Book 4 Air

Chapter 3 Distant Memories

"Gran-Gran…" whispered Katara.

The old woman smiled warmly, her wrinkled face lined even deeper than Katara remembered just one year ago and yet her grandmother's eyes still shined brightly. Her dark blotched hands reached out to the young waterbender. "My grand-daughter…" Kanna said warmly.

Katara ran up to her grandmother's arms, embracing into a big bear-hug.

"I am so glad to see you again…" Katara said as she then looked up at the old woman.

"I can't believe it, why did you come? Why are you here?" asked the curious waterbender.

"Pakku was ordered by the Fire Lord to come for a peace treaty meeting. Knowing you and Sokka would be here, I insisted I come along." Kanna said with a soft smile.

"Oh Gran-Gran! I am so happy you are here…Sokka will be so thrilled to hear the news." Katara said.

Just then Hakoda walked in from the far end of the hall, "Ah mother, I am so glad you were able to make it." Said the tribal chief as he hugged Kanna.

"My son, it has been too long…" Kanna said with so much warmth.

As the son and mother exchanged their hellos and smiles a guard entered into the scene.

"Lord Hakoda, the meeting will be starting shortly. Everyone is waiting." Said the guard with a short bow.

"Ah, already? I see…" Hakoda said as he began to turn and wave.

"I'll come with you." Katara said with enthusiasm.

"No Katara, you will not be needed." Hakoda said as he raised his hand to stop the waterbender.

"But Aang will be attending. And even Suki!" Katara said with frustration and confusion.

"Aang will be attending because he is the avatar. Suki will be going because she is the second descendent of Avatar Kyoshi's sister." Hakoda said firmly.

"What? Are you serious?" asked Katara almost amazed and surprised by the new information about her friend.

"Yes…I'll tell you more later...Alright?" Hakoda said as he patted his daughter on the head.

"Yes father…" mumbled Katara.

As Katara watched her father leave, she lowered her head. It was unfair…She has been with Aang from the very beginning, she's been there…she's seen every one's pain and suffering…And she knew a thing or two about wanting to bring peace.

So couldn't she go? Was it because she was a waterbender? Or maybe because they thought she was a child?

Katara sat on the balcony and stared out into the brightness of the morning sunlight from the grass in the royal gardens. The breeze was soft and gentle, and she was lost in her thoughts and about how much things had changed over the last couple of days. She noticed how Aang now tried to take on the responsibility of being more like a monk more than the Avatar. Of course he has worked harder on bringing peace to the other nations. Still…People rebelled and riots broke out in the Earth Kingdom. If possible Aang might have to go to Ba Sing Sa, and talk with the Earth King. She'll miss him, and along with the others as well.

Toph will be leaving soon. Katara remembered what Toph said a couple months back before their first invasion during the solar eclipse-the black sun. Toph made a promise in the letter that she sent to her parents. She said that she would return home after the war was over. Suki and Sokka also had plans…To go to Kyoshi Island and stock on supplies for the neighboring villages on the Northern peninsula of the Earth Nation.

Everyone else had a place to go, where they were needed.

So then what can Katara do? Should she return to her village in the South Pole? Help rebuild her home and care for her people?

Katara sighed deeply as she slumped over on the stone sill.

Footsteps walked up behind her, "Katara?"

The waterbender turned her head, a soft smiled formed from her lips.

--

Hunched over against the stone wall, the muscular man rested his wrists against his knees. Breathing in and out heavily, as he secretly tried to summon the lost flame from his hands.

Opening his eyes, the fallen king sighed. No matter how hard he tried…He couldn't release his firebending. He was defeated, and hated that fact. By a worthless child who overpowered him by mere chance.

Grinding his teeth against his jaw, he gripped his hands tightly. 'Curse it all…'

Then a loud sound of a creaking metal door opening against the rusted hinges brought Ozai out of his thoughts. He lifted his head, his golden-amber eyes dull and filled with hate as he stared at the person in front of him.

The new Fire Lord looked down at the man with pity and shame, it shone across his face. Before Zuko spoke, Ozai cut him off.

"You come here almost every day, and every time you ask me the same question…And I give you the same answer. So why do you persist? Knowing the outcome…?" asked Zuko's father.

Zuko narrowed his eyes, "Because…I know you know where she is…" Zuko said stoically.

Ozai pulled back the stains of hair in his face, and looked directly up at the Fire Lord. He narrowed his eyes. Every time he saw Zuko's face, he saw a genuine kindness in his son's eyes and features. It only reminded him of Ursa…his wife…his secret love.

Ozai replied venomously. "Haven't you listened, boy? I told you; back when you so cowardly faced me at the Day of Black Sun, that she was banished. She could be anywhere. Even dead."

Zuko clenched his hands, "No! She…She was my mother…She was your wife! How could you do such a thing!?" yelled out Zuko as he fought back to shed any tears.

Ozai stood up, "Give me back my bending and I will tell you where your precious mother is…" the former king said.

Zuko looked at Ozai, "Do you honestly think I would do that! No! I won't fall for it…" Zuko said as he turned his head away.

"Then you will never know…" Ozai whispered darkly.

Zuko had enough; he stormed out of the cell room.

Ozai closed his eyes, "Ursa…" the man said calmly as the woman's name rolled off his tongue. Almost tingling against his mouth like a foreign wine, Ozai opened his eyes remembering when he first laid eyes on her.

"Thankfully she carries noble blood of the Fire Nation, Prince Ozai…" Sozin said hoarsely from old age.

Prince Ozai looked at the girl, barely sixteen and very obedient. Ursa bowed to him and his grandfather.

Her hair flowed down to the side as she then straightens her posture, she smiled softly.

Ozai turned his head away, he didn't care. It was arranged marriage after all.

Mere purpose was to insure the bloodline of the royal family, to make an heir for the nation. Nothing more…Nothing less…

Walking into the dining room, Ozai then saw Ursa sipping on some tea. Slowly he turned away to leave but then he heard her voice.

"Would you care for some tea, Prince Ozai…?" asked Ursa.

Ozai looked back, the girl was smiling happily. Sighing he figured he should get to know her, since they will have to be together more often.

"Fine…" Ozai said as he sat down.

The evening pass without much excitement, tired and bored Ozai walked down the hallway past the royal gardens. That's when he saw Ursa. She sat next to the pond, flowing her hand across the water as ripples dancing along the calm surface. Walking up to her, she began to speak. "I understand if you do not wish to do this…If you'd like I can leave…" Ursa said with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Why? That would lead to your own death if you disobey the laws of the marriage…" Ozai said with slight amusement.

"Because…at least one of us deserves happiness…" Ursa said as she turned her head, her eyes clouded with tears.

The young prince's eyes widen at her statement. Standing there in the mist, as the morning sun fogged away the scene into darkness.

As the memory faded into the corners of the former king's mind. He opened his eyes once again. Staring at the rusted bars in front of him he then lowered his head in a quiet despair.

'Ursa…'

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I finally updated! Sorry it took me so long, been dealing with college and other stuff…anyways, I decided to give a little insight of Ozai. Maybe he wasn't such an evil Lord after all? Still there's a whole other chapter coming on that-Please review and tell me what you thought so far…I'll get to the Zutara juiciness soon!