Shadowed Kisses
Chapter 9
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DISCLAIMER
I in no way, shape or form, own ATLA, that right belongs to Mike and Bryan, and to Nic, and we must bow to their awsomeness even though we hate their Kataang/ Maiko loving guts, but hey, we can dream cant we?! And so my fellow zutarians this is where we fan fic writers come in, to quench the thirst for zutara that you have long been denied.
Enjoy kiddies!! XD
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"All is lost" she whispered finally, collapsing onto the bed next to him burying her face into his chest as she wept.
"All is not lost—a soft voice cooed in her ear as her heart jumped with surprise—all is never lost".
Katara cowered away from the voice a shiver passing though her cold and empty form as she stared into the blood red eyes of the witch next to her, her skin almost as pasty white as Zuko's next to her.
The old witch glared down at her, lowering her voice to a soft hush "I know what you are, Priestess Katara. What skills you posses and what different forms of bending you know. Even though you reject them for fear of the power and responsibility that comes with it!" the woman cocked an eye brow as if edging the younger woman to challenge her knowledge.
"But…how…you?" Katara looked around the room, relieved to see that most of the people gathered were too busy muttering to themselves or others not to pay attention.
"How could you possibly know that, I've never told another living soul about…my other form?"
The witch chuckled and sat down on the bed, heaving a sigh as she rested her old and weary bones, rubbing her arthritic knees in an attempt to ease the aching pains.
"Oh, you'd be surprised how many little tricks you pick up when you've been around as long as I have" she smiled gleefully, giving Katara a look that let her know that all her secrets were no longer private as her gaze flickered from Zuko's face then back up to the priestesses.
Katara gasped as she realized what the old woman was implying "you had no right to do that!" she hissed furiously as she scooted away from the old woman, wrapping her arms around her body as she thought of all the feelings, emotions and memories she would have never even considered sharing with someone.
"Fear not my dear, your secret's are as safe as if they were my own" the witch grinned soothingly.
"But now is no time for idol gossip" she stated, growing serious as she looked over the young woman's shoulder and into the calm pale face of the prince.
The waterbender caught the direction of the old woman's gaze, her own oceanic, blue emerald orbs following it until they landed on the painfully cold and still features of the prince. He was so quiet and motionless yet there was something in his face that plagued Katara's gut, a tense uneasiness that lay in the features of his face.
She thought back to all the times that she had assisted Gran Gran when someone in the village had fallen ill. Most of the time they made a full recovery, but still there were the unlucky ones whose wounds or illness was just too great to heal. Of course being the caring and protective grandmother she had been, Gran Gran had never allowed her to participate in the rituals that followed a death, she was however allowed to sit and watch as the rites and payers were mumbled over the departed.
The memories filled her head as she stared blankly at Zuko's lifeless form, her eyes glazing over as she began to realize that there was something different about prince's body to the others she had seen.
"He's not dead!" she gasped silently as she realized why he appeared different. All the bodies she had seen had a calm, peacefulness about them but when she looked at Zuko all she could see in his face was restlessness and unease, he was fighting the poison, even in his last hours he hadn't given up, he would fight to the last breath.
Katara leaned over his mouth, holding her cheek just above his lips "I can feel his breath—she smiled her body filling with energy and relief—it's soft and shallow, but its definitely there".
The witch nodded, smiling to herself as she acknowledged the girl "no, he is not dead, yet—the girls face fell as she continued to stare at the old woman, her face too losing its smile—but you can save him".
The waterbender looked down at the man laying next to her, suddenly very aware of his chest as it rose and fell ever so slightly "I know what to do" she replied solemnly, looking back at the old woman with a determined glint in her eyes. The girls heart pounded nervously as she watched the witch nod knowingly, her eyes suddenly moving to Zuko's chest as she began to focus on her thoughts.
The girl looked down at the man "hold on a little longer" she whispered before jumping off the bed and over to where an array of different weapons lay decoratively in a glass case.
Feeling the exuberant rush of determination and hope Katara grabbed the first dagger that her hand fell on, ignoring the inquisitive looks she was acquiring as her behavior alerted the rest of the room from their muttering and prayers.
Guards and fire sages alike, stood and watched in astonishment and disbelief as she made her way towards the bed, holding the dagger in between her lips as she slid onto the mattress and straddled Zuko's waist, her legs bent and stable under her.
Bringing the blade from her lips Katara held the sharp edge against the skin of her right palm and cut a long deep gash across the tanned skin from little finger to thumb, hissing and whimpering as her nerves sent a wave of pain through her.
Katara sighed as she finished cutting, pulling the dagger away from where it was buried in her skin at the base of the thumb.
She closed her eyes and took a breath, placing the point of the dagger to the area of soft tender skin just above her left breast, pulling at the ruins that graced her ribcage as her body tensed with the shock.
The woman cried out as the blade bit into her flesh and parted the skin, bringing a bright trickle of crimson to dance with the electric blue of the ruins as it ran down her body.
She sucked in a breath and fought against the pain, shaking her head to chase away the blurriness of her vision, turning her attention back to the body that lay under her, her eyes scanning his white, white skin as his chest fought to keep rising against he poison that was being passed agonizingly through his veins.
Katara sucked in her breath as she grasped Zuko hand and continued to do the same to him as what she had done to her self, attempting not to flinch as a guard behind her called out, his voice instantly muffled by the scolding tone of the witch that remained by her side.
Feeling the soft trickle of blood as it snaked down her wrists from the combined incisions on their hands made the woman cringe in horror, her eyes flickering around the room as she consciously moved the blade to his chest and dug the point in slightly.
The breath in her body froze as she cut open the skin above Zuko's left pectoral muscle and her stomach turned uneasily as a new stream of blood began to appear.
Forcing the air out of her lungs, Katara took a large breath and looked down at the tense face of the man underneath her.
"Gods forgive me" she whispered, moving Zuko's hand so that his open wound pressed against the one on her chest, mixing their blood as their hearts pumped the red liquid around their body's. then with another breath and another weary glance around the room Katara did the same with her hand and Zuko's chest, pressing her hand against the open cut firmly.
The watebender noticed two things the moment that their blood met and began to mix, one was that she could feel the slow heart beat of the man as if it were a tide upon a shore, pushing and pulling against her hand. The second however was that she could also feel the rhythm of her own strong if not slightly racing heart beat.
Acting on instinct rather than the voices in her head Katara began to use her waterbending skills, using the pulse of her own heart to reawaken his as she tensed then loosened the muscles in his chest, imitating the movements that a healthy, regular heart would make.
"Please, please—she pleaded to whoever would hear her—let this work, allow me to save him!"
The room began to spin as she realized what she was doing and without the aid of a full moon to fuel her energy and bending. Feeling the world begin to slip form her grasp Katara could feel her self falling away, the darkness creeping across her mind like a storm cloud.
"I think that's enough for today!" came the strong but worried words from the old woman as she reached out to catch the wavering girl before she was able to fall on top of the boy's body. "If he is still not healed by tomorrow, you may try again but for now lady Katara you must rest".
"No!" the younger woman protested, pulling away from the woman as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed, her hands gripping the sheets to keep herself upright as she fought off the weariness and stinging pain of her cuts. If Zuko didn't improve within the next couple of hours Katara knew she would have to re-open the already healing wound, and she fought with the idea that she didn't have to stomach nor the strength to do that again.
"What if something happens and you need me!—she stated, sliding off the bed so that she could stand before the haggard old woman—no, I stay here tonight!"
The old witch scowled "you are treading on thin ice my lady, had it been anyone else I would have brought down such a wrath, I do not take kindly to those who deliberately disobey me!"
The waterbender sucked in a breath and faced the old woman with as much of her authority as she could, her knees shaking as the fatigue from her bloodbending weakened her.
She was about to fight back against the old woman when a soft knock on the door aroused her attention and she beckoned to the guards to let the person inside.
She studied the man with a weakly suspicious expression, her shoulders slumping as her energy continued to drain, she needed to rest and soon.
"Forgive me for the intrusion Priestess but the fire lord wishes to see you most urgently, he's awaiting your arrival in the throne room" Katara watched the man as he conveyed the message, bowing numerously as he addressed her and the rest of the room and scrunching something that he held between his fingers in impatience, obviously Ozai had given the man a hard time in giving him the soul job of finding her and delivering her to the fire lord without delay.
"I shall be there directly" she answered, glancing back at the fire prince laid out on the bed, her heart skipping as she noticed the hot bowl of water and fresh bandages that someone had placed at his side, at least someone was being a help rather than a hindrance.
The old witch grunted contently as Katara exited the room, following the man down the hallway and through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, was it her or was there an eerie presence among the tiles and bricks than before?
"There has been much unrest since your kidnapping" sighed the guard, obviously relaxing now that there was only the two of them "many rumors circulated about how the earth kingdom came to be in the palace, I'm afraid that you might find more enemies now lurking in the shadows than allies".
Katara nodded solemnly, holding herself tall and proud as they continued to walk "they're blaming me aren't they!?" she said, it was a statement more than a question, but still the guard felt compelled to answer.
"Yes my lady, many would not trust your alliance to the fire nation, your history being what it is".
"I understand, thank you for the warning, I am very grateful" she sighed, her eyelids growing heavy as she waivered on her feet, reaching out to prop herself against a pillar as her knees buckled slightly.
"My Lady, you are unwell, let me call for assistance!" the guard said lending her an arm as he beckoned to a pair of guards that were patrolling the hallway.
The reinforcement of strong arms on her elbows made the woman feel a large amount better, knowing that she could now save her energy for more pressing matters that she knew lay just beyond the door at the end of the corridor.
The door loomed before her and her heart skipped a beat, fearful but anxious of seeing the man that sat just beyond the archway.
The walk to the throne room seemed to take longer than it should have, and Katara blinked as the door seemed to continuously move away from her.
The guard leading the little procession stepped forward and reached out for the door, tapping it loudly as he announced their presence.
Their call was quickly followed with a booming command from inside the doors and their way was suddenly cleared and they stepped forward into the light.
Ozai sat on his throne suspended on the dais above everyone else, the fire that surrounded him blazing fiercely.
"Thank Agni that you're safe" he said proudly, descending the steps around him before striding across the room towards her.
The fire lords eyes flickered around the room "leave us!" he ordered, stopping just before her, and looking into her eyes.
"But, my lord..." one of the generals interceded, stepping forward and away from his post.
"Get out!" he snarled at the man, his eyes holding the promise of pain for the man if he continued to disobey him.
The guards bowed, leaving the room with unceremonious speed as they ran for their lives, fearful of the many horrific ways that Ozai could punish them for their disobedience.
"Oh my love, how I feared for your safety" Ozai sighed, his tempter subsiding to relief and affection as her embraced her, lowering his lips to her forehead tenderly as he kissed her.
Katara forced herself not to cringe, willing her mind to erase all pain and anxiety that her body was pumping through her veins as the stood trapped in the confines of the fire lords embrace.
"I prayed day and night for your safe return" he whispered, winding his arms tighter around her back, causing Katara to cry and whimper in pain as she felt the soft steady flow of blood from her open wounds.
"Is ok my love—the fire lord hushed her soothingly, moving one of his hands form her back to her hair as he stroked her reassuringly—no one shall ever hurt you ever again".
Katara whimpered more as Ozai tightened his grip possessively, making the cuts on her back flair painfully.
"Please" she whispered, dropping her hands to her sides as she fought against the black depths of her mind that fought for control over her body, it was her body's way of shutting down in order to giver her time to rest and heal.
"Please what… love?" he asked, brushing her cheek as to Katara's relief he released her and stepped away, looking down at her with passionate and caring eyes. "Anything you want…its yours".
"A healer…please, I need a healer" she sighed, wavering on her feet as a wash of relief flooded her body.
"Katara?"
"Please…? Pain so much pain" her voice cracked as she became more and more light headed.
"Guards!" Ozai called, lifting his head to address the man that slipped into the room.
"Bring the palace healers to me!" the man bobbed his head and disappeared without another word, leaving the two alone once more.
"Where is the pain?" he asked, gripping her arms and looking into her lowered face anxiously.
Katara continued to waver on her feet until her legs could no longer support her body and she fell against his chest, relief washing through her as he caught her at the last minute and held her against his body.
"Katara?! Tell me where the pain is coming from!" he said more forcefully, shaking her arms as he attempted to get the answer out of her, his heart beating painfully as he feared for her wellbeing but she was out cold.
"HELP!" called the fire lord, gripping her tightly as she slipped with the loss of her consciousness, her body falling limply against him.
The doors burst open as a swarm of guards entered the room, half with their swords drawn the other half in firebending stances.
The group took a second or two to get over the shock of seeing their lord with such a worried look in his face, leaping forward to help him with the unconscious woman in his arms.
Warm hands fell around her body as she was lifted up and carried out of the throne room.
"Take her to my quarters" Ozai ordered, leading them through the palace halls and towards his rooms, his eyes flickering back to her peaceful face every so often in worry and wonder.
The sound of doors opening ahead of them alerted the guards that they were close, a sigh of relief escaping them as they slipped into their masters quarters, hurrying over to the bed in the center of the room as they mover her carefully to lay her on the soft sheets and pillows on the king bed.
"Bring the healer!" he ordered, striding over to where his priestess lay limply on the bed, his hand moving out to stroke her hair back off her face as he moved to sit next to her, his gaze never leaving her face.
"My lord" the old man muttered as he entered the room, bowing in respect to his master as his eyes flickered to the girl on the bed.
"What ails her?" he asked, moving closer as Ozai ushered him in, his eyes flickering between the two nervously.
"I know not, only that she was in pain before she fainted" he stated, watching the healer carefully as he inspected her, feeling her for any broken bones or bruises that might give him some indication to why she was in this state.
"Nothing is broken, and I'm positive that its nothing to do with a head injury" he stated, rubbing his chin as his brow creasing in concentration going through a list of possible diagnosis's but coming up short.
Katara whimpered in her slumber, her head tossing slightly as warm hands prodded her body.
"It's ok" Ozai soothed, pulling her closer so that she lay with her head against his chest.
"My lord, I'm not sure if that's such a good idea…" the healer started to complain, stopping suddenly as he saw the trickle of blood that coated her back.
"Roll her onto her stomach" the healer stated, suddenly forgetting his place as he watched her tentatively, his gut knotting as he realized what he had just done.
Ozai scowled at the older man but did what he asked, laying her on the bed with her head turned to the right so that she could breathe easily.
The two men exchanged glances and the healer moved his hands to the fine cloth that hid her back from them, his breath catching as he felt the soaking material touch his fingers.
The man pulled back a hand and inspected the fresh bright red liquid on his fingers, his eyes becoming wide and scared as he caught the fire lord's gaze.
Ozai stared at the man's fingers intently, nodding his head to the man to continue as he felt a scowl grace his face.
The two men sat on the bed and looked down at the horrible gashes on the woman's back and Ozai felt his insides turn as he remembered how he had punished her like this once before.
"Agni help us" the healer muttered as his fingers flittered over her back, pulling the skin gently so that he could inspect them closer, measuring the depth that they cut into her back, it was going to take her a long time to recover from such a brutal beating, she would have to have numerous healing sessions with her lady's-in-waiting and the whole of her chest and abdomen would have to be rebadged daily.
"Don't just sit there" Ozai growled at the man, his eyes burning with hate and anger as he glared at the man, but it wasn't the healer that his wrath was directed at, fists curling to form fists Ozai cursed the earth kingdom 'they are going to pay dearly for what they have done, the fire nation will not let such an insult go unpunished' he thought darkly.
The older man pulled out a pouch of salt and poured its contents into the bowl of water that stood on the dresser, mixing it with his index finger to speed its dissolution.
"To help clean the wounds and prevent infection" the healer explained as he dipped a towel into the water and began to wash her back, rubbing the material into the wounds and wiping away all the excess blood.
Katara's face cringed as she lay on the bed as the solution stung at her back and Ozai leant down to stroke her hair soothingly "hush now—he whispered into her ear—its alright, rest now".
The healer continued to was at the priestess's back until he was satisfied that It was clean then continued to pull out jar of clear paste, a needle and thread and a roll of bandages.
"What is that?" Ozai asked protectively, grasping the healer's wrist before he was able to dollop a large amount of the paste onto Katara's back.
"Alovera lotion—the healer sighed, smoothing the paste over the cuts as his master let go of his wrist—it's used to heal burns and cuts, it's a very useful plant!" once her back was covered in the cleat liquid the healer then reached for his next set of instruments.
"What are those for?" Ozai asked outraged at the sight of the small sharp needle and the thick white thread.
The healer sighed, and looked at the fire lord with old and tire eyes "there is extensive damage to the muscles in her back, I need to stitch the skin closed so that the muscles can fuse back together".
Ozai gulped at the thought of what they were about to do to his priestess and held her hand tight "sleep just a while longer, love" he whispered, praying that her eyes would stay shut and she would continue to sleep.
The first stitch went in on one of the larger gashes on her back and Ozai watched as the edges of the cuts were stitched back together with swift ease.
Once her back was stitched together with help from the guards and Ozai, the healer then went on to bind her wounds, taking specific care not to make them too loose or too tight, stopping every now and then as Katara groaned at the movements.
"There that should do it…for now" the healer sighed, setting all his equipment back in his pouch and getting up off the bed.
Ozai looked at the man as he stroked his priestesses head comfortingly "you are dismissed" he said to the healer, turning his full attention back to the sleeping girl before him, his hand hovering over her bandaged back.
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The moon continued to rise into the sky as the night wore on, sending everyone that had gathered in the prince's room to their bedchambers, leaving only a few minimal people alone with the unconscious man.
Bright lights danced behind his eyes lids as Zuko groaned and tossed his head, forcing his eyes open.
"He's away, praise be to Agni" someone called just out of his vision, rushing to the door to spread the happy news.
"What happened?" Zuko asked, sitting up off the bed, holding his pounding head with one hand as his other propped him up against the headboard.
"You've been out cold for a week, my lord, we had almost given up hope…" said the witch, coming over to his bed, holding a tray of food and water out for him.
Zuko looked at the food and his stomach turned painfully "I'm not hungry" he muttered, holding his hand out to wave it away only to notice the bandage that was wrapped around it.
"I don't remember cutting my hand?!" the prince stated, not really talking to anyone in particular, but catching the witches attention.
"You didn't, my lord" she replied, setting the plate down and coming over to sit with him.
"Then…how?" he held out his hand and the witch looked down at him with a warm smile on her face.
"The blade that injured you was poisoned, and quickly sent you into a coma—she began, her eyes calm and soothing—when you didn't wake, everyone started to worry and soon you began to deteriorate, we had all lost hope until lady Katara showed up!"
Zuko looked at the old woman quizzically "Katara?"
The witch nodded at the young man, reading his body language and face as he processed the name.
"Using her bloodbending she was able to revive you, it wasn't easy, you were barely breathing and your heart beat was so faint that she had to use her own heart beat and blood to mimic the rhythm for yours" the woman smiled, holding a glass of water out to him.
The prince accepted the cup gratefully and downed its contents in one gulp; he hadn't realized how thirsty he was.
"It could have killed her, without the aid of a full moon bloodbending is almost impossible, she lost a lot of blood saving your life" the witch edged on, watching his body tense as he registered the notion that she could have died trying to save him.
Zuko grunted and flung back the covers, swinging his legs over the bed as he moved to stand up and reaching for his robe.
A knock on the door alerted the two to the man who slipped through the gap.
"My prince, your father demands your immediate presence in his office" the man stated, bowing to his master as he finished his message and slid out the door.
The witch looked to the fire nation prince with apologetic eyes and helped him with his clothes, making him presentable.
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"You wanted to see me father" Zuko said, kowtowing to his father as he slipped into the room, his dark red and black robe flowing across the floor.
The fire lord grunted in response, acknowledging his son as the young man rose from the floor, stepping forwards towards the dark mahogany desk.
"Having you almost die has made me realize something prince Zuko!" his father said, coldly, signing one of the many scrolls in front of him before setting his quill aside so he could look up at his son.
"And what would that be father?" the prince asked suspiciously, his good eyebrow raising at he question as he watched his father like a snake-rat would a mongoose-owl.
"That after you, there is no male heir to the throne. I was married and you mother with child with you by the time I was your age" Ozai stated, his voice cold and informative as if it didn't matter to him that his son had almost died but a few hours ago.
Zuko scowled at the man before him, what was he getting at? What did he want from him now?
"I'm not sure I entirely understand, father" Zuko asked, his face creasing as he scowled at the floor, waiting for his father wrath.
"I want an heir from you Zuko!—his father stated coolly, as if they were talking of something no more important than condition of the rose beds—I have already talked to Lady Mai about this, and she seemed rather excited about this…arrangement, I can understand why, if you two do produce an heir then she will become a princess of the fire nation and you two will be married at the soonest date".
Zuko's heart beat loudly 'you can't be serious!' his mind screamed at his father as he stood frozen is disbelief.
"And if I don't?" Zuko asked defiantly, watching his father tense around his neck, not a good thing.
"Then I shall have no more need of you" his father replied, folding his fingers in front of him as he rested his elbows on his desk and rested his chin on his hands.
Zuko scowled at the man, his fists clenching with anger as he fought for control over his body and emotion "as my lord wishes, so it shall be done!" he hissed maliciously, bowing once more before leaving the room and going back to his room.
'Shit!'