Short Tales

by AnumOfTheMoon

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

8. Short Story 4 Part 1

A/N:

This was by far my most favorite story to write!

Summary:

A soldier and small village healer cross paths and begin a love affair that falls to ruin as war breaks out. Katara fights to protect the man she loves but Ozai grows to resent her presence on the battlefield. Is all truly fair in love and war?

Short Story 4:

War was a common thing. One faction warring against the next. There was always blood to be shed. And where there was blood to be shed, there were always people to help clean it up. After a war between two neighboring Earth Kingdom factions had ended, a group of healers from the Southern and Northern Water Tribes came offering their help. They spent the better half of a year providing aid to the people of the region and even after most of the work was done, some stayed to ensure the care of the people.

"Lady Mizuki," A child ran into the clinical office belonging to a Southern healer that decided to remain there. "There are soldiers outside wanting to see you."

Wrapping the bandage on her current patient's arm, Katara looked at the child and smiled at him. "The soldiers know to go to the next town over to be treated. I only tend to civilians."

"But my lady, these aren't-"

The flap of the clinic entrance was lifted up and the metal clad boots of dark armor came into sight as it braced itself against the wooden floor. Katara's eyes widened as she saw a tall soldier in Fire Nation armor enter her clinic. She immediately grabbed the child and pulled him to her, telling him to take the patient through the back door. Her blue eyes stared wide at the soldier clad in black and red armor. His helmet foreboding of the fearsome legion he was a part of.

Along with healers for the Water Tribes coming to bring healing to this region of the Earth Kingdom, there were soldiers from the Fire Nation sent to restore order and maintain peace. However, they were anything but peaceful. They bullied everyone that was not Fire Nation like them and the weak. Instead of enforcing order, they just struck fear into everyone and caused many to fear the Fire Nation was planning to make moves to invade. Katara had been thankful she never crossed one of their paths. Until now.

"Can I help you?" She asked fearfully though there was some disdain laced in her voice.

The soldier took off his helmet and the healer saw long raven hair spill from it as she was greeted with the callous face of the soldier. His eyes were piercing gold like the embers of a flame. He was handsome as many of the soldiers had been rumored to be. However, despite the looks bestowed upon him, he scowled like he was not pleased in the least to be here.

"Are you the healer that presides over this village?" He asked with a voice that was as stark as winter nights and struck even more fear into her.

However, despite her fear, Katara wasn't about to show it. These bastards smelled fear like a hound smelt fresh blood of its prey.

"Yes, my name is Katara Mizuki." She told him. "I'm the village healer."

The soldier looked around and could tell this healer was a little different from the others he had met. They normally only relied on their bending to treat others but this one used traditional methods as well.

"My men and I will be setting up camp near this village. I wanted to know if you'd be willing to treat any of the injured."

"And if I refuse?"

The soldier narrowed his eyes, "Why would you?"

"I'd be taking supplies I could use on the villagers on your men. It is not easy extracting roots and herbs. Sometimes it takes a whole week and I have to spend that time in the hut up the mountain side. I'm not just a normal healer. I practice traditional medicine too."

"I see that. However, I will offer you the man power to get what you need."

Katara eyed him suspiciously.

"What?"

"How long do you and your men intend to stay here?"

"A few months. No more than half a year."

"And they'd pull their weight around here?"

"If it means having the village healer treat those of them that are ill or injured."

"Very well." The healer said. "You have my assistance."

The soldier was relieved. He wasn't expecting the small woman to be so troublesome.

"And your name?" Katara tilted her head up as she folded her arms.

"Commander Yong. Ozai Yong."

Putting her hand out, "Nice to meet you, Commander Yong."

Ozai eyed the woman's hand and then looked at her in confusion.

"It's a handshake. We do this as a greeting in the Water Tribes."

Reluctantly, taking her small hand in his, she shook it and offered an amused smile.

"Have your men ready in the morning. I'll take them to the mountain hut and they can start right away."

…

The elderly constable that governed over the village listened to the healer explain the reason for the Fire Nation soldiers arriving outside her clinic yesterday. He was a bit worried about the men being in the village as many knew soldiers away from their wives and families back home tended to seek company from the women of the foreign land they were in. He feared for the women in the village as well as the healer herself. She was young and unmarried. None of her tribesmen had stayed to protect her as she fought them in order to stay and help. Even more, she was an exotic beauty. Most people had never even seen a Water Tribe woman unless they went to the North or South Poles. The men here had been trying to woo her ever since she got here and if rumors of Fire Nation men having deep desires for beautiful women were true, the soldiers would no doubt have their eyes on her.

The healer assured the constable that she could take care of herself. Besides, they were on their way and she couldn't just turn them around, that would only make matters worse.

"I'll keep a group of men on look out for your clinic in case you need help dealing with those fire morons." The constable told her.

Katara smiled and nodded at the old man, leaving him to the baked breakfast muffins she made for him and his wife.

The water healer returned to her clinic, surprised to see a dozen Fire Nation soldiers were already there standing outside and inside, the commander was snooping through her things. She hurried inside after seeing him and two other soldiers in her clinic from the window.

"What gives you permission to go through my private things?!" Katara lost it as she saw all three of them looking around.

The commander turned around and looked at her, "You weren't here so I figured we'd get started. However, you have no tools here." He said in an impassive tone.

Katara sucked her teeth and slapped the tools she used on her patients out of the hands of the other two soldiers.

"None of the things you'll need are here." Katara stated as she frustratedly shoved everything they had out of place back where they belonged. "Come with me. I'll escort you and your men."

Taking the Fire Nation troops up the mountain side to her hut, Katara noticed the men were falling behind due to the steep climb in their armor, all except the commander. She was having a hard time keeping ahead of him. His strides were larger than hers and they were walking at the same pace. She had nearly stumbled trying to do so and he picked her up like she was a little person. It annoyed her. He couldn't have been more than a foot and a half taller than her which was still pretty big but she wasn't a dwarf or a child. Grabbing her by the back of her dress was unnecessary. Katara contemplated shoving him off the cliff they were scaling but she didn't want his subordinates attacking her. Plus, he was only helping.

Reaching her hut, she went inside while some of the troops caught up and gathered the tools they'd need in order to harvest the root plants and herbs she used for medicine. Tossing them on the ground in a pile, Katara went back in for her plant book so she could show them what to look for and when they finally reached the hut, she went over all the details she could muster in 15-20 minutes. Even gave demonstrations. They all groaned when she told them to get started.

Grabbing the tools to do some gathering herself, the healer was stopped by the commander and told his men would handle things.

"I have a few severely injured men that need to be treated." He informed her.

Katara put her tools down and sighed, "Take me to them."

The commander led the healer to his camp not far from the village she stayed in. There, he showed her to the medical tents where his badly injured men were resting. Katara's eyes widened at some of the injuries.

"What happened?"

"A gang of earthbenders that haven't let their feuding go. They attacked a village we passed and we intervened. We lost a few but most were injured."

Putting down her medic box, the healer walked over to one of the soldiers with bandages to his head and uncorked her water skin at her waist. She bended the water from it and gloved her hands with the water, pressing her hands to both sides of his head. Her hands glowed and she could see the damage was severe. Removing her hands and returning the water to her water skin, Katara looked back to the commander.

"This could take a while. Months, really." She told him. "There is only so far traditional and water healing can go. I'll exhaust all my resources and skills but know it will take time before recovery is even an option for them if all their injuries are as bad."

Ozai figured as much, "That is fine."

Katara let him know she will look them all over and those with the most life threatening will be treated first.

…..

Two months flew by and a lot of work had been done to treat the injured soldiers. And the water healer wasn't the only person putting in work. The twelve soldiers Commander Yong gave her had worked endlessly to harvest and replant all that she needed for her medical concoctions. They even helped her at the clinic and in the medical tents. She was very thankful for all that they were doing to help her, even if some were a bit flirty with her. She didn't show the least bit of interest in any of them which only made some try even harder for her attention. Commander Yong was able to put them all in their place and get them to focus. However, some were hell bent on gaining her favor. She was the most beautiful woman in the village or any village they had come across. It was only natural they'd be head over heels for her.

One night as she was finishing things up with one of the patients in the medical tents within the soldiers' camp, one of her many admirers offered her a token of his affection, a ruby pair of earrings lined in gold. He was from a wealthy noble family in the Fire Nation and these were an heirloom from his great great grandmother. Katara respectfully declined.

"Such a gift would be a wedding token in my culture. I cannot accept." She told him.

Feeling a bit flustered, "But I insist."

"It is very flattering but I cannot. Please try to understand." Katara reinforced.

"But-"

A large hand slapped down on the soldier's shoulder, "Are you trying to marry this woman, Private Sho?"

A chill ran down the soldier's back, "N-No, Commander Yong."

"Then leave the woman alone." He bit out.

The private took off running as he feared the commander would put him on scouting for the rest of the month like he did the other soldiers that were getting too close to the water healer.

Bowing her head in gratitude, "Thank you, Commander Yong."

"You still insist on calling me that?" He raised his brow at her.

Katara smiled at him and shook her head, "Bad enough your men want me. What would they say if they knew their commander was no different?"

Ozai scoffed as his eyes roamed about, "It's obvious you find me somewhat to your liking. Otherwise, you wouldn't entertain me."

"Then who would I have to keep the others off of me?" She chuckled and turned to head back to her village just beyond the thick alignment of trees.

The commander knew she was teasing him. She always found the need to tease him and play coy. For the time he had been spending with the woman, he had found himself falling under the same spell as all his men, how could he not? In the end, he was just a man and he was not a blind one. Katara was beautiful as she was intelligent and witty. She had a spark in her that almost resembled fire and like a moth to a candle light, he was drawn to her.

It was a strange turn of events when she noticed his attraction to her. He never once made it obvious. If anything, he tried to not make it known to her. He knew how to admire from afar. After all, he had done so many times in his life. However, finding this out, she didn't shoo him off like she did to his men and even some of the village men. She made fun of him for it and even told him it was cute that someone scary like him would have a crush. Ozai wished she wouldn't use such terminology as it made him feel like a hormonal teen but this was all a part of her teasing him. Though, he didn't mind and allowed her to tease him as she liked when it was just them.

Oftentimes than not, they were alone. Whether it was hiking up and down the mountain side side by side. Or him visiting her clinic with questions about his men. Sometimes, he would simply find an excuse to see her and he knew it was pathetic and exactly how she figured him out but he couldn't help himself. There weren't many women he took interest in and even fewer that plagued his thoughts like she did.

The following day, the water healer had woken pretty early to get a head start on her day but as she opened the front door of her clinic to leave out of, she was greeted by her new friend.

"Commander Yong."

"Ozai. My name is Ozai." He told her as his tall form loomed over her.

Katara tilted her head as she smirked, "What if your men heard me call you that?"

"They'd back off completely." Ozai told her with a smirk.

Giggling as she shook her head, "I take it I'd be sending them as well as you the wrong message."

"I know you wouldn't be speaking to me right now unless you didn't feel the same." He pointed out.

"How I feel doesn't much matter to you people, does it?" Katara's tone turned a bit sour. "I'm not interested in any soldier, Ozai. I just love doing my job. I entertain for entertainment. You're the first Fire Nation person I've met and you're interesting to me. I'm curious by nature. Doesn't mean I want to be fucked and then forgotten when you move on to your next village to prey on the likes of another poor woman that falls for your good looks and charm. I'm not an idiot. I know what soldiers do in their spare time. I won't be a victim."

The commander was a bit taken aback as she walked around him and went on about her business. He didn't see that coming. However, she wasn't wrong to say what she had. She was right but he did intend to prove her wrong. Again, he had never been more intrigued by a woman before and if he had to chase her, he was damn well going to do so.

…...

Katara stared at the commander with her arms folded as rain poured down on both of their heads. This was getting to be too much and now, she thought he was an idiot. Because he was.

For the last two weeks after she shot him down on her doorstep, he had been no different than any of his men in trying to get her attention. Though he was a lot more discreet and had a different way of making her notice him, he was clearly trying to gain her favor. Running errands for her without her even saying anything. He would take notice of something that she needed around her clinic and would get it for her. Then he was always walking her back to her clinic at night after she worked on her patients in the medical tents. Sometimes he'd spot her going about her business on days that she had to herself and he would literally chase her down as she'd always take off running. The villagers caught on but his men were still clueless. The constable even intervened because he thought she was being harassed by the commander, which she was, but she wasn't going to get him in trouble.

Eventually, things got worse when he decided to follow her out of the village as she was going to visit the large town half a day away for supplies she couldn't find here. She didn't know he was following her. She was simply riding her ostrich horse, taking in the scenery, when she sensed someone watching her. Katara got down from her mount and called out to whoever was there but there was nothing. Not believing she was actually alone, the water healer used a unique technique she learned on her own and focused hard. She could find any liquid she wanted in a 3 mile radius. Any substance of water and blood was one of those things.

Feeling blood nearby, Katara clenched her teeth and went into attack mode. Tearing water from the bushes nearby to form mini daggers of ice to be shot in the direction she felt the presence of her stalker. However, fire burnt out her attack and her stalker was revealed. The water healer was annoyed and went up to him and slapped him dead across his face. She then went on to curse him out and finished with telling him to eat a dick. Of course, he only stood there looking at her like he always did. Like he wasn't even listening to her, just staring at her in a daze.

Unfortunately, her outburst scared her mount away and she was left to continue on foot. It was supposed to only be an hour more but on foot, it was three, maybe four hours. The commander followed her, of course, she forced him to at this point, telling him he was going to pay for everything when they got there since he wanted to stalk her. He tried making conversation with her most of the way but she ignored him, putting in the extra strides she needed to stay ahead of him so she didn't have to be bothered listening to his voice. Not that she hated his voice. It was very soothing but she was just really angry at him. Why couldn't he stop pursuing her? She said she wasn't interested.

The two were only an hour more until they reached the large town they were venturing when a rock slide from the steep mountain side cut them off and the commander threw them out of the way. They tumbled down the slope edge and into some shrubs. His large form breaking her fall. Katara was going to thank him until the rain poured down and now she was more annoyed than she had ever been in her life.

The rain soaked them both and Katara glared at the commander through the loose strands of her hair in her face, arms over her chest.

"Commander Yong, what's the punishment for killing someone in your position?" Katara asked calmly.

Ozai corked a grin as he swept his loose fringes from his face, "I wouldn't just let you kill me, sweetheart."

"I'm not your sweetheart, you flaming jerk!" Katara screamed at him and stormed off in the direction the village was.

The commander had to say, he liked her so much more now. There was definitely fire in her blood. He knew he couldn't just give up on her simply because she felt he only wanted her for one thing. Of course, he'd love to get her underneath him and in the sheets. He could tell despite her modest choice of clothes that she was hiding an erotically shaped figure under the layers she used to conceal herself. But, that wasn't all he wanted. If she'd give him a chance, he could show her his true intentions.

Using her bending to create an umbrella for herself, Katara dried herself off and continued onward. At this rate she was going to have to spend the night at an inn and make the commander buy her another ostrich horse for causing her to scare off her other one.

It wasn't long before she saw the lights up ahead and thanked the heavens she was finally here. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the commander stumble into a tree and slide down it. Katara's eyes widened as she rushed over to him.

"Commander Yong!" She called out to him as she reached him.

Ozai's vision blurred a little as he saw the waterbender look at him with worry, "Don't hate me but I think you're going to have to carry me."

"Wh-What?"

Katara's eyes remained wide as he nodded off and fell forward onto her shoulder, all his weight falling on her. Damn, he's heavy.

…

Waking to a hand pressed to his forehead that was soon replaced with a warm cloth, Ozai's eyes cracked open slightly to see the waterbender's hands glowing over his bare chest. He moved his hand to reach for her and her blue eyes shifted to him.

"Commander Y-"

"It's Ozai. How many times do I have to tell you that?" His voice was a bit raspy.

Katara narrowed her eyes, "I'm not calling you by your name."

"Then I won't respond."

"Then I guess you're going to die from pneumonia." She crossed her arms.

Ozai stared at her for a moment and then sighed weakly as he shut his eyes. "Fine, you win, woman."

Katara smirked victoriously and then went back to healing the injuries he gained from their fall from the slope edge of the mountain side. He seemed to have gotten some internal bleeding from it and the cold rain made matters worse. She could tell they'd be here for a few days from the look of things. He wasn't in any condition to travel.

As she did all she could for the time being, Katara saw the commander had drifted off again and was resting. She sighed and furrowed her brows at him. He really shouldn't have followed her. There was no point. Besides, she made it very clear she wasn't interested in him. It wasn't necessarily the total truth but she wasn't going to let her heart get broken like so many other women that got involved with soldiers. Didn't matter where they came from, men that traveled far and wide were all the same. If he weren't a soldier, she might have different opinions of him and might allow him to court her. But that was a big maybe. He was clearly twice her age. Good looking as he may be, she bet he was in his late thirties.

Getting up from his bedside, Katara stood up and went to her side of the inn room he purchased with the money she found in his coin purse, stashed in his pants pocket. Unfortunately, there were many visitors in the area and they only had one room but it wasn't too bad. There were two beds which was good but it was still less than honorable for her to be in the same room with a man while she was unmarried. But she'd never speak of this to anyone and she would swear him to secrecy.

Deciding to get ready for bed, Katara undressed from her long button down gown and removed the layers of under dresses underneath. She was down to her bindings and reached for her fishtail braid and undid the braid until her hair was free. The water healer stretched a little as her muscles were aching from the pain of carrying that man here.

When she turned around to get into bed, yawning, she caught gold eyes staring wide at her. Her face turned hot red.

"What the fuck are you looking at, you creep?!" Katara shrieked and threw a pillow at him.

Ozai hadn't to stare but he had never seen her hair down or seen her so scarcely clad. It was a first and he hoped it wasn't the last.

Throwing herself under the covers, "I'd kill you if you weren't already so close to dying!"

Katara hid herself under the covers. No man had ever seen her with her hair down or undressed. Now, maybe she should let him die.

There was a brief moment of silence before it was interrupted.

"Your hair looks better down." He told her.

Growling, "You weren't supposed to be awake! Now, I've dishonored my future husband by having another man see my hair unbound! How am I supposed to live with that?!" She panicked.

Ozai figured it must be some Water Tribe thing that she had to wear her hair bound until marriage. "Then perhaps, you should consider seeing how things work between us and stop fighting it."

"Oh, I could just kill you right now!"

"I'm really not that bad." Ozai glanced over at where the waterbender was hiding under her covers. "And I don't fool around with random women, believe it or not. Unlike my subordinates, I've always stayed focused on my objective. I don't even bat an eye at the women we meet along the way."

Oh really? And I'm supposed to believe that? Katara sucked her teeth. Even if that were true, what did that change? Nothing. He was still a soldier and would soon return back to where he came from. Was she supposed to fool around with him until he left? And then what? Move on with her life like nothing ever happened?

"You're still going to go back to the Fire Nation one day." She pointed out.

"And I could always return."

Scoffing, "Whatever!"

"I retire in a few months and then on, I can do as I please."

Katara glared at the roof of her covers that rested over her head. "Just how old are you anyways, Ozai?"

Smirking as she finally used his name, "Would it be a deal breaker if I said I'm forty."

Forty? Wow, really? He was in good shape for forty. Hell, for any age really. She had the pleasure or displeasure of undressing him from his armor and clothes. The parts that she did keep her eyes open for were his torso and he was very muscular. She had to stop herself from biting her lip. The rest, she sealed her eyes shut until she pulled the sheets over him.

"Seeing as there are already deal breakers present, I can't say that really matters." She replied.

Ozai sighed as was tired and figured he'd have to find another way to convince her.

….

"You son of a bitch!" Katara covered her mouth and scowled viciously at the commander standing in front of her while her face was beet red.

The next morning was a headache. Katara woke to the commander trying to get out of bed and she had to hurry to stop him. However, when she got to him, he was on his feet staring down at her and she was trying her best not to acknowledge he was naked. She shoved him back into bed and threw the covers back on him as she rushed to get his clothes from where she was drying them by her window. Carrying his pants and tunic over to him, Katara saw he was eyeing her funny again. She tried to tell him off but he was unfazed and before she knew it, he had grabbed both sides of her face and stole a kiss from her.

Ozai grabbed her hand and pulled it away from her mouth, replacing it with his lips. He gripped her wrists tight as he didn't want her moving from him or hitting him. She could do that when he was done but he wanted to taste her lips. Little by little her resistance diminished but he still wasn't getting the response he wanted from her. Letting go of her wrists, the commander cupped her face and moved his lips against hers, encouraging them to move with his. Hesitantly, the healer melted into him and returned the gesture, following his lead.

Katara couldn't believe she was kissing this man. Not that she hated it. She admitted she liked him to a degree. She just didn't like the uncertainty that came with getting herself involved with him. While she hadn't been completely inexperienced, she wasn't the type of woman to mess around with a man all Willy nilly. Even if they were as attractive as this man was. But at the moment, she wasn't thinking about that. She was enjoying the heat that pooled in her gut as his warm lips pried her mouth open and his tongue invaded. It caused her to pull him closer and drink him in, thirsting for more. Her fingers clawed at the long raven locks that cascaded down his back.

However, his hands moved from her face to the exposed skin between her breast and lower bindings. The waterbender felt his fingers dig into her skin pulling to his bare body and she was immediately made aware of his nudity. Her eyes snapped open and she shoved herself away from him, panting as she looked up at him to see there was lust written in those amber eyes of his. Her hand immediately covered her swollen lips before she hurried to grab her clothes and closed herself in the bathroom to dress.

The waterbender mentally berated herself as she went into town and started buying everything she came here for. She shouldn't have kissed him back. Why did she kiss him back? But it felt so good. The kiss was so much better than anything she had ever experienced before and it was hard to break herself from him. He was so much stronger than her and his body was radiating heat that filled her stomach and made her weak to him. Not to mention, he tastes like the smoke from a fire pit dinner. She couldn't help herself. She hadn't had a man kiss her like that before. There had been two in the past that she had courted but neither of them made her this delirious before. She could barely think properly. Wasn't she supposed to be firm in her resolve to not get involved with the man? Yet here she was, unable to get the heat from her face to calm down.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" A vendor asked her.

Embarrassed, Katara nodded quickly and bought what she came for. After an hour was of shopping and then another hour of walking aimlessly, the waterbender returned back to the inn. There, she saw Ozai sitting at the edge of his bed wrapping his hand in bandages from her medical kit. He was shirtless still and she could see there were scars on his back, deep ones.

"If you want to leave now, I'm feeling fine to travel." He told her.

"Nonsense. You'll pass out in the first thirty minutes of our journey back." Katara scoffed as she took her newly bought items to her side of the bed and neatly stowed it away.

Ozai glanced at her, "I thought that maybe you'd be willing to leave immediately after you were done with things here."

"And get stuck carrying you again, I think not. We're not leaving until you're at full health." She said scornfully.

The commander decided not to say anything else as he knew he got carried away earlier. He only meant to get her to respond to him and tease her for it. However, he was just a second from throwing her on his bed if she hadn't pulled away from him.

"I'm taking a nap. Don't wake me." Katara said over her shoulder as she laid down in her bed.

The next few days were awkward and neither said much to the other. Mostly because there was nothing to say. Katara just wanted to focus on healing his injuries so she could get back home. And on the night of his full recovery, the waterbender checked everything out, confirming the damages were completely taken care of.

The following morning, the two made their way back with a newly bought ostrich horse carrying the bought items on its back while they walked to either side of it. Ozai held the reins, leading it while Katara walked, taking in her scenery. She needed to keep her mind on other things. Last thing she wanted to do was think about how she wanted to clear up the awkwardness between them. She had thought a lot the last few days and honestly, she was considering maybe she should give him a chance. He seemed genuinely interested in her and he was older so he was likely not trying to fool around anyway. Maybe he had good intentions for her and if that was the case, then she wasn't against it. Commander Yong was an incredibly good looking man and she couldn't stop thinking about him kissing her, the ghost of his lips still lingered on hers.

Ozai glanced briefly at the water healer and saw her touching her lips. She had been doing that everyday since he kissed her. He wondered what she was thinking. Was she still upset with him? Or would she forgive him? He was afraid to say anything for fear it would piss her off more but it was hard not to. They needed to speak about what happened before they returned to the village and it was all work again.

"Four more months and you'll be gone, how long till you retire?" Katara asked out of the blue.

The commander's eyes shifted ahead of him, "Two months after leaving the village. In six months total."

"I guess I can wait if you're serious." She told him nonchalantly.

Stopping in his tracks, Commander Yong looked at her with a taken aback expression on his face.

Katara stopped as well and smiled at him, "In the meantime, I'll continue entertaining your company as long as it keeps your men away from me."

…

Things went smoothly the following month. Most of the soldiers in the medical tents were recovered, leaving Katara with less work and more free time. Not that she was complaining. She spent a lot of her time with Command Yong and drawing attention. Many of the villagers had seen this coming while the soldiers were finally catching on. The water healer showed much more attention to the commander than she did any of the soldiers that had been trying to woo her. Not only that but one soldier caught the water healer kissing the commander on the cheek before she'd leave for the night.

Stepping up to the commander, Private Sho cleared his throat and grinned at the commander.

"Looks like Lady Mizuki is fond of you, commander."

Ozai nodded his head absentmindedly while staring after her.

"Perhaps, you can bring her with us. I'd be afraid to leave her here for fear another group coming through and noticing her right away."

Furrowing his brows, "Take her with us and then what? I can't bring her back to the Fire Nation Right now."

"Because of your situation back home?"

Ozai glared at the private. "Precisely."

"Hopefully, you fix things at home quickly. I'd hate to see her on the arm of someone else."

Like I'd let that happen.

The following day, a village child made his way to the camp looking for Commander Yong with a letter. The soldiers took the letter from the boy and took it to the commander. He was in his tent getting dressed for the day when he was approached.

"It's from Lady Mizuki." Sho told him as he held the letter out

Ozai snatched the letter and read it immediately. Inside it read that the woman had fallen ill with a fever. She was resting until she could be sure it wouldn't pass to any of her patients.

"What's it say?" Sho was curious.

"I'll be gone for the day. Look after the men."

Still finding the energy to get a few things done around the clinic, Katara walked around in her nightgown and wool blanket. She had a few herbs to ground up and with the new batch of roots the soldiers dropped off for her the other day. As tired and unwell as she was, there were things she still needed to get done. While crushing up the dried herbs, the water healer knocked over her glass of water and nearly tumbled off her stool. However, she was caught by a pair of arms and lifted off her feet.

"Commander Yong." She was not at all surprised as she tilted her head up and saw he was holding her. "You should probably not touch me."

"Unless it's a vicious disease, it doesn't affect firebenders, so I'll be fine." He told her before asking her where her bedroom was.

Katara pointed him in the direction as she rested herself comfortably against his chest while he carried her. She shut her eyes and couldn't help but be lulled to sleep. The woman was snoring softly before he even laid her in her bed.

Several hours later, Katara woke and it was night out. She sat up and looked around to see the commander was laying his head on the edge of the bed beside her. A small smile crept to her lips and she placed her hand on the top of his head, brushing it along his raven hair. La, it was so soft and silky. She moved closer to him and laid back down, running her fingers through the locks draping over his face.

"You're up." He said with his eyes still shut.

Nodding her head, "I am."

"Are you feeling better?"

"A little." She continued playing with his hair until his hand clasped on top of hers.

Ozai opened his eyes and saw she was smiling sweetly at him, "Should I stay longer?"

Katara giggled and pulled her hand from his to lift up her covers, "You can keep me warm the rest of the night."

"Are you sure?" He raised his brow.

"Yes. Now, take some of your clothes off and get in." Katara made room for him.

The commander removed his boots and stripped down to only his trousers before slipping into the bed with the water healer. She wiggled herself towards him and made herself comfortable against his chest, her hand holding to his middle. He wrapped both arms around her, resting his hands on the thin material of her nightgown, noticing she was wearing nothing underneath it. As much as he wanted to pull up her gown and run his hand against her bare skin, Ozai wasn't trying to have her claw him in retaliation. But then again…

Katara snuggled into him even more as he started pulling on her nightgown, drawing it up her thighs and then slipping his hands underneath. She was going to say something until his callous hands rubbed against her bare thigh and lower back. He had really warm hands. He is a firebender after all.

Noticing the woman only shut her eyes, Ozai took it as it was alright and continued running his hands along her skin underneath her nightgown. He knew it was a terrible excuse but he hadn't touched a woman in the year and a half he had been stationed out here. Not that he didn't have the opportunities but just because a woman threw herself at him, didn't mean he took her up on her offer. He was just picky with women. A pretty face wasn't everything to him. There had to be more to get his attention and the water woman had definitely gotten his attention.

When the waterbender woke in the morning, she noticed she had rolled on her other side and the commander was spooning her with his hand squeezing her breast under her nightgown. Her face felt hot as he squeezed her hard and nuzzled his face into her hair, pulling her closer.

"Commander Yong…."

"Hmmm?" He groaned.

Hearing his tired groan and feeling his warm breath against her neck, Katara felt she was going to melt. His hand continued groping her breast and as he pinched her nipples, the waterbender moaned loudly. The sound of her voice woke him up and she immediately felt him withdraw from her in a panic. She sat and turned to face him, seeing he was sitting up with his hand over his face.

"I'm sorry." He apologized while panting into his hand. "Didn't mean to touch you like that."

Katara watched as he quickly got out of bed and saw he looked embarrassed as well as uncomfortable. She climbed out of bed and walked over to where he was picking up his clothes to place a hand on his arm.

"It's fine. I get it." She told him as he stood up and looked down at her.

"It's been a while." He averted his gaze from her.

"Then maybe you should come back over tonight. The groping was unexpected but if it means I get a good looking man to keep me warm during the night, I think I could get used to it." Katara said a bit more suggestively than she intended but it couldn't be helped. She was a bit turned on by waking to him groping her.

Ozai looked back at her with a bit of shock from her response and was even more caught off guard when she cupped his face before pulling him closer to her. The second her lips touched his, the commander pulled her close and kissed her harder. He had already woken up pretty aroused and was trying not to force his feelings on her anymore than she could handle. She was a lot younger than him and he tried being considerate of that even though he had been having some very dirty thoughts about her as of late.

Feeling a little headed from the kiss and her fever, the waterbender nearly slipped away from him. Fortunately, he noticed, catching her before she fell over. Hauling her in his arms, Ozai carried her back to bed and tucked her in.

In her weakened state, Katara still managed to smile at him. "You'll come back tonight, won't you?"

Not trusting himself to speak, Ozai only nodded which caused her to giggle and shut her eyes.

"I'll be waiting."

….

It was lost on no one that the last few days of the commander going to look after Lady Mizuki that he seemed very distracted during the days when he was running the camp. They were fortunate that they only needed to keep up chores, patrol the surrounding area, and help with their Lady Mizuki herb gathering. Otherwise, they'd be behind a lot. Private Sho had gone to speak to the commander to see if everything was alright and he returned telling them that the commander was head over hills for the water healer. They all seemed to figure this out. There was clearly something going on between the two and some had decided amongst themselves to spy on the commander one night.

They were pretty surprised to see that upon opening the door for their commander, Lady Mizuki threw her arms around his neck to kiss him on the lips. It definitely confirmed they were involved but the soldiers figured they would continue watching to see more.

"Your teasing is going to get the better of me." Ozai said as the waterbender forced him down to his trousers and climbed in his lap as he sat on the edge of her bed.

Capturing his lips with hers, Katara tangled her fingers through his hair and moaned a little as she rolled her hips against him. "I'm not teasing." She said breathlessly. "I want you. I want to go all the way."

"You don't mean that." He said in disbelief.

"I do!" She moaned loudly as she pushed him down on his back and pulled her nightgown up and over her head, tossing it to the floor.

Ozai's gaze dropped from the horny look on her face down to her supple breasts. His gaze remained there as she grinded herself in his lap which caused her breasts to bounce a little. He swallowed hard and looked back up at her to see her biting her lip. This was what he wanted. What he had been dreaming of in his sleep and in his idle time. But he never imagined it would happen. She was so reserved and questioned if he truly meant what he said before to her. While he meant every word, he didn't think she believed him. However, he must have miscalculated and it was the best miscalculation of his life. He had a mostly celibate lifestyle. One of which left much to be desired and no one to fulfill it. It had been some time since he had been with a woman and he didn't want to disappoint.

Flipping the waterbender over and then under him, Ozai immediately went to claim her breast in his mouth while groping the other. He felt her arch her back and wrap her legs around his middle as he pushed them towards the middle of her bed.

Outside the soldiers spying were shocked and turned on by the scene. Watching the commander tear the healer's panties off next and finger her as he tongued her pink slit. Between hearing the woman make erotic noises and their commander doing things to her that they had all been wanting to do, none of them could help relieving the stirring in their pants.

Inside, Katara had gripped the commander's hair in her fist and rode his face a little. She was absolutely taken over with lust. When he moved back over her, hungrily devouring her lips as her hands roamed down to his pants wanting him to have her, the waterbender peeked her eyes open to look at the firebender above her. However, she managed to see something or someone in the window. She furrowed her brows to get a better look and realized someone was peeking through her window.

Pulling her lips from his, "Ozai, I think someone's watching us."

Ozai removed the flames from the candles to obscure the view as he nibbled on her neck and started removing his pants. Seemed this put the waterbender to ease and she cupped his face to drink him in as he positioned himself at her entrance. He felt her grab his member and try to put him inside to which he laughed. Biting her lip, the commander took her wrists and pinned them to each side of her head as he pushed himself inside her. As he thrusted past her maidenhead, tearing it in the process and causing the woman underneath him to cry softly against him. She shook a little to which he tried to comfort her, nuzzling his face to hers as she tried to become adjusted to the invasion. When she gave him the signal to continue, the commander smashed his lips to hers and moved his hips.

Outside, the soldiers could still somewhat see into the bedroom and watched the commander plow the water healer into her bed sheets. Her voice was hard to not hear and from the sound of it, she was enjoying it. They tried not to be amused but it couldn't be helped. They saw Lady Mizuki push the commander off of her before climbing on top of him and riding him. She rolled her hips and bounced her nicely round ass on the commander as he was buried deep inside her. Her hair flipped over her backside and they watched her breasts bounce along with her body. It drove them crazy and truly envious of the commander. Lady Mizuki spared no one the time but him. Lucky bastard.

"You keep doing this and I'm going to be at my limit." Ozai hissed as he watched the woman ride him. He was absolutely enthralled by this woman.

Slipping her hands from his chest to his neck, Katara smirked. "I'm almost there. Don't cum yet."

And that was a tall order. Especially when she was getting a bit carried away and choking him as she rode him even more vigorously. For someone who was a virgin just moments ago, she seemed to know exactly what she was doing. Eventually, she spilt all over him causing him to flip her back underneath him, her face down, and fucked her long and hard. All self control went out the window as she began crying out his name.

Sweat beaded down his face as the room was filled with the erotic sound of Katara's voice and the colliding of their bodies. He held her hips down while his balls slapped against her dripping wet sex. Completion was nearly upon him and he wanted to fill her to the brim. The waterbender ended up cumming again and this time he came with her, causing them both to shout obscenities as they rode out their orgasms.

Katara laid drooling in her sheets panting as the commander removed himself from her and slapped her ass with his dick. She noticed almost immediately as he rested his member between her ass cheeks that he was stiff again. Her eyes widened as she looked over her shoulder to see him staring at her with a still very turned on expression.

"You're not still-"

Ozai only nodded as he rubbed his hands along her back side and thrusted his hips forward, letting his dick slide between her crack.

Sighing as she raised her hips to him, "We can keep going if you w-" before she could finish that sentence, Ozai had plunged himself right back in and fucked her even harder. Katara gasped and buried her face into the sheet as she was about to scream at the top of her lungs.

The following morning, the commander left the water healer to rest after he had taken her again upon waking up. She told him she was a bit sore but she didn't seem to want him to stop, asking that he just be gentle with her for the time being. It wasn't an easy request but he obliged her. After they both cleaned and washed up, Ozai kissed the woman passionately before leaving back to his camp.

When he arrived back in camp, his men gave him strange looks, some seemed annoyed and others looked like they wanted to pat him on the back. He didn't know what their problem was today but needed to not slack on their duties.

"Commander Yong." Private Sho ran up to him.

Pausing to pivot, "What?"

"Is it true you and Lady Mizuki are involved?"

Ozai furrowed his brows, "What the hell makes you think that?"

Private Sho rubbed his neck awkwardly, "A few soldiers saw the two of you last night. I had them punished for spying. Their being flogged right as we speak but they seemed to see enough to know Lady Mizuki has a mole on her lower back and see a battle scar run from the middle of your back to you left-"

"Okay, stop. I don't want to hear anymore. They have been dealt with. Leave it alone." Ozai turned to head to his tent. "Punish anyone that brings it up. My private life is not to be discussed. Understood?"

The private nodded.

…..

A few days later, the water healer was well enough to return to healing the wounded and ill soldiers. Her return was met with mixed feelings as some were curious if she was only interested in the commander or if things were just casual enough for them to get in on it. Katara didn't seem to notice this but the men were trying to get a read on what she looked like naked since many were told she had the body of a goddess. The commander didn't kiss and tell but maybe they could find out for themselves.

While tending to a minor injury one of the soldiers had from being flogged, Katara noticed the man eyeing her funny and tilt his head.

"Got someone waiting for you back home?" He asked casually.

Nodding her head as she applied some healing medicine to his injuries, "My father and brother." She said with a smile.

"Anyone else? Like a friend or lover?"

Katara raised a brow and laughed, "I have a few friends but no, no lover back home."

"Do you have one here?"

Pulling her hair behind her ear, "Umm…-"

"We already know about you and the commander." The soldier started, "Some of us were just curious if you just wanted to see the commander or if you might be interested in some of us that are a bit younger."

Furrowing her brows at the soldier, Katara tried not to scoff and say something rude.

"Sure, he might seem to be good in bed for now but his age will catch up to him. Do you really want to be tied to an old man?"

"Excuse me?" Her brow raised as she was beginning to scowl.

"I'm just saying, you could do better. A lot better. You're young. Probably not much older than what's legal here and you're probably the most attractive women any of us have seen. Do you really want to be with just the commander? It's not just a fling for him, you know? He's not that kind of man. He'll make you come back with us and then you'll be stuck with him. Do you really want that?"

Katara got up and walked away from the soldier.

The others that had been eavesdropping all looked at their fellow soldier and gave him a dirty look.

Working on her other patients that seemed just as interested in her relationship with their commander as the first did, Katara decided to take a break and wandered off to the pond not far from the camp or village. She splashed some water in her face and tried getting her head together. It wasn't like it was a big deal. She and Commander Yong had spoken a little over a month ago about things. She knew he had certain intentions for them. Ones that were long term. She wasn't opposed. Sure, the age difference was a bit concerning but she really did like the man. Besides, in her tribe girls married young while men got to wait a little longer. It wasn't uncommon for someone as young as her to end up with someone Commander Yong's age or older. That's just how it was sometimes.

However, she felt like it was really no one's business to pry into her private life. It was sort of annoying and she didn't like knowing, a few of them had spied on her having sex with the commander. She didn't know what exact night they had seen her with their commander as she had been with him every night since her first time but she knew the two of them hadn't been under the covers and things were pretty heated between them. Just thinking about it got her a little hot and bothered.

The waterbender decided to take a soak but as she entered the water and made herself comfortable against a rock, she heard the voices of a few soldiers. Immediately, she ducked down to hide as she was naked. She saw a small number of them undress and jump into the water. Seemed like they were just trying to cool off from the hot weather.

As she tried backing away from the rock to exit from the other side of the pond without being caught, Katara ended up feeling a ripple in the water behind her to which she stiffened. Her eyes widened when she felt she was being approached and suddenly a pair of hands grabbed both of her breasts, pulling her against what was clearly a man's body. In her panic, she tilted her head back and felt instant relief when she saw it was the commander.

"Ozai, thank la." She exhaled.

Smirking down at her, "Expecting someone else?"

"More like I was afraid it was someone else." She turned around in his arms and looked up at him, holding her hands to his bare chest. "Your men have been asking me about us all day. They think I'd be better off with someone younger. One even told me you're taking some male enhancement herb to satisfy me."

Ozai wanted to laugh, "or perhaps, I didn't spend my youth screwing every woman I came across."

"I find that hard to believe." Katara folded her arms.

"Trust me," he smirked. "I had other things on my mind and in the rare chance I did seek a woman out of the evening, it was usually just the same women. Not that it meant much. They were known harlots. I just chose them for their experience."

Tilting her head up at him, "Well, I wasn't at all experienced nor am I really right now."

Pulling her to him, Ozai pushed her back up against the rock she had taken cover behind and leaned down to her face. "I don't mind teaching you. You've learned pretty quick already."

"Can I ask you something?" She looked up at him with her sky blue eyes.

"What is it?" He asked as he pressed his lips to the side of her face.

"Are you planning to take me back with you when you leave here?"

Moving to look her in her eyes, "Is that what you want?"

"I need to go and see my family. Plus, I'm a little nervous about going to the Fire Nation. You and I might get along but we're still opposites. That doesn't sit well with many others." She expressed with worry.

Ozai looked her over and ran his fingers into her wet hair, "Then tell me what you want me to do. I'll do it."

"I'll go back home and when you've retired, just come find me there."

"How will I find you?"

"Just ask for the daughter of the Mizuki clan. They'll look at you funny at first but they'll take you to me."

Smirking, "What are you? A princess or something?"

Katara shrugged awkwardly, "Sort of."

Raising a brow, "Really?"

She nodded.

Pulling away from her, "You're joking."

Deciding to lie, "Yeah, sorry. I just wanted to see your reaction."

Ozai eyed her funny.

"What? You wouldn't like it if I was?" She asked carefully.

"It's not that. Just…." Ozai looked away from her. "I'm a noble's bastard son. My mother was a brothel woman. It won't look good for your reputation if my parentage is discovered."

Katara sighed and reached up for his face, "I wouldn't care."

"You say that but ask yourself why someone my age isn't already married. Sure, I've made a name for myself through hard work so people would stop calling me a bastard and so I can finally carry my father's surname but no one forgets what you are in the end. I'm still a bastard."

The waterbender wrapped her arms around him and shut her eyes, "That makes two of us. My mother was the chieftain's concubine. So I'm sort of a princess. My father lets me have the title and treats me like I'm his daughter by his late wife but to everyone else I'm still a concubine's daughter. I guess we're a good match."

The two made eye contact and Katara gave him a smile as he smiled back, reaching down to kiss her. Both of them forgot there were others further head in the pond and got busy behind the rock. The soldiers couldn't help but watch in shock as the commander had his way with Lady Mizuki on the other side of the pond. The description that had been given about the woman was accurate but did little justice to the actual sight of her.

Since the cat was out of the bag, neither the commander nor the water healer hid their relationship. Lady Mizuki would spend a few nights with Commander Yong in his tent and often their privacy was compromised due to his nosy soldiers wanting to see what kinky things the two of them were into. One of them walked in on them one night and found the water healer gagged with her own sash while her arms were restrained above her head with the commander's belt. Once that got around, the couple stuck to not having sex unless in her bed wherethey had more privacy.

However, some weeks passed and they were left alone all together. But one night while the two slept in his tent, they were woken up by the sound of a group of Komodo rhinos riding threw. Ozai slipped out of bed and put on his night robe while urging Katara to stay in bed. She didn't argue and laid back down as she had been tired from her day.

As Ozai went outside to see what was going on, he saw his men had all done the same and faced the direction of where one of many riders were approaching. It was obviously another group of Fire Nation soldiers. Only their people rode such mounts and from the look of the armor, it was as plain as day.

"Commander Yong." The ride said as he stopped just in front of the commander.

Tilting his head as he watched the riding remove his helmet, "General Yong."

The riding grinned as he climbed off his mount, "Not happy to see me, brother?"

"When am I ever?" Ozai rolled his eyes. "What do you want, Iroh?"

Iroh came up to his brother and patted his shoulder, "I'd like some tea but I also come bearing some news."

Ozai looked around his brother and saw his company all dismounting, "Men, help them settle." He ordered before looking back at his brother. "I currently have a guest in my tent. Let me ensure they are decent." He bit out.

"Very well brother."

The commander entered his tent and woke Katara from her sleep. She stirred, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"Is everything alright?" She asked him.

Ozai informed her his brother's group showed up and that his brother would be in the tent to have tea and speak with him.

"Want me to leave?"

"No, just cover up." Even though he had put a room divider in front of his bed to provide some privacy after his men spied on him, Ozai still wanted to ensure no one else got a glimpse of her.

Katara nodded and took his night robe to put on her before laying back down. He ran his hand over her side a little before going back to invite his brother in.

When Iroh entered, the general noticed the soft snoring of a woman and saw her outline from the room divider. He glanced at his brother and smirked.

"The local women must be friendly to penetrate that tough exterior of yours." Iroh commented as he went to the low table to sit.

Ozai scoffed, "She's not a local."

"Ah, from another part of the country?"

"Try the South Pole." Sat across from his brother and lit the small fire pit as Iroh snooped through his tea bags. "She's a water healer that was treating the village when we got here. She alone has been tending to our wounded and ill."

Iroh eyed him, "I see, you have a way of returning your gratitude."

Ozai decided to disregard the comment and begin making the tea his brother requested.

"So what news do you have for me?"

The general gave a small smile, "I'm sorry to say but war has broken out again, brother. Your retirement has been delayed."

Ozai furrowed his brows, "War? With us and who?"

"The two factions have begun fighting again. The Fire Lord wants-"

"To hell with the damn Fire Lord!"

"Brother! That is treason!"

"I had four more months, Iroh! Six fucking months!" Ozai raged as he wanted to flip a damn table.

"Broth-"

Pacing back and forth, "Iroh, I'm supposed to be settling down. Start the family I never had and you want me, no, the Fire Lord wants me to fight the war of these mud slingers?!"

Iroh sighed, "I am sorry, brother. Perhaps, you'll be discharged soon enough but orders are orders."

Ozai was beyond livid. He had promised Katara he would be retired from the military soon but now, these damn factions had made a liar of him.

When Iroh left the tent, Ozai went around the divider to see Katara sitting up in the bed with teary eyes.

"Kat-"

"You can't! I won't let you! You're not leaving me to fight other men's war!" Katara shouted.

Ozai sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "Orders are orders, Katara."

"You promised, Ozai! You promised me!"

"And I never would have if I knew this would happen. Please, forgive me."

Katara felt her heart lurch. This was exactly what she had begun to fear. She knew it. This was too good to be true.

Sniffling as she held the covers to her breasts, "Then I'm coming with you. You'll need someone to see to your injuries."

"Absolutely not. You will return home to your family and wait for me as you said you would."

"No! I'm not leaving you to fight without me there to heal you!"

The two went back and forth for an hour, arguing about whether she would come or go. Katara was stubborn. It was a side he rarely saw in her as they were normally always on the same page. Ozai sighed as he looked at her and shook his head. She clearly wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer and he didn't want her in the middle of a war. It was dangerous and he didn't know what he'd do if anything happened to her.

Snickering a little in the middle of their heated argument, Ozai smirked at her. "You stubborn woman, don't you know when you're no longer of use?"

Katara's eyes widened at this as she clenched the sheets in her hands.

"You've been a good fuck for the time we've been together. I'll give you that but if you think I want some annoying mouthy woman following me around a damn battlefield, then I might as well just get my life over with now." Ozai said cruelly.

"Ozai, you can't mean-"

"Oh, but I do and you've been too stupid to see that I have no true plans for you other than to get the most satisfaction out that warm little pussy between your legs. I'll admit, you're the only woman I've gotten worked up over but I do prefer my life as a bachelor rather than being tied down by a woman." Ozai hissed at the last part. "Why don't you go run along home and save yourself further embarrassment of being my whore."

In utter disbelief, Katara climbed out of bed and gathered her clothes immediately. She couldn't believe what he just said to her. He had been using her all this time. Took her virginity and made a whore of her. Lied to her face about their future together. Oh, it wounded her but she would not let it break her. No, not yet anyways.

Dressed back into her clothes, Katara marched up to Ozai and slapped him dead across his face. "You monster! I loved you!"

Ozai watched her storm out of the tent with a lamenting gaze. He meant none of what he said but if it got her to see staying by his side through this was not the way, then he would be content with his words. If he got out of this war alive, he'd go looking for her and make things right between them but he couldn't allow her to be in harm's way.

Ozai was sticking close to the treeline around the village to make sure Katara was leaving. He saw her things outside the clinic in a wagon. It assured him she was truly leaving and returning home.

"Brother, are you sure you want to let her go?" Iroh asked as he approached him.

Ozai sighed and looked away from the sight, "I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her."

"So you love her?"

"Doesn't matter right now. I'll only approach that conclusion when this war ends and I retire from this position."

"Very well. Let's begin heading out."

…..

~One Year Later~

The heat of the blazing forest was absolutely sweltering. Even for a firebender, it was too much. Ozai had lost countless men along with his lieutenant that stormed the front lines. He warned that idiot bastard not to go ahead of the vanguard. There was an ambush of earthbenders swallowing enemy soldiers up from the ground below and crushing them within. It was brutal and Ozai nearly got caught in the earth shattering ambush. However, he was not so easy to kill. He sent a wave of blue flames out into the forest, snuffing out the enemy and putting an end to their brutal attack.

Using his sword to balance himself as he limped through the forest with the surviving members of the vanguard, Ozai saw his brother ride up to him with his troops and pull in the reins of his rhino just in front of him. Iroh took a look at the forest that was burning blue and looked down at his brother.

"You've exerted yourself." Iroh remarked.

"More of my men would have died if I hadn't." Ozai panted as he tried getting in a comfortable stance with his twisted ankle.

Iroh stepped off his mount and offered it to his brother. Having too much pride, Ozai refused and limped ahead.

There was a small fort setup with healers that remained to help both sides in treatment of their wounded. Iroh wanted his brother to get his ankle healed as it would only slow him down at critical times where he needed to be agile. Ozai's limp had gotten worse in the last three days as he refused to rest long enough to allow his ankle to heel.

Iroh and Ozai were escorted to a tent to wait for a healer to become available.

"I am fine." Ozai bit out. "It's just a limp."

"Nothing is just anything in battle, brother. You know that. It'll be a limp today and your funeral tomorrow." Iroh spat.

Ozai scoffed, "You're being dramatic."

As the two brothers went back and forth, the healer entered to treat the injured one.

"I need the patient on the cot, please." The healer said as she entered.

"I'm not a damn patien-" Ozai paused as he saw the healer.

Katara's eyes widened for a moment before they relaxed to a more impassive state. "On the cot, sir."

"Kat-"

Katara walked up to him and kicked him in the ankle causing him to holler. Iroh winced at this and backed away from the healer.

"I said 'on the cot, sir'."

Ozai eyed her from the pained expression on his face and finally got on the cot. Katara looked away from him to his ankle and examined it, pulling up his pants leg to get a better look at it.

"How long has his ankle been like this?" Katara looked at Iroh.

Ozai answered but her gaze remained on Iroh to answer.

Seeing the girl didn't want to hear it from his brother, "three days."

Looking back at the swollen and discolored ankle, Katara bended water out of her satchel to begin healing. She let the men know it would be three days before he could walk on it since he waited so long to treat it.

"I need to get back out to the battlefield. I don't have time to r- AH! FUCK!" Ozai shouted out as his ankle was twisted back in place.

Katara smirked and continued healing his ankle, "Die, if you want to but that's the only thing you'll be doing if you get back to fighting without first resting three days."

Ozai glared at her, "Now, you listen here, woman! I-"

"Brother, stop being stubborn. Just rest three days and return. I can't have you being a liability to the soldiers." Iroh told him. "You act as if it'll be a month. Three days is nothing."

Ozai wanted to say something else but his brother cut him off.

"Lady Mizuki, will you be the healer in charge of his recovery?"

Katara eyed Ozai, who glared back at her, "He's my patient. So, yes."

"Excellent. I leave him in your care."

"Hey! Where are you going?!"

"To meet up with the troops. Don't give the healer a hard time."

Iroh left the tent as Katara walked around the side of the table and eyed Ozai hard.

"I half expected to see your head on a pike when I came back here." Katara told him. "Never thought you'd be my patient."

"You should have stayed home, Katara!" Ozai growled at her.

Katara raised her hand and slapped him dead across his face, "You think I don't know that's what you wanted?! You called me a whore just to get me to go home! Do you take me for a weak woman?!"

Ozai turned his head back to her after she slapped him and spoke with an eerie calmness. "I take you for a woman that is naive. You and your people are prolonging the war by not taking a side. It's not helping anyone. Tell your father to stop playing the fence and having healers treat everyone."

Slapping him again, "I'm a whore and naive but you want me to tell my father to pick a side?!"

"I want you to understand that you and your people are ill suited for war and conflict if you can't take a side. Which justifies me wanting you nowhere near the battlefield." Ozai rubbed his jaw that she kept slapping.

Katara raised her hand again and he caught it.

"Go home, Katara." He bit out.

Katara glared at him, "Go home and do what? Wait for you to retire at the end of this war?"

"Precisely."

"I knew it!" Katara snatched her wrists from him. "I knew you only said those things because you thought me too weak to stand by your side! I fucking knew it!"

Ozai eyed her as she backed away from him, "Kat-"

"You should rest. The sooner you do the sooner you can leave." Katara said as she exited the tent.

Three days went by and Ozai had to say, he didn't know what to do with himself. Or what to do with the water healer. She looked after him as a professional and treated his injury around the clock. However, she couldn't be bothered with their past affair. Every time he tried to talk to her outside of the perimeters of a patient and healer, she shut it down and refused to respond to him. It drove him mad.

With it being his last day here at this fort, Ozai had one of the assistants that looked after him while Katara was with her other patients bring him a quill and paper. He wrote out his thoughts for the young healer he had a past romance with and left her a note before his brother arrived to retrieve him.

Returning to the tent to see her patient off, Katara found he was gone and there was a letter left in his place. She picked it up and tucked it into her pocket to read later when she had the time as she had other patients to tend to.

As night rolled around, Katara went to bed with the other off duty healers and kept her lantern on a little longer than normal to read the letter Ozai left her.

Dear Katara,

I know I left things off on a bad note. I apologize. I did what I thought would keep you out of harm's way. Not because you are weak or that I didn't want you with me. But because you are a woman I feel strongly for and if anything happened to you…I'd be in ruins.

Please, return home where it is safe and I promise I will be there when all is said and done here. Just wait for me as you said you would.

Forever yours,

Ozai

Katara sighed and placed the letter into the flame of the lantern, turning the lantern off when the letter had completely burned. She had no time for his words. They didn't surprise her. Ozai wasn't an easy read all the time but she had him mostly figured out. He was a man that felt women were all just waiting to be whisked off by a man. That all he had to do was say the right things and she'd melt into his arms. That she would hide herself away from danger to await his return to her from the battlefield. Well, whatever woman he thought she was, he was wrong and she hated him for it.

After their breakup, Katara returned to the South Pole and told her father about her time in the Earth Kingdom, including her love affair with the tall, dark, and gloomy Fire Nation soldier, Commander Yong. It had surprised her father and disappointed him to know she had given her whole self to a man that could very well die in battle. Katara had planned to wait as she always knew Ozai never meant those words but as she waited, she hated the thought that death would eventually claim the soldier she fell for.

Eventually, waiting was no longer an option and she told her father she was going to go find the soldier she had given her heart to. Her father did not fight her or try to stop her. He simply accepted because he knew her best and knew nothing would stop her.

So for six months, Katara worked at this fort as a way to finally see him again. She had no idea when or if he'd come through but most of the injured came here from both sides. The injured and the mortally wounded. She had hoped that even if he was gravely injured that she'd see him again for those last moments.

But, seeing him here with a twisted ankle that was injured even more because of his stubbornness ticked her off. How could she have fallen for a moron? That dumb bastard was fighting with an impaired limb as if it would not get him killed. His stubbornness was far too much for her to deal with and all the romantic feelings that still lingered in her heart were pushed to the back as she felt nothing but resentment for the idiot man.

Now, this letter that confirmed all she had known pissed her off even more as he refused to accept her presence in the midst of danger. Basically telling her to mind her place and stay away from the fright of warfare as if she were not a furious fighting spirit prepared to wage war on any and all that threatened the life of the man she loved. To hell with that oaf's letter. She was a woman that fought for what she wanted and protected those she loved. She would not wait in the safety of her home for news that he was dead and gone. No, she would run towards the fight and stand by his side whether he wanted her there or not. She would not allow any catalysts of death to come even close to him.

Climbing out of bed, the water healer threw what few items she possessed and a few supplies into a bag. She then slung the bag over her shoulder and snuck out of the fort.

Ozai splashed some water into his face as he and his men stopped around high noon to take a break. It would only be for ten minutes but it would keep the men and mounts from burning out quick. As he drank some of the water from the stream, Ozai heard rustling from the bushes behind him and drew his sword.

"Who goes there?!"

Several of his men turned to eye the bushes behind their commander and took fighting stances.

Ozai glared at the bushes, "You have five seconds to reveal yourself before I set that bush on fire!"

The commander watched unexpectedly as a certain blue eyed woman came from out of the bushes with her hands up in surrender.

"Kat-"

"Hey! It's Lady Mizuki!" A soldier shouted and suddenly all the soldiers of Ozai's squad came forth to greet her.

The commander watched with a flat expression as his men all gathered around the water healer and asked why she was here.

"Well, I figured since I'm familiar with you all that I'd travel with you to make sure you get proper treatment." Katara stated.

One soldier smirked, "No, she's here for the commander."

"Actually, we-"

"We broke up." Ozai bit out. "Now, all of you get ready to get a move on. I need to speak to Lady Mizuki in private."

All the soldiers sucked their teeth and sighed as they walked away to allow the ex couple speak with one another.

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

Katara sighed and adjusted her backpack on her back, "I'm going to make sure you don't die."

"Kat-"

"I'm not going to wait for you to come back to me with missing limbs or worse, dead. I'm going to stay by your side till the end of this war and make sure you survive." Katara told him.

Ozai furrowed his brows at her, "What the hell do you take me for, woman?! I don't need your protection!"

"You clearly do if your brother had to bring you in for treatment of your ankle." Katara pointed out. "It's your stubbornness I fear will get you killed. I won't let that happen. So I'll be right here to make sure you stay well."

Turning his lip up to snarl, "Go home, Katara. I won't be so nice about it if you don't listen to me."

"And what are you going to do about it?" Katara folded her arms as she challenged him.

Ozai scowled at her, "Do not think for a second that you and I will be on good terms if you stay."

"I stay and you'll hate me, is what you're saying?"

"Precisely."

"Fuck you, I'm staying." Katara pushed past him to join the men.

…

"What a woman." A soldier sighed as he gazed at the water healer that had finished fixing dinner for the troops.

Katara fixed the plate of the next soldier in line and smiled at him. For the last two weeks, the water healer had been more than a healer to this group of soldiers, she had been their caretaker around the clock. All were very appreciative of her and referred to her as the mother of the squadron. Everyone was happy to have her here except one person in particular.

After serving all the soldiers their plates, Katara made a plate for the commander and went to his tent to drop it off.

"I told you I'm not hungry." Ozai scoffed.

Setting the food in front of him, Katara picked up the chopsticks and gather some meat and noodles with it. She blew on it and held it to his lips.

"You're too old to be skipping meals, Commander."

Ozai glared at her, "Fine. Leave the plate and go. I don't want to look at you."

Katara put the chopsticks down and left him to it.

Ozai wanted to pull his hair out. He had tried for weeks giving her the cold shoulder in order to convince her to go home but she refused. Made herself comfortable amongst his men and became a mothering figure to them. She cooked, cleaned, did regular check ups on the men, and she provided a feminine air that the men had been lacking since the war began. Sending her home was no longer an option, not that it ever really was as Katara was the most stubborn woman he had ever come across and it made his blood boil.

As the troops traveled towards their next destination, a Fort that his brother's troops took over, Ozai eyed the Water healer that road directly in front of him. It had been her business to always remind him that she was there by sticking pretty close to him. It annoyed him. Serving as a constant reminder that they once shared a love affair. He didn't need to think of those things. He had to stay focused. That was another reason he did not want her here. She was a distraction he did not need.

Slowing down her mount to ride at his side, Katara glanced over at the commander, who was clad fully in his armor. His helmet and all. She liked the look but told herself not to forget he was an absolute asshole. How he was able to just treat her so coldly after all those passionate nights they spent tangled in the sheets was beyond her. She shivered at the remembrance of his touch. A touch she hadn't felt for the better part of a year and may never feel again if he continued as he was. Could he not see she was doing this out of love for him?

"What do you want?" Ozai snarled in a low voice at her.

Furrowing her brows at him, "I was going to ask you how you slept last night. I heard groaning from your tent as if you were in pain."

Ozai glanced down at her as she rode her ostrich-horse next to his rhino, "Spying on a commander is a grave offense, woman. You should mind your business."

"First off, I'm not one of your men. Your rules don't apply to me. I work independent of the military. And secondly, I'm a healer. It's my duty to insure that all in my care are healthy and well." Katara explained to him.

Ozai rolled his eyes, "Don't give me that healer shit. You're obsessed with me is what it is. You won't leave me the fuck alone. Trying to distract me with your little womanly ways. I'm not an idiot, Katara. I'm onto you."

"Are you?" Katara raised a brow before chuckling. "Whatever, Ozai. I'm just here to see to it you survive. Hate me for if it helps you sleep at night but I'm going nowher-"

Suddenly, arrows came out of nowhere and Katara quickly formed an ice shield around her and Ozai as the troops put up their shields.

"Ambush!" The troops shouted.

Ozai and his men quickly got down from their mounts. They engaged the enemy that ran towards them as Katara also prepared to face the enemy.

The clashing of blade along with earth and fire rang throughout the battle. Screams of impending death and the smell of burning flesh filled the air. It was not a scene Katara was accustomed to as she had only ever seen the aftermath of war. However, she didn't let it faze her at the moment, she was fighting off enemy soldiers with her short sword and waterbending. Her objective was to get over to Ozai, who was handling himself well, but she wanted to give him a hand to ensure his absolute safety.

Slicing through the last soldier in her way, Katara ran over to where Ozai was and saw a man on an ostrich-horse riding towards him with his sword out ready to strike him down. She spin around and formed an ice spear that she thrusted through the air, piercing the chest of the rider and knocking him off his mount. Ozai turned to look at her and stared wide eye at how she was covered in blood.

"Katara!" He had forgotten she was here.

"Hey! Focus! We're not out of the clear!" Katara raised her shortsword and awaited the next wave of foes to approach them.

Ozai furrowed his brows at her and decided he'd wait to say what he wanted to say to her. She was right. They weren't out the clear yet.

When their troops managed to fend off the enemy and send them retreating with only four casualties, Ozai ordered them to move onward. They needed to get somewhere safely away from this scene and settle down for the night.

Setting up camp by a stream, the troops all bathed together while Katara tended to the injuries of a few. She was hoping by the time she fixed up the light injuries of the men that they'd all be done bathing, so she could bathe. When the stream was deserted and the men were settling in their tents for the night, Katara went down to wash the blood and flesh debris off of her skin.

"Want to join?" Katara asked as her eyes were shut and she was running the water through her bloody hair.

Ozai had his arms folded over his chest as he glared at her, "You miserably idiotic woman!"

Sighing as she opened her eyes and looked his way as she was in the water up to her breasts, "Will you stop insulting me, please?"

"Insult you?! I want to wring your fucking neck! You have no business being here! You could have been slain!" Ozai threw his fists down at his side and clenched them tight.

Katara glanced over her side, "Ozai, ask yourself why the chieftain would let his only daughter go be a healer in a warring nation?"

"What does that matter?! He's a moron to let his daughter come here!"

Rolling her eyes, "Ozai, how much do you know about my people?"

"Not much, clearly! If I knew anything, I would have been more cautious in pursuing you! You're absolutely out of your fucking mind!"

Katara climbed out of the stream and bended the water from her naked body before approaching him. She tilted her head up at him and narrowed her eyes, "I am a healer, yes. My people believe in the preservation of life in all things. But we are no less as stark and cold as our tundra. We are a warrior people by nature. We train our children, boys and girls, to fend for themselves. I was no different. My father made sure I was prepared before I came here to heal the wounded and ill. I can handle myself."

Ozai couldn't accept that. He wouldn't. He didn't care what her people did or how skilled and trained she was as a warrior. He didn't give a fuck if she could handle herself. He was incredibly furious. So much so that he shook with anger and he was about to snap.

Katara noticed this and stepped back, "Ozai-"

Slapping her across her face, Ozai growled at her. "You take your crazy ass home! And you fucking wait like I fucking told you to! I don't give a fuck if you're a skilled fighter! You're not supposed to be here!"

Holding her face in shock, Katara's eyes teared up at the sight of him scowling viciously at her. "Ozai-"

"Shut up, bitch! Get your stuff and leave!"

Katara burst into tears as she ran to grab her towel to put on and hurried back into camp. Ozai turned to watch her with a scowl and saw some of his men witnessed the altercation to which he snapped at them to mind their business.

The following day, Ozai saw that Katara was still here and treating a few soldiers. He growled and stormed off as he had had it with that insufferable woman. The troops all saw this and felt a bit pity towards the water healer. She had done nothing wrong. Not only did she provide around the clock services to the troops and took care of them all but she handled her own while fighting and didn't require protection. She was a perfect addition to their group and they needed her. The commander was just being a crabby old man in their opinion because they knew the two slept in separate tents.

"Don't worry yourself about that mean bastard. He's been like that since you two split. Honestly, he's just making everyone think he's sexually frustrated."

Katara snickered at this.

"Just throw him a bone or something and he'll calm down."

…

A few weeks past and there was a fight every which way they went. Not a single morning went by that they weren't fighting and getting covered in blood. They managed not to lose a single more soldier as Katara treated everyone and had them all prepared before each fight. It was undeniable she was the greatest asset to the troops and even Ozai realized that her presence offered much more than that of a typical healer. He didn't have to avert his attention during a fight because she handled herself so well. She was swift, agile, and brutal. Her switch from a compassionate healer to a merciless warrior was astonishing and he'd be a liar if he said he didn't find it attractive.

Ozai had never known a woman to handle her own so well. No one had to look after her or spare resources for her. She ate separate from the men, didn't complain about getting hurt or dirty, she fought like the men and wasted her enemies. Katara was amazing and the men all loved her for it. Praising constantly. It eased his anger towards her as she pulled her own weight and then some.

Sighing as he removed his helmet and oversaw the troops burning the corpses of the fallen enemies, Ozai saw Katara dragging the corpses just like all the others. She helped pile the bodies to be burned and offered water to the thirsting men by bending it into their mouths. He was about to go talk to her but he saw Private Sho approach him.

"Commander, I've counted the men. Everyone is accounted for and Lady Mizuki has seen to all the injuries. I think we're ready to leave."

Ozai nodded and ordered for the bodies to be burns.

Riding towards their destination, Iroh's fort, Ozai saw Katara rode further away from as she had been doing lately. After their last argument, she didn't bother with him at all and he didn't fault her for it. He put his hands on her and called her out of her name. It was not like him to speak to a woman that way but he had been so terrified of something happening to her that it angered him to no end. He didn't want to lose her. It was only afterwards over these few weeks that Ozai realized that Katara was actually a capable fight and could protect herself. He wanted to apologize to her but didn't know how to approach her.

As camp was set up for the night, Ozai did his rounds to make sure his men were alright and staying out of trouble. When he approached the streamed they settled by, he spotted Katara bending by it in her underbindings.

"No wonder you move so gracefully on the battlefield. Your element practically makes you dance to bend it." Ozai commented.

Katara bended the water into the stream and turned her back to him, "What do you want, Ozai? Injury I need to heal? Here to ask me to leave? Or better yet, are you here to slap me and call me a bitch again?"

Sighing, "I apologize for my words and actions last we spoke. I let my anger get the better of me and shouldn't have taken it out on you."

"And just like that I'm supposed to forgive you." Katara looked over her shoulder and glared at him.

Ozai walked up beside her and folded his arms, gazing at the moonlight hitting the stream. "Women in my culture don't do what you do, Katara. Ask yourself why my men are taken with you. They've never seen a woman fight as you have. We're conditioned as men to protect women and children."

Katara crossed her arms too, "So you equate women to children?"

"If that's how you want to take it, yes. Oftentimes, women and children are treated the same in my culture." Ozai admitted.

"Then our romance would never have worked anyways." Katara sighed and titled her head at the moonlight. "I can't be a child to a man I want to love and make love to. It's much too weird for me that way."

Ozai glanced over at her, "So our romantic venture is not to be rekindled?"

Katara shrugged, "Hard to stir up any romantic feelings while slicing a man's throat open."

"Agreed." Ozai chuckled.

"We can at least be friends for the time being." Katara offered.

"Friends?" Ozai raised a brow. "You think I will settle for that when I've literally had you on your back screaming my name?"

Rolling her eyes, "Don't remind me."

Smirking, Ozai stepped closer to her and grabbed her face with both his hands, pulling her in for a kiss. She didn't return it right away but eventually, her hands did ride up the front of his chest as she kissed him back. It was less feverish and hungry and more sensual. A kiss meant to say 'hello' and 'welcome back' rather than to beg for more.

When they parted, Ozai gazed down at the water healer and caressed the side of her face. "You can stay."

Katara giggled and shoved him from her, "I never asked your permission." She said before walking off.

Almost arriving at the fort, Ozai rode side by side with Katara and made sure to keep a close eye out for anything that moved. It was noon and not yet had they seen a single enemy. They knew they were vastly approaching the fort and it could be a clear area but Ozai was much too cautious to let his guard down.

Fortunately, they arrived without further delay from the fighting. It put the men at ease to finally be behind high walls and Ozai was soon greeted by his brother upon stepping down from his mount.

"Brother, I had begun to worry." Iroh said as he hugged his younger brother's middle.

Ozai cringed at the man's display of affection and kept his hands in the air to look every bit as unwilling as he felt.

Iroh chuckled and pulled back. "This is exactly why you have issues with women, Ozai. You need to been more affectionate."

"Oh, he is." Katara laughed at how uncomfortable Ozai looked.

Glaring at her, "Shut up. Don't start being annoying again."

Iroh was surprised to see Katara and a few of the men told him how she joined them.

"She's been the main reason our numbers have stayed the same for the most part. She's been looking after all of us." Private Sho said.

"Well, that sounds delightful but isn't the battlefield a bit harsh for her to be on? I know you all must have run into quite a bit of enemy troops."

Ozai scoffed, "Apparently all the healers are trained like us. She's been cutting through as many bodies as she's saved, probably more to be honest."

Iroh was taken aback as he noticed the bloody shortsword on the healer's hip. "My, are you serious?"

"Very." Ozai said as he stepped around his brother to take a look around the fort.

Katara asked Iroh if any of his men needed treatment. He nodded and showed her where she could treat the troops.

Later that day, Katara had finished showering in the communal showers that were empty when she went in and she was heading back to the room assigned. However, on her way back, she saw Ozai posted outside her room. She paused and raised a brow at him.

"Something I can do for you, commander?" Katara asked him.

Tilting his head at her, "Yes, actually. I was wondering if you want to stay in my rooms for the night. You know, since you want to make sure I'm safe and protect me and all."

Snickering as she rolled her eyes, "I was planning on getting a full night's rest for tomorrow. Your brother has a lot of injured men and I haven't even gotten through half of them."

"Well, that can be very stressful, I'm sure. I can help you with that."

"Help me with my patients?" She raised her brow.

"No, the stress part." He grinned.

Walking past him to her door, "I think we should stay focused, don't you, Commander Yong?"

"Yes, that's why I didn't approach you until now with this offer. We're safer behind these walls." Ozai told her.

Katara sighed and glanced up at him, "Not tonight, Ozai."

Ozai sighed, "very well."

The following day, Iroh caught his brother getting distracted from what he was saying and watching the water healer from afar. He knew his brother had had a love affair with the woman a year ago that ended harshly and the troops all told him how his brother snapped at her one night, asking her to leave. He was curious as to what the new development was between them.

"Perhaps you should work things out between the two of you so you won't be so easily distracted while I'm debriefing you." Iroh said to his brother.

Averting his gold eyes from the water healer, "Sorry."

"I must admit. I'm surprised you are so smitten with her. Do you plan to marry her?"

Ozai raised a brow.

Iroh chuckled and looked over at the Water healer, "You told me upon learning about the war that you were trying to retire and start a family you never had. I assumed you meant with her."

Ozai scoffed, "You assume too much."

"Brother, you aren't fooling me or anyone here. You're in love with the woman which is why it upset you to know she was here on the battlefield. It still upsets you. Sure, she's a capable warrior in her own right but we Fire Nation don't want our women in harm's way regardless of if she can fend for herself. Plenty of them could but we never let them this close to battle."

Ozai sighed, "I can't tell her to leave. She doesn't listen to me and the men all love her. She's more than my woman. She's an asset and I'd be damning all these men if I forced her to return home."

Iroh sighed, "Quite the dilemma you're in, brother."

Finishing serving the men of the fort food, Katara went to her room to change into something more maneuverable and picked up her short sword as she was about to patrol outside the fort like she would do during the night before bathing and going to bed. When she changed and left her room, Ozai was waiting for her outside.

Sighing, "This is going to get bothersome for me real quick if you intend to do this every night, Ozai."

"I was going to join you in patrolling." He said.

Eyeing him, "Join me? For what reason? I did so last night on my own and you didn't even know about it."

"I'm sure you can deal with any man that dares face off with you but I'm simply restless and need to go for a walk. I meant you no offense."

Katara sighed, "I can't tell you not to. You'll follow me either way."

They left the safe perimeters of the fort and began the patrol into the forest surrounding the fort. Katara held a secured grip on the hilt of her sword and let her eyes do a swift sweep of her surroundings as Ozai did the same to her left.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes." Katara replied.

"You mentioned your father and brother to me on a few occasions but you never mentioned your mother aside from telling me she was a concubine. Why is that?"

Katara didn't bother looking his way and continued scanning the dark forest, "My mother was killed when I was very young. Being a concubine was a difficult task. All the jealousy and trickery of the other women. My father had women from all over as his consorts and concubines. My mother was just a simple woman sold to him by a merchant. He claimed to have loved her but he never raised her status to that of a prized consort. It left my mother open and vulnerable to the other women." Sighing as she suddenly recalled the day. "One of the women, Sakura, a Fire Nation woman my father acquired from the Fire Lord's harem, was jealous of my mother for giving the chieftain two children. Something no other woman he had in his harem could do. At the age of six, I watched her strangle my mother to death. I was paralyzed while I hid in my mother's wardrobe. Seeing my mother call out for me to get my father. I couldn't bring myself to leave that spot. I feared I'd be next."

Ozai was starting to realize that perhaps her mother's death was why she was the way she was about trying to protect him.

"I told myself I'd never let someone else I love die while I hide away." Katara told him. "That and I'd never let myself fear death so much that it would cost my loved one's their life. I knew I just had to get stronger and I have."

Nodding his head, "I admit, I doubted you in the beginning but you've shown me you're very capable. However…"

Katara raised a brow as Ozai paused in his step.

"Just because you're capable and have gotten stronger in order to protect those you care about, doesn't mean you can throw yourself in harm's way every time."

Katara folded her arms and looked up at him, "Oh really?"

"Yes," he smirked. "Think. Say we have children, are you going to abandon them to come save me?"

The question threw Katara for a loop. "I- well…- I mean-"

"Just as you are capable, so am I. It offends you that I want to protect you but do you not think I feel the same?"

Katara thought about this and was sort of speechless.

"Also, you want me to respect your culture of women being equally as equipped as men to face battle but you won't accept my culture of men protecting their women. You're not being very fair, Katara." Ozai pointed out to her.

Still having a hard time coming up with a response.

"Listen, I only mean to tell you this because I don't want anything to happen to you. Just as you feel the same about me. So, if this is going to work, we have to have each other's backs. Not just you playing bodyguard to me. I want to protect you all the same."

Katara sighed and nodded, "Fine but not because I need you having my back. I'm just being fair."

Ozai smirked and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Let's head back. There's nothing out in these woods."

But unbeknownst to him, some of the enemy troops lurked from the canopy of trees.

"We found her."

…

A/N:

This has by far been my most favorite Short Story to write. I want to thank one of my fans that PMed me with this idea. Hope I'm meeting your expectations.