give you your present."
Gold eyes flashed to meet his dark ones. She swallowed loudly as she stared at the man in front of her, "I hadn't realized you had the intention of getting me a present."
His mustache twitched as he looked at the Princess. The sword master reached down to grab the package before presenting it to her. "Happy birthday, Azula."
The Princess reverently unwrapped the gift. She lifted the lid of the box to find nestled inside was a wakizashi. The sheath was decorated with the dragon goddess of war depicted in gold paint, the hilt had a hatched pattern for an easy grip. Azula unsheathed the sword and was surprised at how light it was though the steel sparkled with a deadly edge.
"It's beautiful," she whispered as she held the wakizashi. It was lighter and slightly smaller than the katana she had been practicing with for the past few months. "But it's entirely too much. I know it must have cost you a fortune."
"I'm glad you like it. And don't worry about the cost," he resisted the urge to smile. But the corners of his eyes crinkled showcasing his pleasure. Piandao didn't correct her on the fact that he had made the sword and not bought it. "I know we have been using a katana, but a few weeks ago I noticed that you use your smaller reach to your advantage."
"What do you mean?" Azula gave him a confused look as she tried to process what he was trying to communicate.
"Most larger opponents rely on their longer reach and you close that distance," the sword master began explaining. His voice took on the authoritative huskiness she was growing to like. "You shorten that gap and reduce the personal space. Causing taller and larger opponents to fumble, they aren't used to keeping their movements close to them. You are extremely skilled with the katana, but I figured the wakizashi would allow you the ability to keep that advantage."
"I didn't realize I did that," she mumbled looking down at the sword. Her cheeks colored prettily.
"I'm not surprised," Piandao commented as she admired the wakizashi. He had never been worried about someone liking his creation, but as he watched her eyes taken in the sword he became extremely concerned with her opinion. He stood suddenly, his stomach was twisted in knots and the energy in the room was stifling. "Well it's late I should head back to my room."
Azula placed the sword back in the sheath and stood to escort him out of her room. Her gold eyes looked down at her feet. "Thank you for the sword, it's truly beautiful."
"You are welcome Azula," Piandao whispered as he brushed a lock of hair out of her face. Causing her to look up at him. "Happy birthday."
The sword master leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead before taking his leave.
Hakoda was trying to find his way to the kitchens. As often as he had visited, the Fire Nation palace was still a bit of a mystery to the tribesman. He finally found it and was surprised to find a light on with a man hunched over sitting at the counter.
"Zuko?" The chieftain questioned as he moved closer to his son-in-law.
The young monarch's head snapped up to take the tribesman. "Hakoda, is everything alright?"
"I think I should be asking you that, I was just looking for a midnight snack," he replied as he moved to sit next to the firebender.
Zuko reached behind him and pulled over a covered plate. "Jiang always makes sure there are some snacks readily available."
"Thank you," the tribesman accepted the plate easily. He uncovered it to find a plethora of tea sandwiches and snack cakes. Hakoda was able to take in the glass of fire whisky in front of the firebender. "So why are you up so late?"
The young Fire Lord scrubbed a hand over his face. "We're having a baby."
"Yes, you are," the chieftain mumbled trying not to laugh before he took a bite out of one of the snack cakes. He had a feeling there was more that his son-in-law wanted to say, so instead of continuing Hakoda waited.
Zuko looked down into his glass of liquor. He wasn't sure how to express his emotions and he didn't want to burden Katara. She was plagued with her own worries and she had the responsibility of carrying their child. The firebender sighed heavily, "My father was not good, in fact, he was probably the worst parent someone could have. I worry about turning into him."
"Ahh," Hakoda nodded as heard the fear in Zuko's voice. He wasn't surprised at the revelation.
"I don't know what I'm doing," the firebender mumbled before taking a deep swallow of his drink.
"Well first off, this will not solve your problems only make them worse," the tribesman took the glass out of Zuko's hands. "Word of advice never drink liquor when you're upset. Why don't I make you some tea?"
"No I can do it, it will be good for me to keep my hands busy," Zuko explained as he stood. He knew his father-in-law was right about the whisky.
"At some point in time every man worries about being a good father," Hakoda began as the firebender started the tea. "The fact that you are worrying shows you will be a good one."
"Yes, but it's in my blood to turn into a terrible one," the Fire Lord mumbled as he poured each of them a cup of tea. "And I don't want to burn my child, like Ozai did to me."
He meant for the words to be said under his breath but he wasn't counting on his father-in-law's keen sense of hearing.
"What do you mean like Ozai did to you?" The chieftain's eyes were a stormy blue as he looked at the monarch.
Zuko couldn't help but notice the similarity between Hakoda and Katara as the tribesman looked at him. The firebender sat down and refused to meet the man's eyes. "I thought Katara would have told you."
"My daughter wouldn't tell me something that she learned in confidence."
"I know," Zuko rested his head in his hands. His stomach roiled at the thought of explaining to the Southern Chief how he received his scar.
Hakoda continued to eat his midnight snack in silence waiting for the Fire Lord to build up the courage to explain what he was really worried about.
"When I was thirteen my father burned me publicly because I spoke out of turn in a war meeting," the firebender whispered. His words came out quickly, he wanted the explanation over with as fast as possible.
"An unfair punishment," the tribesman shook his head. He had never given much thought to how Zuko received the scar, but Hakoda hadn't expected it to be deliberate. Or that it was by the hand of his father.
"Ozai and unfair went hand in hand," the Fire Lord muttered bitterly. While he had worked through most of his trauma that night on the roof with Katara, that didn't mean he didn't struggle with what had happened to him.
"You are not your father, Zuko," Hakoda began softly. Memories of the war came to the forefront of his mind. "I've met Ozai and I was held prisoner by the Fire Nation. I know how terrible your father was. But you are not him."
"I used to think my father was good, I have a handful of memories from before I was six that were positive. But then everything changed. I used to believe that my birth and existence is what made him so cruel," the firebender admitted softly. He looked down at his tea, seeing his reflection in the liquid. The scar was obscured by the steam billowing off of the cup.
"A child does not make a parent abusive," the chieftain comforted his son-in-law. "That comes from something inside them, but you don't have that. And the man you should focus on as your father was Iroh."
"I know," the firebender sighed as he looked up at the tribesman. "Everything I do is to make him and Katara proud."
"You are making them proud, my daughter writes me long letters about everything you do," Hakoda continued in the quiet kitchen. "Her pride is palpable through her words."
"She tells me she's proud of me almost every day," the firebender's gold eyes held a small twinkle as he thought of his wife.
"And Iroh," the chieftain shook his softly as he thought of the old general. "When he speaks about you, his entire face lights up. His pride is contagious and the longer you lead your nation the more you remind me of your Uncle. I don't doubt your ability to be an incredible father and neither should you."
Zuko looked into the blue eyes that were so much like his wife's for a few minutes before nodding. "Thank you Hakoda."
Across the palace, Katara half-asleep reached for her husband only to find the sheets cold. The waterbender turned to her other side and tried to wait up for her husband but by the time he returned, she was fast asleep, never knowing how lonely she felt by his absence.
The Fire Lady delicately unwrapped the gift that her sister-in-law presented to her. She could feel all of the noblewomen's eyes on her.
Katara and all the women of the royal court were gathered in the gardens for a luncheon celebrating her pregnancy. It was customary in the Fire Nation to host an event for the mother to celebrate the baby. While the tribeswoman tended to not appreciate each and every event that was required of her, this was one she enjoyed.
Along with the party came a plethora of wrapped packages. So far most of the gifts had been for the baby. The Fire Lady had lost count of the amount of baby clothes, blankets, and stuffed dragons that had been gifted.
But as the waterbender tore the paper off of the rather large gift in her hand she had a feeling this one was for her.
"Azula," Katara's voice came out breathy expressing her awe. Her sapphire eyes took in each and every detail. "It's beautiful!"
Every woman in the garden tried to take a peek at the gift. No one else's gift had elicited such a reaction from the monarch. Finally, the Fire Lady turned it to show the crowd.
In her hands was a large painting of the Fire Nation royal couple in the family's private garden underneath the cherry blossoms.
Zuko was sitting with his back to the tree, his legs outstretched in front of him. Katara was laying on her back with her head in his lap and her legs bent. He had one hand on her baby bump, the other was placing a cherry blossom in her hair. The waterbender's eyes were closed a content smile on her face with both hands on her belly. Zuko was looking down at his wife, the love and bliss clearly shown on his face. The pond and turtle ducks were included at the base of the painting. Azula had included a few falling cherry blossoms around the scenery, along with a few in the pond.
The painting was breathtaking, the waterbender thought to herself. Her sister-in-law didn't know it then, but when she had come across them that day it was the first time the couple had felt the baby kick.
"I'm glad you like it," the Princess replied as she watched the noblewoman admire the artwork.
"It's so lovely. Who did you commission?" One of the noblewomen asked the Princess as she admired the work. It took everything in Azula to not respond negatively back to the woman.
All afternoon the Fire Nation Princess had been hearing small snide comments about Katara and the baby. Most of the royal court could not help themselves when it came to criticizing the Fire Lady. While the rest of the Fire Nation had fallen in love with the waterbender, most of the noblewomen were still scorned because they or their daughters had not been chosen as a bride by the Fire Lord.
"She didn't have it commissioned," the Fire Lady interjected when she saw Azula's eyes narrow. The pride was palpable as the monarch continued, "Azula painted it. I didn't even know you had seen us."
"Well, I didn't want you to know. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a surprise," the Princess smirked at the waterbender. She was still a little offended that the noblewoman didn't think her capable of creating the art. "I figured you could hang it in the nursery for the baby."
"Oh, Azula! I love that idea," Katara quickly stood and wrapped her sister-in-law in a fierce hug. "Thank you."
The Fire Lady was fussed over a few minutes later to continue opening the gifts that had been presented to her. But it was obvious to everyone watching, the favorite of the gifts was Azula's.
"Your painting came out wonderfully," Ursa told her daughter as she joined her off to the side. She was not okay with her daughter's talent being ignored. "I knew it would."
"Thank you," she replied picking at the tablecloth. The Princess wanted to be here to celebrate Katara and the baby, but she hated interacting with the women of the royal court.
"I'm sure Katara wouldn't mind if you wanted to go train," her mother commented after a few minutes. She could see her daughter itching to leave the gardens. Frankly, Ursa was also exhausted from the commentary that was ongoing through the noblewomen. Though she would never admit it to anyone.
"I would hate to leave her to the lion vultures alone," Azula mumbled as she looked over at her sister-in-law. She was always amazed at how Katara was able to separate and control her temper when it came to the women of the royal court. Especially since she knew how often Katara and Zuko lost their tempers with each other, though they never stayed mad at each other long.
"She is hardly alone, Azula," Ursa resisted the urge to reprimand her daughter. "But if you would like to stay I won't stop you. Though I did hear Master Piandao challenge Bato to a sparring match, I just thought you would like to watch."
The Princess's ears perked up at the mention of her sword master. Her mother was right, she would much prefer to watch the match than stay and entertain the women of the court.
"If you don't think she would mind then I'll go watch," Azula stood looking around the gardens for the fastest escape. The Princess quickly left, avoiding all goodbyes, and made her way to the training arena.
She was welcomed by the sight of her sword master in a deep sparring match with the tribesman. The Fire Nation Princess took a seat in the arena, her gold eyes glued to the form of Piandao as he skillfully sparred his opponent.
The sword master could feel her eyes on him, his body always knew when she was around. Something he had been noticing since they danced together during the Anniversary Summit. Piandao made sure his next move was showy for the Princess. He could practically hear her gasp from across the training arena.
Azula was enthralled as she watched the two men battle. She held her breath each time Bato looked to get the upper hand. The Princess was fascinated by the way Piandao moved through each move he made. His display of skill sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine.
The two men batted for an hour before Piandao knocked the tribesman's sword out of his hand causing him to fall backward. Effectively rendering the sword master as the victor.
"You got me this time," Bato chuckled as he accepted the offered hand. "Rematch tomorrow?"
"It's a deal." Piandao grinned as he pulled up the edge of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. He enjoyed sparring with Bato and Hakoda, both had joined him for his own personal practice.
The Fire Nation Princess sucked in a breath through her teeth as her eyes zeroed in on the chiseled lower torso of the sword master. She could see the glistening of sweat dripping down his stomach. His skin was lightly tanned and he was covered in lean muscle. There was a light trail of dark hair that started at his navel and dipped below his training pants.
Azula could feel the saliva pooling in her mouth and swallowed noisily. Piandao pulled his shirt down and her gold eyes followed the motion until she met his dark eyes. The sword master raised one eyebrow at the Princess, a small smirk crossing his face. Her cheeks turned a rosy color at being caught staring. She immediately looked away.
"Looks like your student is eager for a lesson," Bato commented bringing the sword master out of his thoughts.
"More like she was eager to escape the tea party," Piandao mumbled as he looked at Azula. She was doing everything in her power not to look at him.
"Ah, right, Katara mentioned the event this morning at breakfast," the tribesman nodded as he remembered the conversation. "Seems like a nice tradition for the expectant mother."
"It is, but Azula isn't a fan of the noblewomen," the sword master explained as he observed the young woman. She looked beautiful, he thought. "The frivolousness is not her style."
"Cannot say I blame her," the warrior agreed. "Katara has mentioned on more than one occasion the superficial conversations of the royal court—"
"If you'll excuse me," Piandao interrupted the tribesman before walking toward the Princess. His dark eyes took in her form slowly as he moved to stand in front of her, "Hello Azula."
"Hello Piandao," she looked up at him from beneath her lashes. "Congratulations on your victory."
"Thank you," he nodded in response, the edges of his eyes crinkling. "How was the tea for Katara?"
"It was fine, there were countless speculations on whether she will birth a firebender," the Princess responded with a shrug. "But the presents were thoughtful for the most part, I'm sure that was my mother's doing."
"Did she like your painting?" He had been the only one to see the artwork while she worked on it. The project had taken her almost a month to perfect and Piandao had sat with her many days to keep her company as she worked.
"She did," Azula grinned as she thought of her sister-in-law's reaction to her gift.
"I'm sure it will look lovely in the nursery," the sword master told her.
"Thank you."
"If you are feeling up for it, perhaps you might want to join me while I finish my own training," Piandao offered his voice gravely from the exertion. He found himself desperate for her to say yes.
"I would like that," the Fire Nation Princess licked her lips, missing how his eyes followed the action. "Give me ten minutes to change?"
"Of course," the sword master nodded.
Less than ten minutes later the teacher and student were training together. Unaware of how Bato was watching their every interaction.
Her eyes fluttered closed and she melted into his arms. He placed a kiss on her mouth, softly like he had been doing it for years. Then another before he deepened their kiss.
She could feel his hands trailing up her ribcage and his fingertips brushing the underside of her breasts. Goosebumps littered her skin as he sensually touched her body.
A calloused hand moved to cup her breast as the other slid down her body until he reached the back of her knee. As his mouth continued to explore hers, he coaxed her leg to bend before wrapping it around his waist.
Her covered core was pressing against him and she rocked her hips seeking the friction she desperately needed. He groaned harshly into her mouth at the action. His teeth nipped her bottom lip in punishment before soothing it with his tongue.
The hand holding her breast moved to roll her nipple between his fingertips and he pressed their bodies closer together. His other hand moved to tangle in her hair and pull her mouth closer to his.
He pressed his pelvis into her cloth-covered core, adding to the friction she was striving for. Her body reacted in kind and she moaned into his mouth as she felt herself getting wetter. She wrapped her other leg around him and tried to push herself even closer to him.
All too soon he pulled away the two of the gasping for breath. He rested his forehead against hers, breath fanning across her face.
"Azula, little one," Piandao whispered.
The Fire Nation Princess woke suddenly, her body tingling from the dream.
She pressed a hand to her lips, shocked that her own imagination could conjure such a feeling in her. Azula laid there for a few more minutes before finally pulling herself out of bed. Her limbs felt like jelly as she stumbled her way to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face.
"Princess Azula, you'll be late for your training," Lian called softly as she laid out the young royal's clothes. It was unlike the Princess to sleep so late and the maidservant grew worried that the young royal perhaps had fallen ill.
"Right of course, thank you, Lian," she mumbled in response. Azula splashed her face one more time with cold water before braiding her hair and dressing for the day. She wasn't sure how she was going to face the sword master after her dream.
"Good morning Azula," Piandao greeted as she walked into the training arena. He took in her flushed appearance and instantly became worried.
"Good morning," her voice was hoarse and she cleared her throat. She felt as if he could tell she had an erotic dream about him.
"Are you feeling all right?" The concern was easy to hear in his voice. His dark eyes scanned her briefly.
"Yes," she nodded quickly. Her gold eyes shifted to look away from him. "Just woke up late and was rushing to get here."
The sword master hummed in acceptance, he could clearly see something was bothering her. But if she didn't want to tell him, he wouldn't push her. "Why don't we just focus on conditioning work for today? We will run and do some strength training then meditate."
"Whatever you think is best," Azula replied but her shoulders sagged in relief. She wasn't sure how she was going to handle sparring with him and now she didn't have to.
The teacher and student quickly began their training in a quiet atmosphere. Other than a few instructions the two worked quietly side by side. The longer they trained the more relaxed the Princess became in his presence. By the time they finished their meditation, Azula was feeling much better.
"You did a good job today," the sword master complimented his student as he held out his hand to help her off the ground. It was something he had done every time they trained and it had become instinctual now.
"Thank you," she mumbled. Her gold eyes stared a moment too long at his calloused hand before grasping it.
"I'll see you at breakfast?" He asked her after she stood, and he noticed that she released his hand quickly.
"No, I'm sorry," Azula quickly lied. Just feeling her hand in his brought back the memory of the dream she had. "I promised my mother I would meet with her this morning."
"Of course," Piandao nodded. He tried not to let his disappointment show at not only her absence but at the fact she was lying to him. The sword master hoped he had not done anything to offend the Princess. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"See you tomorrow," she mumbled before taking her to leave. Azula could not leave the arena fast enough. The longer she stood there the more she thought about her dream and the events that would have followed had she not woken. It was becoming too much for her.
"I was hoping you would do me a favor," Katara began as she passed her sister-in-law a plate filled with tea cakes. They were currently in Azula's private sitting room enjoying their afternoon tea.
"So that's why you asked me to have tea with you," the Princess lifted a perfect eyebrow as accepted the dish. "And I thought it was for my sparkling personality."
The waterbender rolled her eyes. "While I do enjoy your company, I did have something I wanted to ask you."
"Okay."
"You probably noticed that Zuko hasn't done his portrait yet," Katara began as she adjusted the napkin on her lap. "He is self-conscious of someone painting his scar, but you captured it so beautifully. And I was hoping you would do it for him."
"Oh really?" The Princess made eye contact with the Fire Lady. Never in a million years had she expected this type of request from her sister-in-law.
"I think it would mean a lot to him if you did it," the waterbender commented.
"I don't know if I could have Zuko sit for that long without getting on his nerves," Azula mumbled as she picked up one of the cakes on her plate.
"So don't have him sit for it," Katara shrugged. As she played with a loose string on her formal robes. "It's not like you don't know what he looks like or his mannerisms."
Azula was about to protest how much harder it was to paint someone who didn't pose but paused as she watched her sister-in-law. "You don't want him to know?"
"His portrait has been a point of tension between the two of us," the waterbender played with her engagement ring. She shrugged evasively, "I want him to embrace the publicity of being Fire Lord and have his portrait hung. But he still struggles with being labeled the banished prince."
"That's not who he is," Azula mumbled. Her gold eyes looked down into her teacup briefly. She hated that she had exaggerated some of Zuko's pain through the war but she couldn't change what happened. But just maybe she could heal some of the turmoil she had caused.
"It's still how some people see him, including the royal painter," Katara looked down at her hands. It had taken months to find out the reason Zuko hadn't had his portrait hung. The former royal painter had butchered the portrait and his scar; using it as an opportunity to show his dislike for the Fire Lord.
"Oh really?" The Princess's eyes were far away. To think that someone had taken her brother's scar and weaponized it made her blood boil. "I'll do it. Give me a few weeks to get a base sketch for you to approve and then I'll start."
"Thank you, Azula!" The waterbender's gratitude was contagious. "Now that is out of the way, why don't you tell me about you and Piandao?"
Azula jerked suddenly to look at her sister-in-law. Her cheeks colored as her dream was brought to the forefront of her mind. "What about Piandao and me?"
"Your swordsmanship lessons of course," Katara gave the woman a quizzical look. She hesitated, she wanted to see how much her sister-in-law would admit. "Unless there is something else you want to discuss about you and Piandao?"
"No of course not," she looked away from the waterbender.
"Azula."
The Fire Nation Princess met the sapphire eyes of the Fire Lady briefly before looking down. Her index finger circled the rim of her teacup, her voice soft and husky as she finally voiced the truth. "I think I'm falling in love with him."
"From what I have seen, I think you are past falling," Katara replied trying to catch Azula's eye. She rested a hand on her baby bump as she waited for her sister to continue her confession.
The Princess looked up at her sister-in-law. "I don't know what to do. He's my teacher and almost twenty years older than me."
"What do you want to do?"
"Honestly, all I can think about is kissing him," her cheeks turned pink as she confessed her feelings to the waterbender. She dared not voice the deeper and dark erotic thoughts.
"For years I had those thoughts about your brother," the waterbender chuckled. She knew without Azula telling her. "And then came the dreams. It was so hard once we were engaged."
"Zuzu had those thoughts too, he never told me but sometimes I would see him get this look on his face. It reminded me of when I saw you two kiss during the comet," Azula told her sister-in-law. It made her feel better she wasn't alone in her experience. "I understand your struggle now. Whenever I see Piandao my mind goes blank and then all I'm thinking about is his mouth on mine. But it could never work."
"And why is that?" Katara placed her feet under her as she looked at Azula.
"Because he's my teacher and almost twenty years older than me," the Princess repeated gesturing wildly. "The royal court would have a field day as would the gossip scrolls."
The Fire Lady noticed how Azula didn't mention Piandao's lack of feelings for her. It was clear she suspected at least some form of affection from her sword master. But that fact was not what Katara wanted to focus on.
"Azula are you worried that Zuko wouldn't approve?" The waterbender asked the woman delicately.
Gold eyes met sapphire, the Fire Nation Princess slowly nodded before looking away. "I just want him to be proud of me."
"He is proud of you Azula and who you choose to love could never affect that," Katara comforted. She knew in her heart that Zuko would approve no matter what, even if she had to withhold sex.
"But the scandal it would cause for me to be with a man that much older," Azula looked down at her hands. "I don't want to put him through that. He's already been through so much."
"Azula, you cannot help who you fall in love with," the Fire Lady moved toward her sister-in-law and placed a comforting hand on her knee. "Don't worry about the scandal, it doesn't matter. All that matters is your happiness and your brother agrees with me. We only want what's best for you."
"My mother would disapprove, she already is hoping to introduce Piandao to the prefect wife from the royal court," the Princess mumbled looking away. She knew that she couldn't be bitter that her mother was trying to set up the sword master. Ursa had no knowledge of her daughter's feelings.
"Your mother is just trying to stay busy," the waterbender defended the woman delicately. While Azula and Ursa had made massive strides in their relationship, things were still a bit rocky at times. "And I know she likes Piandao immensely, I don't think she would have any objections if he pursued you."
The Princess sighed, looking out one of the windows. She struggled with her station. It would be improper of her to pursue a man considering her title. But she didn't think Piandao would ever come to her unless he knew of her feelings. And that was only if he reciprocated the emotion.
"He probably doesn't feel the same way, he is my teacher and I'm his student," Azula turned back to her sister-in-law. "Piandao is much too proper to have any feelings for me. But maybe it is time I start at least entertaining the idea of being courted."
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Katara grinned at her. "Why don't I speak to Zuko and we can accumulate a list of suitors?"
Azula nodded before turning to look back out the window. She was falling hard for Piandao but she doubted her sword master felt the same way. The best way for her to get over him and move on with her life was to begin courting. After all the whispers had begun about her age and lack of suitors, it would help quell the palace gossip and hopefully help her move on.
Bato placed the plate filled with the waterbender's abandoned dinner on the ground next to her as he joined her in the royal family's private garden.
"You need to keep your strength," the tribesman commented as he sat down next to his stepdaughter. "He didn't mean it that way, Katara."
"I know which is why I left instead of responding," Katara replied. She ignored the plate and continued to pick at the grass.
She had stormed out of their family dinner when Zuko had brought up how his advisors had met with him on the basis of concern the baby could be a waterbender. It was something that had been plaguing the Fire Lady for months now and even prior to her pregnancy. So hearing her husband state he was thinking of not announcing his heir until after they stopped having children irked her. Adding fuel to the fire was that this was the first time Zuko had shown up for dinner this week and Katara was feeling bitter about his absence.
"If you would have stayed you would have heard him say he had no intention of passing over his firstborn for the crown unless it was their choice," the warrior tried to comfort her.
"This is a conversation we have been having since before our wedding," she brushed the hair out of her face. Choosing to ignore her feelings of abandonment she focused on her unborn child. "I just hate that in the Fire Nation, my child would be looked down upon because of their bending."
"It is much more complicated than that and you know it," Bato scolded her gently. "If you were not carrying the heir to the throne this wouldn't even be a conversation. But the fact is that you are and that makes this complicated. If the roles were reversed would you expect our tribe to be ruled by a firebender even if they were half Water Tribe?"
She sighed heavily and placed the plate of food on her lap. Katara had never truly flipped the roles in her mind, but she could see the point. "I really do understand the concern. And how important it is for the leader to be a strong firebender, as well as how difficult it would be for a waterbender to be Fire Lord. But it's just . . ."
"You love your child and don't want anyone thinking badly of them," he supplied for her as she trailed off.
"Yeah," she nodded looking down at the plate in her lap. The waterbender picked up the chopsticks and moved the food around. "I just want the best for them and I want them to have their birthright."
"And they will, but right now isn't the time politically for Zuko to fight this," the tribesman reminded her. "You know how important it is to finesse the royal court and the royal advisors."
The Fire Lady pouted not wanting to admit that her step-father was right. In all honesty, she was surprised it had taken this long for the royal advisors to go to Zuko. The waterbender had been hearing the rumblings among the noblewomen since the announcement of her pregnancy. Katara knew it was only a matter of time before they forced a meeting with the Fire Lord.
She also knew her husband would do what he wanted without concern for the royal advisors but only when he was in the position to do so. And now was not the time to fight them.
"Katara?" The husky voice of her husband reached her ears but she didn't turn around to look at him. "I'm sorry I upset you but you needed to know the conversations that were taking place."
Bato stood and patted the young monarch on the shoulder before gesturing to the seat he had just occupied. The Fire Lady ignored her husband. She was still feeling a little bitter from the recount of his meeting with the royal advisors, not to mention abandoned by her husband's absence as of late. Katara placed the plate of food on the ground and rested a hand on her belly.
"Don't be like this Katara, you can't climb onto the roof right now," Zuko groaned in frustration. He rubbed a hand over his scar. "But if I have to carry you up there, I swear to Agni I will!"
The waterbender turned to look at her husband before she even could register that he was sitting next to her, he swept in and placed a quick kiss on pouty lips.
"I can never stay mad at you," she whispered as he pulled away from her. "I just hate listening to the judgment when our baby isn't even born yet."
Zuko placed his hand on her bump and was rewarded with a nudge from their child. "I know you do, as do I. But we knew this would happen."
"Did you remind them we were a political marriage?"
The Fire Lord growled, "We are anything but a political marriage."
"You know what I mean," she huffed in response. A brief thought entered her mind that she should mention how absent he had been recently but she decided against it and focused on his meeting with his advisors.
"I do but I hate referring to our marriage bed as political," he replied as he moved closer to her. "But I did point out that fact to them and how our marriage strengthened the bonds with not only the Water Tribe but the Earth Kingdom."
"And did they take it well?" She questioned as she snuggled closer to her husband. His arm instantly wrapped around her.
Zuko hesitated as he thought over how to respond. To say his meeting had been tense would be the understatement of the century. He wanted to shield Katara from the vile words that had been spewed but he knew that would only cause more problems in the long run.
"Not exactly," the firebender finally admitted to his wife. "But I don't want to repeat the things that were said. Whichever bending our child has I will be thrilled with, even if they are a nonbender. Right now I want to hear their grievances, it creates a line of communication."
"I know that," the waterbender pushed her face into his chest. "Fire and water are opposites, I worry that something could go wrong."
"Shinju said that everything is fine," Zuko reminded her. He was not unsurprised to hear her fears. It was something she had expressed more than once, it was why he was so sensitive to her hearing the advisor's concerns. He placed a kiss on her temple, "Whatever happens we will get through it, I promise you Katara."
"Thank you for telling me about your meeting," she whispered trying to keep the tears at bay. Since she entered the six-month of her pregnancy it seemed like all she was doing was crying.
"Let's get you to bed and I'll have Giya bring you in some fresh dinner," the Fire Lord suggested as he looked down at her cold untouched plate.
The waterbender nodded as her husband stood. He reached down a hand to help her up from the ground which she gladly accepted. The royal couple made their way to their chambers in silence. Zuko was sure to ask a maidservant to bring his wife some dinner in their rooms as they passed by one.
He fussed over Katara the moment they were behind closed doors.
"I'm fine, Zuko," she mumbled brushing his hands away as he tried to help her strip out of her heavy robes. "I don't need help."
"Katara, I love you but let me help you," he whispered in her ear. He held onto her tightly, her back to his chest. "You don't need to be strong all the time."
Zuko felt her relax in his arms. The waterbender allowed her husband to strip her of her clothing and draw her a bath. Both benders slipped into the water easily, Katara resting against his chest as he began to massage her shoulders.
"I'm sorry I stormed out," the Fire Lady apologized to her husband.
"Honestly I'm glad you did," he admitted quietly. "I feel like I haven't seen much of you since your father and Bato arrived. We lead busy lives and you storming out gave me an excuse not to entertain our guests."
Since the tribesmen arrived, the royal couple had been hosting elaborate meals each day. Along with scheduling activities to entertain Hakoda and Bato. This left little time for the royal couple to enact their sovereignly duties let alone time for just the two of them.
"We really should stop treating them like guests," she mumbled as she rotated her neck for him to get a better angle. "They are our family and frankly don't need to be treated like visiting dignitaries."
"If that is what you want."
"Tomorrow I'll let my father know how our day-to-day lives run," Katara sighed as she finally fully relaxed. "They are here to help support us."
"I agree," Zuko's hands moved to cup her belly. He loved looking at her pregnant body, it was like looking at a physical manifestation of their love. The firebender dropped a kiss to the back of her neck, "But right now, I want to focus solely on my wife."
"Zuko?" The Fire Lady called to her husband as she walked into his office. He was supposed to meet her a few minutes ago in her office for afternoon tea. She was surprised to find him hunched over and with his head in his hands.
"What?" He looked up at her in confusion.
"You were supposed to meet me fifteen minutes ago," she shook her head and moved toward him. "What have you so concerned you missed tea with me?"
The Fire Lord sighed heavily and passed her the scroll he had just been looking over. "It is a new threat from the Earth Kingdom."
Katara barely read the words. All of the threats were similar to the one that was left with Ozai's body. "Any news from the White Lotus?"
"Only that both Shinu and Bujing are clean," he scrubbed a hand over his face. "Though I don't feel comfortable pulling back the watchmen just yet. My instinct tells me that there is a piece to that puzzle missing."
"What about the noblemen of Keui's court? Is there any suspect there?" The waterbender placed a hand on her husband's shoulder.
"Uncle has told me that he investigated each one, nothing ties them to the threats or assassination," the firebender grumbled. His frustration was rising with each passing day.
"We will figure it out Zuko," she comforted her husband as he pulled her into his lap. "It won't be long now before they slip up and give us the missing clue."
"You're right," he nuzzled her neck as he tried to let her words soothe him. "But until then I'm keeping the guard the way it is. Malu agrees with me and I think it's time we wrote to Suki, and tell her we are ready for the Fire Nation to have a group of the Kyoshi Warriors."
"I'll send her a letter first thing in the morning," Katara agreed. She normally would have fought her husband on the extra protection but carrying their baby had adjusted her perspective and multiple her worry.
Across the ocean, in a seedy tavern in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se a cloaked man took a meeting with a bounty hunter.
"One attempt was made already but the Fire Lord was able to evade it," the cloaked man explained. He hoped that this bounty hunter was the key to his success. "Now I've heard of your skill. They say you have never missed a target."
"My skill is on capturing and turning them in, not on killing," the bounty hunter corrected looking at the man trying to decipher who was making the request.
"If you can capture him and turn him over to me, I'll happily be the one to draw blood," the cloaked man chuckled dryly. In fact, he preferred to do the deed himself, he wanted to see the Fire Lord's face as he died.
"My services don't come cheap."
The man placed a box on the table and waited for the bounty hunter to open it. In the box were hundreds of gold pieces, "That is your first half, you will receive the other half when you deliver the Fire Lord to me. Does that satisfy your price?"
"It won't be easy capturing him," the bounty hunter began. It was a tall order to capture the Fire Nation sovereign, practically a suicide mission if one was unsuccessful.
"You have time, I'll give you one year. Are we in agreement?"
"Two years," the bounty hunter countered. "This needs careful planning if I am to not rise suspicion. And I'll take this as the down payment, but I want double when I deliver him to you."
"Deal," the cloaked man stuck out his hand to shake. The bounty hunter stared at the hand for a moment, there were a few rings on his hand but nothing identifying the cloaked man.
With a deep breath, Jun placed her hand in his and was rewarded with a firm handshake before he quickly stood to leave the tavern.
As she slipped into bed that night next to her husband she desperately hoped the Dragon of the West wouldn't find the box of gold she hid underneath the floorboards of their bedroom.
"No Zuko?" Hakoda asked as he and Bato joined Katara and Ursa for dinner.
The waterbender shook her head trying not to show her disappointment to her father. "Not tonight, he has a meeting with Ukano and Katsu regarding the Chan family's finances. He wants to make sure the penalty matches the crime as well as trying to go over the gambling debt."
"Is he still concerned that Chan could be working with those sending the threats?" Bato questioned as their dinner was served.
"I don't think it's completely out of the question," the Fire Lady shrugged. She looked down at her food and as appetizing as it was her stomach roiled. Katara patted the head of the polar bear puppy laying next to her as a distraction.
It was the fifth night in a week that the Fire Lord had not been part of the evening meal. Zuko had been busy for weeks now but Katara had hoped that it would calm down after she explained to her father how they typically operated. But it seemed that now her husband was not entertaining the chieftain, he was even more absent than before. The waterbender was worried he wasn't telling her all the information on the threats of the Earth Kingdom.
"Sorry, I'm late," Azula stated as she took her seat next to Katara. The Fire Nation Princess's eyes glanced over to the head of the table, noting her brother's absence immediately. "I was in the middle of a painting and I just finally got the right lighting."
"No need to be sorry, we only just sat down," Katara responded diplomatically. She tried to focus on the family around her rather than her missing husband. For the rest of dinner, the Fire Lady tried to make light conversation but her husband's absence was felt throughout the room.
Later that night as she drifted to sleep alone in their bed, Katara realized she couldn't remember the last time Zuko had gone to bed with her.
The Fire Lord paused in the doorway to admire his sleeping wife curled up in their bed before he went to join his sister in the training arena.
With each passing day of Katara's pregnancy, she was struggling to find a comfortable position to sleep in, and extreme exhaustion set in. Hikari was curled up at the foot of the bed, he had become extremely protective of the royal couple. Though the polar bear dog was now too big to sleep in their bed with them.
"Zuko?" The waterbender mumbled sleepily, her eyes half open. She had felt his eyes on her. "What time is it?"
"Shh," her husband immediately moved to her side, brushing the back of his hand down her face. "It's early. The sunrise began only ten minutes ago."
"I can't keep sleeping the morning away," Katara's eyes fluttered closed in contrast to her words. After the nausea had let up, the extreme exhaustion set in.
"Yes you can," he placed a quick kiss on the tip of her nose. "You are carrying our child, if you need to spend the next few months locked away sleeping and eating you should."
"The council will love that," the waterbender grumbled as she snuggled deeper into the covers. She missed her husband's warmth and wanted him to climb back into bed with her.
Zuko shook his head. "The council will get over it."
"Come back to bed."
"As much as I want to crawl back into bed with you," the firebender whispered to her. He adjusted the covers to tuck her in tightly. "And do very elicit things to you, I promised Azula that I would join her for training with Piandao this morning."
"Oh right," the Fire Lady mumbled. She could hardly keep her eyes open.
"Go back to sleep Katara, I'll come to check on you after training," he placed a kiss on her forehead as she grunted her reply. Zuko moved down a little and kissed her belly, he felt a nudge under his palm from their growing child. "Let your mother sleep a little longer."
Zuko beckoned the polar bear dog to join him, Hikari stretched his limbs before following its master. The Fire Lord turned to look at his wife one more time before he made his way to the training arena, his pet in tow. He was curious as to why his sister had asked him to train with her and Piandao this morning. Not that he minded getting a chance to practice his broadswords.
As the two entered the training arena Hikari raced toward the Fire Nation Princess, jumping on her briefly. Azula was quick to give the polar bear dog the attention he sought.
"Good morning, Fire Lord," Piandao bowed as the young monarch joined him and his pupil.
"Master Piandao, please just Zuko," the firebender correct the sword master for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Of course, Zuko." The older man nodded in response.
"Good morning, Azula," the Fire Lord turned to his sister. He smiled as he saw her petting Hikari. The two had taken an extreme liking to each other.
"Morning Zuzu," the Princess barely looked at her brother as she greeted him. She went back to cooing at the polar bear dog. "Do you want to come on a run with us Hikari?"
"You start your days running?" Zuko addressed the sword master. He realized he didn't know much about his sister's training.
"We do half an hour of running each morning followed by two hours of sword training and ending with half an hour of meditation," Piandao informed the Fire Lord.
Zuko nodded absently, he was not surprised to hear his sister trained for three hours each morning. He knew just how much Azula benefited from a rigorous training schedule.
"Is a run too much for you Zuzu?" The Fire Nation Princess asked with faux innocence. She never took her eyes off of the polar bear dog.
"A run will be just fine for me, Zula," her brother responded not rising to the bait. "As soon as you are done petting my puppy, we can get started."
She shot her brother an annoyed look but finished showering Hikari with attention. The Fire Nation Princess straightened her ponytail, "Ready whenever you are."
The group of three moved to the track around the arena before beginning their run, the polar bear puppy keeping pace easily with them.
Azula was sure to set a brisk pace, fast enough to make it difficult for conversation. An unusual occurrence for her training, typically she and Piandao used the time to converse. But as her feelings for the sword master grew, the Princess wanted to put some space between them. Hence the reason she asked her brother to train with them this morning.
Zuko paid close attention to his sister's actions and those of the sword master. The question on the tip of his tongue.
After the trio finished their run and Hikari went to lay in the grass, the Fire Lord watched Piandao instruct Azula. Zuko sparred with her, allowing the sword master to focus solely on her actions.
The Fire Lord could not help but notice the new wakizashi that his sister was wielding. He hadn't expected her training to progress to the point that Azula had forged her own weapon. Yet for some reason, the sword looked too perfect to be created by a student. If Zuko didn't know the sword master's training ways, he would have suspected that Piandao created the wakizashi all on his own and gifted it to Azula.
"Be sure to stay on the balls of your feet," Piandao called out to the Princess. He was unsure what had caused her to be so distant the past couple of weeks. But the sword master was grateful for Zuko's attendance this morning.
"Breathe, Zula," the Fire Lord mumbled as he noticed his sister flagging. It was unlike her, she was making silly mistakes too.
"Stop," the sword master commanded. He was unsure what was wrong with his student and he wanted to correct it immediately.
The two siblings backed away from each other both turning to look at the older man. Zuko swiped a hand over his face to rid himself of the sheen of sweat.
Azula did everything in her power not to make eye contact with Piandao. Every single time she looked at him, her core clenched with the memory of her dream. She knew she was making stupid mistakes when sparring with Zuko, but she couldn't focus with the sword master's eyes on her.
The older man had a hunch about what the problem was with his pupil, but he didn't voice it.
Instead, he walked slowly toward the Princess until he was standing right in front of her. He held a piece of cloth in his hand and was sure to keep his eyes on hers. Though Piandao could not help but notice how her top accented her breasts along with the rise and fall of her chest from her heavy breathing
"Turn around," the sword master instructed softly. He knew that the Fire Lord would understand the method of training he was utilizing. It was one he used with all of his students.
Azula's gold eyes finally met his and she slowly turned around. Her startled gasp reached his ears as he tied the cloth around her eyes. "How am I supposed to spar Zuko like this?"
"You aren't sparring anyone just yet," Piandao said gruffly. His hands rested on her shoulders, "Right now, I want you to breathe deeply focus on your breath and when you are ready run through each of your forms on your own. You need to get out of your head Azula, focus only on the blade in your hand and your breath."
The sword master beckoned the Fire Lord to follow him and the two men stood on the edge of the arena waiting for the Princess to relax into the exercise.
"She is struggling," Zuko mumbled after a few minutes of watching her sister unable to relax.
"I'm not sure why," Piandao whispered as he watched his student. But he had his own suspicions as to why and he had a feeling it was the reason Azula had asked her brother to attend today. "Perhaps she's trying too hard to impress you."
The Fire Lord stared at the sword master for a few minutes before responding. His words were a statement not a question, "You want me to leave."
"I think your sister desperately wants your approval and she is trying extremely hard causing her to overthink," the older man replied looking directly at the monarch.
"I am trusting you to do right by my sister and do what is best for her," Zuko's gold eyes bore into his former teacher's. "Tell her that this was your suggestion and you thought it would benefit her."
"Yes, Fire Lord," Piandao recognized the words for what they were and instantly slipped back into the formality.
The Fire Nation sovereign hesitated a moment longer before taking his leave, being sure to whistle to Hikari to follow him. Zuko noticed as he exited the arena his sister's body relaxed and she began moving through each form. The sword master did know what was best, the firebender thought to himself.
Piandao observed his student silently, her moves were flawless when she surrendered to the sword. He picked up his own blade and moved quietly toward her, he wanted to see how good she was now that she had relaxed.
Azula sensing the coming attack was prepared and before he could finish his strike their blades crashed together. Her mind was now clear, her sole focus was where the next attack was coming from.
Though she was unaware of it in her meditative state, her body was in tune with Piandao's. She knew where he was before his mind had been made up. Their sparring was a delicate dance and beautiful to watch. There was an energy around the teacher and student as they moved together.
Now that her sight had been taken from her, Azula appreciated being this close to Piandao. Her body tingled the closer he was to her. And her core clenched when she felt his breath fanning across her face. The Princess's cheeks were flushed but a giddy smile was on her face.
The sword master was unable to keep his eyes away from the way her body twisted with each movement. Her training clothes stretched across her form as she moved and left little to the imagination. His eyes noticed every bead of sweat that dripped down her body, especially the few that dipped into her cleavage. The display of her power and skill caused his blood to run hot.
As Piandao overpowered the Princess, the blindfold succumbed to the thrashing and fell from her eyes.
Her gold eyes had darkened and were staring into his hooded ones. His eyes flickered down to look at her mouth which was open slightly while she panted from the exertion. She could feel his chest moving against hers as they both breathed heavily. Azula observed the sheen of sweat covering his body and the way his hands felt against her skin.
His nostrils flared and she swore he could smell her arousal. The Princess's only thought was what it would feel like to have his mouth against hers. Piandao's thoughts were plagued with what it would be like to have her truly underneath him.
Nosy chatter nearing the training arena pulled the two apart instantly.
The sword master cleared his throat, "Once you relaxed you did very well."
"Thank you," Azula nodded. She had hoped to have won their match but recognized she still had a long way to go before she would be able to successfully win against Piandao.
"We ran a little long today, so we will forgo meditation together," he wiped a hand across his forehead. He needed to put as much space between himself and her if he was going to stop himself from crossing the line. "But I will see you later tonight for dinner in the city?"
Piandao had made sure to keep his promise by regularly venturing into the city with Azula to help her re-assimilate in to Caldera. The two had tried a new restaurant each week.
"Of course, I'll meet you at six," the Princess confirmed before they went their separate ways.
Notes:
Did you like it? Was it worth the wait?
Thank you again for the support! Be sure to check my Instagram for updates and sneak peeks!
See you on May 5th, 2023 for Chapter 26!
Chapter 26: Chapter Twenty-Six: Spring 105 AG
Notes:
Hello Hello! It's update day!
Hope you all have been having an amazing few weeks waiting for this chapter. Thank you all for your patience and your continued support!
A huge shoutout and thank you to everyone who commented, left kudos, bookmarked, and subscribed! I so so appreciate your support and I love hearing your thoughts about each chapter.
This chapter is a monster. Over 17K words! And it crosses a few months of time. I hope you all enjoy it!
Happy reading!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty-Six: Spring 105 AG
The Admiral hesitated as he went to knock on the Fire Lord's office doors. He knew this meeting needed to happen but he wasn't sure what the consequences would be from it.
"Do you want me to tell him you're here?" Akio asked from behind the older man. The secretary had been in the kitchens acquiring a quick snack and found the admiral upon his return. He had been watching the naval officer pace back and forth in front of the office door for a few minutes.
"Maybe," Jee mumbled as he stared at the door. He sighed before looking at Akio, his eyes filled with desperation, "Yes please."
Akio nodded before moving to interrupt the Fire Nation sovereign and alert him to the presence of the Admiral. A few minutes later the secretary exited the office and gestured to the older man, "He's ready for you."
"Admiral Jee," Zuko greeted as the man walked into the room. He waited for the admiral to bow before offering him a seat. "What brings you to my office today?"
"I received an interesting report from one of my ships in the Southern Sea," Jee began steadily. He rubbed his sweaty palms on his thighs as he spoke. "As you know one of our ships was damaged in a storm near Omashu and King Bumi loaned us one of his while the repairs happened in the Earth Kingdom so we would not miss our delivery date."
"Yes, I remember," the Fire Lord mumbled his acknowledgment before gesturing for the naval officer to continue. He had a funny feeling in his stomach as he waited for the rest of the news.
"The ship was two days out and it was infiltrated by tribesmen in the middle of the night, Northern Tribesmen," Jee paused for dramatic effect. He resisted the urge to run a hand through his hair. "They weren't expecting the ship to be filled with firebenders and though they quickly deflected to a miss understanding, it did arouse some suspicion."
"What was their reasoning?"
"They claimed that they saw Fire Nation naval officers on an Earth Kingdom ship and thought there had been an altercation between the two nations," the admiral resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the excuse. "But by the reports, they were unprepared to engage firebenders but over-prepared for earthbenders."
"You believe someone is sabotaging the ships from the Earth Kingdom?" Zuko raised his eyebrow as he looked at the admiral.
"Yes, Fire Lord," Jee looked down at his hands. "During the infiltration, there was also a group that somehow got into the cargo hold."
"Why were they in the cargo hold?" The Fire Lord's eyes narrowed. He swore his stomach did a backflip in his abdomen at this new information.
"That's what I would like to know," the chieftain's voice cut through the room like ice.
Zuko turned to look at his father-in-law standing in the doorway, the Fire Lady in front of him. Her hand was on her stomach as she looked at her husband in shock.
"I came to see if you wanted to join me for my meeting with Jiang about the nursery," the waterbender mumbled as she met her lover's eyes. "I hadn't realized you were in a meeting with Admiral Jee."
"It was last minute," Zuko replied immediately. He knew this looked bad, taking a meeting about the Water Tribe without their leader present. He turned to the Southern Chief, "Hakoda, I meant no disrespect. Once I began hearing the news, it was my intention to seek you out for a meeting later today. Please sit."
The tribesman hummed in response before moving to take a seat. Katara moved to sit on the settee near her husband's desk, he had moved it when she announced her pregnancy to give her a more comfortable place when they had meetings.
"Now Admiral Jee, please explain to us why Northern tribesmen were in the cargo hold," the waterbender took control of the meeting.
"Our best guess is they have been disrupting the trade," the naval officer began. He cleared his throat to give himself a minute to collect his thoughts. "Not enough to be extremely noticeable but enough to affect the overall supply for the South Pole. Even a five percent decrease of items from each ship would be enough to cause devastation to the country."
"Have you felt like there were enough items being brought in from the Earth Kingdom?" The Fire Lord turned to his wife's father.
"I don't check every ship, as I'm sure you don't," Hakoda scratched the back of his neck in a move that reminded the firebender of Sokka. "But I can't say I or anyone else would notice a five percent deficit of each ship, it's such a small amount. But with each ship, a five percent decrease would explain the supply shortage."
"The main question is why," Katara interjected. She rested a hand against the side of her stomach where the baby kicked. "Why are they doing it? Was there an agreement with Arnook that you would allow the Northern Naval ships supplies in exchange for their service?"
"Of course not!" Hakoda exclaimed. His voice came out harsher than he intended. The Southern Chief took a deep breath to calm his nerves before continuing, "We never asked for the Northern Navy to be in our waters, he volunteered them. I would prefer if they were out of our waters but technically they are just outside of our borders."
The Fire Lord paused over the words that were being said. Something did not seem to be adding up in his mind.
Zuko stood suddenly and moved to poke his head out of his office. "Akio, please ask Azula to join me in my office immediately." He returned to his desk after giving the order. "We will not continue this meeting until my sister joins us."
Everyone looked around at each other in confusion at the Fire Lord's order but did not object to the command.
The Fire Nation Princess felt her stomach roil as she walked through the palace halls to her brother's office. She had never been called for an immediate meeting with Zuko, it reminded her of Ozai and she loathed it. Azula went through every interaction she had with the royal court in the past month trying to make sense of why she was called for an immediate meeting.
As she entered the room, her eyes moved over the other faces. She had not expected to see the admiral or Southern Chief.
"Azula, good," Zuko beckoned her in. The uneasy expression in her eyes was not lost on him. "Please have a seat, I need your insight on a matter of the utmost importance."
"Of course," the Princess nodded as she took a seat next to the waterbender. She knew that her sister-in-law was her main ally in this room.
"Admiral Jee just informed me that a ship on loan from Omashu was bringing goods to the South Pole, it was apprehended and invaded by the Northern Naval team," the Fire Lord began explaining and summarizing the information that had been brought to him. "Do you have any insight on why Arnook would have his navy infiltrate ships delivering items to the South?"
"It's no secret in the Northern Tribe that Arnook would like to have the South be part of his jurisdiction," Azula replied thoughtfully. Her heart rate settled as she realized her brother wanted her opinion on the matter regarding the Water Tribes. "And since your marriage to Katara, he has been desperate to find some way to merge the two poles under his rule. It was something that was heavily discussed amongst the warriors."
"They discussed it in front of you?" Katara questioned as she placed a hand on the Princess's shoulder.
"Of course, when people think you are insane they discuss anything and everything in front of you," Azula shrugged. She was not ashamed of her mental illness as she once had been. With each passing month, it aggravated her when others would tip toe around it, plus she liked the shock factor it gave when she was flippant about it. "He knew there was a baby boom in the South Pole, it was expected to happen. A nation left with only women and children, the war ended and husbands returned home. It was bound to happen eventually."
"And by default, he knew the amount of supplies necessary and how much displacing a small percentage over a long period of time would wreak havoc on my tribe," Hakoda filled in the blank. "He expected us to reach out to the North before the other nations."
"He wasn't counting on Zuko recognizing the problem and sending aid," Katara replied. Her blue eyes met her husband's, her heart swelled with love for him because of the generosity he showed to her home. The Southern Tribe was still independent because he noticed a problem and sent aid with no anterior motive.
"It's in our marriage contract, we send aid to each other in times of need," the Fire Lord explained softly to his wife. "It is also in Sokka's and Suki's. But that is not public knowledge, our marriage contract was between our families, not the public. That was the peace treaty we signed."
"His comments at the ball," the waterbender mumbled as she remembered the interaction with the Northern chief. "He knew there should have been a problem but instead their trade agreement had been renewed. Which is why he suspected we sent aid."
"He only suspects right now," Hakoda added thoughtfully. He rubbed a hand across his chin, he had a brief thought that maybe he should have called Bato into the meeting.
"It might be best to create a false trade agreement between the South Pole and the Fire Nation if it's not already done," Azula supplied helpfully. She looked down at her nails. "It would be public knowledge and displace Arnook before he decides to take more drastic measures to merge the two poles."
"Well, we have to be sure he doesn't get his way," Zuko commented. His gold eyes met his father-in-law's. "Hakoda, I will help you in any way necessary."
"I'd be happy to offer any insight you need," Azula added. She wasn't sure exactly how the tribesman viewed her, but she liked Katara and that meant helping her father.
"It is greatly appreciated," Hakoda thanked the Fire Nation siblings with a nod.
"Azula, could you please grab Akio for me?" The Fire Lord asked his sister as he began making some notes. The Princess stood and fetched the secretary. "Akio — Azula, Admiral Jee, and Chief Hakoda will be discussing a matter of utmost importance. I would like you to help them in any way possible."
"Of course, Fire Lord," the secretary nodded.
"Azula, Jee, if you both could make yourselves available now. You are more than welcome to use the private library in our chambers to convene with Chief Hakoda. I think you would all enjoy the privacy," Zuko offered up the space easily. The Fire Nation sovereign stood, holding a hand out to help his wife up. "I believe my wife has requested me for a meeting about the nursery. If you need anything, let Akio know."
A few minutes later the group had dispersed; the royal couple went to their meeting and the others moved to the library. The hundred-year war might have ended but the drive for power was still prevalent in their world.
"You are carrying high," Kanna murmured to her granddaughter as she looked over the waterbender after breakfast. Pakku and her had arrived two days prior to be there for the last couple of months of Katara's pregnancy. Since the date of their arrival, the tribeswoman had criticized her granddaughter continuously in addition to complaining about the weather in the Fire Nation.
"It's still early," the Fire Lady defended as her grandmother probed her. The baby hadn't dropped yet and the waterbender wasn't expecting it to happen for a few more weeks. Even the palace midwife had agreed with her.
Zuko looked over at his wife from where he was conversing with Pakku. He could see his waterbender's brow was furrowed and her lips pouted out just slightly. She had been eager for her grandmother's arrival prior but now he thought she looked like she wanted to be anywhere than conversing with Kanna.
"As much as we would love to stay here with you, Katara and I did promise Azula we would observe her training today," the Fire Lord quickly concocted the excuse as he stood from the breakfast table. His wife's relief was all the thanks he needed.
"I must say I am curious to see how she is fairing with Piandao," Pakku mumbled as he thought about the Fire Nation Princess. He was oblivious to the interaction between the two women. "Do you think it would be alright for us to attend?"
"Azula is still a bit apprehensive amongst others, perhaps another time," the firebender deflected the request easily. He reached a hand out to Katara and soon the two of them were walking down the halls of the palace.
"Are we really supposed to observe Azula today?" The Fire Lady asked once they were halfway to the training arena.
"No, but I'm sure she wouldn't object to it," Zuko shrugged. "Besides I want to hear about her dinner with Baihu. Don't you?"
"I don't think she is interested in him," the waterbender shook her head as she thought over the Minister of Labor. He was young, only a year older than Zuko, and completely enamored with Azula. But Katara doubted the affection was returned. In fact, she knew that the Princess's affections were aligned someplace else.
"He would be a good match though, politically speaking at least," the Fire Lord mumbled. Though he hated the idea of his sister being used for a political marriage, it might have worked in his favor but he doubted that it would be beneficial for Azula.
"Azula deserves much more than a political marriage and you know it," Katara grumbled as they walked. Her lips pursed at the thought.
"I know," he placed a kiss on the top of her head before they entered the arena. The sight of Azula and Piandao sparring quickly greeted them.
"She's doing really well," the waterbender whispered as her husband helped her sit in the viewing area. "She seems to be holding her own against him."
Zuko hummed his agreement as he watched his sister. Even from when he spared with her a few weeks ago, the Fire Lord could see Azula's improvement.
The Fire Nation Princess was unaware of the audience that had joined her. She was too focused on battling her sword master. Azula was dripping in sweat, the two had been battling for some time now. Each clash of her sword against his fueled her to fight harder, he had already landed a few blows but she had yet to land one on him. Her only consultation was she was making him work for it.
Finally, Piandao had her twisted against him. Her back to his front, the sword just a hair away from touching her throat. His other arm made her immobile.
Azula was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling with each breath. She could feel every muscle of the sword mater's torso as he pressed her back into him. The Fire Nation Princess was unprepared for the feeling of safety and security the embrace aroused in her. She should have been terrified by how close his sword was to her throat, but she knew that he would keep her safe.
Piandao's arm was just under her breasts and the weight of them against him felt heavenly. He looked down at her and watched as she breathed heavily against him. The Princess's gold eyes never wavered from his as he looked at her. There was not an ounce of fear in Azula's eyes as he held the blade to her throat. She licked her lips and noticed how his grey eyes flickered down at the motion.
The crackling of chemistry between the sword master and student could be felt all across the training arena.
"Zuko," Katara whispered to her husband. Her hand clutched tightly to the firebender's arms. She wondered briefly if this was how their friends had seen her and Zuko when they sparred prior to their marriage. The intimacy was almost contagious as she stared at the couple.
"I know," he replied just as quietly. The Fire Lord brought his hands together and began loudly applauding. "Well done, Azula!"
The clapping noise brought the two apart instantly and the Princess turned to meet the eyes of her brother. She hoped the blush on her cheeks would be mistaken for the exertion and not for being caught admiring her teacher.
"Thanks, but I still lost," she mumbled looking anywhere but at Piandao. She was trying to take her teacher's advice when it came to accepting compliments but the deflection still came after the thanks.
"Yes, but you made me work for it," the sword master encouraged her. "You've made tremendous progress in the past few months."
"Thank you," Azula whispered still avoiding looking at him.
"It was quite a match," Katara encouraged as Zuko helped her up so they could join the two. "I know I enjoyed watching it very much."
"Well it's all thanks to Master Piandao," the Princess deflected the compliment again. Her gold eyes flashed to look at her teacher. "I know I still have much to learn though."
"Azula works harder than most," the sword master complimented as he looked at the monarchs. "I've been pleased with her dedication and her progress."
"Just remember there are more things to life than training," the waterbender advised. She did it more to see the older man's reaction. "For example, your outing with Baihu the other night."
If Katara was not looking for it she doubted she would have seen how Piandao reacted at the mention of Azula courting. His jaw tightened just slightly and his stance shifted subtly.
"I doubt there will be more outings with him," the Princess mumbled as she thought back to dinner with the Minister of Labor. He had been extremely focused on her and clearly had feelings that ran deeper than she knew. The intensity Baihu had when he spoke about her had made Azula uncomfortable more than once. It took everything in her to wait until propriety dictated she could return home for the evening.
"Well, I know there are a few more suitors on the list Zuko and I made," Katara comforted her sister-in-law. "Just be glad you get to be courted, your brother skipped out on most of that with me."
"Yes, because trying to woo a woman who was forced into a political marriage is so much easier than just courting her normally," the Fire Lord replied dryly as he tapped his wife's nose in retaliation. Her sapphire eyes sparkled at his teasing.
"I was already in love with you, you didn't need to do much wooing," the waterbender defended herself. She crossed her arms over her chest, "And frankly I think you should."
"Anything you want," he mumbled as he kissed the top of her head before turning back to his sister. "But if Baihu isn't a good fit, that's alright. As Katara said, there are plenty of acceptable suitors left in the Fire Nation. Unless you want us to look into the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes."
"I'll stick with those from the Fire Nation," the Princess mumbled looking down at her feet.
"Of course," the Fire Lord agreed quickly. "If you are finished for the day Katara and I were hoping you would join us for tea."
"I thought you were going to be visiting with her family all day," Azula tried to sidestep the offer. She had originally told the sword master she had the entire day free and had offered to show him one of her favorite art galleries in the city. There was a new exhibit she wanted to see and thought Piandao would be the perfect company.
"My gran is getting on my nerves," the waterbender replied begrudgingly. "She keeps mentioning how I should be further along."
"She's just worried about you," the Princess defended. She hoped silently that the couple would leave her to her originally scheduled plans with Piandao.
Katara huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. She was tired of everyone telling her how to feel. As her pregnancy progressed she was getting more and more irritable; something that was not lost on the present company.
The firebender watched his wife's frustrated expression settle on her face. Each day a new thing annoyed her beyond compare. He was struggling to find a way to keep her stress levels down and her happiness high.
"I guess I could join you for tea," Azula mumbled. Her gold eyes lifted to look at her sword master.
"We can always visit the art gallery tomorrow," Piandao suggested trying not to let his disappointment show. He wanted her to have a good relationship with her brother and sister-in-law, if that meant rescheduling plans he would do it for her.
"Art gallery?" The Fire Lord lifted an eyebrow as he turned to look at his sister. He was surprised to hear Azula was reconnecting with her art in such a way. He knew that she was back to producing but not that she was frequenting galleries in the city.
"There is a new showcase that Lady Sulan is the benefactress for," the sword master volunteered the information.
"Ty Lee mentioned it in our meeting the other day, remember Zuko," the Fire Lady turned to her husband. "It's the artist that was depicting the generation of war, isn't that right Azula?"
"Yes," the Princess nodded. "I think the title is Children of War, the artist has traveled from the Western Air Temple and all around the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes searching for the oldest citizens who remember the beginning of the war. Along with mixed-race children in the Earth Kingdom. It's a combination of paintings and sculptures."
Katara's eyes flashed to her husband's, "We don't want to take you away from that, but Piandao why don't you join us for dinner this evening."
"Thank you for the offer," the sword master accepted the invitation with a nod.
"Well we should leave you two to get cleaned up if you are to make the exhibit," the Fire Lady said diplomatically. "We will see you both for dinner."
The royal couple left the master and student in silence, only exchanging a look between each other as they exited the training arena.
Piandao fidgeted as he looked at the sculpture in front of him and Azula. His mind was plagued with the causal comment the Fire Lady had made to the Princess about Baihu. The sword master knew he should not be upset that his student was courting, in fact, he had expected it for some time. But he was still frustrated and greatly hurt she hadn't told him she had begun seeing suitors.
"Are you ever going to tell me what's bothering you?" The Fire Nation Princess asked as they moved to look at another piece. She didn't even look at him as she voiced the question, his fidgeting and unease were apparent to her the moment they left the palace.
"Why do you think something is bothering me?" He responded instead of answering her question.
Azula turned her gold eyes to look at him, "Whenever you are upset your jaw tightens and your posture straightens. You also become extremely quiet, you haven't said one thing about this exhibit. So I'll ask you again, are you going to tell me what's bothering you?"
"I just hadn't realized you were courting," Piandao finally admitted. He tried not to let his upset seep into his voice. He didn't want to sound like a petulant child. "And I'm surprised you didn't tell me."
"I didn't realize you wanted to know," she mumbled looking down at her feet to hide the small smile. Though he tried to hide it, Azula heard the disgruntled edge. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, "Do you want to know?"
"If you would like to tell me," the sword master evaded the question elegantly.
"Katara and Zuko made a list of acceptable suitors a few weeks ago," the Princess informed him as they moved to the next piece of the exhibit. "It just felt like the right time. I've been on three outings with Katsu and two outings with Baihu."
"You didn't enjoy them?"
"It's not that, they were very respectful and kind. But," she sighed heavily as she tried to put her feelings into words. "Simple-minded men who could never understand what I have been through."
"Finding someone who understands you can be quite challenging," he agreed as he looked at the painting of a young Earth Kingdom boy.
"Is that why you are not married?" Azula asked the question before she really thought of it. She had never asked something quite so personal of her sword master.
"Yes," his voice was gruff as he responded. He made no move to elaborate only urged her on to the next piece. Piandao waited a minute before he continued, "How long have you been courting now?"
"Only a few weeks, I find the whole process a little tedious, to be honest," the Fire Nation Princess admitted as she scrutinized the painting. The deep hues of the artwork in front of her reflected her emotions.
"You don't like to be wooed?" The sword master teased her lightly. His grey eyes looked down and watched as she thought about his question.
Gold eyes turned to look up at him and was surprised to see him staring at her, "The wooing wouldn't be a problem if they actually took a minute to think about me. Most seem to be making assumptions about me and how I would like to be wooed. All of the interactions seem a little frivolous."
"Ah," he mumbled in response as he looked into her eyes. He didn't understand how a young man wouldn't want to know everything about Azula. She fascinated Piandao, he was practically drunk on every word she said to him.
"I also feel like the act of wooing is such a shallow thing," she commented as she moved to look at another sculpture.
"Meaning?"
"Men expect me to fall at their feet in gratitude for a piece of jewelry. And the pleasure of their company, even though I'm above their station." Azula elaborated with an eye roll. She was not prepared for the sword master's visceral reaction.
"Has anyone done anything to make you feel uncomfortable?" Piandao's voice deepened with thinly laced anger as he asked the question. His jaw tightened and his brow furrowed as he thought about a nobleman forcing himself on her.
"Not in the sense you are thinking about," the Princess replied meeting his eyes. She had never seen them look so stormy, it was difficult to pull away from his gaze. But finally, she did turn to continue moving through the exhibit.
"Would you tell me if they did?" He asked her, the words coming out harsher than he had intended. The hurt on her face was apparent and Piandao instantly regretted his bitter tone.
"Of course," her brow furrowed at the question. Her heart sunk at the accusation, "Why wouldn't I?"
"You didn't tell me you were courting," the sword master pointed out with a shrug moving to the next piece of artwork.
"I didn't realize you wanted to know," she turned her head to not let him see how pleased she was at his reaction. "But from now on I will tell you all about each outing."
"Good," he gave her a quick nod a serious expression on his face. Piandao turned back to the piece in front of them. "How are you finding the exhibit?"
"A little inconsistent," the Princess mumbled. She had expected more from the art show considering the topic. While the execution was done well, the impact seemed to be lacking in most of the work.
"Would you ever want to do an exhibit like this?" He wished she would display her artwork. The piece she did of Zuko and Katara had been exquisite, not to mention the landscape during the beginning months of their training. The sword master knew her work would create a cultural shift in their society.
"I don't feel the need to seek validation on my artwork from strangers," Azula commented almost flippantly.
"What if you didn't think of it as seeking validation but sharing your viewpoint?"
"My view of what? Having a mental breakdown? Agni, no," the Princess shook her head as they moved on to the last piece of the exhibit. "I think the world doesn't deserve to see my innermost struggle."
Piandao wanted to say more, but he hesitated. He knew the power that sharing her story would bring to her one day, today was not that day though.
The Avatar watched his students diligently as they practiced their forms. He walked through rows being sure to offer encouragement and corrections.
"Good, remember to shift your weight through the stance," Aang instructed one of the youngest. "There you go."
The airbenders were making much progress in their studies, as well as their rebuild. Aang looked around the temple as he dismissed the class and was pleased to see the young sky bison he had found a few months ago happily eating apples from the hands of the children. Momo was sitting on a ledge eating lychee nuts.
A few of the older children were playing with on the airball court and Aang could hear their laughter. He walked through the temple taking in the richness of his culture. The Avatar listened briefly to a meeting being held. Jinju was speaking with those who had been elected as officials for the nation, they were discussing how they wanted to integrate back into the world.
Further in the temple was a small group of young men and boys who had been interested in becoming monks. They were seated in a circle, meditating. Aang's heart swelled with pride in how the young group had taken to the practice. He knew that the Air Nomads' spirituality would live on through the youngest of the boys.
Appa soon joined Aang, following him through the temple's passages as he went to the kitchens. He moved through a grouping of young women as they went about their daily duties.
"Good afternoon, Avatar Aang," one of the women greeted as he entered. He nodded at them with a smile.
The Avatar and his companion took a seat in the corner so as not to disturb them. Soon one of them placed a plate down for him with a custard tart and a bucket of apples for Appa. Aang thanked her before digging into his favorite food. He watched them work, quietly noting that quite a few were pregnant.
Aang could see the places his nation was going and he was thrilled at the prospect of all the air temples thriving again.
Kanna looked around the nursery that was attached to the royal couple's bedroom, something Katara had fought for. Originally the nursery was down the hall, the only room attached was for a governess and wet nurse. Something the Fire Lady was not happy with, thankfully her husband agreed and immediately started construction to adjust the palace.
"You won't have the baby in your room?" The tribeswoman questioned her granddaughter. She believed that for a baby to be healthy they should stay as close to their mother as possible.
"We haven't decided just yet, but we wanted the baby to have their own space when needed," the Fire Lady defended her choice. She rested a hand on her stomach and felt the baby kick.
Before moving to the Fire Nation, the waterbender didn't think much of her grandmother's need to be so involved in her life. But after living in the Fire Nation, she realized that even among family there were things that should just be between husband and wife.
"Does Zuko not want the baby in his room?" Kanna accused her blue eyes narrowed. Her granddaughter was not showing her the respect she felt she deserved. It was customary in the Water Tribes to take advice from the elders.
"Zuko and I just want to wait to make that decision once the baby is born," Katara placated though she didn't directly answer the question. She gestured to the artwork on the wall, "What I really wanted to show you was the painting that Azula did."
The older woman's eyes softened as she looked at the piece of art hanging above the crib. "She is very talented, it is a beautiful painting of you and your husband."
"I was going to ask her to do a family portrait once the baby was born to add in here," the waterbender continued finding a safe topic. Her shoulders sagged in relief.
"A lovely idea," she mumbled in response. She could tell her granddaughter was getting upset with all the questions so she repressed the things she wanted to say. Her eyes scanned the mountain of gifts that were constantly coming in for the baby. The opulence of the Fire Nation was too much in her opinion and unnecessary for a baby. But she would keep her opinions to herself. "At least you will be doing the feedings."
The Fire Lady bit her lip, she of course wanted to breastfeed feed but for the health of both her and the baby, they had begun interviews for a wet nurse. They would only be used as a last resort but Katara wanted to be prepared just in case. Shinju had even agreed stating that it was better to have a wet nurse and not need her than to be caught without one.
"Shinju and I have been going over the plan for the birth," Katara began. She instantly regretted the words.
"Surely you won't deliver in your chambers, your husband might like to sleep while you are in labor," the tribeswoman interrupted. Birthing was women's business and it would not do well to displace the Fire Lord, Kanna thought to herself.
"Actually, Zuko will be there for the birth," she placed a hand on her stomach. The baby delivered a swift kick against her stomach.
"Katara," Kanna scolded her granddaughter scolded. She could not believe what she was hearing. "A birth is not the place for a man and I doubt your husband would want to be there."
"Gran-Gran, Zuko will be there when I give birth," the Fire Lady argued her voice commanding. She had so many fears of a mixed-bending child that having Zuko there was important to her. "I want him in the room and he wants to be there as well. I don't care what you think but my husband will be next to me while I bring our child into the world."
"There you are," Zuko joined the two women. He had heard the end of the conversation and knew now was an opportune time to interrupt. Pakku was hot on his heels. "We were looking for you, I thought we could all have tea in the garden with Mother."
"I was just showing Gran-Gran the nursery," the waterbender explained as her husband wrapped an arm around her shoulders. His other hand moved to rest on her belly. "And Azula's painting."
"Your sister did that?" Pakku's eyes turned from the piece of artwork he was admiring to look at the Fire Lord. As the tribesman continued, the tiles fell into place in his mind, "I hadn't realized she was so artistic. No wonder Piandao agreed to train her, he has a soft spot for the arts."
"She is quite talented," the Fire Lord agreed as he looked up at the painting. He truly appreciated how his sister was able to capture such a beautiful moment between him and Katara. More than that, he was thankful his sister was returning to her artwork and reconnecting with her identity.
"You should request for her to do a family portrait after the baby is born," the waterbending master commented as he finally tore his eyes away from the painting. He moved to stand next to his wife, placing a hand on her back.
"She's already offered for the baby's first birthday," Katara grinned at her step-grandfather. Her mind went to the sketch she had seen Azula do of Zuko's royal portrait, something her husband still didn't know.
"What are you up to?" Zuko accused suddenly. He had seen the little twinkle in her sapphire eyes. A look he hadn't seen since the war, his wife was up to something.
"Oh Zuko, I'm just excited about our baby," the Fire Lady leaned up and placed a kiss on her husband's cheek. Successfully sidestepping the question, though she didn't think for one minute that her husband believed her.
"What made you want to pursue a career in law?" The Princess asked Genkei as they walked through the gardens. She tried to ignore that her mother was not too far away chaperoning them.
It was Azula's fourth time alone with the Minister of Justice and out of all the suitors, she liked him the best. He was about seven years older than the Princess, a respectable age difference in the Fire Nation. Genkei was of moderate height and build with no distinguishing physical factors. But still, Azula found him attractive enough though she couldn't help but compare him to Piandao.
"My father was originally an Admiral in the War," the nobleman man began. His voice commanding as he had the opportunity to boast about himself, "He of course wanted me to follow in his footsteps, but I didn't have the stomach for bloodshed. During my university studies, I found myself mesmerized by judicial procedure. I liked the idea of being able to provide justice for this who were wronged. When your brother ascended the throne I leaped at the chance to work in the justice department."
Azula hummed in response as they continued walking, she disregarded his slightly arrogant tone. Her eyes briefly took in the gaggle of noblewomen who were observing them. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, "I must say I quite enjoyed many of my studies of the law when I was at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls."
"My studies were quite rigorous and not surprisingly there were no women in my class," the Minister of Justice said, the condescension was thinly veiled. "Though I'm sure you could have handled the education."
She pursed her lips and turned to look at the turtle ducks in the fountain. The Princess was unsurprised at the sexist comment, most of the noblemen held some form of sexism. Her mother had even prepped her for it prior to her meeting with the suitors. It was something she had been battling her whole life, though the Minister of Justice was less sexist than most.
Azula turned back to Genkei, "How did you rise to your current position? You are awfully young to hold such a prestigious position."
"In the first year of Fire Lord Zuko's reign my predecessor attempted to lead an assassination, I uncovered it and alerted your brother," the Minister of Justice's chest puffed out. He was proud of his service to the crown and thought the Princess would appreciate it as well. Naively he assumed that she should fawn over his prowess in analyzing a situation that could have been detrimental to the Fire Nation.
The Fire Nation Princess's brow furrowed as she listened to what he said, a fleeting thought rifled through her mind but she shook it off. "How very honorable of you."
"Thank you, Princess Azula," he grinned at her as they continued walking. In his mind, she would be a perfect bride for him to further his political connections. "How are you enjoying your lessons with Master Piandao?"
Azula was not unaware of the nobleman's intentions regarding the advancement of his societal status. She knew that many of the men who she would court would have some form of social climbing if she married one of them.
"I am enjoying them very much," she smiled contently to herself as she thought over her lessons. Her gold eyes lit up as she expressed her excitement over her sword master. "He is an incredible teacher, patient and wise."
"With his direction, I'm sure you have become a great master of the blade," the nobleman complimented the young woman. He was rewarded with a soft smile from her.
He wanted her to keep expressing her enjoyment, not because he cared but because he wanted everyone to see her enjoying herself with him. It would do wonders to assist him in asking for her hand. Genkei had even gone as far as insisting all of their outings be chaperoned by her mother. Propriety was essential in this endeavor.
Azula laughed girlishly, something unusual for her. But as she continued to think of Piandao her feminine side came out. "I have a long way to go, but I am incredibly fortunate to be learning from him. Piandao has been such a huge support since I returned to the Fire Nation, not only in my studies of the blade."
"Really?"
The Princess hummed in agreement, her gold eyes bright as she turned to face him leaning her back against the railing of the bridge. "He helped me with my tourism proposal. And he's encouraged me to really step into my role with Katara."
"I had not realized Master Piandao was so well versed in politics." The nobleman leaned forward but was sure to keep a respectable distance.
"He is very insightful, it translates well to his mastery of swordsmanship," she defended her sword master.
"I personally don't enjoy the sword," Genkei commented, his jaw tightening as she referred to the sword master so causally. "I prefer firebending, no disrespect to non-benders but it is just not the same."
"There is a grace and need for both," Azula found herself arguing. Her eyes flashed at the disrespect to Piandao.
"Of course," the nobleman placated. He didn't want her to be upset and end their time together prematurely. "I just was expressing my appreciation for my firebending. As skilled as you are I'm sure you know the feeling I speak."
"Yes," she looked down. Zuko and Katara had been sure to keep the loss of her bending tightly guarded. They worried the Princess would become a target if the public knew. Azula longed for her firebending more and more every day. It was something she had spent many hours discussing with Piandao.
"Have I told you how much I enjoy spending time with you?" He murmured the question. He was unsure what caused the moment to turn somber but wanted to correct it quickly.
"You haven't, but I'm enjoying it too," Azula looked up at him. She was surprised to see him holding a cherry blossom out for her, it was not lost on her how public the action was to the women of the royal court. She easily accepted the flower, "Thank you."
"Will you join me for tea?" The nobleman asked as he leaned in close to her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the observation taking place. The Minister of Justice couldn't resist shifting closer to Azula.
"I would like that," the Princess smiled warmly at him.
Genkei placed a hand on her lower back to lead her toward one of the gazebos, he was sure to do it in a way that anyone who was in the garden saw such an intimate touch.
Including the sword master who was doing his best to be inconspicuous as he observed his student enjoy herself with the councilman.
Bato walked into the Fire Nation royal family's private sitting room with a handful of pelts, he had been collecting them since he had heard of Katara's pregnancy. The tribesman's nerves were high, he hadn't run this by his husband and hoped his step-daughter would appreciate the gesture.
"What's this?" The waterbender questioned as her stepfather placed the pelts on the tea table in front of her. She had been spending the rare time off she had enjoyed some of the literature of the Fire Nation
"I know traditionally mother and daughter create a baby blanket during pregnancy," Bato began scratching the back of his neck. "I thought you and I could do that together. I'm not great at sewing but I can help cut the strips and arrange the pattern."
"Bato," Katara looked up at the man, her blue eyes brimming with tears. She had tried hard over the last few months to forget about the tradition of her tribe, already feeling the lack of her mother.
"I would have suggested starting sooner, but I wanted to gather some pelts from the Fire Nation," the tribesman shrugged. He looked down at the pelts before looking back up at Katara. "I thought that since this baby will be of mixed lineage it would be appropriate."
"Thank you," the Fire Lady stood and wrapped the man in a tight hug. She was extremely grateful for his thoughtfulness. Once she was seated again she began rifling through the items in front of her.
"I didn't know if you wanted to ask for Ursa or Azula to join us," the tribesman mumbled. He had thought of including the two women but was unsure if that was what Katara wanted. "Maybe even Kanna?"
"I wouldn't mind Ursa and Azula coming to help, we only have a few weeks to get it done. We will need all the help we can get," Katara grinned at him before turning to her maidservant. "Ty Min, could you bring me a sewing kit and ask Ursa and Azula to join us."
Not even half an hour later the two Fire Nation women had joined the Fire Lady and the tribesman. After dividing up the work, the four of them were well on their way to creating the baby blanket.
"This is such a beautiful tradition," Ursa murmured as she helped sew.
"The Water Tribes tend to put a massive amount of tradition surrounding family," Katara commented as she accepted a piece from Azula to add to the blanket.
"I like it," Azula stated suddenly as she cut another piece of pelt for the waterbender. "It reminds you of the legacy attached to the baby."
"I agree," the Fire Lady smiled at her sister-in-law. Her hands worked diligently to sew the pieces together as Azula handed them to her.
"Are you okay?" The Princess asked softly so as to not alert Bato and her mother. She had noticed that Katara had been a little melancholy the past few days.
"I'm fine," the waterbender brushed off. Her eyes never strayed from the needle and thread she was wielding.
"You're lying," Azula replied crossing her arms over her chest. One eyebrow raised as she waited for the waterbender to cave into her inquiry.
"Not now, Azula," Katara mumbled as she cast a look at Bato and her mother-in-law. She didn't want the two to know what was going on in her marriage. "Please."
"Katara," the Princess replied her voice softening. Something was really wrong if the Fire Lady was reacting this way.
"It's just Zuko's been busy," the waterbender shrugged not meeting her sister-in-law's eyes. She hated the way she was feeling and didn't want to admit it aloud, but Azula was persistent. "I just miss my husband."
"He's just trying to get everything done before the baby," Azula comforted quietly so as to not draw attention to their conversation. She busied her hands with the pelts in front of her.
"I know, but I'm not the only one to notice his absence," the Fire Lady mumbled under her breath. She had already heard whispers amongst the women of the royal court about Zuko's busy schedule and even though she knew their accusations were untrue, the words still stung.
Katara was so absorbed in her sewing she missed the fire burning in her sister-in-law's eyes at what she had just admitted.
"There you are, little tiger seal," Hakoda greeted as he walked into the sitting room, effectively interrupting the conversation between Katara and Azula. The chieftain placed a kiss on top of his daughter's head before moving to sit next to his husband. "This reminds me of when your mother made your blanket."
Since his relationship with Bato, the Southern Chief had been more forthcoming with reminiscing about Kya. Something that both of his children enjoyed immensely. They would forever be grateful to their stepfather for healing the grief that Hakoda carried.
The waterbender turned and gave her father a warm smile. "Even though she's not here, I'm glad I can carry on the tradition."
"So am I," her father agreed easily. Once he saw his daughter was preoccupied with her sewing, he moved closer to his husband. Leaning over to whisper in the warrior's ear, "Thank you."
"For what?" Bato asked as his eyes met Hakoda's. He could feel his husband's breath fanning over his face.
"For loving my children as much as I do," the tribesman whispered as he wrapped his arm around the warrior's shoulders.
The Fire Lord dropped the brush in the inkwell and rubbed his eyes, the hour later than he wanted it to be. Zuko felt as if he had signed his name on a million pieces of parchment.
"Last one," Akio mumbled as he placed the scroll on the desk. He knew that the monarch was trying to do as much as possible so he could spend the first few days of his child's life work free.
Zuko picked up the brush and signed his name again before sealing the scroll. "There. Anything else?"
"No, only that Genkei had another outing with your sister. It was public and intimate," the secretary informed Zuko. "He's making his intentions clear and known."
"Hmm," the Fire Lord responded. He wasn't sure exactly why that upset him, Genkei had been loyal to him. But parading Azula around in a show of intention, rubbed Zuko the wrong way. "How many is that now?"
"I think six in the last month."
"Is there anything else you need, Fire Lord Zuko?" Giya questioned as she collected his and Akio's dinner plates.
"No, thank you, Giya. I appreciate you being so accommodating during these late nights the past few weeks," the sovereign expressed his gratitude. "Do you happen to have an update on my wife? Did she go to bed?"
"Of course," she nodded. The maidservant had expected the question and had sought out the Captain of the Royal Guard prior to entering the Fire Lord's office. "Malu said that Fire Lady Katara retired to your chambers about four hours ago; shortly after having dinner with your sister and mother as well as her father and step-father."
"Very good, take tomorrow morning off," the Fire Lord commanded. Giya had been doing more than her fair share since Katara entered her last few months of pregnancy. She deserved to have some time off. "If Jiang has an issue with that tell her to speak to me."
"Thank you, Fire Lord." Giya finished her duties before leaving to bring the dishes to the kitchen and retire for the evening.
"Get to bed, Akio," Zuko stood from his desk and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I will see you in the morning."
The two men bid each other good night before retiring to their respective rooms.
As the Fire Nation sovereign entered his bed chamber the first thing he noticed was his wife fast asleep on the settee. An open book against her chest and Hikari sleeping on the floor right in front of her. The polar bear dog opened his eyes as his master drew closer.
"Good boy," the Fire Lord patted him on the head, being sure to scratch behind his ears. The polar bear dog yawned once before standing and stretching its limbs then moving to lie down on the gigantic pillow at the foot of the bed. Hikari stood almost as tall as Zuko now. It wouldn't be long before he would either have to sleep in the stables or the monarchs' bedchamber would need to be remolded to accommodate their pet.
The Fire Lord took the book out of his wife's hands and placed it on the table before scooping her up into his arms. Grateful she was asleep while he carried her to bed, he knew she would protest that she was too heavy.
"Zuko," she mumbled sleepily as she snuggled into his warmth. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck.
"Shhhh go back to sleep, Katara," he whispered as he carried her to their bed.
"What time is it?" Her eyes never opened as he tucked her beneath the covers.
"Late," he placed a kiss on her forehead.
The waterbender struggled to open her eyes, she had tried waiting up for her husband but had been unsuccessful. "I wanted to wait."
"I know," he crouched down so their faces were level. He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You're working too much," Katara slurred as her eyes finally fluttered open for a brief moment before closing again. She was feeling a little neglected by how much her husband was working. The waterbender barely saw her husband in the last few weeks and with the physical distance came the emotional. Not to mention the gossip of the royal court.
"I just want everything to be done when the baby comes," Zuko explained as he placed a hand on her stomach.
His wife opened her eyes and sighed heavily, "I know. I just—never mind."
"Katara, what's wrong?" The Fire Lord pressed his brow furrowing. Her emotional distress was obvious to him.
"Nothing," she mumbled closing her eyes. She didn't have the strength to explain how she was feeling right now. Katara's eyes burned with unshed tears that she willed away.
Zuko leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead before going to change for bed. His heart was heavy in his chest with his wife's upset. A few minutes later he slipped into bed behind her, his arm wrapping around her torso.
"I love you," he murmured into her hair as he spooned her. He figured she was fast asleep when she didn't reply immediately. The firebender closed his eyes and waited for sleep to overtake him, he was just about to fall into the blackness when his wife's voice washed over him.
"I miss you," the waterbender whispered, her voice barely containing the choked-back sobs. While her eyes were shut, tears slipped down her cheeks.
The Fire Lord's eyes snapped open and he rolled his wife to face him. His fingertips moved to brush away her tears. "Look at me. I'm right here, Katara. Look at me."
Finally, her sapphire eyes glassy with tears opened to look at him. "You're gone by the time I wake up every morning. And I'm asleep by the time you get back. I only ever see you if we have overlapping meetings for the day."
"We both are just busy," he argued as he pulled her closer to him. He hated to see her so upset.
"It feels like you are walking away from me. Like every day there is more distance, Zuko we haven't even been intimate in weeks," the waterbender turned to look at the wall. Her mind kept going back to the comments the women of the court made about their husbands. With each passing day, her marriage looked more like their's and she hated it with a passion. "I thought our marriage would be different than the other's."
"It hasn't been weeks," Zuko deflected but as he stopped to think about what she was saying he felt sick. The last time they had been together was shortly after Kanna and Pakku had arrived almost two months ago. But more importantly, Zuko didn't want her to think she was anything like the petty noblewomen. "Katara, no! Our marriage is nothing like theirs."
"Isn't it though?"
"No it's not," he disagreed quickly. He ran a hand through his hair, "They distance themselves to seek out concubines. I am not distancing myself, on the contrary, I'm working longer so when the baby comes I can spend an uninterrupted week or two with my wife and child."
"You feel distant," she mumbled closing her eyes tightly. The Fire Lady hated feeling this way and Zuko wasn't making her feel better. She wasn't even sure how he could make it better.
"Tell me what to do," the firebender pressed himself as close to her as possible. He watched as tears slipped down her face, placing kisses along the tear tracks.
"I don't know," the waterbender turned to push her face into his chest as sobs racked her body. Her emotional distress was finally being let out. She knew she was being a little irrational but didn't know how to make herself stop.
He wrapped his arms around her doing his best to comfort her. "I'm right here, Katara. And I love you. I'm here."
It wasn't much longer before she had cried herself to sleep wrapped in her husband's arms. Zuko brushed back the fallen tears and just held her close, vowing silently that he would make sure in the morning she knew how much he cared.
The morning sunlight streaming into the room woke the waterbender. Without opening her eyes she felt for her husband but all she felt was cold bed sheets. She tried not to wallow in her feelings but she had hoped he would have stayed after last night. As she pulled herself out from beneath the covers Katara was unsurprised to see Ty Min had placed her breakfast on the bedside table.
"Good morning, Fire Lady Katara," the lady-in-waiting greeted as she tidied up the other side of the room. "Would you like me to draw you a bath? Or would you like to have your breakfast first?"
"No need Ty Min," the Fire Lord spoke as he entered the room. "I'll be seeing to my wife's needs this morning."
"Zuko," the waterbender gasped in surprise as he moved toward her. Her blue eyes dragged over his form, the first thing she noticed was how casually he was dressed. "What about your meetings? And the council?"
"I just told Akio to cancel everything for the rest of the day, unless there is a national emergency everything can wait until tomorrow," he explained to his wife as he came to sit next to her on their bed. One of his hands moved to rest on her belly, and within seconds he felt a kick.
"Really?" His wife's blue eyes lit up as she looked at him.
"Really," Zuko smiled softly at her. He leaned over and placed a lingering kiss on her lips. "Now did you want breakfast first or a bath?"
"Breakfast," the Fire Lady responded with a grin as he moved the tray to be on her lap. "And then maybe we could bathe together?"
"I am more than okay with that idea," he replied with a devilish smirk. Half an hour later the royal couple was lounging in their bathtub. Both just enjoyed being close to one another.
"Thank you," the waterbender whispered. Having her husband immediately adjust his behavior went a long way with her.
"Anything for you," the firebender mumbled as he rested his chin on top of her head. His hands cupped her belly. He never wanted her to feel neglected.
"Are you going to tell me or are you going to pretend it doesn't exist?"
His shoulders slumped, he had expected the accusation at some point but not this soon. Secretly he hoped that it wouldn't come, but he knew that was wishful thinking. It took him almost five minutes before he turned to look at his friend.
Pakku stood leaning up against a pillar of the training arena. He had wanted Piandao to come to him but realized that was not going to happen anytime soon.
"How long have you known?" The sword master questioned, he couldn't bring himself to meet his friend's eyes.
"I suspected when I saw you two training the first week we arrived, but everything became clear a fortnight ago when Katara gave us a tour of the nursery," the tribesman admitted. One of his white eyebrows raised in question.
"The nursery?" Piandao's brows drew together in confusion.
"Azula's painting."
"She is extremely talented," the younger man boasted. His grey eyes were far away as he thought about his pupil. "The way she uses her art to express her emotions has been extraordinary to see. It is raw and vivid. She did this one when we first started training and it's incredible—"
"Piandao," the tribesman scolded as he interrupted the sword master. Pakku crossed his arms over his chest. He watched as his friend fidgeted. The sword master adjusted his clothing and avoided eye contact for several minutes.
Finally, grey eyes met pale blue. "I'm in love with her."
"I know," the waterbending master smirked.
"She's my student," Piandao moved to sit along the viewing area and waited for Pakku to join him. He rubbed a hand over his face, it was the first time he was admitting his feelings for the Fire Nation Princess.
"Not to mention Iroh's niece."
"Agni, Iroh," the sword master breathed out. He rested his head in his hands, "I had forgotten about him."
"No matter what you do, you owe him the respect to tell him," the tribesman commented as he looked at the younger man.
"I know. Agni. What am I going to do? I've never fallen for a student before," he looked up at the arena. He was remembering his training with Azula from that morning. She had looked beautiful yielding the wazikashi he had created for her. "It's inappropriate and a violation of trust."
"You have only trained two other females," Pakku chuckled with a shake of his head. "I don't think you need to worry about your professionalism."
"They are going to be upset with me."
"Who? Iroh and Zuko?"
"Zuko and Katara," the sword master corrected. He knew he had to have a difficult conversation with Iroh, but the old general was calm and understanding. Piandao was more worried about the Fire Nation royal couple, though more specifically the Fire Lady.
"You are worried about my wife's granddaughter?" The tribesman shook his head suppressing a grin. "I think you might find your biggest ally in her."
"I also think her temper rivals her husband's," he grumbled in response. Piandao ran a hand through his hair. Now that he admitted his feelings there was no way to ignore them.
"That it does," Pakku chuckled throatily. He thought back to his first interactions with Katara. He shook his head, that girl was headstrong and stubborn. "Tell me about Azula."
"She's smart and clever. Better than any strategist I have ever seen, she thinks ten steps ahead and every possible scenario," the sword master began to gush. His grey eyes lit up, a contrast to his solemn expression, "And when she draws, her brow wrinkles and she gets this little indent that is so endearing. Her eyes sparkle as she fights and her entire body glows with the exertion. She trains like no one I have ever seen. Azula is funny and witty, she doesn't suffer fools. And she loves deeply, you can see it in how she interacts with her brother and friends. She has so much pain and she has made tremendous progress, working hard to heal."
"I never thought I would see the day you spoke about a woman this way," the older man shook his head. He had seen the love Piandao had for the Princess but to hear it was another thing. "What are you going to do?"
"Nothing," the sword master shook his head sadly. He looked down at the earth beneath his feet before looking back at his friend. "Azula recently began courting, I don't want to take that experience away from her. Not to mention I am old enough to be her father, I doubt she could ever view me in such a way. She deserves a man who will be completely enthralled with her. Once I have completed her training, I'll return to Shu Jing."
"You love her enough to let her go?" Pakku's eyes were wide. He hadn't expected such depth of feelings from his friend. But clearly, the emotions had been building for some time.
"I do," Piandao's grey eyes were solemn. He thought over to the other day when he saw Azula with Genkei, the Minister of Justice, in the garden. The intimate way the councilman touched her lower back and the way the Princess leaned into his touch. All the sword master wanted was her happiness. "You are right that I need to tell Iroh and I will, but as for everything else I think it's best I walk away."
"You are an honorable man," the tribesman rested a hand on his friend's shoulder. "But I hope you are not so honorable you lose your only chance at happiness. If you think it is best, I won't argue."
"So Genkei?" Ty Lee questioned with a twinkle in her eye. She had been waiting for the entirety of their lunch to bring up the councilman and finally, the opportunity had presented itself.
"What about him?" Azula asked as she went to take a sip of her drink. Mai and Ty Lee exchanged a look at their friend's response.
The trio were having a late lunch out in the gardens. All three had the rare time available and were taking full advantage of making up for the missed time.
"Azula, you aren't stupid. Don't insult us by pretending you are," Mai replied dryly as she picked at the food on her plate.
Gold eyes turned to look at the scenery in front of them, it had been almost two months since she started courting the Minister of Justice. The Fire Nation Princess sighed heavily, "He is very nice, just a tad arrogant but much less than most. A solid conversationalist and . . ."
"And handsome?" Ty Lee filled in as her friend trailed off.
"Of course," the Princess agreed though it was more passive. Her mind wandered to the dark grey eyes of the sword master. She bit her lower lip to stop her train of thought. "Though he does speak down to non-benders."
"And he doesn't know about you," Mai mumbled mostly to herself. She knew that in the Fire Nation, the party line was that Azula's bending had been suppressed so as to not be a threat to the Fire Lord in the first couple of years after the war. Many assumed when the Princess returned to the Fire Nation, so had her bending.
"No," Azula shook her head. She was quick to defend herself in front of her friends, "It's not that I'm ashamed of it—"
"We know," the acrobat cut her off, placing a comforting hand on her friend's arm. "You have never looked down on us, we know you."
"And we also understand the threat it would pose to you if the rest of the nation knew of your lack of defense," Mai added to her lover's comments. "You don't need to explain anything to us."
The Fire Nation Princess flashed both her friends a grateful surprise. "Other than that, he's nice and we have a fine time together."
"You don't sound that happy," Mai accused.
"It's not that," Azula shook her head. She rubbed a hand on her face, mimicking her brother as she searched for the right words. "I just find the whole process tedious and exhausting."
"You're avoiding the real issue," Ty Lee called out her friend.
The Fire Nation Princess turned away from the accusatory looks her oldest friends were giving her. Her eyes settled on the temple of Agni on the edge of the gardens. She didn't know why but she had a feeling the night she fell asleep at the alter the sword master had carried her to bed. "Maybe a love match isn't part of the Spirits' plan for me."
"Azula," the acrobat whispered somberly.
"My title means it will be hard to truly find someone who wants me for me and not the relation to Zuko," the Princess continued. She shifted her plate on the table. Her eyes turned back to her friends. "Genkei and I get along well enough. Maybe that's all I should ask for."
Before either of them could respond the whispers of a few noblewomen entering the garden drifted toward them.
"My husband said the Fire Lord has been working extremely late," Haruku mumbled to the woman next to her. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was seeking a mistress now that the Fire Lady is pregnant."
"Surely you don't think so?" Lady Xia Senior responded as they moved deeper into the garden. She had been miffed when Master Piandao had not taken an interest in her oldest daughter, but perhaps another opportunity would present itself.
"I do," Haruku continued, not so quietly either. "You know how men have their needs and a pregnant wife cannot fulfill all of them. If I had a daughter, I would be sure to place her around him."
"It would be a favorable position to be seen as the Fire Lord's courtesan," the other noblewoman speculated. "Maybe I should insist my daughters be invited to stay in the palace."
"I would," Shinu's wife readily agreed.
The Fire Nation Princess felt her blood boil as she heard the gossip around the court. Her loyalty to Katara peaking through as she saw red. Before she had even processed the action, Azula was standing in front of the two noblewomen.
"Good afternoon Haruku, Xia," the Princess purposely dropped their titles. It was unnecessary for her to use them. "How are you this afternoon?"
"Just lovely, Princess Azula," Lady Xia Sr responded instantly. The Princess was not an enemy you wanted. "And yourself?"
"I was quite enjoying myself as I had a late lunch with Mai and Ty Lee," she gestured toward her friends. A small frown crossed her face. "Unfortunately it was ruined by some idle gossip. Such petty and idiotic words were spoken. I suddenly lost my appetite."
"Oh?" Haruku's eyes widened with interest.
"Yes, I would say the words bordered on blatant disrespect and I for one would hope that no one of importance heard them," the Princess continued. Her gold eyes took in both women.
"About whom?" Shinu's wife's ears perked at the opportunity to hear the court gossip.
"What Haruku means is how could such words cause a visceral feeling?" The other noblewoman stuttered as she tried to placate the young royal.
"Can you believe that some people think my brother would seek out a mistress?" Azula faked her disbelief as she stared at the two women. She brushed some hair out of her face as she resisted the urge to smirk at the noblewomen's reactions. "I mean all it would take is one look at Katara and my brother to know they can hardly keep their hands off each other. I almost had to ask Jiang to find me new chambers the other day with how loud those two were."
"How silly for those," Haruku recovered quickly.
"They are just lucky I'm hearing it second hand, if I had heard it first hand they would have to answer to me," the Princess's eyes narrowed slightly. "Such a cruel rumor that would cause more damage to the Fire Lady's well-being than have any ounce of truth. And if something happened to her, especially in her condition, I know my brother's wrath would rival my own."
"If we hear anything of the sort we will be sure to silence it immediately," Lady Xia Sr responded with just a hint of waver in her voice. "We of course would not want any harm to come to the Fire Lady in her state."
"I know I can count on you both to silence the court's gossip," Azula smiled almost sinisterly. She nodded at both before moving to rejoin her friends, "Enjoy your walk, Haruku, Xia."
"It's Bujing, it has to be," Azula argued with her brother as she walked around his office. The two siblings had been disagreeing for weeks about who killed their father. But no matter how much logic her brother threw at her, the Princess knew in her gut she was right.
"Nothing is linking him to it, Zula," the Fire Lord rubbed his temples. They had been having the same conversations for what felt like months. He didn't doubt her thought process but he needed ironclad proof to indite the noble. "I know you think it's him, but there is no evidence. On the contrary all of the evidence leads to Shinu."
"Zuko," her use of his full name had him pausing to look at her. She stopped her pacing before crossing her arms over her chest, "I convinced you that Father wanted you home and almost successfully had you loaded on my ship. I infiltrated Ba Sing Se and overthrew the government in less than a week. And manipulated you when we returned home so you would take the blame for the Avatar surviving. Trust me, it's Bujing."
Her brother sat there gaping at her like a fish for a moment before his shoulders sagged. "Alright it's Bujing, we still have no proof."
"You have no proof," the Princess mumbled pulling something out of her bag. "I on the other hand do."
She passed him a scroll that had Shinu's seal on it. "This doesn't even have Bujing's seal, it's Shinu's."
"Yes, but it's Bujing's handwriting. You were intercepting all of Bujing's hawks because you suspected him, but he was trying to frame Shinu," Azula began as she took a seat across from him. "But I've been keeping a close eye on Shinu's hawks. And I thought it was interesting that Bujing's daughter kept visiting the hawkery but never sending out one of her family's hawks."
"She's helping him?"
"A father's will has its way of poisoning a child," she turned to look outside the window. Her gold eyes flashed to look at him briefly before settling on the horizon. "You know better than anyone what it means to sacrifice your beliefs to please your parent."
"Zula," her bother's voice was soft but filled with deep emotion. He rubbed a hand over his face.
"Trust me, Zuko. I know it's Bujing and I know just how to get him to admit it too," the Princess turned to look at her brother.
"Okay, what did you have in mind?"
"I think it might be better if you don't know what I'm about to do," she looked down at her hands briefly before meeting his eyes. "Do you trust me?"
The Fire Lord looked at his sister for a long moment. He had a feeling that if her plan didn't work it could be the royal family's downfall. Zuko also knew that how he answered this question would be pivotal in their relationship. But he didn't know how exactly. "Of course, I trust you Azula. Just please don't get hurt."
"Thank you, Zuzu," she whispered. The Princess reached over and gave her brother a quick hug before leaving his office. She didn't think he would approve of her plans, but Azula knew it was the only way to indite Bujing.
Katara had been having back pain since late last night and some tightness around her belly, but she didn't suspect she was in labor just yet. It was still a week early, though she knew babies came when they wanted and not on the healers' or midwives' schedule.
The waterbender turned to see her husband's side of the bed empty, she had a vague memory of him whispering to her before he left for the day. She knew he always was sure to tuck her in and give her a kiss in the mornings, even if she wasn't fully conscious of it. As her pregnancy progressed she was sleeping later and later into the morning.
"Fire Lady Katara," Ty Min greeted the monarch softly as she brought in the breakfast tray. "How are you feeling? Should I get Shinju?"
"Good morning, Ty Min," she spoke softly, her voice gravely from the sleep. Katara placed a hand on her stomach as she moved to sit up. The baby gave a swift kick against her hand. "Is it still morning? I'm fine, just didn't sleep the best."
"It's still morning for a little longer. Fire Lord Zuko requested to be alerted when you woke," the maidservant informed the monarch. Her loyalty was to the crown but more specifically to the Fire Lady. "Shall I send a guard to do that?"
"You may, but tell him I am well and I will see him later this afternoon," the waterbender was not in the mood for her husband to be hovering.
"Of course," Ty Min nodded before stepping out to send a guard to inform the Fire Lord. A few minutes later the maidservant was back at the Fire Lady's side to help her out of bed.
"Thank you," Katara said as she took the offered hand from her lady-in-waiting. The baby had shifted sometime in the middle of the night and while it made it easier to breathe, the waterbender constantly felt like she had to relieve herself.
"Are you sure you don't want Shinju?" The maidservant asked as she observed the monarch. She could see the baby had dropped sometime in the last few hours, she wouldn't be surprised if the Fire Lady gave birth today or tomorrow.
The waterbender looked over her shoulder as she waddled toward the bathroom. She knew that tone of voice, "If you think it's best, I won't say no. But I do not want anyone to be alerted."
"I will be discreet."
By the time Katara had relieved herself and was returning to her bed, the midwife had arrived with Ty Min.
"Good morning, Fire Lady Katara," Shinju greeted as she moved toward the young mother-to-be. Her hands instantly went to the monarch's belly, "How are you feeling?"
"Like I can breathe for the first time in weeks," Katara chuckled as the midwife examined her. As she said the words she finally realized the implications of the baby shifting.
"I think we are in the beginning stages," the midwife mumbled as she continued her exam. "I wouldn't be surprised if you had a baby in your arms by sometime tomorrow."
"When labor finally begins, no one is to inform the Fire Lord until I say," she looked between Shinju and Ty Min. "He has too many meetings and I won't have him fretting until it is absolutely necessary."
"Of course Fire Lady," the midwife said at the same time Ty Min voiced her agreement.
"Would you like me to inform your grandmother?" The lady-in-waiting asked after the Fire Lady had dressed for the day.
Katara was in casual clothes wanting to be as comfortable as possible. For the past two weeks, most of her duties were being handled by Mai and Ty Lee. If they needed her they would seek her out, though the waterbender had given strict instructions to seek Azula or Ursa first.
"Tui and La, no," she shook her head. While she appreciated her grandmother traveling from the South Pole to support her; Katara was finding that it was better to keep the older woman occupied with other things than the baby. The tribeswoman was judgmental and constantly forced her ideals onto her granddaughter. Katara turned to her maidservant, "But please alert Azula. I want her to be prepared to take over duties completely today."
"Of course," Ty Min nodded before leaving to fulfill the request. She returned a short time later with Azula in tow.
"What are you doing here?" The waterbender questioned in confusion as she paced around the room. She felt the need to walk now that the baby had shifted. Shinju had told her that it was her body's way of preparing for the birth.
"You're in labor," the Princess rolled her eyes as she took a seat on the settee in front of the Fire Lady. "I thought you might want some company. And Agni knows my brother is a hypochondriac."
"I'm not in labor," Katara mumbled as she turned to walk in the other direction. The tightness she was feeling was becoming more regular but she wasn't about to admit she was in labor yet.
"Of course, you aren't," Azula rolled her eyes. "That's why Shinju is here prepping everything."
The Fire Lady turned and saw the midwife prepping hot water along with Ty Min folding towels. She looked back at Azula, "They are just preparing in case it happens."
"Whatever you say," her sister-in-law responded with a shake of her head.
"How was your dinner with Genkei last night?" Katara asked as she continued to walk around her bedchamber.
"It was good. He's a little arrogant," she shrugged slightly. It had been almost three months since the Minister had begun courting her. "But he's always been respectful and appropriate."
"You don't seem very enthusiastic," the Fire Lady mumbled as she moved around the room.
"It's not that, just there doesn't seem to be that heat. But then again that might just be because he's trying to uphold propriety," Azula looked away. She was frustrated everyone was picking up on her lack of excitement regarding Genkei. A faint blush filled her cheeks as she thought about the chemistry she shared with her sword master.
"Sometimes that takes time to build," Katara placated, even though she thought Azula courting was a silly idea. "And considering the difference in your station he is probably overly respectful. I wouldn't worry about it too much."
"You are probably right," the Princess nodded. She waited for a response but never got one. "Katara? Shinju?"
"I'm fine," the waterbender mumbled as she grasped the wall next to her and her stomach. She could feel a trickle down her leg and then suddenly the pain from her back moved to her front.
"Fire Lady, I believe it is time," the midwife commanded as she came alongside the monarch. Her hands instantly went to Katara's belly, the tightness was impossible to miss.
"I think so too, I want to get changed and cleaned up first though," the waterbender told the midwife. She knew that Shinju had not missed the fact that her water had broken, there was no denying that the Fire Lady was in full labor.
"Shall I go tell Zuko? Perhaps your father? And your grandmother?" The Princess asked as she moved to help Shinju guide Katara toward the bathroom.
"Zuko yes, and my father and Bato. But absolutely not my grandmother," the Fire Lady commanded as she entered the bathroom. "Is there some way that Piandao or Ursa can occupy my grandmother? I just really don't want her in here."
"You don't need to explain," Azula reassured her. She gave the waterbender a quick hug, "I cannot wait to meet my niece or nephew."
The Fire Nation Princess made her way quickly through the palace halls in search of her brother. She was in such a hurry to find her brother that she let her guard down and collided with the sword master.
"Azula, where's the disaster?" Piandao chuckled as he righted them both.
"Piandao," she grinned at him. Her enthusiasm at seeing him was not lost on the man, "I was looking for you, Katara is in labor!"
"I think it might be better to look for your brother," he replied dryly but the twinkle in his eyes offset his teasing.
"Well, yes, I need to alert Zuko," Azula blushed prettily at her mistake. She paused, maybe she could alter the request the Fire Lady had set forth. "But Katara requested that you and I occupy her grandmother. She doesn't want her in the room."
"Of course, I'll find Kanna and Pakku while you search for your brother," the sword master agreed instantly. "I'll guide them to the palace gardens, close enough for news, far enough from Katara."
"Perfect! I'll meet you there as soon as I find Zuko," Azula grinned at him. The Princess continued through the palace halls until she reached her brother's office. "Hello, Akio."
"Princess," the secretary nodded briefly. He jumped up when she went to enter the Fire Lord's office. "Wait he's in a private meeting!"
"Doesn't matter," Azula replied as she continued walking into the office.
"Azula, I'm in a meeting," Zuko groaned as his sister entered his meeting. He rubbed a hand over his face.
"Hello, Lady Sulan," the Princess greeted the noblewoman ignoring her brother at first. "I'm sorry your meeting is being cut short but Katara has requested her husband's presence."
"Is Katara okay?" The Fire Lord jumped up from his spot as he moved to head out of the room.
"Other than the fact she is about to birth a baby, she's completely fine," his sister commented. She hid a laugh behind her hand as her brother bolted out of the room without even an apology to Lady Sulan. "Forgive my brother's manners."
"No need to apologize, Princess Azula," the older woman smiled. "It is a welcoming sight to see the Fire Lord so attentive to his wife's needs."
"It is," Azula agreed. "I'm sure Akio would be happy to assist you in rescheduling."
The Princess awaited for the noblewoman to exit the Fire Lord's office and make arrangements with the secretary before moving to alert the rest of Katara's family and join Piandao.
Across the palace, the Fire Lord bolted through the hallways toward his bed chambers. He burst into the room right as his wife let out a sharp whimper of pain.
"Katara?" Zuko called as he rushed to her side. She was standing near the terrace doors, one hand clutching the door frame while the other rested against her stomach.
"She's alright," Shinju reassured the young monarch as she coached the Fire Lady through the contraction. "That's it deep breaths."
"I'm okay," the waterbender mumbled as her hand released the door frame. Her blue eyes took in her husband's formal robes. "It's going to be a long day Zuko, you might want to change."
"Is there time?" He fretted as his hands moved to rest against her belly. Even from this morning, he could tell the baby was sitting lower. His cheeks turned red at the giggling that came from the women around him.
"There is plenty of time, go change," the Fire Lady mumbled reaching up for a quick kiss from her husband. After he entered his dressing room, Katara turned to Shinju, "It's sweet he's worried."
"Souta told me that if you change your mind about wanting him in the room he and Malu will happily escort him out," Ty Min informed the Fire Lady with a grin.
"They might need to," the midwife joked as she prepped the bed for the impending delivery of the Fire Nation Heir.
"Might need to what?" Zuko asked as he reentered the room. He was surprised to see his wife pacing around the room.
"Just saying that Malu might need to distract you if you get on my nerves," Katara mumbled as she felt the beginning of the next contraction hit. "Oh!"
"Katara?" The young monarch rushed to his wife's side. Her hand clutched his forearm tightly as she tried to breathe through the pain.
"They are getting closer together," Ty Min mumbled to the midwife. "And it's progressing quickly."
"I suspect she's been in the beginning hours of labor since yesterday," Shinju agreed as she turned down the bed linens.
"That was a big one," the Fire Lady panted as she leaned into her husband. It had been only a couple of hours since her water had broken.
"What do you need?" Zuko questioned as he took most of her weight to give her some relief.
"I think I want to lie down," the waterbender breathed out. She was already exhausted and her active labor had only just begun an hour ago.
Before his wife had finished the sentence the firebender was already leading her toward their bed. As he helped her get into their bed he noticed some blood spots on her lower clothing. "Shinju!"
"It's normal," the midwife assured him as she came to check on the expectant mother.
"Ahh!" Katara grabbed onto her husband's hand squeezing tightly as she tried to breathe through the next contraction. A few minutes later she released his hand and laid back against the pillows.
"You are doing very well," Shinju comforted the Fire Lady as she examined her to see how the labor was progressing. "Still a few more hours to go. It's best to rest while you can."
"I will try to," the waterbender nodded in response. She turned to her husband. "We're having a baby."
"Yes, we are. We could have a baby tonight," the Fire Lord mumbled as he pressed his forehead against his wife's.
"Fire Lord Zuko, I'm sorry to disturb but Chief Hakoda is requesting entry," Giya informed the monarch from the doorway.
"Go talk to him," Katara pushed her husband. "He just wants an update, I'll be fine. You heard Shinju, we have a few more hours. I'm just going to try to sleep a little."
"I'll only be a few minutes," he placed a kiss on her forehead before he moved to greet his father-in-law.
"How's she doing?" Hakoda asked as Zuko exited the bedchamber. Bato stood next to his husband also anxiously awaiting news.
"She's doing well, it's still in the beginning stages. Shinju estimates we have a few more hours to go," the firebender explained scratching the back of his neck. "Katara is trying to get some rest, I expect a long night."
"Katara is young and healthy," Bato reassured both father and son-in-law. "Bearing a child isn't easy but she will get through it."
"You're right," the chieftain leaned into his husband. He knew he would not rest until the baby was born and his daughter survived the birth.
"She doesn't want Kanna around," the Fire Lord blurted out. He was uncomfortable with the display of emotion from his father-in-law.
"We expected as much," Bato nodded at the young sovereign. Katara had grown a lot since becoming Fire Lady and her need for validation from the matriarch of her family had evolved.
"I'll be sure to keep my mother away, just be sure to find us when there's news," Hakoda told the Fire Lord.
"Thank you, I should probably get back in there," Zuko mumbled rubbing the back of his neck. His nerves were rising the longer he was away from his wife. "I'll be sure to find you when there's news."
"Of course," the Southern Chief nodded.
The Fire Lord barely awaited the response before reentering his bedroom. He immediately moved to sit on the bed next to his wife. She was lying on her side with her eyes closed doing her best to rest while she could. As his weight settled against the mattress, the waterbender moved closer to him.
"You can lie with her," Ty Min suggested as she placed a pitcher of water on the bedside table. "It will be hours before the baby is here, you both should get some rest."
"I will," Zuko nodded at the suggestion. His hand rested against his wife's belly and he could feel the muscle contracting beneath it. Katara groaned lowly as she breathed through the pain. He waited until the contraction finished before climbing into bed with her.
The couple rested for a couple of hours while the Fire Lady's contractions moved from being sporadic to consistent and closer together. By the time the midwife was examining the expectant mother, the sun was setting on the Fire Nation.
"I think we are almost there," Shinju told the waterbender as she examined her. "When you feel the need to push, we will check again."
"Okay," Katara mumbled as she let out the breath she was holding. Her contractions were almost five minutes apart and progressing at a steady pace. Zuko brushed the hair out of her face and wiped the sweat from her brow.
A knock on the door drew both of the monarch's attention. Before Ty Min could move to check and see who was there, Kanna burst into the room.
"I'm sorry, Fire Lord Zuko," Malu apologized for his lack of ability to keep the tribeswoman at bay.
"It's fine," the sovereign brushed off the guard as he went to deal with Katara's grandmother. Though she walked right passed him, only focusing on his wife.
"Katara, you have been in labor for hours! Why am I just now hearing about it?" Kanna accused as she moved toward the bed. She didn't understand why her granddaughter didn't want her to help with the birth.
"Gran, I just wanted it to be Shinju and Zuko," the Fire Lady breathed out as she tried to pacify her grandmother.
"Azula," Zuko grumbled as he looked out the doorway to see his sister standing in the hall between Piandao and Pakku. Hakoda, Bato, and Ursa were off to the side also eagerly awaiting news.
"What was I supposed to do Zuzu, tackle her?" The Fire Nation Princess crossed her arms over her chest.
He rubbed a hand over his face, "I don't know! But my focus needs to be on my wife, not her grandmother who won't respect her wishes."
"Fine, but you owe me," his sister sighed dropping her arms as she went into the bedchamber to retrieve the tribeswoman. "Kanna, as much as I'm sure you want to be here. Customarily the birth of the heir to the throne is a private affair between husband and wife. The only one attending is Shinju. I'm sure you don't want Katara to face potential ridicule or adultery rumors if word got out you attended."
The Fire Lady flashed her sister-in-law a grateful smile for how quickly she was able to come up with an excuse for Kanna to leave.
"Why don't you all wait in our private library for news," the Fire Lord suggested as his sister led the tribeswoman into the hall. "I promise the moment the baby is born I'll come tell you."
"That's a wonderful idea, Zuko," Ursa responded to her son. She began ushering everyone toward the royal couple's private library. "I'll ask Jiang to bring us some tea and we can all wait together."
Before everyone gathered at the library Katara let out a strangled scream as the next contraction hit. The Fire Lord instantly ran back into their bedchamber and to her side. His wife quickly grabbed his offered hand as she tried to breathe through the contraction.
"Something feels wrong," the waterbender cried as she turned toward her husband, tears in her eyes. As her contraction progressed she felt an immediate intense pressure. The midwife was pulling everything back as she went to check before the Fire Lady had finished her sentence.
"It's just the baby moving into position," Shinju reassured the royal couple. "Don't push yet, I want you to just breathe through the next couple."
Katara nodded her own experience with delivering babies coming to the forefront of her mind. As the next contraction hit, the waterbender focused on her breathing and Zuko's hand in hers.
"That's it," the Fire Lord mumbled as he took a wet cloth and wiped her forehead. "Just breathe."
"Zuko, if you tell me to breathe one more time I promise that once this baby is born I'm going to pull all the blood from your body," the waterbender snapped at her husband.
"You're doing great," he mumbled almost in question.
"Better," his wife replied through gritted teeth. As the contraction finally passed she fell back against the pillows.
"On the next one if you feel the need to push go ahead," the midwife encouraged as she positioned herself to deliver the baby. "When you're pushing, remember to go steady and at a consistent pace."
"Ahhhh," Katara screamed as the next contraction moved through her body. She was sure to follow Shinju's advice and begin pushing. An immediate intense burning sensation ripped through her as she pushed.
"Stop!" The midwife shouted as the contraction ended. "Okay, just breathe. On the next one push again."
"Just a little longer and we get to meet our baby," Zuko encouraged as he pulled Katara's hair out of her face and placed a cold cloth against the back of her neck. He could see the exhaustion settling into her body. The Fire Lord never realized how much energy it took to birth a baby.
"Push," Shinju commanded as the next one came.
"Tui and La," Katara cried out as she pushed again. She felt as if her body was being split in two. The waterbender's body slumped as the contraction came to an end.
"Good, breathe through the next one," the midwife instructed as she beckoned Ty Min toward her, hot water and fresh towels at the ready for the new baby.
As the Fire Lady breathed through the need to push, she felt the energy leave her body. She didn't know how much more she could handle. Her fingers crushed her husband's hand as he offered her support.
"That's it," Shinju comforted. Her eyes were fixated on delivering the Fire Nation Heir. "Okay, get ready to push again. This one will probably hurt the most."
Katara let out a strangled scream as the next contraction hit and she began pushing. A sharp stabbing pain radiated throughout her neither regions.
"Good," the midwife called out as she maneuvered the baby's shoulders out. Within minutes the next contraction hit. "Almost there, push again!"
The waterbender fell back against the pillows, shaking her head. "I can't."
"Yes, you can," Zuko stated, his voice strong. As he looked at his wife, he saw her sapphire eyes filling with tears and emotion. Fear. The same fear he had seen once before during the comet. Without thinking the firebender climbed into their bed so the waterbender was between his legs. He took both her hands in his, her back against his chest. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Only you can bring our baby into this world. I know you're exhausted but you have lived through worse things, let me be your strength. Now, push!"
The Fire Lady was silent as she braced against her husband and pushed with everything she had in her body.
"That's it," Shinju exclaimed as she wrapped the baby in a blanket and passed them to Ty Min.
"The baby's not crying," Katara gasped out.
"Fire Lady Katara, don't worry. Ty Min will take care of the baby," the midwife comforted the monarch as she tried to prepare her for the afterbirth.
"Zuko," the waterbender's voice was alarmed as she tried to look up at her husband.
"I know." The Fire Lord detangled himself from his wife to check on the baby. As he moved toward Ty Min he was surprised to hear her cooing at the baby.
"Congratulations Fire Lord Zuko," the maidservant whispered as she swaddled the baby. Ty Min passed the baby to its father. "You have a son."
The rest of the world slipped away as Zuko looked down to see gold eyes staring back at him and a large amount of black hair. The baby had slightly tanned skin and Katara's nose. A perfect blend of the couple. He yawned and snuggled into his father who had instantly fallen in love with him. Zuko placed a kiss on his child's forehead as he walked back toward his wife.
"We have a son," he murmured as he sat on the bed next to his waterbender. She leaned against his arm to look at their baby.
"He's perfect," Katara whispered.
"Fire Lady, let your husband announce the news and Ty Min attend the babe for a few minutes while we get you cleaned up," the midwife suggested.
"Alright," the waterbender agreed. She turned to her husband who promptly placed a kiss on her mouth.
"Thank you for gifting me a son," he whispered against her mouth. He pulled away and placed his son in Ty Min's arms before moving to exit the bedchamber. "I'll be back soon."
"By the look on your face, I assume congratulations are in order," Souta said as the monarch exited the room.
"They are," the Fire Lord grinned at the guard.
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations to you and Fire Lady Katara," Malu also expressed his good wishes.
Zuko thanked them both as he continued to the library. His eyes moved over the forms in the room. The hour was late and it was apparent by the haphazard sleeping bodies.
Azula was asleep on one of the settees, Piandao was on sitting on the floor in front of her with a book in his lap. Kanna was awake playing a game of pai sho with Pakku but Ursa was asleep on one of the window seats. Hakoda's head was in Bato's lap both fast asleep.
The sword master was the first to notice the Fire Lord. His grey eyes scanned the young man. "Boy or girl?"
"A boy," Zuko beamed as he taught of his son.
"How's Katara?" Pakku questioned as he turned at the sound of the firebender's voice.
"She is good! Getting cleaned up, we have a healthy baby boy," Zuko answered the tribesman. The joy was radiating off of him.
"Is the baby here?" Bato rubbed his eyes, the noise waking him. He shook his husband lightly.
"What? Is Katara okay?" The Chieftain grumbled as he opened his eyes.
"Boy or girl?" Ursa mumbled with a yawn.
"Baby is here. I have a son," the Fire Lord confirmed. He knew how much his father-in-law worried about the birth. "Katara is fine."
The cheers went around the room as most of his family came to congratulate him. Zuko embraced his mother and shook both Hakoda and Bato's hands. He received a slap on the back from Pakku and a pinched cheek from Kanna. The sword master squeezed his former pupil's shoulder.
"Should we wake Azula?" Pakku questioned when he realized she was the only one not awake.
"Let her sleep," Ursa instructed as she brushed her daughter's hair out of her face. "Master Piandao, would you be so kind as to carry her to bed?"
"Of course," the sword master responded. He quickly lifted her into his arms and followed Ursa toward Azula's room. "Congratulations again."
"The rest of you get some sleep, we will see you all in the morning," Zuko instructed as he thanked them all before leaving to rejoin his wife.
"Are they happy?" Katara questioned as he climbed back into bed with her. She was feeling much better now that she had cleaned up and delivered the afterbirth. Her eyes never strayed from the baby in her arms.
"So happy," he mumbled placing a kiss on her temple. He looked down at their son, "We need a name."
"I was thinking, what if we named him, after your cousin," sapphire eyes looked up at her husband. She had been thinking of it for months now. It seemed appropriate to name their son after someone so close to Zuko.
"Lu Ten," the Fire Lord whispered as he looked at their baby. "Crown Prince of the Fire Nation."
Notes:
So we finally have an heir! Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation! Thoughts? Did you like it? Hate it? Are you mad that you have to wait for the next chapter? Let me know in the comments! And drop some kudos if you liked it!
Thank you all again for your support! Be sure to check out my Instagram @JustAGirlWhoReads_ for update news, sneak peeks, and some fan art!
See you on July 5th, 2023!
Chapter 27: Chapter Twenty-Seven: Spring 105 AG
Notes:
Hello everyone!
If you follow me on Instagram you know that when I went to post chapter 27 for the first time in July, I learned that I lost half of my document after my computer updated. I spent weeks trying to recover it but sad to say it's lost to update burial. Now, I have to go back and re-edit all my chapters. My hope is that whatever I'm doing now is better than what it was originally.
But here finally is chapter 27! I hope you all enjoy it and it was worth the wait :)
If you are not following me on my Instagram @JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ be sure to do that! That is the best way to get update news and help support me as a writer :)
Enjoy this next chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Spring 105 AG
The moonlight was the only source of light in the room as she gazed upon her sleeping son.
"You should be asleep," the Fire Lord grumbled softly as he cuddled his wife. He was half asleep but always aware of his waterbender. Zuko's arm tightened around her midsection as he moved closer to her, his eyes opened to look down at her.
"I can't stop staring at him," Katara whispered so as to not wake Lu Ten. She just watched him breathe with each rise and fall of his chest. He was only a day old but already had his parents wrapped around his finger. "He's so perfect."
"That he is," her husband replied huskily. His eyes were drawn to their newborn son, Lu Ten was fast asleep with his mouth open. Zuko placed a kiss on his wife's head, "But you heard Shinju, we need to sleep when he sleeps."
"I know," the waterbender said as she reached out a finger to stroke the baby's cheek. Lu Ten turned his head toward his mother's touch. "What time is it?"
"Not sure, sunrise is a couple of hours off," the firebender mumbled. He placed his lips on the shell of her ear, "He's fine, Katara, healthy and perfect. And Hikari will alert us if anything happens. Go to sleep."
The polar bear dog's ears twitched at his name. He was curled up next to the bassinet, lightly dozing while the baby slept. It hadn't even been a full day since Lu Ten had arrived and already Hikari was protective of the baby. Both Zuko and Katara could tell that as Lu Ten aged the pole bear dog would be his best friend.
The Fire Lady closed her eyes allowing herself to be lulled to sleep by her son's breathing and her husband's warm embrace.
A few hours later Zuko was awoken by the sunrise. He was pleased to see his wife was fast asleep, her arm outstretched and one hand in the bassinet. The Fire Lord stretched before crawling out of bed to check on his son.
Lu Ten was wide awake when his father came to check on him. His head was turned toward the windows and his gold eyes facing east. The first rays of sunlight peaking into the royal bedchamber, falling just short of the Fire Prince's bassinet.
"Good morning, little man," Zuko greeted Lu Ten quietly as he picked him up. Within minutes of picking up his son, he had him changed and ready for the day. The Fire Lord whispered to his son as he carried him out onto the balcony, Hikari following his master onto the balcony. "We are going to let your mama sleep for a little longer."
Father and son watched the sunrise together. Zuko told his son all about the Fire Nation as the light settled over their nation.
"And one day you will be sitting here, telling your newborn son about our country," the Fire Lord whispered to his heir. "And how our family was chosen by the Great Spirit of Agni to watch over the land of Fire."
"There you are," the waterbender said softly as she joined her husband and son about an hour later. Upon hearing his mother's voice, Lu Ten let out a wail that could have woken the entire palace. The polar bear dog that had been stretched out in the morning light jumped up at the sound and immediately moved to the baby looking for danger.
"I think he's hungry," Zuko mumbled as he passed the baby to his wife. The firebender petted Hikari on the head and coaxed him into lying down at his feet. Katara sat on the settee on the balcony next to her husband and adjusted her top to allow her son to latch onto her breast. Lu Ten instantly attached to his mother to feed him.
"You should have woken me earlier," the Fire Lady whispered as she held the baby to her breast.
"You needed sleep," her husband countered as he draped an arm around her shoulder. His eyes watched his son suckle at her breast. There was something oddly sensual about watching his wife nurse their child. "And we were just enjoying the sunrise together."
Katara's sapphire eyes flashed to his. "He was awake for sunrise?"
"It's too early to tell, Katara," Zuko shook his head as he caught on to her line of thinking. "If he's a bender, it will present later and you know that. And if he's not it won't change how much we love him."
"I know," the waterbender whispered as she looked down at her son. Her fingertips stroked his cheek as he nursed. "Now that he's here, I feel like my worry has increased tenfold."
"Whatever happens, we can handle it," he whispered as she switched Lu Ten to her other breast. Zuko placed a kiss on her temple in a reassuring manner.
"Good morning, Fire Lord, Fire Lady," Shinju greeted as she walked onto the balcony. The midwife had been given complete access to the Fire Lady since her pregnancy had been announced. She would continue to be able to come in and out freely until Lu Ten's first birthday to properly care for the Fire Lady and the new Prince. "I see your son has taken easily to feeding."
"Hello, Shinju," Katara smiled at the midwife. She had no shyness around the woman now that she had given birth. "He seems to be doing well."
"Once you've finished his feeding, I want to do a quick exam on both of you," the older woman explained with a warm smile. As if he knew that his mother was needed elsewhere, Lu Ten pulled away from her breast with a pop.
"Guess he's finished," the waterbender joked as she passed the baby to Zuko. "I'll meet you inside in a moment, Shinju."
"Did you have a good breakfast?" The Fire Lord cooed at his son.
"Make sure you burp him, Zuko," his wife reminded him as she righted her clothing as she stood up. She leaned down and placed a kiss first on her husband's head and then her son's, before scratching behind the polar bear dog's ears. "Oh and call for Malu or Souta to let Hikari out."
"So far you are healing well. The bleeding has lessened and will continue to over the next few weeks," the midwife commented at the end of the Fire Lady's exam. "How do you feel?"
"Mostly tired and scared out of my mind something could happen to him," Katara replied with a sigh. Her eyes drifted to the balcony doors.
"You sound like a mother," Shinju explained, a knowing twinkle in her eyes. "You will worry all the time but it is the greatest joy."
"I think this little man is ready for his check-up," the Fire Lord commented as he walked into the bedchamber with Lu Ten in his arms. He turned to coo at his son, "Aren't you buddy? You're ready for your exam!"
The midwife plucked the heir out of the monarch's arms so she could examine him. "He seems to be settling into his life well. How did he sleep last night?"
"He slept through most of the night, only waking twice for feedings," Zuko supplied as he watched Shinju observe his son. He reached out to take his wife's hand, "Though his mother had a hard time falling asleep, she just wanted to stare at him all night."
"I don't blame her," the midwife chuckled as she handed the baby back to his father. "He's very handsome. Is he feeding well?"
"He seems to be," Katara answered as she observed her son and husband. The waterbender's heart swelled as she watched the two. Zuko had his forehead resting against Lu Ten's and was speaking softly to him.
"Good, I'll do another exam in a week but he looks to be doing very well. Remember to use the wet nurse if you need it, there is no shame in using her. Sleep when the baby sleeps," Shinju reminded the Fire Lady. The midwife gave one last piece of advice before she left the little family, "Enjoy the next few days, they go by fast."
A few minutes later Malu knocked on the door before opening it just enough for Hikari to run through. The polar bear dog settled on the giant pillow off to the side of the room, his eyes settling on the little family on the bed.
"He's perfect," Zuko murmured as Lu Ten fell asleep in his arms. The firebender joined his wife in their bed where they just looked at their son.
"I can't believe we made him," Katara whispered as she snuggled under the covers. She was trying to take Shinju's advice and get some rest.
"In fairness, you did most of the work," the Fire Lord replied as he moved so his wife could rest her head against his thigh. He rocked their son in his arms as Katara dozed softly. Zuko looked down at his son and marveled at the mixture of him and his wife. He would remember this moment for the rest of his life.
"Oh, he's beautiful Zuko," Ursa whispered as she held her two-day-old grandchild. Hakoda and Bato standing next to her both itching to hold the newest member of their family.
The Fire Nation royal couple decided to introduce their son to their parents at the same time so there was no jealousy. Both had also decided that Azula be present but they would wait for Kanna and Pakku to meet Lu Ten later that afternoon. Tomorrow evening the royal advisors along with Mai and Ty Lee were to be presented to the baby.
There was a debate about Piandao and whether he should be included in the family introductions or the advisors. At the end of the discussion, it was Katara who finally decided that the sword master had been a massive influence in their lives and Azula's so he should be included in the first family introductions.
Piandao stood off to the side with Azula as the Fire Lord's mother cooed at the newborn. He was incredibly touched to be included in the initial introductions of the baby.
"Have you decided on a name?" Azula questioned. Her mother barely allowed Zuko and Katara to introduce their son before taking him in her arms.
"Lu Ten," the Fire Lord shared softly. His sister's gold eyes flashed toward his, an unmistakable glassiness overtaking them.
"Zuzu," she whispered in awe. Before she knew it, she had wrapped her arms around her brother's waist in a fierce hug which he easily returned.
"Iroh will be honored," the sword master murmured. He knew how much Lu Ten had meant to both Azula and Zuko, he was unsurprised to hear the name of the Fire Nation heir.
"Little tiger seal?" Hakoda asked his daughter an eyebrow raised in question. He was unsure why the name had invoked such an emotional reaction.
"Lu Ten was Iroh's son who died during the siege of Ba Sing Se," the Fire Lady explained quietly. "When he was born we knew we wanted to honor the memory but also that he would live up to such an incredible person."
"And the Fire Nation will have their crown prince back," Azula whispered right before she let go of her brother. She rubbed a hand over her face to remove the tears that had fallen.
"He is just so extraordinary," Ursa cooed as she marveled at the child in her arms, snuggling him close. She was not unaware of how the tribesmen next to her were eagerly awaiting their turn with the baby. The baby squirmed in his grandmother's arms before letting out an impressive wail.
"Guess he takes after Zuzu with that temper tantrum," the Fire Nation Princess teased her brother.
The Fire Lord stuck his tongue out at his sister before lifting the baby out of his mother's arms and cooing lightly to settle him. Lu Ten instantly settled against his father's warmth and opened his eyes to look at his father. His mouth opened and closed slightly as his father rocked him.
"Are you hungry? Does your belly need to be filled?" Zuko babbled to his son. One of his fingers lightly rubbed Lu Ten's belly. "Should we ask momma to feed you?"
Katara shook her head at her husband's words. Within seconds their son fell asleep wrapped in the warmth of his father. The waterbender watched as the baby snuggled deeper, "He hardly wants to be out of Zuko's arms."
"You really should make sure he can sleep in the bassinet, Zuko," Ursa scolded her son lightly. She didn't want them to coddle their son and worried that they would easily spoil him. "You don't want him not sleeping if you are not around."
Azula rolled her eyes at her mother's criticism, though it was nice for a change to see her scolding Zuko for once. The Fire Nation Princess's reaction was not lost on the sword master and when her eyes met his, he winked at her.
"Don't worry Mother, Lu Ten sleeps through most of the night in the bassinet," the Fire Lord placated his mother. When the woman turned to speak to the tribesmen, Zuko shot his wife a smirk.
"Can you really claim he sleeps through most of the night if he's only a few days old?" Azula crossed her arms over her chest as she looked at her brother.
"What was that Lu Ten? Auntie Azula wants to hold you?" Zuko thrust the baby into his sister's arms leaving her no choice but to hold him.
The Fire Nation Princess's eyes grew wide as she held the baby. She had never held an infant before. Azula looked down at her nephew and observed his sleep, the world around her falling away. Lu Ten looked like the perfect mixture of Zuko and Katara.
"Azula, are you alright?" Piandao whispered softly as he noticed a tear falling down her cheek. Everyone else was fussing over the new parents and didn't notice the Fire Nation Princess silently falling apart.
"He's just so perfect, not too much Zuko and just enough Katara," Azula swallowed thickly. Lu Ten snuggled deeper into her arms, never waking. "And all I can think about is how because of me this was almost not possible."
The sword master's eyes crinkled at the sides as he looked at her. He placed a hand on her lower back, "You're looking at it wrong, this moment is possible because of you. If you hadn't made them fight for each other, they never would have realized the depth of their feelings and they never would have fought well enough to be here."
The day started like any other day, nothing notable about it. But for the Fire Nation princess, today was challenging. Her emotions were all over the place leaving her in a permanent feeling of displacement. Unfortunately for her, the people she would normally talk to were distracted by her new nephew. Leaving Azula to face her overload of emotions on her own.
"It's the anniversary of his death," the sword master stated quietly as he watched her in the Temple of Agni. He had been standing behind his pupil for a few minutes now, finally making the decision to alert her to his presence.
Azula was kneeling at the altar of the spirits of former Fire Lords, the incense she had just lighted leaving a trail of smoke and perfume. Her back stiffened at the words. It wasn't a question, yet she felt the need to confirm his suspicions. "Yes, it is."
"No one else remembered did they?" His voice was soft and soothing as he asked the question. Though he already knew the answer, everyone had been preoccupied with the newborn who was only two weeks old. The Princess shook her head in response, resisting the urge to rub her eyes. "It's okay to miss him," Piandao comforted as he knelt down next to her.
"He was manipulative and demanded perfection," the Princess mumbled bitterly. She didn't know why she was even in the temple burning incense and reciting the annual prayers to the spirits. "He wanted world domination and didn't care what the cost was."
"That doesn't mean you didn't love him," the sword master whispered hesitantly. He watched as her shoulders slumped.
"My mother thinks that because of how terrible he was to her and Zuko, I should hate him with every fiber of my being," Azula's words were almost swallowed by the lump in her throat.
Ozai had been manipulative and emotionally abusive to her, but he had also shown her the most affection in her childhood. She had many mixed feelings about her father. Azula was happy he could no longer manipulate her but she still missed his praise. It was easy to look back and see all the horrible things he had done but while she could recognize it and feel a little bit of bitterness at what she had gone through; Azula also knew that she wouldn't be who she was without it. There was a large part of her that was grateful to him because of how he pushed her.
"Hmmm," Piandao hummed as he thought over her words. "You seem to be at peace with everything that happened with Ozai."
"He did many horrible things but there were things I got from him that I don't know I would have had he not been the way he was," the Princess admitted. Her stomach dropped with guilt at those words. "Sometimes I feel terrible for that because of what he did to Zuzu. And my mother has made it much worse. But at least he wanted me."
"You hold a lot of resentment and bitterness surrounding your mother." Again it was a statement.
"I understand now why things were the way they were but," she took an uneasy breath before continuing, "she had a choice." Azula turned to look at him. Gold eyes barring her soul. "And her choices directly affected me. If she had thought more about protecting me than herself, life could have been different. Instead, she chose to protect herself and Zuko — while I was left to be groomed by Ozai."
The sword master kept his face impassive as he learned this bit of information.
Azula suffered at the hands of Ozai because he wanted her to be the perfect heir, but it was nothing compared to the emotional damage that Ursa's abandonment had left on her.
The Princess had healed from the pressure that her father had inflicted on her, yet there were no blindspots to who Ozai was and the pain he inflicted on the world. But what was apparent to the sword master was that Azula never got the nurturing from her mother that Zuko had received. Even more so was that Azula still had many wounds from her mother's abandonment that had yet to be healed. The Princess might understand why her mother did what she did, but Azula still placed the blame on her. And yet, Piandao could not blame her for that.
"It's okay to feel some anger and disappointment toward what happened and the choices your mother made," Piandao replied softly. He watched as her entire body relaxed for not being judged. "But it is also important that you don't let those negative emotions rule your life."
"I know, which is why I'm trying to rebuild our relationship even though it's hard," Azula nodded brushing back tears at finally feeling validated for her pain. "Thank you for being here and not judging."
So many people just assumed Ozai was the problem; while he put a tremendous amount of pressure on her and manipulated her into doing his bidding that was nothing compared to the actions of Ursa. The only memories Azula had of her mother before she left were of her scolding and reprimanding her. Very rarely did she have someone who allowed her to freely express her emotions.
"I would never judge you for your feelings, Azula," the sword master resisted the urge to place a hand on her shoulder to comfort her. He hoped she would realize how much he cared for her by his next words. "I'm here anytime you need me, you don't need to hold this pain alone."
The Fire Nation Princess turned to look at him, her gold eyes meeting his. Piandao had told her many times that she could speak to him but for the first time she realized he had meant it. There was no judgment or pity in his eyes; just hope and understanding.
The Fire Lord and Lady were awoken suddenly by crying. It was only a couple hours until sunrise but already the middle of the night feedings had established a pattern.
"Not again," the waterbender mumbled on the verge of tears herself. Even Hikari covered his face with his paws as the baby cried, though he inched closer to the bassinet even as he did.
For the past three days Lu Ten had wanted to be fed every hour, sometimes every fifteen minutes. Katara was not only exhausted but her breasts were raw. It had only been a little over two weeks since Lu Ten was born and already she felt like a failure as a mother.
"I'll get him," Zuko scrubbed a hand over his face. As exhausted as he was, he knew that his wife had it much worse. The Fire Lord pulled himself out of bed and walked over to the bassinet to pick up his screaming child. He rocked Lu Ten softly, "Shhh, Daddy's right here."
Lu Ten's cries settled only slightly as he turned into his father's chest searching for nourishment unsuccessfully. Zuko cooed at his son trying to give his wife a few minutes to herself before feeding the baby again.
The waterbender sat up in bed, adjusting her nightgown to be able to nurse. She held out her arms, "I'll take him."
"There is no shame in using the wet nurse," Zuko reminded his wife as he settled their son in her arms. "I know you want to do it all but if it's too much, let's utilize the wet nurse and the multitude of staff we have."
"I'm his mother, I should be able to do it," she whispered as Lu Ten began nursing. Katara tried to hold back the wince at the force he was suckling but it was still noticed by her husband. Tears streamed down her face, she felt like a failure of a mother the past few days.
"It's okay to ask for help," the Fire Lord mumbled as he climbed back into bed with her. He was debating about calling for the wet nurse himself when he saw how exhausted she looked. Maybe Shinju could talk Katara into using the wet nurse and the nanny on staff.
"It's fine, Zuko," the waterbender hissed at him. She transferred the baby to her other breast. Her body felt destroyed from giving birth and all the feedings were making it worse.
"No, it's not. You're exhausted and your skin is raw from the feedings," the firebender scolded. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I know you want to do this all on your own but it's hurting you. I won't let you do that to yourself."
"What am I supposed to do abandon my child?" Tears welled up in her eyes. She missed her mother desperately as she navigated the first few weeks of parenthood. All Katara wanted was the best for Lu Ten but she felt like she was failing him every day.
A look of realization crossed Zuko's face. His arms instantly wrapped around his little family, and he leaned down to whisper in his wife's ear. "Asking for help is not abandoning Lu Ten, on the contrary, it makes you a good mother. What he needs is a healthy mother and if that means having the wet nurse take some of the evening feedings that's what it means."
The Fire Lady turned her face into her husband's chest as the tears streamed down her face. Her quiet sobs filled the room accompanied by Lu Ten's suckling.
When the baby finally had his fill, Katara pulled her face from her husband's chest. She then passed their son to Zuko to place back in the bassinet. The waterbender watched as her husband softly burped Lu Ten before rocking him back to sleep. Zuko climbed back into bed with his wife, brushing the tears off her face.
"You're right," Katara mumbled. "In the morning let's talk to Shinju and figure out the best schedule for the wet nurse."
"We should also utilize the nanny employed as well," the Fire Lord pushed. He brushed a lock of hair out of her face. She looked pale and there were dark circles under her eyes. "Not all day but maybe for a couple of hours for you to get some rest."
"I'm failing him," the waterbender cried as new tears began to fall. Her hands came up to cover her face as the sobs rocked her body. Her husband pried her hands away and turned his waterbender into his body.
"No you aren't," he tucked her head into the crook of his neck. His hands ran through her hair in a soothing manner. "Parenthood is a lot and you do so much. But it's okay to ask for help, it doesn't mean you are failing him."
"How are you so calm?" Katara accused as she shoved her face deeper into him. Zuko seemed to be handling fatherhood with no hiccups and frankly, it irked the waterbender. "Why don't you feel like you're failing? He's only a couple of weeks old and I can't even feed him right."
"Katara, you are the one doing all the hard things and I'm getting to do all the easy things. You are trying to do it all! Not only feed him but bathe him, change him, settle him," the Fire Lord placated. She moved harshly out of his grasp and glared at him. He looked into her sapphire eyes and hoped his next words would be taken well. "If you let the wet nurse help then you can get some sleep, the nanny can help during the day giving you a little break. Let me help where I can too. That way you can enjoy the time with Lu Ten more."
The Fire Lady's mouth opened and closed in shock, blue eyes stormy. She wanted to protest his words but as she looked into his gold eyes, pleading with her to listen her shoulders dropped. Zuko was right, though she hated to admit it. "You're right."
"I'm what?" The firebender's eyes twinkled at his wife's words. His waterbender was entirely too stubborn to admit when he was right.
"You heard what I said," she mumbled burying her face in his chest. "You don't think I'm failing him?"
The Fire Lord placed a kiss on the top of her head as he extinguished the lights. "No, Katara. I don't think you're failing him. Get some sleep."
"And there are the Black Cliffs," Sokka pointed out to his fifteen-month-old daughter as the sun began to rise. Keiko was snuggled up in her father's arms giggling at her father's dramatic storytelling. "Where we hid on the Day of Black Sun."
"War stories, really Sokka?" Suki mumbled as she came up next to her husband. She leaned against the railing and looked out to where he was pointing.
"Sush!" The Water Tribe Heir whispered his annoyance palpable. He turned back to their daughter, "I had this grand plan to infiltrate the Fire Nation palace but Azula, had other ideas!" He tickled his daughter in her side eliciting a series of laughter.
Keiko turned to her mother finally seeing her, arms reached out. "Mama!"
"Okay," the Kyoshi Warrior plucked her daughter out of her husband's arms. "I think that's enough stories about the war for today. Besides, Keiko is excited to meet her cousin."
"You know what I'm excited for?"
"Fire flakes?" Suki teased her husband who pouted at her response. She leaned over to place a soft kiss on his lips to ease the sting. "I know you very well."
"Do you think Katara and Zuko will meet us at the dock?" Sokka asked a little while later as they moved deeper into the Fire Nation. He was just beginning to see the horizon of Caldera.
"They just had a baby," Suki shrugged as she watched the city get closer. "I'm sure Katara will probably stay at the palace. I don't know about Zuko, depends on how overprotective he is."
"He's never leaving her side again," the Water Tribe heir mumbled with a shake of his head. "We might need to save her and bring her back to the South Pole."
Across the water, the new family was taking some time to enjoy the quiet before the rest of their family descended upon them.
"When is Iroh supposed to arrive?" The waterbender asked her husband as she nursed the baby. The morning sun peaked into the bedroom. The royal couple were in their bed, having only awoken a mere fifteen minutes ago to their son screaming for nourishment.
Since that night within the first couple of weeks of Lu Ten's life, the couple had taken advantage of the help that was offered to them. Katara allowed the wet nurse to take one of the feedings in the middle of the night and one during the middle of the day. She was also utilizing the nanny in the early afternoon so she could spend the time meeting with her courtiers and Azula to keep up to date with her duties to the Fire Nation.
In addition, Zuko insisted that after Katara fed Lu Ten right before dinner, the nanny would watch him while the couple had their evening meal together. That hour together by themselves was necessary for their relationship. The one thing both parents wanted was the morning and evening with their son, they always woke Lu Ten and put him to bed together. They had developed a rhythm that worked for them.
"Tomorrow," he answered as he watched his son suckle. He found the image of his wife nursing their child to be almost sensual. "Sokka and Suki are arriving this afternoon."
"And then we present him to the royal court at the end of the week," she mumbled looking down at their two-month-old son.
"Yes we do, Ukano said the council is getting demanding," the Fire Lord informed his waterbender. True to his words since Lu Ten's birth Zuko had taken a month fully off from his duties and just spent time with his family. Only in the last few weeks take a few meetings to be sure everything was running smoothly. "After that, the Great Fire Sage will perform the blessing ceremony and then we will announce him as heir to the throne to the court and the rest of the country."
"It feels fast," Katara whispered as she transferred Lu Ten to her other breast.
Zuko moved closer to his wife and brushed back the hair that had fallen into her face. Her blue eyes moved from the baby in her arms to look up at her husband, "He was born two months ago, Katara. The blessing ceremony needs to take place soon and he was heir to the throne the moment he was born. This doesn't change any of that."
"I know it just feels different now," the Fire Lady replied softly. She didn't know how to explain that she wasn't ready to share their son with the rest of the Fire Nation. The Fire Lord watched as she pulled the baby from her breast before placing him into her husband's arms. Zuko quickly burped him so Katara could rest a little longer.
Lu Ten squirmed in his father's arms briefly before settling against the warm chest, his eyes closed slowly as he dozed off his breakfast. Zuko looked down at his son and marveled once again at the combination of him and Katara.
"Do you think putting it off is going to make it feel less different?" Zuko teased his wife as he snuggled their son.
"No," she sighed heavily as she laid back in their bed. Katara turned to look at her little family in awe, "I just want him to have a life that isn't so complicated, but I guess that is wishful thinking."
"I know what you mean," her husband replied as he looked down at her. "But he will have us and hopefully by the time he's old enough to begin his studies, we will have made the world a little less complicated. And hopefully, by the time he's crowned, we would have fought the battles so he won't have to."
"Do you think we will?" Katara's hand moved up so Lu Ten could grab her finger while he dozed in his father's arms.
Zuko leaned down to touch his forehead against hers, "I think we are damn well gonna try."
Just down the hall of the palace, Azula was sparring with Piandao in the training arena.
Over the last month, she had requested extra training time. Partly because she was trying to give Zuko and Katara some space, partly because training helped clear her head which was needed with all the duties she had taken over and courting Genkei. But mostly because the Fire Nation Princess wanted more alone time with Piandao. Azula had a feeling their days were numbered and she wanted to take full advantage of them while she still could.
"You seem distracted," the sword master observed as they wrapped up their training. He raised the edge of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face, missing how Azula's eyes scanned his bare torso.
"Just worried about Zuko," the Princess mumbled before taking a drink of water. The statement was true. She was worried about how her brother was handling the transition to fatherhood. Azula had no doubt in her mind that Zuko would make an excellent father but she worried about his fears. He tended to get in his own way sometimes and even though he personally had never mentioned his worries to his sister — she knew of them.
Piandao hummed as he thought over how to ease her worry before he could respond properly though, they were interrupted.
"Good morning, Azula," Genkei greeted as he walked into the training arena, pointedly ignoring the other man. His eyes glanced over at the sword master briefly before focusing on the young woman he was courting. "I thought I might find you here."
"Good morning," she smiled at him softly. Something that Piandao immediately noticed. Azula brushed the sweat from her brow, "I thought you were busy this morning."
"Well my meeting finished early and I thought I would see if you would like to join me for breakfast?" The councilman suggested he was making his claim known to the sword master who stood a mere twenty feet from him. Genkei's eyes traveled the length of the Princess's body, pleased to note how fit she looked in her training clothes. Not only would she further his political career but it wouldn't be a chore to bed her, the nobleman thought to himself.
"Oh," Azula replied as her eyes widened. She much preferred to spend breakfast with Piandao like they normally did but she couldn't very well think of a logical excuse. As well as Genkei was courting her. "I would like that, just let me change first. I can meet you after that."
"Of course!" Genkei grinned just a tad too widely. He could feel the sword master's eyes on him. "I know the perfect spot in the city, by the harbor. I think you will like it very much."
"It sounds lovely," the Princess said before turning to Piandao. She did her best not to let her disappointment show. "I guess I'll see you this afternoon when Katara's family arrives."
Piandao's eyes softened as she looked at him. He didn't want her to feel obligated to spend time with him and he offered a slight encouraging nod, "Of course, enjoy your morning." He turned back to the councilman not allowing a hint of his anger to seep into his words as he pointedly spoke to the man. "Always good to see you, Genkei."
The Minister of Justice could feel his blood boil at the lack of title, but he had no grounds to stand on. Based on his military ranking and being a close personal friend to the Fire Lord, Piandao outranked the councilman.
Azula's eyes inconspicuously followed the sword master as he exited the arena. She turned to Genkei, "I guess I'll go change. Meet you in the main gardens in half an hour."
The Minister of Justice captured her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles, "I will be eagerly awaiting your arrival."
It was the most liberties the councilman had taken with the Princess. And she couldn't help but notice the lack of heat in the action. Azula delicately pulled her hand away from him before giving him a small flirtatious smile and heading to her room.
She was excited that the councilman had sought her out spontaneously. It clearly showed a level of intimacy that prior to today he had not displayed. Though she still clearly had feelings for Piandao — it was still flattering to see that the councilman viewed their budding relationship so seriously. Maybe everyone had a point when they explained that the heat between them would grow with time, Azula thought to herself as she got dressed.
"Sokka hand him back," Zuko grumbled as his brother-in-law refused to hand over the Fire Nation heir.
"And your dad chased us all over the world," the tribesman told the baby in his arms. His voice took on the animated speech he was prone to use when storytelling. "But I was smarter than him and was able to outrun him each and every time."
"Okay, that's just not true," the firebender mumbled as he tried to extricate his son. When he was unsuccessful, Zuko crossed his arms over his chest brooding at his brother-in-law. "Hand him back."
"No, he's my nephew! I want him to know that he knows the right story," Sokka turned away from the Fire Lord; acting very much like a five-year-old with their favorite toy. He leaned in close to the baby, "Your Uncle Sokka, Auntie Suki, and your Auntie Toph took down an entire Fire Nation fleet of airships single handily."
"It's no use, Zuko," Katara chuckled lightly. She wrapped her arms around her husband's torso. "Don't worry he's only two months old, he won't remember any of this. When he's older you can tell him the real story and how you fell hopelessly in love with a waterbender."
The Fire Lord leaned over and placed a quick kiss on his wife's forehead. He knew she was teasing but in reality that was the story he planned to tell Lu Ten.
"He tells Keiko war stories all the time," Suki giggled as she watched her husband fill the newborn's head with his stories. "Sometimes if she gets up in the middle of the night I hear him telling them to her."
"Who knew my brother was such a softie," Katara mumbled to her husband with a smirk.
"Well I guess if Sokka doesn't want to hand over Lu Ten, he is offering to babysit for the night," Zuko teased with a grin. He looked down at his waterbender, tapping her nose. "You and I get the night to ourselves. You know what that means?"
"Ew!" The Southern Heir complained loudly shaking his head. His cry startled the baby in his arms. Sokka quickly began bouncing the baby and making soothing sounds, within a few minutes Lu Ten had settled back down.
"Well Sokka, what do you think they are going to do two months after their son is born and someone clearly volunteered themselves for babysitting," Suki laughed as she bumped her husband with her shoulder. "Besides, I do think it's an excellent idea that we watch Lu Ten for the night."
"We couldn't ask you to do that," the waterbender told her sister-in-law. She didn't want Suki to feel obligated after Zuko jokingly volunteered Sokka.
"You didn't ask, Sokka volunteered," the Kyoshi Warrior grinned brushing off Katara. "Have a fun night with your husband or catch up on sleep! Whatever you two need, it is good for both of you. Besides, Sokka and I are both excited to spend time with our new nephew."
"Well if Suki says it's okay, I guess we should gather some information for her," the Fire Lord agreed. He had been eager to bed his wife since he realized Lu Ten was officially two months old the other day.
"It would be nice to have some time to ourselves," Katara agreed leaning into her husband. She would love a night just between her and Zuko. As much as she loved Lu Ten, she missed the closeness of her marriage.
"Fine!" Sokka grumbled with a dirty look at the firebender. "But if I'm watching him that means that I will tell him the correct story of who ended the hundred-year war."
"You know that you're trying to take credit for something that Aang did right?" The waterbender questioned her brother with a raised eyebrow. Sokka let out a strangled scream in annoyance startling his nephew again. Katara crossed her arms and fixed her brother with a look, "On second thought maybe you should pass the baby back to us."
"I'll make sure he doesn't get out of hand, Katara," Suki comforted her sister-in-law. She easily plucked Lu Ten out of her husband's arms and instantly resettled him. "And I think it will be good for Keiko and Lu Ten to spend some time together. That is if we can pull her away from Hakoda and Bato."
"Thank you, Suki," Zuko replied as he draped an arm over his wife's shoulders. "We really appreciate the offer. It will be nice for us to spend some alone time together."
"Well don't let us keep you, go enjoy the rest of your afternoon and evening," the Kyoshi Warrior shooed them away.
"We didn't even tell you his schedule," Katara objected.
"Katara, please you have an entire palace staff. I'm sure one of them can answer our questions. Just go enjoy your break," her sister-in-law replied. As the Fire Lord and Lady made their way down the corridors, Suki turned to her husband. "How much do you want to bet they don't make it to dinner tonight?"
"Suki!" Sokka exclaimed with a grossed-out expression. "That's my sister and my best friend!"
Zuko chuckled as he heard his best friend's annoyed words. His arms wrapped around his wife tightly, pulling her to him and then pressing her back against the hallway wall. Katara's hands fell to his chest and fisted into her husband's clothing. The firebender leaned down and placed his forehead against hers, his warm breath fanning over her face; "I plan on spending the rest of the day and night ravishing you."
Katara resisted the urge to moan at the promise her husband made. It had been months since they had enjoyed each other. Though her desire was strong, the waterbender did have a small amount of apprehension with Zuko seeing all the changes to her body. The Fire Lady pushed those thoughts aside for the moment and titled her head up to press her lips against his.
The Fire Lord allowed his wife for the moment to control their kiss, he knew that the moment they entered their bedroom he would consume her.
A little later, the royal couple stumbled into their chambers oblivious to the scene they had displayed and the whispers amongst the staff.
"You are wearing entirely too many clothes, waterbender," Zuko stated as he stripped himself of his shirt and approached his wife. Katara backed away from him until she reached their bed, and her husband stalked toward her.
The waterbender fell back against the cushions and looked up as her husband climbed over her. His hands threaded through hers as he skimmed his nose along the side of her neck, a move he knew she liked. Zuko was rewarded with her breath hitching in pleasure.
"Zuko," his wife moaned. Her skin prickled with desire as he pressed his weight down into her. The firebender began trailing kisses up her throat to the desired spot as his hands moved to begin removing her clothes. He had her top almost fully off before she shirked; "Zuko!" Katara's pleasure had turned to fear.
"What?" He pulled back instantly at her distress. Rolling to lay on his side next to his wife, "What's wrong? Are you in pain?"
The Fire Lady's hands moved to cover her face. Within seconds her body was rocked with sobs, "Nothing's the same!"
"What's not the same?" Zuko questioned confused as to why his wife was now crying.
"Me!" She gasped out, refusing to pull her arms away from her face. While she and Zuko had enjoyed their sex life while she was pregnant it felt different after the birth.
The firebender scratched the back of his neck in confusion, he wasn't sure what was wrong with his wife. "What do you mean you're not the same?"
"My body," she rolled over onto her stomach as her sobs increased. Recognition dawned on Zuko as he watched his wife cry.
"Katara, you are beautiful," he said as he moved closer to her. "Seeing you carrying and birth our child made me love you even more. It made me desire you more than before."
"You're just saying that," the waterbender mumbled into the mattress. Her sniffles echoed throughout their bedchamber.
"When have you known me to say anything I didn't mean," Zuko teased. When that didn't cause her spirits to rise, he knew that jokes weren't going to help. He rubbed a hand over his scar. "Maybe my words can't change your mind, but maybe I can show you."
"Show me how?" Katara turned to look at him, wiping her tears from her eyes. Instead of responding the Fire Lord moved forward and pressed his erection against her hip. Her blue eyes grew wide. "Oh!"
He wrapped a hand around her neck and kissed her hard, rolling her onto her back. With her distracted, he removed the rest of her clothing. He could sense her trying to cover herself and he grabbed her wrists, "Let me show you."
The waterbender bit her lip in hesitation, but as she looked at her husband all she saw was the boy she fell in love with so many years ago. She nodded gently.
Zuko took her hands and placed them above her head. "Keep them there waterbender."
His wife's eyes followed every action as his fingertips skimmed down her sides. He placed a kiss between her breasts before moving down her torso. His lips trailed kisses down each stretch mark she had developed and then back up each one. Her sapphire eyes watched as her husband cherished every inch of her stretch marks.
One of his hands went to softly stroke between her folds, eliciting a soft moan. Katara's hands fisted into the sheets above her head to keep them in the spot Zuko had commanded.
"These, I love," the Fire Lord whispered as he pressed a kiss on one of the stripes on her hip. The hand that was between his wife's legs began circling the bundle of nerves while the other went to cup the extra bit of weight she still carried in her lower abdomen. "And this excites me."
"Really?" Katara's breathing increased with her need and pleasure.
"Yes, really," Zuko replied. He lowered his head and licked her center leisurely while his hands moved to cup her breasts. In between his tongue's assault on her folds he spoke, "And these make it hard to not rip your clothes off."
"Ahhh," his waterbender replied as she squirmed.
The firebender climbed back up his wife's body and he nestled his length against her wetness. He placed her legs over his shoulders, leaning forward so Katara's thighs touched her chest. Zuko pushed in slowly so she could feel every inch of him and he watched with pleasure as her eyes rolled back into her head at the sensation.
"And this is where my cock wants to live every day," he whispered as he rested his forehead against hers. He leaned down and kissed her while he set a brutal pace.
"Tui and La!" The Fire Lady squealed at the sensation. She was surprised at how much listening to Zuko speak about what he loved about her body would arouse her.
"No, not Tui and not La," Zuko chuckled as he thrust against her. His wife moaned loudly as he hit that spot inside her. "We are not leaving this room until your voice is hoarse from screaming my name, waterbender. Even if it takes all night."
Outside the royal bedchamber, Malu and Souta shared a look as they heard the Fire Lady screaming the Fire Lord's name.
"Zuko!" Iroh greeted as he crossed the threshold into the Fire Nation palace. His arms instantly wrapped the young monarch in a hug.
"Uncle," Zuko replied with quiet excitement as he returned the embrace. He hadn't realized how much he missed the support of his uncle until that moment. He released the older man, "I cannot wait for you to meet my son."
"Take us to him," the Dragon of the West commanded barley giving his wife and nephew a chance to greet each other. After giving Jun a quick hug, the Fire Nation sovereign led the last of his family to meet his son.
Katara was in the nursery having just finished nursing Lu Ten. She was waiting patiently for the arrival of Iroh and Jun, Zuko having asked to meet them at the gates by himself. The waterbender knew that her husband was nervous that his uncle would not approve of the name they had chosen.
"You look radiant Katara," Iroh stated as they walked into the nursery. Though his eyes only looked at the baby in her arms.
"Honestly you do," Jun agreed looking the waterbender up and down. Katara was in a pair of red training pants and a comfortable training top that showed a strip of her torso. "You do not look like you had a baby two months ago!"
"Thank you," the waterbender blushed at the compliment. She rocked her son softly hoping he wouldn't start fussing while meeting the rest of their family. "How were your travels?"
"They were good, we were excited to meet this little one," Jun looked at the baby in Katara's arms.
The Fire Lady looked at her husband briefly before moving toward the Dragon of the West, who had not taken his eyes off of the baby. She placed the baby in his arms without a word.
"Uncle, meet our son; Lu Ten," Zuko said as Katara stepped into his arms. Iroh's eyes snapped up to meet his nephew's at the proclamation. "We thought the Fire Nation deserved their prince back."
"You have honored his memory in an extraordinary way," Iroh mumbled as he looked down at the baby in his arms. "Thank you, Zuko."
Tears ran down the old general's face as he looked at the namesake of his son. Lu Ten had his mother's nose, but Zuko's eyes. His skin was lightly tanned like his mother's but black hair like his father's. A perfect mixture of the two benders. Even with the mixture of the two nationalities, Iroh couldn't help but see the resemblance that Lu Ten had to his namesake.
Jun moved closer to her husband to look at the Fire Nation heir and to give her husband the support he needed for such an emotional moment. She looked down at the baby in Iroh's arms. While they had made the decision to not have children and she did not regret that decision; there was a small part of the bounty hunter that longed to have that experience.
"He's beautiful," Jun whispered as she admired the baby. Lu Ten snuggled deeper into Iroh's arms, shifting so he was turned toward the elder. "And clearly he is taken with you!"
"Leaves from the vine, falling so slow, like tiny shells drifting in the foam, little soldier boy come marching home, brave soldier boy comes marching home," Iroh sang softly to the baby in his arms. "These leaves did grow, from branches overgrown, drifting slowly down resting on the loam. Little soldier boy taken from home, forced to fight a war not his own."
"What's that?" Katara whispered to her husband as she watched the scene with Iroh and her son.
"A lullaby he used to sing to Lu Ten," Zuko replied quietly. He didn't want to disturb the moment. "He still sings it on the anniversary of his death."
"Leaves from the vine, falling so slow. Like fragile tiny shells drifting in the foam. Little soldier boy says 'carry me home'. Sleeping soldier boy is carried home. Prince Lu Ten," the Dragon of the West whispered reverently. He leaned down and placed a kiss on the baby's forehead. "You will lead the Fire Nation through the era of peace your mother and father have created, I know it."
"Oh no! I am so sorry, Princess Azula," the woman who had just bumped into the young royal apologized. "I didn't see you! Are you alright? Can I get you anything?"
The Fire Nation Princess stood up from being knocked over while walking in the palace gardens. She waved off the royal guards who moved to her aid. Azula brushed off the dirt before turning to the culprit of her fall, Bujing's daughter.
"It's alright, Hinata," Princess Azula gently reassured the young woman.
Hinata was the youngest of her father's twelve children. Bujing having married three times, his first two wives dying in childbirth. She was only two years older than Azula, a potential match for Zuko when Ozai was still in power and after the war. But those plans had gone out the window after the Anniversary Summit that solidified the peace treaty from the betrothal with Katara.
"I really did not see you," Hinata repeated the worry seeping into her voice. "I am so sorry. Please accept my deepest apologies."
"Hinata it's not your fault, I wasn't paying attention either," Azula replied trying to calm the frantic woman. She placed a hand on the other woman's arm in hopes of soothing her. "Really, I am alright. No harm done."
"If you're sure," the young noblewoman looked down at the hand on her arm. She was surprised to see the once fierce Princess being so kind and reassuring.
"Of course I am sure," the young royal brushed some hair out of her face. "I do have a meeting to attend, but we should have tea together soon it's been too long."
Azula didn't wait for a response before she left Bujing's daughter in the garden. A small satisfied smile graced the Princess's face as she walked away from the interaction. Her planning and placement had paid off, Hinata had played right into her hands.
Mai and Ty Lee instantly fell into step with Azula as she walked through the palace corridors.
"Her mother has been ill," Mai volunteered the information she had been left to gather for the Princess. "Bujing has been spending time with his new mistress, Lihua."
"Hinata's oldest friend, Lihua?" The Princess questioned without turning to look at the noblewoman. That could be fortunate, Azula thought to herself.
"The one and the same, she is only six months younger than Hinata," Ty Lee added from her spot on the opposite side of Azula. "They have made a few appearances out in the city, they are not hiding their relationship. Lihua's mother is hoping for an increase in the family status."
"Hmm, it is quite distasteful to be flaunting a mistress with an ill wife at home," the Fire Nation Princess mumbled to herself. "Her relationship with Lihua must have taken a massive turn. How long ago did Lihua start sleeping with Bujing?"
"Almost a year ago, though they have only been seen in public in the last three months when Hinata's mother fell ill," the acrobat explained softly. She too agreed with the Princess, finding the whole aspect of flaunting a mistress no matter the circumstance to be vulgar.
Azula hummed her response as she took in the information. "Has Hinata been courting? Marriage proposals?"
"Her parents have pressed for many outings with sons of Ozai supporters," Mai lowered her voice so as to not be overheard. "She seems to be the one resisting."
"Find out where she frequents in Caldera, preferably somewhere away from others of court," the Princess commanded as they reached the tea room where she was meeting Genkei. Before she entered the room she turned to her friends a small smile on her face, "Good work."
"Like old times," Ty Lee smiled slightly as she snuggled up to her lover. The two watched their friend slip easily next to the minister of justice for a chaperoned tea.
"Yes it is," Mai replied wrapping an arm around the acrobat's shoulders turning them to leave. "Though this time we are using our powers of intel for good."
"It's going to be fine, Katara," the Fire Lord whispered to his wife. They were currently in his office waiting for the council meeting where they would present Lu Ten as heir to the throne.
The waterbender looked down at their son, who was sleeping in the bassinet next to the desk. Zuko had insisted on each of them having a space for Lu Ten in their offices, something that went against royal protocol. But it was important for the little family to make their own rules and to keep each other close.
"I just want everything to be perfect and no one to question him," she whispered as she adjusted the blanket around the baby. This was the first time Lu Ten would be in the presence of people other than family and close friends.
"You know that is wishful thinking, but I don't think anyone will question him now," Zuko reassured pulling her away from their son. Forcing her to sit on the settee with him. "But hopefully even when the time comes, he won't be questioned. All we can do now is love him."
Katara wrung her hands. "How much longer?"
"Not long now, Azula is going to come get us when everyone is in place," he murmured placing a kiss on her temple. "It's going to be fine. Just formally showing him to the council and the rest of the court, then we will stand on the balcony announcing him to our people. The whole thing shouldn't take very long."
Lu Ten started to fuss softly.
"Right," the waterbender mumbled before standing up to check on her son. She hovered over Lu Ten, placing a hand on his belly to rub soothing circles lulling him back to sleep.
"What's the matter with her?" Azula asked as she walked into the room. "Did you upset her, Zuzu?"
"I'm just nervous about the presentation," Katara explained as she turned to her sister-in-law. "It's time?"
"Yes, everyone is ready and in place. Don't worry, it's going to be fine. I'm going to walk in first, and then Zuko will go in and make a little speech. Hopefully, he practiced," Azula teased her brother. "You will come in carrying Lu Ten, stand there all pretty while Ukano congratulates you both. Lady Sulan will make a few comments about the fruitfulness of your marriage. The Sage will meet you at the temple's entrance where the rest of the royal court is waiting for the blessing ceremony. Then you will leave to stand on the balcony where you will be announced to the public. All you have to do from there is wave."
"You don't think anyone is going to question his bending ability?"
"I hope they don't but if they do just inform them that his bending hasn't presented yet," the Fire Nation Princess advised softly. "Though if I were you to appease them, I would say that he rises with the sun."
"But that's saying he's a firebender!"
"No, it's implying it, Katara," Zuko corrected his wife. "And frankly, I was already going to heavily imply the leaning toward that just to appease the court until we knew for sure."
"Sometimes the politics of court means allowing the council and the court to make their own assumptions," Azula shrugged looking down at her nails. The Princess's brows drew together before looking at the waterbender. "It's something you do regularly. Why are you so opposed to doing it for your son?"
"Maybe now it just feels more diabolical and more personal," Katara murmured as she bent to pick up Lu Ten. Truthfully she didn't know why it felt different now, maybe because she thought her son was perfect and she didn't like the thought of anyone thinking there was something wrong with him. Katara looked down at her son, a soft smile gracing her face as he nuzzled into her.
Zuko stood from his spot smoothing out the formal robes before turning to his wife and child. He straightened Katara's crown and made sure her robes were perfect before adjusting the blanket Lu Ten was wrapped in so he was visible. The Fire Lord brushed some hair out of his son's face, finally deciding his little family was prepared to greet the council. Gold eyes met blue, "You ready?"
Katara nodded before following Azula and her husband to the council meeting. "It's going to be fine," the waterbender mumbled to herself as Azula entered the council room.
Zuko, knowing he couldn't say anything else to settle Katara's nerves settled on placing a quick kiss on his wife's lips before placing one on his son's forehead. He entered the meeting and walked down the aisle to the dais slowly, he wanted to give his wife just a few more minutes to gain her composure. Zuko watched as each council member diligently took in his arrival. This was the single most important announcement outside of his betrothal to Katara.
The Fire Nation sovereign settled on the dais and waited a moment to gain the entire council's attention.
"Today is a joyous day," Zuko's voice echoed through the hall. "Just two months ago my wife gave birth to a healthy son! I hope you all will join me in welcoming my son, Prince Lu Ten."
The roar of approval echoed throughout the room as Katara entered carrying Lu Ten. She walked through the cheering council hoping that her son would sleep through the noise. Katara took her place next to Zuko, who wrapped an arm around her waist. Lu Ten squirmed for a few seconds before finally settling.
"Congratulation Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Ukano spoke once the cheers had settled. "We are all thrilled at the arrival of Prince Lu Ten and are excited to see him one day take the throne to carry on your legacy."
Lady Sulan took over after Ukano was seated, "The Spirits have blessed your union and by extension the Fire Nation. We know that Prince Lu Ten will do a great many things. Best wishes to you both!"
The Fire Nation monarchs thanked them for their words before walking back down the aisle together to the temple of Agni where the Great Fire Sage was waiting at the entrance. The Fire Lady passed Lu Ten into the arms of the Sage who eagerly took him before walking to the alter, the young monarchs following. The council trailed in behind taking their seats to watch the blessing take place.
Once Katara and Zuko reached the altar they both kneeled as the Great Fire Sage began the blessing. Presenting first Lu Ten to the Spirits, reciting the appropriate prayers. The sage dipped his fingers in the ceremonial dye before drawing a flame on Lu Ten's forehead.
The Great Fire Sage turned to the new parents, placing Lu Ten back in his mother's arms. He recited a prayer of prosperity and longevity in an ancient tongue before turning to the crowd, "Heir to the Throne of Fire, Crown Prince Lu Ten; son of Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Katara."
Zuko stood first holding his hand out to his wife to help her stand. They turned to present their son officially to the royal court before leaving to announce Lu Ten to the citizens of Caldera. The moment they stepped out onto the balcony the herald called out the arrival of the Crown Prince to the masses.
As the little family stood on the balcony listening to the cheers from their constituents, Katara couldn't help but remember the last time they stood on the balcony.
Not even two years had passed since Zuko and Katara stood after their wedding waving to their people. Both had hoped for just a little bit more from their new spouse and now they stood holding their son happier than they had ever hoped to be.
It would be some time before another happy moment on the balcony was shared between the Fire Nation sovereigns.
"Is there are reason you're avoiding Mother?" Zuko asked as his sister and Piandao joined him and Katara for breakfast after their morning training.
"I'm not avoiding her," Azula responded as she sat next to Katara.
"Zuko," the waterbender scolded as she passed Lu Ten into Azula's eager hands. Azula had taken easily to begin an aunt, Lu Ten and she shared a special bond.
"Katara," he responded, the two sharing a silent look. "I just want to know if something happened, that's all."
The Fire Nation Princess blew on her nephew's belly making him give a gummy smile to her. Azula babbled to the baby easily, she loved spending time with him. Piandao watched as she interacted with Lu Ten; falling a little deeper for her at that moment, something he didn't think possible before.
"Nothing happened, I just don't feel the need to spend an excessive amount of time with her," the Princess mumbled to her brother as she settled the baby in her arms. "Not to mention, while Mother is thrilled to be organizing events and tea parties — I am doing actual work with Katara."
"Your tourism proposal?" The Fire Lord questioned with a raised brow. He didn't doubt his sister was busy, but she was avoiding their mother. Clearly, she was not in the mood to discuss why this morning.
"Zuzu, you already signed the tourism proposal," Azula rolled her eyes at her brother. "Now we are in full-fledged implementation, I have been taking meetings with potential investors."
"Not to mention you are meeting with the gallery to discuss if any of the artists wanted to do any installations at the new hotels," Piandao added as he served himself and then Azula from the dishes on the table.
"That's a wonderful idea," the Fire Lady gushed as she turned to her sister-in-law. "Are you thinking of having them also sell art on consignment?"
"It's a thought," the Princess shrugged her shoulders. She smiled in thanks at the sword master after he finished serving her before turning back to Katara. "Mainly I'm focused on the investors and sourcing materials in a way that won't damage the environment."
"Are you still looking for investors from the other nations as well?" The Fire Lord asked as his sister passed his son back to Katara.
"Yes, I am currently doing some research on who would be the best options from both the Earth Kingdom and the Water Tribes before drafting a proposal for them," she replied before she began eating her breakfast. "I think being able to see the Fire Nation in a different light could be helpful for overall public relations."
"I agree, it is something Sokka and I have been discussing in regards to a proposal we are putting forth at the Anniversary Summit at the end of the summer," her brother agreed. He paused trying to find the right words to ask the question.
"Just ask me what you want, Zuzu," Azula rolled her eyes at his fumbling.
"I'm leaving for a trade negotiation in Ba Sing Se next month, Keui wants to discuss the struggle that Lao Beifong is having with his businesses now that the war is over," Zuko explained to his sister. "Would it be possible to partner with him on one of the hotels?"
"He needs a new business venture desperately but he has no capital," the Fire Lady added with a quick look at Zuko. "Lao profited heavily off the war and now that the war is over he has an extreme amount of debt he can't pay."
"You want to put forth the capital he needs to invest in the hotel that he would pay back over time while he still collects a profit?" Azula's gold eyes locked with her bother's. "You think he might be sending the threats from the Earth Kingdom because of his loss of income?"
Azula's thought about Lao sending threats was something that crossed Zuko's mind briefly after his wedding, but he found no validity in that inquiry, and neither did the White Lotus. Lao was all bark and no bite, the threats couldn't be from him because the threat maker had already acted. The only ties Lao had to the Fire Nation was his daughter, it was not enough to be receiving the privileged information from the royal court that the threat maker was including in their messages.
"No, of course not," Katara shook her head, the idea was ludicrous to her. "It's just that we think Toph might be feeling his wrath and maybe it would help him not to take it out on her."
"He takes it out on Zuko too, I might not have been here for your wedding but I heard about the confrontation," Azula replied as she took a bite of her food.
"The White Lotus investigated Lao and there were no ties to the threats, his only failing is his business ventures," Piandao added to the conversation. "But it would be good if he developed some form of a sense of attachment to the Fire Nation, he could be a powerful ally in the future."
"I don't care if he takes it out on me but maybe this might help extinguish some of his anger," the Fire Lord shrugged thoughtfully. "And it would help the world economy, he has a monopoly on trade agreements. The Beifong Estate is one of the major employers in the Earth Kingdom. There are many reasons why an arrangement with Lao would be beneficial."
"Hmmm," Azula looked between the sword master and her brother. "The funds will be coming from the crown, so I guess it's up to you if you want to offer him the option. But if you, do just know that it will be the most expensive vision I have."
Zuko rolled his eyes at his sister's teasing. "I wouldn't expect anything less, Zula."
Piandao watched as Azula laughed at something Genkei said. The Princess and the nobleman were in one of the gazebos in the garden. Azula was sitting on the railing while Genkei leaned against it, shamelessly flirting with her. Their display was public and ostentatious, something the Minister of Justice was taking full advantage of.
The sword master's eyes moved back down to the book in his hand where he was situated on a bench a few hundred feet away. He wondered if maybe it was time for him to return to his home. The only thing stopping him from returning to Shu Jing was that he felt like Azula needed support if her bending was returned. Piandao was even thinking of suggesting to the Fire Lord that Azula should have her bending back within the next few months. She had made tremendous progress and now it was time to see if she was ready to take on that aspect of her identity.
"You're staring again."
The sword master turned to take in his friend standing behind him. He sighed heavily, for a brief moment Piandao thought of denying it but knew there was no point. "You know."
"I do," Iroh sat down next to the sword master.
The two sat in silence for a while until finally, Piandao got up the courage to speak."Pakku?"
"No," the Dragon of the West shook his head. He resisted the urge to smile at his friend's question. "He would never betray your confidence, you know that."
"I do," Piandao sighed heavily. He rubbed his hand over his face to hide his embarrassment at being caught by Iroh. "How then? Is it that obvious?"
"It's only obvious to Pakku and me because we know you so well." Iroh watched as his friend looked down at the book in his hands. "When Zuko wrote to me saying you had begun training Azula, I suspected something would come from it."
Piandao placed the book on the bench next to him. He ran a hand through his hair, more to prolong the time before he answered. The sword master's eyes turned back to the Princess. "You did? But how?"
"Azula needs someone to be the calm to her storm. She bottles everything inside and then it unleashes when it becomes too much. When I heard you were training her, I thought that maybe you would be good for her," the old general replied. His gold eyes followed to look at his niece and her suitor. "I always thought she needed someone a few years her senior, someone who could allow her to shine rather than use her."
"You think Genkei is using her for political gain too," Piandao stated as he looked at his oldest friend. His stomach felt heavy with guilt for falling in love with Azula and for keeping it from Iroh. He should have told his friend the moment he realized his feelings, it would have been the correct thing to do.
"It is hard to ignore. But I doubt that Azula is unaware," Iroh adjusted how he was sitting to look at his friend. "Does she know of your feelings?"
"No," the sword master shook his head. He looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For falling in love with her, for not telling you. Just for everything," Piandao replied running a hand through his hair again. He rested his head in his hands as he finally admitted his darkest thoughts; "I feel as if I failed her and our friendship."
"You could never fail our friendship, I am not so small-minded I don't understand the matters of the heart. Are you sorry you fell in love with her?" Iroh asked a twinkle in his eye. "Do you really feel that way?"
The sword master sighed and shook his head. He looked up and watched Genkei reach over the railing of the gazebo to pluck a rose from the bush and then hand it to Azula. She brought the flower to her nose inhaling the sweet scent.
"I'm not sorry for falling in love with her," Piandao confessed as he watched her. The rays of sun streaming into the gazebo made the Fire Nation Princess look ethereal from his position. "Azula is extraordinary, unlike anyone I have ever known."
Iroh had been observing the sword master and his niece for days now. There was no denying the feelings that were present, from both parties. Yet he did not understand why neither had acted on them. The Dragon of the West looked at his friend curiously; "Why haven't you told her?"
"I doubt she could ever feel the same for me and she likes Genkei," the sword master shrugged. He had seen how Azula had grown to have some affection for the Minister of Justice. "I won't take that away from her. Besides no matter how I feel about him, Genkei is a good man. As soon as her training is complete I will return home."
"Do what you think is best, my friend. As for Genkei, he is a boy masquerading as a man," Iroh commented as he followed Piandao's gaze. The old general could see how Azula did feel some sort of affection but he did not think it was as strong as the sword master believed. "Hardly the prize he believes himself to be."
"That may be so, but if Azula is happy that is all that matters."
The Dragon of the West watched as his niece spotted them speaking. Azula raised her hand to wave at the sword master which was quickly returned. Genkei quickly tried to recapture her attention but even as she turned back to the nobleman her eyes kept flicking back to Piandao. It was not lost on either of the observers the way Genkei flashed an ugly look at the sword master.
"Do not allow your doubt to guide you, Piandao. Sometimes our heart knows our path better than our mind." Iroh patted his friend on the shoulder before leaving the sword master to ponder his words. He had a feeling that if Piandao made his feelings known Azula would return them in a heartbeat.
"Hinata, I didn't know you liked this tea shop," Azula greeted Bujing's daughter as she gestured to the seat next to the noblewoman. "May I join you?"
"Hello, Princess Azula. I would be honored if you joined me," she replied with a quick nod to the Fire Nation royal. It was clear she was nervous after their last interaction a few weeks prior. "It is one of my favorite places, I come a few times a week."
"I had no idea," the Princess took the seat quickly. Mai's intel had been helpful in finding the spots Hinata frequented. "It is one of my favorites, as well. Mainly because of the view. And their hibiscus ginseng tea!"
"That's my favorite tea," Hinata admitted as she waved the waiter over.
Azula made sure to act surprised at the noblewoman's words. The Princess knew she would have to thank Mai and Ty Lee extensively for the information they had gathered regarding Hinata. She quickly placed her order with the waiter before turning back to the woman next to her.
"Hinata, how have you been? I haven't really had a chance to spend time with you since the Anniversary Summit farewell ball," the Princess subtly fished for information. She knew that she had to slowly reveal the information she had.
"Well, my mother has been sick," the noblewoman adjusted the place setting in front of her.
"Oh no, that's terrible. I know my mother would love to see her if she is feeling up for it," Azula offered a little genuine sympathy, though the information was not news to her. The Princess knew that Hinata was desperate for a genuine friend since Lihua had taken to sleeping with her father.
"I think she would like that very much," Hinata replied with a quick smile. "Other than that I have been avoiding the courting process as much as possible."
The Fire Nation Princess giggled girlishly to disarm Bujing's daughter. "I know what you mean, it's a hassle. Most of the boys at court our age are so silly, I'm happy that Genkei and I have gotten on so well. You and I both need a man, not a boy trying to play in his father's shoes. Is there someone else who has caught your fancy?"
Hinata's eyes glanced at a man in his late twenties with his head stuck in a book across the way. "Not in court, but my father wants a political match."
Azula followed Hinata's eyes and looked at the man, he looked to be a student at Caldera University. The Princess lowered her voice as her tea was served, "He is very cute. What's his name?"
"I don't know," Hinata blushed as she looked down. She desperately wanted to confide in someone and found herself opening up involuntarily. "But I see him a few times a week here. It doesn't matter, my father wants me to marry someone within the court."
The Fire Nation Princess felt an odd sense of satisfaction that she hadn't lost her touch. She sighed heavily. "Father's approval, such a hard thing for us daughters."
"You still seek your father's approval?" The noblewoman tried to ask the question casually but her eyes sparkled just a tad too much. "Even though he was dethroned and has passed?"
"I think every daughter wants her father's approval, especially daughters like us," Azula sidestepped the question. The seed had been planted though and that was all she needed.
"Daughters like us need to stick together." Hinata could not wait to run back to her father and tell him of her blossoming friendship with the Fire Nation Princess. It was the ally they needed.
"Here is the report on the orphanage," Mai placed the papers down on the Fire Lady's desk. "Katsu also included his financial report on the orphanages and how much would be needed to redo all the rest in the nation."
"Is this number correct?" Katara asked as she looked at the papers. The figure was much smaller than she anticipated to redesign and rebuild the orphanages.
"Yes it is," the noblewoman nodded. "Katsu arranged for wholesale pricing of materials and was able to have a portion donated as a tax benefit for those who did. He just needs your approval on the tax negotiation."
"Have him get me the numbers on the taxes and have him book a meeting with myself and Zuko by the end of the week," the Fire Lady commanded. She made some notes and passed them back to Mai.
"Azula requested a meeting with you about the plans for the new hotels on Ember Island," Chinatsu said as she looked over the Fire Lady's schedule. She was the newly appointed secretary that had been scouted by Mai and Ty Lee. While the Fire Lady was reluctant to add more staff originally, she couldn't help but admit that having Chinatsu on staff was spirit-sent.
"Does she want a meeting with Zuko as well or just me?" Katara questioned. Her eyes already scanning through some other materials on her desk. There seemed to be a never-ending pile of work to do.
"She didn't specify but I have already found a time with Akio that will work for both your schedules tomorrow," the secretary explained as she looked at the dairy in front of her. "Akio has assured me he will not book anything for that time so Fire Lord Zuko will be available if needed."
"Good, schedule her for then." The Fire Lady looked through some of her notes. Lu Ten stirred in the bassinet next to Katara's desk, the polar bear dog half asleep beneath the bassinet nudged the waterbender with his nose to alert her to the baby.
Both of the monarchs rotated the days in which they had Lu Ten and Hikari in their offices based on the amount of meetings they each had. They wanted to be sure their son knew he was well-loved even though his parents were the leaders of the Fire Nation. And where Lu Ten went so did Hikari, the polar bear dog had become extremely attached to the baby in the last few months.
"You don't have a meeting for another hour, do you want to feed him or shall I call for the wet nurse?" Ty Lee asked as she moved to pick up the three-month-old baby. The acrobat cooed at the little prince to settle his whimpers for nourishment.
"I'll feed him," the waterbender told her before moving to the settee and freeing herself from the formal robes. She had been feeding Lu Ten in front of all three of the women for some time now, there was no shyness in any of the women. It made it easier to be able to nurse him at the same time that she worked.
Hikari stretched his limbs before moving to the lay next to Katara, choosing to stay close to Lu Ten.
"While you do that, I think maybe Ty Lee can tell you about the proposal she wants to push forward for an art school," Mai explained with a quick look at her lover. Ty Lee had wanted to create a public school for the arts in Caldera that would allow those of lesser means to attend from all other areas of the Fire Nation. But the acrobat was nervous to bring up her thoughts to the Fire Lady.
"You want to create an art school? How come?" Katara looked at Ty Lee who was blushing and looking anywhere but at the waterbender. Seeing the look the acrobat shot to her girlfriend the Fire Lady took charge. "Ty sit down and tell me all about your proposal."
Ty Lee sat across from the waterbender looking down at her hands as she began speaking. "It's not just my idea, Azula helped me work out some of the details."
"Well, why don't you tell me your thoughts and maybe later this week or next we can all have a meeting together," the Fire Lady encouraged gently waiting for Ty Lee to elaborate. The waterbender looked down at her son suckling on her breast, she stroked his cheek softly. Having her son with her while she fulfilled her duties was making it easier to return to rule the nation.
Mai nudged the acrobat trying to coax her into explaining her idea, with a deep breath she began speaking.
"As of right now the art schools are only accessible to those from noble birth or wealth," Ty Lee began softy. She wanted to do this but was nervous to be seen as doing something so philanthropic as her first proposal as a Junior Minister on the council. "A few weeks ago, Azula and I were visiting some of the public schools in Caldera and the orphanage. There was so much talent in the arts but most of these children will either not pursue higher education due to cost or if they do it will be something more practical for financial security."
"Hmm, it's something Zuko and I have noticed," the waterbender agreed as she transitioned Lu Ten to her other breast. She turned to her secretary for a quick word, "Chinatsu, could you ask Giya to bring in our afternoon tea now instead of in an hour? Ty Lee, continue please."
The secretary nodded before ducking out of the room to make the request, returning within seconds.
"It's a shame that such talent will be lost based on financial status," the acrobat sighed at the thought. "Azula and I thought if we could eliminate the financial aspect it would allow these children to develop and grow their talent."
Giya came in with the Fire Lady's and courtier's tea with another maidservant following with canapés for the women. It didn't escape the waterbender's notice that Giya had also brought a bone for Hikari.
"Thank you," Katara smiled at the two women as they arranged everything on the tea table. "So by eliminating the tuition required for the school, you believe that it will allow these children to pursue a career in the arts."
"Eliminating the tuition is only half the battle," the acrobat corrected. As she continued speaking her confidence was growing. "Azula pointed out that while the cost of education was a hurdle it would only help them to a point. These children would not have the ability to pay for gallery space or do expositions for their work to be lucrative."
"A fair point," the Fire Lady agreed. She had a feeling that while Ty Lee had come up with the overarching idea it was Azula who had pointed out some of the finer details.
"I want to create a school that would offer these children to not only develop their talent but put them in a position to be scouted and seen by those who would ultimately purchase their work," Ty Lee came to her conclusion. "Whether that means the school would work with galleries in Caldera and across the Fire Nation or if they would have their own. Either way, I want these children to not only develop their skills but be able to make a living and better their lives."
"Ty Lee, this is a wonderful idea. I think you and Azula should both spend some time working on a proposal," Katara told her. The waterbender pulled Lu Ten from her breast and passed him to Mai, so she could right her clothing. "I want you both to come in for a meeting after the anniversary summit in a couple of months, we can go over your proposal together. After that, I think you should receive input from Katsu on the financials. When you bring this to vote on the council I want it to be accepted easily."
Mai grinned at her lover from across the room. Ty Lee was really beginning to step into her role as a Junior Minister and the noblewoman loved seeing it happen.
Azula felt like she was being watched for a few days now. At first, she thought it was just Piandao observing her outings with Genkei, but now she wasn't so sure.
The Princess sat at her dressing table brushing out her hair with slow strokes. Whoever was watching her was going to make their move tonight, all she needed to do was wait.
She continued with her nighttime routine, braiding her hair before bed and applying oils to her skin. The Fire Nation Princess stared at her reflection for a moment, eyes being drawn to the emblem resting against her throat and the friendship jewelry sitting lower. Her fingers trailed over the necklaces resting against her neck.
Once Mai had returned the matching necklace, Azula struggled with the decision to either continue wearing the Fire Nation emblem she had started wearing when her bending had been taken or to just wear the returned piece of jewelry. She had finally decided to wear both in honor of everything she had been through. Azula did not want to ignore the past but she did want to move forward from it.
"I have turned down the bed for you, is there anything else you require?" Lian asked as she gathered up the soiled clothing from earlier.
"No, I'm alright. Thank you, Lian. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll be visiting the opening of the new exhibit at the Caldera Zoo with Katara and Lu Ten. If you could speak with Ty Min and gather an appropriate outfit?" Azula requested as she turned to look at the lady-in-waiting.
"Ty Min and I have already spoken, your clothes will be pressed and ready for you after lunch," the maidservant informed the Princess. "Your mother requested that you join her for breakfast after your training with Master Piandao tomorrow morning."
"Please inform her that I will be available. She didn't say what it was about did she?"
"She did not," Lian shook her head. The maidservant looked down before looking back up at the Princess. "Though the assumption among the rest of the staff is she wants to discuss your thoughts on Minister Genkei."
Azula looked down at her nails being sure to rub some additional oils into her cuticles. "I guess that must mean either he has made his intentions known to her or he hates me."
"Or she wants to be sure you share some form of affection for him," Lian suggested hopefully. Truthfully she thought that Ursa wanted to point out how much the Minister of Justice was making his intentions known throughout all of court. While the Fire Lord and Lady received the most attention among the court gossip, Azula and Genkei had been receiving their fair share.
"Hmm," the Princess shrugged not fully believing her maidservant's comment. "Have a good night Lian."
"Good night, Princess Azula."
The Fire Nation Princess climbed into her bed that night with her sketchbook and some charcoal, she would sketch before bed every night. It was a ritual she had begun since the night she drew Piandao so many months ago. The act not only calmed her nerves but allowed her to process the day's activities.
As she flipped through the pages she realized that there was not one sketch of the Minister of Justice. There were quite a few of Piandao, along with Zuko, Katara, and Lu Ten. And there were some of Mai and Ty Lee, two of her mother, and five of Iroh and Jun. Even a scattering of Katara's family but none of Genkei.
She picked up the charcoal as she flipped to a blank page. Azula paused before making the first stroke, something about drawing Genkei felt too intimate. And she didn't want that intimacy without knowing his true intentions. Azula settled on drawing a scene with Lu Ten and Katara she had seen earlier in the day.
As she finished the drawing the prickling sensation of being watched intensified. Whoever was watching her was waiting for her to go to sleep first that was clear. She thought about calling out to them but didn't want them to know she had caught on.
The Fire Nation Princess placed the sketchbook on her nightstand, before extinguishing the light and slipping further under the covers. Her eyes closed and her meditation practice took over to steady and deepen her breathing.
Within minutes the back of her neck prickled with the sensation that someone was standing next to her. The feeling was followed by a clattering as something was dropped on her nightstand. The noise echoed throughout the room.
Notes:
Mostly a fluffy chapter, hope you all enjoyed it! Would love to hear your thoughts, be sure to leave a comment! I am still catching up on comments as I was trying to focus only on edits, but I will be responding over the next few days :)
Chapter 28 -- November 5th, 2023!
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Chapter 28: Chapter Twenty-Eight: Summer 105 AG
Notes:
Hello! Hello!
This update is coming late, I know but at least it’s still in November! Check out my Instagram for update news and information.
Thank you to everyone who commented and left kudos on the last chapter, I so appreciate your continued support.
Also, trigger warning there is mention of assault in this chapter. It’s very brief and not in detail but wanted to give a warning to be safe.
Happy Reading!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part 2: Broken Embers
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Summer 105 AG
"You've been spending a lot of time with Hinata," Ursa commented as she had breakfast with her daughter.
"We ran into each other out at a tea shop a few weeks ago, I forgot how much we had in common," Azula replied as she adjusted the place setting in front of her. She was disappointed she was missing her usual routine of breakfast with Piandao, though he had been very understanding about her spending time with her mother. "Hinata's mother has been sick."
"I know, I've been to visit her a few times," her mother volunteered. She took a sip of her tea before continuing. Ursa wanted to tread carefully for this conversation. "She has taken a turn for the worse since Bujing has begun flaunting his mistress. Though I think her being ill is more of an act to draw her husband back to her."
"Perhaps. His mistress is Lihua, she's one of Hinata's oldest friends," the Princess explained to her mother. She was trying not to let her mother get under her skin. "Hinata is taking it hard, she feels betrayed by both her father and her best friend. I can't imagine how difficult it is for her."
"Her father is just doing what is expected, Hinata and her mother need to realize that," Ursa criticized; Azula needed to realize that men of a certain standing would not be faithful. She beckoned one of the servants over to refill her plate. "Bujing has never kept a wife this long, nor been without a mistress for as long as he has been. It's silly for them both to be so upset."
Azula's gold eyes flashed with fire as she looked at her mother. The words were out of her mouth before she had finished the thought; "So you would have been alright with my father if he took a mistress?"
Her mother's eyes narrowed in anger, perhaps subtle was not necessary for this conversation. "Genkei is concerned with how much time you are spending with a known Ozai supporter's child. I do not blame him for looking elsewhere for intimacy if your alliances have changed."
"If Genkei has concerns he can speak to me about them," the Princess responded trying not to lower herself to her mother's level. She was hurt that her mother would so quickly think the worst of her, though she was unsurprised at the judgment.
"I have concerns too," Ursa continued. Either not caring for her daughter's upset, or not noticing. "Do you really think spending time with her is such a good idea? You don't want to be seen as sympathizing with Ozai supporters, especially after what happened."
Azula ground her teeth as she looked down at her plate. She thought back to the day Piandao found her in the temple lighting incense for Ozai's death. "Are you afraid that I do sympathize with them?"
"Sympathy is one thing, but relating is another," her mother stated. She didn't trust that her daughter had fully moved on from seeking her father's approval. Nor did she believe that Azula would not still make a play for the crown. "Genkei has a very high moral code, you don't want him getting any ideas about you. Things have been going so well, I suspect a marriage proposal is on the horizon."
Azula swallowed the bile that rose into her throat at the thought of a marriage proposal from the Minister of Justice. She liked him, but the thought of spending the rest of her life with him made her stomach roil. The Princess was unsure if that had more to do with her thoughts on Genkei or her repressed feelings for Piandao. Or maybe the fact that she was almost on the verge of committing treason. Either way feeling sick to her stomach about a marriage proposal from the man she was courting was not a good sign.
"If Genkei is so concerned about my reputation and who I spend time with, then perhaps we aren't a good match for each other," Azula snapped back at her mother.
"Azula, I'm not telling you this to antagonize you," her mother tried to placate. Though her voice was huffy at best. "I just thought you would like to know considering that Genkei has been spotted out with one of Ty Lee's sisters. Though I believe he is not looking for another prospect for a wife more for a mistress."
Gold eyes flashed to look at the older woman. "Spotted how?"
Ursa sent her daughter a sympathetic smile. "They were out to dinner in Caldera the other night. I was told they looked to be quite close."
The Fire Nation Princess felt her stomach drop. While she was unsure about Genkei, the thought of him out with another woman sent her reeling. Azula's fears of not being enough came to the forefront of her mind. She felt played and embarrassed that she had allowed herself to feel any form of affection for the councilman. What made the situation that much worse was that he had been spotted with one of the Princess's best friend's sisters. It almost made her wonder if he was trying to hurt her.
"How many times have they been seen together?" Azula asked being sure to keep her voice steady. She did not want to give her mother the satisfaction of watching her fall apart.
"As far as I know, only once. But I think you need to make your expectations known to him, Azula. How else will a marriage proposal occur if Genkei doesn't know if you hold any sort of affection for him," Ursa advised her daughter. She liked the councilman for her child, she thought he was a good stable match. Besides, Azula couldn't be too picky with her history, the older woman thought. "Though you must understand that a man of his rank will have a mistress though I trust him to be discrete, don't fault him too much for being seen with Ty Lin."
"I will take that under advisement," the Princess replied before standing. She needed to be anywhere but here. "I would love to stay mother, but I am accompanying Katara and Lu Ten to the opening of the new exhibit at Caldera Zoo. If you will excuse me."
Azula did not wait for her mother's response before leaving the older woman's chambers. She needed to put as much distance as possible between her mother and herself.
As the Fire Nation Princess entered the Temple of Agni, she was pleased to note that it was empty. She needed a few minutes to herself and the only person who knew she frequented the temple was Piandao.
She kneeled at the altar, lighting the incense as she did. Her mind playing over the information her mother had given her about Genkei. Azula was unsure of where her feelings were with the councilman. They had been courting for months now, a marriage proposal should be on the verge. Yet instead, the Minister of Justice was seen out with one of her best friend's sisters.
While the information about Genkei was unsettling, it was made worse by the events of the night before. In the back of her mind was the scroll that had been left on her nightstand.
Azula was doing everything in her power not to think about the words that littered the parchment. She was unsure if she could handle what she set out to do, things had just become a much bigger deal.
Her mother already was skeptical of her. Now Azula was adding fuel to the fire by spending an inappropriate amount of time with known Ozai supporters. She knew that if things went badly, it would put Zuko in a terrible position. But there was no other way to get the information necessary.
All the Fire Nation Princess could hope was that her plan would be enacted perfectly and to do that, she needed to respond to the scroll. She sighed heavily, standing from her position at the altar. Azula had a hawk to send.
The ribbon to the new exhibit at the Caldera Zoo was cut after a speech from the zoo keeper thanking the young monarch and new prince for attending. The crowd was large, as many of Caldera's residents wanted to take a peak at the new baby. As the public cheered at finally being allowed entrance to the new exhibit, the Fire Lady looked over at her sister-in-law who was just going through the motions.
Katara smiled at her people who were cooing at Lu Ten as they strolled through the new exhibit of Caldera Zoo. It was the first outing with the newborn Prince and so far it had been a success.
"Are you enjoying the exhibit?" The waterbender asked Azula. She was concerned for the Fire Nation Princess. Her sister-in-law had been unusually quiet on their journey from the palace to the zoo.
"It's nice," the Princess mumbled barely looking around the zoo.
"Azula, something is bothering you," Katara commented quietly. She leaned over the stroller that housed Lu Ten and adjusted the blanket covering him.
The Fire Nation Princess didn't respond, her eyes were focused on the Minister of Justice who was currently flirting with Ty Lin — one of Ty Lee's sisters.
"Azula?" The waterbender followed her sister-in-law's eyes. Katara's heart sank at the sight. While she wished for Azula and Piandao to admit their feelings, she didn't want the Princess to have her heart broken in that way.
"Did they arrive together?" Azula questioned quickly.
Chinatsu moved closer to the two royals, "Unofficially they arrived together, though they quickly met by the front fountain. He is not an official escort of her though."
The Princess pursed her lips at that piece of information. Azula looked over at her friends, noting that Ty Lee had come to a standstill her eyes wide as she looked at her sister with the councilman.
"Ty," Azula called to the acrobat. Within seconds the other woman was next to her friend. "I hate to ask you but could you find out if he is interested in your sister as a potential wife or as a mistress."
"Would you really be happy with either answer?" Ty Lee questioned, relief evident in her voice that the Princess was not faulting her.
Azula sighed heavily, " I don't know."
"I'll find out for you, though I don't think Ty Lin is very serious about him, she tends to just move through everyone easily," the acrobat tried to comfort her friend.
The Princess nodded in response not sure how to feel about that piece of information. She was so lost in thought she barely noticed Mai and Ty Lee subtly moving through the crowd to be closer to Genkei.
Azula turned abruptly to look at the waterbender. "Did you ever expect Zuko to have an affair?"
"Where did that come from?" Katara looked at the Princess in shock.
"Something my mother said about Genkei and his rank, not expecting him to be faithful," she didn't meet the monarch's eyes.
"Ahhh," the waterbender mumbled with a nod. She looked down at her son briefly before answering. "I told Zuko that I expected him to be faithful, I did not want my husband to be seeking out a mistress or even using the harem. We were a political match originally and I was not about to be on the receiving end of an unfaithful husband."
"But it's expected in the Fire Nation," the Princess argued finally turning to look at her sister-in-law.
"Azula, if you asking the man you might potentially marry for fidelity is too much for him then he is not the man for you," Katara placed her hand on the other girl's arm.
"My mother disagrees," Azula looked away her brow furrowing.
"Your mother is of the older generation, she just knows what the Fire Nation was like before," the waterbender soothed as she turned to check on her son. She didn't want to put Azula on the spot too much with her next statement. "Besides Piandao would never expect his wife to be okay with a mistress, there are men out there that are faithful."
The Princess sighed heavily, she knew Katara was right. And she couldn't help but think about the sword master. Azula knew that if Piandao had any feelings for her she would jump at the chance to be with him. "I guess you are right."
"We don't have to stay much longer," the Fire Lady mentioned to her sister-in-law. "Lu Ten will be getting fussy soon and it's better if that happens away from the public."
"If that is what you want," Azula agreed easily. She had already made a decision about the scroll from the rebels but now seeing Genkei out with another woman, her resolve had solidified.
"When we get back maybe you can tell me how you are really feeling?" Katara suggested as they continued walking.
"I don't even know how I am feeling," the Princess whispered. Her eyes scanned the exhibit more for something to do rather than real interest. "Was there a reason you didn't want Zuko here for Lu Ten's first outing?"
"No particular reason, this just seemed like a good event for a baby," the Fire Lady shrugged as she looked down at her son. "Especially considering how informal it is. This was more a thank you to the zookeeper for taking in all of the animals from the circus."
"Have you and Zuko decided on a formal outing for Lu Ten, yet?" Azula asked as they started turning back to the entrance of the zoo. She nodded to the children who were waving at them.
Before Katara could respond, Malu moved instantly in front of them and the rest of the Royal Guard created a tight circle.
The waterbender's heart beat rapidly in her chest, hands instantly going to shield her son. "Malu?"
"I think it is best we leave immediately, Your Majesty," the Captain of the Royal Guard stated barely looking at the monarch. His body moved to a protective stance around her and the heir to the throne. Malu moved to place a hand on the lower back of the Fire Lady while his second moved in front to shield her and her son, Azula condensing into the formation.
Mai and Ty Lee looked on at the shield created by the Royal Guard, both instantly regretting leaving the Fire Lady so vulnerable.
"In the future, I don't do meetings in the slums," Azula stated as she sat down across from the traitor. The tavern was revolting and the Princess was sure to touch as little as possible. "Even if what we are planning is treason."
It was risky taking this meeting so soon after the attempt on Katara and Lu Ten at Caldera Zoo but it was already difficult to organize this meeting. She could only hope the reward would outweigh the risk.
The traitor smirked. Ozai had promised Azula originally to Zhao but after his death, he was next in line for the prodigal daughter. As the traitor looked at the Princess he couldn't help but think about bedding her. He hoped that in the midst of using her to enact his plan, he would be able to also use her for his carnal pleasure. Even perhaps convincing her to join him and his mistress.
"What makes you say that?" The traitor asked. It was a risk meeting with her, he wasn't a hundred percent sure of her loyalty but he also didn't want to pass up the opportunity. She raised an eyebrow and waited for him to respond. The words tumbled out of his mouth to fill the silence; "Are you here to help or turn me in?"
"You really underestimated me, just believed the crazy story everyone was spewing," Azula looked down at her nails briefly. She knew him well and knew how he had been strategically placed by Ozai many times to elicit a response out of Zuko. What Ozai didn't count on was the Avatar's return and the Fire Nation losing the war. The traitor in front of her had been the only person who could have helped Ozai escape and overthrow the current Fire Lord. But instead, he sided with someone else and killed the dethroned monarch.
"You weren't?"
"Of course not, I was just playing the long game. Something you should be doing but you got sloppy with Makoto," her gold eyes met his. She paused and waited for his inevitable response.
"I didn't get sloppy!" His reaction was just as she expected. Men had such fragile egos.
"Yes you did," the Princess leaned back in her chair, the picture of ease. "Frankly, you think you are here to see if you should allow me into your little plan. But really you are here for me to see if I want to use you."
His eyes narrowed in response, biting out harshly "I don't need you."
"You have lost your touch if you believe that," Azula fixed him with a hard stare. Her gold eyes never left his, her mouth in a perfect pout. "I've worked very hard to be in the position I am in and I don't need some half-attempted overthrowing to screw it all up."
The traitor's eyes widened at that piece of information. He hadn't expected the Princess to have her own plan but now that he had learned that he knew he wanted to align with her. His voice was still harsh but lost some of the edge, "And you think I will screw up your plans?"
"I think you are restless and that causes sloppiness, look at what happened with Makoto. Also, you tried to frame me, that was stupid," Azula tossed her hair over her shoulder. "It was too obvious of a suspect, you really should have picked someone no one expected."
The traitor silently ground his teeth as he listened to what she was saying and he could not find any inconsistencies. She was right, he had gotten sloppy. He was disappointed in himself for that, he knew the point in time he let down his guard. Aligning with Azula would benefit him and the Fire Nation. In addition, her pedigree and royal blood would help ensure a power vacuum would not arise on the council.
He swallowed his pride, "You are right, what should I do?"
"Well first, I need you to prove your loyalty to me," the Princess moved slightly so as to not be hit by one of the drunks. A disgusted look crossed her face before turning back to the man in front of her. "My nephew has complicated things, I need him gone. And frankly, I think you are more concerned with your mistress than the Fire Nation. Get rid of both and I'll consider you for my consort once I'm crowned."
She had seen the way he eyed her earlier and knew that he would not be able to resist the opportunity to bed her. Nor would he be able to resist the possibility of being her consort. Azula knew though that he would play into her hands just because if she did take him as a consort when she had the crown he believed he would easily be able to become Fire Lord.
"What about Genkei?" He asked with a hard look. She was sure to keep her face impassive at the question, it would not do her any good to show weakness in regards to her courtship.
"Too loyal to my brother, he is a good cover though. Wouldn't you agree?" Her gold eyes twinkling.
"Consider it done," Bujing stated. He watched as the Princess stood to leave.
"And one more thing, don't ever request an audience with me in a place like this. I'm not an animal, I'm the rightful heir to the throne," she threw her parting words over her shoulder as she walked out; head held high.
Across the tavern, cloaked in the darkest corner the sword master flipped a pai sho tile in his hand.
"Zuko, I'm fine," Katara reassured her husband for the hundredth time in only the last few days. "Nothing happened to us, Malu responded quickly and the threat was found to have no merit."
Since the hasty removal of the Fire Lady from the Caldera Zoo, the Fire Lord was on edge. He turned from looking out his office window and placed his hands flat on his desk.
"Malu, are you sure there was no merit to the threat on my wife and child when they were at Caldera Zoo?" He asked for the third time.
"I'm sure, Fire Lord," the guard nodded. "It was found to be a disgruntled worker who was only complaining about the Fire Lady because of the events taking place. He had no intention nor plan to act out anything."
"And you know for a fact that this worker had no ties to the Earth Kingdom or the threats we have been receiving?"
The Captain hesitated, he didn't know for sure but he suspected it was unlikely. Seeing his lord's face filled with fear made him pause. "I don't know for sure, my Lord."
A loud bang went around the room as the Fire Lord hit his desk in agitation. Not even a moment later, Lu Ten's wails sounded.
"Why don't Piandao and I take my beautiful nephew while you finish?" Azula suggested as she stood to pick up the baby. He instantly settled in his auntie's arms and snuggled into her.
Katara let out a sigh of relief seeing her son in Azula's arms. She didn't think a baby should be privy to his parents arguing. "Thank you."
The Fire Nation Princess and the sword master exited the office with Lu Ten, walking silently to soothe the baby before reaching the nursery.
Azula cuddled up with her nephew and cooed at him while Piandao watched her with a soft expression. He was amazed to see how gentle she was when interacting with the little prince; such a contrast to the fierce warrior she was in training.
"Being an auntie suites you," the sword master commented as he sat down on the floor with them.
"Thank you," she whispered in response looking down to hide her smile. Azula was thrilled at the praise from Piandao. She placed Lu Ten on the blanket on the ground and watched as he tried to shove his fist into his mouth.
"Have you given any more thought to speaking to your brother about restoring your bending?" Piandao questioned after a few moments. It was something that had come up a few times in conversation during their training.
"I don't know yet," Azula mumbled looking down at Lu Ten. She had been struggling with the idea of her firebending for quite some time now.
There was a large part of her that physically ached to have it back, it was not just an ability or an identity to the Princess but a physical part of her. And then there was a part of her that worried that Aang would not be able to return her bending. Then there was the concern that Piandao would not like who she was with her firebending. A very small fear she dared not voice was that when her firebending was returned she would return to what Ozai groomed her to be.
"What is holding you back? Are you worried Zuko would say no?" He watched as she looked away from him and at the sunlight streaming into the nursery.
The Fire Nation Princess sighed heavily, she didn't know how to express her feelings on the issue. Finally, she admitted softly, "I'm afraid that Aang might not be able to return it."
"Do you think your brother would have let the Avatar take away your bending if he was not confident that it would be returned to you at some point?" Piandao replied matching her tone. He was confident that if the Avatar could take away someone's bending then he could give it back.
"I don't think Zuzu would have let him if he knew that it could not be returned," Azula shook her head. "But I worry how Zuzu will take the news to me wanting it back. Will he see it as a play for power? Or just the natural progression of the last few years?"
"Do you want the throne?" Piandao asked her. His grey eyes locked with her gold ones.
"Of course not, Zuko is an incredible Fire Lord and Katara is a large part of that. I just want to be happy . . ." She trailed off when she realized what she had said. Azula looked away from his piercing gaze.
"Will having your bending back make you happy?"
The Princess did not respond for a few minutes, instead, she focused on her nephew. Picking up Lu Ten and snuggling him close, the words were barely above a whisper; "What if I'm not the same person with it than I am without?"
"Azula, look at me," Piandao coxed but she refused to look at him. The term of endearment tumbled out of his mouth, "Look at me, please little one." Wide gold eyes filled with fear met his. "Who you are with your firebending and without are the same person. You get to choose who you want to be, your ability to bend does not change that."
Mai threw the knives at the target in front of her. She was avoiding whatever tea party that was taking place in the garden. Her mother had made an appearance this week and was displeased with how much time Mai was spending working with Katara. Michi, Mai's mother, wanted her daughter to be socializing instead of sullying her hands in the world of policy.
Frankly, Mai suspected her mother was bitter that instead of taking after her as a socialite, her daughter took after her father. The young noblewoman didn't think she would find the amount of purpose in a political career as she had since Katara had become Fire Lady.
"Avoiding your mother?" Ty Lee asked from her spot on the beam of the indoor training arena.
"She didn't even bring Tom-Tom," Mai sighed heavily. The only consolation for seeing her mother was that she would get to see her baby brother. But Michi hadn't brought him to Caldera. Mai suspected that she was trying to punish her husband, the two having been estranged since the war ended.
"You know that you can visit them anytime, Katara would understand," the acrobat soothed her lover.
Mai sighed heavily, she had been thinking for some time about her brother and making a drastic change. But she hadn't brought it up to Ty Lee and she was more than a little nervous too. "I'm thinking of moving back into my family's home."
"Oh," Ty Lee jumped down from the beam she had been perched on and looked at the ground. She hadn't expected that. "Is there a reason?"
"Tom-Tom will be starting school this year and I want him to enroll in the Royal Fire Academy for Boys, he deserves to have a good education," Mai explained looking away from Ty Lee.
"So you want to move back home for him to come live with you," the acrobat stated. She couldn't fault her lover's reasoning, she even agreed with it. But she was a little hurt that Mai hadn't asked her to come with her.
"I think he needs a stable home, away from both of our parents. If he is with me, I think I can give him the attention and affection he needs," the noblewoman's hands itched to throw one of the knives concealed in her sleeves.
Ty Lee chewed on her bottom lip. She didn't want to voice her fears but knew she had to, "Does that mean you want to end things? So you can take care of your brother?"
"I don't want to end things!" Mai exclaimed in alarm. Her eyes were wide in confusion. She hadn't expected that reaction from her lover.
"But you don't want me coming with you," Ty Lee sat on the ground and wrapped her arms around her knees.
"Taking in Tom-Tom is a lot of responsibility," the noblewoman moved to sit next to the acrobat. "I didn't know if you would be okay with that."
Ty Lee's eyes grew wide in understanding as she turned to look at her lover. "You thought I would make you choose between me and your brother?"
"Not that you would make me choose but that you didn't look at your life turning out this way," Mai shrugged not meeting her eyes. "I just didn't want you to resent me for essentially making us parents."
"Mai, your family is my family," Ty Lee moved closer and wrapped an arm around the noblewoman. "If you want to take in Tom-Tom then I guess we are going to be raising your brother together. He deserves to be with people who will love him and not weaponize him against each other."
The noblewoman leaned her head against the acrobat's shoulder. "Thank you for understanding. I guess now we just need to decide if we move into my family's home or if we bring him to live with us here in the palace."
"And we need to get a meeting with the headmaster for the Royal Fire Academy for Boys," she reminded her lover with a nudge.
"Daddy is going to miss you and Mama so much," Zuko cooed at his son. He hated that he had to leave so soon after Lu Ten was born and so close to the anniversary summit but that was his duty as a monarch.
"We are going to miss you too," Katara replied as he placed their son back in her arms. She looked up at her husband so he could kiss her. The Fire Lord wrapped his hand around the back of his wife's neck so he could pull her close as he leaned down and kissed her.
"If I don't leave now Jee will be angry," he mumbled against his waterbender's mouth.
"It's your ship, it won't leave without you," the Fire Lady giggled as she repeated her words from so long ago. Her husband tweaked her nose at her teasing. Katara leaned up and placed a quick kiss on his mouth once more, "The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back home."
The Fire Lord brushed a stray hair back from her face before leaning down and placing one last kiss on his son's head. A final declaration of love and Zuko was boarding the ship.
"Fire Lord Zuko, we will be departing momentarily," Admiral Jee informed the young monarch. "By this evening we will have a better estimate on our arrival and by tomorrow morning we will know our expected arrival time."
"Thank you, Jee," Zuko nodded to the naval officer. Though he was speaking to the man next to him, his eyes were fixed on the dock where his wife and son were watching his departure.
On the dock, Azula walked over to her sister-in-law and draped an arm around her shoulders. "He's just going to be gone for a couple of weeks."
"I know," Katara mumbled willing the tears in her eyes to not spill over. She snuggled Lu Ten a little deeper as she watched the ship sail across the sea.
"Come on," the Fire Princess nudged the waterbender once the ship had passed the Gates of Azulon. "We can't stand here all day, we have meetings to attend too."
The Fire Lady nodded and followed her sister-in-law back to the palanquin to return to the palace. She knew Azula was right, she didn't have the luxury of crying over her husband leaving for a few weeks. There was a country to run.
Back at the palace, Katara watched her son sleep in the bassinet in her office. Her husband had been gone not even a few hours and already she missed him terribly.
"Fire Lady Katara?" Chinatsu tried to get the monarch's attention. She didn't want to disturb the new mother, but her next meeting had arrived.
"I'm sorry Chinatsu," the waterbender looked up at her secretary. "What is it?"
"Lady Ursa is here to see you, she requested an audience this morning," the secretary informed.
Katara's brows drew together at that piece of information. She did not understand why her mother-in-law would schedule such a formal meeting. Especially considering that if Ursa wanted to speak with her, she would have been more than happy to arrange a time in a less formal environment. "Send her, in. And please ask Giya to bring in some tea."
Chinatsu nodded before leaving to fill the request. Ursa entered moments after the secretary stepped out.
"Fire Lady Katara," Ursa bowed quickly before taking a seat.
"Ursa, please, you're my mother-in-law the formality is not necessary," the monarch brushed off. Though her curiosity spiked at the formal hello. "Now what can I do for you?"
"I am concerned about Azula," Ursa began hesitantly.
"Concerned how?" Katara raised a brow as she looked at the older woman in front of her. In her eyes, Azula had been making tremendous progress. Frankly, the only concern the waterbender had was for her sister-in-law's repressed feelings for the sword master.
"She has been spending much time with known Ozai supporters, which has myself and Genkei worried," the older woman replied, her voice somber. Though there was something just a tad off with her speech. "As well as she has expressed the desire for her firebending."
Katara's eyes settled on her sleeping son as she listened to her mother-in-law's concerns. A conversation from a late night on the roof with her husband came to the forefront of her mind. Zuko had expressed the feeling of uncovering the truth of his mother's personality since her return, his adult perspective gave way to the pedestal he had put her on when he was a child.
"Azula was never expected to not have her firebending forever," the Fire Lady began gently. She had a feeling this was an easier argument to face without her husband.
"Well of course not," Ursa backtracked seeing that Katara was not agreeing with her. "It is just . . .worrisome timing considering the company she has been keeping as of late. I am not the only one who is concerned, Genkei has expressed his concern as well."
The waterbender's blue eyes turned stormy at the accusation; she had grown quite protective of Azula in the last few years. As well as Genkei was the last person the Fire Lady would take advice from considering his most recent public outing with Ty Lin. "I spend much of my time with Ozai supporters, are you concerned about my allegiance as well?"
"That's not what I meant," the older woman's eyes grew wide.
"Azula is a part of mine and my husband's court, there are duties we expect her to attend to. Sometimes that means interacting with those who have previously been Ozai supporters," the Fire Lady stood as she continued speaking. She moved to check on her son barely giving her mother-in-law a second look.
"I didn't mean—"
Katara cut Ursa off, "I know what you meant. If you had real concern you would have waited until my husband had returned to speak to both of us. Instead, you and Genkei want to make sure your daughter is acting in a way that you both find acceptable. Unless you have any tangible concerns to bring to my attention do not seek out an audience with me until the Fire Lord has returned."
The Fire Lady did not wait for a response before she called for Chinatsu to escort her mother-in-law out.
As the waterbender picked up her sleeping son to cuddle him close she wondered how any mother could be so critical of their child. Since having Lu Ten, she noticed that Ursa took any opportunity to criticize her children though Azula bore the brunt of the criticism. The waterbender's heart went out to her sister-in-law, having to grow up with Ozai as a father and Ursa as a mother must have been unbearable. To Katara, her son was perfect and she could not fathom thinking any differently
The earthbender fidgeted in his seat. He had been avoiding bringing up the correspondence for two days now, but he knew the Fire Lord probably had already arrived.
"Zuko sent a letter," Haru told Toph as the two were eating dinner. He hadn't known how to bring up the contents of the scroll to his wife without spoiling their day. But Toph was known for being direct and that was the approach Haru had taken.
"More threats?" The Blind Bandit asked as she pushed the food around on her plate. She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"No, he's going to Ba Sing Se to talk about expanding trade negotiations," Haru looked down at the food in front of him. "Your father is about to lose his fourth business and Zuko is thinking of offering him help by allowing him to be a partner in new tourism on Ember Island."
"He wants him to invest money he doesn't have?" Toph snapped in a huff. She slapped her cup against the table.
"It sounded more like he would shoulder the investment while your father reaped the rewards," he explained softly. Haru didn't flinch at the outburst from his wife. "He wants to preserve the Beifong estate and potentially mend your relationship with him."
The Blind Bandit sat quietly as she thought over her husband's words. Her guilt at hiding her marriage from her family slammed into her. Toph hated the position she was in but refused to give up the man she had fallen in love with just to please her parents. She had already spent too much of her life making herself smaller to fit her family's expectations.
"That's generous considering my father hates him," Toph rubbed a hand over her face. She knew that Zuko's motive was to help her family because of their friendship, the man was more loyal than sense. But she had a feeling it would backfire and destroy Lao's pride more than anything. "I don't think it will be a good idea but at the same time I don't want my father to lose any more than what he has already."
Haru had been sheltering Toph from as much of the tabloids as possible but there was only so much that he could do. Luckily he was able to keep from his wife that there was speculation her father had taken help from a criminal organization. Lao was in deep business trouble and it looked like there was no way to recover unless he made a deal with the Fire Lord.
The man was desperate and Haru hoped for Toph's sake that Lao would take the help that Zuko was offering.
The table flipped over in a show of strength the Fire Lord was not expecting. Paper, brushes, and wells of ink went flying.
Zuko looked down at the stain that was beginning to form on his shirt ignoring the man in front of him causing the ruckus.
"You expect me to believe that all you want is peace when you try to make a mockery of my business," the nobleman shouted at the monarch.
"Lao, please," King Keui begged the man making a scene.
"It was a suggestion," Zuko placated. He had expected Lao to take it badly but he didn't expect the nobleman to flip the table they were sitting at.
"A suggestion? Suggestion! You are a liar, you ended the war only to add your financial battle. All you want is for the world to burn and for the Fire Nation to be the only one left standing," the Beifong patriarch stated with a cruel glint in his eye.
"That is not what I am trying to do and I'm sorry that you feel that way," the Fire Lord stated not even flinching at the accusation.
"Lao, Fire Lord Zuko has done everything possible to reassure you of his good intentions," Keui rubbed the bridge of his nose. He worried what the rest of the world would think if he could not control a simple nobleman. "Now even going as far as to offer you financial help to not destroy our economy, which if you don't take will happen."
"I would rather get help from Sozin than him." Venom dripped from his words as he stared into the gold eyes of the Fire Nation monarch.
"Lao, if you refuse this kind gesture we could have an international incident on our hands, not just with the Fire Nation but with the Water Tribes," the Earth King tried to reason with the nobleman. While Keui was clueless when it came to international affairs and running his country, he did have enough ware with all to understand that pissing off Zuko would not do well for the Earth Kingdom.
"He has no spine to start a war," the nobleman replied. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the Fire Lord. "Besides even if he did it would just prove that he doesn't care about world peace."
"I am not here to start a financial war either, Lao," Zuko stated. He stayed seated while the nobleman stood over him. "The opportunity to bring in other nations for this specific project was presented to me. Your business is flailing and I thought perhaps you would be interested. Especially considering you have had previous business ventures in hospitality. I offered this to you as a courtesy for Toph, not because I particularly want you involved."
"Is that how you keep my daughter under your thumb? By pretending to be invested in my business interests? My business is failing because of you," the nobleman sneered moving closer to the monarch.
The Captain of the Royal Guard moved closer to his sovereign, waiting to step between the two if necessary.
"Your business is failing because you profited off the war and instead of pivoting to adapt to the changing time you doubled down," the young monarch retaliated. He was not afraid of Lao, he was all bark and no bite. "I am presenting you an opportunity to diversify your business, if you do not want that then I guess your business is doomed to fail."
"How dare you," Lao hissed. His green eyes turned black as he moved closer to the Fire Lord.
Malu's arm came down in front of his lord to block the advancement. "Fire Lord, I believe negotiations have ended for the day."
"I agree, Malu," Zuko replied. "Keui, how do you feel about continuing in the morning?"
"An excellent idea," Keui bowed his head to the visiting monarch before his eyes turned to the disgruntled nobleman. "Lao, I believe your part in these negotiations has been complete."
The Beifong patriarch stormed out of the room with only a scathing look at the Fire Lord.
Her stare hardened as she saw him for the fifth time in a week with another woman. Genkei was not being subtle about taking a mistress and freely flaunted his affairs where Azula could see them.
"Why don't we have lunch in the private garden?" Mai suggested as she followed Azula's gaze. The noblewoman shot a look at her lover hoping for some help.
The Minister of Justice had his arms wrapped around the woman he was with and was whispering in her ear.
"No," the Princess replied firmly. Her gold eyes were filled with fire as watched the man who was courting her flaunt another woman. "I will not cower in fear in my own home. If he wants to act like that then he is asking for a confrontation."
"Are you sure?" Ty Lee asked softly. She wasn't concerned about the Princess confronting her sister but more about her confronting the councilman.
She paused for a moment thinking about her conversation with Katara. "Asking for fidelity is not too much and I will not tolerate the man who is courting me to flaunt his indiscretions without consequence."
Azula held her head high as she walked over to the ostentatious display of affection between the Minister of Justice and a low-level noblewoman.
"Oh, Princess Azula," the noblewoman pulled away quickly from the councilman leaving his desire for her on display. Anyone in the palace garden could see that there was no question about the intention of Genkei.
"Good afternoon Genkei, I see you are keeping less than favorable company," she barely sparred the woman a second glance. She would not lower herself to their standards.
"Azula, what a pleasant surprise," the councilman grinned widely at the Princess. He knew she was going to be here and had planned for her to see him with another woman. All he needed was a moment to compromise Azula and then he was sure the Fire Lord would grant the betrothal. "Care to join us? I'm sure the three of us could have much fun in my chambers."
The sword master was watching the interaction between the couple with fascination. He was disgusted by the display Genkei had been making and was concerned when he saw his pupil approach. Piandao moved closer so he could hear what was being said and be there in case Azula needed help.
"The man that beds me will be my husband," the Princess replied her eyes narrowing. "Besides, I am more than enough for a man. If he feels the need to look elsewhere then perhaps he cannot handle me. I hadn't realized that was you, Genkei."
His eyes grew hard as he stood up pushing the other woman away from him. The Minister of Justice had planned a much more insidious proposition but Azula knew just how to get under his skin. "Why don't I show you how well I can handle you?"
The councilman's hand reached for her throat and within seconds his mouth connected with hers. The kiss was assaulting as he tried to make her submit.
Piandao whistled loudly to get the attention of the royal guard who were quick to react. The sword master moved closer to defend the Princess as he heard the tearing of clothing as Genkei pawed at her.
Azula pushed back and within seconds was out of his hold. The royal guard surrounded them as she held her wazikashi to his throat. "Do not ever touch me without permission again, we are done."
Genkei laughed, "You think this courtship is over? I just proved that your only option to marry is me. No man will want to bed you now that you have shown that you are still as vicious as before."
Piandao stepped forward from his position behind the couple, "That is enough. You will show the Princess the respect she deserves. Azula, come with me."
The sword master removed the wazikashi from her hand and placed a hand on the Princess's lower back as he began escorting her back to her room. He personally was going to speak to the Fire Lord about what happened here today. While the guard had acted quickly there was still the possibility that someone had seen the interaction. Unfortunately in the Fire Nation if a woman was a victim of sexual assault she was to blame more so than the attacker.
"You know as well as I do Piandao that the scrutiny of the court will force the Fire Lord's hand into granting the betrothal," the Minister of Justice sneered at the older man. It was not lost on him the feelings the sword master had for the Princess. "Besides every other nobleman will be terrified of her now that they have seen the display of swordsmanship. She'll be lucky to have any suitor after the stunt pulled here today."
Piandao ignored the man as he continued walking with Azula though it did not go unnoticed how she curled in on herself. The words pierced her soul, she never had been the one that boys liked and even with her status no one was looking to court her.
"He's right," the Princess whispered once she was alone in her chambers with the sword master. "No one will want to court me after that incident. I put a wazikashi to his neck all because he kissed me."
"What I saw was a woman defending herself after being assaulted by a man she thought she could trust," Piandao stated as he placed a glass of water down in front of her. He moved to sheath her sword and noticed that it had been well taken care of recently oiled and sharpened, clearly the Princess respected the weapon.
"That's not how the royal court will see it and you know that," Azula wiped at the tears that were silently trailing down her cheeks. She was mortified that she had allowed Genkei to get a rise out of her.
"I find it interesting that he did this while your brother is currently overseas," the sword master said sitting down next to her. Gold eyes wide with realization snapped to his dark grey ones. "Should I just say what we both know is true?"
Azula took a deep breath, "Yes."
"Genkei was never concerned with courting you because of you, he was more concerned with the relationship that would be created with your brother," her teacher replied softly. The truth was brutal but she needed to hear it. "He tried to play you but he was not counting on your disregard for the unspoken rules of the royal court."
"Because I wouldn't be alright with him taking a mistress," she whispered to herself. He had tried to lure her into his bed to secure a betrothal but instead, she had refused and forced him to respond by assaulting her. "He still compromised me."
"No he did not," Piandao shook his head. He thought a little white lie wouldn't hurt too much. "Your guard reacted quickly and blocked you from view. No one saw you put your wazikashi to his throat but me, and I plan on informing your brother of exactly what he said to you. If I know the Fire Lord like I think I do, he will be furious and void your courtship himself."
"Which will leave me with no prospects and a tarnished reputation," the Princess sighed heavily. Every other nobleman will be terrified of her, the words echoed in her head. He was right, no man would want her now that they saw her skill was still there Azula thought to herself. She worked so hard to heal and change the way she was viewed, and have people respect her rather than fear her. But all she received in return was an assault by a man she trusted and the noblemen of court fearing her all over again. Now without Genkei and her unrequited love for Piandao, the Princess did not think a relationship was in the cards for her.
"Azula, you will be anything but tarnished and the man who marries you should be worthy of all that you are," the sword master responded as he looked into her eyes. "Genkei was a little boy playing as a man, you deserve someone who understands you. And will match you in every way. As for your reputation, you know how to play the women of court. So play them." He winked at her.
Azula sighed heavily as she made the final touches on her sketch of Zuko. He still had no idea she was painting his portrait, it had taken her months to finalize how she wanted her brother to be immortalized. But now she was ready to begin painting.
She rubbed a hand over her face. The Princess's stomach was in knots, she had fought with Genkei only two days prior, and in three days her plan would be enacted. Her mind wandered to the scroll that had been left for her this morning, confirming all the plans. Azula sent a silent prayer to the spirits hoping that the risk would be worth the reward if she was successful. If not, she didn't even want to think about that.
The sword master had been observing her in her studio for some time now. He had noticed that she had been missing from the public eye for the past couple of days and wanted to come check on her. His heart felt heavy in his chest as he watched her, she was barely holding it together.
"You don't always need to be the strong one," Piandao whispered from his spot behind her. He was worried about her since Genkei had forced himself on her, though he had a suspicion there was more to her negative emotions than that. "If you're in some kind of trouble, I hope you know that I will do everything in my power to help you."
"I don't know what you're talking about," the Princess replied quickly. A little too quickly.
"Azula, you can speak to me about anything," the sword master comforted. He resisted the urge to spin her around to look at him, he knew she was lying and he wanted her to look him in the eye as she lied. "It doesn't always have to land on you. And you don't need to do it alone."
"Sometimes doing it alone is necessary," she whispered flipping her sketchbook closed. Azula knew she was confirming his suspicions but she didn't have the energy to hide from him anymore. "Especially when the price of failure is too high."
"You've been surrounded by others your entire life, but you've never truly had someone support you," Piandao moved closer until he was standing a mere inches from her. His hand itched to rest on her shoulder in a comforting manner. "I'm here, let me support you."
The Princess whipped around to look at him in shock. "What?"
"When was someone there for you Azula? Just for you and your well-being, with no ulterior motive," the sword master asked her. His grey eyes bored into her gold ones, he could see the tears beginning to well but he continued. "Someone who didn't expect you to be strong, but allowed you to fall apart. I'm guessing you've never had that."
Azula looked at him, gapping like a fish. A memory of sitting on the beach with her brother, Mai, and Ty Lee surfaced. Everyone shared their points of pain but when she brought up hers it was ignored. The Princess even made a joke to soften her pain but her friends and brother never reacted. If anything it made them believe she was unbothered by what happened with her mother.
"How did you know that?" She finally sputtered out. Piandao was the only person who could take her by surprise. The Princess swallowed loudly as she got lost in the grey of his eyes,
"It's written all over your face." He gave in to the urge and brushed back her hair from her face. "If you tell me the trouble you're in, maybe I can help."
Azula closed her eyes tightly and allowed the tears to fall silently. She allowed herself at this moment to feel her fears. "I don't think you can."
"Please, Azula," the sword master whispered. He hated seeing her in pain. "Let me in, let me help you, little one."
The Princess's eyes opened and through her tears, she looked into his grey ones. Reflected back at her was compassion along with hope and she didn't know it at the time, but love. Within seconds Azula began telling Piandao everything, hoping that he could help her.
She watched from the shadows as Lu Ten slept in the nursery. The Fire Lady had meetings to attend and the nanny was preoccupied with the book she was reading to notice the observer.
A handsome royal guard entered the room and began speaking to the young nanny, his job was to lure her away from the little prince. Within seconds the two had moved to a more secluded part of the nursery and he had her wrapped around him as he pressed her against the wall.
She felt the katana concealed beneath her clothes as she waited just a little longer before acting. Her ally should be moments away, she thought to herself. This was her only shot, she had placed everything on this succeeding. She leaned her head back against the wall as she waited.
The glinting of the poisoned dagger drew her attention to the heir to the throne of Fire. Her ally was standing above Lu Ten seconds away from ending his life.
The traitor grinned sinisterly as he looked down at the sleeping baby, his eyes flashed with greed. This was a necessary step in gaining the Princess's full allegiance, then from there, he would introduce her to his ally in the Earth Kingdom. Before the end of the year, he suspected that he would have her in his bed and the throne would be hers.
He was early, Azula thought as she leapt forward knocking the bassinet over in the process. At the same time, Bujing threw the dagger aiming for the prince.
Lu Ten's cries could be heard all across the palace.
The End of Part 2: Broken Embers
Notes:
What did you all think? This might feel like a filler chapter but we are just gearing up for the main even coming soon!
Thank you all for your continued support! Be sure to check out my instagram JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ for update news, sneak peeks, and some fanart.
IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE
This story was originally supposed to be two parts but as I have gone through and had to try to recover my document and rewrite it, I realized it is much more suited for a 3 part story.
By changing it from two-part to three-part, allows me to develop the plot just a teeny bit more to make it much stronger!
Due to trying to develop the plot a little more, going to school full time, and working full time, I'm going to have to take a break from posting so I can give you the best possible story. I'm going to take the next few months off that way I don't keep making promises for the next update that I can't keep.
I'm just not able to dedicate as much time as I would like to this right now. But be sure to check out my Instagram to find out where you can get sneak peaks and early access to chapters ;)
See you in August 2024!
Chapter 29: Chapter Twenty-Nine: Summer 105 AG
Notes:
It’s update day!!! Thank you all for your continued support and your patience.
You might have noticed a little different heading which includes the section part, the season and the year. I hope this help any confusion on the timeline!
Hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Also still doing on going small edits, but wanted to get it to you all as soon as possible!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part Three: The Dawn of Moon and Sun
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Summer 105 AG
The sword master was waiting at the dock for the Fire Lord's return. The Fire Lady was in meetings and was not be able to meet her husband at the dock, something Piandao was grateful for. Though he had a sneaking suspicion that she was avoiding her husband after everything that had happened. The waterbender was still in distress herself and having to relay the news to her husband must be difficult. Piandao had offered to break the news to the Fire Lord, a small kindness he could offer to the monarchs.
"Master Piandao," Zuko greeted as he disembarked from the ship. The Fire Lord looked around, his surprise at not seeing his wife and child waiting for him splattered across his face. "I was not expecting you."
Piandao bowed formally as the dock was quite crowded with onlookers trying to catch a glimpse of the monarch. "There was some information that I have for you which is time sensitive."
The Fire Lord raised an eyebrow as he gestured for the sword master to join him in his carriage to return to the palace. Once they were both safely enclosed from prying eyes, Zuko spoke. "What is this information that could not wait until I saw my wife and son? Is there news from the White Lotus?"
He sighed heavily as he looked at the Fire Nation sovereign. He wished that he had taken Akio's advice and let Katara share the news, but he didn't want the waterbender on the receiving end of the Fire Lord's rage. "There is information that will test your temper and information that will be even worse, which would you like first?"
Zuko's eyes widened. He looked out the window briefly as he pondered the words. There was very little that would test his temper, no longer was he quick to react. But if Piandao had come in place of everyone else, Zuko knew that it would be troubling news. "Tell me the news in order as it happened."
"Genkei tried to sexually assault your sister in public after propositioning her to join him and another woman in bed," the sword master stated. He thought it was best to be as direct as possible. "She defended herself but he has been spreading some vicious rumors as well as assuming this will guarantee a betrothal since he tried to compromise her virtue."
The Fire Lord's jaw tightened at the news. He rubbed his chin softly as he thought over the news, in the Fire Nation sexual assault was rarely prosecuted. Too many noblemen with mistresses and concubines made sure that any accusation was quickly brushed under the rug. Zuko secretly hoped this was the worst of it, but a sinking feeling in his stomach alluded to much more distressing news . "And the other information?"
Smoke quickly filled the carriage as Piandao briefed the monarch. Zuko's only thought was that he wanted Bujing's head on a platter.
Katara watched as her husband snuggled their son close to him. She could understand his need to feel so close to Lu Ten after hearing of the assassination attempt. For the first week after, she slept with their son and Hikari in bed with her. Many times she would lie awake watching Lu Ten breathe, reminding herself that he was safe. Even now a little more removed from the incident, she refused to leave her son in the nursery choosing instead to keep her son in the bassinet next to their bed.
"Malu increased security and the guard that was used to lure the nanny away is in custody. He is one of Bujing's illegitimate sons," the Fire Lady accounted the details her husband. The polar bear dog snuggled up to his mistress, sensing her distress. "Lu Ten sustained some bruising from the fall but it was mostly superficial and only need a quick healing session to resolve."
"Piandao said that Azula was able to apprehend Bujing quickly," the Fire Lord mumbled. None of the information that his wife told him was new to him, the sword master had been very thorough in the report.
"She was and she was able to verify the poison he was going to use was the same that was used on your father," the waterbender informed him. She hesitated before continuing, "He confessed to the crime as well as to the murder of Ozai. Azula has gathered more than enough information to convict him."
"How is she?" Zuko asked after a few moments, he was not concerned about his father's murder. Now that he was able to assure himself that his son was safe, his mind wandered to his baby sister. The Fire Lord suspected that the experience with Genkei coupled with the assassination attempt on Lu Ten took an emotional toll on his sister.
The Fire Lady sighed. "Azula has been better, but she has also been much worse. I think she is more embarrassed than anything else."
"Embarrassed?" He raised his eyebrow.
"I suspect that she thinks she should have known better and she reacted emotionally, something that is not common for her," Katara explained as she sat down next to her husband. "And she believes that her reaction caused Genkei to attack her."
Zuko shook his head sadly. "He only wanted to court her for political gain, he never had any form of affection for her."
"I agree," the waterbender whispered as she looked down. Her experience with Jet came to the forefront of her mind. While Jet had not assaulted her, he had manipulated her to do his bidding. "Mai and Ty Lee have reached out to Suki, they think that maybe we should look at some Kyoshi Warriors to be employed as Lu Ten's caretakers moving forward."
"Hmmm," the Fire Lord hummed as he rocked his son to sleep. He stood and placed Lu Ten in his wife's arms. "That is not a bad idea, easily blend into plain sight. I think it might be time we begin renovations on the palace to allow Hikari to move more easily, if he could have been in the nursery he could have alerted Azula sooner."
"I already spoke to Jiang about it. You're going to check on Azula," Katara mumbled as he placed a kiss on her forehead. She hadn't expected anything less from her husband after he reassured himself their son was safe.
"As much as I want to stay here all day, I need to know she is okay and then I want to expedite Bujing's trial," the young monarch explained. His gold eyes looked down at his son. Zuko had not expected the terror he felt at hearing the news of the assassination attempt. As much as he wanted to runaway from the monarchy to protect his wife and son he knew that he could not. So instead he needed to create a safer world for them both. "The sooner he is sentenced the sooner I know Lu Ten is one step closer to being safer."
"I understand," his wife replied with a reassuring smile. As much as she wanted to spend a few days just alone with her husband, she knew that the job of the Fire Lord was never done.
With one last quick kiss to his wife and child, Zuko began making his way to the Princess's chambers. Lian was in the process of leaving the Princess's quarters and gestured the Fire Lord in. The monarch nodded to the maid before seeking out his sister.
"Zula," he breathed out as his eyes rested on her. Azula was sitting on her windowsill with her sketchbook in hand. Her head whipped around to face her brother at the sound of his voice. Before she could process that he was in her room, Zuko raced across the room and wrapped her in his arms. Her sketch book falling to the floor.
"You're not mad?" She whispered into his shoulder as he hugged her.
"Why would I be mad?" Zuko pulled back to look at her in confusion. Her gold eyes were big and brimming with tears.
"I gambled with Lu Ten's life to confirm Bujing murdered Ozai," Azula looked down in shame. The memory of Bujing standing above the Prince with a poisoned dagger haunted her.
The Fire Lord sighed in understanding. He pulled her back into his arms, "It was never a gamble. You were there the entire time and you ensured the information necessary to convict Bujing." Zuko moved to look her in the eyes, brushing back the few tears that had escaped. "I trust you, Azula."
Tears freely fell down her cheeks as she hugged her brother back, her charcoal stained fingers digging into him. She hadn't realized how worried she had been about Zuko's trust in her until he said the words.
The silence was deafening as the Fire Lord and Lady walked into the council meeting. News of Bujing's betrayal had been the topic of the royal court gossips since his arrest. Though luckily they were able to keep the gossip scrolls from getting ahold of the information.
"It is with a grave heart that this meeting begins," Zuko began looking out at the council members. "Bujing, once a great war general of the Fire Nation and trusted Council member has committed an act of treason against the crown." The murmurs began but were quickly silenced with one look from the Fire Lord.
Ukano waited for the nod from the Fire Lord before standing to begin the meeting. "My fellow councilmen, I know many of us are disheartened by the news of Bujing. Today's meeting is for the charges against the accused to be read and for the accused to make his defense before us and the Fire Lord and Fire Lady. We will all be able to question the accused before deliberating and a verdict. If Bujing is found guilty of the crimes, there will be a vote on sentencing with final approval by Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Katara."
The waterbender looked at her husband briefly, "Fire Lord Zuko and myself have decided that for the crimes that have been committed the verdict must be unanimous."
The couple had gone back and forth on the procedure for Bujing. A simple majority was all it took in the Fire Nation for sentencing typically, but for such a grave crime they had decided they wanted a unanimous decision. Though partly to see who, if anyone, would defend Bujing.
Genkei stood quickly, "If it pleases you, my Lord, I would be agreeable to read the charges against Bujing."
Zuko's eyes narrowed slightly at the Minister of Justice, he still needed to deal with how the man trifled with Azula's affections. But while the councilman was on thin ice with the Fire Lord, there was nothing that he had done wrong and he was good in his council position. "In a moment, Bujing will be brought into the meeting. When he is, Minister Genkei, you may read the charges. Before that are there any questions?"
"Fire Lord, it is my understanding that Princess Azula was witness to Bujing's betrayal," Ukano stated with a quick glance at the Minister of Justice. Having heard from his daughter the first hand account of Genkei's proposition to the Princess, Ukano was not about to let him cozy up to the Fire Lord. "Will she be able to answer questions?"
The Fire Lord turned to look at his sister on the step below him and Katara. Azula's gold eyes met her brother's and she gave a brief nod in acceptance. Zuko looked out at the council before answering, "Princess Azula will give her own version of events in addition to answering any questions the council may have. Malu, if you and Souta could escort the accused in to the meeting."
Malu nodded before turning to his second, the two royal guards exited the meeting without a word. A few minutes later they entered with Bujing between them and Warden Poon behind the prisoner.
Everyone watched as Bujing walked in, the silence was eerie as he stopped in front of the council and the Fire Lord. His eyes burning with hatred as he looked up at the royal couple. Bujing's eyes scanned across the dais until they settled on the Fire Nation Princess, his jaw tightened.
"Bujing, you are here on accounts of treason and murder, Minister of Justice Genkei will read the charges brought against you," Ukano stated.
The prisoner sneered as the councilman stood to read the charges against him. Bujing could not believe how far he had fallen, all because of that vixen Azula.
"Bujing, you are charged on one account of murder and three accounts of treason. One account of murder in the first degree of the fallen monarch, Ozai. An account of treason against the crown, for conspiring to assassinate the Fire Lord. A second account of treason against the crown, for attempted murder in the first degree of the Crown Prince. Lastly, an account of treason, for conspiring with the rebels," the Minister of Justice read the charges loudly. "Do you have any questions on the charges brought against you?"
"No," Bujing hissed. He despised Genkei. The prisoner briefly wondered if an engagement with Azula had been secured with the Minister of Justice.
"How do you plead on the charge of murder in the first degree of former monarch, Ozai?" Genkei asked.
"Not guilty."
"How do you plead on the charge of treason, for conspiring to kill the Fire Lord?"
"Not guilty."
"How do you plead on the charge of treason, for attempted murder in the first degree of the Crown Prince?"
"Not guilty."
"How do you plead on the charge of treason, for conspiring with the rebels?"
"Not guilty."
The Fire Lady watched as the man who tried to murder her son entered his plea in front of the Royal Council, for a fleeting moment she had the thinnest thread of sympathy for Bujing. He looked defeated from his fallen station, though as his eyes turned to look at Azula venomously the feeling disappeared.
"You have waived your right to representation, please state if this information is correct for the council and the court," Genkei began the proceedings. As the Minister of Justice he would represent the crown and run the proceedings, with the Fire Lord stepping in only if necessary. The council would be allowed to question all witnesses and evidence before deliberations.
"I have waived the right to counsel," Bujing gritted out begrudgingly. He knew that by asking someone to represent him in legal proceedings would subject them to divulging the whole operation. A necessary sacrifice to dethrone the Fire Lord, a sentiment he had stated to Ozai just before killing him. He wondered briefly if the Princess thought of him as a necessary sacrifice or had she played him. No matter what, Bujing would hold his head high and if he was sentenced he would be sure to live out his days knowing that he tried to make a difference in the Fire Nation.
Azula was kneeling in the temple, the incense having long since burned away. It was an ominous day, she had trouble sleeping all night. At high noon, Bujing would be executed for his crimes against the crown. The council having found him guilty without question and a unanimous decision for capital punishment.
The sword master wandered the grounds of the palace in search of his student. He suspected her emotional state was quite tenuous at best regarding the events of the day. As he climbed the steps to the temple, he hesitated as he saw her kneeling form in silent prayer.
"I knew you would come look for me," the Princess whispered. Her heart pounded in her chest at the notion that Piandao cared enough to check on her.
"I worry about how you will handle the events of the day," he replied as he moved to kneel next to her. "You shouldn't be alone today."
Azula's lips twitched as she repressed a smile. Piandao always put her first and she was starting to bloom under that affection. "I appreciate the company and the concern."
"You'll be sitting in the front since you were the one to accuse him," the sword master mumbled. It was custom in the Fire Nation that the accuser would be seated in front of the prisoner for an execution, long ago the Fire Sages deemed that an accuser must look in the eye of the man as the sentencing was carried out. The belief was if the accuser had falsified information the guilt would cause them to object and lead the law to search out the rightful guilty party.
"I know," she whispered. Her hands reached for the flame at her throat, clutching the piece of jewelry tightly. Azula's eyes fluttered closed.
Piandao watched the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed deeply, her lashes casting a shadow across her cheekbones. "You are strong of mind, Azula. I have no doubt that you can sit there and watch without so much as a hint of distress."
"How did you know that was bothering me?" the Princess whispered, the sound almost drowning in the morning breeze. She had been terrified that watching the man she had essentially sentenced to death with her operation to catch him in an act of treason would cause her to spiral. Just like she had so many years ago after the betrayal of her friends. Was what she did any worse than them?
"I know you, Azula." He watched as her eyes opened before turning to look at him. "I know that you have worked hard to heal and to be the woman you are today. I know that what you did was for the right reasons and not to gain approval from your parents. You will be able to look in the eyes of a man who had no loyalty to his country but to his own political power and watch as his treason is justly served."
"Is it wrong that I feel guilty?"
"Are you guilty?" Piandao questioned her. His voice deep and husky. "Are you guilty of anything more than taking a meeting and challenging a man who was a suspect of treason? All you did was place an idea into his head, Bujing's actions were his own. He could have easily not gone through with the challenge to prove loyalty, but he did."
"No," she shook her head. Dark locks moving side to side down her back.
"What was the purpose of the meeting you took? Was it to force Bujing into switching sides? Or was it to test his loyalty to the crown? Was it to incriminate him for his actions against your brother? Or was it to avenge your father?"
Azula did not know how to answer because she did not know what she wanted out of the meeting she took with Bujing.
The Minister of Justice was unsurprised at the summons from the Fire Lord. He had been expecting it for sometime now. Genkei was sure that his sovereign would be insisting on a marriage proposal for the Princess. The councilman was not worried about the fight with Azula regarding his taking a mistress, he had strategically put her in a position that a proposal was the only way out for her.
Genkei did think it was interesting that he was being called for a meeting today of all days. But perhaps the Fire Lord wanted to offset the execution of Bujing with the announcement of a betrothal. It wouldn't be the first time that a monarch had tried to offset how close an act of treason came with some prosperous news for the public.
"Akio," the Minister of Justice greeted less than cordially. Now that he was going to be so close to the royal family, the blood lines mixing, Genkei did not feel the need to pander to those beneath him.
The secretary's jaw clenched as he stood to alert the Fire Nation Sovereign of the arrival of Genkei. Within seconds Akio was back, the door being held open, "The Fire Lord will see you now."
"Genkei, good," Zuko stated as the councilman walked in. He was conscious not to offer the man a seat.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Genkei bowed as was custom and waited to be told to rise then offered a seat. When he was left on bended knee, his brow furrowed. This should have been a friendly meeting with a betrothal contract being negotiated.
"It has come to my attention that the courtship with my sister has taken a little bit of an unexpected turn," the Fire Lord stood and began pacing his office. A characteristic he took from his father. "I was surprised to learn that when I returned from Ba Sing Se there were rumors regarding your fidelity."
"A mere dalliance with a concubine or two," the councilman tried to correct. He knew the monarch would not fault him for that.
"Hmmm, last I heard Ty Lin was not a concubine," Zuko corrected. He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "Now if you had sought a concubine, I would assume that my sister would know of the arrangement and would expect your discretion."
"Ty Lin and I were just having a friendly cup of tea," Genkei defended himself. A sick sort of feeling settling in his stomach.
"Dinner out in the city was a friendly cup of tea? The outing at the grand opening of the new exotic animal display at the Caldera Zoo was a friendly cup of tea? Or perhaps my favorite, a rather explicit public display of affection in my own palace gardens was a friendly cup of tea?" The Fire Lord stopped to stand in front of the Minister of Justice, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked down at the man.
"My Lord, you have to understand that your sister does not show affection easily. It was hard to decipher if she would accept a marriage proposal," he tried to back track quickly. This meeting had taken a drastic turn, he needed to right it immediately. "My time with Ty Lin was more because I assumed Azula did not return my affection."
"Yet you speak so familiarly of my sister," Zuko responded turning his back on the councilman. "And I doubt that was the case, considering you propositioned my sister to join you and Ty Lin in your chambers. Quite casually if the report from the royal guard is to be believed."
Genkei swallowed loudly, this meeting was not going the way he anticipated. He stuttered trying to formulate a response. The councilman's voice turned aggressive and accusatory; "You make it sound as if I trifled with Princess Azula's affections."
"Didn't you?" The Fire Nation sovereign turned his head slightly, one brow lifted in question. When Genkei did not answer, Zuko continued. "I was quite surprised to learn that after my sister declined the invitation to your bed, you attacked her. Was your goal to compromise her virtue?"
"What makes you think that I have not already?" The councilman challenged, a small smirk settling across his face. If he wanted to end this meeting with a betrothal contract, he needed to make the Fire Lord believe that Azula had been compromised.
"An exam by the palace physician has assured me that her virtue is still intact," the Fire Lord brushed him off, turning around to look at Genkei. It was a white lie, but one that Zuko knew the councilman could not prove. "While nothing you have done could take your seat on the council, it has successfully led me to the decision to end your courtship. Even if Azula begs me herself, I will never grant a betrothal contract to you."
Genkei jumped up from his position on the floor, his jaw hanging. "You think she will find a suitor better than me? No one wants her after she attacked me. Few wanted her before she courted me, only concerned with her attachment to you. No man will want to bed her no matter how attractive she is."
"Malu, please show Genkei out," Zuko stated as he turned his back once more to the councilman. He did not want to dignify the last statement with a response. The Fire Lord took a seat at his desk never sparing the Minister of Justice a second glance, he had an execution to prepare for.
The Fire Nation Princess sat with her head held high as Bujing was escorted by the royal guard and Warden Poon on to the platform for the city to see. All of Caldera was present to watch the once proud general face justice for the attempt on Prince Lu Ten's life.
His eyes flashed to the Princess who was the picture of ease, he expected her to have some guilt in her expression. When Bujing's eyes met her's, there was no remorse or guilt. Azula stare was hard and unmoving.
Genkei stood off to the side of the dais that Bujing and the executioner were on. Warden Poon, forced the prisoner to his knees for the Minister of Justice to read the conviction.
"Bujing, you have been convicted of multiple crimes of treason," Genkei began, voice ringing out to the masses. His eyes flashed to the Fire Lord briefly and then moved to look at the Princess, her gold eyes fixed firmly on the prisoner. Genkei's jaw tightened when he realized she didn't even spare him a glance. "You have been convicted for the murder of former monarch Ozai, conspiring to murder Fire Lord Zuko, and one attempt of murder on Crown Prince Lu Ten. For your crimes, the Royal Council has sentenced you to death."
The prisoner held his head high, he was not going to give the Fire Lord the satisfaction of seeing him cower.
Zuko's eyes narrowed when he noticed the spark in Bujing's eyes. The Fire Nation sovereign's hand reached for his waterbender's. He felt her cool hand wrap tightly in his as she shifted their son closer to her chest. The air grew hot and sticky, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. The Fire Lord heard the slicing of a blade releasing from a sleeve behind him. A sound he was familiar with from Mai.
Azula's eyes zeroed in on Bujing, she desperately wanted to turn her head to see where the prisoner was looking. More specifically, who the prisoner was looking at.
Bujing opened his mouth to speak but before he could utter a word, a spearhead shot forward and impaled itself in Bujing's neck.
The Fire Nation Princess jumped up turning to the direction the weapon came from, the sword master who had been sitting behind her following within seconds. While many went to protect the Fire Lord and Lady, Azula knew that the monarchs were not the intended target.
"Piandao," she called as she moved through the throngs of people. Azula shed her formal robes not caring where they were left among the crowd, the sword master followed her pursuit. The master and student moved quickly to the highest vantage point of the royal square.
"Whomever did this is long gone," Piandao stated as he looked around. The only thing left was a broken rock, the outline of a spearhead perfectly formed in the earth.
"Looks like Bujing wasn't trying to frame the Earth Kingdom, he was working with them," Azula mumbled picking up the rock and turning it over in her hands. "The precision of an earthbender to impale someone in the throat from so faraway, not many are capable."
The sword master moved to see what she was looking at but stopped suddenly. "Looks like it was more than one person sent to kill him."
Azula's eyes followed to where he was pointing, two sets of foot prints in the dirt but with no trail to follow. "They probably went underground, without a skilled earthbender its hard to know which direction they will take to leave the city."
"Princess Azula, Master Piandao," Souta greeted as he approached them with a handful of royal guards following him. "Fire Lord Zuko wishes to know your recommendation for how to proceed."
The second in command of the royal guard had been instructed to take a small detail to meet the Princess and the sword master then follow their lead.
"Do you want them to block off the ports?" Piandao asked his pupil.
"No, the goal was to silence Bujing," Azula shook her head. Her brow pulled together, there was something familiar about the way the assassins escaped but she couldn't quite place her finger on it. Her eyes traveled back to the broken rock in her hands.
The waterbender stretched her arms over her head as the first senes of awareness assaulted her body.
A throaty chuckle reached her ears causing her eyes to flutter open and then shut tightly again in response to the bright room. Katara mumbled to her husband, "What time is it?"
"Not sure, sunrise was about an hour ago though," the Fire Lord explained as he leaned down to place a kiss on her nose. It had been a few weeks since Bujing's assassination and it was the first day that the monarchs would not be need for any official business. Zuko wanted to take advantage of their empty schedule, especially considering the day.
The Fire Lady jolted awake nearly smacking her husband in the face. "Where is Lu Ten?"
"Relax, Katara," Zuko slipped his arms around his wife and pulled her back down to join him. "The wet nurse fed him and mother is with him. I wanted you to sleep as much as possible this morning."
"I can't spend the morning sleeping," she struggled against her husband's arms.
"No, but you can spend this morning in bed with me," the Fire Lord flipped them so his wife was underneath him. He placed his forehead against hers as he pressed his growing erection into her belly. "Especially since today is my birthday."
Sapphire eyes widened as she registered the words he had spoken. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she pressed her lips to his in a searing kiss. Hands threaded through his hair as she kissed him, pulling him closer. Zuko melted into her arms, pressing his entire body against her.
"Happy Birthday, Zuko," the waterbender whispered against his mouth.
"Do you know what I want most for my birthday?" He asked huskily.
"What's that?" Katara's hands skimmed down his torso before settling on the waistband of his sleep pants. She was already pulling at them, to free his growing manhood.
The Fire Lord grabbed her wandering hands and held them above her head. "To tie you up, waterbender."
Her breathing hitched at the suggestion. It was something Zuko had brought up a few weeks ago, a little more experimentation in their marriage bed. She clearly enjoyed when he was in charge and today he wanted to dominate her. After a slow nod from the waterbender, the Fire Lord stripped his wife of her sleep clothes and had her hands bound to the headboard with the silk tie from his robe. He was going to enjoy having her at his mercy.
"Katara, it's my birthday do we really need to look at all the Fire Lord portraits," Zuko grumbled as his wife dragged him through the halls only a few hours after their morning delight.
"Just because its your birthday doesn't mean its all about you, Zuzu," Azula responded as the royal couple came to stop in front of her. A large sheet was covering the wall behind her, the spot where Zuko's portrait should have been.
"Excuse me for assuming my birthday was the one day it was about me." The Fire Lord pouted as he looked at his sister. He crossed his arms over his chest, "Is this you two ganging up on me to hang the portrait? Because I've already told Katara that I'm not doing it."
Azula moved toward her brother and gestured for the guards to grab an end of the sheet. "Go ahead."
With one fell swoop the sheet was removed to showcase the Fire Lord's portrait.
"Oh Azula!" Katara exclaimed as she looked at the final product. The painting was everything she had hoped it would be and much more. Her husband looked strong and honorable, a legacy their son could live up to.
"How? I mean—" Zuko was speechless as he looked at the portrait. His eyes moved immediately to his scar. The scar was there but while not the focus still exhibited strength and power.
"Just say thank you dum-dum," Azula crossed her arms over her chest. She was pleased that her brother liked her work. It had taken much longer than she had anticipated to complete, but she had tried to showcase how Katara saw Zuko.
"Thank you," he whipped around to hug his sister tightly.
"You should also thank your wife, it was her idea," Azula responded as she hugged her brother back.
"Thank you!" The Fire Lord released his sister quickly, grabbing his wife and kissing her passionately. With his mouth still against hers, "And I thought my gift was this mornings activities."
"I'm still in the room, Zuzu," the Fire Nation Princess pointed out. She made a gagging motion at her brother and sister-in-law.
"We were training," he shot back barely looking at his sister. The Fire Lady pulled back from her husband, ever conscious of the audience they had. Zuko tended to not care about the spectators, Katara did.
"Right and I'm an airbender," Azula rolled her eyes.
"It really is spectacular," Katara stated as she took in the portrait. She took a step back to put a little more distance from her husband and to get a better look at the painting.
The waterbender was pleased to note that her sister-in-law included Zuko's Dao blades on his back, showing his skill for swordsmanship. He stood with one hand out in front, a flame speckled with color in his hand — a testament to his learning from the original masters. Azula had used the negative space above Zuko to show Sozin's comet setting on the Fire Nation on one side. On the other side a moon rising with the volcano dragon god and his ocean dragon goddess circling the moon, the same ones that were on Katara's engagement ring.
"I left the sides empty so I could add to it as your reign continues," the Princess explained as the coupler took in all the details.
"It's perfect," he whispered. Zuko didn't care about the emptiness on the sides, all he could focus on was that his scar seemed to enhance his features. For the first time since the Agni Kai with his father, the Fire Lord didn't think the scar would be the thing that people noticed about him in his portrait.
"Welcome to the Northern Water Tribe," The Fire Lord whispered to his son as the ship moved through the canals to dock. His three month old son looked up at him, gold eyes shifting to look at the sky above.
"Maybe we should have stayed in the Fire Nation," Katara said as she came to stand next to her husband. She was still apprehensive with Lu Ten being in the public eye since the attempt on his life.
"There is no place safer for him than the Anniversary Summit," Zuko reminded her. "All of our family will be here, not to mention the White Lotus. No where is safer than with us."
"I've been thinking," the waterbender mumbled as she leaned her head against the Fire Lord's shoulder. "With everything thats happened, maybe we explore the idea of Azula getting her bending back."
"It's been on my mind too," Zuko looked down at his son. He hadn't even been in the Fire Nation when the attack happened, he couldn't imagine how is wife felt having heard the commotion not knowing if Lu Ten was alive or dead. "But I don't want to put her in a position to fail. And I'm afraid to broach the subject because she's been doing so well. I've been waiting for her to come to me."
"I agree that she has been doing so well and clearly her lessons with Piandao have been benefitting her. She was able to subdue Bujing without her bending," Katara moved to take Lu Ten in her arms. Something she had been doing anytime she spoke about the assassination attempt. She needed the reassurance that her son was here and perfect like he had always been.
The firebender watched as his wife cradled their son to her chest, resting her forehead against the baby. "If she broaches the subject, I will agree and ask uncle to come help her learn to control her breath of fire. I would do it but I think she would do better learning from someone else."
"Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara, we have received clearance from the Northern Water Tribe. We will be on the dock within the hour," Admiral Jee interrupted the conversation between the couple. He had been hanging back for a few minutes now but the closer the wall came he knew that he had to inform the monarchs of their imminent arrival.
Arnook stood on the dock waiting for the Fire Nation ship to dock, he bristled as he saw the Southern Chief walking toward the dock. This was his Anniversary Summit, Arnook thought to himself, Hakoda was beginning to demand more respect now that both of his children cultivated strong alliances with the other nations. Something the Northern Chief wanted to rectify this summit.
"Hakoda, while I appreciate the company, you do not need to wait with me," Arnook explained harsher than necessary. He gritted his teeth silently willing the other chieftain to leave him to greet the monarchs in peace. "I am more than capable of greeting the Fire Nation sovereigns."
Bato, who was only a few paces behind his husband, raised an eyebrow at the tone.
"I have no doubt in your ability, Arnook," the southern chief replied. He quickly brushed off his northern counter part, "I am only here as a father and grandfather waiting to greet my daughter and grandchild."
Since the Southern Tribe's arrival to the Anniversary Summit, Arnook had been less than pleased. Hakoda and Bato could clearly see the distaste that the northern chief was holding for their brothers and sisters. For a moment, Bato wondered if there was a spy in their mix leaking information to the Northern Chief to help destabilize the Southern Tribe.
The Northern Chief gritted his teeth but could not find any fault with Hakoda's logic. He turned back to the dock to watch as the Fire Lord's Flagship anchored into port.
On the ship, The Fire Lord and Lady were settling their son with the Fire Lady's courtiers. The couple had agreed since the most recent threats that they would announce Lu Ten formally at the welcome dinner that evening. Until then he would be with Mai and Ty Lee, tucked away from prying eyes.
"He'll be fine, Katara," Zuko reassure his wife. She snuggled Lu Ten close to her chest, not ready to leave him. The Fire Lord gestured to the noblewomen standing next to him, "Mai and Ty Lee are both very skilled warriors, you know they won't let anything happened to him."
"But with everyone here," the waterbender mumbled. She rested her forehead against Lu Ten's. Her breathing a little shaky as she thought over the last few months.
"He will not leave our sight," Mai reassured the Fire Lady. "Ty Lee and I have made sure that Lu Ten will always be with one of us."
"She's refusing to leave him?" Azula asked as she walked into the room, Piandao following closely.
Zuko nodded solemnly. "Her nerves are still a little raw since everything."
"Katara, why don't Piandao and I stay back with Lu Ten," Azula suggested. She knew that if it took too long for the couple to disembark, it would not look good for the Anniversary Summit. "At least until he is presented. Then, once he is announced we can make sure there is always one of us with him."
The Fire Nation Princess slid up next to her sister-in-law and moved to take the baby out of her arms. Azula hesitated for a minute but when she saw no resistance, easily picked up Lu Ten. She cooed at the baby, "Hi bub, you want to spend time with Auntie Azula?"
"Okay," the Fire Lady replied as she allowed her sister-in-law to take her son. Katara watched as Lu Ten snuggled up to his auntie. The waterbender smoothed out the robes she was wearing, they were specially made for the arrival in the Northern Water Tribe. A mix of red and blue in traditional Fire Nation attire to demonstrate the the Fire Lady's heritage. "Will you wait to disembark until the crowds have dissipated?"
"Of course," Piandao answered quickly. He and the Princess had planned to stay back with the baby until a prime opportunity to discreetly arrive at their guest chambers was available. There was no need to add stress to the Fire Lady.
With a final look to Lu Ten, the Fire Lord was able to coax the waterbender to disembark the flagship.
"Welcome Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Arnook greeted as the couple stopped in front of him. "We are honored you have made such a long journey, especially considering the recent assassination attempt."
Zuko discreetly moved his hand to his wife's lower back, heating it just enough she could feel it through her clothes. A gentle stroking of his thumb stopped her back from stiffening and drawing attention to her reaction. The couple had not made the attempt on their son's life public knowledge outside of the Fire Nation, in fact the waterbender's family did not know. The only people who knew were those on the royal council. Either Arnook was working with the rebels and knew of the attempt prior to it taking place, or their was still a traitor in the Fire Nation.
"We are honored to be here," the Fire Lord replied cooly. "I know my wife is thrilled to be back among the Northern Water Tribe, she speaks fondly of the waterbending tutelage she received here. As for an assassination attempt, I do not know what you speak of."
"Was there not an attempt on your life Fire Lord Zuko? I heard there was a trial of your own court and an execution," The Northern Chief pushed. He had placed a spy in the Fire Nation capital because he had assumed the Fire Lord was meddling in his plans for the Southern Water Tribe. Though Arnook had not received evidence of anything more than a trade agreement, he had learned of an attempt on the Fire Lord's life and an execution of a traitor gone wrong.
"An act of treason is more than an attempt on a sovereign's life," Katara broke in quickly. Her nerves settling as Arnook let some information slip. "Unfortunately there have been some who do not agree with the peace my husband has fought for so diligently. Though I do find it surprising that the news was heard all the way here in the Northern Water Tribe, when we have not even had the chance to inform Avatar Aang."
The Northern Chieftain ground his teeth together. He had slipped too soon, Hakoda and Bato waiting with him at the docks had made him just a little too sloppy. Arnook had not planned on divulging that information just yet.
Bato seeing the Northern Chief's anger simmering, stepped in quickly. His chuckle drew the attention of those around him, "Those gossip scrolls, they travel quickly now and never with the right information. Just the other day, I saw one saying that I was leaving Hakoda for a younger man."
"You'll have to show that scroll to my sister," Zuko followed the tribesman's lead. A chuckle that sounded more natural than forced. "She has a guilty pleasure of gossip scrolls."
Arnook scowled as he realized he was being ignored, this was his summit and he wanted everyone to see him being a gracious host. "Your heir is not with you?"
Malu shifted slightly where he stood behind the royal couple, a quick look to the side had him making eye contact with his second in command. The Captain of the Royal Guard's eyes narrowed behind the face mask he wore as he turned to look back at Arnook.
"Our child is with the nanny," Katara placated quickly. "We didn't think such a meeting was appropriate to take with a crying baby. Once we have seen our chambers, they will join us."
"I would be greatly honored if you chose to announce your heir at the welcome banquet tomorrow night," Arnook stated quickly. He wanted them with their guard down and he wanted his Anniversary Summit to be remembered.
"Thank you, we are honored at the allowance," the Fire Lady accepted quickly. They hadn't planned on announcing Lu Ten so publicly, but there was something in Arnook's eyes that made her accept.
The Fire Lord could feel the uneasiness from his guards and made a note to himself that he would have Malu make some discreet inquires about Arnook.
"It has been many years since the Air Nomads have had a seat at the table of the world, but it is my great honor to welcome them back," Arnook began as he opened the Anniversary Summit with a banquet. "Avatar Aang has been diligent in his search and has found a thriving community of Air Nomads. We welcome them to the Northern Water Tribe and offer our sincerest condolences for the destruction that has been caused."
"Thank you Chief Arnook, we are honored to be here in the Northern Water Tribe," Yanghao replied with a nod to the chieftain. The airbender was doing his best to nurture new relationships with the other nations, though he felt a little out of his depth.
The Air Nomads had been isolated for so long, he was unsure of himself never having been trained for this stage. Yanghao looked around at the other world leaders and was pleased to note he was not the youngest but not the oldest either. He had initially been apprehensive on taking the role of Prime Minister for the Air Nomads, considering he was just shy of his forty-third birthday. But Jinju and Aang had reassured him that he was an idealist that would work hard to bring their nation to its former glory and out of the shadows.
The Northern Chief continued his opening remarks welcoming the rest of the world leaders though his voice hardened just slightly when welcoming his sister tribe. Zuko shared a quick look with his brother-in-law at the tone coming from Arnook. While the Fire Lord of course was concerned with his own nation, it was important for him to know the tensions between the Water Tribes.
"Princess Azula, Avatar Aang informed me that you spent some time here in the Northern Water Tribe," Yanghao engaged to Fire Nation Princess in conversation once dinner had been served. "You must be eager to visit some old friends."
"There are a few that I intend to seek out," she nodded. The airbender Prime Minister had either not been aware of all the details surrounding her time in the Northern Tribe or he simply did not care. But Azula appreciated conversing with someone who did not look at her as something to be frightened of. "Is this the first of the other nations you have been to since relocating to the Air Temples?"
"It is," Yanghao confirmed. He was surprised to see the sword master's jaw tighten from his place next to the Princess. "Unfortunately, my wife was unable to attend as she just gave birth to our third son. I plan to bring back as many trinkets for my family as possible."
Azula could feel Piandao relax next to her when the airbender mentioned his wife and children. He feared for a moment that Azula might be thrust into a political match with the airbender prime minister.
"There is this little toy shop near the center of city. Taqukaq, the owner, is a master craftsman. His toys are not only extraordinary and the children enjoy them, but they are works of art," the Fire Nation Princess volunteered. "I plan on making a visit there, myself to acquire a gift for my nephew."
"Thank you for the recommendation, I will be sure to visit the shop," Yanghao nodded gratefully. "I'm sure the toys will be welcome among the sweets and treats I plan on brining back. My eldest, our daughter, has a sweet tooth that causes her mother a large headache."
He was noticing that many of the other dignitaries were appraising their conversation and he was unsure why. Turning back to the dinner in front of him, the prime minister chalked the scrutiny up to the fact that an airbender was conversing so causally with the Fire Nation Princess.
"If you are looking for sweets for your children, Princess Azula I'm sure could offer a list of suggestions," Piandao teased a twinkle in his eye as he looked at the young woman sitting next to him.
Azula looked down at her plate and pushed the food around a little. The sword master's teasing sent a pleasurable shiver down her spine.
The Fire Lady was watching the interaction with the Air Nomad Prime Minister and Azula. She could see the way Yanghao looked between the Princess and the sword master, the question on the tip of his tongue. Katara knew the Prime Minister would not be used to such political functions and was unsure if he would ask the question he wanted the answer to.
"Zuko, I think perhaps now would be a good time," the Fire Lady whispered to her husband. She quickly rose from her seat and made her way to their accommodations to retrieve her son.
The Fire Lord stood and took a utensil to his glass to gather the attention of the dignitaries around the table. His calling of attention, silencing the Air Nomad Prime Minister from asking a too personal question to the Fire Nation Princess in a too public setting.
"Chief Arnook, my wife and I are thrilled to be in the Northern Water Tribe this Anniversary Summit," Zuko nodded respectfully to the Northern Chieftain. "As many of you will remember, the First Anniversary Summit in Omashu ended with the betrothal of myself and Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe uniting the Fire Nation and The Water Tribes."
There were murmurings as the dignitaries present remembered the Fire Nation uniting with the Southern Water Tribe. The Fire Lady stood just outside the banquet hall as her husband addressed the summit.
"It is my great honor and pleasure to announce that unification has grown once again, with arrival of our first born son," Zuko's voice carried easily across the room. "I would like to introduce, Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne."
The Fire Lady walked into the room carrying their son regally, stopping once she joined her husband. There was an uproar of congratulations as many of the dignitaries were reassured that an heir to the Fire Nation now existed.
But the new Air Nomad Prime Minister could not help but notice the way the Northern Chieftain's jaw tightened at the display of affection from the dignitaries. Nor did Yanghao miss an Earth Kingdom nobleman gripping his wine glass just a tad too tightly. Peace needed to be nurtured if there was any chance of avoiding another hundred year war.
"Are you alright?" Zuko asked as his brother-in-law and best friend joined him in the meeting room. They had planned to meet half an hour ago, it was unlike Sokka to be late.
"Suki is not feeling well, since our travels she has been ill," the tribesman confided as he joined the firebender. "I'm grateful we left Keiko in Kyoshi with her other grandparents. Suki will be fine, just a small illness with bad timing."
"You seem extremely worried for a small illness, what aren't you telling me?"
Sokka rubbed a hand over his face. He hated that Zuko could read him so well. "It's nothing. Just a little bout of sea sickness that extended to land."
"Suki has never been sea sick in her life, oh!" The Fire Lord's eyes widened at recognition. "Congratulations, are you waiting to announce until you are sure?"
"She just had such a difficult time with Keiko," the tribesman murmured quietly. He shuffled the papers in front of him. "I don't want to set any expectations until we know for sure. And even then I'll worry."
The Fire Lord could tell his brother-in-law did not want to continue the conversation any further. So he passed a few of the documents forward that they needed to review before the meeting began.
"You know Toph is going to be the first person to sign up, once our proposal is accepted." Zuko chuckled as he reviewed the document in front of him, doing his best to redirect the conversation.
"Considering this is based off the Earth Rumbles, I wouldn't be surprised," Sokka agreed as he made a quick change to their proposal. "Two years in the making and we are finally ready to present."
Before the Fire Lord could respond, Keui and Hakoda entered the meeting room in conversation. The King of Omashu followed a few minutes after with the Avatar and the Air Nomad Prime Minister. Arnook trailed in behind them, allowing for the meeting to begin.
"Fire Lord Zuko and Southern Water Tribe Heir Apparent Sokka, have a proposal they would like to present that would benefit all the nations," Aang began once everyone was seated.
"Thank you, Avatar Aang," Zuko took the floor with Sokka next to him. "We have spent two years preparing this proposal. We believe it will bring a much needed camaraderie to the world as we navigate this era of peace."
"When traveling with the Avatar, I was fortunate enough to have a front row seat to some extraordinary benders," Sokka took over. "One of these instances was in the Earth Rumbles, where we met Master Toph Beifong. The underground earthbending games was not only entertaining, it was a way for some of the most talented benders to have some friendly competition and showcase their skill."
"We our proposing a Bending Games," the Fire Lord stated. "We would like to these games to be combined of sixteen teams four teams for the four nations. The teams will be sponsored by each nation. Each team will have four benders each, one from each bending element."
"The teams will compete every other year at the Anniversary Summit. Each team will live and train in the nation their team is sponsored by. The goal in creating a bond with other benders and the other nations," Sokka took over for Zuko. Before he could continue the doors were thrown open.
"I'm in!" The Blind Bandit yelled as she burst into the room.
"What are you doing awake at this hour?" Piandao asked his student. He had been returning from a rendezvous with the White Lotus and had not expected to find the Fire Nation Princess sitting on the steps of the Northern Water Tribe Palace.
"Couldn't sleep," Azula responded as she continued sketching the city in front of her. She had wandered outside a little less than an hour ago, sketch book in hand.
"Aren't you cold?" The sword master asked concerned as he took in her sleep clothes. He knew that since her firebending had been taken that she could not regulate her body temperature and often felt chilly.
"No more than usual," she shrugged, not really caring about the cold wind. Her hands continued to work, barely noticing how Piandao shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. He took a seat next to her on the steps.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked after a few moments. The sword master did not like seeing her so distressed.
Azula shook her head, she turned her sketchbook and kept the charcoal moving across the page. She didn't know how to voice what was wrong with her.
Instead of leaving her or filling the quiet with idol chatter, Piandao just sat in the silence with the Princess as she sketched. Time slipped away as the two sat on the palace steps. The only sign of the passing time was the stars adjusting throughout the night sky.
"I was fine," she mumbled as she continued to sketch. "And then I walked to Yagoda's home, I wanted to thank her. . ."
"But?" Piandao questioned when she trailed off.
The Princess sighed and flipped her sketchbook closed, her eyes settling over the sunrise. "I walked all the way to the door, but I couldn't go in."
"How come?"
Her eyes shut tightly. "Because in that moment, I was back there. The day I walked through that door for the first time."
The sword master waited for her to continue, but she never did. "Tell me about that day."
Tears silently began to fall as she remembered the first day she walked through Yagoda's door.
Azula stood inside the room that would become hers for the duration of her stay in the North Pole. She looked around hesitantly, the walls were filled with furs and tapestries of blue and was a bed off to one side with pelts and a window covered to keep the harsh winds at bay. A chair off to the side next to an empty bookshelf, though she could see where items used to be from the faded wood.
"I know since you are visiting royalty you had expected to stay in the palace guest quarters, but I thought you would be more comfortable away from prying eyes," Yagoda explained softly as Azula appraised the room.
The Fire Nation Princess nodded softly. She could read between the lines, they wanted her tucked away from the public.
"I'll let you get settled," the healer said before leaving Azula alone.
It was the first time the Princess had been alone since the day of Sozin's Comet. Suddenly every emotion she felt that day came tumbling back and she collapsed onto the floor crying.
"You've come along way from that day," Piandao comforted her. He bumped his shoulder against hers and was rewarded with a bittersweet smile. "But healing is not a straight forward journey. You've climbed mountains and now you are looking at the next peak."
"Genkei told me that I was too much trouble for a man," the Princess whispered not looking at him. She stood and handed back his coat to him. "Thank you for listening."
"Any time, Azula," he watched as she walked back into the Northern Palace. He called out to her, "Perhaps try visiting Yagoda again tomorrow, I'd be more than happy to accompany you."
"I will," Azula replied with a nod. "But I think I will be better off on my own. Good night Piandao."
The Fire Nation Princess drew back the furs of the igloo she had spent almost two years recuperating in. Her eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment to breathe in the scent of the healer's home, a rush of nostalgia filling her soul.
"Azula," Yagoda greeted her with a firm hug. She had developed a soft spot for the Fire Nation Princess, having heard many of the young woman's trials and tribulations. The younger woman returned the hug easily, a barely content smile gracing her features.
"I did not realize you had company, I can come back another time," Azula stated as her eyes met Kanna's over Yagoda's shoulder. The two women separating from their embrace.
"Nonsense, please join us," the healer ushered the Princess to sit at the table. "We were just having a pot of tea."
Azula nodded before taking a seat at the table, she had hoped to see Yagoda alone. The Princess had much she wanted to say to the woman who helped her heal but didn't really know how to say it. It was the reason she did not ask Piandao to join her when he offered.
"Yagoda was just informing me of the new school for waterbenders," Kanna broke the ice for the young woman. "Apparently they have been swayed to allow women to train in combat."
"Really? I'm sure Katara had some influence on the new school allowing women," Azula commented as she accepted the tea that Yagoda poured for her.
"My granddaughter tends to be very persuasive when she wants to be," Kanna agreed with a nod. She appraised the young woman with a critical eye.
The Princess sat back and allowed the women to gossip amongst themselves, occasionally adding a word or two to the conversation. About an hour later, Azula had tuned out the older women and was playing with the napkin on her lap when Kanna stood to depart.
"It was wonderful to see you old friend," Yagoda stated as she wished the other woman off. Azula's ears perked up at the tone and her brow drew together.
"You were not happy to have her in your home," the Princess stated once the healer retook her seat.
"I have found that just because someone left because of outdated beliefs, does not mean they did not bring those beliefs with them," the healer responded with a shake of her head. "But I am glad to see you, Azula."
The Princess looked down, she had been nervous to see the woman who took care of her at her worst. But being back in Yagoda's home had a sense of peace settling over her. "I am glad to see you too. I wanted to say thank you."
"For what?" The healer asked softly. She took in the young woman before her and was proud beyond belief.
Sitting in front of Yagoda was a woman who knew who she was and did not place any of her identity on what made her parents proud. A woman who had walked through fire on her own and rebuilt herself by facing her demons. This was the Princess that Azula was always meant to be.
"For everything," Azula whispered, she looked down at her hands.
"Piandao, I was looking for you," the Fire Lady greeted the sword master before taking a seat across from him at the tea table he was seated at with her step-grandfather. "Pakku, I hope you don't mind the intrusion."
"Not at all," the waterbending master replied a glimmer in his eyes. He had been the one to tell her of his plans with the sword master.
"Good afternoon, Fire Lady Katara," Piandao bowed his head in respect. Ever conscious of the fact they were in the North Pole and under much scrutiny. A server quickly moved over to the table and took the visiting monarch's drink order before leaving them.
"I'm glad I found you," the waterbender began almost hesitantly. She had been devising this plan with Pakku for weeks now, desperately hoping it was the push needed. But there was delicate balance she had to play for this to work. "As you know the farewell ball is tomorrow evening and the Water Tribe is very big on propriety. Especially when it comes to women of marrying age."
"Of course," the sword master nodded as he followed her thought process. There had been speculation he had heard throughout the Northern Tribe and he dared to hope she was asking him what he thought.
The server returned interrupting the Fire Lady before she could continue, she welcomed the intrusion to allow for her words to come more naturally. Once they were alone again Katara made her request. "It would not do well for Azula to attend unescorted."
"It would cause much titling throughout the tribe, perhaps tarnish the reputation she has worked so hard to rebuild throughout the rest of the nations," Pakku agreed pausing to look as if he was just now realizing the scandal. "We Northerners are very quick to gossip."
"If you would like me to suggest a suitable suitor for the evening, that she would get along with I would be happy to make them," Piandao offered. He dared not to volunteer himself so he would not upset the Fire Lady
Katara brushed him off as she sipped her tea. "I was hoping you would be willing to?"
"You would like me to escort Princess Azula?" The sword master clarified to make sure he was hearing the monarch correctly.
Pakku shook his head sadly, "It would leave her with much scrutiny to attend alone. We Northerns tend to be a conservative and old fashioned bunch." The waterbending master paused for effect; "You would be an excellent choice, Piandao, everyone knowns how close of a friendship you have with Azula. No one would think anything of it."
"I know it is a lot to ask but with everything that happened with Genkei, I just thought you would be the best option," Katara explained gently. She knew the sword master had heard the rumors of Genkei seeking out other women prior to formally ending his courtship with Azula. As well as witnessing the assault on the Princess. The Fire Lord had been very clear throughout all of the royal court that he had dissolved the courtship with Genkei and the Princess because of the councilman's lothario behavior.
"I am honored you have trusted me with such an important task," Piandao replied as to not seem too eager in his acceptance. But also recognizing the delicacy of the situation. "Of course I will escort Princess Azula, shall I make a formal invitation?"
"That might be best if you do not mind," the waterbender repressed the giddy feeling at his acceptance. "Zuko and I greatly appreciate all you have done for us, I hope you know that."
"It is my privilege to be there for your family."
"I'm surprised no one else asked to escort you," the sword master commented as he guided the Fire Nation Princess onto the dance floor. He couldn't help but notice the Minster of Justice was escorting one of Ty Lee's sisters.
"No one is jumping at the chance to court me, let alone escort me," Azula mumbled as Piandao pressed a hand to her lower back. As low as propriety dictated he could. She could feel his breath on her they were so close.
"Meaning?"
"Since everything happened, everyone who is eligible is terrified of me," her gold eyes looked toward the ground. She was loath to admit that courting was difficult for her. "Apparently shooting lightening at your brother and then attacking the man you are courting will do that."
Piandao chuckled throatily at her comment. He whisked her around the dance floor, being sure to keep her not only in view of everyone but also highlighting her attributes. The Princess was unaware of his showing her off, she only focused on the feeling of being in his arms. He had been a perfect escort all evening, attentive and kind. He was an excellent conversationalist something, Azula appreciated. She could listen to him speak forever, she thought to herself.
Her eyes fell to Genkei who was clearly not concerned with propriety with how he fiddled with Ty Lee's sister across the room. Azula hated that he had made her feel so special only to take advantage of her and manipulate their courtship for personal gain. Piandao could not help but follow her gaze as he saw her face drop.
"You don't scare me, little one," the sword master leaned down to whisper in her ear. His breath blowing over the shell causing a shiver to roll through her. She turned to look at him, his grey eyes dark as her gold eyes met his.
"I know," her reply was breathy. She licked her lips and noticed how his eyes followed the action. "But perhaps my messy bits are just too much to love, maybe I should just void myself of the expectation of finding love."
"The right man will love you because of that," he told her huskily. The sword master hated that she would give up on the chance of finding love because of what Genkei did to her. If only she knew that he loved her because of all the messy bits not in spite of them.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," King Keui greeted with a nod as he joined the Fire Nation sovereigns.
"King Keui," Zuko nodded back. He had been trying to find time to speak to the Earth King for days now. "I am disappointed we never had a chance to connect this Anniversary Summit."
"As am I. Lao's debts have increased with each passing day, I worry he is beginning to form some questionable alliances," Keui informed softly. He didn't want to draw attention to their conversation. The Fire Lord and the Earth King had tried desperately for a few minutes alone but they were always interrupted by either Arnook or Lao Beifong.
Zuko's brows drew together at the words. "He is still refusing government assistance?"
"I fear he has accepted assistance from those whose alliance is to destruction rather than the rebuild of the world," Keui shifted slightly to cover the reaction of the Fire Lady.
"Maybe we should speak to Toph privately," Katara suggested to Zuko softly.
Haru moved Toph away from the conversation taking place between the Earth King and the Fire Nation royal couple.
"Why are you moving me away from Zuko and Katara? I thought we were going to go talk to them?" The Blind Bandit asked her husband.
"They seem to be deep in conversation with umm," Haru hesitated briefly. "Keui, uh, they are in deep conversation with Keui."
"It's about my father isn't it?" She mumbled softly. Toph had been surprised when her father had arrived at the Anniversary Summit this year but did not participate in the negotiations. It made her wary that he did not want to be in trade negotiations, she worried about his business ventures. The Blind Bandit had spent an enormous amount of time avoiding Quon and his son Sheng, her father was still desperately trying to secure a match.
"I think so," he nodded. "But if they have questions or concerns about your father they can ask him, they do not need to bother you."
"We have been here for two weeks and he hasn't spoken to me at all," the Blind Bandit confessed softly. Though she hadn't needed to, Haru knew her father was snubbing her.
"Just give him sometime," he reasoned softly. The earthbender hated that his wife's father had disowned her just for loving him. There were many times, he thought maybe he should walk away. But something about Toph Beifong made Haru fight for her.
Toph knew that her husband regretted how their relationship caused problems with her family. But she wouldn't change it for the world. Haru saw her for who she truly was and loved her without judgement. Even though their relationship had caused her father to disown her, she would still fight for her family and that now included Haru.
The Avatar looked over at Yanghao where he was mingling with some Earth Kingdom nobles.
"He's a good fit for Prime Minister," Sokka commented as he went to join his friend. He knew Aang had been nervous of the integration of the Air Nomads into the Anniversary Summit. "He knows the past, but he is looking to the future."
"I agree," Aang petted Momo who was perched on his shoulder. "Though he refused reparations that Zuko offered to pay, I worry that some of the older generation will be angry with his decision."
"What was his reason for refusal?" The Water Tribe Heir asked, his brow drew together.
"Zuko has been financing all of the repairs for the Air Temples and has been sending supplies every month," the Avatar explained. It was not public knowledge that the Fire Lord had financed the repairs to the Air Temples nor that he was sending supplies to help nurture the growth of the Air Nomads.
"Yanghao seems to be level headed, perhaps do not publicize that he refused reparations. There is a nuance to these negotiations," Sokka advised gently. While Aang was the Avatar and now an adult, he sometimes still saw the world through the eyes of a child. "Give him sometime, before judging him too harshly. This is his first negotiation, he might have a reason for refusal that you have not considered."
"No one said that after the war ended, things would be this difficult," Aang sighed. He looked out at the gathered dignitaries with a frown. The Avatar thought that after ending the hundred year war, peace would reign. He didn't understand how much nurturing the world needed to enact the vision of the future he fought so hard for.
"Good evening, Lady Mai," Arnook greeted the noblewoman. He figured the best way to find out about the Southern Water Tribe was through the Fire Lord's mistress.
"Chief Arnook," Mai nodded at the tribesman. She barely spared him a glance, Ty Lee had stayed back at Katara's request to watch Lu Ten. All Mai could think about was getting back to her lover.
"It must be difficult to see him with her," the Northern Chief began lightly. "Especially since now they have an heir."
The noblewoman kept her face impassive as she responded, "Being a courtier means I have seen much more."
"I had thought with the difficulty to her tribe, the Fire Lady would return to the South Pole," Arnook stated. He watched closely for any reaction from the woman in front of him. "Perhaps instead she asked her husband to send aid, because of her pregnancy. That must have been a trying time, to see the physical manifestation of their coupling."
Mai looked across to the Fire Nation sovereigns deep in conversation with Keui. "An heir was inevitable. As for the Fire Lady returning to the South Pole, I know of no plans for her to return. But perhaps that is because the economy has been booming since the last colony release."
The Northern Chief's hands balled into fists at his side. He knew the Fire Lord had sullied his plans for the South Pole, but he had no proof. If only Lady Mai would allow her resentment at being passed over for Fire Lady show.
Unbeknownst to the conversation taking place across the ballroom, Zuko ended his conversation with the Earth King and quickly whisked his wife around the dance floor.
"Chin up, Katara," the firebender whispered softly to his wife as they mixed with the other couples. He was aware that too many had noticed the seriousness of the discussion taking place between them and Keui. For appearances sake, they needed to be seen enjoying themselves.
Plastering a small content smile on her face, Katara looked into her husband's eyes. "I worry about Lu Ten."
"Did you speak to Suki about implementing a nanny trained by the Kyoshi Warrior's?" He adjusted their frame as the music transitioned to a slower melody.
The Fire Lady nodded, using the change in tempo to push herself into her husband's arms. "She had a few recommendations, but with all of the threats and Bujing's assassination . . ."
"I know," Zuko placed his forehead against her's. "When we get home, we will make time for the roof."
Even now, only a few months shy of their second wedding anniversary, Zuko and Katara used the roof as their place to have hard conversations. The place where they could speak their fears with honesty and without judgement.
"Have you enjoyed being back in the North Pole?" Piandao asked as he walked Azula back to her room.
"It has been a pleasurable experience," she commented looking up at him quickly. Her eyes drifted to her feet as they continued walking, "Though I am looking forward to going home tomorrow. Have you enjoyed your stay?"
"I had more fun than I thought," the sword master mumbled as he guided her through the ice palace corridors. He relished the opportunity to hold her close while they danced. "Especially tonight, I'm glad you allowed me to escort you."
"Thank you for asking," the Princess replied as they stopped outside of her room. She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, taking in his lean and muscular form. Part of her wanted to invite him in but knew that would be vastly inappropriate.
Piandao shifted his weight from foot to foot. He wanted to prolong his time with her but did not want to compromise her in anyway, especially being in the Northern Tribe. "If you are interested Pakku showed me this peak that has a beautiful view of sunrise over the water. Perhaps you'd like to join me tomorrow before we depart?"
"I would like that very much," Azula grinned at him. She paused, wanting to continue the conversation but not knowing how.
"I'll meet you about an hour before sunrise," he bowed formally before placing a kiss on her hand. "Good night, Azula."
"Good night, Piandao." The Fire Nation Princess looked up at him from beneath her lashes again, gold eyes sparkling from the moonlight streaming into the hallway. Her eyes flicked to his lips and longed to taste him.
Before the sword master realized what he was doing his hand went to the back of her neck and he pulled her toward him. Piandao leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the Princess's lips. Within seconds he pulled away, his breath fanning over her face as he spoke "I shouldn't have done that. I apologize, Azula."
She blinked her eyes twice as he released her neck and put a bit of space between them. Azula licked her lips trying to savor the flavor of him before swallowing loudly and hoped her disappointment at his reaction didn't show. "It's alright, we both had a little too much to drink."
"Of course, thank you for your understanding," he mumbled with a nod and taking a visible step away from her. He hoped his embarrassment of acting on his instincts wasn't palpable to her. Piandao shifted his weight from one foot to the other, "I hope you still will join me tomorrow morning."
"Of course," she replied instantly. "I should get to bed though."
"Of course, well good night again," the sword master whispered before bowing formally and leaving her for the night. While he crossed all sorts of lines kissing her, Piandao knew he would savor the memory of her mouth on his for the rest of his life.
"Katara, it's freezing," Zuko grumbled as his wife dragged him through the glacier. It was their last morning in the North Pole and they were taking full advantage of the extra family watching Lu Ten before they returned to the Fire Nation.
The waterbender threw back her head and laughed from her spot ahead of him. "You're a firebender, Zuko! Stop complaining, we are almost there. Oh!"
"What?" The Fire Lord asked as he caught up to her. His eyes focusing on the couple that was already sitting on the edge of the glacier watching the first rays of the sunrise. "That's Azula and Piandao."
"Yeah it is," the waterbender whispered softly. The sword master was clearly whispering in the Princess's ear as he pointed out different aspects of the scenery. She was turned toward the older man as they sat incredibly close to one another, her thigh touching his thigh.
"This is your fault," the firebender mumbled to his wife. The couple moved for cover to observe Piandao and Azula inconspicuously.
"Like you're really upset," she tossed back to him as they hid behind a snow drift. "He's good for her and you know it."
"He's too old for her," Zuko grumbled petulantly. He didn't want to admit his wife was right, even though he had been able to see Piandao's influence on Azula throughout the past year and a half.
Katara smiled to herself as she watched her husband pout. He was still adjusting to his sister having a romantic life. Though she suspected he was worried because of the altercation with Genkei and not because Piandao was demonstrating interest in Azula.
The royal couple watched as Azula responded to something the sword master said, causing him to throw his head back and laugh. His carefree attitude was a shock for the Fire Lord and Lady to see.
"She made him laugh," Katara mumbled to her husband. Her sapphire eyes wide as they continued to observe.
"Did you see how she touched his arm?" Zuko whispered back as he watched his sister flirt with Piandao. The firebender bumped his shoulder against his wife's, "Look at how he is looking at her."
"He clearly has fallen hard, ugh! Why hasn't he said anything?" The waterbender grumbled annoyed at Piandao's and Azula's lack of understanding the other's feelings.
"Probably same reason we didn't," the Fire Lord sighed heavily. "If he does not ask to court her soon, I will be very surprised."
The Fire Nation Princess looked at her brother standing at the helm of the flagship. Her stomach flipped as she thought about going to speak with him.
A hand pushed lightly against her lower back in encouragement. She turned and shot the sword master a dirty look as he gave her a little shove. He did it again, ignoring her pouty lips and the memory of how they felt against his.
Piandao leaned down to whisper in her ear, "It's just your brother, not the Fire Lord. He will listen, go speak to him."
Azula took a deep breath, her steps shaky as she moved to stand next to her brother.
The Fire Lord turned to look at his sister as she joined him. "As important as the anniversary summit is, I am eager to get back home. Did you enjoy being back in the North Pole?"
"It was nice to see Yagoda," the Princess mumbled. She was happy her brother had introduced a subject of conversation. "Did you enjoy it?"
Zuko chuckled softly as he thought about the last time he was at the North Pole. "It was a very different experience than the first time I was at the North. Did I ever tell you that I swam through the water ducts to infiltrate the city?"
"No," Azula's eyebrows rose. She couldn't keep the longing out of her voice as she responded to him. "Your breath of fire was strong even then. I never realized how much control you had."
The Fire Lord paused the story he was about to tell when he heard the longing. He turned away from the northern sea to look at his sister. Her gold eyes far away. "You miss it."
She nodded slowly and hesitantly, though his words were a statement not a question. "Lately it feels like a part of me is missing. No matter where I am or what I do, I feel an icy chill through my body. I no longer can feel the time of day from the sun. Training with Piandao has helped but I feel the missing connection everyday and as each day passes it gets worse."
Zuko watched as she clutched the flame of her necklace. He hadn't realized how much her spirituality was being affected by the lack of her bending. The Fire Lord forgot all about his sister's feelings for the sword master, his only focus was the pain she was feeling. "Do you want it back?"
Azula's gold eyes filled with tears and met her brother's eyes. "Would you hate me if I said yes?"
Notes:
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter!
Chapter Thirty Coming October 2024!
Chapter 30: Chapter Thirty: Fall 105 AG
Notes:
Hi Everyone!!
I would like to thank you all for your patience. If you follow me on Instagram you know that my puppy had gotten sick which prevented me from having the time to do final edits on this chapter. Then I had to send it to my beta reader which took a little bit of time to get back. But it's finally here!
Thank you for all of your continued support!! I so appreciate hearing all of your feedback :)
A few things about this chapter, first the lullaby sung is adapted from Song of the Sea by Nolween Leroy.
Trigger Warning: Miscarriage
I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part Three: The Dawn of Moon and Sun
Chapter Thirty: Fall 105 AG
Azula laid awake sketching, it had been a week since returning from the anniversary summit and her mind kept bringing her back to Bujing's execution. Something didn't seem right to her. The placement was too poised, and the kill was too good for any old earthbender. One would automatically go to the blind earthbender or the King of Omashu for such skill, but for Azula she paused. There was something in the back of her mind that she couldn't quite place.
She looked down at the image of the sword master she had been sketching, her fingertips smudging the curve of his bottom lip. Azula breathed out slowly through her mouth; she could still taste him from when he kissed her. For a minute, she had a small spark of hope that he felt the same way, but then he blamed it on too much to drink, and her hope shattered in an instant.
The Fire Nation Princess threw her sketchbook on her desk as she moved from the settee. She needed to be anywhere but in her room. As she slipped on her dressing robe, she exited her room and began wandering the halls of the palace. Allowing her feet to lead her where she needed to be.
Her knuckles rapped on the door without her realizing she was standing outside his room.
"Azula?" Piandao questioned as he answered his bedroom door. His concern at seeing her grew, her eyes wild and her hair haphazardly up out of her face. The Princess swallowed noisily as she looked over Piandao's bare torso, him having answered the door in only a pair of sleep pants.
"I think I know who killed Bujing," she whispered dragging her eyes away from his body.
"Is that what you wanted to tell me?"
She shook her head because she couldn't quite remember what she wanted to tell the sword master. "I — I need to see Makoto, will you come with me?"
Piandao didn't respond, he shut the door quickly to put on a shirt and grab two cloaks then met the Princess standing outside his room. He handed her one of the cloaks and gestured for Azula to follow him.
The pair walked quickly through the palace and the trail leading to Caldera Prison, nothing was said between them. While most might have been concerned that the Princess was having another breakdown, the sword master suspected that she was just allowing herself to be vulnerable in front of him.
"Who's there?" Warden Poon called out as the pair approached the prison.
Piandao held up a hand to call off the questions and the Warden stopped when he recognized the sword master. "We need to speak with one of your prisoners, Makoto. The Princess believes he may have pertinent information regarding the recent assassination attempt on Prince Lu Ten's life."
"Of course," the Warden moved quickly to allow the entrance of Piandao and Azula. He was a little surprised to see the two here on official business in the middle of the night. But he gathered that whatever happened, Fire Lord Zuko found it important enough to send them at this hour. The warden didn't even think to ask for the Fire Lord's seal to verify the sword master's and the Princess's clearance to see Makoto.
Piandao gestured for Azula to enter the prison first, following closely behind her. He kept his lower hand on her back in a sign of silent support as they walked through the prison. The sword master allowed the Princess to enter the cell after the warden, he didn't doubt her ability to defend herself if necessary. Though Piandao knew that she was in no danger.
Makoto sat with his back against the wall of his cell, legs outstretched in front of him crossed at the ankles. His arms were over his chest and his head was tilted back, eyes closed. "A bit late for you to begin another interrogation, Poon."
"Interrogation? That's a hostile word for a conversation," Azula stated as she moved to sit cross-legged in front of Makoto.
The prisoner's eyes opened to look at the Fire Nation Princess sitting casually in front of him. The only thing separating them was the prison bars. "A visit from Princess Azula, at this hour? Careful or you might become the suspect of treason."
"Warden Poon, if you could give us some privacy," the Princess requested without removing her eyes from Makoto. She noticed he didn't seem to realize that Piandao was in the cell with her. Something she would not bring attention to.
"Of course Princess," the warden bowed and left the cell. He was a little surprised at the request but didn't think much of it as the Fire Lord often requested privacy when he had visited Ozai. Whatever the information was they were trying to glean out of Makoto, it was a matter of utmost security.
"Privacy? Perhaps you are looking to become a traitor," Makoto closed his eyes again and leaned his head against the wall. He wouldn't mind if the Princess tried to take down the Fire Lord, less of a mess for him. And the promises he made to his allies would be kept. Not to mention, if he helped her it could mean his ticket out of prison.
Azula watched the way he breathed, counting the seconds between each inhale and exhale. She adjusted her position to mirror his as best she could. "Bujing made an attempt on the Crown Prince's life. He was sentenced to execution for his crimes, the council not believing they could trust him with you serving a life sentence in prison."
The prisoner chuckled softly, now the council paid attention to what was going on around them. Bujing had truly been the sloppy one in the organization, if it wasn't for him then Makoto wouldn't have been in prison. "When was he executed?"
"He wasn't, not by the Fire Lord at least. Before he could speak his last words, a spindle was lodged in his throat." Azula watched as Makoto's eyebrow twitched, a bored tone overtook her voice. "But you knew that. Everyone thought Bujing was the brains of the operation. In reality, it was you."
Makoto began a slow lazy clap. "Bravo, Princess Azula. Not that the information will do you any good. Poon has used his best interrogation techniques and still has not gleaned any information."
"I'm not here to do anything with the information," the Princess corrected. She was rewarded with his eyes opening in surprise. "I'm here to complement your little band of rebels on silencing Bujing. He always did talk too much."
"That he did," he chuckled lightly at that. Bujing almost blew their cover on multiple occasions. His anger at seeing the new Fire Lord take control of the Fire Nation and the waterbender becoming Fire Lady made Bujing sloppy. If they had gathered intel like they were supposed to and waited a little longer for the assassination, the Fire Nation could have been in their hands by now.
"And he was entirely too involved with his mistress," she studied her nails briefly. "Not to mention he recruited his daughter for help but Hinata was so desperate for affection. It was easy to get her to spill all of Daddy's secrets."
"I told him not to use her," the prisoner grumbled. His jaw tightened at the realization that the Fire Lord could be dead if Bujing had just listened to him and not used his daughter for intel.
"Yes, well it was almost as big of a mistake as using me as your cover in your attempt on Zuzu," the Princess replied with a bored tone. She shook her head lightly in disapproval, "Frankly, I was too obvious of a suspect, really you should have picked someone that was a tad more of a surprise. But I guess you suspected no one would think you were the brains of the operation."
"I would have been successful if you hadn't been so concerned with my proposal," Makoto mumbled annoyed. He looked anywhere than at the Princess, not wanting her to see she was getting under his skin.
"Though I guess we could only expect so much after all you did align yourself with earthbenders," Azula continued. She needed to be very careful with her words. "They are so brutish, I'm surprised one of them was able to have the precision to kill Bujing from that far away. Just a dull bunch of rocks those earthbenders. They almost easily could have taken out half of your supporters in the crowd."
"These earthbenders have been trained in precision all their life," Makoto responded without thinking. He couldn't wait for her to leave his cell. Did she come to gloat?
"An earthbender trained in precision? Imagine that, it's almost laughable," the Princess snickered. She needed him to be just the right amount of annoyed to let his guard down.
The prisoner ground his teeth, "If I remember correctly, you aligned yourself with earthbenders during the war."
"Only because I staged a coup in Ba Sing Se, a successful one might I add in only a week," she flipped her hair over her shoulder. "But I would never use an earthbender for a precision job, only a firebender would do. Even that little blind one isn't as skilled in the art as a non-bending Fire Nation soldier. Too savage. Too sloppy."
"These aren't any earthbenders," he defended his allies. Did she really think she was that much smarter? "In fact, they are skilled in precision and stealth. I expect them to free me soon."
Azula kept speaking, allowing him to think she didn't hear him. "I mean can you even believe an earthbender could do such a thing? Poor little earthbenders couldn't even gain an upper hand in the war in a hundred years. Even Zuzu knows he should not be worried about the Earth Kingdom. And my brother is not the sharpest iron in the fire. This little rebellion of yours has just been a little annoyance, I mean you aligned yourself with Bujing who is very sloppy and then savage earthbenders —"
"You think the Dai Lee are savage? And Long Feng?! You think him sloppy?" Makoto cut her off. The Princess's eyes snapped to his, a smirk gracing her face. The prisoner paled as he realized his mistake.
"Goodbye Makoto," Azula stood not giving him a second glance as she walked out of the cell. Piandao held his hand out for the Princess to take as they exited the prison and made the journey back to the palace, he could tell she needed the comfort only touch could offer.
"Fire Lord Zuko," Akio began as the monarch shuffled through the papers in front of him. The secretary did not want to be bringing this news to the Fire Lord but it was his responsibility. Why did it have to be bad news first thing in the morning, Akio thought to himself.
"What is it, Akio?" Zuko barely looked up at the man standing in front of him. The firebender's brow furrowed as he read the final report on the Chan family investigation, a trial date needed to be set for the labor crimes committed he thought to himself.
"Makoto was found dead in his cell this morning," the secretary informed. He braced himself for the monarch's reaction.
The Fire Lord placed the report on the Chan family on his desk, he looked up at his secretary. "I can't say I'm surprised. I didn't expect him to last this long after Bujing's execution."
"You aren't surprised that it was after Azula's visit to him last night?" Akio questioned, eyebrows raised in surprise. As the Fire Lord's right hand, it was his job to know everything that happened in the Fire Nation.
The tightening of Zuko's jaw was the only indication of his surprise to learn of his sister's midnight meeting with the prisoner. His voice was steady as he answered: "No, it means she was able to learn what she needed. He divulged too many secrets and this was his punishment."
"I guess that makes sense," the secretary nodded. He scratched the back of his head. "I did not see a meeting scheduled with Princess Azula, should I make one?"
"Azula has her orders and I expect she will schedule an audience once those are completed," the Fire Lord replied easily. He looked down at the papers on his desk so as to not bring attention to his surprise. "No use hunting her down while she is still gathering information for her report."
"Of course, Fire Lord," Akio bowed and excused himself. He could see the words for the dismal that they were.
Zuko stood from his desk and moved to stand on the balcony of his office. His hands gripped the railing, the metal feeling cold against his overheated skin. He looked out at his nation before him. The Fire Nation sovereign took a deep breath of the morning air. He trusted Azula he reminded himself, she was not the same person she was during the war. Zuko's words were swallowed by the morning breeze, "I trust Azula."
Across the palace, the Fire Lady was having tea with her sister-in-law and courtiers.
"Chief Arnook thinks I'm sleeping with Zuko," Mai told Azula and Katara over tea. The noblewoman looked over at her lover, a little unsure. Ty Lee had encouraged Mai to come forward with the suspicions of the Northern Water Tribe Chief, even if they were misguided.
"He made his thoughts known at the farewell ball before we left the North Pole," the acrobat supplied for her partner. Even though the suspicion was misled, Ty Lee knew that Mai was uncomfortable with the topic.
"Where would he get an idea like that?" Katara shook her head.
"Desperation would be my best guess," the Fire Nation Princess smoothed the napkin on her lap. Between her late-night rendezvous with Makoto and now this, Azula was emotionally exhausted. "His attempts to rattle the Southern Water Tribe have been unsuccessful, I would not put it past him to begin rumors in the gossip scrolls."
The Fire Lady rocked her son softly as she listened to her courtiers. "He is a fool if he thinks anyone would believe them. The number of compromising positions the staff has caught not only myself and Zuko in, but you and Ty Lee in would make his head spin."
Mai blushed as she looked away from the monarch. She and Ty Lee did their best to be discreet, but that did not mean they had not been walked in on by more than just Zuko.
"In any case, he clearly wants to sow discontent within his sister tribe," Azula moved the conversation on. She briefly wondered if perhaps Arnook was framing the Earth Kingdom, but pushed that idea out of her head. The Northern Chief would not want to create a power vacuum within the Fire Nation, that would leave them at the mercy of a potential Ozai supporter.
"I would not put it past him to do something desperate to merge the two tribes," Mai spoke up. It was something she had been thinking about. "The loss of his daughter caused too many wounds, I believe he is trying to merge the two tribes."
"Your brother had a brief dalliance with Arnook's daughter?" Azula asked as she looked at her sister-in-law. The Princess remembered hearing a rumor in the North Pole when she was staying with Yagoda.
"Dalliance is not how I would characterize it," the waterbender briefly looked down at her son. "He loved her truly, and I believe she felt the same for him. But Yue was betrothed to someone else, a political match."
The Fire Nation Princess nodded deep in thought. "I would warn your father that Arnook is looking for anything to place the Southern Tribe under his thumb. Hakoda's international relationships will be critical this year, if Arnook believes Mai is sleeping with Zuko then he means to act soon."
"Sit up straight," Mai scolded her little brother as Ty Lee adjusted his hair. They were currently waiting to see the headmaster of the Royal Fire Academy for Boys.
Tom-Tom made a face at the correction but did what he was told. It had been a month since his sister had become his guardian.
"It's just a formality," Ty Lee tried to soothe her lover as she retook her seat. "We have the recommendation from Zuko and we are both on the royal court."
Mai nodded, "That doesn't mean I want him to make a bad impression."
The acrobat reached out and gave her hand a quick squeeze. Taking over the guardianship of Tom-To had been a difficult decision. But it was the right decision, and they were going to make sure that he was raised in a home with a lot of love and given every opportunity available.
"Good afternoon Lady Mai, Lady Ty Lee, and you must be Tom-Tom," the headmaster greeted with a nod. "If you will follow me."
The group made their way into the headmaster's office and quickly took their seats.
"Thank you for seeing us today," the noblewoman began. "We understand the fall semester is beginning next week and we were hoping to have Tom-Tom enrolled in the first-year class."
"I would have to check the enrollment roster of the first years to see if we have a spot for him," the headmaster stated with a slight frown. "As you know we like to keep our class size small to ensure a quality education."
"We understand," Ty Lee smiled at the man as she reached for the recommendation from the Fire Lord. "If it helps, we have a few recommendations we would like to submit to Tom-Tom's application."
The headmaster's eyes widened as he took in the Fire Lord's seal. He knew both of these women were on the royal court, but he had not expected a personalized recommendation from the sovereign. His hand extended to accept the scroll, "Of course, we welcome any and all recommendations."
"In addition, we are prepared to pay the full year's tuition today," Mai stated her eyes meeting his. "As well as Fire Lady Katara has a vested interest in Tom-Tom's education as she is still considering private tutoring or enrolling Prince Lu Ten into your academy when the time comes."
"Yes, I am sure seeing how wonderful of an education we can provide to Tom-Tom will ease her worries," the headmaster agreed immediately. He stood from his desk, "If you will give me just a moment I will evaluate the roster and see if we can accommodate Tom-Tom this year."
Ty Lee looked at her lover with a raised eyebrow once they were alone, "Laying it on a little thick."
"Nothing I said was untrue," Mai countered as she picked at the imaginary lint on her clothes.
Before the acrobat could respond the headmaster was already walking back into his office. "Good news, we have one space left for a first year."
"That is good news," the noblewoman replied. She shot the acrobat a sly look at how quickly the headmaster's narrative changed.
"Now we just need to pick his electives. As you both know being alumni of our sister school, we provide a holistic education," the headmaster began his sales pitch. He passed each of the women a brochure. "We have rigorous academics, in addition to a thriving arts program and athletic program. Every student is required to pick an art and athletic spot to be a part of. In addition, each student will be trained in a form of combat training. Traditionally firebenders are trained in their bending, and our non-bending students have their choice of archery, swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and marksmanship."
Mai turned to her brother showing him the brochure, "Tom-Tom do you have a preference for the art that you would like to take part in?"
"Could I be part of the band?" He asked his sister, eyes big. His mother and father rarely let him have a choice in his studies before.
"Of course," Mai agreed quickly, she shared a small smile with him. "For his arts elective, we will have him in music."
The headmaster nodded as he began filling out the forms. He was surprised at the autonomy that the noblewoman was offering her brother.
"And what about athletics?" Ty Lee asked him from the other side. She was looking over the page with the sports teams.
"Could I do kuai ball?" He asked. Tom-Tom had seen others play on Ember Island and he wanted to learn. This time the headmaster did not wait for Mai or Ty Lee before he filled out the forms.
"And lastly, your combat elective?" The headmaster asked realizing quickly, how the meeting was going. He suspected if Tom-Tom enjoyed himself and the noblewomen were happy, not only would the Crown Prince attend but the headmaster could be on the receiving end of an increase to his budget from the royal court.
"Would you be mad if I did archery?" Tom-Tom looked up at his sister shyly. He knew her skill with knives and stilettos, but he did not want to be a marksman.
"If you want to do archery, then you will do archery," Mai soothed. She wanted Tom-Tom to be his own person and not have the struggles she did regarding their father's political career. Or the pressure from their mother to be the perfect child.
The meeting wrapped up quickly and the noblewomen walked home with Tom-Tom between them holding their hands. They were making their own little family.
"Zuko! I thought you had a dinner meeting with Ukano and the royal advisors tonight," the Fire Lady greeted her husband with a happy smile as he joined his family and Piandao for dinner.
Since returning from the North Pole, the Fire Lord rarely made it on time to have dinner with his wife. He would finish his day in time to help put his son down for the night and have a brief conversation with his wife before climbing into bed. Both of the monarchs were feeling the lack of time together.
Zuko leaned over to check on his son in the cradle next to the dinner table. Now that Lu Ten was a little older, Katara wanted him closer to her. The little prince was on his tummy, gurgling away. Before taking his seat, the Fire Lord leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his wife's lips. "We finished early, so I thought I would join you."
The Fire Nation Princess. looked away from the couple, less because of the public display of affection and more because she still had not told her brother about her midnight meeting with Makoto. Azula had gathered some important information but she didn't understand how all the pieces fit together and she did not want to cause her brother more stress until she had figured that out.
"Well, I'm glad I get to spend the evening with my husband," Katara beamed at him.
"Shall we leave you two alone?" Azula asked as she faked gagging. Piandao coughed behind his napkin as he resisted the urge to react to his student's teasing.
"Azula!" Ursa scolded her youngest child. In the older woman's opinion, matters of the bedroom should stay private. The Fire Nation Princess bit her tongue instead of responding to her mother's scolding.
"Giya, if you could please set a place for my husband and ask the chef to make him a plate," the Fire Lady distracted their dinner patrons with her request to the maidservant.
"Piandao, I understand you were thinking of returning home in the next few weeks," the Fire Lord commented as he waited for his dinner. Zuko didn't think he would have caught the look of alarm in his sister's eyes if he had not been looking for it.
"There are a few things that need to be taken care of in Shu Jing," the sword master explained. He noticed the way his student's shoulders pulled back in surprise, her back stiffening. "But it would only be for a short time so I may return and continue Azula's training. I'm sure she would welcome the break."
"I remember being trained by you, I'm sure she would very much enjoy a break," Zuko commented with a chuckle. "She has become quite the swordsman under your tutelage. I was watching the competitions in Caldera the other day, having observed her training I would say she is miles above."
"She easily surpasses them," Piandao agreed with a nod. He had also seen the swordsmanship competitions in the city and had thought about asking the Princess if she would like to compete. She could undoubtedly top the leaderboard and he thought the competition environment would be good for her.
A servant placed the Fire Lord's dinner down, and before he could turn to thank them the servant was gone from his sight. Zuko took a deep inhale of the food in front of him, a familiar note tickled his nostrils. It reminded him of traveling in the Earth Kingdom with his uncle. As he took his first bite, he instantly tasted the familiar scent on his palate. A nagging part of his brain tried to place the scent, but he fell short. He took another bite, savoring the flavors dancing on his tongue.
It wasn't until the tingle crawled up his throat that he placed the scent.
"I hadn't realized you were thinking of returning to Shu Jing," the Princess said softly to the man sitting next to her. She swallowed awkwardly around the lump in her throat.
"Wanting to get rid of me that easily?" He teased his student with a slight twitch of his lips.
Azula looked down so he would not see her disappointment, "I just had not realized that there were things you needed to take care of in Shu Jing. Though it is to be expected, you need to manage your estate."
He wanted to believe that he heard the disappointment in her voice but he thought it was just wishful thinking.
"As much as Fat can handle himself and take care of the estate, there are a few things that I need to be there for. It will only be for a week or two," Piandao tried to explain though his words fell flat. His butler could handle the estate just fine without him. The sword master didn't want to admit that being around his pupil was intoxicating. He needed a bit of distance to allow himself the ability to continue to be professional.
The Fire Nation Princess turned her gold eyes to his grey ones, searching for something. "I understand."
The sword master suspected he imagined the twinge of sadness in her eyes at the news of his potential departure. But he could not pull his gaze from hers, the reality of his departure coming to the forefront of his mind. It was a necessary step, but one he hated to make.
"Zuko!" Katara exclaimed startled as her husband started coughing and fell from his seat. A rash beginning to form across his face and chest.
Azula pulled herself away from Piandao's gaze, jumping up to help her brother. The sword master followed her lead.
The Fire Lady pulled water to her immediately as she moved closer to her husband, seeking the source of his distress. She took a deep breath as she placed her hands around his throat.
"Is he choking?" Ursa asked as she looked around the room in distress. While her skill with herbs and poisons was incomparable, the Fire Lord's mother did not know how to handle the situation in front of her.
"No, it would be in his throat," the waterbender replied as she continued searching with a hand gloved in water. Her heart was in her throat as she aided the love of her life.
"Poison most likely," Azula mumbled. Her brother's dinner only had a few bites left. That's odd she thought to herself. "It's in the broth!"
Katara's head whipped around to look at the plate at the head of her table, the broth a slightly different color than the rest of the table's. "Azula, Piandao hold him down, this is gonna hurt! Keep his head steady, and his mouth open."
"Malu, find that servant! And take Lu Ten out of here!" The Princess shouted as she moved into position. The Captain of the Royal Guard nodded while issuing instructions to the rest of his subordinates, Malu himself taking the Crown Prince from his cradle.
Master and student made quick work following the Fire Lady's instruction to hold the Fire Lord in place. Piandao's hands trapped Zuko's arms against his body, while Azula held her brother's head still. Within seconds, the waterbender began to bend the liquid in his stomach pulling the poison from his body. As the liquid traveled in the opposite direction, the Fire Lord began to gag and thrash against the hands holding him down.
The waterbender's hand pulled the inky black bile from her husband's mouth, only minutes after he had fallen from the poison.
Zuko gasped for breath once his wife had stopped bending.
"Easy," Piandao advised as the Fire Lord tried to sit up with his assistance.
"Your throat will probably hurt for a little bit, but I'll heal you after the physician looks at you," Katara explained as she looked over her husband. She trusted her healing abilities but wanted the medical expertise of the physician to verify there was no lasting damage first. The last thing she wanted to do was trap the poison in his body.
"It's white jade," Zuko rasped. The itching raced throughout his entire body, though the effects were milder than before. A faint memory of the Dragon of the West being treated by Song in the Western Earth Kingdom flitted through his mind. His nose wrinkled as he remembered the scent of the green paste she had used.
Appa landed with a loud thud just outside the Fire Nation Palace. The Avatar jumped down next to his sky bison soundlessly. Momo flew around the bison as Aang cooed at his companion softly, "Good job buddy."
"Avatar Aang," the Fire Lord's secretary greeted with a respectful nod and slight bow. "Welcome back to the Fire Nation. We hope the journey went smoothly."
"Thank you for having me," the Avatar nodded back to the man. "The journey is always smooth with Appa."
"The Fire Lord is waiting for you in his office, " Akio explained when he noticed Aang looking around. "The royal guard will attend your bison and lemur, a place in the stables has already been prepared."
The Avatar's brow furrowed, if Zuko wanted both Appa and Momo to be catered to then this conversation was a much larger concern than he originally anticipated. He knew his friend had asked him to come as quickly as possible but this seemed to have a level of urgency that he was not anticipating.
"I appreciate that, thank you," Aang waited until the guards led Appa toward the stables before turning back to Akio. "Let's not keep the Fire Lord waiting!"
The two men walked in silence to the Fire Lord's office, many of the royal court were littering the palace grounds and hallways. All hoping to derive some form of information out of a conversation heard in passing to help gain favor with the Fire Lord. Each of them were disappointed when the Avatar and the Fire Lord's secretary were silent in their walk to the Fire Lord's office.
"Welcome, Avatar Aang," Zuko greeted formally as Akio shut his office door, his voice echoing into the hallway. Aang's eyes widened as he took in the fact that his friend was not alone in his office. That coupled with the formality that Zuko greeted him, made goosebumps appear on his skin.
Aang turned to look back as the door shut behind him, once they were alone he whipped around to face the firebender ignoring everyone else in the room. "What the flameo is going on Zuko? Katara? Akio said nothing! And your letter told me to come urgently but not to alert anyone. The anniversary summit was only a few months ago!"
"Take a seat Aang," the Fire Lord gestured to the empty chair in front of his desk. Zuko watched as the Avatar took a seat next to Azula.
The sword master who was standing off to the side, shifted toward the Fire Nation princess. He placed a hand on the back of her chair in silent support.
"Aang, we asked you here because of the recent assassination attempts," Katara said from her place next to her husband.
"So Arnook was right, there was an attempt on your life," the Avatar's eyes widened as he looked at the Fire Lord.
"There was an attempt before the Anniversary Summit," Zuko confirmed with a nod. He didn't feel the need to mention the poisoning from a few weeks prior. His eyes drifted to where his sister sat almost demurely, her eyes downcast. "But the important thing is we think it's time for Azula to have access to her bending."
"I don't know," Aang shifted in his seat. He wasn't a hundred percent sure giving Azula back her bending was a smart idea. "I've never given someone back their bending, I don't know if I could."
"We just ask that you try, Aang" Katara tried to make eye contact with him. He looked anywhere but at the Fire Nation Royal couple. Aang didn't have the heart to tell them no, but he still didn't trust Azula.
"Does Yagoda and the palace physician think she is in a place that if she had her bending she wouldn't be a danger to others?" The Avatar deflected quickly. Hoping his words would be seen as concern for Azula and not apprehension at returning her bending.
The Fire Nation Princess looked away from the airbender, her jaw tightened. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the sword master. Azula hated that she had been working so hard to heal and now here she was being questioned on her mental competency.
"Azula was given a clean bill of health from both Yagoda and the palace physician when she returned to the Fire Nation over a year and a half ago," Zuko stated his voice stern but respectful. "And we asked Master Piandao here if you would like his opinion on Azula's ability to handle her bending."
"Master Piandao," Aang turned to the sword master. "Do you think Azula will be a danger to others if she has her bending?"
Azula's gold eyes met Piandao's grey eyes.
"I have no doubt in my mind that if Azula has her bending she will not be a danger to herself or anyone else," Piandao stated his eyes locked on the Princess. He shifted his gaze to the young airbender. "And if you have any concerns, I promise you that I have already spoken to a few firebending masters who are more than willing to help guide her through the transition."
"I don't know if I can, but I'll try," the Avatar finally agreed after a few minutes. "Azula if you would please kneel in front of me."
The Fire Nation Princess kneeled in front of the Avatar and waited for him to place one hand on her forehead and the other on her chest. Within seconds, Aang's eyes and tattoos glowed.
Her eyes closed. The pressure of the Avatar's hands on her was the only anchor to the world around her. Heat rose through her body in a slow deliberate slither, covering every inch of her in an all-consuming cocoon.
Azula gasped for breath as he released her a few moments later, feeling like for the first time in years she could breathe deeply again.
"How do you feel Zula?" Zuko asked as his sister sat back on her heels. Her eyes opened wide, the gold of her iris glowing slightly.
Piandao watched as her chest rose and fell with each breath. He scanned her body briefly and noticed how her skin had a healthy glow to it that had been lacking before. The sword master had thought she was beautiful before, but now with her bending returned she looked stunning and healthy.
"I can feel the heat of the sun again," she replied softly. The Princess blinked back the tears forming. "And I feel like I can breathe!"
Zuko crawled into bed with his wife with a quick kiss before turning to the scrolls on his nightstand. Within seconds he was writing in the margins and making a list of things he needed Akio to do tomorrow.
"I can't believe you brought work into our bed," the waterbender grumbled to her husband. He was making notes on the tourism plans that Azula had given him earlier that day.
"Me? Look at what you're reading!" He looked up and gestured to the scroll in her hand. "That is the budget for Ty Lee's art school!"
Katara looked down at the scroll and then looked back at her husband. She tried to remember the last time they went to bed without bringing work with them. "When did we become these people?"
"Life got busy," Zuko sighed softly. It was difficult to take a break when the weight of an entire nation was on his shoulders, he thought to himself.
"Do you think we have not delegated enough?" The Fire Lady asked. Since the assassination attempts, the couple was reluctant to bring any more people into their court. But that meant they had to do more work to keep everything running smoothly.
"With three people removed from the council and their spots not filled, I think there is no doubt that we are not delegating enough," he scrubbed a hand over his face. "We have no Minister of Agriculture, no Minister of Defense, and no Minister of Environmental Conservation."
"Not to mention the positions that still need to be filled, Transportation, Trade, Foreign Affairs, and Urban Development," Katara added softly. Vetting nobles for the council was difficult when there had been so much rebellion and treason.
"Maybe tomorrow we cancel all our meetings and spend time with the royal advisors to fill all the positions by the end of the month," the Fire Lord suggested after a moment. Clearly trying to minimize the rebellion was not working, maybe having everyone where he could see them and potentially eliminate the amount of threats. Or at least allow him to be a step ahead.
Katara threw the scroll in her hands onto the nightstand. Between being a mother and leading a nation she was exhausted. "We can't keep bringing work into our bed."
"No we can't," Zuko agreed as he put his own work down and pulled her close. The waterbender instantly melted against his side. She was decidedly quiet and Zuko noticed. Whatever was bothering her, it had nothing to do with them bringing work into their bed. "It's still early, want to climb onto the roof?"
The sparkle in her blue eyes was all the answer he needed. Within seconds the Fire Lord was leading his wife onto their bedroom terrace to climb onto the roof. The waterbender sat between her husband's legs, his chin on the top of her head and his arms wrapped around her.
"I miss my mother," she whispered after a few minutes. "Trying to be there for Lu Ten while navigating the rest of the duties associated with Fire Lady, I wish she was here. To help me, to guide me."
He wasn't surprised by the admission, he was surprised by how defeated and disconnected she sounded. "It's more than just missing her. You're not happy."
"It's not that, I love Lu Ten and I love being married to you," Katara replied quietly. She didn't quite know how to express herself. "I just am terrified all the time, I thought each year things would be getting easier. But it just feels like it's getting harder. And now with Lu Ten, it feels like if I let my guard down something catastrophic is going to happen."
The Fire Lord did not know how to comfort her, he could not tell her that peace would come eventually. Zuko could not tell her that everything would be okay and the attempts on his life would never be successful. And he had his own fears. Fears about not living to see his son reach adulthood. Fears of losing Katara. Fears about the destruction of his country.
So instead he kissed the top of her head and parroted something Iroh had said to him shortly after the first assassination attempt following Zuko's coronation, "We can't live in fear. All we can do is focus on leaving the world a little better than we found it."
Haru looked down at his wife as they walked through his home village. She seemed to be deep in thought as they walked through the different merchants.
"You aren't nervous, are you?" He teased her. This would be the first time she saw his parents since their elopement. And as much as they liked Toph, Haru knew his parents would be disappointed at not being at their wedding.
"Of course not," the Blind Bandit scoffed kicking a pebble. She wasn't nervous, at least not really. A little apprehensive but more because her parents were so judgmental of her life. Her husband's parents had been so supportive this entire time and as grateful as she was for that, Toph was unsure how to act around that kind of supportive loving parentage.
"Good," he leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Besides I already told them about the elopement."
"When did you tell them?" She asked in alarm. Her hands balled into fists at her side.
"I told them I was going to marry you the day I left to follow you to the Western Air Temple," Haru stated grabbing one of her hands, forcing her to release the fist she made.
"That was almost two years ago," Toph mumbled. She hadn't realized that he knew then he was going to marry her.
"It was, and you had run away with Aang because you thought I wouldn't want you after the display your father made at Zuko and Katara's wedding," he replied. Even now being married for over a year, he knew that Toph doubted why he wanted her. Her father had done a number on her after the war regarding the reason a man would want her.
"You knew then?" She was surprised at the conviction he had in their relationship, so much so that he had told his parents.
"Toph, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you when we were helping rebuild Ba Sing Se," Haru responded. He thought back to the day he started falling in love with her.
"You did? But when?" Toph's head was spinning with the information her husband had just revealed to her. While loving him had snuck up on her, apparently, it happened suddenly for him.
"Do you remember the day that we were in the Lower Ring? You were sitting on the ground eating beef skewers while I did all the work and you were correcting my earthbending technique," he chuckled at the memory. She had teased him relentlessly about his self-taught skill. "I remember getting so mad because you weren't helping and I started shouting at you."
"I remember that you tried to shoot a rock at my head," Toph nodded thoughtfully. She knew the day he was speaking of. They had been in Ba Sing Se for a couple of months and had gotten close, it was right after her father started sending her lists of suitors. And she was taking out her anger on Haru when they were in the Lower Ring that day.
"I did, and after deflecting it you made two moves and fixed the block we were working on in seconds," Haru chuckled. He remembered staring in shock at her skill, he had known she was good but he did not expect her to be that good. "I was so frustrated, I wandered off to the other side of the street. And then I tried correcting my earthbending form, more to prove you wrong but instead, it worked."
"And I told you that if you really wanted lessons I would give them to you," the Blind Bandit finished for him. She remembered the comment, it was an offhanded one. Toph had never expected him to take her up on the offer, but he had instantly.
"Do you know why I agreed to the lessons?" He asked her after a few minutes.
"Because you wanted to be a better earthbender," the answer was an obvious one to her.
"Because that day I had fallen in love with your spirit and sarcasm. And I was embarrassed that my skill was not worthy of you."
It was the middle of the night and she was practicing, or trying to.
Dark eyes watched as she moved through the katas systematically but each one falling short. The signature blue flame she had prior to her bending suppressed had vanished. And the flame she could create while controlled lacked the life it once wielded.
He had a feeling she was practicing in secret, being embarrassed for struggling. The way she was yawning during their own training sessions had him searching for her this midnight hour.
Piandao watched as Azula collapsed on the floor, her quiet sobs reaching his ears.
The sword master wanted to rush to her aid and comfort her. Tell her he would make it all better, but recognized this was her journey and he couldn't rescue her. So instead he watched as she tried to create the flame she used to master, her sobs echoing throughout the training arena.
Soon she was just sobbing on the floor and shortly after she had fallen asleep. Piandao walked quickly over to the Fire Nation Princess and lifted her into her arms. While he couldn't comfort her, he could carry her to bed.
The sword master brushed back her hair after he placed her on her bed, pulling the covers over her. He entered her bathroom quietly to grab a damp cloth, when he returned to her side Piandao noticed Azula had snuggled deeper into her bed. He gently cleaned off the tear tracks left on her cheeks, he didn't want her to wake in the morning with the evidence of the night before. She looked much younger than her twenty years of age when she was asleep, he thought to himself. The stress and trauma she had experienced evaporating off her face.
As he went to leave, Piandao paused. Azula's sketchbook was left open next to her bed and opened to a page of a perfectly sketched image of the sword master laughing. He looked carefree and happy, something he only experienced around Azula.
His hands itched to turn the page and see if she had sketched him more than once.
Piandao stopped himself before going to turn the page, he had already invaded her privacy enough watching her practice. He would not invade it anymore by looking at her sketchbook. He cast one last look at the Princess before he left her room. He had some correspondence to send via the White Lotus.
A few days later, Piandao sat in the tea shop reading a tabloid while he waited for his friend to arrive. He could understand why the Princess enjoyed reading the gossip scrolls, he thought to himself as he read about the latest scandal.
The sword master knew that Azula was struggling. And having watched her the other night, Piandao suspected that she was embarrassed and frightened. The Fire Lord had offered to help his sister but they were very different people and Azula was reluctant to take his advice. While Piandao could not rescue her, he could offer a teacher.
"Hello old friend," the firebender greeted as he joined the sword master. "I was surprised to receive your letter, more surprised when you asked me to join you in Caldera."
"Jeong Jeong," the sword master nodded at the man who took the seat in front of him. "I know being back here must be strange for you."
The two men stared at each other in silence. Neither making a move. Jeong Jeong lifted an eyebrow waiting for his friend to say what he asked him here for. Finally, the firebending master could not stand it any longer. "Spit it out, Piandao."
"I want you to train, Princess Azula." He watched as his friend blinked slowly a few times.
"In firebending? Was she not a prodigy? Why does she need me?" The firebending master asked confused. He watched as Piandao looked down at his hands quickly, a look of discouragement crossing his face. Jeong Jeong continued, "Besides, I do not teach students anymore. You know this."
"Her bending has been suppressed for years and she is struggling with having access to it again. Her inner fire specifically," the sword master explained as well as he could in the public setting. "I think you would be an excellent person to teach her how to control it."
"I do not teach anymore." Jeong Jeong grumbled, his face hard. But he was curious as to why the sword master was fighting so hard for the Princess. He knew that Piandao had been training her in swordsmanship but this was a much more intimate defense than the firebending master had suspected.
"I know you do not teach, but I think you would find her to be an extraordinary student," Piandao pressed. He knew this was a big favor. "She is someone who understands the life force that is fire. Azula is smart and creative, witty beyond belief. I have never had a student like her before."
The pieces slid into place. "You're in love with her."
Piandao sighed heavily. He knew his friends were gossips but he didn't think they had informed Jeong Jeong of his feelings. "Will you help her?"
The firebending master looked at the sword master. "She will not like my teaching methods. From my understanding patience is not her strong suit."
"She's an incredible artist, I think you will find patience is something she has in spades," the sword master defended Azula. Jeong Jeong raised an eyebrow as Piandao came to the Fire Nation Princess's defense much like a lover. The sword master sighed, "I'm in love with her."
"I'll train her, but I will not tolerate impatience. She will do it my way or not at all," Jeong Jeong stated after a few minutes of scrutiny. He didn't relish the idea of teaching a spoiled princess but he was curious about the woman who had stolen Piandao's heart.
"I would expect nothing less, old friend."
"Hush now, my son,
Close your eyes and sleep
Waltzing the waves
Diving the deep
Stars are shining bright
The wind is on the rise
Whispering words
Of long-lost lullabies"
Zuko watched from the doorway as his wife tried to coax their son to sleep with a Water Tribe lullaby. Hikari was curled up on the floor next to the crib, ever the protector of Lu Ten.
The Fire Lady laid her son down in the crib and slowly backed out of the room, bumping into her husband in the process.
"I knew you were in love with me, but I didn't realize I was still sweeping you off your feet," Zuko teased softly as he caught her. He quickly swept her up into his arms, holding her tight to him. His waterbender instantly wrapped her arms and legs around him as he carried her out of the nursery.
"I thought you had a meeting with Baihu," the waterbender collapsed onto the chaise, Zuko put her on in the private library. She had an hour before her next meeting.
The firebender leaned over his wife, his forehead against hers. "It got canceled and I thought it would be nice to have a few minutes with my waterbender."
She graced him with a dazzling smile. "I'm glad I get to spend some time with my husband." Her fingers tangled into the lapel and pulled him closer to her.
Zuko didn't need any more coaxing from her as he leaned down and kissed her, savoring the taste of his wife. After pulling back, he joined her on the chaise cuddling her close. Just enjoying the closeness to his wife. "I think in the new year we should take Lu Ten to Ember Island."
"Are you suggesting a holiday?" Katara asked snuggling deeper into his arms. With everything going on, the couple hadn't had an opportunity to take a vacation together since their honeymoon.
"I am," he teased with a little tickle to her sides. "I thought we could bring Azula and Mother. Perhaps invite Uncle Iroh and Jun."
"The family time would be a welcome break," the waterbender agreed. "How is Azula doing?"
"I don't know," Zuko replied honestly. Since her bending had been returned Azula had been a recluse. Other than her lessons with Piandao and her royal duties, the Princess had been avoiding everyone.
"Have you offered to help her with her bending?" Katara asked. She couldn't imagine the difficulty in trying to relearn how to bend after having lost access to it for so long.
"I tried and she laughed," the Fire Lord said. He paused before sharing his suspicions, "Though I think it was more bravado than confidence."
"What about Iroh? He was your teacher," the Fire Lady wanted Azula to be supported. The two had become close in the last few years and Katara didn't want the Princess's firebending to cause her to have a setback.
"Piandao approached me a few days ago, he was going to ask Jeong Jeong to come train her," Zuko informed his wife. "He thought that someone who did not know Azula before could be a fresh perspective. And allow her to be more receptive. I think Jeong Jeong is supposed to arrive today."
"I'll speak to Jiang about finding a guest room for him," the waterbender closed her eyes. "Do you think we have time for a quick nap?"
"Anything for you waterbender."
The Captain of the Royal Guard peaked into the sitting room when Akio and Chinatsu began looking for the couple. But Malu didn't have the heart to wake them, all their meetings could be rescheduled. The new parents deserved a break.
"Azula, I would like to introduce you to Master Jeong Jeong," Piandao gestured to the man standing next to him. "He is a skilled firebending master, having been a part of the Fire Nation navy rising to the rank of admiral. Like you, he was a prodigy and I thought he could offer some guidance now that your bending has been returned."
"Master Jeong Jeong, it is an honor to meet you," the Fire Nation Princess bowed in respect to the firebending master. She had a feeling that Piandao knew of her struggle, she suspected he had been the one to carry her back to bed the other night. But she had not expected him to bring in the former admiral to train her, though she was grateful.
The elder firebender looked her up and down, he was surprised by what he saw though his face was free of any emotion. "I have heard of your lack of respect for previous firebending masters. I will not tolerate it, Master Piandao has called upon a favor I owe him for this but I will not hesitate to end your training if you show an inch of disrespect and impatience. If I train you, I will do it my way with no complaint from you."
"I understand, Master Jeong Jeong," Azula agreed instantly. Her entire frame relaxing. She did not realize how much his roughness would be a relief to her.
"I will leave you two, to your training," Piandao stated when he saw her relax. An audience was the last thing the Princess needed to reconnect with her inner fire.
Jeong Jeong watched as the Fire Nation Princess's eyes followed the sword master, a longing in her gold eyes. She gazed at him as if he were her strength and refuge. Piandao was a fool if he did not see how Azula felt for him, every man wanted to be loved the way that she obviously loved the sword master.
"Let us begin, get into your stance," the firebending master commanded once Piandao had left the training arena. His brow raised as he noticed she did what he asked without question. Her stance was perfect, there was no doubt that she knew what she was doing. "Feel the heat of the sun, it is the greatest source of fire and in complete balance with nature."
Azula took a deep breath and her head tilted slightly to the sky as the rays shone down on her. Eyes closed and breathing deep.
Jeong Jeong sat opposite the Princess and watched as she breathed for the next two hours. He was pleasantly surprised that her stand did not shift nor did she complain once. Azula held her position and just focused on her breath control with her head tilted toward the sky.
"We are done for the day," the former admiral stated not unkindly. He was pleased with her control and discipline.
The Princess opened her eyes and stood from her stance. She bowed to the master, "Thank you for teaching me today, Master Jeong Jeong."
"I will meet you every day after your training with Master Piandao," Jeong Jeong informed her. He knew as a senior-ranking royal, she had duties to attend to and wanted to see her reaction to the command.
"I will make myself available for training with you, thank you," Azula replied. She knew Katara would let her training take precedence if needed.
Once Jeong Jeong dismissed her, he noticed how she moved to the side of the training arena to stretch on the soft grass. He admired that she had not complained of stiffness after standing in her stance for so long, just waited until he dismissed her to take care of her aching body.
"I knew you would be watching," the former admiral said as he caught his friend lurking behind the stands.
Piandao rubbed a hand on his face, an uncharacteristic move for him. "I'm so in love with her that my worry has been controlling me. I need to step away so she can find a man worthy of her."
"You do not think you are worthy?" Jeong Jeong tilted his head as he looked at his friend.
"I think, she deserves to have everything that life offers," the sword master corrected. "She deserves to be courted and wooed, what I want is a betrothal and a marriage. But I do not know if she is ready for that. Not that it would matter anyway, I know she does not feel the same way."
Jeong Jeong looked over to where Azula was on the grass, legs outstretched and chest against her thighs stretching. The Fire Nation Princess surprised him and he could see how Piandao fell in love with her.
"Go back to Shu Jing," Jeong Jeong encouraged his friend. "Use the time to get your things in order and then speak to the Fire Lord about courting her, it does not need to be a long courtship before a betrothal. But if you are not serious then tell her, give her the respect of closure."
Suki clutched her abdomen tightly. All she could think about was making it back to her and Sokka's chambers. She did her best to keep a smile on her face, nodding to those around her. Never letting the tears fall as she moved through the tribe, a silent plea on her lips.
The Kyoshi Warrior had been meeting with one of the schools out in the city when the pains began. She stayed only just as long as propriety dictated before taking her leave as diplomatically as possible.
She was walking up the steps to her home when the pain changed. The sharpness came fast and with it a bout of nausea.
"No, not here," she whispered to herself. It was too public of a place and with the Northern Chief trying to find anything he could to merge the Water Tribes, Suki knew how detrimental this would be. "Please, no."
She barely stumbled inside before collapsing onto the floor, crying out.
"Suki?" Pakku asked as he searched out the noise. His eyes widened as he saw the dark red beginning to seep through her outer clothing. The waterbending master immediately called for the only other person around, "Bato!"
"Tu and La," the warrior whispered as he joined the waterbending master, instantly knowing what was happening before him. Straight away Bato went to help his daughter-in-law.
"I'm fine," Suki tried to push off the two men as she tried to stand. Though the moment she stood the pain sharpened and spread. "Ah!"
Before she could collapse onto the floor again, the warrior caught her. "Get Sokka and Kanna. Perhaps a waterbending healer? And tell Hakoda we will watch Keiko for the next few days."
Pakku ran off to gather the necessary people and make arrangements for Keiko to stay with her grandfathers. Bato carried Suki as quickly as possible to her chambers.
The Kyoshi Warrior could feel the wetness beneath her spreading, she looked down quickly and then looked away. Her voice was hollow, "I'm losing the baby."
Bato looked down at her, a somber look on his face. "I'm afraid so."
Senna, the master waterbending healer, arrived before Sokka and Kanna. She had dropped everything to aid the Kyoshi Warrior. Having known the struggle that Suki had during her first pregnancy, Senna feared for the worst.
By the time the Water Tribe Heir joined his wife, the damage was already done.
The healer said there was nothing to be done. A late-term miscarriage, that's what she called it.
A few hours later Sokka was curled up with his wife on their bed as she cried into his chest. Murmuring words of love to her, the tribesman held back his own sorrow to allow his wife the opportunity to feel her pain. He would be her strength as long as she needed him to be.
The sword master sharpened his sword deliberately, he welcomed the distraction of being in his studio. He had been in Shu Jing for almost a month now, he had only planned to stay a week but had extended his trip. Azula needed the time to focus on her firebending and he needed the time to collect his emotions.
In the first few weeks of returning to his home, he had kept himself busy. Avoiding everything having to do with the royal family. Piandao had even spent some time socializing in the city, his time at the palace showing that he was longing for companionship. But as the women of Shu Jing were drawn to him, he found himself wishing for the attention of the Princess.
To further avoid thoughts of his pupil, the sword master had entertained the company of some of the women in Shu Jing who had previously expressed interest. His days were filled with walks through the city and tea accompanied by an eligible woman. But with every passing outing, he found himself wishing for the wit of his student.
He tried to tell himself that this was for the best, Azula deserved to be with a man who could offer her more. Yet he could not get her out of his mind.
Piandao moved to oil his sword as he finally allowed himself to think about Azula. He had done his best not to think about her the entire time he was in Shu Jing, but now that he had set a return date for the end of the week he needed to make a decision.
Azula, he thought to himself, she was extraordinary. He found himself thinking of her dry sense of humor. The way she teased her brother but longed to make him proud. She loved her nephew fiercely and put her life on the line to protect him without pausing to think of what could happen to her. Everything she did, she excelled at because she put her entire being into what she did.
The Princess was far from perfect, but her work ethic and strength made failure not an option for her. It was something the sword master could relate to, being the same way.
Piandao looked down at his sword and sighed. She was beautiful and talented, the best student Piandao ever trained. Her passion and drive were unmatched. The artistic ability she displayed showed the raw emotion she used to bottle up inside. A young woman who had walked through hellfire and emerged a champion.
The sword master thought of the men of the royal court that would make a good match for Azula. He moved through the names of eligible sons of the noblemen and with each name, Piandao's stomach sank.
His Princess deserved to be loved by a man who knew her struggle and had done the same. A man who could not only be her equal but love her without abandon and put her first.
He dropped his sword as the thought moved through his mind, the clatter echoing throughout the studio.
"Fat!" The sword master called out to his butler. He raced back to his home, calling out as he did. "Fat!"
"Yes Master Piandao?" The butler asked in a bored tone. He watched as Piandao hastily began packing.
"Send word to the Fire Lord that I will be returning sooner than planned. And request an audience with him."
Azula hesitated as her training session with Jeong Jeong ended. The firebending master had taken her back to the basics and she welcomed the instruction. But now they had been training together for some time, she thought it was important for her to inform him of her biggest insecurity and failure.
"Spit it out, Azula," Jeong Jeong barked out to his student.
Instead of responding, she created a small flame in her hand. The signature blue color was noticeably and conspicuously absent.
The firebending master looked at the control she had with admiration. It was the first time Jeong Jeong had seen her create a flame. While the fire had a life of its own, Azula was directing the flame to go in the direction she wanted regardless of the breeze moving through the arena. It took Jeong Jeong a moment to notice what was missing because of the control that was being displayed.
"You place too much of your identity on the color of your flame," the firebending master stated disapprovingly. He wanted to teach her the life force of fire and she was concerned with the color.
"Yes, Master Jeong Jeong." The Fire Nation Princess extinguished the flame and looked down at her feet. She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back the tears that began to well in her eyes.
Immediately Jeong Jeong felt guilty, Azula had shared her greatest vulnerability with him and he had dismissed her. His next words were much softer, "Focus on your inner fire, the life it wields inside of you and around you."
Azula's head snapped up to meet his eyes. "You think I'll be able to have it again?"
"The attachment to emotion is what allows very few to be unable to yield the blue flame and lightning. I have heard of your skill to be able to master both. But you yielded it because you suppressed your emotion, not mastered it," Jeong Jeong explained. Her expression fell more. "That suppression impacted your inner fire by squelching it, the moment you felt emotion your inner fire was released and spiraled out of control."
"I understand," discouragement seeping into her voice.
Jeong Jeong sighed, he could not understand the Princess. "Why do you want it?"
Azula looked away from the piercing gaze of the firebending master. "I want the skill that comes with it to protect my family. I want to prove that my bending was not the reason for my struggles. I was excellent and I want to be that way again."
His eyes widened at her assertion, he had not expected that answer. "To control the blue flame and lightning again, you must be able to feel emotion but detach when necessary. It will not come easy, very few are able to reach the spiritual and emotional enlightenment to control both the blue flame and lightning."
"I do not need easy," she replied. A spark of hope and determination in her gold eyes.
The Fire Lord was trailing kisses down his waterbender's naked spine. Her gorgeous skin was on display for him, he could barely get enough of her. With Lu Ten now sleeping through the nights and officially moved into the nursery, Zuko was taking full advantage of having his wife to himself again.
"Again?" The waterbender mumbled sleepily. They had only been asleep for an hour after their previous round of lovemaking.
"What can I say? I married a waterbending temptress," the Fire Lord lightly nipped one of her butt cheeks. He was rewarded with Katara arching her back in pleasure.
"You are going to have to do all the work," the Fire Lady replied with a little wiggle of her behind.
"I think that can be arranged," Zuko growled, he shifted her so a pillow could be placed under her hips. He moved his hands to grip her upper thighs, "Now open those pretty legs for me waterbender."
Katara moaned in response as she widened her legs. Within seconds her husband's mouth was on her folds, tasting her from behind. The new angle caused a thrill of pleasure to race down her spine. "Ahhh!"
He chuckled briefly before going back drinking her from the source. The Fire Lord loved the taste of her, heady and intoxicating. He held her hips tight as he tried to savor every last drop she produced. The waterbender's moans and squeals quickly became the symphony to his ministrations.
For all her teasing at his precocious appetite, Katara's body was quickly producing her natural lubrication. Within a minute of her husband's mouth being on her, she was soaked. By the end of the third minute, the waterbender was beginning to feel the climb to her climax.
Zuko's teeth scraped her bundle of nerves followed by his tongue soothing the sting, causing her to buck her hips. His hands moved back to hold her thighs apart, his fingers spreading her folds to allow his mouth more access.
The waterbender tried to push herself closer seeking more friction against her core as her orgasm began to build deep in her belly.
"Zuko, please," she begged. She could feel herself teetering on that edge and all she needed was her husband to take her there.
The Fire Lord pulled back and blew lightly over her sex, he wanted to draw out her pleasure. "Not yet."
He watched as her sex trembled just on the brink of her climax. Once she had calmed, Zuko began tasting her all over again. Building her back to that edge all over again. He moaned loudly sending pleasant vibrations throughout her entire core.
Hearing her husband moan and enjoy her flavor caused a flood of wetness to rush out of her. Which in turn caused Zuko to moan more and seek out every drop.
Katara was once again on the edge when he pulled back, lightly blowing on her. It was enough stimulation to keep her arousal heightened but not enough to fall over the edge of the cliff. Again he waited until she had calmed before diving back in for more.
"Please please please," she began to beg when he began all over again. Being denied twice was not something the waterbender was used to. By now her husband would typically have had her climaxing already.
Zuko ignored her begging and feasted on her for his pleasure. Every lick, nip, and suck was for his enjoyment this go around. He drew out her pleasure with each swipe of his tongue. When he felt the telltale sign of her sex trembling, he pulled back for a third time. He licked his lips, savoring her flavor before crawling up her body.
"No," Katara howled in frustration drawing out the word. Tears pricked at her eyes as she was denied a third time.
"You told me to do all the work, which means you'll get there when I'm ready." The Fire Lord rested his length between her legs and pressed his chest to her back. "And I want to feel you gripping my cock as you fall apart."
He slowly pushed into her, relishing the feeling of how tight and wet she was. Zuko set a slow and deep pace. He wanted her to feel every inch of him with each and every thrust.
"Oh! Right there," the waterbender moaned as he hit that sweet spot. "Tui and La!"
The firebender pulled back her hair as he continued his slow pace. He began placing open mouth kisses against the side of her face down to her neck. In between kisses, he was talking to her, "That's a good waterbender. You like feeling me deep inside of you. So tight and wet for me."
It wasn't long before he felt her begin to arch back into his thrusts. Even shorter when he began to hear the sounds that typically led up to her orgasm.
"Ah," Katara groaned as she got closer to her climax. She didn't think she could take it if he denied her a fourth time. "Please Zuko. Oh Tui and La, please!"
"That's it waterbender, cum all over my cock," Zuko encouraged her. He could feel his own release was not far off. His words were her undoing and she came around him with a low moan, pulling him right along with her.
The sword master looked at the display in front of him frowning, nothing seemed quite right. He knew what he wanted yet could not find it and this was the seventh store he had been to. "All of them are beautiful but . . ."
"But?" The jeweler asked waiting for the sword master to finish.
"Do you have any others? This is for a very special woman of court," Piandao explained as he looked at the jeweler. He was getting tired, he had returned to Caldera only a few hours ago and had not even returned to the palace yet. He wanted to take care of this before arriving. "Nothing too ostentatious, something classic but still large enough to demonstrate her value."
The old jeweler studied the man in front of him, he had heard the rumors and instantly knew the perfect item. With one finger raised he moved to the very back of the store, pausing at the item he was about to select. The jeweler had never anticipated finding the right person to sell this piece to, but he knew without a doubt this would be perfect. After all, it had been designed purposefully for the woman who would receive it, forged in royal fire the day of her birth. He walked back to the sword master, the piece on display. "How about this? It's the only one ever made. Very classic but with a hint of a fire. And if rumors are true, this piece was made specifically for the woman who will receive it."
Piandao picked up the piece of jewelry off the cushioned case and moved so the sunlight from the windows could hit the gems. The stones sparkled delightfully in the rays with the gold setting enhancing the beauty of the piece. For the first time, he could picture himself presenting this piece to her.
The Fire Nation Princess had been about to enter the family jewelry store when she stopped suddenly. Her gold eyes settled on Piandao just inside, a smile graced her face as she looked at her sword master. She hadn't seen him in a few weeks and she was thrilled he was back in Caldera. He moved allowing the jewelry he was scrutinizing to come into view, her eyes zeroed in on the piece in his hands.
Azula's stomach dropped. Because in the hand of the man she had fallen hopelessly in love with was an engagement ring and he had no idea about her feelings for him.
Notes:
Oof, a lot happened in this chapter. Should I go hide?
Thank you all for sticking with me! If you have a moment I would love to hear your thoughts on this chapter!!
Remember to follow me on Instagram @JustAGirlWhoLikesToRead_ for story news and sneak peeks!
Chapter 31 Coming in 2025
Chapter 31: Chapter Thirty-One: Winter 105 AG
Notes:
Hello everyone,
I want to first start with an apology. This chapter was supposed to be posted in January, and that did not happen. Between work, school, and life I seem to keep making promises that I can't keep when it comes to updates. Editing is taking longer than I expect and my days feel like they are getting shorter. I am going to do my best to keep a more realistic timeline but I want you all to know that I will never abandon my stories and they will always be finished.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support and for reaching out. I am going to do better and be more consistent in the coming months as well as get back to keeping up with everything on my Instagram so you always know when an update is coming.
I hope you enjoy this chapter!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Part Three: The Dawn of Moon and Sun
Chapter Thirty-One: Winter 105 AG
"Did you see the front page of Caldera Secrets?" Ursa began as dinner was served to the Fire Nation royal family.
The Fire Nation Princess took a long drink of the wine that was in front of her. She hardly ever drank anything alcoholic, but she needed something to do and that was the only thing in front of her.
"I can't say that I frequent the gossip scrolls," Katara replied as her plate was placed in front of her. Her eyes followed the gulp that Azula took of the wine.
"Neither do I, but Lady Jiayi was telling me that a certain sword master has been featured," the older woman said with a twinkle in her eye. She had been greatly disappointed when all her matches were unsuccessful with Piandao. But he was such a gentleman and had cared for her children so well that she had hoped to help him find a good wife.
"Oh?" That caught the Fire Lord's attention. Piandao had stayed out of the fray of court gossip for so long that the gossip scrolls hadn't published anything on him in years. He couldn't imagine what Caldera Secrets was publishing. "Azula? Did you see an article about Piandao?"
"Hmm, yes," the Princess replied, lacking enthusiasm. There was something small about him."
"I hardly think the cover is something small," the older noblewoman stated with a raised eyebrow.
"Piandao was on the cover?" Katara asked surprised. She pushed the food around on her plate, the palace chefs were wonderful but for some reason, it didn't seem appetizing to her. "For what?"
"Apparently, he has been making the rounds of the Shu Jing noblewomen," Ursa supplied unknowingly causing distress to her daughter.
"Really?" That was news to the Fire Lord. He had a brief thought of the meeting that Piandao had with him tomorrow, perhaps he should address the affection that Azula has for the sword master.
"According to the article he has been seen out for the past month with a plethora of women," Ursa continued oblivious to the way that Azula's eyes were focused only on her dinner. "I found it very surprising because he seemed to be unready for marriage here at court. But perhaps he just had his interests elsewhere."
"Azula do you know if Piandao is courting anyone in Shu Jing?" Katara asked gently trying to coax her sister-in-law into the conversation. She wondered briefly if that had anything to do with Azula's insistence that nothing could ever come from her affection for Piandao.
"Not to my knowledge," the Princess replied softly. All she could think about was finishing her dinner and leaving this room. She dared not meet the eyes of the Fire Lady who was trying to gauge her reaction.
"I'm not surprised he has not mentioned it to you, Azula," Ursa stated with a small knowing smile. "Romantic endeavors are not an appropriate conversation for a student."
Azula looked anywhere but at her mother. Her stomach soured as her mother continued to speak about Piandao. Azula's only focus was keeping down the few bites of dinner she had taken rather than conversing with her mother.
"Piandao has become quite friendly with Azula, mother," Zuko volunteered. His eyes were on his baby sister. "Their relationship is more than just master and student, but one of friendship as well."
"You are quite right, Zuko," Ursa agreed with her son. She could hear the hardness in his tone. Zuko had taken to defending his sister quite regularly, something Ursa was always surprised by. Though she knew better than to get into a disagreement with the Fire Lord, Ursa couldn't help but wonder why her eldest child was so combative with her recently.
"Mai and Ty Lee were telling me about Tom-Tom's schooling this morning," the Fire Lady transitioned to a new topic of conversation.
"They put him in the Royal Fire Academy for Boys correct?" Ursa asked.
Katara hummed in response. "I am very curious to see how Tom-Tom does. I know the Academy is the best in the country, but I do not know if it is better for Lu Ten to have a private tutor or to be at the Academy."
"The benefit of having him at the Academy is he will be with all the children of the royal court, it could give him an advantage when he takes the throne," Ursa explained to Katara. She knew that her daughter-in-law still struggled to understand all the intricacies of the Fire Nation royal court.
"But perhaps some distance would be good," Katara mused. She wondered if being with all the children would be overwhelming and perhaps time at home being a child when he could be would be better for Lu Ten.
"Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Katara," Jiang interrupted the family dinner. "I wanted to inform you that Master Piandao has returned from Shu Jing and has retired to his room for the evening."
"Thank you, Jiang," the Fire Lady responded with a nod. "Please ask Giya to check in on him and offer him dinner in his room."
"I hadn't realized he was returning tonight," Ursa turned to her youngest child. "Azula, is he here to finish your swordsmanship lessons?"
The Princess did not respond to her mother, having not heard the question.
Katara nudged her husband when Azula failed to respond to Ursa's question. Zuko, at his wife's instance, shrugged, "I'm assuming he's returning for her lessons, though he has an open invitation to the palace. Akio mentioned a meeting with Piandao in the morning, but I can't remember why I called it."
"I'm not very hungry," Azula stated interrupting the conversation regarding the sword master. The Princess stood swiftly. "I'll see you all in the morning."
"Goodnight Azula," the waterbender bid farewell to her sister-in-law. She watched as Azula left the dining room, never looking at Ursa.
"That girl," Ursa shook her head. She was disappointed in how secretive Azula was acting this evening. "She always has her own agenda, ever since she was a child."
"I think she is just tired, mother," Zuko defended his baby sister. Had his mother always criticized Azula in this way?
"Honestly, Zuko," his mother responded with a disapproving look. "You know that Azula only ever does what is right for Azula. She was upset that Piandao was living his life in Shu Jing!"
"On the contrary, she barely had an opinion on Piandao," the Fire Lord stated. He pushed his plate away from him. His appetite was soured by his mother's criticism of his sister.
"Azula has been working a lot of hours," Katara added as she finished her meal.
"Really? I hardly see her at the social gatherings with the other ladies of court," Ursa said disapprovingly. In her mind, a woman's place was in the social aspect of the royal court. Seeing Katara take more of an active role in the politics of running the country was not something the older woman agreed with. To Ursa, the Fire Lady and her courtiers should be focused on the appearance of the common people, the arts, and the children. Not on rebuilding a tourist island or the hospitals.
"And I'm hardly seen at the social gatherings," the Fire Lady replied with a hard look at her mother-in-law. "Azula is working on projects I have specifically asked her to handle. And most do not require her to aid in petty frivolous gossip of the Fire Nation noblewomen elders."
"Mother, I think it might be time for you to accept that the Fire Nation has changed since you were away," Zuko stated delicately. He did not want to start a fight with his mother but he also did not want her to be criticizing his sister or his wife. "The culture is shifting to show that women should take an active role in politics and I think it's for the better."
Jeong Jeong's brow furrowed as he watched his pupil twitch in her stance for the fifth time in the last half hour. She normally held the pose with ease, her concentration never wavering from her breath. "Azula, concentrate."
The Fire Nation Princess pulled her shoulders back and widened her stance. She welcomed the burn in her muscles, a perfect distraction to her racing mind. Her concentration moved back to her breath and the heat of the sun. She was successful for a little bit before her mind wandered to the sword master and the engagement ring she saw him purchase yesterday afternoon.
It didn't help that only a few hours after Azula had seen Piandao purchasing the ring, she had stumbled across an article in her favorite gossip scroll detailing the outings he had been spotted on in Shu Jing. A gossip scroll her mother insisted on conversing about at dinner the night before. Azula had been devastated to learn that her sword master had returned to his home to court the noblewomen of the area.
The firebending master watched her shoulders droop forward and her expression fall. Something was pulling her attention away, something big. She had been able to spend hours with him training only on her breath for over a month now, but for some reason today she could not focus.
He waited to see if she would pull her attention back to her breath. There was a glimmer of hope when he saw her try to right herself but he frowned when distraction settled into her form once again.
"Stop."
"Yes, Master Jeong Jeong," Azula slipped out of her stance and awaited further instructions.
"Perhaps it is time we shift our focus," the firebending master stated after a few moments. He had his suspicions about why she was distracted. Piandao had returned late last night to the palace. The former admiral needed to bring the Princess back to focus, perhaps now was a good time to advance her training.
She watched as he moved towards a tree on the edge of the arena and caught a leaf falling in the wind.
The old master placed the leaf in her hands, the center burning.
"A leaf?"
He did not bother acknowledging her question, instead, he took a seat on the ground in front of her and instructed her next task. "Move into your stance. Concentrate on the fire, it should never reach the edges of the leaf."
His instructions to her had a higher standard than typical, but he did not doubt for a moment that Azula could not handle the higher standard. Jeong Jeong hoped that with the standard he had set, she would have to ignore her thoughts of the sword master and focus on the fire in front of her.
The Fire Nation Princess stood in her stance, the leaf in her hands and eyes on the center burning. Within seconds, her breath began moving in time with the flame.
Jeong Jeong watched as she kept the center burning perfectly, but while the execution was there the mastery was lacking. "Do not bend the will of the flame, feel it. Become one with it. Even if it burns, connect with your inner fire."
Azula's brow drew together as she tried to focus on becoming one with the fire. Without thinking, she closed her eyes and pictured a flame in her mind. She concentrated at the base of the image, timing her breath with the pulse of the fire. Azula could feel the fire from the burning leaf but was less concerned with controlling it than she was with feeling it.
"Now, clear your mind," he coached her. He watched with a critical eye as her shoulders relaxed and her breathing deepened. "Feel the heat and life of your inner fire."
The Princess focused only on her breath. She could feel the rise and fall of heat timing with the pulse of fire she had pictured. Her mind became void of anything but her breath and the burning in her soul.
Once she cleared her mind, Azula could truly feel the fire within her.
The firebending master knew the instant she had connected with her inner fire. Her eyes snapped open followed by a life-saving gasp as the leaf burned to a crisp with a flash of blue in her hands.
"Very good," Jeong Jeong praised her with a nod. He had not expected the color to come as quickly as it did. But she had connected with not only her inner fire but became one with the flame in her hand in a record amount of time. Now he had to teach her to control it.
"It was blue," Azula whispered in awe. Her gold eyes looked down at the ash that was once a leaf.
"We will train again tomorrow, and I expect you to keep the leaf from burning next time," the former admiral dismissed her.
She blinked back the tears forming in her eyes. The first thing she wanted to do was run and tell Piandao. He had been her biggest supporter since she had returned to the Fire Nation and she wanted to share the good news with him. She longed for the praise she would see in his grey eyes when she told him.
The Fire Nation Princess was about to seek out the sword master but stopped short. Her heart sank when she remembered the engagement ring he had purchased.
She didn't need Piandao, she thought to herself. She had been training with Jeong Jeong for over a month and she had connected with her fire on her own. The last thing she needed was a man to distract her.
Azula pulled back her shoulders as she walked out of the arena. The sword master had clearly found someone else, it was time she ended their lessons and focused on her firebending. Azula would recapture her blue flame and lightning because that was more important than a man.
"The Fire Lord will see you now," Akio stated as he opened the door to the office.
Piandao nodded to the secretary as he entered the Fire Lord's office. Once he had approached the sovereign, he bowed, "Fire Lord Zuko, thank you for seeing me."
"Good afternoon, Master Piandao," Zuko greeted the older man. The firebender had noticed the formal greeting. He gestured to the chair across from his desk. "Please sit. I must say I asked Akio this morning why I had called this meeting but then he informed me you asked for the audience."
"That is right. I had wanted to discuss with you something delicate in nature," the sword master responded. As he looked at the young man in front of him, he could not help thinking about how much had changed since his first audience with the Fire Lord. Piandao never expected in that first meeting that his agreement to train Azula would alter his life so drastically.
"I'm assuming this is about my sister," the young monarch said after a few minutes of silence.
"Princess Azula and I have spent much time together over the last two years," Piandao began delicately. He shifted in his seat. "In that time, I have seen how extraordinary she is and have become quite close with her."
"I've noticed, Katara and I have spoken extensively about how much your friendship and tutorage have benefitted Azula," Zuko commented hoping to encourage the sword master. He had a feeling he knew where this conversation was headed.
"On my end, I have grown to have much affection for your sister. And I believe she holds affection for me as well," Piandao's mind wandered to how she kissed him back at the North Pole. He took a deep breath before finally asking the question. "I want to ask for your permission and blessing to marry Azula."
The Fire Lord's eyes widened. He had expected the sword master to ask permission to court the Princess, not jump straight to a marriage proposal. "What about a courtship?"
"While a courtship has crossed my mind, I know that since Genkei there has been much scrutiny on Azula's ability to please a man," the sword master explained looking down at his hands briefly. "I do not want to leave her susceptible to any more criticism and I do not need a courtship to know what I want or how I feel about your sister."
"A betrothal without a courtship will cause the royal gossip to speculate," Zuko stated. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the request.
The sword master nodded, "I did consider that. Because of the lack of courtship, I would like at least a six-month engagement to ensure the protection of her reputation, preferably a year."
Zuko looked at the older man. The conviction that Piandao was speaking did not surprise the monarch. There was no doubt in the sovereign's mind on how he should respond to the request made by the sword master.
Piandao's eyes drank in her form as he saw her moving through her exercises. He smiled to himself as he noticed her wielding the wazikashi he had made for her.
"Azula, there you are. I was looking for you," the sword master greeted as he walked up to her in the training arena. He was excited to see her for the first time in weeks. His hand slipped into his pocket and his fingertips rubbed against the cold metal. He had spent the last few hours in negotiations with the Fire Lord of a betrothal and marriage contract.
"Master Piandao," the Princess replied, the formality and her cold tone taking him off guard. His heart dropped as she continued, "I was going to request a meeting with you for tomorrow."
"Oh?" He watched as she sheathed her sword.
"We've been training together for quite some time now and I am grateful for your education but I think now that my bending has returned I need to focus on that," her voice was void of any emotion. "Thank you for your instruction and I wish you all the best on your upcoming marriage."
"Excuse me?" His eyes widened at her words. The sword master was not one to be taken by surprise.
"I saw you yesterday purchasing an engagement ring. She must be extraordinary for you to finally settle down," Azula explained icily. She bowed formally before turning to leave throwing over her shoulder, the bitterness laced throughout her words; "Thank you for teaching me."
"Azula, wait!" He reached for her, grabbing her wrist to stop her. Piandao shook his head at her confusion. He pulled her toward him. "Yes, you did see me purchasing an engagement ring."
"Please don't," she whispered her eyes shut tightly as she tried to hold back tears. She couldn't bear to hear him tell her who he had been courting recently. Piandao stepped closer, putting one hand against her lower back and pressing her close to him. Her hands rested on his chest, she was unsure if she wanted to push him away or draw him closer.
"Azula, little one, look at me please," he whispered while one of his hands cupped her cheek and brushed back the tears that had fallen. Her gold eyes fluttered open and he leaned down placing his forehead against hers. "Azula, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"What?" The Princess sucked in a breath. Her gold eyes widened and her lips parted in surprise, her reaction made the sword master want to lean down a tad further and kiss her.
"From the first day I met you, you fascinated me. I admired your willingness to learn and your dedication. Watching you protect your family made me fall deeper in love with you. I don't just love you because of how extraordinary you are, I love you because of everything you've been through. I love all the messy bits about you because they make you who you are. You fought to be where you are today and that is why I love you," Piandao explained, his grey eyes bored into hers. "And now, here I am, asking you to marry me."
"But you never said anything!" She argued as she looked up at him. Azula swore he could feel her heart beating against her chest.
"I'm saying something now," he replied as he waited for her response. Piandao had a terrible thought that he had read the signs wrong. That she didn't feel the same way about him. The ring felt heavy in his pocket, so he put a little distance between them. "Do you feel any affection for me? Or did I misinterpret the situation?"
The Fire Nation Princess closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she built up the courage to respond. She opened her eyes at the last minute wanting to see his reaction, "I started falling for you on that first day of training."
The sword master wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even closer to him. He leaned down until his mouth was almost touching hers. He repeated the question, "Azula, will you marry me?"
Her gold eyes closed and her lips brushed against his lips as she answered, "Yes."
The moment the word ended, Piandao's lips met hers in a bruising kiss, she tasted exactly as he remembered.
His mouth dominated hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck to keep him close. The fire and passion she battled with translated into how she showed affection, something the sword master was looking forward to exploring on their wedding night. However he couldn't help but notice how she relaxed into him, allowing him to take the lead.
Piandao pulled away to allow her space to breathe. As Azula looked up at him with gold eyes sparkling with love, he couldn't help himself. The sword master lifted her into his arms, spinning her around as he did, an unusual display of affection for the serious man. Azula's squeals of excitement echoed throughout the training arena. She wrapped her arms and legs around Piandao as he spun her.
Ursa adjusted the place setting in front of her, she was disappointed in the news her son had just shared with her. "You think granting him a betrothal contract was wise?"
The Fire Lord bristled at the criticism but refused to rise to the bait. Since his mother's return, any time either of her children stepped outside of what she deemed appropriate Ursa was quick to condemn them. Instead, Zuko flipped the script, "Do you have reasons why I should not have?"
"The age difference for one," Ursa replied immediately with a shake of her head. "Not to mention, Azula is a very spirited person. Is this match even going to be a successful one? We all saw how she reacted when Genkei wanted to take a mistress. I doubt that she will have a different reaction when Piandao does the same."
Katara bit her tongue to hold back the retort she wanted to give her mother-in-law. This was good news, but Ursa could only focus on the negative.
"Funny, how I have never felt the need to take a mistress and I'm the Fire Lord," Zuko gestured to the servants to begin serving dinner. He was glad that Piandao and Azula had gone into the city to have a celebratory dinner together.
"Anyone choosing Azula has much to gain in terms of political affiliation," his mother responded. "Do you really think they will have any romantic interest in her?"
"Piandao seems to," the waterbender stated with just a hint of frustration. "In fact, she is the only woman in whom he has displayed any romantic interest for years. And if Iroh is to be believed, this is the only time Piandao has had any inclination for marriage."
"Are we so sure about that? Piandao was seeking out other romantic interests in Shu Jing last month." The older noblewoman did not think her daughter was right for the sword master. Azula was much too fiery for his calm personality.
"I asked him about that," Zuko stated as he looked at his mother. "He informed me that he thought the best course of action was to step away from Azula, but as he listened to frivolous women, he realized his affection was not because he wanted a wife but because of Azula herself."
"Hmm, perhaps you are right. He did seem less than thrilled with the introductions I made," Ursa pursed her lips. She wondered if Azula had fallen into bed with the sword master and now an engagement was needed. "But a betrothal, without a courtship."
Katara resisted the urge to snort, less than thrilled was an understatement. The sword master had made it clear that he was not interested in any of the introductions that Ursa had made.
"He requested a long engagement," the Fire Lord redirected his mother knowing the next bit of criticism on the tip of her tongue. "At least a year, to avoid speculation of a pregnancy."
"Piandao has such a way of understanding the complexity of royal court for someone who avoided it previously," Katara took over the conversation. "The fondness and affection they have for each other will lead to such a strong marriage. And perhaps Lu Ten will have some cousins to grow up with within the next few years."
The Fire Lady's words essentially silenced any more criticism from her mother-in-law. For the rest of dinner, the conversation revolved more around the work that Katara was doing in Caldera.
Across the city, Azula and Piandao were walking hand in hand by the harbor after their celebratory dinner together.
The Fire Nation Princess noticed how her ring caught in the moonlight causing her to bring it up to admire.
"Do you like it?" The sword master asked as he saw her looking at it. It was large enough to demonstrate worth but not so large to be ostentatious and for a brief moment, Piandao worried that he had made the wrong choice.
"I love it," she replied instantly. The ring was stunning, Azula thought. A large pear-shaped ruby with three small diamond clusters on each side of the ruby. The band was a gold setting with intricate flames etched into the gold.
"I'm glad," he smiled at her as they kept walking.
Azula dropped her hand instantly and leaned into his side looking up at him. "Today has been a perfect day."
"Why's that?" Piandao asked as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, he was pleased when Azula snuggled into his side and wrapped her arms around his waist. He leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
"Well, it ended with celebrating our betrothal, you proposing in the middle," the Princess began. She paused and pretended to think. Finally sharing, the news that she had wanted to from this morning. "And it started with me making a blue flame in my training with Jeong Jeong."
"You made a blue flame?" He stopped walking, the pride in his voice was palpable.
She beamed up at him and nodded, his grey eyes showcasing his pleasure the way she had pictured earlier in the day. Her joy was contagious and he couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her. Azula deepened the kiss her arms moving to wrap around his neck as his hands moved to settle on her hips. She pressed herself against him as her tongue slipped into his mouth, not caring for the public display.
Piandao knew she was going to tempt his control over the next year of their engagement.
Yanghao leaned back against the wall, his eyes closed. The Air Nomad elders were not pleased when they found out that the newly appointed Prime Minister had refused reparations from the Fire Lord.
"It's hard isn't it?" The avatar commented as he looked at the older airbender.
The Prime Minister opened his eyes. "Yeah, it seems like I can never do anything right for them. Why did you appoint me?"
Aang moved to sit in front of the older man. "Because you are looking to the future, while the rest are still looking to place blame."
"I'm making so many mistakes," Yanghao sighed heavily.
"What mistakes have you made?" Aang asked softly. He knew the feeling that the Prime Minister was speaking of. Being a leader was not always easy, something Aang had learned in the last few years as he embraced his role as the avatar.
"For starters, I didn't accept Fire Lord Zuko's offer of reparations," the Prime Minister rubbed his hand on his face. "I decided to search out for anyone with airbender lineage, which according to the elders is a mistake because of bloodlines mixing."
"Doesn't sound like anything terrible so far," the Avatar encouraged
Yanghao looked out the window of the temple meeting room. He watched as a young airbender class moved through some breathing exercises. "I am apprehensive of encouraging more births until we are in a more stable position as a nation, I broached the subject of contraception tea."
"What was the reasoning for that?" Aang could understand why the elders were not happy with that decision. There were so few Air Nomads left that actively preventing births seemed disrespectful to the nation trying to rebuild.
"Something that Arnook said during the Anniversary Summit about resources from the Fire Nation being finite," the Prime Minister said with a shrug. "I think stabilizing our own economy and focusing on domestic trade is essential. We can't rely on the resources that we have been receiving or on reparations."
"It's more than that," the avatar encouraged him to keep speaking.
Yanghao shrugged noncommittally. He spoke more to fill the silence than anything else, "And Lao Beifong made a few comments about the possible potential of Fire Lord Zuko being dethroned. The Fire Lord's enemies are vast and peace was hard to come by."
The Avatar did not have a response to that, he knew better than anyone the amount of assassination attempts that had already taken place on the Fire Lord. The Air Nomads having their own thriving economy would do well to secure the future.
The Fire Lord lifted the little Prince out of his crib the moment he began fussing, he quickly changed his son's diaper before cuddling him. Zuko held his son in the crook of one arm, his son's head resting against his chest. The firebender had peaked into the nursery after his morning training and found his son wide awake. He suspected the sunrise woke him like it had every morning since he was born.
It was a rare opportunity for Zuko to have time with his son alone so, he leapt at the chance. "Good morning, Prince Lu Ten."
Lu Ten snuggled into the warmth of his father, a thumb moving into his mouth.
"Are you hungry? Should we go wake your momma? Or should we let her sleep?" Zuko placed a kiss on the top of his son's head. He never expected to be a good father, but the way his son clung to him told a different story. "I know what we should do. We should take Hikari and go play by the pond."
With his mind made up, the Fire Lord took his son and the polar bear dog down to the turtle duck pond in the family's private garden. Asking a servant to spread a blanket out by the cherry blossom tree as he walked through the corridors of the palace.
Zuko sat against the tree, with Lu Ten cuddled up on his chest, and Hikari curled up on the grass next to them. The morning sun cast glimmering rays against the pond.
"I spent a lot of time at this pond when I was a boy. I used to come here with my mother and we would feed the turtle ducks," the firebender told his son. "When you are a little older, you will feed the turtle ducks. But you have to be careful, the momma turtle duck is very protective and will bite you if you hurt her babies."
He punctuated his words with a bit of a tickle to his son's tummy. Lu Ten giggled at the motion and turned into his father more, hiding his face in Zuko's chest.
"One day, this will be your private garden," the Fire Lord explained to his son. His heart swelled as his son moved into him more. "You will be Fire Lord, just like me."
Lu Ten turned his head and babbled back to his father.
"Unless you don't want to be Fire Lord and want to go live in the South Pole with your cousin," Zuko offered to his son. Lu Ten stuck his tongue out at his father, who chuckled, "Uh oh, don't tell your mother that you don't want to live in the South Pole."
The Fire Lord continued speaking to his son resting on his chest. Zuko's deep voice and the rumble of his chest soon lulled Lu Ten to sleep. Father followed his son's lead and fell asleep with his head resting against the cherry blossom tree, the morning light slowly settling over them.
Katara woke with her bed and the nursery empty. Since Zuko was nowhere in sight she didn't worry too much about Lu Ten, but the ache in her breasts had her searching for them.
When she stumbled upon them in the garden, her heart melted at the sight. The waterbender leaned over and placed a kiss on her husband's forehead before plucking the baby out of his arms.
Lu Ten stirred as he was moved and scented his mother, his head instantly turning to her breasts searching for nourishment.
"Hmm," Zuko stretched as his wife settled next to him. His eyes blinked at the invasion of light, "Good morning, Katara."
She smiled at the sleepiness in his voice. "Good morning, Zuko. You should have woken me."
"No need, he just wanted snuggles with his daddy," the Fire Lord explained. He watched as his wife adjusted her top to feed their son. "And you needed the sleep."
"I did appreciate the sleep," she agreed with a small smile. Katara checked the latch that Lu Ten had on her breast, satisfied he was receiving sufficient milk.
"We need more mornings like this," he said after a few minutes. The two rarely got a quiet morning with their son, but since this was the anniversary of their Water Tribe wedding they had taken the morning off.
"Well, when we go to Ember Island in the new year we can have as many quiet mornings as you want," the waterbender smiled at her husband. Her attention was pulled back to her son as he painfully pulled against her nipple. She looked down and adjusted her son's latch before looking back at her husband. The firebender's eyes were locked on where his son was feeding. A longing in his eyes. "Zuko?"
"Hmm?" He looked up at her.
"Are you alright?" She asked him softly.
"Of course, I am alright," the Fire Lord leaned over and kissed her. "I am just enjoying the moment, he is growing up so fast."
"He is," the Fire Lady looked down at their son with a content smile.
"We've been married for two years now and Lu Ten is just over six months," Zuko began trying to be casual. He picked at a blade of grass, "Any thought to giving him a sibling?"
Chinatsu made some notes as she listened to the Fire Lady's courtiers as they organized the different proposals that had been submitted by the council. Their day started earlier than the Fire Lady's to help streamline what needed the monarch's attention and what could be taken care of by the courtiers.
"These are the press releases that need to be reviewed," the Fire Lady's secretary passed a stack of scrolls to Mai. "And the information for the budget for the Fire Days Festival."
"Are there the quarterly reports?" Ty Lee asked as she placed a few proposals into the reject pile.
"Here is the report for the orphanages," Chinatsu passed two scrolls to the acrobat. She riled through some papers on her desk before stopping on one, "And then here is the report for the medical reeducation program."
"That should be put at the top of the pile," Mai commented to Ty Lee as she reviewed the press releases. She handed one of the scrolls back to Chinatsu. "This seems to be a good exposé on the remodeling of Ember Island. I would have Azula, take a look at it, and once she gives the all clear have it resubmitted to Katara."
"Good morning," Katara greeted her secretary and courtiers as she walked into her office with Lu Ten, and Hikari trailing behind them. The Fire Lady placed her son in the crib on his stomach as the polar bear dog curled up at the base.
"There are a few things that need your immediate signature," Ty Lee said standing from her seat and placing some documents on Katara's desk.
"What am I looking at?" The Fire Lady asked as she sat down.
The acrobat pointed to the papers at the top, "This is the revised budget for the Fire Days Festival. Once you sign it the committee can begin preparations."
The waterbender's blue eyes scanned over the information in front of her, noting the changes that had been made. Once she had finished her appraisal, she placed her signature on the revised budget. Katara picked up the following document, "And this?"
"That is the release of the next class of the medical reeducation program," Ty Lee explained. She pointed to a few lines on the page, "This is to send the upcoming graduating class to Jang Hui."
Katara nodded and quickly signed the document in front of her before reviewing the report on the program. "Did the report come in for the orphanages?"
Mai stood from her spot and placed the report on the desk that Ty Lee was looking at earlier. "After you take a look at that, there are a few press releases that you need to review."
The Fire Lady shook her head as she noticed the press release addressing the poisoning from a few months prior. "These gossip scrolls, how are they getting this information?"
"Either a servant or a guard," Chinatsu replied with a shake of her head. "Though one of the reporters from the Caldera Secrets would like an audience with you."
"Caldera Secrets, that is the worst gossip scroll," the waterbender shook her head. She did not need some sleazy gossip scroll reporter trying to twist her words.
"It is the most purchased," Mai said thoughtfully. She had her own opinions about the gossip scrolls but she understood the demand for them. "It might not be a bad idea to invite them to stay in the palace."
"To parade around and judge not only my family but the work that I do? Spread rumors into all of the Fire Nation," Katara was dead set against conversing with a gossip scroll reporter.
"Public support is just as important if not more important than the support of the royal court," the acrobat retorted, understanding the thought process of her lover. "And with Azula's betrothal, the assassination attempts, the Northern Water Tribe's agenda . . ." She trailed off.
"And having a gossip scroll reporter would add fuel to the fire," the waterbender shook her head.
Mai sighed "Having a reporter of the top-selling gossip scroll not only in the Fire Nation but the world, you would be able to spin the narrative. Perhaps even place a few discreet suggestions to help draw out the rebels."
The waterbender went to respond but she paused, her courier's words sinking in. She looked over at her son who was lifting his head and watched as he rolled over onto his back. "Chinatsu, invite the reporter from Caldera Secrets to stay at the palace indefinitely."
"Focus Azula," Piandao teased as his hands skimmed her waist as he adjusted her position during their morning training.
It had been a couple of weeks since he had proposed and the two were spending more time together. There had been many instances where the couple had ended up in one of their bedchambers engaging in some illicit activities. However, the sword master had always stopped them from getting too out of hand as he wanted to preserve her reputation.
"I would be able to focus better if someone wasn't all handsy," the Princess retorted as she leaned back against his chest.
He leaned down, his lips against her ear. "If you concentrate now, I promise we can spend the hour after training in a much more pleasurable position."
Azula's body broke out into goosebumps. "How pleasurable?"
"Depends on how much you focus now," Piandao tempted her. The sword master placed a kiss right below her ear and took a step back. "Now, try it again."
The Princess took a cleansing breath and moved through the exercise again. She channeled all of her focus on the task at hand. Her blade connected with Piandao's when he moved into the arena with her. There was silent pride in his eyes as he watched her take on the advanced techniques, matching each of his moves with the appropriate counter. Never letting him get the upper hand.
Soon she had him disarmed and on the ground with her blade at his throat. A girlish smile crossed her face, "Guess this means I win!"
Piandao chuckled from his spot opposite her. "Yes, it does."
She sheathed her wazikashi and offered a hand to help him off the ground. Once he was standing, Piandao wrapped his arms around her leaning down to place a congratulatory kiss on her lips.
A throat clearing pulled the couple away from each other.
"Mother," Azula greeted the woman with a nod.
Ursa frowned at the tone but did not acknowledge it. "You seem to be progressing quite well in your swordsmanship."
"Thanks to Piandao."
"You are too kind, Azula," the sword master corrected her. "While I might have offered instruction and guidance, you are the one who worked diligently to acquire the skill beautifully."
"Thank you," the Princess replied with a small smile at the compliment.
"I came to see if you would both join me for tea this afternoon," the older woman steered the conversation. "Now that your engagement has been announced, it is time to begin planning your wedding. And there are many ceremonies that need to be planned. As well as an engagement party and your wedding tour."
The Fire Nation Princess bit her tongue, she wanted to tell her mother that all of that sounded quite dull and frivolous. She would much rather elope with Piandao tonight and avoid all the planning. Thankfully, the sword master stepped in.
"Thank you, Lady Ursa," he nodded at her respectfully. "We would be happy to have tea with you this afternoon. I am sure that under your guidance, we will have everything planned quickly and easily."
After arranging a time, Ursa left the couple to finish up their training.
"Do you think she would be terribly upset if we eloped?" Azula asked her fiancé as they stretched on the grass. She moved her arms behind her back and locked her hands together to stretch her shoulders. The motion caused her breasts to push against her training top and Piandao couldn't help but admire her form.
The sword master chuckled and propped himself on his side to watch her finish stretching. "It won't be that bad."
"You have clearly never planned a party with my mother," she mumbled begrudgingly.
"If you really do not want to plan anything, we could always give her complete control," Piandao suggested with a shrug, his eyes drinking into her body as she twisted. "Then all you will have to do is show up."
"You know my eyes are up here," Azula teased as she finished her stretches.
"I know," Piandao smirked cheekily at her. He reached out to her and rolled her on top of him. Instinctually, Azula moved her legs so she could straddle him. The sword master's eyes raked over her, he quite liked having her on top of him. "If I remember correctly, I think I promised you a pleasurable reward."
The Fire Lord resisted the urge to smirk at his wife's shifting. They were currently in a council meeting, listening to a boring report on grain production from the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture.
"Thank you, Councilman Kang," Zuko interrupted when the man paused for a breath. "I look forward to reading your report later this week."
Ukano stood from the table and began to close out the meeting, noticing how many of the other council members' eyes had glazed over during the report. After the council members bar Ukano exited the meeting, the royal advisor addressed the monarchs. "I have included Piandao's induction into the Royal Council for our next meeting along with the betrothal announcement. Next week the trial of the Chan family will begin regarding labor crimes."
"Very good Ukano," the Fire Nation sovereign said. "Be sure to add the budget review for the new year to the next meeting."
"Yes Fire Lord Zuko," the nobleman wrote a few notes before taking his leave.
Once the couple was finally only with the royal guard, Katara sagged from her place next to her husband. "I swear these meetings get longer and longer."
"How's your back?" The Fire Lord asked his wife as she stretched.
"Not as terrible as my breasts," the waterbender moaned in pain. The meeting had gone over by several hours and she had missed two feedings for Lu Ten, her breasts felt heavy and painful.
"We can bring Lu Ten to council meetings," Zuko suggested as he helped his wife off the floor. "That way you do not have to skip feedings."
The Fire Lady sighed, this was a conversation they had many many times. "You know how I feel about that. I want him to have as normal of a childhood as possible."
"But the thing is, he is not a normal child," he argued with his wife as they walked down the steps. "And trying to force a normal childhood on him will not help him. If anything, we should be preparing him to be the Fire Lord from day one."
"He's still a baby, Zuko," the waterbender grumbled as they walked to the nursery. "And you want him to be a part of the council meetings?"
"All I'm saying is the sooner he is in council meetings the more comfortable he will be when the time comes," the firebender countered. All he could think about was how his father refused him entrance to council meetings. If Ozai had just allowed Zuko the opportunity from the start, he might not have spoken out of turn.
Katara looked at her husband whose eyes were far away. "Why is it so important for you to have Lu Ten in council meetings?"
He was quiet as they entered the nursery and watched as his wife took their son from the governess. Finally, Zuko replied, "My father did not want me in meetings with him ever, and because of that, I always doubted my ability. Even now, I wonder if I am making the right decisions. I don't want that for Lu Ten."
The waterbender sat in the rocking chair and adjusted her formal robes to allow her son to feed. She let out a relieved sigh as the pressure released. "Lu Ten will know he is capable because we will make sure of that, but I do not think we need to bring him in as a baby."
"When he reaches school age, then," the Fire Lord countered. This was something he would not take no for an answer; he wanted his son to never doubt his ability as a leader. "I want him to spend time with us in council meetings and one day away in each of our offices."
"Once he's school-aged, I think it would be more than okay for him to attend council meetings," Katara agreed with a small smile. Now that she knew where her husband was coming from, the waterbender understood the want for their son to be near them.
"Thank you." Zuko watched as his wife switched breasts, his son eagerly rooting for nourishment. "He is over six months old and I still cannot believe we made him."
The waterbender smiled at her husband and looked down at their son. Becoming a mother had been more rewarding than she had anticipated. "He rises with the sun every day, do you think he might be a firebender?"
"He also burns the moonlight hours, how many times have you woken to find him staring at the full moon?" The firebender countered with a raised eyebrow. "He will present when he's ready and not a second sooner, you know that. And he might not even be a bender."
"I almost hope that he's not a bender," she whispered. Softly voicing her deepest thoughts to her husband. "Being a child of mixed-bending parents, I worry about him. And with the assassination attempts, I feel like I can never sleep because I'm terrified all the time."
"I know," Zuko said as he leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Whatever happens, we will get through it."
Akio cleared his throat as he stood in the nursery doorway. "Fire Lord Zuko and Fire Lady Katara, I am sorry to interrupt you but, there is an urgent message from the Earth King. He sent a personal messenger."
"Azula, is that a love bite?" Ty Lee teased her friend as she sat down across from her.
The Fire Nation Princess adjusted her collar to hide the remnants of her time with Piandao the other day. She adjusted the papers on her desk, "A training bruise."
"It looks like you might have gotten into a fight with Piandao's mouth," Mai replied with a smirk from her place on the settee in Azula's office.
"You really do not need to be here, Mai," the Princess drawled with an annoyed look.
"Yes, but who would provide the appropriate commentary," the noblewoman smirked as she looked through the papers in front of her.
Azula cleared her throat, she needed to get this meeting back on track. "Did you have a chance to review the budget for the art school, Ty Lee?"
The acrobat shuffled through the papers in front of her. "I did. There are a few incidentals we did not account for. The only thing left to do is find a plot of land to build."
"What if we didn't build?" Azula asked as she made a few notes. "What if we purchased one of the old barracks and renovated it?"
"The barracks are on the edge of the city," Ty Lee tapped her chin. She was hoping to have the school closer to the arts district or even near Caldera University.
"We can tour a few of the buildings that are for sale in the city and see if any would be sufficient," Azula suggested. Now that Ty Lee had brought up the location of the barracks, it made the Princess pause. "Ideally, I would like for it to open next fall. So finding a building that could meet our needs with some renovations would expedite the process."
"I agree," the acrobat stated with a nod. "I have been discussing the application process with Lady Jiayi, and she agreed to be on the admissions committee. She also mentioned discretionary funds that would be available to offset living expenses for the students."
"Have you considered the option of asking the noble families to sponsor and host the students?" Mai asked them as she made a few notes on her own proposal.
Azula turned to look at her friend. "I had not thought of that Mai."
"That would solve a lot of potential problems," Ty Lee agreed as she thought over the idea. "The school would just need to be that and we would not need to worry about housing. And the introductions that would be made for the students would allow a base customer after they have finished their studies."
"It would also give the students the potential to travel if we make the suggestion to the noble families, offer some form of tax incentive," the Princess began brainstorming. She grabbed the brush next to her and began writing as many notes down as she could. "Is there anything else we need to discuss before we request funds from the crown?"
"There are a few things that Katara put forth wanting either clarity on or some changes to be made," the acrobat pulled out the Fire Lady's notes. "She had a question about the consignment opportunities."
"Princess Azula, Lady Ty Lee," Chinatsu greeted the women as she was allowed entrance into the Princess's office. "Your meeting with Fire Lady Katara has been rescheduled for next week. The Fire Lord and Fire Lady were pulled into an emergency meeting with a messenger from the Earth Kingdom."
"Thank you, Chinatsu," Azula stated with a furrowed brow. She stood suddenly after the secretary left the room and turned to her friends, "Come with me!"
The two noblewomen followed the Princess as she quickly walked through the palace, entering a formal sitting room that was rarely used. Ty Lee shot Mai a confused look as they walked into the room. Azula ignored their confusion as she made her way to the bookshelf on the far wall, with a quick look around she pulled out one book opening a secret passage in the shelving.
"Where are we going?" Ty Lee asked as they moved through the passageways. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason to the direction in which the Princess was moving.
"Quiet, if we can hear them, they can hear us," Azula whispered as she navigated the corridors. She hadn't been in these corridors in years, but she knew the passageways like the back of her hand. Finally, they turned a corner and the Princess held a finger to her lips.
"And King Keui is sure that these threats are coming from this criminal organization?" The Fire Lady's voice sounded through the walls.
"There has been sufficient evidence, but the reason King Keui is so concerned is there are some disturbing suspicions that Princess Azula has ties through the Dai Lee to this organization," a man's voice stated.
The noblewomen both turned to look at their friend, eyebrows raised.
But she was not paying attention to them. There was something familiar about the voice, Azula thought to herself, but she couldn't place it.
The Kyoshi Warrior snuggled her daughter close. She needed this, the loss was still too raw.
Staying in the South Pole while she grieved the loss of her unborn child had been debilitating. The constant stares of the tribe and the looks of pity brought the memory back every moment of the day. Sokka had barely left her side since it happened. Suki knew her husband was just trying to be supportive, but she couldn't stand his hovering.
She dared not look back, she knew if she did she would tell the captain to turn the ship around.
Instead, Suki looked to the horizon.
Notes:
Thank you again for all of your support and for sticking with me even though my posting schedule has fallen short.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I can't wait to hear your thoughts :)
As of right now, I'm not going to say when Chapter 32 will come but know that for 2025 my hope is to post at least 5 chapters! So stick with me and know they are coming!
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