A/N:Here is a short chapter that I hope sates you all's appetite. Kind of light of plot and more focused on Ozai and Katara becoming slowly reacquainted after being apart. WARNING for a little naughtiness. Though not too much. Next chapter i promise to get to the sum of things as far as reaching a partial conclusion to a few things in this story. Hope you all enjoy.
Chapter 50:
"What is this?" Ozai looked down at her neck as she let him look her over.
The snow storm came blowing in and she lead him back to her chambers that were now empty, leaving them completely alone. Concerned with not only the visible marks on her face but also ones that could possibly be somewhere else on her, Ozai had Katara strip down to her bindings. Looking her over. She shivered a little. Adjusting to the sudden and intense observation of her body. Wrapping her arms around herself as Ozai circled her, the waterbender couldn't understand the slight fear she had from this. It was almost as if she had forgotten all about their intensely intimate relationship. This didn't go unnoticed. The minute his hand brushed against her skin, she flinched from him with wide eyes. Trying not to show his displeasure with the abrupt change in his waterbender, Ozai refocused his attention on searching for any other damages that were done to her. He wanted to be sure to know the count so he could deliver twice the amount to Arnook when he confronts him. His gold eyes managed to finally dust across the blue choker around her neck. At first he had thought she decided to wear her mother's necklace since Arnook had arrived but then he looked closer at it and there were some distinct differences.
As he asked the question, Katara turned away from him and immediately went to grab her clothes off the floor. "Can we talk about this another time?" Her voice cracked.
Watching as she began putting her clothes back on, Ozai narrowed his eyes at her. He didn't like this. The last forty five minutes of finally seeing her in three months, he noticed a lot had changed about his waterbender. He didn't like it at all. This meek and frightened personality. He didn't like it. Every part of him wanted desperately to see the Katara that he sent away months ago. The girl that was fiery and passionate. Unrelenting. Yet now, it was like he was staring at an entirely different girl. Honestly, he couldn't begin to think of what may have caused this. It could have been a mixture of things. Losing their child, being abuse, dealing with her now crippled father, and whatever else may have taken place while they were apart.
"We're discussing this now, Katara." Ozai stepped towards her. "I need to know what all happened."
Redressing herself, Katara kept her back to him and shook her head slowly. "I can't do that right now."
"Why not?" His hand reached out for her but she immediately tore away and stared at him with that frightened gaze again. Ozai's expression became neutral at this point. "Tell me, Katara. Tell me why you keep looking at me like that. You never did that before. Not even once. Not even as my enemy. Why now? What have you to fear?"
Katara's eyes watered again as she shook her head and her hands reached into her scalp, a wide fearful gaze still prevalent in her ocean blues. "Don't hurt me, please. Don't do it."
What? Don't hurt her? What was she talking about? Why would he do that to her? He would never hurt her. Not intentionally. "Katara, what are you talking about?" Trying to stay calm as she broke into another fit.
"I promise. I promise I would never betray you. I swore." She began back herself to a corner. "But I have to. I don't have a choice. My brother, my people, everything. I'll lose again. I have to."
Ozai didn't know what the hell she was saying but he didn't like the sound of it. Betrayal. "Waterbender, if you don't start talking, I swear to Agni I will find Arnook now and rip his throat out."
Falling to her knees, Katara stretched herself out in a bow. Crying as she spoke. "Forgive me, Ozai. Please. You know I will always only love you but this is what I have to do. There is no other way."
"What is it?!" Growing impatient.
Gradually looking back up to him, "Arnook. He's forcing me to marry him. If I don't, he'll kill my brother and possibly others. I can't let that happen. I have-"
"I'm going to kill that bastard! Where is he?! WHERE IS HE, KATARA?!" he shouted as he was about to storm towards the door.
Katara raised to her feet and rushed to him, grabbing him to pull him back. "No! Stop!"
Growling, Ozai ripped his arm from her and turned to glare. "I'm not letting him get away with this, you understand that?" His voice was low as he towered over her and took her by her wrists. "He dare put his hands on you. Tries to take you from me. And caused you to lose our son. I'm. Not. Letting. This. Go!"
Of course not. It would be unrealistic to think Ozai would let this go unpunished. He was just as if not more vindictive and ruthless than Arnook. But at the moment, Katara didn't want that. As frightened as she felt standing so close to him after not only losing his son but also being forced into a marriage she didn't wish to be a part of, the waterbender only wanted to forget the last three months happened. She was tired. Her mind and body would take nothing more. All she wanted was to overcome the fear embedded in her and just wrap her arms around him. Feel his warmth. Not see his wrath. At least not now. Katara had missed him. Missed him so much it made her sick. Incredibly sick. Could he just bear with her and let her forget any of this happened so there could be some peace gained in all of this? Let her bask in the fact that he was here and this would be over soon.
Hesitantly, Katara moved her wrist out of his grasp as it loosened on her and slowly, her hand reached up to his face. Her hand was trembling the closer it got and her breathing picked up. Doing all she could to reel herself in, the waterbender finally let her hand fall on the side of his face. She then caressed him as his eyes shut and he subconsciously stepped closer. His hand went over hers and paused it in place.
"Katara, I need to find him so I can end this." His voice lighter than before.
Moving in closer herself, "I know but- but I… I don't want to think of those things now. Besides, Arnook isn't here. He left this morning and won't be back for two days." His eyes opened and settled on her. "Just let me forget, okay? I just want to forget about everything. Just for a little while."
Understanding fully what she meant, Ozai nodded and began wrapping his arms around her. The waterbender stiffened at the initial contact. Hopefully, she would start to relax a little more over time but she soon reached to wrap her arms around his neck.
"How were things in the Fire Nation while I was gone?" She asked as her voice was muffled from burying her face into his shirt.
Not knowing if should tell her everything but deciding the part that she was going to find out first might be the only thing she needed to know now. "I killed Kolji and a few others."
Pulling back to look him in the face with wide eyes, Katara's mouth fell open. Ozai smirked. "Actually, that girl you sent killed him. She asked and I gave her permission. Really, I only killed three of the council members."
Dear La, what was she going to do with him? Didn't he know he couldn't just go killing people because he felt like it or was pissed off? The waterbender looked away and shook her head. Three months apart and he relapses on murdering people. "I swear Ozai you need-"
Interrupted, Ozai captured her lips and pulled her closer into him. This caught Katara off guard before she could return the gesture and raise to her the tips of toes. All her fears completely washed away as she could finally kiss him after so long. One of her hands slipped from around his neck to his face and the next thing she knew, she was lifted off her feet. He carried her over to her bed as they devoured one another's lips. Barely breaking for air. Their hearts raced as he tossed her onto the bed and climbed on top of her. Katara wrapped her legs around him and moaned into the kiss. Ozai smirked against her lips.
"The only thing I need is you, waterbender." His hand traced down her side as he nipped at her lip, moving towards her neck.
Suddenly, Katara's eyes widened and her hands went to push up against him. Trying to remove him from her. She couldn't do this. Not now. They just recently lost a child. It was foolish to go and do the same thing that caused the conception. She wasn't ready to experience pregnancy again. She didn't even want to risk it. Pushing him off of her, the waterbender averted her eyes when his usual intense amber eyes stared down at her. How was she supposed to tell him?
"What is it? Am I hurting you?" He seemed concerned.
Shaking her head. "No, I...I just- I don't know. I can't do this." Her eyes looked back at him. "I can't risk getting pregnant again and losing another. I can't."
Understanding what the girl was saying, Ozai climbed off of her but took her with him. Gathering her in his arms, he carried her to the head of the bed and had the both of them lay back in bed. Both on their side facing each other. His arm still wrapped around her. Katara snuggled Herself into him, sigh as she did.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"But I am."
"You shouldn't be."
Katara looked up at him with tears back in her eyes. "But I lost the baby."
Moving his hand to the side of her face, cupping it gently, Ozai gave her a stern look before shutting his eyes and sighing. Did she honestly think that was her fault? Because he didn't think so. She had already been under plenty of stress and then for her home to be overrun by intruders from the North, it was bound to happen. In a way, he was expecting it to happen. Knowing fate had a funny way of getting his hopes up, he still challenged it. Ozai still believed they would one day have another. By then, he would have already married her and things would have settled down. Katara was right before. The timing was wrong. She knew herself something would happen and that's why she tried to spare them both in the beginning, terminating it themselves. But this only meant, he needed to end this conflict so that they could return back to the Fire Nation and could start again with having another child.
Opening his eyes back up and looking down at her neck where his necklace he gave her was no longer placed. His hand slide from her face to her neck, fingertips grazing the edge of the blue necklace he realized had to have been from Arnook. Doing the same as the Northern Chieftain had down before him but much gentler, Ozai removed it from her throat. His eyes not for a moment left her as he threw it across the room.
"When he returns, I will kill him but before I do, I'll make him watch as I claim you as my wife." His gold eyes became more intense. "Once I having taken you as my wife and killed Arnook, we're going home. Do you hear me?"
A small smile appeared on her face as she nodded with tears in her eyes. Katara didn't know if he realized it but he referred to the Fire Nation as her home. And in a way it was. The country really grew on her. It was much warmer than here. Plus, the moment he proposed to her, she knew she'd end up living in the Fire Nation more permanently. She knew the South Pole was no place for a firebender. He'd melt everything. Especially with that temper of his. But Katara was so happy. Having him here with her again. This nonsense finally ending. Returning to the place that became her home. That's all she wanted. Him, a family of her own, and to live in peace.
…..
"Has King Bumi sent you those documents yet?" Zuko asked Aang as the two of them left another meeting. With Ozai gone, the young Fire Lord passed his father's duties over to the monk who was just barely making through with less than half the work Ozai could finish in a day's time. Aang was starting to understand why the man was so cranky and mean. Working this hard would make anyone grouchy.
Yawning from the recent lack of sleep he had been receiving, "Yes. He attached them with some information that might interest you."
"And that is?" The Fire Lord slowed his pace down.
"King Kuei visited Omashu and supposedly he wanted to plead with Bumi that he's unaffiliated with the conspiracy. Pointing blame on the Dai Lee." The Avatar chuckled.
Sighing, "Leave it to that coward to not only use a scapegoat but also not come to me himself."
"Bumi's words exactly." Aang pressed his fingertips to his temple. "Hey, has your father made it to the South Pole yet?"
"No." The young Fire Lord broodingly answered.
As if Ozai would ever write someone first. There was no telling what that man was doing or where he was unless someone else knew and sent word. Other than that, he wasn't going to let anyone know. Secretive asshole. Zuko was still very upset with his father. While his rage and anger was justified, killing four people before he left was ridiculous. Couldn't he have waited? Agni Damn it! Seriously! He had enough on his hands already dealing his mother who was likely to get a life sentence or even the death penalty. Then there was the issue of dispelling this conspiracy shit. Now a four count murder case. How was he supposed to handle that? Killing Kolji, that could be excused. But killing three council members. Now that was the problem. Their deaths couldn't go unjustified. People won't let that be. Ozai would have to make it up to the families of those men. No way, Katara would let him send his father back to prison.
"Well have you gone to talk to your mom? You know, investigation." The monk asked seeming concerned with his friend.
Zuko stopped walking completely and sighed. "There is no point investigating. I know what she did and I don't need to speak with her any further. She will be tried and convicted soon enough."
"But she's your mother. You know the sages will give her the death penalty for this."
Turning on his heel to look Aang dead in the eyes as he took a step forward. "I was prepared to kill my father and sister once too for the injustice they caused. My mother is no different."
"But you love her."
"I loved my father and sister too. It doesn't matter, Aang. This will not go unpunished. Have you forgotten she's tied to Suki's death, Sokka's capture and Katara's miscarriage?" Reminding the Avatar just who he was trying to spare. "Not to mention what she did to my father that made him do everything he had. She's the reason all this shit happened in the first place!"
Aang knew Zuko was right. Ursa caused a lot of pain and a lot of suffering even before this particular case. His only problem was, was Zuko really okay with possibly giving his mother the death penalty? Even with his father, the young Fire Lord couldn't absolutely condemn Ozai to death. He changed his mind.
Pinching his brows together, Zuko took a deep sigh. He didn't understand why he had to explain everything to Aang. "Regardless if I have her sentenced to death or not, do you really think with who she's made enemies with that she would not be killed anyway? I'm doing her a favor and making it as painless as possible."
Ah! That's right. Haha. Ursa had practically their whole crew wanting her head. Ozai had been itching to kill her from day one. Katara was also on the list. With Suki's death that added Mai, Ty Lee, and Sokka. If Hakoda felt like being vengeful then he'd also kill her. And Toph, she might get bored and want payback for her friends. As for Azula, she wasn't technically a part of their clique but it was obvious the person she admitted to wanting to kill was Ursa. So even if Zuko simply gave his mother life in prison. Those eight would get to her, no doubt torture her and cause a gruesome scene. Killing her himself was merciful. So maybe Zuko was right to have her executed. Properly.
"Alright, Zuko but I'm just saying. You're not going to be able to handle that kind of weight on your shoulders alone. I just want you to know we're here for you." Aang slapped his hand on Zuko's back and ignored the slightly depressing air aura emitting from the Brooder Lord.
….
It was practically night when Katara woke up in Ozai's arms and found herself easing from the realization that she had not been dreaming. Her eyes wondered up to his face and saw that he was still asleep. A soft sigh fled her. Thank La. Sitting up in the bed, the waterbender gently ran her hand over her face and winced slightly at the pain. She wish she had healed herself sooner. This would take a while to heal completely and in that time a lot would already have taken place. Arnook would attempt to marry her but would without a doubt be taken out by Ozai. That would end in the Chieftain's death and the search for a new Northern Chieftain. Hopefully someone competent took over the North, if not she would take it for herself. As for her and her tribe, Sokka would become the Chieftain with their father immobilized. She would be married and on her way back to the Fire Nation that would be her new home. Once this week was over, they'd have peace until next spring when the trials would take place.
With her hand still touching her face, a pair arms wrapped around her waist and suddenly a still very much asleep Ozai moved to rest his head in her lap. Katara looked down at the man that made her thighs into a pillow for himself. Thinking this was absolutely adorable the waterbender let a hand fall on top of his head and began patting him. This was rare. Ozai had always had this no patting him rule. He could pat her but not the other way around. With him asleep and resting his head on her, she was taking this opportunity to do what she hadn't gotten to do.
Raking her fingers into his long hair as she smoothed it out, enjoying every bit of this moment. La, as much as she missed him, she hoped he didn't wake anytime soon. Her nails grazed gently against his scalp and mingled with the ends of his hair, twirling it in her fingers. Katara smiled down at him as he snuggled into her more. His arms becoming tighter around her waist. A small chuckle escaped before her bedroom door opened and Kai walked in.
Katara's eyes slowly moved up to see her friend at the door with an embarrassed look on his face as if he walked in on a private moment. And while it technically was one, it wasn't the type he was thinking. They only fell asleep together. Nothing more.
"What is it?" She asked quietly as to not wake Ozai.
The young man hesitantly whispered back, "Your dad wanted to know if you and Fire Prince Ozai were joining us for dinner in his chambers in an hour?"
The waterbender looked away from Kai to the ebony haired man in her lap, "In an hour, yes."
Nodding in acknowledgement. "Alright, just make sure you sneak him over. Don't want the guards finding out he's here."
"Of course." She was distracted as she continued running her fingers through Ozai's hair and watching as he slept.
The door closed behind the young man that had gotten enough of the intimate but not entirely intimate scene. Katara smiled wider. She was finally able to return to her normal self. Much of her fears and worries were washed away with Ozai's mere presence. She was so relieved.
"Enjoying yourself, waterbender?" The low and drowsy voice of her fiancée startled her a little but as he nuzzled her, she relaxed again. "Haven't filed those nails, have you?"
Giggling, "I thought you liked my nails and besides, you're one to talk, you're hair is longer than mine."
"Ah but you don't mind, more for you to play with while utterly unresponsive." He teased as he rolled over still in her lap and looked up at her.
Seeing a blissful look on her face told him that she was much better than earlier. Reaching his hand up to her face, Ozai caressed her cheek, watching as her blue orbs became hidden behind her eyelids. "Why did Agni allow a man like me a woman like you? How did I ever come to deserve you?"
Opening her eyes, Katara started wide at him. He was not known for saying the most sweetest of things or even slightly kind things, so this was one of those moments that she was speechlessly caught off guard as he smirked up at her. He knew he got her. Exactly where he wanted her. Turning over, he got up a little, using his elbow to sit up on his side her and moved to place a kiss on her forehead before he began getting out of bed. Once on his feet, he walked around to the opposite end of the bed where she was still sitting there speechless and gathered her in his arms. With a small yelp, Katara snapped out of her trance and her arms went around his neck to secure herself.
Chuckling as she was in his arms and he started walking to her bedroom door. "I wonder if you've had a warm bath since leaving the Fire Nation."
Raising an eyebrow, "It's not as cold here as you think. Plus, I know what you're doing. You're trying to get me naked."
"Nonsense." He said as they exited the room and he smirked. "I don't have to try."
…..
Sitting at the table with his head in his hands and his plate of food completely ignored, Zuko tried to drown out the conversations taking place amongst his friends. Ty Lee was cooing Sota while Aang helped feed him. Toph and Iroh were discussing the new route to Bei Seng Sei from Omashu. Mai was, however; as silent as he was, glaring a hole into his head. She was clearly upset with him, still. Not that he gave a flying fuck. Zuko had other things to worry about.
"So I was wondering when this is over, are we just going to go our separate ways again?" Ty Lee asked. "I mean, it sucks that it takes something devastating to bring us back together. Are we just going to be apart until the next terrible thing happens?"
Toph scuffed. "You betcha your sweet ass that'll be the case. The next time we're all together, Sparky's gonna be more gloomy than ever and think of what kind of kid Sugar Queen might be able to have again in the future, with Ozai as the dad, that kid will be worse than Princess basket case."
Everyone practically shivered at the last part. Eh! Someone worse than Azula? Spirits, not even Ozai was worse than Azula. He was much more stable. And Zuko, more broody? Impossible.
Shaking the images from his head of his nephew and the future child of his brother, Iroh changed the subject. "Alright, that's enough. Let's all be positive, I do believe that we can set dates to all get together."
Mai played with her food as she continued to glare at Zuko. "Wonderful how we'll have moved on and started being happy. Oh, that's right. Zuko wants to be single all his life because he can't have Katara nor can be get over her. What a pity." Her monotone voice was laced with animosity.
The group cringed. This was all too familiar to four years ago when they disbanded. Mai making remarks towards Zuko at the dinner table while the rest of them sat uncomfortably in their seats as they tried not to be a part of the couple's dispute. Only now, Katara wasn't here to deflect a knife flying towards her head and Zuko was barely giving a damn about anything.
"So! I say the winter and summer solstice are perfect times to get together." Toph clapped her hands as she changed the conversation.
Nodding his head. "Yes, perfect idea Toph."
"Thanks, Twinkle Toes." barely managing to hide a blush.
…
"Stop it." Katara splashed Ozai in the face with her bending as she sat against him in the tub that was more like a small pool. "I told you, I'm not ready for that right now."
Smirking as he refused to stop what he was doing. "I am merely trying to assist you."
Rolling her eyes. "I'm sure. Because after almost twenty years I have no idea of to wash my own body." She said sarcastically.
Well she had a point there but he wasn't going to tell her that. He simply resumed his attention 'assisting' with washing her breast because Agi knew he couldn't resist. Katara had given up at this point. Whenever Ozai got like this it was no point in fighting him. She was still putting her foot down with the no sex rule but as far as letting him get a feel of her, she honestly couldn't care less. His touch was still very much invited. It was simply fear of becoming pregnant again for why she wasn't going any further than this with him until she felt she could move on.
Leaning her head against his bare chest, the waterbender just sighed and closed her eyes. He was so warm. She missed this. The two of them. Alone. Pressed against one another. This was what she needed.
Moving his hands from her breast down, sliding to her more intimate area, Ozai felt the girl jolt against him.
"Stop it!" She gasped.
"Make me." He whispered in her ear.
Katara growled and turned herself around to face him, submerged only by her waist in the water. She didn't miss the look over he was giving her as he slightly bit his lip in a seductive fashion. She swore to La if he didn't stop being irresponsible, every ounce of her will power would be tossed out the window. His hand immediately grabbed her hips and forced her to sit down on him. Feeling his length directly between her legs causing some of her will to flee as he pulled her close to him, an inch from her face. From the look in his eyes and the persistence of his behavior, his hunger for her was obvious.
"I can wait as long as you need me to, waterbender." His hands went around to her backside and slowly slithered down to cup her sex under the water. "But can you wait?"
Fingers embedded themselves into her and Katara fell against him, as he worked her insides skillfully. A moan escaped and she tried not to dig her fingers into his shoulders. Damn it, La. Without her permission her rear rolled into every thrust of his fingers.
Ozai's lips went to her ear and nipped it as he whispered. "I know you want this as much as I do. Stop fighting it." Her arms wrapped around his neck and his thumb nudged the sensitive part of her clit causing her nails to finally claw into him.
Fingers buried inside the waterbender as her nails dug into his skin, Ozai looked into his waterbender's eyes and flickered at her lips. He wanted her. He knew if he played with her a little more she would have him. He just loved provoking her.
"Come on, Katara." He saw the haze of lust already begin filling her eyes and her lips part as he extracted yet another moan from her. "Give in."
La, she both loved and hated him. Loved what he could do to her. Hated how he could make her bend to his will. As she closed into him, her lips now hovering over his and hands resting on both of his shoulders, fate decided to be funny again.
"Well isn't this a sight to see." A voice that neither one of them wanted to hear paused them and Katara's eyes widened. "So Zuzu wasn't lying when he said the two of you were conjoined at the hips. How naughty."
…
A/N: Alright! That's my short ass Chapter! Hope you mother fuckers liked it. My hours are longer now that I'm working two shifts but I do plan to update at least once a week. Still more frequent than other authors. Love y'all and forgive me. XD
