Summary: Fire Nation!Katara AU After being kidnapped as a young child by the fire nation, Katara is raised by Prince Ozai and Princess Ursa as Princess Katara of the Fire Nation. Katara/?
ARC 2, CHAPTER THREE
Katara pulled down on the tight dress she was wearing for a moment before folding her hands down again. The ceremony was nearly over with Ozai receiving the Firelord hairpiece next to Katara, Azula and Zuko. As the Fire Stage announced him as Firelord Ozai, the entire crowd of both nobles and regular citizens cheered loudly, clapping and crying out his name.
The three children rose graciously and followed their father into the palace, towards the ballroom where a large ball was to be held in his honor. Slowly, they cycles in one by one and so did high ranking noblemen and women.
"Katara," The softness in Ozai's voice broke through her thoughts and she looked up with wide eyes. He motioned her to follow him towards a familiar looking family. She followed him hesitantly and let the family bow low to her.
"Greetings, Princess Katara. I am Esoh Tan," The man said to her. He was short with wrinkled skin and silver hair. His eyes were a cold amber color and the smile he gave her made Katara uncomfortable. "This is my wife, Shu, and my son, Feng." Shu was beautiful with twisted up black hair and sweet grey eyes. Feng was still the stiff, cold boy she remembered.
"Hello, Esoh Tan," Katara bowed slightly. "It's a pleasure."
"Yes, it is." Esoh said unkindly. "I have been discussing something with Firelord Ozai for some time but he says you must have the final say."
"Oh?" Katara asked, feeling like she knew what he was talking about.
"We were thinking of an arranged marriage between you and my dear son, Feng." Esoh said jovially. He smiled and Katara held back a grimace at the crooked, nearly rotted teeth.
"My stance is the same as the last ball I attended several years ago, Lord Tan," Katara said politely. "I will not be marrying anyone, anytime soon. I have much bigger matters to be dealt with before I even think about marriage."
"Oh?" Esoh rose an eyebrow. "And what may that be?"
"I intend to end the way in the name of my father," Katara said coolly. "And for our great nation. Marriage and children is not something I should be thinking about when something as important as that stands in my future. I hope you will not bring this up again."
"I meant no disrespect." Esoh said, bowing low. "I just thought with two powerful benders uniting, you could perhaps have strong children for your father to be proud of."
"Hm," Katara tilted her nose up at them, with cold eyes. "Then perhaps I should find a strong bender, hm?" She flicked her wrist, a dismissal, and the family hurried away, anger in both Esoh and Feng's eyes. She heard her father chuckle and turned to him.
"I informed him that that would be your answer," Ozai said with twinkling eyes.
"I do not want to marry Feng Tan, father." Katara said with a scowl. "Next time they ask, I turning them to ice."
"Of course," Ozai said humorously. "How are you feeling, daughter? I'm sure I came off quite coldly yesterday but I hope you don't think ill of me. I fear it was grief that took ahold of me, losing my father and my wife and my nephew."
"I could never think ill of you, father," Katara said, feeling relief in her bones. Maybe everything would be alright. "I am curious, though..."
"Why I insist you return to interrogating prisoners?" Ozai finished, raising an eyebrow. Katara nodded. "I'm afraid that ever since you stopped, getting information from them has been hard and slow. If you don't wish to do it, I understand, but it would help greatly."
"Of course." Katara nodded. "I will help as I can, father." She let her eyes wander across the ballroom, frowning at a sullen Zuko. "Have you spoke to Zuko, father? He and Mother were very close. I'm sure he's suffering quite a bit."
"Not yet." Ozai put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about your brother, Katara. Within the week, I will speak to him."
"Okay," Katara nodded. Her eyes scanned the floor and smiled at the sight of Eiji twirling Azula across the floor. She was scowling deeply but Katara knew by the flush in her cheeks that she was happy someone had the courage to dance with her.
"Eiji would make a good husband." Ozai said. Katara gave a deep sigh. "I'm just looking out for your future, Katara. I don't want you to focus solely on the war. I do wish to hold my grandchildren one day."
"You also have Zuko and Azula." Katara pointed out. "Technically, I'm not actually royal blood."
"Katara," There was a dangerous tone in his voice, one that frightened Katara. "You have royal blood and if anyone says otherwise, that is treason and deserves death. Your grandfather would agree."
"My apologies, father." Katara said softly. He waved her apology away, focusing on Azula.
"I have been thinking of matches for Azula and Zuko, though." He said. "I've been trying to think of one that would suit them well. I wish their mother was here. I'm sure she would know."
"Maybe," Katara said softly, blinking away tears. "I'm sure you'll find fine suitors for both of them, father. You're an intelligent man. You had to be, you raised me."
Ozai let out a chuckle. "That I did. That I did. Go. Mingle. Dance." Katara nodded and lifted her skirts slightly to easily walk through the crowded room towards two familiar girls in the corner.
"Katara," Ty Lee said brightly. "Do you like my dress?" She spun in a circle and Katara laughed. Her dress was a very soft pink and was cut off the shoulders with very flowy materials.
"I do." Katara nodded. "Very pretty."
"Thank you," Ty Lee sang out. "I'm waiting for a cute boy to ask me to dance. Mai just wants to sulk in a corner."
"This party's boring," Mai said, rolling her eyes. "Hi, Katara." Katara hid a smile at the stiff, all black dress Mai wore. It was fashionable and very pretty, but very Mai at the same time.
"Hey, Mai." Katara said, taking a seat by her. She smiled brightly at Mai and was very happy to see her give the barest trace of a smile back. "I see Eiji and Azula are dancing."
"Didn't even ask, just swooped in and snatched her." Mai said, with a smirk on her face.
"It was pretty funny," Ty Lee grinned. "She looked so mad."
"I know." Katara said. "I saw." She crossed her legs delicately and smirked at the sight of Eiji twirling Azula. She was huffy about it but allowed him to dip her and pull her into his chest. "Any cute boys you see, Ty Lee?" She asked.
"Hmm...a few." Ty Lee winked at her. "Although some of these boys are a little stuck up."
"Like Feng Tan." Mai said dryly, sending Katara a pointed look. Katara sighed. "What's that all about, anyways?"
"He and his father want a marriage set up between Feng and I." Katara sighed. "I've had to tell them no again. Father finds it amusing. I do not." She touched her hair gently, tucking a stray hair away.
"He looks all stuffy." Ty Lee said, scrunching her face up. Mai simply tilted her nose in disgust.
"Boys are gross," She grumbled under her breath.
"What about Zuko?" Ty Lee said in a mocking type of voice. The dark scowl from Mai made both girls laugh.
"She's just teasing, Mai." Katara said, reaching over and squeezing her shoulder. Her eyes flicked across the ballroom and smiled towards a faintly familiar person.
"Look at you, Princess," Shen teased slightly, taking her hand and twirling her. "I haven't seen you in a long time. Care to dance?" Katara nodded, smiling at him and let him lead her out to the dance floor.
"It's been too long, Shen." Katara said softly, smiling as he twirled her across the dance floor. "How are you?"
"I'm doing well." Shen said jovially. There was a cheerful grin on his face, suspiciously happy that Katara had to tilt an eyebrow. "Do you know someone named Uyuza Kei?"
"No.." Katara frowned. "It's an unfamiliar name."
"She goes to Academy with me," Shen said cheerfully. "Our parents arranged a marriage."
"You like her?" Katara asked.
"I'm glad to have someone like her in my life," Shen said, her eyes drifting to a dream-like state. "She's beautiful and kind and soft spoken. She's perfect."
"I'm glad your parents set up a marriage with someone you like, Shen." Katara said brightly. He dipped her and twisted her around before angling her towards a group of girls. "She's the small girl in red and black."
She noticed the girl. Uyuza Kei was a small girl with pale, soft looking skin and thick black hair twisted into tidy bun. The dress she wore was simple yet pretty, and seemed to fit her well. As soon as her gold eyes caught Katara's own blue ones, she turned away.
"She's pretty." Katara said kindly. "I'm happy for you." The song was winding down, and Shen ended their dance with a flourish of a twirl. "You should go dance with your future wife," She said, nudging him towards Uyuza. Shen smiled, then bowed and hurried off to Uyuza who seemed pleased to see him come near her.
"Mind if I steal this dance?" A familiar voice rang in her ear as her hands were taken. The next song began, it was slower with a sweeter tune, and she couldn't help but smile at Eiji as he tucked her against his chest.
"Don't tell me you got sick of Azula?" She said teasingly.
"Of course not, but she found someone else to pester." Eiji said nodding towards Azula, Mai and Ty Lee. It looked like they were teasing Mai, most likely about Zuko again.
"So you found me." Katara said with a smile.
"Had to." Eiji said lightly. "You're the prettiest girl in the room."
"You're too sweet on me," Katara said, her eyes sparkling.
"Maybe." Eiji winked. "So what was the conversation with the Tans about? Or am I not allowed to know?"
"Esoh Tan wanted to arrange a marriage." Katara said, rolling her eyes. "Father thinks its funny watching me deal with them. I'm not amused. I said no, in the coldest way I could."
"Sounds like you," Eiji said lightly. He twisted her around and dipped her as the slow song heated up for a beat before pulling her into his chest again. "I'm glad that you seem happier. That's all I want."
"Thank you, Eiji." Katara said softly. "I'm glad you're my friend."
"Me too, Kat," Eiji said softly. "Me too."
Esoh Tan hurried through the streets of the capital, scowling as he neared the entrance of his target. The ball the night before had been a failure. The savage princess had declined his son's request again. It was an insult to the Tan name and yet Firelord Ozai did nothing.
Esoh slipped inside the disgusting bar. Different men and women drank alcohol at the bar or chatted, but all were lowlifes and not worth his time. Then he saw them at the end of the bar, staring at him. Esoh swallowed his pride and made it the Mad Twins.
The woman's name was Amin and she was the most beautiful woman that Esoh had ever seen. With thick, curly black locks of hair, it fell across her body like liquid curls. Her eyes were covered in dark makeup making her very light grey eyes pop. She wore a slinky ruby red dress that showed her assets off. What interested Esoh about her was the knives he was sure was strapped across her body.
The man was her twin brother, Turum. Unlike his sister, he was bald with cold grey eyes and a hefty black beard. He wore heavy black armor with two swords strapped to his back. Dangling from his neck from a ring tied to a chain. The ring was golden with a small ruby imbedded in it.
"Are you the Mad Twins?" Esoh asked quietly as he sat next to them.
"Oh, I'm not a fan of the that name," Amin said sweetly. "But yes. Are you the one that contacted us?"
Esoh looked around. No one appeared to be looking at them or listening to them. "Yes...I have a job for you. It'll be worth it if you choose to accept." Esoh pulled a large bag of coins from his pocket and gently sent it on the table.
Amin and Turum looked at each other before grinned nastily at Esoh. "And what might be our target?" Amin said, eyes narrowing.
Skyshadow54: Oh, the payback on Sokka will be coming up ;) hope you liked this chapter
sonavelkovskaa5842: Hope you enjoyed this chapter :D
rach12901: Yeah, I'll probably never write a Kataang story. Hope you liked this chapter