Chapter 8

The Arrangement

Zuko

That Evening

"Make sure to walk close behind me" I ordered quickly taking a glance as we walked down the hall. "I said Stay close".

Leaving out my chamber I could tell Katara was tense, her breathing becoming unbalanced as she followed closely to me. Her footsteps matched mine, only hers added a clicking noise provided by the heeled shoes I had her wear.

The fear Katara had was clearly written on her face, with hastened eyes shifting from each guard lined in the hall we passed. Zuko had left Katara alone for the day in his chambers, secured with a guard outside, as she came to grips with her reality. Forced to take in what he said, Zuko made sure to have a servant dress her according to his preference.

Looking over his shoulders quickly once more he stole another look at Katara pleased with what he had seen.
I'll have to remember to reward that servant.

Katara wore a long dark green cheongsam with a beautiful gold silk design. The stitch work embraced Katara tiny curved waist. The long slit to the left side allowed her shapely legs to step forward without tripping. The outfit encapsulates a woman's modesty while embracing her softness, and beauty.

Adding to Katara's grace, her long dark brown hair was braided into two rows going back, stopping at her neck, tied off. Allowing the rest to be loosely draped around her covered shoulders. To him, she looked like the meaning of perfection.

"Fire Lord!" Mai yelled out rushing to him, her two maids following behind as one was bitting her nails nervously, and the other was far too scared to look up. Mai's usual dull eyes glowed in amber with anger.

"What the hell are you doing with her?! I knew it! I damn well knew it!" Growing closer her thin long hand lifted high in the air ready to land a blow at the prey who would soon be squashed under her foot.

Katara

(Yami)

Stumbling back I had no defense, this stupid chain still locked around my neck liberated me of my bending. The hard reality coming face to face with me, I've never had any non-bender training like her. How was I to defend myself against someone so deadly?

Zuko surely knew what he was doing leaving me defenseless like this... watching her scramble towards me made my blood boil knowing how pathetic I was without my bending.
With no choice I coward over shutting my eyes, bracing myself for the harsh impact that was to come.

*silence*

A moment passed and I felt nothing. I heard nothing. Not the wind passing across my cheeks, or the loud smack of flesh hitting flesh. Just peaceful silence. Hesitantly blinking my lids opened, and my vision was blurred, but only for a moment before my full sight came back. The large lantern light in the halls illuminated my vision. Yet the numbness of what I was looking at took full effect as my mouth was left hanging open, I was stunned.

"Fire Lord?.." With questioning and betrayed eyes, Mai felt her heart bleed as it grew dark and heavy with sorrow.

Zuko's hand had caught her's mid-air before she could land a slap across Katara's face. The three standing in a triangle, both women's eyes open largely watching the Fire Lord, both in disbelief for different reasons.

"Do not attack her" Zuko's tone was low but serious, rather than looking at Mai, his eyes were looking through her.

"What!? You're defending her?" Mai spat out disgustingly, even with anger bubbling inside tears welling up threatening to fall. "This is what you want! This peasant!?"

"Mai." Zuko simply began turning his head away.
"Are you going to be my Fire Lady or my whore"?
Letting go of Mai's hand, Zuko destroyed her with a simple sentence. He didn't bother to apologize nor answer her. Instead, he called out her insecurity causing Mai's world to crash down.

Turning his head to Katara, he could see the water-bender chest moving up and down breathing out heavily through her clothes. Is he saying I'm his whore?

"Let's go" Zuko ordered Katara, looking away and without fuss, she moved quickly leaving Mai alone with her maids.

Continuing to walk down the hall away from everyone and with two guards escorting them wherever they were going, Katara's mind was trying to make sense of the situation that had just passed.

This whole day had just been unbelievable... she thought, her body felt a heat in her cheeks remembering Zuko's forceful strength pulling her back down in the tub. The bath water splashing. Spilling over. His thick member brushed against her sensitive slit. Gulping hard Katara's throat felt a scratch sensation.

Her eyes fell to her chest as she looked down to her feet, not wanting to stare at Zuko back any longer. Katara stop a few inches from Zuko she caught her reflection in a window anchored into the red marble wall.

The darkness of the night sky allowed Katara to see her reflection clearly, drinking in the sinful clothing she was dressed in. Katara could feel the heat in her face radiating off with embarrassment. Her eyes ran down the reflection of her curved breast. Not daring to turn around, she had no desire to see her behind at this moment.
I do look like an whore...

"Hello!? What are you doing? I said to stay close to me" Zuko roared annoyed walking back to Katara after he realized she had stopped following him.

"Am I supposed to be you whore?" Katara whispered, noticing in the reflection Zuko had just reached her. His long regal clothing mimicking her height.

"What?"

"Am I supposed to be your whore?!" Stepping back Zuko was surprised astonished and perhaps a tad frighten at the level Katara's voice produce. Her face looked as fierce as a komodo rhino.
"Don't you have a harem?" she continued. "Why me?! Why am I here!?"

"Katara " Zuko whispered, his sight noticing the servants walking in the hall beginning to back away, sensing the tension.

"We'll discuss this later. I need you to lower your voice". Peeking over his shoulder Zuko saw the guards quickly turn their heads back around pretending to not hear or see anything.

Not hearing Zuko's low warning, Katara continued on her rant, her voice seeming to swallow Zuko in.
"Why can't I leave?! Do you think I'm happy here?! You people take everything from the world! Everything from me! Now I'm supposed to crawl into bed with you! Am I supposed to be happy with you?!"

"Katara! ENOUGH!"

"No Zuko! This is so fucked up! I'm supposed to be your damn slut?! How dare you! I've been through enough here! Why me?!"

Feeling the heat of pressure building within him, Zuko grabed Katara's arm tightly, pushing her back against the wall. Slamming her body.
"Katara stop talking! I am the ruler of this nation! Do not speak to me so freely! I've already told you to call me by my title! If I say the night is day then so it shall be!"

Feeling the pit of hate raising more, Katara despised Zuko's tone, his entitled attitude. "I hate you! I hate this place! Fuck your title and Fuck you Zuko!"

Stunned Zuko's eyelids blinked twice before washing out with rage, grabbing her other shoulder his grip hardened with an intimidating glare written on his face.
"Watch it" growling low Zuko gave his final warning.

"Or what? You'll force me to strip again?! You disgusted me-"
*SLAP*

Suddenly Katara felt a strong hand come across her cheek. Her head flew to the side, her neck feeling a strain of gravity. The sting on her skin raised a light red undertone handprint. Lifting her hand she pressed it to her cheek, applying pressure. With wide saddened eyes she looked down, tears weld up threatening to fall.

"You will lower your voice when speaking to me.." Leaning down close, Zuko spoke as his intense honey eyes stared at her. But as if contradicting himself his actions were different, leaning closer Zuko's soft light pink lips left a gentle kiss over her hand that covered the sting he inflicted on her.

"I said we'll discuss this later there you have no other option." Zuko finished, his will unchanged. "Now let's go".

Not waiting for Katara's reply she continued looking down, Zuko continued on his journey expecting Katara to start moving.

*silence*
Am I deaf? I know I do not hear steps behind me... Have this damn water-bender not heard me?

Swinging his head around Zuko felt inner rage flare up seeing Katara still standing there. Still. "Did you not hear-"

*click click click*

His voice was stopped by Katara's sudden movement, what was a satisfied embroidered look on the Fire Lord's face soon turned into a frustrated one.
Where the hell is she going?

Katara was walking. yes. But with eyes down to the marble ground, she continued right past him.

"Where do you think you're going?!"

Stopping abruptly, Katara turned around her body shaking in fear in front of Zuko. Her eyes were still down, unwilling to look up.

A tear rolled down her deep-color ginger cheek which was still stained red with a tender bruise.

Perhaps... perhaps I was to harsh... Zuko's conscience spoke out to him with concern. Noticing the raised hand print, his inner demon growled at his ignorance.

"Katara-" *SLAP*

Before he could get his second letter out Katara's hand flew up, swiftly landing across Zuko's face. It was so out of her character, so far from what he knew of her, he just stare with an open-mouthed.

Spirits... what did I just do... Katara felt her knees become weak. A terrified look was exchanged with a maid who was hiding behind the corner. Blinking once Katara looked again only to see that spot empty leaving her to wonder if anyone was there, to begin with.

A frenzy mood took over Zuko's character as he rushed Katara's body backward. Her weight tripped over her own feet to the sudden movement. With a strong grip, Zuko slammed her body against the wall. Curling his hand, he presses hard against her windpipe.

"Have you lost your fucking mind?!" Zuko barked. Clawing at his hand Katara nails dug, desperately trying to pull him off, her eyes begging to let go of a watery river.

Any fragment of heartache Zuko felt for Katara before was long gone. No one dared put their hands on him in such a manner.
"peasant!" he declared.
"You should be thankful to lick the sweat from my cock! yet you dared to hit me?!"

"Pleassse... Zukkkoo" Katara stuttered, her nails still clawing at his hand trying to rip him away.

"my name to you peasant is Fire Lord!"

Unable to talk Katara shook her head up and down, the lack of oxygen causing her throat and lips to turn to a purple color.

*PLOP!*
Letting go of her, Katara fell to her knees coughing hard gasping for air. Squirming backward close to the ground her eyes were streaming with water, tears curved over the raised handprint. Coughing out, gaging to where it seemed she might vomit.

"Bow to me"

*cough cough* "whhatt?" *cough cough* Choking out air Katara couldn't put together what she had heard. Her vision burled slightly.

"peasant, I said bow. The next time I repeat myself I'll throw you back in that whore house cheap!" Raging out Zuko's short temper was showing as he stood in front of her tall and happy. The misery she had shown was exactly what he wanted.

Katara twisted her face sour, deep breathing biting down her lower lip. Son of a bitch.. wishing she could tell him everything he can shove up his ass.

But that would only make things more difficult.
With a broken spirit, she reluctantly fell onto all fours bowing low to the ground. A clear statement she was a slave.

"add an apology"

Son of a bitch doesn't know when to quit...
Clenching her fingers into her fist she stared at the marble floor inches from her lips. Cursing her life. "Sorry," Katara shivered continuing to curse him under her breath.

"Is that an apology?" He asked. Raising his foot up Zuko rested his foot on top of Katara head. Her two braids not allowing the soles of his shoe to reach her scalp.
"Maybe I'll have you lick the bottoms of my shoe clean.."

"Forgive me mighty Fire Lord." Katara started spilling out, her eyes looking straight to the floor underneath her.
"My humble beginnings didn't allow me proper etiquette."

Still watching her on all fours, Zuko bent over moving closer, his usually amber honey eyes still filled with anger. "Don't ever. Do that. Again," he growled, his eyes completely turning black. She deserves this. Zuko determined. Humiliation will teach her.

She had gone too far, to make him seem weak in front of his nation, that wasn't going to happen.
Closing his mouth, he stood up still looking down. Katara's head rolled up, water streaming down her eyes back towards him.

The red plump hand print was a reminder of how this starte. He could see her eyes were full of hate and disgust, had he not put that necklace on her there would have been a fight here tonight.

"Get out of my sight" was all he could say.

"Gladly" Katara mumbled.

Mai

There has to be something here. Something I could use to end this bitch!
Bent over the desk Mai's eyes frantically looked up and down the pages in a book. Desperately looking for answers, she just couldn't find them. "This damn library has nothing!"

"Lady Mai he probably just meant you shouldn't lower yourself to hit a servant" Chloe spoke low, her hand rubbing Mai's back trying so hard to reassure her lady. Chloe and Zoey both exchange worried looks behind their Lady's back trying to find the strength and answer in each other.

"The Fire lord would never put someone like that in front of you!" Zoey spoke up on Mai's right side trying to put a fake smile on her lips.

"Never!" Chloe added shaking her head side to side.

"Stop it! She's been here less than a week and he's defending her. He's always with her! I just don't understand... What does she have? I've been here since the beginning. She would have never known who he was if his idiot self didn't go to the south pole!"

"AURGGGGG!" Mai finally screamed out falling against the palace wall. The scene replaying in her head causing a large headache.

"perhaps tea?-" Zoey tried asking before she was cut off.

"Isn't this a pity"

Chloe and Zoey's hearts dropped as their eyes met the most dangerous person in the royal family.
"Princess Azula" the two spoke simultaneously bowing low, not daring to anger the princess.

Stepping inside the library Azula's eyes crossed over the extra body.
"Thing 1, thing 2, leave". Raising her index and middle finger linked together, Azula gracefully pointed behind her to the open door.

Not wanting to get on Azula's bad side Chloe and Zoey still bowing backed away too afraid to address their lady, leaving the scene with their lives.

Joining her hands together behind her back the two guards who had been assigned to Azula closed the door, leaving Mai to reunite with her old friend.

"What do you want Azula" Folding her arms Mai was in no mood to go along with Azula's games tonight. Her mind was heavily on the sting sensation she felt on her wrist where Zuko held her. Effectively stopping Mai from hitting his plaything. His grip may not have been tight or even harsh but for some reason, it still hurt her physically.

"I'm only here as a concerned friend" Azula evilly but elegantly smiled down looking at her pathetic friend marinating in her self-pity. Rolling her eyes Mai stood to her feet, mascara heavily blanketed underneath her eye area.

"I heard of your little problem and I'm here to help"

With a narrow look, Mai fixed her sight on Azula disturb.
"Help? How could you possibly help me? Nothing you do comes from your heart. You always have a motive for yourself!"

"True and well.. true," Azula smirked reminiscing on her master plan she had cooked up the moment she knew the trouble that had come about.

"I've been here less than a day and already know of your little waterbender problem. I heard the way Zuko jumped up to protect her. It told me everything I should know... But don't worry your good friend is here to help! however, I'll need something in return."

Confounded by Azula's quick knowledge of today's events Mai's eyelashes blinked rapidly as she wiped the bottom part of her mascara.

I shouldn't be surprised Azula always did have her ways of getting information... but even if she knows it's not like she could do anything... she's banished!
"Zuko force you to stay in some small village far away. You can't do anything here" Mai concluded, turning her head as she began to walk away.

*tap tap tap*

"Ah true, True." To Azula's confession as her friend trying to scurry away.
"however"

Mai stopped walking, knowing the princess was sounding too sure of herself. Mai's narrow yellow eyes looked over her structural shoulder.

"Zuzu has pushed me far away from the palace. A few more years and-"

"I will not help you take the crown from him!" Mai defended turning her whole body around knowing that must be where Azula was heading. *tmp tmp tmp*

Charging closer to Azula, Mai's nose flared wide, as her precarious eyes sense danger. Yes, I may have done unspeakable things. But helping her take his life would not be one!

"Hahaha! I don't want the crown" Azula snared amused her hand raised to her cherry color lips cackling at Mai's discomfort, her idiot-prey eyes distressed with good reason.

"...then what do you want Azula?" connecting her arms in her wide sleeves, Mai step back asking, the fabric joined together seeming seamless.

Smirking again Azula folded her hands behind her back, beginning to pace back and forth living for Mai's perturb mood.
"When that moron brother of mine sent me away it was because he thought I had something to do with uncle's death. And well-"
Stopping in her tracks Azula looked over her shoulder to Mai connivingly.
"We both know that's not true"

Looking down, Mai felt a deep shame wash over her, remembering what she felt was necessary at the time to secure her place at Zuko's side.

"I had no choice... Iroh was..."
Unable to finish her sentence, the action of that day replayed in her mind many times over. She remembered the cold dead feeling in her legs as she delivered the piping hot toxic tea, pretending to want to settle their differences.

"Do you know why I've kept quiet?" Azula asked not expecting an answer snapping her pale thin friend out of her thoughts.
"It is because there was no proof I did anything.. as much as Zuko wanted to prosecute me in court, he just couldn't... Naturally, you had already figured that out.
I would be sent away and the guilt within you would be eased. Since it's no secret Zuko and I never got along."

"How...How did you know?!" Mai Gulped her words out.

"You might be smart Mai, but you are very sloppy. Honestly. didn't you learn better from me?
Your trusted friend from the Fire Academy visited you here 4 years ago, correct? Zuko was being crowned but your time was running out. All the talks Zuko had with uncle left you on edge" Azula added flicking one of her sides bangs out the way.

"She brought you something, a small vial filled with fine dust, all you had to do was slip it into Uncle's tea. correct?"

"You have no proof!" With widen, eyes filled with fear Mai screamed. Trying to seem unshakable.

"Haha! Don't I? Come now Mai, you should know me better than that! Killing a member of the royal family is a crime! worst than death from what I know.
That blond idiot friend of yours was so nervous, practically jumping out of her seat in front of me!"

Rolling her head back Azula sneered, "Years ago I found the idiot girl, made her talk, then cut off her head." To her sentence, she slid her finger across her neck.

"Azula!-"

"Oh shut up Mai! " Azula hissed raising her hand, shutting Mai instantly.
"That girl wasn't built for these lies, she would have cracked in 6 months at Zuko's feet! and you would have been dead. Honestly, you should be thanking me" Azula smirked once again.

"Azula.. she was my friend..."

"A friend you didn't know was dead till just now? Come on Mai you sound foolish" Azula declared closing her eyes as she waved her right hand up brushing Mai's foolish comment.

"After I found the merchant I took his log-in book, the same one with your signature from weeks earlier. The idiot girl's confirmation signature is next to yours, for pick up. I even have that idiot girl pass to the palace, placing her here. exactly where you would have needed her. ...Come to think of it. I don't recall you at the crowning ceremony. Weird right?"

"Why are you doing this?" Mai asked her voice trembling. The air seemed to leave her body quickly. Am I hyperventilating?

"Mai... I thought you would have figured it out by now." Azula gloated flicking her other bang to the side.
"I gave you time to get everyone in the palace under your control. Just like in Ba-Sing-Se, I'm going to control everything from the shadows. Don't you see?"

Walking closer to Mai, Azula backed her into a wall, the cold marble breathing brisk air through Mai's's dark clothing. Azula's long dark red nails pressed into Mai's cheek.
"I always had you under my thumb, you just didn't know it..." Azula grinned.
"But don't worry I'll still help you with your problem, but with this next task I'll require something else".

Mai's mouth hung open as Azula backed away. I can't believe it.. blackmail.
Well, she could. This was Azula who was always 3 steps ahead of everyone else.
Mai's eyes frantically shifted around her as images of Zuko flashed by.

Now the worst person in the Fire Nation held the evidence of her wrongdoing. "What do you want Azula."

"After I take care of the waterbender, you'll be in a special position, Zuko would do anything to make it right between the two of you." Azula mocked laughing.
"You will then request a sapphire token, not from Zuko but the Fire Lord!"

Mai knew exactly was Azula meant. She would have to make it clear to Zuko, that her payment needed to be repayed not as a lover but as a ruler.

"You'll tell him you're going to use it at a later time when your mind is clear.
Then at my cue, you'll present the Sapphire token and request what I tell you."

"Request what?"

"That's for me to worry about. Now. Do we have a deal?" stretching her hand out Azula calculated Mai thought process regardless of which way her thoughts went this was her best bet to keeping Zuko. She was sure to lose him.

Looking down at Azula's hand Mai hesitated stretching out. Pulling back at the last second. "You don't want to be Fire Lord?"

"Haha! No Zuko will remain Fire Lord of the Fire Nation and the precious Fire Lady spot is yours. For as long as you two live"

Swallowing hard Mai closed her eyes reaching out, finally shaking Azula's hand. In the name of love, I've just made a deal with the devil herself.

Spirits help me...

Katara

(Yami)

*knock knock* A woman short and plump with ginger red curls in her hair swung open the door. Sui and I sat on the couch, our eyes read shocked like two small children caught being naughty.

"I've been told to bring dinner for you and Ma'am Sui Seikuh," the palace servant said coldly barging into Sui's room.

"Why?" I questioned looking at her. Even Sui Seikuh looked unsure.

"Are you only smart enough to get the Fire Lord into your bed? Or do you have common sense?" The round plump woman scolded.

Before I could reply Sui Seikuh's eyes blew up in red fury, narrowing at the women. "Leave!"

"Sorry Ma'am" lowering her eyes the palace servant replied to Sui Seikuh before bowing respectfully and leaving.

"Oh, my spirits!- what the hell!? It's just one thing after the next!" I couldn't help but dramatically complained.

With Katara's annoyance bursting out she stood up from the couch made her way to the window, and opened it, letting a soft cool breeze come in.

" is the Fire Lord going to call for you?"

"How the hell should I know!?" I snapped angrily before realizing Sui Seikuh didn't deserve that backlash from my tongue. "I'm sorry, I'm just so frustrated!"

"I know, but if the Fire Lord protected you like that in front of Lady Mai, you are definitely in danger."

"Explains the guard outside the door!" She complained loudly. Knowing the guard could hear her, Katara didn't care knowing it wasn't going to make a difference. They weren't going anywhere.

"It's sweet. He wants to protect you."

"He hit me"

"What!? Where?!" Standing up Sui rushed infringe of me, her eyes scanning up and down my body for evidence. "When?!"

"No. Here" I confirmed pointing to my cheek. "And choke me till I couldn't breathe... I was going to hide it. But why should I?"

Shaking her head side to side Sui Seikuh sighed deeply. "I'm sure he didn't mean it, he was probably just upset about something, the pressure of the nation-"

"Why are you making excuses for him? He's a demon! A fucking monster" swatting Sui's hand from her. Katara had to walk away, her soul felt the need to move, to run, to leave.

Is this woman insane?
"I've never been hit like that before! Punish yes! But that slap to my face was just... a different level of disrespect. Then he kiss me".
instantly Katara's hand went to her chest, pointing to herself in disgust and anger.
"What kind of sick bastard is he?...Sui I have to leave here".

"Are you crazy?!" Sui grabbed the frightened woman in her room, shaking her body. "You can not leave!"

Madness circled my head to her unbelievable statement. "You want me to die here?! I'm sick of this! I'm not even from here! I want to go home!"

"Yami do you think the Fire Lord wouldn't go to the earth kingdom to find you?" Sui warned.
"I have never seen him defend anyone against lady Mai. I don't know why he strikes you. Yes, it is out of his character, but-"

"My name isn't Yami.." lowering my head I whispered out soft. The words sounded like lies to me even though I knew it was the truth.
"My name is Katara. Katara of the southern water tribe. The Avatar Waterbending Master.

*gasp* As the breath crawled out of Sui's throat she backed away with large eyes. "Do the Fire Lord knows!? This could get you in-"

"Of course, he knows!" I snapped back, rapidly turning my head to her.
"We meet Zuko-.. eh well fought Zuko many times on our journey. The moment he saw my face he knew who I was."

"how long have you been in the fire Nation?"

"At ba-sing-se Azula shot the Avatar, I ..." trailing off Katara's heart sadden as she now knew she had watched Aang die. Right in front of her, he died and she couldn't do anything about it.
"ran away... with my brother and some friends I tried to heal Aang but... I now know it didn't work. After what I thought was Aang waking up, a war balloon followed us and I sacrifice myself to save them... I was 14."

Listening to Katara, Sui Seikuh rubbed her shoulder, her eyes whelp up to the young women's story. "I ended up in a small village in the earth kingdom. Where I got caught stealing food and a soldier offer to have me live by his great aunt in the Fire Nation. I thought it was smart at the time."

Shaking her head Sui had no idea about Katara's situation "But wait.. wouldn't that make you a prison of war?! You should have been let go. I remember the water tribe coming here a few years back. Of course, none of us knew why."

" ..he doesn't want me to go back" I mumbled in response remembering Zuko's sudden harsh words from the other night.

Turning around I abruptly grabbed Sui's hand holding on tight, close to my own chest, pulling Sui in.
"He won't let me go back... Please you have to help me!"

"Yami-...er Katara... I can't, I sympathize with you surely. But I can't... I'm a citizen of the Fire Nation an employee to the Royal palace.. this is treason for me".

"Please Sui.. you are the only one I've met here I could trust. Please. I just want to go home" Katara pledged her eyes filling with water.
"I can't bend my element. This stupid necklace he put on me".
The pressure of the day weighed heavily on Katara's shoulders. How she missed the frosty ice air, seeing her breath a few inches from her in the air. She just needed the snow. How much longer could she survive?

"I wouldn't help you..." Sui Apologized looking down.
"but I wouldn't say anything either" she added. "I don't know how you'll do it, although you can't give the Fire Lord any indication you're trying to escape. You'll need to patch things up and be on your best behavior to have a chance".

Katara thought about it. She was right, I can't get far with this stupid thing on my neck...

.