Short Tales

by AnumOfTheMoon

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

6. Short Story 3 Part 1

A/N:

Summary:

The Fire Nation Royal family is holding the annual festival of flowers. An event that takes place every year for eligible highborns to find husbands best suited for them. Each year a certain maiden woman is announced to be the flower maiden of the year and becomes the most sought after lady of the event. What happens when an exotic water maiden is selected, leaving a father and son to feud over her hand?

Short Story 3:

"Stop moping, you're twenty-one, about damn time you married." Ozai scoffed as he sat across the table from his son during breakfast.

But Zuko couldn't help but mope. He hated the idea of meeting a complete stranger and marrying them before the season was over. How was that enough time to know someone? He never had to participate in any of these festivals before because when he had come of age to be a part of it he already had a girlfriend but Mai dumped him just last night and now his father wanted him involved in the festival to secure a good match.

"I was married to your mother at seventeen." Ozai told his son. "We had you and your sister within two years of that marriage. You've had plenty of time to be unwedded. So, hush up and be a man for once."

Zuko groaned, "Married at seventeen to a woman you didn't even like. Now, you're divorced and mom's living in the eastern islands with Azula. Sounds exactly how I want my marriage to turn out."

Ozai rolled his eyes, "That's why I plan to help you get the best match possible. You need someone fiery but poised. A woman that knows how to cater to your needs and respect you as her husband. Someone that isn't bland but challenges the way you think. You need someone who is the complete opposite from your mother and ex-girlfriend. I believe an Earth Kingdom woman would be perfect for you."

Rolling his eyes, "I'm not interested in women outside the Fire Nation."

"And neither am I but you'd find a better match keeping your options open." Ozai pointed out. "Besides, I'll be looking around myself. Your mother and I have been divorced for five years and your uncle insists I find another wife. Though I doubt I'll find a suitable match, I'm willing to give it a try. So, I don't want to hear you complaining."

In the South Pole, the Chieftain was preparing his family for departure to the Flower Festival in the Fire Nation to find his daughter a worthy suitor. His wife and daughter-in-law would accompany her and hopefully help her find a good husband. Hakoda was so excited for his daughter that he paid her a visit while she was packing her things with the help of the water maidens.

Humming to herself as she tried calming her nerves as she was very unsure of how this festival was supposed to go. It was her first year despite her being two years of age to participate. Her father thought it best she focus on her studies during this time. He felt in order for her to find a good match, she needed to standout amongst the many young women attending. She had a proper education. Fluent in all languages in reading and writing. Trained to proficiency in bending and weaponry. She could dance, sing, play many instruments, and paint. All her life she was prepared to be the perfect wife for the perfect husband. However, with all these skills and talents, she worried she'd still remain inadequate in comparison to the other women. What if she was too dark of skin as many of the highborns from other nations had a fairer skin complexion unlike those of the Water Tribe. She heard from Water Tribe noblewomen that many of them were ignored during these festivals for the more lighter complexioned women in attendance. Then, there was the case of her height. Katara felt she was rather short compared to many women and her clothes always had to be altered for her height difference in order to wear what many others wore. Not to mention, it would be hard for a man to properly dance with her. Especially those of taller stature like men from the Fire Nation. But I doubt anyone from the Fire Nation would even look at me.

That was another thing, the Fire Nation was hosting this year's festivities and she knew that fire and water were complete opposites. No one in decades married an opposite and the last couple of opposite elements to marry were earth and air. Typically, people married in their own element but just as often, fire and earth married, or air and water, earth and water, fire and air. But fire and water were rarely ever married. Last couple to marry of the two opposing elements was over a hundred years ago and it ended in divorce a few short years later.

Sighing to herself, Katara closed the last trunk of her things and felt her mood decreasing.

"Where's that beautiful smile at, sweetheart?" Hakoda asked as he came up to his daughter's side.

Beginning to hang her head, "What if I'm not good enough or not pretty enough? What if I get overlooked? I'm the princess of the Southern Water Tribe. I fear I'll bring shame to our people and the other ladies in attendance."

"Don't worry about that, Katara." Hakoda told her. "Just be yourself and find someone you believe will make you happy."

Katara nodded.

Kissing her forehead, "Don't you worry, sweetheart. I have no doubt you will steal the show this year."

Katara wasn't so sure about that.

………………………………………….

The Fire Lord walked side by side with his younger brother and nephew. The two of them planned to participate this year for the festival of flowers and Iroh was delighted that he'd get a cute little niece-in-law and a new sister-in-law in one season. He wondered what the ladies this year would look like. Surely, this year they'd be something to marvel at. Everytime the Fire Nation hosted the festival, the women went all out hoping to snag a Fire Nation Nobleman. Fire Nation men were always the most sought after. They were oftentimes taller in stature, most wealthiest, and the notoriously passionate lovers. He had no doubt that his nephew and brother would have a wide range of women to choose from.

"I hear this year the Chieftain's daughter, Princess Katara will be attending. I'm told she's the most educated and well trained in bending and weaponry out of all the women attending this year."

Sucking his teeth, "I'm sure she's hideous." Ozai scoffed.

"And why would I want to be with a woman that could possibly beat me in a fist fight?" Zuko looked at his uncle like he was crazy.

Iroh chuckled, "I'm told she's beautiful."

"By whose standards? I hear Water Tribe men take arctic wolves to bed to get away from their wives." Ozai spat.

Zuko cringed at the thought.

"Fine, believe what you will but I'm sure this Water Tribe princess will steal the show this year."

As guests started rolling in, Zuko sulked as he was forced to attend the welcoming ball of the evening. His father was helping him get ready for the first event and he was anything but happy.

Brushing his son's hair into a topknot, Ozai coached his son on the dos and don'ts of the event. The women to beware of and the ones to seek out. Where to place his hands when dancing with a woman and where to keep his hands away from. He told him how to approach fathers, brothers, or male guardians of the ladies he wished to dance with.

"Also, always ask the women about their family's standing. A lot of these women come from families on the verge of disaster and are seeking Fire Nation men out in order to repair their family's place in society. Stay away from them." Ozai fixed the crown nestled in the topknot of his son.

Zuko sighed.

Ozai straightened out his son's vest, "And Water Tribe women are off limits. I don't want one of those water bitches as a daughter-in-law."

Shoving his father away, "You're not getting a daughter-in-law regardless this season."

Arriving at the ballroom where hundreds of people were present, Ozai and his son took up to the dais where his brother was sitting on his throne. He looked over the crowd and saw everyone present was wearing their very best. The women were as his brother claimed they would be, lovely as ever. He figured he'd probably find a decent wife amongst the women present. The only thing he worried about was his son putting up a wall to keep the women away.

"See anyone to your liking yet?" Iroh asked him as a servant served them all wine.

Taking a glass from the tray, "We'll see. The evening has only begun. Maybe I'll be intrigued by who you pick to be your flower maiden."

The ballroom was in full swing as the last guests began rolling in. Katara felt a little nervous as she and her entourage finally showed up. They were rather late for their first appearance but all was fine. At least, that's what she thought before she entered the ballroom. As soon as she and her maidens descended down the staircase to the ballroom floor everyone's eyes fell on them. She felt her breath catch in her throat a little but her mother and sister-in-law were right at her side to help her through the sudden attention.

Wearing a light blue tribal dress that criss-crossed over her breasts and draped down her waist, trailing in the back while the front was hiked up to reveal her slender legs. Upon her head was the headdress of the Southern Princess, a veil cast over her head with beads dangling over her forehead as she wore her hair in a single long fishtail braid that rested over one shoulder. On her wrists and ankles were silver bangles that jingled with each step she took. Her eyes were lined in black and light powder applied to the lids. In one hand, she carried a blue elegant fan to fan the Fire Nation heat from her as she swayed her hips while moving down the stairs. Unintentionally showing herself to be a seductress.

Reaching the bottom of the steps, Katara looked around with her lips slightly parted to observe the room full of eyes trained on her and fanned herself a little more anxiously as she tried to obscure her face ever so slightly.

Kya came to her daughter's side and smirked as she whispered, "You will be this year's flower maiden, my beautiful daughter."

Yue nodded her head at this.

Katara swallowed hard, "If you think so."

Still reserving themselves to the dais, Ozai and Zuko noticed the room quieted down. They both turned their heads to see what had everyone's attention and their gold eyes widened. Never in their lives had they seen anything like it. An incredibly gorgeous young woman had been making her way down the steps to the ballroom floor with an entourage trailing behind her. Her crystal blue eyes shined in the candle lit room and they were absolutely dazzling. From her head to toe she looked like a celestial from a different world. She couldn't be human with her unearthly beauty.

Iroh smirked as he saw his nephew's and brother's mouths drop to the floor at the sight of the Water Tribe woman.

"It would seem the Southern Princess has arrived." Iroh remarked.

Ozai looked over at his brother, "That's the Water Tribe princess?"

"That is the Southern Water Tribe Princess Katara, accompanied by the Northern Tribe Princess Yue and the Southern Tribe Chieftainess Kya." Iroh informed his brother.

Furrowing his brows as he looked back at the Southern Princess, Ozai couldn't believe it. Zuko stepped down off the dais and his father grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

"Where are you going?" Ozai growled. "What did I tell you earlier?"

Zuko yanked his shoulder from his father, "Surely, you can't still insist on me not talking to her because she's Water Tribe? I mean look at her!"

Ozai had and he stood by what he said.

"Come on, can't I just talk to her?"

"No." Ozai said in finality.

Zuko scoffed and pushed past his father to leave the ballroom.

Iroh looked from where his nephew ran off to to his brother, "Ozai, having such a prejudice against such a beautiful woman seems a bit much. She'd make for a lovely daughter-in-law."

Scoffing, "I don't want her as a daughter-in-law."

Iroh raised a brow at his brother as he saw the man continue to watch the Southern Princess from afar. "She's too young for you, brother."

"Never stopped men older than me." Ozai smirked as he made his way down the dais.

Making their way to an unoccupied area, the Southern Princess was offered a glass of wine by quite a few noblemen but her mother made her refuse them all. Katara was told to merely observe the first time to scope out potential suitors and see what her competition was. So far, she could see many of the women present were snubbing her as she seemed to have gained the most attention thus far.

"Tomorrow, the Fire Lord will have everyone formally introduce themselves. The noble ladies will go first and the princesses from the different nations will go afterwards. It will be then that the Fire Lord will pick the most eligible young woman of the flower festival. The flower maiden." Kya explained to her daughter. "Typically, an Earth Kingdom princess or noble lady is picked. They tend to be the most beautiful or wealthiest maiden of the event. However, they are never both. Our nation may not have the same level of wealth as the Earth Kingdom but your father hid you from the public all these years just so you may take this festival by storm."

Katara was handed a non-alcoholic beverage by her sister-in-law as they observed the highborns present.

Yue leaned over to her mother-in-law and whispered, "Seems a fellow royal is making their way."

Kya spotted the flaming crown in the topknot of a rather tall man that was approaching them. She presumed he was a Fire Prince. While she made sure her daughter was short with her responses to all the other men present, she wanted her daughter to make a good impression on the royal families such as those of the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom. Her future son-in-law would no doubt be of those families.

Spotting the Water Princess standing idly holding her drink while being crowded by her servants, Ozai licked his lips and stepped from the crowd of nobles to the perimeter of the young royal. However, as he was in her close proximity and got an even better look at her beauty, his view was blocked by a more mature but equally as lovely woman stepping in his way with a courtly grin on her face.

Clearing her throat as he figured this must be her mother, "Chieftainess Kya, is it?" He greeted.

Kya nodded her head as she held her posture with a refined elegance that caught the Fire Prince off guard. She held her hand out to him, "And you are?"

Taking her hand and kissing it as was custom for a male royal to do when greeting a female royal, "Fire Prince Ozai."

"Ah, I've heard of you." Kya smirked as she returned her hand to her middle. "You're a bit of a mad scientist."

Chuckling, "I take it you're familiar with some of my work."

"Your inventions are not lost on me, your highness. However, I'm curious. What brings you from across the way to greet us?" Kya asked knowingly.

Smirking at the obviously keen woman, "I couldn't help but notice your daughter." Ozai admitted. "I wanted to ask her for a dance."

Kya looked the prince over, "I'd only agree to such if it were your intention to make her your daughter-in-law. You must know, I can't marry her off to one as 'seasoned' as you."

Not at all deterred, "Seasoned?" He snickered. "More like experienced and isn't that something you ladies look for in a man?"

Kya pulled out her fan and held it over the lower half of her face, "Experience in drinking, I see. Don't you have a son not too much older than my daughter?"

Ozai's eyes slanted at her, "My son is not interested but I am. At least, allow her to answer for herself if she would like to dance with me."

Kya narrowed her eyes, "You can dance with my daughter when the flower maiden is decided. Until then, you may continue watching from afar."

Taking the woman's hand again to kiss, Ozai eyed her hard and smirked. "I do regret only just meeting you now, Chieftainess Kya. I'm sure you and I would have been a formidable pair had we met in youth."

Rolling her eyes as she removed her hand from his before he could kiss it, "You wouldn't have known what to do with a woman like me, Fire Prince Ozai. and you still wouldn't."

"Oh, I hope your daughter is as fierce as you." Ozai smirked before leaving.

Kya sucked her teeth and turned her back to the Fire Prince, seeing her daughter raise a brow at her.

"What?" Kya asked bashfully.

Katara folded her arms, "Father told me to win the royals over. Not scare them off."

Kya grabbed a wine glass off a tray as a servant walked by her and sipped it before responding, "Katara, that man would have eaten you alive as I'm sure are his true intentions. Beware of him. He's a wolf hiding in plain sight."

"Maybe I like wolves." Katara pouted as she saw the Fire Prince glance back their way and wink at her. She blushed and looked away.

……………………………….

Kya had the water maidens showcase several different outfits for the flower picking ceremony. She wanted her daughter in the most complimenting dress in order to secure the flower maiden title this season. It was quite important that her daughter find a good match and leave an outstanding impression this season. It was past time that the Southern Water Tribe gained more respect in the world. People needed to see that their small nation was beautiful and rich in many things. Only a good match would do in order to make that so.

Finding the perfect attire for her daughter, Kya had the servants quickly prepare her daughter and assisted to insure the absolute success of this morning's flower picking. Katara saw Yue giving her a sympathetic smile and sighed. She couldn't wait for this season to end.

"Jin-Soo Cha." The announcer called out and the next noblewoman entered the throne room where all the guests that had already been announced stood.

Iroh greeted them with a warm smile as they bowed respectfully and took their place in the crowd.

Lu Ten saw his uncle and cousin eagerly waiting to see one lady in particular. A woman his father told him was incredibly gorgeous. He wished he had attended the party last night as a formality but he had found his bride last year and didn't want to make his wife believe he was in the market for another wife or consort.

"Princess Xiang Huan of the Southern Earth Kingdom."

A beautiful young woman with light brown hair and emerald green eyes approached in one of the loveliest dresses of the morning so far. Iroh greeted her more verbally as she was of royal status and continued to do this with the next two princesses, Princess Ruhan of the Northern Earth Kingdom and Princess Suki of the Western Islands. Only one more princess was left and Iroh had been awaiting this moment all day.

"Princess Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."

Everyone looked to the double doors as in walked the Southern Water Tribe Princess and she was utterly breathtaking causing many to gasp slightly as their mouths fell open. Wearing a blue crop top with crystal beads dangling from the bottom of it over her toned belly where her navel piercing was revealed. She wore match translucent genie pants that one could see the thin silk loincloth underneath. Her hair was in a high ponytail with strands of hair loosely out in the front of her face and the crown of the water princess on top of her head. She had dangling crystal earrings on, her wrist and ankle bangles, a white fur mantle looped through her arms, and translucent veil draping from her nose to her chin. Her eye makeup was made to make her eyes pop even more than they did on their own and her nails were painted gold. Her mother made sure she left everyone speechless.

As she made her way to where the Fire Lord was standing in awe of her, Katara's mother and sister-in-law followed behind her. They all bowed to the Fire Lord and when Katara lifted her gaze to the elderly man, she saw he didn't know what to say to her.

"Are you alright, your majesty?" Katara said in a soft and sincere voice.

Iroh snapped out of it and swallowed hard before chuckling, "My, forgive me, I couldn't help but be enthralled by you, Princess Katara. You have left me speechless."

"I do apologize." Katara bowed her head in shame.

Chuckling as he quickly gestured for her to lift her head, "No, don't apologize." Iroh took her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss. "I think it goes without saying that we have our Flower Maiden."

Lu Ten looked from the Water Tribe Princess to his uncle and cousin. "If only I had waited another year."

"Too late." Zuko smirked at his cousin. "I'm sure to have her as my wife."

Ozai scoffed, "You have to get past her mother and trust me, you haven't the balls to take that woman on."

Rolling his eyes, "Just because the chieftainess shot you down doesn't mean I haven't a chance."

As the flower picking ceremony ended, the highborns dispersed amongst themselves and began mingling. Katara stood with her mother at her side as several nobles approached her with offers to court her. However, her mother told them they could speak with her in the sitting room of the Water Tribe guest chambers for a few minutes if they lined up outside as was tradition every year for those seeking out the Flower Maiden's hand.

Katara was annoyed by her mother not letting her have a say in how she was to be approached by suitors. Would she even have a say in who she picked? It felt like she wouldn't.

"Chieftainess Kya."

Eyeing the Fire Prince dangerously from behind the fan she pulled out, "Fire Prince Ozai, as you can see there is no dance to be had at this moment, so you will need to wait till this evening's banquet in order to fulfill your wishes."

"I merely wanted to see if your daughter would be interested in a short stroll through the gardens." Ozai stated.

Kya narrowed her eyes, "Where is your son, Prince Ozai? He can go for a stroll with my Katara."

Ozai was about to say something witty until his son actually showed up by his side and greeted the Chieftainess., kissing her hand with a pleasant smile. Kya grinned as she saw the younger prince and glanced at his father.

"Quite the handsome son you have here, Prince Ozai."

Slanting his eyes at his son, "He does get his looks from me."

"I don't quite see the resemblance." Kya smirked as she fanned herself and stepped aside to reveal her daughter. "Katara, this is Prince Zuko, he's twenty-one. Perfect age for you." Kya glanced at the older prince for a second before looking back to her daughter.

Katara saw two Fire Princes staring at her, mesmerized by her, and nervously held her hand out to them. The younger of the two shoved his father and took her hand to kiss, his gold eyes focused directly on hers. She felt her face heat up and glanced away from him as she bashfully retracted her hand.

"Would you like to go for a stroll in the gardens, Princess Katara?" Zuko asked her with a hopeful smile.

Katara looked to her mother and saw the woman nod at her.

"Very well." Katara replied.

Zuko offered her his arm and she took to it, her water maidens following behind them as they left the throne room to make their way to the gardens.

Kya smirked as she saw the older Fire Prince staring in green jealousy at his own son, "Prince Ozai, perhaps you should be looking for a woman that was closer in age. A girl as young as my Katara is much too young for you. You'd only serve to disappoint her."

"I promise you, Chieftainess, I've never disappointed a woman. Were you not married, I'd prove it to you." Ozai said as Kya gasped at his inappropriate comment.

As he walked off, Kya yelled for him to stay away from her daughter.

"Yue,"

"Yes, mother."

"Keep an eye out for Prince Ozai." Kya fanned herself and looked around in a flustered state. "I fear he may be a challenge we will need to overcome while here."

…………………………….

The gardens of the Fire Nation were absolutely beautiful. Katara had never seen anything like it. So many colors and varieties of flowers all around. Fire Prince Zuko told her about each flower and picked out one to let her hold. It was a spider-lily. A pretty little flower and one that Katara loved the smell of. The two of them talked a little bit about themselves. Seemed Fire Prince Zuko was a fan of the arts and enjoyed drawing which took Katara by surprise as she was fond of painting in her spare time. It was suggested that they work on a piece together. Zuko offered to draw her something if she would paint it for him. The Water Princess agreed to do this.

As the two continued talking about themselves, Zuko saw his father approaching them, and saw Katara hadn't noticed. He mentally begrudged himself for not jolting her away to see the rest of the garden when his father was finally upon them.

"Princess Katara," Ozai greeted.

Katara turned to see the older prince and was a little caught off guard by his features as she never really got a chance to really look at him since her mother always got in the way when he showed up. She only ever really became acquainted with his voice as his witted remarks to her mother made her chuckle a little. No one really ever challenged her mother and that was something Katara appreciated as her mother was so headstrong about things that it ruined Katara's mood oftentimes.

"Prince Ozai," She offered him a soft smile as he took her hand to kiss.

Smirking as he saw the girl smiling at him, "I finally can see you more properly as your mother is not here to hide you from me."

"Yes, my mother is quite overprotective. She seems to think she knows best all the time." Katara replied.

"Mothers often do."

Katara looked him up and down, "Often but not always."

Zuko watched as his father flirted with the Water Princess and decided to excuse himself as he didn't want to witness it. His father just had to ruin a good time with his unrelenting need to see the water princess. He couldn't believe him and his father were seeking after the same woman. It was one thing to go up against other men for a woman's affection but not his father. His father didn't fight fair and was a scheming bastard always looking for opportunities.

"It would seem your mother sensed my presence." Ozai begrudged as he spotted the woman vastly making her way to him.

Katara looked over her shoulder and saw her mother's scowl, "Forgive my mother. She is quite set in her ways."

"Tonight, I'd like to have the first dance. Save it for me." Ozai told her.

Katara nodded her head at him, "I will."

"How dare you slither your way through the gardens to seek my daughter out!" Kya shouted as she reached them, yanking her daughter behind her to scowl up at the tall prince.

Ozai smirked down at her, "I wouldn't have to slither through the gardens if her mother would stop getting in the way."

Kya raised her hand to slap him but was stopped by Yue.

"Mother, don't. The Fire Lord is our host and the one who selected Katara as the flower maiden. This is his younger brother. We can't engage him this way." Yue tried speaking reason to her mother-in-law.

Kya was furious as she glared at the Fire Prince who was grinning at her with his devious face. Tui and La, she just met the man and couldn't stand him. There was no way she'd tolerate a son-in-law like him. He'd turn her daughter out and she would not have it. This man would not corrupt her daughter.

Shoving her finger into his chest, "You stay away from my daughter, you damn snake!"

"I will do no such thing."

"You bastard!" Kya lost her temper and Yue had to pull her mother-in-law away.

Ozai waved at the woman as she was dragged off and then winked at her daughter, who giggled before following after the other water women. Oh, you are too damn cute.

In their chambers, Kya raged about Fire Prince Ozai while her daughters sat at the low table playing a card game in their spare time. Yue saw that her sister-in-law looked amused and whispered quietly as the Chieftainess continued ranting.

"What has you so giddy, Katara?" Yue asked.

Katara grinned to herself as she rested the side of her face in her hand, "Don't you think the Fire Prince is handsome?"

Yue nodded, "He is. Plus, I think mother is right about him being the perfect age for you."

"Not him. The other one."

"His father?" Yue looked at her in disbelief.

Katara giggled and nodded, "I think he's very handsome. He wants me to dance with him this evening at the banquet."

"Katara," Yue whispered even quieter as she glanced at their mother-in-law. "Your mother will not go for that. She despises him."

Shrugging her shoulders, "I didn't say I was marrying him. I just said he was handsome."

"But still."

Katara sighed and pouted as she tossed her cards aside, "I should be allowed to see who I want. It's my future husband we're here for. Why does she get to dictate who I can see and not see?"

"Because mothers know best."

Katara scoffed and rolled her eyes.

………………………………

The second party of the festival had begun and the flower maiden was allowed to sit on the dais with the Fire Lord as was tradition. Her mother told her that her first dance should be with Fire Prince Zuko as it was best to allow him to pursue her for the best match. However, Katara decided that tonight would be her first stand against her mother.

While everyone was dancing and having a merry time, Katara rolled her eyes as her mother and the Fire Lord laughed about something they were discussing. A few nobles had approached her about her first dance and she declined them gently, expressing she was not yet ready to take to the floor. Katara noticed three Fire Princes looking her way and tried to pretend like she didn't see. However, the blush on her face said otherwise.

Lu Ten nudged his cousin as he was checking out the Water Princess, "Zuko, you said her mother agreed to let you walk her through the gardens. What was she like?"

Zuko told his cousin all that he learned about the Water Princess and how she agreed to work on an art project with him. "She's really wonderful, Lu Ten. I hope she takes a liking to me."

"I'll apologize in advance for staring at your future wife, Zuko. I've just never seen anyone so beautiful." Lu Ten admitted.

Ozai didn't say anything as the young men talked amongst themselves about the Water Princess. He didn't have much to contribute to the conversation just yet. He had only spoken with the princess for a short while but he was sure as they chatted during their dance that he'd have her fawning over him.

Getting up from his seat, Ozai made his way over to the Water Princess and offered his hand to her. "Would you give me this dance, Princess Katara?"

Katara glanced over and saw her mother glaring at the Fire Prince. She swallowed hard and reached for his hand, nodding her head. He smirked at her and helped her from her seat. Everyone in the room quieted down at this as the Water Princess, the flower maiden of this year's flower festival, was giving her first dance to the brother of the Fire Lord. Kya was so furious at this but decided to do nothing about it as she had to keep up appearances in front of the Fire Lord.

Taken out on the dance floor, the two assumed their position and then moved to the music as the next song played.

"Tell me about yourself, princess." He told her.

Moving swiftly and boldly across the dance floor, "I could tell you how I've been raised to be the perfect wife for the perfect husband. How my father had all my talents and skills perfected but that would be a very bland and untruthful tale about myself."

"Then enlighten me." Ozai grinned down at her.

Smirking up at him, "I hate balls and parties like this. All so we can strutt our feathers and boast about ourselves like merchants advertising their goods."

"Then you and I share the same sentiments." Ozai looked away from her to the crowd watching them. "If it wasn't for my divorce years ago, I wouldn't be here, enduring these 'auctions'."

Chuckling, "Auctions. That's what this is."

"Selling oneself to the highest bidder."

"Ah, but aren't we just doing the same, your highness?" Katara tilted her up at him with amusement. "Aren't we shaming these people while mimicking their shameful behaviors?"

"We are." Ozai grinned down at her as he spun her around.

Spinning back into his arms, Katara glanced away from him as her face heated. "So, who's the seller and the bidder in our case?"

"Someone as lovely as you can't be sold for anything less than what you're worth. I'd say, I'm the bidder and I hope you'll allow me to make my bid."

Katara bashfully gazed up at him, "I will have to allow others to place their bids too. Just to be fair, of course."

"Then be fair but know no one has what I have to offer." Ozai brought her closer to him and held her waist.

Parting her lips at the feeling of his chest against her, "Your highness." She said breathlessly.

As their dance concluded, Ozai took her hand to his lips and eyed her intensely. "Your mother may get in my way but I intend to pursue you to the fullest. Do indulge my attention and loan me your affection. I promise you will see I'm your highest bidder."

Katara's face was red as her hand lingered even after he pulled away from it, "Very well, your highness."

"Find the time to get away from your mother tomorrow around noon. I'll be in the palace library."

Before she could say anything, she saw the Fire Prince's eyes glance above her head and she turned to look in the same direction. Her mother was storming her way over to them. When the woman found her way to them, Katara's wrist was snatched and Kya glared at the Fire Prince.

"What did I tell you, Prince Ozai?"

"And I'm sure you recall my response to it." Ozai replied.

Kya growled lowly and hissed at him, "Try as you might, Prince Ozai, I will never allow my daughter to marry you."

And with that, everyone watched the Chieftainess take her daughter's wrist and yank her along to leave the banquet hall. It was disappointing to see this year's flower maiden leave so abruptly this evening. Especially, when so many wished to have a moment with her.

In their chambers, Kya reprimanded her daughter for accepting Prince Ozai's offer to dance, especially as it was her first dance. Katara barely listened to her mother as she thought about what the Fire Prince said to her. He wanted to pursue and she'd let him. Why wouldn't she? He was handsome, the Fire Prince, and he could handle her mother. All she needed was to get to know him better and if she liked him then that would be a start. If not, then that just made things a little easier.

"Katara, why did you dance with that man?" Kya trained her eyes on her daughter.

Katara sighed, "Because he's a prince and dad said to keep the royal families in mind. I am and-"

"He is too old for you. Count him out."

"But I think he's still good looking for his age and I want to see him just as I will see everyone else. I need to keep my options open."

Kya couldn't believe what her daughter was saying. "Katara, are you smitten with that man?!"

"I hardly know him, mother. I just want to be open minded. Who knows, he could be just why we came here."

Rage flared back up in her mother so quickly that Katara didn't see it coming and was forced to listen to her mother tell her all about why the man would be a horrible fit and why she should not bother to entertain him.

…………………………

It was early morning and Katara was made to wake with the dawning sun in order to prepare for their guests. Today would be a very casual day as she had already been selected as the flower maiden. She just had to sit in the sitting area and entertain potential suitors. Katara wore her typical attire, a simple blue hanfu dress and her fishtail braid with her crown as princess. She had light makeup on and her white fur looped through her arms.

Katara had many men line up out of her chambers to see her, more than any other lady present. Nobles of the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation were all lined up to see her, even the nomadic airbenders that typically only sought after nonbender women were waiting in line to see her. Her mother greeted them all warmly and allowed the first group to enter the chambers. Many brought gifts and tokens of courtship with them, handing them to Katara upon getting the chance to sit with her. Her water maidens would take them away to set on the table in her bedroom, collecting to a pile by the time the second group was allowed in.

Kya watched as her daughter presented herself to be very polite and friendly. She needed to come off less intimidating than the other women. It would make it easier for her suitors to approach her and become acquainted with her. Her daughter's soft nature and gentle presence was unmatched and would no doubt prove to be her greatest advantage as a beautiful young woman.

"Yes, I do enjoy plum cake. Perhaps we could share some together soon." Katara replied as an Earth Kingdom gentleman asked her if she had ever tried a certain dish.

Smiling at this suggestion, the Earth Kingdom noble perked up at the invitation to possibly see her again. He decided to ask her to join him for lunch at noon and win her over.

Katara remembered the Fire Prince wanted to see her at noon and cleared her throat as she glanced at her mother, who nodded for her to agree to see the man for lunch.

"I'd be happy to but not today. Let's try for tomorrow." She told the nobleman. "I will be sure to make a dish myself for you to try."

While the man was a bit disappointed to have to wait a whole day, he was delighted that she would be making a dish herself for him to try.

Kya saw the man out and told all the remaining suitors that her daughter would be taking a short break for the moment in order to gather her bearings. As she closed the door, the chieftainess looked to her daughter and furrowed her brows.

"Why tomorrow, dear? That man is the son of a prominent diplomat from Omashu with close blood ties to King Bumi." Kya informed her daughter.

Standing up as she brushed her dress off, "I told Prince Ozai I would meet him in the library at noon."

Kya narrowed her eyes at the statement, "You can't mean to seriously entertain that half-wit."

Sighing, "I've seen all the royal men and he is the one I find most intriguing."

"Intriguing?! You've only seen him twice!"

"And already he has my attention." Katara smiled to herself. "Please, allow me to see him."

Kya wanted to tell her daughter flat out that she would not tolerate the man as a possible suitor and truthfully, she wouldn't. However, if she told her daughter that, she'd only seek to further defy her as Katara had a less than appealing side to her underneath all the good traits she and Hakoda instilled in her. Kya knew her daughter and knew her well. She would just go behind her back.

"Entertain him if you want, Katara, but you will be sorely disappointed when you find that man is no good through and through."

"I'd like to see for myself."

Ozai had to admit, he was surprised the Water Princess showed up just at the turn of noon on the sundial. He half expected her to show up late or not at all. However, it did please him to see her but he did feel a little underwhelmed as it seemed she brought her sister-in-law. Not that it would bother him too much. As long as the older of the two wasn't anything like the Chieftainess, he was fine.

"I see you've made it." Ozai remarked as the princess approached him.

Nodding her head as she looked around at the tall bookshelves that were in the thousands. They had a grand library back at her home but nothing like this. The Fire Nation was truly amazing from what she had seen of it. She could see herself living here but the question was, with whom?

Katara ran her hand along the binding of a book on the shelf and cast her gaze to the Fire Prince, "I'm a few years younger than your son. Don't you think it's odd to be pursuing me?"

"Men far older than me have married women as young as you. It's the norm amongst highborns. I see nothing wrong with it."

"I could possibly be your daughter-in-law." Katara pointed out.

Ozai glanced over to where the other princess was looking around and turned his attention back to Princess Katara, "I doubt it would come to that."

"You are incredibly confident given all the odds against you."

"What odds?"

"Age is one. My mother is another. Plus, there are plenty of younger more 'suitable' suitors that will be pursuing my hand. What makes you think you can contend?" Katara asked him.

Ozai smirked at her, "I see something I want, I go for it and I always get what I want."

Katara pulled out her fan to fan herself and avert her gaze from him, "We don't always get what we want, your highness."

"We'll see." Ozai said. "Tomorrow, there will be Komodo-rhino riding out to the country villas where the rest of the festival will take place. You'll be able to choose the person you wish to ride with. I suggest you go for a more 'season' rider."

Katara lifted her gaze to him again, "And that would be you, wouldn't it?"

"How astute of you to realize."

"I think it would be fair for me to give someone else my attention tomorrow. I've already gone out of my way to see you today when you should have come to me. I can't have people thinking I've given my favor to you."

Ozai sighed, "Very well, princess, but I'm sure you'll change your mind while we are out."

Katara did a curtsy and told the Fire Prince she would see him around before leaving with her sister-in-law trailing her. Yue came to her side and in a low whisper asked her why she bothered with a man like him if she didn't intend to give him her favor.

Holding her hands to her middle as she walked with much grace, "The Fire Prince is an attractive man and has piqued my interest but I despise arrogance. I see that in him now. If he wants to receive my hand, he will need to humble himself or simply look elsewhere."

Ozai overheard the princess speaking to her sister-in-law upon leaving and felt he needed to change his course of action. He needed to stand out from the other candidate but remain vigilant in his pursuit as he could deter her from picking him in the final weeks to court.

……………………………..

Zuko hadn't expected the Water Princess to approach him about riding along to the countryside villas. He thought for sure his father had managed to win her over but it would seem she didn't forget about their walk in the garden and wanted to brainstorm some ideas about the art project they planned to work on together. It made Zuko feel more confident about his pursuit. Being more subtle and patient seemed to be a better turn out for him compared to his father's more daring and forthcoming approach.

Helping the princess up onto his rhino's saddle, Zuko climbed in front of her and showed her where to place her hands. She giggled a little and told him she had never been on a mount so large. The biggest was a dire-wolf which she described to be the size of an adult male on all fours causing Zuko to laugh at the mental imagery. As she held onto him tight, Zuko's face flushed a little and he pulled the reins of his mount to ride off ahead of the voyaging highborns.

Kya smirked to herself as she rode in a carriage with Yue and fanned herself from the heat. She was pleased her daughter had decided to ride with the younger Fire Prince rather than his father. She couldn't stand to think her daughter would dare pick that snake of a man to court in the final weeks of the festival. Prince Zuko was a much better pick. Kya's only concern was that that snake bastard would be her daughter's father-in-law and she didn't doubt for a second it wouldn't deter the man from trying to spark up an affair. Oh, the thought was too scandalous for the Chieftainess to conjure up in her thoughts that she just shook her head and sighed.

"Mother, I think turning our attention to the Earth Kingdom royals would be wiser." Yue stated.

Kya shook her head, "For the same reason I won't let Katara marry into the Northern Tribe, I will not allow her to marry into the Earth Kingdom royal household. Too dogmatic about women's place. You know Katara's defiant spirit. She will not last long in a marriage to a strict husband. Besides, I think a Fire Nation match is the best for her, even if we do not pick from the royal line."

"But fire and water are polar opposites. Won't it end in ruin?"

"Not for Katara. She has fire in her that I'm sure will reveal itself in due time. She will deter the Earth Kingdom suitors in no time and attract the Fire Nation ones." Kya said honestly. "It's only a matter of time before her good girl act falters and her pretty face and title do little to save her from the reputation she will develop due to her personality flaws."

Yue sighed and nodded. She feared for her sister-in-law. Katara had great qualities that her parents nurtured in her but in truth, they did that because she was not like many princesses at all. She was overly opinionated, foul mouthed when pissed off, hothead, liked hanging out with common folks, snuck away from her entourage of guards and servants to be alone. Katara was different in a way that Yue found charming and authentic. However, being born a princess called for the exact opposite of who she really was. Yue wished that Katara would find someone she could truly be herself around and would love her for who she really was.

"This trail is very beautiful." Katara commented as she looked around at the pasture of flowers and took in the scent of the area.

Zuko nodded, "My mother used to love coming to the countryside to see this trail. I used to travel with her whenever she wanted to get away from the palace and my father."

Katara pressed her head against his back and asked him more about his mother. He told her all about the woman's gentle nature and how she was too good to be contained within the confining walls of the palace. She needed to freely roam and be where there were no prying eyes to judge her.

"That's why she left, I think. She and my father were just too different. She wanted to be loved gently and handled with care but my father didn't know how to give her that since he had always been treated the opposite all his life and that was all he knew." Zuko told her.

Katara tilted her head against his back, "Your father was cruel to her?"

"No. He just sort of fumbled through the marriage like an idiot. He'd try to make her happy but he couldn't give her what she wanted. So, after my grandfather passed away and my uncle took to the throne, they were allowed to divorce. It was five years ago."

"And your father, he's been alone this whole time."

"Not necessarily." Zuko chuckled awkwardly. "He's courted a few women over the five years but they all ended pretty much the same as with my mother."

Katara didn't like the sound of that. The man clearly had issues. Issues she was not trying to deal with. Perhaps her mother was right. She needed not to entertain the older prince. Something was off about him and it was her best bet that she needed to avoid him at all cost.

As they continued to ride, Zuko told Katara he would take her through a detour in order to show her this really beautiful creek. She gleefully told him to take her as she couldn't wait to see it and as they arrived, she was in awe. It was the clearest water she had ever seen with fish swimming all around. The plant life around was incredible and the overall scent of the place was dreamy. The Water Princess climbed down from the saddle of the rhino with the Fire Prince and lifted the skirt of her dress to remove her shoe from her foot to dip her foot into the water.

"This is amazing!" Katara said happily as she stirred her toe in the water.

Zuko started removing his boats and hiked up his pants legs before stepping into the water. The Water Princess kicked off her other shoe and held the skirt of her dress into the fold of her arms as she stepped into the water. The two of them began splashing each other and laughing at how silly they were being. They kept playing for a few minutes when suddenly they saw the rhino get spooked and run off. Zuko tried going after it but lost sight of where it went. When he came back, the two of them heard rustling in the bushes and both immediately took up fighting stances. Zuko fists were on fire as Katara bended tentacles of water around her.

"Calm down, you two. It's just me." Prince Ozai appeared from the bushes with his rhino's rein in hand.

The two younger royals stood down and exchanged looks.

"How'd you find us?" Zuko asked.

I'm willing to bet he followed us. Katara thought snarkily.

Ozai glanced over at the Water Princess as she bends the water from both their clothes upon collecting herself from the pond. "I saw the two of you veer off the path to our destination, so I followed you."

"Well, you scared off my rhino!" Zuko growled in frustration.

"I promise you that wasn't my intention, son. Just take mine." Ozai held the reins of his rhino to his son.

Zuko furrowed his brows at his father and snatched the reins before turning to see Katara putting her shoes back on. "My father is giving us his rhino to ride back to the caravan."

"He did? How is he getting back?" Katara asked in curiosity.

"I'll simply walk." Ozai stated.

Zuko helped the Water Princess back onto the mount and climbed in front of her. He took off but as he did, Katara looked over her shoulder to see the older prince walking idly behind them. She furrowed her brows when he waved at her and smirked. It was lost on her why the man would just give up his own use of transportation like that. Walking such a far distance couldn't be good for a man his age.

Patting Zuko's side, "Should we walk instead?"

"Why would we? My father offer-"

"Yes but he's supposed to do that. Doesn't mean he wants to. Besides, your father isn't as young as we are and could collapse from exhaustion." Katara explained.

Zuko was going to tell her that his father was not a typical older man and was probably more fit than most young men but she seemed pretty adamant about letting his father, their elder, take the rhino. He halted the rhino and climbed off, helping Katara down to his father's confusion as he caught up to them.

Holding the reins out to his father, "Here, Katara says you should ride and we walk since you're old and all."

Raising a brow at his son, "Old? She does know I'm only forty-two. That's hardly old."

Zuko was about to say something when Katara came up to his side and insisted he take the rhino.

"I was always taught to be mindful of my elders. Please, take the rhino, Prince Ozai."

Offended that she would refer to him as an elder, Ozai furrowed his brows. "Are you insulting me, princess?"

"Insulting? I'm being considerate." Katara expressed.

"I don't need your consideration." Ozai bit out. "How about you just get back on the rhino and go on your merry little way."

Feeling patronized, "I will do as I please. Now, get up there, old man."

Zuko's eyes widened at the princess as he didn't expect her to speak like that to someone, let alone his father.

Also caught off guard by her words, Ozai quickly shifted into offense and slanted his eyes at her. "Watch your mouth, girl."

"I have a name." Katara narrowed her eyes at him.

"Get on the rhino, now."

"You do it."

Narrowing his eyes on her, "Fine."

Zuko and Katara stepped aside for Ozai to get on the rhino. But as the older prince climbed on top of the Rhino, he reached down and snagged Katara up around the waist, pulling her onto the saddle in front of him. He whipped the reins and sped off, leaving his son chasing after them in the dust.

"I'm not old, princess." Ozai hissed in her ear.

Katara couldn't bring herself to respond as she was too busy trying to steady herself in the front. Very aware of their position and how uncomfortable it made her. The speed of the rhino caused him to buck into her as they continued riding. Her face was several shades red. She never felt so embarrassed or uncomfortable in her life.

Reaching the caravan, Ozai rode up to the carriage where the chieftainess was and rode beside it.

"What kind of manners have you been teaching your daughter, Chieftainess?" Ozai shouted at the wagon.

Pulling the curtains back to look out, Kya gasped as she saw the Fire Prince riding with her daughter straddled in front of him on the rhino and the look of utter shame on her face.

"Stop this carriage at once!" Kya shouted.

The chauffeur halted the rhinos and Kya kicked the carriage door open to climb out. As she did, the Fire Prince climbed off, bringing the Water Princess with him. Kya was about to say something when she watched along with other prying eyes as her daughter slapped the Fire Prince hard across his face.

"You pervert! How dare you!" Katara shouted.

Ozai raised his hand to slap her back but Katara caught his wrist with her water whip from her water satchel.

"Pervert?! I'm no such thing! Be careful of your words before you start rumors!" Ozai hissed at her.

Katara was about to say something but her mother pulled her towards her while glaring down the Fire Prince.

"Stay away from my daughter! That's my final warning, Prince Ozai!" Kya growled as she hurried to get her daughter into the carriage.

"I wouldn't bother with that unruly bitch if she was the last one on earth." He shot back.

Those that witnessed the incident were completely taken aback. They didn't know what the Fire Prince did but it was unbecoming of the princess to put her hands on him like that. Kya knew her daughter's action would soon be the talk of the festival but it couldn't be helped. The Fire Prince needed to leave her be and set his pursuits elsewhere.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" Kya asked her daughter.

Still flustered from her ride with Prince Ozai, Katara took her fan out to hide her blushing face and stared angrily out the window. She couldn't believe she got so upset that she retaliated that way towards the Fire Prince but he didn't understand what he had done to her. She felt humiliated just thinking about it.

…………………………

As all the highborns reached the countryside villas, talk of the Water Princess slapping the Fire Prince spread like wildfire and Kya could do nothing to stop it. Katara stayed locked up in her new chambers within the estate they were assigned based on her status as the Flower maiden. It was the most loveliest estate but in the coming days, the number of visitors she received had diminished greatly. Just as Kya predicted, the Earth Kingdom nobles were turned off by the revelation of the Water Princess's true personality. Only issue was that because she slapped the Fire Prince, many of the Fire Nation nobles were turned off too. Within the first week of their arrival to the countryside, Katara received not a single guest that wished to see her and Kya was livid.

Yue could see her sister-in-law seemed rather down about all that had unfolded. Not so much because she would likely be finishing the season out without a husband which would look terrible for their people. The weeks went on and none of the Southern Water Tribe nobles were given the time of day along with their princess. It caused many to feel cheated out of the opportunity to find suitors. Yue knew Katara felt awful for ruining her subjects' chances this season. It was hard enough trying to find suitors for Water Tribe highborns during this festival and she just made it damn near impossible.

"I need to find a way to resolve this." Katara moped. "But that would mean I'd have to speak to the Fire Prince and I truly rather not."

"I thought you said he was handsome and you wanted to get to know him." Yue poked fun at her cute sister-in-law.

Katara blushed, "So, he's trouble. His son told me all about how his father failed to make his mother happy along with a few other poor women. I'm no longer interested in him. Especially after he utterly humiliated me."

"How'd he do that?" Yue asked in curiosity.

Katara told her fellow princess all about it and Yue burst into laughter.

"Katara," Yue chuckled. "He's a man. That's not something he can help. Especially with you riding in front of him like that. It was more of the rhino's fault."

Blushing hard, "Well, I felt violated."

"I'm sure." Yue patted Katara's back. "Maybe put it behind you and apologize for slapping him so publicly."

Sucking her teeth, Katara folded her arms and looked away. There was no way she'd apologize to that man.

Ozai had to say he was surprised to see the Water Princess show up for the activities for the day. She had been held up in the guest estate for two weeks, refusing to be seen. But today it would seem she was ready to make an appearance.

The day's activity was a garden party by the lake where the highborns could boat and enjoy the fresh countryside air. Many were dressed appropriately for the heat and the Water Tribe highborns were no different. With the Water Princess's return to the festival, the attention of male highborns was back on her and left many of the female highborns to talk in envy of her. Not that there was a point to stub the Water Princess as not a single soul approached her the entire time she was out enjoying the fresh air of the countryside.

Kya was deeply concerned by this as she hadn't a clue what to do about her daughter's current situation. "Damn it, it's all that bastard's fault." She hissed under her breath.

"Excuse me but I remember it was your daughter who slapped me." Ozai said as he walked up from behind the chieftainess.

Turning to face the Fire Prince, "What the hell do you want?" She narrowed her eyes.

Looking to where the Water Princess was in a small boat with Princess Yue, "Your daughter humiliated me with that outburst of hers. People calling me a pervert behind my back. I want her to apologize."

"I can arrange that if you will see to it that your son comes to visit my daughter." Kya said. "I think they'd be a fine match."

Ozai scoffed, "I don't know if he's even still interested at the moment. Your daughter might be beautiful but there's more to a woman than her looks."

"Of course. My daughter is more than a pretty face."

"She's a bitch on top of it." Ozai spat.

"She's not perfect but she's good at heart. She means well but she has a terrible temper."

"I wonder where she gets that from." Ozai eyed the woman.

Rolling her eyes, "Set your son up with her and I will see to it that she properly apologizes."

"Very well. Have her meet me under the veranda over by the lake. Alone."

The Prince took his leave and Kya reeled in her back nerves as signaled for her daughter and Yue to come back ashore.

"Yes, mom." Katara made her way up the short hill to her mother, holding the skirt of her dress up.

Kya sighed and took her daughter's hands in hers, "Sweetheart, I need you to do something."

………………………….

Ozai had his leg crossed over his knee as he gazed down at the princess bowing apologetically to him in front of several nobles that accompanied him under the veranda. They were all surprised by this submissive gesture though it was a mere apology. Seeing the Water Princess on her knees stirred thoughts in the minds of a few of them, the Fire Prince included.

Smirking down at the girl, "You look quite lovely on your knees, princess. You should do it more often."

Not understanding the reference, Katara lifted her head and stared at him impassively. "I promise, it won't happen again."

"We'll see about that." Ozai tilted his head in amusement as he looked her over. "Come, walk with me. I want to speak with you privately."

Katara reluctantly took his arm as he stood from where he sat and offered it out to her. The two of them strolled their way through the woods that had a nice little trail for those wanting to go for a quaint walk. As the Fire Prince showed her the way through this forestry scene, the princess was about to ask him where they were going until he pushed her up against a tree and pinned her in place. Katara furrowed her brows in confusion and was about to say something when he pressed his finger to her lips, shaking his head.

"Your mother wants you to court my son. I'm going to allow it for the time being as your reputation has sunken you and your people into a bottomless pit. However, I have every intention of continuing to pursue you." Ozai removed his finger from her lips and grabbing her chin to lift it up. He looked from her blue eyes to her lips and made his move, capturing her lips with his.

Katara's eyes widened as the Fire Prince kissed her on the lips and pressed her into the tree. She was frozen still as she didn't know how to react. This was her first kiss and this sneaky bastard just stole it. Raising her hand to slap him, Katara smacked him dead across the face and shoved him from her.

Holding his cheek, "You've got a serious issue with slapping people, don't you, princess?" Ozai glared at her.

Covering her mouth as she glared back, "Last I checked that it was only you I've been slapping."

"Ah, I see. You hide behind the facade of a good little girl but you're really a pain in the ass, aren't you?" Ozai couldn't help but grin. "You've got another side to you."

The Water Princess only glared at him as he chuckled to himself.

"Your mother was right. There is more to you than just a pretty little face. I think I might fall for you, princess." Ozai laughed.

Katara's face became flushed at his last remark.

"You might hate me now, cute one, but you'll soften up to me."

"Never!"

Ozai approached her again, grabbing her wrists and pinning her to the tree again. He stole another kiss and felt the Water Princess bite his lip till it bled. He pulled away and licked the blood from his lips as gazed at her lustfully.

"I swear, the first night alone I have with you, I'm going to enjoy getting you to scream."

Katara swallowed hard at that. She prayed he wouldn't ever get a night alone with her if his intentions were to make her scream.

Ozai turned and offered her his arm, "Let's get back before others start to wonder what we've been doing."

……………….

As agreed, Katara and Zuko began seeing each other again following her apology to his father. However, things weren't quite the same between them. Zuko didn't seem as interested in the princess as before and most of the effort in the courtship was made on Katara end. To the outside world, they looked like a cute and happy pair. But Katara could tell Zuko wasn't as smitten with her as he was before. She thought at first it was because she had slapped his father but apparently, that wasn't it.

While on a stroll with him two weeks after their courtship began, Zuko confessed that his former girlfriend was back in the picture and he was seeing her too. Katara was taken aback by this but Zuko sincerely apologized to her, hating their situation. Katara told him it was all fine and that she would end their courtship so that he could continue on with his girlfriend. He thanked her to which she forced a smile to assure him all was well.

Returning to her estate, Katara informed her mother of the failed courtship and received reprimandfor allowing a mere noblewoman to best her.

"We can't let this year be a failure, Katara. You will need to charm the pants off the other suitors." Kya expressed this to her daughter. "Tomorrow is the hunt. Try to pair yourself with a high status noble or royal. You need to win them over again."

Katara nodded at her mother's instructions.

The following day came and Katara stood idly by as the other highborns all paired up, leaving her the odd one out. She sighed to herself and leaned against a tree feeling defeated.

"You could always hunt with me, princess."

Feeling her skin crawl, Katara glanced up the side of the tree to see the tall Fire Prince leaning to the other side of the tree.

"I'm fine hunting on my own." Katara pouted.

"Don't be that way. It's embarrassing enough no one had bothered approaching you to pair up with. At least, save face and partner up with me." Ozai told her.

Katara felt more than embarrassed. She felt absolutely humiliated. She was the season's flower maiden and yet she had fallen from grace with everyone. Her best bet was to pair up with Prince Ozai but he was such a creep and even stole her first kiss. She feared what would happen if she was alone with him again. However, even her nobles were chosen to pair up with, what did it look like if their princess couldn't even find a partner?

"Fine but don't do what you did yesterday, okay?" Katara told him.

Ozai purred, "You sure you don't want me to kiss you again, princess?"

Shoving her finger in his face, "Kiss me again and I'll claw your face off."

"Claw me and you'll just ruin your chances even further of getting the suitor you want." Ozai smirked. "But I'll still want you. I like a feisty bitch."

"You're unbelievable." Katara rolled her eyes.

As the hunt began, Ozai had Katara pick out a weapon of her choosing and was surprised she picked a melee weapon. It was a short sword paired with dual daggers. He decided to take up a bow in order to have a range weapon with them. Once their weapons were chosen, Ozai tugged her along to his mount and placed her on top of it before climbing on behind her. She squirmed uncomfortably causing him to have to hold her by her waist to make her stop as it would arouse him.

Nipping her ear with his teeth, Ozai felt the girl freeze and smirked to himself. "Keep moving like that and I'm going to do a lot more than kiss you again."

Whimpering as he let go of her ear, Katara's face was tomato red and she couldn't get herself to calm down. The tent of her face only deepened as they began riding through the woods and his arm wrapped around her waist to steady her against him. She prayed that they came to an immediate stop soon.

Pulling the reins as he spotted a deer nearby, Ozai retracted his arm from around her waist and reached behind his back for an arrow. He readied his bow and aimed at the deer, shutting one eye to get a better shot. He then released the arrow and struck the deer down, smirking victoriously.

Ozai patted the princess's hip for her to scoot up for him to climb off but she was frozen stiff in front of him.

"I need to get to my kill, move up."

"I can't." Katara squeaked.

Raising a brow, "Why not?"

"My dress is stuck on the saddle."

Ozai sighed and hopped off the back of the rhino to take a look at where the girl's dress was caught on the saddle. He saw that the front of her dress was snagged on the buckle of the saddle and he yanked on it to free the material. However, this caused Katara to yelp and fall off the side of the saddle, tearing her dress off completely. The Fire Prince's eyes widened as he hurried around the other side to see if the princess was alright but instead found her in her undergarments on the ground trying to cover up.

Katara curled into herself to hide herself from the gold gaze of the Fire Prince. "Don't look at me!"

"I'm trying to help."

"No! You've helped enough!"

Ozai ignored her protest and grabbed her by her arm to pull her to her feet. Her blue eyes looked at him fearfully as she trembled when on her feet but he was too busy noticing the kind of undergarments she had. A blue silk bra with matching silk panties. She turned away from him and his eyes fell down her backside, seeing her the silk panties were thinly made and in the crack of her round ass. Oh fucking Agni, he was going to lose it if he didn't cover her up.

"Here." Ozai said as he pulled off his tunic and offered it to her.

Katara turned back around to him to take his tunic but as she did, she saw the Fire Prince was shirtless and stared a little longer than she had expected. He was as chiseled as a sculpture with defined muscles. Tui and La, she had never thought in all her life she would see someone so fit.

Seeming to notice the princess's staring, Ozai smirked. "Like what you see, princess? I can give you something else to look at."

Katara's eyes shot back up at the Fire Prince as her flustered expression was too much to hide.

"Put it on before someone sees us like this." Ozai warned her.

Quickly snatching the tunic from the prince, Katara put it over her head, adjusting it to cover her body. Once she was confident that nothing important was showing, Katara looked over and saw the shirtless Prince go grab the deer from where it collapsed. She watched him pick it up and throw it around his bare broad shoulders. As he walked back up to her and their mount, the Fire Prince strapped the deer to the back of the rhino.

"Let's get back before the others do. The less people that see us like this, the better."

"One thing I can actually agree with you on." Katara said as she was about to climb onto the rhino.

Just as her foot slipped and kicked the rhino in the side causing it the shriek and take off with her torn dress still clinging to its saddle. Katara awkwardly turned to face the Fire Prince that was eyeing her in annoyance.

"Oops." She giggled nervously.

Just in that moment, thunder and lightning crackled in the sky followed by rain suddenly pouring from out the sky. Ozai's gaze hardened on the Water Princess.

"You've fucked us, your royal highness." Ozai bit out as he spit out the rain water that got in his mouth.

…………………..

The hunt had ended shortly after it began to run and Kya was a bit worried about her daughter as she didn't spot her amongst the returning highborns. It worried her. She stopped a few nobles and asked if they had seen her daughter out hunting or if they knew who paired with her. To her displeasure, she learned Prince Ozai paired up with her and now neither one of them had shown back up. What happened?

"I said I'm sorry!" Katara shouted as the two of them walked in the rain.

Ozai scoffed, "And I said you fucked us! So fuck your sorry!"

Soak and wet, Katara marched up to where the Fire Prince was walking ahead of her and grabbed his hand to stop him. He paused and let out an annoyed sigh before looking at her.

"What?"

"We'll never make it back before it's dark. We need to find shelter and stay put till morning." Katara told him.

Ozai looked up at the sky and realized there was about a good hour or two left of efficient sunlight. Maybe they did need to settle in for the night.

Eyeing her as he retracted his hand, "You know this won't look good for you if we're gone all night."

"And I know I won't live to hear the whispers if we don't hurry to find shetler."

A small grin pulled to his lips, "Have it your way, princess but don't get mad at me if you're the talk of the town tomorrow morning."

It didn't take them long to find a cave entrance to get out from under the rain in. Katara bent the water out of their clothes while Ozai found some dry broken branches laying around to burn a fire. The two settled on opposite sides of the camp fire. Katara had her knees pulled to her chest as she rested her head against them, staring aimlessly at the flames while the Fire Prince watched her from over the flames. She knew he had been staring but didn't care. She was tired, annoyed, and starving. All she wanted to do at the moment was focus on what her excuse would be for being out in the wilderness with the Fire Prince over night in nothing but her undergarments and his tunic while he was shirtless.

"Tell me about yourself, princess."

"What's the point?" She groaned.

"I want to get to know you since after tonight I'll be your only option moving forward." Ozai explained. "You might as well indulge me."

Katara lifted her head from her knees and glared at him, "What the fuck do you want to know about me, you son of a bitch?!"

"Oooh, I like this." Ozai's eyes lit up at the spark in hers. "Foul mouthed princess with a temper. I'm going to have to spank you at the first opportunity."

Katara growled and climbed to her feet to go slap him again. But, he grabbed her and threw her down on the ground beside him, pinning her wrists above her head. She glared viciously at him as he looked like he was going to kiss her lips but instead. His lips went to her neck and she arched her back as a cry escaped her voice causing her to squirm under him. Her cries only grew louder when he started to suck on her neck hard.

When he finally let go of her, Katara sat up as soon as he was off her and stared wide eye at him while holding the collar of the tunic to her chest.

"What was that?!" She looked at him like he was a wild animal.

Smirking, "Did you like it?"

"How could I like that?! You were trying to eat me or something!"

Ozai snickered, "You can't be that damn naive."

"Naive?! What are you talking about?!" Katara was confused.

"Your parents never teach you about the birds and the bees?"

"The what?!"

"Sex. Your parents never had you educated on sex?" Ozai furrowed his brows.

Katara swallowed hard, "Is that what you just did to me? You did sex?"

Oh, fucking Agni help him. This girl was going to be traumatized on her wedding night. It was just pitiful.

"No, that wasn't sex but it was something people tend to do during sex." He explained.

"You're trying to have sex with me?!"

Not at the moment but eventually. "No. I was teasing you."

"But why?! I didn't do anything to deserve that!"

Ozai sighed, "Look, girl, do you know anything at all about what men and women do when they're alone?"

Katara nodded.

"What is it they do?"

"They have sex."

"And what happens during sex?"

Katara averted her eyes, "My mother says it's improper for a woman who's not married to know that sort of thing."

"What if I teach you?"

"Teach me?"

"Yes, I'll teach you. You need to learn these things if you want to make your husband happy, princess. Otherwise, he's going to leave you." Ozai told her.

Katara was a bit hesitant. Her mother made it very clear that she would tell her everything she needed to know about sex on the night before her wedding. However, Katara always felt it was important for her to learn far sooner than her wedding night. However, something like sex couldn't be so easily discuss between an unmarried man and woman, could it? Besides, how would he teach her?

Seeing she was unsure, "You sure you want to be in a miserable marriage, princess? If you do it wrong, I promise you it'll end bad for you."

"I need to think about it."

"Fine. In the meantime, I'll just explain to you what happens."

It couldn't be helped that the Water Princess's mouth fell agape after learning the truth of what sex was. The Fire Prince was quite explicit about the functions of sex. He offered to show her what exactly a man had between his legs but Katara shrieked for him to not do that. So instead, he took her hand and shoved it into his pants causing her to freak out as he wouldn't let her retract her hand.

"That's a penis." Ozai laughed as she gaped in horror at him. "Go ahead and squeeze it."

"No!"

"Being afraid is only going to make things weird for your husband."

"I won't have a husband after this!" Katara cried as she tried removing her hand.

Letting her wrist go, Ozai watched her pull away and grinned at her. "Let me teach you. I promise it will be educational and something you enjoy."

Bashfully staring his way, "How will I enioy it?"

"Let me teach you and I will show you."

Katara thought about it a little and honestly, she was incredibly curious about sex. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Plus, the more she knew the better, right?

Nodding her head, Katara watched a wide grin plaster on the Fire Prince's face as he inched towards her. "Take the tunic off."

…………………….

As soon as the sun was up, the two were back to trying to make their way to where everyone else was. Ozai noticed the princess didn't say anything all morning and seemed lost in thought. She must be thinking about last night, he figured. Smirking to himself, Ozai recalled it as well upon waking up this morning to the princess curled up against him.

Ozai licked his lips as he remembered how perfect her entire body was. Her slender waist, wide hips, her perfectly proportioned breasts, that fat ass of hers that he pictured having his hands all over. Oh. He had to have her for himself. There was noway he'd let another man reap the benefits of him educating her. No, he would be teaching her for the sake of her performance with him on their wedding night.

It was his decision to show her first how to kiss someone back. It didn't take long getting her to respond correctly to being kissed but it did take sometime getting her to get over her bad nerves. On top of having a bad temper and foul mouth with no idea what sex was, Ozai learned she lacked confidence which surprised him. He expected someone as beautiful as her with the status she had that she was confident in her looks, capabilities, and self. However, it would seem the Water Princess needed her self-esteem boosted.

After getting her to kiss him back, Ozai immediately shoved his tongue into her mouth while holding her to him. She tried steadying herself and returning the same gesture as she experimented with him. Her hands balled against his bare chest and she moaned softly into the kiss as he raked his tongue along the walls of her mouth. His hands slid up her sides into her hair where he pulled it from its tethers to fist in his hands.

It wasn't lost on him that the princess had begun to enjoy their kiss as she all but climbed into his lap, straddling his waist. Her hands cupped his face as she drank him in, moaning louder and louder as he felt her body temperature rise. Little by little, she seemed less and less like a clueless inexperienced girl from the south pole. He was about to flip her on her back when she broke the kiss and fanned herself with her hand.

"I'm burning up." She panted breathlessly.

Holding her hips in his hands as she was still straddled to him, "That's a good thing."

"It is?" She tilted her head.

Nodding as he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, "The further you go the hotter you'll get and then, you'll feel like your in the clouds. Or at least, that's what I hear it's like for women."

It sounded strange to her but there was no denying that she did enjoy that. It was odd at first and she didn't see why people kissed to begin with but as they continued, she understood. It was warm and comforting. Like being reeled in by some invisible force or need. She didn't know what she was needing but it ached between her legs which was why she climbed into his lap, hoping it would stop. It only worsened and she soon felt damp there but she didn't want to stop just yet. It was only when she felt slightly overwhelmed by this good feeling that she wanted to stop before she lost her head as her mind and thought were muffled.

Dropping her head against his chest as she held to his shoulders, "I think that's enough for tonight. You can teach me more another time."

Ozai agreed to teach her the next time they had the chance and told her to get some rest. She was snoring in minutes but he saw her shivering and decided to share his body heat with her through the night.

Now, she was sticking pretty close to him as they made their way back to the festival gathering.

"Wanting to be close to me this morning, huh? I see you're softening up." Ozai remarked.

Katara rolled her eyes and slowed her pace to create a larger gap between them, "I'm not softening up or anything like that."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, I'm just cold and you happen to be a firebender, so being close keeps me warm." Katara explained.

Sure.

"Besides, I don't want there to be a misunderstanding between us. You're simply teaching me about sex and related things so I won't displease my husband."

"And what do you think I get out of this arrangement? Surely, you don't think me to be the philanthropic type, do you?" Ozai glanced over his shoulder.

Scoffing, "You get to have your fun with me while it lasts. I might be ignorant to sex but I'm not an idiot. I know pleasure can go both ways. You're enjoying this too."

Smirking, "As long as you know that."

"But don't try anything sneaky or I'll make you regret it."

"Oh I'm sure you will."

The two were spotted not far from the village of estates and guards were sent out to meet them halfway. A cloak was immediately thrown over the Water Princess as they didn't want her indecent appearance seen by anyone else. As for the Fire Prince, he decided he rather liked walking around shirtless. It seemed to warrant the attention of a certain young waterbender that he was into.

Reaching the estate where her mother was impatiently awaiting her return, Katara was bombarded with a hug from her mother.

"Where were you, Katara?!" Kya broke away from her as she shouted.

"I got stuck with Prince Ozai in the woods after our rhino ran off." Katara said simply.

Kya furrowed her brows, "What happened to your clothes?!"

Katara swallowed hard, "they were torn off by the saddle and the Fire Prince gave me his tunic to cover up."

"Why did you even go hunting with him?!"

"Because no one else wanted to pair up with me." Katara lowered her head in shame.

Sighing, "You need to win over the other suitors, Katara. That's the only way you'll find a good husband. Stop playing around with that old bastard already. He's just looking to toy with you."

"Yes, mother."

…………………..

Zuko noticed his father was seemingly in a good mood after returning from the hunt a day after it ended. He figured his father had gone out by himself since many of the women didn't seem brave enough to approach him and he never showed much interest in anyone but the Water Princess this year.

"What's got you in such a good mood?" Zuko asked.

Shrugging, "Nothing of concern to you. You've decided to get back with your dreadful girlfriend."

"So, this has to do with Princess Katara?" Zuko asked.

"Yes."

"What did you do?" Zuko asked accusingly.

"Nothing. I simply enjoyed an evening alone in a dark cave with her."

"You what?!"

Smirking, "She was even dressed in my tunic the entire time. There was a mishap with her dress and it got torn off. I had to give her my tunic to cover up."

Zuko could tell his father had gotten quite the sight from the way he was recalling things. He just hoped it was an innocent evening and his father didn't try anything with the Water Princess.

The day was a simple one that everyone was allowed to take their leisure from the festival activities. Katara wasn't surprised that no one came to visit her. She figured as much. So, she convinced her mother to let her go into the village with Yue to do some idle shopping.

Dressed in a simple blue hanfu dress, Katara wore her hair in a fishtail braid and light makeup. Yue was clad in a similar dress but purple and wore her hair up in a Northern Tribe style. They roamed the village's market and bought sweets from a bakery. As they reached a hair accessory shop, the two spotted Prince Zuko out with his girlfriend and Katara felt a bit awkward as the couple approached her.

"Princess Katara." Zuko greeted her with Mai on his arm.

Unable to make eye contact, "Hello." She said awkwardly.

"I wanted to ask if you were doing alright. My dad told me how you two got stuck from your rhino running off."

Clearing her throat as she shyly pulled her hair behind her ear, "Yeah. Well, it wasn't anything serious. Things happen sometimes."

Mai could see the Water Princess was uncomfortable speaking to Zuko and scoffed, "You should at least look the Fire Prince in the eyes when he is speaking to you."

Flustered, Katara made eye contact with Zuko that quickly faltered when she saw his gold eyes. "Sorry. I need to go."

Just as Katara turned to leave, she walked smack dead into someone and swore out loud.

"Well, no wonder the boys aren't lining up for you, princess. You've got a foul mouth." An Earth Kingdom nobleman stated.

Katara rubbed her head and looked up at the noble, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me, princess." He replied. "Funny I should call you that at all."

"Jet, that's uncalled for." Zuko shook his head at the nobleman.

Jet scoffed and eyed the Water Princess glaring at him. "Heard you're unruly. The wild type. Stayed out all night with Prince Ozai."

"We were stranded. Nothing else to it. And if unruly means I'm not some push over princess then I guess I am unruly." Katara retorted.

Yue grabbed her sister-in-law by the shoulder, "Katara, let's go."

"No," She yanked her shoulder from Yue. "I'm sick of pretending I'm someone I'm not."

"Then what exactly are you?" Jet folded his arms and smirked.

"I'm about to kick your ass!" Katara snapped.

Jet smirked and was about to let her try as Zuko let go of Mai to stop him from doing something uncalled for. Katara lunged at him before Yue could stop her and tackled him to the ground. Zuko was knocked over as the two tussled on the ground. Jet tried to pull her off him while she kept landing pretty nasty punches on him. Eventually, he had no choice but to hit her back, and backhand her off of him.

The two were on their feet and Jet wiped the blood from his mouth as he glared at the Water Princess, whose eyes was gasped from him punching her back. Katara was about to charge at them again when the older Fire Prince showed up to shove Jet to the ground and grab the Princess around her waist to throw over his shoulder.

"Put me down!" Katara screamed.

Ozai looked to his son, "Tell your friend to keep his hands off my woman." He then looked to Yue, "Tell her mother she'll be out late."

The four younger highborns watched Prince Ozai walk off casually with the Water Princess over his shoulder in shock.

"There's no way she's picking your dad." Jet spat out blood.

Yue sighed, "Her mother would never allow it."

Jet smirked at this, "Think her mother will approve of me?"

Yue side eyed him, "Not when she learns you put your hands on her daughter."

Zuko was so confused.

Reach the countryside palace where the royal resided during the flower festival, Ozai ignored the looks he received from the Water Princess and carried her into his chambers, kicking all the servants out as he arrived at his bed chambers. He tossed the princess in the large bed and watched with amusement as she squirmed around.

"Everyday I learn something new about you, princess. You're also a street brawler."

Katara scrambled to her knees and scowled at him, "Shut up! Who told you to come whisk me away?!"

Ozai notices the gash to her eyes and sighed, shaking his head as he walked away from his bed for a moment. He returned seconds later with a medical supply box. He opened it and pulled out a cotton ball, dousing it in a disinfectant elixir. Katara winced in pain when he pressed it to her gash.

"You're too pretty to be fighting in the streets like some street rat." Ozai told her as he cleaned the blood from her eye.

Pouting as her gaze fell from him, "I don't care anymore. Everyone already thinks so low of me. Doesn't matter anymore. No one's going to want to marry me."

"There's always me." Ozai told her.

Snorting as she folded her arms, "You think I want to be married to you?"

"The idea will grow on you." He told her before placing a small bandage over the open wound.

Katara scoffed, "You're too old."

"Insulting me is not wise, princess." Ozai narrowed his eyes at her.

"Sorry, I'm just frustrated."

"Well, I can help with that."

Katara lifted her brow as she looked back at him. "How so?"

The Water Princess clung to the Fire Prince's garb as he had her on her back with his tongue in her mouth. He told her he had another lesson for her and it was touching. At the moment, he just wanted to get her back to that heated place she was at last night before he began touching her.

Once she had melted underneath him, panting for air, Ozai caressed the side of her face. "Pull your dress up."

"Huh?" She said in her foggy mind set.

"I need you to strip to your undergarments."

Katara furrowed her brows a little, "But you said you're just going to touch me."

"I am but I need your clothes off."

The Water Princess wasn't so sure. Taking her clothes off was not something she had planned to do with anyone but her husband. How could she get undressed for the Fire Prince?

"I just really need you to remove the top half of your dress." Ozai told her.

Katara crossed her arms over her breasts, "I can't."

"I'll help you." He whispered and took her arms to remove them from her chest.

At first, she resisted but she began letting up as he talked her through what he was going to do to her. She asked him not to hurt her and he assured her he wouldn't do anything to hurt her. As soon as she let him remove her arms, Ozai pulled her dress down from over her shoulders and slipped it down to her waist, letting it rest on her hips.

Dragging his finger from her neck to her collar bone, the Fire Prince smirked as she shivered. He moved it gently down some more, through the valley between her breasts. Reaching the silk over her bra, Ozai tugged at it and pulled at it.

"You won't tell anyone you saw me like this, will you?" Katara asked in a questioning voice.

"This is between the two of us. Our little secret."

Katara shut her eyes and squeezed them tight when she felt her bra be burnt off of her.

Ozai burnt the middle of the bra and pulled the cups of it off the breasts of the Water Princess. He bit his lip as he watch two perfectly sized breasts spring free with her nipples being a dark brown color. He removed his finger from the valley between her breasts and grabbed one of her breasts into his hand without a second thought. He glanced up at her face as he heard a small moan escape her lips and saw her eyes were closed.

"Are you okay?" He asked her as he squeezed her breast a little, trying his best to remain calm from how soft they were under his hand.

Nodding her head, Katara unintentionally arched her back and moaned some more as he played with her nipple next. He pinched them between his thumb and index finger.

"You like that, huh?" He grinned.

Katara nodded her head.

"How about this?"

Next thing Katara knew, there was something wet touching her nipples and then she felt lips press against her breast, sucking at her nipples. She cried out and gripped the sheets underneath her, arching her back even more.

"Ozai." She murmured as he continued sucking one of her nipples and massaged the other.

Licking the nipple to toy with it, "Yes, princess."

"I think we should stop."

"Why?" He pressed a kiss to her breast.

"I'm getting hot again." She panted.

Smirking as he moved to kiss her lips and continue playing with her breasts. Her arms circled around his neck as her legs did the same to his waist. He kissed her passionately until she caught him off guard and removed his hand from her breast, pushing it further down. His brow raised as he broke the kiss and looked at her funny.

"I want you to touch me there." Katara whispered. "It's aching."

Ozai saw her eyes open slowly and look at him.

"You sure?"

Katara nodded her head.

Ozai sat up off of her and watched her sitting up to, kicking off the rest of her dress and tossing it on the floor. The Fire Prince stared at the nearly naked princess in his bed. The only piece of clothing she had left were her panties, which she wanted to keep on. She reached behind her for her fishtail braid and undid it, letting her hair cascade freely around her. Never in his life had he seen anyone more beautiful than this little Water minx. She would be lucky if he didn't coax her into outright having sex with him.

"Show me where to touch you, princess." Ozai purred.

Taking his hand, Katara shyly placed it between her legs as she spread them slightly open. She immediately felt his fingers move against her sex and cause her to throw her head back.

Ozai smirked as he felt how wet she was and rubbed her budding clit with his fingers. He continued this as he leaned back to her and trailed kisses down her neck.

"Does it feel better?" Ozai purred in her ear.

Biting her lip, "Yes, please keep going."

Ozai bit into her neck and rubbed her with more ferocity causing her to cry out in great pleasure. Her panties grew more and more soaked until he felt her grab onto him, clinging tight before cumming. She cried out loud and said his name as she climaxed, squirming under him. His hand was drenched and all he could think was how he couldn't wait to be inside her when she reached completion.

Kissing her along her face and neck as she slowly came down from her climax, Ozai asked her if she was less frustrated now.

"About what?" She asked, still in her cloud of haziness.

Ozai smirked and kissed her cheek, "Thought so."

Katara got dressed while the Fire Prince watched. She felt so flushed and aroused that she didn't know what to do with herself. How did she end up doing something like that with him? He wasn't even a potential suitor. Or one that her mother would allow. So why was she letting him touch her somewhere only her husband was supposed to touch? And why did she like it so much?

Dressed, Katara started braiding her hair back to how it was and glanced over her shoulder at the Fire Prince. "Did you enjoy yourself too?"

"Not as much as you seemed to." Ozai chuckled.

"Does that mean I'm bad at this?" She tilted her head in concern.

Ozai shook his head ad he laid on his side in bed while she braided her hair at the edge of the bed. "No. It's just you didn't touch me back which is fine for today. Next time I'll show you how and where to touch me."

"So we can both feel good?"

"Yes."

Ozai invited Katara to stay the night but she laughed at him, telling him she couldn't be seen sleeping over if she was planning to get married. He felt a little upset that she had every intention of marrying someone that was not him. Like she wasn't even considering the man that was educating her.

Returning the her guest estate, Katara saw her mother was glaring at her upon entering the estate and rushed up to her.

"Where'd the Fire Prince take you off to?"

Katara averted her eyes, "To his estate."

"So not only are you fighting noblemen in public but you're wondering off with the Fire Prince without a chaperone. Katara, are you trying to ruin your future?"

Hanging her head, "No."

"Then what are you doing?!"

"No one wants to bother with me. There's no point in trying to find me a husband amongst the other nations. It might be better to marry me within the Tribes." Katara sniffled.

Kya watched her daughter tear up and sighed. "There is no need. The nobleman that you attacked. He's the nephew of King Bumi. He said all will be forgiven if you court him."

"Court him?!"

"Yes. He came by with Yue earlier and asked if I'd allow him to court you."

"But it's not even time to pick who I'll court yet. That's not for another two weeks!"

Kya folded her arms, "What other options do you have? We need you to have a good match by the end of this season. Your father will not be pleased if we return empty handed."

Katara sighed, "Fine. I'll court him."

"Good. Tomorrow, there will be a tea party at the countryside palace that the Fire Lord will be arriving to. You will go with Nobleman Long and get to know him better but first, apologizing for your actions."

"Whatever." Katara went off to her bedchambers and waved for her water maidens to leave her alone as she undressed for a bath.

As soon as she slipped out of her clothes, Katara's mind flashed to what she and the Fire Prince did earlier. It made her cheeks turn red as she quickly climbed into the warm bath. When her body was completely submerged under water, Katara shivered as she felt like the Fire Prince had his hands all over her. She hated admitting it but she really wanted him to do it again. But next time, she didn't want to be the only one undressed.

…………………..

Ozai hadn't slept much the night before as he was kept up by that infuriating Water Princess being on his mind. He shouldn't have let her leave to so soon afterwards. He should have had her stay long enough to charm her into seeing she find no one better than him. Just thinking about how she could pick someone else to be her husband really ticked him off.

Ignoring the looks he was getting from his son and brother, who just arrived here from the capital, Ozai didn't touch his breakfast as he was in no mood to eat.

"Something happen between you and the Water Princess, Brother? Zuko told me much about the two of you." Iroh asked in concern for how upset his younger brother looked.

"That little bitch thinks I'm too old to marry her! She won't even consider it!"

Zuko rolled his eyes, "I think it's more than your age that's the problem. You're way too forward and I don't think you understand women."

"Excuse me?!" Ozai snapped at his son.

Iroh sighed, "Brother, the Water Princess is a proper lady, you need to treat her as such."

Scoffing, "There is nothing proper about that two-faced princess. She comes off as the refined princess at first but she's a tempermental sexually frustrated girl!"

"Sexually frustrated?" Zuko raised a brow as did his uncle.

Ozai groaned into his hands as he felt flustered his damn self over his own emotions. "She wanted me to teach her about the 'deed'."

"The deed?" Iroh looked at him questioningly.

"Sex." Ozai said flatly as he rubbed his hands from his face. "She's clueless. So I've been educating her."

Both Zuko and Iroh were taken aback by this confession.

"How so?" Iroh asked. "You can't mean you've-"

"I haven't had sex with her." Ozai cut his eyes at his brother.

"Then what are you doing with her?" Zuko seemed curious.

Ozai averted his eyes from the two of them. "I don't think it's necessary to know."

"Then you two should stop. If anyone found this out, the Water Princess would receive a bad reputation for this and ruin her chance of marriage."

Slamming his hands down on the table, "That wouldn't be a fucking problem if she just married me!"

"Bro-"

"Fuck it, I'll just threaten her mother into making it happen." Ozai skulked off.

Zuko and his uncle exchanged looks. Neither of them knew why his father was so hung up on one woman but it didn't seem healthy.

The garden tea party began and the highborns were all paired off. Iroh spotted the Water Princess arrive with her mother. He watched her sit alone at a low table and soon saw his brother make his way from across the garden to her. Iroh, then, saw another man, one from the Earth Kingdom, approach the Water Princess. The nobleman exchanged a few words with the chieftainess and watched the princess stand to make an apologetic bow. The Fire Lord was a bit confused as he watched the nobleman take a seat beside the Water Princess. Iroh looked back at his brother and saw the man scowling at the sight, his fists clenched at his side.

The tea party went off with a hitch and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, except for the Water Princess. Nobleman Long or Jet as he told her to call him, was obnoxious and full of himself. All he talked about was himself and how good looking he was. He told her they'd have beautiful children together with their combined looks.

Katara barely got a word out and that was fine, she didn't really feel like talking. She just scoped the garden for any signs of the Fire Prince. She didn't know why she was so concerned with spotting him but she was. He had been the only person on her mind all morning and she had hoped he would reach her before the nobleman did. She didn't doubt for a second that he'd tell this nobleman off and give her mother a piece of his mind too. That or just snatch her off to somewhere private to continue her 'educational' lessons.

Resting her cheek in her hand, Katara sighed and then yawned at the nobleman. She noticed her mother giving her a scowl as she made it pretty obvious she wasn't listening to him. Ugh, Katara really wished she had it in her to tell her mother how she really felt about all this. But she hated to think her mother would possibly not forgive her if she ruined things even further.

"Let me pour your tea." Katara offered as her mother shot her a look.

Jet thanked her and continued boosting about his adventures with his friends in the Earth Kingdom. As she poured his tea, Katara heard someone whistle and looked around for where it was coming from. She heard it again and saw the Fire Prince casually walking the far end of the garden.

"Hey!" Jet shouted as the Water Princess accidentally spilled tea in his lap.

Katara jumped and quickly put the tea pot down. "Oh, I'm sorry!" She bended the tea out of his clothes and deposited into the grass.

"Watch what you're doing. It won't sit well with my parents if you're clumsy." Jet warned her.

Kya quickly told him that Katara was not clumsy but a little nervous as she was not used to dealing with the opposite sex as she was only ever around other women aside from her brother and father.

Jet smirked at this, "So she's a virgin?"

"Yes." Kya smiled.

Katara felt very uncomfortable as her mother and the nobleman discussed her virtuous status. She excused herself for a moment as it seemed her mother wanted to talk about all her appealing traits. As she made an escape from the tea party, Katara followed where she had seen the Fire Prince wonder off to. Walking through the maze like walkway of the garden, Katara saw the Fire Prince strolling about his lonesome and called after him as she hiked up her dress to catch up to him.

Coming up beside him, "Hey, was that you whistling back there?"

"I'm glad you took my signal. I wanted to save you from that insufferable fool." Ozai told her.

Pulling her lose strands of hair behind her ear, "Thank you. I don't think I would have made it through another tale of his heroic adventures."

Ozai offered her his arm and she didn't seem to hesitate in taking it.

"So, I've been meaning to ask but I always forget to. My mom called you a mad scientist. Why is that?" Katara tilted her head.

Ozai smirked to himself, "I don't know if scientist is the most accurate thing to call me but I invent things that have been of daily used throughout the world. Mostly, I just think things up and see if it will work in actuality. I didn't know it would get me called a mad scientist by some but apparently, thinking differently from others is not an admirable trait." He explained.

Katara absent-mindedly rested her head against his arm, "So you're an inventor?"

"Yes."

"Invent anything interesting lately?"

Ozai paused, "actually…yes. Want to see?"

Katara nodded.

Pulling out a small bottle, Ozai uncapped it and revealed it was a perfume bottle.

"What's that?"

Smirking, "An aphrodisiac spray. I haven't tested it because anyone in five feet of the spray will be affected by it."

Katara eyed it cautiously, "Maybe you could use it on the highborns at the tea party."

Ozai raised his brows, "That would be unethical."

"But it would also be funny." Katara giggled.

"I guess that's why they call me a mad scientist." Ozai smirked as he came up with a plan to infect everyone with the aphrodisiac.

While the two plotted making fools of everyone at the party, Katara accidentally knocked the vile out of the Fire Prince's hands where it shattered on the floor. Both their eyes widened. Ozai quickly backed away as he covered his nose with his sleeve.

"It's all over my dress!" Katara panicked and tried taking off her clothes.

"Shit!" He swore.

……………………..

"Where did that girl wonder off to?" Kya thought as she looked around and her daughter was still not back.

Honestly, Kya didn't know what she was going to do with her daughter. She had no doubt the girl was with the Fire Prince. It really ticked her off that her daughter even bothered with that man. He was too old for her. Kya was saving her daughter a world of trouble by seeing to it she married someone closer in age.

Nobleman Long was a good looking man and seemed to be thinking ahead about their futures together already. He was also from a good bloodline and was only five years her daughter's senior. He seemed good enough for her. If only her daughter would show a little interest.

"Seems she's a little shy." Jet commented.

Kya nodded.

"I look forward to courting her. I'm sure we'll be able to get pass our differences." Jet told her.

The tea party continued on with no sign of Katara and Kya was beginning to worry deeply for her daughter. Where could she have gone?

Ozai didn't know what else to do other than whisk the princess off to his chambers and make her remove her dress. He set it on fire and put her in one of his tunics for the time being, hoping she didn't fall under the effect. But the Water Princess began fanning herself as she was burning up.

"Why is it so hot?" Katara asked as she tried cooling the sweat that began forming on her skin. "Is this supposed to happen?"

"I don't know. I never tested it on a person before."

"Oh fucking great! Why'd I have to be your first test subject?!"

"Calm down! At least I'm trying to help! I don't need your sassy attitude!" Ozai growled at her in frustration. That was his only vile of that aphrodisiac and it spilled all over her dress. It annoyed him to no end but he figured she could pay him back by letting him observe her under the influence of the serum. He wouldn't tell her that's what he was doing but he was definitely going to watch her reaction.

It took about ten more minutes for the second side effect to kick in and he could see she was beginning to panic because of it. She clearly had no idea what was happening to her. He knew when touching her that she associated heating up with something bad and tried to stop things because of it. Now, she was complaining about feeling lightheaded. Ozai took discreet notes of this and asked her if she was still hot.

"I think I need to take the tunic off." Katara swallowed hard and pulled it over her head.

Seeing she was down to her undergarments, Ozai watched the princess climb into his bed and splayed herself out in it. A few more minutes later, he saw her staring at him from his bed and eyeing his every move.

"What?" He asked.

Katara rolled on her stomach and rested her chin in the fold of her hands, "You're not feeling any of this?"

"No."

"So you're not hot right now?"

Jotting down in his notebook, "It takes a lot for me to burn up. I am a firebender."

"Oh yeah, forgot." Katara sighed and tilted her head, "Well, you wearing all those clothes is making me hotter. Take some of it off."

Shaking his head, "I don't think that would be a good idea princess."

"Why not?"

"You're slowly succumbing to the effects of an aphrodisiac and I'm a hot blooded man. If I undress while you're also undressed, you might as well give up hope of marrying someone other than me."

"You want to have sex with me, Prince Ozai?" Katara flipped on her back and looked at him upside down.

That and more. "Doesn't matter. We need to play it safe."

Katara sighed, "But don't you want to marry me? So wouldn't you get what you wanted out of this?"

"You want me to take advantage of your current state?" Ozai raised a brow at her.

"I want to see you naked." She giggled.

Something told him this girl was more than under the influence of the aphrodisiac. Maybe it just heightened the feelings that were already there. Katara might have been very ignorant about sex and still sort of remained so but he was sure, she had interest in the topic long before he was in the picture.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Ozai told her.

"Please! I just want to know what you look like without any clothes on. You've seen me almost naked. It's only fair."

Ozai sighed and shook his head.

Katara pouted and pulled on the strap of her bra, "What if I get naked?"

"That would be your call."

The Water Princess sat up and reached behind her to unsnap the bra, tossing it onto the floor. She then slid out of bed as she saw the Fire Prince look away from her. It was upon reaching where he was sitting on the lounge chair of his bedroom that Katara grabbed his shoulders to steady herself into his lap. She felt his hands move to her backside to grasp her in his hands, securing her where she was.

Smirking, Katara placed her hands on his face and gently rubbed her hands along his jawline. She took her finger and ran it across his brow and traced it to his ear then to his jaw and up to his lips. His eyes lingered on hers as he held an unreadable expression, looking almost impassive. She then reached above his head to his topknot and pulled his crown out, tossing it aside as his hair cascaded down.

Katara cupped his face, "You're really handsome, Ozai."

"You think so?"

The princess nodded, "Can I see the rest of you?"

Ozai pulled the princess up with him as he got up and carried her to his bed, depositing her on the bed. The princess watched him as he began removing his robes and unlacing his under tunic. Removing it from over his head, Ozai saw Katara reach out to touch his chest and run her hand along his abs. Her finger traced down to his navel and then down to the waistband of his pants, tugging on them slightly.

"Can I see the rest?" She asked sweetly and Ozai was seriously afraid of getting swept up by the young woman.

Grabbing the belt buckle of his pants, Ozai eyed her the entire time as he undid it and slipped off his pants. Down to his loincloth, Fire Prince Ozai took her wrist and placed her hand on the bulge.

"I take this off and it's over for you, you understand?" Ozai told her.

Katara tilted her head at him, "I just want to see it."

"I'm so serious right now, Katara. I'm going to fuck you."

Giggling, Katara pulled at his loincloth to remove it and he tried stopping her.

"You're sure about this?"

"I thought you said you were the highest bidder, Prince Ozai. Don't tell me you were bluffing." Katara smirked.

Shoving her back and causing her to fall on her back, Ozai removed his loincloth and climbed into bed over top of her. He saw her blue eyes slowly move down him until they set on what she was desperately trying to see. Her mouth parted a little before her blue eyes looked into his gold ones with shock. He thought for sure he had scared her but next thing he knew, her hand had grasped him causing him to hiss between his teeth as she stroked him.

"Zuko told me you don't know how to make women happy. Is that true?" Katara asked him while stroking his length.

Ozai raised a brow, "What are you talking about?"

"He told me about your wife and the other women after your divorce. I want to know if you really are bad at making women happy."

Ozai really didn't want to have the conversation right now when he was about to plow this girl into oblivion. If she wanted to know if he'd be able to perform well, then he could assure her she'd be asking him for his hand. However, if she wanted to know if he'd disappoint her were they to marry, he doubted it. They seemed to do well together in his opinion and he never really got along with too many people. So, she needed to stop talking and let him focus on what he was about to do with her.

"Shh, don't think about that sort of thing." Ozai kissed her cheek and hooked his finger to her panties. "Just focus on the here and now."

Katara nodded as he pulled off her panties. "I'm scared."

"Don't be." He whispered and pulled her into his lap, letting her feel his length against her thighs and soaked sex. She wiggled her hips against him experimentally and liked the feeling.

Ozai captured her lips and kissed her passionately as she tugged on his hair. The two grinded against one another in the heated moment and just when he was about to lay her down to finally take her, the doors of his chambers came right open and in walked his son and brother.

"Brother?!" Iroh gasped.

Gaping at the sight, "Dad?!"

Pulling away from each other's lips, the two were both surprised to be found out and Katara tried shielding her indecent exposure against Ozai's broader form.

………………………...

"I'm telling you there was no intercourse." Ozai repeated for the fiftieth time.

Iroh couldn't believe his brother was caught in a compromising position with the Water Princess. He was under the impression that the young woman was not interested in his brother but it would seem that was not the case. She had explained she coaxed him into it after he repeatedly tried to decline. Iroh didn't know what to make of this. If they had come moments later, he doubted his brother would be able to claim there was no intercourse.

Clinging to the Fire Prince's sleeve, Katara felt so embarrassed at how she had gotten caught. She knew once her mother got here that it would be over for her.

"So her virtue is still intact?"

Ozai nodded.

"Good. You two need to stop with whatever it is you've both been doing. Sex educating and all. It's not appropriate." Iroh told them.

"But-"

"Enough, brother. You're going about all of this wrong. If you want to be with the woman, you have to gain her mother's favor. Not force the issue by bedding her."

"It was my fault. I told him to get undressed."

Iroh sighed, "I understand that but he knows he shouldn't have done so under any of the current circumstances."

Katara felt bad. Ozai was catching all the grief because of her. She wanted to tell them about the serum but Ozai told her not to mention it at all. She just hated to think they wouldn't be able to see each other after today. She had really started to consider the idea of courting him to see how things would go. Besides, she couldn't sit here and pretend like seeing him naked didn't completely get her worked up.

Iroh saw the Water Princess's face redden and her try to hide it behind his brother's sleeve. Pinching his brows, "This is what's going to happen, I won't tell her mother about what happened here but you two are going to promise me this won't happen again."

The two swore they wouldn't let what happened today happen again. Being dismissed from the Fire Lord's suite, the Fire Prince whispered to the Water Princess that his only promise was they wouldn't be caught again.

Giggling at this, "When will we get the chance again?"

"Tomorrow is a talent show. I'm guessing your mother will have you perform for the attention of more suitors. I'll see you during the outdoor banquet in the evening."

As they were about to part, Ozai didn't let her leave without kissing her and telling her to wear red at the banquet if she wanted him to give her another lesson in sex, purple is he wanted him to have her entirely, and blue if she wanted him to back off.

As Katara was leaving, she saw Zuko waiting outside as if he had something to tell her. She greeted him and saw his eyes cut to her.

"What is it you're doing with my father?" Zuko asked.

Katara raised a brow, "I don't think that's any of your business."

"It is when your mother has you courting Jet." Zuko narrowed his eyes.

"I don't like Jet."

"Then you like my father?"

"Sort of. Yes."

"I'm warning you. Don't break my father's heart. He's kind of crazy and I don't want you to get hurt."

Katara giggled, "okay, I'll keep that in mind."

Returning to her estate, Katara was greeted by her very pissed off mother.

"You were with 'him' again, weren't you?" Kya had her arms folded.

Katara nodded.

"Katara, he's too old for you."

"I still kind of like him." Katara expressed. "We get along and that's why we're here, right? To find someone that would make the perfect husband for me. He has the title, he's handsome, and I feel like he would make me happy."

Kya shook her head, "I'll never approve of him."

"But why not?! Don't I get a say in any of this?!" Katara shouted.

Sighing, "Katara, you're a naive girl. You wouldn't know a good husband if he fell out of the sky into your lap. Trust me, I know what's good for you."

"But-"

"Tomorrow, you're going to perform a traditional Water Tribe dance and gain the attention of more suitors. I like Nobleman Long but I'm sure you could do even better."

It went just as Chieftainess Kya had hoped. Katara's performance had attracted many suitors to come ask for her to dine with them during the banquet. Katara declined all their advances to her mother's displeasure which caused them to have a huge argument back at the estate. Kya told her if she didn't do well this year in finding a husband, she'd send her to the North Pole to marry Hahn.

When it was time for the banquet, Katara was dressed in royal blue gown that had fur trimming to the collar, cuffs, and hem of it. Her hair was tied into a high ponytail with a red hairpin stuck through it. She hoped the Fire Prince noticed it and didn't take her wearing this dress as her telling him to back off.

"Let me go find Nobleman Long so you two can dance together." Kya said as she took Yue with her.

Katara sighed and made her way to the edge of the outdoor banquet to scope out the Fire Prince. As she did, she felt a hand slide around her waist before it pulled her away from the festivities. A small smile appeared in her lips as she knew who it was and turned around to see the Fire Prince.

"Cute hairpin." Ozai told her. "I'll admit I didn't notice it at first and felt a little disappointed but once I did see it, I figured I should snag you up before your mother returns."

Taking his large hand in her small one, Katara laced her fingers with his and gazed up at him longingly. "What are you planning to teach me today?"

"Come, I have a place we can go for a few hours."

"You do?"

"Yes, you'll like it."

The Water Princess let the Fire Prince pull her along with him. Little did they know someone had spotted them.

"Where's my father?" Zuko murmured to himself.

Returning to his arm with drinks, "I just saw him take that Water Princess off to Agni knows where."

Zuko sighed as he pinched his brows, "Keep this to yourself, Mai, but they're fooling around. My uncle and I caught them about to have sex last night."

Mai sipped her wine, "Well, it definitely looks like that is what's about to happen."

Zuko couldn't tell his father what to do but he hoped for his father's sake, he didn't get caught doing whatever it was he planned to do with the Water Princess.

"Has anyone seen my daughter?" Zuko heard the Chieftainess ask. Dear fucking Agni.

……………………..

Katara didn't know where they were in the countryside palace but it seemed pretty secluded from the rest of the palace. It was a lounge area, lightly decorated and full of shelves of books. Like a study or possibly a small library. She looked around and trailed her finger along the books before stopping at the end of the bookcase.

"Should I undress?" She asked him.

"Come sit in my lap first." He said as he took a seat on the lounge chair in the center of the room.

Smirking, the princess made her way to him and turned to sit herself in his lap. He took a hold of her hips and adjusted her in his lap to where she could feel his male organ through her dress. She shifted a little as to get up but he wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her right where he wanted her. Holding her tight, he bucked into her and her hand fell over her mouth as a moan escaped.

"Take your dress off." He whispered in her ear.

Quickly getting out of his lap, Katara turned to face him and slowly removed her dress from her person. In only her panties, the princess didn't need any instructions and went back to sitting in his lap. His hands grasped her hips and move her over his restrained member.

"Imagine me buried deep in you." He whispered in her ear. "I want you to roll your hips like you're riding me."

Nodding her head, Katara moved her hips around in his lap a little. She tried doing as he said but it wasn't quite right, so he helped her out a little. Moved her hips in the fashion he wanted and pulled her down against him. Showing her how to grind her hips into his. Eventually, she was able to mimic the movement on her own and he moved his hand around her waist to the front, slipping it into her panties.

The immediate touch caused her to moan softly as she felt the digits of his finger make contact with the wet folds of her sex. She reached her arm behind her to hold onto him as he began massaging her clit, causing her to whimper as she continue working her hips above his lap.

Pressing his lips to the back of her head, "Good girl." He purred. "Just like that. I'm going to put my finger inside, is that okay?"

Driven by lust, Katara nodded her head and told him to do whatever he wanted with her.

Ozai slipped a finger into the wet sex of the Water Princess and felt her inside squeezing his finger as he pushed into it. Her mouth fell open as she tried adjusting to the intrusion. He knew it would feel strange to her but he made it his mission to get her to enjoy it. Slowly pulling out of her, he pushed his finger back in and felt her arch her back as she moan more. He kept this up until he felt her soaking his hand.

Pushing another finger in, Ozai felt the princess breathe a little more heavily as she gripped the back of his neck.

"Ozai…" She said breathlessly.

"You like that?"

Nodding her head, "I want more."

"More?"

Katara bit her lip and nodded.

"I'll give you more but you can't be the only one having all the fun." Ozai told her.

The Water Princess was on her knees in front of him of as he had his length pulled out. He told her what to do with it and she got straight to it. He held her ponytail as she licked up his shaft and sucked on the tip, struggling to take him entirely in her mouth. He watched her through his lustful gaze as she had him in her mouth. Agni, he never thought he'd see a sight more erotic in his life. Her blue eyes focused on his as her plumped lips hugged his cock. For her first time, she was doing a damn good job because he was having to strain himself from cumming.

"Am I doing good?" Katara asked as she licked up the Fire Prince's penis.

Gripping her ponytail some more, "You sure you've never done this before?"

Giggling, "Can I ask you something?"

"As long as you keep doing what you're doing." Ozai hissed.

Sucking his cock harder before running her tongue up it, "What would you do if my mother never agreed to let you court me?"

"I thought you didn't want to marry me."

"I don't mind courting you to see how things go." Katara said. "I would like to get to know you better."

Ozai smirked, "Bend over."

"Huh?"

Katara cried out as she gripped the edge of the lounge chair while the Fire Prince thrusted between her slick thighs coated in her juices. The friction was driving her insane. She never felt something so good in her life and she cried out in pleasure as he thigh fucked her.

"Ah! Yes! Keep going! Don't stop!" Katara pleaded with him.

Ozai clenched his teeth as he gripped her ponytail tight, "I swear I can't wait to actually fuck you. I'm going to ruin this little cunt. You haven't a clue."

"Then do it!" She told him.

"Don't tempt me." Ozai growled at her. "I'm liable to impregnate you right now if I do. Stop talking nonsense."

"But I want it!" She whined.

"Shut up! You don't know what you want!" He hissed as he rammed into her thighs harder.

Absolutely loving this feeling, Katara called out his name over and over again as she was reached her climax. Soon she felt something hot coating her thighs and heard the Fire Prince moan her name.

"Fuck," Ozai swore as he grabbed her by her breasts and groped her. "I'm going to need a minute before we leave."

Smirking as he kissed her along her neck while feeling her up, "You didn't answer my question, what will you do if my mother doesn't agree to let you court me?"

Running his tongue from the base of her neck up to her ear, "I don't care what your mother will allow. If she doesn't allow it, I'll just force her hand."

"How so?"

"You'll be spending the entire night under me." He whispered in her ear causing her to shiver.

"Then I hope she refuses."

"Agni, you're a naughty princess." Ozai said as she turned around in his arms and looked him in the eyes.

Throwing her arms around his neck, Katara kissed him passionately as he held her tightly against him, squeezing her ass in his hands.

…………………

Kya was sick of this. Sick of the same thing happening over and over again. She could blame no one but the Fire Prince. This was his fault. He was wooing her daughter. Her foolish and naive daughter. Tui and La, she probably shouldn't have sheltered her so much. Katara didn't know better because she never allowed her daughter to learn and maybe that was a mistake but she would change that as soon as her daughter returned. They needed to have a talk.

Kya saw her daughter finally stroll back into the estate with a gleeful look on her face. It bothered her knowing that damn Fire Prince had something to do with it. She wondered what the two must have been up to. What they were up to whenever they were alone. She prayed to the gods that that bastard hadn't laid a finger on her daughter.

"Katara, we need to talk." Kya said as she approached her daughter.

Sitting in a room with her mother and sister-in-law, Katara twiddle her thumb around. She kind of hoped she'd be able to just go to bed as she was very tired from her activities tonight. But it would seem her mother had something urgent to discuss with her.

"I think you need more time before you're married. I think there is still so much for you to learn before your father and I hand you over to your future husband." Kya stated.

Katara raised a brow at this.

"That's why I have arranged for us to leave in the morning. Return home to begin educating you properly. That way you'll be absolutely prepared to be a good wife."

Katara's eyes widened. "But mom-"

"I think it will be a wonderful idea, Katara. This year was rocky but I'm sure you'll be able to make a better impression next year." Yue said.

"But I already-"

"Katara, the Fire Prince is toying with you. You will understand better once you have been properly educated. Men like him are not to be trusted." Kya explained to her daughter.

"But-"

"No more buts!" Kya snapped. "It's been decided. We are returning home. Now, go on to your room and get some rest. We leave early."

Iroh had never seen his brother look so happy in his entire life. He knew it had to do with that Water Princess. While he didn't like that they were engaging in inappropriate activities during the festival where they were supposed to be celibate for the duration of the season, he did like that his brother had found a woman he was so fond of.

"Your majesty, the Chieftainess is here to see you this morning." A servant whispered in his ear while he was having breakfast with his nephew and brother.

"Have her come in." Iroh told them.

As the Chieftainess entered, the two younger men looked to her and followed her with their eyes.

Bowing to the Fire Lord, "Your majesty."

"Chieftainess Kya." He greeted in return. "What brings you here this morning?"

Kya rose her head, "I wanted to let you know that I felt it was in my daughter's best interest that we return home for the season."

Silverware clattered against a glass plate causing Kya to glance in the direction it came from.

Iroh furrowed his brows at this news. "What would be your reason? I thought your daughter was able to gain favor once again with the potential suitors after yesterday's performance."

Kya sighed, "My daughter is a naive girl. There is much she doesn't understand and ill prepared for. I need to better prepare her for what it will be like as a wife. Therefore, we are returning home to get her ready for next year's festival."

The Fire Lord glanced up at his brother, who seemed angered by this news and got up to leave.

"Ozai-" Iroh tried to stop him as his nephew got up to follow his father out. "Please, forgive my brother, Chieftainess Kya. My brother has become quite smitten with your daughter and doesn't seem too pleased by this news."

"In truth, he is part of the reason I am having my daughter removed from this year's festival." Kya admitted. "I think my daughter has been entertaining him for the fact that he has been very persistent in his pursuit and my daughter has been wooed by his attempts to acquire her favor."

"I think the two of them would make a lovely couple." Iroh tried to help his brother out.

Kya shook her head, "He is not who I want for my daughter. She will be better off with someone within her age range."

Disappointed in hearing this, "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I just felt my brother would definitely be a good husband to her as I've never seen in more interested in a woman before."

"There are plenty of women here for him to take his pick of but my daughter will not be one."

"Very well, I'm sure you know what's best for your daughter." Iroh felt defeated.

Back at the estate, Katara was anything but happy about their departure. She couldn't believe her mother wouldn't let her say goodbye to the Fire Prince. She seemed to really hate him without any good reason to. All because of a silly age gap.

"Are you ready to leave, Katara?" Yue asked her.

Sighing, "Yes."

"Great, let's head out." Yue offered her her hand to leave.

Rolling the letter she had written for Ozai up, Katara used her blue hair tie to wrap it and left it on her pillow. Hopefully, he'd find it and know she looked forward to seeing him again.

………………..

A/N:

Wonder what Ozai will once he finds her letter. Find out in the next chapter.