A/N – Well I'm gonna give another chapter a shot and see if I even write anything. So if you're reading this, that means I wrote something.
Nothing too overtly sexual or anything this chapter. Just a bunch of character development.
Other Note: I lied. There's the beginnings of lemon. And a bit of it, I guess. I don't read enough of it to know.
Zuko's arrival was greeted with as much fanfare and adulation as anybody would expect for the only son of the great Ozai. That is, it was filled with citizens surrounding a way to pass, with little cheers. The streamers were aplenty, provided by loyal servants and the few citizens truthfully happy. But for the majority of the Fire Nation capital, their Lord's arrival was nothing to celebrate. It is for that reason that Zuko has opted for nothing more than a Komodo rhino as transport.
Indeed, the usual praise that surrounds a royal's return—especially one of the Fire Nation—is that worthy of a god, as some would describe it. This return is barely befitting of a champion.
As Zuko's rhino reaches the steps of the palace, its rider dismounts.
"Take him to the stable," Zuko says.
He hands the reins off to a nearby servant, who ushers the beast away from the palace. Zuko doesn't take a second glance at it, taking his helmet off and putting it under his right arm. He begins ascending the treacherous entryways. A glance behind reveals he is flanked by a guard, but pays him little mind.
Eventually, Zuko wanders into his palace, stopping once he reaches a crossway. He turns around to notice a nearby servant carrying a tray. On this tray are two shot-sized glasses, as well as a bottle of alcohol. Zuko points to the servant—a female—and calls for her.
"Halt!" he orders.
The servant stops, barely keeping her balance. As the bottle begins to roll around on its own axis, she stands straight. Using her free hand, she stops the bottle's rotation.
"What is your name?" Zuko asks.
"Kasumi, my Lord," she says quickly.
Having said it too fast for him to listen, Zuko turns to the guard behind him.
"What did she say?" Zuko asks.
"Kasumi, sir," the guard says.
Zuko turns back to this Kasumi, his gaze locked on her eyes.
"Why are you carrying sake at this hour? It's only two in the afternoon," Zuko says.
"It was as Mistress Katara ordered, my lord," Kasumi says.
Zuko's eyes narrow. Mistress Katara? The long-established terminology has been "Lady." It's been like this for years.
Zuko turns back to the guard, handing him his helmet. His attention goes back to the servant, completely focused on her.
"How long have you been working here?" he asks.
"Two years last month, my lord," Kasumi says.
"Then you should know you are to refer to your Queen as 'lady'," Zuko says.
"It was as she ordered, my lord."
Zuko's mouth slides open slightly. Katara ordered this? His shoulders slump, and his eyes narrow.
"Where are you taking the sake?" he asks.
"Mistress Katara's room," Kasumi says.
"I will follow you," he says.
Zuko moves his body towards the guard.
"Vano, you are free to do as you please. I will send you a message via hawk four days before our planned departure. Is that clear?"
"Yes, my lord," the guard—Vano—says.
"Good. You are dismissed."
Vano turns around, exiting the building. Zuko watches him leave the way they came before he exits around a corner. When he does, Zuko turns towards Kasumi.
"Lead the way," he says.
Everything has been set to her liking. The roses that were in the room at the time are spread out around her sprawled body. Her hair is down, spreading around her neck and naval, leaving them open for movement, preferably by one's caress. Her attire—a maroon top that she had found in Azula's wardrobe—has been spread ever so slightly, letting just enough of the space between her breasts show so that it is free for one's touch. Her split skirt has been lifted to reveal one long leg, letting one's imagination take its toll, and only assist the masculine portion of her intended goal.
It is when a knock comes to her door that she speaks.
"Come in," Katara says, adding something of a purr immediately following.
The door opens. Once Katara's lover enters, his eyes cross the sight located on the small bed, befitting for only one person. The sight Zuko sees makes him believe the "single" portion is only a myth.
Zuko quickly moves his head back outside. When it returns, his entire body follows. Zuko quickly closes the door. In his hands is the tray containing the alcohol.
"I see that you found Kasumi. I like her. I think we should keep her," Katara says.
Zuko walks to the side of the bed, his eyes not focused on his destination, only to the leg shown at the end of it. Once Zuko reaches bedside, he sets the sake on the bedside table. Katara moves to her left, allowing Zuko to slide in next to her. The two of them don't let the tension sit, and they quickly allow their lips to embrace. Heads turning, they allow every bit of their emotion to be known.
Katara turns her body, placing her loins atop Zuko's, and claiming the dominant position. The mistress releases the master's mouth, allowing their deep breaths to fill the air, void of voices.
As they stare into the other's eyes, as close as they've ever been, Zuko is the first to speak.
"I wasn't sure…but now…I think I like that 'Mistress Katara' thing," he says.
A small smirk crosses Katara's lips before he lets Zuko take them. Tongues are released into the other's mouth, tying them each together. Katara's touches her lover's chest, before it crawls down the body. Eventually, she reaches the space in between their most forbidden parts.
With their tongues still intertwined, Katara uses her hand to undo the belt of her lover. His manhood now freed, Katara slips Zuko's pants down. Her own womanhood slides up his now exposed leg.
As she etches closer, she begins using her hand to slide up and down the now erect organ. Katara reaches her destination, using the bed as a raising device. As she slides down, Zuko enters Katara. A moan escapes both of their lips.
It is then that a knock occurs on the door.
Katara's head falls forward, while Zuko's falls backward against the pillow.
"What is it Kasumi?" Katara asks.
Kasumi hesitates, having heard her mistress's frustration. Not wanting more anger, she turns the knob. When the door opens slightly, Kasumi's head enters. When she sees the two soon-to-be husband and wife in the position they are in, she lets the door go. It opens all the way, leaving Kasumi with two blotches of red on her cheeks.
"Oh my…" she says.
She puts a hand to her mouth.
"Kasumi!" Katara shouts.
"Oh…oh! Right!" Kasumi says. "I have received word that Fire Lord Zuko has been called for a meeting."
Katara lets a sigh release from what was once a busy mouth.
"I…I have to take this," Zuko says.
Katara balls her right hand into a fist before slamming it down onto Zuko's chest.
"Fine," she says.
Letting him go, Katara crawls off of Zuko. Kasumi uses both her hands to shield her eyes. Katara brushes off her skirt, shuddering a bit.
"Does it feel cold in here?" she asks.
Zuko raises his pants up, redoing the belt. He walks up and joins his bride-to-be.
"I'll see you later," he says.
"Oh no. They interrupted me, especially when I told them not to. I'm joining you," Katara says.
Zuko grabs Katara's right hand with both of his own.
"Katara, please," Zuko says.
Katara meets Zuko's eyes. He immediately releases her hand. Zuko turns to his left.
"Kasumi, if you will leave us alone for a few moments. I…we…will be down in a moment," he says.
Kasumi wastes no time. She grabs the doorknob from the outside, closing it quick enough to slam it, though no such slam occurs.
Zuko backs up two steps. Katara looks at him, raising one of her eyebrows.
"No…" he says.
Zuko cups his hair within his hands.
"No, no…"
"What is it Zuko?" Katara asks.
"No, no, no…I was afraid this would happen. I had hopes. I thought that you'd be safe, but…dammit," Zuko says.
"Zuko, speak clearly."
Zuko looks up to Katara, again locking eyes with her.
"You've changed. You're…different. Fiercer. More determined, stubborn…cruel…"
Katara lets a smirk reveal to the word.
"That smirk…it's…it's just like hers. Just like—"
"Azula's," Katara finishes.
"Uh huh…" Zuko nods, barely within the room, his thoughts occupied on things other than speaking.
Katara walks towards Zuko. He puts a hand on Zuko's chest. Zuko responds by backing up one step. Katara tightens her grip, grasping his collar tightly.
"Listen Zuko, and listen closely. I've noticed this change too. I don't know what it is, but I do know that I like it. And trust me, you don't want to make me mad," she says.
Zuko breath begins getting quicker. As he tries to calm his panic, his breath begins to become visible.
"You know what I can do. You've suffered my pain before…"
The collar in her clutches begins to freeze. Zuko releases a noise from his lips, something akin to a scared puppy.
"…so you know that I'm not to be fucked with. Now…I am going to this meeting…is that clear?" she asks.
Zuko quickly nods. Katara lets the smirk return. The ice stops, and Katara releases her hand. Zuko slaps at the frozen collar, breaking off some of the ice, while snapping the ends off completely. Katara already has the door open when Zuko looks up.
"Come, Zuko. Let us make our exit," she says.
Katara has her arm out. Zuko stares for a few seconds before approaching. He wraps his arm around hers, and they are off down the hall.
"This is unacceptable!" one soldier says.
"Fire Lord, with all due respect, this is inconceivable!" another says.
"I agree!" another one.
"Enough!" Zuko shouts.
The candles that surround the room suddenly grow in flame about five feet. The generals surrounding the table lean back, avoiding the flame's heat.
"I understand how against tradition it is…and that this is precisely what my father tried to accomplish…but the terms are different now," Zuko says.
The generals surrounding the table look at each other, none of them opting to tempt their Fire Lord's known anger.
"Ozai's issue lied with his own lust for power and domination. That was also his downfall. This attempt at war is because they attacked us! Not only us, but also the Northern Water Tribe. We're getting word that hundreds, thousands are dead!"
Zuko reaches into his armor. He pulls out a slip of parchment. He holds it out in front of him.
"I received this message this morning when I was only an hour away from the capital. It tells me that there are spikes…of earth…sticking out of the ground. Red spikes! Surrounded by red snow! If I may quote, 'the bodies were ripped into numerous pieces. I can see organs, bones, muscle, flesh, you name it, it is there for us to see.' Gentlemen, I understand the concept of war only two years after one ends is not wise, nor completely smart…but we're not dealing with an affair anymore. They're attacking us. They're murdering families…mothers…fathers…sons and daughters…and for what? Petty revenge? Some vendetta? No…"
Zuko tosses the parchment towards a candle. It hits its mark, and burns in the flame. Soon only its ashy remnants remain on the table. Zuko stands up, his shadow engulfing the entire room in darkness. Behind him, Katara leans against a back wall. Her arms are crossed in front of her, and she's staring at Zuko's back. Her mouth is agape only slightly.
"Because being the Avatar and being possibly one of the greatest Earth benders alive isn't enough. They suffer from the same sickness my father had: lust for power. So answer me this: two years ago you all fought for my father under pretense of a life of happiness. When that didn't come, you switched sides. I have yet to question any of your loyalty until now. Back then, you were the bad guys, the villains, the ones fighting for evil. Now…we're fighting to stop it. We are all fighting to stop this force of evil from claiming this world as their own. This is why I demand war. This is why I want you all to go. This is why I will be returning to the battlefield. And this is why I want to make an alliance with the Order of the White Lotus."
The generals around the room look amongst each other. The majority of them are reaching their end. A few of them are in their peak. Only one is young enough to be reaching his. It is that one that Zuko looks to.
"General Vano!"
Vano looks towards his lord.
"Yes, my lord?" he asks.
"You were born in the age of the Avatar. You were only twenty, serving in the Fire Nation army when the Avatar returned. Since then, you have proven yourself most loyal. What are your thoughts, having seen the Avatar at work close-up?" Zuko asks.
Vano ponders for a moment. He looks to his fellow generals, before focusing back on his lord.
"If war is what will stop these massacres from occurring once more…then I say…war is necessary," he says.
Zuko nods.
"Anybody disagree?"
The other generals cease their gazing around. When nobody speaks up, Zuko takes this as a no.
"You are dismissed. And if you ever call for an meeting when your Mistress orders otherwise, I will have you personally executed on the spot, is that clear?"
All of the generals nod. Zuko takes this at face value, and stomps out of the room. The only other light that shows in the room comes from the illumination outside the meeting room. Katara walks up to stand where Zuko just resided: at the head of the table. She breathes in deep, enjoying the scent of the candles, before letting it go.
"You guys really need some lighting in here," Katara says.
She then sends a stream of water across the table, hitting each candle, eliminating any form of light that was present.
Zuko walks down the hallway, passing servants and guards. Anybody Zuko passes walks on by, avoiding any eye contact. The deep scowl on his face is enough to keep even the bravest soldier away.
Before Zuko can get too far, he is stopped by a hand within his own.
Zuko whirls around, meeting whatever brave or stupid soul decides to question his anger.
When he sees it is his lover, his scowl disappears.
"Meet me in my room soon, or I swear, I won't talk to you for a week," Katara says.
And with that, she backs away, before turning completely. As she exits, she allows a little bit of a show for her lord. Zuko watches her exit, a smile creeping his way in.
Behind Zuko, two soldiers make themselves known, running closer and closer towards him.
"My lord! My lord!" one of them calls.
Zuko turns around, allowing the two soldiers to stop and take a breath. As they bend over to relieve their long winded run, Zuko raises one of his eyebrows.
"What is the matter?" he asks.
The first one to rise up was the one who didn't call before.
"We have received word that he's been found," the second soldier says.
His other eyebrows rises up, both his eyes widening.
"There is no possible way you're not fucking with me. Are you sure? Do you have definitive prove?" Zuko asks.
"Positive sir. We've received numerous reports of him all across the Earth Kingdom. We're being told he is approaching the Fire Nation and will be crossing the border within two days time," the first soldier says.
"This…this is unbelievable. Alert him immediately. Give him an official, royal approved escort. I want all the accommodations for him. Is that clear?" Zuko asks.
"Yes sir!" both soldiers call, saluting their lord.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go!"
The soldiers turn on their tail, sprinting so as to follow their order as quickly as they can.
Zuko allows him a smile. Everything is going perfectly. His generals are ready, war is about to begin, he's about to fulfill his aching desires, and if all goes right, he'll have the famed Wang Fire on his side, fighting for the Fire Nation once again, as his legend decrees.
A/N – Fun fact: This is the first lemon (or lemony thing) I've written.
Ever.
And apparently "lemony" is an actual word.
Is limey?
ohmygoditis