Disclaimer: If I owned ATLA, then the Waterbending Scroll episode would have a different storyline, if you get my drift. :winks: Yay Zutaraness! But this plot is mine, so if you have any dark desires to steal it, you're gonna get one ass whooping. Plagiarism is one thing I could not tolerate.
This is for all of my reviewers! I feel all so fuzzy with your wonderful reviews. I decided not to keep you guys in torment any longer and post as soon as I possibly could.
Special thanks go to Rashaka for her inspiring and very helpful review. It helped me get all eager and my neurons working to at least start this chapter.
Chapter 13: Politics in Love and War
The sky fell, bombs exploded, a volcano erupted, a shrill cry, and an earthquake shook the land and swallowed the whole city…of course, all of those things didn't happen at the Fire Nation capital of Shenhoun, but for a particular Waterbender, she felt that that was what happened when he dropped the words that had all so ruthlessly pierced her heart.
"Then marry me…."
Oh, how she wished for those words to be spoken to her by the man she loved dearly, under the moonlit sky dotted with twinkling stars, both of them holding hand-in-hand, he whispering those words to her ear with all the love of the world. And she would respond with an ardent kiss and a fierce embrace….
But the fervent dream was shattered in a matter of seconds by an egotistical, boorish Fire Lord Zuko, who made it into her list as Arrogant Bastard Number ONE!
"Zuko, wait a minute you bastard," said Katara furiously. She had regained her senses and was in a seething rage.
"We'll talk about this in the morning," answered Zuko heavily, his eyelids drooping from too much exhaustion. His head was in a jam and all he wanted was sleep. "Let us go to bed, dear lady, and continue this conversation when the sun is up and both of us are clear-headed."
"No. We. Will. Talk. Now." Katara stressed each word with the sharpness of a katana, each syllable pounding on Zuko's brain like a nail.
"If you wish," Zuko responded. "We will go talk in my study, then."
The two made their way silently to the eastern buildings and into the Fire Crystal Palace, the Fire Lord's very own private palace. No one without the Fire Lord's consent was to enter the said building. The guards and eunuchs stationed there were given the highest of clearances to be able to even step inside the Imperial Suites. At the moment, two guards stood by the main entrance of the buildings.
"Why are there guards now? The last time I came here, I didn't even see one soldier or eunuch in the whole building," asked Katara.
"You are the main reason I had sentries commissioned here in the first place," said Zuko as the soldiers bowed and saluted their lord. Katara shut up in embarrassment until they reached the office.
Normally, Katara would ogle at the grandeur of the room, which is just as elegant as his suite, but her mind was too occupied with the conversation ahead.
"Please sit down," said Zuko as he himself sat on an intricately carved wooden seat behind his oak desk.
Katara nodded and took a seat on a chair in front of his desk.
"Listen, Katara, this marriage will prove to be beneficial for both of us and our peoples," Zuko began, carefully weighing his words. "You practically control the South Pole tribes. Even after the establishment of other tribes besides your own on the South Pole, and the instating of King Rayzu, you still are considered the ultimate head of all the tribes. I on the other hand am the fire Lord and also have a considerable amount of power on the world."
"What are you getting at?"
"Our union would also mean the union of our kingdoms, earning a powerful alliance between the Fire and Southern Water Nations."
"Even without any union between us, we are already allied to you."
"But you see that is not enough. Many people are still apprehensive towards the Fire Nation and I don't blame them; we have caused so much destruction for a hundred years and I doubt that a simple sorry would take away all of their bigotry."
"Where do I come in, then? What will our marriage do for you and your country?"
"My marriage to a Waterbender would be the greatest peace treaty that any leader could sign. Royal protocol demands that I marry off of my own race, and if we do marry, this will be the first time any Fire Nation royalty would marry anyone from a different nation. Could you see what effect that could do for the Water Nations and Earth Kingdom? I, the lord of probably the most racist people in the world, choosing a Water Nation woman as my bride, my consort, my lifelong partner, is the greatest symbol of peace and unity I could come up with and would lift some of the prejudice other nations have of my people. They will see that we really want peace once and for all. Plus, those rebels can also realize that we don't want war anymore. In fact, I think this is what some people would hope for, me marrying someone other than my own people, that is."
Katara stared at him. True, he made a lot of sense and their marriage would be a powerful argument for anyone who would say that the Fire Nation is just acting with all of their promises of peace between the nations.
"Why did you choose me?" she managed to say slowly. "Why not just get a princess from the Northern Tribes or another leader from the Southern Tribes?" Dear Shasha in heaven, she needed to hear that this marriage will not be all for the sake of politics!
Zuko smiled slightly. "As I've said before, you control the whole Southern Water Tribes, and I don't think that there's a princess I can wed in the Northern Tribes. I've seen all the princesses the earth Kingdom has to offer, and they interest me not. But you, you have the passion and ferocity of any fire yet still have the calm and coolness of the waters. Frankly, you intrigue me. You are an intelligent person and you could help me greatly in my kingdom. After what had happened at the North Pole, I was really impressed by you."
Katara's ears burned at his unwarranted praises. She intrigued him? And even after she kicked his ass at the North Pole, he was still impressed by her?
Stop it, Katara! He's a devious bastard and flattery is his way of smooth talking you into saying yes! You can't fall for that ploy! Remember, you intend to marry for love! Her brain screamed inside of her.
"Damn you, Zuko," she spat, glaring at him darkly. "You know that I want to marry for love, you know that I have dreams of living the rest of my life with someone I want to be with! You can't force me into this marriage. I won't let you or anyone else do that! I have my own free will, and I'm telling you that I will not marry for political crap and all that shit! I refuse to be used as an object just so you could have what you want!" her voice rose and she was already on her feet, her face dangerously close to his.
"Ah, the fire that I have so admired," stated Zuko calmly. "You still don't understand the situation. We could do so much, you and I, for this world. Think about how you can help your people. Your land will be part of my kingdom through our marriage and that means I can help your people more. You could even build cities and your lives will improve tenfold!"
"My people are happy the way they are! We don't need your help any further! They're satisfied with their lives knowing that they are safe now and that the war is over."
"Yes, yes, you maybe right." Zuko sighed. "This debate is going nowhere. If I can't talk you nicely into marrying me, then I have to pull out all of my cards, then"
"What are you talking about?" Katara backed away from him; she had a feeling that things are gonna go way downhill from there.
And she was damn right.
Zuko rose to his feet and looked at her until their eyes were level.
"If you do not wish to marry me, then I must do what I must for the good of my people. If you do not agree to be my intended, I will unleash my whole navy to your tribe. I can just say that it is all for killing off the rebels, but it is unavoidable that innocent civilians will get in the crossfire. Surely, you don't want that now, do you?"
"That's blackmail, you son of a bitch! And I know that the Earth Kingdom and our sister tries would go against that."
"I prefer if you don't pull my mother into this, great Agni bless her soul. Insult me, but not my mother." His voice sliced sharply though her and Katara lowered her head in shame. "On the contrary, I have talked with the Earth Kingdom and your sister tribe, and they agree with me in this move. Of course, they might not agree whole heartedly, but they know that sacrifices must be made." It was all a bluff, but when he saw the fear and agony in her eyes, he knew he hit home hard.
"Marry me, and I guarantee the safety of your people. Not one will get hurt; you have my word on that."
"And how can I trust you? You're blackmailing me into marrying you. I love my people dearly, and I would sacrifice everything for them."
"You've just said the magic words. Why not make this little sacrifice? You could save loads of people with this act. And what's so wrong about being married to me? You'll be made Queen of the Fire and Water Nations and have all your desire at your beck and call. Your people would have so much more as part of our territories."
Katara felt the world spinning around her and she felt so nauseous. The idea was too much for her to bear. She swayed in her spot, clutching her stomach.
Zuko noticed her slight movements and the way her eyes closed in agony. He rounded on the table as quickly as he could and caught her before she could even hit the floor.
"What's wrong?" he asked gently, brushing off a few strands of hair off her face.
"Get away from me," she muttered weakly, trying to push him away. Zuko sighed but didn't let go.
"Let me help you to your feet at least."
Katara shook her head.
"Look, I can't just let you lie on the floor."
Katara shook her head again, this time, more urgently.
Zuko took a deep breath and carried her in his arms.
"What are you…?"
"Relax; I'm just going to let you sit in the lounge. It's more comfortable there." Zuko brought her to the said lounge, lowering her on the soft cushion gently. He arranged a few pillows behind her head and when he was sure she was comfortable, he went for a nearby table and poured a glass of water out of a crystal pitcher.
"Here, drink this," he ordered softly. Katara still felt weak, the shock and bewilderment she felt at his words were still eating a hole in her gut. All she wanted was to close her eyes and drift off to a state of dreamless sleep. Zuko noticed her temporary paralysis and helped her drink up the cool water. She felt invigorated once her element touched her lips; her nausea was lifting and she felt like she could speak again.
"Zuko, I can't marry you, I just can't," she muttered.
"Why ever not?" his words sounded as if he were teasing her, but she saw the brief melancholy that passed through his amber eyes. "I'm strong, I'm powerful, and I'm way more handsome than Haru or Jet."
"Don't bring them to this argument," she said. "And how did you know about them?"
"Courtesy of your brother who, under the influence of gin, confided in me during his visit with the Avatar here."
"I'll kill Sokka."
"Better yet, why not make him suffer by seeing that I, of all the people in the whole wide world, became your husband?"
"Please don't bring that up again. I think I'll definitely faint." Katara covered her ears. Zuko gave a small laugh and pried her hands away from her ears.
"I'll give you until sunrise to give me your answer to my proposal, okay? I think that is ample time for you to think."
"You're just giving me overnight to decide on what could probably be the most important decision of my life! I might spend the rest of my life with you and you're just giving me overnight to think about it?"
"So does that mean you'll say yes?"
"No! It's just that…give me more time. I need to think this out and weigh my decision carefully."
"What's to think about? I already told you what would happen if you refuse."
"I still can't believe you're blackmailing me into this."
"I'm a very persistent man, Katara. What I want is what I get and right now I want you and I intend to have you."
"Spoiled king…."
"I admit that I am spoiled sometimes, but hey, I was born royalty with everything I wanted at my fingertips; I couldn't help it. Besides, I'm not a pampered, brainless king as you so would like to think, my dear little Waterbender."
"I'm not yours."
"Not yet, anyway."
Katara groaned. "Please let me go back to my room. I need to sleep. If you're going to deprive me of that, then I might as well kill myself."
"Very well, I will escort you to your room. But you don't seem to even have the energy to stand up and walk. Do you think you can handle it? We're at the far east corner and your room is halfway through the complex."
"I can," answered Katara, gritting her teeth and attempting to stand up. But as soon as she was on her feet, her balanced failed her and it was up to Zuko to catch her again and make her lie back on the lounge.
"But your body says otherwise," observed Zuko. "Tell you what, why don't you spend the night in my quarters? It's just on the other side of this door."
"I will not spend the rest of the night in your room," declared Katara.
"It's your choice, but don't you dare say I didn't offer you anything."
"What would they say when they found out htat I spent the night in your room? Rumors would fly."
"And so? We could be as well betrothed."
"I didn't give you my answer yet."
Zuko took a sharp intake of breath. "My subjects would not dare talk about my private affairs. What I want to do is none of their business; speaking against me is treason. Don't worry; I would not spend the night with you. I'll sleep in another room. That's what you're afraid of, right? That I will take advantage of you? Rest assured that I do not take women without their consent. I find that it is less fun than what I want and it would not do for my honor."
"I'll stay here, thank you very much."
"Stubborn as always," Zuko muttered under his breath, crouched down to her, and had her in his arms in one swift move.
"Let me down!" Katara pounded on his armored chest.
"I'm not going to rape you, so keep quiet," he hissed, his temper finally getting to him.
He walked through a curtain Katara thought that was a window at first and they both saw themselves in his bedroom.
"Would you like to clean up first before you sleep?" he asked.
"I'd like to clean up, if you don't mind," replied Katara huffily. Zuko placed her back on the ground gently, and knowing her weakened state, kept a hand on her lower back to help her balance.
Katara winced at his touch; his touch was burning her skin underneath the robe and she despised the feeling.
"I'm going to the bathroom," she announced and made her way to the door on the left though her step was ungainly.
"Would you like me to help you?" asked Zuko as an afterthought.
"I can take care of myself, thank you very much."
"All right, then. I'm leaving you alone here. Good night."
"Good night," she responded, albeit touchily.
Katara washed her face, cleaned her teeth and combed her hair out in the bathroom, taking pleasure in playing around with the impressive facilities. She had wanted to take a bath and use the swimming pool-sized tub, but she was too tired, so she rejected the idea. But as she stared at the tub, she began to think that if she were married to Zuko, then that would mean that she would have to share everything with him…including baths. The mental image of them naked in the tub—together—crept into her mind and she slapped herself to erase the image away.
"What am I thinking? I'm going nuts!"
She went out of the bathroom and found herself alone in the resplendent sleeping quarters. As she went for the bed, ready to sleep for the whole year, she found a red dressing gown lying neatly on top of the silken scarlet sheets. A note written with the firm hand of Zuko was attached.
Use this for the night. It's much more comfortable than your robes. Have a pleasant rest. Zuko.
Katara took off her robes and slid into the soft silk of the dressing gown. It was a bit large for her, she noticed as she tied the sash around her waist, but it was cozier to sleep in this one than on her stiff robes. She sighed contentedly as she slid on the bed and rested her head on the soft, down pillows. Everything was so luxurious that Katara didn't mind being married to him if she could experience this relaxation every night.
Wake up, you damn fool, her brain snapped. You're giving up everything you believed in for his bed?
But if I refuse, who knows to what lengths he will go to?
It's on his conscience, not yours.
Frankly, I'm flattered that he wanted me….
He wanted you for your power, and not you as a person!
Katara rolled on her side, her confusion growing with every second.
Oh, great Shasha, please tell me what to do! Aang, Sokka, help me!
And the clear voice of Zuko rang in her ears again before sleep overwhelmed her, and she embraced the void gratefully, glad of some momentary release.
"I want you and I intend to have you."
Ooops, another cliffie and we still don't know what her answer will be. I'm very evil, I know that already. Anyway, this is the best my brain could conjure up at the moment. It's much to preoccupied with plans on how to burn the university I go to down to the ground. Imagine, they gave us demerits just because we chose to rebel and boycott against the Tuition Fee Increase? It's part of our rights to rally in the streets and cry our hearts out! This is an injustice! If you don't want me to keep you on your toes with a long silence before updation, I suggest you go click the 'submit review' button right this minute. Who knows, if you beat the last chapter's record of 23 reviews, I might update on Tuesday night as it's all the free time I have on my schedule. So get on and REVIEW, please.
Rienne ;p
