Where We Stand

by AnumOfTheMoon

Katara and Zuko find themselves captured and torn away from their group. They are then chained and thrown before the feet of Fire Lord Ozai. What will become of them when the Fire Lord and his advisors decided they are more useful alive than dead? Partial Zutara...mainly Ozai x Katara. If you need help liking this ship and are curious, read my first story. Forgiving the Wicked.

14. Chapter 14

A/N:

Sorry about the hold up! I had a really tough week and a lot of crap happened but I'll make it up to you! I promise!

Chapter 14:

This was perhaps the first time in her life that she had felt completely and utterly at odds with herself. What the hell was she thinking? Saving the Fire Lord's life and throwing Zuko off the balcony. What the hell was wrong with her? La, she needed to know. This week alone she's been doing some out of character things. Things she wanted to slap herself for. Was she losing her mind or something?

Sitting on the floor, knees to her chest as she sat in the lounge of her chambers. With her room a total disaster, she had been in here waiting. Waiting for word of how the Fire Lord was. Hoping and then not hoping that he was fine. La, she shouldn't be conflicted about this. This was her mission. Eventually this kind of thing would happen. She'd have to lead him to his death. However; so soon into this freaking mission, she couldn't seem to let it happen when the opportunity came through her balcony and charged at him.

Burying her head between her legs as she groaned, I should have let Zuko kill him. But I couldn't. Why couldn't I?

"Whatever answers you're looking for, you'd find it if you read a little." Kimiko said, entering the room with her hands over her middle and a scroll in them.

Katara looked up from her knees in the corner, "Read? How is reading going to help me?"

The madam said nothing as she walked across the room to where the Fire Lady was and handed her the scroll, "You possess a gift you know nothing about, it is in your best interest to learn what it is that has been bestowed onto you."

Taking the scroll that she remembered Lao handed to her, Katara scanned over the outside of it. The blue and gold had caught her eyes yesterday but today, it pulled her in. Drew her in. Called her name. Just like that day she was on the balcony with the Fire Lord the day after her wedding. Something was calling to her. She didn't know what it was but as Kimiko watched the girl, she noticed the sudden strange glow of the waterbender's eyes. A gold shimmer ran over her skin like a wave.

"Do you think this is why I saved him?" Katara looked away for a moment from the scroll to Kimiko's face.

The woman nodded her head. "I know it is. I'm quite familiar with the gift of the Siren. It was something I loved reading about as a child. It was only fiction then but to have met one for myself, I must tell you it is quite odd." She smiled towards the end. "Well anyways, I just wanted to inform you as well that his majesty is fine. Only just being sedated, the physicians believe he will need rest, and so he'll be absent from his duties for the next few days."

The waterbender acknowledged this with a slight nod and looked back at the scroll. She would ask to go see him. Make sure that Kimiko wasn't just saying the Fire Lord was fine. But, unsure about her own self, Katara wanted to do a little reading first. Find out what was wrong with her. If the answers were in this scroll, then she could better have a grip on herself and how she handled situations from now on. Lao told her the Siren's gift was both a gift and a curse. That she needed to control it so it would not control her. She didn't know what that was supposed to mean but once she looked into it, she was sure to find out.

…

"He did what?!" Fumi hissed quietly under her fan. "Three guards hung?! This morning! All for that wench of a Fire Lady!"

Suzume tried her best to keep her friend under control with her raging temper, but it was failing. Only getting worse the more she sat there on the cushion in the garden. They were enjoying the last few days of summer eating mini flame cakes and drinking spider-lily tea when one of Tsuki servants came and whispered in Fumi's ear the latest court news. The Fire Lord ordered three guards to death for having mishandled the Fire Lady. Supposedly one called her savage while the other two restrained and then punched her in her gut. No full details on why this happened had been made clear to anyone yet but so far the whole Palace knew that the guards were hanged. Xia setup and banished for spitting on her and now guards were being hanged for this. What in Agni's name was going on around here?

Sneering under her fan, "She must be manipulating the Fire Lord or something. Using her charm to win him over." Fumi said as she grabbed a small flame cake and ate it, chewing quite angrily.

"Unlikely, the Lord and Lady don't even lay together. They're in a strictly non-intimate relationship." Suzume pointed out. "His majesty uses the harem and I'm assuming her majesty pleasures herself."

Trying not to be utterly disgusted by the mention of the Fire Lady's late night doings. As if it wasn't already hard enough to imagine his majesty bedding that pathetic little girl, Fumi didn't want to think the girl had honestly rejected him to be alone.

"Or perhaps it's that his majesty is falling in love with that little sea nymph." Shin said as he plopped down between the two women, sitting on the cushion that Xia would sit on.

The two noblewomen scowled at him. Clearly, he lost their favor. Aiding in having their friend banished.

Folding her fan as she clenched her teeth, "What do you want Nobleman? Has her majesty asked that we also be banished?"

Smirking at the vicious noblewoman, Shin intrusively grabbed a mini flame cake and popped it in his mouth. Stretching his arms up and laying back as he chewed. Not caring for manners at the moment, he decided to talk with food in his mouth.

"Ha, you honestly think it was her majesty that set Xia up?" He chuckled at how stupid these women were. But they were women, too much couldn't be expected of them. At least from these two he would have expected them to realize that it was not in the Fire Lady's power to do something like that. This was strictly the Fire Lord's doing. Did they seriously think the man would allow anyone to disrespect a woman he was married to. Whether he had feelings for her or not. The Fire Lord was prideful. Anything in his possession would not be mistreated. Simple as that. Everyone around here was so focused on how the new Fire Lady was Water Tribe decent that they forgot something very crucial. The Fire Lady was also the Fire Lord's wife and therefore, his belonging.

Shaking his head in disappoint as he rose up from of the ground, leaning back on one hand as he looked at the two women. "Fire Lord Ozai, even as Fire Prince, never liked others messing with what was his. Do really think you can disrespect what's his and there be no consequence?"

Seeing it still wasn't registering with the women, he sighed disappointedly. "The girl is his. You cannot touch what is his let alone treat what is his with no regard for the fact that she is his."

"Nonsense, why would his majesty care for a woman he can't even have?" Fumi challenged. "The girl is nothing to him."

Grinning, "Well doesn't that say a lot about the kind of person her majesty is. Can refuse the Fire Lord and still receive his protection. My, what a woman. What a dangerous woman to go up against, Fumi. Unlike, you she doesn't have to open her legs to get what she wants. He just gives it to her."

Snarling as the nobleman got up with a smirk on his face, Fumi stood up too and glared dangerously in his eyes. "And if you don't think I can't still take that bitch down, you're sadly mistaking."

Smirking at the foolish noblewoman. "You still don't get it. It's not the Fire Lady you're up against. It's the Fire Lord."

…

Laying stretched out of the floor, staring blankly up at the ceiling, unable to get a full grip of what she just read. And she wasn't even done but so far, what she had read, it was simply too much. Basically, it told her that the gift was more than simply a gift. Her soul and the soul of a Siren were merged into one. Separate from each other and yet one in the same. Then it went on to tell her that the Siren had its own wants and desires, ones that could conflict with her own. Which explained a little of why she felt urges that she knew weren't her own. But this wasn't the most troubling as what she read about the Siren having its own romantic interest that could be separate from its host. Which meant, Katara could find herself falling for two different people. Her shock manifested itself as a numb current that shot through her as she fell onto the floor.

Laying there with her thoughts racing, Katara groaned and rolled over as the lounge doors opened and Kimiko walked inside with an all too excited smile on her face.

Hands on her middle, "I'm assuming you found what it is that compelled you to save my half brother."

Rolling back onto her back, Katara sighed and closed her eyes. There was a mythological creature that possessed her body, only recently did she find out that she had it all, only a few minutes ago did she find out it was even a being of its on and not just a gift. La, she felt she had died and entered a different world because this kind of stuff was unreal. Totally not normal. Her entire life prior to this she hadn't even known and now that she did, things just suddenly started happening. Like the Siren unlocking her abilities that were only supposed to work on a night of the full moon to save the Fire Lord. And having strange feelings and wants and thoughts that weren't normally ones she'd have. This was one of those moments where she'd think 'oh this can't be happening' but if you asked her, that was getting old. It was time to just face it. Face the fact that this was indeed happening.

Groaning as she rolled onto her stomach and wrapped her arms around her head, "Why is this happening to me?" Now that was a more interesting question. Exactly, why did this kind of thing happen to her?

Ever since coming here, why did things just seem to go this way for her?

"It isn't all that bad, your majesty." Kimiko said with a playful grin. "Now, you can fall in love again."

Fall in love? With him? Ha! Give me a break. Katara wasn't going to fall in love with the Fire Lord. Not ever. Even if he was surprisingly different than she thought. He never ceased to surprise her. He had a keen sense of justice which she hadn't thought a man who wanted to rule the world would have. Justly punishing wrong doers. Frowning upon dishonesty and thievery. He gave credit where credit was due, not being as hard on someone as she thought he would be. Especially with her. There was a sense of guidance and protection she felt with him that she hadn't realized until now that she felt. The Fire Lord didn't scare her. Not like he used to. But only as she was allowing herself to watch him more closely and pay attention to his mannerisms. He was dedicated. Had great posture. Stuck to routine. A workaholic. Never made excuses. Paid her attention. The waterbender thought on and on, until she stopped herself. Realizing that these were all things women fell in love with when they fell for a man. She quickly sat up and started slamming her face. No. She mustn't think of him in this light.

Seeing the red flush cheeks of the Fire Lady, Kimiko walked over and took a seat on the floor across from the waterbender. Grabbing her hands and pulling them from her face, the madam held onto them. Beaming at the girl.

"To be completely honest, your majesty. From the day I met you, I had hoped you'd eventually fall in love with him. See him for who he was without the mantle of Fire Lord on his shoulders." Looking down at the ebony hands of the Fire Lady as she continued to smile, her thumbs running over the palm of the girl's hands. "I know my brother had done terrible things. I'm not blind to that. However; *looking up at the waterbender* he isn't a terrible man. Just terribly misguided."

Katara had her head turned to the side in embarrassment, her cheeks flushed. Damn you, Siren! Making her feel all light headed and dizzy with this feverish feeling that was so familiar to her. Like when she and Zuko had finally realized they were in love. Her heart fluttered in the same way. Only this time, she didn't want it to and it wasn't fluttering because of her own feelings. These feelings belonged to the Siren.

Still holding the waterbender's hands, "The Siren only chooses one love, Katara, and if that happens to be my brother, you mustn't fight it. I would hope you'd embrace it. Try to find what it is that makes the Siren feel what she feels."

I can think of a few things. For one, the Fire Lord was not at all bad looking. That man was gorgeous. And then there was everything else about him that she had already listed. Stop! You're doing it again! Ugh! This was becoming more and more of a hassle for her. Why couldn't everything be less complicated?! Sometimes, Katara felt like pulling her hair out.

"Look," Kimiko said letting go of the waterbender's hands. "His majesty will be in recovery for the next few days and there will need to be work done to your bedroom in the meantime, why not explore what it is that the Siren feels? You can cancel your duties while he's healing."

"No." Katara said flatly. Not for the reasons the madam was thinking but for the reason she hadn't expected. The Fire Lady wouldn't cancel her duties. She couldn't. It would upset her husband. Knowing how he was about hard work and effort. He would not allow her to miss work. Not even for him. Explaining this to the woman, Kimiko wore a smiled and nodded.

Chuckling, "Well you can still do so. Tend to him as you would a patient, you are a healer, are you not? Between all your daily tasks, you can stop by to check on him and maybe keep him company."

Knowing how her brother shunned people away whenever he was in a vulnerable state, the madam knew he'd practically be alone all day, praying to Agni he'd get his strength back. Ah, shaking her head, today she could not feel anything but pleasant. Though her brother was injured, there was hope. Looking at the Fire Lady, there is much hope.

….

"You're as bad as Zuko." Azula rolled her eyes as she sat in her chair, leg crossed over the other with a glass of wine in her hand. Watching the tribesman squirm was getting boring. He had been doing this for about several hours now. Did she need to knock him out again?

Taking a quick sip of her wine, "You should have seen the way he squirmed after our father burned half his face off." A small chuckle at the memory.

Sokka growled and continued trying to maneuver himself out of these ropes. He couldn't believe he got himself captured. This was unbelievable. He was the smarter than this. Not to say his sister, Zuko, and Suki were stupid or anything but getting captured was so like them. If he thought about it, didn't Katara get captured by Zuko before he turned good. Suki was totally just in prison a few months ago. And Zuko….Zuko was Zuko, getting captured just seemed like his kind of thing. But Sokka, no, this was not at all Sokka's thing. Like soooo not his thing. Avoiding getting captured sounded more like it. But seeing as Azula, Psychotic Princess of the Fire Nation, captured him, things weren't looking too good for his rep.

Sighing as the worm of a man tried his best to escape, Azula sat her glass down on the table beside her and bright her finger to her temple. "Just like your sister, it seems. Not wanting to accept your fate."

The mention of his baby sister sent Sokka overedge, "Shut your filthy mouth, Azula!"

"What? I hit a nerve?" Azula grinned. Suddenly discovering something to amuse herself with.

Growling some more, the princess could see the bitter cold in the tribesman's blue eyes. What a wild look. Like an animal. Oh she would have fun with him.

…..

It was nearly night and Katara still hadn't been told a single thing of what had become of the Fire Lord, was he well? She hoped so. Otherwise, this Siren would go nuts and it already was. She could feel it. Speeding her heartbeat as the hours went by without any word of his majesty. The images of the man flashing through her mind. His long black hair that swept over his alabaster skin that morning she woke next to him. His intense gold eyes piercing hers as they pinned her down, rendering her motionless. Katara started breaking into a cold sweat and paced back and forth in the lounge. When was she going to see him?

"I must be losing my mind." Katara said as she grabbed the sides of her face and went to kneel on the floor, having to stop herself from losing it any more than she already was.

The door opened from behind her, "Oh your majesty, you must be exaggerating."

Standing quickly to turn and face who it was that entered, "Nobleman Shin." She looked curiously at him. "How are you here? I was told no one but Mistress Kimiko and few Physicians and servants could enter these chambers."

"Clever as always, your majesty. However; I'm, of course, family and therefore can enter when I please." He said with a grand smile as he opened his arms in presentation.

Acknowledging this, Katara nodded her head but then a small tingle that burned only slightly ran through her knuckles and traveled to her neck, causing her to roll her shoulders a little for comfort. What was that?

As the nobleman found a comfy sofa to sit in, draping his arms around the back of it, he gazed over at the weary Fire Lady. Noticing how her precious blue eyes were cast down in worry and deep thought. Her lush lips parted as if voiceless words were on just the tip of her tongue. The overall gentle way her face held her weariness. My, if a woman never looked so beautiful in worry. Shin marveled at the young woman. She was as he had been aware of since meeting her, an unintentional temptress. Luring him in without even meaning to. Perhaps didn't even noticed. Ah, no wonder his majesty was infatuated with her. Having had just a taste of her had sent him into obsession. How Shin wanted just a nibble. To see what it was about this water nymph that had bewitched his Lord.

"His majesty is lucky to have you worry for him." Shin said, deciding he had fawned over her more than he needed to. He was a man with purpose and his purpose for being here had nothing to do with his small attraction to her.

Turning slightly, wrapping her arms around her as her eyes looked to the setting sunlight. "I don't see how he's lucky. He's not well for all I know." Sighing her head dropped. "They won't tell me anything. All I know is he has been sedated and will need several days to rest."

Smiling at the genuinely sincere woman, "And would it not please you that his majesty would not survive? Wouldn't him dying mean you'd be set free?"

Katara's eyes widened as she turned to him, her arms dropping at her side. "What?"

Raising from his seat as he took wide steps over the dumbfounded Fire Lady, "You hear me loud and clear, your majesty." Moving to loom over the young lady with a smirk on his face. "His death means your freedom, doesn't that please you?"

Eyes wide and without hesitation, Katara pulled back and stared at him. That strange feeling running through her knuckle returned again as she now looked to him with caution. "No." She said backing away some more. "I don't wish for him to die. No matter the reason."

"Then is it safe to say you love him?" He asked raising an eyebrow. "Or at least share some of his feelings."

"No!" She said, her brows furrowing at this man as something in her told her to be very careful with this man.

Taking a step toward to the Fire Lady again, Shin smirked wider. "Then why?"

"Why what?"

"Why'd you save him?"

Gaping, "H-how di-did you know?!"

Not wanting to wait on an answer. "Answer me, your majesty." Shin asked a little more aggressively as he took another step towards her. "Why did you save him?"

"I-I I- I don't know." Her voice trembled. "I only didn't want him to be killed."

"But the Prince, didn't he matter at all to you before you threw him over the balcony? Was he not the man you loved?"

The waterbender couldn't believe this. How did Shin even know about all this? Did he somehow see from their balcony? La, and his questions why was he questioning her reason for saving the Fire Lord? Not like she could really give him an answer. But there something else. She kept getting this strange feeling in her hands. Reacting each time he stepped closer or asked his questions. Katara didn't quite know what it was but something told her it was perhaps to do with the Siren. Like the Siren was trying to communicate with her. Of all her years of possessing this thing, it finally wanted to make itself known.

Not wanting the nobleman's visit to last any longer, Katara searched within herself an answer. Any answer. An answer that would appease this man and send him on his way.

Looking away as she found one. A good one. One that would be embarrassing to say but nonetheless needed to be. "His majesty is good to me, why would I allow him to die even if it meant my freedom. What keep of gratitude would I be showing if I allowed that. And besides, I didn't just throw Zuko off the balcony. I was saving him too."

Shin saw a spark in her eyes. One that gleamed as he took one more step towards her, hovering over her once more. Katara's eyes narrowed at him as she saw his hand reach for her in the same way the Fire Lord's hand reached for her. She bit back a hiss as the noble's hand found a lock of her hair. He rubbed it between his fingers. Caressing the soft wavy strands. His eyes focused on the brown color as he did this.

"You are a good woman, your majesty. A good wife. Most women in your position would have let him die. But you didn't." His eyes looked into the waterbender's as he tugged her hair a little. "I envy his majesty. If only my wife were so noble as you."

The look in the man's eyes caused Katara to pull away. She had seen that look before. The look of a man craving something. And since his eyes were on her, that could mean only one thing. The waterbender felt that sensation again and her eyes widened. Another step away.

Gulping, "It is almost night, nobleman. I believe you should leave." The fright quite vivid on her face.

Unable to help how amusing it was to see the young woman look so afraid of him, she hadn't even looked at the Fire Lord that way to his understanding. Shin close the distance between them once again. This time, reaching around her and grabbing the back of her head, pulling her forward. Katara tried to pull away and push her hands into his chest to make him stop.

"Let go!" She hissed.

But he only chuckled at her as he paused, his eyes glowering into hers with a suddenly disdainful look. "You water savages are all the same, are you not? Always playing hard to get but deep down you want someone to conquer you. Don't you?"

"What the hell are you saying, Shin?!" Katara growled through her teeth.

Yanking her closer, the girl gasped and turned her head away as his lips were much too close to hers. Grinning, "I'm saying even though you deny his majesty, you want him nonetheless. Teasing and playing games with him. Is that how you keep him wrapped around your finger?"

What is he even saying? Truly lost for words as his eyes narrowed at her and his smirk formed into a snarl. "However; I don't quite like games, you see. If I want something, I'll take it. No questions asked." His yellow eyes roamed over her trembling frightened body. Katara watched in horror as he licked his lips at her as if she were a piece of meat.

"Let go of me! Please!" Katara ended up saying in a begging tone. Her hands going to his arms to remove them from her. Discomfort written all over her face. "Please stop! I don't even know what you're talking about! Let me go! Stop it!"

"Shin, that's enough!" The sound of Kimiko's voice came from behind as the woman's hands fell on both of them, yanking them apart.

Katara fell backwards onto the floor, sliding a little against the marble tile. Her hair falling over her face as she sat there on the floor trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with this man.

Kimiko glared at the noble, "You know his majesty just had three guard's executed this morning for mishandling the Fire Lady, do you want to be next?!"

Chuckling, "I was only joking around with her majesty." Shin was suddenly wearing his trademark grin.

As if you freaking liar, Katara thought in her head. That was definitely no way to joke around. Her heart was still racing from how scared she was from what just happened. Sitting up, the waterbender looked to Kimiko who was scowling at the noble. If there was ever anything comforting about her living here in the palace, it this woman. She watched over her and took good care of her. Much like how a mother would a child. It was touching.

"I'm sure his majesty won't care in what manner you were just now handling his wife. All I know is if you don't leave, I'll make him aware." The madam scolded Shin.

Obviously this is about more than them, isn't Kimiko? Shin inwardly hissed. Ever since he made himself known to her and the Fire Sage Lao, the woman had been eying him dangerously every time they cross paths. Like she was seconds away from slicing his throat. As if he'd let her, she wasn't the only around here with murderous intent.

Not deterring from his facade of playfulness, Shin turned to face the Fire Lady who was eying him cautiously and bowed his head. "Forgive me, your majesty. I didn't mean to give you a fright."

As the man rose and headed to leave out, shooting a look over his shoulder at Kimiko, Katara stood back to her feet. The door closed behind him and the tingling in her knuckles stopped.

Sighing as she shook her head, "Thank Agni, I was on my way back here. Otherwise, there's no telling what he would have done." Kimiko looked over to her majesty. "You are unharmed, your majesty?"

Giving a simple nod.

Relieved as she reached a hand out to the Fire Lady, "Good. Now come, your husband wishes to see you."

The waterbender's face brightened up a little but of course she let herself think it was only the Siren that was pleased by this, when in fact a part of herself was also happy to hear. Wanting to see if he was fine. Running up to grab the woman's hand and be led out of this la forsaken lounging room, Katara cast her face downward to hide the small smile on her face, though it was already seen by Kimiko.

…

"Your wife is here, your majesty." Kimiko bowed her head at the foot of her brother's bed as the Fire Lady also had her head bowed.

Looking from his sister to his wife, the Fire Lord noticed her hair was misplaced and that she was shivering a little. What was the matter? His eyebrow raised as they raise their heads, not looking away from his wife, Ozai waved his hand for Kimiko to leave and watched as the two exchanged looks before the eldest of the two left.

Alone with the Fire Lord's eyes focused on her, Katara slowly made her way over to his side. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed as she looked at him with deeply concerned eyes or was it the Siren that was concerned. The waterbender looked over to the nightstand and grabbed a wet cloth that was sitting in the bowl, wanting to wipe the sweat from his brow as he just stared at her.

Bringing it to his face, Katara started from his forehead to the sides of his face, her eyes filled with worry.

"Why do you look sad, waterbender?" He asked.

Continuing what she was doing, the Fire Lady sighed and tried to force a small smile. "I'm not sad."

"You are."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"I'm not."

Grabbing her wrist to stop her and forcing her to look in his eyes, "Don't lie to me, Katara." He didn't sound angry or distrusting, more like disappointed that she wouldn't just admit it. "What has you like this?"

Looking away as she hung her head, her wrist still in his grasp, she murmured quietly. "It's my fault." Balling her free fist in her lap. "It's my fault. You were distracted with me that you didn't see Zuko's attack in time."

Tears started falling into her lap. La, why was she so upset over this? Wasn't this what she wanted? Sure, the Siren wanted this man alive but why did she, herself, feel so upset that he had been injured? His death would have granted her freedom. But I don't want him to die. Why don't I want him to die?!

Sitting up in his bed, Ozai grabbed the waterbender around her waist and pulled her into his lap. The waterbender wrapped her arms instinctively around his neck as she settled into his lap. Laying her head against his shoulder as she shut her eyes. La, she felt pathetic. In the arms of her enemy. But could she still call him that? Her enemy? Enemies don't do the things he's done for her nor do they save one another's lives. And they definitely didn't comfort each other either. That just wasn't a thing. Yet, here she was, being once again comforted by this so-called enemy of hers. Tears in her eyes because she had felt responsible for him being injured.

Eyes shut, "I'm sorry."

Ozai's hand went over the back of her head and his fingers weaving themselves in her hair. "You needn't be." He told her. "If not for you my bastard of a son would have taken advantage of the situation and had his way. I owe you my gratitude, Katara."

The two stayed like that in silence, wondering if either of them really wanted to discuss last night and it would a few things took place that night that two wanted to hold off on talking about. Katara saving the day being one. Also what she did to Zuko. And their personal opinion of what the hell it was that made her stand in her former lovers way to keep him from doing what would have benefited her tremendously. The talk of those things could wait. Right now, staying like this was probably all either of them do with the memories of last night still very fresh in their minds.

….

"I can't believe this! She actually saved his life! I mean freaking come on! What's going on in that head of hers!" Suki was throwing a fit as she folded a ton of linen in the headmistress's chambers.

Kimiko expected this much of the Kyoshi. After telling her what the Fire Lord had said about the event that transpired last night, Suki refused to believe any of it but seeing as Katara wasn't arrested or anything, it was the only logical explanation. The madam found it just as hard to believe but it had indeed been true. The state that the room had been in was proof enough and also her brother's defensiveness towards seeing the guards handle the waterbender. As promised, Ozai had those three men from last night executed this morning. The guards were dangling by their necks in the prison tower. The charge, misconduct when handling the Fire Lady. The same charge that was issued to Lady Xia privately but only got her banished.

Totally outraged, Suki looked over at the madam and sneered. "I bet this is what you wanted, isn't it? You like having her chose your brother over her friends!"

"Do please shut up, child." Kimiko hissed as she gathered the folded linen and started placing them into baskets. Daily chores require work not chatter and the chatter the Kyoshi was doing, was really a thorn in the woman's side. Being spiteful for silly reasons. It was beginning to become annoying.

Throwing the linen harshly into the baskets, Kimiko glared at the young woman. "You should stop trying to question what it is your friend is doing. It is a hindrance. Didn't I tell you to leave if you weren't going to be useful?"

Scuffing, "As if I'd leave Katara to you and your sick ass brother! No telling what she'll be like when this is over."

Wanting to get under the kyoshi's skin, "Hopeful swollen with the Fire Lord's child." Smirking as Suki looked in utter disgust.

Completely appalled, Suki tossed her hands into the air and growled. "Oh that is filthy! Never say that again!"

"Oh but I won't need to, your water friend will most definitely change my brother for the better, get him to end the war in favor of the rest of the world, and when it all said and done, she will deliver him a fit heir for the Throne." Kimiko's eyes narrowed at the red haired woman as she wore a smirk, loving the reaction she was receiving.

The nerve of this woman! How dare she?! Spirits, if she wasn't trying not to make things any worse than they were, Suki would seriously slam her fist into Kimiko's face.

…..

Due to the Fire Lord's absence, Katara had to sit in debriefing meetings that she took notes of to give to the Fire Lord to review. All of the debriefings had to do with rebellions breaking out in the colonies. Rebellions lead by turncoats of the Fire Nation. It would seem not all the Fire Nation was in agreement with what was taking place and even during the meetings that got rowdy to the point the palace guards had to remove the Fire Lady from the meeting chambers for her safety. If that wasn't bad then, her sit down with the Minister of Coin, Wang, her husband's confidante, was.

"Ah, so her majesty has been given more responsibilities. I am surprised how quick you learn for such an inferior tribeswoman." Wang didn't mean to say so harmfully. To him it was just an observation. Something that actually caught his attention. However; the Fire Lady was offended and bended the tea out of her tea cup to splash him in the face as she got up from her seat.

Summoning her entourage to prepare to leave for their next meeting, "Have a portion of your allowance donated to the medical research facility that seems to have been left abandoned by the Chang Clan. I want a full detailed reviewing of how much has been donated and it must cover the expenses of at least three departments of my choose. See me later for the list."

The Fire Lady had the guards open the door for her, her eyes narrowed and fury glowering in them as she was about to walk through the threshold when Wang rose and reach his hand to her from a distance.

"Your majesty! You can't-"

Spinning around on her heel, Katara flashed her clenched teeth. "Is banishment or perhaps execution a better punishment, nobleman?"

Wide eyes, "Pu-pu-punishment?! Wh-what for?!"

Sneering as she turned back around to leave, "I don't know, nobleman. Maybe it's because I'm an inferior tribeswoman."

After the Katara had sit with yet another group of ladies. However; this was a large group. All the married women of court. The summer season was ending and winter was celebrated in the Fire Nation, surprisingly. Winter solstice actually being a holiday in the Fire Nation. That was all new to Katara. As tradition, the married women of court planned the grand event that was to be the ball extravaganza. It was a celebration that was meant to bring families and couples closer. Couples, married ones, spent the days leading up to the winter solstice on holiday away from others, alone, rekindling the flame in their marriage, or trying to conceive to give birth in the summer season which was when most firebenders were born. It was then that the couples would all join for the ball on the day of the winter solstice, all presenting gifts to one another and then ending the night with a festive ball. It all sounded nice but a lot of things did until, the waterbender lingered long enough to realize that it wasn't.

Sitting during this meeting, Katara had once again found herself in a situation.

"Your majesty, what is it that you will give his majesty." An innocent enough question was asked to her.

Katara hadn't been listening much as the women talked amongst themselves, trying to figure what they would all do for the holiday. She assumed everyone at court hated her for being Water Tribe and also the Avatar's teacher. That and the fact not only did Xia get banished because of her but now, hearing from some of the frighten guards that escorted her, the three guards that punched her and called her a savages were executed yesterday morning. La, the waterbender knew she'd be excluded by her peers at court. Many of these women were young and near her age, surprisingly, with husband as old as hers. Well she wouldn't say he was old or at least he didn't seem that way to her. Anyway, point was, Katara just knew she was going to be ostracized by these women. While the men didn't really seem to care as long as she kept quiet as they spoke, the women around here always seemed to have an issue with her for merely breathing the same air as them. But being asked a question, one that didn't seem hostile at all, the waterbender was caught off guard.

"Ugh- umm...I haven't…- I mean, I don't know what to get him." Katara felt like an idiot.

A few of the women snickered and started whispering to each other. No doubt about how stupid the Fire Lady was. While others shot judging gazes her way. Thinking la knows what about her.

The Fire Lady sighed, just about ready to give up, until one of the noblewomen asked her another question.

"Why not an heir, your majesty?" A venomously familiar voice said.

Blue eyes traveling to the direction the voice spoke in, "You know, it would prove you've really become assimilated into our culture. Providing his majesty and the country with an heir."

This crap again. Katara mentally rolled her eyes. Getting sick of having to deal with this nonsense. Of course, she came up with some witty response to turn the tables on the noblewoman, asking about her own lack of children. While Fumi had a son who was a part of the military, he was her adoptive son. The only part of her that showed she wasn't completely heartless, having found the boy lying near dead in her hometown. She adopted the boy, cared for him as she would her own, but she never had her own. Katara couldn't stand that she's only been married two months and these people already wanted an heir from her yet this woman had been married for years and still hadn't giving her husband a child that was his. A few noblewomen all batted eyes at Lady Fumi and snickered by their fans. Katara

wearing a victorious grin.

Letting the grin fall as she decided it was time to take over the planning for the winter solstice event, Katara cleared her throat. "Now, if you all don't mind. Can you all give me your ideas for the winter holiday? I'd love to hear what you all have to say."

Worse mistake of her life because then all the noblewomen beamed as they were being privileged to share their ideas with the Fire Lady. Katara mentally berated herself. Now she was going to be sitting here for a few hours.

An hour past noon, Katara made her way back to the royal chambers with her entourage. She wanted to see how the Fire Lord was doing. Of course, she blamed all her concern on the Siren. Not like she personally cared or anything.

Entering his bedroom, the waterbender found that his bed was made and empty. Looking around to see if he was somewhere else around the room, she heard a loud hiss come from the bathroom as the sound of something falling onto the floor caught her ears. Immediately Katara dashed to the bathroom door and pushed it open.

Standing in a room filled with hot steam, dressed with only a towel around his waist as he growled at his reflection with what looked to be a razor in his hand. Katara stood in the doorway with her eyes wide, staring at the man that hadn't noticed she was there. Her eyes, against her will, traced over his body. The steam and his wet hair that was hanging over both shoulders really added to the effect his tall and muscular physique was having on her at the moment. She just stood there and stared at him, trying to shave. As she did, it came across her after watching him struggle with his razor that he wasn't used to shaving himself. Probably had servants to do that. She shook her head and sighed.

Putting her hand on her hips as she snapped out of her daze, clearing her throat to make herself known. "Need help with that?"

Having gone this entire time not noticing the girl standing there, Ozai turned his head quickly at the sound of her voice. He was seconds away from telling her to leave until she walked up to him and snatched the razor from him.

"Sit." She said taking the razor from him before he could say anything and pointed at the chair that was by the mirror. "You're supposed to be resting, not worrying about your looks." Not like you need to.

Reluctantly taking a seat as his side was killing him, especially after the hassle he was going through to shave, Ozai sat and glared at the intrusive girl that was holding onto his razor, curious to know what she was planning to do with it. "I refuse to lay in bed all day. While there is a limit to what I can do in this condition, I do plan to at least keep groomed."

"Well obvious you're used to the servants keeping you groomed." Katara should have saw this coming. Someone like him would be the type to stubbornly go about their day even if they had a bunch of stitches in their side.

Narrowing his eyes, "What are you trying to say?"

Smirking as she shifted her weight to one leg, hand on her hip still as she held up the razor. "I'm saying you don't know how to shave yourself but lucky for you, I used to shave my brother and father. So I can take care of this for you."

Wanting to protest as his all but too happy wife made her way to where he was sitting and grabbed his chin, Ozai didn't like where this was going.

~Several minutes later~

"See!" Katara beamed as she had both hands on either sides of the Fire Lord's face. "I told you I know what I'm doing."

Turning his head for him so he could see her good work, Ozai's eyes widened as he realized what she just did. Clenching his teeth in his jaw as he shut his eyes. Agni, the last thing he needed was to let himself get angry. Especially over something that wasn't really her fault yet still her fault.

"What?" The waterbender noticed he didn't look too happy.

Reeling himself in as he spoke, "My beard, Katara." Was all he said.

Suddenly it dawned on her, oh la!

Exhaling deeply as he rose from the chair, eyes still closed as he made his way to the mirror. Forcing himself to take a better look at the girl's work to his face. Noticing she was peeking around him with worried eyes as if hoping maybe he would perhaps reconsider. She had done a great job of cleaning up the stubble and just about every hair on his face. He'd give her that. However; she cleaned up too much.

"I'm sorry." Her voice was small as it usually was whenever she feared his reaction to things.

Looking at himself, trying to force himself to adjust to seeing himself without his beard. He's always had it. For nearly two decades. Now it was gone. Made him look younger. Not that that was bad but it wasn't necessarily a good thing. Hand going over his face as he hung his head and turned to lean against the sink, wincing at the pain in his side.

Katara was about to take a step back when he removed his hand from his face and sigh, "It was an accident."

"No it wasn't. I purposely meant to shave it." Her blue eyes were huge and filled with apology. "I thought that's what you wanted."

Of course. Of course. Trying to convince himself that the girl really meant no harm more than he was trying to convince her that it wasn't her fault.

Feeling terrible, Katara looked down and poked her fingers together. "Maybe I should go?"

The Fire Lord nodded.

Could today get any worse?

…..

Yes. Yes, today could get a lot worse. And it did.

Leaving out of a small session with the medicinal minister, showing him how her healing methods worked on various didn't things, Katara ran into a sight that she didn't expect to see. The waterbender watched as a guard walked more than a little too close to her friend, causing the Kyoshi to giggle girlishly and blush, pulling her auburn hair behind her ear. The guard just smiled and seemingly offered to help Suki carry her things. Watching from across the small courtyard as her friend was obviously flirting with some strange palace guard, Katara gripped her fist and yanked her attention from the two. She wasn't going to get involved. Not like she had a right to judge but this was different. Suki was dating her brother and was here flirting with some guard. Herself on the other hand was forced into a marriage she was clearly not in favor of while having been involved with Zuko. It's both the same and yet different. Even so, to see her brother's girlfriend with some other guy, it struck a nerve.

"They've been like this for weeks, your majesty." Kimiko come out of the blue, having seen the Fire Lady staring at the odd couple. Sighing, "I asked her how she could scold you for your situation when she was no better, interested in a Fire Nation man herself."

While the madam knew nothing about the red haired woman's relationship with the waterbender's brother, she found infuriating how she waltzed around with Jee as if it were any different from how Katara was with the Fire Lord. Only one of them had no choice. Shaking her head in disapproval. "The hypocrisy."

Eyes narrowed with her gazed turned away from the sight. "I'm done with my tasks for the day. I think I'll go hand the debriefing notes to his majesty."

Nodding her head in approval, "Yes, I'll come with you."

The two women made their way back to the royal suite and as they did, noticed a certain nobleman leaving the Fire Lord's study with a smirk on his face as his eyes fell onto the Fire Lady.

Bowing his head, "Your majesty."

"Shin." Katara eyed him with a cautious neutral stare.

Kimiko glare in suspicion of the nobleman, "What are you doing here, Nobleman Shin?"

Eyes not leaving the waterbender, "Visiting her majesty's husband of course. He seems to be in good health. Taking good care of him, are you?" He said.

The madam pushed past him and went to look for her brother, not trusting the snake of a man one bit. Shin chuckled as the woman did so. He knew while she was plotting to end this war, she had no intentions of letting her brother die. Of course, that is why she favored this blue eyed young woman before him. The Fire Lady couldn't kill him either. Even though it would be at her greatest advantage to. Women. He thought disdainfully.

"You should leave." Katara glared at him, her hands in her sleeves as they stared at one another.

Taking a step towards the Fire Lady, Shin liked his lips. "Oh I do love that Fire in you, your majesty. Almost as if you were born of it. No wonder his majesty likes you so much."

Sneering as she backed away from him in utter disgust. "Please. Leave." She bit out.

"As you wish, your majesty." Shin bowed his head with a smirk. Yes, that Fire in her. It was most intriguing.

…

"So where ya from, young man?" An old man in a shabby tavern asked a hooded customer that had just ordered several shots of Firewhiskey.

Downing the sixth glass with a hiss, "Here."

Curious, "Well I've never seen you around? Whatcha do? Hide?" The tavern keeper jested.

Something like that. Reaching for the next shot.

Watching as the strange customer took another shot, the tavern keeper shook his head. People always came here for a drink. Never cared to try the other items on the menu. Maybe everyone on this side of the capital just wanted to wash away their troubles. Wonder what he's trying to drink down?

"Got girl issues?" He asked.

Shrugging his shoulders as he stared at the next glass, contemplating if it was worth it to drink it.

Grinning as he scooted the shot glass over to the customer and leaned against the bar. "What she do? Leave you for another fella?"

"My father." He angrily grabbed the shot.

Well that explains. "So you're gonna have to start call her mom now, aren't ya?"

The glass shattered as it went into flames. "Like hell! I'll kill my bastard of a father and get her back!" He swore as he stood from the stool and stormed out with the walk of a man that didn't just drink enough to send a heavyweight spiraling to the floor.

Scratching his head at that strange encounter, "What a depressing lad that was." Shrugging his shoulders as he took a towel to clean up the mess left. "Can't blame em' though."

….

Sitting on the bed and reading over a ton of scrolls that needed to be reviewed as the waterbender glared at a scroll she had gotten from the library he took her to the other day, Ozai couldn't keep his hands off his face. It felt so odd, not having his beard. He'd have to get used to this until it grew back. Not that he was too upset about it. He shouldn't have let her shave him. However; the way her eyes lit up at the opportunity to be useful in a more mundane way, it pleased him. Besides, saying no to her wouldn't have been easy anyway. It would have turned into an argument. And Agni knows the girl could argue someone's head off. That was the last thing he wanted.

Anyway, his main focus needed to be on the reports he was getting from his general he had stationed in the Earth Kingdom. While his daughter had squashed one down, another took its place in another part of the Earth Kingdom. This time there were turncoats. Men and women of the Fire Nation siding against him. He couldn't believe this. As soon as he gets his hands on these treacherous bastards he'll send them to the flames.

"Hey!" Katara threw a pillow at him. Narrowing her blue eyes at him as she scolded. "Whatever you're getting angry about over there, stop it. You're making this entire room feel like a freaking volcano!"

Just realizing the room's temperature did increase, quietly muttering something under his breath as the waterbender continued to scowl at him.

Pouting as she abruptly turned her head and crossed her arms, "I said I was sorry. No reason to still be upset about it. It'll grow back."

Of course, she'd think he was still upset with her about earlier. Glancing over at her.

"There are more important things I have to worry over than mere facial hair, waterbender. I do run a country." Ozai couldn't help but sneer. Though not at her. More like at the situation he was currently in. Turning back to glare at the scroll in his hands, the Fire Lord tried thinking up a way to handle this but the only thing he could think of was his original usage for his wife. Use her to gain a greater chance at winning. With her being not only the sole surviving waterbender of the Southern Tribe and being the Avatar's greatest ally, she had quite the notoriety around the world. Especially in the Earth Kingdom. Maybe he'd have to find a way to use his marriage to her to influence the Earth Kingdom population. But how?

Stealing a glance at the girl as she had returned her attention to her own reading.

"Are you going to sneak looks at me all night because I need to know so I can start sleeping on the sofa." Katara said as she hadn't removed her eyes from her scroll.

Chuckling, "We're married. I can look at you if I want."

Rolling her eyes. "Yeah well I'm sure you have 'more important things' to concern yourself with. You do run a country." She said sarcastically as she finally put the scroll down on her nightstand and started preparing for bed. Taking her night robe off as she let her hair fall loosely around her, Katara exhaled heavily.

"Goodnight." She said, blowing out the candle as she pulled the covers back and slid in.

Finding this to be most amusing, the Fire Lord decided to do the same, following her lead, he should be doing a little more resting than he was. Perhaps he'll be able to do so with the girl in his bed again for the night. Sliding into the covers from behind, Ozai moved his way over to Katara and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Goodnight." He said in a low husky voice right by her ear. Feeling her shiver as he did.

How the hell am I supposed to sleep like this? Katara mentally groaned as the Fire Lord was pressed against her, holding her as they laid in bed. La, now wasn't the time. No time was but right now especially. She was already irritable throughout the day from it. The last thing she needed was dealing with him like this when she knew it would make things even worse. Especially after she did more reading.

Siren's supposedly were feverish sexual beings that longed for whomever they chose. Being that the Siren chose the Fire Lord and it was had been bugging her all day with thoughts of the man. Even making her squirm a little from the mental images of their first and last encounter, Katara couldn't deal with this. His body heat was mixing with her own. How she could feel his muscle pressing against her. The strangely pleasant feeling of how much bigger he was in comparison to her. The waterbender couldn't help but feel flustered and even aroused. With how the Siren made her hyper-sensitive at the moment, she couldn't help herself. Worst of all, she was just barely making her squirmish movement unnoticeable. Though for someone as keen as the Fire Lord, it was unlike he didn't notice.

And he definitely noticed, smirking to himself. "Is there something wrong?"

"No." She quickly said as she tried to relax her body. Stupid hormonal Siren!

"Good. Then you can stop moving so much." He said.

Wanting to do just that but not being able to with how the Siren was making her feel, Katara frustratedly sighed. La, what the hell was she supposed to do? Hurry and jump out of bed to the bathroom to take care of this issue.

Seeing as the waterbender still hadn't stopped moving, Ozai decided he might as well take it upon himself to be a good husband and help her out a little, even if she wouldn't be too happy with his assistance.

"Hold still." He said quietly in her ear and suddenly his hand that was on the other side of her and moved downward.

Katara gasped as she felt his hand move to her sex. Cupping it over her nightgown as he kept her still somehow, a few of his fingers moved in a circular motion around a part of her wet throbbing flesh. The waterbender gasped again before her hands gripped the sheets beside her and she bit back a moan. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip as she found herself being fondled by the Fire Lord. Squirming against him as she made strangling noises.

"Shh." She heard him whisper huskily. "Just relax."

I can't. Katara squeezed her eyes shut as his fingers pressed harder against her sex and a moan developed in the back of her throat as her back arched into him. Her body's temperature rising as she let her bottom lip go from her teeth. A cry falling from her open mouth as it was then that the Fire Lord's lips were to the back of her neck. Her nails sinking further into the sheets as she held on just as she felt herself about to tilt over in whatever it was that she was feeling right now. La, it felt good even to the her that wasn't the Siren.

Working the wet sex of the waterbender, Ozai barely could contain his own need for release. However; he knew he was in condition for that sort of thing at the moment. Not unless the waterbender, whom he doubted would, took it upon herself to learn how to please a man from on top. But she couldn't even handle being beneath or anything that involved any part of him inside of her but that was besides the point. He was just helping her get rid of the obvious pent up sexual frustration she had been collectively storing away without even thinking to pay it any attention. This is exactly why he shouldn't have let her talk him into the two of them having a lack of intimacy. She clearly wasn't taking care of things on her end.

The girl's voice started getting louder and he knew she was close, just a little more. Within moments, the waterbender cry out and her legs clenched tight together as she came. Her entire body trembling as she did. Hold tight to the sheets. Trying not be so overwhelmed by what she had just felt.

"Good girl." The Fire Lord whispered in her ear as he withdrew his hand from her sex and kissed the back of her neck, resuming his original position with her. "Now go to sleep."

Panting as she de-escalated from that, her eyes wide as that looked all over the place as if looking for where her eyes should stay steady on. Her heart pound as her dripping sex quivered. She hated to admit it but that felt really good. Really really good. Out of breath, Katara closed her eyes and searched for sleep. It was closer than before. Her body feeling much cooler and less tense. La, she'd have to thank him. Not now of course. That would be too embarrassing.

…

The next morning, Katara was pressed against the Fire Lord, her hand in the opening of his robe, holding to the side of him that was injured. Her head on his chest. Leg propped onto his. Lips parted as she snored softly. Probably getting to best sleep she's had in months.

Already awake and looking over a message that Kimiko had delivered him from his daughter, Ozai crumpled the letter and threw it to the floor. Biting back the need to hiss through his teeth, trying not to wake his wife who had made herself more than comfortable against him.

"How did she let them escape again?" The Fire Lord couldn't understand what it was that caused not only the scouts he sent after the Avatar and his brother but also his daughter to lose them every chance they got. Something needed to be done in effort to finally get his hands on the two.

Kimiko stood with her head bowed as her brother looked displeased as usual whenever a report regarding the Avatar came through. Honestly, his obsession with capturing the Avatar was going to get in the way of his relationship with the waterbender that had her sleeping form wrapped around him.

Sighing as he tried to relax himself, "When is she to arrive?"

"Within a few weeks, your majesty." Kimiko said as she raised her head.

That's not very long. The Fire Lord knew his daughter and wife weren't on such good terms, seeing as Azula had beaten the waterbender before the wedding. He'd need to keep them separated or at least make clear he wanted no fighting between the two of them. Katara had her bending now and from what he saw last night, the waterbender was likely a match for his daughter. The fight could be catastrophic if they were allowed the opportunity. Agni, there was no way he'd be able to rest and recover when he had these matters to take care of.

"I suggest your majesty speak her highness about her behavior. Last she was here, she made a mess of things." Glancing at the sleeping waterbender once more.

Rubbing his temple, "Yes, I plan to discuss a few things with her. In the meantime, keep them apart if she arrives before I've recovered."

Tilting her head to the side, "Why not summon her to your chambers?"

Eyebrow raised, "Azula may be my favorite child but she's too much like me. Seeing me like this I already know what she'll be thinking."

Ah, Kimiko thought. Yes. It was true. The princess was very much like her father. Second born. Callous and cruel. Intelligent and cunning. A deep loathed of their older sibling. And possessed the capability to take out a Fire Lord. Ozai had done it with his father. Who's to say Azula won't be inspired to do the same? Especially when there was already talk of the throne being taking from her. Ozai didn't want the girl aware of his condition. No telling what she'd do or plan to make sure that doesn't change.

Ozai dismissed his sister with the task of preparing for his daughter's arrival as he felt the waterbender stir from her sleep.

Nuzzling against whatever it was she holding onto, Katara yawned and slow her eyes fluttered open. As they did, she noticed the object that she had been holding onto throughout the night was not a pillow as she had believed, though she should have known it wasn't by the obvious differences, it was instead a person. The Fire Lord to be exact.

"Sleep well?"

"No."

"Doesn't look that way."

"Well you can shut the hell up so I go back to sleep."

"Watch your mouth."

"Make me."

"Oh, do you really want that?"

Silence. No. No, she didn't want that. Knowing exactly what that was. Katara groaned and started getting up. She had things to take care of today. Things that didn't involve laying in bed with the Fire Lord and picking fights with him just because she was trying to prove to herself that last night changes nothing. That he just helped her out with a certain problem she was having. Nothing to let misguide her. Not like she cared either way.

Sighing as she sat in bed with her hand pressed to her face, I can't believe I let that happen. Sure it wasn't much but it was something, nonetheless.

Sitting up beside the waterbender, Ozai hissed out as his hand went over his side. Katara looked over at him and immediately moved her hand to where his was on his side.

"Are you okay?" Her eyes wide as they looked up at him. Only receiving a nod from him.

Opening his robe to take a better look at the bandaged area and Katara gasped. The wound had reopened. "This is why you should have stayed in bed."

Groaning as he was pushed back into bed, "I have a country to run."

"You won't be running anything if you're dead, now shut up and lay down. I'm going to have to use my bending to close this up." Katara went into her focused healer mode and hurried out of bed as she settled him into it. She ran to the bathroom to get some water. Not bothering to put it in anything as she ran back into the bedroom with the water floating midair.

Going around to the side of the bed where he was laying, Katara glanced at his pain contorted face and worry was ridden over hers as she brought the water to his skin. "Now, this is going to hurt a little but just stay still or else." Shooting him a look and he shot her one back.

"Why do you care so much if I die or not?" He sneered in both pain and accusation.

Staring dully at him as she turned her attention back to the wound. "Does it matter? At least you know you won't die if I can help it."

But why? Why would you save me? A question he's been asking himself all this time but finally found it in him to ask her himself.

"I want to know your reason." He demanded. "Why did you save me?"

Placing her water over his side as she glared at his wound, "Because I'm your wife, aren't I? You're all I have, isn't that what you told me?" Katara clenched her teeth as she tried not feel a wave of emotions overwhelm her. "Everyone's gonna resent me for this and you're the only person who won't, so why would I let you die? If you ask me, you should just shut up and let me do what I do best."

Completely taken aback by the waterbender's declaration, the Fire Lord stared wide eyed at her as she started using her water healing that he was only seeing in use for the first time. As the water flowed and he instantly felt it spilling his torn side, mending the broken flesh back together, he thought to himself as he usually did. This girl, a girl more than half his age, how was it she wielded this power and the power he saw her use over his son. Possessing abilities he never seen nor heard of. A masterbender the world had already taken great notice in. She was his wife. His forced bride. His former enemy turned into a woman of high status in marriage to him. How could a man like him have come to behold such being like her? It frightened him to know the answer. But what got him was that she had stepped between his son and himself, keeping them both from killing one another, and chose a side. Whether she knew it or not, she chose a side and it was his. She had basically made herself his. Officially. Turning her back on the boy who broke her heart for the man that would give her the world. The young powerful waterbender to save his life when she had every right to take it. With the abilities she wielded, she could have taken his at any point prior to the other night and yet she didn't. He didn't know the real reason but all he knew was what she was telling him it was. And that was, he has made himself a new ally of hers. Now they stood on the same side. Now they were a team. She was starting to accept this even more than she ever had before.

Gazing upon her beautiful features as she begun to heal him, Ozai's hand absentmindedly went to caress her cheek as she remained focused on her task. "What a woman Agni has blessed me with. Have you finally come to see where it is we stand?"

Biting back the desire to cry, feeling aside from the Siren's, Katara realized even without it, she couldn't have killed his man. She admitted in this moment to herself. Not for same reasons as the Siren but because she owed him her gratitude after all he has done for her. The Fire Lord wasn't the same man she had believed him to be. In his own way he was noble and honesty. Kept his word and was good to her even when she hadn't deserved it. Gran-Gran taught her never to turn her back on those that were kind to her and the Fire Lord had been more than that. It went without saying that it was both hers and the Siren's will to not allow the Fire Lord to die. She shut her eyes for a moment and in her mind asked for forgiveness from her mother, Yue, and all the others that were victims of this war. But her mission would be failed if it was this man's life she had to take to end this war. She swore to find another way but not death. Reopening her eyes, I can't do it. I can't kill you.

…

Staggering through the dark streets of the slums, far from the palace and the massive numbers of guards scattered about the city looking for the fallen prince who had assaulted his father just a few nights ago, Zuko tried not to be so obvious. Roaming the streets looking for the ones that called themselves the White Lotus. The voice that freed him had come again when he was limping away from where Katara threw him off the balcony. It told him that the ones responsible for the waterbender's marriage to his father were the White Lotus. The cult that his uncle was apart of. He didn't think it was real or anything but hearing the name again, he wondered just how not real they were.

Cloak over his head, obscuring his face from passersby, a small limp in his walk though he tried to hide it. A part of the description the guards were looking for was a scarred limp male youth no older than twenty years of age with signs of other injuries. If some young person was seen limping and with a cloak over their heads, they'd be assumed as the fallen prince. Zuko couldn't risk getting caught. Especially not in his condition. He wouldn't be able to fight back much. It'll take a miracle for him to not be taken back to his father, knowing that man would kill him on the spot.

Walking through an alleyway close by the docks, Zuko looked for symbol that discretely represented the White Lotus a pai sho tile piece embedded into a wall of a desolate storefront.

"And so you've come for answers, have you, your highness?" A familiar voice came from behind him.

Whipping himself around, Zuko balled his fist and prepared to fight. But when he did, he saw a man he had remembered from his childhood. A man who he knew was close to his father, the dog of the Fire Lord nobles had called him, the shadow lord. Doing all the dirty work of the Fire Lord for him. The young firebender sneered.

"Nobleman Shin." Zuko hissed.

Smirking as he took a bow, "Your highness. It is good to see you again after all these years. And my, do you look like your father."

Zuko growled at the comparison as the noble grinned. "Well...almost." He corrected. Referring the scar.

"What the hell do you want?!" The young firebender growled as his fists lit in flames threateningly.

Chuckling at how temperamental the prince was, just like your father. The boy clearly didn't trust him but he couldn't blame him. No one trusted him. Not that they should. Shin had always had his own agenda separate from everyone else. Never worked well with others other than to use them for his own purpose that he never made completely clear. While they wouldn't trust him, they wouldn't see coming what he had in stored. This Prince would be no different. He had no clue the kinds of things he had planned for the future of this nation and if he was so hellbent on being anything but his father, Shin knew the boy would be wise to go along with things unless he wanted to die, of course.

"Your highness, please." Putting his hands up in defense. "I only want what you want."

Not believing the man, "And that is?!" Narrowing his eyes dangerously. Zuko knew the man was dangerous. Anyone that his father had carry out his most important tasks had to be. Why else would Azula have been sent after the Avatar? Dangerous equals a high chance of a successful mission. And to Zuko, this looked a lot like a mission that his father would have for him. Allow him to feel a sense of freedom once more before having him slaughtered in the streets by his dog. Just like that bastard! Taking Katara wasn't enough to humiliate me? He had to go and do this too?

Menacingly, the noble beamed at the young prince as a blue flame appeared in his hands. "I want a new master to serve. A new one to call Fire Lord. One to be a Fire Lord that will end the era of war and usher a new one. I want you, your highness, to be Fire Lord."

Zuko's goat dropped as he looked wide eyed at the man that took a step closer to him, going to circle him. "I want to help you take back the throne. Take what is rightfully yours. That waterbender included."

Katara. Zuko squeezed his eyes and fist shut.

"Allow me to serve you and I will make it so that you will have all that it is you desire." Shin smirked as he stopped his circling and stood in front of the firebender.

Too good to be true, "What's in it for you?"

Grinning harder, "Myself and the people will no longer have to serve a tyrant. That is what I and the rest of the country will benefit." Seeing the wheels in the boy's head started turning. "So what do ya say?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Zuko's face balled up as he glowered at Shin. "How could I refuse?"

Good. "Wise decision, your highness. Wise decision." Returning the small dagger he had hidden his sleeve into its holster. No need to kill a man that was willing to cooperate. In time things will come together. Shin now had the White Lotus, the hothead noblewoman Fumi, and ex-Fire Prince Zuko. All those left to collect were Princess Azula and the Fire Lady and he could finally get things rolling.

….

A/N:

Hoped you enjoyed! Next chapter will have Azula back on the scene and Sokka, how will Katara react to seeing her brother tied up by her 'step-daughter'? And her relationship with the Fire Lord, will she stop being so uptight with him? Also, Fumi and an Ozai might be facing off soon, wonder how that'll go with their past.