A Kiss in Ba Sing Se: Secrets and Promises

[A/N: The unexpected can create situations of remembrance and associations that one can rarely encounter.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar: The Last Airbender

Enjoy.

Comment if you wish. All feedback is welcomed.]

Chapter 78

Fear

Katara was drenched in sweat from head to toe because of her exertions in the effort to save her brother. As she sat on the cool marble floor cradled in the avatar's arms, she became acutely aware of how trashed the room about them appeared. She was also mindful that Suki and Mai appeared to be totally unscathed in the melee that mortally her only brother.

"Was this some kind of accident?" she thought as the attendants were trying to clean up the mess. There were more than a few daggers and throwing stars embedded in the walls and some of the disheveled furnishings. Still, for all the upended furnishings and toppled sofas, she would have thought that one or both women would be battered or bruised. Except for their worried and haggard expressions, they appeared to be no worse for the wear. Katara immediately knew that the shuriken belonged to Mai, but she couldn't fathom a reason why the Fire Nation woman would've wanted to hurt him, especially how they got along during the kissing game. Still, Mai was her number one suspect.

"So help me, if you're the one who this this to him Mai, I'll ice the tits right off your chest," Katara swore silently.

The waterbender continued to carefully look over towards her injured brother. She wanted to be by his side but the combination of exhaustion and the warmth and comfort of her boyfriend made standing up from her position nearly impossible.

Aang gently stroked her long chestnut brown hair. It appeared as if she had just stepped out of the bath it was so damp. Even her multi-layered midriff top clung to her breast, exposing the shape of her round stiff nipples, made that way by the chill of her drying perspiration. Katara could feel every cool breeze that passed by from the open front door, as servants and various others scurried in and out like so many worker nectar-ants. Her teeth began to chatter as she was just too exhausted to even dry herself properly.

Aang heard her teeth chattering and as he looked down, he became very aware of just how sexy and vulnerable the waterbending healer appeared. The Avatar firmly hugged her about the shoulders and felt her svelt brown body trembling.

Suddenly a wave of warm air enveloped the shaking waterbender and she felt as if she was sitting on a beach, basking in the warmth of the sun.

Aang focused his heat through his firebending skill and waterbending until her discomfort passed.

"That should help for now, but we're going to have to get you out of those clammy things before you catch a cold Katara," Aang whispered discreetly.

The waterbender nodded in agreement. She didn't bother to verbally reply as she carefully observed Sokka being bandaged and wrapped. For a moment she got a glimpse of his back. Her eyes went wide as she grits her teeth. "What the fuck!"

Lili also noted his deeply scratched back. "Stop," she ordered the attendants. "Keep his majesty on his side." She looked over at towards Katara, seeing the shock and dismay at the previous unknown wounds."

"This appears to have been made by either claws or nails," one of the medics stated. "Its as if he had grappled with some type of beast that clawed his back. His left shoulder is slightly dislocated, so his opponent must've been quite powerful. Most assuredly, this battle was fierce, look at the deepness of the bruising and lacerations across his entire back countess!"

Lili nodded. "I had assumed that his shoulder was hurt when he fell after his wounding, but now I think whatever, or whoever attacked him was definitely responsible. He must have been in a battle for his life," she confirmed exchanging trepid glances with the fallen man's bewildered sibling.

"Aang, did that thing do this to him? I… I saw him last night. He was fine, I swear, Aang, he was fine. What by Tui and La happened here? Did that monster try to get him again? Look at this place Aang, I've seen warzones in better condition. I thought you and Fong killed it!"

Aang nodded his head. "Katara, calm down. She's dead, I saw her die right before my eyes. Her body turned to ash… there was nothing left, I promise you," he swore.

"Well, maybe she attacked him before it came stalking you?" Katara proposed.

"Not likely Lady Katara," Lili interjected. "If the Avatar and Fong were almost defeated, then I think there is no way his majesty could have prevailed, no matter how hard he fought. I think there has to be another assailant, another culprit, but we won't know until he awakens to tell us."

Katara placed a hand to her chin as her eyes flashed about the room and then back to her brother. Her naturally analytical mind kicked into high gear. "Lili, that succubus' poison, it is said to drive men mad, yes?"

"That is my understanding, m'lady," she replied.

"What if… and I'm not trying to blame anyone, but could it drive a man to… attack, huh, assault a woman?" she asked in a trembling voice as she wrapped her arms about herself.

"What are you getting at Katara?" Aang asked in equal surprise.

"Lili, could that happen?" the waterbender asked once more, her bright eyes looking more desperate.

Lili too in a deep breath seeing the direction her speculation was going. "It has been known to occur. There is history to support what you're saying," she collaborated. "But we were observing the Regent for most of the night and had orders to assist his Majesty in any and every way needed. Not only for his safety but for all our guests, especially the women. All the courtesans were informed of the possibility and our best people were on station by direct orders of the princess."

"But how can you explain all this?" Katara asked both Aang and Lili, her gaze rebounding between the two. "Mai was so emotional. She was crying Aang! When have you ever seen Mai crying? Even with all the nonsense Zuko put her through, she never let one tear fall! In fact, she wasn't just crying, she was hysterical! Didn't you see that Aang, Lili?"

This time Aang pursed his lips as his mind began to churn.

"She was understandably distraught m'lady," Lili said as she tried to undermine the scenario that was forming in the waterbender's mind. "In the game, I saw their relationship… huh, advancing. Perhaps it had blossom…"

Katara chuckled lightly. "Not likely. All that was an act to get Zuko jealous. It was so, so, obvious! And that big blow up, psssh, so staged that she could have joined those Ember Island Players! I saw right through it from the start. Mai can barely stomach being in the same room as my brother!"

"She more than stomached him last night," Lili thought as she flushed lightly.

"Yeah, not Miss Hard and Gloomy's style at all," Aang agreed as his eyes shifted about in thought.

Lili didn't want to tell them that she had already known about the truth between Mai and Sokka and what transpired the night before. "Please don't rush to any unnecessary conclusions m'lady. Once his Majesty regains his strength, then the truth will be revealed, don't you think?" she implored. "Right now we should be focusing on your brother's recovery rather than who may be at fault in all of this!"

"I know who's at fault Lili! That monster from last night, that's who! She turned my brother into some sex-crazed lunatic and he took it out on Mai! I can see my brother ravishing her, and then in fear she… she was so afraid that he was returning to the scene of the crime! That poor girl could only try to protect herself, thinking that he was about to resume his pervy onslaught! It's the only thing that makes sense right now to me. My brother… my loving gentle brother, lost control of himself, and for some unknown, nauseating reason, attacks that skinny, mannish woman! I'm sure his impressive loins were reason enough to drive her into a panic!" Katara summed up.

This time both Aang and Lili turned and stared at Katara. They were cherry-red at the provocative statement that Katara seemed to proudly state. Even the stewards nearby stopped to look her way for an awkward moment.

Feeling the weird stares, Katara looked about the room."What? Did I say something strange?"

Aang quickly looked away as Lili ran a hand down her heated face. The others picked up on the cue and resumed their duties.

"No, nothing at all m'lady," the Countess replied after a moment more.

Katara looked about the room once more still feeling the anxious atmosphere. but everything seemed to have returned to normal. "So what do you think Aang about all this?"

The Airbender scratched his chin slightly. "It kind of makes sense but to know for sure I think Lili is right. we have to ask Sokka or maybe Mai exactly what happened between them last night if anything," Aang surmised as he looked over at his stricken friend. " I just can't see Sokka doing something like that no matter how bad things got for him."

"And as I said before m'lady, we were stationed and available to assist his Majesty in that fashion for the entire night. Please recall that we had several volunteers who were willing and able to help the vice Regent deal with his… unusual condition. In that group I include myself," Lili reiterated to the waterbender.

Katara ran a hand through her still soggy hair. "I know, but this is all so confusing! I don't think that Mai or Suki whatever hurt him on purpose. For her to be so upset, something big had to happen!"

"Then we definitely need to ask Mai," Aang concluded with a nod. "If she and Sokka had an issue last night and it led to this, we need to head off any more trouble. If Zuko gets wind of this and comes to the same conclusion, then we could have the war starting over again."

Even Lili could see that possibility looming. She pondered telling them the entire sequence of events from the night before, but she had also been warned about Katara's brother-fixation and chose not to venture into that unknown. "Since the ladies, Mai and Suki, are accompanying my Princess, the truth will have to await their return," Lili interjected.

"But sometimes women aren't willing to admit such things, especially those women who are supposed to be strong and in control," Katara stated grimly. "She may want to just run away from it all."

Aang bit his bottom lip. "I can understand that. When I was at the Air Temple, this older boy raped me. I tried to tell Gyatso, but every time, I felt so ashamed, I just thought he wouldn't respect or love me anymore. That was one of the reasons I made my air scooter so that I could keep away from him."

Katara and Lili gasped as both of the women's eyes teared up.

Aang chuckled nervously. "Uh, even though he tried to do it again, I was too fast. He then went after another kid who told on him and he was kicked out. That kid became my best friend at the temple, he was so brave. Even after what happened, he never let it drag him down, unlike me," the Avatar admitted as he dropped his head.

Lili had a strong urge to hug the Avatar, but Katara was already comforting him with a huge embrace.

Lili bowed at the waist. "I'm so sorry your Grace. I know this type of thing happens, but I would have never thought that you…"

"It's okay Lili, Katara. I've worked through it. I can't say that it still doesn't bother me, but it bothers me less," he said as he rubbed the back of his head. "I never want anyone to go through that, much less a friend."

Lili was recalling her own horrific past and the danger she was still in as a courtesan. Her fear was ever present in this male-dominated society. "You seem to be still fatigued Lady Katara," the sensitive Countess said in a weak voice. Please let me supervise Lord Sokka's move to her majesty's suite. Since Fong is recuperating there, our efforts and attention can be focused on restoring those two."

"Yes… of course, you've been doing an awesome job, Lili. You must be exhausted too?"

"A bit, but I have worked on much worse for far longer during the Great War," the chief lady declared as rolled up her sleeves. "Careful with him. His back is hurt as well," she reminded the medics as Sokka was strapped into a special litter. Lili wanted to ensure that his wounds would not open up in the move. "Let me know if it looks like he's in any pain," she instructed them.

Even as Katara leaned back against Aang's shoulder, she made sure to watch as Sokka was hefted by the four stewards, one on each edge of the stretcher. She was relieved to see that her sibling did not appear to be in any distress. Lili's needles and the herbal medicine were able to block his discomfort and the Vice Regent had drifted off into the relief of sleep.

As Sokka was being carried out, Lili stopped in front of them. "By your leave my lady," the countess said as she bowed her head towards Katara. "Please follow as soon as your strength returns. I'm sure your presence gives him much strength and comfort. I believe you Water Tribers' would say that his flow belongs to you now."

Katara's face suddenly flushed deeply. "Uh, Lili, that word 'flow', has another meaning. The word we use is spring. It would be said that his, spring, now belongs to me," she corrected the chief lady.

Lili smiled mischievously. "Ah, that does make more sense. I guess I heard it wrong Lady Katara. Thank you for clarifying that matter. So, what does flow mean? she asked in a mock-naive tone that almost caused Aang to laugh out loud.

If Katara could blush anymore, she would have become beet red. "It's far too embarrassing to say in mix company," she exclaimed looking over at her boyfriend who was feigning disinterest.

Lili smiled," I see. I think I can figure out the rest. Pardon my ignorance, m'lady," the chief lady-in-waiting said raising the side of her hand to her forehead in an apologetic fashion.

"No need to ask for forgiveness Lili," Katara responded as she forced a smile. "I can understand how someone could make that mistake, not really being acquainted with Southern Water Tribe ways."

"I appreciate your understanding m'lady," Lili replied nodding her head in the waterbender's direction. I'm going to go and follow his majesty and make sure that all is well. Please, take your time. You've put a lot of energy into his healing and I'm sure it's going to take a while for you to recover. it doesn't do any good for you to break down as well m'lady," Lili advised.

Katara nodded in return. "I will. Please take care of him for me Lili, I'm in your debt."

"It is my honor to serve the heroes and saviors of our world," Lili answered in all sincerity. "Avatar Aang, a plump cherry-plum pie sits in your grasp, but are you willing to risk the meal already prepared?" Lili unexpectedly challenged as she exited the room, passing a stern glance his way.

The airbender acknowledged her warning with a lift of his brow and a slightly cynical smile.

"Aang, what did Lili mean by that last comment," Katara asked with a curious look.

He stretched, linking his arms above his head. "Oh, she just meant that I had to control myself with you being so close, that's all," Aang answered lightly.

"So, if I'm the cherry plum pie, then who is the meal?" Katara inquired looking at the doorway, Lili and Sokka just cleared.

"You, you're both to me," Aang responded with a small grin. "It's actually an airbending axiom that was quoted often at the monastery. We were told to always eat our dinner first before dessert. I think Lili was making a point about not taking advantage of the situation and your weakness.

"B-but you would never do something like that, Aang, " Katara emphatically exclaimed.

"Well, she doesn't know me very well since we only met a few days ago," Aang upheld with a straight look. "Still, you are rather tempting cherry plum pie and that is an excellent description of you at this particular moment."

Katara gave him a short jab in the ribs. Aang winced loudly and she realized that she has struck the area that was hurt a couple of days before. " I'm so sorry Aang, I didn't mean… I was just…." she stuttered not able to finish her apology.

The avatar wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big squeeze. Katara felt her nerves and embarrassment both easing away. she also felt his body against hers and with all the happenings around her, she was becoming a bit aroused.

"So Aang did you ever eat your dessert first," she asked in a naughty low voice.

This Airbender released his hold in an attempt to control his rapidly invasive libido. he looked into her glistening Cerulean eyes and his heart began to pound. "Sometimes," he simply replied.

"Would you like to have some dessert now," Katara offered in a low heated tone as she turned and pressed her full breast against his arm. "These melons want you to eat them," she teased, slowly rubbing them across his chest.

Before Aang had a chance to answer as if on queue, there was a shuffle of activity coming from the other side of the room and they were instantly reminded that they were not alone.

Katara shifted away, making a pouty face. "It's been a while Aang since we were last like this," she commented as she leaned her back into his chest. "It seems that since we've been official, that we're seeing less of each other."

The avatar simply nodded feeling a bit nervous and also guilty. Aang's mind was racing as fast as his heart was beating. Aang had to admit that it was a bit of a turn on even at this moment. Even though she had been sweating, there was this scent of arctic poppies mixed into the slightly musty smell that clung to the auburn woman. He found it more than a bit intoxicating.

Aang stood to his feet lifting the still weekend waterbender with him.

"What are you doing, Aang?"

"Since you can't walk on your own, I'll just carry you," he explained as he held her like a princess in his arms."Not a whole lot we can do here, and I think Lili was right to warn me. You're just too tempting of a desert right now. I don't want to spoil what we're cooking up in the long run."

Katara blushed furiously at the compliment and also was feeling very happy to be in his arms once more. even though they couldn't get touchy-feely, she felt that they were once more moving in the right direction and that being away from the pesky earthbending princess.

Toph slowly walked down the long massive corridor flanked by Suki and Mai. Behind the two women, there were two others, Lei directly behind Suki and Mei Mei following Mai.

It appeared to the Kyoshi Warrior as well as the blade-wielding lady that they were just wandering the halls. They had apparently gone into a pretty deserted section of the palace. Neither had seen a passerby for at least a half hour.

Finally, Suki had had enough. "Damn it Toph, where are we headed? I swear I've seen that vase 5 freaking times, in the last 10 minutes!" she exclaimed pointing towards the large ornate vessel.

The Princess stopped but did not turn to face them. "What happened?"

Suki glanced nervously over towards Mai. "Well, it was an accident. We were sparring…"

"Liar," the petite princess declared with a deep sigh. "After all these years Suki, you should know better."

The Kyoshi captain steadied herself. You're right Toph, I should know better."

"Why were you in Mai's room Suki," Toph enquired keeping her back to them.

"Revenge," the warrior stated.

"Revenge for what? Did she take something of yours and you want it back?"

Suki crossed arms over her breastplate."Something like that," she snapped.

"Guilty as charged," Mai barked turning her back towards Suki. "I stabbed him and... whatever, do whatever you want to do to me," she sighed.

This time Toph turned around and faced Mai. " so you admit that you struck him with that blade?"

The Fire Nation lady closed her golden eyes. " I admit that I threw the shuriken but it wasn't meant for him. I would never intentionally hurt my Lord," she confessed in a broken voice. "Still, I threw it, so I'm responsible for where it ends up."

"Well, we can both agree on that point, no pun intended," Toph exclaimed grimly.

Even so, Mei Mei snickered just a bit before an intimidating look from her liege silenced her. "Pardons your Highness," she coughed out.

Toph sighed deeply again. "So Mai, since you are the one who is the most forthcoming, what is it that you took from Suki that she would risk fighting you over?"

"This stinking pile of wolf-bat guano decided that she was going to fuck my man!" Suki asserted as she attempted to reach for her fan. Suddenly a hand was over hers. restricting her movements.

"There is to be no more fighting," Toph declared. "If you wish to continue with your stupid duel, then I'm going to have to end it."

Mai was already too weak and annoyed to resist the stone cuffs that locked her wrist together, courtesy of Mei Mei. Suki, on the other hand, found the tip of Lei's long dagger pricking her lower back.

"Are we clear on that point ladies," the petite princess asked as she folded her arms.

Toph stood in silence awaiting an answer. "Is that a yes or a no?"

"They both nodded yes, sire," Lei replied.

"Doesn't anybody get it? Hello… I'm blind!" Toph yelled in their general direction.