Sosia quickly came to answer the ringing bell that the rope caused. She pushed open the door and smiled as the girls had already finished dressing. Sosia took Katara by the arm and turned to a few of her fellow Kashimarans.

"Escort them back to there housing, or give them a tour of the city." The women nodded and took the group off. But Aang stopped. He started to say something but the thought about it first. He grabbed Zuko by the arm and jerked on it and pointed towards Katara.

"Where are you taking her?" Sokka shouted before Zuko had the chance to 'translate'. Sosia smiled and shook her head.

"Don't worry she isn't in any trouble. Amamara just wants to talk with her that is all." Katara sensed the worry in her brother's voice and she nodded at him.

"I will be fine. Just take care of your sisters till I get back." Sokka frowned and took a defensive stance.

"But you are my sister..also!" Zuko's eyes shot over at the foolish water tribe boy. Here the girl was worried about him getting them killed, when it was going to be her own brother who opened his mouth.

"Rinna. Hush your mouth! Katara said she will be fine, then she will be fine. Quiet your self now. You are scaring your sisters." Zuko ordered. Sokka glared at Zuko and shook his head. That man was getting way to cocky. With that the group was lead away as Sosia lead Katara in the opposite direction.

"Sosia?"

"Hmm?"

"Why does she want to speak with me?" Sosia smiled brightly.

"I think that the cheiftess has taken a liking to you. And that is odd considering most of the visitors that come through here are usually executed for trespassing." Katara frowned and stopped in her tracks.

"Amamara is quite stricted isn't she?" Sosia nodded slightly then smiled.

"Yes. But we have thrived for over six decades under her rule." Katara's head snapped to the side to look at Sosia.

"SIX decades! How is that possible when she looked like she is only in her late twenties, early thrities tops?" Sosia smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

"A priestess slash sorcerous came through her at the beggining of Amamara's reign. She bargained for her life, and in turn for her life she gave Amamara almost infinite youth. But after the spell was in place Amamara refused to let her leave the city. She only gave her her life in exchanged she never had said anything about lettign her go. So she is still here in the city. She has adjusted but age has pulled down on her and her powers aren't what they used to be." Sosia finished and laughed. She hadn't expected to tell that story so soon. Katara nodded and thought as they continued to walk up the marble streets.

She really hadn't expected such an elaborate explanation or even that she was serious. She had hoped that she was playign but the look in Sosia's eyes said that she couldn't be more sincere.

Sosia suddenly stopped and turned to face Katara. She quickly adjusted Katara's dress and fixed her hair then looked her square in the eyes.

"Are you ready for this?"

"Haven't I already met her?"

"Yes but this is a private audience with the cheiftess at her request. Most of Kashimaru dreams of this and has never received it. You should be nervous and proud. And you must tell me everything."

Katara looked at Sosia with a confused and perculiar look in her eyes.

"Haven't you ever had one?"

"Of course I have. But this is the first time an outsider has so greatly affected the cheiftess. Now go on in there. You don't want to keep her waiting too long." Katara frowned as she was pushed through the door. It pulled shut behind her and she looked around warily. Something felt off, very very off.

"Come in. Come in. I won't bite." Amamara said from the far side of the room. She stood up from her perch and walked over to where Katara stood motionless. Amamara frowned. "What are you worried about?"

"Why do you want to talk to me? Amamara smiled and wrapped her arm around Katara shoulder and brought her into the room.

"I just have a few things I would like to ask you, is all. Nothign to be worried about. You are not in any danger." For some reason deep in the very core of her gut, Katara couldn't even force herself to even think that was true. Amamara smiled warmly and held her hand out for Katara to sit. The cheiftess sat down next to her and leaned back against the mound of pillows.

Katara swallowed hard and looked around, before deciding upon asking a question.

"If I can ask, what did you wat to ask me?" Amamara smiled coyly and looked to the ground then back up at her with a weird glint in her eyes.

"I wanted to talk with you about your serv." Katara felt her pulse sky rocket.Oh kami-sama. Amamara's smile deepened. "I seem to have struck a nerve." Katara shook her head, regaining her composure.

"What did you want to know about him?" Amamara slid over a little closer to Katara so that the conversation would be more private for any listening ears.

"I take it that, he is yours?" Katara frowned and shook her head.

"I already explained to you that he serves my younger sisters as an aid." Amamara chuckled.

"No, honey...I mean is he yours?"

"No." Katara said trying to act as if she didn't know what Amamara was insinuating. Amamara frowned almost in disbeleif.

"So you get no use of him other then the aid." Katara's face blushed blood red and she sternly shook her head. Amamara leaned back her face a look of contemplation. She nodded her head as she came to a decision.

"Fine. I hadn't expect a man of such youth to be wasted. But I do suppose you have your reasons." Katara frowned. But Amamara continued.

" I couldn't help but noticed that your serv had a very cut body, well toned for a man that age. But I have to wonder is he cut?"

Katara shook her head to make sure she heard her right. Amamara laughed. She didn't think that the girl would understand. So she might as well just get to the point. Amamara smiled and looked at Katara darkly.

"Enough with beating around the bush. I'll get down to the nitty gritty. I want you serv." Katara frowned.

"Well you can't have him." Amamara shook his head.

"Not permantly. Just long enough for me to have another daughter." Katara's eyes almost popped out of her head, and she thought she was going to fall through the floor.

"WHAT?" Amamara chuckled.

"I am due for another daughter.My youngest is seven" Katara didn't hear much of the explanation, but felt like she deserved a little more of one.

"Why can't you use your own servants?" Amamara then let out a hearty laugh. She set her hand on Katara's thigh.

"Honey. All of my servants are unics." Katara frowned.

"I promise I will give him back." Katara shook her head.

"He is not property to be traded or given away. So the answer is no." Amamara nodded her head and thought for a moment.

"I understand. But that isn't really the reason I wanted to talk with you."

"What?" Katara said her blood running cold. Something was telling her to get up and get the hell out of there. Amamara smiled and scooted over closer to Katara.

"I have found taht I haven't many years left to rule. So when I decided that I am tired of ruling, or I pass on, I want you to be the one to take over in my position." Katara gasp and shot to her feet. Her hand shot to her mouth to covering the gape.

"What!"Amamara smiled, as the reaction was to her liking.

"I'm not asking much. And you are already prepped for the job. You travel alone with you sisters. A man servant at your disposal. To top that off you are from the water tribe, a predominatly male society." Katara shook her head.

"No. I'm sorry but I already have my reponsibilities." Amamara frowned.

"Perhaps I am not making my self clear enough. I want you by my side as my wife." Katara felt panic and pure clean unadultered frenzy set in.

"WHAT? I can't." Amamara smiled and shook her head.

"Imagine the power you would possess."

"What about your daughters?" Amamara curled up her nose and stood up resting her hand on Katara's shoulder.

"They no nothing of the outside world. The don't know how cruel the world is out side of Kashimaru. I need a woman who has known the cruelty and can keep it out of my walls." Katara knocked Amamara's hand off of her shoulder and took several steps back.

"The answer is still no." Amamara frowned and nodded. She pulled on a huge rope that sent a loud ringing through out the castle.

"I was afraid it would come to this. Katara, my sweet, I wasn't asking you, I was telling you. You don't have an option." Katara frowned and turned as someone entered the room. Her heart sank.

There in bounded chains stood her brother and the others. The large woman pushed Zuko forward.

"Are yous till going to refuse?"

"If I do?" Amamara looked at the large woman and nodded her head. With a quick jerk the woman cracked a whip over Zuko's exposed back. Zuko clenched his eyes shut and bit his lip. Katara's eyes widened.

"Stop it."

"Then your answer is yes."

"NO..I.." Again the whip hit hard against his back. Katara shook her head.

"Stop! Why are whipping him?"

Amamara smiled darkly.

"I start with the one that means the least to you and work my way up" Katara's eyes shot over to look over her brother and collegues.

"Monster."

Another harsh snap of the whip landed against Zuko's back. He looked up at her with fierce eyes.

For gods sake do waht she fucking wants!

Amamara walked over and wrapped her arms worund Katara's neck from behind her.

"Say you will consider it."

"Fine."

"Liar." Another harsh snap landed hard against Zuko's back this lash stricking deeper then the others before and sending blood up in a small spray. Katara closed her eyes tight.

"I will consider it, please stop." Amamara nodded her head. And Zuko was pushed to his knees. Amamara pushed Katara forward into the arms of the large woman.

"Lock them in the dungeon, in case she changes her mind." Amamara said with a crooked grin.