The Last Airbender is not my creation, the people at the Nickelodeon Studios created it, but that will not stop me from making my own little episodes of excitement and romance.
The only thing I own is the plot on your screen. If you plan to take my ideas and put them into your own fanfic, claiming to be your own mind that thought them up, get a hobby. Plagiarism is wrong, don't do it!
"Between now and the time of your death, the truth will come out." -unknown
The long winding corridor became eternal as the deadly silence dwelling between the three beings lengthened with every step. Upon reaching their destination, the Lady opened the large wooden door with ease and stepped inside, hearing footsteps mimicking her own. She walked around the large desk that centered the study and sat down upon the great red and gold armchair. And although it was customary that only the Fire Lord take that seat, she found it upon herself that this one time, it would be appropriate to break that rule. She watched her husband take a seat diagonally from her, a scowl directed towards the maid upon his handsome scarred face. The maid took a seat beside the Fire Lord, making sure to keep a fairly good distance between him and herself.
Katara's eyes flickered between her husband and the adulterous maid, feeling an inner hate beginning to brew within when the girl send her an innocent smile. Her hands traveled down the desk towards the bottom right drawer. She opened the compartment and pulled out three small pieces of parchment paper. She formerly set the papers before her husband and the woman and closed the drawer with a loud and finalizing 'thump'. She gave her servant a devious smile and nodded ever-so-slightly at her. "Are you afraid of your undoing?" the waterbender directed towards the woman dangerously.
Immediately, the woman's body tensed with nerves. "My--my undoing?" She glanced at her master and took a sharp breath of fear when she noticed him smirk maliciously at her. Atar looked over at her Lady and subconsciously shook her head.
"Oh I'm sorry, please let me rephrase the question." The Lady said smartly and crossed her arms upon the desk. "Do you know what the punishment for adultery is?" She listened to Atar's shaky negative answer and smiled knowingly. "Do you know what the punishment for treason is?"
"…No," answered the woman again, her heart weighing more with every word that escaped her mistress' lips. In truth, she did know what the punishment for both crimes were. Death. But she believed that if the Lord and Lady thought that she hadn't known of that fact, they would go much lighter on her - like letting her live.
Katara raised her eyebrows and smirked lightly at her. "Really?" She looked over at her husband, who continued to stare at the maid with complete abhorrence. "Wow my Lord, she hasn't the slightest clue of what those punishments consist of. What should we do?"
The teenage Fire Lord snapped out of his hatred filled trance and turned his head to look over at his wife. He allowed a smile creep over his lips and stood from his place. "I think we should inform her." He walked over to Katara and stood solemnly beside her, his hand resting upon the back of the chair.
The waterbending Lady nodded in agreement and leaned back against her chair, her arms folded across her chest. "You should have the honors Lord Zuko. You are much better at unfolding the sentences for serious crimes than me."
Atar swallowed hard and blinked a couple of times before realizing that her heart was racing like never before. What is going to become of me? she thought dreadfully and frowned sadly upon the Fire Lord. Thoughts of regret began to flood her mind and a brief moment of anger crossed her eyes when she remembered that she brought this upon herself.
Zuko straightened his posture and gracefully sat upon the arm of the chair that Katara was sitting on. "As you wish my Lady," he stated sternly. "As you may very well know, Atar, treason and adultery are felonies. Very serious felonies. And as such, the punishment must fit the crime." He paused momentarily and stood, deciding to walk around the study to give the lecture a more dramatic touch. "When we receive proof that adultery or treason has been committed, we take immediate actions to take care of the problem."
The maid shrunk back against her chair when she heard the loud sounds of the Fire Lord's serious paces behind her. She could feel his icy stare upon her head. Oh how she wanted to die right then and there.
The Fire Lord stopped pacing across the floor and stood firmly behind Atar's chair. "The punishment for both crimes is death, either by burning, decapitation, or hanging." His voice held a deadly tone that frightened everyone within the room. "Usually we burn the criminals, seeing that it's Fire Nation tradition, but since all the nations are living in peace now, we have different ways to cause a person's demise."
A couple tears slipped from Atar's sad green eyes and she immediately wiped them away, not wanting to expose her guilty self to the Lady or Lord. They are going to kill me… she thought desperately and shut her eyes when an image of herself being hung passed through her worried mind.
Zuko walked over to the empty chair and sat down, his eyes fixed upon the maid's profile. "And that's the punishment for those two crimes," he concluded, his voice containing a hint of cheer. He honestly couldn't help showing his inner happiness. The lie was found out and the liar was sure to pay, and it is unfortunate to say that Zuko inherited his father's way of revenge. Utter and ultimate death, because nobody made a fool out of him. Everybody knew that.
Katara sighed unpleasantly at his tone of voice. He's having too much fun, she observed morbidly and leaned forwards towards Atar, a disappointed frown upon her face. "I want to ask you a question and you will answer me honestly," she began but paused to momentarily glanced at her husband. "Have you ever had an affair with the Fire Lord?"
The question was so blunt. So forward. So…accusing. Atar sighed deeply and looked over at the Fire Lord remorsefully. What had she gotten herself into? Her superior hadn't told her what to say or do if she was interrogated. She let out a long breath through her nose and closed her eyes as realization made its way onto her. She was doomed. There was no way out of this and she knew it. "No," she replied, her voice but a mere whisper. She felt her shoulder's slump and head hang. This act of greed had done her no good. She was stupid to think that she was going to become a wealthy woman by ruining the Royals marriage.
"I see," the waterbender said frigidly, causing the maid to flinch in fear. "Do you realize how much anguish you have put me through because of your lies?" She leaned against the back of the chair and crossed her arms across her chest. She was furious.
"Atar, you are guilty of two crimes. Adultery and treason. You deliberately let my wife, The Lady, believe that I was having an affair with you when I certainly was not. Also, you were planning to do more damage so you can have the Lady removed from the palace permanently," Zuko said sternly and rotated his body so that it faced the maid's.
The maid froze. How does he know that? she thought desperately and felt her throat go dry.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
The woman simply shrugged as she let out a choked sob. She was so disappointed in herself. "Nothing," she whispered and buried her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry my Lady. I didn't mean to cause--"
"Silence!" Katara yelled as she stood from her place, causing both the Fire Lord and Atar to jump in their seats. Her blood was boiling with fury and her mind was racing with vengeful thoughts. How dare this woman try to wreck her marriage? How dare she? This tramp caused her to consider running away from her own home. This inhuman beast had the capacity to let her continue thinking that the love of her life had betrayed her. This bitch had broken her heart gratuitously. "I will not tolerate lies from anyone, especially you. What you have done has no forgiveness."
Atar nodded solemnly and continued to cry in silence. She was as good as dead.
The Fire Lord was completely amazed at how angry Katara was. Never in his entire life did he picture her so infuriated. Thank the heavens she's a waterbender and not a firebender, or else this whole palace would have caught fire, he considered briefly before clearing his throat. "We also know that you did not act alone. I believe you were…hired?" he paused momentarily when he caught sight of Atar's approving nod. "Who was the other person you were working with?"
The room was filled with a deafening silence as soon as Zuko finished speaking. The atmosphere around the three beings became suspenseful.
"I can not reveal that information," answered the maid with the quietest of voices. She had sworn to her partner that no matter what happened, she would not reveal them.
"And you continue to defy me?" Katara asked, her voice much lower than her last outburst. "Another crime to add to your record. Withholding information." She pushed the three pieces of parchment that she had laid out on the desk, forward and scowled. "Tell me who was your accomplice and I will allow you to choose your form of punishment. From banishment to being burned at the stake."
The servant swallowed a lump that formed in her throat as she looked at the three folded pieces of paper. Obviously, she would have to pick a random one and hope that it was banishment, not death. She nodded and closed her emerald eyes. May they forgive her for ratting them out, but this was a life or death situation. She rather live by speaking the truth than to die in silence.
"Well? What is your decision?" the teenage firebender inquired and moved to the edge of his seat.
Atar opened her shut eyes and starred at the Lady's celestial orbs with honest determination. "I was hired by Lady Zula of the Nation."
Zuko froze at the name of his banished sister.
"She ordered me to do whatever it took to get you to leave the palace in disgust. She paid me a good amount of money to do what I have done already. It seemed like a good idea at first," she continued talking when she saw that Katara was willing to listen, "I mean, I would become wealthy. I could finally rest after years of working in the Fire Nation palace. I didn't realize the consequences of my actions until earlier today, when she barged into my room, furious that you still reside here."
The waterbender was utterly puzzled. Did she just say… "Lady Zula?" she asked confusedly.
"Why, yes. Lady Zula, sister of Fire Lord Zuko. She was banished about three and half years ago for betrayal," Atar explained thoroughly, a bit confused herself. Didn't Lady Katara know of Zula, the one who was suppose to be the next heir to the throne, but because of Fire Lord Ozai's defeat, the act was revoked?
The Fire Lord's mind had gone berserk with questions and revelations. Zula is here, in the palace? How does she know who Katara is? Why Katara? What…?
Katara glanced over at her husband and frowned disdainfully when she noticed that he looked absolutely horrified. "…Sister?"
…a little over a year ago…
The young Lady walked down the beautiful garden of the palace, her sun above her head, the shadows hidden below their owners. She held a beautiful natural glow as she looked at the rows of bright flowers with her hands resting warmly upon her swollen abdomen. A brilliant smile lit her face when she saw a young group of children running cheerfully ahead of the palace gates. The waterbender turned her head slightly to look at the flowers beside her and gasped in happiness when she spotted a large red blossom among the leafs of a vibrant green bush. It was the most gorgeous of flowers. She bend down ever so carefully and plucked the flower from its stem. And just as she was about to unbend her body, she felt strong hands holding her steady.
"Didn't I tell you to stay indoors?" a concerned male voice inquired.
Katara laughed mildly at her husband's paranoia. "I couldn't help myself. Today is such a beautiful day. Asking me to stay inside is like asking a bird not to fly during clear skies." She placed a hand behind her back and smiled graciously at Zuko as she straightened her posture.
The Fire Lord shook his head disapprovingly. "Why didn't you ask my uncle or your brother to accompany you if you wanted to go outdoors so badly? You know that you have to be extra careful in your condition."
The girl placed the red flower in her hair and smirked. "My condition? Zuko, I'm pregnant, not vulnerable to death." She took a nice deep breath and positioned her hands upon her stomach again, giving her a wise and calm disposition. "Besides, I think the happy atmosphere is good for the baby. I don't want her--"
"Or him," Zuko immediately added and glanced at his wife's figure.
"--Or him, to turn out being mean, depressed, and anti-social. I want a happy child." Katara cocked her head to the side and raised her eyebrows as if she was a child asking for a special treat.
Zuko let out a sigh of defeat as he took a step closer to his expectant wife. "So do I," he whispered and placed a hand upon her stomach with a smile upon his face. "I just don't want you to get hurt." He gently kissed her forehead and stroked her cheek as he admired her sunny blue eyes. "You know, it's true what they say about pregnant women having a gorgeous glow about them."
The Water Tribe woman laughed. "Oh yeah?"
He nodded. "Yeah. You're absolutely radiant."
A loud jubilant laugh filled the air, causing Katara to look past her husband in slight concern when she remembered the children that were playing outside the gates of her home. A young girl was on the ground kicking her feet in the air while a young boy tickled her sides non-stop. The Lady smiled at the innocent sight. It seemed like just yesterday, Sokka and her had their little tickle fights. She sighed and petted her abdomen, thinking about the baby that was one the way and how, maybe, one day they'll have a little brother or sister to play with.
Lord Zuko turned to look at the joyful children on the ground, having the time of their young lives. Oh, how he missed the relationship that he had had with his sister all those years ago. If only they had not grown apart. If only. He let out a melancholy sigh and looked away from the loving display of sibling affection when he began remembering the long lively days in the wheat fields. Missing her wasn't worth it. He had Katara and a baby on the way. He was happy without her. As far as he knew, he was better off without Zula.
"Having a sibling is the greatest gift of all," the waterbender said quietly, calling Zuko's attention her way. "I remember playing day in and day out with Sokka. He was my best friend since the first day I was born."
He smiled and nodded. "He loves you very much. Any brother would," he commented and reached for her hands.
"I wonder how different you would be if you had a brother or sister," Katara questioned and grabbed his hands when they neared hers.
"I wonder too," Zuko agreed dreamily and kissed the back of her palms.
The Lady frowned and furrowed her brow. "Are you OK?"
The Fire Lord smiled. "I'm fine Katara…I have you."
A/N- I'm not going to go into detail about why Zuko and Zula don't like each other. I'll leave that for the SHOW to cover next season, because as you may or may not know, Princess Zula will be a main character for Book 2: Earth.
A/N- You may think that Katara was a tad out of character when she was interrogating Atar. All I have to say is:
What would YOU do in her situation?
Please Review!