A/N:
Yo yo yo! I'm back back back back! Enjoy!
Chapter 21:
Kneeling down to her uncle who was tied up in the tent Shang had designed for prisoners, Katara fed him for the morning, knowing no one else would bother taking care of the man. She could see he hadn't eaten in awhile from how he scarfed down every mouth full she fed him.
"Slow down before you choke." Katara said in a gentle voice. "It's not going anywhere."
Chuckling as his niece lectured him, "If I don't eat now, when will I? These damn Fire Nation bastards don't give a rats ass if I die. My only purpose is for getting their men back that they lost."
While she wasn't going to argue with him on that, Katara did tell him how buzzard it would be if he didn't die a brave or heroic death but instead because he had choked on his food from eating too fast.
"Your majesty, I do believe it is near time to head out." A soldier entered the tent.
The waterbender gave him a nod, telling him she would be out soon and looked back at her uncle as they were left alone once more. Placing a soft hand on his cheek, "You won't stay here much longer. I'll have my husband release you."
Shaking his head, "That man isn't your husband, Katara. He's using you."
Shutting her eyes as she sighed, "Bato, it's more than th-"
"It can never be more than that for a man like him." Bato told her. "Don't let that bastard ruin you."
But I already have. I'm ruined. Was ruined from the beginning. Katara reached to kiss her uncle's forehead before raising to her feet. A small smile gracing her lips as she looked at him one last time before ushering herself out of the tent and into the cold roaring winds of her Southern Nation.
"Your family hates me as expected, I see." Her husband standing right outside the tent. No doubt heard their conversation. Not that she cared.
The smile froze off her lips as they fell into a frown. "Your father was a sick man and his father before him was just as sick. And now you, how can they think any different of you?"
Smirking as he took her hand, "Because contrary to what your uncle said in there, you're more than a tool to me." Bringing her hand to his lips.
Sliding it from him as she looked away, face flushed. "If I'm not a tool than what am I to you?" Seriously wanting to know the answer. Perhaps that's why she had been angry with him lately. Because a part of her felt that she was still a tool to win for him and here she was trading everything for him because this had become more than winning for her.
Stepping close to her as he grabbed both her shoulders and looked her in her eyes with the softest gaze she had ever seen him wear. Whispering for only her to hear as a gust of wind rolled past them, Katara's eyes widened up at him as her hand fell over her mouth and she tore away from him. Running off to where the mounts were being prepared.
Ozai stared off at her, brows furrowing as he stood there in her wake.
"A woman of our people would have suited you better, your majesty." Shang showed up. Having witnessed the scene. "No other kind of woman could handle the passion we as men of Fire possess. Especially not frail Water women."
Refusing to look away from his wife, "I had been with many of our women, Shang. And none of them have the same effect on me as this one."
The General shot the Fire Lord a look, "Be careful, your majesty. It almost sounds like you're in love."
"I am."
Another sudden roar of winds blew by and Shang stared wide eyed at the Fire Lord who started making his way to where his wife had run off to. There's no way. No way his sovereign whom he had the greatest amount of respect for was in love with that howling hound of a woman. Besides her beautiful face, the girl was nothing to fawn over, let alone fall in love with. Shang narrowed his eyes at the waterbender. He despised her. Not only for getting his wife banished from court but seducing the Fire Lord. She deserved everything that she had coming to her. Everything.
...
Riding on her own mount, Katara stayed several paces behind her husband, eying the back of his head. He still refused to tie his hair up but at least he was wearing his hood. La, she didn't know why he insist on ignoring her warning. She only wants to help him. Same way you ignore his wanting to make your life easier. Shut up, he's not making my life easier. He's making it harder. Trying to get me to choose between him over my family. Your family will still be your family even if you're sided with him. But- no buts. You are the Fire Lady! Start acting like it! Once he wins this war, it will be just as much yours as his. You can make this place better than ever before. Better? Only the Avatar can do that and besides, we all just want to be free. Who cares about freedom when you can live a better life? Look at you, you're not free but you live a life of luxury. Is that not how many would rather live their lives?
Katara didn't feel like having a discussion about her morals with a moral-less being. She was not giving up her family. Nor did she want to ruin her already fragile relationship with her husband. She just needed to find a middle ground. A way to keep both in her life. As well as how she was going to pull this war off. Save the world and her husband. It ultimately boiled down to him letting go of his desire to win and take over the world. Like he'll give that up. So the only other thing was what the Siren said. Have the people decide, a better life over freedom? Which did they want?
Ahead of her, the waterbender noticed her husband pull his rein and she came up at his side, "What is it?"
"Tell your father to call off his men." Ozai could literally feel the archers aiming their arrows at him.
Looking up at the men positioned at the top of the hills off to both side of the icy tundra valley they were traveling, Katara raised her hand and suddenly the snow beneath the men's feet started sliding down and them with it. The Fire Nation Soldiers all moved their mounts closer towards the Fire Lord and Lady as the hills collapsed.
Once she had saw that all the men were down, Katara raised the snow back to its original place and narrowed her eyes at her fellow tribesmen as they tried getting themselves situated.
"Did my father not tell you that the Fire Nation isn't here to fight but make peace?" Katara spoke so that everyone heard.
One of the men that were helped up by his comrade rubbed the back of his head and winced as he looked to the chieftain's daughter. "He did but it was your grandmother that ordered us to keep our arrows on the Fire Lord."
What is with that woman?! Ozai growled in his head. She wouldn't be satisfied until he was dead, would she?
"Well she knows better than to give that order. I already told her we come in peace." The waterbender told them.
Though the men didn't look too happy to see their last waterbender defending the Fire Lord and his men, they would not challenge her. Not only was she their chieftain's daughter but now a conditioned warrior and master bender. It was suicide to go up against her. Especially when her 'husband' and his army was right there.
As all the men were on their feet, Katara told them to lead the way into the village since they had nothing better to do and they obeyed. The Southern Tribe was less traditional about leadership and sovereignty but every now and then her father, grandmother, and now she had to throw their weight around a little.
"Your majesty, are you alright?" General Shang road up to the Fire Lord's other side with the look of worry on his face.
Ozai looked over to the General and smirked, "I told you she would not let them lay a finger on me."
Shang looked over at the waterbender that had taken down her own men to keep them from shooting their arrows at the Fire Lord and them. Her head turned to look at her husband but then caught sight of him looking at her.
"Is there something you want, Shang?" Her expression and tone flat as ever, knowing full well the man didn't like her.
Scuffing, "No, your majesty."
"Good." She turned her head to face forward. "We don't have all day. Let's go on."
The waterbender road her mount forward and left her husband and the General behind. Ozai watched after her.
"Mind your tone with her or else I'll turn a blind eye." The Fire Lord said to the General without taking his eyes off his wife.
Snapping out of the daze of disgust he had at the woman speaking to him, Shang looked at the Fire Lord in confusion. "A blind eye to what, your majesty?"
Tearing his eyes from the waterbender ahead to look at the general, "I don't need to remind you what happened to your wife, do I?"
Balling his fist and gritting his teeth.
Smirking, "Only this time banishment isn't an option. If she wants, I'll let her kill you."
There was a undertone in the Fire Lord's words that told Shang that it wouldn't be the Fire Lady coming for him. He gulped hard at the threat as he looked away from the Fire Lord. It was one thing to not have the Fire Lady's favor but there was nothing like having the Fire Lord displeased. Shang would watch himself for the time being. Especially when the Fire Lord was being seduced by the temptress waterbender.
…
"I told you, you fool, to leave!" Kimiko hissed as Suki walked into her bedroom with a tray of what looked and smelt like breakfast.
The Kyoshi rolled her eyes and set the tray in the grumpy woman's lap, "Please, I can't deal with your attitude this morning, just eat up and shut up." Crossing her arms as she flashed the woman a look.
Too hungry to fight with the idiot girl, Kimiko sucked up her pride and ate as told. But she would be sure to gain all her strength back as fast as she could so she could drag Suki out of this place before something terrible happens.
Slumping as she sighed, Suki posted up against the wall and shut her eyes for a moment. Spirits, she had a very close encounter with one of the ladies here again. Luckily, Jee was keeping them at bay while she was nursing the madam back to health. Katara just hurry up and get back already. She couldn't wait to see her friend again.
"I don't see why you're doing this, don't you know there's people here that want you dead?" Kimiko took a mouth full of the soup the girl prepared for her and soon spat it out in disgust. "Who the hell taught you how to cook?!"
Smirk as she opened her eyes, "I just learned today." Suki couldn't help but find the woman's expression to be hilarious as she walked over to her. Grabbing the red cloth on the side of the tray, the Kyoshi wiped the woman's mouth and grinned. "But to answer your question, yes, I do know these people want me dead. However; that is the reality I live everyday as a Kyoshi Warrior. I will have enemies everywhere that isn't home, my people aren't much favored in the Earth kingdom either but that doesn't stop me. I knew my life would be in constant danger when I first took up my fan and my armor. I knew I'd be giving up my peacefully lived life but that's the sacrifice you make when you want to protect everything you love. You put your life and everything you had originally wanted for yourself on the line."
"You're just a girl. You shouldn't have to make sacrifices like the rest of us." Kimiko looked at the girl in great pity.
Shaking her head, "This is war. Everyone has to make sacrifices. Besides, I'm not afraid of these people. I've seen the war, fought in it, and survived this far. No stuck up noble that never fought a good fight is going to scare me."
"You are a foolish girl, you know that?" Kimiko sighed and continued eating the terribly made food.
Laughing at the woman as she rubbed the back of her, "Well you're definitely an old hag-"
The spoon that had been in the madam's hand flew upside the kyoshi's head and a smirk graced her lips as the girl winced. "Like I said, you're a fool." Suki flashed her a glare. "Only a fool calls a woman old."
….
Dismounting the rhino, Katara was about to go forth with her father's men and enter the village but suddenly, she was grabbed from behind around her waist and pulled back. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Her jealous, possessive, and greedy husband. What now? Did he think she was going to run away?
Lips pressing to the back of her head as he held her to him, "You wait for me. Don't move before I do. You follow my lead. Do I make myself clear?"
"Stop treating me like a child, Ozai." Katara hissed as she yanked herself from him and turned to glare at him. "I'm your wife. Treat me like it."
Was he treating her like a child? He didn't realize. His only intention was to keep her in line. Keep her from wanting to leave him. Or attempt to do so. She was his. He hated having what was his lost or taken. As possessive and greedy as it was, Ozai believed anything he took interest in or found himself drawn to was immediately his and Katara was definitely his. Whether if that's what she or others wanted, it didn't matter. You're mine. Staring down at her, he reached his hand to run over the waterbender's head and slid it down to her face. His thumb laying her cheek as her blues eyes stared up at him.
"I thought we were supposed to work as partners, equals. Isn't that what you wanted me to be to you?" Katara gave him a sincerely disheartened look. "But you don't trust me, do you?" Ozai was going to respond to that but was interrupted.
"Katara!"
"Your majesty!"
The two of them pulled apart and looked in the direction they were being called. To the left, Kanna was making her way to her granddaughter with a group of men behind her. To the right, General Shang had approached with their company of only six good men as the Fire Lord had told him to bring within the village. The rest would surround the village to keep an eye on things.
Running up to her granddaughter and nearly tackling her into the snow, Kanna wrapped her arms tight around the girl. "Thank Tui and La, I can see you again today."
"Gran Gran, I told you I was coming back." Katara chuckled as she hugged the woman back.
Pulling apart slightly to look her granddaughter in the eyes with a smile, "I know. I know." Brushing a few loose strands of hair from the girl's face. "But I missed you all throughout the night. Knowing you were here but not with me, it tore at my heart." Tears started to well in the old woman's eyes. "I helped your mother bring you and your brother into this world. I raised you both when your mother and father couldn't. You're my world, Katara. I can't lose you. Not like your m-"
Shaking her head as she pulled her grandmother back into a hug and ran her hand up and down the woman's back. "It's alright, Gran Gran. I'm right here. Everything's fine."
Receiving the details of where the men were stationed around the village, the Fire Lord nodded his head in acknowledgement of what his General was telling him but of course, Ozai wasn't happy about being interrupted. As Shang wrapped up his relaying of information, the two of them turned to look at the waterbender and her grandmother. While one of them simply gave not a damn about the two women, the other was mentally trying to process exactly why it was necessary to hug someone for that long. Especially a grandparent to a child. His father never even touched either of his children or Iroh's son. And that was true for many acrostics in the Fire Nation. Why did this woman act so possessive over her granddaughter? But then those thoughts were shoved away when Ozai remembered that the tribesmen that had there arrows pointed at him were ordered not by the Chieftain but by this old hag.
Grabbing Katara's hood, Ozai tugging her back as if she were a favorite toy of his he didn't want anyone else near. His bright piercing gold eyes narrowed on Kanna as he withdrew her granddaughter from her arms.
"You had those men ready to rain their arrows on me and my men." The Fire Lord practically hissed at the woman.
Kanna's eyes looked from Katara to the bastard Lord, her grandson had been calling him all night, and her eyes became as sharp as the arrows she had aimed at him and his legion of mindless goons. She was not afraid. None of her people were afraid. They had seen men like him over and over and over again. Though he may be the most terrifying of all those men, he, to them, would fall all the same.
"You took too long, I wanted to see my granddaughter and I wasn't going to kill you." Kanna truthfully told him. "It was an intimidation tactic, no more."
Letting go, Katara's hood as she flashed him a daring look and quickly went back to her grandmother, Ozai gritted his teeth. "Do it again and my men will be ordered to take out the threat."
Hugging Katara again as she continued to glare at the Fire Lord, "The only threat here is you, Fire Lord Ozai."
Swearing to Agni if he thought for even a single second Katara wouldn't care, Ozai would backhand this bitch into the snow and stomp her. Who the fuck did she think she was?! Speaking to him like that! It was one thing for Katara to say something like that to him but this woman he had only met yesterday, he would set her ass on fire if his waterbender weren't here to visit.
Literally, seeing the snow begin to melt as she looked down, Katara broke away from her grandmother and shook her head as she looked at her. Pleading with her eyes not to say anymore. As the woman visibly strained herself to say nothing and backed away from her granddaughter, she turned her back and gave orders to the tribesmen not far behind her to head on to the Chieftain.
As for the waterbender, she was back at her husband's side, taking his hand and running her other hand over his. Trying to soothe and calm him down before he accidentally kills them all. Whispering low for only him to hear, "My grandmother isn't usually like this. I promise. She's just doing this because she doesn't trust you."
Ozai narrowed his eyes at the back of the old woman's back as she was leading them into the village. "I have a limit, Katara."
Nodding her head, "I know but please, see that it's only because of everything the Fire Nation has done here."
"My father and his father did that." Ozai told her. "I've only recently been interested in this place."
While she knew that was true, it didn't mean he could just ignored that her people had been devastated by what his people had done to them in the course of a hundred years. She knew it was Sozin and Azulon that destroyed the Southern Water Tribe but if Ozai wanted to be the one to repair it, he needed to push his anger aside. It would take a lot more than what he was offering to get them to trust him.
Holding his hand, Katara sighed and leaned towards him. "I'll do the talking today, okay?" She looked up at him. "They will hear me out."
Agreeing with her fully, Ozai simply nodded his head to her, falling silent as he tried not to let his anger get the best of him.
Behind him, Shang looked threateningly at the Fire Lady that was holding onto the Fire Lord. He couldn't bare watching this. The girl revolted him. Her and her people. They were all revolting. He didn't understand why the Fire Lord would bother with this place if not to wipe them all out.
Still holding his hand as they followed her grandmother and the tribesmen that had been under her command, Katara looked around to see some members of her tribe standing by their homes with their eyes glued to them. The looks in their eyes varying from fear, curiosity, loathe, and pity. However; the waterbender didn't let it affect her. She had been conditioning and preparing herself to face this exact situation. Her people looking at her. Looking at the Fire Lord. Thinking things. Things that were probably accurate. Things that were probably wrong. Either way, she knew they were wondering exactly how she seemed to be so comfortable in the presence of a man who's father sent soldiers to kill her but instead killed her mother. Wondering why she was holding his hand with such ease. Why did she come back but playing for a different team. Katara had prepared for their gazes to be glued to her. However; it didn't mean their looks hadn't affected her.
Nearing the hut that they would be discussing things with her father, Katara saw a small child run right out in front of them. The child had to be no more than two or three. Chubby legs and cheeks. A small hand-made wooden toy in their arms as they stop to turn their big bright blue eyes to her. Her hand slipped out of her husband's as she crouched down yo reach her arms for the child. The bubbly baby boy waddled his way into the waterbender's arms and was lifted up.
"Where are you going, little one?" She smiled with her teeth as she tapped the boy's nose.
Giggling, the boy waved his arm and his toy around as he beamed back at her. Even when his toy fell from his hands and into the snow did the boy smile brightly at her. Katara's heart swelled at how cute the child was. La, it made her want her own all the more.
Reaching down for the wooden toy, Ozai observed it for a moment before looking at his wife who hand the baby in her arms. Where the hell did that kid come from? Did people here just leave their children to wander aimless around or something? As he watched her play with the small child in her arms, cooing at the boy, the Fire Lord inwardly grinned.
"He dropped this." He said handing the toy to her but her attention was stuck on the baby.
Katara pressed the boy to her chest and bounced instinctively with him in her arms. "Where's his parents?" She looked around. While there were a bunch of eyes on her, staring as if something terrible was just waiting to happen, she didn't see anyone come forth. Her hand laid on the back of the baby's head.
"Toji!" A woman cried out and ran towards them.
With the baby in her hands, Katara turned around to see a tribeswoman run towards her, hand stretched out to the child. Assuming this was the mother, the waterbender turned around and offered the woman a warm smile.
"Is this your son?" Her tone was a sweet one.
The mother however; said nothing and quickly took her son from the waterbender's arms and held him protectively to her chest. Staring wide eyed at her and then fearfully at the man behind Katara. She said nothing as she took her son and ran off. A few witnesses disappeared into their homes. Ahead of her, Kanna looked at the disheartened look that washed over her granddaughter's face.
"That is how mother's are, Katara." The waterbender heard her grandmother's voice. "They are very protective of their young."
Well she knew that but the woman looked at her as if she were going to devour her child or something. It bothered her. Katara didn't want to let the boy go either. He was so soft and cute. A part of her hoped no one would come looking for the boy that way she could keep him. Now her arms felt empty and her heart ached.
Ozai watched the waterbender look into the direction the woman ran off with the child. I'll have to give her one of her own. He noted as he took her hand and pulled her attention back to where they were headed.
Kanna eyed her granddaughter and the Fire Lord as the two exchanged looks. She pretended not to see the look in either of their eyes as she turned around to look away and went back to leading them.
….
With his father gone from the palace, Zuko took it upon himself to visit very frequently, mostly to make sure Suki was alright. He'd have her back until law and order returned with his father's presence. The last few days, however; he had been looking for this group of members that wanted to kill Katara. A group of nobles that despised her tribal blood. While things with he and the waterbender had taken an absolute devastating turn for them both, Zuko still saw her as his teammate. Former lover that broke his heart but still his teammate. Last thing he wanted was for her to return and be struck down as soon as she reached the palace gates. And his other reason for being within the palace, his Aunt Kimiko had been attacked by who he assumed was Shin. Shin had a history of going after his Aunt when intoxicated. The man had been smelling booze lately and the fact that Kimiko refused to leave her chambers made it all the more clear to him what happened. Zuko was determined to confront the noble but at the moment he had to keep an eye out for a certain group of nobles plotting the assassination of Katara.
Using the high pillars as his way of going from point a to point b, the disgraced Fire Prince moved stealthily as he followed a noblewoman he had pictured would be a part of this treasonous group. Lady Suzume. Close friend to Lady Xia, whom had been banished and framed for infidelity by who everyone says was the Fire Lady but in actuality, Zuko knew that was his father's doing. Anyway, he believed the woman had a great motive for aligning herself with these particular nobles. He would stalk her for the day and see what she was up to. Pulling down his blue spirit mask, the Fire Prince leapt from one pillar to the next. Making sure his shadow wasn't seen on the marble floor as he moved above this woman's head.
~The Palace Library~
"What gift will you give your husband this year for Winter Solstice?" Suzume asked an older noblewoman that she had met up with.
"Probably what I get him every year." The other noblewoman chuckled. "A beautiful foolish young girl."
The women laughed haughtily to Zuko disdain. He always hated women with that kind of laugh. Whether or not he could salvage his and Katara's relationship, he wasn't going marry any of the noblewomen at court. They were just not his type.
~Palace Garden~
The woman did nothing but write in a small journal and occasionally look up at the greenery around her. A soft smile on her lips each time she looked up followed by a somber gaze as she looked back down. Zuko didn't think much of this. It wasn't anything that would help his investigation. Nothing that would give him any leads on what was about to take place. However; lurking in the shadows above her, Zuko saw her friend that he knew was definitely the lead in the scheme to kill Katara. Lady Fumi, his father's old Mistress.
The woman held her fan over her face as she had always done, clearly grinning behind it.
"Daichi says she should be frame the same way she framed Xia. Except for her it would mean treason." The woman smirked as she lowered her fan.
Suzume rose to her feet and tilted her head to the side, "Why not just kill her ourselves?"
"You saw how she almost killed Princess Azula, do you really think we stand a chance?" Fumi told her. "Besides, we can't risk having it traced back to us. This way the Fire Lord kills her himself."
Zuko narrowed his eyes at the woman. They were going to set Katara up and have her executed.
Looking curiously at her long time friend, "And the man who'll she'll be caught with, who will he be?"
"Nobleman Shin, of course. The whole palace knows the man has an eye for her majesty." Fumi said with little care for the fact that she was literally planning the demise of two people. "Also, wasn't Shin who helped her get rid of Xia. He should share the same fate as the Fire Lady."
The Fire Prince had heard enough. Suzume and Fumi were his targets. He'd keep a lookout for any and everyone they make contact with. Names and faces, he would find them all out and stop them before they set into motion their plot.
~Near the Palace Entrance~
About to return Jee's place in the city, Zuko leapt onto a tree branch and climbed it. However; as he was about to pull himself up onto the palace walls, he heard Suzume's voice beneath him and with her voice was also Shin's. Going back to crouch on the tree branch as he watched the two.
"Fumi's planning to frame you along with Fire Lady Katara." The noblewoman said.
Shin smirked and tilted his head, "She still thinks it was her majesty that setup Xia?"
Suzume nodded.
Chuckling darkly, "That woman is an idiot and it'll be her demise."
Zuko was now confused. Whose side was Suzume on? Fumi wanted Katara dead. Shin wanted his father dead. Which was she for? His father or Katara dead?
Holding her hands over her middle, "Fumi is dear to me still but I do believe her time had come to an end. The Fire Nation and the world is overdue for a new era. Agni, have mercy on her soul." She said as she closed her eyes.
A new era? This settled something terrible in the Fire Prince's gut. He had a bad feeling about this. What was Shin up to? And just who all was involved in Shin's scheme?
…..
"You expect me to believe that this is all you're here for." Hakoda raised an eyebrow as he and a few of his close comrades looked over the Fire Lord's written plans.
Nodding his head, Ozai looked over to Katara to further explain since he wasn't up for doing any talking. The waterbender confirmed to her father that these were the plans. The Southern Water Tribe would be rebuilt, restored to its former glory but the catch was it would be Fire Nation territory. The Chieftain position would be reduced to a governor status as he would have to answer to the Fire Lord, turning the Southern Tribe into a colony. All in all, the Southern would belong to the Fire Nation and this was the peaceful way of going about it. Otherwise, the Fire Lord would just take it like he planned to do from the start.
Holding herself as she would if she was back in the Fire Nation with members of the court, "If you ask me, this is the best thing that could happen for our people." Katara said as she exhaled a little at the end after having to go over all that information.
Hakoda looked from his daughter to the Fire Lord, "So we relinquish our freedom and you don't kill us, is what you're saying?"
"No, dad, it's not li-"
Raising his hand for her to stop talking, Ozai received some nasty looks from the men across from him, "That's exactly what's being proposed. Either way, this place will be mines but you can decide how I go about taking it."
Katara looked to her husband in shock as if she didn't realize he'd actually say that. His hand moved discretely under the table to her thigh and gave her a tentative squeeze as if to tell her something without saying anything. Calming herself down as she would wait to discuss this with him later, the waterbender fell silent as her husband took the floor to speak.
"You can spare these people their lives and loved ones by agreeing to my terms willingly. Or I'll just take it by force." Ozai told the Southern Chieftain with a numb expression. "I'm offering you and your people a chance to not only survive this war but benefit in the long run."
Not taking well to the threat, Hakoda slammed his hands on the table and stared the impassive Fire Lord down. "Why would you offer something like this to us? Of all the other places you could go and grant them this kind of offer, why here?"
Smirking as he knew that question would finally come up, Ozai stood up and with him, Katara. Shang and the company of six soldiers rose too, they had been quietly watching to the side as had a few tribesmen had also been doing. Chieftain Hakoda stood too, waiting to hear whatever it was the Fire Lord was going to say.
"There is no other reason besides the fact that your daughter, my wife, is from here." Ozai took the waterbender's hand and she looked up at him again. "If she is allowed to escape the carnage of war, then why can't her people?"
Hissing through his teeth at the mention of his daughter being this man's wife, the Chieftain tore his eyes from the man and turned around, his men all looking to him as he hunched over and palmed his face. Getting ahold of himself as he collected his thoughts. Did he even have a choice? Sure, there was declining the offer but that would get all his people completely wiped out. There was really no other way other than take the offer and surrender their freedom.
Pulling himself together, Hakoda straightened his posture and took a deep breath. His eyes looked to his men that had been waiting for his decision. They all nodded their heads, knowing exactly what it was that had to be done. The decision that had to be made. The way of the Southern Tribe was survival. Any means necessary to survive. And agreeing with the Fire Lord meant survival. Even at the expense of their pride, their freedom, and their way of life.
Turning back around, Hakoda looked to his daughter, wanting to know her answer. "Katara, do you think this is the way to go? Accepting this offer."
The waterbender didn't hesitate when she nodded her head. There was no other way. She had already asked, even begged but of course, her husband was set in his ways. This was it. Her father would hopefully accept that and they could live a little bit more peaceful lives.
Blue eyes going to the Fire Lord, "The Southern Water Tribe is yours. I only ask that your men do not harass my people or bother us unless it is relative to this project of yours. We won't bother them as long as they don't bother us."
"Fair enough." Ozai said in a pleased tone as he looked to Katara and grinned. She had gotten him a step closer to obtaining his goal of world domination. He would reward her immensely for this. Not taking his eyes off of her as she looked away, "Gather all your people and have them meet in the center of the village, they need to pay their respect to their new sovereign." Hakoda clenched his fist and had his men leave out in front of him before following behind them. Just barely keeping himself from losing his temper.
Wanting the hut to himself for a moment, Ozai sent Shang a look to get his men and leave as well. Once they were alone, "Something on your mind?"
The girl shook her head.
Not buying it, "Is it what I said to your father?" She didn't even flinch as she stood there. "Your father is strong-willed but his people and his family are things he'll bend to. Threatening him was a negotiating tactic to get him yield. That is the plan. No violence. Make peace not war. That is what you told me."
Katara just stood there silently looking away from him. Lost in her thoughts.
"Is it something else?" Ozai raised an eyebrow and tried to think of what could possibly be on her mind. "That boy. You're thinking of that child, aren't you?"
The waterbender shook her head and turned to leave. She didn't want to talk at moment. She just wanted to get this over with so she could go back to the camp and lay down, her head was killing her. Not only that but since this morning, after what he told her, whispered to her in the windy winter air, it was too much for her to take in. She needed rest and lots of it.
…
"No way! You and Shin are married?!" Suki gaped at the woman through the mirror as she combed her wet hair.
Nodding her head, "We've been married ten years now."
Holy crap!
"My brother married us because he wanted me to be a part of a noble household. Or at least have the name of one. Shin is the only surviving member of his clan." Kimiko said as she closed her eyes. Telling the Kyoshi warrior the details of not only she and her husband's estranged relationship but also about how it was that he became to sole surviving member of his clan.
Suki listened to the woman talk about her marriage to the nobleman and how his family had all been wiped out. It came as a surprise when she heard it was a waterbender that murdered his entire family and clan members. Didn't know waterbenders could be cold blooded killers. Yeah, she's seen Katara fight and sometimes have to kill for the sake of protecting Aang and the cause but never like how the madam described this waterbender that wiped out an entire clan. Then Kimiko told her about how abusive her husband turned out to be. Telling her that he was the one that did this to her. Suki was shock though she shouldn't be. She never trusted Shin. Never. He was a snake. A viper. Ready to strike at any given moment. So it shouldn't be much of a surprise. However; now this knowledge only added to her suspicions and fear of the nobleman.
"Shin even knows about the White Lotus and their plans. However; he has plans of his own." Kimiko told the girl in warning. "I haven't a clue what it is he is planning but I advice you to keep away from him. He's dangerous."
I figured that. The Fire Lord was an intimidating figure. Always had been in the eyes of the world. A man to never not be feared. But then...there were people like Shin. People that was one way on the outside, unsuspecting to the blind eye, but individuals that were never known for what they were thinking or plotting in this case. Suki was now curious. There were three groups plotting literal treason. One wanted the Fire Lady gone. Two wanted the Fire Lord removed but one of those two had plans even beyond the replacement of the Fire Lord and the ushering of peace. They had a bigger agenda that remained unknown. The Kyoshi wanted to get to the bottom of this. Once she returns to Jee's, she and Zuko had a lot to talk about and a lot to plan for the near future.
Seeing that recognizable look on the young woman's face as she laid down the brush and stood, Kimiko narrowed her eyes. "Don't do anything foolish, girl."
"I won't." Suki said.
You had better not. The madam stared off at the girl as she left.
…..
"Katara, stay for a bit longer. It is hours before night, besides, your father wants you to further explain this treaty to some of the people here." Kanna came to her granddaughter and hugged her after they had been forced to take a knee to the Fire Lord.
The waterbender returned her grandmother's hug and was about to answer her but was interrupted by her husband who came up behind her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
"You're returning with me. There's plenty of time to spend with your family after we've secured more grounds with your people. But while I'm here, you can go see what it is your father wants. Here keeps staring over here."
Not dare to argue with him, Katara bowed her head and scurried off to her father whom was as her husband had stated, staring at them.
Trying to hold back his displeasure with her bowing her head to him, Ozai let her run off to her father who was eying him much like how her brother did. Snarling to himself as he got ready to turn around and leave, a hand was on his arm. Pausing, the Fire Lord looked at the brown hand and followed it to where it had come from.
"What do you want, old woman?" He barely hissed.
Kanna shook her head and sighed, "What would a man with such a foul mouth and temper want with my granddaughter?"
"That is none of your business." Ozai growled.
Smirking, "Perhaps by Fire Nation standards but in the Southern Tribe, we care deeply for our family. Which brings me back to my question, Fire Lord Ozai, what reason was there for marrying my granddaughter?" Her voice more stern.
He wasn't about to answer this woman.
"She's a beautiful girl, is that why?" Kanna looked over to Katara who was speaking with her father. "Is it because you're like the men that raided our village many many years ago and stole our women to be turned into pets? Or because you wanted to use her for your personal gain? Tell me, Fire Lord Ozai, what do you want with my granddaughter?!"
The woman practically yelling at her new sovereign. It was treasonous, a great offenses for a commoner, a lowly peasant to raise their voice to the Fire Lord but she was his wife's grandmother and he knew Katara would make good of her promise to kill him if he laid another hand on someone she loved. His reason for wanting her swollen with his seed. Give her a part of him to love that wasn't one of these filthy tribespeople. Agni, he couldn't wait to leave this place.
Keeping his eyes on Katara as the woman yelled at him about something he wasn't quite listening to. Ozai personally didn't give a rat's ass. His attention was too focused on his waterbender. Why has she been acting cold toward me, lately? Before he punished her brother, they had been at it almost every night and even some mornings. His wife would curl herself against him afterwards. Falling asleep in his arms. And he'd be left imagining what would things have been like if this war never existed and he came upon her by chance. Would she fall in love with him as he had with her? Would she have kissed him instead of run from him when he answered her question? 'What am I to you if not a tool?' His answer being something he told himself he wouldn't utter to her. Saying out loud for one was weakness and Ozai didn't take kind to weakness. But there was also anxiety. Yes, he was Fire Lord and faced many things but this was not one. Never in his life had he been so afraid to say something. But he knew. He knew she'd response like this. Wordlessly reject him. She could admit to feeling something for him, kiss him, have sex with him, and then beg for him to give her a child but she couldn't accept that she was anything more than a tool to him. At angered him. Especially when never felt this way about anyone. She should be honored. Feel privileged! The Fire Lord confessed to being in love with her and she fled as if he had raised his hand to strike her. His blood boiled.
Watching her glance at him before seeing how her expression shh away and she with her father turned to return to the hut. Ozai clenched his fist and growled to himself, "Damn her."
"Damn who? My granddaughter?" Forgetting the old woman was still in front of him.
Shit! "Mind your damn business, woman!" The Fire Lord looked down at the stocky short woman and growled.
"Then maybe you should leave without her, your majesty." Kanna addressed him as how they were now all supposed to address him. Stupid rules. This kind of crap was why she left the Northern Tribe.
Leave without Katara, was this bitter old hag serious?! "I'd burn this entire village down before I leave without her!"
"Then do it!" The old woman provoked. "Burn it down now! Because you're not taking my granddaughter with you!"
Having enough of this woman, Ozai raised his hand and flames engulfed it and he prepared to unleash his wrath onto the woman. Enraged by the image of setting sail back to the Fire Nation without his wife. But before he could strike the woman down, she suddenly burst into laughter.
Laughing so hard that her gut was about to burst, Kanna held her stomach and squeezed her eyes shut. "Oh my la, never in my life! *overtaken by the laughter* would I have thought! *laughing some more* that you! The Fire Lord would be-" The woman was about to fall in the snows
A few Fire Nation soldiers and tribespeople walked by eyeing the two in curiosity. What was going on?
Completely caught off guard and not too happy about it, Ozai dispersed the fire in his hand. "What are you talking about, woman?!"
Wiping a tear out of her eye and flicking it in much the same way her grandson did, Kanna looked at the Fire Lord in amusement. "You'd burn the entire village for one girl. One Water Tribe girl with nothing to her name. A waterbender your father tried to kill. You'd kill us all for her?"
"I'd do more than that, you wench!" Not catching onto what the woman was saying because he was so utterly pissed off.
This came as an utter surprise to the woman as she looked at the furious look on the man's face. "Then I guess my question is answered." Kanna grinned and was about to turn away to home, done with her interrogation of the Fire Lord that had married her granddaughter.
Not finished with the woman, Ozai grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. "Where the hell do you're going?" He sneered.
"Home to my family, your majesty." La, she was not going to get used to that anytime soon.
"Not until you explain yourself. What the hell was all that for?!"
Sighing, here she thought the Fire Lord was an intelligent man. "You wouldn't answer my question. At least not directly." She grinned at him widely.
This old bitch! Agni, he was going to strike her.
"You know what, your majesty? I think I might hate you a bit less."
….
After being forced to kneel with his father and tribespeople, Sokka threw his fist into the wall of ice that was their home. He couldn't believe they were now owned by the Fire Nation and worst of all, his sister supported it. While he knew she was just trying to save her people from fighting and that's all she had been trying to do all this time, it was hard seeing her side with the Fire Lord. Especially when they were not only kneeling to her husband but also her.
"Sokka, it's alright." Kanna said pulling her grandson into her arms.
The tribesman held the woman tight, feeling his world and his life was falling apart. As if the war had already been lost. The Fire Nation was just too clever and the Fire Lord was the mastermind. Manipulating his sister that literally could turn the tides of this war. That bastard! Now none of them could fight or support the war effort that was against the Fire Nation because they were now Fire Nation property. He felt sick to his stomach.
Rubbing his back, "There is still hope. Your father agreed to save our people's lives but do not think for a moment that this is over. We will triumph in the end."
Hakoda came in with his arms crossed over his chest and nodded his head, "This war is far from over. This is just to insure our people's safety. A temporary precaution. But I do plan to fight and so do the rest of my men. We will not allow the Fire Nation to get away with all they've done."
"Yeah, we're gonna kick some Fire Nation ass!" A familiar voice followed his father's and Sokka whipped his head around.
Dress in a blue tribal coat was the blind earthbender with her hood placed over her head. Sokka immediately fell out of his mope as he tore himself away from his grandmother and ran to the girl, grabbing her, he lifted her into his arms.
"Toph!" Swinging the earthbender around in his arms.
Managing to knee the tribesman in the crotch, Toph broke free of the bear hug and dusted her hands off. "Missed you too, snoozle but please don't ever do that again. Hard enough seeing with all this ice and snow on the ground. Don't need to be completely blind."
Wincing in pain as he held himself, "H-how did you get he-"
"Ah, we got here by the Avatar's flying bison of course." Iroh entered with Aang, both of them hooded.
"Aang! Gramps!" The tribesman was so happy to see them that he totally forgot that he was in pain.
Laughing at his friend that was rolling around on the floor, Aang held his arms out for a hug as Sokka got up but the tribesman had no intentions to embrace him. Disheartened by this, the Avatar dropped and pouted. "How does Toph get a hug but not me."
Sokka shrugged his shoulders as Iroh leaned to the young monk, "It would seem Miss. Bei Fong is the exception." The old man chuckled.
"Anyway…" Sokka really wanting his previous question answered. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Well you see snoozle, there's not a place in the world that the Fire Nation doesn't have soldiers trying to colonize it except for here. At least that was the case." Toph said as she took a seat on the rug in the middle of the main room of the hut.
Aang went to take a seat beside her and sighed, "yeah, but this is the only place we know to come that the people won't rat us out if they know who we are."
Sure, that made sense or whatever but at the moment with the Fire Lord not even ONE MILE from here, it was an insane idea! What the hell was wrong with them? If Aang gets caught, there would be no way they could save the world. No way! His home would belong to the Fire Nation. His sister would continue to belong to the Fire Lord. And everyone around the world would suffer an even greater deal.
Digging in her ear, "I'm gonna need you to cool it, Snoozle. Whatever you're getting all worked up for, either speak up or chill the fuck out."
Kanna shook her head at the foul mouth girl, even the Fire Lord didn't use that kind of language with me. Though she knew he wanted to. The old woman removed herself from the main room and went off to her room within the hut.
"She's right young tribesman, you look more run over than a boiling pot of tea." Iroh placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Balling his fist as he clenched his teeth, "You all are idiots! Don't you know he's here?!"
"He? Who he?" Toph tilted her head to the side along with Aang and Iroh.
Seriously about to lose it at how clueless they were. "I got kidnapped by Azula and taken to her father! Is it not somehow strange to you all that I'm here instead of in the Fire Nation."
All three of them scratched their chins and thought for a moment.
"You kicked the Fire Lord's ass and broke free!" Toph offered.
Not sounding believable, "You pulled a fast one on Azula and escaped before she handed you over to her father." Aang said.
Highly unlikely, "My brother had no use for you and therefore got rid of you."
Actually that's sort of spot on, Sokka inwardly raised an eyebrow at how intuitive the old man was for his age. But no. That still wasn't quite what he was trying to get across to them.
Using his hands to explain as he spoke, though this would do no good for one the members that couldn't see, so he would break it down as best he could. "I was captured. *A break* Azula took me to her father. *Another break* Her father saw me as useless and decided to let me go. *One more break* He then sent me here himself." Speaking as slow as he could do that would get it.
"That's what I said!" Iroh waved his hand to the tribesman as he looked at Aang with a grin. He was right.
Slapping her hand on the former general's back, "Way to go, you still got it, gramps!"
Damn It! That's not my point!
Seeing that his son utterly fail at explaining himself, Hakoda stepped and told them. Plainly. "Fire Lord Ozai is here. Actually he was just here the village not long before I called you all here."
The three of them had their mouths wide open. The Fire Lord...here? In the South Pole? What for?
"What?! This was a terrible idea! Why the hell we come here?!" Toph yelled.
Sokka palmed himself as the girl spoke. That's what he was trying to get at but they wouldn't let him get there. La, I give up.
…..
Having received more reports from his daughter's progress in the Earth Kingdom, Ozai sat at the low table as his wife bathed herself and got ready for bed. He planned to be up all night. Not only to write his daughter back but to figure out what the first step to reconstruction he should take.
Walking with a towel around her naked body, Katara had her hair down as she saw that her husband was sitting at the low table reading no doubt another letter from his daughter. His daughter. She told herself. His with someone else. Katara started wondering about his first wife, Ursa, the mother of his two children. Did he love her? Feel anything at all for her. Was he kind to her? Nicer to her. Willing to do anything for her. Unable to shake the feeling in her gut as she shed her towel and pulled on her pale blue nightgown.
Climbing into bed, the waterbender looked over at her husband again and laid on her side just staring at him. I'm in love with him, aren't I? That's what I've been trying to tell you but you never listen to me.Then she was doomed. If she was in love with him, then she was as good as dead when all this was said and done. No way she could change his mind or heart. No way she could stop those that rebelled from killing him. She was stuck between her heart and her duty. Even more than before. With what he told her and seeing that little boy, in her head flashed a scene. A child in her arms. The crown of a prince or princess in their hair. Her husband gazing down at her and the child proudly. Her heart swelled at the visual. La, she would give anything for that but could she have that and a war free world. Of course, but only if she helped the Fire Lord get what he wanted. Once she gave him the world then he'd want for nothing else but her. And his words to her this morning would be made true. They could rule together and raise whatever children they had. Sounds like a plan, Katara. It does...doesn't it? Her eyes flashed a dim glow for a moment before returning to their original appearance.
Starting to write out the month's schedule as far as beginning the process of reconstruction, Ozai noticed that the unoccupied space beside him now had his wife sitting it on her knees. Her hair swept back, the straps of her nightgown hanging off both shoulders, and her hand reaching out to his. He stopped his quill as her hand laid upon his. Gold eyes looking down at the mocha complexion that contrasted beautifully with his. Agni, what did she want? There were things he needed to take care of, he didn't need her distracting him, though he had hoped she finally speak to him. The entire way back, she said nothing. Nothing at all. After the meeting with her father, his waterbender refused to say a word. Even when his general, Shang had made a comment about her that he thought no one heard. Instead of saying something in retaliation as he had hoped she would, Katara didn't even seem to react in anyway to it. She just clinged to his arm like a child would a parent. It was never a good thing when she was like this, he recognized from his previous experiences that this meant the calm before the storm with her.
"What is it?" He asked.
Moving in closer, "Are you not coming to bed?"
Damn it, he knew it. He knew he wasn't going to end up getting any work done tonight. The waterbender was trying to lure him to bed with her much like a Siren would lure sailors to their death and he wasn't going to refuse her. No but he did wish to finish a few things before he took her to bed.
"Just let me get some of this done and I'll be right there." Ozai told her as he shook her hand off of his.
Not liking his answer or the fact that he seemed so absorbed in the letter from Azula, Katara pouted and stood up. Fine, be that way. I'm not even in the mood for that! Who are you kidding? You'd jump him right now if you knew he wouldn't throw you off of him. Yeah, well I'm not in the mood anymore! *Siren rolls her eyes* All the more a reason to give him the world and get pregnant. Then his only focus will be on you and your child. Not this war and that bratty bitch Azula! What a petty reason to switch sides but what was a girl to do when it was clear she was second in the life of the man she was in love with. Perhaps even lower than that.
The waterbender walked back to bed and laid down into it. I bet he loved her. Ursa. Loved her enough to put down his work and be with her if she called him to bed. Of course, he would. Ursa was a proper Fire Nation woman. Highborn. Beautiful from what she heard and graceful. Everything a man like the Fire Lord would desire. But Katara on the other hand, she wasn't any of that. She was a lot less proper. A Water Tribe peasant as his people and both his children had liked to call her. Nowhere near as beautiful as many of the Fire Nation women she had seen. Not even better looking than his concubines. And she was anything but graceful when she wasn't bending at least. Falling into a jealous depression, Katara drifted off, the last thought in her mind was that he lied to her. He lied. Thinking back to this morning when he told her in just a few words what she was to him. La, she had wanted to believe him now even though the moment he said it to her, she instantly knew it was a lie. Or so she thought.
As his wife drifted off while he was busy setting up his plans for their future or more so hers, having long put down his letter from Azula to focus on this, Ozai started placing Katara's name down for her to oversee the new colony of the Fire Nation. The Southern Water Tribe. He had gain it in the name of his country but was giving it to her as a gift. A gift for her hand in helping him successfully obtain more for his nation and doing so with ease. A gift that was from a husband to his wife that he had come to love as much as his greed loved to take possession of things.
If only he knew. A tear fell from her eyes as Katara fell asleep with her heart torn to pieces. Believing it was only her that loved in this peculiar relationship of theirs. However; if only she knew that her feelings were returned tenfold. When was it ever that a notoriously prideful and selfish man ever gave up anything to anyone? And yet, here was a man of those qualities wanting to share everything of his with her.
….
"Are you sure?" A member of the Lotus asked Fire Sage Lao after they had all finish discussing the future moves of their secret organization.
Nodding his head as he wore a stern look, "There is little option we have in all this. We practically handed over our greatest weapon to the Fire Lord. We have no other choice but to go through with this."
Agni have mercy on all their souls. Things were about to get rotten. Extremely rotten.
"Maybe you shouldn't have slipped that plant into her drinks." Shin appeared out of nowhere as he casually strolled toward the two men. "Trying to enhance her already potent power. Now look at what that thing has done to her. Drew her to him as much as it drew him to her."
Lao looked with great disdain at the nobleman, "These are not your affairs to meddle in, Nobleman."
"Oh but they are." He stopped short just in front of them. The Fire Sage sent his fellow member a look to leave so that he could speak with Shin.
As the White Lotus member left, Lao narrowed his eyes at the noble. "Afraid from your previous experience with a Siren, Shin?"
"Far from it." Shin smirked.
Not liking the look on the younger man's face, Lao held his hands behind his back and turned around. "The waterbender was an unnurtured lily that needed to realize her full potential. We noticed her reluctance to get close to the Fire Lord, she kept fighting it, fighting him, fighting her purpose. And so we did what must be done."
Shin narrowed his eyes. The Fire Lord thought it was Fumi that was responsible for the poisoning of the Fire Lady and while she had a part in it, she wasn't alone. The White Lotus knew the elixir, a certain breed of nightshade that worked aggressively in the host's body, would force the creature within the waterbender to come forth. Forcing such a creature into its own consciousness usually ended in disaster but they were willing to take that risk. Now the creature a profound influence on the girl and it backfired on them.
"You shouldn't have used that girl to begin with." The noble was quite fond of the waterbender and then there was also the issue that there was someone who he worked with or rather, worked for that wanted the girl alive.
Unashamed of his decision, "I take full responsibility for what has become of the waterbender and in doing so, I must fix the mistake I have made."
"By deposing of her?"
"No, by relieving her of her duties."
Smirking, "Isn't that the same thing to you Lotus members?"
Shaking his head, "No. One, she'll die with honor. The other, is not a merciful or gentle fate. We will make sure that she goes down as a martyr for the cause."
Sick bastards. Not that he had room to speak but Shin needed that girl alive for his own cause. He wouldn't let the Lotus or the nobles touch the waterbender. His true master would be greatly upset if the waterbender was killed.
…..
A/N:
Damn! The royal couple is in for the fight of their lives when they return! Three groups after them! Oh, and Who the HELL does Shin work for? And what is their goal?
Also, I just love how Kanna gives no fucks that Ozai is the Fire Lord, just speaks her mind. I just picture she'd be that type of woman since you know she fled from the north because she was just to boss to let people dictate her life. And Ozai being upset that Katara doesn't acknowledge is feelings is sort of adorable to me because you'd expect him not care but you remember he's human, so he does care. Lol
Remember Katara was poisoned? Bet you thought it was Fumi's idea till now, huh? White Lotus isn't all that righteous you come to find out. They technically did this to Katara. The whole Siren being the one in control half the time. Hope there's a way for the waterbender to get her dominance back.
And Suki and Kimiko...finally getting along? Yay! Wonder what this will mean when the fighting starts?