A/N: Hey back! Vacation part 2. I realized that this segment is going to be at least in four or five parts. But hopefully you all like this chapter. :)
Chapter 37: Part 2 of Vacation
A large crowd of onlookers gathered to witness the Avatar and current Fire Lord take on the former Lord in a game of beach volleyball. Girls were cheering and screaming their names. Fangirling over all three men. Aang was not bad looking either to many of the girls. His physique was much more mature now. A boy a single month from his eighteenth year, nice tattoos, an incredibly powerful bender, a bachelor, and a complete sweetheart. He was a top pick for girls that wanted a guy with a big heart. But many of girls present, they were debating on who was the most desirable of the father and son facing off. Zuko. The nobly scarred Fire Lord, seemingly as cruel as his father but no less kind than the Avatar, a man of status and wealth, powerful in bending and hand to hand combat, not to mention recently dropped on the single's list. Then there was Ozai. A flawless man, cold and callous, aloof for the most part, long dark haired monster every girl fantasized about taking to bed for the night of their lives, a notoriously good lover, intensely dreamy amber eyes, recently released from prison and also a single despite rumors. This game was almost too much to bear for these young hot-blooded girls. Katara tried to tune out a few that were talking about Ozai in a very inappropriate manner. It was becoming a bit too explicit for her taste and her nerves.
"Alright, we'll play to ten points. Who gets there first wins." Aang said and sent Zuko a look.
The Fire Lord gave his father a smirk, "It's about time we faced off, dad."
Ozai smirked back. "I couldn't agree more."
The Avatar waited till both men got into a ready position before he decided to serve again, he learned from knocking Sokka out a moment ago to be sure everyone was focused. Upon seeing his opponent's readiness, Aang under hand served the ball and it flew over the net. Ozai wasted no time jumping up and sending it back. Zuko rushed to the back where the ball seemed to be heading for and slid to hit it before it touched the sand.
Watching as the game went on, Katara noticed that this could go on forever since neither side seemed to drop the ball. A mischievous smirk form on her face. Let's make this interesting. Looking to her side where she had seen someone's drink lying down unattended, she bended the liquid and brought it in front of her. Her eyes then darted for the monk's feet. She could see the tension in them as they were ready to lift at any moment. Ozai probably couldn't do anything about it but she could. Just as Aang was about to lift his feet, Katara sent the liquid directly to his ankle which he didn't seem to notice until she froze it and bended the ice to move down. Aang was grounded and in him being so, Ozai took the opening it provided and scored a point.
"One point! Team Ozai!" A girl cheered.
Aang shot Katara a look and yelled. "No! She cheated!"
The waterbender appearing completely innocent made a befuddled look. "Cheated? I'm not even playing. How could I cheat?"
"You froze this ice on my ankle!" The monk shouted.
"What ice, Aang?" And there was no ice. She had sunk it into the sand for the time being, though planned to use it again.
The Avatar frustratedly turned his attention back to the game and prepared himself for Ozai's serve. Zuko noticed an exchange between his father and Katara, they were playing dirty. He narrowed his eyes. We can play dirty too. The young Lord whispered so that only Aang could hear the plan he developed since his opponent was getting aid from the sidelines. The monk grinned and nodded. Sounds good to him.
Ozai serves the ball over-hand, aiming for the center, and it flies directly to Zuko's position. However; Aang bended the air so the ball came to him and forced the ball back over the net. Scoring a point.
"One point! Team Avatar!" The same girl from before cheered, keeping count of both sides scores.
"Cheater!" Katara yelled. "I saw you airbend!"
Mimicking her expression earlier. "What air?"
Zuko laughed and high-fived the monk. They were going to beat Ozai and Katara their own game. No way were they going to win while there was a bender on his team that manipulated all four elements. He could beat them at their two with two other elements. Air from above and earth down below. They should thought twice about adding elements into the game. But they forgot a very important fact about Katara which left her sending a smirk to Ozai. He laughed and turned back to the game. This was going to get exciting.
…
Ursa and Hakoda were arm in arm walking throughout the nice peaceful town of Ember Island. It was truly a beautiful place. Calm and less hectic than the capital. They could enjoy a walk without a worrying about being mugged or running into unwarranted attention. People just seemed to keep to themselves unless for a friendly greeting.
The two had just left a sweets shop that Ursa had been telling all about the night before they arrived. It was actually some quite interesting flavored baked goods that Hakoda became fond of and bought some for his kids to try. He personally loved the chocolate lava cake. Spicy and sweet all at the same time. He was sure to get some for himself.
As they walked back onto the pavement, the couple noticed a bunch of people heading to the beach and loud cheering taking place. Curious themselves, they went over the boardwalk to see what all the commotion was about. There were hundreds of people circling a volleyball net with two people on end and one on the other. When they looked closer they saw it was Zuko and Aang against Ozai. Hakoda was able to spot his daughter sitting close by with her brother lying seemingly unconscious next to her. The man shook his head. He thought they'd all have a peaceful vacation and remain under the radar but it seemed a few of members thrived off of attention.
"What are they thinking?" Ursa asked as she watched the three go against each other. "Don't they understand that gossip on this island travels faster than in the capital?"
Hakoda didn't see anything wrong with it other than them all gaining more attention than needed. "I'm not sure there's much to worry about. It's a harmless game."
"It's a stupid game." The woman huffed.
"Now Ursa we are all on vacation. Let them have a little fun, will ya?" The Chieftain offered her a smiled but she refused to return it or even look back at him. Her eyes were trained on one person and one person alone. Ozai. He hasn't aged a day.
Seeing a certain fondness in the woman's eyes, directed towards her ex-husband, Hakoda felt a little uncomfortable. Maybe a little was not enough to describe how much he felt. And perhaps, uncomfortable was too mild a word. He was extremely disappointed and jealous and irritated and disheartened and even disrespected in a sense that Ursa was still desiring her husband when she was clearly with him. Did she not understand that that man doesn't love her? Ugh! He couldn't do his right now. If she wanted to long after that bastard then she could but he wanted no part. No part at all.
"I'm heading back to the house." Hakoda announced before leaving.
….
"Nine points! Team Avatar!" The score keeping girl raved.
Zuko and Aang celebrate joyfully. They were going to win. Right now the score was nine to seven. Their team was two points ahead of Ozai and one point from victory. While Ozai and Katara didn't use anymore tricks after their first score, Team Avatar wasn't back down to a fair fight. If you starts something you finish it. Point blank.
Unbeknownst to the winning team, this was all a part of Team Ozai's strategy. Let them play dirty and rack up the points while he does so without using any special tricks. At least not till the end. Katara gave Ozai the nod as Zuko got ready to serve the ball. They weren't planning on losing. They never were.
"Alright! Here's to winning!" Zuko said as he launched the ball.
"And theatre night!" Aang said excitedly as they were one point away from winning.
The ball headed over the net and as Ozai got ready to send it back over, Katara readied herself. Her fingers started twitching in that creepy puppeteer formation. When Ozai returned the ball and both boys were about to receive it, something in their bodies shifted. They froze for a second and flew pass each other, landing into the sand on their faces.
"Eight Points! Team Ozai!"
For a moment as the boys got up, they were confused as to what happened but then both concluded that was an unnatural feeling swept over their bodies. A familiar one. They instantly looked over to Katara and saw her wave at them, blowing them a teasing kiss.
"It would seem you boys are having trouble controlling yourselves." Ozai grinned. "But don't worry, it won't last much longer. After I win, I'm sure you'll both be back to normal."
Zuko and Aang grimaced at what possible things Katara was about to do with them. She was starting to use her bloodbending a little bit more loosely now that she could use it anytime she wanted and her pull was even stronger, having much more practice with it. They knew instantly that they were going to be eating fire dumplings tonight.
~Six Minutes Later~
"We won!" Sokka woke up and ran up to Ozai about to hug him in the heat of victory but was met with a fist in his gut. Trickling to his knees, the boy looked up at the man. "Come on, man. Show some love. We're practically brother-in-law."
"As if he could love anyone but yourself sister." Zuko scuffed.
Aang laughed as he got up from the ground. "Yeah, Katara's the only one who's ever going to be loved by Ozai."
"Her and whatever children they have." Zuko added. He watched as the girl ran up to his father and threw her arms around his neck, not caring that people were watching. Not that she should but at the same time, it made rumors more potent with the open display of affection. The young Lord shrugged. It was honestly time for them to just come out with it to everyone. If they were going to progress any further they needed to be more public about it. Yes, the council will be suspicious of the sudden relationship after Katara and his recent break up but Zuko had it covered. Throwing in his blessings should do the trick.
Girls off to the side scowled at the couple. "So the rumors are true?" One pouted.
Another turned her head in a haughty fashion. "Why does she get all the attractive men? First Avatar Aang, then Fire Lord Zuko, now former Lord Ozai. What's so special about her?"
"Maybe she's got some Water Tribe tricks up her sleeve in bed." A girl giggled bitterly.
"Or she's just a banging hot chick with a great personality." A guy walked up to the group of girls ridiculing the famous waterbender. "She's got something you snobby females clearly don't have."
"Oh shut up, Kai!" A girl tossed at him. "Not like you have a chance with her. She obviously has a type."
"Yeah, strong benders with status."
The guy named Kai looked over at the waterbender and saw how bright her eyes were as she gazed at former Lord Ozai. It was as clear as day, they were involved. How was it possible that enemies became lovers just like that? Who knows? Maybe they're meant for one another. Maybe something else but whatever it was, Kai wanted the beautiful girl. Yeah, she had a type and he didn't fit it but he was a determined guy. He wanted something. He went for it. Simple as that. Princess Katara happened to be something he wanted. Out of league, sure but that never stopped anyone. So it wouldn't stop him. His eyes were set on her.
"Whatever you bimbos say. Princess Katara is totally mine." He said with a lovestruck face.
The girls laughed at his ridiculous statement. He was so going to get himself killed going after that girl. If former Lord Ozai already had a claim on her, she was untouchable. No one with common sense would risk his wrath over a girl, even if she was incredibly gorgeous and exotic. It was just asking to be burned alive or electrocuted, if someone dared tried to reach for that girl.
Giggling at the apparently suicidal guy, "Alright Kai, go ahead and get yourself killed."
It would totally be worth it.
…..
The makeshift family sat at a table closest to the balcony on the second floor of the restaurant that Sokka choose. It was for emergency precautions. Just in case a fight or argument broke out. Being on vacation allowed them to be less restrained when dealing with each other which also meant conflict at dinner was ten times more likely and while things were going smoothly now, it won't stay that way. Their family was filled with too many conflicting personalities to go long without any sort of issues arousing.
"So when are you going to marry my daughter?" See! Exactly why none of them could get a break! Certain members felt obligated at times to open their mouths.
Everyone looked at the Chieftain that decided to disturb the rare cloud of peace over their heads.
"Dad!" Katara blurted out.
"No, Katara. I need to know. Your sharing his bed are you not? Then surely you two have other plans than continuing on as you are." Hakoda glared at the man that was making a whore out of his daughter. But there were other intentions for why he spoke up about it. A certain woman he was involved with was still hungover the man and that man needed to hurry and make a move that would end that woman's notion that they would be back together.
Sokka shot a look at Zuko to speak but someone preferred it better to speak for themselves. "If you think I intend to let Katara remain as she is, a mere rumor of an affair in the mouths of fools, then you have gravely mistaken."
"So you will marry my daughter?" Hakoda deepened his glare.
Ozai clenched his fist under the table as Katara place hers on top of it. She didn't like how heated things got between him and her father. There was never a rest for peace with them. Every time they were in each other's presence it was a struggle for who would jump first.
"I will."
"When?"
"When you and those Northerner stop questioning my intentions." Ozai bit out.
Hakoda smirked. "And just how are we to do that when a man who tried to destroy the world has taken interest in the only princess between our Tribes?"
Lifting his glass of wine to his lips, it was Ozai's turn to grin and do so with much malice. "Sounds like a personal matter that might need to be looked at by a physician. Surely there is something out there that helps men with those kinds of problems."
Sokka caught on immediately and burst into laughter. It was sick but hilarious. Calling Arnook and his father impotent for not being able to have more princesses other than Katara. Everyone looked at the young tribesman. Only he caught on. Maybe.
"What? It was funny." Sokka shrugged.
Zuko cleared his throat. "I think that's enough of that. Our food is here."
The servers came out with their meal and placed it in front of them. One of the servers happened to be the boy named Kai from the beach. He personally served the girl he had his eyes on. Leaning a little too close to her as he did, catching her lovely scent. Luckily, no one noticed and he walked away with a satisfied smirk on his face. He had been so close to her. This was amazing.
The family now left to eat in peace, Aang decided to start a topic about how he just loved being back on Ember Island. Zuko, Katara, and Sokka reminisced with him. Talking about all the crazy things they did together. Toph and Katara having a fight in the courtyard. Aang walking in on Sokka and Suki. Zuko and Sokka having a sword fight. Everyone group fighting. The play. Katara's cooking. Running from Fire Nation soldiers. Toph's demonstrating how she would decapitated Fire Lord Ozai with her newly invented bending style, metal bending. The four laughed and forgot the elders of their group were listening to their bizarre stories.
"And then that time wear Katara ran out the house naked and jumped into the ocean." Aang laughed.
Katara rolled her eyes, "no thanks to you and Toph! Making Zuko lose his shit and setting the kitchen on fire while I was in there."
"No that was Sokka!" Zuko laughed. "He told me you weren't in there."
"No! I said I thought she was out of the kitchen." Sokka explained.
The four continued on until their fun was ruined by the person known to be a killjoy. "So Zuko, dear, when are you planning to settle down?"
Everyone looked at Ursa. She was mostly met by glares. Obviously, the most disliked member of their little family.
"Excuse me?" The young Lord said. Lately, Zuko was becoming irritated with his mother. Mainly because of her being caught switching Katara tea every morning but also because he felt she was planning something. It made his skin crawl. While he still loved her and always would, their relationship was damaged. Damaged the day she returned to the Fire Nation. He was starting to wish she stayed in hiding. At least he wouldn't have realized what kind of woman she really was and then he could hang onto his memories of the woman he thought she was.
Ursa took a bite of her food and set her silverware down. "You are twenty-two now and while the rebels have been squashed, your life his no more safe than it was when you became Fire Lord. You need a Fire Lady and an heir."
Silence.
"Ozai didn't have Fire Lady." Aang stated.
"But he still had heirs, airhead." Sokka stuck his tongue out at the monk.
"As do you and the Avatar as well, Prince Sokka." Ursa rained on their parade. "The Southern Tribe needs their line to be secure and the Air Nomads need to be brought back."
Sitting up from the table and slamming his hands down, Sokka stared at the woman. "Look here, Lady. Just because you and my dad are screwing doesn't mean you're my mom!"
"Sokka!" Katara and Hakoda barked.
The comment didn't seem to faze her. "Of course not. I'd never hope to replace your mother."
"You couldn't even if you tried." Sokka sneered and threw his chair back as he stepped away from the table.
"Sokka! Where are you going?!" His father called after him as he got up from the table to stop him.
The young tribesman kept walking and shouted. "Away from her!"
Katara, Zuko, and Aang rose from their seat to go after them. However; as they did, the waterbender of the group wrist was snatched and pulled her back. She didn't have to turn around to know who it was but she did anyway, sending him a glare right as her eyes settled on him. Trying to jerk her hand from him, Ozai stood and pulled her closer. He didn't seem to care that this would make her angry. If she were to chase after her brother and then somehow get hurt, he'd likely murder someone.
With everyone gone from the table except the couple and Ursa. The woman decided again to make a mess of things. She was on a roll here. Clearly this was a part of some grand scheme in getting what she wanted.
"Worried about your unborn child, are you Ozai?" She rose gracefully as ever from her seat earning two harsh looks but didn't seem to give a care. "I bet you believed you could have none of your own when in fact I've conceived quite a few times before your father had me rid myself of them."
Ozai grabbed Katara and moved her out of his way carefully as he stalked over to the vile woman, grabbing her arm. "What did you say?!" He hissed.
Ursa smirked. "We had many children that were all murdered by your father."
"Murdered by you!"
"He made me!"
"You should have let him kill you instead!"
"Stop it!" Katara yelled. "Both of you quit!"
The former spouses turned to the girl and watched her closely. "Continue and I'll bloodbend the two of you all the way back home. I swear!"
Ozai shoved the woman away from him, causing her to fall back and hit her side on the table. He went to Katara and took her hand, tugging her with him as he left. The waterbender didn't resist the forced departure, she welcomed it and tossed Ursa a scowl as she left. While she didn't wish to see that situation escalated, it was only for fear of the consequences that would follow in having Ozai possibly kill the woman. He didn't need anymore blood on his hands. Especially not blood that wasn't worth getting stained with.
…
At the house, everyone had either continued arguing or jumped into it. Ozai kept Katara in her room in case something were to happen. The waterbender sat on her bed silently as she stared down at the palms of her hands thinking about what Ursa said. She aborted all her children she conceived from Ozai. Every last one. Only keeping the two she gained from Iroh. Then to tell him that so casually at the table as if it was a light topic. What did she think he would do with that kind of information? Take her back? What kind of nonsense was that?
The waterbender lifted her head to see Ozai sitting in front of the fire pit in her room. The flames slowly shifted blue the more he sat there. He didn't even seem to notice their shift but she did. She could tell they were a reflection of his mood. Probably replaying Ursa's words over in his head.
Getting up from her spot on the bed, still hearing all the commotion going on outside her room, Katara walked over to Ozai and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." Was all she knew to say.
It was a moment before he placed his hand over hers. "You shouldn't be. If she had kept even one, things might not have turned out as they have."
Katara was pleased to hear that he wasn't hung up over the past or regretting things. At least he had accepted things as they were and didn't wish them to be different, altering the here and now. Everything was as it was so that they could be here in this moment. It made the past easier to recall and face. If not for all of their pain and suffering none of them would have met. Her friends and family would not be here. And though they were arguing, they were still all here. Regardless of how they all got here. Everyone was here.
"Then why are you over here and not with me in bed?" She said lightheartedly as she walked around the sofa and sat in his lap, resting her head against him.
"I'm just thinking." Ozai said and returned to silence.
Katara wiggled a little. "Thinking about what?"
"How Ursa knew." He said.
The waterbender looked down and started twirling her finger at the ends of her hair. "She said something about 'a woman can see what men can't right away'. Or something like that."
Ozai thought hard about it more. Letting his waterbender lay against him as she began drifting off. Something wasn't right. Katara's sickness and strange behavior could be due to any number of things. Stress, catching the flu or a cold, her chi levels dropping again, also from poison, and etc. But how was Ursa able to rule out everything and come to that one conclusion? Katara was taking herbal blends to prevent this kind of thing from happening. But then that lead him to another question, how was the girl able to become pregnant even after taking the tea every morning? His eyes narrowed. Ursa definitely had something to do with it.
Subconsciously, his hand was running through Katara's hair and soothed her to sleep. He noticed as soon as she started her soft snoring and cozied into him. When he moved to gather the girl in his arms to place her in bed, her bedroom door opened and in came Hakoda. Ozai growled quietly, trying not to disturb the waterbender in his arms.
"What do you want?" He threw at the Chieftain.
"She is my daughter." Hakoda reminded him. "But I came because we need to have a long and serious talk about the two women in our lives. Clearly, it's becoming a constant issue between us."
Setting Katara in her bed and pulling the covers over her, "We can discuss things in my room."
And with that. The two men went to sort things out. It was about time the two reached common ground. Things could not continue as they were. Especially with what could become of those they held dear. They were the men of their joined families, it was their duty to protect and preserve order amongst them. If they were constantly fighting, how would they achieve that goal?
….
The next day everyone was sitting at the table except of Ozai and Hakoda when Katara walked into the dining room for breakfast rubbing the cold out of her eyes. "Where's Ozai?" She asked sleepily. "I didn't see him in his room."
Sokka looked up from his food and took a gulp of his drink, "He's with dad. They have some important business or something."
Katara made a confused face as she took a seat next to Zuko, who looked like he was hit with a shovel. She was going to ask how he got the black eye on his scarred side but thought against it. He most likely acquired it last night during the fighting. She didn't realize things had gotten physical. Taking a bite of her food and sneaking a few pieces off Zuko's plate, to which he slapped her hand, Katara saw Ursa sitting at the far end of the table. A part of her wanted to keep from disturbing the peace like her father did last night but felt obligated to. Even after hearing Ozai tell her that she should not concern herself with the past, she couldn't get passed it. She couldn't. And looking at the woman now was making her angry.
"Why are you with my father and yet trying to get Ozai back?" Katara blurted out causing the three young men at the table to spit out their food. She fought the need to roll her eyes. How didn't any of them notice that this is what the woman had been up to all this time?
Ursa flashed a cold stare at the waterbender. "What does a girl like you understand about being torn? Have you ever had to choose between what you've wanted and what you know is best?"
Yes. She actually did. Like how she chose Ozai over her spotless reputation. Choosing saving the world and helping the Avatar over being home where it was virtually safer. Choosing to not beat this bitch into the spirit world over the satisfaction of beating this bitch into the spirit world. Katara knew the struggle of being torn between what one wants and what one needs. Usually she did what was needed like save the world, help her idiot brother get his head out of the ice, and restrain herself from violently pouncing on women that not only go after what's hers but also drag her father around by a thread. But sometimes. Rarely thankfully. She did what she wanted like have Ozai despite the opposition, force her brother to learn his lessons, and drag a woman into the halls and beat her in front of nobles while completely naked. And if Ursa wanted to keep her face and teeth in tact, she better start answering questions and stop asking them, or else desire will override necessity.
"I believe I'm asking the questions here, Ursa." Katara used a tone she picked up from Ozai. "Why have my father when you want Ozai?"
The boys at the table were frozen by the sudden chill. Both figuratively and literally. The atmosphere was frosty and so was the liquids in their glasses. Their eyes glued on the waterbender as she embodied a familiar and frightening demeanor.
"What does it matter to you child? Ozai is yours and your father will always still be your father! Why ask such-"
The woman's words fell as she was lifted from her seat forcibly. Katara had held back for too long allowing this woman to continue on with the disrespect, the using of her father, the scheming, the attempts to manipulate Ozai, the everything that made the girl's blood boil. Last night had done it for her. Even though Ozai said it didn't matter to him and wrote it off, Katara was disgusted and ashamed. Especially because she was moments from doing the same as the revolting woman and rid herself of Ozai's child. To think they could have mirrored each other in such a way made Katara all the more infuriated.
Zuko grabbed Katara's hand, "stop this Katara."
"No! She's a monster! The real one!" The waterbender spat but released her hold on the woman.
"Let it go, Katara." Her brother told her nonchalantly. "She's just a bitter woman. If she wants to pursue them, let her. Not like it'll get her anywhere. Ozai loves you, obviously. And dad can make his own decisions. Let it go."
Katara jerked her hand away from Zuko and shot her brother a daring look. "Fine!" She shouted.
Getting up from the table in a similar fashion as her brother had the night before, Katara left the dining room. She'll let things go. She'll leave Ursa be as she had before but if something awful happens, then it will be on them. All of them! They should let her put the woman in her place. Teach her not to cross her or her loved ones. But no. She has to let it go. Well fine. She'll let it go.
Going to her room, Katara washed and got dressed. She was going out today. Maybe for a walk on the beach or for a visit to town. Whatever it was. She was going out and alone. Her nerves needed to calm. It was likely that her pregnancy was making her act rashly. So some time to herself should be cool her.
…..
Kai was leaving his house and head into town. He ran into some guy last night after closing at the restaurant, who asked him questions about the situation that took place with the two royal families but he could offer him no details. The boy hadn't seen what took place. All he knew was that things got ugly and quick. The strange man then offered him a deal, sixty gold jewels if he kept an eye out for the Princess Katara. They mentioned something about wanting to make sure she was safe and monitored. It seemed pretty convincing. The man was dressed in Water Tribe clothes and had blue eyes so it seemed legit. Plus, sixty gold jewels and getting to see Princess Katara seemed like a great plan.
Now he was off to do his task. Find Katara, keep an eye on her, hopefully befriend her for his own personal reasons, and report back to that Water Tribe guy. Great. He could do this.
….
A/N: Hope you guys liked it! Personally, I think the small Katara and Ozai scene in this chapter was cute. :p This Kai character seems like he'll have a more assertive approach to his crush on Katara than Zuko had. Ursa has the ultimate scheme up her sleeve, right now. Everyone watch out. And Hakoda and Ozai are hopefully gonna patch things up. Or at least get close to it. Please review and thank you all for read!