A/N:
OKAY OKAY OKAY! I know! I said I was going into Hiatus but I couldn't help it! I kept writing! And I already have a few chapters ready but I'll continue doing weekly updates to not rush things along unless you all would prefer I dump more chapters more frequently! I'm just having too much fun writing this arc in the story because I've been waiting a long time to get to this part of the story! Well thanks for understanding and here you go!
Chapter 41:
"I'm glad we could meet, Phoenix King Ozai." King Kuei said as he eyed the man from behind his spectacles.
Ozai eyed the man as he removed the hood of his fur cloak and snapped his fingers for his servants to take his cloak. As they did, the Phoenix King decided to waste his breath as he was already wasting his time coming here.
"What is it you want that you open your border to me?"
King Kuei clapped his hands together and a servant rushed with a tray with a letter on it. Plucking it from the tray, the Earth King handed the letter to Ozai and studied him as he read it. He then watched the man's gold eyes lift to him as he then reached into his sleeve to pull out a letter covered in blood to hand to him. Kuei grimaced and had one of his servants retrieve the letter from the Phoenix King's hand to open it for him. Reading it, Kuei noticed it said the exact same thing as the letter he received.
"Want to enlighten me on who this Atsou person is?" The Earth King eyed his southern neighbor.
Tossing the letter aside, "He's my twin brother."
Everyone, including Ozai's own people were shocked by this.
"Identical and he's the one that killed your sister, Princess Kikyo." Ozai said in an agitated tone. "He's also responsible for my wife killing herself. Now, he's done this. I think he means to start a war."
King Kuei was utterly taken aback. You mean to tell me there are two of these bastards?!
A minister of the Earth King's court approached them and bowed, "Your majesty, if this is true, why were none of us informed of his existence until now?"
Ozai glared at the minister, "You think I'd lie about this?"
"No, ph-"
Grabbing the minister by his collar and lifting him off his feet, Ozai glared at him. "I lost my wife to this bastard along with several good men from my court and my children's lives are also being threatened! Blood or not, I want him snuffed out and brought to my feet! I'll kill him with my bare hands!" Tossing the minister to the ground, Ozai's eyes fell on the Earth King. "Our differences aside, King Kuei, Atsou needs to be brought to his knees. We need to work together to make that happen."
Snorting as he chuckled, shaking his head. "Absolutely not. He's your brother. Your problem."
Narrowing his eyes, "Atsou doesn't care about family ties! This isn't personal for him! He's after more! You're just as much of a target as I am!"
"Even if that is so, why would we want to work with you, Phoenix King Ozai? Just because we have the same enemy doesn't make us allies. We still look down in opposition to a Fire Nation ruler claiming Earth Kingdom soil. Were you not the hazardous threat you are, I'd have taken back that land in glory of the Earth Kingdom natives and have your kind removed from these lands." King Kuei turned his back to Ozai. "And while we can't wage war on you without taking a devastating loss, we have no intention of ever being on the same side as you. We will deal with this bastard twin brother of yours on our own."
Ozai stood there glaring at the Earth King and clenched his fist. Coming up to his side to pat his hand, Kya told him to allow them to just leave.
"If he's foolish enough to not take our offer, then he and his people are doomed anyway." Kya managed to get her father to turn around.
"It's one thing if he dies but there are innocent people's lives at stake. That dumb bastard." Ozai hissed under his breath.
Smiling at her father, Kya held to his arm as they started on their way out of the palace. She was all too happy to hear her father having concern for the masses. It meant he had grown or at least, his heart had. As soon as they were able to get her mother back, she'd be sure to inform her mother of this. It would please her to know she had an impact on him even in her absence.
As they were getting ready to leave, Ozai spotted a man standing at the entrance of the palace smoking a pipe. His eyes narrowed as he recognized the bastard and let go of his daughter's hand to accost the man.
Blowing out his smoke as he stood with his back to the Phoenix King and his group, "Touch me and I'll go and force my niece's face in a pillow." The man said as he turned to smirk at Ozai. "I know you know she's still alive, cousin."
Ozai bared his teeth as he wanted no more than to snap this bastard's neck, "You truly are a sick fuck, Shin. What the hell are you doing here?!"
Dumping the burnt content of his pipe on the floor as if it were a place to do so, Shin tucked his pipe away and looked Ozai over. "On a mission. The usual."
"Mission? What mission?!"
Shin smirked. "Can't tell you that. Top secret stuff."
"You bastard! You know all about my twin brother and his plan!" Ozai towered over him.
"Don't act like you didn't know I was working with Lao this whole time. It's the only reason you didn't kill me for having my way with my niecey. You thought you could get information out of me." Shin chuckled as he shook his head. "Unfortunately for you, I was only to serve as a distraction. You were too busy watching me that you completely missed the fact that our eyes were set somewhere else."
Ozai snatched Shin up and forced him up against the nearest pillar, "What's stopping me from killing you now?!"
Smirking as he tilted his head down at Ozai, "Kill me if you want but I can't promise there won't be repercussions for doing so."
Dropping Shin, Ozai let himself be pulled away from the man by his daughter. He was very close to killing this piece of shit. He should have done it the first chance he got. The bastard wasn't worth keeping alive.
"Dad, let's just go. Mailan is waiting for us."
….
Iroh chuckled heartily as Mailan circled around him waving her ribbons in the middle of his shop. He watched her leap and then go wave her ribbons in the customers' faces. They all chuckled and smiled at the little girl. She seemed to brighten up the morning with her laughter and glee. He wished Ozai could let her stay longer. A little adorable girl like her entertaining his guests would no doubt bring in more business during this cold climate.
"Mailan, let's go."
Iroh looked up and saw his brother entering the shop, immediately frightening all his customers. Furrowing his brows.
"Ozai, I've told you to use the backdoor. You're scaring my guests." Iroh sighed.
Rolling his eyes as he folded his arms, "Scaring them how? I haven't even done anything in nearly twenty years. I'm practically harmless." He scoffed.
Everyone, including Kya begged to differ.
"I'm just picking up Mailan. We're heading back home." Ozai said as Mailan ran up to him.
Watching his brother pick up the little girl and hold her on his shoulder, Iroh chuckled. "I guess you have softened up, brother. Quite the ladies man."
"Oh, shut up." Ozai snorted as he turned to leave, ducking his head down in the low archway of the door.
Kya lingered behind for a moment to approach her uncle and place a note in his hands. Iroh looked down to read the note and stared wide eyed at her. Taking his hands in hers, his niece smiled weakly at him.
"Don't tell Zuko. Dad doesn't want to disturb the progress he's making right now." Kya told him. "Come visit us. There's a lot more we have to share with you."
Pulling her to him, Iroh hugged her. "I'll visit soon."
"We'll see you then."
…..
Growling as she threw her fist into her opponent's face and then brought her knee up high to deliver one final blow to them, striking them in the chin. As their body hit the mat hard, Katara came back down on her feet and bent the sweat from her brows. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest as she felt the adrenaline in her slowly coursing in her veins. A few with medical practice hurried to her fallen opponent as she felt a wet towel be placed on her shoulders as a hand pulled her around her waist to leave the sparring mat. She nearly attacked them when they caught her fist and tried snapping her out of the mental place she seemed to go when training.
"Katara, it's fine. The match is over." Daikoku told her.
Seeming to come from out of her head space, Katara's eyes recognized Daikoku and she calmed down. Retracting her fist from him as she realized that she might have almost attacked him again.
"Sorry." She apologized.
Patting her shoulder as he put his arm around her, "Don't worry about it. You do what you have to get through this. I don't blame you." He told her.
"I'm just trying to pass my trials so Atsou will send me out again." Katara started unwrapping her fists from their bandages.
"You'll pass them no doubt." Daikoku was confident. He had seen the waterbender training harder than ever over the last three months. She wanted to get back out there again and get a taste for vengeance.
That day on the rooftop, he had seen it all, Katara had tapped into another side of herself. It contrasted from her compassionate and merciful side. Pairing up well with that fiery side of her but it was a calm storm he saw in her eyes. She wasn't a raging or roaring flame like he expected. There was a poise manner in the way she let her more violent nature take over. This didn't go unnoticed by Atsou and a few others. Katara was no doubt going on the next mission.
Daikoku decided to take Katara to the communal dining hall to have lunch with him. Figured being around people more would get her in a better mood. As they got there, he led the waterbender over to the table he typically sat at and saw Azula was there.
"Took you two ass hats long enough." Azula looked up from her nails to them. "I was starving."
Rolling his eyes as he sat on the floor cushion at the table and Katara sat beside him, "You could have gotten your food without me."
"But you know I don't want to."
"Agni, you get on my nerves." Daikoku scoffed as he got back up.
Katara watched Daikoku go get their food while the two of them sat there waiting. She could see Azula was in her usual mood of being 'princess bitch' and with Daikoku gone, her eyes were set on her.
"Ah, don't you wish he wasn't gay?" She sighed.
"Is that a problem?" Katara seemed confused.
Rolling her eyes, "Yes, gosh! Do you see any other good looking guys around us?" Azula seemed annoyed.
Katara shrugged. She hadn't looked to be honest. Not like she was interested anyways. She had other issues to worry about. Besides…
"Your uncle says he's my only option other than myself." Katara said in a monotone voice.
Azula raised a brow, "You're sleeping with my uncle now?"
Narrowing her eyes in offense. "I'd carve my own intestines out first."
"And somehow I believe you." Azula laughed obnoxiously as Daikoku returned with their food and asked what was funny. "Katara here can't get laid because my uncle wants her to himself."
Daikoku grimaced as he looked at Katara, "Really?"
"I'm not interested."
"Good." He picked up his chopsticks. "Bastard is worse than Ozai."
Both Katara and Azula exchanged looks and looked to Daikoku.
"And you know this how?" Azula asked curiously.
Daikoku looked at them both like they were idiots. "He's not gay."
"My father isn't gay either."
"I know that." Daikoku snapped. "He's a closested crosser."
Crosser? Katara was confused. Noticing that both women didn't know what he was referring to, Daikoku had to explain that Ozai liked men and women. He could crossover. A crosser.
"Needs a new name. Crosser sounds like he cross-dresses." Azula picked at her food.
Daikoku and Katara tried not to make a face and focused on their food.
As they finished, Katara decided that she wanted to rest for the day and told them she'd see them later at whatever gathering that Atsou had ordered them to attend.
Returning to her room, the waterbender ignored the squad members that always eyed her funny and closed her door. Katara went to her dresser and rummaged through her clothes until she found the small purple purse that had her necklace in it. Pulling it out, she saw the black flames belonging to Ozai in and it flickered, still very much alive. She dangled in front of her face as she went to sit down on her bed. Laying on her side, she eyed the black flame as it continued to move within the vile of the necklace.
"Can you hear me?" She whispered.
Everyday in the three months after acquiring the necklace, Katara would try talking to the flames in case Ozai might be able to hear her. She never got a response back and made it was because she wasn't able to hear him if he answered back. And maybe...maybe she was wasting her time because he couldn't hear her either.
Sighing, Katara pulled the necklace to her chest and shut her eyes. "I wish you could hear me."
…..
I wish you could hear me…
Ozai rubbed his temples. Agni, he was hearing voices again. Last three months had been taxing on him and while he no longer felt miserable as he had before, he was under constant stress. Between ruling his empire, raising his daughters, maintaining peace at his border, and trying to be prepared for whatever Atsou planned next. Agni, I need a drink.
It was while he was reaching into his desk drawer to grab a bottle of his favorite liquors when Princess Ami let herself into his office.
"Your majesty." She bowed as she approached his desk.
Reluctantly, putting the bottle back, Ozai greeted the woman, none too kindly. "Princess Ami. What brings you here? Is it the end of the month again?"
Chuckling as she shook her head, "Why is it you always think I'm here for money?"
"Because that's the only reason you ever come." He said flatly.
"And to show you my finished work."
Scoffing, "You haven't finished anyth- wait..." Ozai paused and raised a brow at her. "Have you finished?"
Ami smirked as she nodded and offered her hand to the Phoenix King, "Allow me to show you my finished work, your majesty."
Ozai seemed fairly curious to see what her finished work was. If it had not been for what she was working on then he would have defunded her months ago. She was fortunate that he was imaginative and could see the future was only just upon them. Letting her take his hand, Ozai was pulled out of his office and through the halls until she forced him into her carriage.
Arriving at her lab, the Phoenix King was bowed to by her lab assistants and fellow scientist as she continued pulling him along. She finally let go of his arm when she brought him to where her finished project was. There was a large round glass dome in the middle of the dark room with small versions of it dangling by a cord around the rest of the room. Ozai eyed them as his vision was perfect in the dark. Ami took his hand again and placed it in this glass-like chamber.
"Can I get you to use your lightning bending?" She asked him.
Ozai raised his brows, "Why?"
"It's part of my invention. I need lightning and I rather not have to wait for the next storm to catch lightning in a bottle." Ami explained to him.
Telling her to let go of his arm, Ozai went ahead and sent lightning into the glass chamber. Ami quickly closed the glass chamber after the lightning bolt was in there. She went on to tinker with a few things while the Phoenix King stood back to watch what was supposed to happen. He soon saw the lightning bolt he injected into the glass chamber went from behaving chaotic to stabilizing. His brow rose and he stepped closer to get a better look.
Ami went over to the lever on the other side of the room and pulled it down. Immediately, the lightning traveled from the glass chamber down into a tube and then appeared at the bottom part of the large glass dome. Ozai watched in amazement as the single bolt began multiplying and soon the other smaller domes lit up around them.
"I call it electricity." Ami laughed as she took a certain level of pride in herself. "This will no doubt be the standard of the future and every home all over the world will consist of this."
Quite impressed, Ozai grinned. "The standard of the future? You see so far ahead for a woman that has a limit on this earth."
"And that's why I sought you out, your majesty. You'll get to see the future of this world. Who better to take over my work when I'm long gone?" Ami said in a tone that was full of wonder despite the morbid nature of the conversation. "You're a man of science and the supernatural. You're the future of my work. Without you all my work will die with me...but in your hands, it could become so much more."
Ozai's eyes shifted from the lights to the woman, whose eyes lit up her invention.
"I trust my work in your hands, your majesty." Ami soon looked at the Phoenix King and beamed happily. "Will you continue my research?"
Looking away from her, "You've got many more years ahead of you. Ask me again in seven decades." Ozai placed his hand in his sleeves.
Chuckling, Ami told him that her plan was to start building her own housing near the lab that would integrate this and if it was a success without any lethal repercussions then she'd want to move on to see if she would integrate it into structures that were already built.
"The palace would be a perfect place to start the second phase of your project." Ozai told her.
Ami seemed surprised that the Phoenix King wanted to have her system integrated into the palace structure.
"Is there anymore funding you require?" He asked her as he went up to the large dome and touched the outside of it, causing the lights to flicker until he took his hand away.
"Well…" Ami started. "There will be the cost of building, furnishing, and-"
"Give me a number."
"5 million yuan." She said.
"I'll have my minister of coin meet with you tomorrow." Ozai informed her.
Ami bowed her head, "Thank you, your majesty."
"No," He said, taking in the fullness of her capability. "Thank you, Ami."
…...
Waking up just in time for the gathering, Katara rubbed her eyes and looked down at the necklace to see that the flame was the same. She sighed and went to put the necklace back up, hiding it under her clothes in her dresser.
Changing into a floral kimono and tying her shoulder length hair up into a knot with a red ribbon, the waterbender hurried herself to Atsou's manor to meet up with everyone. Tonight, Atsou would be choosing who he was sending to the Fire Nation to interrupt a gala. There was a certain level of chaos that they would be stirring and they had specific individuals that were either marked to be killed or kidnapped. Katara wanted to be on that mission. Only those carrying out the orders would know the names and she wanted to make sure that her family's names were not on the list.
Katara arrived at the gathering and Atsou's red eyes fell on her as soon as she entered. She kept her gaze low as she took her place at the back. Every time she and Atsou were in the same room, even if there were others, he had a way of making her extremely uncomfortable. It was bad enough he forced her to eat breakfast with him every morning and showed up to her training everyday to watch her. Did he think that would change anything? She still hated his guts and had every intention of ending his miserable life when she got the chance. If she could just find a way to get Ozai here, he'd be in a world of trouble.
While the other squad leader explained the next mission that was supposed to be a high profiled mission as there were powerful people's names on the hit list. Katara zoned out a bit as she felt a migraine. Wincing as the migraine throbbed more and more as the meeting went on. The only thing that snapped her out of it was hearing her name be called. Her eyes were wide as a few other names were called and everyone left. Leaving just those that were selected for the mission.
Their orders were given. The names on the kill list were numerous, including Lord Uhara Totomi, North Chieftain Hahn and many others. Kidnap Fire Lord Zuko. Katara furrowed her brows at the mention of Zuko's name. Why were they kidnapping him?
"You all leave tomorrow." Lao informed them all.
They all accepted their orders with a bow.
As she got ready to leave with everyone else, Katara was stopped by Atsou, who dismissed everyone else to give them the room alone.
"You know why I chose you, don't you?" Atsou stood in front of her.
"You want me to get Zuko." Katara flashed her eyes up at him.
Smirking in the same way Ozai would, Atsou caressed his hand over her face. "Actually, I want you to deal with a major obstacle of ours."
Katara pulled her face away from him and eyed him cautiously.
Expressing disappointment, "What's a man have to do to get you to warm up to him?"
Sucking her teeth, Katara shoved him out of her way and started walking away.
"When you get back, I expect you to show your gratitude, mean one." Atsou told her as she continued walking away.
Giving him the finger on her way out, "In your dreams."
….
Uhara noticed Kya eyed Princess Ami as the woman dragged her father out of his office and out the palace. He knew Kya wasn't a big fan of the Earth Kingdom Princess and he understood why. The woman flirted with her father at every opportunity. It was something that many noticed and rumors were going around that her father and Princess Ami were together.
Trying to calm down Kya, Uhara rubbed Kya's fist as she balled them in frustration and anger. She loosened her fist a little as she became saddened and rested her head against his shoulder.
"You don't think-"
"Your father has too much on his plate to be courting Princess Ami. Besides, knowing your mother is alive, he probably has his hopes set on getting back together with her." Uhara assured her.
Kya groaned as she buried her face in his chest and held her arms around his middle. Many of the residents eyed them and whispered amongst themselves. She was too worried about the rumors surrounding her father and Ami to notice that there were rumors about him and her.
Getting her to come with him back to the villa for the evening, Uhara watched the princess sulk over dinner and was overall disinterested in eating. He poked her nose to get her to snap out of it. Her gold eyes went to his and he smiled as he moved closer to her.
"Would it really bother you if your father moved on?" Uhara asked her while gently caressing her cheek.
Somberly, Kya nodded her head.
"Why is that?"
"Because...all I ever wanted were my parents to be together and if my father moves on, I don't think my mother will want to stay here with us and see him with someone else." Kya explained.
"Then we'll help her move o-"
Shaking her head as she sat up on her knees from the cushions they were sitting on, Kya placed her hands on both sides of Uhara's shoulders, giving him the look that that was the wrong answer.
"My parents would be jealous of one another and things would get messy." Kya told Uhara how their father ruined her mother's marriage to late Chieftain Arnook.
Uhara chuckled and told her then her parents were simply doomed to be together regardless of seeing other people. They'd find their way back together. Nothing anyone could do about it. Not her or anyone else. Not even them.
Groaning, Kya flopped against Uhara and buried her face in his shoulder. He chuckled as he patted her back.
"It's okay, princess."
The next day, Uhara and Kya had breakfast at the palace with her father and little sister. Kya noticed that Mailan liked to sit in their father's lap while eating and ate what he wouldn't eat. She tried not to snicker at how silly the two were. But she did and it caught her father's attention as he was practically stuffing Mailan's face with food as the girl ate even more than him.
"What's funny, Kya?"
"Nothing." Kya stopped giggling to herself and exchanged looks with Uhara, who found the Phoenix King and Mailan to be funny as well.
Raising a brow at the exchange, "When are you two going to stop keeping me waiting? I have a whole budget for your wedding already and you two aren't even courting again yet."
Spitting out her food, Kya started choking while Uhara tried helping while answering the Phoenix King's question.
"Umm, your majes-"
"I said to call me 'father'." Ozai told him. "You know all our family secrets, I'm sure. That makes you one of us."
Still feeling too uncomfortable to call the man that, Uhara simply moved on to tell him that Kya had a lot on her mind and right now wasn't the best time for her to be thinking in that way. Of course, Ozai wasn't going for this and said it would probably make her feel better if she had a mate already. And one from respectable beginnings. Neither Kya or Uhara responded to that and it frustrated Ozai a little until Mailan whispered in his ear.
Smirking, "Zuko's throwing a gala next week. I'm attending as literally everyone of royal and noble lines from all over have been invited. Your names are on the list and so, you two should go together."
"Dad-"
"Kya, just please, this one thing, don't fight me on because you're really just fighting yourself now." Ozai tried not to grin at her because he knew she was being stubborn now.
Becoming flustered that her father felt a need to push her and Uhara together, Kya groaned an 'okay' that sort of came as a surprise to both Uhara and her father.
Ozai grinned as he stood with Mailan, "Perfect. Now, both of you get packed. We're leaving this afternoon."
…..
Throwing her belongings into a trunk, Kya frustratedly threw her things in her luggage and tried not to think about what her father told her. Uhara was going to be staying with them in the royal wing of the palace when they got to the Fire Nation. Not that that was a problem but Kya felt a bit uncomfortable with her and Uhara sharing a room together. Her father didn't understand that she had already acknowledged that she had feelings for Uhara. She accepted that a little while ago and yes, it would be wonderful if she could be with him but…
Her mother told her to love someone that it didn't cost her who she was to love them and someone that wouldn't cost her her family. Uhara was that person. She could be all sides of herself with him and honestly, she trusted no one else but him. To be completely honest, her feelings for Toshi paled to what she was feeling for Uhara. Spirits, she knew there were so many nights that she wanted to confront him about her feelings because it was getting harder each day keeping from kissing him or wanting to take comfort in his arms. Not to mention, she knew her father 'knew' which was why he was trying to push them together. It was annoying as all hell but she knew her father was trying to help her in that department.
However; Kya was afraid that while she knew Uhara would cherish her and she would cherish him till the end of time...Uhara would run out of time before her. He had inhuman blood, yes but she didn't know how to awaken it in him so that he would live as long as she would. It caused her to choke up and stop packing. She slumped down onto her bed and held her hand over her mouth as she tried not to cry.
"Kya, are you-"
Looking up to see her father entering her room, Kya tried to quickly hide her tears before he started being nosy and read her thoughts.
Too late, dear.
"Damn it! Stop reading my thoughts!" Kya yelled at him and picked up a pillow to throw at him.
Catching it, Ozai chuckled and made his way over to his daughter. "You're holding off from being with him because you won't have enough time with him. You're wasting time now."
Kya's eyes widened at this realization.
Patting her head as he went to sit beside her, "I can't promise anything but I'll look into a way to make him like us."
Looking up at her father, "Really?"
Nodding. "I like him. For you, that is. And I've only liked him more every time I see you with him. As a father, he's the kind of man you want for your daughter. I already think of him as a son."
Yeah, she knew that part already. Trying to get Uhara to refer to him as 'father' all the time.
"Plus, it would be nice to not be surrounded by women all the time." Ozai groaned as if he were miserable and Kya playfully hit him.
"No one told you to be a chick magnet." She laughed.
Rolling his eyes, "I just want a son I can be proud of. That's all. Is that too much to ask?"
Kya shoved him as she stood up and went back to packing.
"And luckily for you, because Uhara has inhuman blood, you can give me a grandchild. A boy would be preferable but I won't complain if it's a girl. Women of all ages love me." Ozai laughed at himself.
Kya simply shook her head and closed her trunk up. She thought it was very funny that her father was living on fantasy island right now. "If you want another boy so bad, how about we hurry and find mom and you two can make that happen."
That seemed to shut him up.
….
On the airship with everyone, Ozai had carried Hama to his cabin and sat her on the edge of the bed. Placing a charm on her neck where she had to be within ten feet of him at all times for the remainder of their travels. She seemed still very annoyed with him after their altercation months ago over Katara. But she had to know, he wasn't going to take talk of killing Katara well.
"You hate parties, Ozai." Hama eyed him as he had the servants bring in their luggage. "You're expecting her to show up."
Ozai eyed her to hush as it was daylight out. She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes.
"Why bring me?"
"Because I need your help with something." He informed her as he removed his crown and let his hair down from its topknot.
Seeing that he was undressing, "I hope you're not asking me to get you off."
Glaring at her from over his shoulder, "Those days are over, Hama."
"Great. Just how I'd like it. So what else is it?"
Ozai walked up to Hama in just his pants and told her it was something he wanted to do for Kya. The woman was intrigued and asked him what he could possibly be wanting to do for his daughter.
Settling Mailan into bed for the night as it would take a bit longer for them to reach the Fire Nation, Kya kissed the little girl on the head and left to return to her cabin. But when she got there, her eyes drifted to Uhara's chambers and her mind thought back to what her father told her earlier. Whether he was able to help her make Uhara like them, she was wasting time. For whatever the amount of time she had with Uhara, she wanted to spend it with him. So she swallowed her pride and started making her way to his cabin door to knock on it.
It took a few knocks before Uhara finally opened the door and Kya had to say, she had never seen him so late into the evening. Her eyes immediately went from his face that was drooping from being sleepy to the chiseled definition of his bare chest. She tilted her head as her eyes wandered down to the v shape going to his pants that was sort of hanging off his hip. Kya had always seen Uhara in decent attire. Never got a peek at anything. His ear length hair was always styled out of his face, and he wore layers of clothing like many from the Fire Nation did to maintain a professional and appropriate appearance. So to see him shirtless with his hair messy from laying in bed, this was a whole new side to him for her to witness.
Rubbing his face as he was trying to wake himself up, "Is something wrong, Kya?"
"Umm…" Forcing her eyes to his, Kya chuckled awkwardly as she pulled her hair behind her ear. "Nothing. Just checking to see if you're alright." She decided to abandon the mission. There was no way she could confess with him looking this way. She'd no doubt end up wanting to go to bed with him.
"You sure?" He tried to check.
Nodding her head as her eyes wandered down again, "Yup, I'm peachy." She smiled with her teeth after getting her eyes back to his.
Uhara didn't seem to notice she was checking him out and reached down to kiss her forehead which caused her to shiver.
"Goodnight, Kya."
Kya reluctantly expressed the same sentiment before turning her back to his door when it shut and skulking back to her room.
"You should have jumped him." Ozai said as he was lurking in the shadows.
Kya jumped in fright as she didn't realize her father was watching.
"Not like you're a virgin. Nothing to lose there. You should have jumped him." Ozai told her.
Narrowing her eyes at him, "What man tells his daughter to jump another man?! Are you nuts?!"
Snorting, "Of course, I'm nuts. I hear voices constantly among many other things. But I'm trying to help you be forward with him and I can think of nothing more forward than that."
Kya stared wide eyed at her father as he patted her head and told her goodnight. Spirits!
…
Arriving in the Fire Nation, Ozai made Kya and Uhara take a carriage separate to his as a way to help his daughter out. But it didn't make much a difference. Kya was awkward on the way to the palace and Uhara noticed this. He figured something might have actually been wrong with her last night. The nobleman made a mental note to confront her about it when they all settled in.
"You all are rather early." Zuko noted as he greeted his family.
Ozai was holding Mailan's hand as Hama stood to his side, holding onto his arm. Kya remained behind her father, resting her head against Uhara as he tried to comfort her. She and Zuko hadn't seen each other since he ran his hand through her gut and tossed her in the sea. While she didn't hold any ill feelings towards her brother...anymore...she didn't really know how to face him right now. She had been permanently scarred that day. A long dark scar going from one end of her belly to the other sat right under her navel. It was bad enough Azula left a scar over her breast back when the palace was invaded.
Leaning over to whisper in her ear, "Would you like me to greet him on your behalf?"
"If you could?"
Uhara agreed and rubbed her arm as the Fire Lord turned his attention to them. He greeted him warmly while Kya averted her brother's gaze.
Zuko somberly gazed at his sister but decided that he would speak to Kya when she was more ready to talk but he knew that wouldn't be any time soon. He went on to show everyone to their chambers in the royal wing. His father told him Uhara and Kya would share chambers causing Zuko to look between his sister and Uhara. The two of them felt put on the spot. Kya, especially. But Ozai didn't care. He wasn't above embarrassing his children.
Pulling her crown from her hair and letting her hair completely down, Kya groaned as she threw herself on her bed. She crawled her way to a pillow and buried her face in it.
Standing in her doorway, Uhara figured this was his opportunity to ask Kya what was going on with her. Knocking on the wall to get her attention, he watched her lift her head from her pillow to him.
"Want to be honest with me about what's wrong?" He asked her.
Kya groaned into the pillow that she held to her chest.
Uhara approached her and sat on the edge of the bed, offering his hand to her. She took it and he pulled to him. Kya snuggled up to him, still holding her pillow, and shook her head. This was the wrong time to come out about her feelings. She wasn't all too happy to see her brother right now and her father was an asshole, making them room together in a one bedroom chamber. And she was sure Uhara felt just as uncomfortable as she did.
Pressing his lips to the crown of her head, "It'll be fine. I'll sleep in the sitting room."
"You don't hav-"
Shaking his head, "Despite your father wanting this and even me wanting this, I know you don't. So I'm okay with it. Okay?"
As Uhara got up to leave her settling in more, Kya quickly got up and grabbed the back of his vest to stop him. Her eyes widened as he looked over his shoulder at her. Fuck!
"Is there a problem, Kya?"
"Umm...no, I-I figured you'd want the bed. I can go sleep in my dad's chambers. He has plenty of room. Plus, I used to sleep beside him till I was fourteen, so I'll just spend the night there. Bug him a little since he caused us this trouble." Kya said quickly as she hurried to climb out of the bed and race out the room.
Ozai was about to head to bed after staying up all night the previous night. Down to just his casual baggy pants, the Phoenix King plopped down on his bed and shut his eyes. He was about to drift off when he suddenly heard his bedroom door open and then footsteps making their way to his bed. When the bed shifted from movement on the other side, Ozai opened to see his daughter lying next to him with her eyes closed.
Opening his mouth to tell her to get lost, Ozai was cut off by Kya sticking her finger up his nose and opening her eyes to glare at him.
"I'm sleeping in here until this trip is over and I'm not taking no for an answer. So, you better make yourself comfortable or we can go back to our little cold war, hmm?"
Pulling her finger out of his nose and shifting to roll on his other, Ozai shook his head. "Agni, why do you brats make my life more difficult?"
Turning her back to him too, "You did this to yourself."
…..
Soaking in the tub, Katara submerged her face into the water with only her eyes appearing over the surface. She learned that she couldn't drown, she learned this in the North Pole after trying to drown herself in the communal pools. Which made sense since she was a siren and all. However; at the moment, Atsou decided to interrupt her alone time to impose his presence on her. He was convinced that they needed to spend more time together and eventually she would fall for him. He does realize I'm not eighteen anymore?
Eyeing his hand as he reached into her bath water, the waterbender's eyes traveled up to his as his hand traveled down to touch her thigh. She raised a brow when she felt his hand move further up. He thought this was funny. But she didn't find it funny one bit.
"If you're going to force yourself on me, just get it over with. I don't like being toyed with." Katara slapped his hand away.
Retracting his hand, Atsou groaned in disappointment as he sat beside her tub and allowed her to finish bathing.
"One of these days I'm not going to hold back anymore." Atsou told her. "And you're going to be mine."
Splashing water at the back of his head, "Shut up. You sound more pathetic than Ozai."
"What?!" Atsou felt insulted.
"You might look like him but you two are completely different people. His presence screams authority while yours makes it feel debatable. He didn't tell me he was going to make me love him. He made it happen. You're a man of words while he is one of action. You pale in comparison."
Atsou stood up and glared at Katara as she climbed out of the tub, waving her hand to bend the water from her skin and hair. Her blue eyes were on his and she dared him to get any closer. Unfortunately for her, he wasn't afraid of a challenge. Grabbed her around her waist, Atsou forced his lips on hers and bit her. Katara shoved him off and slapped him, her gaze becoming icy as the temperature in the room dropped. She froze over the water and glass in the room, the mirror shattering from the low temp. Atsuo could see his breath as Katara's eyes glowed and her skin shimmered in gold.
Smirking, "Ozai knows you're alive. So on your mission, succeed by any means necessary."
The waterbender refused to stand down, still having her guard up. Katara swore to herself that the next man that touched her without her consent was getting what he deserved. No more getting bent over and fucked.
"Get dressed, I have a weapon I want you to use specifically for him."
Katara waited until Atsou left before returning to her normal state and unfreezing the room. She panted as she felt a strain come over her from that. It had been years since she gave way to her siren soul. The amount of energy it took to maintain control was a heavy toll on her.
Dressed in her night clothes, Katara waltzed into Atsou's bedroom where he waited for her. He was holding a black box trimmed in gold and red. Opening it, he revealed a strange device made of metal with wooden parts to it. Her brow raised as she came closer and he told her to touch it. It took one slide of her fingertips to know this weapon was similar to the previous one she used on the rooftop months ago.
Retracting her hand immediately, the waterbender eyed him. "It won't kill him, will it?"
"Not permanently. As it stands, nothing can kill my brother. He's immortal through and through. Only one that loves him and he loves in return can kill him. However; this weapon will bypass that rule. It wouldn't be you killing him. It would be the weapon itself."
Katara didn't believe him and stepped away. "I can subdue him another way." she said.
Atsou closed the box and smirked, "You can?"
"Yes." This might be an opportunity. Nodding her head as she swallowed. "Ozai knows I'm alive and will no doubt spot me at the gala. I only need to use his feelings towards me against him. Make him let his guard down."
Seeming to approve of this plan, "Very well." Atsou set the box down. "As long as the mission's objective is successful, the method matters not."
Oh, it matters.
…..
Ozai woke to being shoved off the bed by his daughter. Getting to his feet, Ozai was utterly annoyed and literally grabbed her ankle, pulling her to the foot of the bed. She stirred a little but went right back to snoring. So, he marched into his bathroom and got a glass of cold water and threw it in her face. Kya squirmed in panic as she gasped for air, flopping until she slid off the foot of the bed. When she came to her senses, Kya jumped to her feet and was about to lash out at him. But he shoved his finger in her face.
Scolding her, "If you don't confess to Uhara, I'll do it for you!"
Kya's eyes widened, "But dad-"
"Don't 'but dad' me! I'm sixty-one years old and I'm sharing my bed with my nearly twenty years old daughter because she can't be honest with herself!" Ozai yelled in annoyance at her. "I'm too old for this shit! Just go get laid so I can sleep in my own bed!"
Kya watched in self-pity as her father stormed in the bathroom and slammed the door.
Skulking out of her father's chambers, Kya went back to hers to get ready for the day. Seemed like Uhara was still asleep from the snoring she heard. She peeked in to see him and saw he was sleeping on his stomach with nothing on but the sheet to cover his lower half. Blushing, she closed the door and went to the bathroom to begin her morning routine.
While bathing, Kya thought about what her father said and figured he was right. It wasn't like she had anything to lose here. Plus, Uhara was a really good man. Incredibly so. It would make them both happy to be together. And her father told her he'd help her find a way to save Uhara from his mortality.
A small smile crept to her lips as she bathed, I'll get to be with him forever. Kya couldn't help but think she was very lucky to not only have fallen in love once but to have done so again. And with someone that would fit in perfectly with her odd family. Someone she could watch time go by with. Someone she knew loved her in return and made her feel safe. If a woman's husband was to be modeled after her father then Uhara was perfect. Better than perfect.
So let's grab that razor, girly. And get prepped. Kya finally agreed with her horny siren and took the razor from the bathroom counter to start grooming herself better for later.
Kya spent two hours in the bathroom getting herself fixed up. She wanted to smell good and look good. Maybe she'd confess the moment he woke. Who knew? But she knew she had to confess soon.
Checking herself out in the mirror, Kya had to say she was thankful for taking after her mother as far as being shapely. Even with her scars from her elder siblings, Kya felt sexy even though she had never been very vain before. Looks were just looks but she was loving her looks right now. It made her feel very confident.
"Maybe I should wear my hair down today?"
Yes! We look cute. Innocent but not too innocent. She and her siren giggled as she began posing in the mirror, trying to see which facial expression and pose would be most tempting. Kya continued talking out loud and laughing with her siren, feeling all too bubbly this morning. Spirits, she couldn't contain herself. She was a young woman in love and she was going to make a move tod-
"Kya, are you okay?"
The princess shrieked as she was startled and tripped backwards into the tub as she saw Uhara enter the bathroom. The door shut back almost immediately after he saw her completely naked.
"Agni! Kya, I'm sorry!"
Having to lift herself from out of the tub water, Kya felt utterly embarrassed and her good mood was gone. "It's okay!" She said in a high pitched voice.
"Umm, I'll go wait for you to finish." He said awkwardly.
Some days I hate us.
Pouting as she moped on the floor, mourning her confidence and high spirits that were as fleeting as cherry blossoms. "Same!"
Fifteen minutes later, Kya made her way to her bedroom in a bathrobe and saw Uhara was sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.
"I'm sorry for hogging the bathroom." She apologized.
Looking up, Uhara saw her stand in the doorway, holding her robe closed. He didn't understand why she was apologizing. He was the one that didn't knock. It was just that he was concerned. She was talking to herself and seemed to be laughing. He didn't know what was going on and acted without thinking. He should have knocked.
Uhara stood and bowed his head apologetically, "Forgive me, your highness. It was disrespectful of me to intrude. I should have knocked and now, I've seen you in an indecent state. I'll accept punishment."
Kya furrowed her brows, but I wanted you to look. But she couldn't just say that after such an embarrassing incident took place.
"No punishment required. You were concerned and I appreciate that. Thank you, Uhara." Kya's voice was very fragile as she felt less and less embarrassed and more filled with disappointment that she couldn't be so bold as to tell him her feelings.
The room fell into an awkward silence before Uhara dismissed himself to allow her to dress while he went to freshen up for the day. As soon as he was gone, Kya banged her head into the wall calling herself stupid repeatedly.
…
A/N:
Poor Kya. I bet she wishes her mother was here to help her. Ozai's advice is not helping. Thanks for reading!
