Short Tales

by AnumOfTheMoon

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

7. Short Story 3 Part 2

A/N:

I'm back

Part 2:

~Three Months Later~

Hakoda watched his daughter as she played the erhu and glanced at his wife that conveyed their daughter was refusing to speak to her. Apparently, his daughter had been wooed by Fire Prince Ozai, a forty-two year old divorcee that had a reputation for being aloof and research driven. From the rumors he heard about the man, Hakoda was under the impression that the man put his work before his personal life and while he could appreciate a man dedicated to his work, he didn't like the idea that his daughter could easily be forgotten in the face of the Prince's work.

"I told her you plan to send her North to court Prince Hanh. I assured her nothing was set in stone and that she would be able to leave if she was overwhelmed but she insists I'm her enemy." Kya sighed miserably as she hated that her daughter was so angry with her. It was all that damn Fire Prince's fault.

Telling his wife to give their daughter some time as he would be shipping her North in a month's time, Hakoda went to approach his daughter and interrupted her.

"Katara," Hakoda said with his hands clasped behind his back. "Let's talk."

Katara put down the erhu's bow and allow her father to speak.

"I know this past flower festival didn't go as planned and we are having to resort to sending to court Prince Hanh but we do this with every intention of bettering your future." Hakoda explained. "Trust us as we are your parents and want the best."

"But I have no say, do I?"

"You're still naive and young. You are fortunate to have parents that can chose wisely on your behalf." Hakoda told her.

Sucking his teeth as she picked up her bow and began playing the erhu. "Then there's nothing left for me to say."

Hakoda sighed and stood up to allow his daughter to left to her lonesome.

In the Fire Nation, Zuko spotted his father packing a truck full of cooler climate clothes. He had hoped his father wouldn't consider it but then again, he knee his father had never been this smitten with a woman before. Not to mention, the Water Princess left his father a letter telling him that she regretted that their relationship went nowhere.

Sighing as he entered his father's room to try and talk some sense into her, "You're not going where I think you're going, are you?"

"How about you mind your business?" Ozai shot at his son.

Zuko narrowed his eyes, "You're going to kidnap her, aren't you?"

"It's not kidnapping if she wants to leave too." Ozai told him.

"Uncle will never allow this."

"He doesn't need to. We're not coming back here either. He'll just rat me out to her parents when they coming looking for her."

Furrowing his brows, "Where will you go?"

Closing his trunk of clothes, Ozai glared at his son. "None of your business."

"I'll tell him what you're planning."

"Do it. I don't care. It changes nothing." Ozai growled as he picked up his trunk and left.

Ozai had arrived in the South Pole just a few weeks later and purchased an inn not far from the ice palace. He had it all planned out how'd he'd get to Katara. He would make his move at night and hopefully, she wasn't too surprised to see him and resisted. He didn't want to have to tie her up but he would if it came down to it. Ozai wasn't leaving here without her.

….

Katara was getting ready for bed when her mother entered his chambers to wish her goodnight. The Water Princess had nothing to say to the woman. What could she say to a mother that silenced her, forced her conform to unjust rules, and took her ability to make decisions for herself? When her mother left, Katara climbed into bed and curled up under her fur blankets. She didn't want to wake up tomorrow. She'd be on a ship to the North Pole in the morning and she felt suffocated by her fate.

As she drifted off, Katara slipped off into her dreams and wished she'd stay in whatever world she dreamt up. However, she was shook awake and disturbed from her dreams. She squeezed her eyes tight and shook her head, telling whoever was trying to wake her up to let her sleep a bit longer.

"You can sleep when we get out of here."

Katara's eyes snapped open and stared wide at the man straddling her to her bed. Her mouth was about to open in order to scream but a hand came down over it.

"Shh, do you want to wake the whole palace?"

Katara shook her head.

"Then are you going to scream if I remove my hand?"

She shook her head again.

Ozai slowly removed his hand from her mouth and saw her lip trembled as she looked up at him. "What?"

"What are you doing here?" Katara asked him.

"I'm here to take you with me."

"But why?"

"I got your letter." Ozai told her. "No need to live with regrets."

Katara didn't know what was happening but she was caught off guard. She never expected him to come after her. What was his problem? Was he here to really snatch her away? Wasn't that kidnapping?

Climbing off of her and out of bed, Ozai looked around her room. "Pack your things and let's go. I have a small ship that'll take us to the Earth Kingdom."

"We're not going to the Fire Nation?" Katara raised a brow as she sat up in bed.

"No, my brother will just tip off your parents and they'll take you from me. If we go to the Earth Kingdom, I have friends there that'll keep their lips tight about us." Ozai told her.

Katara looked at him like he was crazy. He had it all planned out. What was he thinking was supposed to happen between them once they left here? What was going on in his head?

"Ozai, I don't think this is a good idea." Katara told him as she slipped out of bed.

"Why not?" He raised a confused brow at her.

"You're talking about running away together. We can't do that. Both our families will come looking for us."

"I already have that part planned out. We'll fake our deaths."

Katara's eyes widened. Was this man….crazy?

Ozai could see she looked a bit unsure about things and he tried to assure her that everything was going to be fine. He had it all planned. There was no need for her to worry. He had it all under control.

"I-I I don't think I can do this." Katara told him. "I've caused my parents enough trouble."

Tilting his head to the side, "Katara, I came all this way for you."

"And that was your decision but I'm not-"

"Stop talking nonsense. Pack your things so we can leave." Ozai said in finality.

Katara's eyes glanced at her bedroom doors and then back to him. Unfortunately, he caught this exchange and as soon as she rushed towards her door, he was on her, tackling her to the ground. Katara was about to scream when Ozai knocked her out with some of his lightning bending. She went limp and Ozai sighed to himself.

"Don't give me a hard time, princess." Ozai sighed as he pulled the rope from his waist and started tying her up.

When she was restrained, the Fire Prince searched around her room for an empty bag or trunk and started stuffing random clothes into it. He figured he'd make sure she had enough clothes to wear until they reached their destination and settled in their new life together.

Once her things were packed into a bag, Ozai slung it over his shoulder and grabbed Katara under his arm before exiting out the window.

It was a few hours later that Katara woke up from being knocked out. Her eyes slowly registered the change in her setting. Instead of the icy walls of the ice palace, Katara saw dark metal walls cladded with tapestries with the Fire Nation insignia on them. Under her was a bed with red silk sheets. She sat up off the bed slowly and just as she did, a door opened and in walked the Fire Prince in towel dripping wet.

Rubbing her head as she sat up completely, "Where am I?"

"On my ship headed for the Earth Kingdom. I told you this already." He chuckled before got to where a red trunk was and opened it.

Katara didn't bother looking his way as he removed her towel and began dressing. She was too concerned with how he just kidnapped her. Took her against her will.

"How are you feeling?" Ozai asked her as he pulled a pair of baggy pants on and dried his hair with the towel he wore.

Katara glanced down at herself and saw she was in a red nightgown, she glanced over at him. "I don't know. I'm just very confused and I'm scared."

"Well, you shouldn't be. I told you the plan and hurting you is not a part of that plan." Ozai rustled his hair in the towel before tossing it aside and climbing into bed beside her. "You should be thankful I saved you from being shipped off North."

Turning to look at him in more shock, "How did you-"

Ozai reached for a strand of her hair to curl on his finger, "I got to the South Pole a few days ago. Even snuck into the palace on a few accounts to see how you were doing. Heard about the Northern Water Tribe Prince your parents want to marry you off to. Figured the best time to snag you up would be the night before your departure. Makes it look like you ran away."

"Ozai, you-"

"Shh," He pressed his finger to his lip and stared at her with an intense golden gaze. "You're tired and wanted to sleep. Do so as long as you like. It'll be a two weeks before we reach the tip of the Earth Kingdom."

The Water Princess's heart pounded in her chest as she felt so much anxiety. Tui and La, she had no idea this would happen. It would seem her mother was right not to trust this man. She was so naive and stupid. How did she not see something was off about him? All the signs were there. She never saw him bother with anyone but her. He was always seeking her out during the festival. He even had an aphrodisiac ready in his pocket that one time. Why did he have it on hand? Was it supposed to be used on her? Not to mention, Zuko warned her not to break his father's heart because he was crazy. She laughed it off but should have realize he was warning her.

Visibly panicking, Katara laid herself in bed as she realized he had obsessed over her. That letter she left must have encouraged him even more to come after her. Oh my la, her hand went over her mouth.

Throwing his arm around her waist, "Get some sleep, princess. I'll be here when you wake up."

And that's what she feared. How was she going to get away from him?

….

"Don't touch me." Katara slapped his hand from her as she coward away from him.

"I'm just trying to help." Ozai insisted.

"I don't want your help!" Katara shouted as she backed herself in a corner.

Seeing her shocking, Ozai realized he was scaring her which sort of upset him a little causing him to toss the hair brush on the bed and leave out their cabin, slamming the door behind him. Katara slipped to the floor holding her towel tight to her as she hyperventilated. A cry escaped her as she looked around and tried to figure out what she was going to do. How was she going to get free?

"I'll stay out here till you get dressed." She heard him say from the other end of the door. "Just make it quick."

Katara climbed to her feet and hurried to get dressed. She needed to make sure when the opportunity came for her to get away that she was prepared. She dressed in clothes she could easily move around in and braided her hair into a simply fishtail.

When the Fire Prince entered the room again, Katara was sitting on the edge of the bed toying with the ends of her fishtail braid.

"I'm sorry I scare you." He apologized. "But I promise things will be good between us. I won't hurt you."

"I have nothing to say to you." Katara said in a nervous voice. "You're crazy."

Rubbing the back of his head awkwardly, "Not the first time I've heard that."

"Oh, so you know, do you?"

"I admit I have 'unconventional' methods to getting what I want but I mean well." Ozai told her as he reached to cup her face.

She flinched and turned her head away from him, "Don't touch me."

Grabbing her face anyway, "I just want a kiss."

"No."

"Katara, have you forgotten all we've done? Don't refuse me." Ozai purred before capturing her lips and kissing her hard.

It wasn't long before he tasted her salty tears and pulled back to see Katara was crying. He pushed her down onto the bed and watched her squirm away. He caught her wrists and pinned her to the bed.

"No! No!" Katara cried. "Leave me alone!"

"You're going to refuse your future husband? Really?"

"My what?! I'm not marrying you!"

"But you will. Eventually, you'll see it will be in your best interest. It wouldn't be right to lay with a man you had no intentions of marrying. I mean, what if you get pregnant?"

"What are you talking about?! I'm not laying with you!"

"Not now but in time you will." Ozai kissed her cheek and let go of her, watching her hurrying to the headboard of the bed. "I'll make you want me, Katara."

Katara buried her face into her knees as she pulled them to her chest and cried.

Shaking his head, "This isn't how I pictured things going but it's fine. You'll adjust."

But she didn't. A week went by and Katara tried to escaped twice. Once while Ozai was bathing and the second time while he slept. Now, she was forced to bathe with him and he slept with her wrapped in his arms. Katara felt there was less and less hope of getting away. They were further away from the South Pole each hour they sailed towards the Earth Kingdom.

It was while she having dinner in the dining room of the cabin that Katara dropped her knife and had to reach to grab it. As she did, a sudden thought came to mind and she slipped the knife into her sleeve to hold onto for later. When it was time for bed, Ozai had her back to her and she pulled the knife out to attack him. However, he saw it coming and struck her with lightning. She collapsed to the floor and twitched as he crouched down to her, scraping her off the floor.

Ozai laid her in bed and went to his trunk to pull out more rope. "I don't want to tie you up, Katara but you're not cooperating."

"Why are you doing this to me?" She asked as he tied her wrists.

Tightly securing her wrists, "Because I want to marry you. I've made that pretty clear before."

Katara swallowed hard as he finished binding her wrists.

"I probably should have undressed you for bed before trying you up but it's fine. It's less tempting this way."

Almost reaching the Earth Kingdom, Katara broke down and cried that she wanted to go home. She pleaded with him to let her return home but he refused. Ozai was hellbent on things playing out the way he wanted it to and she was powerless to stop him. All she could do was hope whatever happened that he didn't hurt her. She'd comply as long as he promised her she was safe with him. She didn't want any trouble.

"Are you ready?" Ozai asked Katara as she was fixing her hair up.

The Water Princess nodded her head and he took her arm in his. They ascended the steps of the ship to the deck and once there, Katara could see they were at some Earth Kingdom port town. She knew escaping now would be unwise as she didn't know where she would go to get home. Ozai never explicitly told her where they were in the Earth Kingdom. She had a better chance escaping when she could get in touch with someone of the highborns. Surely, someone would help her.

"Where are we headed?" Katara asked.

"To Ba Seng Sei. But for now, we'll just get an inn here and wait for a few friends of mine to meet us." Ozai told her.

"Why are your friends meeting us?" She asked him.

"Traveling alone is not wise. Besides, we need witnesses to our elopement." Ozai told her.

Katara swallowed hard, "And is that supposed to happen?"

"As soon as they arrive," Ozai informed her.

Katara stood quietly behind Ozai as he checked them into an inn. He took her hand and led her upstairs to their room. There, he told her to make herself comfortable while he sends a messenger bird. The Water Princess decided to change out of her clothes and bathe before changing into her nightgown. It was midday but it wasn't like she'd be going anywhere. She accepted her fate for the time being until she could reach a point of a flawless escape. Until, she'd just have to endure the way things would be. Katara knew even once she did escape, things would not go well for her upon her return home as she didn't doubt after they eloped that there would be certain expectations of her that would ruin any plans her parents had for her.

Sighing, Katara unbraided her fishtail and glanced over her shoulder as she heard the door open.

"You're going to bed this early?" Ozai asked her.

"You're not going to let me leave this room so I figured I'd laze around for the time being." Katara replied.

Ozai walked around to where she was sitting and sat beside her, "You'll be free to do as you like once I can trust you to not run."

"I don't even know where I am. I'd be running for nothing." Katara scoffed as she took the brush and smoothed out her hair with it.

Observing her, Ozai took a strand of hair to bring to his face and gently rub against his lips. "Can I have a kiss?"

Snatching her hair from him, Katara eyed him before looking away and told him to get away from her. She didn't want to deal with him right now. He was absolutely insane to think she was okay with any of this. He showed her just how crazy he was by kidnapping her and practically forcing her to elope with him.

Slithering his arms around her waist, Ozai pulled her to him and kissed her bare shoulder. "Once we're married, you can't say no."

"Well we aren't married, are we?" She yanked his hands from around her waist.

"We will be."

Katara got up from the bed and went over to the sofa to sit and watch him. She didn't trust him for a second. He wanted to fool around and play with her but she wasn't doing that. Not now. He could wait till their wedding night.

"I want it to go on record that once we are married that I expect you to be a little nicer to me."

"You should have thought about that before you carried out your shit plan." Katara snorted.

Ozai narrowed his eyes at her. He didn't realize he'd get so much backlash from her for doing what he thought she'd want. If she had a problem with him doing this, then she should have thought about that before she led him on. Well, it didn't matter what her intentions might have been. He'd set things straight and she wasn't getting out of it. She toyed with the wrong man.

When morning came, Katara noticed Ozai wasn't in the room when she woke up nor was he in the bathroom. She soon heard voices and laughter and then a knock at the door.

"Katara, put on a robe, we have guests." Ozai told her from the otherside of the bedroom door.

The Water Princess went to her bag of clothes and pulled out her robe to wrap herself in as Ozai entered with three different people. Shyly, Katara retreated to the sofa by the window and didn't bother making eye contact as Ozai tried introducing her. Their names were June, a Fire Nation looking woman, that was married to a man named Jee, an Earth Kingdom nobleman, and then there was a man named Lu Shang. She didn't get a good look at him but he was built similar to Ozai. Tall and broad. She let her hair help her hide some of her face as she wasn't really good at meeting new people.

"Shy one you got there, Ozai. Looks, Water Tribe." Lu Shang stated as he observed the girl sitting on the far side of the room.

Nodding as he rubbed the back of his head, "She's the Southern Water Tribe Princess. Only eighteen. Her parents don't approve, so we ran off. Think you can give us new identities?"

Lu Shang nodded, "Once we get to a major village not far from here, I'll get you both proper identification. But your highborn status will have to be let go of."

"That's fine." Ozai told him.

Lee sighed as tilted his head at the sight of the girl along with his wife, June. "Are you sure she's here willingly? She seems nervous."

"We had a disagreement on how things should go but she's as willing as I am. Isn't that right, Katara?"

Katara lifted her blue eyes to him and snarled, "Go fuck yourself."

"Doesn't sound like she's willing, Ozai." June glanced at him.

Shrugging, "She'll get over it."

His friends all raised a brow at him.

Lu Shang palmed himself, "You kidnapped her, didn't you?"

"Sort of."

Lee shook his head, "I get it. Gorgeous face, petite, and young. However, you know she'll just run away right?"

"She was sheltered most of her life. She wouldn't know where to run to. Besides, once we start having children, she's not going to run anywhere."

June folded her arms, "You hear that, Princess? No running."

Katara glared at the woman.

"Pray she doesn't attack you in your sleep, Ozai." June patted his back before turning to tell her husband she was going to settle into their rooms across the hall.

With just the three men present, Katara felt even more nervous as they observed her even more.

"When did you want to elope?" Jee asked.

"Tonight." Ozai told him.

Lu Shang smirked, "Getting inpatient, I see. Makes sense. We'll get things situated. There's a small temple nearby where we can have the ceremony."

The two other men left and Ozai glared at her.

"Go fuck myself? Really?"

"Just leave me alone."

…

Katara walked stiffly to the temple being escorted by June in a simple green hanfu dress with her hair tied at the very ends of it. She was so furious. How was he forcing her to do this? And his friends, they were okay with it? Really? What kind of sick people were they?

"I get you're not exactly wanting this but Ozai tells us your parents are going to send you to the North Pole to marry a stranger. I think you lucked out here, princess."

Biting back the angry tears in her eyes, "You call this luck? I call this a nightmare."

In the temple, Katara saw Ozai waiting by a priest with his other two friends standing to the side waiting for her. He wore his hair down just like her with the ends tied. As she approached, she could barely look him in the eyes as he took her hands in his and she swallowed hard as the priest started presiding over the ceremony. A ring was placed on her finger as was the tradition of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom marriages. It surprisingly fit. Katara figured he must have measured her ring finger while she was asleep. The sneaky bastard.

As the priest made them both repeat after him, Katara stumbling through the vows, he declared them husband and wife. She felt her stomach sink into her gut at the declaration. Just what was this? Was she actually married now and to this man?

"Kiss her!" His friends chanted at him.

Katara shook her head as she refused to kiss him and was about to run off when June threw a small blade at the princess's leg causing her to cry out as she fell.

"June!" Ozai shouted as he glared at her before going to his wife, who was freaking out on the ground with a blade in her leg.

"She was going to run away." June folded her arms.

Ozai took a look at her leg as she cried. He told her it would hurt a little more but he had to get the blade out. Katara screamed as he pulled it out and burned the wound to seal it.

"There goes the wedding night." Lu Shange chuckled.

Picking up his wife and carrying her bridal style, Ozai told them he'd see them in the morning when they were ready to leave. Carrying her to the inn and then to their room, the Fire Prince sat her on the edge of the bed. She looked at him through her tears and shook her head at him.

"I'm not sleeping with you." She told him.

Ozai nodded. "You're injured. I don't expect you to."

"Even when I heal." Katara glared at him with her tears. "I won't sleep with you."

Tilting his head to the side, "We're married now, Katara. That's going to happen eventually."

"But I don't-"

"Do you want to be a good wife?" He asked her.

Sniffling, Katara refused to answer to which he sighed and patted her head.

"Let's just get some rest before we leave in the morning. We've got a long journey." Ozai kissed her forehead and told her he'd be back by the time she was asleep.

Shutting the door behind him, Ozai sighed and went to find his friends at a tavern. He took a seat with them and ordered some beer as he needed to get his nerves together.

"So, she's not letting you bed her tonight, I see?" Lu Shang chuckled.

Downing his beer, Ozai glared at him. "She doesn't want to sleep with me, period."

June chuckled, "How does she expect to hold out? The two of you are married now?"

Jee snorted, "You held out for two weeks after we married."

"We were strangers."

"So! Plenty of men and women sleep with each other on their wedding night to complete strangers." Jee scoffed.

Ozai drank more of his beer and hoped he just fell asleep when he got back to his room. However, after several more drinks he returned to find Katara asleep and climbed into bed behind her, nudging her to wake up.

"What?" She groaned half asleep.

Ozai nuzzled her with his face, "Let me touch you just a little bit."

Katara sat up and threw her pillow in his face. "Leave me alone you creep."

Knocking the pillow from his face, "Please. I'm in need."

"Don't you men have ways of dealing with that yourself?" Katara looked at him in disgust.

"Why would I do that when I have a perfectly good wife in my bed?" Ozai pulled the sheets off of her and lifted up her nightgown.

Katara slapped his hand. "Stop it!"

"Just let me touch you."

"No!"

"Please!"

"Go please yourself in the bathroom!"

Ozai narrowed his eyes at her, "This is not a good way to start out a marriage, Katara!"

"Then you shouldn't have married me!" Katara shouted at him.

Ozai climbed out of bed and stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

Morning came and Katara saw Ozai had slept on the sofa. The two of them didn't say anything to one another as they got themselves ready to leave. Katara was about to braid her hair when Ozai uttered his first words to her for the day.

"Wear it down."

Katara rolled her eyes and braided her hair anyway.

"I hope you don't intend to act like this all the time." Ozai scowled at her.

Shrugging, "Try asking me rather than trying to order me to do something."

The two came out with their bags and Lu Shang handed the reins of his ostrich-horse to Ozai. He took her bag and strapped it to the mount along with his bag. He then placed her on top of the animal before climbing on behind her. One hand took the reins and the other held her waist to him.

As his friends rode ahead on the open road to lead the way, Katara simply took in the scene of a vastly open area with green grass and mountains off in the distance. There was a forest up ahead and as they reached it, Ozai's friends decided to stop to take a break for their mounts. She was helped down and given a canteen to drink from. She nearly drank it all, causing Ozai to glare at her greediness.

"Don't give me that look. I'll fill it back up when we come to a stream." Katara told him.

"There's a stream just a few miles from here. We can stop by there for the night and camp there." June told them.

Ozai helped his wife back on the mount and climbed back on behind her, grasping the reins with both hands. They rode a few more miles and saw the sun was coming down. They set up camp in the woods not far from the stream and Katara went to fill up the canteen like she said she would.

When she was on her way back, she heard the others talking about her with Ozai and she paused.

"Want to set up your tent a little further away from us in case she let's you have her?" Jee asked.

Scoffing, "I told you already, she doesn't want to sleep with me."

June sucked her teeth, "Tell that spoiled princess that she's married now and has duties. If she doesn't like that, then you're stepping out. I bet she won't like the idea of you sleeping with another woman."

"I doubt that would smooth over with her well." Ozai told them.

"Just take her by force," Lu Shang. "You have your rights as her husband and if she doesn't give it up willingly, you just take it."

"I'm not trying to scare her."

"Then you'll be using your hand for the rest of your life, Ozai." June scoffed.

Deciding she had heard enough, Katara came back to camp and ignored the looks she was getting from Ozai friends and threw the canteen in his lap before going to their tent.

"Think she heard us?" Lu Shang asked.

Rolling her eyes, "Who cares? She's a clueless bitch if she thinks she can deny her husband like that."

Ozai shot them all looks to shut up causing them all to retire to their tents for the night. Entering his, he saw his wife undressing for bed and looked away as to not make the mistake of arousing himself knowing his wife didn't want him. The two of them slept with their backs to each other and Katara noticed Ozai did a lot of tussling and rolling around in his sleep, like he couldn't get comfortable at all through the night.

When they woke up, she saw Ozai looked like he didn't get a lick of sleep the entire night which made two of them because she couldn't sleep with him moving around so damn much. While he was taking down their tent, June eyed her with a mean mug and she averted her eyes as she wanted no trouble.

"Didn't rest well, princess?" June asked.

Katara didn't bother responding to the woman.

"I'm talking to you, princess. It's only polite to respond back. Isn't that what you royal ladies pride yourselves on? Being prim and proper."

Katara shifted her eyes to glare at the older woman, "How about you mind your business, huh?! I don't care what you think you know about me but you'd be wise to shut the hell up and leave me the fuck alone!"

Standing to her feet, "Oh, are you threatening me, princess?"

Standing as well, "I said leave me alone or else!"

June chuckled, "And what are you going to do about it?"

Katara summoned water from the grass and shot an icicle into the woman's leg as pay back for the other night and slapped her in the face with a water whip, knocking her flat on her ass. Jee stopped what he was doing to help his wife as Ozai grabbed her and pushed her behind him.

"Get your bitch of a wife, Ozai! Before I kill her!" June screamed as her husband helped her.

Ozai looked down at Katara and then back to June, "Maybe mind what you say to her."

"Oh fuck you! Get your wife in line!"

The men of the group kept the women away from each other and rode quietly towards their destination. They made it to a small village where they decided to stock up on supplies. Ozai told Katara it would be wise that they bought new clothes to blend in as him wearing red and her wearing blue would draw attention. She stuck with him as he picked out a few dresses from a vendor and let her change into one of the dresses in the inn they'd be staying in.

"Do you need me to put your hair up for you?" He offered.

Katara shook her head as she saw he was dressed in a green yukata with his hair completely down and thrown over one shoulder. She hated that he was good looking and how nice he was to her. It really made it hard to keep being a bitch to him but he brought this on himself.

"I got you a hairpin, thought it would look nice on you." He showed her a blue butterfly hairpin and she had to admit it was pretty.

Katara pulled out her hair tie and quickly fixed her hair into a bun, taking the hairpin to place in it. "Thank you." Was all she said as she didn't bother looking at him.

Ozai took Katara with him to meet with his friends at a tavern and ordered her water while he had a beer. She seemed a little disappointed that she couldn't have a drink too. One of his friends noticed this and told Ozai to get her a beer. He glanced over at his wife and asked her if she wanted to drink. She nodded her head and he ordered one for her.

"So, once we reach Ba Seng Sei. I figured the two of you could live at my estate under the guise of being distant relatives of June's." Jee told them.

Ozai shook his head and told him they couldn't live in the upper ring due to the royal family being able to recognize him. Katara drank her beer and listened to Jee try to talk Ozai into it as he was a royal by blood and wouldn't be able to adapt well to a life as a commoner.

Finishing her beer, Katara asked the waitress for another along with a bowl of house noodles since she was starving.

"Look, at least stay in the middle ring. I have a shop you can run. A dress shop. A top-notch one too. I'll put you in charge of it and buy you a decent home around the corner from it. Will you at least accept that?" Jee offered.

Ozai only agreed to it because Lu Shang pointed out his wife shouldn't be forced to live in the dangerous parts of the lower ring.

"Plus, you two might have children and it wouldn't be safe for them there." June told him.

Ozai glanced back at his wife and found her drinking another pint of beer. "Katara, what are you doing?"

"Nothing for you to be concerned about." Katara said as she finished the third beer and belched.

Raising a brow at her, "I think you've had enough."

Katara rolled her eyes, "Whatever. I'm going back to the inn."

The four watched as the young princess left the tavern.

"Might want to make sure she gets back to the inn safely." Jee told Ozai.

June smirked as she drank her beer, "Maybe she's loosened up a little. Make a move."

Getting his drunken wife to their room, Ozai tried helping her out of her dress but she shoved him off of her and slapped him. He glared at her as she held her arms over her breasts while pushing her dress down to pool at her feet.

"What?" She asked as she turned away from him and pulled the hairpin out of her hair, letting her hair fall down her back.

"You don't have to be so damn mean to me!" Ozai yelled at her.

Looking over her shoulder at her, "I can't help it. You won't even let me have a say in anything that happens. It's no different than my mother dictating my future."

"I'm not trying to dictate your future. I'm trying to plan out how our future goes."

"But you're not even asking me what I think."

"I didn't think you cared."

"Of course, I care." She threw her arms up at him. "It's my future too! Why can't we stay in the upper ring?!"

Ozai sighed, "We'll be discovered."

"But I want to be in the upper ring! I'm a fucking princess! That's where I should be!"

Ozai ran his hand through his hair, "Katara, it would get us-...what are you doing?"

Katara had her arms wrapped around his middle, hugging him to her.

"I'm trying to get you to listen to me. My mother says embracing my father is how she gets him to listen to her." Katara told him.

Sighing as he really wanted to laugh at her, "Katara, your mother was talking about a different kind of embracing."

"What kind?"

"The kind you don't want to do." He told her.

Letting go of him, Katara sighed and climbed into bed. "Will you let us stay in the upper ring if I have sex with you?" She asked as she settled on the edge of the bed.

"Katara, it's not going to be safe for us in the upper ring." Ozai repeated.

The Water Princess reached to cup his face and looked him deep in the eyes, "It will be if we're careful."

"N-"

Pressing her lips to his while cupping his face, "Please."

Ozai continued to express how it wasn't a good idea all the way up until she undid the buttons of his tunic and pulled it off.

"One last time, Ozai, we live in the upper ring." She said before pressing her lips to his chest and sliding her hands down to his pants.

Mentally swearing at himself, "We're going to live in the middle ring and it'll be good for both of us."

Katara shoved him and rolled her eyes, "Well, I hope you like your hand as much as you like being stubborn."

Ozai watched as his naked young wife crawled her way to the head of the bed and got under the covers. He removed his pants and climbed into bed under the covers with her. Grabbing her by her wrists, he flipped her on her back and pinned her down underneath him.

"Spread your legs!" He hissed at her.

Katara glared up at him, "All this so you can fuck me?"

"All this because I want you in every way and no one is going to stop me, not even you!" Ozai growled at her.

The Water Princess sighed and turned her head away from him, "Fine. I won't stop you."

Ozai got off of her and rolled on his back. "Not like this."

Rolling on her side to stare at him, "All you had to do was tell me we'd live in the upper ring and I would have been all yours." Katara whispered to him as she reached for the jawline of his face and caressed it.

"You want me to lie?" Turning his head to glare at her.

"I want you to let me decide how my life goes since you've just up and took me without a care for how I'd feel." Katara looked at him with a hurt expression. "It's why you don't feel love towards me, but want so badly to possess me. You're obsessed and you're crazy and you don't care if I want something, if it means compromising your hold on me, you'll squash what I want. Tonight, you could have told me differently but I have you all figured out now."

Ozai didn't say anything as he watched her look at him with a somber gaze before turning her back to him.

…

Three weeks past before the group of five reached the mountain village that Lu Shang had told them he could get the proper identification for them. He took them to a friend of his that would draw out their likeness and forge their information. Their names remained the same but were given the last names of Minh and stamps that made them middle class subjects of the Northern Earth Kingdom.

In their inn, Katara could hear Ozai swearing under his breath as he had been ticked off lately. She was told it had to do with her not letting him sleep with her but she definitely didn't plan on it if he was acting like this. Last thing she wanted was him venting his frustrations on her. She was still a princess despite him forcing her to live as a common woman.

Sighing, Katara brushed her hair as she heard him come out the bathroom in his towel and kept her gaze low to avoid eye contact with him since his mood was sour. She heard him rustling through his bag for some clothes. She glanced his way as he pulled in a pair of baggy pants, still brushing her hair. When he climbed into bed, his back to her, Katara blew out the candle and laid herself down to fall asleep.

However, as the couple tried getting some sleep a knock came at their door and Ozai got up to answer it.

"Ozai, we've got trouble." Lu Shang told him and glanced over the man's shoulder at the woman in his bed.

Ozai followed his gaze and sighed. "What is it?"

"Pack your things. There are people looking for her."

"Here?"

Shang Lu nodded. "Jee and June have the ostrich-horses ready around back. You two should leave while you can."

Ozai shut the door and turned to see his wife at the window looking out of it, "So they've come looking for me."

"Pack your things, let's go."

"But I'm in my nightgown." Katara told him.

Ozai took a cloak and threw it over her, "Let's go."

Pulling his wife along with him through the snow, Ozai carried their things in his arms and met Jee at where the ostrich-horses were ready to go. He quickly put Katara on the horse and climbed on behind her as June led them all on the way out the village, evading their pursuers.

"I'm freezing." Katara complained as they spent an hour riding through the winter forest of the mountainous area.

"You're literally an ice princess but you can't handle the cold." Ozai scoffed.

Holding her cloak shut, "Can't you warm me up or something?"

"I will once we find a place to camp for the night."

Jee found a nice spot for them to settle for the night. As soon as the tent went up and Ozai built a fire pit between their two tents, Katara took a lantern into their tent and snuggled up next to it. When he entered the small tent, he told her they'd need to turn it off when they fell asleep for safety measure.

"I'm cold." Her teeth chattered.

Ozai sat up and began pulling off his cloak, telling her to do the same. She did and he scooted towards her, throwing his arm over her waist. He pulled her to his chest and raised his body temperature to warm her up. Katara nuzzled herself against him and fell asleep in minutes.

In the morning, Ozai woke to his wife's leg thrown over his waist and her nightgown hiked up her thighs. He figured since she was still asleep that he could touch her a little to satisfy his need for her. He hugged her a little closer to him and ran his hands up her backside, tapping the round plumpness of her ass before squeezing it in his hands. Pulling her leg higher up her side, Ozai grinded his arousal between her legs in order to get some friction going for him and moaned quietly into her hair.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Ozai paused upon hearing her voice.

Shoving herself away from him, Katara sat up and looked at him like he was nuts.

Sighing as he threw his arm over his face, "You're killing me here."

"So, hump me in my sleep?" Katara raised a brow at him as she folded her arms.

Ozai really didn't want to have this conversation. Note to self, she's a light sleeper.

Katara sighed and flipped her hair behind her, "You think they're still asleep?"

"I don't know." He replied with his arm still over his face.

The Water Princess pulled the hem of her nightgown up and climbed into his lap, straddling his waist.

"What are you doing?" Ozai looked from where she was sitting up to her face.

Katara folded her arms, "Go back to sleep. I'm going to hump you and see how you like being woken up like that."

Smirking at her, "I promise you, if you hump me, I'm throwing you on your back and having my way."

Trying to get down from him, Katara gasped as Ozai grabbed her hips and bucked into her. He repeated this several times until he heard the Water Princess moan a little and flipped her on her back. Hovering above her, Ozai grasped her jaw and looked her over.

"I'm tired of waiting." Ozai purred as he reached down between her legs and rubbed her sex through her silk panties.

Katara bit her lip and looked up at him with her faulty gaze. She couldn't help how easy it was to get her aroused. This was all so new to her and she didn't know what to do to stop him. Soon, his finger slipped into her sex and she cried out, grabbing at his wrist when he started pumping his finger into her.

"Stop! Please, I don't want to do this!" She teared up. "I'm scared!"

Ozai reluctantly removed his finger from her and climbed off her, leaving their tent all together.

The next few days were difficult. For everyone. Ozai had been more temperamental than normal and they all knew why. It was brought up that he needed to put his foot down with the Water Princess in order to validate their marriage. If they were ever caught, it would be so much easier to separate them due to the fact that the marriage was never consummated. To which, Ozai would turn on Katara and try to force himself on her but her crying always stopped him. He wasn't trying to hurt her or anything like that. It wasn't his intention. However, he was growing very impatient with her and he was tempted to just go visit a brothel to take care of his needs.

Stopping in a village, Katara settled into the inn room they checked in for the night and Ozai left not long after settling his things by the sofa. When he left, June entered and saw Katara preparing herself for bed.

"Hey, can we talk?"

Katara pulled her nightgown on, "About?"

"About how you're not being a good wife." June folded her arms. "Your husband is not happy. Are you going to just let him sleep with a brothel whore?"

Katara shrugged, "I'm not ready for 'that'. I didn't even want to get married."

"Well, you are now, Princess, and you could at least start acting like it." June spat as she took her leave.

Katara curled up on the bed and placed her face in her knees, sighing to herself. She didn't know what to do. Why was everyone acting like she was supposed to be okay with all of this, like she wasn't kidnapped in the middle of the night and forced to marry the man. She really liked him during the flower festival but she didn't realize her mother was right about him. However, Katara wasn't so sure she'd want her parents to marry her off to the Northern Tribe Prince Hahn. Ozai was crazy and all but he wasn't a massive dick like Hahn and she knew for a fact her parents would marry her to him once they were caught and discovered she was still a maiden.

Sighing, Katara went to June and Jee's room to knock on the door. June answered, seeing a very meek looking princess who needed help figuring out how to get over her nerves.

"Come, I bought this for you a few villages back in the hopes you'd finally be a good wife to him." June let the Water Princess in.

Jee patted Ozai's back on the way back to the end after having a few drinks. He managed to talk the Fire Prince out of using the brothel whores as there would be a time he and his wife would eventually get along and he didn't want to let brothel whores come between that. The two made it to the inn and Jee retired to his room while Ozai pressed his forehead to the door of his bedroom. He prayed that the girl was asleep. He couldn't deal with her when she was awake.

Entering his room, Ozai paused when he saw the Water Princess was awake and sitting in the center of the bed in a cream lace robe and cream silk short nightgown with her hair down. He shut the door behind him and raised a brow as he walked up to the bed.

"What are you doing up and dressed like that?" Ozai asked curiously.

Katara averted her eyes, "I think we should consummate the marriage." Her cheeks turned red.

Ozai looked her over, "What suddenly made you come to that decision?"

Furrowing her brows in embarrassment, "does it matter? I'm saying we should consummate the marriage. Don't you want to have sex with me?"

Ozai pulled his tunic off and tossed it, grabbing at his belt to unbuckle it. His eyes never left the Water Princess as she remained settled in bed. Once undressed, Ozai climbed into bed and made his way to his wife.

In the morning, Katara woke up sore with a hoarse voice and remained in bed as Ozai climbed out to shower. She shivered at the remembrance of what happened last night and bit her lip. She hadn't a clue why she held out so long but she was really regretting not letting him have her sooner. She never felt anything like this.

When Ozai came out in only a towel and his hair was dripping wet, Katara blushed and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Did you want to bathe?" He asked her.

Katara pulled the sheets to her lips, "I don't think I can leave bed right now. I'm in a lot of pain." She said meekly as she felt a little embarrassed.

"I'll let the other's know we'll wait a day before leaving." Ozai told her, rustling her hair and kissing her forehead.

June was not at all surprised to hear that Katara wanted to stay another day in the village. She and everyone on this hall could hear the tribeswoman screaming her head off last night. From the sound of it, Ozai didn't restrain himself and his suggestion to wait a day more before leaving confirmed it.

The following day, the group was ready to leave and June saw Katara clinging to Ozai's arm. Apparently, he didn't let her rest all yesterday. She and Jee heard them occasionally all throughout the day. They wondered how long it would be before that poor girl got knocked up.

Several weeks went by before they reached the ferry that would take them to Ba Seng Sei and June and Jee couldn't be happier. They thought it was bad when Ozai was sexually frustrated at his wife but they discovered that their friend fucking his wife every single night was absolutely awful. The girl never kept it down, they could literally hear his balls slapping her ass, and they'd catch them doing the deeds whenever taking breaks in the forest. June would oftentimes see their silhouettes bumping uglies from their tent at night. It was getting on her nerves.

On the ferry, Katara had been bent over the bed in their cabin and plowed relentlessly from behind. She moved her hips back to meet his thrusts and called out his name as he pulled her hair.

"I'm coming!" She cried as he pounded her little cunt.

Ozai gripped her hair tighter as he fucked her till she came all over him. He coated her insides and pulled out, watching it all spill out of her.

Katara hurried herself to the bathroom to clean up before bed but it wasn't over. Ozai followed her in and took her again in the shower, fucking her against the shower wall. By the time she finally got to bed, Katara was out cold while Ozai clung to her as she slept. He had been having far too much fun with this girl. Ever since that night she let him have her, he had been enjoying her to the fullest and he didn't know how he could have ever not pursued her as he did.

As he allowed himself to fall asleep with his wife, the two woke up to the sound of a bunch of commotion coming from outside. Ozai told Katara to stay in bed while he checked it out and as he did, the door was pushed open, knocking him aside. Katara quickly got out of bed to help him when she saw it was a Fire Nation soldier.

"Hey! I think we found them!" The soldier shouted.

Ozai got back to his feet and punched the soldier in the face before grabbing Katara and yanking her along with him. The two ran to the steps that would lead up to the deck and found Jee helping June into the escape boats. Ozai put Katara in and climbed in after Jee situated himself with his wife. June sliced the tethers of the escape boat and they dropped into the river. Katara used her bending to speed them along, headed in the direction Jee told her to go.

As they got away with only their money, passes, and the clothes off their backs, they had no camping gear. Jee suggested they huddle up for the night until they could make their way on foot to a village.

In the morning, Katara got up as well as June and the two women woke their husbands. However, before Katara could see if Ozai was up, she hurried off into the bushes and vomited. June raised a brow as Ozai went to check on her.

Jee whispered to his wife, "You don't think she's sick, do you?"

June sighed, "She's definitely sick with something."

Katara's health began getting worse after they gathered supplies from a nearby village. They camped out a little ways away to avoid being easily located in town and Katara had broken out into a sweat, having to remove all her clothes as Ozai tried cooling her down with the water he stored in a canteen. She was also not able to keep any food on her stomach which caused her to pass out shortly after her burning fit.

Ozai was confused and deeply concerned, fearing she caught an illness during their travels but June seemed rather calm about it as even her husband was worried about the Water Princess.

"We need to find a physician or she's not going to make it." Jee told Ozai.

Ozai knew she needed medical attention as her condition had gotten much worse since this morning. "I'll go in the morning. Right now, she's resting."

Morning came and Ozai got up before his wife in order to find a physician to look over her. Finding one, he brought the physician to the campsite and had him enter the tent while he stood outside it with his friends.

It wasn't long before the physician exited and pulled Ozai aside. June smirked as Ozai's eyes widened to what the physician was telling him in private.

"What do you think is wrong with her?" Jee asked.

June folded her arms, "I'll let Ozai tell you when he's ready." She told her husband.

"I'll be back with a few sedatives you can give her for her fever." The physician told him.

Ozai nodded and entered the tent to check on Katara, finding her running her hand over her flat stomach before looking up at him with tears.

"Ozai, I'm scared."

"I know." He said as he moved towards her and took her hand in his.

Katara looked up at him with a sad smile, "I don't want anyone to know right now, okay?"

Ozai nodded.

"Once the physician comes back we need to get moving. The sooner we get to Ba Seng Sei, the better." She told him

Ozai agreed.

When the physician came back with the medicine, Ozai took it as he would be sure to give it to Katara regularly. Jee and June watched the two pack up their camp and place their rolled up tent into its bag, tying it to the ostrich-horses they had bought in the village.

The group set out, continuing towards their destination and veering out of the way of those hunting them. The ferry would have cut their trip down by a few days and staying on the main road would have given them just a week but because they were traveling in the discrete forest, it would take them a few weeks which was difficult for Katara as she was early into her pregnancy.

"Are you sure she's okay?" Jee asked in concern as Ozai had to carry Katara back from the bushes.

"She's fine." Ozai said as he helped his wife onto the mount and climbed on behind her.

June sighed at her husband, "Can't you see she's pregnant, Jee?"

Jee's eyes widened. "So soon?"

Ozai nodded as Katara blushed.

"Ozai, she's still so tiny. No wonder she's so sickly." Jee pointed out. "I'm starting to feel like this was a terrible idea."

Ozai narrowed his eyes at Jee, "Too late for you to have a conscience. She's pregnant and we need to get somewhere we can settle in for when the baby is here. You'd said you'd help us. So help us."

Jee looked at the poor girl that didn't seem to be having a good time at all and sighed as he pulled his reins and rode ahead. June sighed and looked at Ozai, assuring him that it was okay.

"Jee lost his sister to childbirth. She was small like Katara and didn't last long after the baby was born." June explained.

Hearing this, Katara's eyes were wide as she looked up at Ozai. "She died?"

June nodded. "Bled to death."

"Enough!" Ozai hissed at June as he could see Katara was panicking.

The group rode in silence most of the way and eventually made it just outside of Ba Seng Sei's walls. Jee eyed Ozai the entire time they had settled into their camp and were eating around the campfire. Ozai eyed him back as their wives looked back and forth trying to figure out what was going on.

"You have a problem, Jee?" Ozai asked as he dropped his gaze to the flames.

"You went about this all wrong, Ozai."

"You didn't have a problem with it when you found out I kidnapped her, or when I forced her to marry me, or when I was trying to bed her. But she gets pregnant and you have a problem? Tell me, why now?"

Jee balled his fists, "You should have been more careful. She's of age, yes, I know but she's a small woman, Ozai. She won't make it. You should have waited longer."

"What does time have to do with her size? She'd still be tiny." Ozai pointed out.

June placed her hand on her husband's shoulder, "Jee, please, sto-"

Jee shoved his wife's hand from him. "NO! This is all wrong! You couldn't get her hand properly so you forced this situation! You're twisted for that!"

Ozai stood up and scowled at Jee, "Watch your mouth, Jee." He snarled.

"I pitied the girl! She's terrified! Look at her!" Jee pointed her way and saw Katara avert her eyes.

"I'm going to ask you again to watch what you say." He bit out through clenched teeth.

Jee looked at Katara, "Run while you can, Katara. Run!"

Ozai had had enough and attacked Jee causing the women to jump away in terror.

"Jee! Stop it!" June shouted as the two men fought each other.

Katara stepped back and was afraid to say anything as she watched Ozai body slam Jee and beat him senseless.

"Ozai! Stop!" June cried. "You're hurting him!"

Ozai looked up at June and saw her crying and trying to reach for her husband. He stopped, panting as he looked behind him to see Katara staring at him in fear. He looked back down at Jee, who was bloodied and beaten terribly. He panted and got off of him, turning to his wife. She shook her head and backed away as she glanced at his bloodied knuckles.

"Katara." Ozai reached out for her.

As soon as Katara turned to run, Ozai chased after her. She ran through the desert sand trying to get away from him and tripped, spraining her ankle. Her husband was soon upon her and she was terrified. She hadn't run from him for months. There was no telling what he'd do to her now.

When he approached her, Katara put her hands up to shield herself and cried for him not to hurt her. "Please, don't hurt me! I'm pregnant!"

Ozai furrowed his eyes at her, "You think I'm going to beat you or something?"

Katara continued shielding herself in fear.

"I'm not a bad guy, Katara! I thought you figured that out by now!" Ozai shouted.

The Water Princess continued shaking her head, "No! My mother was right about you! She tried to warn me and I didn't listen!"

This deeply wounded Ozai. He didn't expect her to turn on him after so much time had already gone by. They had been rather smitten with each other throughout the flower festival and he knew it would be difficult after he kidnapped her but since the night they consummated their marriage two months ago, he thought they had put all the bad stuff behind them. But here she was telling him her mother was right to deny him access to her. That her mother was right about him.

Crying as she looked at her messed up ankle, "I want to go home!"

Ozai didn't say anything as he picked her up, ignoring her screams and carried her back to camp where June was trying to nurse her husband from the unconscious state he slipped into. Depositing Katara in their tent and telling her to calm down or she'd upset the baby, Ozai left the tent when she stopped screaming and looked to June.

"Jee has a gentle heart, Ozai! You shouldn't have beaten him!" June cried.

Ozai sat on the log and spat to the side, "He shouldn't have told my wife to run from me."

June glared at him, "We won't help you anymore. You're on your own."

"Fine. I'll figure it out on my own." Ozai scoffed.

"We'll tell your brother where you're at."

"Do it. She and I will go somewhere else." Ozai told her.

"They'll find you both and they'll lock you away for what you've done."

"Then I'll be sure they never catch us."

June turned her attention back to her husband, "I hope she doesn't end up like Jee's sister."

"She won't."

…..

~8 Months Later~

Katara was holding her very round belly while on the Ostrich-horses while Ozai held the reins, pulling it along as they spotted an oceanfront village to the far eastern part of the Earth Kingdom. They had been all over the Earth Kingdom trying to find a safe place to settle but there were Fire Nation and Water Tribe troops all over the place. Lu Shang wrote him to move east and that's what he did. Ozai knew his wife was getting ready to have the baby soon and it wasn't safe for them to keep traveling. This place would have to do until the baby came.

"Hello, there, travelers." An old man approached them as they entered the village. "I'm Takoma."

Ozai was a bit hesitant to greet the old man but did so as to not draw suspicions.

"Hello." Katara said from the mount, gaining the old man's attention. "Is there an inn here?"

The old man looked between the two and noticed the round belly of the woman on the ostrich-horse. "You two are expecting, I see. Need somewhere to stay?"

"Yes." Ozai answered. "She's due any day now and we haven't anywhere to go."

"Ah, well, I can help. My wife and I are the constables of this little village here. I deal with the men and she oversees the women. We have a small farm a little ways out of town with an additional small house on the land. You and your wife can stay there however long you like. I just ask that you help around the farm to contribute." The old man told them.

Ozai agreed and the old man showed the way to his home.

"Honey, put some frog-chickens on the burner. We have guests." The old man shouted at his wife.

An old woman left the house and saw her husband with two other people. There was a tall handsome fella with a small pregnant woman that he helped off the ostrich-horse. The old woman approached her husband and greeted the couple.

"Hello," She said sweetly. "I'm Pema."

"I'm Kozuka and this is my wife, Su." Ozai told the old woman.

"Kozuka and Su will be staying with us for some time. They're expecting a baby in days and need a safe place to have it." Takoma told his wife.

"Oh! A baby!" Pema smiled. "I always wanted to have one but Takoma and I weren't so blessed."

Takoma sighed, "Welp, let me show these folks to the house around back. They'll stay there."

"I'll get dinner going."

Takoma showed the couple to the small house around back and honestly, it was so much bigger than they expected. A living room and kitchen separate from the bedroom. It was nice. Just needed a little dusting.

"I'll have my wife bring some linen out here to you while she's cooking. But make yourselves comfortable."

Being left to their lonesome, Katara held her belly and looked to Ozai.

"This is nice."

"I'm sorry I can't give you better. It's been difficult trying to keep a low profile with our families looking for us." Ozai told her.

"It's fine, Ozai. This works." Katara tried offering him a smile but he didn't bother looking at her as he went to dust off the sofa and sat on it.

Sighing to herself, Katara knew ever since she said those things to him outside the walls of Ba Seng Sei, that he had been feeling like he failed and became depressed. He wouldn't look her in the eyes anymore and was far less talkative with her. She shouldn't have said those things to him. Not once had he intentionally tried to hurt her and he had been consistent in taking care of her. Always making sure she ate first, that she got enough rest, and that she was alright before they continued on anywhere. Her pregnancy slowed them down on top of trying to evade their pursuers.

Katara let him know she was going to change out of her traveling clothes into something lighter. Ozai nodded and just sat there, resting his head on the back of the sofa as he had it tilted back. This had been more difficult than he thought. Aside from the fear of getting caught, Ozai had been stressing over making sure he found somewhere for Katara to have the baby as she got further along. But now they finally had a good place safe enough to have the baby. So he was able to finally rest easy.

Dinner went well. It was the best meal Katara had had in a year since being on the run with Ozai. She ate plenty to Pema's delight. Takoma asked them about the obvious age gap.

"There's not much to say but that she caught my eye immediately and I did everything I could to see to it she was mine." Ozai answered.

Takoma chuckled, "Beautiful wife you have there. It makes sense. But how did her parents feel about it?"

Katara shrugged, "They passed when I was young. So marrying him was an easy task." She told them.

Pema sighed somberly at that, "Well, at least you two have each other and this baby that I'm sure will be a beautiful child."

When it came time for bed, the two laid facing one another. They had a hard time going to sleep as at any moment Katara could go into labor and Ozai knew how terrified she was of childbirth since June frightened her with the story of Jee's sister.

"Get some sleep, Katara." Ozai told her as he caressed the side of her face.

Holding his hand to her face, "You finally look me in the eyes again." Katara pointed out as she held his hand to her face. "I'm sorry for what I said all those months ago. I didn't mean it. I was just scared."

"I know." Ozai told her as he looked her over. "But there is nothing to be scared of. Once the baby is born, it'll take some time to heal but you'll be fine. I promise."

Katara nodded.

Kissing her forehead, "You need your rest before that time comes. Get some sleep."

In the morning, Ozai got up pretty early to go see the old man and help him with his work just as he agreed to do.

"I've gotten pretty old without realizing the time was flying. You might not be as young as you like but you seem pretty fit and still much younger than me." Takoma said as he pointed at a barrel full of logs and branches.

Katara woke to find Ozai was not in bed or anywhere within the cottage they were staying in. She saw him from the window helping the old man just like he agreed to and she smiled a little as she rubbed her belly. Seemed like they had found a good place to settle into for the baby. However, Katara worried if it would be long term or if long term was even possible. They would eventually be found and she was afraid Ozai wasn't ready to face that fact.

Leaving the cottage, Katara waved at the elderly couple that was harvesting the few vegetables in their garden and went to Ozai, who was chopping the wooden logs into fourths. He stopped when he saw her and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"What is it? Everything alright?" He asked.

Nodding her head, "Ozai, how long do you think we'll be here?"

Ozai glanced over to the elderly couple to make sure they were far from earshot. "You don't like it here?"

"No," She quickly said. "I think this place is probably the best match for us but can you truly say we'll not have to look over our shoulders here? We can't run forever. Especially not with a child."

Ozai sighed and looked down at her, "Then what do you suggest? Surely, you must have come up with something."

"I think we should go to your brother, Ozai. We've been gone for a year. Married and have a child that will be arriving soon. Regardless of the opposition we might face, there is nothing they can do. We've already started a family together."

Not liking the idea of turning themselves over, "Katara, your parents will not be happy. Even less when they find out I snatched you out of your bed and forced you to marry me."

"Well, they don't have to know." Katara tried offering a smile.

Sighing as he averted his eyes, "I don't think this is the time to discuss this."

"The baby will be here in the next week, Ozai. We have to discuss this."

"Fine. I'll think about it until then just relax and stop worrying." Ozai placed his hand on her head.

Katara sighed, "I can't help but worry, Ozai. None of this is ideal." She said before turning to leave.

Ozai sighed and shook his head as he got back to his work. Takoma approached him and patted his back.

"Is your wife alright? She looked a little distressed." He told him.

Ozai nodded, "She's worried about having a place for the baby to live."

Takoma smiled, "You all can just stay here. Pema says you both are welcome to stay as long as you like. Figured neither of you would be traveling if you had somewhere to go."

Ozai thanked the man and returned to his work.

Pema went after the young pregnant woman and brought with her a basket of vegetables. She found the young woman curled up on the sofa with teary eyes.

"Deary, are you okay?" Pema asked.

Sniffling as she wiped her tears away, "Just a little. Pregnancy side effects I've learned to cope with but the closer I get towards having the baby, I'm less able to cope."

Pema sighed and smiled at the young woman, "You've been on the run for some time, haven't you, your highness?"

Katara's eyes widened.

"Don't worry. Takoma and I were rather smitten with the idea that you ran off to be with your lover. We were just surprised it was the older Fire Prince. It's why we took up the task of settling in this town to find you. We just knew you two would come east." The old woman said as she pulled out a water Tribe scroll. "Your parents have been looking everywhere for you. We were going to wait till you had the baby before we reported back but I'm happy to know you're safe and sound."

Katara swallowed hard as she looked at the woman, "D-do you think my father will…separate us?"

"I can't say, your highness. I don't know. But please, stay put. Your parents want to see you and you're far too pregnant to travel. The baby will be here soon."

Nodding her head, "I'm going to lay down now. Thank you."

Ozai finished up helping the old man for the day around sunset and returned to the cottage to find Katara asleep in the bedroom. He undressed and went to the outdoor bathroom to bathe. When he returned, Katara was up and throwing her things into a bag.

"What are you doing?" Ozai asked her as he went up to stop her.

Katara turned and looked up at him, "Takoma and Pema are palace servants that my parents sent here to wait for us if we ever stumbled upon this village. They haven't reported us yet but they will once the baby is here. We need to leave."

Ozai raised a brow at her, "Are you being serious?"

"Yes, Ozai! We need to leave!"

"Okay, calm down. I'm just making sure. The baby is coming and the last thing we want is for you to go into labor while we're in the wilderness. That's why we settled here."

Katara threw her hands up and started crying, "Ozai, I'm scared! I'm so scared! This was not how I pictured things would be! Why couldn't you have just taken us to your brother?!"

"Katara, I'm sor-"

"I don't want to hear that! Just get us out of here and let's go to the Fire Nation! Please! I'm begging you!"

Ozai nodded his head and helped her pack their things.

They slipped out into the night and stole an ostrich-horse. It took them till noon the next day to reach another oceanfront village. There was no dock at this one but they were able to buy supplies and rest for a moment before getting back on the road.

As they were making their way to the next oceanfront village, Katara got a sharp pain in her belly and cried out, nearly falling off the ostrich-horse. Ozai stopped and turned to her, seeing her get down to the ground as she cried out some more.

"Kat-"

"The baby is coming!" Katara screamed as she held her belly.

Ozai put up the tent and had Katara lay down in it as he knew he'd have to help her deliver the baby. It was not something he had any experience in or knew if he could pull it off but it had to be done.

Several hours later, the wails of a baby caught the attention of some Earth Kingdom scouters and they headed in the direction of the crying. As they approached what was a tent, they saw a man exit it holding a baby that was covered in blood and approached him cautiously.

"Sir, what's going on here?" They asked as they clench their fists about to apprehend him.

Ozai held the baby and looked up at them, "My wife, she…" He chuckled in amazement. "She just gave me a son."

The scouts lowered their guard and offered assistance. Ozai allowed it as one of the scouts was a woman and opened the flap of the tent for his wife to be seen. As the female scout went inside to help, Ozai took some water from his canteen to rinse the baby off and wrap him up in a small fur quilt that Katara had made him buy in a village they passed through months ago.

The male scout smiled at the sight of the baby, "You must be proud."

"I am. Look at him." Ozai stared at the baby that stared up at him. "He has his mother's eyes."

The scout glanced at the man and saw gold eyes, then looked at the baby's blue eyes.

"The mother is Water Tribe?" He asked.

Ozai nodded absent-mindedly as he couldn't look away from his son.

The scout started putting two and two together and went to check on his partner to see the Water Tribe woman was pale and looked completely drained.

"She's not well. We need to get her to a physician." His partner told him.

Nodding, the male scout informed the gold eyed man that his wife needed immediate medical attention and that they would help them to the nearby town. Arriving at the nearby village, Ozai noticed there was a dock and figured they could head to the Fire Nation from there.

"She just had a baby and needs to be seen right away." The female scout said to the physician as they entered his shop.

It was a few hours before the physician was able to stabilize the young mother's health but once she was in better shape after a few stitches, he allowed her husband in with their baby.

Katara watched with a heavy heart as Ozai entered with the baby and let her hold him. It was a boy. Something that she knew Ozai took pride in as did she. She kissed his head and looked at her husband.

"What do we name him?" Katara asked.

"I really like Kozuka."

"Your alias?"

Ozai nodded.

Katara gazed down at the small child that had her eyes and her husband's hair and complexion. "Kozuka." It seemed to fit.

As the couple enjoyed the sight of their child, the male scout that helped them came in and they watched as several Water Tribe soldiers entered with him.

"Princess Katara!" They all bowed.

Katara's eyes widened as did Ozai's as they realized they had been caught.

One of them rose, the one in charge, and looked to the Water Tribe princess. "Your highness, we have found you! Please, come with us to return home at once."

Katara looked from the soldiers to Ozai, who eyed her to follow his lead. She silently agreed and looked back at the soldiers.

"I need to rest for a few days but after, I will return." Katara told them.

The soldiers all seemed to suddenly notice the Fire Prince and the small child in the Water Princess's arms. They all were shocked. They heard the rumors but they weren't so sure and now, they were very sure. A small black haired child with blue eyes. It was clear to see that these two got away together.

"Your highness, we must ask that Fire Prince Ozai comes with us for questioning while you rest." The leader of this group of soldiers spoke again.

Katara furrowed her brows as Ozai stood up and agreed to go with them. He turned to her and kissed her forehead, whispering for her to be ready to leave in ten minutes to which she nodded, and then he kissed the baby's head.

When they left, Katara sighed and hoped Ozai really had a plan for them to escape this. If her parents got a hold of her, there was no telling what might happen but if they got to his brother and explained everything, maybe they would be spared.

Ten minutes later, Ozai entered the physician's shop and helped her out of bed. She had already strapped the baby to her chest using torn linens when Ozai took her hand and led her out. As soon as they stepped out, Katara noticed there was blood on Ozai's hands and clothes. She wanted to ask where it came from but she already knew and lamented his actions. Reaching a ship they heard was leaving for the Fire Nation, Ozai and Katara quickly stowed themselves away on the ship with their infant son.

….

~One Month Later~

Iroh was getting ready for bed when a servant approached him and whispered in his ear. His eyes widened as he rushed to the front of the palace and saw guards preventing a couple from entering as they stood in the pouring rain. Iroh shoved the guards aside to see the couple and saw it was his brother with a woman that was fully cloaked.

"Brother!" Iroh hurried to him.

"Iroh, thank Agni, these asshats wouldn't let us in." Ozai glared at the guards that tried not to make eye contact with the pissed off prince.

Iroh showed him in and as soon as they were in the palace, he saw his younger brother turn to the woman and pull the cloak off of her to reveal the Water Princess and something even more surprising.

"Ozai, is that-"

Ozai smirked and nodded, "His name is Kozuka. He's just a month old."

Iroh approached the Water Princess and looked into her arms to see a bright blue eyed baby boy with a patch of black hair on the top of his head. He was absolutely gorgeous and Iroh looked back at his brother to congratulate him.

"Look, Iroh, I know I went about things wrong but we've eloped and have a son together. Running is no longer an option. I need you to promise you won't have us separate."

Iroh chuckled, "Brother, contrary to what you like to believe, I was never against you being with the Water Princess. I've only ever had an issue with how you chose to navigate her mother's opposition. And while I'm sure her parents will have plenty to say about this, I can honestly say I'm all too overjoyed about my new nephew."

Ozai and Katara were relieved.

Iroh told them to head to the domain and wash up for bed, they would all talk more in the morning. Ozai led Katara to the domain and entered his chambers to see exactly how he left them.

Ozai showed his wife around and showed her where they would put the nursery. While showing her around, they got a visitor and he looked pissed.

"Saw the lights turn on in here. Does Uncle know you're back?" Zuko asked his father.

Ozai sighed and rolled his eyes, "Yes, your uncle told us to rest and we'd talk in the morning. Now if you'll excuse us, we-"

"Is that a baby?!" Zuko was utterly shocked.

Katara nodded, "Want to see him?" She asked sweetly.

Ozai stopped her from approaching Zuko. "Zuko, we'll talk in the morning. For now, we need to rest. We've been through a lot this past year."

"No thanks to your shitty plan." Zuko scoffed. "And I can't believe you went along with it." He looked at Katara.

"Actually, I just got dragged into it." Katara chuckled awkwardly. "Your dad doesn't take no for an answer."

Zuko's eyes widened. "You kidnapped her?!"

Ozai pinched his brows.

"And forced me to elope with him. Only thing he didn't force was the bedroom stuff, surprisingly. I would have killed him." Katara said the last part proudly.

"Hey! We're going to bed! Leave us alone till morning!" Ozai shouted, causing the baby to begin crying.

Katara glared at him as she held the baby away from him and Zuko shook his head. As his son left, Ozai stripped down to nothing and told his wife he was bathing before bed, suggesting she should do the same when he finished.

It was late morning or noon really when Ozai and Katara got up. Their year on the run had been exhausting and they were by no means well rested after just one night. They heard the wailings of their son and got up to insure he was alright. Katara breastfed him while Ozai had the servants bring them something to eat. Apparently, that also meant bringing Iroh and his son with their food.

Sitting all at the dining room table in his chambers, Ozai answered as many questions as possible about their journey, even confessing how Katara was not a willing participant in the beginning.

"She didn't start playing along until we consummated the elopement four months later." Ozai told his brother.

Iroh sighed and shook his head, "Ozai, this is unacceptable. It was one thing when I was under the impression this was a mutual endeavor but she all but has Stockholm syndrome."

Ozai narrowed his eyes on his brother.

"Don't give me that look, Ozai. I need to say this because this is exactly what her parents are going to think when they get here." Iroh told him.

Katara's eyes widened, "My parents? They're coming?"

Iroh nodded, "I sent word to your parents last night after you two went off to bed. I let them know you were safe and sound."

"Iroh, you said you supported us!"

"I do. But I can't harbor a princess that has been missing for over a year from her parents. We will explain everything in full to them and I'm sure they will understand separating you two would be unwise as you both have a child now."

Zuko folded his arms and looked between the two of them, "So, she's completely okay with being your wife and you haven't managed to brainwash her?"

"Yes." Ozai answered with a glare at his son.

"I was asking her."

Katara nodded as she looked down at the baby, "Ozai and I have been smitten with each other since the flower festival. Not to mention, despite kidnapping me, he had been nothing but kind to me the entire time with the exceptions of a few arguments we had. I want to stay with him."

Iroh smiled as Zuko sighed.

"Well, now that that's settled and we know what took place. I think it's time we have you both settle in more. Ozai, I think it best you get back into the swing of your courtly duties next week. Katara, just make yourself comfortable until your parents arrive."

When the couple was left alone, Katara went to place Kozuka in the little bassinet the servants brought in last night for him and Ozai followed closely from behind. His arms wrapped around her after she put the baby down. His lips pressed to her ear.

"How about you and me go soak in the tub together, hmm?"

Katara pulled his arms from around her, "Ozai, I'm tired. I don't think-"

"It's been months since we were last together. Have you not healed yet?"

"I've healed but I'm exhausted." She tried explaining. "Can you not wait a little longer?"

Seeing the way her eyes looked up at him, Ozai knew she wasn't lying. She did look exhausted. Sighing, he kissed her forehead and told her he'd go get dressed to catch up on reports he had neglected for a year of being gone.

"Oh my Agni, you're actually back!" A nobleman by the name of Po approached him with a grin on his face and patted Ozai on the back.

Ozai wanted to have a better mood for his friend but he, too, was exhausted. "Yes, well, I've had quite the adventure while gone."

"I heard. We all did. Did you really run off with the Water Tribe Princess to elope?" Po asked him.

Ozai raised a brow.

"When it happened, the Water Tribe Chieftain and Chieftainess arrived here demanding to have their daughter back. Everyone was confused until they mentioned you and I remember you running off with the Water Princess quite a bit during the festival. We all thought for sure you'd be courting her but I guess you didn't have the in-laws' consent." Po chuckled. "So is it true?"

Ozai sighed, "Yes."

"So she's here with you now?!"

"Yes." Ozai sighed some more. "We have a son. Kozuka."

Po's mouth dropped. "You didn't bother waiting too long to start a family, did you? Got straight to it."

"Wasn't actually planned. Just happened."

Po smirked, "Hard to prevent that sort of thing when you're going at it like the jackrabbits I know you two were."

Oh, how he wished that was true and to some degree it was but it only took a month of passion for that to even happen and then he was back to not having any relations with his wife. He tried telling Katara during the pregnancy that it was normal for some couples to have relations during pregnancy but she didn't want to hear it. Her young mind was still taking in being a mother so he didn't push it. Just like he didn't push it any further earlier when he wanted to have her but she refused him.

"Po, mind catching me up on things here? I'm not sure where to begin." Ozai asked his pal.

Po agreed and told him to come with him to his office.

Later that day, Katara had put Kozuka down after feeding him again. She went to the bathroom to bathe and was going to surprise Ozai for the night. She knew he had been very patient with her their entire marriage and then during the pregnancy. She wanted to make it up to him and she planned to. Maybe she could get him to teach her more as he wasn't teaching her much during the last times they were intimate. Seemed he was more interested in getting rid of his sexual frustration. But tonight, she'd get him to teach her something new so she could please him after all he did to take care of her.

Yawning as he got back to his chambers, Ozai threw off his robes and pulled out his crown, tossing them on the sofa as he walked past it to head to the bedroom.

Arriving at his bedroom, he saw the curtains of the canopy were pulled shut and walked up to them to pull back a little, Ozai saw his wife completely naked with her hair cascading down her nude body.

"What's this?" He smirked and raised a brow.

Katara crawled from the middle of the bed up to him and grabbed his tunic, "I want you to teach me something."

"Teach you what?"

"Teach me how to satisfy you." She whispered into his ear as she pulled him forward, kissing him under his jaw as she pulled away.

Ozai licked his lips and looked over at his wife, "How about you climb out of bed and get on your knees? I'll teach you how to satisfy me, princess."

…..

Iroh was surprised. He didn't expect the Chieftain and Chieftainess to be here in a week's time as they had. However, he figured they were probably just anxious to see their daughter again. He knew it was probably best for Katara and Ozai to tell them rather than him but he'd simply escorted them to the domain where the couple resided.

"Is she alright?" Kya asked as she walked with her husband's arm around her waist.

Iroh nodded, "She's been quite well. I hear her laughter quite a bit."

"Has a physician checked her for anything?" Hakoda asked.

"The physician's have and they say she's fine. She's just been tired from her travels." Iroh informed them.

Reaching the chambers, Iroh entered the chambers and led the way to Ozai's study where he knew he'd find his brother. However, when he got there, it wasn't just his brother he found.

"Just like that, Princess. Keep moving your hips." Ozai growled as he thrusted up into his wife.

Holding onto the desk for leverage, Katara moaned loudly. "Ozai!" She held one of her breasts in her hand.

Iroh quickly shut the door, slamming it, causing the couple to notice they had been caught and scrambled for their clothes. Hakoda and Kya looked utterly distraught at the Fire Lord as they had heard what was going on in there.

"She's with him?!" Kya cried out.

Iroh sighed, "They eloped. The two are a married couple and they have witnesses to the marriage as well as a certificate from a priest that preceded the ceremony."

Kya was about to faint as Hakoda shoved the Fire Lord out of the way to open the door and found his daughter and the Fire Prince half dressed.

"Dad?!" Katara squeaked as she saw her father enter just as her husband was helping her redress.

Hakoda slammed the door shut behind him and glared at them both.

"Katara, get over here! Now!" Hakoda shouted.

Katara turned to look at her shirtless husband as he glared back at her father and took a seat back in his chair.

"Katara, go to your father." Ozai told her.

The Water Princess reluctantly did so and Hakoda grabbed his daughter, hugging her tight to him as he scowled at the Fire Prince.

"Who gave you permission to whisk my daughter away, you demented bastard!" Hakoda growled.

Ozai titled his head, "No one. To be quite frank, not even she gave me the permission. I just took her."

Hakoda's eyes flared up as he shoved his daughter aside and charged at the Fire Prince just as the door opened and his wife and the Fire Lord yelled for them not to. But it was too late. Hakoda jumped over the desk and Ozai was waiting for him. The two fought as Iroh quickly helped the women out the room in order to get guards to assist in breaking up the fight.

An hour later, everyone was sitting down in the sitting room with guards standing around to keep the peace. Kya and Hakoda sat beside each other as Katara sat with Ozai and Iroh and Zuko sat side by side.

"And that's everything." Ozai told them.

Hakoda was so furious that he didn't know what to do. How had this mad man taken their daughter in the middle of the night and forced her into becoming his wife? It was clear his daughter suffered from some kind of empathy towards her captor because that's exactly what he was. Her captor.

"We also have a son together." Katara said. "His name is Kozuka and he's a little over one month old." She tried offering a smile to her parents.

Kya looked utterly distraught at this as she turned to her husband to say something.

"I want to see my grandson." Hakoda demanded.

"He's resting." Ozai bit out.

"Then wake him."

"Not happening."

Hakods stood and so did Ozai. The guards readied themselves as Zuko stood to say something.

"I think we need to let Katara have a say in this. She's the one caught in the middle."

"Let her have a say?" Kya chimed in. "My daughter clearly doesn't know what's good for her if she now sees this bastard as a good husband."

"Agreed. We'll nullify the marriage and depending on how the boy looks, we'll have him stay or come with us."

Katara got up and took off running to grab her son as Ozai punched Hakoda in the face before dashing after her. Hakoda and Kya ran behind them but when they got to the door it was not opening. Ozai had barricaded the door and told them they would be leaving again.

"Brother, don't do this! Please! Let us work things out!" Iroh tried reasoning with him.

Katara shook her head at Ozai as she held their son.

"They're not taking my wife and child from me! Tell them to leave!"

Hakoda glared at the Fire Lord, "Do that and there will be war."

Iroh sighed, "What my brother has done is unacceptable and I'm not going to justify it but they are married and have a child. Everyone is already aware here about them and their child. If you nullify the marriage, that will only bring further ruin to your daughter's name. The Northern Prince will not marry her either way. So, allow them to continue as they are both happy and harming no one."

"So we give him what he wants?!"

"Give your daughter what she wants. She's been with him over a year already and I'm sure she has better incite on him as a husband than either of you. So, if she chooses to continue her life with him, allow it."

Hakoda hissed between his teeth as he punched the wall, "Fine! But we will stay to observe until I know for a fact my daughter will be alright."

"That is completely fine." Iroh assured him

As things calmed down, Katara and Ozai had a conversation with Iroh about how if they decided to run off, he would help them reside in the countryside of the Fire Nation where it was safe and they had a roof over their son's head.

"I'm scared." Katara worried as she laid in bed with her husband.

Holding her to him as he caressed her hair, "it'll be fine. Either way. They won't be able to separate us. I won't allow it."

…..

"Look at this cute baby!" Po's wife, Jade, cooed at the Fire Prince's son.

Ozai had invited his friend over for dinner to get to meet his wife and infant son. So far things were going well with the exception of his in-laws also being in attendance of this little get together. Ozai watched them turn their nose up at his servants as they offered them drinks and food. He also heard them make comments about how they hoped his son would be nothing like him and take 'no' for an answer. Katara had to stop him from going over there and saying something to them several times. He didn't know how he'd be able to deal with them moving forward. These people didn't like him and never would.

"Katara was a cute baby like this." Kya said as she approached to see her grandson. "He has his mother to thank for his good looks."

"That's it, you snooty bitch!" Ozai hissed.

Katara pulled him back as her father got up and made his way to them.

"Excuse me?! What did you call my wife?!" Hakoda growled as he pushed Kya behind him.

Ozai growled, "I called her a bitch! And she has been a bitch to me from the very beginning! Haven't you, Kya?!"

Kya rolled her eyes and folded her arms, "You were never worthy of my daughter. Still aren't. As soon as she comes to that realization, we'll gladly find someone better suited for her."

"That's it! Get out!" Ozai shouted.

"You can't kick us out! Your brother has allowed us to stay here and observe you." Hakoda told him.

"Well observe from afar!" Ozai retorted as Po came up to his side.

"Ozai, you can't kick your in-laws out. Trust me, I tried to do so with Jade but it set a bad tone between us."

Ozai looked at his wife and saw she looked upset. Not at him or even her parents but the circumstances. She hated to see her husband and parents at odds because she cared for them both. How could she not be upset?

Sighing, "I love your daughter more than anything and I will do whatever I can to make her happy. Even if it means enduring the two of you. So do as you like but know it's not me that you're hurting. It's her."

Katara smiled at this and looked to her parents.

"I think we're going to retire for bed early tonight. Kozuka needs to sleep."

Her parents hugged her and kissed her son on the forehead before leaving. When they left, Po and his wife said their goodbyes, happy to have met their friend's wife and infant son.

Putting Kozuka in his crib in the nursery the servants put together down the hall from their bedroom, Katara turned to see Ozai looking very uneasy after that altercation with her parents.

"They'll come around." Katara assured him.

Ozai sucked his teeth and rolled his eyes, "You're as naive as you are young. Your parents hate me and for good reason. I kidnapped you to get out of seeking their approval that I knew I'd never get. I'd be pissed too if it were my daughter in your position. I can't fault them. My only issue is that now with everything said and done, they still think they can take you from me."

Katara walked up to him and placed her hand on his chest, "I'm not going anywhere."

"Your parents sure think you are." Ozai scoffed.

"Come, let's go to bed." Katara said as she took his hand and led him out with her.

"I am restless."

"Who said we were going to be sleeping?"

Ozai smirked and scooped her up to carry to bed.

The next few days were trying but with the support and assurance of his wife, Ozai was confident that his in-laws were jerking him around to make him as miserable as they were. But it would take more than their insults to unhinge him again.

Meeting with his son that was accompanied by his fiancee Mai and his nephew accompanied by his wife, Ozai formally introduced his wife to those that hadn't already met her after his return.

"Working on your second child, I hear." Lu Ten winked at Ozai.

Ozai side eyed him, "Where'd you hear that kind of gossip?"

"The servants talk. Says you two have been 'busy'."

Rolling his eyes, "Relations between a man and his wife are not always solely for the purpose of having children."

Lu Ten smirked, "Of course."

"Tell us, Katara, do you plan on taking up the crown as Fire Princess now that you have married into the family?" Lu Ten's wife, Huan, asked her.

Katara looked at Ozai as if she wasn't familiar with this.

"In due time. Right now, we are trying to appease her parents before we move forward with any coronation." Ozai spoke up.

Zuko scoffed, "Wouldn't have had to appease anyone at the moment if you had done the right thing from the beginning."

Ozai glared at his son, "What's done is done. All there is left to do is move onward."

"I agree, uncle. You and Princess Katara make a lovely couple." Lu Ten said gleefully. "I hope her parents are soon content with your union."

"Thank you, Lu Ten." Katara smiled at him as her husband coaxed her to sit in his lap while they all had their lunch at the stone table in the gardens.

Zuko watched as his father and Katara looked absolutely in love with each other. As much as he hated the trouble his father's absence caused due to his venture to steal a Water Princess from her home, he liked seeing his old man genuinely look happy. He only hoped he'd have the same kind of happiness with Mai that his father had with Katara.

"You two are so cute!" Huan gleefully squealed at how her uncle-in-law was being fed by his wife that sat in his lap.

Katara giggled, "He's cute, isn't he?"

"Men aren't cute, dear."

"They are if they look like you." Katara kissed his nose.

Mai rolled her eyes and spoke up for the first time, "He kidnaps you and you're just head over heels for him?"

Katara looked from Ozai to Zuko's fiance, "Excuse me?"

Zuko whispered in Mai's ear to stop.

Ignoring him, "I don't get it. Why would you fawn over a man that kidnapped you and that your parents absolutely hate. Doesn't that seem ridiculous to you?"

Furrowing her brows, "Only thing I think is ridiculous is your question. Surely, you know there is more to the situation."

"Like what?"

"Like minding your business." Katara said.

Ozai rubbed her back and told her not to get upset. However, she wasn't going to listen to him.

"Ah, don't tell me, you're one of those ditsy women that fall for that sort of thing."

Katara bended the liquid in Mai's tea cup and smirked when the woman gasped at the hot liquid spilling in her lap. Zuko hurried to help his fiance while shooting a look at his father, who only smirked back at him.

"Ladies, let's calm down, shall we? No need to be so quick to anger. We all have our reasons for why we are with who we are. No one here has a perfect story. Mai, you often are on and off with Zuko. Katara, your romance is quite unconventional, don't you say? And Huan and I, we argue from time to time. In the end, none of that matters, so let's keep the peace, huh?"

Ozai rolled his eyes, "Peace-lover just like your father."

Lu Ten eyed his uncle, "Yes, well, better to make love than war. Though, I'd say you've managed to do both at the same time, Uncle."

"Your wife knows about those ladies you've been escorting to their chambers at night while their husbands are gone?" Ozai sipped his tea and averted his eyes.

Huan looked to Lu Ten in amazement.

Zuko glared at his father, "You tell Katara you cheated several times on mom which is why you two divorced?"

Katara raised a brow and looked at her husband.

Ozai put his tea cup down and eyed it, "I'll tell her that right after you tell Mai you slept with her friend Ty Lee during your breakup."

Zuko's eyes widened as he didn't know his father knew about that. Mai stood up and slapped Zuko in the back of the head.

Katara and Huan got up and did the same to their husbands before skulking off.

Ozai winced as Katara had iced up her hand and hit him rather hard for a petite waterbender.

"You're an idiot, Zuko." Lu Ten laughed. "Thought you were exposing your father and he turned it right back on you."

Zuko rolled his eyes, "Yeah, well, at least I'm not cheating on my wife."

Rolling his eyes, "Huan has her lover she thinks I know nothing about."

"What a sad miserable marriage you must have, nephew."

"Not as sad as your marriage is about to become. You're lucky she doesn't just up and leave you after finding out about the terms in which you were divorced."

Ozai rolled his eyes, "My wife isn't as ditsy as implied. She knows I would never do that to her."

"You'd never?"

"I'd never."

Katara was sitting with her parents as they held her son. They told her how Sokka had a daughter with Yue and how adorable she was. She wanted to meet her little niece as she found the baby girl was a few months older than her son.

"You and Ozai should come visit sometime." Kya told her daughter as she cooed at Kozuka.

Katara lifted a brow at her mother, "You want Ozai to come visit?"

"He's your husband now. Whether we like it or not. You shouldn't travel alone." Kya said.

Hakoda sighed as he clasped his hands together, "Look, sweetheart, we may give him a hard time but he's wronged you and it's our job as parents to ensure you are safe. He's proven to care a lot about you and that he is willing to protect you. We trust he will be good to you. We just don't like him very much but we will accept him as part of the family since he is your husband."

Katara smiled at this, "Thank you. I worried so much over you accepting him."

"Well, worry no more. I will have a sit down with him to go over a few things. Okay?"

The Water Princess nodded her head.

"Excellent."

Later that night as Katara was getting ready for bed after putting Kozuka down for the night, she heard the bedroom door open and in walked her husband. She side eyed him as she continued brushing her hair.

"Don't tell me you're still mad about earlier." Ozai said as he stood at the foot of the bed.

Katara averted her eyes, "Why didn't you tell me about your infidelity in your first marriage?"

"It's in the past. I didn't think I'd need to tell you because it doesn't matter."

"It does! What if you were to have the urge to step out on me?!" Katara shouted at him.

Ozai sighed, "I would never do that to you, Katara. Never."

"How would I know that?!"

"Because I love you, damn it! I didn't love my first wife! It was all arranged. We became friends, yes, but it was never love and I sought that out in whatever way I could find. So, I stepped out on my wife, my friend, and I spent nights and sometimes weeks with women that weren't her." Ozai confessed. "But I love you and know I could never do that to you. I would never hurt you in that way."

Tears welled up in her eyes, "What if you fall out of love with me?"

"I'd never!"

"How can I trust that?!" She cried.

Ozai climbed into bed and crawled up to her. He took her in his arms and held her tight.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I regretted hurting Ursa that way and I could never put you through that. If I have to prove my love to you everyday till I die, I will do so."

Katara shut her teary eyes as she clung to him, "I promise, Ozai, I'll kill you if you cheat on me."

Chuckling, "I'll hand you the dagger."

….

~Twenty Years Later~

It was time for the annual Flower Festival and it was once again held in the Fire Nation. The Fire Nation Royal family had four eligible young men and women to participate in this year's festival. Iroh went all out for this year's festival and consulted the members of his family on what they thought were the best events to host. Katara wanted to conduct the hunt at the countryside palace while Zuko and Mai wanted to host the garden parties and Lu Ten and his wife wanted to be in charge of the banquets.

With everyone's roles assigned, all that was needed was to help the children prepare for their first flower festival.

Brushing her daughter's hair, Katara beamed at her gold eyed daughter with ebony skin like hers and began tying her hair up. "I remember my first flower festival."

"Yes, mother, you've told me about it a thousand times." Yumiko giggled at her mother. "It was your first and last. You and father knew right away that you were destined for each other."

Katara chuckled and shook her head, "No, I was going to tell you the real story this time. You're old enough to hear it."

Yumiko was surprised as her mother told her the real story about her and her father.

"You two eloped?!"

"Your father kidnapped me and forced me to elope with him. I might have been smittened with him during the festival but I was not happy being stolen away."

"Yes, your mother was quite the unruly bitch." Ozai said as he entered his daughter's chambers.

Katara turned a dark gaze on him as he came up beside her with a smirk and kissed her cheek.

"I kid." He laughed.

Katara shook her head and smirked as their daughter looked between them.

"You swear more and more everyday, Ozai. Shouldn't you mind your words better around the children?"

"Children? What children? Kozuka and Yumiko are of age. Adults now." Ozai told his wife as he looked at his daughter in the mirror. "Yumi, tell your mother how you're a woman now."

Giggling at her outrageous father, "I don't feel much different, father."

"It's not the feeling, Yumi. It's the action. You are a woman. You must act like one." Ozai told her.

Katara shoved him away, "Please, leave, Ozai." She laughed. "You're distracting us from preparing her for the banquet tonight."

Ozai rolled his eyes and pulled from his pocket a flask, "Here." Handing it to his daughter. "Men are a bore. You'll need this."

Taking the flask, "Then I'll surely look for the man that isn't so."

"Only men as old as me will keep you from yawning." Ozai told his daughter.

"Yes, because they've all gone cynile." Katara added.

Ozai side eyed her, "You put on a front in the presence of the children but little do they know, you cry with laughter every time we are alone."

"Because you're a silly old man with humor that rivals my crazy brother." Katara told him.

Ozai smirked, "Well, as long as you think I'm funny, I guess I can accuse you calling me old and cynile."

Later that night Ozai stood beside his wife and two youngest children.

"Kozuka, be the gentleman your mother and I raised you to be. Do not overstep if a woman is not interested or even if she is interested, handle her carefully." Ozai told his son.

Nodding his head, "Yes, father."

Katara looked around the banquet hall, "Be sure to 'deal' with a man that steps out of line accordingly. I trust you will make a wise decision in who your suitor will be."

"Of course, mother."

As their child went off to join the other participants in the banquet hall, Ozai offered his hand to his wife.

"Want to sneak off like we did during our Flower Festival?"

Katara giggling, "Yes, I'd like to experience your still very youthful vigor."

"You're what keeps my vigor young, my beautiful princess." Ozai took her hand and whisked her off as he had done during their first Flower Festival.

The End

…..

A/N:

Alrighty, I hope you all enjoyed the story. I had fun writing it. Send me suggestions please!