A/N: Many, many thanks to all who took the time to review, especially in more than one sentence ;-) Love hearing from you guys!
In response to reviews from Chapter 27:
Demonpie17: I read from chapter 1 to this chapter in 2hrs...whoop!Dark Aang is so creepy, so unlike his child like nature that he always has around him. It's so sad, but thrilling in a way to see him like that. Not like I take pleasure in people being all creepy and stuff, I'm just trying to say it's so cool.
Holy fucking spirits you are going to kill me! Those demons are scaring the shit out of me, I swear they are the most abnormal things ever! I'm so intrigued with the paranormal and you my friend are good with the paranormal ;)
I really love this story because of the twist in the pairing. I'd never expect a KataraxOzai shipping, that it so cool! At first, I was a little unsure about the pairing but as I read on and the story exelled, I really started enjoying it and it intrigued (spelling of intrigued?) me to no end :)
Make out scene say whaaaaaaaaaat! I almost screamed, but then remembered my parents really hate it *sheepish*I will be looking forward to the next update, no doubt about it :)
= = = Wow, 2 hours? That's impressive! So glad you liked it that much :) I'm happy the demons scared you because that was kinda the point and I honestly haven't written anything scary before in my life, so I'm glad it came through. As for the pairing, I'm sure it's turned a few people off but it's been really fun to explore the possibilities. Plus, let's face it – Ozai is hot as hell which just adds to the fun :) As for your comment on the makeout scene – listen to your parents. You may think they're lame but they have the best in mind for you. No need to rush into anything like that – you've got your whole life. Okay getting off my soapbox now ;-) I hope you keep reading and reviewing.
JuiceKingBlah: Aw, darn it! Is this the end for them?! Please no! :'( MY HEARTS IS SHATTERING FOR THEM. GO TO THE LIGHT OZAI! GO! BEFORE DARK AANG DECORATES BUILDINGS WITH YOUR GUTS AND YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO APOLOGIZE TO KATARA. D: Good chapter by the way and keep up with the good work! *Pushes Katara and Ozai into a room so they would make up*
= = = Haha "decorates buildings with your guys." Nice visual ;-) Thanks for your consistent reviews! Much appreciated!
Guest: Fascinating chapter! The way you described Katara's panic at the beginning and then at the end the terror, when they faced the creature was amazing! I was so into the scene that I didn't realise the blue glowing was in fact healing until I read it! ( by the way brilliant idea). And the makeout scene, trust me, it was great! Ozai felt guilt and regret! Wow! I hope he will come to his senses and approach her again!
= = =Wow, thank you, I'm so glad you were into it! Hope you keep reading :)
Wondergirl75: This is the first fanfiction I have reviewed in years, literally. And all I can say is I love it! I love the conflict Aang is going through - using the Energy Bending from the season 3 finale, where Aang was almost consumed by Ozai's evil ways, to explain why he is acting so different from his normal character is absolutely brilliant. But, of course, the Katara x Ozai conflict is what I really, really, REALLY love about this story. I love the whole Stockholm Syndrome thing on Katara's part and the fact that Ozai is having conflicting thoughts on his own feelings for her. I looked it up and apparently there have been cases in real life where an Abductor starts to have feelings for/sympathize with his/her Abductee - it's called "Lima Syndrome". Just thought that was an interesting bit of information.
Anyway, great story and awesome writing. You are one of the few fanfiction writers I have come across lately that actually seems to PROOFREAD their stories/chapters before posting them. All I can say is, THANK YOU!
Update soon!
= = = Wow, I'm blushing. What an awesome compliment. It's feedback like this that keeps me writing :) I can't thank you enough for taking the time to write such a thorough review. People like you are my favorite, haha. So glad you've enjoyed it so far and love the pairing. And that is really interesting about the Lima Syndrome, I hadn't heard of that before. Thanks for the little tidbit. I hope you keep reading and reviewing!
LadyRavenclaw96: Great chapter! Things are really starting to pick up, the scenes were very intense. I admire how you describe the action, I could picture it happening. It was quite creepy though! Which is a good thing though, the horror was shown well. Gosh, that creature would scare anyone, I like how the two manage it. The Ozai/Katara scene was perfect ;) nothing was overdone, but I also approve how you show their conflicted feelings(other fics I've read the characters just do everything as if nothing else matters) they are well developed characters who also think with their mind, despite what their hearts are telling them though! I can relate to and feel for the character in your story. The metaphors you have used in this chapter are lovely and poetic, the greatest analogy was when Katara healed the creature of the darkness inside it, that dialogue had such double meaning to it haha! And I feel it polarises what Aang is going through meanwhile, except it's the opposite way with the darkness engulfing him. Now, let's see what the gaang is up to...
You're seriously a talented and awesome writer :)
= = = I'm glad you liked the mini horror story :) And that you appreciated the makeout scene. I was a little hesitant, but it was fun to write. Yes, I love metaphors/symbolism and glad to see you picked up on them. Thank you SO much for this awesome, thorough review!
Luna de Papel: Did you know there's a forest in Japan where people go to take their lives? I learned of it recently and - obviously - thought of this story.
And while the creature didn't ask for help, it was helped... not to mention that was one hot make out scene. I hated Ozai going back to being a bastard, but we knew he hasn't yet given up his original plan, so it's not a surprise. Will he be able to give up Katara when the time comes? What will Aang do?
Is it too early to beg for an update? :D
= = = Matter of fact, I did know of this forest, but only found out about it recently. I had planned to write the mountains this way beforehand, but after I read about that forest I definitely let it color some of my inspiration. What an awful, horrible, tragic, creepy place and it's not like you can close your mind to it after reading a story – it's real! Shew, anyway… Glad you liked the makeout scene. And yeah, Ozai's a bastard again, but we all knew he still had it in him. Thank you so much for the awesome review and I hope you keep reading!
A brilliant blue light shot into the sky from somewhere in the distance, illuminating the mountains and glistening off the snow, a curtain of sapphire in the morning fog. Zuko's hands went limp on his bag as he prepared to set out. His eyes shot between the rest of his friends. They shared the same knowing gaze.
Katara.
It had to be. Jamming into their bags whatever was left, they tore through the snow and ice in the direction of the light. Zuko's legs were on fire, burning as they fought through the thick snow drifts. Cold air cut in and out of his dry, aching lungs. But none of that mattered. He willed his body forward, faster, with everything he had.
They ran, hour after hour, as daylight dissolved the shadows and still there was nothing to show for their pursuit except depleted bodies and sunken hearts. Finally breath abandoned his lungs and Zuko bowled over, clutching a knot in his side. He gasped for air and grudgingly slowed to a halt, looking around. He was so sure they had gone in the right direction. But if that were true, surely they would have seen some sign of their trail.
As though fate itself guided his eyes, a fleeting glance over his shoulder was drawn to a tell-tale sign of a disturbance in the snow. A violent one from the looks of it. Deep trenches wove through the snow in a chaotic fashion, spattered with red. One large area in particular had been cleared of snow, revealing flattened ferns peaking out of the stony earth. She had fought hard. His throat tightened. Did she make it out alive? Closer inspection revealed two sets of footprints winding away from the scene.
"They were here," he pointed toward the tangle of chaos in the snow. "Looks like they're headed down the mountain."
"Oh, thank the spirits," Suki sighed. "I can't wait to get out of here."
"Save your thanks until we put the mountain to our backs. We have a ways to go yet."
Ozai jammed a foot past feeling into a crack, praying it would hold him. Much longer and his fingers would be too numb to grip the icy rock, much less contain the strength to fight the bitter crosswinds. The faint ray of hope at annihilating that demon had been short lived. Adding insult to injury, the last leg of their descent proved unequivocally the most grueling, punishing. Damn near hopeless. It was an almost vertical decline for as far as he could see with very few places to anchor himself. Throwing in the stony terrain slick with ice and snow, and he could smell death waiting for them, hear the mountain's sinister cackle on the wind.
Beside him, Katara cried out as her foot slipped, clawing at the mountain as loose rocks gave out beneath her. Ozai scarcely managed to grab her wrist before she fell out of reach, almost losing hold himself. Finding a small crevice, she latched on, knuckles white, and dragged in air. Her eyes rose to his and he could see the fear. The despair. He understood. It threatened to break him too. His eyes fell from hers and happened to land on a generous ledge jutting from the cliff less than a hundred feet below. He nudged Katara and directed her gaze.
"If we reach that landing," he shouted over the wind, "we can rest for a little while. Get some food in our stomachs. Regain our strength."
Katara took a gulp of air and nodded, eyes squeezed shut.
Steeling himself to continue their climb down, he stopped at a strange sensation in the rock beneath his hands. He almost thought he had imagined it, the faint vibrating, but Katara's face told him she felt it too. The vibrating rose quickly to rumbling. Ozai's stomach clenched. He looked up to see thick cloud of white swallowing the trees high up the mountain, careening toward them. From his awe-slackened mouth, he couldn't form the word that knit itself in his mind. Avalanche.
He tore his eyes away and locked onto Katara. All he could manage was one word.
"Go!"
Ice and rock slashed at his body as he half-slid, half-climbed down the mountain, struggling to maintain his grip. The rumbling wall of snow barreled down the mountain after them, uprooting centuries-old trees with the ease of a broom sweeping leaves off a stoop. Ozai's cloak caught on a dagger of stone, jarring him to a halt. He spun around to yank it free, daring a glance up at the hissing, cracking mass of snow. It was moving so fast. His cloak jerked loose with a sharp rip.
The biting tang of cedar and pine penetrated the air as huge chunks of snow rained down, pummeling their bodies. One struck Ozai's shoulder and threw him off balance. He clawed for handholds, the cruel fingers of exposed roots gouging him as he plummeted down, several feet, until his hands caught on a toothy outcropping. His palms sliced against the jagged edge, but he hardly noticed the pain. Trees splintered above as the avalanche ripped down the mountain. There was no escaping it. Their only hope was whatever shelter they might find under that ledge.
Ozai glanced down. It was almost within reach now. Below him, Katara shielded her head as a large mass of snow came reeling down, and then a shower of small rocks. Against the ragged skin of his hands, he thrust himself down the mountain. A chunk of falling ice sliced through his pants and into the skin of his leg. Ozai howled through clenched teeth but didn't stop. He propelled himself lower, lower, until finally his feet touched down on a flat sheet of rock.
Just as Katara lowered herself down, the mountain began to quake harder, violently. Ozai snatched her to him and dragged her beneath the lip of the ledge. Too quickly, his back rammed into a cold fist of stone and he blinked, looked behind him. It wasn't deep enough. There wasn't enough cover. The avalanche would swallow them like a maelstrom and sunder them apart. His wide eyes darkened as death loomed, thick and heavy in the air.
And then the world was erased, a flash of blueish white and then a wall of dark indigo as snow barreled down in a torrent past their shelter. Heavy white thundered in and he felt the weight of it against their bodies, thrashing him back against the rock, smothering. Katara turned into him with a scream and he wrapped his arms around her, steeling himself for their tomb of ice. But the strangled air grew thinner and the thundering more muted. Ozai cracked open his eyes and his mouth went slack.
Katara still clung to him, her face burrowed in his chest, but she held her arm extended, hand splayed wide, shaking with fear and duress. He watched as the violent surge of snow bent to her will like potter's clay, fanning out in a river of white past their ledge. Snow, ice, and rock roared over them and he could feel her body trembling to contain it. She groaned into his chest, from fear or pain he couldn't tell.
"Katara…!" he bellowed over the uproar.
Her head rose at his voice. Risking a glance over her shoulder, she gasped at the display of her power. Had she not thought herself capable? She turned around slowly, bringing her other arm up for better control. The avalanche was slowing now. As the last of it cascaded down, Katara took a deep breath and shot her arms out, swooping them down in a graceful arc. And then they went slack and she stumbled back, falling to the cold stone floor. She gasped for breath on hands and knees as Ozai stepped to the edge of their overhang and looked down. The once jagged mountain was smoothed by a thick white blanket. He drew a breath as he realized what she had done.
"You leveled a path down the mountain," he murmured, almost to himself. "A path… out of that damn avalanche." A choke of laughter escaped him. "We actually have a chance now. We're going to make it."
Katara crawled to her feet and stood beside him. "Not bad for a simple Water Tribe peasant, you mean?" She crossed her arms.
A scowl tightened his face and he bristled. "Perhaps a peasant should learn to take a compliment when it's offered."
"Ugh, forget it," she spat, rolling her eyes away. "Let's just get going before anything else happens."
.:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:.
The rest of the trek down was a leisurely stroll in contrast to their journey thus far. Leisurely, but silent. Katara never so much as cast him a sideways glance. There was an invisible wall between them that neither dared cross. He could have cut the tension with a knife. But the gulf of silence and not having to fight for his life gave Ozai ample time to dissect the thoughts still bobbing beneath his subconscious. The image of Katara's face, bleary-eyed and pained at his caustic words, kept floating like a bubble to the top, forcing him to relive it over and over. Try as he might, he could not scrub the scene from his memory.
Or the imprint she had left on his heart.
His mind kept spinning webs of question marks and regrets. How could he have let this happen? To be so weak as to let a meager Water Tribe girl worm her way into his affections. She had rusted his vision for everything he had ever wanted and now he stood in the ashes of his once-great plan, at the crossroads of decision. For once in his life, his path was not clear cut. He had to make a choice.
To forfeit all he had worked so hard for – the pain, the sweat, the agony – everything that had brought him this close to victory… it was simply unthinkable. He had come too far and he was much too strong a man to give it all up for a pair of bewitching blue eyes.
That left him with one choice, he knew. The one he had been fighting for some time now. Ozai set his jaw at the thought.
But would giving up Katara be any easier?
Katara's foot fell through a hollow plot of snow. She stumbled down, hands and knees sinking inches into the white powder. On instinct, Ozai reached out for her arm to help her up and was promptly swatted away. Struggling to her feet, Katara brushed the snow from her mittens and flashed him a thunderous glance, turning heel and trudging on. The anger pulsed hot through his veins, just once, before a deep breath of frigid air iced it out. If anyone had a reason to be angry, it was her. But Agni, she wielded a passion that put some firebenders he had known to shame. It was her passion that drove him mad.
Would giving up Katara be any easier?
She was a drug. Intoxicating. And he was addicted. Even if he wanted to give her up, he wasn't sure that he could. He might writhe and fight against her hold over him, but he would never stop wanting more.
And it hit him like a physical blow – no matter his decision, he would lose in the end.
Like a flame in the night, a thought flickered in the corner of his mind and he paused. Why should he have to choose? The flame burned brighter as he nursed the idea. He was the Phoenix King. Or, he would be once again. And this time, with all the power in the universe at his control. Who was to say he couldn't have both? Steal the Avatar's power and keep his woman. Beautiful poetic justice. Use Katara as bait and then pull back – hook, line, and sinker. She had said herself that she wanted to stay with him. Why not let her have her wish?
The afternoon sun was mellowing in the west and trickling down through the skeletal limbs above. It danced off the blanket of white at their feet and Ozai noticed the delicate powder melting into slushy, wet snow. The trees were thinning, the frosty mountain air flowing milder in his lungs, and as he looked beyond the sea of pine and birch he saw it. The seam of earth where mountain met sea level. Katara must have seen it too for he heard the whisper of a gasp at his side as she picked up the pace.
Moments later, they burst thought the mouth of the emaciated forest and out into the blinding sun. His feet kissed the earth, flat and even, and he could have screamed for joy. Beside him, Katara exhaled a long breath and turned her face to the sky. A trace of a smile softened her face.
"We made it," she whispered, eyes closed.
Ozai let the weight of it all sink in, scenes of what could have been burning through his mind. "We were lucky," he said at length.
Katara shook her head, eyes closed tightly as though in pain. "I really thought–" Her voice cracked with the weight of tears. She stopped and turned to face him finally.
"I know." Ozai just barely stepped toward her, his hand almost on her arm. She pulled back, eyebrows drawn low over shimmering blue. The smile was gone.
Ozai stiffened, frowned. "This way," he signaled curtly. She fell into silent step behind him.
.:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:.
The snow was thinning, soaking the ground beneath as tufts of brown, wilted grass peeked through. Soon a muddy path emerged, rutted and furrowed by a host of footprints come before. This was a path oft-traveled, probably leading straight into a nearby town. Katara stole a glance at Ozai. The tension in his jaw told her he knew it too. Cobblestones emerged beneath her feet and a sign post to her right pointed toward civilization. A village named Sukoshi.
Ozai couldn't possible mean to cross straight through a town. What was he doing? She didn't want to break the silence, but she had to ask. "Are you sure you're going the right way?"
He didn't turn around. "The village must be relatively new. It wasn't on the map." Ozai stepped over part of a fallen tree. He didn't turn to help her over it. "But, yes, it looks like we'll have to pass through the edge of the town to get where we're going. It'll be dark soon. With any luck, we'll slip past unnoticed."
They walked for miles more, walked until the sun burned red on the edge of the sky. All that was left of the snow were slushy patches of white on the ground, dotted brown with mud. Torches began cropping up alongside the path. They were close. Katara could see what looked like a guard post up ahead but there seemed little if any movement around it. She supposed backing up to the Bashou Mountains made for a pretty good defense system. The village wouldn't be expecting visitors this far in the middle of nowhere. Which meant they were likely to stand out.
A black spot on the path up ahead caught her eye. Katara looked up and her throat closed around a lump. An armored Earth Kingdom guard was marching toward them. He must not have seen them yet for he spun on his heel and retraced his steps, patrolling the outskirts of the town. Her eyes slid instinctively to Ozai.
"What are we gonna do?"
He didn't turn to her. A muscle twitched in his jaw as his gaze burned straight ahead. She knew that look and it scared her.
The figure up ahead turned again, marching toward them. But this time, she could see his posture stiffen, the waver in his step. He had spotted them.
"Ho there, citizens!" he called out boldly. "Halt! Your names and order of business, please."
Ozai didn't halt. He didn't even slow down. He only stalked toward the officer with that powerfully daunting stride of his.
"Ozai…" She couldn't control the quivering in her voice.
The guard seemed startled by Ozai's fearless display of defiance. He took an apprehensive step back, muscles tightening.
"I said halt!" he bellowed. "No one is to enter Sukoshi without proper authorization."
Ozai was closing the gap between them quickly and the guard assumed a fighting stance.
"This is your last warning, citizen! I have orders from the Earth King to strike down any form of dissent to that decree by any means necessary. Now, back down!"
"Ozai, please." Katara grabbed at his cloak, eyes pleading with him as she tried to keep up. "Don't do this."
Ozai only charged ahead. The guard puffed up and dug a foot deep into the ground, bending the earth and sending it crashing toward him. Ozai must have expected it because he hurdled the attack with ease, landing on his feet and drawing his dagger in one swift motion. His speed caught the officer off guard and before he could attack again, Ozai was at the man's throat. The officer nimbly ducked from his grasp and pulled his own weapon, slashing at him just as Ozai leaped out of reach. With a kick, the guard sent a boulder straight into Ozai's chest. He fell back onto the ground, choking at the sudden loss of air.
The man was running straight for him, weapon held high, as Ozai struggled to his feet. The guard's dagger rose for the death stroke and Ozai brought his fist up between the man's legs, doubling him over in agony. Rolling away, he bounded to his feet and swung his blade with all his strength, cutting through the armor that protected the guard's neck.
With a gurgling thud, the headless body sagged forward into the sopping earth. Katara's knees went weak and she dropped to the ground. A hand clutched her chest, mouth hung open, fighting to breathe.
Ozai wiped his blade clean on the dead man's armor and replaced it in his boot. Stalking back to Katara, he only jerked his hand toward her to follow him, blowing past her.
"Come on. There'll be more of them soon."
Tears rimmed her eyes and she fought back the vomit, stumbling as she rose to her feet. An ocean of words thrashed in her head but couldn't form past her tightened throat. It was hard to admit, but she had become so comfortable with Ozai that she had almost forgotten how peerlessly dangerous, ruthless the man was. She thanked the spirits for that reminder now.
They came to a small creek that hugged an old neglected house at the southern border of the village. It appeared to be abandoned. They jumped across, from rock to rock, and Katara could see the modest makings of a town just ahead. Ozai ducked behind the house and nodded at their new route, a sharp turn left through the corner of the village. Besides the occasional smudge of a guard strolling the streets in the distance, the town was quiet. Katara and Ozai cut through and out with ease. Before long they found themselves in a wooded area at the knoll of a deep gully.
Ozai pointed down into the gorge. "Just a short climb down, and we're there."
It wasn't a short climb. At least it didn't feel that way. Jagged rock tore into her hands, frayed her cloak. She clung on for dear life, the flashbacks of that mountain all too fresh in her mind. When Ozai signaled her to stop and edged his way to a landing, she sighed in relief. They were here. She let him help her onto the ledge and then quickly reclaimed her hand. A vaguely familiar face came out of a darkened cave burrowed deep in the side of the cliff. It took her a moment to remember. Jiao.
"My lord!" he said, clasping Ozai's hand in both of his and bowing deeply. "I was beginning to fear the worst. It is indeed a great pleasure to see you again." Jiao blinked then, scanning them from head to toe. His eyebrows raised. "You look terrible." Dread stitched his face as he realized what he'd said. His mouth worked, looking for the words. "Forgive me, Sire, I didn't–"
"Yes," Ozai cut him off. "The Bashou Mountains aren't exactly known for their hospitality."
Jiao's mouth went slack. "You passed through the mountains? How on earth did you survive?"
"We nearly didn't," Ozai snapped. "But it doesn't matter, we're here now."
"Right. Of course." Jiao straightened and his eyes slid to Katara momentarily. "I trust the prisoner didn't give you too much trouble after we parted."
The prisoner? Katara glared at him. It had been so long since she'd thought of it that way. How could she have forgotten? Stupid. Of course that's all she was to him.
Ozai flinched at the word, just enough for her to take notice. "Um," his eyes flicked down briefly and he cleared his throat. "No." His gaze brushed her from the corner of his eye before shifting back to Jiao. "No, I managed."
Jiao wrinkled an eyebrow. The tension was thick. She could see that he felt it. "That's… good to hear." His narrowed eyes darted between them as though searching for something. "Okay, well. Uh, let me show you around." He extended his arm for Ozai and cast her a strange glance before following him in.
Katara was actually surprised at the condition of the cave inside. The hollows and corridors that branched off from the main foyer served as sleeping quarters and storerooms. There was a large cooking spit to the left around which hung a variety of dried herbs, root vegetables, and hawk breast. To the right, a flat sheet of rock was being used as a planning center, plastered with a large map and jabbed with various marker flags. A few other men stood huddled over it, hands stroking chins in what appeared to be a serious conversation.
"So, where are the recruits?" Ozai asked in a way that suggested he already knew the answer.
Jiao rubbed the back of his neck and dodged his master's gaze. "Oh yes… Well…." The man flashed a sheepish smile. "These, um, are the recruits."
Ozai looked over at the men and then back at Jiao, blinking hard. "These three men are your recruits?" he spat. "You must be joking."
Jiao twiddled his hands together and took a step back. "I'm sorry, my lord. I tried to convince the others to stay. They were so sure you had met your end and were never coming back so they returned to their families."
Ozai pinched his eyes shut and growled a sigh. "And exactly how is this supposed to help me?"
"I know it's not what we had planned. We won't have the manpower to create the distractions we need and divert the Earth Kingdom's attention from you. But there is something that I think you'll find more than makes up for it."
"Go on."
"The men and I have done a lot of digging in your absence and we think we've discovered the key to your journey's end. And it's not what we thought. May I see your map, sir?"
Ozai reached into his cloak and handed him the faded sheet of paper. Jiao unfolded it and traced his finger along the dotted line of their course.
"The X on your map is not your destination. Not exactly. It indicates an area on the northern coast of the Earth Kingdom, at the foot of the mountains not far from here but that's just a front. The real destination is an island directly northeast of there known as Maho Mori. And get this. Most people don't believe it really exists. Apparently it's only visible on the night of the blood moon."
Ozai thought for a moment and the corner of his mouth twitched up. "The next one is three days from now."
"Exactly."
A smile stretched broad across his face that made her stomach quiver. "Perfect."
Torches flickered upon posts along the cobblestone road as the last breath of dusk yawned violet across the sky. Up ahead, the soft glow of candlelit windows winked behind the closed gate of a tiny town. Four guards stood watch at the entrance, shoulders straightening at their approach.
"Halt! Turn back, citizens. This town's on lockdown. No one is permitted to enter or leave without permission."
From somewhere nearby, a chorus of powerful voices rang into the twilight. They sounded anxious, on edge. One voice barked orders above the others. Something was wrong.
Zuko stopped a few paces from the guards and removed his hood, watching as their eyes widened with recognition.
"Fire Lord Zuko!" one exclaimed. He gave a quick bow. "Forgive me, sire. I didn't recognize you."
"At ease, soldier," Zuko nodded. "What's going on here?"
The guard relaxed and scanned the other faces, lingering on the writhing boy in the bison's saddle. He raised a questioning brow at Zuko.
"What's this?" he asked, gesturing toward the obviously livid boy tied down in tethers.
"Never mind him," Zuko said casually. He hoped it was dark enough to hide Aang's tattoos. That was a situation he did not want to try to explain. "What's going on here?"
"One of our guards was murdered at the border of town," the guard replied, shifting on his feet. "Just a few hours ago, his head sliced clean off. We have patrols raking the surrounding areas but no luck in catching the perpetrator yet."
A knot tightened in Zuko's stomach. "Did anyone catch a glimpse of the killer?"
"No, sir. We are sure he never passed through the village. Guards regularly patrol the streets and alleys, and it's a very small town, you know? We'd have noticed someone who didn't belong."
Zuko pinched his eyes shut and groaned. Once again his father had been at the tip of his fingers with nothing to show for it now. Once again, he had failed Katara. He cursed under his breath.
"Even with all these blockades and lockdowns, the guy still managed to slink right by us." He paused, lowered his voice. "It was Ozai, wasn't it?"
Zuko gave a grim nod. "We have strong reason to believe so, yes."
The guard thought for a moment. "It's possible he slipped along the border of town and into the valley just north of here. That'd be the likeliest place I can imagine a fugitive would go for a quick escape."
It wasn't much, but it was something. It had only been a few hours the guard said. Maybe Ozai hadn't made it too far.
"Thank you," Zuko nodded. "We'll check it out and touch base later tonight."
Katara looked between Jiao and Ozai, wishing to Yue that she could read the plan buried in their knowing exchange. She crossed an arm over her stomach.
"You must be tired," Jiao offered, changing the subject. "Allow me to show you to your sleeping quarters."
He led them down the elongated foyer and turned right at a fork in the passage. Jiao came to a stop between two small caverns set in opposing walls. Each was sectioned off from the main passage by a makeshift curtain at their entrance.
"I hope you'll find these accommodations comfortable in light of the setting. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything, my lord."
Ozai nodded and Jiao took his leave with a bow. Katara watched him disappear around the bend and her eyes found their way Ozai's. She scowled, realizing he was already looking at her. Without a word, she turned her back and drew the curtain, marching into her chamber.
Katara dropped her satchel and looked around. The hollow was pleasantly lit with candle sconces. The flickering light cast a warm glow, shadows dancing in the cracks of the floor. A flat bed of rock was etched into the far wall for sleeping. It was probably the most comfortable place she'd stayed in months.
With Ozai out of sight, Katara breathed a deep sigh and rested back against the cold wall of the cave. She tipped her head back and closed her eyes, running her hands along the textured surface. She was tired. Too tired to think about her heart. Too tired to care about the pain there, the ache. Pushing herself from the wall, she picked up her satchel and walked over to the stone cot, pulling out her sleeping bag. As she began to unroll it, a deep voice behind her cleared its throat.
She looked over her shoulder to see Ozai standing at the entrance, holding back the curtain with one hand. Her face tightened in a frown and she turned back, unfurling her sleeping bag.
"What do you want?"
He paused a beat before responding. "Not going to invite me in?"
"And sully your greatness with the likes of a lowly peasant?" She scoffed, a sharp laugh. "Spare yourself the disgrace and go away."
Another beat of silence passed. Maybe he had taken her advice and left her alone. But when she turned to be sure, he was standing just inside the entrance, the curtain hanging closed behind him.
"You're still here," she spat.
"I've had some time to think," he said, ignoring the hint in her tone. "There's something I need to say."
Katara flashed him a hard smile. "Well, I'm not in the mood for small talk today." She let the smile burn off into a scowl. "Save it for your next prisoner, Ozai." She spat out the title Jiao had so kindly reminded her of and turned back to her task. In the heavy silence, purposeful footsteps cut across the hollow toward her. Katara didn't even have time to turn before a strong hand gripped her arm, spinning her sharply into Ozai's chest.
"Dammit, Katara, just shut up and listen. I was wrong." Katara blinked in surprise. Was he… apologizing? He smoothed his brow, his fiery eyes dancing across her face. "I was wrong, okay," he continued, his voice softer. "About this. About us. You were right. It doesn't have to be this way."
Confusion clouded her head. How had things changed so suddenly? It had to be some kind of trap. Katara took a step back and felt the cold nip of the cavern wall. He followed her, pinning her there.
"Why now?" she managed a whisper. "How can I believe you after everything you said?"
"Because above all else, I'm a selfish man. Far too selfish to let you go when every part of me wants you for myself."
His forearms rested against the wall now and brought him closer. His chest pressed into hers. "I want you with me, Katara," he breathed in a gravelly voice. She tried to keep her gaze from slipping to his lips, painfully aware of how they hovered just out of reach of hers.
"Then tell me that's really what you want." Katara's voice strained through the lump in her throat. "Tell me and make me believe you."
His amber eyes smoldered, burning a blush on her cheeks, as his face inched toward hers. His gaze locked onto her lips and she felt his breath, warm and sultry, on her mouth. Her eyes fluttered closed against her will. Ozai's mouth just barely brushed against hers. "Stay with me. Always," he whispered over her lips. "That's an order, girl." She heard the smile in his voice, felt the smirk on his lips as they pressed into hers, warm and firm.
His powerful body trapped her against the wall and her stomach was spinning. Without thinking she parted her lips to deepen the kiss. Ozai's tongue was hot and sent a little spark coursing through her. Her desire rose swiftly, matching his, and their heavy breathing echoed shallow in the small cave. Katara slid her hands up the hot skin of his neck, his pulse fluttering beneath her fingertips, and wound them through his raven hair. Her fingernails scraped along his neck. A husky groan pitched from deep in his throat and Ozai's hand dropped to the small of her back, yanking her against him so tight she gasped.
And then he kissed her dizzy. She couldn't stretch up high enough, couldn't kiss him deep enough. His strong hand at her back inadvertently lifted her up and she coiled her legs tightly around his hips, closing every inch between them. Feverishly, he broke away from her lips to trail kisses down the underside of her jaw. "Katara," he mouthed, his breath hot on her neck. The bass of his voice shuddered against her throat and she moaned. His lips crashed onto hers again.
"Pardon me, my lord," came a voice from outside the hollow. "Are you in there?"
Ozai broke the kiss just as Jiao parted the curtain. With a start, Katara drew her legs back down to stand on her wobbly feet.
"There's been a bit of a…" The solemn look on his face melted to shock. Katara was out of breath, trembling, stomach tight. Her face felt hot, her lips swollen. Ozai still had her half-pinned against the wall. Jiao's jaw unhinged. His face flushed red as a ripe tomato and he blinked down at the ground. "Uhh…" his shaking voice trailed off.
"What is it, Jiao?" Ozai growled. The man recoiled at the warning in his tone.
"A– a thousand pardons, sire. I didn't, uh…" He glanced sheepishly between her and Ozai, the embarrassment etched deep on his face. "If you had told me you were, um… I would have arranged for–"
Katara could see the tension in Ozai's neck. The impatience. "I asked you a question," he snapped.
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. It's just…" Jiao cleared his throat and straightened, recovering his mask of austerity. "A huge bison was just spotted flying circles over the gorge."
A/N: Okay, I promise, this is the last Ozai/Katara makeout scene. I guess I got a little carried away when they were making up, but it was just so fun to write it that I decided to leave it that way, hah. I really hope it doesn't scare anyone away. Wait… wait…! Come back! I'm sorry, I'll behave now, I promise!
