The Sun's Affair with the Moon
Full Summary:
AU: Fire Prince Ozai provides aid to the Water Princess in a time where war is about to consume the world. However; as she is brought into his care, she discovers his grim past that is connected to her own. What happens when despite what she finds while in the Fire Nation, the Water Princess cannot help her growing feelings for the Fire Prince. Ozai x Kya, eventual Ozai x Katara. No hundred year war or Avatar. The Air nomads are alive, Ursa hasn't left yet, Azulon and Lu Ten are also still alive. Yurp.
A/N:
Hakoda/Ozai: 44
Katara/Aang/Azula/Toph/Ty Lee: 17
Yue/Mai:18
Sokka/Zuko: 19
Ursa: 40
Iroh: 64
Azulon: 88
Lu Ten: 23
Alright! So the reason for my writers block for my other story is due to the fact that I had been holding onto this story right here. This is my baby right here. The story I had intended to post before Where We Stand. After writing Forgiving the Wicked, I brainstormed this, wrote the first five chapters and stopped. Why did I stop? Because I knew you guys wanted a story that wasn't another emotional roller coaster after what happened in Forgiving the Wicked but after writing Where We Stand and Drowning lessons, I realized that this shipment isn't going to be anything without the emotional roller coaster. I must say, writing this story and plotting it till the very end, I have cried myself to sleep because I put a little of my own feelings into it. And I WARN you all, read at your own caution. This story literally hurt to plot and write, so as a reader, I warn you lovelies. It's still an enjoyable story with comedy in it and fun but the background story is where my emotions spilled their guts. Hope you all still decide to read it because this is what I puked my soul into.
Chapter 1:
Seven years ago…
Knelt before her father and the father of the princess she just fought, Katara stared at him with unapologetic sapphire eyes. She was taking nothing back as she had done nothing wrong. Only stood up for herself against that mean ole Azula that burned the lilies Zuko gave her. Her father could keep dreaming if he thought she was going to say sorry. The small waterbender turned her head and stuck her tongue out at the Azula.
"Water bitch!" Azula snarled and lunged at waterbender.
The fathers of these ten year old girls had to grab both of them and separate them as far as possible, handing them over to their brothers that were confused as to what was going on. When the Southern Chieftain watched his daughter be carried off by her older brother, Sokka, he turned to his long time friend.
"Ozai, forgive my daughter. She's been acting out lately and I haven't had much time to keep her in place." Hakoda said.
Ordering Zuko to take his sister back to their guest chambers to their mother, Ozai turned his amber eyes on his blue eyed friend. "It is fine. My daughter is without a doubt a troublemaker, it's good to see someone finally stand up to her."
Chuckling as he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. Hakoda felt terrible about their daughters fighting again. It seemed every time the girls got around each other they'd start fighting. At least this time they didn't ruin King Bumi's garden again. This time it was only a fist fight. Thank spirits.
"If only they could get along like we do." Hakoda smiled.
Rolling his eyes as he turned to leave the scene of the fight, "I tolerate you, Hakoda, but we aren't friends. We haven't been for some time." Ozai said as he left.
You say that, old friend. Hakoda said to himself as he watched the Fire Prince leave.
~Hakoda's guest chambers~
Pouting as the servants fixed up her bruises, Katara folded her arms and ignored her brother lecturing her. Just because he was older didn't mean he knew better. Sokka was an idiot at times. How someone like him survived this long in the world was beyond her. While she loved her brother, she couldn't stand him right now.
"You can't just go punching people in the face. Especially not another Prince's daughter!" Sokka paced back and forth as the servants aided his sister. "You're lucky dad and Fire Prince Ozai are old buddies otherwise you could have started a war just now."
"If it's a war she wants then it's a war I'll give her!" Katara said as she pushed her servants away and balled her fist.
La, knew she couldn't stand that fireball piece of shit Azula! One day she was going to really give it to that girl. Like really mess her up. So what if now, Azula won every fight but that wouldn't remain. Katara would get stronger and more powerful and she would ruin that wicked princess.
Seeing that everything he said went into one ear and out the other, Sokka shook his head and plopped down onto the bed. Clearly, his sister had a terrible attitude and hyper-aggressive behavior. This had been an issue ever since their mother died three years ago. It had hit her harder than anyone thought. Though it was understandable. Katara had been very clingy to their mother and having watched her die before her very eyes, it was a lot on his baby sister.
Sokka sighed and let his sister leave to the terrace. What am I gonna do mom? He laid back onto the bed, arms going over his face and he lost himself in thought.
~Ozai's guest chambers~
Ursa was highly disappointed in her daughter as she wiped the blood from her lips and fixed her hair that had twigs tangled in it.
"How many times does your father and I have to get on you about fighting that poor girl?! She's motherless, why are you so bent on fighting her?" Ursa couldn't understand what was wrong with her daughter.
Folding her arms and rolling her eyes, "Because I hate her!" Azula said.
"Hate her? Why would you hate her? She's done nothing to you."
Pulling away from her mother, "Doesn't matter! I don't like her and I hope she dies just like Lady Kya did!"
Azula didn't notice her father had entered the room but when she did, she was on the floor, hand to her face, in utter shock. Her mother rose to help her from the floor as she stared viciously at her husband.
"Ozai!" Ursa barked.
"Watch your mouth, Azula. I don't want to anything like that come from you again." The Fire Prince scolded his daughter in an stark monotone voice.
Ursa gaped at her husband while comforting their daughter in her arms. She knew the topic of Kya was touchy for him but she wouldn't have thought that he'd slap his own daughter at the mention of that woman.
~A little while later~
Sitting on the edge of the bed as her husband sat at the desk in their guest room writing out his proposal for tomorrow's meeting with King Bumi, Ursa watched him with careful eyes. After she had left Azula to rest from her injuries and consoled her about her father's actions, the raven haired woman found herself lost in another deep ponder about the man she married. He's still not over her. But what was she to expect? Only reason they were married was because he couldn't have her. Ozai lost her to his old friend. Kya that was.
All these years, Ursa had spent jealous of the woman her husband had refused to stop loving. Even when the woman died of her terminal illness, Ozai's feelings would not die and neither would her jealousy.
"Are you coming to bed, dear?" Ursa asked sweetly as her husband was once again busying himself before bed. She realized a while ago that he would work until she fell asleep.
"I have no time for rest." Ozai replied in irritation. Why must this woman be so needy? Didn't she know the man she married? The Fire Prince and as the wife of the Fire Prince, she was to understand that his responsibilities came before her.
Furrowing her brows in disappointment, Ursa rose from bed and slowly made her way up behind him where she wrapped her arms around his neck while pressing her breasts into his back. Lips touching the side of his cheek as she noticed he put down his writing utensil.
Purring into his ear, "Come to bed with me, my love." She whispered softly.
Tensing up from her forward gesture, Ozai quickly got her off of him and rose. He turned and sent her a look to silently get her to stop her advances. It was disgust. Utter disgust. Disgust that she wasn't the woman he had not stopped loving.
Backing away from him, "Still I'm not good enough, am I?" Ursa looked at him with hopeless eyes. "I bear you two children and stand by you even when you're wrong and I still cannot compete with her." Tears ran down her pale cheeks.
"There was no competition and you know that." Ozai said coldly to her as he decided it best he not share the room with her tonight.
As he prepared to leave, a glass vase smashed into the wall right in front of him, he just barely dodged it.
"You bastard! I love you! Not her! Not anyone else! But me! I love you, you unloveable selfish bastard!" Ursa screamed at him.
Ozai only glanced at her as he quietly left the room for her to weep to herself in as he shut the door behind him.
~Midnight~
Splashing the puddle in one of the courtyards of the palace of Omashu, Katara scared off the little turtle ducks from their home by the pond and managed to freeze over the vegetation around her. She was having yet another fit. Why was it her father wanted her to be nice to that stupid princess?! She started it!
Bending water or rather stealing it from the plants and beautiful flowers around her, Katara slashed through the cushion seats of the patio furniture that belonged on the stone seating.
"Stupid dad! Stupid Azula! Stupid everyone!" The ten year old waterbender yelled as she twirled around with her water slicing through the wilted flower stems. However; as she did, she heard a hiss and the next thing she knew the stream of water she had been bending evaporated into thin air.
Seeing the source of her lost of water, Katara gasped stumbled backwards, tumbling over a rock that was placed conveniently behind her foot. But before she could fall, her wrist was snatched up and she found herself being yanked back to her feet.
"Watch yourself, girl."
"Agh! I'm sorry." The young girl fell on her knees and bowed her head to the grass. Her father would kill her if she drew her anger out on the Fire Prince. Even if he was the father of the monster, Azula, she wasn't stupid enough to cross him. Not at all.
Eying the frightened girl, Ozai crouched down to her and held his hand out to her. "Look what you've done." He grabbed the side of her face forced her to look up at him. "Look at my hand."
Katara looked to the Fire Prince's hand and her eyes widened. There was a deep slash that was oozing blood from his hand. "I-I I'm sor-"
"I could have you executed or declare war on your people for this." He narrowed his eyes at her.
"It was an accident!" She said pleadingly.
"Accident or not, girl. You've managed to cut the Fire Prince and destroy an entire garden all because you've allowed your anger to run like wildfire." Ozai snatched her wrist and pulled her towards him, staring her even more intensely into her ocean colored eyes. "There are consequences for losing control. Never forget that or it will be your undoing."
The waterbender was let go of in an instant and was able to catch her breath some but her eyes had not left the Fire Prince's. His amber gaze had struck her somewhere cold and burned her insides. What was this? Was he doing this to her? He was much more scary than Azula. Though he was not wicked in the same way the diabolical princess was, he was a terror in his own right. To look so uncaring and yet there was never an absence of fire behind his gold eyes.
"Now fix this." Ozai place his hand flat into hers. "And I'll take care of the rest." Referring to the garden the ten year old waterbender ruined.
Nodding her head fast, Katara bended some water to the Fire Prince's hand and immediately started to put to use her healing ability. She had never used it on anyone but herself, so she wasn't sure if she'd do all that well of a job. Fortunately, his cut wasn't deep and was only on the surface.
Ozai watched the waterbender heal his hand and all he could think as she focused intently on making right her wrong was her mother. Daughter of Kya. He said in his head. She was Kya's incarnation if you will. Everything about this small girl. From the fiery passion that was unlike her element to the gentleness of her touch. This was what Kya left behind. A small piece of herself.
The Princess finished up quicker than she thought and smiled when it was complete. It wasn't an easy task to heal but she figured out. Looking up to the Fire Prince, Katara smiled at him as he simply stared at her with a look she didn't understand. But it did not keep her from beaming at him, if anything it made her giggle. For a man like him to look that way, it was a sight to see. Like he was in deep thought and lost in his mind. Before she knew it, his hand was in her hair and he patted her much like one would a polar bear dog.
"Learn to tame that anger, waterbender. Or next time I'll drag you back to the Fire Nation with me and that is no place for a waterbender like you." He threatened and that callous air of his returned as he pushed her back with his hand on her head. She fell backwards on her butt.
Katara stared up at him as he stood on his feet and glared down at her. "You can't kidnap me!" She said in disbelief of the sudden shift.
Narrowing his eyes at her, "Would you like to see?"
"B-but you're my dad's friend! You wouldn't do that!"
"I would and I will if you keep challenging me, girl." Ozai reaches for the collar of her dress and yanked her up by it, pulling to eye level. Her feet dangling. "I will have you chained and locked in a tower for the rest of your days. I do not make empty threats."
At that point, Katara no longer doubted him. This man was serious about kidnapping her. He let her go once again and she fell on her back completely as he stepped over her like she was nothing. Her eyes remained wide as he disappeared off into the night. Heart pounding in her chest. The Fire Prince is scary.
~Next Morning~
"Thieves, you say?" Bumi looked at the stoic Fire Prince as he paced back in forth.
Ozai only nodded in response.
"Hmm, pesky thieves destroyed my courtyard. I'll have to tighten security around here." Bumi planted his fist in the palm of his hand.
Standing by her father during the summit meeting, Katara couldn't stop staring at the Fire Prince. He covered for me. She couldn't believe it. He covered for her.
When King Bumi went on to the next topic, Ozai glanced the little waterbender's way and saw her eyes widened before she looked away quickly. If he didn't know better he would think she was blushing when she turned away. Maybe she caught a fever.
Holding the sides of her face, Katara tried to reel herself in but couldn't. What was wrong with her? He practically saved her skin and he didn't have to. Why would he even do such a thing? Sure, he was long time friends with her dad but why help her? Why not at least tell her father? The little waterbender didn't understand and maybe she never would but one thing she did understand. He was a strange man. Strange and aloof. Katara found herself suddenly intrigued by this man and wanting to figure him out. She'll find out soon. And maybe she will never know. But one thing she hoped was that this would not be the last of their encounters.
…
Present day…
This was utterly disgraceful. Late for her brother's wedding. How in La's name did she allow herself to run late on such a day? Holding her dress up by its skirt so that she could race as fast as she could against time to the grand halls, Katara dashed past a few servants, knocked over a guard or two, nearly stumbled a bit, and ran into guests that were also running late. She just hoped no one noticed.
Sadly, a few people noticed her late arrival and didn't hide their disappointment in her for it. She cringed and grinned awkwardly as she slid in quietly next to an Air Nomad monk. He just so happened to be a close friend of hers. Aang was his name. A prodigy monk and the son of the grand monk of the Air Nomads.
Shaking his head from where he stood, "Late for her own brother's wedding."
"You're too hard on her." Kanna nudged her son. "She's been at it all week helping with the procession. Don't penalize her for this mere mess up."
Hakoda sent his daughter the evil eye. "She's my heir, the future of our tribe, and a very capable young woman. I'm hard on her because I know her potential. I won't let her squander her calling." He said pridefully.
Being a father of a daughter like his was not easy. Never was. But with a little patience and guidance she finally came around. Katara turned out to be a prodigy waterbender. Gifted at both healing and combat. Immersed herself into politics at younger age than most. Contributed a great deal to her people in both labor and time. His daughter was absolutely dedicated. A completely different child than the girl she was a few years ago. Hakoda was proud of her. However; he knew that there was a possibility that she could stray. Katara was very much like her mother. Free spirited. Beautiful. Passionate. Loving. Adventurous. Compassionate. And fiery. These were not bad qualities. As long as he kept her line and kept her from deterring from her calling, all would be fine.
Katara straightened out her gown and fixed the strand of hair that had gotten loose while she had been running to get here. She sighed quietly as she looked up from her spot. Her eyes went to where she saw her brother standing patiently for his bride. She chuckled to herself at how nervous he looked. Getting cold feet, Sokka. He clearly had shaky palms dripping with sweat.
Music began playing and soon the double doors of the grand room opened. Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe came forth in an awe of elegance. Her head bowed much like the women in the Northern Tribe held it when in the presence of men. A meek and docile tribe of women. Her hair kissed by the moon was worn up like any princess of either tribe. High in a ponytail with the crown of their tribe resting at the tie. A few strands hanging out in the front. Royal purple coated her white fur gown in sparkles and glitter. Her shoulders completely out as a translucent cape of glittering purples and blues draped down her back being carried by her servants. Everyone could agree the Northern Princess made an incredibly beautiful bride.
As the ceremony went on and Katara shedded a few tears with her monk friend, her blue eyes looked over to the other side of the room and spotted the last person she expected to see. Her eyes widened. He's here?! No way had she expected for him to accept the invite she sent him. He was extremely busy all the time and never showed for any occasion no matter who invited him. It had been that way for the last two years. How was it that he finally decided to show up now? And here?
Bored as hell by the procession and simply not enjoying his time at all, Fire Prince Ozai felt eyes focusing in on him. He pretended not to know who it was staring his way but he knew already. Found me, have you? Side eying the direction he knew the staring was coming from, he met the pair of wide blue eyes and narrowed his amber ones.
The waterbender made an awkward grin and waved at him. However; his glare intensified and her hand dropped. Clearly, he didn't appreciate her distracting him or herself. He tended to be overly callous in his gestures to reprimand her. Shrinking back into herself, Katara went back to watching her brother's wedding unfold.
Guess some things never change. The Fire Prince was still mean as hell.
….
"Sokka, I'm so happy for you!" Katara hugged her older brother tightly as he returned her affection.
Smiling down at his sister as he puked away, "Thanks Katara." Both hands on her shoulder. "Now don't try getting married anytime soon."
The waterbender laughed and assured her brother that she was too busy to find anyone, which was true. Their father put so much pressure on her. More than he did Sokka. Neither of them ever understood but never really wanted to question it. Katara was going to be Chieftain in their father's place one day since Sokka would now be living in the North.
As the sibling talked a little about the beautiful arrangements prepared for the wedding and reception, the two of them noticed at the same time that their father's childhood 'friend' was present. Sokka's eyes narrowed as Katara's lit up.
"What's he doing here?" Sokka drank from his wine glass as he kept his blue eyes on the Fire Prince.
Staring absentmindedly, "I don't know but it's good to see he isn't ill like the rumors said." Finding relief in her own words. She hadn't seen that man in two years now. She thought she never see him again and yet, here he was. At her brother's wedding.
"Well I don't like him. He's an asshole. Even when we were kids and dad left us around him during visits or summits, he was a jerk." Sokka spat disdainfully. Past memories of the Fire Prince pushing him into a puddle, sending his son to chase him, and swearing at him when he accidentally bumped into him. Not to mention that brooding grim face of his. Tui and La, know Sokka couldn't stand that man. It was a blessing the last two years had been spent without him around. But why show up now? At his wedding of all times to resurface.
"He wasn't that mean to me." Katara said.
Scuffing, "Because you look like mom."
"That's not true!" The waterbender huffed and puffed.
"It is true." Sokka watched the man be offered a glass of wine by one of the servants and saw the man turn it down as he headed to where their father stood talking to guests across the dance floor. "I don't know how dad stayed friends with that guy after what he did."
"Oh Shut up!" The waterbender shoved her brother. "And he came to your wedding and has been like family since before we were born. Be nice."
Placing his wine glass on the tray of a servant walked by, "Doesn't matter. I still hate that guy."
Katara rolled her eyes at her brother. He didn't understand. Probably never will. As she took her eyes off the Fire Prince that was now conversing with her father, the waterbender encouraged her brother to go dance with his bride. She knew he was nervous about being around her. Though he shouldn't be. He and Yue had been in love for years and finally were able to be spouses. He should be happy and celebrating.
Sokka kissed his sister's forehead and went to where he saw his bride seated at the long table smiling his way.
Left alone, Katara lifted the skirt of her long gown and made her way to the less crowded place of the reception hall. She wanted to observe the fun everyone was having. Taking a small space up against the wall, she looked out the grandness that was before her. This ice palace of hers was beautiful but tonight it was even more enchanting. Icicles of ice from the deepest part of the South Pole that shifted different hues lit up the room as they hung from the high ceilings. The entire center of the room was covered in people dancing, smiling, laughing, and enjoying themselves. Music of both the Northern and Southern Tribe was being played. It made her sway her hips back and forth as she smiled to herself. Lolling her head side to side as she shut her eyes for a moment. She pictured herself out on a beach somewhere warm and her brown skin basking in the sunlight. How she longed for warmth like no other.
Reopening her eyes, Katara saw her brother take his bride to the dance floor and everyone stand back to circle around them. The music changed immediately and she smiled as she recognized this to be one of her favorite songs of all.
"Wow, I didn't know Sokka could dance." She was somewhat startled by the young Monk's sudden presence.
Giggling, "Me neither but I guess he can."
"Would you like to dance after them?" Aang beamed hopefully up to the waterbender.
Sending him a sad look as she tried to smile, "Sorry, Aang but you know how my father is. I'm not to dance with anyone but the other maiden or my future husband."
Disappointed that there would not be any exceptions for tonight. "It's fine, Katara. We all know how strict your father is."
"Though not as strict as Toph's father, I hear." Katara smirked at her airbender friend as he cringed and blushed. "Won't even let her off the estate with you, now will he?"
"Ugh! Katara, that's different! You know they think she's some weakling that can't defend herself!" He seemed to be triggered by the mention of his girlfriend's father.
Laughing loudly as the monk stormed off from her comment, Katara wiped a tear from her eye as she saw a few water maidens run up to her and grab her hand.
"Come, Katara! We've got to get ready!" A maiden with hair loops came up and took her hand.
Two others were behind her and pushed her forward, giggling at her reluctance. They were performing tonight in honor of her brother and his wife. It was a well known fact that the princess was the best dancer out of the maidens. Everyone would enjoy the show if she was a part of it. Which she was but Katara was shy and didn't care to draw too much attention to herself. Especially with what they had to wear. The Southern Tribe wasn't known for too much modesty.
…...
"So that's why you show up?" Hakoda said as he poured them both a glass of arctic whiskey. "Your wife wants a divorce and you've come looking for a bride."
Ozai scuffed and grabbed his glass of whiskey, not hesitating to down the whole thing before tossing it aside. Breaking as soon as it hit the ground. "Save your unwitted remarks for another time. I'm not here for a wife. At least not for myself. My eldest son Zuko has come of age, I came looking to find him a bride. Your daughter is who I had in mind seeing as they are familiar with one another."
Hakoda was not at all surprised. He knew the Fire Prince's son had just turned eighteen and would be seeking a wife soon. However; he was shocked that Ozai would come all this way to see his daughter that he considered a potential daughter in law.
The Southern Chieftain rubbed the fuzz of his chin as he thought it over. Katara was seventeen, a few months from being of age herself. It would soon come time for him to start receiving young men that sought her hand. Hakoda wasn't ready for that. However; an opportunity for the Fire Nation and Southern Water Tribe to be united couldn't be so easily passed off. There had once been the chance for such a thing but that didn't go as planned.
"I accept your offer, Ozai, to marry your son to my daughter." Hakoda stood and grinned at his old friend. "Come, she's performing with some of the other water maidens for her brother's reception."
The Fire Prince rose as well and followed the Chieftain out of his office, back to the party.
~Reception Hall~
While all the girls were giggling and getting excited to see all the guests were seated and waiting for them, Katara was trying to work up the courage to go out and perform in front of so many people wearing this get up.
Breasts covered in a light blue band of silk. Matching blue silk wrapped around her thighs and covering her most intimate part. Long matching skirt with a slit in the middle wrapped around her waist. Her feet were bare with white gold bangles on her ankles and wrists. Her eyes and lips were shadowed over with a white ribbon of paint. Hair was worn in high ponytail, bangs pulled back from her face. She was in uniform with all the other maidens. Nothing she wore was different from them. They all hand a white sash resting over the bend of both arms. It was a part of their performance.
As they started to hear the Chieftain announce them, all seven of the maidens straightened their posture and readied to re-enter the reception hall in formation.
One of the maidens, a close friend to the princess, Nyla, leaned up against the back of Katara and giggled. "Your highness, you must perform your very best." She leaned even closer as she whispered. "I saw that the Fire Prince is here and he's practically single looking for a bride."
The princess's eyes widened, single? What happened to Fire Princess Ursa? Before she could ask her friend, her father had announced them and next thing she knew she was being pushed forth with the other maidens.
Position in the middle as she and all her fellow performers strutted to the center of the room where they would begin, Katara swallowed all her fear and put on her game face. She took to her spot in the center of the formation, pulling her sash up to her face as everyone else did and waited for the music to lead them into their dance. Through the transparent sash, the princess saw her brother and Yue sitting in front of them. Their hands were in each other as they smiled. Then there was her father sitting between Sokka and the Fire Prince. Katara's face turned red immediately as she saw his eyes were directly on her form.
"I see someone's got their eyes on you." Nyla whispered from behind her.
Katara quietly told her to hush. La, she felt she'd melt to the floor from beneath them if her friend didn't stop teasing her.
The best of the drums sounded and all of them switched their hips from side to side, the sashes above masking their faces. Slowly as the other tribal instruments played, they lowered the sashes to their nose, only their eyes being revealed. The music stopped and they all dropped. The crowd watching gasped, not sure if it was a part of the performance or not. However; as the drums started up again, the maidens all raised in a sitting position. Their bangles all made music of their own as they swayed back and forth with the drums.
Soon a wall of ice surrounded them and the maidens were unseen by the audience. Katara waited for all the maidens to raise back in their feet and position themselves for the next dance sequence. Sashes were held out to the side as everyone held their right leg out in front of them.
The music returned and the ice wall rain down them as water, spilling over them in a somewhat provocative manner. Each maiden put on a fiercely seductive gaze and smiled. The water having smeared their facial paint in a rather appealing way. The maiden then danced like the waves moved to the moon's beat.
Watching the performance alongside his son and friend, Hakoda smiles at how lovely his daughter danced. She was absolutely beautiful.
"I wish father could see this." Yue said as she watched the performers. "He's always had an appreciation for the Southern dances."
Sokka leaned to her and kissed her cheek, "We can visit one day with him or have Katara come visit us to perform."
Yue smiled at her husband and kissed him back. She had loved Sokka since they were mere children. She was so happy to have finally become his wife and to be enjoying this moment with him. La, had truly blessed her.
Hakoda nudged his friend that was quietly watching the dancers, "Is my daughter good enough for that son of yours?"
Ozai didn't respond as he watched the girl closely. He was rather enthralled by this little performance of hers. It was hard to not be 'effected' in a sense by this very sensual style of dance. His nation wasn't known for having such dances performed by anyone but concubines. So it was hard for him not to look at these dancers in anyway but a lustful manner. That could be said for just a bit everyone in the room that wasn't Southern Water Tribe.
However; he was a man of control. Instinctive urges aside, he was impressed with the princess's beauty. She was more petite than he had expected her to be after these last two years he had gone without seeing her. Not to say she wasn't sized nicely in certain areas. Her hips were perfect size. Wide enough to have a smooth delivery were she to give birth to his son's child. Breasts were not too big but went well with her small frame. Are those piercings? He noticed the princess and three of the other maidens had piercings to their nipples. It was obvious from the thin ban of silk around their breasts. Ozai raised a brow at the sight, shifting slightly in his seat as he tilted his head to the side.
Noticing this, Hakoda raised his brow at the Fire Prince. "Is there something wrong?"
"No." Ozai answered a bit absentmindedly as he couldn't help but find the way the princess moved to be alluring. "Not at all."
"Then I take it you've decided." Hakoda said in a rather stern tone.
Wearing his stoic expression as he went to rest his face in his hand as he lean on the armrest of his chair. "Not yet. As lovely as she is, looks aren't everything. Has she taken care of that attitude of hers?"
"She's one of my naval admirals. All her energy and frustration has been channeled." Hakoda said proudly.
An admiral at seventeen? Ozai stroked his beard as he continued to watch the princess. A princess operating in the military was unheard of but of course, the Southern Tribe was different from all the other nations. However; to know the girl before him was an admiral, which also meant she must be a master of her element and physical combat, Ozai was even more impressed. Not many women could pull off being on two opposite ends of a spectrum. Being poised and elegant as well as a fighter and with a tamed temper he knew she was likely hiding underneath it all. If she was Kya's daughter, her temper was anything but fleeting.
"You're more than welcomed to speak with her. She is sure to charm you." The Chieftain said as the dance came to an end and everyone rose to their feet clapping.
Panting, Katara and the maidens all fell into a bow and smiled at everyone. She saw her brother beaming and Yue cheering. Her father was clapping as he gazed proudly at her.
"Looks like we put on a nice show." Nyla came up behind her and grinned.
Chuckling nervously as the settled down from the high of dancing and the music. "I bet we did. Look at everyone."
"Yeah, look at the Fire Prince." Nyla teased her again.
The princess couldn't help but look to where the Fire Prince stood beside her father and see he had yet to look away from her. Katara quickly looked away and turned to her friend with a red face. "Why do you keep harassing me about him?! Geez, it was just a childhood crush!"
Nyla burst into laughter, "Cool it, Kat. I'm just playing around."
Crossing her arms as she pouted with a flustered face, "Yeah, well it's not funny."
Trying to make it up to her friend, Nyla took her hand and tugged Katara off to where the wedding cake was about to be cut. They wanted to be the first to get a slice.
….
"Tomorrow, let's talk more about these arrangements in the morning." Hakoda said as he shook hands with Ozai. The idea of uniting their nations had grown on him a bit more as he thought on about it. Katara being Chieftain of the Southern Tribe and Fire Princess had a nice ring to it.
Ozai nodded and turned to head to the guest chambers he would be occupying. It was a short ways from where he was knew the bath house of the palace was located. He found it strange that everyone in the palace bathed together with no problems at all. Of course while men and women were separated, one had to pass the women's bathing pool before they could reach the men's.
Walking to his rooms, the Fire Prince took in his surroundings as he slowed his pace, reaching the terrace just above the courtyard he remembered from his time visiting as a thirteen year old boy. He paused.
It was by the fountain where he and Hakoda had fallen in after wrestling that he saw the crystal blue eyes of a girl that started with disdain for him. She mocked him wordlessly. Just with a frown and her threatening gaze did she strike him with a spear into the chest. Ozai knew it was a terrible decision from the start but he couldn't help himself. He wanted her like he wanted anything worthy of him. And Kya was more than worthy of the love he held for her. Even when she married his best friend, gave birth to Hakoda's two children, and died, leaving him with nothing. Ozai hadn't stopped loving her. He swore to never love someone the same like that again. And he didn't. In truth, he started to hate and despise any and everything that wasn't Kya.
Moving on, Ozai noticed a pair of girls walking from the opposite end of the corridors. As they grew closer, chattering and playfully hanging onto each other's arms, he recognized one as the princess he had come to inspect for his son.
"Whoa! Hang on there, Kat!" Nyla yanked her friend back by the bend of her arm. "Is that the Fire Prince?!"
Katara's eyes widened and she along with her friend fell into a bow as the man approached them.
"You've learned manners since I was last here, girl." Ozai said in his cold yet unthreatening tone.
Lifting from her bow, the princess smiled as he referred to her as girl. He was a terrifying man. One that cared nothing about respecting others or playing by other's rules. It was futile to correct him. Besides, he had threatened her enough in her childhood. Another threat was not needed.
"I believe you said you'd throw me off a balcony if didn't learn to be more respectful, your highness." Katara respond in a somewhat shaky tone.
Nyla kept her head down as she found it unbelievably hard to lift her head from the overwhelming presence of the man before them. He was intimidating as hell. Striking a fear in her that she was unfamiliar with.
Somehow the reminder of his threat to her made him chuckle as he formed a smirk at her, "Then I take it this visit won't resort in such an incident."
"No, your highness. I will be nothing but the proper princess my father raised me to be. Forgive me for my past transgressions." Katara said sincerely as she bowed her head to him again.
Ozai was impressed with how much the temperamental waterbender had grown up. She was winning him over as far being a candidate for his son. However; he would need to further inspect her over the time he planned to spend here. It was too soon to be sure.
"It is getting late. Perhaps, you and your friend hurry off to your rooms." The Fire Prince realized just how late it was. Nearly midnight from the looks of the moon.
Katara raised her head and looked to him before nodding her hand. She said nothing else as she grabbed her friend's hand and tugged her along. Tomorrow, she had a lot to do in the morning. Getting some much needed sleep was important.
…
Hakoda observes quietly as he sat at the dining room table. Sitting with him was his son and daughter in law, his daughter, and his childhood friend. He watched to see how everyone was doing after the wedding yesterday evening. It seemed his daughter looked well rested, his son looked like he had a long night along with his new bride. As for his friend, Ozai was surprisingly not a morning person, contrary to his fellow firebenders. However; he was alert enough to eye his daughter that sat across the table from him. Taking note of her every move.
Holding her spoon to her lips, Katara noticed from the reflection in her soup that a pair of eyes were on her yet again. She stiffened and slowly her gaze rose to met a set of amber iris. To her left, her brother noticed this too and looked to his father that was watching the exchange.
"Dad, what's going on?" Sokka asked curiously.
Grinning as he moved his eyes to his son, "Fire Prince Ozai came all this way to see your sister. She has his attention."
Katara spoon fell into her bowl abruptly as her face reddened to the hue of the man in front of her robe. Yue blushed as well as she looked to her sister in law. Sokka narrowed his eyes and looked to the Fire Prince.
"What do you want with my sister?" Sokka demanded an answer in a rude tone.
Ozai flickered his eyes to the boy and spoke in an even tone. "Your sister is coming of age soon and I seek to offer the opportunity of being not only Chieftain of her nation but Fire Princess as well."
There was a loud thump as Katara's head fell into her soup bowl. Yue gasped as she got up to help the flustered girl. Sokka looked between his dad and the Fire Prince. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was it true then that the Fire Prince had recently had a divorce? So did he come here in search of another wife? La, please tell him this was a joke.
…..
A/N: Hope you guys like! Review and let me know what you think!