Water Burns Too
A/N: Hey everybody, so sorry I haven't uploaded anything in a couple years, my only excuse is poor, I had no computer to upload anything with, yeah, but hey, this is my first Zutara story. I hope you like it, please r&r, constructive criticism is begged for. Enjoy :)
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So this is the Fire Nation, its exactly like I expected; full of red, even, despite this fact, you could see tan skin and green clothes: Earth Kingdom people, only here as slaves. It was unfair, the way the Fire Nation bought and sold living beings such as themselves as they pleased. It was clear that they thought of the other elements as a laughing stock, not fit for anything other than slavery, and that idea was disgusting. The Fire Nations civilians were nothing other than selfish, no good, power obsessed, liars, everything you don't want to be, worse could be said about their rulers; the royal family. How could anyone be so cruel? And look, all that suffers because of it. They thought of themselves as the better and more powerful, ruling over fools who believed their lies. The blind leading the blind, how stupid.
I too, am here as a slave, some people and I were taken from our home in the Water Tribes, where the climate is ridiculously COLD. Everyone was wearing fur pelt coats, as thick as a flying bison's' , all having fun, chief Hadoka, my father, had his second in command, Bato, take most of the boys out for some version of a hike, my brother among them, while few stayed behind, some saying that the girls needed them here, the others, because they were afraid. Then the Fire Nation came, they took everyone between the ages of ten and seventeen, with three adult women. My father begged that they leave, giving us back, he even offered to pay all that he owned, but they spat in his face and laughed, taking the captives, me included.
This was our last destination, and we were frightened, eighteen people captured to be sold as slaves, among them; three women, eight girls and seven boys. I heard them say something about that if some weren't sold; they could either kill them, or lower the price and try again. This whole thing disgusted me, people, men and women alike, being sold to labor, and the Fire Nation didn't care, not about civilian rights, but about money.
There was a wooden stage a few ways down from the docks I noticed as we were forced off the ship. Many people came around as we got on top, money bags in hand, most of them were men, half looked like nobles, the other half; lazy, scary and waiting to do something terrible. Nobody was doing anything, and I was starting to wonder if this was a joke, and that we could go back home laughing about the whole thing, but no, they were clearly waiting on someone or something. As I lean over to a girl, who was also bound, to ask her a question, my shoulder had been roughly grabbed by a soldier who hissed in my ear saying, "no secrets".
I winced at the new found pain in my upper right arm; he didn't have to be so rough. I was hoping that no one would buy me, and they would decide to end my suffering, but I doubt it. Many of the men were staring in my direction, the three adult women were getting the most lustful looks though, and I felt sorry for them. Two minutes or so passed, and the crowd started getting restless and grumbling angrily. That's all they ever were- angry. Time was going, and I'm not sure how long we stood there for, but suddenly, a tall and burly man yelled out, "Oh Agni! Where's the bloody king when you need him!" I was shocked that he would speak so rudely about his ruler, and with that, the man earned himself a smack across the face, followed by a warning, "If you ever, in life again, speak such blaspheme about the king, your head will roll on these streets!" I'm not sure about the guy who was threatened, but after that, I wouldn't even utter a single word for all eternity. When the guard returned back into position, I took a step aside, unfortunately, this didn't go unnoticed, and I felt the same guard smirk from behind me.
Soon enough, this carriage, cart looking thing pulled up, and out came, Lord Ozai, and the man who complained made the floor seem like the next best thing in his view. With a low grunt, the Lord looked us over, he seemed irritated, either way, he was, and in fact, here, his purpose being what? I don't know. I stared at the people who had been captured just like me, there had been more from when I last checked, there were Earth Kingdom people now, most were boys, frightened; like I was. I felt sorry for all of them, but I was cut off from my chain of thought when someone started shouting, "Behold! Lord Ozai!" clapping, "He has decided he would be the first to obtain the slaves that he wishes, then you will get your bit!" the announcer's voice sounded as though this happened every single time more slaves shipped in, which was obviously a regular thing. The crowd just merely nodded in understanding, clearly accustom, I did too, unconsciously. Ozai looked around for a while, then, turning to his personal assistant, whispered something in his ear. I hadn't even noticed I was holding the hands of the people next to me until a guard grabbed me suddenly and my grip automatically tightened, he just pulled harder, and I realized that I wasn't the only one; four boys and five girls were being roughly shoved into a cart, all Earth Kingdom, except me, who is Water Tribe, and I felt eyes smirking behind my head. In two minutes we were off, going down the rocky road to the castle, or palace, or whatever, one thing was for certain, it was a copy of hell.
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On our way, I noted that there were two adult women there, obviously sisters, as they resemble, and obviously distraught, their life has just been bought, I also saw that the girls here were crying, and the boys were fighting back tears, of course, they still had to be tough, reminded me of my brother, then I fought back tears myself. Watching the girls for a while, I couldn't fight it anymore, and I felt my own eyes heat up, for comfort, even if I knew here or not, my hand grabbed another's, and she held mine back, with equal sadness and equal comfort, then I realized that everyone was holding a hand afterwards, trying their hardest to give comfort, and receive it. Amazing, though it is said, people come together either in loyalty, or fear, and this was definitely fear.
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This is taking long, the ride, the chance to get accustom to hell… the chance to be alone. Everything and everyone was upset, the sun itself seemed warmer, as if to reduce the pain we were going to have to endure. There were many tall buildings, but they looked as if they were hotels, expensive ones too, I was shocked to see Earth Kingdom people there, looking like nobles; rich, sophisticated and plain respectful. It was surprising that the Fire Nation actually let them roam the place like this, like if they were one of them, as if they were from the fire inhabitants. Many people glanced our way, some had looks of confusion, and that was confusing me, but every time I turn back to facing forward, I notice that some eyes looked away, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks; my skin, it was dark, I was standing out like a sore thumb! I mean, the earth kingdom people were much lighter in comparison. This was bad, that must have been why Lord Ozai took me, as it is, the other captives that were taken from the Water Tribes had died over shores, much to my displeasure and horror, but I still don't understand. This was eating me inside out… and it was hurting.
Moments later, I feel tears swell up in my eyes again, then everyone looks up, including me, as we suddenly stopped, then back down, we've reached.
There it was; the palace; two large metal gates, nothing fancy. The carriage stops for a brief moment, and the gates open, then we're moving again, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't awe struck, beautifully stoned floor leading straight forward, with emerald green grass, and all the flowers the Fire Nation would allow, they were mainly red, but pretty nevertheless, I had the urge to reach down and touch them, but my bounds stopped me, in the distance you could see fountains, I'd be shocked if it poured water! The whole building looked as if it were made of marble and gold; several big windows, clean and clear, finally, the door; big, brown, maybe oak wood with gold knobs. Even though the outside wasn't much, it was a lot compared to my home, which I missed. My how wasn't much, practically living on a giant ice-berg, but, the people there made it worth it, that's what my mom told me before she… passed. We jerked forward, which brought me out of my chain of thought, and two soldiers came by, waiting for Lord Ozai.
"Take the slaves out the cart!" one guard yelled, and I winced. It took four seconds to roughly yank us out, and no one was happy. Ozai soon came out, taking all his precious time to come in turns of our direction, he had that over smug look on his face, and I don't like it, not one bit. We stayed on our hands and knees for a while, as the Lord looked us over. Finally he allowed us to rise, and I had a glare on my face. The guards then escorted us into the palace's fairly long flight of stairs, and as we reached the main door, Ozai stopped us, "Welcome, slaves… to your new home!" he emphasized the fact that we were slaves. I don't like the way he's looking at me, it's disgusting, but there noting I could do, and I knew it, noting but pray. I'm Katara, and this is my predicament.
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A/N: okay, chapter one, I know it was a little redundant, I'm sorry, but please don't let that stop you from enjoying, I will try not to let it happen, I'm trying to do something awesome by writing this story, so please bear with me, so r&r, and constructive criticism is accepted, I also have no idea what the palace really looks like, the story will get better as it progresses. The chapters will also be longer in the future. :) ~Poodie