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 FIVE
"Hello?" Katara pushed through the high bamboo trees, scowling as one smacked her in the face. She didn't know how she got there or what even happened. She remembered fighting the "Mad Twins" and then darkness overtook her when she reached the palace stairs, a group of shocked civilians rushing after the young princess.
Katara shivered as a cool breeze hit her. She wasn't wearing the fancy red and gold dress anymore, but very simple deep red clothes. She shoved another bamboo branch out of her way and paused, lifting her nose to the air. The further she stepped into the bamboo forest, the sweeter the air smelled. She tilted her head as there came a soft voice singing an unrecognizable song.
"Hello," She called softly. The voice didn't stop and that seemed to fuel Katara. With all her might, she began to head towards the voice as fast as she could. After a few moments, she pushed a final bamboo branch away and fell into a clear area of grass. Scowling, she pushed herself up and stilled at the sight before her.
Azulon smiled gently at her, a cup of tea held in his hand. He wore deep red robes and he seemed younger looking than she remembered him being. Next to him, with her head resting on his shoulder, was a beautiful young lady. Pitch black hair fell around her shoulders and ashy grey eyes stared at her warmly. She wore golden robes and seemed quite close with her grandfather.
"Grandfather," Katara whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Katara," Azulon said. The woman moved away some so Katara could dive into the man's arms, snuggling into his chest tightly. Azulon stroked her hair gently and when Katara moved away, he wiped her tears away gently.
"W-Where am I?" Katara asked, wiping her eyes. "How is this possible?"
"You were hurt, Katara," The woman said gently, putting a hand on her arm. "You're in the spirit world." Katara narrowed her eyes at the woman. Why did she look so familiar? She had never seen this extraordinarily beautiful woman but even still, it was like Katara had met the woman. Where-? Then it hit her.
"Grandmother Ilah." Katara said, mouth dropping. Ilah giggled lightly and nodded. "So I'm dead?" Katara asked.
"Not quite, my dear." Ilah said calmly. "You're in the spirit world, between life and death."
"Then how are you here?" Katara asked them.
"I was a spiritual woman in my youth, Katara," Ilah said gently. "I wished to stay in the spirit world after death. When your grandfather died, he wished to stay with me." She reached out and took Katara's hand. "He told me about you. I'm glad I get to meet you, my sweet. So beautiful."
"Thank you, Grandmother." Katara said softly. "So this is the spirit world?" She looked around the clearing. The grass was beautiful shade of green with different kinds of flowers scattered about. Trees that extended beyond Katara's line of sight surrounded them, trapping them in the clearing.
"It is." Azulon said softly. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" Katara's smile flickered as she looked around. It was wrong. She shouldn't be here. She should be alive with Father and Azula and Ty Lee. The sky turned black.
"Katara, sweetness, calm down." Ilah said gently.
"I shouldn't be here." Katara whispered, pressing her fingers to her cheeks. "I shouldn't be here."
"You shouldn't, but you are." Ilah said. She took both of Katara's hands. "You need to calm down." Katara sighed heavily and squeezed her eyes shut, calming herself down. After a few moments, she opened her eyes to see the warm light around her.
"I'm sorry." Katara said softly.
"It's okay, Katara," Ilah said gently. "Maybe we should go somewhere more familiar." She waved her hand and in a second, the scenery changed to the royal palace dining hall. "Is this better?"
"Yes," Katara said. "It's better." Ilah nodded and picked up a cup of tea with a smile. "Did you know parents have favorites? We don't like to admit but we do all have favorites." Katara frowned at her. "Mine was Ozai. The boy was much like me. We had similar interests. We both enjoyed the musical arts and reading whilst Iroh and Azulon had a shared love of tea."
"Father always says he doesn't have a favorite." Katara said.
"He does say that but he's lying." Ilah said calmly. "Ozai's favored child is you, Katara."
"I'm not even his biological child," Katara said. "It would make more sense if his favorite was Azula, or even Zuko." Both the adults shook their head. "It can't be me."
"It is." Azulon said gently. "Katara, events are about to happen that will change your life. You must be prepared to sacrifice some things. Things you wouldn't if you had the choice."
"What things?" Katara asked, scrunching her nose up. The two looked at each other sadly.
"We can't say, lovey." Ilah said softly. "All you need to know is that things are about to change and you are going to need to adapt to these changes." Ilah paused as loud, harsh static filled the air. "Oh, it's time for you to go, sweetie."
"No, not yet." Katara said pleadingly.
"I'm afraid so," Azulon said gently. The room seemed to shake and shift in different directions as he spoke. "Remember, your grandmother and I love you very much and no one can ever change that. Good luck, my sweet."
Katara woke up in a white room surrounded by nurses and doctors. The head doctor, a kind man with a long mustache, looked relieved at the sight of her waking up. He ushered three of the nurses out, leaving a heavyseat nurse with a prim black bun.
"Princess Katara, I'm glad to see you awake." The doctor said. "Your father has been eagerly waiting for you. Do you remember what happened?"
Katara wet her lips. Her mouth was very dry. "May I have water?" The doctor nodded and quickly poured her a glass of water. She drank it happily and once the glass was away from her face, looked down at her body. Most of her flesh that she could see was wrapped in bandages. She wore a simple white nightgown and she felt her hair in disarray around her face. "I'd like to see my father."
The doctor nodded and left the room, leaving Katara alone. She squeezed her eyes shut, remembering her grandparents; young and happy and free. What on earth could be coming that she would have to adapt to? She didn't want to adapt to anything. She loved her life and her family. She opened her eyes when she heard someone walk in the door.
"Katara," Ozai said in relief. "How are you?"
"Ok, thank you." Katara said tiredly.
"Do you remember what happened?" Ozai asked. He settled in a chair next to Katara. "We went back to where you were attacked and found many dead bodies. We need to know what happened."
"I remember...the servants were killed and I fell out the palanquin." Katara said slowly, thinking back to the attack. The bald man and the beautiful woman. "They were killed by... the Mad Twins. We fought and they hurt me a lot. Then I killed them and walked to the palace."
"The Mad Twins are a set of hitmen, Katara," Ozai said softly. "But they are Fire Nation hitmen. Why would they attack you?"
"Because the person who hired them was of the Fire Nation, father." Katara said blankly. "It was Esoh Tan. He was angry that I did not accept his proposal to marry his son." Katara looked at her father, at the angry look on his face.
"This is my fault," Ozai said. "I never should've allowed him near you."
"I'm a big girl, father." Katara assured him. "Just promise me something."
"Anything you want, Katara," Ozai said.
"Promise me you won't leave Esoh Tan alive." Katara said coldly.
Mimajo: Katara is getting pretty cruel and we'll see. More fun to come :D
sonavelkovskaa5842: Thank you for the review as always. Hope you enjoyed this chapter :P
Skyshadow54: Hope you enjoyed the outcome of the fight :)
Lsbookboy: Who knows? Maybe she will become more sensitive :D
A/N:
Also, just wanted to let everyone know that I will be publishing a new ATLA book. If you guys like this one, I encourage you to look up "The End Days" which will be published before 7:00pm.