Chapter 13
NO LEMONS THIS CHAPTER. REVIEW OR THE STORY SHALL NOT GO ON.
The Harem followed Ursa through the palace, passing by dozens of open doors. Katara couldn't help but wonder why they would need to go somewhere else for a game. There was plenty of space in the sleeping quarters. As they exited the palace, she understood.
Out in a minor courtyard stood a net, with paddles and balls. Whatever this game was, it was going to get messy.
Ursa began explaining the rules, and Katara tried desperately to keep up. Spike, serve, defense…. While she didn't understand most of the rules, the basics were soon clear: Keep the ball off of the ground on your side. Simple enough.
Glancing around, she winced. She didn't have Ty Lee's agility, and she was the closest in size. Most of the other women would have a huge advantage on her. Mai had a hint of a smile tugging on her face.
Zuko's eyes flashed through her mind. No, she could do this. She stretched, mimicking some of the other girls. Hard to believe only a few days ago that she thought everyone would do anything not to grace Zuko's bed.
Ursa split them into two teams. Kya, Katara, and Suki were on one team, with June, Mai, and Ty Lee on the other.
"Isn't this a little… skewed?" Suki questioned, raising an eyebrow. Katara couldn't blame her. Neither her nor her mother had any experience with games like this, and the other team seemed waaaaay better.
Ursa offered her trademark smile. "That's why you'll have one extra member on your team."
Suki didn't seem impressed. "You?" Ursa was by no means very athletic, but Katara figured an extra teammate wouldn't hurt.
"Actually," a voice sounded behind them. "That would be me."
Katara turned to see a young woman standing behind her. She was about the same age, but she was stunning. Two dark locks captured her face, and her eyes burned mischievously.
Ursa nodded. "My daughter, Princess Azula, will be joining you."
Before anyone could react, Ty Lee bolted to the princess, slamming into her and burrowing her arms around her. "Azula! We've missed you!"
Azula rolled her eyes, but sort of returned the hug. Mai cursed under her breath, causing the princess to raise an eyebrow. "Glad to see you too, Mai."
Ty Lee didn't miss the sarcasm. "Oh, she's just sad that you're on the other team! You're the best, after all." Her smile didn't diminish in the least as she pulled away, skittering back over to her side.
Azula shrugged. "True." She shed her garments, leaving her in only revealing swimwear. Many of the other girls did the same, and Katara glanced at her mother. Kya shrugged, and started to remove her clothing as well.
Admittedly, the oppressive heat wasn't as bad in only wraps. And her legs would be free to move. Still, she kind of wished she could keep her clothes on, especially around the princess. Something about her was kind of… unnerving.
"You will compete to the twelfth point," Ursa explained, "At which point the losing team will be eliminated. Your team will split in two, with Azula taking the side with only one. This will continue until we have our winner."
Everyone nodded. Katara wished they could play something more familiar, like Skyball or even just a swimming competition. This wasn't going to end well. Still, she braced herself for the game.
Azula started the serve, with the ball going over the net at ridiculous speeds. Katara found herself almost completely useless as the other girls seemed to know exactly where it would land. Once or twice she actually made contact, but it seems Azula wasn't exaggerating. Her and Suki kept the ball aloft most of the time, and Katara mostly just tried to stay out of the way.
Mai's speed was impressive. Katara wouldn't have thought that she was so fast, considering how she always seemed so lethargic. But Katara couldn't' believe Suki. She dove for the ball countless times, often sacrificing her face or arms to get it in the air long enough for Azula to rocket it to the other side.
Still, she was getting better. At least, by the time they were 8-5 (her favor) she could get the ball if it was coming towards her.
Kya wasn't doing much better, and they often collided while going for the ball. Each time they made a mistake, an impatient huff from Azula wound make them both cringe. Forget unnerving, she was terrifying!
"Heads up!" Suki dove for the ball, knocking it a few feet in the air. As Azula sped to catch it, her leg caught Kya's and they tumbled to the ground. In a moment of clarity, Katara slammed the ball back into the air awkwardly.
Mai kicked for it, but it bounced back under the net. "Game!" called Ursa. "Twelve to ten!"
Mai's flat glare bore into Katara, but she wouldn't be cowed. She stuck out her chin and crossed her arms. Mai rolled her eyes and walked away.
Oops. Did she really just do that? Isn't the whole point not to make enemies? Then again, she probably had it coming. Mai already hated her mom, and Katara thought her whole stuck-up attitude was over the top. Yeah, let's do this.
Ursa split the team into two: Suki and herself on one side, her mother and the princess on the other. She winced internally. Couldn't she get the prodigy on her team?
As they lined up, Suki gave Katara a reassuring nod and a wink. Katara nodded back, less confident. Across the net, she met her mother's gaze. Good luck her mother mouthed. Katara managed a nervous smile.
Azula served with blinding speed. Katara was once again grateful for the Kyoshi warrior's speed and determination. Suki caught with her leg, and Katara sunk it over the net.
And so the game was on. Katara was relieved at her mother's poor skills, but she couldn't help but wonder if she was really trying. After all, she already had her night with the prince, and she didn't seem particularly enthusiastic about him. Then again, she wouldn't be trying to make her daughter win. Maybe she was just that bad.
"Pay attention!" Suki snapped, barely getting the ball six inches from Katara's shoulder.
"Sorry!" Katara was surprised at the sharp retort. Suki was really competitive. But she didn't act like it most of the time…
She concentrated on the game. In fact, she was starting to feel pretty good. She could guess where the ball would land based on how Azula was hitting it, and her returns were getting easier and more natural. Finally, the game ended, 8-3.
Azula sighed in annoyance and shook her head. She returned to where her friends were waiting, watching. Mai's dead glare hadn't left Katara yet. Katara just smirked at her.
It wasn't until Ursa put her on the other side of the net that she realized who she was up against. Better than Azula, I guess. Suki was sweating profusely, having pushed herself very hard the last two games, while Katara had played more conservatively. This was winnable.
Now Suki was tense as a board. Katara couldn't really figure out why. She seemed so nice most of the time. Was she just trying to get the gold? No, she didn't really seem to care. Was this just about impressing Ursa? But why? Impressing Zuko? He wasn't even here!
Her thoughts were broken by the ball sailing at her head. She blocked and returned. She was so close! For the thousandth time, she imagined what it would be like with Zuko. She hoped he wouldn't just suddenly change and do something terrible. It certainly didn't seem like he would. But if she won, she would get to find out.
Suki was getting frustrated. Katara hadn't seemed very threatening before, but now she was really getting in the way. Didn't Katara not want to sleep with Zuko? Couldn't she realize how stupid she was being? She bit down her frustration and pushed herself harder, but she could feel her limits being tested. She had blood coming out of one cheek, and her arms were aching from scratches.
She had to get to Zuko before she became just another girl. She had already fought that battle ten years ago, and she didn't want to have to do it again. Especially when there were so many beautiful girls…
While June talked big, she knew she had a point. Joesi had always warned them that men are "out of sight, out of mind" kind of beings. One track minds. It probably made a harem easier, since they could just focus on one at a time, but it was very disconcerting. If she couldn't get to him soon, there was no way she could fulfill her promise.
Katara was steadily pulling ahead. Since it was the third round, it was only to four points, and Suki was 1-3. She tried to calm her nerves and took a deep breath. That was when she noticed something very odd.
There was smoke everywhere. Suki looked around and saw that everyone else was just as confused.
"Is there a fire?" Kya asked as Ursa received a messenger hawk. Ursa read the message contained before replying.
"Not in the palace." A collective sigh of relief. "A nearby village had their crops catch flame from the heat. We will be fine."
Katara's eyes furrowed in concern. "Shouldn't we help them?"
Ursa smiled sadly. "We are helping. Guards have been sent. We can't send anymore without endangering you or the Prince. Afterall," her smile faded, "we have many enemies from the Tribute. A fire would be a perfect diversion."
Katara frowned. "How many guards did you send?"
Ursa waved her hand dismissively. "It's none of your concern. Return to the game."
The answer was clear: Not enough. From the amount of smoke, the fire must be huge. Suki remembered such fires from her time in the war. No hope to put it out. The best you can do is outrun it. If the guards still wore their armor, they would be useless.
She sighed. Ursa was right, however. There wasn't anything they could do without putting their lives in danger. Still, she hoped those people were getting out alright.
Katara, on the other hand, didn't seem satisfied. "We have to go help them! I can-"
"Not anymore you can't." Princess Azula joined the conversation. "I, on the other hand, might be able to do something." She smiled, but Suki sensed something amiss in her expression. "I'll go deal with the fire. Keep playing your little game."
Ursa's mouth thinned, but she nodded. Azula swept away, fully dressed once more. This seemed to bring Katara a little comfort. She turned to Ursa. "Is she a firebender?"
Ursa sighed. "Yes. The best there is." After her volleyball game, no one doubted Ursa's claim. She seemed almost sad rather than bragging.
Suki shook her head. The smoke was going to be kind of distracting, but the scene gave her a little break, and she could feel fresh energy in her limbs. She served.
Katara, still somewhat distracted, didn't' make the block. "2-3!"
Suki smirked at Katara's angry expression. If she could really tick her off, this game would go by easily.
Katara served hard to one corner. Suki dove it, but didn't invest too badly. There were a few more returns, until the ball landed squarely between Katara's legs.
"Next point wins!" Ursa's voice rang out. Even she sounded excited.
The girls were all paying attention now. Katara served, Suki blocked and returned, Katara blocked. And so it went.
Eyes dashed from one side to the other as the ball crossed sides. Once, twice… countless times, each with the ball returning faster and faster. Both competitors were sweating buckets now, hair swinging wildly.
Suki kept her play conservative, but she was still hard pressed. Katara was determined to win, but her face betrayed her frustration as the passes continued. Finally, Suki sensed the snap.
Katara swung wildly, slamming the ball into the ground. Suki dove, only to find the ball wasn't there. A quick glance told her that Katara had gently putted it just over the net.
She dove again, her face grinding into the sand as the knocked the ball up. There was no way she could return it. She lost.
No. She kicked off the ground and knocked the ball back into the air with her foot. Leaping, she spun and roundhoused the ball back into Katara's area. Katara, caught off guard, missed the catch.
"We have a winner!"
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