Warning - Short but graphic scene
"Here,"
Katara stopped herself from flinching. Zuko watched her through the vanity. She saw something gleam in his hand and dangle over her head. A flash of Yuki's blood near the gardens haunted her as the necklace sparkled.
"Wear this."
He lowered his hands until she could see a blue necklace over her neck. It had a deep hue, closely matching that of her eyes. Zuko secured the jewelry. It felt heavy on her chest, nested within her cleavage. He leaned down until his head rested on her shoulder, and kissed it before he stared at her through the mirror.
She saw the drunken look - it wasn't from the fire whiskey, but from her. Last night, she began. It started with a simple stroke. She mapped where all the possible veins could be on his body and brushed her hand over the front of his pants when he kissed her. Nights with him used to drag, but she taught herself to drift in and out of her state. Everything happened quickly.
He let his hands roam on her chest, palmed her breasts, and gave her neck tiny kisses until she sucked in her breath.
"It's beautiful," Katara said, ignoring the way he touched her. "I wouldn't know where to wear this to."
He let his lips trace her ear. "In your tribe, a man shows you belong to him when he gives you a necklace, right?"
Katara paused, imagining the tiny veins underneath Zuko's face.
"Yes."
"I don't see one on my sister."
She pursed her lips. "She didn't need to have one...your father sent her as a wife, but the tribe never recognized it."
Katara listened to the pause. Azula had no legal rights as a citizen of the Water Tribe. Ozai stripped her of everything and threw her before Sokka like a rag, and the Southern Water Tribe denied her any rights to be a member, only under the condition that she gives birth to the next Chief of kin. Sokka had the right to do anything to Azula, even if she fought, she would have had to deal with the entire Southern Water Tribe.
She never had a betrothal necklace. She was Sokka's concubine - nothing more. Even when the tribe still accepted her, the necklace was never mentioned again.
"Did a man have you before me?"
"No…" Katara said. "You were my first."
Zuko watched her. "Then your first time hurt you."
She stopped. That light from the lamp before her, flickered up so much, that her silent thoughts became only that day of the massacre. It played constantly in her head, anytime she stared at water or anytime he took her. She remembered screaming so loud that her throat burned and she could hear her voice echo on the vessel.
Katara paused. "Not last night…"
She spent most of her days studying him like one would an animal. What did he eat? When and how did he sleep? Katara knew that he slept quickly whenever she took him in her mouth. Other times, he'd go too quickly when he was behind her and stay awake so she wouldn't move away. Last night, she rode on top of him for the first time. He watched her like a hawk, wondering why she woke him up to do this. Katara let her hands roam his chest, and kept testing the blood inside him as his hands took her hips and started guiding her. He had no idea she was mapping his body.
She played with his body each night, spiked his blood and tugged each part of his body anytime he wanted to take her. Her strength, grew - little by little, one step at a time. Sometimes, she made him do things to her. Gently so that if he felt forced, he'd suspect her. She tried several times to choke him silently, but her strength still dwindled.
She watched him let his hands fall down her chest, studying the red rims of his eyes. Zuko drank often and she saw him take in a crystal more than once. At first, she remembered her chest dropping when he consumed what looked like a gleaming rock.
But drugs were synonymous with Zuko's legacy, and it didn't take much for her to realize the crystal drug-fueled Zuko's high vigilance. Her father and the elders from the council laughed, joked and stumbled when they drank - Zuko didn't lose his balance, his sharp deadly blows in his bending and his cool. He always seemed to remain calm…except for when he took her.
She touched the necklace, ignoring the twist in her stomach. Zuko didn't smile or grimace but leaned over to plant a wet kiss on the corner of her lips before looking up.
"I'll be back. Get ready when I'm done training."
Katara released a long breath. He couldn't read her this time. She must have done something right the night before. He walked away, leaving her in the chambers.
"Princess Azula left with Princess Illah to the Fire Temple,"
Ozai frowned at the little servant before him. "Together?"
"Yes."
"Did Princess Illah look disturbed?"
When the boy started to respond, soft clacks entered the dining hall. Ozai found his wife in her gray sleeping robe. Her hair fell down her back, and light eyes caught him looking. She let her cheeks lift up as she smiled.
"Azula has gone out with Illah to the temple," he announced. "That's strange, don't you think?"
Ty-Lee fetched herself tea from the tray before Ozai. He watched the curve of her hip inches away from him. A sweet scent wafted out, reminding him of his first night with Ty-Lee.
"Yes, but I'm watching her. Illah understands. She can protect herself." She sipped her tea.
Ozai focused on his wife, watched the curve of her body in her robes. His son's opposition bothered him, but for now, he can think of other things. He let his hand trail over her hip. "Do you remember our first night?"
"How could I forget?" Ty-Lee said with a smile. "You don't have time for me anymore."
Ozai hummed, letting his hand part her robe. He let his hands search until his thumb brushed a nipple. "I'm an old man. You tire me."
"You work too hard. How else do I need to put you to sleep?"
When he was about to let his hand explore further, he heard heavy steps and a screech. He sensed Ty-Lee's hesitation, letting his hands trail down as the messenger turned towards him. "My son is plotting against me, Ty-Lee. What should I do?"
Ozai waited for the young woman's smile to die down. He never believed that she would last when her mother pushed her onto him after Mai's demise. She was innocent, a young faced girl who knew nothing of what would wait for her. But he knew her skills, and despite all his efforts to terrorize her, she came to bed with him willingly and never screamed. She was behind every political decision, except for Zuko's return. Ty-Lee always advised him, but he feared that he going off on his own cost him more than listening to his wife.
Ty-Lee smiled. "You will win. Allow me to take over."
Katara clenched her fist.
When he parted her legs to thrust inside her, she knew it worked. She returned open-mouthed kisses, breathed through the fiery skin that scorched her, blood bending Zuko into maddening oblivion.
"I'm…" she gushed, closing her eyes to his hand on her breasts - slamming his hips between her legs - in and out. Her walls tightening, all around him. She took a glance below, watching him go in and out of her. Every inch of him.
"You're what?" He asked with a hooded glare, pushing her knee up. "Speak up."
Katara sucked in her breath at the soft ache, mingled with pain. She listened to his breathing turned harsh and felt him squeeze harder.
Knock knock!
Zuko stopped, panting so hard she felt his chest move. Still, inside her, he raised his head towards the door. "What?"
"Queen Ty-Lee, your majesty." A guard outside said before he added. "She wants to speak to Katara."
Katara's stomach dropped.
Zuko returned to her. "Tell them to come back later. I'm busy."
Katara closed her eyes when the guard said, "Queen Ty-Lee insists she stays. King Ozai has sent for the girl - he wants to have dinner with the family."
As soon as the guard stopped speaking, Katara felt Zuko tense in a way he did before he exploded.
Zuko stared down, "Did you have anything to do with this?"
Katara returned the gesture. "I can't do anything if I can't speak to anyone, can I?"
The Earth King blinked quietly, tightening his hold under Katara's knee before telling the door, "Tell the queen we will be ready."
She listened to the muffled murmur and Ty-Lee's signature voice.
"Good."
Zuko kept her pinned on the bed. She laid down when he rose up on his knees. Katara tried to pull away but his hands dug into her thigh so hard that she started to burn.
"If you say anything to her," Zuko said. "I will kill you."
Katara blinked. "Can I change?"
When Katara felt his hold loosen, she pushed until he inched back and pulled out. She learned to stop hissing when he did this slowly. She ignored his staring and went into the closet before hearing him say,
"Hurry up."
When Ty-Lee saw Katara, she watched her take a seat at the end.
As expected, her husband said, "Why don't you come to sit over here?"
The dining hall only had four occupants so far - herself, her husband along with Zuko and Princess Katara. Ty-Lee could feel the guards watching her. They did not stare in disgust - but looked away when the Earth King caught one of them.
"You are welcome, my princess," Ozai said, kissing her hand. "I hope you forgive me for the issues in this palace. I did not expect you to stay here this long. Ty-Lee told me you needed a bit of fresh air and I agreed. Would you like to take a walk with us in the gardens?"
As expected, Zuko, who stood near the walls, began to watch his father.
Ty-Lee remembered their morning discussion. Ozai told her to schedule the dinner - then she would take over.
"I'm not sure if Zuko would like that, your majesty…" Katara said.
Ozai grinned, before looking up over Katara. "Zuko, who wouldn't object to this would you? In my own kingdom? My palace?"
Ty-Lee watched Zuko shift before he looked away.
"No."
The dining hall's silence screamed. Ty-Lee saw the tension between father and son. She caught the rage in Zuko's gaze.
Ozai nodded. "Good. We will wait a bit longer before Azula arrives." Ty-Lee saw Katara's eyes flicker and it did not take long for Ozai to spot it. "You would like to walk alongside my daughter, wouldn't you?"
"Well...Ty-Lee said-"
"I know. I was irrational," Ozai said, holding her hands. "But it would be good for my daughter to have a bit of fresh air with her loved ones...from now on, I order for you to spend time with your sister in law. You no longer have to be cooped up into my son's chambers."
Katara froze.
Ty-Lee leaned forward. "Azula's child will be arriving soon...I was able to convince my husband that she needed to feel at home. I hope this is alright with you-"
"I'd like to stay...with Zuko. Is that alright?"
Ty-Lee watched Katara send her a small glance. She got the message. Katara still needed to show some form of loyalty to Zuko, just in case this freedom was shortlived. Zuko did not move, but Ty-Lee read the shock on everyone else's faces. On he seemed calm but kept his gaze over Katara.
Ozai paused. "You have nothing to fear. I'm not as dangerous as my boy, am I, Zuko?"
Zuko didn't speak.
"If Zuko can let me visit Azula, I wouldn't mind," Katara said. "I just want to be able to move freely if possible."
Ozai drank the rest of his firewhiskey. Ty Lee put her hand on his shoulder. She smiled at him before saying, "Lord Ozai insists you stay with Azula. Zuko will be heading back to the Earth Kingdom to oversee things. Won't you, Zuko?"
Ty-Lee kept her bright smile. Zuko's eyes left Katara and stopped over hers. The henchmen Zuko brought were too relaxed, awaiting a signal from their leader. She saw through him immediately when his gaze brightened and he said, "Of course, Lady Ty-Lee."
The sun rises in the south.
I will find you.
"You want Agni's protection over your son,"
The sage said this the moment Azula stepped into the temple and remembered Sokka's message. "Yes, I do." The elderly man could have been here a long time - perhaps when her father crawled.
"The last time you were here, you were starting to look more like your mother. You were little with a big appetite for affection."
Azula blinked. "Yes."
"And now you have turned into your mother, is that right?"
She knelt behind the sage, who tended the fires before him. "I want Agni to protect my son. I fear for his safety in the Fire Nation. I fear…"
"You fear what may happen if you and your husband are no longer here,"
Azula wiped the lone tear trailing down her left cheek. The sage could not see her, but sages knew everything.
"You already had Agni's protection the moment your mother brought you to this temple," the sage said. "You did not need to come. No matter what may happen, you, your son and those you love will have Agni's love, mercy, and guidance."
Azula smiled. "Thank you."
"Would you like to speak to your mother, dear?"
She paused. Her mother. The sage turned, revealed his long white beard and smiling eyes. She had been five the last time she was here, a tiny child who started favoring her father more. But trips to the temple were her mother's favorites with her children, and on most occasions, her mother would only take her and leave Zuko in the palace.
Her mother wanted Agni to protect her. Azula knew her mother did it out of fear for her daughter's sanity. Azula stopped going when she complained to her father, and he ordered Ursa to stop taking Azula on trips.
"Do you know if my mother forgives me?" Azula asked.
"Why don't you find out for yourself?" he asked, before rising. "I'm sure she would want to know if you still favor your father over her."
"Thank-"
The sage dissipated and the room flickered.
Azula found herself kneeling on something cool. Grass. It's touch, along with the winds, soothed her. Did Agni take her here? Birds chirped, and she could hear chatting far away. She found a lone house sitting on the top of the valley, and a dark-haired woman hanging clothing on a rack.
The fire princess rose, holding her stomach. She recognized herself hanging the clothing, but she knew she wasn't staring at herself. Ty-Lee was right. She did look like her mother.
She walked up, closely until her mother stopped. She seemed confused for short moments until she dropped the wet batch of clothing in her hands. Azula's chest swelled. The kiss her mother gave her forehead, the warmth of her embrace her, the last time before she left - all that came back the closer the woman came to her.
"Moth-"
Ursa tugged her the moment the touched. Azula wrapped her arms around her and held back tightly. She let her tears fall silently, listening to her mother whisper in her ear. Her mother smelled just as she did when she left her.
"My little girl…" Ursa said, and kissed her temple. "My sweet girl…"
The Fire Nation smelled like paradise.
Sokka wondered how a beautiful place could be the prison his sister and wife lived. He stood, rooted in the planks of the vessel, watching Azulon loom over him as it parted.
"Be careful Chief," Jian, the Fire Nation soldier in charge of the vessel, said. "It will take us half an hour to get to Capital City. You don't want anyone recognizing you."
Sokka found himself below deck, walking to his room. He passed soldiers and caught a glimpse of Suki, the Kyoshi warrior before he retreated behind doors. He may be closer to his wife, but it would take time before he would be able to see her. He remembered Arnook's words.
"Take your sister away first,"
The ship docked. By this time of the day, the Fire Nation docks were less busy. Merchants who secretly secured the deal with Azula's followers know the plan. The idea was to infiltrate the country as merchants, then pass in as part of the cargo. Sokka would be hidden in the inventory, and reach a small village right on the outsides of Capital City.
Sokka released a long breath. Straightening his healing back.
Azula already knew his intentions. He had to choose Katara over her. Katara was in great danger, and it would only be a matter of time before the king and his son tear her apart. This meant that if he took Katara, there would be less of a chance of him possibly saving his wife.
The more anger the king experiences, the more he may give to Azula and his son. The soldiers from the Northern Water Tribe who snuck in were able to find her and keep her safe for now, but they could only protect Azula for so long.
Sokka had no choice but to rely on her strength to keep both she and their son alive.
"Were you here alone? All this time?"
Ursa shook her head. "No...I came here for you. I sensed you in the temple. When I am not here, I am with everyone else…your uncle is proud of you."
Azula smiled, letting her mother wipe her tears with her thumb. "Tell him I'm sorry for being such a brat."
"He says you are forgiven."
Azula sensed something else. She wondered if her mother wanted to ask about Zuko-
"I cannot do anything, as much as I wanted badly for all my children to be saved. I love all my children, but as much as I have tried, only they can decide their fates."
The former princess paused. Of course. The Spirit World held no secrets. Her mother read her thoughts and knew her troubles. "But...I worry about Katara the most."
Azula paused. "I can't get to her...Ty-Lee is trying to protect her in ways that I can't, but I worry that may not be enough."
"That is not what I meant…"
Azula watched the grave look on her mother's face as she said, "Katara is pure...but Zuko has destroyed that girl, to the point where you or your husband may not know who she is anymore. Do your best to stay as close to her as possible. Please hold on to her...keep her beside you, no matter what."
"Of course I will."
Ursa held her hand. "Please do."
Azula saw something in her mother's gaze. Something terrible, so she held on to the elder's hands, staring at her. "Mother. Will Katara be alright?"
Her mother paused. "Katara is in grave danger."
"What?"
The room flickered. Azula found herself back in the temple, staring in the direction her mother once stood in. Danger. Her mother already knew Katara's situation, but Azula had a feeling that wasn't what she meant. She paused, letting her mind work as quickly as possible.
No.
The winds whipped her face as she stepped out of the palace. She walked until she approached the imposters who would protect her under Sokka's command for as long as it took for him to get to Katara and leave the Fire Nation with her. She saw Kiyi's exhausted body on the ground at their feet with her hands bound - she was out cold.
"Zuko is raiding the palace," she said, ignoring her stomach dropping. Katara's laughing face flickered up in her mind. Katara waved, standing on snow-covered shores as Azula and Sokka returned from a day of fishing.
"I don't know when he will do this, but he will cause havoc in the Fire Nation while doing so. He will kill anyone in the palace, including myself and Princess Illah."
Kiyi started to moan, awaking from being out cold.
Damn it.
Azula had to go home now.
"Zuko may raid the palace at any point in time to overthrow my father. Inform Ty-Lee as quickly as possible before we get home. Send a message to Sokka tonight. Zuko will snatch Katara up and head for the border gates. If Sokka is near the palace, he needs to block Zuko's ship before Zuko tries to escape with Katara."
Hi everyone. Long-time. This story is still going to be completed. I can't leave it hanging. I am working on the next chapter as I type this. I will be updating every two weeks until the story is done. I know that so many things got in the way and affected the update schedule of the story, but I won't quit focusing on this. I finally got some sort of a routine. The next update will be on February 7th. It is almost done. Give me time. Just need to tweak a few things.
I am also writing a one-shot based on Solace - it focuses on Azula and Sokka during the times before her father came to the Southern Water Tribe. That will be up this February 8th.