Chapter 2
An this chapter is filled with flash backs I'll break them. Up with
….
Just when had he started to like Ursa beyond a friend? He knew the moment she'd fallen for him, it was a few years ago on Ember Island after all
….
She was 14 at the time, they were on one of their family vaccinations, he remember sitting on the beach under a parasol as he watched his older brother play with his son Lu Ten in the sea. Ozai could swim but chose not to, Ursa was his best friend but also his charge, he was to looked out for her always. He watched her put her foot in the water timidly and she jumped back in fear.
Even though Roku's Island had a beach or some reason the ocean terrified her, he had no idea why she was scared but it was her deepest fear. Iroh persuaded her into the shallow water, they were jumping over the tide when it happened. Ember Island was famous for their fast turn around, tides could go from low to high within seconds. Iroh tried to grab both his son and Ursa as a big wave consumed them. Ozai jumped into the sea, his strong stroke and power allowed him to grab Ursa who was unconscious under the water.
He'd dragged her out the water, but she did breathe as he lay her on the beach, so he set about performing CPR. She had opened her eyes as she breathed life into her, she blushed as he called her name. She cried and hugged her for the rest of the day to keep her warm and to talk calmly to her. She had falling in love with him that day, but she knew it was wrong for her to love him, so she hid it. He never let her crush on him ruin their friendship, he treat he the same, but when had he falling for her back?
…
Two years ago, yes that was when he knew he had those same feeling.
...
Off course it was their birthday celebration, he watched Ursa from afar, Ursa who was now eligible to marry at age 16 was getting fawned over. She had many admirers approach her, they'd pitch their worth and woe, but Ursa would laugh and say she would not marry them if they only cared about her ancestor Roku . Iroh who was home at that time notice his brother's growing irritation and nudged his arm.
" Why don't you simply ask her to marry you?" Iroh asked curiously "Father would not stop you."
Oazi blinked and looked at his brother confused.
" What are you talking about? Why would I ask my best friend to marry me? I don't feel that way about her. " Ozai responded in denial
Iroh grinned as Ursa looked to them in a panic and walked to them seeking refuse from her admirers, Iroh took her hand to offer her a quick dance.
Ozai watched his older brother dance with Ursa who was asking him questions about his war campaign.
Ozai pondered, Did he like Ursa beyond the friendship fhe; had for years ? His heart races with jealously as he watched her in his brother's arms. After the dance with Iroh he noticed how she pushed a guy back as she held herself insulted, so Ozai made his way over and took her hand as he looked at the other guy who coward away.
" What did he say or do? " Ozai asked protectively
" He said we should go somewhere.. You know and do it.. I.. l don't want to do that till I get married. " Ursa replied upset " Just because I'm sixteen now"
Ozai shot the guy who had upset hee a death glare but he had made his escape, Ozai felt his heart race as Ursa found comfort in his chest, he felt uncomfortable with everyone staring at him so he kept her at a distance as she cried.
" Your right you don't have to compromise your chastity because your Sixteen, you don't have to agree to marry anyone either. ".
Ursa calmed down as he wiped her tears.
" Can we dance? " Ursa asked tearfully
" Off course it's about time we did dance tonight."
….
Yes looking at Ursa that night dancing with other man, seeing what a fine woman Ursa had become. Yet even though back then he had a small attraction to Ursa, his eye went to other woman as he was a bachelor and he was tired of waiting for marriage to lay with woman. He had noticed how Ursa grew distance after that, she found out easily enough what he did and even though she knew she couldn't feel jealous of him she still did.
He would never disrespect Ursa with a one night stand that would ruin the friendship they had built. Yet he had wanted her, not in a physical sense but by his side every day and all day. Yet till now he would of never thought that he and Ursa would have a chance to be together so he treated her the same as usual. However he couldn't express his true feelings and Ursa felt insulted, she expressed her love, yet she felt all he said was: 'I Like you as a friend' but he meant it more then that.
He'd have to go talk to her and finally set this straight and that meant going to Roku's Island.
...
Ursa threw the animal food toward her many animals, her family had always been farmers, her father was a magistrate but they lived simple lives beyond that. They reluctantly sometimes had to get help of the mainland when their crops failed or their animals died.
Truthfuly Fire Lord Azulon secretly paid for her schooling and she felt shame for his help. Her parents were always graceful for the help but even they wished they could go without it. Ursa was thoughtful as she sat on a bail of hay, she moved her hair as she looked to the bright sky.
She was home to do her unpacking, in a few weeks she would venture to the palace for her wedding with her childhood friend whom she loved soon. Her live would be changing soon, sure she'd be able to visit this place every now and then but life at the Palace was very different then the one she lived now.
Her thoughts went to Ozai and his feelings for her and how she might be in a loveless marriage. She truly loved Ozai, yet he acted like his feelings were that of friendship and Ursa felt embarrassed and awkward saying that she loved him.
"Ursa you have a visitor. " her mother yelled from her house
Ursa wondered who was here to see her as she wasn't expecting anyone. Therefore she patted the dirt off her and she walked into her house and in her living room she saw her fiancée and best friend Ozai waiting for her.
"Oh.. Its rare you come over here to see me.." Ursa called out awkwardly
Ursa fiddled with her hands awkwardly, she avoided his eyes as she looked to her mother who didn't seem to know what was going on between them.
"Let's go for a walk Ursa, there is much for us to discus. " Ozai suggested strongly
Ursa folded her arms in refusal, yet Ozai took her hand anyways and lead her out the house.
He walked with her up to the dead volcano's top, it was quiet and isolated and a prefect place to talk. Ursa breathed as she wasn't as fit as he was, sure she lifted heavy food bag for her animals but being a Fire Bender gave him an advantage.
" Ursa.. I want to make it clear." Ozai began awkwardly
"I never thought we'd be together like this, for the last two years I hid my true feelings from you. "
Ursa looked dismayed that he'd said two years, but he gripped her hands so she couldn't run off but so he could feel his love.
" Yet now I am free to show you my feelings, free to let them blossom. " Ozai explained with enthusiasm
Ursa liked how it sounded yet something came to her mind as he kissed her hands.
" You've only liked me beyond a friend for two years?"
Ozai looked into her downhearted expression.
" I didn't know what I was feeling, when you turned sixteen and I watched those men try take your hand in marriage...I felt panic that I'd lose you... It must have been how you felt when you thought I'd marry another it took me two years to realise I love you. ".
Ursa blushed at his confession, his lips brushed her lightly, she gripped Ozai robes as he parted Ursa smiled.
" You truly love me too?"
He nodded as he hugged him, she gripped him close as she cried tears of joy.
A/N I will do a part 3 eventually