Authors Note: Hey everyone! Here is Chapter Two! I'm so sorry it took so long, I'm still working on my computer problems but I'm working around it. Reviews/Feedback/Advice is greatly appreciated!
Warnings: Rated M for: Character death, Violence, Language, Eventual Sexual themes, slavery. More warnings to come if needed!
Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA, no profit is made by this story. Characters, the ATLA universe belong to Mike and Bryan. Quotes/Song Lyrics belong to their respective owners.
Final Note: So just so there is no confusion, Ozai in the first chapters is still just a Prince. Ursa is still in the picture and he is not the Fire Lord…yet. So Ozai is a Prince also, I don't want people to think that when I say "Prince" that I'm referring to Zuko, when on occasions I'll be referring to Ozai also…hope that wasn't as confusing as I thought it was.
"I was never insane except upon occasions when my heart was touched."-Edgar Allen Poe
"Ohhh Zuzu!" echoed the voice of the most malicious six-year-old girl Zuko ever heard. He sat there by the pond throwing pieces of bread to the eager awaiting turtle ducks.
Zuko sighed to himself, gently pressing his fingers to his temple. Please...please, for the love of Agni please don't let this be his devil of a little sister. This was his place of peace that he came to when he wanted to get away from her…but as soon as he heard his horrible nickname he knew who was calling.
His nerves began to tingle as he felt her standing right behind him. He looked up to the sun setting sky and took a deep breath.
"You know Zuzu, Father just told me he's going to teach me how to perfect my fire bending himself! No half wit teachers, no know it all masters… him our father himself!" she yelled crossing her arms in a way that showed her superiority, even though she was two years his minor.
"How amazing Azula, I'm so…excited for you." He mused her with a halfhearted smile. He could basically hear her frowning behind him.
"You know what Zuko?" she snorted as she made her way around him, snatching his whole loaf of bread from his hands, "You're just jealous that father loves me more… and that he doesn't love you at all!" she spit. Azula began to throw pieces of bread at the turtle ducks as hard as she could. Rolling the dough into balls so that it would impact harder, making the little animals squeal in pain. She smirked as she turned toward him, arms crossed.
Zuko frowned as he watched the turtle duck family swim away in fright. How was it that someone so little could be so evil? But whenever he thought that he knew it was because she was his Father's daughter.
Azula snickered, "See, you have nothing to say to that…which just proves to me that you're a jealous little…" she got out before she heard a voice behind her speak.
"Azula! Is that the right way to talk to your brother? Apologize right now young lady." Their mother yelled as she approached them from behind. Azula and Zuko turned around quickly to watch the beautiful scornful face of their mother.
Zuko shuffled to his feet at her presence and bowed, he had always loved his mother far more than the rest of his family. He could only think of one other that he loved just as much as her, and that was his Uncle Iroh. Though he couldn't see him as much as he used to because of the war.
Azula stood there with her mouth open in annoyance, she didn't think she was serious with her. But when her mother looked at her, eyebrows raised in expectance, Azula turned toward her brother with a smirk on her face.
"I'm sorry Zuzu." She said with exaggerated pouted lips, "What was that Azula? I don't think your brother heard you?" her mother asked arms crossed.
Azula turned to her mother with a dirty look in her eye, "I'm Sorry Zuko!" she sneered, "Sincerely." Zuko smirked at her, then turned toward his mother who smiled warmly at him.
Then, in the distance two blows of the fog horn signaled that the last fleet sent out has arrived home. They all looked up in surprise, they were a couple days early.
"Come children, it is time for us to welcome home the soldiers, and be introduced to the new House Maids." Their mother said to them as she began to strode down the path toward the ship docks. Azula snorted from behind them, "You know the term house maids is a little loose…I think that slaves suits the situation better." she said, kicking a couple pebbles in the pathway as she spoke.
Her mother stopped short in her walk and turned toward her daughter, "Azula, it is not kind to refer to them as that. They help us around the palace, and even though they might be here against their will, which is not our fault…" her mother said with a look like she knew exactly who's it was, "It is up to us to show kindness to them, and to treat them human." she said.
Zuko watched as Azula rolled her eyes at his mothers words, and he frowned at her reaction. Zuko on the other hand soaked up her words, every time she spoke it was always so wise.
They continued on down the path toward the boat docks, and knew they were close when they began to hear the ocean waves, and the smell of sea salt.
When they walked out onto the dock they were awaited by his Father and his court, he watched as his father approached his mother, "My lady." Zuko shivered at his voice, it never ceased to give him nightmares. She bowed to him, "My Lord" she said, as if perfectly rehearsed and done a million of times.
He then turned to his children, "My Child." Zuko heard him say in affection, his heart jumped when he thought it was himself his father was addressing, but when he looked over he saw his sister being picked up in his arms, kissed on the cheek and set down. She giggled and smirked when she stood back next to her brother.
"Good afternoon to you Prince Zuko." His father said to him blankly, barely even looking at him.
Zuko's heart dropped, "Afternoon Father." bowing the traditional Fire Nation bow.
When the doors to the hanger opened wide, and the bridge dropped down from the ship everyones attention drifted there. In the distance Zuko noticed the Sea Raven flags that symbolized the Southern Raiders waving in the light breeze.
From out of the ship, the soldiers exited in an orderly fashion. Leading the Raid was the General, Zuko couldn't place his name. Than at his side he saw the Commander…Zhao, of whom Zuko despised almost as much as his father. He was just so arrogant and cocky, and Zuko thought that Zhao desired more than just moving up in their military…
They made their way down they bridge and appeared in front of his father horizontally, again orderly and precise awaiting for his commentary.
"Prince Ozai." They spoke in unsion as they bowed deeply, His father nodded in response.
"Were you successful in your mission?" Ozai said to them, and the commander spoke up a little too quickly, "Yes, Prince Ozai, and moreover." Zuko rolled his eyes and snorted to himself.
"Moreover? Interesting, was there more than one? I was lead to believe only one was left in our Southern most neighbor?" Ozai questioned. The General looked down, and Zhao spoke up, "We believe so… you see we captured the last water bender, but we believe that her daughter… might be one also, not wanting to leave her there for chance we took her with us." He said to him avoiding eye contact, not entirely sure how his reaction would be.
Ozai was quiet for a second in thought, "Well! Than that's wonderful news! A two for one package. Bring them out!" he said to the men whose faces lit up in surprise. Zuko saw commander Zhao smirk at the general who looked at him in even more annoyance than Zuko was.
"Bring them out!" Zhao yelled as a few soldiers in the back quickly entered the ship. A few short minutes later they brought out two figures, one being pushed by the soldier, and the other, smaller was being carried. The two people were adorned in thick blue robes under giant strange animal furs, Zuko noticed. Each with bags over their faces, hiding what they looked like. Zuko guessed they were both female by the dresses they wore, maybe one was the others mother...The soldiers led them down the ramp to the bottom of the bridge only a few feet in front of the royal family.
The tall one had a figure very similar to his mothers body; the other was merely a child no bigger than Azula maybe even the same age.
"Take off the coverings." the Prince motioned with his hand, as he stared in interest at the figures. Zhao walked to the older one and hastily unraveled the burlap from her head. Her face came out of it in a flop, hair crazed. Ozai raised his eyebrow and stroked his goatee. Zhao then walked to the small one and did the same thing, the same effect on her. Zuko's eyes opened in curiosity as the exotic creatures faces became known.
They had beautiful blue eyes that squinted at the foriegn burning sun, long curly brown hair that was all out of place. Sweat was beading down their tanned skin in pools in result of the heavy furs and hot Fire Nation sun.
Ozai slowly approached the taller one, who Zuko had now assumed was the little ones mother figuring the striking resemblance.
She stood up straight among her appraisal, her height surprised Zuko; she was almost as tall as his father was. Her face was set with distaste, she didn't even think to move the brown locks that fell in her face. Ozai took his sweet time circling the woman, he made a few comments to himself as he did so.
Everyone besides his father stood awkwardly as the silence of his appraisal went on…and on. Zuko sneaked a peek at his mothers reaction to her husband. She watched him with no emotion…it was almost like she didn't even care.
"Now, now... that is no way to be looking at the Fire Lords son!" His father said as he grabbed her chin examining her face. "You will first bow in respect to me, then address me, and lastly...kiss my hand!" Ozai yelled to the young water-bending woman smirking in the process.
The water bender looked at him with disgust on her pretty face. She Jerked her head to right which quickly made Ozai's hand fall from her face.
"I would rather die." She spat at him, her foreign accent picking up a little. Ozai stood there in shock at what he heard, to say the least he was not use to anybody speaking to him like that…
Zuko felt his own mouth drop in shock, then it began to grow into a smirk; he was starting to like this Water bender, and her spunk. The look on her face was of such utter disgust, Zuko wouldn't have been surprised if her face froze like that. It was something his mother always said to him when he didn't like their meal.
He was still grinning when his eyes drifted to the small water bender. He quickly hid his momentary lapse of smiling with the sternest face he could muster. The look of fear that was plastered on her face was unlike any other a person has given him. Zuko decided that he didn't like the feeling of somebody fearing him like he feared his father. So, in response to this he did something he instantly regretted... he smiled at her.
Well, it wasn't quite the response he was hoping for. The young girl opened her eyes in even more fear, and it only made Zuko feel that much worse. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a sharp jab in his ribs. He looked over at his sister in annoyance as she eyed him in warning, "Stop making googily eyes at the peasant girl and watch dad inflict pain on that wench." She whispered as sternly as she could to him.
He rubbed his rib as he looked back foreword, but he couldn't help but sneak a few peeks at her from the corner of his eye.
Zuko eyed his father who still stood there in shock at what the woman said. He was not very prepared for what was about to happen.
Ozai snickered, then he chuckled, and now it was full blown laughter. Zuko couldn't control his shock, his mouth hung wide open, as he watched his father. He had never seen his father laugh until now.
The water bender looked surprised at his response. She eyed him with curiosity as he continued to laugh. Azula began to laugh along with him, than the soldiers caught on and began to laugh; even the small water bender had a little grin on her small face, but he didn't think she understood. Zuko looked up to his mother to see her face was still set in stone. So Zuko copied her emotionless face.
"She…She said she'd rather, die!" The Prince snorted, laughing in the middle of his sentence. Everyone around them was now laughing in hysterics for their Prince. But as Zuko thought about the situation, it really wasn't that funny, it sort of made no sense.
Ozai was still laughing along with everyone else as the water bender crossed her arms and pouted her face. Then… two seconds was all that it took for it to happen. Ozai stopped laughing completely, a look of a pure killer fell upon his face. Zuko watched in horror as his fathers fist lit on fire and connected to the Water Benders cheek, he had no mercy. The woman shouted out in pain as she fell to the floor beneath him. She struggled, legs kicking as she held onto her burned flesh. After just a second all her movements stilled as she passed out from the pain.
"That could be arranged you insolent little bitch." Ozai scream at the unconscious water bender, his eyes ablaze. He turned around swiftly and began to pace around his soldiers.
Zuko yelped in fear as he buried his face in his mothers robe. When he heard the scream of the Water benders daughter he sneaked a glance at what was happening. The young girl ran to her fallen mother, and landed on her knees before her. She shook her shoulders and wept.
"Mom! Mommy!" She yelled tears streaming down her face. She gently picked up her mothers head and rested her on her knees. She looked around frantically for something, but she couldn't find what she needed.
Zuko wanted to go and help, or do something for the girl, but he couldn't move from his place. What if this happed to his own mother? Wouldn't he want someone to help him? But, all he could do was sit there and pray it was over fast.
Then he felt the refuge of his mother step foreword with steady demands, "Take the Water benders to the Healing quarters." He heard his mother say as she stepped foreword pointing for the soldiers to do so.
This is why he admired his mother, she wasn't afraid to stand up to his father, and for what is right Zuko thought. He watched as his father looked to his mom in anger, "Ursa, what are you doing!" he yelled to his wife, walking up to her and grabbing her forearm.
She was gentle when she responded, "What you owe me, my love." She answered, softly touching his face, looking back at the soldiers sternly for their help. One soldier picked the fallen Water bender up and began to walk toward the healing quarters. Ursa made her way over to the little one, bending down in front of her. She smiled warmly at her.
"They are in your hands Ursa. Until I have a need for them." Ozai sneered as he began his walk back to the palace. Azula looked up and began to sprint off after him. Slowly the soldiers began to dispense to where they needed to be. Soon it was only Zuko, his mother, and the Water benders left at the boat docks.
Zuko watched as his mother walked over to the small child. He debated whether or not to sprint off with Azula to follow their father, but when he looked to his mother who was so kind, and caring he knew he would pick her. He walked hesitantly to his mother and the young girl, listening closely to the motherly way she talked to her.
"Dear child, what is your name?" she asked the small girl. The girl looked absolutely terrified, no words were coming out of her quivering lip. Sweat was beading down her face, mixing in with her tears. She had these hair loopies that began at her forehead than continued to the bun at the base of her neck. Zuko came to the conclusion that she as no older than six or seven.
The young girl did not respond, she just sat on her knees in the place her mother once lay. Ursa understood her fright, and spoke first to make her more comfortable.
"My name is Princess Ursa, and this is my son…Prince Zuko." She said grabbing onto Zuko's shoulders presenting him to her. The young girl just shuffled back in fright, blue eyes opened in fear.
Ursa bowed deeply to her, and nudged Zuko on the shoulder to do the same. He looked at his mom in surprise and irritation. He was still a crowned prince fourth in line, and this young girl was still a Water tribe peasant, even if he was suppose to show kindness she wasn't royalty….
"Mom come on." He whispered to her, the young girl just sat there eyebrows knit in confusion. His mother looked at him sternly, "No one is better than the other Zuko, we are all human and we need to treat others they we want to be treated, always. Remember that son." She said to him. He frowned and nodded, she never gave up a moment to teach him a life lesson.
"Hello... I'm Prince Zuko, fourth Prince of the Fire Kingdom, it is my pleasure to meet you." He said in irritation to the young girl, bowing then gently picking up her small cold hand, kissing it right on the little knuckles as quick as he could, as was tradition. Zuko was surprised to see her look up at him, no longer crying. There was a look of utter confusion on her face as she looked at Zuko and his mother.
"My name…" She whispered, barely audible, "My name is Katara…Chief Hakoda's daughter, Last Water bender." She said to them in a bow, trying to mimic Zuko as best as she could.
Ursa kneeled there in thought at what her words meant, "What a beautiful name Katara. Can you tell me what your mothers name is?" Ursa said to the young girl. Katara looked up to the beautiful lady, her long black hair flowed in the breeze, her golden eyes were so much different than the men's were, with long black robes outlined in red, one single flame hair piece in a bun on her head, Katara observed.
"Mommy, is Kya, First lady of our tribe." Katara said to the woman also trying to make it sound fancy.
Ursa nodded at her words, "And, she also is a Water bender child?" she questioned. Katara looked at the two figures and felt her stomach drop. Her mother was not a water bender... she was the only one, if she lied would they notice? She had to protect her mother, if she told them she wasn't they will surly kill her.
"Yes…" Katara said dropping her eyes, her voice going shaky. Ursa smiled lightly at the way her long brown eyelashes fanned her now red cheeks.
"Young Water bender, it is very important for you to tell me the truth, or else I cannot protect her; please Katara again, is your mother also a Water bender?" Ursa asked sternly, taking hold of Katara's quivering small hands.
Katara began to cry a little and Zuko felt a pang in his chest as she shook. Then Katara finally shook her head no.
"I see...she was trying to protect you." Ursa stated it wasn't even a question. Any mother would, herself included. If it came down to it she would sacrifice herself in an instant.
Little Katara nodded again and began to sniffle.
Ursa stood then, "Come child." She said, picking her up in her arms. Katara rested her small head on the foreign ladies shoulder, sniffling as they made their way back down the path to the palace.
A/N: So you'll soon see Katara's bending, and in this story I'm making her a little more advanced in her Water bending and healing. I think that Katara showed her greatest water bending in hard times. She's going to be going through a lot of hard times and she is going to need her bending. That so, I'm making her a little more advanced. Thank you for reading!:) Reviews/Feedback/Advice is greatly appreciated!