Chapter 23

Arctic

Zuko

It was something about the shape of her eyes that reminded me of Katara, it made my loins want to dominate her. The plumpness of her lips add to my fascination.

The flames reflected off the light from her waistband which where embroidered with crystals, matching the hanging golden chain headwear that intertwined with the strands of her dark hair.

Walking up to me I was mesmerized by her deep brown eyes that smiled with no lips. Circling around me I noticed each women taking a different man under her spell. In a well organized group their dance moves mimic each other.

The women who captured my attention pressed her breast against me into my chest, going around and rubbing against my back as her fingers ran up my shoulders. The dancing progressed, she became bolder, demonstrating her demon light touch to my pants.

She moved up and down and around my body, briefly stopping at strategic points. As she got more courageous, she pressed the top of her head against my dark pants, running her hand along the center as she worked her way up. She could feel my cock growing as she caressed my loins through my soft pants.

Taking my fingers that rested on my lap, the women sat on top facing me.

"Do you like what you see?" She asked licking her lips, her tongue swirled around my fingers, her own eyes moved down my body, and she couldn't hide her approval as she saw the bulge inside my pants.
"Because I like what I see."

Katara

"Katara should you really go in there?!" Lotus yelped pulling on Katara arm backwards trying to force her in the opposite direction.

"You think he's in there too?! Don't you?"

"I… I don't know." Lotus stuttered shaking her head no.
"But!" shrugging her shoulders shaking her head, Lotus desperately searched for the words she wanted. "he's the Fire Lord! His entire male ancestry has had a harem! …..I don't know if he's in there now Katara.. but if he is, isn't that part of his entitlement?! Isn't that a scarified all past Fire Lady's must have had to live with?"

I open my mouth to speak but nothing came out. My free hand rested on my stomach, my gut felt sick with disgust thinking of Zuko being intimidate with another women.

Would he hold her the same way? Would Zuko kiss another women with the same passion he kissed me?

"News like this can-can upset a pregnant women deeply… you shouldn't go.." Lotus reluctantly said looking down to Katara stomach. She bit her bottom lips scared to see the look on Katara face as if her worst nightmare became true.

Holding on to my stomach Katara voice mimic fear. Thinking of the possibility of leaving this place greatly graced her mind. If she leaves now there would be no tears no hurt. She could pretend nothing changed.
One of the only places Zuko told her to never go was the harem and here she was.
A simple promise was made that day, a promise he would never use this place again... and she believe him.

"I have to know Lotus.." Katara yelled our shaking her head determined to know the truth.

"Then I'll come with you-" Lotus quickly volunteered ready to walk in.

"No!" Katara immediately yelled in front of the entrance.
"I don't know if Zuko is in there. If he is after all we've been through I don't think he'll hurt me… but I can not guarantee your safety." Looking to Lotus eyes Katara remember every fowl comment Zuko screamed about her.

What if he took his anger out on Lotus? I would never be able to live with myself...

Nodding Lotus understood Katara choice of words. Understanding the energy she had pick up on the Fire Lord towards her.
"Be careful" Lotus cautioned hesitantly letting go of Katara hand.

*tap tap tap*

The closer I got to the archway of the harem the harder my heart beated.
Peaking inside from behind a sheer red curtain my eyes met many men who seem to be drunk as women walked around free of clothing. The atmosphere was one of a brothel. Drinks in some hands, laughter in the air, some women bold enough to knee in the open as men took them from behind without shame. The noise echoed so strong they drowned out the women playing a Guzheng in the center of a rather magnificent ground pool.

Lurking from the entryway my eyes searched for Zuko but I couldn't find him.
"Searching for your husband I see"

Startled with sudden fear I found a women who was taller then me with ivory skin, fire hair and emerald eyes looking down at me.
"I uhm.."

"It's fine. It's the first meeting" she acknowledge with air quotes.
"that the Fire Lord has had in a rather long time. A lot of wives have been sneaking into the palace finding their lying husbands."

Zuko organized this…
"Ooh" I nodded looking up cautiously.
"Do you know-uhm never mind… would it be a problem if I go in?"

Lighting a bronze pipe with her index finger the women inhaled deep before releasing a few grey puffs upwards one after the next. Shrugging her shoulders the women rested against the wall as her chin pointed to the ceiling. Resting against her breast was a sequins red halter top, clinging loosely to her hips was a skirt with two long slits.
"I can't give you that kind of permission. In fact women who are not apart of the Fire Lord harem are forbidden. However your like the fifth wife so far to sneak in. help yourself." She untimely shrugged off.

"But I do suggest you wear something to cover your identity."
Nodding to the women, she turnt around walking back to the party unaware who I was looking for.

Keeping close to the wall I made my way further in, keeping myself unseen. There was nothing I could find to shield my identity. But the more I moved around the room the more I realized all the men where flat out drunk. The eyes that did look to me seem uninterested.

"Hey girl!" I heard one man said who grabbed my shoulders spinning me around.
"Aren't you suppose to be playing the Guzheng?"

"Huh?"

"Just because your one of the few women the Fire Lord warned to leave alone doesn't mean some of the men here won't hesitate to rip off all the heavy clothes from you."

"Heavy clothes?" I questioned looking at my clothes. Watching up from where I stood I suddenly realize what he meant. I appear fully clothed unlike the women they came to see.
"Ooh.. uhm right! I was just going to the lady's room… t-thank you". Ripping my hand away from the man I tried to put as must distance between us as I could.

Across the grand room a lot of eyes continued to pass over me. The heat of the room began to raise. Seeing a long table with drinks and food my stomach started to growled along with a dry throat dying for water.

"AHHH OH BABE" I suddenly heard a women moan from behind a boarded off spot on the side of me.

"Go down deeper" a voice growled. My eyes widen with instant fear hearing that low deep voice.

"Ah!…ah..ah..ahaaa! Baby slow down."

Trembling hands I reach out for the solid curtain, half of my face peeked inside. In one second my world stop, my breathing became heavy. I couldn't hear anything going on around me. A force of tears I haven't produced in a long time came rushing out, my mouth hung open.

Sitting on a plush extra large floor pillow, Zuko veined arm wrapped around a women's slender waist as he pull her deeper down on top of him. The juices she produced leaked out of her onto Zuko manhood dripping onto his thigh and I could fell myself wanting to die at the site. Clenching my stomach I could feel myself begging to throw up. The moment froze my limbs in disbelief.

"Wait your turn" the women moaned, warning me, noticing my stillness. Coming out of ecstasy bliss Zuko soon turnt his attention in the direction of the women in his arms and his face drained of any color.

"KATARA!"

Hearing my name brought me back to reality, slamming the curtain shut my body prayed for a quick exit to this place. Rushing through the sea of people I recall accidentally hitting a few figures in my escape. My eyes release a tide of tears as my hand pressed against my mouth. Feeling to many things at once my other hand held onto my stomach wishing to forget everything I witnessed.

Running out of the harem my body halted in the hallway of the palace. My back pressed against the wall and I couldn't stop the river of tears I produced.

Hurt.

Disgusted.

Betrayal.
All these feeling flooded threw my body and more.

"Katara!" Zuko yelled reaching out holding my arm.
"It's not what you think!"

"Let go of me!" Screaming my voice drowned out from my tears. I couldn't stop them. I didn't want him to see me broken but it was no use. The scar was to fresh for the swirling emotions I felt. My hair frizzy and wild matched the uncontrollable feeling I felt.

"I didn't- I mean I couldn't- I'm sorry" Zuko blubbered out desperate for Katara to understand what his heart was pleading. He stood there unsure what to say or how to look. His regal red robe wrapped loosely and messy on his frame. Zuko hair was scattered out of his usual regal hair style.

Looking to Zuko my lips hung slightly open…
Sorry? Sorry was all he had?

Is this what being a Fire Lady meant? Reality of knowing your husband spent his days wrapped in many different women arms just because of his title? Having to find peace in that just because your address is the Fire Nation Palace?…..

I couldn't speak, genuinely I didn't want to. Turning to leave Zuko stood in the middle of the hall soon I felt a next embracing hold. "Please don't leave."

"What am I suppose to do?" Violently turning around I yank my body backwards. I could hear my heart snapped as my mind did.
"Am I suppose to pretend everything is fine?! Am I suppose to want you to ever touch me again after seeing you with some women!"

"Katara-"

"I don't ever want your hands on my body again! Do you not get that?!" Screaming out my hands hit his chest. Zuko stumbled back, physically unhurt.

"Your disgusting! A trader!"

*SLAP* Lunching at him this time my right hand slap Zuko pale cheek. His face turnt to the side with the force he felt. Seeing a second attack coming Zuko reached out grabbing a whole of Katara hand mid air.

Pulling Katara wrist closer Zuko chest touched Katara body. His gold eyes narrowed down looking cruelly upon hers, forgetting the raging hurt she felt. Squeeze her wrist tight Zuko wanted to strike her, how dare she put her hands on him in this manner. Nearly revering back to his old ways a spirit within him haulted his strength causing his hand to loosen.

Shoving her hand from his grip Zuko turnt around with all the pride of the Fire Nation walking back into his harem. Stumbling backwards Katara throat was dry she couldn't yell as she was devastated by Zuko action.

Lotus

2days later…

After placing a warm tea pot down I heard the soft cry's coming from Katara eyes. I could tell her whole body felt as numb as her heart.

In her water-tribe theme room my eyes rotated from wall to wall wondering if this is what the southern pole looked like.

*knock knock*

As if she didn't hear a thing Katara didn't move a inch. Walking up to the door I wasn't surprised to see another delivery of delights chocolate truffles I was told Katara had loved.

"She doesn't want it ..again" I reminded the delivery servant as I shut the door in his face once more for the day.

"Lotus.." I heard Katara faintly speak to me.

Sitting beside her on the bed Katara sat up with puffy eyes. "I need you to do something for me. I need you to get in touch with a person named LuTen.."

"LuTen…. you mean the former CROWN PRINCE?!"

Nodding Katara looked at me with large sadden eyes.
"We need to get out of here soon.." Katara admitted resting her hand on her stomach. "I dont feel…ok. my bending is demising by the day, I'm scared I lose him."

"Katara! we need to tell the Fire Lord! he will get you a healer-" I said trying to convince her before being cut off.

"He doesn't know yet." Katara admitted shaking her head.

"Katara…"

"I can't tell Zuko. I just can't…. I think my health is getting worst the longer I am here. I need to be away from him."

"Katara is this treason for me. I am a citizen of the Fire Nation. I would be helping in the aid of kidnapping the Future Fire Lord." Lotus voiced kneeling down looking to Katara stomach.
"Hey I know! why don't you ask your family? Your brother is the chief of the Southern Water Tribe right?"

"I can't contact him now… it's complicated." Bitting her bottom lip Katara mull over a few choices in her mind. Her bending was slowly halting, scaring her more then anyone knew. Reaching to her neck Katara touched her necklace.
I could probably sell this…..

Lotus looked at Katara nervous actions. Her hand resting on her necklace. "You know what I'll help!"

Katara

Later that night….

Lotus had left the palace earlier that evening, intending on completing what I asked. Hoping she would not betray me. Sitting up on my bed my eyes felt heavy as I began to come to terms with my reality.

*BANG BANG*
A loud pounded erupted off the wooden door that separated my room and the hallway.

*BANG BANG*
The noise blasted in the quiet of the night. My heart thumped harder as fear radiated within me. Standing up quietly I tipped toed until I made it closer to the door. Pressing my ear against the door I tried to steady my breathing, listening for any voices.

*BANG BANG*
"KATARA!" I heard my name being roared on the other side.

"Zuko…." My voices merely whispered.

"OPEN THE-E DOOR" he yelled. Banging once more. The door shook in place as my head bounced from the vibrations.

This was not predictable angry Zuko I was speaking to. My fingers tremble hearing the slur in his speech, this was the random stuff you know is coming, just never when, Zuko. The Zuko that elevates primal fear from his decreasing logic and self-control.

"No!" I yelled back standing my ground. My hands wrapped my stomach knowing I didn't know how this would turn out. He was drunk once more. I couldn't talk to him like this, more importantly I didn't want to.

"I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN TWO DAYS! YOU COULD AT LEAST SPEAK TO ME LIKE A ADULT!" With another vibration the door shook.

"I have nothing to say!" At least it seems he knows nothing about Lotus…

"THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! GO HOME PEASANT!" *SLAM*

In one ear and out the other, my stomach churned with that deep sick feeling that made you throw up as a child.
Go home…go home…. I repeated to myself.

Dropping to my knees I knew what I sent Lotus to do today was the right thing now. I quickly felt cold. As the flames on the candles near by dim.

* dinging* * dinging* * dinging* * dinging*

Looking to the window behind me I saw droplets of water splash the glass in millions.

Katara

The next day

Alone I walked down the extravagant Palace hall. However after last night affares the palace didn't seem as regal as it once was. My eyes rotated to every wall, every corner, every floor tile which paranoid me. Force to ask myself if Zuko had taken another women here.

My mind couldn't stop replaying the hungry fornication I witnessed a few nights ago. My dead eyes glanced over a few servants working, no doubt rumors have spread like they once did about me. But I didn't care any longer, I couldn't afford to. Now I have a new weight to me.

"Yes it is time."
I heard from an open door. Looking above the door was the Fire Nation insignia in Gold.

"Hmm" must be the war room... I brushed off. Just as I was about to leave I heard something that froze me solid.

"Do you accept the arrangement? Lady Mai agrees to the marriage we proposed."

Mai?… my eyes bulged out but no tears from my swollen optics could form, as if my body knew I was already at a point of cracking.

"What do you have on this marriage?" I heard Zuko rebut. "Clearly you all have some motives."

"Just the happiness of a strong Nation is all I wish for" the other man reply, I imagine his mouth grin wide lying.

"Are you sure?" Zuko questioned. "Do you not have a stake in ship goods Mai promised to be bought by the crown?!"
Peeking in the room I saw Zuko arm fling a scroll to the man standing in the war room full of other high ranking personnel.

"Fire Lord it's not what you think!-"

"Is it not?! You want me so badly to marry while doing deals behind my back with a women who would supposedly be my wife?!"

His wife… my lids open wide to the word. Was he really concerning marrying Mai?

Why do you care?.. I heard my conscience say.

"How about if I propose no deal for you and I still marry Mai? Then what? Would you be so assertive on the issue?"

"Of course I would Fire Lord! We all would right?" The man frantically looked around, compelling the other men to nod in agreement.

"It would still be a wise decision to marry Lady Mai!" another said.

"See Fire Lord! I'm not the only one who thinks so.!"

"For my corporation what would I gain?" Zuko sarcastically asked sitting back a little.

"Sir, you are Fire Lord no man is above you other then the spirits themselves. What could you possibly want?"

"Fifty percent of your personal assets!" Zuko sharp tongue answered.

That bastard! Is he really agreeing this?!
"I think you should to!" My starchy voice spoke up from the door way. Like a group of Fire Ferret all the personnel's in the room turn their head towards the back door. Zuko eyes burnt with fury seeing Katara for the first time like this.

"You… want me to marry.. Mai?" Zuko voice asked low and calm but dangerous.

Like a game of ping-pong the men's head turnt once again before looking to Katara once more for her answer.
"Why not."

Narrowing his eyes Zuko animosity peeked through.
"Young!" Zuko spoke out from his seat. "Please inform Lady Mai, I agree."

Slightly bowing with his arms pressed against his chest Young stood in front of his Fire Lord ready to deliver the the message.

Breathing deeply Zuko didn't break focus from Katara sight. The two starring at each other with unspoken pain.

"Great decision Fire Lord!" One man said. As if Zuko ignored the man completely Zuko lips parted.

"I am inviting you personally to my wedding. I want you front and center of your decision."

"Of course" I boldly accepted.

Zuko eyes widen to Katara sharp tongue almost hoping she would fight it. "You will also deliver the scroll."

Mai

"Can't say I'm really surprised." Mai gloated sitting across the table from me.

Her home was quite large with a generous size land for the capital. My heart felt full with emotions of hate seeing the grand smile of happiness she felt.

"I'm here to apologize…. I am not the person for zuko-"

"Fire Lady. Your not the person for Fire Lady." Mai corrected slipping her tea smuggled with herself.

"Yes" Katara reluctantly chocked out.

"Or Zuko." I added. Looking down the table the peasant hand trembled but I noticed no beverage has been offered.
"Oh how rude of me! Do you want a drink? Chloe and Zoey get the whore-"

"Is that really your style?!" Katara interjected slamming her hand on the table cutting me off.
"You weren't able to kill me in the palace so you wish to poison my drink!"

Smirking to myself, Mai upper lip display her enjoyment. "So you know."

"I remember thinking to myself… what a crazy accident, you know? But then the vase fell to. And I thought.. wow a second time. Until I noticed the same man walking quickly away from the second incident."

"First years students.. what can I say?" I gloated laughing covering my mouth. Mai eyes rolled back, showcasing her unstable demeanor.
"I wanted to see how cheaply it would be to assassinate you." I bluntly laugh.
"Not like money is a problem."

Holding her stomach underneath the table where Mai eyes could not see. Katara felt a knot inwardly. "You don't need to worry about that any longer. I plan to be gone very soon."

"I almost decided to brush you off today. Then I learnt of the Fire Lord meeting, and thought… I couldn't wait to see the look on the peasant face."

"The palace, the Nation.. Zuko. It's all yours." Katara said trying to release her emotions.

"My fiancé name is Fire Lord to a low life peasant such as yourself." Standing up turning her back to Katara, Mai couldn't contain the joy she felt. She finally saw Katara in the light she was meant to be. Trash.

"I trust you'll be gone by tomorrow?"

"The …Fire Lord has requested I attend the wedding…"

"Hmm…" Mai eyes brows rasied amused. "you know It's a good thing you never attempted to marry or worst reproduce with my fiancé." Turning around to face Katara my hips swung along the table side.

"Had you dare brought a son I was meant to carry into MY world I would have killed you both slowly… him being first."

Katara chest raise and fell wanting to attack but she couldn't feel any source of water near by. Wanting to clutch her stomach she resisted the urge. "I'll be leaving as soon as possible."

Zuko

Three days later

I stood at the short podium of the East balcony, in Tang Suit dyed in a dragon blood color. My hair was tied up sitting perfectly inside the generational Fire Lord crown my family had wore for century's. Turning to the side, just as I ordered Katara was standing front and center. Behind her was thousands of people stood in the sun awaiting to see history in the making. Their was many smiling faces in her back ground, all but her's.

The air was soft with a slight sense of warmth. Katara blue eyes looked down to the ground as all the guest and I awaited the bride to appear. Pressing my lips together I couldn't believe I was standing here. I didn't have a feeling of delight or exhilaration, because of an insane moment I was now marry Mai.
How did I reach this line of clear divide?
Witnessing Katara soft breathing her chest continued to raise and fellwiyh each minute passing by.

*si sao-na si*

The sound of the Suona instrument began to play alerting all the guest of the bride was coming. Katara eyes looked slightly over to the red aisle swallowing hard. She made no effort in her appearance yet I could take my eyes off of her. Her clothing seem loosely tied around her waist. She held her hands in front of her as she played with her fingers. Her long deep brown hair was platted to the side of her shoulder. I wanted to touch her, to hold her and apologized but she would give me a chance.

Nearly stepping forward Mai suddenly appeared in front of me, covering my view of Katara as my eyes adjusted to the scene. Mai white teeth smiled wide, but I couldn't return the excitement. The same dead expression rested on my face.

Handing out her hand Mai stood in front of me awaiting the leading move from me. Holding her hand in mines our body's turnt forward facing the Fire Sages.

"All those who stand here today are witness to the next future line of the Fire Nation." A Fire Sage spoke loudly.
"Directly descendant of Fire Lord Yosor, Fire Lord Zuko will take a daughter of Fire securing our Nations Future!"

*cheering* The Coward erupted cheering to the Fire Sages encouraging speech. Glancing over to Mai her force was on the Fire Sage, smiling as her breath quicken. The traditional Fire Lady Phoenix crown gold pieces dangled in her face.

"Turn to each other" The Fire Sage whispered to us.

"With each bow initiated by the gong of unity, ties the Future Fire Lady destiny with the Fire Lord, a husband and wife."

Mai stood up tall her eyes Sparkled looking at me. My eyes couldn't help but remain unfriendly starring back.

*GONG!* Mai gleaming vision reviled her eagerness, bowing slightly quicker a moment in time stop. Just behind Mai hunched over back was Katara large destroyed eyes just in the distance. Her face teared up with water as she witness history.

Zuko

Two Days Later..

"Fire Lord" Ikah spoke up nervously.

"Yes" Zuko neck rolled from his desk looking up.

"Lady Katara requested an Audience with you. In the throne room."

"With me?!" Jumping up excited Zuko heart beated fast. His palm became sweaty the closer he approached the throne Room door. Opening the door Zuko eyes lit up seeing Katara standing in the center of the room but his eyes quickly harden looking at who was accompanying her.

"Fire Lord." LuTen boldly stated slightly bowing.

"Fire Lord" Katara added following his lead.

"What-What is this." baffled my arms stretched from my body, looking to Katara for a answer.

"We have come to inform you of our intention to marry."
Swallowing hard Zuko eyes stunned himself looking to Katara for a indication of a joke. Katara eyes kept low to the ground daring not to look up.

"Katara- why?"

"My finance and I intent on her immediate departure of the palace." LuTen spoke once again answering for her.

Looking to Katara once more I pleaded with the spirits for a sign she was lying. That she didn't want this. But there was none. Only nodding in agreement with LuTen did I see Katara eyes glaze over merely once.
"This… This is what you decide".

"This is what we-"

"I WASNT SPEAKING TO YOU!" My voice raged out. Standing a distance away my body felt numb and I saw Katara instantly take a step back from my out burst.

Was she really leaving. I don't care I married Mai... She couldn't leave... Please..
"Katara.." I pleaded once more. Nodding to LuTen words Katara agreed never once looking up.

"Fine" I bitterly spat out. "My wife and I find our love nest crowded anyways."

Katara

Dressed in a dark long loose fitting dress for travel Katara looked at the palace she was about to leave. A deep breath exited her body as she held her stomach. Beyond the gates of the palace where bare from the early morning fog. Zuko last words where fill of bitter and hate. The way he looked at her since the night in the harem getting worst by the day. How could she bring a child into this?

Looking back to where the palace is located a small fear sat in her stomach, a fear she would see Zuko but also was a small glimpse of hope. He had sent her off in

There was a bitter smile as she looked onward, finding comfort in starting a new life.

Zuko

Sitting on the roof of the palace Zuko sat up all night waiting to see what he feared. A carriage pulled off early in the morning on the road that headed inward of his large nation. Although the image was small his heart knew it was her and it ached with pain. She left so quick without warning and his heart felt empty. His eyes trembled violently as he watched the carriage get smaller and smaller, his appearance completely disheveled.

Katara

My stomach churns the further we distance ourselves from the palace. Inside the carriage, LuTen sat by my side as Lotus lay on the seat across from us.

"She must be tired," I said in the quiet ride not realizing I broke the silence between us.

"She rode a long way to find me" LuTen honestly confessed.

"After delivering your message she came right back right. I imagine this is the first time she's sleeping." LuTen added looking at the sleeping women across from him.

"I would never be able to thank her enough… or you," Katara whispered looking up to LuTen.

"Why did you say yes? Why did you agree to let me marry you? You know I am pregnant with Zuko's child. You saving my unborn son from being an illegitimate heir. Give him a last name."

"No, I'm not." LuTen shook his head.

"I'm saving you. Your child is merely a part of the package." LuTen looked back to Katara noticing her uneasy demeanor her hand firmly placed on her stomach.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound unsympathetic" LuTen corrected himself. "I only meant that if your child wasn't a factor I would have come for you regardless." Reaching for Katara's cheek LuTen wiped away a single tear falling from Katara's mocha cheek.

"I do have a question for you however, why did you contact me? Why didn't you contact your brother?"

"I wouldn't be able to hide my son's existence from the world forever…" Katara noted. "With the high possibility of him being a fire bender, my son would be chastened my village the older he gets regardless of my Sokka leadership. Zuko would soon hear of his existence and try to take him away."

"Like your doing now?" LuTen boldly said.

"I didn't come to this decision lightly!" katara's sharp tongue spat out. Her heart tore with the torment that separated her from Zuko.

"…Zuko cheated on me" Katara choked out in a whisper not wanting the words to linger in the air.

"I was so hurt I told him to marry Mai and that's what he did. Even if I wanted to bite my tongue, staying by his side I can't… my life isn't important anymore.." Rubbing her stomach Katara closed her eyes picturing the image of her child.

LuTen could see the fear Katara felt in her face. Instinctively LuTen wrapped his hand around Katara's fragile body allowing the native women to lean on him..

…

.

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