Chapter 41

Katara

It was much later when they returned.

From the way everyone looked, it looked like nothing had happened yet, though according to Zuko, the party was already in full swing by the time they'd arrived (late, obviously). Though nothing major had happened between them in the caves below the palace, they'd reaffirmed the bond that strengthened their ties to each other, which was all Katara could ever ask for. She knew a lot more about Zuko's childhood than he'd wanted to let out, initially, and she'd told him stories of growing up on the snowbanks of the South Pole.

The Sun had set, painting the sky a bloody red, which caused a bit of a tingle to go down Katara's spine. A red sky was a bad omen for the Water Tribe, no matter what time of day. Subconsciously, her grip tightened on Zuko's arm. He looked down at her concerned for a moment, but she waved him off." I'm fine." She said, "Let's just go in."

His brow furrowed, but he agreed, and they continued into the Grand Hall. Covered in Red and Gold tapestries displaying the proud emblem of the Fire Nation, as well as large portraits of both Lu Ten and Song decorated the East and West sides of the Grand Dais, where the Fire Lord's throne sat. Currently, the Fire Lady sat in it, overseeing the large throng of guests from her perch like a watchful hawk, making sure no one would hinder her son's big day.

A band played soft music, which screamed over the small din that was created by people milling about. The difference between here and the Water Tribe was the obvious lack of fun. And this was supposed to be a party? People weren't partying, they weren't even laughing! All they did was make polite conversation with each other, full of 'How do you do' and 'By your leave' and a whole bunch of pleasantries that would have been so out of place in the South Pole.

But no Yue.

And it was for the better.

Katara and Zuko milled through the crowd, Katara feeling lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces of Fire Nation nobility. There were some men who'd brought their wives, but others, men and women were single, hoping to catch the eye of someone worth waiting for. She caught the disgruntled eye of a few Fire Nation girls that had been sent home from the Hana Matsuri. But what make Katara feel the most awkward was the way people stared at her. She, with her darker skin, brown hair and bright blue eyes would be an outcast, amplified because she wore her nicest dress, a dark blue number that had flowing sleeves and a long train. Her mother's betrothal necklace shone from around her throat, and the pearls interwoven in her hair sparkled in the torchlight. But it was all blue, and heavily contrasted with the red ocean she found herself wading through.

"Ah, Prince Zuko." An old man stopped them with a large hand pressed on Zuko's shoulder. He was short and squattish, with a round stomach covered by thick robes, with a dark belt holding himself together. His fingers were little more than fat sausages, gripping them in place.

Zuko nodded in acknowledgement. "Grand-Uncle Gojin" He said, eyeing the man with disdain.

"Good to see you, my boy." If the old man caught onto Zuko's dislike, he didn't show it. In fact, with the way he carried on, he probably noticed it, and relished in it. "How've you been, Zuko?"

"Fine." Zuko answered him stiffly, and Katara saw the old man's black beady eyes widen.

"Excellent, Excellent…" He murmured, and then leaned into Zuko. "Still no word about the…" He made a weird motion with his hands. Katara stared in confusion.

But Zuko must've known what it meant, because he shook his head. "No. No cure has been found yet." Zuko grit his teeth, and his hand stayed clasped in hers, though his grip tightened.

Katara tensed, but she didn't know why. To her surprise, the old man laughed, a great big belly laugh that caused his stomach to roll. "Ha-ha! Oh, Zuko you're such a good son, waiting for your father's approval! If I were in your place, I'd be hiding in the most remote caves in the Fire Nation! Very brave, my boy. Very brave indeed." Though the words of praise didn't sound so kind once spoken. His eyes glittered as he stepped closer, looking for gossip. "Tell me the truth though, and be honest with me…"

Zuko bit his lip and tried his best not to glare at the man. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you're implying, Duke* Gojin."

"Why sure you do!" Duke Gojin laughed again, "You must have found a cure…I can feel the fire coming off of you…you really mean to tell me you haven't used your bending in years?" The word 'firebend' was a whisper, and yet Katara could feel that people in the immediate vicinity were listening in, and waiting for Zuko's answer, waiting for gossip they too could spread.

"Of course not." Zuko's hands shook, and she could tell he was trying hard not to strangle the man, never mind firebending him to a crisp. "It's just warm in here."

He wasn't wrong, the mass of people made the air heavy with heat, especially from all of the firebenders in the room.

"Oh, but Zuko…Surely you must have…" The old man said, his eyes widening with interest. "You can tell me, I won't tell a soul!" He laughed again, and Katara knew that everyone heard that as several heads turned to them in interest. "Your honor will still be intact when we're done!" Duke Gojin elbowed a nearby man who'd turned to listen to the conversation. "What little there is left, anyway, eh?" He quipped, and the two men laughed together...at Zuko's expense.

Zuko pulled his arm away from her, extremely tense, his shoulders bunched, and she could feel the restrained heat and fire ebbing from his body, willing him to make a move. But Katara willed him not to, and she could see that this was just a game to these men, almost like a contest. Let's see who can get Zuko to firebend first!

She would have none of it.

Not to Zuko. Not to someone who didn't deserve to be mocked. He was hard on himself enough as it was. Zuko didn't need these men. And she would make sure they knew it.

"How dare you insult him like that?" Katara fired, causing the two men to look at her in acknowledgement for the first time. "He has more honor than both of you put together!" She eyed the one called Duke Gojin with a calculating eye. "And you, sir…are well put together."

The heavy-set man coughed and sputtered before stepping over to her, nearly red-faced. "Who does this little chit think she is speaking to?"

"And what is she wearing?" She heard a woman behind her whisper to her friend. But she ignored it. For Now.

Zuko's hand found hers again, squeezing it, thanking her for coming to his aid, though it was unlikely he ever needed it in the first place. But she couldn't risk him getting into more trouble. She couldn't allow that. "Grand Uncle Gojin, may I present, Princess Katara of the Southern Water Tribe." He gestured to the old man, before turning to her with a smile. Though lying behind it was a mixture of annoyance and pride. "Katara, this is my Grandfather Azulon's youngest brother, Prince or rather, Duke Gojin."

"A pleasure to meet you," She bowed, but kept her eyes trained on him. "I still stand by what I said."

The old man paused and looked around at the small crowd they'd gathered. "Well, Prince Zuko. She is your pick from the Hana Matsuri? I must say she's a lively one." His eyes roamed her up and down, and now it was Katara's turn to squeeze Zuko's hand tighter for restraint. He squeezed back, and the darkness in his eyes told her that he'd noticed the man's lecherous gaze as well. "I bet she's even livelier between the sheets, am I right?" He laughed, and several of the men laughing with them, while the women giggled to each other.

"Of course, he'll know." Katara said quietly, fixing the old man with a cool glare. "But you, Duke Gojin, I suspect have never experienced anything of the sort. I assume you're unmarried?" She was bluffing of course. She knew nothing about the man. But honestly, what woman would want to stay with him? Especially in a country like the Fire Nation that allowed for divorce. "Can't keep a wife? They've all left you, haven't they? "

"What do you know about that, you little—," He hissed at her.

"No decent man with a wife would ever talk to the wife of another person like that, no matter if he is their nephew or not. No decent family member would behave the way you do."

"She's right you know," Someone commented, and a few others agreed. "No honor in that."

"I suspect, Duke Gojin that you live in your mansion all by yourself, alone, because no one can stand to be around you. I suspect that most of the servants you have all found work elsewhere because of your rude and unnecessary behavior. And that…has left you a sad, rude old man." She finished, and dare she think it, but a few of the Fire Nation courtiers looked…impressed.

He can't get a rise out of me.

And Zuko's Uncle knew it. So, he turned back to the easier target. Zuko. "You need her to fight your battles, for you? Zuko? How pathetic." The old man spat, pleasantries cast aside. "I always knew you didn't have the spine for this."

"I don't need her to fight for me, Grand Uncle. And she knows this. I'm trying to be respectful of the Crown Prince's day of celebration. Because it is for him, and his betrothed that we are gathered here." And glaring at the old man, he snipped. "Believe me, If I were given the choice, your company would be the last thing I desired. Katara, I think I see your friends, should we go join them?" He smiled down at her, and there was a new emotion in his eyes, one that she couldn't discern.

"Of course, Zuko." She said and turning on all of those that would mock them for the people they were, they wandered off in search of their friends.

Katara spied Suki and Toph talking to Jin over in a corner, and angled her body to face them, but Zuko led her with a purpose, away from them. He led her through a side door, into an empty hallway, darkened by lack of torches and passerby.

Once the door closed behind them with a soft click Zuko practically shoved Katara against the door, keeping it closed from all of those who wished to open it. "Zuko what are you—," She managed to gasp before his mouth slanted over hers and she melted into his kiss, hands running over his shoulders and his arms as his hands found purchase on her waist.

He pulled away only for a moment, breathless, chest heaving. "Do you have any idea what that was like?" He kissed her again. "Seeing you…talking to…him…like that…" He continued, pausing only to resume his previous actions.

"Zuko—," She could barely get a word in edgewise. "You would…have done…the same…for me," She tried to speak out in between the pressing of his lips against hers.

He moved from her neck to her throat, nibbling on her delicate skin, not so hard as to leave a mark—they still had to maintain appearances—but hard enough to make her shudder. She'd never seen him be so…ravenous. Katara gasped and her eyes fluttered closed.

"You have no idea…how much I want you…right now." He groaned out against her soft skin, all muscle and tension and blatant desire.

She wouldn't refuse him. She couldn't.

But she had to.

"Zuko—oh—we….mmm…can't" She forced out, though she was beginning to think that she wanted this almost as much as he did.

"Yes, we could, they wouldn't miss us…" He whispered to her, but she gripped at his clothes tighter, so not to lose herself. Her mind told her to pull away from him, but her body disagreed. Because if they kept going like this…who knew what would happen?

The blood red sunset trickled in through the open windows, bathing everyone in a deep, volatile haze.

Azula

"Wait…" Tylee questioned the trio's leader again. "What's my job again?"

Azula sighed, exasperated. "For the last time, you and Mai are going to distract my father, while I—,"

"Sneak off with Jet!" Tylee answered loudly, her voice echoing in the dim corridor.

"Shh!" Azula clamped a hand over her friend's face, her grey eyes twinkled back and forth between Azula and Mai.

Mai deadpanned, "Geez, Tylee, could you have said that any louder?"

With a final glare at the girl, Azula removed her hand from Tylee's lips. "You understand what I want you to do?"

Mai shrugged. "Whatever." Azula raised an eyebrow. "I'm not an idiot." Mai gave a sort of smirk before walking along the hallway.

No, Azula thought. You're not, but my father's going to see right through the two of you. But just…keep him still. Long enough for me to get away.

Up ahead of them, Mai stopped short. Azula caught up and stared at her, wondering what'd gotten into her. Mai's eyes narrowed and she pointed straight ahead, where Azula saw something she never thought she'd ever see.

Zuko, pressing Katara up against a door, whispering unmentionable things to her as their hands and lips roamed everywhere, any part of each other they could reach. Despite being sickened by the fact this was her brother, her awkward, I don't-know-what-to-say-to-a-girl brother, she was actually kind of…impressed.

I didn't know that Zuko even had it in him. She eyed Mai. The 16-year-old looked murderous. Azula couldn't remember the last time she saw Mai this upset. /he never acted this way with Mai.

"Well, what do we have here?" Mai spat out before Azula could say anything.

Zuko and Katara jumped away from each other so fast it was like they repelled each other. Katara immediately began fixing her clothes and hair, while Zuko just stared at them. He was tousled, and imperfect, and Azula looked between the two of them, at the couple she'd underestimated.

"What do you three want?" He questioned, eyeing them suspiciously.

"This hallway doesn't have your name on it, Zuko." Mai snapped. "We can walk here if we please, not that it's any of your business."

"And what we're doing isn't any of your business Mai." Zuko snapped, and Katara, with hair and clothes fixed, stood beside Azula's brother, their fingers intertwining.

"Oh, isn't it?" Mai laughed, but it held no emotion. "I never took you for an exhibitionist, Zuko. What are you going to do next, start fondling each other by the buffet?"

Mai was hurt by what she saw, deeply. Azula saw it in her posture, the way she stood straight, but tensed, like there was a huge weight on her head, breathing tightly, as though her chest would be constricted by pain. But it was her own fault, really. She should have tried harder. Should have fought if Zuko was what she wanted. That's one thing that Azula had over her friend. She always got what she wanted...

"That's uncalled for, Mai and you know it." Zuko rolled her eyes.

"Believe me." She said, and her black eyes narrowed at Katara "I know it."

Katara stepped forward, trying to act as a peacekeeper between the two groups. "Can we all just go inside and pretend to get along?"

"Oh, you're one to talk about pretending, Katara." Mai said viciously, stepping forward. "You pretend to be all sweet and innocent, but you just break up relationships because you feel like it."

Katara's eyes widened before narrowing at her rival. "You said you didn't care anymore."

Mai stepped forward "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I want your relationship shoved in my face."

Katara scoffed. "How is it any of your business," Her eyes flashed a dangerous blue.

Azula stepped forward. "Perhaps," She stood between Katara and Mai. "We should do as Zuko says." She cut a look at her half-brother. "They'll come look for all of us soon, and we should be in there when Lu Ten and Song arrive."

I can't have you ruining this for me.

"For once, I agree with you." Zuko murmured, and then pulled Katara's arm so she was closer to him. "Come on Katara, let's just go."

"But Zuko—," She protested, once, before Zuko gave a slight tug on her arm, forcing her to look at him. Blue eyes met gold.

Something unspoken seemed to pass between them, unlike anything Azula had ever seen. There were no words spoken, nothing that could be taken as any sign, just a conversation with their eyes. There was an…aura as Tylee would say, surrounding them that even Azula could feel. The pink-clad girl was just overflowing with excitement as she watched the pair interact.

"Okay." Katara acquiesced, but the way she was still tensed told Azula that this was far from over between them.

Well, it doesn't matter to me. I'll be gone soon.

Without looking back, Katara and Zuko disappeared into the Grand Hall. Mai fumed, watching them all the way inside, and then staring at the closed door long after they were gone. Azula was about to say something, when—

"Azula." A smooth, easy voice called out to her.

She turned, spying Jet in his brown shirt and dark pants walking down the hallway.

"Hello." She murmured, walking over to him. He bent down to kiss her lips, but she pushed him away. Azula wouldn't display any affection in front of her friends…no matter how much she wanted to.

"Are you ready?" He murmured into her ear. "Smellerbee has your stuff and is meeting us at the Ferry."

When had the young girl packed it?

Azula turned back to her friends. Saying goodbye was a lot harder than she initially thought it was going to be. She'd miss them. She'd miss Mai's constant scowls and depressive outlook on life, and she'd even miss Tylee's infuriatingly eternal optimism. They were the two ends of the spectrum in terms of personality and she was the glue that held them together.

But now she would be gone.

"Have fun." Mai said, and her bored tone was only slightly enthused.

Tylee, on the other hand was near tears, reaching over to Azula and pulling her in for a hug. "Oh, be safe! And write me as soon as you get settled, alright?"

Azula awkwardly patted her friend on the back. "Sure. I will."

If she lived long enough to get settled.

Tiang

She waited, alone in the dark. She knew what must be done, and she knew how it would be done. She just needed a sign, a signal, anything from her beloved Prince to let her know it was time to act. Her criminal's dress seemed to taunt her, reminding her of the life she'd lost, of the life she'd get back after today.

Tiang heard a knock on the door. She got up to open it herself, having told Yan Li to make herself scarce. The less witnesses around, the better.

Waiting on the other side of the heavy door was one of Ozai's soldiers. "My lady," he said, exited at being an integral part of the plan. "It is time." For a fleeting moment, she felt almost sorry for him. He was young, still new to the army by the look of him He hadn't lost the spark in his eyes yet, he hadn't faced the realization pf the terrors of working under Prince Ozai. He still had so much life left to live.

But now that the end was near, he was ultimately inconsequential. It truly was a shame that someone so young would have to die, so long before his time. Though…if she were 10 years younger…she might've invited him inside of her room…a young man so virile, so…full of life…

She stared into his young face feeling a twinge of guilt in her chest again. She had some humanity left in her, after all.

It really was a shame he would have to die tonight.

Tiang clutched the knife tighter to her chest as she strode into the hallways. Empty, as she knew it would be. All her guards were absent, Ozai would have made sure that they were given some menial task to keep them otherwise occupied. Ozai believed that it was harder to discern the loyalties of a large group as opposed to a few individuals. So, the less the rest of the guards knew, the better. It wouldn't do for Ozai to kill off a dozen men, now would it?

Still, she thought as she began to follow the young boy to her destination, she realized that he couldn't have been more than 16 years old, the same age as Azula.

But his death ultimately didn't matter in the grander scheme of things. If she accomplished her goal. Their goal, she reminded herself. Once she did this, she and Ozai would rule the world.

But to reach the promised life of love and power, married together in the greatest couple the world had ever seen, more than this lone soldier would have to die tonight.

Starting with the waterbender.

Yes, little Princess...Happy Birthday indeed.

Katara

"Can you believe her?" Katara exasperatedly sighed as she and Zuko made their way over to the table filled with Katara's friends. Toph lounged next to Suki, taking up two chairs, legs crossed over each other. Katara couldn't help but notice that she was barefoot, again.

"Believe who?" Suki asked, her fingers holding a cup of fire-whiskey and sipping on it gingerly.

Zuko shrugged. "We kind of had a run in with Mai—,"

Katara interrupted, hissing out, "And she's a hypocrite!"

Toph sat up, looking in the direction of Katara's voice. "Whoa, do you want me to take care of this girl for you, Katara?" Toph cracked her knuckles and grinned madly, itching for a fight. "It'll give me something to do."

The Water Tribe Princess sat down next to her. "Thanks, Toph, but I think I can handle her." But her shoulders still were tense, she rolled them to relieve some of it. Katara sniffed the air next to Toph, recoiling. "How much alcohol did she have? Lu Ten and Song haven't even arrived yet!"

Toph laughed loudly, causing several people next to them to whisper amongst each other. "I don't know!" She cried, slamming the cup down on the table. "Fire Nation parties may be boring, but their liquor is the best. I don't know if this is my fourth or my fifth but I'm loving iiitt" She sang, leaning back in the chair again.

"Suki!" Katara gasped, but the Kyoshian shrugged, shaking her amber hair out.

"Do you honestly think I could get that cup away from her?"

Toph snorted rudely. "I'd like to see you try."

"Don't worry, Katara." Jin said softly, "Toph will regret this in the morning, I'm sure of it. Plus, when I write Aunt Bei Fong tomorrow, she'll definitely feel the effects then."

Toph's bloodshot eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare."

Jin smiled knowingly. "Try me."

Toph scowled, and weakly swung at Jin, missing entirely and landing face first on Suki's lap.

Chuckling at Toph's expense, Katara happened to gaze out of the window at the sky. The sun was over the ocean now, nearly about to set, but the streaks of red across the sky had gotten even brighter. A blood red sky, painting them all with the color. Despite herself, she shivered, the Water Tribe superstition feeling oh, so, real.

A warning, maybe?

She didn't know.

"Katara, are you alright?" Zuko asked her. "Are you still upset about Mai?"

She couldn't tell him what was really bothering her. It was only the sunset, she was probably making something out of nothing…just a simple overreaction to a story she'd heard as a child. She was fine. They all were fine. Everything was going to be fine.

"I guess so…I just…feel so uneasy." She said smoothly, lying. "Just the thought of her…"

"Okay," Zuko nodded, standing from his chair. "I'm going to go find you something calming to drink. Mother keeps some tea handy for the guests who don't particularly care for Fire-whiskey."

"I care for Fire whiskey!" Toph yelled, drunk as a skunk-bear, leaning on Suki's arm with abandon for propriety and decency.

"Thank you, Zuko." Katara murmured, and nodding at her, he left the table.

"Here, Katara." She turned to see Di Yi occupying Zuko's spot at the table next to her. When did she get there? In her hands, Di Yi held a cup of tea. "You can have mine."

"Yours?"

Di Yi nodded, "I didn't know it was strawberry when I got it, you see, I'm allergic. Can't even touch it."

"Oh." Katara watched her set the cup down in front of her, understanding. "Well, then thanks, Di Yi."

Katara took a sip, and as the flavor washed over her, realized that she felt calmer already, despite only having taken a sip. With one look at her smiling friend, she downed the rest of it.

Di Yi smiled and stood. "Feel better Katara." She said, giving the Princess' shoulder a squeeze and then leaving the table.

I can relax now…finally. Katara thought as her eyes started to droop closed, and suddenly…Suki's voice, and Toph's ranting became a little bit further away…

Ursa

"So…Azula is in her room? With a stomachache?" The Fire Princess raised a brow, noting that the wicked grin didn't slip from her husband's face.

"Exactly." Tylee nodded, exuberantly, and Mai just rolled her eyes. "That's why you won't be seeing her tonight.

Ursa frowned. 'Perhaps I should go check on her." She started to head for the doors.

"Oh no don't do that!" Tylee shouted, attracting the attention of several people near them.

"Why ever not?" Ozai slid closer, his voice slippery and intoxicating as he stared down the girls, reading them, seeing through their thinly veiled excuses. How could he not? They'd been friends with Azula for years,

Tylee let out a little squeak, stepping away from the group. Mai sighed. Tylee blinked rapidly, looking between her friend and Ozai. Finally, she stammered. "Because she's…she's going to be fine…she's just not going to be fine for about an hour. So, if you wait an hour, you'll definitely see her. I promise."

"Is that so?" Ozai hid his chuckles behind a sip of firewhiskey

"Um…yeah!" Tylee exclaimed, before glancing off behind the pair of adults. "And…um…if…you'll excuse us…I think I see my parents…so we're just going to go…I…um…yeah—,"

And they left, Mai looking as bored as ever while Tylee tried not to shake with nerves. Ursa stared after them for a while, before turning back to her husband.

"Azula might be a convincing liar, but her friends certainly are not." Ozai murmured in her ear, his hand slipped from her own, to rest curled around her waist, bringing them closer together, looking every bit like a loving couple. "She nearly had me fooled this morning—but of course, I knew better. If I were a lesser man, it might have worked."

"Your arrogance knows no bounds." She agreed quietly, but he didn't look upset, so she continued speaking, smiling at a passing courtier, raising her cup of fire-whiskey in greeting before putting it to her own lips, hiding her words behind her sleeve. "You think she's going to run, then?"

"I know she'll run." Ozai whispered back, laughing as he did so, and his breath tickling her ear and making her giggle despite the severity of the situation. "We'll just see how far she gets."

Raising his cup, he motioned to one of the guardsmen by the door, beckoning him over with a small wave. The young guard was bouncing, eager to be called over. Through his helmet, she could see the excitement in his eyes at serving her husband. Oh, how this poor boy didn't know he was going to die tonight. "Give this to your Captain." The boy nodded again, before disappearing through the throng of people.

"I don't approve of that, Ozai and you know it." Ursa frowned, displeased. "That boy is going to die…and he has no idea."

"I know," He smirked at her. "But he is young, and eager to serve. Many will serve me before the year is over."

"And for that, you need me to play my part." She mused, taking another sip.

"Oh Ursa," He smiled at her the way he used to, the way he'd been smiling as of late, and raised her hand to his warm lips, kissing it with the lightest of touches. "I will always need you."

"Then I suppose I should be leaving, then." She retracted her hand, but lingered for a moment, loving the feel of him. "And Zuko?"

"I knew you were doing this only for Zuko." Ozai squeezed her hand slightly. "No love for me then?"

"He is my son, and I'm his mother. You think Yun Xi wouldn't do the same?"

"Perhaps." Ozai frowned pensively before smiling at her. "But never to this extent."

Ursa had to laugh at that. "Ozai, you never do anything by half." And with that, she handed her cup to him, the sound of his laughter ringing in her ears.

Ursa froze as the clattering of dishes to the floor and shouts reached her ears. She could hear her son scream, 'Katara! Katara!' over and over as people rushed to aid the fallen girl. So, the little spy Tiang planted in Katara's midst actually did her job. The mother in her wanted to go offer comfort, but… the girl wouldn't, couldn't be revived any time soon. Tiang would be sure of it.

"Go." Ozai whispered to her. "Go while everyone is distracted with the girl."

Ursa only hoped that Tiang hadn't used too much Schisandra*. She didn't want Katara to die. She liked Katara. Liked her for Zuko. Oh, poor Zuko. When all was said and done, she had the feeling that he would be hurt the most. But… it would hurt only for a moment, she realized, she had to do this for him. This was the only way Zuko could return to his former glory.

Before she left the ballroom, she spied her son, cradling his betrothed in his arms, shaking her unconscious body, willing Katara to wake up. But Ursa didn't stop walking. This was all for him, for what Zuko could become. She'd save his life tonight, no matter what it took.

She did, however, say a small prayer for Katara, hoping the spirits listened to a mother's pain.

Tiang

The boy chattered loudly in her ear as she walked alongside him, rambling on about how it was such a pleasure to be working for Prince Ozai. And didn't she know it. Ozai was, and always had been a charmer of many, yet faithful to few. If he knew you were useful, well…nothing really could stop him from using you.

Ozai always got what he wanted. And if he wanted you…then nothing could stand in his way, no matter what the cost.

But as Tiang looked at this boy, who was bringing her closer and closer to her salvation, only one thought ran through her mind.

I can't wait to kill you.

Finally, they stopped just outside their destination. "Here we are, madam." The young soldier said, turning to her as they stopped. "Do you need me to see you inside?" He asked.

Tiang smiled. "No, my dear boy." She said, moving closer to him, the ruby encrusted dagger attached to her wrist, itching to be used. "I just want to give you my thanks."

"Thanks?" He questioned, "Thanks for what?"

Tiang ran her fingers down the length of his arm, brushing ever so slightly against his skin, and a seductively dangerous smile ghosting over her lips. "For being such a dedicated soldier."

Her lips barely peppered his cheeks with kisses, and she ran a hand over his head, snatching off his helmet in the ploy of being cute, dangling it away from him. He was her height, though Tiang herself was a shorter woman, so it could have just been his age, and despite being a soldier, with all his intense training he was putty in the hands of a pretty woman…like all men were.

"My lady," He gasped, as her lips moved from his cheeks, to his neck. "I don't think this is appropriate."

"Really?" She murmured, her lips only a hair's breadth away from his own, the young boy twitching in anticipation of her kiss. "I do."

His eyes closed, waiting for it.

And with those words she drove her dagger into the boy's neck, slitting his throat. The blood poured profusely from the open wound as he died, tumbling to the floor by her feet like a rock. The red of his blood spread everywhere, much like the sunset drifting in through the open windows, only his red colored the marble tile dark in color, staining it.

Well that was anticlimactic. Tiang thought with a shrug once the young boy had stopped twitching, the gurgles finally ceasing. Thought I'd enjoy that more.

Though she did find some pleasure in the last expression he made, the still frame of a pucker, waiting for the kiss from Tiang that never came.

More like the Kiss of Death, she thought, laughing to herself.

Stepping away from the body, Tiang examined herself. Lifting up the hem of the white smock for further inspection, she hissed, "Damn it." The splash of red along the hem wouldn'thelp her appear innocent. "Useless boy, couldn't even die properly."

"Well don't you look suspicious?" A voice from down the hall spoke, startling her.

Tiang hid the dagger behind her back, whirling around. But when she saw the calm looking Ursa steadily walking up to her, Tiang's eyes narrowed in irritation. She opened her mouth to make some sort of excuse when Ursa held up a pale hand, stopping her. Ursa's delicate mouth smirked. "And don't try to start telling stories, Tiang. We both know you're a terrible liar."

"What are you doing here?" Tiang spat, glaring at her rival.

Ursa moved closer. Tiang let everything be seen. There was no point in hiding the body, no point in making up anything. Ursa knew. How she knew was another question entirely. "I should be asking you the same question." Ursa quipped. "Or aren't you supposed to be under house arrest?"

"Aren't you supposed to be at that stupid party and not in my business?" Tiang hissed angrily.

But Ursa still retained that calm, infuriating smile on her face. "What's your business…is Ozai's business, and what's his business…is mine." She ended that sentence with a dark little smirk on her face, or as dark as Ursa could ever get. Ursa walked over, examining the body of the now dead soldier, the blood splatters along the walls and floors, stains that would never come out, no matter how hard the servants scrubbed...

"Funny. I thought you would be cleaner than this."

"You know what?" Tiang spat, grabbing Ursa's arm and digging her nails into it with all of the force she could muster. Ursa flinched at the pain, but her eyes remained expressionless. "Fuck you, Ursa. I don't know if Ozai sent you to check on me or whatever, but I don't need your help."

"Tiang," Ursa tutted, shaking her head as though Tiang were a child. Tiang wanted to grab her perfect little face and slam it into the wall. Then they'd see how perfect she was. "Your low class is showing."

Tiang snorted, pushing away from the older woman roughly so that Ursa hit her shoulder on the walls next to them. But she straightened, dusting herself off facing and Tiang with a gentle smile on her face, as though there wouldn't be an ugly bruise on her right arm when morning came. Surprisingly, she didn't get any blood on her. Tiang frowned. What a bitch.

"You think you're so fucking perfect? Well let me tell you something, sweetheart, you're just as fucked up and twisted as the rest of us!" Tiang snapped at her, advancing on the Fire Princess in her anger. But Ursa didn't recoil. She didn't look the least bit threatened. Damn her.

"You fail to realize, Tiang, that I've been playing this game a lot longer than you. And I'm better at it." She spoke calmly, though her words only infuriated the concubine. "And I always will be."

Tiang snorted and turned away. They couldn't risk a fight. Not here. Not now. "Are we going to do this or what?" Tiang asked, glaring at the older woman.

"Fine. Let's get to it." Ursa smiled so sickeningly sweet it made her want to hurl. She held out an arm. "After you."

Tiang huffed and turned, lifting up her dress, stepping over the young soldier's dead body and into the Fire Lord's bedroom, hoping that the heavy wooden doors would hit Ursa's ass on the way in.

Azula

They were close. So close to the end. She could barely see it in the dark, but she knew. She could hear the waves beat along the beach as Jet led her through the tunnels.

Azula looked around, not seeing Jet's little sister. Strange how she'd grown so attached to the girl in such a short span of time. "Where's—?"

"I sent her on ahead." Jet told her with a smile.

And so, they continued on. But as they reached the gate, Azula realized something that sent a lead ball sinking into the pit of her stomach. They were not alone.

The Captain's face glinted malevolently in the dark, the small flames being produced by his subordinates making his shadows appear menacing and giant. They stood in the tunnel, unmoving. Azula's freedom just beyond reach, just past her father's soldiers.

"Princess…" The Captain called out to her in the dim lighting provided by the men behind him. "Your father has sent me with a missive. He would like to know if you would honor him with a dance."

"How did he—the fuck is going on here?" Jet cursed, turning to her. "Did you tell—?"

But she shook her head, ready to reply…And then she heard it. The sound of the horn… a long sound…un-broken in its entirety…

Azula froze, her hand still clasped tightly in Jet's. He stopped glaring at the Captain, and instead looked at her, one hundred questions in his dark eyes.

And then the bells…Three of them…in a long slow succession…

They were faint. She could barely hear the noise underground. But she still heard it, and the Captain of her Father's Guard knew she heard it too. He also knew…that she understood what it meant.

The Fire Lord…was dead. That was what the horn was for. Murdered, in fact, judging by the sound of the bells. But by whom?

It's not as though she didn't already know.

Her Father, Prince Ozai had murdered his own brother. She couldn't prove it of course, but somehow, she knew. Of course, he wouldn't let himself be caught committing this heinous crime…no…he'd likely set someone else up for the fall.

Yes, her father always thought things out two or three steps in advance…

Her father had known she was going to run away the entire time.

She…Azula…wasn't as smart as she thought she was.

She saw it in the way Captain Jung's men held their swords or stood in a battle stance. She saw in the way Jet looked at them all, analyzing them, preparing for a fight. His hand gripped the razor-sharp hooks at his sides…he would attack them if necessary.

Jet would die trying to escape.

And Captain Jung had his orders.

Orders to kill both her and Jet, should she resist. Oh yes, Prince Ozai had known she was lying the whole time.

As recognition showed on her face, Jung smiled at her. "So, I ask again, Your Highness. Will you honor your Father with a dance tonight?"

"I…" She started but paused. She had to look at him, at Jet, to see his reaction.

Because this would hurt more than any injury ever could. It would hurt them both, but him more.

He knew her now, better than anyone else ever had. Azula had talked more about herself with Jet than she had with any other person. She told him how she felt about her life here, how her mother used her, manipulated her to get ahead. Her father had done the same thing, and would continue to do so, if she suited his interests. But they went about it in different ways. Azula's father was different in the way he treated her. Azula knew her mother didn't love her, but her father did, or at least, he showed it more than she ever did. And he was really the only one that mattered.

When Azula was four years old, she and Zuko had seen her father and Uncle spar together, back when they were both young princes, and Grandfather Azulon was still alive. She'd been awed by the raw power her father possessed, the calculated way that he'd defeated Uncle Iroh. It was as if he planned his attacks, two or three steps in advance. He seemed to know immediately what attack her uncle was going to throw, and just...countered it. There was no hesitation, no wavering in his stance. Her father, Prince Ozai, was sure of himself with every move he made.

She wanted to be like him, so badly. This was before she started Fire bending training at the age of five. Zuko already had-he was six by that time, but he wasn't very good. Still, she watched him practice, watching all of his mistakes (and there were so many of them) learning from them. Absorbing the teacher's corrections and practicing them when no one was looking. But Zuko found out and tried to ruin things for her by telling their father. But he wasn't angry or upset. In fact, he'd started to laugh. He laughed, and he smiled, and he looked so proud of her in that moment that Azula would do anything to go back to the age of four and relive it.

So, four-year-old Azula was placed in six-year-old Zuko's firebending class. Oh, how Zuko hated her for it. And she knew he did. But she couldn't feel bad. She wouldn't allow herself to. When they practiced together, Zuko would barely look at her, unless it was to glare at her for getting something right that he couldn't.

Things had never been the same between them since then.

The horn kept sounding…

Was it so terrible that she wanted to learn? To achieve something for herself even at the cost of her brother's happiness?

But Azula soon learned to forget it. She was determined to keep going. She was set on achieving the level of precision and control her father had. So, she began watching him, observing the way he spoke, the way he ate, walked, and acted. Azula emulated the degrees of utmost control her father, Ozai did. She would allow no emotion to influence her. If she must shun her mother, she did. If she had to ruin Zuko's happiness, she did. She would have control in all things pertaining to her life, and she would succeed.

It was something she'd spent the better part of 12 years perfecting. When she'd learned how to redirect lightning, and even conduct it...she showed it to her father. And the look he gave her...was what made all her sacrifices worthwhile. So Ursa could talk about love, but she'd never fully understand it. The world that her mother and father had chosen for her, and that she had chosen herself, was one where weakness wouldn't be tolerated.

Besides…she'd saved Jet's life once. She didn't let him die then, and she couldn't let him die now. She couldn't let her father destroy something, someone, she held dear. Her selfishness would be put to the test here. If there was some way, she could save his life…keep him alive…it would all be worth it.

Finding her voice again, she said. "Tell my Father…that I would be honored to dance with him."

Jet let go of her hand.

He whirled on her, as shocked as she'd ever seen him. "What?" He asked, but it was a harsh whisper.

"I'm a Princess of the Fire Nation Jet. And fire…doesn't compromise. It consumes, it takes what it wants without hesitation." She finished, stepping away.

The bells kept ringing…

He looked up at her, feeling her gaze, and Azula was almost…surprised by the hurt in his eyes. She shouldn't have been. She'd caused it.

But the amount of pain she saw reflected at her was unsettling.

The horn kept sounding…

Jet was silent for a moment, finally letting out a deep exhale. He stared at her, tying to read her expression. But this was the one time that he wouldn't. This was the one time that Azula wouldn't let him. Finally, he asked her. "Do you really want to be controlled forever?" This was a whisper in her ear, his breath falling over her in waves.

"I want to maintain control." She told him. The walls were going back up, brick by emotional brick. "And with you...with the future you have planned, Jet, there will be no control."

"You're not serious, are you?" The pure anguish in his eyes was upsetting enough, but then his voice had to break on the damn words. "You've led me on this entire time, haven't you?"

"Yes." She smiled sadly at him, and ran her hands once through his shaggy brown hair. He leaned into her, almost like a last taste of what she was. But she lingered too long, and he recoiled as if burnt. "You'll forgive me someday. You'll understand someday."

The bells kept ringing…

And she thought he was okay with it. But the eyes that glared back at her were harsh, angry. "Oh, believe me, Princess. I understand. I understand perfectly. You're exactly the bitch I thought you were." He was bitter. Angry. That was good.

She wanted him to curse her, be angry, and get upset.

That way leaving him wouldn't be so difficult.

But it still was.

"The invitation to remain for the party still extends to you, Jet." Captain Jung's teeth glinted. But his smile was too arrogant, too cocky. Azula wanted to hold onto Jet, to keep him safe. She knew smiles like that all too well.

But Jet needed no saving from her. Not this time. "Fuck that." He spat at Jung. The Captain's smile diminished slightly. "I'll take my chances." He said, and with another curse, broke away and strode forward, intent on breaking through the line of soldiers behind Jung. He turned one final time, though. And glared at her with pain filled eyes.

His last words directed at her were bitter and cut her down to her very core.

"I will never forgive you."

She saw the hands on the hilt of the soldier's swords tightened, the bending stances solidified. Jung's smile widened.

"Wait!" She ordered. Her eyes narrowed at the lot of them. Jet froze and turned slightly. Turning to her father's Captain, she commanded him. "If I return to the party, he's allowed to go free."

Jet's eyebrow rose.

"Princess Azula," Captain Jung started to say. "Surely you can't be implying…"

"I know exactly what I'm implying." She dared this captain to war with her. She would win. Azula always won. "And I know exactly what I will do to you, should you not obey my orders."

"But—," Jung started.

Azula resumed the role of Princess, of Prince Ozai's only competent child, of the successor to the throne. Because honestly, who cared about Zuko?

She glared at them all. "My orders, captain, are that Jet is to leave the palace alive." Jet turned to her fully then, eyes widening as he comprehended the true gravity of this situation. But she ignored him. "If he dies, I won'tbe happy. And that will be on your head."

She wouldn't do it. But what was important was that the Captain believed her.

"But Princess Azula, he is nothing, no one. Why would you harm yourself for…him?" Jung questioned her.

"Oh, I don't care about him." She waved a hand flippantly, and Jet became guarded once more. "I am a daughter of the Fire Nation. What I do is, under no circumstances, to be any concern of yours."

Captain Jung stiffened. "Of course. Princess."

The title sounded wrong coming from his lips.

Azula sniffed disgustedly. "Now let us leave, all of us, this place smells like rotting fish." Azula laughed darkly. "Like Princess Katara! Ha!" She laughed again, turning away from him and starting to walk away.

And that, was the final straw. She heard Jet's footsteps tear away from them down the path, continuing to the outside world, but no one would follow him. Not if they didn't want to feel her wrath.

Go Jet. Go and be free. You don't want to be with me anyway. I'm…too…corrupted.

She led the small band of soldiers back to the palace, back to her gilded cage. Azula barely noticed that the bells had stopped ringing and the horn had stopped sounding until she heard Captain Jung murmur something under his breath.

"What was that?" She spat, glaring at him.

He cleared his throat, as two men pulled open the doors leading into the garden of the Fire Nation Palace. "I said…'All hail, Fire Lord Lu Ten.'"

"Ah, yes…" Azula whispered, echoing the Captain of the Royal Guard. "All hail Fire Lord Lu Ten."

Katara

He's calling her name.

At least…Katara thinks it's her name. It could just be the memories…the dreams she'd had that were all too faint to remember.

No this is real. She thinks quietly. All of this. Everything…is…real. It really happened.

At first it was a faint buzzing noise coming from the back of her brain…but then it morphed, changing into something warm…and familiar.

She woke up, shaken, her heart beating fast, though her body feeling numb and heavy, like her limbs were being held down to the bed with lead weights. She couldn't move them. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was barely keeping her eyes open at the table with the other girls. Zuko's face dissolving into a splotchy mess of colors and shapes until…nothing. Just darkness.

Her eyes open slowly, blinking in order to adjust, though the room was dark save for a burning candle on a small stand in the corner, it had been burning for so long the wax dripped onto the floor. What time was it? What happened? And the only person who knew the answers was snoring softly on the bed next to her.

Who knew how long he'd been there, waiting for her to wake up? It could have been hours…or days. But she hoped that wasn't the case. But he'd been prepared to go to sleep. The flowing tunic he wore, the loose training pants that hung low on his hips…

She tried to move, testing the strength of her sore muscles, lifting her arms the best she could without jostling him. When that amounted to nothing but aches and pain, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling for an indiscernible amount of time, waiting until the feeling came back into her extremities. When the sun started to rise, she tried again. Zuko jolted, and Katara froze, so scared that he'd woken him up.

His eyes popped open, staring into her own eyes with fear first, and then filling with relief. He sat up, eyes roaming over her prone form in the bed, rubbing them a few times, and then he brushed her sweat-matted hair away from her face.

"How do you feel?" He asked her. Katara opened her mouth to say Fine, but all that came out was a croak, as she coughed up something that tasted awful and bitter. Zuko helped her sit up and keeping one arm around her to help her stay upright, he reached over onto the nightstand and picked up a glass.

Katara could have purred when she felt the cool water move past her lips and down her aching throat as she guzzled it down like a woman dying of thirst in the desert. Never had she felt so tired or so achy. "I'm fine." She coughed out, her voice was a bit scratchy and Zuko's eyes watched her warily as she shook off the sleep induced grogginess. "How long was I out for?" She asked as he lowered her to the soft pillows again.

"Two days."

Katara's eyes widened "Two days—?

"Or nearly that much." He whispered, the volume of his voice seeming to lower. And he looked down at her, a million and one emotions hidden beneath his golden eyes. Something had happened. She could tell. Finally, and with a long breath, he said, "Suki, Toph, and the rest of the girls are on their way home, or they will be soon."

"What? Why?" Katara's voice was quiet, though her throat croaked and burned. "Did they do something wrong? Did I do something wrong? Am I being sent home?" She ended thee rambling of questions with a series of coughs, each one harder than the last. Zuko rubbed her back and waited for it to subside before speaking again.

"No, my father isn't taking any chances." He spat the word father with indignation. Katara raised an eyebrow at the way he referred to his father but let him continue. Zuko's eyes darkened. "They found Di Yi with the Schisandra in a hidden pocket of her dress."

And he waited to let that sink in.

Katara winced as memories of the last time she was conscious assaulted her brain. Schisandra—a sedative…Di Yi…the tea. The tea she drank because she thought Di Yi was a friend…trying to help her calm her stomach. She should have known…should have realized…with the way the older girl had been acting, Katara should have recognized something was off. But she didn't.

"What's going to happen to her?"

Zuko shrugged. "I don't really care."

"Zuko!" She chided before breaking out into a series of violent coughs.

"She nearly killed you Katara!" Zuko lashed out at her, lurching forward, and Katara fell back, unsure of what could have caused such an aggressive reaction. "You don't know what it was like…carrying you…your lips turning blue…they told me you were alive but I knew, I was waiting for them to tell me that your heart stopped beating and I…I would be…alone again."

Zuko swallowed thickly. "But my father—he—he demanded they save you…even with the chaos of everything, he insisted that you were the utmost priority…oh everyone was angry with him…and if you knew the truth you'd be angry too, Katara."

"What truth? Why would your father make me a priority?" She questioned. He was clearly pained by memories, things that she had no idea of, but how was she supposed to understand if she didn't ask the question. "Zuko what happened while I was unconscious?"

Zuko looked away from her, staring out at the rising sun that painted the sky in a beautifully dangerous, bloody red.

Red sky in the morning, Sailors take warning. She recalled a saying from her childhood. "My Uncle…he's…he's dead Katara." Zuko gasped out, as though saying the words was just as painful as the act itself. "Tiang, too."

Katara's jaw dropped, her eyes widening in shock. "Wha—when—how?"

But he continued on, as though he couldn't stop. "And what hurts the most…is that my mother killed him, killed them both."

Ursa?

*I'm the most familiar with the statuses and titles during the Qing dynasty of China thanks to dramas like Bu Bu Jin Xin and Legend of Zhen Huan as well as others. So I'm taking artistic license, because I honestly don't know if it's correct and making him the titular equivalent to a Duke in Western Society even though his actual title as the former Fire Lord's brother would be 郡王(junwang). It gets translated into Duke, anyway.

**Schisandra is a powerful herbal sedative that is also known as 五味子(Wǔwèizi) in Chinese. It's been referred to in popular literature as "Chinese Prozac". Overusing it can cause unconsciousness and in extreme cases, death.

Let me know what you think about Ursa and Tiang and Katara and everyone else! Oh, and Azula and Jet too. I'm sorry my Jetzula fans, but it had to happen. I love hearing from you!

LM