This chapter has three different points of view shifts, Azula, Katara, and then Zuko. I wanted to point that out now since it's a lot for one chapter. I wanted to keep it as one chapter since it all revolves around a single council meeting.

General Note: They are all aged up. Zuko is twenty-two, Katara, Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai are all nineteen. I don't write anything close to under-aged sex according to the laws in the United States. I understand the age of consent in Japan is 13. It's 16 or 17 in the United States, depending on your state.

Azula walked down the hall of the Fire Palace flanked by Ty Lee and Mai. She was indifferent about being home. She was only there on a fact-finding mission, and then her intention was to leave with new directions from her father and Fire Lord.

She was aware only that Zuko had been accepted home. She wanted to know if he had managed to regain his honor. She hoped he had. As much as she desired to take the throne from him, she wanted a fight from a worthy opponent –a fight that brought her glory. If he remained as he was, it would be like taking something from a child. Yes, she'd have his throne, but not the honor of a hard-won victory.

Then there was Mai. She would leave Zuko alive for her. She liked the idea of her friend and confidant staying close to her and becoming her sister. She would condescend to let Zuko keep the title of Prince so Mai, her loyal friend, could be a Princess. It would be her reward for fighting side by side with her.

It was Ty Lee, her acrobatic friend, who she hadn't figured out how to properly reward for her friendship. Still, that didn't bother her. She was confident she would come up with something to show her appreciation.

She saw Ty Lee and Mai's accomplishments in battle as an extension of her abilities. After all, she was their leader, and her careful planning and use of their specific skills merely illustrated her brilliance.

In the meantime, she had Ozai to serve faithfully, and that pleased her. She loved listening to him and hearing how he came to his decisions. She soaked it all up like a sponge, desperately wanting to lead like he did one day.

As they swept down the hall, she saw Iroh. "Uncle," she acknowledged him with no hint of caring in her voice. She didn't respect him in the least. It irritated her that such a weak man was related by blood.

"Azula," he said, stopping to speak with her. "You're back."

"That I am." She smiled, then a genuine smile. "With a report of victories. You must remember how that used to feel. It was such a long time ago, but that feeling must stick with you." She was sneering by the end of her cutting remark.

Iroh simply smiled and replied, "I remember the feeling of reveling in what is important." He knew she would misinterpret such a statement. He also knew any of his words would fall on def ears if he tried to help her see a different path. Zuko was his hope now.

She changed the subject. "And where is my brother? Undoubtedly he will be excited to see Mai." Mai, had strict institutions to give her a report on Zuko and his true feelings about being back in the Fire Palace.

Chuckling, Iroh said, "in the council meeting with your father right now."

"What?!" She couldn't hide her fury at that announcement. "How the fuck did he get invited back?"

"You keep what you kill, and he killed councilman Akito." That pleased Azula. She had hope that he might become a worthy opponent after all. She didn't even question why he had killed the man, and Iroh had zero desire to enlighten her and Mai about Katara.

She spun around, dismissing her uncle without a word. Her new destination was the council meeting. She liked the idea of reporting her victories during it in front of her brother. She would show that while he sat on his ass, she was defeating cities and expanding the Fire Nation.

Katara was in the harem. She was being primped and plucked and having expensive lotions rubbed into her body. She found she actually liked the pampering when it was for Zuko. Also, there was another benefit to being Zuko's acknowledged mistress, especially since Ozai didn't have one, he liked variety, and he made full use of his extensive harem. She outranked all of the other members of the harem, and even the Madam showed her deep respect. Discovering that had been a delightful surprise.

Once she was done with being groomed, she was lounging on a couch with a sparkly beverage and a plate of fruits and cheeses next to her. It was relaxing for her. Her only worry was how Zuko was handling the council meeting. She knew he struggled to stay quiet and respectful during them. But he did because he was gaining his father's favor, which was a crucial part of their plan.

Another acknowledged mistress came over and sat near Katara. It didn't feel to her like a casual thing. After all, none of the other women dared to approach her. If she spoke with anyone, she was the one to start the conversation. Even now, with the woman's forwardness, Katara could see she was waiting on Katara to speak first.

Ever the curious one, Katara said, "what's your name?" As she did, she eyed the prominent bite mark on the woman's arm.

"Aya, and it's not what it looks like."

Katara scoffed, "it's not a bite mark?"

Aya eyed the other women in the room nervously. "The harem gardens are beautiful this time of day."

Katara could take a hint and stood. "Walk with me through them. I'm curious about the names of the flowers. There aren't any flowers in the South Pole." She made sure others overheard her reason for going to the gardens.

The harem gardens were lovely and had high smooth walls surrounding them. It was to keep the women in and the men out. When she was first there Katara had quickly realized it wasn't a way she could escape.

They made it to the gardens, and Aya whispered, "I told Haru to bite me. It hurt, but… once Ozai saw the bite mark, he began including him in things." Katara was aware that she was the acknowledged mistress of a minor councilman. One that until recently hadn't been in Ozai's favor. "He's not a bad man. Actually," Aya blushed. "Actually, I think he's a very good one. He hated biting me, but I promised him that if he made one visible, Ozai would start including him in things. It worked."

"Why tell me?" Katara asked.

Aya shifted nervously and said, "because it's obvious you aren't abused and that Zuko is different." Then very quietly, she whispered, "because Haru respects Zuko, and…" her eyes darted around, and she leaned forward and whispered right into Katara's ear, "it matters to him that he has Zuko's respect. He believes he's a good man."

Katara laughed, "that's hardly a compliment here."

"He knows, but it's meant as one. Just know…" Aya trailed off. "Zuko has his respect."

Aya then turned and started reciting the names of all the flowers in the garden to Katara. It was evident to her that the message had been passed along. And now they could get to keeping their cover as to the reason for being alone in the garden together.

Katara reflected back on a conversation she had with Zuko that very first night. He had told her that a mistress's motives were believed to be more trustworthy than a wife's with family ties. And now she was seeing that in action. Aya had only Haru's interests in mind when they spoke. It didn't even seem like she was trying to promote herself to Katara. The one there with the most respect and power. And then she thought about the fact that Haru wasn't married. She would ask Zuko later how long Aya had been his mistress. She wondered if he was in love with Aya.

Zuko let his mind drift for a moment to what would happen after this tortuous council meeting. Katara was always waiting for him, naked in bed. He would take out his frustration on her with rough sex, and she would scream herself hoarse. She was perfect.

He listened to his father call on a smiling Haru. "And what is it, you think?"

Zuko ignored his response. He wasn't trying to learn to lead from his horrible father and listening only made it harder not to speak up. He didn't want his other eye matching the burn he got from the last time he stood up for his principals. He idly wondered what Haru had done to gain his father's increased favor.

The meeting was as torturously exhausting as the previous ones. That was until Azula waltzed in with Ty Lee and Mai flanking her. And he was disgusted by them all, and he realized soon things were going to get awkward. He was grateful to Uncle for pulling him aside weeks ago and explaining how he needed to handle Mai and how to do it without hurting Katara. One of his uncle's main points had been communication between him and Katara. And now they would have to have another conversation about Mai.

Zuko set his jaw as he listened to Azula report a long list of her victories. He wondered how Ty Lee and Mai could stand by placidly and let her take all the credit. He figured they must have been promised something, and then he realized with Mai, she was promised him –a prince.

He noticed Mai's eyes drift over to him, and he realized how right he really was. He instantly compared them to Katara's, and Mai's were lacking.

He shifted his focus to the councilors in the room, and he noticed not all of them looked at Azula with awe –interesting. He would file that away to discuss with Katara later.

When the council meeting was over, Ozai had Zuko and Azula stay. Zuko thought it was odd that Ty Lee and Mai stayed, too, without being invited. He then noticed Azula smile at them. He found it curious that his sister felt the need to assert her will even against their father.

"Ba Sing Se," Ozai announced with no explanation.

Azula smiled, "it's as good as yours, father. We will get that for you next."

"Very good." He then turned to Zuko. "It is to be ruled by you."

"What!?" Azula asked irately. "You want me to conquer it for him! It should be mine! Mine!"

Ozai turned toward his daughter while she threw her temper tantrum. "Calm down. I can distribute things as I see fit!"

He then turned to Zuko, "think Katara would like Ba Sing Se?"

Zuko wasn't fooled. This had nothing to do with him. Not Ba Sing Se or Ozai's fake concern over Katara. He was stirring the pot for some reason. He wanted Azula to be furious with Zuko.

"Who's Katara?" Azula asked, taking the bait.

Zuko decided to speak up. After all, if he was going to live with the fallout. At least he could announce the second primer for a battle between them. "My official mistress. Father is worried she might be a bit less… enthusiastic with a location change." He looked at his father, "don't worry, Fire Lord. Katara likes sex too much for a move to get in the way."

He heard Mai hiss, but it was Azula who spoke. "Mai's right here! She's your betrothed!"

Zuko leaned back and made sure to look bored. "So? Mistresses are hardly a secret here. What does Mai expect? That I wouldn't have one?" He laughed condescendingly. "Of course, my father was right about having a side fuck –she's wild. And it's not like Mai is a passionate woman; I'll have to get it from somewhere."

Ozai added, "you have something to look forward to, Mai. The whole palace has heard her screaming out in pleasure."

"She's faking!" Azula hissed.

Ozai scoffed, "no, my son just takes after me in that area."

Zuko was racking his brain, trying to figure out why the hell his father seemed so dead set on pissing off his beloved daughter. And then it dawned on him. Ozai wanted a son, a man like him, to lead the Fire Nation. His real disappointment in Zuko was that he was nothing like his father. But, now, he believed he had a chance at a male heir who could extend his legacy. And he wanted Zuko's power tested and proven worthy. He wanted Azula to attack him. And if she proved stronger, in the end, he would still have a powerful heir. He wanted Azula and Zuko to fight for the throne.

What he didn't realize was his indifference and his challenging tone toward Azula, a woman that had him cowering before, helped him gain more respect from his father.

When they were dismissed, he stood abruptly, ignoring the angry looks he was getting. As he opened the door to leave, Azula yelled out, "off to see your whore?"

"Yup! And if you are around my room any time during the next hour, you'll hear the screaming that father was talking about." He then exited with that parting shot.

When he got to the room, Katara was lying naked on their bed. "Azula is here." He knew she could figure out that meant Mai was there too.

Katara shrugged, "coming to play?"

He crawled over her, running his hand over her body. "You were in the harem getting pampered."

"You like how soft it makes my skin."

He smiled, "I won't even lie. I absolutely do." He then kissed her shoulder. "I was so right about the eyes. Please keep yours open while I fuck you. I want to drown in them."

He then thrust his cock deep into her wet pussy. She was always ready for him when he returned from a meeting. He greatly appreciated that about her. He moaned as his dick was seated deep inside of her and then locked eyes with her. "How can I look at Mai, and all I feel is disgust? How can she put up with my sister?"

"Disgust. That's new."

"That's what I was struck by when I saw her." He then pumped his hips and ground his cock inside of her. "All I want is you. You're all I see now."

She chuckled. "That's because I'm the only woman in this room, and your cock is filling me up."

He started at a slow sensual pace and kept looking into her eyes. "You're all I want, and you know that. Are you going to be okay handling Mai?"

"I'm strong, and I won't be scared off. You're mine Zuko, and I'll fight anyone to keep you."

"It's not a fight you have to have. My heart belongs to you, and there's nothing she can do to get me."

"I'll still kick her ass just to show her I'm better than her."

"I bet you'd look so sexy fighting and winning. I look forward to it."

Katara then grabbed his hair and, looking into his eyes, demanded, "fuck me, Zuko."

He rutted into her bottoming out and grunting with the power behind each fuck. He let go and took his frustration out on her tight cunt. She was screaming in ecstasy and scratching his shoulders.

"Yes!... Zuko!... So so, fuck right there!" She loved the power he took her with. She wasn't sure why, but she loved being dominated by him. She wondered if it was because she could just let go and let herself be wholly taken over by the experience and the pleasure.

Her eyes slipped shut from the overwhelming pleasure, and she heard Zuko demand in a gravelly voice. "Open. Your. Eyes. I want to keep looking into them as I fuck you, Katara." She obeyed immediately, and his gaze again locked with hers.

He laced their fingers together and pinned her arms above her head, and snapped his hips hard. "Your eyes… Shit, they make me want to cum. And I love your tight cunt; you're made for my cock."

Katara was screaming out in pleasure when his bedroom door flew open. He figured it was his father, so he was shocked when he heard Mai's voice. "I won't put up with this," she hissed. "Get rid of your whore!"

He didn't stop, even with her interruption. As he looked into Katara's eyes and penetrated her, their bodies slapping together, he replied to Mai, "do you have any idea what a good fuck she is?" He took her harder and had Katara screaming in pleasure. "She's not going anywhere, Mai. Walk away before you lose your dignity. No one respects a jealous woman around here."

"I'll destroy her!"

"Touch her, and you anger my father. He acknowledged her as my Mistress. Face it; you lose on this one." He smiled when she slammed the door.

Zuko then changed angles, and Katara screamed through her orgasm. He took her six more times, and his rocketed through his body. He collapsed half on her. "you're amazing."

She smiled and carded her fingers through his damp hair. "She's bold."

"She's friends with my sister. She's dangerous too. The only reason I'm not too worried is that pissing Ozai off would anger Azula. Still, be wary of her."

Katara rolled him to his back and caressed his chest. "We're going against Ozai; if I can't beat Mai, I don't stand a chance." She kissed his shoulder and asked, "we're assuming I don't want to be caught alone in a hall with her, right?"

"Yea, that's probably the worst-case scenario. My father won't get in the way of us no matter what Azula tries. The only thing you really have to worry about is them setting you up to look like a traitor. They might have Ozai take you out."

He pushed her flat on her back, and his fingers went to her clit. "And now for your next orgasm." He plunged two fingers into her and said, "what she doesn't know is that I won't have a mistress when I marry because you and only you will be my wife."