Okay this is my first Avatar fic -
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, that unfortunately belongs to Nickelodeon.
Please don't sue me this is for entertainment only while we wait the next season to air!
Main Pairing: Zuko/Katara
Possible pairing of Aang/Toph - Sokka/Toph (Others to be determined)
Possible Character death
Most all the characters from the series will appear, some where some how, some original characters have been added for filler.
You may find some of the plot line familiar with some very epic martial arts films, I have twisted and used them to fit the Avatar world.
If you know where they come from great, please don't spoil it for me or anyone else.
This fic may become very dark at times.
Some of our favorite characters may not be shown in the heroic light at all times.
Chatarcters are six (6) years older in this fic than on the present series -
Zuko/23-24; Katara and Azula/20-21; Sokka/21-22; Aang and Toph/ 18-19
Rated M for future chapters, sexual content (some referred some explicit), language, violence, etc...
Please if you are UNDERAGE DO NOT read this.
The M content doesnt really take place until about the 4th Chapter
I suck at summaries, and naming chapters and the story in general. Rhythm of Chi was all I could think of - don't hate me!
Consider yourself warned!
Please enjoy.
Prologue
Sozin's Comet came, Aang defeated Fire Lord Ozai, but the War did not end. Six long years have passed since Fire Queen Azula took the throne. Aang disappeared into thin air; no one has seen him since the defeat of the Fire Lord. Katara, Sokka and Toph were separated in a battle with the Dai Li in Omashu or "New Ozai".
Katara fled with great injuries and made it to Ba Sing Se, where she took up refuge in a brothel house that belongs to a local Madame, Kanegawa Maru (whom Katara recognizes as the first Joo Dee, sent to them in Ba Sing Se), called The Silver Lotus Garden. She was attacked by TyLee and it seriously impaired her Water bending and unfortunately her sight. Madame Maru does not allow her public appearances very much. She is mostly a house servant.
Sokka was captured by Mai and TyLee, and taken to Fire Queen Azula, she sent him to slave quarters, where he works the fields and sees to the animals; But he is not in the Fire Nation, he thinks himself to be in the Earth Kingdom. He rarely sees the inside of the palace walls. Only when he fetches food from the kitchens is he allowed inside, but he plots daily on an escape.
Toph escaped on Appa along with Momo and has been looking for her friends ever since. It has been hard to search for them with the whole of the Fire Nation searching for her and Aang with wanted posters posted everywhere. She has recently taken up refuge in the village near Sinlin's Forest.
Uncle Iroh, is under great scrutiny, but allowed to run his tea shop in Ba Sing Se. Prince Zuko is plotting the over throw of Azula, from inside the palace walls. There is very little resistance left with-in the fire nation; she only lets him live to torture him. When he is not being shadowed by Azula's guards he is still on his search for the Avatar and his friends. He visits his uncle's tea shop almost daily in hopes of learning new information on there whereabouts.
After six long years every one's paths are about to cross again. So much has happened, so much has changed.
Chapter 1- The Silver Lotus Garden
Katara:
"Shui," called Madame Maru.
Katara lifted her head and rose to her feet. Madame Maru called her Shui, since she arrived on her doorstep. She didn't mind, it was a pleasant enough name, and it meant that she didn't have her named being blasted all over the house.
"Today you will serve in the main hall," Madame Maru stated. "Lin will help you get dressed."
"But Madame Maru," Katara protested. "How can I be of service in the main hall? Isn't that for the girls that entertain the soldiers and governmental guests."
"You will do fine."
She heard Madame Maru's footsteps leave the room and Lin's light gait replace it.
"Good morning, Shui," Lin said softly. "Madame Maru asked me to assist you."
"Thank you Lin," Katara said looking to the sound of Lin's voice. She didn't see total blackness, but she couldn't make anything out much more than dark shadows.
"You are so lucky I can't wait until I am old enough to work in the main hall," Lin said excitedly as she commenced to coming Katara's hair, pulling and stretching it in every direction.
It took over an hour to prepare Katara for the main hall. She could feel the exquisite silk of the gown hugging her. She ran her fingers over the embroidery, feeling the different textures woven in and out of the fabric. She could picture it in her mind, deep blues, complimented in silver. Though she couldn't see it, she felt as if she looked like a princess.
"Lin, what color is the gown?" Katara asked, feeling her placing the ornaments around her neck.
"Red and black, trimmed in gold." Lin fastened the choker. "You look like a fire princess."
Katara's heart sank. A fire princess was the last thing she wanted to look like.
"What's the matter?" Lin asked.
"Nothing, I was just picturing myself in different a color, that's all."
"Well you are ready." Lin placed Katara's hand on her shoulder and led her to the main hall of the house.
Madam Maru placed her in a corner where she was to stand until she was summoned by a guest. Katara dreaded the very thought of being called upon for the entertainment of a fire soldier. It made her sick to her stomach.
The house began to fill with the evening crowd of soldiers, governors and aristocrats of the city. Girls all around were giggling, tea cups were clinking, men were laughing and talking. Fortunately no one had called for her "entertainment". She stood silent staring out into the shadows, praying that she would just have to remain standing for the rest of the evening.
Unfortunately her prayers weren't answered. She heard a loud group of firebending soldiers enter the room. Evidently they had, asked for her to enter into their private sitting room. Lin took her by the hand, leading her to a small room set off from the main one.
"Leave," instructed one of the men talking to Lin.
"So, we see Madame Maru has a new girl," said another to the right of Katara.
Katara said nothing, just nodded her head.
"What's your name?" asked the first man.
"Shui."
"All other girls in this whore house have taken the name of a flower, why not you?"
"I highly doubt that any girl in this place can hardly be called a flower," Katara answered starring straight ahead, only seeing the moving shadows of the men.
They all evidently were amused with her response.
"So what makes you so special that Madam Maru, has kept you hidden?"
Katara didn't know what to answer to that. She didn't have any special talents, she could dance a little bit, Madam Maru had seen to it she had been trained in that. If only she could waterbend, then she could show how special she was.
"I ask you what makes you so special," the soldier raised his voice pulling Katara to the cushions with him.
"Let me go!" Katara screamed fighting back.
"I don't think so," the man said advancing himself upon her, placing his rough lips on top of hers. She felt him rip her dress, exposing her shoulders, trying to pin her legs as she fought him. Her screaming was drown out by the jeering of the men that were in the room with her.
"Let me go!" she screamed and tried to fight.
The man was strong and she was too weak to fight back.
"Sir, you can not do this!" Madame Maru barged in, and began to attempt to remove Katara.
"I can do what I want, I paid for her!"
By then the whole of the house was chattering and watching the struggle. Madam Maru and Lin were yelling and so was Katara. Suddenly the scuffle was broken by a loud angry voice.
"Enough!"
The firenation soldier stopped immediately and pulled himself from Katara.
"Prince Zuko," the soldier got to his feet.
Katara sat there attempting to pull her gown back over her exposed flesh. She could feel her mouth open, in shock. Could that really be Prince Zuko, for a moment she felt relief, and then it was immediately replaced with fury. Then sudden fear over took her, what if he recognized her.
"Arrest him he is drunk!" shouted Prince Zuko. "Her too, she is indecent."
"Prince Zuko," Madame Maru spoke. "Please do not arrest her; she is one of my most prized girls."
Katara could feel him starring at her, investigating her appearance.
"She is a blind whore, how can she be your most valuable."
"She has many talents, your highness," Madam Maru's voice was begging, pleading.
"Stand up," Prince Zuko grabbed Katara by the arm pulling her to her feet.
His hand squeezed her bare flesh, as she attempted, to cover it furiously. He was hurting her, his hand was hot.
"Do you know the echo game?" He said his voice raspy and taunting.
Katara did not answer.
"I asked you a question." He tightened his grip on her arm pulling her closer to him. "I suggest you answer."
"I – I have played it once," Katara answered her breath caught in her throat.
"Good this shall be interesting," he said pushing Katara Lin, then turning to Madame Maru. "Get it ready."
"Yes, of course," Madame Maru said bowing deeply to Prince Zuko.
Katara felt Lin pull her away; she redressed her quickly, into a fresh gown. Just as before sleeves long and dragging the floor, she didn't ask what color it was this time, Lin volunteered the information for her. Of course to her suspicion it was Fire Nation colors, she wasn't surprised. Lin hurried her ushering her back to the main room.
She could hear the chatter of all the house girls and their guests as she stood there and Lin turned her to face the Fire Prince. The bells that Lin had placed on her shoes were loud as she lifted her leg into the air; the crowns of shimmying crystals were louder than the bells on her shoes.
She heard a sardonic chuckle reverberate from the front of the room and could only assume that it was Zuko. Then she heard it, the first stone hit one of the many drums with a taught thud, which were circled around then and fell to the floor with an earth shattering crash.
Katara moved swiftly and precisely hitting the drum with the end of the long sash on her sleeves.
She heard another malevolent chuckle. Then two loud echoing thuds and the stone then hit the floor.
Again with accuracy as if she were using the sashes as water she hit the first drum then the second, returning to an arabesque form, her leg high to her side, her hands pressed together. She waited for the next stone to hit. Four different thuds this time, again she hit them moving about as if she were flowing water.
"Well done," Prince Zuko remarked, but with malice on his tongue.
Then it came he picked up the bowl and threw all the stones through the air, each of them hitting numerous drums, sending echoes of the music around the room. Then like a shattered glass all the stones hit the tiled floor. The musicians behind the drums began to play, with a fast paced, taking rhythm.
Katara moved, her fluid motions hitting each drum in order, playing with the rhythm of the musicians. Although she knew she wasn't water bending she had not forgotten the motions that Master Pakku had taught her. And even if it was for the sick pleasure of Prince Zuko, she felt free. So free she felt the need to slap his face with a few licks of the silken sashes of her sleeves. She felt them hit his skin, infuriating his temper.
It wasn't long until she suffered the repercussions of her actions. The sound of the blade cutting them, slicing the silken fabric to pieces; but she couldn't stop, she continued to taunt him. She didn't stop until she felt the tip of his blade in the hollow of her neck.
"Arrest her," he said ever so smoothly.
Katara felt the iron shackles clamp around her wrist, as her arms ached with the force of them being brought behind her back. She could hear Madame Maru, pleading and begging him not to take her. Lin had grabbed her feet trying to keep her in the house. But no avail, the Fire Prince, had her taken to the local prison hold. He accompanied them on her way to the hold; he had her locked in a cell away from the other prisoners. He didn't say a word to her, but she felt him studying her, all she could see was his looming shadow.
Katara was in the cell for three days, Madam Maru, had been permitted to come see her once. She was fed and watered by hand, her hands were now tied with a rough twine that was cutting into her flesh.
The sun had gone down and the cell was getting darker. She desperately needed a bath, and clean clothes. But she didn't count on getting either one any time soon.
Suddenly her attention was averted by a commotion going on in the front of the holding compound. By the sounds of it, she suspected a prisoner had tried to escape, and was giving the Fire Nation soldiers hell. She hoped they succeeded and got away. But the commotion didn't seem to move out it moved back towards her.
"There he is!" a guard shouted.
"Get him!" yelled another.
She so wished she could see, hearing the commotion sort of frightened her. Just as sudden as the commotion started it stopped. She heard the lock of her cell click and the old door creak open. She saw a shadow, and then she felt someone grab her sash urging her to follow. She did.
"Who are you?" she asked in a whisper.
She did not get an answer, only a tug on her sash. The clinking bells on her shoes were annoying, as was the crown of clinking crystals. Apparently they annoyed her rescuer as well. He stopped and removed both. He then picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder; moving quickly through out the compound and out into the night.
Every now and then she would hear a soldier shout; evidently they were looking for them. But her liberator seemed to know just where to go, he moved quickly and with direction. They had been on the run for nearly an hour she guessed when the man finally stopped and put her down.
He turned her around and cut the twine around her wrists. She felt the blood flow back to her fingertips and the skin burn where the rope had cut into the flesh. The man took her by the hand, and then led on. The stone beneath her feet were smooth, and cool. They must be in one of the upper rings of the city she thought. Silence between them was broken occasionally by a shouting solder.
He came to another stop, and she heard a door open, he ushered her in and closed the door behind them. She could smell burning wax in the room, and could vaguely make out his shadow, the light was too dim. He led her to a cushion and ushered her to sit. She did.
She could feel him get to his knees before her. The clinking of a tea pot and the smell of Jasmine tea filled her nostrils. He took her hand and placed a hot cup of tea in it. She sipped it slowly as it was very hot. She could hear him open something; she felt a cool sensation on the raw flesh on her wrist.
"Who are you?" she whispered for a second time.
Again silence prevailed in the wake of an answer.
Her head began to feel cloudy, her body intense. She felt herself falling forward, her eyes heavy. He laid her head down on the cushion and covered her with a light blanket. The last thing she heard was a door open and a second set of footsteps coming toward her.