ALright my friends. So, hopefully I have explained what's happening until I have turned blue in the face...or until my fingers have bled from typing. I hope that you understand now what is happening, and hope that you will enjoy it. Because I promise, it will be nothing like the first. There will be some events that stay the same, but in all truth, nothing will be the same as it once was. So, enough of my babbling, enjoy!
The ride back to the palace was tiring and uneventful. The ropes had weathered cuts into the flesh tender flesh of Katara and Yue's wrists, blood staining the small fibers of the rope.
Katara's fingers wrapped around the lengthy strand that was tied to the carriage, hoping to relieve some of the pain that was caused by the pull, alas it did very little.
As they continued to drag behind the carriage, another pulled up beside them filled. Giggles reached their ears, causing both to turn and see who resided in the carriage. Few of the several women giggled hysterically as the conversed with one another, but the faces that Katara and Yue were able to see, were faces that paled from weary traveling and dull green eyes that drooped in sadness. Katara was able to make one of them out as Jin and she knew where they were headed to.
The conversation reached Katara and Yue's ears, those who spoke were loud and obnoxious.
"I hear that the Fire Lord's son and daughter are looking for several new concubines for their father's harem. Apparently three of the previous concubines either died or ran away or their services were no longer needed," one girl sneered. Katara's eyes darted over to Jin as she sat there, glaring out the window. Her eyes widened in fear as the words dripped from the girl's mouth with venom and distain.
Katara lipped something to Jin, hoping she would be able to understand her, "It will be alright, I promise," Jin slowly shook her head in disbelief, this was how Katara knew her message had gotten to her.
"I know! And I am so excited! I heard that they are already selecting girls for Prince Zuko's harem and that he needs at least four other girls," the three giggled at the thought, "he is so handsome!" they laughter roared profusely from the carriage.
'It was terrifying the first time,' Katara mused to herself as she continued to pace behind the carriage, listening to their conversation, 'but now, now it's just annoying!'
"Oh I know!" a voice interjected.
"I hope that we serve him and not his father," another whispered, but Katara could still hear them, "I hear that he beats his women and honestly I think I am far too young for his taste," she muttered.
"He is into the exotic and foreign women," one slurred and Katara glanced up as Jin's already paled face paled even more and her eyes widened to the point that Katara could see the white that surrounded her pupils.
Before any more words were spoken, the carriage containing the girls came to a halt while Katara and Yue's carriage continued down the cobble stone roads. Their words became nothing but blurred murmurs and with a quick glance over her shoulder, Katara saw as Jin leaned out the window of the carriage, her eyes following Katara's fleeting image.
As they slowly continued down the road, Katara could hear the guards barking orders loud enough to reach her own ears, "Alright you! Get out of the carriage!"
Katara sighed deeply as they continued to walk in silence behind the carriage like cattle. This was far more humiliating than the last time!
The ride was calming, here and there they would hear the occasional whispers and giggles of tawdry girls that past by the carriage. The taunting whispers of the two exotic barbarian women that were tied to the end, being dragged through the streets and then there was the everyday commotion and bustle of everyday life.
Zuko loved taking the path through the market on his way back to the palace. It gave him the chance to see his people, to see what kind of life they lead. It was a liberating experience for him whenever he found himself roaming the streets.
"So, which of the sultry whores are you choosing Zuzu?" Azula snapped, catching his attention.
His golden eyes narrowed dangerously as he glared her way, "How many times do I have to tell you, stop calling me that," he warned, "Zula?"
Her gaze flickered over to him, taking her concentration off her nails once more, "Sorry, Zuko," she sneered.
Zuko hummed snobbishly for a moment before smirking a wicked smirk her way, in such manner it was like a child sticking out it's tongue in defiance, "I accept your must gracious and humble apology," he paused, "Azula."
Iroh couldn't help but chuckle at his niece and nephew from time to time. Most always they got along rather well, but it was when they would trudge up those old childhood names did the fire and lighting come out.
"You two," Iroh warned in a joking matter, "calm yourselves," he stated, feeling as the carriage come to a graceful halt, "we're home."
The jerking motion of the carriage halted, giving both Katara and Yue a moment of relief. But their small joy was shortly ended as the Prince rounded the carriage, his eyes burning with desire.
But it wasn't a desirable look that Katara was familiar with. No, this was a crazed and deranged gaze, his eyes gave away his emotion for desire, his desire for something not of the flesh, but blood. The look he beheld frightened Katara. This wasn't the Zuko she knew, this was a crazed maniac.
But all the same, she remained silent, her heart thrashing wildly against her ribs. She was afraid. Afraid of what may come to pass, afraid of this alternate version of Zuko, afraid of what may lie beyond the gates of the palace. There were various situations that she began to fear, so many in fact that she couldn't even list them all even if she wanted to. She didn't know what would become of her, but she knew one thing for certain.
This was her destiny. The spirits will this to happen and in doing so allowed her a second chance at life, to fix the mistakes made in a time where error was furthest from all minds. Not only was she to keep Zuko from death, but she was to change the course of history itself…only she didn't even fathom that yet.
Suddenly she felt a flash of heat braze her flesh, causing her to flinch slightly.
Her eyes ran down to her hands, the rope had all but burned away leaving her cuffed in the metal cuff links once more.
"My father wishes to have an audience with you," Zuko stated formally. His hands reaching out, cuffing chains to both Yue and Katara's cuff links, "this way," he motioned before tossing the chains off to two guards.
"Let's go," one murmured as he jerked on Katara's chain. She followed in silence with Yue at her side.
Katara remembered the first time she had met Ozai. She remembered how distant and cold he was, how his hard stare struck her dead in her steps, how when he was no longer surrounded by his courts, he was a passionate, tender man. She found herself burning with desire…which bothered her, but she would not deny it. When he had tried to take her that first night, though her mind and heart screamed in refusal, her body did not seem to agree. The body wants what the body wants…but she wouldn't give into such nonsense. And she never did…only now, what would he do if she refused? Would he even take her as he tried to before or would he throw her and Yue in the dungeons to await execution?
So many questions with endless possibilities! Would such madness ever end?
As Katara allowed herself to be consumed by her thoughts, she was too far into her mind that she didn't even realize that she stood before the very man her thoughts had wrapped around. Nor did she hear Zuko's soothing voice or the roar of the walled flames as her identity was revealed. She was in a haze on that would soon be broken.
"Katara!" Yue's voice called to her from the void of her mind.
Her eyes fluttered somewhat as they adjusted to the exposure of the dimmed lighting, before she could gasp in horror she felt a hand wrap around her wrist pulling her down to the ground. Gravity helping her all the more while.
Katara glared over at Yue, watching as her slender fingers released their grip around her wrist slithering back towards her head as she bowed knowingly to the man hidden behind the wall of flames.
Her heart began to flutter as she turned her head, picking it up somewhat to meet the cruel and unchanging gaze of the Fire Lord.
'Ozai,' she thought to herself as she quickly dropped her head, burying it into the cool marble floor.
Her heart pounded wildly as she heard muffled conversation, footsteps that echoed from the furthest side of the room, booming louder and louder as they approached.
'He's coming,' she thought to herself, her began pounding louder than before, she felt if she opened her mouth it would have gone tumbling out, revealing how truly scared she was in this moment.
A pale hand reached out, Katara held her breath as it passed over her, reaching out instead for Yue's chin, guiding it up slowly, "What do we have here?" his voice was firm, layered with a velvety tone…just like before, but there was something else, something Katara couldn't quite place.
She listened as he instructed Yue to rise, she could see from the corner of her eye as he ran the pads of his fingers across her cheek, the shivering sensation that emerged from Yue's body at the touch and how he gently brushed back her matted locks.
He sighed, "You must be Princess Yue," he stated, pulling his hand away from her delicate features, it was then Katara felt his eyes upon her.
'Please,' she whispered to herself, feeling as his hand reached downward, grazing over her chocolate locks.
"And this must be…" he trailed off as Katara felt his hand run through her hair, slowly seeking her chin.
When he had lifted her head, their eyes met and Katara felt herself go insane once more. Her body screaming for him, her heart skipping several beats as she saw the desire much unlike Zuko's in his eyes.
Clamping her eyes shut, Katara felt herself being pulled from the floor, she didn't want to go through this again…it caused to much pain for her, awkwardness for each other…and it made her body wish to do crazed things with him when she knowingly did not seek such attentions from him.
Opening her eyes Katara noticed that he continued to stare into her eyes and she felt herself suddenly redden in the face.
"Your name?" he asked gently.
"Katara," she shifted her gaze from his, glancing towards Zuko and Azula, "my lord."
Ozai nodded, taking a step or two back from the two females before him, "What is your title Katara?" he asked, his voice became stern and placid.
Yue already had things sorted out in her own mind. She cleared her throat, urging Katara to remain silent, "My lord," her voice was like soothing waters, calling the Fire Lord to her.
"Yes?" he asked, his eyes never leaving Katara's face.
"Katara is my personal guard," Yue bowed her head, "she is here for my protection."
Ozai chuckled, "For your protection?" he approached Katara, his hand reaching out twirling her locks between his fingers, "What could she possibly do? She looks rather harmless."
Yue smirked, Katara caught her gaze and couldn't help but swallow hard, "Harmless until provoked, my lord."
Katara was baffled. What in Tui's name was Yue doing?!
Ozai's fingers stilled in her hair, she flickered her eyes back to read his features and she could tell that a challenge had been made.
'Oh Tui, help me,' she thought as she felt his rough calloused fingers pull from her locks.
"I see," his broad back turned to her, "very well," he made his way back towards his throne, all the while remaining silent. Katara couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking, she couldn't help but feel dread rush through her body when he sat and turned to face her, the façade of a Fire Lord written across his features.
"Princess Yue," his voice boomed loudly, causing a shrilling sensation to travel down Katara's spine, "you are hereby declared an honored guest of the Fire Nation," he bowed his head slightly acknowledging her, "and as for your guard," he paused, Katara could see how his eyes narrowed slightly, she could see the fire dancing off his pupils, "she will be training with our Elite benders. I'm sure they would love to test their skills against a waterbender," it wasn't truly an invitation, more so an order than anything else.
But Katara sighed in relief, at least she was not forced into prostitution as before. But how did he know that she was a waterbender? Before she had hidden her skills well until she had been discovered by Zuko.
Ozai could see Katara's utter confusion and only chuckled as he began, "We know who you are," his voice was calming, but his domineer was terrifying by the way the fire caste shadows across his face, "you are the master waterbenders of the Avatar, are you not?"
Again Yue spoke, "I am my lord," she glanced over at Katara, begging her to remain silent with a single glance, "Katara was merely a sparring partner, nothing more."
"But I heard that it was two waterbending masters that trained the Avatar, another Princess if I stand correct," his brow raised slightly as he eyed Katara once more.
Yue nodded, "Aye my lord, another Princess did in fact teach the Avatar," she paused for a moment, as if stricken with grief her features began to sullen, "Princess Kiara, my lord."
Ozai leaned forward, Zuko and Azula turned to face her, but Iroh merely kept his head bowed, listening to Yue's words.
"Princess Kiara?" Ozai questioned.
Yue nodded, "Yes my lord."
"I have not heard of a Princess Kiara, pretell me what has become of her?"
There was a slight pause in speech, Katara too wanted to know what had happened to this supposed Kiara, but remained silent and vigilant, "She was killed my lord while protecting the Avatar."
Silence.
Katara's eyes slowly traveled across the way, gazing up at Ozai as a complex feature captured his expression, "I see," he trailed off softly.
Again there was silence, but soon such silence was broken when Ozai rose from his throne parting the fire, "As I said before, Princess Yue you are our honored guest. I'm sure that if you were of any meaning to the Avatar, let alone your husband," he now stood before them, Katara fought every urge she had to reach over and slap this arrogant man, but Yue remained still, "they will find a way here," his hand reached out, cupping her chin with his forefinger, "wouldn't you agree?"
Yue remained silent. She knew Sokka would come, for she had already seen it, lived it. But he would come too late. And it was fine with her. Her destiny lied elsewhere amongst the heavens, for now she would be here to help Katara in any way that she could…even if it meant dealing with this wretched man.
"I assure you my lord, they will come."
Katara swallowed hard. Last time her brother had come, Zuko had proposed to her then forced her from his nation in order to protect her. She sighed softly, hoping that it would go unnoticed.
"Well, until then, please make yourself at home, Princess," his voice dripped with distain as he spoke to Yue, but Katara knew that somewhere, deep inside of him was a loving, caring man…she just had to figure out what it would take now to reveal that side of him.
Yue cast her gaze to the floor, bowing simply before Ozai brushed past her, his hand caressing Katara's back as he passed by, "You as well, Katara."
A chill whirled down her spine, "Oh La!" she whispered harshly under her breath.
It didn't seem like much had changed when it came to his intentions. But she knew that if she was able to hold him off before, she could hold him off now.
And with that, Ozai had left them, whispering off orders to his children before leaving.
Both siblings looked at one another before glancing at Katara and Yue, disgust and agitation written across their faces. How their eyes slowly examined each of the girls from head to toe and for some reason Katara felt naked.
Azula yawned as she made her way over towards Yue, "Come on," her hands lashed out at the cufflinks round Yue's wrists, "you wreak," her nose scrunched up in disgust as she pulled Yue along.
Katara's heart began to hammer, what about her?!
Suddenly a hand shot out, grazing her shoulder. She could feel the pads digging into her flesh and she couldn't help but gasp in surprise, "Let's go," it was Zuko.
He lead her down a corridor that she had taken many a times while here. He was taking her to the barracks where the elite soldiers stayed, where they trained and she couldn't help but praise La, 'So much better than being a concubine!'
Though she had been kept away from prostitution, she couldn't help but fear for Yue. What was to become of her?
"This is where you'll be staying," Zuko's voice called to her, pulling her from her thoughts, "if you try anything they will be given orders to not hesitate killing you," his fingers dug deeper into her tender flesh at the nape of her neck, his eyes narrowed as he voiced his threat.
Katara merely nodded, wincing slightly at the pain, "I understand."
"Good," his grip slackened as he proceeded to lead her into the barracks where he began introducing her to the men.
With every beginning there is an ending, where there is an ending, a new beginning awaits. Katara knew this was her new beginning, a second chance at making things right and the opportunity to finally put an end to her suffering.
So, what do you think? A tad bit different yes? Trust me, it does get better and the pace will pick up...just not on the romance for a bit. So, please leave your comments, I love hearing such diverse conversation!