A/N:
I'm back!
Chapter 27:
In the morning, Katara woke and the other side of the bed was still empty. She sighed and climbed out of bed to get ready for the travels. When she climbed out of the tub and wrapped herself in a towel, Ozai entered the bathroom removing his clothes. She only glanced at him for a moment before she went to brush her teeth and wash her face. As soon as she was down she left without saying anything to him. She didn't know what to say.
The servants dressed her in a more casual and comfortable attire for her to travel in, letting her decide how she wanted to wear her hair for the day. She had them style it in a waterfall braid and place a few flower accessories in it. Katara smiled a little as she saw her reflection and felt pretty.
After she had gotten dressed and ready, Katara drank her tea while she ate breakfast. It wasn't long before Ozai joined her and was eyeing from across the table.
"I'm told you came looking for me last night." Ozai started.
Drinking her tea, "Yes, I went to your office. I was hoping we could talk about the trip. But I'm told you were busy and I didn't want to disturb you." Katara stated.
"So you didn't enter?"
"I did but couldn't find you, so I left." Katara said as she sat her cup down.
Ozai felt relieved.
…
It was a six hour trip to their destination and Katara was surprised to learn that the royal family owned multiple beach houses on Ember Island. The beach house they stayed at turned out to be much more lavish than the one that she and her friends trashed during the war. The servants carried their things in and Ozai showed her to where her rooms would be.
The chambers were beautiful and she had a great view of the beach. Ozai showed her to the closet and let her know it was best she dressed in the dresses he had brought here ahead of them. They were better suited for the heat.
"You should probably change into something more comfortable." Ozai told her as she walked over to the round bed with a veil hanging over it.
A pair of servants entered and asked where the Fire Lord wanted his things, he pointed them in the direction of where his chambers were. Katara tilted her head at this and walked back over to him.
"We're not sharing the same chambers?" She asked him.
Shaking his head as he patted her head, "I told you you'd be able to enjoy your vacation without worrying about me. I'm only down the hall."
Katara did remember him assuring her of this but it felt a bit weird that he didn't want to at least share the same chambers.
"I'll come check on you in a little bit. If you leave the house, take the guards with you." Ozai told her as he kissed the crown of her head before leaving her to settle in.
Going to the edge of her bed, the waterbender sat there trying to figure out what she should do while the servants unpacked her things.
"Let's go swimming."
"I thought we'd go swimming at night. You said you would teach me then."
"Yes, you're right. How about a walk into town?"
"Perfect, get dressed. I'll meet you there."
Katara sat up off the edge of the bed and went to the closet to find a pretty dress to put on. She didn't notice the servants staring at her strangely after watching her talk to herself.
After Katara dressed into a cute pink sundress that rose just at her knee level and a very low collar, she went to find the guards that could walk with her into town. When she saw them, they were dressed casual and didn't look like guards. She figured from what Ozai told her on the way here was that they wanted to keep their status hidden from the common people on the island, it would make their vacation more of a vacation to just blend in.
They bowed to her as she approached.
"I was going to walk into town, can you accompany me?" She asked them.
"As you wish, your majesty."
Going into town, Katara had the guards follow close as she explored the part of town that was close to the beach house. She got to see so much more than she did the last time she was here. The culture and everything was so much more different on this island than the rest of the Fire Nation. It was much less strained and very lax. Men either shirtless or wearing vests that were opened and revealed their torsos. Women were much shorter and revealing clothes due to the climate. Everyone seemed pleasant and communal. Very different from the way people were in the capital.
There were many shops along the street she walked. A lot of the vendors outside the shops sold jewelry, fruits, island snacks, and all sorts of things. Katara was glad the guards had brought coins with them because she completely forgot to ask Ozai about that. She bought spiced fruit on a stick and got two more for her guards to try with her. They tried to decline but she said it would bring attention to them if they didn't eat with her. When they gave in, Katara smiled and asked them where they wanted to go.
A little caught off guard, "We'll go wherever you wish, your majesty."
"But I don't know what to do here. Tell me and we can go."
The other guard suggested they just walked until she found something that interested her.
Katara pouted a little as she turned back around to find something to do. She was trying to get them to engage with her so things could be fun but they were uptight. She wished Ming was here but Ozai ordered Ming to stay behind. He really didn't want her getting friendly with the servants.
Walking for about an hour, Katara only found a few shops she wanted to stop inside of but they were mostly bakeries. The last place she stopped inside turned out to be a toy shop and they had some pretty cute stuffed animals. She spotted one that was a dragon plush. It was rather adorable and big. The guards bought it for her and she carried it with her out of the store, hugging it to her as she smiled to herself.
They returned back to the beach house and Katara was cooing playfully at her stuffed animal that she named Feng when she heard women squealing. She stepped out of the way as three women raced down the hallway. They were all dressed in matching swimsuits and Katara saw they were all quite busty. She stepped out of their way as to not be trampled.
"Oh, your majesty, we're sorry." Kuran said as all the women stopped to bow to her.
Katara spaced out as she stared at them all. These the same women I picked out? They were but Katara never seemed to be concerned with how beautiful they were. Only picking women that she felt weren't snooty and came from lesser noble households. Covering her chest with the dragon stuffed animal as she felt a bit inadequate from the sight of their breasts.
"Fire Lady Katara, are you alright?" Kuran asked as the other women looked at her worriedly.
Snapping out of it, Katara nodded and told them to have fun as she forced a smile. They all smiled in return and asked if she wanted to come out onto the beach with them.
"I'm fine. The heats kind of wearing on me." Katara told them.
The women accepted this answer and went onto leave.
When they were gone, Katara sighed and hung her head as she headed to her chambers. As she reached her door, she heard talking coming from down the hall and paused.
"Have you told your wife yet?" A woman asked.
"I plan to but in the meantime, don't tell anyone." She heard Ozai's voice.
"The others are already suspecting. I haven't had my cycle in two months."
"Then I'll tell my wife before rumors spread."
"Okay, Ozai, I trust you."
Katara didn't have to hear anymore. She slipped into her room quietly and walked over to her bed with Feng in her arms. The waterbender climbed in and curled up with her new friend, nuzzling her head against it. She wished Ozai had let the boys come to the beach with them. She knew Kai would probably like it here and she could probably teach him how to swim. Soji would like it. He seemed to like being outside in the fresh air. At least she'd have them when they headed to the South Pole. The waterbender soon fell asleep with a tear falling from her shut eyes.
…
Later that day, Katara was woken with a hand shaking her from her sleep. She rose and rubbed her eyes to see it was Ozai.
"Everything okay?" She asked as she looked around and saw the candles were lit, it was nightfall.
"Everything is fine. I was checking on you." He told her.
Rubbing the palm of her hand to her cheek to wake herself up more, "I'm fine. I just went for a walk earlier and was tired when I got back."
"Dinner is in an hour. Did you want to join us?"
And by 'us' she knew he meant him and the consorts.
"Umm, I was going to walk on the beach since the sun is down." Katara said as she pulled Feng to her chest and buried the lower half of her face into him. "Plus, I ate a lot of cake from the bakeries around town. Ask the guards, they had to help me."
Ozai wasn't buying it but he probably shouldn't have asked her in the first place.
"If you need anything, let me know." He said as he patted her head and got up from her bed to leave.
When he was gone, Katara laid back down with Feng and rubbed her face against him.
"Do you want me to come walking with you?"
"That would be nice."
"And you can tell me about the bakeries you visited."
"I'd love to. Let's go."
…..
Dinner wrapped up and Ozai went to see if Katara was still out on the beach. He spotted her sitting in the sand holding that stuffed toy he saw her with earlier.
As he went to approach her, he heard her talking to herself and he paused.
"Maybe we can go swimming another night, Ozai." She said. "I kind of just want to watch the stars."
"Then we'll swim another night. Whatever you want."
"Thanks." The waterbender then laid on her side hugging the stuffed animal to her, "If I fall asleep will you wake me up?"
"Of course, we'll go to bed together too."
"You're the best."
Furrowing his brows as he listened to Katara have an entire conversation with herself as if she were talking to him, Ozai went back into the house, deciding to leave her alone for now.
In the morning, Ozai and the consorts woke up to a bunch of commotion from the staff. He told them to stay in bed while he checked on things. When he threw on his robe and left the bedroom, the Fire Lord saw the servants going into his wife's chambers.
"I'm fine." Katara said as the servants smoothed a cream over her skin while she stood completely undressed.
"What's going on here?"
The waterbender turned to see her husband looking confused as to what was going on.
"Your majesty, your wife was found sleeping outside this morning in the sand. Her skin seems to be sensitive to the sand and she's broken into a rash." One of the servants explained.
Ozai furrowed his brows at Katara, "You idiot, why are you sleeping outside?"
Shrugging, "I just kind of drifted off." Katara answered simply.
"Give us the room." Ozai ordered and the servants reluctantly stopped tending to the Fire Lady to leave.
When they were alone, Katara stood there in her underwear covered in a cream that was keeping her from scratching her skin.
"What's wrong with you?" He asked her, coming to stand directly in front of her.
Shaking her head as she smiled at him, "Nothing. I feel fine."
"Are you sure?"
Nodding, "I was going to go back into town, did you want to come with me?"
Ozai looked her over and she definitely had a bad rash. "Maybe you need to stay in for the day, Katara. Until your skin heals."
"Okay." She replied.
Continuing to eye her funny, Ozai told her he'd have the servants bring her breakfast to her. He was going to have to give her more of that tea. She was starting to act very weird and he didn't know what else to do.
When Ozai began to leave, Katara grabbed his robe and stopped him.
"Will you come by later? We could play cards or pai Sho like we did when you were in prison."
Nodding his head, "Sure."
"Great! I'll be waiting."
Leaving the room, Ozai had the servants go back in but before they did, he told them to keep an eye on her and tell him if she does anything strange.
…
Katara's skin cleared up pretty quickly due to the cream the servants rubbed all over her skin. She had her breakfast and tea which seemed a little stronger in taste than she was used to but it was still good nonetheless. The servants put her in her swimsuit that Ozai had given her as a gift and tied her hair into a high fluffy ponytail. Katara almost forgot how young she really was until she saw herself in the mirror.
Going out onto the beach, Katara saw two of the consorts playing beach volleyball while one kept score. The fourth one seemed to be sitting under an umbrella with Ozai, leaning against him with her head resting on his shoulder. The waterbender paused on the steps of the beach house and stared at the sight. A few servants and the guards saw her as she turned around and went back into the house.
A few servants that watched the Fire Lady go back into her room, slamming the door behind her, tried to check on her but when they got to the door they heard her talking to herself again. One of them went to inform the Fire Lord as he was sitting with 1st consort Himiko. He ordered them to entertain her until he went to see her.
"Is she alright?" Himiko asked him.
Ozai rubbed his temple, "I don't think so but I don't exactly know how to deal with the situation."
"Maybe me and the girls can do something fun with her tonight. She might just be alone. Especially if she's talking to herself."
"Maybe that's a good idea." Ozai stroked his beard. "I'll send the other three. You'll stay with me for the evening."
Himiko smiled and nodded. "As you wish, my lord."
Later that night, Katara was waiting for Ozai to show up to play cards with her. She figured he might have come sooner but she guessed he was busy with the others. It started getting late and she switched into her nightgown. Maybe he planned to spend the night. Katara waited at the low table by the balcony for Ozai to show up. She had Feng keeping her company as she waited. When she finally heard the servants answer the door for her, Katara lit up a little and stood with Feng.
However, it wasn't Ozai that entered, instead she saw three of the consorts. Her smile sort of faded a bit. Something the women saw immediately.
"His majesty sent us to keep you company for the night." Kuran said.
Katara seemed a little confused, "But I thought...Ozai said he'd come." She bashfully looked down as she pulled her hair behind her ear. "I guess he's busy."
Feeling bad for the young Fire Lady, Kuran and the other two assured her that they would be just as entertaining. A servant entered with a few bottles of wine and snacks. As it was sat on the low table, the women all took a seat and decided on what game to play. Katara wasn't exactly happy about it at first but she settled into things when the women genuinely seemed interested in spending their time with her.
Drinking wine and munching on the snacks, the women giggled as they played cards. They all talked a little and got to know the Fire Lady a little better as she got to learn them. Katara thought they seemed like really nice women. She could see they were fairly close with each other and very affectionate towards one another.
After several glasses of wine and slouching against the low table while the other women seemed completely fine, the Fire Lady hugged Feng to her chest.
"Cute stuff animal you got there." Lin said as she rested in Kuran's lap.
Katara smiled, "I named him Feng."
"Aww, you're so cute, your majesty." Jade poked the woman's cheek.
Giggling, "You think so?"
"Of course! You're so small and younger than all of us."
Kuran nodded, "Plus, you have beautiful blue eyes. I'd kill to have those eyes."
"Me too! No wonder the Fire Lord decided to have you as his wife. I hear a lot of the men at court whispering about how they wished they could have wives as gorgeous as the Fire Lady." Lin told Katara.
Blushing, "I don't think I'm ugly but I wouldn't go that far. I think you all are far better looking than me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel inadequate compared to you all." Katara said as she dropped her gaze from them.
"Awww!" Jade couldn't help but pet the Fire Lady as she seemed to be really under the effects of the alcohol.
"Should we get you to bed, my lady?" Lin sat up out of Kuran's lap.
Katara nodded.
As the three women helped the waterbender into her bed, they climbed in with her and cuddled up against her as she clung to Feng.
When morning came, Katara woke and the consorts were still in her bed. Kuran was cuddled up behind her while Jade cuddled her in the front and Lin was rested against her thigh. She wiggled herself from them and they all moved out of her way to let her up, huddling together when she left.
Rubbing her head, the waterbender took Feng with her to the bathroom and splashed water onto her face. Her head was killing her. She definitely drank too much last night. As she tried to get herself together, Katara heard the women talk amongst themselves and she figured she'd eavesdrop.
"You think Himiko is really pregnant?" Lin asked.
"I don't doubt it. You've seen how the Fire Lord is all over her. She is his favorite."
Kuran rolled her eyes, "I just hope he's not planning on letting her keep it. Only the wife is supposed to have children with him."
Nodding, "But I could see him breaking traditions. He already did by marrying his Fire Lady."
"But that was different. I heard they were involved when he escaped and while he was back in prison. Plus, his son with her is a firebender. That's all that really matters."
"And you've seen her, Fire Lady Katara is cute. I like her."
"Agreed, which is why I hope he doesn't let Himiko keep the baby. That would embarrass his wife."
"Poor woman. You saw how she looked when she found he was sending us instead of coming. No wonder the servants say she's gone crazy. She's probably been isolated."
Kuran and Jade nodded.
"I heard he's jealous of anyone that gets close to her."
"Us included. You heard what he said last night. He doesn't want us making passes at her."
"Then maybe he should be the one spending time with her then." Jade folded her arms. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Fire Lady found a lover soon at this rate. Not like she'd be wrong to. He literally spends most of his nights with us."
Katara slid down the wall of the bathroom and buried her face into Feng.
….
For breakfast, the waterbender ate with the consorts in the dining room and they all planned to go out into town. However, when Ozai showed up with Himiko the chattering got quiet. The consorts all held their gazes low as the Fire Lord took a seat at the table and had Himiko sit to his right.
"I have news." Ozai said just a servant placed his plate down in front of him. "Himiko is-"
"I'm stuffed. I think I should lay down." Katara excused herself quickly before her husband could finish what he was saying.
The consorts all bowed as the Fire Lady got up to leave the dining room. The three exchanged looks and then saw the Fire Lord staring at them.
"You told her." He said as his eyes narrowed.
Kuran shook her head, "No but she may have overheard us talking this morning."
Jade and Lin sat there nervous as the Fire Lord stood up to follow his wife.
When he was gone, Himiko smirked and had the servants pour her fruit juice. The others scowled at her.
Finding Katara in her chambers, Ozai saw she was looking through her dresses and asking one of the servants if she should wear her hair up or down today.
"It's a rather hot day, your majesty. I suggest wearing it up."
Katara picked out the dress she wanted to wear, "I might go swimming later, should I wear my swimsuit underneath?"
The servants chuckled as they got her ready.
"Katara."
The waterbender looked over her shoulder as the servants paused with tending to her hair to bow to her husband.
"Hmm?"
Ozai dismissed everyone and when they were gone, he approached his wife where she was seated.
"We need to talk."
"About your pregnant consort? I overheard you talking to her the first day." Katara averted her eyes. "What's there to talk about? I assume you're keeping it. What am I supposed to say? That I'm happy for you or congratulations. You tell me and I'll say it."
Furrowing his brows, "Would you rather I didn't keep it?"
"I wasn't involved in the process, why should I have a say?"
"Because you're my wife."
"Then why is there another woman pregnant?!" Katara yelled as she felt she had been bottling up her emotions for the last few days and she was literally about to spill over. "If being your wife means I get to have a say in whether a woman keeps her child or not, why the fuck is she pregnant in the first place if I'm that damn important that I get to make such a determination?! Don't give me that shit, Ozai! You decide! Just like you decided damn near everything else! It doesn't matter what I think or what I want or how I feel! I don't matter! So don't come to me asking what I want! You don't care! It's always your way and I just have to live with it, whether I want to or not!"
Ozai furrowed his brows at his wife and was about to say something but she cut him off.
"I'm going to spend the rest of this time alone! By myself, like I've been doing for the last few days because your attention is elsewhere! Thank you for at least being kind enough to let your consorts come in your place instead of leaving me to wait the whole night in the same spot for you to just play a stupid game with me! Now if you're done trying to make me as responsible for your mess, I want to finish getting dressed." Katara wiped her eyes and sniffled as she hung her head. "It's pretty outside and I want to go walking."
"I'll go walking with you." He told her.
Katara shook her head, "I don't want you near me right now. Maybe later when I'm okay but I just want to be alone right now."
"Very well." Ozai said as he reached to place his hand on her head but paused when he saw her cup her hands over her face and started crying.
Leaving his wife to her lonesome, Ozai was approached by a servant with a tray of tea.
"Does her majesty still want her tea? She forgot to drink it this morning."
That would explain why she was lashing out at him now when she knew the truth this whole time. That tea must really be working. The Fire Lord ordered the servant to make sure she drank it all before she was dressed.
Returning to the dining room where only Himiko sat, Ozai apologized to her and stated Katara knew. He had to admit he was not anymore happy about this than his wife. Of course, he didn't tell Himiko that. The Fire Lord didn't want to have children with anyone but his wife. He made sure not to spill into any of them and forcing them to drink a contraceptive before and after sex. Ozai was very careful about these things with them. But somehow, Himiko came up pregnant and his first thought was to have her abort it. However, Himiko came from a family that had long been his supporters in the days back when he was just Fire Prince. It would be foolish to act rashly. He'd have to plan something in the midst. Himiko was not actually going to keep the child. He'd have her miscarry and find a way to get rid of her shortly after. It was the only strategy he could come up with. Until then, he'd play along like he wanted this child and then have her poisoned. However, he couldn't make Katara think he was okay with any of this. He probably should have expressed that to her.
….
It was night before Ozai saw Katara again. She had been out with the guards all day. In town and out of sight. He watched her take off her dress and strip down to her bathing suit before walking out into the water. Deciding to approach her, Ozai left the beach house shirtless and headed to where the water brushed against the sand. As soon as his feet got wet, he immediately cringed, sea water was his enemy.
"Will you still give me those swim lessons?" Ozai asked loud enough for her to hear him from where she was floating on her back.
Turning her head to stare at him, Katara stopped floating on her back and swam back to shore, climbing out of the waves. Her wet hair clung to her brown skin as the moon was nearly full, beaming over her head. He saw she didn't look upset with him. Agni, he didn't know what was in that tea but he was grateful he had access to it.
"Are you planning to teach me to fight tomorrow morning?" Katara asked him as she picked up her towel and wiped her face.
"If that's really what you want?"
Nodding her head, Katara took his hand and pulled him to the ocean. "Let's get started."
Ozai clenched his teeth as he got drawn out into the ocean water. He tensed up so fast that she had to literally tug him the rest of the way. Once they were in the water, Katara let go of his hand and suddenly he sunk into the water. She submerged herself and saw Ozai panicking as he couldn't get back to the surface. She swam herself down to him and signaled for him to calm down, showing him the right movement to make in order to reach the surface. He looked at her like she was crazy and grabbed onto her.
Pulling him up to the top, Katara watched him gasp and cling to her like his life depended on it.
"Get me the fuck out of this water!" Ozai yelled as he shook, almost like he was traumatized by the water itself.
"It's okay. It's fine. I'll help you more this time." She told him before getting ready to submerge them both.
Ozai looked like he was going to strangle her but was able to even do so as she sunk them both. This time, she kept them at the level of depth and showed him how to move his legs in order to get him to maintain his position of depth. At first, he couldn't get it right but eventually he did and did so before he ran out of air. Katara pulled them back up and he gasped for air.
"One more time." She laughed.
Brushing his wet hair back, "One more time and we're done for the night. I want this seawater off of me!"
A few minutes later, Ozai marched himself out of the water as Katara followed after him trying to peel the seaweed off of his back. He was thoroughly pissed off. A large wave knocked him further underwater than it did her and she had to save him. Not to mention some sea creature bit his ass and yanked at his hair. The waterbender thought it was hilarious but Ozai had only been in the ocean for no more than fifteen minutes and he already wanted nothing to do with it for the rest of his life. Unless he was on a ship, there was no purpose to being in the sea for him.
"Wait, Ozai!" Katara laughed.
"I don't think I care if I learn to swim or not. I'm not going near any body of water that isn't in my tub or cup. There's no point." Ozai turned around and told her.
Katara held out the crab that bit him, "But the ocean loves you, Ozai." She poked fun at him.
Slapping the crustacean out of her hands and setting it on fire when it crawled away, "Fuck your little ocean friends." He told her before grabbing the cooked creature and holding it up to her. "I'm having it for dinner."
And he did. Katara literally watched him tear the crab apart as he ate the inside of its shell and legs. She felt bad for the little guy.
"Poor guy." She shoving her plate of food away as Ozai finished eating the crab that got all too friendly with him.
Rolling his eyes as the servants took his plate away, "He was delicious."
"You didn't even dip him in butter. I bet he was delicious." Katara sulked playfully in the brief remembrance of the crab.
As a moment of silence settled between them, Ozai figured he'd bring up the topic from this morning and see if she was ready to talk about it. Especially with that special tea in her system.
"About our conversation this morning," Ozai began as he sat across from her at the dining room table. "I know you're unhappy with Himiko's pregnancy. I am too but I plan to deal with it, in a discreet fashion. Trust me when I say, I only want my children from you. I'm too old to have bastards all over the place. And besides, I had been thinking maybe once you and I got past our past, we could try for another child. A girl. Maybe I'll father a waterbender."
Katara eyed him thoughtfully. This morning she was really upset with him. Even though she had known for a few days, it was different with him confronting her about it. Regardless of the nature of their relationship, he was her husband and finding he impregnated another woman, his consort, it really rubbed her the wrong way. It still did. This news really angered her and she wanted to beat him with a club. However, her mood had been very mellow and acting out with hostility didn't feel right to her. She didn't know why she felt so calm about things lately, even though in her head she was pissed off and disappointed. It was like wanting to fuss someone out or scream into a pillow but the only response she could give was one that was non-confrontational. Maybe this was just her mind's way of coping after everything she had been dealing with.
And now, on top of discovering her husband's consort was pregnant, she's here listening to him tell her he wants her to have his daughter. Even states he'd like it if she were a waterbender. Katara really didn't even know how to respond to that. Out loud or in her head. From the way he was talking, it sounded like he was going to cause Himiko to miscarry. She really didn't even know how to respond to that. What did he even want her to say? What was she supposed to say?
Dropping her gaze from Ozai, "I think I should go to bed. I've been out all day in the heat." Katara stood from her chair.
"I'll walk you back to your rooms." Ozai said as he also got up.
The Fire Lord walked his wife to her chambers and stared down at her the entire time, noticing how quiet she was being. He was informed by Kuran, Lin, and Jade that Katara had been expecting him last night. She was confused and disappointed by his absence. Also, they noted she drank a lot last night and seemed to have befriended a stuffed animal she named 'Feng'. While he felt her strange behaviors may be linked to the tea he had been given her, he did think things were better if she was less confrontational with him. Especially when she was easily ticked off by anything he did.
Reaching her door, Katara said goodnight and turned to enter her bedroom. However, Ozai decided to test something out and grabbed her by her face, pressing his lips to hers. He presses her to the door and pulls at the dress she was wearing, attempting to lift it up. The waterbender then presses her hand to his chest and pushes him away from her.
Covering her mouth, "Ozai," Katara shakes her head. "Would you have me if I had let another man in my bed?"
"What? No!" He looked at her like she was crazy to ask him such an obvious question.
"Then what makes you think I would have you while there are multiple women sharing yours?" Katara looked at him somberly. "I'm not wrong to ask you not to touch me when you've recently had your consorts. I just don't want to go behind another woman."
Backing off of her, Ozai could see she was trying to put it as nicely as possible. Seemed the tea only made her less confrontational. It didn't change how she felt. Likely, she felt enraged on the inside but was outwardly being calm about things. Not wanting to fight and bicker. He wouldn't push her in this state she was in. It would be taking advantage of her when she was just being peaceful due to a tea he was basically drugging her with.
"Night." He told her as he sighed.
As his wife slipped into her room, immediately talking to herself as soon as the door was closed, Ozai headed for his chambers. There, he saw his consorts lounging about either on his bed or around the room. Himiko greeted him as she was his 1st consort and the one clingiest to him. He sometimes pretended that she was Katara. Shut his eyes and pretended it was his wife loving on him. But that proved to be more and more difficult. Even with his eyes closed, Ozai knew how soft his wife's skin was and how small and frail she felt compared to him. He craved his wife but settled for less in the means to satisfy the flesh. Though, he wasn't completely satisfied and it sometimes showed in his irritability. Himiko only seemed to annoy him more as she told him she was pregnant last week after the banquet and told him she was afraid to have an abortion. He knew in that moment what he would have to do but he'd have to do so carefully.
"My lord, how was your time with your wife?" Himiko asked.
The other consorts rolled their eyes at the level of disrespect they felt it was for her to boldly ask about the Fire Lady. However, the Fire Lord reacted as he always did with Himiko. He wasn't cold or callous. Answered her question and let her cling to him.
"I had hoped to spend more time with her but she seems to be exhausted from her day." Ozai answered.
Himiko nodded and pulled him to his bed, "Then I'll entertain you for the remainder of the night, my lord."
Kuran and Jade played their game of pai sho while Lin read a book. It was fairly common for them to witness their master have any of them in front of all of them. Sometimes multiple participated but when it came to Himiko, they never joined in on the fun. Just pretended to see nothing and casually roll their eyes whenever the woman grew too loud. They were sure even the Fire Lord was annoyed by her voice as sometimes they find him choking her or forcing her head into a pillow. Of course, Himiko saw this as a kink but they knew better.
…
A few days had passed and Ozai had become increasingly observant of his wife. So much so, that the guards, servants, and consorts had noticed his attention was actively on her. The Fire Lady wasn't doing much. Only walking around the house and the beach with that stuff toy she clung to. Sometimes they find her talking to herself or curiously wandering the town with her guards. She was very aloof but no one really blamed her. With a pregnant consort clinging to her husband, what was she supposed to do? It wasn't like she was sulking or anything. However, the Fire Lord clearly seemed to long for his wife's attention.
Out searching for a gift to get for her grandmother, Katara noticed a large shadow standing over her from behind and sighed.
"You don't have to stalk me so much, Ozai. If you wanted to come along, you could have said such." Katara told him.
"I see marriage didn't change much between you two." A very familiar voice stated.
Katara's eyes widened as she turned around immediately to see if she was just hearing things but as soon as she made eye contact with the person that that voice belonged to, she knew she hadn't just been hearing things. Her mouth dropped.
"Shinji?!"
Sitting at a table on the back patio of a cafe shop, Katara was in disbelief of what she was hearing but knew it couldn't be a lie. Seemed Ozai had spared Shinji. He killed a decoy to make her believe Shinji was indeed dead. She asked how or rather why Ozai spared him. Supposedly, Shinji was given a final chance on the account that he had been looking after her for the months she was pregnant. Ozai promised to kill him if he came near her again.
"I've only just gotten back to the Fire Nation. Caught a ride here with the Earth Kingdom officials you invited." Shinji explained as they were both enjoying a cup of iced tea.
Tilting her head, "Shinji, why would you come here? Ozai barely spared your life last time. I doubt he'd take appreciation knowing you're here with me when he's warned you." Katara kneaded her brows.
"I had to come." Shinji stated as he gazed down at his cup. "I know you never returned my feelings and that's fine. But I had to see you were alright. That he was being good to you, finally."
Katara sighed and looked away, "What does that matter over your own life? You should leave before he finds out."
"I was prepared to die when I helped you get away from him. If I die after seeing you just one last time, I'd die a happy man." Shinji said as a smile cracked to his lips and he reached his hand to her, taking into his.
The waterbender couldn't help but smile back as he caressed the back of her hand with his thumb.
"Tell me, how are things?"
The smile on her face soon faded.
"Oh...is it that bad?" He furrowed his brows in concern.
Shaking her head, "Things are nowhere near as bad. It's just...Ozai claims he's in love with me and that he wants to make things better between us but….his actions and words don't line up so well." Katara told him of the trip they were on and the pregnant consort. She told him how things were from the very beginning to now.
Shinji looked very disappointed to hear this. He figured after how things went while Ozai was in prison after kidnapping her that he'd see the error in mishandling the waterbender. Though he seemed less violent with her and attempted to make things better for them, Shinji could see the man was still hurting the waterbender. This time it was more emotional pain that was caused.
The two talked some more until Katara realized that the sun was going down. She had to get going before Ozai became worried or suspicious. If Shinji was found out to be with her, she couldn't see Ozai not killing him. He was very jealous as Ursa had described and as she had witnessed him to be. Ozai was very much aware of Shinji's affection towards her, he clued in on that far before she believed Shinji was even aware. He was very perceptive and she knew if he suspected his presence around her, he'd stop at nothing to kill him.
Both stood to leave and Shinji was unable to help hugging the waterbender. Fortunately, Katara returned his embrace and smiled up at him as they pulled apart.
"I'll see you again, Katara." Shinji told her.
Katara gazed somberly at him, "You probably shouldn't."
Chuckling, "I know but it won't stop me. When your trip is over, I should be in the capital. I'll be at the tavern for elites in the upper class district. There's a condo I own just above it. Come see me if you need a friend." Shinji told her as he pulled out a key and handed it to her.
"Are you sure?" Katara looked down at the key.
Shinji nodded. "Of course, I'm sure. Please, I'd like to see you as much as possible."
Sighing as she gave in and shoved the key into her pocket, Katara agreed she'd find a way to come see him. Hopefully, Ozai wouldn't find out but Shinji was the only friend she had here in the Fire Nation with all her other friends elsewhere.
"Okay, Shinji." She beamed at him a little.
The ex-noble reached down to peck her cheek and let her be on her way. He watched longingly as she exited the cafe and met with her guards across the street. Shinji was immensely happy to see her. He meant everything he had ever told her and maybe, with how things were going between her and Ozai, she could find comfort in him.
….
Back at the beach house, Katara tried to get herself together but couldn't seem to get her heart to stop racing. She couldn't believe Shinji was alive. Oh la, she was so happy to know he was alive. Having to go splash water on her face, the waterbender tried cooling herself off from how flustered she was. She really did miss Shinji. He was the only one that understood the entirety of her relationship with Ozai.
Katara jumped when she heard a knock on her bedroom door and peeked her head out of the bathroom to ask who it was. Seemed it was Ozai trying to see her. She sighed and kneaded her brows. What does he want?
Throwing on her robe, Katara went to answer the door and as soon as she did, Ozai let himself in. She backed up as his amber eyes were trained on her. He was dressed in his night pants and his robe that was open, hair loosely falling over one shoulder.
"Is there something I can help you with?" She asked him carefully.
"I'm staying in here tonight." He informed her.
Averting her eyes as she pulled her hair behind her ear, "What makes you want to sleep here tonight?"
Ozai walked around her and took off his robe, tossing it on the floor. "You've been avoiding me for the last few days. I try to give you my time and attention, but you rather spend your time alone. Are you going behind my back?" He asked over his shoulder.
Shaking her head quickly, "No, I just wanted to enjoy my time alone. You said I could."
Looking his wife over as if to see whether she was lying or not, Ozai studied her. When he could determine she wasn't lying and made his way to her bed. "I'm changing out your guards. You've gotten friendly with them, sharing the sweets and gifts from what I heard from a few servants. I keep telling you to stop befriending the staff."
Katara didn't understand why he had such a problem with letting her be friendly with the guards or servants.
Sitting on the round bed, Ozai patted the space beside him as if to beckon her to him. She walked over with her head down, not entirely sure what he expected from her tonight. He swore not to force himself on her and she had made it pretty clear to him that she could not be with him intimately if he was still sleeping with his other women.
When she sat beside him, Katara saw him lean close to her, staring her dead in the eyes. Soon his hand went to her face and then slipped into her hair, cupping her ear. He made a move to kiss her and she quickly turned her head. Ozai smirked and tried to kiss her again but she moved her head again. Eventually, he ended up pushing her down on the bed and pinning her.
"I haven't touched any of them in five days. Will you have me now?" He asked her.
The waterbender shook her head.
"Why not?"
"I'm tired."
"That's a terrible excuse." He smirked. "You can just lay there and let me do all the work."
Katara shook her head. "You can spend the night but-"
"What happened to that girl that visited my cell, Katara? You let me have you on that filthy floor all because you just wanted to be with me. What's any different now?" Ozai furrowed his brows as his eyes searched for answers. "I want her tonight. Give me her."
Reluctantly, Katara gave in and let her husband have his way with her. After he took her passionately and finished inside her, she rolled over on her side. She pulled the sheets to her breasts as his arm wrapped around her and she felt him bury his face into her hair.
"We leave for the South Pole in a few days. A ship that'll have the boys on it will arrive here and we'll be on our way." Ozai told her as he cuddled his wife, nuzzling his face against the back of her head. "You should probably wear those nipple piercings again. You know, for cultural purposes and all."
Katara tossed the covers off of her, "I need to clean up."
Pulling her back into bed, Ozai situated himself above her and nipped her neck. "Don't worry about cleaning up. You can't possibly think I'm done with you yet."
….
Next few days leading up to their departure for the South Pole, Ozai stayed in his wife's company and spent his time giving her his undivided attention. Though he seemed to enjoy this time with her, she could not say the same. He was smothering her. They bathed together, ate together, slept together. She left for town to explore, hoping to see Shinji again but Ozai would tag along. He'd force her to hold his hand and bought her things she didn't think were necessary. The only time she could get away from him was when she went swimming, to which he would watch but then get antsy and make her get out when she was swimming for too long. As soon as she was out of the water he'd force her to bathe and try to make a move on her but Katara didn't allow it after the other night.
Currently, taking a nap with Feng in her arms, Katara was woken up by Ozai nudging her awake.
"You've been awfully tired lately. Any reason why?" He asked her as he rubbed her side.
"I'm not pregnant." She replied.
"How can you be so sure?" Ozai asked as he continued rubbing her side.
Katara shifted herself away from him and sat up, "I just know."
Seeing she seemed a little snippy, "Did you drink your tea this morning?"
"No. I wasn't in the mood for tea." She told him.
"Then we should have some now." Ozai said as he got up to order the servants around.
Rubbing her head as she felt annoyed, "What's so important about that damn tea, Ozai? I don't want any. I just want to rest."
Turning to look at her, "I'm in the mood for tea so we're going to have some."
"But I don't-"
"We're drinking the tea, Katara. Don't make this into an argument."
Katara hugged Feng and bit her tongue like she had been doing anyway.
The couple had their tea and Ozai made sure Katara drank all of hers before she went back to taking her nap. He watched over her and left only when he figured she was asleep.
…
Kuran and Jade were playing cards when Himiko came to flaunt herself in front of them. Apparently, the 1st consort was feeling very confident about her relationship with the Fire Lord. She felt because she was carrying his child that that made her so special. However, Lin told them that Himiko intended to get pregnant all along. Servants stated that Himiko talked the servants that prepared their contraceptives into giving her a sugar pill instead. They couldn't believe she was getting away with this.
Noticing the other women were no longer fond of her, Himiko sat at the vanity to touch up her makeup and fix her hair. She was going to ask the Fire Lord if he'd take her into town. As much as he seemed to be concerned with his wife, she figured it was just his guilt or wanting to keep her from losing her mind like all the servants had said.
Lin entered the room seeing Himiko applying more lip paint and rolled her eyes as she shook her head.
Seeing this, Himiko popped her lips and turned slightly in the direction of the other consorts. "You all should probably try being a little more respectful to me. Not only do I outrank the three of you but I'm about to give the Fire Lord a worthy heir of purely Fire Nation blood. My status could easily become even greater than any of yours."
They all rolled their eyes. Himiko was so full of shit and had her head so far up her ass. What could possibly be higher than 1st consort when the Fire Lord was already married? Sure, in the olden days, a Fire Lord could have multiple wives but it had caused far too many family feuds, thus it was decreed a Fire Lord could only have one wife and as long as his wife had an heir worthy of him, children from his consorts were never to be legitimized. And currently, the Fire Lord was already married and his wife had given him an heir worthy of the throne. Whatever fantasy Himiko was living in, she needed to snap out of it. Clearly, neither the Fire Lord nor the sages cared about pure blood as long as the child was a firebender.
The 1st consort went on to tell them how the Fire Lord would move her out of the harem and into chambers within his wing of the palace. She just rambled on and on about how her child would please him to no end and that he'd come to worship her as soon as her child was born.
Having heard enough, Lin scoffs and gives the woman a dirty look. "You talk as if he's ever given you the impression that you will keep the child or that he will put you on this pedestal if he does allow you to keep it. As it stands, the Fire Lord is very much in love with his wife and I doubt he'd further embarrass her by moving you into his wing of the palace if you do get to keep it."
Himiko stands to her feet and marches over to Lin and the others. "The Fire Lady is just some little bitch from the Water Tribes! When I give him a firebender of pure blood, how could he not want to toss his wife aside and give me her crown?!" She shouts at them.
The three women looked beyond Himiko to where the Fire Lord was fastly approaching them. They watched as Himiko turned to greet him but was backhanded to the floor. He was fuming and the angriest any of them had seen. Himiko was on the floor holding her cheek as she gazed up at him with a hurt expression.
"Funny how a little Water Tribe bitch became my wife while you are merely a consort. She gets to speak her mind with me, challenge me, and be more than a pretty face. Your only purpose is to keep your mouth shut and your legs open until you age and I tire of you. Know your place and if I ever hear you speak of my wife like that again, I'll kill you and the bastard child in your womb." Ozai said viciously to the woman as she cried. "Now get up and out of my sight. You'll stay in another room for the rest of the trip."
The Fire Lord snapped his fingers and the servants came to help Himiko up before quickly escorting her out of the Fire Lord's presence. As soon as she was gone, Ozai turned his stark gaze onto the others and warned them to never forget their place.
The women all nodded their heads. "Yes, your majesty."
…
The sun was setting and Katara had taken Feng with her to walk along the beach. She wanted to be out of the beach house for a little bit. She woke from her nap and heard crying. It turned out to be the 1st consort. From what the servants told her, she stepped out of line and spoke poorly about her in front of the Fire Lord. Ozai kicked her out of his chambers and locked her in another room after backhanding her. Katara almost forgot how callous and cruel the man could be when he was pissed off, though she never thought he'd be pissed off at someone for looking down on her. She figured there had to have been more. Ozai didn't really care about her anyway.
As she dragged her feet in the sand, holding to Feng and humming to herself, the waterbender could hear someone approaching her from behind. Katara never had to wonder who it was. Ozai was literally a pillow over her face that she couldn't seem to fight off as she lost more and more air along with the will to even fight.
Sighing as she saw him come up in her peripheral, "Is there something you need of me, Ozai?"
"Yes but you haven't commented on my statement a few days ago." He told her as he matched her pace.
Katara didn't know what he was talking about. There was plenty over the course of this vacation that he said that she didn't comment on. He needed to be more specific.
Seeing that she was clueless, Ozai sighed and stopped in his tracks, getting her to stop as well. He placed his hands on her shoulders and trained his eyes on her. "I want to have more children, Katara, and I want you to be the mother. As my wife and the woman I chose for myself, you will be the only woman to carry my seed."
If she wasn't feeling so off her game lately, she'd roll her eyes or laugh, but she didn't feel like it. So, Katara just stared waiting for him to make his point so she could then refuse and continue on with her walk.
"At least for now, let's try for our next and hopefully, I'll have a daughter as beautiful as her mother. You're young and fertile, it wouldn't take much effort for you to get pregnant again."
Ha! Nice try asshole! A small smirk played on her lips; however, she was anything but enthused by what he was saying. There were just a few things that she was saying in her head to completely block out what he was telling her. At the moment she was thinking how she missed the old days with the gang and how her brother would chase Momo around when he was craving meat.
"And I'm sure you remember that Fortune Teller from Xiao Lu, she'd said we'd have plenty of children together."
Katara was visualizing her flying-lemur friend running in her thoughts until she heard him say that and she was snapped back to the moment, her smirk faded. She had to take a moment before she could even address him because while she could think of a million things to say on the spot, Katara was searching for a response that wouldn't cause an argument and force her to exert energy that she wasn't trying to give to him.
"I'm not interested in having more children right now." Katara put plainly. "Especially, not when you have a child on the way by another woman. How about you focus on that, Ozai?"
Pulling his wife back when she tried tearing away from him, "Katara, listen to me. Wouldn't you want more children? You'd be far less lonely and I'd allow you to resume Fire Lady duties if you agreed."
Little by little the realization dawns on her as she recalls how he wouldn't allow her to do anymore work related things around the palace. It didn't make sense to her at first but now it did. He knew she wanted to have a more important role at court rather than simply be his wife. Her gaze grew somber as she looked him in the eyes. You're reducing me to breeding stock.
Shutting her eyes to him, Katara pulls herself away from him and turns an impassive stare on him. "I was condemned to be alone before I met you, Ozai. Things are no different now. I watch from afar as someone that claims they love me entertains another. I now understand my purpose to you." Letting her gaze fall to Feng, who was in her arms. "If I can't be more than a womb to plant your seed, I'd rather continue as I have, alone."
Ozai watches as his wife leaves to go back in the house. He wondered if the tea was losing effect.
Their time at the beach had come to a close the following day and Katara was thrilled to finally be leaving this place. She had enjoyed parts of her trip but Ozai had definitely ruined the overall time she spent here. All she could think about was how she was finally going to see her gram gram and have her boys with her. As the servants packed her clothes, Katara helped them and made sure to stow away the gifts she got her family, her sons included.
"Katara."
Katara heard Ozai's voice and she felt like melting candle wax into her ears, so she wouldn't have to hear the bullshit he was about to spew at her.
Before she could respond, her arm was captured and she was pulled away to the balcony.
"About what I said yesterday, don't dismiss it so easily, I don't look at you as someone to breed. You're more than that."
Then please tell me what the fuck I am, you confusing son of a bitch! Katara folded her arms and stared hard at him as she wanted to hear the lame excuse.
"I just want to have a large family with the woman I love and that woman is you."
Katara raised a brow and shifted her weight to one leg, "Umm, tell me this, where is this sudden desire for a family coming from? Last I checked you're not very family friendly."
Ozai didn't respond to her as he averted his gaze.
"Yeah, I thought so." Katara narrowed her eyes at him. "So if you're thinking forcing me to have children with you will make things better, guess again. I am neither ready for that nor am I willing to. Why don't you go play house with your 1st consort? I hear she's under the impression you're moving her into our wing of the palace."
As Katara goes to storm off from him, Ozai asks her if she has had her tea this morning and she pauses.
"Fuck that tea and fuck you, Ozai!" She shouts before going on her merry way. Why the hell does he care if I drink that fucking tea?
…
On the ship headed for the South Pole, Ozai stood by in an impassive annoyance at the sight of his wife gushing over their boys while completely ignoring him. It was the one thing that really pissed him off. Both boys were products of him and she favored them over him. He rubbed his temple as he took a seat in their cabin's sitting room while Katara was on the floor showing them the toys she bought for them. Seemed the dragon stuffed animal wasn't one she was keeping for herself, she had gotten it for Kai and he seemed to hold it the same way Ozai had been witnessing Katara hold it. The small gesture was enough to tell him that the boy would turn out like his mother. He was quite familiar with reading children when they were young. He read Zuko like a book before he was old enough to walk.
Sighing as he became increasingly irritated, Ozai accidentally burned the edge of his brow and had to get up to go see what damage he had down. The waterbender noticed him get up and walk away.
"Kai try showing Soji how to stack the blocks." Katara told her eldest.
Kai smiled and nodded as he helped his baby brother with the blocks he seemed to think were for chewing.
Following her husband into the bathroom, Katara leaned into the doorway as she saw there was a break in his right brow.
"You look like a pirate now." Katara snickered as she entered to see his gaze shift from his face to her in the mirror.
Narrowing his eyes, "I see you're back to being a smart mouth bitch."
"Your fault, asshole." She said as she wedged herself between him and the sink counter to get a better look at what he had done to himself. "You call me an idiot but you're the dumbest man I've ever met and I've literally met men that were inbred."
Ozai caught her wrist when he saw her try to reach for his face and glared at her.
"I'm trying to help you, dumb ass." Katara stated.
Throwing her hand away from him, "I don't need your help. It'll grow back."
"Not if the skin is not healed properly." She pointed out.
"That's fine too." He said turning away from her.
Katara sighed, "All this because your talk of having a family wasn't enough to make me bend over and beg you to fuck me. Oh, get over yourself, you gods damn man child." She rolled her eyes.
Ozai turned quickly and punched his fist into the mirror behind her, fuming in fury as he scowled down at her.
Unfazed, the waterbender looked up at the man looming over her. "Don't tell me, you don't want me to heal that either?" she snickered a little.
"You're one lucky bitch, Katara. Anyone else I would have strangled already." He growls.
"Oooo, that just gets me so wet, Ozai. Tell me more about how you'd kill anyone but me. Really gets me in the mood." Katara burst out laughing at him as she walked away, going back to her sons.
Ozai only punched the mirror some more with no regard for the fact his fists were bleeding. Agni, he wanted to kill her so bad when she was like this but he knew he'd only regret it in the end. Despite her having her bitchy moments, he knew that wasn't really who she was and she acted out against him because he fucked up a lot. Honestly, he was just upset with himself. He didn't know how to fix this marriage and Katara wasn't really working with him on this. At this point, he didn't know what to do.
….
A/N:
So… Katara in this chapter, I modeled after how I used to behave on different medications when I was a teen. Like I'd have a lot to say or wanted to say but my outward response would be less confrontation due to the lack of energy I had to argue. Sometimes I'd regress into child-like behavior when I felt down in the dumps or I'd create a false narrative in my head to cope with the reality of my situation growing up. Just for readers that might be curious about why she acts differently under the influence of the tea.
And for my readers that read my other stories, I don't write Ozai to be likeable in this story. Sure, I plan to write him better in future chapters but at this stage, he's not supposed to be likeable. I know I have some people inboxing me about him in this story, wondering if he's going to find some redemption or if things will get better for him and Katara. I won't spoil much but the dynamic will shift a little for better and for worse before they get anywhere close to be in a good place with each other.
Thank you all for reading! XD