A/N:

I'm finally back! Working from home now so I have a little more time to get these chapters out now. Hope all of you are holding up well! I'll have another chapter out tonight.

Chapter 30:

If it wasn't apparent to everyone that Ozai was about to lose his shit, it definitely was to Zuko. He could literally see the annoyance, the irritation, the loath his father had upon seeing the Northern Chieftain kiss Katara. And if it didn't make things worse, Katara looked incredibly uncomfortable. Obviously, she didn't share her husband's excitement of being back together.

Sure, it wasn't anyone's business. Least of all, his. But Zuko knew Katara was sort of stuck at the moment. She sort of made that clear from how she couldn't even really stand to look her husband in the eyes. Not to mention, Arnook seemed to have expectations of Katara that were contrary to who she was as a person, so...that mixed in with her brewing affair with his father, yeah, she was stuck.

"Look man, I'm sorry about hitting you back at the summit." Sokka said as he placed his hand down on the back of Zuko's shoulder. "But you were literally fighting my pregnant sister so-"

Waving him off, "It's fine. Katara and I made up." Zuko said. His eyes were focused on the scene before him.

Arnook held Katara's hand as they sat at the table across from his father. Chieftain Hakoda was there too. Smiling at his daughter as the four discussed whatever it was. They were sitting at the veranda in the garden. His father didn't even try to be subtle about where his attention was. But luckily, the two Water Tribesmen from opposite poles were too busy talking about the future of the Water Tribe and its relations with other nations.

Zuko saw Katara glance towards his father a few times like she wanted to desperately go to him and be as far away from Arnook as possible. Agni, his stomach turned. They're so going to get found out.

Looking away, Zuko pushed past his friend that was trying to figure out what he was seeing and why he seemed so tense about it.

Didn't take too long for Sokka to see what Zuko had. The Phoenix King was staring at his sister. And Katara was sneaking glances at him. The young Southern Chieftain clenched his fists as he saw this. Katara please don't. He swore, regardless of holding a grudge against his sister, he didn't want to see her fall any further than she had already.

Sokka knew this wasn't going to be good. So as soon as they were done talking, he would speak with his father and perhaps, Zuko too. The Fire Lord knew something from how stressed he looked. And Sokka wanted to know what was up and he knew Zuko knew.

"How have you been, sweetheart?" Hakoda asked his daughter, who hadn't said much.

Katara twiddled with her fingers and looked to her father, hoping he wouldn't see her anxiousness to be anywhere but here. "I'm fine."

"You sure don't look it." Hakoda chuckled.

Katara rubbed her temple, "Sorry, I've just been dealing with a lot...remembering a lot."

Hakoda looked at his daughter sympathetically, "Yes, I know the past can be a lot. Even more so when you're only just remembering it."

Ozai could tell Katara was just as uncomfortable with this situation as he was. Well...he was more annoyed than anything. Even more at how Arnook seemed so persistent on holding Katara's hand when it was pretty damn obvious that she wanted him to let go. He rubbed his temple trying to calm himself and ease his nerves. This was going to drive him insane.

Arnook took Katara's hand and kissed it as he smiled at her. And that was pretty much the last straw for Ozai. Anymore and he would probably set the Northern Chieftain on fire with his gaze. So, he excused himself and left like he had better things to do. But not before seeing Katara look at him as he were abandoning her. He would explain himself later and he was sure she'd understand. She understood him a lot better this time around, so he didn't worry that this would affect their progress.

…..

Zuko sat with his head in his hands, sitting on the sofa of the lounge. His younger brother and sister sitting in front of him. Kya was holding the baby as she liked to do and Zhiar was just as upset as his older brother.

"This stays between us, you hear me?" Zuko looks up at the two.

"I'm not saying shit." Zhiar said as he folded his arms.

Kya rocked the baby in her arms, "I personally like the direction things are going."

Zuko rubbed his temple, "Look, I'll speak with them both, okay? You two see to it that this doesn't become known to anyone else. This stays between us. Got it?"

The two nodded.

….

With the Phoenix having left them to their own devise and Katara wanting to rest, Hakoda wanted to address the situation he had heard from his son about what took place at the summit. He had to admit, he didn't like how Arnook had handled Katara waking up with no memories of after her kidnapping. And he expressed this to the best of his ability without coming down too hard on Arnook about it but Katara was not a fragile girl. Not even before she joined the war effort. As a little girl after her mother was killed, Katara had been strong and brave through it all. She helped keep the village together and maintained the Southern Pride of the people. It came as no surprise to him when he learned his daughter was traveling with the Avatar.

Arnook tried to explain the best he could but he could see Hakoda was not satisfied with the answer.

"I say this because I know my daughter. Treating her like she is weak will only cause her to resent you." Hakoda warned. "As if things weren't bad enough, you let her come here."

"Ozai learned about her pregnancy and the child being his kin. I felt cornered." Arnook expressed.

Hakoda scoffed as he looked Arnook over, "So you fear him?"

"No!"

"Sounds like it." Hakoda looked Arnook up and down. "Ozai showed up with my daughter as his wife a little over 15 years ago. He wouldn't allow me to see her because she was pregnant and I punched him in his face. We fought until Katara showed up. I didn't fear him then and I don't fear him now. She is my daughter and I've failed her enough. And if you can't protect or defend her, what use are you being married to her?"

Arnook stared wide eyed at Hakoda for a moment before the offense settled in and he narrowed his eyes.

"Are you saying I'm ill fit to be her husband?"

Folding his arms as he wore a stern disapproving face, "I'm saying that if you can't stand up to him, then you have no business being my daughter's husband."

Hakoda didn't like the spinelessness of his daughter's second husband. At least Ozai had a set of balls. He was an entitled asshole but he had some balls. Arnook couldn't even muster the truth to Katara about her past. Let alone stand his ground with Ozai. The Northern Chieftain was a joke. He couldn't believe he thought this might have turned out to be a good union for his daughter.

Going to his guest chambers, the Southern Chieftain was met by his son who had plenty to tell him and it came as no shock. Hakoda wasn't blind. His son didn't need to tell him. He saw. Obviously, the Phoenix King had his eyes on Katara the entire time. It was beyond disrespectful. But of course, Arnook, the gullible fool, hadn't picked up on it. That, or he refused to see the exchange.

Sighing as he sat in his guest room and looked to his son, "You're Chieftain now, what would you make of this?"

Folding his arms, "Katara is Northern Water Tribe now. That's not my call."

Sure but at this rate, Hakoda couldn't see how she would stay that way. He knew the kind of man Ozai was. Despite coming to the South Pole the second time, the former Chieftain of the South Pole remembered the man he encountered years ago. Fire Lord Ozai. Ruthless impassive bastard took Katara as his wife forcibly and caused her to fall from grace. It was hard to look at the man a second time but seeing his devotion towards the children, Hakoda began to realize that while this man might have rubbed off on his daughter, she did the same with him.

Even now, Hakoda could see that a lot of that ruthlessness was pushed back with restraint. He could tell from what he's witnessed in the South Pole two years ago and what he's heard, that Ozai was trying to be more human. Ironic as it was, it definitely seemed so.

But that didn't justify the man disrespecting his daughter in front of her husband by blatantly staring at her with longing. He had told Ozai to stay away from his daughter. He had saw on her wedding day that the man held strong feelings for her and Katara seemed to return them. She had just married Arnook but she had spent hours with her ex-husband afterwards. Dancing with him. Laughing and giggling with him. She even spent her last moments with him before she fell into a seven year sleep in his arms.

Hakoda furrowed his brows and shook his head, "I pray Arnook man's up. I don't doubt your sister has her attention elsewhere."

Sokka scoffed, "Man up? Before we showed up with Aang during the war, the North hadn't the balls to face the Fire Nation. I know this marriage was for us to unite our tribes but I know Katara, she's too much for him and he's not enough for her. It's enough to send her running back to her ex. Who could blame her? He's filthy rich. More powerful than before. And he's not bad looking. And he's Katara's type."

"Type?" Hakoda raised a brow.

Sokka nodded as he folded his arms, "Jet and Zuko were her flings because they were sort of caught dangling on the line of good and bad. She likes bad boys. At least from what I remember in our youth. Imagine what must have happened in her head when someone who was fused with bad through and through takes her as his wife, she might have had an org-"

Hakoda slapped his hand over his son's mouth. Tui and La, he didn't want to hear that about his daughter. Shaking his head.

Either way, what he concluded was that Katara had feelings for her ex and her ex was undoubtedly in love with her. She was married but he could still see her flirting with the Phoenix King. As far as an affair taking place, he wouldn't believe his daughter would do something outright disrespectful to her husband or herself. Katara was better than that. Petty feelings would get in the way. But Arnook would be the one to test that side of her. He was doing a horrible job at keeping his wife's attention. He would have to speak to the man some more.

…...

Having excused herself, Katara raced to her chambers. There she closed her bedroom door shut and rested her body against it.

Catching her breath as she stood there at the door, pressed to it. Katara felt overwhelmed. So much so that she could barely breathe. La, it was very apparent to her upon seeing her husband that she did not have feelings for him of any kind. Nothing of what she had come to feel for her ex-husband were present in how she felt about her current husband.

Arnook was a good man. Or at least that's what she thought based on how he treated her but it was so unbearable to be seven feet from the person she laid beside last night and yet, be holding hands with a man she could barely look in the eyes.

"Katara."

The waterbender looked up to see Zuko with their baby in his arms, "Yes?" She said, trying to get herself straightened out.

"Be honest with me. Do you want to stay here with my father?" He asked her.

"What?" She said as she looked at him strangely. "No. Of course not. I have to go bac-"

"Tara, I'm asking for honesty. Just this once." Zuko looked at her.

The jig was up. Katara looked away to the side and nodded her head before sniffling.

Approaching her, "And were you with him last night?" Zuko asked.

Katara looked up at him, shocked that he knew. "Yes but we didn't-" looking down in shame. "I only let him hold me while we slept. We didn't have sex." Her eyes lifted to him. "But I-"

Shaking his head, "Katara, it's fine. Okay? I'm only asking this because I just watched how uncomfortable you looked with Arnook. Even if he doesn't seem like a bad man, he's not the one you want to be with. Is he?"

The waterbender shrugged.

"So what are you going to do?"

What was she going to do? La, she wished she knew the answer to that question. She couldn't just up and leave her husband but she didn't very well see how she could bear going back with him. Just now was agony. It felt wrong to her and she hated every minute of him holding her hand. The look on Ozai's face didn't help much. Dear la, I need to speak with him.

Moving past Zuko, Katara went to sit by her firepit and stared into the flames.

"I need more time. Time to sort things out. See if it's worth throwing away my marriage to be with your father or if it's just all a heated infatuation." Katara said as she ran both her hands over her hair and to her neck.

Coming to sit by her, Zuko told her that his father was passed that point of being infatuated with her. The man was crazy, literally crazy about her, and if Arnook found out about anything going on, it would be because his father had a terrible way of hiding his feelings for her. Not that he was going to do so anyway. His father was a rule breaker. Especially when it came to social situations. If it was frowned upon to seek out another man's wife, his father was going to do it and do it publicly. He didn't care who knew.

So there was a high chance that his father was going to make it very obvious that something was going on between the two of them. Zuko advised her to be prepared to be confronted by her husband.

And maybe that wasn't all too bad. Maybe, her husband would see this and back down from trying to return home with her. Maybe he would just nullify their marriage. Or maybe she was being idealistic and Arnook, a man of the Northern Tribe, would be insulted beyond recognition and he'd take to it severely.

Tui and La help me here. She prayed to herself. She just needed a little guidance here. A push in the right direction. A sign that she should either stay here or leave with her husband.

And just like that, she got her answer.

Barging into her room with an annoyed look on his face was her father. She and Zuko stood up to see what was going on.

"Dad?"

Hakoda went over to hug her tight. Burying his face in her hair as he took a few moments to get himself together before he spoke.

"I don't know how you deal with that man." He said as he still held her.

Sighing, "Ozai isn't that b-"

"Not him. Arnook." He pulled apart as he looked at her. "That man is about as pampered as the upper ring people in Bei Seng Sei."

Katara raised a brow. A little confused.

Hakoda went on to rant about his conversation with Arnook. And basically, Hakoda was unimpressed with the kind of man Arnook was. But he was also saying this to test his daughter. See her reaction to what he was saying.

"Doesn't train himself in any combative activities. No drive to indulge in other cultures. He's boring as all hell. No passion." Hakoda rubbed the back of his head. "Might want to think about that ex of yours." He burst out laughing. "Just kidding. I hate him less these days but neither of them are good enough for you."

Katara was confused and so was Zuko.

When the baby started to stir awake, Hakoda's attention turned his attention to the little guy.

"Aww and is this my grandson?" Hakoda smiled as Zuko allowed him to take him from his arms. "What did you name him?"

"We haven't named him yet." Zuko said with an awkward laugh.

Hakoda eyed him and then looked to his daughter. "'We?'"

Sighing, Katara was seriously about to say fuck this shit and run away.

"Zuko and I were together before Arnook asked me a second time to marry him. I was pregnant. And as you're probably aware of I went to sleep for 7 years. So...Zuko's the father."

Hakoda looked down at his grandson and then to Zuko, who was a little nervous. He already knew this from Sokka and Arnook explaining things to him.

"So my daughter has a type." Hakoda sighed as he remembered what Sokka said and shook his head as he rocked his grandson in his arms. "That or you and your father are taking turns at my daughter."

Shaking his head and hands as he backed away from a very pissed off father, Zuko quickly put at ease that he wouldn't do that to Katara. It was during the time his father wasn't in the picture for 7 years. They were trying to rekindle what they had before his father had taken her away.

Hakoda looked Zuko over and then his daughter, "And why not marry him?"

Katara's eyes bulged out. "What?!"

"He's young. Physically fit. Has his father's good looks. Should have picked him." He studied her reaction.

I'm out. This was not the sign she wanted.

Zuko tried not to laugh as Katara stormed out of the room. Clearly, her father was joking.

"I'm serious. You shouldn't have let her go marry Arnook. I'd have preferred you over Arnook and your asshole of a father." Hakoda know wanted to see Zuko's reaction and his turned dark.

Zuko's eyes hardened as he looked off after Katara. "I didn't let her go. Arnook took her."

…..

Arnook sees his wife pacing back and forth outside her bedroom. She seemed to be lost in thought. Probably thinking about that terrible plan of her ex-husband to disown their son. But fortunately, that's all that seemed to be bothering her. A small smile comes to his face as he was happy to see she was okay after all this time away from him.

"Katara, you looked a little upset earlier. Everything alright?" He asked as he came to wrap his arms around her.

Unable to return the gesture, Katara waited for him to let go and when he did, he looked her over.

"Katara-"

"You didn't write me. Didn't ask me how the baby was. You didn't check on me or tell me how things were for you." She was a little uneasy about these things. "We left on not so good terms, writing me would have been the sensible thing to do, Arnook."

Chuckling at his beautiful wife as he ran his hand over the side of her face and cupped it. "I didn't fear much. You're a strong woman and loyal, I know there was nothing for me to concern myself over with you being here." He said as he stared lovingly in her eyes.

Bullshit. She saw the accusation written all over his face when he saw her and Ozai. While they weren't completely innocent of his mental accusation and his verbal implication, he was lying about having nothing to worry about.

Lying about something else. The siren scoffed. Are you really going to go for this shit?

Katara wasn't going to be confrontational like it seemed her siren soul was. Obviously, it had a bias and didn't favor anyone but her ex. But she could ignore the siren. She was her own person. And as her own person, Katara wanted no drama with her husband.

Sighing, the waterbender pulled away from Arnook. His lousy lie and pretending to be so self-assured aside, she didn't like his touching of her. Even in a chaste manner. He was her husband but...I'm having an affair. She was not the double crossing type.

Just from how Ozai seemed to be tense upon Arnook's arrival, she knew he doubted her. Felt she would ignore these feelings she held for him and ignore him. But it was the total opposite. She seemed to be even more aware of her feelings for the Phoenix King as she stood in her husband's presence.

Arnook's affection paled in comparison to Ozai's and it only triggered the thought of how much more she enjoyed the feel of the Phoenix King's touch. It made her think of him and want to be with him, instead of here, pretending that she wasn't cringing at Arnook's presence since the moment he showed up.

"You look lovely today, did I mention?" Arnook looked her over as he tried closing the gap between them once again. "I've missed you, wife."

Fortunately for the very uncomfortable waterbender, her emotions had a way of physically manifesting themselves and she vomited on him.

Hama was a little surprised when she saw Katara storm off from her husband, well...not that surprised. She just didn't expect for the 'goodie goodie', as Ozai referred to Katara as, to be so sore with her husband after seeing him for the first time in six months. She'd think the little 'goodie goodie' would welcome him in warm arms. I guess my granddaughter is a lot like me. Katara wanted what she wanted and Arnook wasn't it.

As she saw Katara slip off somewhere, probably away from her husband and away from everyone else, Hama decided to go check on Ozai. She just knew his mood was horrid.

And it was.

"GET THE FUCK OUT!" Ozai nearly burned Hama to a crisp.

The water siren was able to defend herself with a barrier of water around herself. When he finished trying to kill her, Hama bloodbended him to be unable to utilize his chi for bending.

"Why so angry, Ozai? Surely, you know that girl doesn't want Arnook." Hama said, keeping a good grip on his enormous flow of chi.

Ozai reached in his desk drawer and drew a knife that he sent it at her head. Hama dodged it and smirked. She didn't have enough power to maintain his movements and chi, so it was one or the other. And chi was it. Ozai recently learned to bend fire without even using the basic movements. Did so with his mind like she did. He was more dangerous than before and not even she could control him for long.

"That bastard dare come in my palace without permission! Who the fuck let him in?! They're getting executed!"

Hama grinned, "I figured this would be good to get Katara to make a decision. So I let him in."

Growling, Ozai grabbed several throwing knives from his desk and threw them all at her. He was going to stake the bitch. But of course, Hama was able to remove herself from harm's way. He growled in frustration.

"Make him leave!"

"What are you, Ozai? A child? You want something done, you're the Phoenix King, you make it happen. What can an old water siren do that you can't?" Hama placed her hands on her hips. "Your precious waterbender just vomited on her husband when he touched her. Her father is disappointed with the man that he allowed to marry his daughter. This is your moment. Your time! You want your woman back, you make it happen, Ozai!"

And he would begin doing just that.

Going to where Hakoda's chambers were, Ozai knocked and was surprised that the man answered so quickly, holding his club in his hand as if he were prepared for an assassin to be knocking. Hakoda looked Ozai up and down before scoffing as he rested his hand over his shoulder.

"And what can I do for you this evening, Phoenix King?"

"Simply entertain a conversation with me." Ozai said as if it weren't much he was asking for.

And Hakoda figure it might be a good opportunity to get something out of this man about why he was staring so hard at his daughter. So, the Southern Chieftain stepped aside to let his host in.

The two then went to a sitting area and sat across from one another. Hakoda's and Ozai's posture was guarded, like they were waiting for the other to strike. Regardless of them leaving on a good note the last they saw each other, they weren't friends. Far from it. But they weren't enemies either but in a world that was mostly black and white to the both of them, this grey area they resided in was most unusual and uncomfortable.

"You're still in love with my daughter." Hakoda decided to start. "I thought I told you that I wouldn't allow you to have my daughter again."

Ozai rested his head in his hand, "And do I have her?"

There was a brief silence.

"I know my deeds, Hakoda. I know I've been no less the foul and wicked most of my life. Even I wouldn't be willing to hand my daughter over to a man like me." Ozai really wouldn't let his daughter near a man like him. "But I can't just give up Katara. That's not happening."

Hakoda sighed and looked away from the man. He wasn't really angry or upset from hearing that. It was kind of a relief. Out of all the terrible tyrants throughout their world's history, his daughter had children with one that actually seemed to be in love with her. Even if, Hakoda was against this man seeking after his daughter, he could tell nothing he'd say would make a difference. Ozai seemed like the stubborn type. Stubborn as a buffalo-ox.

Shifting his gaze back to the Phoenix King, "If you weren't a previous warmongering tyrant, I might turn a blind eye to the obvious signs that you're wanting to take my daughter back. I might even say I like you a little bit. You're an asshole but I trust what you say that you mean it. Besides, you're immortal and my daughter will also have many years ahead of her beyond that of a human. It goes without saying that you would be there for her long after we're all dead and gone. But I cannot overlook your flaws."

"And that's not what I want." Ozai says boredly.

"Then what do you want?"

"I can be held accountable for my misdeeds. That's no problem. I know the wrong I've done. That's not the issue. However; being who I am, what I am, leaves me missing out on certain aspects of life. Other than your daughter, I've never really had anyone to extend my friendship to. I had hoped despite our qualms in the past we could… I could extend the offer to you, Chieftain Hakoda."

Hakoda eyed him suspiciously. "And what have you to gain?"

"One more person to familiarize myself with. I'd like to have a friend that isn't the woman I'm in love with." He said.

Knowing the Phoenix King to be a strange man, Hakoda didn't blow the man off. He had seen for himself that Ozai was not normal. And not in the obvious ways. Socially, the man didn't really understand how relationships or social cues worked outside of him being a man of power. And from what he could picture life being like in the Fire Nation, Hakoda could believe his upbringing had a lot to do with why he was socially awkward. And yes, the Southern Chieftain was convinced now that Ozai was socially awkward because when you took away the anger, the facade of power and control, his pride, and he was forced to be held in a vulnerable position, Ozai was no different from anyone else that didn't quite know how to express themselves.

With a soft chuckle, Hakoda's posture relaxed as he looked at Ozai, "You're cute."

Furrowing his brows, "excuse me?" Ozai was confused.

"We can talk more about that another time when you get to know me better." Hakoda grinned as he extended his hand. "How about it, friend?"

Ozai was suddenly thinking he made a terrible decision coming here as he eyed Hakoda's hand and then took it. When they shook, the Phoenix King noticed Hakoda was slow to retract his hand and was still grinning at him as he looked him over. Feeling uncomfortable, Ozai got up and left.

As soon as he was outside Hakoda's chambers, Ozai furrowed his brows even more. What the hell did he mean by I'm cute?! He eventually wrote it off as some weird Water Tribe thing.

….

And morning felt like it wouldn't get here quick enough as she laid in her bed within her guest chambers. Arnook was given his own guest quarters separate from hers. Katara stating she needed to sleep alone. Making up some excuse of feeling she was coming down with a fever. And it wasn't completely a lie. She was so warm to the touch but it was not sickness. No, she just felt incredibly aroused and it needed to be dealt with.

When morning finally arrived, Katara bathed and dressed. She wore her hair down like she had been doing for months of being here. Leaving her chambers, she saw Kya was standing there with her son in her arms as Zuko tried to get her to hand the baby back.

"Mom, Zuko says he wants you to name the baby already." Kya says.

Katara smiles from her daughter to Zuko, who looks a bit on the spot as he rubs the back of his neck looking awkward.

"What name do you like for him?" Katara asked.

"You'll let me name him?" Zuko is a little shocked.

Nodding her head as she looks to her son, "He's our son. Why shouldn't you have a say in his name?"

Kya hands the baby to her brother and saw her mother and brother focus on the baby as if to pick out the best name for him.

"Tonra?" Katara said.

Zuko eyed her, "Sozin?"

Katara looked at him like he was crazy.

"Exactly." Zuko chuckled. "He needs a name that fits him. How about Ryu?"

Katara studied her son's face. "Ryu? That's a cute name and he's cute. I like Ryu."

Smiling, Zuko told her he was kidding and that that name would be obvious as all hell. Ryu meant dragon. Katara shrugged.

"Ryu. His name will be Ryu." Katara said.

Zuko looked at her like she had lost her mind but the expression faded as she placed her hand on his.

"I'm not going to hide who his father is. Not from him and not from others. He's your heir." Katara told him.

"But what will they say? You're married and you have my son, don't you think you'd be making your life harder than it has to be?"

Shrugging once more, "I guess but this isn't about me, this is about our son. He needs to know who he is and be unashamed. I already have one son I have to correct. I'd much prefer being criticized than doing that to a second child."

Zuko moved to kiss her forehead and then bring her forehead to rest against his as he held the back of her head. He whispered something for only her to hear and she smiled as they pulled apart.

Kya saw Arnook had spotted them and was glaring at Zuko.

"I have to check on things in the Fire Nation." Zuko said handing her their son. "I'll see you a little later."

Katara smiled and nodded her head as Kya stood at her side.

When Zuko was gone, Kya reached to whisper in her mother's ear and told her that Arnook was watching them. Katara turned to see her husband approaching them. She readjusted Ryu in her arms as she turned to greet him but Arnook didn't look happy.

"You'd let another man that isn't your husband kiss your forehead but you refuse me, your husband, to even touch you?!" Arnook shouted at her.

Katara was a little caught off guard by him raising his voice at her and pulled away, not wanting him to disturb her son's peace. Kya narrowed her eyes at him.

"Arno-"

"Do not ever let me see you allow another man to touch you ever again! Do you hear me?!" Arnook demanded.

Nodding her head, Katara hung her head and looked down at her son, who was staring up at her curiously.

Kya stepped in front of her mother, "What about her father and brother and sons, are they not to touch her either?"

Arnook looked down at the little girl, "N-no. I wasn't-"

"You weren't thinking? Of course not. You don't look like a man that thinks a lot before he speaks." Kya looked the man up and down.

Looking from the girl to his wife, Arnook didn't know what to say to her but was about to say something just before the girl's father showed up with a grin on his face.

"Kya, what did I tell you about that?" Ozai snickered to himself as he approached them.

Kya looked from Arnook to her father, "What we say in private stays in private." She replied.

Arnook furrowed his brows and looked up at Ozai as the teenager went to her father's side. He was offended that those words were something that the Phoenix King may have spoken amongst others. You think I don't think before I speak?

Yes. That's exactly what I believe. Ozai spoke directly into the thoughts of the Chieftain which seemed to freak the man out as the Phoenix King's stood there eying him, lips not even moving as he wore a sly grin. Now, what did your dumb ass say?

"I'm not a dumb ass, you Fire Nation trash!" Arnook spat out loud.

Katara gaped at her husband and then furrowed her brows, "Arnook!"

"His lips aren't moving but he's calling me a dumb ass!" Arnook told his wife as he glared at Ozai.

Kya turned around, "A mentally ill stepfather, lucky me." She said before waltzing off.

Ozai feigned confusion, "Did I say something?"

"Yes! You did!"

"I didn't hear anything." Katara was seriously confused here as she looked between the two of them.

"Because he was talking in my head! He called me a dumb ass!" Arnook tried to explain but he knew he sounded crazy. "He's not human so it goes without saying he can do what doesn't make sense!"

Ozai raised a brow, still pretending to not understand what was going on. Katara sighed and shook her head as she took her husband by the arm to pull him away. She didn't want any drama between the two of them and Arnook was already starting up again.

Arnook glared at Ozai as his wife pulled him off and with her back turnt, Ozai grinned at him.

Take care, dumb ass.

"You son of a bitch!" Arnook shouted.

"Arnook!"

Katara yanked him on along with her. She couldn't believe how rude he was being. This was not what she was used to from him. He was so even tempered when she met him and then woke years later to be his wife. But every time he got around Ozai he couldn't contain himself. This needed to stop.

…..

Ozai entered his office to see Zuko wrapping things up with his council meeting in the firepit. He slapped his son in the back of the head as he went to his desk and sat behind it. He ignored how his son, who had doused the fire and looked to glare at him. Even the remark about him being a dick fell on dead ears.

The Phoenix King was feeling strangely better. Something about making Arnook look like an idiot put him in a pleasant mood. Because if Arnook was anything, he was an idiot but he needed that to show. Because the only fools that entertained him were the ones that stumbled over themselves and their dumb decisions. But joy, was not something his children were used to seeing written on his cold features. Especially not Zuko. Who thought he might be having a stroke.

"You okay, dad?" Zuko asked.

Flipping through a few documents, Ozai nodded. "I'm just fine. In a good mood."

"So you hit me in the back of the head because you're in a good mood?"

Putting on his spectacles, "It was a love-tap."

Okay. Now that didn't sound right. A 'love-tap'? What the fuck? Zuko was on his father so quick. Looking him over and studying as he worked.

"What is a love-tap?" Zuko asked as he watched his father hard.

"A tap you give to a loved one. I do it to your sister and Katara plenty." Ozai told him.

Gaping at him, Zuko wondered if he was finally being placed on the same level of love and affection as Kya. Was his father finally showing his love and affection towards him? Agni, he knew he was a grown man now but that just hit him hard.

Continuing to watch his father, Zuko wondered to himself what could possibly have him in a such a good mood that he 'love-tap' him.

"I don't know why but there is a certain thrill to making Arnook look like an idiot. I think I just found a new hobby." Ozai seemed to smile to himself.

Zuko backed away and noted that his father's joy always came with something sadistic or fucked up. He didn't know why he expected any less from the man.

"Is something the matter?" Arnook asked his wife as she once again refused him. He wasn't even trying to take her to bed, he just wanted to kiss her.

Katara was becoming anxious. Very anxious. Arnook was her husband and to continuously refuse him like this would make things obvious. There were only a few reasons a woman refused to be intimate with her husband. And one of them, the ones men liked to point out is that his wife was possibly seeing someone else. Which wasn't wrong but was she going to admit that she and Ozai were messing around? Are you nuts?! Of course not!

Sighing as she searched her mind for an excuse to give her husband but before she could think up one, Arnook placed his hands over her shoulders.

"You're stressed, aren't you?" Arnook looked at her with concern. "Remembering pieces of your past, it must be hard to swallow."

The waterbender looked to her husband and nodded her head. She couldn't have come up with a better excuse.

Rubbing her shoulder, "And I'm sure Ozai doesn't make things any better with the way he looks at you."

It was becoming increasingly uncomfortable being around Arnook. Even more with him trying to figure out why she didn't want his affection. She should probably go speak with Ozai about this. Last thing she wanted was to offend him and then him do something out of line because she had a good feeling that he acted out when he was angry.

Managing to slip away from her husband, Katara shows up in Ozai's chambers and found he wasn't there. She figured while she waited for him that she could go through his study to see what other letters he had hidden around that he didn't want to send to her but she stuck to sitting on the edge of his bed.

Eventually, the waterbender got tired waiting around and was about to get to leave but just as she made her way to the large double doors of his chambers. Katara saw them open and Ozai walked through them. Her eyes caught his and she stiffened. She felt a chill go down her back as he grinned and made sure the door was locked.

"Coming to see me in private, waterbender?" His eyes pierced hers as he waltzed up to her.

Dropping her gaze from his, "I needed to speak with you about something."

The two were now sitting in his study, across from one another as Katara explained her situation. Ozai didn't necessarily like what he was hearing but it wasn't like this hadn't crossed his mind upon Arnook showing up. And here he was supposed to be the bigger man and not tell her to that Arnook could go fuck himself, quite literally.

Stroking his beard as he leaned back in his comfy chair with his leg over his knee, eyeing the married woman he was pursuing, Ozai decided there was only one way he wouldn't be offended by seeing her with her husband.

"Divorce him." Ozai said.

"What?!" She looked at him like he was crazy.

"At least think on it." Ozai told her as he looked away. "You can't possibly think seeing both of us will last forever."

Well, no. She didn't think it would ever be happening for one and two, she didn't know if she wanted to be with either. While she couldn't bear Arnook as she was just not in love with him and there was no chemistry, that didn't mean she was just going to hop back into a relationship with this- she looked him up and down- this person.

She only just recently learned the former warmongering tyrant had in fact kidnapped and married her. Toss out the facts that they might have 'eventually' fell for one another, he had her KIDNAPPED and FORCED her to MARRY him. Not to mention, he got her into a lot of trouble with a lot of people. Her family and friends included. She was basically unpopular with a LOT of people because of him. And for some odd reason, their son couldn't stand him. Well, that might not be entirely his fault alone but still! His only redeeming qualities were that she found him attractive, he seemed pretty sure of his feelings for her, and it looked like he was trying to be a better person...sort of.

Sighing as she shook her head, "Can I just not be married? Is being a single woman not an option?" She looked at him like he was supposed to have all the answers.

Ozai smirked, "So I take it, you're not impressed with either of us."

"No, that's not-"

"If you want, you can. I'm not forcing you to pick either of us, though I would prefer you did. Believe it or not but grey areas of relationships, confuse me and I don't like being confused." He told her. "You either are or you aren't. Whatever you decide just make it known to me. My feelings won't change, only how I interact with you."

Katara tilted her head, "So if I choose neither of you?"

"Then I'll respect that. You'll have a place here, always, but I'll limit us seeing each other. For your comfort and mines."

Tapped her chin, "And if I choose Arnook?"

Ozai laughed, "Then I rather not discuss what I might do in that event. Even I don't know."

"And if I choose you?"

The laughter ceased and she watched his grey irises turn gold as he told her to come here. She was hesitant. The way his tone shifted and his gaze intensified, it made heat pool into her gut. It was hard to admit and she slowly made her way to him on command, but if she were a fool, she'd fall for that smoldering look of his. He was far more attractive than anyone she had ever remembered meeting and it was undeniable that they shared chemistry. It was electrifying, just the thought of how his fingertips on her skin made every hair on her body stand. La, she wished she was a fool and then maybe this could all be easy. But good looks and romance was not enough to catch a fish like her.

As she was just inches from him, he took her wrist and pulled her down into his lap. His arms then circled around her middle as he laid his head onto her shoulder. Her hands fell on his as they held her to him.

"If you chose me, I'd make you my queen immediately. There would be no reason to wait." He said as he whispered against the skin of her neck. "I've missed you and I don't really miss anyone but I did when we were apart."

Shutting her eyes as she breathed in deeply and gradually exhaled, Katara pulled his arms from around her. She then turned to face him, taking both sides of his face in her hands as she looked down at him. There was a hint of vulnerability there that she had seen a few times with Zuko. Every time he was conflicted with one side of himself, he had that look in his eyes like he needed someone to point him in the right direction. Zuko was fortunate. He had Iroh and their friends to help. But Ozai, who told him right from wrong? Who pointed him in the right direction? Who eased the turmoil within him?

Katara pressed her forehead to his and they both closed their eyes.

"I'm confused too, Ozai. It would be very easy to choose to stay here with you. But, a decision like leaving my husband will take more time than this." She told him as her hands moved from his face into his hair as she climbed into his lap, straddling his sides. Pulling her face just inches away from his, she stared him in his eyes and grinned as one hand went to his jaw. "But if I were a single woman, I'd think nothing of it. I would be selfish as can be and what everyone thought of me would not matter for a second. You are the obvious decision. The one I want to make but I'm not a single woman and I can't think nothing of this. I need more time."

Ozai reached his arms around her and up to the back of her neck as she ghosted her lips to his. Before she could even press them to her, he flipped her onto the vacant spot of the sofa he was sitting on and claimed her lips with a hunger he had been suppressing while she gave into him. She couldn't choose to stay with him. He understood that. He knew that already but she still chose him as the one she wanted. And for now, that was enough. He would give her time. That or have Arnook assassinated, whichever came first.

The next morning, Zuko had to hunt down Kya in order to get his son. He didn't know why his sister was so obsessed with the baby. Maybe it was a girl thing? Who knew? But when he found his sister cradling the baby in the garden, he saw Arnook was sitting beside her on a stone bench.

As he approached he heard his sister refuse to allow Arnook hold the baby.

"He's not yours." Kya said as she stood and walked away with the baby.

When she did, she saw Arnook sigh and shake his head. Zuko really hated that he took after his mother in being unable to turn away from someone who looked down. If he was his father, he tell Arnook to go fuck himself.

The Fire Lord went to go see how the Northern Chieftain was doing and regretted it almost instantly. Arnook told him about the argument that he and Katara got into. He only wanted to know if she was okay and if Ozai had done anything inappropriate to her. Katara was angry and was insulted that he would think Ozai could do anything to her without her wanting him to. It was then that he asked her if she had wanted him to.

Zuko really felt like Arnook was asking for it.

"Look, Arnook. I don't mean this in any way other than to state the facts." Zuko told him. "I've known Katara since we were teenagers. She's dealing with a lot. Her memory is starting to return. She just had a baby. Not to mention she knows that she's going to have to split up her family again to return with you. This is not easy for her and it's not easy for any of us."

Sighing as he looked at where Kya had run off to hold the baby, glaring at him like he was some dangerous predator she had to keep herself and the baby away from. "I know most of you hate me-"

"You married a woman who was in deep with my family. You brought that on yourself." Zuko eyed him.

"I guess I did but I feel like we're all family now and even with most of her memory lost, Katara fits right in and I'm an outsider."

Zuko rolled his eyes as he stood up, "Trust me, Arnook. You don't need to feel like an outsider. We're not family."

Arnook watched Zuko go to his sister and he supposed the Fire Lord said something about him because Kya looked his way and laughed. He didn't even know the girl could laugh. But she did. So, Arnook felt like an idiot.

A crowd of men were all circled around Hakoda and Ozai as they wrestled. Seemed at the moment the Phoenix King had the Southern Chieftain in a headlock and was trying to get him to yield. Of course, Hakoda was no less a prideful man and refused. Trying to give himself enough time to think about how to turn the tables.

The crowd around them had all placed their bets and were all confident that the Phoenix King would win this match.

Hearing all the commotion and the cheering and rooting from down the hall, Katara saw a bunch of men huddled together rooting for the Phoenix King. Her eyes widened. What the hell is going on here?

Katara pushed and squeezed herself through the crowd only to see Ozai and her father on the ground wrestling. Her father had managed to flip out of the headlock and was now palm to palm with Ozai trying to see which of them could force the other to the ground. It was a pretty good match.

However; Katara didn't care what kind of shit this was. A friendly spar between two men that hate each other, Katara didn't give a damn. This fight was over.

Leaving and then coming back with a bucket of water, Katara threw it on the two men and they immediately stopped, looking in the direction the water had come from.

Standing there with her hands on her hips and she glared at both of them. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING?!"

The crowd disbursed. Nothing was more a buzzkill than a woman coming and breaking up an epic manly fight.

Chuckling as he saw how upset his daughter was, "Sweetheart, we were just wrestling." Hakoda said as he threw his arm around Ozai's shoulders and punched him in the gut.

Ozai put his hand in Hakoda's face and pushed him away from him. He really wasn't comfortable with male affection. Even if it was just to be friendly.

"It was a spar. No different than our spar. But Hakoda isn't a bender so it's a bit more physical." Ozai told her as he went to grab his towel and wipe the water off of him.

Beside him, Hakoda sat with a canteen of water and chugged it. Katara eyed them carefully.

"So you two weren't fighting like a bunch of morons?"

"Nope." Hakoda smiled at her.

"If it was serious, he'd be dead." Ozai told her as he snatched the canteen from Hakoda and drank the rest.

Katara looked between the both of them and let her arms relax at her sides before exhaling. La, she had really thought they were being idiots and trying to kill each other.

"Okay, well, if you two are getting along I'll leave you be." Katara said before aimlessly walking off.

Hakoda didn't miss the look in the Phoenix King's eyes as his daughter walked away. He was going to say something but willed himself not to. He just wanted for Ozai to finally look away from the direction she walked off in. They made eye contact and Hakoda made it obvious he was pretending he didn't just see that.

"Yes, I look at your daughter. Is that a problem?" Ozai eyed Hakoda with indifference.

Rolling his shoulder as he walked away, "She's married, so yes, that's a problem." Hakoda glanced over his shoulder. "But am I going to say anything about it? No, I trust my daughter is smart enough to stay put with her husband. No matter how incompetent he may seem as a man."

Ozai chuckled at that remark and slapped his hand on Hakoda's back, "And here I thought you Tribesmen had no humor."

Hakoda scoffed, "There's nothing funny about a man without a spine and a pair of balls. No wonder he doesn't have any children outside his late daughter. The poor bastard."

The Phoenix King laughed even louder, "I'm starting to like you, Hakoda."

The Southern Chieftain looked his new companion up and down as he walked off ahead of him. The feeling is mutual.

….

Katara decided that maybe she needed to not be so awkward with her husband. Or at least tell him she's just not feeling well so he'll at least won't think the worst. It was bad enough she was becoming increasingly physical with Ozai. He had purposely left a mark on her neck that she had to get rid of. Not to mention, she left one on him to even the score and he refused to let her remove it. La, he was so childish for a grown man. She chuckled just remembering his face when he realized she nipped his neck. That man is so goofy! She giggled.

But no, that's not what she was worrying about now. She needed to smooth things out with her husband since she was going to remain his wife until she had found a way out of her marriage that didn't make it so obvious that she was having an affair. Ugh, I wish I could just make him hate me.

And when she came to his chambers to hopefully repair the damage she might have caused the last few days after throwing up on him, shunning him from her chambers and refusing his affection, Katara came across a letter on his bed. A letter that made her begin to believe what the siren said to her.

Katara clenched her fists as she saw Arnook had spotted her and was on his way to her after leaving his chambers. She remained still and tried not to glare or make any expressions that would make her look 'unlady-like'. It was very frustrating to find out what she had found out about him. About their marriage. About what he was trying to do to her. Ozai said it right. Arnook knew what he was getting himself into.

"Dear, I haven't seen you all morning." Arnook said as smiled at her.

The waterbender looked at him without saying a single word and her stare was cold.

Chuckling at her, "Katara, please, dear, you are not this woman. Where's that warmth in you that you held?"

Clenching her fists, Katara turned around and started walking off.

"Katara, a woman never walks away from her husband when he has not finished speaking with her." Arnook told her.

Not giving a fuck, Katara kept walking away.

Hakoda and Ozai were returning from the courtyard after another match. The Southern Chieftain didn't think too badly of his former son-in-law. Not after he had visited the South Pole a second time with the children. And Ozai didn't hate Hakoda so much. Not that he really hated the man. He could tolerate Katara's father. The man didn't make things weird with them and they seemed to have a few common interests.

However; as they had turned down a hallway, they saw Arnook yelling for Katara to come back and as they had both known Katara pretty well, she just kept on walking.

"Do I need to punish you, Katara?! Get back here!" Arnook shouted.

Hakoda furrowed his brows and saw Ozai's eyes narrowed.

When Katara was gone from sight, Arnook swore as he clenched his fists. That woman was testing him now.

"You and my daughter having a lovers quarrel?" Hakoda asked as he and Ozai approached.

Trying to get himself together, Arnook looked at them both and then glared at Ozai. "You!" He said marching up to him. "What did you do to my wife?! She's not acting herself!"

Hakoda raised a brow and looked at Ozai and then back at Arnook. "I don't know what part of her walking away is her not acting herself. She's done that since she was a child."

"Still does it." Ozai said as he scowled at Arnook. "You don't know that woman all too well, do you? Too busy trying to make her into someone else." Shoving Arnook out of his way as he went after Katara. "That woman is fine the way she is!"

Hakoda stood there and watched the Phoenix King go after his daughter. He knew something was up between them when they all had sat down to speak upon arrival. His daughter kept trying to move her hand from Arnook and was sneaking glances at Ozai, who eyes were on her the entire time.

The Southern Chieftain sighed as he looked to Arnook, "My daughter is like her element. She flows wherever she likes and she takes up different forms. She can be relaxed and calm like a stream. Vast and open like the seas. Cold and stark like the tundra. Or warm and clingy like misty vapor. And Ozai is right, my daughter is fine how she is."

"Hakoda," Arnook started. "I do not want to change Katara. I just want her to follow the Northern way."

Setting his jaws, "My daughter is Southern. Our women aren't restricted like yours."

Arnook sighed and shook his head, "Katara does not behave like a Southern woman. She behaves like a-"

"Like what?" Hakoda folded his arms.

"Like his people. Those hothead people in the Fire Nation!" The Northern Chieftain spat.

"Uh, my people aren't hotheaded."

The two looked over and saw Zuko with Kya and the baby.

Zuko had his father's face when he scowled and Kya looked like her father with that void look on her face. Arnook was so annoyed with the two. He tried to get along with them but neither of them were too friendly. Zuko hated him for obvious reasons similar to his father. And that damn doll little girl was just cold for no reason at all. Since day one of meeting her.

"Your people have slaughtered our people for 100 years!" Arnook stated.

Growling, "My people were misguided! They know better now! And many were forced to fight that didn't want to!" Zuko defended.

"Well look at what that misguided ideology did to the Water Tribe! To Katara!"

Zuko was about to seriously fuck Arnook up. His temper was already bad as a teen and it only got worse as time went on.

"Face it, Arnook. Katara is more woman than you are man." Zuko spat.

"Watch what you say, Fire Lord Zuko. Your father isn't the only man you should fear." Arnook threatened.

Zuko half chuckled half scoffed, "I don't fear any man with a wife that could kick his ass. Arnook, back down before I put you down."

Growling, "You and your father are the same! Men that think you own the woman you've both raped!"

And Arnook was right. He and his father were a like but not in the way he mentioned. Their anger and wrath. Hakoda pulled Zuko off of Arnook after the Fire Lord attacked the Chieftain. When he did, Zuko spit on the man and kicked him in his groin.

"If Katara and the Avatar hadn't been in the North that day, you'd have lost a lot more than your daughter, Arnook. And if you don't leave me the fuck alone, you're going to lose even more than that." Zuko wanted to really show Arnook who all he was up against. Because at this point, it wasn't even about Katara anymore. This was about this bastard needing to know his place.

…..

Ozai ran his hand through the waterbender's hair as she laid her head in his lap. She was crying when he found her. Tearing up the things in Arnook's room and came across something she didn't expect to see. A letter from the elders of the Northern Tribe.

"They don't want me to maintain my title as Master waterbender. It shouldn't have happened in the first place but with the war and me teaching the Avatar, they made an exception." Katara furrowed her brows with anger. "Now that me being a siren is known and my relation to you, they think it's dangerous for me to maintain my status as a master bender. So he's been drugging me to reduce my chi and powers as a siren. He married me only to tame me because I'm dangerous."

In truth, while Katara was pretty hurt by this, Ozai couldn't help but take this as a win. He knew his waterbender, she didn't like being made out to be less than she knew she was. Arnook had just made himself a problem, or rather, an obstacle in Katara's life. A hindrance she'd overcome as she saw this as a challenge.

Oh, he couldn't help but smile. He wouldn't have to wait until Arnook's death to have his waterbender back.

Sitting up, Katara pushed up against his arm and looked him in the eyes. "Am I dangerous?"

Smirking, Ozai touched the side of her face. "Only when provoked. Your heart is too kind to harm another without reason."

"Then why are they doing this to me?" she asked.

"Because you could literally kill them all by yourself or give the other oppressed siren women a voice and that terrifies them." Ozai told her.

Sighing as she laid against him, hugging her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. She giggled when he pulled her into his lap and started nibbling on her neck. The two were too busy with each other to notice their son had entered the room and was literally watching his parents make out as his father tried undressing his mother. This wouldn't be an issue for other children but for Zhiar, it was. His mother was remarried and not supposed to be doing this with his asshole of a father. Zhiar left just as he saw his father take his mother's breast in his mouth. Utterly disgusted at the sight.

A few minutes later, Katara stopped Ozai, resting her forehead to his as she panted. Eyes shut while she tried to will herself to not want for more.

"You sure you want me to stop here?" He asked her.

Katara asked him not to ask her that as it was hard enough to force herself to stop.

Smirking, Ozai went for her neck and slid his hands under her dress. "I won't take you but I can finish you off." He whispered to her.

Biting her lip, Katara shook her head. "I can't."

"If only you weren't such a goodie goodie." He grinned as she narrowed her eyes at him. "But I still like this. You're good and I desperately need something good."

Katara cupped both sides of his face and kissed him passionately. Breaking apart just enough to ghost her lips over his. "It's nice to know that I'm still good."

"You never stopped." He shut his eyes as she did the same. "Since the day I met you, you've only ever done what you thought was right."

"I wouldn't consider this right." She said as she kissed him.

Grinning as he reopened his eyes. "But it feels right."

Katara returned to her chambers and held the baby to her. Zuko had handed her the baby back as Kya had been making him nervous with the baby, her attachment was a bit much. But that was fine in Katara's eyes. Siblings should love and take care of one another. It might just be weird to him because of his family dynamics.

But in her chambers, Katara cooed at her son as she sat down on her sofa and wiggled his little feet.

As she did, her room door open and she looked up, still smiling from the joy her son gave her and then it melted away when she saw it was her husband. He immediately scowled at her when he saw this. Her attention went back to her son that she held close to her.

"That's it! I've had enough of this!" Arnook shouted.

The baby burst into a cry and Katara looked viciously at him, "Do. Not. Yell. In. Front. Of. My. Son!" She hissed through her teeth.

"He's our son." Arnook corrected her.

"He's mines and Zuko's. You're his stepfather." Katara told him.

"No, he is my son."

Arnook made it very clear to her that the child was his. That's what they agreed on. The boy was his son. No one but him would claim him. Firebender or not, Arnook could think up a way to suppress the child's bending.

Katara couldn't believe this shit she was hearing. This was crazy.

"Please go." She tried to maintain a calm voice. "Go."

Shaking his head as he walked closer to her, "Katara, I don't know what's gotten into you but you are my wife and I am your husband. This strife shouldn't be happening between us." He told her, hoping to get her to calm down. "You're a good woman. Don't let them make you into someone you're not."

They?! Was Arnook serious? Did he think her anger towards him had anything to do with Ozai and Zuko? He was dead wrong.

Arnook lied to her about her life she had forgotten. Wanted to make her into a Northern woman. Docile and obedient. Had been poisoning her under orders to weaken her because in his eyes and everyone of the North, she was dangerous. And in all of that, he disrespected her. She was sure she didn't think so little of him when she followed through to marry him. But now...she didn't think much of him at all. Ozai was right. He was threatened by how much more she was than him.

"You're worried about people who have nothing to do with our marriage when my issue is with that letter I found in your room." Katara did her best to keep her voice down for her son's sake but making it clear with her tone that she was upset. "You married me to neutralize a possible threat. You don't love or even care about me! You were doing this under the elder's orders!"

Arnook's eyes widened. "Kat-"

"Get out of here before I make you, Arnook. I don't have all my strength but I have enough to handle a mortal man like you." Katara's eyes flashed its glowing color.

The Northern Chieftain sighed and looked at his wife apologetically. "Katara, there is more to-"

"We can talk when I've calmed down but now, is not the time."

"I'm your husband." He pointed out.

"And so was Ozai and he was a whole lot scarier than you but I still stood up to him. Now leave me alone!"

Arnook shook his head as he looked at his wife and backed away. He was disappointed. He knew Katara was better than this but she was reverting to her old ways. Being around Zuko and Ozai might be having a negative effect on her. He felt maybe she just wasn't thinking straight. Her emotions might be high from her memory returning. It was a lot to take in and that's why he could forgive her for this.

When Arnook finally left, Katara felt a little more at ease. She looked down at her son and knew that while she loved and adored him, she feared that if she took this little one with her that he'd be suppressed like she was.

Kissing his forehead as she ran her hand over his head. "You need a name now." She figured it was about time she made a decision on something out of all of this. The right decision she hoped.

"You don't like him, do you?" Hakoda asked Ozai as they were standing in the halls of the pillars, gazing below at the garden where Arnook was speaking with Zhiar.

Clenching his fists, "The man turned my son against me. I don't see how I couldn't despise him."

Nodding his head, Hakoda had saw that pretty clear after the incident in the South Pole. His grandson had… 'issues', no doubt from his father's side. That sort of thing just wasn't in the sort of thing his people did. Family was everything in the frozen tundra. It was more than a way of life, it was survival.

Ozai watched how delighted his son looked to see Arnook was here. He spoke with him about everything. It made him so angry that that Northern bastard knew sides of his son that Ozai felt he may never know. Zhiar was supposed to be his golden child. The son he had wanted above all else. His pride and joy and that little runt struck him down at age 12.

Oh, it was a wonderful thing that boy didn't grow up as a prince in Fire Nation court. He would have been a monster. Not that he wasn't already showing his horns. Ozai really feared what might happen if he ever allowed himself to get too angry with Zhiar. There might not be any coming back for that boy if he did get his hands on him.

Hakoda placed his hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure Katara will talk some sense into the boy. After all, you're his father and even you deserve to be respected by your children."

The hand on his shoulder didn't really bother him. It was the squeeze to his shoulder that did. And if it were just a firm squeeze that indicated that there was reassurance and comradery, Ozai wouldn't have a problem with it. But it felt strange the firm grip did not hold. Hakoda's hand just gripped and un-gripped every few seconds. It was familiar but not in a good way.

~Many Years Ago~

Azulon looked at the boy and was slightly confused. He could have sworn he had a son. This child here looked like a damn girl. And his eyes were gold. The child he threw onto Yotori had grey eyes. An advisor whispered into the Fire Lord's ear to let him know that this was most definitely his son, Prince Ozai.

Fire Lord Azulon got off his throne to get a better look at his son. He looked down at the boy. He was short. Very short.

"What are you? Twelve now?" Azulon scoffed as he circled him and grabbed the back of his head, forcing his head forward so he could look at the back of his neck. When Azulon handed his toddler son over to Lord Yotori, he burned a mark into the child's neck. Fortunately, it was still there. "Feminine, short, timid, and you're skinny. What a disappointing heir you'll be if your brother dies in battle." Sucking his teeth. "If Agni be willing, you'll never disgrace the throne to sit upon it."

Azulon asked his advisers who had been in charge of keeping him and when they told him it was a Water Tribe woman, he nearly lost his shit. He couldn't believe Yotori would allow a filthy bitch to raise his son. He should have Yotori executed.

Reverting his attention back to Ozai, Azulon moved to stand just behind him. Grabbing his shoulder. He squeezed and un-squeezed the boy's shoulder.

"I'll have to find something for you to do in service of me." Azulon said as he gazed down at his son, "What to do? What to do with a small frail boy?"

~Present~

Looking at the Southern Chieftain and then to where his hand was, Ozai told him with his eyes to let go. Hakoda let go and holding his hand up.

"Sorry." He smiled awkwardly.

Ozai rolled his eyes and shook his head as he began walking off. Hakoda followed behind.

"So, I hear you have the largest harem out of all the royals around the world." Hakoda brought up out of the blue. "Mind if I take a look."

Scoffing, Ozai looked over his shoulder. "I don't think they'll be your type."

Shrugging, "I like a little bit of everything."

"Everything, you say?" Ozai faced forward.

"Yup." Hakoda's eyes roamed over the Phoenix King. "Everything."

Arriving at the harem, the concubines all rushed up to see the Phoenix King as finally showed up. They rarely saw him now. He was obviously being preoccupied with his ex-wife. The known love of his life. But it would seem with his return, that he didn't come here alone.

Ozai introduced Hakoda as a friend of his and the ladies were all more than happy to greet the man. A Tribesman. They had heard plenty about the men and were all very curious. Plus, he was very attractive. An added bonus to their curiosity.

"You ladies be nice to him." Ozai told them with a smirk. "He hasn't been with a woman since his wife passed."

"Not true." Hakoda corrected that he hadn't been serious with a woman since his wife. He was still very familiar with the ways of pleasuring a woman.

As the concubine flocked to Hakoda, Ozai told them he will be leaving them to it.

"You're not staying?" Hakoda asked.

"I do believe you know why. She's not my woman but I can think of no one but her." The Phoenix King answered as he turned to leave.

Hakoda watched after the man and felt a little disappointed. He had hoped that perhaps they could seal their friendship by teaming up on these beautiful women. But he did like Ozai's reason. Sort of.

….

"Ryu." She said as she ran her hand over her son's soft dark hair.

Zuko let Ryu play with his finger as Katara held him. "He's got a nice grip." He chuckled.

Giggling at her joyful blue eyed boy, "He'll be strong like you and resilient like me."

Katara's eyes shifted to Zuko and his gaze met hers. She smiled and began handing Ryu to him. As Zuko took his son in his arms, the waterbender laid her hand on Zuko's arm.

"Aang told me after your little trip to the Sun Warrior village that you tried to steal a dragon's egg." Katara saw Zuko chuckle. "I never took you for a thief, Zuko."

Shrugging, "Found out the egg was those dragon's. So I had to give it back."

Nodding her head as she looked at her son and her gaze softened with sorrow. "Because dragons belong with other dragons." She sighed. "They need to be with their own or they'll feel like an outsider their whole life."

Zuko nodded in agreement, not yet understanding what she was trying to say.

Katara looked to Zuko and smiled as she brushed his hair out of his face. "There are no dragons in the Water Tribes, Zuko. Maybe someday but not anytime soon."

Starting to get it, Zuko's good eye widened. "Kat-"

"Ryu Yong, Heir of Fire Lord Zuko." Katara's eyes teared up. "It's too cold in the North for a dragon to grow up and thrive. I think he'll do better somewhere warmer. Where he can be himself and not hide."

Zuko could see she was crying and brought one arm around her, pulled her to him. He pressed his lips to her forehead.

"Thank you, Katara." He shed a tear himself.

"Tell him about me. I'll try to see him as much as I can. I will but if you take him no one can know he's my-" Katara's lips trembled as she cried. "He's my son but no one but our family can know that. Okay?"

Zuko nods his head and presses his forehead to hers. "You will always be his mother. That'll never change."

Katara reached down to kiss her son and make a silent prayer. She told Zuko that he should hurry and return home before Arnook tries to have a say. When he stands with their son nestled in his arms, he reaches down to kiss Katara on the cheek and tell her that he still loved her.

"You will always have a place in my heart, Zuko. Always." She told him.

A little while later, after Zuko has long gone, taking their son with him, Katara is disturbed from her peace when Arnook enters her chambers. He marches up behind her where she is seated.

"Katara!" Her name from his lips sends a surge of anger to reheat in her stomach and when his hand finds her shoulder, she shivers with a cold iciness of the stark Southern tundra. "I just saw Fire Lord Zuko flee with our son!"

"My son." She corrected as she looked down at where his hand laid on her shoulder and pulled it off of her. "And I know. Ryu would be better off with his father."

"Ryu?! I didn't approve of that name!"

"That is his name! That is the name his father gave him!" Katara stood up and yelled. Furious that Arnook felt he had the right to object or even have an opinion.

Narrowing his eyes, "You gave our child to him?! Katara, what the hell were you thinking?! What will you tell our people?!"

Katara looked away from him, "I'll tell them that I lost the child. That he didn't live past infancy." She bit back her pain. "I did what was best."

"How is handing him over to Zuko for the best?!"

Katara clenched her fists, "I don't have to explain myself to you. He's my son! And I'll do whatever I see fit!"

Arnook was beyond furious with her. How dare she speak to him like this. And how dare she make a decision without his approval. The woman was losing her touch with their tribe again. She was falling out of line and Arnook would not tolerate that. Katara will learn to be obedient whether he had to be the bad guy briefly or not.

Raising his hand, the North Chieftain eyed his wife. "I do not want to strike you, Katara, but you have been very disrespectful towards me. I will not tolerate this any further. Continue and you will be met with physical reprimand and consequences. Do you understand me?"

Still refusing to look at him, Katara didn't bother responding. What was she supposed to be? Afraid of a man she could beat in an arm wrestle? If he was trying to strike fear into her, he was doing an awful job at it. She didn't actually give a fuck. If he hit her, she was going to punch him and she had no qualm about fighting men.

"How about this, Arnook? Why don't we just go our separate ways?" Katara looked over her shoulder at him. "I don't see how this marriage is going to work. I don't like the Northern laws, I don't want to go back and my family is here. What is the point of this marriage?"

"You want a divorce?" He was definitely taken aback by this.

Katara nodded.

"Why?!"

"I just told you why."

"I can't believe this! I can't believe you! Are you this self-destructive?! That you'd throw something away that is meant to help you!" Arnook raged.

Rolling her eyes, Katara folded her arms. She wasn't dealing with this. She was quite done. Her husband had betrayed her trust more than a few times and she was not okay with that. It was not okay for him to try to strip her of her power. It was not okay that he wanted her to blindly follow his lead. Not okay that he made her son loath his father and his heritage. She was disappointed with him first and thus, he would find disappointment with her because she wasn't going to put up with it. She didn't go through all she had to end up a submissive wife of a sexist dogmatic Tribal Chieftain. She knew her worth and who wasn't worthy of her and Arnook didn't treasure the parts of her that made her, her. And therefore, he was unworthy.

….

A/N:

Looks like Arnook is making this super easy for Ozai to swoop in for the kill!