A/N: I'm at it again, you guys! Another chappyter is in order, so I hope you enjoy. I had a little difficulty writing this, since I'm not used to writing scenes with Ozai in it, and Katara is one of my favoritest characters, so yeah; painful. Anyway, I hope you enjoy, since I just got back from Atlanta, which was so so so cold, and that would explain why my writing kind of sucks now. Enough of my babbling, on to the fic! Katara's POV first.
I thought it was supposed to be hot in the firenation. Maybe because I'm drenching wet and half naked is why it just seems that it's cold. It was a shock, because I didn't really know how Ozai planned to go about the situation, and when he put a collar and leash on me, hoisted me into his own palanquin, and then had me drenched as soon as my feet hit the city ground I really became disoriented. He had pushed me ahead of him while he walked at a snail's pace down one street at a time, holding my 'leash' and wearing that pompous smirk, though I'm curious as to how long he's had it on since I only risked looking back once. Everyone had turned out for my big debut, and as eyes stared with contempt and revulsion, pride and lust, and a slew of other emotions I held my head high and stared at the soldier in front of me's neck to stave off my undoing. street upon street we walked, and just when I thought Ozai was finished, his feet finally tired from the mileage put behind him, he stopped. Only now did I chance a look behind me.
His golden eyes pierced me, and the smirk was gone. In fact, I couldn't read his emotions too well, he was pretty much a blank. He just stared at me for the longest, until I had to tear my eyes away to stare at something less intimidating, like this copper pebble for instance. Ozai jerked on my 'leash', pulling me back towards him, and I noticed we were in some sort of...plaza. Like the center of the city; how convenient for me. There was a golden statue of the Firenation emblem, much like the one on my abdomen, and it sat majestically on a large stone brick base. The cobblestone area around the central statue now held thousands of curious denizens who'd left the homes and shops behind them unattended. I felt extremely self-concious, and stepped closer to Ozai. Foolish move. He pushed me away, minutely as not to draw attention, but firmly nonetheless. "Sit" he hissed, and I did so, slowly taking a seat on the hot cobbled ground beneath me.
"Behold, the Chief of The Southern Water Tribe's Daughter at my feet! See how I've marked her as our own! May Agni be pleased with the new territory we are sure to aquire in the South Pole, due to this little one. Soon, the world will be at our disposal: Let this branded thing attest to the many victorious the Firenation shall attain!" Ozai boasted. The crowd cheered loudly, apparently pleased.
I narrowed my eyes: branded thing? Little one? Who does he think he is?! Firelord or not, he won't get away with this. Shooting up quicker than a weed after rain I clench my fists at my sides, eyes blazing. Ozai raises an eyebrow, then takes his hands underneath my shoulders, lifts me, and throws me hard against the ground. My arm is surely hurt, but at least I didn't hit my head. That tells me two things; 1., Ozai is going easy on me seeing as he could've just slapped me or threw me harder, and 2., I had about one good second to get lost before he did anything else if the former is incorrect. I bolted through the crowd, hoping to get lost in the masses, but they part as fluidly as the element I bend and I stifle a cry of frustration...until I notice Ozai isn't chasing me. There's a sinking feeling when I figure out why; I'm already caught. There isn't a soul in this nation who won't turn me in after Ozai's little pep talk. I sink to the ground, devastated, until I see a spigot on the side of a store, only someone else must have seen it, too. I curse under my breath as I almost make it to the little contraption before the soldier who stood in front of me grabs my arms and slams my back against the store wall.
By this time, the city is no longer in a tizzy, and Ozai has caught up with us. I avoid his gaze, and shudder when he hisses "Holding Cell". That can't be a good thing. Zuko's gonna' need all the luck he can get.
Yeah, right. Like that isn't a lie in itself; If I know my baby sister, she'll lie just for the hell. What makes now any different? Besides, I won't get Katara hurt trusting Azula; that's one mistake I won't allow myself to make. But the way Azula's looking at me, I don't know; what if she isn't lying?
"When you understand what it is I've told you and can form a coherant sentence, let me know. Until then, you are dismissed." She said simply. I frowned "No! I believe you! Now...what do I have to do first?" I ask, hating every second of being around her. I know she must be up to something, but right now, what other choice do I have?
Azula's eyes glistened. "Good. I was beginning to think I'd lost you again, brother" she snickered, and if that wasn't a loaded sentence then I don't know what is.
Ozai wasn't talking to me. Apparently I really did make him mad. Maybe he'll let me go; Let's be reasonable, Katara. Three hours in a dark cell and you're already starting to lose your mind? I sigh and slump in on myself, stomach grumbling for nourishment. I don't know what kind of deaf gaurds Firelord stuck me with, but they're not going to be the ones standing between me and starvation.
"Hello? I know you can hear me, you bastards!" I shriek. I believe a half an hour goes by before they acknowledge me, and when they do, I nearly forget I had even called them. Until, that is, my stomach growls. One of them chuckles "Hungry, huh? Well, me, too" he whispers greedily, unlocking my cell. I brace myself for an assault but recieve none.
"As am I" He growls. I don't even have to look up to see that his Majesty has graced me with his royal presence, and hotly so. I can literally feel his anger rolling off of him and onto me, creating a thin layer of sheen on my skin. "Leave me" he orders, and the two fools scramble to get up the stairs and out of this dungeon. Ozai keeps his distance, and I look up to see his smirk. Smirk equals good. There's only one way to play out this situation.
"I'm sorry, your Majesty" I apologize innocently. He looks down at me appreciatively. "Oh? After only three hours? I don't think you've suffered nearly enough for that little stunt you pulled" he commented lazily. I shuddered; lay it on thick, then. I wrap myself around his knees, and, startled, he steps backwards. I cling to his legs and am dragged across the floor a bit. "Please don't leave me down here" I choke, artistically and discreetly bending the sweat off my cheeks to underneath my eyes. I glance up at him with my best chagrined expression. The next line is a stretch.
"Master?"
If I didn't know any better, I'd say the Firelord looked happy; sadistic, yes, but no, not happy. Either way, I've won my case, I know it. Now all I have to do is keep from messing up like I did before.
A/N: I was going to write more, but changed my mind for two reasons; 1., it's like 12:30pm here, and I've been gone all day, and 2., I need some more reviews, please! Thanks in advance!
Love,
LorraCorra