Chapter 9- Bonds
Sharp, agonizing pain brought Katara from her deep slumber. Her torso and left palm were heavily bandaged from the lightning strike and exit wound. Katara's throat was so dry, she thought she would die again because of thirst. With great effort the water bender sat up, doubling over with the pain from her injuries. She stood on wobbly legs, tears escaping her eyes as she tried to move forward a step. Her knees buckled and she fell forward with a cry, landing hard on her shoulder. The pain left her unconscious again.
After discussing plans for reviving the Lower and Middle Rings of Ba Sing all morning with Zuko, Azula was anxious to return to Katara even if she could only watch her sleep. The Fire Lord hurried to her room and closed the door quietly behind her, only to discover Katara sprawled out on the floor.
" Katara!" the prodigy exclaimed running to the water bender's side. With one arm in a sling it was impossible to lift the woman off the floor. Azula ushered her guards into the room to help put the water bender back on the bed.
After dismissing the men, Azula kicked off her boots and crawled into bed next to Katara. She decided to stay with the water bender until she woke up again. The two women hadn't spoken since the incident and even though Azula had a change of heart, she didn't know how Katara felt. The fire bender contemplated her new plans for the city while she waited for the injured woman to wake up.
Azula drifted off to sleep waiting for the women to wake up. Despite giving up the quest to carry out her father's last wishes, the prodigy still ran from him in her nightmares. He still chased after her intent to carry out revenge. The prodigy tossed around violently, until she was finally shaken awake. Azula opened her eyes to meet Katara's concerned blue gaze.
" You were having a bad dream," Katara said weakly.
" Lay back down, don't try and get out of bed again," Azula replied kissing the woman's forehead
"…I need to heal."
Azula nodded " I'll help you."
The fire bender hooked Katara's arm over her shoulder and helped the woman walk. Azula led her to the private bath where servants filled the large pool with warm water. Katara sat on the edge and cringed as Azula began unwrapping her bandages.
" How does it look?" Katara asked stoically.
" …..Bad," Azula admitted honestly.
Katara nodded silently and lowered herself inside the water. She closed her eyes and began the healing process. Azula slipped in fully clothed after her and waited for Katara to complete her healing session.
After an hour, most of the pain eased from the wound and Katara could walk on her own without collapsing. She felt Azula's eyes on her and turned around slowly to face the fire bender.
"…Katara, I love you," Azula replied.
The water bender remembered speaking to Jet and watching Azula trying to save her life. She had come back because she still loved Azula but she didn't know if she could ever trust her again.
" …I love you too but----I don't think I can to be with you."
Azula felt like her insides had been crushed. After her goal was finally clear and she wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with Katara, the water bender no longer felt the same way. She wasn't angry and that surprised her. The last time Katara rejected her affections, she held a grudge for five long years. Azula was a changed woman now, she was determined to win the water bender's heart back no matter what it took.
The water bender braced herself for Azula's anger but it never came. Instead the fire bender came forward to embrace her. Katara stood frozen in place out of both surprise and fear.
Sensing Katara's tension the fire bender smiled and held her at arms length " Relax, I'm not angry."
She raised an eyebrow " Who are you and what have you done with Azula?"
The fire bender laughed " It's me Katara and I'll prove to you that I have changed." " I will gain your heart back."
Katara didn't quite know how to respond. She wanted to believe Azula but the fire bender was an expert at manipulation. Since they had left the Fire nation, Katara had only been a pawn in Azula's plan to destroy the rest of Ba Sing Se. She didn't know if they could ever be together again.
" I'll heal your arm," said Katara quietly, noticing Azula's arm was in a sling.
After Katara was done, the fire bender moved her mended arm around in a quick circle.
The fire bender grinned " Just like new," she replied leaning down to kiss the woman's lips. Katara turned her head away and Azula stopped in mid pursuit.
" …I need time Azula," Katara said quietly slipping past the fire bender and out of the pool. She bended the water from her clothes and left the prodigy alone in the bathroom.
***************
Katara tried her best to avoid Azula for the rest of the day. She wrapped her wounds again and put on a fresh red dress brought by servants. She wandered from the palace and out into the Upper Ring of the city.
The water bender immediately noticed that the Upper Ring was nothing like she remembered. It reminded Katara eerily of the Fire Nation capital where she had been imprisoned. She closed her eyes and let sadness wash over her, hope was really lost.
" Katara, wait up!" a familiar voice yelled out.
Despite her present mood, Katara turned around and smiled as Zuko ran towards her. He picked her up off the ground and spun her around until she doubled over in pain.
Zuko sat her on the ground and beamed ' We almost lost you back there," he replied.
"…Look at this place," she said absently gazing at the buildings " It's like we're back at the Fire Nation again."
Zuko nodded " I know, after Azula killed dad, she traveled here and began immediately building up this Ring."
" All this was done in just five years?" Katara asked in awe.
The fire bender shrugged " Once she sets her mind on something, it is pretty much a done deal."
Katara didn't disagree, she clasped hands with the former Prince as he showed her the new sites of the city.
" There is someone who I would like you to meet," he replied taking the lead.
They didn't have to walk far in order to reach their destination. He led her to the least extravagant home inside the Upper Ring.
" This is where I live," he replied.
" I thought you would live inside the palace with your sister."
Zuko shook his head " She offered me a room but I turned her down," he explained " I have learned to enjoy the simple pleasures of life."
He opened the door and welcomed her inside. When a woman came to greet them her resemblance to Azula was so uncanny, Katara didn't need an introduction.
" This is my mother, Ursa, mother this is Katara, " Zuko introduced the two woman.
Ursa bowed to the woman " It is good to finally meet you, I've heard a lot about you from my son."
Katara was amazed that Azula and her mother could look so similar but their eyes held a different depth of emotion. Azula's eyes were constantly cold and expressionless while Ursa's were warm and loving.
" You're comparing me to Azula," said Ursa knowingly. " A lot of people do when they find out who I am."
Katara could feel her face becoming bright red " Sorry."
" It's alright, come and sit down, lets talk."
Ursa gave the two benders steaming cups of tea and sat across from them.
" I know my daughter doesn't think very highly of me but I do love her, very much," the former princess explained.
" Azula and I have some good plans for the city," Zuko explained " Construction on the new Middle and Lower Rings will begin soon."
" What kind of plans?" asked Ursa.
" They are amazing mom, Azula is speaking to architects from the former Earth kingdom as well as the Fire nation to rebuilt the city."
" Just think, if your father would have survived this long, the rebellion would be crushed, their heads posted on spears outside of the city," Ursa said grimly " Azula never liked to get her hands dirty, she simply stopped supplying food and water letting the rebellion slowly die from within."
" Mother, if you didn't already overhear…Azula killed dad."
Ursa smiled behind her cup of tea " I already knew, it was the lightning bolt heard around the world, so to speak." " Word travels fast among the peasants, even when Azula made it high treason to speak about his death." " At first, I thought she had killed him for power but I know Azula…she loved her father."
" …Unless she loved someone more than dad," Zuko whispered not realizing he was speaking out loud. By the time he caught his mistake it was already too late, Katara and Ursa both glared at him demanding answers.
" What did you mean by that?" asked Katara.
Zuko laughed nervously " I've already said too much…it should be Azula's story to tell."
Ursa leaned forward " Spill it."
The fire bender sighed " Fine, after the war ended father ordered Azula to kill you personally," he replied locking eyes with Katara " But she couldn't do it…so she killed him instead."
Katara felt tears running down her face as she stood up and strode towards the exit. Zuko motioned to go after her but Ursa caught his arm " Let her go, she needs this."
Zuko nodded and simply watched his friend storm out. He would have to face his sister's wrath later.
Azula looked up from a stack of documents as a Dai Li agent hurried into her private study.
" Sire, the water bender is demanding to see you, she seems…. angry," the agent reported stoically.
" Send her in," the Fire Lord ordered, anxious to find out what was wrong with Katara. Azula rolled her eyes as she watched the agent walk away, she really despised the Dai Li.
Katara shoved the agent out of her way and burst through the door. Azula could have kept her face blank but she no longer wanted to hide her emotions from the water bender.
" What is it, are you okay?" she asked.
The water bender slammed an angry fist on the table " Why didn't you tell me?" Katara demanded.
" Tell you what Katara?" the fire bender answered calmly while racking her brain for anymore secrets she had kept from the angry woman.
Katara forced herself to calm down. After a few moments, she finally asked " The reason you killed your father."
Now it was Azula's turn to be angry although she didn't direct it at Katara. " ….Zuko is the only person who could have told you that information."
" This isn't about him, this is about us!" the water bender snapped.
Azula folded her hands calmly on the table " I did not want you to find out this way, I wanted to tell you myself…eventually."
Katara began to pace " Ozai wanted me dead and he ordered you to do it, how could you not tell me?!"
The Fire Lord sighed " Katara, I wanted to tell you all this time but there never seemed like a right moment to do so."
" So, this entire trip has been about you trying to make amends with Ozai for choosing to kill him instead of me?" " Why didn't you just kill me? Then you could have your father and another whore!"
Azula cursed Agni and any other spirit that was listening to her. She made her way around the table and took both of Katara's hands " You are not my whore," Azula assured her " I love you and I made the right choice."
The water bender fought back a smile and crossed her arms "…I still haven't forgiven you for everything…even if that was the kindest thing you have ever done."
" I know Katara but I promise you that I'm done with my father." " And I promise…that I wont deliberately hurt you again." " I'm yours."
The following morning Azula woke up early and dressed quickly anxious to see Katara. She had good news for the water bender along with a special gift for her. A servant brought the object directly to Azula and bowed himself out. The Fire Lord held the gift in her hands surveying the fine craftsmanship. Azula was a little sad to see the object go but if she wanted Katara back, many sacrifices needed to be made.
As soon as the Fire Lord left the room, four guards immediately fell into a silent step behind her. She walked briskly through the palace to Katara's room, ignoring the many nobles vying for her attention. To her disappointment, the water bender remained in bed when she arrived.
Azula walked over to the curtains and threw them open inviting in blinding sunlight. The water bender groaned and pulled the covers over her head. The prodigy grinned and ripped the covers off the sleeping woman. The water bender finally opened her eyes and sat up.
" Good, you are awake," Azula replied crossing her arms smugly.
Katara grabbed a pillow and threw it at the fire bender, smiling when it landed on her forehead. She threw another pillow but this time the fire bender was prepared. As fast as lightning, the prodigy unsheathed a blade and cut the pillow cleanly down the middle.
Katara saw the black bladed weapon and her eyes widened " Is that…Sokka's?" she whispered.
Azula grinned " Maybe, why don't you ask himself yourself….when you see him."
The prodigy sheathed the blade and placed it into Katara's shaking hands.
" You're letting him go? Suki and Toph too?" Katara asked.
"…Not just them, I'm releasing all of the prisoners of war."
Azula turned back to stare out of the window " As much as it hurts me, I have to release you too, Katara." " You can take your friends and go anywhere you want, I wont stop you."
Katara glanced down at her lap " What will you do?"
The prodigy shrugged " I'll stay in Ba Sing Se for a while to help speed along the rebuilding and then I will return to the Fire Nation capital."
The water bender weighed both options in her mind. While it would be wonderful to travel with her brother and friends again, Katara didn't want to leave Azula. She truly believed that the fire bender was making real efforts to change and Katara wouldn't miss it for the world.
She stood up and went to stand next to Azula in front of the window " What if I want to stay with you."
Azula continued to stare out of the window. She shrugged " …I guess you could stay with me but only on one condition."
Katara crossed her arms " What condition?"
"….If you would become my wife."
Katara's heart pounded against her chest. The first time Azula had offered her hand in marriage she was still living in her father's shadow but now things had changed. Katara thought about how much they had changed and went through over the past years. Her answer came out easier than expected. She said yes.
Azula grinned pulling the woman into a passionate kiss and then embrace. " I love you Katara."
" I love you too," she replied resting her head on the fire bender's shoulder.
No other words needed to be exchanged between the two lovers. They held one another, both women joyful and a little scared about their new future together. Only one thing was certain; whatever life threw at them, they would go through it together.
Before the sun fell, Azula surprised her family by showing up at Zuko's home without the royal guard or Dai Li agents. The fire bender paused with her fist frozen in front of the door glancing at Katara.
" Are you sure they want me here?" she asked.
" Of course they do," Katara assured her rapping the door with her knuckles.
Katara held the women's hand as they waited until Azula's half brother, Shen, came to answer.
The boy's eyes brightened and he flung himself immediately into Katara's arms. Even though he didn't know her very well personally, Shen looked up to the water bender and her friends since a very young age. She was one of the reasons he had decided to join the rebellion in the first place.
Katara rubbed his head affectionately " Thank you for helping to save me, kid." " Shen, how about a hug for your sister too?"
The boy turned around and faced Azula frowning "…I don't know."
The prodigy crossed her arms " He doesn't have to Katara, I understand."
Shen sighed " Mom says I have to treat you and Zuko like a members of the family now," he replied " So….come here."
The two siblings reluctantly hugged one another, while Katara looked on smiling. Afterwards, Shen gladly invited them both inside.
" Shen, who was at the door!?" called Ursa.
" I can't do this," Azula mumbled turning back and heading for the door.
Both Katara and Shen grabbed her before she could leave and dragged the fire bender back inside.
" We're already here Azula, come on." Katara urged her. She leaned forward and kissed the fire bender multiple times until she convinced her to go in.
Zuko immediately sprang up and motioned to salute as his sister entered the room. Azula held up her hand silently stopping him " I'm just your younger sister today, Zuko."
The other fire bender grinned and invited both women to sit down, while Shen took his place again. Ursa's husband extended his hand to the Fire Lord " I'm sorry we weren't properly introduced, my name is Chao."
Azula looked around and noticed everyone anticipating her reaction. " Here goes," she thought. She clasped the man's hand, firmly shaking " It is a pleasure to meet you."
They separated and some tension left from the room. Azula squeezed Katara's hand under the table and spoke " I'll admit that this isn't a complete social call, I have a few announcements to make."
" What kind of announcements?" asked Shen suspiciously.
Azula turned to address her older brother " I will not be staying for the constructions of the Middle and Lower Rings," she began. " Next week, I will return to the Fire Nation capital." "….I have decided to restore your title and allow you to reign over the city in my absence, Prince Zuko."
Zuko couldn't quite believe his sister's words " But---father's laws---"
Azula nodded " I am well aware of father stripping you of your birth right," she explained" But father is dead and as of today, his laws are no longer valid."
The prince bowed his head " I accept."
" I'll discuss the details with you tomorrow."
" Wait--wait if you're the Fire Lord and Zuko is a prince, wouldn't that make our mom a princess?" asked Shen.
"Shen, I wasn't born into royalty like your brother and sister, I was only married to a prince."
" Everyone is welcome to stay at the palace with me," Zuko said excitedly" If that is okay with Azula."
" It's fine Zuko, you don't need my permission to do everything ."
The woman suddenly became very quiet as if she were fighting a battle within herself. Finally, she moved her hand slowly across the table and held it out to Ursa.
"…Mother," she whispered waiting for the woman to take her hand.
Ursa couldn't remember the last time her daughter showed any kind of affection for her. The gesture brought tears to her eyes, for the first time in forever she held Azula's hand.
" When you left all those years ago, I didn't understand the decision you had to make. I held a grudge…until I had to make the same choice for someone I loved and it wasn't easy," Azula explained. " I want you to know that I am not the girl you left behind anymore, I am someone new who can love another person else besides her father."
The prodigy leaned over the table and kissed her mother on the cheek . Zuko grinned and raised his glass " To family."
The others raised their glasses and repeated the toast. Azula and Katara stayed and talked with the others until well after night fall, finally biding everyone goodnight.
Once back inside the palace, the couple had other plans in mind besides sleeping. The rest of the night was spent together expressing their love in a more physical and lustful manner. Afterwards, Katara snuggled into Azula's arms and closed her eyes. For once in her life everything was perfect and nothing could spoil their moment. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.
With the sun barely risen, Zuko staggered from his room as the knocking became more frantic. He threw open the front door, only to find Katara standing in the entrance, her face stained with tears. The water bender ran into his arms and sobbed forcefully against his chest.
He held the woman until she was finally able to calm down and catch her breath. Zuko held the water bender at arms length wiping the tears from her eyes " Katara, what is it? What has happened?"
" It's Azula," the woman choked out. " There is something wrong with her, she wont wake up!"
Zuko didn't bother to pull on a shirt, he grabbed Katara and ran back to the palace. The fire bender swallowed the lump rising in his throat, hopefully, it wasn't too late to save his sister.
A/N- I know cliffy and just when you thought everything was peachy. Anyways I hate writing fluff so I hope those scenes weren't too rushed. Thanks for all the reviews! God Bless America!