Chapter 6

Restoring

Katara

(Yami)

That fucking bastard! Spirits how I hate him!

Wrapping my arms around my own trembling body, I could only find comfort in myself as I sat on an expensive hand-me-down couch Sui Seikuh received as a gifted, many years ago.

"What happened in there? It's unusual for the Fire Lord to have any women in his study. He'd never spends more than two or three hours with any women". Sui Seikuh asked me from across the room as I looked up at her.

"..I ..I.. was stupid.." I slouched down admitting shaking my head.

For a moment in there we were having a good time. Just the two of us talking, laughing, it felt so nice speaking to someone I knew. No title had separated our classes. Then just like that he changed!

I don't even have my mother's necklace anymore.

Closing my eyes I remembered Zuko's action from earlier putting my mother's necklace in a small box, locking it away.
"..I need to get away.." My arms still wrapped around myself as tears rolled down my open mouth. A deep emotional pain settled in.

"Yami! don't say that!" Sui Seikuh yelled out loudly clapping her hands together causing me to abundantly open my eyes.

"It's true..." I admitted.

"Yami if someone else hears you, you could be in serious trouble."
Sitting next to me Sui Seikuh rubbed my back as tears continued to roll down my cheek.

" I don't know what infatuation the Fire Lord has with you but you should know that's still dangerous talk. My orders are simple... You can not leave. You can not speak to anyone."

Sighing Sui Seikuh's finger brushed my flyaway hairs from my eyes.
"When you work here your not a slave ..technically... but you still can not just leave. After about 3 or 5 years perhaps you can visit family, only with permission of course... And that pass is only issued for 3 days. Running away is a death sentence".

"why in the world would you want to work here?" I asked through teary eyes.

This place sounds horrible! Is this what this nation loves? Control.

"It's not as bad as it sounds. truly...
Working here earns you a great amount of respect. Most people apply in their mid-20s, and only the best are chosen to be hired. Then in about 10 years if you survive, you're allowed to apply to leave with an honorable token. ... It's true, you do give up almost 10 years of your life.. but when you have nothing it's not bad".

"Forgive me.." I stated right away not sure if my question was rude. "but why are you still here? I mean you've been here longer than 10 years? ..right?"

"oh dear... well..many years ago I met a man. He was enlisted to the army for about 2 years when I started working in the palace". Sui Seikuh said smiling thinking back deep into her memory.

"He was so handsome, caring, and sweet. When I first came here I made many mistakes, I could have been thrown out dishonorable at any moment! That would have been a faith worst than death.
But he was always there for me until his orders were changed and he had to leave for the earth kingdom...We wrote each other often, pages filled with life, plans, love, and warmth".

Deeply sighing Sui Seikuh looked down to the floor. "..Unfortunately for us, he fell very sick in the earth kingdom.. dying before his ship could make it back... We were going to get married, start a family.. buy a little cottage house in his hometown. A perfect life...If there was one thing I could have wished for was to know that was my last time seeing him board that ship... I would have saved that moment just a little while longer."

"oh... I'm sorry I asked" I felt a deep sorrow of regret coming off my tongue as I instantly remembered Aang's dead body in my arms.

"don't be... I miss him dearly but remembering him reminds me, he was real...After his passing I was alone, my parents had both passed away earlier in my life.. and I just never left here... I never had a reason to."

*knock knock*

Sui Seikuh and I both looked at each other as my mouth opened slightly, the air flowing out my nose quicken as I hoped that wasn't for me. Standing up Sui Seikuh walked to the door, answering it as I wanted to hide.

"Oh, Naoro.." Sui Seikuh said as her cheeks began to blush pink. "What can I do for you at this time of night.."

"Lady Seikuh," Naoro replied smiling brightly I saw from the crack in the door I had peeked through. I could tell that their eyes were joined in a deep lock, longingly looking at each other.

*cough cough*

Realizing their stare was locked for too long Naoro's fist came to his mouth as he faked a cough, clearing his throat.
"I ..er.. came to drop this off for a young Miss. Yami, Fire Lord Zuko direct orders".

Zuko orders? What in the 7 seas...
Confusingly I walked up to the open door blinking a few times beyond surprised at the beautifully displayed box he held for me. It was a long rectangle, light tan in color with a large beautiful satin blue ribbon tied into a bow.

Taking the large box with who knows what inside, my newly dried eyes looked up thanking Naoro who nodded in return.

"Goodnight," Sui Seikuh said smiling looking down as she softly closed the door.

"Ah ..Goodnight, my lady"...

Feeling the air in the room push against my body as Sui Seikuh rushed behind me looking over my shoulder in wonder at the large box. "Well, child aren't you going to open it?"

"I ..I.. don't know if I want to.." I answered honestly.

"Don't be ridiculous! The Fire Lord just gifted you something! of course, you have to open it! It'll be rude not to!"

Rolling my eyes backward, my fingers tip began to pull the pretty satin bow loose, the rich sky blue bow quickly becoming my favorite thing in the Fire Nation.

"Oh my..." I heard Sui Seikuh speak under her breath as I took the top cover off of the box. Reaching in I pulled out one of many outfits, all rich in color and taste. Beautifully tailored pattern fabrics mixed with solids create many clothes fit for a queen.

Zuko

"Mai please say something" Reaching out tenderly I tried touching her hand that held the glass of wine. Quickly she pulled from me scorning my very touch.

"Do not touch me!" She spat out evilly.

"Mai I'm sorry, I've been busy. I had a lot to take care of, and ...well sorry, our plans just skipped my mind! Honest."
Well, I mean, it's not a lie.

Her eyes turned to me disgusted, her pupils covered by her bangs staring back with death. Mai stood up, her thin frame bumping against my arm, pushing me aside as she walked past me. Her lips were unfriendly, pressing tightly against each other. "Go away"

Walking in the middle of the room Mai stood still, her thin fingers with rounded shape nails pressing into the bottom part of the glass. Her body rapidly turned back to face me with disgust.
"You always do this to me! Every damn time!" Mai yelled out in anger.

*crashhh*

Dodging the sudden glass she threw at me with a few sips left, I heard it break against the table where we were supposed to have dinner. Had Mai been fully sober I knew that glass would have landed right in my face before I had time to react to her attack.

"Look Mai it's okay. ok? I'm the Fire Lord. I have massive amounts of responsibilities. Important things I must attend to as the ruler of this nation. It's one date I missed, it's not the end of the world."

Looking at Mai I couldn't figure out what was processing through her mind, her body suddenly frozen as she blinked repeatedly looking at the floor confused.
Am I supposed to hide?

Okay? Okay? Mai thought. Did this bastard just say it okay!?
"Zuko... Fuck you."

What the hell did she just say? Stun I was now the one blinking confusedly. It took just about all of my willpower I had to keep myself from snapping back at her. A dozen violent possibilities crossed my mind in an instant. Horrible things I might say to her. Horrible things I could do to her. All sorts of things I'm sure I would come to regret the next morning. But one thing is for sure, I do not want my parent's marriage.

"I will not tolerate such language, Mai! We don't speak like that to each other. Understood?"

Still glaring up at me, my eyes locked with hers stronger than before. Raising my hand, I began snapping my fingers at her. "Did you hear me Mai?!" we will not have my parent's relationship.

"Where the hell have you been!? In the harems!? Or with that slut I keep hearing about in this fucking palace walls!"

"Mai.." walking close to her, I attempted to touch her cheek. Only to have her hold her ground, extending her arm out, pushing me back a few steps.

"Stay away you trader.."

"Mai really. I don't see why you are so upset."

Grumbling Mai rolled her eyes.
"Of course, you wouldn't! I'm just sitting here ready for you whenever you want. No accountability on your part! No dates! no affection! No honestly! just some accessory for when a guest comes to visit that accompanies you. I'm so tired of giving up everything while stupidity still giving you everything!"

"What are you talking about?.. we're engaged. that means you'll be Fire-"

"For 4 years!" She asked pressing her hand against her chest.
"This is a joke.." Feeling as if her breath was taken away, all of the recent gossip ran through Mai's mind.

Mai's eyes were heavy looking down, I could see she was starting to lose strength, determination and was ready to give up. The hours of drinking now catch up to her thin body.

Reaching out once again my hands successfully landed on her hips, as I pulled her thin body closer to mine.

"Mai look at me... I am very sorry for forgetting. I promise to try and put in more effort." Holding her for a moment I could see her eyes looking down refusing to give into me.

I hate that his touch has this effect on me... Mai thought, feeling her knees growing weak knowing Zuko deep colored yellow eyes looked down at her.

My index finger slowly tilted her head up bringing her lips to mine. Our tender lips brushed softly with each other. Both of us withdrew as I looked into her eyes, before closing my mouth over hers once more. Finding each other a second time, only with more force. Mai's mouth opened and the tip of her tongue tangled with mine.

Our mouths wrestled as I took control nibbling her lower lip between my teeth, tugging at it gently. My left hand pressed in the small of her back pulling her even closer, holding on tightly. My right hand grip her left breast through the thin sheer grey outfit wrapped around her.

"ahh mMmm," She let out a small muffled moan through our busy mouths.

Mai's hands both reached up resting on my chest at first. Soon I could feel one of her hands running along my back while the other was becoming entangled in my already loose hair. Our kissing grew rougher and I found her tongue in my mouth, my inner demon moaned as I ran my left hand down her back grabbing roughly at her petite ass. Her hand had found its way into my pants, her thin long fingers already enticing my waiting erect member.

Gasping for air Mai's eyes were filled with lust as my hands lift her up allowing her long legs to wrap around my waist, my lips against hers once again.
With one hand supporting her weight, I grabbed the middle of her outfit tearing it open, her once elegant clothing now resembled an open sheer bathrobe hanging off one shoulder. Soughting out her soft flesh I found one of her glorious nipples sucking it fiercely.

"uaaaahhh" Mai moaned softly with her head leaning back.

Releasing her soft small breast I squatted down slowly, laying her on the carpet where we continued our assault on each other's bodies. My hands went from fondling her breasts to pulling at her silk panties ripping the stitch that held the fabric together.

My lips trailed down from her chin to her slender throat, occasionally sucking at her flesh leaving small red spots on her extremely fair skin. My tongue teased its way down to her collar bone, letting me nibble at her soft skin. Adjusting myself I suckled her other breast as Mai arched her back up, moaning loudly as I forcefully shoved two fingers into her slit.

My lips were now over hers letting me bite down on her bottom lip causing her pelvis to buckle. Thrusting my fingers in and out of her my thumb abused her clit rubbing fiercely. The dim candlelight illuminated her tender lower lips allowing me to admire her clean-shaven slit.

"Ahhh Fire... Lord slow down- I'm going to.. you're going to make me-AHh!"
Looking up I could see Mai yelling out in ecstasy. A smirk came onto my face hearing Mai submit once again using my correct title.
This only encourage me as I continued sliding in and out of her slit, thick liquid dripping down onto the carpet.

Wanting more I quickly repositioned myself dropping my pants, driving my throbbing hard member between her swollen lips, pinning her legs up against her breast causing them to press harshly appearing bigger. Supporting my weight with my left arm I reached up guiding my wet fingers and shoved them into her mouth.

Quickly her lips clammed down greedily sucking, her tongue moving around the curve of my fingers, eyes washed with seduction. Hammering in her, my balls bounce off of her flowing to the rhythm as my fingers slid from her mouth to her neck, wrapping around her throat and squeezing firmly. Her breathing became hoarse but she kept moaning, a trail of saliva trailing down her mouth.

Slamming in and out of her inviting slit I noticed we had slid across the floor and were now inches from the wall. Letting go of her throat I heard a loud slurping sound as I pulled my member out of her.

Rudely grabbing her hips I rolled her over positioning her perfect petite ass in front of my waist. Not wanting to control myself I once again dove into her, earning a loud gasp. Her head threw itself back, my member once again throbbing.

"OH FUCK!" She cried out gripping the carpet. Pulling her into me hard, I thrust towards her, literally ramming into her hearing my thighs clapping against her cheeks. Savagely we pushed back and forth abusing her slit and the soft pink lips that boarded. It slurped and spat as I felt the perspiration rolling down my back.

"You like that my little whore?!" I asked my hand spanking her as I felt she took too long to answer me.

"Ah! Fuck me harder" she agreed, her mouth hanging open loving every push and pull. "Oh, spirits baby..." She breathed.

Cramming my full length deep into her she howled out, whether it was from pleasure or pain I couldn't tell nor did I care. Drilling her with such ferocity that she had been reduced to whimpering into the light beige carpet with red borders walls. Bending over landing on her I could feel the sweat that had accumulated on her back against my chest. Reaching around my finger kneaded her small full breast again. All at once, I knew I was going to come.

Pulling out from my deep plunged of her inside my member erupted cumming down the back of her pale thigh. Her body trembled and shook letting me kiss her neck and squeezed her close to me, waiting a moment. My member emptying itself, now starting to go limp.

A moment later I stood up, now helping Mai to her feet after getting a tissue off the table, whipping my warm liquid trail that ran down her thigh.

Standing in front of me she blink confusedly at me, her lips returning to a firm frown on her face, but the facade had already crumbled. Her cheeks reddened, and her bottom lip trembled and tightened, struggling to maintain her upset expression. She clenched her fists at her naked side, her legs began to shake. She would never admit defeat.

Before Mai could protest I lifted her tired body up, carrying her over to the bed. My exhausted body joined her underneath the silk deep red sheets.

"You need some water?" I asked noticing as her breath tried to stabilize as she lay on my chest.

"I'm fine, Fire Lord. Thank you."

Smirking I wrapped my arm around her thin body as she snuggled up to me, her eyes closing. Since my coronation Mai has only used my correct title, as she should. Her earlier outburst with such language and the use of my birth name combined is something I can forgive her for, I'll admit I had some blame to share.

My lips kissed her forehead as a warm little smile spread across her face, Mai's eyelids growing heavy once more before closing completely. My head leaned over, as my left damaged eye pressed into the soft pillow. My right ear which became stronger with hearing soon picked up a soft breath followed by a soft voice.

"You know... I think we can work this out, Fire Lord. We'll find some kind of compromise..."

Katara

(Yumi)

"Time to get up!" Sui Seikuh said gently shaking me as drool ran down my face.

"Uh? Ah?..MmM... I'm ..up?.. I've been up!" my voice fought as my eyes closed again.

*giggling*

Sui Seikuh laughed to herself remembering her first few days in the palace. Waking up before dawn was hard for her to.
"If you don't get up we won't get breakfast"

Mmm breakfast... I haven't had breakfast for a week with all the moving around I've been doing. "Uh? I'm up! I'm up!" Katara yelled sitting up quickly through sleeping eyes.

After bathing in the servant bathroom, Katara stood in a wrapped hand-me-down towel, reaching out for the light pink servant clothing she'd been wearing only to feel the sting of a stick hit her hand.

"OUCH!"

"Sorry dear, but the Fire Lord gifted you with clothing you should be wearing"

"I don't want it" I answered rolling my eyes and thinking of him. "Do you want it"?

"Have you gone mad child!? The Fire Lord gave that to you. You can not give it away. And you clearly don't understand what that means for you"

"What? I'm a prisoner... I've already got that" I said in a low voice touching the necklace Zuko forced onto me.

"Just the opposite. These clothes-" Sui Seikuh said pointing to my servant's clothing. "says you're a servant of the royal Fire Nation palace. But these-"

Sui Seikuh said lifting the box she carried in the servant bathing quarters "Says you are free. You are not a servant to do any labor".

"Maybe I will rather be a servant than" I answered lowly.

Zuko was impolite, ruthless and harsh. I told myself.

Look at how he treated you. I tried to remind myself. His cunning mind played with my body and then my feelings. But he was right, he didn't betray me in the cave. Zuko abandon me.

Mai

Moaning I began to stretch rolling around the bed feeling the warm sun rays shining in my room. My hand stretched out on my bed feeling emptiness.

"mMmm Fire Lord?... Zuko?!"
My eyes shot open as I sat up, the sheets falling down revealing my breast to an empty room. I frantically looked around finally accepting what I already knew.

He was gone again.
His side was cold.
As always Zuko left as soon I fell asleep.

Zuko.

"I'm a very busy man. It's very rude demanding to see me without an appointment"

Yon Rha sat up straight in his wheelchair with great discomfort in the middle of my throne room looking up at me.

"Fire Lord" Yon Rha spat out through his teeth, clenching his belly where pain still radiated from.
"I am here to ask you to reconsider your ruling, it is absolutely ridiculous giving my current state!"

"You think I'm ridiculous?!" I asked diabolically with heavy bass in my voice. Raising my eyebrow the already ignited flames around me, irrupt ferociously crackling in the air.

"No sire! Of course not." Yon Rha insisted shaking his head from side to side.
"I only meant I was sent to the South Pole and track down the last waterbender who escaped our custody. The blood-bending women. An ancient technique we only discovered because of that Hama woman who used it to escape!"
Sitting back Yon Rha smugly looked up.

"...Ok so I caught the wrong person!... a big deal! It's better we were safe than sorry at that time! HAMA WAS DANGEROUS! Come on! You understand that!... But that doesn't mean I shouldn't be entitled to my sum of money! That witch destroyed my organs!"

"Yon Rha you and I both know what you use to do. The number of women from the earth kingdom and water tribes you raped and destroyed for joy is enough to build a sage temple!
The facts still stand..unlike you. Your past actions are a lot darker than you admit. It's time to be grateful I'm not taking your pension away as well."

Yon Rha let out a scuffling noise through his nose, turning his head from my direction. "This isn't fair nor just. why are you protecting that savage water tribe whore!"

"the hell you just said! You have no proof she's a water bender. I will not spread the false pretense amongst the citizen that she has mystical powers mirroring the fear of Huma that was spread years ago!"

"you probably bedded the witch by now" Yon Rha rolled his eyes commenting low.

"What was that you mumbled?!" Zuko's rage burst out igniting the flames around his room, his eyes beaming out angrily.

"Fire Lord...I said nothing.." Yon Rha bow his head from his seat unable to kneel.

A wicked thought just popped into my mind. "Your right Yon Rha... I am being unjust as it would seem, so in return, I'll let you use my harem as often as you need for the rest of your life."

Unwilling to insult the Fire lord further, Yon Rha grinds his teeth with a new form of hate burning inside. "Thank you ..Fire Lord".

Katara

(Yumi)

2days later

"What are the rules?" Sui Seikuh asked tapping her foot on the rather large balcony. The bright morning sun fully shining down onto the Fire Nation, sweet birds chirping in the air.
Sighing loudly I rolled my eyes folding my arms. "Don't talk to anyone, stay here, don't go looking for trouble.."

"Great. Don't move. After you eat, you can go back to my room if you'll like or stay here till I get back...I have so much to do today, all my surprise inspections are just piling up!"

"Don't worry Sui Seikuh I'll be here" I reply shoeing my hand in her direction.

"I'm serious. No one is allowed to talk to you and you are not allowed to talk to anyone. Fire Lord Zuko orders!"

"pfft," my voice loudly made.

"I understand the two of you have some kind of history from youth but-"

"That's where your wrong! We have nothing going on! That low ball son of a bi-"

"Yami!" Sui Seikuh yelled out jumping to me covering my mouth quickly and frantically looking around. Thanking the spirits in her mind no one was around to hear.

"Are you insane child?! You could get your tongue cut off. Please don't get so carried away".

Sui Seikuh slowly lifted her hand as I let out a deep breath, realizing she was right. I've been grateful to the spirits that I haven't seen him in 2 days.
One minute Zuko's eyes are a deep pot of warmth as if he cares so much about me, then next he's a ruthless monster that makes my skin crawl. Who knows what he would do to me if he hears me speaking so recklessly?

"I'm sorry Sui Seikuh... I'll try not to get carried away again... Please don't worry about me. I know you have a lot to do and I'll just slow you down."

Lifting an eyebrow she hastily trusted my words nodding in agreement. "I'll try to hurry up."

"Take your time.."

I watched as she took off to the inside of the palace. Sui Seikuh knew I'd been feeling upset since coming to the palace, she'd offered to let me have my breakfast outside. I see why she suggested it... it's very beautiful here when you're allowed to take a moment to sit back.

The rather large balcony could easily host a large party, the marble floors all reflected the sun's warm rays. A beautiful red gazebo hovered over me, breaking up the sun from becoming too hot on my skin. Taking a final bite of my food I stood up and walked towards the edge looking down. Below me a few men were cutting the fresh morning grass, the intoxicating smell traveled up delighting my senses, allowing to me close my eyes reminiscing in my memory.

"Hey, sweetie!"

Pulling me out of my calming place abruptly I spotted the voice yelling at me from below. A young palace guard who was actually cute smiled brightly at me. Awkwardly I jumped back waving before quickly getting out of view.

"hey don't leave! What's your name!?"

Maybe it's time to go.
Leaving my dishes on the table as Sui Seikuh told me to do, I walked inside. Walking down the hallway of the second floor I reached the stairwell looking up before beginning my ascend them.

"Where has he been?!"

My head snapped back up the spiral staircase as I heard a loud voice demand. Instinct took over me as my subconscious told me to hide quickly.

"My lady I'm not sure."

Peeking up the staircase I saw Mai and two maids talking very freely. Isn't she his fiancé? Why wouldn't she know where he is?

"He's with her, isn't he? That peasant from the other night! The one he save from the prison"

Oh my... is she talking about me!?

"Last I found out she was having breakfast outside on the west balcony"

Oh, my spirits! They are! Why me?!

"Isn't she a servant? why the hell is she permitted to eat there?"

"I'm not sure my lady, she doesn't dress like a servant anymore. She dresses as a palace woman" one of Mai's servants spoke to her.

"He leaves my bed chamber early, I haven't seen him in two days now his whore eats freely in the open... We are going to visit her. NOW!"

With bulging eyes, I ran down the staircase meeting the first floor. With no door to open I freely ran down the hall being thankful I'm not a high heel kind of girl, otherwise I would have been caught long before I could even turn around.

*tap tap tap*
Is it just me? Or are those footsteps coming towards me?

Fear? Anxiety? I don't know.
All I could remember were Sui Seikuh's words the first day we met. Lady Mai executed three women,and now she knew more about me than I knew of her.

Still running I felt the hallway closing on my heel, taking all of the free air. Turning a corner then another my anxiety worsens with fear.

*tap tap tap*
Are those footsteps in front of me?! Hide hide hide! But where?! How?!

*tap tap tap tap* "oh my spirits! I'm going to die!"
Coming to a dead end there was just one door.

Oh, spirits please don't let this be a bad idea!
Pushing the door open I fell inside shutting the door as quietly but quickly as I could, my heart racing.

"...oh wow..." Panting I stood up looking around, a small smile creeping on my face as I moved in.

.