Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Katara

Never.

Never had she felt this kind of betrayal.

Not since she was a child, had she lost control of her bending like this. And that's exactly how she felt. She felt like a child being punished for something, only…she'd done nothing wrong! The air was bone chillingly cold, icy around her, and Katara was sure that if it were possible, it might have been snowing. The walls and floor closest to the bathroom had an icy residue on the baseboard molding, and there were icicles on the doorknobs.

Her icy blue eyes met Yue's sapphire ones...she was partly surprised to discover that they were filled with fear.

But her cousin's rage wouldn't be curbed easily. This was about more than tradition, more than power. This was a matter of pride. Yue was a member of the Water Tribe just like she was. And pride, in both heritage and oneself was as much the essence of the Water Tribe, as honor was the essence of the Fire Nation. To a person from the Water Tribe, your pride was everything.

And as she looked into Yue's eyes, full of mistrust, the older woman's pride and determination she realized that those same emotions must have been reflected in her own eyes when she was mad at pride wouldn't let her back down about her traditions, and Yue's pride wouldn't let her do the same with her own beliefs and emotions. Which cause was right? Which matter of pride could be justified?

Yue rolled her eyes in a feigned attempt at bravado. Katara raised an eyebrow. "You're calling me selfish? Me?" But Katara just stared back at her. Despite all her efforts at trying to say otherwise, Yue was nervous.

Katara sighed and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm calling you selfish because it's true. You're going to be a mother. More than anyone else, you should know what the significance a mother can influence her child just by her presence. Or...absence." On this last sentence, her eyes met Yue's and she heard the ex-priestess' breath hitch.

But Yue pretended not to hear her, turning towards the window at the slowly setting sun. The light cast a dusky glow on her face that seemed to make her even more beautiful. "And what's more…I know the implications, the consequences, the conditions of being a mother." She spat it all out, angrily. Katara wondered if Yue was truly mad at her, or the shadows of her past more. With tightly balled fists, she turned her back to Katara as an attempt to salvage her pride.

Katara attempted to walk closer, speaking in a gentle tone to not upset Yue further. "Then you also know very well...how much your child will hurt…when they find out that their mother only used them for political gain. Since—,"

"Don't say it!" Yue ordered, turning back around. She pointed a menacing finger at Katara. Her eyes were wild, the color darkening to a blue almost bordering on grey. Yue's white hair seemed to glow as her cheeks flushed red in anger.

But Katara was mad too. She didn't like that Yue did this, that someone she once held dear didn't hold her in the same regard. She still held Yue dear in her heart, as a matter of fact…despite her faults, she was still family, but before she could stop herself, she said to Yue, the one thing that would wound Yue the most, "Since your mother did the same thing."

Yue's mouth opened in a cry of anguish that shook Katara to her toes. "Shut up, Shut Up!" Yue's hands covered her ears, eyes squeezing shut like she could stop Katara's words by sheer will. Immediately, regret coiled in the pit of her stomach, but Katara pushed it away.

But this was the truth, and Katara wouldn't be stopped. Yue had to understand, what she was getting into even if it meant reopening old wounds. "Your mother disobeyed my grandmother's command."

"You don't think I know that?" She snapped, eyes full of hate. "You think I wasn't there when she told my father she was leaving him for someone richer? More powerful? More influential?" Yue's tears fell from her closed eyes. She sniffed. "I was only 3 years old, Katara. Still a child. You think I don't remember what it was like to grow up without a mother?"

"You had a mother growing up." Katara said firmly. "My mother—,"

"Oh yes, your mother." Yue narrowed her eyes, lips curled in a sneer. "Perfect Chieftess Kya. With her perfect little family, and her perfect little children."

"You sound like your father Yue." Katara said, her voice was dark and harsh. "What are you going to do, try to kill me like he tried to kill Sokka?"

Yue froze the sneer slipped from her face for a moment, before it was back on, though not so strongly this time.

The tears came quickly now, but Yue still smiled bitterly. "I remember hating the sight of your perfect little family. When you would invite me to sit with you at the Tribe dinners…I would watch you laugh and joke and act like a family should."

Katara frowned at her, a sad sort of grimace on her face. "We never excluded you. You were a part of our lives forever. And how couldn't you be? You were family. You are family."

"You couldn't help but rub my face in it!?"The white-haired woman's voice turned mocking, her anger fueled by years of scorn and hatred. "I wasn't a member of your family, I was the pitied one. I spent every day in your family's shadow like a new moon, hidden from view, obscured, seen by no one."

"If anyone was shadowed as a child, it was me!" Katara forced out through gritted teeth. Hot tears stung her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. "You were perfect. The perfect example, the perfect student, the perfect woman! The elders loved you. On your twelfth birthday, people crowded around to see the perfect princess…but I…I was left alone. I was alone in the snowbanks until you came to get me."

"And is that my fault?" Yue asked

Katara couldn't hold the tears in, and they slipped down her face, betraying how much Yue was getting to her. A lump in her throat formed and she tried to swallow it down, but it wouldn't go away, burning her lungs with the pain of years of frustration and anguish, not only for her childhood, but since she'd been here in the Fire Nation. "Yue, I could never live up to the expectations already set up by you!"

You had everything! I had no choice but to be that way!" Yue all but screamed at her, taking a step forward. At Katara's side, Smellerbee flinched. "I had no mother to guide me, no one to show me the way."

"You had my mother." Katara said quietly, her tears flowed freely, and she no longer held them at bay. "You had me."

"A fine job that did." Yue scoffed. She stepped closer to Katara, hands on her hips. Her voice, like Katara's was very low, and that's what made it all the more biting. She shook her head slowly, explaining to Katara as though she were a small child. "Your mother can't save the world."Yue laughed, a dark, mocking laugh.

"At least my mother cared about me." Katara said bitingly. Yue flinched at this, losing her menacing expression. "Your mother jumped in bed with the first Earth Kingdom merchant she saw."

Yue narrowed her eyes, pointing a finger in Katara's face. "Don't make my mother out to be some kind of s-seductress just because she chose her own destiny." Yue's expression hardened. "And don't be mad at me because you chose to believe the old fools in the council, and now they've gotten you almost killed for it. You resent them…don't you?"

"What?" Katara said, confusion replacing the anger. "I don't—,"

"Yes, you do." Yue said, a wicked smile on her face. It was strange, then. It was like Azula was looking back at her, the same sneer, the same knowing tone, the same hateful eyes… "You hate that you almost died because of those old women."

Did she? She hadn't given her own feelings much thought, merely concentrated on living day by day, trying to stay alive. It brought her back to when she was on the beach, and Zuko had come looking for her. She was so determined to leave, and she blamed the Fire Nation, and its people for turning her hope for a different life…into pain…

"Yue you—," Katara threw her arms up in the air, frustrated beyond belief. "I can't even talk to you."

Katara barely heard the door open behind her. Casting a reproachful eye at the incomer, she snapped. "What's it? I'm quite busy."

And there Gu Zhi stood, eyes wide open as she looked Katara up and down. Following behind was Smellerbee, shutting the door silently behind her. Gu Zhi's eyes zeroed in on the dragon pin in Katara's hair, but Smellerbee spoke first before she could say anything.

"I-I'm sorry I disobeyed you, Princess Katara…It's just…you told me not to get Prince Zuko and I didn't. Madam Gu Zhi was the only person I thought to—," The twelve-year-old stopped her rambling here, and gave Katara an apologetic look, and Katara's eyes softened, because Smellerbee wasn't the real cause of her anger.

And true to her position, Gu Zhi immediately focused on the task at hand. That being, Katara's welfare. The brusque head servant approached Katara with purpose, although her eyes would dart to Katara's hair. She bowed to Katara, completely ignoring Yue.

"Princess Katara, Smellerbee was in quite a state when she found me. Is something the matter?"

Katara thought for a moment. She turned to give Yue a quick glance, noting the deep scowl the older woman wore. Turning back around, she smiled at the pair of servants. "Actually…yes…perhaps there…is a problem."

"I'm not a problem, Katara. Don't ignore me." Yue said, stepping next to Katara.

Gu Zhi eyed the ex-priestess with disdain. Katara figured that she put things together rather quickly. Obviously, the pair of them were from the Water Tribe, and if body language was any indication, they weren't friends. As the old servant appraised Yue, her eyes caught on her blinding white hair and her breath caught.

But ever the professional, Gu Zhi masked her emotions like a champion. "And this person is…" Gu Zhi gestured politely to Yue, trailing off.

Katara cleared her throat. She couldn't deny their family resemblance any more than she could deny their Water Tribe heritage. "This woman is my cousin, Yue. She's arrived here early for a visit."

The old woman's calm voice faltered, when she spoke next, she was shocked, that much was clear. "But the palace received no official notice of—,"

"She isn't official..." Katara said quietly, the meeting Gu Zhi's eyes directly. The old woman pursed her lips, the lines around her mouth much more pronounced and suddenly her hair seemed to be much greyer as she absorbed Katara's information and drew her own conclusions. Katara added, much more pointedly, "I would very much like to keep it that way."

"So, I shall not be adding another place setting for Prince Lu Ten's feast?" Gu Zhi asked, in a no-nonsense sort of tone.

"Yes, you will." Yue said, stepping in front of Katara.

"No, you won't." Katara stepped even further in front of Yue. The teenager girl met her older cousin's eyes. Katara wouldn't back down from this. No matter how much Yue scorned her after this, she wouldn't be attending this banquet.

"Since when do you start deciding things around here, Katara?" Yue asked, a condescending air practically covering the words.

"Since she saved Fire Lord Iroh's life." Gu Zhi informed her, and Katara felt an inane amount of satisfaction at seeing the smug smirk drain off of Yue's face.

"You what—," Yue stammered, giving Katara an incredulous look.

"Look." Katara interrupted her, holding a hand to stifle her response. Katara turned to Gu Zhi, who immediately stood at attention, ready to do her bidding. "All I'm saying is this. Use discretion. Those of us in the dining room tonight should have no knowledge of her presence."

Yue spun Katara around roughly to face her, nails digging into her shoulder. She narrowed her eyes at the princess. "Katara you can't just pretend like I'm not here. If Lu Ten were here—,"

Katara laughed aloud, cutting her off. "If Lu Ten were here, he'd deny that he even met you! You were a meaningless fling—,"

"I'm not meaningless!" Yue cried, shaking her head, refusing to accept it. "Lu Ten told me he loved me."

Katara removed Yue's hand from her shoulder with the gentlest of touches. She felt her own mean streak kick in as she smirked at Yue. "As I'm sure he's told many others."

Yue huffed in indignation, stomped angrily, and Katara had to fight to hold back a laugh. She sounded more like a petulant child than Katara had heard in quite a long time. "This isn't fair, Katara."

"I thought you said that life was never fair." Katara smiled in victory. She had won this little battle, as difficult as it was going against her own cousin. "The point is…Lu Ten is marrying someone else. She's a good friend of mine and I won't have you spoil her happiness."

Yue opened her mouth.

Katara narrowed her eyes. "No, I'm not going to have you ruin my happiness either." Katara's expression softened then, "Is this how we really feel about each other, then? Bitterness and jealousy?"

Spirits know I have an easier time ruining my happiness on my own.

"I have nothing to be jealous of."

Katara grimaced before turning back to Gu Zhi. "Keep her in here." Gu Zhi nodded. "I'm going to find Zuko."

Ursa

Ursa walked, her head in turmoil from this morning's trial. Tiang was now under house arrest, Ozai was actually…nice to her…and to Zuko. Lu Ten had returned, she'd heard whispered all over the palace… that he'd been successful, though for the full details, she'd have to wait for the entire story at dinner. Her feet took her to where she'd been only a few times before, during her youth when the gilded walls of the Fire Nation palace still seemed inviting and beautiful.

It was strange how mindless walking led her to the place she never wanted to be again. In front of Ozai's door. His actions at Katara's trial had surprised her, immediately renouncing Tiang as he did. Avoiding the truth—Ursa knew him better than he thought, because she knew her husband was hiding something. She could tell. She just didn't know what. Ursa turned away from the door, facing the windows…the dying sunlight cast pleasant warmth on her face as she contemplated her husband, and his motives.

But she had to admit, he was smart. By publicly removing any association with Tiang, or her plan to have Katara removed from the Fire Nation and Jet executed, he'd avoided all suspicion. But everyone knew the truth…but as the real culprits, Tiang and Zhao had been caught…there was no way that anyone would dare accuse him. Not again. Ozai was too smart for that.

She didn't hear the door to Ozai's room open with a soft click. "Did you need something from me?" His deep voice made her jump.

She turned, gasping in surprise. "H-Husband...I-I—,"

They never called each other by their actual names.

Ursa faltered, stepping back from the door. He was moving towards her, and the closer he got, the more she became overwhelmed. His presence seemed to fill the entire hallway, both suffocating her and…as he moved into the sunlight, his face almost seemed to glow, stirring up feelings that she'd tried her best to put to the back of her mind.

Ursa realized that they were, for the first time in years…alone. "Did you need something?" He asked again.

"I-I um…no…I was just passing by…"

"Really?" His smile was blinding and seeing him smile was something else entirely. He beamed at her—like he used to before Tiang. His mouth curled into a knowing smirk and his eyes blazed with some unknown intention. She felt her throat constrict as Ozai reached her, and they stood across from each other. "No…rather…"

He reached a hand to her face, running his fingers lightly over her skin, and Ursa nearly forgot to breathe. Ursa eyed Ozai warily. "Husband…what are you…?"

He smiled at her again, his hands leaving the skin at the nape of her neck. "My name is Ozai, Ursa. Call me Ozai." His hands trailed lightly down her shoulders, and Ursa felt like she was a young woman again…oh why did he have this effect on her? He leaned closer, to place kisses along her neck, and Ursa's hands came up to grip his sleeves of their own accord. "Like you used to…I'd love to hear my name from those stunning lips of yours."

"O-Ozai…" She said hesitantly.

And he smiled again, a blinding, calculative smile that she knew was hiding something, she knew he was manipulating her, but she still fell for it…like she had all those years ago.

"I've missed you." Ozai murmured against her skin.

Ursa let out a breathy gasp, as the temperature rose around them. she hadn't felt this way in a long time, 15 years, too long. "What do you mean, O-Ozai?"

He pulled away, and she missed the feeling of his skin against hers almost immediately. "I neglected you all of these years…and for that…" Was Ozai actually…apologizing to her? He cleared his throat, looking in her eyes. "I love you, Ursa, more than I can say."

Was this another game of his? Was it real? Did she really want to find out the answer? "Ozai…"

"I had to take care of Tiang." Ursa stiffened at the name. "She was pregnant…and I…I was honor bound to her." That sounded like a pile of komodo rhino dung, but Ozai was there, and he was holding her like he hadn't for so long. So, she believed him, and she let his words wash over her, covering her like she'd longed for.

"I understand…" Ursa whispered quietly. He pulled her to him, and she inhaled the smoky musk that made him Ozai. It still caused her legs to quiver, and her heartbeat to increase, though she had no intention of letting go.

He squeezed her tighter. Ursa almost felt unnerved at the casual display of affection he was showing. For all they knew, someone could see them. "I knew you would." He pulled away. He gave her an apologetic look, one that instantly had her warning signs rising. He smiled again. "But…I'd hate to leave things on such terrible circumstances."

"What are you saying?" Ursa inquired, smirking inwardly. She knew it. Ozai always had an ulterior motive behind every decision and action.

Here, Ozai had the decency to look upset. Ursa raised an eyebrow. "If she is to be executed, I want her to know that I will take care of Azula, no matter what. Under my brother's reign…Azula won't suffer."

"I wouldn't expect for Azula to suffer." Ursa said quietly. "She is your daughter."

But what about your son…Zuko?

"And tell her the news about Iroh." He added with his trademark smug grin. "It might do her well to know that her plans have failed."

Ursa smiled too. That would give her some satisfaction. But she made a show of thinking about it. Ozai waited impatiently, knowing her acting was just that—an act. She nodded, "Fine. I will speak with Tiang."

"Wonderful." He breathed, arms traveling around her waist, and she was pulled towards him, as though only a month before, it had been some other woman in his arms, and not her. And was it just her imagination, or did Ozai's grin become even larger, and even more genuine. "When you see her, give her this, please."

Ozai pulled something from the inside of his sleeve. Turning it over in his hands Ursa saw it was a beautiful butterfly pin, the kind used to hang from a dress as an ornament or from the roof of a palanquin as a decoration. It was a beautiful ruby butterfly, that sparkled in the sun. The wings were entirely made of the crystal and encased in gold. Ursa took it hesitantly.

"This is...?"

"It's hers." Ozai said pointedly. "It was hers before she entered the palace. She should have it when she leaves."

But it was settled for now. She would talk to Tiang later.

And as Ozai pulled her in for a searing kiss that made her head spin and her toes tingle, Ursa was reminded of why exactly she loved Ozai in the first place. He pulled her into his room, and Ursa felt they were quickly making up for where 15 years ago left off.

"Ozai…" She murmured against his lips.

"Hm?" He asked, distracting her with feather-light touches in the most sensitive of places.

"What…" Kiss here…touch there… Ursa fought to breathe properly. "What do you really think of Azula and Jet? And Zuko and Katara?" He paused his ministrations for only a second.

"What do you mean?"

She pulled away for a moment. "I know you, Ozai." She gave him a look which he returned in equal measure. "What do you feel about the whole thing?"

Ozai smiled, and resumed his work, both his hands and lips ran over her exposed skin, touching, nibbling, fingers trailing along skin that had been neglected for far too long. "I'll tell you later, my love. Later."

And as his hands moved lower… and his lips followed soon after…Ursa suddenly found herself unable to reply.