A/N: Yo guys! I'm back! Enjoy
Chapter 38: Part 3 of Vacation
It was right before sundown that Hakoda and Ozai returned to the beach house, holding less animosity for each other's presence. The two men split away from each other as soon as they entered. The Chieftain went off to his room and the former Lord to his. However; upon entering his room, Ozai didn't see the waterbender nor had he seen her in her room as he passed it. Where was she? Checking the kitchen, the courtyard, the living room, the bathing room, then back to her room but still didn't see her. Entering Zuko's room, he saw the boy dangling off the side of his bed with a bottle of fire whiskey. Something happened, Ozai concluded. Zuko always started drinking as soon as something took place.
"Where is she?" He asked in a loud demanding voice.
Zuko flinched and then drunkenly flipped over, almost dropping his bottle as he did. "Where's who?"
"Katara. I can't find her." Ozai said.
Rolling off the bed in a not so graceful fashion and then stumbling as he got to his feet, swaying left to right, the young Lord plopped himself down on his sofa and placed his bottle on the table in front of him. He leaned back, spreading his arms out on the back of the sofa, looking up at his father as if he were looking into the great distance. Like he couldn't quite make out where or what his father was. His vision was blurred. He really needed to learn his limits. But when his plans get fucked, this was his go to routine. Vacation was turning out to be not so pleasant.
"Oh...she and mom got into a fight." Zuko's head lolled to the side. "Then Katara stormed out of the house. Why didn't you tell me mom wanted to get back with you?" He changed the subject.
Ozai growled and rushed over to grab the boy, dragging him onto his feet as he pulled him along. This morning before he left with Hakoda, he specifically told his son to watch Katara and keep her out of trouble. That was it. How did he screw that one thing up? How?
"Since you failed to listen to instructions, you're helping me find her. Sober up." Ozai yanked Zuko.
"But I'm the Fire *hiccup* Lord. You can't tell me what to do…"
Sending a glare over his shoulder. "Oh but I'm still your father and you will listen."
The Fire Lord started raising his body heat to burn out the alcohol in his blood. It would take a minute or two for the effects of the alcohol to officially wear off. In the meantime, his father threw him over his shoulder and went to the front of the house. Aang and Sokka were lounging around when they reached the front. Both stood up with big eyes but twitching mouths that clearly wanted to burst out laughing.
"Where are you guys going?" Aang asked.
Sokka nudged the monk and laughed. "On a father daughter date!"
Two flames, one blue and one red, shot out towards the tribesman. He started screaming and running in circles as his clothes caught fire. Aang rushed to put the flames out and as he did, the father and son duo left the house. They had more important things to do than deal with that idiot.
…..
"Oh thank you!"
"Come again soon."
"Will do." Katara beamed as she took her purchased basket of fruit and went on her way.
Since this morning after breakfast, the waterbender had been exploring town and seeing all the cool things that she didn't get to see when last here. It was amazing and she was happy to finally visit again. The people were friendly and hospitable. Many knew her and made her feel welcomed. Katara tried a lot of neat things as well like chocolate coated berries, spiced fruits which she bought a basket of, and some strange meat that was simply to die for. It was so delicious. Of course not all of the food she tried or the combinations work out well with the baby because she ended up in an alley barfing up what she ate. She noted that returning after the baby was born would be great. Then she could keep down the food and enjoy more.
A little towards midday, Katara found dancers in one area and music playing. She watched with glee as the street performers moved in a style of dance similar to the way they did back home. It made her a little home sick. To which she cried. As much as she would have loved to stay and watch more of the dancing, she didn't want herself to start missing home too much. The Fire Nation was her home now. With how things have turned out already with her and Ozai, she doubts she'll be seeing the beautiful tundra of her homelands. Maybe they could visit together someday. Then he could see what snow looks like. Thoughts of seeing the man in her native blue colors brighten her mood. The rest of the day progressed and filled her with a sense of joy she hadn't had in awhile. If only she wasn't alone and had Ozai in her company, it would have been an even better day.
Currently, the girl was carrying her basket of spiced fruit as she decided it was time to head back home. The sun had already gone down and she, herself was feeling tired. A whole day of walking around could do that to you. But as she made her way, Katara bumped into someone and nearly dropped her basket.
"Sorry." She said as she rubbed her forehead. "I wasn't paying attention."
Looking up, she saw a guy a few inches taller than her with short black hair and grey eyes. He stared at her with wide eyes which worried Katara. Did she hurt him or something? Being a healer and a concerned person for the well-being of others, the waterbender waved her hand in his face to gather his focus.
"Are you alright? Do you need me to check for injuries?" Katara offered.
The guy immediately shook his head and waved his hands out in front of him. "Umm, no. I'm fine. Really. I was just noticing you're that Princess girl. I mean Princess Katara."
Seeing as there was nothing to worry herself about, the girl smiled and nodded. "Yes I am and you are?"
"Kai. My name's Kai." He stuck his hand out.
Katara was a little shocked that he did so. This was the greeting that people back home used. Shaking hands was how the Water Tribes' people greeted one another. Here in the Fire Nation, people bowed or waved. So it was peculiar to see a Fire Nation citizen gesture his hand out much like someone of the Water Tribe.
Kai noticed her staring at his hand and he had feared that maybe he misread the scrolls about the Water Tribe's greetings. As he was about to move his hand back, Katara took it and smiled brightly as she did.
"Wow." She mused. "You must have visited one of the Tribes."
Oh, so I did read it right. "Oh no. I wish but I do a lot of reading about the other nations." This made Katara smile even wider. She loved knowing that there were people out there that were interested in other cultures outside their own.
Noticing how much bigger her smile had gotten, Kai felt he was in the spirit world. Princess Katara was smiling at him. Not the demon lord Ozai but him. Kai of Ember Island. This was a dream come true.
"So I see you have some of Hana's famous spiced fruits." Kai pointed to her basket. "Are those for you or your group?"
The waterbender giggled and shook her head. "No, these are for me. I might be willing to share but only reluctantly."
"Yeah, Hana's fruits do make it hard for some to share." Realizing how late it was. "Are you heading home now? I could make sure you make it home safely." Kai offered her.
Thinking the offer over, Katara concluded it wasn't quite safe, even in this nice town, to be walking in the dark alone. Even with her bending, she couldn't risk getting herself injured and putting her unborn child's life in danger. And this Kai guy seemed pretty nice. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing to take his offer. Plus, if Ozai was home before her, he'd most likely scold her for being out so late alone.
"Alright. I don't see why not." Katara said.
Kai smiled but not as much as he wanted to. He couldn't make it seem like this was his greatest wish come true. Walking with Princess Katara to her home. How was this night going to get any better?
…
"I didn't see her in there but a woman said she saw a girl fitting Katara's description head in that direction with some neighborhood kid named Kai." Zuko said pointing to where their beach house was.
Ozai growled at the fact that he had come all the way out here when the girl was now heading home. He balled his fist. Katara was not leaving his side for the remainder of the vacation. She literally couldn't be trusted in anyone's care other than his. Even his supposed semi-competent son couldn't keep her in line. If the girl was going to leave home abruptly and tell no one where she was headed, he wasn't taking his eyes off her. Not for a minute.
"We're heading home."
…
"Whoa! Seriously?!" Kai gaped at her.
Katara nodded her head. "Yup, it was the scariest fight of my life. I thought I was going to lose my best friend."
The local young man had asked her about the her fight against Princess Azula. Everyone had told different variations of the battle but none came close to what she told him. He couldn't believe how brave and fierce this petite and beautiful Princess was. Like how could she get any better than what she already was. Thank Agni he ran into her like that in front of Hana's shop.
"But surely the battle at the festival this year was the scariest you've fought." Kai stated. Recalling all he heard of the horrible events that transpired that night in the Royal Palace Grand Garden. Everyone in the Fire Nation had heard the gruesome details of the night and the shocking reappearance of former Lord Ozai.
Looking down at her feet as they walked along the sandy beach to where her vacation home was, the waterbender replayed that night in her head. Now that she thinks about it, that was a pretty awful fight and she had also almost lost someone she cared about who was trying to defend her. Katara looked back up and wore a small smile. "No." She told him gently.
Waiting a moment before saying more. "The festival wasn't all that bad. I had my brother and father fighting with me. Fire Lord Zuko was protected by Avatar Aang and former Lord Ozai was there to defend me. It was only after the fighting was over that I became frightened."
Kai knew what part she talking about. The part that left a lot of people in disbelief. The part where Ozai takes a poisoned tip dagger for the Princess of the Southern Water Tribe and confesses to her. It had become a simple rumor but clearly from how she appeared to seem both bothered and touched by the memory, he could see it was true. So former Lord Ozai did have feelings for her but did she return them? He was going to ask but she interrupted the flow of things with her parting.
"Well this is me." Gesturing to the large beach house. "Thank you for walking me home. It was very kind of you."
The Princess smiled brightly at him and he returned it. "No problem." He told her. "It was an honor."
Katara laughed and poked him in the nose playfully. "Oh, now you sound like the Fire Lord. Honor this. Honor that. How about it was a pleasure."
The two of them laughed before being interrupted by a man as cold as ice with eyes that burned like fire. The one the only, demon lord Ozai. He and Zuko came upon the two laughing about something to do with honor and the Fire Lord. It sort of shot a tremor of anger through Ozai, seeing his woman with some random kid. His eyes narrowed. This must be that neighborhood runt.
*Cough cough* Zuko called for the two's attention.
"Katara." Though he seemed to grin when he said her name she could tell by his eyes that he was not in the slightest happy.
The waterbender turned to the boy in her company and sent him a small smile, bowing her head in the customary way of the Fire Nation. "Again. Thank you for seeing me home, Kai."
Bowing back. "It was a pleasure." He corrected himself as she had instructed him. As funny as it was to the two of them, neither laughed due to the ominous presence of the two men watching them.
"See you around." She said as he began leaving, waving after him. He threw up two thumbs up causing her to laugh despite the men glaring at her. Katara didn't care. The guy was funny and lighthearted. Good conversationalist. Someone two people in particular could learn a thing from.
As she turned around to face the house, ignoring the men behind her, hands went around her waist and lifted her up. She gasped.
"We're having a long talk tonight, waterbender." Ozai said as he carried her the rest of the way with Zuko running behind them shouting to take their fight out of the house so others could sleep. As if either of them cared. If they were going to be pissed off then everyone was going to be pissed off. That what family was for right. One suffers they all suffer.
…..
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Hakoda looked up at his window and saw the moon. In his hands he held to his wife's necklace, smoothing over the pendant with his thumb, recalling the night he stumbled in front of her hut with it in his hands. A sad smile pulled to his lips. Kya was so beautiful. Everything about her. From the inside out. Katara had gotten that from her mother. She had gotten all her traits from her mother. Even the fiery personality and the stubbornness. Strong willed and unwavering belief in what she holds dear. She could not be swayed by anyone but herself. Her heart was big. Loving many and even some that didn't deserve it. Just like her mother.
The Chieftain stayed gazing at the moon that was the symbol of their Tribe along with the sea beneath its gleaming light. Last night he and the man that his daughter had fallen in love with sat down and had a long chat. One that left Hakoda realizing that perhaps he was wrong all along about this man. That perhaps he was also wrong about others too.
Ozai told him that his daughter was pregnant. That she had planned to abort it because she was afraid of the consequences that were involved. Her fear of the council and the Northern Tribe. Hakoda nearly fell from his seat as he heard his daughter was pregnant. The thought of was too much to bear. Ozai went on to tell him that he had stopped her and swore he would not let anything happen to her. But also stated that the council and Northern Tribe were not the only threat to Katara and the child. Ursa. She was vindictive and saw the girl as obstacle in her way to having him back. Quite frankly both were well aware of the woman's desire for Ozai but only one knew how deep that desire ran and what she was capable of doing because of it. The theory of Katara's pregnancy and Ursa somehow knowing about it was brought up. Katara was on the herbs which were guaranteed to prevent pregnancy however; she was already two months. This made both men uneasy at the possibility. Could Ursa have something to do with Katara becoming pregnant even after taking precautions? Hakoda, seeing the genuine concern of the man he thought he couldn't trust, was hit with the realization that Ozai wasn't his enemy anymore. And hadn't been for a long while. The man obviously cared greatly for Katara and proved it over and over again. But now the Chieftain was stuck with a new found enemy. One that threatens the life of his daughter and grandchild.
Looking over his shoulders at the woman that was using and manipulating him, Hakoda tightened his grip on his wife's necklace. Kya would never do this were she this woman. Kya would never bring harm to an innocent. He felt disgusted and ashamed. Knowing he was lying down these last few months with a woman hell-bent on destroying his family. Now it made sense why his son and daughter despised this woman. Even Aang was weary in her presence. Ursa was a foul woman. Not even her son put up with her and he had been desperately looking for her during the beginning of his reign. However; Ozai told him to stay as he was. Told him to allow Ursa to believe he still sides with her. It was so Hakoda could see what she was up to and stop her before she causes trouble. Hakoda couldn't believe it. That all this time she was using him but for what? What could she possibly need with him?
"Where did you all go this morning?" The woman stirred in bed.
Oh wouldn't you love to know. "To a jeweler."
"A jeweler?" Ursa said as she started sitting up in bed. "Why a jeweler?"
Hakoda almost wanted to laugh. She was so clueless. Hopelessly believing she had a chance at Ozai again. But little did she know, that her hope was about to be crushed. "Fire Nation men's hands are only good for one thing and crafting is not it." He chuckled darkly.
"Oh Hakoda just tell me what you mean." Ursa said getting slightly annoyed. Why would they need to go to a jeweler? What was the point in that?
Swinging his legs over into the bed, "Because he needed to make one of these." Holding up his wife's betrothal necklace. "Since he'll be a father soon and wants to make sure his child is seen as legitimate."
Ursa gaped at the trinket. No. No. NO!
….
Katara woke the next morning with her stuffed dragon she packed with her in her arms and Ozai's arm wrapped around her waist as his hand rested protectively over her stomach. She smiled and wiggled against him, feeling playful among other things.
Last night she had gotten a good night's rest after her argument with Ozai. As usual they argued until they reached an agreement. She would stay by his side at all times unless he needs to leave the house alone, for whatever reason, and she was to stay and wait for him. He made himself clear about wanting only for her to be safe and not trusting her impulsive behavior along with her hormonal mood swings. She was more likely to be reckless now than before and while this frustrated Katara because her freedom was being cut short for the vacation, she understood his fear. It was also her fear. Them being together allow them to make enemies with some quite influential people. Ozai didn't want her facing them or their agents alone. So the waterbender gave in. Trying to look at this situation for what it was and that was that Ozai wanted to protect her. Keeping his promise to not let anyone harm her.
The waterbender wiggled her hips against him some more, trying to get his attention. Pressing herself against him, she took his hand and moved it from her stomach to her breast. It's been awhile. Not even two weeks but two days was too long for them. Not being able to embrace in that way. Katara moved her hips into him and squeezed his hand on her breast. Hoping he would wake and finally have her. However; he woke and moved his from her breast to her hips. Stopping them from their movement.
"Too early." He groaned tiredly.
"Too early?" She sounded a little shocked. Don't firebenders wake with the sun?
"Yes." He sounded drowsy. "It's too early."
Turning over to face him, Katara stared at him in disbelief and poked his face, gaining her a small growl. He really was tired. Sitting up in the bed, the girl placed the back of her hand up to his forehead. He didn't have a fever. She then put her stuffy in his face and giggled as a whisker rubbed against his cheek. He lazily tried to wave it away but Katara kept persisting.
"Stop." He rolled away from her, taking a pillow and pulling it over his head.
"Wake up." Katara continued poking him with her stuffed dragon. "At least take me to go get more fruit since Sokka ate mine."
"Tell Zuko to buy some." Ozai's tired voice muffled by the pillow.
Tossing him an angry look, Katara pulled the covers off of him and the bed as she hopped off. "Wake up!"
Silence.
"Ozai wake up!"
Stirs a little but still silence.
"Oh that's fine! I'll just go jump in the ocean and see how far I can drift away." The waterbender threatened.
Silence.
Katara threw her hands up and stormed out of bed. He thought she was kidding. Alright. She'll show him just how much she was kidding. Grabbing her robe and wrapping it around her body as she tossed her stuffy in a chair, the waterbender darted out of his room. Before long she heard footsteps run after her and she giggled. Perfect, now you wake up.
Making it out the house to see the sun rising over the sea's horizon, the waterbender smiled and dropped her robe. Now in only her cream nightgown, she drew closer to the water, hearing Ozai calling her name. Right as she was about to reach the water, his arms wrapped around her and pulled her back gently. She giggled and squirmed.
Bringing his mouth to her ear, he bit her and felt her shiver against him. "Where do you think you're going?"
"For a swim." She turned around in his arms and looked up at him with a smile. "Wanna come?"
The nightgown she wore started rolling off her body. Not for a second did she take her eyes off of him as she wiggled out of her clothes. Ozai tried to stop her but it had already pooled to her feet. Now in only her undergarments. Smirking at him, Katara's hands went to the ties on his pants and started pulling them. He moved her hands away and looked at her as if she was crazy. Which she was. She had to be at this point.
"What are you doing?" He hissed.
The smirk on her face only grew. "I want you." She whispered and reached her hands to his face. "I want you now." And pulled him to her so she could kiss him.
The minute her lips touched hers, Ozai once again attempted to stop her. "Katara we're outside." He growled at her. He couldn't believe how reckless she was being. This is exactly why he wasn't leaving her unattended.
"This side of the beach is private and if anyone from the house sees us, they can just turn their heads." Moving back to take his lips in hers but was stopped again.
Ozai wasn't satisfied with the first part. "Private as it may be, someone could still wander over here."
Giving him a glossy look as she licked her lips. "Then they can watch." And she jumped him, knocking him into the sand as she climbed on top of him. Katara was done trying to use words to convince him. Maybe actions were better. Make him feel what she was feeling. Grabbing his face, she captured his lips and forced him down. If he still wasn't convinced enough to take her right here on the beach, then she'd give up and go entertain herself.
….
Zuko yawned and walked to the dining room. Upon getting there everyone but his father and Katara were there, eating with bags under their eyes. Last night was the second time they failed to get any rest because of couple's late night fights. It was less alarming than the first night but still kept them all up. Even Sokka was affected.
"Morning." The young Lord said as he waddled to the table.
Aang glared at his food, dark circles heavy under his eyes and the bags were lower than the other morning. "Why can't they be like normal couples and get along?"
"Because they're not normal." Hakoda said as he took a bite out of his eggs.
Sokka nodded slowly. His body wasn't quite at the point of obtaining enough energy to move too much. "He's a demon and she's a kind spirit."
Taking his seat by the window so he could accumulate energy from the sun since sleep was stolen from him. As he moved to sit in his place, Zuko slightly turned his head to see two figures out on the beach. Looked like they were having a good time. He grinned sleepily and turned his attention to his food. As he began to eat a question popped in his head.
"Dad and Katara aren't up yet?" He said as he chewed.
"No. They were up before the rest of us." Aang said. "I heard them run out the house."
Zuko nodded his head and started eating so more. Feeling his energy being restored and his mind starting to function better, he dropped his fork. Shock took over his facial expressions and his mouth fell open as food fell out. What the- wait a second!
Startling everyone at the table, Zuko rushed to the window from the table, knocking over his chair.
"What's wrong, buddy?" Sokka asked, stirring out of his own drowsiness.
"The- they- what the- Why there?!" He could barely manage his words. "They- not in..- bed..but sand and- Agni! Why?!"
Concerned for the young man, Hakoda sat up from his seat and walked over to Zuko. "Are you alright?"
Zuko started freaking out more. No way could Hakoda see this. Oh Agni no! Fuck! Why? What the hell?! "No! Stay back!" He put his hands out before him. "Don't come any closer."
Hakoda was alarmed by the sudden defensiveness in the young Lord's tone. What was going on? "Zuko, talk to me. What's wrong?" Stepping closer gradually.
Aang and Sokka became worried. Ursa of course was too busy sulking to care that her son was losing it. Mom of the year. The two boys also got up and started moving towards him but he really started going off.
"Stay back!" He waved his hands around. " Please! Get away!"
What was going on? Why was he suddenly acting like this? All he did was look out the window and then switched into this crazy mess. What did he see? Curiosity took over and Sokka ran up to Zuko but he started wielding flames causing the boy to move away. Aang jumped up and bended the water from their glasses, sending it to the flames. When they were drenched, Hakoda came up behind Zuko and grabbed him. As the young man struggled against the Chieftain, the monk peeked out the window to see what had Zuko go nuts.
"Oh it's Katara and Ozai." He said which caused the Fire Lord to fight harder against the man holding him back.
Sokka walked up to the window too. "It is them. Why are they playing in the sand like that? Wait- hold on!"
….
Kai was strolling down the street, getting off from an early shift at work. He had been in an incredibly good mood the last two days. He tried to tell his friends why but they didn't believe him. Oh, but who cared? At least he knew he wasn't lying. Princess Katara let him walk her home and she smiled at him. Even thought he was funny. He was in the spirit world. This was great.
At the moment he was heading to Hana's shop to get some of those fruits of hers everyone loved so much. Including a certain Princess. As he entered the shop, he was grabbed quickly and pulled all the way to the back of the shop. Kai was then pushed into the wall and as his eyes registered the scene before him, he saw Hana glare up at him.
"What is wrong with you, boy?" Hana put her finger all in his face. "Didn't I tell you to stay out of trouble?"
Hana was an elderly woman that had been looking out for him since his single mother passed away a few years back.
"Hold on there, Hana. What are you talking about?"
Kai asked.
The elderly took him by the ear and helped him peek around the corner. There were two men dressed in Water Tribe garb. They both looked pretty serious. Hana pulled the boy back in and her finger was back in his face.
"Didn't I teach you better than the chase after girls with titles and status. Now you've gone pissed off the Water Tribe!" Hana hit him upside his head. "Your mother must be watching with pity right now."
Kai rubbed his head and looked back around at the corner. Maybe they were just here to buy fruit. Or maybe they were with that guy that asked him to make sure the Princess was alright. Stepping from out of the back, despite Hana calling his name and trying to pull him back.
"Uh, yes. Can I help you?" Kai asked politely.
One of the tribesman turned to him. "Are you Kai by any chance?"
Cautiously he nodded his head. "Good. We have some questions to ask you. A friend of ours talk to you already but we're here to collect what you know and ask something else of you."
So they were with that guy from three nights ago. "Alright." Kai said. "We can talk in the back." Ignoring Hana's protest.
….
They did it. They survived one week on vacation with one another. Of course there were some difficulties and a few fights but no one was dead. Though some had been close to it. The family was currently playing a guessing game in the living room. They were split into two teams with one person as score keeper. Zuko, Ozai, and Katara vs. Sokka, Hakoda, and Aang. Ursa kept score. The object of the game was to help your teammates guess what you were drawing on a large note pad. Team that guessed the most won. So far they were tied with four each.
Sokka was in the middle of getting his team to guess what he drew. It was sad really. He had a picture of a giant circle on top of a stick with multiple arms and legs sticking out of it. His teammates were completely lost. Aang's eyes were twitching as he tried to make sense of what horrors he was looking at while Hakoda just gave up. The other team also looked at the drawing and was confused but Katara could make it out some. It looked familiar.
"Appa!" She squealed.
"Yes!" Sokka pointed to her. "Go team Water Tribe!"
Zuko raised an eyebrow and smirked. "She's on our team. So that's a point for us."
That's right. Teams could steal points too. The young tribesman threw the notepad on the ground. "Oh whatever!"
"My turn." Zuko got up and started drawing his. It was a person with a huge round body and a small head. Displaying it to his team. He knew they were going to guess it right on the first try.
"Iroh." Katara blurted.
"Your mother." Ozai earned a few giggles and a single glare from the woman across the room.
Zuko rolled his eyes. "No. Keep guessing."
"Uhh, Appa?"
"That blind earthbender girl that tore up a few of my airships."
"Yes!"
"WHAT?!" Everyone said in unison. How the hell was that fat thing Toph? And how did Ozai guess it?
The Fire Lord explained that he drew her based on her personality. Larger than she really is which got him a boomerang to the head, a splash of water to the face and blown off his feet. Clearly, no one liked his presentation.
"I don't care!" The firebender yelled. "Point goes to my team anyway."
The game continued on until a fight broke out between Katara and her brother over who ate her spiced fruits she had just bought. Hakoda held back his son, not wanting him to hurt his pregnant sister and Ozai restrained Katara. The worst part about the fight was that Sokka actually hadn't eaten it. It was a joint effort on behalf of the Avatar and Fire Lord. No one seemed to realize this.
As the commotion began to die down, there was suddenly a loud cry or scream coming from outside. Everyone jumped on their feet and looked out the window to see what it was or who it was. They all saw a man holding his gut as he limped in the sand, almost toppling over with each step. Katara looked closely and realized it was Kai, the guy from the other night. What happened to him?
The waterbender pulled away from the window and grabbed her water skin from off the table. "It's Kai. I need to go see if he's okay." She said about to leave the house to go get him.
Hakoda and Ozai both stopped girl before she could leave, grabbing her arms. Ozai had told her that he discussed her condition with her father. It made her a little uncomfortable knowing that her father knew and would become protective of her too. As if Ozai wasn't enough by himself. Now there was her father added to the mix. Great.
"Katara it's not safe." Hakoda told his daughter.
Ripping her arms from the two men. "I need to go help him. He could be dying."
Ozai stared hard at the waterbender, knowing full well that she would help that kid even if he were to threaten her life. "I'll go in front of you. You stay behind me." Katara returned the serious look and nodded.
….
It hurt. It hurt so bad. He didn't understand. He really didn't. Why had they stabbed him? What was the point in that? And they didn't even pull it out. They just left the strange looking dagger in his gut and sent him on his way. The men from earlier in Hana's shop turned out to be some seriously bad dudes. They took Hana hostage and put the close sign up, so they wouldn't be disturbed. Next thing he knew they threatened to kill the elderly woman if he didn't comply. Kai gave in immediately. Hana was good to him all his life. Even before his mother died. She was like a second mother. He couldn't let them kill her. Without a word they shoved a dagger into his gut and sent him to where he walked the Princess home to.
As he now, stumbled across the sand, crying in agony and holding his gut with the dagger still embedded, Kai didn't think he was going to make. No way was he going to make. And even if he did, what then? Those Water Tribe men didn't tell him what to do other than go to Princess Katara. Why do this to him then? Why take Hana hostage? Why stab him? Why was it this over simply asking him to go see her?
Kai coughed and knew it was blood. He could taste the copper in his mouth. Why? Why did the Water Tribe Princess have people like those men keeping tabs on her? Were rumors of her wanting to betray the order of peace true? Was she doing all this for the former Lord? Giving him what he wanted because she returned his feelings. What was going on? And why did he have to get wrapped in this?
Falling to his knees. He was done. So done. Any minute and his body would give out on him. Any minute and his questions will go unanswered. Any minute and Hana would no doubt join him and his mother when those bastards see that he couldn't complete this mission. Oh but what did it matter? The spirit world had to be a much better place than here. It had to.
"Kai!" He heard his name.
"Kai!" There it was again, his name.
It was a voice so foreign and yet familiar. A voice he had only heard a few days ago but had already memorized. Princess Katara. His grey eyes lifted a bit and he saw the girl run towards him. She was coming for him. But then he realized that there was someone else in front of her. Tall with hair as dark as the moonless night. It was a man and telling by the piercing gold eyes that seemed to glow through this deathly cold night, it had to be him. Kai's eyes narrowed. It was Ozai. The man that defiled the noble Princess Katara. He was here.
"Kai." His name. He decided that if we're going to die here, he would love to hear only his name and think only of the Princess who's lips it came from.
The edges of his vision blackened and he tumbled over, losing consciousness fast. As he did, he saw her. Much closer than before. She must have ran faster. The beautiful Princess looked down at him, kneeling by his side, her blue eyes filled with deep worry. Oh this was great. This was perfect. Dying in this amazing girl's arms was so perfect. The last thing he will see before he leaves this world will be the Princess that he had been infatuated with since she saved his village six years ago. He will die a happy man. A truly blissful man.
…
A/N: Hope everyone liked it! Recap: Ozai's becoming hell-bent on keeping Katara safe during this vacation. Her father now knows. Kai had a bad experience with the Water Tribe, specifically the North. Hakoda knows about Ursa and now working against her. Ozai went to a jeweler! 3 My how will things turn out for the family's vacation now that they have a severely wounded young man in their custody? Please review! Thank you all for reading!