A/N:
Heads up! I aged all my characters up! Should have clarified that before. Also, I have it were Aang's journey in the series was over a course of years and not months. Kind of works better this way. And there is still Sozin's comet! But that won't be for another year in this story's timeline.
Yurp! You guessed it! This first part of this storyline takes place of a year.
WARNING: A little bit of a sexual situation.
Chapter 8:
The day was already off to a bad start and things were just not going to get any better. Katara sat in her room glaring out the window, refusing to attend her lessons for the day and kicking everyone out her room. She wanted to be alone. At least for the day. No one needed to disturb her. She was fine. Sure, her head was killing her and she might need to let the physicians look at her but not today. Everyone was ban from seeing her. The waterbender even told Kimiko not to tell the Fire Lord she was up. Not like he care or anything, screwing some concubine.
Pouting as she pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on her folded hands, Katara groaned. Why did she care? She told him to use the harem instead of her. Wasn't he listening to what she asked of him? So why did seeing that upset her? Not like she was jealous because that was just plain fucking ridiculous. Ha! He could screw the entire world and she wouldn't give a damn. They were only married to fulfill his plans for world domination. Of course, she was using him too. To end the war. Neither one of them really cared for the other. Just barely managing to tolerate one another. So her being jealous was ruled out. Totally not jealous.
Maybe it's just because he's screwing some whore in the middle of the day. Katara told herself. Justifying her anger towards having seen what she saw. Who the hell had sex in the middle of the day? Actually, plenty of people. Her brother and Suki. Zuko when he was with Mai. Her parents when her mother was alive. Pretty much everyone she knew that was sexually active besides herself. She couldn't really say she was active. Not really anyway. Her wedding night didn't count. Not that morning after, either. Suddenly, Katara felt upset that she was technically the only person out of all her friends that didn't have sex with the one she wanted to. Nor did she have any of those urges yet that everyone else had. Suki and her brother always ran off. And she assumed if she had been with Zuko, they would too.
Sighing as she let her legs fall flat in front of her and her shoulders slumped. Here she was supposed to be upset with the Fire Lord and now she was just pissed at herself for being upset with him. Oh la, she was pathetic! I need to get up and do something with myself! But she didn't want to deal with anyone at the moment.
Katara looked around her room for something to do. Her eyes fell on the small low table on the other side of her room. There was a paint brush and ink with scroll paper. Maybe she could do some reviewing of what she had already learned from her lessons with Kimiko since she was locking herself in for the day. Yeah, that's what she'll do for today.
I've got this. I won't let myself get down and stay down. Nope! Not today.
…
"What the hell do you mean she's not awake?! I know she is!" The Fire Lord yelled at the red haired servant that was carrying a bunch of linen.
Suki bit her tongue and held her head in a bowing position. Not wanting him to see how her face was fixed into a scowl. How dare this man act like he owned the place! Which he did but still! Wasn't there a concubine in his chambers not long after Katara had awoken in the first place? If he cared so much of whether she woke or not, he'd at least wait till after he saw her to screw some filthy whore.
Ozai knew the wench was little lying. Clearly, covering for her friend. He knew Katara was up. After his morning 'meal' left and returned to the harem, he took a step out on his balcony and his foot grazed upon something sharp. Looking down, the Fire Lord found the hairpin he had gotten her last night lying on the ground. Reaching down to pick it up, he suddenly realized something. Hadn't he put it in her hands before leaving?
Gripping his fist as he glared at the servant, "Protecting your friend are you?" He hissed. "You had better hope I see her before the day is over or I'll have you sent to the tower to be hung for lying!"
Nodding her head in its downward position, Suki waited for the Fire Lord to walk around her before raising her head. Her eyes wide. Realizing that he must know Katara and herself are familiar with one another. Damn it! How obvious is it? Pretty obvious when you catch two young woman embracing one another on several occasions.
As she relaxed herself and took a deep breath, exhaling as she got ready to finish her chores, the kyoshi didn't take all but two steps towards the doors to exit the royal chambers before the doors opened and that nobleman from the other day appeared on the other side.
Shin barely noticed the young woman until he heard a small noise come from her. His gold eyes went to her. Taking a moment to look her over.
"Servant girl with the red hair." He said as a smirk appeared on his face. "What was your name?" His tongue poked at the inside of his jaws as he took a step towards her.
Backing up, Suki looked everywhere but to him, as she shrunk into herself. "Suki." She said holding to the linen she was carrying.
The noble stop just in front of her, "And you are friends of the Fire Lady. His majesty had told me such."
Oh spirits, he does know. Not knowing that Katara had already came up with a story for how they knew each other. Gulping, "uh, ye-yes. I am."
"So you must hate his majesty for what he's done to her?" His voice quieted down and he took another step towards her.
Shaking her head quickly, "N-no no! I don't. He is my Lord and had allowed me to work so close to him and his wife. I am grateful to him." Coming up with anything to keep this man from getting her in trouble. Because it definitely seemed like this man was trying to stir up some. Bowing her head quickly, "Forgive me but I must go." Suki hurried to say as she scurried around him, darting to leave the chambers. Like hell she was going to get caught in some courtly game. She thanked the spirits she was born out of aristocracy. Common living didn't have all these twists and turns and formalities and rules. People just said what they meant and meant what they said. And married who they wanted. Thinking of her friend as she left.
…..
"Sounds like our Fire Lady wasn't too happy about seeing her husband with another woman." Shin grinned as he and the Fire Lord binded their fists.
Rolling his eyes as he began pulling his hair back into a high ponytail, Ozai growled. "She's the one who told me to use the harem." Not for a minute believing this had anything to do with him. He just thinks the girl was being a smart ass and left it as a sign of rejecting his apology. Seriously, he was starting to rethink his alternate plan of discovering his true feelings towards the waterbender. She was difficult. And for no reason! He was trying. Well he just started but still! What did she want from him?
Crouching and getting into a fighting formation, Shin grinned at his cousin. "Your majesty, please. Take my word for it. All woman say that but never really mean it."
"Well she isn't all women." Ozai clarified as he too went into a fighting stance.
Raising an eyebrow, "Then what is she?"
Smirking as his fist were engulfed in flames, "My wife."
And the spar began.
Shin laughed haughtily as his fist also were in flames and he charged at the Fire Lord on the other side of the dojo. The first move was his, throwing the typical fire punch. Obviously missing as Ozai dodged it and dropping into a kicking moving that sent a half ring of fire to the nobleman. This also missed as Shin was agile and moved himself to leap backwards into a flip, landing on his hands as he twisted his legs around into a spinning move that whipped out multiple flames that his majesty dispelled as they came near. The two then continued to go at one another.
From the sidelines, Lady Fumi and Lady Suzume walked through the pillar columns of the dojo. Watching as their Fire Lord and Nobleman Shin faced off in yet another spar. From how he fought, they could see his majesty was under some sort of stress. They knew it wasn't work related. The Fire Lord never had a problem keeping up. However; after hearing what happened to his wife, they figured it had to do with that.
Leaning over to Suzume with her eyes trained on the Fire Lord. "My husband is away to check on matters back at the estate. Do you think that would grant me enough time to relieve his majesty of his tension?" Fumi looked over the Fire Lord.
Suzume shook her head, "Trying to put that husband of yours back into cuckold again?"
Rolling her eyes as she whipped out her fan and walked to peek around the next pillar to gaze upon the Fire Lord's shirtless form. Licking her lips from behind her fan as her eyes narrowed to get a more focused view of his majesty. "As if my husband doesn't have lovers."
"Sometimes I forget Xia and myself were the only ones that married for love." Suzume said as she watched with her friend. No doubt that his majesty looked majestic as he fought. The man was by far to most handsome of creatures that roamed this court. If she wasn't still in mourn of her husband, she would definitely wish to bring his majesty some comfort.
Sighing dramatically, "I do pity him though. To have married that savage." Fumi hissed at the remembrance of the new Fire Lady. How she challenged first consort Jin and then threatened them and Xia along with that no good daughter of a concubine herself, Kimiko. Thinking themselves all high and mighty because they were so close to his majesty. However; it did come as a surprise to them when they heard that the Fire Lord allowed it. Sending Jin off to some brothel in the city where many thrown away concubines went. It lead many to believe there was some power that Water Tribe held.
"Hush now." Suzume tapped her friend's hand. "You know she holds the same power of any Fire Lady before her. Regardless was her heritage, you can't speak so openly against her. Not to mention, she is a master bender. You saw what she did to that patch of grass."
Of course, neither of them had known one could take water from a mere plant but seeing as they witnessed the new Fire Lady do it, it was clear the girl had some power as far as bending goes. But that wasn't to say she was a threat. It was known to everyone that while she would have responsibilities, the Fire Lady was first and foremost a hostage. The disgraced prince being used as rope around her neck to yank if she were to step out of line. As well as the extermination of her people. Truly it was a pity but these were times of war and this was for the sake of the Fire Nation's glory.
As the spar concluded with a draw, both Shin and the Fire Lord panted, standing a distance away from each other. Grins on their faces as they caught their breaths.
"You have not faltered yet, your majesty." Shin said.
Smirking, "And I never shall."
Chuckling as he wiped the sweat from his brow, "Conceded as ever, your majesty."
Shrugging his shoulders as he went to grab his towel from the rack and removed the sweat from his face. "There are no meetings today, are there?"
"No, your majesty."
"Good." The Fire Lord grinned and brought his towel to hang off his neck as he rolled his shoulders from his little workout.
As the two men got ready to leave, they were met by Lady Fumi and Lady Suzume. The women bowed their heads to greet his majesty and were then acknowledged.
Fumi gave a twinkling look at the Fire Lord, "How is her majesty? Well I hope."
Shin nudged the Fire Lord and smirked before smiling his courteous smile at the noblewoman, "Ah, she is quite well. Though she will be bedridden for a few days. In that time, she won't be able to fulfill her duties as a wife." Flashing his pearly white teeth at the giggling ladies.
Ozai wasn't in the mood to deal with either of the women, especially Fumi. The only thing he hated more than a woman that was cold to her husband, was a woman that put her husband in cuckhold every time he left her alone for more than a day or two. Fumi's reputation was known throughout the whole palace. Women kept their husbands and themselves from her. Fumi was also a force not to be reckoned with amongst the women at court. From what he heard of the court gossip, the woman was vindictive and spiteful. The Fire Lord didn't like those qualities in a woman. Nothing about it was attractive. To him at least. Despite what may be believed. The Fire Lord preferred women of a gentler nature though not so much that they were weak. Women that could be powerful and yet refrain from losing restraint. Controlled tempered women. Women that lacked the drive to gossip. A woman that was intelligent and could be his equal. Be what balances him. He preferred a woman of that context. Not the one that stood before him with a suggestive smile and a hidden agenda behind her eyes.
"It is a shame his majesty has been forced to suffer due to a clumsy wife." Fumi's eyes trained on the Fire Lord with so great a sexual desire in them that everyone was thinking how she must be in heat. "I would never allow that to happen to you were I privileged to be your wife, your majesty. Never."
Refusing to listen to the harlot a minute more, "Speaking of my clumsy wife." Without sparing the woman another look, Ozai left and was then shortly followed by his cousin, who left the women giggling.
…
It was night and Katara had written all that she remembered going over with Kimiko in her lessons. Her calligraphy was starting to become much neater and precise. The lines were almost flawless. Maybe staying her room all day helped.
As the waterbender stood up from her low table, she took the scroll she had been writing in all day with her, wanting to put it in the trunk on the other side of the room, there was a knock at the door. Katara stopped midway and her eyes moved to look at where the knock was coming from. Who was is? Kimiko and Suki would likely be back in the residential area of the palace at this time at night. Only a few servants still lingered the Royal suite at this time and the ones that did never bothered her. Seemed even the servants here felt above her. Sighing. It could be only one person and that wasn't the person she wanted to see right now.
The knock came again. She was going to ignore it. Why shouldn't she? He pushed her and then did something as weird as try to give her gift before going off to be with a concubine. It was confusing. Was he saying sorry? Or was he trying to appease her? What the hell was it?! Ugh! I don't have the patience for this. It's not about how I feel. It's about him and what he needs to feel. I need to make him love me. Katara groaned as she ignored the knocking and went to her trunk, placing her scroll into it with other scrolls she had been using during her lessons.
When the knocking stopped completely, Katara decided she would soak a bit. Her muscles and limbs were sore from sitting on the floor all day. A nice bath would help.
Walking to the bathing room of her bedroom and peeling off her clothes as she did. Her gown from this morning slipping to the floor and then her undergarments. Pulling the tie from her hair. Letting her brown curls cascade down her naked body as she entered the bathroom. Her bathroom was very much like the Fire Lord's. Instead of a simple bathtub. It was a pool. Could fit twenty people in it at a time or more. The floor was marble as were the walls. All her bathing products were at her disposal on the table to her right as she walked in, by the tall mirror.
The waterbender checked herself out a little as she walked over to grab a scented bathing elixir. Her figure was nice. She acknowledged. Breast were still small. You'd think after turning eighteen your body would look more like a woman than that fourteen year old that started out on a journey with the avatar. Shaking her head as she took in her hands a scrub and the elixir, it has been quite sometime since she was that girl. Pulling her eyes from the mirror as she went to the pool/bath. Four years. Four years of becoming stronger and wiser, more powerful. Katara had become an entirely different person from when she first left her home of the South Pole four years ago to help the Avatar. And now, she was even more different. Way different. Not even three weeks ago had she been an entirely different person. Living a different life. Her heart felt an ache as she looked around at the unnecessarily big bathroom as her foot took a dip first into the bath. How could I have ever known I'd end up here one day?
Steam radiant off the hot water, making the room and the tub area foggy. It was a nice foggy however. Warm and inviting. Let her in without hesitation. The water warmed itself around her body. Accepting her as it's own. It knew her. Knew she was like it. Adaptable. Was pushed and pulled by La, Yue, the moon. Changing. Taking different forms while still being the same. Drawn to the light of the moon. She and it were many things. Alike. How it had always felt good to bathe and do so with the view of the moon in sight. One reason Katara loved this bathroom was not just for its enormous tub but for the beautiful scene of the moon and the ocean it had at night. She was a child of the moon and the ocean. La and Tui. It was only natural for her to have evolved so far from the girl she had once been. To have taken a different form and yet still be her. Whether for survival or simply because water never stayed the same too long, Katara knew she was meant to be this way. Different that is. Forever and always different. Never the same as who she was yesterday. And never to remain this person into tomorrow.
As she let herself become one with the sincerity of her element, her hand reaching to the window view of the moon, there was a disturbance. A ripple in the water that did not come from her. She could sense that there was something or someone that had entered her domain. Whipping her wet hair around to catch with her eyes the intruder, the waterbender's eyes went wide and she gasped. Backing away.
"You think you can just ignore me, dear wife?" Her gut twisted as amber eyes bore into hers.
Arms protectively wrapping around her breast that were exposed, Katara backed away as she saw a smirk come to the man in front of her. His inky black hair fell around him. Wet like the rest of him. The water dripping down the defined and wonderfully sculpted torso of his. His tall form almost frightening to her as he moved towards her. Heat rose to her face as she looked away. Not wanting him to be here. Afraid of what he'll do to her with both of them completely undressed.
Shivering as she backed herself away, the waxing moon's light descending upon the two of them. Looking away from him as she saw how the moon's light reflected all too fondly onto his alabaster skin and brightened his gold eyes. He was that beautiful monster again. That man that took her a week ago on their wedding night. La, why?! Why could she ignore how handsome a man he was all but at night? During the day he was her enemy. A man she had to stop at all cost. A man that angered her to no end. Her captor. The man that she was saving her people and his son, her love, from. But now. As the sun had long set and the moon took its place, he was her husband and a monster still, but a beautiful one. Night complicated things. Or was it just her? Her senses were heightened at these hours. Feelings she could go all day not recognizing were brought to her attention in these hours of the moon.
"We need to talk." Ozai told her, desperately not trying to let himself be aware of the fact that she was completely naked before him. The water and her arms daring to block his vision.
"I'm sure but do we have to do this here?" Katara was growing more anxious the longer they were like this. Her body began to envelope in heat and it wasn't from the water. La what's wrong with me?
"Yes." He said flatly.
Katara saw the stoic way his eyes looked at her. Clearly not making room for argument. Luckily, for him, she was in no mood for arguing either. She just wanted to talk about whatever it was he came here to talk about and hurry to put some clothes on.
"You were awake this morning, weren't you." Ozai asked in a tone that seemed all too calm to her.
Eyes looking away from him, Katara nodded her head and her arms tightened around herself more. "I was." She said quietly.
I figured as much. He thought to himself. The girl had been awake when he was in her room this morning. The displaced strands of hair and the fact that when he kissed her he could feel her stiffen, Ozai knew she was awake. Then finding the hairpin outside on his side of the balcony, it became all the more evident. However; the fact that she refused to leave her room all day and tried to ignore him wasn't his issue. His issue was why she rejected his gift.
Letting herself sink into the water as his gaze became more and more too much for her to bear, Katara slipping under and tried to get away. However; the Fire Lord stuck his hand into the water and grabbed her by the leg. Feeling a heightened sense of fear, the waterbender bend the water into a tentacle to grab his wrist. Forcing him to let go but as soon as he did, he sent turned the tentacle into steam. The waterbender resurfaced a little ways away from him, her blue eyes staring at him fearfully. Knowing she probably shouldn't have done that.
"I'm not dressed. Could we please continue this once I am?" Her voice trembled as she saw him move towards her.
In seconds he was upon her, snatching her around her waist and pulling her to him. Ozai wasn't much thinking at this point. Not really at least. Deeply upset that she rejected his gift, he wanted her to know how much that pissed him off. As she braced herself up against him. Trying to kept her breasts from rubbing against him. Katara was then turned around and faced away from him, forced against the edge of the tub.
Moving her hair from down her back to her shoulders, Ozai yanked on the girl's waist, ignoring the squeal coming from her as he arched her. With her back and backside to him, he leaned down to bring mouth to the back of her neck. His hands sliding down from around her waist to settle on her shapely rear. His fingers digging into her skin.
"I try. I really do. More than I should to be good to you but you kept testing my patience." He hissed huskily into her ear as she shivered.
Her hand grasping the edge of the bath as the Lord had her back arched and her back exposed to him. She tightened her eyes together. Preparing for whatever assault she was about to be delivered. Knowing he wanted to take her. Under the water she could feel his arousal press against her leg.
One hand move up to grab her hair as the other slid down her bottom and his fingers grazed against her womanhood. "I'm not going to take you, Katara." He purred. "I just want to touch you."
This didn't make the waterbender feel any better as his fingers started to rub against her sex. She bit her lip as to not moan from the sensitive area being touched. La, if only her body could be like her mind and despise his advances. His other hand went to her breast and began groping it as a single finger of his probed her entrance, slipping inside and causing her to frantically thrash.
Holding the slippery waterbender in place as he let his finger go into her, "Shhh." He whispered into her ear as he started pounding his finger into her. "Stay still."
"No. Please. No." Katara tried to get away from him.
"If you keep complaining I'll just have you then." His voice was stern as he held the water tighter. "Besides, you can think of this as a punishment." He smirked.
A punishment? For what? Katara thought him pushing her was punishment enough for what happened in his office a few days ago. She was out for days. Her head was still killing her. But this? What punishment was this for?
Katara gasped as his fingered worked her harder and a cry escaped her, this seemed to satisfy the Fire Lord. "You should have accepted my gift." Unable to mask that this specifically upset him, Ozai glared at the back of her head as he drove his finger in deeper causing the waterbender to cry some more. "I had thought it would be enough to make amends for what happened the other day but seeing as you just left it on my balcony, I can't help but have you punished for this."
Realizing he was referring to the hair pin she had accidentally dropped and tried to get back but found it was missing, Katara endured more of him fingering and groping her. Was he seriously upset over that? Who knew this jerk didn't take rejection well?! She didn't even mean to drop it. The waterbender was just so ridden with shock from what she saw him doing that it fell from her hands.
"I didn't do it on purpose." Katara managed to get out. "It was an accident."
Narrowing his eyes further at her as he moved his finger in way that was sending the waterbender on edge. "An accident? That was no accident." He told her, defacing her lie. Only it wasn't.
"It was!" She yelled at him before he squeezed her breast to the point she yelped.
"I do not appreciate liars." He growled.
"I'm not lying, you asshole!" Katara shouted. So fed up with him and his accusations. La, she wished she was lying. But she wasn't. Quite frankly, Katara thought the hairpin was beautiful. She had planned to wear it in her hair but then she happened to nearly walk in on him and his concubine and it fell from her hands. Telling him this, the waterbender felt him completely let go of her, dropping her into the water.
Letting his hard gaze off of her, Ozai drew a little distance between them as he felt himself want to laugh. Agni, no this couldn't be. Ha! Shin was right. Running his hand through his hair. He couldn't believe this. Snickering as it came to his realization, he only laughed more as the waterbender balled her face up at him, not seeing at all what was funny. Water dripping off her face from have been dropped into the water ungratefully.
"What's so funny?!" She crossed her arms over her breasts.
Combing his wet hair over to one side with one hand as he smirked at his humorous wife, "Jealousy is a nasty thing, waterbender." Deciding it best to quote her from the other night.
A water whip splashed him in his face as Katara angrily matched herself out of the bath. Son of a bitch! I'm not jealous!
As he turned to watch her leave, wiping the water from his face, his lips still pulled into a smirk as he watched his wife raise a wall of ice to block the view of her naked form as she climbed from the tub. Maybe he could accept he had developed feelings for her. There was fire in her. If he pushed enough, Katara's flames would spark. Yes, Ozai thinks he might actually have feelings for this girl. It was no harm in having them, he realized. His plans to make her his would stay the same as well as his bigger plan for her. Only now he figured he wouldn't loathe having to charm this fiery ice vixen.
Chuckling darkly, "Dear sweet wife, I do believe I have not finished punishing you."
….
Something was different. Definitely different. Different indeed. Maybe it was because they were in sleepwear and not completely nude. Or maybe it was because he was holding her like a child held a favorite toy. Was that what she was? A toy now? Katara was awake as soon as she felt the man with his arm around her, stir from his sleep. The two of them just stayed like this. Neither feeling the need to make any sudden move or conversation. Just lay there trying to find the words for whatever this was. What was it?
Well the Fire Lord had a few words for it. Making his wife every bit of what she was. His wife. Coming to the conclusion that he truly desired the waterbender for more than her body, Ozai figured he'd have her stay in his chambers for the night. Lay beside him to see if it was more than lust. And seeing as after their tub incident, he didn't as much touch her in a sexual way once the entire night, just held her, it was made apparent to him that he was fond of the waterbender. Though of course it was not love. No. Perhaps the beginning but he wasn't going to speak too soon. That had happened once and he refused to let it happen again.
Katara laid there in his arms realizing that her siren call had definitely reached him. He was already drawn to her and last night made her all the more aware. His supposed punishment was for her to stay in his bedroom for the night. Promising he would not touch her unless she wanted him to. Which she didn't. Letting her get dressed in her night gown and picking her up bridal style as he carried her from her bedroom to his. Katara shivered at the remembrance of last night. Just moment before he was carried her off, he had toyed with her body. Heat rose to her face as she squirmed and pulled the sheets to her face. Why was she still thinking about it? And not just that, the past week was flooding in. Think of Zuko. You love Zuko. You shouldn't be thinking of anyone else. Not like that was much of an option when someone else was holding you and someone else was sort of your mission. La, maybe when this was over she could erase all her memories of this man with Zuko.
"How are your lessons?" The Fire Lord asked randomly.
Sheets to her face as she tried to cool the heat that had surfaced it, "They are well, your majesty."
"I told you to use my name in private, did I not?" He moved to plant his face in her hair. Breathing in her scent as he pulled her small body against his. His warmth radiating off of him.
"Yes. You have." Katara answered carefully.
Moving his face to the side of hers and then to her neck, "I'd rather have you than any concubine in my harem lay beside me." He confessed as his lips grazed against her skin. Ozai's plans to make her his were still in motion. "But you refuse me."
Breathlessly, Katara moved her hand to the one he had wrapped around her waist. La, this wasn't good. She needed to get away from him. He was burning her and not with his bending. It was something else. Something she was not going to acknowledge. She felt his lips form into a smirk against her skin, setting her body ablaze as she could feel him breathing against her neck. She felt she would melt. This man's cuddling was even aggressive. No wonder he was a monster.
"When you've completed your lessons and have become aware of your role as Fire Lady. I expect nothing but perfection." Ozai wanted her to be worthy of him. If he was going to allow himself to feel anything for her. She needed to be worthy of his feelings. Worthy of him. And eventually worthy of being loved by him. "Is that understood, Katara?"
The waterbender could barely catch her breath and without meaning to, moaned out a yes. Her body was just not listening to her lately. She hadn't even been touched any kind of way and already she was like this. La, just strike her down.
Liking her response, the Fire Lord rolled her on her back and moved slight above her. Looking down at her as she tried to hide her face from him. He enjoyed her bashfulness. It proved even more how little experience she had and that he would be the one to teach her many things. His hand moved to her hair and she shrinked, closing her eyes to him.
"Look at me." He whispered softly.
Katara couldn't. She couldn't. This was all too much for her. His advances. His attention and affection. It was too much. She knew this was her task and that she should be celebrating that she was winning the Fire Lord over with her special gift. But this man was so intense. Like nothing and no one she had ever experienced.
His hand slid to cup her face, "Look at me, Katara."
The way his voice sounded caused her eyes to open wide. Zuko? Suddenly, the waterbender realized something she didn't want to but couldn't help as her eyes stared up into his. He and Zuko were in many ways alike. Their temperament. Their mannerisms. The way they were so intense. How she couldn't stand them at times. Wanting to fight them both with everything she had. Then there was their eyes. The gold was much brighter than the gold of any of the other firebenders she had met. Theirs specifically shined the brightest. Why? Why was she realizing this now? That father and son that hated one another were more alike than not.
The Fire Lord's hand ran through her hair as she gazed down at her. Heart pounding in her chest as she saw him inch towards her face. He was going to kiss her again. Katara shut her eyes tight. Not wanting to make this any worse for herself. She could just think of Zuko from now on. Yes! Perfect! From now on this was Zuko. An older, taller, bigger, and meaner Zuko with longer hair. Yeah, she could do this.
As she waited from his mouth to come down on her, instead it went to her neck and his hand that was in her hair grabbed tight to it. Katara's back arched as his teeth sunk into her neck and a loud moan tore through her throat. Her eyes big like the moon as the Fire Lord began pulling her from off the bed, his mouth still on her neck as he brought her to kneel with him in his bed. The waterbender's hands braced against his shirtless chest. Digit clawing into his muscular chest as her body felt it was going limp. Her eyes went to the ceiling as a strange feeling came over her, eyes watering and certain heat brewing in her gut. What was this?
Moaning again as the other hand of the Fire Lord's slid down her back and went to grab her ass through her nightgown. Squeezing it as she clawed him harder. Eyes still to the ceiling as her neck was being devours and her rear was being groped. There was a pooling heat between her thighs suddenly. La, please tell me this isn't happening? No. This isn't happening. Recognizing she must be becoming aroused by what her husband was doing to her. How? She didn't have any feelings for him. She hated him. How could she possibly find this arousing? And then last night, her mind went back to that which only made things worst. Suddenly wanting him to touch her like that again. Punishment or not, she wanted it. No! What are you thinking?! You don't want that! He was definitely going to do more than that if it had went on longer. This was awful.
The Fire Lord couldn't help but notice from the waterbender's breathy moans and her bracing herself against him as they knelt in bed, that her body was growing warmer. Hotter. His eyes opened as he continued assaulting her neck. Enjoying this are you, waterbender? He wanted to smirk but didn't. So this waterbender was starting to like his touches and not only that but showed some jealousy towards him being with a concubine. I think I know how to win you over. He thought.
Moving his hands from her bottom and her hair to around her waist, Ozai removed his mouth from her neck. Katara fell limp against her chest, panting as she tried to let her body cool down. She was so hot. It was hot. The temperature of the room. Her body. Outside and inside. La, a part of her wanted to take the nightgown off so she could cool quicker. While she was being held, arm around her waist as one of his hands went back to her hair. His mouth moved to her ear.
"Accept my gift as an apology." He whispered.
In no state to argue, Katara nodded her head as she continued to de-escalate from what just happened. "I'll accept." She said breathlessly.
"Good." He purred in her ear and nipped at it a little before the door suddenly opened behind them.
"Your majesty." Kimiko's voice was heard and the Fire Lord turned his neck to look over his shoulders at the woman.
As he acknowledged her and her ladies, they all raised their head and were met with an all too familiar sight only it was a lot more decent than the last time. Suki's eyes went straight to Katara, who looked like she had been zapped of all her energy. Slouching against the Fire Lord, who was holding her. This made a nerve twitch in the Kyoshi. Knowing her friend was going to be a mess later because of this. Ridden with guilt and self-loath. Suki cursed the Fire Lord even more. Kimiko however; saw things differently but decided to think on it later.
Not liking to have been disturbed, "What is it?" He hissed.
Bowing her head in apology, "Forgive me your majesty but there is important news." Ozai narrowed his eyes as he waited to hear what it was.
Raising her head back up, "There has been sightings of the Avatar in Bei Seng Sei as well as your brother. The disgraced General Iroh."
Katara's eyes widened. Aang. You're far away, thank La!
"Have my orders sent to my daughter to apprehend the Avatar and her uncle." The Fire Lord commanded, his tone every bit of how it was the day he had ordered his son to his death. "My brother is to be brought back alive. As for the Avatar, either or is fine."
The waterbender in his arms jerked a little wanting to get away from him but he tightened in grasp on her, keeping her from moving. La, she wanted to throw her fist into his face. He was ordering her friend to death. Yet another. First Zuko and her people now Aang. Katara's eyes caught Suki's wide eyes as she struggled in the Fire Lord's arms. The two of them knew they needed to do something.
Getting irritated with the waterbender's struggle, Ozai dismissed Kimiko and her ladies. As soon as the door shut, he pushed his wife on her back and held her down with one hand planted firmly onto her stomach.
Staring impassively down at her, "You are Fire Nation now, Katara, and as such you are also the enemy of the Avatar and your little gang of friends. Remember that."
Katara stared with wide eyes at him, disbelieving of what she was hearing and before she could form any response or insult to throw at him, his mouth was on hers. A small squeal came as he bit her lip till it bled. Pulling away and licking his lips, tasting her blood that were on them. The waterbender felt sick. What was this man?!
"You're disgusting!" Katara yelled at him.
Gravely disappointed, "Is kindness too much to ask of you?" He asked in a growl.
"How can I be kind to my enemy?" She replied, fire burning in her eyes.
"We are no longer enemies!" He growled frustratedly. "We are spouses! You are my wife! If only you'd act like it!"
The waterbender bared her teeth, "No longer enemies?! Look at where we stand!"
"Look at where you stand." He snarled. "You stand beside me now. Not the avatar. Not my disgrace of a son. Not even your people. You are mines. Here in this palace as Lord and Lady, that is where we stand!"
Hurt by the fact that what he said was true, Katara's eyes watered. "Shut up! I'm not yours! I don't belong to you! Or anyone for that matter!"
Growling at her, "You. Are. Mines." Glaring her down as she shook her head with tears in her eyes.
.…..
"Katara, we need to talk?!" Suki marched into the bathroom where the waterbender was healing the bruising on her neck and her lip.
Water glowing against her neck as she winced, the place where he bit and sucked her skin was more sensitive than she expected, Katara didn't look from the mirror as her friend stood behind her looking more upset than she probably should. Her mind focused on tuning out the memories of last night and this morning. Tears rolled down her face. The Fire Lord clearly had feelings, she could see it. Especially with his response to her since last night. La, was this how a man like him was with someone he was falling for? If so, his cousin had to have been right about the man being lonely. But what do I care?! He's going to have that psychotic daughter of his kill Aang! Someone like him deserved to be alone. And what he said. Telling her she was against her friends from where she was standing. By his side. As his wife. Her eyes watered more. Was it true? Was she now her friends' enemy?
Seeing that her friend was crying, Suki rushed up behind her and wrapped her arms around her. Katara, overcome with emotions, crumbled to the floor, her friend going with her. Sobbing against her, "I can't do this!" The waterbender cried.
Holding her friend tightly, "Katara, you have to."
"I can't." She cried louder. "This is killing me. Having to deal with this sick twisted bastard! Suki, he keeps putting his hands on me!" Katara quivered as she tried desperately to block her thoughts from returning to last night. "I'm in love with Zuko! No matter the reason, I shouldn't let this keep happening!"
Confessing what took place last night and this morning, Katara broke down. She was trying to be strong but every time she was, that damned Fire Lord would knock her back down. Suki felt a throbbing in her chest as her mind had search for a solution for her friend. Coming upon one, the Kyoshi sighed heavily and swallowed hard. Her mouth suddenly felt dry. There was a solution to this. To all of this.
"Maybe you should give us up. All of us. For now at least. Clearly, you're issue is us and it's impeding you from fulfilling your responsibilities to ending this war." Suki gave her opinion.
Pulling away quickly from her friend, Katara looked wide eyed at her. What was she saying? Let her friends go. Even if it was just temporarily, how could she say that?! She was doing this for them! How could she give them up?! They were her reason!
Seeing the obvious signs that the message hadn't gotten through to the waterbender, Suki shook her head. "Look, I'll distance myself for a few days and you see how much that helps."
Frantically shaking her head, "No Suki! Don't! Please don't do that! I need you!" The waterbender grabbed her friend as the kyoshi stood back up. Looking to be begging.
"Get real, Katara." Suki looked at her with a serious expression. "This is how things are and if you don't like them so much, maybe you should fight harder to put an end to this! And right now your biggest obstacle isn't even the Fire Lord, it's you and us! You're so afraid to feel like you're betraying us that you can't even help us!"
Taken aback by her friend's words, Katara stared with wide eyes, something was getting through to her. "Right now, Aang and the others are about to face Azula again. And you know only you and Zuko were the ones that could stand in a match against her. But neither one of you are with them. Because Zuko's rotting in prison and you're under the Fire Lord's close supervision. But unlike Zuko and the rest of us, you can actually make things easier. You can change the Fire Lord's mind. Using either your charm or that siren thingy that Kimiko was telling me about. Either way, you're the one who ultimately decides whether this war can end sooner or later. And I'm sure we all want sooner."
Katara understood now. But...but...how was she supposed to just let go of her friends? If she was going to end this, didn't she need motivation? But then again, there was truth to what Suki had said. The waterbender had feared greatly the feeling of betraying her friends. The thought alone made her want to run from this. Being of no help if she did. The world would be a war longer if she did. And Aang wasn't ready to face the Fire Lord. There was still Fire he needed to master and he was still struggling with Earth. If anything, Katara needed to borrow him some time. Find a way to convince the Fire Lord to not let Azula kill him. Katara knew that psychotic bitch's fighting style. If she wanted to kill it would be easy for her and much harder on Aang and the others but if she had to bring him back alive, she'd have to restrain herself. Hold back. Giving Aang a chance. But of course, the only way Aang stood a chance is if she continued her duties. Sucked up her tears and face her fate. And not just face it but take hold of it. Take advantage of the advantage she had in this. Whether she wanted to be or not, Katara was the Fire Lord's wife whom she had already incited feelings in due to her gift from the sirens. She could literally change the outcome of this war just by how she moved her husband.
"I know this isn't easy for you, Katara but it isn't on any of us." She said sympathetically. "We all just want this to be over and we all have to play our parts to make sure it ends quickly."
…..
"Avatar Aang, you mustn't be here." Iroh stood from his seat at a small tavern in the lower ring of Bei Seng Sei. He had a cloak over his head. Hiding much of his appearance from those who could recognize him. He saw the boy that was the Avatar enter with two of his friends. One being the blind earthbender he had shared tea time with and the other being the tribesmen from the desolated Southern Tribe.
Aang and what was left of his gang walked up to the man, all in disguise, though of course the wise old firebender would recognize them. They had finally found Iroh. After a month of searching the lower ring which was vase and hard to keep up or find someone who didn't wish to be found, finally they found Zuko's uncle. It was almost impossible. With there being wanted posters all over the city with unbelievably high prices on his and their heads, it forced all of them to be extra careful while looking for the old firebender.
Bowing his head in respect of the master firebender, "Please, do not turn us away. We need you."
Iroh looked from the Avatar to his two friends that all had desperate looks on their face. Something must have happened. Three people were missing from them. One being his nephew, who he knew was traveling with the Avatar now. The other two being the waterbender and Kyoshi Warrior. Did something become of them? Inwardly grimacing, the rumors...are they true?
"Zuko's been captured as well as my sister." Sokka stepped in, pushing Aang aside a little to stress the severity of the situation.
Sounding just as concerned as the boys of the group though she showed it. "Yeah and his girlfriend went to follow them to see if she could help them escape but we assume she's also been captured."
"The reason we have come to you is because without Zuko, I have no Fire instructor and we can't get them back until we end this war." Aang bowed again but this time going onto his knees in a begging position. "Please, Iroh. Become my Fire instructor. Help us end this war and get back our friends."
Taken aback to the great Avatar's plead, Iroh accepted right away. He couldn't and wouldn't turn the boy away. Not only because he had asked but because what other hope was there to ending this war and get back there his nephew than the Avatar defeating his evil brother and restoring balance.
Giving the three a firm look, "Of course I would be honored to teach you, Avatar Aang. But before we can start, there is something you must know." His brows furrowed. "There are rumors floating around. Rumors of your Water instructor my nephew was obsessed with."
Aang and Sokka's eyes bugged out while Toph just shook her head, am I the only one who see around here? Iroh ignored the looks on the two young men's faces, there was clearly something more important at the moment.
"It isn't confirmed as true yet but being that you say she's been captured, it very well may be." The old man looked away from them. "That waterbender….she's….."
…..
Walking the halls with her entourage of ladies and her hands in her sleeves, holding her head high with a distinguished look of refinement, Katara could not believe it had been a month since she had been here. Her posture was spot on and her pace was superb. Never in her wildest dreams would she have dreamt that she would be in this place of all places. All expression ridden from her face as she held her gaze forward, ignoring those that watched for the first time, the new Fire Lady make her way to the throne room.
A month it has been and as promised in this month to the Fire Lord, Katara would become fit for her duties as Fire Lady. Be what was expected of any and all Ladies before her. She, while of Water Tribe descent, was no exception. There was perhaps an even higher expectation for her because eyes would always be on her to see if she will falter or break. Her people were mocked for being barbaric and unruly. Many would be looking to see if the tales of the Water Tribes were true. Ferocious tribespeople with the inability to be civilized. The people of this court will be watching to see if it was true. Her people's image lied on her shoulders as well as their fate. Katara worked hard all month to get to this point. Doubling over on her lessons. Refusing downtime so she could become every bit of what this nation, this palace, his majesty expect her to be.
Kimiko walked just a few paces to the Fire Lady's side with a smile on her face. She was beyond impressed and pleased with the young waterbender. The girl had come a long way. Struggling to balance her lessons and studies with enduring the Fire Lord's attention, the madam had the say the girl was resilient. Fortunately, his majesty only sort the girl for her company and nothing else. Keeping to his word of not having her until she asked it of him. Kimiko knew how Katara had felt about being intimate with the Fire Lord. Kissing him was enough to send the waterbender into an angry fit of frustration. Luckily, Katara held her anger and her tongue whenever she was with him and waited till she was alone to vent. Nonetheless, Kimiko was quite proud of the young woman.
Walking amongst the group of ladies, Suki sighed to herself. She didn't realize how long of a process this was going to be but luckily, it wouldn't last much longer for her. Katara and her went over a plan to get Zuko out of the palace. All there was to do was wait for the perfect timing and Suki was to take Zuko and leave. It was long discussed and acknowledged that Katara would stay. She had her duties to fulfill but with Suki and Zuko here to be used as a tool against her, the waterbender couldn't be at ease. Spirits, this month had been something. As planned after planning the escape, the kyoshi kept her distance from her friend which seemed to work. Her theory correct that Katara's obstacle was her guilt, keeping away from one another proved be just the thing to get her focused on what was most important. Ending this war.
Heart heavy in her chest but shoulders appearing weightless, Katara stood before the grand doors of the throne room. The guards looked at her and she looked at them, giving them a look that they could not and would not refuse her entry. Her callous demeanor had penetrated them as it had servants around the palace that did not follow protocol with her. It would seem after learning the ways of court there were servants and palace guards that didn't do as was expected of them when she was around. She figured it was due to who she was and not what she was. But she'd quickly remind them what she was. Fire Lady. And due to how she was feeling. How vulnerable she had felt. The constant walking on eggshells, Katara would not have it from these people. She would prove them wrong about her and she would do so as kindly as they have been to her.
The doors opened and the Fire Lady's eyes peered with tunnel vision at the Fire Lord, blocking out all that were inside other than him. She could see him beyond the fiery wall that blazed in of the throne. He stood from his throne and looked at her, a smirk pulled to his lips as she and her ladies entered the throne room with a refined elegance that he had expected of her. Am I as you expect me to be, your majesty? She asked bitterly in her head. La, her hate grew for him. While he had become kinder and less touchy with her, Katara couldn't forget he was her enemy. And it was almost as if she had to force herself to hate him more just so she could maintain her ground in all this. However; it was hard. Hard to be mad and angry with someone who progressively tried to be good to her when she knew it was against their nature as it was against her nature to hate. La, this had to be a strategy of his. Use kindness to kill her. What a cruel way to kill someone.
Looking down at his beautiful wife that he knew without a doubt hated him, Ozai couldn't help but smirk at her. She was so lovely when those blues of hers caught fire. The Fire Lord's feelings for only grew as hers did as well. Only he was falling for her and she wanted to likely slit his throat in his sleep every time he made her lay beside him at night. Somehow he was attracted even more by her pushing him away. Playing hard to get. He liked a challenge and she was perhaps the greatest challenge of them all. He couldn't wait till he obtained her. To finally have her. Entirely. Hunger engulfed his starving flames that only burned more for her. It made his mouth water thinking of what he'll do with her once she was his.
As her ladies stopped midway, allowing her to go forth and join her husband's side at the throne. It had been thirty nine years since last there was a Fire Lady to sit beside the Fire Lord and provide her aid to the people of the Fire Nation. It had been over three hundreds years since there was a Fire Lady that was not of Fire Nation descent and this was the first a Fire Lady had ever come of the Water Tribes. While the marriage and coronation took place all on the same day, the Fire Lady was not officially so until she sat beside her husband at the throne. Katara climbed the grand staircase to where her husband was standing, waiting from her, parting the eternal flames to allow her to walk through. His hand was held out for her. Though she didn't want to but had to for show, Katara offered him a smile and took his hand. Letting him guide her to his side where she stood just as he, radiating the same presence as him. To be feared. To be unchallenged. To be respected. To be sovereign. It was in this month of learning her role as Fire Lady that Katara found she would do her duty and do it well, not only to this nation but to the world. While she would loathe it and disdain herself in the process. Katara was prepared do whatever it took to give everyone what they wanted. An end to this madness.
"You will do well as Lady, I believe." The Fire Lord offered her a compliment.
Giving a small nod of her head as she maintained her facade, "Thank you, your majesty."
Ozai glanced at her from the corner of his eye and then focused them back on the room full of loyal subjects. He could hear the strain in her voice as she thanked him. As much as he loved her fire. He wished it burned for him. Not at him.
"When we leave here, I have a set of plans I would like you to look over for me. Tell me if they are to your liking." He told her as they took their set and court was in session.
Katara looked at him for a moment. For some reason it felt like their marriage was only just beginning as if everything that happened prior to this moment didn't happen. So now she was supposed to be more than his wife. More than his hostage. She was his aid. His help with ruling his nation. She had responsibilities. Now she had a role to play to the Fire Lord as she did the Order. The waterbender just hoped she could get through this. Be brave. She told herself.
…..
A/N: Hey guys hoped you like it. Also! Anyone having problems with the non-consensual sexual situations between Ozai and Katara, fear not! That's the last! I promise. After this the next encounter between them will not be without both of them wanting one another. So don't worry. I apologize for anyone who had had difficulties with it.
But thanks for reading and please Review! Love feedback!
