A/N:
I'm back! Sorry if this chapter or my next seem to be moving along fast. I really want to jump into the good part of this story!
Chapter 5:
"Fire Lord Ozai." A group of black cloaked loyalists knelt before the former tyrant as he exited out of the prison with blood covering his clothes and face. "We have come to serve you."
Ozai smirked as one handed him a cloak to cover himself in. As he put it on, he noticed a womanly figure making her way to him as his loyalists parted way for her. It was the girl that had offered him an opportunity to escape. The governor's daughter. The one that wanted that tribal wench dead as much as he wanted to be the one to kill her.
Standing before her fiancé's father, Mai bowed low to the ground, not raising her head as she spoke. "Zuko has not yet left for Bei Seng Sei though he's not currently in the Capital."
"I suppose my ex-wife has been found." Ozai looked away from the girl and into the distance with disgust as he rubbed his sore wrists. Without his bending he had to use his brute strength which was just as equal to his former bending ability yet put a strain on him. He wasn't getting any younger.
Nodding her head as she finally raised it, "He's traveled to the countryside with a friend to receive her."
Just like the boy. He thought to himself.
"I've managed to get you the two ships you requested. One headed to the Earth Kingdom. The other heading South." Mai informed him as she was on her feet again.
Good. His sly grin had returned to his face. Ozai ordered three of his loyalists to travel with him to the South Pole while the others were given specific orders to venture to a former colony that was still heavily populated with Fire Nation citizens that were loyal to him. It was there that many rallied together in order to plan a way to place him back on his throne. It would be there that he heads to after he takes care of the waterbender in the South. Once she was dealt with, he'd go to Xiao Lu and operate his plans to take back all that belonged to him.
"Before I head out, I want to get this grime off me. I've had enough of this prison scent on me." Ozai wrinkled his nose at the smell of himself.
Mai nodded and turned on her heel to lead the way for him.
…...
It took only a week to arrive in the Southern Water Tribe by the Fire Nation steamship. Katara felt a smile form on her lips for the first time in two years of being away from home. Finally, it was time to settle into her homeland and help rebuild her home.
The frost in the air tinkled her nose and soon her teeth peeked from her lips as her smile grew wider. Home. She beamed at the sky as snow flakes slowly fell down from its gape. Her eyes shut as she spread her arms wide from the deck of the ship. I'm finally home.
Within an hour the steamship had made land, she had gathered her bags from her cabin and headed down the ramp. She made her way through the busy docks, finding the busyness of her homeland to be an absolute improvement. The South had been a desolate land that only her people had found comforting enough to call home. However; now, it looked like people of other nations were gathered here too. Her tribe looked like it would make a full recovery in no time.
"Katara?"
The waterbender whipped her head around at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Katara!" The voice shouted and soon a gray haired woman ran to her with her arms expended wide.
Nearly falling over, Katara managed to stay on her feet as her bags fell from her arms and into the snow. Her arms surrounded the old woman as she hugged her back. "Grangran."
"My, Katara, What are you doing back so soon?" Her grandmother pulled apart from her to look her granddaughter over. "I thought it would be at least two more months before the Fire Lord gave you a vacation period."
Still wearing her smile, "I resigned. I figured family is more important to me."
"That's good to hear, dear." Kanna took her granddaughter's arm as she picked her bags up and led her through the crowded docks.
Making it to the village, Katara noticed it was no longer a village of igloos and huts but one of ice sculptured buildings. It reminded her of the North a little bit though its size was still very small to the large Northern Capital. But it was definitely a change for the better of her people and tribe. Seemed like Sokka was doing an awesome job of running things around here. She was proud of his achievements.
Seeing her granddaughter take in the new scenery of their tribe, Kanna grinned and nudged her. "Did you find a husband yet?"
"Huh?!" Katara looked to her grandmother with wide eyes.
Chuckling, "Oh don't give me that look, Katara. You're young and beautiful, not to mention you have a son that needs a father. It's time you marry."
That's easier said than done. Besides, how could she have found husband while she was in the Fire Nation. It wasn't like she had been there for vacation. She was there for work and she had been overly busy. Not to mention, her former lover and father of her son was the Fire Lord. If she as much as caught the attention of a man there, Zuko would know about it and interfere out of jealousy. Regardless, seeing Zuko on a daily basis made it hard for her to look at any other man. It was impossible for her to find love in a place like that.
"Don't worry, child. I'm sure you'll find someone soon. There is someone for everyone." Kanna reassures her granddaughter.
I hope so.
Reaching her brother's hut, Katara was tackled into the snow by the young Chieftain. She had to gather him off of her using the snow around them to pick him up. When she got back to her feet, brushing the snow off of her, she punched him in his stomach like she would when they were children.
"Ow!" Sokka yelled dramatically as he glared at his sister. "I was just trying to be warm and welcoming!"
Rolling her eyes as she picked back up her luggage and tossed it at him. "Well be warm and welcoming by carrying my things. My arms are killing me." She rolled her shoulders as her brother gathered her bags.
"Did your sister tell you she's home for good this time?" Kanna said happily.
Looking over his shoulder to his sister as he carried her things, "Yeah, Zuko wrote me that you resigned. What for? I thought you liked being the ambassador."
Shrugging her shoulders, Katara looked off to the side. While she had the answer, she didn't feel like answering. Besides, Sokka knew as much as everyone else did that her seeing Zuko on a daily basis and seeing him with another woman was not healthy for her. It literally was killing her to have him so close yet for him to be out of reach. Returning home was what she needed desperately. Regardless of how much she enjoyed her job, there other more important things. Her tribe, her family, and her son.
"Hey, don't worry I get it. Just making sure this is what you want." Sokka told her.
Brushing her hair back as they made their way up the steps of his home, Katara's smile returned to her face. Of course, this was what she wanted. Being carefree again and no longer restricted to the strict and structured life of politics. The waterbender was too free spirited to be contained and impeded from flowing naturally like the rivers and streams. Being back home was what she wanted. What she truly wanted.
~Later That Day~
"Mommy!" A small boy in a blue anorak with his hood on ran into the arms of his mother.
Katara had knelt into the snow to receive him in her arms. She squeezed him against her and kissed the crown of his head over and over again.
Watching this unfold was Aang in his winter cloak. He smiled as his friend was reunited with her son. It had been six months since she got to visit Kai with him in the Northern Air Temple on her vacation. Kai begged her to stay or for him to go with her. The monk had to hold the small boy back when Katara left again to return to her duties in the Fire Nation. Aang was happy to hear she had decided to resign and remain home with her family. As much of a big help she had been with helping her tribe from afar, it was time she came home and be with the people she loved. It was enough she had done.
Lifting her son on her arm as she rose to her feet, Katara smiled tearfully at Aang and opened her free arm to him for a hug. "Thank you, Aang."
Embracing the waterbender, Aang kissed her forehead and wiped her tears away. "No problem, Katara. I'm just glad to see you're alright."
Sniffling as they broke away, "I'm more than alright. I'm so happy to finally be home." She said as she held her son in her arms, his head leaning against her shoulder.
"Since you're home now, you think you'll be able to visit the temple more often? We miss you over there and it would be nice to have you around more." Aang had a hopeful smile on his face as looked to the waterbender.
Kai narrowed his eyes at Aang and stuck his tongue out. "My Mommy!"
"Kai?!" Katara looked down at her son as he glared down the monk.
Aang was taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter at the little boy. This was definitely Zuko's kid. Mama's boy and overprotective. Patting Kai on the head and ruffling his hair, the young monk kissed Katara's forehead one more time before hopping back on Appa.
Waving up to him, "I'll come visit soon, Aang!" She shouted with a smile.
"Great! See you then!" He seemed happy to hear her answer.
As Aang and Appa took off to the skies, Katara looked back down at her son and snuggled him in her arms, kissing all over his cheeks. Kai giggles and kissed her back. She kissed his chubby cheeks as he squirmed playfully in his arms.
Arriving back at her brother's home with her son, Katara noticed her grandmother was carrying large quilts and a basket of fur sheets. She placed them in one of the rooms of the house and walked out with a grin on her face when she spotted her granddaughter and great grandson in the doorway.
"I see my little otter-penguin is home too." Kanna beamed.
Kai wiggles out of his mother's arms to run over to the silver haired woman. "Grangran!" Kai yelled as he jumped into her arms.
"Oh, look at how big you've grown." She cooed over him.
Katara giggles as she watched Kai show off wolf fangs, as the temple children had called it. He showed them both and told them how he bit one of the kids for calling him a freak. This was a little upsetting but the waterbender would address it with Aang when she visited soon. But for now, she figured she'd enjoy her time with her family.
"Guess you'll be staying with me, sis. Not like I can let you and Kai sleep in the streets." Sokka entered the room.
Nodding her head, "Thanks, Sokka."
"No problem." He said. "Just know Suki is visiting next week and I'll need you to have found your own place by then."
And this was why she always found it hard to take her older brother serious. Rolling her eyes, Katara lifted Kai from her grandmother's arms and carried him to the room they'd be staying in. She needed to get them both washed and changed into some warmer clothes. Maybe even rest for a little while. It had been a long journey home for the two of them. A nap would be nice. One right before dinner.
…..
Sitting in the carriage that was to take him to his mother's humble village, Zuko rubbed his temple and groaned to himself. The last week had been frustrating for him. Between Katara leaving without as much as a goodbye and other stressors such as finding his mother, Zuko wasn't able to keep his annoyance at bay. He really wanted to vent. Get a good workout in by taking on a few of his guards for 'Training' purposes. However; Toph has gotten him to cool it a bit. Knocking him out with a single rock to the head seemed to do the trick. But still, his mind couldn't get off of Katara. Why did she want to leave so badly?
Toph sat with her arms crossed as she road in the carriage. She hated carriages. They were so damn bumpy. Especially at this pace. Spirits help her if she didn't get out of this shitty box-like contraption.
"We're almost there, your majesty." One of his guards came up to the window of the carriage on his Komodo rhino mount.
Zuko nodded his head in acknowledgement and shifted his gaze on the scene from his opposite window. From view of the volcano shaped mountain peak, it was clear they were close. The ocean's clear waters were also a testimony to his mother's village. He had heard a lot of this place. Aside from the Sun Warrior temples, this place was the most spiritual place in the Fire Nation. It had once been the breeding grounds for dragons before they had been wiped out. This was where Avatar Roku, his great grandfather, had found his animal familiar. Zuko could picture it now as he looked into the clear skies. Dragon soaring through the light clouds and dancing above his head. How different his nation must have been in the days before Sozin waged war on the world.
"So...whatcha gonna say when you see mama Sparky?" Toph asked out of boredom.
Still taking in the scene around him, "I don't know." He admitted. "I figured I'll say whatever comes naturally. You know?"
I guess. Toph said sarcastically in her head. How the hell would she know? Not like she had been as eager as him to see her parents.
What should I say? He really hadn't any idea what he could possibly say to his mother. A part of him wanted to hug and squeeze her. Tell her to never leave him like that again. But another part wanted to question and interrogate her, ask her why she left and why didn't she take him with her.
"Okay, less complicated question. What are you gonna do about Katara? Can't just let her leave like that and not see what was up?" Toph tilted her head.
As if he was ever going to figure out what was wrong with Katara. It was always something. Always something she would keep to herself and refuse to tell him. Honestly, he was done dealing with her nonsense. They were adults now. He wasn't going to chase her down for answers like he had in the past. Either she opened up to him or not. At the end of the day, personal feelings aside, they agreed to be friends and it seemed like she was still bitter over it as if there was anything else they could do about it.
Sighing, "I'm done chasing her around, Toph. I have a country to rule and other things happening. She's being selfish and inconsiderate of my feelings." Zuko said.
Sure, You're so not going to write her a letter when we get home. Toph Thought to herself.
I guess I could write her when I get the chance. Zuko couldn't just leave her alone. Katara was after all the love of his life. He just wish she wasn't so damn difficult all the time.
…..
"We're here, my Lord." One of his three loyalists informed him as their small ship grew close to the Southern Tribe's docks.
A groomed and clad in black fur Ozai stared into the dusky winter skies, watching how his breath was visible in the frostbitten air. He watched as flakes of water and ice fell from the sky, melting instantly on his face as it landed. It was the first time he had seen snow. The first any of them had seen snow or felt this chill. It eluded him why people would want to live here, let alone how they survived here. But none of that mattered truly. They were here for one reason and one reason only.
As their small ship docked the port, Ozai pulled his thick fur hood over his head and tucked his long black hair into his coat. He wasn't sure if word had spread already but he couldn't be too sure. Last thing he needed was for anyone to be suspicious of his presence. Long black hair was the trademark of the Royal family of the Fire Nation. That paired with his amber eyes would give him away. Aside from those features, he was generally unnoticeable. No one outside the palace walls knew what he looked like. And even if there were a few that recognized him through the capital city, no one out in this part of the world knew what he looked like, no one other than the girl he had come here for.
Boarding off their ship, Ozai and his men blended into the light crowd. Bumping shoulders with those casually going about their business. From the looks of it no news had reached here yet. As should be expected of a place nearly on the edge of the map. However; as he looked closely he could see there were more than just the typical brown tribal people of the Pole. He noticed that there were people of Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation descent. Seems as if the former world order had come back into play.
"My Lord, Where should we start looking for the girl?" One of his men asked.
Ozai shook his head, "Do you not see the sky? It's nightfall. Waterbenders have the advantage. She'd kill us in seconds." He explained to them. Not thinking he'd have to. Even if waterbenders were rare to come across, it was still valuable knowledge to possess. Especially for those of its opposite element, for firebenders rose with the sun and waterbenders basked in the moon.
"We'll find an inn or set up camp somewhere. Wait till we've found her to make our move. Once the sun rises, we search for her." Ozai instructed them on the plan he had.
"My Lord, How will we find this waterbender and who exactly is she?" Another of his men questioned.
Never taking light to being questioned, Ozai clenched his fists and grinded his teeth. Fortunately, it was imperative to the mission that they know who they were after. Besides, it would be hard finding a specific waterbender amongst an entire tribe of them without knowing exactly who to look for.
"Former Ambassador Katara." He told them.
The three of his men looked at him with wide eyes. While it made sense for her to be a target of his. It was practically suicide trying to take her. Even if their Lord was as skilled at physical hand to hand combat as he was at bending, it was a deathmatch trying to subdue her.
Seeing the concern on their faces annoyed him to no end. Cowardly bastards. I should have carefully picked my group. Last thing he needed were spineless flees backing down from a challenge. Regardless of this notoriously talented waterbender, Ozai wasn't afraid of her. He had overpowered her before with brute strength. Besides, he had a plan of how to take the high road with her. You won't be getting away from me this time, waterbender.
…..
Only home a few days and already her grandmother was running her all over the place.
"Nyla will be expecting you, so hurry along. I know she and the baby can't wait to see you." Kanna handed her granddaughter a basket full of things for a first time mom. It was the responsibility of the elder of the tribe to provide a new mother with the things she'd need to take care of her baby. It was the one thing Katara was happy remained a part of in their tribe.
Kai helped his mom by caring a small basket of fruits while she balanced a larger basket on her shoulder and took his free hand. As the two of them got ready to head out into town, Katara made sure her little one had his hood pulled over his head and his mittens on. When that was all checked, she led him out the house with her grandmother waving them off.
"She lives close to the docks, dear." Kanna yelled for them. The waterbender nodded her head and waved to her grandmother before turning back to head to her destination.
The trip to Nyla's home wasn't long. They needed only pass the large market area where foreign goods were being sold and make it through the busy streets. It was a small home with a man standing out front sweep a rug. He wore his hair long and tied into three ponytails down his back. Katara figures he must have been a northerner who came to help with reconstruction of the South Pole.
Approaching, Katara tugged her son who seemed to have taken interest in a group of men by the docks standing over a flame pit.
"Hello there." Katara greeted the man warmly as he stopped his sweeping. "I'm Kanna's granddaughter. She asked me to bring these by for your wife and the baby."
Turning to see a young woman with a child clinging to her skirt, the man stopped what he was doing to return her warm greeting. "Ah, Katara, is it? My wife told me you'd be here to drop off some things. I can take that for you."
Katara thanked the man as he took the heavy basket from her and carried it into the house, having her follow behind him.
"My name is Kholji by the way." The man introduced himself as he led the young woman and her child to his bedroom where his wife laid still in bed with their newborn.
"Well you know my name and this is my son, Kai." Kai waved his hand to the man when he looked back at him and smiled.
Kholji chuckled at the cute child and continued leading the way. "Looks like his father's not from here, is he?"
Chuckling awkwardly, the young mother glanced at her son who seemed oblivious and looked back to the man in front of her. It was pretty obvious by looking at Kai that he wasn't purely Water Tribe, if anyone could guess he was. He had no features of the tribe or anything that could indicate that he was actually her son. Everything about him screamed Fire Nation. His jet black hair, pale skin, and gold irises. Honestly, it wasn't hard to see that his father was indeed of the Fire Nation, which didn't always grant either of them good looks from people who had just gotten out of a war with that nation. She couldn't imagine what people would say or think if they knew she had gotten pregnant by the Fire Lord himself. La, it would spell disaster.
"No need to worry, Katara. I'm quite familiar with what happens during warfare." Kholji assures the young waterbender. "It's never fair what happens to some but we all must move forward for the sake of peace."
Now he thinks I was raped. La, she bet that's what everyone thought when they saw her with Kai. She wanted to palm herself or rather slap them. But how could she blame them? The war had only been over for four years, about the same time she became pregnant with Kai. It made sense people would think that. Besides, there was no telling what story Sokka came up with to cover for her.
Reaching his bedroom, Kholji opened the door wide and let their two guests in. "Nyla, Katara's here with the things Kanna's made you."
In bed with a small child bundled up in her arms was a frail looking woman. She must have just had the baby the other day or so. However; she seemed to be smiling as she looked down at the baby she held to her breast. Looking up to her husband and guests, Nyla offered a weak smile.
"Katara, it's good to see your back home." The new mother said.
Taking the small basket from her son, "I'm glad to be home. A lot has changed around here."
"Yes, and so have you. I heard you're finally looking for a husband." Nyla removed her child from her breasts and handed her over to her husband.
A look of shame swallowed her face as she looked away from the woman to her son who's eyes seemed to be glued to the baby girl in Kholji's arms. She watched as Kai walked over to the man and looked at the small baby girl. He seemed fascinated and when Kholji offered to let him touch his newborn daughter, Kai's eyes lit up as he took her small hand gently.
Nyla giggles into her fist as she saw this too, "Looks like someone wants a sibling."
Katara's face turned red. Why was everyone wanting her to marry and have more children? First her grandmother, then Sokka the other day, now Nyla and Kai. Being a single mom of one child was fine by her. Even if it was looked down upon, Katara chose her own happiness and the happiness of her son over any possible relationship. Plus, her heart yearned for only one person and that person was out of reach.
Not wanting to overstay their welcome, Katara gathered Kai up in her arms as he was not too big for her to carry and said her goodbyes to the new parents. On her way leaving out the house, Kholji stopped her just before she made it down the snowy road.
"Katara, I hear you're staying with your brother and grandmother." He said.
The waterbender turned and nodded.
"There's a place to the further south of the town that you can take as your own. One of the elders will let you snag it for cheap." Smiling at the information, Katara thanked him and went on to head home.
Having watched the whole encounter, one of Ozai's men, Shinji, fell back to report to his Lord what he had discovered and Agni was this some discovery.
….
Ozai couldn't believe what he was hearing. This couldn't be. How? As he and his men sat around at a table plotting how to take the waterbender out, he kept his gaze on Shinji, who had reported this information to. The girl had his grandchild hidden away all this time. More clever than I thought. Most women would make it public that they carried the royal seed and many would lose their lives and child's life in doing so. However; it never stopped women from trying to benefit from the royal blood that coursed through their child's veins. But this waterbender managed to keep this a secret and for what must be four years being that Shinji says the boy appeared that age.
Thinking carefully over the information he received, Ozai rubbed his now groomed beard and hummed to himself. Smirking once he devised a new plan, "I want the boy alive."
"So we kill her as planned and capture the boy?" Shinji asked.
Leaning back in his seat, "You all capture the boy. Leave our little waterbender to me. I want to finish her off myself." He was going to enjoy making that wench squirm after she humiliated him.
"Yes, my Lord." The loyalists bowed to their leader. Soon they would make their move and kill the waterbender and capture her son. Then...it would be on to their next set of plans.
…..
A/N: Hope it wasn't too bad! Love you guys!