A/N: Thank you, wonderful reviewers! You give me the motivation to continue this story when I've been tempted to give it up. Please keep the love coming, it's like crack for us writers and keeps us going on :) In response to reviews from Chapter 19:
Pointtech86: I love this story! It's one of the few that I hope to see updated everyday. I don't review often, but when I saw that only one person had bothered to comment on this great story, last chapter, I knew I had to throw some support your way.
Anyway, I personally love the plot you've created, and am truly wondering what you plan on doing when everything comes together. Personally I'm a sucker for Villain Protagonists, (mostly because there's so little of them) so I wouldn't mind seeing Ozai winning and stealing the heart of the poor, innocent girl in the process, as well as her mind. *evil cackle*
I couldn't help but get a big grin on my face when I read that she helped him not only escape, but run off with him too. Soon it will come time for her to choose between Ozai and her friends. I just hope she is clearheaded when it does happen, and knows what she wants.
It's too bad there's so few reviews for you, god knows there's been a lot worse stories made up that have gotten more than twice as many for 1/2 the quality. Hopefully the reviews pick up as you get to the crux of the story. Can't wait for the next chapter! (Oh, and last chapter was great BTW don't worry about it)
= = = Wow, thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful review. Really made my day. I'm so glad you like the story so much. I really do put a lot of effort and thought into my writing, so thank you for taking the time to let me know what you think! :) And yes I agree, villain protagonists can be fun because they're so rarely done ;-)
AnnaAza: What a chase scene! I loved it! But all I wanted to do is yell at Katara "It's a trap!" Admiral-Ackbar style whenever Ozai was mentioned in a flattering light. Especially when she saved him and misintrepeted his actions. Devious Ozai.
= = = Haha I love that – "Admiral-Ackbar style." Well, I guess if you weren't frustrated with Katara's actions then I wouldn't be doing a very good job ;-) Thanks so much for the review!
xCHARLIExPEACHx: This is one of the best fanfics I've read in ages! Maybe I'm just a diehard Zutara fan but I feel uneasy about the idea of Katara and Ozai sharing any more than an animosity based Captor-Captive relationship. It's a controversial idea, but I can't wait to see how this plays out!
= = = Thank you! I'm glad it makes you feel uneasy ;-) Means I'm doing a decent job, haha. I'm so glad you're enjoying it and I hope you keep reading to see how it unfolds. Thanks for the review!
Chlorei: Dearest awesome writer, I swear this fanfic has been one of the most believable ones. I know I should review about chapter 19 but I just can't disregard the other chapters you've written. I am guilty of not reviewing since I started read the first chapter, which was last night (June 13!). Since the very moment I discovered Electrify, I just couldn't put it down, in this case put my mobile down because... all were too addictive, I just had to keep going! Don't make me start with the characters, oh jeesh, they were all well-written and in characters. I could actually imagine them interacted like the way you wrote. It never occurred to me the idea of Katara/Ozai but after reading your brilliant piece of work, I actually found myself shipping! Perhaps I would be a closet Katara/Ozai shipper from now on... But of course, I still board the Zutara ship. :) I do think you've portrayed Ozai with great justice, although yes, he's wicked to the core, but there would be always a side story to his actions, like the ones you created :D Kudos to that too! So yeah, enough of me fangirling... I just want to say, I shall always await your updates. Other than to satisfy my Zutara needs, I also admired you for the way you write... it's just flow so naturally. :) Again, thank you for writing this masterpiece, and good luck with the other chapters.
= = = Dearest fantastic reviewer, this is hands-down probably the best review I've ever received (but of course all have been wonderful). Seriously, hearing that someone can't put down the story you've poured so much time and effort into is one of the best compliments a writer can receive. Yes this pairing is a bit taboo, but that's what makes it fun in my opinion. Plus, I mean, let's be honest: Ozai is one sexy devil ;-) I'll still be a loyal Zutara shipper forever, but I'm having fun exploring this possibility. I hope you continue to read and review, and thank you for the in-depth review and your support!
mayflowerr: I really am enjoying your story, but I hope that Zuko finds Katara soon. I'm not really the type that likes dragging on and nothing really happening in a story. Plus, I'm not so sure I like this bond Katara is forming with Ozai. A little bit too creepy! But I understand the need to not have them find her right away. Then there wouldn't really be a story haha. But other than that it is really well written! Update soon:)
= = = Thank you for the feedback! I agree with you about stories that drag and nothing happens – I don't know anyone who does like stories like that – and I'll admit that I've been guilty of this a bit (though not intentionally, I promise!). I'm still working on pacing as a writer and this story is helping me to see where my flaws are. I appreciate your honesty :) Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
It was a half hour later, Katara guessed, when they came upon a small cave-like den. It looked like it once belonged to platypus-bears but had since been abandoned. They hadn't seen any sign of pursuit from the guards since they scaled the wall and she figured they'd put enough distance between them that they could stop and rest a while. Besides, Ozai's condition was worsening by the minute and it looked like he was about to give out.
With his arm draped over her neck, she half dragged him into the den and slowly laid him down on his back. Ozai groaned at contact with the cold, hard earth. He winced and took a shallow breath as his listless eyes fluttered open to look at her. His face was so pale. The entire left side of his cloak was soaked in blood and his breathing was growing irregular. For a moment she was afraid he might be dying. She quickly reminded herself that she didn't care.
"Let me take a look at it," she said as she started to peel the cloak away from his sticky, blood-soaked body. Before she could remove it, he reached up and swatted her hand away.
"I'll be fine," he mumbled. "Just let me rest."
Katara wasn't sure whether to laugh or scream. She had never known someone to be so obstinate, so proud as to refuse help when their life was hanging in the balance. She could grant him his wish, leave him to his fate, but she knew he likely wasn't thinking clearly, growing delirious from the loss of blood.
"Just relax," she said, ignoring his request. This time he didn't fight her. He was growing too weak. She peeled his cloak off and then his shirt and had to stifle a gasp. A deep, ragged wound bore into his side, dotted with shards of wood. Blood was still seeping freely from the wound. Katara swallowed hard and shifted her gaze to meet his eyes.
"It's pretty bad," she admitted softly. "I can heal you. But only if you let me."
At first he didn't respond. His empty eyes lingered on hers a moment longer before sliding closed. He sighed a pained exhale and nodded faintly. That was good enough for her.
With her fingers splayed out at his side, she drew as much water from the earth around them as she could and placed her hands around his wound. "This might hurt a little," she said quietly, unable to mask the pity in her tone.
The water began to glow, softly at first then brighter and brighter. Ozai's jaw clenched, his brows knit together. His fingers dug into the clammy earth, hands squeezing into fists as he arched his back, letting out a painful hiss that quickly escalated into a loud groan. The wound was starting to close, the ragged edges of skin shrinking toward each other. But it was healing more slowly than she'd expected. The damage must have been worse than she thought. Her arms were beginning to tremble as she poured every shred of energy she had into his wound. Just when she thought she might collapse, the wound finally fused into one flesh again, leaving a web-shaped scar as the only trace of its existence.
His body went limp as Katara heaved a sigh of exhaustion, slumping back on her knees. She wiped the sweat from her brow before turning her attention back to Ozai, lying motionless on the ground. At first she was afraid something had gone wrong when she noticed the slow, subtle rise and fall of his chest. He must have passed out from fatigue once the pain finally subsided.
She tore an unsoiled scrap of fabric from his shirt and bent water onto his skin, wiping away as much of the dried blood as she could. Wringing out the crimson rag, she balled up the blood-soaked garments and threw them to the side. The cold water that clung to her hands made her shiver. As her heartbeat began to slow, she realized how chilly it was in the twilight, on the hard, stony floor of the den. It would only grow colder as the night crept on.
Katara glanced around, straining to see in the dark. She didn't see any sign of the new equipment Ozai might have picked up. Had they truly come away empty handed between the two of them? What were they going to do now?
She chewed on her lip, circling through thought after futile thought as she studied Ozai's comatose body lying half-naked on the ground. In his condition, he would need to be kept as warm as possible for his body to regain its lost energy. The obvious answer was to share body heat, but that was out of the question. Way out. The second obvious answer was to give him her cloak, but without it she would surely freeze and risk her own health. Eventually she decided that, of the two of them, he needed it more than she did. She was hardwired to deal with the cold, granted not typically without proper covering. But what other choice did she have?
Unfastening her cloak, she spread it out as wide as she could, ensuring that he was fully covered and tucking it around him to seal in his body heat. She rubbed her arms, her skin prickling against the brisk night air, and laid herself down a short distance away. She shivered against the frigid earth, curling into a ball to try to keep warm. Despite the cold, it didn't take long before her thoughts grew distant, exhaustion ushering her into a deep and dreamless sleep.
.:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:.
The cawing of a lonely raven stirred her from her slumber. Katara's mind was groggy, her eyelids impossibly heavy. And she had no intention of opening them. Not yet. Instead she nestled deeper into her spot on the ground, reveling in the soothing warmth around her. With a sigh she rolled over and felt her body push up against something warm and firm…
…Warm…? Wait a minute…
Her body froze as her eyes shot open. The edge of her cloak was wrapped around her body. The cloak she'd placed on Ozai. A sick feeling was roiling in her stomach. Turning her head, her dismay turned to horror. There was Ozai lying right beside her, her back pressed up against his chest. For a moment, she couldn't breathe. The nausea began to mingle with that all-too-familiar fluttering in her stomach. The reaction made her want to gag.
How?! How had this happened?! She must have scooted toward him in her sleep during the night, her body's instinctive attempt to keep warm. It was the only explanation. Oh gods…
Ozai remained unmoving, his breathing slow and even. Maybe there was still a chance he hadn't noticed. Ever so slowly, Katara inched away from him, praying that he wouldn't wake up. The cloak slid down her back and onto the ground as she dragged herself along the floor of the den, stopping only when she thought she'd put enough distance between them , and froze, listening. Still not a sound from Ozai. Katara closed her eyes and released a long, silent breath. Thank the sweet spirits, she dodged that humiliation.
"Leaving so soon?" a deep voice drawled behind her.
Katara's stomach dropped like a rock as her entire body cringed. She felt a wave of heat sweep over her face and neck, her fingers and toes curling. How long had he known she was there?! Why hadn't he moved or said something? No, no, this could not be happening! Please, spirits, let this all just be a terrible dream.
"If you wished to sleep in my arms, you could have just said so."
Katara winced and turned to glower at him. He certainly seemed to be recovering just fine. Back to his normal, aggravating self. Oh, joy.
"For your information, I fell asleep by myself, curled up in a tiny ball to keep from freezing while you slept under my nice warm cloak. I didn't have to give it to you, but I did. And while you may like to believe that you're the gods' gift to women, I actually have no idea how I ended up there but I can assure you it was not intentional. Sorry to burst your oversized ego."
She crossed her arms in a huff, gritting her teeth, her irritation mounting.
"Besides," she snapped, "since we didn't manage to buy the equipment we needed, I made what I thought was the best decision under the circumstances."
Ozai tilted his head and raised an eyebrow at her. "The equipment is right here." He gestured toward the pile of bloody clothes she discarded last night, overlapping what she could see now was Ozai's satchel packed with gear and clothing. "So you can continue to exhaust your feeble excuses, or you can simply admit what we both know is the truth."
He smirked at her as her eyes went wide with dread. Another swell of embarrassment wrenched her gut. How hadn't she seen that last night?!
Her mouth gaped open, struggling to find the words that so inconveniently eluded her. "I– It was dark! Obviously if I'd known that, I would've done things differently! And there were a few other things on my mind," she spat, "one of which was saving you! Next time, maybe I shouldn't bother."
A throaty chuckle morphed into a wheezy cough as Ozai clutched his side, grimacing. After a moment, his features softened, a subtle curl to one corner of his mouth.
"Relax. I was only joking."
Katara's shoulders loosened a degree as she cast her glare downward. Stupid to let him toy with her like that. Again. She reacted just the way he wanted. As upset as she was, a part of her wouldn't let her completely resent him. That had almost seemed like an apology. Or as close to one as she'd ever get. That was certainly the last thing she'd ever expect, coming from him.
The two of them sat in awkward silence for some time until finally, to her relief, it was Ozai's voice that interrupted it.
"Alright, listen," he began, clearing his throat, "I know I'm only here right now because of what you did last night. That isn't lost on me. So…" He faltered a moment, his eyes shifting before fixating on the rocky earth. "Thank you." The last two words tumbled off his lips under his breath as his gaze singed the ground, as though it took every last ounce of his energy to force them into utterance.
Katara raised her head and blinked, eyebrows lifted. Now she was really confused. She knew what she heard, or at least what she thought she heard. But she couldn't think of anyone less likely to say it.
"Umm… you're welcome…" Katara narrowed her eyes, studying his face, searching for the treachery she knew was there somewhere. It was always there. The ulterior motives, the cunning lies. Surely this was just another trick.
But his face showed no trace of insincerity as his eyes raised to meet hers again. Not a hint of deceit or malice, or even the maddening smirk she'd come to know so well. For once, his expression was genuine, honest; seemingly unclouded by the usual veil of duplicity. And as his earnest amber eyes pierced into her, unmoving, Katara felt a twinge in her stomach as a wave of heat tingled up her arms to her face, burning a deep red. Quickly, she turned her face away.
"I'll go find us some firewood," she mumbled over her shoulder as she stood up and shuffled out of the den.
Katara squinted into the pale grey of the morning, taking in a ragged breath and releasing it slowly. The sun was rising modestly, shivering behind a curtain of cold haze, vying for its place in the sky. How had it come to this? Nothing made sense anymore. She'd been praying for rescue for so long, and what did she do when it came? Run in the other direction. While saving Ozai's life, no less. And what terrified her most about him was that she no longer felt terrified of him, not in the way she should. Didn't she want to be rescued?
She didn't know what she wanted anymore. She wasn't sure what was real anymore. Who to trust. Who to fight. How to feel…
Especially how to feel. She no longer had the energy to sustain the denial. She knew what this was. And now she was standing on that precipice; her only choice now was whether to jump or back away.
The naked treetops nodded in the wind, its whispering the only sound in the hush of the forest. She hugged her arms around herself in the chill, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. If everything Ozai had told her about Zuko was true, and she had no reason to believe it wasn't, things could never be the same between them even if she did get rescued. And as for Aang… she had no doubt that he had forsaken her. She was likely dead to him. But with Ozai, everything was clear cut, spelled out. Expectations were laid out. There was no guess work, no pretense to uphold. And she'd remained safe and unharmed thus far. He had even protected her. And she was sure now that a part of him even cared for her. But could men like Ozai ever really change?
Zuko changed, a voice in her head reminded her.
Katara dropped her gaze with an acquiescent sigh. Yes, she'd made her decision. She knew where her place was now. It wasn't the kind of life she'd imagined or dreamed of for herself, but it was her life now. As crazy as it was to admit, she was more or less comfortable with Ozai. And if she were really honest, her feelings for him went beyond mere innocence.
Admitting that to herself was like letting go of the lead balloon holding her down. She suddenly felt weightless, free. And like taking that first step of faith from the edge of the cliff, she was ready to take the plunge. It takes courage to jump. And right now she was feeling very courageous.
.:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:. .:.
Genshi held her fingertips over Sokka's temples, her eyes squeezed shut. Her head was already pounding from the energy surging between them, but the vision was materializing with greater speed than before – a mottled mess of browns and greys, then the vague shapes of rocks and trees, a cave. And then she saw them. Blurry at first, but the two forms and contrasting skin tones hovering so close together were unmistakable.
And that was what bothered her.
There was something off about them, something that stirred the pit of her stomach. Nevermind the fact that the urgency she had seen before seemed absent. There was something else. It was the way Katara seemed to slump down so comfortably next to her captor, the way he seemed so at ease to let her roam about unrestrained. Their too-casual body language that spoke of anything but a captive scenario.
But it was Katara's aura that made her skin crawl most of all. Where the orange hues of distress and grief had clouded the pure white around her, there were now sparks and flashes of lavender and turquoise. She had never seen anything like it. But it certainly didn't look like distress.
As though in confirmation, a dark-skinned hand placed itself tenderly on porcelain flesh, marred by a fresh scar. The way Katara's hand stroked the area, tending to it so gently made her throat tighten.
Genshi pulled her hands back more quickly than she intended.
"What?" Sokka asked, startled. "Did you see something? Is Katara okay?"
Genshi swallowed and forced a smile. "Oh yes, she's fine. Sorry, it's just… my head. It just hurts, that all."
"Well, can you find her? How far have they gotten?"
"Not far, I think. But we better move fast." She turned and gestured to the others to follow her.
"Wait, why?" Sokka grabbed her arm, his brows furrowed as she turned to face him. "Genshi, what's wrong?"
He must not have picked up what she had seen, she realized. Hopefully she could keep it that way.
"Well, she is being held hostage by Zuko's crazy father," she smiled sheepishly. "But no, she's perfectly fine." Her reply came out cloying, exaggerated. She cursed herself inwardly and tried to relax her posture. "I just don't want to lose them again when they might be close."
"Oh. Right." Sokka rubbed the nape of his neck. "Well… carry on then."
Genshi nodded and turned to press on when Suki's voice rang out.
"Umm, guys." Genshi sighed and came to a halt. All eyes turned to the warrior girl, leaning over Appa's saddle with widened eyes. "Aang's awake."
A/N: Sorry for the slightly shorter chapter. Hopefully next one will be longer. Please don't forget to let me know what you think - good, bad, everything - all constructive reviews are accepted and appreciated. Even if it hurts. How else do we learn and grow as a writer? :) Thank you!