Short Tales

by AnumOfTheMoon

Short tales involving OzaixKatara, Zutara, and OzaiXKataraXZuko. PM or Comment ideas for the stories

4. Short Story 2 Part 2

A/N:

Back with part Two

Part 2:

"Commander Yong, you look in high spirits." General Fuji stated upon approaching the man.

Ozai wasn't very outwardly expressive but he was in high spirits. Not that he admitted that. Though he had tons of paperwork and a briefing with General Po, his mind was on the waterbender. Last night kept replaying in his head and he was having a hard time focusing. Maybe he should have brought her here with him. Wasn't uncommon for militants to go around with their mistresses. Maybe on his break he should go see if she was fine enough to bring to his office.

Taking a seat in the chair in front of the commander's desk, "Must say I'm surprised you come here of all places to serve the last of your years in the military. Aside from the women, there's nothing here."

"Perfect for someone no longer in their prime." Ozai replied.

Fuji scoffed as he chuckled, "You think you're fooling everyone by keeping your head low but I'm not fooled. You've got something up your sleeve."

"If that's what you think." Ozai sighed, "I'd just like to retire and return home. Live a simple life until I die."

The general burst out laughing and shook his head, "You really are up to something. If you weren't, you'd have taken any other woman but the Southern Tribe Princess as your mistress."

"Maybe I just wanted a pretty trophy to bring home. Besides, you look at me and tell me you wouldn't do the same. Retirement will be quite enjoyable."

"Ah, you've got me there." General Fuji smirked. "I hear it's been made official. She worth restraining yourself for."

Ozai wasn't going to discuss his private life with the man. Especially not concerning details of his sex life.

"Oh, you are no fun, commander. No fun at all." Fuji stood up. "But maybe I'll catch a glimpse of that mistress of yours. I know Ursa and you have never really liked one another but I know she'll be green with jealousy when she sees the woman you bring home."

As his break finally came around, the commander went back to his chambers to see how Katara was and found she was sitting on the ledge of the window staring out at the city. She looked over her shoulder at him when he got close enough. Her sapphire eyes looked him over before returning her attention to the view.

"How are you feeling?" He asked her.

Shrugging, "I'm fine. Any new information?" She responded to him in a monotone voice.

"Not quite but I was going to see if you wanted to come back with me to my office."

Katara turned her head to the side and glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes, "Do I still have to wear that leash?"

"It's protocol." Ozai knew she hated it and he didn't blame her.

Scoffing as she turned her head, "I'm a person, Commander Yong. Not a pet. You want one of those, I'll point you in the direction of some polar-bear dogs. They are quite loyal and don't turn on their masters."

"I know you're not a pet but there are rules, Katara. Even I have to follow them." The commander placed his hand on the waterbender's shoulder, "Just come with me. I don't want you to be cooped up in here."

Folding her arms over her breasts, "What if I want to be cooped up?"

Ozai wasn't understanding what her sudden problem was. She was always playing hot and cold with him. One minute was trying to jump him and the next, she was making him out to be her enemy. Granted, they technically were given the sides they stood on in this war but he told her he wasn't for the war. He made it pretty clear.

"I'm not your foe." He pointed out.

Katara shrugged her shoulders, "You are until this war is over."

"That won't be for sometime. Do you plan to always be cold with me until that is fulfilled?" Ozai furrowed his brows.

Returning her gaze to him, Katara looked him dead in the eyes, "And if I do?"

The commander sucked his teeth, "You really just like getting under my skin, I'm convinced at this point. I've not done a single thing against you and yet you make me out to your enemy."

"Because you are."

"If that's the case, why are you still cooperating?"

"I don't have anyone else." She answered honestly. "My family is dead aside from my grandmother and she'll soon be dead herself. Whether you keep your end of the bargain or not, I don't really have much of a choice but to follow you. I have nothing. Nothing at all. I'll just end up a slave like every waterbender left. So, tell me, commander, what else am I supposed to do?"

Rubbing his temple, Ozai sighed and shook his head. She had him there. Honestly, he hoped she'd at least warm up to him better but what could he expect of an ice princess? Sure, he didn't start this war and he didn't want it but how was he much different from any of the others she considered her enemy? Because he offered her an opportunity that wouldn't be granted to anyone else? Her people and country were still in ruins. Until the war was over, her rage would only grow and he'd have to deal with that.

"Fine. If that's how you have to see me, I'll accept it." Ozai told her. "But I want you to come with me. Can you do that at the very least?"

Walking behind the commander as he held her leash, Katara looked around the halls and saw more servants, all garnished with collars. She noticed many staring back at her and quickly looking away when she made eye contact. The servants were never so timid or meek. They were just the working class that worked to maintain things around the palace. She wondered if they were being so poorly mistreated that they now coward at any eye contact.

When they reached the commander's office, he told her to fix some tea and come sit with him at his desk. Katara nodded and went to where she saw there was a fire pit. There was a tea kettle and coal to use for the pit. But no tea leaves. She let the commander know this and he told her to go ask the servants to bring some. Reluctantly, she went out into the hallway and looked for a servant that didn't look busy which was difficult. They all looked very busy. Maybe she should just get the tea leaves herself. She remembered where the kitchens were. It wouldn't be hard for her to get it and come back.

As she made her way to the kitchens, Katara took a detour and cut through the courtyard, making her way through the men she saw training against the dummies. They all glanced at her strangely as she paid them no mind and continued on her way. Back in the halls, the waterbender saw a group of men casually talking amongst themselves and she held her head down to not be noticed too much. She thought she was scott free when one of them noticed the hairpin in her hair and stopped her.

Katara swore under her breath and sighed as she turned around to face the man, meeting his gaze.

"The Fire Prince's mistress. Why are you walking about without your master?" He asked her in a rather stern tone.

"He asked me to fix tea. I need tea leaves to do so. Now, if you'll excuse me." Katara said in a monotone voice as she then turned herself around.

A hand fell on her shoulder and she was thrown up against the wall. She saw the man that stopped her looked very displeased and so did the men behind him.

"You've got a lot of nerves, woman." A flame bloomed in his hand.

Katara stared at him through the flame he held out in front of him, "My master gave me orders. I'm only following them through."

"I know you think you run this place, princess. But you had better start learning your place real quick. Your people are defeated and now under Fire Nation control. You answer to us now. So learn some respect or you'll find yourself a pile of ashes like your father."

Unfazed, the waterbender smiled nodded her head and left as he let her go. She didn't understand why that man needed to tell her all of that. It wasn't like she was disrespectful. All she did is answer him but she figure it might have been the eye contact. Maybe that's why the servants carried themselves in a more timid manner.

After getting the tea leaves from the kitchen, Katara returned to the commander's office and got to work on the tea he requested. He seemed concern with her going on her own to the kitchens after she told him she couldn't find any servants. She assured him she knew this place like the back of her hand and there was nothing to worry herself about. If she needed to get away, she knew the passage ways and hiding spots.

When the tea was done, she brought the commander his cup and set it off to the side as he urged her to sit in his lap. Katara did so without hesitation and looked over his paperwork, his arm going around her waist to rest his hand on her outer thigh.

"Do you read common script?" He asked her.

Katara nodded.

Ozai handed her a few papers to look over as he focused on what was written in Fire Nation script. "I translated some of the reports in common script so you can be able to read it. Apparently, the Northern Tribe is resistant but have struck a deal with my father to prevent the events that took place here from happening there."

"So they're just handing over their waterbenders?" Katara raised her brow in displeasure as she read the translation. "My father always said the Northern people were cowards. I thought maybe that was just talk due to the strife between our people but I guess he was right."

Tilting his head as he sighed, "Cowards? I wouldn't call them that. They know what happened here and are trying to prevent casualties. Sometimes surrender is best."

The princess scoffed as she tossed the report aside after reading the rest, "Better to die than lose your pride."

"Says the princess that has nothing to lose." Ozai eyed her from the corner of his eyes. "Ask the mothers with children to protect which they rather the chieftain had done in the beginning. I promise you they would have rather surrendered than become as they have."

Katara crossed her arms and pouted. She wouldn't argue with that. Her mother cursed her father for his decision after they watched him and her older brother be killed. As much as it would have killed her father's pride, perhaps surrender would have been much better.

The commander took his tea and drank it, continued to read over more as the water princess sat in his lap. She didn't seem too happy with what she read but it was what it was. He was only trying to include her since she was his accomplice. She needed to know as much as he did.

When the two retired for the day, Ozai informed Katara it was best he taught her as much about Fire Nation culture as he could. She would be coming with him when he retired. It could take years before they got what they wanted and he wanted her to be prepared for an indefinite stay. He also wanted her to know that they might fail and if they were lucky to be spared or not found out, she might spend the rest of her life there. Katara seemed to already be aware of these factors. She reminded him again that it wasn't much she could do either way, at least this provided her some hope.

"I'd take care of you no matter what." Ozai pulled her in his arms and gave her a sincere look.

Not like she could do anything but believe him. Katara circled her arms around him and kissed him as he leaned down to her. The two of them were in bed as soon as they removed one another's clothes. It wasn't as rough as the night before. The waterbender wasn't in the mood to be hurt. Instead she wanted reassurance that he could care for her if the day ever came. While she couldn't say if she felt anything for him at all, she did like him and she knew if they were going to be together for years it would only be a matter of time.

………………………………….

The next few days were uneventful. During the day the commander was reading over reports, translating them for the Princess as she fixed tea and followed all other orders. Sometimes there would be a guest to stop by, mostly General Fuji or General Po. Katara would stand beside the commander whenever they were around. They both gave her dirty looks. At night, the two were tangled in the sheets, trying to keep the noise down as there had been complaints.

One evening while in bed, the two were interrupted by a knock on the door. Katara tried convincing the commander not to leave, pulling her back to him as he was on top of her with her legs around him. However, he had to answer it and nipped her jaw before pulling the sheets off of himself as he removed himself from her. She laid in bed with the covers to her chest and watched Ozai wrap a towel around his waist as he answered the door.

Running his hand through his hair to pull it from his face, Ozai saw it was his former lieutenant, Jee.

"Sorry, am I interrupting?" Jee noticed the commander was not dressed and saw the tribeswoman in bed behind him.

Blocking the view of Katara, "No, what is it that you wake me at this time of night?" Ozai asked impassively.

"Sir, there is something serious I need to discuss with you if you have a moment."

Ozai groaned and nodded as the man looked truly upset about something. Telling him to go to the sitting room to give him a moment, the commander made his way back to the bed and got back under the covers with the waterbender. He pressed his lips to her and told her he had to be quick. She giggled and held both sides of his face as she wrapped her legs back around him.

Ten minutes later, Katara clung to the commander's arm as they went to the sitting room to see the Lieutenant. Ozai didn't know why this woman was so night and day with him but he'd leave her be for now. Taking a seat, the commander looked at his former subordinate and tilted his head.

"What is it?"

Jee shook his head, "Something awful has happened. Nani, the tribeswoman that was in my care, she was pregnant and when we arrived to my new post she fell sick." The lieutenant said as he looked down at his hands. "She broke into a fever and the village we stayed near, they didn't have any waterbenders that knew healing. She couldn't be treated. The other soldiers were familiar with what was wrong with her. Said she had to be pregnant with a firebender and her body was too weak to handle it."

The two listened as Jee explained his only hope of saving Nani and their child was to bring her to the capitol to be treated. However, as they got her here, none of the Fire Nation physicians knew how to treat her and the water healers here were not allowed to treat one of their own. All that he could do was hope Nani pulled through but she was so early into the pregnancy that it was unlikely she'd survive the rest of the pregnancy.

"I know you owe me no favors but could you see if those in charge here will allow the water healers to see Nani?" Jee pleaded.

Ozai didn't seem to want to be involved with this matter. However, Katara sided with Jee and pleaded for her friend's sake.

Sighing with his arms crossed, "Fine. I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you, Commander Yong. Anything you need of me, I'll gladly do it."

Laying in bed with the waterbender staring at him, Ozai stared back at her and waited for her to say something. She clearly wanted to say something. She had that look.

"Thank you for helping my friend." Katara started. "It means a lot to me."

Ozai sighed and grumbled a 'you're welcome' before shutting his eyes.

Wiggling herself over to him, Katara placed her arm over his middle and rested her head on his chest. She shut her eyes and drifted off.

Morning came, Ozai saw to it that his former lieutenant's woman was allowed to have a water healer treat her. He allowed Katara to keep the woman company while he took care of other matters. The waterbender aided in treatment and stood by Nani's side.

Holding her friend's hand as she was laying in bed, Katara pressed a wet cloth to her forehead and smiled down at her. Nani was very fortunate to have someone like the lieutenant. He truly cared about her and it showed with how worried he looked last night. Katara told her all about how Jee begged the commander to help as he was desperate for her to get the help she needed. Nani giggled and nodded. Seemed Jee had been kind to her since the beginning. The man stopped the other soldiers from ganging up on her and took her in. At first, it was all just for show to keep her protected the way the commander protected Katara but Nani explained that things move beyond that and they feel for each other.

"Jee said you seem to be taking a liking to the commander." Nani smiled at her friend who was blushing. "He must not be as scary as he looks."

Katara bashfully looked away, "He's decent."

"Oh, you're so stubborn, Katara." Nani teased.

But katara didn't think she was stubborn. She was just being careful. Sure, Ozai was a better man than she believed but that didn't mean much. He needed her as much as she needed him. That didn't mean they were anything like Nani and Jee. They were just satisfying their immediate needs as they progressed towards their goals. Katara was confident that things would end shortly after they saw things through. Besides, the commander was married with a son that was old as she was. She was no more than a woman to keep his bed warm while he was away from home.

"Do you like him?" Nani asked.

Pulling her hair behind her ear, "Maybe. I don't know yet. I think I do."

"Awww, how's the sex?"

Covering her face, Katara shook her head and refused to answer.

"Do you think you'll get pregnant soon?" Nani asked.

Shaking her head, "The commander is careful with me."

Nani smiled, "Maybe he'll slip up. I heard men do it all the time."

Katara doubted it. She dare not mention pregnancy to him or even think of it herself. They had things they had to do and a child would delay things. Ozai made it very clear they could be looking at years to carry out their plan and she could live with that but a child? She doubted he'd ever consider such a thing with her.

"I just can't wait to be a mom. I'll care for it no matter what and I know Jee is excited. It is his first child." Nani told Katara.

It wasn't long before Katara parted ways with her friend once again and was on her way home with the commander. When they arrived, everything seemed fine and orderly. However, they learned Lyra had given birth and many of the female waterbenders were crowding the tent to see the baby. None of them had seen a baby of Water Tribe and Fire Nation origins. Katara was curious but decided to wait till things calmed down. She just changed out of her heavy parka and settled at the low table to make tea as Ozai went to deal with the commotion. When he returned he seemed annoyed and Katara offered him some tea.

"Women and babies, I don't get it." Ozai rubbed his temple as he drank the tea.

Tilting her head, "I assume you're not a fan of babies."

"That's not it. I just don't understand what the fuss is." Ozai scoffed.

Chuckling, "Well, they're usually small and squishy and cute. How can we not make a fuss over them?" Katara beamed at the thought. She wanted to see Lyra's baby so badly. Maybe she should have gone. "Can I help Lyra with her baby tomorrow?"

Ozai shrugged, "If that's what you want to do. I don't care."

Katara couldn't help but get excited for the next day. When it came, the waterbender went to Lyra's tent with some thick blankets and fur that the commander allowed her to give away as a gift. Lyra looked up from where she laid in bed and smiled at the sight of Katara as she held her baby tight in her arms.

"Katara, I should have known you'd come by. I saw the commander last night shooing everyone away." Lyra said.

Coming to the woman's side, Katara sat the fur and blankets down beside the woman as she tried to get a look at the baby. Lyra saw this and pulled the covering down from her baby's face to let her see the baby boy. Katara's eyes widened as she saw the precious face of the baby. Big blue eyes and porcelain skin with a patch of black hair on top of his head.

"Oh my Tui and La, he is so handsome!" Katara gaped at the baby as he yawned.

"Want to hold him?"

Katara eagerly nodded as she held her hands out to take him in her arms. As soon as she had him nestled up to her chest, the waterbender's heart melted and she felt speechless. He was incredibly cute and all she could think was how she wanted her own, even though she knew that wasn't going to happen. Ozai would never allow it. Even if she ended up pregnant, he'd likely find a way to terminate the pregnancy. But maybe when everything was done, if not with the commander, she'd come back home and be able to have children with someone else.

The next few days, Katara went to see Lyra and Ozai noticed the waterbender was no different from the other women. Gushing and cooing over the baby. She never stopped talking about the baby. Went to bed talking about him, woke up talking about him, ate every meal mentioning him, bathing she would not shut up, even while they were intimate which kill the mood for Ozai as he didn't want to think about a baby while having sex with her. He tried ignoring her and eventually stopped her from visiting the baby so often. However, he'd catch her trying to sneak off to see the baby during her chores just like all the other women. He caught her and drug her back to his tent, telling her she'd do her chores where he could see her.

An entire month passed and a few tribeswomen turned up pregnant causing the commander to be deeply annoyed. He didn't care that there was inter-mingling between his soldiers and the tribeswomen but he had to report these things and already he had the highest number of mixed pregnancies in a single outpost, six being the most so far.

"Has your cycle started yet?" Ozai interrupted the water as she was reading the report he translated for her.

Katara raised her brow, "Not yet. Why?"

"Because I slipped up the other night when I told you to clean yourself." He explained as he furrowed his brows in worry.

Returning her gaze to the report, "It'll come when it comes." She replied, not understanding he cared about that sort of thing.

"Katara, this is serious. We've been sleeping together for over a month now. You could be pregnant."

Setting down the report, "Is that a problem?"

"In our current situation, yes. It would delay matters and we can't afford involving a child in what we're doing." Ozai stressed as he could see the woman didn't seem to care as much.

"Well, I don't think I'm pregnant. Maybe I'm just late. That happens sometimes." Katara tried to state. "And if I am, I'll just manage. It doesn't have to delay anything if I work really hard to balance things out."

Ozai snatched the report from her when he saw her pull it back up to her face and tossed it as he gave her a hard look.

"You want one of those little things, don't you?"

Shrugging, "One day. Maybe."

Sighing, "Katara, you know that can't happen, don't you?"

Katara reluctantly nodded as she refused to look at him.

"We'd be putting something innocent in jeopardy if we did that. I wouldn't care as much if we weren't doing something dangerous. Maybe when it's over, I'll think about it." Ozai tried talking sense into her.

Hanging up her head, "That could take years, Ozai. You said it yourself."

"What's more important to you right now? Your people or a baby?"

Katara didn't want to answer that. She already knew the answer. Her mother made her swear to not let anyone get in the way and she would see to it that no one got in her way. But….

"What happens if I already am pregnant?" She asked him in a melancholy tone.

Ozai averted his eyes from her, "There are ways of dealing with these sorts of things."

"Like what?" Her voice nearly cracked.

The commander shook his head as he dared not say a word of what was done to terminate a pregnancy. He had a few women in the past do it and he didn't much give a damn then. But he didn't want that to happen with Katara. Hopefully, they'd never have to worry about that sort of thing.

Tears formed in the waterbender's eyes as she didn't want to think about it anymore.

"I need to get some sleep." Katara said as she got up and went over to the bed.

Ozai sighed and rubbed his temple. He really didn't understand why women wanted babies so badly.

………………………………..

A few months went by and the commander went over much of his people's culture with Katara. Giving her lectures, making her read books, and even teaching her to read and write in Fire Nation script. The two of them got pretty close during this time as the commander decided it as wisest to train her in different fighting types to defend herself. He was aware she was near mastery of her element by the time her world got turned upside down but he knew she wouldn't have her bending at her disposal. They would no doubt place chi-blocking braces on her, so he taught her everything he knew.

Katara was very appreciative as she no longer had to do chores for the camp and only did them for the commander. Cooking, cleaning, and everything else. She tended to him as he prepared her for what her life would be like in the Fire Nation. She had plenty of questions and asked him without hesitation of what she should expect while there. He answered honestly from what she could tell. Much of his people's customs were not very agreeable with him. Especially customs related to his status as a prince but he follows them nonetheless. Like his arranged marriage and having to have a male heir. There was more but she noticed, he specifically was not happy with those two things.

Soon the teaching became getting to know the commander better and Katara could tell she really was forming feelings for him. Between him teaching her to fight and spending almost every night in his arms, it was hard not to feel the way she had about him. Her mother told her to use him like he used her but it was more than that for her now. She still wanted what they agreed upon but was there more. Could there even be more? She didn't know but it was too late for her to pull back.

While the commander was away in the capital, Katara stayed with her grandmother and looked after the woman until he got back. She told her gram gram everything, at first hating herself as she felt she betrayed her mother but her grandmother disagreed. As long as her goals hadn't changed to make things better for their people then she hadn't betrayed her mother or anyone. She just found something else along the way.

Sharpening the dagger Ozai had given her by the fire pit as her grandmother stirred dinner in the pot above the flame, Katara felt a mild migraine and rubbed her temple a little.

"You okay, dear?"

Katara nodded, "I'm just tired but I have been sleeping too much."

"Why not? The commander keep you up?"

Shaking her head, "No. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Like what, dear?" Kanna asked as she gathered some of the vegetables she was about to add to the soup. "Thinking about the commander?"

"No!" Katara answered all too quickly, causing her grandmother to chuckle.

Kanna grinned as she shook her head while tossing in the veggies, "I've seen the way you look at him when he's not looking as well as the way he looks at you when you're not looking."

Shrugging her shoulders as she sheathed her dagger and stared at the Fire of the fire pit her grandmother was cooking under, "It's not like that. It's all transactional. I have sex with him and he looks after us."

"Then why is he teaching you so much about his culture and how to defend yourself?"

Katara looked away from her grandmother, "Because-"

"Because he's taking you home with him, isn't he?" Kanna saw her granddaughter look at her with a stunned expression. "I figured as much. No way he'd leave you here. You're practically a trophy for our conquerors. Last surviving member of the royal family of the Southern Tribe. Though I doubt that's his reason alone."

The waterbender decided to say nothing as she felt guilty for not telling her grandmother sooner that she would be leaving. Sure, she couldn't tell her grandmother the details but she could have at least told her that she would be leaving.

Later that night, the commander returned and Katara returned to his tent only to find his new lieutenant was there speaking with him. She didn't want to disturb them so she went to part of the tent obscured by the room divider and undressed from her parka. Down to her bindings, the waterbender tucked herself into bed and lay there waiting for the lieutenant to leave.

When he left, she saw the commander leaning against the room divide with his arms folded as he eyed her.

"Going to bed already?" He asked her.

Pulling the covers up to her eyes, Katara shook her head and saw him smirk as he approached the bed.

In the middle of the night, Katara snuck herself out of bed while the commander was asleep and quietly put on her clothes. She slipped out of the tent and looked up at the sky to see the moon was full. A small smile played on her lips as she made her way quickly through the snow without making a sound as she used her bending to prevent the crunching of ice. She managed to get out of camp and run off into the tundra forest not far from the cliff side outpost. When she reached her destination, an icy cave, Katara was immediately met with a flame nearly scorching her back. Fortunately, she felt the heat right before he touched her and she rolled out of the way.

Acting on instincts, Katara turned around with a vicious snarl and water whipped her attacker into a tree. She was soon attacked from different angles causing her to have to raise a large blanket of snow above her head and then thrust it out at those attacking her. However, a heavy net was thrown into her before she could make her next move. She was going to use her blood bending since it was a full moon but before she could something hard hit her in the back of the head, knocking her out.

…………………..

Waking up to a bunch of commotion, Katara slowly picked herself up from her lying position and rubbed the back of her aching head. Before she could even register her surroundings, the waterbender heard her name from what sounded like the commander and he didn't sound pleased at all.

"Rules are rules, your highness." A man said. "She left the outpost perimeter. She has to be punished."

"For reasons we don't know. She wasn't trying to escape. She would have brought her grandmother with her." Ozai barked in defense.

Katara sat her completely, getting the attention of both men. When she turned her head to face them, she could see both scowling at her. She should have seen this coming.

"What the hell were you doing outside the outpost perimeter unescorted?!" Ozai demanded.

Averting her eyes as she had never had him yell at her or seen him look so pissed off before.

"I asked you an Agni damn question! Answer me!" He shouted

Flinching at how loud his voice was, "I was just going for a walk. I didn't realize I had gone too far out."

Ozai was about to say something when the other man interjected.

"Doesn't matter. Rules are rules. Have her flogged." He ordered the men she didn't notice were standing by the exit of the tent.

Katara's eyes widened. "No! Wait!"

The soldiers picked her up off the floor by both arms and were about to take her outside to be beaten as was her punishment.

"Please! Don't! It was an accident!"

The man sentencing her stared colt at her. "You'll do well to pay attention to your surroundings next time. This will remind you!"

Katara looked to Ozai for help but he gave her a look that told her he could do nothing. She tried thinking up a way to get out of being beaten, anything. Tui and La knew she didn't want to be crippled by these men. She had seen what they did to a tribesman that didn't return from his fishing journey before curfew due to falling asleep. He got so messed up none of the village healers could heal him enough to reverse the damage done to his body. She couldn't risk that happening to her.

"I'm pregnant!" She blurted out.

Everyone stopped and looked at her with wide eyes.

Swallowing hard as she hung her head, "I was trying to find some berries in the woods. A night craving. I wasn't trying to run away. I mean it."

"You know anything about this, your highness."

Glaring at the waterbender, "No. I guess she left that part out when I returned earlier."

Katara could just hear how upset he was. This was not news he wanted to hear.

"We can't flog her but she still has to be punished." The man stated and signaled for his men to put her on her knees.

As they followed instructions, Katara's arm was held out and the man persistent on her punishment stepped forward to take it in his hands. The waterbender soon had a loud scream tear from her throat as she then collapsed on the floor. Ozai had come to help her up as she pulled her arm to her chest in order to nurse it. She buried her face in his chest and wept, feeling agony at her broken arm.

Looking over his shoulder at the commander and his water whore, "Keep your pet on a leash, your highness. And consider ridding her of that mutt she's carrying."

With that they were left alone, Ozai pulled away from her in order to take a look at her arm.

"You fucking moron!" He growled as he examined her broken arm. "You should have said something to me! This could have all been prevented!"

Katara couldn't bring herself to stop sobbing. She was in so much pain, she couldn't even reply to him.

Going to get something to stabilize her arm, Ozai returned in front of her and took her arm. She screamed even louder when he had to snap the bone back in place before putting her arm into a splint. Once she was fixed up, he helped her to the bed and laid her in it. She refused to look at him and rightfully so. He was unbelievably pissed off at her.

"Since when?" He tried not to hiss at her.

"Since what?" She winced in pain as she laid in bed.

"Since when did you become pregnant? I need to know how far along you are so I know how to handle this situation." He explained.

Katara finally looked up at him, "I'm not pregnant. I only said that to keep them from beating me."

The waterbender found herself being slapped across the face and was utterly taken aback in disbelief.

"You imbecile! You could have compromised our plans with your stupidity! I should have punished you myself!"

"Ozai-"

"Shut up and go to bed!" He said as he sat up off the edge of the bed and snapped his fingers to bend the fire from the lanterns before leaving the tent.

The following morning, Katara woke to see she had slept in bed alone last night. Sitting up in bed, she just sat there and stared blankly at the spot where she would typically find the commander in the morning. As she woke up she felt the sting on her cheek and the aching in her arm.

Climbing out of bed, Katara went to grab her things to go bathe along with the other women. When she got there a few of the women eyed her and whispered amongst themselves. She didn't catch what they were saying until she noticed her reflection and saw the mark on her face. Apparently, Ozai slapped her hard enough to leave a bruise. That paired with her broken arm wasn't a good look. They probably all thought it was all the commander's doing and that she did something to trigger him. They'd be partially correct but there was more to the story that didn't make Ozai look completely villainous to them.

The healers amongst the 'kept' women of the camp offered to help treat her injuries. Katara gladly accepted. Desiring some relief from the pain she was feeling, she was taken back to one of the women's tents to be treated while a few others had stopped by with their curiosity getting the better of them.

"The commander...he do this?" One of the older women asked.

Katara shook her head and explained. She typically never went into details about things. Never really opened up to anyone about anything. She was very reserved after their country was destroyed and her people were conquered. However, this morning she felt compelled. Like she needed to finally speak. About anything.

"He didn't even come back to bed last night. I don't know where he went or if he's back at the tent. I'm kind of scared to see him right now." Katara felt ashamed that she had upset the commander.

Still healing the young waterbender's arm, "The commander is not one to be unnecessarily cruel. He's levelheaded and fair. I don't believe he would strike you just for the hell of it. Just apologize and move on."

Typically, the advice a tribeswoman would give to a younger woman that had been struck by her partner would be to involve her father or the justice department. But in this situation, there were nothing any father could do and no justice to be extracted. They were but servants. Slaves to the men that took them under their wing. A whole lot worse could have happened and being slapped was the very least. The advice any of them could give her was to douse the commander's anger and get over it.

When her arm was as healed as it could be and bandaged back up in a splint to continue healing, Katara returned back to the commander's tent to begin on her chores. She noticed he still wasn't back and figured he might really be pissed at her. It only caused her more anxiety. Not just because she was unsure how he would be when he returned but also because she was only just recently acknowledging there was a possibility that she felt differently about him.

While hanging up some washed clothes to dry with one hand, Katara saw the commander return and enter the tent. She quickly and messily hung up the rest of the clothes so that she could catch him before he possibly left the tent again. Carrying the empty basket under her arm, Katara hurried to the tent and entered to see the commander undressing.

"Commander, I'm s-"

"You're forgiven." He said before she could finish her statement.

The waterbender saw him gesture for her to come to him as he was down to just his pants. As she approached, he grabbed her by the jaw and examined her face before looking her dead in the eyes.

"I took no pleasure in what happened last night. Use your head and don't be stupid like that ever again. Until I am Fire Lord, I can't guarantee your safety." Ozai told her.

Katara nodded her head.

"Also, if you're pregnant, I need you to be honest. Completely honest. Don't lie to me. Are you?"

Katara shook her head.

Letting go of her jaw, "I'll have the healers have a look at you. I want to be sure."

"I'm not. Really."

"I don't trust you." Ozai told her as he pulled away from her went to the other side of the divider.

Hearing him get into bed, Katara stood there thinking over him telling her he didn't trust her. Was he referring to her disclosing whether she was pregnant or not or was this about not trusting her in general? She hoped it wasn't the latter. Even though he was her enemy, she could say she trusted him. Even after he slapped her last night. She trusted him. So why couldn't he trust her? If either of them should have trust issues, it should be her but she was putting all her faith into him only to hear him say he didn't trust her. It bothered her. Hurt even.

Pulling her hair behind her ear as she hung her head and returned to her chores, Katara decided to have some dialogue in her head. It was just her imagining what she and her friend, Nani, would talk about. She did this quite often and seemed to be doing it much more frequently as she was starting to feel the brunt force of loneliness settle in. It was becoming apparent that she desired more from the commander but knew she'd only get so far with him. She was just an accomplice that he slept with. What more did she mean to him? Not like she should be caring so much anyway. The same was for her.

The next few days were awkward. Katara didn't say much to the commander but had started to get more friendly with her fellow tribes women. It seemed to be that she was searching for answers from her peers. Women that were also kept. Were they, too, developing feelings for their captors. Seemed to be the case for many. Stockholm syndrome was very real amongst the tribes women that remained in camp. But for some, they knew to keep their feelings out of it. Katara asked them how they could do such a thing as she was trying to do the same, separating her feelings from the situation.

One day while doing some needlework on a quilt for the newest baby born in camp, Katara saw that the commander was eyeing her funny from his low table where he had been working and decided to ignore him. Lately, she had been giving him the cold shoulder and brushing off his advances. She pretended to be sick or had a migraine. Sometimes she found an excuse to go stay with her grandmother for a few days. It was by the time she stopped using an excuse and just outright told him she didn't feel like it that she knew he had caught onto her avoiding him. It was actually planned that she'd work with other women on the needlework of the quilt but he barged into the women's tent and dragged her out. She yanked herself from his grasp and walked herself back, getting the other women to whisper amongst themselves. Now, as she was doing the needlework by herself while the commander watched her, Katara felt she was putting great distance between her and her benefactor. She wouldn't confuse their arrangements with anything more than what it was.

Tossing his paperwork aside, "It's been over a month now. What's going on with you?"

"Nothing." Katara shrugged as she pulled the needle through the thickness of the quilt.

"If it was nothing, you wouldn't be avoiding me." Ozai pointed out as he moved from the low table over to where she was sewing.

Sighing, the waterbender continued on what she was doing. "I don't want to have sex with you anymore. Doesn't mean I'm avoiding you."

Annoyed by her response, Ozai knocked her work out of her hands and pushed her down onto the floor, pinning her arms above her head.

"Why not?" He asked her.

Turning her head to the side as she didn't want to look him in the eyes, "It's not just sex for me. I don't want to have any illusions of what this is but I can't really separate my feelings from being intimate. So I don't want to have sex with you anymore." She answered honestly.

Ozai got off of her and eyed her funny, "Any illusions? What illusions?" He asked, needing clarity on what she was talking about.

Sitting up and reaching for her needlework, "I find myself wanting more and I know I can't have that with you. You can't give me that."

"Give you what? What is more?"

"I want to be loved." Katara stated as she finally glanced up at him.

The commander didn't say anything as he just stared at her with an unreadable expression on his face. It was almost impassive but his eyes said he was taken aback. Things were silent for a moment until the ten flap was opened and in ran the lieutenant.

"Commander Yong, General Zhao is here with his men."

Katara saw Ozai's eyes narrow at this before he shot her a look.

"Take your things behind the divider and stay there."

As the waterbender followed instructions, Ozai watched as the tent flap opened again and in walked the general.

"Your highness." The general bowed.

"General." Ozai replied.

Lifting his head, "I have orders from your father to ensure your safe return to the Fire Nation."

"He's extracting me so soon?" Ozai raised a brow as he made his way to his desk.

Zhao pulled out an official letter, "He's extracting the entire military along with the captive waterbenders."

"Ah. The nation is ready for the new slave class to enter." Ozai deduced.

"Some have already been introduced to the nobles. So far, things have gone smoothly."

"Very well. When do we leave?"

"Three days from now."

"I'll have my men get everything situated."

………………………..

Standing by his mount as he waited for the waterbender to finish saying her goodbye to her grandmother, Ozai thought a lot about what she had tried to tell him the other day. Not much of what she was saying made a lot of sense but he was able to piece it together. Obviously, she was growing attached to him and was fighting the emotions she was beginning to associate with their arrangements. He honestly saw this coming a mile away. He anticipated it actually. Young girl falling for a man that was both her captor and provider. Classic case of Stockholm.

Though it didn't bother him in the least, he did remember that she stated she wanted to be loved and that was something he couldn't give her. She was right to believe so. He couldn't love her the way she wanted to. Not just because he felt incapable of doing so with anyone but also because he refused to. He could care about her in a sense and perhaps develop something closely resembling the feelings she was desiring but he couldn't love her. Or anyone for that matter. Men of his station, of his ambitions, they didn't love anyone. It was a weakness that had to be culled at a very young age. Something taught to every male child before they can even speak.

As he watched Katara tread through the snow with the hood of her parka pulled over her head, the commander noticed her eyes briefly settle on him before shifting away. It further proved what he had begun to piece together. She was growing attached to him. But as said before, he didn't mind, he saw this coming.

"You're not bringing anything with you?" He asked her as she was at his side.

Shaking her head, "Only thing of value that wasn't burned up by you firebenders is my mother's necklace. I keep that in my pocket at all times."

"You don't wish to wear it?"

"I don't deserve to. Not yet." Katara pulled her hair behind her ear as she gazed out at the plain of snow they were about to leave behind.

On the mount riding amongst the caravan of soldiers and shackles waterbenders, Katara noticed that only a few other waterbenders rode on mounts with a soldier like she did. They were all the kept women she had stayed in the camp with. Seemed there were special privileges to those that were putting out. A crude analyst but true nonetheless.

They were all just exchanging their bodies and favors for a less frightening fate. Better to be with a monster you know than to be amongst those you don't. Katara could see all of them looked frightened and lamented leaving their home for a place they knew nothing about. She felt the same. Even with the deal she made with the commander, or rather he was the Fire Prince, she still feared her fate in the Fire Nation. She hugged her grandmother for the last time. Knowing they would never meet again. It was like saying farewell to the dead before they died. A grim and painstaking feeling but that was her reality. Maybe if she was successful then she could return all these men and women back to their homes and those that loved them. She prayed she could. It was the promise she made to her mother. That she'd save their people.

Arriving in the capital, the group settled in the area for the night before they'd depart in the morning by ship, heading to the Fire Nation. The commander had her come with him back to the ice palace that was under Fire Nation occupation. They stayed in the same room as before and as she removed her parka to settle in, the commander wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Let me have you tonight." She felt his lips pressing into the back of her neck.

Katara didn't make a move as he started tugging on her dress, moving his lips down to the base of her neck and then to her shoulder. He removed the sash from around her waist, attempting to undress her until she finally stopped him, grabbing both his wrists.

Shaking her head as she hung it, "Please…"

"You're my legal mistress. I can do what I want with you, you know that, right?" His voice sounded every bit as inpatient as he had become as of late.

"I know but please, I-"

"I can't love you." He said before biting into her neck and lifting her up in the bear hug he trapped her in.

The waterbender found herself being carried over to the bed and deposited there. She tried to get away from him but he caught her and pinned her down in the bed, tearing off her clothes as she quietly asked him to stop.

"I can't love you." Ozai repeated as he paused from what he was doing and stared down at her fearful gaze. "I'm incapable of doing that. Not just with you. Anyone. But I can be good to you and give you that illusion. You'll be well taken care of and as soon as the war is won, ask me anything and I'll give it to you. Just don't give me a hard time."

Staring back up at him, "An illusion?" She asked, fixated on that one part.

"An illusion." He said again. "It's all in our minds anyway. None of it is real, things like love and everything else people like to believe in order to sleep at night. I can't give you what isn't possible to begin with but you can get pretty damn close to it if you stop resisting me."

Katara shut her eyes and turned her head to the side, accepting his answer. She squeezed them tighter when he continued on with having his way with her. She felt nothing as she thought on his words. That what she wanted wasn't real. That it was fictitious Something he was incapable of. So she would have to settle for an illusion he could give her. It would be the closest thing to love, something fake, she could come by. Wasn't hard to make her decision then. Close enough.

"So smoke comes out?" Katara tilted her head as she laid under the sheets staring at the object in Ozai's hands.

"Yes." He replies after having explained to her what it was that he was holding.

Sitting up and leaning against his arm, "What's the point?" Katara didn't seem to understand why anyone would bother blowing smoke out of a pipe.

"The herbs and minerals inside are relaxing. Like drinking after a long day."

"I've never drank alcohol before." She told him.

Ozai raised a brow as he smoked his pipe. "Really?"

Katara nodded her head.

The commander climbed out of bed and left the room briefly, returning moments later with a bottle in hand. The waterbender eyed it, knowing it was a wine bottle she had seen during their last time here and watched him uncork it. There were two glasses that he filled and brought them both over to bed, handing her one of them. Katara took the glass and observed it a little before taking a sip. Immediately, she cringed at the taste, not liking it at all.

"It'll grow on you." Ozai downed his entire glass.

Trying to sip it again to see if she could tolerate it enough to finish the glass, Katara talked herself into quickly downing the glass to which made her skirmish at the taste. The commander chuckled at this and took the opportunity to kiss her, pushing her back down in bed. She cupped his face and drank him in as she didn't mind the taste of smoke and wine on his tongue. The two were just about to return to their previous activities when they were interrupted by a knock on the chamber doors.

Groaning in irritation, Ozai tried ignoring the banging on his door but the waterbender under him was a bit distracted by it as well. Eventually, he got of bed and went to answer the door. He found General Zhao. Apparently, he had some things to discuss with him.

Katara sighed and laid in bed while Ozai was out in the sitting room discussing things with the general. Something about the palace back home and new orders, she wasn't really able to hear much. She hoped whatever it was that it didn't make her life a living hell.

When Ozai finally returned, he found the waterbender was still awake and staring at him as he made his way back to bed. He tried kissing her but she turned her head.

"What is it now?" He growled against the cheek she turned to him.

The waterbender sighed and folded her arms, "The mood is gone."

"Agni, you annoy me." He groaned and rolled on his back. "You just like to spite me."

"I do." She smirked and looked over to him. "I'm just curious to know what Zhao had to say."

Ozai glances at her, "I'll tell you if you get on top and ride me."

Katara scoffed and rolled on her side, "I guess I'll never know."

……………………….

Arriving in the Fire Nation weeks later, Katara sat in the carriage with the Fire Prince frighteningly as they road through the capital city to the palace. The waterbender was unable to take in the scenery as she noticed many of her fellow waterbenders were shackled and treated hostilely. She was afraid. Afraid of this nation. Afraid of her time here. Afraid to fail her mission. She was so afraid that tears formed in her eye beds.

"I won't let anything happen to you. So stop worrying." Ozai told her.

Sniffling as she rubbed her sleeve up against her nose, "I can't help it." She began to cower into herself. "I'm scared."

The Fire Prince snorted in annoyance and told her to get over it. This only served to hurt the waterbender's feelings as she was already struggling a lot with her emotions lately. She kept her eyes away from him and did her best to not look so upset. Sure, they had an arrangement but she did hate how he was getting more use out of her than she got from him. She just hoped they got this over with as soon as possible so she wouldn't be sacrificing her youth along with her innocence.

Arriving at the palace, Katara walked up the stairs behind the Fire Prince as she had been forced to wear a collar and leash. He tugged on it, forcing her to walk much more to his pace as they were ascending the palace staircase. However, with the long Fire Nation robe she had been forced to wear causing her to trip over herself, Katara felt like a clumsy fool. Fortunately, it wasn't long before they reached the summit and the waterbender noticed the Fire Prince had stopped.

"You've returned home safely, my son." An old man's voice croaked.

Bowing down on one knee as he lowered his head, yanking her leash for her to do the same, "It is good to be home."

Katara was forced up to her feet by the leash that was yanked again and she was about to scowl at Ozai when she noticed a tall lanky old man staring at her. He smirked as soon as her azura eyes fell on him and tried figuring him out. This must be the Fire Lord. Tilting her head at him. He's a lot older than I expected him to be.

"Is this your lovely mistress?" Azulon's eyes stared at her hips up to her face and down again. "Princess Katara Mizuki."

Glancing over his shoulder at the tribeswoman, "Yes."

"Let me have a look at her."

Ozai pulled her leash and she came up to his side, staring awkwardly up at the Fire Lord. She bowed her head.

"Your maj-"

Katara found herself being kicked down to the ground and having a foot resting on her head.

Glaring at the girl, "Have you not been taught properly?"

Confused, the waterbender could only tremble under the Fire Lord's foot.

"She meant you no disrespect, father."

Lifting his foot off of her, "Then tell her to keep her mouth shut! A slave never addresses her superiors!" Azulon hissed. "Only speaks when permitted! Understood, you damned savage?!"

Katara kept her head down and nodded slowly.

Kicking again, this time into her side and directly in the face.

"I asked if you understood! Use your fucking words!"

"Yes, your majesty."

Sucking his teeth as he eyed his son and turned his back, "You will need to work much harder at teaching this woman our ways or she is sure to not last very long." Azulon warned his son.

"Yes, father."

"Now, I will see you for dinner tonight. We'll discuss your time in the South Pole. Bring your pet along too."

When his father was gone, Ozai hurried to his domain in order to get Katara out of view before she started having her tear-fest in front of everyone. It was fortunate that when arriving in his wing of the palace that his wife and son were out. He simply pulled Katara into his chambers and as soon as he shut the door behind them, he turned around to see the waterbender clenching her fists as she stared blankly at him.

"Kat-"

"When? When do you want me to end that old bastard?" She hissed through her clenched teeth.

Smirking as he tilted his head and took her by her chin, "Be nice, waterbender. I need to first settle into being back home so as to not draw suspicion."

"How long do you need to settle?" Katara asked as her eyes narrowed.

Still smirking, "A year or two."

"What?!"

"That's nothing." Ozai assured her. "A year or two compared to what you've already suffered through. This time we are far closer to our goals. Be patient."

Katara wasn't so sure.

Dinner came and Ozai had Katara dressed by the servants in Fire Nation clothes and a gold collar placed on her neck with a gold leash. He walked her down the halls and saw she was trembling. He knew she'd be frightened a little by being here, especially with his father stomped her. Tonight was a test. He warned her not to say anything unless prompted. She was to keep her head down and do as she was told. Nothing more.

Arriving at the dining halls, Ozai saw his wife and son were present but his brother was nowhere to be seen. His wife got up to greet him with a kiss on the cheek before she glanced over at the woman on the leash and smirked.

"Is that your little trophy, Ozai?" Ursa said in a haughty tone.

Ozai yanked on her leash and Katara came forward. Immediately, her face was grabbed by his wife as she looked over her features and purred.

"Are you sharing or is she yours?"

"Mine."

Ursa let go of the slave's face who was staring wide eye at her and chuckled. "She's cute."

Zuko eyed his father and then the slave on the leash. His eyes lingered on her horrified expression. He swallowed hard and looked away when he saw her eyes water.

Ozai took a seat across from where his wife and son sat, instructing Katara to stand until his father showed up. When his father finally made his way in, he eyed him and Katara before taking his seat at the head of the table.

"I'm glad you all could sit and have dinner with me. I have terrible news." Azulon sighed before looking at his family. "Iroh and his son did not make it back from Ba Seng Sei. They were crushed in combat by the prince of the Earth King."

Everyone looked with horrified looks on their faces, including Katara. She needed to look like anything but how she felt and that was thrilled. This had to be good news for their plans. The crown prince was out of the way. This was good, wasn't it?

Azulon stated the funeral would be in a few days and that in the meantime, he wanted Ozai to prepare to take over his brother's responsibilities at court. With the crown prince gone and Azulon having just one son left, Ozai was the obvious next in line for the throne.

When dinner ended, Ozai left for his chambers and took great strides that left Katara trying her best to keep up. Reaching his chambers, Ozai slammed the door shut behind her and growled before punching the wall. Katara jumped back and eyed him in confusion. What was wrong?

"I thought this was good news." Katara whispered.

Ozai turned to glare at her, "It is but that's still my brother."

Katara didn't understand. So plotting against his father was no big deal but his brother that was next in line over him dying was not to be taken so lightly. She was confused.

The following day, Katara woke up to the Fire Prince still in bed. She knew he was in a terrible mood but wasn't part of their agreement that she be of service to him? She just wanted to cheer him up. It bothered her seeing him like this. Moving towards him in the bed, Katara cupped the sides of his face and eskimo kissed him. He just looked at her with a look of disinterest as she tried kissing him all over to get him into the mood.

"Come on, don't think about it." Katara kissed his lips and rolled herself on top of him. "Just look at it as a move in the right direction. The gods favor your fate, my lord."

Ozai eyed her with a raised brow, "'My lord'?"

Smirking as she sat up on him, "You are the future Fire Lord as is apparent to everyone. Tell me what you want me to do for you, sire." She said lustfully.

Sitting up in bed with her on top of him, Ozai threw his arm around her waist and rolled her underneath him, taking her in a heated passion. She made it all the more clear to him that this was the gods' will and they favored him. Why had he not thought so before?

Kissing her hungrily as he thrusted into her, Ozai moved his lips to her neck. She chuckled as she moaned and told him the world would be his to do with it as he saw fit. She only asked that her people be free and decide the fate of the others on his own. It was selfish but she knew the ego of men. She knew it well. He wasn't much different from any man with his hands on power.

Switching to her on top, Ozai held her hips and bucked into her as she rode him. He kissed her with a hunger he wasn't familiar with. She swung her arms around his neck and rolled her hips like she had never done before. It wasn't long before he found himself spilling into her, holding her tight to him. Katara reached completion with him and caressed his face ever so lovingly as she kissed him.

"I love you." She whispered.

Ozai looked up at her with wide eyes as she cupped his face, still mounted to him.

"Even if you can't return my feelings. I'm yours, my lord."

Ozai grabbed her by the back of her hair and pulled her back down in the bed, moving his hips as he was aroused again.

…………………..

Bathing as she watched the Fire Prince ready himself for the day, Katara wondered what his new duties entailed. Would she go an entire day without seeing him? It felt a little morbid to her. She wasn't used to being away from him for long everyday. They had spent the better part of a year and a half together. Always together. Never apart. There were so many things they had been through together. She couldn't help that she loved him. He was the one that was always by her side. So when this was over and he helped her right the wrongs for her people's sake, she would remain with him till the gods tore them apart.

"You're free to roam the domain and ask whatever you need of the servants. They've been instructed to see you as you are, my mistress of royal blood. Any problems, tell me. But do not leave this domain and if my wife approaches you, she is a princess too, so you know what to do." Ozai told her as he combed his hair up into a topknot.

Katara leaned her head against the rim of the tub, "When will you be back?"

"Late. Feel free to go to bed without me."

"I'll wait up." She told him.

Ozai glanced at her from the mirror, "very well."

Kissing him before he left, Katara stood in the doorway as he made his way out of the domain. She lingered in that spot with a worried look on her face. As she finally looked away when he was out of sight, the princess turned her head and saw the Fire Prince's son staring at her. She froze and stood completely still as he came up to her.

Katara drooped down in a bow, "Your highness."

"Rise." He said.

Doing so, Katara kept her gaze low and waited for him to speak.

"Tell me, slave, why do you worry for your captor?" He asked her.

Katara lifted her gaze and tilted her head, "am I not supposed to, your highness?"

"My father helped destroyed the Southern Tribe. He's removed you from your home and brought you here as a slave. Why care about him?"

Katara dropped her gaze, "Your father looked after me and my family. He protected us from the other soldiers that wanted to harm us. And he made sure we never starved, sharing his rations with us."

Zuko furrowed his brows, "So that erases what he's done? Are all your people so simple?"

A small smile curled to her lips, "In war, things are very simple. Either you are a friend or a foe. You're either killed or you kill. You survive or you don't. Your father spared me and my family. I am grateful for him. My life could be far worse."

Zuko eyed the water woman and scoffed. "I pity your people."

"And that is your right, your highness." She bowed before walking back to the Fire Prince's chambers.

Having tea with his mother in the courtyard, Zuko scoffed and glared at the direction his father's mistress went off to.

"You're okay with father having a mistress?" Zuko asked his mother.

Ursa bit into her pastry and smirked as she chewed. "Your father is a Fire Prince. I'm fortunate he only just got a mistress and at least she's also of royal blood."

"I caught her looking at father like she was worried about him. You think they have feelings for each other?"

"She might but your father is a cold bastard. He's probably told her he's incapable of sharing her feelings."

Zuko furrowed his brows, "Why is she wasting her time having feelings for him?"

"Son, you wouldn't understand. It's too complicated for you to understand. You've been privileged to be born a man, a royal, in the safety of your home. Things like what she and your father have going on with only go over your head. That girl lost her entire kingdom and somehow she has been blessed to have your father find her before someone else did. If I were her, it's your father I'd rather take me than some of these other men. Women and war are a tragic combination." Ursa waved her fan in her face.

…………………..

Scrubbing the baseboards of the outdoor walkway, Katara found herself feeling even worse today than the day before. All week she's felt like crap. It couldn't be helped. She hadn't been sleeping her best or eating much. She should probably tell Ozai in order to see a physician to figure out if there was something wrong with her but she didn't want to worry him.

Lately she had been given instructions to work alongside the servants during the day to keep busy and Ozai hated seeing how rough her hands looked at the end of the day. The palace servants made sure to give her the tasks no one wanted. It angered him and he'd spend most of the night wrapping her hands in a cloth covered in ointment to soften her hands back up. Katara knew he'd wouldn't dare say it but she could tell he cared about her. He was good to her in a way only someone who care would be. So she didn't want to make him worry. She'd just tough out whatever illness she had.

Ursa was on her way to leave the domain when she saw the water woman vomiting into her water bucket for the second time this week. She sighed and walked over to the young woman.

"Here." She held out a pass to the water woman. "Take this. It'll allow you to see a physician in the palace."

Katara glanced up from her position on the floor and took the pass, "Thank you, your highness."

"Finish your work later. Run along now." Ursa said.

As the young water woman took off to see a physician, Ursa sighed and decided to go pay her husband a visit. She stopped in his office and saw him sighing off on a few documents as he placed them in the pile of finished work.

"Can I help you, Ursa?" Ozai asked.

Ursa walked up to his desk, "Your mistress is ill. I sent her to the physician."

Ozai pulled off his spectacles and eyed his wife, "Ill? How so?"

"She drifts back and forth when she walks, she's been vomiting and I'm told she doesn't eat much."

Putting his spectacles back on, "Must be adjusting to work as hard as she has. You should tell the servants to give her just a few tasks a day. She shouldn't be working from sun up to sun down like them. She's still above their station."

"I'm about to tell them to give her only three light chores." Ursa said.

"Great, then do it."

Ursa sighed as her husband was a moron and left him to his work as she had nothing else to say to him.

Ozai returned to his domain later that night hearing his waterbender crying in their rooms. He furrowed his brows and entered to see Katara holding her face in her hands, sobbing.

"What is it?" Ozai asked.

Lifting her head from her hands, Katara cried. "I'm pregnant."

Ozai suddenly understood what Ursa was trying to tell him earlier. Sighing as he walked over to the waterbender and sat beside her, taking her hand in his.

"I will try to make this as painless as possible." He told her.

Katara looked up at him, "Ozai, don't make me do it. I can't."

"We have more important things to do, Katara. This will only get in our way."

Crying, "Ozai, please!" She fell to the ground and begged him on her knees, "Let me keep it. Please!"

Ozai stare impassively at her and suddenly lightning traveled from his hand to hers causing her to scream out in excruciating pain.

All the servants paused at the sounds of the Water woman screaming her master's name pleadingly. Ursa listened from her rooms as she was brushing her hair for bed and sighed to herself.

The physician confirmed that Katara was still with child and the baby's heartbeat was stronger than the day before. Ozai furrowed his brows as he had used the method before to rid women of undesired pregnancies. Why didn't it work?

"You shouldn't be so upset, son." Azulon said as he and youngest son went for a walk. "You only have one child. Another would be good for you. Allow the girl to keep it. Clearly, the child is a strong one to survive that lightning method you used on its mother."

Ozai furrowed his brows, "A child is an inconvenience."

"You can still fuck her till the day she goes into labor." Azulon scoffed.

Ozai didn't care about that but of course, he couldn't tell his father that. As he returned to his chambers as it was a day of leisure, Ozai avoided Katara at all costs. He had nothing to say to her. She knew how he felt about their current issue. He told her back in the South Pole, no babies and the idiot goes and gets pregnant. He couldn't believe her.

Katara watched the Fire Prince march past her and go into their bedroom where he slammed the door shut. She tried to ignore the sting she felt in her chest as she got back to work cleaning the other rooms of his chambers.

For the next few weeks, Ozai said nothing to Katara, didn't even look at her. He just walked by her and went on about his business. Eventually, he had Ursa prepare separate chambers for Katara and she was removed from his side to smaller living quarters far from Ozai's, on the isolated part of the domain. As her small belly began to form, Katara was made to stay in her chambers until the baby was born.

Days before her due date, Ozai finally came to see her after months of avoiding her. When he saw her, she didn't even meet his gaze as he crouched down in front of her. He grabbed her chin and looked her deep in her eyes.

"You've delayed us with this baby. We should be making moves now but here we are waiting on a useless baby!" Ozai growled at her. "I thought you were better than this but clearly you're not. So, have your baby but your days as a slave have been prolonged because of your foolishness!"

Tears ran down her face as she could not bring herself to look at him, "Then our deal is-"

"The deal is off the table." Ozai growled. "As soon as I take the throne, I will throw your people back to their wasted icelands with nothing to rebuild with. But you, you will stay, understood?"

Katara lifted her eyes to him, "You were never going to let me leave, were you?"

Ozai smirked, "I admit, I debated with myself over it but I still had every intention of fulfilling our original agreement. Now, we're doing things my way. The war will end, your people return home, and you stay my slave."

"Very well, my lord."

Ozai threw her to the side and stood up, glaring down at her. "I had expected better, Katara."

Days later, Katara went into labor and Ozai ordered his servants to wait outside her chambers until they heard the wailing cries of a baby. They were all shocked that he expected her to deliver the child on her own without assistance. Ursa stood by the chambers feeling sorrowful for the water woman. The screaming eventually got to the woman and went to her husband who was in his study reading.

"Ozai, let them help her!"

"No." He said plainly.

"Ozai, she'll die like this!"

"This is her fault. She knew what it meant to get pregnant against my wishes."

Ursa stormed up and knocked the book out of his hand, "You cold bastard! Let them help her!"

Ozai scoffed as he stood up and glared down at his wife, "What the fuck do you care for?!"

"That poor woman has done nothing wrong to you! You're the one that knocked her up! Stop punishing her!"

Ozai narrowed his eyes, "Fine, Ursa. Have it your way."

Ursa hurried back to tell the servants to help and they entered, they say the woman on the floor screaming as she held onto a floor cushion. Ursa had never seen anything more pitiful and ordered the servant to help her into bed.

Once she was in bed and hot water and towels were provided, Ursa held the water woman's hand as she squeezed.

"Is he coming?" Katara asked Ursa.

Ursa looked pitifully at Katara and shook her head. "I'm sorry. He isn't."

Something in the Water woman's heart broke and Ursa watched as her eyes widened before she let out a horrid scream that was soon followed by a crying baby. Ursa felt the woman's hand gone limp in hers.

"Katara?" She shook the woman a little.

"The physician is here to stitch her up." A servant informed as the servants wiped the wailing baby down.

Hours later, Ursa stayed by the bed of the Water woman and held the baby in her arms. She saw the sliding doors slide open and reveal her husband. He wore his usual unphased expression and strolled up to the foot of the bed where Katara was still resting.

Ursa stood up and walked towards her husband with the baby in her arms, "Would you like to meet your daughter?"

Ozai eyed the woman as she mentioned he had a daughter. "It's a girl?"

Ursa nodded, "Yes and she's beautiful." Pulling the fold of the blanket away from the child's face.

Ozai looked down to see a light brown skin baby with gold eyes looking up at him. He stared at his daughter and tried not to be affected before looking to Katara.

"You will raise the child until she's old enough to work alongside her mother." Ozai said cruelly before leaving.

~Five Years Later~

Ozai watched from afar as the waterbender was feeding their daughter while sitting on the edge of the outdoor walkway, dangling their feet off the side of it. He had always watched them from afar for the last few years. He felt it was easier this way. For him and Katara.

Their plans had been delayed by years and there was nothing he could do to speed things along. And even when it was all taken care of, her fate wouldn't change much. Nor would their daughter's.

The last five years had been difficult. He had focused all his attention on gaining favor at court and falling into his brother's shoes. He was now favored by his father and praised by him. All while Katara and Ursa took care of things in the domain. In order to keep from having to turn to Katara or his wife for 'relief', Ozai got acquainted with some of the ladies of his father's harem. He knew his wife and Katara caught on as he was often not returning to the domain at night. It was difficult trying to keep away from the woman he rather be with but there was bad blood between them and five years did nothing to wash it clean.

Now, all he could do was watch them, Katara and their daughter, he had never even spoken to.

"I don't see why you don't just resolve things." Ursa said.

Ozai picked up his tea and watched Katara cleaned up the area where she and Kimiko were sitting. "What does it matter? She's a slave and I'm her master. Nothing needs to be resolved so long as she does her part and I do mine."

"You don't fool me, Ozai." Ursa sucked her teeth, "You love her."

Ozai looked at his wife and narrowed his eyes, "You talk as if something so trivial matters in the grand scheme of things. In the end, she will never be my equal, never be the one at my side, and it will be that way till the both of us are wiped clean from this earth. She's a slave and I'm her master. What does it matter how either of us feels? It changes nothing."

"You're a sad man, Ozai."

………………

Eventually, things became too much for the Fire Prince as he noticed Katara getting rather friendly with a male servant. He knew she thought his eyes weren't on her anymore but nothing could be further from the truth. She was the number one thing he kept his eyes on and seeing her entertaining another man bothered him.

Ozai decided to give her chores on the opposite end of the domain of where he placed the male servant. However, night came and Ozai saw the man going to Katara's chambers. He immediately made his way over when he saw the man enter her chambers. Approaching the chambers, Ozai slid the door open and stormed in. He found both the man and Katara standing there in shock as Katara had pulled the collar of her kimono down over her shoulders.

"Get the fuck out!" Ozai shouted at the man.

The male servant took off running as the Fire Prince glared at Katara.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Ozai growled at her.

Fixing her kimono, Katara hung her head in shame and held her arms around herself.

"You were about to let that piece of shit have you, weren't you?!" Ozai went off. "What are you?! Some low grade whore?! I have the half mind to throw you into a brothel and let them do with you what they do to the other waterbenders that aren't good enough to be live-in bedwenches!"

Katara sat on her bed and placed her hand over her mouth and tried not to cry.

"Don't you ever let me see you with another man! Am I understood?!"

"Yes, my lord." She said tearfully.

Ozai glared at her as he reached for the belt of his pants, "Take your clothes off and bend over the bed."

In the morning, Katara woke to the Fire Prince in her bed, still softly snoring. She stared at him hard as she couldn't believe the nerve of this man. He discarded her with such ease five years ago and never spoke a single word to her again or even bothered to see their daughter unless running into her. She hated him. How could he do that to her? Did he know what he did to her? Condemned her to isolation for the entirety of her life for simply becoming pregnant with a child that was both of theirs.

"You can stop glaring at me." Ozai said as his eyes opened and stared back at her impassively.

Sitting up in bed, Katara climbed out and stood with her arms folded. "You can leave now."

Sitting up on his side, "Katara, sit down. Let's talk."

"Oh! Now you want to talk to me! After five fucking years of giving me the cold shoulder!" Katara shouted at him. "After everything we went through together, you threw me away like I meant nothing. And I had to see you go about your day like none of it mattered while I was suffering silently! How dare you!"

Ozai got out of the bed and went to her, clasping her shoulders in his hands. "Katara, listen to me."

"No!" Tears formed in her eyes. "I loved you and you threw me away!"

"I'm sorry." He moved his hands to cup her face and press his forehead to hers. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that to you."

"But you did! You won't even come see Kimiko! She's your daughter! Your flesh and blood! Right under your nose!"

Wrapping his arms around her, "Things will change. I promise."

Katara shook her head and tried to shove him away but he wouldn't let up his hold on her. "Let go!"

Ozai refused. He hadn't held her like this is years and already he felt a pain in his chest at how different she felt. She was no longer a girl with her heart set on vengeance for her people. She was a slave woman that he hadn't uttered a word to in five years. She was a woman he had a child with that didn't even know he was her father. It was sickening to think he let it get this bad between them.

"Mama?"

A small voice called both their attention and they turned to see a small girl with big gold eyes staring up at them in curiosity. She soon dropped to her knees and bowed her head.

"Your highness." She said in a cute formal tone.

Katara looked away from her daughter as she broke away from Ozai.

Ozai could only look in pity at his own clueless child.

"Kiko, leave." Katara urged her daughter. "Go to your room."

Pulling on her dress, Kimiko got up. "Yes, mama." And took off.

Ozai looked away from the little girl running down the hall and returned his gaze to Katara.

"I have work to do." She sniffled and wiped her tears away. "Please don't bother us, your highness. We're just trying to get by and we want no trouble. Please. Do as you like but leave us alone."

…………………

Braiding her daughter's hair into a fishtail as they were get ready for their day of chores, Katara told her daughter that if she sees the Fire Prince to stay out of his way as he was a busy man and didn't have time for her.

"But mama, why do people say he's my papa?" Kimiko asked.

Katara tied ends of her daughter's hair, "Because he is." She confessed. "But he's a busy man and doesn't have time for us. We have our own work to do. So, stay away."

Kimiko nodded her head as she braided her doll's hair, "Okay, mama."

The mother and daughter put on their aprons and began sweeping the walkway. Katara sang in a quiet voice for her daughter as the little girl liked to hear her mother sing while they worked.

As she sung, Katara could only feel melancholy as she saw her daughter dancing with the broom as she swept. She remembered being Kimiko's age in the palace with her mother sing. Only they weren't sweeping. They were preparing for one of her father's lively parties. Her mother would sing while they bathed and she'd playful dance much like Kimiko would. They'd laugh and giggle. It broke her heart to think she couldn't give those good memories to her daughter.

Even more, Katara hated that her daughter had been born a slave when she and Ozai were of royal blood. Kimiko was of two royal lines. Why was she a slave? This shouldn't have been her fate. This wasn't the life she should have given her.

As the day went on, Katara sent her daughter to have her midday meal in their chambers as she went to go see Ursa. Through the years, Ursa had been good to her and looked after her and Kimiko. She helped raise Kimiko and provided for them. The woman was compassionate and sympathized with their situation. She knew she could talk to Ursa.

Convincing the kitchen to allow her to take the Fire Princess's tray to her, Katara made her way into the woman's chambers and found her having a drink on her patio out back. Ursa looked up at her and smiled as she saw her.

"You never come to see me unless I summon you. Something is up. What is it?"

Setting Ursa's tray down, Katara knelt beside the woman as she began to eat. "Ozai visited me last night."

Ursa raised a brow, "He did, did he?"

"Yes and this morning, I told him to leave us alone."

Glancing away from her tray to the water woman, "And you've come to me for?"

"Kimiko shouldn't suffer my fate because I'm her mother." Katara said as looked to the ground with a hurt look on her face. "I'm a slave but I have royal blood and so does Ozai. Can't something be done about that?"

Ursa sighed, "I knew one day you'd come to me about that and I always planned to give you an answer but I think you should talk to Ozai about that. Only he can answer that truthfully. Its his decision whether to acknowledge an illegitimate child or not."

Katara looked up at Ursa, "can you ask him for me?"

Chuckling as she began eating, "Katara, darling, my husband and I are good friends but he's more inclined to hear you out than me. Especially, if he's made the effort to see you last night. Means he's done giving the cold shoulder."

"I can't."

"You can. How did you get what you wanted from him before? I'm sure you weren't this docile about it, were you? You don't strike me as the docile type besides, Ozai wouldn't like you all that much if you were. So, go speak with him and make your daughter's life less difficult."

The last part was the only reason she agreed to go speak with Ozai herself. This was for Kimiko. Arriving at his chambers, Katara let herself in and found him in his study speaking to his son. The two were discuss the war efforts and where Zuko would be sent in the next six months. She peeked her head in and immediately, was spotted by the two.

Zuko stood up and told his father he would speak with him more later. Ozai gestured to the chair in front of him and Katara went to take a seat.

"Ready to talk now?" Ozai laced his fingers together.

Katara averted her eyes from him, "There's something more important I want to ask you."

Leaning back, Ozai sighed and told her to ask away.

"Kimiko shouldn't be a slave like me. She's born of two royal bloodlines. While mine is a dead bloodline that's worthless due to war, Kimiko is still your blood. Can't you claim her and have her raised as she should be?"

Ozai furrowed his brows, "Katara, Kimiko isn't even supposed to be a factor in any of thus. You're supposed to be helping me get what we both want but here you are playing mommy and slave. I had high hopes for our team up. You were determined and had your eyes set on revenge. But now, you've settled into this hopeless role of being my slave. Should I even bother setting your people free?"

"Ozai, I-"

"But Kimiko is here now and has been for five years. A major delay in our plans. I don't know what moves to make with her around. You've put us both in a bind."

"Ozai, she's our daughter. I didn't make her by myself. Plus, you tried to kill her, remember? It failed. That wasn't my fault that her spirit wanted to live on." Katara looked him in the eyes, "But Kimiko is a good girl. She's sweet and kind. Please, think about claiming her?"

Ozai stared numbly at her, "I'm not claiming a child I didn't want in the first place, Katara. But I'll do it. Only if you promise to get back to it what we agreed to do in the beginning. My father isn't dying anytime soon and we need to deal with him before my son is sent to Ba Seng Sei. Help me spare my son and I'll spare your daughter."

Katara looked away from him, "What do I need to do?"

Ozai smirk, "You do as I tell you. Right now, I need a gesture of goodwill to seal this deal."

Katara swallowed hard.

Biting her pillow as she tried to muffle her moans, Katara squeezed her eyes shut as the Fire Prince had his way with her. It didn't even feel the same. Not like before. Not like when they had tangled in the sheets years ago. It felt forced on both their parts. Like trying to grab at fragments of the past to keep them going for the future but that was all gone. Gone with the sands of time.

Holding the covers to her breasts as the Fire Prince get dressed, "What now?"

"I'll have Kimiko recognized and she will be moved out of these chambers into the care of caregivers and tutors. You will return to my chambers and accompany me during the day to my office, where we will plan our moves. At night, I will train you to fight since your bending has been cut off due to your neck brace." Ozai told her.

Katara climbed out of bed with her covers to her chest and walked up to him, "Kimiko will be taken care of?"

"Of course," He cupped her face. "I might come off cruel but she's still my child. Ours. That's enough for me to make sure nothing befalls her."

"Will I still get to see her?"

"Occasionally." Was all he could say.

Nodding her head, "Okay, I can live with this."

"Good." He moved to kiss her she turned her cheek, so he kissed her cheek hard before leaving.

………………………….

A/N:

Part three will be up in a few days of next week.