Chapter 21

Katara

"Idiot!" Azula screamed out.

The sea of people all stood silently, looking on to the Royal disaster unfolding.

Katara's body cowered behind Zuko's shadow as he stepped out moving closer to Mai. "What exactly are you demanding here?"

"I demand you get rid of that peasant!" Mai roared as she pointed her long oval fingernail painted black towards Katara. Every head turned toward Katara, judge-mental eyes resting on the exotic water-bending women. With the spotlight on her Katara's fingers held onto her arm feeling vulnerable.

"Once and for all!" Mai continued. "She can never set foot here again!" Her lips screamed mimicking a small child. "That is the only thing I would accept!"

Azula blood boiled starring on to Mai child behavior.

"We had a deal!" Azula scolded rushing up to Mai. Pushing Mai back her anger became uncontrollable.

"I should have known it," Zuko admitted shaking his head. "The two of you plotting together. Just like in secondary school. Have you not grown up yet. There is nothing for either of you to gain."

"Gain?! I could had everything I wanted, had I cut out this pathetic waste of space" Azula snickered turning her nose up to Mai.

"What is that? The crown? It isn't for you." Zuko enlightened Azula.

Usually, a comment like that would have enraged her, but yet all Azula could think about was what she last said. She hear Zuko yet Ming's image couldn't leave her mind. Now only now Azula could see her pretension to power kept her from happiness.

"Zuko… I… I…. I will speak to you tomorrow" Azula spoke out softly. Calmly than she ever had before. Bowing slightly Azula looked around the room understanding this place isn't where she longed to be.
The crowd of eyes watch Azula rushing out, before all eyes turned back to Mai and Zuko.

"Is that truly your demand?" Zuko asked unafraid now looking to Mai solely.

"Without hesitation" Mai answered unapologetically. Zuko's inner self felt tortured, faced with the decision he had. Her lip twitched with delight seeing the pull and tug written upon his face. Knowing he would never want to break tradition.

"I see.." Zuko answered.

Looking over his shoulder to Katara, their eyes locked as Zuko looked remorseful. The midnight air flowed throughout the room brushing everyone's fine strands of hair gently across their face.

Zuko open his mouth and Katara's body took a step back...
Was he… was he going to actually do it?… Katara questions internally.

His lips had parted yet the room was still silenced. Everyone listened with anticipation. expect me, I could only feel fear.

"I'm waiting" Mai ordered tapping her foot on the ground.

"Katara.." Zuko mumbled.
"I… I….-"

"Fire Lord Zuko!"

Everyone immediately looked over to the entryway. There before everyone stood Sui Seikuh, her fist clinging to a piece of cloth she used to dry her eyes. "Sui…." My lips whisper.

Taking a deep breath Sui walked in bowing the closer she got to Zuko. Mai's eyes widen with anger, longing to burn her alive.

"Firrre Lord" Sui trembled as she stood before everyone scared to glance at Mai.

"I have been thinking a lot since our last conversation, please forgive me for my lateness-"

"SUI!" Mai blares out a strong force of rage coming through her lips. Daring to take a step forward Mai soon halted her step after seeing an unfriendly expression on Zuko.

"Speak Sui" Zuko order as his eyes scalded Mai from moving.

"My Lord.. I've been debating on whether I should speak up or not, for not only is my life in danger.."

"Speak now Sui," Zuko ordered once more his breath quicken. "No repercussions would fall on you or others who come forward."

" My lord please forgive me, I could say I was forced to lie to you…. But I am an adult who should have spoken the truth."

The word truth reciprocated a searing flame in Zuko as his eyes shifted to Mai, watching her body language intensely.
Awaiting Sui to continue.

"Lady Mai" Sui continued. "Lady Mai forced me to place her jewelry in Katara's pocket! The morning Katara was on the docks I was forced to follow her and slip it in. Lady Katara did not steal a thing from her! It was all a lie"

Full of rage Mai lashed out darting closer to Sui. Her hand pulled back ready to strike. "Why you little—"

*thump!* Standing next to Mai, Zuko held his hand out stopping Mai from striking Sui.

*GASP* The crowd sounded off together. Hand began to cover their mouths as whispers echoed in the background.

"Get out" was the only cold shiver words to leave Zuko's lips as he stood there with fire blazing from his eyes.

"Zuko-"

"NOW" Zuko ordered cutting Mai off once more. His tone wasn't loud but one that was low and dangerous.

"The party is over!" he announced to the guards nearby. Taking Katara's hand Zuko walked quickly and hastily down the hallway pulling Katara into his chambers.

The dim room had already pre-lit lighting adding a touch of warmth in the cool night. The corners of his chamber were drenched with shadows.

"Spirits Zuko! Did you have to walk so fast-" Katara gasp for air as she heard the door close behind her.
Pulling her in Zuko's lips was placed on top of hers as Katara's short startled scream was swallowed by his throat.

Holding her shoulders on each side Zuko's tongue roamed deeper and deeper.
Pulling away suddenly, Zuko's breath quickened as he rested his forehead on her left shoulder.

"Spirits... I am so sorry. I already knew it was a lie but still, letting my ego get the better of me."

Offering him a faint smile my hands held on to his cheek as I bought our lips together once more.

I don't care what happened. I don't care who tried to separate us anymore, they all failed. It was only him and I now.

Several weeks later…..

*click* *click* *click*
Walking down the halls of the Fire Nation Palace my heels clicked loudly against the shiny floor. A steady tapping sound echoed in the afternoon light.

As I made my way to the private garden for afternoon tea I still couldn't believe all that had taken place. Zuko and I have lived blissfully the last couple of weeks, everything was calm in our world. Mai had left the palace not long after the party, it was like a weight had lifted off our necks. Everything felt at peace.. for a moment.

"Lady Katara" Sui spoke out to me bowing her head slightly as I walked out in the morning sunlight. My ear heard the chirping in the sky as small ruby-colored birds dance with the soft white clouds above. A calm afternoon breeze blew in the air.

Nodding my body language acknowledged her as I sat down under the soft tan limestone gazebo. Coming forth with the truth allowed Sui Seikuh to keep her position and allowed Zuko to be comfortable enough to make her my lady in waiting.

Despite Zuko's order, I would be a fool if I said I trusted her. I can't not after everything. Yes, Zuko is the one who commanded the hand that harmed me but had she not lied, my punishment would have never passed.

"Do you need anything else Lady Katara?" Sui asks hesitating. Sui could feel the wall between the two. Katara was no longer that young innocent girl who came into the palace that trusted easily. Now she was cautious.

"We never got a chance to clear the air but-"

"Don't Sui! Thank you for wanting to speak up but there is nothing you can say that would make me feel better about the situation." Katara angrily said.

"I see.. I am sorry you know.."

Feeling a bit of instant rage Katara raised her hand too quickly knocking over her tea. Soaking her skirt by accident.

"AHHH!"

"Oh, dear! Let me help-"

"NO!" Katara ordered. Never had she raised her voice so high to the staff of the palace before. Looking at Sui with a burning hate Katara's eyes revealed just how much she wanted distance.

"I...do not want your help".

"I understand" Sui relinquish stepping back slowly.

Closing her eyes Katara felt the warm rays of the sun touching her cheeks as her body exhaled.

"I'm finished" Katara spoke softly.

Leaving the table Katara could see the hesitated shame Sui felt as her head dipped low to her passing figure.

Zuko

Walking forward, Zuko's hands pushed back dozens of hanging red curtains that draped the large indoor onsen. Natural light brown wooden floors surrounded the calm body of water. No matter the time of day the room had an evening glow, flickering flames dancing on the many candles. Women servants kneeled near the water, gently releasing plum blossom into the water along with different combinations of herbs aimed to soften the skin.

Unaware of his arrival Katara back had been facing him as her whole body submerged with only her neck sitting above the water. Her long dark brown hair wrapped up with two golden hair comb held her style together. The two golden combs connected by three hanging chains draped around her hair, soft fly away framing her face.

Standing to his presents several of the women servants panicked, their bodies conditioned to greet him bowing.

Quickly Zuko lifted his pointer finger to his lips, glancing at all the women to remain silent. Following his order Zuko flicked his wrist, silently issuing them to leave.

As the women walked out Katara did not flinch still unaware of the lurking amber eyes prowling behind her. Parting the final red sheer curtain, his clothing began to fall off till he stood bare as the day he was born. His feet entered the onsen, walking across till his lower body was submerged.

Feeling a figure behind her, Katara casually looked over her shoulder. Surprise her own thoughts occupied her mind so heavily she didn't notice him.

"Zuko! When did you get here?"

"Are you so lost in thought you didn't notice?" Condescendingly Zuko smirked flashing his white teeth.

"Wh-Where is everyone?" Looking around Katara realize all the women servants were gone. From the women playing the Erhu to all the other women placing blossoms into the water.

"Everywhere else but here" Zuko answered smirking.

"Oh.." she shrugged off turning back around. Katara's face remained emotionless to Zuko's words.

Emerging his body further in, Zuko reached out catching ahold of Katara's soaking body resting his hand on her tone stomach. Defining the current his strength pull the water bender closer to her back hitting against his chest. Zuko's free hand appeared from under the water tilting her chin to the side bring her attention to him.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing" she lied turning her face forward.

" lying to me already."

Rolling her eyes, Katara looked back towards him, her blue eyes glancing at the mighty Fire Lord.

"Zuko.. I don't want a lady in waiting anymore"

"It's a normal thing for Fire Lady's to have. Mandatory even." Brushing off her concern, his soft lips pressed gently against her forehead. Looking down his sights had been set hungrily on the curve of her skin not noticing the slight discouragement in her deep blue eyes.

Zuko's lips gently tapped against the side of her neck sending tingling sparks down her spine. His fingers added pressure on the small of her back pulling her in closer.

"Zuko I'm serious. I don't want one." Katara was relieved putting distance between them. The framing fly away hairs too touching the body of water and her neck submerged more.

"Why do I need one? Especially her Zuko? I have absolutely no trust towards her"

"I understand, but Sui is loyal" Hearing the L syllable in loyal caused Katara's eyes to immediately roll backward, her lips slightly parted in a laughable smirk.

"It's True" Zuko clarified. "She betrayed us because her younger brother had been locked away in an asylum since the age of 4. Azula being Azula threaten his life."

"She said she had no family" Katara answered shaking her head not believing a word.

"The Fire Nation isn't as evolved as we should be. The image of perfection is as strong as carrying on a Family Legacy. Her parents locked him away never looking back. Any time request she had put in was to spend time with him"

"So what?" Katara concluded turning her head slightly back."is that supposed to make things better?"

"Not at all, but I can't leave you to walk these halls alone. Not right now.
The years of hiding your bending dulled your natural ability. Not knowing what Mai's intentions will be.." Zuko's eyes soften squinting as he looked down. "It leaves me uneasy"

"I still don't want to be around her.." turning around Katara pushed her body through the water till she made it to the edge. Grabbing her towel she began tapping her face dry, standing waist-deep in the onsen.

Resting his hand on Katara's stomach, Zuko's lips taped her neck. "How can I leave the mother of my future child unprotected."

"Future Child" Katara hesitantly repeated holding the white towel near her face.

Nodding his head Zuko confirmed what he said, although Katara wasn't looking directly at him she could feel his movement.
Zuko's bare chest rested against her back. Katara could feel the small ripple of water drops thinning out between their two bodies.

"Want me to show you how?"

"I've already broken too many rules.." Katara grinned feeling Zuko embrace, his arms felt so heavy around her waist, holding her body in place.

"What's one more?"
Finishing his sentence Zuko's hand glided down the curviness of her stomach over her belly button down past the plump flesh with tamed hair.

His lips tap her neck sending waves of instant pleasure down her spine.
Katara back arched moaning softly. "Kiss me" Zuko ordered.

Without hesitation, Katara's hand reached over her shoulder resting on his neck. Her head turned to the side their lips coming together, Katara back rested against Zuko's well-defined chest. Her legs open wide to Zuko's middle finger sliding over the smooth texture of her petals, as he dug in slowly.

"mm..ahhh.. Zuko…" Katara moaned through their parting lips.

The steam lifted off the body of water coating the air above them. Zuko's larger hand rubbed her sensitive slit, toying with her clit as the water splashed against the friction.

Her elongated neck felt the hard grip of Zuko's strength, filled with lust and desire. The veins in his arm make themselves feature. Breaking the kiss Zuko's eyes gazed over her slender neck tilting it back as she lay her head on his shoulder. Zuko's eyes roamed down across her shoulders and then down to her chest. Her soft breasts were out of the water with dribbles of water running down, her dark peach-colored nipples sticking out hard.

He looked down at her curvy body from above, Katara belly was soft and slightly rounded caused by the arch in her back. Her hips flared out which seductively took his attention seeing her all wet skin softly resting on him. Zuko had not admired Katara's womanly curves in a couple of weeks, between Mai leaving the palace and his duty to the throne Zuko had only seen Katara at night. Most of the time she was asleep already.

Looking further down at her luscious body, stiffen his cock, rock hard.
Motivating Katara to lean against the ledge his eyes looked forward to her slit then long copper legs. The slight part gave him the perfect view of her smooth lips. Before he realized it his hand was slowly rubbing his shaft as he glanced down and saw what he was doing.

"Open your legs some more" Zuko coarse tone ordered.

My left hand made its way over her chest, then over her nipples feeling the curve of her stomach once more as I moved downward. Beginning to rub her clit in the wave of water a small moan evade her lips. Hearing that sound made me rub harder causing her to moan to grow louder. Even with the water covering our lower body's I could feel how wet and slick her pussy was already.

I liked the way she looked bent over the edge of the water, her knees wobbled. Katara stuck her ass out a little more forcibly as my fingers moved quicker.

Taking himself in his hand Zuko guided his shaft into Katara's dripping wet slit, thrusting his torso forward. Zuko pushed in pass her Barrier hearing her cry out. Gripping onto her hips Katara's face pressed into the ledge ground. Zuko grabbed a hold of her hands, bounding both of her wrists with one hand against her back.

"Your pussy's so wet," Zuko whispered into Katara's ear. "It feels so good."

Thrusting in Katara, Zuko's grip hardens on Katara's wrist, his base pushing deep into her. Katara's lips continue to moan as her voice got louder and louder.

"Baby," She moans breathlessly into the air. "Slow down"

Zuko could feel her body tense as her orgasm built. Just as he noted that his own orgasm was ready to be released. Wanting to stop himself Zuko's body didn't listen to his command. Pulling out his warm cum shot all over Katara's brown skin, as her own lips quivered.