A/N:
Okay! I know it's been 2 years since I worked on this story but I plan on picking it back up! So I hope you all in enjoy!
Chapter 24:
Katara rubbed her temples. She was stressed beyond repair. Her council wanted every bit to hold the Fire Nation responsible for what took place with Lu Ten turning coat. They told her it would make her look weak. Make the world believe she was heartbroken, refusing to confront a former lover or a desperate woman willing to turn her head at the sight of betrayal for the sake of winning a war she can't win herself. She was convinced. They were absolutely right. She had to confront Azulon about Lu Ten and the other members of his family and court that could also possibly be in on this defection. However; for all she knew Azulon could be a part of it.
Sighing as she grabbed the bottle of arctic whiskey that she left in memory of her father and stared at it. She wanted to drink it. It was calling her but her bending would be thrown off if she did and she had been in too many vulnerable positions for her to lose her power over a situation.
Putting it down, Katara slouched in her office chair and turned to look out the window. It was nightfall and she had spent all day working, debating, arguing, planning, and doing all that was expected of her. It wasn't anything that she wasn't used to. These were all the same things she did as a princess. So the job or rather the responsibility was not the problem at the moment and neither was the decision she'd have to make regarding the Fire Nation. But her grandmother's words and Kokasho's as well. They were both convinced that Ozai was only using her and that he wasn't serious about his relationship with her. Kokasho even went as far as to teach her how to use bloodbending to detect when someone was lying. And her grandmother had never spoken so coldly about someone. Never. She never even said anything bad about Ozai until discovering this...so maybe.
No! I trust him. Katara shook her head. I don't think he wou- But Ozai was a liar. She only just discovered that. As well as his true affiliation to her family. She realized that she really didn't know him as much as she liked to believe. He was somewhat of a stranger and perhaps she needed to not be so trusting or she was going to end up heartbroken. Maybe putting him at a distance was for the best. She had dealt with so much on her own but Tui and La had to know she was lonely. She was severely lonely and it ate away at her gut.
Katara finally left her office and headed back to her chambers. She needed to get up early in the morning with a decision on how to move forward regarding the alliance. Thinking about her romantic qualms weren't going to make things any better for her. Nor give her peace of mind.
In the morning, the waterbender woke to her servants entering to clean and wake her for the day. She noticed that her grandmother was among them with a scroll in her hands. Rubbing her eyes as she climbed out of bed, Katara walked over to her grandmother, who quietly held out the scroll for her. As Katara read over the scroll her brows began to furrow.
"Fire Lord Azulon is quite bold to think he can order the Chieftainess of the South Pole around." Kanna scoffed.
Balling up the scroll and tossing it for a servant to clean, "I killed a royal in his kingdom, he has a right to be upset but since he is confronting me about something so small, I feel more at ease about confronting him about his grandson utterly betraying our alliance."
It was decided at the meeting that Katara would go to the Fire Nation to meet with Fire Lord Azulon. With her, she would take Kokasho, her elite water maidens and her council. Government to government needed to have a talk and the personal nature that came with the royal families of the two supposed allied countries, there needed to be an intervention. After the details of the voyage to the Fire Nation were discussed, Katara was approached by Kokasho, who looked at her with concern.
"I feel strange, woman Chieftain. You come to my village for aid in this war but I feel like you've given me so great a responsibility." He told her.
Smiling up at him, "Kokasho, you are practically co-chieftain with me. Even though your people were exiled for generations, I acknowledge them and I acknowledge you as their chieftain. We have a great responsibility to our people, don't we? You should have a say in this as much as I."
Kokasho smiled at her. Tui and La, if he could kiss her, he would. She was more than just a beautiful strong woman. She was noble and kind. It really was hard for him at times to see her as anything but a celestial. The gods' greatest gift to the Southern Water Tribe.
The Chieftain saw that Kokasho fell into a daze while looking at her and her cheeks flushed. She really did hate how easy it was for him to have an affect on her. She had thought maybe it was just a crush or her liking his attention but it was little more than that. Katara would admit that if things between her and Ozai hadn't turned out as they did, she would take Kokasho up on those kisses he kept asking for from her.
Clearing her throat as she had to remind herself that her heart belonged to someone else, "Well, I'll go get my things prepared for the trip. You should do the same."
"I will see you shortly." Kokasho winked at her as he went off to his chambers.
Catching her breath, Katara turned to head to her chambers and saw her grandmother standing by with a grin. She rolled her eyes at the woman and walked past her.
Following behind her granddaughter, Kanna couldn't help but grin ear to ear.
"You like him." Kanna said as she approached Katara's side. "I like him. Why not go ahead and have the council make preparations for a union?"
"I admit I like him but I'm not trying to do this whole two men at the same time thing again. It was stressful enough when it was Lu Ten and Ozai. Kokasho and Ozai would be asking for bloodshed." Katara shook her head.
Kanna scoffed, "That's because Kokasho is all man and a good one at that. He's the kind of man you need. You've lost both your mother and father. Your brother is married in the Northern Tribe. And while you have me, I'm old and time will soon take me from you as well, Katara, I do not want to leave this world knowing that you are more alone than before. You are Chieftainess in a male dominated world and you will feel more isolated than ever, you need someone at your side. Not just for comfort but for protection and Kokasho can provide you both."
Pausing, Katara looked to her grandmother and shook her head. "Let me go to the Fire Nation and deal with the issue at hand then I will hear you out."
Sighing in disappointment, "Your father would have killed Ozai if he knew that bastard would put his hands on you. Besides, why would you want to be with a married man that you have to watch around other women? He's notorious for being a whoremonger. It almost feels like you want to have a hard life."
No longer able to hear anymore of her grandmother's words, Katara walked ahead of the woman.
"Fine! Go to the Fire Nation and see for yourself! A whore's mouth will be wrapped around his cock!"
….
Lustfully gazing down at the tribeswoman on her knees before him, Ozai gripped her hair tighter as he felt her take him deep into the back of her throat. She gagged a little and her blue eyes were practically enticing him as she repeatedly rolled him to the back of her throat. It wasn't much more he could take before he came, spilling into her throat and hearing her moan as she drank his cum.
When she let go of his lengthy member with a wet pop, Shira climbed into his lap and snaked her arms around his neck. The two made out for a little bit until they were interrupted by Ursa. The woman is unphased and simply averts her eyes as she folds her arms.
"The Southern ships have arrived." Ursa stated, seeing the immediate look of surprise on her husband's face. "Your father apparently requested the Southern Chieftainess to come and help fix the alliance. Likely to make amends for Lu Ten's attack."
Once Ursa leaves, Ozai quickly removes Shira from his lap and goes to get himself ready before Katara entered the palace. He doesn't pay his current guest any attention as he tosses her clothes to her and gathers his.
Tilting her head, "Why does hearing the Southern Chieftainess has arrive suddenly got you moving around so frantically?"
"She'll come looking for me if I don't go to her first." He said while rushing to get dressed.
"And why's that? Is there something else between the two of you?" Shira asked him.
Ozai paused and turned to look at her. His brows furrowed as he approached her and grabbed her jaw. "I like you, Shira. I like you a lot. But be careful what you decide to let leave your mouth. Okay?"
Shira nodded her head. She already figured it out. His reaction was enough to tell her what she needed to know. The Chieftainess was indeed the woman he spoke of once.
"Very well, your highness."
"Good girl." He said as he kissed her on the lips on the way out.
Shira sighs as she looks down at her clothes in her lap. Were all men like this? Or just the highborns?
…..
Walking side by side with the woman Chieftain, Kokasho watched how completely calm and unmoved she was as they made their way up the staircase of the Fire Nation palace with their entourage of troops, water maidens, and councilmembers. He didn't know why but he had expected her to have more expression in her demeanor. Even at home she had more liveliness to her when around the court members and her subjects. Maybe this was how one had to carry themselves in the Fire Nation. She did tell him how vastly different the culture was here. He could definitely see that. As soon as they got off the boat, Kokasho noticed the pale skinned women staring hard at him in wonder and that the men covered their chests completely. He must look as exotic to them as they were to him.
Sensing that Kokasho was taking in his surroundings with curiosity, Katara smiled within her head, remembering that she had to remain as unphased as possible to keep up appearances.
"Chieftainess Katara, how lovely it is to see you once again." The crown prince greeted her.
Katara eyed the crown prince cautiously before greeting him back, "I'm not sure I can return the sentiment. Your son tried to kill me, Crown Prince Iroh."
Iroh sighed and nodded his head, "I do apologize, Chieftainess. What my son has done is terribly wrong and I do not condone his behavior in any form."
Softening her gaze, "It is fine. I've done things that were wrong as well and I know I wouldn't want my father being blamed for my misconduct."
The Crowned Prince offered her a warm smile and told her that he and his servants would be showing them to their chambers. Katara and her group followed Prince Iroh into the palace. His servants led her council and troops to their proper quarters as he, himself, led the Chieftainess and Kokasho to the royal wing.
These were the corridors of the Fire Lord and where Azulon wanted his royal guests to stay. "Though we weren't expecting your friend, I do believe the chambers we have set aside for you in my father's wing will be more than enough room for you both." Iroh informed her.
Remembering that she hadn't introduced Kokasho, Katara quickly did so, introducing him as her co-chieftain from the Bloodbearer tribe. Iroh smiled and greeted him courteously.
"Chieftain Kokasho, you looked to be a very fascinating man." Iroh observed him.
Kokasho smiled, "And you are nothing like your brother. I like the polite and mild tempered."
"Ah, I do apologize also for him. He's always been a little hothead and moody." Iroh chuckled.
Kokasho and the Crown Prince laughed some more as they started getting chatty. Katara wasn't feeling the greatest at the moment and needed to lay down before meeting with Azulon later. She let herself into the chambers that Iroh had showed her and walked around, finding two bedrooms within the chambers. Picking the largest room, the waterbender immediately began undressing in the middle of her bedroom and threw herself onto the bed. She drifted off immediately. Her head had been killing her ever since she stepped foot back in this place.
A little while later, Katara stirred from the feeling of something going up her leg to her thigh. When she felt it reach between her legs, the waterbender's eyes snapped open and grabbed the thing that was touching her. As her eyes registered from the fog of sleep, she saw a pair of gold eyes staring down at her. Her breath caught in her throat as her hand was removed and moved to the top of her head while the lips that smirked down at her captured hers. She didn't respond. Her body completely unmoved as something stirred in her gut. There was a smell. A smell too sweet to belong to any man. Especially the one above her. Shutting her eyes, Katara turned her face away from him.
"What?"
"I don't like your cologne." She said, knowing damn well it wasn't his cologne.
Ozai sat up off of the girl and eyed her, "It's not mine. Noblewomen were fighting. I had to break it up."
"They need to not wear such strong perfume. It's making my migraine worse." She placed her hand on her head and looked away.
Of course, she was playing along. There was no proof. None that she had anyways. Except for her grandmother's and Kokasho's warnings and the faint smell of a woman's perfume, there was nothing to go off of. And maybe she was just paranoid of losing someone else that she cared about that made her begin to believe them. Or was it the loneliness her grandmother reminded her of that made her want to hold to hope that maybe they were wrong about Ozai. Maybe only she really knew him.
Seeing the way Katara's complexion was paling, Ozai brushed her hair back and looked at her with concern. "Are you alright, girl?"
"Yes." She sat up and tried to move away from him, "It's that perfume. It's making me sick." Her hand went to her mouth.
Ozai became concerned as he tried to reach for her and she quickly moved away, jumping out of the bed to run off to the bathroom. He watched her flee behind the bathroom door and slam it shut before hearing her vomit. His brow raised.
The waterbender finished and washed her face and mouth out before exiting the bathroom. She saw Ozai standing there with a strange look on his face. Eyeing her nervously.
"Are you ill?" He asked her sharply.
Shaking her head, "No." Replying back as she rubbed her head. She didn't think she was ill. She was fine yesterday and the day before that. "I've just been feeling unwell since arriving back here. I think I just have too many bad memories here."
Visibly seeming to relax, Ozai exhaled as he felt slightly better hearing that. "Are you sure? You haven't been sick like that before?"
"No. I haven't." she answered as she went back to her bed and climbed in. "I just really hate it here."
"Then you shouldn't have come."
"Your father summoned me here. Otherwise, I would have stayed where I was." She said in a snarky tone while pulling the thick covers over her head.
Somehow, Ozai felt the girl was being distant and she was never distant towards him. Sometimes frightened but she was never dismissive. His eyes narrowed. Something was wrong and from the sight of that damned silver haired savage talking with his brother outside her chambers, he felt it had to do with him. The second prince walked around to the side of the bed where she was laying and pulled the covers off of her head. He was expecting to see her awake and just refusing to see him but she was indeed asleep.
…
Kokasho noticed that the Chieftainess looked awful. Seemed he wasn't the only one, as many of the council and her maidens eyed her curiously as to what was wrong with her. He tried asking her but she pretended not to hear him. Ignoring him. He figured it wasn't just him she was giving the cold shoulder to as he saw the second prince leave her bedroom with a look of disappointment. Thought for a moment that the woman chieftain had wisened up but it would seem she was just unwell. But why?
The Fire Lord and his entourage entered the spacious meeting room. Azulon made eye contact with Katara immediately. Grinning as he saw her. She just stared back as if she were looking at a total stranger. As he took his seat, the Fire Lord couldn't help but compliment the waterbender on how lovely she was. Telling her that he had missed such a rare beauty as her. Katara thanked him with very little sincerity which he expected. The beautiful little chieftainess had been through quite a lot here but that would all be addressed soon enough.
Calling the meeting to order as all his councilmembers had finally taken their seat, Azulon's eyes went from Katara to the man beside her with white hair. He grinned and looked back to Katara.
"I see it didn't take you long to move on from my grandson." Azulon remarked.
Unfazed, "Kokasho is Chieftain of the blood bearers. A tribe independent of my own but has recently become a part of the established Southern Tribe. He co-governs with me in the capital. I brought him along so that he will have a say and input in our affairs." Katara corrected him.
Azulon liked to tease the young woman all too much. Her reaction was always entertaining. He really did like her.
"Well then, allow me to fill your co-chieftain in on what we plan to discuss today." Azulon then returned his attention to Kokasho. "My youngest son brought Chieftainess Katara here to strike up an alliance in the hopes to save her people from the devastation of war. I was reluctant but the girl grew on me, I like her a lot, you see. She's all I ever wanted in a daughter. What I wish even my sons would be, so I made my decision to provide her aid. All she had to do was marry my eldest grandson Lu Ten. Even though she hated it, she agreed and despite him abusing her, she remained loyal to her agreement. I was impressed. She wasn't some flimsy, no good woman with nothing but good looks and royal blood in her veins. She had purpose and promise. She still does...however;..." Azulon took a deep sigh. "My youngest son seems to have renounced her of her virtue and defiled her."
The councils on both sides gasped as did her maidens. It was less of his words and more of her silence that shocked them. Katara said nothing and her gaze that had been on Azulon and not faltered.
Seeing this, Azulon grinned even more. "I was truly upset about this. Especially seeing as she and my grandson were making so much progress. But what can be done when the pedals of a beautiful flower are already plucked. I admit, I was angry. I somewhat fell for this darling Chieftainess and I felt betrayed for my grandson. So when he told me that he had finally discovered the affair, I told him I would have my youngest son dealt with and I handed him over to our enemies. It was never my intention that Chieftainess Katara be put in danger and I have punished my grandson for making an attempt on her life."
Katara's gaze hardened on Azulon. So you had him kidnapped?! Your own son!
Kokasho furrowed his brows, "You said you didn't intend to have the Chieftainess harmed but the general you gave your son to wanted her in exchange."
"The Northern Earth Kingdom has its intention and we, the Fire Nation, have ours. I wanted to get rid of my son, what they decided to do with him and Lu Ten's acting outside of my instructions has little to do with me." Azulon explained. "But I want to put this behind us, Katara. I like you enough to disregard that you are a sullied woman. As I said before, there is more to you than a pretty face and that's why I can forgive you. You bring more to the table than any woman I've ever met. So, would you like to renew the alliance under more compropable terms?"
The Chieftainess looked from the Fire Lord to her council members, they nodded to her and she looked back to Azulon.
"Marrying my grandson will only cause more problems for our people. I see that now. I'll simply ask that you think on what terms you would like to set and I'll think on mine. In the meantime, you will stay here in comfort and enjoy your idle time. Then afterwards, we will meet and discuss things from there."
It was agreed that the two nations would give it time to discuss what they wanted to put in place for the sake of the alliance. Returning to her chambers with her council joining her, Katara sat in a chair and listened to what they all had to say. They first wanted to discuss the accusation of her having an affair with the second prince. She confirmed it for them and they all looked utterly bewildered. One even mentioning that if the scandal were to become public that it would cast a very dim light on the Southern Water Tribe. A Chieftainess having an affair with a married prince that had once married her mother, it was unfathomable. She was advised to end the relationship immediately or be incredibly careful when dealing with the second prince as the man was a scandal all by himself.
Still not feeling well, Katara dismissed them and asked for them to leave. She rubbed her temple even more as she sat there trying to will herself to not get sick again.
"You are not well, Chieftain woman." Kokasho said as he approached her.
Looking up at him, "I admit, I am not." Katara told him. "I need some rest. Can you make sure no one disturbs me?"
"Including the second prince?"
"Especially him." She said as she got up and went to her bedroom.
….
The following morning, Katara was feeling a bit better physically but her thoughts were clouded and she was having a hard time focusing. She really didn't know what had gotten into her. Maybe it was being back here. Her life was pretty normal until she showed up here. It was only when she came to this place that her life changed for the worse. Perhaps, the opposite would happen this time around.
Having her maidens come in to bathe and clothed her, Katara sat still as they did her hair up. Kokasho peaked his head in and smiled at her.
"You look more alive this morning." He beamed at her as he approached.
Returning a small smile of her own, "Yes, well I'm feeling a little better. Just not completely focused."
Chuckling, "Good. I want you to show me around this place. I would like to see more of this foreign land."
The maidens watched as Chieftain Kokasho offered Chieftainess Katara his hand and saw the young woman smile more warmly than they had ever seen. However; as their Chieftainess was about to take his hand, the moment was ruined by the second prince they had already been very familiar with and informed was sleeping with their Chieftainess. He came in with a scowl that swept clean all the warmth that had been shared in the room. They saw Kokasho turn and become defensive as their Chieftainess looked at him with an unreadable expression.
"What do you think you're doing showing up here this early in the morning?" Kokasho asked as he stepped in front of Katara.
Ozai walked up to Kokasho and looked up at the seven footer, "I think you already know why."
"You bring dishonor to our Chieftainess. Keep your distance, second prince." One of the maidens said as they all took defensive stances.
Not in the mood, "Is it alright with you, your majesty, that I speak with you? Privately?" Biting out the last part as he looked around Kokasho to Katara, who seemed to be spaced out.
Snapping out of it after a brief moment of silence, Katara looked up and over to Ozai. "Sure, you can speak with me." She said in a slightly lighthearted fashion. "You all may leave."
Kokasho shoved past Ozai as did the maidens that looked like they wanted to spit on him. Ozai was for the most part unfazed but as his attention turned to Katara, he was starting to feel concerned again. He walked up to her, placed both his hands on her shoulders as she looked at her through her vanity mirror.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked her.
Nodding, "I did." She finally started coming out of her stupor as she looked back at him in the mirror, placing her hand over one of his. "I'm sorry if I'm not acting myself right now." Katara tried offering him a smile but it was obviously not a genuine smile.
"Come with me. I'll fix that."
In the halls, the two ignored the looks they were getting as Katara walked with her arm in Ozai's. She knew it probably got out already about the true nature of their relationship. For now it was only a rumor for many to debate the validity of with what information they had. Some would agree and some would disagree but she wouldn't provide them much to go off of. At the end of the day, she was Chieftainess and she had to maintain appearance.
"Your father was the one that allowed our enemies to capture you. He wants you dead, I think." Katara told him.
Scoffing with a chuckle, "That bastard has wanted me dead since the day my mother brought me into this world. Saw me as a cockblock. Sent me away just so he could be alone with my mother more."
"So this is normal?" Katara raised a brow.
Reaching his domains, Ozai led her to his chambers and smirked when he saw Ursa spot them as Katara entered. He gave his wife the middle finger before shutting the door behind him.
"If you brought me here to have sex, you should know I'm not interested." Katara said as she took a seat on the sofa and rubbed her temple. "I really haven't been feeling the best."
Ozai eyed her, "Your healer Yugoda isn't all that she's talked up to be."
"Well, I don't think she anticipated having a patient that was as prone to injury as me."
"Soon you will be untreatable if you continue being reckless." Ozai retorted.
Katara scoffed as she folded her arms as he sat beside her and put his arm around her, forcing her to lean against him. There goes that damn cologne again. She shook the thought from her head as she shut her eyes. The scent wasn't awful but it made her nauseous. Like her gut knew something unsettling that she didn't or pretended to not know. Either way, she didn't want to give into her suspicions. Maybe she was just paranoid after all the things her grandmother and Kokasho had been saying.
"Whatever is on your mind, you should just ask it." Ozai said out of the blue.
Furrowing her brows as she leaned off of him and looked him hard in the eyes, "Ask wh-"
"Have I kept my word to not see my whores? To answer the question, no but I am seeing a whore that was not originally one of my whores." Ozai confessed.
The blood literally withdrew from her face as she felt her heart fall into the pit of her stomach. "Wh-wh-what?"
Ozai smirked as he caught her by her jaw, "You should make yourself more clear, dear."
"But-"
Shaking his head as he cooed at her with a grin on his face still holding her by her jaw, "A mistress can't make those kinds of requests of a married man. You need to know your place, Katara."
The Chieftainess didn't know what to say. She wasn't prepared to discover Ozai was going behind her back and even less prepared to be getting this response from him. What was she supposed to say? Or do? She didn't have any clue with how confusing feelings were. She felt hurt and sad as well as angry and disappointed. However, there was also the feeling of being a complete idiot.
Squeezing her jaw, Ozai forced her down on his sofa and grinned above her. "Not that I don't love you because I do. I wouldn't be honest with you otherwise."
Katara's face contorted in anger as her eyes watered, "But why?"
"You and I live completely different lives. Am I supposed to be alone while you play Chieftainess?"
"I-I I do it for you." Her tears fell. "I haven't been with anyone but you."
Ozai mocked her sad expression, "I'm flattered but I can't do the same. You'll have to accept we are different people, Katara." He moved himself above her and pried her legs a part as he pinned her down. "But maybe you can make me change my mind. Would you like to give it a shot?"
…..
Iroh was not very surprised to hear that Chieftainess Katara was away from her chambers. He had come in search of her, hoping to share tea and possibly make up for his son's actions against her. He knew the young woman had been through a lot on behalf of his son and well, his entire family. But he wanted to make it known to her that he didn't personally condone any of the things his family had done recently.
Knowing where to find the Chieftainess, Iroh shows up at his brother's domain and finds his sister-in-law is sitting in the courtyard fanning herself as she drinks her tea. He decided to go see her before looking for Katara as she was likely in private company with his brother. As he approached the woman, he saw her glance over to him and gesture for him to sit. Clearly, she had something to tell him.
Taking his seat across from her, "How are you this afternoon, Ursa?"
"I would say I feel content but I've been hearing nothing but crying for the last hour from Ozai's chambers." Ursa sighed and shook her head, holding her teacup with both hands as she gazed somberly at it. "It's not the 'good' crying, Iroh. I don't know what he's done to further ruin that girl but her cries make me think of Kya."
Iroh sulked as he too thought of the woman in that moment. Lady Kya, his brother's first wife, a warm hearted woman from the Water Tribe. He remembered the woman's smile and her laughter. She was deeply in love with his brother and his brother had never loved anyone the way he loved Kya. The Crown Prince had only ever seen the woman look pitiful and it was when her child, Hina, died from an accident at the beach. Kya looked and sounded miserable. He had even caught her along with Ozai and a few servants on plenty occasions trying to take her own life. Ursa was there to witness much of it and for her to say that the daughter of Kya was crying in a way that reminded her of Kya in those days, Iroh hated to know his brother might have anything to do with it.
Ursa furrowed her brows and looked up from her cup to Iroh, "I told him to leave her alone. To stop toying with her. She's just a girl. She's done nothing wrong but you know your brother, he won't listen to anyone."
Sighing as this was a truly pitiful situation, Iroh suggested that Ursa speak to Katara instead as the girl might be stubborn but she wasn't Ozai.
"There's nothing I can say to that child." Ursa replied.
"If you're pretending to not care, you aren't fooling me, Ursa. I know you've endured my brother's cruelty but you, yourself, are not cruel." Iroh told her as he stood up. "I guess I'll try burdening her for some tea another time. She'll need it, no doubt.
…..
Ozai wasn't a complete sadist. Sometimes things bothered him when it came to inflicting pain on some people. Especially those that did nothing to deserve it. But he was only being honest. Better she knew now than find out. Besides, this was just how he was. If she really wanted to be involved with him, there were some things she was going to have to understand and accept. However, there was nothing he got out of having his way with her while she cried and told him she loved him repeatedly like it would change anything. In the end, he put the sheets over her head just so he could finish and not be plagued with guilt.
At the moment, he was just watching her lay in his bed with her back to him, whimpering quietly to herself. There wasn't anything for him to say and he wasn't going to crush her anymore than he already had.
"I-I I need to go." Katara said as she got out of bed and searched the floor for her clothes.
It wasn't long before the door slammed behind her and he heard her footsteps run off.
Later, Ozai was having tea by himself on his patio in his night robes, staring up at the night sky.
"You were the sun in her gloomy world and she was the moon that brightened up your dark skies." Ursa said as she approached the patio where she saw Ozai spaced out. "I read that little story Kya left behind. You two were meant for each other."
Scoffing as he tossed the cooled off tea from his cup at her, "Shut up."
Stepping out of the way, Ursa grinned as she held her arms in her sleeves and stepped closer to Ozai.
"I heard crying early. What did you do to that poor girl?"
"Why do you insist on her being innocent? She chose this."
"Not be involved with a man that doesn't return her feelings. Oh yes, she's not free from guilt there. But she's young and dumb, Ozai. You could spare her a little."
Ozai sucked his teeth and threw his cup at his wife's head.
"Ouch!" Ursa hissed as she rubbed her head. "You asshole!"
"She's none of your concern."
"I'm just trying to stop you before you throw that idiot girl into madness. You know she's endured enough in her sad miserable life. Her mother died on her and her father treated her like she was a role and a title instead of a daughter, he's dead too. Now, you go and make her feel like a moron for clinging to you for some sort of affection. Sure, clinging to you is the dumbest thing I could think a woman would do but I'm sure she doesn't have many options."
"What do you care, Ursa? You hate the girl."
Ursa looked her husband dead in the eyes, "It's not that I hated her. I just hated to watch that pathetic little girl look up to you like you were there to save her and you meant her more harm than anyone. I knew all about you plotting to kill her but even someone as cold as you couldn't bring yourself to slay that cute big blue eyed girl."
Ozai clenched his fists, "I wasn't going to kill her!"
"Ozai, I saw you in Omashu threatening to kill her or kidnap her. She was what? Eleven-twelve?"
"She cut my hand."
"And not to mention, I remember I caught you holding a dagger in your sleeve while watching her practice during one of our visits to the South Pole. You were glaring at her. The only thing that stopped you was that she saw you and ran up to you to squeeze your middle. If I hadn't slipped that dagger out of your hands, she would have noticed."
Okay, there were a few times where he had actually plotted to kill her but that wasn't a problem anymore. He had no intention of killing her now. If anything, he's been saving her ass from getting herself killed. The girl was just asking to die at this point. But he admitted, he wasn't doing her many favors with this little affair of theirs. He wasn't willing to commit and wasn't that she wasn't worth committing to. He just didn't want to be held down by one woman only to have that one woman ruin his life again. Kya would be the only woman to do that to him. So, Katara should know he would never allow himself to be so invested in their relationship that he would put himself through hell again. It just wasn't happening again.
…
Kokasho placed a wet cloth on Katara's head as she had fallen ill. The Chieftainess hadn't been doing too well since arriving here. She was constantly throwing up and having dizzy spells, passing out, avoiding foods she normally ate. It all made her sick. Her maidens thought as much but it dawned on everyone pretty quickly what was going on.
"Drink." Kokasho told her as he held a glass of water to her.
The waterbender drank from it and saw Kokasho was eyeing her funny. When she finished the glass and set it aside, Katara averted her eyes from him.
"I'm pregnant." She said seldomly. "I think you and our group all know that now."
Nodding his head as he sat on the edge of his bed, "I assume you've been aware for a while."
"After you taught me to use blood-bending in those unique ways, I realized I was sensing more than just myself whenever I was alone." Katara explained. "I thought for sure that someone was following me but I realized it was coming from me. Yugoda confirmed it before we left. It's why I came back here even though I knew it was a stupid idea. I'm trying to work up the nerve to tell Ozai."
Kokasho saw tears form in her eyes as she shook her head.
"But he's exactly what you and my grandmother warned me of. I'm an idiot." The waterbender hung her head as she placed her hands over her face.
As much as Kokasho knew he was right, he hated that he was. It meant that the bastard had hurt her and wrongfully so. Katara had been undeniably loyal to the Fire Prince and didn't allow anyone to speak a bad word of him. She refused to entertain the idea of being with anyone else as she had devoted herself to that ungrateful man. Her whole life was ahead of her and she would put it all aside for him. Kokasho only hated that bastard more for proving him right.
In order to protect the secret of her pregnancy, Kokasho told her a technique that would work to hide her symptoms but she would need to stay hydrated at all times. It proved to work and Katara was able to return to her duties.
Over the next several days, Katara was able to work busily with her ministers and the Fire Lord and his ministers. They were all discussing a better plan moving forward for the sake of winning a war and their alliance. It was difficult and both sides were faced with much compromise but the Chieftainess was determined to serve the best interest of her nation even at a personal loss to herself. The Fire Nation still wanted a marriage alliance between her and Lu Ten. It was something she really didn't want to do but Azulon was willing to level with her. Lu Ten wasn't her only option, he pointed out.
But while Katara kept busy in order to maintain appearances, Kokasho was able to take time to look around the palace and explore. He was very curious about this place. A place with no ice and snow. The residents looked at him in awe but he was just as amazed by them and their culture. Everything was magnificent and so different. Kokasho enjoyed everything his eyes laid on. All but one thing.
While passing the gardens and having a few servants offer him refreshments as he settled in a particular spot, the blood bearer caught sight of the bastard second prince. His eyes narrowed as he noticed the man was with another woman. It was clear they weren't just taking a stroll in the gardens. The woman clung to the man's arm, wedging it between her breasts as they walked all too closely to one another. Kokasho was even more appalled when the woman reached up to kiss Ozai on the cheek and nuzzled her head against him. Obviously, the second prince was involved with this woman as she spared no chance to display her affection. To make matters worse, the woman was a tribeswoman, a clear preference of the prince.
Later that day when the chieftainess was able to retire for the evening, Kokasho saw her dressing in red as she removed her native blue attire. He didn't have to be told anything to know she was going to go see the second prince. Kokasho wanted to warn her but she might do better to see with her own eyes.
"Are you going to tell him?" He asked her as he leaned in the threshold of her door.
Pulling the hood of her cloak over her head, "Not yet. I need to try figuring things out between us. I'm afraid he'll take the news badly if I tell him now."
"It's his own fault." Kokasho stated. "You lay with a woman, you risk impregnating her. He should take accountability."
Katara agreed but now wasn't the time. "I'll be back."
"In the morning?" Kokasho asked stoically.
The waterbender shrugged. It made her feel ashamed and embarrassed. Plus, she was hoping to see if he'd change his mind for the sake of what they had, if that ever really meant anything to him. She hoped but she wasn't as confident about them anymore. He broke her trust and made her feel stupid among other things but she held to hope. Ozai was still more than just the person she was sleeping with. They still had a long history that from her view was a good one, though he admitted once before that he held resentment for her that only recently changed. That thought made her feel even less sure.
Katara sighed, "When I get back will you be willing to talk more? As my friend?"
Kokasho nodded. "Of course. I will always be willing to hear you out. You are my chieftainess and my dear friend. You needn't ask."
Smiling, the waterbender hugged him tight and told him she really needed to hear that. She didn't really have anyone in her life that would let her speak her mind. Kokasho was the only person that actually allowed her to be herself and she needed that.
"Be careful, Katara." He told her as he smoothed his hand over her head.
"I will be." She smiled.
Kokasho watched as the waterbender left their chambers to go see her good for nothing lover. He sighed to himself, feeling lament that she would undoubtedly find out the truth and there was a high possibility that the second prince wasn't going to take well to the news. Kokasho feared the man's response. If that bastard harmed her, it would be the last thing he did.
Studying her glass of wine as she hadn't taken a sip yet, Katara listened to Ozai explain that he wasn't trying to hurt her feelings but rather to be honest with her. It would be one thing if they weren't an ocean apart most of the time which she understood and was willing to accept. However, when she asked him if she should take up his same sentiments, he was against it.
"I made you into the woman you are. Of course, I don't want to share you with anyone else." Ozai told her.
Katara pulled her hair behind her ear and set her glass down, "Then what about me getting married or being lonely?"
Ozai sighed as he smoked his pipe, "When you decide caving to your loneliness is more important than us, we'll just end things. Return to how things were before."
"Like when you wanted to kill me?"
Seeing that the waterbender was still very confused about their situation, Ozai decided to explain in layman's terms. "If I'm not enough for you, we will simply not be involved."
"But I don't mean-"
"Then don't go fooling around with anyone else. Simple."
The waterbender rubbed her temple a little as she was really not liking the double standard.
"Are you staying the night?" He asked, raising his brow.
"Do you want me to?" Katara wasn't sure of anything anymore so she had to ask.
The following morning, Katara laid in bed staring at her clothes on the floor and wondered how she was going to finally tell Ozai that she was pregnant. She had a feeling that no matter what he wouldn't like it and he would most likely want her to get rid of it. As she laid in bed, she felt his arm retract from her as there was a knock at his chamber doors that he needed to answer. He told her to stay in bed and cover up, which she did.
However, while Katara stayed in bed, sitting up with her knees pulled to her chest, she heard the voice of a woman talking to Ozai. It wasn't a voice she was familiar with and it caused her to be suspicious. Was it the other woman he had told her about? Out of curiosity, the waterbender climbed out of bed and slid her bedroom door open.
"Are you sure you don't need me to keep you company this morning?" The woman asked. "I know you get a bit 'stiff' at dawn."
Narrowing her eyes, Katara knew this had to be the other woman and quickly put on one of Ozai's night robes. She then exited his bedroom and went to see whoever this woman was.
"Is someone else here entertaining you?" Shira asked him.
Ozai was about to respond when Katara suddenly showed up with her arms crossed and answered for him.
"Yes and who the hell are you?" Katara scowled at the woman.
Shira gasped as she saw Katara, knowing exactly who she was as she had seen the Chieftainess a few times in the hallways. She shifted her blue eyes to Ozai, who was glaring at the chieftainess, and then bowed her head.
"I'm sorry. Forgive me. I'll leave."
And the tribeswoman hurried off.
Ozai slapped the door close and raised his hand at Katara but restrained himself as she gave him a hurt look.
"So that's her?"
"That's none of your business." He bit out as he had to reel himself in.
"It is my business if you're sleeping around!" Katara shouted as she was pissed off. "I'm not Ursa! I'm not my mom! You don't get to treat me like an idiot! I want to know who it is you're sleeping with! It's only fair seeing as I can't even look at another man or you'll just break things off with me!"
Ozai sucked his teeth, "I knew I shouldn't have involved myself with you! You're still an immature brat!"
"How am I immature for wanting the truth?! That's all I've ever asked of you! Why can't you give me that?!"
"I don't owe you anything! Nothing at all! Be grateful I've ever even put up with you! You've been a thorn in my side since your mother burdened me with looking after you! As far as I see it, you were your father's problem and now he's dead so I'm stuck with you! It's out of the kindness of my heart that I even tolerate you at this point!"
Katara was immediately struck with hurt by this as she looked at him with wide eyes.
"You're just another woman I fool around with, Katara. You're not special. Don't flatter yourself." Ozai hissed at her.
The waterbender teared up as she forced herself to stop looking at him, "But you said you loved me. How can you love me if you're saying this?"
"Maybe it's because I tell women what they want to hear so I get what I want. What more do you want me to say?"
"So you don't?" Her voice cracked at the brokenness she felt.
Ozai scoffed, refusing to answer and opened his door. "You should leave."
"Ozai,-"
"Leave!"
…..
Kokasho watched the Chieftainess training against her water maidens and furiously took them in hand to hand combat. She wrestled and tackled each of them, locking some in chokeholds and using other submission techniques on them. She was pent up with anger and rage. He tried talking her out of it as she was pregnant and could easily hurt herself and the baby but her maidens were well aware and made sure not to injure the chieftainess. They let her vent.
When the chieftainess took a break, Kokasho wiped the sweat from her face with a wet cloth after handing her her water skin to hydrate herself.
"You need to rest. This is not healthy for the baby." He told her as he looked down at her with worry.
Katara glanced up at him and looked away, "What do you care about my baby? You're not even the father."
"I care about you and therefore your child, whether mine or not, means the world to me." He answered her honestly as he wiped the last of her sweat away. "Please, do not strain yourself. For the baby's sake."
Feeling the sincerity in his voice, Katara nodded.
Smiling as he felt she'd finally take it easy. "Anything you'd like me to do to lift your mood?"
Katara shook her head and thanked him for always being kind to her.
As she walked off, the water maidens approached him asking if he knew what was upsetting the Chieftainess so much. He refused to disclose the details but he let them know a certain prince was behind it, nothing they didn't already know.
Several days ago, Katara told him everything after she ran back to her chambers in the Fire Prince's robes. The man was a whoremonger as perceived and even worse, he wanted nothing but loyalty from her. Kokasho was about to strangle the man when she told him that Ozai confessed to seeing her as a thorn in his side and didn't actually love her. Apparently, he only told her what she wanted to hear to get what he wanted. Katara sobbed for hours in his arms and he held her tight as she sought out some comfort in her moment of despair.
Kokasho took it upon himself to confess his own feelings. Telling her he had fallen in love with her and would love her even if she never returned his feelings. She made it clear she could not respond to him at the moment, which was fine by him, he just wanted her to know that someone did love her. She needed to know that. That she was loveable because she was, even if someone had made her feel otherwise.
"Our chieftainess is lucky to have you, Kokasho. Hopefully, you'll be the one to marry her." One of the maiden told him.
"Or even if he could serve as her lover." Another said.
"However she wishes me to serve her, I will." Kokasho told them and the women were all awing over him.
Katara wiped her mouth after hurling into a bush on her way out of the garden. She didn't notice the woman that caught sight of this. The Chieftainess was all too tired and icky feeling to notice. She just wanted to get to bed and rest like Kokasho had told her. La, she was so grateful for him. He had been genuine to her from the very beginning and he never made her feel any doubt towards him.
As Katara reached her chambers, she was stopped by the words of her pursuer that she hadn't noticed.
"When was your last cycle?"
The waterbender turned around to see Ursa staring at her with a deeply concerned look on her face. Never had this woman been very concerned or interested in her. Katara never understood why until recently. She didn't know the deep history between Ursa, her mother, and Ozai. Not till she first arrived here. It made sense why Princess Ursa was not very nice to her but to see a sudden look of concern on the woman's face as she looked over her, her eyes focusing on her stomach, Katara felt uneasy. And not fearfully uneasy. More like, the woman was truly worried as if she knew something horrible was amidst.
Tears formed in Katara's eyes as she was just overwhelmed and emotional about just about everything. She shook her head at the woman and her voice cracked as she spoke. "Don't tell Ozai."
"Why?"
Narrowing her teary eyes at the woman, "Because he's upset with me. This will only upset him more."
Ursa nodded her head. She understood. Ozai would probably hurt the girl if he found out. She hoped he never did and the girl was smart enough to hide the child's existence for as long as possible.
"I won't tell him." Ursa promised, "but if you need my help, let me know. I will help you."
Skeptical of the woman, "You hate me. Just like he did. Like he does. Why would you help me?"
Sighing, "because I know what he's really like. If I can protect you from that, I will. Ozai is a monster."
Katara swallowed hard.
…
Balancing her health and duties as well as she could, the Chieftainess had thought a lot about what Ursa said to her. She shared it with Kokasho and he felt it was better she said nothing to Ozai until they left. He was worried about the response she would receive from him, especially since he was so angry with her for wanting loyalty or even just honesty. The Fire Prince showed how he really felt about her with his actions and his words. She needed to let go of any hope that he would ever care about her.
Katara wanted to take Kokasho's word for it as he had already decided he would look after her and her child. Be a father to it that she knew her child's actual father wouldn't be. It was comforting and reassuring. Kokasho was indeed a good man like her grandmother had said and she was lucky to have him in her life.
Caressing the side of her face, Kokasho smiled as he sat close to the Chieftainess. "I've fallen in love with you, Katara. Madly in love. I might not be who you want but I'll be who you need if that's all I can be."
The Chieftainess held his hand to her face as he cupped it, "Things are over between Ozai and I. I know it now, there is no making things work or things getting better. I just want to return home and focus on making my people happy, this child happy, and maybe myself. You'll help me see that through, won't you?"
"You needn't ask. It will be done."
Katara smiled as she looked up at him genuinely feeling safe and comfortable with someone else. She didn't move away from him when he reached down to kiss her on the lips. Her body stiffened a bit but from the light but loving gesture, her hands reached his face as she returned his affection. It was the first time she had been kissed and it didn't feel like there were ulterior motives behind it or simply lust. It felt like she was cared for and loved and that's all she wanted. All she ever wanted was to be wanted in spite of all her faults.
When the two pulled apart, Kokasho ran his hand down over her head and smiled. "I won't make a big deal about you letting me kiss you but it will still be cherished, Chieftainess."
Blushing, Katara couldn't bring herself to look at him as she pulled her hair behind her ear. "Give me time, Kokasho. I promise I have felt something for you too. I just have to end this chapter first and maybe do some healing. I've been used by everyone I've loved or cared about except my brother and grandmother and I-"
"You don't have to say anymore. I understand."
"Thank you, Kokasho. Really." Katara finally looked up at him.
Kokasho embraced the Chieftainess warmly as he left her to be alone and sort her thoughts out.
As a few weeks passed and the agreement of alliance was getting nowhere, Katara felt increasingly uneasy and all together frustrated. On top of Azulon still pushing for her to marry one of his no good descendants, she was catching Ozai and that other woman together almost all the time in the halls. She forced herself to ignore it. Refusing to even give the two a glance as Kokasho would oftentimes walk beside her, placing his arm around her while glaring at the second prince, that glared back. Even with his other woman in arms, he didn't approve of her being with anyone else but him.
Frustrating as everything was, Katara fell sick every morning and all throughout the day after a few weeks had passed. Kokasho looked after her along with her maidens but she was getting worse. She even broke into a fever. Something they all took as the child likely being a firebender as they could see her body hadn't gained fever from anything else. Knowing this made Katara extremely upset as she worried how her child would be seen if the origins of the father were made so clear.
"Katara, please, listen to reason. He can't know. Not now." Kokasho pleaded with her.
Shaking her head, "I have to tell him. He doesn't have to be involved. He doesn't have to claim it. He just has to know they exist. I can't hide that from him."
"And you won't but now, is not the time, Katara." Kokasho tried convincing her.
However, Katara's mind was made and she told him she would be back soon.
"If he hurts you, I'll kill him." Kokasho swore.
Katara giggled, "He won't be happy but he won't hurt me."
Kokasho was not so sure.
It took a little time for her to find Ozai but when she did, she was relieved that he was alone in his office. He didn't look up from the stacks of work on his desk as she approached. She saw he looked rather annoyed by what he was reading over and had undone his topknot to allow his hair to fall freely around the frame of his face. It wasn't until she stood just a foot from his desk that he finally looked up and he looked, by no means, pleased to see her.
"What do you want?" He asked her as he set his quill down and leaned back in his seat, eyeing her like her presence was a disturbance in his atmosphere. The way a parent looked at an unwanted child that had come to bother them about something.
Feeling uneasy, Katara hung her head and twiddled her fingers a little. "I know it's my fault for everything that's happened between us. I know I'm still a stupid girl and I'm easily clouded by my feelings. But I figured it's best that I just no longer involve myself with you since I'm such a burden to you. I get when you look at me you can only see how my mother betrayed you. How I'm a product of betrayal. I understand. So, once I'm finished with things here, I won't bother you anymore."
Ozai scoffed and leaned on his armrest as he looked the moronic girl over, "You think that you're doing me a favor?"
"Not entirely. I'm doing myself one too." Katara's sad blue eyes lifted to him. "I need to let go of the past and I need to move on with my life. My parents are dead and I can't expect you to fill that void anymore."
"So, you're saying you used me?"
"No, I-"
"Look, be honest. You don't really want to end things. You're just upset about the reality of the situation you're in. That's fine. I'll excuse it but things don't just end because you want them to. I don't agree to breaking up." Ozai's tone was stone cold and it made Katara look at him strangely. "If you want to fuck that silver haired giant to even things out, fine. I'll accept but this isn't over. You don't get to turn your back on me because your little feelings are hurt."
"Ozai, that's not it. I seriously don't want to do this anymo-"
Slamming his hands on his desks as he stood up, Ozai shouted. "But who said I don't get a say in this?!"
Katara immediately stepped back as he round the side of his desk, "Ozai-"
"Shut up! I'm not listening to the words of a stupid girl that doesn't know what she wants! You'll just come crawling back to me just like your mother! And then what?!" Ozai managed to grab her before she could distance herself even more and he shook her. "Every time she was unsure of us, I paid the price! You think I'll let that happen again, Katara?! You think you get to hurt me too?! Is that what this is?! You want to hurt me just like your mother?!"
Shaking her head as tears fell from her eyes, Katara could see a sudden madness fall over Ozai as he shook her repeatedly.
"I'm sor-"
"Fuck your sorry!" Ozai growled and threw her up against his desk and forced her head down by her neck. "There's only one way you're making it up to me. You hurt my feelings, you ungrateful bitch! And now, I'm going to really hurt yours!"
Trying to fight him off, Katara kicked her legs at him as he started tearing at her clothes. She cried for him to stop but he insisted that he was punishing her for coming here and trying to hurt him due to her jealousy. However, she finally got him to stop whe. She finally confessed to why she was here.
"I'm pregnant! Ozai, I'm pregnant!" She screamed as he had his hands around her neck, still holding her down on his desk.
Ozai paused as the girl cried.
"I only came here to tell you that. I only came back here, not just because your father summoned me but because I wanted to tell you I was pregnant." Katara cried miserably. "I would have told you the first day but you had some other woman's cologne on and I suspected you were with someone else. I kept trying to find a way to tell you but you've been upset with me the whole time I've been here and I didn't even do anything wrong. I'm sorry….Just stop...please stop."
When he let go of her, Katara sat up and saw him go back around his desk to start rummaging through the drawers. She held her neck and rubbed it as she was about to hurry out of his office before he did something else to her. However, it seemed he found what he was looking for and saw a vile in his hands.
Coming back over to her, Ozai snatched her wrist and forced the vile in his hands. "Here, drink this. It'll terminate the pregnancy."
"What? No, I'm not trying to get rid of it. Ozai, that's not what I wa-"
"Did I ask you what you wanted?" Ozai growled. "Get rid of the bastard yourself or I will and I promise, my methods are a lot more painful."
Katara stared at him wide eyed, "I want to keep it."
"I refuse to have another bastard!"
"Oz-"
"Take it!" He yelled. "Take it or else!"
Katara shook her head as she quickly pulled away from him. He lunged at her and tackled her to the ground as she threw the vile, breaking it. The waterbender screamed for him to get off of her but he flipped her on her back and was about to punch her in the gut. Instinctively, wanting to save her baby, Katara kicked him in the face and knocked him off of her. She scrambled to her feet and quickly took off running.
"KATARA! GET BACK HERE!"
It was no surprise to Kokasho that Ozai wanted nothing to do with the child and even wanted her to abort it. The man was selfish but Kokasho was worried something would happen to Katara. This was what he feared. He offers to stay posted outside her bedroom door to make sure Ozai wouldn't get to her. Katara felt relieved knowing he felt concerned about her safety. Her maidens also decided to be on alert if they saw the second prince.
As Katara climbed into bed and laid down, knowing she had someone as kind and compassionate as Kokasho at her side, she shut her eyes. Her hand held her flat stomach, feeling the early stages of her child growing. She smiled a little as she started falling asleep.
The waterbender was in the middle of dreaming about her unborn child and having the family she always wanted. She would be the mother that she never had and Kokasho would be the father that she had wished her father had been to her. They would love this child for all its strengths and weaknesses. They would be happy and she would feel complete.
However, as Katara laid in bed dreaming about her happiness in the future, she was attacked in her sleep. Before she could even put up a good fight, a gag was placed over her mouth as the masked figure clamped a chi-blocking brace around her neck. She tried screaming through her gag but something hard was bashed into her head as she was dragged towards the balcony. Tears rolled down her cheek as her vision began to blur, she feared the worse.
…...
A/N:
Glad Katara has finally faced the truth about Ozai and wants to move onto something better. Wonder who's kidnapping our chieftainess? And anyone think Kokasho is going to start kicking ass?