A/N:
WARNING: Character Death
Alrighty, this is where I move more into the plot of the story. I had to get the love-triangle quarrel out of the way first but here we go. Thank you all for reading.
Chapter 10:
Two years Later…
For the future head of the family, Kya threw a grand party for his second birthday. Family from both sides came to attend, bringing all sorts of gifts that he would enjoy in his later years. Her siblings all showed up, even the one she wasn't all that friendly with. Zuko must have forced Azula to tag along as it was Zuko's goal for all the children to be cordial with one another. Anyways, Kya was happy with the turn out. Everyone was celebrating her son's birthday and it meant a lot to her since Uhara couldn't be here. Her family and his family had been very supportive to her over the years.
As she was going to have the servants bring out more wine and punch, Kya saw her father and Ami arrive with gifts. She wasn't surprised to see them as her father had been to every birthday in the last two years and he always brought Ami with him. It was typical to see them together these days. Ami was so insecure and required Ozai to bring her along whenever he left the Phoenix Empire. Everyone was rather cold to the woman as she had basically kicked her mother out of the way and the only reason some of them even spoke to their father was because he was their father. He had problems, they all agreed to treat him like a basket case and accept he was going through a midlife crisis.
"Hey, dad." Kya smiled at her father before dropping her gaze to Ami and hardening it a little. "Ami."
Holding out the gift he brought for his grandson, "Here. It's a katana made of the finest steel in all the nations." Ozai told her. "He might not be a bender like the rest of us but he should be no less a fighter."
Kya smiled as her father opened the box to show her the beautiful weapon, "Thank you, dad. This is a wonderful gift. I'll make sure he gets a teacher that will help him probably wield it someday."
Ozai nodded as he looked around and sighed just as Ami walked off to get some punch. "I see your mother isn't at yet another birthday."
"She always brings her gifts the day before and makes a grand dinner all by herself." Kya told her father. "Not that anyone can blame her but she really doesn't want to see you."
Ozai sighed, "I didn't take her letter seriously but it would seem, she really hates me."
"She hates Ami and your stupidity." Kya corrected him. "She loves you and that's why she stays away whenever you're expected to come around."
Ozai walked off as some noble approached his daughter with more gifts. He went outside the manor to smoke his pipe on the steps and as he did, he spotted Cho-Seng carrying a gift in his hands. He goes to stop the man and sees Cho-Seng was not surprised to see him.
"What are you doing here?" Ozai asked.
Cho-Seng chuckled, "Bringing Jotaro's gift. I forgot to get one last night at dinner but Katara told me just to stop by today and drop it off."
Furrowing his brows, "You and her are together again, I take it."
"Yeah," Cho-Seng said all too confidently.
Ozai wanted to call him a rebound but it had been two years and that was a bit too long for someone to be a rebound in his opinion. Sighing, "Where does Katara go when her children are having their parties?"
"She typically goes home to see her family but this recent visit hasn't been too good." Cho-Seng explained that Katara's father had been sick and that he was dying. "Katara says she thinks this is her last visit."
Ozai furrowed his brows and allowed Cho-Seng to take the gift inside. It had been a long time since someone died on him with the exception of Uhara. He didn't know what could possibly be going through Katara's head. He knew how emotional she was and how she so easily fell into a depression. He needed to leave.
Going back into the party, Ozai went to Ami and pulled her aside. "I need to go somewhere quick. Have Zuko take you home when the party's over."
Ami nodded and kissed him to all of his children's disdain.
"Eww." Mailan and Ryu said in unison.
"Okay kiddies, let's keep it moving." Zhiar pushed them along.
Zuko and Azula rolled their eyes as Kya was about to slap Ami on behalf of her mother. Ursa laughed as she drank her spiked tea. Iroh could only sigh and shake his head.
When his father left through a portal, Zuko and his family gave Ami the stank look, ignoring her the rest of the party.
….
Wiping the sweat from her father's forehead, Katara stared somberly at him and reached to get a cup of water for him to drink. She had been nursing him to health for months and he still wasn't getting any better. He was now the worse he had ever been and Katara feared the worse.
Letting her father rest, Katara went out into the kitchen where her Sokka was sitting at the dining room table. They had come to terms with the inevitable. Her father was old and ill. His time may very well be upon them.
"Is there nothing more you can do to preserve his life?"
Katara shook her head.
Sighing as he took a look at his sister, Sokka began to form a smile on his lips. "I envy you, sis. You look as young as our days of saving the Avatar, all while the rest of us are getting old."
"I'm getting old too, Sokka. Just in a different way." Katara sighed as she leaned forward on the table, holding her fist in her hand.
Sokka chuckled, "I never would have thought you'd turn out this way, sis. Forever young, more powerful than the Avatar, and attached to that damn tyrant."
Katara rolled her eyes, "It's not all that great."
"Says the person that doesn't have to worry about dying."
The waterbender sat there quietly and looked at her brother. "Remember when Zuko first joined our group?"
"And you tried to kill him several times in his sleep." Sokka laughed.
"No," She laughed at her brother. "Remember he took us on life changing trips?"
Sokka grinned at the memory. The two began reminiscing about their past as teenagers and how simple life had been even during a war compared to now. They discuss their past adventures and their new lives. It had been a while since they sat down and just talked like this. Katara swore to never let too much time go by that she didn't speak to her brother like this again. This was the most normal she felt and she wanted to continue feeling like she used to before all the craziness happened.
"Is it going to hurt?"
"Is what going to hurt?"
Sokka averted his eyes from her, "Seeing us all die."
Katara swallowed hard as she looked to her brother, "Of course. It may have been rocky but I never stop seeing everyone as my friend. I don't want lose you all forever."
"But that's life anyways, right?" Sokka took her hand and squeezed, "Finding people we love and growing old to watch them die. That's life."
Katara didn't want to hear that from her older brother that literally already had gray hair. It bothered her. He was so mature looking and definitely had some years ahead of him but it was just hard to listen to from him.
"What happened to living forever?" She sniffled.
"Oh, I am. No doubt about that."
Sokka got up and went through the cabinet to grab a bottle of liquor. He pours them both a glass and the two continue talking about old times and their children. Sokka spoke highly of Toph's raising of their four children. His daughters seemed especially interesting girls. Lin and Sue. She told him all about her grandchild and her silly children.
"You have to come see them, Sokka. Zhiar reminds me so much of you." Katara snorted a laugh.
Laughing at the idea that his sister had a son like him, "At least someone else in the family has my sense of humor. All my children are so serious."
"Like their mother."
"Definitely like their mother."
As they cheered with another shot of arctic whiskey, they are suddenly startled by someone entering the hut through the animal palette flap. Sokka picks up his club but Katara stops him.
"Ozai?" Sokka was confused.
Katara turns her head away from his direction.
"I heard Hakoda was ill."
"So, what's that got to do with you?" Sokka narrowed his eyes.
"Your father and I are friends."
"Like hell! Get out!" Sokka raised his club.
Ozai just stood there and gave an impassive expression to his former brother-in-law.
"Sokka, let him see dad." Katara spoke up.
"What for?"
"How are you going to stop him?" Katara looked at her brother. "He didn't have to use the door. He can literally open portals anywhere. He was being respectful."
Sokka looked from his sister back to her ex and put his club down. "Fine. You can see him."
….
It wasn't a sight he thought he was ready to see. Of all the years he's known the man, Ozai had never seen him so weak before. Hakoda was always fierce and full of fire like his daughter. He was prideful and unrelenting in the face of evil and wickedness. He had high morals and stood tall despite Ozai looking down on him on occasions. Hakoda was unlike any father or man he's known and he hated seeing him on his deathbed like this. This was no way for a strong man like Hakoda to die.
The weak old man opened his eyes to the sight of Ozai standing in his bedroom and reached his hand out to him, "Ozai."
Ozai walked around the side of his bed and took his hand in his, holding it in both hands as he stared somberly at the withering man. "Hakoda." He responded.
Forcing a smile on his face, "You and Katara made up. Thank Tui and La. I feared I wouldn't see you again, my friend."
"Well, she and I are still not on speaking terms but I came as soon as I found out." Ozai felt him squeeze his hand.
"I appreciate that." Hakoda beamed up at him. "You've been an unusual addition to my family, Ozai, but I appreciate you being a part of it."
Ozai helped the man get a drink of water as he begun coughing and helped him to lift his head a little in order to drink without choking. As soon as Hakoda had had enough, Ozai laid him back in bed and put the cup of water away.
"Can you promise me something, Ozai?"
"What is it?"
"Look after Katar for me." Hakoda told him. "She's got powers like that of a god. Don't let her become a monster, Ozai. Promise you'll never let her be a monster."
Ozai bowed his head and shook it, "I will try but we aren't exactly friendly with one another, so there's not much I can do."
Hakoda rasped a laugh, "You two will be back together soon. You both always find a way back. It's destiny." He began shutting his eyes.
"I thought you wanted me away from your daughter."
"I did but I realize now you're the best thing that ever happened to her. Her immortality, her children, her will to fight. She has you to thank."
Ozai grinned at the dying man, "How kind of you to say."
"It's true." Hakoda said before coughing and reached for his handkerchief.
Ozai watched in lament as he could see the man was actually dying. Of all the people he watched die, Hakoda was the only one that he hated to see go. The Phoenix King brought his friend's hand to his lips and pressed it to them.
"I also want to thank you for allowing me to finally be true to myself, Ozai. I had been lying to myself or rather, I had been living a lie all my life. These last years I got to live an honest life, all thanks to your man whore ways."
"That was a crazy few weeks." Ozai chuckled, still holding his hand to his lips. "I'll never forget."
"Thank you, Ozai. You've been a surprisingly pleasant asset to this family. Thank you."
Hakoda called for his two children and Ozai watched as Katara came in with her brother. He moved out of the way so they could be close to their father in his dying moments. As Hakoda said his goodbye to his children, Ozai's eyes were focused on Katara. She looked different. Different but more like her old self. No longer full of bitterness and hate. She looked pleasant even in this depressing time, she looked angelic and beautiful. Her silver hair was cut into an angled bob with the a single braid coming down from the side where her hair was parted, several Water Tribe beads decorated the single braid. It was a very Fire Nation look with a Water Tribe look to it. He liked it. Her lips were painted black and she wore liner under her eyes as she seemed to be wearing makeup more casually. Ozai had to admit, he hated that this was the first time he was seeing her in two years because he couldn't help but stare in amazement at how beautiful she always seemed whenever he was looking at her.
"No, dad." Katara cried as she held his hand to her cheek, "Don't go."
Hakoda smiled weakly at his daughter, "I have to go be with your mother. She's been alone long enough."
Sniffling, "I love you, dad." She said tearfully.
Sokka patted her back as he placed his other hand on his father's shoulder, "It's okay, dad." He tried to maintain face.
"I love you both. Please, take care of each other."
The two nodded as their father closed his eyes, "And Ozai, remember what you promised me."
"I will."
"Th..ank..y..ou." Hakoda said with his last breath and slipped away like the fleeting wind.
Katara's head fell on her father's chest as she cried against him, torn up inside while her brother pinched his eyes and turned his back, unable to look at the dead body of his father.
Ozai stepped over to the side of Hakoda he had been on and leaned down to kiss the man on the forehead, caressing his hair. "Take care, my friend."
…..
The funeral procession of the Water Tribe was unlike anything he had witnessed. They placed the body in a boat, watched it sail out to sea and a skilled archer shot a flaming arrow into the boat, setting it ablaze to light the way. Ozai felt it was a very heartwarming procession. One of the nicest funerals he's attended. Fire Nation funerals were all about formalities and passing the mantle to the next in line. Very cold and uncaring but to see so many people attend with nothing but good things to say about Hakoda, it really touched Ozai. Made him realize life was still precious even for an immortal that could no longer value time the same way mortals did. Too much time had passed with him and Katara being at odds. It was time to reconcile and move forward. She had to know he still treasured her.
"Come visit me sometime in the Fire Nation."
Sokka nodded, "As long as you come back home every so often."
"It's ashame gram gram didn't want to attend," Katara said.
"Would you be ready to attend your child's funeral?" Sokka asked her.
Understanding what he was trying to say, Katara shook her head and sighed as she gave him a great big hug. She kissed his cheek and hugged him one more time for good measure before letting him go. When Katara turns to leave, she sighs upon seeing Ozai standing there staring at her. She walks right past him and keeps walking.
Ozai follows her as he needed to have a word with her. He understood she was upset over her father's death and still held a resentment towards him but he needed to speak with him. He needed to fix things between them. It couldn't stay like this forever.
"Katara." He called after her as they were now in the snowy planes just outside the village headed for the port town. "Please, I need to speak with you."
Katara continued to walk on as if she heard nothing but the whispers of the wind.
"Your father made me promise to look after you! Please, talk to me!" Ozai ran up to her and grabbed her shoulder.
Slapping his hand off of her, Katara turned around and looked at him tearfully. The mountain of snow near them shook and all the snow came hurdling down towards them. Ozai stared wide at the snow and then Katara.
"Please, Katara, just tal-" Ozai was covered in the snow as Katara stood there and watched him be buried in snow.
"I have nothing to say to you."
….
"I'm sorry for your loss, Katara." Zuko told her.
Katara hugs him as she had just returned home from the South Pole. She had decided to take the human ways of transportation as it was nestigolic and she wanted to see the glaciers and ocean of her homelands. It was a slightly faster voyage, by a few days, than she remembered but it was nice to relax and let the ship take her to her destination.
"I put Ryu and Mailan to sleep. Zhiar is out with a noblewoman, so he'll be gone all night, and Cho-Seng has returned to his villa. Want to have a few drinks and talk? I know your trip wasn't a pleasant one."
Smiling at her lifelong best friend, Katara nodded and took his arm to go talk. Zuko poured their wine as they cozied up by the firepit in her bed chambers. She told him how his father showed up to say goodbye. She didn't speak to him the whole time as she had no words for him. He was there to say goodbye to her father. Nothing more. She hoped they didn't see each other again. She was still very resentful towards him for choosing Ami over her. That letter she sent him, she meant every word. He could not just stroll back into her life like she'd take him back.
"The fact that you're still mad at him means you still love him." Zuko told her.
"Whatever. I don't want to discuss your father anymore."
"Then what do you want to talk about?"
"Let's talk about how you have a great idea for project Republic City but have done nothing to make it happen." Katara said as she held her empty wine glass out to him to pour more.
Pour more wine for his water friend, "But doesn't Atsou want me to create Republic City? Wouldn't I be playing into his hands?"
"So what? Atsou isn't after us. He wants your father and besides, the idea is a good one. I saw the future through Atsou's eyes and it was spectacular, Zuko. This plan of yours really brings forth the future."
Zuko seemed to like the sound of that. Who was to know whether the illusion really showed the future or not but it gave him the motivation to see it through. Maybe Katara was right. He needed to see his plan through and he knew exactly who to go to start making his dream a reality.
…
It had been years but Aang had finally returned to the Fire Nation to see his old pal, Fire Lord Zuko. He was honestly surprised to hear from him after all these years. He couldn't wait to introduce his family to his friend for the first time.
Arriving on the back of Appa, Aang flew down where he saw Zuko and even Katara and her children. He smiled as he landed and hurriedly slid down Appa to hug both Zuko and Katara.
"Guys! It's so good to see you both!" Aang said excitedly.
Katara couldn't believe how much the monk had grown up. He was tall and masculine. No more the teen she remembered from her youth. He had truly become a man.
Zuko patted Aang on the back and directed his attention to the children.
"This is Zhiar, Kya and her son Jotaro, Ryu, and Mailan." Zuko introduced them.
Mailan and Ryu waved at the Avatar as he smiled and waved back to them.
Aang waved his hands to the three women and three young men climbed off of Appa.
"This is Jun-Heon, Kakashi, and Toka, my wives." Aang's wives all bowed to the Fire Lord and his family. "And these are our sons, Tezin, Marok, Xiao."
Zuko and Katara greeted them warmly.
"Come, I'll personally show you all to your chambers." Zuko informed them.
Once all of Aang's family was settled, the Avatar went to speak with his two old friends in the throne room and chuckled at them. "You two look so young. I envy your youthful looks."
"I don't feel young," Zuko rubbed his back and laughed.
"You sound like Sokka." Katara giggled.
"Who would have thought my two teachers were immortal beings the whole time?" Aang beamed between the both of them.
Zuko nodded, "Yes, well, as immortals, I believe it is our duty to look out for the future of the world. We will see it transition many times-"
"And meet my reincarnations." Aang added.
"Yes, we will see plenty as the years go on and I believe we are responsible for making sure the future is bright." Zuko said while sitting on his throne and gesturing his hand to Katara. "Katara has brought to my attention from a vision she had that the future is very bright and much more at ease than now. She tells me my idea of Republic City comes to pass and that the world is at true peace. I want to see this future for myself and to make it apparent to all."
Aang nodded, "I think your project is an excellent idea, Zuko. I remember when you first pitched it to me years ago. However, the territory you want is in the Earth Kingdom and with the government changing after *cough cough* some unsavory events between Katara and your father. Sorry, no offense." Aang looked at Katara.
Waving him down, "None taken." She gave a pleasant expression to him to assure him she was alright.
"Anyway, the new Earth Kingdom government is going to require you to pay for the territory in full if you're wanting to use it."
"But it would be independent of the Fire Nation. It's its own territory." Zuko exclaimed.
Sighing, "I know but I've already spoken with them as soon as I read your letter. In their words, 'it's your project, your responsibility'."
Zuko rubbed his brows knowing that while the Fire Nation was doing exceptionally well, they were not exactly in any position to be purchasing land. Now, if he had his father's wealth, then maybe but as it stood, he might need to find a diplomatic way around paying upfront.
"The general in charge that is assumed to be leading the new Earth Kingdom government has said that a marriage is always in order." Aang said awkwardly. "He's offered his youngest daughter to your son, Ryu."
"Absolutely not!" Katara quickly jumped in and said.
"Now, wait just a minute, Katara. We can't just write this off. In the world of politics and diplomacy, this is not unusual."
Katara folded her arms and narrowed her eyes, "Marry my son off and watch what happens, Zuko."
Standing to his feet, "I'm not my father, Katara. I won't cuck to you."
"Cuck?!" Katara shouted in outrage.
Aang awkwardly cringed, "Hey, guys, let's focus here."
"Yes, cuck! Everything has to be your way or you beat him up! What kind of shit is that?! You're abusive!"
"Abusive?!"
"Katara, I know you can hear me. Stop repeating the shit back to me like you don't know what I'm talking about."
"Cause I don't!"
Zuko gave her a look, "You didn't go around kicking my father's ass every time he upset you?"
Katara tried to say something in defense but couldn't as it dawned on her that she did fight Ozai every chance he pissed her off.
"If he did it in return, you'd call him abusive, wouldn't you?"
"Okay! Shut up! I get it!" Katara pouted as she felt a little guilty all of a sudden.
Zuko sat back down and looked to Aang, clearing his throat. "Sorry about that, Aang. You were saying."
"The general in charge said marriage is always on the table but I was going to add that maybe inviting your father in on the project may make the expenses cheaper."
Zuko and Katara both nodded at they preferred that idea better.
"Very well, I'll contact my father."
Ozai sat at his desk and listened to his son's proposal about his Republic City project. It was something he wasn't too adamant about after the letter they received from Atsou that favored the plan. However, the illusion of the future he saw really had him thinking. If this Republic City project turns into a success, then he wanted to put some of his inventions into great use there. He had plenty of ideas already from Atsou's illusion and now, he had a real chance to bring them to life.
Stroking his beard, "I'll make you a deal, Zuko. Have a statue built in my honor and I'll fund this project of yours."
"Thank you!" Zuko said while kneeling to his father.
"Get up, you're making things weird as always."
…..
A few months went by and project Republic City was in order. On behalf of the Fire Lord, Lady Katara was put in charge of overseeing the project's success alongside the Avatar. She had to hire the workforce and explain the blueprint designs for the buildings. Katara was to make sure everyone was paid fair wages, rules of safety and building codes were followed, the rations were evenly distributed, and that everything followed a schedule. This left her busy and honestly, overworked. But she tried not to complain. Aang kept her spirits high and motivated to take on the challenges that came their way.
Walking with Aang through the construction sites, Katara pointed at all the designed structures Zuko mapped out and explained the layout. They looked to make sure the crew was doing things exactly as instructed and spoke with a few of the coordinators that guided the crew, making sure everything was on schedule. So far, the plan was to get one portion of the city done at a time. So far they were dealing with the inner city first and would expand outward as time went on. This allowed the city to house people and grow in population at the same rate they added onto the city.
"There, there, and there." Katara pointed to the map for Aang to see the next districts they were lining up to do in the next few months. "These will be the districts for the higher social classes of society."
"Do we really need it?" Aang asked.
Sighing, "Zuko says we do as we need to accommodate everyone of different walks of life to their usual quality of living. In other words, give the rich what they want." Katara rolled her eyes.
As the two worked on their project, they both paused upon hearing Ami storm out the tent shouting at Ozai. The two had been working on inventions to implement and Ozai wanted Ami to install electricity into every building as well as aid him in a rail system. However; the two didn't seem to be getting along too well as one wanted to be married already and the other was pushing it off. Katara had to say, she was not surprised one bit. Of course, Ozai didn't want to get married to the woman right away.
"Why don't you listen to me?!" Ami shouted. "I want to be married this year! Not wait even longer, Ozai!"
Ozai, having grown his hair back out and wearing it in a high ponytail, followed the woman and tried to get her to stop freaking out. "Ami, there is a lot I have to deal with. It's not like I want to postpone it further."
"Then let's get married now! No more waiting!" Ami turned and looked at him pleadingly.
"Now isn't the time, Ami."
"Then when is?!" She grew enraged by this constant debate between them.
Ozai sighed and shook his head, "I don't have time for this. I have work to do."
"You big jerk!" Ami yelled as Ozai went back into his tent.
Aang saw Katara looking every bit unphased by her ex and his fiance arguing. He knew Katara didn't speak to Ozai anymore after he announced himself to be engaged to this other woman but he would at least think she had some interest in the argument.
"You okay, Katara?" Aang asked her.
Katara snorted, "Of course, I'm okay, Aang. My life doesn't revolve around Ozai and his bullshit. He made it very clear that he wanted to move on and was done with me. Well, I feel the same."
"Well, if you say so, Katara." Aang wasn't so sure Katara was unaffected by her ex as much as she tried to pretend to be.
…
Rubbing his temple as it was late into the evening and he was still working on his blueprints, Ozai sighed as he couldn't seem to focus. He hadn't been sleeping well lately. His mind was so absorbed with the illusion he was under with Atsou. The future world and the ideas he saw there as opportunities for his own greatness. However; it came with it's not so good effects. Such as the obsessive need to see things through even at the cost of his health. He also had trouble trying to focus on anything but his projects. And, it affected his relationship with Ami negatively.
Forcing himself to put the quill down, Ozai got up and walked outside to get some air. Outside he saw Katara feeding some of the workers that were from the Southern Water Tribe. He watched her for a moment and saw her laughing and joking with the workers. She was such a silly woman sometimes.
Deciding to approach her as he felt he really wanted to talk to her, Ozai came upon the campfire and saw Katara stand when seeing him.
"Katara," his voice cracked a little. "Can we talk?"
Typically, Katara would tell him to go to hell but Ozai didn't look himself to her and she felt like something was terribly off about him.
"Okay, Ozai. We can talk." Katara stepped between the workers and led Ozai to her tent.
At her tent, Katara brought Ozai to the firepit in the middle of her tent and sat on a cushion to start brewing tea.
"What is it you want, Ozai?" Katara asked as she stirred the pot of tea with her bending.
Weakly staring at the rug he was sitting above, "I just wanted to hear your voice."
Scoffing to herself as she pour them both some tea, "My tea's not as good as Iroh's, I warn."
"But it's still good nonetheless." Ozai accepted the cup of tea and thanked her.
Blowing on her tea, Katara glanced at him and noticed him drink the tea in one go. She raised her brow and sat her cup down to pour him more. He drank this cup slower and looked at her through the flames.
"So, tell me, how's life?" Katara asked casually as she dropped two sugar cubes in her tea.
"Challenging."
"As always." Katara nodded.
"How are you and Cho-Seng?"
Katara flashed her eyes at him, "I didn't ask about you and Ami. You shouldn't ask about me and Cho-Seng."
"I assumed from all the fighting we get into that you could already assume how things were going for us."
Katara sipped her tea and decided not to say anything to that. "Cho-Seng and I are good. The kids are starting to warm up to him. Zhiar is not his biggest fan but Zhiar doesn't like anyone with me. Even you." She chuckled a little and stared at the fire. "I like him. A lot. He's good to me and I don't feel so lonely anymore."
Ozai stared at his tea, "That's good to hear. Ami and I are going through a rough patch. She wants to get married but I'm not ready."
"I thought you loved her."
"I do but recently, I've just not been feeling too well as of late." Ozai sighed as he drank some of his tea and looked back at Katara. "She and I had a son, Hiroshi, a few months ago."
Katara's eyes widened at this as she was more than shocked to hear this. Ozai had a son with Ami now?
"We were planning to tell everyone once we got married but he might be talking by the time that happens at this rate." Ozai tilted his head and stared somberly at the flames.
Not really knowing what to say, "Well…congratulations, Ozai." Katara said in an unreadable tone as she couldn't figure out how to feel about this news. All she could think was him and Ami were actually serious about one another. She shouldn't still feel upset by this but it made her stomach feel empty and sunken like someone just robbed her of all her joy and replaced it with malice and bitterness. However, she wasn't interested in fighting or arguing with Ozai and decided to say nothing to instigate such. She just went along with the conversation and asked him about his son.
Hiroshi was a human and didn't inherit Ozai's immortal gene the way his other children did. It seemed to bother Ami more than Ozai. Both were not to happy with this but for different reasons. Ozai hated the idea that one day he'd have to bury one of his children and Ami hated that she had failed to give him a son worthy of him. It annoyed Ozai that she didn't seem interested in their son and wanted to make another attempt at giving him a 'proper' son. Ozai had become very involved in the boy's development as Ami was not interested in the child one bit. But this caused a rift in their relationship as Ozai was noticing her selfishness and inconsideration towards others, especially a child. Hiroshi was still his child and for her to just discard the child was an insult to him and a sad fate for the boy.
"I haven't slept in weeks as the boy is in constant need of attention." Ozai yawned and rested his chin in his hand.
Katara could tell Ozai was tired. He looked to have aged a little which shouldn't be the case but the dark circles and eye bags put age on him. She felt a little concerned about him as he just did not look himself to her. As she poured him some more tea, Ozai drops it with his shaky hands and she knows for a fact something is wrong with him.
Bending water to her hand, Katara pressed her water gloved hand to Ozai's forehead without warning him and shut her eyes. He allowed her to do this and shut his eyes with her.
"You're sick." Katara pulled back and looked at Ozai in disbelief.
"No," He started, "I'm just in need of sleep."
Katara wasn't buying it.
"I'm busy with work, this project, and the boy. Some sleep will do me good."
Katara was still not buying it. "When's the last time you slept?"
"Months." Ozai groaned.
The waterbender offered to put him to sleep and he practically jumped at the opportunity to get some real rest. As she put him to sleep, Katara laid him down on her fur rug, providing her fur blanket and pillows to comfort him. When he was knocked out, she went to his tent and decided to be nosy. Something was off about him and she needed to ease her conscience.
Rummaging through his trunks, Katara found nothing that stood out to her but as she went to Ami's trunk, she found a vial with green substance inside. She picked it up and stowed it away in her side satchel, something seemed off about this serum.
…..
Zuko hugged Katara as she had returned from her months out in construction zones of his project Republic City. He knew he and the children had missed her but he honestly, could trust no one else to the tasks.
"Tell me, how'd things go?"
Katara walked with Zuko and told him everything she felt was important to go over while briefly summing up the not so important details. There wasn't much that needed to be discussed as the project was coming along nicely and there were little to no issues in this first stage.
"But…" She paused and looked over to Zuko as she twiddled her fingers. "You father…he has another son."
Zuko paused at this as his eyes widened.
"He's been having to watch the boy quite a bit as Ami is not interested in the child for it to turn out to be a human. He's always sick which he contributes to watching after the baby so much but your father raised the children for the most part on his own and never turned out sickly like he is."
"Sickly?" Zuko raised a brow at her.
Katara nodded, "He's gravely ill, Zuko."
Sucking his teeth as he averted his eyes from her, "I have no sympathy for him. He brought this on himself. Who's to say that bitch Ami isn't poisoning him."
"Well, that's exactly what I was thinking and I found this amongst her luggage." Katara pulled out a syringe wrapped in a dark cloth and showed it to Zuko.
Zuko picked it up and analyzed it with his dragon eyes, "It's a serum but it doesn't seem to have any properties I'm familiar with."
"Can you look at it for me? I know the Fire Lords all get extensive training on poisons. Just make sure she's not poisoning him."
Zuko side eyed her, "Didn't you say you weren't talking to him anymore?"
"Yes but he looked awful, Zuko. I might not want to deal with him but I wish no harm on her."
Zuko scoffed and pocketed the syringe, "Fine but you owe me."
"Whatever you want." Katara said.
Zuko looked her up and down, "Don't say that or I'll really ask for what I want."
Katara swallowed hard and looked away, as she blushed.
Smirking when saw her face turn red, Zuko kissed her cheek and poked her nose.
Later that day, Zuko found her at her estate and informed her the substance was abnormal and created an abomination. He tested it on a small animal and watched it die before reanimating to attack another rat he had nearby. That rat went on to do the same and Zuko was forced to burn them as nothing else killed them.
"I knew it! What if it's poisoning Ozai?! She must be working with Atsou!" Katara speculates.
"Whoa! Wait a second, Tara." Zuko clasped her shoulders and eased her into her seat on the lounge chair. "We can't jump to conclusions like that. Just because we have this vile from her trunks doesn't mean she's working for Atsou."
"This is just the type of shit Atsou would want!" Katara exclaimed. "Besides, I have a feelings that Ami is up to something sinister! Why else would Ozai be sick?!"
Zuko sighed as he pinched his brows, "My father is ill because of his regret of being with that annoying bitch, Ami."
Katara rolled her eyes, "why won't you trust me on this?"
"Because I don't care." Zuko told her honestly.
"Fine! I'll look into it myself.
Sighing, "Don't get yourself into trouble."
"Get out, Zuko." Katara pointed at the door.
Zuko kisses her forehead and left.
…
Katara couldn't help it. She felt something was up and only she seemed to be picking up on it as the children thought the same as Zuko. Everyone believed their father was just regretting his decisions but that not how it seemed to her. She could tell Ozai truly cared about Ami cause he was putting up with that bitch. If he didn't love the woman, he'd have left her. Besides, he was really sick. Not emotionally sick, physically.
Popping in on the Phoenix King, Katara tiptoed her way to his office and pushed the door open. She immediately heard the crying wails of a baby and saw Ozai holding his son on his knees while bouncing his leg as he tried doing some of his work. She entered immediately and saw Ozai look up in surprise.
"Let me hold him while you work." Katara told him.
Ozai didn't even question what she was doing here and handed her the baby. As soon as Katara had Hiroshi in her arms the baby cooed and rested his head against her breast. She smiled and looked up at Ozai.
"He's so cute." She bounced with the baby in her arms.
Ozai sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "I was about to pull my hair out with this boy."
"I cut my hair short as I was about to do the same over Zhiar and his whoremongering." Katara said as she continued bouncing with the baby.
The two chuckled.
"So, how are you feeling today?" Katara asked her ex.
Ozai rested his head in his hand and eyed her, "Mind putting me to sleep again when I'm done with my work?"
"I can do that." Katara told him and looked at his desk to see what he was doing. "Whatcha working on?"
Ozai had ideas from the illusion they had been in and wanted to implement them into Republic City.
"That's a great idea." Katara went to look over his shoulder to look at the designs while holding Hiroshi.
Ozai saw the way his son seemed to like Katara and stopped to stare, "Do you mind keeping him for a few days?"
Katara's eyes widened, "I can keep him but are you sure?"
Nodding, "Ami won't notice and not like she'd care, but I have to be back in Republic City for a few days."
"Okay, Ozai but if Ami says anything I'm blaming you." Katara said as she held the back of Hiroshi's head. "Where's his things?"
Pointing at the rug where a bunch of Hiroshi's toys and baby supplies were, Ozai sighed in relief as she had agreed to give him a break. He needed it.
"I'll get going, Ozai." Katara told him. "Contact me when you're ready to be put to sleep."
"Thank you, Katara. You're a lifesaver."
"Sure am." She said as she opened a portal and carried the baby through it.
…..
"Do you really need another child to look after, Katara?" Zuko asked her.
Katara shrugged her shoulders, "One of my servants needed someone the watch their baby for a while and I was more than happy to look after this little cutie."
It had been in her best interest to not tell the kids or Zuko that this was Hiroshi, their father's son. She didn't know how they'd react to the idea that their father had another child but in secret. Katara figured she'd hold onto Hiroshi for a few days as Ozai needed a break. Honestly, she knew Zuko would probably tell her to forget about his feelings and she wanted to, truly. He fucked her over and choose a stuck up bitch like Ami and it hurt her a lot but Katara wasn't going to let an innocent baby suffer an exhausted father and absent mother. That wouldn't be fair. Plus, She missed having little babies around. She hadn't really dealt with a baby since Ryu as Mailan was taken from her the moment she was born and Kya was so attached to her son that she barely let anyone hold him. But thankfully, Ozai trusted her with his son. He had to know she'd never harm a child, let alone his child.
Zuko watched as Katara kissed on the baby's cheeks and fed him some mashed banana and applesauce. He could only see how much she wanted a baby of her own and he was more than willing to give her another. He did hope to have a daughter in the future. Maybe Katara would be the mother of that one too. But as he thought it, Katara's boyfriend strolled in and greeted them.
"Good afternoon, Fire Lord Zuko." Cho-Seng greeted him after giving Katara a kiss on the cheeks.
Zuko sucked his teeth and placed his hands in his sleeve, "I don't like you, human."
"Zuko!"
"What?! I'm being honest!"
"Well go be honest somewhere else! Talking about humans when we once thought ourselves to be humans too!"
Zuko rolled his eyes, "You and your sympathy for all people and things used to attract me to you, now it annoys me."
"Good, so you can stop jerking off to my panties I know you stole." Katara accused.
Cho-Seng looked at the Fire Lord like he was nuts as the man seemed unphased by the allegations.
Shrugging, "I'd stop if you'd dump this idiot and come be with me."
"Zuko, you have a bad attitude these days."
"I think he's sexually frustrated." Cho-Seng said aloud, receiving a glare from the Fire Lord.
Katara got up with the baby in her arms, "Enough of this around the baby. Zuko, you go home and get yourself together. Stop being mean to Cho-Seng. Cho-Seng, can you let the servants know to have a crib and linens brought to the spare room upstairs?"
The two men did as the water woman told them.
Later that night as she put the baby to sleep in a crib, Katara kissed his cheek and rose up to head to bed. She and Cho-Seng were hoping to get some time together this evening since Ryu and Mailan were both knocked out from a busy day at school and Zhiar was out as usual. However, as she turned to leave, Katara saw Ozai had shown up and paused.
"I thought I was keeping him for a few days." Katara sounded disappointed.
Ozai's eyes shifted from the baby to her, "You are, I just wanted to stop in."
Katara pulled close her night robe, "Okay, what's up?"
"Ami knows he's here. She's not too pleased with my decision to let you keep him for a few days." Ozai informed her as he walked over to the crib to see his son sleeping soundly in the crib. "She doesn't want him."
"Doesn't want him?!" Katara couldn't believe this.
"She said keep him."
"Ozai, what the hell is wrong with her?!" Katara was outraged.
Ozai glanced at his ex-wife, "I have bad luck with women that don't want to be real mothers. All except you."
Katara furrowed her brows at him and folded her arms, "So, I get to keep him."
"If you want, otherwise, I need to find a family for him." Ozai caressed his finger against the plump cheeks of the baby boy.
"No, Ozai! I'll take care of him as if he were my own!" Katara quickly said as she grabbed his robes.
Taking Katara's hand and patting it, Ozai gave her a weak smile. "You have my back, Katara, always, don't you?"
"Of course, Ozai. We've been through a lot together and even if I'm upset with you, I can't leave you to suffer." Katara explained to him.
"Thank you."
"If you need to rest here, you can. I'll get covers and more pillows."
Ozai smirked, "You still care about me, waterbender."
"You'd be dead if I didn't." Katara told him as she walked off to get the blankets.
Cho-Seng stopped her in the hall and smirked at her. "Ready for tonight, my water nymph?"
Kissing his lips, "I am. Just getting a few more things for the baby and I'll see you in the room."
Grabbing her face, Cho-Seng kissed her passionately to make her aware of how in longing he had been. It was a while since they got to spend the night together since she had been busy with the Republic City project and didn't have time as of late. But with her in a more lax schedule, he wanted her in bed for the next few days if possible.
"I'll meet you in the room in ten." Katara told him.
"I'll be waiting, my sexy water lily."
Returning to Ozai with a blanket and sheets, Katara found him asleep by the crib on the lounge chair. She grinned a little at how cute the pair were. Lifting Ozai's head, Katara placed a pillow under it and threw the blanket over him. She kissed his temple before strutting off to go see Cho-Seng in her room.
….
A/N:
Hiroshi, yes, that's right. Hiroshi from Legend of Korra. Hitoshi Sato.